Nitrous oxide for colonoscopy: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Intravenous sedation/analgesia for colonoscopy is accompanied with certain risks and postprocedure drowsiness. We sought to determine whether inhaled nitrous oxide (Entonox: 50% nitrous oxide, 50% oxygen) provides adequate analgesia for colonoscopy and the impact of this agent on recovery.

Methods: All patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy were considered for the study (n = 248) except those with previous colonic resection.

Stability in Population of Phytophthora infestans Attacking Tomato in Ecuador Demonstrated by Cellulose Acetate Assessment of Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase.

Cellulose acetate electrophoresis was used to examine glucose-6-phosphate (Gpi) isomerase banding patterns of the population of Phytophthora infestans attacking tomato in Ecuador. All but two of 160 sporulating lesions from tomato leaflets collected from 25 tomato fields between January 1998 and March 1999 produced the 86/100 Gpi isozyme electromorph. This isozyme type is characteristic of the US-1 clonal lineage, indicating that no change in the population of P.

Spontaneous involution of pilocytic astrocytoma in a patient without neurofibromatosis type 1: case report.

Serial magnetic resonance imaging findings are described in a patient with a sporadically occurring pilocytic astrocytoma that underwent spontaneous regression over 6 years. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in which spontaneous involution of a pilocytic astrocytoma not associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 has been described. A literature review regarding sporadic and syndrome-associated pilocytic astrocytoma was undertaken, with particular reference to treatment and natural history.

Longitudinal changes in adult fat-free mass: influence of body weight.

Background: Almost all of the data on changes in body composition during aging are cross-sectional in nature. These show that fat-free mass (FFM) declines with age.

Objective: The goal was to analyze results of assays done in the author's laboratory of the FFM of normal adults studied at intervals for >/=2 decades to ascertain longitudinal changes.

Electronic imaging impact on image and report turnaround times.

We prospectively compared image and report delivery times in our Urgent Care Center (UCC) during a film-based practice (1995) and after complete implementation of an electronic imaging practice in 1997. Before switching to a totally electronic and filmless practice, multiple time periods were consistently measured during a 1-week period in May 1995 and then again in a similar week in May 1997 after implementation of electronic imaging. All practice patterns were the same except for a film-based practice in 1995 versus a filmless practice in 1997.

Body composition: overview.

The following is a listing of body composition techniques now available, together with a brief description of the underlying assumptions and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection to reduce gastric cancer incidence: uncertain benefits of a community based programme in Australia.

Helicobacter pylori is a cause of gastric adenocarcinoma, but the role of H. pylori eradication in reducing cancer risk is unknown. We sought to estimate the benefits of a screening and treatment programme for H.

Characterization of siglec-5, a novel glycoprotein expressed on myeloid cells related to CD33.

We describe the characterization of siglec-5 (sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin-5), a novel transmembrane member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, highly related to the myeloid antigen, CD33. A full-length cDNA encoding siglec-5 was isolated from a human activated monocyte cDNA library. Sequencing predicted that siglec-5 contains four extracellular immunoglobulin-like domains, the N-terminal two of which are 57% identical to the corresponding region of CD33.

A Global Marker Database for Phytophthora infestans.

A marker database was compiled for isolates of the potato and tomato late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, originating from 41 locations which include 31 countries plus 10 regions within Mexico. Presently, the database contains information on 1,776 isolates for one or more of the following markers: restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) "fingerprint" consisting of 23 bands; mating type; dilocus allozyme genotype; mitochondrial DNA haplotype; sensitivity to the fungicide metalaxyl; and virulence. In the database, 305 entries have unique RFLP fingerprints and 258 entries have unique multilocus genotypes based on RFLP fingerprint, dilocus allozyme genotype, and mating type.

Clinical utility of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) in the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Ability of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) to distinguish between referred children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other (OTHER) clinical diagnoses were studied. The ADHD group differed from the OTHER group on TOVA variables and most measures from the Revised Conners Teacher Rating Scale (RCTRS) and ADD-H Comprehensive Teacher's Rating Scale (ACTeRS). The criteria of any one TOVA variable > 1.

Short duration therapy for Helicobacter pylori in Western Australia: the impact of metronidazole resistance.

Background: Limited Australian data are available on either short duration therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection, or the impact of metronidazole resistance on the outcome of treatment.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of two treatment regimens and determine the influence metronidazole resistance has on clearing H. pylori infection.

Mode characteristics of twisted resonators composed of two cylindrical mirrors.

We examine the optical resonator composed of two astigmatic elements, in a twisted configuration. These cavities have mode cross-sections with principal axes that rotate on propagation. Explicit cavity mode equations are derived for the case of identical mirrors.

Micronutrient status in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Administration of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to patients with intestinal failure requires attention to caloric content of feeds, fluid, electrolyte balance, and micronutrient status. Peripheral blood estimations of vitamins and trace elements may be abnormal, but their clinical significance in relation to deficiency or toxicity states is not always clear. We sought to determine the incidence and nature of clinical micronutrient abnormality in our HPN program.

Review: Helicobacter pylori. Current issues and new directions.

The present review outlines current management issues and controversies related to Helicobacter pylori infection. Clearance of this infection markedly reduces the likelihood of duodenal and gastric ulcer recurrence and may result in the regression of low grade primary gastric lymphoma. Recent therapeutic advances have seen the development of simpler drug regimens to treat H.

Population Genetic Structure of Phytophthora infestans in Ecuador.

ABSTRACT The population genetic structure of Phytophthora infestans in Ecuador was assessed from 101 isolates collected from 1990 to 1992 and 111 isolates collected in 1993. All isolates were analyzed for mating type and allozyme genotype. Both samples were dominated (>95%) by a clonal lineage (EC-1) defined from neutral markers: 90/100 genotype for glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, 96/100 genotype for peptidase, A1 mating type, and a previously unreported nuclear DNA fingerprint.