Localized sinus inflammation in a rabbit sinusitis model induced by Bacteroides fragilis is accompanied by rigorous immune responses

We evaluated inflammatory and immune responses against Bacteroides fragilis in a rabbit sinusitis model. Bacteroides was inoculated into the left maxillary sinus, and inflammatory (histology, cell number/cytology, lactose dehydrogenase, and apoptosis) and immune responses in the sinus, airway, and peripheral blood (PB) were determined for up to 4 weeks. In the inflamed sinus, the lactose dehydrogenase level was markedly elevated, with neutrophilic infiltration, severe tissue inflammation, and increased apoptosis. Low-grade tissue inflammation was present in the contralateral and sham-operated sinuses, but other parameters remained unchanged, and so did those in the airway and PB in the inoculated rabbits. Serum IgG antibody levels increased rapidly, were highest at 3 weeks, and began to decline at 4 weeks. Cellular immune responses (proliferation and interferon-gamma mRNA expression) against Bacteroides were detected in the PB of all inoculated rabbits. Vigorous immune responses against Bacteroides may have localized but failed to terminate inflammation in the sinus, indicating importance of microenvironmental factors.     

Atypical Cellular Neurothekeoma Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Atypical cellular neurothekeoma is a rare neoplasm generally regarded as a benign tumor with locally aggressive behavior. Recurrence is common with inadequate excision, but metastatic disease has yet to be reported. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to report a case of atypical cellular neurothekeoma of the nasal ala in a young woman treated by Mohs micrographic surgery. The biologic behavior and histopathology will be reviewed. METHODS: Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: The neoplasm was extirpated in a three-stage, five section Mohs surgery procedure. The resulting defect was repaired by a two-stage, pedicled nasolabial transposition flap with a cartilage graft taken from the ipsilateral ear. No clinical recurrence was noted after 6-months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Mohs micrographic surgery is unsurpassed in its efficacy in treating a wide variety of nonmelanoma skin cancers. Although most commonly used to address basal and squamous cell carcinoma, it has also been reported as a successful treatment for melanoma and a wide variety of cutaneous malignancies. We discuss a case of atypical cellular neurothekeoma removed with the Mohs technique. Debate in the literature is ongoing regarding the true histogenesis of this rare tumor. Because of this tumor's local destructive behavior and propensity to recur with inadequate resection, we recommend Moths micrographic surgery for the treatment of cellular neurothekeomas.     

The Mechanics of PowerPoint

Radiographic Photography and Imaging Processes David Jenkins Lancaster, MTP Press, 1980 Price £11-95. 302 pages, Illustrated

A Colour Atlas of Peripheral Vascular Diseases W. F. Walker Wolfe Medical Publications Ltd, London, 1980 Price £15. 112 pages, 323 figures

Audiovisual Materials for Higher Education, 4th ed. Part 3. Biology, Medicine and Life Sciences Edited by James Ballantyne British Universities Film Council, London, 1979–80 Price £600. 144 pages

Computers and Medicine V. Sondak, H. Schwartz and N. Sondak Adtech Book Company, 1979 Price £17-50. 245 pages

Diagnostic Imaging British Medical Bulletin Volume 36, Number 3

Ultrastructure of the Mammalian Cell R. V. Krsti£c Berlin, Springer-Verlag 1979 Price approx. DM 58. 376 pages, 176 plates

Time-lapse Cinemicroscopy P. N. Riddle London, Academic Press, 1979 Price £9-40. 135 pages     

Optimization of pelvic heating rate distributions with electromagnetic phased arrays

Deep heating of pelvic tumours with electromagnetic phased arrays has recently been reported to improve local tumour control when combined with radiotherapy in a randomized clinical trial despite the fact that rather modest elevations in tumour temperatures were achieved. It is reasonable to surmise that improvements in temperature elevation could lead to even better tumour response rates, motivating studies which attempt to explore the parameter space associated with heating rate delivery in the pelvis. Computational models which are based on detailed three-dimensional patient anatomy are readily available and lend themselves to this type of investigation. In this paper, volume average SAR is optimized in a predefined target volume subject to a maximum allowable volume average SAR outside this zone. Variables under study include the position of the target zone, the number and distribution of radiators and the applicator operating frequency. The results show a clear preference for increasing frequency beyond 100MHz, which is typically applied clinically, especially as the number of antennae increases. Increasing both the number of antennae per circumferential distance around the patient, as well as the number of independently functioning antenna bands along the patient length, is important in this regard, although improvements were found to be more significant with increasing circumferential antenna density. However, there is considerable site specific variation and cases occur where lower numbers of antennae spread out over multiple longitudinal bands are more advantageous. The results presented here have been normalized relative to an optimized set of antenna array amplitudes and phases operating at 100MHz which is a common clinical configuration. The intent is to provide some indications of avenues for improving the heating rate distributions achievable with current technology.     

Chronic Mild Stress and Sucrose Consumption: Validity as a Model of Depression

Sucrose consumption and preference were examined in rats subjected to a 6-week regimen of unpredictable mild stressors, after Willner et al. [11]. These subjects were compared with groups exposed to: 1. only the food deprivation element of the stress protocol; or 2. the stress protocol without the food deprivation element. A control group was not exposed to stressors. Body weight and sucrose consumption were significantly reduced in stressed and food-deprived animals compared to the other 2 groups. These variables therefore appeared dependent on food deprivation and independent of other elements of the stress protocol. Neither sucrose consumption per gram body weight nor sucrose preference differed significantly among the 4 groups. These results indicate that food deprivation is not only necessary, but sufficient, to produce sucrose consumption deficits in rats. It is, therefore, likely that reduced sucrose consumption in stressed rats results solely from diminished body weight rather than exposure to the series of stressors. We conclude that sucrose consumption is not a valid index of reward responsiveness. Other measures (such as place-preference conditioning or intracranial self-stimulation threshold) should be evaluated also with respect to body weight change when considering the validity of stressor-based models of depressive disorder.     

STRESS IN MARITAL INTERACTION AND DIET BEHAVIOR

The research examines the effects of stress in the marital relationship on dietary behavior. The theoretical model predicted that the marital stress of inequality and role disagreement would lead to an unfavorable reflected appraisal and low self-efficacy. The latter two variables are predicted to be related to the dietary indicator of fat consumption. One hundred and fifty-five married couples were selected by a random area sample from the state of Iowa. Husbands and wives were interviewed separately in the home. The results supported the stress model. Marital interaction stress had an effect on diet as mediated by the reflected self (how one imagines they are perceived by significant others) self-efficacy (perceived control over one's outcomes). Also, interesting gender differences were found. For husbands, reflected appraisal was related to per cent calories from fat in the diet whereas for wives, self-efficacy was related to per cent calories from fat. The differences in part reflect the changing role of women.©1997 John Wiley &Sons, Ltd.