Particle velocity and sediment transport at the limit of deposition in sewers.

This paper focuses on the sediment particle while it is transported at the limit of deposition in storm sewers, i.e. as bed load at the limit of concentration that leads to sediment deposition. Although many empirical sediment transport equations are known in the literature, there is only limited knowledge concerning particle velocity. Sediment particle and sphere velocity measurements were carried out in two pipe channels and these results led to the development of a semi-theoretical equation for sediment transport at the limit of deposition in sewers. Even in the transport process without deposition, sediment movement is slower than water velocity and depends on the angle of repose of sediment with a diameter d on the roughness k of the pipe channel. Instead of classical dimensionless bed shear stress ψ, a modified dimensionless bed shear stress ψ (d/k)(2/3) was suggested, based on the angle of repose and this parameter was proved to be significant for quantifying the transport capacity. The main purpose of this article is to emphasize the importance of careful observation of experiments. Not only number of tests, but physical understanding are essential for better empirical equations.

A Simple Method to Estimate Muscle Currents from HD-sEMG and MRI using Electrical Network and Graph Theory.

In the last years the spread of hand prosthetics has fueled the research on the field of signal processing applied on physiologic data. At the state of the art there are different algorithms that allow a precise estimation of hand movements, the majority of whom work just on the electrode space. Even though there are signal processing methods that access single muscle information, they are still premature for a real application on prosthetics. We present a novel method that exploit the information extracted from a magnetic resonance image (MRI) and a single row of high-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) electrodes to estimate the muscles currents in the forearm, providing a first experimental application on two simple wrist movements to assess its performance. The results show that the proposed method is able to identify the correct muscle with a single muscle-contraction task, whereas for a 2 muscle task it shows a high variance in the results. The method models the signal propagation from muscles to electrodes using a simple resistive electrical network and uses the graph theory to calculate the muscle currents. It brings a considerably simpler muscle's current estimation method, significantly decreasing the problem complexity, and therefore becoming a potential effective approach for future prosthetics' control.

Estimating Deep Muscles Activation from High Density Surface EMG Using Graph Theory.

In the recent years important steps forward have been made in the field of signal processing on muscle signals for hand prosthetics control. At the state of the art different algorithms and techniques allow a precise estimation of hand movements. However, they mostly work exclusively on the electrode space, not seeking for any information about the currents on the contracted muscles.In this study we propose a novel simplified method to estimate the muscles currents in the forearm, along with a first experimental application on two simple movements to assess its performance. We modeled the signal propagation from muscles to electrodes using a purely resistive electrical networks and afterwards apply the graph theory to assess the muscle currents. The proposed method considerably simplify the estimation of muscle's current, decreasing the problem complexity, and therefore potentially it can be a suitable approach for future prosthetics' control.

Local photodynamic therapy for equine squamous cell carcinoma: evaluation of a novel treatment method in a murine model.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of local photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on tumor growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a murine model. SCC was implanted in 85 nude mice by subcutaneous injection of A-431 SCC cells. Treatment groups (10 mice/group) received an intra-tumoral injection of verteporfin dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or 5% dextrose solution at a dose of 0.01 or 0.1mg/cm3. Controls received only solvent, or no injectate. All groups received identical light illumination (100J/cm2). Relative change in tumor volume (RCTV) at day 30 was compared between groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test (P< 0.05). Local PDT with verteporfin at a dose of 0.1mg/cm3 resulted in significantly lower RCTV at day 30 compared to controls. Choice of solvent (DMSO versus D5W) did not affect the results. Local PDT may be an effective adjunctive therapy for the treatment of periocular equine SCC.

Musculoskeletal Simulation for Determining Influences of the Magnitude of Sensory Noise and Stiffness on the Selection of Hip or Ankle Movement Strategies.

While standing, the elderly exhibit different move- ment behaviors compared to young people. However, the causes of these differences remain clear. The purpose of this study was to verify a hypothesis that only the magnitude of sensory noise and stiffness can reproducibly determine trends in the hip or ankle movement strategies. Simulations of postural control of a musculoskeletal model for three noise conditions and three stiffness conditions were performed. Variations in the angles of the hip and ankle suggested that the sensory noise amplitude had no influence on the selection. However, the ankle strategy tended to be selected with the increase of stiffness. Strategy shifts of elderly may be derived from other components; muscle weakness, increase of neurological time delay, or learning based on other evaluation index.

Xenotransplantation of cryopreserved equine squamous cell carcinoma to athymic nude and SCID mice.

Cryopreserved equine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was inoculated subcutaneously into 15 athymic nude and 15 SCID mice. Xenotransplantation resulted in tumor growth in two athymic nude mice and 1 SCID mouse. Histological appearance and immunohistochemical characterization using cytokeratin 5/6 markers and p53 markers of the tumor grown in mice was in full accord with the original equine tumors. No evidence of metastasis was noted in any mouse. This model may serve as a relevant in vivo model for studying the biology of equine ocular SCC and for the testing of new therapeutic modalities.

Characterization of stage progression in chronic myeloid leukemia by DNA microarray with purified hematopoietic stem cells.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the clonal expansion of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Without effective treatment, individuals in the indolent, chronic phase (CP) of CML undergo blast crisis (BC), the prognosis for which is poor. It is therefore important to clarify the mechanism underlying stage progression in CML. DNA microarray is a versatile tool for such a purpose. However, simple comparison of bone marrow mononuclear cells from individuals at different disease stages is likely to result in the identification of pseudo-positive genes whose change in expression only reflects the different proportions of leukemic blasts in bone marrow. We have therefore compared with DNA microarray the expression profiles of 3456 genes in the purified HSC-like fractions that had been isolated from 13 CML patients and healthy volunteers. Interestingly, expression of the gene for PIASy, a potential inhibitor of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins, was down-regulated in association with stage progression in CML. Furthermore, forced expression of PIASy has induced apoptosis in a CML cell line. These data suggest that microarray analysis with background-matched samples is an efficient approach to identify molecular events underlying the stage progression in CML.

DNA microarray analysis of hematopoietic stem cell-like fractions from individuals with the M2 subtype of acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may develop de novo or secondarily to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Although the clinical outcome of MDS-related AML is worse than that of de novo AML, it is not easy to differentiate between these two clinical courses without a record of prior MDS. Large-scale profiling of gene expression by DNA microarray analysis is a promising approach with which to identify molecular markers specific to de novo or MDS-related AML. This approach has now been adopted with AC133-positive hematopoietic stem cell-like fractions purified from 10 individuals, each with either de novo or MDS-related AML of the M2 subtype. Sets of genes whose activity was associated with either disease course were identified. Furthermore, on the basis of the expression profiles of these genes, it was possible to predict correctly the clinical diagnosis for 17 (85%) of the 20 cases in a cross-validation trial. Similarly, different sets of genes were identified whose expression level was associated with clinical outcome after induction chemotherapy. These data suggest that, at least in terms of gene expression profiles, de novo AML and MDS-related AML are distinct clinical entities.

DNA microarray analysis of natural killer cell-type lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes with purified CD3-CD56+ fractions.

Natural killer (NK) cell-type lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes (LDGL) is characterized by the outgrowth of CD3(-)CD16/56(+) NK cells, and can be further subdivided into two distinct categories: aggressive NK cell leukemia (ANKL) and chronic NK lymphocytosis (CNKL). To gain insights into the pathophysiology of NK cell-type LDGL, we here purified CD3(-)CD56(+) fractions from healthy individuals (n=9) and those with CNKL (n=9) or ANKL (n=1), and compared the expression profiles of >12 000 genes. A total of 15 'LDGL-associated genes' were identified, and a correspondence analysis on such genes could clearly indicate that LDGL samples share a 'molecular signature' distinct from that of normal NK cells. With a newly invented class prediction algorithm, 'weighted distance method', all 19 samples received a clinically matched diagnosis, and, furthermore, a detailed cross-validation trial for the prediction of normal or CNKL status could achieve a high accuracy (77.8%). By applying another statistical approach, we could extract other sets of genes, expression of which was specific to either normal or LDGL NK cells. Together with sophisticated statistical methods, gene expression profiling of a background-matched NK cell fraction thus provides us a wealth of information for the LDGL condition.

Klebsiella bacteremia.

Of 41 patients with Klebsiella bacteremia studied, most were newborn or elderly and only one patient had community-acquired infection. The incidence of bacteremia was evenly distributed over 16 months, except that infections in the newborns occurred in a cluster. The initial site of infection resulting in bacteremia was urinary tract (27%), gastrointestinal tract (24%), intravenous sites (20%), and pulmonary system (15%). Mortality was influenced by the underlying disease, the age of the patients, and site of initial infection. In patients with nonfatal underlying disease, deaths occurred only in patients with pulmonary or abdominal infections and did not occur in patients in whom the portal of entry was the urinary tract or intravenous sites. Single antibiotic therapy with aminoglycoside was adequate in this latter group.

Simulation-Based Rule Generation Considering Readability.

Rule generation method is proposed for an aircraft control problem in an airport. Designing appropriate rules for motion coordination of taxiing aircraft in the airport is important, which is conducted by ground control. However, previous studies did not consider readability of rules, which is important because it should be operated and maintained by humans. Therefore, in this study, using the indicator of readability, we propose a method of rule generation based on parallel algorithm discovery and orchestration (PADO). By applying our proposed method to the aircraft control problem, the proposed algorithm can generate more readable and more robust rules and is found to be superior to previous methods.

Association of Cbl with Fms and p85 in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl and its association with signal-transducing molecules in response to macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) were analyzed by using cell lines which express the wild-type and a mutant M-CSF receptor, Fms. We found that in a clone, F723 TF-1 cells expressing mutant Fms in which tyrosine 723 had been substituted with phenylalanine, the M-CSF stimulation-dependent association between Cbl and Fms was markedly impaired. However, phosphorylation of Cbl and its association with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase were induced in these mutant cells as seen in the wild-type fms transfectant. These results suggest that phosphorylation of tyrosine 723 is particularly important for the recruitment of Cbl to the M-CSF receptor, but is not required for the phosphorylation and binding of Cbl to signal-transducing molecules such as p85.

Metastasizing eccrine sweat gland carcinoma. Report of a case.

We report a case of eccrine sweat gland carcinoma arising from the occipital region, which later metastasized to the regional lymph nodes and spread widely to the viscera. After wide local excision of the primary tumor, it recurred locally, and then metastasized presumably via regional lymph nodes. Widespread metastasis to visceral organs occurred after a ten-year latent period from the appearance of the original tumor. Histochemical and enzymatic histochemical examinations of the specimens from the original tumor and metastasized lesions obtained at autopsy disclosed the characteristics of eccrine sweat gland tumor.

Ameloblastoma with prominent ossification in the mandible of a dog.

A rare case of ameloblastoma with prominent stromal ossification in an 8-year-old female dog was studied. A bony mass recurred rapidly in the right mandible at the first molar region. Histopathologic examination revealed the lesion to be an atypical variant of ameloblastoma. Epithelial cells showed marked cell atypia, and mitotic figures were rather common. The collagenous stroma was abundant, with prominent formation of bone trabecular rimmed by active osteoblasts. The tumor was highly proliferative and aggressive, and thought to be malignant in nature.

[Therapeutic effect of dried ion exchange resin-treated human immunoglobulin (SM-4300) against severe bacterial and/or fungal infections in surgery].

A newly developed human immunoglobulin for intravenous use, SM-4300, purified by cold ethanol precipitation and ion exchange resin, has been studied in the surgery. SM-4300 has been evaluated clinically against inpatients with severe bacterial and/or fungal infections in the combined use with the antibiotics which were resistant to antibiotic therapy. Total number of 13 patients affected with various severe infections were treated with SM-4300. Clinical effects of SM-4300 were excellent in 2 cases, good in 6, fair in 3 and poor in 2. The efficacy rate was summarized as 61.5%. No subjective and objective clinical side effects and abnormal laboratory findings were observed. In conclusion, combination therapy with SM-4300 and antibiotics was considered to be safe and effective against severe bacterial and/or fungal infections in the surgery.

[Clinical evaluation of astromicin administered by intravenous drip infusion. Report II. Bacterial infections in the field of surgery].

A clinical evaluation of astromicin (ASTM) administered by intravenous drip infusion against infections in the surgical field was made, and the results were summarized as follows. Excellent effect was observed in 19 out of a total of 44 cases, good effect in 19, fair in 1 and poor in 5. The efficacy rate calculated from the 38 cases of "excellent" and "good" was 86%. In stratification by disease, the efficacy rate was 91% in localized peritonitis (31/34 cases) and 63% in diffuse peritonitis (5/8 cases); the overall efficacy rate in peritonitis was 86%. The efficacy rate in 2 cases infected by Gram-positive bacteria was 50%, and that in 16 cases by Gram-negative bacteria was 94%. The disappearance rate of Gram-negative bacteria was 93%, and this drug was especially effective against E. coli. There were no subjective or objective side effects and no abnormal laboratory test values that were related to the administration of ASTM.

[Prolonged respiratory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in lung transplantation]. / Suporte respiratório prolongado com oxigenador de membrana extracorpóreo em transplante pulmonar.

A 42 year-old woman with terminal chronic lung disease underwent to left lung transplantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxigenation (ECMO) was required because dysfunction of transplanted organ occurred and was non-responsive to conventional therapy. The time of assistance was 47 hours and after this, the dysfunction of the transplanted lung reversed and the patient was weaned from the oxigenator. During hospital stay, she developed sepsis and died. In conclusion, ECMO was decisive to the treatment of pulmonary dysfunction, allowing time to the resolution of lung lesion.

[Extracardiac fontan procedure in adult: report of a case].

We report a case of a 28-year-old female who underwent an extracardiac Fontan procedure. The subject was diagnosed as an atrioventricular septal defect (Rastelli classification: type C), a double outlet right ventricle, pulmonary artery stenosis, a hypoplasty of left ventricle, total anomalous venous return (Darling: Ib + IIb), and atrial flutter. She underwent a Blalock shunt and an aorto-pulmonary shunt at the ages of 3 and 9 years, respectively. Under a total CPB, an extracardiac total cavo-pulmonary connection (TCPC), using a 26 mm Hemashield graft, was completed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The complicated atrial anatomy and atrial arrhythmia indicated TCPC in this adult patient.

[Repair for atrioventricular valve regurgitation using autologous pericardium: report of a case].

A 13-year-old boy with [SLL] single left ventricle first underwent ventricular septation using a dacron patch at 3 years of age. Eight years after the first surgery, he presented with general fatigue on exertion as the chief complaint. Right-sided atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and dilatation of the right heart were diagnosed. Eleven years after surgery, right heart failure was uncontrollable by medicine, and 2nd surgery was performed. At operation, the right-sided heart valve leaflet was tightly adherent to the dacron septation patch, and valve plasty was judged impossible. We repaired the right-sided atrioventricular valve using an autologous pericardial valve leaflet and sub-valvular tissue. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he has been free from any complication for 33 months.

[A case of supravalvular mitral ring].

A two-year-old girl with supravalvular mitral ring successfully underwent the excision of the ring. The preoperative echocardiogram showed supravalvular mitral ring and almost normal mitral leaflets. We paid attention not to injury mitral valve at the excision of the ring because supravalvular mitral ring adhered to the mitral valve.