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Malnutrition in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is classically ascribed to an increased resting energy expenditure (REE) secondary to high cost of breathing. However, malnutrition correlates only weakly with the severity of respiratory dysfunction, which suggests other mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to determine the possible role of diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between DIT and nutritional status, in particular fat-free mass (FFM) estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis in 26 patients with stable COPD (mean FEV1 +/- SEM = 36.5 +/- 3.8% of predicted). Ten patients were undernourished (weight < 90% of ideal body weight [IBW] and/or FFM < 69% of IBW), and 16 were normally nourished. Diet-induced thermogenesis was determined by comparing postprandial energy expenditure and REE, the latter being measured after an overnight fast and the former over 4 h after a mixed test meal of 0.4 times REE load. No statistical difference in DIT was found between undernourished and eutrophic patients. There was no relationship between DIT and nutritional or functional parameters, notably FFM. These results suggest that malnutrition is not a consequence of an increased DIT.

Metoclopramide was administered by continuous infusion to two groups each of 14 patients on chemotherapy, randomized to receive either doses adjusted to individual pharmacokinetic parameters or doses adjusted as usual to body weight. The mean plasma concentration at the end of the infusion in the adjusted group was 1.01 mg.l-1, close to that aimed for (1.20 mg.l-1). It was significantly different from that in the other group. v 0.54 mg.l-1. Antiemetic efficacy, defined as less than or equal to 2 emetic events in the 24 h following cisplatin, was similar in both groups (being found in 12/14 (86%) and 10/14 patients (71%), respectively). Analysis of the cumulative percentage of responders according to plasma concentration showed a clear plasma concentration-effect relationship. Routine MCP pharmacokinetic dosage adjustment is not indicated, but this therapeutic approach can be used to optimize antiemetic therapy in poor responder patients.

We report a case of Mycobacterium kansasii endobronchial infection presenting as a tumor obstructing 2 segmental bronchi in a patient with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Biopsies of the lesions revealed granuloma with acid-fast organisms. Culture grew M. kansasii. To our knowledge, this is the first case of M. Kansasii infection presenting with endobronchial mass.

The diagnostic value of Cyfra 21-1 in non-small lung cancer (NSCLC) has been established, but few studies have focused on its prognostic value. The aim of this study was to compare that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CA 125, neuron-specific enolase and squamous cell carcinoma antigen. 116 patients with unresectable (n = 88) or resectable (n = 28) NSCLC were prospectively monitored from diagnosis, for a median of 14.4 months. All patients underwent tumour-marker determinations before treatment, then every 3 months. Their diagnostic value was studied using ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves, based on control measure in 23 patients with benign lung diseases. The prognostic analysis was based on overall survival as the main endpoint. The diagnostic value of Cyfra 21-1 was confirmed, with a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 96% at a cut-off value of 3.3 ng/ml. At diagnosis, in the 88 non-surgical NSCLC, besides the presence of metastases (P = 0.017), Cyfra 21-1 (P = 0.017) and CA 125 (P = 0.03) were related to outcome. Elevated levels of Cyfra 21-1 at any time during the disease course was selected by multivariate analysis as additional predictors of poor survival.

We report a case of severe primary pulmonary hypertension occurring in an HIV+ patient in whom lung biopsy and post-mortem examination were consistent with thrombotic pulmonary arteriopathy. To the best of our knowledge, this histological pattern has not been previously reported in HIV+ patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.

In the out-patient tobacco detoxication unit created, in 1977, within the pneumology department of the Hotel-Dieu hospital, Paris, the method used is a combination of acupuncture and group psychotherapy. Its effectiveness has been evaluated, over a 2-year period, by means of a questionnaire mailed to each patient and followed, if necessary, by up to 3 reminders. A computer-assisted assessment of the data thus collected provided a follow-up of varying duration of the 555 patients concerned; 488 patients were treated, then contacted, and 371 (76 p. 100) answered the questionnaire. Weaning--defined here as complete detoxication with a 2 to 28 months follow-up when the questionnaire was filled--was obtained in 24 p. 100 of the patients who answered. Other evaluation criteria would have given figures ranging from 18 p. 100 to 58.6 p. 100. The main reason for failure mentioned by the patients was lack of will. An exhaustive study of 84 publications concerning more than 10,000 candidates to weaning showed that similar results are obtained with several types of psychotherapy, acupuncture and auriculotherapy: a success rate of about 60 p. 100 at the end of treatment, 40 p. 100 at 3 months and 30 p. 100 at 6 months and one year. The results obtained with drugs are not as good, perhaps because their use betrays a lesser desire to give up smoking.

Cefoperazone was evaluated in a multicentre study in the field of internal medicine. The study involved 23 patients with a variety of severe infections including septicaemia, bacterial endocarditis, purulent mediastinitis, orchitis, peritonitis, cholecystitis and salmonellosis. Fourteen of the 23 patients received 2.0 g of cefoperazone i. v. twice daily; the remaining nine patients received a dosage ranging from 2.0 g–12 g daily. Twenty patients showed a favourable clinical outcome and 17 of the 21 from whom pathogens had been isolated showed a satisfactory clinical and bacteriological response. The favourable results obtained in two cases of septicaemia (Staphylococcus aureus andPseudomonas aeruginosa) and two cases of endocarditis (Streptococcus faecalis andStaphylococcus epidermidis) are noteworthy because these conditions are usually difficult to treat. Cefoperazone was well tolerated. There was an increase of platelets or a temporary slight increase in the alkaline serum phosphatase and the transaminases in some patients. These findings indicate that cefoperazone is an effective antimicrobial agent with little or no toxicity. Due to its pharmacokinetic properties and broad antibacterial spectrum, cefoperazone has a valuable therapeutic potential in severe infections or where other antibiotics may cause toxicity.

A canary breeder with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia developed a pulmonary disease related to an interstitial infiltration by malignant B cells secreting a monoclonal IgM K. The serum monoclonal IgM was shown to possess an antibody activity to some canary's droppings antigen. This finding may help elucidate the natural course of lymphoid malignancies and the pathogenesis of rare visceral localizations.

Pulsed Doppler echocardiography of the inferior vena cava is an accurate method for the diagnosis of tricuspid regurgitation and impaired right ventricular compliance, two features of pulmonary hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of Doppler echocardiography of the inferior vena cava for the detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Pulse Doppler echocardiography of the inferior vena cava and right heart catheterisation were performed in 29 patients with severe chronic obstructive lung disease. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was 27 (10) mm Hg for the entire group; 62% of patients (18/29) had pulmonary arterial hypertension (mean pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 20 mm Hg). An adequate Doppler signal could be obtained in 25 of the 29 patients (86%). Pulsed Doppler echocardiography of the inferior vena cava gave normal results in 10 patients and disclosed tricuspid regurgitation in seven patients, impaired right ventricular compliance in seven patients, and both of these abnormalities in one patient. An abnormal Doppler echocardiogram of the inferior vena cava (tricuspid regurgitation or impaired right ventricular compliance, or both) predicted the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension with a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 80%. These results suggest that pulsed Doppler echocardiography of the inferior vena cava may be a useful though imperfect method of detecting pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

A case is reported of theophylline intoxication due to a dramatic decrease in theophylline clearance following concomitant administration of viloxazine.

We report a case of a 31-year-old male with primary pneumococcal pericarditis. Severe acute constrictive pericarditis developed within a month of the onset of the illness in spite of adequate antibiotic therapy and pericardial drainage.

Excerpt To the editor: Despite the increasing use of volatile nitrites, methemoglobinemia following inhalation or ingestion of nitrite "poppers" has been rarely reported, and only with butyl nitrit...