Deuterium Isotope Effects in Polymerization of Benzene under Pressure.

The enormous versatility in the properties of carbon materials depends on the content of the sp and sp covalent bonds. Under compression, if intermolecular distances cross a critical threshold, then unsaturated hydrocarbons gradually transform to saturated carbon polymers. However, the mechanism of polymerization, even for benzene, the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon, is still not understood.

Bilateral breast fibromatosis: case report and review of the literature.

Fibromatosis or desmoid tumor is a benign, slow-growing fibroblastic neoplasm originating from musculoaponeurotic stromal elements. These tumors are characterized by an infiltrative and locally aggressive growth pattern, frequent recurrences, but no metastatic potential. The etiology is unknown, but these tumors have been associated with trauma and genetic disorders.

An oxidoreductase is involved in cercosporin degradation by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. zinniae.

The polyketide toxin cercosporin plays a key role in pathogenesis by fungal species of the genus Cercospora. The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. zinniae is able to rapidly degrade this toxin.

A system of multiple biopsy forceps.

Aim: A new system of flexible endoscopic biopsy forceps is described. These forceps are simple, cheap to produce, and disposable.

Design: These forceps take larger and less traumatized biopsies than do existing single biopsy forceps.

End-stage cardiac failure in a morbidly obese patient treated by biliopancreatic diversion and cardiac transplantation.

A 57-year-old 132-kg female (BMI 48.6) with end-stage cardiac failure is presented. Because of a progressive cardiomyopathy, the patient required a heart transplant.

Needle biopsy for suspicious lesions of the head of the pancreas: pitfalls and implications for therapy.

Controversy continues to exist concerning the optimal diagnostic approach to a pancreatic head lesion suspected of being a neoplasm. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of needle biopsy in suspicious pancreatic head neoplasia and its effect on therapy and outcome. Seventy-three patients with symptoms or signs of periampullary neoplasia and a pancreatic head lesion identified on CT scan were reviewed retrospectively.

Familial Incidence and Influence on the Development of Obesity.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in families of patients seeking surgical treatment for their severe obesity was investigated. METHODS: Patients listed for surgery (vertical gastroplasty) for severe obesity (BMI > 35) were interviewed and asked for details of the numbers of members of the immediate family who were at least 6.5 kg overweight.

Wernicke's encephalopathy after vertical banded gastroplasty for morbid obesity.

Thiamine deficiency is known to lead to certain neurological sequelae including Wernicke- Korsakoff encephalopathy. Signs attributable to this condition include ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, nystagmus, and mental confusion. Recognised predisposing conditions include alcoholism gastric carcinoma, pyloric obstruction, hyperemesis gravidarum, and prolonged intravenous feeding.

Reversal of Hair Loss following Vertical Gastroplasty when Treated with Zinc Sulphate.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional complications following surgery for morbid obesity include both vitamin and mineral deficiency. Severe cases of zinc deficiency can lead to alopecia, diarrhea, emotional disorders, weight loss, intercurrent infection, bullous-pustular dermatitis and hypogonadism in males. Hair loss may occur after vertical gastroplasty (VG).

The challenge of therapy for pancreatitis-related common bile duct stricture.

Background: Opinions regarding the appropriate clinical management of pancreatitis-related common bile duct (CBD) stricture vary considerably.

Patients And Methods: Nineteen patients with chronic pancreatitis and proven stricture of their CBD were included in this study. Their mean duct diameter was 16 mm, bilirubin was 8.

Ablation of neoplasia by direct current.

The application of low-voltage direct electrical current (DEC) has been studied in animals and humans for the ablation of anal condylomata, oesophageal cancer and Kaposi's sarcoma. Twenty milliamps of DEC passed through multiple 6 cm x 1 cm, flat-plate longitudinal electrodes into the squamous mucosa of the oesophagus of healthy dogs for periods ranging from 10 min to 2 h resulted in denudation and necrosis of the oesophageal mucosa at the site of application of the current. In humans, the application of DEC to two patients with benign anal condyloma acuminata, three patients with inoperable obstructing oesophageal cancer and one patient with disseminated Kaposi sarcoma resulted in striking necrosis of tumour tissue that was confirmed by macroscopic and microscopic studies.

The effects of low-level direct current therapy on a preclinical mammary carcinoma: tumour regression and systemic biochemical sequelae.

Low-level direct electric current has been shown to be capable of destroying tumour tissue. Using an early-passage subcutaneous murine mammary carcinoma, the relationships between the volume of tumour destruction, charge and polarity have been examined. The results revealed a direct correlation between charge passed and absolute volume regression when the intratumoral electrode was made either an anode or a cathode.

Quest for continence: surgery for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis.

In the past decade pelvic pouch procedure (restorative proctocolectomy) has become the surgical treatment of choice for ulcerative colitis and most cases of familial adenomatous polyposis. It is an operation that eradicates disease yet restores gastrointestinal continuity and maintains continence.

Carcinoma of the breast at the site of migrated pacemaker generators.

We report two patients in whom breast malignancy developed in the proximity of 'migrated' pacemaker generators. These cases and the similar ones reported in the literature raise concerns whether this association is merely coincidental or whether the pacemaker generator is responsible for the occurrence in some inexplicable manner. We urge for a routine, careful examination in all patients with implanted pacemaker generators at follow-up visits.

Benign cystic peritoneal mesothelioma.

The well defined but rare entity of benign cystic mesothelioma is reported. The aetiology of this neoplasm remains obscure. The presenting features make a precise preoperative diagnosis difficult; information provided by computed tomography and cytology may help.

Biochemical Changes after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty.

A prospective study of biochemical changes after vertical banded gastroplasty for morbid obesity, in 94 patients (10 males and 84 females, ages ranging from 18 to 59 years) has been carried out. Liver function tests and electrolyte estimations were performed preoperatively, during hospitalization for surgery, at 6 weeks and at 6 months postoperatively, and demonstrated no significant changes in liver function in these patients 6 months after surgery. The study concludes that there is no increase in the risk of liver damage or electrolyte disturbance after vertical gastroplasty, but that there may be subtle hepatic changes present as gall bladder disease developed in 18 patients postoperation (19%).

Pelvic ileo-anal reservoirs: a lectin histochemical study.

Pelvic ileo-anal reservoir (ileal pouch) formation is now a common surgical approach to the management of long-standing inflammatory bowel disease. The ileal mucosa in this new environment responds with changes in morphology and histochemical reactivity, as shown by conventional techniques. In this study, pre-pouch ileum and pouch ileal mucosa from 20 patients have been examined with a large panel of lectins using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique, with appropriate negative controls and sugar-inhibition studies.

Resolution of Diabetes Following Vertical Gastroplasty in Morbidly Obese Patients.

Case reports are presented in three patients treated for morbid obesity by vertical gastroplasty. Prior to surgery, the patients had diabetes which required insulin, up to 200 units per day, or oral hypoglycemics for its control. Six months after surgery the diabetes had been resolved in all three patients, and they were no longer dependent on medication.