Direct x-ray imaging system using an amplified metal-oxide-semiconductor imager in the 4-13-nm wavelength region

We describe a direct x-ray imaging system that uses an amplified metal-oxide-semiconductor imager to detect soft x rays directly for real-time imaging. From the absolute sensitivity of this system as measured through the use of a monochromatic synchrotron radiation beam and a GaAsP Schottky-type photodiode, the minimum sensitivity at a wavelength of 13 nm was estimated to be greater than 10(8)photons mm(-2). This is sufficient to detect soft x rays directly for real-time imaging. Onion cell observations at wavelengths of 4.3 and 4.6 nm indicate that x-ray absorption by the carbon in the cells was detected. This is a promising imaging system for the soft x-ray region in which conventional CCD's are difficult to use.     

Severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: evolution of seizures

Demonstration of the full extent of abnormality in patients with the Struge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is important for prognosis and in planning surgery to remove the seizure focus. We compared single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), MRI and CT in nine children under the age of 4 years with seizures as part of SWS, in an attempt to determine the optimal method of imaging in different clinical settings. Seven unilateral and two bilateral cases were studied by interictal 99mtechnetium hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO) SPECT, and contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, giving information on 11 abnormal hemispheres. All imaging modalities showed abnormalities in every child. Perfusion imaging showed focal regions of decreased uptake in 9 of 11 (82%) abnormal hemispheres and demonstrated a widespread decrease but no focal defect in 2; it also revealed crossed cerebellar diaschisis in 2 cases. CT demonstrated typical gyriform calcification in 9 of 11 (82%) affected hemispheres. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed more extensive involvement than contrast-enhanced CT in 5 of 11 (45%) cases. The area of hypoperfusion shown by SPECT was smaller than the area of contrast enhancement on MRI in 6 of 11 cases (55%), comparable in 3 (27%) and larger in 2 cases (18%). CT is sufficient to confirm the clinical diagnosis of SWS, but MRI frequently shows more extensive abnormal areas. 99mTc HMPAO imaging is a useful addition when it is important to know the full extent of the disease, for example prior to surgery. It is likely to detect areas of hypoperfusion, representing ischaemic regions, which may act as an epileptogenic focus and may not be shown by CT or MRI.     

Sj?gren's syndrome. New diagnostic aspects

European criteria for classification of Sj?gren's syndrome have recently been developed and evaluated. We report the clinical and laboratory findings in 96 patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome who have been classified according to these new criteria. In our patient population the latency from appearance of the first symptom to diagnosis was 11 years. In addition to sicca symptoms in mucous membranes, the dominant symptoms were periodic fatigue (92%), arthralgia (82%), hoarse voice (71%), dry cough (54%) and diarrhoea (51%). Antibodies to the nuclear antigens SSA and SSB were found in respectively 22.2% and 15.6% of the patients. Two out of ten patients with both anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies gave birth to a child with heart block.     

A case of neutropenic enterocolitis in high dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for relapsed testicular tumor

High dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) is safe and useful for the treatment of refractory or relapsed testicular tumors, but is sometimes accompanied by serious complications. We report a case of relapsed testicular tumor complicated by neutropenic enterocolitis during high dose chemotherapy with PBSCT.     

Multiple factors determine the selection of the ectodomain cleavage site of human cell surface macrophage colony-stimulating factor

Human cell surface macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1256, M-CSF alpha) is converted to a soluble growth factor by a regulated proteolytic cleavage process at amino acid residues 157-159. We have previously shown that multiple factors specified by the juxtamembrane region determine the cleavage efficiency [Deng, P., Rettenmier, C. W., and Pattengale, P. K. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 16338-16343]. In the present paper, we studied the effect of various deletion, insertion, and substitution mutations at or near the cleavage site on both the number and size of cleaved CSF-1(256) products to identify the mechanisms by which the cleavage sites are selected. Deletion of regions 161-162 or 163-165, C-terminal to the cleavage site, as well as deletion of region 150-156, N-terminal to the cleavage site, each yielded a single cleavage product that was smaller than that derived from the wild type (WT). In these experiments cleavage apparently occurred at a specific distance from the transmembrane domain. Insertion of three additional residues between the normal cleavage site and the transmembrane domain yielded one major product that was the same size as the processed form of WT CSF-1(256). In this case the selection of the cleavage site was apparently determined by the amino acid sequence of the juxtamembrane region rather than by the distance from the transmembrane domain. Other amino acid substitutions at the cleavage site caused changes in cleavage site selection, providing additional evidence for the role of amino acid sequence in cleavage site selection. Finally, a comparison of cleavage site selection in the presence and absence of tunicamycin treatment showed that N-glycosylation of certain mutant forms of CSF-1(256) sterically interfered with protease accessibility, which in turn had an effect on the selection of the site used for cleavage. Taken together, these results indicate that cleavage site selection is determined by the amino acid sequence of the juxtamembrane region, the distance of the site from the transmembrane domain, and steric accessibility of the protease.     

Extensive bowel infarction caused by intraaortic balloon pumping

In breast cancer, oestrogen regulated genes, such as pS2, may be expressed in well differentiated tumours with a good prognosis. We have examined pS2 mRNA expression in 78 primary, untreated breast cancers and related pS2 expression to disease behaviour and known prognostic factors. pS2 mRNA expression was detected in 25/78 (32%) of cancers and was significantly associated with a moderate/high oestrogen receptor content (P = 0.045, Chi Square test). pS2 mRNA expression was associated with freedom from disease at median 31 months clinical and radiological follow-up (P = 0.015, Fisher's exact test, odds ratio 8.6). Using multiple logistic regression analysis of six potential prognostic factors only pathological axillary node status (P < 0.01) and pS2 mRNA expression (P < 0.05) provided independent prognostic information. Furthermore, pS2 was associated with a good prognosis in the axillary node positive patients where only 1/13 (8%) with pS2 mRNA expression compared with 13/29 (45%) without detectable expression had recurrence of their disease. These data provides strong support for pS2 as a useful independent prognostic factor in primary breast cancer.     

Effect of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol on pH-sensitive liposomes

We previously reported that liposomes composed of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and fatty acid exhibited pH-dependent leakage, aggregation and fusion (N. Hazemoto, M. Harada, N. Komatubara, M. Haga and Y. Kato, Chem. Pharm. Bull., 38, 748 (1990)). In this study, we have examined the effects of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and cholesterol (Chol) on the pH-sensitivity of liposomes. Contents-leakage from liposomes was always accompanied by a change in light-scattering, suggesting that aggregation or fusion of liposomes causes the leakage. The pH-sensitivity was observed only when liposomes contained less than 32 mol% of PC. The leakage vs. pH curves shifted to the more acidic regions as the PC content of the liposomes increased, but the maximum leakage (%) did not change. The effect of cholesterol on the pH-sensitivity depended on the PC/PE ratio of the liposomes. Addition of cholesterol to PC/PE/oleic acid (OA) liposomes system induced two effects, that is, aggregation of liposomes via the reduction in PC content and the stabilization of the liposomal membrane. It was shown that pH-sensitivity can be controlled by addition of the appropriate amount of PC and/or Chol to liposomal lipids.     

Fingerprint input based on scattered-light detection

The principles of fingerprint imaging are based on scattered-light detection, and the technique is proposed for a compact input device. Light enters a glass plate from its edge and propagates inside the plate by repeating the total internal reflection at the boundaries with air. The ridges of a finger pressed onto the plate scatter the light, which then leaks out of the plate. This scattered light is imaged by an array of gradient-index optical fibers and an image sensor. A prototype sensor has been developed: The distance between the finger and the image sensor is 13 mm. The images obtained with this prototype clearly show not only the ridges and valleys but also the pores in the ridges.     

Long-term observations of uterine contractions in nonpregnant dogs

Uterine contractile activity in nonpregnant conscious dogs was investigated based on 2- to 6-mo-long continuous recording by means of a chronically implanted force transducer. We found that nonpregnant uterine contractile activity could be classified into six major patterns: sporadic contractions, weak and strong tonic contractions, weak and strong phasic contractions, and phasic contraction bursts. The contractile patterns during proestrus and estrus were the most active, with strong phasic and tonic contractions and phasic contraction bursts. The phasic and tonic contractions were inhibited dose-dependently by a beta 2 adrenergic agonist, ritodrine, and reproduced by an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, clonidine. In contrast, the cholinergic inhibitors atropine and hexamethonium did not affect the spontaneous occurrence of these contractions, although bethanechol evoked uterine contractions. Oxytocin and prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced contractions were phasic during estrus, whereas they showed tonic increases with phasic contractions during proestrus, diestrus, and anestrus, and these contractions did not resemble the spontaneous contractions. In conclusion, the nonpregnant uterus contracts continuously in harmony with the estrous cycle phases, and its contractile activity is enhanced by alpha adrenergic receptors and inhibited by beta 2 adrenergic receptors.     

Mutations in the N-terminal globular domain of the type X collagen gene (COL10A1) in patients with Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Improved dental stone has been widely used for producing dies for the fabrication of restorations with the lost-wax technique. Improved dental stone is used for several reasons, but it is selected most often because of its reasonable cost, ease of use, and ability to produce consistent results. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the ability of an epoxy resin die material and a type IV dental stone to dimensionally reproduce a custom-fabricated metal die. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dies were fabricated and measurements were made from three reference lines. Measurements were repeated three times for the master die and for the specimen dies. A mean measurement and percent relative change for each dimension was calculated. RESULTS: A significant difference in the relative change for die height was found between the groups studied (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This epoxy die system will provide a degree of dimensional accuracy comparable to gypsum when used with addition silicone impression material.