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The Framework for 0-D Atmospheric Modeling (F0AM) is a flexible and user-friendly MATLAB-based platform for simulation of atmospheric chemistry systems. The F0AM interface incorporates front-end configuration of observational constraints and model setup, making it readily adaptable to simulation of photochemical chambers, Lagrangian plumes, and steady-state or time-evolving solar cycles. Six different chemical mechanisms and three options for calculation of photolysis frequencies are currently available. Example simulations are presented to illustrate model capabilities and, more generally, highlight some of the advantages and challenges of 0-D box modeling.

Previous work has demonstrated that cell-mediated immune function in rats is better preserved after laparoscopic than open surgery. We have also shown that tumors are more easily established in mice and grow larger after sham laparotomy than after pneumoperitoneum. The purpose of this study is to determine if the functional status of the cell-mediated immune system influences postoperative tumor growth.Immunocompetent (study 1) and T-cell deficient athymic (study 2) mice were injected with mouse mammary carcinoma cells in the dorsal skin. Mice then underwent either no procedure, midline laparotomy, or carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. Tumor masses on postoperative day 12 were compared.In immunocompetent mice, laparotomy group tumors were nearly twice as large as laparoscopy group tumors (p0.02), which were 1.5 times as large as control group tumors (NS). In the athymic model, however, differences between the sham laparotomy and pneumoperitoneum groups were lost (p0.5). Tumors grew much larger in the athymic control mice than in the immunocompetent control mice (p0.01).We conclude that T-cell function plays a significant role in host containment of mouse mammary carcinoma and in the mechanism of differences in tumor growth observed after laparotomy and pneumoperitoneum.

Surgery can suppress immune function and facilitate tumor growth. Several studies have demonstrated better preservation of immune function following laparoscopic procedures. Our laboratory has also shown that tumors are more easily established and grow larger after sham laparotomy than after pneumoperitoneum in mice. The purpose of this study was to determine if the previously reported differences in tumor establishment and growth would persist in the setting of an intraabdominal manipulation.Syngeneic mice received intradermal injections of tumor cells and underwent either an open or laparoscopic cecal resection. In study 1, the incidence of tumor development was observed after a low dose inoculum; whereas in study 2, tumor mass was compared on postoperative day 12 after a high-dose inoculum.In study 1, tumors were established in 5% of control mice, 30% of laparoscopy mice, and 83% of open surgery mice (p0.01 for all comparisons). In study 2, open surgery group tumors were 1.5 times as large as laparoscopy group tumors (p0.01), which were 1.5 times as large as control group tumors (p0.02).We conclude that tumors are more easily established and grow larger after open laparoscopic bowel resection in mice.