Squamomelanocytic tumor: a case report and further insights into its possible histogenesis.

We report a case of combined squamomelanocytic tumor of the skin. Clinically, the lesion was felt to be a squamous cell carcinoma. Histologically, it was characterized by large epithelioid cells admixed with basaloid cells with central squamous differentiation.

Comfort measures only: agreeing on a common definition through a survey.

Despite how frequently we say "comfort measures only" (CMO) in the hospital setting, review of the medical literature yields poor representation and definition of the term. Through a survey in our hospital center, we aimed at understanding what doctors understand as CMO. A total of 176 physicians responded to the survey.

Analyses of a MS-associated haplotype encompassing the CCL3 gene.

Our previous studies showed the association of multiple sclerosis with the same marker haplotype encompassing the CCL3 gene in two independent sets of families. Here we present that sequencing of this haplotype and its flanking regions detected no new mutation, but 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and 1 insertion/deletion variant in both affected and unaffected individuals. Transmission distortion analyses of the newly identified variants in the second set of families revealed no individual marker association.

Role of mitochondria in multiple sclerosis.

This review presents inherited and acquired forms of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with oligodendrocytopathy and neurodegeneration in order to better understand the degenerative features of inflammatory demyelination. The recognition that various mitochondrial mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis leads to therapeutic considerations, re-emphasizing the importance of early neuroprotection in combination with the approved means of immune modulation.

Haplotypes within genes of beta-chemokines in 17q11 are associated with multiple sclerosis: a second phase study.

We previously defined haplotypes of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with possible relevance to multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2 CC chemokine ligand (CCL) clusters in chromosome 17q11. The 17q11 region was also identified as a susceptibility locus by a meta-analysis of linkage studies. To confirm and refine the previous finding in a second, high resolution SNP scan in a new set of families.

Jimson weed extract as a protective agent in severe organophosphate toxicity.

Unlabelled: Treatment of patients following an organophosphate (OP) exposure can deplete a hospital's entire supply of atropine. Given the possibility of multiple severe exposures after a terrorist attack using OP nerve agents, there exists a need for either greater atropine stores or the development of alternative antidotes. Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) contains atropine and other anticholinergic compounds and is common and readily available.

Fatal fulminant hypereosinophilic syndrome with a petechial rash in a 16-year-old girl.

Peripheral blood eosinophilia and eosinophilic tissue infiltration characterize the hypereosinophilic syndrome, which if untreated can be fatal. Its manifestations are protean. Often a diagnosis of exclusion, it presents diagnostic challenges.

Long-term 6-year experience with finasteride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objectives: To summarize the 6-year clinical trial data with finasteride. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a chronic and progressive disease and therefore assessment of long-term safety and efficacy is important.

Methods: The North American and International Phase III Finasteride trials enrolled symptomatic men with enlarged prostate glands.

Imaging of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage.

Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. CT remains the primary imaging modality for initial evaluation of patients who have sustained head trauma. MR imaging, which has always been important for the evaluation of subacute and chronic head trauma, has been gaining popularity and recognition as an alternative primary imaging modality.

Collagen disease: the enemy within.

Surprisingly, the autoimmune diseases predominate in women of childbearing years. Recent evidence suggests that these diseases are the result of some interaction of the hypothalamic-gonadal axis with the immune system. The median age for rheumatoid arthritis is 45 years, the median age for lupus erythematosus is 25.

Counting calories--caveat emptor.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of caloric labeling of "diet" and "health" foods and whether the accuracy differs for certain categories of food suppliers.

Design: Survey; "diet" and "health" foods were analyzed via bomb calorimetry and categorized as regionally distributed, nationally advertised, or locally prepared.

Setting: Foods were sampled from retail merchants throughout the borough of Manhattan, New York, NY.

Treatment of non specific dyssomnia with simple stimulus control procedures in a child with Down's syndrome.

Nonaversive behavioural interventions were used successfully to treat a disrupted sleep pattern in a child with Down's syndrome. A quasi-experimental single-case design was employed to evaluate the treatment efficacy. During the first phase of treatment, the mother implemented a structured bedtime routine and the child was no longer allowed to engage in activities while in bed.

Lupus psychosis: differentiation from the steroid-induced state.

Steroid induced psychosis in SLE is rare but clinically important, and often difficult to distinguish from lupus cerebritis. We report a patient with SLE who became depressed following an increase in her steroid dosage. Based on her clinical presentation and high levels of antibodies to P ribosomal proteins (both in CSF and serum) a diagnosis of lupus cerebritis was made.

The use of polyelectrolytes as osmotic agents for peritoneal dialysis.

Various small and large molecules have been studied as osmotic agents to replace dextrose in peritoneal dialysis. Macromolecules are attractive because of their slow absorption from intraperitoneal solutions; however, it has been assumed that they are only marginally effective as osmotic agents unless they function as polyelectrolytes at physiological pH. In experimental exchanges conducted in rats we measured volume changes induced by Gelifundol (5.