Leftventricular aneurysm (LVA) is one of the most important complications of myocardial infarction LVA is strictly defined as a distinct area of abnormalleftventricular diastolic contour with systolic...Full Text Available
Optional multiple long-axial gated blood pool SPECT images were prepared for the purpose of stereoscopic and quantitative imaging of leftventricular wall motion (LVWM). Sixteen patients with ischemic heart disease and 8 healthy subjects were imaged in 32 views in the 360 degrees position after iv injection of 740 MBq of Tc-99m-labeled human serum albumin D. The R-R interval was divided into 16. After preparing conventional oblique images, long-axial images were prepared. Shortening rate of leftventricular wall was calculated in 5 segments of the apex and base of the left ventricle. An average shortening rate in each segment was graded with a score from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 40% or more. In the normal group, shortening rate in each segment, except for the base of the septal region, exceeded 40%. In the group of ischemic heart disease, radial shortening was capable of ...
Two cases of leftventricular aneurysm, a 16-year-old black boy and a 23-year-old white girl, from Bahia, Brazil, are presented. In both patients there was enlargement of the cardiac silhouette and...Full Text Available
Transcatheter coil embolization for coronary artery to leftventricular fistula was successfully performed in a neonate. At 30 weeks' gestation, fetal echocardiography showed a hypoplastic right ventricle with intact ventricular septum, absent pulmonary valve, tricuspid atresia, and marked distension of the right coronary artery. After birth, the neonate had congestive heart failure and the electrocardiogram showed myocardial ischemic changes in the leftventricular area. Aortography showed a dilated right coronary artery arising from the ascending aorta and draining into the left ventricle. Transcatheter coil embolization was carried out on the 9th day after birth. Since the procedure, no myocardial ischemic changes have been detected. Transcatheter coil embolization is a useful therapy for coronary artery fistula associated with myocardial ischemia. ...
ObjectiveUsing high resolution cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), we aimed to detect new details of leftventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, to explain the twisting...Full Text Available
Evaluating the systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) is important in the hemodynamic management of the critically ill patients with circulatory failure. Echocardiography is considered the standard...Full Text Available
Effects of swimming exercise training on leftventricular contraction and relaxation, the incidence of spontaneous defibrillation and the ventricular fibrillation threshold were studied in the isolated, perfused rat heart. The heart/body weight ratio was 4.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(-3) in swimmers compared with 3.9 +/- 0.6 x 10(-3) in sedentary controls (p less than 0.0005). The spontaneous heart rate was lower in isolated hearts of trained animals (222 +/- 18 bpm compared with 244 +/- 28, p less than 0.05). Leftventricular systolic pressure was higher in trained hearts and the rate of ventricular relaxation enhanced (p less than 0.05). The ventricular fibrillation threshold was 7.2 +/- 5.2 and 10.8 +/- 6.1 mamp in hearts of swimmers and controls, respectively, the difference not being significant. The incidence of spontaneous defibrillation was not ...
The transposition of the great arteries afters to an abnormal connection and relation of the great arteries in which the aorta arises from the morphologic right ventricle and the pulmonary artery from the morphologic left ventricle, while the malposition of the great arteries indicates an abnormal relationship between the great arteries in which the great arteries are not transposed across the ventricular septum but they are malposed, as is seen in double outlet right ventricle, double outlet left ventricle and single ventricles. Transpositions and malpositions of the great arteries are understood as a spectrum of malformation caused by abnormal conal development and can be included in the common category of 'conotruncal malpositions'. Authors analized 32 cases of transpositions and malpositions of the great arteries in which cineangiocardiographies were done at ...
Purpose: To assess the new method of 3-dimensional echocardiography in comparison to the 'gold standard' MRI as to its ability to calculate leftventricular volumes in patients with congenital heart disease. Materials and methods: Eighteen patients between the ages of 3.9 to 37.3 years (mean: 12.8{+-}9.7) with a geometrically abnormalleft ventricle were examined using a 1.5 T scanner with a fast gradient-echo sequence (TR=14 ms, TE=2.6-2.9 ms, FOV=300-400 mm, flip angle=20 , matrix=128:256, slice thickness=5 mm, retrospective gating) in multislice-multiphase technique. Transthoracic 3D-echocardiography was performed with a 3.5 MHz transducer and a Tomtec {sup trademark} (Munich, Germany) system for 3D reconstruction. Results: Volume calculation was possible in all patients with 3D-echocardiography, but the muscle mass calculation only succeeded in 11 to 18 patients (61%) due to ...
Aging is a risk factor for heart failure, which is a leading cause of death world-wide. Elderly patients are more likely than young patients to experience a myocardial infarction (MI) and are...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo evaluate the association of physical activity with leftventricular structure and function in the general population in a community setting.Full Text Available
Sphingomyelin (SM) is an abundant phospholipid in cell membranes and in lipoproteins. In human plasma, SM is mainly found in atherogenic lipoproteins; therefore, higher levels of SM may promote atherogenesis....Full Text Available
BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia with a population prevalence of about 1%. Natriuretic peptide level is elevated in patients with AF with...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of leftventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has assumed great significance in the era of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs), and a low EF may...Full Text Available
BackgroundEchocardiography is widely used in the management of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Leftventricular ejection fraction (EF) has been shown to be an independent predictor...Full Text Available
The corrected transposition of the great arteries is an usual congenital cardiac malformation, which consists of transposition of great arteries and ventricular inversion, and which is caused by abnormal development of conotruncus and ventricular looping. High frequency of associated cardiac malformations makes it difficult to get accurate morphologic diagnosis. A total of 18 cases of corrected transposition of the great arteries is presented, in which cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were done at the Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between September 1976 and June 1981. The clinical, radiographic, and operative findings with the emphasis on the angiocardiographic findings were analyzed. The results are as follows: 1. Among 18 cases, 13 cases have normal cardiac position, 2 cases have dextrocardia with situs solitus, 2 cases have dextrocardia with situs inversus and 1 case has ...
Cardiovascular effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) at 20 cmH2O were examined in six mongrel dogs (11.3-15.0 kg). The dogs were anesthetized through a combination of intramuscular Innovar and gaseous anesthesia (60% N2O-40% O2). For volume measurements, radiodense tantalum screws were placed on the endocardial surface of the left and right ventricle. Esophageal and left and right ventricular pressures were measured. With the use of this preparation, the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP = 20 cmH2O) on cardiovascular function were examined. PEEP caused right ventricular transmural pressures to decrease, 3.4 +/- 1.0 to 2.0 +/- 1.0 mmHg end-diastolic (P less than 0.05) and 29.2 +/- 2.2 to 27.9 + 2.2 mmHg peak systolic; leftventricular transmural pressures decreased, 5.9 +/- 1.6 to 1.2 +/- 1.4 mmHg end-diastolic (P less than 0.05) and ...
We compared the values of the myocardial thickness and the left ventricle diameters measured with MRI and echocardiography. The ejection fraction was compared in MRI and ventriculography. 34 patients with different heart dysfunctions were examined with MRI (FISP 2D sequence). 26 of them were also studied by echocardiography and 20 by biplane cine-ventriculography. The enddiastolic thicknesses of the leftventricular postero-lateral wall and of the septum interventriculare were measured on short axis images. An ellipsoidal modell was used for volume calculation and ejection fraction. Correlation of MRI values of thickness and ejection fraction with echocardiographi and angiographi showed r>0,8. As known for 1.56 T Imagers, the myocardial thickness in MRI was underestimated compared to echocardiography (1.4 mm#+-#1.7). The ejection fraction was underevaluated compared to ventriculography (4.5%#+-#10.1). MRI (1.0 T) ...
Ventricular septal defects can occur as part of other congenital cardiac malformations or as an isolated finding. Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare, most commonly involving the right or noncoronary sinuses. They can be congenital or acquired through infection, trauma, or degenerative diseases. They frequently co-exist with ventricular septal defects, aortic valve dysfunction, or other cardiac abnormalities. More commonly, sinus of Valsalva aneurysms are diagnosed after the clinical sequelae of rupture. Several etiologic factors may lead to the development of pathologic pericardial effusion and the detection of pericardial effusion was one of the first applications of echocardiography to gain widespread acceptance. We present a case of a chance finding of an aneurysm of the right ...
BackgroundWave reflection during the systole increases leftventricular (LV) pressure, tension-time index (TTI) and myocardial oxygen requirement. The purpose of this study was to extract that component of extra myocardial oxygen requirement that is due to early systolic wave reflection, define it as wasted effort (?Ew), and examine its relationship to LV hypertrophy (LVH).MethodsRadial artery pressure waveforms were recorded using applanation tonometry and central aortic waveforms generated in 98 patients with untreated hypertension. Aortic augmentation index (AIa), wave reflection amplitude (i.e., aortic augmented pressure (AG)) and systolic duration (ED?Tr), ejection duration (ED) and round-trip travel time of the pressure wave (Tr) were calculated from the aortic waveform, a...
AimsTwo-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) continuity-equation derived aortic valve area (AVA) in aortic stenosis (AS) relies on non-simultaneous measurement of leftventricular...Full Text Available
Serious complications due to coronary artery fistulae have been described. Most authors recommend early intervention at the time of diagnosis. We present a case of a fistula originating from a dilated left coronary artery and draining into the right atrium, which was diagnosed prenatally by color Doppler echocardiography. During pregnancy, the echocardiographic findings remained unchanged, and there were no signs of heart failure. After birth, the fistula was confirmed by angiography. Additionally, a persistent left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus and a very small ventricular septal defect were detected. The fistula was closed successfully by transcatheter coil embolization. At 17 months old the child was in good clinical condition. Prenatal diagnosis of coronary artery fistulae may be possible and may improve perinatal management and outcome. PMID:12047543
Studies have been carried out to determine the possible physiological effects of contact with carbon black made by the thermal process. Contact was made by ingestion, skin application and/or inhalation. Ingestion and/or skin application do not appear to lead to any changes from the normal. Inhalation exposures do not produce pulmonary function changes (antemortem or postmortem studies) but may lead to moderate to severe "perifocal" emphysema in Rhesus monkeys (not observed in guinea pigs). Inhalation studies also suggest right ventricular septal and to a degree, leftventricular hypertrophy in Rhesus monkeys as an effect. Additional studies are necessary to support these finding and consideration must be given to the variability among exposed subjects as compared to controls. PMID:136503
The effect of exercise training prior to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on leftventricular (LV) remodeling is poorly understood. This study investigated the protective effect of 3 weeks of swimming exercise training prior to AMI on cardiac morphology and function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 35) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: swimming training (n = 14, 90 min, 5 days/wk, 3 wk), sedentary (n =14), and controls (n = 7, no exercise, no MI). At the end of the training/sedentary period, rats were subjected to AMI (ExMI and SedMI) induced by surgical ligation of the left coronary artery. Thereafter, the rats remained sedentary for a 4-wk recovery period. Trans-thoracic echocardiography was performed in each group at the end of the exercise/sedentary period (pre-AMI), 24 hr after AMI, and following recovery (4 wk after AMI). No differences were observed in LV dimensions and function pre-AMI among the 3 groups; however, ...
Twenty-four patients were studied with both /sup 201/Tl-thallus chloride and /sup 99m/Tc-TBI scintigraphy following exercise. Comparison of the two agents in detecting segmental myocardial ischemia and scar was made in 18 patients with evidence of coronary artery disease on /sup 201/Tl-thallous chloride scintigraphy. Agreement between the two studies was observed in 77% (125 of 162) of leftventricular segments, suggesting that /sup 99m/Tc-TBI can be used as a myocardial perfusion agent. Limitations were related to early high background activity from lungs and liver. The high lung activity and early myocardial redistribution within the 1st hour contributed to the failure of /sup 99m/Tc-TBI to detect 16 segmental defects seen in the immediate post-exercise thallous chloride scan. Persistently high liver activity additionally affected accurate interpretation in the leftventricular segments close to the ...
Quantitative gated SPECT (QGS) was evaluated in 7 normal volunteers and 31 patients with cardiac diseases. Adequate cut off value of a prefilter was 0.45. In phantom, the leftventricular volume value was 93.9% of determined value by 180-degree projection in L type and 98.8% by 360-degree projection in opposed type. In normal volunteers, LVEF measured by QGS program related to value by first pass method. As for functional map, regional EF and wall motion decreased at the septum side, and wall thickening at base side of heart. Good correlation was recognized (p<0.0001) between blood flow image and functional map (regional EF and wall thickening). In 20 cases of acute myocardial infarction, lesion was detected conspicuously in regional EF and wall motion. The accuracy of coronary arterial stenosis improved in functional map (regional EF 92%, wall motion 92% and wall thickening 88%). In particular, the accuracy of 3 rami lesion was 100% in ...
Brain CT images were reviewed of 98 schizophrenic patients and 90 healthy persons in relation to handedness and aging. CT images were further reconstructed to examine morphologically subtle changes in each region. Schizophrenic patients had progressive brain atrophy and dilated lateral ventricles, especially on the left side and in the posterior part of the lateral ventricle. These findings were more marked in left-handed than in right-handed schizophrenic patients. According to age groups, there were significant differences between schizophrenic and normal persons over the age of 40. The incidence of left handedness was significantly higher in schizophrenic patients in their fourties than the age-matched normal persons (31.4% vs 15.1%). Morphological abnormality and laterality might be due to the same pathologic consequences. (N.K.).
Purpose: To report the detection of con-compacted ventricular myocardium (NVCM) with MRI compared to echocardiography in 8 patients. Material and methods: Non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium is a congenital disorder characterized by an altered structure of the myocardial wall resulting from an intrauterine arrest in endomyocardial embryogenesis. The morphological findings consist of a prominent meshwork of multiple myocardial trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses, communicating with the leftventricular cavity. 8 consecutive patients (mean age 7.3 years) with clinical and echocardiographic signs of NCVM were examined by MRI (1.5 T, Vision, Siemens) in short axis and 2- and 4-chamber views, using T_1-weighted TSE and Cine-GRE in 6 patients and true FISP sequences in 2 patients. MRI and echocardiography were evaluated for visibility, signs of NCVM and involvement of myocardial wall ...
It is uncertain if downregulation of ?-adrenoceptor signaling pathway is promoted by an enhanced adrenergic tone at an early stage of cardiac disease, or it develops secondary to detrimental local myocardial changes in advanced heart failure. We examined the integrity of ?-adrenoceptor signaling pathway upon chronic infusion of isoproterenol, a ?-adrenoceptor agonist, at a dose producing no structural leftventricular (LV) remodeling and systolic dysfunction. Subcutaneous isoproterenol infusion (400??g?kg?1?h?1 over 16?days) to guinea pigs using osmotic minipumps produced no change in cardiac weights, LV internal dimensions, myocyte cross-sectional area, extent of interstitial fibrosis, and basal contractile function. Isolated, perfused heart preparations from isoproterenol-treated guinea ...
Computed tomograms (CT) from 204 cases of premature and full term infants were studied. 1) In 70 infants of hyaline membrane disease, primary apnea and asymptomatic transient hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia, without any abnormal CT findings such as intracranial hemorrhage, periventricular lucency was found in 65 cases (93%) and a wide extracerebral space of the temporal lobes was found in 60 cases (86%) before 44 weeks of gestation. A wide interhemispheric fissure was found in 11 cases of extremely premature infants before term. Periventricular lucency and a wide extracerebral space of temporal lobes may not be the result of the intracranial pathological changes, but they may represent a stage of brain development. 2) In 204 cases, intracranial hemorrhage was found in 39 cases; intra ventricular 14 cases, subependymal 2 cases, intracerebral 4 cases, subarachnoid 19 cases. CT was useful in evaluating the site and extent of hemorrhage. Among 14 ...
Purpose: To quantify leftventricular function derived from retrospectively ECG-gated multislice spiral CT (MSCT) data sets in comparison to MRI. Materials and Methods: In 16 patients (14 males, 2 females, mean age 56.8 #+-# 11.5 years), retrospectively ECG-gated MSCT angiography of the coronary arteries and breath-hold steady state free precession cine MRI were performed. From MSCT data-sets, 20 axial image series were reconstructed every 5% of the RR interval. Multiplanar images were reformatted in the short axis orientation from axial images. End-systolic and end-diastolic images were selected. From these images end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and stroke volume (SV) as well as the ejection fraction (EF) and myocardial mass (MM) were determined using the Simpson's method and compared with MRI. Furthermore, image quality was assessed for both imaging modalities using a four point grading scale. Results: All parameters ...
Macrocephaly was defined as a head measuring larger than 98th percentile. We have evaluated CT findings and head growth curves in 25 infants with large heads. Ten (40%) of 25 infants with large heads were normal developmentally and neurologically. Five (20%) of those were mentally retarded. The other 10 infants (40%) included hydrocephalus (4 cases), malformation syndrome (3 cases), brain tumor (1 case), metabolic disorder (1 case) and degenerative disorder (1 case). Their head growth curves were typed as (I), (II) and (III): Type (I) (excessive head growth curve to 2 SDs above normal); Type (II) (head growth curve gradually approached to 2 SDs above normal); Type (III) (head growth curve parallel to 2 SDs above normal). Ten of macrocephaly with normal psychomotor development were studied clinically and radiologically in details. They were all male. CT pictures of those showed normal or various abnormal findings: ventricular dilatations, wide ...
/sup 99m/Tc biliary imaging was performed on a 34-year-old woman who was being investigated for suspected cholelithiasis. A left-sided liver was detected. On subsequent radionuclide imaging, partial visceral situs inversus and asplenia were demonstrated. Extensive roentgenographic investigation, ECG, echocardiogram, and laparotomy confirmed the radionuclide findings. Asplenia syndrome may exist without cardiovascular abnormalities and thus be undiscovered. Radionuclide imaging is important in the diagnosis of this syndrome.
The goal of the present study was to describe the clinical, haematological and ultrasonographic findings and treatment of 17 cattle with pyelonephritis. Fifteen cattle had an abnormal general condition, which varied in severity; five animals had signs of colic. The urine was brownish-red in 11 animals and cloudy in 13. Clumps of purulent material were seen in the urine of nine animals and clots of blood in two. The specific gravity was lower than normal in 13 animals and ranged from 1.005 to 1.020. A urine test strip revealed protein in 16 animals, blood in 16 and leukocytes in 12. Bacteriological examination of urine yielded Corynebacterium renale in 11 animals, Arcanobacter pyogenes in two and Escherichia coli in one. Rectal examination revealed abnormalities of the urinary tract in 11 animals; there was dilatation of the left ureter and/or enlargement of the left kidney in eight cases, and dilatation ...
The work examines twenty-two patients with coronary artery disease, previous myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction, using the technetium-99m ({sup 99m}Tc) tetrofosmin (SPECT) associated with nitrate administration in the detection of hypoperfused but still viable myocardium. The method allows the detection of this disease. [Italian] Il lavoro analizza i risultati degli esami condotti su 22 pazienti con cardiopatia ischemica cronica e ridotta funzione ventricolare sinistra sottoposti a tomografia computerizzata con emissione di fotone singolo (SPECT) cardiaca con tecnezio-99m ({sup 99m}Tc) tetrofosmina associata alla somministrazione di nitrati nella differenziazione tra tessuto miocardico ipoperfuso ma ancora vitale e tessuto miocardico necrotico. La metodologia usata consente di identificare la presenza di tessuto miocardico vitale in territori vascolari severamente ipoperfusi.
Purpose Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) is a severe side effect of thoracic radiotherapy. This study examined the effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) and a-tocopherol on cardiac injury in a rat model of RIHD. Methods and Materials Male Sprague-Dawley rats received fractionated local heart irradiation with a daily dose of 9 Gy for 5 days and were observed for 6 months after irradiation. Rats were treated with a combination of PTX, 100 mg/kg/day, and a-tocopherol (20 IU/kg/day) and received these compounds either from 1 week before until 6 months after irradiation or starting 3 months after irradiation, a time point at which histopathologic changes become apparent in our model of RIHD. Results Radiation-induced increases in leftventricular diastolic pressure (in mm Hg: 35 +- 6 after sham...
Angiotensin II has adverse actions in heart failure including vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Valsartan, a potent specific angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, may produce beneficial effects in heart failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the steady-state pharmacokinetics of valsartan 40, 80, and 160 mg each given every 12 h for 7 days in heart failure patients. Eighteen patients with chronic stable heart failure and leftventricular ejection fractions power model, showed that doubling the dose increased the AUC and Cmax 1.8 times. The pharmacokinetics of valsartan are predictable in heart failure patients within the dose range of 40-160 mg BID. Age did not appear to have influenced the valsartan clearance in heart failure patients. The pharmacokinetic values were higher in heart failure patients than in healthy volunteers. All doses were generally safe and well ...
1. The benzyl carbamyl analogue of lignocaine [2-(diethylaminoacetamido)-3-carbamyl-4-methyl-5-benzylpyrrole] at an intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg caused a blood pressure decrease of 54 mmHg. 2. A greater hypotensive effect was observed in hypertensive compared to normotensive animals. Anaesthesia magnified the vasodepressor effect in both groups. 3. The analogue did not possess centrally-mediated effects on blood pressure but exerted its hypotensive effect via a peripheral mechanism. 4. The analogue produced a relaxant effect on intestinal and vascular smooth muscle while exerting minimal effects on muscarinic, sympathetic, or ganglionic nicotinic receptors. 5. The analogue exhibited less cardiac depressant action on leftventricular rate (dp/dt) and force of contraction than lignocaine. 6. Lethal effects for the analogue were first observed at 16 mg/kg following intravenous administration and at 500 mg/kg following intraperitoneal ...
A hypotheses that mitoxantrone is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic cholinergic receptors was examined in guinea-pig hearts. In isolated left atrial muscle preparations, electrically paced at 2 Hz, the muscarinic agonist, carbachol, caused a concentration-dependent decrease in developed tension. Mitoxantrone caused a parallel right-ward shift of the concentration-response curve for carbachol. Schild plots for the effect of mitoxantrone on the carbachol concentration-response relationship were linear with a slope of 0.88 which was not significantly different from the unity. The right-ward shift of the carbachol concentration-response relationship by mitoxantrone significantly reversed after an additional incubation with a mitoxantrone-free solution, although the reversal was incomplete after a 2-h incubation in the mitoxantrone-free solution. Mitoxantrone caused a concentration-dependent displacement of specific [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to membrane ...
We report the delayed sequelae arising in a case of electrical injury, reviewing the literature on the subject and focusing on the MRI findings of the brain. A 23-year-old male suffered burns to the left parietal scalp, both feet, and the anterior chest wall. Neurological symptoms and MRI abnormalities appeared 14 days after the insult and continued for about three months. T1-weight MR images demonstrated homogeneous hypointensity, while T2-weighted images depicted hyperintense finger-like projections. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images demonstrated strong band-like enhancement, indicating meningeal hyperemia. Follow-up MR imaging showed that the lesion had disappeared, indicating that the cerebral edema and meaningeal hyperemia were reversible.
Abstract Introduction: Transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA) can be performed for benign and premalignant tumors of the ampulla of Vater (AOV) as an alternative to pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, the laparoscopic approach has rarely been attempted. In this report 2 cases of benign ampullary tumor that were treated by totally laparoscopic TDA. Patients and Methods: Case 1 was of a 75-year-old female who was admitted with left knee pain and underwent arthroscopic debridement. On postoperative day 6, she showed elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspirate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, without any other laboratory test abnormality. She had no complaint of abdominal pain, and physical examinations were unremarkable. Computed tomography (CT), magnet...
Background: Malformations of cortical development vary in neuronal maturity and level of functioning. Purpose: To characterize regional relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and difference in first moment transit time (TTfm) in polymicrogyria and cortical tubers using magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging. Material and Methods: MR imaging and dynamic T2*-weighted MR perfusion imaging were performed in 13 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, 10 with polymicrogyria, and 18 controls with developmental delay but no macroscopic brain abnormality. Regions of interest were placed in cortical tubers or polymicrogyric cortex and in the contralateral normal-appearing side in patients with malformations. In 'control' subjects, regions of interest were placed in the frontal and parietal lobes in both hemispheres. The rCBV and TTfm of the tuber/contralateral side (rCBVRTSC and TTFMTSC) as well as those of the polymicrogyria/contralateral side (rCBVRPMG and TTFMPMG) ...
Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in the human thyroid receptor beta gene on chromosome 3. Individuals with RTH have an increased incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this study was to search for developmental brain malformations associated with RTH. Forty-three subjects (20 affected males [AM], 23 affected females [AF]) with resistance to thyroid hormone and 32 unaffected first degree relatives (18 unaffected males [UM], 14 unaffected females [UF]) underwent MRI brain scans with a volumetric acquisition that provided 90 contiguous 2 mm thick sagittal images. Films of six contiguous images beginning at a standard sagittal position lateral to the insula were analyzed by an investigator who was blind with respect to subject characteristics. The presence of extra or missing gyri in the parietal bank of the Sylvian fissure (multimodal association cortex) and multiple Heschl`s transverse gyri ...
beta-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity in human ventricular cerebrospinal fluid was measured with a specific radioimmunoassay. The subjects were undergoing a surgical procedure for relief of chronic intractable...Full Text Available
The incidence of arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction of the inferior wall varies with the affected segment and increases when there is right ventricular involvement. This paper provides a...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE—To validate the accuracy of the prognostic significance of non-invasive clinical diagnostic indices as predictors of sustained ventricular tachycardia (sVT) or fibrillation...Full Text Available
Ventricular septal defect after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a complication associated with poor outcome in the absence of intervention. We report a case of successful TEE guided transcatheter closure of a post myocardial infarction (MI) ventricular septal defect (VSD) with an Amplatzer occluder in a 79 years old male with cardiogenic shock.
Purpose: To report the detection of con-compacted ventricular myocardium (NVCM) with MRI compared to echocardiography in 8 patients. Material and methods: Non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium is a congenital disorder characterized by an altered structure of the myocardial wall resulting from an intrauterine arrest in endomyocardial embryogenesis. The morphological findings consist of a prominent meshwork of multiple myocardial trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses, communicating with the leftventricular cavity. 8 consecutive patients (mean age 7.3 years) with clinical and echocardiographic signs of NCVM were examined by MRI (1.5 T, Vision, Siemens) in short axis and 2- and 4-chamber views, using T{sub 1}-weighted TSE and Cine-GRE in 6 patients and true FISP sequences in 2 patients. MRI and echocardiography were evaluated for visibility, signs of NCVM and involvement of myocardial ...
Radioiodinated 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3,3-dimethylpentadecanoic acid (DMIPP) has been prepared as a new terminal iodophenyl-substituted fatty acid containing dimethyl-branching at the beta-position. Iodine-125-labeled DMIPP showed rapid, high myocardial uptake (min, mean % injected dose/g) in fasted rats (5, 4.67; 30, 5.06; 60, 4.79; 120, 4.37), and also exhibited high heart:blood ratios (min, ratio) 5, 3:1; 30, 12:1; 60, 12:1; 120, 13:1. These data demonstrate an unanticipated much longer myocardial residence time with DMIPP (+/sub 1/2/ 7-8 h) than observed with either the 3-monomethyl (BMIPP) analogue (+/sub 1/2/ 30-45 min) or the rapidly metabolized straight-chain (IPP) analogue (+/sub 1/2/ 10-15 min). The (/sup 123/I)DMIPP is thus an excellent candidate for clinical evaluation of regional fatty acid metabolism under conditions where the uptake of energy substrates can be assessed independent of regional blood delivery. Studies with the new activated carbon-based osmium-191/iridium-191m ...
The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) on hemodynamics and leftventricular (LV) function, and to examine the value of ATP radionuclide-ventriculography (RNVG) for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) in comparison with standard exercise RNVG. Thirty-eight consecutive patients with suspected CAD underwent ATP (0.18 mg/Kg/min) RNVG and symptom-limited exercise RNVG. Coronary angiography revealed 27 patients with CAD (Group S) and 11 without CAD (Group N). In group S, exercise induced an increase in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), and a decrease in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). In contrast, ATP infusion caused LVESV to decrease in both groups, improving LVEF. Only 14 of 39 segments whose wall motion was deteriorated by exercise showed worsening regional wall motion during ATP infusion. The sensitivity and specificity of ATP RNVG for detecting CAD were 22. 2% and ...
Abnormalities of dystrophin, the sarcoglycans, and laminin alpha2 are responsible for a subset of the muscular dystrophies. In this study we aim to characterise the nature and frequency of abnormalities...Full Text Available
This study presents a novel approach to modeling the electrocardiogram (ECG): the Gaussian pulse decomposition. Constituent waves of the ECG are decomposed into and represented by Gaussian pulses using an iterative algorithm: the chip away decomposition (ChAD) algorithm. At each iteration, a nonlinear minimization method is used to fit a portion of the ECG waveform with a single Gaussian pulse, which is then subtracted from the ECG waveform. The process iterates on the resulting residual waveform until the normalized mean square error is below an acceptable level. Three different minimization methods were compared for their applicability to the ChAD algorithm; the Nelder-Mead simplex method was found to be more noise-tolerant than the Newton-Raphson method or the steepest descent method. Using morphologically different ECG waveforms from the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, it was demonstrated that the ChAD algorithm is capable of modeling not only normal beats, but also ...
Ewing's sarcoma classically presents as a hot spot on bone scan as a result of increased vascularity of the tumor and new bone formation. Purpose We report and analyze an uncommon pattern of a 'cold' lesion in Ewing's sarcoma on bone scan and its pathophysiologic significance. Case report A 15-year-old boy complaining of thigh pain. CT scan evoked Ewing's sarcoma or osteitis. MRI evoked chronic osteitis. Scintigraphy showed a fairly intense and heterogeneous uptake on the femoral lesion and no abnormal uptake elsewhere. Biopsy showed none pathologic pattern. Three months later, a second biopsy concluded to Ewing's sarcoma. Bone scan showed a larger lesion with peripheral intense uptake centered by enlarged 'cold' area in the left femoral diaphysis and no evident bone metastasis. The patient underwent chemotherapy and surgery. Three months later, bone scan showed extensive skeletal metastasis. Conclusion Ewing's sarcoma appears usually as an ...
We examined the abnormalities of regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) without comorbidity using statistical parametric mapping(SPM) method. We used the patients with not compatible to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria of ADHD and normal rCBF pattern in visual analysis as normal control children. Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT was performed on 75 patients (M:F=64:11, 10.0{+-}2.5y) with the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria of ADHD and 13 normal control children (M:F=9:4, 10.3{+-}4.1y). Using SPM method, we compared patient group's SPECT images with those of 13 control subjects and measured the extent of the area with significant hypoperfusion(p<0.01) in predefined 34 cerebral regions. Only on area of left temporal lobe showed significant hypoperfusion in ADHD patients without comorbidity (n=75) compared with control subjects(n=13). (n=75, p<0.01, extent threshold=16). rCBF of ...
Patients with heterotaxy syndrome often have complex cardiac and extracardiac anomalies requiring further detailed diagnostic evaluation. They often present severe cardiac failure early in life. Newer radiological modalities in the form of spiral computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional reconstruction of spiral CT allow clear definition of the anatomy of these anomalies. A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with polysplenia and multiple anomalies in an abdominal ultrasonography (US) during a control medical examination due to a trivial dietary mistake. She was then referred to our institution for further examination of these anomalies and an additional thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) examination. The patient was totally asymptomatic at the time of admission. There was no significant past history and no abnormal laboratory data. We performed abdominal, pelvic and thoracic CT examinations using Somatom Siemens Emotion scanner. Non-enhanced sections were ...
Current multi-scale computational models of ventricular electromechanics describe the full process of cardiac contraction on both the micro- and macro- scales including: the depolarization of cardiac cells, the release of calcium from intracellular stores, tension generation by cardiac myofilaments, and mechanical contraction of the whole heart. Such models are used to reveal basic mechanisms of cardiac contraction as well as the mechanisms of cardiac dysfunction in disease conditions. In this paper, we present a methodology to construct finite element electromechanical models of ventricular contraction with anatomically accurate ventricular geometry based on magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of the heart. The electromechanical model couples detailed repres...
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. CHF is marked by atrial and ventricular enlargement and reduced cardiac contractility, as well as an association...Full Text Available
We report for the first time a case of a 54 years old man with a fatal motorcycle accident due to an external bleeding compression of left internal mammary artery graft to the left anterior descending...Full Text Available
Introduction: The QT interval of the electrocardiogram (ECG) reflects the duration of ventricular depolarization and repolarization. A drug-induced prolongation of ventricular repolarization, and thereby QT prolongation, is recognized to be a marker for an enhanced risk for ventricular arrhythmia. The assessment of a drug's effect on the QT interval has therefore become routine within pharmaceutical research and development. However, the heart rate has a major influence on the QT interval; the QT interval shortens as heart rate increases such that one needs to account for such heart rate-dependent changes when evaluating possible drug-induced effects on the QT interval. The relationship between the QT interval and heart rate can be modeled mathematically and using this function a so-called...
Background: Ventricular repolarization (VR) is strongly influenced by heart rate (HR) and autonomic nervous activity, both of which also are important for arrhythmogenesis. Their relative influence on VR is difficult to separate, but might be crucial for understanding while some but not other individuals are at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias at a certain HR. This study was therefore designed to assess the -pure- effect of HR increase by atrial pacing on the ventricular gradient (VG) and other vectorcardiographically (VCG) derived VR parameters during an otherwise unchanged condition. Methods: In 19 patients with structurally normal hearts, a protocol with stepwise increased atrial pacing was performed after successful arrhythmia ablation. Conduction intervals were measured on averag...
This study was designed to identify abnormalities in the hepatic-arterial/portal-venous scintiangiogram (SA) in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). SA's were performed in 35 patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), 8; acute alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis (A/C), 14; and cirrhosis (C), 13. Posterior flows were done with a bolus of 10 mCi Tc-99m sulfur colloid with computer time-activity curves over the liver and left kidney. Curves were analyzed for per cent of hepatic arterial (HA) and portal venous contribution using the slope ratio method. Hepatic arterialization was estimated from the angle of the HA component of the curve. Reversal of the relative contribution of the hepatic and portal components of total flow were seen in all groups. Although quite severe in AH, the degree of reversal could not be used to differentiate among the groups. The average HA angle in AAH was 48.3 +- 8.1, in A/C 41.5 +- 10.6, and in C 30.4 +- ...
This study was designed to identify abnormalities in the hepatic-arterial/portal-venous scintiangiogram (SA) in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). SA's were performed in 35 patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), 8; acute alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis (A/C), 14; and cirrhosis (C), 13. Posterior flows were done with a bolus of 10 mCi Tc-99m sulfur colloid with computer time-activity curves over the liver and left kidney. Curves were analyzed for per cent of hepatic arterial (HA) and portal venous contribution using the slope ratio method. Hepatic arterialization was estimated from the angle of the HA component of the curve. Reversal of the relative contribution of the hepatic and portal components of total flow were seen in all groups. Although quite severe in AH, the degree of reversal could not be used to differentiate among the groups. The average HA angle in AAH was 48.3 +- 8.1, in A/C 41.5 +- 10.6, and in C 30.4 +- 12.1. In ...
Conventional Radiography, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) hardcopy and CRT images were evaluated about the detectability of pulmonary nodule using the chest phantom. Conventional and digitized chest radiographs (FCR) were used, including 45 normal cases and 45 abnormal cases with a variety pulmonary nodule. Observer performance tests were conducted to compare the effects on diagnostic accuracy of Conventional Radiography, FCR hardcopy and CRT images, and diagnostic accuracy was determined with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. ROC study was performed in which six radiologists were asked to locate nodule on three modalities. Two CRT monitors were used to observed CRT images. The left side CRT monitor was divided into two parts and displayed two images which were done as same image processing as FCR hardcopy. The right side CRT monitor was divided into four parts and displayed four images as a subsidiary diagnosis. The upper two ...
Conventional Radiography, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) hardcopy and CRT images were evaluated about the detectability of pulmonary nodule using the chest phantom. Conventional and digitized chest radiographs (FCR) were used, including 45 normal cases and 45 abnormal cases with a variety pulmonary nodule. Observer performance tests were conducted to compare the effects on diagnostic accuracy of Conventional Radiography, FCR hardcopy and CRT images, and diagnostic accuracy was determined with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. ROC study was performed in which six radiologists were asked to locate nodule on three modalities. Two CRT monitors were used to observed CRT images. The left side CRT monitor was divided into two parts and displayed two images which were done as same image processing as FCR hardcopy. The right side CRT monitor was divided into four parts and displayed four images as a subsidiary diagnosis. The upper two ...
The frequency of peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) ranges from 20 to 40%. This can be either primary or secondary to the surgical intervention. The influence of resulting lung perfusion alterations on the life quality of patients is difficult to predict. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the diagnostic procedures in this group of patients, with particular focus on lung perfusion scintigraphy. This study comprised 104 patients who underwent repair of TOF at ages from 5 months to 25 years. The patients have been followed up for from 4.2 to 25 years. On the basis of chest X-ray peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis was suspected in 11 patients, in 12 on the basis of echocardiography examination. Lung perfusion scintigraphy has been performed on 87 patients. The disturbances in lung perfusion (mostly in the left lung) were show by means of lung perfusion scintigraphy in 43 (49%) of ...
The authors assess the role of Computed Topography in the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma (MM) and investigate if Computed Tomography findings can influence the clinical approach, prognosis and treatment. 273 multiple myeloma patients submitted to Computed Tomography June 1994, to December, 1996. The patients were 143 men and 130 women (mean age: 65 years): 143 were stage I, 38 stage II and 92 stage III according to Durie and Salomon's clinical classification. All patients were submitted to blood tests, spinal radiography and Computed Tomography, the latter with serial 5-mm scans on several vertebral bodies. Computed Tomography despicted vertebral arch and process involvement in 3 cases with the vertebral pedicle sign. Moreover, Computed Tomography proved superior to radiography in showing the spread of myelomatous masses into the soft tissues in a case with solitary permeative lesion in the left public bone, which facilitated subsequent biopsy. As for ...
Dominant mutations in sarcomere protein genes cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited human disorder with increased ventricular wall thickness, myocyte hypertrophy, and disarray. To understand...Full Text Available
Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a well-known and rather common cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography are the definitive imaging methods...Full Text Available
The role of the ventricular ependyma in the elaboration of cerebrospinal fluid under resting conditions is well documented. In an attempt to elucidate its response to cerebrospinal fluid leakage, male...Full Text Available
AimsA better understanding of the ionic mechanisms for cardiac automaticity can lead to better strategies for engineering bio-artificial pacemakers. Here, we attempted to better...Full Text Available
A 6-year-old female, intact boxer presented with acute respiratory distress due to a mass in the left cranial thorax. The tumor, which originated in the left ...Full Text Available
A 65-year-old man suffering from ascending aorta aneurysm and atherosclerotic three vessel disease without left main involvement underwent aortic root replacement with coronary ostia reimplantation...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: To assess the motor function of the left, supposedly unaffected, limbs of patients with an acute right vascular hemiplegia. METHODS: Fifteen patients with an acute vascular right hemiplegia...Full Text Available
An 82-year-old female, with left femoral neck fracture was scheduled for left hip hemiarthroplasty, under spinal anaesthesia. She had been suffering from diabetes, hypertension, lung cancer and was...Full Text Available
Proposals that adaptation with left-shifting prisms induces neglect-like symptoms in normal individuals rely on a dissociation between the post-adaptation performance of individuals trained...Full Text Available
... with the additional US funds supporting Islamic ... the FATA and NWFP, keeping Pakistan's government and ... Without these madrassas, the TTP is left ...
PurposeSatisfaction of search (SOS) occurs when an abnormality is missed because another abnormality has been detected. This research studied whether the severity...Full Text Available
Background and objectives: Management of incidental renal artery and kidney abnormalities in patients undergoing computed tomography scans is a clinical challenge because their frequency in healthy...Full Text Available
PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of ophthalmic abnormalities in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome) and T-cell lymphoma involving the skin and...Full Text Available
Sixty-six patients in whom the macula was detached before surgery were observed for at least 1 year after retinal reattachment. Macular abnormalities were recognised clinically in most patients with...Full Text Available
The aim of the study was to describe a patient with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), showing Stargardt-like retinal abnormalities, who underwent treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab for subfoveal...Full Text Available
Details of ion transporting abnormalities in cystic fibrosis airway epithelium are now known. The central hypothesis, that excessive drying of the airway surfaces is a primary event that leads to all...Full Text Available
The abnormal megakaryocytopoiesis associated with idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) plays a role in its pathogenesis. Because mice with defective expression of transcription factor GATA-1 (GATA-1low...Full Text Available
BackgroundPregnancies complicated by abnormal umbilical artery Doppler blood flow patterns often result in the baby being born both preterm and growth-restricted. These babies are...Full Text Available
A deep band of #left brace#311#right brace# defects was created 520 nm below the silicon surface with a 350 keV Si implant followed by a cluster-forming rapid thermal anneal (800 C, 1000 s). Chemical etching was used to vary the depth to the surface of the #left brace#311#right brace#-defect band. Afterwards, the defect dissolution was investigated at 750 C for different times. Varying the depth in this fashion assures that only the depth and no other feature of the cluster distribution is changed. The #left brace#311#right brace# defects were analyzed by plan-view, transmission electron microscopy. We show that the dissolution time of the #left brace#311#right brace#-defect band varies linearly with depth, confirming that surface recombination controls the dissolution and is consistent with analogous observations of transient enhanced diffusion.
Dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is associated with various pathological conditions and arrhythmogenesis of the heart. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an acute increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) on the electrophysiology of ventricular myocytes by mimicking intracellular Ca2+ overload. The [Ca2+]i was clamped to either a controlled (65?100 nmol L?1) or increased (1 ?mol L?1) level. The transmembrane action potentials and ionic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp techniques. We found that the acute increase in [Ca2+]i shortened the action potential duration, reduced the action potential amplitude, maximum depolarization velocity and resting membrane potential, caused delayed after-depolarizations (DADs), and tri...
Because of the superior tissue contrast, high spatial resolution, and multiplanar capabilities, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict fetal brain pathologies with high accuracy. Pathological fetal brain development may result from malformations or acquired conditions. Differentiation of these etiologies is important with respect to managing the actual pregnancy or counseling future pregnancies. As a widened ventricular system is a common hallmark of both maldevelopment and acquired conditions, it may cause problems in the differential diagnosis. Fetal MRI can provide detailed morphological information, which allows refinement of the diagnosis of ventricular enlargement in a large number of cases. Systematic work-up of morphological details that may be recognized on MR images provides an approach for achieving a correct diagnosis in cases of ventricle enlargement. (orig.)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In spite of its widespread clinical application, there is little information on the cellular cardiac effects of the antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone in larger experimental animals. In the present study therefore concentration-dependent effects of rosiglitazone on action potential morphology and the underlying ion currents were studied in dog hearts. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Standard microelectrode techniques, conventional whole cell patch clamp and action potential voltage clamp techniques were applied in enzymatically dispersed ventricular cells from dog hearts. KEY RESULTS At concentrations -10-M rosiglitazone decreased the amplitude of phase-1 repolarization, reduced the maximum velocity of depolarization and caused depression of the plateau potential. These effects d...
1. We studied the effects of flash photolysis on the novel enantiomeric cardiac inotropes EMD 57033 (a calcium sensitizer) and EMD 57439 (a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor) in rat isolated ventricular...Full Text Available
Computed tomography was performed on 5 patients with chronic cerebral paragonimiasis. CT showed solitary or multiple, amorphous, round, or oval calcifications, and ventricular enlargement in all 5 cases. A large low-density area is also found in 4 of the 5 cases. These CT findings are compatible with previously reported findings of simple X-ray films of the skull, pneumoencephalography, and pathological studies. (author).
Sep 1, 2011 ... Recent wildfires in interior Alaska have left substantial volumes of burned timber, potentially usable for biomass energy. Motivated,in part, by ...
PurposeHistorically, a chest tube or drain has been left following a thoracic operation to allow drainage of air or fluid in the postoperative period. However, in...Full Text Available
the southern Arabian Gulf region left its signature on the heterogeneous aerosol .... Arabian Gulf region, since large differences in ? may be caused by ...
Nutcracker phenomenon refers to compression of the left renal vein, most commonly between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery, with impaired blood outflow often accompanied by distention...Full Text Available
A study is made into textures of deformation and primary recrystallization forming in a #beta#-titanium alloy doped with hydrogen in amounts from 0.04 to 0.55 mass. %, on cold rolling with a 70%-reduction and dehydrogenating annealing at 860 deg C. It is shown that a volume fraction of recrystallization texture components is determined by the nature of corresponding deformation texture, in its turn, depending on hydrogen concentration in the alloy. At low hydrogen contents the main texture components are #left brace#111#right brace# and #left brace#001#right brace#. A hydrogen content increase up to 0.09 - 0.18 mass. % results in formation of dominant components of #left brace#111#right brace# and #left brace#112#right brace#
... in MEDCAP "the level of interface was left up ... of these patients had peripheral nerve injuries, head ... with poorly constructed prosthesis or waiting for ...
The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the role of CT in identifying other morphological signs of met static lymph node involvement from non small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. This is done to improve N staging, a critical step in this disease. In fact, since diameter is the only criterion used to distinguish normal form abnormal lymph nodes, mediastinal CT only has 80% diagnostic accuracy. 137 patients with known or suspected lung cancer were examined with Helical CT during early and late arterial phases (2 min. delay, 3 mm thickness, 5 mm inter slice gap) to depict node characteristics. Mediastinal lymph nodes, located according to the American Thoracic Society mapping, were considered normal when they were not visible or, if visible, less than 1 cm in diameter and of homogeneous density; lymph nodes over 1 cm in diameter and homogenous density were considered reactive. A lymph node was considered metastatic when, independent of size, the following signs ...
Obesity is characterized by the abnormal or excessive deposition of fat in the adipose tissue. Its consequences go far beyond adverse metabolic effects on health, causing an increase in oxidative stress,...Full Text Available
Many mutations associated with retinal degeneration lead to the production of misfolded proteins by cells of the retina. Emerging evidence suggests that these abnormal proteins cause cell death...Full Text Available
In recent years increasing evidence is pointing toward white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. The present paper will provide an overview over the role of...Full Text Available
... The AAT Z mutation involves a single amino acid substitution (glutamine for lysine) at position 342, resulting in abnormal folding and polymerization of the ...
Idiopathic achalasia is a primary esophageal motor disorder characterized by esophageal aperistalsis and abnormal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in response to deglutition. It is a rare...Full Text Available
Several scientists have proposed that DNA repair deficiencies and the induction of a mutator phenotype are responsible for the generation of multiple mutagenic alterations in cancer cells. I propose...Full Text Available
In light of the recent measurements of the top quark forward-backward asymmetry at the Fermilab Tevatron experiment, which in some regions of the parameter space shows a discrepancy of 3$\\sigma$ compared to the SM prediction, we analyze top quark pair production and asymmetry in the context of left-right models both at the Tevatron and LHC. We use the minimal manifest left-right model and an asymmetric left-right model where gauge couplings and flavor mixing in the right-handed sector are allowed to differ from those in the left-handed sector. We explore the consequences of including effects from $W_R$ and $Z_R$ gauge bosons, consistent with phenomenological constraints from meson mixing and new bounds from ATLAS and CMS, for the $t \\bar{t}$ cross section, invariant mass distribution and forward-backward asymmetry at the Tevatron, and predict their values at the LHC. We show that, varying the ...
The multiplanar neurosonographic examination of the fetus enables superb visualization of brain anatomy during pregnancy. The examination may be performed using a transvaginal or a transfundal approach and it is indicated in patients at high risk for CNS anomalies or in those with a suspicious finding during a routine examination. The purpose of this paper is to present a description of the normal brain and of abnormal findings usually diagnosed late in pregnancy, including malformations of cortical development, infratentorial anomalies, and prenatal insults.
Ultrasound examinations for foetal brain abnormalities have been a part of the routine antenatal screening programme in the UK for many years. In utero brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now being used increasingly successfully to clarify abnormal ultrasound findings, often resulting in a change of diagnosis or treatment plan. Interpretation requires an understanding of foetal brain development, malformations and acquired diseases. In this paper we will outline the technique of foetal MRI, relevant aspects of brain development and provide illustrated examples of foetal brain pathology.
AimsThe prevalence and importance of liver function test (LFT) abnormalities in a large contemporary cohort of heart failure patients have not been systematically evaluated.Full Text Available
Computed tomographic findings in developmental brain anomalies are more easily classified when the system used is based on embryogenesis related to morphology. Analysis of computed tomographic findings in a series of 154 patients with brain anomalies (Chiari malformation not included) revealed that specific examples of abnormalities occurring in major stages of brain development may be recognized by computed tomography. This paper deals with a group of patients with abnormalities that reflect a disturbance in neuronal migration. (orig.).
With an objective to perform three-dimensional analysis with high accuracy in using the electromagnetic exploration method, characteristics in electromagnetic response were analyzed, and conditions for acquiring necessary data were discussed. The discussion defined a parameter called `response anomaly` which uses response from media to standardize response only from substances with abnormal resistivity. The receivers were located uniformly on the same plane, and the response anomaly was derived from electromagnetic response from each of the three horizontal and vertical components at each receiving point, which was expressed as a contour map. The parameter for the abnormal body was consisted of location and resistivity contrast with media. Discussions using the contour map were given on the response when these factors for the parameter were varied. As a result, it was found that the response anomaly appears in the form that reflects the ...
Dynamic quantitative bone scintigraphy was performed on 31 men with prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as 2 weeks, 2 and 6 months postoperatively. After injection of technetium methylene diphosphonate Tc 99m ("9"9"mTc-MDP) the count rate was recorded as serial images over the lower thoracic and all the lumbar vertebrae from 1 to 240 min post-injection. Thirteen men had normal bone scintigrams with no changes in "9"9"mTc-MDP content at the four different investigation times. Eighteen men had skeletal metastases. Throughout the study half of the abnormal vertebrae in these patients showed an abnormal count rate after only 6 min post-injection. After 1 h it was possible in almost all abnormal vertebrae to predict abnormal bone uptake. In response to therapy a 'flare phenomenon' with an increase in count rate was seen 2 weeks after orchiectomy followed by a decrease 2 months postoperatively in ...
We measured the volume of the supratentorial ventricles in 39 consecutive children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and associated hydrocephalus, using a stereological method based on the Cavalieri theorem of systematic sampling. We distinguished the following groups: newborns before and after cerebrospinal fluid shunting (14), a somewhat larger group of newborns with an untreated MMC-associated hydrocephalus (25) and a group of shunted children at a mean age of 1.5 years (28). We paid special attention to the shape of the lateral ventricles, looking separately at the anterior and posterior halves. The measurements were compared with a healthy control group (10) and with children with hydrocephalus unrelated to MMC (15). The average volume ratio of the posterior to the anterior half of the lateral ventricles was 1.05 #+-# 0.39 in non-hydrocephalic children, 1.11 #+-# 0.55 in untreated hydrocephalic children without MMC, and 2.15 #+-# 0.65 in MMC-associated hydrocephalus prior to shunting. ...
The effect of 50 Hz and 60 Hz (frequencies of current distribution) and 20 kHz to 50 kHz (frequencies of induction cooktop) magnetic interference on implanted pacemakers have been assessed with the present generation of device technology. Sixty patients implanted in 1998 and 1999 with dual chamber pacemakers from 9 different manufacturers were monitored with telemetry while passing through, and standing between a system of two coils. They generated a 50 Hz or a 60 Hz magnetic field at 50 microT. Then, patients used a cooktop at different power. The recordings were made with the standard setting of "medically correct" sensing parameters chosen for the patients. Then pacemakers were reprogrammed to the unipolar mode, with the highest atrial (A) and ventricular (V) sensitivity that did not induce muscular inhibition while moving. Between each exposure (50 Hz, 60 Hz or 20 kHz to 50 kHz), the pacemaker programmation was controlled. At the end of the tests, pacemakers ...
Abstract Metastases to the thyroid gland diagnosed by means of fine needle cytology or by excision have been reported in the literature. To our knowledge, metastatic neoplasms to the parathyroid gland have never been described up to now. In this article, we introduce a rare case of metastatic breast carcinoma to a parathyroid adenoma in a 56-year-old woman, which clinically simulated a left thyroid nodule. The patient had a history of left breast carcinoma; the recent discovery of a palpable mass in the left thyroid area had elicited fine needle cytology sampling for its diagnostic evaluation. The obtained cytopathological sample was cellular but limited to a single Diff-Quik-stained smear; hence, no ancillary studies could be entertained. A cytopathological diagnosis of positive for malig...
In this paper we have studied the relation between the intutionistic fuzzy left (respectively right) ideals of {\\Gamma}-semiring and that of operator semiring. Thereafter, we have established that the Lattices of all intutionistic fuzzy left (respectively right) ideal of {\\Gamma}-semiring is equivalent to that of Left operator semiring. We proved that Then there exist an inclusion preserving bijection ({\\mu}_{A,}\\u{psion}_{A})$\\rightarrow$({\\mu}_{B}^{+'},\\u{psion}_{B}^{+'}) between the lattices of all intuitionistic fuzzy right ideals (respectively intuitionistic fuzzy ideals) of S and the lattices of all intuitionistic fuzzy right ideals (respectively intuitionistic fuzzy ideals) of L. Where ({\\mu}_{A},\\u{psion}_{A}) is an intuitionistic fuzzy right (respectively intuitionistic fuzzy ideals) ideal of S. Also we have established few properties relating the k-ideals and h-ideals of {\\Gamma}-semiring with that of ...
The evolution of intergranular lattice strains in a textured, forged bar (Bar) sample of the #alpha# - #beta# titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V has been characterised using in situ X-ray diffraction. A two-phase elastic-plastic self-consistent (EPSC) model has been developed to rationalise the results. Of the orientations analysed, it is found that the #left brace#2 0 0#right brace# #beta# orientation is the most compliant and that load partitions to this orientation during plasticity. The results from the bar material have then been used to predict the response of unidirectionally rolled plate (UD) Ti-6Al-4V. It is predicted that the residual lattice strains in the #left brace#101-bar0#right brace# and #left brace#112-bar0#right brace# orientations will be significantly higher in the UD material.
BackgroundMore than 11 million Americans live with chronic lung disease; in search for an alternative to donor organs, we attempted to regenerate lungs based on perfusion decellularized lung scaffolds that can be transplanted similar to a donor organ. MethodsCadaveric rat lungs were decellularized by detergent perfusion. Resulting scaffolds were mounted in bioreactors and seeded with endothelial and fetal lung cells. Biomimetic organ culture was maintained for 7 days. Resulting bioartificial left lungs were transplanted in orthotopic position after left pneumonectomy in rats. Cadaveric left lung transplants and pneumonectomies served as controls. Blood gas analyses, compliance testing, and fluoroscopies were performed on postoperative days 1, 7, and 14. Lungs were removed for final analysi...
Ion implantation is used at several critical stages of Si integrated circuit manufacturing. The authors show how #left brace#311#right brace# defects arising after implantation are responsible for both enhanced dopant diffusion during annealing, and stable dislocations post-anneal. They observe #left brace#311#right brace# defects in the earliest stages of an anneal. They subsequently undergo rapid Ostwald ripening and evaporation. At low implant doses evaporation dominates, and they can quantitatively relate the interstitials emitted from these defects to the transient enhancement in diffusivity of dopants such as B and P. At higher doses Ostwald ripening is significant, and they observe the defects to undergo a series of unfaulting reactions to form both Frank loops and perfect dislocations. They demonstrate the ability to control both diffusion and dislocations by the addition of small amounts of carbon impurities.
Purpose: Cardiomyopathy is one of the major complications of {beta} thalassaemia major as a result of transfusion iron overload. The aim of our study is to evaluate with MR if there is any difference of iron deposition signal intensity (SI) or distribution between non-cardiopatic and cardiopatic thalassaemic patients in order to establish if there is a relationship between cardiopathy and iron deposition. Materials and methods: We studied 20 patients affected by {beta} thalassaemia major, of whom 10 cardiopatic and 10 non-cardiopatic, and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Serum ferritin and leftventricular ejection fraction were calculated in thalassaemic patients. All patients were examinated using a 1.5 MR unit with ECG-gated GE cine-MR T2*-weighted, SE T1-weighted and GE T2*-weighted sequences. In all cases, using an adequate ROI, the myocardial and skeletal muscle signal intensity (SI), the myocardial/skeletal muscle signal intensity ...
Returns singular values (sigma), ;left field (x) vectors, ..... n) do begin point=ngbrs(i) if (point+tau le nt-1) then begin if (x(point+tau,0) ne q) then .... ;FILTER ;applies a gaussian filter in the frequency domain function filter, x ...
A ten week old girl who had previously undergone a palliative procedure for the hypoplastic left heart syndrome had unrelieved aortic coarctation that did not respond to standard balloon dilatation....Full Text Available
Chronic heart failure (HF) is a cardiovascular disease of cardinal importance because of several factors: a) an increasing occurrence due to the aging of the population, primary and secondary prevention...Full Text Available
Assembly of infectious adenovirus particles requires seven functionally redundant elements at the left end of the genome, termed A repeats, that direct packaging of the DNA. Previous studies revealed...Full Text Available
As part of a combined study of the responses of the mouse adrenal gland and kidney to X-irradiation, the weight of adrenal glands, the relative volumes of the cortex and medulla and the aldosterone output were measured at predetermined times after irradiation of the left organs only.
The affinity and temporal course of functional fields in middle and posterior superior temporal cortex for the categorization of complex sounds was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging...Full Text Available
BackgroundA legacy of colonial rule coupled with a devastating 16-year civil war through 1992 left Mozambique economically impoverished just as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)...Full Text Available
A 4.5-year-old Holstein-Friesian cow underwent surgery because of left abomasal displacement. Intra-operative palpation of the pyloric region revealed a phytobezoar. The abomasum containing the phytobezoar...Full Text Available
A 52-year-old man with left indirect groin hernia was admitted for elective inguinal repair using the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach. After an uneventful intubation, TEP repair of the hernia...Full Text Available
We present a rare case of pagetoid reticulosis arising in a five year old white boy. He had a history of a large chronic erythematous, scaly patch on his left buttock that had shown intermittent...Full Text Available
Background:An association has been reported between the dominant nostril through which we breathe and the cerebral hemisphere found to be active.Aims:To...Full Text Available
A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of right lateroabdominal pain. He was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer, and then developed multiple brain embolic infarctions 7...Full Text Available
A 72-year-old male presented with a large ulceroproliferative lesion over left gluteal region. After histopathological confirmation of squamous cell carcinoma, the lesion was excised with wide margins....Full Text Available
We report a case of 38-year-old male, who presented with a large pulsatile swelling on the left side of the anterior chest wall of 4 months’ duration with a gradual increase in size. He gave...Full Text Available
... the nest with young when the female left (male meadow voles were in the nest with young too infrequently ... prairie voles, whereas the number of checks that male meadow voles were in the nest increased s...
A 57-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease and placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator presented at our emergency room with an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction....Full Text Available
Physicists grouped around a screen in the LEP control room at the strat-up of LEP on 14 July 1989. The emotion of the moment is clear. Carlo Rubbia, Director-General of CERN at the time, is in the centre and on his left, Herwig Schopper, former Director-General of the Organization.
1. The effects of stimulation of atrial receptors on hypothalamic neurosecretory cells were investigated in anaesthetized dogs and cats. Atrial receptors were activated by stretching the left and the...Full Text Available
We describe a rare case of a primary intracranial meningeal hemangiopericytoma (HPC) with late metastasis to the cervical spine. A 36-year-old woman had a left occipital lesion that was histopathologically...Full Text Available
BackgroundEpidemiological studies showed that physical exercise, specifically moderate lifelong training, is protective against cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Most experimental...Full Text Available
A powerlifting athlete ruptured his left tendon of the pectoralis major muscle while attempting to lift 160 kg in a Brazilian bench press championship. The injury seemed to occur in the concentric...Full Text Available
Gradual occlusion (O) of the swine left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) with an ameroid occluder results in complete O within 3 weeks, collateral vessel development, and compensatory hypertrophy....Full Text Available
ObjectivesWe undertook a meta-analysis to assess outcomes for drug-eluting (DES) and bare metal stents (BMS) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected...Full Text Available
BackgroundThough long known to affect smooth muscle biology, recent studies indicate that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is also expressed in myocardium. Recognizing that the regulation...Full Text Available
The conformation of d (CG)n oligomers with n = 2,3 has been studied in aqueous solution in the presence of high salt concentration. A minimum n value of three is necessary to obtain a left-handed Z-helix....Full Text Available
The devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China on 12 May 2008 left thousands of survivors requiring medical care and intensive rehabilitation. In view of this great demand, the Chinese Speaking Orthopaedic...Full Text Available
A new approach for the selection of best PSS locations in multimachine power systems is proposed in this paper. Study shows that the right-eigenvector measures the activity of state variables and the left-eigenvector measures the control effect of control signals. Based on the right and left eigenvector the concept of sensitivity of PSS effect (SPE) is presented and used to identify the best PSS locations. The proposed method is used to identify the best PSS location in a 13-machine system to increase the damping of an interarea mode. The time-domain simulation results confirm that the prediction of best PSS location by SPE method is correct and accurate.
Nasal cavity volume was studied in 69 healthy volunteers (from 8 to 23 years old) by MRI. The right and left nasal cavity areas were measured on horizontal images displayed directly on the MRI console. The nasal cavity volume was obtained by integrated volume calculation. The nasal cavity volume was positively correlated with age, body height and weight up to age 16. The body height and weight reached a plateau at 16 years, but the nasal cavity volume continued to increase. There was no significant difference in the volumes of the right and left cavities. (author).
Nasal cavity volume was studied in 69 healthy volunteers (from 8 to 23 years old) by MRI. The right and left nasal cavity areas were measured on horizontal images displayed directly on the MRI console. The nasal cavity volume was obtained by integrated volume calculation. The nasal cavity volume was positively correlated with age, body height and weight up to age 16. The body height and weight reached a plateau at 16 years, but the nasal cavity volume continued to increase. There was no significant difference in the volumes of the right and left cavities. (author).
A 37-year-old military mechanic presented to our institution with a chronic history of a slowly enlarging left elbow antecubital fossa mass. There was no history of other chronic illness or trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and excisional biopsy revealed fatty villi and synovial inflammation within the left bicipitoradial bursa, consistent with lipoma arborescens. Four years later the patient presented with a 6-month history of swelling at the antecubital fossa of the opposite elbow. Diagnostic computed tomography and MRI examinations were performed. The surgical and pathologic findings confirmed the imaging diagnosis of lipoma arborescens at the right bicipitoradial bursa. (orig.)
We encountered a case of Ewing's sarcoma. The patient was a 19 year-old girl, who visited a local physician because of pain in the left scapular region, and was referred to us. Roentgenograms of her left scapula revealed an irregular moth-eaten shadow which was suspected to be a malignant bone tumor. The histological diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma was comfirmed by needle biopsy. The initial stage of treatment consisted of radiation therapy (6000 rads) and chemotherapy (VAC and ADR). At the end of the initial stage, the symptoms were improved, the size of the local lesion was reduced on the roentgenogram and there was no evidence of distant metastases. (author).
Ophthalmologic abnormalities have been described in patients with dementia, but the extent to which poor vision and treatment for visual disorders affect cognitive decline is not well defined. Linked...Full Text Available
Recessive inactivating mutations in human matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2, gelatinase A) are associated with syndromes that include abnormal facial appearance, short stature, and severe bone...Full Text Available
The metal parts of cardiac valve prostheses cause reactions in the surrounding tissues of the heart. In some dogs rather abnormal reactions were found, and were attributed to corrosion of the stainless...Full Text Available
BackgroundActivation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) within antigen presenting cells (APCs) is linked to abnormal APCs differentiation and function....Full Text Available
Purpose.The cornea is protected by apical hydrophilic transmembrane mucins and tears. In pathologic states the mucin barrier is disrupted, creating potential for meibomian lipids...Full Text Available
Six related Staphylococcus phages spontaneously produced various abnormal head and tail structures: (i) giant capsids which were tailed and apparently contained nucleic acid; (ii) regular and irregular...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn β-thalassemia, profound anemia and severe hemosiderosis cause functional and physiological abnormalities in various organ systems. In recent years, there have...Full Text Available
Abnormal fat metabolism plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study examined whether free fatty acid levels (FFAs), like insulin levels, oscillate...Full Text Available
This paper discusses the clinical application and main objective of testicular imaging. The authors present cases that represent a spectrum of the abnormalities which might be detected by testicular imaging, with special attention given to testicular torsion and the acute diseases which may mimic it clinically. Accuracy of the test is noted.
RationalePrevious research has shown that rats exposed perinatally to phencyclidine (PCP) exhibited neuroanatomical abnormalities and altered cognition. In addition...Full Text Available
Patent arterial duct (PAD) is a congenital heart abnormality defined as persistent patency in term infants older than three months. Isolated PAD is found in around 1 in 2000 full term infants. A higher...Full Text Available
The inflammatory process has direct effects on normal and abnormal wound healing. Hypertrophic scar formation is an aberrant form of wound healing and is an indication of an exaggerated function of...Full Text Available
Male transgenic mice expressing the polyomavirus middle T (PyV-MT) gene exhibited growth and developmental abnormalities in prostatic and other urogenital epithelium. Expression of PyV-MT was directed...Full Text Available
Myelination is an important process in brain development, and delays or abnormalities in this process have been associated with a number of conditions including autism, developmental delay,...Full Text Available
ER niacin combined with simvastatin provides an additional option for achieving LDL-C and non-HDL-C goals for cardiovascular prevention, with greater efficacy in those with triglyceride levels >200...Full Text Available
Obesity and metabolic syndrome result from excess calorie intake and genetic predisposition and are mechanistically linked to type II diabetes and accelerated body aging; abnormal nutrient and insulin...Full Text Available
Iron is a central element in the metabolism of normal and malignant cells. Abnormalities in iron and ferritin expression have been observed in many types of cancer. Interest in characterizing iron compounds...Full Text Available
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease in humans and is characterized by progressive cyst formation, renal enlargement, and abnormal tubular development....Full Text Available
The etiology of alopecia areata (AA), a putative autoimmune disease characterized by sudden hair loss, has remained obscure. It is not understood, how the characteristic inflammatory infiltrate that...Full Text Available
Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between postpartum administration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and cloprostenol and the occurrence of reproductive disease and reproductive...Full Text Available
Membranous dysmenorrhea is an unusual clinical entity. It is characterized by the expulsion of huge fragments of endometrium during the menses, favored by hormonal abnormality or drug intake. This report describes a case with clinical, US, and MRI findings before the expulsion. Differential diagnoses are discussed. (orig.)
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic transmission is critical for normal cortical function and is likely abnormal in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. We tested the in...Full Text Available
This book provides differential diagnostic possibilities of specific scan abnormalities in one volume for easy reference. This book is organized by organ systems and covers the central nervous system, the endocrine, skeletal, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and cardiovascular systems. The gamuts are designed to teach differential diagnosis and to assist in the actual interpretation of patient slides.
Objective:The aim of this study was to determine if there were focal cortical abnormalities in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) using neuropsychological investigations and MRI.Methods:Twenty-eight...Full Text Available
We developed mice with germline endogenous expression of oncogenic Hras to study effects on development and mechanisms of tumor initiation. They had high perinatal mortality, abnormal...Full Text Available
The performance of the Lung Imaging Fluorescence Endoscope (LIFE) system was compared with conventional bronchoscopy in 158 patients: 68 patients with invasive cancer, 42 patients with abnormal sputum...Full Text Available
A number of aberrant morphological phenotypes were noted during propagation of the Arabidopsis thaliana DNA hypomethylation mutant, ddm1, by repeated self-pollination. Onset of a spectrum of morphological...Full Text Available
Aim: To create nomograms for renal size as measured from DMSA renal studies, and to test the nomograms for their ability to separate normal from abnormal kidneys. Method: Renal length was measured from posterior oblique views and renal area from posterior views. Results from 253 patients with bilateral normal kidneys were used to create nomograms for renal size relative to patient age, body height, weight or body surface area (BSA). The nomograms enclosed 95% of the normal kidneys, thus indicating the range for 95% confidence limits, and hence the specificity. Each nomogram was then tested against 46 hypertrophied kidneys and 46 damaged kidneys. Results: The results from nomograms of renal length and renal area, compared to age, body height, body weight and BSA are presented. For each nomogram, the range is presented as a fraction of the mean value, and the number of abnormal kidneys (hypertrophied or damaged) outside the normal range is ...
CT and MRI of acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and cerebello-pontine angle present themselves with very typical findings. The imaging should be adapted to the pathology looked for and either CT or MRI should be used alone or in combination.CT, especially high resolution CT (HRCT), provides an excellent bone contrast, while MRI has a much superior soft tissue contrast. Acute inflammatory changes of the inner ear are solely depicted by contrast-enhanced MRI. HRCT excellently depicts osseous changes of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle such as chronic ossifying labyrinthitis occurring after acute labyrinthitis, otosclerotic or traumatic changes. Tumorous changes not yielding to bony changes are best delineated by MRI. Posttraumatic hemorrhage and chronic fibrotic changes within the labyrinth are depicted by MRI, only. In conclusion HRCT and MRI are excellent methods to delineate acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and ...
There are many methods to screen for abnormal amounts of proteinuria to identify patients at risk for progression of renal disease, but which method best predicts renal risk is unknown. Here, we analyzed...Full Text Available
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Fuji computed radiography (FCR) in the detection of interstitial pulmonary infiltrates, FCR life-size images at a pixel size of 0.1 mm were compared with conventional radiographs taken on the same day. Seventeen radiologists assessed the radiographs and FCR images of 56 cases, including 39 cases of various interstitial lung diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary abnormalities associated with collagen disease, sarcoidosis, multiple pulmonary metastases, diffuse panbronchiolitis and pulmonary emphysema, and 17 normal controls. All of the pulmonary abnormalities were confirmed by high resolution CT. Observer performance tests were carried out using receiver operating characteristic analysis. In 21 cases of increased pulmonary density revealed by high resolution CT, FCR was significantly superior to conventional radiographs in the detection of reticular or linear shadows. In 11 cases of subtle ...
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Fuji computed radiography (FCR) in the detection of interstitial pulmonary infiltrates, FCR life-size images at a pixel size of 0.1 mm were compared with conventional radiographs taken on the same day. Seventeen radiologists assessed the radiographs and FCR images of 56 cases, including 39 cases of various interstitial lung diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary abnormalities associated with collagen disease, sarcoidosis, multiple pulmonary metastases, diffuse panbronchiolitis and pulmonary emphysema, and 17 normal controls. All of the pulmonary abnormalities were confirmed by high resolution CT. Observer performance tests were carried out using receiver operating characteristic analysis. In 21 cases of increased pulmonary density revealed by high resolution CT, FCR was significantly superior to conventional radiographs in the detection of reticular or linear shadows. In 11 cases of subtle ...
Several investigations suggested abnormalities in circadian rhythms are related to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. Recently, orphan nuclear receptor rev-erb alpha...Full Text Available
Forty children with the fetal alcohol syndrome were identified in the west of Scotland. All were growth retarded and had abnormal facial features, and all those who were tested were found to have neurological...Full Text Available
Twenty-four patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are described, fourteen with Staph. aureus and ten with other organisms. Despite the acute nature of the infection, ten of the fourteen with Staph....Full Text Available
Observations made during biochemical and toxicological studies of the housefly, in which the WHO standard reference (SR) strain was used as a standard, indicated that this strain differs from other...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe default mode network (DMN) is a set of brain regions that exhibit synchronized low frequency oscillations at resting-state, and is believed to be relevant to attention...Full Text Available
Examination and assessment of 140 liveborn and stillborn infants referred within two weeks of birth for chromosome analysis showed that 48 had Down's syndrome, 12 other chromosome abnormalities, 17...Full Text Available
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are leading causes of morbidity across all populations, with heritability estimates of ∼80% indicating a substantial genetic component. Population genetics...Full Text Available
Post-mortem magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is of increasing interest not only as an alternative to autopsy but as a research tool to aid the interpretation and diagnosis of in utero MR images. The information from the post-mortem MR has allowed the development of imaging sequences applicable to in utero imaging and neonatal imaging. It has established brain development during gestation and has provided data on this to which in utero MR can be compared. The detail available from the post-mortem images is such that brain development can be studied in a non-invasive manner, a permanent record on the normal and abnormal areas is available and a greater understanding of developmental abnormalities is possible.
An LPP ignition timing control is described for an internal combustion engine including a combustion chamber, means effective to ignite a combustible charge within the combustion chamber and power output apparatus including a rotating crankshaft driven in response to the expansion of the combustible charge following the ignition thereof and having a predefined TDC rotational reference position, the engine being of the type having a normal combustion mode characterized by combustion pressure peaks compatible with closed loop LPP ignition timing control and an abnormal combustion mode which may not be so compatible.
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of central vein stenosis and occlusion following upper extremity placement of peripherally inserted central venous catheters(PICCs) and venous ports. One hundred fifty-four patients who underwent venography of the ipsilateral central veins prior to initial and subsequent venous access device insertion were retrospectively identified. All follow-up venograms were interpreted at the time of catheter placement by one interventional radiologist over a 5-year period and compared to the findings on initial venography. For patients with central vein abnormalities, hospital and home infusion service records and radiology reports were reviewed to determine catheter dwelltime and potential alternative etiologies of central vein stenosis or occlusion. The effect of catheter caliber and dwell time on development of central vein abnormalities was evaluated. Venography performed prior to initial ...
The method, use and results of computer-aided diagnosis of bone tumours and tumour-like skeletal abnormalities in childhood are described. One hundred and twentyone histologically verified cases were analysed and subjected to computer-aided diagnosis. Statistical methods were used, resulting in an accuracy of 96.7% and 91.7% respectively. In order to obtain additional confirmation of the diagnosis, a so-called growth rate was calculated by the computer. This proved to be a reliable criterion for evaluating the biological behaviour of tumours, irrespective of the histological diagnosis. The reasons for misdiagnosis were discussed. Attention is drawn to the importance of an accurate analysis of the radiographs and its input into the computer.
Marburg virus belongs to the genus Marburgvirus in the family Filoviridae and causes a severe hemorrhagic fever, known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF), in both humans and nonhuman primates. Similar to the more widely known Ebola hemorrhagic fever, MHF is characterized by systemic viral replication, immunosuppression and abnormal inflammatory responses. These pathological features of the disease contribute to a number of systemic dysfunctions including hemorrhages, edema, coagulation abnormalities and, ultimately, multiorgan failure and shock, often resulting in death. A detailed understanding of the pathological processes that lead to this devastating disease remains elusive, a fact that contributes to the lack of licensed vaccines or effective therapeutics. This article will review the...
We report the case of a 22-year-old man with Ewing's sarcoma who attained a complete remission (CR) after combination radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Secondary acute lymphoblastic leukemia with multiple cytogenetic abnormalities involving chromosome 5 and 7 developed 16 years later. The patient underwent induction chemotherapy and entered a CR. Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from a matched sibling was performed successfully and he is in complete remission of both ALL and Ewing's sarcoma. (Copyright (c) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. All rights reserved.)
Wolsong 2, 3, and 4 are CANDU 6 pressurized heavy water nuclear power plants, each with a gross electrical output of 715 MW(e). The plants were constructed in the Republic of Korea during the 1990s. The three Wolsong units are based on the previous CANDU Wolsong Unit 1, declared in service in 1983. All four units are presently in commercial service. The Wolsong abnormal operating manuals were developed in a cooperative effort between Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Korea Power Engineering Company staff, and Korea Electric Power Corporation. The role of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited in performing risk assessment studies and supporting CANDU stations for the preparation of emergency operating procedures has greatly benefited the Wolsong abnormal operating manual program. Korea Electric Power Corporation provided training and supervision, Korea Power Engineering Company Inc. prepared the documentation, and Korea Electric Power Corporation ...
In this review, we demonstrate the developmental appearance, structural features, and reorganization of transient cerebral zones and structures in the human fetal brain using a correlative histological and MRI analysis. The analysis of postmortem aldehyde-fixed specimens (age range: 10 postovulatory weeks to term) revealed that, at 10 postovulatory weeks, the cerebral wall already has a trilaminar appearance and consists of: (1) a ventricular zone of high cell-packing density; (2) an intermediate zone; (3) the cortical plate (in a stage of primary consolidation) with high MRI signal intensity. The anlage of the hippocampus is present as a prominent bulging in the thin limbic telencephalon. The early fetal telencephalon impar also contains the first commissural fibers and fornix bundles in the septal area. The ganglionic eminence is clearly visible as an expanded continuation of the proliferative ventricular zone. The basal ganglia showed an ...
Lobar emphysema is an uncommon cause of respiratory distress in infancy. Congenital heart disease is seen in about 20% of the patients with infantile (congenital) lobar emphysema. We described six infants with lobar emphysema. In three of them a congenital heart disease was demonstrated by cardiac catheterization and cineangiography; two had a tetralogy of Fallot with right aortic arch and the third infant a ventricular septal defect. The pulmonary angiography showed stretching of the arteries with very poor filling of the peripheral arteries and a characteristic smaller pulmonary vein in the affected lobe. In all the six patients the pulmonary artery pressure was normal. All the patients underwent lobectomy with good results. We feel that a preoperative cardiac catheterization and cineangiography is of value in this very sick group of infants. (orig.).
Soluble TWEAK is a member of the TNF-alpha family of cytokines that has been shown to predict mortality in patients with heart failure. Pulmonary artery hypertension is a devastating disease, in which right ventricular function has been shown to be the major determinant of prognosis. In this hypothesis-generating study, we sought to evaluate the potential usefulness of sTWEAK in the prediction of disease severity in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension. We therefore conducted a retrospective analysis of sTWEAK serum levels in 95 stable patients with PAH. For all patients data on hemodynamic parameters, biomarkers and functional exercise tests were available. Compared to controls, patients with PAH showed significantly decreased levels of sTWEAK [median 314?pg/ml (interquartile range...
Two patients who developed large intracranial vessel occlusion after standard radiation therapy for brain tumor are described. This form of vascular occlusion is usually seen in patients who have previously been treated by radiotherapy for intracranial tumor who then develop a relatively acute change in neurologic status. Histology of the lesion mimics accelerated focal arteriosclerosis. The clinical and radiographic manifestations of one case were highly atypical. The vasculopathy became evident shortly after termination of radiation therapy for a fourth ventricular ependymoma, and the angiographic picture stimulated a diffuse arteritis. The second patient was more typical, with clinical symptoms developing 12 years after radiation therapy for an oligodendroglioma. Occlusion of a proximal vessel that had been included in the radiation port was demonstrated radiographically and confirmed by pathologic examination. The clinical, angiographic, and histologic features ...
Two patients who developed large intracranial vessel occlusion after standard radiation therapy for brain tumor are described. This form of vascular occlusion is usually seen in patients who have previously been treated by radiotherapy for intracranial tumor who then develop a relatively acute change in neurologic status. Histology of the lesion mimics accelerated focal arteriosclerosis. The clinical and radiographic manifestations of one case were highly atypical. The vasculopathy became evident shortly after termination of radiation therapy for a fourth ventricular ependymoma, and the angiographic picture stimulated a diffuse arteritis. The second patient was more typical, with clinical symptoms developing 12 years after radiation therapy for an oligodendroglioma. Occlusion of a proximal vessel that had been included in the radiation port was demonstrated radiographically and confirmed by pathologic examination. The clinical, angiographic, and histologic features ...
Premature Failure of a Riata Defibrillator Lead. A 63-year-old woman with a St. Jude Medical Riata 1570 right ventricular lead complained of intermittent hiccups 2 months after implant. Interrogation revealed elevated pacing threshold and diaphragmatic stimulation. Pacing and shock lead impedances remained stable. No inappropriate sensing was noted. Fluoroscopic examination of the lead revealed a thin radio-opaque wire seen between the 2 defibrillator coils away from the main body of the lead. After extraction, a tear in the insulation of the lead was noted allowing the inner wire to protrude. This case illustrates a novel mechanism of insulation failure without inappropriate sensing or impedance change.-(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 1070-1072, September 2011)
Positron emission tomography (PET) is the gold standard for non-invasive assessment of myocardial viability and allows accurate detection of coronary artery disease by assessment of myocardial perfusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high resolution anatomical images that allow accurate evaluation of ventricular structure and function together with detection of myocardial infarction. Potential hybrid PET/MR tomography may potentially facilitate the combination of information from these imaging modalities in cardiology. Furthermore, the combination of anatomical MRI images with the high sensitivity of PET for detecting molecular targets may extent the application of these modalities to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques and to the evaluation of angiogenetic or stem cell therapies, for example. This article reviews studies using MRI and PET in parallel to compare their performance in cardiac applications together with the potential benefits ...
Color Doppler flow mapping (CDFM) was performed in 47 normal women ages 18-41 mean (m) 28 to determine the normal flow phenomena across each of the 4 heart valves. The group included: 15 elite marathon runners average run (ave.) 70 miles/week, heart rate (HR) 35-54 (m 45); 14 joggers ave. 40 mi/wkm HR 40-69 (m 53); and 17 controls 0 mi/wk, HR 49-93 (m 77). 2-D echo and CDFM defined the motion of each valve, including the presence of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the ventricular inflow and outflow patterns and the presence of regurgitation.
Since Classical Antiquity numerous authors have linked the origin of some mental disorders to physical and functional changes in the pineal gland because of its attributed role in humans as the connection between the material and the spiritual world. The pineal organ was seen as a valve-like structure that regulated the flow of animal spirits through the ventricular system, a hypothesis that took on more vigour during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The framework for this theory was ''the three cells of the brain'', in which the pineal gland was even called the ''appendix of thought''. The pineal gland could also be associated with the boom, during this period, of certain legends about the ''stone of folly''. But the most relevant psychopathological role of this organ arrived with Des...
This paper presents a patient specific deformable heart model that involves the known electrical and mechanical properties of the cardiac cells and tissue. The whole heart model comprises ten Tusscher's ventricular and Nygren's atrial cell models, the anatomical and electrophysiological model descriptions of the atria (introduced by Harrild et al.) and ventricle (given by Winslow et al.), and the mechanical model of the periodical cardiac contraction and resting phenomena proposed by Moireau et al. During the propagation of the depolarization wave, the kinetic, compositional and rotational anisotropy is handled by the tissue, organ and torso model. The applied patient specific parameters were determined by an evolutionary computation method. An intensive parameter reduction was performed u...
A 52-year-old woman had a history of left hearing loss for 5 years. An acoustic neurinoma with 3.2 cm in diameter was diagnosed and treated with gamma-knife radiosurgery (19 Gy of marginal dose) 1 year and 4 months ago. She developed headache, nausea, and visual disturbance 1 month prior to admission. Slight left facial palsy appeared after radiosurgery. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the tumor with central necrosis in the left cerebellopontine angle cistern, increasing in size to 3.5 cm in diameter, and hydrocephalus. Tumor removal was performed incompletely, because of the fibrous appearance of the tumor and severe adherence with the surrounding cerebellar tissue. Facial palsy did not worsen after surgery. Since the hydrocephalus was not resolved, a right ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was inserted. The clinical course in this case suggests that tumor removal followed by radiosurgery was an approximately effective ...
Kidney length (KL), renal area and renal parenchymal area were measured on i.v. urograms of 255 children without apparent kidney disease age 0 to 14 years. These parameters were compared with age, body height, body surface area and the distance between the 1sup(s)sup(t) and 4sup(t)sup(h) lumbar vertebral body. In addition, renal parenchymal thickness was determined at the upper and lower poles. Mean values for normal KL were significantly greater on the left side than on the right side requiring separate growth charts. A mean increase in KL of 6.3 mm for the left and 6.0 mm for the right kidney was calculated for a change of 10 cm body height. A small kidney is defined by a KL below -2 SD for the corresponding body height and/or a quotient of right KL/left KL outside +-2 SD from the mean value. Localised loss of renal parenchyma is reflected by an increased or decreased quotient of the upper to the lower polar thickness and ...
Kidney length (KL), renal area and renal parenchymal area were measured on i.v. urograms of 255 children without apparent kidney disease age 0 to 14 years. These parameters were compared with age, body height, body surface area and the distance between the 1sup(s)sup(t) and 4sup(t)sup(h) lumbar vertebral body. In addition, renal parenchymal thickness was determined at the upper and lower poles. Mean values for normal KL were significantly greater on the left side than on the right side requiring separate growth charts. A mean increase in KL of 6.3 mm for the left and 6.0 mm for the right kidney was calculated for a change of 10 cm body height. A small kidney is defined by a KL below -2 SD for the corresponding body height and/or a quotient of right KL/left KL outside +-2 SD from the mean value. Localised loss of renal parenchyma is reflected by an increased or decreased quotient of the upper to the lower polar thickness and ...
A Smarandache quasigroup(loop) is shown to be universal if all its f,g-principal isotopes are Smarandache f,g-principal isotopes. Also, weak Smarandache loops of Bol-Moufang type such as Smarandache: left(right) Bol, Moufang and extra loops are shown to be universal if all their f,g-principal isotopes are Smarandache f,g-principal isotopes. Conversely, it is shown that if these weak Smarandache loops of Bol-Moufang type are universal, then some autotopisms are true in the weak Smarandache sub-loops of the weak Smarandache loops of Bol-Moufang type relative to some Smarandache elements. Futhermore, a Smarandache left(right) inverse property loop in which all its f,g-principal isotopes are Smarandache f,g-principal isotopes is shown to be universal if and only if it is a Smarandache left(right) Bol loop in which all its f,g-principal isotopes are Smarandache f,g-principal isotopes. Also, it is established that a Smarandache ...
Ion implantation of Si (60 keV, 1x10"1"4/cm"2) has been used to introduce excess interstitials into silicon predoped with high background concentrations of B, which were varied between 1x10"1"8 and 1x10"1"9/cm"3. Following post-implantation annealing at 740 degree C for 15 min to allow agglomeration of the available interstitials into elongated #left brace#311#right brace# defects, the density of the agglomerated interstitials was determined by plan-view transmission electron microscopy observation of the defects. We report a significant reduction in the fraction of excess interstitials trapped in #left brace#311#right brace# defects as a function of boron concentration, up to nearly complete disappearance of the #left brace#311#right brace# defects at boron concentrations of 1x10"1"9/cm"3. The reduction of the excess interstitial concentration is interpreted in terms of boron-interstitial clustering, and implications for ...
This case report describes the treatment of a 16-year-old girl who had severe bialveolar protrusion. Patients with bialveolar protrusion are commonly treated with four first premolar extractions and retraction of the anterior teeth. Unfortunately in this patient, the mandibular left second molar had to be extracted because of extensive caries. To create sufficient space for retraction of the anterior teeth, the mandibular left posterior teeth were retracted with the mandibular posterior microimplant (1.2 mm in diameter, 6 mm long) placed into the retromolar area followed by en masse retraction of the mandibular anterior teeth. Microimplants can provide anchorage for obtaining a good facial profile even without premolar extraction in the case of bialveolar protrusion with the absence of the second molar. PMID:17319776
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical application of two stents insertion via single tract for treatment of hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: Eighteen patients with hepatic hilar cholangiocarcinoma who had left and right bile duct obstruction were treated with stents insertion via right bile duct puncturing routeway. These two stents were implanted between right and left bile duct, and between right bile duct and common bile duct. Results: Eighteen patients obtained successful two stents placement by right bile duct puncturing tract and succeeded with internal drainage for all biliary tree jaundice subsided distinctly. Conclusions: The technique of two stents insertion via single tract could predigest interventional drainage procedure of high bile duct obstruction, reduce operation trauma, shorten handling time and possess promising application value
A magnetic rhombohedral PrCo_2C_x (x = 0.05 #approx#0.25) phase (space group Rbar 3m), which is heavily twinned along the #left brace#110#right brace# and #left brace#211#right brace# planes, was identified. The twinning mechanism was explored by analyzing the reduction of crystal symmetry due to the cubic-rhombohedral phase transformation. The origin of the twinning and the formation of four twin variants were attributed to the insertion of carbon interstitials into Co_4 tetrahedrons along the bar 3 axis in the rhombohedral lattice, which corresponds to one of the four equivalent axes of its parent PrCo_2 cubic-lattice.
Radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the distal pulmonary veins is increasingly being used to treat recurrent or refractory atrial fibrillation that doesn't respond to pharmacologic therapy or cardioversion. Successful RFCA of atrial al fibrillation depends on the pre-procedural understanding of the complex anatomy of the distal pulmonary veins and the left atrium. Aim of this parer is to describe the technical main features that characterise the multidetector helical computed tomography in the evaluation of this anatomic region before and after RFCA procedure. The 3D post-processing techniques useful for pre-RFCA planning are straightforward.
Abstract The available surface equation of state for pure pulmonary surfactant monolayers is generalised to binary mixture monolayers by introducing a group of parameters, i(i-=-1-4) in the form of $x_{r}^{\\beta _{i} } $ to express the influence of the components in new mixing rules and a new factor, I $\\left[ { = \\left( {\\prod\\limits_{i = 1}^{4} {\\beta _{i} } } \\right)^{{\\raise0.5ex\\hbox{$\\scriptstyle 1$}\\kern-0.1em/\\kern-0.15em\\lower0.25ex\\hbox{$\\scriptstyle {4}$}}} } \\right]$, is defined to represent the interaction intensity between two different components. The ---A isotherms getting by the surface equations of state agree with the experimental data for protein-lipid binary monolayers, and the average deviation is about 11.41%. The result shows the order of the interaction intensity b...
The traffic flow information guidance can improve the operating efficiency of regional traffic. On the basis of the information guidance model and survey data, this paper takes advantage of the VISSIM software to simulate the traffic in a region within the Southwest Second Ring of Beijing constructed by six roads and six intersections and makes a comparative evaluation on the operation of the regional road traffic flow before and after the implementation of the traffic flow information guidance measures. The analysis of five different guided flow cases shows that if the guided left-turn traffic flows in southbound I.A increases from 10% to 30%, the travel time of the left-turn traffic flow in southbound I.A has a reduction from 18% to 42%, and its delay also reduces from 234 s to 164 s. In...
In this effort, the nonlinear responses and stability of a spindle system supported by ball bearings are presented. The dynamics of this system is described by a set of second order differential equations with a nonlinear piecewise smooth force. The Floquet theory is applied to investigate the stability of the periodic solution. Due to the loss of contact between the raceways and balls in the ball bearing, the bending of the frequency response curves switch to the left at the weak resonance region, which is similar to the frequency response curves of a system with a soft spring. With the decrease of the bearing clearance, the bending of the frequency response curves switch to the right, which is similar to the frequency response curves of a system with a hard spring. Increase of the frequency ratio, the bending of frequency response curves transforms from left to right. The route to chaos through a period doubling process is also observed in ...
Iopentol (350 mg I/ml) has been compared with iohixol (350 mg I/ml) in a double-blind randomized parallel group trial with 32 and 35 patients receiving iopentol and iohexol, respectively. Coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed, and the mean total volume injected was 124 ml of iopentol and 135 ml of iohexol . There were no statistically significant differences regarding changes in heart rate and frequency of adverse advents, which were the primary parameters, between the two groups of patients. Blood pressure and ECG parameters revealed only minor fluctuations which were of no clinical relevance. The visualization of the coronary arteries and the left ventricle were the same with both contrast media, as was the diagnostic quality. The results support the use of iopentol in cardioangiography. (author). 1 ref.; 5 tabs.
Graphical Abstract A Southward view of the Dead Sea western coast. The steep western escarpment of the Dead Sea basin, composed mainly of Upper Cretaceous limestone and dolomite, can be seen on the right. Beach terraces left by the shrinking lake run parallel to the shore. The larger part of the area between the present water line and the mountains was still under Dead Sea water just 50?60?years ago. The current fall of the lake?s stand is around 1?m?year?1. Three on-shore sinkholes can be seen in the front of the photo, as well as two submerged ones near its lower left corner. These were caused by dissolution of a Holocene salt layer located tens of meters below the surface, resulting in the collapse of the overlying sediments. The retreat of the Dead Sea in recent years was followed by e...
Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was evaluated for detection of intracardiac calcification as compared with conventional radiography in 77 patients. Intracardiac calcification was found in 37 patients (left coronary artery: 31, right coronary artery: 11, valve: 9) on cine-fluorography. The sensitivity for detecting these calcified foci with FCR was higher than conventional screen-film method. Especially, sensitivity for detecting left coronary artery calcification with FCR was significantly higher than conventional method (71 %, 32 %) (p < 0.01), Fine anatomical details of calcification were well shown on FCR. Chest radiography using FCR is of great use for detection of intracardiac calcification. (author).
Pyogenic sacroiliitis is a rare entity in children. Diagnosis is often delayed because of its variable clinical presentation, low suspicion by the examining physician, and rare findings on radiographs. Delayed diagnosis, however, results in complications such as iliopsoas abscess. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl hospitalized with a 21-day history of fever, pain in the left iliac fossa, and flexion contracture of the hip. On examination, she had fever (38.9 ^oC), psoitis, localized tenderness at the left sacroiliac joint, and pain elicited by lateral compression of the pelvis. The abdominal examination was normal. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 130mm in the first hour, C-reactive protein was 186mg/l, and the white blood cell count was 18,400/mm^3, with 79% neutrophils. Urin...
The flexible, insulated, single strand cables are electrically connected with a cylindrical polar tip (PN) by means of cylindrical and conical shafts for the polar tips, which enter the faces of the divided, multiwire strand, clamped by tension half couplings. The flat ends of the polar tips being joined are positioned in two concentric mandrel bushings, an internal fixed one and an external, axially movable bushing (PV). The internal bushing is rigidly attached to the end of the left polar tip and equipped with three or four rounded, radial openings, whose diameter is determined by the external diameter of the locking device hinges (ShF) of the connecting couplings. The right polar tip is equipped with an annular channel of trapezoidal section into which the locking device hinges enter. The external movable bushing on the right side has a conical turning and on the left, a cylindrical into which the cylindrical spring which holds the movable ...
Somatostatin receptor expression has been demonstrated on a number of plasma cell lines. Therefore, we questioned whether somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) can be used to demonstrate in vivo multiple myeloma (MM) activity. SRS was performed in newly diagnosed (n = 9) or relapsing (n = 18) MM patients or in patients with localized plasmacytoma (n = 2). The results were compared with radiographic findings. A positive SRS was demonstrated in 44% of the newly diagnosed patients, in 83% of the relapsed patients and in both patients with plasmacytoma. The SRS findings corresponded with radiographic abnormalities in 40% of the patients. However, in relapsed patients 60% demonstrated increased SRS uptake in areas without new radiographic abnormalities. The positive SRS corresponded with histologically proven disease activity and responded upon treatment. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining of MM material demonstrated concordant somatostatin ...
Six patients with eosinophilic granuloma were studied retrospectively in order to correlate the MRI appearances with the pathology. Ages ranged from 2 years 6 months to 11 years. The bones involved were the humerus, ulna, radius, femur, clavicle and ilium. Plain films, MRI and pathology specimens were obtained. A lytic lesion with indistinct margins, endosteal erosions and periosteal reaction was seen in all cases on plain radiographs. Bone marrow signal was decreased on T1-weighted images and increased on T2-weighted images throughout the bony lesion in all cases. T2-weighted images showed extensive soft-tissue abnormalities suggesting inflammatory changes in four cases. In two cases abnormalities were limited. Extensive changes correlated histologically with an early phase lesion. Localized minor changes were associated with a mid-phase lesion. Inflammatory soft-tissue changes could be associated with eosinophilic granuloma. The size of the ...
Brain glucose metabolism was evaluated in four patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex using ["1"8F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans at the beginning of therapy with 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT, zidovudine), and later in the course of therapy. In two patients, baseline, large focal cortical abnormalities of glucose utilization were reversed during the course of therapy. In the other two patients, the initial PET study did not reveal pronounced focal alterations, while the post-treatment scans showed markedly increased cortical glucose metabolism. The improved cortical glucose utilization was accompanied in all patients by immunologic and neurologic improvement. PET-FDG studies can detect cortical metabolic abnormalities associated with AIDS dementia complex, and may be used to monitor the metabolic improvement in response to AZT treatment.
The MRI and CT appearances in 48 patients with histologically confirmed benign and malignant pleural abnormalities were compared retrospectively. Abnormal pleural changes were shown in 47 out of the 48 patients by high signal intensity of the pleura in T_2-weighted sequences and in contrast enhanced T_1-weighted sequences on MRI. CT showed abnormalities in 45 out of 48 patients. Delineation of pleural and pulmonary changes by CT was possible in 13 out of 23 cases, and pleural disease from effusions in 15 out of 28 cases. T_2-weighted MRI was successful in 14 out of 23 and 4 out of 28 cases, respectively. T_1-weighted images after contrast were successful in 20 out of 23 and 22 out of 28 cases, respectively. Indications of malignant pleural disease were the presence of mediastinal or circumferential involvement or involvement of the entire pleura, thickness of more than 10 mm and nodular changes. The most reliable sign of ...
Thirty-six patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), who were febrile but without localizing signs, underwent indium-111 leukocyte scintigraphy 24 hours after injection of labeled white blood cells (WBCs) and were restudied 48 hours after injection of gallium-67 citrate. Fifty-six abnormalities were identified as possible sources of the fever; 27 were confirmed with biopsy. Of these 27, 15 were identified only on In-111 WBC scans (including colitis, sinusitis, and focal bacterial pneumonia); six, only on Ga-67 scans (predominantly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and lymphadenopathy); and six, on both studies (predominantly pulmonary lesions). In-111 WBC scanning revealed 21 of 27 abnormalities (78%) and gallium scanning, 12 of 27 (44%). If only one scintigraphic study has been performed, particularly with Ga-67, a significant number of lesions would not have been detected. The authors believe radionuclide evaluation of the febrile ...
In our evaluation we utilized the Asahi Mark-J NMR-CT system, with a resistive vertical quadrupolar electromagnet (0.1 Tesla) and a proton resonance frequency of 4.5 MHz. Our main imaging methods are the inversion-recovery or IR, saturation-recovery, or SR, and calculated T/sub 1/. Difference, or D images, constructed by subtracting the data of the IR signal from that of the SR signal, have also been obtained in some cases. The system allows averaging of raw data. Hybrid images were constructed from two or more images to obtain clear definition of areas of interest. By using the hybrid image, several tissues of different relaxation times can be shown in the same image. Application in our study of the newly developed hybrid image indicates its importance in the detection and diagnosis of lesion, especially the detection of the differentiation of an edematous lesion from a tumor, and also abnormal fluid collection such as the pleural effusion or ascites. We hope that ...
Purpose: To describe CT appearances in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) 20 years after bone graft surgery. Material and Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with unilateral CLP were examined. All patients had been treated with primary closure, both in infancy and early childhood, supplemented with bone grafting at the age of around 10 years. The CT examination of the upper jaw included a dental CT program. The CT appearances of the cleft side were compared with those of the untreated non-cleft side. Results: Abnormal CT appearances included skew nasal aperture (n=17), nasal septal deviation (n=17), low floor of nasal aperture (n=15) at or towards the cleft side, and deviation of anterior nasal spine towards the non-cleft side (n=18). The posterior part of the bone cleft was visible in all patients, and the dental arch was V-shaped in 8. Conclusion: Although adherence to the present treatment protocol is considered to give satisfactory ...
Purpose: To describe CT appearances in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP) 20 years after bone graft surgery. Material and Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with unilateral CLP were examined. All patients had been treated with primary closure, both in infancy and early childhood, supplemented with bone grafting at the age of around 10 years. The CT examination of the upper jaw included a dental CT program. The CT appearances of the cleft side were compared with those of the untreated non-cleft side. Results: Abnormal CT appearances included skew nasal aperture (n=17), nasal septal deviation (n=17), low floor of nasal aperture (n=15) at or towards the cleft side, and deviation of anterior nasal spine towards the non-cleft side (n=18). The posterior part of the bone cleft was visible in all patients, and the dental arch was V-shaped in 8. Conclusion: Although adherence to the present treatment protocol is considered to give satisfactory ...
Quantitative bone scintigraphy was performed at 4 and 24 h after injection of {sup 99m}Tc-MDP. The lower thoracic and all the lumbar vertebrae were recorded in 37 patients with prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as two weeks, two and six months postoperatively. Fourteen patients had normal bone scintigrams. By means of the measured variation in the count rate between normal vertebrae, the criterion for a vertebra to be considered as abnormal was determined using the 4 h-uptake values. For patients with normal scintigrams the count rate at 24 h was below the 4 h level and the mean 24 h/4 h ratio was determined to be 0.85 {+-} 0.09 (1 SD). Normal vertebrae in patients with skeletal metastases had only slightly lower count rate values at 24 h than at 4 h. Abnormal vertebrae showed a higher count rate at 24 h, especially two weeks postoperatively, while a tendency towards lower values than at 4 h was seen after 6 months. If the 24 h/4 h ...
Quantitative bone scintigraphy was performed at 4 and 24 h after injection of "9"9"mTc-MDP. The lower thoracic and all the lumbar vertebrae were recorded in 37 patients with prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as two weeks, two and six months postoperatively. Fourteen patients had normal bone scintigrams. By means of the measured variation in the count rate between normal vertebrae, the criterion for a vertebra to be considered as abnormal was determined using the 4 h-uptake values. For patients with normal scintigrams the count rate at 24 h was below the 4 h level and the mean 24 h/4 h ratio was determined to be 0.85 #+-# 0.09 (1 SD). Normal vertebrae in patients with skeletal metastases had only slightly lower count rate values at 24 h than at 4 h. Abnormal vertebrae showed a higher count rate at 24 h, especially two weeks postoperatively, while a tendency towards lower values than at 4 h was seen after 6 months. If the 24 h/4 h ...
The aim of the present study was to test a mathematical model of the biochemical processes in the parathyroid glands responsible for the secretion of parathyroid hormone resulting from extracellular calcium reduction. A double exponential curve described the parathyroid hormone secretion induced by rapid lowering of blood-ionized calcium in humans with normal as well as abnormal parathyroid tissue. Our data show that it was possible to establish a simple mathematical model of the parathyroid hormone response to blood-ionized calcium lowering, sufficient to fit experimental data obtained from patients with abnormal and normal parathyroid tissue. The fitted parameters showed no significant differences between patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and controls. In primary hyperparathyroidism, the parathyroid hormone production and steady-state transport across the cell membrane were increased, probably due to the larger amount of ...
Image subtraction techniques, in conjunction with [75Se]selenomethionine (75Se) scintigraphy, have recently been suggested to be a potentially valuable tool for localization of parathyroid abnormalities. With use of these techniques, we prospectively studied 15 patients scheduled for parathyroid operations. Postoperatively, all were normocalcemic. Anterior scintiscans of the neck were divided into quadrants, and regions of enhanced uptake were assigned to one or more quadrants. On this basis, by chance alone a minimum of 25% of single-gland enlargements would be assigned to the correct quadrant of the neck. We found that by use of 75Se scanning only 8 of 22 abnormal glands (36%) were assigned to the quadrant of the neck in which they were found intraoperatively. In no case was a clearly visualized focus of parathyroid activity encountered. These results do not justify the continued use of 75Se scintigraphy with or without image subtraction in ...
The radiographs and initial clinical findings of 73 patients who had sustained trauma to the cervical spine without bony injury in vehicle collisions were reviewed. The patients were also re-examined clinically two years after the injury. Forty eight (65.8%) had abnormal radiographs at presentation - prevertebral soft tissue swelling in 15 (20.6%), degenerative changes in 15 (20.6%), and an angular deformity between two adjacent vertebral bodies in 27 (37.0%). The exact mode of inury is not associated with any specific radiographic appearance except that ''roll overs'' and side collisions are more likely to cause angulation in the cervical spine. (orig./GDG).
Fuji computed radiography (FCR) utilizing imaging plates stimulated by a scanning lazer has been developed in Japan and come to be widely available in diagnostic radiology. This system is advantageous because many processed images can be obtained with a single exposure. However, no reports have been published on the exact conditions necessary under which the FCR image processing method will produce improved visibility of pulmonary abnormal shadows on chest radiographs. In this report, chest FCR images obtained from 50 patients were analyzed, and the best practical image processing conditions were determined for each pathological state. Fundamental analysis was also performed for spatial and contrast resolution with FUNK chart and Burger's phantom using various thickness of acryl plate. Ninety processing images per exposure were analyzed, and the best practical conditions were determined. (author).
Fuji computed radiography (FCR) utilizing imaging plates stimulated by a scanning lazer has been developed in Japan and come to be widely available in diagnostic radiology. This system is advantageous because many processed images can be obtained with a single exposure. However, no reports have been published on the exact conditions necessary under which the FCR image processing method will produce improved visibility of pulmonary abnormal shadows on chest radiographs. In this report, chest FCR images obtained from 50 patients were analyzed, and the best practical image processing conditions were determined for each pathological state. Fundamental analysis was also performed for spatial and contrast resolution with FUNK chart and Burger's phantom using various thickness of acryl plate. Ninety processing images per exposure were analyzed, and the best practical conditions were determined. (author).
Abstract Routinely used prognostic factors fail to predict clinical outcome in a significant proportion of breast cancer patients, implying that they can not detect some important biological characteristics. Chromosomal changes have been described in breast carcinomas for many years but their significance is not clear. We compared chromosomal changes with clinico-pathological characteristics and clinical outcome in 203 breast cancer patients with a follow-up of 9-18 years. Combining data from classical cytogenetics and flow cytometry revealed chromosomal abnormalities in 142 cases (70%). Of these, 51 (35.9%) contained two or more cytogenetically abnormal clones. Polyclonality was significantly associated with poor breast-cancer-specific survival (P = 0.03) within 5 years, independent of tu...
Purpose: To secure the reactor operation safety by the provision of a fluid pressure detecting section for control rod driving fluid and a control rod interlock at the midway of the flow pass for supplying driving fluid to the control rod drives. Constitution: Between a driving line and a direction control valve are provided a pressure detecting portion, an alarm generating device, and a control rod inhibition interlock. The driving fluid from a driving fluid source is discharged by way of a pump and a manual valve into the reactor in which the control rods and reactor fuels are contained. In addition, when the direction control valve is switched and the control rods are inserted and extracted by the control rod drives, the pressure in the driving line is always detected by the pressure detection section, whereby if abnormal pressure is resulted, the alarm generating device is actuated to warn the abnormality and the control rod inhibition ...
The goal of the present study was to describe the clinical, haematological and ultrasonographic findings and treatment of 17 cattle with pyelonephritis. Fifteen cattle had an abnormal general condition, which varied in severity; five animals had signs of colic. The urine was brownish-red in 11 animals and cloudy in 13. Clumps of purulent material were seen in the urine of nine animals and clots of blood in two. The specific gravity was lower than normal in 13 animals and ranged from 1.005 to 1.020. A urine test strip revealed protein in 16 animals, blood in 16 and leukocytes in 12. Bacteriological examination of urine yielded Corynebacterium renale in 11 animals, Arcanobacter pyogenes in two and Escherichia coli in one. Rectal examination revealed abnormalities of the urinary tract in 11 a...
A 76-year-old, 148-cm woman was scheduled for right upper lobectomy. A 32 Fr left-sided double lumen tube was placed using a conventional technique. Despite several attempts under fiberoptic bronchoscope-guidance,...Full Text Available
Tachyon paradoxes, including causality paradoxes, have persisted within tachyon theories and left little hope for the existence of observable tachyons. A way is presented to solve the causality paradoxes, along with two other paradoxes, by the introduction of an absolute frame of reference in which a tachyon effect may never precede its cause. Relativity for ordinary matter is unaffected by this, even if the tachyons couple to ordinary particles. Violations of the principle of relativity due to the absolute frame would appear only in the case of free tachyons.
BackgroundMany emergency ambulance calls are for older people who have fallen. As half of them are left at home, a community-based response may often be more appropriate than hospital...Full Text Available
In spite of the fact that market requirements for new plants continue to be restricted, steam turbine technology and operation engineers have left nothing undone to improve products and operating characteristics. They are generally guided by the principle of optimum economic power supplies but lowest pollution. The new eastern markets are expected to give new impulses to steam turbine design. Cogeneration is of special future importance. (orig.).
Environmental exposure measurements are, in general, positive and may be subject to left censoring; i.e,. the measured value is less than a ''detection limit''. In occupational monitoring, strategies for assessing workplace exposures typically focus on the mean exposure level or the probability that any measurement exceeds a limit. Parametric methods used to determine acceptable levels of exposure, are often based on a two parameter lognormal distribution. The mean exposure level, an upper percentile, and the exceedance fraction are used to characterize exposure levels, and confidence limits are used to describe the uncertainty in these estimates. Statistical methods for random samples (without non-detects) from the lognormal distribution are well known for each of these situations. In this report, methods for estimating these quantities based on the maximum likelihood method for randomly left censored ...
The basics of a supersymmetric SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R x U(1)_B-I, model are reviewed. The production and subsequent decays of the doubly charged triplet higgsino #DELTA##+-##+-# in the Next Linear Collider are discussed. The slepton pair production in the framework of this model is also analyzed. (author)
Recent literature indicates that torsion of the left ventricle (LV) is a promising predictor for response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). Among patients with severe heart failure, 45 to 75% of patients show rigid body rotation, where the base and apex rotate in the same direction, instead of normal, opposite rotation. The occurrence of this phenomenon seems to be a good indicator for response to CRT. From this review, it can be concluded that LV torsion might be a welcome addition to current selection criteria.
T. D. Lee's method for developing the Feynman rules for gauge fields in a cavity is reformulated in terms of path integral. His work is then extended by deriving these rules, in the Feynman gauge, for a spherical cavity. In any gauge only the gauge particle propagator is altered, while all the Feynman rules for gauge field couplings are left unaltered by the presence of a dielectric medium.
An 8-year-old child presented with severe chest pain and respiratory distress after he accidentally bit an automobile tyre tube which burst into his mouth. The chest radiograph revealed left-sided pneumothorax....Full Text Available
Abstract Adult rhabdomyoma is a rare primary benign tumour of striated muscle origin that almost exclusively presents in the head and neck region with predilection for male. We herein report a case of an adult rhabdomyoma in a 67-year-old male with cytologic features. The lesions was located in the tongue extended to the left parapharyngeal region. We discuss the cytological findings with a brief review of the literature on this entity. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Recent advances in self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) experiments stimulate interest in quantitative comparison of measurements with theory. In this paper we show that the widely used simulation code TDA3D, developed by Tran and Wurtele [Comput. Phys. Commun. 54, 263 (1989)] even though a single frequency code, can be used to determine the output power in the SASE process with excellent approximation in the exponential growth regime. The method applies when the gain is not very high, which is a special advantage, because when the gain is not very high, the analytical calculation is particularly difficult since the exponential growing term does not dominate. The analysis utilizes a scaling relation between the output power and the number of simulation particles in the code TDA3D: left-angle P right-angle=N_#lambda#"'/N_#lambda# left-angle P"'right-angle, where left-angle P right-angle is the output power and ...
A chimeric recombinant, containing the 270 bp left-terminal fragment of Adenovirus-2 (Ad2) inserted upstream from the -34 to +33 Ad2 major late promoter (Ad2MLP) element, has been used to characterize...Full Text Available
In vertebrates, the positioning of the internal organs relative to the midline is asymmetric and evolutionarily conserved. A number of molecules have been shown to play critical roles in left-right patterning. Using representational difference analysis to identify genes that are differentially expressed on the left and right sides of the chick embryo, we cloned chick Claudin-1, an integral component of epithelial tight junctions. Here, we demonstrate that retroviral overexpression of Claudin-1, but not Claudin-3, on the right side of the chick embryo between HH stages 4 and 7 randomizes the direction of heart looping. This effect was not observed when Claudin-1 was overexpressed on the left side of the embryo. A small, but reproducible, induction of Nodal expression in the perinodal region on the right side of the embryo was noted in embryos that were injected with Claudin-1 retroviral particles on their right sides. ...
The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the role of CT in identifying other morphological signs of met static lymph node involvement from non small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. This is done to improve N staging, a critical step in this disease. In fact, since diameter is the only criterion used to distinguish normal form abnormal lymph nodes, mediastinal CT only has 80% diagnostic accuracy. 137 patients with known or suspected lung cancer were examined with Helical CT during early and late arterial phases (2 min. delay, 3 mm thickness, 5 mm inter slice gap) to depict node characteristics. Mediastinal lymph nodes, located according to the American Thoracic Society mapping, were considered normal when they were not visible or, if visible, less than 1 cm in diameter and of homogeneous density; lymph nodes over 1 cm in diameter and homogenous density were considered reactive. A lymph node was considered metastatic when, independent of size, the following signs ...
In the rat, some phthalates alter sexual differentiation at relatively low dosage levels by altering fetal Leydig cell development and hormone synthesis, thereby inducing abnormalities of the testis,...Full Text Available
Hypoxia causes abnormal neonatal pulmonary artery remodeling (PAR) and inhibition of alveolar development (IAD). Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is an important regulator of lung development...Full Text Available
Lethal alleles of the Drosophila k43 gene result in small or missing imaginal discs, greatly reduced mitotic index, and fragmented and abnormally condensed chromosomes. A female-sterile...Full Text Available
Solutions have been found for the problems encountered with the coil power and switching systems of the International Fusion Superconducting Magnet Test Facility (IFSMTF). The coil power system provides the filtered dc sources (+- 12 V dc; 25,000 A) for charging and discharging the coils of the IFSMTF experiment. The switching system provides the means of transferring the coil current into a dump resistor when a rapid discharge of a coil is required due to a coil failure (quench) or other system abnormalities.
Conceptual and factual advances in understanding neuronal migration in the past two decades have provided new insight into the pathogenesis of brain malformations at the cellular, molecular, and functional levels. Some of these results may have direct implications in understanding the consequences of ionizing radiation on the fetal central nervous system in utero. (orig.).
We report a new case of Lyme disease with cardiac manifestations, which has been possible to follow during the long period of 12 years. We have detected the usual ECG abnormalities, and concentric hypertrophic myocardiopathy, by echocardiography. The acute myocarditis was demonstrated by /sup 111/In-antimyosin scintigraphy, which showed global myocardial uptake of the tracer, constituting the first report, to our knowledge, of Lyme myocarditis diagnosed by this method.
The relative sensitivity and combined value of myocardial technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate imaging and determinations of serum MB creatine phosphokinase (the ''myocardial'' CPK isoenzyme) in detecting acute myocardial infarction were evaluated in 41 patients with suspected infarction and 23 patients recovering from cardiac surgery. In the patients with suspected infarction, myocardial infarction was confirmed in 25 and was consistently associated with increased serum MB CPK. Abnormal radionuclide images were obtained in 23 of 25 patients (92%)) with definite myocardial infarction and in 2 of 16 patients without confirmed infarction. Although the localization of infarction by imaging correlated well with the localization by electrocardiogram, infarct size estimated by imaging did not correlate well with estimates based on peak total serum CPK activity or serial changes in CPK activity. Serum MB CPK activity increased after cardiac surgery in 6 patients ...
HCV-Ag-specific TH17 cells secrete IL17, a cytokine involved in autoimmune diseases and regulated by IL10 and TGF-b. 5–12% of patients with chronic HCV infection have hypothyroidism. We evaluated...Full Text Available
Purpose: To improve the reliability of control rod drive mechanisms for use in BWR type reactors by preventing erroneous insertion of control rods caused by the increase in the coolant pressure. Constitution: A pressure-releaf valve mechanism is provided which opens its valve when a detected difference between the pressure of the coolants flowing through coolant pipeways and the reactor pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure difference. If the coolant pressure increases abnormally, coolants in the coolant pipeway are released to lower the pressure. (Aizawa, K.).
Intravenous digital subtraction angiography using Fuji computed radiography system (FCR-DSA) was used to evaluate 57 preoperative patients with clinical manifestations of peripheral vascular disease of lower extremity. With its high contrast resolution and good special resolution, image of FCR-DSA could offer optimal information of vascular abnormality in lower extremity distal to midfoot for the diagnosis and the choice of management.
Intravenous digital subtraction angiography using Fuji computed radiography system (FCR-DSA) was used to evaluate 57 preoperative patients with clinical manifestations of peripheral vascular disease of lower extremity. With its high contrast resolution and good special resolution, image of FCR-DSA could offer optimal information of vascular abnormality in lower extremity distal to midfoot for the diagnosis and the choice of management. (orig.).
Although trefoil factor 1 (TFF1; previously named pS2) is abnormally expressed in about 50% of human breast tumors, its physiopathological role in this disease has been poorly studied. Moreover,...Full Text Available
Between October 1990 and March 1991, 8 patients with cystic lesions in the region of the posterior bladder wall, the seminal vesicles and the prostate were examined by MRI. In all cases there was accurate characterisation of the lesion and of its anatomy. In 3 patients with abnormalities in the retrovesical space there was very good agreement with the operative findings. 4 patients were treated conservatively. In these patients there was good agreement with the findings on cystoscopy, CT and sonography. (orig.).
The Interim Decay Storage tank (IDS) will be located in a concrete cell in the FFTF reactor building. The tank will have capacity to store 112 driver fuel assemblies and 10 test assemblies in sodium. A criticality safety analysis for the design of the IDS tank was performed. From the analysis, it is concluded that under normal operating conditions and minor abnormal conditions that might shift the fuel, the IDS tank will remain adequately subcritical. (auth)
A method for elucidating complex abnormalities of CSF circulation by using a positive contrast medium (metrizamide) and computer tomography is described. The technique for the method, the results and their clinical significance is demonstrated. The value of this method is compared with traditional ventriculography and with computer tomography without the use of contrast medium. It is shown that the technique represents an important extension of the scope of computer tomography.
Out of one hundred cases of the urinary bladder abnormalities examined by this method, CT staging and pathological correlations were investigated in 61 cases of the urinary bladder neoplasms. Accuracy of CT staging was 87% in this series with possible exception of 6 cases involving the bladder base and dome. CT scan using this method is the most reliable procedure to determine the treatment modalities of the urinary bladder tumors.
The authors present a case in which primary Ewing's sarcoma of the right petrous pyramid in a 9-year-old girl showed no uptake on a /sup 99m/Tc-pertechnetate nuclide angiogram. Intense uptake was present on a /sup 99m/Tc-polyphosphate bone scan, but a static brain scan was only minimally abnormal. The diagnosis and treatment of Ewing's sarcoma are reviewed.
An exhaustive compendium of normal and abnormal imaging is presented. The following systems and procedures are illustrated by over 2800 captioned illustrations: liver, spleen, and hepatobiliary imaging; perfusion and ventilation lung imaging; thyroid imaging; salivary gland imaging; bone imaging; brain imaging; radionuclide cisternography; blood flow studies; gallium imaging; nuclear cardiology; and renal imaging. Not included in the atlas are adrenal imaging procedures and emission computed tomography. (ERB)
It has been postulated that fetal vascular abnormalities in aryl hydrocarbon receptor null (ahr−/−) mice may alter cardiovascular homeostasis in adulthood....Full Text Available
Investigations of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function were performed in a 5-yr-old white female with delayed umbilical cord separation, impaired pus formation, and a severe defect of PMN chemotaxis....Full Text Available
The effects of 0.2 and 0.5 mL/kg Innovar (a neuroleptic analgesic) on cardiovascular functions and reflexes in rabbits were measured. We recorded the effects of Innovar on arterial pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, ventricular contractility, arterial oxygen tension, as well as the drug's effects on the bradycardia and vasoconstrictor response to cigarette smoke stimulation of the nose (the so-called "nasopharyngeal reflex"). In animals given 0.2 mL/kg Innovar, all steady state cardiovascular variables had returned to pre-Innovar levels in 45 min, as had the efficacy of the nasopharyngeal reflex. In animals given 0.5 mL/kg Innovar, all steady state cardiovascular variables, except PaO2, were slightly but significantly depressed for up to 135 min after injection. The nasopharyngeal reflex returned to normal within 90 min. Because of the calmative and analgesic effects of Innovar, and its only moderate effects on cardiovascular functions and reflexes, we feel it ...
MRI provides a non-invasive diagnostic tool complementing echocardiography on one hand, and showing advantages over echocardiography, on the other hand, especially after corrective procedures. The multiple different MRI sequences need to be adapted to examinations of children and patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), and can be used to detect morphologic changes, blood-flow in the heart and thoracic vessels and diastolic or systolic function of myocardium. Several factors determine the success of the examination of a complex congenital heart disease or a postoperative situs. Pediatric radiologists and radiologists experienced in congenital heart diseases have to work in close cooperation. Echocardiography should be performed before MRI. The results of prior examinations and the clinical history of the patients, including possible palliative or reconstructive operations, must be available before MRI to guide the planning of the examination. With a systematic segmental approach ...
The endothelin-B (ETB) receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that binds endothelin ligands and is essential for the development of epidermal melanocytes and enteric neurons. Recent reports indicate that ETB is localized to nuclei in cardiac ventricular myocytes, although it has been thought that ETB is localized mainly on the plasma membrane. It remains unknown, however, whether this unique distribution of ETB occurs in other tissues. To elucidate the subcellular distribution of ETB in the intestine, we performed immunofluorescence of ETB in mouse intestine using a specific antibody. ETB-like immunoreactivity was detected in both the mucosal and muscle layers. In the mucosal layer, villous epithelial cells, stromal cells of the lamina propria, and cryptic cells were immunostained. Subcellularly, ETB is localized mainly to the nuclei of villous epithelial cells. In the muscle layer, immunoreactivity of ETB was localized to the myenteric plexus. These findings ...
Maternal exposure to ambient air pollution has increasingly been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The evidence linking this exposure to congenital anomalies is still limited and controversial. This case-control study investigated the association between maternal exposure to ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 ?m (PM(10)), sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide (NO), ozone (O(3)), and carbon monoxide (CO) and the occurrence of congenital heart disease in the population of Northeast England (1993-2003). Each case and control was assigned weekly average (weeks 3-8 of pregnancy) of pollutant levels measured by the closest monitor to the mother's residential postcode. Using exposure as both continuous and categorical variables, logistic regression models were constructed to quantify the adjusted odds ratios of exposure to air pollutants and the occurrence of each outcome group. We found exposure to CO and NO to be associated with ...
The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement between rectal temperature and infrared emission detection (IRED). The specificity and sensitivity, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were calculated. It was a prospective, observational and unblinded study. Thermoscan-pro-1 was used to collect pairs of data in 41 patients, all hospitalised on an acute geriatric ward during a 4-month period. 41% of the patients were febrile. The 'bias' between rectal and tympanic measurement (left ear) was -0.64 degree C (d) and the standard deviation 0.58 degree C (s). The '95% Confidence Interval' for the bias was -0.82 degree C and -0.46 degree C. The '95% limits of agreement' between the rectal measurement and the tympanic measurement (left ear) was -1.78 degrees C and 0.50 degree C. Regression analysis taught us that bias was increasing with increasing temperature. If we take into account one measurement with the IRED ear ...
Gravitational parity violation is a possibility motivated by particle physics, string theory and loop quantum gravity. One effect of it is amplitude birefringence of gravitational waves, whereby left and right circularly-polarized waves propagate at the same speed but with different amplitude evolution. Here we propose a test of this effect through coincident observations of gravitational waves and short gamma-ray bursts from binary mergers involving neutron stars. Such gravitational waves are highly left or right circularly-polarized due to the geometry of the merger. Using localization information from the gamma-ray burst, ground-based gravitational wave detectors can measure the distance to the source with reasonable accuracy. An electromagnetic determination of the redshift from an afterglow or host galaxy yields an independent measure of this distance. Gravitational parity violation would manifest itself as a discrepancy between these two ...
We present an atomistic simulation of the Ostwald ripening of extrinsic defects (clusters, #left brace#1 1 3#right brace#s and dislocation loops) which occurs during annealing of ion implanted silicon. The model describes the capture and emission of Si interstitial atoms to and from extrinsic defects of sizes up to thousands of atoms and includes a loss term due to the flux of interstitials to the recombining surface. Key input parameters of the simulation are the variations of the formation energy and of the capture efficiency with the size of the different defects. This model shows that the kinetics of the well-known dissolution of #left brace#1 1 3#right brace# defects is only driven by the recombination efficiency at the surface and the distance from the defects to the sample surface. We have subsequently used this model to study defect evolution in low and ultra low energy (ULE) B implanted Si during annealing. Defect dissolution occurs ...
The applicability of in situ, real-time RBS is demonstrated by characterizing the growth of thin Pd_2Si films on Si left angle 111 right angle substrates using isothermal as well as non-isothermal annealing. In contrast to the currently fashionable in situ ramped resistance technique, it is possible to extract the activation energy from a single run with a constant heating rate. The results, which are in excellent agreement with the literature, will be compared for isothermal annealing, fitting an appropriate model for the growth process to data from a single run and a Kissinger-like analysis with different ramp rates. In situ, real-time RBS was also used to study marker motion during CrSi_2 formation in the Si left angle 100 right angle /Pd_2Si/Cr system. It is possible to distinguish between the following mechanisms: (1) CrSi_2 formation via dissociation of the Pd_2Si at the Pd_2Si/Cr interface and subsequent reaction of Pd to form Pd_2Si at ...
Cu"2"+ ions are alternatively bridged by end-on and asymmetrical end-to-end (EE) azido groups in copper (II)-azido compound [#left brace#Cu(L)(N_3)_2#right brace#_n] (L=benzylamine). The electronic structure of its ferromagnetic ground state has been calculated using the self-consistent full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method based on the density functional theory. The spin populations have been found to be strongly positive on the Cu"2"+ ions, weakly positive on the terminal nitrogen atoms of the azido groups as well as on the nitrogen atoms of the benzylamine, and feeble on the central nitrogen atoms of the azido groups. Based on the spin distribution obtained from calculation, the ferromagnetic coupling through the azido groups has been analyzed as resulting from a spin delocalization from the Cu"2"+ ions toward the azido groups. But the result also indicates that the spin polarization effect may also take part in the magnetic coupling through the ...
Two cases of primary Ewing's sarcoma of the rib are reported, in which radiation therapy was quite effective. Case 1 was an 18-year-old female who had had an operation and radiation therapy for Ewing's sarcoma of the left 7th rib. She was referred to our hospital after a recurrent tumor was found. Radiation therapy (tumor dose 46.2 Gy) and chemotherapy were given. The tumor disappeared and there has been no relapse for 1 year and 3 months after the treatment. Case 2 was a 2-year-old-infant. Radiation therapy (tumor dose 74 Gy) was given for primary Ewing's sarcoma of the left 6th rib. The tumor became small and was successfully removed at operation. There has been no relapse or distant metastasis for 8 months following the operation. We emphasize the importance of multidisciplinary treatment in case 1 and the usefulness of preoperative radiotherapy in case 2. (author).
A quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study on the depth profile of extended defects, formed after Si implantation, has been carried out. Two different Si"+ implant conditions have been considered. TEM analysis for the highest energy/dose shows that #left brace#1 1 3#right brace# defects evolve into dislocation loops whilst the defect depth distribution remains unchanged as a function of annealing time. For the lowest energy/dose, #left brace#1 1 3#right brace# defects grow and dissolve while the defect band shrinks preferentially on the surface side. At the same time, extraction of boron transient enhanced diffusion (TED) as a function of depth shows a decrease of the supersaturation towards the surface, starting at the location of the defect band. The study clearly shows that in these systems the silicon surface is the principal sink for interstitials. The results provide a critical test of the ability of physical models to ...
This study analyzed the atmospheric emissions produced by the live firing of a 155 mm Howitzer gun. The study was conducted during a live firing training exercise at a Canadian Forces Base. Air emissions were sampled continuously for 3 hours. Particles and chemicals were accumulated on sampling media during the firing of 69 rounds. A single round was fired using 4 bags of propellants, and an additional 3 rounds were fired using 5 bags of propellant. Samples included particulate matter; hydrogen cyanide; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); dinitrotoluene compounds; benzene; toluene; ethylbenzene; xylene; metals; aldehydes; nitric acid; nitric oxide; nitrogen dioxide; hydrogen sulphide; and sulphur dioxide. Samples were collected at 8 m to the left of the gun as well as at 22 m in front of the gun muzzle in the line of fire. Results of the study showed that 60 per cent of the particles were below 10 {mu}m. Formaldehyde concentrations of 7.1 and 3.6 {mu}g/m{sup ...
Over 300 cases of femoral neck fractures following radiotherapy for intrapelvic malignant tumor have been reported in various countries since Baensch reported this disease in 1927. In Japan, 40 cases or so have been reported, and cases of bilateral femoral neck fractures have not reached to ten cases. The authors experienced a case of 75 year-old female who received radiotherapy for cancer of the uterus, and suffered from right femoral neck fracture 3 months after and left femoral neck fracture one year and half after. As clinical symptoms, she had not previous history of trauma in bilateral femurs, but she complained of a pain in a hip joint and of gait disturbance. The pain in left femoral neck continued for about one month before fracture was recognized with roentgenogram. As histopathological findings, increase of fat marrow, decrease of bone trabeculae, and its marked degeneration were recognized. Proliferation of some blood vessels was ...
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an alternative to dipyridamole or adenosine in thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. However, the optimal dose of ATP has not been determined. A Doppler guide wire study showed the coronary flow velocity at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg of ATP was equal or higher than that at 0.14 mg/kg of adenosine or 0.56 mg/kg of dipyridamole. ATP was given intravenously to 67 patients with coronary artery disease at 0.15 mg/kg/min for 6 min. Thallium-201 was injected at 3 min, followed by immediate and delayed (3 hrs) tomographic imaging. There was no serious side effect during examination, although chest pain (26%), dyspnea (17%), and flushing (33%) were common. The sensitivity and specificity to detect coronary artery disease were 98 and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity to detect left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery lesions was 94, 59 and 77%, respectively. ATP loading thallium-201 ...
A study of two forest areas in India investigated how much energy is wasted when high stumps are left after trees are cut to produce wooden boxes for packing the apple harvest. Measurements of the stumps determined the total wood pulp wasted, which was 1191 tons during 1981. The calorific value of the stumps would supply a year's cooking and heating fuels for 747 families of five. Additional fuel is wasted by abandoning the branches and tree tops which are unsuitable for box construction. 5 references, 4 tables.
A method of treating bitumina and allied substances of asphaltose character includes heating the material to be treated with up to 25% of its weight of a substance of the group consisting of vegetable and animal oils and fats and fatty acids. The resulting material is heated to a temperature of about 250/sup 0/C under sufficient pressure to prevent the material escape of sulfur dioxide from the reaction mixture in the presence of a substance of the group consisting of inorganic acids of sulfur containing at least 4 oxygen atoms and their anhydrides. The heating is continued until there is no free acid left in the reaction mass.
;Contents: Comparison of Simulation Modules of TRANSYT and INTEGRATION Models; Evaluation of SCATSIM-RTA Adaptive Traffic Network Simulation Model; Comparison NETSIM, NETFLO I, and NETFLO II Traffic Simulation Models for Fixed-Time Signal Control; Traffic Flow Simulation Through Parallel Processing; Cluster Analysis as Tool in Traffic Engineering; Traffic Platoon Dispersion Modeling on Arterial Streets; Hybrid Model for Estimating Permitted Left-Turn Saturations Flow Rate; and Passing Sight Distance and Overtaking Dilemma on Two-Lane Roads.
Computer assisted energy-spectral analyses were obtained on EEG recordings of unilateral non-dominant hemisphere ECT-induced seizures using the different pre-ECT anesthetic agents methohexital (Brevital), Innovar, and ketamine (Ketalar). The previously postulated predominance of electrical energy over the stimulated (right) hemisphere early in ECT-induced seizures is confirmed. There appears to be marked reduction in total seizure energy with methohexital anesthesia, whereas ketamine anesthesia appears to be associated with increased overall seizure energy. The greatest right to left energy transfer during the seizure occurred with Innovar anesthesia. PMID:7172456
We obtain the T-duality transformations of space-time spinors (the supersymmetry transformation parameters, gravitinos and dilatinos) of type-II theories in curved backgrounds with an isometry. The transformation of the spinor index is shown to be a consequence of the twist that T-duality introduces between the left- and right-moving local Lorentz frames. The result is then used to derive the T-duality action on Ramond-Ramond field strengths and potentials in a simple way. We also discuss the massive IIA theory and, using duality, give a short derivation of 'mass'-dependent terms in the Wess-Zumino actions on the D-brane world-volumes.
Sulfuric acid hydrogen peroxide mixtures (SPM) are commonly used in the semiconductor industry to remove organic contaminants from wafer surfaces. This viscous solution is very difficult to rinse off water surfaces. Various rinsing conditions were tested and the resulting residual acid left on the water surface was measured. Particle growth resulting from incomplete rinse is correlated with the amount of sulfur on the wafer surface measured by Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS). The amount of sulfur on the wafer structure after the rinse step is strongly affected by the wafer film type and contact angle prior to the SPM clean.
We calculate the cross section for the resonance scattering of Lyman-..cap alpha.. radiation by spinless nonrelativistic hydrogen atoms in the ground state using a two-level model. A generalization of Dirac's resonance scattering theory is used together with the exact matrix elements for the electromagnetic interaction. In contrast to the usual treatments in which only the dipole approximation for the matrix elements are taken, the shift in position of the resonance is finite and has a value of 75% of the Lamb shift of the n=1 state. Whether this latter fact is significant in renormalization calculations is left open.
The nature of the first generation of stars in the Universe remains largely unknown. Observations imply the existence of massive primordial stars early in the history of the universe, and the standard theory for the growth of cosmic structure predicts that structures grow hierarchically through gravitational instability. We have developed an ab initio computer simulation of the formation of primordial stars that follows the relevant atomic and molecular processes in a primordial gas in an expanding universe. The results show that primeval density fluctuations left over from the Big Bang can drive the formation of a tiny protostar with a mass of just one percent that of the sun. The protostar is a seed for the subsequent formation of a massive primordial star.
A simple and cheap method is described for the manufacturing of individual positioning aids made of foamed polyurethane. Some examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of these positioning aids for the irradiation of different body regions. The reproducibility of the radiation field in the head and neck area was investigated with and without positioning aid. It was proved that the field is adjusted more exactly when positioning aids are applied. The dosimetric investigations performed showed a negligible influence of foamed polyurethane on the radiation quality. So the positioning aids could be left within the radiation field when drawing the field borders.
It has been observed that dislocation loops form and grow during annealing of silicon wafers implanted at doses above the amorphization threshold. Dislocation loops can act to store interstitials for prolonged periods of anneals, sustaining an interstitial super-saturation and thus causing substantial transient enhanced diffusion (TED). The authors have developed a comprehensive model which, in combination with a model and parameters for #left brace#311#right brace# defects from previous work, accounts for the formation and evolution of dislocation loops during ion implant annealing, as well as giving the correct TED behavior.
A 1.5-year-old male Belgian Malinosis Military Working Dog presented with a 1-month history of intermittent hematuria. Diagnostic ultrasound and contrast radiography demonstrated large blood clots in the urinary bladder and a filling defect in the right renal pelvis. At surgery, clotted blood was present in the right ureter and bladder. Following right nephrectomy, the dog returned to training. One month later, elevations in urea nitrogen and creatinine were noted. Hematuria recurred at 3 months and the dog was found dead in its kennel. Necropsy showed a blood-filled left renal pelvis and ureter. PMID:1454185
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and histopathology were used to diagnose an articular process synovial myxoma in a dog. On MR images, the tumor was characterized by distortion of the left L1-L2 articular process, widening of the articular process joint, and the presence of a mass contiguous with the synovium of the articular process that displaced the spinal cord. The tumor was T2-hyperintense, T1-hypointense, relative to muscle, and had mild contrast enhancement. The MR features of articular process synovial myxoma may be distinct from other diseases of the articular process joint.
In this letter, they present the results on a global fit to precision electroweak data in a Higgs triplet model. In models with a triplet Higgs boson, a consistent renormalization scheme differs from that of the Standard Model and the global fit shows that a light Higgs boson with mass of 100-200 GeV is preferred. Triplet Higgs bosons arise in many extensions of the Standard Model, including the left-right model and the Little Higgs models. The result demonstrates the importance of the scalar loops when there is a large mass splitting between the heavy scalars. It also indicates the significance of the global fit.
A technique for calculation of the total weight of quark clusters-fluctons: in nuclei is developed. Blokhintsev's formula is justified microscopically and refined by introduction of spin-charge and quark factors. It is shown that the large values of the correlation radius (R/sub C/#approx =#0.75 fm or 1.0 fm) derived from experimental data in various papers using this formula correspond to #left brace#similarreverse arrowto#right brace#2.5 times smaller internucleon distances in the flucton (0.3--0.4 fm), i.e., the hardness of fluctons is caused by unsuppressed manifestation of hidden color at such distances (the corresponding probabilities are presented).
Two patients are described in whom sunburn and electron beam radiodermatitis, respectively, were critical determinants in localizing the initial presentation of drug eruptions. In the first instance, a severe sunburn of the back and thighs was followed 7 months later by the appearance of a toxic epidermal necrolysis drug reaction to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the exact sites of the previous bullous sunburn reaction. In the second patient, a radiodermatitis of the left upper arm due to electron beam therapy for metastatic breast cancer was followed 7 weeks later by a codeine drug reaction confined to the area of the radiodermatitis. In both instances, oral rechallenge with the offending drug reproduced the eruption.
We describe a 16-month-old boy presenting with stridor and fever. The chest X-ray suggested inhalation of a foreign body but here was no history of this. A high spot a T_1-weighted chest MRI was due to a peanut which was seen to have moved from the right main bronchus to the left inferior bronchus, between the two MRI studies. MRI can provide information on position and size of the peanut, the conditons of the surrounding tissues and may be also useful in treatment. We consider MRI to be a valuable new method for the diagnosis of peanut inhalation. (orig./GDG).
Comparatively evaluates two models for forecasting ground subsidence after underground mining: a standard method used in Poland in underground coal mining and a method used in the GDR. Factors that influence ground subsidence after underground mining are evaluated. Effects of depth, stratification, and physical and mechanical properties of rock strata are analyzed. Time dependence of dynamic troughs and static final troughs left after underground mining is evaluated. Formulae are recommended for forecasting ground subsidence after underground coal mining and mining of other deposits. 3 refs.
In recent years, several groups, including the physician assistant, health information management, ophthalmic medical technician/technologist, and athletic training review committees, have left the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) system to form their own, profession-specific accrediting bodies. Their motivation was typically a desire for greater professional visibility and autonomy. Combined, these professions represented one third of the CAAHEP's programs. This article reviews the history of allied health and examines current attempts to bring cohesion and identity to this increasingly fractured segment of the U.S. health care system. PMID:18444439
The Sheep Mountain area, in the southwest Wind River Basin, is the up plunge closure of the Derby Dome-Winkleman Dome producing trend of an echelon folds which comprise the first line of folding down the northeast flank of the Wind River Mountains. The structural style exposed in the Palozoic reservoir rocks of Sheep Mountain may serve as a model for the other structural features in the Wind River Basin. As in the case of the Derby Dome and Winkleman Dome, Sheep Mountain is typically asymmetric to the southwest. Local east-directed thrusts exposed in the core of the anticline place Pennsylvania over Permian age rocks. A major change in the trend of the anticlinal crest within Sheep Mountain, suggests development of separate left-stepping en echelon closures at depth. The northwest end of Sheep Mountain also forms a left-stepping en echelon pattern with Derby Dome. The northwest plunge of Sheep Mountain is facilitated by compartmentalization ...
Full text: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder characterised by profound fatigue and neuropsychiatric dysfunction. Previous studies with cerebral perfusion SPECT (rCBF) scans were performed with inhomogeneous patient populations and were not analysed with Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM). We have used SPM to study subjects with moderate CFS based on the Fukuda criteria, who were not on medication and not depressed, compared to age matched control subjects. An apparent bimodal age distribution has been observed in CFS. Subjects were therefore divided into two age groups: 16-35 or under 35 (17 CFS, 11 control) and 36-61 or over 35 (15 CFS, 15 control). HMPAO brain SPECT was acquired on a 3-head camera. After lower window scatter subtraction, reconstruction with attenuation correction (mu=0.15/cm) and editing of facial activity, scans were spatially normalised (affine + 2x3x2 nonlinear) to SPM's anatomical space. SPM statistical analysis yielded the location, ...
X-ray scattering from lyophilized proteins or protein-rich samples is characterized by the presence of two characteristic broad peaks at scattering angles equivalent to momentum transfer values of 0.27 and 0.6 nm{sup -1}, respectively. These peaks arise from the interference of coherently scattered photons. Once the conformation of a protein is changed, these two peaks reflect such change with considerable sensitivity. The present work examines the possibility of characterizing the most common cause of hemolytic anaemia in Egypt and many Mediterranean countries; {beta}-thalassemia, from its X-ray scattering profile. This disease emerges from a genetic defect causing reduced rate in the synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin. As a result, structurally abnormal hemoglobin molecules are formed. In order to detect such molecular disorder, hemoglobin samples of {beta}-thalassemia patients are collected, lyophilized and measured using a ...
Purpose: To evaluate the significance of preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands to the surgical outcome in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Material and Methods: Thirty-nine patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were studied preoperatively with US (39 patients), CT (30 patients) and MR imaging (18 patients). The overall diagnostic accuracy for US was 87%, CT 66% and MR 94%. In patients with a single parathyroid adenoma US was the most cost-effective localization technique with a detection rate of 96%. CT had a lower detection rate (78%) but was of particular value for fairly large ectopic adenomas in the root of the neck. MR imaging was a good confirmatory test (93%). In patients with multiple gland disease (primary hyperplasia and multiple adenomas), no single localization study alone was sufficient. Combination of all 3 studies, however, alerted the physician to the presence of disease in more than one gland in 87% of these ...
Pulmonary clearance of an aerosol of "9"9Tc"m DTPA was measured in 21 non-smoking AIDS and pneumocystosis patients. The results were compared with those of pulmonary scintiscanning with gallium. All the patients exhibited increased clearance, evidence of a considerable alteration in alveolar permeability. This increase was also observed in patients with normal chest X-rays and normal blood gases. The average clearance in these patients was 6 #+-# 2% min"-"1 as compared with a normal 1.1 #+-# 0.3% min"-"1. Conversely, only four out of eight patients with normal chest X-rays had abnormal gallium scans. Clearance returned to normal after recovery. Measurement of DTPA clearance appears to be a very sensitive indicator for the detection and follow-up of pneumocystosis. However, it is not very specific since it can be increased by tobacco poisoning, drug abuse and the presence of lymphocytic alveolitis. An examination with normal findings can therefore exclude the ...
Bone scintigraphy was performed in 16 men with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as 2 weeks and 2 months after operation. The uptake in the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae was registered up to 240 min after injection of /sup 99m/Tc-MDP and was then calculated for each patient and vertebra. The relative standard deviation in measured uptake due to measuring technique was estimated to be +-7%. In eight patients, who had normal bone scintigraphies before orchiectomy, there were no changes in the uptake values after operation. The remaining eight patients had widespread metastatic involvement prior to treatment, six of these patients showed a so-called 'flare phenomenon' in the abnormal vertebrae which means an initial increase in uptake after operation followed by a decreased uptake in response to therapy. One patient had a continuously increased uptake in all the abnormal vertebrae which ...
Bone scintigraphy was performed in 16 men with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as 2 weeks and 2 months after operation. The uptake in the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae was registered up to 240 min after injection of "9"9"mTc-MDP and was then calculated for each patient and vertebra. The relative standard deviation in measured uptake due to measuring technique was estimated to be #+-#7%. In eight patients, who had normal bone scintigraphies before orchiectomy, there were no changes in the uptake values after operation. The remaining eight patients had widespread metastatic involvement prior to treatment, six of these patients showed a so-called 'flare phenomenon' in the abnormal vertebrae which means an initial increase in uptake after operation followed by a decreased uptake in response to therapy. One patient had a continuously increased uptake in all the abnormal vertebrae which correlated well with the ...
Staging bone scans or skeletal surveys were obtained of 97 patients with endometrial carcinoma. Of the 77 patients with Stage I or II disease, no metastases were identified at staging. Three patients in the entire series demonstrated bony metastases; all of these metastases were detectable by radionuclide bone scan and radiographic bone survey. Eighty-nine patients were examined with radionuclide liver/spleen scanning at the time of staging. Four of the 89 initial scans were interpreted as demonstrating hepatocellular disease, and all four patients had abnormal liver function studies. Only one patient demonstrated a possible hepatic metastasis at initial diagnosis. This patient also had abnormal liver function studies. Based on these results, bone surveys and radionuclide bone scans are not indicated as screening procedures in endometrial carcinoma. It is suggested that screening for liver metastases in patients with endometrial carcinoma is ...
Quantitative bone scintigraphy was performed in 24 patients with prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy and up to one to four years after operation. The gamma camera count rate was recorded over the lower thoracic and all lumbar vertebrae 4 h after injection of [sup 99m]Tc-MDP. Twelve patients has normal bone scintigrams throughout the study. They showed from two years after operation a slight increase in count rate values compared with the preoperative values, probability due to hormonal changes after orchiectomy and to age-related alterations in skeletal metabolism. Twelve patients had abnormal bone scintigrams. They showed as a response to treatment the flare phenomenon with an increase in count rate over the abnormal vertebrae when measured two weeks after operation followed by a decrease after two months. The lowest count rate values were obtained between six months and one year after operation. Thereafter the count rate seemed to remain ...
Quantitative bone scintigraphy was performed in 24 patients with prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy and up to one to four years after operation. The gamma camera count rate was recorded over the lower thoracic and all lumbar vertebrae 4 h after injection of "9"9"mTc-MDP. Twelve patients has normal bone scintigrams throughout the study. They showed from two years after operation a slight increase in count rate values compared with the preoperative values, probability due to hormonal changes after orchiectomy and to age-related alterations in skeletal metabolism. Twelve patients had abnormal bone scintigrams. They showed as a response to treatment the flare phenomenon with an increase in count rate over the abnormal vertebrae when measured two weeks after operation followed by a decrease after two months. The lowest count rate values were obtained between six months and one year after operation. Thereafter the count rate seemed to remain on ...
To examine and evaluate the predominant and common etiologic agent(s) of urinary tract infection (UTI) in Sukkur city and to determine their current antibiotic susceptibility/resistance trends. Nine hundred sixty six patients out of 1430 abnormal urine reports (showing significant abnormalities such as protein, pus, red cells) were asked to give second sample. The urine samples were examined by both urine test strip (Combur 10 Test, Roche) and microscopically (wet preparation) followed by culture and sensitivity. The culture sensitivity was done on urine samples of which bacterial numbers were estimated as more than 105CFU. The study was conducted at Safeway Diagnostic and Research Laboratory Sukkur and the Department of Microbiology, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Sindh from March 2001 to March 2003. Eight hundred fifty-two (88.2%) showed Escherichia spp followed by Klebsiella spp (6.9%) and proteus spp (4.9%). These showed 95%, 90%, ...
This study aimed to reveal that severe disturbance of attachment relationship with primary care-giver can affect functional and anatomical brain development by measuring cerebral perfusion on "9"9"mTc-ECD brain SPECT and correlative MRI. We included 18 children aged 31 to 76 months who met the diagnostic criteria of RAD as defined in DSM-IV and ICD-10 and SSP and CARS. "9"9"mTc-ECD SPECT was performed using CERASPECT. MRI was performed in all patients. SPECT data were visually assessed. 15 of 18 children had abnormal perfusion on SPECT, revealing decreased perfusion of Lt.thalamus (7/15) and Rt.thalamus (3/15), and bilateral thalami (5/15). Perfusion of basal ganglia was decreased in 8 children. Decreased perfusion of Lt. parietal area was seen in 2. Whereas, all patients had normal MR findings. Perfusion abnormalities involving thalamus, BG in most children with RAD were found in this study. These results suggest that brain development of ...
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an important tool in the radiologic diagnosis of diseases of the brain as it measures molecular motion of water that characterizes the microstructure of tissues. Its most important clinical use to date is the early detection of cerebral ischemia by revealing the ischemic injury shortly after vessel occlusion and simultaneously providing therapy-relevant information on the tissue at risk. Furthermore, diffusion MRI is diagnostically promising in other diseases of the brain and is thus increasingly becoming part of routine clinical protocols in the diagnosis of tumors, inflammation, trauma, demyelination, dysmyelination and neurodegeneration. Although abnormalities of diffusion are generally not pathognomonic, diffusion MRI affords information about tissue changes for specific disorders that complements information obtained with standard MR techniques and frequently shows pathology earlier. In addition, diffusion ...
An evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the ASARCO Globe facility, Denver, Colorado. The facility was involved in the recovery of cadmium from baghouse dust, a waste byproduct of nonferrous smelters. A medical study of kidney function was conducted in 45 current or former cadmium production workers; results were compared to those for 35 hospital workers. Kidney abnormalities were more common and more severe in the cadmium workers than in the hospital workers. Abnormalities of proximal tubular function included reduced reabsorption of beta-2-microglobulin, retinol binding protein, calcium and phosphate. Glomerular dysfunction was evidenced as elevated serum creatinine. As length of exposure to cadmium increased, changes became more apparent in workers. No reversal of the conditions was noted in workers who had ceased to be exposed to cadmium some time before the study. The authors conclude that occupational ...
To analyze and review the most common focal lesions of the external auditory canal (EAC), describing the computed tomography (CT) findings. The CT images of EAC were reviewed in a series of 167 patients. Abnormal findings were recorded in 13 cases. The CT images were correlated with otoscopic and/or intraoperative findings. There were four cases of osteoma (one located outside the EAC); all of which were treated surgically, as was the one case of exostosis. Six patients presented debris in EAC, coinciding with clinical evidence of external otitis. There were two cholesteatomas derived from EAC, one of them secondary to survery to treat osteoma. On patient was diagnosed as having a basal cell carcinoma of the ear, extending to EAC, but refused to undergo surgery. Five patients presented small triangular laminae of dense bone arising from the upper wall of the EAC which were defined as abnormal variants of the fusion of the temporal squamous ...
With an objective to detect faults estimated to exist along the Shigesumi valley in the Kamioka mine, discussions were given by using electromagnetic survey, which uses the Turam measurement arrangement based on the TEM method, and three-dimensional model calculations. The Turam measurement arrangement, which installs transmission loop fixedly, is used to identify nature and distribution of electrically conductive objects upon noticing abnormal portions in magnetic fields in the measurement data. In the model calculation, the plate model calculation method and the FDTD method were used, and so was the calculation code TEM3DL. The result revealed that strong topographical influence is seen from steep V-shaped valley existing along the traverse line in the measurement data, but an abnormal resistivity band accompanying remarkable distortion in the curve was detected. According to the result of the model calculation, anomaly detection may be found ...
The fault detection and diagnosis system for gas engines was developed to improve the reliability of cogeneration systems (CGS). Most of existing fault detection systems monitor the trend of each part condition of engines and diagnose faults based on trend change, resulting in slow detection. Although early detection systems are available, those are complex, expensive and poor in flexibility and applicability. Since CGSs combined with gas engines increased to 1/3 of the whole CGS, engine troubles cause possible serious faults. The fault diagnosis system was thus developed to prevent serious faults which can early detect, in particular, abnormal conditions of parts around a combustion chamber such as ignition plug, intake valve and exhaust valve by monitoring exhaust pressure waveforms in an exhaust collector. Since this system can detect progressive occurrence frequency of abnormal conditions and degradation of engine parts, it can transfer ...
Selective alveolo-bronchography (SAB) has been routinely used to evaluate anatomical changes in the bronchiole and its distal air spaces. A narrowing of the bronchiole and abnormal pooling of contrast medium in the destroyed air space are the prime findings. Since the object of radiography is extremely thin, direct magnification radiography is mandatory to obtain radiologic details. However, the problem with this technique is that radiographic quality varies depending upon the size of the patient and the concentration of contrast medium to be introduced in the lung. This study had two goals. One was to improve the image quality of SAB by Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR). FCR provides radiographs with a good contrast and stable density throughout a wide range of exposure factors which occur in the use of SAB. The other goal was to separately evaluate morphological abnormalities in the outer and inner zones of the lung using X-ray CT. This idea ...
The effects of Fe and B{sub 4}C on the sintering behavior and mechanical properties of TiB{sub 2} ceramics have been studied. Sintering was performed in an Ar atmosphere at 2000{degrees}C using attrition-milled TiB{sub 2} powder. When a small amount of Fe (0.5 wt%) was added, abnormal grain growth occurred and the sintered density was low. In the case of B{sub 4}C added along with 0.5 wt% Fe, however, abnormal grain growth was remarkably suppressed, and the sintered density was increased up to 95% of theoretical. But with excess Fe addition (5 wt%), B{sub 4}C grains did not act as a grain growth inhibitor, and B{sub 4}C grains were frequently trapped in large TiB{sub 2} grains. The best mechanical properties were obtained for the TiB{sub 2}-10 wt% B{sub 4}C-0.5 wt% Fe ceramics, which exhibited a three-point bending strength of 400 MPa and a fracture toughness of 5.5 MPa {center dot} m{sup 1/2}.
The effects of Fe and B_4C on the sintering behavior and mechanical properties of TiB_2 ceramics have been studied. Sintering was performed in an Ar atmosphere at 2000 degrees C using attrition-milled TiB_2 powder. When a small amount of Fe (0.5 wt%) was added, abnormal grain growth occurred and the sintered density was low. In the case of B_4C added along with 0.5 wt% Fe, however, abnormal grain growth was remarkably suppressed, and the sintered density was increased up to 95% of theoretical. But with excess Fe addition (5 wt%), B_4C grains did not act as a grain growth inhibitor, and B_4C grains were frequently trapped in large TiB_2 grains. The best mechanical properties were obtained for the TiB_2-10 wt% B_4C-0.5 wt% Fe ceramics, which exhibited a three-point bending strength of 400 MPa and a fracture toughness of 5.5 MPa #centre dot# m"1"/"2.
Modern imaging technologies visualize different aspects of disease in a non-invasive way. Considerable progress has been made in the fusion of images from different imaging modalities using software approaches. One goal of fusion software is to align anatomical and functional images and allow improved spatial localization of abnormalities. The resulting correlation of the anatomical and functional images may clarify the nature of the abnormality and help diagnose or stage the underlying disease. Whereas successful image fusion software has been developed for the brain, only limited success has been achieved for image alignment in other parts of the body. The development and current status of alternative approaches are presented. Dual-modality imaging is described with devices where two modalities are combined and mounted in a single gantry. The use of existing scanner technology ensures that no compromises are made in the clinical efficacy of ...
The human CDC25 tyrosine phosphatases trigger activation of CDC2 by removing inhibitory phosphates; thus the genes encoding these phosphatases may be suspected as potential oncogenes due to their role in promoting cell division. To date, three human CDC25 genes have been identified: CDC25A, B, and C. This communication describes the mapping of CDC25A to chromosome 3p21 and CDC25B to chromosome 20p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization with confirmation by the polymerase chain reaction of hamster-human somatic cell hybrid DNA. 3p21 is near an area frequently involved in karyotypic abnormalities in renal carcinomas, small cell carcinomas of the lung, and benign tumors of the salivary gland. 20p13 does not seem to be a common area for karyotypic alteration in tumors. Mapping of these genes to their chromosomal loci may help identify tumors with abnormal regulation of CDC25 genes due to genomic alterations. 15 refs., 3 figs.
The electrochemical behavior of lanthanide oxides in molten alkaline chloride media is of great concern in pyrochemical processes for advanced nuclear fuel cycle. We have studied the solubilities of various lanthanide oxides in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt. In general, lanthanide oxides appeared to be insoluble/sparingly soluble in LiCl-KCl eutectic at 723 K. However, europium oxide exhibited an abnormal behavior in solubility and redox chemistry. The solubility of europium oxide was measured to be 1-2 order of magnitude higher than those of other lanthanide oxides. This abnormal solubility may be attributable to different electrochemical behavior of europium in the same experimental conditions. Most lanthanides ion exists as trivalent oxidation states. However, we observed divalent europium dissolved in LiCl-KCl molten salt by applying electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR) spectroscopy. (Figure 1) With the aid of this spectroscopic tool, it was found ...
In cases of obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC), preoperative diagnosis of the proximal lesion is often difficult when the primary lesion impedes the passage of the endoscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in such cases. A total of 52 obstructive CRC patients who underwent preoperative FDG-PET and subsequent surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. The correlation between characteristics of the proximal lesion and FDG-PET findings was analyzed statistically. There was a significant correlation between the proximal lesion size and the maximum standardized uptake value (P=0.00016). Abnormal FDG accumulation in the proximal colon indicated the existence of proximal cancer or adenoma with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 100%. There was a significant difference in the distribution of tumor size between the cases with proximal abnormal ...
Triclinic b-BiNbO4 prepared below 750^oC and above 1040^oC (denoted as Low-b and High-b, respectively) and pure orthorhombic a-BiNbO4 at 900^oC were successfully derived from a citrate method and the phase transition from b-BiNbO4 to a-BiNbO4 was first observed in BiNbO4 powders. This phenomenon proves that the abnormal phase transition from b-BiNbO4 to a-BiNbO4 exists in BiNbO4 powder system. The synthesis of Low-b powders can be attributed to the formation of the intermediate phase of Bi5Nb3O15 by the citrate method. With increasing temperature, the Low-b phase gradually turns into a-BiNbO4 due to the thermodynamically metastable state of Low-b. We also identified that the stress in pellet format can accelerate the phase transition from Low-b to a phase of BiNbO4 in comparison with powde...
A study on brain CT was made in 20 cases of typical endemic cretinism and 15 cases of normal persons. These patients from severely iodine deficient area were diagnosed as neurological endemic cretinism characterized by severe mental retardation with impairment of hearing, speech, neuromotor, etc. to varying degrees. The brain CT showed that there were many and deep depressions in cerebral cortex, especially in frontal and parietal lobes of some cretins, the lateral ventricle system was dilated, particularly in posterior part of it, and the interhemisphere fissure, lateral fissure and subarachnoid cisterns were also expanded. The CT value of cortex was higher and white matter was lower than that of normal persons. In some severe cases, the two hemispheres of brain were not the same in size. These findings above indicated that these endemic cretins had a severe retardation of brain development including cerebral cortex and white matter. In addition, some abnormal ...
Snapping or grating scapula is a condition of the shoulder girdle in which the patient complains of pain and an audible snapping sound which may be associated with pain. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the computed tomography (CT) scans using the clinical diagnosis of a grating scapula as the gold standard. This retrospective study reports the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and receiver operator characteristic curve for the CT scans and the k value as a measure of the interobserver agreement. None of the parameters validated the examination. We therefore concluded that CT scans are inappropriate for differentiation between a grating scapula and a normally functioning shoulder except in cases where bony abnormalities are present. (orig.)
A centralized, automatic monitoring system for coal mines has been developed. The system consists of newly-developed and improved sensors, transmission equipment, a minicomputer designed for scientific and technical calculations, and accompanying software (MOLES). MOLES performs six functions: input, computation, decision, memory, output and correction. Previously, centralized monitoring has been limited to single dimensional monitoring of the 'time and point' type. The present system carries out data analysis and processing with respect to time, space and item. It is also capable of simple automatic diagnosis of abnormalities. (In Japanese)
Power System Stabilizers (PSS) have broad application throughout the world. PSS application requires careful tuning which is usually accomplished in the field with the generator and power system in an abnormal condition. Recently developed equipment which combines fast Fourier transform capability with digital computer technique provides a means of PSS tuning which is faster and more accurate than was previously obtainable. This paper describes a PSS tuning test conducted using the new technique. The advantages will be apparent to the reader. The described test is very poignant as evidenced by two unexpected occurrences of instability.
The 2nd periodical inspection was carried out on the asphalt solidification facility and the incinerator in Unit 2 of the Sendai Nuclear Power Station from November 5 to 28, 1985. Inspection was made in radiation control facility and disposal facility. By external appearance, disassembly, function and performance tests there were observed no abnormalities. The personnel exposure doses during the inspection were below the permissible level. In the inspection, improvement etc. works were not done. (Mori, K.).
The regular inspection of No.2 plant in Sendai Nuclear Power Station was carried out from January 7 to February 8, 1985. The summary of the results of this regular inspection is as follows. The facilities as the object of inspection were radiation control facilities and waste facilities. On these facilities as the object of inspection, the appearance, disassembling, functional, performance and other inspections were carried out, and as the results, abnormality was not found at all. The works related to this regular inspection were accomplished within the range of the allowable radiation dose based on the relevant laws. (Kako, I.).
The microstructures of magnesium AZ31 are examined following hot compression testing and annealing. The grain size, fraction dynamically recrystallized and, in a couple of cases, the crystallographic texture are reported. It was found that the progress of dynamic recrystallization is strongly sensitive to processing conditions but that the dynamically recrystallized grain size was less sensitive to stress than in other metals. It was also found that, for structures containing between 80 and 95% dynamic recrystallization, abnormal grain growth occurs during annealing. The crystallographic texture produced is also sensitive to the deformation conditions. (orig.)
Dyspnea is the most distressing symptom experienced by those suffering from advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Activity-related dyspnea in COPD is multifactorial but is associated with increased central neural drive, impaired dynamic respiratory mechanics and abnormal respiratory muscle function. Each of these components can potentially be targeted for pharmacotherapy. Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of COPD include the development of new long-acting bronchodilators which, when combined, provide sustained improvements in dyspnea. Additionally, novel applications of older therapies such as opiates, furosemide, helium-oxygen, and statins show early promise as dyspnea-relieving interventions in COPD. Effective pharmacological manipulation of the affective ...
Apparent growth of amorphous layers during low temperature annealing was observed in low energy Ge{sup +}-implanted (0 0 1)Si by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The occurrence of abnormal growth is due to the randomization of heavily damaged regions beneath the original amorphous/crystalline interfaces. The randomization process is attributed to the strain, incurred by the presence of a high density of large Ge atoms in the heavily damaged Si substrate, relaxation to lower the free energy of the systems. The randomization upon annealing may be fruitfully applied to minimize the transient enhanced diffusion in shallow junction formation.
Apparent growth of amorphous layers during low temperature annealing was observed in low energy Ge"+-implanted (0 0 1)Si by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The occurrence of abnormal growth is due to the randomization of heavily damaged regions beneath the original amorphous/crystalline interfaces. The randomization process is attributed to the strain, incurred by the presence of a high density of large Ge atoms in the heavily damaged Si substrate, relaxation to lower the free energy of the systems. The randomization upon annealing may be fruitfully applied to minimize the transient enhanced diffusion in shallow junction formation.
A technique for quantitative analysis of growth plates in varus or valgus deformity about the knee has been developed. Computer-generated regions of interest are placed on magnification scintigraphs to divide distal femoral and proximal tibial physes into four equal segments. The ratio of counts in the medial half to counts in the lateral half was studied in 31 children (22 normal, 9 with angular deformity). Normal ratios were 0.74 to 0.98 for femora and 0.98 to 1.20 for tibias. In eight of nine patients with deformity, the ratio was abnormal; in two patients the ratio returned to normal when the deformity ceased to progress.
Visceral hypersensitivity is currently considered a key pathophysiological mechanism involved in pain perception in large subgroups of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In IBS, visceral hypersensitivity has been described in 20%?90% of patients. The contribution of the central nervous system and psychological factors to visceral hypersensitivity in patients with IBS may be significant, although still debated. Peripheral factors have gained increasing attention following the recognition that infectious enteritis may trigger the development of persistent IBS symptoms, and the identification of mucosal immune, neural, endocrine, microbiological, and intestinal permeability abnormalities. Growing evidence suggests that these factors ...
Transmissions of sperm by unirradiated and irradiated cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, were studied by live dissection of females immediately after the initiation of mating. In cotton bollworm the sperm transfer was rather a complex process. In fact unirradiated males failed to transfer sperm in about 19% of their matings. When irradiated with 250 Gy and 400 Gy, aberrations of sperm transmission were about 21% and 50% respectively. The failure of spermatophore 'cap' location was an important reason of sperm transmission aberrations. When females mated to high-dose-irradiated males, their oviposition response appeared abnormal
A confocal microscopy imaging system was devised to selectively detect Second harmonic signals generated by biological tissues. Several types of biological tissues were examined using this imaging system, including human teeth, bovine blood vessels, and chicken skin. All these tissues generated strong second harmonic signals. There is considerable evidence that the source of these signals in tissue is collagen. Collagen, the predominant component of most tissues, is known to have second order nonlinear susceptibility. This technique may have diagnostic usefulness in pathophysiological conditions characterized by changes in collagen structure including malignant transformation of nevi, progression of diabetic complications, and abnormalities in wound healing.
Dilatation of the azygos vein is usually due to increased pressure or flow, rarely is it diopathic. Another cause is so-called continuation of the azygos in cases of absence of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. The method of choice for the investigation of azygos dilatation nowadays is computer tomotgraphy. Anomalies of the inferior vena cava can be recognised in this way unequivocally by a non-invasive method. Computer tomography frequently shows important additional abnormalities (e.g. situs inversus, polysplenia), since it demonstrates all organs situated in the plane of section. (orig.).
Back pain from osteoporosis is commonly related to compression fractures. The patient with vertebral compression fractures additionally suffers from an ongoing risk of recurrent fractures and postural abnormalities that can result in impaired respiratory function, leading to increased risk of morbidity. Weakened back muscles, especially the back extensor group, are felt to contribute significantly to this risk. The combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, through physical activity, exercise, and modalities, are potential interventions that could be used to help reduce the pain of osteoporotic compression fractures as well as potentially reducing recurrent fracture rates.
We report here the imaging findings of a rare case of a lethal form of Gorham disease in a young female patient. Multimodality imaging findings over 13 year-follow-up demonstrated progressive wide spread skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities with permeative osteolysis, pathological fractures and severe skeletal deformities. Unusual extensive osseous and soft tissue pneumatosis was illustrated on cross-sectional studies. The progressive nature of this form of Gorham disease and the subsequent complications eventually culminated in patient's death. (orig.)
We report here the imaging findings of a rare case of a lethal form of Gorham disease in a young female patient. Multimodality imaging findings over 13 year-follow-up demonstrated progressive wide spread skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities with permeative osteolysis, pathological fractures and severe skeletal deformities. Unusual extensive osseous and soft tissue pneumatosis was illustrated on cross-sectional studies. The progressive nature of this form of Gorham disease and the subsequent complications eventually culminated in patient's death. (orig.)
Quantitative bone scintigraphy was performed in patients with prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as two weeks, two and six months after operation. The count rate was recorded as serial gamma camera images over the lower thoracic and all lumbar vertebrae from 1 to 240 min and at 24 h after injection of "9"9"Tc"m-MDP. In almost all abnormal vertebrae an increased count rate was observed within one hour after injection. Most of the vertebrae which were considered normal at 4 h after injection, but had an increased 24h/4h ratio developed into abnormal vertebrae later in the study. The patients with normal bone scintigrams showed no change in "9"9Tc"m-MDP uptake during the study. The reproducibility of quantitative bone scintigraphy was found to be #+-# 7% (1 SD). In response to therapy, most of the patients with abnormal bone scintigrams showed an increase in count rate two weeks after operation followed by a ...
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) and High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) are promoting construction plan of Material-Life Science Facility, which is consisted of Muon Science Facility and Neutron Scattering Facility, in order to open up the new science fields. The Neutron Scattering Facility will be utilized for advanced fields of Material and Life science using high intensity neutrons generated by the spallation reaction induced by injecting a 1 MW pulsed proton beam onto a mercury target. Design of the spallation mercury target system is in progress to obtain good neutron performance keeping high reliability and safety. The target material is mercury. As a result of the spallation reaction, large amount of radioactive spallation products are to be contained in the mercury. Therefore to establish the safety of the target system, transient behaviors of the system during anticipated events should be well understood. The safety protection system and an ...
Individuals with male factor infertility resulting from idiopathic oligo-, astheno- or teratozoospermia are frequently offered IVF in an attempt to increase their chances of having a child. A concern remains whether these infertile males have an elevated risk of transmitting chromosomal abnormalities to their offspring. Sperm chromosomal complements from these men were assayed using the human sperm/hamster oocyte fusion system and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on sperm nuclei. For each of 5 infertile patients, 100 sperm karyotypes were analyzed and multicolour FISH analysis was performed on a minimum of 10,000 sperm nuclei for each chromosome-specific DNA probe for chromosomes 1 (pUC1.77), 12 (D12Z3), X (XC) and Y (DYZ3). As a group, the infertile patients showed increased frequencies of both numerical ({chi}{sup 2}=17.26, {proportional_to} <0.001) and total abnormalities ({chi}{sup 2}=7.78, {proportional_to} <0.01) relative ...
Objective: To analyze the characteristics of external hydrocephalus in infancy with MR imaging, and to explore the cause of accumulation of extracerebral fluid and the relation with brain development. Methods: Conventional magnetic resonance T_1 weighted imaging (T_1WI) and T_2 weighted imaging (T_2WI) were performed in 46 infants aged 2 years or younger with external hydrocephalus (EH), and the results were analyzed. They were divided into 7 age groups. The width of extractable space was measured on T_2WI and compared with normal standard. Results: EH mainly resulted from infection, subdural hematoma or subarachnoid hemorrhage, HIE, which were 67.4% (31/46 cases) of the cases; EH with unknown cause were 26.1% (12/46 cases). EH was mainly located at the foreside of cerebral convexity, of which 80.4% (37/46 cases )was predominantly in the subarachnoid space, 8.7% (4/46 cases) in subdural space, 10.9% was subdural coexisted with subarachnoid collection. Duramater and piamater were high ...
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) was used to analyze in vivo antagonist binding to human myocardial muscarinic cholinergic receptor. The methiodide salt of the muscarinic antagonist, quinuclidinyl benzilate (MQNB), was labeled with the positron emitter, Carbon-11, and injected intravenously to 8 normal subjects. /sup 11/C-MQNB concentration was determined in vivo in the ventricular septum from 40 cross-sectional images acquired at the same transverse level over a period of 70 minutes. In 4 subjects, various amounts of unlabeled atropine were rapidly injected at 20 minutes to study whether atropine competitively inhibited MQNB. The kinetics of binding of /sup 11/C-MQNB were not the same in vivo and in vitro. The apparent dissociation rate of /sup 11/C-MQNB in vivo was much slower (by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude) than that observed in vitro with /sup 3/H-QNB. After atropine injection, /sup 11/C-MQNB dissociated from its binding sites at a rate that apparently ...
To investigate the pattern of normal white-matter maturation as demonstrated by high-field-strength MR imaging, 82 normal infants were examined using a 1.5-T unit with spin-echo T1-weighted and T2-weighted pulse sequences. The infants ranged in age from 4 days to 2 years. The scans were assessed for qualitative changes of white matter relative to gray matter and correlated with the patient's age in 14 anatomic areas of the brain. The MR images showed that changes of brain maturation occur in an orderly manner, commencing in the brain stem and progressing to the cerebellum and the cerebrum. Changes from brain myelination were seen earlier on T1-weighted images than on T2-weighted images, possibly because of T1 shortening by the components of the developing myelin sheaths. The later changes on the T2-weighted images correlated best with the development of myelination, as demonstrated by histochemical methods. T1-weighted images were most useful to monitor normal brain development in the ...
We make a comparison of the predicted effective weak mixing angle, the Z-on resonance asymmetries and the W-boson mass to the LEP and SLD data at their present status. We find that the predicted MSSM values for the effective weak mixing angle are in agreement with the LEP+SLD average value for a ``heavy'' SUSY breaking scale while we observe an agreement with SLD data in the case of a ``light'' SUSY breaking scale. The resulting values for the W-boson mass and for the electron left-right asymmetries are compatible with CDF,UA2,DO and LEP data respectively. Unexpectedly we find that the supersymmetric QCD contributions to the Z-observables tend to vanish everywhere in the M1/2-M0 plane. Furthermore, values of M1/2 which are greater than 500 GeV are favoured by the MSSM if one considers the current experimental value for the strong coupling.
We present our initial experience with a new biodegradable (BD) esophageal stent in two patients, one for a therapy-resistant benign esophageal stricture, and the other as a temporary measure during curative radiotherapy for oesophageal carcinoma. The BD stents need to be loaded into a conventional pull-back delivery system but are then placed in a standard fashion. Pre-dilatation should be avoided to reduce the risk of migration, however if migration occurs the stents can be left to dissolve in the stomach. The stents are radiolucent but easily identified on CT with minimal artefact and thus might even aid with radiotherapy planning. BD stents offer an exciting new strategy for therapy-resistant benign strictures as well as a supportive measure for oesophageal cancer undergoing non-surgical treatment. (orig.)
Objective: To investigate the inserting technique of biliary double stents in treating hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: 6 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Bismuth IV) were treated by percutaneous transhepatic insertion of biliary stents. Double stents were inserted in each patient. Different inserting methods were adopted according to the branch angles formed by left and right hepatic ducts. Results: The jaundice of all patients alleviated or disappeared obviously after stent implantation. The average difference between post-and pre-operation in the serum total bilirubin level was (104 #+-# 29) #mu#mol/L (P<0.01). Stent obstruction was found in 2 cases after 4 and 6 months respectively. Conclusion: Double stents implantation is effective for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Beware of the angulation between main hepatic duct and adopting different inserting methods. (authors)
Photosynthetic carbohydrates from the leaves are exported through the phloem to growing tips, roots, flowers and fruits. If sucrose labelled with {sup 14}C is applied to the leaves of bean plants, the pathway for sugar movement may be readily observed by autoradiography. Students apply the labelled sucrose during class time and return the next day to press their plants. During the next class, the pressed and dried plants are placed against X-ray film and left in the dark for four weeks. the film is then developed, examined for presence of label and compared to the pressed plants. Source to sink movement is clearly illustrated and information about the mechanism of phloem transport and loading is gained through experimental treatments, which include blocking the phloem pathway and inhibiting energy production.
Sur l'origine des chiffres arabes A. Boucenna 1 From the pagination of an Algerian Arabic manuscript of the beginning of the 19th century,we rediscover the original shape that the Arabic numerals had before passing in Europe and underwent the transformation that gave the modern Arabic numerals. This original shape,whose use disappeared completely, proves that these numerals have their origin in the Arabic letters. Contrary to what some hypotheses pretend, particularly those that present them as drifting of Indian characters, the 10 Arabic numerals that we use are, nothing else, 10 Arabic letters more or less modified and taken in the "Abjadi" order. The hypothesis of the Indian origin of the Arabic numerals is revealed a mistake denied by the shape of the Arabic numerals and by the logic of the right to left representation of the numbers and the algorithm of the elementary operations. The Arabic numerals that simplified the writing of the numbers and the algorithms ...
Phase and structural transformations in a multicomponent (5.05 mas.% Mo-4.95V-3.00Cr-3.05Al) metastable #beta#-titanium alloy on aging after plastic deformation are studied using methods of electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The alloy is deformed by twinning in a #left brace#332#right brace# system, and even at initial stages the formation of a twin skeleton takes place in the structure, on further loading the deformation of the skeleton is by secondary twinning resulting in a high plasticity of the alloy. On annealing mechanical twins transform into #alpha#-phase - a ductile twin skeleton is replaced by a rigid skeleton of #alpha#-phase plates. The aging enhances the yield strength of the alloy but decreases sharply its plasticity
Background: Mechanisms underlying the association between myocardial bridge (MB)-stenting and in-stent restenosis (ISR) are still unclear. Objective: To assess the impact of MB on ISR using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Methods: In the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial, 100 left anterior descending artery (LAD) culprit lesions (79 treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents [PES] and 21 treated with bare metal stents) were imaged with serial IVUS immediately postprocedure and at 13 months. Results: At baseline the LAD stent extended into the MB segment beyond the culprit lesion in seven patients (MB-stent group). In the remaining 93 patients the LAD stent was implanted only in the culprit lesion without extending into t...
The authors present the results of a search for W{prime} boson decaying to electron-neutrino pairs in p{bar p} collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV, using a data sample corresponding to 205 pb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab. They observe no evidence for this decay mode and set limits on the production cross section times branching fraction, assuming the neutrinos from W{prime} boson decays to be light. If they assume the manifest left-right symmetric model, they exclude a W{prime} boson with mass less than 788 GeV/c{sup 2} at the 95% confidence level.
We demonstrate a novel cross-sectional deformation, called the radial corrugation, of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) under hydrostatic pressure. Theoretical analyses based on the continuum elastic approximation have revealed that MWNTs consisting of more than ten concentric walls undergo elastic deformations at critical pressure Formula Not Shown , above which the circular shape of the cross-section becomes radially corrugated. Various corrugation modes have been observed by tuning the innermost tube diameter and the number of constituent walls, which is a direct consequence of the core-shell structure of MWNTs. Cross-sectional views of MWNT under high hydrostatic pressure: elliptic deformation with the mode index n = 2 (left), and radial corrugations with n = 5 (center), and n = 6 ...
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has millions of gallons of high level nuclear waste stored in underground tanks at Hanford, Washington and Savannah River, South Carolina. These tanks will eventually be emptied and decommissioned. This will leave a residue of sludge adhering to the interior tank surfaces that may contaminate groundwaters with radionuclides and RCRA metals. Experimentation on such sludges is both dangerous and prohibitively expensive so there is a great advantage to developing artificial sludges. The US DOE Environmental Management Science Program (EMSP) has funded a program to investigate the feasibility of developing such materials. The following text reports on the success of this program, and suggests that much of the radioisotope inventory left in a tank will not move out into the surrounding environment. Ultimately, such studies may play a significant role in developing safe and cost effective tank closure strategies.
A 38 year old male dentist developed an oligodendroglioma of the left medial temporal lobe and parasellar region 12 years after radiotherapy with 6600 rads for acromegaly. The 30 cases of radiation-induced gliomas reported in the English literature are reviewed and analysed. The criteria for defining radiation-induced tumours of the central nervous system are proposed as follows: the tumour has a long quiescent ''latency period'', a location in the previously irradiated field, a verified histological difference from a primary condition, and does not arise from a primary condition associated with a genetic syndrome such as neurofibromatosis or tuberous sclerosis. The reported case fulfilled these criteria but appears to be the only reported radiation-induced oligodendroglioma.
The prevailing severe shortage of animal feed in most of the developing countries could, to a considerable extent, be overcome through improved range management, which includes introduction of high yielding drought-resistant forage crops, development of adequate water conservation measures, and as far as possible growing annual forage crops on part of the vast areas of arable land currently left fallow each year. Year round measurements are essential for a good understanding of soil water and nutrients dynamics, which allow for adequate evaluation of pasture management alternatives. The methods most commonly used for moisture measurements in soil profiles are discussed because such measurements are likely to form an essential part of any investigation aimed at increasing animal feed production through the development of adequate pasture management practices. (author).
Just below the Arctic Circle, about 200 kilometres off the Helgeland coastal region of Norway, lies the Skarv oil and gas field. Discovered in 1998, the greater Skarv development project now includes the Idun gas field. The Skarv development has begun to take shape, now roughly half-way to commencement, so Scandinavian Oil-Gas Magazine decided it was time to take a look at the project's progress thus far and what's left to do before production that's slated to begin in late summer, 2011. The Skarv Project include subsea wells connected to a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to process oil and condensate and a gas export pipeline that ties back to the Aasgard Transport system. (AG)
The consequences of exit, voice, loyalty, and neglect behavior were examined using retrospective questionnaires (Study 1) and 2 social interaction diary studies (Study 2). Exit and neglect were generally associated with more negative partner responses and reduced feelings of value and closeness, and were reported to be more harmful to the relationship. Voice was associated with more positive partner responses and greater value and intimacy, and was perceived to be most beneficial to the relationship. In contrast, loyalty was perceived to have the same detrimental consequences as destructive behaviors (Study 1) and did not predict more positive outcomes within daily interactions (Study 2). These results indicate that, despite good intentions, loyal intimates are often left feeling ignored a...
Abstract Objective: The aim of this investigation was to compare the healing of laser-irradiated and non-irradiated wounds covered by an occlusive dressing in mice. Background data: Many previous studies of the effects of laser irradiation of experimental wounds in mice and rats did not cover the wounds so that healing occurred mainly by contraction. Healing of covered wounds is slower and mimics more closely wound healing in humans. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven diabetic and twenty non-diabetic mice were used. A single wound (5?mm diameter) was created on the left flank of each animal and covered by Tegaderm HP dressing (Day 1). Wounds were irradiated (660?nm) for 20?s using a lower power (18?mW) or higher power (80?mW) laser starting immediately post-wounding for seven consecutive d...
A rare case of primary splenic cyst is shown in a young woman who had a left subcostal abdominal pain. Abdominal echography and CT scan revealed a cyst of the anterior aspect of the spleen. A sorologic test for hidatic disease was negative. On the basis of a presumed diagnostic of nonparasitic cyst, the patient was referred to a laparoscopic decapsulation with excision of the cysts wall not covered by splenic tissue. The patient was discharged 24 hours later. Histological report revealed epidermoid cyst. The laparoscopic approach has being recently considered an effective and less invasive alternative in the treatment of splenic diseases. We demonstrated that it should be considered for the treatment of splenic cysts present in a superficial location, with the advantage of organ preservation. (author)
Background This study aimed to evaluate laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) adrenalectomy via the retroperitoneal approach using the Alexis wound retractor with standard laparoscopic instrumentation. Methods Since October 2009, seven LESS retroperitoneal adrenalectomies have been completed successfully with a homemade single port created using an Alexis wound retractor as an access platform through a 3-cm incision beneath the tip of the 12th rib. Results All the LESS procedures for these seven patients with adrenal tumors (size, 1.3?6.0?cm; 4 right, 1 left) were completed successfully without traditional laparoscopic conversion or complication. The average operative time was 159?min, and the estimated blood loss was 100?ml. The average hospital stay was 2?days (range, 1?3?days). Conclusion...
The authors determined migration timing and abundance of juvenile spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and juvenile steelhead/rainbow trout O. mykiss from three populations in the Grande Ronde River basin. Based on migration timing and abundance, two distinct life-history strategies of juvenile spring chinook and O.mykiss could be distinguished. An early migrant group left upper rearing areas from July through January with a peak in the fall. A late migrant group descended from upper rearing areas from February through June with a peak in the spring.
Background The Norwood procedure consists of three palliative operations, performed in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Especially the first stage (Norwood I) is associated with the highest mortality rates in paediatric cardiac surgery (up to 25%). During surgery, the aorta is reconstructed and a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt is applied. Originally the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was used, but recently the right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt is increasingly being employed. We reviewed the results of our operative strategy, where an individualised choice of shunt is made. Furthermore, attempts to reduce interstage mortality (between Norwood I and II) were assessed. Methods All neonates who underwent Norwood stage I palliation from August 2004 until November 2010 were in...
Hydrogenation residue is the product left over when petroleum residue feedstocks (or coal) are treated by, e.g. the Veba Combi Cracking (VCC) process. Many tests in semitechnical and full-sized coke ovens were carried out with hydrogenation residue (HR) as an additive in coking coal blends for the production of blast furnace coke or foundry coke. The results of the investigations reported in this paper demonstrate that HR is a very promising alternative for enlarging the coking coal basis compared to other processes or the use of other additives. The application of HR on an industrial scale did not indicate any negative impact on the handling of the hydrogenation residue or on the operation of the coke oven battery.
We investigated the impacts of forest thinning, prescribed fire, and contour ripping on community level physiological profiles (CLPP) of the soil microbial population in postmining forest rehabilitation. We hypothesized that these management practices would affect CLPP via an influence on the quality and quantity of soil organic matter. The study site was an area of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest rehabilitation that had been mined for bauxite 12?years previously. Three replicate plots (20???20?m) were established in nontreated forest and in forest thinned from 3,000?8,000 stems ha?1 to 600?800 stems ha?1 in April (autumn) of 2003, followed either by a prescribed fire in September (spring) of 2003 or left nonburned. Soil samples were collected in August 2004 from two soil ...
Abstract In this brief report, we have described the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) in a 60-year-old female patient. The patient complained of fever and heaviness of left upper abdomen. Ultrasound-guided FNAC of the spleen showed immature lymphoid cells, and a diagnosis of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of spleen was offered. Subsequently, the patient underwent splenectomy and wedge biopsy of liver that confirmed the cytological diagnosis. The lymphoma cells were positive for CD3 immunostain. Primary hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma is a rare entity and may often pose diagnostic problems on FNAC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Aim: This study was performed: 1) to assess the relationship between blood flow velocity in the internal carotid artery (CBFICA) and pial artery pulsation (cc-TQ) and 2) to evaluate flow-induced changes in pial artery compliance. Methods: Experiments were performed on 10 crossbred male rabbits. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), CBFICA, the systolic-diastolic blood volume fraction in the brain circulation (CBFSDF) and cc-TQ were recorded after glucagon and acetazolamide administration. cc-TQ was measured with near-infrared transillumination back scattering sounding (NIR-T/BSS), LVEF and CBFSDF with gated scintigraphy and BP and CBFICA with electromagnetic pressure and flow transducers, respectively. Doses of drugs were chosen to exert a haemodyna...
Purpose In literature, few papers compare different hemostatic devices in laparoscopic adrenalectomy. This sequential cohort study analyzes the outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy performed by different hemostatic instruments, to evaluate if any of them has any advantage over the other and as secondary endpoints, the impact of body mass index (BMI) and tumor size on the indication, and the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Methods Forty-six patients, aged 54.6???46?years, underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy over 5?years. Mean BMI was 27???4.8?kg/m2. Twenty-four patients had a left tumor, and 22 had a right one. Patients were divided into two groups according to the hemostatic device: Ultracision was used in 26 patients, and Ligasure was used in 20. Groups were well matched for his...
Young rats were given a single irradiation dose (0.5, 2, 5 or 8 Gy) to the left knee-joint. The right unexposed knee-joint served as control. The animals were decapitated 1.5, 3, 7, 14 or 30 days after the irradiation. Longitudinal bone growth in the tibial epiphysis was established using tetracycline as an intravital marker. During the first 1.5 days after irradiation with 5 and 8 Gy, the growth was slightly inhibited (6-7%). Maximum growth retardation (20%) was found 7 to 14 days after irradiation with 5 and 8 Gy. No consistent effect occurred after 0.5 and 2 Gy. Between 14 to 30 days following irradiation growth was normalized.
Problems can sometimes occur during the construction of cast in-situ concrete piles. These foundations are formed by drilling a substantial hole into the ground and subsequently filling it with steel reinforcement and wet concrete. Several well-documented cases exist where concrete has not filled the hole and substantial voids have been left in the apparently completed pile. A theory has been developed by which it is possible to identify the nature, size and position of a finite defect within a suspect pile. The technique is based on the concept of receptances, and requires information obtained from vibration tests performed on piles after the concrete has hardened, and the nominal dimensions and material properties of the pile. The application of the theory is demonstrated using data relating to a pile with a known defect. The theory described in this paper ignores the effect of the surrounding soil; this can be included by further development of the theory.
Forensic signatures are present in any Pu sample that can determine the sample`s origin: isotopic ratio of Pu, progeny species that grow into the sample, and contaminant species left over from incomplete purification of the Pu in fuel reprocessing. In the context of intelligence information, this can result in attribution of responsibility for the product of clandestine proliferant operations or material smuggled from existing stockpiles. A list of signature elements and what can be determined from them have been developed. Work needs to be done in converting concentrations of signature species into a quantitative forensic analysis, particularly in regard to reactor performance, but this should require only a small effort. A radiochemical analysis scheme has been developed for measuring these nuclides; more work is needed, particularly for determining fission product concentrations. A sample of Pu metal has been analyzed and several parameters determined that are ...
Gold-coated iron nanoparticles (NPs) selectively and significantly (P <0.0001) inhibit proliferation of oral- and colorectal-cancer cells in vitro at doses as low as 5 mg/mL, but have little adverse effect on normal healthy control cells. The particle treatment caused delay in cell-cycle progression, especially in the S-phase. There was no significant difference in the NP uptake between cancer and control cells, and cytotoxicity resulted primarily from the iron core, before oxidation, rather than from the Fe ions released from the core. In contrast with magnetic NPs that usually serve as drug carriers, diagnostic probes or hyperthermia media, the iron, before oxidation, in the NPs selectively suppressed cancer cell growth and left healthy control cells unaffected in vitro and in vivo. This...
A pilot cropland carbon sequestration program within north central Montana has allowed farmers to receive carbon credit for management adjustments associated with changing from tillage-based agricultural systems to no-till. Carbon credit can also be obtained by adopting conservation reserve, where cropland is planted into perennial vegetation. Summer fallowing is also considered within the crediting process as credit is not given in years that a field is left un-vegetated. The carbon sequestration program has been advocated as a means to mitigate climate change while providing an added source of income for Montana farmers. There is lack of data, however, pertaining to the percentage of lands within this region that have not converted to no-till management, lands under certain crop intensit...
This paper reports on a series of experiments performed to examine the ability of ion beam assisted thermal deposition to produce good adhesion of Au metallization on GaAs left-angle 100 right-angle substrates. A study of the influence of Ar ion-assisted thermal deposition of the Au films as well as in situ pre-sputtering of the GaAs surface with low-energy Ar ions prior to thermal deposition, shows that strong adhesion can be achieved without resorting to chemical cleaning. The substrate temperature and the relative flux of Ar ions to incident Au atoms were varied in order to correlate these parameters with film adhesion. The interfaces of films processed under these various conditions were examined by XTEM, RBS and XPS. Orientation texture was studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD).
A complete code based on the finite element method (FEM) is used to study the attenuation of gamma rays, of source energy 9 MeV, in simple homogeneous lead and water systems. The results are compared, in tables and graphs, with those produced by a Monte Carlo method of solution. In the comparison, particular attention is paid to the annihilation gamma rays generated by the pair production process, to energy deposition, and to the leakage spectra. A model, multilayer, slab shield, having a fission neutron source impinging on the left-hand face, is also solved by the FEM code, using data from a coupled neutron/gamma ray cross section library. The resulting neutron and gamma ray flux distributions, and the leakage spectra, are shown graphically. (author).
"9"9"mTechnetium -heat damaged erythrocyte were used as spleen scanning agents in 12 patients from July, 1985 to April, 1986. We used this scan to evaluate situs inversus, asplenia, accessory spleen, hypersplenism, splenic infarction, tumor staging and evaluation of therapy, especially when the "9"9"mTc-tin colloid scans were not definite for diagnosis. The techniques applied to these scans were in vivo/in vitro-labeling method and heating-method to damage the erythrocytes. Liver-to-spleen uptake ratios were increased upto 100:1 and interference from the left lobe of the liver was eliminated. These scans were helpful to evaluate the spleen. (Author).
Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters found in the brain and mediates brain functions. It is very well known that serotonin related brain abnormalities are exerted mainly via serotonin receptors in a similar manner to other neurotransmitters found in the brain. Recently, it has also been found that serotonin is involved in Alzheimer's disease either directly or indirectly by its actions on serotonergic neurons. To understand and treat the diseases caused by abnormalities in the serotonergic system in the brain, it is certain that its mechanism of function has to be well investigated. So far several 5-HT receptors and receptor subtypes have been well characterized. Moreover, serotonin agonists and antagonists acting on specific receptors are chemically synthesized and are now available for the prevention or treatment of serotonergic related diseases. In recent years, a great demand for developing neuroimaging agents has emerged for the ...
This report summarizes the major features of the advisory tool `TUNDTEMP`, developed to act as a decision support in the continuous steel casting process. `TUNDTEMP` provides a means to predict abnormal phenomena of temperature origin in the casting that may be difficult to foresee in practical situations. The heart of the system is a semi-empirical calculation model that yields an estimate of the evolution of the tundish temperature of the liquid steel on the basis of a few important casting factors. The user interface of the system is to a large extent based on the visual presentation of the simulated results. The system also contains an optional rule based mechanism that provides assistance in the result interpretation and, if wished, linguistically formulates action recommendations. A separate program has been built for the tuning of the calculation model and for maintenance of the system. At the end of the report, the different tuning parameters are listed and ...
The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity of biomarkers of stress and exposure in the bivalve mollusk Anodonta cygnea to spontaneous anthropogenic activities typical for the Western Ukraine. Three sites were examined during spring, summer and autumn: an agricultural site (A); the cooling pond of nuclear power plant (N) and a forestry close to the municipal water inlet (F). Common temporal changes of a battery of biochemical markers in the gills and hemolymph and morphological characteristics were shown by discriminant functional analysis. Classification trees built on the basis of the screened biomarkers demonstrated persistent peculiarities at each site: genotoxicity (nuclear abnormalities) at site A and endocrine disruption (high levels of vitellogenin-like proteins (Vtg-LP) ...
MR images of steady and pulsatile disturbed flow, obtained with use of flow-compensated spin-echo (SE) and cine pulse sequences, revealed excellent flow visualization in three dimensions. Phantoms, built from molds of actual blood vessels, reproduced laminar, disturbed, or turbulent flow. Video recording (VR), performed under conditions equivalent to those of the MR experiments, showed separation zones identical to those seen on SE images. Pulsatile flow studies showed complex patterns of vortical flow on cine images and VR. Varying pulse sequence details changed contrast but not flow patterns. The validation of MR observations by VR has implications for clinical cine imaging and low abnormal signals observed on MR angiograms.
Iron deficiency (ID) is associated with increased levels of norepinephrine (NE) in plasma and urine. They investigated the effect of 5-7 days exposure to three different environmental temperatures (10/sup 0/C, 24/sup 0/C, 30/sup 0/C) on urinary catecholamine levels to test the hypothesis that increased thermogenic activity is causal to this increased excretion in iron deficiency. Catecholamines were analyzed from acidified urine by HPLC-EC. The mean Hb in ID animals was 3.1 +/- .5 versus controls of 12.8 +/- 9. These data demonstrate that contrary to previous reports NE excretion is not normalized at a thermoneutral temperature and suggests a basic abnormality in peripheral SNS activity and NE metabolism in iron deficiency that is independent of environmental drive from thermogenesis.
Introduction: Intractable ascites in neonates has a varied etiology; and often, the cause is idiopathic. The management usually consists of observation, diuretics, paracentesis, albumin replacements, and self correction. However, in some cases, the above treatment remains unsuccessful. Results: We present 2 cases of intractable ascites causing metabolic abnormalities, severe protein and immunoglobulin loss, and respiratory compromise. Although the use of peritoneovenous shunts for intractable ascites has been reported previously, our cases differ in both technique and patient size. Our first patient is an ex-28-week premature, 1.4-kg infant with intractable ascites for which a peritoneal drain was initially placed. After 3 weeks and putting out nearly 300 mL of ascitic fluid daily, we plac...
The bone mineral content of 109 lumbar vertebrae from 36 different subjects was determined by dual photon absorptiometry. The mean age of the subjects was 58.5 years (range, 31 to 79 years). The ultimate strength of the vertebral bodies was determined during axial compression. Bone mineral content and ultimate compressive strength were correlated (r = 0.86) and the strength was found to increase linearly with increasing amounts of bone mineral content. No differences in this correlation were found in the four vertebral levels (L-4) included in the study, but a difference in this correlation was found between specimens taken from male and female subjects. The results make it possible to estimate the strength of a vertebral body from the knowledge of its bone mineral content as determined by dual photon absorptiometry and provide a basis of estimations of normal and abnormal amounts of bone mineral content in the vertebrae of the lumbar spine. PMID:7361198
Purpose The paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene encodes a transcription factor controlled by the WNT/Dvl/CTNNB1 and Hedgehog/TGFB pathways in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Although PITX2 is reportedly involved in various functions, including tissue development by controlling cell growth, its significance in CRC remains unclear. We report our findings regarding abnormal PITX2 expression in human CRC. Methods PITX2 expression was evaluated in 5 human CRC cell lines and 92 primary CRC samples. Cell growth was evaluated after inhibition of PITX2 expression or after exogenous introduction of PITX2. Results PITX2 expression was seen in all the five CRC cell lines. The study of tissue samples indicated that PITX2 expression was significantly higher in cancer...
Larsen syndrome is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by multiple joint dislocations, vertebral anomalies and dysmorphic facies. Both autosomal-dominant and autosomal-recessive forms of the disorder have been proposed. Individuals with autosomal-dominant Larsen syndrome have characteristic ''cylindrical-shape'' thumbs caused by broad, shortened phalanges. Autosomal-dominant Larsen syndrome results from heterozygosity for mutations in filamin B, a cytoskeletal protein involved in multicellular processes. We report here a patient with a duplicated or accessory distal thumb phalanx and multiple large joint dislocations who was shown to be heterozygous for a filamin B mutation predicting the amino acid substitution G1691S. This adds a new radiographic finding, duplicated or accessory distal phalanx, to the radiographic abnormalities seen in this rare dominant disorder. (orig.)
We investigated 161 children under 24 months of age by CT of the skull and reviewed the anamnestic and clinical history. 87 children showed subdural effusions, and 74 did not. There were 33 patients with other pathological findings in CT, and 41 had normal scans. Age and sex distribution as well as localization of the subdural effusions were consistent with the literature. The 87 children with subdural effusions represented 17% in a sample of about 5000 CT scans. CT was the most reliable method for diagnosis of subdural effusions, compared to other techniques. There was a preponderance of small subdural effusions from 1 to 7 mm thickness (51%). Other CT abnormalities accompanying subdural effusions were found. Most frequently the interhemispheric sulcus was dilated and an internal hydrocephalus was present. Also in our group there were 7 anamnestical and 6 clinical symptoms highly diagnostic of subdural effusions.
The growing epidemic of juvenile obesity has prompted pediatricians to investigate obesity-related conditions in obese teenagers. We report a clinical case of severe hepatic fibrosis in an adolescent with severe and recent obesity. Because of elevated serum aminotransferase levels, abnormal hepatic ultrasonography and insulin resistance (impaired glucose tolerance), we suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Disease activity and fibrosis were confirmed on liver biopsy. Considering the risk of progression toward cirrhosis and its complications, and the pathological liver lesions, we started long-term medical monitoring and drug therapy to control weight loss. At present, although biopsy is the only validated way to establish the diagnosis of NASH, there is no consensus on its indicat...
We have at hand the tools for development of both a single amino acid substitution and a gene loss type assay for somatic cell mutations in human red cells. We are close to being able to assess the assays as possible means for screening the human population for individuals who may be a risk of acquiring abnormally high frequencies of mutant cells. The cause for such a high frequency of mutant cells could be a prior exposure of the individual to large amount of mutagen, or it could indicate a member of a vulnerable subpopulation that may have poor DNA repair systems. Either of these cases could well be an indication that the particular individual is at high risk that exposure to mutagens could lead to potential pathology. In the near future we expect to determine the reliability of the assays and to perform experiments to confirm the validity of flow cytometry in measuring real somatic mutagenic events that occur in vivo. (orig./AJ).
We examine the short-term price behaviour of three, size-conditioned Indian stock market indices, in response to informational shocks. A standard mean-adjusted returns model as well as the GJR-GARCH specification point towards underreaction to negative events in the medium and small capitalization indices. Also, the pre-event coefficients are generally negative and statistically significant, regardless of the sign of the shock, thus ruling out information leaks. We uncover a stable abnormal volatility pattern which increases monotonically a few days before the shock before suddenly decreasing in magnitude on the event day and beyond. We suggest uncertainty avoidance as a potential explanation of these features. The results are fairly robust across alternative event selection procedures, ti...
A four-stage scoring system for brain maturation was established with MR imaging. First, gyration and myelination were analyzed in 50 anamnestically normal children (32-240 weeks postconceptional age). Subsequently 60 patients (same age range) with birth asphyxia, seizures, or developmental delays were evaluated analogously. T1- and T2-weighted images (500/30 and 3,000/120 [repetition time msec/echo time msec]) were obtained with a 2.35-T magnet in all children. Whereas gyration abnormalities were seen in some patients, all handicapped children presented with delayed myelination. In conclusion, prospective staging of brain development (gyration and myelination) is possible and is best obtained with T2-weighted images.
The Front End Enclosure (FEE) of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a shielding housing located between the electron dump area and the first experimental hutch. The upstream part of the FEE hosts the commissioning diagnostics for the FEL beam. In the downstream part of the FEE, two sets of grazing incidence mirror and several collimators are used to direct the beam to one of the experimental stations and reduce the bremsstrahlung background and the hard component of the spontaneous radiation spectrum. This paper addresses the beam loss assumptions and radiation sources entering the FEE used for the design of the FEE shielding using the Monte-Carlo code FLUKA. The beam containment system prevents abnormal levels of radiations inside the FEE and ensures that the beam remains in its intended path is also described.
Background/Aims Serum free fatty acid (FFA) composition and abnormal fatty acid metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Therefore, we determined if the serum FFA composition can provide accurate diagnosis of NASH. Methods We compared fasting serum FFA compositions in 20 patients with simple steatosis to those in 77 patients with NASH, including 65 patients with early-stage NASH. Results By univariate analysis, the proportions of serum free myristic acid (P?=?0.002) and palmitoleic acid (P?=?0.033) and the stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD)-1 index (P?=?0.047) were significantly elevated in NASH patients in comparison to patients with simple steatosis. Only the serum free myristic acid proportion was significantly elevated in the early-stage NA...
Conclusions. There are gender differences when it comes to the risk factors for sleep apnea. Large tonsils, a high tongue and a wide uvula are risk factors for sleep apnea in men, while large tonsils and a retrognathic mandible are risk factors in women. Upper airway abnormalities including mandibular retrognathia are, however, unable to predict sleep apnea among snorers being investigated for suspected sleep apnea. Objectives. To identify gender-specific risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea and the diagnostic performance from physical upper airway examinations among snoring men and women investigated because of suspected sleep apnea. Patients and methods. The dimensions of the uvula, tonsils, velopharynx and tongue, and nasal septal deviation, mandibular position, neck circumference, ...
This paper describes a state-of-the-art online monitoring system using multivariate statistical technologies for continuous steel casting process, which was commissioned at Dofasco's No. 2 caster to provide consistent indication of process health for caster's start-up, continuous production and transitional operations. The paper particularly focuses on development of a novel scheme to synchronize process trajectories for monitoring specific transitional operations such as equipment or steel product grade changes. The proposed scheme is demonstrated by several industrial examples with the results showing good detectability of various process abnormalities. With the aid of this fully integrated, innovative monitoring system, Dofasco has generated significant value through improved productivi...
PURPOSE.- The study aims to clinically validate the defining characteristics (DCs) of the nursing diagnosis (ND) of Activity Intolerance for patients with ischemic heart disease and refractory angina. METHODS.- Cross-sectional study was used, involving 22 patients with ND of Activity Intolerance. The Fehring method was used to validate the ND. FINDINGS.- Most DCs presented reliability indexes between 0.5 and 0.79. Three DCs presented reliability indexes - 0.8. CONCLUSION.- All DCs were validated, and electrocardiographic changes indicating ischemia, verbal report of fatigue, and abnormal rate response to activity were considered as DC major. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.- This study is relevant in daily nursing practice for guidance in establishing the care plan and describing the ass...
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) images of live rats with sterile and pyogenic abscesses, hematomas, and various implanted and spontaneous neoplasms demonstrated good contrast differentiation between pathologic and surrounding normal tissues. This differentiation was maximal when both the T1 and T2 tissue relaxation times were used as criteria. Neoplasms have a broad range of T1 and T2 values and may be confused with abscesses or hematomas. Tissue rate constants (1/T1 and 1/T2) are mainly dependent on total water content, the exception being fat, which has a 1/T2 value much shorter than that expected on the basis of water content alone.
Recent improvements in cell purification and transplantation techniques have contributed to the identification of cell populations known as tumor-initiating cells (TIC). This discovery has led to the -cancer stem cell hierarchy- concept, which holds that tumors are organized as a hierarchy of malignant tissues sustained by such TIC. However, this concept remains controversial. In this review, we examine recent advances in cancer stem cell research that have been generated from studies of Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-positive leukemia. The abnormal Ph chromosome, which arises from a translocation creating the BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, is most commonly associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Examination of the pathophysiology ...
A concentric reducer tube, which was a part of the top exit roughing hydraulic descaler in a hot strip mill failed prematurely under working pressure. A detailed metallurgical investigation comprising physical examination, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis was carried out to find out the genesis of the failure. Physical examination revealed cracks located symmetrically around the circumference of the tube that ran along its full length, up to the weld beads at both ends. Optical microscopy of etched samples revealed a banded ferrite-pearlite structure and the existence of forging folds near the change-in-section(160? fillets). Cracks were found to initiate from these forging folds. No structural abnormalities were found in the weld beads and...
The petroleum ether fraction (PEF) from the EtOH extract of flowers and buds of Chrysanthemum indicum was evaluated on antinociception in mice using chemical and thermal models of nociception. PEF administered orally at doses of 188 and 376mg/kg produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid, subplantar formalin or capsaicin injections and on thermal nociception in the tail-flick test and the hot plate test. In the pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time test and the open-field test, PEF neither enhanced the pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time nor impaired the motor performance, indicating that the observed antinociception was unrelated to sedation or motor abnormality. In a measurement of core body temperature, PEF did not affect temper...
While many attacks are distributed across botnets, investigators and network operators have recently targeted malicious networks through high profile autonomous system (AS) de-peerings and network shut-downs. In this paper, we explore whether some ASes indeed are safe havens for malicious activity. We look for ISPs and ASes that exhibit disproportionately high malicious behavior using 12 popular blacklists. We find that some ASes have over 80% of their routable IP address space blacklisted and others account for large fractions of blacklisted IPs. Overall, we conclude that examining malicious activity at the AS granularity can unearth networks with lax security or those that harbor cybercrime.
Observations are reported of the lithium feature (6708 A) in some bright southern stars, most of which are F, G, or K dwarfs. Three of these stars have been suggested as belonging to the Ursa Major Group. Two of these three have the large Li abundance and strong Ca II H and K emission expected of such young stars. The third potential Ursa Major Group member has little Li, but is also not a true kinematic member. No stars were found with abnormal (Li-6)/(Li-7) ratios, in accord with other recent analyses. Thus it appears that all stars have (Li-6)/(Li-7) near the solar/terrestrial value of 0.08. 31 references.
14 surgical patients with non-hepatobiliary diseases were studied with "9"9"mTc-EHIDA imaging to evaluate the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on the hepatobiliary function. Duration of TPN ranged from 6-56 days, 10 of the 14 patients Beijing within 10 days. The results showed that: (1) 11 of 14 patients had abnormal scintigraphic features. The most prominet findings were delayed liver excretion and prolonged blood clearance time. This fact suggests that not only the rate of excretion of the bile from the liver is decreased but the uptake ability of the hepatorcyte is also impaired. (2) The effect of TPN on liver function is reversible. It was concluded that in order to prevent irreversible damage of hepatobiliary function caused by TPN, the duration of TPN should not be too long and oral intake of nutrients should be resumed as soon as possible.
We developed mice with germline endogenous expression of oncogenic Hras to study effects on development and mechanisms of tumor initiation. They had high perinatal mortality, abnormal cranial dimensions, defective dental ameloblasts, and nasal septal deviation, consistent with some of the features of human Costello syndrome. These mice developed papillomas and angiosarcomas, which were associated with Hras(G12V) allelic imbalance and augmented Hras signaling. Endogenous expression of Hras(G12V) was also associated with a higher mutation rate in vivo. Tumor initiation by Hras(G12V) likely requires augmentation of signal output, which in papillomas and angiosarcomas is achieved via increased Hras-gene copy number, which may be favored by a higher mutation frequency in cells expressing the oncoprotein. PMID:19416908
Purpose: To obtain stabilized operation by preventing over heat in emergency cooling pumps upon accidents of flow regulators. Constitution: A pressure suppression chamber pool and a pressure vessel are communicated to each other with a pipeway and the water in the suppression pool is charged by a charging pump to the pipeway. The pipeway is interposed with an emergency cooling pump so as to feed water in the pipeway to the pressure vessel and a water source and the emergency cooling pumps are connected by way of a closed pipeway. Further, the closed pipeway and the pipeway interposed with the charging pump are communicated to each other by way of a connecting pipeway, to which are interposed an instrument for detecting the increase in the temperature of the emergency cooling pumps due to abnormality in the closed pipe (such as troubles in flow regulators) and outputting control signals and an electrically actuated valve controlled by a control device. (Furukawa, ...
Purpose Evaluation of the all-trans retinoic acid (t-RA) effects on in vitro maturation (IVM) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) of immature mouse oocytes in the presence and absence of granulosa cell monolayer. Methods Denuded oocytes isolated from mice ovaries and matured in IVM medium alone (Control I), IVM medium in the presence of granulosa cells (Control II), IVM medium with t-RA (Experimental I) and IVM medium simultaneously with t-RA and granulosa cells (Experimental II). After 24?h, matured oocytes were fertilized in T6 medium and their development was followed until the blastocyst stage. Metaphase II oocytes ploidy were evaluated by chromosome counting. Results The t-RA group compared to the control groups showed no obvious abnormalities. Additionally maturation and embryo developm...
Effect of Al and AlP particles on the microstructure of near eutectic Mn-Si alloy (Mn-30 wt.%Si) was studied by Electron Probe Micro-analyzer (EPMA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). Crystal lattice correspondence analyses show that both Al and AlP have good lattice matching coherence relationships with MnSi phase, and the addition of Al and AlP particles results in an abnormal eutectic structure, i.e. the eutectic constitution MnSi and Mn{sub 5}Si{sub 3} precipitate separately: MnSi precipitates firstly, and then the Mn{sub 5}Si{sub 3} phase.
BaTi_0_._9(Ni_1_/_2W_1_/_2)_0_._1O_3 ceramics were fabricated and their dielectric properties were investigated. With the sintering temperature increasing from 1250 to 1280 deg. C, the grain size abruptly increases from 1-2 to 20-40 #mu#m, accompanying significant changes in dielectric response. The samples with larger grains exhibit giant dielectric constant characteristics, which are considered to be mainly attributed to the domain boundary effect. The activation energies of the dielectric relaxation E_r_e_l_a_x=0.325 eV reveal the existence of microdomains in larger grains. The ac conductivity results also give the evidence of the domain boundary effect in the present ceramics.
Pregraduate medical curricula are currently undergoing a reform process that is moving away from a traditional discipline-related structure and towards problem-based integrated forms of teaching. Imaging sciences, with their inherently technical advances, are specifically influenced by the effects of paradigm shifts in medical education. The teaching of diagnostic radiology should be based on the definition of three core competencies: in vivo visualization of normal and abnormal morphology and function, diagnostic reasoning, and interventional treatment. On the basis of these goals, adequate teaching methods and e-learning tools should be implemented by focusing on case-based teaching. Teaching materials used in the fields of normal anatomy, pathology, and clinical diagnosis may help diagnostic radiology to play a central role in modern pregraduate curricula. (orig.)
A destructive spondyloarthropathy is reported in four patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis for chronic renal disease. In a separate investigation a controlled, prospective radiographic study of the cervical spine revealed this spondyloarthropathy in 4 (15%) of 26 long-term dialysis patients. A single disk level was involved in three patients, and two disc levels were involved in one patient. This spondyloarthropathy correlated with the duration of dialysis but not with the radiographic evidence of renal osteodystrophy or severity of laboratory abnormalities associated with hyperparathyroidism. Three of these four patients also had discovertebral erosions or destruction involving the lumbar spine. Cervical spine flexion views revealed evidence of ligamentous laxity or instability in three (12%) dialysis patients, all with vertebral resorption and disc space narrowing. It is postulated that this instability may contribute to the development of cervical ...
Fyn is a Src-family tyrosine kinase that affects long term potentiation (LTP), synapse formation, and learning and memory. Fyn is also implicated in dendritic spine formation both in vitro and in vivo. However, whether Fyn's regulation of dendritic spine formation is brain-region specific and age-dependent is unknown. In the present study, we systematically examined whether Fyn altered dendritic spine density and morphology in the cortex and hippocampus and if these effects were age-dependent. We found that Fyn knockout mice trended toward a decrease in dendritic spine density in cortical layers II/III, but not in the hippocampus, at 1month of age. Additionally, Fyn knockout mice had significantly decreased dendritic spine density in both the cortex and hippocampus at 3months and 1year, an...
To define the quantitative and qualitative effects of gossypol (GP) on deer (Cervus elaphus) semen, the animals were fed cottonseed (CS). Adult stags each received 350?g of CS for 109?days. Animals received 15?mg of gossypol per kilogram body weight per day. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of experimental ejaculates (n?=?182) were compared to ejaculates (n?=?571) of control animals (n?=?5) collected during three previous natural reproductive seasons. Ejaculate fractions were evaluated by classical methods used in domestic animals. In this paper, we show that mature male deer fed CS exhibited morphological changes and decreased motility of spermatozoa and abnormalities in spermatogenesis. Radioimmunoassay measured concentrations of various steroid hormones (T-testosterone, A4-andros...
The YGN Units 3 and 4 plant conditions during shutdown operation were reviewed to identify the possible event scenarios following the loss of shutdown cooling. The thermal hydraulic analyses were performed for the five cases of RCS configurations under the worst event scenario, unavailable secondary cooling and no RCS inventory makeup, using the RELAP5/MOD3.2 code to investigate the plant behavior. From the analyses results, times to boil, times to core uncovery and times to core heat up were estimated to determine the containment closure time to prevent the uncontrolled release of fission products to atmosphere. These data provide useful information to the abnormal procedure to cope with the event. 6 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs. (Author)
CT and MRI of acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and cerebello-pontine angle present themselves with very typical findings. The imaging should be adapted to the pathology looked for and either CT or MRI should be used alone or in combination.CT, especially high resolution CT (HRCT), provides an excellent bone contrast, while MRI has a much superior soft tissue contrast. Acute inflammatory changes of the inner ear are solely depicted by contrast-enhanced MRI. HRCT excellently depicts osseous changes of the inner ear and cerebellopontine angle such as chronic ossifying labyrinthitis occurring after acute labyrinthitis, otosclerotic or traumatic changes. Tumorous changes not yielding to bony changes are best delineated by MRI. Posttraumatic hemorrhage and chronic fibrotic changes within the labyrinth are depicted by MRI, only. In conclusion HRCT and MRI are excellent methods to delineate acquired abnormalities of the inner ear and ...
Regularities in the radiation cross-linking of low-density polyethylene under various conditions of ..gamma..-irradiation were studied. It is shown that at the 0.5 GPa pressure and 450 K the gel formation is initiated at doses of about 1 kGy, i.e. at doses 10 times as low as compared to normal conditions. Abnormally high rate of radiation cross-linking at high temperature and high pressure is an evidence of changes in the mechanism of polyethylene, radiation cross-linking, i.e. of the process transition from nonchain to chain conditions. Decrease in the potential barriers of macroradical reactions with macromolecules is the most probable reason of change in the polymer cross-linking nature.
Objective: Sarcopenia of legs is an important cause of physical dysfunctions, frailty and dependence. Many predisposing and underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia, including age, sedentary life style, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and low testosterone levels, are also known to be related to atherosclerosis, which is another leading cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly subjects. In this study, we investigated our hypothesis that sarcopenia and atherosclerosis are associated with each other to facilitate mutual abnormalities. Methods: Study was performed in apparently healthy 496 middle-aged to elderly persons recruited consecutively among the visitors to the medical check-up program, Anti-Aging Doc, in a University hospital, from March 2006 to December 2007. Mid-thigh muscle cro...
Application of gamma radiation as a physical method of disinfestations against melon flies was recognized as a potential quarantine treatment. At 50 Gy, oocytes showed degeneration one day after treatment whereas seven-day-old oocytes did not differ greatly in appearance from control groups. Abnormal enlargement of trophocyte cells and vacuolization of oocytes occurred predominantly following the treatment with 100 and 150 Gy. One day after treatment with 150 Gy trophocytes underwent hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Irradiation at 100 and 150 Gy reduced the fertility to almost zero percent in the female melon flies.(authors)
Amphiphysin is a protein concentrated in neuronal synapses and peripherally associated with neurotransmitter vesicles. It is expressed in many neurons of the central and peripheral nervous systems, in the adrenal medulla, in the anterior and posterior pituitary, in cell lines of the endocrine pancreas, and in spermatocytes. Its subcellular localization and tissue distribution indicate a potential involvement in mechanisms of regulated exocytosis. A role in the dynamic organization of the membrane-associated cytoskeleton is suggested by structural homology to the products of two yeast genes, RVS161 and RVS167, whose mutation results in an abnormal actin distribution, disturbs budding morphology, and impairs cell entry into stationary phase. Limited stretches of sequence similarity, including an SH3 domain, are also shared with other actin-binding proteins. Amphiphysin is the dominant autoantigen in paraneoplastic Stiff-Man syndrome, a neurological autoimmune ...
The amygdala, perhaps more than any other brain region, has been implicated in numerous neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. It is part of a system initially evolved to detect dangers in the environment and modulate subsequent responses, which can profoundly influence human behavior. If its threshold is set too low, normally benign aspects of the environment are perceived as dangers, interactions are limited, and anxiety may arise. If set too high, risk taking increases and inappropriate sociality may occur. Given that many neurodevelopmental disorders involve too little or too much anxiety or too little of too much social interaction, it is not surprising that the amygdala has been implicated in many of them. In this chapter, we begin by providing a brief overview of the phy...
Two children with cutaneous lymphoma and leukemia who were treated with total skin electron beam therapy (TSEB) are described here. Patient 1. A 7-year-old boy was admitted because of a mass over the bilateral parotis and anemia. The white blood cell count on admission was 5,000/ul. Bone marrow examination revealed 70 per cent monoblasts (M5a type by FAB classification). Complete remission was obtained following the regimen of daunomycin, cytosine arabinoside, 6-mercaptopurine and prednisolone. He was again admitted because of a skin nodule on the left thigh 19 months after initial diagnosis. A biopsy of the skin nodule demonstrated monoblastic infiltration. He received 20 Grays (Gy) to the left thigh and this led to resolution of the skin nodule. At that time, other skin nodules appeared on the right upper and lower extremities. He was treated with TSEB. Daily doses of 1 Gy were given twice a week with a 4 MeV electron beam and a total dose of ...
Corn stover is typically left behind in the field after grain harvest. Although part of the stover should remain in the field for soil organic matter renewal and erosion protection, half of the stover could be removed sustainably. This represents about one million t dry matter (DM) of stover per year in the province of Quebec. Stover harvested in the fall is very wet. While there are applications for wet stover, the available markets currently require a dry product. Preliminary measurements have shown that stover left in the field throughout the winter becomes very dry, and a considerable amount would still be harvestable in the spring. In the spring of 2009, corn stover was harvested at 2 sites, each subdivided into 2 parcels. The first parcel was cut and raked in the fall of 2008 (fall parcel), while the second parcel was cut and raked in spring 2009. Fibre from both parcels was baled in the spring 2009. At the first site, a large square ...
Implanted B and P dopants in Si exhibit transient enhanced diffusion (TED) during annealing which arises from the excess interstitials generated by the implant. In order to study the mechanisms of TED, transmission electron microscopy measurements of implantation damage were combined with B diffusion experiments using doping marker structures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). Damage from nonamorphizing Si implants at doses ranging from 5x10"1"2 to 1x10"1"4/cm"2 evolves into a distribution of #left brace#311#right brace# interstitial agglomerates during the initial annealing stages at 670 endash 815 degree C. The excess interstitial concentration contained in these defects roughly equals the implanted ion dose, an observation that is corroborated by atomistic Monte Carlo simulations of implantation and annealing processes. The injection of interstitials from the damage region involves the dissolution of #left brace#311#right brace# defects ...
Horizontal vibrations of elevator cars mainly occur because a car swings as roller guides installed at corners of a car frame move on a winding guide rail at high speeds. Rider comfort in high speed elevators is worsened by these vibrations. Conventional active dampers suppressing horizontal vibrations using ac servo motors make cars heavier so driving power becomes larger, and they are not easily applied to existing elevators. An active damping control method suited to super-high-speed elevators is which can solve these problems. The method suppresses vibrations by generating only enough magnetic force needed to suppress them only when vibrations of the car franc are produced. The vibrations are detected using acceleration detectors and magnets installed on left and right sides of the car frame. A computer simulator was made to analyze phenomena of car vibrations and to verify effects of the proposed magnetic damping controller. It was found that the vibrations ...
A high power (200KV), intense current density, low emittance (71mmmrad), high brightness (8x10{sup 10}A/m rad) electron beam was generated in the 10cm long, high-voltage-resistive multi-gap hollow cathode pseudospark chamber filled with 15pa nitrogen and driven by an improved pulse line accelerator. The beam was ejected with the 1mm diameter, the 2.2KA beam current, and the 400ns pulse length, and could propagated 20cm in the drift tube. At a distance of 5cm from the anode it penetrated consecutively an acid-sensitive discoloring film and a 0.05mm-thick copper foil both stuck closely, left 0.6mm and 0.3mm holes on them, respectively. That 10 shots on an acid-sensitive film produced a hole of 1.6mm at 7cm downstream of anode showed its good repeatability. After 60 shots the pseudospark discharge chamber was disassembled and observed that almost no destructive damage traces left on the surfaces of its various electrodes and insulators. But on ...
Rotary screw traps, located at four sites in the Grande Ronde River basin, were used to characterize aspects of early life history exhibited by juvenile Onchorhychus mykiss during migration years 1995-99. The Lostine, Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde traps captured fish as they migrated out of spawning areas into valley rearing habitats. The Grande Ronde Valley trap captured fish as they left valley habitats downstream of Catherine Creek and upper Grande Ronde River rearing habitats. Dispersal downstream of spawning areas was most evident in fall and spring, but movement occurred during all seasons that the traps were fished. Seaward migration occurred primarily in spring when O. mykiss smolts left overwintering area located in both spawning area and valley habitats. Migration patterns exhibited by O. mykiss suggest that Grande Ronde Valley habitats are used for overwintering and should be considered critical rearing habitat. We were ...
A study was made for the purpose of electrification of unelectrified zones of the mountainous areas in developing countries using extremely small hydroelectric power facilities. The target for this project is a development of a micro hydroelectric power system with a size of about 5kW, which is estimated regarding that 1 village has 80 houses and each house needs electricity of 60W. In the study, the low-head system using a weir of irrigation channels in Subang pref. of West Java state was selected by the evaluation of access, stability of flow rate, natural conditions, etc. The hydroelectric power plant is of a flow-in method in which water is taken from the left bank and is injected/discharged to the downstream of the left bank. As the hybrid complementary power source, hybrid battery with a two-hour charging time at peak and a capacity of 3.5kWh was considered. When estimating the construction cost of the hybrid micro hydroelectric power ...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been known as psychiatric disorder in childhood associated with dopamine dysregulation. In present study, we investigated changes in dopamine transporter (DAT) density of the basal ganglias using I-123 N-(3-iodopropen-2-yl) -2-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-chlorphenyl) tropane (I-123 IPT) SPECT in children with ADHD before and after methylphenidate treatment. Nine drug-naive children with ADHD and seven normal children were included in the study. We performed brain SPECT two hours after the intravenous administration of I-123 IPT and made both quantitative and qualitative analyses using the obtained SPECT data, which were reconstructed for the assessment of specific/nonspecific DAT binding ratios in the basal ganglia. All children with ADHD reperformed (123I)IPT SPECT after treatment with methylphenidate (0.7mg/kg/d) during about 8 weeks. SPECT data reconstructed for the assessment of specific/nonspecific DAT binding ratio of the basal ...
Regional cortical thickness was evaluated using CIVET processing of 3D T1-weighted images (i) to compare the variation in cortical thickness between 33 participants with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) aged 6-30 years (mean age 12.3 years) versus 33 age/sex/hand-matched controls, and (ii) to examine developmental changes in cortical thickness with age from children to young adults in both groups. Significant cortical thinning was found in the participants with FASD in large areas of the bilateral middle frontal lobe, pre- and post- central areas, lateral and inferior temporal and occipital lobes compared to controls. No significant cortical thickness increases were observed for the FASD group. Cortical thinning with age in a linear model was observed in both groups, but the locations were different for each group. FASD participants showed thinning with age in the left middle frontal, bilateral precentral, bilateral precuneus and paracingulate, ...
This study compared rCBF pattern in normal adult and normal children using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The purpose of this study was to determine distribution pattern not seen visual analysis in both groups. Tc-99m ECD brain SPECT was performed in 12 normal adults (M:F=11:1, average age 35 year old) and 6 normal control children (M:F=4:2, 10.5{+-}3.1y) who visited psychiatry clinic to evaluate ADHD. Their brain SPECT revealed normal rCBF pattern in visual analysis and they were diagnosed clinically normal. Using SPM method, we compared normal adult group's SPECT images with those of 6 normal children subjects and measured the extent of the area with significant hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion (p<0.001, extent threshold=16). The areas of both angnlar gyrus, both postcentral gyrus, both superior frontal gyrus, and both superior parietal lobe showed significant hyperperfusion in normal adult group compared with normal children group. The areas of ...
The results that can be expected by e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders in future are summarized. e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders have many fine possibilities, and are the economical selection for utilizing future e"+e"- colliders more effectively. e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders were proposed by former USSR researchers at the beginning of 1980s, but recently, the prospect of realizing future e"+e"- collision type linear accelerator projects has become high, they have become to be considered seriously as the option of remodeling them. The high energy photon beam of e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders is obtained by causing Compton reverse scattering, irradiating laser beam to the electron beam of e"+e"- accelerators. The production of #gamma#-beam is explained. As for the physics noteworthy in e#gamma# colliders, abnormal gauge coupling, the formation of Higgs particles, excited leptons, lepto-quark, supersymmetric particles and top quark are ...
This paper reviews our simulation study by numerical calculation based on two-, three- and multi-grain-size models on WC grain growth in fine grained WC-Co hardmetal doped with VC. The study aimed to presume or predict the following: (1) the cause and conditions for the abnormal grain growth which occurs in some cases in the fine grained hardmetal prepared from fine WC powders with mean grain size below about 0.2{mu}m, and (2) how the mean grain size of the hardmetal varies with decreasing mean grain size of the WC starting powder to 0.1 pm or nano-meter size. The calculation results by these three kinds of models suggested the following, respectively: (1) the occurrence of the abnormal grain growth is generally substantial for WC starting powder with bimodal size-distribution and mean gram size below 0.1 - 0.2{mu}m, and not due to the non-uniform distribution of the grain growth inhibitor, (2) the introduction of middle grains caused the ...
Vestibular dysfunction was chemically induced in male meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) by intratympanic injections (30 mg per side) of sodium arsanilate (atoxyl). The control group received intratympanic injections of isotonic saline. After a one-week recovery period the voles were behaviorally assayed for integrity of their labyrinthine systems. All subjects were tested for the presence of the air-righting reflex and body rotation-induced nystagmus. Three weeks later a multivariate assessment of spontaneous motor activity of the voles was carried out in the automated Digiscan Activity Monitor. In addition, the swimming behavior of the voles was examined. Voles with vestibular dysfunction exhibited pronounced postural abnormalities (head dorsiflexion), were not able to swim with their nose above the water for a 1 min test period, and displayed disorientation and thrashing movements. In the Digiscan activity test the atoxyl-treated voles displayed ...
Abstract in english AIM: This prospective randomized clinical study was conducted to compare radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) with wire-guided localization to evaluate optimum localization techniques for non-palpable breast lesions. METHODS: A total of 108 patients who were undergoing an excisional biopsy for non-palpable breast lesions requiring pathologic diagnosis were randomly assigned to the ROLL group (n = 56) and wire-guided localization group (n = 52). In the study, pati (more) ents' characteristics, radiological abnormalities, radiological technique of localization, localization time, operation time, weight of the excised specimen, clearance margins, pathological diagnosis and perioperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age, radiological abnormalities and localization technique (p = non-significant for all). ROLL techniques resulted in 100% retrieval of ...
Platelets from dogs with Basset Hound Hereditary Thrombopathy (BHT) display a thrombasthenia-like aggregation defect but have been shown to have normal amounts of platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa (GP IIb-IIIa). In order to investigate the possibility of a functionally abnormal GPIIb-IIIa complex, which might be unable to bind fibrinogen after stimulation, fibrinogen binding in BHT was evaluated. Two canine fibrinogen preparations were used, one from BHT dogs and one from normal control dogs, as well as a human fibrinogen preparation. Platelets from BHT and normal dogs were activated with 1 x 10/sup -5/M ADP in the presence of /sup 125/I-labeled fibrinogen and the surface bound radioactivity quantitated. For all fibrinogen preparations, the amount of fibrinogen bound by BHT platelets was not significantly different than that bound by normal dog platelets. BHT platelets bound 23,972 +/- 3612 and normal dog platelets bound 23,033 +/- 3971 molecules of ...
Leukodystrophies are inherited white matter diseases due to abnormalities occurring in myelin synthesis and/or maintenance. The most common types of these rare childhood conditions are represented by adrenoleukodystrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Canavan's, Alexander's, Krabbe's, and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher's diseases. Most of them are lethal during childhood, with the exception of the adrenoleukodystrophy-adrenomyeloneuropathy complex, which sometimes, during its early phases, may be cured with a dietary therapy. The aims of this paper are: 1) the description of inheritance factors, pathogenesis, pathological and clinical findings of each of the most frequent childhood leukodystrophies; 2) the description of the most common patterns of these conditions on CT and MR imaging; 3) the evaluation of the diagnostic capabilities of these two imaging techniques and the comparison of their results. Finally, some of the therapies suggested for the mild forms of these ...
A 36-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis for advanced maternal age. The fetal karyotype had an extra dark staining G band on the long arm of chromosome 11 with no other identifiable abnormalities. FISH studies using a chromosome 11 paint probe confirmed the origin of the extra band. The abnormality was identified as a partial duplication of 11q: 46,XX dir dup (11)(q13.5q21) or (q21q23.1). The specific duplicated band could not be identified with certainty. Detailed fetal sonograms were normal. Family studies revealed the identical duplication in the mother but normal karyotypes in both maternal grandparents. The mother had strabismus and a short tongue frenulum which required surgical correction. Menses occurred late in adolescence and complete development of secondary sexual characteristics was delayed until adulthood. An infertility evaluation revealed duplication of the uterus, cervix, and vagina. An evaluation for metorrhagia identified ...
The purpose of this study was to correlate MR imaging findings with pathology in experimental hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury, which has similar pathology to diffuse alveolar damage (DAD). Seventeen Yorkshire pigs were studied. These animals were exposed to more than 80% oxygen for 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours in a sealed cage. The lungs were removed and inflated with air infused through the trachea, and then examined by both MRI and high-resolution CT (HRCT). T1-weighted spin-echo (T1WSE), T2-weighted fast (T2WFSE), and half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequences were performed. Severity in MR findings and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) on MR images were well correlated with pathological scores. CT values were also correlated well with pathologic scores. Abnormal SNR values were obtained from a pathological score of 5, whereas abnormal CT values were obtained from a pathological score of 15. Furthermore, significant ...
The results that can be expected by e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders in future are summarized. e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders have many fine possibilities, and are the economical selection for utilizing future e{sup +}e{sup -} colliders more effectively. e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders were proposed by former USSR researchers at the beginning of 1980s, but recently, the prospect of realizing future e{sup +}e{sup -} collision type linear accelerator projects has become high, they have become to be considered seriously as the option of remodeling them. The high energy photon beam of e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders is obtained by causing Compton reverse scattering, irradiating laser beam to the electron beam of e{sup +}e{sup -} accelerators. The production of {gamma}-beam is explained. As for the physics noteworthy in e{gamma} colliders, abnormal gauge coupling, the formation of Higgs particles, excited leptons, lepto-quark, supersymmetric ...
The objective was to characterize imaging findings of benign notochordal cell tumors (BNCTs). Clinical and imaging data for 9 benign notochordal cell tumors in 7 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Conventional radiographs (n = 9), bone scintigrams (n = 2), computed tomographic images (n = 7), and magnetic resonance images (n = 8) were reviewed. Eight of the 9 lesions were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and microscopically examined. There were 3 male and 4 female patients with an age range of 22 to 55 years (average age, 44 years). Two patients had two lesions at different sites. The lesions involved the cervical spine in 4 patients, the lumbar spine in 2, the sacrum in 2, and the coccyx in 1. The most common symptom was mild pain. The lesions of 2 patients were found incidentally during imaging studies for unrelated conditions. Five patients underwent surgical procedures. One patient died of surgical complications. All other patients have been well without recurrent or progressive ...
Fetal MRI can be performed in the second and third trimesters. During this time, the fetal brain undergoes profound structural changes. Interpretation of appropriate development might require comparison with normal age-based models. Consultation of a hard-copy atlas is limited by the inability to compare multiple ages simultaneously. To provide images of normal fetal brains from weeks 18 through 37 in a digital format that can be reviewed interactively. This will facilitate recognition of abnormal brain development. T2-W images for the atlas were obtained from fetal MR studies of normal brains scanned for other indications from 2005 to 2007. Images were oriented in standard axial, coronal and sagittal projections, with laterality established by situs. Gestational age was determined by last menstrual period, earliest US measurements and sonogram performed on the same day as the MR. The software program used for viewing the atlas, written in C, permits linked ...
The puborectalis syndrome is a defecation disorder supported by the nonrelaxation of puborectalis sling with consequent dyschezia. They report on a series of 98 patients submitted to clinical examination, defecography, anorectal manometry, electromyography and intestinal transit time studies. The main symptoms of puborectalis syndrome in their patients were incomplete defecation (89 %) and intermittent evacuation (63 %); 28 % of patients turned to finger defecation. In all patients, defecography showed an abnormal increase in puborectalis impression on the posterior anorectal wall, reduced anorectal angle opening under straining (mean value: 113 deg) and prolonged expulsion time with barium pooling in the ampulla (mean evacuation time: 38 seconds). Such anorectal abnormalities as rectal mucosal prolapse (47 cases) and anterior rectocele (36 cases) were also associated. In 33 of 98 patients (34 % of cases), sling assessment by bidigital ...
The puborectalis syndrome is a defecation disorder supported by the nonrelaxation of puborectalis sling with consequent dyschezia. They report on a series of 98 patients submitted to clinical examination, defecography, anorectal manometry, electromyography and intestinal transit time studies. The main symptoms of puborectalis syndrome in their patients were incomplete defecation (89 %) and intermittent evacuation (63 %); 28 % of patients turned to finger defecation. In all patients, defecography showed an abnormal increase in puborectalis impression on the posterior anorectal wall, reduced anorectal angle opening under straining (mean value: 113 deg) and prolonged expulsion time with barium pooling in the ampulla (mean evacuation time: 38 seconds). Such anorectal abnormalities as rectal mucosal prolapse (47 cases) and anterior rectocele (36 cases) were also associated. In 33 of 98 patients (34 % of cases), sling assessment by bidigital ...
Background. Metabolic disturbances such as anoxia and hypoglycaemia are important in causing maldevelopment of the neonatal brain. While there have been some pathology studies of the effects of neonatal hypoglycaemia on brain development, reports of MRI findings in such infants have been rare. Objectives. To describe the MRI findings in neurologically handicapped children who had suffered from neonatal hypoglycaemia and to evaluate the relationship between the neurological impairment and neonatal hypoglycaemia. Materials and methods. We retrospectively evaluated the MRI findings in eight full-term infants with neonatal symptomatic hypoglycaemia who later exhibited neurological handicap. The age at which the MRI scans were obtained ranged from 9 months to 8 years 10 months (mean 4 years 1 month, median 4 years). Results. The most striking findings were prolonged T1 weighting and T2 weighting in the parieto-occipital periventricular deep white matter in six patients, suggesting ...
Ischemic bowel disease is a rare disorder whose incidence is increasing as the mean age of the population increases. Diagnosis by clinical, laboratory and radiologic means is often difficult, and delay in definitive therapy results in substantial morbidity and mortality. A series of 26 consecutive patients, with proved acute superior mesenteric ischemia, was retrospectively reviewed: the authors reports the diagnostic methods performed preoperatively, the site and the cause of infarction and the time passed between the first radiograph and surgery. Plain abdominal radiographs were performed in 25 of 26 patients, screening abdominal US in 23 cases and CT in 19 cases. All radiological examinations were retrospectively reviewed by the three authors, independently, to recognize the different signs of infarction. On plain abdominal films, the findings warranting a presumptive diagnosis of bowel infarction were air-fluid levels (84% of cases), dilated bowel loops (48%), thickened and ...
Introduction: Previous studies have published the correlation between myocardial perfusion SPECT (MP) during cold pressor test (CPT) and intracoronary acetylcholine and its usefulness as independent marker of endothelial dysfunction (ED). Objective: To analyze the incidence of positivization of MP exercise studies in the follow up of asymptomatic patients with moderate cardiovascular risk (CV) and ED detected by PF. Material and Methods: Of 301 patients of the PARADIGMA Registry (normal exercise MP SPECT and clinical probability < 20% of events at 10 years [moderate risk by Framingham index]) 55 had positive PF (+) (18.3%). Prospectively and consecutively, 15 asymptomatic patients with PF (+), and a control group (CG) of 15 patients with negative PF, with paired sex, age and coronary risk factors (CRF), that accomplished a 12 #+-# 2 months follow up, and that underwent a new exercise and resting MP SPECT were analyzed. An MP extension score was used in a model of 17 segments. The ...
Hystreosalpingogram of 375 patients with infertility were reviewed with reference to radiological feature of each pathology and a comparative study of hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy in 36 patients was presented. This results were as follows;1. In 375 cases of infertility, 191 cases (50.9%) were primary infertility and 181 cases (49.1%) were secondary infertility. 2. The peak age distribution was 26 to 30 year old group in 211 cases (56.3%), and the peak duration of infertility was less than 3 years in 256 cases (68.3%). 3. Abnormal uterine findings were 115 cases (30.7%) and there were 73 cases of filling defects, 13 cases of irregularity, 12 cases of uterine flexion, 11 cases of congenital anomaly, and 9 cases of hypoplasia among them. 4. Abnormal tubal findings were 196 cases (52.3%) and there were 103 cases of simple obstruction, 69 cases of hydrosalpinx, and 50 cases of peritubal adhesion among them. 5. Intravasation of contrast ...
Characterisation of the classification of brain tumours authorised by the WHO. Method of appraisal: This classification was revised and published in its second version. In the revision, some tumours were regrouped histogenetically and some tumour variants were added. Radiologically relevant changes of the classification include the differentiation of four new tumour entities that are easily distinguished by MR imaging. These four tumours belong to the group of childhood tumours or tumours occurring in early adulthood and are characterized by a good prognosis after extirpation. Results of appraisal: Central neurocytomas are small-cyst ventricular tumours associated with the foramen of Monroi and show moderate contrast enhancement. Infantile desmoplastic gangliogliomas/astrocytomas commonly consist of a solid tumour portion related to the leptomeninges with pronounced contrast enhancement and a typically very large cyst. Pleomorphic xanthostrocytomas are ...
Implanted B and P dopants in Si exhibit transient enhanced diffusion (TED) during initial annealing which arises from the excess interstitials generated by the implant. In order to study the mechanisms of TED, the authors have used B doping marker layers in Si to probe the injection of interstitials from near-surface, non-amorphizing Si implants during annealing. The in-diffusion of interstitials is limited by trapping at impurities and has an activation energy of #approx#3.5 eV. Substitutional C is the dominant trapping center with a binding energy of 2--2.5 eV. The high interstitial supersaturation adjacent to the implant damage drives substitutional B into metastable clusters at concentrations below the B solid solubility limit. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the interstitials driving TED are emitted from #left brace#311#right brace# defect clusters in the damage region at a rate which also exhibits an activation energy of 3.6 eV. The population of ...
AlGaInP epitaxial layers grown at 690 degree C by atmospheric pressure organometallic vapor phase epitaxy are investigated by transmission electron microscopy. For the first time, compositionally modulated and ordered structures are simultaneously observed in AlGaInP alloys. The ordering is of the CuPt type with ordering along the #left brace#111#right brace# directions. The ordered regions appear as plate-like microdomains, while the composition modulation takes the form of a fine columnar constrast oriented along the growth direction. In addition, from the results of (001) plan-view diffraction contrast examination, the principal strain direction associated with the modulation structures is found to be perpendicular to the growth direction and lies in the surface plane. Thus, it is concluded that the spinodal decomposition is initiated and developed on the surface during the growth of the AlGaInP epitaxial layers and, finally, forms the columnar structure.
We measure the transient enhanced diffusion of shallow molecular-beam-epitaxy grown marker layers of Sb and B due to deep MeV Si"+ ion implants at very high doses (#approx#10"1"6cm"-"2). We expect the near-surface region of these implants to be vacancy rich, and we observe transient enhanced diffusion of Sb (the classic vacancy diffuser). The large enhancements imply a significant vacancy supersaturation (#approx#700 at 740 degree C). Double implantation of the high-dose MeV Si followed by a shallow (40 keV) Si implant and annealing produces a greatly reduced number of #left brace#311#right brace# defects compared to a 40 keV implant into virgin Si, again consistent with a vacancy-rich region in the near-surface region of an MeV implant. However, the shallow B marker layers also show transient enhanced diffusion for the same MeV implant under similar annealing conditions, implying that an interstitial supersaturation is present at the same time. We discuss possible ...
Abuzakuk T, Coward P, Shenava Y, Kumar VS, Skinner JA. The management of wounds following primary lower limb arthroplasty: a prospective, randomised study comparing hydrofibre and central pad dressings. Abstract Wound care following lower limb arthroplasty has not been subject to in-depth clinical research, primarily because such wounds usually heal without complication. However, when prosthetic implants are used, serious wound problems can be disastrous (Whitehouse et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002;23:183-9; Lindwell OM. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1986;211:91-103). We report the results of a prospective, randomised, controlled trial comparing a hydrofibre (Aquacel) and central pad (Mepore) dressing in the management of acute wounds following primary total hip or knee arthroplasty left ...
This paper describes an investigation of electrodeposited Zn-14% Ni and aluminium-based SermeTel 1140/962 coatings as possible replacements for cadmium. Slow strain rate tests were performed to measure the extent of direct hydrogen embrittlement of a high strength steel substrate as a result of the coating process and of hydrogen re-embrittlement caused by coating corrosion. The level of re-embrittlement was shown to depend on both the electrochemical potential of the coating and its barrier properties. Zn-14% Ni coatings caused the most re-embrittlement as they had the most active potential and contained through-thickness defects which left the steel exposed to hydrogen uptake. The microstructure of the high strength steel was also shown to be an important factor affecting the extent of embrittlement. AerMet 100 steel was more resistant than 300M steel and this was attributed to the presence of reverted austenite surrounding the martensite laths in AerMet 100, ...
When chest radiographs are obtained using an anti-scatter grid in a mobile x-ray unit by Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR), right lung densities may differ from left lung densities owing to misalignment caused by an oblique x-ray beam. Such misalignment is considered to be caused by factors such as the shape of the bed and angle of the x-ray tube. Misalignment is especially frequent when exposure is carried out in the sitting position. Although a low-ratio grid has been reported to offer improvement, the misalignment is not completely eliminated. Therefore, we used a copper plate without a lattice feature instead of grid, and examined the results. The copper plate was found to have the ability of a grid to eliminate radiation scatter, and, furthermore, to offer the physical capabilities of a grid as determined by Carlin's new grid assessment method. Image quality was demonstrated through contrast manipulation to be equal to that obtained by grid use. ...
When chest radiographs are obtained using an anti-scatter grid in a mobile x-ray unit by Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR), right lung densities may differ from left lung densities owing to misalignment caused by an oblique x-ray beam. Such misalignment is considered to be caused by factors such as the shape of the bed and angle of the x-ray tube. Misalignment is especially frequent when exposure is carried out in the sitting position. Although a low-ratio grid has been reported to offer improvement, the misalignment is not completely eliminated. Therefore, we used a copper plate without a lattice feature instead of grid, and examined the results. The copper plate was found to have the ability of a grid to eliminate radiation scatter, and, furthermore, to offer the physical capabilities of a grid as determined by Carlin's new grid assessment method. Image quality was demonstrated through contrast manipulation to be equal to that obtained by grid use. Further, optimal ...
The results of X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on molten alkali halides in which some data of our experiments by X-ray diffraction such as those of molten LiCl, NaCl, KCl, LiBr and KBr are included were summarized. The first peak positions in the radial distribution function in molten alkali halides by X-ray or neutron diffraction experiments are always longer than those by computer simulations and the differences of 0.1 -- 0.3 A exceed the experimental error. It seems to be due to the deformation of the electron shell. In the computer simulation, the shell model which has the spherical deformation was expected to have a closer value of the first peak position to the experimental one than the rigid ion model by taking the polarization of ions. However, no change in the first peak position was found. Therefore, the non-spherical deformation of electron shell at the point where ions are in contact with each other has to be taken into account. The neutron diffraction method with ...
The results of X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on molten alkali halides in which some data of our experiments by X-ray diffraction such as those of molten LiCl, NaCl, KCl, LiBr and KBr are included were summarized. The first peak positions in the radial distribution function in molten alkali halides by X-ray or neutron diffraction experiments are always longer than those by computer simulations and the differences of 0.1 -- 0.3 A exceed the experimental error. It seems to be due to the deformation of the electron shell. In the computer simulation, the shell model which has the spherical deformation was expected to have more closer value of the first peak position to the experimental one than the rigid ion model by taking the polarization of ions. However, no change in the first peak position was found. Therefore, the non-spherical deformation of electron shell at the point where ions are in contact with each other has to be taken into account. The neutron diffraction method ...
New rare earth metal rich cadmium compounds RE_4CoCd and RE_4RhCd (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho) were prepared by high-frequency melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. The samples were studied by x-ray powder and single-crystal diffraction. All the compounds crystallize with Gd_4RhIn-type structure, with space group F4-bar3m. The structures are built up from rigid three-dimensional networks of condensed, cobalt (rhodium) centred trigonal RE_6 prisms. The voids left by these networks are filled by Cd_4 cluster units and the coordination number 14 polyhedra of the RE1 atoms. The terbium and dysprosium compounds in both series undergo antiferromagnetic ordering, whereas the holmium compounds exhibit ferromagnetic ordering. The magnetic ordering in these compounds is characterized by broad peaks around the transition temperatures. The results of detailed crystallographic investigations and preliminary magnetic and specific heat studies are presented and discussed in this ...
Service water, 100 l each, was collected at an intake of a water treatment plant and at a tap after water was left running for five minutes. The carriers of strontium and cesium were added to water immediately after sampling, and the sample was vigorously stirred and filtered. Then it was passed through a cation exchange column at a rate of 80 ml/min. Strontium and cesium were eluted with hydrochloric acid from the cation exchange column, and separated. After the radiochemical separation, the mounted precipitates were counted for activity using low background beta counters normally for 60 min. Net sample counting rates were corrected for counter efficiency, recovery, self absorption and decay to obtain the content of strontium-90 and cesium-137 radioactivity per sample aliquot. From the results, concentrations of these nuclides in the original sample were calculated. The maximum values obtained were 0.29 pCi/l of Sr-90 in Kyoto in August, 1981, and 0.02 pCi/l of ...
This paper describes the graphical simulation of a traffic environment. The environment includes streets leading to an intersection, the intersection, vehicle traffic, and signal lights in the intersection controlled by different methods. The simulation allows for the study of parameters affecting traffic environments and the study of different control strategies for traffic signal lights, including conventional, fuzzy, and adaptive control methods. Realistic traffic environments are simulated including a cross intersection, with one or more lanes of traffic in each direction, with and without turn lanes. Vehicle traffic patterns are a mixture of cars going straight and making right or left turns. The free velocities of vehicles follow a normal distribution with a mean of the ``posted`` speed limit. Actual velocities depend on such factors as the proximity and velocity of surrounding traffic, approaches to intersections, and human response time. The simulation ...
We studied regional myocardial perfusion by scintigraphic computer-assisted analysis of initial distribution, washout rates, and residual activity of "1"3"3Xe injected into the left coronary artery of four patients with normal arteriograms and 14 patients with coronary stenosis. At rest, residual activity in poststenotic regions was always greater than in control regions, but initial washout rates were not slower. During angina, following xenon injections, the amount of indicator distributed to the poststenotic regions was markedly reduced; the increase of the initial washout rates was smaller than in control regions relative to rest, and residual activity was higher. Initial washout rates did not differ as much as from those of normal myocardium because in severe ischemia too little indicator is deposited initially in these regions to produce a change of any magnitude. Indeed, when angina was induced immediately after the xenon injection, poststenotic washout ...
The minimum cardiac transit times (MTT's) at rest and following sub-maximum stresses were measured in 97 individual examinations of untrained persons and high performance athletes. It turned out that there is a strong dependence on cardiac frequency of the MTT's. This relation can be described quite satisfactorily by a hyperbolic function and in this way allows a frequency correction to be made of the MTT's. The MTT's standardized in this way (MTT.f values) represent the quotient of the end diastolic segment volume/beat volume. In the whole lesser circulatory system almost identical MTT.f values were found for the two groups under comparison at rest and following stress. In the ventricles, however, and especially so in the left ventricle, the MTT.f values were clearly higher with athletes than with untrained persons, but they strongly decreased after stresses, while the respective values remained almost constant in ordinary persons. (orig./RF).
A dipole magnet based on the common coil design, using prereacted Nb{sub 3}Sn superconductor, is under development at Fermilab, for a future Very Large Hadron Collider. This magnet has some innovative design and technological features such as single layer coils, a 22 mm wide 60-strand Rutherford type cable and stainless steel collars reinforced by horizontal bridges inserted between coil blocks. Both left and right coils are wound simultaneously into the collar structure and then impregnated with epoxy. In order to optimize the design and fabrication techniques an R&D program is underway. The production of cables with the required characteristics was shown possible. Collar laminations were produced, assembled and tested in order to check the effectiveness of the bridges and the validity of the mechanical design. A mechanical model consisting of a 165 mm long section of the magnet straight section was assembled and tested. This paper summarizes the status of ...
A relatively quick and simple assay for hyaluronate was developed using the specific binding protein, hyaluronectin. The hyaluronectin was obtained by homogenizing the brains of Sprague-Dawley rats, and then centrifuging the homogenate. The resulting supernatant was used as a source of crude hyaluronectin. In the binding assay, the hyaluronectin was mixed with (/sup 3/H)hyaluronate, followed by an equal volume of saturated (NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, which precipitated the hyaluronectin and any (/sup 3/H)hyaluronate associated with it, but left free (/sup 3/H)hyaluronate in solution. The mixture was then centrifuged, and the amount of bound (/sup 3/H)hyaluronate in the precipitate was determined. Using this assay, the authors found that hyaluronectin specifically bound hyaluronate, since other glycosaminoglycans failed to compete for the binding protein. In addition, the interaction between hyaluronectin and hyaluronate was of relatively high affinity, and the ...
A pole placement technique for power system stabilizer (PSS) and thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) based stabilizer using simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is presented in this paper. The proposed approach employs SA optimization technique to PSS (SAPSS) and TCSC-based stabilizer (SACSC) design. The design problem is formulated as an optimization problem where SA is applied to search for the optimal setting of the proposed SAPSS and SACSC parameters. A pole placement-based objective function to shift the dominant eigenvalues to the left in the s-plane is considered. The proposed SAPSS and SACSC have been examined on a weakly connected power system with different disturbances, loading conditions, and system parameter variations. Eigenvalue analysis and nonlinear simulation results show the effectiveness and the robustness of the proposed stabilizers and their ability to provide efficient damping of low frequency oscillations. In addition, the performance ...
This report briefly describes the studies on the mechanism of in vivo DNA repairing by the author in Research Reactor Institute, Kyoto Univ. for the past 30 years. First, the ability of UV radiation to induce transformation was investigated with viral DNA. The formation of thymine-thymine dimer was found harmful to organisms and such dimers were removable by UV-radiation at a low frequency. The mutability was determined in three different E.coli strains with mutator gene, mutT, mutS or mutL. The ability to excise 8-oxoguanin developed in primer DNA was deficient in mutT and miss-pairing left after DNA replication could not be recovered in mutL and mutS strains. Further, DNA repairing mechanism was investigated in other microorganisms; single-strand cleavage caused by exposure to BNCB radiation (boron-neutron-captured beam) could not be repaired in E. coli. Whereas for Deinococcus radiodurans, of which survival rate was not decreased by #gamma#-ray radiation at 5 ...
Recent work has indicated that the suppression of boron transient enhanced diffusion (TED) in carbon-rich Si is caused by nonequilibrium Si point defect concentrations, specifically the undersaturation of Si self-interstitials, that result from the coupled out-diffusion of carbon interstitials via the kick-out and Frank--Turnbull reactions. This study of boron TED reduction in Si_1_-_x_-_yGe_xC_y during 750"oC inert anneals has revealed that the use of an additional reaction that further reduces the Si self-interstitial concentration is necessary to describe accurately the time evolved diffusion behavior of boron. In this article, we present a comprehensive model which includes #left brace#311#right brace# defects, boron-interstitial clusters, a carbon kick-out reaction, a carbon Frank--Turnbull reaction, and a carbon interstitial-carbon substitutional (C_iC_s) pairing reaction that successfully simulates carbon suppression of boron TED at 750"oC for anneal times ...
Forty cases of Ewing's sarcoma of various sites had attended the Department of Radiotherapy at the Wanless Hospital and the Miraj Medical Centre, attached to the Government Medical College, Miraj, Maharashtra, from January, 1970 through December, 1979. There were 28 male patients and 12 female patients in the series with a male to female ratio of 2.3:1. The youngest patient in the series was a female of 6 years of age with the tumour in the scapula and the oldest patient was a 32-year-old male with a lesion in the metacarpal bone. Sixty per cent of the cases were seen in the second decade. The average age of the patients was 13.5 years. The bones of the lower extremities were most commonly involved with the highest number (35 per cent) of the cases occurring in the femur. Involvement of the bones of the right side of the body was almost equal to that of the left side. Swelling over the site of the lesion and pain over the swelling were the most common complaints ...
We report a patient who developed occlusion of the intracranial major arteries induced by radiation therapy for craniopharyngioma. The patient, a 9-year-old boy, presented with deterioration of vision, nausea and vomiting. He underwent a right ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation, and the tumor was partially removed. Postoperatively, he received focal radiation therapy with total of 60 Gy. Preoperative cerebral angiography, cerebral vessels had no sigh of occlusive lesion or stenosis. One year after irradiation, he started to have repeated cerebral ischemic attacks. But no regrowth of the tumor was detected on CT scans. Two years and 8 months after irradiation, he suddenly had right hemiparesis. Cerebral angiography revealed severe stenosis of the right anterior cerebral artery (precommunicating segment), middle cerebral artery (horizontal portion) and terminal portion of the right carotid artery. Left carotid angiography showed complete occlusion of the terminal ...
We report a patient who developed occlusion of the intracranial major arteries induced by radiation therapy for craniopharyngioma. The patient, a 9-year-old boy, presented with deterioration of vision, nausea and vomiting. He underwent a right ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation, and the tumor was partially removed. Postoperatively, he received focal radiation therapy with total of 60 Gy. Preoperative cerebral angiography, cerebral vessels had no sigh of occlusive lesion or stenosis. One year after irradiation, he started to have repeated cerebral ischemic attacks. But no regrowth of the tumor was detected on CT scans. Two years and 8 months after irradiation, he suddenly had right hemiparesis. Cerebral angiography revealed severe stenosis of the right anterior cerebral artery (precommunicating segment), middle cerebral artery (horizontal portion) and terminal portion of the right carotid artery. Left carotid angiography showed complete occlusion of the terminal ...
In this paper, we report kinetic Monte Carlo study on the diffusion behavior of boron in silicon crystal, more particularly on the transient enhanced diffusion (TED) of boron in silicon during implantation and annealing. Firstly, the accuracy of our KMC code was verified by investigating the time evolutionary behavior of interstitial (I) and vacancy (V) when a silicon substrate is implanted with silicon dose with an energy of 10 keV and with a dose of 1 X 10"1"4 ions/cm"2. To investigate the influence of native defects (I, V) on boron diffusion, a single and multi boron markers grown by MBE were employed. The simulation results revealed that the precursor of boron cluster (BI_2) is dominant at the initial stage of annealing, which explains the boron TED phenomenon in terms of the concentration of boron complexes and I, V clusters, respectively. The formation of #left brace#311#right brace# defects and dislocation loop were observed from the time-evolutionary study ...
Irradiation response on the tensile properties of 9Cr-2W steels has been investigated following FFTF/MOTA irradiations at temperatures between 646 and 873 K up to doses between 10 and 59 dpa. The largest irradiation hardening accompanied by the largest decrease in the elongation is observed for the specimens irradiated at 646 K at doses between 10 and 15 dpa. The irradiation hardening appears to saturate at a dose of around 10 dpa at the irradiation temperature. No hardening but softening was observed in the specimens irradiated at above 703 K to doses of 40 and 59 dpa. Microstructural observation by transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the dislocation loops with the a left angle 100 right angle type Burgers vector and small precipitates which were identified to be M_6C type carbides existed after the irradiation at below 703 K. As for the void formation, the average size of voids increased with increasing irradiation temperature from 646 to 703 K. ...
Several years ago the shipment of spent fuel of the High Flux Reactor (HFR) at Petten has come to a standstill resulting in an ever growing stock of fuel elements that are labelled 'fully burnt up'. Examination of those elements showed that a reasonably number of them have a relatively high {sup 235}U mass left. A reactor physics analysis showed that the use of such elements in the peripheral core zone allows the loading of four instead of five fresh fuel elements in many cycle cores. For the assessment of safety and performance parameters of HFR cores a new calculational tool is being developed. It is based on AEA Technology's Reactor physics code suite Winfrith Improved Multigroup Scheme (WIMS). NRG produced pre- and post-processing facilities to feed input data into WIMS's 2D transport code CACTUS and to extract relevant parameters from the output. The processing facilities can be used for many different types of application. ...
Abstract in english A long-standing debate in the literature is whether attention can form two or more independent spatial foci in addition to the well-known unique spatial focus. There is evidence that voluntary visual attention divides in space. The possibility that this also occurs for automatic visual attention was investigated here. Thirty-six female volunteers were tested. In each trial, a prime stimulus was presented in the left or right visual hemifield. This stimulus was characteriz (more) ed by the blinking of a superior, middle or inferior ring, the blinking of all these rings, or the blinking of the superior and inferior rings. A target stimulus to which the volunteer should respond with the same side hand or a target stimulus to which she should not respond was presented 100 ms later in a primed location, a location between two primed locations or a location in the contralateral hemifield. Reaction time to the positive target stimulus in a primed ...
This paper indicates first that the base content in desert soil is by far much higher than that in soils in moist areas, that salts with the higher solubility to water have their deposition depth greater, and that the organic content is extremely low. The paper also describes the experiments to verify that the desert soil contains soil lumps with a diameter of about several millimeters, which function effectively to form the long term survival locations for microorganisms. Desert soil containing soil lumps and the one removed of lumps by pulverizing them into powder were prepared as test specimens, which were left submerged. It was confirmed that the velocity of decomposing the organics and the mechanical strength in the latter soil are obviously inferior to those in the former soil. Additional remarks are given that when the desert soil environment is changed the microorganisms get more active appreciably and that certain kinds of mold fungi and green algae were ...
The image quality of digital luminescent radiography (DLR) is sufficient for routine biplane chest radiography and for follow-up studies of heart size, pulmonary congestion, coin lesions, infiltrations, atelectasis, pleural effusions, and mediastinal and hilar lymph node enlargement. Chest radiography in the intensive care unit may in most cases be performed using the DLR technique. there is no need for repeat shots because of incorrect exposure, and the position of catheters, tubes, pacemakers, drains and artificial heart valves, the mediastinum, and the retrocardiac areas of the left lung are more confidently assessed on the edge-enhanced DLR films than on conventional films. Nevertheless, DLR is somewhat inferior to conventional film-screen radiography of the chest as it can demonstrate or rule out subtle pulmonary interstitial disease less confidently. There is no reduction of radiation exposure of the chest in DLR compared with modern film-screen systems. As a ...
Several models have been proposed for the simulation of boron diffusion during annealing after implantation in silicon. It has been shown that transient enhanced diffusion (TED) tends to disappear at sub-keV implant energies. Under these conditions boron concentration is higher than the boron solubility limit value, precipitation phenomena occur. Extended defects (#left brace#3 1 1#right brace#, EOR) formation and boron precipitation affect both the redistribution during the annealing and activation of the boron. For these reasons, we have investigated the diffusion of low energy boron implanted in crystalline silicon and tested a complete simulation program which takes into account the effects of type I defects as a sink for self-interstitials and of boron precipitation. Experimental results have been simulated and consistent parameters have been found to fit the data. Boron enhanced diffusion effect has been studied. Model parameter extractions have been ...
The polarization of extracted SATURNE II proton beam as a function of different ion source configurations was studied. Two distinct experiments were necessary for this purpose. In the first one, the left-right instrumental asymmetry of the beam polarimeter was determined using an unpolarized beam. In the second one this correction factor was applied to asymmetries measured with the beam from the polarized ion source in all polarization states. The measurements were carried out at the proton beam kinetic energy 0.80 GeV, where the pp-elastic scattering analyzing power is near its maximum. The results confirmed that the two so-called ``unpolarized states`` of the source were polarized to several percent, whereas the absolute values of the beam polarizations in the so-called ``polarized states`` were equal and opposite. It was observed that the hexapole lens of the ion source produced beam polarization in the absence of any transition. The beam polarization as a ...
The most precise measurement of the weak mixing angle sin{sup 2} {theta}{sub eff}{sup l} at LEP is from the forward-backward asymmetry e{sup +}e{sup -} {yields} b{bar b} at the Z-pole. In this note the QED and electroweak radiative corrections to obtain the pole asymmetry from the measured asymmetry for b- and c-quarks have been calculated using ZFITTER, which has been amended to allow a consistent treatment of partial two-loop corrections for the b-quark final asymmetries. A total correction of {delta}A{sub FB}{sup b} = 0.0019 {+-} 0.0002 and {delta}A{sub FB}{sup c} = 0.0064 {+-} 0.0001 has been found, where the remaining theoretical uncertainty is much too small to explain the apparent discrepancy between sin{sup 2} {theta}{sub eff}{sup l} obtained from A{sub FB}{sup b} and from the left-right asymmetry at SLD.
Recently the D{\\O} Collaboration reported an observation of like-sign charge asymmetry (CA), which is about $3.2 \\sigma$ deviation from the standard model (SM) prediction. Inspired by the observation we investigate the scalar unparticle effects, under the color charge of $SU(3)_c$ symmetry, in the CP violation in neutral B meson oscillations as well as the dispersive and absorptive parts of $\\bar B_q\\leftrightarrow B_q$ transition, which can be related to the CA directly. In order to illustrate the peculiar properties of unparticle, our analysis is carried out in two scenarios for the right-handed section: (I) $\\lambda_R=\\lambda_L$ and $U_D^R=U_D^L$, where $\\lambda_{L,R}$ and $U_D^{L,R}$ are the couplings and flavor mixing matrix of left- and right-handed section, respectively; (II) $\\lambda_R >> \\lambda_L$ and $U_D^R$ is completely a free parameter. In scenario I we found that the wrong- and like-sign CA cannot be changed significantly for a SM-like ...
The gene expression of beta(1)-adrenergic receptor (beta(1)AR) and stimulatory G-protein Gsalpha in ventricle after chronic treatment with doxorubicin (DOX) in rat was investigated. The rats were treated with DOX in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg once a week for 5 weeks, the cumulative dose being 12.5 mg/kg. Two weeks after the last injection, the positive inotropic effect of isoproterenol was noticeably decreased in left atrial muscle preparations isolated from DOX-treated rats. Northern blot hybridization showed that the mRNA transcripts of beta(1)AR and Gsalpha, important signal transduction elements for regulating heart rate and contractility, were significantly decreased in the ventricle of DOX-treated rats. Thus, chronic treatment with DOX decreases the gene expression levels of myocardial beta(1)AR and Gsalpha. PMID:15353854
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories` Zephyr System provides a showcase for the ways in which emerging technologies can help streamline procurement processes and improve the coordination between participants in engineering projects by allowing collaboration in ways that have not been possible before. The project also shows the success of a highly pragmatic approach that was initiated by the end user community, and that intentionally covered standard situations, rather than aiming at also automating the exceptions. By helping push purchasing responsibilities down to the end user, thereby greatly reducing the involvement of the purchasing department in operational activities, it was possible to streamline the process significantly resulting in time savings of up to 90%, major cost reductions, and improved quality. Left with less day-to- day purchasing operations, the purchasing department has more time for strategic tasks such as selecting and pre-qualifying new ...
Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are used to analyze the ripening and dissolution of small Si interstitial clusters and #left brace#113#right brace# defects, and its influence on transient enhanced diffusion of dopants in silicon. The evolution of Si interstitial defects is studied in terms of the probabilities of emitted Si interstitials being recaptured by other defects or in turn being annihilated at the surface. These two probabilities are related to the average distance among defects and their distance to the surface, respectively. During the initial stages of the defect ripening, when the defect concentration is high enough and the distance among them is small, Si interstitials are mostly exchanged among defects with a minimal loss of them to the surface. Only when defects grow to large sizes and their concentration decreases, the loss of Si interstitials through diffusion to the surface prevails, causing their dissolution. The presence of large and stable ...
The dealumination of mordenite by acidification (HCl, HNO/sub 3/) and by SiCl/sub 4/ and steaming treatments is followed by high-resolution magic-angle-spinning solid-state /sup 29/Si and /sup 27/Al NMR spectroscopy. The combined use of these techniques leads to the determination of the silicon-aluminum ordering. It is demonstrated that aluminum atoms preferentially occupy tetrahedral positions in the four-membered rings of the mordenite structure. In addition, a mechanism of dealumination can be inferred, consisting in removing the aluminum atoms two by two from the four-membered rings. It is also possible to compute the number of SiOH groups left in the unit cell after the progressive removal of aluminum atoms: four groups per extracted Al atom are generated in the beginning of dealumination and this number gradually decreases to two, suggesting that a structural reorganization must necessarily occur for substantial dealumination. These silanol groups are also ...
We directly measure the evolution of the intergalactic Lyman-alpha effective optical depth, tau_eff, over the redshift range 2 is <1% at z=2, 4% at z=3, and 12% at z=4. Previous measurements of tau_eff at 3left in), particularly near z=3.2. The observed downward departure is statistically consistent with a similar feature detected in ...