Intimate stimuli result in fronto-parietal activation changes in anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Intimacy is a key psychological problem in anorexia nervosa (AN). Empirical evidence, including neurobiological underpinnings, is however, scarce. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated various emotional stimuli including intimate stimuli experienced in patients with AN and non-patients, as well as their cerebral response. METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted using stimuli with positive, neutral, negative and intimate content. Participants (14 AN patients and 14 non-patients) alternated between passive viewing and explicit emotion regulation. RESULTS: Intimate stimuli were experienced less positively in AN patients compared to non-patients. AN patients showed decreased cerebral responses in superior parietal cortices in response to positive and intimate stimuli. Intimate stimuli led to stronger activation of the orbitofrontal cortex, and lower activation of the bilateral precuneus in AN patients. Orbitofrontal responses decreased in AN patients during explicit emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that intimate stimuli are of particular importance in AN patients, who show experiential differences compared to non-patients and altered activation of orbitofrontal and parietal brain structures. This supports that AN patients have difficulties with intimacy, attachment, self-referential processing and body perception. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Detection of nanomaterials in food and consumer products: bridging the gap from legislation to enforcement.

This paper describes the requirements and resulting challenges for the implementation of current and upcoming European Union legislation referring to the use of nanomaterials in food, cosmetics and other consumer products. The European Commission has recently adopted a recommendation for the definition of nanomaterials. There is now an urgent need for appropriate and fit-for-purpose analytical methods in order to identify nanomaterials properly according to this definition and to assess whether or not a product contains nanomaterials. Considering the lack of such methods to date, this paper elaborates on the challenges of the legislative framework and the type of methods needed, not only to facilitate implementation of labelling requirements, but also to ensure the safety of products coming to the market. Considering the many challenges in the analytical process itself, such as interaction of nanoparticles with matrix constituents, potential agglomeration and aggregation due to matrix environment, broad variety of matrices, etc., there is a need for integrated analytical approaches, not only for sample preparation (e.g. separation from matrix), but also for the actual characterisation. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for quality assurance tools such as validated methods and (certified) reference materials, including materials containing nanoparticles in a realistic matrix (food products, cosmetics, etc.).

Radiolabelling of engineered nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo tracing applications using cyclotron accelerators.

We present in this article an outline of some cyclotron-based irradiation techniques that can be used to directly radiolabel industrially manufactured nanoparticles, as well as two techniques for synthesis of labelled nanoparticles using cyclotron-generated radioactive precursor materials. These radiolabelled nanoparticles are suitable for a range of different in vitro and in vivo tracing studies of relevance to the field of nanotoxicology. A basic overview is given of the relevant physics of nuclear reactions regarding both ion-beam and neutron production of radioisotopes. The various issues that determine the practicality and usefulness of the different methods are discussed, including radioisotope yield, nuclear reaction kinetics, radiation and thermal damage, and radiolabel stability. Experimental details are presented regarding several techniques applied in our laboratories, including direct light-ion activation of dry nanoparticle samples, neutron activation of nanoparticles and suspensions using an ion-beam driven activator, spark-ignition generation of nanoparticle aerosols using activated electrode materials, and radiochemical synthesis of nanoparticles using cyclotron-produced isotopes. The application of these techniques is illustrated through short descriptions of some selected results thus far achieved. It is shown that these cyclotron-based methods offer a very useful range of options for nanoparticle radiolabelling despite some experimental difficulties associated with their application. For direct nanoparticle radiolabelling, if care is taken in choosing the experimental conditions applied, useful activity levels can be achieved in a wide range of nanoparticle types, without causing substantial thermal or radiation damage to the nanoparticle structure. Nanoparticle synthesis using radioactive precursors presents a different set of issues and offers a complementary and equally valid approach when laboratory generation of the nanoparticles is acceptable for the proposed studies, and where an appropriate radiolabel can be incorporated into the nanoparticles during synthesis.

"Getting Switzerland to move": evaluation of a new "Sport for All" programme.

OBJECTIVES: Even though sports participation in Switzerland appears to be quite elevated, recent research suggests that only about a third of the population are doing enough sports from a health perspective. METHODS: Against this background several Swiss health insurance companies together with the Swiss Olympic Association have recently developed a novel approach to get people to start physical exercise: Under the label of "Allez Hopl" sport clubs offer training and information courses aimed at motivating and helping previously inactive people to take on regular exercise. RESULTS: The paper presents results from an interdisciplinary evaluation of the first three years of the "Allez Hopl" campaign. Starting from an overview of the basic idea and features of the campaign it asks whether "Allez Hopl" has reached its self-declared goal of "getting Switzerland moving". Available evidence on the social background of participants and their further activities shows that by systematically avoiding any reference to conventional notions of sport and by stressing the health and fun aspect instead. "Allez Hopl" has indeed managed to mobilise an important group with under-average levels of activity (particularly middle-aged women). In addition, on average the level of physical exercise of participants appears to have increased. Yet, the number of participants is below the original target values and, contrary to the campaign's initial goal, participants are reluctant to leave the programme after one course to take up an independent activity or to join a club. CONCLUSIONS: The paper explores the achievements and problems of the campaign so far and offers an explanation of recent problems which can also serve as a basis for the implementation of similar programmes in other countries.

[Pregnancy interruption in Switzerland 1942-1996]. / Schwangerschaftsabbruch in der Schweiz 1942-1996.

In spite of restrictive legislation, practice of legal abortion has become liberal in Switzerland, bringing illegal abortions to disappear. Moreover, sex education and widespread contraception have reduced the number of legal abortions. Today, in spite of liberalization, the abortion rate is among the lowest worldwide. Prevention targeted specifically at migrant women and spreading knowledge about postcoital contraception might reduce it further. Liberalization in practice must be followed by liberalizing legislation.

Improved survival after colorectal cancer in patients complying with a postoperative endoscopic surveillance program.

This study investigates whether compliance with a postoperative surveillance program in patients with surgically treated colorectal cancer leads to prolongation of life. The clinical course of 212 patients who had undergone curative resections for colorectal cancer was monitored for at least five years. Eighty-eight patients adhered strictly to a rigid endoscopic surveillance program, and 124 did not. Tumor recurrences occurred in 10% of compliant and 14% of noncompliant patients. Patients with asymptomatic tumor recurrences survived significantly longer (p < 0.05; five-year actuarial survival: 42%) than those who were symptomatic (five-year actuarial survival: 8%). The overall survival rate was significantly higher (p < 0.0002) in compliant patients (five-year actuarial survival: 80%) than in noncompliant patients (five-year actuarial survival: 59%). Noncompliance increased the risk of early death by a factor of 2.5 (95% CI = 1.5; 4.2). It is concluded that postoperative endoscopic surveillance leads to early tumor detection, and is associated with an improvement in survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

[Interruption of pregnancy in Switzerland 1982-1986]. / Schwangerschaftsabbruch in der Schweiz 1982 bis 1986.

Official statistics available for the 5-year period considered in this paper reveal a general trend: decrease in the number of terminations, in absolute terms, both in women non-resident and in women resident in Switzerland. Amongst the latter, figures show a relative decrease in the 15 to 44-year age group and in relation to birth rate. Attitudes in 'liberal cantons' concerning termination of pregnancy are clearly justified. Efforts to ensure more widespread use of modern contraceptive methods must be continued (in conjunction with AIDS prevention).

Rabbit oviduct mucosa healing after accidental transmucosal suture passage.

The purpose of this study is to show by SEM the characteristics of mucosal healing related to the presence of intraluminal sutures of nylon (nonabsorbable) or dexon (absorbable) in the rabbit oviduct. Altogether, 30 animals with anastomosis in the isthmus were killed 2, 4, 8, or 12 weeks after the operation. Tubular structures or pieces of thread partially or completely covered by the epithelium were found n 36.8% of these cases. Independently of the suture material used, already 2 weeks after surgery, the thread was covered by an epithelium composed mostly of squamous cells and some rare ciliated cells. At 4 weeks, the proportion of ciliated cells was increased. Regions with the usual cellular morphology and repartition of the different cellular types were also observed. However, at 8 and 12 weeks, islets of atypical squamous cells persisted in areas of transmucosal passage of the suture material. At 12 weeks, the dexon suture was not yet completely absorbed.

The prevention of postoperative venous thrombosis.

Postoperative thrombosis can be effectively prevented by low doses of heparin (5,000 units 2-3 times daily), by dextran (initially 1,500 ml, subsequently 500 ml twice weekly) and by coumarin and indanedione derivatives (prothrombin time 20%). The prophylactic measures substantially reduce the incidence of postoperative thrombosis--which otherwise affects 20-50% of patients subjected to intermediate or major operations--by a factor of 2-10. As every thrombosis is potentially life-threatening, surgeons have a duty to protect all patients from postoperative thrombosis by means of heparin or dextran or, in special circumstances, coumarins. This applies particularly to abdominal and chest surgery, but also to orthopedic surgery and urology. It applies to all gynecological interventions--laparotomies, vaginoplasty, Caesarean section, and every type of sterilization. Finally, the use of drugs to prevent thrombosis has become established, subject to certain conditions, in traumatology, ophthalmology, and even in brain surgery. To reiterate: omission of the prophylactic administration of anticoagulants may constitute a technical error. Without preventive measures, 20-50% of postoperative patients are at risk from potentially life-threatening thrombosis, and 1% are likely to die. Prophylactic measures have reduced this to hardly more than 1/10, i.e., 2-5% of postoperative patients develop thromboses, and one patient per thousand dies of an embolism.

[Adenocarcinoma of the endometrium while undergoing contraceptive treatment with medroxyprogesterone]. / Adénocarcinome de l'endomètre sous traitement contraceptif par médroxyprogestérone.

PIP: A 44 year old woman, multipara and healthy, started contraception with injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate in January 1978; in July 1980 severe metrorrhagia appeared and continued until December 1980 when an exploratory curettage revealed the existence of endometrial carcinoma. This diagnosis was confirmed by hysterectomy. Cases such as the one presented here are extremely rare, since medroxyprogesterone is commonly used to cure endometrial cancer. It is possible, that the adenocarcinoma was not hormone dependent since the patient was not yet menopausal, obese, or diabetic, and the dose of medroxyprogesterone used was insufficient to stop the evolution of the endometrial carcinoma. In the published literature there are no cases similar to the one presented here. In case of persistent metrorrhagia in patients treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate, an exploratory curettage is absolutely necessary.^ieng