Influence of membrane lipid composition of Staphylococcus aureus on susceptibility to parabens.

The relationship between staphylococcal lipid composition and resistance to parabens was investigated. Chloroform-methanol extractable lipids were determined gravimetrically. Phospholipid and fatty acid fractions were studied using thin layer chromatography, gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Consistent quantitative differences were found among the total lipid, phospholipid and fatty acid compositions of sensitive and resistant strains. Most notable was the fact that, in paraben resistant strains, the percentage of total lipid and the phosphatidyl glycerol fraction of phospholipids were greater than in paraben sensitive strains. Furthermore, paraben resistant strains showed decreases in cyclopropane-ring containing fatty acids as compared with sensitive strains. Since significant differences in total lipid, phospholipid and fatty acid fractions were noted, it was suggested that the resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to parabens was related to membrane lipid composition

Oxytocin as a treatment for high-risk psychosis or early stages of psychosis: a mini review

Individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) present as help-seeking individuals with social deficits as well as cognitive and functional impairment and have a 23–36% risk of transition to first-episode psychosis. The therapeutic role of intranasal oxytocin (ΟΤ) in psychiatric disorders has been widely studied during the last decades, concerning its effects on social behavior in humans. A literature search was conducted via Pubmed and Scopus, using the search terms “oxytocin” and “psychosis.” Six studies were included in the current review. There were differences in terms of demographics, intervention type, and outcome measures. ΟΤ may affect the social cognition skills of people at prodromal and early stages of psychosis, but its effect on clinical symptoms is ambiguous. Because of the high level of heterogeneity of existing studies, more original studies are needed to examine and clarify whether OT improves high-risk and early psychosis populations

Recognising female sexual dysfunction as an essential aspect of effective diabetes care

The following literature review will focus on sexual dysfunction in women living with diabetes, drawing on international studies in this specialist field. The key aim of this paper is generate a greater understanding and recognition of the issues facing these women and to determine a more proactive approach to identification, consultation and potential treatment options. The main findings highlight the unique role practitioners have with women with diabetes and how to facilitate partnership working. Nurses have the most frequent contact with people living with diabetes in any healthcare system. Nurses’ knowledge about sexuality in relation to diabetes should improve patient education, recognition and could signal undiagnosed or increased risk of sexual dysfunction to enable treatment so care can be optimised accordingl

Factors Associated with Ulcer Healing and Quality of Life in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer

A prospective nonrandomized cohort study on consecutive diabetic patients with foot ulcer was undertaken to assess the factors associated with the healing process or limb salvage and evaluate the impact of their treatment on their quality of life. Quality of life was evaluated using Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale–Short Form (DFS-SF) questionnaire before and after treatment. A total of 103 diabetic patients with ulcer (mean age 69.7 ± 9.6 years, 77% male) were treated and followed up for 12 months. Ulcer healing, minor amputation, and major amputation rates were 41%, 41%, and 18%, respectively, while the mortality rate was 18%. Ulcer healing was associated with University of Texas wound grade 1 and the Study of Infections in Diabetic feet comparing Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Ertapenem versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam trial’s diabetic foot infection wound score. Limb loss was associated with nonpalpable popliteal artery, longer in-hospital stay, and delay until referral. Quality of life was improved in all domains of DFS-SF (P < .0001) throughout the cohort of our patients regardless of their outcome, and no outcome (healing, minor amputation, or major amputation) was superior to other. Significant improvement was observed in all domains of hygiene self-management after consultation during the follow-up period

Phytotherapy for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A review of the literature and evaluation of practitioners’ experiences

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common, complex, endocrine condition with potential long-term cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic health implications. Currently, there exists no medical treatment that addresses all clinical presentations. Herbal practitioners often treat women with PCOS; yet, there is a lack of research investigating PCOS and herbal treatment. This study aimed to examine the current scientific literature on PCOS and phytotherapy, explore practitioners’ experiences treating women with the syndrome and evaluate whether there is a role for phytotherapy in the treatment of PCOS. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the terms; ‘Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome’ / ‘PCOS’ and ‘phytotherapy’/‘herbal medicine’ / ‘herbs’. The published research identified by these terms was then reviewed. A brief questionnaire with a mix of eleven open and closed questions was sent to herbal practitioners on the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) 2012 register. Results: The literature review found promising results for the use of Mentha spicata, Cinnamomum verum and berberine containing herbs. There was a weaker evidence base for the use of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Paeonia lactiflora. The questionnaire was completed by 72 practitioners, 71 % had treated women with PCOS. The majority (38%, n=50) felt herbal medicine was ‘quite successful’ in treating PCOS. The average time until herbal treatment started to be successful was 3.2 months. The most frequently used herbs were Paeonia lactiflora, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Vitex agnus castus. Dietary and lifestyle advice emerged as frequently identified therapeutic interventions. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that there is a role for phytotherapy in the treatment of PCOS. Further investigation, consisting of well-designed clinical trials and monitoring the successful use of herbal medicine by practitioners, is clearly necessary. This future research would serve to substantiate positive empirical evidence, constructing a more robust evidence base for the effective use of phytotherapy as a therapeutic option for women with PCOS

The effect of hypoxia on carbohydrate metabolism in man

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:DXN060362 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Psychological effects of amenorrhea , due to hyperprolactinemia, for women aged between 18 to 45 years old, who suffer from psychotic disorder and receive typical or atypical antipsychotic medications

Introduction: Hyperprolactinemia comprises one of the most frequent consequences of antipsychotic medication and it can have many adverse clinical effects, like amenorrhea, that occurs to women of reproductive age, after being treated with typical and also many of the atypical antipsychotics. Objective: This study aims to investigate the psychological effects and the attitude towards menstruation of psychotic women who suffer from antipsychotic medication induced hyperprolactinaemia that leads to amenorrhea, related to hyperprolactinemic women who have not reported amenorrhea. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and sixty three (263) females, diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (DSM-IV-TR), 18-45 years old, were examined. The patients were under treatment with either risperidone or haloperidol or olanzapine or quetiapine. Blood- sampling was conducted, in order to measure the levels of prolactin in serum. The quantitative determination was made by Chemiluminescence Immuno Assay (CLIA). Then, two self- report psychometric instruments were distributed, the Symptom- Checklist – 90- R (SCL-90-R) questionnaire and the Menstrual Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ). All data were analyzed and the scales and subscales of the questionnaires were compared using the MANOVA model ( Multivariate Analysis of Variance).Results: 139 out of 263 women were found with hyperprolactinemia. Strong statistical signifi-cance arouse between hyperprolactinaemia and the four antipsychotic agents (prisperidone>olanzapine>quetiapine, p ρισπεριδόνη> ολανζαπίνη >κουετιαπίνη, p<0,0005).Oι γυναίκες που εμφάνισαν αμηνόρροια ασχολούνται περισσότερο με σωματικά ενοχλήματα, εμφανίζουν ψυχαναγκαστικά καταναγκαστικά συμπτώματα, καταθλιπτικές-αγχώδεις διαταραχές, αισθήματα θυμού, εκδηλώσεις επιθετικότητας, φοβίες, παρανοειδή τρόπο σκέψης και λιγότερο αιτιάσεις προσωπικής ανεπάρκειας σε σύγκριση με μη αμηνορροϊκές ασθενείς (p<0,0005). Ακόμη, δε θεωρούν την έμμηνο ρύση τόσο ενοχλητικό γεγονός, και ενώ δεν μπορούν να προβλέψουν την έναρξη της, αρνούνται τις επιδράσεις στον οργανισμό τους. Συμπέρασμα: Η υπερπρολακτιναιμία και η επακόλουθη αμηνόρροια έχουν σημαντικές επι-πτώσεις στην ψυχική υγεία καθώς και στη στάση απέναντι στην έμμηνο ρύση των γυναικών της αναπαραγωγικής ηλικίας που πάσχουν από ψυχωσικές διαταραχές. Τα παραπάνω αποτελέσματα έχουν ερευνητική σημασία, καθώς δεν υπάρχουν παρόμοιες μελέτες στη βιβλιογραφία, αλλά και κλινική, αφού η σωστή αντιμετώπιση θα βελτιώσει όχι μόνο την πορεία αλλά και τη ζωή των ασθενών

Measuring critical points along cartographic lines using eye movements

113 σ.Εθνικό Μετσόβιο Πολυτεχνείο--Μεταπτυχιακή Εργασία. Διεπιστημονικό-Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών (Δ.Π.Μ.Σ.) “Γεωπληροφορική”Η μεταπτυχιακή εργασία πραγματοποιήθηκε με σκοπό τη μελέτη και συσχέτιση των θέσεων των οφθαλμικών προσηλώσεων , κατά τη παρατήρηση μιας χαρτογραφικής γραμμής, με τις περιοχές γύρω από κρίσιμα σημεία κατά μήκος της γραμμής. Για τη διεξαγωγή της έρευνας σχεδιάστηκε ένα χαρτογραφικό πείραμα, στο Εργαστήριο Χαρτογραφίας της Σχολής Αγρανόμων και Τοπογράφων Μηχανικών του ΕΜΠ. Η μέθοδος με την οποια εντοπίζονται οι θέσεις των οφθαλμικών προσηλώσεων, βασίζεται στην καταγραφή και ανάλυση των οφθαλμικών κινήσεων. Οι οφθαλμικές κινήσεις μετρώνται με το σύστημα Eye-Tracker. Τα οπτικά ερεθίσματα που χρησιμοποιούνται είναι κυρίως γραμμές που αναπαριστούν φυσικές οντότητες και συγκεκριμένα τρεις χαρτογραφικές γραμμές που μελετήθηκαν στην έρευνα της Marino (1979), η τεχνητή δοκιμαστική γραμμή του Thapa (1988) και η ακτογραμμή της νήσου Περιστέρα. Τα υποκείμενα που καλούνται να συμμετέχουν στην έρευνα, ακολουθούν την οδηγία σάρωσης της γραμμής από ένα σημείο αρχής μέχρι ένα σημείο τέλους σε προκαθορισμένο χρόνο. Οι περιοχές των οπτικών σκηνών που συγκεντρώνουν τις προσηλώσεις των υποκειμένων εντοπίζονται μέσω επεξεργασίας σε περιβάλλον ειδικών λογισμικών, των καταγεγραμμένων θέσεων του ίχνους του βλέμματος των υποκειμένων. Επίσης, η ανάλυση των δεδομένων συμπληρώνεται με οπτικοποιήσεις των υπολογισμένων προσηλώσεων, που ονομάζονται θερμικοί χάρτες (heatmaps). Τέλος, γίνεται παρατήρηση και ανάλυση της διαδρομής που ακολουθούν τα υποκείμενα κατά τη σάρωση των γραμμών. Τα αποτελέσματα που προκύπτουν από την ανάλυση των οφθαλμικών κινήσεων, εξετάζονται συγκριτικά με τις περιοχές που ορίζονται ως ζώνες επιρροής γύρω από τα κρίσιμα σημεία. Η ακτίνα των ζωνών αυτών ορίζεται λαμβάνοντας υπόψη την αβέβαιοτητα της συσκευής καταγραφής των μετρήσεων και την αβεβαιότητα της πειραματικής διαδικασίας. Η έρευνα οδηγεί σε αποτελέσματα που επιβεβαιώνουν την ερευνητική υπόθεση. Τα συμπεράσματα της ανάλυσης αποδεικνύουν την ύπαρξη σχέσης μεταξύ των κρίσιμων σημείων μεταξύ των περιοχών προσήλωσεις και των περιοχών γύρω από κρίσιμα σημεία. Το ίδιο γεγονός επιβεβαιώνεται και με τους θερμικούς χάρτες.The aim of the master thesis is to study the relation between fixations acquired during the observation of cartographic lines with areas around detected critical points. For this purpose an experiment is designed in the Laboratory of Cartography, at School of Rural & Surveying Engineering of National and Technical University of Athens. The actual eye fixations are based on recordings of eye movements appropriately analyzed. Cartographic lines representing natural phenomena and in particular three lines studied in Marino’s (1979) research, Thapa’s (1988) test line and the coastline of Peristera Island compose the stimuli of the experiment. Subjects are asked to scan these lines, from a starting to an ending point, in a predefined duration. The gaze records processed in OGAMA software are providing the locations of the areas of the observed scenes that subjects fixate. Furthermore, heatmaps visualize the calculated fixations, are contributing to the data analyzing process. Scan paths of the subjects on the cartographic lines are also examined. The results deriving from eye movement analysis are tested in locations distinguished by critical points. The radius of these regions of interest around critical points along the cartographic lines depends on the accuracy of both the recording device and the achieved experimental procedure. Research leads to positive outcomes referring to the aim of the study. The results of the study reveal the existence of a rather strong relation between fixation points and locations around detected critical points. This finding is also in accordance to the interpretation outcome of the heatmaps created.Θεοδώρα Η. Μπαργιώτ

The effects of old, new and emerging medicines on metabolic aberrations in PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age that is associated with significant adverse short- and long-term health consequences. Multiple metabolic aberrations, such as insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinaemia, high incidence of impaired glucose tolerance, visceral obesity, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and dyslipidemia are associated with the syndrome. Assessing the metabolic aberrations and their long term health impact in women with PCOS is challenging and becomes more important as therapeutic interventions currently available for the management of PCOS are not fully able to deal with all these consequences. Current therapeutic management of PCOS has incorporated new treatments resulting from the better understanding of the pathophysiology of the syndrome. The aim of this review is to summarize the effect of old, new and emerging therapies used in the management of PCOS, on the metabolic aberrations of PCOS. © 2012, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved

Female sexual response models

The recent development of the field of sexual medicine has necessitated the understanding of how women are motivated and function sexually. The term "sexual response cycle" refers to a model that depicts sexual function diagram-matically, according to steps proposed by various researchers. Following their early research, Masters and Johnson proposed a linear model consisting of four phases, namely, sexual excitement-arousal, plateau, orgasm and resolution. Later, Kaplan modified that model and introduced the three-phase model of sexual response, with desire, arousal and orgasm. The models of Masters and Johnson and of Kaplan both received criticism by later researchers, who argued that their linear nature could not describe the complex female sexual function adequately and expressed their concerns about the issues of orgasm and sexual desire motives. Finally, Basson proposed a circular model of sexual response, introducing the innovative idea of non-sexual motives for sexual activity and revising the nature and role of desire in the cycle, which is now placed not at the beginning of the response cycle, but in the intermediate phases. According to Basson, the results of sexual activity, such as emotional closeness, strengthening of the marital relationship and the invigoration of self-confidence, motivate a woman to act sexually, while pure sexual desire comes up later, during the phase of stimulation-arousal, in the form of responsive desire. Understanding of the proposed sexual response models is necessary for those conducting research on women's sexual function and its disorders. In addition to the general evaluation of sexual problems, researchers need to ascertain how the individual woman behaves sexually, especially in view of later study results showing that the currently used assessment tools tend to reveal higher rates of sexual dysfunction in women when Basson's sexual response model is followed. © Athens Medical Society