Immunology of papillomavirus infection

Studies of the immunology of papillomavirus infection have come of age. Synthetic virus-like particles have been validated as vaccines for several animal papillomaviruses, and have been used to map the sero-epidemiology of human papillomavirus infection and to define papillomavirus neutralizing antibodies. Induction of cell-mediated immunity to papillomavirus early proteins is poised to become a therapeutic approach to papillomavirus infection. Studies on the immune response to papillomavirus proteins in keratinocytes are shedding light on the immunological consequences of antigen presentation by epithelial cells.     

The cycling behaviour and stability of the lithium electrode in propylene carbonate and acetonitrile electrolytes

The conductivity and chemical stability with lithium of various electrolytes containing propylene carbonate (PC) and acetonitrile (AN) were determined. Addition of AN improved the conductivity of LiClO₄/PC and LiAsF₆/PC electrolytes, and the LiAsF₆/PC-AN electrolyte showed remarkable chemical stability in contact with lithium. The lithium cycling efficiency was determined on nickel and aluminium substrates in the various electrolytes over a range of current density. While the efficiencies observed on nickel substrates were very poor for all AN-containing electrolytes, efficiencies approaching those for electrolytes containing only PC were obtained with the LiAsF₆/PC-AN electrolyte at low current densities (～1 mA cm^?2) on aluminium substrates. It was concluded that the LiAsF₆/PC-AN electrolyte had generally favourable characteristics and may prove suitable for primary battery applications.     

Further observations on tissue heating patterns using an invasive ground probe with radiofrequency hyperthermia system

Critical modifications have been made in the grounded elements of a previously reported hybrid radiofrequency heating system with inductive, capacitive, and grounded elements designed for deep focal heating. These modifications facilitate introduction of the ground probe, the single invasive element of the system, into animals and humans. The modified grounded elements also enable monitoring and optimization of ground point current, thereby improving control of heating rate, and greatly increase the volume of tissue that can be heated using a single invasive grounding element, embedded in a lossy dielectric field in the near field of the radiofrequency hyperthermia system.     

A spreadsheet-based model demonstrating the nonuniform economic effects of varying reproductive performance in Ohio dairy herds

A spreadsheet-based model was developed to estimate the economic effect of varying reproductive performance in dairy herds. Scenarios were created to model an average cow with respect to production, herd lifetime, and reproductive events. Average milk yield per day of life as well as lifetime calf and replacement heifer production were examined. Additional inputs representing milk, feed, semen, calf, and salvage prices were used to calculate net cash flow for each day of herd life for the average cow in a scenario. Economic comparison of different scenarios was accomplished using an equivalent annual cash flow (annuity) methodology.Herd performance measures and prices representative of Ohio dairy herds were used to establish a baseline average cow that had a 160-d calving-to-conception interval [days open (DO)]. Alternative scenarios that differed from baseline in DO, annual culling rate, and feed and milk prices were created to characterize the effects of changes. Under scenario inputs representative of typical Ohio dairy herds, the model indicated that a lower annual culling rate (25%) was preferable to higher annual culling rates (34 or 45%). The model estimated maximum average milk yield per day of life to occur at 110 DO. At 34% annual culling rate, calves and replacement heifers produced per lifetime declined as DO increased; beyond 150 DO, the modeled cow produced less than 1 replacement heifer per lifetime. The model also estimated a loss of $1.37 per cow per year for a 1-d increase in DO beyond 160 d. At 20% higher feed and milk prices, the model estimated a loss of $1.52 per cow per year; at 20% lower feed and milk prices, the model estimated a loss of $1.23 per cow per year. Furthermore, the model suggested that the loss associated with a 1-d increase in DO changed as DO changed. Using baseline inputs, the model calculated losses for a 1-d increase of $0.44 per cow per year at 130 DO and $1.71 per cow per year at 190 DO. The nonuniform nature of the cost of additional DO is important to veterinarians and producers. The implication is that inefficient reproduction becomes marginally more costly to producers as performance declines and warrants increased attention. Conversely, marginal benefits of improved reproduction decrease as performance improves. Herds with strong reproductive performance have less opportunity to capture economic benefits of improvement.     

Galvanostatic cycling of lithium—titanium disulphide cells in propylene carbonate and propylene carbonate—acetonitrile electrolytes

The galvanostatic cycling of LiTiS₂ cells in 1M LiAsF₆/propylene carbonate (PC)—acetonitrile (AN), 1M LiAsF₆/PC and 1M LiClO₄/PC electrolytes is reported. For all electrolytes tested, the discharge capacity was always much larger on the first cycle than subsequent cycles. The capacity was also shown to be dependent on the surface area of the TiS₂ and the rate of charge and discharge. The general performance of the cell in LiClO₄/PC was a function of the condition of the lithium electrode. The cell performed best in the 1M LiAsF₆/PC-AN electrolyte with respect to charge/discharge rate, active material utilisation and cycle life. Although it was possible to cycle the cell in 1M LiAsF₆/PC-AN more than 1000 times at current densities ～ 1 mA cm^?2, the active material utilisation was < 10% after the first 25 cycles.     

Multifocal primary ocular and central nervous system malignant lymphoma

A patient had bilateral posterior uveitis of two weeks' duration and rapid neurologic deterioration. Obstructive hydrocephalus developed as a result of compression of the fourth ventricle by an enlarged cerebellar vermis. Autopsy revealed multiple foci of infiltration by malignant lymphomas in the eyes, brain, and cerebellum; no evidence of systemic lymphoma was found.