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This case report describes the optical coherence tomography angiography findings as a predictive role in the chronic relapsing stage of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. A critical comparison between optical coherence tomography angiography and indocyanine-green angiography's findings is conducted, concluding that optical coherence tomography angiography may have a predictive role in relapsing Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease.

Purpose: To identify a new cortical vitreous segmentation protocol for non invasive standardised investigation of Neovascularisation (NV) with detection of regression of NV activity in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR).Design: Retrospective study.Participants: One hundred and eighty-six eyes of 93 consecutive diabetic patients (mean age: 52.6 ± 11.0 years) imaged using Topcon Triton®Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (SS-OCTA) from June 2015 to January 2017.Methods: Scans were performed through the macula, optic disc and areas of possible NV in mid-peripheral retina using 6 × 6 mm and/or 9 × 9 mm raster-patterns in three segmentation protocols: Vitreo-Retinal (VRS), Outer-Vitreous (OVS) and Core-Vitreous Segmentation (CVS). Any suspicion of PDR was confirmed in all patients by Heidelberg®Widefield-Fundus-Fluorescein-Angiography (WF-FFA) and/or Optos®Ultra-WF-FFA (UWF-FFA). Inter-observer reproducibility of NV diagnosis and agreement between SS-OCTA and UWF-FFA were assessed. Primary outcome was the identification of an effective and reproducible segmentation protocol. Secondary outcome was the identification of NV regression after treatment.Results: Sensitivity-specificity reached, respectively, the value of 100 to 100 in detecting NVD, and 96.6 to 100 in detecting NVE in compared areas. SS-OCTA was able to confirm absence of blood flow within the residual NV plexus when using VRS protocol in 30 eyes in which regression of NV with absence of leakage was documented on FFA.Conclusion: Three segmentation protocols (VRS, OVS and CVS) with different but complementary characteristics, allowed a reproducible and standardised investigation of NVD and NVE. The proposed new SS-OCTA cortical vitreous segmentation protocols may be of value when identifying and assessing NV-activity (VRS, OVS and CVS) or NV-regression (VRS) in PDR and therefore, response to therapy.

Background: To date there are yet no available approved therapies for Geographic Atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods: Single site, non-randomized safety and efficacy study presenting the preliminary results in a cohort of five late stage AMD (GA) patients successfully implanted with the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (Second Sight Medical Products Inc., Sylmar, CA, USA). Extensive fundus imaging including retinal photographs from which the GA area was measured. A combination of custom and traditional tests designed for very low vision subjects assessed visual function in study subjects. A Functional Low-Vision Observer Rated Assessment was carried out to evaluate the impact of the system on the subject’s daily life. In addition, a study to evaluate structural characteristics of the visual cortex of the brain was performed in one subject using magnetic resonance imaging.Results: Seven device-related adverse events were reported, four of which were classed as serious adverse events. Retinal detachment was reported in three patients and was successfully treated within 12 months of onset. Testing showed an improvement in visual function in three of five patients with the system turned on. Magnetic resonance imaging assessed in one patient after implantation indicates a selective increase in cortical myelin and thickness in visual brain regions 1 year post implantation.Conclusions: Epiretinal prostheses can successfully be implanted in those affected by GA secondary to late-stage AMD and can elicit visual percepts by electrical stimulation of residual neuroretinal elements and improve basic visual function in those affected.

Purpose: To describe the patterns on near-infrared fundus autofluorescence in eyes affected by early age-related macular degeneration.Design: Cross-sectional observational case series.Participants: A total of 84 eyes of 84 patients suffering from early age-related macular degeneration (>63 μm but <125 μm drusen and no-to-mild retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities) were enrolled.Methods: Patients underwent best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopy, infrared reflectance, short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, and near-infrared fundus autofluorescence. Eyes were classified according to different patterns of near-infrared fundus autofluorescence. Main outcome was definition of relative prevalence and features of each near-infrared fundus autofluorescence pattern; secondary outcomes were correlation between near-infrared fundus autofluorescence and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence and between near-infrared fundus autofluorescence patterns and best-corrected visual acuity.Results: Four different patterns of near-infrared fundus autofluorescence identified: normal foveal signal (Pattern A, 7%); normal foveal signal with hyperautofluorescent/hypoautofluorescent spots not involving the fovea (Pattern B, 65.5%); hyperautofluorescent/hypoautofluorescent spots involving the fovea (Pattern C, 15.5%); patchy pattern (Pattern D, 12%). best-corrected visual acuity was lower in eyes with foveal signal alteration (Patterns C and D).Conclusion: Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence pattern in early age-related macular degeneration might be suggestive of visual function deterioration when the fovea is involved. Longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.

Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and wind speed measurement are most important to meteorology for accurate weather forecasting and also forecasting for personnel—human safety in public places such as airports, camps, cities, etc. According to the location of the measurements, weather phenomena can change PBLH and wind speed values in a small amount of time; and so, accurate measurement of those, especially in longer distances gathered with lower budgets, is most welcome from societies. Different techniques have been developed through the years in order to detect these parameters safely, with the most effective ones to be the expensive, radiosonde method for PBLH and the Doppler method for wind measurements, with in situ measurements. In this work, we present new algorithms and techniques, to the best of our knowledge, in order to provide PBLH with a single beam by a 3D lidar in vertical and slant pointing for wider areas measured in the sky and wind speed measurements in 2D and calculated 3D, from respected distances without any Doppler equipment on board. They are adjustable by the user in order to work automatically at any location and time of the year and at any pointing of the lidar’s beam. “UNIFORM” technique, “METCON PBLH”, “SIBESMEA”, and “WIND METCON” algorithms can be found extremely helpful for airport tower controllers, atmospheric scientists, and the meteorological/remote sensing community, as well as for the “aviation and space” community via novel single-beam pointing measurement techniques.

The planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), of great importance in meteorology and atmospheric physics, is strongly correlated with the geographical location, the solar irradiance, the seasonal variations, and the variability of the weather phenomena. So far, several lidar techniques have been developed to detect the PBLH, besides the radio soundings, sodars, or other techniques. In this work we propose new algorithms to provide the PBLH in near real time using a three-dimensional lidar in vertical or slant pointing. We show that the proposed variable space–time and vertical decision algorithms are able to estimate the PBLH under various meteorological conditions of more than 80% of the cases studied. Furthermore, these algorithms are user friendly (user adjustable), and they work automatically at any location and period of the year for any vertically/slant pointing lidar system. These algorithms are extremely helpful for meteorologists, airport tower controllers, and atmospheric scientists and in general for the remote sensing community.

Visibility at airports has to do, in many ways, with flight and ground safety. We present a novel method and algorithms based on lidar measurements and signal noise subtraction to provide atmospheric layering and estimated visibility values for tower controllers and meteorologists as well as from the pilot’s point of view, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization and World Meteorological Organization requirements.

El statusepiléptico (SE) constituye una emergencia neurológica que requiere un rápido diagnóstico y tratamiento debido a su elevada morbimortalidad. Conocer la disponibilidad de recursos de diagnóstico y tratamiento locales es importante para mejorar los resultados terapéuticos a través de estrategias efectivas.

El uso racional de medicamentos (URM) implica tener un conocimiento actualizado de los tratamientos, así como de las normativas dadas por las agencias regulatorias nacionales. Mediante la educación médica y la actualización de los conocimientos, es posible modificar de manera gradual conductas prescriptivas que no resultan óptimas para el manejo clínico del paciente ni para la correcta administración de recursos de los sistemas de salud. Con este objetivo, el Grupo de Trabajo de Neurofarmacología de la Sociedad Neurológica Argentina presenta esta revisión sobre URM para su aplicación en nuestro medio y, eventualmente, en el resto de los países hispanoparlantes del Cono Sur. Para la revisión que hoy publicamos se tuvieron en cuenta los conocimientos de regulación de medicamentos, investigación clínica, medicina basada en evidencia y experiencia clínica neurológica. Provee a los profesionales los estándares necesarios para una adecuada prescripción racional de medicamentos.

Regarding your review of the new AirPort Extreme Base Station: why did you give it a rating of [VERY GOOD] 1/2? The fact that it has no Gigabit Ethernet ports […]

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The adsorption enthalpies, ΔHad, of a series of alkyl chlorides in acidic (H-FAU) zeolite have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular mechanics methods. Two models were employed to simulate the zeolite cluster, each containing one Brønsted acid site. The first model, corresponding to the formula Al(OH)2(OHp)(SiOH2)11, forms a 12-membered ring (12T) constructed from 11 Si tetrahedral atoms and one Al atom in the windows of the twelve O atoms and has been fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The second model is represented by the more realistic cluster of 84 tetrahedral units (84T) and has been examined with the help of the ONIOM2 approach using the two layered schemes B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p):UFF and M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p):UFF in two series of calculations. The latter series using the newly developed M06-2X functional by Truhlar and coworkers (Zhao et al., J Chem Phys 123:161103, 2005; Zhao and Truhlar, Theor Chem Acc 120:215, 2008), is expected to make a more reliable and realistic estimation of the effect of the dispersion forces which are quite important in this type of systems. The calculated structural variations and adsorption enthalpies of the van der Waals 1:1 adsorption complex assumingly formed, are shown to exhibit an impressive dependence both on the size of the zeolite cluster model and on the theoretical method employed, particularly the M06-2X functional. Indeed, the M06-2X calculations bring out most clearly the important role and the significant contribution of the dispersion forces to the adsorption enthalpies of a series of the alkyl chlorides on acidic zeolite leading to ΔHadvalues higher by more than 30 % compared to the B3LYP results. Finally, the present calculations reconfirm the dependence of the interaction energy on the size and the branching of the alkyl radical.

Mitigation of thermal effects in a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser is demonstrated through the combination of a multisegmented crystal rod and upper laser level pumping by diode at 885 nm toward optimizing the generated beam profile. Continuous wave (cw) and passively Q-switched operation is demonstrated obtaining 7.5 W and 2 mJ at 100 Hz, respectively, with excellent beam quality. Comparison with a conventional uniform Nd:YAG rod reveals improvements of up to 64% in optical conversion efficiency and 67% in output power for retaining the beam quality. Thermal-lensing measurements validate the improved thermal management in the multisegmented crystal in conjunction with M-square values better than 1.3.

The structural, energetic, and thermochemical properties of a number of halogenated nitromethanes, CHnX3−n NO2, and the isomeric nitrites, CHnX3−n ONO, are investigated, using theoretical ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure methods. Analysis of the results and comparison with the maternal species, nitromethane, CH3NO2, and methyl nitrite, CH3ONO, reveal strong dependence of the molecular properties on the halogen induction effect. Opposite trends are obtained in the C—N and C—O bond dissociation energies (BDE) upon halogenation and higher stabilities are calculated for the trans-nitrite isomers, in contrast with the plain alkyl families where the nitroalkanes are the most stable species. Formation enthalpies, ΔH fℴ, at 298 K are calculated for all halogenated isomers.

Subintimal dissectionreentry techniques are increasingly being used for crossing coronary chronic total occlusions both antegradely (using a knucle wire or the Bridgepoint system) or retrogradely (using the controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking and dissection, and reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking and dissection technique). Subintimal dissectionreentry techniques can increase procedural success rates, but their subsequent clinical outcomes are poorly studied, and they appear to be associated with high rates of in-stent restenosis and repeat target lesion revascularization. In the present review, we describe in detail the chronic total occlusions subintimal dissectionreentry techniques, clarify the related terminology and summarize the published studies in this area and the current gaps of knowledge.

Kidney transplantation from hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive donors to HCV-positive recipients has always been controversial regarding the safety and the outcomes. In the posttransplant period, treatment of hepatitis C with interferon-based regimens could lead to serious side effects. A patient with chronic hepatitis C and nephropathy, on dialysis, underwent renal transplantation from an HCV-positive donor and received direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs thereafter. His renal and liver functions, as well as the hepatitis C viral load, were evaluated at predetermined intervals throughout and after his treatment. Patient’s viral load was undetectable 4, 12, and 24 weeks after initiation of his treatment. Renal and liver functions were maintained at baseline, with no evidence of transplant rejection. Our clinical case is one of the few examples in the medical literature that shows successful suppression of replication of HCV in an HCV-infected kidney transplant candidate who received within 2 months of listing a deceased donor kidney transplant from an HCV-infected donor. The recipient was treated with DAAs, and this case illustrates potential safety and efficacy of this approach.

An intercomparison of the algorithms used to retrieve aerosol extinction and backscatter starting from Raman lidar signals has been performed by 11 groups of lidar scientists involved in the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). This intercomparison is part of an extended quality assurance program performed on aerosol lidars in the EARLINET. Lidar instruments and aerosol backscatter algorithms were tested separately. The Raman lidar algorithms were tested by use of synthetic lidar data, simulated at 355, 532, 386, and 607 nm, with realistic experimental and atmospheric conditions taken into account. The intercomparison demonstrates that the data-handling procedures used by all the lidar groups provide satisfactory results. Extinction profiles show mean deviations from the correct solution within 10% in the planetary boundary layer (PBL), and backscatter profiles, retrieved by use of algorithms based on the combined Raman elastic-backscatter lidar technique, show mean deviations from solutions within 20% up to 2 km. The intercomparison was also carried out for the lidar ratio and produced profiles that show a mean deviation from the solution within 20% in the PBL. The mean value of this parameter was also calculated within a lofted aerosol layer at higher altitudes that is representative of typical layers related to special events such as Saharan dust outbreaks, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions. Here deviations were within 15%.

An intercomparison of aerosol backscatter lidar algorithms was performed in 2001 within the framework of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network to Establish an Aerosol Climatology (EARLINET). The objective of this research was to test the correctness of the algorithms and the influence of the lidar ratio used by the various lidar teams involved in the EARLINET for calculation of backscatter-coefficient profiles from the lidar signals. The exercise consisted of processing synthetic lidar signals of various degrees of difficulty. One of these profiles contained height-dependent lidar ratios to test the vertical influence of those profiles on the various retrieval algorithms. Furthermore, a realistic incomplete overlap of laser beam and receiver field of view was introduced to remind the teams to take great care in the nearest range to the lidar. The intercomparison was performed in three stages with increasing knowledge on the input parameters. First, only the lidar signals were distributed; this is the most realistic stage. Afterward the lidar ratio profiles and the reference values at calibration height were provided. The unknown height-dependent lidar ratio had the largest influence on the retrieval, whereas the unknown reference value was of minor importance. These results show the necessity of making additional independent measurements, which can provide us with a suitable approximation of the lidar ratio. The final stage proves in general, that the data evaluation schemes of the different groups of lidar systems work well.

Ab initioquantum mechanical methods are employed to study methyl bromoperoxide and its isomers which are interesting intermediates in the reaction between methoxy radicals and bromine monoxide. Structural parameters, harmonic frequencies and relative energetics are calculated for all isomeric and conformeric forms. The CH3OOBr isomer is found to be the lowest energy structure followed by CH3OBrO while CH3BrO2lies much higher in energy. The role of these isomers in the mechanism of the reaction CH3O  BrO is examined. Several transition state structures for the most important reaction channels are also investigated.

Ab initio quantum mechanical methods are employed to study methyl bromoperoxide and its isomers which are interesting intermediates in the reaction between methoxy radicals and bromine monoxide. Structural parameters, harmonic frequencies and relative energetics are calculated for all isomeric and conformeric forms. The CH₃OOBr isomer is found to be the lowest energy structure followed by CH₃OBrO while CH₃BrO₂ lies much higher in energy. The role of these isomers in the mechanism of the reaction CH₃O + BrO is examined. Several transition state structures for the most important reaction channels are also investigated.

Quantum mechanical electronic structure calculations were carried out to determine equilibrium geometries, energetics, and normal-mode frequencies for stationary points along the minimum energy reaction path for the reaction of methyl radicals with chlorine molecules. The results are used to calculate the rate coefficient, employing both extended RRKM theory and quasi-classical trajectory techniques. The results of both methods agree well with each other and with the experimental measurements. The reactivity is investigated and is shown to be greatly enhanced by increasing the initial translational energy of the reactants. A large part of the total available energy is shown to be directed into product vibration, in good consistency with the experimental observations.

The return signal of a noncoaxial lidar system with fiber-optic output is examined. The dependence of the overlap regions and the overlap factor of the system on the fiber diameter is calculated for several inclination angles between the laser beam and the optical receiver axes. The effect of central obstruction is included and both cases of Gaussian and quasi-Gaussian laser beam profiles are treated. The irradiance spatial distribution on the focal plane of the system is calculated and experimentally determined. Finally, an alignment procedure of the lidar system is described based on the comparison between the range-corrected lidar signal and the range-corrected exponentially attenuated Rayleigh backscattered coefficient.

Geometries for possible transition states and energy minima of the potential-energy surface for the reaction between BrO and ClO radicals and for conformers of ClOOBr peroxide have been identified and harmonic frequency calculations have been carried out at the second-order Moller−Plesset perturbation theory level using the 6-311++G(2d) and the 6-311++G(3df) basis sets. The energetics have been studied using the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df) methodology at the MP2 calculated geometries. The results assist in the qualitative understanding of the mechanism and the kinetics of the stratospherically important BrO + ClO reaction.

An improved ozone Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system has been designed for tropospheric and lower stratospheric ozone monitoring in Northern Greece. The system is based on a frequency quadrupled pulsed Nd:YAG laser and the Raman shifting technique in D2and H2gases. The lidar system emits simultaneously 4 wavelengths (266 mn, 289 nm, 299 nm and 316 nm) at 10 Hz repetition rate using a single low pressure Raman cell. The optical receiving system is based on a 50 cm concave telescope which is directly coupled to a specially conceived grating spectrometer. This lidar system uses analog (12 bits-40 MHz) and photon counting (250 MHz) detection systems, able to measure lidar signals up 16 km height. Ozone vertical profiles are to be measured from 0.8 km up to 15 km height, with a 30–500 m spatial and a 1-minute temporal resolution. In this paper the major technical characteristics of the improved lidar system are presented. The system is foreseen to provide the first daytime/nighttime ozone vertical profiles during early winter 1999.

The plasma electrode design concept is applied for the first time to an HF laser. The discharge along the surface of a dielectric (sliding discharge) is used as a plasma cathode for the main laser discharge. The laser operates at atmospheric pressure with a gas mixture of He/SF6/C3H8. Details are presented on the efficiency of energy transfer, the dependence of laser performance on circuit parameters, gas mixture, relative energy loading and time delay between the plasma electrode and main discharges. The F atom production rate is estimated from the linear dependence of the output energy on the electric charge passed through the discharge. Output energies of 600 mJ were obtained at 1.6% efficiency from a small active discharge of 108 cm3 volume and 38 cm length, while the maximum specific input and output energies were 370 J/1 and 5.7 J/1, respectively. These values compare favourably with those reported in the literature for non-chain-reaction-type gas mixtures at 1 atm pressure and demonstrate that the plasma electrode design is a powerful scheme for developing gas-discharge lasers.

A multiwavelength Laser Remote Sensing (LJDAR) system (EOLE Project) for daytime and night-time vertical profile measurements of ozone and aerosols in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere (0·5-15 km) is proposed. The EOLE lidar system uses state-of-the-art solid state laser and electronic technologies and is designed to be rugged, modular and simple to operate. Further, in this paper, we present the scientific objectives of the EOLE Project and briefly describe the experimenlal set-up of the EOLE lidar system. The expected measurement accuracy, in both ozone and suspended particles (aerosols) observations, is briefly discussed, as well as the calibration procedures of the proposed lidar system.

Summary Fifty-tow patients with sickle-cell (SC) disease (48 with SC-beta-thalassaemia and 4 with homozygous SC-anaemia) were studied as regards blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. It was found that the thrombin and the reptilase times of the patients' plasma were significantly shorter than normal. The mean values of platelet count, fibrinogen level and factor VIII activity of patients with SC disease were higher than normal; however, in the group of patients transfused, with less than 50% haemoglobin S (HbS), the fibrinogen level and the factor VIII activity were significantly lower compared to the other patients. Antithrombin-III (At-III) activity was normal in all. The fibrinolytic activity was normal in patients with asymptomatic SC disease, but reduced in patients on painful crises. Plasminogen and fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (FDP) levels were normal in all patients. Two patients on painful crises with complications had additional abnormal findings, namely prolonged prothrombin time, reduced At-III level and elevated FDP.

Lymphoproliferative syndrome with well differentiated lymphocytes and moderate lymphocytosis in the peripheral blood includes a heterogeneous group of disorders, that present often difficulties in classification. We have studied the lymphocyte markers (ER, EMR, sIg and T3, T4, T8 antigens) in 36 cases who had lymphocytic infiltration in the bone marrow and peripheral lymphocyte counts less than 15 X 10(9) l-1. Four cases (11.1%) had the characteristics of T8 lymphocytosis and 31 had a B cell monoclonal proliferation in the peripheral blood. Of these, four were sIg-, EMR+, 19 were sIg+, EMR+ and 8 were sIg+, EMR-. Most patients (17/32) had the clinical picture of stage 0 and I B-CLL. Six cases presented as pure splenomegalic form of CLL, three had the features of immunocytic lymphoma and five had the features of lymphocytic lymphoma. It is concluded that the majority of lymphoproliferative disorders presenting with moderate lymphocytosis represent early forms of B-CLL. Occasionally cases of lymphocytic or immunocytic lymphoma may present problems of differential diagnosis since there may be a dissociation of phenotypic characteristics of lymphocytes between tissues and peripheral blood.

We present the results of the aerosol measurements carried out over the Aegean Sea during the Photochemical Activity and Solar Ultraviolet Radiation campaign held in Greece during June 1996. Simultaneous observations performed with a lidar and a double-monochromator spectrophotometer allowed us to retrieve the optical depth, the Ångström coefficient, and the backscatter-to-extinction ratio. The Sun photometric data can be used to improve quantitative aerosol measurements by lidar in the Planetary Boundary Layer. Systematic errors could arise otherwise, because the value of the backscatter-to-extinction ratio has to be supplied. Instead this ratio can be retrieved experimentally by use of an iterative solution of the lidar equation.

To study the ozone spatial and temporal evolution in the atmosphere, lidar systems have proved to be adequate but have remained complex. We define in this paper the main characteristics of a UV DIAL system for ground based and airborne ozone measurements in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere both for daytime and nighttime operation. A multiwavelength lidar system using either Rayleigh/Mie signals or the Raman nitrogen signal, is discussed as a way to efficiently correct the ozone measurements from the systematic bias due to aerosol and other interference gases (i.e. SO_2) in the lower troposphere. Two types of lasers (solid state and excimer) are compared, as both lasers are suitable for long term field operation and airborne use.

Summary 24 patients with polycythaemia vera were studied as regards platelet function, blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Platelet investigation showed increased red cell fall-out in the clot retraction test, abnormal results in the platelet adhesiveness and defective platelet aggregation with adrenalin, ADP, collagen and thrombin in frequency decreasing in that order. In a small number of cases the “ADP release” from platelets and the platelet factor-3 availability tests were abnormal while the bleeding time was normal in all cases. Blood coagulation study revealed various mild abnormalities, namely the screening tests in some cases were slightly prolonged, the mean values of factors V and X as well as the antithrombin-III activity were decreased while the factor-VIII level scattered widely. Fibrinolytic study showed normal plasma fibrinolytic activity but the plasminogen was slightly decreased and the fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products were elevated compared to normal. There was no clear correlation between abnormalities of platelets, coagulation or fibrinolysis tests and bleeding manifestations.

Summary In 10 patients with Behçet's syndrome, various parameters of platelet function, blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were studied. With varying frequency the following abnormalities were found: increased retention of platelets in glass bead column, reduced platelet aggregation to low concentrations of adenosine diphosphate, elevated plasma levels of fibrinogen concentration and factor VIII activity, increased plasma antiheparin activity and impairment of fibrinolytic activity. The above abnormalities were found long after the last thrombotic episode and were more frequent in patients with a history of thrombophlebitis. It is suggested that certain hemostatic abnormalities accompany or form part of Behçet's syndrome and that they are related to the thrombotic complications characteristic of this syndrome.

A mobile three-dimensional scanning M1E LIDAR system, suitable to perform daytime/night-time measurements of aerosol parameters (backscatter ratio, extinction coefficient profile) in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) is described. The retrieving algorithm used will be able to retrieve aerosols' extinction and backscattering profiles up to 4-6km, in moderately polluted areas is investigated and discussed

Two families have been studied, members of which have a lifelong hemorrhagic diathesis. In both families, a platelet functional abnormality has been found, with the coagulation mechanism intact. Findings common to both families were a prolonged bleeding time, reduced platelet adhesiveness, absence of the second wave of aggregation with ADP and reduced ADP release from platelets. The clot retraction, platelet factor 3 availability and aggregation of platelets with ADP in a final concentration of 1.0 and 20.0 µM were normal. The differences between the families were the platelet morphology, the in vitro adherence of platelets to collagen fibrils, the collagen-induced aggregation, and the thrombin-induced aggregation. In one of them, the Windle family, the platelets were abnormally large in size and showed a delayed adherence to collagen fibrils. The aggregation with collagen was either absent or feeble, and with thrombin, showed an abnormal pattern. In the other, the Hughes family, the platelets were morphologically normal and adhered to collagen fibrils normally. The aggregation with collagen initiated normally but usually did not proceed to completion and the aggregation with thrombin was normal. It appears that in the Windle family the main abnormality concerns the reaction between platelet and collagen and the condition is associated with impaired ADP-release mechanism and abnormal thrombin-platelet reaction, and in the Hughes family the ADP-release mechanism of platelets is defective. On the basis of current information, including that from these families, a classification of the various platelet functional abnormalities and methods for characterizing them is proposed.

The effect of injections of histamine on the absorption of radiocobalamin was studied by means of the Schilling test in 61 patients. Histamine significantly increased the absorption of Vitamin B12 from the gut. The effects of histamine and carbachol were compared in 31 subjects, and both substances were equally effective in increasing Vitamin B12 absorption. The results suggest that in addition to stimulating the secretion of I.F., histamine may increase the absorption of Vitamin B12 by another mechanism not mediated by this factor, such as a direct action on the small bowel.

Purpose To propose a possible treatment for symptomatic serous pigment epithelium detachment (SPED) in the setting of dry age-related macular degeneration.Methods A 60-year-old woman presented with a SPED, subfoveal in location, enlarging in size and with gradually worsening vision over 1 year of follow-up, without any evidence of choroidal neovascular membrane or neurosensory detachment until it was treated with subthreshold micropulse laser.Results The last follow-up showed complete resolution of the SPED with restoration of visual function.Conclusions Subthreshold micropulse laser could serve as a useful therapeutic modality for the treatment of symptomatic SPED. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2009; 19: 887–9)