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This is an investigation of the relationship between the institutional structure of American science and its position in world science, as shown by Science Indicators - 1976. It concludes that, compared to other countries, the distinct characteristics of American institutions are consistent with, and may actually explain, the leading American position according to the indicators. However recent changes in those institutions may have weakened American science in ways not reflected by the present indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a plasmacytoma in the vicinity of a long residing metallic foreign body in the nasal cavity is presented. In spite of the multitude of reports concerning neoplasma associated with trauma, most of which arise in chronic scars, this presentation is very rare. It is speculated that the plasma cell proliferation, occurring nearby the foreign body, roots from an immunologic and granulomatous reaction. This case is discussed in light of the vast data on foreign body tumorigenesis obtained from laboratory animals, and the implications of this data are outlined. Further attention should be drawn to the clinical associations of malignant processes co-existing with long-standing foreign bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the presence of autoantibodies against inner ear antigens, the pathogenesis of sudden deafness (SD) and progressive sensorineural hearing loss (PSNHL) is suggested to be of an autoimmune nature. However, microthrombosis of the inner ear may result from pathogenic anti cardiolipin antibody (aCL) activity. We studied 30 patients (17 females and 13 males, age range 20-52 y), of whom 11 suffered from SD and 19 from PSNHL. All were clinically and serologically evaluated for association with autoimmune disorders (serological examination included: aCL, ANA, ENA, ANCA, proteinelectrophoresis, and complement levels). Twenty healthy matched subjects served as controls. None of the control group were aCL positive, whereas 8 out of 30 (27%) patients demonstrated low-moderate titers (P < 0.02), of whom 5 out of 8 suffered from SD. In addition, 2 aCL negative patients with PSNHL demonstrated hypergammaglubolinemia accompanied by hypocomplementemia, whereas none with SD had such abnormalities. Our data suggests that aCL is detected in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and therefore may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disability. If sustained by additional studies, these findings would warrant the consideration of anticoagulant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]