Patient Characteristics Associated with the Labelling of Asthma

Patient characteristics associated with the asthma label wereinvestigated in 262 children, aged 8 years, who reported wheezingillness in the previous 12 months. Children were first identifiedby a screening questionnaire administered to the parents ofall 8 year old schoolchildren in Croydon, south London. Interviewswere conducted with those reported to have had a wheezing illnessin the previous 12 months to obtain details of the child's illness,medical care, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.Multivariate analysis showed that the likelihood of being labelledasthmatic was increased in those who had a parental historyof hayfever [odds ratio (OR) = 2.24, 95% confidence interval(Cl) = 1.22–4.14] or at least two allergic provoking factors(OR = 3.83, 95% Cl = 1.44–10.15). No significant associationswere found between asthma labelling and children's socioeconomiccharacteristics or use of general practitioner services. Thesefindings suggest that wheeze is likely to be labelled asthmawhen the clinical history suggests an allergic aetiology.     

Dental diagnosis and treatment for musicians

Oral health maintenance for the musical performer is an essential component of the training and experience. Normal tooth and dental arch development permit vocalists. and players of wind instruments and chin-held wind instruments to achieve their optimum acoustic and esthetic musical performance. Dental disease or disorders that high-quality performance years of vocalists and instrumentalists.     

Synthesis and biological activity of Substance P C-terminal hexapeptide and heptapeptide analogues

The analogues [Glu(OBzl)¹¹]SP_6–11 and [Glu(OBzl)¹¹]SP_5–11 of the C-terminal hexapeptide and heptapeptide of Substance P have been synthesized by conventional solution methods. In each analogue the SCH₃ group of Met¹¹ is replaced by the COOCH₂C₆H₅ group. The in vitro activity of both analogues has been determined on three biological preparations: guinea pig ileum (GPI), rat vas deferens (RVD), and rat portal vein (RPV). The selectivity for the different receptors has been studied by utilizing atropine-treated guinea pig ileum (GPI + At). The results showed that both analogues are mainly active on GPI through the NK-1 receptor and that both analogues are equipotent to Substance P.     

Risk of lung cancer among patients with head and neck cancer

A cohort of 5180 patients with head and neck cancer, who were part of the tumor registry of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results area of western Washington State, was followed up for as many as 15 years to determine the risk of lung cancer. A sample of 522 patients from this cohort was interviewed to determine smoking history. Lung cancer developed in 356 (6.9%) of the 5180 patients. The overall annual incidence of lung cancer remained relatively constant between approximately 1.0% and 2.0% during the 15 years of follow-up. Men had an increased risk of lung cancer compared with women (relative risk [RR] = 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18 to 2.03). Compared with patients with oral cavity cancer (RR = 1.00), the relative risk of lung cancer developing by the site of the index tumor was 0.63 (95% CI = 0.40 to 0.98) for lip, 1.12 (95% CI = 0.81 to 1.56) for intrinsic larynx, 1.73 (95% CI = 1.21 to 2.47) for oropharynx, 1.84 (95% CI = 1.16 to 2.92) for hypopharynx, and 2.28 (95% CI = 1.60 to 3.24) for extrinsic larynx. Among the 522 patients who were interviewed, men smoked more than women ( p < 0.0001), and patients with laryngeal or pharyngeal cancer smoked more than patients with cancer of the lip or the oral cavity ( p < 0.05). Among patients with head and neck cancer, the risk of lung cancer is highest for men and for patients with cancer of the pharynx or extrinsic larynx. These findings may be explained by differences in smoking consumption. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;116:630-6.)     

Anaesthetic management during awake craniotomy in a 12-year-old boy

We present our approach to the preoperative preparation and anaesthetic management for awake craniotomy in a 12-year-old boy. Management included conscious sedation with a propofol infusion plus local anaesthetic infiltration of the scalp, periosteum, and dura. The complications which may be encountered during such procedures and their treatments are reviewed.