Reticular Oral Lichen Planus.

Reticular oral lichen planus is a common clinical finding, often found incidentally on routine oral examination. Patients rarely complain of symptoms and the condition does not require treatment, as a result, biopsies and ancillary laboratory evaluation are seldom performed. We present a case of reticular oral lichen planus with a classic clinical presentation and characteristic histologic findings.

Adequacy of pathology resident training for employment: a survey report from the Future of Pathology Task Group.

CONTEXT: The recent change in accreditation requirements for anatomic pathology and clinical pathology residency training from 5 to 4 years and the rapid advances in technologies for pathology services have sparked a renewed debate over the adequacy of pathology residency training. In particular, perceived deficiencies in training have been declared from a variety of sources, both in the form of recent editorial opinions and from surveys of community hospital pathologist employers in 1998, 2003, and 2005 by Dr Richard Horowitz. OBJECTIVE: To obtain more comprehensive data on the perceptions of strengths and weaknesses in pathology residency training. DESIGN: The College of American Pathologists conducted a survey of potential pathology employers (senior College of American Pathologists members, members designated as head of group, and members of the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology). Also surveyed were recent graduates of pathology residency programs, who were identified as being junior members of the College of American Pathologists, were recent recipients of certification from the American Board of Pathology, or were contacted through their directors of pathology residency programs. RESULTS: There were 559 employer respondents, of whom 384 were responsible for hiring and/or supervising new pathologists. There were 247 recent graduates of pathology residency training programs who responded. From the employers' standpoint, the majority expressed overall satisfaction with recent graduates, but almost one third of employers indicated that new hires had a major deficiency in a critical area. Specific areas of deficiency were clinical laboratory management and judgment in ordering special stains and studies. In addition, one half of employers agreed that more guidance and support for newly trained pathologists is needed now than was required 10 years ago. Academic employers generally were more satisfied than private sector employers. Newly trained pathologists did not appear to be inappropriately overconfident in their abilities. In addition, their perceptions of those specific areas in which they are most and least prepared are very similar to the ratings provided by employers. On average, newly trained pathologists' ratings of their own preparedness are highest for specific aspects of general pathology and anatomic pathology, and lowest for specific aspects of clinical pathology and administration. In selecting new pathologists, employers perceived medical knowledge and interpersonal skills as the most important discriminating applicant characteristics. When new employees were asked why they thought they were offered their position, the discriminating qualifications cited most often were academic background and training, as well as completion of a fellowship and subspecialty training. CONCLUSIONS: It is our hope that the results of this survey can be used as input for further discussions and recommendations for training of pathology residents so as to further advance the ability of pathologists to provide quality patient care upon their graduation from training.

Effects of raloxifene and estradiol on hippocampal acetylcholine release and spatial learning in the rat.

The effects of raloxifene on acquisition of a delayed matching to position (DMP) T-maze task and on hippocampal acetylcholine release were evaluated and compared with estradiol, to determine whether raloxifene has estrogenic effects on cognitive performance and hippocampal cholinergic activity. Ovariectomized rats received continuous treatment with raloxifene (one of two doses), estradiol, or vehicle for 30 days, followed by behavioral training, and then in vivo microdialysis assessment of basal and potassium-stimulated acetylcholine release. The data show that estradiol significantly enhanced DMP acquisition, whereas raloxifene did not. In contrast, both estradiol and the higher dose of raloxifene significantly increased potassium-stimulated acetylcholine release in the hippocampus. These data suggest that, despite increasing evidence for estrogenic effects of raloxifene in brain, raloxifene does not mimic the effects of estrogen on cognitive performance as assessed by acquisition of a simple spatial memory task in ovariectomized rats.

Incidencia, prevalencia y recuperabilidad de la esquizofrenia en diferentes países / Incidence, prevalence and outcome schizophenia in different countries

Mediante una investigación bibliográfica, se revisan estudios en diferentes lugares del mundo y se analizan cómo influyen los contextos sociales, políticos y económicos, las diferentes culturas y actitudes en la evolución y pronóstico de la esquizofrenia. Los síntomas de la esquizofrenia están presentes en todas las culturas, aproximadamente en la misma proporción. Sin embargo, la incidencia, prevalencia y recuperabilidad de la esquizofrenia varían por la influencia y la interacción de diversos factores como el nivel socioeconómico, el mercado laboral, el contexto urbano o rural, las relaciones familiares, especialmenteel matrimonio, el estigma y el aislamiento social y otros. Por otra parte, el curso y pronóstico de la esquizofrenia es mejor en países en desarrollo. Este resultado paradójico -ya que los pacientes de países industrializados generalmente reciben más ayuda técnica que los de países en desarrollo- es lo que se analiza en este trabajo

The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of hepatic granulomatous disease in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

Cytokines are important in the cell-mediated response to Schistosoma mansoni eggs. We have found that Th2 cytokine responses (e.G. IL-4 and IL-5) are argumented after egg laying begins while the response (IL-2 and IFN-*) are down regulated in S. mansoni infected mice. Treatment of mice with anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibodies (Mab) suppressed the eosinophil response almost completley but did not affect granuloma size and slightly increased hepatic fibrosis. Anti-IL-4 treatment abolished IgE responses in infected mice and decreased hepatic fibrosis slightly. Anti-IFN-* treatment had no effect on hepatic pathology. Anti-IL-2 treatment decreased granuloma size significantly and decreased hepatic fibrosis markedly. Anti-IL-2 treatment dramatically decreased IL-5 secretion by splenic cells in vitro and decreased peripheral blood and tissue eosinophilia. In contrast IL-4 secretion was unaffected and serum IgE was normal or increased. IL-2 and IFN-* secretion by splenic cells of treated mice were slightly but not significantly increased suggesting that anti-IL-2 treatment affecting Th2 rather than Th1 responses