PNNI-based control plane for automatically switched optical networks

Much effort has been spent on the definition of control plane protocols for automatically switched optical networks (ASON). Most of the proposals brought into the standardization for an International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunication Sector, Internet Engineering Task Force, and Optical Internetworking Forum are based on Internet protocol concepts. One such proposal is the generalized multi-protocol label switching (GMPLS), an extension of the MPLS traffic engineering control plane model that includes nonpacket switched technologies (time, wavelength, and fiber switching). Recently, the potential use of private network-network interface (PNNI) in ASONs has been discussed as an alternative proposal by the standardization bodies. The goal of this paper is to appropriately adapt asynchronous transfer mode into an optical PNNI (O-PNNI) protocol that can be used as the control plane of ASONs. The paper also provides a critical viewpoint on the potential usage of either O-PNNI or GMPLS control plane and analyzes the pros and cons of each. The methodology adopted toward devising O-PNNI hinges on reviewing PNNI along with ASON recommendations in order to determine the set of PNNI features that require adaptation. Having identified these features we engineer and present appropriate solutions relating to routing, signaling and addressing aspects.     

A new method for seed oil body purification and examination of oil body integrity following germination

Plant seeds store triacylglycerols as energy sources for germination and postgerminative growth of seedlings. The triacylglycerols are preserved in small, discrete, intracellular organelles called oil bodies. A new method was developed to purify seed oil bodies. The method included extraction, flotation by centrifugation, detergent washing, ionic elution, treatment with a chaotropic agent, and integrity testing by use of hexane. These processes subsequently removed non-specifically associated or trapped proteins within the oil bodies. Oil bodies purified by this method maintained their integrity and displayed electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance on their surface. Compared with the previous procedure, this method allowed higher purification of oil bodies, as demonstrated by SDS-PAGE using five species of oilseeds. Oil bodies purified from sesame were further analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and revealed two potential oleosin isoforms. The integrity of oil bodies in germinating sesame seedlings was examined by hexane extraction. Our results indicated that consumption of triacylglycerols reduced gradually the total amount of oil bodies in seedlings, whereas no alteration was observed in the integrity of remaining oil bodies. This observation implies that oil bodies in germinating seeds are not degraded simultaneously. It is suggested that glyoxisomes, with the assistance of mitochondria, fuse and digest oil bodies one at a time, while the remaining oil bodies are preserved intact during the whole period of germination.     

Gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumour presenting as small bowel volvulus: a rare disease with a rare presentation

A 78-year-old Chinese woman presented with recurrent postprandial abdominal pain. Computerised tomography revealed a small bowel tumour causing volvulus of a segment of the small bowel. Laparotomy confirmed an extraluminal ileal tumour with partial volvulus of the involved small bowel segment. Small bowel resection was done. Histological and ultrastructural studies confirmed a gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumour. We review the medical literature on this rare tumour.     

Physical and dosimetric aspects of a multileaf collimation system used in the dynamic mode for implementing intensity modulated radiotherapy

The use of a multileaf collimator in the dynamic mode to perform intensity modulated radiotherapy became a reality at our institution in 1995. Unlike treatment with static fields using a multileaf collimator, there are significant dosimetric issues which must be assessed before dynamic therapy can be implemented. We have performed a series of calculations and measurements to quantify head scatter for small fields, collimator transmission, and the transmission through rounded leaf ends. If not accounted for, these factors affect the delivered dose to the prostate by 5%-20% for a typical plan. Data obtained with ion chambers and radiographic film are presented for both 6 and 15 MV x-ray beams. The impact on the delivered dose of the mechanical accuracy of the multileaf collimator, achieved during leaf position calibration and maintained during dose delivery, is also discussed.     

Persistent GAD 65 antibodies in longstanding IDDM are not associated with residual beta-cell function, neuropathy or HLA-DR status

Persistent humoral autoimmunity to the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) has been described in a substantial proportion of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) of long duration. The source of the stimulus for this autoimmune reactivity is still unknown. Because the GAD 65 isoform is mainly expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and in the nervous system we investigated in the present study of the largest number of well characterized patients with longstanding IDDM (n = 105; median duration: 21 years; range: 10-46 years) the presence of autoantibodies to GAD 65 and their relationship to a residual C-peptide response or peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Additionally we studied the HLA-DR status relative to GAD 65 antibodies in 86 out of the 105 individuals. One hundred healthy control subjects and 100 recent onset IDDM patients were also studied for GAD 65 antibodies. GAD 65 antibodies were detected in a radioligand-binding-assay with recombinant human GAD 65 and were present in 32% of the long-term diabetic patients, 82% of the recent onset IDDM patients and in 3% of the healthy control subjects. A preserved C-peptide response to i.v. glucagon (Hendriksen criteria) was observed in 23% of the long-term IDDM patients. Autonomic neuropathy and peripheral neuropathy was identified using criteria based on both symptoms and formal testing giving a frequency of 67% vs 79%. The HLA specific DR 4/X was observed in 47% and HLA-DR 3/X in 22% of the long-term IDDM patients. Patients who were heterozygous for DR3/DR4 were found in 23% of the cases. GAD 65 antibodies were significantly less frequent in the long-term IDDM patients compared to recent onset IDDM (p < 0.001), and diabetes duration showed a significant negative correlation with GAD 65 antibody index levels (r = 0.22, p < 0.01). Interestingly, GAD 65 antibodies were not significantly correlated either with residual beta-cell function or neuropathy and no particular HLA-DR status was associated with persistent GAD 65 antibodies. In conclusion neither residual beta-cell function nor diabetic neuropathy or a certain HLA-DR specificity are exclusively associated with persistent autoimmunity directed to GAD 65 in longstanding IDDM. The stimulus for the persistent humoral immune response and its significance for the disease process and its complications remain to be established.     

Detection of congenital müllerian duct anomalies using three-dimensional ultrasound

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the value of 3-dimensional sonography in the diagnosis of congenital müllerian duct anomalies, which cause infertility, preterm labor, and first trimester abortion. METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken in which 40 patients with histories of repeated spontaneous abortions or infertility were first examined using conventional 2-dimensional sonography or hysterosalpingography. Three-dimensional transvaginal sonography was then performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight women had müllerian duct abnormalities, and 12 women had normal uterine anatomy. Müllerian duct defects detected in this study were unicornuate uterus (3), bicornuate uterus (3), complete or partial septate uterus (12), arcuate uterus (9), and didelphic uterus (1). The diagnosis of müllerian duct anomalies in these patients was confirmed by laparoscopic and/or hysteroscopic examinations. Three-dimensional sonography demonstrated all congenital uterine abnormalities with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Separate uterus and bicornuate uterus could be correctly diagnosed using 3-dimensional sonography in 11 (92%) of 12 cases and 3 (100%) of 3 cases, respectively. These 2 abnormalities were commonly confused with each other using hysterosalpingography and conventional sonography. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional sonography with image reconstruction is less expensive and less invasive than hysterosalpingography for the assessment of uterine anatomy and diagnosis of müllerian duct abnormalities. The ability to visualize both the uterine cavity and the myometrium on a 3-dimensional scan facilitates the diagnosis of uterine anomalies and enables the differentiation of septate from bicornuate uteri for preoperative surgical planning.