肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

肾混合性上皮间质肿瘤和成人囊性肾瘤的临床病理学观察

Objective To study the clinicopathologie features,immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of kidney ( MEST) and adult cystic nephroma ( CN).Methods Five cases of MEST and 4 cases of CN were retrospectively analyzed.Immunohistochemical study was carried out and the literature was reviewed.Results All of the five patients with MEST were females.Their median age was 45 years.For CN,there were 3 males and 1 female and their median age was 41 years.All patients presented with loin pain and hematuria.On gross examination,MEST was well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated.There was no evidence of haemorrhage or necrosis.Three of the cases were solid in nature.One was composed of a mixture of solid and cystic elements,while the remaining case showed a multicystic cut surface bridged by thick fibrous septa.On the other hand,CN were well-circumscribed and encapsulated.They were multiloculated cystic in nature.The cystic spaces were separated by thin septa and there was no significant solid or necrotic component.Histologically,MEST consisted of proliferation of cystically dilated glands admixed with spindly stromal cells with various cellularity and growth patterns.Both the glandular and stromal elements were well-differentiated with no cytologic atypia identified.The glandular structures in 2 of the cases were partially lined by endometrial or tubal epithelium.In contrast,the thin-walled cystic spaces in CN were lined by a single layer of epithelium.Immunohistochemical　study showed that the epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen.The spindle cells in MEST expressed vimentin (5/5 ) ,smooth muscle actin (3/5 ),desmin (4/5 ),CD10 (5/5),estrogen receptor (4/5) and progesterone receptor (4/5).They were negative for HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.On the other hand,the spindle cells in CN were variably positive for vimentin (4/4),smooth muscle actin (4/4),desmin (1/4),estrogen receptor (3/4) and progesterone receptor (1/4).They were negative for CD10,HMB45,CD34,CD117 and S-100 protein.Conclusions Both MEST and CN are uncommon renal neoplasm.Most of them run a benign clinical course.The stromal cells in MEST show smooth muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.Areas demonstrating Miillerian features also existed in some cases.MEST and CN share overlapping histological and immunohistochemical features,and may represent spectrum of the same group of lesions.     

微囊性/网状神经鞘瘤的临床病理特点

Objective To study the morphologic characteristics, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of a case of microcystic/reticular schwannoma occurring in cervical spine. Methods The pathologic features and immunophenotypic profile of a case of microcystic/reticular schwannoma were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed using EnVision two-step method. Results The patient was a 35 -year-old male and presented with a bump over the fifth cervical spine on radiologic check up. Crossly,the bump was gray-white in color, soft, well-circumscribed but non-encapsulated. The tumor measured 3.5 cm ×3.0 cm × 1. 8 cm in size. Histologically, it was composed of two distinctive components. One component resembled the conventional schwannoma but showed focally nuclear pleomorphism, reminiscent of changes in degenerating schwannoma. The other component consisted of epithelial-like cells arranged in a reticular or lacelike pattern, amongst a myxoid matrix. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin, S-100 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase, focally positive for CD68, CD10 and Ki-67, and negative for pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, neurofilament, carcinoembryonic antigen, smooth muscle actin, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and p53. Conclusions Microcystic/reticular schwannoma is a novel variant of schwannoma,arising mainly in internal viscera but seldom in bone. Awareness of this entity is helpful in distinction from chordoma, other mucoid tumors or sarcomas.     

Rates of oxygen consumption and of anaerobic glycolysis in renal cortex and medulla of adult and new-born rats and guinea-pigs

1. Rates of oxygen uptake and of anaerobic glycolysis were estimated in slices from the renal cortex and medulla (a) of adult rats and guinea-pigs, (b) of new-born (1-, 5- and 21-day-old) rats and of guinea-pigs of 1, 12, 21, 24 and 120 hr age.2. In the adult rat, Q(O2) values for the cortex were 12.55 +/- 0.20 (22) and for the medulla: 8.56 +/- 0.17 (22) mul./hr.mg dry weight, while in the new-born rat (24 hr old) they were 10.99 +/- 0.46 (12) and 9.33 +/- 0.18 (9) mul./hr.mg dry weight respectively.3. Values for Q(CO2) (N2) (anaerobic glycolysis) in the 14 hr old new-born rat were in the renal cortex 9.65 +/- 0.35 (5) and in the medulla 7.39 +/- 0.43 (5) mul./hr.mg dry weight; while in the adult they were 2.25 +/- 0.08 (16) and 5.76 +/- 0.14 (16) mul./hr.mg dry weight, respectively.4. In the adult guinea-pig values for Q(CO2) (N2) were of the same order as in the adult rat, though the rate of O(2) uptake was for the cortex 8.12 +/- 0.22 (12) and for the medulla 5.02 +/- 0.23 (11) mul./hr.mg dry weight.5. Though the Q(O2) values in the renal cortex and medulla were smaller in the 1 hr old new-born guinea-pig, they were already increasing in the 12 hr old neonate.6. The results are discussed in the light of enzyme changes occurring during the process of maturation of the nephron as indicated by histochemical observations.     

Modes of reinforcement and gender and culture of experimenter and subject: effects of "alien" and external reinforcement for Japanese and American men and women

In this study, we examined external and "alien" reinforcement (ER and AR. respectively) as a factor in social learning, and studied the combined effects of culture and reinforcement mode. A female (Experiment 1) and a male (Experiment 2) experimenters conducted experimental sessions. Both men and women, who grew up in the same culture as the experimenter, participated and performed the experimental task. A three-way interaction effect of experimenter gender, culture, and reinforcement mode was found on task performance. And the effect was more pronounced for a Japanese experimenter. A female and a male experimenters conducted Experiments 3 and 4, respectively; however participants this time were men and women who grew up in different cultures than the experimenter. Results indicated that the pattern of the subject gender and reinforcement mode interaction effect, when the experimenter was Japanese with American subjects, was exactly opposite to that when the experimenter was American. These experiments showed that AR was as effective for social learning as ER, and that the cultural backgrounds of experimenter and subject influenced AR and ER effectiveness.     

Timing and intensity of early fevers and the development of allergies and asthma

BACKGROUND: Early childhood fevers appear to protect against later allergies and asthma. What is not known is the time in which fevers exert this effect and whether the degree of temperature increase is important. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the relationship between the time and degree of early fevers and later allergies and asthma. METHODS: Eight hundred thirty-five children from southeast Michigan were enrolled at birth. Clinic records from their first 2 years were abstracted for episodes of fever. At age 6 to 7 years, children underwent allergy testing. We examined fevers occurring within 6-month intervals in the first 2 years of life and outcomes at age 6 to 7 years. The primary outcome measures were allergic sensitization, asthma, asthma with allergic sensitization, and asthma without allergic sensitization. RESULTS: In the unadjusted analysis each episode of fever between 7 and 12 months of age was associated with a lower odds of allergic sensitization (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.93) and asthma with allergic sensitization (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.21-0.90) at age 6 to 7 years. Likewise, every 1 degrees C increase in the maximum temperature between 7 and 12 months was associated with a lower odds of allergic sensitization (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.96) and asthma with allergic sensitization (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.94). After adjusting for potential confounders, each episode of fever between 7 and 12 months was associated with a lower likelihood of asthma with allergic sensitization (adjusted OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.11-0.94) at age 6 to 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Both the timing and intensity of childhood fevers appear to be important factors in the development of allergies and asthma.     

Association between functional alterations of senescence and senility and disorders of gait and balance

OBJECTIVES:

Declines in cognition and mobility are frequently observed in the elderly, and it has been suggested that the appearance of gait disorders in older individuals may constitute a marker of cognitive decline that precedes significant findings in functional performance screening tests. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between functional capacities and gait and balance in an elderly community monitored by the Preventive and Integrated Care Unit of the Hospital Adventista Silvestre in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

METHODS:

Elderly individuals (193 females and 90 males) were submitted to a broad geriatric evaluation, which included the following tests: 1) a performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA) to evaluate gait; 2) a mini-mental state examination (MMSE); 3) the use of Katz and Lawton scales to assess functional capacity; 4) the application of the geriatric depression scale (GDS); and 5) a mini-nutritional assessment (MNA) scale.

RESULTS:

Reductions in MMSE, Katz and Lawton scores were associated with reductions in POMA scores, and we also observed that significant reductions in POMA scores were present in persons for whom the MMSE and Katz scores did not clearly indicate cognitive dysfunction. We also demonstrated that a decline in the scores obtained with the GDS and MNA scales was associated with a decline in the POMA scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

Considering that significant alterations in the POMA scores were observed prior to the identification of significant alterations in cognitive capacity using either the MMSE or the Katz systems, a prospective study seems warranted to assess the predictive capacity of POMA scores regarding the associated decline in functional capacity.