Are medical graduates' initial intentions consistent with whether they ultimately opt for rural practice after graduation? A cross-sectional survey in western China

Background

The shortage of qualified health workers in rural areas is a global concern. The question of how to attract more medical graduates to work in rural areas has drawn considerable attention. However, very few studies have analysed the association between medical graduates' initial intentions and whether they ultimately opt for rural practice, and no related studies have been conducted in China.

Ventricular extrasystoles and intracellular electrolytes before and after potassium and magnesium infusions in patients on diuretic treatment.

Thirty-four patients suspected of being magnesium deficient were given intravenous infusions of potassium and magnesium. The muscle contents of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on skeletal muscle samples obtained by percutaneous biopsies. The frequency of ventricular etopic beats (VEBs) was assessed from a 3-hour ECG tape recording before the infusions and after the completion of each infusion. The potassium infusions did not result in any changes in the cellular potassium content, nor in the frequency of VEBs. After the magnesium infusions, however, a significant increase was noted in the cellular potassium content and likewise a significant decrease in the frequency of VEBs. This emphasizes the importance of magnesium in potassium metabolism.     

Intracapillary HbO2 saturation in malignant tumors during normoxia and hyperoxia.

Intravascular HbO₂ saturations in tumor capillaries are determined utilizing a cryophotometric micromethod whereby the intracapillary hemoglobin absorption spectra are measured in frozen tissue slices at −100° in a vacuum-isolated microscope cryostat and transferred into intracapillary HbO₂ saturation values using a multicomponent analysis. The results of measurements on tissue specimens from malignant tumors reveal that during normoxia 67% of the data obtained lie in the range of 0 to 20% HbO₂ saturation. Twenty-four percent of the measured values show zero levels. Only 8% of the values exceed 50% saturation. The measurements demonstrate that very low HbO₂ saturations predominate in the tumor tissue. Regional differences can be found only in superficial areas of malignant tumors where a sufficient vascularization still exists. During respiratory hyperoxia only a slight increase in the HbO₂ saturation values within tumor capillaries is obvious. However, the data obtained under these conditions are not significantly different from those measured within the tissue during normoxia. From the results presented here, it can be concluded that respiratory hyperoxia does not yield any practical improvement of the oxygen supply to solid tumors in situ.     

Subarachnoid neurolytic block (L5-S1) and unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy in the treatment of pain secondary to pelvic malignant disease

The present study deals with the immediate and long-term results of subarachnoid neurolytic block (L5-S1) with 7.5%, 10% and 15% concentrations of phenol in glycerine and/or unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy in 73 patients (follow-up in 56 patients) suffering from perineal, perineopelvisacral or pelvisacral pain secondary to malignant diseases of the pelvic cavity. Subarachnoid neurolytic block (L5-S1) produced satisfactory, long-lasting relief of perineal pain when the higher concentrations of phenol (10 and 15%) were used. The only sequela reported was urinary retention. Percutaneous cervical cordotomy used for the treatment of pelvisacral or predominantly unilateral perineal pain gave complete pain relief until death in 76.7% of patients, either alone (36.7%) or in conjunction with pharmacological therapy (40%). Analysis of the data enabled us to establish the respective indications for the two procedures and to identify those cases in which their use may be complementary.     

Further cytogenetic studies on acute promyelocytic leukemia

Chromosomes were analyzed in nine cases of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL-M3), including a follow-up case and an erroneously diagnosed case from our previous reports. The reciprocal 15; 17 translocation, t(15q+; 17q?), was found in all cases, and the break points were estimated to be 15q22 or q23 and 17q12. In addition, trisomy 8 and an isochromosome of the long arm of the affected chromosome #17, i(17q?), were observed in two cases each. Some other abnormalities were encountered, mostly in remission or relapse. The disappearance and repopulation of t(15q+; 17q?) cells were associated with complete remission and relapse, respectively, in two repeatedly analyzed cases.Including the previously reported cases, we investigated a total of 12 cases of APL, and all were found to be associated with t(15q; 17q?). The mean age of the 12 patients was 34.25 ± 3.12 (SD) years, and their mean survival 266.3 ± 95.67 (SD) days.     

An inter-racial study of the prevalence of hypertension in an urban South African population

This study was done to compare and contrast the prevalence of hypertension in the three racial groups of Durban, namely the Africans (Zulus), Indians and Whites, and was a random house-to-house study of 1,000 of each group. The prevalence of hypertension according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria was highest in the African (25%), intermediate in the White (22·8%) and lowest in the Indian (19%). Age-corrected prevalence rates were: African 25%, Whites 17·2% and Indians 14·19%. Prevalence of hypertension was more common in females than in males in the African and Indian population, unlike the Whites. In all racial groups the mean arterial pressure rose with age. Unlike the White study, African females between the ages of 35 and 40 years had a higher prevalence than males. There was an association between hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the Indian population. This study showed that all three population groups had hypertension which was undiagnosed, undetected or inadequately treated. The high prevalence of hypertension in the White and Indian population could explain the high incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) in South Africa. In the African population, whilst they are spared IHD, hypertension is a major factor for the high incidence of cerebrovascular episodes. The lower prevalence of hypertension in the rural Zulu population and the difference in the years of residence between the hypertensive and normotensive urban Zulu suggests that urbanization plays an important part in the aetiology of hypertension in the Zulu.     

Anti-implantation action of a medicated intrauterine delivery system (MIDS)

The effect of a silastic implant made of polydimethyl siloxane tubing and containing 40 mg of norethindrone acetate has been studied in relation to its effect on the subcutaneous tissue of fifty women. Clinically, induration over the implant was detected in only one of them. The histopathology revealed connective tissue response to the silastic implant. The connective tissue showed progressive condensation and maturation of collagen and was associated with chronic inflammatory cell reaction,mainly mononuclear cells and foreign body giant cells. New capillary formation was also seen. However, no anaplastic changes of the fibroblasts were observed.     

Genetic studies on hydatidiform moles. I. The origin of partial moles

A study was designed to investigate the genetic origin of hydatidiform moles. Fifty-nine specimens were obtained and, on a histological basis, separated into two entities: complete and partial. The study of the genetic origin of the 15 partial moles, using cytogenetic and biochemical markers, is described. All the partial moles examined cytogenetically were triploid. One had 71 chromosomes. The sex chromosome complements of seven cases were six XXY and one XXX. Origin by dispermy was possible in seven cases and was proven in four. With the use of biochemical markers a maternal contribution was identified in three cases, and the isoenzyme pattern suggested a trisomic state for at least one locus in four cases. The mechanism of origin of partial moles was compared with spontaneously aborted and liveborn triploids. All the patients were followed up for at least 9 months, and none required treatment for persistent trophoblastic activity.