Herniography in the investigation of groin pain in adults

Herniography is a useful investigation in adults with unexplained groin pain in whom there is no clinical evidence of a hernia, thus ensuring appropriate surgery. The technique is described, normal anatomy and different types of hernias illustrated.     

Diagnosis and rehabilitation strategies for patients with hysterical hemiparesis: a report of four cases

BACKGROUND: Sulphidoleukotrienes (slt) are important mediators in allergic diseases that are synthesized after allergen-specific stimulation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine in vitro slt production after allergen-specific (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) stimulus of peripheral blood leucocytes and to observe whether histamine release in whole blood with the same allergen correlates with slt production. We also wanted to evaluate whether a correlation exists between the release of slt and histamine and other diagnostic procedures as well as various clinical situations. METHODS: We studied 62 patients sensitive to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p), 30 atopic controls and 12 healthy donors. We determined slt production using the CAST-ELISA technique and histamine release using two concentrations of Der p extract (20 and 2 ng/mL). We also carried out quantification of specific and total IgE levels, skin tests and pulmonary function test on each patient. RESULTS: We observed a significantly increased slt release after in vitro stimulation with Der p. There was a significant difference in the slt release between controls and sensitive patients (P < 0.001) and between atopic controls and sensitive patients (P < 0.001). The data are similar to those obtained with histamine release. We noted a positive correlation (P < 0.001) between slt and histamine release (r = 0.71, at 2 ng/mL and r = 0.83 at 20 ng/mL). We also found a positive (P<0.001), although weak (r=0.4 with at 2ng/mL, and r = 0.34 with P = 0.003 at 20 ng/mL) correlation between slt release and specific IgE levels as well as between slt release and skin-test reactivity (r = 0.49 at 2 ng/mL and r = 0.45 at 20 ng/mL; P < 0.001). No significant correlation between slt release and asthma severity was observed, although a trend toward higher slt production in severe and moderate asthma was detected. We found a significant (P<0.001) but weak (r=-0.3) negative correlation between age and slt release. With respect to sex-related differences, we found significant differences (P < 0.05) in slt release between the sexes with a higher slt release in men than in women. CONCLUSION: We conclude that CAST-ELISA for quantification of slt production is a useful in vitro method for diagnosing sensitization to Der p. There also exists a close correlation between slt release and other parameters of allergic sensitization in vitro as well as in vivo.     

Radical radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx: patterns of recurrence, treatment and survival

The present study investigates 1085 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck for factors that influence recurrence following treatment with definitive radiotherapy. In the second part of this study, those diagnosed with recurrence were studied with regard to treatment and were further analysed with regard to identification of prognostic factors which may affect outcome in the patient who actually develops a recurrence.     

Completeness of reporting of diagnosed HIV-infected hospital inpatients

To assess the completeness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reporting among hospital inpatients whose records listed diagnostic codes for HIV infection but who did not meet the 1987 AIDS case definition, we conducted a statewide hospital study of admissions between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1990. Of the 396 HIV-infected hospital inpatients identified, 313 (79%) had been reported to the State HIV Registry. HIV reporting was less complete for patients who were older and/or were blood product recipients. Of the 313 reported patients, 189 (60%) had been reported prior to their first hospital admission. Temporal improvements were noted in the completeness of HIV reporting among the hospital patients (1986: 65%; 1987: 81%; 1988: 64%; 1989: 82%; 1990: 86%; Chi square for linear trend 9.6, p < 0.01) and prior to their first hospital admission (1986: 31%; 1987: 34%; 1988: 49%; 1989: 64%; 1990: 72%; Chi square for linear trend 26.6; p < 0.01). Women were more likely than men to be reported prior rather than during or after their first hospital admission (71% vs. 55%; p < 0.01). Of the 155 patients with CD4+ T-lymphocyte test results, 41 had CD4+ counts < 200 mm3 and met the 1993 but not the 1987 AIDS case definition. In South Carolina most (79%) diagnosed, hospitalized, HIV-infected patients had been reported to the State HIV REgistry, with improvements in reporting occurring over time. Findings suggest that the 1993 AIDS case definition will improve our ability to monitor severe morbidity related to HIV.     

Effects of cold stress on survival and reproduction of Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae)

1. Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) increases the stability of the oxazolidine prodrug toward hydrolysis. 2. The binding constant (Kb) and rate constant (Kc) for the hydrolysis of the prodrug-HP-beta-CD complex were calculated from the kinetic data. 3. Ion-spray mass spectra confirmed prodrug-HP-beta-CD complexation. 4. Mass spectral and kinetic data indicated 1:1 stoichiometry for the complex. 5. A significant elevation of locomotor activity in rats was observed when either (-)-ephedrine or the prodrug was administered by either the intraperitoneal or the oral route. 6. Addition of HP-beta-CD potentiated the central nervous system effect of both (-)-ephedrine and the prodrug when administered intraperitoneally. However, when the drugs were administered orally, HP-beta-CD caused a decrease in activity.     

Articular cartilage volume in the knee: semiautomated determination from three-dimensional reformations of MR images

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of semiautomated quantification of articular cartilage volume from three-dimensional (3D) reformations of magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sagittal, fat-suppressed, 3D, spoiled gradient-recalled-echo MR imaging of two bovine and two human cadaver knees was performed. Articular cartilage volume was calculated from 3D reformations of the MR images by using a semiautomated program written at the authors' institution. Calculated volumes were compared with directly measured volumes of the surgically removed articular cartilage. RESULTS: The percentage of error of the MR imaging-determined volumes was 6.53% +/- 4.75 (mean +/- standard deviation). A strong correlation between the two sets of observations was shown (r=.997). Linear regression showed the calculated volumes to be highly accurate (slope=1.002, P>.25). Repeated reformations yielded volumes that were reproducible (mean absolute error, 0.013 mL +/- 0.019) and not significantly different from the measured volume (P>.10). CONCLUSION: Semiautomated quantification of knee articular cartilage from MR images yields highly accurate cartilage volumes.     

2DEG base hot electron transistors fabricated using MBE and in situion beam lithography

A vertical hot electron transistor incorporating a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) base has been fabricated in the GaAs-AlGaAs materials system. The difficulties caused by the need to form selective ohmic contacts to the different conducting layers have been overcome using a combination of in situ focused ion beam (FIB) isolation and molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) regrowth. This has allowed a high yield of working devices to be achieved with a typical common emitter current gain of h_FE=6 at low temperatures