Giuseppe Gradenigo and his contributions to audiology

Giuseppe Gradenigo (1859-1926) was an important figure in the development of Otology. Within this paper the authors consider his background and his particular contributions to the development of various aspects of audiology.     

Relationships between H-NS, sigma S, SpvR and growth phase in the control of spvR, the regulatory gene of the Salmonella plasmid virulence operon

We propose that chronically denervated Schwann cells may be less able to respond to axonal signals than their acutely denervated counterparts, and that this lack of sensitivity may be one reason why axons fail to regenerate into chronically denervated nerve stumps. To test this proposal we have used in situ hybridization, and quantitative and qualitative immunohistochemistry to compare the expression of c-erbB2 and c-erbB4 receptors in Schwann cells denervated for up to 6 months in vivo, with that seen in Schwann cells denervated for similar periods of time but then exposed to regenerating axons. The results were correlated with the extent of axonal regeneration in each experimental group as assessed from transverse sections which had been double-immunolabelled using anti S-100 and anti-beta tubulin III antibodies. Since c-erbBs are receptors for neuronally derived neuregulins we probed the appropriate axotomised DRG neurons for expression of GGF2 mRNA. When the denervated distal stumps were anastomosed to acutely transected proximal stumps, GGF expression in DRGs increased transiently during the first week: we assume that secreted GGF2 derived from regrowing axon sprouts would have been available to Schwann cells in all distal stumps. Endoneurial cell proliferation (predominantly Schwann cell proliferation); levels of expression of c-erbB receptors by Schwann cells, and the degree to which axons regenerated into the distal stumps all decreased as the period of prior denervation increased: the longer the time of denervation, the lower the expression of c-erbBs in Schwann cells, and the smaller the percentage of bands of Bungner which were re-innervated.     

Role of macrophage overactivation in the development of acute pancreatic injury in rats

PURPOSE: To report quantitative changes in the anterior chamber configuration after small-incision cataract surgery with implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy. METHODS: We examined the anterior chamber configuration of 20 eyes of 20 patients before and 3 months after small-incision cataract surgery (phacoemulsification and aspiration plus foldable intraocular lens implantation through a 3.0- to 4.0-mm self-sealing wound) by means of ultrasound biomicroscopy. The following variables were measured: the anterior chamber depth at the center of the cornea, the angle-opening distance 250 microns from the scleral spur (AOD250), the angle-opening distance 500 microns from the scleral spur (AOD500), and the trabecular-iris angle. RESULTS: The anterior chamber depth at the center of the cornea, AOD250, AOD500, and trabecular-iris angle increased significantly after surgery. The preoperative anterior chamber depth at the center of the cornea and trabecular-iris angle were negatively correlated with the differences between the postoperative and preoperative values (P < .01). The preoperative values of all variables examined were negatively correlated with the ratios of the postoperative value to the preoperative value (P < .002). CONCLUSIONS: The present results showed that small-incision cataract surgery significantly deepened the anterior chamber and widened its angle. The more shallow the preoperative anterior chamber was, the greater the postoperative change of the chamber was; and the more narrow the preoperative angle was, the greater the postoperative change of the angle was.     

Pruning Algorithms for Rule Learning

Pre-pruning and Post-pruning are two standard techniques for handling noise in decision tree learning. Pre-pruning deals with noise during learning, while post-pruning addresses this problem after an overfitting theory has been learned. We first review several adaptations of pre- and post-pruning techniques for separate-and-conquer rule learning algorithms and discuss some fundamental problems. The primary goal of this paper is to show how to solve these problems with two new algorithms that combine and integrate pre- and post-pruning.     

Microfabricated Lamb wave device based on PZT sol-gel thin film formechanical transport of solid particles and liquids

The fabrication using silicon micromachining and characterization of an acoustic Lamb wave actuator is presented. The intended use of the device is for mass transport and sensor applications. The device consists of dual interdigitated transducers patterned on a thin-film composite membrane of silicon nitride, platinum, and a sol-gel-derived piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) thin film. The acoustic properties of the device are presented along with preliminary applications to mechanical transport and liquid delivery systems. Improved acoustic signals and improved mass transport are achieved with PZT over present Lamb wave devices utilizing ZnO or AlN as the piezoelectric transducer     

Heart transplantation in Finland 1985-1995

BACKGROUND: Clearance of large molecules from the interstitial space is an important function of lymphatics and is affected by local pathologic changes. OBJECTIVE: To determine if the clearance rate of interstitially injected albumin is correlated to tumour characteristics and outcome in women with invasive breast cancer. METHOD: In a consecutive series of women coming to biopsy for suspected breast cancer, technetium-tagged albumin was injected into the tissue adjacent to the palpable mass. The isotope disappearance rate was measured over two hours. Also assessed were the maximum vessel density (MVD-using Factor VIII polyclonal antisera), the proliferation rate (using Ki-67 antisera), node status, tumour size, histologic and nuclear grade, mitotic rate, and p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins. All patients were followed until relapse and for a minimum of 10 years. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, an association between relapse-free survival and isotope clearance rate was suggested (p = 0.024). The best outcome was seen in patients with the least isotope clearance. Node status, size, histologic and nuclear grade, and mitotic rate correlated with survival. MVD did not correlate with survival and was inversely related to the isotope clearance rate. Tumour proliferation rate, and the c-erbB-2 and p53 oncoproteins did not relate to outcome. CONCLUSION: The role of lymphatics in breast cancer is difficult to study. Measurement of interstitial clearance may be a useful technique and could be a prognostic factor.     

The virtual reality modeling language explained

VRML stands for Virtual Reality Modeling Language. Technically, VRML is neither virtual reality nor a modeling language. Virtual reality generally implies an immersive 3D experience, which typically requires a head mounted display (HMD) and 3D input devices, such as digital gloves. VRML neither requires nor imposes immersion. Furthermore, a true modeling language would contain richer geometric modeling primitives and mechanisms. VRML provides a bare minimum of geometric modeling features but contains numerous features unavailable in a modeling language. If VRML is not virtual reality or a modeling language, what is it? This question has several answers. At its core, VRML serves as a 3D interchange format. It defines most of the commonly used semantics found in today's 3D applications such as hierarchical transformations, light sources, viewpoints, geometry, animation, fog, material properties, and texture mapping. Here's a second answer to: what is VRML? It's a 3D analog to HTML. This means that VRML serves as a simple, multiplatform language for publishing 3D Web pages. The fact that some information, including games, engineering models, scientific visualizations, educational experiences, and architecture, can best be experienced in 3D has motivated this language. Typically, these types of projects require intensive interaction, animation, and user participation and exploration beyond what a page, text, or image based format can handle. Another answer is that VRML provides the technology to integrate 3D, 2D, text, and multimedia into a coherent model     

Electrophysiological properties and cholinergic responses of rat ventral oral pontine reticular neurons in vitro

This study analyses the relationship between the use of rotating instruments, the production of a smear layer and the presence of alterations to enamel microstructures. The rotating instruments used were carbide (8-12 blade) and diamond tipped (30-15 m) cutters. Cavities were made in extracted teeth. Subsequently, half the sample was analysed using the rugosimeter before and after the application of ortophosphoric acid at 35% for 15 and the other half suing a Scansion Electronic microscope (SEM). The results obtained showed on the one hand that carbide cutters leave a smoother surfacer than diamond tipped cutters, and on the other that the smear layer is eliminated better by carbide cutters compared to diamond tipped cutters. Moreover, there are no major traumatic-type alterations at the level of the enamel affecting the microstructure after the use of carbide cutters.     

Differential expression of D1 and D5 dopamine receptors in the fetal primate cerebral wall

Previous film autoradiographic studies demonstrated that, during corticogenesis, dopamine receptors of the D1 class are abundant in the embryonic primate cerebral wall. In the present study, we expand these findings by identifying the cellular elements of the fetal occipital cerebral wall expressing D1 and D5 subtypes of the D1 dopamine receptor class. We have examined tissue from monkey fetuses collected at 70, 90 and 120 days of gestation using antibodies directed against C-termini of the D1 and D5 dopamine receptors. At all three embryonic ages studied, we found D1 and D5 receptors expressed by multiple cell types of the embryonic cerebral wall. Both D1 and D5 receptor proteins are produced by pyramidal neurons of the cortical plate and by a variety of interstitial neurons of the subplate and intermediate zones. D1 and D5 receptors are also present in cells of the proliferative ventricular and subventricular zones, some of which were identified as dividing cells. In addition, D1 and D5 receptors are detectable in the protoplasmic astroglial and ependymal cells distinguishable in monkey fetuses collected at 120 days of gestation. Some cellular elements of the embryonic monkey cerebral wall express only one subtype of the D1 dopamine receptor class. For example, embryonic Cajal-Retzius neurons in the marginal zone and migrating neurons in the intermediate zone are immunoreactive only to D5 antisera. In contrast, radial glia can be labeled only with D1 receptor-specific antisera. Finally, only D1 receptors are detectable in the blood vessels penetrating the embryonic monkey cerebral wall. Based on these observations, we propose that dopamine receptors of the D1 class play an important role in regulating cerebral cortical formation and that D1 and D5 receptor subtypes may participate in regulation of different aspects of this process.