Iron requirements and iron balance during pregnancy. Is iron supplementation needed for pregnant women?

Among fertile, nonpregnant, Danish women, 33% have absent or reduced iron stores; 22% have serum ferritin values above 70 micrograms/l, i.e., iron reserves of more than 530 mg, corresponding to the net iron losses during a normal pregnancy. During pregnancy, the demands for absorbed iron increase from 0.8 to 7.5 mg/day. Controlled studies show that iron-treated pregnant women have higher serum ferritin levels, i.e., larger iron stores, and higher haemoglobin levels than placebo-treated women. A supplement of 66 mg ferrous iron daily from the beginning of the 2nd trimester prevents iron deficiency anaemia. In Denmark, general iron prophylaxis with 60-70 mg ferrous iron daily from 20 weeks of gestation is recommended by the health authorities.     

Effective shelf-life of prepared sodium hypochlorite solution

Although the tissue solvent and bactericidal properties of sodium hypochlorite are well known, the effective shelf-life of prepared sodium hypochlorite solutions is not known. The stability of sodium hypochlorite is adversely affected by exposure to high temperature, light, air, and the presence of organic and inorganic contaminants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the variables of storage conditions and time on the tissue-dissolving capacity of three different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite. Fresh frozen human umbilical cord was used as the tissue sample for this experiment. Tissue samples were dissolved at time intervals ranging from 1 day to 10 wk in 5.25%, 2.62%, and 1.0% solutions of sodium hypochlorite. The tissue-dissolving ability of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite remains stable for at least 10 wk. The tissue-dissolving ability of 2.62% and 1.0% sodium hypochlorite remains relatively stable for 1 wk after mixing, then exhibits a significant decrease in tissue-dissolving ability at 2 wk and beyond.     

Local synthesis of immunoglobulins in neuropathies

It is essential to know how the immune system acts in different neurological diseases, some of them non very well known or of unknown etiology at all. It was applied Reiber and Felgenhauer's formula in 56 patients with different diseases. IgA, IgM, IgG and albumin were quantified in sera and cerebrospinal fluid by simple immunodiffusion. It was observed more frequent IgG local synthesis and IgA in this sample.     

The dimensions underlying perceived attitudes: Liberalism and concern for traditional values.

Two studies identified and labeled the dimensions that people use to judge others' attitudes. In the 1st study, 50 male and 50 female undergraduates viewed pairs of attitude statements drawn from 1 or 2 large sets. For each pair of statements, Ss judged whether or not a person who agreed with one statement in the pair would be likely to agree with the other. The dimensions of liberalism and traditional values were found to underlie perceived attitudes. Validity was confirmed in a 2nd study with 60 male and 60 female undergraduates who rated the characteristics of hypothetical people who agreed strongly with particular statements. Results suggest that there is a common structure to people's perceptions of others' attitudes. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The heroic cancer patient: A critical analysis of the relationship between illusion and mental health.

Examines, in the context of cancer illness, S. E. Taylor and J. D. Brown's (see record 1988-16903-001) claim that mental health is to a degree predicated on illusory beliefs about the self, one's control, and the future. The Heroic Model (HM), a stance toward cancer characterized by belief that positive thoughts and feelings, a fighting spirit, and an optimistic outlook will promote cancer remission, is presented as paradigmatic of Taylor and Brown's thesis. Strong and weak formulations of the HM (the former affirming a direct influence of mental states over physical processes, and the latter affirming indirect effects only) are examined with respect to their potential adaptive value as true or false beliefs, with different consequences for well-being. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)