Measurement of the ßß decay half-life of 130Te with the NEMO-3 detector.

We report results from the NEMO-3 experiment based on an exposure of 1275 days with 661 g of (130)Te in the form of enriched and natural tellurium foils. The ßß decay rate of (130)Te is found to be greater than zero with a significance of 7.7 standard deviations and the half-life is measured to be T(½)(2ν) = [7.0 ± 0.9(stat) ± 1.1(syst)] × 10(20) yr. This represents the most precise measurement of this half-life yet published and the first real-time observation of this decay.

[Assessment of behavioral dependence with the Glover-Nilsson test in smoking cessation treatment]. / Evaluación de la dependencia psicológica mediante el test de Glover-Nilsson en el tratamiento del tabaquismo.

OBJECTIVE: To assess behavioral dependence using the Glover-Nilsson test and determine its association with successful smoking cessation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analytical longitudinal study was carried out, the target population of which consisted of smokers who enrolled in a smoking cessation clinic for treatment. The following variables were examined: age, sex, nicotine dependence (Fagerström test), psychoactive drug use, prior attempts at quitting, and behavioral dependence measured with the Glover-Nilsson test. The most recent version of this test is an 11-item questionnaire which classifies behavioral dependence according to the scores obtained: mild (<12), moderate (12-22), severe (23-33), and very severe (>33). Successful cessation was defined as self-reported abstinence confirmed by measurement of expired CO level (< or =10 ppm). Results were expressed as means (SD) for quantitative variables and percentages and absolute frequencies for qualitative variables. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 167 smokers--89 men (53.3%) and 78 women (46.7%)--with a mean age of 43.5 (9.9) years, a nicotine dependence score (Fagerström test) of 6.5 (2.2) points, and a Glover-Nilsson score of 23.3 (6.6). Of the study population, 65.9% (n=110) had made previous attempts at quitting. Abstinence at 3 months was 55.1% (n=92). Differences between the sexes were found for age and previous attempts at quitting. Younger patients had higher scores on the Glover-Nilsson test and the Fagerström test and lower abstinence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Severe behavioral dependence can result in less successful cessation outcome. All aspects related to dependence must be assessed to help select the most adequate pharmacological and psychological treatment for results to be optimized.

[A survey on the relationship between tobacco use and physical exercise among university students]. / Encuesta sobre tabaquismo en estudiantes universitarios en relación con la préde ejercicio físico.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of tobacco use among university students who participate in sports activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire completed by students who participated in activities at a university sports center. The variables studied were age, sex, tobacco use, cigarettes/day, prior history of physical exercise, awareness of the regulations concerning tobacco use in force on the university campus, opinion on the relationship between smoking and reduced physical performance, and desire to quit smoking. RESULTS: A total of 406 completed questionnaires were received (41.2% of the target population); 71.7% were from women and 28.3% from men. The mean (SD) age of the sample was 22 (3.6) years, and the prevalence of smoking was 30.3%. The mean number of cigarettes smoked per day was 10.5 (6.7) for the sample as a whole, 9.3 (6.1) for women, and 14.7 (7.4) for men; the differences were statistically significant. No significant differences were found with respect to the relationship between exercise and tobacco use. A total of 98.8% of the subjects were of the opinion that smoking reduced physical performance, and 46.3% expressed a desire to quit. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of physical exercise during adolescence as part of a prevention program might interfere with the factors that lead young people to start smoking and thereby contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use in the population as a whole.

[Predictors of success at 6-month follow-up for smokers treated at a smoking cessation clinic]. / Factores predictores de éxito a los 6 meses en fumadores tratados en una unidad de tabaquismo.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictors of successful outcome in a smoking cessation program at 6-month follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study of a sample of smokers who attended a smoking cessation clinic for combined medical and cognitive-behavioral group therapy. The independent variables assessed included age, sex, level of education, nicotine dependence (Fagerström test), prior attempts to quit smoking, medication prescribed, compliance with group therapy regimen, and success at one week and 3 months. Success was defined as self-reported abstinence, confirmed by CO-oximetry (carbon monoxide <10 ppm). Odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) were calculated for the categorical variables and a test of statistical significance of differences between means was performed for quantitative variables. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed and significant variables were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: The study population comprised 248 individuals, 67.7% male and 32.3% female, with a mean (SD) age of 43.1 (10.5) years. The mean score on the Fagerström test was 6.3 (2.1) points and 84.7% of the individuals complied with the treatment regimen. Success rates were as follows: 77% at one week, 30.2% at 3 months, and 31.9% at 6 months. Three variables--success at 3 months, age, and nicotine dependence--were entered into the multivariate logistic regression model; the only variable predictive of successful smoking cessation at 6 months was success at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who fully comply with treatment and abstain from smoking during the first weeks are more likely to be successful at 6 months.

[Withdrawal of high estrogen containing oral contraceptives and the demand for medical service]. / Hljlstrogene p-pillers tilbagetraekning og eftersplrgsel på laegelig service

PIP: The results of a survey are presented conerning the effectiveness of mass media publicity with the public. After oral contraceptives containing high levels of estrogen were prohibited in Denmark, a telephone survey of 23 doctors was taken to determine the fluctuation in demand for medical information from patients, and the reason for the fluctuation. The reasons were divided into 3 groups: 1) resulting from mass media publicity, 2) resulting from the unavailability of a particular contraceptive, and 3) other. 3 surveys were conducted of the frequency of demand for information on the high estrogen contraceptives, 1 for each of the 2 weeks after the prohibition and withdrawal of the contraceptives took place, and 1 1 month after the prohibition. 2-3% of the inquiries received by the doctors concerned the prohibited contraceptives, and half of these could be attributed directly to the mass media publicity. The number of requests in categories 1 and 2 dropped sharply in the 2nd and 3rd surveys, indicating that the effect of the mass meida publicity and the withdrawal of the contraceptive from the market had only a very immediate effect. It is also shown that the telephone can be used successfully to ascertain the effects of a short-term social phenomenon on the public.^ieng

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a need for classification.

UNLABELLED: Classification of Atrial Fibrillation. INTRODUCTION: Clinical aspects of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation are heterogeneous. The attacks of atrial fibrillation may differ in their duration frequency and presence and severity of symptoms. Therefore, a proposal for a clinical classification of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may be helpful. We tested a new classification system in a cohort of 51 consecutive hospitalized patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was subdivided into three classes. Class I included a first attack of symptomatic atrial fibrillation either with spontaneous termination (IA) or requiring cardioversion because of poor tolerance (IB). Class II included recurrent attacks in untreated patients within three subgroups: IIA with no symptoms, IIB with < 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period, and IIC > with 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period. Class III included recurrent atrial fibrillation unresponsive to one or more antiarrhythmic agents for prevention of recurrences. Class III also consisted of three subgroups: IIIA with no or mild symptoms, IIIB with < 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period, and IIIC with > 1 symptomatic attack per 3-month period. The criteria for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (episode > 2 minutes and < 7 days in duration) were fulfilled by 51 patients (29 men, 22 women; mean age 61 +/- 14 years). Structural heart disease was present in 31 patients; the atrial fibrillation was idiopathic in 18 (35%). All 51 patients could be classified within the three classes and their subgroups: 14 patients (27%) in Class I, 13 (25%) in Class II, and 24 (47%) in Class III. The incidences of idiopathic atrial fibrillation were 21%, 30%, and 45% of the patients in Classes I, II, and III, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this new classification system, all hospitalized patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation could be classified. This classification may be useful to delineate better the clinical subgroups of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, to characterize better the patient population in future studies, and to improve treatment strategies.