Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx. A report of two cases with definitive diagnosis by fine needle aspiration and computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx are rate tumors with an indolent course. In the past they were diagnosed by radiographic or computed tomographic imaging and laryngoscopic or surgical biopsy. The literature contains few examples of fine needle aspiration biopsy of these tumors. CASES: Smears of the fine needle aspirates from two cases of cartilaginous tumors of the larynx consisted of a mucinous background containing chondroid fragments of benign-appearing lacunar cells. Cytomorphologic and architectural features of smears and cell block preparations correlated well with histologic sections for subsequent surgical specimens. Both tumors were classified by cytology and histology as low grade cartilaginous tumors. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration biopsy, together with typical computed tomographic images, is adequate for diagnosis, cost-effective and safe and can be performed in an outpatient setting.     

Autonomous metabolic oscillation in continuous culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on ethanol

The electrophoretic profiles of outer membrane proteins and lipopolysaccharide of sixty-five enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of different serotypes and virulence-associated factors, toxin and colonization factors were determined. A close relationship between serotype and outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide patterns could be observed. No correlation could be found between the electrophoretic profiles and the expression of virulence-associated factors. The observed homogeneity of outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide profiles suggested the presence of only a few clones in the samples studied, and supported the use of outer membrane protein and lipopolysaccharide analysis as a useful epidemiological tool in the characterization of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolates.     

The use of sputum induction for establishing a diagnosis in patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi

SETTING: There has been a marked increase in notified cases of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi since 1986. One reason for this may be related to the difficulties of getting adequate samples of expectorated sputum from patients. Sputum induction with nebulized hypertonic saline may be a simple way of obtaining a better specimen. OBJECTIVE: To examine the value of sputum induction for detecting cases of smear-positive tuberculosis. DESIGN: Sputum induction was performed on 82 adults presenting to the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi with clinically suspected pulmonary tuberculosis who were expectorated sputum smear-negative or unproductive of sputum. The induced sputum smear was examined for acid-fast bacilli and cultured for mycobacteria. RESULTS: Sputum was successfully induced from 73 of the 82 patients (26 previously smear-negative and 47 previously unproductive). The induced sputum was smear-positive in 18 patients (5 previously smear-negative and 13 unproductive). Cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the 18 smear-positive patients and a further 12 that had been smear-negative. 94 cases of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were notified during the study period. 18 (19%) were as a result of sputum induction. CONCLUSION: Sputum induction is a useful technique for improving the case detection rate of smear-positive tuberculosis in Malawi.     

Speciation of arsenic oxides using laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Positive and negative ion mass spectra of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and arsenic pentaoxide (As2O5) have been obtained by single-step laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Pulsed UV radiation at 266 nm was used for the simultaneous desorption and ionization of the solid sample. High-mass cluster ions that are unique to the oxidation state of each oxide sample appear in the negative ion mass spectra. The As2O3 produces As3O5-, while the As2O5 yields As3O8-. The formation of unique negative cluster ions presents the capability for arsenic oxidation state speciation by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The ability of time-of-flight mass spectrometry to examine the relative amounts of each arsenic oxide present in a series of mixtures is discussed. Application of our speciation technique to a model incinerator sample is demonstrated.     

Delayed rupture of the mitral valve complicating blunt chest trauma

A case of anatomical anomaly of the iris's major arterial circle simulating an angioma was discovered in the right eye of a 64-year-old asymptomatic woman during routine ocular examination. We report its clinical and gonioangioiridographic findings.     

Effect of nocodazole on endocytosis of epidermal growth factor receptor

Although interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has proved beneficial in the treatment of some tumors, the basis for this is still uncertain. In this study, we examined the effects of IFN-alpha on the growth of tumor cells in vitro, using the Daudi line of B lymphoma cells as a model. There was a dose-dependent accumulation of these cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle 24-48 h from the time of exposure to IFN-alpha. This was followed between 48 h and 96 h by an increasing degree of apoptosis, as assessed by cell survival, propidium iodine staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Concomitantly with the apoptosis, there was the appearance of pl8 Bax-alpha, an apparently novel variant low molecular weight form of the p21 Bax-alpha found in normal cells. There was also a slight diminution in Bcl-xL, with a resultant drop in the Bcl-xL:Bax-alpha ratio. Treatment of cells with CD40-L partially inhibited the development of apoptosis in response to IFN-alpha. At the same time, generation of p18 Bax-alpha was reduced, which suggests that this plays a part in the apoptotic process. These findings may throw light on the development of lymphomas and perhaps point to future ways of improving therapy with IFN-alpha.     

Sex of first child as a prognostic factor for breast cancer in young women

A case of isolated alternans of the ST segment and T wave in a man with myocardial infarction is reported. Based on the previous experimental reports, the hypothesis is advanced that delayed and blocked (2:I) activity of the ischemic area may be responsible for the phenomenon observed.     

Comparative concentration of serum free amino acids in patients with incipient and manifest organic neuropsychiatric disorders of vascular origin

The authors conducted a study of the quantitative content of amino acids in the blood serum of patients with initial and expressed organic neuro-psychic disorders of a vascular genesis and in a group of normals of the same age. In patients with initial organic syndromes the content of cystin-cystein and treonine in the blood serum increased. In patients with expressed organic syndromes the content of cystin-cystein increased, while the content of arginine acid and leicyn-isoleicyn decreased as compared to the control group of elderly people. A comparative study of the two groups of patients with organic psychopathology of a vascular origin demonstrated that in vascular dementia there are more severe changes in the content of amino acids in the blood serum.