The use of goal attainment scaling to evaluate a cancer research training program for high school and college students

Goal attainment scaling has been used frequently in the evaluation of mental health services. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of the goal attainment scaling methodology in the evaluation of a cancer research training program. Subjects were 62 high school and college students participating in a summer research program. Prior to the program, all students were asked to predict the specific outcomes they expected to attain in relation to eight independent dimensions of the research training program. At the close of the program students were asked to indicate the outcome they attained for each dimension. Students also ranked the importance of each dimension. The analyses indicated that participants entered the program with accurate expectations of their ultimate achievement and satisfaction with the program. Significant differences were found for expected outcomes on a number of program dimensions for the high school and college students at the preprogram assessment. Significant differences were also found for the high school and college students' importance rankings at both the pre-program and post-program period. Goal attainment scaling proved to be a valuable and flexible technique for the evaluation of a cancer research training program.     

Bilateral subacromial bursitis with macroscopic rice bodies: Ultrasound,CT and MR appearance

The radiological findings of ultrasound, CT and MR of a case of bilateral subacromial bursitis with macroscopic rice bodies is described. The previous literature is also reviewed.     

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: Pitfalls of prophylaxis

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) occurs commonly in immunocompromised patients. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) is effective prophylaxis, although PCP may still occur despite apparently adequate use. We report three cases of PCP which highlight some of the pitfalls of prophylaxis.     

SPECTRUM OF ACUTE RENAL FAILURE IN A SERVICE HOSPITAL

A prospective study of 82 patients with acute renal failure was carried out over the last 2 years. Mean age of the patients was 35.6 years (8-82 years). Male to female ratio was 3.5:1. The etiological factors were septicaemia in 18 patients (21.95%), aminoglycoside toxicity in 16 patients (19.51%), open heart surgery in 8 patients (9.76%), volume depletion and blood loss in 12 patients (14.63%), glomerulonephritis in 4 patients (4.88%), renal allograft dysfunction in 4 patients (4.88%), and miscellaneous causes in 20 patients (24.39%). Non-oliguric renal failure was observed in 39.02 per cent cases. Dialysis support was required in 65.8 per cent of the cases; with average 5.6 (4 to 11) dialysis sessions. Four patients of acute renal failure following open heart surgery were given continuous arterio-venous haemofiltration. Overall mortality was 32.5 per cent, septicaemia accounting for 60 per cent of the deaths.KEYWORDS: Antibiotics, Aminoglycoside, Renal failure acute, Septicemia     

Differential effects of cooked common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and lentil (Lens esculenta puyensis) feeding on protein and nucleic acid contents in intestines, liver and muscles in rats

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the influence of legume feeding on the protein and nucleic acid content of intestinal tissues and muscles. METHODS: Growing male Wistar rats were fed ad libitum on balanced diets containing cooked common bean or lentil as the unique protein source (180 g.kg(-1) dry matter) for 20 days. The control group was pair-fed with an iso-energetic, iso-nitrogenous balanced casein diet. RESULTS: Intestinal tissues were heavier in the legume-fed groups and higher relative mass (g per 100 g body mass) of protein, RNA and DNA were found in these tissues as compared to those of the control groups. In liver protein and RNA masses were significantly lower in the bean group than in the control group but the DNA content was not different in the legume and in the control groups. In gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, there was no significant effect of legume feeding on the fresh mass and on the protein and RNA contents, but the DNA content of the m. gastrocnemius was significantly lower in both legume groups than in their control group. The ribosomal capacity of intestines, liver and muscles was not significantly affected by legume feeding. CONCLUSION: Legume feeding had a trophic effect on both proximal and distal intestinal tissues; dietary fiber appears to be the main cause of this effect.