This paper addresses two important issues of three-dimensional (3D) natural shape analysis. The first concerns the segmentation of these shapes into 3D primitives and the second deals with their geometric characterisation by means of intrinsic features. Restricting ourselves to 3D objects formed from two-dimensional (2D) cross-sectional adjacent slices (i.e., long bones), we present a method of contextual classification and results concerning the ulnar bone. With respect to the second issue, a curvature-torsion analysis of the medullar axis is introduced and the results are represented by means of torsion images. A first application to ulnar structures is given. It is shown that radius bones have zero torsion and that their curvatures can be studied in 2D. A preliminary statistical study of the 2D curvature of the radius is also presented.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Histomorphometric effect of six month treatment with oral Risedronate in patients with multiple myeloma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biologic, histologic and densitometric effects of oral risedronate on bone in patients with multiple myeloma.

Recent studies have shown that treatment with bisphosphonates could be effective against the myelomatous skeletal deterioration. However, the mechanisms of action of these drugs in multiple myeloma (MM) have been poorly studied. In the present study, 11 patients with MM and bone lesions were treated orally with 30 mg/day of risedronate for 6 months, and monitored for 6 additional months. Mean serum calcium decreased from day 4, with a concomitant increase in circulating levels of PTH (1-84) and 1,25-(OH)2D. These parameters reached their nadir on day 7 and returned to baseline value during the treatment period. Markers of bone resorption, pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline decreased from day 7; they were at 50% and 78% of their basal value at the end of treatment and follow-up periods, respectively. A significant reduction of estimates of bone formation (serum alkaline phosphatase and osteoclacin) appeared at month 3 and persisted for the remainder of the 9-month period. Histomorphometric analysis showed a significant reduction of activation frequency, number of osteoclasts and erosion depth. Bone turnover was high at baseline, and normal after treatment, without mineralisation defects. Mean wall thickness was not different before and after treatment. Spinal bone mineral density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry increased (5.3%) at the end of treatment. We conclude that oral risedronate in multiple myeloma induces a noticeable and rapid inhibition of bone resorption.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lichenoid cutaneous reaction to imatinib].

INTRODUCTION: Imatinib (Glivec) is a new therapeutic molecule used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Cutaneous side effects with this treatment are common but lichenoid drug eruption is exceptional. We report the first case with profuse cutaneous lichen. CASE REPORT: A 52 year-old woman presented with a 5-year history of chronic myeloid leukemia. The different chemotherapies had failed (persisting polyadenopathies and splenomegalia). She was treated with imatinib (400 mg/day). Two months after the beginning of this treatment a disseminated cutaneous eruption appeared on the trunk, legs, arms and face without mucosal involvement and composed of dark purple, prurigenous, papules suggestive of lichen planus. The cutaneous biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lichen planus. Suspension of the drug led to the complete regression of the eruption, without any other local treatment, within 2 months. Reintroduction of the drug led to the recurrence of the lesions. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous reactions to imatinib are common and occur in 11 to 67 p. 100 of patients depending on the series. More severe cutaneous reactions have been described: exfoliating dermatites, generalized pustulosis, epidermal necrolysis. The aspect of profuse lichenoid eruption of the skin and the correlation with cutaneous lesions clinically and histologically evocative of lichen planus has not been described other than an isolated buccal involvement in a 72 year-old woman. In our patient, study of the imputability criteria is in favor of imatinib's responsibility.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The transfer and persistence of automotive carpet fibres on shoe soles.

The transfer and persistence of automotive carpet fibres to shoe soles was investigated. It was found that fibres were transferred with the normal activity of a car passenger. Carpet type and shoe sole parameters were significant determinants in the number of fibres that transferred. The average number of fibres was between about one and 33 per sole. Fibres that had been transferred after normal activity only persisted for a few minutes after walking. A survey of the shoe soles of people about to leave their car showed that fibres were usually present. The majority of shoe soles surveyed had less than five fibres with the greatest number of fibres found being 14. The likelihood of finding a large number of fibres on such soles is rare. Fibre composition of automotive carpets showed a high degree of variation. Grey was seen to be a common colour irrespective of the colour of the vehicle body.

Automobiles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sex chromosome aneuploidies in sperm of 47,XYY men.

The sex chromosomal equipment in 26,675 sperm of 47,XYY males was analyzed. A total of 5.78% of the nuclei exhibited sex chromosome hyperhaploidy. Six studies have analyzed the sperm of 10 XYY patients and, although these studies indicated some degree of elimination of the extra Y chromosome during spermatogenesis, a certain percentage of XYY germinal cells may also be able to achieve meiosis and produce sperm with gonosomal disomies. All these studies show an increased incidence of gonosomal aneuploidies in sperm, but there are significant discrepancies concerning the extent of these abnormalities. The global frequencies of sperm with an abnormal number of sex chromosomes ranged from 0.578 to 13.91%, depending on the patients. There are several explanations for these discrepancies: differences attributed to fluorescence in situ hybridization methodology, the use of dual or multicolor FISH, recruitment, interindividual variations, and intraindividual variations. This study reports an additional series obtained from another XYY individual and compares and discusses the data on gonosomal hyperhaploidies in sperm of 47 XYY males using in situ hybridization analyses.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro cytophotometry evaluation of gamma-radiation effects on human sperm cell by acridine orange staining.

Effects of gamma-radiations on human sperm nuclei in vitro were studied by cytophotometrical quantification on fixed smears stained by acridine orange some of which had undergone heat-treatment. Following irradiations at different doses (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 gy) using a cobalt source, changes in distribution of acridine orange fluorescences emitted by nuclei (total fluorescence greater than 515 nm versus green fluorescence = 525 nm) appeared to be dose-dependent. Heat-treatment of irradiated heads was confirmed to be a complementary procedure necessary for a good evaluation of the initial degree in chromatin compactness. Chromatin alterations related to changes in emitted fluorescence could be due to the initial fragility of the DNA-nucleoprotein complex. These preliminary results suggest that the normality of sperm chromatin could be used as a biologic dosimeter.

Acridine Orange↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Delineation between T and B suppressive molecules from human seminal plasma: II. Spermine is the major suppressor of T-lymphocytes in vitro.

The nature of the human semen T-suppressor was investigated in vitro on human lymphocyte proliferations induced by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or by alloantigens. Purification by ion-exchange chromatography, followed by butanol extraction, showed this factor to be present only in the polyamine-containing fractions. The purified product, obtained by preparative thin-layer electrophoresis, contained almost exclusively spermine and exhibited the same suppressive activity as this polyamine. Human T-lymphocyte suppression occurred in the presence of fetal calf serum, but it did not occur in a serum-free medium. No suppression was observed after preincubation of the fetal calf serum with hydroxylamine, a spermine oxidase inhibitor, whereas a nondialyzable fraction, from normal human serum, decreased the suppression. The semen factor did not act by direct cytotoxicity, as there was no effect of preincubation and suppression could be induced only within the first 6 hr of mitogen activation. These data demonstrate that the in vitro T-suppressive activity of semen can be assigned mainly to spermine and show that in vivo this suppression must require locally the presence of a spermine oxidase or related enzyme.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Infliximab in spondylarthropathy--influence on bone density.

Osteoporosis is frequently associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Bone mineral density (BMD) decreased predominantly in patients with active disease. Moreover, conventional therapy, i.e. NSAID seems to have no influence in the bone loss. It has been suggested that local or systemic inflammatory cytokine release might be implicated in bone loss. Monoclonal antibody to TNFalpha in patients with AS demonstrated significant clinical response with significant reduction in the acute-phase reactants ESR and CRP. We evaluated the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with Spondylarthropathy (SpA) treated with infliximab (a human/mouse neutralising chimeric monoclonal antibody). We included 29 patients. In 6 months, there was a statistically significant increase in BMD both at the spine and total hip. There was an increase in osteocalcin between baseline and week 6. These data suggest a benefit of anti-TNFalpha therapy on BMD in patients with SpA, may be through an uncoupling effect on bone cells.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental study on a large animal model of a new thermoablation technique.

BACKGROUND: A novel technique of thermoablation, using a microtube to deliver pulses of hot water vapour, was tested on a large animal model in order to evaluate its efficacy and potential adverse effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical device consisted of a microtube extension connected to a hydropneumatic pump. Pulses of pure water were injected though the microtube where they were heated and delivered as vapour into the target zone. The method was tested on the liver of 12 healthy pigs, either during open surgery or percutaneously under ultrasounds. RESULTS: The technique was efficient and well-tolerated by the animals. Large volumes of necrotic tissue were created in a significantly short time compared to concurrent thermoablative techniques. CONCLUSION: Anticipating human application, this experimental study demonstrated a safe and efficient innovative thermoablation technique. The first human applications have been successfully performed and will be reported soon.

Animals↗