Model demonstrating respiratory mechanics for high school students

We wanted to develop educational materials appropriate for the high school student which would present physiological concepts in an innovative way. The impetus was in response to the lack of physiology educational materials appropriate for the high school level. To this end, we developed an exercise that presents the physiological basis for respiratory mechanics. The materials were designed to engage students in interactive learning and to stimulate interest for future science study. The emphasis of the exercise was the construction of a model that could be built by high school students to demonstrate respiratory mechanics. The use of models to present complex materials has been shown to be an effective medium for science learning. Our exercise contains directions for an inexpensive, easy-to-build model, as well as many supplemental teaching tools. Questions are interspersed throughout the text and at the end of the laboratory experience to facilitate the learning process. Answers are provided to the questions. Students and teachers alike are challenged to build, manipulate, and discuss their experience during the investigation of respiratory mechanics.

A 47-year-old woman with a swollen leg

This case illustrates the importance of expanding the differential diagnosis beyond ruling out a DVT in a patient presenting with calf swelling. A good history and examination and a compulsive search for an etiology are necessary in the pursuit of the correct diagnosis. In this patient, only after identifying the popliteal cyst and recognizing that it represented an inflammatory synovitis could the cause be determined and the proper treatment instituted.

The treatment of benign sebaceous hyperplasia with the topical application of bichloracetic acid

Sebaceous hyperplasia is a benign lesion that occurs commonly on the face of older individuals. A variety of treatment options have been described, including oral isotretinoin, electrodesiccation, CO2 laser surgery, cryosurgery, and shave excision with curettage. Problems have been noted with these approaches. These techniques are more complex, less effective, require more time, or are more likely to scar than the procedure we describe. The treatment of sebaceous hyperplasia with bichloracetic acid is described with results presented after treatment of our first 20 patients.