Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The quest for enhancement has been part of human culture for thousands of years. Progress in scientific developments and especially in the field of medical science has allowed for previously unthinkable advances to be employed in the endeavours to improve human functioning in its various forms. Whereas in the past, enhancement has been focused on aspects such as prolonging life, improving the immune system or cosmetic enhancements, cognitive enhancement is receiving substantial attention at the moment. Recent reports have commented on the use of stimulants such as methylphenidate, especially amongst students at tertiary institutions with the aim of enhancing cognitive abilities. This raises various concerns, ranging from safety issues and the risk of drug abuse to the moral issues relating to enhancement in the broader context. Enhancement therapies are easily justified where the required enhancement is needed to improve functioning where a specific deficit is present or where such enhancement could prevent illness. But where no illness or disorder is present, these issues cause marked ambivalence amongst medical practitioners. The legal restrictions placed on the access to stimulants require the participation of a doctor as these drugs may not be sold across the counter and a prescription is needed to acquire them. The doctor is then put in the position where a request is made for medication where illness or a disorder is not present. Medical paternalism could easily dictate that the decision does lie with the doctor because of statutory rules, but this would be at the risk of ignoring the possible rights of students to enhance. This thesis examines the concerns mentioned related to safety risks as well as the abuse potential of methylphenidate. Although there are precautions that need to be taken into account when prescribing methylphenidate, this is not sufficient to warrant a blanket refusal by medical practitioners to prescribe it to healthy students. The arguments used to debate both the promotion of enhancement therapies as well as the reasons for restricting and possibly even preventing any use thereof, are discussed. There are various reasons why enhancement may be needed in current and future society and to ignore these would raise moral issues in itself. There are various arguments used to disapprove of enhancement, but this thesis concludes that although the concerns raised should be considered on an ongoing basis, as enhancement is an ongoing process, enhancement should be allowed to continue to be explored and employed where appropriate. Finally, potential guidelines for the individual and also for tertiary institutions relating to enhancement, especially relating to cognitive enhancement with stimulants such as methylphenidate, are proposed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die soeke na verbetering is reeds vir duisende jare deel van die menslike kultuur. Vordering in wetenskaplike ontwikkelings en veral op die gebied van die mediese wetenskap het toegelaat dat voorheen ondenkbare vooruitgang toegepas kan word in die pogings om menslike funksionering in sy verskillende vorme te verbeter. In die verlede het verbeteringstegnieke merendeels gefokus op aspekte soos verlenging van lewe, die verbetering van die immuunstelsel of kosmetiese verbeterings, maar tans geniet kognitiewe verbetering aansienlike aandag. Onlangse verslae lewer veral kommentaar oor die gebruik van stimulante soos metielfenidaat, veral onder studente by tersiêre instellings, met die doel om die verbetering van kognitiewe vermoëns teweeg te bring. Dit lei tot verskeie bekommernisse, wat wissel van veiligheidskwessies en die risiko van dwelmmisbruik tot die morele kwessies met betrekking tot verbeteringstegnieke in die breër konteks. Terapieë gemik op verbetering is maklik geregverdig waar die verbetering nodig is om funksionering te verbeter, waar 'n spesifieke tekort teenwoordig is of waar so' n verbetering 'n siekte kan voorkom. Maar waar daar geen siekte of afwyking teenwoordig is nie, veroorsaak hierdie terapieë beduidende ambivalensie onder mediese praktisyns. Die wetlike beperkings wat geplaas is op die beskikbaarheid van stimulante vereis die betrokkenheid van 'n dokter aangesien hierdie middels nie oor die toonbank verkoop mag word nie en 'n voorskrif nodig is om dit te bekom. Die dokter word dan in die posisie geplaas waar daar 'n versoek is vir medikasie waar siekte of 'n versteuring nie teenwoordig is nie. Mediese paternalisme kan maklik dikteer dat die besluit suiwer as gevolg van statutêre reëls wel alleen by die dokter lê, maar die risiko bestaan dan dat die regte van studente om hulself te verbeter ignoreer word. Hierdie tesis ondersoek die potensiële probleme met betrekking tot die veiligheidsrisiko's sowel as die misbruikpotensiaal van metielfenidaat. Alhoewel daar voorsorgmaatreëls in ag geneem moet word wanneer die voorskryf van metielfenidaat oorweeg word, is dit nie voldoende om 'n totale weiering deur geneeshere om dit voor te skryf aan gesonde studente te regverdig nie. Die argumente wat gebruik word om sowel die bevordering van die verbeteringsterapieë as die redes vir die beperking en moontlik selfs die voorkoming van enige gebruik daarvan te debatteer, word bespreek. Daar is verskeie redes waarom verbetering in die huidige en toekomstige samelewing nodig is en om dit te ignoreer sou op sigself morele beswarte opper. Daar is wel verskeie argumente wat gebruik kan word om verbetering af te keur, maar hierdie tesis wys daarop dat hoewel die kommer wat geopper word in ag geneem moet word op 'n deurlopende basis, aangesien verbeteringstegnieke ‘n voortdurende proses is, bevordering van hierdie terapieë toegelaat moet word en waar toepaslik in diens geneem moet word. Ten slotte word moontlike riglyne vir die individu en ook vir tersiêre instellings met betrekking tot verbetering, veral met betrekking tot kognitiewe verbetering met stimulante soos metielfenidaat, voorgestel.

A adição fraudulenta de ativos farmacêuticos em suplementos nutricionais é um problema mundial. É comum encontrar mensagens sobre perda de peso, aumento da capacidade intelectual e/ou física, e estímulo sexual na embalagem de suplementos adulterados com fármacos sintéticos ocultos em formulações aparentemente inofensivas para os usuários. No Brasil, a disponibilidade de dados sobre a adulteração de suplementos nutricionais é escassa. No presente trabalho, foi desenvolvido e aplicado um método analítico empregando cromatografia gasosa com detector de nitrogênio fósforo (GC-NPD) para a detecção, identificação e quantificação de estimulantes/anorexígenos não declarados nos rótulos de suplementos alimentares, tais como: cafeína, femproporex, anfepramona, fenfluramina, sibutramina, fentermina, efedrina, fenilpropanolamina, pseudoefedrina e 4- metilhexan-2-amina. A técnica de extração/solubilização com metanol foi utilizada, ressaltando a utilização de baixa quantidade de amostra, solvente e padrões de estimulantes. Após o desenvolvimento e validação do método, as análises foram aplicadas em amostras de suplementos nutricionais obtidos em lojas especializadas em suplementos, de diversas partes do estado de São Paulo (n=125). Das 125 amostras de suplemento nutricional analisadas, 38 delas (30%) apresentaram resultado positivo para alguma das substâncias de interesse, dentre elas, sibutramina, cafeína e efedrina mediante a metodologia escolhida. As amostras positivas foram posteriormente analisadas qualitativamente por LC-MS/MS, no propósito de confirmar o resultado positivo obtido. A técnica analítica empregada proporciona seletividade, linearidade, precisão, exatidão, recuperação e limites em conformidade ao objetivo que foram destinadas. Os métodos de preparo de amostra desenvolvidos e validados demonstraram ser simples, práticos, eficientes e diferenciados pelo baixo uso de amostra e solvente. / The fraudulent addition of active pharmaceutical compounds in nutritional supplements is, indeed, a worldwide problem. Often, it can be found several advertisements on various supplement packaging assuring weight loss, increased intellectual and/or physical capacity and sexual stimulation. These products may have been \'spiked\' with synthetic drugs containing formulations which are apparently harmless to users. In Brazil, the availability of data about adulteration of nutritional supplements is scarce. In the present work, an analytical method using gas chromatography coupled with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD) was developed and applied for the detection, identification and quantification of undeclared stimulants and/or anorectic agents in food supplement labels, such as: caffeine, fenproporex, amfepramone, fenfluramine, sibutramine, phentermine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine e 4- metilhexan -2- amine. The extraction/solubilization with methanol presented satisfactory results, emphasizing the use of low amount of sample, solvent and standards of analytes. After the development and validation, the method was applied in samples of nutritional supplements obtained from specialty stores in various parts of the state of São Paulo (n = 125). From the 125 nutritional supplement samples analyzed, 38 of them (30%) presented positive results for some of the substances of interest, among them sibutramine, caffeine and ephedrine according to the chosen methodology. The positive samples were subsequently analyzed qualitatively by LCMS / MS, in order to confirm the positive result obtained. The analytical technique employed provides selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery and limits in accordance with the intended purpose. The sample preparation methods developed and validated to be simple, practical, efficient and differentiated by the low sample and solvent usage.

A adição fraudulenta de ativos farmacêuticos em suplementos nutricionais é um problema mundial. É comum encontrar mensagens sobre perda de peso, aumento da capacidade intelectual e/ou física, e estímulo sexual na embalagem de suplementos adulterados com fármacos sintéticos ocultos em formulações aparentemente inofensivas para os usuários. No Brasil, a disponibilidade de dados sobre a adulteração de suplementos nutricionais é escassa. No presente trabalho, foi desenvolvido e aplicado um método analítico empregando cromatografia gasosa com detector de nitrogênio fósforo (GC-NPD) para a detecção, identificação e quantificação de estimulantes/anorexígenos não declarados nos rótulos de suplementos alimentares, tais como: cafeína, femproporex, anfepramona, fenfluramina, sibutramina, fentermina, efedrina, fenilpropanolamina, pseudoefedrina e 4- metilhexan-2-amina. A técnica de extração/solubilização com metanol foi utilizada, ressaltando a utilização de baixa quantidade de amostra, solvente e padrões de estimulantes. Após o desenvolvimento e validação do método, as análises foram aplicadas em amostras de suplementos nutricionais obtidos em lojas especializadas em suplementos, de diversas partes do estado de São Paulo (n=125). Das 125 amostras de suplemento nutricional analisadas, 38 delas (30%) apresentaram resultado positivo para alguma das substâncias de interesse, dentre elas, sibutramina, cafeína e efedrina mediante a metodologia escolhida. As amostras positivas foram posteriormente analisadas qualitativamente por LC-MS/MS, no propósito de confirmar o resultado positivo obtido. A técnica analítica empregada proporciona seletividade, linearidade, precisão, exatidão, recuperação e limites em conformidade ao objetivo que foram destinadas. Os métodos de preparo de amostra desenvolvidos e validados demonstraram ser simples, práticos, eficientes e diferenciados pelo baixo uso de amostra e solvente. / The fraudulent addition of active pharmaceutical compounds in nutritional supplements is, indeed, a worldwide problem. Often, it can be found several advertisements on various supplement packaging assuring weight loss, increased intellectual and/or physical capacity and sexual stimulation. These products may have been \'spiked\' with synthetic drugs containing formulations which are apparently harmless to users. In Brazil, the availability of data about adulteration of nutritional supplements is scarce. In the present work, an analytical method using gas chromatography coupled with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector (GC-NPD) was developed and applied for the detection, identification and quantification of undeclared stimulants and/or anorectic agents in food supplement labels, such as: caffeine, fenproporex, amfepramone, fenfluramine, sibutramine, phentermine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine e 4- metilhexan -2- amine. The extraction/solubilization with methanol presented satisfactory results, emphasizing the use of low amount of sample, solvent and standards of analytes. After the development and validation, the method was applied in samples of nutritional supplements obtained from specialty stores in various parts of the state of São Paulo (n = 125). From the 125 nutritional supplement samples analyzed, 38 of them (30%) presented positive results for some of the substances of interest, among them sibutramine, caffeine and ephedrine according to the chosen methodology. The positive samples were subsequently analyzed qualitatively by LCMS / MS, in order to confirm the positive result obtained. The analytical technique employed provides selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery and limits in accordance with the intended purpose. The sample preparation methods developed and validated to be simple, practical, efficient and differentiated by the low sample and solvent usage.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Cattaneo.pdf: 561766 bytes, checksum: 799e4a531c12c6339682bf2b62bd5254 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The crambe (Crambe abyssinica) is an oilseed crop belonging to the family of crucifers, which has good adaptability and hardiness and can be an alternative for the production of biodiesel. However, the occurrence of diseases might be a limiting factor for production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed treatment to control pathogens crambe seed, vigor analysis (size and fresh and dry weight) of seedlings, yield components and grain yield, using two biological products and three chemicals. The experimental design was completely randomized with six seed treatments (T0 - control; T1 - Trichoderma asperellum, T2 - Bacillus subtilis, T3 - glutamic acid, seaweed extract (Ascophillum nodosum), cobalt, molybdenum and manganese, T4 - thiamethoxam; T5 - zinc). Treatments when tested in the laboratory, resulted in no increase in the percentage of seed germination, although the treatments with T. asperellum and B. subtilis reduced the size of seedlings. In the field, yield components, except for the height and weight of 1000 grains were positively influenced by seed treatments. The chemical and biological treatments had suppressive effect of pathogens contained in the seeds, what can be an alternative for the control of pathogens in seeds of crambe, however, when they were tested in the field, only the treatments based on T. asperellum and B. subtilis and thiamethoxam resulted in increased productivity / O crambe (Crambe abyssinica) é uma cultura oleaginosa pertencente à família das crucíferas, que possui boa adaptação e rusticidade e pode ser uma alternativa para a produção de biodiesel. Porém, a ocorrência de doenças pode ser um fator limitante para a produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia do tratamento de sementes de crambe no controle de patógenos da semente, análise de vigor (tamanho e massas fresca e seca) das plântulas, componentes de produção e produtividade de grãos, utilizando dois produtos biológicos e três produtos químicos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos de semente (T0 Testemunha; T1 Trichoderma asperellum; T2 Bacillus subtilis; T3 ácido glutâmico, extrato de alga (Ascophillum nodosum), cobalto, molibdênio e manganês; T4 tiametoxam; T5 zinco). Os tratamentos quando testados em laboratório, não resultaram em aumento da percentagem de germinação das sementes, porém os tratamentos com T. asperellum e B. subtilis reduziram o tamanho de plântulas. Em campo, os componentes da produção, com exceção da altura e da massa de 1000 grãos foram influenciados positivamente pelos tratamentos de semente. Os tratamentos químico e biológico tiveram efeito supressivo dos patógenos contidos nas sementes, mostrado-se uma alternativa para o controle de patógenos em sementes de crambe, porém, quando estes foram testados a campo, somente os tratamentos a base de T. asperellum, B. subtilis e tiametoxam resultaram em incremento de produtividade.

<p>Persons suffering from Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with complications within the functions that regulate and control the brain activities, due to deficiencies in these functions within the affected nerve-paths. ADHD is a cognitive function impairment characterised by inattention, impulsiveness and over activity. According to Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV), certain diagnostic criteria of ADHD must be fulfilled in order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD. The everyday problems caused by ADHD are individual and medication can have positive effects relieving the person’s impairing behaviour. The study is based on scientific literature, three quantitative scientific articles and preview material from the last study by Johnson, Fransson, Kadesjö & Gillberg, presently being scrutinised. Swedish as well as English literature has been used. The purpose of this study is to shed some light upon whether medication facilitates the child’s school situation. The result deals with the ADHD diagnosis and pharmacological therapy involving drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, as well as naturopathic medicine like Omega-3/6. The pedagogical aspect for children with ADHD in school has been observed and evaluated. In this matter it is important for the pedagogue to encourage the child by letting it find out that it can manage more than it thinks.</p>

Persons suffering from Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with complications within the functions that regulate and control the brain activities, due to deficiencies in these functions within the affected nerve-paths. ADHD is a cognitive function impairment characterised by inattention, impulsiveness and over activity. According to Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV), certain diagnostic criteria of ADHD must be fulfilled in order for a person to be diagnosed with ADHD. The everyday problems caused by ADHD are individual and medication can have positive effects relieving the person’s impairing behaviour. The study is based on scientific literature, three quantitative scientific articles and preview material from the last study by Johnson, Fransson, Kadesjö &amp; Gillberg, presently being scrutinised. Swedish as well as English literature has been used. The purpose of this study is to shed some light upon whether medication facilitates the child’s school situation. The result deals with the ADHD diagnosis and pharmacological therapy involving drugs that stimulate the central nervous system, as well as naturopathic medicine like Omega-3/6. The pedagogical aspect for children with ADHD in school has been observed and evaluated. In this matter it is important for the pedagogue to encourage the child by letting it find out that it can manage more than it thinks.

Auf der Grundlage einer epidemiologischen Untersuchung an 3021 Probanden im Alter von 14-24 Jahren (Ausschöpfung 71%) werden Prävalenz von Gebrauch, Miβbrauch und Abhängigkeit von Ecstasy, verwandten Amphetaminen und Halluzinogenen bestimmt sowie Gebrauchsmuster und Korrelate des Gebrauchs untersucht. Als diagnostisches Interview wurde das computerisierte und standardisierte M-CIDI verwendet. Ergebnisse: (1) 14-24jährige gebrauchen Ecstasy häufig (4% aller Manner und 2,3% aller Frauen), XTC-verwandte Amphetamine werden mit 3,6% (Manner) bzw. 1,6% (Frauen) etwas seltener konsumiert. Die LSD-Gebrauchs-Prävalenz liegt bei 2,8% (Manner) bzw. 1,4% (Frauen); verwandte Halluzinogene werden von insgesamt 1,5% der Befragten angegeben. (2) Vergleiche mit Erhebungen aus dem Jahr 1990 lassen eine erhebliche Steigerung (Verdoppelung bzw. Verdreifachung) des Konsums sowohl von Ecstasy und verwandten Präparaten wie auch von Halluzinogenen erkennen. (3) Die Prävalenz klinisch manifester Miβbrauchs– und Abhängigkeitsdiagnosen nach DSM-IV liegen in der Altersgruppe 14-24jähriger bezüglich Ecstasy bei fast 1%, bei Halluzinogenen etwas darunter. Das Verhältnis Gebrauchs-Prävalenz zu diagnostischer Prävalenz von zirka 6:1 läβt auf ein signifikantes «Sucht»potential dieser Substanzen schlieβen. (4) Altersrisikoanalysen lassen erkennen, daβ sich das Einstiegsalter für beide Substanzen in jüngere Altersgruppen verschiebt. Nur für Ecstasy läβt sich über alle Altersstufen hinweg ein stetiger Anstieg von Erstgebrauchsraten nachweisen, demgegenüber bleibt die Rate von Erstkonsumenten bei Halluzinogenen nach dem 18. Lebensjahr stabil. (5) Bezüglich Einstiegs-und Ausstiegsmotivationen ergaben sich für beide Stoffgruppen recht unterschiedliche Muster, die als Hinweis für die Notwendigkeit substanz-spezifischer Präventionskonzepte interpretiert werden. Folgerungen: Die Verbreitung von Ecstasy und Halluzinogenen bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen nimmt offensichtlich weiter in beschleunigter Form zu. Im Zusammenhang mit einem bislang häufig unterschätzten «Sucht»potential wird ein rapid wachsender Präventions– und Therapiebedarf absehbar, der für die Verhaltenstherapie eine besondere Herausforderung darstellt.

Syfte: Att undersöka om det fanns något samband mellan behandling med centralstimulantia ochavvikande tillväxt hos barn och ungdomar med ADHD, samt att undersöka om eventuellt avvikandetillväxt hade något samband med ålder vid insättande, kön eller olika funktionshinder.Metod: 68 barn med ADHD som behandlats med centralstimulantia i minst två år inkluderades.Journalkopior inhämtades från Habiliteringen för barn och vuxna vid Uppsala läns landsting. Dessakopior innehöll barnens tillväxtkurvor, kön, diagnos och ålder. Kurvorna granskades med hjälp av enutformad granskningsmall. Barnens tillväxt jämfördes mellan åldergrupper, kön och olikafunktionshinder.Resultat: Vid behandlingsstart var åldersgrupperna 6-8 år samt 12-16 år signifikant tyngre ännormalpopulationen i samma åldersgrupper. Det fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan åldergrupperna ilängdavplaning efter ett års behandling, där fler barn i åldrarna 10-16 år avplanade än barn i åldrarna6-10 år. Även mellan funktionshindergrupperna fanns det en signifikant skillnad i längdavplaning eftertvå års behandling. Mellan pojkar och flickor fanns det en signifikant skillnad i viktavplaning efter tvåårs behandling, där fler pojkar avvek nedåt från sin tillväxtkurva.Slutsats: Det framkom få samband mellan behandling med centralstimulantia och avvikande tillväxthos barn och ungdomar med ADHD. Ett litet urval i denna journalgranskning innebar låg power i destatistiska analyserna vilket medförde svårigheter att påvisa signifikanta samband och skillnadermellan de grupper som jämförts. Avplaning i tillväxt vid centralstimulantiabehandling är ett viktigtansvarsområde för sjuksköterskan som bör observera och arbeta förebyggande för att undvika detta.Författarna vidhåller att detta är ett viktigt ämne som berör många barn, föräldrar och sociala instanser,vilket gör det önskvärt med fler större studier som undersöker detta mer grundligt. / Objective: To study whether there was any relation between treatment with stimulants and abnormalgrowth in children and adolescents with ADHD, and to study whether any differences in growth wasrelated to age at initiation, gender or different disabilities.Design: 68 children with ADHD treated with stimulants for at least two years were included. Journalcopies were collected from Habiliteringen vid Uppsala län. These copies contained the children'sgrowth charts, gender, diagnosis and age. These curves were studied using a designed review template.Children's growth was compared between age groups, gender and disabilities.Results: At baseline, the age groups 6-8 years and 12-16 years were significantly heavier than normalpopulation of same age groups. There was a significant difference between age groups in decrease inlength after one year of treatment where more children aged 10-16 years decreases than children aged6-10 years. Also among other disability groups, there was a significant difference in decrease in lengthafter two years of treatment. Between boys and girls, there was a significant difference in decrease inweight after two years of treatment, where more boys departed downward from its growth curve.Conclusion: There were few correlations between treatment with stimulants and abnormal growth inchildren and adolescents with ADHD. A small sample in this journal review meant low power in thestatistical analysis leading to an inability to detect significant correlation and differences between thegroups for comparison. Decrese in growth during treatment with stimulants is an importantresponsibility for the nurse who should observe and work preventively to avoid this. The authorsmaintain that this is an important topic that affects many children, parents and social instances, makingit desirable for more major studies to investigate this more thoroughly.

Thèse de doctorat : sciences commerciales et économiques : Université de Neuchâtel : 1932. / Bibliothèque professionnelle et sociale. Bibliogr.

Reproduction de : Thèse de doctorat : Droit privé : Lille 2 : 2007. / Titre provenant de la page de titre du document numérisé. Bibliogr. p. 367-399.