Feline Respiratory Extramedullary Plasmacytoma with Lymph Node Metastasis and Intrahistiocytic Amyloid.

A 14-year-old domestic longhaired cat presented with a 2-year history of nasal discharge and a recent onset of inappetence and submandibular lymphadenopathy. The cat was humanely destroyed after developing severe respiratory distress. Necropsy examination revealed thickened nasal turbinates and soft palate, and friable red-tan material within the frontal sinus, nasal cavity and nasopharynx. The lungs contained multifocal irregular friable tan nodules. Multiple lymph nodes were enlarged, friable and red-tan in colour. Histopathology revealed a mature type extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) within the frontal sinus, nasal cavity, soft palate, larynx, trachea, lungs and multiple lymph nodes. The lymph nodes and larynx also contained marked granulomatous inflammation with extensive intrahistiocytic (and lesser amounts of extracellular) lambda light chain amyloid, confirmed by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Neoplastic cells expressed CD79a and MUM1. This is the first report of an infiltrative EMP of the feline respiratory tract with lymph node metastasis and predominantly intrahistiocytic amyloid.

Testicular self-examination by young men: an analysis of characteristics associated with practice.

This study was conducted to determine the level of testicular self-examination (TSE) awareness and practice and to identify characteristics related to TSE awareness and practice in a sample of college men. A 26-item survey was administered to 404 male college students. Forty-two percent reported they were aware of TSE, more than 41% had been taught TSE, and 22% had examined their testicles at least once in their lifetime. Approximately 8% of the study population reported practicing TSE once a month. The PRECEDE model was used to categorize the significant variables that influenced monthly TSE practice. Age and college class were significant demographic variables; predisposing factors included having heard of testicular cancer, knowing about recommended practice rates, feeling that cancer can be controlled, and awareness of the risk factors associated with testicular cancer. Having been taught TSE was the statistically significant enabling factor. A discussion of TSE in the past 6 months was the significant reinforcing factor.

Influence of teaching techniques on infant car seat use.

This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of two types of educational interventions on child safety seat usage among new mothers at the time of discharge from a hospital setting. Ninety-three women included in this study were divided into three groups consisting of a control group, a video teaching intervention, and a video and face-to-face intervention. All women were given a demographic questionnaire during their hospital stay and observed for actual car seat usage at the time of discharge. Results, based on a 1 x 3 Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), showed no statistically significant difference in child safety seat usage between control and experimental groups. Factors which may have influenced the findings were the unusually high overall compliance rate of this population (83.9%) and the socio-economic make-up; the majority being white, well-educated, and above average income. Good maternal seat belt use may have predisposed this group toward high child restraint device (CRD) compliance,aas well as the widespread diffusion of information on child safety seats and awareness of the California CRD law. Supplementary analyses indicated that video plus face-to-face instruction may be more effective with first-time mothers who have performance scores below 80, are themselves not seat belt users and who are members of minority groups.