This paper examines the applicability of psychosocial group intervention for Japanese patients with primary breast cancer. The study included two phases. First, we examined the applicability for Japanese patients of an intervention model developed in a Western country. The model, based on the work of Fawzy and Fawzy (1994) on a structured psychosocial group intervention for cancer patients, is a series of six 1.5-h sessions that incorporate health education, coping-skills training, relaxation training and psychological support. Second, we formulated a Japanese version of the intervention model by modifying areas identified as inappropriate by participants in the first-phase study. We then evaluated this by conducting sessions of the modified model with 44 additional breast cancer patients. Of the ten participants in the first-phase pilot study, three (30%) dropped out and several inappropriate areas were reported. The areas requiring significant change were the provision of medical information and communication style with family members and doctors. No participants dropped out of the modified version, and very few found any program areas to be inappropriate. The findings suggests that psychosocial group intervention is applicable for Japanese breast cancer patients when the model accounts for cultural differences.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Participation in psychosocial group intervention among Japanese women with primary breast cancer and its associated factors.

Though psychosocial group intervention is considered in the West to be an important source of support for reducing psychosocial distress in cancer patients, in Asian countries, there has been no research as yet on the needs for such intervention. This study investigated the level of participation and interest in psychosocial group intervention plus any associated factors in 151 primary breast cancer patients. All were less than 65 years old at 4-18 months post-surgery. Of the 126 subjects who responded (response rate 83%), 53 (42%) participated (participants) and 73 (58%) did not (non-participants). Participation was greater among those with a high level of anxiety measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (odds ratio [OR], 3.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-10.42), those who had undergone surgery within the last 12 months (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.35-7.55), and those who were 50-65 years old (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.33-7.66). Among the non-participants, 53 (73%) were interested in the intervention while 20 (27%) were not. Non-participants without any interest in the psychosocial group intervention had significantly higher anxiety levels than those with interest (t=-2.08; df=71; p=0.03). These results suggest that most Japanese breast cancer patients who need psychological support can be sought out by asking whether they are willing to participate in a psychosocial group intervention. However, the minority not interested in any psychological group intervention might need other supports such as medication or individual psychotherapy.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between structure of nitrated arenes and their mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium; 2- and 2,7-nitro substituted fluorene, phenanthrene and pyrene.

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of mutagenic activation of nitroarenes, we studied the relationships between the mutagenic potency and chemical structure of 2-nitro- and 2,7-dinitro-arenes including nitrated fluorene (Fl), dihydrophenanthrene (DHPh), phenanthrene (Ph), tetrahydropyrene (THPy), dihydropyrene (DHPy) and pyrene (Py) together with 9-NO2-Ph, 1-NO2-Py and 1.3-diNO2-Py. The mutagenicity tests were carried out on Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA98NR and TA98/1,8-DNP6 in the absence of S9 mix. The order of mutability of mononitro- and dinitro-arenes in TA98 is as given below: 2-NO2-THPy less than 2-NO2-Fl less than 2-NO2-DHPh less than 9-NO2-Ph less than 2-NO2-Ph less than 2-NO2-DHPy less than 1-NO2-Py less than 2-NO2-Py, and 2,7-diNO2-DHPh less than 2,7-diNO2-Fl less than 2,7-diNO2-THPy less than 2,7-diNO2-Ph less than 2,7-diNO2-DHPy less than 2,7-diNO2-Py less than 1,3-diNO2-Py. 9-NO2-Ph and 1-NO2-Py, which have been detected in environmental samples, are not as potent mutagens as 2-nitrated phenanthrene and pyrene, respectively. 2-NO2THPy (37.7 rev/nmole) was a weak mutagen, but 2,7-diNO2-THPy (3197 rev/nmole) was as potent a mutagen as 2,7-diNO2 (3925 rev/nmole). Tetrahydropyrene has a twisted form in its structure. 1,3-diNO2-Py (99660 rev/nmole) was more mutagenic than 2,7-diNO2-Py (37960.0 rev/nmole), and their mutagenicities were correlated with the behavior of the K-band in their UV spectra by the introduction of nitro groups on pyrene.

Biotransformation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Studies on the oxidation products from 2,4-diaminotoluene by hydrogen peroxide and their mutagenicities. II.

2,4-Diaminotoluene (DAT) was reacted with hydrogen peroxide at room temperature for 2 days, and the resulting red precipitates were separated into 5 fractions on silica gel column chromatography. On the gas chromatographic (GC) study, the first fraction (Fr. 1), which is mutagenic (1425 and 1391 revertants/micrograms in the absence and presence of S9 respectively) in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, contained several peaks. Fr. 1 was further separated into 4 subfractions (Fr. 1-I-Fr. 1-IV) by silica gel column chromatography. The red crystals were separated from Fr. 1-III and the structure of the compound was determined to be 1,8-diamino-2,7-dimethylphenazine from physicochemical and chemical evidence. Further, o-nitro-p-toluidine, p-nitro-o-toluidine, 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-dimethylazobenzene and 3,3'-diamino-4,4'-dimethylazoxybenzene were identified with authentic and synthesized samples by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. These compounds without nitrotoluidines were mutagenic, and phenazine, azo and azoxy compounds induced 49, 301 and 245 revertants/nmole in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with 25 microliters S9 per plate, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Patterns of pain induced by distending the thoracic zygapophyseal joints.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to investigate the patterns of referral pain associated with the thoracic zygapophyseal joints (C7-T1 to T2-3, T11-12). METHODS: In 15 patients who had back pain suspected to be of zygapophyseal origin and for whom pain was relieved by injection of local anesthetic into the joints under fluoroscopic guidance, the zygapophyseal joints from C7-T1 to T2-3, T11-12 were distended by injecting contrast medium. If injection reproduced typical pain in the patient, the patient was asked to describe the distribution of pain, which was recorded on a body diagram. RESULTS: A total of 21 joints were studied. Composite pain distribution maps for the thoracic zygapophyseal joints from C7-T1 to T2-3 and for the T11-12 joint were drawn. The distribution of referred pain was as follows: pain in the suprascapular region was referred from C7-T1 and Th1-2; pain in the superior angle of the scapula from C7-T1 and T1-2; pain in the mid-scapular region from C7-T1, T1-2, and Th2-3; and pain in the paravertebral region around the site of injection and the area over the iliac crest from T11-12. CONCLUSIONS: The referred pain distribution for joints C7-T1 to Th2-3 showed significant overlap.

Back Pain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Salmonella typhimurium infection in domesticated fowl in a children's zoo.

Salmonella typhimurium infection occurred in a children's zoo where 11 fowl and 85 mammals were kept. Initially, the guinea pigs were infected and transmitted the infection to the fowl and rabbits. These mammals responded to medication and cleared of the infection; however, the birds were judged to contain excreters despite four regimens of treatment with antibiotics. Cloacal swabs were taken from all the birds. One turkey was positive for Salmonella and was destroyed. Pooled fecal samples from the birds were again positive. All the birds were tested serologically, and two birds, a goose and a turkey, were positive with Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum antigen, which was assumed to be a cross reaction with S. typhimurium antigen. The two birds were destroyed and the goose yielded Salmonella. The infection was finally eradicated, and the serologic examination was considered to be the most useful procedure for detection of the excreters.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Critical ischemia of the leg. A technique for distal anastomosis in a a small caliber artery].

CRITICAL ISCHEMIA OF THE LOWER LIMBS: This type of lesion, which spontaneously progresses to gangrene and amputation, is encountered more and more frequently. Emergency endoluminal revascularization or bypass surgery is required. When conventional endoluminal techniques cannot be used, a distal graft using the autologous saphenous vein is a promising alternative to achieve patent vascularization and salvage the limb. IF VENOUS MATERIAL IS NOT AVAILABLE: Usable venous material is not always available due to varicosities, thrombus formation, small size or previous surgery (stripping, coronary surgery, prior revascularization procedure); rates reported range from 20 to 40%. For such patients, other veins (external saphenous, arm veins, superficial femoral veins) may be useful but are not always appropriate for distal repair. Different prostheses might also be used but again do not always provide improved permeability. Most teams however use a polytetrafluoroethylene stent for revascularization of the distal leg. Different technical improvements favor success of prosthetic bypasses, but when used below the knee, flow remains less satisfactory than with venous bypasses. VEIN CUFFS: This procedure is a common adjuvant technique positioning a venous cuff between the recipient artery and the prosthesis. The cuff avoids the direct contact between the prosthesis and the fragile artery that is often difficult to suture. RESULTS: Several series have demonstrated that the rate of success of vein cuff procedures remains lower than venous bypass procedures, but also that flow is better than with simple femorotibial prostheses. PATHOGENIC HYPOTHESES: The reduction of the neo-intimal hyperplasia observed in experimental models is insufficient to explain entirely the observed in vivo benefit. The fact that the suture is easier to make is one possible reason. Indeed the rate of failure of simple prosthetic bypass surgery is high in the immediate postoperative period. These cases of thrombosis result from technical insufficiencies and are undoubtedly overcome by the use of the venous cuff.

Angiography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Electron capture detection-gas chromatographic determination of diaminotoluenes in polyurethane foam as heptafluorobutyryl derivatives.

A simple gas chromatographic (GC) method has been developed to determine 2,4- and 2,6-diaminotoluenes in polyurethane foam. Diaminotoluenes were reacted with heptafluorobutyric anhydride in toluene, and the products, bis-heptafluorobutyrates, were determined by GC, using a 3% silicone OV-330 column. The 2,4- and 2,6-diaminotoluenes can be detected as heptafluorobutyryl derivatives by using an electron capture detector at levels of 5 and 2 pg, respectively. Finally, 2.7-3.0 micrograms/g of 2,4- and 1.3-1.9 micrograms/g of 2,6-diaminotoluene were detected in 3 commercial polyurethane foams.

Chromatography, Gas↗