Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration of a single dose to African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus).

Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in avian species. In this study, the pharmacokinetic parameters for meloxicam were determined following single intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (p.o.) administrations of the drug (1 mg/kg·b.w.) in adult African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus; n = 6). Serial plasma samples were collected and meloxicam concentrations were determined using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography assay. A noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was performed. No undesirable side effects were observed during the study. After i.v. administration, the volume of distribution, clearance and elimination half-life were 90.6 ± 4.1 mL/kg, 2.18 ± 0.25 mL/h/kg and 31.4 ± 4.6 h, respectively. The peak mean ± SD plasma concentration was 8.32 ± 0.95 µg/mL at 30 min after i.m. administration. Oral administration resulted in a slower absorption (tmax  = 13.2 ± 3.5 h; Cmax  = 4.69 ± 0.75 µg/mL) and a lower bioavailability (38.1 ± 3.6%) than for i.m. (78.4 ± 5.5%) route. At 24 h, concentrations were 5.90 ± 0.28 µg/mL for i.v., 4.59 ± 0.36 µg/mL for i.m. and 3.21 ± 0.34 µg/mL for p.o. administrations and were higher than those published for Hispaniolan Amazon parrots at 12 h with predicted analgesic effects.

[Suicide Rates and Suicide Prevention in Women of Turkish Origin in Berlin]. / Suizidraten und Suizidprävention bei Berliner Frauen mit türkischem Migrationshintergrund.

Suicidality in female Turkish immigrants is higher as compared to that of native-born women of the same age. The analysis of the national mortality registry in Germany reported a 2-fold suicide risk in the target group compared to German women of the same age. A population-based multi-modal intervention project was conducted. Suicidal crisis were analysed in focus groups and guided the development of the intervention module. The intervention consisted of a public awareness campaign, a telephone hotline, and the training of key persons. All parts of the intervention were subsequently evaluated. Suicide attempts of the target group that were presented at all emergency units in Berlin were registered. In a population-based interview survey the aim was to elicit central sociodemographic and psychosocial variables that may influence distress and help-seeking behaviour in women of Turkish origin.

Congestive heart failure in 6 African grey parrots (Psittacus e erithacus).

Six African grey parrots (Psittacus e erithacus) were diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure based on gross and microscopic findings. Ages ranged from 15 days to 8 years, and 5 of 6 parrots were either neonates or juveniles at the time of diagnosis. Two neonates and 2 juveniles came from the same breeding aviary; the 2 juveniles were born to the same breeding pair. The 2 other parrots were kept as pets. Clinical signs included distention of the coelomic cavity (4 of 6), rales (3 of 6), weakness (4 of 6), bradyarrhythmia (1 of 6), growth retardation (1 of 6), crop stasis (1 of 6), and regurgitation (1 of 6). Three parrots were euthanized and 3 died. Gross findings included cardiomegaly due to biventricular, right-, or left-sided cardiomyopathy (6 of 6); coelomic effusion (6 of 6); whitish or yellow foci in the liver (6 of 6); atrophy of the liver (particularly, the left lobe; 5 of 6); reddened or grey lungs (5 of 6); subcutaneous edema (2 of 6); hydropericardium (1 of 6); and bilateral thyroid gland enlargement (1 of 6). Relevant microscopic findings included passive hepatic congestion (6 of 6) and pulmonary congestion (2 of 6), lymphocytic thyroiditis (2 of 6), and diffuse thyroid follicular hyperplasia (2 of 6). Microscopically, the heart was unremarkable (2 of 6) or had mild lymphocytic myocarditis (2 of 6), mild multifocal cytoplasmic vacuolation of cardiomyocytes (2 of 6), mild lymphocytic myocardial (Purkinje cell) ganglioneuritis (1 of 6), and mild multifocal interstitial fibrosis and nuclear hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes (1 of 6). One parrot had concurrent proventricular dilatation disease (systemic ganglioneuritis). The cause of cardiomyopathy in these parrots was not determined.

[New procedures for recognition and differentiation of depression in immigrants. Case report of a patient with Turkish immigrant background]. / Neue Ansätze zur Erkennung und Differenzierung von Depression bei Migranten. Fallbeispiel einer Patientin mit türkischem Migrationshintergrund.

Depression is a cross-cultural disorder, which displays cultural differences in symptom presentation and prevalence. The guidelines for the assessment of cultural influencing factors for the medical history and therapy and the consideration of stressors associated with the immigration process can help to better understand the socio-cultural background of patients with an immigration background and facilitate the differential diagnosis. Using these strategies, psychiatry and psychotherapy are better prepared to deal with this large heterogeneous population given the fact that one fifth of Germany's population has an immigration background. The transcultural aspects of depression are illustrated with a case report.

Suicide attempt rates and intervention effects in women of Turkish origin in Berlin.

PURPOSE: Ethnic minority groups show elevated suicide attempt rates across Europe. Evidence suggests a similar trend for women of Turkish origin in Germany, yet data on suicidal behaviour in minorities in Germany is scarce. The objective was to examine rates of suicidal behaviour, underlying motives, and to explore the effectiveness of an intervention program. METHODS: From 05/2009-09/2011, data on all suicide attempts among women of Turkish origin who presented at a hospital-based emergency unit in Berlin, Germany, were collected. A multi-modal intervention was conducted in 2010 and the effects of age, generation and the intervention on suicide attempt rates were examined. RESULTS: At the start, the highest rate was found in women aged 18-24years with 225.4 (95% CI=208.8-242.0)/100,000. Adjustment disorder was the most prevalent diagnosis with 49.7% (n=79), being more common in second-generation women (P=.004). Further analyses suggested an effect of the intervention in the youngest age group (trend change of ß=-1.25; P=.017). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a particularly high rate of suicide attempts by 18-24-year-old, second-generation women of Turkish origin in Berlin. Furthermore, our results suggest a trend change in suicide attempts in women aged 18-24years related to a population-based intervention program.

Prostacyclin and thromboxane production by autogenous femoral veins grafted into the arterial circulation of the dog.

Vascular prostacyclin (PGI2) production is different in the arteries and veins of the dog. Experiments were performed to determine whether chronic grafting of the femoral vein into the arterial circulation would alter the normal PGI2 and thromboxane (TxA2) synthesis of the "arterialized" veins. Spontaneous and arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated PGI2 and TxA2 production (measured by radioimmunoassay of 6-keto PGF1 alpha and TxB2 respectively) were analysed in full thickness punch biopsies of the middle part of the grafts after 3 and 16 months and compared with unoperated veins and arteries. PGI2 production was significantly higher in arteries than in veins but no significant difference in TxB2 production was found. Middle "arterialized" venous graft produced significantly lower amounts of PGI2 and higher amounts of TxB2 than unoperated vessels. PGI2 production was more reduced in the distal than in the middle or the proximal parts of the venous grafts especially when stimulated with AA. These findings do not support the concept that the venous graft was biochemically adapted or "arterialized" in terms of PGI2 production when implanted for 3 months or longer. Rather, the markedly decreased PGI2/TxB2 ratio in the middle of the graft may be a contributory cause of thrombogenicity and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of neointimal hyperplasia.

Hematological and plasma biochemical reference intervals in young white storks.

Hematological and plasma chemistry parameters were measured in 129 juvenile white storks (Ciconia ciconia), either wild or captive bred, April to June 1994. Wild storks were members of a colony in the Lozoya River Valley, Madrid, Spain. Red blood cells count, packed cell volume and hemoglobin increased significantly with age. White blood cells count, lymphocytes count and platelets decreased with age. Total solids, total proteins, fibrinogen, albumin, alpha, beta, gamma-globulins and urea increased with age. Differences between captive and wild birds were not notable.

Hematological, protein electrophoresis and cholinesterase values of free-living nestling peregrine falcons in Spain.

Protein electrophoresis, hematological and cholinesterase values were determined in 32 nestling free-living peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) (15- to 27-days-old) in order to establish normal reference values for this population. The following values (mean +/- SD) were observed: prealbumin 0.31 +/- 0.04 g/dl, albumin 1.25 +/- 0.06 g/dl, alpha1 and alpha2-globulin 0.23 +/- 0.02 and 0.16 +/- 0.02 g/dl respectively, beta-globulin 1.02 +/- 0.05 g/dl, gamma-globulin 0.060 +/- 0.08 g/dl, total protein 3.79 +/- 0.18 g/dl, 21.26 +/- 1.30 white blood cells/microl (1 x 10(3)), 2.17 +/- 0.07 red blood cells/microl (1 x 10(6)), packed cell volume 37.58 +/- 0.82%, hemoglobin 20.96 +/- 0.29 g/dl, heterophils 61.14 +/- 2.50% and cholinesterase 1,184 +/- 75 IU/L. There were no difference in any of these parameters among males and females. The hematological values obtained could be considered as representative values in free-living nestling peregrine falcons.

[Segmental portal hypertension due to a retroperitoneal abscess of tuberculous etiology]. / Hipertensión portal segmentaria debida a absceso retroperitoneal de etiología tuberculosa.

We report a patient with segmental portal hypertension secondary to a retroperitoneal tuberculous abscess. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastric varices were the only lesion found at endoscopy. At laparotomy a retroperitoneal abscess was found as the etiology of splenic vein thrombosis. We emphasize the low frequency of this finding and its resolution after splenectomy and antituberculous drugs.

A new efficient method for 3D registration using human brain atlases.

In this article a new efficient method in deformable brain atlases is proposed. To achieve this goal we use the composition of two applications, an affine transformation and other one. In this second application we have used three different approaches. One approach that has been used and two new approaches. We use a set of points to be identified both in brain atlas and in patient's brain for registration. The three approach present an advantage: the mathematical solution obtained makes it to be very fast, almost immediate. Several results have been obtained and they have been classified as very satisfactory by the neurosurgeons that have tested our system.

[Ask-Upmark kidney: description of a case and review of the literature]. / Riñón de Ask--Upmark: descripción de un caso y revisión en la literatura.

We present a 15-year-old male patient diagnosed histopathologically as suffering from Ask-Upmark kidney, in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux and with hypertension. The first clinical manifestation was completely atypical: right loin pain, with so many agudisation treated at our emergency serve that justified a thorough study. The pathogenesis of the Ask-Upmark kidney is still unknown; some authors defend the congenital malformation hypothesis, as it was first described in 1929, but there are groups who support the Ask-Upmark kidney as a form of reflux nephropathy. After our description we present a review of the literature.

[Hypertensive patients treated in Spain, 1990-1993]. / Estudio sobre los enfermos hipertensos en tratamiento en España durante el período 1990-1993.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of our work was to gain knowledge from the pharmaco-epidemiological perspective on the use of anti-hypertensive drugs in our country, in order to obtain a rough estimation of the number of hypertensive patients under treatment in various Autonomous Communities. METHODS: The data regarding the consumption of hypertensive drugs (mono-medicines) from 1990 to 1993 have been obtained from the Vice-Directorate General for Treatment and Pharmaceutical Planning. The methodology used to calculate the "Estimated Prevalence Patient-day" under treatment with these drugs is based on the WHO recommendations for the Studies on the use of Medicines. Estimated Prevalence of Patient-day (EPPD) has been calculated by using the Defined Daily Dosage of each anti-hypertensive drug. RESULTS: The number of hypertensive patients under treatment with these drugs was 1.763.937, 1.966.396, 2.226.225 and 2.435.294, from 1990 to 1993, respectively. At the end of our study, in 1993, the number of hypertensive patients under treatment in Spain is nearly 50% of the total number of hypertensive patients. There are some differences amongst regions; thus, the Autonomous Communities of Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, País Valenciano and Murcia are noticeable as regions where the number of hypertensive patients treated exceeds the national average. CONCLUSIONS: The number of hypertensive patients under treatment has considerably increased between 1990 to 1993 (+ 40%). An increase is observed in the number of hypertensive patients treated with calcium antagonists and ECA inhibitors and a decrease is observed in the proportion of hypertensive patients under treatment with Beta-blockers and diuretics.

Premenstrual symptoms in Mexican women with different educational levels.

Most women present some premenstrual symptoms, which may be influenced by diverse sociocultural factors. The authors studied the premenstrual symptoms of 89 healthy Mexican women living in rural areas and whose education ranged from no schooling to middle school attendance, and 182 women living in urban areas whose education ranged from elementary school to professional studies. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (R. H. Moos, 1968) was completed by all the women during the premenstrual and postmenstrual phases of one menstrual cycle. The percentage of women who reported mild symptoms was 87% on somatic scales and 86% on psychological scales. Premenstrual symptoms were more severe among women engaged in professional studies. Urban women reported more severe psychological symptoms than rural women. When women who were engaged in professional studies were excluded from the data analyses, no differences between the groups were found. Thus, it appears that the women's level of education affected premenstrual symptoms more than their rural or urban backgrounds did.

[Our experience in the surgery of otosclerosis]. / Nuestra experiencia en la cirugía de la otosclerosis.

A retrospective study of 613 operations on 495 patients with otosclerosis was made in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Hospital General Universitario of Alicante between 1974 to 1992. The clinical-pathological characteristics of this series were studied. Statistical analysis of the results was made. The improvement in air-bone gap for conversational frequencies was 27 dB. Closure of the postoperative air-bone gap for conversational frequencies was 7.6 dB and the overall percentage of closure of this gap was 80.5%. Better auditory results were obtained with partial platinectomy than with stapedectomy. Nothing was inserted between the prosthesis and the vestibule, permitting a shorter, easier operation with no occurrence of perilympathic fistule.

[Obliterative otosclerosis]. / Otosclerosis obliterativa.

In true (grade IV) obliterative otosclerosis, the limits of the oval windows are lost. The insertion of a prosthesis requires drilling and surgical ability. Thirty eight cases of the true obliterative otosclerosis operated in our Department between 1974 and 1992 have been reviewed. Only 6.2% of all the patients operated by us with the diagnosis of otosclerosis had true obliterative otosclerosis. The average preoperative gap in conversational frequencies was 39 dB. In general, the gap closure obtained (13 dB) was slightly lesser than that for otosclerosis. Reobliteration of the oval window may occur in this type of otosclerosis.

[Extracanalicular osteomas of the temporal bone: three cases]. / Osteomas extracanaliculares del hueso temporal. Tres casos.

Osteoma is a slow-growing tumor formed by mature bone tissue. In the temporal bone, intracanalicular osteomas are more frequent than extracanalicular osteomas. In Spain, only twelve cases of extracanalicular tumors of the temporal bone have been described in the literature. We present three new cases of extracanalicular osteoma (mastoids). The clinical and radiological features of each case are described and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Prevalence and types of hyponatraemia, its relationship with hyperglycaemia and mortality in ill pet rabbits.

Prevalence of hyponatraemia has not been extensively studied in pet rabbits, and the reference data for calculated plasma tonicity and osmolarity are not available. This retrospective clinical study reports the prevalence of hyponatraemia, hyposmolarity and hypotonicity in ill pet rabbits (n=356). The relationship between sodium and glucose levels was studied (n=134). Mortality rates within seven days associated with different sodium levels were calculated in ill rabbits (n=322). Venous blood samples in lithium heparin were processed using iStat EC8+ cartridges. The 95% RI for plasma sodium, calculated osmolarity and tonicity from 51 healthy pet rabbits were 136-147 mEq/l, 284-312 mOsm/l and 278-302 mOsm/l, respectively. The prevalence of hyponatraemia, hypotonicity and hyposmolarity was 39.0 per cent, 28.7 per cent and 18.0 per cent, respectively. Pseudohyponatraemia was present in 28.1 per cent and true hyponatraemia was present in 71.9 per cent of the cases of hyponatraemia. Sodium levels less than 129 mEq/l were found to be associated with 2.3-fold increase in mortality risk. Plasmatic sodium levels in rabbits decrease in conditions of hyperglycaemia in a similar manner as it occurs in human beings. As hyperglycaemia is quite a common condition in rabbits, simultaneous measurement of plasmatic sodium along with glucose in ill rabbits is advised. Hyponatraemia is a common condition in ill rabbits and, depending on its type (true hyponatraemia or pseudohyponatraemia), of varying clinical relevance. Calculation of plasmatic tonicity is necessary for differentiation of types of hyponatraemia.

Socio-economic status and emotional distress of female Turkish immigrants and native German women living in Berlin.

BACKGROUND: Many immigrants face more economic strains and hardship than non-immigrants. Income inequality and an increasing social gap between immigrants and non-immigrants in Europe warrant further studies on the impact of socioeconomic factors on health in immigrant groups. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of socioeconomic status (SES) and emotional distress in women of Turkish descent and in women of German descent. METHODS AND SUBJECTS: A total of 405 women of German or Turkish descent residing in Berlin were interviewed. Emotional distress was assessed by the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), and SES was examined by level of education, employment status, and income. The associations of emotional distress and SES were estimated in multivariate linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Unemployment was associated with increased levels of emotional distress in all women, with the highest level of distress in the group of unemployed Turkish women. The overall SES level was related to a greater level of emotional distress in Turkish women, but not in German women (-3.2, 95%CI -5.9 - -.5; p=.020 vs. -.8, 95%CI -2.7 - 1.2; p=.431). Further stratified analyses by relationship status revealed that the association of SES and emotional distress only remained significant among single women. CONCLUSION: The impact of socioeconomic hardship appears to be complicated by social roles and expectations related to these. Further in-depth study of the complex nature of the interaction of social roles and socioeconomic position in female Turkish immigrants in Germany is needed to better understand differing risk patterns for emotional distress.

The influence of stigma on depression, overall psychological distress, and somatization among female Turkish migrants.

BACKGROUND: Even though some studies suggest that in Mediterranean and non-western cultures more somatic and less psychological symptoms are reported, this so-called 'somatization' hypothesis has been challenged. Reviews show that somatic symptoms are a core component of depressive episodes regardless of cultural background. The expression of symptoms might be related to the psychosocial, social and cultural context surrounding the patient rather than 'ethnicity' or related constructs. Also, stigma associated with mental disorders can affect patients'symptom presentation. METHODS: The interrelationships of perceived stigmatization (Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue - Stigma Scale), depression (Beck Depression Index II), overall psychological distress (Symptom Checklist-90-R), and somatic symptoms (The screening for SOMATOFORM SYMPTOMS II) was assessed in a sample of female patients with Turkish descent with a diagnosis of depression (N=63). RESULTS: Depression, overall psychological distress, and somatic symptoms were positively and significantly related. Stigma was positively related to depression and overall psychological distress. There was no significant relationship between stigma and somatic symptoms, neither among the severely depressed group (N=39), nor among the less depressed group (N=24). CONCLUSION: The positive relationships between stigma, depression, and overall psychological distress indicate that patients who are more depressed and who have higher levels of overall psychological distress experience their condition as more stigmatizing. Since somatic symptoms and stigma were not related (neither positively, nor negatively), it appears that depressive symptoms and other symptoms of psychological distress affect concerns about stigmatizing attitudes in a way that somatic symptoms do not. This result challenges common assumption of the 'somatization'hypothesis, i.e. that depression is 'somatized'because of concern about stigmatizing attitudes.

Mental health of Turkish women in Germany: resilience and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to examine the protective and risk factors of mental distress among Turkish women living in Germany. METHOD: 105 Turkish immigrant women living in Berlin were investigated with measures of extraversion/neuroticism (NEO-FFI), general self-efficacy (GSE), social support (BSSS), social strain (F-SOZU) and mental distress (GHQ-28). Interrelations between psychosocial variables were assessed using simple Pearson correlations. RESULTS: In all subjects, social strain (Pearson's r=.26(**), p=.008) and neuroticism (r=.34(**), p<.001) were positively associated with mental distress. In contrast, perceived self-efficacy (r=-.38(**), p<.001) and extraversion (r=-.36(**), p<.001) were negatively associated with mental distress. CONCLUSION: Protective factors such as extraversion and self-efficacy seem to have a buffering effect on the process of migration. However, in addition to neuroticism, social strain seems to be positively associated with mental distress.