Immunogenicity of yeast-derived hepatitis B vaccine in Pakistani adults

A study of the immunogenicity and safety of 20 micrograms recombinant DNA yeast derived hepatitis B vaccine was conducted in 153 Pakistani adults. All participants were in good physical condition, had negative hepatitis B serological markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc) and normal ALT. Anti-HBs developed in 33%, 81% and 98% of subjects one month after the first, second and third dose respectively. Minor systemic and local side-effects were observed in 39% of individuals. We conclude that yeast derived hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective and immunogenic in Pakistani adults.

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of zopiclone 7.5 mg and temazepam 20 mg in insomnia

Zopiclone, a cyclopyrrolone with hypnotic properties was compared with temazepam and placebo in the treatment of insomnia. After a week's washout period, suitable subjects were allocated at random to zopiclone 7.5 mg or temazepam 20 mg or placebo for 2 weeks. Measurements of psychomotor function using the Leed's psychomotor tester and letter cancellation were carried out on day 0, 7 and 14. Sleep latency, duration of sleep and number of times waking during the night were recorded on a sleep diary filled by the subjects nightly. Forty-four subjects completed the trial, 15 taking zopiclone, 16 taking temazepam and 10 taking placebo. Both zopiclone and temazepam had significant hypnotic properties when compared to placebo. Zopiclone increased total sleep time in both weeks of the trial while temazepam increased sleep time in the first week only. There was no significant deterioration in psychomotor performance at the end of both weeks for zopiclone. Critical flicker fusion was significantly increased in subjects on temazepam. There were no abnormalities for both zopiclone and temazepam subjects in the blood picture, renal profile, liver function, urine and ECG before and after the study. Zopiclone is an effective hypnotic comparable to temazepam.

Intracardiac ectopic thyroid: a case report and review of published cases

A woman with ectopic intracardiac thyroid tissue showing features of a colloid storage goitre presented with ventricular tachycardias and signs of right ventricular outflow obstruction. As the tumour was benign and removed at necropsy, the results of surgery are likely to have been good, but she died from a cardiac arrest before operation.

[Immunosuppressive and virostatic actions of sterones from Petunia hybrida Vilm]

10 Ergostan-3-on derivatives presumably in the majority ergosta-1,4-dien-3-on derivatives could be isolated from Petunia hybrida VILM. Two were identified as the known compounds petuniasterone A and petuniasterone-C-22-O-acetate. The structures of two other compounds named petuniasterone-D-diacetate and 30-hydroxypetuniasterone A could be elucidated. The molecular formulas of the remaining substances were ascertained by mass spectroscopy. The petuniasterones inhibited the proliferation of stimulated human lymphocytes in non-cytotoxic concentrations, possessing therefore possibly immunosuppressive effects. Extracts of the plant and fractions containing a synergistically effective blue fluorescing substance retarded the multiplication speed of influenza viruses; pure petuniasterones were ineffectiv under our conditions in this regard.

Changing patterns of suicide in Australia

This paper examines the suicide trends in Australia from a sociological perspective using a selected number of sociological variables. Our aim is not to minimize the importance of psychogenic factors in suicide but to highlight its sociological aspects. The analysis of suicide trends shows that the overall suicide rate in Australia has remained fairly stable over the past one hundred years. This outward stability, however, camouflages some important internal changes in the suicide trends in Australian society. The paper examines some of these trends and provides a profile of some of the possible sociological factors which appear to have influenced the suicide rates of men and women in Australian society between 1880 and 1985.

Suicide trends in Australia, 1901-1985: an analysis of sex differentials

This paper analyzes trends in the male-female suicide ratio in Australia, using data for the period 1901-1985. The main finding of the paper is that modernization, as measured by an index composed of the female participation rate in the labor force and the urbanization rate, is positively related to the male-female suicide ratio. This is contrary to an earlier finding by Stack and Danigelis (1985), who reported an inverse relationship between these two variables. This finding is shown to be due to the fact that no correction was made for trend. When the data series are corrected for trend, a significant positive relationship is found between modernization and the male-female suicide ratio in Australia. Another finding of the paper is that the female suicide rate in Australia has been falling significantly since the mid-1960s. This is also at variance with Stack and Danigelis's hypothesis that as modernization proceeds, the female suicide rate rises. We discuss reasons for this in the Australian context.

Fracture toughness determination of dental amalgams through microindentation

A microindentation technique was used to study and estimate the fracture toughness of six amalgams. A significant difference is observed between fracture toughness at the bulk and the margin of amalgams. All amalgams show significant differences in fracture toughness as a function of distance from the margin. Microindentation measurement of fracture toughness appears to be an effective method of evaluating the localized brittleness of amalgams.

Nasal mucociliary function in different diseases of the nose

Two techniques, using saccharin sky-blue powder and barium sulfate particles, were used to study the nasal mucociliary clearance in 40 normal subjects and 200 patients with different nasal diseases. The transport time was measured in each test subject and a highly significant difference was observed between healthy persons and the study group (p less than 0.001). The saccharin sky-blue test serves as a valuable screening test.

Fracture toughness of human enamel

A microindentation technique was employed to estimate the fracture toughness of human enamel. A pattern of increasing fracture toughness values existed from incisal to cervical in incisor enamel. Statistical analysis indicated that the molar enamel was more brittle than either the canine or incisor enamel. It was observed that the cracks emanating from the corners of an indentation propagated preferentially, with the weakest path of fracture usually extending along the cervical-incisal axis.