Acute endocarditis of the native aortic valve caused by Propionibacterium acnes

Propionibacterium acnes is often considered to be a contaminant but it has also been found to be the principal pathogen in serious infections. P. acnes is a rare cause of infective endocarditis. It has been suggested that aortic root abscesses are caused by bacteria that are particularly virulent. The strongest risk factor for serious infections by this bacteria is the presence of foreign bodies. A case is presented in which endocarditis of a native aortic valve caused by P. acnes was associated with an aortic root abscess. Transesophageal echocardiography is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of this severe complication of infective endocarditis. The literature for P. acnes endocarditis is reviewed.     

RF antenna analysis with the ICANT code

The ICANT code computes self-consistently the surface current distribution on a 3D antenna model radiating in a plasma or vacuum and has been used to analyze the coupling properties of various antenna models. In this work it is used to assess near-fields generated by different versions of the TCABR (Tokamak Chauffage Alfvén wave heating experiment in Brazil) antenna as well as coupling properties of the TEXTOR tokamak in Forshungszentrum Jülich. Two different strap models planned for the TCABR antenna are shown to be practically equivalent in terms of maximum electric field. Textor coupling calculations are close to experimental values.     

GC/MS characterization of mate tea leaves extracts obtained from high-pressure CO2 extraction

This work presents a study concerning the chemical characteristics and analytical separation process of the essential oil obtained from high-pressure carbon dioxide extraction of Ilex paraguariensis. The experiments were performed in a laboratory-scale unit in the temperature range of 20–40 °C, from 100 to 250 bar. A blend of the I. paraguariensis extracts was percolated through a preparative chromatographic column, containing silica gel, and successively eluted with 150 mL of each of the following solvents: hexane, toluene, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol. The raw extract and its fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS). The fractionation procedure showed to be a good clean up technique due to the isolation of different classes of compounds in each fraction. Chromatographic analyses allowed the identification of caffeine, fatty acids and esters, phytol, squalene, Vitamin E, stigmasterol derivatives and saturated hydrocarbons.     

Controlled-resistance loads for induction heating applications using thin non-magnetic metallic layers

The design of controlled-resistance loads for domestic induction heating applications using thin non-magnetic conductive layers is described. Thin metallic layers are fabricated using the phase vapour deposition technique. Such layers would enable vessels, the inductive behaviour of which was similar to those fabricated with conventional ferromagnetic bulk materials, to be manufactured. Optimum layer thickness is investigated using an analytical impedance model of the complete induction system     

Pressure effects on flow and fracture of Be-Al alloys

The flow and fracture behavior of Be-Al alloys were determined in tension with different levels of superimposed pressure. The Be-Al alloys were prepared by Brush Wellman, Inc. (Cleveland, OH) from prealloyed powders processed to either a hot isostatically pressed (“hipped”) or cold isostatically pressed and extruded condition. Significant effects of pressure on both the flow and ductility have been observed at room temperature, with implications on the formability of these materials. The effects of changes in processing conditions and stress state on the flow and fracture behavior are summarized in addition to both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the fracture surfaces. Separate other studies on the alloy constituents (e.g., Al and Be) are also reported. The results are also compared to previous works on monolithic materials and composites tested with high pressure.     

Spatial learning deficits in mice with a targeted glucocorticoid receptor gene disruption

Previous studies in rats using the Morris water maze suggested that the processing of spatial information is modulated by corticosteroid hormones through mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus. Mineralocorticoid receptors appear to be involved in the modulation of explorative behaviour, while additional activation of glucocorticoid receptors facilitates the storage of information. In the present study we used the water maze task to examine spatial learning and memory in mice homozygous and heterozygous for a targeted disruption of the glucocorticoid receptor gene. Compared with wild-type controls, homozygous and heterozygous mice were impaired in the processing of spatial but not visual information. Homozygous mutants performed variably during training, without specific platform-directed search strategies. The spatial learning disability was partly compensated for by increased motor activity. The deficits were indicative of a dysfunction of glucocorticoid receptors as well as of mineralocorticoid receptors. Although the heterozygous mice performed similarly to wild-type mice with respect to latency to find the platform, their strategy was more similar to that of the homozygous mice. Glucocorticoid receptor-related long-term spatial memory was impaired. The increased behavioural reactivity of the heterozygous mice in the open field points to a more prominent mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated function. The findings indicate that (i) the glucocorticoid receptor is of critical importance for the control of spatial behavioural functions, and (ii) mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated effects on this behaviour require interaction with functional glucocorticoid receptors. Until the development of site-specific, inducible glucocorticoid receptor mutants, glucocorticoid receptor-knockout mice present the only animal model for the study of corticosteroid-mediated effects in the complete absence of a functional receptor.     

Ionomer composites based on sepiolite/hydrogenated poly(styrene butadiene) block copolymer systems

Ionomeric composites based on sepiolite and hydrogenated poly(styrene butadiene) block copolymer were obtained and characterized from a microstructural and electrical point of view. Before blending, because of the high silanol group concentration in the sepiolite, the latter could be organophilized with suitable coupling agents. The resulting materials were easily processed into thin films or membranes 0.2–0.4 mm thick, their conductivity in some cases approaching 10^?1 S/cm. Their suitability for film formation and good electrical properties indicate potential applications as electrolytes in polymer fuel cells. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3512–3519, 2002     

Detection of hepatitis G virus from serum and liver of a patient with long-term liver dysfunction after autologous bone marrow transplantation

Long-term effects after blood or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are emerging as an important issue, as more patients are included in BMT programmes and as this procedure becomes more successful. Long-term liver dysfunction, mainly due to chronic graft-versus-host disease or hepatitis C virus infection, is a well-known complication. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of liver disease in this patient group is sometimes difficult and, despite adequate studies, it may remain undetected. A novel hepatitis-associated virus, hepatitis G virus (HGV), has recently been identified. The virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and is known to be parenterally transmitted, although there is no clear evidence to implicate this agent in causing acute or chronic hepatitis. We report a patient who developed mild, but persistent, abnormalities in transaminases for 2 years after an autologous BMT. HGV RNA was detected in both serum and liver. HGV RNA persisted in serum for at least 8 months. No other known hepatitis virus was found. This report provides the first direct evidence of a patient with long-term liver abnormalities after a BMT in whom the only known hepatitis virus isolated was the HGV.     

Opinions regarding the importance of body image disorders in the development and in the course of eating disorders

The article presents a review of most important research results as well as opinions about the role and importance of body image disturbances in the development and the course of eating disorders. It also contains a review of definitions of body image, and techniques used in the evaluation of this type of disorders.