Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Laufer.
Several cases are reported of cervico-facial suppuration of buccodental origin, the infection being due to Eikenella corrodens, a facultative anaerobic germ that is difficult to culture. Conditions appropriate to the growth of these germs are discussed with respect to etiological, bacteriological and clinical factors. Therapy is outlined and a selective bibliography proposed.
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A session of the "Société de Stomatologie et de Chirurgie maxillo-faciale de France" was devoted to a discussion of diagnostic difficulties in cases of mandibular bone tumors. Several case-reports were presented as a basis for comments on clinical and radiologic criteria of the benign or malignant nature of bone tumors, these being the foundation on which to establish the most effective surgical approach to adopt. Pre-operative biopsy is not considered essential when confirmation of diagnostic has been obtained.
There recently treated cases of primary buccal syphilis are reported. The lesions are discussed, with the aid of photographs, and overall symptomatology described with the aim of providing permanent training of the young. A review of primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis is followed by a summary of diagnostic criteria and therapy.
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The distribution and size of Boettcher cells were determined from serial sections of the temporal bones of four little brown bats and six rabbits. In addition, one harp seal and one two-toed sloth were examined. In the little brown bat, the heights of the Boettcher cells measured 4-8 micron and they were found throughout much of the length of the cochlea. There were four rows in most of the lower basal coil, five rows in the upper basal coil, and four rows in the middle coil. In the rabbit there were nine rows in the basal coil and 12 rows in the middle coil. The heights of the Boettcher cells were approximately 14 micron in the rabbit. In the two-toed sloth, Boettcher cells were sparsely distributed along the basal coil; similarly, in the harp seal, Boettcher cells were confined solely to the basal coil, where there were only three rows, which measured approximately 18 micron in height. The distribution and size of Boettcher cells in the rabbit and the little brown bat were compared to those in other mammalian species.
Various types of erythrocyte lesions are observed: hemoglobin anomalies, enzyme disorders, membrane anomalies. This leads to a reduction in the duration of life of the erythrocytes or to abnormal erythropoiesis with, in both cases, reactive development of hematopoietic tissue. This extension of the medullary field in bones results in alterations that are initially visible on radiography, and then, in the severe forms, in the development of mainly craniofacial and dental dysmorphia with, in some cases, additional secondary enamel and dentine anomalies of the hemolytic origin. These anomalies were present to varying degrees in a series of patients in whom cranial radiographies were performed. In two cases there was a fortuitous association of dental anomalies of the melanodontia and opalescent dentine types. These patients may raise particular problems during dental care and treatment: risk of infection, respect of drug contraindications, latent cardiac insufficiency.
Rapid regression of all symptoms was obtained after moderate chemotherapy in two women aged 69 and 77 years respectively with malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Cervico-facial locations of these tumors are discussed in relation to definition, etiology, geographic factors, genetic markers, and associated immunologic disorders. Diagnosis requires a series of explorations including, obviously as a last resort, exploratory cervicotomy. Other regions may be involved and must be investigated, but lesions not affecting lymph nodes occur in only approximately 2 p. cent of patients with cervico-facial malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (approximately 10 p. cent of all malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas). Other localizations include the hard palate, gums, sinuses, and salivary glands. Burkitt's lymphoma represents, on the contrary, 30 p. cent of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma seen in European children. The different therapeutic modalities available are discussed.
Possible relationships between Moschcowitz's disease and acute systemic lupus erythematosus are analyzed based on findings in one case. Initial exclusively buccal symptoms suggested a diagnosis of lupus, and then of Moschcowitz's disease leading to a fatal outcome. The main points discussed relate to diagnostic difficulties to enable distinction between the two diseases. A thrombotic thrombopenic purpura during the second phase of the disease showed a characteristic microangiopathy associated with a non-autoimmune hemolytic anemia and a schizocytosis: two forms of the affection are recognized, one with a chronic and one with an acute course. The latter, which has a fulminating progression leading to death, was that described in the case reported.
Clinical and radiologic findings and differential diagnosis of the rare Robinow's syndrome are discussed in relation to one case. Features included nanism associated with multiple malformations such as mesomelic brachymelia, buccofacial anomalies, genital hypoplasia and hemivertebra. Transmission mechanisms are unknown and the karyotype is always normal.
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The effect of N-methylpyridinium-2-aldoxime methane sulphonate (P2S), a drug recommended for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes in organophosphate poisoning, on intestinal (Na-K) ATPase and adenyl cyclase activities, was tested in rats. Intestinal (Na-K) ATPase activity was determined 5 h after intragastric administration of either 0.15 M NaCl or P2S 200 mg/kg body weight. P2S decreased significantly jejunal and colonic (Na-K)ATPase activity, 17.1 +/- 4.8 (S.E.) and 13.5 +/- 3.0, as compared to that in saline-treated rats, 41.5 +/- 3.0 (S.E.) and 25.4 +/- 1.2 mumol Pi/mg protein per h, respectively. Pretreatment with methyl prednisolone did not prevent the decrease in enzyme activity induced by P2S. Mucosal PGE2 and cAMP contents, adenyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase activities, were similar in P2S and saline-treated rats. It is thus suggested that P2S-induced inhibition of intestinal (Na-K)ATPase activity might be among the mechanisms contributing to looseness of the stool frequently observed following P2S administration.
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Concerning five observations of cervico-facial actinomycosis in two hospital wards, the authors recall that this pathology, although rare, still exists. It appears as a chronic cellulitis, usually occurring among subjects lacking in dental hygiene. The authors insist on the necessity of asking for a bacteriological test by taking a sample of pus with a pipette to look for the responsible actinomyces. The cure consists in the extracting of the teeth concerned, the removal of the necrosed tissues, a drainage, and an antibiotic treatment based on high doses of Penicilline for about three months.
Three cases treated by medical means are reported, and reports in the published literature briefly reviewed. --Anatomically the temporal styloid process is related to four main structures : the carotid artery and vein, and the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves. --Hypotheses as to the pathogenesis of these lesions are based on clinical findings. The anomalies may be discovered : 1) On radiological examination. 2) Present as pain in the tonsillar region radiating to the neck. 3) Fronto-orbital or temporo-occipital headaches. 4) Sudden repetitive bouts of syncope. --Therapy includes psychotherapy, local infiltration of an anesthetic, or removal of a fragment of the calcified styloid process by a cervical or pharyngeal approach.
Neuromorphometric parameters of the vestibular system were determined from serial sections of temporal bones from four little brown bats. Well-developed eminentiae cruciatae project from the cristae ampullares of the anterior and posterior membranous ampullae. A total of 4,500 bipolar ganglion cells were enumerated within the vestibular ganglion. The widths of the cell somas varied from 2.5 to 20 micrometers, with 70% of them having widths between 5.0 and 12.5 micrometers. Two maxima were observed in a curve of ganglion cell density as a function of the length of the ganglion. The first maximum indicated a density of 4,800 cells per mm2 at a length 0.20 from the apex of the ganglion (in the pars dorsalis); the second, a density of 4,750 cells per mm2 at 0.38 mm (in the pars ventralis). The morphometric parameters studied were the radii of curvature of the semicircular ducts, the cross-sectional diameters of the semicircular canals and ducts, the dimensions of the cristae ampullares and their membranous ampullae, and dimensions pertaining to the statoconial organs. Surface areas (measured from graphic projections) were determined as 0.098 mm2 and 0.016 mm2 and hair cell count 500 and 1,300 cells for the saccular and utricular maculae, respectively. The radii of curvature of the three semicircular ducts, R, were dissimilar, with the anterior duct having the largest radius (R = 0.91 mm) and the posterior duct the smallest one (R = 0.69 mm). The average cross-sectional diameters of the anterior, lateral, and posterior ducts were measured as 0.11 mm, 0.14 mm, and 0.13 mm, respectively. Some of the morphological parameters were used to ascertain information regarding the dynamics of semicircular--canal function. In particular, the coefficients theta and II in the torsion pendulum model (Steinhausen, '31; Egmond et al., '49), and the time constants xi L congruent to II/delta and xi S congruent to theta/II of the torsion pendulum model were estimated for the little brown bat from these parameters. Where appropriate, comparisons were made to time constants obtained for other species.