Fronto-ethmoidal mucocoeles: a histopathological analysis.

From a series of 118 fronto-ethmoidal mucocoeles, 40 specimens have been submitted to detailed histological analysis. The frequency of each epithelial and sub-epithelial component is considered and reveals features which support a dynamic theory of bone resorption and formation rather than that of pressure erosion in the pathogenesis of mucocoeles.     

Usher syndrome: clinical findings and gene localization studies

The issue of genetic heterogeneity is a critical problem in the localization of the gene(s) for Usher syndrome. Based on the data obtained on families studied to date, the differences between type I and type II Usher syndrome appear quite distinct with regard to auditory and vestibular function. Although the majority of families can be confidently diagnosed as typical type I or type II, clinical investigations revealed four families with findings that did not fit into either of the two more common subtypes. These findings emphasize the critical importance of an in-depth clinical analysis concomitant with the linkage investigation to assure accurate subtyping of Usher syndrome. Based on an analysis of only those families with definite type I or type II Usher syndrome, approximately 17% of the genome can be excluded as a potential site of the gene for type I, and 14% can be excluded as the site for the type II gene. This study will continue until the Usher gene(s) is successfully localized.     

Migratory, invasive and metastatic capacity of NCAM transfected rat glioma cells

A cDNA encoding a transmembrane 140 kDa isoform of the neural cell adhesion molecule, NCAM, was transfected into the rat glioma cell line BT4Cn. Transfectants with a homogeneously high expression of NCAM-B showed a decreased capacity for penetration of an artificial basement membrane when compared to cells transfected with expression-vector alone or untransfected cells. However, when injected subcutaneously into nude mice, both NCAM expressing cells and control cells produced invasive tumors. Nude mice injected with NCAM positive cells developed tumors with slower growth rates as compared to those induced by NCAM negative cells. This implies that NCAM may not only be involved in adhesive and motile behaviour of glioma cells, but also in their growth regulation.     

MR imaging of the spine in children

MR imaging was reviewed in 66 pediatric spinal cord patients with diagnoses of posterior fossa tumor (n = 8), primary spinal cord tumor (n = 3), metastatic disease (n = 11), neuroectodermal disorder (n = 8), congenital malformation (n = 14), trauma (n = 2), and demyelinating, neurodegenerative, or metabolic disorders (n = 9). MR proved to be useful in delineating the extent of posterior fossa and cord tumor including metastasis to the cord. MR was of limited value in demyelinating and metabolic disorders. Arnold Chiari malformations, syringomyelia, tethered cord and meningoceles were all easily evaluated using MR.     

Dietary fat intake and plasma lipid levels in adolescents.

The relationship between dietary fat intake and fasting plasma lipid levels was assessed in 35 female and 19 male adolescents recruited from two local education authority schools in Norwich, UK. Dietary intakes were assessed using a 7-day weighed dietary record method, coupled with the collection of duplicate diets. Fat and energy intakes calculated using food composition tables were compared with values obtained by direct analysis of duplicate diets. Fasting plasma lipid levels (total, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were measured and compared with total dietary lipids and fatty acid intakes. The average proportion of energy consumed as fat was higher than is currently considered desirable but lower than previous studies have reported for adults. Mean serum total cholesterol values were 4.2 (SEM 0.1) mmol for females and 4.5 (SEM 0.2) mmol for males; this difference was not statistically significant. In male subjects the dietary fatty acid profiles were significantly correlated with several parameters of plasma lipid status which are thought to be risk factors for coronary heart disease, and in particular with the ratio of total:HDL cholesterol.     

Season of birth and risk of atopic disease among children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Season of birth (SOB) has been regarded as a risk factor for atopy. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between season of birth (SOB) and later development of atopic disease in children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,007 randomly selected subjects, 7 to 17 years of age, who were living in urban Copenhagen, Denmark were studied. All participants were interviewed about respiratory symptoms and possible risk factors for atopic disease. Skin test reactivity, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and airway responsiveness were measured using standard techniques. RESULTS: The overall risk of atopy, as judged by skin test reactivity and serum total IgE, was the same regardless of SOB. On the contrary, asthma was more common in subjects born in the autumn compared with subjects born during the remaining part of the year (12.4% vs. 5.6%), OR = 2.40, 95% CI (1.56-3.94), p < 0.001. This was observed both for atopic asthma OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.25-4.64), p = 0.007, non-atopic asthma, OR = 2.35, 95% CI (1.14-4.83), p = 0.02, and house dust mite (HDM) sensitive airway hyperresponsiveness, OR = 3.00, 95% CI (1.44-6.24), p = 0.002. Rhinitis and pollen allergy were not significantly related to SOB. CONCLUSIONS: Atopy itself is independent of season of birth, whereas asthma is more prevalent among subjects born during the autumn. Regarding asthma, these results suggest that the first months of life enclose a period of particular vulnerability towards environmental risk factors, especially exposure to aeroallergens like HDM.     

Reduced breast cancer mortality among fishermen's wives in Norway

International comparisons show that populations having a high consumption of fish experience low incidence of breast cancer. We compared death rates from breast cancer among socioeconomic groups in a prospective study of 533,276 Norwegian women aged 35–54 years who were followed from 1970 through 1985. Compared with the reference group (wives of unskilled workers) the fishermen's wives had a decreased risk of breast cancer with a relative risk (RR) of 0.67 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.47–0.94) adjusted for age and the number of children. Among fishermen's wives who were parous, adjustment for age at first birth gave an RR of 0.62 (CI=0.43–0.91). This study supports the hypothesis that certain aspects of diet, i. e., fish consumption, may be associated with lower breast-cancer mortality.Drs Lund and Bønaa are with the Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. Address correspondence to Dr Lund, Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.