Unusual metastasis of renal cell carcinoma. A case report with review of the literature

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of metastasis of renal cell carcinomas in the head and neck region is extremely rare. Metastasis in the larynx, hypopharynx, and the nasal sinuses has been reported. We report here about a 55-year-old female with metastasis in the soft palate and tonsil, which occurred 10 years following tumor nephrectomy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of metastasis in renal cell carcinomas can be observed even many years following initial curative treatment of the primary tumor. Although rare in the region of the head and neck, they can often be mistaken for benign tumors such as hemangiomas or inflammatory tissue. The treatment of choice is radical surgical resection.     

Electrophysiologic effects of anterior septal arterial occlusion

The effect of reduction in anterior septal arterial flow on the conduction system was studied in seven anesthetized dogs. After 2 hours of occlusion P-Q, A-H, and H-V intervals as well as atrioventricular nodal effective and functional refractory periods were significantly prolonged, sinoatrial conduction time was prolonged and the heart rate was decreased. The duration of the His bundle electrogram was significantly prolonged and the configuration altered. However, QRS duration did not prolong significantly. Fifteen minutes after reperfusion, A-H interval, duration of the His bundle electrogram, effective refractory period and functional refractory period returned toward control values. However, the H-V and QRS intervals as well as sinoatrial conduction time were unchanged after reperfusion. Thus, reduction of anterior septal arterial flow influences not only the distal but also the proximal portion of the conduction system; the most vulnerable part is probably the His bundle. The distal portion of the conduction system is directly influenced by ischemia itself, whereas the proximal portion is influenced through other mechanisms induced by reduction of anterior septal arterial flow.     

Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) in women with leukorrhea

Corynebacterium vaginale was recovered from vaginal-cervical swab specimens in 164 of 288 women with leukorrhea and in four of 30 women without signs or symptoms of lower genital tract infection. The amount and character of the leukorrhea observed in association with C. vaginale infection were variable; in typical cases the discharge had the appearance of a thin paste. In a series of 100 patients studied to determine the apparent causes of leukorrhea, noninfectious causes were inferred in seven patients and no cause ascertained in six. Candida or other yeasts, C. vaginale, and Trichomonas vaginalis were identified alone or in combination in 87 patients; 53 had yeasts, 35 had C. vaginale, and 15 had T. vaginalis.     

Phosphorus metabolism in potassium-deficient rats

Hypophosphatemia as a consequence of potassium deficiency has been reported sporadically. Most cases have been complicated by other factors which might lead to decreased serum phosphorus levels. Therefore, the serum phosphorus in this study was measured in Sprague-Dawley rats with nutritionally induced potassium deficiency. Severe potassium depletion was manifested by hypokalemia (2.4 mEq/liter versus 3.9 mEq/liter in controls) and decreased muscle potassium content. Statistically significant hypophosphatemia did not develop, although decreased muscle phosphorus content was observed. Therefore, hypophosphatemia is not a regular accompaniment of severe potassium deficiency in the rat.     

The construction and testing of a simple, slow delivery-rapid quench apparatus

A simple, inexpensive, slow delivery-rapid quench apparatus is described. The apparatus can be used to mix small volumes (about 50 mul) of equilibrium mixtures of enzyme-substrate and enzyme-product complexes with a quenching solution, ideally to inactivate the enzyme more rapidly than such complexes can be inconverted. The efficiency of the apparatus is tested by (a) injecting basic solutions of an indicator dye into acid and observing the length of the unbleached plume of dye produced at the delivery tip and (b) by forming an enzyme-substrate complex with 32P-labeled phosphoglucomutase and measuring the extent of label transfer prior to inactivation by the quenching solution. Problems that may be encountered in attempts to inactivate equilibrium mixtures of enzyme-substrate and enzyme-product complexes without producing quenching artifacts are considered.     

Yale studies of patient care. I. The evaluation of the febrile patient

Alkanals as carriers of rancid flavour of fat-containing foods were stored in mixtures with nonlipidic substances. The intensity of odour due to alkanals decreased with increasing time of storage, the changes being more pronounced in case of casein than in that of cellulose. Results of sensory tests did not depend on the molecular mass of aldehyde. The water content affected the sensory evaluation only slightly. The formation of aldolization products or polymers and of gluey flavour compounds modified the character of flavour and confused less experienced judges. Both the binding of alkanals and the aldolization reactions were enhanced by presence of primary amino groups.     

Impact of federal regulations at a university

Last year the University of Iowa conducted an in-house study of how federal regulations, executive orders, and agency administrative policies affected the day-to-day operations of the university on all levels. This article is an analysis and reassessment of the federal impact issue based on the information uncovered in the University of Iowa survey.