A new clinical test in gastroduodenal perforation.

Forty-nine cases of gastroduodenal perforation were subjected to new air insufflation test. The clinical and radiological criteria of air insufflation test were applied to every patient of this study. Forty-seven cases (95.9%) were positive to the new test whereas 2 negative cases turned out to be old sealing perforation. The new test is highly useful in preoperative detection of site of perforation in perforative peritonitis.     

Rheological characterisation of dextran-concanavalin A mixtures as a basis for a self-regulated drug delivery device.

The rheological characterisation of glucose sensitive mixtures containing dextran and concanavalin A (con A) with and without glucose, was undertaken using oscillatory rheometry at 20 and 37 degrees C so that comparative data could be gathered in the linear viscoelastic (LVE) range. Measurements for a series of mixtures showed that complex viscosity is a function not only of the con A concentration but of the content and molecular weight of the dextran used. The extent of liquefaction on addition of glucose also depended on these factors. The tan delta profiles confirmed the change from semi-solid towards fluid behaviour. This occurs when glucose effects dismantling of the three-dimensional structure of the dextran-con A system by competitive binding to the glucose receptors in the protein. For the mixtures studied, the changes occurred between contents of 0 and 1% (w/w) glucose at 20 and 37 degrees C and form a useful basis for the formulation of a self-regulating delivery device for the control of hyper-and hypoglycaemia in diabetes.     

Assessment of alcohol and other drug use behaviors in health professions students.

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use behaviors of health professions students (HPS) were assessed by surveying both university-based HPS and other nursing programs in a Midwestern state in 1999. Response was 2,646 (56.4%) of surveyed students. Family history of alcohol-related and drug-related problems were reported by 39.8% and 13.9%, respectively, with 42.6% of respondents reporting one or both. Among nursing respondents, 48.1%, 19.2% and 51.1%, respectively, reported family problems with alcohol, drugs, or one or both. Past-year alcohol use was comparable to undergraduate college students (UCS) nationally (83%); heavy drinking, tobacco and recreational drug use by HPS were lower. Past year drug use was highest among medical students. Marijuana was the predominant illicit drug; medical students and males most often reported use. Health professions educational systems should proactively address student AOD prevention, education and assistance needs.     

Interstitial cystitis treated with intravesical doxorubicin

Three patients with interstitial cystitis diagnosed on the basis of clinical symptoms, classic endoscopic findings, and a typical histologic picture were treated with intravesical doxorubicin. All 3 patients showed remarkable improvement, as manifested by complete clearance of irritative bladder symptoms and healing of ulceration. Doxorubicin therefore may be the breakthrough drug for interstitial cystitis.     

Angiosarcoma of the pleura.

Angiosarcoma is a rare, highly malignant tumor arising from endothelial cells of small blood vessels. They usually occur in the skin, deep soft tissues, breast and liver. Pleural angiosarcomas are extremely rare and are restricted to case reports in medical literature. It is very difficult to distinguish them from malignant mesotheliomas on clinical, radiological and even histopathological features. Immunohistochemistry is valuable in making the diagnosis, showing negative reactivity for mesothelial markers and positivity for vascular markers. Prognosis is generally dismal except in occasional cases where the disease is localized and amenable for surgical resection. We report a 55-year-old man who presented to us with chest pain, cough and hemoptysis and was diagnosed to have a pleural angiosarcoma.     

Physiological analysis to quantify training load in badminton.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the training load of specific on court training regimens based on the magnitude of variation of heart rate-lactate response during specific training and to determine the magnitude of variation of biochemical parameters (urea, uric acid, and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)) 12 hours after the specific training programme so as to assess training stress. METHODS: The study was conducted on six national male badminton players. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2), ventilation (VE), heart rate, and respiratory quotient were measured by a protocol of graded treadmill exercise. Twelve training sessions and 35 singles matches were analysed. Heart rate and blood lactate were monitored during technical training routines and match play. Fasting blood samples collected on two occasions--that is, during off season and 12 hours after specific training--were analysed for serum urea, uric acid, and CPK. RESULTS: Analysis of the on court training regimens showed lactate values of 8-10.5 mmol/l in different phases. The percentage of maximum heart rate ranged from 82% to 100%. Urea, uric acid, and CPK activity showed significant changes from (mean (SD)) 4.93 (0.75) mmol/l to 5.49 (0.84) mmol/l, 0.23 (0.04) to 0.33 (0.06) mmol/l, and 312 (211.8) to 363 (216.4) IU/l respectively. CONCLUSION: Maximum lactate reported in the literature ranges from 3-6 mmol/l. Comparatively high lactate values and high percentage of maximum heart rate found in on court training show a considerable stress on muscular and cardiovascular system. The training load needs appropriate monitoring to avoid over-training. Workouts that are too intensive may interfere with coordination, a factor that is important in sports requiring highly technical skill such as badminton.