The Medical journal of Australia
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A study of the effect of passive smoking on patients with asthma is presented. Six patients were exposed for one hour to the air in a room in which tobacco smoke was produced mechanically over that period. ⋯ All six patients developed chest tightness and symptoms similar to an attack of asthma. The findings of respiratory and sensitivity tests suggest: (i) that passive smoking may trigger asthma attacks in subjects who suffer from asthma and (ii) that the airways of such subjects show increased histamine reactivity four hours after the passive smoke exposure.
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Vindesine, a cytotoxic drug related to vincristine and vinblastine, was used in the treatment of refractory haematological malignant disease in 25 patients. Short-term benefits such as the lowering of leukaemic blast-cell counts and the alleviation of symptoms, particularly resolution of bone pain, were observed in some patients; however, long-term benefit was elusive. In general, the drug was well tolerated, and it was possible to administer vindesine without further neurological toxicity to some patients who previously had suffered from neuropathy. Vindesine may well have a place in the treatment of tumours which respond to vinca-alkaloid therapy in patients in whom previous therapy has produced neurotoxicity, and for the relief of troublesome symptoms, particularly bone pain, in heavily pretreated patients.