Childhood sexual abuse among outpatients attending adult psychiatric outpatient clinics: a case-control study / Abuso sexual infantil entre los pacientes externos que asisten a las clínicas psiquiátricas ambulatorias para adultos: un estudio de caso-control

Only a few studies have focussed on the importance of routine investigation of childhood sexual abuse in outpatients attending adult psychiatric outpatient clinics. The aim of this study is to explore the association between having a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and attending adult Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics in Trinidad. METHODS: This was a case-control study conducted in twelve psychiatric outpatient clinics located throughout Trinidad A questionnaire covering demographic, social, and sexual abuse components was administered by semi-structured interview to 566 participants, of whom 242 were cases, 239 were controls and 85 had incomplete questionnaires. The cases were 242 patients attending psychiatric outpatient clinics in Trinidad and the controls were 239 non-physician staffmembers at the clinics. Results were analyzed using the Stastistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 10. RESULTS: Chi-square analyses revealed several significant differences between the cases and control group. Sixty-three (26%) cases and 29 (12.1%) controls experienced CSA (p < 0.000). Twenty-five (39.7%) of the CSA cases had their experiences between the ages of 4 to 8 years and 13 (44.8%) of the CSA controls had their experiences between the ages of 9 to 12 (p < 0.01). Twenty-six (41.3%) of the cases and 3 (10.3%) of the controls had been abused at least 5 times (p < 0.000). Seventeen (58.6%) abused CSA controls reported having been sexually abused as a child only once. CSA with both force and manipulation was reported by 30 (47.6%) CSA cases while 6 (20.7%) CSA controls experienced CSA with force and manipulation (p < 0. 025). The abused CSA cases reported having a smaller social network of 2 persons compared to the abused CSA controls who had a social network of more than 4 persons (p < 0. 05). Of the 92 abused participants, 73.9% were women, and only 52.2% had told someone about the CSA. For the majority of CSA cases and CSA controls, the abuse involved one abuser. CONCLUSION: A positive correlation was established between earlier onset of CSA, repeated abuse (occurring more than 5 times), a limited social network in patients who had CSA and attending adult psychiatric outpatient clinics. Identifying CSA in psychiatric outpatients may lead to early intervention and aid patient management.

Pocos estudios han centrado su atención en la importancia de la investigación de rutina en relación con el abuso sexual infantil en pacientes externos que asisten a las clínicas psiquiátricas ambulatorias para adultos. El objetivo del presente estudio es explorar la relación que existe entre poseer una historia de abuso sexual infantil (ASI) y asistir a las clínicas psiquiátricas ambulatorias para adultos en Trinidad. MÉTODOS: Se trató de un estudio de caso-control realizado en doce clínicas psiquiátricas para pacientes externos, diseminadas por toda Trinidad. Se administró un cuestionario que abarcaba componentes demográficos, sociales y sexuales, mediante entrevistas semi-estructuradas, a 566 participantes, de los cuales 242 fueron casos, 239 fueron controles, y 85 dejaron sus cuestionarios incompletos. Los casos fueron 242 pacientes que asistían a las clínicas externas de psiquiatría, y los controles fueron 239 miembros no médicos del personal en las clínicas. Los resultados fueron analizados usando la versión 10 del Paquete Estadístico para las Ciencias Sociales (SPSS). RESULTADOS: Los análisis de chi-cuadrado revelaron varias diferencias significativas entre los casos y el grupo de control. Sesenta y tres (26%) casos y 29 (12.1%) controles habían experimentado ASI (p < 0.000). Veinticinco (39.7%) de los casos de ASI tuvieron sus experiencias entre las edades de 4 a 18 años y 13 (44.8%) de los controles de ASI tuvieron sus experiencias entre las edades de 9–12 ( p < 0.01). Veintiséis (41.3%) de los casos y 3 (10.3%) de los controles habían sido víctimas de abuso por lo menos 5 veces (p < 0.000). Diecisiete (58.6%) de los controles víctimas de ASI, reportaron haber sido abusados sexualmente cuando niños, una sola vez. ASI con fuerza y manipulación, fue reportado por 30 (47.6%) casos de ASI mientras que 6 (20.7%) controles de ASi, experimentaron ASI con fuerza y manipulación (p < 0.025). Los casos de abuso de ASI, reportaron haber tenido una red social más pequeña de 2 personas, en comparación con los controles de abuso de ASI, que tenían una red social de más de 4 personas (p < 0.05). De los 92 participantes víctimas de abuso, 73.9% eran mujeres, y sólo 52.2% le habían contado a alguien sobre el ASI. Para la mayor parte de los casos de ASI y controles de ASI, en el abuso hubo un solo abusador implicado. CONCLUSIÓN: Se estableció una correlación positiva entre el comienzo más temprano del ASI, la repetición del abuso (que ocurría más de cinco veces), y una limitada red social en pacientes que fueron víctimas de ASI y asistían a las clínicas psiquiátricas ambulatorias. La identificación de ASI en pacientes psiquiátricos externos, puede conducir a una temprana intervención y tratamiento de ayuda al paciente.

Production and supply of high specific activity radioisotopes for radiotherapy applications

High specific activity radioisotopes such as Lu-177, Pm-149, Ho-166 and Rh-105 can be produced by indirect methods involving neutron irradiation of isotopically enriched (e.g. Ru-104) targets producing parent radioisotopes that beta decay to form the desired daughter radioisotopes. For example, Lu-177 can be produced by direct (n, gamma) irradiation of Lu-176. However, only about 20 percent of the Lu-176 atoms are converted to Lu-177 and the long-lived impurity Lu-177m (half-life = 160 days) is also produced in small quantities. Direct irradiation of Yb-176 results in the production of Yb-177 (half-life = 1.9 hr) that beta decays to form Lu-177, with the further advantage that this route of production avoids long-lived Lu-177m. Chemical separation of the Lu-177 from the Yb target results in a high specific activity Lu-177 that can then be used for radiotherapy. Separation of Rh-105 from irradiated Ru-104 targets is also being investigated by volatilization of the Ru

Minimum effective release rate of antifoulants.1. Effects of zosteric acid at Ford Island, Hawaii (USA).

Minimum effective release rate (MERR) of zosteric acid (ZA) was studied at Ford Island. At laboratory condition, spore attachment in Enteromorpha intestinalis was inhibited significantly at 28.2 microg cm2 of ZA. More than 95% reduction in spore attachment was achieved in Ulva fasciata at 2,000 microM of ZA through membrane diffusion system. At 40 cm depth level larval settlement was high with maximum number of Hydroides elegans settlement. The overall larval settlement was increased with increasing days of exposure. The MERR of 10 microg cm(-2) d(-1) ZA inhibited 50% of the larval settlement. However, the inhibition rate was not proportionate to the antifouling ZA concentration. Using MERR membrane diffusion system an effective antifouling strategy was suggested for Ford Island.

Antifouling activity of six nontoxic chemicals on spore attachment of Ulva fasciata.

Marine biofouling cause severe damage to all marine technologies. Indiscriminate use of toxic metallic antifouling (AF) chemicals (cuprous oxide and TBT) to control the biofouling in turn greatly affects the flora and fauna of the marine ecosystem. In search of environmentally safe and effective AF agents, six nontoxic AF candidates were studied against the spore attachment of Ulva fasciata. Spore attachment was inhibited at 100 microg of trans-cinnamic acid (TCA) and benzoic acid (BA). Sulfate-coumaric acid (SCA) had no significant effect on the spore attachment. The release rate of BA exhibited a constant release flow. Varied response of U. fasciata spores to AF chemicals and release rate to the surrounding medium are discussed.

Prevalence of serum antibodies to LA-1 oncoprotein, herpes simplex virus type-2 glycoprotein and human papillomavirus type 16 transactivator (E2) protein among Indian women with cervical neoplasia.

Prevalence of serum antibodies to synthetic peptide to oncoprotein of LA-1 known as oncogene of herpes simplex virus type-2, herpes simplex virus type-2 glycoprotein-D as an determinant of viral pathogenicity and human papillomavirus type 16 transactivator E2 protein was studied among 46 Indian women with cervical neoplasia using immunoblot assay for HSV-2 gD glycoprotein and LA-1 antibodies as well as peptide ELISA assay to detect HPV16 E2 antibodies. The seropositivity to LA-1 oncoprotein was found to be high (61%) among patients with invasive cervical carcinoma as compared to 35% in various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 36% in normal control women. In contrast to this, a uniformly high frequency of antibody to HPV 16 E2 was observed among women with CIN (68%), normal healthy controls (50%) and invasive cervical carcinoma (43%). However, a low frequency of seropositivity (13%) to recombinant vaccinia virus HSV-2 gD protein was found among 15 tested sera each from group of women with various grades of CIN as well as invasive cervical carcinoma as compared to 28% among seven normal healthy control. A negative correlation of LA-1 and HPV16 E2 seropositivity on patient by patient comparison among CIN and invasive cervical carcinoma group was observed which is statistically significant (P = 0.019 for CIN; P = 0.038 for invasive cervical carcinoma). However, a positive correlation (P = 0.144) was found among normal control women. The study has shown a desirable serological marker of cervical neoplasia. This serological marker could be employed as a screening tool in conjunction with cytopathological screening to diagnose women harbouring LA-1 oncogene associated cervical lesions.

Plasmodium coatneyi-infected rhesus monkeys: a primate modelfor human cerebral malaria

Although several animal models for human cerebral malaria have been proposed in the past, name have shown pathological findings that are similar to those seen in humans. In order to develop an animal model for human cerebral malaria, we studied the pathology of brains of Plasmodium coatneyi (primate malaria parasite)-infected rhesus monkeys. Our study demonstrated parazitized erythrocyte (PRBC) sequestration and cytoadherence of knobs on PRBC to endothelial cells in cerebral microvessels of these monkeys. This similar to the findings een in human cerebral malaria. Crebral microvessels with sequestred PRBC were shown by immunohistochemistry to possess CD36, TSP and ICAM-1. These proteins were not evident in cerebral microvessels of uninfected control monkeys. Our study indicates, for the first time, that rhesus monkeys infected with P. coatneyi can be used as a primate model to study human cerebral malaria

Prostaglandin catabolism and ulcerative colitis: effect of sulphasalazine, 5-aminosalicylic acid and other drugs

1. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of type 1 prostaglandin 15-hidroxydehydrogenase in human rectal mucosa. No evidence of the presence of type 2 dnzyme was found. 2. A 15-keto-prostaglandin reductase, responsible for the breakdown of 13, 14-dihydro 15-keto prostaglandins to 13, 14-dihydro prostaglandins, was also present in human rectal mucosa. 3. Ulcerative colitis patients catabolized prostaglandins to the same extent as the control group. PGE was catabolized significantly better than PGF2 alfa. 4. 5-Aminosalicylic acid and sulphapyridine did not affect prostaglandin catabolism. Sulphasalazine, methilsulphasalazine, indomethacin, flurbiprofen, disodium cromoglycate, sodium salicylate and carbenoxolone sodium inhibited prostaglandin catabolism to the same extent in both groups.Salicylazosulphadimidine was a more potent inhibitor of PGE1 catabolism than of PGF2alfa. 5. The increased prostaglandin synthesis reported for ulcerative colitis patients was not paralleled by increased catabolism, a fact possibly contributing to the accumulation of such compounds in the diseased state

Mapping the structure of macromolecular assemblies by combining chemical modification and separation methods.

Several examples will be described in which powerful separation methods are combined with relatively simple chemical modification techniques to provide structural information on complex macromolecular assemblies. Ribosomal RNA structure has been examined by crosslinking, separating individual crosslinked species by gel electrophoresis, and enzymatic methods for determination of crosslink positions in the nucleotide sequence. Chromatin structure has been examined by footprinting the location of individual nucleosomes by a combination of chemical nicking and DNA separations. Virus structure can be examined by using breakable crosslinkers analyzed with diagonal gel electrophoresis. Ultimately such methods may allow structural information to be obtained on systems even as complex as whole chromosomes.