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.

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.

Construction of a model demonstrating neural pathways and reflex arcs.

Employment opportunities in the future will require higher skills and an understanding of mathematics and science. As a result of the growing number of careers that require solid science and mathematics training, the methods of science education are undergoing major reform. To adequately equip students for technologically advanced positions, new teaching methods must be developed that prepare tomorrow's workforce for the challenges of the 21st century. One such method is the use of models. By actively building and manipulating concrete models that represent scientific concepts, students are involved in the most basic level of Piaget's learning scheme: the sensorimotor stage. Models are useful in reaching all students at the foundational levels of learning, and further learning experiences are rapidly moved through higher learning levels. This success ensures greater comprehension and understanding compared with the traditional methods of rote memorization. We developed an exercise for the construction of an inexpensive, easy-to-build model demonstrating neural pathways and reflex arcs. Our exercise also includes many supplemental teaching tools. The exercise is designed to fulfill the need of sound physiological teaching materials for high school students.

Laboratory exercise using "virtual rats" to teach endocrine physiology.

Animal experimentation is limited in many curricula due to the expense, lack of adequate animal facilities and equipment, and limited experience of the teachers. There are also ethical concerns dealing with the comfort and safety of the animals. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a "dry laboratory" using "virtual rats." The "virtual rat" eliminates the obstacles inherent in animal experimentation, such as inadequate budgets, as well as avoiding important animal rights issues. Furthermore, no special materials are required for the completion of this exercise. Our goal in developing this dry laboratory was to create an experience that would provide students with an appreciation for the value of laboratory data collection and analysis. Students are exposed to the challenge of animal experimentation, experimental design, data collection, and analysis and interpretation without the issues surrounding the use of live animals.