Upper limb reflex sympathetic dystrophy associated with occult malignancy

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, characterized by pain, swelling, vasomotor instability, and trophic changes in an extremity, has been infrequently described in patients with occult malignancy. Two cases of reflex sympathetic dystrophy associated with local tumor involvement are reported. Both patients had a history of cancer in clinical remission. Despite aggressive physical therapy measures, the patients' symptoms persisted. Workup of the first patient found an apical paravertebral mass in the lung; biopsy revealed recurrent breast carcinoma. In the second case, workup found an axillary mass contiguous with the lower brachial plexus. Biopsy revealed lymphoma, a second primary malignancy. In both cases, medical treatment of the tumor was instituted, with consequent improvement of hand and shoulder function. Both patients required prolonged hospitalization and multiple procedures that might have been avoided if malignancy had been suspected. Spontaneous development of reflex sympathetic dystrophy in patients with a history of cancer should alert the physician to the possibility of occult malignancy.     

A superconducting X-ray spectrometer with a tantalum absorber andlateral trapping

We report the development of Nb-Ta-Al-Al₂O₃-Al superconducting tunnel junction structures for high energy resolution and high efficiency X-ray detection. These devices utilize a Ta X-ray absorber with superconductor “bandgap engineered” quasiparticle trapping to improve charge collection. Experimental results at 0.3 K are presented, showing energy resolution of 102 eV full-width-half-maximum for 6 keV X-rays. Collected charge is in excess of 5×10⁶ electrons. The absorption efficiency is better than 35%. Devices thermally cycle with no change in characteristics     

Synthesis and characterisation of carboxylic acid and diphenylphosphine derivatives in the 1,3-diyne series: Spectral properties of polydiacetylene carboxylates

Symmetrically substituted 1,3-diynes containing hydroxyalkyl ( 1a-d ), bromoalkyl ( 1e-h ) (diphenylphosphinyl) ( 1i-k ) and carboxyalkyl ( 2a-d ) substituents have been prepared and characterised; the phosphine derivative ( 1k ) has been converted with alkyl iodides ( RI ; R = Me, Et) into bis(phosphonium) salts ( 1l and m ). During preparation of the diynedioic acid. ( 2a ), the non-centrosymmetrical diyne, HO₂CCH₂C?C—C?C(CH₂)₂OH ( 3 ), was also isolated. ⁶⁰Co γ-Irradiation of diacetylene monomers ( 2a – d ) and 10,12-tricosadiyn-1-oic acid gave the corresponding polydiacetylene derivatives ( 4a – d and 5 ), respectively. Rubidium salts of ( 4c ) and ( 4d ), a barium salt of ( 4c ), and a potassium salt of ( 5 ) were prepared and isolated; soluble potassium salts of the carboxylic acid polymers ( 4 ) were generated in aqueous solution. The effects of changes in pH on the UV/visible absorption spectra of aqueous solutions of selected carboxylic acid polydiacetylenes have been recorded, and are discussed.     

Reaction steady states and stationary states in modelling semi-batch enzyme hydrolysis

Dimensionless material balance equations describing an uninhibited enzyme hydrolysis process in a semi-batch reactor (i.e. fed-batch reactor) are formulated; numerical solution of these equations provided concentration profiles of the enzyme-substrate complex by using published kinetic parameters. The unrestricted values obtained are compared with estimates based separately on the reaction steady state and stationary state assumptions. Results are discussed in terms of the enzyme/substrate inventory used and it is found that the reaction steady state is a satisfactory approximation only when this ratio is sufficiently small. The stationary state may be a better approximation at other values, particularly when enzyme is added to substrate or when an empty tank is being filled. Reaction yields from semi-batch and batch operations are compared. Processing takes longer in the semi-batch operations and complete conversions are only practical in this mode when enzyme is added to substrate.     

Deep submicron CMOS based on silicon germanium technology

The advantages to be gained by using SiGe in CMOS technology are examined, Conventional MOSFETs are compared with SiGe heterojunction MOSFETs suitable for CMOS technology and having channel lengths between 0.5 and 0.1 μm. Two-dimensional computer simulation demonstrates that the improved mobility in the SiGe devices, due to higher bulk mobility and the elimination of Si/SiO₂ interface scattering by the inclusion of a capping layer, results in significant velocity overshoot close to the source-end of the channel. The cut-off frequency, f_t , is found to increase by around 50% for n-channel devices while more than doubling for p-channel devices for typical estimates of mobility. The results offer the prospect of a more balanced CMOS and improved circuit speed especially when using dynamic logic     

The alpha-fetoprotein level analysis in open neural tube defects and chromosomal aberrations in the fetus

The effects of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) and two Chinese traditional (Kampo) medicines, Dai-saiko-to and Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to on spontaneous soft tissue (heart and tongue) mineralization in DBA/2NCrj mice were studied. These agents were given orally for 4 weeks to DBA/2NCrj mice. After 2 weeks of administration in the heart, 0.006 and 0.03% (w/v) HEBP decreased calcium content by 90 and 30%, respectively, while 0.27 and 2.7 mg/ml Dai-saiko-to reduced calcium content by 30 and 45%, respectively. Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (0.27 mg/ml) reduced both calcium and phosphorus content by 50 and 35%, respectively. However, their inhibitory effects on the heart were not observed after 4 weeks of administration. The compounds delayed the onset of increases of bulk calcium and phosphorus content. In the tongue, at 4 weeks, 0.006 and 0.03% (w/v) HEBP reduced calcium content by 30 and 45%, respectively, while two Kampo medicines (at both concentrations used) significantly reduced the content of calcium (by 27-79%) and phosphorus (by 24-32%). These results strongly suggest that two Kampo medicines as well as HEBP may be useful in preventing and curing soft tissue calcification.