Diagnosis and management of cystic duct leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND： Operative complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy （LC） vary. Abdominal pain and other symptoms caused by fluid accumulation in the operative area are not uncommon. Cystic duct （CD） leakage is one of the main sources of the fluid. This study was to evaluate the procedures used in the diagnosis and management of CD leakage after LC. METHOD： The clinical materials of 3 patients with CD leakage after LC were studied retrospectively.     

Directionally selective complex cells and the computation of motion energy in cat visual cortex.

We applied a set of 1- and 2-bar tests to directionally selective (DS) complex cells in the cat's striate cortex, and compared the responses with those predicted by two computational models. Single-bar responses and 2-bar interactions produce distinctive patterns that are highly diagnostic. The observed responses are quite similar to those predicted by a basic (non-opponent) motion-energy model [Adelson & Bergen (1985) Journal of the Optical Society of America A, 2, 284-299]. However, they are not consistent with an opponent combination of energy models, nor are they consistent with any stage of the classic Reichardt model. In particular, the Reichardt model (as well as opponent combinations of energy models) predicts a separable space-time symmetry in the 2-bar interaction that is not observed in our measurements, while the non-opponent energy model predicts an inseparable, oriented interaction very similar to the measured cortical responses. Comparisons between model and measurements suggest possible mechanisms of spatial receptive-field organization and of nonlinear transformations.     

Angiogenesis factor in endometrial carcinoma: A new prognostic indicator?

OBJECTIVE: Tumor angiogenesis is believed to be a prognostic indicator associated with tumor growth and metastasis. Studies of angiogenesis in breast, prostate, and lung cancer, as well as melanoma, have shown that neovascularization correlates with the likelihood of metastasis and recurrences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate microvessel density as a prognostic factor in endometrial cancer. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1991 the tumor registry identified 25 patients with a diagnosis of recurrent endometrial cancer. These patients were matched with 25 patients with nonrecurrent disease for age, stage, grade, and treatment. The histologic slides of the 50 patients were reviewed. The paraffin blocks were obtained, and the area of the deepest myometrial invasion was selected for staining. The microvessels within the invasive cancer were highlighted by means of immunocytochemical staining to detect factor VIII - related antigen. Microvessels were counted by two investigators who were blinded to the patients' clinical status. Survival data were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Microvessel count was related to likelihood of recurrence, although this trend did not reach statistical significance. Patients with tumors of low capillary density had a mean survival time of 123 months. Patients with tumors of high capillary density had a mean survival time of 75 months (p = 002). Among patients with recurrent disease, those with a low capillary count survived a mean of 64 months. Patients with recurrent disease with tumors of high capillary density survived a mean of 45 months (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis factor correlates with survival in endometrial carcinoma. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;174:1879-84.)     

Maxillary polydimethylsiloxane glossal prostheses

A technique was described to mechanically combine acrylic resin with a polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) material. The polysiloxane glossal prosthesis was suspended from the palatal surface of a maxillary complete denture obturator.While a prosthetic tongue is a poor substitute for a most vital structure, every attempt must be made to make the patient comfortable and aid the patient in dealing with routine social demands. This type of prosthesis attached to a stable maxillary denture provides a rehabilitative service which may be considered for patients who experience glossectomy.     

Legal consent for vasectomy of a mentally-retarded minor

The medicolegal aspects of sterilizing mentally retarded minors are discussed. In general, courts have jurisdiction over minors and have authority to issue orders for the protection or welfare of a minor. A case cited concerned an attempt to have a mentally retarded adult woman with two illegitimate children sterilized. The attempt was denied by the court because her parents had no authority to act for her since she was an adult and no guardian had been appointed who had control over her person. No cases of this nature concerning minors could be found. The consent of the parents might be sufficient reason for sterilization in the case of a minor.     

Specificity and mechanism of the benzidine formation in pharmaceutical analysis (author's transl)

Specificity and Mechanism of the Benzidine Formation in Pharmaceutical Analysis The formation of benzidine dyes from tertiary aromatic amines, amides, imines and some similar benzoheterocyclic compounds is reported. A positive colour reaction is given when:

• a The compound is stable under the reaction conditions.
• b The electron density in the aromatic ring system is sufficiently high.
• c There are no substituents in p-position which cannot be removed during the reaction.
• d The aromatic ring is not perpendicular to the rest of the molecule.
• e The nitrogen in the investigated heterocyclic compounds is not allowed to be in a sp² state.

From these facts evidence is given for a special mechanism of the benzidine formation in strong acidic media.