Demographics, Medical Comorbidities, and Functional Factors Associated with Radiation Therapy Regimen Length in Older Patients

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To determine demographic, comorbidity, and functional factors associated with radiation therapy (RT) regimen length in older patients.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Using data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), we identified patients who were diagnosed with cancer from 2002-2019 and received RT. The MCBS dataset is comprised of linked patient survey and Medicare claims data. Days of RT were used as a proxy for fractions of RT each patient received. We used treatment guidelines to identify a minimum treatment threshold for each cancer type to differentiate patients with low RT utilization from normal or supra-palliative RT utilization. Statistical analyses of patient demographics, comorbidities, and activities of daily living (ADL) were performed using chi-square and t-tests.

RESULTS

A total of 880 patients were included in this analysis, of whom 669 had high RT utilization. Of the demographic factors considered, age 85+ was associated with longer RT regimen length (p = 0.045), as was being "other" or multi-race, community, or facility treatment setting, and residing in the south (p = 0.013, 0.006, 0.003, 0.038, respectively). Of medical comorbidities, only lung disease was associated with longer RT regime (p = 0.020). Longer RT regimen length was significantly associated with requiring assistance with any ADLs (bathing, dressing, eating, chair, walking, toileting, all with p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

This abstract identifies specific patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and ADL limitations which may be associated with RT regimen length in older patients. Future work should focus on optimizing patients and delivery systems for RT and the relationship between pre- and post-treatment ADLs.

Refinement of an ovine-based immunoglobulin therapy against SARS-CoV-2, with comparison of whole IgG versus F(ab')2 fragments

The development of new therapies against SARS-CoV-2 is required to extend the toolkit of intervention strategies to combat the global pandemic. In this study, hyperimmune plasma from sheep immunised with whole spike SARS-CoV-2 recombinant protein has been used to generate candidate products. In addition to purified IgG, we have refined candidate therapies by removing non-specific IgG via affinity binding along with fragmentation to eliminate the Fc region to create F(ab')2 fragments. These preparations were evaluated for in vitro activity and demonstrated to be strongly neutralising against a range of SARS-CoV-2 strains, including Omicron B2.2. In addition, their protection against disease manifestations and viral loads were assessed using a hamster SARS-CoV-2 infection model. Results demonstrated protective effects of both IgG and F(ab')2, with the latter requiring sequential dosing to maintain in vivo activity due to rapid clearance from the circulation.

Stress inoculation: a pilot study tracking the effect of regular simulation on pre-session anxiety amongst novice anaesthetists

Effective simulation-based-education (SBE) relies on the use of psychological safety to encourage participants to adopt learning-orientated behaviours [1]. Excessive levels of anxiety or stress can present a challenge for establishing this psychologically safe container [2]. The idea of stress inoculation describes graded exposure to potentially anxiety inducing stimuli with the aim of enhancing performance by encouraging a state of ‘flow’ versus ‘freeze’ [3]. Potentially this could also improve the efficacy of SBE by reducing anxiety and improving psychological safety. We aimed to create a new SBE programme for novice anaesthetists in their first 3 months before starting on-call work. This was designed to create stress inoculation with frequent and regular SBE sessions, and we aimed to assess the impact of this change on pre-session anxiety levels.

This new SBE programme was delivered to the 5 novice anaesthetists at our institution over a 12-week period from February to May 2022 and consisted of weekly 30-minute SBE sessions. These were designed to fit with clinical commitments and minimise disruption to training in theatres, whilst following the ASPiH Standards Framework. Alongside weekly post-session evaluation (7-point Likert and free text), learners were asked to retrospectively rate their perceived pre-session anxiety levels from 1–10.

Overall feedback from the new programme has been consistently positive, particularly mentioning the benefits of a safe space for discussion, the open and supportive environment, and the benefits of learning from others’ experiences. One learner specifically credited the frequent nature of the sessions with an improvement in their confidence. Self-reported anxiety levels fell across subsequent early sessions (median anxiety score: week 1=4/10, week 3=2/10). Anxiety scores then peaked again at week 8 (median=5/10) before falling again. There was also significant inter-learner variability with one learner recording persistently higher anxiety scores.

This new format with regular short sessions appears to be very popular with excellent feedback. There is a reduction in self-reported pre-session anxiety with repeated frequent sessions. However, this is variable between individuals and across the placement, with an increase towards the end potentially reflecting anxiety about starting on the anaesthetic on-call rota. This demonstrates the importance of adapting SBE to both individual learners and the timing of a specific session within a wider SBE programme. Potentially routine evaluation of learner anxiety could allow a more tailored approach and further optimise individual learning.

1. Kolbe M, Eppich W, Rudolph J, Meguerdichian M, Catena H, Cripps A, Grant V, Cheng A. Managing psychological safety in debriefings: a dynamic balancing act. BMJ Simulation & Technology Enhanced Learning. 2020;6(3):164–171

2. Al-Ghareeb A, Cooper S, McKenna L. Anxiety and Clinical Performance in Simulated Setting in Undergraduate Health Professionals Education: An Integrative Review. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 2017;13(10):478–491

3. LeBlanc, V, Posner, G. Emotions in simulation-based education: friends or foes of learning?. Advances in Simulation. 2022;7(3)

Bridging the realism gap: using ‘low-fidelity’ simulation for high quality training

The Royal College of Anaesthetists recommends use of simulation-based-education (SBE) during the initial 12-week novice placement for new anaesthetic trainees [1]. For many UK anaesthetic departments, the complexity and cost of patient simulators [2] may reduce opportunities for SBE during novice training. However, avoiding the physical fidelity trap [3] and utilising both conceptual and psychological fidelity to good effect might mitigate this issue. As novice trainees are already familiar with the theatre environment from day-to-day clinical practice, the learning outcomes from SBE generally cover rarer emergencies which can still be covered during SBE outside of the theatre environment. We aimed to assess the feasibility of running weekly low physical fidelity SBE across the entire 12-week novice period instead of the smaller number of ad-hoc sessions delivered previously.

Our new SBE programme consisted of 30-minute sessions held in the anaesthetic department conference room to minimise impact on stretched theatre capacity and educator availability. To further maximise efficiency, we created a portable simulation set-up using a basic resuscitation manikin on a patient trolley, a disused anaesthetic machine, and a tablet device with a simulated monitor application. This could all be set-up and stored away in under 5 minutes. Our focus on conceptual and psychological fidelity led to the creation of a new scenario bank which identified common issues encountered by new anaesthetic trainees, rather than emergencies rarely encountered by even an experienced anaesthetist. Scenarios needed to be highly plausible and solvable by the novice trainee. Learners were then asked to complete a feedback survey after each session.

Feedback from this new simulation programme was very positive and comparable to previous feedback. Across all sessions (n=12) and trainees (n=5), the median Likert scores for perceived relevance, realism, and appropriate challenge were 6/7, 5/7, and 6/7 respectively. All trainees across all sessions indicated they found it useful, enjoyable, and would attend again. In particular, free text responses praised the ability to focus on a single simulated issue without the cognitive overload of the wider theatre environment experienced by new trainees, and the psychological safety benefits of simulation and debriefing in a more relaxed non-theatre setting.

This appears to be a feasible and well accepted alternative to our traditional approach, with additional benefits for trainees and reduced impact on service delivery. We now intend to explore use of this approach to deliver increased SBE to the wider anaesthetic and multidisciplinary team.

1. Royal College of Anaesthetists. Simulation Strategy 2018–2023. London: RCoA 2018

2. Fletcher J, Wind A. Cost Considerations in Using Simulations for Medical Training. Military Medicine. 2013;178(10S):37–46.

3. Helyer R, Dickens P. Progress in the utilization of high-fidelity simulation in basic science education. Advances in Physiology Education. 2016;40(2):143–144.

Experimental verification of principal losses in a regulatory particulate matter emissions sampling system for aircraft turbine engines

A sampling system for measuring emissions of nonvolatile particulate matter (nvPM) from aircraft gas turbine engines has been developed to replace the use of smoke number and is used for international regulatory purposes. This sampling system can be up to 35 m in length. The sampling system length in addition to the volatile particle remover (VPR) and other sampling system components lead to substantial particle losses, which are a function of the particle size distribution, ranging from 50 to 90% for particle number concentrations and 10-50% for particle mass concentrations. The particle size distribution is dependent on engine technology, operating point, and fuel composition. Any nvPM emissions measurement bias caused by the sampling system will lead to unrepresentative emissions measurements which limit the method as a universal metric. Hence, a method to estimate size dependent sampling system losses using the system parameters and the measured mass and number concentrations was also developed (SAE 2017; SAE 2019). An assessment of the particle losses in two principal components used in ARP6481 (SAE 2019) was conducted during the VAriable Response In Aircraft nvPM Testing (VARIAnT) 2 campaign. Measurements were made on the 25-meter sample line portion of the system using multiple, well characterized particle sizing instruments to obtain the penetration efficiencies. An agreement of ± 15% was obtained between the measured and the ARP6481 method penetrations for the 25-meter sample line portion of the system. Measurements of VPR penetration efficiency were also made to verify its performance for aviation nvPM number. The research also demonstrated the difficulty of making system loss measurements and substantiates the E-31 decision to predict rather than measure system losses.

The internal dosimetry user group position statement on molecular radiotherapy

The Internal Dosimetry User Group (IDUG) is an independent, non-profit group of medical professionals dedicated to the promotion of dosimetry in molecular radiotherapy (www.IDUG.org.uk). The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017, IR(ME)R, stipulate a requirement for optimisation and verification of molecular radiotherapy treatments, ensuring doses to non-target organs are as low as reasonably practicable. For many molecular radiotherapy treatments currently undertaken within the UK, this requirement is not being fully met. The growth of this field is such that we risk digressing further from IR(ME)R compliance potentially delivering suboptimal therapies that are not in the best interest of our patients. For this purpose, IDUG proposes ten points of action to aid in the successful implementation of this legislation. We urge stakeholders to support these proposals and ensure national provision is sufficient to meet the criteria necessary for compliance, and for the future advancement of molecular radiotherapy within the UK.

Access to community support workers during hospital admission for people with spinal cord injury: a pilot study

STUDY DESIGN

A descriptive qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate a pilot project enabling people with spinal cord injury (SCI) to have their support workers accompany them into a non-SCI specialist/public hospital (excluding ICU) to perform selected care.

SETTING

The study was conducted in New Zealand.

METHODS

Interviews and focus groups with people with SCI, support workers, care agency staff, and hospital staff who participated in the pilot project.

RESULTS

Twenty-five individuals participated in the study. Two themes captured participants' experiences of the pilot: 'Maintaining individualised care' and 'Role, tasks and responsibilities. Support workers were described as knowledgeable about SCI care needs and being better positioned to provide individualised care for people with SCI than general nursing staff. Participants with SCI felt less anxious having a support worker with them, and perceived less risk of acquiring secondary health complications during the hospital admission. Good communications is important to ensure there is a shared understanding of the role and responsibilities of having an unregistered support worker in the hospital environment.

CONCLUSIONS

Having their regular support worker during admission to public hospital improved the SCI-specific care received. Support workers reduced the demand on hospital nursing staff who did not always have the time or specialist SCI knowledge to provide individualised care. People with SCI may be more likely to access medical assistance earlier and not defer hospital admissions if they can have support workers accompany them into hospital.

Clinical trials in molecular radiotherapy-Tribulations and Triumphs Report of the NCRI CTRad meeting held at the Lift Islington, 8 June 2018

It has been almost a decade since the commentary Molecular radiotherapy - the radionuclide raffle? by Gaze and Flux (2010) . The overarching feeling then was that no individual or organisation has taken up the challenge, nationally or internationally, of championing molecular targeted radionuclide therapy in all its aspects. Here, we report on the recent NCRI-CTRad (Clinical Trials in Molecular Radiotherapy-Tribulations and Triumphs) meeting, held in London on the 8 June 2018. The meeting was organized by the NCRI-CTRad to review the challenges and opportunities for clinical trials in molecular radiotherapy, particularly focussing on investigator-led trials that incorporate imaging and dosimetry, and to discuss how the community can move forward. This meeting was organised in conjunction with the British Nuclear Medicine Society and reflects the progress of Nuclear Medicine in the UK.

Logistic regression model to predict acute uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

While patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis may be treated conservatively, those who suffer from complicated appendicitis require surgery. We describe a logistic regression equation to calculate the likelihood of acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis in patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected acute appendicitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort of 895 patients who underwent appendicectomy were analysed retrospectively. Depending on the final histology, patients were divided into three groups; normal appendix, acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis. Normal appendix was considered the reference category, while acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis were the nominal categories. Multivariate and univariate regression models were undertaken to detect independent variables with significant odds ratio that can predict acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis. Subsequently, a logistic regression equation was generated to produce the likelihood acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis.

RESULTS

Pathological diagnosis of normal appendix, acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis was identified in 188 (21%), 525 (59%) and 182 patients (20%), respectively. The odds ratio from a univariate analysis to predict complicated appendicitis for age, female gender, log2 white cell count, log2 C-reactive protein and log2 bilirubin were 1.02 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.01, 1.04), 2.37 (95% CI 1.51, 3.70), 9.74 (95% CI 5.41, 17.5), 1.57 (95% CI 1.40, 1.74), 2.08 (95% CI 1.56, 2.76), respectively. For the same variable, similar odds ratios were demonstrated in a multivariate analysis to predict complicated appendicitis and univariate and multivariate analysis to predict acute uncomplicated appendicitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The likelihood of acute uncomplicated appendicitis and complicated appendicitis can be calculated by using the reported predictive equations integrated into a web application at www.appendistat.com. This will enable clinicians to determine the probability of appendicitis and the need for urgent surgery in case of complicated appendicitis.

Non-technical skills required to recognise and escalate patient deterioration in acute hospital settings

Recognising patient deterioration is a vital nursing role. Observation based on vital signs and early warning scores are mandatory for all adult patients in acute hospital care and are the first steps in identifying deterioration. However, they rely on users' understanding of the significance of the results they find and their ability to escalate to senior colleagues if necessary. This article examines the non-technical skills nurses require to recognise and escalate patient deterioration. Itexplores and analyses the literature on this topic and suggests there is a need for greater focus on situational awareness in nurse training and in healthcare in general, as this is linked to improved patient safety.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for aggressive atypical pituitary adenoma/carcinoma: variable clinical response in preliminary evaluation

PURPOSE

There are limited treatment options for progressive atypical pituitary adenomas and carcinomas. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy that targets somatostatin receptors has recently been proposed as a potential treatment option. The theoretical rationale for efficacy is elegant but evaluation of outcomes in the first patients treated for this indication is required to assess whether further study is warranted.

METHODS

We performed a case review of the three pituitary patients we have treated with (177)Lutetium DOTATATE in our institution (two atypical adenomas, one carcinoma) and dosimetric analysis of the radiation uptake in one patient.

RESULTS

Treatment was well tolerated. One patient with slowly progressive pituitary carcinoma has stable disease 40 months after completing the planned 4 cycles of treatment. Two patients with rapidly progressive atypical adenomas terminated treatment early due to continued disease progression. Dosimetric evaluation revealed inhomogenous uptake across the tumour (1.3-11.9 Gy with one cycle).

CONCLUSION

We have found mixed results in our first 3 patients with stable disease achieved only in the patient with the more slowly progressive tumour. As only a limited number of centres offer Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, a formal study with prospective data collection may be feasible and if carried out should include dosimetric evaluation of absorbed dose.

Cardiac arrest equipment to support circulation

Cardiac arrest trolleys must be equipped with all the instruments and medication needed to deal with an acute adult cardiac arrest. Nurses must not only be familiar with these contents but also know how to use, check and maintain them. This first part of this two-part series looked at equipment to aid airway and breathing; this second part focuses on circulation. Note that drug doses mentioned here relate to the adult patient and will be different for children.

Cardiac arrest equipment to support airway

Each hospital should have standardised cardiac arrest trolleys equipped with all the instruments and medication needed to deal with an acute adult cardiac arrest. Nurses must know the contents of these trolleys and how to use them to fulfil their common role as first responder. This first article in a two-part series looks at equipment to aid airway management and breathing; part two will focus on circulation.

A novel bifunctional histone protein in Streptomyces: a candidate for structural coupling between DNA conformation and transcription during development and stress?

Antibiotic-producing Streptomyces are complex bacteria that remodel global transcription patterns and their nucleoids during development. Here, we describe a novel developmentally regulated nucleoid-associated protein, DdbA, of the genus that consists of an N-terminal DNA-binding histone H1-like domain and a C-terminal DksA-like domain that can potentially modulate RNA polymerase activity in conjunction with ppGpp. Owing to its N-terminal domain, the protein can efficiently bind and condense DNA in vitro. Loss of function of this DNA-binding protein results in changes in both DNA condensation during development and the ability to adjust DNA supercoiling in response to osmotic stress. Initial analysis of the DksA-like activity of DdbA indicates that overexpression of the protein suppresses a conditional deficiency in antibiotic production of relA mutants that are unable to synthesise ppGpp, just as DksA overexpression in Escherichia coli can suppress ppGpp(0) phenotypes. The null mutant is also sensitive to oxidative stress owing to impaired upregulation of transcription of sigR, encoding an alternative sigma factor. Consequently, we propose this bifunctional histone-like protein as a candidate that could structurally couple changes in DNA conformation and transcription during the streptomycete life-cycle and in response to stress.

Continuous lateral rotation therapy - a review

AIMS

This article reviews the current evidence, benefits and drawbacks for the use of continuous lateral replacement therapy in the treatment and prevention of nosocomial infections in the ventilated patient.

RELEVANT TO PRACTICE

The acquisition of nosocomial infections and the development of pressure sores continue to be major issues in the care of the critically ill, ventilated patient. The use of continuous lateral rotation therapy (CLRT) as an adjunct in the prevention and treatment of pneumonia has increased in popularity in recent years. A number of institutions routinely advocate the use of CLRT in critically ill patients.

CONCLUSION

While there is some data to suggest that CLRT may have an impact on prevention of and treatment for nosocomial infections acquired by ventilated patients, there still remains insufficient evidence to its inclusion as a fully validated treatment. Clearly, there is a requirement for more robust, in-depth research into the efficacy of this proposed treatment.

177Lu-DOTATATE molecular radiotherapy for childhood neuroblastoma

This study tested the principle that (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT may be used to select children with primary refractory or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma for treatment with (177)Lu-DOTATATE and evaluated whether this is a viable therapeutic option for those children.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2010, 8 children with relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma were studied with (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. The criterion of eligibility for (177)Lu-DOTATATE therapy was uptake on the diagnostic scan equal to or higher than that of the liver.

RESULTS

Of the 8 children imaged, 6 had abnormally high uptake on the (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scan and proceeded to treatment. Patients received 2 or 3 administrations of (177)Lu-DOTATATE at a median interval of 9 wk and a median administered activity of 7.3 GBq. Of the 6 children treated, 5 had stable disease by the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST). Of these 5 children, 2 had an initial metabolic response and reduction in the size of their lesions, and 1 patient had a persistent partial metabolic response and reduction in size of the lesions on CT, although the disease was stable by RECIST. One had progressive disease. Three children had grade 3 and 1 child had grade 4 thrombocytopenia. No significant renal toxicity has been seen.

CONCLUSION

(68)Ga-DOTATATE can be used to image children with neuroblastoma and identify those suitable for molecular radiotherapy with (177)Lu-DOTATATE. We have shown, for what is to our knowledge the first time, that treatment with (177)Lu-DOTATATE is safe and feasible in children with relapsed or primary refractory high-risk neuroblastoma. We plan to evaluate this approach formally in a phase I-II clinical trial.

18F-FDG PET/CT and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging in high-risk neuroblastoma: diagnostic comparison and survival analysis

The aim of our study was to evaluate prospectively the diagnostic performance and prognostic significance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in comparison with (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) imaging in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with refractory or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma (16 male and 12 female patients; age range, 2-45 y; median age, 7.5 y) were simultaneously evaluated with (18)F-FDG PET/CT and (123)I-MIBG imaging before treatment with high-dose (131)I-MIBG. We compared the 2 methods in mapping tumor load, according to the extent of disease and intensity of positive lesions identified in each patient. Separate comparisons were performed for the soft-tissue and bone-bone marrow components of tumor burden. Survival analysis was performed to assess the prognostic significance of (18)F-FDG and (123)I-MIBG imaging parameters.

RESULTS

(18)F-FDG PET/CT results were positive in 24 of 28 (86%) patients, whereas (123)I-MIBG imaging results were positive in all patients. (18)F-FDG was superior in mapping tumor load in 4 of 28 (14%) patients, whereas (123)I-MIBG was better in 12 of 28 (43%) patients. In the remaining 12 (43%) patients, no major differences were noted between the 2 modalities. (18)F-FDG PET/CT missed 5 cases of bone-bone marrow disease, 4 cases of soft-tissue disease, and 6 cases of skull involvement that were positive on (123)I-MIBG scans. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the group of patients (4/28) in whom (18)F-FDG was superior to (123)I-MIBG had a significantly lower survival rate than the others. Tumoral avidity for (18)F-FDG (maximum standardized uptake value) and extent of (18)F-FDG-avid bone-bone marrow disease were identified as adverse prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

(123)I-MIBG imaging is superior to (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of disease extent in high-risk neuroblastoma. However, (18)F-FDG PET/CT has significant prognostic implications in these patients.

Establishing terminal status in end-of-life discussions

The communicative purpose of an end-of-life discussion is to change the goals of treatment for a terminal patient from therapeutic to comfort care. In this study, the authors present a comparative discourse analysis of end-of-life discussions that reached a consensus to change the goals of treatment and discussions that did not. They found that the presentation of medical information was subtly different across these discussions: Decision-making discussions were based on a consistent accumulation of negative evidence, whereas non-decision-making discussions were inconsistent in this respect, including mention of positive rather than negative outcomes of medical problems, discussion of possible treatment options, and mitigating summary statements. The authors note that end-of-life discussions with these specific features do not progress to a decision to change the goals of treatment to comfort care.

Structure and variation in end-of-life discussions in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

The research reported here is an exploratory discourse analysis of a corpus of six end-of-life discussions in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), describing the structure and variations of the four phases of an end-of-life discussion in terms of the function of each of these phases: the Opening (Phase 1), Description of Current Status (Phase 2), Holistic Decision Making (Phase 3), and Logistics of Dying (Phase 4). Of particular interest is Phase 2, in which the presentation of medical information culminates in an inferential summary statement that functions to establish the patient's status as terminal. We argue that it is Phase 2 that is crucial in the functional progression of an end-of-life discussion toward a decision to move from therapeutic to palliative care, since it is in Phase 2 that physicians and families interactionally achieve a consensus that allows a decision to withdraw or withhold further treatment, including life support, which would be futile and only prolong the patient's suffering. We show how two of the end-of-life discussions in the corpus that did not establish the terminal status of the patient in Phase 2 did not move to decision making in Phase 3.

Arterial reconstruction for radial artery occlusion

This study was designed to detail the history and symptoms of symptomatic radial artery vaso-occlusive disease and to evaluate the results of radial artery reconstruction. Thirteen patients with symptomatic vaso-occlusive disease of the radial artery unresponsive to management by nonoperative modalities were managed with arterial reconstruction. All cases were treated with reversed interpositional vein grafting from the radial artery in the forearm (end-to-side) to the deep arch distally (end-to-end). Patients completed preoperative and postoperative assessments of symptoms and function, cold sensitivity (cold intolerance), and digital microvascular perfusion (isolated cold stress test evaluation with laser Doppler fluxmetry). At the follow-up examination all vascular grafts were patent, as determined by Allen's testing and Doppler ultrasound. The patients reported symptoms and functional status that demonstrated significant improvement following reconstruction. Microvascular evaluations demonstrated a significant improvement in digital microvascular perfusion as assessed by laser Doppler fluxmetry and digital temperature recordings with a resultant resolution of ischemic pain, numbness, and ulceration.

Arterial reconstruction in the ischemic hand and wrist: effects on microvascular physiology and health-related quality of life

Patients were evaluated before and after arterial reconstruction surgery (1) to define the physiology of the digital microcirculation in chronic subcritical ischemia, (2) to demonstrate the short-term effects of successful arterial reconstruction on microvascular flow, and (3) to document the effects of surgery on symptoms, function, and health-related quality of life. Arterial insufficiency was the result of a proximal reconstructible occlusive lesion, 1 or more distal unreconstructible occlusions, and secondary reactive vasospasm. Microvascular physiology was evaluated by monitoring digital temperatures, microvascular perfusion (laser Doppler fluxmetry) and perfusion patterns (laser Doppler perfusion patterns (laser Doppler perfusion imaging). Following successful vascular reconstruction, digital temperatures and microvascular perfusion improved significantly, approaching control levels. Although cold sensitivity was unchanged, symptoms decreased and upper extremity function and health-related quality of life improved after successful proximal reconstruction in patients with 2-level arterial occlusion.

Talking about feelings: young children's ability to express emotions

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to establish which emotion-descriptive language is used by children at different ages.

METHOD

Fifty-six children (aged 5 to 11 years) were presented with a set of plastic playpeople. Scenarios were enacted using the toys to elicit emotion descriptive vocabulary in response to the interviewer's question: How do you think s/he feels about that? Eight adult subjects participated as a control.

RESULTS

Children under the age of 8 years have a limited repertoire of labels to describe emotions. Even 11-year-olds are unable to produce vocabulary which expresses emotion concepts described by adults. The implications of our findings for child-police interviews are discussed.

Unlimited liability? Emotional labour in nursing and social work

At the heart of the 'new nursing' is an emphasis on developing a close, holistic relationship between nurse and patient. Through this not only will healing be facilitated, and patients be encouraged to take responsibility for their own health, but the nurse will be placed firmly at the centre of the network of health professionals. Individual practitioners and the profession as a whole will achieve a clearer and more satisfying mission. This casting of the nurse as pivotal enabler parallels attempts to systematize social work theory and practice in the 1970s, and many common intellectual sources on relationship-building are used. But what are the supposed characteristics of the 'good relationship'? The paper argues that, while the new nursing endeavours to emphasize the social context of patients, health and illness, much of the psychotherapeutic literature called in support is essentialist: the social world is treated as a hindrance to the goal of 'authenticity'. Thus acquired professional knowledge and skills are devalued. Added to the potential of this for personal stress are risks for the profession itself. In circumstances of permanent financial pressure, foregrounding hard-to-measure criteria of success, like the quality of relationships, is very hazardous.

The bifunctional enzyme formiminotransferase-cyclodeaminase is a tetramer of dimers

Formiminotransferase-cyclodeaminase, an octameric protein of identical, bifunctional polypeptides of Mr = 62,000, yields a transferase-active fragment of Mr = 80,000 upon proteolysis with chymotrypsin in the presence of the inhibitor folic acid. The purified fragment contains one size of polypeptide, Mr = 39,000, on dodecyl sulfate gels. Cross-linking with the bifunctional reagent dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate) confirmed the dimeric structure of the purified fragment. Reaction of the native octamer with the very short bifunctional reagent difluorodinitrobenzene yields dimer and tetramer in excess of trimer, thereby indicating two types of subunit interaction in the protein. The isolation of a dimeric fragment after proteolysis and the results of cross-linking support a tetramer of dimers structure for the native enzyme. The purified transferase fragment has approximately 68% of the activity of the native enzyme, but has lost specificity for the naturally occurring polyglutamate derivatives of tetrahydrofolate. This is illustrated by an increase in Km for tetrahydropteroylpentaglutamate from 3.4 microM with the native transferase to 89 microM with the fragment transferase. It is suggested that the bifunctional enzyme may have only one polyglutamate binding site/pair of transferase-deaminase sites.