Maximal Walking Distance in Persons with a Lower Limb Amputation.

The distance one can walk at a time could be considered an important functional outcome in people with a lower limb amputation. In clinical practice, walking distance in daily life is based on self-report (SIGAM mobility grade (Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine)), which is known to overestimate physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess the number of consecutive steps and walking bouts in persons with a lower limb amputation, using an accelerometer sensor. The number of consecutive steps was related to their SIGAM mobility grade and to the consecutive steps of age-matched controls in daily life. Twenty subjects with a lower limb amputation and ten age-matched controls participated in the experiment for two consecutive days, in their own environment. Maximal number of consecutive steps and walking bouts were obtained by two accelerometers in the left and right trouser pocket, and one accelerometer on the sternum. In addition, the SIGAM mobility grade was determined and the 10 m walking test (10 MWT) was performed. The maximal number of consecutive steps and walking bouts were significantly smaller in persons with a lower limb amputation, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Only 4 of the 20 persons with a lower limb amputation had a maximal number of consecutive steps in the range of the control group. Although the maximal covered distance was moderately correlated with the SIGAM mobility grade in participants with an amputation (r = 0.61), for 6 of them, the SIGAM mobility grade did not match with the maximal covered distance. The current study indicated that mobility was highly affected in most persons with an amputation and that the SIGAM mobility grade did not reflect what persons with a lower limb amputation actually do in daily life. Therefore, objective assessment of the maximal number of consecutive steps of maximal covered distance is recommended for clinical treatment.

Clopidogrel may decrease the risk of post-stroke infection after ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The P2Y12 receptor, a well-known factor in the platelet activation pathway, plays a role in thrombosis as well as systemic inflammation. Clopidogrel, a prototype P2Y12 receptor antagonist, reportedly decreases inflammation and systemic infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clopidogrel use decreases the risk of post-stroke infection following ischaemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 1643 patients with acute ischaemic stroke (within 7 days after onset) were included for analysis between March 2010 and December 2015. Patients were categorized into two groups (clopidogrel users versus clopidogrel non-users), and clinical characteristics and risks of post-stroke infection were compared between the two groups. The inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity scores for baseline imbalance adjustments was applied. RESULTS: Of the included patients (mean age 67.7 years; men 60.6%), 670 (40.8%) patients were clopidogrel users and 164 (10.0%) patients had post-stroke infection. The proportion of patients with post-stroke infection was significantly lower in clopidogrel users compared to clopidogrel non-users (6.7% vs. 12.2%, P ≤ 0.001). Moreover, clopidogrel users were less likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit (13.3% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.006). A multivariate analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting revealed that clopidogrel users exhibited a lower risk of post-stroke infection (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.75) and intensive care unit admission (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested that clopidogrel users exhibit a lower risk of infection and develop less severe infections after ischaemic stroke. Further prospective studies are needed.

miR-10b-5p is a novel Th17 regulator present in Th17 cells from ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the microRNA (miR) signature in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) T helper (Th)17 cells. METHODS: Interleukin (IL)-17A-producing CD4+ T cells from patients with AS and healthy controls were FACS-sorted for miR sequencing and qPCR validation. miR-10b function was determined by miR mimic expression followed by cytokine measurement, transcriptome analysis, qPCR and luciferase assays. RESULTS: AS Th17 cells exhibited a miR signature characterised by upregulation of miR-155-5p, miR-210-3p and miR-10b. miR-10b has not been described previously in Th17 cells and was selected for further characterisation. miR-10b is transiently induced in in vitro differentiated Th17 cells. Transcriptome, qPCR and luciferase assays suggest that MAP3K7 is targeted by miR-10b. Both miR-10b overexpression and MAP3K7 silencing inhibited production of IL-17A by both total CD4 and differentiating Th17 cells. CONCLUSIONS: AS Th17 cells have a specific miR signature and upregulate miR-10b in vitro. Our data suggest that miR-10b is upregulated by proinflammatory cytokines and may act as a feedback loop to suppress IL-17A by targeting MAP3K7. miR-10b is a potential therapeutic candidate to suppress pathogenic Th17 cell function in patients with AS.

Risk factors to predict the development of chronic kidney disease in patients with lupus nephritis.

Objectives We analyzed the clinical follow-up results of 88 lupus nephritis patients to find prognostic factors for the development of chronic kidney disease in ethnically homogeneous Korean patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis. Methods Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment-related data at the time of kidney biopsy and during follow-up were obtained. Renal biopsy specimens were reclassified according to the International Society of Pathology/Renal Pathology Society classification, separately, by two renal pathologists blinded to the previous classification. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model to identify independent risk factors for chronic kidney disease in lupus nephritis patients. Results Eighteen of 88 patients (20.5%) developed chronic kidney disease during a mean follow-up of 47.6 months (range: 12-96 months). Patients who developed chronic kidney disease were older at onset of lupus nephritis, had less education, and were more likely to have hypertension; they had lower serum albumin levels, lower platelet levels, higher serum creatinine levels, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher chronicity index, and lower frequency of anti-ribosomal P antibodies, and they were less likely to be in complete remission in the first year. In stepwise multivariable analyses, hypertension, lower glomerular filtration rate, and failure to achieve complete remission in the first year of treatment were significant predictors of the development of chronic kidney disease in lupus nephritis patients. Conclusions These findings suggest that patients with hypertension and decreased kidney function at the onset of lupus nephritis and showing a poor response to immunosuppressive drugs in the first year should be monitored carefully and managed aggressively to avoid deterioration of kidney function.

D-dimer as a predictor of early neurologic deterioration in cryptogenic stroke with active cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The occurrence of stroke in cancer patients is caused by conventional vascular risk factors and cancer-specific mechanisms. However, cryptogenic stroke in patients with cancer was considered to be more related to cancer-specific hypercoagulability. In this study, we investigated the potential of the D-dimer level to serve as a predictor of early neurologic deterioration (END) in cryptogenic stroke patients with active cancer. METHODS: We recruited 109 cryptogenic stroke patients with active cancer within 72 h of symptom onset. We defined END as an increase of ≥1 point in the motor National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score or ≥2 points in the total NIHSS score within 72 h of admission. After adjusting for potential confounding factors in the multivariate analysis, we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) of D-dimer in the prediction of END. RESULTS: Among 109 patients, END events were identified in 34 (31%) patients within 72 h. END was significantly associated with systemic metastasis, multiple vascular territory lesions on the initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), initial NIHSS score and D-dimer levels. In the multivariate analysis, the D-dimer level (adjusted OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.17; P < 0.01) and initial NIHSS score (adjusted OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.15; P = 0.03) predicted END after adjusting for potential confounding factors. In the subgroup analysis of 72 follow-up MRIs, D-dimer level was also correlated with new territory lesions on the follow-up MRI in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Ischemic stroke patients with active cancer and elevated D-dimer levels appear to be at increased risk for END recurrent thromboembolic stroke.

Effect of roflumilast on airway remodelling in a murine model of chronic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Airway remodelling is associated with irreversible, or partially reversible, airflow obstruction and ultimately unresponsiveness to asthma therapies such as corticosteroids. Roflumilast is a selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that has an anti-inflammatory effect in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to study the effect of roflumilast on airway inflammation and remodelling in a murine model of chronic asthma. METHODS: BALB/c mice sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) were chronically exposed to intranasal OVA administration twice a week for additional 3 months. Roflumilast was administered orally during the intranasal OVA challenge. A lung fibroblast cell line was used in the proliferation assay. RESULTS: Compared with control mice, mice chronically exposed to OVA developed eosinophilic airway inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), and exhibited features of airway remodelling. Administration of roflumilast significantly inhibited airway inflammation and AHR. Roflumilast also significantly decreased goblet cell hyperplasia and pulmonary fibrosis, which are parameters of airway remodelling. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were significantly lower in the roflumilast group. In vitro, roflumilast significantly inhibited stem cell factor (SCF)-induced cell proliferation of fibroblasts. The SCF concentration and mRNA expression in a murine model also significantly decreased with roflumilast treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the administration of roflumilast regulates airway inflammation, AHR, and airway remodelling in a model of chronic asthma. The beneficial effects from roflumilast may be related to the SCF/c-kit pathway.

The rate of and risk factors for frequent hospitalization in systemic lupus erythematosus: results from the Korean lupus network registry.

Objectives The survival rate of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has improved in the last few decades, but the rate of hospitalization and health care costs for these patients remain higher than in the general population. Thus, we evaluated the rate of hospitalization and associated risk factors in an inception cohort of Korean patients with lupus. Methods Of the 507 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus enrolled in the KORean lupus NETwork, we investigated an inception cohort consisting of 196 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting within 6 months of diagnosis based on the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. We evaluated the causes of hospitalization, demographic characteristics, and laboratory and clinical data at the time of systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis of hospitalized patients and during a follow-up period. We calculated the hospitalization rate as the number of total hospitalizations divided by the disease duration, and defined "frequent hospitalization" as hospitalization more than once per year. Results Of the 196 patients, 117 (59.6%) were admitted to hospital a total of 257 times during the 8-year follow-up period. Moreover, 22 (11.2%) patients were hospitalized frequently. The most common reasons for hospitalization included disease flares, infection, and pregnancy-related morbidity. In the univariate regression analysis, malar rash, arthritis, pericarditis, renal involvement, fever, systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index > 12, hemoglobin level < 10 mg/dl, albumin level < 3.5 mg/dl, and anti-Sjögren's syndrome A positivity were associated with frequent hospitalization. Finally, multivariate analysis showed that arthritis, pericarditis, and anti-Sjögren's syndrome A antibody positivity at the time of diagnosis were risk factors for frequent hospitalization. Conclusions Our results showed that frequent hospitalization occurred in 11.2% of hospitalized patients and arthritis, pericarditis, and anti-Sjögren's syndrome A antibody positivity at the time of diagnosis were risk factors for frequent hospitalization.

Novel echocardiographic indicator for potential cardioembolic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In many cardioembolic strokes (CSs), the specific embolic source is uncertain. Despite the high mortality of CS, not enough attention is paid to its potential source. Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common source of embolism, more complex and dynamic multiplicities may influence CS. The aim of this study was to evaluate novel indicators of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) that have additional value for detecting CS. METHODS: In total, 1878 patients with acute ischaemic stroke who had TTE during admission were identified. Of the patients with undetermined etiology, 93 patients with incomplete evaluations were excluded. Thereafter, two stroke neurologists reviewed all of the magnetic resonance images to assess cardioembolic lesion patterns. The patients were classified into two groups: potential cardioembolic stroke (PCS) and non-PCS. RESULTS: Amongst a total of 1601 patients, 518 (32.4%) had PCS. About half of the patients with PCS had AF. Patients with PCS were more likely to have larger left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameters, larger LV end-systolic diameters, larger left atrial sizes, increased E/A ratios and reduced LV ejection fractions. After adjusting for multiple clinical and TTE variables including AF, an E/A ratio ≥1.5 had a significant predictive value for PCS (odds ratio 2.89, 95% confidence interval 1.57-5.31, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: An E/A ratio ≥1.5 is independently associated with PCS after adjusting for multiple covariates including AF and provides incremental prognostic information for detecting PCS.

Prolonged sleep increases the risk of intracerebral haemorrhage: a nationwide case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although abnormal sleep duration is positively associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality, the specific impact on intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) risk remains unclear. The relationship between sleep duration and the risk of ICH was investigated in our study. METHODS: A nationwide, multicentre matched case-control study was performed to investigate the risk factors for haemorrhagic stroke, using patients from 33 hospitals in Korea. In all, 490 patients with ICH and 980 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Detailed information regarding sleep, sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and medical history before ICH onset was obtained using qualified structured questionnaires. Sleep duration was categorized and the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a conditional logistic regression with 7 h as the reference duration. RESULTS: The number of subjects with long sleep duration, more than 8 h, was significantly greater in the ICH group than in the control group (≥8 h, 30.4% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.002). After controlling for relevant confounding factors, longer sleep duration was found to be independently associated with the risk of ICH in a dose-response manner (8 h, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00-2.47; ≥9 h, OR 5.00, 95% CI 2.18-11.47). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that long sleep duration is positively associated with an increased ICH risk in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies on the relationship linking long sleep duration with increased risk of ICH are required.

Perceived job insecurity, unemployment and depressive symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective observational studies.

PURPOSE: It was shown that both job insecurity and unemployment are strongly and consistently associated with depressive symptoms. It is, however, less clear whether perceived job insecurity and unemployment constitute a comparable risk for the onset of depressive symptoms. A meta-analysis was conducted to explore this issue. METHODS: In December 2014, relevant records were identified through the databases MEDLINE, Embase and PsychINFO. Articles were included if they had been published in the last 10 years and contained a quantitative analysis on the prospective link between job insecurity and unemployment with depressive symptoms. RESULTS: In 20 cohort studies within 15 articles, job insecurity and unemployment were significantly related to a higher risk of depressive symptoms, with the odds ratio (OR) being modestly higher for job insecurity (1.29, 95% CI 1.06-1.57) than for unemployment (1.19, 95% CI 1.11-1.28). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the effects were strongest in studies that examined younger respondents (<40 years) and used an unadjusted statistical model. By considering the length of the observational period, it was shown that unemployment ORs were higher in shorter time lags (under 1 year), while ORs for job insecurity were increased in longer exposure-outcome intervals (3-4 years). Specifically for unemployment, ORs were highest in studies that did not control for potential health selection effects and that ascertained enduring unemployment. A statistically significant publication bias was found for studies on unemployment, but not for job insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses revealed that both perceived job insecurity and unemployment constitute significant risks of increased depressive symptoms in prospective observational studies. By comparing both stressors, job insecurity can pose a comparable (and even modestly increased) risk of subsequent depressive symptoms.

Isolation and characterization of human intestinal Enterococcus avium EFEL009 converting rutin to quercetin.

UNLABELLED: Quercetin is a flavonol believed to have beneficial effects on human health. Rutin, found in many plants, fruits and vegetables, is metabolized by human intestinal bacteria and converted to quercetin, where it is absorbed through the intestinal epithelium. This study aimed to isolate and characterize human intestinal bacteria capable of converting rutin to quercetin. A bacterium that can metabolize rutin was isolated from human faecal samples and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The whole-cell enzymatic activities on flavonoid glycoside and the conversion profiles of the isolate were also analysed. The bacterium was identified as Enterococcus avium EFEL009 and was shown to convert rutin to isoquercetin and then to quercetin under anaerobic conditions. Microscopic analysis revealed short chains of cocci with diameters of approx. 1 µm. ß-Glucosidase was shown to be constitutively expressed in Ent. avium, while α-rhamnosidase was expressed following induction by rutin. Both enzymes were mainly localized to the cell surface. This study is the first report on the isolation of a quercetin-producing Ent. avium FEEL009, which could be a potential industrial starter bacterium. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Quercetin is a member of the flavonoids family reported to have better cytoprotective abilities, stronger inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production, and better chemoprevention than rutin. This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of Enterococcus avium EFEL009 from the human intestine which is capable of converting rutin to quercetin.

Comparison of clinical and serological differences among juvenile-, adult-, and late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Korean patients.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients could be distinguished based on the time of disease onset and, if so, whether the groups differed in their clinical and laboratory features in ethnically homogeneous Korean patients. METHODS: We enrolled 201 SLE patients with available clinical data at the time of onset of SLE from the lupus cohort at Chonnam National University Hospital. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including autoantibodies, and concomitant diseases were found at the time of diagnosis of SLE by reviewing patient charts. We divided SLE patients according to age at SLE diagnosis into three groups: juvenile-onset SLE (JSLE, diagnosed at ≤ 18 years), adult-onset SLE (ASLE, diagnosed at 19-50 years), and late-onset SLE (LSLE, diagnosed at >50 years), and compared baseline demographic, clinical, and relevant laboratory findings. RESULTS: Of the 201 patients, 27 (14.4%), 149 (74.1%), and 25 (12.4%) were JSLE, ASLE, and LSLE patients, respectively. Fever, oral ulcers, nephritis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were more common in JSLE patients than ASLE or LSLE patients (p < 0.05, < 0.05, 0.001, < 0.05, and < 0.05, respectively). However, Sjögren's syndrome was more frequent in LSLE patients than JSLE or ASLE patients (p < 0.05). Disease activity was significantly higher in JSLE patients than in ASLE or LSLE patients (p < 0.001). Anti-dsDNA and anti-nucleosome antibodies were found more frequently in JSLE patients and less frequently in LSLE patients (p < 0.05 and 0.005, respectively) and decreased complement levels were more common in JSLE patients and less common in LSLE patients (p < 0.001, 0.001, and < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that SLE patients present with different clinical and serological manifestations according to age at disease onset. JSLE patients have more severe disease activity and more frequent renal involvement and LSLE patients have milder disease activity, more commonly accompanied by Sjögren's syndrome, at disease onset.

The predictive value of gait speed and maximum step length for falling in community-dwelling older persons.

BACKGROUND: Falling is a major health problem. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value for falls of the maximum step length and gait speed. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Geriatric outpatient clinic. SUBJECTS: Three hundred and fifty-two community-dwelling older persons screened by their general practitioner. METHODS: Maximum step length and gait speed were recorded as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment. One-year follow-up was performed using the fall telephone system. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six (39%) of all subjects (mean age: 76.2 years, standard deviation: 4.3, 55% female), fell at least once, of whom 96 were injured. Predictive values for any falls of both maximum step length and gait speed were low (area under the curve (AUC): 0.53 and 0.50) and slightly better for recurrent falls (maximum step length AUC: 0.64 and gait speed AUC: 0.59). After adding age, gender and fall history to the prediction model, the AUC was 0.63 for maximum step length and 0.64 for gait speed, and for recurrent falls, the AUC was 0.69 both for maximum step length and gait speed. The prediction of fall-related injuries showed similar results. A higher maximum step length score indicated a lower likelihood for falls (hazards ratio 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Maximum step length and gait speed as single-item tools do not have sufficient power to predict future falls in community-dwelling older persons.

Codon-optimized expression of fish iridovirus capsid protein in yeast and its application as an oral vaccine candidate.

Fish iridovirus causes systemic disease with high morbidity and mortality in various species of wild and farm-raised fish, resulting in severe economic losses. Recently, frequent outbreaks of iridovirus infection have occurred among cultured fish in many Asian countries, emphasizing the need for a protective vaccine programme or the development of a suitable therapy. In this study, we expressed a recombinant major capsid protein (rMCP) of rock bream iridovirus (RBIV) from yeast using codon optimization. The rMCP in yeast was added to feed in an attempt to induce intestinal mucosal immunity for protection against and/or to reduce the severity of fish iridovirus infection. We found that fish immunized orally with rMCP underwent a successful induction of antibodies (P < 0.05) and were protected (P = 0.0001) against viral challenge. Based upon these results, oral administration of immunogenic protein as an antigen can be considered a useful method for implementation of vaccine programmes against iridovirus as well as other marine viral diseases.

Identification of differentially expressed genes according to chemosensitivity in advanced ovarian serous adenocarcinomas: expression of GRIA2 predicts better survival.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify genes that are differentially expressed in chemosensitive serous papillary ovarian carcinomas relative to those expressed in chemoresistant tumours. METHODS: To identify novel candidate biomarkers, differences in gene expression were analysed in 26 stage IIIC/IV serous ovarian adenocarcinomas (12 chemosensitive tumours and 14 chemoresistant tumours). We subsequently investigated the immunohistochemical expression of GRIA2 in 48 independent sets of advanced ovarian serous carcinomas. RESULTS: Microarray analysis revealed a total of 57 genes that were differentially expressed in chemoresistant and chemosensitive tumours. Of the 57 genes, 39 genes were upregulated and 18 genes were downregulated in chemosensitive tumours. Five differentially expressed genes (CD36, LIFR, CHL1, GRIA2, and FCGBP) were validated by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of GRIA2 was validated at the protein level by immunohistochemistry, and patients with GRIA2 expression showed a longer progression-free and overall survival (P=0.051 and P=0.031 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found 57 differentially expressed genes to distinguish between chemosensitive and chemoresistant tumours. We also demonstrated that the expression of GRIA2 among the differentially expressed genes provides better prognosis of patients with advanced serous papillary ovarian adenocarcinoma.

Successful treatment using cyclosporine in a patient with rhupus complicated by aplastic anemia: a case report and review of the literature.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) co-morbid with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known as 'Rhupus syndrome' and is estimated to be present in between 0.01 and 2% of SLE and RA patients. The occurrence of aplastic anaemia in a patient with rhupus is very rare and a treatment for this condition has not been reported. A 52-year-old woman presented complaining of nausea and dizziness during the preceding month. She had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis for 16 years. At the time of presentation, she had a malar rash, multiple arthritis, pancytopenia, pleural effusion, proteinuria, and positive anti-nuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies. A kidney biopsy revealed ISN/RPS class IV-G (A) lupus nephritis. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed aplastic anaemia with no evidence of viral infection. The patient was successfully treated using cyclosporine and prednisolone and she remained symptom-free at the one-and-a-half-year follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a successful treatment using cyclosporine in a patient with rhupus complicated by aplastic anaemia.

JL1, a novel differentiation antigen of human cortical thymocyte.

Expression of a novel thymocyte differentiation antigen, JL1, defined by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) developed against human thymocytes showed a specificity for stage II double positive (CD4+CD8+) human cortical thymocytes. This antigen was not expressed at detectable levels on medullary thymocytes, mature peripheral leukocytes, bone marrow cells or on other types of tissues elsewhere in the human body. Immunohistologic analysis revealed that JL1 had a clear pattern of distribution on cortical thymocytes. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled cell lysates from human thymocytes and Molt-4 leukemic cell line with anti-JL1 mAb yielded a 120-130-kD single chain glycoprotein. When immunoprecipitation of cell lysate was done after endoglycosidase F treatment, JL1 antigen was still detected by antibody but the band showed a reduction in apparent molecular mass of approximately 5 kD. This suggests that, although JL1 molecule contains carbohydrate group, this does not form a critical part of the antigenic determinant for anti-JL1 antibody. JL1 antigen appears to be the first double positive, stage-specific differentiation antigen of human thymocyte reported so far. This antigen would be a useful marker for lymphoblastic malignancy of stage II thymocyte origin and it may be involved in the thymocyte education process.

Nondestructive analysis of coated periodic nanostructures from optical data.

Optical data are essential for the accurate nondestructive determination of profiles of periodic structures in integrated-circuit technology. In rigorous coupled-wave analysis, the sample is generally modeled as layers consisting of a single material and the ambient. We extend present capabilities to the analysis of structures with overlayers and demonstrate our approach by determining quantitatively the thicknesses of top, sidewall, and bottom oxides of deliberately and naturally oxidized structures.

De novo appearance of primitive neuroectodermal tumor in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and moyamoya disease.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor is a rare brain tumor composed of undifferentiated or poorly differentiated neuroepithelial cells with a high malignant potential that usually occurs in children, and which is only occasionally encountered in adults. A 19-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with right hemiparesis and a headache of 10 days duration. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a large solid mass with necrotic portions in the left frontoparietal lobe. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor was confirmed by a neuronavigator-guided brain biopsy. This is the first case report of primitive neuroectodermal tumor associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and moyamoya disease. This case demonstrates that brain tumors, such as primitive neuroectodermal tumor, should be included in the differential diagnosis of neurological manifestations in children and adolescent patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.