INFANTILE MYOFIBROMATOSIS WITH HEMANGIOPERICYTOMA-LIKE FEATURES OF THE TONGUE: A Case Study Including Ultrastructure

We report a case of an infantile myofibromatosis with hemangiopericytoma-like features arising in the tongue of a 5-month-old female infant. Many authors now classify neoplasms as infantile myofibromatosis that were previously called infantile hemangiopericytoma. The ultrastructural features of our tumor illustrate its biphasic nature and provide a possible explanation for its histogenesis. Infantile myofibromatosis, including those diagnosed as infantile hemangiopericytomas, rarely arise in any intraoral location. Despite the generally good prognosis associated with these neoplasms, complete surgical excision is recommended to avoid recurrences.     

Clinical significance of SNAP somnography test acoustic recording.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical significance of acoustic data recorded by the SNAP home polysomnography system (SNAP Laboratories, Glenview, IL). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of SNAP data from 59 patients undergoing evaluation for sleep apnea at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and an associated private practice in Omaha, NE. RESULTS: Snoring did not correlate with anthropometric variables such as body mass index and neck circumference. Statistical analysis showed no correlation between respiratory disturbance index and the maximum or average loudness of snoring. Average loudness was predictive of the presence of sleep apnea. Spectral analysis of snoring sonography found that the proportion of snoring events associated with a palatal source correlated strongly with the loudness of snoring. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that analysis of snoring has limited utility in the evaluation of the patient with sleep apnea but may be able to select patients who would benefit from palatal procedures to reduce snoring.     

Gut contents: A significant contaminant of Mytilus edulis whole body metal concentrations

Ingested matter can have a significant effect on whole body metal concentration measurements in Mytilus edulis. Depuration of mussels in clean seawater for 36 h prior to dissection eliminates most of these contaminating gut contents. Depuration followed by metal analyses is the most direct method of determining mussel tissue metal bioburdens. After being transplanted into a plume of primary treated sewage effluent in Salem Harbor, Massachusetts for 32 days, Al, Cr, and Fe concentrations in depurated mussels were significantly lower than those determined for either non-depurated mussels or for depurated mussels to which fecal concentrations of Al, Cr, and Fe were added back in. Although mathematical methods developed by both Ouellette (1978) and Boehm et al. (1988) could be applied to non-depurated mussels in order to correct for errors associated with gut metal contamination, these indirect methods were not as reliable as depuration prior to analysis.     

Reducing cancer risk with vitamins C, e, and selenium

Abstract Current research has provided evidence that nearly 90 percent of all cancers may be related to diet, environment, and lifestyle. Of this number, 30 to 40 percent of cancers in men and up to 60 percent of cancers in women may be related to diet and nutrition. The two-stage process in the formation of many cancers, defined as initiation and promotion, is influenced by many dietary components. Vitamins C, E, and the mineral selenium are nutrients that function as antioxidants, reducing potential cancer-causing chemicals in the body. These natural anticarcinogens are thought to alter the cancer process and are currently under study for their cancer prevention properties. The functions, Recommended Dietary Allowances, food sources, research evidence for cancer prevention, and recommendations for supplementation are presented for these three nutrients. Research suggests that the proper and prudent use of nutrients, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, may offer protection against this devastating disease.     

Oligoclonal immunoglobulins in HIV infection

We tested 150 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for the presence of oligoclonal bands in serum, prompted by reports that these abnormal proteins may have prognostic significance. Sixty HIV-negative individuals from "at-risk" groups were tested along with 80 HIV-negative, healthy blood donors for the presence of these bands. All sera were tested by isoelectric focusing, because it is more sensitive for this purpose than more-conventional electrophoretic techniques. In the HIV-positive group, 61% of the sera had oligoclonal bands; in the HIV-negative "at-risk" group, 36% had bands. No bands were detectable in sera from the healthy blood-donor group. Some patients were also followed for differing periods throughout their infection, and changes in their oligoclonal banding patterns could not be correlated with disease progression. The fact that oligoclonal bands were found to be present without HIV infection in a substantial number of individuals from within the "at-risk" groups leads us to conclude that the presence of oligoclonal bands in HIV infection is of limited prognostic significance.     

The use of quinacrine (Atabrine) in rheumatic diseases: A reexamination

Atabrine has been available for nearly 60 years. It has a variety of actions and has been administered to millions of individuals. Its antirheumatic properties have been well documented but have not been exploited optimally for a variety of reasons. The drug is generally quite safe and could be used in low doses in lupus and rheumatoid arthritis patients as a steroid-sparing agent or synergistically with hydroxychloroquine. Its bothersome side effects should not deter the clinician from using it, because they are easy to deal with or prevent (Table 5). Future studies should attempt to better characterize the immunosuppressive actions of this powerful drug, particularly in the treatment of lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies of the role of combination or single-agent antimalarial therapy in combination with other "remittive" drugs could be of great potential benefit.