Nanosecond-to-femtosecond laser-induced breakdown in dielectrics.
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Journal Article↗
Biomedical subjects
S Herman
Publications and source records attributed to S Herman.
Venous cannula obstruction by Swan-Ganz catheter during cardiopulmonary bypass.
During a routine coronary revascularization procedure in a 51-year-old man, venous return was suddenly interrupted. The venous cannula was rapidly removed, revealing the pulmonary artery catheter wrapped around it. The catheter also had entered the lumen of the cannula, and the inflated balloon completely obstructed the venous return. The prompt removal and reinsertion of the venous cannula resulted in uneventful recovery of the patient.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗
Photofrin II induces cytokine secretion by mouse spleen cells and human peripheral mononuclear cells.
The aim of our study was to find out if Photofrin II, a cytotoxic drug used routinely in photodynamic therapy (PDT), can induce immune responses in vitro, and to compare its effects with those of the protoporphyrin 9, hemin, which also has antitumor properties. We tested the effect of these porphyrins on lymphocyte proliferation and secretion of interleukin-2, interleukin-3, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interferon gamma (IFNgamma), by human or murine mononuclear cells (MNC) without an activating light. Both the Photofrin II- and hemin-treated cells showed a significant increase in cytokine secretion in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of mitogen. Moreover, Photofrin II and hemin significantly increased production of TNFalpha and IFNgamma even in the absence of mitogen. The cellular binding sites of Photofrin II and hemin to MNC were localized by electromicroscopy or fluorescence. Combined stimulation of cells by mitogens and porphyrins maintained optimal vital ionic balance of potassium, sodium and chlorine in the lymphocytes. In the cells thus treated there was a significant increase in intracellular calcium, a vital second messenger for lymphokine secretion. We demonstrate that the effect of Photofrin II on the immune system involves enhanced cytokine secretion which may account for the subsequent tumor eradication by PDT.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
Height and weight as a reflection of the nutritional situation of school-aged children working and living in the streets of Jakarta.
The nutritional status of 89 school-aged children living and working on the streets of Jakarta, Indonesia was assessed. Seventy-nine percent of the children were children "on" the street who still had regular contact with their families, whereas only 21% of the children were "of" the street who had only remote or no contact with their families. The mother was more likely to be present in the home of the children on the street than in the home of the children of the street. The average earning of the children was between 2000 and 3000 rupiah/day (U.S.S1 = 2000 Indonesian Rupiah). The distribution of height-for-age relative to the NCHS reference standard indicated that 52% of the children were stunted (below the third centile of the standard). However the distribution of weight-for height was close to that of the reference population standard, and only 7% of the children were wasted (below the third centile of the standard). Comparison of the data from these street children weigh more and are taller than their socio-economic peers.
Adolescent↗
Probable exclusion of GLC1A as a candidate glaucoma gene in a family with middle-age-onset primary open-angle glaucoma.
PURPOSE: To determine whether an adult-onset variety of primary open-angle glaucoma in family UM:POAG1 is linked to the previously mapped GLC1A juvenile-onset primary open-angle glaucoma locus on chromosome 1q or whether linkage can be excluded. METHODS: Microsatellite repeat markers from the 9 cM D1S196 to D1S218 interval containing the GLC1A gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from DNA samples collected from 11 members of one sibship in family UM:POAG1. Haplotype analysis was carried out, including calculation of the probability that the observed data would have been obtained if the underlying cause of primary open-angle glaucoma in this family were a defect in a gene located in the tested interval. Linkage analysis was carried out under an autosomal dominant model for GLC1A glaucoma. RESULTS: In family UM:POAG1, primary open-angle glaucoma was diagnosed in six surviving and one deceased member of a sibship of 13 individuals during the fifth or sixth decade of life. Glaucoma in this family has a later average age at diagnosis and significantly less elevation in intraocular pressure than GLC1A glaucoma so far described. Haplotype analysis, using a population prevalence up to 0.9%, shows that it is unlikely that the reported data would have been observed if primary open-angle glaucoma in this pedigree were due to the GLC1A locus on chromosome 1q21-q31. Linkage analysis under the juvenile glaucoma autosomal dominant model allowed exclusion of linkage across the entire GLC1A genetic inclusion interval, with a maximum lod score in the interval of -3.28. CONCLUSION: The most likely interpretation of these observations is that a defect in the GLC1A glaucoma gene is not responsible for adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma in family UM:POAG1. This suggests the existence of at least two primary open-angle glaucoma genes, the previously reported GLC1A gene on chromosome 1q and another gene located elsewhere in the genome. Diagnosis of UM:POAG1 glaucoma between 42 and 57 years of age also raises questions regarding the relation of the glaucoma present in this family to the common later-age-onset form of the disease.
Adult↗
Factors influencing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission by blood transfusion. Transfusion Safety Study Group.
One hundred thirty-two recipients of blood components that retrospectively tested positive for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (anti-HIV-1) were identified. Fourteen (11%) remained seronegative throughout follow-up. Donor and recipient characteristics that could have influenced transmission were examined. Attributes did not differ for infected and uninfected recipients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from uninfected recipients were HIV-1-negative by DNA amplification and culture but were susceptible to in vitro infection. Transmitting and nontransmitting donors at donation differed only for HIV-1 RNA positivity. By immunocapture reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, 6 of 11 transmitters and 0 of 11 nontransmitters tested RNA-positive (P = .02). A more sensitive quantitative RNA assay detected RNA in all donation sera, but median levels were higher in transmitting than nontransmitting sera (P = .01). Median CD4 cell counts were lower for transmitting than nontransmitting donors at enrollment (P = .02). Level of viremia is an important determinant of HIV infection by blood transfusion.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Evaluation of a quality assurance program for quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group virology laboratories.
A number of quantitative assays have been developed by using amplification techniques to measure human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in the plasma of infected individuals. The Virology Committee of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group in the Division of AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has established a quality assurance program (QAP) for quantitative assays of HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma. The primary objective of the QAP was to ascertain that a laboratory could maintain the precision required to have a 90% power to detect a fivefold difference in RNA copy number between two samples in the same batch. To achieve this goal, the QAP required an intra-assay standard deviation of no greater than 0.15 log10 RNA copies per ml. Panels for proficiency testing consisted of coded replicate samples and a common set of standards. To date, 41 laboratories have participated in the program and have used both commercial and in-house assays. We demonstrated that 65% of the laboratories were capable of attaining the necessary level of intra-assay precision. The fitted regressions indicated that the differences among laboratories that used the same kit were generally greater than the differences among population-average regressions for the kits themselves. The use of an external QAP and a common set of standards reduced differences both among laboratories that used the same kit and among laboratories that used different kits. Thus, use of a common set of standards across clinical trial protocols would allow for cross-protocol comparisons.
Clinical Protocols↗
A nurse-managed smoking cessation program for hospitalized smokers.
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated a nurse-managed smoking cessation program for smokers hospitalized for a variety of conditions. METHODS: Hospitalized patients who smoked prior to hospitalization and who were motivated to quit (n = 660) were randomized to intervention or usual-care groups and followed for the next year. The intervention included a meeting with the nurse-case manager; the use of a videotape, workbook, relaxation audiotape, and nicotine replacement therapy; and nurse-initiated phone contacts after discharge. RESULTS: The 12-month confirmed cessation rates were 21% and 31% for, respectively, the usual-care and intervention groups (odds ratio = 1.7; 95% confidence interval = 1.1, 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: A nurse-managed smoking cessation intervention can significantly increase cessation rates for hospitalized patients.
Adult↗
Suspect breast lesions: findings at dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging correlated with mammographic and pathologic features.
PURPOSE: To prospectively correlate dynamic contrast enhancement at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with mammographic and pathologic features of suspect breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with 51 breast lesions underwent gadolinium-enhanced spoiled gradient-recalled echo (SPGR) MR imaging at 1.5 T, as well as excisional biopsy or cyst aspiration. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 22 (100%) invasive carcinomas 8 mm or more in diameter, including three (12%) not evident on dense mammograms, enhanced 2.0 or more times the unenhanced intensity. One of three predominantly ductal carcinomas in situ and 10 of 26 (38%) benign lesions enhanced 2.0 or more times. Time-intensity curves were not statistically significantly different among enhancing carcinomas, fibroadenomas, or other benign lesions and showed no statistically significant correlations with pathologic size, nodal status, or hormone receptor status of invasive carcinomas. CONCLUSION: MR imaging enhancement of 2.0 or more times had high sensitivity (100%) for invasive carcinomas 8 mm or more in diameter, with moderate specificity (65%). Time-intensity curves showed no significant difference between enhancement of benign and malignant lesions.
Adult↗
Changing prevalence of xerophthalmia in Indonesia, 1977-1992.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this analysis was to determine if the prevalence of xerophthalmia in Indonesia has changed over the period 1977-78 to 1992. DESIGN: The design was two cross-sectional prevalence surveys conducted in the same rural sample locations 14 years apart. SETTING: The studies were conducted in 15 provinces of Indonesia using a stratified random selection of villages. SUBJECTS: All persons in selected villages < 6 years of age were eligible for participation. Children were recruited during a door-to-door census of villages and invited to present for an eye examination at a central point in the village. A total of 19,032 subjects were included in the 1977-78 and 18,508 children in the 1992 survey. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of active xerophthalmia among preschool children declined by 75% (1.33% in 1977-78 to 0.34% in 1992). Active corneal disease declined by 95% (1/1000 in 1977-78 to 0.05/1000 in 1992). While the overall declines were dramatic and highly significant (P < 0.0001), selected provinces continued to show rates higher than the WHO criteria for a problem of public health significance. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of xerophthalmia has declined significantly over the past 14 years in Indonesia. The specific reasons for this decline cannot be ascribed to any particular intervention due to the multitude of health and social changes that have occurred during this period.
Child, Preschool↗
The required resultant abductor force and the available resultant abductor force after operative changes in hip geometry.
The required abductor force (Freq) and the available abductor force (Fav) are calculated for different positions of the hip rotation center (RC) and different greater trochanter (GT) shifts in the frontal plane of the body in the one-legged stance. It is biomechanically favorable that Fav exceeds Freq and that the magnitude of the resultant hip joint force (R) after the operation is decreased. The difference between Fav and Freq, which represents the relative abductor strength, increases after medialization of RC and after lateralization of GT. On the contrary, after medialization of GT and after lateralization of RC, the difference decreases, which has unfavorable biomechanical effects. Distalization of GT is favorable because it increases the relative abductor strength.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
Nicotine skin patch treatment increases abstinence, decreases withdrawal symptoms, and attenuates rewarding effects of smoking.
A variety of studies have shown that nicotine skin patches are effective in promoting smoking cessation. This study replicated this effect, in addition, nicotine skin patches were found to decrease a variety of withdrawal effects, including craving for cigarettes, negative affect, hypoarousal, and increased appetite. This study also assessed the depressive symptoms shown by smokers before and after they quit smoking. Control subjects showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms after smoking cessation, whereas the subjects given the nicotine skin patch were not as affected. If the subjects slipped and smoked a cigarette during the time they were wearing the patch, they were asked to rate the effects of that cigarette. These "slip" cigarettes were rated significantly lower in satisfaction and good taste by subjects in the nicotine patch group than by controls. The nicotine skin patch may improve smoking cessation rates both by reducing nicotine withdrawal effects and by reducing the reward of slips back to smoking. This latter effect may prove to be effective in preventing slips from turning into relapses.
Administration, Cutaneous↗
Resultant hip joint force after total hip replacement.
Bending moments acting on the LIMA-LTO femoral stem were calculated using a 3D mathematical model of the hip in the one-legged stance based on muscle anatomical data. The effects of 1 cm medialization and lateralization of the hip joint rotation centre (RC) on the bending moments were determined for different body weights. It was found that the bending moments and hence the stem loosening incidence are higher in lateralization compared to medialization of the RC. In order to diminish the bending moments, body weight should be reduced.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
Enhancing effects of autologous erythrocytes on human or mouse cytokine secretion and IL-2R expression.
We have recently shown that a single transfusion of red blood cells to normal human volunteers significantly increases the secretion of a variety of cytokines. In the present study we explored the in vitro effect of whole red blood cells on various T cell and monocytes functions of autologous human or mouse origin. This in vitro model would allow us to further determine in future studies the membranal determinants or the intracellular products of the RBC responsible for the enhancing effect. We demonstrate in this study that addition of autologous erythrocytes to human mononuclear cells or mouse spleen cell cultures results in enhancement of cellular responses to suboptimal concentrations of mitogens. These include cell proliferation, the secretion of IL-2, colony stimulating factor (CSF), interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-6 by human MNC, and cell proliferation, IL-2, IL-3, and CSF by mouse spleen cells. The enhancing effect was dose dependent. Moreover, RBC are shown to directly enhance the expression of IL-2 receptors on both human and mouse cells without the need for the presence of mitogenic stimulation. The expression of IL-2R was measured both by acquisition of responsiveness to exogenous recombinant IL-2 and by immunofluorescence staining. We suggest that whole red blood cells exert a general enhancing effect on the secretion of a variety of cytokines and induce IL-2 receptor expression, probably through nonspecific interaction between membranal domains on erythrocytes and CD2 antigen on T cells.
Adult↗
Neuropsychological and neurological manifestations of HIV-1 dementia in drug users.
The cognitive and motor deficits associated with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection have been studied using neurological examination and neuropsychological tests. However, drug users with HIV-1 infection generally have been excluded from such studies. Forty-four well-characterized drug users stratified by Centers for Disease Control staging were administered a standardized neurological examination and a battery of neuropsychological tests under single-blind conditions designed to minimize the acute effects of psychoactive substances. The results of the blind neurological examination were consistent with the previously ascertained clinical staging of HIV-1 infection. The pattern of neuropsychological deficits across HIV-1 states was similar to those found in cohorts of homosexual men.
AIDS Dementia Complex↗
Auditory event-related potentials in HIV-1 infection: a study in the drug-user risk group.
Features of event-related potentials (ERPs) may be sensitive and clinically useful markers of central nervous system infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1); however, this application has not been studied in the risk group of intravenous drug users. Auditory ERPs generated by an "oddball" paradigm were analyzed for 39 male drug abusers as part of a multimodal assessment. Stage of HIV-1 infection was associated with prolongations of P1, N1, and P3 components of the ERP waveform. Only patients with full acquired immunodeficiency syndrome showed statistically significant increases in waveform prolongations. Specific neuropsychological deficits were not related to waveform latency prolongations.
AIDS Dementia Complex↗
Surveillance after orchidectomy for patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testis tumors.
PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the proportion of patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis (NSGCTT) managed with surveillance after orchidectomy who have more advanced disease and, therefore, require further treatment, the time to progression, the sites of progression, and the efficacy of treatment delayed until progression was recognized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred five patients were observed prospectively without further treatment after orchidectomy and full clinical staging. Treatment was given immediately upon detection of marker-positive, clinical, or radiologic evidence of disease. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (35.2%) have required further therapy for disease progression, occurring from 2 to 21 months after diagnosis. Thirty-six patients have been successfully treated. Overall, 104 patients (99%) remain alive and free of disease at 12 to 121 months after orchidectomy. Progression occurred in the retroperitoneum in 25 of 37 patients who developed further disease on surveillance. The presence of vascular invasion in the primary tumor was predictive of an increased risk of progression. CONCLUSION: Surveillance is a valid alternative to immediate retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with clinical stage I NSGCTT but should be recommended only under the close supervision of physicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer.
Adolescent↗
Computer simulation of periacetabular osteotomy.
A simple static three-dimensional mathematical model of an adult hip in one-legged stance was used to evaluate the mechanical situation after periacetabular osteotomy. We found that the hip joint rotation center shifted as a consequence of the osteotomy. This may have considerable effects on the hip joint resultant force and therefore also on the pressure on the femoral head, which could cause the development of arthrosis.
Acetabulum↗