Pharmacokinetics of cyclophosphamide in patients with systemic necrotizing angiitis

Summary— Cyclophosphamide pharmacokinetics were investigated following administration to patients with systemic necrotizing angiitis. Ten patients (eight women and two men) received cyclophosphamide as a 1-h-rate-constant intravenous infusion at doses ranging from 600 to 1200 mg. All patients received concomitant oral prednisone (1 mg/kg/d). Blood samples were collected at the end of drug infusion and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 h later. Serum cyclophosphamide concentrations were assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography. The peak serum cyclophosphamide levels ranged from 15.7 to 29.4 mg/L. The mean cyclophosphamide elimination half-life was 6.2 ± 1.3 h (mean ± SD). The mean apparent volume of distribution and mean total plasma clearance were, respectively, 0.75 ± 0.22 L/kg (mean ± SD) and 83 ± 22 mL/min (mean ± SD). These results obtained in systemic vasculitic diseases were consistent with those observed in other studies with cancer patients receiving comparable doses of cyclophosphamide.     

Scanning electron microscpe study comparing the effecacy of endodontic irrigating systems

Summary. Thirty-five single rooted teeth were biomechanically instrumented with salaine, following' which they were subjected to different methods of irrigation. Four groups of teeth were irrigatied using and Endomate unit with NaOCl in combination with H₂O₂, or EDTA, or glutaraldehde or saline.
Two groups were irrigated with 5 per cent NaOCl in combination with ultrasound; one of them was further irrigated with 3 per cent H₂O₂ using the Endomate system.
The control group was irrigated with NaOCl and H₂O₂ using the conventional technique. The prepared root canals were examined for the presence of smear layer under SEM.
All groups irrigated with the ultrasonic technique and the group irrigated with the endomate system using EDTA solution showed significantly cleaner surfaces; the smear layer was also greatly reduced.     

Antegrade puncture of the femoral artery: morphologic study

To determine the optimal site for antegrade puncture of the femoral artery, the authors evaluated three cadaver specimens and computed tomographic (CT) scans of 50 patients. The relationships among the common femoral artery, the femoral artery bifurcation, the center of the femoral head, and the inguinal ligament were evaluated. CT showed that the center of the femoral head was always located caudal to the level of the inguinal ligament but cranial to the bifurcation of the common femoral artery. Therefore, the femoral head seems to provide a reliable landmark for entering the common femoral artery.     

Employment perspectives of patients with ankylosing spondylitis

OBJECTIVES: To assess the labour market position of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in relation to disease duration and to identify potential factors in relation to withdrawal from the labour force. METHODS: A cross sectional mail survey was conducted among 658 patients with AS. Participation in the labour force was defined as having a paid job. The independent effect of duration of disease was examined by an indirect method of standardisation. A broad variety of risk factors were examined separately and in a combined analysis, including sociodemographic factors, disease related variables, coping styles, and work related factors. Attributable and preventable fractions were calculated from the combined analyses to assess the relative importance of the contributing factors. RESULTS: Probability of participation in the labour force was similarly reduced in patients with AS with different durations of disease. Pacing to cope with limitations was the most relevant factor in increasing the risk of withdrawal from the labour force, accounting for 73% of withdrawals. Coping with limitations by often seeking creative solutions, high disease activity, increased age, and insufficient support from colleagues or management were also positively associated with withdrawal from the labour force. Technical or ergonomic adjustments of the workplace, working in large companies, and coping with dependency style through frequent acceptance were negatively associated. Of these factors, technical or ergonomic adjustment was the most relevant in terms of reducing the risk. CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic factors, disease related factors, coping styles, and work related factors contribute simultaneously to withdrawal from the labour force.