As charismatic mega-fauna, sea turtles attract many volunteers to conservation programs. This article examines the ways in which volunteers value sea turtles, in the specific context of volunteers working with the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. The complexity of volunteer values is explored using a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews with 31 volunteers were...

To test the efficacy of passive antibody for protecting susceptible pregnant women who have been exposed to rubella high-titre human rubella immunoglobulin (HRI) was given to 20 seronegative male adult volunteers simultaneously with rubella vaccine. After receiving the intramuscular injections of HRI (750 mg of IgG) and vaccine (10(3 . 92) median tissue culture dose, Wistar RA27/3 subcutaneousl...

To investigate hemodynamic and hormonal effects of ghrelin, a novel growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide, we gave six healthy men an intravenous bolus of human ghrelin (10 microg/kg) or placebo and vice versa 1-2 wk apart in a randomized fashion. Ghrelin elicited a marked increase in circulating GH (15-fold). The elevation of GH lasted longer than 60 min after the bolus injection. Injection of...

We have used a 3-h primed continuous infusion of [1,2-13C]acetate in five fasted (24 h) volunteers to quantify splanchnic and leg acetate metabolism ( protocol 1). Fractional extraction of acetate by both tissues was high (∼70%), and simultaneous uptake and release of acetate were observed. Labeled carbon recovery in CO2 was 37.9 ± 2.3% at the whole body level, 37.7 ± 1.5% across the splanchnic...

OBJECTIVES To design microneedles that minimize pain, this study tested the hypothesis that microneedles cause significantly less pain than a 26-gauge hypodermic needle, and that decreasing microneedle length and the number of microneedles reduces pain in normal human volunteers. METHODS Single microneedles with lengths ranging from 480 to 1450 microm, widths from 160 to 465 microm, thickness...

BACKGROUND Angiogenesis is involved in many cardiovascular and cancerous diseases, including atherosclerosis and is controlled by a fine balance between angiogenic and angiostatic mediators. Endostatin is one of the main angiostatic mediators, and inhibits angiogenesis and prevents progression of atherosclerosis. The available literature shows a broad range of concentrations in relatively small...

Intestinal members of the family Enterobacteriaceae were eliminated in five human volunteers treated with oral ofloxacin for 5 days. No emergence of resistant Enterobacteriaceae was observed. Counts of group D streptococci were significantly reduced. Colonization by Candida sp. was observed in all five volunteers during ofloxacin treatment. The anaerobic flora was fairly stable from one sample ...

CONTEXT Acrolein is a reactive aldehyde mainly formed by combustion. The critical effect is considered to be irritation of the eyes and airways; however, the scarce data available make it difficult to assess effect levels. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine thresholds for acute irritation for acrolein. METHODS Nine healthy volunteers of each sex were exposed at six occasions fo...

Aromatherapy, a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that uses essential oils through inhalation, is believed to enhance physical and spiritual conditions. Although clinical studies suggest that the use of essential oils may have therapeutic potential, evidence for the efficacy of aromatherapy in treating medical conditions remains poor, with a particular lack of studies employi...