Use of the 'nutriceutical', bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study.

BACKGROUND: Bovine colostrum is a rich source of nutrients, antibodies and growth factors. AIM: To examine the efficacy of colostrum enemas in the treatment of distal colitis using a randomized, double-blind, controlled protocol. METHODS: Fourteen patients (eight female), with a mean age of 45 years (range, 16-75 years) and mild to moderately severe distal colitis (Powell-Tuck scoring system), received colostrum enema (100 mL of 10% solution) or placebo (albumin solution) b.d. for 4 weeks. Both groups also received mesalazine (1.6 g/day) or, if already taking it, had a dose increment of 1.6 g/day. Disease activity was documented at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: After 4 weeks, the colostrum group showed a mean reduction in symptom score of - 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), - 5.4 to - 0.3), whereas the placebo group showed a mean response of + 0.5 (95% CI, - 2.4 to +3.4). The histological score improved in five of the eight patients in the colostrum group (mean response, - 0.9; 95% CI, - 1.69 to - 0.03), whereas the histological scores only improved in two of the six patients in the placebo group (mean response, 0.2; 95% CI, - 2.4 to +2.6). CONCLUSIONS: Bovine colostrum enema shows potential as a novel therapy for left-sided colitis with additional benefits over using mesalazine alone. Further studies appear to be warranted.

A national survey of dental hygiene education administrators: demographics, characteristics, and academic profile.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive demographic database of dental hygiene education administrators and to examine their academic professional profile. METHODS: On April 1, 1996, a survey was mailed to all dental hygiene education administrators in the U.S. The survey requested participants to respond to specific questions regarding demographic characteristics, professional academic profile, and extent of management theory background. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages. Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests were calculated for type of institution, type of program, extent of management theory background, highest degree earned, and rank. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight valid surveys (63%) were returned. The demographic profile determined the majority of administrators were Caucasian (95.6%), female (87.6%), dental hygienists (87.6%), with a mean age of 47. The highest degree earned was a master's degree (64.5%) with a specialization in education (47.7%). Additionally, 87.5 percent had some form of educational management theory background, and 22.6 percent held the rank of full professor. Professional experience ranged from one to 30 years, with a mean of 10 years. The majority of participants worked in public (95.7%) institutions, primarily community and technical colleges (67.4%) that awarded associate's degrees (72.5%). Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests for type of institution, type of program, extent of management theory background, and rank were calculated. Significance was found between rank and type of institution, type of program, highest degree earned, and gender. Additionally, a relationship was found between gender and highest degree earned. CONCLUSION: These findings help develop a demographic database and professional academic profile of dental hygiene education administrators that can be used for future research and theory development, trends identification, problem solving, decision making, and policy formation. When compared to past studies, Caucasian females still dominate the profession. Also, dental hygiene faculty/administrators have increased in percentage of earned master's and doctoral degrees, and in advancement of academic rank to full professor. Furthermore, administrators are comparable to other full-time faculty in health-related programs and two-year institutions in regard to academic rank and highest degree earned. Thus, this population reflects individuals who can be considered highly dedicated and educationally prepared for their administrative role. However, compared to faculty across all disciplines in higher education, this population did not reflect advanced professional preparation or academic rank. It is recommended that dental hygiene administrators and faculty continue their scholarly endeavors to help advance the field to full professionalization and build academic legitimacy.

Generation of nitrogen dioxide during nitric oxide therapy and mechanical ventilation of children with a Servo 900C ventilator.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the combinations of nitric oxide (NO), oxygen (O2), minute ventilation (MV) and total gas flow (TGF) which generate toxic concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) during mechanical ventilation with a Servo 900C ventilator. DESIGN: The measurement of NO2 generated with NO (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 ppm) and O2 [fractional inspired oxygen (FIO2) 0.21, 0.4, 0.6, 0.9] during mechanical ventilation with MVs of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 l/min and TGFs from 2 to 14 l/min. SETTING: Laboratory of intensive care unit in paediatric tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Toxic concentrations of NO2 (> 5 ppm) were generated in the ventilator circuit when NO was 80 ppm or 100 ppm in FIO2 of 0.6 or 0.9 with MVs of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 l/ min; and with 80 ppm NO in FIO2 of 0.6 at all TGFs from 2.0 to 13.6 l/min and MVs of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 l/min (TGF/MV 0.3-5.4). NO2 1.5-2.6 ppm was generated with 40 ppm NO in FIO2 of 0.6, TGFs 2.1-13.7 l/ min, and MVs 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 l/min (TGF/MV 0.3-5.5). NO2 0.9-0.6 ppm was generated with 20 ppm NO in FIO2 of 0.6, TGFs 2.5-13.8 and MVs 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 (TGF/MV 0.3-5.5). NO2 generation was not affected significantly by the TGF/MV ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The generation of NO2 in the ventilator circuit is directly proportional to concentration of NO and O2 and inversely proportional to the TGF and MV but uninfluenced by the TGF/MV ratio. NO 80 ppm, but neither 20 nor 40 ppm in FIO2 of 0.6, generates toxic NO2 irrespective of TGF, MV or the TGF/MV ratio.