Adrenoceptor and other pharmacoactive compounds as putative antifoulants.

The search for new antifouling methods, which are non-hazardous for the marine environment, is intense. However, even if several innovations in this field of research have been made, the search for unique molecules with characteristics such as strong biological activity, low residence time in the marine environment and which target special physiological features in marine invertebrate larvae, biofilm forming bacteria or algal spores is still required. This chapter reviews the effects of biogenic amine receptor agonists and antagonists, primarily G protein-coupled receptors, on settling barnacle cypris larvae. Biotechnological research on adrenoceptor compounds as lead molecules in new antifouling technologies is also reviewed.

Sociodemographic gender differences in patients attending a community-based alcohol treatment centre.

This study included all individuals attending a community-based treatment centre during a 4-year period. Patients were referred to the treatment centre from the primary health care (17%), social insurance office (8%), social workers (19%), employers (7%), prisons and probation administration (3%), on their own initiative (25%), and by other means (21%). The participants, 355 men and 164 women, all between 18 and 64 years of age, were compared with the total population in the municipality with regards to gender differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Adult life circumstances such as legal problems, broken relationships, unemployment and lower social class, in both men and women, were clearly associated with an alcohol dependence or at least of seeking help for this problem. The study also emphasises important social consequences of alcohol dependence in women, such as legal problems and drunk driving, normally associated with male alcohol dependence. The study revealed that living with an abusing partner was associated with a higher frequency of alcohol dependence in women. The findings are important issues to address when offering treatment to women with alcohol dependence.

Increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide metabolites in neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate systemic and intrathecal production of proinflammatory cytokines in relation to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) nitric oxide (NO) release in patients with neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus (NPLE). METHODS: Thirty patients with NPLE rated as mild, moderate, or severe were studied and CSF was obtained from 21 of these. Cytokine mRNA expressing cells were detected by in situ hybridisation. Soluble cytokines were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Nitrite and nitrate were determined by capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS: Patients with NPLE had high numbers of lymphocytes expressing mRNA for tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interferon gamma, and interleukin 10 in blood. The number of peripheral blood TNFalpha mRNA positive cells correlated strongly with the level of NO metabolites in the CSF (r(2)=0.69). Both the number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells expressing mRNA for TNFalpha as well as the CSF level of NO metabolites correlated with NPLE disease severity. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that increased peripheral production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFalpha may contribute both to an increased production of NO in the central nervous system and to generation of clinical NPLE. The data also support the possibility that measurements of NO metabolites in CSF may be of value in the diagnosis of neurological symptoms related to SLE.

Elevated hypothalamic/midbrain serotonin (monoamine) transporter availability in depressive drug-naive children and adolescents.

Cumulative data suggest depression in adulthood being connected to reduced availability of brain serotonin while the role of dopamine remains less specific. Prospective studies have shown a continuity of depressive episodes from childhood to adulthood, combined with poor social function and excess mortality. The object of this study was to examine whether alterations in brain serotonin and/or dopamine transporter levels are already present in depressive children and adolescents. We examined 41 drug-naive patients (aged 7-17) by single photon emission tomography (SPET) using iodine-123-labelled 23-carbomethoxy-3P3(iodophenyl) tropane [123I]beta-CIT as a tracer for monoamine transporters. In addition to the ordinary clinical examination, the patients were given a structured interview and information was gathered from teachers and parents with questionnaires. The diagnoses were established by consensus evaluation between three child psychiatrists. To test the serotonin hypothesis and the dopamine hypothesis regarding depression in children and adolescents, the series was divided into groups with depression present (31) and no depression present (10). In this study, the depressive child and adolescent patients had significantly higher serotonin transporter availability (P < 0.02) in the hypothalamic/midbrain area. Age did not correlate to the hypothalamic/midbrain serotonin transporter binding ratio. No significant difference in dopamine transporter availability in striatum was found between the depressive and the nondepressive children and adolescents.

Malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment in 9-year-old immigrant children in Stockholm, Sweden.

In this study the prevalence of malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment were studied from objective and subjective aspects in 174 immigrant children (89 boys and 85 girls). At the time of the study the children were 9 years of age. The objective need for orthodontic treatment was judged according to the 5-point scale of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Medicinalstyrelsen 1966). No need for treatment (grade 0) was observed in 11% of the children and only minor treatment need (grade 1) in 29%. A desirable need for treatment (grade 2) was found in 28% of the children at the time of the examination and an urgent need for treatment (grades 3 and 4) in 32%. Twenty per cent of those with a desirable need for treatment (grade 2; 6% of all the children) will probably develop an urgent need for treatment when the mixed dentition is replaced by the permanent dentition. 56% of the children were not interested in orthodontic treatment, and 63% found the arrangement of their teeth attractive. These results are discussed in relation to earlier Scandinavian epidemiological studies.

Persistent dysphagia after laser uvulopalatoplasty: a videoradiographic study of pharyngeal function.

In a follow-up study of 79 patients two years after laser uvulopalatoplasty 21 (27%) reported persistent postoperative dysphagia, with aspiration symptoms in 22%. None of the patients had suffered from recurrent pneumonia. A total of 4% of the patients regretted the treatment because of their dysphagia problems. The objective of this study was to examine oral and pharyngeal function videoradiographically during swallowing in the patients with persistent dysphagia, to determine whether the subjective symptoms of dysphagia correlated with objective signs of pharyngeal dysfunction. Pharyngeal function during swallowing was deviant in 76% of the dysphagic patients. In 52% of the dysphagic patients premature leakage of bolus down to different levels of the pharynx, from the tongue base to sinus piriformis, was observed before the swallowing reflex was elicited. In the dysphagic patients substantial bolus retention was observed on the epiglottis or in the valleculae alter the propagation wave had passed (43%) as well as epiglottal dysmotility (24%). Of the dysphagic patients, 10% could not avoid aspiration during the examination. These findings could explain the symptoms reported by the patients.

High proportion of type I fibres in thigh muscle of young dancers.

A previous study showed that adult female dancers have a high percentage of type I fibres in vastus lateralis, similar to that of endurance-trained female runners or female cross-country skiers. It is not known if dancers already at an early age are characterized by a high percentage of type I fibres or develop a high percentage of type I fibres as a consequence of dance training. Furthermore, the muscle fibre composition of male dancers has not previously been studied. Therefore the aim of the study was to analyse skeletal muscle fibre characteristics in 10-year-old and 20-year-old dancers of both sexes. Age-matched boys and girls whose physical activity was average for their age groups served as controls. Muscle biopsies for histochemical analysis were obtained from vastus lateralis using the percutaneous needle technique. The major finding of the present study was that the vastus lateralis of young dancers of both sexes had a higher percentage of type I fibres than that of controls. Moreover, the higher type I percentage was seen not only in 20 year olds, but also in 10 year olds, who had begun their dance training at a professional level only a few weeks earlier. No significant difference in this respect was found between female and male dancers. In conclusion, the muscle fibre type composition in young dancers of both sexes differs from that of the average individual of the same age and is characterized by a high percentage of type I fibres.

Structural characterization of persistent tympanic membrane perforations in man.

In the present structural study the authors investigated the border of permanent tympanic membrane (TM) perforations in patients selected for myringoplasty. Furthermore, a panel of monoclonal antibody markers that recognize different epitopes within glycosaminoglycans as well as antibodies to epidermal growth factor and fibronectin were applied to the sections. In half of the specimens the epithelial junction ended at the inside of the perforation border, whereas in the other half it was located at the perforation border itself. In the junctional area the keratinocytes were covered by a thick keratin layer which protruded as a spur centripetally in order to bridge the perforation. Epidermal cells formed papillae and contained remnants of keratinocyte nuclei that showed similarities to those of the skin in inflammatory conditions. The connective tissue layer was fibrous and showed areas containing sclerotic plaques. The inner epithelium of the TM had abundant ciliae, thus supporting the concept that cells of the mucosal lining of the TM are able to differentiate in inflammatory conditions into ciliated cells and secretory cells. The immunoreactivity of hyaluronan and other glycosaminoglycans, the immunoreactivity of epidermal growth factor, and immunoreactivity of fibronectin, all of which are known to occur in healing wounds, were only scantily demonstrated; this could be one reason for the arrested healing and a reason why the natural drive to complete a mature closure is abandoned.

Comparison of the repair of permanent tympanic membrane perforations by hydrocolloidal dressing and paper patch.

Thirty consecutive patients with permanent perforations of their tympanic membranes (TM) present from 2.5 to 50 years (mean 18.7 years) were admitted to a prospective study using two alternative methods of dressings for closure of the perforations. An adhesive-coated hydrocolloid material was compared with a conventional dressing of vaseline impregnated rice paper patch after de-epithelialization of the perforation border. Nine of the permanent TM perforations (30 per cent), five with the hydrocolloidal dressing and four with the rice paper patch had healed when followed-up after one year. The size of eight of the central perforations that had healed was equal to or less than 25 per cent of the TM. Also one perforation with a size of 65 per cent had healed. Seven perforations were located in the posterior part of the TM: four in the posterior-superior quadrant, one in the inferior quadrant, one had engulfed the posterior half of the TM and one included the anterior-inferior quadrant. Only two perforations out of 14, with a size of 25 per cent or less, located in the anterior-inferior quadrant, healed. No significant difference was demonstrated between the two types of dressings. Both groups noted an immediate improvement in hearing of 10.8 and 9.3 dB, respectively, after application of the dressing. The study demonstrates that application of an occlusive dressing or paper patch in 30 per cent of patients can promote the healing of long-standing perforations. The chances for healing are better if the perforation is located in the posterior part of the TM. This simple technique immediately improved hearing and should be tried before a patient is referred for myringoplasty surgery.

Do highly physically active females have a lowered basal metabolic rate?

In several studies estimated energy intake has been found to be low compared with estimated energy expenditure in female athletes. It has therefore been suggested that female athletes may have a depressed basal energy expenditure (BMR). The main purpose of the present study was to explore this possibility by measuring BMR in physically extremely active females. Eight female dancers and 7 controls with low physical activity, all musicians, were studied; the variables measured included body weight, height, skinfold thickness and total body potassium. BMR was measured by indirect calorimetry. In conclusion, the present study lends no support to the idea of a lowered basal metabolic rate in female athletes as an explanation of the general finding of a lower estimated energy intake than energy expenditure in this type of subjects.

The longitudinal development of malocclusion in postnormal children with little respectively urgent need for orthodontic treatment.

The development of overjet, overbite and first molar relationship was followed longitudinally in 30 children with Class II malocclusion. They received no orthodontic treatment during the 7-year registration period. Models were taken each year between 7 and 14 years of age. The need for orthodontic treatment was defined using a 4-grade treatment priority index issued by the National Swedish Board of Health. The postnormal children were classified into two groups according to the need for treatment at the time when the first model was taken (age 7). The "treatment index 1" group (= group 1) consisted of 18 mild postnormal cases with little need for treatment. The "treatment index 3" group (= group 3) consisted of 12 cases with urgent need for treatment according to the priority index. All cases were Class II:division 1 with proclined incisors. For group 1 a significant increase in overjet and overbite was found over years. No uniform pattern in the longitudinal development of overjet and overbite was found for group 3. No clear changes in the first molar relationship in either group were found. Interceptive treatment in the mixed dentition is suggested favourable in postnormal cases, even when the malocclusion initially is mild in order to avoid an increase in overjet and overbite.

Factors associated with high-quantity prescriptions of benzodiazepines in Sweden.

An important aspect, when discussing the prescribing and use of psychotropics, is the amount of drug prescribed at each visit. In this study the Swedish Diagnosis and Therapy Survey was used in order to analyze high-quantity prescriptions of benzodiazepines. The total amount of benzodiazepines prescribed--measured as defined daily doses (DDD)--was calculated for each visit. Prescriptions with quantities equal to or greater than the 90th percentile applied on the distribution of prescribed DDD per visit were defined as high-quantity prescriptions. Using this definition, prescriptions on 200 DDD or more--14.9% of all--were classified as high-quantity prescriptions. In the analysis the proportions of high-quantity prescription in different subgroups were compared. The study showed that there was a strong relationship between age of the patient and high-quantity prescriptions while the sex of the patient was of minor importance. Doctors specializing in internal medicine and psychiatrists prescribed high-quantity prescriptions to a greater extent than other doctors but differences with regard to the doctor's ages were small. Patients with sleeping disturbances obtained high-quantity prescriptions to a greater extent than other patients while patients with nervous problems obtained fewer. Patients with new prescriptions on benzodiazepines obtained high-quantity prescriptions to a lesser extent than patients making repeat visits. In addition the study showed that it was not as common with high-quantity prescriptions in the three major cities and in the most sparsely populated communities as in mid-sized communities.

Discrepancy between estimated energy intake and requirement in female dancers.

Dietary intake of energy, protein, fat and carbohydrates in female dance students compared to female music students was estimated by a dietary history method. Energy requirement was estimated from body weight and physical activity both by a standard formula and from the measured work intensity during dance training. Meal patterns showed significant differences in four types of meals on week-days and in one type on weekends. The intake of protein, fat and carbohydrates in absolute amounts and the percentage of energy derived from protein were not significantly different between the two groups. The fraction of energy derived from carbohydrates was higher and that from fat was lower in the dancers than in the musicians. Energy intake was of similar magnitude for the dancers and the musicians (8.3 +/- 1.9 MJ vs. 8.3 +/- 1.7 MJ), while the estimated energy requirement was greater for the dancers (10.3 +/- 0.7 MJ vs. 8.9 +/- 0.4 MJ). The reason for the apparent discrepancy between energy intake and energy requirement of approximately 2 MJ in the dancers is not obvious. The energy intake may have been underestimated. Alternatively, the energy requirement may have been overestimated. The resting metabolic rate may have been depressed by years of low energy intake. In addition, as suggested by some authors, training as such may lower the resting metabolic rate as well as the diet-induced thermogenesis.

Paediatric drug prescribing. A comparison of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) and Sweden.

The prescribing of medicines for ambulant children below 14 years of age has been compared between Tenerife (Spain) and Sweden. Data obtained from a random sample of 1327 children in a prospective study in Tenerife were compared with data from 3901 children in a Swedish survey linking diagnosis and therapy. Upper respiratory tract infection was the main diagnosis in both countries and antibiotics was the most frequently prescribed drug group (28.2% in Tenerife and 28.8% in Sweden). Half of the children in Sweden did not receive any medication, but only 10% of those in Tenerife did not receive a prescription. Children who received a prescription on average got 1.4 drugs in Sweden and 2.3 in Spain. Amongst the ten most commonly prescribed products in Sweden there were 11 active pharmacological principles as compared to 25 in Spain. These most frequently used preparations accounted for two thirds of all the prescriptions for children in Sweden and one third in Tenerife. In conclusion, drugs were significantly more often used to treat paediatric outpatients in Tenerife than in Sweden. The prescribing physician in Spain also chose a wider variety of drugs and more commonly used fixed combination products.

Muscle fiber characteristics in female dancers during an active and an inactive period.

Muscle biopsies were taken from female dancers, aged 24 +/- 2 years, first during an active period and then after 32 weeks of detraining. During the active period, the percentage of type I fibers was 63% +/- 12%, and of the subgroups IIA, IIB, and IIC, 26% +/- 9%, 8% +/- 7%, and 3% +/- 3%, respectively. There was no significant change due to detraining either in the proportion of type I fibers or in the type II subgroups. During the active period, the cross-sectional area of the type I fibers was 3798 +/- 586 micron 2. The areas of the subgroups IIA, IIB, and IIC were 3394 +/- 858, 2497 +/- 530, and 3296 +/- 638 micron 2, respectively. After the detraining period, the area of the type I fibers had increased significantly (P less than 0.05). The areas of the types IIA, IIB, and IIC tended to be increased although not significantly. It is suggested that the comparatively high percentage of type I fibers, which was found in the active dancers, is the result of selection rather than of training, while the small fiber areas seem to be due to training.