1 Rectus abdominis muscle biopsies were obtained from 28 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. In membranes prepared from these biopsies ,-adrenoceptor binding was examined. The apparent affinity (KD) and the density (Bmax) of the receptors for the radioligand (_)_[1251 cyanopindolol were 28.5 ± 2.7 (pM) and 25.9 ± 2.1 (fmol mg-, protein) (mean ± s.e. mean) respectively. In forceps biopsies from vastus lateralis muscle from four healthy volunteers the values for KD and Bmax were 22.5 ± 4.4 (pM) and 16.4 ± 2.2 (fmol mg-' protein). The binding characteristics for the radioligand were similar in the biopsies from the two muscle sites.2 Inhibition of the radioligand binding by the selective P2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118551 (KI = 117 ± 45 nM) and selective 131-adrenoceptor antagonist metoprolol (K1 = 15229 ± 5046 nM) suggests the dominance of 132-adrenoceptor subtype in human skeletal muscle. 3 There were no significant differences in the skeletal muscle ,-adrenoceptor densities or affinities between the young and older patients.

The pressures in the lower oesophageal sphincter (high pressure zone or HPZ) and stomach were measured in 15 patients with duodenal ulcer and 14 patients with no gastrointestinal disease. All the patients were premedicated with morphine 10 mg i.m. In the patients without duodenal ulcer, the pressure gradient between HPZ and stomach was 6.6 +/- 0.62 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) before diminishing to 4.9 +/- 0.86 after induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone. During fasciculations following i.v. suxamethonium, the gradient increased to 7.1 +/- 1.0 mm Hg. In patients with duodenal ulcer, although the absolute pressures were less, the gradients during the study were similar to those in healthy patients. We conclude that there is no increased risk of regurgitation during fasciculations induced by suxamethonium.

One hundred and thirty four cases are presented in which polyglycolic acid (P.G.A.) sutures were used. In 34 cases the suture was inserted into the various layers of the abdominal wall and in 100 it was used in a variety of anastomoses involving the gastro-intestinal tract. In the light of our experience we feel that this suture is highly satisfactory in these situations, in addition to possessing physical properties which make it superior to catgut.