Recent developments in the high-resolution gas chromatography of polychlorinated biphenyls.

The capillary gas chromatography of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is reviewed. Focus is on the most recent developments in the separation and detection of PCBs rather than sample preparation methods. Included are a comprehensive look at stationary phases that have been used to separate PCBs and the relatively new work on chiral separations of PCBs. Mass spectrometry and atomic emission are presented as selective detection techniques. Suggestions for additional research are proposed where appropriate.

The last critical care bed in Western Canada.

This Brief Report provides an assessment of various factors contributing to the widely publicized emergency department overflow and bed availability crisis that occurred last spring in Edmonton area's Capital Health Region. We were able to divide the factors contributing to the crisis into those of a general nature, those related specifically to health care restructuring, and factors related even more specifically to the nature of Capital Health's Integrated Delivery System. Strategies that we have developed to deal with each of these factors are described.

Community nursing. Weight-lifters.

As hospital stays get shorter, the pressure on community nursing teams is becoming greater. Gill Frame and Paula O'Donnell describe how one trust devised a scoring system for patient dependency to ensure a fair workload within and between teams.

CP-72,588, a semisynthetic analog of the polyether ionophore UK-58,582 with increased anticoccidial potency.

We have employed semisynthesis to enhance the anticoccidial potency of a polyether ionophore. CP-72,588 is the alpha-methyl analog of the fermentation-derived polyether ionophore UK-58,852. The parent ionophore required a dose of 15 ppm to achieve anticoccidial efficacy in chickens equivalent to that of salinomycin at 60 ppm. CP-72,588 demonstrated substantially improved potency, with efficacy at 5 to 7.5 ppm. The intrinsic antimicrobial potencies of the two ionophores are similar; however, CP-72,588 was found in chicken tissues at higher levels than those of the parent ionophore when each was administered at the same dose (8 ppm). The enhanced potency of CP-72,588 may be partially due to enhanced uptake into tissues.

Pharmacokinetic study of danofloxacin in cattle and swine.

Pharmacokinetic values of a new quinolone antimicrobial, danofloxacin, were studied in cattle and swine. Plasma concentration was detected within 15 minutes after IM administration, peaked by 1 hour, and subsequently decreased, with half-life of 2.9 and 6.8 hours for cattle and swine, respectively. In swine, danofloxacin was absorbed, whether orally administered by gavage, in feed, or in drinking water. Danofloxacin concentrated in lung tissue at 4 to 7 times the plasma concentration. Lung tissue concentration exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentrations for im90portant respiratory tract pathogens for extended periods after administration of the drug by any of the routes studied. The major routes of excretion were in urine and bile.

Patients with sexually transmitted diseases at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic.

The profile of patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) attending a sex health education programme at the Alexandra Health Centre and University Clinic for the period 1 August 1989 - 31 July 1990 is reported. During the study period 5.195 (10%) of the total of 51,858 patients seen in the adult outpatients department were referred to the sex health education unit with an STD. Data on 5,017 STD patients (97%) are available and also information on a further 505 contacts of STD patients. A practice profile on all patients attending the adult outpatients departments was also collected. Data for the month of August 1990 were analysed and stratified according to either a STD diagnosis or any other diagnosis. Groups were then compared according to age, socio-economic classification, numbers of sexual partners, presence of ulcers, etc.

Knowledge and attitudes relating to condoms on the part of African high school children around Johannesburg.

Senior high school children completed a self-administered questionnaire on sexual activity, knowledge of family planning methods, condoms and use of condoms. The study highlighted some useful and interesting information though its value is limited by a poor response rate. The results suggest that at least 50% of the scholars are sexually active, but only about 20% reported sexual intercourse during the month preceding the survey. This small group reports more than 1 sexual partner and unprotected sexual intercourse in over 50% of the cases. Knowledge of condoms was poor and a number of factors relating to resistance to condoms are identified. These must be addressed by a combination of social marketing and educational strategies. The most important finding is that half of the children were still not sexually active. Education programmes therefore should support the development of safe and responsible sexual lifestyles.

PIP: After a brief review of the reported studies on the use and acceptance of condoms among the Black population of South Africa, the results from a study of High School students who attended a workshop on sexuality are presented. The self-administered questionnaires were administered before instruction took place. 265 students responded. No data on gender were available for 76, but, of the remaining 189, 36% were males and 64% females. 87% of those who gave their age were 15-19 years old. 44% did not respond to the question about previous sexual intercourse, but 50% of the remaining 148 reported previous intercourse, 22% within the month preceding the survey. 47% had 1 partner, 21% had 2, 5% had 3, 11% had 4, and 16% had 5 or more partners. 11% of the males and 23% of the females were unaware of any contraceptive method. 79% of respondents (no data on 55) knew that condoms prevent the spread of disease, and 82% agreed that they prevent the spread of AIDS. Although these data are of limited value because of poor response rates, the results are similar to those found in other studies. The data suggest that sex behavior is patterned early in life; therefore, young people are an important educational target. Young women seemed particularly ignorant of contraceptive methods and the fact that condoms prevent the spread of AIDS. Significant numbers of the sexually active males did not have access to condoms, indicating that availability problems require immediate attention. An important finding was that a significant proportion of the young people were not yet sexually active and represent a primary target group for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.