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Background: The study aimed to investigate the physiology, psychophysics, pathology and their relationship in reversible nociceptive nerve degeneration, and the physiology of acute hyperalgesia.Methods: We enrolled 15 normal subjects to investigate intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) density, contact heat-evoked potential (CHEP) and thermal thresholds during the capsaicin-induced skin nerve degeneration-regeneration; and CHEP and thermal thresholds at capsaicin-induced acute hyperalgesia.Results: After 2-week capsaicin treatment, IENF density of skin was markedly reduced with reduced amplitude and prolonged latency of CHEP, and increased warm and heat pain thresholds. The time courses of skin nerve regeneration and reversal of physiology and psychophysics were different: IENF density was still lower at 10 weeks after capsaicin treatment than that at baseline, whereas CHEP amplitude and warm threshold became normalized within 3 weeks after capsaicin treatment. Although CHEP amplitude and IENF density were best correlated in a multiple linear regression model, a one-phase exponential association model showed better fit than a simple linear one, that is in the regeneration phase, the slope of the regression line between CHEP amplitude and IENF density was steeper in the subgroup with lower IENF densities than in the one with higher IENF densities. During capsaicin-induced hyperalgesia, recordable rate of CHEP to 43 °C heat stimulation was higher with enhanced CHEP amplitude and pain perception compared to baseline.Conclusions: There were differential restoration of IENF density, CHEP and thermal thresholds, and changed CHEP-IENF relationships during skin reinnervation. CHEP can be a physiological signature of acute hyperalgesia.Significance: These observations suggested the relationship between nociceptive nerve terminals and brain responses to thermal stimuli changed during different degree of skin denervation, and CHEP to low-intensity heat stimulus can reflect the physiology of hyperalgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To assist managers in monitoring the progress of their IT programs, we propose a Bayesian Network stochastic model, the IT Decision Management System (ITDMS), to simulate the program's evidence observations, complex interrelationships, and the dynamic/temporal relationships. Based on the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)®1 The model aligns the sub‐process of each ITIL Phase in a Bayesian structure measuring status to provide the decision maker a measurement of the likelihood of program success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Fabry disease is an X‐linked disease, and enzyme‐based screening methods are not suitable for female patients. Methods: In total, 1000 young stroke patients (18–55 years, 661 with ischaemic stroke and 339 with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage) were recruited. The Sequenom iPLEX assay was used to detect 26 Fabry related mutation genes. The frequency of Fabry disease in young stroke was reviewed and compared between Asian and non‐Asian countries. Results: Two male patients with ischaemic stroke were found to have a genetic mutation of IVS4+919G>A. There was no α‐galactosidase A (GLA) gene mutation in female patients. The frequency in Asian stroke patients was 0.62% (male vs. female 0.63% vs. 0.58%) with 0.72% for ischaemic stroke and none for hemorrhagic stroke, compared to 0.88% (0.77% vs. 1.08%) with 0.83% for ischaemic stroke and 1.40% for hemorrhagic stroke reported in western countries. Conclusion: IVS4+919G>A is the GLA mutation in Taiwanese young ischaemic stroke patients. Fabry disease is more frequent among non‐Asian patients compared to Asian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a nonlinear spectral graph theory, in which the Laplace operator is replaced by the 1 − Laplacian Δ1. The eigenvalue problem is to solve a nonlinear system involving a set valued function. In the study, we investigate the structure of the solutions, the minimax characterization of eigenvalues, the multiplicity theorem, etc. The eigenvalues as well as the eigenvectors are computed for several elementary graphs. The graphic feature of eigenvalues are also studied. In particular, Cheeger's constant, which has only some upper and lower bounds in linear spectral theory, equals to the first nonzero Δ1 eigenvalue for connected graphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acinetobacter baumannii represents a significant cause of nosocomial infections. Therefore, we combined real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the propidium monoazide ( PMA-q PCR) to assess the feasibility of detecting viable, airborne A. baumannii. The biological collection efficiencies of three samplers for collecting airborne A. baumannii were evaluated by PMA-q PCR in a chamber study. After sampling, the effects of storage in collection fluid on A. baumannii were evaluated. The results showed that the culturable ratio of A. baumannii measured using the culture method was significantly correlated with the viable ratio measured using PMA-q PCR, but was not significantly correlated with the q PCR results. It was indicated that the AGI-30 impinger and the Bio Sampler were much more effective than the Nuclepore filter sampler for collecting airborne A. baumannii. The storage temperature was critical for aerosol samples, as the loss of viable A. baumannii was minimized when the PMA-bound DNA was stored at −20°C or if the collected cells were stored at 4°C and subsequently processed by PMA-q PCR within 1 month. The PMA-q PCR method was also to distinguish between colistin-sensitive and colistin-resistant A. baumannii, and no colistin-sensitive A. baumannii was detected by PMA-q PCR upon treatment of the Bio Sampler collection medium with 2 μg/ml colistin for 5 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have indicated that amino acid (aa) substitutions in the core region and NS5 A interferon sensitivity-determining region ( ISDR) of hepatitis C virus ( HCV) as well as genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin-28 B ( IL-28 B) locus affect the outcome of interferon ( IFN)-based therapies. We aimed to investigate the role of these factors on response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in a prospective study of response-guided therapy. The aa sequences in core region and ISDR and rs12979860 genotypes were analysed in 115 HCV-1 patients. The treatment was 24 weeks for patients achieving a rapid virological response ( RVR), 48 weeks for those with an early virological response ( EVR) and early terminated in those without an EVR. A sustained virological response ( SVR) was achieved in 82% of 34 RVR patients, 45% of 74 EVR patients and 0% of seven non- EVR patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that ISDR mutation (≥2) [odds ratio( OR): 6.024], double core 70/91 mutations ( OR: 0.136), and platelet counts ≥ 15 × 104/μL ( OR: 3.119) were independent pretreatment factors associated with SVR. Apart from rs12979860 CC genotype, low viral load and ISDR mutation (≥2) were significant factors predictive of RVR. Combination of rs12979860 genotype and baseline viral characteristics (viral load and core/ ISDR mutations) could predict RVR and SVR with positive predictive value of 100% and 91%, and negative predictive value of 80% and 54%, respectively. In conclusion, pretreatment screening rs12979860 genotype and aa substitutions in the core region and ISDR could help identifying patients who are good candidates for peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) significantly reduces mortality and morbidity, particularly when door-to-balloon (D2B) time is < 90 min. We sought to minimize preventable delays by instituting an on-site cardiology team-based approach in the emergency department (ED). Methods: The on-site group comprised 146 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI after implementation of the on-site strategy. This new patient care model was compared with the conventional care administered before instituting the on-site cardiology team-based strategy in ED, which included 90 patients (interim group) receiving primary PCI at a catheterization room in the same building as the ED, and 147 patients (pre-on-site group) undergoing primary PCI at a catheterization room two blocks away from the ED. Results: Median D2B time decreased from 107 min in the pre-on-site group to 72 min in the interim group, and to 47 min in the on-site group, respectively (p < 0.001). The percentage of D2B times < 90 min increased from 34% to 78% and 96%, respectively among the three groups (p < 0.001). Hospitalization costs were significantly reduced in the on-site and interim vs. pre-on-site groups ($5944, $5999, and $6581, respectively; p = 0.008). In-hospital mortality did not differ significantly among the three groups (4.8%, 2.2%, and 6.1%, respectively; p = 0.387). Conclusions: Institution of an on-site cardiology team-based approach in the ED significantly reduces D2B time in STEMI patients eligible for primary PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Our team previously demonstrated arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in type 2 diabetic rats at 8 but not 4 weeks after being administered streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA). The present study focused on investigating the effects of type 2 diabetes on cardiac autonomic nerve function in the STZ- and NA-treated animals, using modern spectral estimation technique. Design An autoregressive process was performed to each detrended signal of heart rate and systolic blood pressure measured in the 4- and 8-week STZ-NA rats with anaesthesia. The power of low-frequency and high-frequency oscillations was automatically quantified with each spectral peak by computing the residuals. The closed-loop baroreflex gain was estimated using the square root of the ratio between heart rate and systolic blood pressure powers in the low-frequency band. Results Compared with the age-matched controls, both the 4- and 8-week STZ-NA diabetic rats had significantly decreased low-frequency oscillations of heart rate but not systolic blood pressure variability, showing a decline in baroreflex gain (0·451 ± 0·060 and 0·484 ± 0·056 vs. 1·196 ± 0·064 ms mmHg−1, P < 0·05). On the other hand, the low frequency–high frequency power ratio of the heart period was also diminished in the two diabetic groups, indicating a shift in sympatho-vagal balance of the heart control (0·472 ± 0·109 and 0·504 ± 0·090 vs. 1·857 ± 0·336, P < 0·05). Conclusions The cardiac autonomic dysfunction in the absence of any significant changes in vascular dynamics, 4 but not 8 weeks after induction of type 2 diabetes, suggests that the diabetic autonomic neuropathy may precede arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in the STZ- and NA-treated rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of advanced glycation endproducts, has been shown to prevent arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA)-induced type 2 diabetes in rats. Our aims were to examine whether AG produced benefits on cardiac pumping mechanics in the STZ and NA-treated animals in terms of maximal systolic elastance (E(max)) and theoretical maximum flow (Q(max)).Experimental Approach: After induction of type 2 diabetes, rats received daily injections of AG (50 mg kg(-1), i.p.) for 8 weeks and were compared with age-matched, untreated, diabetic controls. Left ventricular (LV) pressure and ascending aortic flow signals were recorded to calculate E(max) and Q(max), using the elastance-resistance model. Physically, E(max) reflects the contractility of the myocardium as an intact heart, whereas Q(max) has an inverse relationship with the LV internal resistance.Key Results: Both type 2 diabetes and AG affected E(max) and Q(max), and there was an interaction between diabetes and AG for these two variables. The E(max) and Q(max) were reduced in rats with type 2 diabetes, but showed a significant rise after administration of AG to these diabetic rats. Moreover, the increase in Q(max) corresponded to a decrease in total peripheral resistance of the systemic circulation when the STZ and NA-induced diabetic rats were treated with AG.Conclusions and Implications: AG therapy prevented not only the contractile dysfunction of the heart, but also the augmentation in LV internal resistance in rats with STZ and NA-induced type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peas, lentils and chickpeas were blanched and soaked in water, then cooked with four different cooking methods and dehydrated in a convection tray dehydrator. Color, splitting and butterflying rate; firmness; and rehydration rate were evaluated. Dehydrated yellow and green peas produced by soaking at 22C for 9 h and 82C for 4 h in 0.07% NaHCO3 solution, and followed by precooking at 110C for 10 min had the best quality with respect to firmness, splitting and butterflying rate. Dehydrated chickpeas produced by soaking at 22C for 9 h and 82C for 3 h in 0.07% NaHCO3 solution, and followed by precooking at 110C for 10 min had the best quality. Dehydrated lentils produced by soaking at 22C for 2 h and 82C for 20 min in 0.07% NaHCO3 solution, and followed by precooking at 106C for 10 min had the best quality. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Traditionally, soaking and cooking of peas, lentils and chickpeas (PLCs) takes one a long time. It is desirable to manufacture dehydrated precooked PLCs to provide convenience for the users. The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of precooked dehydrated PLCs as affected by processing. The fundamental cooking characteristics of PLCs obtained in this study are very useful for the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten genes ( ANK1, bR10D1, CA3, EPOR, HMGA2, MYPN, NME1, PDGFRA, ERC1, TTN), whose candidacy for meat-quality and carcass traits arises from their differential expression in prenatal muscle development, were examined for association in 1700 performance-tested fattening pigs of commercial purebred and crossbred herds of Duroc, Pietrain, Pietrain × (Landrace × Large White), Duroc × (Landrace × Large White) as well as in an experimental F2 population based on a reciprocal cross of Duroc and Pietrain. Comparative sequencing revealed polymorphic sites segregating across commercial breeds. Genetic mapping results corresponded to pre-existing assignments to porcine chromosomes or current human–porcine comparative maps. Nine of these genes showed association with meat-quality and carcass traits at a nominal P-value of ≤ 0.05; PDGFRA revealed no association reaching the P ≤ 0.05 threshold. In particular, HMGA2, CA3, EPOR, NME1 and TTN were associated with meat colour, pH and conductivity of loin 24 h postmortem; CA3 and MYPN exhibited association with ham weight and lean content (FOM) respectively at P-values of < 0.003 that correspond to false discovery rates of < 0.05. However, none of the genes showed significant associations for a particular trait across all populations. The study revealed statistical–genetic evidence for association of the functional candidate genes with traits related to meat quality and muscle deposition. The polymorphisms detected are not likely causal, but markers were identified that are in linkage disequilibrium with causal genetic variation within particular populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circuitry of a low cost pulse generator based on a commercially available digital integrated circuit is presented. The circuit produces ‘rectangular’ pulses of amplitude 0.77 V and width 362 ps at half amplitude, and 0.688 V peak-to-peak monocycle pulses with a -10 dB bandwidth of 1.2787 GHz (0.1191 to -1.3978 GHz). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 49: 1422–1427, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.22425 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose:Aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of advanced glycation endproducts, has been identified as a prominent agent that prevents the fructose-induced arterial stiffening in male Wistar rats. Our aims were to examine whether AG produced benefits on the left ventricular (LV)-arterial coupling in fructose-fed (FF) animals in terms of the ventricular and arterial chamber properties.Experimental approach:Rats given 10% fructose in drinking water (FF) were daily treated with AG (50 mg·kg−1, i.p.) for 2 weeks and compared with the untreated FF group. In anaesthetised rats, LV pressure and ascending aortic flow signals were recorded to calculate LV end-systolic elastance (E es, an indicator of myocardial contractility) and effective arterial volume elastance (E a). The optimal afterload (Q load) determined by the ratio of E a to E es was used to measure the coupling efficiency between the left ventricle and its vasculature.Key results:There was a significant interaction between fructose and AG in their effects on E a. Fructose loading significantly elevated E a and AG prevented the fructose-derived deterioration in arterial chamber elastance. Both fructose and AG affected E es and Q load, and there was an interaction between fructose and AG for these two variables. Both E es and Q load exhibited a decline with fructose feeding but showed a significant rise after AG treatment in the FF rats.Conclusions and Implications:AG prevented not only the contractile dysfunction of the heart caused by fructose loading, but also the fructose-induced deterioration in matching left ventricular function to the arterial system.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 341–346; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707223; published online 2 April 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on collagen within the arterial wall may be responsible for the development of diabetic vascular injury. This study focused on investigating the role of aminoguanidine (AG), an inhibitor of AGE formation, in the prevention of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)-derived arterial stiffening and cardiac hypertrophy in rats. Materials and methods The NIDDM was induced in male Wistar rats, which were administered intraperitoneally with 180 mg kg−1 nicotinamide (NA) 30 min before an intravenous injection of 50 mg kg−1 streptozotocin (STZ). After induction of diabetes mellitus type 2, animals receiving daily peritoneal injections with 50 mg kg−1 AG for 8 weeks were compared with the age-matched, untreated, diabetic controls. Results After exposure to AG, the STZ-NA diabetic rats had improved aortic distensibility, as evidenced by 18·8% reduction of aortic characteristic impedance ( P < 0·05). Treatment of the experimental syndrome with AG also resulted in a significant increase in wave transit time (+23·7%, P < 0·05) and a decrease in wave reflection factor (−26·6%, P < 0·05), suggesting that AG may prevent the NIDDM-induced augmentation in systolic load of the left ventricle. Also, the glycation-derived modification on aortic collagen was found to be retarded by AG. The diminished ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight suggested that prevention of the diabetes-related cardiac hypertrophy by AG may correspond to the drug-induced decline in aortic stiffening. Conclusions Long-term administration of AG to the STZ-NA diabetic rats imparts significant protection against the NIDDM-derived impairment in vascular dynamics, at least partly through inhibition of the AGE accumulation on collagen in the arterial wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hereditary, non-inflammatory myopathy occurring in young great Danes with distinctive histological features in muscle biopsy specimens is reviewed. Onset of clinical signs is usually before one year of age and both sexes are affected. Clinical signs are characterised by exercise intolerance, muscle wasting, and an exercise-induced tremor. Although most affected dogs have a severe form of the disease, occasional dogs may have a less pronounced form and survive into adulthood with an acceptable quality of life. Litters containing affected puppies are born to clinically unaffected parents, and an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance is likely. All recorded cases have had fawn or brindle coat coloration. Elevated serum creatinine kinase concentrations and spontaneous electrical activity in skeletal muscles are frequently found. While originally reported ( Targett and others 1994 ) as a central core myopathy in this breed, the histochemical characteristics of the distinct cytoarchitectural structures differ from those of the well-characterised central core myopathy in human beings. In fact, these structures differ from any known myopathy in human beings and likely represents a unique non-inflammatory myopathy affecting dogs. Until this myopathy is characterised further, the name inherited myopathy in great Danes is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In observational and experimental studies in the health sciences involving human populations, it is sometimes considered desirable to recruit subjects according to designs that specify a predetermined number of subjects in each of several mutually exclusive classes (generally but not necessarily demographic in nature). This type of adaptive sampling design, now generally referred to as multiple inverse sampling (MIS), has received recent attention, and estimation methods are now available for several sequential MIS sampling designs. In this class of designs, subjects are sampled randomly and sequentially, usually one at a time, until all classes have the pre-specified number of subjects. In this paper, we extend MIS for finite population sampling to estimation of the parameters in multiple logistic regression under MIS. Using estimated logistic regression parameters and cost components obtained from the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP), we report findings from a simulation experiment in which it appears that, at fixed cost, MIS at the last stage of sampling compares favourably to simple random sampling. The IHHP is a large community intervention study for prevention of cardiovascular disease being conducted in Isfahan, Iran and two other cities in Iran. The IHHP identified subjects through a multistage sample survey in which MIS was used at the final stage of sampling. MIS is one of several methods of adaptive sampling that are generating considerable interest and show promise of being useful in a wide variety of applications. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We determined the effects of NIDDM on haemodynamic parameters describing arterial wall elasticity and cardiac hypertrophy in rats administered streptozotocin (STZ) and nicotinamide (NA), using the aortic impedance analysis. Methods Male Wistar rats at 2 months were administered intraperitoneally 180 mg kg−1 of NA, 30 min before an intravenous injection of 50 mg kg−1 STZ, to induce type 2 diabetes. The STZ-NA rats were divided into two groups, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after induction of diabetes, and compared with untreated age-matched controls. Pulsatile aortic pressure and flow signals were measured by a high-fidelity pressure sensor and electromagnetic flow probe, respectively, and were then subjected to Fourier transformation for the analysis of aortic input impedance. Results In each diabetic group, the experimental syndrome was characterized by a moderate and stable hyperglycaemia and a relative deficiency of insulin secretion. However, the 8-week but not the 4-week STZ-NA diabetic rats showed a decrease in cardiac output in the absence of any significant changes in mean aortic pressure, having increased total peripheral resistance. The diabetic syndrome at 8 weeks also contributed to an increase in aortic characteristic impedance, from 1·49 ± 0·33 (mean ± SD) to 1·95 ± 0·28 mmHg s mL−1 ( P < 0·05), suggesting a detriment to the aortic distensibility in NIDDM. Meanwhile, the STZ-NA diabetic animals after 8 weeks had an increased wave reflection factor (0·46 ± 0·09 vs. 0·61 ± 0·13, P < 0·05) and decreased wave transit time (25·8 ± 3·8 vs. 20·6 ± 2·8 ms, P < 0·05). Ratio of the left ventricular weight to body weight was also enhanced in the 8-week STZ-NA diabetic rats. Conclusion The heavy intensity with early return of the pulse wave reflection may augment systolic load of the left ventricle coupled to the arterial system, leading to cardiac hypertrophy in the rats at 8 weeks after following STZ and NA administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybeans stored under four sets of conditions were analyzed for the changes in color, composition and their effects on yield and textural properties of tofu. Soybeans stored under the adverse conditions (84% relative humidity (RH), 30C) exhibited significant changes in tofu yield and textural quality as well as in color and total free sugar content with storage time. Significant correlations existed between soybean color and tofu yield within 6 months under the adverse storage conditions. Color changes may provide a rapid method for predicting soybean quality for making tofu after storage. Soybeans stored under mild (57% RH, 20C), cold (4C) and uncontrolled ambient conditions (garage) exhibited no significant changes in their color or composition except for moisture contents, and maintained good qualities for tofu making for up to 18 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: Soybeans stored under 4 conditions were analyzed for the degradation of phytate and its effects on tofu qualities. Phytate in soybeans was hydrolyzed significantly under the adverse conditions for 9 mo, but decreased slightly under 3 mild conditions for 18 mo. Phytate degradation contributed to an increase in titratable acidity. When the phytate contents of soymilk were selectively reduced by 11.3% and 17.5% by phytase, while other components remained unchanged, tofu yield increased significantly but texture became softer. Tofu yield decreased and hardness increased in beans stored in the adverse conditions. Phytate degradation during adverse storage played a minor, indirect role in the deterioration of soybeans for tofu making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybeans (Glycine max) were soaked and ground to obtain soymilk. The soymilk was cooked in an open tank and held at 85 to 90 &degC. Yuba films were picked up in 20 min intervals and dried for 20 min. Yuba films were soaked in chicken-flavor solutions (25% and 35%), and baking soda (BS) solutions (0%, 1%, 2%, and 3% BS), and cooked at 100 °C for 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min. TIA decreased (p < 0.05) with the increase of heating time and BS concentration. In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) decreased with heating time and BS concentration (p < 0.05). Sensory characteristics were affected by flavor concentration. By using 0% BS, 25% of the chicken flavor concentration, and a short heating time method, meat-like products with low TIA, high IVPD, and good sensory characteristics were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The authors attempt to determine whether hemodynamically significant extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) lesions correlate with the severity of first-ever hemispheric ischemic stroke.Methods: Carotid duplex was used to evaluate carotid arteries. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was used to describe the severity of the stroke and was stratified as follows: 1-6 = mild, 7-15 = moderate, > 15 = severe. Duplex findings were categorized according to velocity criteria into < 50% stenosis if ICA peak systolic velocity (PSV) (cm/s) < 140 and > 50% stenosis if ICA PSV > 140 or ratio of ICA and common carotid artery in PSV > 2. No detectable flow at ICA was considered occlusion. Stroke subtype was classified according to TOAST criteria.Results: Two hundred nineteen consecutive patients were enrolled, including 127 with mild, 65 with moderate, and 27 with severe stroke. The prevalence of ICA stenosis > 50% in each group was 3.6%, 1.4%, 0.9%, respectively. Two patients in the severe group had total ICA occlusion. The overall prevalence of significant ICA lesions was 6.8%.Conclusions: There is no positive correlation of stroke severity with the severity of duplex findings, which may be due to low prevalence of significant ICA lesions or other stroke mechanisms. Most of the patients had mild stroke, and the majority had ICA stenosis < 50%. Small-vessel occlusion tended to have mild severity of stroke. Intracranial artery lesions or other factors causing stroke in Taiwanese should be investigated. Given the low incidence of significant extracranial carotid disease in symptomatic Taiwanese stroke patients, routine screening of symptomatic Taiwanese for extracranial carotid artery disease does not provide enough information to determine stroke mechanism, and transcranial Doppler should be added to the screening tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Follicular dendritic cell tumours are very rare neoplasms that often occur in lymph nodes. We report here a case in the colon, a hitherto unreported site, in a 37-year-old female. The differentiation from gastrointestinal stromal tumour is emphasized. The tumour was tan, elastic and solid with surface ulceration. Microscopically, it was composed of oval to spindle tumour cells with syncytial cytoplasm arranged in fascicular and whorled patterns. There were many infiltrating lymphocytes. The histological appearance resembled gastrointestinal stromal tumour, thymoma or meningioma. Distinct from the stromal tumour, the lymph node was also involved by the tumour. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for CD21, CD35 and CD68, but negative for cytokeratin, CD34, smooth muscle actin, desmin, S100 protein, epithelial membrane antigen, leukocyte common antigen, HMB-45 and c-kit. In-situ hybridization study was negative for Epstein–Barr virus RNA sequences. Ultrastructurally, the tumour cells possessed cytoplasmic processes joined by desmosomes. This entity should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses for gastrointestinal stromal tumour. The lymph node metastasis and immunohistochemical features are of value for identification of this rare neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma with rosette formation mimicking thymoma and thymic carcinoid.

The article reports on the registration of ProSoy soybean, developed by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at North Dakota State University. It has high yield with high seed protein content and has a moderate resistance to iron-deficiency chlorosis. The soybean was first tested as ND99-4022 in replicated yield trials. It also has a purple flower color, gray pubescence, brown pod color and dull yellow seed coat with yellow hila. ProSoy's lodging score is 2.2. Meanwhile, its height is 0.94 meter.

Objective: These experiments were designed to elucidate mechanisms mediating vascular dysfunction induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs)., Methods: Skin chambers were mounted on the backs of Sprague-Dawley rats and 1 week later, granulation tissue that formed in the bottom of the chamber was exposed twice daily for 7 days to glycated rat serum albumin in the presence and absence of inhibitors of reactive oxygen intermediates, nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase, protein kinase C (PKC), and a neutralizing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody. Vascular (125)I-albumin clearance and blood flow were quantified by use of a double isotope-dilution technique and radiolabeled microspheres, respectively., Results: Albumin permeation and blood flow were increased dose-dependently to a maximum of 2 to 3 times controls by increasing the extent of glucose modification, the concentration, or the duration of exposure to glycated albumin. These increases were significantly attenuated by probucol and superoxide dismutase; N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; LY83583, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor; and LY333531, a beta-isoform-selective protein kinase C inhibitor. A neutralizing VEGF monoclonal antibody also markedly attenuated the permeability and blood flow increases induced by glycated albumin., Conclusions: These observations indicate potentially important roles for oxygen free-radicals and nitric oxide in mediating permeability and blood flow changes induced by glycated proteins via mechanisms involving increased protein kinase C activity and VEGF production. Striking similarities in the mechanism by which hyperglycemia and glycated proteins induce vascular dysfunction suggest that a common pathway mediates effects of these different metabolic imbalances on vascular dysfunction.