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A potential benefit of two-lead transvenous defibrillation systems is the ability to independently position the defibrillation electrodes, changing the vector field and possibly decreasing the DFT. Using the new two-lead transvenous TVL lead system, we studied whether DFT is influenced by SVC lead position and whether there is an optimal position. TVL leads and Cadence pulse generators were implanted in 24 patients. No intraoperative or perioperative complications were observed. In each patient, the DFTs were determined for three SVC electrode positions, which were tested in random order: the brachiocephalic vein, the mid-RA, and the RA-SVC junction. The mean DFTs in the three positions were not statistically different, nor was any single lead position consistently associated with lower DFTs. However, an optimal electrode position was identified in 83% of patients, and the DFT from the best lead position for each patient was significantly lower than for any one of the electrode positions (P < 0.01). The mean safety margin for the best SVC lead position was approximately 27 J. These results demonstrate the advantage of a two-lead system, as well as the importance of testing multiple SVC lead positions when the patient's condition permits. Both of these factors can decrease the DFT and maximize the defibrillation safety margin. This will become increasingly important as pulse generator capacitors become smaller (as part of the effort to decrease generator size) and the energy output of the generators consequently decreases.

Introduction: A local study completed in Singapore, which was part of an international multi- country study that aims to develop a global assessment of exposure to second-hand smoke in indoor workplaces, gathered data regarding the indoor air quality of public areas. It was hypothesised that air would be less polluted in non-smoking venues compared to places where smoking occurred. Materials and Methods: A TSI SidePak AM510 Personal Aerosol Monitor was used to sample and record the levels of respirable suspended particles (RSP) in the air. A broad range of venues were sampled in Singapore. The primary goal of data analysis was to assess the difference in the average levels of RSP in smoke-free and non smoke-free venues. Data was assessed at 3 levels: (a) the mean RSP across all venues sampled compared with the mean levels of smoke-free and non smoke-free venues, (b) levels in venues where smoking occurred compared with similar venues in Ireland, and (c) comparison between smoke-free and non smoke-free areas according to the type of venue. Statistical significance was assessed using the Mann-Whitney U- test. Results: The level of indoor air pollution was 96% lower in smoke-free venues compared to non smoke-free venues. Averaged across each type of venue, the lowest levels of indoor air pollution were found in restaurants (17 μg/m3) and the highest in bars (622 μg/m3); both well above the US EPA Air Quality Index hazardous level of 251 ug/m3. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that workers and patrons are exposed to harmful levels of a known carcinogen and toxin. Policies that prohibit smoking in public areas dramatically reduce exposure and improve worker and patron health. Key words: Hospitality, PM, Second-hand smoke, Smoke-free

Background: The objective of this study is to assess the risk of second primary cancers following a first primary esophageal cancer as well as the risk of esophageal cancer as a second primary, following first primary cancers of other sites. Methods: The present investigation is a multicenter study of, 13 population-based cancer registries in Europe, Australia, Canada, and Singapore. To assess excess occurrence of second cancers after esophageal cancers, we calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) by dividing the observed numbers of second cancers by the expected number of cancers calculated from the accumulated person-years and the age-, sex-, calendar period-, and registry-specific first primary cancer incidence rates. Results: During the study period, 959 cases of second primary cancers occurred after an initial esophageal cancer, resulting in a SIR of 1.15 (95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.22). Second primary stomach cancers were associated with first primary esophageal adenocarcinomas (SIR, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.263.37) and second primary cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx (6.68; 5.33-8.26), stomach (1.53; 1.14-2.01), larynx (3.24; 1.88-5.18), lung (1.55; 1.28-1.87), kidney (1.88; 1.182.85), and thyroid (2.92; 1.18-6.02) were associated with first primary squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus. An excess of esophageal cancer as a second primary were observed following first primary cancers of the aerodigestive tract, female breast, cervix, testis, bladder, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Conclusion: We observed associations of esophageal cancer with second primary head and neck cancers and lung cancer regardless of years of follow-up, which may suggest that common risk factors play a role in multiple tumor development.

Com o objectivo de demonstrar a eficácia, segurança e técnica apropriada de instilação de talco para a pleurodese do derrame pleural maligno, os autores efectuaram um estudo prospectivo e randomizado comparando a esclerose com talco em pó versus talco slurry (lama de talco). O estudo englobou 482 doentes com derrame pleural maligno que foram submetidos a pleurodese e que foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo A com 242 doentes onde se efectuou pleurodese com talco em pó, e grupo B com 240 doentes, onde se utilizou talco slurry. A dose de talco utilizada nos 2 grupos foi de 4 a 5 gr. Os critérios de inclusão no estudo passaram pelo diagnóstico de neoplasia, derrame pleural maligno necessitando de esclerose, esperança de vida superior a 2 meses, status performance aceitável e condições físicas para anestesia geral. Os critérios de exclusão incluíram a gravidez, esclerose pleural prévias, radioterapia a um hemitórax em toda a sua extensão, derrame pleural quiloso ou bilateral e alterações da terapêutica sistémica nas 2 semanas previas à pleurodese. Os dados demográficos e a doença maligna de base eram semelhantes nos 2 grupos A primeira meta do estudo foi a avaliação radiológica do tórax ao fim de 30 dias após a pleurodese com o talco em pó ou slurry. A evidência de recorrência ou não de derrame pleural, a morbilidade, a mortalidade e a qualidade de vida dos doentes sobreviventes aos 30 dias foram avaliadas. Sequencialmente os doentes efectuaram radiografias torácicas mensalmente até aos 6 meses após o procedimento ou morte do doente. A percentagem de doentes que ao fim dos 30 dias se manteve sem derrame pleural foi semelhante nos 2 grupos (78% no grupo A e 71% no grupo B ), com 14% de mortalidade no primeiro grupo e 20% no grupo B. Contudo, o subgrupo de doentes com neoplasia da mama e do pulmão obtiveram maior sucesso com o talco em pó do que com o talco slurry ( 82% versus 67%). A morbilidade da pleurodese inclui febre, dispneia e dor torácica. As complicações respiratórias foram mais comuns após a pleurodese com talco em pó (14% versus 6% com talco slurry), com desenvolvimento de insuficiência respiratória em 8% dos doentes do grupo A e 4% do grupo B. Na avaliação da qualidade de vida, demonstrou-se menor fadiga no grupo A. Os autores concluíram não haver diferença significativa em termos de eficácia com a utilização de talco em pó ou talco slurry, na pleurodese de derrames pleurais malignos.

Item does not contain fulltext Using the International Project on Genetic Susceptibility to Environmental Carcinogens (GSEC) database containing information on over 15,000 control (noncancer) subjects, the allele and genotype frequencies for many of the more commonly studied metabolic genes (CYP1A1, CYP2E1, CYP2D6, GSTM1, GSTT1, NAT2, GSTP, and EPHX) in the human population were determined. Major and significant differences in these frequencies were observed between Caucasians (n = 12,525), Asians (n = 2,136), and Africans and African Americans (n = 996), and some, but much less, heterogeneity was observed within Caucasian populations from different countries. No differences in allele frequencies were seen by age, sex, or type of controls (hospital patients versus population controls). No examples of linkage disequilibrium between the different loci were detected based on comparison of observed and expected frequencies for combinations of specific alleles.

Both single lung transplantation and bilateral lung transplantation have been successful in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Limited availability of donor lungs dictates wider use of single lung transplantation as long as this procedure provides a comparable functional result at less risk. Early morbidity, mortality rates, and functional results were compared in 32 consecutive patients undergoing either single or bilateral lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When pretransplantation and posttransplantation values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second, single breath diffusing capacity, total lung capacity, arterial oxygen tension, and 6-minute walking distance were compared, statistically significant improvement (p less than 0.01) was seen in both groups. However, significantly higher values (p less than 0.01) were attained for forced expiratory volume in 1 second, single breath diffusing capacity, and arterial oxygen tension in the bilateral transplantation group than in the single lung transplantation group. Patients receiving bilateral lung transplants were at greater risk for postoperative complications, especially cardiac arrhythmias and bronchial anastomotic defects. Actuarial survival for the single lung transplantation group was 93% at 1 year, versus 87% at 6 months and 71% at 1 year for the bilateral lung transplantation group. The optimal transplantation procedure for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has not been determined. Longer follow-up periods are needed to define better the roles of bilateral and single lung transplantation in this group of patients.