An investigation of child restraint/seatbelt usage in motor vehicles by Maori in Northland New Zealand

OBJECTIVE: To investigate child restraint/seatbelt use by the indigenous (Maori) population in Northland New Zealand. METHOD: Observational surveys were conducted at the two main car parks (McDonald's and the largest supermarket) to determine the number of passengers restrained, the type of restraints, and correct use. Observations were restricted to those who were obviously Maori, based upon the local knowledge of the observer. In addition, face to face questionnaires were administered to Maori whanau/caregivers involved in the care of two or more children for more than three days a week. RESULTS: A total of 788 participants were observed. Babies were those most likely to have all occupants restrained correctly (97%), followed by toddlers (66%), adults (56%), and school age children (48%); 138 interviews were conducted. Females (86%) were significantly more likely to ensure that all passengers were restrained on short journeys compared to males (67%; p<0.05). Respondents under 45 (80%) were significantly less likely to restrain child passengers compared to people aged 45 or older (91%; p<0.05). DISCUSSION: This study highlights the problem that larger families in this study had in providing correct child restraints for all their children.     

Neopterin determination in the screening for spongiosa donors

HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leucocytes and additionally serum neopterin levels were measured in 100 potential spongiosa donors. HIV antibodies were negative in all patients, whereas in 24% neopterin levels were elevated (greater than 10 nmol/l). Enhanced neopterin production is related to activity in cell-mediated immune response. In further investigations of these patients we found in 29% infections, 38% tumor diseases and 13% autoimmune diseases, all being exclusion criteria for spongiosa transplantation. In 3 patients increased neopterin values were the only pathological screening parameters. The measurement of serum neopterin levels showed to be a helpful parameter for the selection of spongiosa donors.     

Indirect radionuclide cystography: a sensitive technique for the detection of vesico-ureteral reflux

The detection or exclusion of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) has classically been by micturating cystourethrography (MCUG). Radionuclide cystography will detect VUR but fails to provide the same detailed anatomical informations as MCUG. This study allowed a comparison of indirect radionuclide cystography (IRC) and MCUG in 65 children. Renal reflux was detected by IRC in 32% of renal units, while VUR was seen in 36% by MCUG. When a comparison was made with MCUG, IRC had a sensitivity of 74.1% and a specificity of 90.5%. The markedly reduced radiation dose, avoidance of a bladder catheter plus the ability to monitor the urinary tract constantly during the entire procedure should ensure that IRC is the examination of choice in follow-up studies for VUR in all toilet-trained children.     

Treatment selection for carcinoma of the base of the tongue

Between 1974 and 1984, 173 patients were treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base. Fifty-four patients had T1 or T2 primaries, while 115 patients had T3 or T4 tumors (4 were not staged). Lymph node metastasis was present in 120 patients. Early primary tumors treated with surgery or radiotherapy had a control rate of 83% (5 of 6 tumors) and 89% (40 of 45 tumors), respectively. For advanced primary tumors, definitive radiotherapy produced a local control rate of 55% (42 of 76 tumors), compared with 79% (23 of 29 tumors) for surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. If primary control was obtained, the regional failure rate was less than 10%. Tumor growth patterns were predictive of the response to radiotherapy. The primary control rate at 2 years for 21 patients with exophytic tumors was 84% as opposed to 58% for 62 patients with ulcerative-infiltrative tumors (p = 0.04). Radiotherapy is effective for early stage or exophytic tumors, whereas for advanced or deeply invasive tumors combined therapy enhances local control.     

Thrombin--an effective treatment for gastric variceal haemorrhage.

The optimum treatment of gastric varices has still to be defined. Lesser curve gastric varices may be treated by injection sclerotherapy, but this has a limited role in the treatment of fundal gastric varices. Surgical intervention is commonly needed but carries a high mortality in patients with advanced liver disease. This study evaluated the use of thrombin for the treatment of gastric varices in 11 consecutive patients (nine with fundal, two with high lesser curve varices), identified as having bled from this site. Bovine thrombin (1000 U/ml) was injected intravariceally (mean volume 5.5 ml, range 2-10 ml) producing initial haemostasis in all 11 cases. Varices were considered thrombosed or obliterated in all patients after a median of two injection episodes (range 1-3). After a median follow up of nine months only one patient had rebled from a gastric varix. Thrombin may represent a valuable alternative injectate for the treatment of gastric varices.     

Radiologische Leistungen im Nacht- und Bereitschaftsdienst

Zusammenfassung In der Zeit vom 01. Juli 1990 bis zum 30. Juni 1994 wurden 65 113 Untersuchungen au?erhalb der Regeldienstzeit durchgeführt. Die vorliegende Analyse schlüsselt die Leistungen auf nach Alter und Geschlecht im Vergleich zum Gesamtkollektiv dieser Vierjahresperiode, nach dem Zeitpunkt der Untersuchung, nach den untersuchten Organen und nach der eingesetzten Technik. Ca. ¹/₃ der Leistungen fallen in den Zeitraum zwischen 16.00 und 20.00 Uhr und k?nnten durch einen versetzten Tagdienst aufgefangen werden. Ein weiteres Drittel entf?llt auf den Zeitraum zwischen 20.00 und 8.00 Uhr am Folgetag. Der Rest entf?llt auf Feiertage und Wochenenden. Die h?ufigste Anforderung betrifft Thoraxaufnahmen auf den Intensivstationen. Etwa die H?lfte dieser Untersuchungen werden au?erhalb der Dienstzeit angefertigt; 17,2 % der Untersuchungen im Nacht- und Bereitschaftsdienst betreffen Computer- und Magnetresonanztomographie. Das am 01. 01. 93 in Kraft getretene Gesundheitsstrukturgesetz führte zu keinen nennenswerten Verschiebungen hinsichtlich Art, Umfang und H?ufigkeit der Untersuchungen im Nacht- und Bereitschaftsdienst. Eingegangen am 17. Juni 1996 Nach überarbeitung angenommen am 24. Juli 1996     

Resting discharge and sensitivity of ampullary electroreceptors in Clarias gariepinus related to convergence ratio during ontogeny

The ampullary electroreceptor organs of the teleost fish Clarias gariepinus converge to single afferent neurons. During the first 4 months of ontogeny the convergence ratio (CR) increases from 1 to 3. Extracellular single-unit recordings show that a 3-fold increase in CR results on average in a 3.6-fold increase in sensitivity measured at stimulus frequencies of 2, 8 and 20 Hz, and in a small but significant 1.1-fold increase in resting discharge. Adaptation of the primary afferents could account for the differences between changes in sensitivity and resting discharge.     

A phase II study of sulofenur,a novel sulfonylurea,in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

Summary A total of 16 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with sulofenur (LY 186641), a novel oral sulfonylurea. All subjects had received previous chemotherapy. Anaemia occurred in all 16 patients, 14 of whom required a blood transfusion, and 2/16 patients received methylene blue for breathlessness due to methaemaglobinaemia. Treatment was discontinued in 2/16 cases due to rising liver enzyme values, which reverted to normal on cessation of the drug. There was no nausea or alopecia. Only two minor responses were seen. Plasma drug levels were insufficient to result in antitumour activity as extrapolated from animal data. Further studies that attempt to increase the bioavailability and improve the therapeutic index are warranted.