Length polymorphism of heterochromatic segment of the Y chromosome in boys with acute leukemia

The extent of length polymorphisms of the heterochromatic and euchromatic segment of the human Y chromosome were investigated in 15 boys with acute leukemia and were compared with 15 normal controls. A greater value of the Yh/F index in relation to controls was established (P < 0.05). The length of the euchromatic segment was also shorter in the patients than the controls (P < 0.05).     

Effects on Plasma Glucose Concentration of Light-for-date Infants and Infants of Diabetic Mothers of Feeds Supplemented with a Glucose Polymer

ABSTRACT. Serial plasma glucose estimations were performed in 44 light-for-date infants and 17 infants of diabetic mothers fed 2, 3 or 4-hourly with feeds containing 10 % additional carbohydrate in the form of a glucose polymer (Caloreen). In the infants fed 2 and 3-hourly, plasma glucose was higher following the high carbohydrate feeds, particularly immediately before the next feed was due. Given 4-hourly, the high carbohydrate feed had little effect in most light-for-date infants, and in one light-for-date infant and two infants of diabetic mothers the plasma glucose was lower at the end of 4 hours than following normal formula. It is concluded that the addition of glucose polymer to feeds given 2 and 3 hourly has a potentially useful effect in neonates at risk of developing hypoglycaemia, but it cannot be used to increase the feed interval to 4 hours.     

Pharyngeal diverticula

A series of 73 hypopharyngeal (Zenker's) diverticula is reported and the choice of treatment and technique of excision are discussed. The problems of excision include operation on an infected site with limited access but few patients are unfit for the procedure. Preoperatively the sac should be packed and the oesophagus stented. The side of approach is unimportant as the condition is essentially midline. Cricopharyngeal myotomy appears to reduce the recurrence rate, possibly by improving coordination of pharyngeal contraction and upper oesophageal relaxation. The use of electrocoagulation is not recommended as 20% of patients require repeated general anaesthesia and the procedure fails in 13%. For all but the smallest pouches, excision is the treatment of choice.     

Vocal hygiene education, voice production therapy, and the role of patient adherence: a treatment effectiveness study in women with phonotrauma.

PURPOSE: To assess the effectiveness of vocal hygiene education (VHE) and voice production therapy (VP) in altering patient perception of vocal handicap in adult women with benign, bilateral phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions and the role of adherence in that perception. METHOD: Sixty-two women were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of VP (n = 31) or VHE (n = 31), followed by 4 weeks of self-study. The primary outcome measure was the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score, assessed at baseline, post-therapy, and post-self-study. Patient adherence was assessed as a cofactor. RESULTS: Both groups achieved a decrease in VHI scores from baseline to completion of the study, although the improvement was significantly greater for the VP group. The treatment effect size was large for the VP group and small for the VHE group. More participants adhered to VP than to VHE. Only adherent participants achieved significant improvement. Only adherent participants in the VP group improved with self-study. More than two thirds of the VP group achieved final VHI scores within normal limits, compared with approximately one third of those in the VHE group. CONCLUSIONS: VP therapy may be more effective than VHE in addressing patient perception of vocal handicap in adult women with phonotrauma, and self-study may be an important component of therapy. However, adherence is a critical mediator of outcome.