Wooden sticks as the source of a pseudoepidemic of infection with Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis among immunocompromised patients

Wooden sticks used to suspend feces obtained for surveillance cultures were found to be the source of Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis causing a pseudo-outbreak among 17 immunocompromised patients cared for in three different wards. Nonsterile wooden products should therefore not be used for collecting, handling, and processing specimens for microbiological examination.     

Cervical esophageal web associated with a patch of heterotopic gastric mucosa

Cervical esophageal webs are a relatively common finding on esophograms. We report a web resulting from the squamocolumnar junction produced by heterotopic gastric mucosa. The clinical significance of this lesion is discussed and the importance of differentiating it from Barrett's esophagus is stressed.     

The greenhouse effect; Impact upon and the role to be played by construction

The authors highlight several possible ways in which the construction industry could lower present emissions of the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. It is an excellent discussion document and is recommended reading.     

The right of dentists to take extra precautions when treating patients known to carry the human immunodeficiency virus

Oral health care providers have taken various positions toward the concept of correct behavior toward and management of patients who are seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus. Several tribunal judgments and articles have discussed and analyzed this subject. This article presents a new detailed report and analysis and decision issued by a dental profession panel (tribunal) in Ontario, Canada. The concepts of universal precautions and antidiscriminatory acts are discussed.     

Cardiac risk in surgery. A review and guidelines for risk evaluation and reduction of cardiac risk in general surgery

We report herein the phenotypic and functional analysis of human bone marrow and thymus derived early T cells. Commitment to T cell lineage is acquired during CD7 antigen expression by CD34+ precursors in human bone marrow and before thymus colonization. Early thymocytes show similar phenotypic characteristics as bone marrow T cells. They rapidly acquire CD4 before the dual expression of CD4 and CD8. Their expansion and differentiation is regulated by two major factors: thymic stroma and cytokines produced by these stroma cells or by thymocytes themselves. Among cytokines, IL1 and sCD23 produced by thymic epithelial cells support in vitro early T cell development.     

Fertilization in vitro. A review over the medical indications and suggestion to unified guidelines for public fertility clinics in Denmark

Medical indications for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) internationally and in Denmark are reviewed. Reports from large international centres document that tubal infertility, unexplained infertility, endometriosis and male infertility are equally good indications for IVF. Traditionally, tubal infertility has been the only medical indication qualifying for IVF treatment within the National Health Service in Denmark. Thus, in this country, couples with unexplained and male infertility and with endometriosis have to pay up to 25,000 D.Kr. per IVF-ET treatment in private fertility clinics. Since there is no scientific basis for this discrimination, it is urged that the present rules are changed, so that couples with unexplained and male infertility and endometriosis are also allowed IVF treatment free of charge in the public fertility clinics.     

Sexual dimorphism of circulating somatotropin, insulin-like growth factor I and II, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, and insulin: relationships to growth rate and carcass characteristics in growing lambs

The effects of sex and age on patterns of circulating somatotropin (ST) concentration and plasma IGF-I, IGF-II, insulin, and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were studied in ram, wether, and ewe lambs (n = 7 or 8) sampled at mean ages of 81 (I1) and 158 d (I2). Between 81 and 158 d of age, rams grew more rapidly than wethers (P < .01), and wethers grew more rapidly than ewes (P < .01). The sex differences in growth were reflected in empty body weight at slaughter: rams > wethers > ewes (P < .05). Mean plasma ST concentrations, ST pulse amplitude, and integrated plasma ST concentrations were greater (P < .05) in rams than in ewes at I1 and I2. Characteristics of the ST plasma profile in wethers were generally intermediate between those of rams and ewes. The interpulse interval was greater in ewes than in wethers at I2. The IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations were greater in rams than in ewes at both sampling times. Plasma IGF-II was greater in ewes than in rams at I2. Mean plasma ST was approximately two thirds less at I2 than at I1 regardless of sex. Mean plasma ST and IGF-I at both ages were positively correlated with growth. Mean plasma ST at I2 was negatively correlated with fatness at slaughter. Sex and age significantly affected patterns of circulating ST and concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in prepubertal growing lambs, under conditions for which growth rates and composition were also sexually dimorphic.     

Computer aided design and new manufacturing methods for electronic materials

The world-wide sales for silicon integrated circuits totalled some £3,500M in 1980. The high growth rate of the industry is generated by high levels of investment in research, development and capital equipment leading to rapid innovation in design and manufacturing methods. This article concentrates on the increasing use of computers in the design process, new design concepts and the efforts to make the components within the silicon chip even smaller.