Fatal hyperthrombotic condition complicating nephrotic syndrome

A twenty-year old woman was admitted to hospital with impaired consciousness and a left hemiparesis. A cerebral CAT-scanning was reported normal. Convulsions and respiratory insufficiency made intubation and mechanical ventilation necessary. Laboratory examination showed an extremely low concentration of albumin in plasma (109 microM) and gross albuminuria was present. No other signs of renal failure occurred. The patient deteriorated during three days and died with signs of cerebral incarceration, despite efforts to reduce intracranial pressure. Autopsy showed a large thrombus of the sagittal sinus as the presumed cause of death. No thrombus was found in the renal vein. The association between nephrotic syndrome and thrombosis is discussed.     

Effects of castration on apoptosis and transforming growth factor-beta 1 mRNA in the neonatal mouse seminal vesicles

BACKGROUND: In the adult male rat prostate, castration induces apoptosis of epithelial cells concomitant with the increase in transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). In the present study, we investigated the effects of castration on apoptosis and TGF-beta 1 mRNA in neonatal mouse seminal vesicles. METHODS: 5-day-old BALB/c mice were castrated by Pfeifer's method. We estimated the weight, 3H-thymidine uptake by whole seminal vesicles, the amount of TGF-beta 1 mRNA by RT-PCR method, and the apoptotic index of both epithelium and mesenchyme. RESULTS: The castration of 5-day-old neonatal mice resulted in much less weight of seminal vesicles and DNA synthesis estimated by 3H-thymidine uptake by whole seminal vesicles compared to intact neonatal mice, indicating that the growth of neonatal mouse seminal vesicles depends on androgens secreted by the testis. The amount of TGF-beta 1 mRNA estimated by RT-PCR method increased 4 days after castration at 5 days of age. However, the castration did not induce apoptosis in the seminal vesicles. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that castration of neonatal mice does not induce apoptosis in the seminal vesicles, although it does a transient increase in TGF-beta 1 mRNA in the seminal vesicles.     

Strength analysis for three-dimensional fiber reinforced composites

Three-dimensional fiber reinforced composite materials produced by impregnating resin into woven fabric have superior interlaminar and impact strength and are capable of being formed into complex shapes. Consequently it is expected in the future that they will be used for various structural members which have to date been difficult to make with conventional composite materials. With the growth in their fabrication technoloy, the development of a strength analysis method is being demanded. This paper describes a strength analysis method for three-dimensional composite materials on the basis of a micro-mechanical analysis of a unit cell. The unit cell is a small geometrical unit of fiber architecture. A feature of the present analysis method is to represent a unit cell as a rigid frame structure constructed of fiber-beam elements and matrix-beam and matrix-rod elements. Strength analyses are made for orthogonal weave and 5-axial weave three-dimensional carben/epoxy composite materials; the tensile, compressive, and shear moduli and strengths, and Poisson's ratio are calculated. The analytical results show fairly good agreement with experimental results; 11%, 21%, and 20% differences between them on the average for elastic moduli, strengths, and Poisson's ratios, respectively. It is also understood that the present idealized analysis model cannot accurately predict the characteristics of undulated fiber composites, especially in respect to the compressive strength.     

A quasi-three-dimensional lateral compressive analysis method for a composite cylinder

This paper presents a lateral compressive analytical method for CFRP cylinders using the quasi-three-elements which represent fiber and resin respectively. Using this model, the behavior of a [θ/θ]_sym (θ = 15, 30, 45, 60) CFRP cylinder subjected to the lateral compressive load were simulated, and compared with experimental results. The quasi-three-dimensional model is found to be effective for the prediction of the load-displacement curve. For the damage propagation, the transverse crack and interlaminar delamination could be simulated independently. Moreover, the critical strength law using this model was proposed.     

Secondary amenorrhea due to hydrocephalus treated with endoscopic ventriculocisternostomy. Case report

The authors present a case of secondary amenorrhea in a 32-year-old woman found to have noncommunicating hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis. Although the presentation of hydrocephalus with amenorrhea has been previously reported, this association remains rare. After treatment via endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy, the patient resumed normal menstruation and all hormonal abnormalities have resolved except hypothyroidism. A review of the literature on the etiology of endocrinological disturbances in patients with hydrocephalus is presented.     

Some factors for the space charge formation in polyethylene

Information on space-charge behavior in thick insulated samples aids in understanding the dc characteristics of polymer-insulated dc cables. The pulsed electroacoustic method is used to investigate several space charge formation factors in 2 mm-thick polyethylene (PE). The following results were obtained. For measurement factors: (1) A polymeric semiconducting electrode provides a more accurate measurement than does a metal electrode as a result of better matching of acoustic impedance with PE. (2) Within a dc electrical stress range of several tens kV/mm, the space charge distributions under and after dc voltage application are almost the same; this is due to a comparatively long time of space-charge decay. (3) The space-charge distribution of a plate sample agrees with that of a cable sample having the same insulation thickness. For insulating material factors: (1) The amount of space charge in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is much larger than that in low-density PE (base of XLPE). The space charge of XLPE continues to increase even after dc voltage application (24 h); that of LDPE reaches equilibrium with a few hours. (2) The aforementioned space charge difference between XLPE and LDPE is assumed to be caused by ionic impurities in XLPE, not by the additives themselves (acetophenon and cumylalcohol as byproducts of cross linking and antioxidant).     

Infectious arthritis: tailoring initial treatment to clinical findings

Infectious arthritis causes substantial morbidity and mortality. In patients with monoarticular involvement, careful history taking and attention to the clinical presentation aid in timely diagnosis. Certain factors (eg, patient age, structural changes in the joint, presence of chronic disease) provide clues to the likely infectious agent. Antibiotic treatment should be instituted immediately after culture specimens are obtained, and the choice of agent can be modified when antibiotic sensitivities are known. Surgical intervention may be necessary if medical therapy fails. An aggressive approach to evaluation and treatment is warranted when polyarticular infection is suspected.     

Identification of a novel dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase-binding protein in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of the anaerobic parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum

A novel dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase-binding protein (E3BP) which lacks an amino-terminal lipoyl domain, p45, has been identified in the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) of the adult parasitic nematode, Ascaris suum. Sequence at the amino terminus of p45 exhibited significant similarity with internal E3-binding domains of dihydrolipoyl transacetylase (E2) and E3BP. Dissociation and resolution of a pyruvate dehydrogenase-depleted adult A. suum PDC in guanidine hydrochloride resulted in two E3-depleted E2 core preparations which were either enriched or substantially depleted of p45. Following reconstitution, the p45-enriched E2 core exhibited enhanced E3 binding, whereas, the p45-depleted E2 core exhibited dramatically reduced E3 binding. Reconstitution of either the bovine kidney or A. suum PDCs with the A. suum E3 suggested that the ascarid E3 was more sensitive to NADH inhibition when bound to the bovine kidney core. The expression of p45 was developmentally regulated and p45 was most abundant in anaerobic muscle. In contrast, E3s isolated from anaerobic muscle or aerobic second-stage larvae were identical. These results suggest that during the transition to anaerobic metabolism, E3 remains unchanged, but it appears that a novel E3BP, p45, is expressed which may help to maintain the activity of the PDC in the face of the elevated intramitochondrial NADH/NAD+ ratios associated with anaerobiosis.