10 Gbit/s transmission over 50 km nonzero dispersion-shifted fibreusing 1.3 μm directly modulated uncooled transmitters

A 1.3 μm uncooled transmitter with wide-open eye diagrams at laser temperatures of 20, 50, and 85°C is presented. Using this transmitter, it is demonstrated that 10 Gbit/s transmission is possible over a 50 km nonzero dispersion-shifted Lucent TrueWave-RS fibre. This result is compared with transmission over a 55 km standard singlemode fibre     

A case of veno-occlusive disease of the liver in Britain associated with herbal tea consumption

Veno-occlusive disease of the liver with clinical and pathological features similar to those of the condition occurring in the Caribbean is described in a young woman resident in Britain. The diagnosis was made from liver biopsies and hepatic venography and was confirmed at necropsy. Small amounts of pyrroliziding alkaloids were recovered from a sample of mate (Paraguay) tea, owned by the patient, to which she was addicted. It seems probable that the consumption of large amounts of this tea over a period of years was the cause of the hepatic disease.     

Usefulness of chromosome examination in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions

To determine whether chromosome analysis could facilitate the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions, we examined chromosomes in effusions from 104 unselected patients. An effusion was regarded as malignant if at least three of 30 metaphase cells were hyperdiploid or contained a marker chromosome. Results were compared with standard cytologic diagnoses. All 22 benign effusions were diagnosed correctly by cytologic examination, but one nosed correctly by cytologic examination, but one (acute rheumatoid lung disease) was misclassified as positive by chromosome criteria. Of the 82 malignant effusions, 53 (65 per cent) were diagnosed correctly by cytologic tests, as compared with 58 (71 per cent) by chromosome analysis (P greater than 0.2). Among patients with malignant neoplasms, 13 had leukemia or lymphoma; only four of these (31 per cent) were diagnosed by cytologic tests as compared with 11 (85 per cent) by chromosome analysis (P less than 0.01). The combination of standard cytologic and chromosome analyses correctly identified 83 per cent of the neoplasms, a result significantly better than that with either technic alone (P less than 0.01).     

The hypotensive effect of fusaric acid: the results of long-term administration of fusaric acid in elderly hypertensive patients

The hypotensive effect of fusaric acid calcium salt (Calcium salt of 5-butylpicolinic acid) was examined clinically in 10 elderly hypertensive patients by the long-term administration of this agent and the following results were obtained. 1) The means of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures of each patient were significantly lower during the first year of the trial period than those during the one year's control period in all patients. 2) The means of the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures of each patient were significantly lower during the second year of the trial period than those during the one year's control period in whom administration of fusaric acid calcium salt was continued throughout two years. A significant reduction of the systolic blood pressure was observed in 3 out of 6 patients and that of the diastolic blood pressure was observed in 5 out of 6 patients. 3) Comparison was made between the means of the systolic and diastolic blood pressures during the one year's control period and those during the six month's placebo period after two year's administration of fusaric acid calcium salt. During the placebo period, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed a tendency of returning to the levels during the control period confirming the hypotensive effect of this agent. 4) Laboratory findings after one year's administration of fusaric acid calcium salt showed no adverse effect of this agent.     

Ultrasound in the management of acute pancreatitis

Thirty-eight patients have been examined by ultrasound when symptoms or sign suggested the development of a pseudocyst following an attack of proven acute pancreatitis. Pseudocyst was diagnosed in 23 of the 38 cases. Five patients had multilocular cysts, four of which were shown to be communicating. Laparotomy was carried out on 14 of the 23 patients and surgical drainage was performed in 12 cases. The remaining nine cases were monitored and showed steady regression. Small cysts arising in the head of pancreas may give rise to recurrent or persistent pancreatitis and may be demonstrated pre-operatively by ultrasound but not readily by other means. A further 12 patients showed an area of irregular absorption of ultrasound interpreted as an inflammatory mass. Monitoring of these cases showed progressive resolution without cyst formation. Three of these cases subsequently required laparotomy-one developed an abscess and one necrosis of the body and tail of pancreas while a third developed severe pancreatic fibrosis of the area identified by ultrasound. The ability to distinguish between pseudocysts and inflammatory masses and to demonstrate communication between multiple cysts is of considerable value in pre-operative diagnosis.     

Hemodynamic responses to stellate ganglion stimulation in mongrels and greyhounds

A comparison of the effects of left stellate ganglion stimulation (SGS) on central and aortic hemodynamics has been made in chloralose-anesthetized mongrel (M), and greyhound (GH) dogs. Measurements of aortic pressure and flow, and left ventricular pressure were made during stimulation of the decentralized left SG at different frequencies from 0 to 20 Hz. The increases in aortic pressure and flow with SGS were larger in the GH, especially for low frequencies of stimulation. Stroke volume was increased with SGS in the GH at all stimulation rates, whereas in the M it was unchanged. A greater decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure with SGS was found in the GH. These results suggest that differences exist in both the intrinsic and extrinsic control of cardiac output in the greyhound dog compared to the mongrel. These differences may be in part responsible for the elevated arterial blood pressure in the greyhound compared to the mongrel.     

Assessing the development of daily living skills in patients with spina bifida

The development of independence in daily living skills of 256 patients with spina bifida was assessed by means of a new Functional Activities scoring system. The score was derived from nine categories of activity; five are to do with self-care, three with locomotion and one with social interaction. The reasons for the variation in achievement between individuals with the same degree of paralysis are discussed, as are the differences in learning curves for single activities. The scoring system enables a quantitative assessment to be made of the current status of an individual patient, and enables more realistic therapeutic goals to be set.