Gynecomastia. Management of diagnosis and therapy. Apropos of 52 cases

MARCKS is a widely expressed protein kinase C substrate that is essential for normal prenatal development of the central nervous system in mice. MARCKS-deficient mice exhibit universal perinatal mortality and numerous developmental abnormalities of the brain and retina. To determine which domains of the protein were important in complementing these neurodevelopmental anomalies, we have interbred MARCKS knockout mice with transgenic mice expressing an epitope-tagged human MARCKS transgene that can completely correct the MARCKS-deficient phenotype. Previous structure-function studies showed that a nonmyristoylatable form of MARCKS could correct all of the neuroanatomical abnormalities, and resulted in approximately 25% viable pups that grew to adulthood and were fertile. The present experiment attempted a similar complementation strategy in which a nonmyristoylatable, "pseudo-phosphorylated" form of the protein was used, which has been shown to be almost completely cytosolic in cell expression studies. Surprisingly, this transgene was able to complement almost all of the cerebral anatomical abnormalities characteristic of the knockout mice. However, these mice also exhibited a universal, novel phenotype: profound retinal ectopia, in which retinal tissue was often found in the vitreous humor as well as extraocularly. Retrospective evaluation of the original MARCKS knockout phenotype revealed that this anomaly was present in about 43% of the knockout mice, and was clearly detectable as early as embryonic day 12.5, before retinal cell differentiation begins. These data suggest that a nonmyristoylatable, pseudo-phosphorylated form of MARCKS can complement most if not all cerebral aspects of the MARCKS-deficient phenotype, but that it appears to worsen a retinal phenotype, perhaps by exerting a dominant-negative effect on a coexpressed MARCKS homologue.     

Critères généraux de conception des réseaux de diodes lasers à rubans couplés par champs évanescents

The aim of this article is to define the general criteria for design of phase-locked diode laser arrays. A general method for designing these devices is presented using the effective index method and the coupled mode theory. The confinement required for the individual diodes is defined, and the allowed structure geometries are determined.     

Evaluation of the results of cleft lip and palate surgical treatment: preliminary report

We have analysed randomized controlled studies which reported the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after propofol anaesthesia compared with other anaesthetics (control). Cumulative data of early (0-6 h) and late (0-48 h) PONV were recorded as occurrence or non-occurrence of nausea or vomiting. Combined odds ratio and number-needed-to-treat were calculated for propofol as an induction or maintenance regimen, early or late outcomes, and different emetic events. This was performed for all control event rates and within a range of 20-60% control event rates. We analysed 84 studies involving 6069 patients. The effect of propofol on PONV was dependent mainly on the method of administration, time of measurement and range of control event rates. When all studies were included the number-needed-to-treat to prevent PONV with propofol was more than 9 when used for induction of anaesthesia and at best 6 when used for maintenance. Within the 20-60% control event rate range, best results were achieved with propofol maintenance to prevent early PONV: the number-needed-to-treat to prevent early nausea was 4.7 (95% confidence interval 3.8-6.3), vomiting 4.9 (4-6.1) and any emetic event 4.9 (3.7-7.1). Within the 20-60% control event rate, of five patients treated with propofol for maintenance of anaesthesia, one will not vomit or be nauseated in the immediate postoperative period who would otherwise have vomited or been nauseated. This may be clinically relevant. In all other situations the difference between propofol and control may have reached statistical significance but was of doubtful clinical relevance. Treatment efficacy should be established within a defined range of control event rates for meaningful estimates of efficacy and for comparisons.     

Experimental right ventricle to pulmonary artery discontinuity: outcome of polyurethane valved conduits

OBJECTIVE: The ideal substitute for the treatment of ventricle-pulmonary artery discontinuity remains a topic of controversy, because of calcifications and degeneration of biologic substitutes leading to subsequent reoperations. Because polyurethane valves used in ventricular assist devices show a satisfactory biocompatibility, the aim of this study was to evaluate a valved conduit composed of a Dacron graft incorporating a trileaflet 25 mm polyurethane valve. METHODS: The conduit was implanted between the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery in adult sheep, with ligation of the proximal pulmonary artery. The animals received no medications. Serial hemodynamic data were collected at the time of implantation and at postoperative intervals of 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The peak pressure gradient across the valve increased significantly between implantation (0.17 +/- 5.6 mm Hg) and 6 months after operation (7.3 +/- 3 mm Hg, p = 0.0007) and remained stable thereafter (6.7 +/- 3 mm Hg at 12 months), whereas the cardiac output remained unchanged (4.6 +/- 0.6 L/min at implantation, 4 +/- 0.6 L/min at 6 months, and 3.9 +/- 1.1 L/min at 12 months). At the completion of the study, valve samples were processed and vapor coated with carbon for microscopic examination. There was one instance of nonadherent thrombus formation inside a cusp but no structural failures. The other valves were free of calcium deposits and no significant amounts of phosphorus could be detected by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the good hemodynamic performance, low thrombogenicity, and acceptable durability of the polyurethane valves implanted in the right side of the heart in a chronic sheep model.     

Equivalent circuit and minority carrier lifetime in heterostructure light emitting diodes

An equivalent circuit for heterostructure light emitting diodes taking into account all the parasitic elements is proposed. A method to calculate the fraction of the diffusion current from the total current in the diode is presented and the recombination current is simulated by a conductance in parallel to the diffusion admittance. Using this equivalent circuit, the minority carrier lifetime in the active region can be deduced and all the parameters of the equivalent circuit can be evaluated by a simple method.     

Planar-transistor stability under X ray irradiation

Experiments on planar transistors irradiated by X rays show drifts of variable importance, according to the type of transistor (p-n-p or n-p-n). As an interpretation of the results, surface-characteristic modification of the e-b diode due to the presence of a silicon-surface-induced charge density is proposed.     

Electrochemical study of the uranium exchange by polypyrrole‐based resins

Electrochemical control of the binding of uranium ions by redox active polypyrrole resins was studied. The experimental conditions for this binding were optimized with respect to the uranium ions to be fixed, the resin, and the solution. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 3473–3484, 1999     

Complexation of uranyl ions by polypyrrole doped by sulfonated and phosphonated polyethyleneimine

Branched polyethyleneimine (PEI) was sulfonated by reaction with chloropropanesulfonylchloride and phosphonated by reaction with phosphorous acid and formaldehyde. The accordingly formed polyanions were used as doping agents for polypyrrole (PPy). The amount of doping polyanions into thin films of PPy was measured by Rutherford back‐scattering. These films were tested for their capacity to extract uranyl ions from liquid wastes of low level activity. The uranium content was determined by neutron activation analysis, autoradiography, and gravimetry of uranium oxide after calcination. The resistance against static and dynamic leachings was also estimated. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 352–359, 2003     

Light-induced effects in GaAs f.e.t.s

It is shown theoretically and experimentally that the variations of the d.c. and dynamic properties in a GaAs f.e.t. when a light beam strikes the transistor's gate can be accounted for by an appropriate change in the gate-junction equivalent built-in voltage. A simple relationship connects this change with the variations of the light intensity.