Interferometric temperature-insensitive strain measurement with different-diameter fiber Bragg gratings

An interferometric strain-sensing system that combines an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder wavelength discriminator and spliced different-diameter fiber Bragg gratings is presented that has the capability to distinguish strain from temperature effects. Because the gratings are written in 135- and 165- microm -diameter fibers drawn from the same preform, when they are spliced they show similar temperature sensitivities but different responses to applied strain. Thus the relative Bragg wavelength difference of the two gratings is affected only by strain, and one can measure it accurately by monitoring the amplitude variation of the interference signal rather than the conventional phase variation.

Pulse steroid therapy for children's severe alopecia areata?

Seven children with severe, rapidly evolving alopecia areata (AA) were treated with pulse steroid therapy (PST). AA had been present for 3-44 weeks and involved more than 30% of the scalp. One patient had alopecia totalis. Intravenous methylprednisolone (5 mg/kg twice a day) was administered for 3 days. No serious side effects were noted. At the 12-month follow-up, complete regrowth had occurred in 5 patients (71%). The patient with alopecia totalis had no regrowth. PST appears to be a promising and safe treatment for extensive, recent-onset AA in children. No response is to be expected in alopecia totalis or long-standing AA.

[The effect of alkalinity of methylation reagent on isomerization and degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids with pyrolysis gas chromatography]

Simultaneous pyrolysis and methylation gas chromatography (SPM-GC) is a fast analytical method which was developed in recent years. However, the strong alkalinity of tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) may result in the isomerization and degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in oils and fats during analysis. This paper describes the application of SPM-GC to polyunsaturated fatty acids in soybean oil and the isomerization and degradation may be prevented by choosing the optimum proportion of TMAH to methanol which is 1:50 (pH 8.8). With this chosen optimum proportion there were no detectable isomerized and degraded peaks in the chromatograms. Pyrograms were obtained by interfacing a Curie-point pyrolyser to a Shimadzu GC-14A gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionisation detector. A capillary column (FFAP) was used. All of the pyrolysis products were identified by mass spectrometry which was carried out with a Varian 3400 gas chromatograph interfaced to a Finnigan SSQ 710 mass spectrometer using electron impact ionisation (70 eV). This method is simpler and more convenient than both the methods "neutralization of acid" and "simultaneous injection of the sample and a short chain fatty acid methylester" reported in the previous papers.

Baboon syndrome

An 18-month-old patient developed Baboon syndrome after oral treatment with erythromycin syrup for a sore throat. The lymphoblastic transformation test was positive for erythromycin. Prick tests were negative although the intradermal test was positive at a concentration of erythromycin of 1:10,000. The biopsy showed a perivascular lymphocytic dermatitis. Local treatment with a potent corticoid improved the lesions after 3 days. The Baboon syndrome is uncommon among children. It has a pattern similar to systemic contact dermatitis with particular features (erythema in flexural areas). In our case, the role of erythromycin was documented. However, this antibiotic remains a relatively rare allergen.

Diagnosis of fulminant pulmonary embolism by transthoracic echocardiography

When pulmonary embolism is severe enough to produce acute cor pulmonale, transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography can promptly yield findings highly suggestive of this condition while ruling out competing diagnoses. We present a case diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and successfully treated despite a prolonged refractory cardiac arrest.

Tufted angioma, a particular form of angioma

Tufted angioma is a rare acquired cutaneous angiomatous proliferation characterized by slowly spreading erythematous macules and plaques, sometimes surmounted by nodular formations. Synonyms are progressive capillary hemangioma and Nakagawa's angioblastoma. Tufted angioma appears to be benign since follow-up studies did not report malignant transformation. This lesion must be distinguished from other vascular tumors, especially from Kaposi's sarcoma. If this lesion appears in an older patient, angiosarcoma should be excluded.

Docetaxel-induced subungual hemorrhage

Docetaxel (RP 56976 or Taxotere), a semisynthetic drug belonging to the family of taxoids, is a new chemotherapeutic agent used in phase II trials for breast, ovarian and lung cancer. We report 2 cases of subungual hemorrhages, which, to our knowledge, have yet to be cited in association with the use of docetaxel. Although not incapacitating, the patient should be made aware of the potential risk of this drug reaction.

Conformational change of cytochrome P450 1A2 induced by sodium chloride

Recently, it was reported that the activity of rabbit P450 1A2 is markedly increased at elevated sodium phosphate concentration. Here, the possible structural change of rabbit P450 1A2 accompanying the NaCl-induced increase in its enzyme activity is investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism, and absorption spectroscopy. It was found that NaCl increased alpha-helix content and lowered beta-sheet content of P450 1A2 in the presence as well as in the absence of a phospholipid. Intrinsic fluorescence emissions also increased with increasing NaCl concentration. The low spin iron configuration of P450 1A2 shifted toward the high spin configuration in response to the increased salt concentration. The effect of increased potassium phosphate and NaCl on the P450 1A2 activity was also studied. It was found that the activity increase of rabbit P450 1A2 occurs concomitantly with the conformational change including raised alpha-helix content.

Transgenic model for the discovery of novel human secretory non-pancreatic phospholipase A2 inhibitors

Transgenic mice were created which overexpress human secretory non-pancreatic phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) pansomatically as a potential disease and drug-testing model. The mice were produced using a DNA construct in which the inducible mouse metallothionein gene promoter drives expression of a human sPLA2 minigene. High levels of sPLA2 were detected in several tissues by immunofluorescence localization. Expression in the testes caused hypospermia and male infertility. Circulating catalytically active sPLA2 could be induced to levels observed in patients undergoing a systemic inflammatory response but had no detectable effect on the mice. Therefore, these results suggest that sPLA2 hyperphospholipasemia alone may have only limited pathophysiological consequences. We further show that 3-[3-acetamide-1-benzyl-2-ethylindolyl-5-oxy]propane phosphonic acid LY311727), a potent new inhibitor of phospholipase A2 catalysis developed by our group, dramatically suppresses the circulating enzyme activity in these animals whereas 3-[3-acetamide-1-benzyl-2-propylindolyl-5-oxy]propane phosphonic acid (LY314024), a substantially less potent LY311727 analog, is without effect. These later results thus motivate the further development of this compound as a potential new therapeutic agent and valuable research tool.

Development of a functional capacity model for the elderly

This study is based on the belief that the amount of nursing care each elderly client requires is determined more by his/or her functional capacity than by diagnosis of medical problems. A functional capacity theoretical model was developed, based on an ecological framework. Environment and personal competence (sensory competence) were hypothesized as predictor constructs, depression as a mediator, and functional capacity as an outcome variable in this model. The model was tested for fit with data from 209 female outpatients of two eye clinics in Seoul, Korea. The results indicated that the hypothesized model fit with the data. Environmental subconcepts showed an indirect effect on functional capacity through depression. This mediating effect of depression was not shown between sensory competence and functional capacity.

Partial trisomy 6p due to maternal t(1;6) translocation

Partial trisomy 6p with duplications ranging from 6p21 to 6p25 is emerging as an established syndrome. A case of duplication of segment p22-p25 of the short arm of chromosome 6 as the result of a maternal t (1;6)(q44;p22.2) translocation in a mentally retarded girl with congenital anomalies is reported here. The associated phenotypic anomalies are compared with other reported cases of duplication 6p involving adjacent regions.

Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of pulse oral versus intravenous calcitriol in hemodialysis patients

Because intravenous (iv) calcitriol has greater bioavailability than oral calcitriol, it may be more efficacious in suppressing parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. In this study, the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of pulse oral and i.v. calcitriol were compared. Patients were randomized to receive 2 micrograms of i.v. or oral calcitriol after each dialysis. Two pharmacokinetic studies (PK1, PK2) were performed 10 days apart, during which the patients received calcitriol after each dialysis. Calcitriol bioavailability was determined from the area under the curve (AUCtime interval (hours) in pg/mL per h). After the PK phase, PTH was lowered to < 200 pg/mL by titrating calcitriol to a maximum of 12 micrograms/wk over 4 wk. Calcitriol was then maintained for another 18 wk unless serum calcium exceeded 11.5 mg/dL or Ca x P product exceeded 70; when these limits were reached, calcitriol was held and then restarted at a lower dose. After i.v. administration, peak serum calcitriol exceeded that achieved orally but by 1 h, calcitriol levels were similar. The AUC0-0.5 (105 +/- 12, i.v.; 9 +/- 4, oral) and AUC0.5-1 (68 +/- 6, i.v.; 30 +/- 7, oral) were higher with i.v. (P < 0.05), but cumulative AUC0-48 did not differ. Individual t1/2 values ranged from 10 to 129 h for PK1 and from 10 to 50 h for PK2. The t1/2 for oral calcitriol was 38 +/- 14 h for PK1 and 30 +/- 4 h for PK2 (not significant (NS)). The t1/2 for i.v. calcitriol was 26 +/- 5 h for PK1 and 19 +/- 3 h for PK2 (NS, PK1 versus PK2 and oral versus i.v.). When the PK1 oral and i.v. data were combined, the mean t1/2 was 32 +/- 7 h whereas the t1/2 for PK2 (oral and i.v.) was 22 +/- 3 h (P < 0.05). Baseline PTH levels were 510 +/- 90 pg/mL and 499 +/- 79 pg/mL, oral and i.v., respectively. Serum PTH level at 22 wk was not different between oral and i.v. groups, 153 +/- 38 pg/mL and 214 +/- 124 pg/mL in i.v. (NS). The percentage of PTH suppression was 66 +/- 7.4% in the oral group and 69 +/- 12% in the i.v. group (NS). A major degree of serum iPTH suppression occurred during the initial 4 wk of treatment, concomitant with a rise in serum calcium levels. Adverse effects were similar between groups, as were the average dosages of calcitriol and phosphate binders. In conclusion, the efficacy of intravenous and pulse oral calcitriol were similar in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. The early rise in serum calcium levels observed with treatment may have contributed significantly to the suppression of serum iPTH levels. The difference in bio-availability between the different routes does not have a clinically apparent effect. The t1/2 varied widely among individuals, whereas exposure to calcitriol may decrease the t1/2.

Prospective trial of combined hyperfractionated radiotherapy and bronchial arterial infusion of chemotherapy for locally advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

This article is a prospective trial of hyperfractional radiotherapy with bronchial arterial infusion of anticancer drugs to treat locally advanced bronchogenic cancer. The treatment results, the complications of bronchial arterial infusion, the failure patterns, the relationship of technical aspects of delivery of radiotherapy, and the protocol of anticancer drugs are presented.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

One hundred and twenty-six patients with locally advanced bronchogenic cancer, treated from January 1988 to January 1990, were divided randomly into four groups in our hospital. Group 1: combination of hyperfractional radiotherapy with bronchial arterial infusion of anticancer drugs (30 cases); Group 2: combination of conventional radiotherapy with bronchial arterial infusion of anticancer (33 cases); Group 3: combination of systemic chemotherapy and split-course radiotherapy (33 cases); Group 4: conventional radiotherapy only (30 cases).

RESULTS

All the patients were followed for 3 years. The 1-year survival rates for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 80, 63.6, 48.5, and 30%, respectively. The 2-year survival rates for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 23.3, 15.15, 9.1, and 6.6%, respectively. The 3-year survival rates for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 10, 3.3, 0, and 0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the combination of hyperfractional radiotherapy with bronchial arterial infusion anticancer drugs can be performed safely and effectively for locally advanced bronchogenic carcinoma.

Netherton's syndrome: a severe neonatal disease. A case report

A male infant was born with generalized erythroderma and scaling; the newborn demonstrated poor neonatal development and developed several complications such as hypernatremic dehydration, septicemia, gastroenteritis and seizures. In the neonatal period, the erythema faded, but exfoliation persisted. The parents are healthy but related. One older brother, who died at the age of 3 months, had shown the same clinical picture in the neonatal period and was diagnosed with congenital psoriasis. All clinical investigations, including serum immunoglobulins, complement levels and lymphocyte counts, were normal. Only raised total IgE and multiple positive specific IgE reactions were noted. Skin biopsy revealed an image of ichthyosis. Polarization microscopy of scalp hair showed trichorrhexis nodosa and discrete focal twisting of the hair shaft. This clinical picture and all histological findings are compatible with the indications of Netherton's syndrome. The purpose of this report is to call attention to this severe presentation of congenital ichthyosis in the neonatal period and to the difficulty of a correct diagnosis when confronted with congenital erythroderma.

A particular subtype of ichthyosis congenita type III. Clinical, light, and electron microscopic features

We report the case of a second patient with the extraordinary ultrastructural findings of vacuolated structures intermingled with membranes in the perinuclear part of the upper epidermal cells. Clinical, light microscopic, and electron microscopic features of this particular presentation of ichthyosis congenita type III have already been presented by K. M. Niemi and L. Kanerva in 1989. Although our patient has more or less the same light and electron microscopic findings, the clinical picture is more severe. The patient was born as a collodion baby. Later, he showed signs of generalized severe involvement with large scales, erythrodermia, and itching. Successful therapy with retinoids resulted in complete removal of the hyperkeratosis but left the striking reticulate skin pattern. Noting the heterogeneous clinical presentation, the specific electron microscopic findings are diagnostic. No biochemical data on this disease are known.

Purification and characterization of alpha 1-antitrypsin secreted by recombinant yeast Saccharomyces diastaticus

The secreted human alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) produced by yeast was purified from the culture medium by ultrafiltration, ammonium sulfate fractionation (60-75% saturation), protamine sulfate treatment, and ion-exchange chromatography. Molecular mass of the purified alpha 1AT was 52 kDa, which is similar to that of human plasma alpha 1AT. Yeast-produced alpha 1AT was fully functional as an inhibitor compared with the plasma form. Unlike plasma alpha 1AT, however, treatment of the yeast-produced alpha 1AT with endoglycosidase H decreased the molecular mass to that of recombinant alpha 1AT produced in Escherichia coli, indicating the high-mannose type N-linked glycosylation of the secreted alpha 1AT. Glycosylation in yeast cells enhanced kinetic stability of alpha 1AT towards heat deactivation.

Controlling cancerous pain with analgesic powder for cancers

Analgesic powder for cancers, composed of more than 20 Chinese drugs, was applied externally to 91 patients with various kinds of cancers for management of cancerous pain. The results showed that it was remarkably effective in 42 cases, fairly effective in 22, effective in 22, and ineffective in 5, the total effective rate being 94.51%. Animal experiments indicated that the pain threshold was evidently higher in mice treated with this powder on the site of femoral artery of the hind limbs than that of the controls without application of this powder.

Genes encoding human serum amyloid A proteins SAA1 and SAA2 are located 18 kb apart in opposite transcriptional orientations

The three expressed genes of the human serum amyloid A gene family (SAA1, SAA2 and SAA4) have been isolated in four contiguous clones selected from a chromosome 11 cosmid library. Analysis of these clones revealed that SAA1 and SAA2 are located 18 kb apart in opposite transcriptional orientations, while SAA4 lies 11 kb downstream from SAA2 in the same orientation: 3'(SAA1)5'-18 kb-5'(SAA2)3'-11 kb-5'(SAA4)3'. A fifth SAA clone isolated from this library was noncontiguous with the other four and contained the SAA3 pseudogene.

Atomic force microscopy of the cornea and sclera

We report the first investigation of the extracellular matrix of cornea and sclera using an atomic force microscope (AFM), and evaluate the potential of this new technique. We were able to obtain 2-3 nanometre resolution of both tissues in a condition close to their native state. The AFM was able to resolve surface features on the collagen fibrils, as well as providing unique images of crossbridge structures between collagen fibrils in both cornea and sclera.