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The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Southwest Watershed Research Center Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) is an outdoor laboratory located in southeastern Arizona to study water and soil conservation in semiarid lands. Permanent vegetation transects were established adjacent to 55 rain gauges within WGEW in 1967 to quantify vegetation. Some sites were subsequently added or dropped. Detailed vegetation data were collected in 1967, 1994-2000, and 2005, including repeat photography of transects. Ground cover data were collected after 1967. A vegetation map was developed in 2002. The transect sites, vegetation map, data collection methods, and current data availability are described. Data are available at http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/dap/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims : The bland histology of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) belies its capacity for aggressive behaviour. Genetic alterations of OKC have not been well studied. We examined the frequency and pattern of allelic imbalance on five different chromosome regions from 15 patients with OKC. Methods and results : Laser-assisted microdissection was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of extracted DNA targeted five polymorphic DNA markers (D3S1285, D9S161, D11S1316, D13S290, and TP53) representing chromosome regions 3p14, 9p21, 11q23, 13q12.1 and 17p13, respectively. All 15 cases of OKC were informative at a minimum of three of five loci, with 11 informative on all five loci. Twelve of 15 cases (80%) demonstrated loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Seven cases (47%) showed LOH at more than two DNA loci. The frequency of LOH was 5/11 (45%) at D3S1285, 3/15 (20%) at D9S161, 4/14 (29%) at D11S1316, 8/14 (57%) at D13S290 and 3/15 (20%) at TP53. Conclusions : The majority of OKCs harbour chromosomal abnormalities. This finding supports the supposition that OKCs are neoplastic. Furthermore, OKCs harbour allelic loss at some of the same loci identified in squamous cell carcinoma. This may aid in explaining the rare occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma arising in OKC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Henley J D, Summerlin D-J & Tomich C E (2004) Histopathology 44, 216–221 Condyloma acuminatum and condyloma-like lesions of the oral cavity: a study of 11 cases with an intraductal component We studied the clinicopathological features of 11 condyloma and condyloma-like lesions of the oral cavity with an unusual mixed pattern of exophytic and intraductal growth. The latter manifest as involvement of minor salivary gland ducts by the proliferative squamous lesions. This pattern of ductal involvement has not been previously described in oral condyloma. The clinical history was available for nine patients ranging in age from 17 to 73 years. Two were female and seven male. The buccal mucosa (five cases) was the most common site of occurrence, followed by the floor of mouth (two cases), lingual frenum (two cases), and hard palate (one case). All lesions exhibited exophytic and intraductal growth. The latter manifested itself as extension of the lesions into the excretory ducts of minor salivary glands. Underlying minor salivary glands, present in many of the excisional biopsy specimens, typically showed changes of obstructive atrophy. The exophytic components of all cases exhibited some degree of parakeratosis, and cryptic invaginations of parakeratin were typically present. Koilocytes were present in seven lesions and were equivocal in four. Mucous cells were present in the intraductal component of all cases and the intraductal component was never keratinized, but often papillary. A mild stromal-based, lymphocytic host response was present in three. A variably prominent neutrophilic infiltrate was present in the exophytic component of eight. Dysplasia was not present in any case. Five of 11 cases were positive with anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) and two of 11 cases were positive for in-situ hybridization probes directed against HPV 6/11. All cases were negative for HPV 16/18 and 13/33/35. Oral condyloma acuminatum may involve the excretory ducts of minor salivary glands. The diagnosis of oral condyloma acuminatum is difficult, as these lesions share considerable histological overlap with squamous papilloma. Finally, the relationship between these two lesions is incompletely understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the role of postsynaptic N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein (NSF) in activity-dependent and pathological changes in synaptic function. Membrane fusion processes underlying protein traffic; Synaptic transmission in the central nervous system; Finding that NSF binds to a recognition site located at the C-terminal of the GluR2 subunit of alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptors.

A patient with a primary oral epidermoid carcinoma with presumed neck metastasis is presented who at operation was found to have a cervical mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in the wall of a benign cyst. The case for considering this tumor a primary branchioma of mucoepidermoid type is presented, and the criteria for making the diagnosis of branchiogenic carcinoma are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor about cases of salivary duct carcinoma occurring in the oral cavity.

Drs. Singer and Blom pioneered the development of a valved voice prosthesis and controlled fistula between the tracheal and esophageal wall to generate fluent esophageal speech in laryngectomy patients. Since then numerous voice prostheses with different performance capacities have entered the marketplace. In spite of optimal choices and fitting of devices, there remains a population of patients refractory to this type of rehabilitation. It is our experience that a number of patients ultimately benefit from middle and inferior constrictor myotomy with marked improvement in their speech. Patient selection, evaluation, and operative techniques are discussed. Five patients who were unable to speak even after introduction of various commercially available devices showed marked improvement after middle and inferior constrictor surgical myotomy. Minimal complications were encountered even in irradiated patients. These patients were preoperatively injected with Xylocaine to produce a partial blockade. Their speech improved dramatically for the duration of Xylocaine blockade. Esophageal video fluoroscopy of attempted speech with the voice prosthesis in place confirmed constrictor spasm that opposed air flow to the oropharynx. Inferior and middle constrictor myotomy appears to be very beneficial in rehabilitation of failed alaryngeal speakers who demonstrate pharyngeal constrictor spasm.