Radiation dose reduction during hysterosalpingography: an application of scanning-beam digital radiography

Hysterosalpingography was performed in 31 patients by means of a low-dose scanning-beam digital radiographic system. The technique permits adequate evaluation of gynecologic abnormalities while allowing significant reduction in radiation: 2.4-mR (6.1 X 10(-7) C/kg) exposure to the skin and 0.7-mrad (7 X 10(-6) Gy) mean dose to the ovaries per image obtained. Sixteen patients demonstrated readily recognizable and documented abnormalities, corroborated by laparoscopy, laparotomy, or other supportive evidence.     

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Arising from the Subcutaneous Fat of the Arm with Intact Skin

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm characteristically arising from the dermis of sunlight-exposed skin. It rarely arises outside the skin. OBJECTIVE: We present a patient with primary Merkel cell carcinoma arising from subcutaneous fat, with no involvement of the overlying skin. We describe the clinical manifestations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. METHODS: We report a 63-year-old woman with a primary lesion of Merkel cell carcinoma that arose from the subcutaneous fat layer of the left arm. The lesion presented as a subcutaneous nodule with intact overlying skin. MRI showed that the nodular lesion was located entirely in the subcutaneous fat layer, with no involvement of the dermis. Peritumoral infiltration around the lesion and enlarged lymph nodes deep to the lesion were noted. The patient received wide excision of the lesion with dissection of the regional lymph nodes and adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. RESULTS: Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma with local lymphatic metastasis, and the lesion was completely located in the subcutaneous fat, with no involvement of the dermis. These findings were well correlated with MRI findings. CONCLUSION: Primary Merkel cell carcinoma may arise from the subcutaneous fat and present as an entirely subcutaneous lesion with intact skin. MRI is helpful to evaluate the local extension of the lesion and regional lymphatic metastasis.     

表小檗碱对α受体的作用

表小檗碱(epiberberine,EB)是从湖北产黄连(Coptis chinensis Franch)中提取的一种生物碱,属苯喹嗪类原小檗碱,对其药理作用的研究资料甚少,未见其对α肾上腺素体作用的报道。资料表明,许多原小檗碱类化合物有α受体阻滞作用,为从该类化合物中选择     

Lack of late-phase airway responses in conscious guinea pigs after a variety of antigen challenges

Guinea pigs were actively sensitized by parenteral injections of ovalbumin (OA), house dust extract (HD) orAscaris suum extract (As) in a variety of multidose regimens. At least 3 weeks after the initial sensitization injection, aerosols of the appropriate antigen were administered to conscious guinea pigs in a double-chamber body plethysmograph. OA elicited the most consistent and intense bronchoconstriction (BC) as measured by decreases in specific airway conductance (sGAW). The airway responses to As were clearly separable into responders and nonresponders. HD produced essentially no BC. However, intense lacrimation and rhinorrhea occurred in all HD-sensitized, but not unsensitized, animals. No late-phase changes in sGAW or increased reactivity to other spasmogens were seen up to 8h after any antigen challenge. Eosinophil influx of magnitude similar to that measured by 24h post-antigen bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) occurred with all the three antigens. Animals which did not bronchoconstrict to As experienced an equal or greater pulmonary eosinophilia as airway responders. The present data with HD and As suggest that acute BC in response to antigen provocation is not a prerequisite for the eventual pulmonary eosinophilia. The lack of late-phase airway reactions in these models raises a doubt in the direct extrapolation to airway responses in allergic human asthma. The acute lacrimation and rhinorrhea to HD may suggest utility as a model of allergic rhinitis.     

Pain and faulty breathing: a pilot study

The purpose of this pilot study was to observe both relaxed and deep breathing patterns in a convenience sample to determine the incidence of normal versus faulty patterns of respiration. These observations were then combined with respondent answers to a survey on pain history to determine if there is any correlation between faulty breathing and musculo-skeletal pain patterns. If such a correlation can be made, then we propose that clinicians working with chronic pain patients may have improved outcomes if they address and correct faulty breathing patterns. Based on this study, it is suggested to include the evaluation and treatment of faulty respiration in the rehabilitation of chronic musculo-skeletal conditions, most notably cervical pain.