Nasal airway changes assessed by acoustic rhinometry and mediator release during immediate and late reactions to allergen challenge.

Background: We have found that acoustic rhinometry is a reliable means of assessing nasal airway caliber changes during the immediate reaction to nasal allergen challenge of sensitive subjects. Comparison of such changes with symptoms and patterns of mediator release could help in the understanding of mechanisms of immediate and late-phase reactions after allergen challenge and their clinical relevance.

Methods: Nasal minimal cross-sectional area (MCA) was assessed sequentially for 6 hours after two blinded challenges in random order with pollen antigens and buffer diluent in five sensitive human subjects.

Inflammatory myopathy, bronchiolitis obliterans/organizing pneumonia, and anti-Jo-1 antibodies--an interesting association.

We report an interesting association of inflammatory myopathy, characterized pathologically as dermatomyositis, with bronchiolitis obliterans/organizing pneumonia and anti-histidyl-tRNA synthetase (Jo-1) antibody. The relations of different types of pulmonary involvement to inflammatory myopathy and antisynthetase antibodies are discussed.

Medical evacuation experience of two 7th Corps medical companies supporting Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Examining medical evacuation data in the high-intensity conflict environment of Desert Shield/Desert Storm yielded some interesting findings. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for most precombat injuries. The combat period was markedly more intense than the other periods and must be the focal point for planning.