Autoimmune pancreatitis: radiologic findings in three histologically proven cases

We describe the radiologic findings of autoimmune pancreatitis, a rare variant of pancreatitis. The radiologic findings of autoimmune pancreatitis are pathognomonic and very different from those of ordinary types of acute or chronic pancreatitis. This condition is a new clinical entity that is effectively treated with steroid therapy. It is important to recognize the radiologic characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis to avoid surgical resection and start steroid therapy.     

Histopathologic and radiographic findings of the simple bone cyst

Biosynthesis of extracellular alkaline guanyl-specific RNase by Bacillus circulans (RNase Bci) was studied. Synthesis of the enzyme by the culture started in the late exponential phase and was inhibited by inorganic phosphate and glucose, in contrast to the biosynthesis of its structural and functional homologue, RNase Ba (barnase) of B. amyloliquefaciens. It is suggested that differences in the regulation of the biosynthesis of RNase Bci and Ba are related to different structures of their gene promoters.     

Prevention of mitochondrial injury by manganese superoxide dismutase reveals a primary mechanism for alkaline-induced cell death

Alkalosis is a clinical complication resulting from various pathological and physiological conditions. Although it is well established that reducing the cellular proton concentration is lethal, the mechanism leading to cell death is unknown. Mitochondrial respiration generates a proton gradient and superoxide radicals, suggesting a possible link between oxidative stress, mitochondrial integrity, and alkaline-induced cell death. Manganese superoxide dismutase removes superoxide radicals in mitochondria, and thus protects mitochondria from oxidative injury. Cells cultured under alkaline conditions were found to exhibit elevated levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species, and calcium which was accompanied by mitochondrial damage, DNA fragmentation, and cell death. Overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase reduced the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium, restored mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and prevented cell death. The results suggest that mitochondria are the primary target for alkaline-induced cell death and that free radical generation is an important and early event conveying cell death signals under alkaline conditions.     

Growth hormone inhibits apoptosis and up-regulates reactive oxygen intermediates production by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils

In a pilot study the safety and therapeutic effects of an immunostimulatory intralymphatic treatment with natural human interleukin-2 (IL-2) in combination with zidovudine were evaluated in nine patients with AIDS. Therapy with IL-2 consisted of one subcutaneous injection of 0.1 microgram/kg IL-2, followed by four intralymphatic IL-2 infusions of 0.1 microgram/kg each within a period of up to 15 days. Enlargement of lymph nodes was seen in six and a transient increase of CD4 cells in five out of nine persons in association with the IL-2 therapy. An increase of HIV p24-antigenemia was observed only in the two patients in whom zidovudine dosage had to be reduced because of side effects. Moderate clinical side effects occurred in eight of the nine patients. Four patients developed zidovudine associated anemia. Six participants showed a favourable course of disease with survival of 25 to 54 months (median 30 months) despite a previous diagnosis of manifest AIDS before IL-2 therapy. This pilot study demonstrates that a combination therapy with intralymphatic IL-2 and zidovudine can induce positive immunomodulatory effects, even in the presence of manifest AIDS. Further studies should explore the tolerability and effects of a prolonged therapy with IL-2 in combination with a more potent antiviral drug combination therapy.     

Thermal-fluid flow in parallel boards with heat generating blocks

A method is developed to numerically investigate thermal-fluid flow behavior in a bundle of parallel boards with heat producing blocks. The system simulates cooling passages in a stack of electronic circuit boards with heat generating chips. At a low Reynolds number flow, a developing flow may achieve a fully developed flow state at certain block number from the entrance. Thermal conductivity of the board and thermal contact resistance between the chip and board has a considerable impact on thermal performance. The fluid flow and heat transfer performance in this channel flow is similar to that in ribbed channel flow.     

ATP-dependent glutathione conjugate export pump

KCP4 cells are resistant to cisplatin and have a GS-X pump different from MRP. The GS-X pump was suggested to be involved in reducing the accumulation of cisplatin in KCP-4 cells. The expression of cMOAT was 4-to 6-fold higher in KCP-4 cells and two other cisplatin-resistant human cell lines. It is still not clear whether the cisplatin resistance in KCP-4 cells are attributed to cMOAT. Other members of the MRP/GS-X pump family have been reported. Amino acid sequence of EBCR of rabbit is 91% identical to that of human cMOAT. On the view of cancer chemotherapy, it is very important to understand the structure and function of GS-X pumps since they may be involved in not only drug resistance but also drug metabolism and side effects.     

Effects of neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with stage III breast carcinoma

From 1991 to 1996, we performed neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy in 5 eligible patients among 21 patients with Stage III breast carcinoma. The treatment regimen for neoadjuvant chemotherapy was intra-arterial Epirubicin (EPR) on Day 1, 3, 5, 7 combined with endocrine therapy (MPA 1,200 mg). The effects of the treatment were compared among 8 patients given adjuvant intravenous chemotherapy. The clinical response rate was 100% with all partial response and metastatic lymph nodes were disappeared histologically in 2 cases. The median disease-free interval and overall survivals are 44 months (range 28-64) and 48 months (range 28-64), respectively. Neoadjuvant (intra-arterial) group had a longer disease-free interval than the adjuvant (intravenous) group. We are applying this treatment for down staging, and it is possible to use minimal invasive surgery for cure of stage III breast carcinoma.     

Influences of type and duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis on an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and on the incidence of wound infection

Pneumothorax corresponds to the extravasation of air in the pleural cavity. This produces a partial or complete collapse of the adjacent lung. This is a common thorax disease resulting from a leak between the broncho-pulmonary gas compartment and the usually virtual pleural space. Pneumothorax is called spontaneous when no traumatic or iatrogenic factors are present. Spontaneous pneumothorax can be primary (when no radiographic or clinical injuries can be detected) or secondary to an underlying pulmonary disorder. Evolution of spontaneous pneumothorax is usually benign. However, recurrence is frequent. Preventing recurrences is the basis of all the therapeutic controversies which, after drainage, are based on pleurodesia indications. Vital prognosis may be compromised when pneumothorax is compressive, bilateral, or when it results in respiratory failure in patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency.     

2.8-Gb/s 176-mW byte-interleaved and 3.0-Gb/s 118-mWbit-interleaved 8:1 multiplexers with a 0.15-μm CMOS technology

This paper reports the first CMOS implementation of an 8:1 byte-interleaved multiplexer (byte-MUX) operating in the Gb/s region, together with an 8:1 bit-interleaved multiplexer (bit-MUX). A future generation 0.15-μm CMOS technology has been applied. Both chips use identical bit-MUX cores with a static shift-register architecture, and have ECL interfaces with a single supply of -2 V. The byte-MUX demonstrates 43-mW/GHz dependence on clock frequency and operates up to 2.8 Gb/s with a power dissipation of 176 mW. The bit-MUX showed 20-mW/GHz dependence on clock frequency and operated up to 3.0 Gb/s with a power dissipation of 118 mW. This revel of performance has been achieved by a novel row-column exchanger configuration, critical path reduction and precise clocking techniques utilized in the bit-MUX core, and the development of high-speed I/O buffers     

Identification of a 100-kb region of common allelic loss on chromosome bands 10q25-q26 in human endometrial cancer

A 10-year-old boy with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura complicated by encephalopathy, transient cortical blindness, and a secondary generalized seizure is reported. Reversible changes in the posterior white and gray matter were seen on magnetic resonance imaging. Our patient illustrates uncommon neurologic manifestations of Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura. The nature and location of the lesions and the normalization of the patient's magnetic resonance imaging is consistent with a posterior predominant parieto-occipital encephalopathy and suggests that cerebral edema from blood-brain barrier breakdown may play a central role in the pathophysiology of the central nervous system symptomatology in some patients.