Remote cerebral effects on EEG in high-energy missile trauma.

Preliminary observations show that under certain circumstances high-energy missile trauma to soft tissue causes a transient depression of the EEG. Similar effects on the central nervous system elicited by the pressure and shock waves might be the cause of the acute behavioural and mental blockage reported in man by nonfatal wounds from missiles of this type. The mechanism behind the effects observed is not yet known, nor can the absence of EEG effects in some animals be explained at present. Further studies of the remote cerebral effects of high-energy missile trauma should be carried out.

Problem oriented participatory education in the guidance of adults with non-insulin-treated type-II diabetes mellitus.

A population-based study on the therapeutic effects of a diabetes teaching programme (DTP) based on problem oriented participatory education (POPE)--a method based on learner activity in group meetings--was undertaken at the Primary Health Care Centre, Kisa, Sweden, in collaboration with educationalists. A control group was given conventional classroom teaching. To be included a patient had to be aged 55-73 years, to live in his own home, and to have non-insulin-treated type II diabetes mellitus. The therapeutic effects of the DTP were studied before, during, and after POPE with regard to three factors, diabetes related knowledge, behaviour assessed by dietary and exercise habits, and the quality of the anti-diabetic therapy as assessed by metabolic profile including Hb-A1. Significant improvement in knowledge and transient improvement in Hb-A1 concentration were recorded among patients taking part in a DTP adjusted to their individual problems and needs. When improvement in metabolic control does not last, group meetings should be continued for more than the three months used in the present study. We believe that such improvement is intimately bound up with the psycho-social process that is involved in the group meetings and that helps the patient to cope with the disease in particular and life in general.

Irritation and staining by dithranol (anthralin) and related compounds. V. Short-contact and tape-stripping experiments with dithranol and butantrone.

Dithranol (D) and butantrone (BD) were compared as regards irritation and staining in conditions resembling short-contact therapy. Nine psoriatics were tested with 0.5% D and 0.66% BD using exposures of 20 min and 3 h. Partial removal of the horny layer by 15 tape strippings before and after the exposure resembled the impaired barrier of lesions and posttreatment washing, respectively. Development of erythema and staining, and alterations in blood flow were followed for 7 days. In the unstripped skin, D caused after 20 min exposure within 3 days a faint but defined erythema and increase in blood flow, and within 7 days a brownish hue. Irritation was suppressed by stripping after 20 min exposure. After 3 h contact, irrespective of stripping, much stronger irritation and staining developed. BD caused no staining after 20 min of exposure and little if any erythema. After 3 h contact, it caused only minimal staining and markedly less irritation than equimolar D.

Premedication for gastroscopy. A comparative study of diazepam, dixyrazine, and placebo.

In a study of 52 consecutive out-patients the effects of diazepam and dixyrazine were compared with each other and with placebo as premedication for elective gastroscopy. All patients also received topical lidocaine and intravenous administration of propantheline bromide immediately before the examination. No difference was found between diazepam and dixyrazine, but they were both significantly superior to placebo in relieving anxiety, retching, and eructations.