A worksite smoking cessation intervention involving the media and incentives.

This study evaluated an attempt at 38 workplaces to help employees stop or reduce their levels of smoking. In past research, worksite support groups, in combination with a media smoking cessation program and self-help manuals, were found to be effective in helping employees quit smoking. Unfortunately, recidivism was found at the follow-up evaluations. The present study replicated the results of the previous worksite smoking cessation program with support groups, a television intervention, and self-help manuals. At this postpoint, 42% of employees provided groups plus incentives were abstinent compared to only 15% who were only provided self-help materials. An important difference in this study was that there were also monthly follow-up support groups and incentives. Work settings can be a source of stress and conflict, which can precipitate relapse. At a 12-month follow-up, 26% of those participants who were provided support and incentives were abstinent compared to 16% who were only provided the self-help materials.

Measurement of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in whole blood samples from impaired motorists.

The major psychoactive cannabinoid in marihuana, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was measured in 1792 randomly selected blood specimens from erratic motorists arrested for impairment who submitted to blood alcohol sampling. Of these specimens, 14.4% were positive for THC (greater than or equal to 5.5 ng/mL). In those erratic driver specimens negative for alcohol THC positives rose to 23%. Drivers who used marihuana covered a broad age range. Aliquots of hemolyzed blood (10 microL) were analyzed by a sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) not requiring extraction. RIA accuracy and specificity were validated by gas liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GLC/MS) split pair analysis (correlation coefficient = 0.93). This initial experience should facilitate and amplify a program designed to set forth the epidemiology of marihuana use in motorists and possible behavioral correlates.

delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by GLC-MS validated radioimmunoassays of hemolyzed blood or serum.

A direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) in unextracted hemolyzed blood or serum is described. The dose-response curve in the range of 5-50 ng/mL (serum or blood) was linear on log-logit transformation and iterative weighted regression. Validation studies included testing for precision, accuracy and antibody specificity as well as confirmation of RIA results (marijuana smoker samples) by gas liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GLC-MS). This routine method will greatly augment cannabinoid investigative programs.

Sexual dysfunction following proctocolectomy and abdominoperineal resection.

Sexual dysfunction after rectal excision was studied in 45 male patients who were less than 50 years of age. Of 25 patients having had proctocolectomy, one (4%) was impotent, while three (15%) of 20 patients having had abdominoperineal resection were impotent. Two patients in the abdominoperineal group reported no ejaculation with normal potency and sensation of orgasm. The age of the patient and the extent of dissection seemed to be the two main factors concerned with sexual dysfunction after rectal excision.

Plama estradiol, estriol, and progesterone in human pregnancy. II. Clinical applications in Rh-isoimmunization disease.

PIP: The relationships between estradiol, estriol, and progesterone in Rh-isoimmunization disease are described. Plasma specimens from 12 patients with anti-Rh titers of 1:16 or greater were studied by radioligand and radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of progesterone in 8 patients severely affected were significantly elevated (p less than .05). Estradiol levels were less consistent, with only 2 patients having values above the mean. The mean estriol level averaged 75% of normal but was not significantly low (p more than .1). The 4 patients with mild Rh-isoimmunization disease had levels not markedly different from normal values. 3 of the 12 patients demonstrated estradiol/estriol ratios outside the 95% confidence interval and all 3 ended in either intrauterine fetal death (2) or neonatal death (1). Normal ratios of both estradiol/estriol and progesterone/estriol were found in 6 of the 12 patients and were associated with good fetal prognosis. 4 of 6 patients who showed rising progesterone/estriol ranges outside the 95% confidence interval resulted in either stillbirths (2) or neonatal deaths (2). The simultaneous utilization of these 2 hormone ratios is necessary for predicting fetal well-being in patients with Rh-isoimmunization disease and may be helpful in the follow-up of patients who undergo intrauterine fetal transfusion.^ieng

Plasma estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone in human pregnancy. I. Normal pregnancy.

PIP: To describe normal relationships between the various plasma unconjugated estrogens and progesterone during the second half of human pregnancy, the plasma concentrations of progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and unconjugated estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3) were measured in 126-310 normal women. Progesterone and unconjugated E1, E2, and E3 increased gradually throughout later pregnancy; 17-OHP increased only after the thirty-third week. At term the mean value of progesterone was 9 times higher than that 17-OHP. Throughout pregnancy the mean value of E2 was higher than that of E1 or E3. During the second half of pregnancy the ratios of progesterone to estradiol and estriol and of estradiol to estriol remained unchanged, indicating no preferential increase of plasma concentration of maternal or fetal hormones.^ieng

The effect of optical polarization on reflection spectra.

The theoretical basis for polarization effects in reflection spectra are reviewed. It is shown that light polarized parallel to the plane of incidence interacts more strongly with the absorbing species than does light of perpendicular polarization except under conditions of internal reflection when the absorber is a thin film between two nonabsorbing media. In this instance the relative degree of interaction is determined by the refractive indices of the three phases. Experimental results are presented which show the predicted effects for internal reflection spectroscopy both when the absorbing medium is a solution of (CH(3))(4)NCl in D(2)O and when it is a monolayer of stearic acid.