Detection of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputa by nested PCR-linked single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing

Either PCR-mediated single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis or DNA sequencing of rpoB DNA (157 bp) can be used as a rapid screening method for the detection of mutations related to the rifampin resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, due to the nonspecific amplification of rpoB DNA from nontuberculous mycobacteria these methods cannot be directly applied to clinical specimens such as sputa. We developed a nested PCR method that can specifically amplify the rpoB DNA of M. tuberculosis on the basis of rpoB DNA sequences of 44 mycobacteria. Nested PCR-linked SSCP analysis and the DNA sequencing method were applied directly in order to detect M. tuberculosis and determine its rifampin susceptibility in 56 sputa. The results obtained by nested PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing were concordant with those of conventional drug susceptibility testing and DNA sequencing performed with culture isolates.

Reconstruction by biceps tendon rerouting for posterolateral rotatory instability of the knee: Modification of the Clancy technique

We present a biceps rerouting technique for posterolateral rotatory instability using a modification of the biceps femoris tendon tenodesis of Clancy. The distinguishing features of this technique are the approach to the lateral femoral epicondyle through the interval between the iliotibial band and biceps femoris muscle, and fixation of the transferred biceps tendon at the isometric point. Reconstruction for posterolateral rotatory instability by modified biceps tendon rerouting can result in objectively and functionally acceptable knee function.

Semitendinosus tenodesis for medial instability of the knee

A new technique of semitendinosus tenodesis has been developed to treat medial instability of the knee. The semitendinosus tendon was sectioned at the musculotendinous junction. The accessory insertion of the tendon was dissected to be overlapping and parallel to the anterior band of the medial collateral ligament. An isometric point on the femur was located around the medial epicondyle. A bony trough was created just above the isometric point and a screw with washer was placed. The semitendinosus tendon was looped around the screw and the screw was tightened to hold the tendon in place. The free end of the tendon was pulled obliquely backward and passed through the insertion of the direct head of the semimembranosus tendon to reconstruct the posterior oblique ligament. The semitendinosus tendon reinforced both the medial collateral ligament and the posterior oblique ligament.

A new dynamin-like protein, ADL6, is involved in trafficking from the trans-Golgi network to the central vacuole in Arabidopsis

Dynamin, a high-molecular-weight GTPase, plays a critical role in vesicle formation at the plasma membrane during endocytosis in animal cells. Here we report the identification of a new dynamin homolog in Arabidopsis named Arabidopsis dynamin-like 6 (ADL6). ADL6 is quite similar to dynamin I in its structural organization: a conserved GTPase domain at the N terminus, a pleckstrin homology domain at the center, and a Pro-rich motif at the C terminus. In the cell, a majority of ADL6 is associated with membranes. Immunohistochemistry and in vivo targeting experiments revealed that ADL6 is localized to the Golgi apparatus. Expression of the dominant negative mutant ADL6[K51E] in Arabidopsis protoplasts inhibited trafficking of cargo proteins destined for the lytic vacuole and caused them to accumulate at the trans-Golgi network. In contrast, expression of ADL6[K51E] did not affect trafficking of a cargo protein, H(+)-ATPase:green fluorescent protein, destined for the plasma membrane. These results suggest that ADL6 is involved in vesicle formation for vacuolar trafficking at the trans-Golgi network but not for trafficking to the plasma membrane in plant cells.

A new dynamin-like protein, ADL6, is involved in trafficking from the trans-Golgi network to the central vacuole in Arabidopsis

Dynamin, a high-molecular-weight GTPase, plays a critical role in vesicle formation at the plasma membrane during endocytosis in animal cells. Here we report the identification of a new dynamin homolog in Arabidopsis named Arabidopsis dynamin-like 6 (ADL6). ADL6 is quite similar to dynamin I in its structural organization: a conserved GTPase domain at the N terminus, a pleckstrin homology domain at the center, and a Pro-rich motif at the C terminus. In the cell, a majority of ADL6 is associated with membranes. Immunohistochemistry and in vivo targeting experiments revealed that ADL6 is localized to the Golgi apparatus. Expression of the dominant negative mutant ADL6[K51E] in Arabidopsis protoplasts inhibited trafficking of cargo proteins destined for the lytic vacuole and caused them to accumulate at the trans-Golgi network. In contrast, expression of ADL6[K51E] did not affect trafficking of a cargo protein, H(+)-ATPase:green fluorescent protein, destined for the plasma membrane. These results suggest that ADL6 is involved in vesicle formation for vacuolar trafficking at the trans-Golgi network but not for trafficking to the plasma membrane in plant cells.

Marble spleen disease in pheasants in Korea

Two pheasants maintained in outdoor closed pen died within several days after having a history of depression. On necropsy, the spleens from both pheasants were enlarged about 3 times of their normal size and appeared mottled in color varying white to red. Histopathologically, there were diffuse severe follicular necrosis in the spleen and congestion and edema in the lung. Intranuclear basophilic inclusion bodies, which are strongly positive to group II avian adenovirus with immunohistochemistry, were noted in the spleen.

A case of hemorrhagic gallbladder paraganglioma causing acute cholecystitis

Gallbladder paraganglioma is a very rare tumor and so far only a few cases have been reported. Most of these were asymptomatic and were found incidentally during operation. Recently, we experienced a gallbladder paraganglioma that gave rise to hemorrhage, which in turn caused acute cholecystitis. Our case involved a 45 year-old female patient complaining of an intermittent right upper abdominal pain. After a preoperative evaluation, cholecystectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed under the impression of gallbladder cancer with acute cholecystitis. Postoperative pathologic examination revealed a hemorrhagic gallbladder paraganglioma accompanied by acute cholecystitis. Immunohistochemical staining of the chief cells for neuron specific enolase, chromogranin and synaptophysin were positive. Sustentacular cells also stained positively for S100 protein.

Treatment of vitiligo with suction epidermal grafting by the use of an ultrapulse CO2 laser with a computerized pattern generator

BACKGROUND

Laser ablation is used to remove the recipient epidermis in the suction epidermal grafting in vitiligo surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a suction epidermal grafting method after the removal of the epidermis by the use of the Ultrapulse CO2 laser with a computerized pattern generator.

METHODS

Eleven patients with 34 lesions of refractory stable vitiligo were studied.

RESULTS

Of the 34 lesion sites, excellent repigmentation was seen in 30 and the other 4 had good repigmentation. No complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

The Ultrapulse CO2 laser is particularly well suited for deepithelialization in vitiligo surgery.

Real-time measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species using Mito tracker orange (CMH2TMRos)

We have investigated a novel method to monitor real changes of intracellular ROS by the use of CMH2TMRos (a reduced form of MitoTracker orange) in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Arachidonic acid induced a rapid increase of CMTMRos fluorescence with a maximal elevation at 120-150 sec, which was determined by scanning every 10 sec with a confocal microscope. The fluorescence increase by arachidonic acid was completely inhibited by 2-MPG but not by catalase, indicating a major contribution of superoxide to the oxidation of CMH2TMRos. Incubation with glucose oxidase, exogenous H2O2, KO2 and lysophosphatidic acid also increased the CMTMRos fluorescence, which was blocked by 2-MPG. These results suggested that CMH2TMRos is a useful fluorophore for real-time monitoring of intracellular ROS and also indicated that CMH2TMRos detects primarily superoxide in cells even though the fluorophore can be oxidized by both superoxide and H2O2.

EFFECTS OF LOCAL ANESTHETICS ON THE CONTRACTILITY OF RAT BLADDERS

PURPOSE

We investigated the effect of local anesthetic agents on the detrusor muscle in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro isometric contraction of rat detrusor strips was measured. We investigated the effects of tetracaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine on baseline spontaneous contractions and contractions induced by various stimuli, including 60 mM. KCl, carbachol and electricalal field stimulation with a pulse duration of 0.8 or 100 milliseconds.

RESULTS

Local anesthetic agents have complex effects on baseline spontaneous contractility that depend on the type of agent used and its concentration. These agents inhibited nerve mediated contraction resulting from electricalal field stimulation with a pulse duration of 0.8 milliseconds in a concentration dependent manner and also inhibited nonnerve mediated detrusor contractions induced by KCl, carbachol or electricalal field stimulation with a pulse duration of 100 milliseconds Higher concentrations of local anesthetic agents were needed to inhibit nonnerve than nerve mediated contractions. In rat detrusor muscle carbachol induced a sustained tonic contraction even after the depletion of internal and external Ca2+ sources, which was also inhibited by local anesthetic agents.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that local anesthetic agents have a wide spectrum of inhibitory effects on the contraction of bladder smooth muscle induced by various stimulants at different concentrations, which may be potentially useful for treating overactive bladder.

Distribution and cytokine production of CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute asthma attacks

BACKGROUND

The activation of T cells and the elevation of Th2-type cytokines have been observed in asthmatic patients, but the relative role of CD4 and CD8 T cell is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of T cell subset in patients with acute asthma attacks, we analyzed the distribution, activation status, and cytokine production of CD4 and CD8 cells.

METHODS

The percentages of the CD4 and CD8 cell in peripheral blood (PB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were analyzed by flow cytometry. The cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-gamma) and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured by ELISA in culture supernatants of CD4 and CD8 cells purified from PB.

RESULTS

The CD4/CD8 ratio in PB of asthmatic patients was significantly higher than that of controls, which was significantly reduced after treatment. In contrast, there was a tendency to high percentage of CD8 cells in asthmatic patients as compared with controls in BAL, which resulted in a decreased CD4/CD8 ratio. Comparing the T cell subsets in BAL with paired PB in asthma, the CD4 cells were higher in PB, but CD8 cells were higher in BAL. The IL-4, IL-5, and sIL-2R produced by CD4 cells were significantly higher than those produced by CD8 cells in asthmatic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that activated CD4 T cells increase and produce type 2 cytokines in PB, but CD8 T cell are more sequestrated than CD4 T cells in the airway during an acute asthma attack.

Fra-1 expression in malignant and benign thyroid tumor

BACKGROUND

The differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules is very important in deciding the treatment modality and the fine needle aspiration is the best diagnostic method. But, there are some limitations in use because of inadequate test materials and difficulty in interpreting. According to the study of oncogene and tumor suppressor gene about the origin of thyroid tumor, expression of Fra-1, one of AP-1 complex, is increased in thyroid neoplasm, though not present in the normal tissue. So, there is a possibility that it will be used as a method for the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. We tried to know whether presence or absence of Fra-1 expression can be used as a diagnostic method in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules using the immunohistochemical (IHC) staining method.

METHODS

In 4 types of thyroid tumor that were confirmed by histologic diagnosis after operation (18 cases of adenomatous goiter, 16 cases of follicular adenoma, 30 cases of papillary cancer, 10 cases of follicular cancer), IHC staining method was performed to evaluate the expression of Fra-1.

RESULTS

In papillary and follicular thyroid cancers, the expression of Fra-1 was stronger than in benign thyroid tumor, but there was no difference in Fra-1 expression between the two types of carcinoma. Weak expression of Fra-1 was observed in all cases of follicular adenoma, though it was weaker than in carcinoma, and it was also weakly expressed only in some cases (33%) of adenomatous goiter.

CONCLUSION

The expression of Fra-1 was stronger in thyroid cancer than in benign thyroid tumor, but it was impossible to differentiate thyroid cancer from benign thyroid tumor by presence or absence of Fra-1 expression using IHC staining method.

The IsdA gene is necessary for sexual development inhibition by a salt in Aspergillus nidulans

Using one of 17 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) previously identified as specific to the late sexual developmental (LSD) stage of Aspergillus nidulans, a gene for the subject EST was isolated. The determined DNA sequences revealed an open reading frame encoding a 356 amino acid polypeptide which does not share a sequence similarity to previously identified genes or proteins. The isolated gene was named lsdA (late sexual development), since it was expressed abundantly at the LSD stage. The lsdA gene expression began earlier than at the LSD stage. Disruption of the lsdA gene in the veA+ background strongly induced sexual development under conditions where sexual development in wild-type strains is almost completely inhibited. In contrast, in the veA1 background, an lsdA null mutant failed to show any phenotypic difference in sexual development under the various conditions tested. These results indicate that the lsdA gene may be responsible for inhibiting the sexual development of veA+ strains by a high concentration of a salt.

Ovarian expression of melatonin Mel(1a) receptor mRNA during mouse development

Melatonin, secreted by the pineal gland, is involved in the regulation of many physiological functions of various species of animals. In the present study, the expression of gene for melatonin Mel(1a) receptor (MelR) was evaluated in the ovary, hypothalamus, and pituitary according to the developmental stages in female mice. Semiquantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ PCR techniques were applied. According to the developmental stages, gene for MelR was differently expressed on ovary, hypothalamus, and pituitary. MelR gene was first expressed on pituitary prior to the expression in hypothalamus and ovary. Ovarian MelR gene started to express at birth. Unlike hypothalamic expression of MelR gene which was identified after birth, in pituitary, it was expressed at 16 days post coitum. In the ovary, the expression signal of MelR gene was identified on granulosa cells. However, the signal was not detected in the theca cells. It was weak in the primordial and atretic follicles. Taken together, it can be considered that melatonin has a pivotal role in the folliculogenesis.

High dose chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment in operable breast cancer with 10 or more involved axillary lymph nodes

BACKGROUND

it is well known that breast cancer patients with more than 10 axillary lymph nodes involved have poor prognosis even with extensive adjuvant chemotherapy. To improve this poor outcome, high-dose adjuvant chemotherapy has been applied to the these patients. This study was intended to clarify the efficacy and usefulness of high dose adjuvant chemotherapy (HDC) for high-risk breast cancer patients and its efficacy was compared with conventional adjuvant chemotherapy (non-HDC group).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with breast cancer involving more than 10 axillary nodes received high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral progenitor-stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). This regimen consists of BCNU (carmustine) 130 mg/m(2) x 3, CBDCA (carboplantin) 500 mg/m(2) x 3 and CPA (chyclophosphamide) 50 mg/kgx 2 after induction chemotherapy with 3 cycles of CE (chyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2), epirubicin 60 mg/m(2)).

RESULTS

Twelve patients completed the high-dose chemotherapy regimen as planned, no patient died of chemotherapy related toxicity. After a median follow-up period of 44 months, disease-free and overall survival at 48 months after the operation for 12 patients determined by Kaplan-Meier methods was 63 % and 83 %, respectively. Disease-free survival was superior in the high-dose chemotherapy group compared with the control group but a statistical difference was not observed.

CONCLUSION

High-dose chemotherapy seems to be an effective and feasible treatment for high-risk breast cancer patients. However, the usefulness of high-dose adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk breast cancer patients should be confirmed by a large-scale randomized trial.

Combinatorial control of prion protein biogenesis by the signal sequence and transmembrane domain

The prion protein (PrP) is synthesized in three topologic forms at the endoplasmic reticulum. (sec)PrP is fully translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, whereas (Ntm)PrP and (Ctm)PrP are single-spanning membrane proteins of opposite orientation. Increased generation of (Ctm)PrP in either transgenic mice or humans is associated with the development of neurodegenerative disease. To study the mechanisms by which PrP can achieve three topologic outcomes, we analyzed the translocation of proteins containing mutations introduced into either the N-terminal signal sequence or potential transmembrane domain (TMD) of PrP. Although mutations in either domain were found to affect PrP topogenesis, they did so in qualitatively different ways. In addition to its traditional role in mediating protein targeting, the signal was found to play a surprising role in determining orientation of the PrP N terminus. By contrast, the TMD was found to influence membrane integration. Analysis of various signal and TMD double mutants demonstrated that the topologic consequence of TMD action was directly dependent on the previous, signal-mediated step. Together, these results reveal that PrP topogenesis is controlled at two discrete steps during its translocation and provide a framework for understanding how these steps act coordinately to determine the final topology achieved by PrP.

Methoxy[meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2,6-difluorophenyl)porphyrinato]iron(III), [Fe(TDFPP)(OCH3)]

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Fe(C(44)H(20)F(8)N(4))(CH(3)O)], has been determined. The Fe atom lies 0.485 (1) A out of the plane of the four N atoms to which it is coordinated and from the inversion centre at the origin of the unit cell. The methoxy group is axially coordinated to the Fe atom with O-Fe-N angles of 106.3 (2) and 102.4 (2) degrees, a C-O-Fe angle of 128.3 (5) degrees and an Fe-O distance of 1.788 (5) A. Difluorophenyl rings are tilted from the porphyrin (por) plane with torsion angles of -68.1 (6) and 77.7 (5) degrees across the two C(por)-C-C-C(ar) systems.

Midterm outcome of partially thrombosed intracranial aneurysms treated with guglielmi detachable coils

SUMMARY

We evaluated the results of Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) treatment in partially thrombosed aneurysms and determined if there is high rate of recanalisation on follow-up. Among 149 treated aneurysms in 141 patients, 25 CT- or MR-confirmed partially thrombosed aneurysms were selected for evaluation. The features of thrombosed aneurysms and percentage of occlusion were analysed on initial angiograms. Follow-up angiograms, which were available in 18 cases, were evaluated for aneurysm lumen recanalisation. The recanalisation rate was compared with that of non-thrombosed aneurysms treated with GDCs. Locations of aneurysms were as follows: cavernous carotid ten; ophthalmic four; p-com. two; MCA one; A-com. one; basilar tip four; midbasilar two; PICA one. The size of the aneurysm lumen ranged from 5 to 30 mm (mean 16.8 mm) on angiograms, but on cross sectional images the size of aneurysms ranged from 13 to 70 mm (mean 24.6 mm). The extent of aneurysmal thrombosis ranged from 10 to 90 per cent (mean 46.4 per cent). On initial GDC treatment, total to subtotal occlusion was achieved in 18 cases out of 25 (72%). Of the 18 follow-up angiograms, 14 cases (77.8%) showed recanalisation ranging from 10 to 60 per cent of aneurysm size. Luminal recanalisation was due to migration (10 of 14) or compaction (4 of 14) of coil masses. In two cases, symptoms recurred in association with aneurysm recanalisation, but in no instance was haemorrhage noted. Attempts for retreatment were made in ten cases with success in six. In comparison, 14 (15.9%) out of 88 nonthrombosed cases revealed recanalisation on follow-up angiography. Midterm follow-up angiograms in partially thrombosed aneurysms treated with GDC revealed a fivefold higher rate of recanalisation than in non-thrombosed cases. Close follow-up is necessary in patients with thrombosed aneurysms treated with GDCs.

GDC Embolisation of Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysms with Parent Artery Preservation

SUMMARY

We evaluated the clinical and angiographic results of endosaccular treatment with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) in 19 cases of cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. The size of the aneurysms ranged from 10 to 30 mm (mean 18.4 mm) and neck size ranged from 2 to 15 mm (mean 6.7 mm). Intraluminal thrombosis was found in ten cases. Main presenting symptoms were related to mass effect in 17 cases including cranial nerve palsy, headache and vomiting. On initial GDC embolisation, total occlusion was obtained in two cases, subtotal in eight, and incomplete in nine. In two cases with incomplete occlusion, parent arteries were occluded with balloons or GDCs during or just after the procedure because of underlying diseases. A higher rate of initial occlusion was obtained in smaller and non-thrombosed aneurysms. Symptoms resolved or improved in all cases except one after initial treatment. No complication occurred related to the procedure. Follow-up angiography was obtained in 15 cases among which ten cases (66.7%) showed luminal recanalisation. Symptoms recurred in one case with luminal recanalisation. Incidence of recanalisation was similar in both large and giant aneurysms but higher in the thrombosed than non-thrombosed group. Retreatment was done in five cases with success. In conclusion, although embolisation of cavernous ICA aneurysms with GDCs was safe and effective in relieving symptoms, the incidences of initial incomplete occlusion and follow-up recanalisation were high. Therefore, we think judicious selection of the cases is necessary for endosaccular GDC embolisation in cavernous ICA aneurysms.

Modulation of graft-versus-tumor effects in a murine allogeneic bone marrow transplantation model by tumor-derived transforming growth factor-betaI

Although graft-versus-leukemia effects in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) are well documented, graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects are poorly defined. To investigate the latter, we established a murine model of breast cancer using TS/A, a transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1-secreting breast cancer cell line of BALB/c origin. In the setting of disparate (parent into F1) alloBMT, no appreciable GVT was identified. To assess whether TGF-beta1 secreted by the tumor might inhibit the antitumor response, TGF-beta1 antisense vector was transfected into the TS/A breast cancer cell line. Mice were inoculated with either TGF-beta1 antisense transfected or the mock transfected cell line and underwent syngeneic or alloBMT. No evidence of GVT was appreciated for the mock-transfected breast cancer cell line as assessed by an absence of a statistically significant difference in survival between syngeneic and alloBMT groups. However, there was a highly statistically significant survival difference between allogeneic versus syngeneic bone marrow transplantation groups inoculated with the TGF-beta1 antisense-transfected cell line (P = .00001) as well as when comparing the survival of mice that received alloBMT for TGF-beta1 antisense-transfected tumor versus mock-transfected tumor (P = .0008). These data suggest that (1) GVT exists against the antisense-transfected breast cancer cells in this experimental model and (2) TGF-beta1 may be involved in suppressing antitumor responses in the setting of alloBMT for breast cancer.

Conformation of a purified "spontaneously" inserting thylakoid membrane protein precursor in aqueous solvent and detergent micelles

Subunit W of photosystem II (PsbW) is a single-span thylakoid membrane protein that is synthesized with a cleavable hydrophobic signal peptide and integrated into the thylakoid membrane by an apparently spontaneous mechanism. In this study, we have analyzed the secondary structure of the pre-protein at early stages of the insertion pathway, using purified recombinant pre-PsbW. We show that the protein remains soluble in Tris buffer after removal of detergent. Under these conditions pre-PsbW contains no detectable alpha-helix, whereas substantial alpha-helical structure is present in SDS micelles. In aqueous buffer, the tryptophan fluorescence emission characteristics are intermediate between those of solvent-exposed and hydrophobic environments, suggesting the formation of a partially folded structure. If denaturants are excluded from the purification protocol, pre-PsbW purifies instead as a 180-kDa oligomer with substantial alpha-helical structure. Mature-size PsbW was prepared by removal of the presequence, and we show that this protein also contains alpha-helix in detergent but in lower quantities than the pre-protein. We therefore propose that pre-PsbW contains alpha-helical structure in both the mature protein and the signal peptide in nonpolar environments. We propose that pre-PsbW acquires its alpha-helical structure only during the later, membrane-bound stages of the insertion pathway, after which it forms a "helical hairpin"-type loop intermediate in the thylakoid membrane.

Formation and emission status of PCDDs/PCDFs in municipal solid waste incinerators in Korea

This study was carried out to examine the formation and the emission status of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in the flue gases of commercial-scale municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerators, and thus to provide the engineering data for the reduction of PCDDs/PCDFs emitted from MSW incinerators. The formation concentrations of the PCDDs/PCDFs generated at the outlet of waste heat boilers (WHB) were in the range of 1.18-29.61 ng-TEQ/N m3 (average 5.75 ng-TEQ/N m3), while the emission concentrations at the stacks were in the range of 0.026-4.548 ng-TEQ/N m3 (average 0.924 ng-TEQ/N m3). Two major 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners were 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF, and their concentrations were up to 50% and 64% of total TEQ values at the outlet of WHB and the stack, respectively. From the results of multi-regression analysis, the formation concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs could be predicted as follows with the correlation factor of r2 = 0.962: PCDDs/PCDFs (ng-TEQ/N m3) = 3.036 (Cl) + 0.094 (T1) - 0.472 (Combustibles) + 0.059 (CO) - 0.039 (THC) - 3.366 (H) + 22.157, where T1 (degrees C) is the temperature at the outlet of the WHB. Cl, Combustibles and H are given as percentages and the others are in parts per million.

Arch type pathologic suprapatellar plica

The authors encountered a case of arch type pathologic suprapatellar plica that was excised using an arthroscopic technique. It is reported with a review of the literature.