To evaluate the long-term effects of abdominal irradiation for the treatment of seminoma of the testis on gastrointestinal function, 15 randomly selected patients who had been treated for stage I ...seminoma of the testis 2-10 years previously had the following parameters of gastrointestinal function evaluated: gastrointestinal symptoms; absorption of bile acid; vitamin B12; lactose and fat; gastric emptying; small intestinal and total gut transit; and intestinal permeability. Results were compared to those obtained in 18 normal volunteers. There was an increased prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms (P < 0.01) in the patients and stool frequency was above the control range in two of them. Gastric emptying was faster (P < 0.01) in the patients. There were no significant differences in vitamin B12, bile acid, lactose or fat absorption, small intestinal transit or whole gut transit between the two groups, although faecal fat excretion was greater than the control range in three of the patients. At least one parameter of gastrointestinal function was abnormal in 11 of the 15 patients. Patients with right-sided seminoma had a greater bowel frequency when compared to those with left-sided seminoma (P < 0.05). We conclude that mild abnormalities in gastrointestinal function occur frequently when abdominal irradiation is used to treat stage I seminoma.
Disordered small intestinal motility occurs frequently during acute radiation enteritis. However, the characteristics and time course of the motor dysfunction are poorly defined. These parameters ...were assessed in a novel animal model of radiation enteritis. Ileal pressures were recorded in vitro with perfused micromanometric catheter using an arterially perfused ileal loop in 22 ferrets following fractionated abdominal irradiation (9 doses 2.50 Gy thrice weekly for 3 weeks). Tissue damage was graded histologically. Studies were performed 3 to 29 days after irradiation. Tissue from 7 control animals was also studied. All treated animals developed diarrhoea. Histology showed changes consistent with mild to moderate radiation enteritis. Following irradiation, there was an initial increase in frequency followed by a non-significant reduction in the frequency, but not the amplitude of ileal pressure waves. The frequency of pressure waves showed an inverse relationship with time after radiation (r = -0.634, p < 0.002). There was no relationship between motility and histology. We conclude that abdominal irradiation is associated with a time-dependent reduction in ileal motility which does not correlate with light microscopic changes.
A physician who looks to the literature for information on microcomputers soon learns just how fragmented this information is. Articles appear not only in medical journals, such as this one, but also ...in journals of general science and computer science in the popular press. This month, a hospital librarian who has researched the literature offers guidance that can save the new computer user time and frustration.
Seventy-seven patients treated with megavoltage irradiation to the para-aortic and/or pelvic nodal areas, for stage I and non-bulky (< 5 cm) stage II seminoma of the testis, were studied at the Royal ...Adelaide Hospital from 1981 to 1990. The aim was not only to assess overall and relapse-free survival, but also early and late gastrointestinal toxicity in a group of patients treated in a uniform manner using modern techniques. The 10 year actuarial survival was 96.1% for all patients, being 95.6% for stage I and 100% for stage II. The 10 year actuarial complication rate for all late gastrointestinal effects was 9.1%. This consisted of a 6.5% risk of peptic ulceration and a 2.6% risk of chronic diarrhoea at 10 years. At least one acute gastrointestinal effect occurred during radiotherapy in the vast majority of patients (90.9%). Analysis of the effect of age (< or = 34 years vs > 34 years), stage (I vs II) and dose of radiation (< or = 30 Gy vs > 30 Gy), showed none of these variables to have a significant influence on overall survival or on the incidence of late complications. The results of these findings are discussed in the light of recent studies of a surveillance policy following orchidectomy for stage I seminoma of the testis. Given that gastrointestinal toxicity is the major toxicity associated with the treatment of stage I patients, the data from this study should assist clinicians and their patients to arrive at an informed decision regarding adjuvant radiotherapy.
Hatchery‐reared coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) are being stocked in waters with transient salinities as high as that of full‐strength seawater (30‰). To determine if these ...hatchery fish can survive in full‐strength seawater, yearling coastal cutthroat trout were tested in a 24‐h challenge. All fish survived in fresh water and half‐strength seawater (16.5–17.5‰). Thirteen of 72 fish died in seawater (28.5–29‰). There were significant differences in plasma sodium and osmotic concentration among fish exposed to different salinities as well as between surviving and moribund fish. During the experimental period of February–April 1990, survival among fish exposed to seawater was higher in both February and March than in April. Fish dying in April tests were larger than fish dying in February and March. We concluded that, if coastal cutthroat trout are to be released in full‐strength seawater during February or March, the fish should weigh at least 50–60 g or exceed 130 mm in total length.
PDF
