Human Tattoo

Ultrathin serial sections of human biopsy specimens, taken at 24 hours, 1 month, and 1, 3, and 40 years post-tattooing were examined under the electron microscope. The ink particles found in cells were measured and compared with control ink particles embedded in agar. Freshly tattooed skin showed an inflammatory reaction followed by ultrastructural necrosis. The time of healing, about 1 month from introduction of ink to complete healing, has been divided into three phases: inflammatory reaction and necrosis, formation of basement membrane, and normal epidermis and dermis. Once the skin showed normal ultrastructure, ink particles were found only in dermal fibroblasts.     

Bilateral Todd''s Paralysis After Focal Seizures

Transient postictal hemiparesis or monoparesis is not uncommon after partial (focal) seizures. We report 2 patients who complained of severe bilateral limb weakness after generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) beginning focally. Bilateral Todd's paralysis was verified and documented in both patients. EEG and clinical evidence indicate the supplementary motor cortex as the most likely source of the seizures in both cases.     

Deep vein reflux: an assessment by descending phlebography

This study of 51 patients aims to define the 'normal' range of reflux in the deep veins and the incidence of pathological reflux in patients with the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). 'Normal' limbs, limbs with simple varicose veins and limbs with post-thrombotic syndrome have been studied using a standardized technique for descending phlebography, supine and with a controlled Valsalva. The 'normal' range of reflux has been found to be grade 0-2. The incidence of pathological reflux in patients with proven post-thrombotic damage to the deep veins is 31 per cent.     

Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia: telemedicine systems and case reports.

OBJECTIVE: For the last several years the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has operated a telemedicine test bed at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command's Medical Advanced Technology Management Office. The goal of this test bed is to reengineer the military health service system from the most forward deployed forces to tertiary care teaching medical centers within the United States by exploiting emerging telemedicine technologies. METHODS: The test bed has conducted numerous proof-of-concept telemedicine demonstrations as part of military exercises and in support of real-world troop deployments. The most ambitious of those demonstrations is Primetime III, an ongoing effort to provide telemedicine and other advanced technology support to medical units supporting Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. RESULTS: Several of the first instances of the clinical use of the Primetime III systems are presented as case reports in this paper. These reports demonstrate capabilities and limitations of telemedicine. CONCLUSION: The Primetime III system demonstrates the technical ability to provide current telecommunications capabilities to medical units stationed in the remote, austere, difficult-to-serve environment of Bosnia. Telemedicine capabilities cannot be used without adequate training, operations, and sustainment support. Video consultations have eliminated the need for some evacuations. The system has successfully augmented the clinical capability of physicians assigned to these medical units. Fullest clinical utilization of telemedicine technologies requires adjustment of conventional clinical practice patterns.     

Mechanism of the enhancing effect of sorbitol on ileal Ca uptake in rat enterocytes

The effect of sorbitol on Ca uptake by isolated ileal epithelial cells was investigated. Intestinal cells were isolated from rat ileum by mechanical vibration.⁴⁵Ca uptake was approximately 2 times higher in cells exposed to 200 mM sorbitol ofd-alanine than in control cells. This enhancing effect of sorbitol on percentage Ca uptake decreased with increasing Ca concentrations in the incubation medium suggesting an effect on Ca entry velocity. The addition of 10 M nifedipine or 200 M verapamil to the incubation medium was devoid of any effect on Ca uptake in ileal cells, whereas 100 M trifluoperazine or chlorpromazine abolished the stimulatory effect of sorbitol. Finally, the effect of sorbitol on isolated cells was independent of a measurable change of cellular ATP content. In conclusion, the stimulatory effect of sorbitol on ileal Ca uptake is probably exerted through mechanisms other than an increase in intracellular ATP concentration. Sorbitol may enhance enterocyte Ca transport via a direct interaction with calmodulin and/or the Ca pump. It may also exert its effect through an inhibition of the basolateral Na Ca exchanger.