Tailored Intervention for Smoking Reduction and Cessation for Young and Socially Disadvantaged Women During Pregnancy

Rates of smoking during pregnancy remain high in Canada, and cessation rates are low among women who are younger than 24 years and who are socially disadvantaged, that is, have few social and economic resources because of poverty, violence, or mental health issues. On the basis of findings from literature reviews and consultation with policy makers, we developed and operationalized four approaches that can be used by health care providers to tailor interventions for tobacco use in pregnancy. These four approaches are woman centered, trauma informed, harm reducing, and equitable. Public health initiatives that address smoking in young and socially disadvantaged women could be more sharply focused by shifting to such tailored approaches that are grounded in social justice aims, span pre- and postpregnancy periods, and can be used to address women’s social contexts and concerns.     

Scintigraphic assessment of an ophthalmic gelling vehicle in man and rabbit

Studies of the rate of clearance of a gellan gum formulation (Gelrite) radiolabelled by the inclusion of technetium-99m labelled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid were carried out in volunteer subjects and in rabbits. Disposition was followed by gamma scintigraphy and compared with 0.5% w/v hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) solution and isotonic saline administered to the same subjects. Clearance of all solutions was found to follow bi-exponential kinetics with differences in clearance rates between the two species studied. A significant retention of the gellan gum formulation compared to HEC (p = 0.006) or saline (p = 0.009) was noted in man, but not in the rabbit. In this latter species the HEC showed greater retention compared to Gelrite. The species-specific differences in the precorneal residence of the formulations are attributed to the different physiological responses following instillation of solutions into the eye.     

二甲亚砜对人表皮的核酸和蛋白质合成的影响

用体外培养的人的伪表皮作为模型，进行药物毒理学作用的研究，观察了二甲亚砜（ＤＭＳＯ）在不同浓度和不同接触时间条件下，对人的伪表皮细胞脱氧核糖核酸（ＤＮＡ）、核糖核酸（ＲＮＡ）和蛋白质合成的影响：随着接触时间的延长，ＤＮＡ、ＲＮＡ和蛋白质合成均受抑制。低浓度条件下（１％），ＤＮＡ、ＲＮＡ和蛋白质合成增加；在１５～５０％浓度下，ＤＮＡ和蛋白质合成抑制，而ＲＮＡ合成仍增加；在高浓度条件下（７０％～１００％），ＤＮＡ、ＲＮＡ和蛋白质合成均明显抑制。     

New pharmacologic developments in physical urticaria--therapeutic consequences

Recent evidence suggests that mast cell derived mediators other than histamine are likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of physical urticarias. Much of the work has been performed in idiopathic cold contact urticaria where the presence of neutrophil and eosinophil chemotactic factors, and platelet activating factor-like lipid substances have been previously demonstrated. Now, an increase in prostaglandin D2 measured by GC-MS has been demonstrated in venous blood draining the cold challenged area. This appeared a few minutes later than histamine, but then both substances paralleled the onset, development and subsidence of the urticarial reaction. There appeared to be no quantitative relationship between histamine and PGD2 release. A similar rise in histamine and PGD2 occurred on heat challenge of a subject with the rare localized form of heat urticaria. This rise of both substances was considerably reduced after combined treatment with induction of tolerance and oral indomethacin. The concentrations of PGD2 measured suggested that it plays an indirect role.     

Effect of time of dosing relative to a meal on the raft formation of an anti-reflux agent

Gamma scintigraphy was used in twelve healthy volunteers to establish whether the time of dosing of Liquid Gaviscon relative to a meal influenced its therapeutic action. Indium-113m labelled Liquid Gaviscon was administered to fasted subjects, 30 min after a technetium-99m labelled meal or immediately before ingestion of the meal. The time for 50% of the Gaviscon to empty from the stomach was 0.36 +/- 0.13 h, 3.10 +/- 0.31 h and 0.68 +/- 0.04 h (s.e.m.), respectively. The preparation was found to empty rapidly from the fasted stomach and could not be floated on a meal consumed subsequently. For raft formation to occur, Liquid Gaviscon should be taken 30 min after a meal.     

Responses to questions by medical students about family practice

Medical students frequently have questions about the specialty of family practice. Responses to 30 questions commonly asked about family practice are presented with a review of recent literature. These responses may assist medical students and their advisors in considering the choice of family practice as a career.