Volume 1A: Introduction: Population and family economics (M.R. Rosenzweig, O. Stark). The Family. A survey of theories of the family (T.C. Bergstrom). The formation and dissolution of families: Why marry? Who marries whom? and what happens upon divorce (Y. Weiss). Intrahousehold distribution and the family (J.R. Behrman). Intergenerational and interhousehold economic links (J. Laitner). Fertility. The cost of children and the use of demographic variables in consumer demand (B.M.S. van Praag, M.F. Warnaar). The economics of fertility in developed countries (V.J. Hotz, J.A. Klerman and R.J. Willis). Demand for children in low income countries (T.P. Schultz). Mortality and Health. New findings on secular trends in nutrition and mortality: Some implications for population theory (R.W. Fogel). Determinants and consequences of the mortality and health of infants and children (K.I. Wolpin). Mortality and morbidity among adults and the elderly (R. Sickles, P. Taubman). Complete Index. Volume 1B: Migration. Internal migration in developed countries (M.J. Greenwood). Internal migration in developing countries (R.E.B. Lucas). Economic impact of international migration and the economic performance of migrants (R.J. LaLonde, R.H. Topel). International migration and international trade (A. Razin, E. Sadka). Aging, Demographic Composition and the Economy. The economics of individual aging (M.D. Hurd). The economics of population aging (D.N. Weil). Demographic variables and income inequality (D. Lam). Aggregrate Population Change and Economic Growth. Population dynamics: Equilibrium, disequilibrium, and consequences of fluctuations (R.D. Lee). Growth models with endogenous population: A general framework (M. Nerlove, L.K. Raut). Long-term consequences of population growth: Technological change, natural resources, and the environment (J.A. Robinson, T.N. Srinivasan). Complete Index.

Handbook of population and family economics

Rodent models for compulsive alcohol intake.

Studies of the neurobiological predisposition to consume alcohol (ethanol) and to transition to uncontrolled drinking behavior (alcoholism), as well as studies of the effects of alcohol on brain function, started a logarithmic growth phase after the repeal of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Although the early studies were primitive by current technological standards, they clearly demonstrated the effects of alcohol on brain structure and function, and by the end of the 20th century left little doubt that alcoholism is a "disease" of the brain. This review traces the history of developments in the understanding of ethanol's effects on the most prominent inhibitory and excitatory systems of brain (GABA and glutamate neurotransmission). This neurobiological information is integrated with knowledge of ethanol's actions on other neurotransmitter systems to produce an anatomical and functional map of ethanol's properties. Our intent is limited in scope, but is meant to provide context and integration of the actions of ethanol on the major neurobiologic systems which produce reinforcement for alcohol consumption and changes in brain chemistry that lead to addiction. The developmental history of neurobehavioral theories of the transition from alcohol drinking to alcohol addiction is presented and juxtaposed to the neurobiological findings. Depending on one's point of view, we may, at this point in history, know more, or less, than we think we know about the neurobiology of alcoholism.

The neurobiology of alcohol consumption and alcoholism: an integrative history.

The present paper summarizes the preclinical and clinical studies conducted to define the “anti-alcohol” pharmacological profile of the prototypic GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, and its therapeutic potential for treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Numerous studies have reported baclofen-induced suppression of alcohol drinking (including relapse- and binge-like drinking) and alcohol reinforcing, motivational, stimulating, and rewarding properties in rodents and monkeys. The majority of clinical surveys conducted to date – including case reports, retrospective chart reviews, and randomized placebo-controlled studies – suggest the ability of baclofen to suppress alcohol consumption, craving for alcohol, and alcohol withdrawal symptomatology in alcohol-dependent patients. The recent identification of a positive allosteric modulatory binding site, together with the synthesis of in vivo effective ligands, represents a novel, and likely more favorable, option for pharmacological manipulations of the GABAB receptor. Accordingly, data collected to date suggest that positive allosteric modulators of the GABAB receptor reproduce several “anti-alcohol” effects of baclofen and display a higher therapeutic index (with larger separation – in terms of doses – between “anti-alcohol” effects and sedation).

/pdf/gabab-receptor-ligands-for-the-treatment-of-alcohol-use-2pv975p3nf.pdf

GABAB receptor ligands for the treatment of alcohol use disorder: preclinical and clinical evidence.

Behavioral sensitization to ethanol: Neural basis and factors that influence its acquisition and expression

Baclofen, a GABA(B) agonist, reduces ethanol intake in animals and humans, but the contrary or no effect was also reported. Our previous study demonstrated that mice characterized as "loss of control over ethanol intake" had different Gabbr1 and Gabbr2 transcription levels, which express, respectively, the GABA(B1) and GABA(B2) subunits in brain areas related to addictive behavior. In the present study, we tested baclofen on ethanol intake in mice exposed to the free-choice paradigm. Adult male Swiss mice, individually housed, had free access to three bottles: ethanol (5% and 10%) and water. The protocol had four phases: acquisition (AC, 10 weeks), withdrawal (W, 4 cycles during 2 weeks of 2 day-free-choice and 2 day-only-water), reexposure (RE, 2 weeks), and adulteration of ethanol solutions with quinine (AD, 2 weeks). Mice characterized as "loss of control" (A, n=11, preference for ethanol in AC and maintenance of ethanol intake levels in AD), heavy (H, n=11, preference for ethanol in AC and reduction of ethanol intake levels in AD), and light (L, n=16, preference for water in all phases) drinkers were randomly distributed into two subgroups receiving either intraperitoneal injections of all doses of baclofen (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0mg/kg, given each dose twice in consecutive days) or saline, being exposed to free-choice. Fluid consumption was measured 24h later. Baclofen reduced ethanol intake in group L. In group H a reduction compared to AC was observed. Group A maintained their high ethanol intake even after baclofen treatment. Activation of the GABA(B) receptor depends on the precise balance between the GABA(B1) and GABA(B2) subunits, so the disproportionate transcription levels, we reported in group A, could explain this lack of response to baclofen. These data highlight the importance to test baclofen in individuals with different ethanol drinking profiles, including humans.

GABAB receptor agonist only reduces ethanol drinking in light-drinking mice

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a variant of lichen planopilaris with marginal progressive hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows and axillae. We report a case of frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planus pigmentosus in a postmenopausal woman, that started with alopecia on the eyebrows and then on the frontoparietal region, with periocular and cervical hyperpigmentation of difficult management. The condition was controlled with systemic corticosteroid therapy and finasteride. Lichen planus pigmentosus is an uncommon variant of lichen planus frequently associated with frontal fibrosing alopecia in darker phototipes. It should be considered in patients affected by scarring alopecia with a pattern of lichen planopilaris and areas of skin hyperpigmentation revealing perifollicular hyperpigmentation refractory to multiple treatments. This case illustrates diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in face of scarring alopecia and perifollicular hyperpigmentation.

https://www.scielo.br/pdf/abd/v92n5s1/0365-0596-abd-92-05-s1-0079.pdf

Frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planus pigmentosus: diagnosis and therapeutic challenge.

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease characterized by suprabasal blisters with acantholysis, which has a fatal course in a large number of untreated patients. Systemic corticosteroid therapy is considered first-line therapy. Adjuvant treatment with the goal of sparing corticosteroids include, among others, dapsone. This drug is not without side effects and its use requires clinical and laboratory control. We present a patient with PV initially managed with suboptimal dose of prednisone, evolving into drug-induced hepatitis after introduction of dapsone.

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/abd/v90n3s1/0365-0596-abd-90-03-s1-0051.pdf

Dapsone in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: adverse effects and its importance as a corticosteroid sparing agent.

With today's increasing life expectation and quality of life, the desire to look young and beautiful plays a bigger role than ever. Aging of the hair is particularly visible. And yet, cosmetic dermatology has paid comparatively little attention to the care of the aging hair. The professional market for cosmetic interventions into the face has preceded those into the hair for a number of reasons. First, the market for facial rejuvenation has been dominated by plastic surgeons, until the fillers and botulinum toxin were introduced. Second, investigative dermatology found a profound interest in the study of skin aging, particularly as it relates to ultraviolet exposure, and exposed mechanisms at the level of the DNA and repair mechanisms, opening venues for effective preventive measures and pharmacological treatments of aging-related conditions of the skin. Finally, at the level of health professionals, the care for the skin has been overrated in relation to the hair, mostly due to economic reasons. Nevertheless, the hair represents an integral part of the face and our appearance. Moreover, the discovery of pharmacological targets and the development of safe and effective drugs for treatment of hair loss indicate strategies of the drug industry for maintenance of hair growth and quantity, while the hair care industry has become capable of delivering active compounds directed toward meeting the consumer demand for maintenance of hair cosmesis and quality. To offer patients the best outcomes toward a more youthful look, we therefore should look at the whole face including the condition of the hair for a more comprehensive approach toward a total facial skin and hair care concept.

/pdf/look-at-your-hair-the-way-you-look-at-your-face-concept-of-3w6mbsftsu.pdf

Look at Your Hair the Way You Look at Your Face: Concept of Total Facial Skin and Hair Care.

Background: Histological and mycological changes during itraconazole use have not been totally established in chromoblastomycosis. Objectives: To evaluate tissue modifications in chromoblastomycosis carriers under itraconazole treatment. Methods: A histological retrospective study of 20 cases of chromoblastomycosis seen at the university hospital at the south of Brazil, during itraconazole 400 mg daily treatment. Patients were classified into two groups: plaque or tumor lesions, and underwent periodic evaluations every four months during three years. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was used to analyze epidermal modifications, inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis, and Fontana-Masson stain for parasite evaluation. Results: Fontana-Masson stain was superior to hematoxylin-eosin stain in fungal count in the epidermis (mean difference=0.14; p<0.05). The most distinct mycosis tissue responses were registered in the dermis. Epidermal thinning, granulomatous infiltrate decrease or disappearance, fibrosis increase and quantitative/morphological changes occurred during treatment. Study limitations: Patients could not be located to have their current skin condition examined. Conclusion: Parasitic and tissue changes verified in this study can reflect the parasite-host dynamics under itraconazole action.

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/abd/v92n4/0365-0596-abd-92-04-0478.pdf

Murilo Calvo Peretti

Papers

GABAB receptor agonist only reduces ethanol drinking in light-drinking mice

Frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planus pigmentosus: diagnosis and therapeutic challenge.

Dapsone in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris: adverse effects and its importance as a corticosteroid sparing agent.

Look at Your Hair the Way You Look at Your Face: Concept of Total Facial Skin and Hair Care.

Chromoblastomycosis: tissue modifications during itraconazole treatment.