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Limited data are available on breakthrough COVID- 19 in patients with hematologic malignancy (HM) after anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination. Adult patients with HM, ≥1 dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and breakthrough COVID-19 between January 2021 and March 2022 were analyzed. A total of 1548 cases were included, mainly lymphoid malignancies (1181 cases, 76%). After viral sequencing in 753 cases (49%), the Omicron variant was prevalent (517, 68.7%). Most of the patients received ≤2 vaccine doses before COVID-19 (1419, 91%), mostly mRNA-based (1377, 89%). Overall, 906 patients (59%) received COVID-19-specific treatment. After 30-day follow-up from COVID-19 diagnosis, 143 patients (9%) died. The mortality rate in patients with the Omicron variant was 7.9%, comparable to other variants, with a significantly lower 30-day mortality rate than in the prevaccine era (31%). In the univariable analysis, older age (P < .001), active HM (P < .001), and severe and critical COVID-19 (P = .007 and P < .001, respectively) were associated with mortality. Conversely, patients receiving monoclonal antibodies, even for severe or critical COVID-19, had a lower mortality rate (P < .001). In the multivariable model, older age, active disease, critical COVID-19, and 2-3 comorbidities were correlated with a higher mortality, whereas monoclonal antibody administration, alone (P < .001) or combined with antivirals (P = .009), was protective. Although mortality is significantly lower than in the prevaccination era, breakthrough COVID-19 in HM is still associated with considerable mortality. Death rate was lower in patients who received monoclonal antibodies, alone or in combination with antivirals.

Summary Objectives With this study we aim to compare the patterns of injury of skiers and snowboarders in order to provide useful data on the topic. Equipment and methods This is a retrospective cohort study which analyzed data of patients presented at a mountainside clinic for a ski- or snowboard-related injury between 4th December 2016 and 17th April 2017. Results In total, 1605 patients were screened, of whom 210 were excluded as they did not meet inclusion criteria, leaving 1395 (1099 skiers and 296 snowboarders) patients for analysis. Multiple injuries were recorded in 64 (5.8%) skiers and 13 (4.4%) snowboarders (P = 0.416). There was a lower rate of female gender (n = 95, 32.1% vs. n = 575, 52.3%; P

Sixteen years ago rabbit and human mesothelial cells were successsfully cultured and autoimplanted. The aim of the study was merely to demostrate that mesothelial implant was possible and interesting not only in peritoneal dialysis, but also in the vaster field of medicine and surgery concerning all the mesothelial districts of the body.The aim of this paper is to recollect the steps which have led to autolougous mesothelial transplantation and verify if the tecnique has been validated and adopted by others.Review of the literature published in the last 15 years shows that intraperitoneal transplantation of mesothelial cells has been effective in reducing the formation of peritoneal adhesions, and in remodeling the area of mesothelial denudation. New studies on the mesothelial cell opened the way to costruction of transplantable tissue-engineered artificial peritoneum, to the utilization of mesothelial progenitor cells and to find simple metods to collect autologous mesothelial cells.Finally mesothelial trasnsplantation may represent a new neovascular therapy in the prevention and treatment of ischemic coronaric heart disease.

The endothelium is a metabolically active organ that regulates the interaction between blood or lymph and the vessel or the surrounding tissue. Blood endothelium has been the object of many investigations whereas lymphatic endothelium biology is yet poorly understood. This report deals with a proteomic approach to the characterization and comparative analysis of lymphatic and blood vessel endothelial cells (ECs). By 2-DE we visualized the protein profiles of EC extracts from the thoracic aorta, inferior vena cava, and thoracic duct of Bos taurus. The three obtained electropherograms were then analyzed by specific software, and 113 quantitative and 25 qualitative differences were detected between the three endothelial gels. The cluster analysis of qualitative and quantitative differences evidenced the protein pattern of lymphatic ECs to be more similar to the venous than to the arterial one. Moreover, venous ECs were interestingly found showing a protein expression profile more similar to the lymphatic ECs than to the arterial ones. We also identified 64 protein spots by MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-IT MS/MS and three reference maps of bovine endothelium were obtained. The functional implications of the identified proteins in vascular endothelial biology are discussed.

In this paper the effect of N-terminal parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp) and PTHrp-engaged pathways on MCF-7 breast cancer cell migration/invasivity and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production were investigated. We found that: a) migration is not affected by PTHrp and Forskolin (FK)-activated PKA, while Phorbol Myristate Acetate (PMA)-activated PKC strongly stimulates MCF-7 cells motility. b) MMPs production was unaffected by PTHrp, but FK reduced membrane-type (MT)-1 MMP expression. Conversely, PMA induced a marked increase of MT1-MMP and MMP-9. c) Chemical activation of PKC is not sufficient, by itself, to confer invasive ability to MCF-7 cells, unless they were provided with additional factors, supplied by fibroblasts. d) Matrix invasion likely occurs through an activation cascade, involving at least three components: pro-MMP-9 and MT-1 MMP (supplied by PMA-stimulated MCF-7 cells) and pro MMP-2 (supplied by fibroblasts). e) The selective chemical inhibition of the adenylylciclase (AC)/PKA and phospholipase C (PLC)/PKC pathways confirmed that MCF-7 cells invasivity is not affected by exogenous PTHrp, which can only modulate their growth. However, the PTHrp responsibility in breast cancer invasion cannot be completely excluded. Indeed, fibroblasts are known to respond to PTHrp (which is a normal product of MCF-7 as well as other breast cancer cells) with enhanced release of MMP-2. On the basis of the documented requirement of fibroblast-derived MMP-2 for MCF-7 cell invasivity, a novel humoral fibroblast-breast cancer cell interaction, mediated by PTHrp, can be recognised.

Benefits provided by higher order bidirectional Raman pumping schemes in 10-Gb/s unrepeated wavelength-division-multiplexing transmission systems are experimentally quantified in terms of BER performances at 10 Gb/s. By keeping under control double-Rayleigh-scattering-noise-induced transmission penalties, which can degrade system performance at very high ON-OFF Raman gain, as well as nonlinear propagation effects such as Brillouin scattering, self- and cross-phase modulations, four-wave-mixing, and Raman-induced crosstalks, we show a total unrepeated system reach enhancement up to 3.5 dB with respect to first-order bidirectional pumping. As confirmed by theory, the maximum reach enhancement is mainly limited by pump-to-signal relative intensity noise transfer induced by higher order copumping.

Background Cleaning the urinary tract by so-called “wash-out effect” and promoting high diuresis has long been advocated but has had very little scientific backing and few prospective studies in international journals. Aim To verify whether the physical laws describing the transport force of water in rivers and pipes are also valid for urinary outflow. Methods A laboratory model for measuring transport force, given liquid and solid capacity, was adapted to create an in vivo model based on the rabbit urinary tract. Results Fluid flow in the rabbit renal pelvis and ureters was found similar to flow in pipes, obeying the physical laws of water transport to some extent. When the quantity of liquid flowing in the urinary tract in unit time was doubled, the transport force increased by various orders of magnitude. When the liquid increased by a larger factor, the transport force became enormous. Conclusions The results confirm the utility of maintaining high diuresis in patients with renal calculus, but stress the utility of drinking 1–2 liters of hypotonic water in a short time to obtain an enormous increase in transport force which increases the probability of a cleansing effect.

We theoretically and experimentally investigate the performance of erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)-based WDM ring networks with free amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light recirculation. We show that, with proper network and amplifier design, the lasing light generated by free ASE recirculation within the looped network provides an effective gain clamping technique, ensuring limited signal power excursions under WDM channels add-drop operations. Considering a ring network composed of eight fiber sections and eight EDFAs, maximum signal power overshoots below 2.5dB have been measured under 23/24 WDM channels drop. Optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) analysis and bit-error rate (BER) measurement at 10 Gb/s confirm acceptable performances and negligible penalties due to polarization effects and relative intensity noise transfer from laser light to WDM signals. We also propose and demonstrate a new link control technique which overcomes the main limiting factors of such networks, respectively, related to OSNR degradation, stability and survivability to fiber and EDFA breakages.

AimCommercial glucose peritoneal dialysis solutions expose the peritoneum to hyperosmolar glucose containing variable amounts of non-enzymic breakdown products of glucose. These solutions are toxic for the peritoneum. The aim of the present study is to compare in vitro and in vivo characteristics of a new dialysis solution containing carnitine, a naturally occurring compound, as substitute of glucose.Material and MethodsWe compared in vitro and in the rabbit a new peritoneal dialysis solution containing carnitine, with two standard bicarbonate glucose peritoneal dialysis solutions and a solution containing icodextrin.ResultsIn vitro and in vivo the solution containing carnitine seems to be more biocompatible than standard glucose solutions and those containing icodextrin.ConclusionsIn our study the peritoneal dialysis solution containing carnitine seems to prevent the mesothelial changes observed with solutions containing glucose. Since carnitine has been extensively studied and seems to be well tolerated by hemodialysis patients, even at high doses for long periods, clinical trials in humans may be planned in the near future.

BackgroundLittle research has been dedicated to milky spots (MS), except for their role in oncology. In the field of peritoneal dialysis (PD), studying MS could help in understanding peritoneal defenses.MethodsWe reviewed the methods for detecting and counting omental MS and studied modifications induced by chemical and inflammatory stimuli. The reactions of MS to peritoneal catheters, PD solutions, and infection were studied in 32 rabbits. We also evaluated changes in MS in 39 serial omental biopsies from 16 patients with different histories of PD, and examined peritoneal biopsies from 38 patients with sclerosing peritonitis.ResultsThe catheter provoked an immediate increase in the number and size of MS in rabbits. Intraperitoneal infusion of commercial PD solution containing 1.38% or 3.86% glucose for 30 days led to a slight but significant increase in the number and size of MS, without differences between the two glucose concentrations. Peritonitis caused a sharp increase in the number of MS in rabbits and humans, and a particular transformation. In patients with simple sclerosis, we observed normal MS having the same number and size as in patients without simple sclerosis. A few MS were found in only 2 patients with sclerosing peritonitis.ConclusionsPeritoneal dialysis activates omental MS. Peritoneal infection leads to a marked increase in the activity of MS, some of which undergo a singular transformation, casting doubt on previous theories about differentiation of MS from other lymphatic organs. Comparison with oncological studies indicates certain contact points. The presence of MS in PD patients with simple sclerosis is in contradiction to other morphological studies sustaining that MS act only when in contact with a fenestrated mesothelial basement membrane. Finally, the shortage of MS in patients with sclerosing peritonitis raises certain questions about etiopathogenesis.

BackgroundPeritoneal dialysis (PD) patients rarely develop sclerosing peritonitis (SP), a severe, life-threatening condition of unknown pathogenesis. Ossification of the peritoneum (PO) is a rare occurrence, which has, however, been reported in PD patients with SP.ObjectiveTo investigate etiopathogenetic correlations between PO and SP by histopathological examination.MethodWe examined biopsy specimens, obtained by laparoscopy or during surgery from 36 patients with SP, from all parts of Italy in the past 8 years for evidence of peritoneal calcification or ossification. Other studies were performed on a sample of dense white material found under the parietal peritoneum of 1 patient during laparoscopy.ResultsOssification of the peritoneum was found in 4/16 patients with calcifications. In addition to PO, we also found bone marrow in two specimens and arterial ossification in one case. In specimens with calcifications, and especially those with ossification, there was evidence of peritoneal inflammation with infiltration of lymphocytes, multinuclear giant cells, macrophages, and mast cells. The chemical composition of the whitish material was 85% calcium chloride and 15% hydroxyapatite.ConclusionsCalcifications alone were found in 33% (12/36) of cases of SP; 11% of SP cases were complicated by both peritoneal calcification and ossification (4/36), which indicates great availability of calcium under conditions of inflammation. Where does this calcium come from? In 1 patient with PO, the quantity of calcium was enormous and its unusual composition suggested a link with the calcium contained in dialysis solution.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine why colorectal tumors confined to submucosa rarely metastasize. Under normal conditions, the submucosa contains many large lymphatic vessels with thin walls that would presumably favor the spread of cancer cells through the lymphatic system. METHODS: Specimens of colorectal cancer tissue, the border between tumor and normal tissue, and normal tissue were obtained from patients undergoing radical resection of colorectal cancer. The material was embedded in methacrylate resin for light microscopy and Epon® for transmission electron microscopy examination. Light microscopy observations were routinely performed on serial sections. RESULTS: No lymphatic vessels were ever found in the tumor mass. The border area contained peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate of variable thickness. Where submucosal lymphatic vessels came into contact with peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate, they were profoundly altered: their endothelium was fragmented, and their walls were disrupted. These altered lymphatic vessels were almost always accompanied by mast cells, which were observed in the process of degranulating toward the lymphatic endothelium. No such alterations were detected in blood vessels. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mast cells, probably influenced by inflammatory infiltrate and/or colorectal cancer cells, destroy lymphatic vessels, which prevents cancer cells from spreading through the lymphatic system.

The difficulty of identifying and differentiating lymphatic and blood microvessels in tissue sections can be overcome by a monoclonal antibody specific for lymphatic endothelium. Unfortunately, the only known antibody also reacts with the endothelium of some blood vessels. The technique of double immunization (passive, with an antiserum to blood endothelium, and active, with a suspension of lymphatic endothelial cells) was, therefore, used to increase the chances of recognizing specific lymphatic antigens by the mouse immune system. The monoclonal antibody obtained, LyMAb, a G1 immunoglobulin, reacted strongly with the endothelium of bovine thoracic duct, mesenteric collecting vessels and lymphatic vessels of gall-bladder and lymph nodes and moderately with those of the intestinal wall. Blood vessels (intercostal arteries, azygos vein and blood microvessels of all organs tested) were consistently negative. The antibody was species-specific and did not react with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections. Cross-reactivity was limited to some connective tissue fibres and scattered cells in the lymph node parenchyma, intestinal villi and hepatic lobules.

It is well known that red blood cells incubated in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-rich medium show shape abnormalities that revert to normal after reincubation in normal plasma. Patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HFH) have an increased percentage of abnormally-shaped erythrocytes (mostly stomatocytes, knisocytes, and crenated cells) compared to normocholesterolemic controls: 7.73+/-0.96 versus 3.52+/-0.52 (mean+/-SEM; P = 0.001). To confirm the role of high LDL concentration in inducing red cell shape abnormalities we determined the percentage of abnormally shaped erythrocytes in seven HFH patients 1 day after the procedure of LDL-apheresis with a 40% cholesterol decrease. A reduction in kniscocytes, stomatocytes, and crenated cells was observed in the patients treated by LDL-apheresis (P < 0.01). To investigate the possible benefit of a reduction in erythrocyte shape abnormality on cerebral hemodynamics, cerebral flow velocity, as evaluated by transcranial Doppler, was evaluated concomitantly and found to be remarkably increased after apheresis (P < 0.01). No significant change in hematocrit, plasma viscosity, blood viscosity, mean pressure, or cardiac output was detected, 1 day after apheresis. An inverse correlation was demonstrated (r = 0.55; P = 0.04) between changes in the percentage of knisocytes+stomatocytes +crenated cells and percent changes in middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity. The correction of erythrocyte shape abnormalities after LDL-apheresis might be related to dramatic changes in plasma phospholipid concentration and proportion occurring after this procedure in HFH patients. The reduction of erythrocyte shape abnormalities could contribute, together with other hemorheological factors, to the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics after LDL-apheresis.

The aim of this paper is to study a new finite element with ‘drilling’ degrees of freedom for linear elasticity problems and to show its convergence properties. We will compare this element on a test problem with the corresponding drill-element introduced by Hughes and Brezzi and we will analyze the behaviour of both with respect to the stiffening effect.

We propose a second-order counterpumped Raman ring fiber oscillator for high gain and low noise discrete Raman amplification with enhanced robustness to wavelength-division-multiplexing channels add-drop operations. Bit-error-rate measurement at 10 Gb/s shows negligible penalties up to 20-dB net gain.

The peritoneal histology of 224 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients without sclerosing peritonitis (SP) and of 39 PD patients with SP was evaluated. Of the 224 patients, 180 showed simple sclerosis (SS). In these subjects, slight thickness of sclerosis (10 – 70 μm), slight parvicellular infiltration (5/180), slight arterial thickening with no vessel occlusion (19/180), and slight tissue calcification (1/180) were observed. In the 39 patients with SP, striking histological changes versus SS were detected: thickness of sclerosis 250 – 4000 μm, p < 0.01; inflammation 39/39, p < 0.01 (parvicellular infiltration 36/39, p < 0.01; microabscesses 15/39, p < 0.05; giant cells 38/39, p < 0.01; granulation tissue 38/39, p < 0.01); arterial alterations 39/39, p < 0.01 (thickening 39/39, p < 0.01; occlusion 39/39, p < 0.01; calcification 26/39, p < 0.01; ossification 9/39, p < 0.01); tissue calcification 12/39, p < 0.01 (with ossification 4/39, with bone marrow 2/39). The thickness of sclerosis in SS was higher in parietal (30 – 70 μm) than in visceral peritoneum (10 – 40 μm, p < 0.05); in SP it was higher in visceral (600 – 4000 μm) than in parietal peritoneum (250 – 2000 μm, p < 0.05).These striking differences suggest consideration of SS and SP as two separate nosological entities. Differences in frequency, animal models, etiology, and clinical impact seem to confirm this hypothesis, showing that SP is not just the evolution of SS.

Recent developments in MEMS technology made available a new class of thermo-resistive sensors to be used as functional devices for acoustic particle velocity, v, measurements (Bruschi and Piotto, IEEE Sensors Proceedings 1405–1408, 2011). A very interesting feature of this new generation of v-sensors—distinguishing them from the Microflown® ones (de Bree et al., Sens Actuators A Phys 54:552–557, 1996)—is their compatibility with standard CMOS industrial processes, so allowing to integrate in the same chip both the sensors and read-out electronic circuits. This added flexibility of v-sensors, combined with miniature or MEMS microphones, allows of setting up pressure–velocity (p–v) microprobes for specific applications, in particular when the reduction of production costs is decisive for marketing strategies. In many applications, in fact, carefully designed functional devices can be safely used, without prejudice to the reliability and the robustness of the required measurement process. In other words, the required measurement precision can be achieved despite the low signal-to-noise ratio or limited band frequency response of the used p–v microprobes. This article shows a first comparison between the two kinds of sensors.

Digital Elevation data produced by NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) are currently the most detailed publicly available, free-of-cost, near-global Digital Elevation Models (DEM). While generally very successful in collecting complete and accurate elevation data, the missions C-band radars had limitations over specific landscapes, including sand deserts, marsh lands and urban areas such as typically found in the Republic of Iraq. This paper presents the results of a validation study using data from ground surveys during the 3D seismic campaign in Iraq over differing terrain morphology. It tests a) the accuracy of finished Level 2 SRTM DEM data and ASTER data; and b) the performance of an interpolation procedure that is routinely applied to fill SRTM data voids on a global scale. The results show that SRTM data consistently meets its own accuracy specifications, with a Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of 1.3 to 5.2 m. Interpolated void-filled data achieved lower accuracy, with RMSE of approximately 7 m for an area of smaller dunes, and RMSE of 14 m within an extensive field of strongly undulating terrain with heights of more than 20 m, meaning that the accuracy specification of SRTM data in this area is not met. It is concluded that void-filling by interpolation in areas of extensive marsh or urban areas do not reproduce the representative topography of such a landscape and that spatially higher resolved elevation data is needed to achieve this via interpolation.

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The complex disorders result from collective actions of many genetic and not-genetic factors and their molecular bases remain largely unknown. The analysis of the variation in gene expression could be an important instrument to dissect these complex phenotypes and improve the comprehension of the pathogenetic mechanisms. To this aim we present here CorrelaGenes, a new bioinformatics tool that exploits the expression data publicly available in the GEO database to identify co-expression patterns that could help to untangle the web of pathways leading to complex diseases.

A turbulent reacting flow model has been developed, based upon a stochastic modeling approach that is applicable over a wide range of Reynolds and Schmidt numbers. All relevant length scales are resolved in one dimension which allows for direct implementation of detailed chemical kinetic calculations and molecular transport. Experiments were performed in a turbulent plug flow reactor for validation and application of the model to investigate the combined effects of turbulent mixing and chlorine chemistry on the formation of products of incomplete combustion. Methyl chloride was injected into the plug flow reactor whose baseline flow was the hot-product stream of a Toroidal Jet-Stirred Combustor. The micromixing and chemical reaction of the injected material with the baseline flow was monitored as a function of distance from the point of injection. Measurements of pulsed laser Rayleigh scattering were used to determine the extent of mixing while species concentrations were measured via extractive ...

The amount and composition of products of incomplete combustion (PICs) in combustion systems is controlled by the complex interactions of turbulent mixing and chemical kinetics. The current paper addresses this problem by focusing on the effects of incomplete turbulent mixing on the extent of reaction and on the distribution of the local equivalence ratio, and investigating the contributions of chlorocarbon inhibition of chemical reaction to the emission of PICs. The experimental facility has been designed to simulate the conditions in actual incinerator systems; it consists of a Toroidal Jet Stirred Reactor (TJSC) followed by a Plug Flow Reactor (PFR). The experimental conditions allow one to investigate the combined effects of turbulent mixing and chemical kinetic inhibition on PIC emissions. To address these issues methyl chloride is injected into a baseline flow of hot products flowing in the PFR. Instantaneous temperature measurement, obtained by application of a laser Rayleigh scattering diagnostic, and stable species concentrations are then measured at various distances from the point of injection. The temperature probability density functions (pdfs) for fuel-lean and fuel-rich conditions show evidence of mixing constraints. Stable species concentration measurements prove that both mixing and chemical kinetic constraints are present in the PFR environment. Detection of aromatic species is interpreted as an effect of the variation of the local value of the equivalence ratio due to imperfect mixing. Finally, in order to model the combined chemical kinetic and mixing constraints and to determine which constraints are responsible for PIC emission, results from a highly simplified turbulent reacting flow model are presented. The model can predict the trend and magnitude of methyl chloride burnout and CO CO 2 ratio. Species, such as aromatic compounds, having a strong non-linear dependence on the equivalence ratio can provide insights on the mixing history and might serve as diagnostics of failure modes in incinerators.

This study was aimed at checking out a possible connection between detrusor primary lesions and clinical and urodynamic data in patients with cervico-prostatic obstruction. 40 patients were evaluated, of whom 32 had symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and 8 were controls. A biopsy of the right side wall of the bladder was carried out. The lesions found (muscular hypertropy, fibroelastosis, alteration of the nerve fibres) in relation to their gravity, correlated to the presumable date when symptoms started and to three data from urodynamic evaluation (significant residual p.m., degree of obstruction according to Schafer's chart, presence of detrusor-motor instability). The interference of physiological ageing on results is not underestimated, but this correlation exists. However, the lack of fine quantitative evaluations of follow-up on the possible reversibility of the same lesions after removal of the obstruction, make it impossible at this stage to state how close the correlation is.

A single-frequency, diode-pumped, Er-Yb:glass microchip laser at a 1530-nm wavelength has been designed and operated. An output power of greater than 25 mW, a linewidth narrower than 1 kHz, and a slope efficiency of 22% have been obtained.

Single-mode operation of a continuous-wave Er:Yb:phosphate glass laser pumped at 980 nm by a InGaAs index-guided diode laser has been achieved for what is to our knowledge the first time. The maximum output power obtained at 1540 nm is 10 mW, and the width of the spectral line is less than 15 kHz.

The junctions between endothelial cells in lymph capillaries may have different degrees of complexity and have been classified as three types: "end to end" (EE), "overlapping" (OVL), and "interdigitating" (ID). Under normal conditions, the more complex junction types (ID and OVL) are more frequent than the simple type (EE). The authors' hypothesis was that not only the folds and digitations of the endothelial profile but also the prevalence of the more complex junction types under normal conditions impart plasticity and distensibility to the endothelial wall. To verify this hypothesis they performed a transmission electron microscope study of lymph capillaries of rat liver under normal conditions and after treatment with histamine, which induces natural filling of lymph vessels. In lymph capillaries of histamine-treated animals they found a significant prevalence of the simplest (EE) junctions (50 +/- 5% versus 20 +/- 4% in controls, p less than 0.001) over the more complex OVL (28 +/- 4% versus 57 +/- 4% in controls, p less than 0.001) and ID junctions (12 +/- 3% versus 19 +/- 4% in controls, NS). The overall trend in junction types showed a highly significant shift toward the simpler types after histamine treatment (p less than .0001). There was also a significant reduction in the mean length of adjoining cell borders from 1.5 +/- 0.1 m in histamine-treated animals (p less than 0.001). These findings indicate the participation of the junctions in variations in capacity of lymph vessels in rat liver. This mobilization of cell junctions may also favor the drainage of interstitial fluids into the absorbing lymph vessels.

Human and rabbit peritoneal mesothelial cells have been successfully cultured and autoimplanted. An original biopsy technique was used to take samples of peritoneal mesothelial cells and after culture they were characterized from the structural and caryological points of view. Staphylococcal peritonitis was induced in 12 rabbits with indwelling peritoneal catheters and after 4 days of antibiotics 6 of them were autoimplanted with cultured autologous mesothelial cells previously marked in 3 cases with thymidine (H3TdR). Direct morphological observation and autoradiography were used to compare the mesothelium of control rabbits and implanted rabbits sacrificed on days 3 and 6 and showed that the cell implants had taken. Four uremic CAPD patients recovering from severe peritonitis were implanted with about 300 million autologous peritoneal mesothelial cells, previously cultured and frozen. Morphological signs of taking were evident from peritoneal laparoscopy biopsies performed 3 and 6 days after implant. The aim of the study was merely to demonstrate that such implants are possible; however, the techniques may have interesting applications not only in peritoneal dialysis, but also in the vaster fields of medicine and surgery.

This paper describes a new family of high order finite elements for the approximation of plate bending problems. The elements are conforming and the C1-continuity condition is satisfied by using standard polynomials; the family is hierarchic, that is when the degree of the polynomials is increased new shape functions are added to the previous ones. Explicit expressions of the shape functions are given on general triangles. The hierarchic extension of the approximation spaces, also for a further increase of the degree of the elements, is described in details.

A family of finite elements of type p for plate bending problems is introduced. The elements are conforming, that is, the approximation spaces satisfy the C1-continuity condition, and hierarchic, that is, when the degree of the polynomials is increased new shape functions are added to the previous ones. Several plate bending problems have been solved. The related numerical results are presented together with a description of the features of the finite elements.

We deal with the problem of interfacing an elliptic equation with a hyperbolic one in adjoining two-dimensional domains. We provide proper interface conditions and propose an iterative algorithm that alternates the solution of the elliptic equation and of the hyperbolic one within the respective subdomains. The spectral Chebyshev collocation method is used to discretize the result subproblems. Several numerical tests show that the iterative algorithm is very effective and that the computed solutions are quite accurate. This approach can be successfully applied to computational fluid dynamics problems, such as the simulation of flow around a body.