Breakdown of Detailed Balance for Thermal Radiation by Synthetic Fields.

In recent times the possibility of nonreciprocity in heat transfer between two bodies has been extensively studied. In particular the role of strong magnetic fields has been investigated. A much simpler approach with considerable flexibility would be to consider heat transfer in synthetic electric and magnetic fields that are easily applied. We demonstrate the breakdown of detailed balance for the heat transfer function T(ω), i.e., the spectrum of heat transfer between two objects due to the presence of synthetic electric and magnetic fields. The spectral measurements carry much more physical information and are the reason for the quantum theory of radiation. We demonstrate explicitly the synthetic field induced nonreciprocity in the heat transfer transmission function between two graphene flakes and for the Casimir coupling between two objects. Unlike many other cases of heat transfer, the latter case has interesting features of the strong coupling. Further the presence of synthetic fields affects the mean occupation numbers of two membranes and we propose this system for the experimental verification of the breakdown of detailed balance.

Goserelin loaded nanoparticles inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell lines.

Goserelin acetate (Gos) is a synthetic analogue of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) used in treatment of prostate cancer. The objective of this study is to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic effect of Goserelin loaded nanoparticles on both androgen dependent and androgen independent cell lines. Goserelin causes cell death of prostate cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis. Treatment of Goserelin loaded nanoparticles inhibited the proliferation of LNCaP and DU145 in the dose-dependent manner, however did not affect the cell proliferation in PC-3 cell lines. Blank nanoparticles exhibited negligible cytotoxicity on cell lines. In addition, immunocytochemical studies indicated that Gos induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. The presence and characteristics of LHRH receptors and their messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP were investigated by polymerase chain reaction. Changes in nuclear morphology and DNA fragmentation associated with Gos induced apoptosis were clearly seen in both LNCaP and DU145 cell lines by DNA studies. The PCR product of the expected size of 319 bp for human LHRH receptors was obtained in cell line sample. Goserelin loaded nanoparticles are the potential tool for site specific delivery for prostate cancer treatment.

The development of intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts as a poor prognostic factor following surgery for biliary atresia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic liver disease requiring liver transplantation is a common occurrence following corrective surgery for extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA). The formation of intrapulmonary arteriovenous shunts (IPS) is a well-known feature of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the development of IPS and its prognostic significance in postoperative patients with EHBA. METHODS: Fourteen patients who underwent Kasai's portoenterostomy during 1993-2005 were included in the study. The clinical features, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and biochemical liver function tests were recorded. A transthoracic contrast enhanced echocardiogram using a four-chamber view was performed in all patients within a week of the Kasai's procedure by injecting 5 mL of hand-agitated saline solution into a peripheral vein. The opacification of microbubbles in the left atrium 3-6 minutes after their emergence in the right atrium was considered diagnostic of IPS. The contrast enhanced echocardiogram was repeated 6 months after the Kasai's procedure in all patients. RESULTS: Nine patients were clinically asymptomatic after surgery. HIDA scan was excretory in all 14 patients at the time of the study, although 5 patients were jaundiced. The serum bilirubin increased in 2 patients after surgery; both these patients were jaundiced and developed ascites and 1 expired one year after surgery. Contrast enhanced echocardiogram was negative for IPS in all 14 initially. In the follow-up evaluation the only patient who died was the one who had developed IPS. CONCLUSIONS: There is a risk of developing IPS following a failed Kasai's portoenterostomy in patients of EHBA. Contrast enhanced echocardiography can be used to serially monitor these patients for early detection of this complication. It can be used to predict prognosis after hepatic portoenterostomy and can be extremely useful in selecting patients who will need liver transplant on priority.

Assessment of latent manganese toxicity as a prognostic factor following surgery for biliary atresia.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate latent manganese toxicity in patients with biliary atresia and to use this tool to predict the prognosis of biliary atresia patients after Kasai's portoenterostomy. METHODS: 14 patients who underwent Kasai's portoenterostomy between 1993 and 2005 were included in the study. Whole blood manganese assays were performed using atomic adsorption spectroscopy (Philips PU 9200, Cambridge, UK) and verified by repeat analysis; these were done at the time of surgery and 6 months later. All blood samples were collected in an identical manner, blinded and then assayed by technicians. Whole blood manganese levels were correlated with the development of manganese deposits in the globus pallidus on T1-weighted images on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Serum bilirubin of all 14 patients were noted both at the time of surgery and 6 months later. A hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan was done in all patients 6 months after Kasai's portoenterostomy. RESULTS: The bilirubin declined in all except 2 patients after surgery. Both these patients developed ascites and severe jaundice and 1 expired one year after surgery. HIDA scan was excretory in all 14 patients. Whole blood manganese ranged from 1.26 - 27.58 microg/dl (mean 4.63 +/- 7.00) at the time of surgery; the levels were normal in 11 patients and elevated in 3. The postoperative assay at 6 months after surgery demonstrated values from 1.08 - 74.46 microg/dl (mean 13.55 +/- 24.17); 4 patients showed an increase from the previous value. Globus pallidus hyperintensity on T1-weighted images was noted in 1 patient on MRI; this patient had a sharp rise in the postoperative manganese level. All other MRI examinations were normal. All 14 patients were neurologically intact. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study size is small, it shows that there is a risk of latent manganese toxicity in patients with biliary atresia who have undergone Kasai's portoenterostomy. Whole blood manganese assay in conjunction with brain MRI can be used to serially monitor these patients for early detection of these complications. This tool can be used for prognosis after Kasai's portoenterostomy and can also be extremely useful in selecting patients who will need a liver transplant on a priority basis.

Rotational frequency shifts for electromagnetic fields of arbitrary states of coherence and polarization.

The rotational frequency shift is studied for fields of arbitrary states of coherence and polarization. It is shown that the power spectrum of the field in the rotating frame is influenced both by the degree of polarization and the degree of coherence. Examples for some model field classes are given.

Gas chromatographic studies of the carbamylation of haemoglobin by methyl isocyanate in rats and rabbits.

Carbamylation of the N-terminal valine of haemoglobin with methyl isocyanate in rats and rabbits has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo by gas chromatography. N-Methylcarbamylated haemoglobin, converted by cyclization into 3-methyl-5-isopropylhydantoin, has been quantified by gas chromatography. Standard hydantoin was synthesized, chemically characterized and used for calibration. The method is simple and reliable in the concentration range 0.06-2 nmol. Carbamylation of haemoglobin by methyl isocyanate in vivo in rats can be identified only above a dose of 1.05 mg/l in inhalation exposures. It is inferred that methyl isocyanate in the "active" form crosses the alveolar and erythrocyte membranes and carbamylates the haemoglobin.