Effect of a nitrogen analog of tetrahydrocannabinol on cancer pain.

Two consecutive, randomized, double-blind trials were performed to test the analgesic properties of a synthetic nitrogen analog of tetrahydrocannabinol (NIB). In the first trial, the test preparation was superior to placebo and approximately equivalent to 50 mg of codeine phosphate. In the second study, the tetrahydrocannabinol analog was superior to placebo and to 50 mg secobarbital. NIB is not useful clinically because of the frequency of side effects.

Step II treatment with labetalol for essential hypertension.

Labetalol, a new alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agent, was administered to 57 patients with essential hypertension whose standing diastolic blood pressure was 105 to 120 mm Hg after three and four weeks of placebo therapy and greater than 90 mm Hg after three to four weeks of therapy with hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg twice a day. Patients were then randomly assigned on a double-blind basis to receive either labetalol, 100 mg twice a day, or placebo combined with hydrochlorothiazide. Thereafter, the dose of labetalol was titrated weekly in both groups to a maximum of 400 mg twice a day to achieve a standing diastolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg that was also decreased from the hydrochlorothiazide baseline by 10 mm Hg or more (therapeutic goal). Labetalol was abruptly discontinued after four weeks of treatment and patients were given hydrochlorothiazide alone for two additional weeks. After one week of labetalol therapy, 100 mg twice a day (added to hydrochlorothiazide), there was a significantly greater reduction in supine systolic/diastolic blood pressure (6/5 mm Hg, p less than 0.04/less than 0.03) and standing blood pressure (9/7 mm Hg, p less than 0.01/less than 0.01) than with placebo therapy (3/0.5 and 3/1 mm Hg, respectively). The blood pressure reduction in the labetalol-treated group was associated with a 4 and 5 beats per minute reduction in the supine and standing heart rates, respectively. The median labetalol dose required to achieve the standing diastolic blood pressure goal was 400 mg twice a day. After four weeks of labetalol treatment, the mean reduction in blood pressure from the hydrochlorothiazide baseline was 12/13 mm Hg (p less than 0.01/0.01) in the standing position and 8/8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01/0.01) in the supine position. These blood pressure reductions were accompanied by a mean reduction in heart rate of 7 beats per minute. The most frequently reported complaints other than thiazide-induced nocturia included dizziness, fatigue, nausea, rash, and/or pruritus. Most of these complaints were reported at a similar incidence while patients were receiving placebo or hydrochlorothiazide alone as when receiving labetalol with hydrochlorothiazide. After abrupt withdrawal of labetalol, no evidence of rebound hypertension was observed. Labetalol is a safe and effective step II drug when added to hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of patients with moderate to moderately severe hypertension.

Effects of low-calcium diet on urine calcium excretion, parathyroid function and serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria and in normal subjects.

We have used a low-calcium diet providing only 2 mg/kg (body weight) per 24 hours of calcium to distinguish between "renal" and "absorptive" idiopathic hypercalciuria. Sixteen of 27 hypercalciuric subjects excreted calcium in excess of intake during days seven, eight and nine of he diet, suggesting some element of renal hypercalciuria; however, all patients had low or normal serum PTH and urine cAMP levels. In general, fasting urine calcium was elevated in these 16 subjects and normal in the remaining 11, who conserved calcium more normally. SErum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were the same in patients and normal subjects, even though PTH levels of the patients were below those of he normal subjects. Urine magnesium excretion and phosphorus excretion were both increased in the patients who excreted calcium in excess of intake. Our findings suggest that renal and absorptive hypercalciuria may not be distinct entities but rather the two extremes of a continuum of behavior. A uniform elevation of intestinal calcium absorption and a variable defect of renal calcium reabsorption could explain our results far better than the hypothesis of distinct absorptive and renal forms of hypercalciuria.

Nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum.

Free intraperitoneal air is not necessarily caused by a perforated viscus. The present study reviews the causes of pneumoperitoneum that do not necessitate laparotomy, and emphasizes the importance of obtaining a complete clinical history.

The theory of planned behavior and postpartum smoking relapse.

PURPOSE: To explore the applicability of Ajzen's theory of planned behavior to postpartum smoking relapse. ORGANIZING FRAMEWORK: The theory of planned behavior is proposed as an appropriate framework for the study of postpartum smoking relapse. METHODS: The literature on smoking cessation, postnatal smoking, and the theory of planned behavior were reviewed. References included electronic database and manual search results. CONCLUSIONS: The theory of planned behavior provides a framework for explaining, predicting, and influencing human behaviors based on modifiable factors of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. The inclusion of instrument development guidelines significantly strengthens the usefulness of the framework. A theoretically based understanding of postpartum smoking relapses can guide and strengthen appropriate interventions directed toward significantly reducing postpartum smoking, thereby increasing the number of women who are able to remain smoke-free for life.