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INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis have complex genetic traits, but in both autoimmune diseases, dysfunctional apoptosis appears to play a part in disease pathology. This study examined the levels of in vitro apoptosis in lymphocytes from healthy, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and SLE individuals and related observed differences to their lymphocyte apoptosis gene profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymphocytes were assessed for cell death by nuclear pyknosis and DNA fragmentation. Control, SLE and RA apoptosis gene profiles were obtained by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The mean levels of pyknosis in RA and SLE freshly isolated lymphocytes were significantly higher than in control lymphocytes. Ninety-three apoptosis genes were analysed by QRT-PCR of mRNA from RA, SLE and healthy lymphocytes. We identified significant differences (p

During the past two decades there have been significant developments in many aspects of acoustical imaging techniques for various applications. One aspect of this development has been the application of ultrasonic tomography to medical imaging and diagnosis instrumentation, and also to non-destructive evaluation of materials, to oceanographic systems for measurements of such factors as temperature and currents etc, and to seismic exploration. This paper reviews the theoretical and practical work in acoustical tomography to the present time.

A 33-year-old man from Pakistan presented in London with a severely destructive polyarthritis 24 years after onset. Synovial biopsy and culture revealed evidence of tuberculous infection. It is probable that the polyarticular nature of his disease misled clinicians because the concept of tuberculous arthritis perpetuated in rheumatology books is of a mono- or oligoarticular disease. Children and young adults in endemic areas may be especially susceptible to a polyarticular presentation. Awareness of this pattern of illness might prevent similar cases of progressive, disabling illness. The ease of transcontinental travel makes it important that clinicians worldwide maintain a vigil for tuberculosis in obscure cases of polyarthritis deriving from geographic areas of risk.

The analysis of renewable energy within a hybrid electric generator system for remote military applications has not been studied. This report highlights the potential of new, photovoltaic thin-film composite arrays to augment fossil fuel generators for military power applications in remote areas. Because the photovoltaic phenomena works only during daylight hours and is also dependent on latitude for sun power, this study examined renewable hybrid electric generation in areas of poor sun (Hanau, Germany) and in areas of good sun (Ft. Irwin, California). This report investigates the value-added that renewable energy can bring to tactical operation centers and remote power stations (for purposes of homeland security) in terms of increased operational readiness, reduced cost, energy savings and pollution abatement.

The purpose of this project was to conduct an analysis of Army photovoltaic (PV) systems in support of both sustaining base and deployed missions at different locations. This project investigated the value added of PV as a complement to generator power and, in particular, to see whether PV as a renewable energy source can increase operational effectiveness and reduce logistic support and maintenance.

ADAPT examines photovoltaics (PV) in both a military operations context and within a cost/benefit analysis framework. Both of these topics are now in the forefront of transforming the Army into a strategically responsive force that is dominant across the full spectrum of operations. This report illustrates that PV, as a renewable energy alternative to fossil fuels, has potential in both current and future Army deployments.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are pro-inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. During inflammation, the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the inflamed joint is increased. LDL is known to be susceptible to oxidation by ROS. Oxidized LDL may serve as a mediator for joint damage, further exacerbating the inflammatory process. LDL isolated from synovial fluid and plasma from individual patients (paired samples) with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis was characterized by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. On analysis by this technique, synovial fluid LDL from most patients with rheumatoid arthritis contained two peaks: one corresponding to normal plasma native LDL, and the other having an increased electrophoretic mobility associated with oxidized LDL. Paired plasma LDL samples contained native LDL alone, as did paired synovial fluid and plasma LDL from patients with osteoarthritis. Thus, in addition to native LDL, a second form of LDL was shown to be present in rheumatoid synovial fluid, which had properties consistent with those of oxidized LDL.

The history of acoustical imaging is outlined by reference to seven topics. These topics relate in rough chronological order to the developement of various imaging systems and the development and application of optical theory to them. Some commentary is made on the influence of technological developments in other fields and their influence on acoustical imaging. The treatment is not exhaustive because of space limitations; there are more than 20,000 pages of literature on the subject and this is to be summarized in eight. An attempt has been made to present some of the major activity in the field over the last sixty yeras.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The Combat Sample Generator (COSAGE) Input/Output Guide provides detailed documentation on all inputs required by the simulation and all outputs produced by the simulation. This third revision is the most complete, up-to-date input/output guide available for COSAGE. It has updates on such minor changes as serial number identifiers with in the system data input file and also addresses such major changes as the incorporation of the USAF bomb effects input format under the aircraft munitions data file(ACMUNS). Chapters l2 and l3 offer insights into specific COSAGE outputs which, in turn, can be used for analysis. Chapter 12 illustrates the routines from COSAGE which specifically identify the varying types and kinds of output data available. Chapter 13 is also new and details for the first time all output postprocessors. COSAGE Input, COSAGE output, SIMU (i.e., Simulation Unit), Units of measure, Unit structure, Force structure, Equipment and weapon attributes.

The reconstruction processes in acoustical tomography have to satisfy several conditions. First, account has to be taken of refraction. Second, account has to be taken of scattering (which is linked to the refraction process). Third, diffraction occurs. Fourth, the sampling of wave fronts by transducers of finite size produces averaging effects which reduce resolution. Fifth, the refractive and scattering effects create a noise problem which limits time of flight measurement resolution. Sixth, the reconstruction times should be less than 1 minute for many applications. These factors are discussed in relation to the conditions found in soft tissue.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Since it has been demonstrated that superresolving acousto-optical systems can be realized the question of their applicability to the imaging of other than point sources arises. This paper reviews the experimental and theoretical evidence for the possibility of superresolution and explains why it is of particular interest to ultrasonic imaging. The problems relating to the limits imposed by information theory to the imaging of distributed objects is examined and a method of obtaining the necessary spatial bandwidths is discussed.

T HE MANAGEMENT of thyroid cancer remains controversia1. Improved diagnostic and therapeutic technics have led to a better understanding of both the behavior of the disease and its treatment. There remains, however, a wide difference of opinion regarding many facets of this disease. WhiIe advancement in thyroid physioIogy Ieading to empIoyment of suppressive hormone therapy has received wide attention, many questions regarding this modaIity remain unanswered. This treatment has enhanced the chnician’s abiIity to determine which noduIes are functioning and which are not. The probIem of whether or not maIignancy wiI1 shrink on suppressive therapy is unsettIed. In addition, the question of whether or not a11 varieties of carcinoma are hormonahy dependent has Ied to the argument that a tumor can metastasize during the medica tria1 period and therefore decrease the chance of surgica1 cure. Even among surgeons, controversy exists over the surgica1 management of thyroid carcinoma. How much gIand shouId be removed? What method shouId be empIoyed to remove the tumor-bearing Iymph nodes and what modality shouId be empIoyed postoperativeIy to treat metastases or to decrease the chance of spread? These are some of the questions that need answering by carefu1 studies. This study is an effort to shed some Iight on these probIems.

Summary A case of surgical stricture of the common bile duct followed by biliary cirrhosis is presented. The unusual feature of the case was the development of portal hypertension, which rarely accompanies biliary cirrhosis.

In an ultrastructural study of 37 cases of bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma (BAC), we identified seven cases (19%) in which Langerhans cells (LC) were closely associated with tumor cells. Serum precipitating antibodies against Aspergillus species and/or thermophilic actinomyces were present in five BAC patients whose tumors contained LC and in six patients whose tumors lacked LC. In a simultaneous study we identified marked atypical bronchiolar and alveolar lining cell hypertrophy and hyperplasma in pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma (PEG). Our data plus current information suggesting that PEG is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis support our hypothesis that those cases of BAC in which LC are present may arise in localized or diffuse pulmonary scars caused by PEG.

Recent appraisal of the results of irradiation therapy in a group of bone tumors treated at The Mason Clinic (Seattle, Wash.) has made it apparent that the proportion of survivals in patients having Ewing's tumor is high compared with larger, well documented series (11, 12). The original diagnosis of Ewing's tumor was established in our series upon the basis of clinical history and radiographic evidence, and was confirmed by adequate biopsy. With renewed interest, blocks of tumor tissue were recut and made available for examination by several reputable pathologists.2 Four of the cases in the series which were thought at one time to represent Ewing's tumor were reclassified. In 3 of these the final accepted diagnosis is reticulum-cell sarcoma, and in 1 solitary myeloma. With this background in mind, we present our experiences and conclusions in regard to the management of round-cell tumors of bone. It appears significant that: 1. Where round-cell tumors have been critically re-evaluated, Ewing's sarcoma ha...

The oxidative modification of human LDL has been implicated in atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms by which such modification occurs in vivo are not fully understood. In the present study, we have isolated LDL from knee-joint synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We demonstrate that such LDL is oxidatively modified as evidenced by an increased negative charge, distorted particulate nature and more rapid degradation by cultured macrophages. These results indicate that formation of oxidised LDL is associated with the local inflammatory response. Because the cellular interactions in rheumatoid arthritis have analogies with those in atherogenesis, we suggest that the rheumatoid joint is a useful model of atherosclerosis in which the in vivo process of LDL oxidation may be readily studied.