Serum cholesterol and colorectal polyps.

Colorectal cancer and hypocholesterolemia have recently been associated, and colorectal polyps have a known relationship with colorectal cancer. In order to establish further evidence regarding the nature of the serum cholesterol-colorectal cancer relationship, this study investigated the hypothesis that men with colorectal polyps would have lower serum cholesterol levels than men without polyps. Of the 1380 men screened by sigmoidoscopy for colorectal polyps, 246 had at least one polyp. The men with polyps were older than those without, and also had higher cholesterol levels, but after controlling for age, there were no serum cholesterol differences. These data suggest that low serum cholesterol is not etiologically linked to cancer. Analyses of potentially confounding variables showed smoking to be strongly related to the presence of polyps.

The use of behavioral contracting to increase exercise activity.

Abstract A cardiovascular risk reduction program used a submaximal treadmill stress test to evaluate physical fitness. Of the 179 individuals who participated in the health education counseling activities which followed testing, 96 signed a behavioral contract to engage in a 12-week aerobic exercise program. Forty-one contractors fully met contract goals, and 21 reported increased activity levels. Analyses examined demographic, risk factor, and attitudinal predictors of contract signing and contract adherence. Contract signing was related to education, smoking, and women's mean body weight. Only women's body weight was related to contract adherence. Attitudes toward exercise were related to neither. Level of contract adherence was significantly related to a decrease in exercising heart rate at the six-month follow-up assessment. These data suggest that contract signing may be a useful device for assessing client motivation and predicting program participation and behavioral change outcomes.

Fine-needle aspiration of lymphadenopathy of suspected infectious etiology.

We present a protocol for culture of lymph node find-needle aspirations in a series of 44 patients. Clinical indications for inclusion in the protocol included fever, localized erythema, pain or heat, an independent clinical diagnosis of infection by the referring physician, or a grossly purulent appearance of the initial aspirate material. Organisms (fungi, bacteria, or mycobacteria) were isolated in 13 (30%) of the aspirates. The probable contamination rate was 9%. These figures approached the culture yields obtained from open biopsy specimens as reported in the literature. A notable discrepancy existed between the cytologic appearance of the aspirates and culture results in three cases of mycobacteria. Six unsuspected malignancies were diagnosed. There were no complications from the procedure in this series. Based on this study, we present recommendations for culture of fine-needle aspirates from lymph nodes.

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of malignant lymphoma with confirmation by immunoperoxidase staining.

Cytospin preparations of fine needle aspirates in 14 cases of suspected lymphoma were studied by immunoperoxidase techniques. The combination of cytologic smears and immunoperoxidase studies resulted in a working diagnosis in 13 of the 14 cases. The immunologic markers in conjunction with the cytologic appearance of the aspirates were reliable and consistent in differentiating between malignant and benign lymphoproliferative lesions and in determining the B-cell or T-cell nature of the process.

[7-Chloro(phenylthio)-4-phenylaminoquinolines. Study of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity]. / Chloro-7 (phénylthio)phénylamino-4 quinoléines. Etude de l'activité antiinflammatoire et analgésique.

Some 7-chloro(phenylthio)-4-phenylaminoquinolines substituted in the benzene rings were prepared and subject to the Winter test for potential antiinflammatory activity and the acetic acid test for analgesic activity. Derivative (I) was devoid of antiinflammatory properties but showed interesting analgesic activity although this was 30 times weaker than that of indomethacin used as reference substance. The DL50/DE50 ratio is greater than 16 for derivative (I) and 3 for indomethacin. The other compounds had no or only slight activity.

Culture isolation of Acanthamoeba species and leptomyxid amebas from patients with amebic meningoencephalitis, including two patients with AIDS.

Acanthamoeba species and leptomyxid organisms are free-living amebas that cause meningoencephalitis, primarily in immunocompromised patients. We report the isolation and culture of Acanthamoeba species and leptomyxid amebas from four patients with fatal amebic meningoencephalitis. Acanthamoeba species were cultured from brain abscess specimens from three immunocompromised patients (including two patients with AIDS). In the case of the fourth patient, who had no identifiable immunodeficiency, leptomyxid amebas were cultured from a specimen from a subcutaneous nodule and were identified in amebic granulomas in brain tissue by the indirect immunofluorescence test. Persons with advanced infection due to the human immunodeficiency virus may be at increased risk for amebic meningoencephalitis, but the diagnosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any immunocompromised patient with cerebral abscesses.