Prognostic value of ultrastructural characteristics of dysplastic changes in the esophagus

Dysplasia foci in the esophageal squamous epithelium against the background of various reactions of proliferation were studied by electron microscopy. Slightly altered tissue showed diverse cellularity, with dark cambial elements invariably present. With dysplasia advancing, the cell composition became uniform, with a high nuclear-cytoplasmic index. The dark cell pattern with numerous ribosomes was seen more often than that of keratinized clear cells. Small-cell focal proliferations are highly suggestive of precancer. Electron microscopy may be instrumental in eliciting more information on the risk of esophageal squamous epithelium precancer progressing to cancer since it provides data on cell composition, degree of cell differentiation and polysome formation as well as early signs of keratinization.     

Alveolar macrophage phagocytic kinetics following pulmonary parainfluenza-3 virus infection

Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the cellular components of bronchoalveolar washings of calves with experimental parainfluenza-3 virus pneumonitis and control calves were made. Calves were exposed to 10(9) TCID50 of PI-3 by intranasal aerosol exposure and bronchoalveolar cells obtained 7 days after infection by volume-controlled bronchopulmonary lavage. Transient tachypnea and pyrexia occurred in all infected calves, and virus was recoverable at 7 days from nasal swabs and lung tissue. Pulmonary lesions were typical of viral pneumonitis, characterized by patchy alveolitis and bronchiolitis with accumulations of cells and inflammatory debris. The mean total lavage cell yield was elevated in the virus-infected calves, and the percentage of neutrophils was elevated (P less than 0.05). Increased numbers of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) were also recovered but the difference was not significant. Linear regression equations showed that a decreased proportion of PAM from virus-infected animals were phagocytic. The mean initial phagocytic rates of macrophages from calves with viral pneumonitis were significantly decreased (P less than 0.05) over controls. This difference was concentration dependent and required a phagocytic stimulus in excess of 12.5 X 10(6) beads/ml. Studies of phagocytic kinetics showed that PAM from calves with viral pneumonitis had a lower Vmax than PAM from control calves, but that Km values were comparable. No differences in PAM beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase activity were observed. These results indicate depressed phagocytic function in PI-3 virus-inflamed lungs relative to controls. In concert with virus-induced airway lesions, such in vivo depression of PAM phagocytic functions would be expected to depress pulmonary particulate clearance and lung defense mechanisms.     

Clinical report: cylindrical cell papilloma of the paranasal sinus

We report a case of cylindrical cell papilloma of the paranasal sinuses. This tumor originated in the medial wall of the left maxillary sinus of a 69-year-old man and extended to the surrounding tissues. Pathological study of tissue sections from the tumor showed typical findings of cylindrical cell papilloma with no evidence of associated malignancy. Histochemical and electron microscopic examinations revealed a large number of mitochondria in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. The tumor was removed through a Denker's approach. The patient did well following surgery and there has been no sign of recurrence in a 2-year follow-up study.     

Synthesis of 3-[2-(2,3-dihydro-5-phenyl-4-substituted-3H-1,2,4- triazole-3-thione-2-yl)-acetylamino]-2-methyl-4(3H)-quinazolinones and their pharmacological activities

Some 2-methyl-3-triazole-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones 3a-f were prepared and tested for their H1- and H2-antihistaminic activities. In addition these compounds are central nervous system depressants and anticonvulsants. 3e shows highly significant decrease of locomotor activity.     

Fusobacterium necrophorum meningitis: forgotten complication of a gingivitis]

By now Lemierre's syndrome is a seldom-described disease whose prognosis depends on the precocity of treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 11-month-old child, with a fulminant Fusobacterium necrophorum meningitis, which derived from a gingival infection, with fatal outcome. CONCLUSION: This atypical case of Lemierre's syndrome (young age occurrence and localisation) underlines the potential severity of F. necrophorum sepsis.     

Genetic analysis of the affective disorders: summary of GAW5

Participants in the Affective Disorders component of Genetic Analysis Workshop 5 had access to five distributed data sets: 1) 187 families from the Collaborative Depression Study, 2) 202 families ascertained as part of the NIMH Family Studies on Affective Disorders, 3) a compilation of 46 pedigrees informative for X-linked markers, 4) HLA typing on 116 kindreds from the Toronto-Rochester Depression Study, and 5) 81 members of an Old Order Amish pedigree demonstrating linkage to markers on chromosome 11p. These databases are each summarized after a brief account is given of the genetics of the affective disorders and commonly used diagnoses. The emphasis of the Workshop was methodologic, with contributions divided evenly between linkage and nonlinkage applications. Contributions are summarized under four substantive areas: regressive logistic models, segregation and other familial analyses, methodologic considerations in linkage analysis, and the relationship between HLA and affective disorders.     

Penetrating chest injuries

The purpose of this paper is to review our experience in the management of penetrating chest injuries and their outcome in spite of the shortage of equipment for thoracic surgery at the Gonder Hospital. The study was based on prospective analysis of 32 cases treated at this hospital between February 1987 and February 1988. About 30% of our cases has associated injuries to other organs. Simple pleural space drainage was done in 19 cases. Only 4 of the patients required immediate or delayed thoracotomy while 3 other cases required laparotomy. Complications occurred in 8 patients, of whom 6 died. In 6 cases only conservative treatment was indicated. About 80% of our patients with penetrating chest chest injuries were treated successfully with no, or only minimal, residual defects. Availability of of simple and effective materials in rural hospitals is recommended.     

Hyperthyroidism associated with papilloedema and pyramidal tract involvement

Summary In a patient with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes [MELAS] who had normal mitochondrial enzyme activity, high doses of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ) were administered. Clinical improvement with decreased serum lactate and pyruvate levels was observed. Though the mechanism of action of CoQ is not known, a trial is worthwhile in patients with MELAS.