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Although the combination of radiation and tissue expansion has been associated with a significant rate of complications, the specific pathophysiology has yet to be clearly elucidated. The objective of this study was to develop a model to identify and examine specific histologic changes associated with tissue expansion and irradiation. Rectangular 50cc silicone tissue expanders were placed subcutaneously over the midline dorsum of 18 adult New Zealand white rabbits. Preoperative radiographic dosimetry demonstrated that the radiation portal was away from vital intraabdominal structures. The expanders were inflated with 10 cc of saline every other day for a total of 80 cc. Expanders were left in place for 2 to 3 weeks to allow fibrovascular capsule formation. The rabbits were then divided into three groups six rabbits per group, each receiving one of three nonfractionated doses of radiation 20, 25, or 35 Gy. Half of the expanded skin was irradiated using a single dose, and the other half served as a nonirradiated control. Capsules and skin were harvested 6 weeks after the delivery of radiation, allowing the beginning of chronic radiation changes to occur. Using hematoxylin and eosin staining, histomorphometric analysis was performed. The data were analyzed using Student's t test. Although irradiation did not affect dermal thickness, it did cause a statistically significant increase in epidermal thickness. At 20, 25, and 35 Gy the increase in epidermal thickness was 43, 90, and 130 percent, respectively. Although significant epidermal changes could be identified, capsular and dermal alterations were not evident. Further studies evaluating the longterm effects of alterations in capsular formation caused by radiation may be required. Plast. Reconstr. Surg.110 1080, 2002.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pressure within the carpal tunnel that was generated with certain tasks in paraplegic versus nonparaplegic subjects. Four groups of subjects were evaluated 10 wrists in six paraplegic subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome, 11 wrists in six paraplegics without the syndrome, 12 wrists in nine nonparaplegics with the syndrome, and 17 wrists in 11 nonparaplegics without the syndrome. Carpal canal pressures were measured in the wrists in three positions neutral, 45degree flexion, 45degree extension and during two dynamic tasks wheelchair propulsion and RAISE relief of anatomic ischial skin embarrassment maneuver. External force resistors were placed over the carpal canal and correlated with internal tunnel pressures. At each wrist position, paraplegics with carpal tunnel syndrome consistently had higher carpal canal pressure than did the other groups at the corresponding wrist position statistical significance was evident with regard to the neutral wrist position p< 0.05. Within each group of subjects, wrist extension and wrist flexion produced a statistically significant increase in carpal canal pressure p< 0.05, compared with the neutral wrist position. Dynamic tasks wheelchair propulsion and the RAISE maneuver significantly elevated the carpal canal pressure in paraplegics with carpal tunnel syndrome, compared with the other groups p< 0.05. Lastly, there is a linear positive correlation between carpal canal pressure and external force resistance. Plast. Reconstr. Surg.107 1464, 2001.

In an investigation of the relationship between macromastia and physical and psychosocial symptoms, 88 female university students, 21 augmentation mammaplasty patients, and 31 breast reduction patients graded somatic and psychosocial symptoms. The intent of the study was to discover which complaints were most common among women presenting for reduction mammaplasty and to determine whether height/weight index and brassiere chest measurement and cup size might affect their symptoms. Both the student group and the augmentation mammaplasty patients differed significantly from the breast reduction patients. Eighty-one percent of the reduction patients complained of neck and back pain. Seventy-seven percent complained of shoulder pain, 58 percent complained of chafing or rash; 45 percent reported significant limitation in their activity; and 52 percent were unhappy with their appearance (p< 0.001 compared with augmentation and student groups). Physical symptoms were related to height/weight index and bra chest and cup sizes in each of the three participating groups. It was found that patients who present for symptom-related reduction mammaplasty have a disease-specific group of physical and psychosocial complaints that are more directly related to large breast size than to being overweight.

In an effort to evaluate qualityoflife benefits of ablative head and neck cancer surgery and microvascular reconstruction, a longitudinal study was undertaken in which patients with T3 or T4 oropharyngeal cancers without systemic metastases at presentation were administered both general and diseasespecific qualityoflife instruments preoperatively and postoperatively.

The article profiles Frederick Kiesler, an architect, designer and multi-faceted artist in the U.S. It includes background information on Kiesler and his professional careers as an architect, designer and artist, as well as a description of his notable architectural and artistic works. Kiesler's key contributions to the art scene are also cited.

The article features the career and achievements of Hans Hofmann, an art teacher who established principles intrinsic to abstract expressionism. It explores his extended possibilities of picture-making with theories as the famous "push and pull," the expansion of the canvas surface with protuberant mounds of paint, the creation of compositions based on pure color, and the incorporation of accident as technique.

The article focuses on the design and concept employed by Austrian-born architect Frederick Kiesler in remodeling Peggy Guggenheim's Art of This Century Gallery in New York City. It states that Kiesler considered the surrealist architectural activity in planning for the renovation of the gallery. In addition, it says that the architect's idea of an "Endless House" was based on the inner needs and processes of individuals rather than on the principles of mechanics.

An excerpt from the book "Hans Hofmann," by Cynthia Goodman is presented.

An interview with Richard Hennessy, art historian turned painter, is presented. Hennessy was asked on the factors that provoked him to give up the study of the history of art and begin painting. He elaborated on his emphasis on color. In addition, Hennessy discussed the importance of speed and his ability to sustain the momentum needed to finish a painting.

Describes the virtual reality exhibition project `Lascaux' which was developed by a team headed by Benjamin Britton and which features the Lascaux Cave in France. Use of a virtual-reality-modeling language that makes adaptations of the cave; Features of the show; Installation of the project in museum settings.

Tests were conducted to determine whether seeds from the tropical plant Pentaclethra macroloba (C.L. Willdenow) O. Kuntze contain factors that retard or inhibit growth of larvae of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). Three different assays were used to determine effects of aqueous seed extracts on H. zea. Micro-bioassays examined effects of extracts on living larvae. Cell culture assays examined effects of the seed extracts on H. zea cells. Midgut enzyme inhibition assays examined the potential of the extracts to disrupt H. zea larval digestive processes. These three assays showed that P. macroloba seeds contain factors that retard H. zea growth, reduce the viability of H. zea cells, and specifically inhibit the activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin proteinases from the larval midgut. In addition, dialysis and heat treatment indicated that the active, water-soluble factors in P. macroloba seeds have approximate molecular weights ≥3,500 and are heat-labile. Results from recovery studies indicated that H. zea larvae have a limited ability to overcome the toxic effects of the active water-soluble components of P. macroloba seeds.

The article reviews the art exhibition "Eight Contemporary American Realists" at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 16 to October 30, 1977.