Post–traumatic Alzheimer''s disease: preponderance of a single plaque type

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. Several factors have been proposed including head trauma. At present, the link between head injury and a subsequent neurodegenerative process is largely circumstantial, except in the case of dementia pugilistica (punch drunk syndrome) found in boxers. Recent studies have shown that the brains of boxers with this syndrome contain large numbers of 'diffuse' beta-protein immunoreactive plaques. We supposed that this plaque type might be associated with trauma induced Alzheimer-like degeneration. In order to test this hypothesis we have re-investigated a previously reported case of post-traumatic premature Alzheimer's disease. Immunocytochemistry using antibodies to amyloid beta-protein revealed large numbers of 'diffuse' non-Congophilic plaques with little or no neuritic component. A similar preponderance of this plaque type is present in the brains of boxers with dementia pugilistica. Our observations support the idea of a trauma induced Alzheimer-like degenerative process and indicate that such a condition is associated with a marked preponderance of 'diffuse' plaques.     

Anthropometry and obesity in myelomeningocele

Anthropometric data on 110 myelomeningocele (MMC) subjects in relation to age, sex, level of lesion and ambulation were studied to investigate growth and the occurrence of obesity in MMC. In 52 subjects, indices of obesity were validated against body composition analysis of total body fat (%BF) using body potassium and body water techniques. Most subjects were short and light compared to reference data and became relatively shorter and heavier with age. Overall trunk growth was not affected by the level of lesion, but sitting height was affected by kyphoscoliosis. Arm spans were similar to reference data, but were significantly greater in wheelchair users. Leg length was greatest in those who walked. Body composition data showed excess adipose in many MMC subjects, this tendency increasing with age. When correlated with %BF determined from body composition analysis, common clinical indices of obesity had variable r values (wt/ht2 0.78; wt/sitting ht2 0.77; upper arm fat area 0.75; triceps skinfold 0.74; wt/arm span2 0.68, with the 4 skinfold method correlating best, 0.82). Anthropometric measures, taken with cognizance of level of disability and mobility, can accurately assess body growth and the occurrence of obesity in MMC. The influence of ambulatory activity in promoting normal growth is emphasized.     

Sensitivities of Pityrosporum sp. to selected commercial shampoos

Sensitivity of 25 strains of Pityrosporum sp. to four commercial shampoos was tested using a gel diffusion method and determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). All the shampoos when undiluted gave inhibition zones in the gel diffusion test with 13 of the 15 strains tested. Two strains were resistant to 'Polytar'. 'Polytar' was fungistatic, 'Selsun' 'Cetavlon P.C.' and 'Genisol' were fungicidal. MIC results showed the yeast to be most sensitive to 'Cetavlon' and 'Selsun'.     

The health promoting school: progress and future challenges in Welsh secondary schools

Data were obtained from a random sample of 87 secondary schoolsin Wales (UK) about the organization and provision of healtheducation teaching, the implementation of health related policies,and the involvement of outside agencies and professionals inthe planning and delivery of health education programmes. Theresults suggest that schools have made progress in curriculumdevelopment. However, if the concept of the health promotingschool is to be translated into practice, greater attentionwill need to be given us the development of broadly based policiesfor health covering both pupils and staff and the better integrationof school programmes with community resources. Greater understandingof the health promoting school concept by teaching staff andthe development of examples of good practice in embedding healtheducation into national curriculum subjects, are also advocated.     

Effect of nedocromil sodium on histamine airway responsiveness in grass-pollen sensitive asthmatics during the pollen season

We examined the effect of nedocromil sodium on histamine airway responsiveness in twelve grass-pollen sensitive patients during the 1984 pollen season. The study was a randomized double-blind crossover comparison of nedocromil sodium administered by a pressurized aerosol (4 mg b.d.) with placebo. Crossovers were made at 14-day intervals throughout 8 weeks of the grass pollen season. Histamine airway responsiveness was assessed twice before the pollen season and at the end of each 14-day treatment period. Results were expressed as the provocation concentration (PC) producing a 10% fall in FEV₁ (PC₁₀ FEV₁) and a 40% fall in flow at 30% of the vital capacity (PC₄₀V?_30(P)). During the pollen season all patients developed hay fever and seven had symptoms of asthma. The observed lowest values of PC₁₀ FEV₁ and PC₄₀V?_30(P) during the placebo treatment periods were significantly lower than mean preseasonal values although not significantly lower than theoretical expected values. Geometric means PC₁₀ FEV₁ and PC₄₀V?_30(P) were significantly higher during nedocromil sodium treatment compared with placebo. These results indicate that nedocromil sodium has a small but statistically significant effect reducing histamine airway responsiveness in grass-pollen sensitive patients during the pollen season.     

Patient anxiety in the accident and emergency department

• ? Structured interviews were carried out with a sample of 96 patients to identify the sources of anxiety for patients in the accident and emergency (A & E) department.
• ? Only two patients reported that they were not at all anxious about any aspect of being in A & E. The average number of anxieties reported was 69.
• ? The most frequently reported anxieties were ‘not being able to carry on your usual activities’, ‘not knowing what will happen to you in the department’, ‘having to undergo an uncomfortable procedure’, ‘feeling pain’ and ‘not knowing what is wrong’.
• ? The findings indicate that patients were as concerned with psychological and social aspects associated with admission as they were about psysical factors.
• ? The authors suggest that it is essential for nurses in A & E to assess patients holistically and consider their psychological state and social circumstances as well as their physical condition. There is also a need for closer links to be developed between accident and emergency departments and other community health agencies and for more emphasis to be placed on referral to other bodies.