Zinc supplementation reduces the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections in infants and preschool children: a double-blind, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Increased acute lower respiratory infection incidence, severity, and mortality are associated with malnutrition, and reduced immunological competence may be a mechanism for this association. Because zinc deficiency results in impaired immunocompetence and zinc supplementation improves immune status, we hypothesized that zinc deficiency is associated with increased incidence and severity of acute lower respiratory infection. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of daily supplementation with 10 mg of elemental zinc on the incidence and prevalence of acute lower respiratory infection in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in 609 children (zinc, n = 298; control, n = 311) 6 to 35 months of age. Supplementation and morbidity surveillance were done for 6 months. RESULTS: After 120 days of supplementation, the percentage of children with plasma zinc concentrations <60 microg/dL decreased from 35.6% to 11.6% in the zinc group, whereas in the control group it increased from 36.8% to 43.6%. Zinc-supplemented children had 0.19 acute lower respiratory infection episodes/child/year compared with 0.35 episodes/child/year in the control children. After correction for correlation of data using generalized estimating equation regression methods, there was a reduction of 45% (95% confidence interval, 10% to 67%) in the incidence of acute lower respiratory infections in zinc-supplemented children. CONCLUSIONS: A dietary zinc supplement resulted in a significant reduction in respiratory morbidity in preschool children. These findings suggest that interventions to improve zinc intake will improve the health and survival of children in developing countries.

A bioadhesive delivery system as an alternative to infiltration anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of a novel saliva-activated bioadhesive drug delivery system of lidocaine hydrochloride as a viable alternative to infiltration anesthesia in dentistry. STUDY DESIGN: The study was carried out in three stages. First, the drug delivery system (DDS) was subjectively evaluated for adherence to the gingival mucosa and peak effect of anesthesia. In the second stage, a comparative subjective and objective evaluation of the DDS with a marketed topical gel preparation was carried out. Finally an open label, nonblinded clinical trial was carried out using the exodontia model. A total of 49 extractions were attempted in 41 patients. The effect of the following variables was investigated in the study: (1) jaw (maxillary and mandibular), (2) overall mobility, (3) position-notation of tooth (1, 2, 3, 4 ...). The positive extractions were statistically analyzed by the t test comparison of means of two independent variables. RESULTS: Subjective evaluation revealed that the DDS adheres to the gingiva within a minute and produces peak effect in 15 minutes. Comparative study revealed that the DDS produces greater depth of anesthesia than the marketed topical gel. Of 49 extractions attempted with the DDS, 40 were successful, giving an efficacy of 81.63%. CONCLUSION: The novel saliva-activated bioadhesive drug delivery system of lidocaine hydrochloride exhibits potential as a feasible alternative to infiltration anesthesia in dentistry.

Biogenic amine response to whole body irradiation. Prevention by APTH.

60Co whole body irradiation with 154.8 mC/kg (600 R) resulted in a mortality of 50 per cent within two weeks. Administration of 1-acetyl-3-phenylamidine thiocarbamide hydrochloride (APTH) 30 min before irradiation prevented this mortality. Irradiation eliminated neurosecretory material from the perikaryons of the supraoptic and paraventricular neurons, whereas APTH counteracted this action. APTH also increased the synthesis of bioamines (5-hydroxytryptamine, catecholamine and acetylcholine).