Anomalous double blood supply to the lung

We report an unusual case in which an apparently normal upper lobe of the right lung was supplied by major systemic arterial and pulmonary arterial vessels. The anomalous artery arose from the descending aorta. Following interruption of this vessel, the machinery-like murmur previously present disappeared.     

Accuracy of 3D MR microscopy for trabecular bone assessment: a comparative study on calcaneus samples using 3D synchrotron radiation microtomography

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is attractive for a noninvasive and radiation-free assessment of in vivo trabecular bone architecture. However the quantitative evaluation of architectural parameters could be biased by the limited sensitivity of MR. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of trabecular bone architectural parameters obtained from 3D high-resolution MR images, by comparison to reference images obtained by high-resolution X-ray microtomography using synchrotron radiation, from 29 samples of human calcaneus. MR images were obtained with a 66 m×66 m×66 m voxel size, using a 8.5 T MR microscope. Microtomography images were acquired with a 10 m×10 m×10 m voxel size, from the same samples. 3D architectural parameters characterizing the morphometry, topology, anisotropy, and orientation were computed from both modalities and carefully compared. To avoid errors, an identical region of interest was selected in the two corresponding images, and the same algorithms were run at identical spatial resolution. Our results establish that network connectivity, orientation and anisotropy are reliable from the MR data. The bone volume fraction, and morphometric parameters measured from the MR data, were found to be biased with respect to their values from the microtomography data, although there was a significant correlation between the two modalities.An erratum to this article can be found at     

SLIGA Based underwater weapon safety and arming system

 The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWCIHD) is applying microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technology to underwater weapon Safety and Arming (S&A) system development. MEMS technology provides an opportunity to develop a miniaturized S&A system that is more sophisticated with improved safety and reliability at a lower cost compared to current systems. An S&A system prevents premature initiation of the weapon while reliably ensuring initiation at the appropriate time. An S&A system uses multiple sensors and devices. In comparison with other weapon S&A systems, a critical aspect of underwater weapon S&A systems is the mechanical interlock system utilizing actuators and mechanical sensors. This paper describes the design, development and fabrication of S&A SLIGA device prototypes and of a SLIGA based S&A system. NSWCIHD worked with members of the HI-MEMS Alliance during design, development and fabrication. Advancements achieved by the HI-MEMS Alliance and SLIGA S&A design issues are discussed. Received: 25 August 1997/Accepted: 10 September 1997     

Demonstration of discrete secreted and membrane-bound ocular mucins in the dog

Our aims were to separate and characterize secreted canine ocular mucins, and to provide definitive evidence of membrane-bound mucins at the canine ocular surface. Mucus was collected by suction from the ocular surface of normal dogs and dispersed in guanidine hydrochloride and a cocktail of protease inhibitors. Caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation separated secreted mucins from membranes, which were collected from the top of the gradients. Membranes were extracted with octyl glucoside and screened using lectins and anti-mucin antibodies. Gradient fractions containing secreted mucins were constituted into pools on the basis of differential lectin and antibody staining. High molecular weight material from each pool was purified by gel filtration. This material, and the membrane extract, were reduced and alkylated. Vacuum blotting of separated materials after agarose gel electrophoresis was used to compare subunit structure. Density gradient profiles indicated three principal secreted glycoprotein peaks: one staining strongly with anti-mucin antibodies. Gel filtration demonstrated that each contained high molecular weight material. Vacuum blots demonstrated the presence of two secreted glycoproteins with differently sized subunits. On the basis of buoyant density, one of these may be lipid complexed. Membrane extracted material stained with anti-mucin antibodies, and vacuum blotting of this material provided evidence for two membrane-bound components. In conclusion, we have shown that normal canine ocular mucus contains two secreted mucins, each exhibiting different subunit structure; one of these mucins may undergo lipid complexation. Normal canine ocular mucus also contains two membrane-bound mucins: one of which is unique among membrane mucins in showing subunit structure.