New technique for lesser saphenous vein harvesting

A new technique using the Thompson self-retaining retractor system (Thompson Surgical Instruments, Inc, Traverse City, MI) to harvest lesser saphenous veins is presented. This modification, used in 10 patients undergoing redo myocardial revascularization, provided a rapid, comfortable, and convenient method for harvesting lesser saphenous veins.     

Initial studies on the penetration of spirohydantoin mustard into the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs

The possible correlations between unipolar endocardial electrogram amplitudes and voltage threshold stimulation were tested with electrodes having metallic tips of two different areas. The threshold measurements were always studied with the same pulse characteristics. The data were analyzed through five mathematical functions (linear, exponential, potential, hyperbola and translate hyperbola). The results show a significant correlation, mainly by hyperbolic and exponential functions. Consequently, we could deduce a parameter value since we already knew the other one. This was possible not only during the first implantation, but also later on.     

Thermal expansion and swelling of cured epoxy resin used in graphite/epoxy composite materials

This paper presents results of experiments in which the thermal expansion and swelling behaviour of an epoxy resin system and two graphite/epoxy composite systems exposed to water were measured. It was found that the cured epoxy resin swells by an amount slightly less than the volume of the absorbed water and that the swelling efficiency of the water varies with the moisture content of the polymer. Additionally, the thermal expansion of cured epoxy resin that is saturated with water is observed to be more than twice that of dry resin. Results also indicate that cured resin that is saturated with 7.1% water at 95° C will rapidly increase in moisture content to 8.5% when placed in 1° C water. The mechanism for this phenomenon, termed reverse thermal effect, is described in terms of a slightly modified free-volume theory in conjunction with the theory of polar molecule interaction. Nearly identical behaviour was observed in two graphite/epoxy composite systems, thus establishing that this behaviour may be common to all cured epoxy resins.     

Intraoral reconstruction in head and neck cancer surgery

The effect of prostaglandins (PGs) on the hepatic biotransformation of hexobarbital (Hechi) and p-chloro-N-methylaniline (PCMA) was determined in male rats. PCMA metabolism in slices was decreased by all PGs (PGA1, PGB1, PGE1, PGE2, PGF1alpha, PGF2alpha), ranging in concentration from 1 mu M to 1 mM. PGA1, at 1 mM, produced the greatest degree of inhibition, 39%. PG addition to microsomes, however, failed to alter PCMA metabolism. In contrast to PCMA biotransformation, Hechi metabolism was increased by all PGs in slices but not in liver subfractions. PGs of the E and F series were the most potent, producing a two-fold increase in Hechi metabolism at 1 mM after a 20 min preincubation. The increased effect was observed as early as 10 min and lasted for 4 hr. The relationship of PG metabolism and binding to cytochrome P-450 is presented as a possible mechanism to account for the opposite effects on Hechi and PCMA, type I and II substrates respectively, metabolism.     

Scale formation as related to evaporator surface conditions

Various evaporator surface materials and roughnesses were tested under carefully controlled conditions to determine their relationship to rate of scale formation, characteristics of the scale, and scale adhesion. Materials tested include the copper nickels, monel, stainless steel and several Teflon coatings. Initial formation of scale formation is a strong function of the surface condition, but thereafter scaling rate is essentially independent of surface condition. Scale adhesion is a strong function of surface condition. On some Teflon coatings, scale continuously sloughed and there was no long time scale build up. Techniques used may be of interest to establish standards of performance also for workers in related fields.     

A comparison of fast-rate, slow-rate, and silent previewing interventions on reading performance

Researchers investigated the effects of three different previewing interventions on the oral reading rates of 12 junior and senior high school students with learning disabilities. Under fast-rate listening previewing (FRLP), students were instructed to follow silently as experimenters read from a text at an average rate that was 77.7% faster than the students' current oral reading rate. During slow-rate listening previewing (SRLP), students followed along as experimenters read at an average rate that was 22.5% faster than the students' reading rate. Students were instructed to read passages silently under silent previewing (SP). Immediately following each previewing intervention, students read the same passage aloud. The number of words read correctly per minute and the number of errors per minute served as dependent variables. The results showed statistically significant decreases in error rates under SRLP and SP. The results also showed that SRLP resulted in statistically significantly fewer errors per minute than FRLP. These results suggest that orally reading while students follow along at a rate much higher than their current reading rates may not be as beneficial as reading aloud at slower rates.     

The application of random amplified polymorphic DNA for sandfly species identification

A case of disseminated North American blastomycosis is described in which the full extent of the multifocal osteomyelitis was depicted by Tc-99m MDP scintigraphy. Skeletal involvement by this disease is not uncommon, yet the utility of bone scintigraphy has not been reported. The efficacy with which the whole body may be examined makes this technique especially appropriate for a hematogenously disseminated and often multifocal form of osteomyelitis where radiographically occult and asymptomatic lesions may be present.     

Endogenous opiate system and systematic desensitization.

In a double-blind study, phobic patients received intravenous infusions of either naloxone or saline prior to systematic desensitization. Saline-infused subjects significantly demonstrated the predicted symptoms decrease in response to systematic desensitization, whereas naloxone-infused subjects showed no change. Subject reports and psychophysiological measures of arousal indicated no discriminable awareness of the naloxone versus saline condition. The findings appear to be consistent with the hypothesis that activation of the endogenous opiate system (EOS) plays a role in the effectiveness of systematic desensitization. Implications for a common mechanism underlying behavioral and pharmacological treatments are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)