Alcohol tolerance and gastric emptying after replacement of the oesophagus with the stomach

Alcohol tolerance and gastric emptying were studied in ten patients before and three months after oesophagectomy and gastric replacement. There was no change in alcohol tolerance, but gastric emptying was accelerated. It is postulated that intestinal absorption may be impaired at three months after operation.

The effectiveness of clinical teaching: a model for self-evaluation

The most widely used process for evaluating teachers' effectiveness is student ratings. Although student ratings of teachers are vitally important in the evaluation process, self-evaluation and that of peers are equally important in accurately defining an individual's effectiveness in his/her teaching role. The model for self-evaluation of clinical teaching presented in this paper is adapted from the analysis in Jacobson's model of instruction evaluation. This model comprises three steps: the pre-active, interactive, and post-active. The pre-active step in clinical teaching includes such activities as preparing objectives for both teacher and students, and communicating them to the students before clinical practice. The interactive step in clinical teaching may be seen as the actual process of teaching in the clinical area, with its central activity as being the preparation and presentation of clinical assignments to the students. It is in this step when the teacher-student relationship is put to a real test. The post-active step is a process for finding out the extent to which the teacher has achieved the desired results. This step also entails such activities as grading assignments, evaluating students' clinical performance, and conducting post-experience clinical conference. A check list for self-evaluation of clinical teaching is included.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula complicating total laryngectomy

A series of 124 total laryngectomies for carcinoma is reviewed. The postoperative morbidity is discussed, and pharyngocutaneous fistula was found to occur in 30 patients. Its management is reviewed, and consideration is given to its relation to preoperative irradiation. This was found to increase its incidence and adversely affect the prospects of successful closure.

Surgical treatment of carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical oesophagus

From 1964 to 1979 a total of 1,702 patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus were admitted into the University Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. Among these the tumour was situated at the hypopharynx in 112 cases and at the cervical oesophagus in 36 cases. The treatment of choice for resectable tumours of these sites was pharyngo-laryngo-oesophagectomy (81 cases). Reconstruction with pharyngo-gastric anastomosis was preferred (76 cases). Other methods of reconstruction were indicated only when the stomach had been resected previously. Although the hospital mortality after pharyngo-laryngo-oesophagectomy was 31% this was the only means by which a long term survival could be achieved. Occasionally even when the trachea was infiltrated by tumour, salvage could be attempted by including the posterior wall of the trachea in the resection and repairing with an in-turned delto-pectoral flap. Although the actuarial survival of patients after pharyngo-laryngo-oesophagectomy was only 9%, all the patients who survived the operation were relieved of their distressing symptom of dysphagia.

Comparison of maximal acid output and gastrin response to meals in Chinese and Scottish normal and duodenal ulcer subjects

Maximal acid output (MAO) after pentagastrin stimulation and gastrin response to a standard meal was studied in 100 control and 200 duodenal ulcer subjects from each of two ethnic groups, Scots and Chinese. The acid output was significantly higher in the Scots than in the Chinese for both controls and duodenal ulcer patients. Despite correction for differences in body stature by expressing MAO as a function of the body weight, these differences persisted. In 45 pairs of closely matched patients with duodenal ulcer, the differences between the two ethnic groups remained significant, irrespective of whether MAO was expressed in absolute or weight corrected values. This indicates that differences in age, sex, family history, or duration of illness did not account for differences in acid output. In 20 pairs of normal control and 45 pairs of duodenal ulcer patients the fasting and post-prandial serum gastrin levels did not differ, significantly between the two ethnic groups. The proportion of acid normosecretors was significantly higher in the Chinese duodenal ulcer patients than in the Scottish. The reason for these differences in the gastric acid output between the two ethnic groups is not known and needs to be studied further.

Immediate operation for acute non-variceal gastrointestinal haemorrhage in patients aged 50 years and over

A prospective trial of immediate operation was carried out on all 123 patients aged 50 years and over who presented with acute non-variceal bleeding as shown endoscopically. The mortality rate was 11.4%. Four hundred and sixty-seven similar patients treated by a conventional and more conservative approach, viz., surgery only for massive, continuous or recurrent bleeding, over an earlier period of three years, had a mortality rate of 6.4% during the acute bleeding episode. In the latter series, the mortality for the 161 patients with emergency surgery was 11.8%. The aggressive approach carries no advantage over the conservative approach and is not to be recommended. In both series surgery for haemorrhage with associated medical illness carried a similarly high mortality (27.3% and 26.3% respectively), indicating that the timing of surgery in such patients, whether it is done as early or as late as possible, does not influence the outcome. This mortality rate of immediate Billroth gastrectomy for gastric ulcer was low (4.8%), so that operation in such patients should not be delayed.

Carcinoma of the tongue: factors affecting the results of surgical treatment

Sixty-five cases of carcinoma of the tongue treated by surgery were reviewed. The types of operation included hemiglossectomy, subtotal and total glossectomy with or without hemimandibulectomy and laryngectomy. Simultaneous neck dissection was usually performed except for patients who had radiotherapy and did not have clinical lymph node involvement. The hospital mortality and five-year survival rates were analysed for individual subgroups of patients classified according to clinical and pathological features. The overall hospital mortality rate was 21.5 per cent. The size of the tumour and the presence of extension posteriorly, to the opposite side and to the floor of the mouth increased the mortality. Lesions situated on the dorsum fared worse than those at the edge or undersurface. Clinically and pathologically involved lymph nodes adversely affected the mortality. The more extensive the resection, the higher the mortality. Old age and previous failed radiotherapy also increased mortality. The overall five-year survival rate was 46 per cent. Long term survival was not so much affected by the size of the primary tumour and degree of local extension as was the hospital mortality. Clinical as well as pathological staging of regional lymph nodes were more important in influencing long term survival. Recurrence after radiotherapy had a worse prognosis than previously untreated tumours.

Surgical treatment of cervical lymph nodes in carcinoma of the tongue

A series of 56 cases of carcinoma of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue treated surgically was reviewed. Lymph node metastasis occurred in 50% of cases. There was 22% false-negative clinical assessments of lymph node status for the ipsilateral side of the neck. Because of these and the difficulty in ensuring early treatment of subsequent node metastasis, concurrent ipsilateral radical neck dissection is recommended. When the ipsilateral side of the neck was involved the contralateral side has 22% false-negative assessments. Elective radical neck dissection for the contralateral side is recommended in this situation. The overall five-year survival was 50.6%, and was greatly affected by the status of the neck lymph nodes.

Representation of racial minority students in selected Canadian university schools of nursing

Several studies have suggested that the problem of inequality in educational opportunity for minority students, manifested by under-representation, prevails in American higher education. Under-representation of minority groups in schools of nursing is not an unusual problem. The dearth of information on representation of ethnic minorities in baccalaureate programmes in Canada provided the impetus for the investigators to conduct this study to: (1) explore the racial and ethnic composition of the student population in selected Canadian University Schools of Nursing; (2) determine the total number of withdrawals and graduations; and (3) establish baseline data for a follow-up study. This study was exploratory in nature. A questionnaire was designed to elicit information on enrollment, admission, withdrawal and graduation of six ethnic minority groups in the 5 year period, 1974-1978. Out of 18 schools surveyed, nine schools responded with the requested statistical information. Findings of this study supported findings of other research studies conducted in the United States in that the ethnic minorities were under-represented, and their academic survival rates were low. Statistics presented in this study should not be interpreted as conclusive. Many questions crucial to exploring and understanding the pattern of representation of racial and ethnic minority nursing students are still unanswered. A better designed, long-term study is needed.

Primary sarcomas of the jaw

Nine cases of primary sarcoma of the jaw seen over a period of 14 years are presented. They consisted of four osteosarcomas, three fibrosarcomas, one myxosarcoma and one Ewing's sarcoma. The treatment of choice for osteosarcomas of the mandible is hemimandibulectomy with disarticulation at the temporomandibular joint. Bone graft reconstruction from the iliac crest should be done at a second stage. Palliative maxillectomy for extensive fibrosarcoma of the maxilla served to relieve one patient of local symptoms for more than a year. Myxosarcoma, a variant of fibrosarcoma, and Ewing's sarcoma of the jaw, are very rare conditions, and since these lesions are usually very extensive radiotherapy is the treatment of choice.

An exploration of a patient-centred nursing approach in the admission of selected surgical patients: a replicated study

It is well recognized that admission to hospital is a stressful experience for patients, and little attention is directed towards helping patients to adapt to hospitalization. This paper reports the replication of a descriptive study which explored the patient's welfare after the use of a patient-centred nursing approach designed to alleviate stress on admission to hospital. It also attempts to determine the patient's perception of the nurse during the implementation of the admission procedure, and his general reactions toward the admission procedure.

Salvage operations for malignant obstruction of the oesophagus

Two patients with locally advanced carcinoma of the oesophagus, who did not obtain palliation with radiotherapy, underwent salvage operations to restore their ability to swallow. One patient was subjected to pharyngolaryngo-oesophagectomy together with excision of the involved posterior tracheal wall. Reconstruction was by pharyngoglossogastrostomy, with a deltopectoral flap used to replace the tracheal defect. The second patient, who had cervical metastases and severe pulmonary complications, underwent a jejunal loop bypass operation. Both patients were able to eat normally before dying many months later from metastatic disease. Salvage operation should be considered for patients with primary tumours which appear to be slow-growing, even though locally advanced and free of widespread disease. Worthwhile palliation is obtained when the operation, either resection or bypass, has been successful.

Acute pancreatitis in Hong Kong

A series of 311 Chinese patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, over a 10-year period is reviewed. Biliary tract disease was associated with pancreatitis in 52.4 per cent of patients and 77.9 per cent of them had stones, mud or parasites in the common bile duct. Fever and jaundice were present in 55 per cent and 41.2 per cent of patients respectively. Because of the prevalence of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis among the indigenous population, emergency operation, with the aim of common duct decompression, was conducted in 54.3 per cent of patients during the acute episode, with a mortality rate of 14.8 per cent. Five of 142 patients (3.5 per cent) died whilst on conservative treatment and all 5 had haemorrhagic pancreatitis. The overall mortality rate was 9.6 per cent. Exploration of the common bile duct, which was carried out in 57.4 per cent of patients in the acute phase, was not associated with a higher mortality than when laparotomy alone was performed, and 19 patients had sphincteroplasty without any death. Subtotal pancreatectomy was performed in 2 patients with haemorrhagic pancreatitis with 1 death.

The inability to transfer classroom learning to clinical nursing practice: a learning problem and its remedial plan

The inability to transfer classroom knowledge to clinical nursing practice is a common learning problem encountered by many nursing students. Manifestations of this problem may involve both the academic performance and personal development of the students: inability to solve problems in nursing situations; inflexibility and rigidity in the exercise of nursing care; fragmentation of nursing care; and apathy towards clinical practice. Because of the seriousness of this learning problem, a plan must be formulated to rectify it. This plan is developed with major emphasis on the teaching process, the student and the curriculum. One of the important roles of a teacher is to help students understand many widely useful relationships, principles or generalizations. In order to enhance transfer, nursing students must be given ample opportunities to apply the learned principles in a variety of nursing situations. Learning is a self-active process; an ideal transfer demands the students' conscious realization that transfer is possible. Students need to be committed to the belief that particular facts in the classroom study are pertinent in other situations. To promote transfer, the curriculum must be designed in such a way so that it has transfer value in terms of the students' goals and purposes. Furthermore, proper sequence of curricular activities is crucial if transfer of classroom knowledge to clinical practice is to occur.

Gastric histology and function in patients with intrathoracic stomach replacement after esophagectomy

The histological changes and gastric function alterations in 19 patients who had intrathoracic stomach replacement following esophagectomy were studied. Atrophic gastritis was noted in 13 of the 19 patients. The mechanical response of the stomach to distention by food was largely retained. The basal and maximal acid output was reduced markedly, and the serum gastrin was elevated. An association between the degree of gastritis, the percentage of gastric motility at rest, and acid secretion is demonstrated. These changes are consistent with patients with duodenal ulcer following vagotomy and dyloroplasty. Postprandial elevation in serum gastrin was noted in patients with or without vagotomy. The lack of significant difference in integrated gastrin response suggests that the vagus may not be important in the control of postprandial gastrin release.

Chylothorax following resection of the oesophagus

Chylothorax complicating operations on the oesophagus has been reported infrequently; it carries a mortality rate of about 50 per cent. A search of the literature has yielded only 10 cases. This paper reports 4 further cases which occurred among 685 resections of the oesophagus, giving an incidence of 0.6 per cent. The diagnosis should be confirmed with lymphangiography. Treatment should be early exploration and ligation in patients in whom the thoracic duct has been divided at operation. If the duct has been injured during blind dissection a period of conservative treatment is advisable. Parenteral nutrition is a useful adjunctive treatment.

Acute suppurative cholecystitis: a retrospective study of 173 cases

Over a 14-year period we treated 2,290 cases of non-malignant biliary tract conditions, and among them were 173 cases of acute suppurative cholecystitis, an incidence of 7.6%. A correct preoperative diagnosis of acute suppurative cholecystitis was made in only about half the cases because features of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis dominated the clinical picture on many occasions. The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases at operation. Cholecystectomy (88%) was performed whenever this was found to be safe, and cholecystostomy (12%) was carried out only in poor-risk patients or when operative difficulties were encountered. The overall mortality of operation was 5.8%. Old age, preoperative shock, delay of operation and the presence of free perforation affected the prognosis adversely.

The effects of experimental division of the vascular pedicle of a transposed subcutaneous ileal loop

The effects of immediate division of the neurovascular pedicles of ileal loops implanted in the subcutaneous tissues for four weeks were studied in eight mongrel dogs. The structural and functional changes were studied by examining sections under light and electron microscopy and by comparing D-xylose absorption and motility patterns. Arteriograms were done to show the new subcutaneous collaterals supplying the loops. Of the eight dogs, four had loops showing normal histological appearances and D-xylose absorptive functions after division of the pedicles. In the remaining four dogs, the loops showed evidence of pseudomembranous changes in some areas, resulting in patching necrosis possibly due to inadequate collaterals. The absorption of D-xylose was impaired in these dogs. Perhaps a longer period of transposition and a gradual division of the vascular pedicle would improve the results. The motility pattern did not change after division of the pedicle, though the response to intravenous carbachol was significantly delayed.

Cilia with defective radial spokes: a cause of human respiratory disease

We studied the fine structure of respiratory-tract cilia in three siblings with chronic respiratory disease, comparing them with those from a patient with Kartagener's syndrome who had dynein-deficient cilia and with control patients who had chronic bronchitis or chronic sinusitis. Electron microscopy of the siblings revealed a new abnormality in the ciliary axoneme--namely, lack of the radial spokes. Their cilia showed an eccentric central pair of tubules but otherwise had a normal central sheath, outer-doublet microtubules, nexin links and dynein arms. The cilia were immotile. Mucociliary clearance was completely lacking in the three siblings and in the patient with Kartagener's syndrome, but was normal in their parents and unaffected siblings. Sperm from the male sibling showed identical structural abnormalities and were immotile. We consider the radial spoke defect to be the congenital anomaly responsible for dysfunction of the mucociliary clearance mechanism in these three patients and of the immotile sperm in one of the them. This defect is apparently another cause of the "immotilecilia syndrome."

Factors influencing morbidity and mortality in esophageal carcinoma

In 1977, 152 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus were admitted under our care. The lesions were located from the hypopharynx to the cardiac portion of the stomach. A prospective study was conducted and the results (mortality and morbidity) were analyzed by computer. Resection was possible in 88 patients and a bypass procedure in 15. On exploration in five patients, the disease was found to be so extensive that no further operative procedures were undertaken. The mortality rate was high, hospital deaths being included in the operative mortality statistics. The best results were obtained by applying the Lewis-Tanner one-stage esophagectomy. When the disease was extensive, a bypass procedure using the Kirschner operation and postoperative irradiation was the method of choice. When the general condition of the patient was poor, the best procedure was a staged esophagectomy, with the reconstruction being undertaken at a later date.

Fasting and postprandial serum gastrin levels before and after highly selective gastric vagotomy, truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy: is there a cholinergic antral gastrin inhibitory and releasing mechanism?

Fasting serum gastrin levels and postprandial gastrin response were measured before and 1 month after highly selective vagotomy, truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy. The three groups of patients, 12 in each group, were closely matched for age, sex, maximum acid output and completeness of vagotomy. After highly selective and truncal vagotomy an identical and significant increase in fasting gastrin was observed, whereas after truncal vagotomy with antrectomy the pre- and postoperative fasting gastrin levels were not different. The net postprandial gastrin output over basal value was significantly increased after highly selective vagotomy, unchanged after truncal vagotomy and significantly lowered after truncal vagotomy with antrectomy. These results suggest the presence in the intact subject of a cholinergic inhibitory mechanism in the gastric body and fundus for the release of antral gastrin in the fasting and postprandial states and a possible cholinergic facilitatory mechanism for the release of antral gastrin after meals.

Unresectable malignant obstruction of the bile ducts

Over a 13-year period we encountered 135 patients with malignant obstruction of the bile ducts, and in 81 of these patients only palliative surgery was possible. The type of operation was largely determined by the site and nature of the obstruction and the condition of the patient. The operative mortality of palliative operation was 37%. Relief of jaundice or pruritus was obtained in 68%, and this figure included a number of patients who died in the first 30 days. The majority of survivors lived for between three and four months after operation, although occasional patients have lived for more than one year.

Accommodation dynamics I. Range nonlinearity

We show the presence of a new nonlinearity in accommodation dynamics. Positive accommodation is slower when the eye is operating in the near range; conversely, relaxation of accommodation is apparently slower during work in the far range. Latency of accommodation is unaffected by working range. This new dynamic range nonlinearity has been defined in connection with a continuing research study of accommodation responses in normal subjects and in clinic patients. Instrumentation and analysis procedures are described.

Buerger's disease--a review of 105 patients

One hundred and five cases (101 males and four females) of Buerger's disease occurring in Hong Kong have been reviewed. In the foot the digits affected were predominantly the big, second and little toes, whereas in the hand the index and middle fingers were most commonly involved. There was no selective involvement of the left or right side in the upper or lower extremities. The majority of patients were operated on and had amputation, sympathectomy, or both procedures performed. Major lower limb amputation was carried out in 22.6% of patients with lower limb involvement. Reconstructive arterial surgery was possible in only four patients, and early failure of grafts in three patients resulted in major amputation.

Changes in metabolism of major food components in patients with intrathoracic replacement of the oesophagus with the stomach

In 19 patients in whom the stomach had been used as an intrathoracic replacement after osephagectomy the absorption of fat, carbohydrate and protein was studied. There is no single pattern of disturbance of such absorption. Protein digestion and absorption occur earlier and more rapidly than in normal subjects, probably as a result of accelerated gastric emptying.

Allograft vein arterial bypass

Untreated allograft saphenous veins used for arterial bypass failed in ten of 11 cases. The precise cause of failure was uncertain, but immune reactions of the recipient against the allograft seemed to be related to failure.

Colorectal carcinoma in Hong Kong

The clinical and pathological features of colorectal carcinoma occurring in 470 Chinese patients in Hong Kong are reported. There was a preponderance of advanced stages of the disease in spite of the presence of a large number of well-differentiated lesions. Polyposis coli was the predisposing cause in 1% of our patients, and none of them had ulcerative colitis. The clinical features of our patients on presentation were generally similar to those exhibited by Caucasians. An abdominal mass was palpable in about half of patients with colonic lesions, and virtually all rectal cancers could be felt by rectal examination. Almost a quarter of our patients presented with complications. In 2% of our patients the initial diagnosis was acute appendictis. A high resection rate was achieved, but many radical resections turned out to be only palliative. Our operative mortality was 8.3%, although for social reasons, the "in-hospital" mortality was 19.2%. The corrected five-year survival rate was 42.7% when curative resection was attempted.

Leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum: a report of three cases

Three cases of leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum are reported in this paper. The first patient demonstrated the development of a leiomyosarcoma from a leiomyoma, and also posed diagnostic problems as a Pólya gastrectomy had previously been performed. The second patient presented with acute pancreatitis--a hitherto unreported complication of this condition. The third patient showed that even though the primary tumour was unresectable, the patient remained well for more than a year after diagnosis.

Arterial problems seen in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong

Over a 12-month period, 58 patients presented with arterial disease or other arterial problems to the University Surgical Unit, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. These patients accounted for only 0.6% of this Unit's annual admissions. In spite of the reported rarity of atherosclerotic arterial disease in this part of the world, this was the cause of the disease in nearly half of our patients. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was the single most common condition encountered. In at least one-third of patients with atheromatous disease of the aortoiliac segment, chronic peptic ulcers were demonstrated. It is concluded that peripheral arterial disease is rare, but atherosclerosis is the most common cause.

Hyperplasia of similar and dissimilar mucosa adjoining gastric mucosal wounds in the rat

Deep mucosal wounds were produced within 1 mm of the squamo-columnar junction of the stomach of the rat, either on the squamous or on the glandular side, and the response of both the regenerating epithelium and of the adjoining, dissimilar epithelium was studied 24 hours to 12 weeks later. Squamous epithelium, both overlying previously injured squamous areas and adjoining previously injured glandular areas showed distinct hyperplasia that began on the 3rd day and was still present at 12 weeks. Glandular epithelium overlying previously injured glandular areas and adjoining previously injured squamous areas showed no hyperplasia but modulation of parietal and chief cells into mucus-secreting cells with increased mitosis. These changes appear more likely the effects of non-specific mitogenic agents than of reduced concentration of epithelial chalones.

A double trial of amoxycillin in the treatment of gonorrhoea

A double blind comparison of two regimens of amoxycillin plus probenecid in the treatment of uncomplicated anogenital gonorrhoea is reported. Forty-three (86-0%) of 50 patients treated with 1 g amoxycillin plus 1 g probenecid and followed-up for 14 days were regarded as cured, and 51 (94-4%) of 54 patients treated with 3 g amoxycillin plus 1 g probenecid were regarded as cured. Fifty-nine per cent of 69 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were sensitive to amoxycillin (minimum inhibitory concentration less than or equal to 0-05 mg/ml). Although there was no statistical difference between the results of the two regimens it is concluded that the larger dose of amoxycillin plus probenecid is required where only 60% of gonococci are sensitive to amoxycillin.

Benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver: a review of 18 cases

Benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver are a clinical and pathological curiosity except when they cause symptoms or are incorrectly diagnosed as metastases in patients with abdominal malignancy. It is difficult to make a correct diagnosis of benign liver cysts in spite of the armamentarium of modern diagnostic aids available, and on many occasions the diagnosis is made at laparotomy. This is a report of 18 patients with benign cysts of the liver, two of whom suffered complications which we believe have not previously been reported.

The incidence of unsuspected peripheral arterial disease amongst surgical patients in Hong Kong

A survey of surgical in-patients in Hong Kong has shown that subclinical peripheral arterial disease caused by atherosclerosis and detected by palpation is not uncommon and is similar in incidence to that reported in European populations. However, only a small proportion of affected patients had any associated symptoms. Reduced or absent ankle and ulnar pulses occurred with the same frequency in our patients as in those in Europe. Cigarette smoking does not appear to be associated with symptomatic arterial disease in the local population in Hong Kong.

Beta-Lactamase activity in strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Bacteroides oralis

beta-Lactamase from strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus and Bacteroides oralis hydrolyzed penicillin more rapidly than ampicillin or carbenicillin. Cephalothin and a chromogenic cephalosporin (87/312) were also hydrolyzed by the enzyme. Activity was found only in beta-lactam-resistant strains, but there was considerable variation in activity among strains having the same minimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotic. beta-Lactamase activity was cell bound and appeared to be tightly associated with the cell envelope since detergents were required to elute this activity.

Use of rabbit antithymocyte globulin in cardiac transplantation. Relationship of serum clearance rates to clinical outcome

Serum rabbit globulin (RG) clearance rates were determined in 30 consecutive cardiac transplant recipients by radioimmune assay of serum RG levels after completion of an initial postoperative course of rabbit anti-human antithymocyte globulin (RATG). Twenty patients, who exhibited rapid RG elimination rates (average half-life, 1.6 days), had a rejection onset time of 16.2 days rejection frequency of 3.9 episodes/100 patient days, and a 1-year survival rate of 59%, respectively, as compared with 28.3 days, 1.9 episodes/100 patient days, and 80%, respectively, for the 10 patients with more prolonged initial RG elimination rates (average half-life, 11.4 days); Nineteen patients received one or more repeat courses of RATG. In 16 of these a progressive increase in RG half-life during subsequent RATG administration could be demonstrated. A close correlation was observed between total RATG doses given in the initial course and peak serum levels of RG obtained (r = 0.82) and between onset of rejection and initial t1/2 RG (r = 0.69). This latter correlation was improved by the elimination of one of the 30 patients (r = 0.81) or by considering only those patients treated from a single RATG batch (r = 0.85; n = 15). No significant relationship was detected between any of the parameters assayed and (1) total RATG dose, or (2) rosette inhibition titers of RATG administered. Survival and rejection parameters of the first 30 patients receiving RATG were compared with the previous 20 receiving equine antithymocyte globulin; these 50 comprising the entire population in which rejection was confirmed by cardiac biopsy. Rejection onset was 20 versus 12 days, rejection frequency was 3.1 versus 5.0 episodes/100 patient days, and graft survival at 1 year was 66 versus 41% for the RATG-equine antithymocyte globulin-treated patients, respectively. From these data it was concluded that (1) RATG administration favorably affects transplantation outcome; (2) RATG half-life, as reflected by RG clearance rates, was the most important variable governing RATG effectiveness, (3) variation in rosette inhibition titers within RATG batches made in the same fashion from large rabbit pools were of minimal clinical importance; and (4) monitoring of serum RG levels provided a necessary and rational basis for effective modulation of immunosuppressive therapy.

Complications of intravenous therapy

A survey of 130 patients receiving intravenous therapy was undertaken. There were no instances of speticaemia over this period, despite a positive bacterial culture rate for cannulae of 48%. The incidence of phlebitis was 31%, and was associated with usual physicochemical factors. These included a cannulation time of greater than two days, an intravenous potassium supplement and antibiotics. Normal saline solutions given alone were associated with a lower incidence of phlebitis and continuous intravenous heparin administration may prolong the period of cannulation before phlebitis occurs. The institution of intravenous therapy teams should help to minimize the complications.

Liver scanning in patients with suspected metastatic malignant disease

Liver scans of 72 patients with suspected malignant disease were evaluated to determine the accuracy of the investigation in detecting disease, including metastases and also its use to the referring surgeon. A comparison between the liver scan result and clinical and biochemical findings was also made. The liver scan had an overall accuracy of 83% in diagnosing metastases, compared with 64% for the serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) level and was more useful clinically than the SAP level. Careful classification of the liver scan patterns allowed more consistent interpretation and improved the specificity of the diagnostic information obtained. Clinical assessment of liver and spleen size by abdominal palpation was unreliable and occasionally misleading.

Chronic gastric ulcer in the rat produced by wounding at the fundo-antral junction

Standardized 8-mm mucosal wounds were made in the rat stomach at the rumeno-fundic junction, fundus, fundo-antral junction, and antrum, and examined at intervals up to 8 months. All wounds at the rumeno-fundic junction and fundus were healed within 4 weeks and at the antrum within 12 weeks. The majority of wounds at the fundo-antral junction remained chronic and at 8 months 41 of 50 rats still had ulcers 2 mm or greater in diameter. These findings suggest that the fundo-antral junction is an area which is susceptible to the development of chronic ulcers. This is a simple and reliable method of producing chronic gastric ulcers and does not alter the continuity or disturb the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Treatement of excessive weight gain in patients taking lithium

Six female primary affective disorder patients who had gained an average of 9.5 kg while taking lithium lost an average of 2.9 kg on a 10-day 900 calorie a day hospital diet containing 100 mEq of sodium per day. No evidence of lithium toxicity was observed on this regimen. There was no evidence that fluid retention played a major role in the weight gain.

Professional drivers: protection needed for a high-risk occupation

"On the job" motor vehicle deaths number more than 4,000 annually in the U.S. and comprise nearly one-third of all work-related deaths. Yet the Department of Labor has set no standards relating to on-the-road safety of the millions of workers whose jobs entail large amounts of driving, and Department of Transportation standards affecting occupational safety cover only drivers in interstate commerce. Drivers of some commercial vehicles, such as heavy trucks, are at special risk of injury because trucks have usually been exempted for many years from federal motor vehicle safety standards--such as standards for brakes and seatbelts--designed to prevent crashes or protect occupants in crashes. Observations based on a series of 150 fatal crashes involving tractor trailers illustrate the need for better protection of this large population of high-risk workers. Clarification of responsibility within the various federal agencies and application of available knowledge and technology are essential.