An automated data-acquisition and analysis system has been developed for dosimetry measurements on the pion therapy beam at the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility Biomedical Channel in Los Alamos using a PDP-11/45 computer and CAMAC interface. Initialization, test, and monitor programs allow the user to set the physical limits of scanner travel, test the data lines, calibrate the analog signals for the scanner position, and monitor the analog versus digital values of the scanner position during operation. Data-acquisition programs scan beams in one, two, and three dimensions. Many options are available to the user in selecting the scan parameters and in changing some of these parameters during scanning. Data-analysis programs provide reproduction of stored data, comparison of linear scans, beam profiles along any line of a planar or volume scan, and isodose distributions from any planar scan or from any planar scan or from any plane of a volume scan. Other programs summarize stored data files and search for specific data according to the user's instruments.

Computers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dose delivery error detection by a computer-controlled linear accelerator.

A commercial dual photon energy, computer-controlled linear accelerator has a complex collimation and beam delivery system. For accurate dose delivery, six separate motorized elements must be properly positioned for a given beam selection. Experimentally instituted misalignments of the primary electron scattering foils, the primary collimator, the flattening filter, the scattering foil carousel, and the backscatter shield or shutter produced significant dose delivery errors. The ability of the Mylar window monitor chamber to detect these errors was examined for x-ray beams. The fault detection system failed to interrupt dose delivery in a number of situations where the error in dose per monitor unit delivered ranged from -6% to +270% of the calibrated value.

Computers↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Skin testing and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in women undergoing breast biopsy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of skin testing and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as measures of immune function in a population undergoing stress. Eight women were tested one week prior to breast biopsy and six were retested at least four weeks later. All biopsies were negative for malignancy. Control subjects were also tested four weeks apart. ESR values were elevated with stress but the magnitude of this effect was small. There were no differences between groups in skin test responses. Skin testing and ESR may have limited usefulness in the study of immune function in populations under stress.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized study of ondansetron syrup in children: evaluation of taste acceptability and tolerance.

Ondansetron, a highly selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, is available in an intravenous (IV) formulation and tables, but syrup would be particularly useful in children. As chemotherapy can affect taste perceptions, this study was undertaken to determine the preference between two flavors of ondansetron syrup in children undergoing chemotherapy. Fifty-nine children, randomized into a multicenter, double-blind, crossover study, each received 5 mg/m2 of IV ondansetron daily before chemotherapy. The syrup was then randomly given in two doses, one of each flavor, strawberry and grape, 30 minutes apart. The preference was assessed 30 minutes after the second dose of syrup had been administered. Taste was assessed by the child against a panel of five faces. Of those children expressing any preference, 70% preferred the strawberry flavor. Overall, 59% of children preferred the strawberry flavor, whilst 25% preferred grape (P = 0.005) and 15% expressed no preference. The only adverse event assessed as drug related by the investigator was constipation, which occurred in one patient. In conclusion, a strong preference was found for the strawberry formulation. The ondansetron syrup was safe and well tolerated.

Antiemetics↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fat contents of cereal foods: comparison of classical with recently developed extraction techniques.

Eight cereal products ranging from a fat-free ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal (frosted flakes) to a full-fat high-ratio cake mix were subjected to analyte separation by anhydrous diethyl ether extraction (EE), acid hydrolysis/mixed ether extraction (AH), solid-phase extraction (SPE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 and with CO2 modified with 15% ethanol (SFEmod). Gravimetric analyses of extracts indicated higher (P < or = 0.05) crude fat values by AH than by EE, SFE, or SFEmod. Extractions followed by fatty acid methyl ester analysis also produced higher (P < or = 0.05) triglyceride means by AH than by other methods used for heat-treated RTE cereals and for ready-to-cook (RTC) cream of wheat. Therefore, for labeling purposes, AH seems most appropriate because in most cases it achieves higher triglyceride values than extraction with solvent(s) alone. SFE and SPE, on the other hand, yield fat values similar to those obtained by EE and offer the advantages of reduced solvent volume, short extraction times, and ease of laboratory automation.

Dietary Fats↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy and safety of a constant-estrogen, pulsed-progestin regimen in hormone replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: Two studies (Studies A and B) were conducted to measure efficacy and safety of constant 17beta-estradiol (E2), pulsed norgestimate (NGM) hormone replacement therapy on bleeding and vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. NGM was pulsed in a 3-days-off/3-days-on fashion. Study A also assessed effects of treatment on vaginal cytology. STUDY DESIGN: In two 360-day, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group studies, 1,253 subjects were randomized to receive daily, unopposed E2 1 mg or one of three constant estrogen, pulsed progestin regimens: E2 1 mg/NGM 30 microg, E2 1 mg/NGM 90 microg, or E2 1 mg/NGM 180 microg. RESULTS: Bleeding control improved over time in women treated with E2 1 mg/NGM 90 microg: 69% of women were free of bleeding (irrespective of spotting) during month 1, 71% during month 6, and 80% during month 12. E2 1 mg/NGM 30 microg had a lower incidence of bleeding but provided inadequate endometrial protection. Among subjects with vasomotor symptoms at baseline, the percentage of asymptomatic subjects at the end of 3 months was 70% in the E2 1-mg group and 76% in the E2 1-mg/NGM 90-microg group. E2 1 mg/NGM 90 microg was at least as effective as E2 1 mg alone in causing maturation of vaginal epithelial cells. All regimens were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Pulsed dosing of NGM 90 microg for 3 days off and 3 days on along with continuous administration of E2 is effective in treating vasomotor symptoms and vulvovaginal atrophy, provides endometrial protection (i.e., no cases of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer), and has a bleeding profile acceptable to the majority of women studied.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cereals and cereal products.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Edible Grain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Carotid endarterectomy. Long term follow-up with specific reference to recurrent stenosis, contralateral progression, mortality and recurrent neurological episodes.

This study follows up 292 carotid endarterectomy operations in 256 patients using the colour coded carotid Doppler Imager and oculoplethysmography and reports the rate of ipsilateral restenosis, contralateral progression, late (after 30 days postoperatively) neurological symptoms and mortality in life table form. The restenosis rate was 15% at 5 years. No case of restenosis presented with symptoms and none required reoperation. The contralateral progression rate from less than 50% internal carotid artery stenosis to greater than 50% was 20% over 5 years. Significantly more symptoms were associated with cases of contralateral progression (p = 0.05). The late neurological symptom rate was 14% at 5 years and was associated with widespread intra/extracranial vascular disease rather than restenosis. The late death rate was 12% at 5 years of which 40% were due to myocardial infarction. The overall postoperative death rate over 5 years was the same as an age and sex matched population. A more aggressive approach to coronary artery disease does not appear justified. The value of noninvasive tests in the post-endarterectomy situation is stressed with particular reference to documentation of contralateral progression.

Arteriosclerosis↗