IN SITU DETECTION OF THE EPSTEIN–BARR VIRUS-ENCODED NUCLEAR ANTIGEN 1 IN ORAL HAIRY LEUKOPLAKIA AND VIRUS-ASSOCIATED CARCINOMAS

A new monoclonal antibody has been used to examine immunohistochemically the expression of the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-encoded nuclear antigen (EBNA) 1 in virus-associated epithelial lesions. EBNA1 was detected in the tumour cell nuclei of 10/13 undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas and of 10/10 EBV-associated gastric carcinomas. EBNA1 was also detected in 13 of 16 oral hairy leukoplakia (HL) samples, where its expression was confined to nuclei in the upper epithelial cell layers whilst basal epithelial cells were negative. This observation is in agreement with previous studies demonstrating the absence of latent EBV infection in the basal cell compartment of HL and suggests an essential role for EBNA1, not only in latent EBV infection but also in virus replication.     

DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION AND IMAGING STUDIES ARE UNNECESSARY IN MEN WITH UNDETECTABLE PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN FOLLOWING RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

PURPOSE: We determine the probability of local or distant recurrence following radical prostatectomy in men with an undetectable prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical course of 1,916 consecutive men followed during a 14-year period after radical prostatectomy was reviewed. Average followup plus or minus standard deviation is 5.5+/-3.5 years, and 326 men (17%) have been followed for more than 10 years. In total this population of men has been followed for 10,540 patient-years. RESULTS: Of 1,916 men 56 (2.9%) had local recurrence an average of 6.1+/-2.7 years (range 1 to 12) after surgery. No man had local recurrence with an undetectable serum PSA. Mean serum PSA at the time of local recurrence was 5.8 ng./ml. Of the 56 men 13 (25%) who had local disease recurrence had an undetectable serum PSA at 5 years of followup but had progression to biochemical and local disease recurrence later. Of 1,916 men 118 had distant metastases with a mean serum PSA of 28.6 ng./ml. No man has had distant metastasis with an undetectable serum PSA. CONCLUSIONS: Disease can recur after radical prostatectomy even after an extended biochemical disease-free interval. None of the 1,916 men followed for an average of greater than 5 years after surgery had local recurrence or distant metastasis with an undetectable serum PSA. Based on these observations, we recommend no further evaluation, that is digital rectal examination or imaging studies, in men with an undetectable PSA following radical prostatectomy.     

Mishaps and serious complications in endodontic obturation

There are numerous examples reported in the literature that cite and document many disabling complications to the alveolar bone, neurovascular anatomy and maxillary sinus following overextension of root canal filling materials. Neural complications as a consequences of endodontic obturation as well as other server outcomes to overfill are a serious problem. These injuries require a thoughful strategy for prevention during endodontic procedures as well as a responsible systematic approach to management, should the outcome of endodontic therapy produce an injury. This monogrph will focus on measures that can prevent obturation mishaps which occur under the most vulnerable of circumstances during the course of endodontic therapy. This paper will also critically review the toxicity of materials used in endodontic obturation and seek to identify those principal factors which affect prognosis after injury.     

EVALUATING THE STRESS-BUFFERING ROLE OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: VARIATION BY TYPE OF EVENT AND TYPE OF SYMPTOM

The possible stress-buffering properties of alcohol consumptionare examined. Data on psychological symptoms from 1270 ruraladults supported both symptom dimension (affective/somatic)and type of event (catastrophic/noncatastrophic) as possibleinfluences upon buffering properties. Non-catastrophic eventsshowed the greatest buffer effects from alcohol use. For depressivesymptoms the greatest buffer effect was produced by occasionaldrinking; moderate drinking had a less pronounced effect. Forsomatic symptoms, buffer effects were suggested for both moderateand heavy drinkers. No buffer effects from alcohol were observedfor catastrophic events.     

Living Skills Centres for People with Serious Psychiatric Disorders

Many people with a serious psychiatric disorder live in our community. Some experience numerous admissions to psychiatric hospitals which disrupt their lives and cause suffering to their families, whilst others live precariously in the community without adequate support. Some, through their association with the Living Skills Centre established in the Lower North Shore area of Sydney in 1977, are attempting to avoid this lifestyle of constant disruption. This community-based rehabilitation service was an innovative service delivery system established by the New South Wales Department of Health in 1977 and consequently had no model on which to base its activities. However, overseas and local studies now confirm that this type of service can effectively maintain these people in their local environment and assist them to lead more satisfying lives. In this paper, the authors describe this Living Skills Centre and discuss the reasons for its success.     

The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing

The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing.GOLDBERG, A. M. (1984). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 4, 517–518.The Center strives to develop new non-whole-animal test methodologiesbased on understanding mechanisms of toxicity of chemicals,consumer products, and drugs for the evaluation of safety. TheCenter will strive for scientific excellence, and to providesuperior methods which will replace existing strategies.