Effect of temperature elevation on rabbit cochlear function as measured by distortion-product otoacoustic emissions

Low-intensity laser stapedotomy has been shown to produce temperature elevations of 3° to 4° C within the cochlea. This study investigates the effect of temperature elevations in this range on cochlear outer hair cell function by use of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in rabbits. Using esophageal temperature monitoring, we compared 2f₁-f₂ distortion-product otoacoustic emissions over a range of frequencies (1806 to 8691 Hz) at rabbit normothermia, normothermia plus 3° C, and normothermia after passive cooling. Cochlear temperature was found to exceed changes in esophageal temperature by as much as 1.2° C. We found that a maximum of 3° C elevation in esophageal temperature did not permanently impair outer hair cell function in the rabbit cochlea. Results of this study suggest that moderate changes in cochlear temperature, such as those produced by low-intensity CO₂ and holmium - yttrium aluminum garnet lasers, may not produce irreversible thermal damage to the cochlear outer hair cells. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996;115:548-52.)     

Neuropeptides in temporomandibular joints with rheumatoid arthritis: a clinical study

Abstract— There is evidence that neuropeptides play a role in the development of arthritis. Synovial fluid from arthritic temporomandibular joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was therefore investigated for presence of the neuropeptides calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, neurokinin A and neuropeptide Y. All four peptides were found in the synovial fluid above plasma level, but calcitonin gene-related peptide showed the highest concentration and substance P the lowest.     

EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON RISK FACTORS FOR CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN PREVIOUSLY SEDENTARY WOMEN: A FIVE-YEAR LONGITUDINAL STUDY

:Fitness, weight, blood-pressure, and lipids were measured in 290 women joining a fitness programme. Five years later, 110 (38%) had remained active, and the others had become sedentary again. The net effect of being active was to increase fitness by 18% and to reduce weight by 1.9 kg, diastolic blood pressure by 3 mmHg, and triglycerides by 0.15 mmol/L^-1. After controlling for age, weight and fitness, physical activity accounted for 1 % and 3% of the variance of changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure respectively, and was not associated with changes in lipids. Change in fitness accounted for only 1% of change in diastolic blood pressure. More 'active women gave up smoking than ‘inactive’ (70%versus 10%). Hypertensive women were more sensitive to changes in weight and fitness than normotensive women. It was concluded that physical activity and change in fitness were only weakly related to changes in blood pressure and were unrelated to changes in lipids. (Aust NZ J Med 1988; 18: 600–605)     

Linear streaking due to bleomycin

Bleomycin, an anti-neoplastic antibiotic produced by Streptomyces verticullis, is widely used in the treatment of malignant lymphomas and squamous cell carcinomas. Like other anti-metabolite drugs it has been associated with a number of cutaneous side effects such as alopecia and stomatitis¹. Bleomycin can also produce a characteristic cutaneous reaction: linear streaking², two cases of which are reported herein.     

From silica granuloma to scar sarcoidosis

The granulomatous infiltration of old scars may be a purely local phenomenon or it may be a feature of systemic sarcoidosis. This paper describes a patient in whom a silica granuloma progressed into scar sarcoidosis. Clinical and histological similarities of the two conditions are compared whereas prognostic and therapeutic differences are contrasted.     

Water Intoxication Associated with Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Therapy

ABSTRACT. Two cases of rheumatoid arthritis, who developed severe hyponatremia after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are presented. Early diagnosis was followed by rapid correction with hypertonic saline. It is suggested that NSAIDs, like piroxicam, di-clofenac and indomethacin, may be added to the list of drugs which can induce syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH).     

Effect of Lower Versus Higher Doses of Tamoxifen on Pituitary-Gonadal Function and Sperm Indices in Oligozoospermic Men

Administration of the antiestrogen tamoxifen for one month to 12 patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia significantly increased the mean basal testosterone (T) level and the responses of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to constant luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) infusion but did not significantly influence the mean oestradiol (E2) levels or the E2 over testosterone ratio. Mean sperm concentration and total sperm output increased by about 70% after a mean treatment period of 5.5 +/- 0.4 months. No statistically significant difference was found between the two subgroups of patients treated with either the lower (5 or 10 mg once daily) or higher dose of tamoxifen (10 mg twice daily) with respect to basal or LHRH stimulated gonadotropin and testosterone response or the E2/T ratio and the effect on sperm density and total sperm output. In both subgroups the sperm motility and morphology remained unchanged. In conclusion higher doses of tamoxifen in this study prove not to be superior to lower doses in improving mean sperm density and total sperm output. The relative small percentage of patients achieving normalisation of only these sperm parameters pleads for further search for more effective selection of patients and other more effective treatment modalities in patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia.