Practical and technical considerations in establishing an intraoperative radiation therapy program in the community practice

The Radiation Oncology Center in Sacramento, California, has developed a procedure for establishing an intraoperative radiation therapy facility in a community practice. The logistics pertaining to personnel, equipment, physical measurements, and quality assurance are presented. Particular emphasis is given to the most effective means of acquiring the large quantity of data needed to ensure a program of acceptable quality.     

Stereotaxic investigation of the lateral horn of the cat spinal cord

Coordinates of the lateral horn in segments C8-L3 were measured in specimens of the cat spinal cord, using the point of entry of the dorsal root as reference point. When choosing coordinates, various methods of orientation of the microelectrode used to test sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPGNs) were considered. Electrophysiological investigation of SPGNs showed that the coordinates described here ensured correct placing of the microelectrode in the lateral horn. Determination of recording points suggests a compact arrangement of SPGNs in the dorsal part of the lateral horn. Slower conduction of antidromic excitation along the intramedullary part of the SPGN axons than along the peripheral part, detected by electrophysiological experiments, suggests that the axon of these neurons has a long, thin, nonmyelinated part.     

Fine Electrophysiological Analysis of Impulse Activity of Various Neuron Types in Nodose Ganglion during Intraatrial Injection of Dalargin

Experiments on narcotized cats showed that intraatrial injection of dalargin in doses crossing and not crossing the blood-brain barrier modifies impulse activity of nodose ganglion neurons.__________Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 139, No. 3, pp. 244–246, March, 2005     

HIV prevention programmes for female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh,India: outputs,cost and efficiency

Background  

Female sex workers and their clients play a prominent role in the HIV epidemic in India. Systematic data on the outputs, cost and efficiency for HIV prevention programmes for female sex workers in India are not readily available to understand programme functioning and guide efficient use of resources.     

Prevalence and correlates of abscesses among a cohort of injection drug users

Recent studies have indicated that injection-related infections such as abscesses and cellulitis account for the majority of emergency room visits and acute hospitalizations accrued by local injection drug users. The objective of this analysis was to examine the prevalence and correlates of developing an abscess among a cohort of injection drug users in Vancouver and to identify socio-demographic and drug use variables associated with abscesses at baseline. We examined abscesses among participants enrolled in a prospective cohort of injection drug users. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Pearson's chi-square test and continuous variables were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Among 1 585 baseline participants, 341 (21.5%) reported having an abscess in the last six months. In a logistic regression model that adjusted for all variables that were associated with having an abscess at p < 0.1 in univariate analyses, female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, [95%CI: 1.2 – 2.4]; p = 0.002), recent incarceration (OR = 1.7, [95%CI: 1.3 – 2.2]; p < 0.001), sex trade involvement (OR = 1.4 [95% CI: 1.0 – 2.0]; p = 0.03), frequent cocaine use (OR = 1.5 [95%CI: 1.2 – 2.0]; p = 0.002) and HIV serostatus (OR = 1.5, [95%CI: 1.2 – 2.0]; p = 0.003) were positively associated with having an abscess. Explanations for these associations require further study, and interventions are needed to address this highly prevalent concern.