“Semantic” Conduction Aphasia from a Posterior Insular Cortex Infarction

A unique infarction limited to the posterior insula and intrasylvian parietal opercular cortex produced a subtype of conduction aphasia, characterized by a predominance of semantic paraphasias. Temporal lobe hypoperfusion seen on hexa methyl pro-pyleneamineoxime single-photon emission computed tomography in the absence of any signs of ischemia suggested that cortical diaschisis played a role in the emergence of this syndrome.     

Dental learning resources center.

The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has been operating the Dental Sciences Study Center since 1971 to support a curriculum with a large percentage of individualized instruction. Three crucial aspects of the Study Center were discussed: the facilities, the instructional materials, and the atmosphere. Administrative attention to and support of each aspect are essential to the successful functioning of a learning resources center in a largely individualized dental curriculum.     

Results in the use of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) for treatment of urinary calculi

The Piezolith 2200 as an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter uses piezoelectrically generated, high-energy sonic impulses for treatment of urinary calculi; the shock wave generator is self-focussing. Localization of concrements is performed by means of ultrasound imaging. Treatment with the Piezolith 2200 is painless for the patient and thus possible without anesthesia and analgesia. We report on 806 cases of treatment involving a total of 572 kidneys in 567 patients (561 adults, 6 children) suffering from calculi of various sizes in the renal pelvis (n = 126), calculi in the calyces (n = 384), partial (n = 24) or full (n = 19) staghorn calculi, as well as calculi in the upper part of the ureter (n = 19). In 88% of these cases the concrements could be removed completely. Since cardiac activity is not influenced by piezoelectrically generated high-energy impulses, this procedure is particularly suited to the treatment of patients with heart problems.     

Primary care of the mastectomy patient

Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer and a common chronic illness in women. The prevention, diagnosis and management of the disease involves a need for information, support and ongoing physical care which can best be coordinated by a primary care provider. This article reviews current surgical and adjuvant therapies and their side effects. The role of the nurse practitioner in monitoring and meeting mastectomy patients' needs during and after treatment is also discussed.     

A device for enhancing the visibility of the tip of a glass micropipette: Application in neuroanatomy

In neuroanatomical tract tracing glass micropipettes are used to make small injections of tracer in the brain. A problem is that, due to the poor visibility of the tip, the tip of a micropipette often breaks during filling with tracer solution. Therefore, a device was developed to enhance the visibility of the tip of glass micropipettes. The device is based on the principle that light of a light emitting diode (LED) is transmitted through the glass of the wall to the tip of a micropipette. Here, light converges and gives a brightly illuminated spot. In this set up micropipettes can be positioned accurately into a vial with tracer solution even without microscopic guidance.     

Iron homeostasis in mother and child during placental malaria infection

In malaria-endemic areas, iron deficiency and placental Plasmodium falciparum infection commonly coexist. In primigravidae and their newborns, hepcidin and other iron parameters were evaluated in groups and classified according to placental P. falciparum and maternal anemia status. Mothers had relatively high hepcidin levels considering their low iron status. In cord blood, levels of hepcidin, hemoglobin, and other iron parameters were also similar for groups. We conclude that maternal hepcidin is not significantly altered as a function of placental infection and/or anemia. Importantly, fetal hemoglobin and iron status were also unaffected, regardless of the presence of placental infection or maternal anemia.