The chronopathology of breast pre-cancer.

Breast temperatures have been measured by the automated instrumentation called the 'Chronobra' for 16 progesterone cycles in women at normal risk for breast cancer and for 15 cycles in women at high risk for breast cancer. Circatrigintan and circaseptan rhythm parameters have been examined by the single and population mean cosinor technique. In the first analysis there was strong evidence for a loss of the 28-day rhythm and its replacement by a 7-day rhythm (? frequency multiplication).

Respiratory control in infants at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

There is much debate relating to possible abnormalities in respiratory control mechanisms in infants considered at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The P0.1 occlusion technique was used to assess the central respiratory response to hyperoxic hypercapnia during quiet sleep in 21 normal infants, 13 siblings of SIDS victims, and 17 infants with apparent life threatening events.

Effects of cholesterol and lipoproteins on aldosterone secretion by bovine zona glomerulosa cells.

Freshly isolated bovine adrenocortical cells were pretreated with various concentrations of cholesterol and of high- (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions of known cholesterol content and then incubated in medium alone with and without angiotensin II. Preincubation with cholesterol (323 mumol/l) caused basal aldosterone synthesis to increase from 0.89 +/- 0.

Sleep phase and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants at possible risk of SIDS.

The association between gastro-oesophageal reflux and sleep state in 24 infants with confirmed or suspected gastro-oesophageal reflux was studied by monitoring both the pH in the lower oesophagus and polygraphic tracings made during sleep at night. Gastro-oesophageal reflux during the night was confirmed in 20 infants. Three hundred and sixteen precipitous drops of more than one unit of pH were recorded during the studies, 186 during periods of wakefulness.

Measurement of lung volumes during active and quiet sleep in infants.

The question of whether functional residual capacity (FRC) falls in infants during active sleep has been clouded by studies using different subject groups and techniques for measurements of lung volume and determination of sleep state. Twenty healthy full-term infants within the first week of life participated in the present study. Neurophysiological and behavioral criteria were used to define sleep state, and measurements of FRC were made using a specially constructed closed-circuit helium dilution system.

Cough flow-volume relationships in normal and asthmatic children.

The flow-volume profile of a maximum voluntary cough resembles that of a maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curve with superimposed transient peak flows at the onset of each cough effort and portions of zero flow corresponding to periods of glottis closure. A straight line (the cough slope) can be drawn through the transient peak flows, and the ratio of MEFV-equivalent flow to the cough peak flow can be calculated. This cough ratio has been shown to fall during adult life and may be related to changes in airway compliance and cross-sectional area with age.

Genesis of breast cancer is in the premenopause.

In Britain and other high-risk countries, about a third of patients with breast cancer are premenopausal at diagnosis. In the remainder, tumour initiation might have occurred in the premenopause, even though the clinical presentation was late in life. This possibility has important implications for breast cancer prevention and screening.

Vomiting and gastro-oesophageal reflux.

During radionuclide scans in 82 infants and children gastro-oesophageal reflux extending to the upper oesophageal/laryngeal level was detected in 636 one minute frames. Only 61 (9.6%) of these frames were associated with vomiting, defined as the appearance of milk at the mouth.

Monitoring for central apnoea in infancy--limitations of single channel recordings.

Apparent central apnoea (absent breathing movements) detected by monitoring movement of the thoracic wall was compared with simultaneous detection by abdominal wall movement. Eighteen infants provided one or more 24 hour recording of heart rate (electrocardiography), thoracic respiration (transthoracic impedance), and abdominal wall movement (pressure sensitive capsule distortion). Detection of true apnoea, recognition of artefact, and measurement of the duration of true apnoea were all improved when two channels of respiratory monitoring were used in combination.

Endogenous vasopressin affects postural control of blood pressure in man.

1. Six healthy volunteers received intravenous infusions of isotonic (0.9% NaCl) and hypertonic (3% NaCl) saline on separate days.

Nocturnal cough in asthma.

The timing of nocturnal cough and its association with change in ambient temperature was documented in 11 asthmatic children, median age 5.1 years, while they were receiving continuous prophylaxis. Studies were performed in their homes on three nights.

Maximum voluntary cough: an indication of airway function.

Maximum voluntary coughing produces a flow-volume profile which incorporates the characteristics of a maximum expiratory flow-volume curve (MEFV). The cough flow-volume curve also has transient spikes of supramaximal flow, interspersed with portions of zero flow when the glottis is closed. The peak flow rates of the supramaximal flow transients during cough decrease in a linear fashion as lung volume goes down from total lung capacity to residual volume.

Community-based approaches to highway safety: health promotion and drinking-driving.

Traditional preventive tactics in road safety have emphasized technology, legislation and regulation. There is growing awareness and evidence that these methods need to be complemented with alternative approaches, particularly those that acknowledge the importance of life style as a determinant of risky driving. Accordingly, new approaches are emerging that emphasize the need for long-term, individual and community-based approaches in road safety, particularly as a tactic for addressing complex problems, like drinking-driving, that are determined by psychosocial and life style factors.

Purification and some properties of a novel heat-stable cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase.

cis-Toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase was purified 200-fold from cells of a thermotolerant Bacillus species grown with toluene as the sole source of carbon and energy. The purified enzyme preparation was remarkably heat-stable and exhibited a half-life of 100 min at 80 degrees C, the temperature optimum. The activation energy of the reaction was 36 kJ.

Youth and traffic accidents.

THIS PAPER ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING YOUNG ADULTS: specifically, what is known about the causes of their accidents, and what preventive action seems warranted. In this context, we consider what role the family physician might play in dealing with this major public health problem.

Improving the prognosis in acute renal and respiratory failure.

We have achieved smooth homeostasis in patients with acute renal and respiratory failure by means of machine-controlled, continuous ultrafiltration and simultaneous bicarbonate hemodialysis with a polysulfone, biocompatible membrane (CUPID). No adverse effects were seen, even after 22 days of continued treatment. Mortality was reduced (7/14) when compared to that of a similar group given short conventional daily acetate hemodialysis and ultrafiltration with a cuprophane membrane (12/18).

Sleep apnoea in infants with congenital stridor.

Indices of central apnoea, respiration rate, heart rate, and body movements were comparable in seven infants with congenital stridor (infantile larynx) and matched controls. Obstructive sleep apnoea was only observed in three of seven infants with stridor. Periodic breathing was less common in infants with stridor than in controls.

Sleep apnoea during upper respiratory infection and metabolic alkalosis in infancy.

Three to four hour polygraphic sleep studies were carried out in 10 infants, five with upper respiratory infection and five with metabolic alkalosis secondary to vomiting during and after recovery from illness. During upper respiratory infection, the main abnormality detected was brief (greater than 3 less than 6 seconds) or prolonged (greater than 6 seconds) attacks of obstructive apnoea. Other indices of apnoea were similar to recovery data.