New options for central venous access in cancer chemotherapy. Multiple lumen catheters

New technology has allowed the creation of single catheters with up to four separate luminal channels for access to the central venous system. Since cancer chemotherapy may be associated with local complications specifically related to the mode of intravenous administration, temporary central venous access with a multiple lumen catheter (MLC) offers distinct theoretical advantages over previously used peripheral venous sites. As part of a prospective study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of MLC, the authors have separately studied the usefulness of these catheters in providing venous access to patients receiving chemotherapy.     

Effect of chronic administration of different Bence Jones proteins on rat kidney

The role of Bence Jones proteins (BJPs) in the genesis of the renal dysfunction that develops in patients with multiple myeloma is not clearly defined. We previously evaluated renal function and morphology in a unique strain of rats (LOU/m) bearing tumors which synthesized BJPs with isoelectric points of 5.2, 4.3 and 6.7. Myeloma cast nephropathy developed in one tumor bearing group (pI 5.2), tubular necrosis was observed in another (pI 4.3), and renal function and histology remained normal in a third group (pI 6.7). To see if these renal outcomes were a function of the BJP being excreted or other factors which could be present in the tumor bearing animals, we have examined the effect of chronic intravenous administration of these three BJPs on renal function and histology in non-tumor-bearing LOU/m rats. Urine containing the BJP was collected from tumor bearing rats, sterilized by passage through a 0.2 mu millipore filter, concentrated to 50 mg/ml, and dialyzed extensively so as to remove material with a molecular weight less than 3500. Chronic indwelling-venous catheters were placed in non-tumor-bearing LOU/m rats and these rats were given 100 mg/day for five days of one of the three BJPs. Polyfructosan clearance (Cin) was measured prior to and following the five days of BJP administration. Renal histology was examined at the completion of the second Cin. In the pI 5.2 group (N = 6), a severe distal nephron cast nephropathy occurred and Cin fell from 2.88 +/- 0.24 to 0.90 +/- 0.17 ml/min (P less than 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Busselton children's survey, 1983. Body size from five to 16 years of age

In 1983, 1623 primary and secondary schoolchildren took part in a health survey which was organized by the Busselton Population Studies Group. Age, sex, weight, height and country of birth were recorded for each child. Where possible, the country of birth of parents and the occupation of the father were extracted from previous Busselton surveys of adults. Compared with Perth schoolchildren, the difference in the attained weight and height of Busselton children at any age was small. This was so even though the two communities differ in location (rural compared with metropolitan), in ethnic origin (mainly British compared with diverse origins) and, probably, in social-rank distribution. Data from the two communities showed that a similar small secular increase in height had occurred since 1970/1971. This increase averaged at 1.2 cm for children at each year of age in Busselton and 1.5 cm to 1.6 cm for children in Perth.     

Juvenile-onset acid maltase deficiency with unusual familial features

From early childhood, two brothers had mild gait difficulties due to acid maltase deficiency (AMD). Biochemical studies of family members were consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance, but the asymptomatic mother had AM activity in the homozygote range, and her parents had decreased AM activity. The asymptomatic mother may be homozygous for the adult-onset variant of AMD. Alternatively, either the mother or the children may be genetic compounds of the childhood and adult forms of AMD.     

Naloxone-reversible analgesia as a result of stimulation of the habenula in the rat

Electrical stimulation of rat habenular complex induces analgesia, evaluated by the tail-flick test, dependent on intensity of stimulation with a long post-effect, that is reversible by naloxone and without behavior effects at less that 400 mA. Bilateral destruction of habenula fails to provoke hyperesthesia but causes more marked long-term tolerance effects than in controls. Anatomy suggests that the habenula activates an inhibitory descending system in the spinal cord with a probable relay in the dorsal raphe and involving an endogenous opioid-dependent stage.     

Obese, overweight, desirable, ideal: where to draw the line in 1986?

In February 1985, the National Institutes of Health sponsored the Consensus Development Conference on the Health Implications of Obesity. The panel of experts concluded that height and weight tables based on mortality data and the body mass index (BMI) are helpful measures to determine the presence of obesity and the need for treatment. For the dietitian, however, practical concerns arise regarding which index to select. The usefulness of the BMI in patient education and contradictions between the 1959 and 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance height-weight tables are discussed. A temporary solution is offered in light of the need for further investigation into morbidity experience at weights recommended in the 1983 table.     

Spermidine synthase of Escherichia coli: localization of the speE gene.

We have obtained Escherichia coli mutants lacking spermidine synthase (putrescine aminopropyltransferase) and have found that the mutated gene (speE) is located immediately upstream from the gene coding for S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (speD); these genes are located at 2.7 minutes on the E. coli chromosome. Both genes are present in a 1795-base-pair fragment of E. coli DNA that was cloned into pBR322. Deletion of 105 bases upstream of speE caused a coordinate loss of both activities, indicating that speE and speD constitute a single operon. speE and speD have also been cloned separately in a high-expression vector; strains carrying these plasmids overproduce the respective enzymes.     

Cycling program effects on one rheumatoid arthritic

These researchers investigated the effects of a progressive resistive, cycle ergometric exercise program on cardio-vascular endurance in one rheumatoid arthritic. The 46 yr. old, male subject exercised three days/week for 14 weeks. Workouts included interval-type training using 5 minute intervals for a total of 20-30 minutes (work rate set at 50-75 watts for each interval), not including 3-minute warm-up and cool-down periods (work rate set at zero resistance). Maximal exercise stress testing on the cycle ergometer was completed and blood samples collected before and after the exercise program. Also, psychological and physical health and lifestyle data were gathered before, during and after completion of the program. The conditioning program produced a training effect (greater than 75% of the HR max after the second exercise session) and blood values improved (10-28%) from the beginning to the end of the program. Finally, the program appeared to have a positive influence on various physical and psychological parameters as perceived by the subject and his wife.