Editorial.

Presents some brief remarks from the editor of the Journal of Educational Psychology regarding his goals for the Journal, and noting the decline in membership in Division 15. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dietary antioxidants in the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis: A review

In this review, the role of dietary antioxidants in the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis is examined. Both human and animal models are discussed. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium are antioxidants that are essential in the human diet. A number of non‐essential chemicals also contain antioxidant activity and are consumed in the human diet, mainly as plants or as supplements, including β‐carotene, ellagic acid, curcumin, lycopene, coenzyme Q₁₀, epigallocatechin gallate, N‐acetyl cysteine, and resveratrol. Although some human and animal studies show protection against carcinogenesis with the consumption of higher amounts of antioxidants, many studies show no effect or an enhancement of carcinogenesis. Because of the conflicting results from these studies, it is difficult to make dietary recommendations as to whether consuming higher amounts of specific antioxidants will decrease the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.     

A comparative study of ketorolac (Toradol) and magnesium sulfate for arrest of preterm labor

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ketorolac (Toradol). METHODS: In this prospective trial, 88 women in confirmed preterm labor at < or =32 weeks' gestation were randomized to receive magnesium sulfate given as an initial 6 g intravenous bolus followed by continuous infusion therapy (2 to 6 g/hr) or intramuscularly administered ketorolac (60 mg loading dose) followed by 30 mg every 6 hours for a maximum of 24 hours. RESULTS: The study groups were similar with respect to age, parity, cervical status, and gestational age on admission. Ketorolac was more rapid (2.71 hr+/-2.16) in the arrest of preterm labor than was magnesium sulfate (6.22 hr+/-5.65). No patient required discontinuance of either drug due to adverse effects. There was no difference in the incidence of neonatal complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In gestations with preterm labor at <32 weeks, ketorolac appears to be an appropriate first-line tocolytic agent.     

Educational psychology: The Journal and the discipline.

In this final editorial, we cover three points: a look backward at several achievements, a comment on some disappointments, and an analysis of the task of peer review. We conclude with reminiscences and thanks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

New approaches to influenza chemotherapy. Neuraminidase inhibitors

Epidemic influenza continues to be associated with significant morbidity in the general population, and mortality in the elderly and other high risk patients. Although the case fatality rate averages less than 0.01%, tens of thousands of deaths occur each year. Control through immunisation programmes has not been possible due to incomplete protective efficacy and antigenic variations that occur frequently. Currently available anti-influenza medications (amantadine and rimantadine) have had limited success due to underutilisation, lack of activity against influenza B, the rapid development of viral resistance to the drugs, and adverse effects. A new class of antiviral agents designed to inhibit influenza neuraminidase, an important surface glycoprotein, is currently under active development for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A and B infections. Two of these compounds, zanamivir (GG167) and GS4104 (the ethyl ester prodrug of GS4071) have reached clinical trials. Most studies of zanamivir have involved topical administration by inhalation of dry powder aerosols and/or intranasal doses of aqueous solutions. These routes rapidly provide high local concentrations at the sites of delivery. GS4104 is administered orally, which allows for greater ease of administration, and probably more uniform distribution of the parent compound GS4071 in the respiratory tract. Both have shown potent inhibitory activity against influenza in animal models and experimental human influenza with excellent tolerability profiles. Zanamivir treatment has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of naturally occurring, uncomplicated influenza illness in adults. Clinical resistance to these drugs has not been recognised as a significant problem to date, although strains resistant to each agent have been produced in the laboratory. This class of agents shows considerable promise as a novel approach to prophylaxis and treatment of influenza infections. Ongoing studies should provide the data needed to allow the addition of 1 or more of the neuraminidase inhibitors to the clinician's anti-influenza armamentarium.     

Editorial.

At its April 1988 meeting, the APA Council of Editors spent a substantial amount of time discussing research ethics. Several instances of misconduct have attracted public attention in recent years, and the Congress is considering legislation to deal with the matter. The headlines have been occupied with "big sins" such as falsification of data and plagiarism. The editors know of no cases in this Journal where these problems have arisen. On the other hand, they have had several instances of "little sins." Three of these meriting comment—duplicate publication, piecemeal reporting of research, and inappropriate attribution of authorship—and are discussed in this editorial. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)