A comparison of fallout (236)U and (239)Pu uptake by Australian vegetation.

The isotopes (236)U and (239)Pu, both produced during nuclear weapons tests carried out in the 1950s and 1960s, are present in the environment and may be used as tracers for soil erosion studies. Although these radionuclides occur only at ultra-trace levels in nature, they can be readily measured by accelerator mass spectrometry with the 14UD heavy ion accelerator at the Australian National University. We have analysed a series of vegetation samples for their (236)U and (239)Pu concentration and compared the results with those found in the surrounding soil. (236)U could be measured in all collected samples whereas (239)Pu could not be detected in several vegetation samples due to its very low concentration, although it was readily detectable in the soil. We find that, relative to plutonium, (236)U is preferentially taken up by plants with enrichment factors ((236)U/(239)Pu)veg/((236)U/(239)Pu)soil that range between 7 and 52 in the present study.

[Gelatin-thrombin matrix-mediated hemostasis: application in tonsillectomy]. / Gelatine-Thrombin-Matrix zur Blutstillung: Einsatz bei der Tonsillektomie.

BACKGROUND: To assess the feasibility of omitting thermal coagulation following cold knife tonsillectomy, we compared the use of a local thrombin hemostat (FloSeal®, FS) to bipolar electrocautery (EK). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 181 patients with chronic tonsillitis or tonsillar hypertrophy were stratified in terms of patient characteristics and randomized before undergoing tonsillectomy. The follow-up period continued until postoperative day 20. RESULTS: FS-treated patients reported lower postoperative pain intensity scores (p = 0.011) and significantly reduced pain duration (p < 0.001). Whilst wound healing appeared to be improved in FS patients, the rates of postoperative hemorrhage remained unchanged. Use of an FS enabled inexperienced surgeons (< 100 procedures) to reduce their operating time by 8 min (p = 0.05), although no effect was observed for experienced surgeons. CONCLUSION: Hemostasis is effectively mediated by an FS and its application reduces postoperative pain intensity and duration. Although we observed accelerated wound healing and reduced operating times owing to a more calculable rate of hemostasis, this did not influence the rates of postoperative hemorrhage.

[How I treat...acute pancreatitis: a literature review]. / Comment je traite...la pancréatite aiguë: revue de la littérature.

The article gives an overview of the current status of treatment of AP. The different therapeutical strategies are described and compared. The basic treatment for severe AP remains a medical therapy in an Intensive Care Unit. Surgical therapy is indicated in case of infection of necrotizing areas or other severe complications. The potential benefit of antiprotase agents and other new molecules is discussed.

[Clinical case of the month. Cholestatic hepatitis after administration of piperacillin]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Hépatite cholestatique après administration de pipéracilline.

We describe a patient suffering from infection of the upper respiratory tract, who was treated with a dose of 4 x 4 g of piperacillin over 10 days. Two days after the end of the treatment, she developed jaundice and had elevated alkaline phosphatase, gammaglutamyltransferase and transaminases. After exclusion of viral hepatitis, a vascular problem, and gall stone disease, the possibility of piperacillin-induced hepatitis was discussed. Lymphocyte transformation test for piperacillin was positive, suggesting an immunological mechanism for the observed hepatopathy. The patient was discharged a few days after in good clinical condition and with reduced liver values. Cholestasis gradually decreased but was detectable for several weeks. The patient had a full clinical and biochemical recovery after 2 months. We conclude that short-term therapy with piperacillin can lead to the same type of hepatopathy as described for amoxycillin/clavulanic acid or antistaphylococcal penicillins. Positive lymphocyte transformation is compatible with an immunological mechanism.

[Evaluation criteria for acute pancreatitis. Recent data from the literature]. / Critères d'évaluation d'une pancréatite aiguë. Données récentes de la littérature.

This paper related to the diagnosis and etiological factors of acute pancreatitis (AP). 20% of all cases of AP will develop local and/or systemic complications; infections of the lesions play an important role. To predict severity and outcome, the value of clinical examination, current biological parameters, new markers and computed tomography is discussed.

Effects of caffeine and bombesin on ethanol and food intake.

The methylxanthine caffeine and ethyl alcohol are widely used and powerful psychotropic drugs, but their interactions are not well understood. Bombesin is a brain-gut neuropeptide which is thought to function as a neurochemical factor in the inhibitory control of voluntary alcohol ingestion. We assessed the effects of combinations of intraperitoneal (i.p.) doses of caffeine (CAF, 0.1-50 mg/kg) and bombesin (BBS, 1-10 micrograms/kg) on 5% w/v ethanol solution and food intake in deprived rats. Deprived male and female Wistar rats received access to 5% ethanol or Purina chow for 30 minutes after i.p. injections. In single doses, CAF and BBS significantly decreased both ethanol and food consumption, at 50 mg/kg and 10 micrograms/kg, respectively. CAF and BBS combinations produced infra-additive, or less-than-expected inhibitory effects on ethanol intake, but simple additive inhibitory effects on food intake. This experimental evidence suggests a reciprocal blocking of effects of CAF and BBS on ethanol intake but not food intake. Caffeine, when interacting with bombesin, increases alcohol consumption beyond expected values. Caffeine could affect the operation of endogenous satiety signals for alcohol consumption.

Experimental coronary artery bypass operation. Myocardial blood flow, ventricular performance and regional myocardial function.

Myocardial blood flow and ventricular function was studied in seven dogs with chronic myocardial ischemia before and after coronary bypass grafting. Restoring blood flow in an area of 25% of the anterior wall of the left ventricle did not significantly improve overall ventricular function. Assessment of intramyocardial pressure as an index of regional myocardial function revealed a consistent enhancement of myocardial contraction at rest, and under pharmacological stress of the heart.