Colon transit scintigraphy in health and constipation using oral iodine-131-cellulose.

The purpose of the study was to assess if a new scintigraphic method for noninvasive assessment of colonic transit could differentiate between subjects with normal bowel transit and those with constipation. Eleven normal subjects and 29 constipated patients were given 4 MBq iodine-131-cellulose (131I-cellulose) orally and sequential abdominal scans were performed at 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr from which total and segmental percent retentions were calculated. There were clear differences between the normal subjects and the constipated patients for the total percent retention at all time intervals, on a segmental basis in the right colon at 24 hr, and in all segments at 48 and 72 hr.

Nursing diagnoses for the postpartum woman.

A descriptive, correlational study was undertaken to identify nursing diagnoses selected by mothers during the first 72 hours after birth. The convenience sample of 231 women completed questionnaires listing 34 diagnoses. On average, each mother selected nine diagnoses of concern to her since the birth.

Serological diagnosis of neurocysticercosis: evaluation of ELISA tests using cyst fluid and other components of Taenia solium cysticerci as antigens.

An ELISA system was developed to assist with the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Antigens were prepared from the fluid, the protoscolex and the cyst wall of cysticerci dissected from infected pigs. The fluid antigen was tested both fresh and after freeze-drying and one year's storage.

Influence of environmental mycobacteria on the prevalence of leprosy clinical type.

A comparison was made of antibody levels to 16 environmental mycobacteria in leprosy patients and healthy controls. Significant differences in response were found between patients and controls from an area of Zimbabwe with predominantly lepromatous leprosy when compared to an area where more tuberculoid cases were found. The results obtained suggest that exposure to some environmental mycobacteria may influence the type of leprosy developed by susceptible individuals.

Diagnosis of inferior myocardial infarction in the presence of left anterior hemiblock.

Inferior myocardial infarction results in Q waves in the inferior leads of the electrocardiogram (ECG). Left anterior hemiblock results in initial r waves in these leads. Thus the diagnosis of one in the presence of the other is difficult.

The effect of infant formula samples on breastfeeding practice.

To determine whether infant formula samples affect breastfeeding practice, 95 breastfeeding mothers were randomly assigned to receive or not receive formula samples on discharge from a postpartum unit. Unaware of the specific nature of the study, these mothers were interviewed by telephone six to seven weeks postpartum by an investigator blind to the randomization status. Although more women who had discontinued breastfeeding were among the group who had received samples than those who had not received samples, the difference was not statistically significant.

Thallium circumferential profiles in the detection of coronary artery disease--assessment by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Thallium uptake and redistribution in the myocardium was quantitated using circumferential activity profiles. The profiles were determined from images in the LAO 35, LAO 70 and anterior views, obtained after peak exercise and after 3-4 h redistribution. A retention curve was constructed from these profiles, displaying the redistribution profile as a fraction of the stress profile.

A combined procedure for 99mTc aerosol ventilation and perfusion imaging.

For several years, radioaerosols have been successfully used to provide detailed images of regional ventilation to aid in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. It has been widely advocated that the ventilation images should follow the perfusion scan and that the amount of aerosol deposited in the patient's lungs should be three times greater than the perfusion dose. We employed an alternative approach which avoided the deposition of an unpredictable amount of aerosol in individual patients.

Diagnosis of old anterior myocardial infarction in emphysema with poor R wave progression in anterior chest leads.

The electrocardiograms of patients with emphysema may suggest associated old anterior myocardial infarction. Sixteen patients with the physiological characteristics of emphysema were studied, who also showed poor R wave progression in the anterior chest leads, so that RV3 was less than or equal to 4 mm. A thallium-201 cardiac scan consistent with previous anterior (septal) myocardial infarction was present in seven patients.

Simplified estimation of glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow.

A method is described for the determination of GFR and ERPF using a combined injection of 51Cr-EDTA and 125I-iodohippurate. Plasma samples obtained at 60 min and 150 min after administration were used to determine a flow rate F assuming a monoexponential clearance of the tracers. Empirical relationships were found between F and the true GFR and ERPF determined from multiple sampling and multi-exponential analysis of the clearance curves.

A virilizing hilus-cell tumour in an African patient with Turner's syndrome.

A 26-year-old African female presented with primary amenorrhoea and genital abnormalities. She had the physical stigmata of Turner's syndrome and a 45, X karyotype. Severe masculinization of the external genitalia, apparently present from birth, was present and a laparotomy revealed a hilus-cell tumour of the right streak gonad.