Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels that is linked to mortality and morbidity. Household air pollution from burning fuels on poorly ventilated stoves can lead to high concentrations of CO in homes. There are few datasets available on household concentrations of CO in urban areas of sub-Saharan African countries. CO was measured every minute over 24 h in a sample of homes in Nairobi, Kenya. Data on household characteristics were gathered by questionnaire. Metrics of exposure were summarised and analysis of temporal changes in concentration was performed. Continuous 24-h data were available from 138 homes. The mean (SD), median (IQR) and maximum 24-h CO concentration was 4.9 (6.4), 2.8 (1.0-6.3) and 44 ppm, respectively. 50% of homes had detectable CO concentrations for 847 min (14h07m) or longer during the 24-h period, and 9% of homes would have activated a CO-alarm operating to European specifications. An association between a metric of total CO exposure and self-reported exposure to vapours >15 h per week was identified, however this were not statistically significant after adjustment for the multiple comparisons performed. Mean concentrations were broadly similar in homes from a more affluent area and an informal settlement. A model of typical exposure suggests that cooking is likely to be responsible for approximately 60% of the CO exposure of Nairobi schoolchildren. Household CO concentrations are substantial in Nairobi, Kenya, despite most homes using gas or liquid fuels. Concentrations tend to be highest during the evening, probably associated with periods of cooking. Household air pollution from cooking is the main source of CO exposure of Nairobi schoolchildren. The public health impacts of long-term CO exposure in cities in sub-Saharan Africa may be considerable and should be studied further.
Air Pollutants , Air Pollution, Indoor , Carbon Monoxide , Carbon Monoxide/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Air Pollution, Indoor/statistics & numerical data , Kenya , Humans , Air Pollutants/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , Cities , Housing , Public Health , Cooking , Family Characteristics , Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data
Conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and long-term immobilisation can precipitate the development of chronic dermal ulcers. Such wounds are associated with inflammation and bacterial contamination which in turn can lead to the liberation of offensive odours that cause patient embarrassment and, in some instances, social isolation. Activated carbon-containing dressings have been used to manage the odours from such wounds. However, these can be bulky and can become fouled by wound exudate. Agarose is a natural polysaccharide derived from seaweed that forms brittle free-standing films that can be made pliable by addition of a plasticiser. In this study, activated carbon-containing plasticised agarose films were evaluated for their ability to sequester thiol-containing molecules from solution and the gaseous phase. The water vapour transmission rate was also evaluated to determine the potential breathability of these films should they be considered for application to the skin. It was found that the adsorption of thiols was directly proportional to the activated carbon content of the films. Water vapour was found to pass relatively freely through the films indicating that sweat-induced tissue maceration would be unlikely to occur if applied clinically. In conclusion, activated carbon-containing plasticised agarose films have some potential in the sequestration of malodourous molecules such as those liberated from chronic dermal wounds.
Bandages , Charcoal , Plasticizers , Sepharose/chemistry , Sulfhydryl Compounds/chemistry , Adsorption , Membranes, Artificial
Ninety patients with severe anorexia nervosa fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria were assessed in depth in terms of their family developmental psychopathology and then randomly allocated to either one of three treatment groups or to no treatment. In three treatment regimes, a behavioural approach to diet and weight gain was coupled with individual and family psychotherapy directed at the adolescent maturational problems. All three treatment regimes were highly significantly effective at one year in terms of weight gain, return of menstruation, and aspects of social and sexual adjustment. Body weights above those at pubertal onset were achieved for the group mean maximum and one-year follow-up weights for all three treatment groups but not the control group.
Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Anorexia Nervosa/therapy , Family Therapy/methods , Family/psychology , Personality Development , Adolescent , Adult , Ambulatory Care , Body Weight , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitalization , Humans , Patient Compliance/psychology
Problem drinkers attending an outpatient alcoholism program and obese clients attending an outpatient weight program were compared with each other and with matched control groups on life-style characteristics and personality variables (Adjective Check List). While both treatment groups expressed high dissatisfaction with all aspects of their lives, relative to controls, problem drinkers experienced a greater variety of problems than weight clients. Problem drinkers and weight clients were both significantly differentiated from their respective control groups on 10 of 24 Adjective Check List scales. Moreover, the two treatment groups showed substantial similarity in overall personality profiles. Both groups indicated characteristics of impulsivity, dependency, and self-abasement. Problem drinkers uniquely showed high drive and unconventionality, whereas weight clients uniquely showed submissiveness and low ambition.
Alcohol Drinking/psychology , Alcoholism/psychology , Life Style , Obesity/psychology , Personality Development , Adult , Diet, Reducing/psychology , Female , Humans , Individuality , Life Change Events , Male , Personal Satisfaction , Personality Inventory , Psychometrics , Smoking/psychology , Social Adjustment
Epidermal cell proliferation in psoriasis was studied after oral methotrexate using tritiated uridine. Psoriatic enteropathy has in the past been reported to reduce the absorption of methotrexate administered orally but this study showed that the onset of inhibition of mitosis and DNA synthesis occurred at the same time as after intramuscular administration of the drug. The cell kinetic data indicate that cells were blocked at the G1/S interface, and the kinetics of inhibition are discussed in terms of their implications for the mode of action of methotrexate in psoriasis. Considerable numbers of dead cells were seen in the epidermis from 6 to 24 h after oral methotrexate. The mode of action of methotrexate in psoriasis is currently unknown but whatever other actions it may have, any global hypothesis of its action will have to incorporate a flux to epidermal cell death.
DNA Replication/drug effects , Methotrexate , Psoriasis/pathology , Skin/pathology , Cell Survival/drug effects , Humans , Kinetics , Mitosis/drug effects , Psoriasis/metabolism , Skin/drug effects , Skin/metabolism
A continuous gaseous discharge source suitable for use between 100 A and 1000 A is described. The source is stable, produces little or no electromagnetic interference, and is rich in high intensity lines throughout the extreme uv. The operating characteristics of this source and its spectral output with various gases are presented.
