Terminalia catappa attenuates phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia and hepato-renal toxicity in male Wistar rat by boosting blood cells, modulation of lipoproteins and up-regulation of in vivo antioxidant armouries.

AIM: This study investigated the haematinic, antihyperlipidaemic, hepato-renal protective effects of Terminalia catappa aqueous leaf extract on male Wistar rats exposed to phenylhydrazine toxicity. METHODS: Animals were exposed to phenylhydrazine (PHZ) 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal for two consecutive days thereafter, treated with T. catappa extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) orally for 21 days. After the experimentation, animals were sedated with ketamine (70 mg/kg) and euthanized by cervical dislodgement. Blood and organs were collected for haematology and biochemical studies following standard laboratory methods. RESULTS: Our study showed that T. catappa significantly increased erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit and high density lipoprotein as well as down-regulating leukocytes, thrombocytes, ALP AST, ALT creatinine, urea, total cholesterol as well as low density lipoprotein. The liver, kidney and spleen antioxidant defence were also up-regulated against the adverse effect caused by phenylhydrazine exposure. CONCLUSION: Terminalia catappa attenuated Phenylhydrazine-induced anaemia and hepato-renal toxicity in male Wistar rat by boosting blood cells, modulation of lipoproteins and up-regulation of in vivo antioxidant armouries.

Optimization of extrusion process parameter in manufacture of ilmenite TiO2 reinforced pencil lead.

The production of pencil lead with the inclusion of ilmenite for strength improvement and product wear control especially during production was investigated. A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on three numeric factors and two center points thus generating sixteen runs was used as tool for the optimization of production process parameters. The major raw materials which are graphite clay and ilmenite were characterized using X-ray fluorescence technique while the surface morphology was studied using scanning Electronic microscopy. The studied input variables were ram pressure, moisture content and die dead angle. Also, an experimental investigation of fracture force and wear rate of pencil lead were carried out. To obtain the optimum values of the properties being investigated, a tribometer and Micro Universal Testing Machine (MUTEM 4) were used for measurements, and response table was generated. The response surface plots showed that all three input variable had considerable impact on the responses. Results showed that the graphite used is made up majorly of carbon and ilmenite (TiO2). The control factor levels were applied to optimize the desired mechanical properties of reengineered pencil lead using the RSM. Results also showed that with a die angle of 55.3850oram pressure of 5.716Mpa and moisture content of 22.735, the optimal fracture force is 2.6055N, and optimal wear rate is 0.445 mm/l. These results were validated with those of industrially manufactured ones whose values are 2.95N and 0.35 mm/l respectively. It was concluded that ilmenite can serve as a good additive to pencil lead production.

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 is increased in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia: a preliminary report.

RATIONALE: The diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can be difficult. Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) has been reported to be elevated in BAL fluid from patients with VAP. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of sTREM-1 in the diagnosis of VAP in BAL fluid and the fluid collected in the expiratory trap from the ventilator, the exhaled ventilator condensate (EVC). METHODS: We prospectively collected BAL fluid and EVC from 23 patients clinically suspected of having VAP. A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to measure sTREM-1. The results derived from this assay were confirmed using an immunoblot technique. The presence of VAP was clinically determined using a modified clinical pulmonary infection score of > 6. RESULTS: VAP was diagnosed in 14 of 23 patients. sTREM-1 was detected in the EVC from 11 of 14 subjects with VAP, but from only 1 of 9 subjects without VAP, and was significantly higher in the pneumonia patients and when expressed as picograms per milliliter or picograms per microgram protein (p = 0.005, both comparisons). In contrast, sTREM-1 was detected in the BAL fluid of all 14 VAP subjects but also in 8 of 9 subjects with no pneumonia, and did not differ in the VAP subjects compared to the nonpneumonia subjects when expressed as picrograms per milliliter or picograms per microgram protein (p > 0.05 both comparisons). CONCLUSION: sTREM-1 is detectable in EVC and may be useful in establishing or excluding the diagnosis of VAP.

Subjective HIV attribution theories, coping and psychological functioning among homosexual men with HIV.

Facing a traumatic event, such as being diagnosed with HIV, the individual tries to find an explanation why the traumatic event happened. One way to answer that question is through attributions. The purpose of this study was to examine subjective attribution theories for HIV (internal/self-blame, external/blaming others, and fatalistic) and their association with coping styles and psychological functioning among 57 self-defined gay men who were HIV-positive. None of the respondents were diagnosed with AIDS. Although all men made attributions for their HIV infection, few had incorporated exclusively self-blame and external attributions, respectively. About one-third of the gay men attributed HIV to both self-blame and external factors. Self-blame attribution was associated with the avoidant coping style. Analyses yielded that both self-blame attribution and the avoidant coping style correlated with depressive mood and life dissatisfaction. External attribution theory displayed a positive relation to depressive mood. No particular HIV attribution theory was tied to good psychological functioning. The clinical implications of these results are discussed.

[Social support and psychological stability in HIV/AIDS patients]. / Soziale Unterstützung und psychische Stabilität bei HIV/AIDS-Patienten. Ergebnisse einer metaanalytischen Untersuchung.

An explorative meta-analytic study analysed all published empirical studies on social support of HIV/AIDS patients (n = 57 studies with 347 data sets). Empirical and conceptual questions are addressed. The focus of the empirical questions is to identify meta-analytically confirmed correlates of social support. The conceptual question aims at differentiating the large-scale construct "social support". Results indicate that social support 1. is independent of objective physical parameters, 2. is positively correlated with approach coping and negatively with avoidance coping, 3. shows a substantial negative correlation with indicators of psychological distress, 4. is positively correlated with condom use. The conceptual analysis shows that 5. there is no consensus on how to operationalise the construct of "social support".

[Standards for treatment and expert opinion on transsexuals. The German Society for Sexual Research, The Academy of Sexual medicine and the Society for Sexual Science]. / and the Society for Sexual Science]chtung von Transsexuellen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sexualforschung, der Akademie für Sexualmedizin und der Gesellschaft für Sexualwissenschaft.

Over the last two-and-a-half years a committee of experts, consisting of members of the three leading German sexology associations, developed guidelines for treating and assessing transsexuals. Their purpose is to improve the care for patients with sex identity disorders and to ensure that such care is of uniform quality to avoid erroneous decisions to the disadvantage of those affected. The guidelines are set out in full.

Predictors of unprotected sexual contacts in HIV-infected persons in Switzerland.

Predictors of sexual risk behavior with regular and casual partners among HIV-infected heterosexual and gay persons were addressed. Sociodemographic data as well as self- and interviewer-reported data on sexual behavior were obtained from 117 asymptomatic HIV-infected persons enrolled in the Zurich part of the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). Participants who reported sexual intercourse at least once (vaginal and/or anal) without condom use in the 6 months prior to interview were considered to have risk behavior. Sexual risk behavior was analyzed separately in contacts with regular and casual partners. In the 6-month preinterview period, 92% (108 of 117) of the HIV-infected study population reported sexual contacts, and 30/117 (26%) had at least one unprotected vaginal and/or anal contact. Among 93 persons using condoms, 25% of the heterosexual and 10% of the homosexual participants reported breakage of the condom. The main predictor for unprotected sexual behavior with regular partners was an elevated number of contacts. Predictors for sexual risk behavior with casual partners were the combination of alcohol and sexual encounters and the change of sexual behavior since the epidemic of AIDS. These findings did not differ between persons with hetero- and homosexual behavior. Considering that these contacts may have passed the virus on to the seronegative population, that the probability of unsafe sex increased with the growing number of contacts, and that the number of condom breakages was remarkable, it is imperative that this group be educated and motivated to take the active role in insisting on safer sex practices in each encounter.

[Validation of the FKB-20 as scale for the detection of body image distortions in psychosomatic patients]. / Die Validierung des FKB-20 als Instrument zur Erfassung von Körperbildstörungen bei psychosomatischen Patienten.

The study examines the validity of a body image questionnaire (FKB-20) assessing body image disturbances in a clinical sample (n = 405 outpatients of a psychosomatic clinic) and two non-clinical samples (n = 141 medical students and n = 208 sports students). The criterion group was constituted by 98 patients of the clinical sample with diagnosed body image disturbances (anorexia, transsexualism, hypochondriac symptoms). The validity coefficients were 0.56-0.65. The sensitivity of the questionnaire was 82-90%, the specificity 90-97%, and the total mistake rate was 8-10%. The FKB-20 proves to have good validity and can be used for the diagnosis of body image disturbances.

Psychological factors in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of stiff-man syndrome.

Retrospective psychological evaluation of nine patients with stiff-man syndrome (SMS), seven of whom evidenced autoimmune disease, revealed a characteristic set of psychological symptoms or features: Major stressful life events preceded the development of permanent symptoms by 6 months or less (seven patients); transient motor symptoms occurred in emotionally distressing situations months or even years before the onset of a permanent motor deficit (five patients); after onset, similar situations specifically precipitated or augmented stiffness and spasms (five patients). We also found task-specific fear resembling agoraphobia (six patients) and loss or invalidation of one or both parents, or loss of home, in childhood (seven patients). Eight patients were initially misdiagnosed as having psychogenic movement disorder. We conclude that the common misdiagnosis of SMS as a psychogenic movement disorder is due to the compelling association of a set of salient psychological features, bizarre and fluctuating motor symptoms, and lack of approved neurologic signs.

[The course of immunologic parameters in inpatient psychotherapy exemplified by 2 single case studies]. / Der Verlauf immunologischer Parameter unter stationärer Psychotherapie am Beispiel zweier Einzelfallstudien.

Psycho-neuroimmunology depicts a conceptual frame in which possible interactions between psychic and physical processes can be examined. It could be very significant in the field of psychosomatics when the courses of psychic and somatic processes are examined. However, the research results from this field of study are varied and only for a few parameters of immunity is it possible to prove correlations with psychic variables. Many of the studies that have been conducted up to date were construed as cross-section studies and possibly therefore are not very suitable for depicting the probably very complicated forms of interactions between psychic and somatic levels in an adequate manner. In the framework of stationary psychosomatic psychotherapy two single case studies were carried out in order to examine temporal connections between psychic and immunological course parameters. Both single case studies are to be viewed as explorative attempts of examining questions of examination design and organization which are highly resolved regarding time. Furthermore we report several interesting individual results which emphasize in general the correlation between psychic and somatic parameters also in the course of time. However the limits of such studies regarding the significance of the individual immunological parameters, using time serial analytical methods as well as constructing models in the field of psycho-neuroimmunology are discussed.

Does peace prevent homosexuality?

This study attempted to replicate a series of investigations by Gunter Dörner and his associates that concluded that more homosexual men are born in wartime than in times of peace. That conclusion is based on Dörner's belief that war induces stress in pregnant women and that stress causes a drop in fetal androgen levels which in turn leads to the development of a homosexual "orientation". The replication not only failed to support the Dörner conclusion but also found that even those cities that suffered the most severe bombing during World War II showed no evidence of increased numbers of homosexuals. The authors conclude that homosexual men can go on loving peace and getting involved in the peace movement.

[What is sexual addiction?]. / Was ist sexuelle Sucht?

The term 'sexual addiction' applies to behavioral patterns which are characterized by a lack of control of a person's sexual impulses. The diagnostic classification of these behaviors is controversial. They are categorized as addiction, as compulsion or as impulse control disorder. Etiological hypotheses focus on intimacy dysfunctions in early childhood, which entail feelings of shame and inferiority. With respect to treatment, only some unsystematic reports from the USA are available. In German speaking countries, till today the problem is widely ignored in research and clinical practice.

[Depressive reactions and psychological processing of HIV-positive homosexual males]. / Depressive Reaktionen und psychische Verarbeitung bei HIV-positiven homosexuellen Männern.

Interviews and psychotherapeutic treatments performed with HIV-positive males reveal frequent depressive crises in some of the men, whereas others are mentally relatively stable after having gone through a period of mourning over the loss of long-term life perspectives and prospects. The present study examined in 54 HIV-positive male homosexuals not suffering from AIDS, the causes of the depressive management by comparing a depressive and a non-depressive group. The results show: 1. that three well-defined styles of coping can be discerned, namely, "self-confrontation", "avoidance", and "seeking social support"; 2. that the "avoidance" style of coping is particularly pronounced in the depressive group; 3. that in 86% of the depressive but only in 26% of the non-depressives there is a noticeable conflict between socioemotional retreat and seeking social support; 4. that the depressives estimate the changes of any subjective influence on the course, as being very low, whereas the subjective probability of falling ill is correspondingly high, the self-confronting coping style correlating negatively with the subjective disease probability; 5. that in the depressive group the reasons for the infection are seen rather in one's own person, a mental predisposition being held co-responsible. In this context, the lower self-acceptance of one's own homosexuality plays a decisive role in the "subjective infection theory".

[Psychodynamic approach to understanding unprotected sexual intercourse of HIV positive patients]. / Ein psychodynamischer Ansatz zum Verständnis des ungeschützten Geschlechtsverkehrs HIV-Positiver.

Despite good knowledge about the transmission of HIV, not all HIV-carriers are consequently using condoms. Three case-studies are presented. A psychodynamic approach is presented containing two hypotheses: (1) The more condom use is experienced as separating the two partners and actualizing their different perspectives for the future, the less consequent will condom use be. (2) The more "sexualization" is working as a defense mechanism against depressive or narcissistic crises, the less protection and concern for the partner will control sexual behavior. Psychotherapeutic implications are discussed.

[Changes in sex behavior caused by fear of AIDS--an empirical study of male heterosexual and homosexual students]. / Veränderungen des sexuellen Verhaltens durch die Angst vor AIDS--eine empirische Untersuchung an hetero- und homosexuellen männlichen Studenten.

UNLABELLED: This study examines changes in sexual behaviour in the context of the fear of being infected with the HI-Virus and, in particular, considers the influence of a relationship and of sexual orientation. The population studied included 72 homosexual and 54 heterosexual male students. RESULTS: (1) Only 7% of the heterosexuals, but 68% of the homosexuals report changes in their sexual behaviour pattern. (2) Among the homosexual group practice-oriented alterations (avoiding oral and anal sex or using condoms for these practices) and relationship-oriented alterations (reducing the number of sex partners) occur likewise. (3) Practice-oriented changes are less frequent among homosexuals with partners than those without. (4) Those homosexuals questioned who are in conflict with their homosexuality have less confidence in potential sex partners. They are more inclined to have "monogamous" relationships.

[HIV infection--psychological coping and political reality]. / HIV-Infektion--psychische Verarbeitung und politische Realität.

The authors warn against a trivialization of the AIDS problem and against the call for state control. Since sexuality is ultimately uncontrollable, they plead instead for the greater clarification of the conflicts which those who are infected with HIV and those who are not infected experience in dealing with each other. The continuing mystification of these conflicts would result in mutual jeopardy through acting-out.

[HIV infection: trauma and coping with trauma]. / HIV-Infektion: Trauma und Traumaverarbeitung.

The initial results of a German-Swedish research project demonstrate the at times active-resistant and at times passive-resigned approaches of AIDS patients toward their illness.