Substance abuse and the course of welfare dependency.

OBJECTIVES: New provisions in welfare reform target recipients with addictions, even though there is limited research on how substance abuse affects people's experiences on welfare. This prospective study examined substance abuse as a determinant of subsequent welfare dependency. METHODS: Representative samples of clients on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and general assistance in a California county were interviewed while applying for services in 1989 and were reinterviewed in 1995. RESULTS: Among AFDC recipients, substance abuse was not a significant determinant of long welfare stays, repeat welfare use, or the total time a person remained on welfare during the 6-year period. However, substance abuse was a strong predictor of repeat welfare use among general assistance recipients. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol and drug problems have played dramatically different roles in welfare dependency within the AFDC and general assistance populations. Under welfare reform, local general assistance programs will be the final safety net for recipients removed from federal entitlement programs. These programs will probably be confronted with clients with more complex disabilities related to addiction, as well as with greater family needs for cash assistance.     

The effect of linear contrast flow acceleration on catheter tip recoil in selective arteriography

We investigated the effect of the device known as the linear accelerator flow control (linear-rise) available on some angiographic power injectors used for delivering contrast medium. Its influence on catheter tip recoil during selective arteriography was evaluated in two glass models, which simulated assessment of catheter position in visceral and cerebral arterial branches. Contrast medium was injected over a clinical range with and without the linear flow accelerator in operation. Biplane high speed video recordings simultaneously referenced time in thousandths of seconds and the catheter position. The linear flow accelerator failed to prevent, but did delay, catheter tip recoil in proportion to the prolongation of contrast medium injection time. These laboratory results conformed with the findings of catheter behavior during similar experiments in animals undergoing arteriography.     

Naltrexone metabolism and sustained release following administration of an insoluble complex to rhesus monkeys and guinea-pigs

Both the release and the metabolism of naltrexone have been evaluated after intramuscular administration of a sustained release [15,16-3H2]naltrexone aluminium tannate complex in guinea-pigs and rhesus monkeys. In both species, measurable excretion of radioactivity was obtained for greater than 50 days and complete recovery of the dose was obtained in the guinea-pig. The radioactivity excretion rate-time profile differed in the two species with guinea-pig yielding a continuously declining rate and monkey yielding a peak at 5 days. In selected monkey urine samples (days 4, 17-20 and 49-52) subjected to t.l.c., evidence was obtained for the presence of naltrexone, beta-naltrexol and 2-hydroxy-3-O-methyl-beta-naltrexol, mostly as glucuronide and/or sulphate conjugates. The t.l.c. data also suggest that in monkey a naltrexone metabolite builds up relative to naltrexone over the 52 day release period.     

The effect of hyperthyroidism on gastric emptying rates and pancreatic exocrine and biliary secretion in man

Malabsorption and diarrhea in hyperthyroidism has been attributed in part to an increased rate of gastrointestinal transit as measured with barium sulfate suspension. Data are unavailable on the effect of hyperthyroidism on gastric emptying rates of normal food and pancreatic enzyme secretion. These functions have been studied in 4 hyperthyroid patients and compared to results obtained when treatment achieved euthyroidism. Pancreatic trypsin secretion was half the euthyroid level in the hyperthyroid state. No significant change in bile salts occurred, although there was a tendency for a greater proportion of dihydroxy bile salts while hyperthyroid. Gastric emptying rates of a mixed fat, protein, and carbohydrate liquid meal were normal. Similarly the gastric emptying rate of a beef stew plus chicken liver meal was normal. We conclude that in hyperthyroidism gastric emptying rates of physiologically active food is normal. Pancreatic enzyme secretion is depressed in hyperthyroidism and may contribute to maldigestion.Supported by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration and Apprenticeships for Carrer Exploration (KML).     

Treatment of carcinoma of base of tongue with radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil. Potential for optimization with 18F-FU.

The treatment of advanced base of tongue carcinoma with concurrent radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil versus radiation therapy alone is compared. Although the results are inconclusive, it is noteworthy that all the 5-year survivors were patients given combined treatment. Important questions regarding optimization of time-dose relationships with combined therapy were generated. Accordingly, 18F-5 fluorouracil was synthesized in an attempt to answer some of these questions.