Social, cultural and demographic aspects of AIDS.

Both on national and international levels, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) represents a formidable challenge to social institutions and to cultural assumptions. Its effect thus far, in what must be considered the very early stages of a protracted and unprecedented epidemic, has been to exacerbate existing social tensions and divisions over a surprisingly wide field. Though international leadership by the World Health Organization has been met with an unusually high degree of multinational cooperation, AIDS has also stimulated a degree of xenophobia and racial friction that, if allowed to grow, could handicap global AIDS control and prevention efforts.

Bioluminescence: an improvement in the enzymatic assay of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in biological fluids.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) determination in biological fluids was carried out by enzymatic hydrolysis and conversion into estrogens [estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2)] by the multienzyme system of human placental microsomes. The enzymatic complex consists of sulfatase, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid oxido reductase and 5en----4en isomerase which converts DHEAS into androstenedione (A); the latter component is further converted into estrogens by the aromatase. The resulting estrogens were determined from the NADH formed by the transhydrogenation reactions of human placental dehydrogenase.

Quantitative thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of lorapride in biological fluids and a pharmacokinetic study in humans.

Lorapride has been determined in plasma, red blood cells, and urine by HPLC. The detection was performed at a short wavelength (226 nm), resulting in a detection limit of 10 ng/mL (amount injected was 3.5 ng).

Transaxillary latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction in head and neck cancer. Limitations and refinements in 56 cases.

The transaxillary latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap is suitable whenever a large volume of tissue is required for head and neck reconstruction. Fifty-six transaxillary latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap reconstructions were performed in 55 patients. There were two cases of complete flap necrosis and eight cases of partial flap necrosis.

An analysis of 12 years of craniomaxillofacial surgery in Toronto.

Over 12 years, 1092 patients underwent 2019 craniomaxillofacial procedures in Toronto. Overall mortality was 0.64 percent, and that directly related to surgery was 0.

Reconstruction of the lower extremity with vascularized composite tissue: improved tissue survival and specific indications.

A retrospective assessment of 50 vascularized composite tissue transfers was carried out with 48 patients. Factors responsible for improved tissue survival included (1) the evaluation and proper selection of recipient vasculature, (2) the increased dependence on the vacularized latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap, and (3) the frequent use, wherever possible, of an end-to-side arterial anastomisis. Specific indications for reconstruction of the lower extremity with vascularized composite tissue include (1) avulsive injuries to the distal tibia and foot, (2) the failure of conventional methods, (3) the treatment of extensive chronic osteomyelitis, (4) deficiency of both soft tissue cover and skeletal support, (5) the restoration of form and contour with minimal secondary deformity of the donor site, and (6) extensive loss of soft tissue only.