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Background: Thyroid hormones play an important role in the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorous levels. A person with thyroid dysfunction may exhibit symptoms that are owing to the alteration in calcium levels. Objective: To evaluate the effect of thyroid function on the total and ionic calcium levels in women with thyroid dysfunction. Materials and Methods: The study group included three groups: group I (clinically proven healthy controls), group II (hyperthyroidism), and group III (hypothyroidism) with 45 subjects in each group. Estimation of the biochemical parameters was done by standard methods, and the level of ionic calcium was calculated using a formula. Result: Serum total calcium and ionic calcium were significantly decreased in hypothyroidism group subjects when compared with hyperthyroidism and healthy control subjects. In groups II and III, the total calcium was inversely correlated with the thyroid stimulating hormone level. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is an association between the serum calcium levels and thyroid function. However, there is no marked difference between the total and ionic calcium levels in thyroid dysfunction.

Summary form only given. This document presents the design and implementation of an electro-mechanical system for the simulation of medical scenarios of the respiratory system of neonatal patients. The system implements three possible scenarios, including the application of a chest massage technique developed at the School of Medicine at Universidad Nacional. The system uses two graphical user interfaces (GUI). In the first GUI, a medical situation is created by a doctor using a series of parameters representing important clinical data. The second GUI presents the scenario to the student about to carry on his/her practice. After being presented the scenario, the student must evaluate the symptoms shown in the emulator, as well as the vital signs graphs or values shown in the interface and respond by applying a treatment to the emulator whose response indicates if the procedure was appropriate.

This study is focused on the development of Client Information and Management System for Southern Telecommunication Company (SOTELCO). The system is designed for monitoring and data management. The LANBased system is less expensive and fast, hence a better option for managing transactions. Further, the system provides the administrator a more convenient way of managing and monitoring the services availed of by the client. The use of the system is easy since it is user friendly. Keywords - Client Information and Management System, LAN-Based, Network, Data Management, Administrator

CBA mouse macrophages effectively control Leishmania major infection, yet are permissive to Leishmania amazonensis. It has been established that some Leishmania species are destroyed by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, other species of Leishmania exhibit resistance to ROS or even down-modulate ROS production. We hypothesized that L. amazonensis-infected macrophages reduce ROS production soon after parasite-cell interaction. Employing a highly sensitive analysis technique based on chemiluminescence, the production of superoxide (O(·-)(2)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) by L. major- or L. amazonensis-infected CBA macrophages were measured. L. major induces macrophages to release levels of (O(·-)(2)) 3·5 times higher than in uninfected cells. This (O(·-)(2)) production is partially dependent on NADPH oxidase (NOX) type 2. The level of accumulated H(2)O(2) is 20 times higher in L. major-than in L. amazonensis-infected cells. Furthermore, macrophages stimulated with L. amazonensis release amounts of ROS similar to uninfected cells. These findings support previous studies showing that CBA macrophages are effective in controlling L. major infection by a mechanism dependent on both (O(·-)(2)) production and H(2)O(2) generation. Furthermore, these data reinforce the notion that L. amazonensis survive inside CBA macrophages by reducing ROS production during the phagocytic process.

The concern for the reduction of the environmental impact caused by greenhouse emissions (CO2) from fossil fuel combustion processes is growing around the world. This has increased research on new energy technologies to produce clean fuels. One of them is the use of biomass as feedstock in gasification processes. The rice agriculture industry around the world produces a great amount of rice husk wastes (RHW) which show the potential for water, soil, and air pollution (including global warming by way of potent greenhouse emissions such as CH4) since waste handling system and structures for storage and treatment frequently are not appropriate. However, the concentration of the rice husk in industrial units makes this low Btu feedstock a viable source for locally based thermal gasification. The current paper presents results on both HRW adiabatic gasification modeling using air-steam blends for partial oxidation and pyrolysis kinetic model to determine, by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the RHW activation energy (E). The Chemical Equilibrium with Applications program (CEA), developed by NASA, was used to estimate the effect of both the equivalence ratio (ER) and the steam to fuel ratio (S:F) on adiabatic temperature, gas quality (gas composition and energy density), and energy recovery of an unlimited number of species (∼150). The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out using N2 as carrier gas and under different heating rates (β: 10, 20, 40, and 50 °C/min). Furthermore, the activation energy (E) was estimated based in the results from TGA and using the isoconversional method (i.e., free-model). In general, for the range of parameters studied (0.2 < S:F < 0.8 and 1.5 < Φ < 6), the results from equilibrium adiabatic modeling (CEA) showed that increased ER and (S:F) ratios increase the production of H2 and CO2 but decrease the production of CO. Equilibrium temperature decreases with increased ER until ER = 3.0 whereas at ER > 3.0, the effect of ER on equilibrium temperature is negligible. Also, the activation energy average value, estimated from the kinetics model, results to be 233 kJ/kmol.

The effects of cell-free supernatants (S) and anionic fractions (Q) from three different strains of Bacillus subtilis were evaluated on weed seed germination. The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains DN and Car13, as well as a non-promoting strain (PY79), were tested on pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.) and Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense L. pers). The application of anionic fractions QCar13, QDN and QPY caused a drastic decrease in the germination rates of both pigweed and Johnson grass seeds relative to controls. These results suggest the presence of one or several metabolites capable of inhibiting germination in both weeds, while acting more effectively on dicotyledonous seeds. This work shows the potential of essayed fractions in weed control. Key words: Bacterial metabolites, germination inhibition, weed control.

Borrelia species (except Borrelia burgdorferi) cause relapsing fever, which is a zoonosis characterized by cyclic fevers alternating with periods of relative well-being. Endemic or tick-borne relapsing fever is caused by several Borrelia species associated with soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. Tick-spirochete specificity is useful for identifying Borrelia species. Epidemic or louse-borne relapsing fever is caused by Borrelia recurrentis. It is transmitted by the human body louse. Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution caused by infection with pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. It is greatly underreported, particularly in tropical regions. Leptospirosis is maintained in nature by chronic renal infection of carrier animals that excrete the organism in their urine and contaminate the environment. Human infection occurs after direct contact with infected urine or tissues. Specific conditions related to these infections, their management, and treatment are reviewed.

More than twenty years ago, Mexico City suffered the most disastrous earthquake in its history. The death toll from the 1985 Earthquake was an estimated 10,000, with a further 30,000 injured and 100,000 left homeless. 416 buildings were destroyed and over 3,000 seriously damaged. After this event, the profound necessity of effective strategies lead to the creation of the Earthquake Disaster Prevention Project, supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The main goal of this project was to contribute to the safety of the Mexican population, and eventually become an important aid also for Central America and the Caribbean region. In 1996, the Earthquake Disaster Prevention Project between Japan and Mexico was successfully completed. The most significant symbol of its achievements is the research facility called CENAPRED. The main purpose of this center has been to work as an organization executing investigations, training and disseminating activities. From that time, various research activities regarding the disaster prevention have been carried out, establishing a new follow-up era of cooperation. Nowadays, the cooperation between Japan and Mexico keeps strengthening and now includes many areas of action. It carries out, promotes and coordinates research activities not only in terms of earthquake protection strategies, but in general for any type of disaster, like volcanoes or landslides. A successful example is the MEXT scholarship program, which provides high level education to students from developing countries. Every year hundreds of foreign students arrive to Japan to carry out graduate studies in different areas, being engineering one of the strongest.

To determine the capacity for measurement of central corneal thickness by ultrasound pachymetry and by Pentacam (pachymetry at the pupillary axis and minimum corneal pachymetry) to discriminate between healthy controls and patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.Measurements of the left eyes of 123 control subjects and 128 glaucomatous patients were taken. Differences between the two data sets for each variable were identified using a t-test for independent samples. Three univariate binary logistic regression models (to discriminate between glaucoma and controls) were constructed, in which the predictive variables were the determinations of corneal thickness.All variables showed a normal distribution. Controls and patients failed to differ significantly in terms of ultrasound pachymetry but did differ in terms of pupillary axis thickness (mean difference 22.01μm in favour of controls; 95% CI: 5.61-34.15) and minimum corneal thickness (mean difference 21.65μm in favour of controls; 95% CI: 3.05-32.25). The logistic regression model for ultrasound pachymetry was not significant (P=0.051) but significant discriminatory capacity was shown for pupillary axis thickness (expB=0.987; 95% CI: 0.99-0.993; sensitivity: 58.5%; specificity: 64.8%) and minimum corneal thickness (expB=0.987; 95% CI: 0.981-0.994; sensitivity: 61.9%; specificity: 63.1%).Central corneal thickness measurement by Pentacam, while not an ad hoc diagnostic test for glaucoma, showed a similar yet not inappreciable capacity to discriminate between glaucoma patients and controls.

We report the case of a 37-year-old male who presented signs of acute motor axonal polyradiculoneuropathy that began three weeks after a three-day bout of gastroenteritis and was accompanied by a stiff neck, hyperreflexia and anti-GA1 antibodies. The symptoms developed within 12 hours, after beginning with the patient waking up in the middle of the night with a headache; the following morning he presented general weakness and cranial neuropathy and therefore decided to go to hospital. The neurological examination showed multiple cranial neuropathy, quadriparesis with hyperreflexia, bilateral Babinski and a stiff neck. Following treatment, first with methylprednisolone and then with gamma globulin, the development of the illness was halted. Neuroinfection due to lumbar puncture was ruled out and acute motor axonal polyradiculoneuropathy was confirmed in a second neuroconduction study performed seven days after admission. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an area of demyelination in the white matter and the presence of anti-GA1 antibodies was detected in the serological analysis. Two years later, the patient performs activities of daily living, walks with assistance and has gone back to work.Acute motor axonal polyradiculoneuropathy with hyperreflexia, a stiff neck and central demyelination can be associated to anti-GA1 antibodies. Treatment with gamma globulin appears to curb development of the disease.

Trends in serotype incidence and susceptibility (1997 to 2008) of Spanish Streptococcus pneumoniae pleural isolates ( n = 831) were explored. Penicillin (oral) nonsusceptibility rates and the incidence of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) serotypes showed decreasing trends ( R 2 ≥ 0.600; P ≤ 0.002). The incidence of serotypes 1 and 19A showed increasing trends ( R 2 ≥ 0.759; P < 0.001), with no trends for serotype 3. Serotypes 19A, 1, and 3 represented 85% of pediatric isolates in 2008. In serotype 19A, the penicillin nonsusceptibility rate was 82.4% in 2008, associated with amoxicillin and cefotaxime nonsusceptibility in 21.4% of isolates. Inclusion of these serotypes in new vaccines offers the broadest coverage.

Patients coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV undergoing liver transplantation (LT) are at risk of early, aggressive HCV recurrence. This study investigates the use of frequent protocol-driven biopsies to identify HCV recurrence post LT in coinfected patients. Five consecutive HIV/HCV-coinfected patients underwent LT. Liver biopsies were obtained post LT at 1 hour; days 7, 120, and 365; then annually; and as clinically indicated. Stage 2 (Ishak) or higher fibrosis occurred in 4 of the 5 patients by 60, 120, 270, and 365 days. Two patients died of HCV recurrence and liver failure at 6 and 35 months post LT. Three patients survived more than 4 years after LT, 2 having sustained virologic responses to anti-HCV treatment. Another has histologic recurrence not responding to treatment. Hepatitis C virus recurrence can be rapid and aggressive after LT in HIV-coinfected patients. Serial biopsies identify recurrence early, allowing for prompt initiation of treatment.

We report dose measurements of electrons emitted in the interaction of a kHz laser of 1 GW with a solid target of aluminium. By using a microscope objective we are able to obtain high intensities I∼1016 W/cm−2, with less of 1 mJ before the objective. For p‐polarized laser pulses and an oblique incidence of 45 degrees, we report high doses of electrons in the specular reflection direction. Energy spectra of the electrons show a bi‐Maxwellian distribution with characteristic energy of T = 13.8 and 60 keV. These distributions are obtained using an array of TLDs placed at different distances from the source. We take advantage of the stopping power of air to estimate the energy distribution.

Ionizing radiation was produced when ultra‐short laser pulses collided obliquely on solid aluminium targets. As a result of the interaction, electrons and photons of some tens of keV were measured. We also analyzed the effect of laser polarization on the emitted radiation.

Management of depression, if it is independently associated with repeated hospitalizations for heart failure (HF), offers promise as a viable and cost-effective strategy to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs for HF. The objective of this study was to assess the association between depression and the number of HF-related hospitalizations in patients with low-to-moderate systolic or diastolic dysfunction, after controlling for illness severity, socioeconomic factors, physician adherence to evidence-based medications, patient adherence to HF drug therapy, and patient adherence to salt restrictions.The Heart Failure Adherence and Retention Trial (HART) was a randomized behavioral trial to evaluate whether patient self-management skills coupled with HF education improved patient outcomes. Depression was measured at baseline with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The number of hospitalizations was analyzed with a negative binomial regression model that included an offset term to account for the differential duration of follow-up for individual subjects. The average unadjusted number of hospitalizations per year was 0.40 in the depressed group (GDS ≥10) and 0.33 in the nondepressed group (GDS10). Depression was a strong predictor (incident rate ratio 1.45; P = .006) after adjusting for physician adherence to evidence-based medication use, patient adherence to HF drug therapy, patient adherence to salt restriction, illness severity, HF severity (6-minute walk620 feet), and socioeconomic factors.Depression is a strong psychosocial predictor of repeated hospitalizations for HF. Compared with nondepressed individuals, those with depression were hospitalized for HF 1.45 times more often, even after controlling for physician adherence to evidence-based medications and patient adherence to HF drug therapy and salt restrictions. This finding suggests that clinicians should screen for depression early in the course of HF management.

We report 3 cases of patients with HIV/AIDS in whom Fanconi syndrome and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus developed secondary to use of an antiretroviral regimen containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and didanosine. These patients presented with a history of polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, anorexia, and wasting. Interestingly, 1 patient was not taking protease inhibitors. This response is a well-documented yet uncommon complication of tenofovir use in the HIV population. We recommend continued monitoring for renal toxicity when using NRTI combination of tenofovir and didanosine.

We performed a phase II trial to test whether a cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitor, celecoxib, added to standard first-line combination chemotherapy (CT) and as maintenance therapy would improve outcomes in extensive-stage (ES) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This was a multicenter trial in CT-naive patients with ES-SCLC. They received standard cisplatin and etoposide (EP) up to 6 cycles and celecoxib 400 mg PO bid continuously until disease progression. Primary end points were response rate (RR), time to progression (TTP), and toxicity. Secondary were overall survival (OS) and quality of life. Of 74 expected patients, only 24 were enrolled and the study stopped earlier because of the published safety concerns about celecoxib. The patients, all male, were between 38 and 74 years. A total of 130 cycles of CT were administered. Toxicity associated with celecoxib was minimal. The RR was 56.5%. Median TTP and OS were 8.6 and 11.3 months, respectively. These data suggest that celecoxib may safely be combined with EP for treatment of ES-SCLC. This combination showed a promising activity and, despite the safety concerns regarding celecoxib, it would be interesting to further evaluate this regimen.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) using grafts from anti-HBVcore antibody-positive (anti-HBVcAB+) donors carry risk for development of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The long-term course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients receiving anti-HBVcAB+ grafts is poorly understood. Patients and methods: A patient with chronic hepatitis C received an anti-HBVc+ graft and developed de novo hepatitis B after four months. We describe the 14 HCV patients who received antiHBVc+ grafts and the condition of disease. Results: Hepatitis B was treated successfully with lamivudine. One year later, breakthrough infection developed with a lamivudine-resistant mutant. Addition of adefovir led to HBV surface antigen to surface antibody seroconversion after two yr, which was maintained long term. Antiviral therapy was discontinued. Liver biopsy revealed minimal histologic changes up to eight yr post-LT. Survival of 14 recipients of antiHBVc+ allografts and 180 recipients of antiHBVc-negative grafts was equal (minimum follow up of five yr). Liver biopsies at four yr showed grade 0/1 and stage 0/1 in >70%; only two patients showed bridging fibrosis. A literature review of dual hepatitis virus infection revealed an overall milder course of hepatitis post-LT. Conclusion: The outcome of HCV patients receiving anti-HBc+ grafts is good and may be associated with a milder course of recurrent HCV.

Interruption of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) worsens the chance for a successful defibrillation with stable return of spontaneous circulation. Therefore “no flow times” (NFT) have to be minimized. However, analysis of the electrocardiogram (ECG) for fibrillation detection requires interruption of CPR with the ECG-analysis algorithms currently implemented in (automatic external) defibrillators. In contrast, ECG-analysis during ongoing cardiac massage could considerably reduce NFT. New analyzing algorithms should be optimized for removal of CPR-artifacts from the ECG. In order to test these algorithms “corrupted” ECGs are needed.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) strains resistant to ganciclovir have been associated with specific mutations in the UL97 and UL54 genes. The UL97 gene of a CMV strain isolated from a renal transplant recipient before and after 438 days of ganciclovir treatment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. A novel mutation resulting in deletion of codons 595 to 603 was identified in the viral DNA from specimens obtained after, but not before, prolonged ganciclovir therapy. Clinical and virological resolution of CMV disease occurred after switching to foscarnet therapy. Although many ganciclovir resistance mutations have been mapped to the UL97 codon range 591-607, this one is unusual in that it involves deletion of half these codons. Because UL97 seems to be necessary for effective CMV replication, this deletion suggests that much of codons 591-607 can be removed without destroying the biological function of UL97, and that this codon range can be altered in various ways to affect ganciclovir susceptibility. Rapid, flexible genotypic assays directed at this part of UL97 may facilitate the early recognition of ganciclovir resistance.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to analyse the evolution of antibiotic non-susceptibility in Spanish invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae after licensure of respiratory-quinolones for adults and 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) for immunization of children. METHODS All invasive pneumococci received in the Reference Laboratory (January 2000-August 2007; n = 12 957 isolates) were serotyped, and susceptibility to penicillin/erythromycin/levofloxacin was determined. Antibiotic consumption and PCV-7 doses/year were provided by IMS and the manufacturer, respectively. RESULTS In 2000-07, PCV-7 distribution (doses/1000 inhabitants

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is an infrequent finding in testicular ultrasound and its clinical importance has not been completely defined. We analyzed the ultrasounds of patients with testicular germ cell tumors in order to analyze the correlation between TM, histological findings and clinical variables.Fifty-seven patients with germ cell tumors and radical orchiectomy were included. Clinical, pathological, and echographic data were analyzed.TM was observed in 27 men (48.27%) and was absent in 30 (52.6%). Patients with TM had a greater likelihood of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) vs seminomatous (55.6% vs 30%, p=0.05), stage II/III testicular cancer (51.8% vs 16.7%, p=0.005), positive surgical margins (18.5% vs 0%, p=0.021), and spermatic cord invasion (14.8% vs 0%, p=0.048). No significant difference was found in respect to other histopathological variables.This study showed that TM in testicular tumors is associated to NSGCT, advanced clinical stage, positive surgical margins, and spermatic cord invasion.

This brief presents a complete set of CMOS basic building blocks for low-cost scanning infrared (IR) cryogenic imagers. Low-power and compact novel circuits are proposed for single-capacitor integration and correlated double sampling, embedded pixel test, pixel charge-multiplexing and video composition and buffering. In order to validate the new basic building blocks, experimental results are reported in standard 0.35-mum CMOS technology for a 50 mum x 100 mum active pixel cell operating at 77 K. Based on the proposed circuits, IR imagers capable of capturing up to 256 x 2560 pixels at 25 fps can be implemented.

In this paper we present out-of-plane 3-D self assembled SOI (Silicon-on-Insulator) MEMS that can be directly integrated to the electronic components. Because of their 3-D nature, these structures can be used, for instance, as the basic elements for the construction of thermal actuators or flow sensors. We make a description of the fabrication and operation of these devices and we show how these two stages can be numerically simulated.

Peritonitis occurring after liver transplantation (PLT) has been poorly characterized to date. The aims of this study were to define the incidence, risk factors, microbiology profiles, and outcome of nonlocalized PLT. This was a retrospective study of 950 cadaveric liver transplantation (LT) procedures in 837 patients, followed for a mean of 1,086 days (range, 104-2,483 days) after LT. PLT was defined as the presence of at least one positive ascitic fluid culture after LT. There were 108 PLT episodes in 91 patients occurring at a median of 14 days (range, 1-102 days) after LT. Significant risk factors associated with the development of PLT by multivariate analysis included pre-LT model for end-stage liver disease score, duration of LT surgery, Roux-en-Y biliary anastomosis, and renal replacement therapy after LT. Biliary complications, intra-abdominal bleeding, and bowel leak/perforation were associated with 34.3%, 26.9%, and 18.5% of episodes, respectively. Multiple organisms, gram-positive cocci, fungus, and multidrug-resistant bacteria were isolated in 61.1%, 92.6%, 25.9%, and 76.9% of ascitic fluid cultures, respectively. The 28 fungal PLT episodes were associated with bowel leak/perforation and polymicrobial peritonitis. Patients who developed PLT after their first LT had a significantly greater risk of graft loss or mortality compared to unaffected patients. Parameters significantly associated with these adverse outcomes by multivariate analysis were recipient age at LT and bowel leak or perforation after LT. In conclusion, PLT is a serious infectious complication of LT, associated with significant intra-abdominal pathology and reduced recipient and graft survival.

The paper proposes a low-cost scanning read-out IC architecture for large arrays of infra-red photon sensors operating at cryogenic temperatures. The low-power and compact 50/spl times/100 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ active pixel sensor area is achieved by the use of novel CMOS basic building blocks for single-capacitor integration and correlated double sampling, embedded pixel-test, pixel charge-multiplexing, video multiplexing and offset calibration. As a result, a low-cost 500/spl times/12 and 60 ns/pixel system-on-chip realization, capable of capturing high-resolution and real-time infra-red images, such as 640/spl times/500 @ 100 fps or 2560/spl times/500 @ 25 fps, is presented for a standard 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology.

A 42-year-old man had fever, chills, and bilateral visual loss. Visual acuity was markedly subnormal OU and ophthalmoscopy disclosed optic disc swelling with retinal thickening extending into the macula OU, findings consistent with neuroretinitis. Fluorescein angiography revealed optic disc leakage and submacular accumulation of dye OU without retinal vascular leakage. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed outer plexiform layer retinal edema and subfoveal detachments. There was evidence of active human immune deficiency virus and cytomegalovirus infections. Several weeks after multidrug therapy, sequential OCT scans documented resolution of the outer plexiform edema and submacular detachments in parallel with improved visual acuity. The OCT findings support the theory that submacular detachments in neuroretinitis result from diffusion of fluid from the optic disc to the outer plexiform layer and through the outer limiting membrane to the subretinal space.

Antifungal prophylaxis has been proposed for liver transplant recipients at increased risk for invasive mold infection. Risk factors for invasive mold infection after liver transplantation were selected to divide recipients into 3 groups: (1) high risk-transplantation on hemodialysis or delay of hospital discharge beyond day 7 after transplantation because of allograft or renal insufficiency; (2) intermediate risk-retransplantation or transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure; (3) low risk-absence of conditions in groups 1 and 2. During an intervention period (February 1999-April 2001), prophylactic administration of a lipid complex of amphotericin (Abelcet) at 5 mg/kg intravenously every 24 to 48 hours was recommended for high-risk recipients. The frequency of mold infection was compared to that of a preintervention period (February 1998-January 1999) when antifungal prophylaxis was not provided. During the intervention period, invasive mold infection developed in 2 (6%) of 35 high-risk recipients, 0 of 28 intermediate-risk recipients, and 1 (0.5%) of 187 low-risk recipients. Overall, of 58 liver transplant recipients, 3 (5%) developed an invasive mold infection during the preintervention period, compared with 3 (1%) of 250 during the intervention period (P = 0.08). The only death from invasive mold infection occurred during the preintervention period. Rates of pulse corticosteroid treatment of rejection and cytomegalovirus infection were lower during the intervention period. In conclusion, readily identifiable patient characteristics can be used to stratify liver transplant recipients for risk of invasive mold infection. Antifungal prophylaxis given to high-risk recipients may provide cost-effective prevention of these infections.

We describe a girl with a previously unreported de novo duplication of chromosome 4q involving segment q21-q28. Clinical manifestations included growth and psychomotor retardation, facial asymmetry, hypotelorism, epicanthic folds, mongoloid slant of palpebral fissures, apparently low-set auricles, high nasal bridge, long philtrum, small mouth, short neck, low-set thumbs, and bilateral club foot. This phenotype is compared with that of previously reported cases of duplication 4q.

We report on the diagnostic of ultrafast pulses by frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) based on strong third-harmonic generation (THG) in amorphous organic thin films. The high THG conversion efficiency of these films allows for the characterization of sub-nanojoule short pulses emitting at telecommunication wavelengths using a low cost portable fiber spectrometer.

A device and method for producing a third harmonic signal from an optical pulse of wavelength k. In the device and method, an optical pulse at a wavelength k is incident on a material including at least one molecule having a formula D-U-A, where D is an electron donor group, A is an electron acceptor group, and II is a conjugated structure having it bonds that connect D to A. The molecule exhibits a strong absorption band centered at a wavelength ko and a weakly absorbing region centered at a wavelength k, which is less than Xo. A wavelength k/2 has a value of about Xo, and a wavelength k/3 has a value of about XI. A third harmonic signal at k/3 is generated. From a measured third harmonic signal as a function of a time delay for separate optical pulses entering the material, at least one of a pulse width and a pulse shape of the optical pulse can be extracted. From a spectrally resolved third harmonic signal, a phase of the optical pulse can be extracted.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a transcription factor that responds to cellular stress. p53 regulates growth arrest, apoptosis, senescense, angiogenesis and DNA repair, mainly by activating and/or repressing transcription of specific target genes. Its central role in tumor development is supported by the frequent mutation or loss of the p53 gene in human tumors of different tissue origin. Furthermore, animal models have underscored p53’s key role in tumorigenesis and pointed to p53-induced apoptosis as a major mechanism for tumor suppression in vivo. Due to its role in the evolution of tumors and pivotal function in regulation of apoptosis, the p53 pathway is an important target for conventional and novel cancer therapy.

Atrial size in recipients of orthotopic heart transplant (OHTX) who have long-term survival is not well described in the literature. We reviewed 2-dimensional echocardiograms of 14 recipients of OHTX who survived at least 5 years. Apical 4-chamber images were used for measurements starting at 1-year post-OHTX. The recipients of OHTX were 8 (57%) men and 6 (43%) women with a mean age of 43.6 +/- 12.1 (20-60) years and mean survival of 9.5 +/- 2.6 (5.8-14.4) years. All chambers increased with time post-OHTX (r0.83, P.002). The changes in left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA), remnants of donor LA and RA, and remnants of recipients' LA areas correlated inversely with patient survival post-OHTX (r0.83, P.002). The change in RA recipient remnant area did not correlate with survival (r = 0.58, P =.06). In recipients of OHTX with long-term survival, there is a significant correlation between the echocardiographic size of LA and RA, and donor and recipient remnants with time and survival.

Eleven brucellosis cases were identified in three municipalities of Cordoba (Andalucia, Spain). A case-control study was conducted, selecting three cases per control. Persons having eaten unpasteurized raw goat cheese produced in a farmhouse located in the epidemic territory, were at higher risk for presenting brucellosis ( OR=21.6, IC95%=1.6-639.8). Brucella melitensis serovar 3 was identified in clinical specimens and in goat tissue and milk samples from the herd's farmhouse. Preventive measures were implemented and the outbreak was stopped after the withdrawal of all suspicious cheeses from the market, additional sanitation of the farmhouse and health promotion activities.

Summary This study was carried out to investigate the pattern of lectin binding in the cerebellum of calves poisoned with Solanum fastigiatum var. fastigiatum. For the experimental reproduction of the illness, S. fastigiatum var. fastigiatum was collected from farms where the intoxication occurs. The dried ground plant was administered to two 1-year-old cattle by a ruminal cannula. The animals received 5 g/kg b.w. daily, 5 days a week, during periods of 107 and 140 days. After these periods the animals were bled to death. For the histological study, transverse sections of the cerebellum were used. Paraffin-embedded sections were incubated with the following biotinylated lectins with different specificity: Concanavalia ensiformis (Con-A), Glycine max (SBA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Ulex europeus-I (UEA-I), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), succynyl-WGA (sWGA), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Ricinus communis-I (RCA-I) and Bandeirea simplicifolia-I (BS-I). Avidin–biotin–peroxidase complex was applied as a detection system. Purkinje cells showed vacuolation in the pericaryon. The stored material present in the cells reacted strongly with the following lectins: Con-A, sWGA, WGA and RCA-I. An irregular affinity was observed with PNA and DBA. The lectin-binding pattern was compatible with a glycolipid storage disease.

Agents are becoming one of the most important topics in massively distributed and autonomous decentralized systems. Here, agents are considered as software computational entities, created and supported through agent platforms and acting in an agent environment. Based on some recognized agent skills and roles, the paper presents a discussion about the capabilities required in order that a standardized platform supports the action of agents in distributed heterogeneous systems. After posing some architectural goals and principles, a proposal is presented for an agent platform architecture that offers a set of configurable functionalities aiming to support generic agent necessities within their execution environment. The proposal follows the concepts of agent facilities described for Corba environments.