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Researchers from the University of Sussex showed that 4-nonylphenol has the greatest effect in endocrine disruption among fish. A pair of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) are used as test subjects for the chemical.

S.F. Arnold et al. erroneously assumed that dieldrin and endosulfan promote cancer and a synergism exists between the oestrogens which enhance their carcinogenic activity. Analysis of environmental oestrogens via yeasts oestrogen receptor transactivation assay and uterotrophic assay indicated the absence of synergism between oestrogens contrary to Arnold et al.'s findings. Furthermore, dieldrin and endosulfan exhibited submaximal oestrogenic response in each of the assays.

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, yet one of the most commonly injured. Tendon degeneration is a relatively common disorder, predisposing to tears and often associated with paratenonitis. Numerous other diseases involve the Achilles tendon, some with classic imaging appearances, others with non-specific appearances. The aim of this pictorial essay is to review the radiographic, computed tomographic, ultrasonographic and MR appearances of the normal and diseased Achilles tendon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed to demonstrate the presence of adenosine A3 receptors on human peripheral blood eosinophils, and to investigate the effect of A3 receptor stimulation on eosinophil function.¶ Material: Eosinophils from either non-asthmatic or asthmatic donors.¶ Methods: Eosinophils were isolated from peripheral venous blood by discontinuous gradient centrifugation and negative immunoselection. Receptor localisation was investigated by immunoblotting and by immunocytochemistry using a novel antibody specific for the human A3 receptor. Two pharmacological responses were studied: elevation of intracellular calcium in single eosinophils, measured by microfluorimetry, and hydrogen peroxide generation in cell suspensions.¶ Results: The expression of A3 receptors by eosinophils was confirmed using the selective antibody. Addition of the A3 receptor selective agonist, IB-MECA (100 nM), produced increases in intracellular calcium in less than 10% of the eosinophils isolated from non-asthmatic donors. These responses were only partially attenuated with the A3 receptor antagonist, I-ABOPX. IB-MECA (0.001-1000 nM) did not stimulate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation, nor did it enhance fMLP- or C5a-stimulated generation of H2O2. In fact high concentrations of IB-MECA inhibited the generation of H2O2 (when stimulated by fMLP or C5a), an effect probably mediated by A2 receptors. Similar results were obtained using eosinophils from asthmatic donors.¶ Conclusions: Stimulation of adenosine A3 receptors does not appear to be a prime mechanism for free radical generation by human peripheral blood eosinophils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 The concentrations of a range of organochlorine pesticide residues have been determined in 168 samples of human milk collected between January 1997 and May 1998 in the UK. 2 Of the 18 residues sought, only p,p′-DTT, p,p′-DDE, dieldrin, HCB, β-HCH and γ-HCH were detected. 3 The continuing trend of a reduction in the concentrations of these pesticide residues in human milk samples and in the percentage of human milk samples containing residues was seen. 4 Correlations between the concentrations of p,p′-DDE, dieldrin, HCB, β-HCH and γ-HCH and age were seen. 5 When compared to studies carried out in Europe over a similar time period, residues in this present study were shown to occur at similar or lower concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer in the families of men with prostate cancer. Patients and methods A case-control study was performed by interviewing patients with prostate cancer and obtaining detailed information on family histories of cancer. Controls were hospital-based patients, of a similar age to the cases, with bladder cancer or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Results A total of 209 cases and 322 controls were interviewed; of the cases, 22.5% had family members with a history of one or more of breast, ovarian or prostate cancers, compared with 15.2% of controls ( P<0.05). The odds ratio (OR) of having prostate cancer when there was a positive family history was 8.22 and the OR of a female relative of a patient with prostate cancer having breast cancer was 1.51. There was no apparent increased risk of ovarian or any other cancer. Conclusions We confirm previous reports of an increased incidence of prostate cancer in the families of men with prostate cancer and report a similarly increased incidence of breast cancer in female relatives. We suggest that detailed family histories be taken routinely and intend to analyse blood samples provided from this study for genetic abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine how accurately information on the occupations of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC) was recorded. Patients and methods Using a semi-structured interview and a standard proforma, 108 patients with TCC of the urinary tract were studied and the results compared with records in their case notes. Results Case notes were substantially correct in only 39% of patients. Occupations that might have been a significant factor in the aetiology of TCC were omitted in 71% of potentially exposed male patients and no occupational history was recorded in 12% of all patients. Conclusions Important clinical information was missing from the case notes that might have been of practical use in determining whether patients might be eligible for financial redress and which might be of use in future clinical research. It is recommended that details of occupational history should be taken using a structured proforma; this could be a suitable topic for regular audit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To compare the operative activity of two first-year basic surgical trainees working in comparable district general hospitals in 1992 and 2000. Methods: Prospectively collected operating log-book data was compared for the first 15 months of general surgical training of a BST in 1992 to that of a similar trainee in 2000. Both elective and emergency cases were analysed. The surgical speciality and the trainees' role in the case were recorded. Several index operations were also compared. Results: Emergency case numbers were similar (145 in 1992 and 133 in 2000), however, the elective workload was almost halved (435 in 1992 and 225 in 2000). The trainee in 1992 assisted, was supervised and performed more operations, in all grades of procedure, than the trainee in 2000 (Table 1), as a result the trainee in 2000 spent the majority of his time assisting cases but the trainee in 1992 had moved on to be the principal operator. The trainee in 1992 had a greater exposure to most surgical subspecialties than the trainee in 2000 (Table 2). In all index procedures (appendicectomy, varicose veins, hernia and upper GI endoscopy), the 1992 trainee did appreciably more. Conclusions: The emergency workload was similar, however, the elective workload was reduced by 48 per cent, resulting in a reduction in the training available to the 2000 trainee. Training in 1992 was more 'general' compared to 2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Royal Bolton Hospital is a district general hospital with a catchment area of approximately 275 000 for elective admissions, but nearer 400 000 for emergency admissions. Eight consultant general surgeons with subspecialty interests cover the emergency surgical referrals. From 1st Jan 2000 a ‘consultant of the week’ system has been introduced. One week in eight the consultants normal duties are cancelled, and for this week they cover directly the middle grade staff member that is on call from the hours of 8am to 5 pm. The middle grade staff member also has no clinical duties for that week. After 5 pm the patients are handed over to the evening on call team as per the normal rota. Prior to this arrangement the consultant on call had no relief from clinical duties between the hours of 8am to 5 pm. We have 24 hour access to an emergency theatre shared with other surgical specialities except obstetrics. Aims: To identify what differences this change has made in the provision of emergency services at this hospital. Methods: An audit comparing the first 6 months of 1999 to the first 6 months of 2000, using theatre databases. Results: In the first six months of 1999 there were 572 emergency procedures performed and in 2000 there were 615 procedures performed. The consultant was the principal operator in 132 (23 per cent) of these cases in 1999 and 209 (34 per cent) in 2000. 314 cases were performed between 8am and 5 pm in 1999 and 348 in 2000, of these cases, the consultant was the principal operator in 87 (28 per cent) in 1999 and 151 (43 per cent) in 2000. In the 8am to 5 pm time period the consultant was assisting in 10 cases in 1999 and 22 cases in 2000. The consultant's involvement in cases outside this time period and number of cases performed was remarkably similar in 1999 and 2000. Conclusions: Switching to ‘consultant of the week’ has led to greater consultant participation in the emergency cases betwe... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an abstract of the study 'The general practitioner and the one-stop breast clinic,' by C.A. Harris, D. Douglas et al, presented at the Symposium of Audit on Surgical Practice, March 3, 1999. Advantages offered by one-stop breast clinics to patients with both benign and malignant breast cancer.