A communications seminar series for general practice residents

This article describes a seminar series for general practice residents dealing with communication, interpersonal relations, self-image, and patient-dentist interactions. Objectives, content, and methods of evaluation are presented.     

A Speculative Approach to the Myeloproliferative Syndromes

1. A survey of 66 cases of the myeloproliferative syndromes revealed twoclinical conditions not associated specifically with this group of blood dyscrasias.

2. Of particular interest were an apparent increased incidence of diabetesmellitus, and myelofibrosis associated with scleroderma.

3. These combinations may reflect a biochemical or metabolic error whichmay be present in some of these patients (such as increased 5-HIAA) andwhich may be related to the course, progression, and symptomatology of thesedisorders.

Submitted on October 17, 1961 Accepted on December 15, 1961     

Ultrastructure of the Fibrous Substance in the Keratinocytes of the Epidermis in Healthy Individuals

The present findings in the epidermis of healthy individuals suggest that the fibrous substance in the keratinocytes is subjected to an individual differentiation as the cells move from stratum basale through strata spinosum and intermedium to stratum coreum. In the basal cells the fibrous substance consists of opaque tonofilaments, mostly aggregated in dense tonofibrils, but also occurring randomly scattered and in loose tonofibrils (fibrous substance of basal-cell type). In most cells the fibrous substance undergoes differentiation: a) in stratum spinosum into compact tonofibrils with no individual tonofilaments visible (fibrous substance of spinous-cell type), b) in stratum inter-medium into compact tonofibrils with intensely stained regions or keratohyalin (fibrous substance of intermediate-cell type), and c) in stratum corneum into tonofibrils with a keratin pattern (fibrous substance of horny-cell type). There are also keratinocytes in which the fibrous substance undergoes only an incomplete differentiation, with the appearance of horny cells with a fibrous substance of spinous-cell type, intermediate-cell type or horny-cell type with keratohyalin. Finally, there are keratinocytes in which the fibrous substance does not undergo any differentiation at all, but which display a fibrous substance of basal-cell type throughout the entire epidermis.     

Topical treatment of recurrent herpes simplex and post-herpetic erythema multiforme with low concentrations of zinc sulphate solution

The preventive effect of low concentrations of zinc sulphate solution in recurrent herpes simplex of the skin and oral mucous membrane is reported. Treatment with zinc sulphate solution of the skin at the site of the herpetic infection also prevents relapse of post-herpetic erythema multiforme. For the skin, 0.025-0.05%, and for the oral mucous membrane, 0.01-0.025% zinc sulphate solution was used.