Does age of the host affect growth rates of skeletal malignancies?

Statistical analysis of bone tumor growth rates as a function of age at initiation of radiation-induced skeletal malignancies in our animal colony indicated that the p value for an association between these parameters was <0.05, suggesting a correlation in beagle dogs. The youngest animals appeared to exhibit the most slowly growing tumors, and the trend was toward more rapidly growing tumors with increasing age. Less effective immune systems in older animals were invoked as a possible explanation of this relationship.     

Addison-Biermer disease combined with chronic posthemorrhagic iron-deficiency anemia (dimorphic anemias)

The paper reports 7 cases of dimorphic anemia, development of Addison-Biermer disease in preexisting chronic posthemorrhagic anemia. The authors consider some diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. It is thought valid to discontinue iron preparations prior to vitamin B12 therapy and to start them again upon the arising reticulocytic crisis.     

The cortical representation of somatosensory evoked potentials of the phrenic nerve

Parasitic third-stage larvae of the sheep abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus develop and molt in vitro to the fourth stage (L4) in 48-72 hr, at which time they begin feeding. Coincident with the third molt, larvae begin to secrete significant amounts of protein into culture fluids, including a zinc metalloproteinase. This culture-derived zinc metalloproteinase differs from a previously described metalloproteinase from infective third-stage larvae (L3[2M]), which mediates the ecdysis process. These differences include time of expression, molecular mass, and substrate specificity. The purified proteinase, from cultures of L4, has a molecular weight of approximately 46 kDa, functions as an endopeptidase, and digests several native proteins of host origin including fibrinogen and fibronectin.     

Evaluation of the child with a bone or soft-tissue neoplasm

The prebiopsy evaluation of a child with a musculoskeletal neoplasm is the cornerstone for all subsequent treatment. A better understanding of the natural history of pediatric musculoskeletal tumors and an explosion in the development of sensitive new imaging modalities have significantly advanced the care of the child with a musculoskeletal pathologic condition. This article details the prebiopsy clinical and radiographic evaluation of the child or adolescent with a musculoskeletal neoplasm.     

ACE inhibitor- versus angiotensin II blocker-induced cough and angioedema

OBJECTIVE: To compare the tolerability of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors with that of angiotensin II (AII)-receptor blockers and the incidence of cough and angioedema associated with their use through review of published data. DATA SOURCES: References were identified through a MEDLINE search of articles published between January 1975 and April 1997. Bibliographies of pertinent references were also reviewed. RESULTS: Results of placebo-controlled and comparative trials of the AII blockers demonstrate that they are at least as effective as ACE inhibitors for hypertension, but exhibit an incidence of cough and absent or rare angioedema like that of placebo. CONCLUSIONS: In the 10 comparative trials described, all reported a lower incidence of cough with AII blockers than with ACE inhibitors. Angioedema was not reported in the comparative trials described.     

Breathing at low lung volumes and chest strapping: a comparison of lung mechanics

In six normal subjects forced expiratory flow rates increased progressively with increasing degrees of chest strapping. In nine normal subjects forced expiratory flow rates increased with the time spent breathing with expiratory reserve volume 0.5 liters above residual volume, the increase being significant by 30 s (P less than 0.01), and flow rates were still increasing at 2 min, the longest time the subjects could breathe at this lung volume. The increase in flow after low lung volume breathing (LLVB) was similar to that produced by strapping. The effect of LLVB was diminished by the inhalation of the atropinelike drug ipratropium. Quasistatic recoil pressures were higher following strapping and LLVB than on partial or maximal expiration, but the rise in recoil pressure was insufficient to account for all the observed increased in maximum flow. We suggest that the effects of chest strapping are due to LLVB and that both cause bronchodilatation.