Searching for migraine genes: exclusion of 290 cM out of the whole human genome

Primary hyperparathyroidism, characterized by hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) leading to hypercalcemia and relative hypophosphatemia, is quite common in the elderly. Most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism have only mild hypercalcemia and are symptomless. But others experience various other organ diseases. Primary hyperparathyroidism is also associated with cardiovascular abnormalities, including QT interval shortening, heart block, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial calcification and, though rarely, with valvular heart disease. We described a case of primary hyperparathyroidism associated with cardiac abnormalities. An 82-year-old male presented with the complaints of chest discomfort, fatigue, general weakness, nausea and vomiting over a period of months and was admitted in July 1996. Physical examination with heart auscultation showed a pansystolic murmur over the right sternal border and apex region, and a blowing diastolic murmur over the left sternal border. Biochemistry profiles revealed elevations of serum calcium (14.3 mg/dl) and chloride/phosphate ratio (> 33). Endocrinological studies showed elevations of serum PTH-C (4.8 ng/ml) and PTH-intact (705 pg/ml) concentrations. Kidney ultrasonography revealed a left renal stone. A spine X-ray revealed spondylosis and a compression fracture of the lumbar-spine with osteoporotic change. Thyroid ultrasonography and Thallium (Tl201)-technetium (Tc99m) subtraction scan showed parathyroid adenoma in the low pole of the right thyroid bed. Parathyroid aspiration cytology revealed few and discrete cells. Echocardiogram revealed moderate to severe aortic valvular calcification as well as stenosis with moderate aortic regurgitation, mitral regurgitation and myocardial calcification. The patient received parathyroidectomy one month later. During his postoperative days, he suffered from muscle twitching with positive Trousseau's sign and Chvostek's sign. The patient received calcium carbonate and vitamin D for hypocalcemia, diltiazem and capoten for his heart problems. A repeated echocardiogram two months after surgery showed no improvement of valvular calcification.     

Histopathologic changes of cancer of the rectum after neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy. Anatomo-radiologic correlation and prognostic implications

The histopathologic study of 24 specimens of radiated rectal cancers suggested new histologic criteria to define tumor regression after neo-adjuvant therapy. Better than traditional UICC staging system (pTNM), such criteria have identified those patients at higher risk of failure. Moreover, the study has confirmed the known difficulties of imaging studies in assuring an accurate staging of radiated rectal cancer before surgery.     

The “ART” of log correlation: part 1: Tools and techniques for correlating events and log files

Log file correlation is related to two distinct activities: intrusion detection and network forensics. It is more important than ever that these two disciplines work together in a mutualistic relationship in order to avoid points of failure. This paper, intended as a tutorial for those dealing with such issues, presents an overview of log analysis and correlation, with special emphasis on the tools and techniques for managing them within a network forensics context. The paper has been split in two parts and part 2 will appear next month in Computer Fraud & Security, July edition.     

Nanoarchitectured Design of Porous Materials and Nanocomposites from Metal‐Organic Frameworks

The emergence of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) as a new class of crystalline porous materials is attracting considerable attention in many fields such as catalysis, energy storage and conversion, sensors, and environmental remediation due to their controllable composition, structure and pore size. MOFs are versatile precursors for the preparation of various forms of nanomaterials as well as new multifunctional nanocomposites/hybrids, which exhibit superior functional properties compared to the individual components assembling the composites. This review provides an overview of recent developments achieved in the fabrication of porous MOF‐derived nanostructures including carbons, metal oxides, metal chalcogenides (metal sulfides and selenides), metal carbides, metal phosphides and their composites. Finally, the challenges and future trends and prospects associated with the development of MOF‐derived nanomaterials are also examined.     

Web-based video for real-time monitoring of radiological procedures

Web-based video transmission of images from CT and MRI consoles is implemented in an intranet environment for real-time monitoring of ongoing procedures. Images captured from the consoles are compressed to video resolution and then broadcast through a Web server. When called upon, the attending radiologists can view these live images on any computer within the secured intranet network. With adequate compression, these images can be displayed simultaneously in different locations at a rate of 2 to 5 images/s through a standard local area network. While the quality of the images was insufficient for diagnostic purposes, our user survey showed that they were suitable for supervising a procedure, for positioning the imaging slices, and for routine quality checking before completion of a study. The system was implemented at UCLA to monitor nine CTs and six MRIs distributed in four different buildings. This system significantly improved the radiologists' productivity by saving valuable time spent in trips between reading rooms and examination rooms. It also improved patient care and throughput by reducing the time spent waiting for the radiologists to check a study before removing the patient from the scanner     

Ophthalmoscopic examination training using virtual reality

Health care professionals perform ophthalmoscopic examinations to detect pathologies of the eye, as well as to evaluate the effects of other diseases, such as high-blood pressure and diabetes. The ophthalmoscopic examination is given using an ophthalmoscope, a hand-held instrument consisting of an adjustable lens and a focused beam of light. The difficulty of the procedure lies in positioning the ophthalmoscope accurately and then correctly identifying the ocular disease symptoms — skills that improve with experience. To improve and accelerate the training of the student, we developed aVirtual Ophthalmoscopic Examination, a three-dimensional real-time computer simulation of the ophthalmoscopic procedure using virtual reality techniques. By navigating and manipulating the virtual ophthalmoscope in the simulation environment, the student learns how to position the instrument properly. Unlike other training aids that use photographic slides to show the full retina, theVirtual Opthalmoscopic Examination programme simulates an accurate view of the retina. By increasing the realism of the training, the transition from the training programme to live examination of patients will become less difficult. The programme was evaluated by graduate nursing students and was shown to be a promising training aid.     

ELF Earth Return Current Coupling

The theory for predicting the coupling between long line earth-return circuits and extremely low-frequency earth-return sources is reviewed. This theory is based on a uniform earth model. The electric fields predicted by this theory are then compared to a sampling of experimental data derived from long probe wire measurements.     

Design, deposition, and characterization of multilayer coatings for the ultraviolet and visible-light coronagraphic imager

The Ultraviolet and Visible-Light Coronagraphic Imager is the baseline coronagraph for the European Space Agency's payload Solar Orbiter, a solar mission whose launch in 2011 is expected. To prove the feasibility of its innovative design, a sounding rocket version of the same instrument has been approved by NASA. One of the main technological challenges of the instrument is the achievement of multilayer optical coatings with suitable properties. We describe the design, fabrication, and characterization of such coatings.