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Compares the transmission spectra of undoped crystalline αAl[sub2]O[sub3] synthesized by several growth techniques. Factors attributed to the salient features in the below-band-gap region; Summary of salient room-temperature transmission features.

The antitumour action of 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) is mediated through tumour-selective antivascular effects and cytokine induction. This clinical phase I trial was conducted to examine its toxicity, maximum tolerated dose, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). A secondary objective was to assess its antitumour efficacy. DMXAA was administered every 3 weeks as a 20-min i.v. infusion. Dose escalation initially followed a modified Fibonacci schema but was also guided by PK and toxicity. A total of 63 patients received 161 courses of DMXAA over 19 dose levels ranging from 6 to 4900 mg m(-2). DMXAA was well tolerated at lower doses and no drug-related myelosuppression was seen. Rapidly reversible dose-limiting toxicities were observed at 4900 mg m(-2), including confusion, tremor, slurred speech, visual disturbance, anxiety, urinary incontinence and possible left ventricular failure. Transient prolongation of the corrected cardiac QT interval was seen in 13 patients evaluated at doses of 2000 mg m(-2) and above. A patient with metastatic cervical carcinoma achieved an unconfirmed partial response at 1100 mg m(-2), progressing after eight courses. The results of PK and PD studies are reported separately. DMXAA has antitumour activity at well-tolerated doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether selected patients have better outcomes with inpatient than outpatient treatment. There were 93 inpatients and 80 outpatients with alcohol dependence who were evaluated at treatment entry to a private healthcare setting. Patients with multiple drinking-related consequences were less likely to return to significant drinking in the first 3 months after treatment ended if they had attended inpatient compared to outpatient treatment. Thus, inpatient appeared to have some advantage over outpatient treatment in the early recovery period for patients with multiple drinking-related consequences. The gap between inpatient and outpatient costs was also reduced when computed as a cost-effectiveness ratio, although treatment costs continued to remain proportionally higher with inpatient than outpatient treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 54-year-old female with small volume residual stage III ovarian cancer had received two courses of carboplatin chemotherapy with obvious response, when she developed rapidly progressive neurological symptoms. Over a period of 48 h, an incapacitating syndrome of ataxia, nystagmus and dysarthria evolved. Central nervous system metastases were excluded by computed tomography scanning and cerebrospinal fluid cytology. Anti-Purkinje cell antibodies (‘anti-Yo’) detected in the serum confirmed the diagnosis of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.Isolated reports have suggested that the clinical course of this condition can be ameliorated with high dose steroids and plasmapheresis. However, in this case the very early introduction of both these did not bring about any improvement in the patient's symptoms. She remained severely incapacitated and unable to care for herself for the remaining 15 months of her life. The patient died of progressive ovarian cancer that had become clinically evident 10 months after the onset of neurological symptoms.This case illustrates many of the classical features of this rare condition, and the world literature is reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty-six patients with ovarian cancer (three stage IC, nine stage II, 33 stage III and II stage IV) were treated with carboplatin 350 mg m-2 i.v. day 1 and chlorambucil orally 0.15 mg kgm-1 days 1-7 inclusive, repeated every 28 days for eight courses. The regimen was well tolerated and was virtually free of nephro- and neurotoxicity. Grade III or IV hematology toxicity occurred in 18 patients but only 31 or 330 courses administered were delayed. Of 40 assessable patients eight achieved a clinical/radiologic complete response and 17 a clinical/radiologic partial response. Actuarial survival at 50 months was 65% for stage II patients, 27% for stage III patients and no stage IV patients survived beyond 20 months. Forty-two per cent of patients with residual disease less 2 cm survived 50 months, compared with 44% of patients with moderate volume (2-5 cm) residual disease and 6% of patients with bulk residual disease. This is an active, well tolerated regimen. However, only patients with small volume residual disease have a significant chance of prolonged survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At Auckland hospital there is a combined medical and nursing preparation for patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. The aim of the current study was to assess whether patients felt that this combined approach had prepared them adequately for chemotherapy. Patients were asked to complete three questionnaires anonymously at different times in their treatment programme: immediately prior to chemotherapy, after three cycles of chemotherapy and 2 months after completion of chemotherapy. A high level of satisfaction with the programme was demonstrated: 68% of patients thought the orientation programme had prepared them "very well", 32% "adequately" and none "poorly" for their chemotherapy. Separate interviews with medical and nursing staff were thought a "good idea" by 86% of patients and only 1 of 100 medical and 100 nursing interviews was assessed as "not worthwhile". This study suggests that a combined medical and nursing preparation is a worthwhile practice in preparing patients for cytotoxic chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]