Search

The main subject of this study is the low‐frequency (with the periods longer than 2 hr) wave processes in the coupled regional system of the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS), the Ross Sea and the atmosphere above them. We investigate possible causal relationships between the wave activity in the three media using a unique set of geophysical instruments: a hydrophone measuring pressure variations on the seafloor, a network of seismometers measuring vertical displacements of the RIS surface, and a Dynasonde system measuring wave characteristics at the ionospheric altitudes. We present an extension of the previously introduced theoretical model of the coupled resonance vibrations of the RIS that quantifies the connection between the ocean tide and the resonance vibrations of the RIS. The ocean tide is confirmed as the most significant source of excitation of the resonances. Analysis of average power spectra in year‐long data sets reveals multiple harmonics of the tide (eight) detected by the RIS seismometers while only three are detected by the seafloor sensor. This may represent a confirmation of the effect of resonance‐related broadband amplification predicted by the model. Several peaks in the spectrum of RIS vibrations have periods different from the periods of nearby tidal constituents and may be associated with broad‐scale resonance RIS vibrations. Resonances may play a role in maintaining the coupled atmosphere‐ocean wave activity. Our results reveal a statistically significant correlation between the spectra of the vertical displacements of the RIS and the spectra of the atmospheric waves. Plain Language Summary: This study explores how low‐frequency waves interact in the Ross Ice Shelf, the Ross Sea, and the atmosphere above them. By using a unique set of tools like hydrophones, seismometers, and a Dynasonde system, the researchers investigate the connection between waves in these three areas. They expand on a previous theoretical model, confirming that ocean tides are the main source of these interactions. The study finds that the ice shelf picks up more tidal harmonics than the seafloor sensor, which might support the idea of resonance‐related amplification. Additionally, some vibrations in the ice shelf have different periods than nearby tidal movements, which could be due to broad‐scale resonance vibrations. These resonances might play a role in maintaining the overall wave activity in the atmosphere and ocean. The research shows a significant correlation between the ice shelf's vertical movements and the atmospheric waves. Key Points: Ocean tides represent a major source of energy for exciting resonance vibrations of the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS)There is an empirical evidence for resonance‐related amplification effect predicted by the theory of forced ice shelf vibrationsSpectral correlation results confirm existence of the wave coupling above the noise level between atmosphere, ocean and the RIS [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with ALK-positive ALCL, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, and mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome were not included in the study. CHOP was favored over ICED in AITL patients, whereas ICED was favored over CHOP in EATL/HSTL patients. B Purpose: b Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, and their prognoses are still poor because of frequent relapses and the absence of optimal standard therapy. [Extracted from the article]

Experiments using a THz pump and an X‐ray probe at an X‐ray free‐electron laser (XFEL) facility like the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS II) require frequency‐tunable (3 to 20 THz), narrow bandwidth (∼10%), carrier‐envelope‐phase‐stable THz pulses that produce high fields (>1 MV cm−1) at the repetition rate of the X‐rays and are well synchronized with them. In this paper, a two‐bunch scheme to generate THz radiation at LCLS II is studied: the first bunch produces THz radiation in an electromagnet wiggler immediately following the LCLS II undulator that produces X‐rays from the second bunch. The initial time delay between the two bunches is optimized to compensate for the path difference in THz transport. The two‐bunch beam dynamics, the THz wiggler and radiation are described, as well as the transport system bringing the THz pulses from the wiggler to the experimental hall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravity waves impacting ice shelves illicit a suite of responses that can affect ice shelf integrity. Broadband seismometers deployed on the Ross Ice Shelf, complemented by a near‐icefront seafloor hydrophone, establish the association of strong icequake activity with ocean gravity wave amplitudes (AG) below 0.04 Hz. The Ross Ice Shelf‐front seismic vertical displacement amplitudes (ASV) are well correlated with AG, allowing estimating the frequency‐dependent transfer function from gravity wave amplitude to icefront vertical displacement amplitude (TGSV(f)). TGSV(f) is 0.6–0.7 at 0.001–0.01 Hz but decreases rapidly at higher frequencies. Seismicity of strong icequakes exhibits spatial and seasonal associations with different gravity wave frequency bands, with the strongest icequakes observed at the icefront primarily during the austral summer when sea ice is minimal and swell impacts are strongest. Key Points: Rift and icefront icequakes were identifiedIcefront icequakes are most frequent during the austral summer when swell forcing is greatest in the absence of sea iceAn empirical ocean‐to‐ice shelf displacement transfer function is obtained [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a hair follicle‐specific autoimmune disorder. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various autoimmune disorders for its immunomodulatory effects. However, in previous studies, there had been inconsistent association found between AA and vitamin D deficiency. Objective: To demonstrate the differences of the mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency between AA patients and non‐AA population. Methods: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies on AA and serum vitamin D levels and/or prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was performed searching MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases. Results: In all, 14 studies including a total of 1255 AA subjects and 784 non‐AA control were analysed. The mean serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level was significantly lower in AA subjects (−8.52 ng/dL; 95% confidential interval; −5.50 to −11.53). The AA subjects had higher odds of vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio of 3.89; 2.02 to 7.49, mean prevalence of 73.8%; 59.1 to 84.6%). However, it was difficult to find clear correlation between serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level and extent of hair loss in AA subjects. Conclusion: The AA subjects had lower serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D level, and vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent compared to non‐AA controls. Hence, vitamin D deficiency should be assessed in AA patients. Furthermore, nutritional supplementation of vitamin D or topical vitamin D analogues can be considered for AA patients with vitamin D deficiency. The limitation of this study is the highly heterogeneity of the included studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and climate models exhibit too warm lower tropospheres near the midlatitude continents. The warm bias has been shown to coincide with important surface radiation biases that likely play a critical role in the inception or the growth of the warm bias. This paper presents an attribution study on the net radiation biases in nine model simulations, performed in the framework of the CAUSES project (Clouds Above the United States and Errors at the Surface). Contributions from deficiencies in the surface properties, clouds, water vapor, and aerosols are quantified, using an array of radiation measurement stations near the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains site. Furthermore, an in‐depth analysis is shown to attribute the radiation errors to specific cloud regimes. The net surface shortwave radiation is overestimated in all models throughout most of the simulation period. Cloud errors are shown to contribute most to this overestimation, although nonnegligible contributions from the surface albedo exist in most models. Missing deep cloud events and/or simulating deep clouds with too weak cloud radiative effects dominate in the cloud‐related radiation errors. Some models have compensating errors between excessive occurrence of deep cloud but largely underestimating their radiative effect, while other models miss deep cloud events altogether. Surprisingly, even the latter models tend to produce too much and too frequent afternoon surface precipitation. This suggests that rather than issues with the triggering of deep convection, cloud radiative deficiencies are related to too weak convective cloud detrainment and too large precipitation efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: Pregnant women have been recommended to take FA daily to prevent birth defects in the brain and spinal cord. We previously showed that folic acid (FA) exerts an anti‐angiogenic activity. As angiogenesis is important for endometrial reorganization and embryonic development, there should be some mechanisms to allow the pregnant mother and the foetus to escape from the FA‐induced anti‐angiogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the effect of female sex hormones on the FA‐induced anti‐angiogenic activity. Methods: The protein levels and protein‐protein interaction were examined by Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation assay respectively. The cell proliferation and migration were examined by MTT assay and wound healing assay respectively. The in vivo angiogenesis was evaluated by Matrigel angiogenesis assay. Results: In human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC), FA receptor (FR) formed a complex with progesterone receptor (PR), oestradiol receptor (ER) and cSrc. Pregnancy levels of progesterone (P4) or oestradiol (E2) prevented FA‐induced inhibitions of proliferation and migration in HUVEC. Both E2 and P4 prevented the FA‐induced anti‐angiogenesis in vivo. Moreover, cotreatment with FA and P4 or E2 inhibited the signalling pathways involved in FA‐induced inhibitions of proliferation and migration in HUVEC. Conclusion: Female sex hormones interrupt the FA‐induced anti‐angiogenic action through receptor‐receptor interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We introduce the Clouds Above the United States and Errors at the Surface (CAUSES) project with its aim of better understanding the physical processes leading to warm screen temperature biases over the American Midwest in many numerical models. In this first of four companion papers, 11 different models, from nine institutes, perform a series of 5 day hindcasts, each initialized from reanalyses. After describing the common experimental protocol and detailing each model configuration, a gridded temperature data set is derived from observations and used to show that all the models have a warm bias over parts of the Midwest. Additionally, a strong diurnal cycle in the screen temperature bias is found in most models. In some models the bias is largest around midday, while in others it is largest during the night. At the Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Southern Great Plains (SGP) site, the model biases are shown to extend several kilometers into the atmosphere. Finally, to provide context for the companion papers, in which observations from the SGP site are used to evaluate the different processes contributing to errors there, it is shown that there are numerous locations across the Midwest where the diurnal cycle of the error is highly correlated with the diurnal cycle of the error at SGP. This suggests that conclusions drawn from detailed evaluation of models using instruments located at SGP will be representative of errors that are prevalent over a larger spatial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A near-field UHF L-shaped dipole antenna array with LC-balun integration for item-level tagging systems is proposed and investigated in this letter. The antenna consists of four dipole antennas and an impedance matching network with four LC-baluns. Each dipole is fed by parallel stripline which connects to LC-baluns for miniaturization. The proposed near-field UHF dipole array can achieve not only the compact size (∼1/3λ0 at 920 MHz) but also the seamless sensing of 100% read accuracy within the operating distance (up to 10.5 cm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-world data about the efficacy of pembrolizumab in R/R ENKTL patients are limited. Multivariate analysis indicated that ECOG PS was the only significant predictor of PFS after pembrolizumab treatment (hazard ratio, 5.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-26.1; I P i =.039) Overall, 14 (58.3%) patients experienced adverse events (AEs), with fatigue ( I n i = 7, 29.1%) being the most common Eight patients (33.3%) developed G3-4 AEs, the most frequent of which was neutropenia (4,16.7%) B Conclusion: b Pembrolizumab could be a therapeutic approach for the control of R/R ENKTL. B Background: b Extranodal natural killer T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is an aggressive malignancy with a dismal prognosis. [Extracted from the article]

In Korea, MZL accounts for 21% of all B-cell lymphoma and is the second most frequent histologic subtype following diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Therefore we want to make prospective MZL patients' cohort for several observations including clinical presentation, evaluation patters, treatment modality, results, and side effects. B Background: b Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is a distinct subgroup of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which is typically characterized by an indolent clinical course and long survival duration. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses a study which proposes a microwave heating system that consists multiple microwave cavity and uses a power-controlled phase-shifting mode for heating uniformity. The improved heating uniformity that can be achieved by the proposed mode is demonstrated, highlighting the reduction of the hot and cold spots in the microwave cavity. The proposed system configuration is outlined.

Nano‐composite microstructure composed of nano‐columnar SiC crystalline grains embedded in an amorphous SiC matrix is responsible for the superhardness of the SiC thin film deposited using unbalanced magnetron sputtering. Hardness larger than 40 GPa, which is much larger than polycrystalline SiC materials, is obtained by controlling its microstructure of the SiC thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT An open-loop self-adaptive wireless power transfer system using magnetic resonance coupling for implantable biosensors, which provides stable wireless power regardless of variations in operating distance and lateral misalignment between the transmitting and receiving antennas, is proposed. According to adaptive impedance matching algorithms under the minimum reflected power conditions, the proposed system achieves an improved power transfer efficiency of maximum 47% within the operating distance. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1271-1275, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A miniaturized printed Yagi-Uda antenna with high directivity for long-range ultra-high-frequency radio frequency identification item tracking systems is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a meandered driven element and a reflector to obtain a compact size and high directivity. Using a printed microstrip balun, the proposed antenna is fed by a 50-Ω microstrip line in a printed circuit board. The peak gain and maximum front-to-back ratio of the proposed antenna are ∼4.5 dBi and 17 dB at the authorized UHF RFID band in Korea, respectively. The antenna physical size is 80 × 45.5 mm2 (approximately 0.25 λ0 × 0.14 λ0 at 920 MHz). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:439-441, 2017 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The present study assessed the effects of cilostazol on LPS-stimulated TLR4 signal pathways in synovial macrophages from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These effects were confirmed in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice.Experimental Approach: Expression of TLR4, PU.1, NF-κB p65 and IκBα on synovial fluid macrophages from RA patients was determined by Western blotting, and cytokines were measured by ELISA. Anti-arthritic effects were evaluated in CIA mice.Key Results: Intracellular cAMP was concentration-dependently raised by cilostazol (1-100 μM). Cilostazol significantly suppressed LPS-stimulated increase of TLR4 expression by blocking PU.1 transcriptional activity in RA macrophages. In addition, cilostazol decreased LPS-induced myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) expression, but not that of TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Cilostazol also suppressed IkBα degradation and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Moreover, LPS-induced increase of cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1β) was inhibited by cilostazol, an effect which was accompanied by suppression of IκBα degradation, and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. However, expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10 was elevated by cilostazol and forskolin/IBMX. In mice with CIA, post-treatment with cilostazol (30 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) decreased expression of TLR4 in knee joints in association with decreased recruitment of macrophages. Consequently, synovial inflammation, proteoglycan depletion and bone erosion were significantly inhibited by cilostazol treatment.Conclusions and Implications: Cilostazol down-regulated LPS-stimulated PU.1-linked TLR4 expression and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathways, and then suppressed inflammatory cytokine production in synovial macrophages from RA patients. Also cilostazol markedly inhibited the severity of CIA in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information regarding the treatment of Meniere-s disease. It mentions the use of gentamicin instead of streptomycin in chemical labyrinthectomy for intractable Ménière's disease. It states that intratympanic streptomycin powder eliminates the need for multiple applications, reduces the possibility of drug leakage through the eustachian tube and allows for effective direct diffusion into the perilymph.

Background: Several wheat flour allergens relevant to baker's asthma have been identified in the last 25 years. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of sensitization to these allergens in German bakers. Methods: Using recombinant DNA technology, the following wheat flour allergens were cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified: five subunits of the wheat α-amylase inhibitors (WTAI-CM1, WTAI-CM2, WTAI-CM3, WDAI-0.19 and WMAI-0.28), thioredoxin, thiol reductase or 1-cys-peroxiredoxin homologues, triosephosphate-isomerase, αβ-gliadin, serpin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase, a nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP), dehydrin, profilin and peroxidase. In addition, ImmunoCAPs with the recombinant allergen ω-5-gliadin and two cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs), horse radish peroxidase (HRP) and the N-glycan of bromelain (MUXF), were used. Specific IgE was measured in wheat flour-positive sera from 40 German bakers with work-related asthma/rhinitis and 10 controls with pollinosis. Results: Thirty bakers (75%) had IgE to at least one of the 19 single allergens. Most frequent was IgE to WDAI-0.19, HRP and MUXF (25% each), followed by WTAI-CM1 (20%), thiol reductase (16%), WTAI-CM3 (15%), WTAI-CM2 and thioredoxin (12.5%), WMAI-28, triosephosphate-isomerase, αβ-gliadin (10%), 1-cys-peroxiredoxin (7.5%), dehydrin, serpin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (5%), ω-5-gliadin, nsLTP and profilin (2.5%). Fifteen bakers (38%) had IgE to any α-amylase inhibitor and 12 (30%) to at least one CCD. The controls reacted exclusively to CCDs (80%), profilin (60%), thioredoxin (30%), triosephosphate isomerase and nsLTP (10%). Conclusions: The single allergen sensitization profiles obtained with 17 recombinant wheat flour allergens and two CCDs revealed no major allergen for German bakers. The highest frequencies were found for α-amylase inhibitors and CCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common illness among infants and children contributing to significant mortality and morbidity. As such, appropriate treatment received prior to hospital admission is of utmost importance. This retrospective observational study aimed to determine preadmission management in paediatric patients prior to hospital admission. Two hundred and twenty-two case notes of paediatric AGE patients were reviewed over a 12-month period. One hundred and fifty-four patients received medications prior to admission with 143 (92·9%) patients received known classes of medications. Antipyretic agents were the most commonly prescribed (69·2%), followed by antibiotics (38·5%), anti-emetics (35·7%), oral rehydration salts (29·4%) and antidiarrhoeals (28·0%). The mean duration of stay in hospital was slightly shorter in patients, who received prior medications than those who did not (2·22 vs. 2·32 days respectively). Seventy per cent of children admitted for AGE were treated suboptimally prior to hospital admission with oral rehydration salts being largely under-utilized, despite their proven efficacy and safety. Sex, race and age had no influence on the type of preadmission treatment. A greater effort should be made to educate the general public in the appropriate treatment of AGE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate changes in utero-ovarian blood flow during the peri-implantation period and their significance in successful embryo implantation. Methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 317 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment. All of them had at least one good-quality embryo for transfer on the second or third day after oocyte retrieval. Measurement of endometrial thickness and color flow imaging with pulsed waveform analysis of uterine and ovarian arteries were performed before ET and 5–6 days after ET. Results There were no significant differences in the age of patients, duration of infertility or number of embryos transferred between women who became pregnant (n = 91) and those who did not (n = 226). There was no difference in mean endometrial thickness between the two groups before ET, while a thicker endometrium was found in women who had conceived compared with those who had not 5–6 days after ET (P = 0.02). Mean uterine arterial resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values were significantly lower in the pregnant than in the non-pregnant group before ET (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003, respectively), but no significant differences were found between the two groups 5–6 days after ET. In contrast, the mean ovarian arterial RI and P1 values were similar between the two groups before ET, yet the pregnant group showed significantly lower RI and PI values compared with the non-pregnant group 5–6 days after ET (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively). A significantly higher peak systolic velocity (PSV) of intraovarian vessels was also noted in the pregnant group 5–6 days after ET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of ganglion cells along a variable length of the intestine. HSCR has a complex genetic aetiology with 50% of the patients unexplained by mutations in the major HSCR genes. The Ihh gene is involved in the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and Ihh mutant mice present with a phenotype reminiscent of HSCR. The requirement of Ihh signalling for the proper development of the ENS, together with the evidence presented by the Ihh murine model, prompted us to investigate the involvement of the human IHH gene in HSCR. Sequence analysis revealed seven single nucleotide polymorphisms, six of which were new. Allele and haplotype frequencies were compared between cases and controls, and, among the cases, between genders, between different phenotypes, and between patients with different mutation status in the main HSCR genes. Despite the involvement of IHH in the development of the ENS, IHH is not a major gene in HSCR. Nevertheless, as the manifestation of the HSCR phenotype is genetic background dependent, polymorphic loci should be tested simultaneously to characterize gene–gene interaction. The involvement of IHH in other intestinal anomalies should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Combination of cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus immunosuppression post-liver transplantation (LT) and the chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat hepatoblastoma (HB), are nephrotoxic. We aimed to determine the severity and duration of nephrotoxicity in children following LT for unresectable HB. We reviewed all children undergoing LT for unresectable HB at the Liver Unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK, from 1991 to July 2000. Thirty-six children undergoing LT for biliary atresia, matched for age and sex, were selected as controls to compare pre- and post-LT renal function. Renal function was determined by estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) derived from plasma creatinine using Schwartz's formula. Twelve children with HB (mean age of diagnosis 33 months) who underwent LT (mean age 47 months) and 36 controls (mean age of LT 34 months) were studied. CsA was the main immunosuppressive drug used in each group. The median eGFR before, and at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after LT in HB group was significantly lower than controls (93 vs. 152, 66 vs. 79, 62 vs. 86, 66 vs. 87, 64 vs. 94, 53 vs. 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 , respectively; 0.01 < p < 0.03). The reductions in the median eGFR of both the HB group and controls before and at 36 months after LT were 49 and 41%, respectively. At 36 months after LT, there was a trend for partial recovery of the eGFR in the controls but not in the HB group. Children who underwent LT for unresectable HB had renal dysfunction before transplantation that persisted for 36 months after LT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary This study is designed to demonstrate the distribution of nociceptin, endogenous ORL1 receptor ligand, in the central nervous system of the Mongolian gerbil. To intensify the nociceptin-like immunoreactivity (NOC-LI), colchicine was administered into the lateral ventricle, at 48 h prior to the trans-cardiac perfusion. In the group without colchicine treatment, NOC-LI was observed in the fibres of the spinal dorsal horn, specifically in the superficial layers. However, the NOC-LI in the superficial layers disappeared after the administration of colchicine. In the brain, NOC-LI was prominent in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebral peduncle, substantia nigra, dorsal raphe, periaqueductal grey, locus coeruleus and trapezoid nucleus. Colchicine treatment markedly intensified the NOC-LI in the somata of the central nervous system, whereas the untreated sections were too weak to observe and analyse. The distribution of NOC-LI provides informative data for studies of the neuronal circuit that nociceptin may be involved in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: A 16-y-old boy who had undergone bone marrow transplantation for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia developed liver cirrhosis and refractory ascites, which did not respond to salt restriction, diuretics and abdominal paracentesis. Liver transplantation was not feasible because of poor nutritional status, pre-existing renal dysfunction and uncertainty about the prognosis of his leukaemia. The patient underwent a successful transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), with immediate resolution of ascites, enabling cessation of diuretics and improvement in nutritional status. At 24 mo following TIPS there has been no re-accumulation of ascites.Conclusion: TIPS may have a role in the management of refractory ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis in selected children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the clinical features, investigations and outcome of 69 children (40 males, 29 females) with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOER) referred to a tertiary referral centre in paediatric gastroenterology.Methods: A study of all patients with significant GOER seen at the Paediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children, Hackney Road, London, between December 1994 and August 1995.Results: The median age at referral was 16 months. Presenting symptoms were recurrent vomiting (72%), epigastric and abdominal pain (36%), feeding difficulties (29%), failure to thrive (28%) and irritability (19%). Continuous 24-h lower oesophageal pH studies performed in 57 children showed 20 (35%) had a reflux index of between 10% to 20%, 14 (25%) had a index > 20%, and six (11%) had a postprandial reflux index > 10%. Reflux was shown in 38 (62%) of 62 children who underwent barium studies. None had significant anatomical abnormalities, but in the 22 children who had a negative barium studies, six had severe reflux (reflux index > 20%). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed in 47 children showed reflux oesophagitis in 29 (62%), oesophageal ulceration in three, and Barrett's oesophagus in one. All of the children were treated with standard medical therapy. Sixty-six per cent were able to discontinue medication within 12 months and remained well. Four children (6%) required Nissen's fundoplication for failure to respond to medical therapy.Conclusions: Most infants with GOER have an uncomplicated course. False negative results were noted in both pH monitoring and barium meal. Up to 80% of children, with therapy, will improve within 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review the presenting features, complications and outcome of infants with Salmonella meningitis.Methodology: Retrospective review of all cultures of cerebrospinal fluid positive for bacteria in children below 12 years of age, processed at the Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 1973 to 1997. Records of all cases positive for Salmonella species were retrieved and studied.Results: Thirteen infants aged 3 days to 9 months with Salmonella meningitis were included. The median age of onset of symptoms was 4 months. The clinical and laboratory features were similar to other causes of bacterial meningitis. Salmonella enteritidis was the commonest serotype isolated. Nine infants developed fits, six of which were difficult to control. Other complications noted were hydrocephalus (five), subdural effusions (four), empyema (three), ventriculitis (two), intracranial haemorrhage and cerebral abscess (one each). The use of ampicillin and/or chloramphenicol and inadequate duration of therapy resulted in recrudescence or relapse in five infants. The overall mortality was 18%. The presence of empyema, intracerebral abscess, ventriculitis, hydrocephalus, and intracranial haemorrhage were associated with adverse neurodevelopmental sequelae or death. More than half of those who survived had normal long-term outcome.Conclusion: Infants who developed neurological complications as a result of Salmonella meningitis had significant mortality and adverse long-term neurodevelopment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To review the causes, clinical features and outcomes of Malaysian children who had chronic diarrhoea.Methodology: A prospective study was performed on children with diarrhoea of more than 14 days' duration who were managed at the Department of Paediatrics, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1997.Results: Twenty-seven patients (14 boys and 13 girls) were studied. The median age of onset of diarrhoea was 6 months and the mean duration of symptoms before referral was 66.5 days. The underlying causes of diarrhoea were found to be: (i) prolonged diarrhoea due to well-defined entities (intestinal lymphangiectasia, two cases; congenital glucose-galactose malabsorption, one case; post-small bowel resection, one case; (ii) postenteritis diarrhoea (cow's milk protein intolerance, eight cases; secondary lactose intolerance, four cases; transient monosaccharide intolerance, one case; (iii) gastrointestinal infections (nontyphoid Salmonella gastroenteritis, three cases; trichuriasis, two cases; amoebiasis, one case; adenovirus, one case; (iv) cases in which a firm diagnosis could not be established (three cases). The mean duration of hospital admission was 63 days. Sixteen cases required a change in diet, while nine cases required total parenteral nutrition. One death occurred.Conclusions: Chronic childhood diarrhoea in Malaysia had a variety of aetiologies. A specific diagnosis could be established in 90% of cases. Making a diagnosis was important because this led to appropriate therapy and a good outcome in 96% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the clinical features of non-typhoid Salmonella gastroenteritis and the incidence, risk factors and outcome of invasive complications in urban Malaysian children. To describe the serotypes of Salmonella species isolated and the pattern of antibiotic susceptibility.Methodology: Retrospective review of a group of 131 children with non-typhoid Salmonella gastroenteritis seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from January 1994 to December 1996.Results: Sixty-seven percent were infants below one year of age. Fever and vomiting were seen in nearly half of children. Seven children (5.3%) had invasive complications: 5 bacteraemia and 2 meningitis. Age below 6 months, fever > 38.0 degrees C, and dehydration on admission were significantly associated with invasive complications. The commonest serotypes isolated were S. enteritidis, S. paratyphi B, and S. bovis-morbificans. A total of 94-100% of isolates were susceptible to commonly prescribed antibiotics.Conclusions: Children with Salmonella gastroenteritis below 6 months of age who are febrile and dehydrated should be treated empirically with antibiotics until the result of blood culture is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A near‐field switched loop antenna array with a circular defected ground structure for precise positioning systems is presented. By switching the loop array, the positions of the densely placed small‐sized radio frequency identification tags can be identified. The characteristics of the proposed array are verified by the comparisons to the simulated results and experimental measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastatic hepatic tumours can be treated with hepatic transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Common complications associated with TACE include hepatic insufficiency, fever, and pain. However, pulmonary embolism is rarely documented as a fatal adverse effect. We report a case of pulmonary embolism following TACE in a renal cell carcinoma patient with liver metastases. Total recovery is noted after the effective treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the validity and clinical application of a hand-held breath hydrogen (H2) analyzer (BreatH2, Europa Scientific, Crewe, UK).Methodology: Breath samples of patients referred to the Gastroenterology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, for confirmation of the diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption were analysed with the Quintron microlyzer (Quintron Instrument Co., Milwaukee, USA) and the BreatH2 analyser, using the Quintron microlyzer as the gold standard.Results: Twenty-nine breath H2 tests (BHT) were performed in 29 patients aged 2 months to 61 years. The sensitivity and specificity of the BreatH2 analyser in detecting a positive BHT using the Quintron microlyser as the gold standard were 0.90 and 0.95 with positive and negative predictive values of 0.90 and 0.95, respectively. There was one false positive and one false negative reading. Bland-Altman plots showed a high degree of agreement between the values obtained with two different methods.Conclusions: The diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption, using a portable breath H2 analyser (BreatH2), achieved an acceptable degree of sensitivity and specificity, enabling it to be used where no alternative is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the clinical features, management and outcome of children with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) from South-East Asia.Methodology: Retrospective review of all children who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of CVS and who were seen at Department of Paediatrics, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur and Paediatric Unit, Penang Hospital, Penang, Malaysia from 1987 to 1997.Results: Eight children with CVS were seen at the two units during the study period, five girls and three boys. All had cyclical, self-limited episodes of nausea and vomiting with symptom-free intervals. The mean age of onset was 5.9 years. The clinical features were similar to other series described in the literature. Only two of the eight children were described as 'perfectionist'. Two children identified stress as precipitating factors. Therapy to reduce the number of emeses during acute attacks and to prevent subsequent attacks had been ineffective.Conclusion: There are similarities and differences in CVS from South-East Asian children as compared to those described in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor on an article "Use of tocilizumab in a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum and rheumatoid arthritis" published in the previous issue is presented.

To detect multiple identifications (IDs) for cm-level high-precision positioning item-level tagging (ILT) systems in near-field ultra-highfrequency RFID applications, an electric-field-coupled multiple ID sensor is presented. The proposed ID sensor consists of four circular electric coupling parts, an impedance-matching network, and an SP4T switch for position control. By switching the electric-fieldcoupled sensing parts, cm-level position detection of densely aggregated RFID tags for a small-sized ILT can be achieved. The sensing distance of the proposed ID sensor is ~7 mm and its physical size is 50 × 50 mm2 (~1/7λ0 at 920 MHz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To detect multiple identifications (IDs) for cm‐level high‐precision positioning item‐level tagging (ILT) systems in near‐field ultra‐high‐frequency RFID applications, an electric‐field‐coupled multiple ID sensor is presented. The proposed ID sensor consists of four circular electric coupling parts, an impedance‐matching network, and an SP4T switch for position control. By switching the electric‐field‐coupled sensing parts, cm‐level position detection of densely aggregated RFID tags for a small‐sized ILT can be achieved. The sensing distance of the proposed ID sensor is ∼7 mm and its physical size is 50 × 50 mm2 (∼1/7λ0 at 920 MHz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Growth factors are frequently incorporated into scaffolds to promote periodontal regeneration but many currently used scaffolds do not encourage cell migration towards the dentogingival junction. We examined the proliferation and migration of human gingival fibroblasts in a novel, physically robust, collagen‐Vicryl™ membrane loaded with fibronectin (FN) and/or insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐I). Biocompatibility of the membranes was evaluated in rat dorsal skin. Material and Methods: Chemotaxis was examined in Boyden chambers and cell migration by confocal imaging of membranes, which were fabricated from rat tail type I collagen with embedded Vicryl knitted mesh, IGF‐I (50, 100 ng/mL) and FN (10 μg/mL). Membranes (Vicryl alone, collagen+Vicryl, collagen+Vicryl+IGF‐I, collagen+Vicryl+FN’) were implanted subcutaneously in 8 rats and were evaluated by histomorphometry after 7 and 14 days. Results: IGF‐I (50 or 100 ng/mL) promoted chemotaxis compared with vehicle controls (P = .02, P = .001, respectively). IGF‐I did not affect cell proliferation. Incorporation of FN retarded time‐dependent release of IGF‐I from collagen gels. Three dimensional confocal microscopy imaging of cell migration through collagen+Vicryl membranes showed enhanced migration in the IGF+FN group compared to all other groups at 8, 10 and 14 days (P < .05). In a rat skin model, implanted membranes were surrounded by thin collagen capsules and mild inflammatory infiltrates. Conclusion: Incorporation of FN into IGF‐I‐loaded collagen+Vicryl membranes reduced IGF release from collagen and increased the migration of human gingival fibroblasts. The new membrane may promote healing and reformation of the dentogingival junction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For stable wireless charging and reliable data communications in mobile devices, the proposed high-isolation dual antenna operates at two different frequency bands such as 6.78 MHz at wireless charging and 13.56 MHz at near-field communication (NFC). To increase the isolation between antennas, the proposed dual antenna has an antiparallel coil structure. It has achieved approximately more than 20 dB isolation between antenna ports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synopsis Sunlight, especially ultraviolet (UV) light-induced hair damage is difficult to avoid during daily life. Concerns about the effects of ultraviolet light on hair are emerging recently. These photochemical changes mainly come from damage to hair proteins and melanins. In this study, we performed experiments to find the patterns of morphological and biochemical changes in UV-light-induced damage to hair by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and hair protein analysis. In our results, morphological damage is significant in UVB-irradiated hairs, while biochemical changes are greater in UVA-irradiated hairs. J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 157–158 (March/April 2008) Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists Japan Vol. 41, No. 4, 2007 * J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 159–161 (March/April 2008) International Journal of Cosmetic Science Vol. 29, No 6, 2007 * J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 163–164 (March/April 2008) IFSCC Magazine Vol. 10, No. 4, 2007 * J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 165–166 (March/April 2008) Journal of the Polish Society of Cosmetic Science “Wiadomos´ci PTK” Vol. 10, No. 4, 2007 * J. Cosmet. Sci., 59, 167–194 (March/April 2008) Papers Presented at the 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting and Technology Showcase (Friday's Program) December 6–7, 2007 New York Hilton New York, NY [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]