Intimate stimuli result in fronto-parietal activation changes in anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Intimacy is a key psychological problem in anorexia nervosa (AN). Empirical evidence, including neurobiological underpinnings, is however, scarce. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated various emotional stimuli including intimate stimuli experienced in patients with AN and non-patients, as well as their cerebral response. METHODS: Functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted using stimuli with positive, neutral, negative and intimate content. Participants (14 AN patients and 14 non-patients) alternated between passive viewing and explicit emotion regulation. RESULTS: Intimate stimuli were experienced less positively in AN patients compared to non-patients. AN patients showed decreased cerebral responses in superior parietal cortices in response to positive and intimate stimuli. Intimate stimuli led to stronger activation of the orbitofrontal cortex, and lower activation of the bilateral precuneus in AN patients. Orbitofrontal responses decreased in AN patients during explicit emotion regulation. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that intimate stimuli are of particular importance in AN patients, who show experiential differences compared to non-patients and altered activation of orbitofrontal and parietal brain structures. This supports that AN patients have difficulties with intimacy, attachment, self-referential processing and body perception. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Radiolabelling of engineered nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo tracing applications using cyclotron accelerators.

We present in this article an outline of some cyclotron-based irradiation techniques that can be used to directly radiolabel industrially manufactured nanoparticles, as well as two techniques for synthesis of labelled nanoparticles using cyclotron-generated radioactive precursor materials. These radiolabelled nanoparticles are suitable for a range of different in vitro and in vivo tracing studies of relevance to the field of nanotoxicology. A basic overview is given of the relevant physics of nuclear reactions regarding both ion-beam and neutron production of radioisotopes. The various issues that determine the practicality and usefulness of the different methods are discussed, including radioisotope yield, nuclear reaction kinetics, radiation and thermal damage, and radiolabel stability. Experimental details are presented regarding several techniques applied in our laboratories, including direct light-ion activation of dry nanoparticle samples, neutron activation of nanoparticles and suspensions using an ion-beam driven activator, spark-ignition generation of nanoparticle aerosols using activated electrode materials, and radiochemical synthesis of nanoparticles using cyclotron-produced isotopes. The application of these techniques is illustrated through short descriptions of some selected results thus far achieved. It is shown that these cyclotron-based methods offer a very useful range of options for nanoparticle radiolabelling despite some experimental difficulties associated with their application. For direct nanoparticle radiolabelling, if care is taken in choosing the experimental conditions applied, useful activity levels can be achieved in a wide range of nanoparticle types, without causing substantial thermal or radiation damage to the nanoparticle structure. Nanoparticle synthesis using radioactive precursors presents a different set of issues and offers a complementary and equally valid approach when laboratory generation of the nanoparticles is acceptable for the proposed studies, and where an appropriate radiolabel can be incorporated into the nanoparticles during synthesis.

"Getting Switzerland to move": evaluation of a new "Sport for All" programme.

OBJECTIVES: Even though sports participation in Switzerland appears to be quite elevated, recent research suggests that only about a third of the population are doing enough sports from a health perspective. METHODS: Against this background several Swiss health insurance companies together with the Swiss Olympic Association have recently developed a novel approach to get people to start physical exercise: Under the label of "Allez Hopl" sport clubs offer training and information courses aimed at motivating and helping previously inactive people to take on regular exercise. RESULTS: The paper presents results from an interdisciplinary evaluation of the first three years of the "Allez Hopl" campaign. Starting from an overview of the basic idea and features of the campaign it asks whether "Allez Hopl" has reached its self-declared goal of "getting Switzerland moving". Available evidence on the social background of participants and their further activities shows that by systematically avoiding any reference to conventional notions of sport and by stressing the health and fun aspect instead. "Allez Hopl" has indeed managed to mobilise an important group with under-average levels of activity (particularly middle-aged women). In addition, on average the level of physical exercise of participants appears to have increased. Yet, the number of participants is below the original target values and, contrary to the campaign's initial goal, participants are reluctant to leave the programme after one course to take up an independent activity or to join a club. CONCLUSIONS: The paper explores the achievements and problems of the campaign so far and offers an explanation of recent problems which can also serve as a basis for the implementation of similar programmes in other countries.

[Directions for classification and indications of oral contraceptives (author's transl)]. / Hinweise zur Klassifikation und Indikation oraler Kontrazeptiva.

PIP: A method for classifying oral contraceptives based on functional criteria is described. Contraceptive preparations are classified according to the hormonal differences between the normal menstrual cycle and the cycle under hormonal treatment. These differences may be expressed as an "aberration index" based on temporal and hormonal differences between the normal and hormone-treated cycles. This index is calculated for seven common progestins, and use of the index values in prescribing contraceptives for women of specified physiological types is explained.^ieng

[Interruption of pregnancy in Switzerland 1982-1986]. / Schwangerschaftsabbruch in der Schweiz 1982 bis 1986.

Official statistics available for the 5-year period considered in this paper reveal a general trend: decrease in the number of terminations, in absolute terms, both in women non-resident and in women resident in Switzerland. Amongst the latter, figures show a relative decrease in the 15 to 44-year age group and in relation to birth rate. Attitudes in 'liberal cantons' concerning termination of pregnancy are clearly justified. Efforts to ensure more widespread use of modern contraceptive methods must be continued (in conjunction with AIDS prevention).

Detection of nanomaterials in food and consumer products: bridging the gap from legislation to enforcement.

This paper describes the requirements and resulting challenges for the implementation of current and upcoming European Union legislation referring to the use of nanomaterials in food, cosmetics and other consumer products. The European Commission has recently adopted a recommendation for the definition of nanomaterials. There is now an urgent need for appropriate and fit-for-purpose analytical methods in order to identify nanomaterials properly according to this definition and to assess whether or not a product contains nanomaterials. Considering the lack of such methods to date, this paper elaborates on the challenges of the legislative framework and the type of methods needed, not only to facilitate implementation of labelling requirements, but also to ensure the safety of products coming to the market. Considering the many challenges in the analytical process itself, such as interaction of nanoparticles with matrix constituents, potential agglomeration and aggregation due to matrix environment, broad variety of matrices, etc., there is a need for integrated analytical approaches, not only for sample preparation (e.g. separation from matrix), but also for the actual characterisation. Furthermore, there is an urgent need for quality assurance tools such as validated methods and (certified) reference materials, including materials containing nanoparticles in a realistic matrix (food products, cosmetics, etc.).

The prevention of postoperative venous thrombosis.

Postoperative thrombosis can be effectively prevented by low doses of heparin (5,000 units 2-3 times daily), by dextran (initially 1,500 ml, subsequently 500 ml twice weekly) and by coumarin and indanedione derivatives (prothrombin time 20%). The prophylactic measures substantially reduce the incidence of postoperative thrombosis--which otherwise affects 20-50% of patients subjected to intermediate or major operations--by a factor of 2-10. As every thrombosis is potentially life-threatening, surgeons have a duty to protect all patients from postoperative thrombosis by means of heparin or dextran or, in special circumstances, coumarins. This applies particularly to abdominal and chest surgery, but also to orthopedic surgery and urology. It applies to all gynecological interventions--laparotomies, vaginoplasty, Caesarean section, and every type of sterilization. Finally, the use of drugs to prevent thrombosis has become established, subject to certain conditions, in traumatology, ophthalmology, and even in brain surgery. To reiterate: omission of the prophylactic administration of anticoagulants may constitute a technical error. Without preventive measures, 20-50% of postoperative patients are at risk from potentially life-threatening thrombosis, and 1% are likely to die. Prophylactic measures have reduced this to hardly more than 1/10, i.e., 2-5% of postoperative patients develop thromboses, and one patient per thousand dies of an embolism.

[Prevention and treatment of leg vein thrombosis in obstetrics and gynecology]. / Prophylaxe und Therapie der Beinvenenthrombose in Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie.

After a short introduction concerning the pathophysiology of thrombosis and the historical development of the anticoagulant therapy the indications and the clinical experiences of the antithrombotic therapy in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology are described. The treatment of the thrombosis of the femoral veins and the methods of the therapy control are described.

[The antibaby pill. The basis of hormonal contraception in medical practice]. / Die Antibaby-Pille. Grundlagen der hormonalen Kontrazeption für den praktischen Arzt

PIP: The biochemical and pharmacological bases of hormonal contraception are discussed. Commonly used preparations are described, and the importance of considering body constitution when prescribing contraception is emphasized. The side effects of hormonal contraception, including thrombosis, neuro-psychological disturbances, gynecologic, digestive, metabolid, and endocrine effects, are outlined. The relative risks of contraception and pregnancy must be weighed when hormonal contraception is considered for any patient.^ieng

[Legal and illegal abortion in Switzerland]. / Die legale und illegale Abortsituation in der Schweiz.

PIP: Aspects of legal and illegal abortion in Switzerland are discussed. About 110,000 births, 25,000 therapeutic abortions (75% for psychiatric indications) and an estimated 50,000 illegal abortions occur annually in Switzerland. Although the mortality and morbidity of therapeutic aborti on are similar to those of normal births (1.4 per 1000 and 11%, respectively) the mortality and morbidity of criminal abortions are far greater (3 per 1000 and 73%, respectively). In the author's view, too strict an interpretatiok of Swiss abortion law (which permits abortion to avoid serious harm to the mother's health) does not take into account the severe and lasting emotional and psychological damage which may be caused by unwanted pregnancy, birth, and childraising. In the present social situation, the social and psychological support required by these women is not available; until it is, abortion is to be preferred.^ieng