Clinicopathologic correlation of pigmented epiretinal membranes

We performed clinicopathologic correlation on ten surgically removed pigmented epiretinal membranes causing macular pucker. All cases occurred in eyes with existing retinal holes or tears, including eight cases of macular pucker after previous retinal detachment. These cases probably represented a limited form of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. All membranes contained pigment epithelial cells with polarity, basement membrane, and melanosomes. Cytoplasmic melanin granules accounted for the clinical feature of pigmentation in these eyes.     

A survey into the respiratory effects of prolonged exposure to pulverised fuel ash.

Previous studies of respiratory disorders in workers exposed to pulverised fuel ash (PFA) have been confined to radiological effects that were found to be minimal. The present survey included 268 men (88% of the defined population) with a history of more than 10 years exposure to PFA in six power stations in the south east of England. Respiratory questionnaires with full occupational histories were obtained from all of these subjects, of whom 207 were actively employed and 61 had retired; 243 had lung function tests and 208 had chest x ray examinations. The men were grouped, using their occupational histories, into high, medium, and low exposure categories. Dust concentrations were obtained by personal sampling on a representative sample of men from the three exposure categories. Lung function tests showed that a modest effect on forced vital capacity, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak flow, and gas transfer (DCO) was associated with prolonged heavy exposure to PFA. The men with prolonged heavy exposure also showed higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms. No definite relation between exposure and x ray changes was established. The results of this cross sectional survey indicate that exposures to PFA should not exceed the limits recommended by the Health and Safety Executive for low toxicity dusts.     

Early gastric cancer: a report of 30 cases

Thirty patients with early gastric cancer have been reviewed. Endoscopy demonstrated gastric abnormality in 93% of patients examined and biopsy was accurate in 96% of cases. Twenty-nine patients were treated by partial gastrectomy, although three required further procedures. The commonest morphological type was type III (45%). Five patients with early gastric cancer had lymph node spread at the time of presentation. The relative 5-year survival rate was 68%. Four patients eventually died of gastric cancer. Three patients (10%) developed a second primary carcinoma. The significance of this diagnosis is emphasized and selective screening is considered.     

An Interdisciplinary Clinical Advancement Program Within a Patient-Centered Care Model

Restructuring in health care does not have to compromise the pursuit of clinical excellence and quality patient care. The clinical advancement program (CAP) at the Hospital for Special Care is a newly developed multidisciplinary reward and recognition program for clinical staff. The program is integrated into the hospital's structure of service line management and, unlike traditional advancement programs, is open to all levels of care providers: professional personnel, technical staff, and aides. This article describes the basic features of the CAP model and how it was developed by a multidisciplinary task force.     

Zinc deficiency and hyperprolactinaemia are not reversible causes of sexual dysfunction in uraemia

We selected a group of male dialysis patients complaining of sexual dysfunction in whom penile vascular insufficiency and drug-induced impotence had been excluded. Monitoring of nocturnal penile tumescence was used to confirm organic disturbance. Patients with normal serum prolactin concentrations (n = 18) had significantly lower serum zinc values than normal controls (P less than 0.001) and were entered in a 6-month double-blind study comparing oral zinc acetate with placebo. Patients with elevated prolactin concentrations (n = 8) were entered in a 3-month double-blind crossover study comparing oral pergolide mesylate with placebo. In the zinc study, serum zinc concentrations increased (P less than 0.05) in the zinc-treated but not the placebo-treated group. One of nine patients receiving zinc reported improved sexual function, as did two of nine patients receiving placebo. There were no significant changes in sperm counts, nocturnal penile tumescence, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin or gonadotrophin concentrations in either treatment group. In the pergolide study, serum prolactin values decreased (P less than 0.01) in the pergolide but not in the placebo treatment period. One patient reported improved sexual function during the pergolide treatment period and two during the placebo period. There were no significant changes in sperm counts, nocturnal penile tumescence, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin or gonadotrophin concentrations after pergolide. These studies show no benefit of zinc or pergolide compared with placebo in the treatment of uraemic impotence.