[Early resorptive effects of highly toxic alkylating substances].

In the next few hours after exposure of mustards in harmful doses the injured suffer a complex of neurological deficits-headache, asthenia and emetic syndrome, and in case of lethal dosage-adynamia, tremor and convulsions. In case of percutaneous exposure of sulfur mustard, these disorders limit the terms of the conservation capacity of injured and determine the nature of the medical care they need at the pre-hospital stage. Perspective areas of drug prevention and treatment of early manifestations of acute resorptive action of mustards are the use of antiemetics, analgesics, and the removal of endogenous toxemia caused by inflammatory mediators, and biologically active substances in the gastro-intestinal origin.

Taxi 'Sugar Daddies' and Taxi queens: Male Taxi Driver Attitudes Regarding Transactional Relationships in the Western Cape; South Africa

Media reports are emerging on the phenomenon of young girls who travel with older mini-bus taxi drivers; and who are thought to have sex with the drivers in exchange for gifts and money. The extent to which such relationships might facilitate unsafe sexual practices and increased risks for both the men and the young women; often referred to as taxi queens; remains an important question in the light of the current challenges of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. However; very little research has been undertaken on this issue; especially regarding the perceptions and experiences of taxi drivers. Thus this paper aims to provide some preliminary findings on taxi drivers' attitudes and beliefs about taxi queens and their relationships with taxi drivers. A 22-item questionnaire was administered to 223 male taxi drivers in two regions in the Western Cape Province; South Africa. Taxi drivers in this study largely saw the relationship between taxi drivers and the young girls who ride with them as providing status for both the girls and drivers; and there seemed to be recognition of the transactional nature of the relationship between taxi drivers and taxi queens. The stigmatisation of young girls who ride with taxi drivers was evident. Drivers had knowledge and awareness of the risks of unsafe sex and supported condom use; although there appeared to be some uncertainty and confusion about the likelihood of HIV infection between drivers and girls. While taxi drivers recognised the role of alcohol in relationships with young girls; they seemed to deny that the abuse of drugs was common. The study highlights a number of key areas that need to be explored with men in the taxi industry; in order to address risk behaviours for both taxi drivers and the girls who ride with them

[Redistribution of gastrointestinal ammonia into blood in alcohol coma rat: the role in lethal outcome].

At 3 h after the intragastral administration of ethanol (446 mmol/kg) the blood ammonia concentration in v. portae increased 1.4 times, in v. cava inf. caudally of vv. renales inflow - 2.2 times, cranially of vv. hepaticae - 2.5 times, and in blood obtained by decapitation - by 65%7. The rate of ammonia accumulation in 'avage medium injected intraperitoneally was triple as that in intact rats. The exposure to atmospheric ammoniac (0.84-1.07 mg/l) for 3 h resuited in increasing blood ammonia concentration 2.4 times compared with the isolated ethanol action. The ammonia inhalation promoted the lethal action of ethanol with a dose alteration factor of 0.81 and suppressed gas-exchange. The promotion of the ethanol lethal action by the non-lethal ammonium acetate dosage has been observed. These data suggest that in rat, the coma-inducing ethanol ingestion promotes the translocation of intestinal ammonia into the common bloodstream, which has a detrimental effect on the outcome of alcohol coma.

Hyperammoniemia in rats with barbiturate coma.

Sodium thiopental in the comatogenic (but not soporogenic) dose caused hyperammoniemia in rats. Blood ammonium level increased 3-fold within 3 h and 5-fold within 18 h. Blood urea level increased by one-third within 18 h against the background of unchanged creatinine level and hematocrit. Urinary excretion of ammonium did not decrease, while its release with exhaled air increased, indicating intensification of ammonium formation in the body. Barbiturate coma did not change the slope of curves of dose-dependent increase of ammonium or urea levels in the blood of rats injected with ammonium acetate, which attested to the absence of appreciable disorders in the ammonium detoxifying function of the liver. Ammonium hyperproduction could be caused by gastrointestinal stasis verified by X-ray examination and confirmed by correlation between blood urea level and stool retention in narcotized rats.

Social constructions of gender roles, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS in two communities of the Western Cape, South Africa.

The links between gender roles, gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS risk are complex and culturally specific. In this qualitative study we investigated how women and men in two black communities in the Western Cape, South Africa, constructed their gender identities and roles, how they understood gender-based violence, and what they believed about the links between gender relations and HIV risk. First we conducted 16 key informant interviews with members of relevant stakeholder organisations. Then we held eight focus group discussions with community members in single-sex groups. Key findings included the perception that although traditional gender roles were still very much in evidence, shifts in power between men and women were occurring. Also, gender-based violence was regarded as a major problem throughout communities, and was seen to be fuelled by unemployment, poverty and alcohol abuse. HIV/AIDS was regarded as particularly a problem of African communities, with strong themes of stigma, discrimination, and especially 'othering' evident. Developing effective HIV/AIDS interventions in these communities will require tackling the overlapping as well as divergent constructions of gender, gender violence and HIV which emerged in the study.

Synergism of isothermal regimen and sodium succinate in experimental therapy of barbiturate coma.

In rats with experimental thiopental coma rectal temperature decreased by 9.4 degrees C, oxygen consumption 5-fold, and arteriovenous Po(2)gradient decreased 2-fold within 3 h; CO(2)accumulated in the blood and mixed type acidosis developed. Administration of sodium succinate under these conditions increased arteriovenous Po(2)gradient and reduced manifestations of metabolic acidosis. Maintenance of normal body temperature (warming) corrected primarily manifestations of respiratory acidosis. Each therapeutic agent reduced inhibition of O(2)consumption by 1/4; animal survival tended to increase from 42 to 50%. Combined use of these treatments potentiated the antiacidotic effect and increased survival to 92%. The authors conclude that hypothermia inhibits the therapeutic effect of succinate in barbiturate coma.

Metabolic correction of gas exchange disturbances in rats with barbiturate coma.

Krebs cycle intermediates normalized gas exchange and decreased the mortality rate in rats with barbiturate coma. Treatment with other substrates including glucose and products of glycolysis was ineffective. Oxygen inhalation had no effect on oxygen consumption and indexes of external respiration. Our results suggest that deficiency of endogenous intermediates of the Krebs cycle, but not disturbances in oxygen mass transfer, serves as a limiting factor for oxygen consumption in rats with barbiturate coma.

The evaluation of immediate behavioural outcomes of the syndromic case management approach for the treatment of patients with sexually transmitted infections at PHC centres in South Africa: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and sexual behaviour.

This study aimed to determine the immediate behavioural outcomes of the WHO syndromic case management model for STIs in the public health sector in South Africa, on the levels of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and behavioural practices (KABPs) concerning STIs. An outcomes evaluation was conducted using KABP methodology. Exit interviews were conducted with 126 STI and non-STI patients at 24 primary health care (PHC) centres in four provinces. Both groups were found to have equally high levels of knowledge about STIs and their attitudes towards and beliefs about STIs were mostly practical and slightly negative, with only promiscuity both stereotyped and stigmatised. However, both groups were found to engage in risky sexual behavioural practices although they also indicated very strong intentions to use condoms in future. Overall, no significant differences were found between the two groups on any of the variables investigated. The implications of these findings for the control and prevention of both classic STIs and HIV/AIDS in South Africa are discussed.

Effect of sodium succinate on gas exchange in rats with barbiturate-induced coma.

Injection of sodium succinate in doses of 5 or 10 mmol/kg (but not 1 mmol/kg) intensified oxygen consumption in rats with sodium thiopental-induced coma. Injection of SDH inhibitor (sodium malonate) inhibited gas exchange and abolished the effect of sodium succinate. The effect of succinate on rat survival was positive, while that of malonate was negative, but manifested only as a trend. The critical role of succinate oxidation in preventing lethal complications of barbiturate-induced coma is proved.

'Abnormal' eating attitudes and behaviours among women students.

A prevalence study of attitudes and behaviours associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia was carried out among female undergraduate students at the University of Cape Town. Findings were similar to those found in surveys overseas. More than one-tenth of respondents (11.8%) scored in the 'anorexic range' on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT); more than one-fifth (21.9%) are at present binge-eating, and 6.3% using self-induced vomiting as a means of weight control. Use of laxatives, diet pills, fasting, strict diets and exercise was common. The findings are discussed within the context of sociocultural pressures on women to conform to a slim ideal shape and size. Sensitive management of the problem is needed.

Social Constructions of Gender Roles; Gender-Based Violence and HIV/AIDS in two Communities of the Western Cape; South Africa

The links between gender roles; gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS risk are complex and culturally specific. In this qualitative study we investigated how women and men in two black communities in the Western Cape; South Africa; constructed their gender identities and roles; how they understood gender-based violence; and what they believed about the links between gender relations and HIV risk. First we conducted 16 key informant interviews with members of relevant stakeholder organisations. Then we held eight focus group discussions with community members in single-sex groups. Key findings included the perception that although traditional gender roles were still very much in evidence; shifts in power between men and women were occurring. Also; gender-based violence was regarded as a major problem throughout communities; and was seen to be fuelled by unemployment; poverty and alcohol abuse. HIV/AIDS was regarded as particularly a problem of African communities; with strong themes of stigma; discrimination; and especially 'othering' evident. Developing effective HIV/AIDS interventions in these communities will require tackling the overlapping as well as divergent constructions of gender; gender violence and HIV which emerged in the study