Particle Interactions Mediated by Dynamical Networks: Assessment of Macroscopic Descriptions.

We provide a numerical study of the macroscopic model of Barré et al. (Multiscale Model Simul, 2017, to appear) derived from an agent-based model for a system of particles interacting through a dynamical network of links. Assuming that the network remodeling process is very fast, the macroscopic model takes the form of a single aggregation-diffusion equation for the density of particles. The theoretical study of the macroscopic model gives precise criteria for the phase transitions of the steady states, and in the one-dimensional case, we show numerically that the stationary solutions of the microscopic model undergo the same phase transitions and bifurcation types as the macroscopic model. In the two-dimensional case, we show that the numerical simulations of the macroscopic model are in excellent agreement with the predicted theoretical values. This study provides a partial validation of the formal derivation of the macroscopic model from a microscopic formulation and shows that the former is a consistent approximation of an underlying particle dynamics, making it a powerful tool for the modeling of dynamical networks at a large scale.

Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase and interferon gamma as diagnostic tools in tuberculosis pleurisy.

Several biological markers have been proposed to improve the efficacy of diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy. The study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) concentration in differentiating tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and nontuberculous pleural effusion (non-TPE). Ninety four patients (50 M and 44 F, mean age 60+/-18, range 18-95 years) with pleural effusion (PE) were studied. TPE was diagnosed in patients with: (i) positive pleural fluid or pleural biopsy culture or (ii) granulomas in the pleural biopsy specimen, after exclusion of other granulomatous diseases. Pleural fluid ADA activity was measured with the colorimetric method of Giusti, while IFN-gamma level was measured with ELISA. TPE was diagnosed in 28 patients. The non-TPE group consisted of 35 patients with malignant PE, 20 patients with parapneumonic effusion/pleural empyema, 5 with pleural transudate, and 6 with miscellaneous PE. The ADA activity and IFN-gamma concentration were significantly higher in TPE than in non-TPE (614.1+/-324.5 vs. 15.1+/-36.0 pg/ml, P<0.0001 and 75.1+/-39.1 vs. 11.0+/-16.6 U/l respectively, P<0.0001). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of IFN-gamma measurement (cut-off value of 75.0 pg/ml) were 100% and 98.5% respectively and were similar to those of ADA (100% and 93.9% at the cut-off value of 40.3 U/L). We conclude that pleural fluid ADA activity and IFN-gamma concentration are highly sensitive and specific markers of tuberculous pleurisy.

[Human papillomavirus (HPV) in laryngeal leukoplakia]. / Wirusy brodawczaków ludzkich (HPV) u chorych na leukoplakie krtani.

Epidemiological data and results of molecular studies suggest that human papillomavirus could be considered a risk factor for the upper respiratory tract cancers. HPV infection plays also the important role in the laryngeal precancerous states. Six out of 16 studied cases of laryngeal leukoplakia revealed presence of HPV DNA (37.5%). In situ hybridisation technique was used for the detection of viral DNA.

[Difficulties in the aspiration cytodiagnosis of the neck tumors]. / Trudnosci w cytodiagnostyce aspiracyjnej guzów.

Since 1971 FNA is used at the ENT Department Medical Academy in Warsaw in the diagnosis of the neck and head tumors. This method was effective in 87.4% of cases. Among 382 biopsies of the neck tumors performed in 1980-1990, in which FNA results were compared with histopathology, in 12.6% of cases the false diagnosis was found. There were malignant primary tumors, cervical lymph nodes metastases, nonmalignant neck neoplasms, neck cysts and inflammations. The retrospective investigations of the smears allowed us to find out whether the false diagnosis depends on inappropriate interpretation of the smears or the diagnosis is really impossible to establish. The retrospective studies are very helpful for the better understanding of the malignant criteria and for the improvement of the results of the cytodiagnosis in the head and neck tumors.

[Evaluation of complications after fine-needle biopsy of polymorphic adenoma from materials of the Otolaryngologic Clinic AM in Warsaw in the years 1983-1988]. / Ocena powiklan po biopsji cienkoiglowej gruczolaków wielopostaciowych w materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologii AM w Warszawie w latach 1983-1988.

The authors, who have an ample experience with thin-needle biopsy in the routine diagnosis of head and neck tumors present the results of analysis of 56 patients with salivary glands and adenomatous tissue of the platelet adenoma. The analysis showed, that early complications after this procedure are very rare. Properly performed thin-needle biopsy assured the oncological safety to the patient.

[Fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of head and neck tumors]. / Zastosowanie cienkoiglowej punkcji aspiracyjnej w diagnostyce guzów glowy i szyi.

The results of 3039 fine needle aspiration biopsies of the head and neck tumors were presented. The comparison of cytological and histological examinations in 1141 patients showed that correct cytological diagnosis was established in 84.2% of cases.

[Effect of colloid bismuth treatment on Campylobacter pylori infection of the gastric mucosa and the clinical course of non-ulcer dyspepsia]. / Wplyw leczenia bizmutem koloidalnym na zakaåenie blony sluzowej zoladka przez Campylobacter pylori i przebieg kliniczny idiopatycznej dyspepsji niewrzodowej.

There are suggestions, that the idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia is related to the chronic gastritis type B coexisting with C. pylori infection. Presented studies were aimed at the assessing of an effect of the treatment with De-Nol on the course of the idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia of C. pylori infection. Gastroscopic examination was performed in 52 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia before and after the treatment with De-Nol administered for 4-8 weeks. Campylobacter pylori was isolated from 71% of patients with idiopathic non-ulcer dyspepsia. An infection was eradicated in 97.4% of patients treated with De-Nol. The number of dyspeptic episodes decreased in by 96% of patients, including 33% of patients in whom total recovery was noted. De-Nol was well tolerated. De-Nol is highly effective in the eradication of C. pylori and produces clinical improvement in the majority of patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

[Cytological diagnosis of lymphomatous papillary cystadenoma]. / Cytodiagnostyka aspiracyjna torbielako-gruczolaka limfatycznego slinianek.

The cytologic material of 27 papillary cystadenoma was described. The thin needle aspiration procedure was performed. In 77.8% of cases the results were confirmed by histopathology.

[Transthoracic lung biopsy (TBP)]. / Transtorakalna biopsja pluca (TBP).

The results of transthoracic lung biopsy using the Nordenströms method are discussed. Basing on this technique lung biopsies were performed in 138 patients suspected of pulmonary malignancy. High diagnostic efficacy, simplicity of this method and low incidence of side effects characterize this method.

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma with 13-cis-retinoic acid.

Patients with basal cell carcinoma were treated locally with 13-cis-retinoic acid. Disappearance of the tumors was observed in two of fifteen patients. Thirteen patients whose tumors diminished after the treatment were finally managed surgically. Biopsy specimens were examined histopathologically and by autoradiography. Treated tumors showed reduction of labeling indices as compared with the nontreated group.

Squamous metaplasia of the lung alveolar epithelium in mice after influenza virus infection.

Metaplasia of the lung alveolar epithelium was observed in mice challenged with influenza virus after previous infection, and in mice repeatedly infected. Immunological factors are suggested to contribute to the development of the process.