The total peroxyl radical-trapping ability of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in normal and preeclamptic parturients.

Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid total peroxyl radical-trapping antioxidative parameter (TRAP) and the main antioxidant components of TRAP (vitamin E, ascorbic acid, uric acid, protein sulfhydryl groups, and the unidentified antioxidant proportion) were analyzed in 11 preeclamptic parturients, 9 healthy parturients with an uncomplicated pregnancy, and 10 healthy nonpregnant women. In addition, the possible effects of ongoing labor were studied in 10 healthy parturients. The samples of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected at cesarean section (pregnant women) or minor surgical procedure (nonpregnant women). Normal pregnancy or ongoing labor induced no significant changes in total TRAP, as compared with nonpregnant women, but significant changes in the percentage contributions of individual antioxidants were noted in plasma and CSF. In preeclampsia, a significant increase in TRAP was noted in both plasma and CSF. This increase was mainly due to an increased proportion of uric acid and unidentified antioxidants in plasma samples, and an increased proportion of unidentified antioxidants in CSF. The concentration of CSF ascorbic acid was decreased in preeclampsia, and a negative correlation between CSF ascorbic acid and blood pressure was observed.

Contraceptive methods: knowledge sources rated by women and men.

People today live amid a welter of information regarding contraception, and health care professionals have been the most prominent sources to which people turn. This study evaluates the relative importance of various information sources and ascertains the position of the physicians among them. Random samples (393 women and 395 men) were drawn from the Finnish population. Response rates were 56% for women and 45% for men. The respondents were asked to estimate the amount of knowledge they had obtained from various sources on a visual analog scale. The three most important sources for women were literature, physicians, and women's journals. For men, literature and the spouse/partner were the most prominent. The youngest age groups--women and men alike--had received more information from the school nurse and the teacher than older groups. Physicians have a central role as information sources. They should be aware of other information sources in the community and should adapt their own work accordingly.

PIP: This study aims to evaluate the relative importance of various information sources in Finland as measured by men and women¿s ratings of their knowledge of contraceptive methods. The place of physicians among the information sources was also specifically to be ascertained. Response rates were about 56% for women and 45% for men. The amount of knowledge that respondents obtained from various sources was estimated on a visual analog scale. The three most important sources for women were literature, physicians, and women¿s journals. The most prominent sources for men were literature and their spouses/partners. The younger age groups of both sexes gained more information from school nurses and teachers. This study shows that physicians have primary roles as information sources. They need to be familiar with other information sources and should fulfill their responsibility accordingly.

Interactions between synthesis of platelet-activating factor and leukotriene B4 in isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The aim of the present work was to study interactions between the synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in vitro. PAF, at nanomolar concentrations, stimulated calcium ionophore A23187-activated PMNs to release LTB4 and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE). This seems to be a receptor-mediated process as it was blocked by a PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 (IC50 6.6 +/- 3.9 microM). Moreover, LTB4 stimulated the formation of PAF in activated PMNs. WEB 2086 did not, however, alter PMN migration towards either LTB4 or the chemotactic peptide FMLP. This suggests that the enhancement of PAF synthesis in response to LTB4 is a concomitant event rather than a mediating process in LTB4-induced chemotactic movement of PMNs. These effects are implicated in the complex network of interactions between inflammatory mediators that results accumulation and activation of PMNs in the exacerbation of inflammatory processes.

Oral contraceptives: views among primary health-care physicians and the general population.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the views of physicians and the general population concerning oral contraceptive (OC) use and the risk of thrombosis after the pill scare and, moreover, to investigate whether respondents' smoking habits had any impact on these perceptions. METHOD: A questionnaire on family planning was mailed to randomly selected Finnish health-center physicians (n = 351) and to a random sample of Finnish women (n = 393) and men (n = 395). All were asked to evaluate statements concerning OCs using a visual analog scale from 0 (strongly disagree) to 100 (strongly agree). RESULTS: The response rate for physicians was 69%, for women 56% and for men 45%. Respondents in all subgroups agreed to some extent that OCs increase the risk of thrombosis. Among the population, more women than men were of the opinion that it is dangerous to smoke while using OCs and non-smokers were more aware of the risk of OC use and simultaneous smoking than were smokers. Physicians' personal smoking habits had no evident impact on opinions concerning OC use, risk of thrombosis and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Although differences existed between the perceptions of physicians and those of the general population concerning OCs, their opinions are realistic and in harmony.

Contraceptive methods used and preferred by men and women.

In 1997, a random sample of Finnish men (n = 395) and women (n = 393) aged 18-50 years received a postal questionnaire concerning family planning, in which they were asked which contraceptive methods they had ever used and which three methods they considered to be best. Men's contraceptive preferences were compared to those of women. The response rate for men was 45% and for women 56%. The majority of both men and women had used, together with their partners, condom, oral contraceptives (OCs) and intrauterine devices (IUDs). The use of diaphragm, Norplant, Depo Provera and postcoital IUDs was not common. Among the men, 2-11% did not know whether their partner/partners had used the contraceptives in question. Concerning the three best contraceptive methods, men placed the condom first and women OCs. No male or female respondents rated postcoital emergency pills a superior method. Both men and women appreciated the most reliable means.

Use and knowledge of hormonal emergency contraception.

Hormonal emergency contraception (EC) is an acceptable means of postcoital prevention of pregnancy, but potential users should have information and education about it before they need it. The aim of this study was to establish how many women and how many men's partners have used hormonal EC and how well the respondents know the correct time to take EC pills. Random samples (393 women and 395 men) were drawn from the Finnish population register. Response rates were 56% for women and 45% for men. Of all responding women and men, 12% had themselves or together with their partners used EC. The proportion of EC users was highest in the younger age group among both women and men. It was greater among single and cohabiting women than among married women. Only a minority of respondents knew that EC pills could be taken up to 72 h after unprotected intercourse. Women who had used EC were most knowledgeable, as were also the younger age groups among both women and men. Awareness of the availability of EC and of its correct use should be further promoted to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Effect of Lactobacillus GG yoghurt in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea.

The efficacy of Lactobacillus GG yoghurt in preventing erythromycin associated diarrhoea was studied. Sixteen healthy volunteers were given erythromycin acistrate 400 mg t.i.d for a week. The volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups taking twice daily 125 ml of either Lactobacillus GG fermented yoghurt or pasteurized regular yoghurt as placebo during the drug treatment. Subjects receiving Lactobacillus GG yoghurt with erythromycin had less diarrhoea than those taking pasteurized yoghurt. Other side effects of erythromycin, such as abdominal distress, stomach pain and flatulence, were less common in the GG yoghurt group than in the placebo yoghurt group. The subjects receiving Lactobacillus GG yoghurt were colonized with these bacteria even during erythromycin treatment as measured by faecal counts of total Lactobacillus GG. No Lactobacillus GG was found in the faecal samples of volunteers in the group taking pasteurized yoghurt.