Simultaneous deep-plane face lift and trichloroacetic acid peel

Many patients seeking facial rejuvenation require a combination of face lift and chemical peel to achieve optimal results. These procedures traditionally have been separated in time because of fear of skin slough after simultaneous peel and face lift. The recent evolution to deep-plane face lift and peeling agents other than phenol led to this reexamination of the subject. Forty-seven porcine flaps were treated with a variety of chemabrasion agents. As a result, 35% trichloroacetic acid was determined to be a safe agent for use on thick flaps. Thirty-five patients underwent simultaneous modified deep-plane face lift and immediate trichloroacetic acid peel, with 35% being the maximum strength used on undermined areas. This combination proved to be successful, with no complications related to the combination treatment.

Serotonergic modulation of social interactions in isolated male mice

Several serotonergic drugs were tested in isolation-induced aggressive behavior in male mice using ethological methodology. Eltoprazine, a mixed 5-HT1 agonist, reduced aggression but enhanced social interest and exploration. Several 5-HT1A agonists (8-OH-DPAT, ipsapirone, buspirone, 5-Me-ODMT) and a 5-HT uptake blocker (fluvoxamine) also reduced aggression. Although these drugs somewhat differentially affect aggressive behavior, the isolation-induced paradigm alone is not sensitive enough to successfully differentiate and screen the various serotonergic drugs with regard to their influence on social behavior in mice. It is argued that various animal paradigms in several species are necessary to describe specific effects of serotonergic drugs.

Valium use and abuse by methadone maintenance clients

Twenty-one Valium-using/abusing methadone maintenance clients were compared with 42 non-Valium-using clients as to demographic characteristics and two psychological indices, the Symptom Check List-90-R and the Addiction Severity Index. The Valium users scored much like adult psychiatric outpatients and had more drug and psychiatric problems than the Valium nonusers, who resembled most nearly "adolescent nonpatients" in profiles. Possible reasons for Valium use/abuse by methadone maintenance clients are discussed.

Influences on assortative mating

Age plays a considerable role in assortative mating. As regards this criterion we can distinguish a "rural, more traditional model" with high values of the coefficients of correlation, and an "urban model" with significantly lower values. Concerning eye and hair colour we find both these models as well as transitional forms. In contrast to this there are no important differences in assortative mating between the rural and urban populations regarding the physical traits. Size of population and length of marriage can strongly influence the values of these correlations. They decrease as the size of the population decreases, in which a person chooses his/her partner. Increasing age of the couples also results in a decrease of these correlations.

Cultural aspects of health and illness behavior in hospitals

Health care attitudes reflect the basic world view and values of a culture, such as how we relate to nature, other people, time, being, society versus community, children versus elders and independence versus dependence. Illness behavior determines who is vulnerable to illness and who agrees to become a patient-since only about one third of the ill will see a physician. Cultural values determine how one will behave as a patient and what it means to be ill and especially to be a hospital patient. They affect decisions about a patient's treatment and who makes the decisions. Cultural differences create problems in communication, rapport, physical examination and treatment compliance and follow through. The special meaning of medicines and diet requires particular attention. The perception of physical pain and psychologic distress varies from culture to culture and affects the attitudes and effectiveness of care-givers as much as of patients. Religious beliefs and attitudes about death, which have many cultural variations, are especially relevant to hospital-based treatment. Linguistic and cultural interpreters can be essential; they are more available than realized, though there are pitfalls in their use. Finally, one must recognize that individual characteristics may outweigh the ethnic and that a good caring relationship can compensate for many cultural missteps.