The role of women's alcohol consumption in evaluation of vulnerability to sexual aggression.

The authors examined the impact of alcohol consumption on women's risk perceptions and intended behaviors in a hypothetical situation in which the potential for establishing a relationship with an attractive man was coupled with the potential for sexual aggression. Fifty-nine single women, ages 21–29, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 beverage conditions: (a) alcohol (dose sufficient to raise blood alcohol level to .08); (b) placebo, in which they were led to believe that they had consumed alcohol but had not; or (c) no alcohol, in which they neither expected nor received alcohol. Compared with women in the no–alcohol condition, women in the alcohol condition (a) rated the male character in the vignette more positively, (b) anticipated less risk and more benefit resulting from a series of behaviors likely to facilitate the relationship while increasing sexual vulnerability (e.g., engaging in consensual sexual activities), and (c) anticipated greater involvement in those behaviors. The placebo appeared to exert similar but weaker effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lubeluzole treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The US and Canadian Lubeluzole Ischemic Stroke Study Group

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lubeluzole is a novel benzothiazole compound that has shown neuroprotective activity in preclinical models of ischemic stroke. The present multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of lubeluzole in the treatment of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Seven hundred twenty-one patients with clinical symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were randomized to receive either lubeluzole (7.5 mg over 1 hour, followed by a continuous daily infusion of 10 mg for up to 5 days) or placebo. Treatment was initiated within 6 hours of symptom onset. Mortality at 12 weeks was the primary efficacy end point. Secondary efficacy end points included neurological recovery (based on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), functional status (based on the Barthel Index), and level of disability (based on the Rankin Scale). Safety assessments included standard and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, physical examination, measurements of vital signs, clinical laboratory evaluation, and adverse events reports. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate at 12 weeks for lubeluzole-treated patients was 20.7% compared to 25.2% for placebo-treated patients (NS). Controlling for relevant covariates, the degree of neurological recovery (NIHSS) at week 12 significantly favored lubeluzole over placebo (P = .033). Lubeluzole treatment similarly resulted in significantly greater improvements in functional status (Barthel Index) (P = .038) and overall disability (Rankin Scale) (P = .034) after 12 weeks. A global test statistic confirmed that lubeluzole-treated patients had a more favorable clinical outcome at 12 weeks (P = .041). The safety profile of lubeluzole resembled that of placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with lubeluzole within 6 hours of the onset of ischemic stroke had a nonsignificant effect on mortality and resulted in improved clinical outcome compared with placebo, with no safety concerns.     

Effects of a moral development discussion group on delinquent and predelinquent boys.

50 delinquent or predelinquent 13–15 yr old males in institutional or dayschool special education programs were divided into 3 groups: moral discussion group; a placebo group that received a values clarification program, which was similar in content to the moral discussion group approach; and a control group, which received no treatment. The discussion and placebo groups addressed hypothetical, real-life, classroom behavior, and S-presented dilemmas. Pre- and posttest scores were obtained on a moral judgment interview and a self-control rating scale. Results indicate that the moral discussion group had a significant impact on Ss' moral reasoning ability as compared with the placebo and control groups. Findings also indicate that gains in moral reasoning did not necessarily lead to improved classroom behaviors. (80 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavioral, situational, and temporal effects of treatment of ADHD with methylphenidate

OBJECTIVE: To determine the behavioral, situational, and temporal effects of 4 months of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Ninety-one children with ADHD were randomly assigned to receive either MPH (titrated to a target dose of 0.7 mg/kg twice a day) or a placebo. Treatment effects were investigated with measures sensitive to various behaviors (core and associated symptoms), situations (home and school), time periods (morning and afternoon, after reaching the target dose, and after 4 months of treatment), and side effects. RESULTS: MPH treatment improved symptoms of ADHD and oppositional behavior at school, both in the morning and afternoon, but not at home. Side effects (increase in physiological and effective symptoms, lack of weight gain) were significantly more frequent with MPH than with placebo treatment. Benefit was evident after titration, but the onset of some side effects was delayed. Side effects were reported by parents but not by teachers. CONCLUSIONS: Positive effects of MPH on behavior are evident in the classroom, but with MPH given twice daily, parents do not report that MPH improves behavior at home. Greater impact on home behavior may require three times daily MPH and combined treatments.     

Effects of lowering average of below-average cholesterol levels on the progression of carotid atherosclerosis: results of the LIPID Atherosclerosis Substudy. LIPID Trial Research Group

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol lowering in patients with above-average cholesterol levels has been shown to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and lower the risk of coronary heart disease events. However, there has been uncertainty about the effects of cholesterol lowering in patients with average or below-average cholesterol levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 522 patients with a history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina and with baseline levels of total cholesterol between 4 and 7 mmol/L (mean, 5.7 mmol/L) were randomized to treatment with a low fat diet plus pravastatin (40 mg daily) or to a low fat diet plus placebo. Treatment with pravastatin reduced the levels of total cholesterol by 19%, LDL cholesterol by 27%, apolipoprotein B by 19%, and triglycerides by 13% (all 2P<.0001) and increased apolipoprotein A1 and HDL cholesterol levels by 4% (both 2P<.0005), in comparison with placebo. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed from B-mode ultrasound measurements of the common carotid artery. After 4 years, mean carotid wall thickness had increased by 0.048 mm (SE=0.01) in the placebo group and declined by 0.014 mm in the pravastatin-treated group (SE=0.01) (2P for difference <.0001). The effect of treatment on wall thickness was similar in three groups classified by tertiles of total cholesterol at baseline, with mean levels of 4.8, 5.7, and 6.6 mmol/L, respectively (2P for interaction >.8). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with pravastatin reduced the development of carotid atherosclerosis among patients with coronary heart disease and a wide range of pretreatment cholesterol levels. Treatment with this agent prevented any detectable increase in carotid wall thickening over 4 years of follow-up.     

Do tricyclic responders have different brain laterality?

A previous study showed that depressed patients who improved with tricyclic antidepressant medication had dichotic complex tones test results suggesting right-hemisphere dysfunction relative to nonresponders and controls (G. E. Bruder et al., 1990). A new sample of 68 depressed patients completed dichotic consonant-vowel (CV) and complex tones (CT) tests and then were treated with imipramine or placebo. A significant Ear?×?Test?×?Treatment?×?Response interaction was accounted for by significantly poorer left-ear accuracy for CVs among imipramine responders compared with nonresponders, placebo responders, and controls. CV left-ear accuracy was also significantly greater among placebo responders than placebo nonresponders; and controls. The results only partially replicate the prior study in that evidence of right-hemisphere dysfunction in tricyclic responders was seen for the CV test but not the CT test. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impaired reactivity of rat aorta to phenylephrine and KCl after prolonged hypoxia: role of the endothelium

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of antiandrogen therapy on overall survival and response in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 244 patients with unresectable HCC were included in this multicentric double-blind trial. According to a two-by-two factorial design, patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the following treatments: pure antiandrogen plus placebo (A+P group, 60 patients); luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist plus placebo (LHRH+P group, 62 patients); pure antiandrogen plus LHRH agonist (A+LHRH group, 62 patients); or placebo plus placebo (P+P group, 60 patients). Pure antiandrogen consisted of Anandron (Roussel-Uclaf Laboratory, Romainville, France) administered orally (300 mg daily for 1 month, then 150 mg daily). LHRH consisted of goseriline acetate (3.6 mg) or triptoreline (3.75 mg) administered monthly by subcutaneous injection. Treatment was given until death. Response was evaluated every 8 weeks according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. RESULTS: Six patients were considered ineligible. One patient had a complete response (A+P arm) and three had a partial response (two in the LHRH+P arm and one in the A+LHRH arm). An overall log-rank test did not demonstrate any significant difference in survival among the four arms. Taking the factorial design into account, comparison of survival showed no significant difference between Anandron-containing regimens and others, or between LHRH-containing regimens and others. No serious side effects occurred for any regimen. CONCLUSION: This controlled study shows clearly the lack of efficacy of androgen treatment in unresectable HCC.     

Inhibition of nitric oxide metabolism enhances the hypnotic-anesthetic action of the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist dexmedetomidine in vivo

Treatment of endometriosis with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) is limited to 6 months because of possible adverse effects on bone metabolism. We designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study of 27 patients with endometriosis who were given GnRHa with or without hormone add-back therapy (+ 20 microg of ethinyl estradiol with 0.15 mg desogestrel) designed to suppress the adverse effects of hypoestrogenism while preserving the efficacy of GnRHa. Both regimens showed significant improvements in endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and pelvic pain; effects were significantly better in the GnRHa + placebo group. The GnRHa + placebo group had significantly higher serum calcium levels and a significantly higher loss of lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD). Urinary levels of pyridinium crosslinks increased significantly in the GnRHa + placebo group, and declined to normal in the GnRHa + add-back group. The add-back therapy protects women taking GnRHas from severe loss of BMD and accelerated bone collagen resorption, but reduces the efficacy of the GnRHa.     

Caring for AIDS patients at home--requirements for development of the concept

Exercise tolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated with oral aminophylline may be different from those treated with high-dose inhaled ipratropium bromide. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of therapeutic doses of oral aminophylline with high-dose ipratropium bromide on spirometry and exercise tolerance. The study was conducted on three consecutive days in a double-blind, randomized, crossover fashion. Baseline studies obtained on each study day included vital signs, simple spirometry and a symptom-limited maximal cardiopulmonary stress test, after which patients received one of the following treatments on each day: Treatment 1, inhaled ipratropium (total dose of 144 micrograms) with placebo tablets; Treatment 2, inhaled placebo with oral aminophylline (400 mg); Treatment 3, inhaled placebo and placebo tablets. Simple spirometry was repeated at 60 and 120 min after baseline. Vital signs and cardiopulmonary stress testing was repeated at 120 min. Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study, and 17 of these completed the study. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in both forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), from 0.75 (0.21) to 0.92 (0.3), and forced vital capacity (FVC), from 1.8 (0.79) to 2.11 (0.84), with high-dose ipratropium despite prior beta-agonist therapy. Lack of improvement in exercise capacity was noted with ipratropium despite improvement in spirometry. These results suggest that elderly patients with severe COPD may have exercise limitation that is not directly dependent on severity of airflow obstruction. Ipratropium bromide and aminophylline demonstrated no acute effects on exercise capacity.     

A randomized, placebo-controlled dose-comparison trial of haloperidol for psychosis and disruptive behaviors in Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of two doses of haloperidol and placebo in the treatment of psychosis and disruptive behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: In a 6-week random-assignment, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (phase A), haloperidol, 2-3 mg/day (standard dose), and haloperidol, 0.50-0.75 mg/day (low dose), were compared in 71 outpatients with Alzheimer's disease. For the subsequent 6-week double-blind crossover phase (phase B), patients taking standard- or low-dose haloperidol were switched to placebo, and patients taking placebo were randomly assigned to standard- or low-dose haloperidol. RESULTS: For the 60 patients who completed phase A, standard-dose haloperidol was efficacious and superior to both low-dose haloperidol and placebo for scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale psychosis factor and on psychomotor agitation. Response rates according to three sets of criteria were greater with the standard dose (55%-60%) than the low dose (25%-35%) and placebo (25%-30%). The advantage of standard dose over low dose was replicated in phase B. In phase A, extrapyramidal signs tended to be greater with the standard dose than in the other two conditions, primarily because of a subgroup (20%) who developed moderate to severe signs. Low-dose haloperidol did not differ from placebo on any measure of efficacy or side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a favorable therapeutic profile for haloperidol in doses of 2-3 mg/day, although a subgroup developed moderate to severe extrapyramidal signs. A starting dose of 1 mg/day with gradual, upward dose titration is recommended. The narrow therapeutic window observed with haloperidol may also apply to other neuroleptics used in Alzheimer's disease patients with psychosis and disruptive behaviors.     

Effect of a novel 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitor, BAYx 1005, on asthma induced by cold dry air

BACKGROUND: Leukotrienes have been implicated in the mediation of airway obstruction induced by hyperventilation of cold dry air in asthmatic subjects. The effect of a novel inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, BAYx 1005, on the bronchospastic response to cold dry air hyperventilation was investigated in asthmatic patients. METHODS: After a screening cold dry air hyperventilation challenge to document cold air responsiveness, 16 asthmatic subjects (baseline forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) > 60% of predicted) underwent cold air challenge three hours after receiving 750 mg of BAYx 1005 or placebo using a randomised, double blind, crossover design. Leukotriene synthesis inhibition was estimated by measuring the concentration of leukotriene B4 in whole blood stimulated with calcium ionophore A21387. RESULTS: Treatment with BAYx 1005 produced a 34% (95% CI 11 to 63) increase in the amount of cold air minute ventilation required for a 10% decrease in FEV1 (PD10VE) compared with placebo (mean (SE) 37.6 (1.12) 1/min compared with 28.0 (1.13) 1/min, p < 0.006). The PD20VE increased 19% (95% CI 8 to 31) after treatment with BAYx 1005 compared with placebo (57.3(1.10)1/min versus 48.1 (1.10) 1/min, p < 0.002). Treatment with BAYx 1005 produced a 15.4% decrease in ionophore-stimulated LTB4 production, while treatment with placebo produced a 7.1% increase in ex vivo LTB4 (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with BAYx 1005, a novel inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis, produced a significant blunting of cold dry air responsiveness consistent with the hypothesis that leukotrienes mediate part of the bronchoconstriction induced by hyperventilation of cold dry air.     

Immunosorbent assay based on recombinant hemagglutinin protein produced in a high-efficiency mammalian expression system for surveillance of measles immunity

Raloxifene has been shown to have estrogen agonist effects on bone and cholesterol metabolism while having estrogen antagonist effects on mammary gland and uterus. Reported here are the results of a study to determine whether raloxifene had the estrogen agonist effect of inhibiting coronary artery atherogenesis and to compare its effects with those of traditional conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) treatment. Ovariectomized (surgically postmenopausal) cynomolgus monkeys were fed a moderately atherogenic diet and treated with a placebo, raloxifene (1 mg/kg x day), raloxifene (5 mg/kg x day), or CEE (Premarin) at a dose that mimicked that of 0.625 mg/day in women. The effects of raloxifene on plasma lipid concentrations were generally comparable to those reported in postmenopausal women treated with raloxifene: reductions in low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and no significant effects on high density lipoprotein cholesterol. We found no evidence that raloxifene had an estrogen agonist effect on coronary arteries. Treatment with CEE resulted in about a 70% reduction in coronary artery plaque size relative to that in the placebo group, whereas neither the low nor the high dose of raloxifene had an effect on coronary artery plaque size. The low dose raloxifene group had about 2 times more atherosclerosis and the high dose group had about 3 times more atherosclerosis than the CEE group.     

Laparoscopic resection of a benign true cyst of the spleen with the harmonic scalpel producing high levels of CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen

BACKGROUND: Oral ingestion of immunoglobulins in humans has been shown to be effective as prophylaxis against enteric infections. However, its therapeutic effect in children with infectious diarrhea has hitherto not been proven. We treated children with rotavirus diarrhea with immunoglobulins extracted from immunized bovine colostrum (IIBC) containing high titers of antibodies against four rotavirus serotypes. METHODS: In this double blind placebo-controlled trial, 80 children with rotavirus diarrhea were randomly assigned to receive orally either 10 g of IIBC (containing 3.6 g of antirotavirus antibodies) daily for 4 days or the same amount of a placebo preparation. The daily stool output (grams/kg/day), intake of oral rehydration solution (ml/kg/day), stool frequency (number of stools/day) and presence of rotavirus in stool were monitored for the 4 days during treatment. RESULTS: Children who received IIBC had significantly less daily and total stool output and stool frequency and required a smaller amount of oral rehydration solution than did children who received placebo (P < 0.05). Clearance of rotavirus from the stool was also earlier in the IIBC group compared with the placebo group (mean day, 1.5 vs. 2.9, P < 0.001). No adverse reactions from the colostrum treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with antirotavirus immunoglobulin of bovine colostral origin is effective in the management of children with acute rotavirus diarrhea.     

A computer-based statistical pattern recognition for Doppler spectral waveforms of intracranial blood flow

The effects of 2 months treatment with simvastatin (40 mg, 20 mg p.o. daily) or placebo on erythrocyte membrane cholesterol content and acyl chain composition have been studied in 36 patients with a clinical history of atherosclerosis enrolled in the Oxford Cholesterol Study. All patients received advice corresponding to a standard phase 1 cholesterol-lowering diet. As expected the mean serum total cholesterol fell substantially (-26.5%, 20 mg simvastatin, P < 0.05; -32.7%, 40 mg simvastatin, P < 0.05) compared to placebo (-6.3%, ns). However, mean erythrocyte cholesterol content did not change significantly in any group (2 months therapy: 20 mg simvastatin, -0.62%; 40 mg simvastatin, +2.2%; placebo, -4.2%). Erythrocyte cholesterol was also unaltered after 5 months of therapy. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility was unchanged in the treatment and placebo groups. In the placebo group dietary advice alone was associated with a significant increase in the linoleic acid content of erythrocytes from 9.4 mole% of total acyl chains to 11.8 mole% (P < 0.05). Treatment with simvastatin was associated with an increase in the arachidonic acid content of the erythrocyte membrane from 12.2 to 15.3 mole% (P < 0.05). Treatment with simvastatin does not alter erythrocyte cholesterol content, but does alter acyl chain distribution. These results suggest that the chemical potential of cholesterol in serum is not markedly altered by HMG-CoA reductase inhibition.     

Hong Kong''s eastern and western medical history

BACKGROUND: Some clinical studies suggest that a combination of an H1- and H2-antagonist may be effective in the prophylaxis of allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of pretreatment with an H1/H2-antagonist combination, H1-antagonist alone, or placebo in the prophylaxis of local and systemic adverse reactions to specific immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom was compared. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 121 patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy were treated with rush immunotherapy and pretreatment with one of the following: 120 mg of terfenadine plus 300 mg of ranitidine, 120 mg of terfenadine alone, or placebo. The incidence of unwanted systemic adverse and local reactions was recorded for up to 50 weeks. RESULTS: In seven patients (6%), six in the placebo group and one in the terfenadine group, systemic side effects required cessation of therapy (p = 0.005). Subjective symptoms occurred in four patients (10%) in the terfenadine plus ranitidine group and in three patients (7%) in the terfenadine group. Regarding local reactions, significantly fewer patients treated with a combination of terfenadine and ranitidine and with terfenadine alone as compared with placebo had severe local symptoms of erythema (29%, 29%, and 49%), edema (24%, 18%, and 41%), and pruritus (13%, 11%, and 31%) at week 1 (p < 0.05). This therapeutic benefit was limited to the first 4 weeks of treatment. Treatment with a combination of terfenadine and ranitidine was not superior to treatment with terfenadine alone. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with H1-antihistamines with or without H2-antihistamines significantly reduced local and systemic adverse reactions to immunotherapy with Hymenoptera venom and may therefore be helpful in the management of immunotherapy.     

Natural social behaviors in hyperactive children: Dose effects of methylphenidate.

The effects of methylphenidate on the social behaviors of hyperactive children between the ages of 6 and 11 were examined during relatively unstructured activities in outdoor settings. The 12 younger (mean age?=?7–8 years) and 12 older (mean age ?=?9–21 years) children received placebo, a low (0.3 mg/kg), and a moderate (0.6 mg/kg) dose of methylphenidate. During recess, lunch, and exercise sessions, trained observers coded the children's actions as either appropriate social, negative social, or nonsocial behavior. Both age groups showed decrements in negative social behaviors when placebo was compared with the low dose of methylphenidate. Only the younger group showed incremental improvement between the low and moderate doses. There were no significant age or dosage effects on the rates of nonsocial behaviors, which remained low throughout the study. Several implications for the treatment of hyperactive children are discussed, including (a) the finding that disruptive behaviors can be reduced successfully without decreasing overall sociability, (b) the importance of interpersonal heterogeneity and the distinction between group and individual patterns of response, and (c) the need to study relationships and friendships as well as social actions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early histopathologic and ultrastructural changes in the heart of Sprague-Dawley rats following administration of soman

Anaemia of prematurity, a postnatal fall in haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit, is particularly common in those born at less than 32 weeks of gestation. Experimental and clinical data implicate inadequate erythropoietin production as an important reason. In this study recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) was used in an attempt to treat or prevent this anaemia and thereby provide an alternative to erythrocyte transfusions. Premature infants (birth weight < or = 1250 g and gestational age < or = 32 weeks), who were likely to need transfusions, were randomly assigned to receive 4 weeks of treatment with either subcutaneously administered r-HuEpo (200 U; n = 12) or placebo (n = 12), three times weekly. All patients had oral supplements of elemental iron at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day. Treatment was started in the third week of life. Reticulocyte counts were significantly raised (P < 0.05) in the group treated with r-HuEpo at the end of treatment. The neonates in the group treated with r-HuEpo needed fewer erythrocyte transfusions than those in the placebo group during treatment. There were no toxic effects attributable to r-HuEpo. The results indicate that treatment of infants with very low birth weights with r-HuEpo will reduce their need for erythrocyte transfusions.     

Comparison of once-daily doses of omeprazole (40 and 20 mg) and placebo in the treatment of benign gastric ulcer: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, conducted in 520 patients, was to compare the efficacy and safety of omeprazole (40 and 20 mg once daily) with placebo in the treatment of benign gastric ulcer. METHODS: Treatment with omeprazole or placebo lasted 4 wk; those whose ulcers remained unhealed continued the same treatment regimen for an additional 4 wk. The effects of therapy were determined by endoscopy and assessment of GI symptoms. Safety and tolerability were evaluated through reported adverse events, physical examinations, and laboratory tests. RESULTS: At weeks 4 and 8, the proportion of patients with healed ulcers was significantly greater in the omeprazole 40- and 20-mg groups than in the placebo group (p < 0.01). At week 8, the healing rate was significantly greater in the 40-mg group than in the 20-mg group (82.7 vs 74.8%, p < 0.05). In patients with large ulcers (>1 cm), the 40-mg regimen was associated with a significantly higher healing rate (78.9%) than both the 20-mg regimen (61.4%) and placebo (34.6%) at week 8 (p < 0.05 vs omeprazole 20 mg; p < 0.01 vs placebo). Healing rates in patients with small ulcers were similar for the 40- and 20-mg groups. Omeprazole was well tolerated, with no significant differences versus placebo in the overall incidence of clinical or laboratory adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Omeprazole 40 and 20 mg, administered once daily, healed a significantly greater proportion of patients than did placebo. The 40-mg regimen offered significant advantages over the 20-mg regimen in patients with large ulcers.     

Ampicillin-metronidazole treatment in idiopathic preterm labour: a randomised controlled multicentre trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole in women with threatened idiopathic preterm labour will prolong the gestation and reduce maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity. DESIGN: Randomised controlled double-blind trial. SETTING: Six obstetric departments in the Copenhagen area. POPULATION: One hundred and twelve women with singleton pregnancies, with threatened idiopathic preterm labour and intact amniotic membranes at 26 to 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Random allocation to eight days intravenous and oral treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole, or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of days from admission to delivery, gestational age at delivery, rates of preterm delivery, low birthweight, maternal infections and neonatal infections. RESULTS: Treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole was associated with a significant prolongation of pregnancy (admission to delivery 47.5 days versus 27 days, P < 0.05), higher gestational age at delivery (37 weeks versus 34 weeks, P < 0.05), decreased incidence of preterm birth (42% versus 65%, P < 0.05), and lower rate of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (40% versus 63%, P < 0.05), when compared with placebo treatment. Antibiotic treatment had no significant effects on infectious morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole in women with threatened idiopathic preterm labour significantly prolonged the gestation, but had no effects on maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity.     

Effects of modeling and desensitization in reducing dentist phobia.

Notes that although many persons avoid dentists and dental work, counseling techniques that eliminate dental avoidance behavior and reduce stress have not yet been systematically examined. The present study explored the effects of systematic desensitization and social-modeling treatments with placebo and assessment control groups. Each of the 4 groups contained 9 dental-phobic adults (mean age = 30 yrs). A behavioral measure as well as several attitude and fear arousal scales (e.g., the Fear Survey Schedule) were used as dependent variables. Modeling was more effective than desensitization as shown by the number of Ss who went to a dentist, and modeling and desensitization were more effective in reducing arousal and improving attitudes than placebo and assessment groups. The importance of demonstrating behaviors coupled with covert practice, or self-modeling, is discussed. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)