Fine T-Cell Subsets in Alcoholics as Determined by the Expression of l-Selectin, Leukocyte Common Antigen, and β-Integrin

Alcoholics admitted to the hospital solely for detoxication have been studied by flow cytometry to evaluate changes in the surface markers of peripheral blood leukocytes. As we have shown previously, such patients have an elevated percentage of CD8^hl lymphocytes that are HLA DR⁺; we now demonstrate that they also have striking alterations in the quantitative relationships of the fine T-cell subsets. Both CD4⁺ and CD8^hl lymphocytes have a sharply reduced percentage of the l -selectin⁺ CD45RA⁺ subset, increased percentages of the CD45RA-subsets, and several other fine subset alterations. The fine subset profile suggests, according to current correlations of phenotype and function, that both CD4⁺ suppressor inducer and CD4-dependent CD8⁺ suppressor effector cells are reduced, whereas other subsets, including CD8⁺ CTL or their precursors, are increased in relative percentages. Some of the phenotypic changes are reversible over the several days following withdrawal. In other results, the percentage of CD8^hl lymphocytes expressing CD11b (β-integrin) is shown to be reciprocal with the percentage expressing l -selectin both in normals and alcoholics. However, the regression function of CD11b vs. l -selectin on CD8^hl cells is different for the alcoholics than for the normals, indicating an abnormality in the regulation of the expression of these two adhesion markers. Taken together, this abnormality of adhesion molecules and the fine subset alterations previously described indicate widespread changes in the peripheral lymphocytes of currently drinking alcoholics. These changes suggest functional deficiencies that may include alterations of lymphocyte traffic and other adhesion-dependent functions, and a shift in the balance of regulatory interactions.     

Accommodative hysteresis under static and dynamic stimulus conditions

The influence of continuous variation in dioptric demand on the accommodative hysteresis induced at near distances was examined in 14 visually-normal young adults. Tonic accommodation was measured before and after 10 minutes of sustained focus using a constant stimulus at 5 D, 6.5 D, and 8 D, as well as a stimulus which slowly and alternately increased and decreased over the continuous range from 5 D to 8 D. For approximately half the subjects, dioptric demand had to be very high (8 D) under static conditions to produce moderate but significant hysteresis, yet little or no attenuation of the effect occurred under the dynamic condition. For other subjects who consistently showed very large tonic changes (1.4 D or more) under static conditions, the hysteresis effect generated under dynamic conditions was greatly reduced (approximately 50 per cent) in magnitude. These findings suggest that the degree to which continuous variation in dioptric demand will disrupt the adaptive process may depend on individual differences in the rate and/or maximum level of tonic accommodative change. Such a relationship could have bearing on the particular strategy recommended for individuals who tend to experience blur at distance following nearwork.     

Joint action between binary mixtures of chlordimeform and insecticides.

Chlordimeform (CDF) was tested for its ability to act jointly with an organophosphorus insecticide (parathion) and a series of carbamate insecticides. Three arthropod species were used as test subjects: the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae; the German cockroach, Blatella germanica; and the flour beetle, Tenebrio castaneum. However, CDF antagonized the toxicity of parathion toward B. germanica while it acted in a greater than additive fashion toward T. castaneum. No combination of CDF and insecticide tested acted jointly toward T. urticae. Species-specific differences in sensitivity, absorption, metabolism, and mode of delivery account for the varying results. Metabolic studies of pairs of compounds using two radiolabeled carbamates showed that CDF altered the metabolic detoxification of both carbaryl and aldicarb. The results suggest that CDF may inhibit MFOs as its mode of action.     

A comparative analysis of radiological and surgical placement of central venous catheters

Purpose To compare the differences in practice and outcome of all radiologically and surgically placed central venous catheters retrospectively over a 2-year period simultaneously, at a single institution. Methods A total of 253 Hickman catheters were inserted in 209 patients; 120 were placed radiologically in 102 patients and 133 were placed surgically in 107 patients. The indication was chemotherapy in 76% of radiological and in 47% of surgical cases; the remainder were for total parenteral nutrition and venous access. Results There were 6 (4.5%) primary surgical failures and a further 17 (13%) surgical cases requiring multiple placement attempts. Pneumothorax occurred once (0.8%) surgically and four times (3.3%) radiologically. There were no radiological primary misplacements but there were five (3.7%) surgical ones. Catheter or central vein thrombosis occurred in four (3.3%) radiological and five (3.7%) surgical cases. The rate of infection per 1000 catheter-days was 1.9 in radiologically placed catheters and 4.0 in surgically placed ones (p<0.001). Average catheter life-span was similar for the two placement methods (100±23 days). Conclusion Radiological placement is consistently more reliable than surgical placement. There are fewer placement complications and fewer catheter infections overall.     

PULMONARY RESECTION FOR METASTATIC BREAST CANCER

Background : A patient with a solitary pulmonary metastasis who had breast cancer in the past may benefit from pulmonary resection. Methods : Between 1984 and 1996, 17 patients underwent metastatectomy for metastatic breast cancer. There were 15 females and two males whose average age was 59 (range: 40–74 years). The median tumour-free interval after the primary breast-cancer operation was 5.1 years (range: 8 months-18.2 years). Sixteen patients had complete resections, which included six lobectomies and 10 lesser resections. Results : The postoperative mortality was nil and the morbidity rate was 6%. Follow-up was complete in all patients. Recurrent disease developed in four patients and two patients died of their disease. The 5-year survival was 62%. Conclusion : An aggressive surgical approach is warranted in patients with isolated resectable pulmonary metastases from breast cancer.     

Measurement of depression in dementia: Self vs clinician rating

The presence of depression was evaluated in a cross-section of 50 outpatients with dementia using the self-rated Geriatric Depression Scale and the clinician-rated Cornell Depression Scale. Impaired insight, as manifested by unawareness of dementia, correlated with dementia severity and discriminated a group of patients in whom the self-rated scale failed to show evidence of depression. Discrepancy between the two types of scales occurred among mildly as well as moderately demented patients when insight was impaired. Recognition of this discrepancy suggests that reliance on self-ratings may underestimate the presence and degree of depression among patients with dementia.