Initial validation of the Voris Cocaine Craving Scale: a preliminary report.

Although cocaine craving can persist for weeks after the last use and is thought to play a role in future relapses, few short, reliable, and valid instruments exist to measure craving. Therefore, we wished to examine the validity of the 4-item Voris Cocaine Craving Scale (VCCS), which was previously found reliable. A consecutive series of 41 recently withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients completed the 4-item VCCS and the Cocaine Craving Questionnaire (CCQ), which was used as the criterion measure.

Postpneumonectomy syndrome in adulthood. Surgical correction using an expandable prosthesis.

The postpneumonectomy syndrome is a rare complication occurring after right pneumonectomy and is seen mainly after pneumonectomy in childhood. The presenting symptoms are dyspnea, stridor, and recurrent pulmonary infections. The syndrome is caused by the shifting and rotation of the heart and mediastinum into the right hemithorax, and anterior herniation of the left lung.

Resection of more than 10 lung segments. A 30-year survey of 30 bronchiectatic patients.

A series of 30 bronchiectatic patients, treated by bilateral resection of 11, 12, or 13 lung segments, has been followed up for 30 years. The progress of the patients is analyzed and the results of treatment are evaluated. Ten patients required further resections for persisting collapse, kinking of the apical segment of a lower lobe, or because the previous resection had been too limited.

Microsomal activation of fluoranthene to mutagenic metabolites.

The in vitro metabolism of fluoranthene (FA) was assessed by incubating 3-[3H]FA, the synthesis of which is described, with rat hepatic microsomal enzymes. Several metabolites including the FA 2,3-diol, FA 2-3,-quinone, 3-OH-FA, 1-OH-FA, and 8-OH-FA were isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography and identified by comparison of chromatographic properties and uv-visible spectra with those of synthetic standards. The major metabolite produced over the FA concentration range studied (23-233 microM) was FA 2,3-diol, accounting for 29-43% of the total extractable metabolites.

Bullectomy for giant bullae in emphysema.

The results of changes in dyspnea and pulmonary function are reported in 27 emphysematous patients followed up for about 10 years after removal of giant bullae, which occupied at least 50% of a hemithorax. In 10 patients bilateral bullectomy was done. The spirographic improvement depends on the type of bulla.