Effect of cold on the blood vessel wall

The effect of cold has been studied on isolated canine and human blood vessels. These have led to the following conclusions concerning the phenomenon of the hunting reaction seen in human extremities on their exposure to severe cold. (1) On exposure to cold there is a marked increase in the affinity of the postjunctional alpha-adrenoceptors for norepinephrine. This results in a powerful constriction of the blood vessels and a cessation of blood flow to the distal tissue. As the temperature of the tissues rapidly falls, sympathetic nerve conduction is interrupted and vasodilatation occurs, due to the cessation of norepinephrine release and the depressor action of cold on the contractile machinery. The resultant return of blood flow rewarms the tissue, nerve conduction is reestablished, and this combined with the increased affinity of the alpha-adrenoceptors for norepinephrine leads to renewed vasoconstriction. Repetition of this cycle could result in the hunting reaction. (2) There appears to be a difference between the cutaneous artery and vein, in that the latter remains constricted at lower temperatures. (3) Preliminary experiments suggest that the response of the human cutaneous vein to cold is qualitatively similar to the dog vein, although some quantitative differences are present.     

Lung function,asthma symptoms,and quality of life for children in public housing in Boston: a case-series analysis

Background  

Children in urban public housing are at high risk for asthma, given elevated environmental and social exposures and suboptimal medical care. For a multifactorial disease like asthma, design of intervention studies can be influenced by the relative prevalence of key risk factors. To better understand risk factors for asthma morbidity in the context of an environmental intervention study, we conducted a detailed baseline evaluation of 78 children (aged 4–17 years) from three public housing developments in Boston.     

Return to work outcomes after work-related hand trauma: the role of causal attributions

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between workers' judgments of responsibility for their accidents (causal attributions) and work-site avoidance after work-related injuries. METHODS: Ninety-two hand-injured workers referred for psychologic treatment of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were assessed for their beliefs about the cause(s) of their accidents. Causal attributions were obtained before and after psychologic intervention. RESULTS: Workers who blamed coworkers or equipment for their injuries were more likely to resist returning to former work activities than workers who judged themselves responsible for their accidents. In addition those with relatively minor injuries were as much at risk for work-site avoidance as those with more severe injuries. Age, gender, and length of employment with current employer were unrelated to avoidance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the importance of causal attributions as potential predictors of work-site avoidance after traumatic work-related hand injuries, and support the risk for psychologic symptom development after less-severe injuries.     

Intra-articular ganglion cysts of the cruciate ligaments: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: A ganglion can arise as a cystic lesion from a tendon sheath or a joint capsule and contain a glassy, clear, and jelly-like fluid. They can occur within muscles, menisci, and tendons. Intra-articular ganglion cysts of the knee joint are rare. We report on three ganglion cysts of the cruciate ligaments: Two were intercruciate, and one was located around the posterior cruciate ligament. METHODS: The clinical diagnosis was established using magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were treated successfully using arthroscopic debridement by basket punch and shaver. Subsequent histological examination confirmed the diagnosis. RESULTS: All three patients were asymptomatic at the postoperative follow-up of 16-36 months. CONCLUSION: A review of the literature reveals a controversial discussion about the clinical significance as well as the etiology of ganglion cysts arising from the cruciate ligaments. These case reports show that an intra-articular ganglion cyst of the cruciate ligaments is difficult to diagnose. A cyst does not necessarily have to be associated with specific clinical symptoms or a previous trauma. Preoperatively, MRI is essential when diagnosing ganglion cysts of the knee joint. An intra-articular ganglion cyst of the knee joint can be successfully treated by arthroscopy.     

The replication-competent oncolytic herpes simplex mutant virus NV1066 is effective in the treatment of esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND: The oncolytic herpes simplex-1 virus, NV1066, is a replication-competent virus that has been engineered to infect and lyse tumor cells selectively and to carry a transgene for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The purpose of this study was to determine viral cytotoxicity in an esophageal cancer cell line and to determine whether EGFP expression could be used as a marker of viral infection. METHODS: BE3 esophageal adenocarcinoma cells were infected with NV1066 in vitro to determine cell kill and viral replication. EGFP expression was assessed by flow cytometry. The in vivo anti-tumor activity of NV1066 was tested in subcutaneous and intraperitoneal xenograft models. EGFP expression was localized in vivo by fluorescent microscopy and fluorescent laparoscopy. RESULTS: NV1066 effectively replicated within and killed BE3 cells in vitro and in vivo. EGFP expression identified infected tumor cells. After NV1066 treatment in vivo, EGFP expression localized to the tumor. In an intraperitoneal tumor model, EGFP could be visualized endoscopically using a laparoscope with a fluorescent filter. CONCLUSIONS: NV1066 has oncolytic activity against the BE3 cell line and may be a useful therapy against esophageal cancer. EGFP expression localizes the virus and may help to identify tumor deposits in vivo. Oncolytic activity with NV1066 against gastrointestinal cancers may potentially be tracked by endoscopy.     

Malignant mesothelioma from neighborhood exposure to anthophyllite asbestos

BACKGROUND: Anthophyllite asbestos has been reported to cause asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pleural plaques in occupationally exposed workers. Anthophyllite has also been associated with pleural plaques in Finland and Japan among those who live near mines and mills and have neighborhood or environmental exposure. METHODS: We evaluated a 38-year-old patient with pleural mesothelioma who lived, attended school, and delivered newspapers near a manufacturing facility that used exclusively anthophyllite asbestos fiber from ages 8-17 years. He had no work exposure to asbestos. RESULTS: The pleural mesothelioma was an epithelial type with tubulopapillary structures and was treated with an extrapleural pneumonectomy followed by radiation therapy. The malignant cells were positive by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin but negative for carcinoembryonic antigen, S100, B72.3, and leu M1 antigen. Anthophyllite fibers were > 5 microm in length in lung tissue compared to 3 microm from a general population study. CONCLUSIONS: Anthophyllite asbestos has been associated with neighborhood environmental exposure and pleural plaques; we now report a neighborhood exposure and pleural mesothelioma.     

Evidence-based outcomes for patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing resection

Surgery plays a vital role in the management of Stages I-IIIa NSCLC. Careful patient selection and improved perioperative care now allow pulmonary resection to be performed with a very low morbidity and mortality even in older patients, or in patients undergoing pneumonectomy or extended operations. Most patients with Stage IIIb disease are not candidates for surgery, but resection can be curative for highly selected groups of patients with T4 tumors when these are not associated with nodal metastases. Surgery in conjunction with induction chemotherapy or chemoradiation has become a standard approach to the management of Stage IIIa (N2) disease and, in that setting, can be performed safely and effectively. The role of surgical resection in the treatment of NSCLC will undoubtedly continue to evolve as we gain a better understanding of the biology and multimodality therapy of this disease.