Metastatic small cell carcinoma of the temporal bone. A case report

Metastatic tumours of the temporal bone are uncommon occurrences and a case is reported of a small cell carcinoma of the oesophagus with secondary involvement of the ear.

Mesencephalic projections to the facial nucleus in the cat. An autoradiographical tracing study

In 33 cats the projections of different parts of the mesencephalon to the facial nucleus were studied with the aid of the autoradiographical tracing method. The results indicate the existence of many different mesencephalo-facial pathways. The dorsomedial facial subnucleus, containing motoneurons innervating ear muscles, receives afferents from 4 different mesencephalic areas: a, the most rostral mesencephalic reticular formation; b, the nucleus of Darkschewitsch and/or the ventral part of the rostral PAG; c, the interstitial nucleus of Cajal and/or the mesencephalic tegmentum dorsomedial to the red nucleus. These areas project bilaterally by way of an ipsilateral medial tegmental pathway. The medial part of the deep tectum. This area projects bilaterally by way of the tecto-spinal tract. The lateral mesencephalic tegmentum close to the parabigeminal nucleus. This area projects mainly contralaterally by way of a separate contralateral lateral tegmental fiber bundle. The mesencephalic tegmentum just dorsolateral to the red nucleus and perhaps from the dorsolateral red nucleus itself. This area projects contralaterally by way of the rubrospinal tract. The intermediate facial subnucleus containing motoneurons innervating the muscle around the eye, receives afferents from two different mesencephalic areas: The dorsal part of the rostral as well as caudal red nucleus (but not from its caudal pole) and from the dorsally adjoining mesencephalic tegmentum including the area of the nucleus of Darkschewitsch and the interstitial nucleus of Cajal. These areas project contralaterally by way of the contralateral rubrospinal tract. The nucleus of the optic tract and/or the olivary pretectal nucleus. This area projects contralaterally by way of a contralateral medial tegmental pathway. The lateral and ventrolateral facial subnuclei containing motoneurons innervating the muscles around the mouth receive afferents from two different mesencephalic areas: The lateral part of the deep tectal layers. This area projects contralaterally by way of the tecto-spinal tract. The nucleus raphe dorsalis and perhaps the nucleus centralis superior. This area projects by way of the lateral tegmentum of caudal pons and medulla.

The organization of the gastric efferent projections in the brainstem of monkey: an HRP study

Topographic localization of neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus (DMN) of the vagus innervating the stomach and the extent of central decussation of its fibers were investigated in the monkeys after chronic unilateral cervical vagotomy. This study presents findings in regard to the non-topographic representation of the stomach in both DMN and lack of a well-defined decussation of its fibers in the brainstem of monkeys. Reported findings in the rat and cat vis-a-vis our own results in the monkey indicate species difference in the organization of efferent vagal gastric fibers. The evidence of a very small number of HRP-labeled cells in DMN on the vagotomized side after intervals of 2-36 weeks is being reported here, for what we believe to be the first time, and its significance has been discussed.

Does infection play a role in breast capsular contracture?

The formation of capsular contracture around silicone implants continues to be the most common complication of augmentation mammaplasty. To date, the etiologic factors in the formation of capsular contractures have remained inconclusive. In the present study, the role of subclinical infection with S. epidermidis as a cause of capsular contracture was evaluated in 16 rabbits using miniature silicone implants. All the implants on the side contaminated with varying concentrations of S. epidermidis developed breast capsular contractures. Using Baker's classification, they were graded III or IV, while the controls were all considered to be either grade I or II. Grossly, the capsules on the contaminated side were firm, fibrous, and 2 to 3 times thicker than the controls, and this was confirmed histologically using micrometry. Implants contaminated with 10(7) bacteria uniformly extruded. The present study seems to indicate that subclinical infection with Staphylococcus epidermidis may be one of the causes of capsular contracture around breast implants.

Oral contraceptive continuation rates in the Singapore National Program. 1966-1972

A study of a random sample of 3,564 oral contraceptive acceptors in the Singapore national program clinics with a maximum of 60 months of experience produced findings as follows: The typical pill acceptor was aged 26.9 years with 2.5 children, married for 4.2 years, had at least primary education, was not working, and started on the pill 2.3 months after her last pregnancy. Thirty-three percent of the oral contraceptive acceptors were still continuing with the pill by the cutoff date for the study, 30 June 1972, and the median period of pill use among those still using was 33.6 cycles. The median number of cycles of pill use among discontinued users was only 5.2. The main reasons for discontinuation were side effects of the pill and planned pregnancy. For the discontinued users, 43 percent had used alternative methods of protection, mainly condoms. Cumulative continuation rates per thousand women were 792 after the first cycle, 680 after the third, and 475, 346, 247, and 225 after cycles 12, 24, 48, and 59, respectively.

Vitamin A and carotene in British and American diets

1. The confusion sometimes found in discussions of dietary vitamin A and its precursors is illustrated. The relative potency of vitamin A and carotene is briefly discussed, and the procedure used in the National Food Survey of Great Britain explained. 2. Changes in the vitamin A and carotene contents of the British diet over the last two decades are illustrated. 3. The vitamin A and carotene contents of the American diet are estimated, and compared with those of the British diets; both estimates of intake are compared with recommended allowances. The difficulties of making such comparisons are discussed, in view of the different conventions used in the two countries. 4. An appendix, on the calculation of vitamin A in the diet, is included, in which interrelations between different methods of expressing vitamin A value are shown.