WIDE ANGLE ATTACHMENT FOR FUNDUS CAMERAS

A simple and inexpensive method for increasing the angle of view of existing fundus cameras used for fluorescein angiography is described. The addition of a concavo-convex positive lens extends the usefulness of the camera and contributes to the efficiency of diagnosis.     

Parasuicide and suicide in the south-west of Ireland

Background Suicidal behaviour has become recognised as a major public health problem.Aim To examine hospital-treated parasuicide and suicide in the Southern and Mid-Western Health Boards.Methods Parasuicide data were derived from independent data collection in general and psychiatric hospitals and prisons between 1995 and 1997. The corresponding suicide data were obtained electronically from the Central Statistics Office. Results Respectively, the annual person-based male, female and total European age-standardised rates were 128.9, 154.3 and 141.3 per 100,000 for parasuicide compared to 22.7, 5.5 and 14.1 per 100,000 for suicide. The parasuicide/suicide ratio varied markedly by age, gender, area and marital status. The majority of suicides were by hanging or drowning whereas drug overdose made up the vast majority of parasuicide acts. Parasuicide was largely a city phenomenon confined to the young of both genders whereas suicide was a significant problem for city and county men, especially young adult men. Conclusion There are striking differences between the patterns of fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour in Ireland, which should be considered in prevention initiatives.     

Enteropathy complicating maintenance therapy in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Seven patients being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia between March 1976 and March 1981, in accordance with Medical Research Council protocols, developed clinical malabsorption while on maintenance chemotherapy. All of them received weekly methotrexate and 6 of the 7 were given co-trimoxazole. Five patients had folate deficiency. Stopping the anti-leukaemic therapy led to a resolution of gastrointestinal symptoms. A combined effect of methotrexate and co-trimoxazole is postulated.     

辐射增敏研究动向

目前在肿瘤的临床放射治疗中,如果采用正常组织可耐受的照射剂量进行治疗,肿瘤的平均治愈率仅40%,提高射线对肿瘤的杀伤率之关键,仍在于克服那些对射线敏感性较差的乏氧细胞。     

The nitric oxide hypothesis of migraine and other vascular headaches

The molecular mechanisms of migraine pain remain to be determined. Our studies of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)-induced and histamine-induced headaches have led us to propose that nitric oxide (NO) may be the causative molecule in migraine pain. We also propose that substances capable of inducing experimental vascular headache do so with NO as the common mediator. Finally, we suggest that drugs with antimigraine activity inhibit NO and the cascade of intracellular reactions triggered by NO. We believe these observations provide new insight into the mechanisms of vascular headache. The importance of NO as a potential initiator of the migraine attack indicates new directions for the pharmacological treatment of migraine and other vascular headaches.