Direct measurement of the quality factor in a two-dimensional photonic-crystal microcavity

A new microcavity design is proposed and structures are realized with a two-dimensional photonic-crystal slab. The cavity consists of seven defect holes that encompass a hexagon and is designed to reduce vertical light leakage. From a direct transmission measurement, a Q value of 816+/-30 is achieved at lambda =1.55 mum . This high- Q cavity will permit the realistic realization of spontaneous-emission modification and on-off optical switches.

Effect of cyanide concentrations on the secondary structures of protein in the crude homogenates of the fish gill tissue

The effect of cyanide concentrations on the secondary conformation of protein in the fish gill homogenate was determined using an attenuated total reflectance (ATR)/Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy. Gills from male Tilapia zillii were isolated and homogenized in pH 8.0 Tris buffer solution and subjected to FT-IR study. The results indicate that the amide I and III bands of protein in fish gill homogenate deformed markedly with the increase of cyanide concentration. The fish gill homogenate shows a maximum peak at 1650 cm(-1) in amide I band, suggesting the predominant proportion of alpha-helical conformation. Once the KCN was added into the gill homogenate, the maximum peak shifted gradually from 1650 to 1643 cm(-1) due to the random coil structure, with the increase of cyanide concentration used. Two additional shoulders at 1657 (alpha-helix) and 1627 (beta-sheet) cm(-1) also appeared gradually, implying that the cyanide can in part induce changes in protein conformation of fish gill homogenate from alpha-helix to random coil and beta-sheet conformations.

[Diagnosis of non-typical myocarditis by applying immunohistochemical method of CD68]

OBJECTIVE

To make a distinction between myocarditis and the reaction to some pathological state of myocardium.

METHODS

Myocardium of 26 cases with sudden cardiac death were stained and LM light microscopies with immunohistochemical method 10 cases with normal myocardium were contrasted.

RESULTS

A great deal of stained positive monocyte of immunohistochemistry emerged in the parasetions of myocarditis patients with various farms and stacking(> 15).

CONCLUSION

The stain of immunohistochemistry can be used as one of the indications for diagnosing non-typical myocarditis.

Design and evaluation of drug-loaded wound dressing having thermoresponsive, adhesive, absorptive and easy peeling properties

In order to develop a novel unique wound dressing, a combination of self-adhesive Eudragit E film with antibacterial drug-loaded poly (N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) microgel beads was designed. The result indicates that the tack property of Eudragit E film increased with an increase of the PNIPAAm microgel beads added, but there was no significant difference between the dried PNIPAAm microgel beads with or without adsorbing drug. In addition, the peel strength of Eudragit E film initially decreased with the addition of PNIPAAm microgel beads, but increased to a maximum value when PNIPAAm microgel beads were added from 4% to 7.6%. then decreased again after 7.6%. The optimal concentration of PNIPAAm microgel beads was 7.6% (w/v) which had better tack and peel adhesive properties. The water uptake ratio of Eudragit E film containing PNIPAAm microgel beads was found to be temperature-dependent, suggesting that the Eudragit E film containing PNIPAAm microgel beads enabled to absorb the wound fluid. Eudragit E film containing PNIPAAm microgel beads with or without adsorbing drug had significantly reduced peel strength after 12 h-immersion in solution. All these results suggest that a novel drug-loaded wound dressing has been developed by binding a self-adhesive Eudragit E film with an antibacterial drug-loaded PNIPAAm microgel beads to achieve thermo-responsive, adhesive, absorptive and easy peeling functions.

The response of a thermoluminescent dosimeter to low energy protons in the range 30-100 keV

This study demonstrates the thermoluminescence (TL) response of CaF2:Tm (commercial name TLD-300) to 30-100 keV protons which were generated by means of a Cockcroft-Walton accelerator. The phenomenon in which the total thermoluminescent output from CaF2:Tm (TLD-300) decreases with proton energy from 30 to 100 keV (with increase of LET) can be interpreted by the track structure theory (TST). The analysis of the glow peaks: P2 (131 degrees C), P3 (153.5 degrees C) and P6 (259 degrees C), of TLD-300 show the oscillatory decreasing phenomenon as a function of incident proton energy, which can be interpreted with the TST and the oscillatory emission of electrons in a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) that is caused by resonant or quasi-resonant charge transfer in ion-atom interactions in this TLD-300.

Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis induced by magnolol in colon and liver cancer cells

Magnolol has been reported to have anticancer activity. In this study we found that treatment with 100 microm magnolol induced apoptosis in cultured human hepatoma (Hep G2) and colon cancer (COLO 205) cell lines but not in human untransformed gingival fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Our investigation of apoptosis in Hep G2 cells showed a sequence of associated intracellular events that included (a) increased cytosolic free Ca(2+); (b) increased translocation of cytochrome c (Cyto c) from mitochondria to cytosol; (c) activation of caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9; and (d) downregulation of bcl-2 protein. Pretreatment of the cells with the phospholipase C inhibitor 1-[6-[[(17 beta)-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1 H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122) or the intracellular chelator of Ca(2+) 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA/AM) inhibited the subsequent magnolol augmentation of [Ca(2+)](i) and also the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-9, so that the occurrence of apoptosis in those cells was greatly reduced. Pretreatment of the cells with ZB4 (which disrupts the Fas response mechanism) also decreased the subsequent magnolol-induced caspase-8 activation and reduced the occurrence of apoptosis. We interpreted these findings to indicate that the above-listed sequence of intracellular events led to the apoptosis seen in Hep G2 cells and that [Ca(2+)](i), Cyto c, and Fas function as intracellular signals to coordinate those events.

Spontaneous femoral neck fracture complicating a healed subtrochanteric fracture--a case report

A rare case of spontaneous femoral neck fracture complicating a healed subtrochanteric fracture was encountered in an 85-year-old female. The subtrochanteric fracture was caused by a minor trauma with no other combined injury. Patient received close reduction and internal fixation two days later and the fracture healed in three months. Six months after operation, spontaneous ispilateral femoral neck fracture occurred without trauma. Although there were some reports about subcapital fracture or femur neck fracture complication after operation, this is the first case of spontaneous femoral neck fracture after healed subtrochanteric fracture which was treated with a 95 degrees dynamic condylar screw (DCS) and side plate previously without technical error.

Diagnosis of congenital hypothyroidism from human anagen scalp hair by infrared microspectroscopy

A highly efficient Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscopy was used to determine the biophysical structure of anagen scalp hair roots of neonates suffering from congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to ectopic thyroid. The present results indicate that the lower composition near 1,053 cm(-1) (also assigned to the aromatic iodide stretching band) in the infrared (IR) spectra of the hair roots for CH patients was directly associated with the lower serum level of T4 and fT4, and the elevated TSH levels determined by RIA method. This strongly implies the lower evidence of the aromatic iodide stretching band in the IR spectra of hair roots. These findings suggest that FT-IR microscopy has the potential to become a good diagnostic tool and that hair can be useful as a genetic marker.

Chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of residents living in buildings constructed with radioactively contaminated rebars

Using the G-banding technique, we examined lymphocytes from 90 individuals (43 males and 47 females, median age 31 years) living in buildings constructed with radioactively contaminated rebars. Forty-five nonexposed control subjects (22 males and 23 females, median age 30 years), matched to the radiation-exposed individuals by sex and age, were selected for comparison. At least 500 metaphases were checked for each individual. All recognizable structural aberrations of chromosomes or chromatids were recorded. After adjusting for age and smoking status, both the percentage of cells with aberrant chromosomes (PCAC) and the number of aberrant chromosomes per 100 cells (NAC) were found to be significantly higher in the radiation-exposed females than in the control females (p < 0.05 for PCAC and NAC). This difference, however, was not observed in the comparison of radiation-exposed and control males. This suggests a possible interaction between sex and radiation exposure in their effects on chromosome aberrations.

The measurement of photoneutrons in the vicinity of a Siemens Primus linear accelerator

This study involves the measurement of photoneutron contamination emitted from a Siemens Primus medical linear accelerator by using BD-PND bubble detectors. Various bubble detectors were arranged around the linac head with the interval of I m and at the same height as the isocenter to measure the dose equivalent distribution in the treatment room. The measurements were performed for 15 MV X-rays with 40 x 40cm2 and 0 x 0cm2 fields and for 15,18, and 21 MeV electrons with 25 x 25 cm2 electron cone. Neutron dose equivalent rate at the points of measurement in the treatment room decreased with increasing distance to the isocenter. The maximum neutron dose equivalents were at the isocenter, and the values for 15MV 40 x 40 and 0 x 0 cm2 were 1843+/-90 and 169.9+/-59.9 microSv per Gy X-ray, respectively. The values for 15, 18 and 21 MeV electrons with 25 x 25 cm2 cones were 100.0+/-20.4, 262.7+/-61.2 and 349.0+/-29.6 microSv per Gy electron, respectively. The neutron contamination of electrons less than 12 MeV was below the detection limit.

Skin dose measurement by using ultra-thin TLDs

The treatment schedule for radiation therapy is often interrupted because of complicated skin reactions. Quantitative information relating beam parameters and skin reactions will be helpful. Measurements were performed for 6-15 MV photons and 6-21 MeV electrons with ultra thin TLD films (GR-200F, surface area 0.5 x 0.5cm2, nominal thickness 5 mg cm(-2)). The skin doses for various field sizes, ranging from 10 x 10 to 40 x 40 cm2, and various incident angles of beam from 0 degrees to 80 degrees were measured. The ratios of skin dose to maximum dose in phantom for 10 x 10 cm2 are 16.10+/-0.68%, 14.03+/-1.04% and 10.59+/-0.64% for 6, 10 and 15 MV, respectively. Such ratios increase with a larger field size. For electrons the ratios are 72.59+/-1.72%, 78.52+/-2.99%, 78.89+/-2.86%, 86.08+/-2.62%. 87.75+/-1.94% and 86.33+/-3.09% for 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 MeV, respectively. They also increase with a larger size. The oblique factors also increase with larger incident angle.

Nuclear localization of EGF receptor and its potential new role as a transcription factor

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been detected in the nucleus in many tissues and cell lines. However, the potential functions of nuclear EGFR have largely been overlooked. Here we demonstrate that nuclear EGFR is strongly correlated with highly proliferating activities of tissues. When EGFR was fused to the GAL4 DNA-binding domain, we found that the carboxy terminus of EGFR contained a strong transactivation domain. Moreover, the receptor complex bound and activated AT-rich consensus-sequence-dependent transcription, including the consensus site in cyclin D1 promoter. By using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we further demonstrated that nuclear EGFR associated with promoter region of cyclin D1 in vivo. EGFR might therefore function as a transcription factor to activate genes required for highly proliferating activities.

A simple classification method for residual antibiotics using E. coli cells transformed by the calcium chloride method and drug resistance plasmid DNA

Using three different plasmid DNA codings for kanamycin (KM), chloramphenicol (CP), and ampicillin- (AMP) and tetracycline- (TC) resistance, four different competent Escherichia coli strains were transformed by the calcium chloride method to produce KM-, CP- and AMP- and TC-resistant strains. Evaluation of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 22 antibiotics, showed KM-resistant E. coli to be cross resistant only to fradiomycin (FRM); CP-resistant E. coli, especially HB101 and JM109 strains, exhibited cross-resistance only to thiamphenicol (TP). On the other hand, AMP- and TC-resistant E. coli showed cross resistance to several penicillins, tetracyclines and erythromycin. E. coli ATCC-27166, the strain most sensitive to all drugs in this experiment, was employed for disc diffusion experiments and from the pattern of appearance of the inhibition zone, eight major antibiotics were divided into three groups depending on their activity against containing each of the three plasmids. Only gentamicin (GM) activity was not affected by any of the drug resistant strains. Assay techniques utilizing three resistant strains may be the technique for screening foods for antibiotic residues in the future.

Ultrasonographic study of the coexistence of muscular torticollis and dysplasia of the hip

The consistent relationship between congenital muscular torticollis and dysplasia of the hip is now widely accepted. However, the coexistence rate of these two disorders has been reported with variations from 0 to 20%. To obtain a more accurate coexistence rate, ultrasound scanner was used as the diagnostic tool for both of these disorders.Sixty-three children (30 boys and 33 girls) younger than 6 months who had undergone ultrasound scanning of both bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle and bilateral hips were included in this study. Forty-seven children were confirmed to have muscular torticollis, and the remaining 16 cases were diagnosed as postural torticollis. Only these 47 cases were included for analysis of the coexistence rate. Eight children were found with dysplasia of the hips associated with muscular torticollis, which included Graf's type IIa for four hips, type IIb for two hips, type IIIa for one hip, and type IIIb for one hip. From the results of the present ultrasonographic study, the coexistence rate of congenital muscular torticollis and dysplasia of the hip was concluded to be 17%. If only those dysplastic hips (type IIb, IIIa, IIIb) that required treatment were included, the coexistence rate would be lowered to 8.5%.

Molecular characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus isolated from ruminants in Taiwan in 1999-2000

In 1999, 10 sporadic outbreaks of cattle foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) occurred in Taiwan. By the time, infection was limited to the Chinese yellow cattle (a native species of beef cattle in Mainland China), which did not develop vesicular lesions under field conditions. Five viruses isolates obtained from individual farms were confirmed to be the serotype O FMD virus (O/Taiwan/1999). During January-February 2000, however, this virus has spread to dairy cattle and goat herds, causing severe mortality in goat kids and vesicular lesions in dairy cattle. Partial nucleotide sequence of the capsid coding gene 1D (VP1) was determined for the virus isolates obtained in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 sequences indicated that the O/Taiwan/1999 viruses shared 95-97% similarities to the virus strains isolated from the Middle East and India. The species susceptibility of the O/Taiwan/1999 virus was experimentally studied in several species of susceptible animals, showing that the virus did cause generalized lesions in dairy cattle and pigs, however, it would not cause vesicular lesions on the Chinese yellow cattle and the adult goats. These studies suggested that the O/Taiwan/1999 virus was a novel FMD virus of Taiwan and it presented various levels of susceptibility in cattle species.

Suppression of Fas ligand expression on endothelial cells by arsenite through reactive oxygen species

Chronic exposure to arsenite is associated with vascular disease, such as arteriosclerosis. However, the cellular mechanisms for vascular disease in response to arsenic are not well known. The present study has demonstrated that arsenite not arsenate decreased the Fas ligand (FasL) expression on ECV304 cells through reactive oxygen species. Incubation of ECV304 cells with arsenite decreased the FasL expression and increased the intracellular peroxide levels. In addition, hydrogen peroxide was found to suppress FasL expression in a dose-dependent manner. The antioxidant, N-acetyl-cysteine, blocked the suppression of FasL expression in response to arsenite. These data suggested that arsenite initiates endothelium dysfunction, at least partly, by suppressing the FasL expression through activating reactive oxygen species sensitive endothelial cell signaling.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of carbadox, olaquindox, furazolidone, nitrofurazone, and nitrovin in feed

A high-performance liquid chromatography with gradient programming method was developed to determine the amount of carbadox (CBX), olaquindox (OLQ), furazolidone (FZ), nitrofurazone (NF), and nitrovin (NTV) in feed simultaneously. Complete separation of the drugs was obtained using a C8 silica gel column with gradients of acetonitrile as mobile phase. The mobile phase used an acetonitrile gradient with an initial hold time of 1 min at 0% acetonitrile, followed by an increase to 50% acetonitrile over 10 min. The correlation coefficients (r) for calibration curves of the five feed additives were greater than 0.999. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of peak areas from four injections for these drugs at three concentrations were less than 3.0%, although the RSD for NTV at 5 ppm was somewhat large (6.7%). The medicated feeds were extracted by pretreating with water, extracted with 95% dimethylformamide overnight at room temperature, and cleaned up on a column of alumina oxide. Recoveries of CBX, OLQ, FZ, NF, and NTV from low level spiked feed were 102.0, 94.6, 97.4, 110.6, and 66.0%, respectively, and from high level spiked feed, they were 114.09, 99.1, 97.3, 109.9, and 62.7%, respectively.

Surgical treatment for Haglund's deformity

Haglund's deformity, or "pump bump" is a common cause of posterior heel pain, characterized clinically by a painful soft tissue swelling at the level of the Achilles tendon insertion. We reviewed 30 heels in 19 patients with failure of conservative treatment. Surgical management consisted of excision of the posterior calcaneal tuberosity and bursectomy through a medial longitudinal incision. The average follow-up period was 6 years (range, 3-10 years). Only 3 heels (10%) in 2 patients had persistent pain. Twenty-seven heels (90%) were cured after operation. However, 25 heels (83%) had residual pain for a half to two years after operation and became free of symptoms thereafter. We conclude surgical treatment of Haglund's deformity produces a predictably good result (90%) but requires a long time about a half to two years for full recovery.

Primary tumour volume delineation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and correlation with 1997 AJCC tumour stage classification

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the variability in primary tumour volume in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and compare it with the tumour staging of the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary care centre.

METHOD

A series of 33 newly diagnosed patients who were treated with high-dose radiotherapy participated in the study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Using computed tomographic scans, primary tumour volumes were measured using the summation-of-areas technique, and the variability in tumour volume was determined. The Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A large variation in primary tumour volume was observed, especially in advanced-stage cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma shows considerable variability in primary tumour volume. Incorporation of primary tumour volume may lead to further refinement of the 1997 tumour staging system.

Isolated talonavicular arthrodesis for talonavicular arthritis

We have reviewed a single surgeon's experience with isolated talonavicular fusion in 16 patients with talonavicular arthritis. Fixation was either by staples or screws. Fifteen solid unions were achieved in the 16 patients who were followed (mean: 51 months). The average Ankle-Hindfoot Scale improved from 77.2 preoperatively to 92.9 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Subjectively, 15 patients were satisfied and one patient dissatisfied with the results. Further osteoarthritis in the adjacent joints was noted in five patients. We concluded that isolated talonavicular fusion is an effective method of treatment of talonavicular arthritis regarding pain relief and functional improvement. Though osteoarthritis was found in some adjacent joints postoperatively, the results were still satisfactory.

Minimal requirements for IgE-mediated regulation of surface Fc epsilon RI

The IgE-FcepsilonRI network plays a central role in allergic inflammation. IgE levels control cell surface levels of FcepsilonRI and, in turn, FcepsilonRI levels modulate the intensity of effector responses. Treatment of allergic patients with anti-IgE Abs has been shown to induce a decrease in FcepsilonRI expression on basophils and a decrease in Ag-triggered histamine release. However, the mechanisms underlying IgE-mediated regulation of FcepsilonRI expression remain unclear. Here, we designed an in vitro model system to establish the minimal cellular requirements for regulation of FcepsilonRI by IgE. Using this system, we demonstrate that transcriptional regulation, hemopoietic-specific factors, and signaling are not required for IgE-mediated increases in FcepsilonRI expression. IgE binding to the alpha-chain is the minimal requirement for the induction of FcepsilonRI up-regulation. The rate of up-regulation is independent of the baseline level of expression. The mechanism of this up-regulation is the result of a combination of three factors: 1) stabilization of the receptor at the cell surface, which prevents receptor internalization and degradation; 2) use of a preformed pool of receptor comprising recycled and recently synthesized receptors; and 3) continued basal level of protein synthesis. It is possible that in vivo additional factors contribute to modulate the basic regulatory mechanism described here.

Solid-state trans-cis isomerization of captopril determined by thermal Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy

Thermal Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy was used to investigate the conformational isomerization of captopril in the solid state. The result indicates that the IR peak intensity of captopril for original bands decreased dramatically at 102 degrees C, but for new bands it increased with the rise of temperature. The frequency of C=O stretching mode for carboxylic acid and for amide was located at a higher wavenumber of 1747 cm(-1) and at a lower frequency of 1591 cm(-1) as compared with the general compound, suggesting the existence of trans isomer of captopril in the solid state by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Beyond 102 degrees C, several new bands at 1720, 1645, and 1610 cm(-1) were observed with the rise of temperature, indicating the coexistence of a cis isomer. However, the cis isomer could transform gradually to the trans isomer after cooling. The thermodynamics of equilibrium mixture of cis/trans isomers were also studied. The trans isomer was more stable than the cis isomer, but the cis isomer was favored at the higher temperature.

Precision and reproducibility of temperature response of a thermo-responsive membrane embedded by binary liquid crystals for drug delivery

A thermo-responsive membrane embedding with the binary mixture of 36% cholesteryl oleyl carbonate (COC) and 64% cholesteryl nonanoate (CN) was successfully developed to achieve a rate-controlled and time-controlled drug release in response to the skin temperature (i.e., 32 degrees C) of the human body. The thermophysical properties of this binary mixture were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and a microscopic Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer equipped with a thermal analyzer (FT-IR/DSC microscopic system). The phase transition temperatures of this binary mixture at 35.1 and 64.0 degrees C were clearly evidenced by both analytical methods. The temperature response of this binary mixture of COC and CN with 36%:64% ratio were also investigated for eight cycles by the isothermal FT-IR/DSC microscopic system to continuously and repeatedly alter the temperature cycle between 25 and 37 degrees C. The results show that this binary mixture revealed a good temperature response in precision, sensitivity, obedience and reproducibility. The temperature-sensitive on-off pulsatile function of drug penetration through this thermo-responsive membrane was investigated. The switching mechanism of this thermo-responsive membrane was also proposed. The present result strongly indicates that the binary COC-CN mixture-embedded membrane can be used to deliver the drug in a pulsatile fashion with respect to skin temperature.

Low tibial osteotomy for moderate ankle arthritis

Low tibial osteotomy is one of the significant advances of ankle reconstruction techniques that has been made recently in an effort to halt arthritis in its early stages and leave fusion as the last, not the only, alternative treatment of ankle arthritis. From 1989 to 1995, we performed 18 low tibial osteotomies which included 6 cases of post-traumatic arthritis and 12 cases of degenerative arthritis. The ages of the 7 male and 11 female patients ranged from 18 to 78 years with an average of 41.9 years. The follow-up period lasted a mean of 47.7 months, ranging from 25 to 82 months. The average functional score changed from 49.6 pre-operatively to 88.5 at the last follow up, and showed yearly improvement. Complications included one case of late infection and two cases of implant failure, none of which led to nonunion. The indication for low tibial osteotomy is the intermediate stage of moderate ankle arthritis with a medial joint lesion and intact lateral facet. Using pressure redistribution on the joint surface, this procedure is an alternative treatment for ankle arthritis which may save an arthritic ankle from the fate of fusion or at least postpone fusion surgery.