Low-background gamma spectrometry for environmental radioactivity.

Development and performance of a low-background gamma-ray spectrometer are described. The spectrometer consists of a 131% efficient Ge detector in U-type configuration. The passive shielding consists of ultrapure lead of 6" thickness.

Treatment of trigger finger in patients with diabetes mellitus.

We present a retrospective study of 54 diabetic patients with 121 trigger digits treated over a 3-year period by one to three injections of corticosteroid mixed with local anesthetic. As a group, diabetic patients responded less favorably to treatment by steroid injection (50% symptom resolution) when compared to reported outcomes of steroid injection treatment for stenosing tenosynovitis in the general population. Insulin-dependent diabetic patients have a higher incidence of multiple digit involvement (59% of patients) and of requiring surgical release for relief of symptoms (56% of digits) when compared to non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (28% of patients with multiple digit involvement; 28% of digits requiring surgery).

Efficacy and safety of a seven-day, transdermal estradiol drug-delivery system: comparison with conjugated estrogens and placebo. The Transdermal Estradiol Patch Study Group.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new, seven-day, transdermal estradiol system in healthy postmenopausal women with hot flushes.

Methods: Two studies are described. In the first study, subjects were randomized to treatment with a 0.