In vivo characterization of cytotoxic intracellular edema by multicomponent analysis of transverse magnetization decay curves

The precise measurement of low numbers of leukocyte below 0.1 WBC/microliter in filtered red cell or platelet suspensions meet both aims: to check the compliance with previously determined requirements and to evaluate the performances of novel filtering material (5 log depletion or more), justified by more and more important clinical use. The reliability of results, obtained with the chosen method, is ensured by applying of validation protocol, including training of technologist, assessment of the analytical range and the detection limit, assessment of precision and accuracy. The flow cytometry (FC) and Nageotte Chamber (NC) method are the both techniques which are currently used in routine Quality Control (QC) and validated by multicenter studies. Recent developments are made for increasing the sensibility of these counting methods, thanks to higher concentration or volume of the sample to be analysed. Among the experimental techniques, requiring more advances before implementing in QC program, quantitative PCR must become essential as reference method for evaluating the efficiency of filtration, in the future.     

Semi-empirical model for millimetre-wave vegetation attenuationrates

An improved empirical model of the attenuation rates due to propagation through vegetation at millimetre-wave frequencies is described. The measured vegetation attenuation rates of 38 GHz signals were fitted to a two-parameter model with a final slope of 0 dB/m, to give an improvement in fit over the current ITU recommendation. However, this final slope is not a typical characteristic and is not seen at other frequencies. A new three-parameter model has been developed, which may have a nonzero final slope, giving the model greater freedom and therefore a better fit to measured data at all frequencies     

Prediction of fatigue screw loosening in anterior spinal fixation using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry

STUDY DESIGN: A biomechanical study was performed to investigate a relation between the bone mineral density of the vertebral body and the number of loading cycles to induce fatigue loosening of an anterior vertebral screw. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the potential usefulness of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry of measuring bone mineral density of the vertebral body in predicting the fatigue loosening of th anterior vertebral screw. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Loosening of the vertebral body screw is a well know failure in spinal instrumentation, and more commonly observed than pullout failure. The relation between bone mineral density and pullout strength of the screw has been investigated previously, but no studies are available on the fatigue loosening in anterior spinal fixation. METHODS: Bone mineral density was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and the screw loosening was produce by a cyclic loading in the cephalad-caudal direction. Screw loosening was defined as 1 mm displacement of the screw relative to bone, and the number of loading cycles to induce the screw loosening was obtained and statistically correlated with bone mineral density. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between the number of loading cycles to induce screw loosening and bone mineral density (R = 0.8, P < 0.01). The average number of loading cycles to induce screw loosening was significantly less for specimens with bone mineral density < 0.45 g/cm2 compared to those with bone mineral density > or = g/cm2. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that bone mineral density may be a good predictor of anterior vertebral screw loosening. Bone mineral density < 0.45 g/cm2 may be critical value of loosening of the anterior vertebral body screw. However, further biomechanical and clinical studies are required before using threshold value clinically.     

Does histology influence outcome in childhood Hodgkin's disease? Results from the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group

PURPOSE: Histology has been identified as an important prognostic factor in Hodgkin's disease (HD) in adults. Information regarding the impact of histology on outcome in childhood HD is scarce. This study determines the effect of histology on the overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in a national series of children treated in a standardized manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The results of treatment of 331 assessable patients, treated between January 1, 1982 and June 30, 1992, in the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG) Hodgkin's study I were reviewed to evaluate OS, PFS, and deaths according to stage and histology. Treatment was either involved-field radiation alone (stage IA) or chlorambucil, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisolone (ChlVPP) chemotherapy with or without mediastinal radiation. All were clinically staged at diagnosis. RESULTS: Nodular sclerosing (NS) HD was the most common histologic subtype (155 of 331 patients [47%]) and was uniformly distributed through all stages. Lymphocyte-depletion (LD) HD was extremely uncommon (< 1%). Mixed-cellularity (MC) HD had the highest relapse rate, but this was only significant (P < .05) in stage I patients who received local irradiation alone. There was no other statistically significant difference in OS and PFS between the various histologic subtypes. Multivariate analysis for PFS and OS confirmed that stage was the most important prognostic factor and that histology did not have an effect after stratification by stage. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that with effective multiagent chemotherapy, histologic subtype does not influence outcome. The high relapse rates in stage I MC subtype indicates that MC HD is biologically aggressive and systemic treatment with or without local irradiation may be indicated. The high relapse rate in stage IV patients appeared to be independent of histology.     

Effects of plant community composition and exposure to wave action on invertebrate habitat use of Lake Huron coastal wetlands

Invertebrate communities from different coastal marsh‐plant communities were compared along wave‐exposure gradients using data from 1994, 1998 and 1999. Data were subjected to correspondence analyses to search for patterns in invertebrate communities in relation to plant‐community structure and wave exposure. In 1994, quantitative plant‐ and sediment‐invertebrate samples were taken from nine habitats: four from inland, subsurface‐connected marshes and five from littoral, emergent marshes. In 1998, sweep‐net samples were taken from 13 plant communities: six on the exposed and seven on the protected side of an island. In 1999, 2–3 plant communities/sites were sampled with sweep nets from four sites around the Bay so that intersite differences between inner, less‐exposed and outer, more‐exposed habitats could be examined. In all three studies, correspondence analyses separated inland, protected or inner sites from littoral, exposed or outer sites, suggesting differences in invertebrate‐community structure. For example, Hydracarina and Asellidae occurred in large numbers in inland sites, but were less common or absent from exposed, littoral sites. Littoral marshes also separated along an exposure gradient with Tanytarsini and Orthocladiinae collectors of organic particles occurring in very high numbers in outer, exposed areas where organic particles from the pelagic zone entered the marsh. Certain plant‐community types clustered together (e.g. wet meadow and Scirpus) while others, such as Typha, stands clustered according to exposure to waves suggesting the importance of both plant‐community structure and wave exposure in determining invertebrate‐community structure. We present a conceptual model that suggests that invertebrates in Great Lakes' marshes are distributed along gradients of decreased mixing of pelagic water and increases in sediment organic matter from outer to inner marsh and between littoral and adjacent inland marshes. Some invertebrates do best on one end of these gradients, while the majority are generalists found across habitat types.     

The infrared infiltration and joining of advanced material

JOM - Infrared processing is a newly developed technique for materials processing. Key features include rapid processing, simplicity, and low cost. Because of the rapid processing, very little...     

Specific dietary interventions. Diabetes, osteoporosis, renal disease

A dietary treatment plan that considers both quality-of-care and quality-of-life issues is most beneficial for elderly patients. Diabetes can be successfully managed in most elderly patients with a liberalized diet that is low in simple sugars and includes variety and moderation in food choices. Although dietary management in osteoporosis may be most compelling in its preventive capacity, clinicians treating elderly patients with osteoporosis are well advised to consider supplementation of the diet with calcium and vitamin D in amounts equal to the RDAs if patients are unable to consume adequate calcium and vitamin D and if exposure to sunlight is minimal. Encouraging calcium intake, moderate exercise, maintenance of desirable body weight, and avoidance of laxative and antacid abuse with patients throughout the life cycle is appropriate preventive advice. The elderly renal failure patient may benefit from dietary modification of protein, potassium, sodium, fluid, vitamins, and minerals when complications associated with these nutrients are present. Because clinicians treat significant numbers of elderly diabetic, osteoporotic, and renal failure patients, and because many skilled nursing facilities are developing specialty and rehabilitation units for such high-acuity level patients, the clinician is well advised to know how to maximize quality of care and quality of life for these patients through appropriate dietary intervention.