[Microsurgical endonasal decompression in traumatic and neoplastic optic nerve compression].

Unlabelled: The therapy of traumatic optic neuropathy remains controversial. Some authors recommend observation and others, the use of megadose corticosteroids or surgical decompression of the optic nerve. Improvements in visual acuity from no light perception (NLP) preoperatively to close to normal visual acuities have been reported after transethmoidal decompression and systemic steroids.

[The role of color duplex ultrasound in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of carotid body tumors].

Background: Currently the diagnosis of tumorous lesions of the carotid bifurcation is the domain of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). So far, colour Doppler imaging (CDI) has not been playing an important part in this field. The aim of this study was to define the diagnostic value of CDI in the evaluation of these tumours related to the big arteries and to compare the different imaging techniques.

Apolipoprotein E2 (Arg-136-->Cys), a variant of apolipoprotein E associated with late-onset dominance of type III hyperlipoproteinaemia.

Type III hyperlipoproteinaemia (HLP) is usually associated with homozygosity for apolipoprotein (apo) E2 (arg-158-->Cys). We identified a 46-year-old white female with severe hyperlipidaemia and the heterozygous apo E3/2* phenotype. Typical clinical characteristics of type III HLP, i.

The use of phones by elders with disabilities: problems, interventions, costs.

Recognizing the important role the telephone plays in the life of frail elders, this study sought to gain a better understanding of the problems these elders encounter in using their phones to meet their needs. Starting with a sample of 354 frail elders, it was determined that 35, or just under 10%, were having some difficulty in the use of their phones. Twenty-two of these 35 subjects were randomly selected for an assessment of their impairments and phone setups in their homes.

Effects of substrate binding and pH on the secondary structure of carnitine acetyltransferase.

Carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) exists as a monomer in solution as demonstrated by dynamic light scattering measurements. Under these conditions, interactions between CAT and its substrates, L-carnitine and acetyl-CoA, were studied by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy over a wide range of substrate concentrations. CD data indicated that the binding of L-carnitine and acetyl-CoA caused changes in the secondary structure of the protein.

Trials of the effects of drugs and hormones on lipids and lipoproteins.

Recent trials on the efficacy of drugs and hormones in lowering cholesterol and correcting lipoprotein profiles are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the risk-benefit ratio, which determines the clinical value of therapeutic regimens. Whereas 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors have set a standard for treatment of hyperlipidaemia, the role of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women in the prevention of coronary artery disease has more recently become better defined.

[Diagnostic intra-meatal acoustic neurinoma--the role of acoustically evoked brain stem potentials and other otoneurologic studies].

Background: Today intracanalicular acoustic neuromas are diagnosed very early by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to test the capability of brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) for detecting these small tumors.

Patients: Seventeen of 91 consecutive cases with acoustic neuromas treated at our department suffered from purely intracanalicular tumors.

Diltiazem for prevention of acoustical trauma during otologic surgery.

100 patients were tested in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study to assess the perioperative efficacy of a calcium channel blocker (diltiazem) in preventing acoustical trauma during otologic surgery. The patients were randomly divided into a therapy group (diltiazem) and a control group (placebo). Bone conduction hearing thresholds were examined preoperatively and again 1 day and 3 months postoperatively.

Apolipoprotein E and lipoprotein lipase co-ordinately enhance binding and uptake of chylomicrons by human hepatocytes.

ApoE and LpL are important in the metabolism of triglyceride rich lipoproteins, and defects in either or both may result in hyperlipidaemia. It has previously been shown that ApoE and LPL specifically enhance cellular catabolism of lipoproteins by various cell lines. The authors determine in this paper the effect of ApoE and LpL on chylomicron and LDL binding and uptake by human hepatocytes in primary culture.

[Examinations with DNA cytometry of mouth and oropharyngeal lavage fluid as a screening method in diagnosis of malignancies of the mouth cavity and oropharynx].

Background: Due to a high rate of false negative results, cytologic examinations of scrapings are currently not very common in diagnosing squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether cytometric and cytologic examinations are suitable in diagnosing squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Methods: Cytologic and cytometric examinations of rinsing fluid from the mouth and throat were performed in 14 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Overview of technology for low vision.

This article provides an overview of technology resources and services to assist persons with low vision in maintaining independent function in the home, community, and educational and vocational settings. Case studies are provided to demonstrate the integration of technology into the lives of persons with low vision.

A phase II study of fazarabine (NSC 281272) in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. A Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Promising preclinical data and reasonable toxicity in Phase I trials encouraged the Gynecologic Oncology Group to study Fazarabine (FZB) in patients with recurrent squamous cell cancer of the cervix. Twenty-three patients with histologically proven recurrent cervical cancer with measurable disease received FZB at a dosage of 30 mg/m2 per day for 5 days; cycles repeated every 28 days. In the absence of grade 3 or 4 toxicity, dose escalation was planned to a maximum dose of 40 mg/m2 per day for 5 days.

Assistive devices used by home-based elderly persons with arthritis.

Objective: This article examines assistive device use by home-based elderly persons with arthritis.

Method: Sixty-six persons were interviewed for the State University of New York at Buffalo (University at Buffalo) Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Consumer Assessment Study, which sought information on need for and current use of assistive devices. Subjects were assigned to a moderate or a severe arthritis group according to the impact of arthritis on their activities.

Dominant expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia. Pathophysiological insights derived from the structural and kinetic characteristics of ApoE-1 (Lys146-->Glu).

Type III hyperlipoproteinemia is characterized by delayed chylomicron and VLDL remnant catabolism and is associated with homozygosity for the apoE-2 allele. We have identified a kindred in which heterozygosity for an apoE mutant, apoE-1 (Lys146-->Glu), is dominantly associated with the expression of type III hyperlipoproteinemia. DNA sequence analysis of the mutant apoE gene revealed a single-point mutation that resulted in the substitution of glutamic acid (GAG) for lysine (AAG) at residue 146 in the proposed receptor-binding domain of apoE.

[Pulsed color laser for treatment of benign, superficial vascular malformations].

The flash lamp-excited dye laser is ideal for treating benign superficial vascular cutaneous lesions. Port-wine stains, telangiectases, spider angiomas, or hemangiomas may be treated without pain. If used properly, complications such as skin texture changes, hypopigmentation, and scarring are extremely rare.

Over-expression and characterization of active recombinant rat liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase II using baculovirus.

The cDNA encoding rat liver carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT-II) was heterologously expressed using a recombinant baculovirus/insect cell system. Unlike Escherichia coli, the baculovirus-infected insect cells expressed mostly soluble active recombinant CPT-II (rCPT-II). CPT activity from crude lysates of recombinant baculovirus-infected insect cells was maximal between 50 and 72 h post-infection, with a peak specific activity of 100-200 times that found in the mock- or wild-type-infected control lysates.

Predicting recurrence and survival in patients with laryngeal cancer by means of DNA cytometry, tumor front grading, and proliferation markers.

The cure rates for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx have improved little over the past few decades. Despite the large number of therapeutic and histopathologic studies that have been performed, there are currently no morphologic or cytologic markers available to predict outcome in patients with laryngeal cancer. In an attempt to create such a system, tissues from 40 patients who underwent surgery for carcinoma of the larynx were examined for this pilot study.

Ability of visual tests to predict underlying cervical neoplasia. Colposcopy and speculoscopy.

Objective: To describe the attributes of colposcopy and a low-power, magnified examination that utilizes chemiluminescent illumination (speculoscopy) in the visualization of cervical epithelium in a predefined, high-risk population and to compare how the two tests predict cervical histology.

Study Design: During this multicenter, prospective study, 395 women who were referred to our colposcopy clinic underwent a repeat cervical smear and speculoscopy followed immediately by colposcopy. Abnormal colposcopic lesions were biopsied and endocervical curettage performed when indicated.

The low density lipoprotein receptor is not required for normal catabolism of Lp(a) in humans.

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an atherogenic lipoprotein which is similar in structure to low density lipoproteins (LDL). The role of the LDL receptor in the catabolism of Lp(a) has been controversial. We therefore investigated the in vivo catabolism of Lp(a) and LDL in five unrelated patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who have little or no LDL receptor activity.

Respiratory epithelium exposed to sulfur dioxide--functional and ultrastructural alterations.

The value of morphological investigations of airway mucosa should be compared to a functional method when estimating the toxicity of airborne pollutants. In 34 guinea pig tracheas, mucociliary activity was measured using a modified light beam reflex method before and following exposure to sulfur dioxide for 30 minutes in concentrations ranging between 7.5 and 37.

Effects of contralateral white noise stimulation on transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions in patients with acoustic neuroma.

Transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions are normal phenomena observed in most persons with hearing levels greater than 35 dB. Further, masking of the contralateral ear produces amplitude reductions in the transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions. We have undertaken a study of transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions in 20 patients with acoustic neuroma.

Apolipoprotein E isoforms and rare mutations: parallel reduction in binding to cells and to heparin reflects severity of associated type III hyperlipoproteinemia.

The LDL receptor-independent binding of human apolipoprotein E isoforms and rare apoE mutations were studied on LDL receptor-deficient human fibroblasts using chemical cross-linking and cell binding studies. The cross-linking experiments demonstrated that all apoE variants bind to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, a potential receptor for remnant lipoproteins. In cell binding studies, the effect of the apoE variants on binding of beta-VLDL was investigated.

[Pressure relations between endocranial and intracochlear fluid spaces in patients with inner ear diseases].

Intracranial pressure is transmitted to the perilymph of the cochlea via the cochlear aquaeduct and via Reissner's membrane to the endolymph. The "Tympanic Membrane Displacement Analyser (TDA)" is a new device that may be a useful non-invasive method to show intracranial and intracochlear pressure changes indirectly measured by tympanic membrane displacement during stapedial reflex contraction. The TDA was utilised in 20 normal persons and in 29 patients with unilateral diseases of the inner ear.