Molecular analysis of Plasmodium vivax relapses using the MSP1 molecule as a genetic marker

PURPOSE: To evaluate radiation therapy regimens for improvement in local control in patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radical radiation therapy results in 117 patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The protocols in 90 patients were 40 Gy in 20 fractions (n = 28), 50 Gy in 25 fractions (n = 32), and 45 Gy in 30 fractions (accelerated hyperfractionation, n = 30). The other 27 patients received thoracic irradiation (dose range, 20-60 Gy; median dose, 54 Gy). All patients underwent systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: The 5-year Kaplan-Meier survival rates in the patients with N0, N1, N2, and N3 disease were 26%, 34%, 18%, and 0%, respectively; the rates of in-field relapse were 25%, 36%, 26%, and 25%, respectively; and the rates of marginal relapse were 0%, 9%, 15%, and 29%, respectively. In 56% of patients with marginal relapse, the relapse site was at the upper margin. The 4-year in-field control rates for the patients who underwent 40, 50, and 45 Gy were 51%, 70%, and 56%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with N3 limited-stage small cell lung cancer should undergo a separate protocol, and the upper margin should be extended in patients with N2 or N3 disease.     

An experimental study and a thermodynamic evaluation of the Fe-Cr-Mo system

An experimental study of the Fe-Cr-Mo system has been made using a diffusion couple technique. Both ends of a large number of tie-lines have been determined using both an electron microprobe and a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis equipment. The isothermal sections at 1223, 1273, 1373, and 1473 K have been constructed from the experimental data and thermodynamic model calculations. The Gibbs energy of the intermetallic phases has been described with a recently developed model for phases with several sublattices. The parameter values describing the Gibbs energy of each individual phase were determined with a computerized optimization technique. The calculated phase diagrams are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental information and allow reasonable extrapolation outside the experimental temperature range.     

Psychiatry and dermatologic neoplasms: results of an experimental study

Psycho-oncology has developed during the past decades in the area of medical oncology directly involved in the study of the psychological aspects of cancer. In this study the authors focused in particular on the psychopathological complications of dermatological cancer, the discovery of a possible history of psychiatric disorders prior to the diagnosis of the tumour, the predictive value of the latter concerning further psychiatric complications during cancer, and lastly the possible correlations between stress and the onset of cancer and between religious belief and adaptive strategies. A total of 30 patients suffering from dermatological neoplasia were examined within the setting of a Psychiatric Liaison Service. HDRS and STAI X-1 and 2 were used as psychodiagnostic aids to evaluate the level of depression and anxiety, together with an interview for the clinical evaluation of the patient ad possible life events of particular importance. It was found that 10% of patients conformed to the criteria for the diagnosis of dysthymia and 10% for adaption disorders, and that there was also a high rate of pathological values for status anxiety (66%). These results show that this type of disease is particularly subject to risk for psychiatric complications.     

An experimental evaluation of an organizational incentive plan in the electric utility industry.

Results of the present study are based on comparisons between a division in an electric utility company that implemented an organizational incentive plan and another division in the same company that served as a control group. The data indicate that the experimental division performed better than the control division on 11 of 12 objective measures of performance. Results from a pretest–posttest survey of employees in both divisions, as well as a posttest survey in the experimental division, also provide some support for the effectiveness of the organizational incentive plan. Even though the pilot plan proved successful, it was not continued because of conflict between the union and management. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An experimental study and a thermodynamic evaluation of the cr- fe- w system

An experimental study of the Cr-Fe-W system has been made using a diffusion couple technique. A number of tie-lines have been determined using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis equipment. The structures of the observed intermetallic phases were determined by means of X-ray diffraction. The experimental results are presented in tables and isothermal sections at 1173, 1273, 1373, 1473, 1573, and 1673 K. A thermodynamic evaluation has been made using a magnetic subregular model for the bcc and fcc solution phases, a multi-sublattice model for the intermetallic phases, and an ordinary subregular solution model for the liquid phase. The parameter values describing the Gibbs energy of each individual phase have been determined by means of a computerized optimization technique. The calculated sections of the Cr-Fe-W phase diagram are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental information. Formerly with the Division of Physical Metallurgy, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden     

The results of an experimental study of an anti-Opisthorchis preparation made from plant raw material

A device operating by the principle of local negative pressure has been developed and patented in Russia. Its trial in 122 patients with erectile insufficiency in combination with conservative treatment showed that positive effect may be reached in patients subjected to partial intracavernous restorative surgery of the penis with unsatisfactory outcome.     

An experimental study on the behaviour of an underexpanded supersonic gas jet

The velocity decay and radial spreading characteristics of an underexpanded supersonic jet have been determined by a hot film anemometer. It is shown that the axial velocity in the subsonic portion of an underexpanded jet decays exponentially in a way similar to that of a fully expanded gas jet.     

An experimental study and thermodynamic evaluation of the Fe-Mo-Ti system at 1000 °C

The phase equilibria in the Fe-Mo-Ti system at 1000 °C have been studied using the diffusion couple technique. The various phases formed during annealing at 1000 °C for 480 hours were examined by X-ray diffraction, and no new ternary phase was observed. The equilibrium com-positions of these phases and some tie-lines were measured by means of electron probe micro-analysis. The results show that the solubility of Mo in the á phase Fe₂Ti ranges from 0 to 25.03 at. pct following the formula Fe₂(Mo,Ti) and solubility of Ti in the μ phase ranges from 0 to 14.55 at. pct following Fe₇(Mo,Ti)₆, whereas the solubility of Mo in the FeTi phase is negligible. It is expected that Fe₂Mo and Fe₂Ti can form a complete series of solid solutions below 900 °C. On the basis of the sublattice models, the thermodynamic properties of the Fe-Mo-Ti system at 1000 °C have been evaluated from the present results. An isothermal section calculated at 1000 °C is presented, and it shows good agreement with the experiments. Formerly Graduate Student, Department of Physical Metallurgy and Ceramics, Royal Institute of Technology, 10044, Stockholm, Sweden.     

An experimental and theoretical study of cementite dissolution in an Fe-Cr-C alloy

The dissolution of cementite at 910 °C in an Fe-2.06Cr-3.91C (at. pct) alloy is investigated experimentally. The Cr concentration profiles in austenite and cementite are measured by means of the scanning transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (STEM/EDS) technique at different dissolution times. The measurements show the Cr enrichment in the cementite during the dissolution process. The measurements suggest that the main part of the reaction for this alloy is controlled by Cr diffusion in the cementite or in the austenite matrix. This observation is in agreement with predictions of the local equilibrium hypothesis. The carbide fraction and average particle diameter are evaluated as functions of dissolution time. The Cr enrichment of the cementite results in a supersaturation and a possible decomposition of the cementite. Microstructural evidence for such a decomposition is found by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A new program package called DICTRA,_[11] which is suitable for the simulation of diffusional reactions in multicomponent alloys, has been applied to the present case. The simulation is compared with the experimental data, and a good agreement between the two is found.     

An experimental study of pathomorphology in the iris and ciliary body after intraocular lens implantation]

Recent studies have suggested that cytokines play a critical role in the pathophysiology of alopecia areata; however, no information is available regarding the difference in cytokine profiles in these patients. Serum levels of cytokines, including interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6, were measured using radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques in patients with the localized form and the extensive form (alopecia universalis). The serum levels of IL-1 alpha and IL-4 were significantly elevated in patients with the localized form. In contrast, the serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 were significantly elevated in patients with the extensive form. These results indicate that immune responses in the localized form and the extensive form of alopecia areata are regulated by Th2 cytokines and Th1 cytokines, respectively.     

3-dimensional sonography in the diagnosis of meniscal lesions. An experimental and clinical study]

There is no consensus regarding the clinical significance of conventional two-dimensional ultrasound in the diagnosis of meniscal tears of the knee. Three-dimensional ultrasound spatially reconstructs a transparent image of subsequent ultrasound scans. In an experimental study of 96 menisci, radial and oblique tears were detected more often by three-dimensional ultrasound. In a clinical study of 60 menisci the two- and three-dimensional ultrasound reached a sensitivity of 92% and 100%, a specificity of 83% and 88%, a positive predictive value of 58% and 67%, and a negative predictive value of 98% and 100%, respectively. Altogether, there was no statistically significant difference between both methods. The high negative predictive value, however, shows that the three-dimensional ultrasound may be a clinically relevant examination for special questions in the diagnostics of meniscal tears.     

An experimental study of the anti-ulcer properties of an extract of poplar bark

Marked antiulcerative properties of a Populus tremula bark extract were demonstrated in experiments on mice and rats with stress-, reserpine-induced, and acetylsalicylic ulcers. The gastroprotective activity of the extract was expressed in decrease in the number of animals with mucosal ulcers and in marked decrease in the number of ulcers. It exceeded similar parameters of alanton, plantaglucide, and Hippopheae oil.     

An experimental study of ototoxicity induced by deferoxamine mesilate

The radiation resistance and ability of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, 15313, 43256, and 49594 to multiply on irradiated, air-packed, refrigerated raw or cooked turkey breast meat nuggets (ca. 25 g) and ground turkey breast meat was investigated. Gamma-radiation D values for L. monocytogenes were significantly different on raw and cooked nuggets, 0.56 +/- 0.03 kGy and 0.69 +/- 0.03 kGy, respectively; but they were not significantly different (P < or = 0.05) on raw and cooked ground turkey meat. High populations (approximately 10(9) CFU/g) of L. monocytogenes declined during 14 days of storage at 4 degrees C in both irradiated and nonirradiated samples of raw but not of cooked ground turkey breast meat. A moderate inoculum (approximately 10(3) CFU/g) did not survive a radiation dose of 3 kGy. The population increased in cooked but not in raw samples of irradiated ground turkey meat stored at either 2 or 7 degrees C for 21 days. The D value changed significantly from 0.70 +/- 0.04 to 0.60 +/- 0.02 kGy when the product was cooked to an internal temperature of 80 degrees C before irradiation. Growth on either raw or cooked turkey meat did not alter the radiation resistance of L. monocytogenes. Analyses were performed for pH, aw, moisture, and reducing potential of raw and cooked turkey meat and for pH, amino acid profile, thiamine, and riboflavin contents of aqueous extracts of raw and cooked turkey meats without identifying the factor or factors involved in differences in the survival and multiplication of L. monocytogenes on raw and cooked meat.     

Antibody response to the N and C-terminal regions of the Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 1 in individuals living in an area of exclusive transmission of P. vivax malaria in the north of Brazil

This study was performed to obtain information on parents of children with cancer: (a) what role parents preferred to assume in treatment decision making (TDM); (b) parents' priority information needs; (c) if a relationship existed between TDM preferences and information needs; and (d) if sociodemographic, disease and treatment variables predicted TDM preferences or information needs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 58 parents who had a child less than 13 years of age diagnosed with cancer in the previous year. Instruments included a Sociodemographic, Disease, and Treatment Questionnaire; the Control Preferences Scale for Pediatrics, and an Information Needs Questionnaire. The results showed that parents had systematic preferences about TDM, preferring collaborative followed by passive and active roles. Nine priorities in information needs (highest to lowest) were found: (a) treatments and tests, (b) cure, (c) caring for my child, (d) emotional impact, (e) side effects, (f) physical impact, (g) disease, (h) coping with painful procedures, and (i) impact on the family. Sociodemographic, disease and treatment variables were not predictive of preferences for TDM or information needs. Concrete informational needs take precedence over issues of emotional or family impact or pain. A low Kendall's coefficient (0.07) indicated that parents as a group do not have uniform information needs. Information giving must be individualized.     

The evaluation of the late results of destruction of the atrioventricular junction in patients with drug-resistant atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a commonly seen form of disordered cardiac rhythm. Catheter-radio frequency ablation of the atrioventricular junction was found out to be an effective approach to control heart rate in continued drug-refractory cardiac fibrillation permitting the quality of the patients' life to be improved. The best results are achievable in patients presenting with chronic cardiac fibrillation.