Results of the use of a graft with a monocusp in radical correction of Fallot's tetrad

The article deals with the results of complex study of the effect of pulmonary insufficiency on intracardiac hemodynamics and function of the heart in the immediate and late-term periods after radical correction of Fallot's tetralogy. Answers are also given to questions concerning the expediency of the use and functional adequacy of a xeno-pericardial monocusp in the closure mechanism of the pulmonary artery valve. The study showed that massive pulmonary regurgitation has a negative effect on the functional condition of the right ventricle in late-term postoperative periods. Convincing data were obtained which allow a graft with a monocusp of a bull's pericardium to be recommended for further clinical use to prevent insufficiency of the pulmonary artery valve after radical correction of Fallot's tetralogy.     

The pharmacokinetics of (125I) 3-deoxy-3-iodine glucose on experimental tumor modelsin Vivo

The dynamics of¹²⁵I distribution is studied in rats with induced tumors of the prostate and mammary gland for intravenous administration of¹²⁵I-3D-G. It is found that 80% of the activity is eliminated in the first 24 hours. A relatively high level of¹²⁵I accumulation is found in necrotically altered regions of the tumor. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, № 3, pp. 294–295, March, 1994.     

Treatment and prognosis of lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma in children]

Analysis was made of the results of the treatment of 18 children afflicted with lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma, with estimation of predictors influencing the patients' survival (from 1980 to 1986). The most important predictors influencing the 2-year relapse-free survival were found to be the stage, localization of the process, the presence of the symptoms of intoxication and biological activity. The data obtained were used later in the treatment of 160 children during 1986 to 1989. The results of the 2-year survival of this patients' group appreciably differ from those derived before.     

Plasma HIV-1 RNA decline within the first two weeks of treatment is comparable for nevirapine, efavirenz, or both drugs combined and is not predictive of long-term virologic efficacy: A 2NN substudy

BACKGROUND: The initial rate of plasma HIV-1 RNA (pVL) decline has been proposed as a marker of early efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a possible predictor of late efficacy. We compared the rate of pVL decline in patients starting ART with nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV), or both drugs combined in addition to lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T). METHODS: Analysis of the viral decay constant (VDc) during the first 2 weeks of treatment in patients enrolled in the 2NN study who remained on allocated treatment. RESULTS: The median VDc (log10 copies per day, [interquartile range]) was similar for NVP (0.30 [0.25-0.36], EFV (0.31 [0.27-0.37]), and NVP + EFV (0.30 [0.27-0.36]). Patients with a baseline pVL >100,000 copies/mL were 8.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-12.3) times more likely to have a VDc >75th percentile. A high VDc was not associated with plasma drug concentration or with a decreased risk of virologic failure at week 48 after the start of therapy (hazard ratio = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.2). CONCLUSION: NVP, EFV, or NVP + EFV in combination with 3TC and d4T show similar rates of pVL decline during the first 2 weeks of treatment. The VDc with these regimens is not predictive of late virologic efficacy.     

Telemedicine and international disaster response. Medical consultation to Armenia and Russia via a Telemedicine Spacebridge

The Telemedicine Spacebridge, a satellite-mediated, audio-video-fax link between four United States and two Armenian and Russian medical centers, permitted remote American consultants to assist Armenian and Russian physicians in the management of medical problems following the December 1988 earthquake in Armenia and the June 1989 gas explosion near Ufa. Methods: During 12 weeks of operations, 247 Armenian and Russian and 175 American medical professionals participated in 34 half-day clinical conferences. A total of 209 patients were discussed, requiring expertise in 20 specialty areas. Results: Telemedicine consultations resulted in altered diagnoses for 54, new diagnostic studies for 70, altered diagnostic processes for 47, and modified treatment plans for 47 of 185 Armenian patients presented. Simultaneous participation of several US medical centers was judged beneficial; quality of data transmission was judged excellent. Conclusion: These results suggest that interactive consultation by remote specialists can provide valuable assistance to on-site physicians and favorably influence clinical decisions in the aftermath of major disasters.     

Effects of water use conditions on cancer morbidity

The study demonstrated that the cancer situation is tense in the Tsimlyansk area and it can be referred to a high malignant tumor morbidity and mortality zone. The sources of water supply of populated localities may be involved in the formation of malignant tumor morbidity rates.