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The evolution of the magnetization configurations in highly spin polarized La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) thin film elements (20-60 nm in thickness) as a function of external magnetic field and temperature is studied by direct magnetic imaging using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism photoemission electron microscopy. The sample structuring is done via a pre-patterning process using a Cr mask layer. The LSMO grows amorphous on the Cr layer for the 20 nm thick film but polycrystalline at larger thicknesses. Temperature dependent studies allow for a direct comparison of the properties of the strained and unstrained LSMO regions on a single sample and show that the polycrystalline areas exhibit a higher TC compared to the epitaxial areas. The single crystalline areas are largely magnetically decoupled from the matrix. The magnetic switching between domain states and domain wall spin structures is determined for LSMO ring elements of varying size and thickness. We find that the magnetic field values required to depin domain walls or to nucleate domains increase with decreasing ring width due to the increasing role of shape anisotropy and edge defects. Both transverse and vortex domain walls are stable spin configurations at room temperature and at zero field. In particular, we demonstrate that the desired domain wall type can be selected by applying an appropriate field sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-plane and out-of-plane angular dependence of ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and magnetization measurements were performed on arrays of 20, 40, and 60 nm thick, 520 nm long, and 250 nm wide elliptical Permalloy elements. Besides the main FMR 'volume' mode resonance, a well-defined second FMR mode was observed, which exhibits a very strong angular dependence. This mode originates from localized regions where the magnetization has a strong component perpendicular to the bias field and to the volume magnetization. These regions of nonuniform magnetization may be associated with magnetization canting at the edges of the ellipses, due to the nonuniformity of the demagnetizing tensor elements, and with magnetization vortices, which are predicted by micromagnetic simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that investigated the excitation of high-energy heavy ions of rare-gas excimers. Methodology; Analysis of the intensity of the radiation; Examination of the dependence of heavy ion excitation on electric current; Correlation between heavy ion excitation and pressure.

We report on the investigation of the magnetic damping of a 10 nm thin, poly-crystalline Co25Fe75 film grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements reveal a low intrinsic magnetic damping αintFMR =(1:5±0:1) x 10-3. In contrast, in patterned micrometer wide stripes, spin wave (SW) propagation experiments performed by time resolved scanning magneto-optical Kerr microscopy yield attenuation lengths on the order of 5–8 lm. From this quantity, we deduce an effective magnetic SW damping αeff SW, exp =(3.9±0.3) x 10-3. For the system studied, this significant difference between both damping parameters is attributed to the non-negligible extrinsic contributions (local inhomogeneities and two-magnon scattering) to the magnetic losses which manifest themselves as a distinct inhomogeneous FMR linewidth broadening. This explanation is supported by micromagnetic simulations. Our findings prove that polycrystalline C25Fe75 represents a promising binary 3d transition metal alloy to be employed in magnonic devices with much longer SW attenuation lengths compared to other metallic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In recent years, flow diverters have provided a promising alternative to treat complex intracranial aneurysms. In this study, we compare a second-generation flow-diverting device (Derivo Embolization Device) with its prototype flow diverter, in the treatment of elastase-induced aneurysms in New Zealand white rabbits. Methods: The Derivo Embolization Device is a self-expanding stent consisting of 48 nitinol wires. The device was implanted across the necks of 17 elastase-induced aneurysms in New Zealand white rabbits. One additional device was implanted in the abdominal aorta of each animal covering the origin of lumbar arteries. Follow-up was performed after 3 months ( n = 8) and 6 months ( n = 9) under continuous double antiplatelet therapy. Statuses of angiographic and histological aneurysm occlusion as well as patency of branch arteries and neointimal growth were evaluated and compared with its prototype flow diverter. Results: The Derivo Embolization Device provided advanced visibility and flexibility, which led to more accurate navigation and placement. Complete aneurysm occlusion rates were noted in 15 cases (88 %), respectively, compared with 5 cases (28 %) with the first-generation device ( p = 0.001). Neointimal growth and diameter stenosis were significantly less with the Derivo Embolization Device and declining after 6 months follow-up in the abdominal aorta. Extreme device oversizing led to distal occlusion of the parent vessel in three cases. Covered branch arteries remained patent throughout the entire period of observation. Conclusions: The Derivo Embolization Device provides excellent occlusion of elastase-induced aneurysms while preserving branch arteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: In the past years, technical developments have raised recanalization rates of endovascular treatments of intracerebral artery occlusions in acute ischemic stroke. By using stent retrievers, several prospective trials have reported recanalization rates up to 79 % as well as good neurological outcome in up to 58 % of the cases. The degree of the recanalization and the length of the procedure are factors known to influence the clinical outcome of patients treated endovascularly. Yet, still little is known about factors influencing the angiographic results of thrombectomy procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of intermediate catheters affects the angiographic results of thrombectomy procedures in basilar artery occlusions. Materials and Methods: A total of 47 consecutive patients with acute basilar artery occlusions who underwent endovascular treatment with stent retrievers in our department were retrospectively identified. We analyzed the angiographic data regarding the use of intermediate catheters, the lengths of the procedures, the number of passes of the stent retrievers, the angiographic results, and the site of access to the basilar artery. Results: Recanalization with modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) ≥ 2b was achieved in 74.5 %. Intermediate catheters were used in 13 cases. The mean length of the procedures was significantly shorter when intermediate catheters were used (44.8 ± 27.6 vs. 70.7 ± 41.4 min, P = .043). There were no significant differences in the number of passes or in the final mTICI scores. Conclusions: The use of intermediate catheters significantly reduces the length of mechanical thrombectomy procedures in acute basilar artery occlusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare patients treated using a multimodal approach [enhanced recovery after surgery ( ERAS)], with a special focus on counselling, to patients treated in a standard conventional care pathway, who underwent elective colorectal resection. Method In a single-centre trial, adult patients eligible for open or laparoscopic colorectal resection were randomized to an ERAS programme or standard care. The primary end-point was postoperative total hospital stay. Identical discharge criteria were defined for both treatment groups. Secondary end-points included postoperative complications, postoperative C-reactive protein levels, postoperative hospital stay, readmission rate and mortality. All parameters were recorded before operation, on the day of surgery and daily thereafter until discharge. Results Total hospital stay was significantly shorter among patients randomized to ERAS than among the standard group [median 5 days (range 2-50 days) vs median 8 days (range 2-48 days); P = 0.001]. The two treatment groups exhibited similar outcomes regarding overall major and minor morbidity, reoperation rate, readmission rate and 30-day mortality. There were also no differences in tolerance of enteral nutrition or in the inflammatory response, as reflected by postoperative C-reactive protein levels. Conclusion ERAS care was associated with a significantly shorter length of hospital stay. Without any difference in surgical or general complications, tolerance of enteral nutrition or postoperative C-reactive protein levels, peri-operative information and guidance for ensuring that patients comply with the ERAS approach appear to be important factors to reduce the length of hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying abusive head trauma (AHT) in infants is difficult because often there are no externally visible injuries and symptoms are nonspecific. The radiological finding that usually raises suspicion of AHT-especially when found with retinal hemorrhage and inappropriate history-is subdural hematoma (SDH). In addition to that, bridging vein thrombosis, assessed by imaging or autopsy, has been reported as a sign of the traumatic cause of SDH. Here we present two cases of AHT-associated SDH in infants, in which multifocal signal loss at bridging veins was present on susceptibility-weighted imaging without signs of venous infarction. As susceptibility-weighted imaging has been reported to be more sensitive for blood products than gradient-echo T2-weighted imaging, we propose that it might help to identify clot formation on injured bridging veins and therefore increase the sensitivity of imaging studies for a traumatic cause of SDH, helping to identify AHT that is considered to be caused by violent shaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy with stent retrievers in acute stroke has emerged as a promising new technique with the highest recanalization rate of the therapeutic procedures available so far. However, endovascular treatment is also associated with the risk of specific complications. One of those is the occurrence of peri-interventional subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), which has been reported in 5-16 % of the cases. Interestingly, this rate is higher than that of angiographically detectable perforations (0-3 %), leaving the majority of peri-interventional SAH to be due to angiographically occult perforations. Little is known about the influence of this finding on clinical outcome. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of SAH due to occult perforations during thrombectomy with stent retrievers. Methods: Postinterventional computed tomography (CT) scans of 217 consecutive patients with acute occlusions of intracerebral arteries who were treated with stent retrievers in our department between October 2009 and October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: SAH was found on postinterventional CT scans in 5.5 % of the cases. Seven cases were included for further analysis and matched to controls by the following characteristics: (1) site of occlusion, (2) result of the recanalization procedure according to the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score, (3) administration of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, (4) presence of proximal extracranial occlusion, (5) age, and (6) sex. Comparison of the angiographic data of the two cohorts showed no significant difference in the length of the procedures or the number of maneuvers needed for recanalization, nor were there significant differences in clinical outcomes as measured by NIHSS and mRS scores. Secondary symptomatic ICH occurred in one case in either cohort and led to death in both cases. The rate of asymptomatic ICH within the first 24 h after recanalization was significantly higher in the group with peri-interventional SAH (57 vs. 0 %, P = 0.018). Conclusions: This small retrospective case-control study did not reveal a significant influence of peri-interventional SAH due to angiographically occult perforations on neurologic outcome of patients treated with stent retrievers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis, caused by the parasite Leishmania major, results in lesions at the site of infection, which are self-healing in resistant hosts. However, in the absence of the chemokine receptor CCR7, mice are unable to heal the lesion and develop chronic disease. These B6. CCR7−/− mice display an increased number of Th2 cells and immunosuppressive cytokine levels, as well as more regulatory T cells. As CCR7 is expressed on activated dendritic cells ( DCs), and these cells require CCR7 to migrate to the draining lymph node, we expected decreased migration of DCs into the lymph node in the absence of CCR7 during cutaneous leishmaniasis. Consequently, in an attempt to initiate a self-healing response, we adoptively transferred CCR7+ (B6. WT) DCs into the site of infection of B6. CCR7−/− mice. Surprisingly, instead of healing the lesion, B6. CCR7−/− mice inoculated with B6. WT DCs developed augmented lesions and showed increased immunosuppression compared to control B6. CCR7−/− mice transferred with B6. CCR7−/− DCs or B6. WT mice with B6. WT DCs. Finally, B6. WT mice injected with B6. CCR7−/− DCs also presented delayed healing of the lesion. These results indicate that CCR7 must be expressed on DCs, as well as peripheral cells, to allow an efficient immune response to L. major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Radiologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Australia more than 85% of newly diagnosed HIV infections in 1999–2003 were homosexually acquired. In contrast, among people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, there is a much higher proportion of heterosexual exposure and many of the heterosexually acquired infections are diagnosed ‘late’, with people sometimes presenting with symptoms of AIDS. This paper reports on circumstances of late HIV diagnosis, meaning of an HIV-positive diagnosis and perceptions of risk among HIV-positive people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds in Sydney. The focus was on commonalities across cultures and ethnicities. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with clients of the Multicultural HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Service and a sexual health clinic. Regular HIV tests were the exception in this group. Testing was usually motivated by a serious health crisis. Participants interpreted their diagnosis in the context of their knowledge and experiences with HIV/AIDS in their country of birth and the perceptions of HIV/AIDS in their ethnic communities in Australia. Many were not aware of the relationship between HIV and AIDS. Risk was perceived in terms of ‘risk group’ membership not in terms of practices and behaviours. Late diagnosis cannot be explained solely by association with country of birth, race or ethnicity. Rather, it is located within complex sets of social and cultural relations: the values attributed to HIV/AIDS and those infected and the social and cultural relations of ethnic communities in Australia and the dominant culture. These are enacted in healthcare seeking behaviour, perceptions of people with HIV and perceptions of being ‘at risk’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on findings from an on-going prospective cohort study, with a quantitative and a qualitative arm, to monitor the implementation of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Australia. The aim of the qualitative arm was to explore in-depth details of exposures to HIV and participants' understanding of 'risk'. Of the 328 patients who were enrolled in the study from March 1999 to July 2001, 88 (27%) participated in the qualitative arm. Interviews were conducted in a semi-structured style and explored the event that precipitated the request for PEP, participants' understanding of safe sex, their physical and psychological experience of the treatment and the impact that the availability of PEP may have on their sexual practices in the future. One theme running through the interviews was a determination to either maintain existing high levels of safe sex or to increase safe sex practices in those men who perceived PEP as 'a wake up call'. This determination was motivated by the experience of taking combination therapies and reflection on a potentially HIV-positive future. However, there were also tensions and ambivalences in the narratives. PEP was promoted as an adjunct to safe sex, not as an alternative. This is how PEP was understood by the men in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on findings from an on-going prospective cohort study, with a quantitative and a qualitative arm, to monitor the implementation of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in Australia. The aim of the qualitative arm was to explore in-depth details of exposures to HIV and participants’ understanding of ‘risk’. Of the 328 patients who were enrolled in the study from March 1999 to July 2001, 88 (27%) participated in the qualitative arm. Interviews were conducted in a semi-structured style and explored the event that precipitated the request for PEP, participants’ understanding of safe sex, their physical and psychological experience of the treatment and the impact that the availability of PEP may have on their sexual practices in the future. One theme running through the interviews was a determination to either maintain existing high levels of safe sex or to increase safe sex practices in those men who perceived PEP as ‘a wake up call’. This determination was motivated by the experience of taking combination therapies and reflection on a potentially HIV-positive future. However, there were also tensions and ambivalences in the narratives. PEP was promoted as an adjunct to safe sex, not as an alternative. This is how PEP was understood by the men in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the molecular mechanisms and clinicopathological consequences of microsatellite instability (MSI) in colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer develops sporadically or as part of a hereditary cancer syndrome, or against a background of inflammatory bowel disease. MSI in hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer occurs through two different mechanisms. In hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer the cause is a germline mutation in a mismatch repair enzyme: alteration of the Mut S homologue 2 and MutL humologue 1.

Discusses that bile duct cysts are typically described as a disease of childhood; Classification of bile duct cysts; Aetiology of bile duct cysts; Complications associated with bile duct cysts.

We report on a fetus presenting with increased nuchal translucency at 11 weeks' gestation, suggesting cystic hygroma. Chorion villous sampling was performed, and cytogenetic analysis revealed a supernumerary isochromosome 5p leading to tetrasomy 5p: 47,XX,+ i(5p)[7]/46,XX[5] after short-term culture and 47,XX,+ i(5p)[20] after long-term culture. Subsequent targeted sonographic follow-up at 12 and 14 weeks revealed further increase of the NT to 6.4 mm and the additional presence of a congenital heart defect (pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum). Termination of pregnancy was performed, and the heart defect was confirmed. Isochromosome 5p was found in varying proportions in all examined organs. Only a few cases of mosaic tetrasomy 5p have been reported in the literature, and recent reports on prenatally detected isochromosome 5p showed a possible relationship to increased nuchal translucency in some cases and also a possible role of confined mosaicism in others. Whereas cases with confined mosaicism did not show suspicious signs on ultrasound, true mosaicism conversely showed increased nuchal thickness as well as structural abnormalities. This is the first report on the association of a cardiac defect with this chromosome aberration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Congenital heart defects (CHD), particularly conotruncal anomalies, may be associated with deletion of chromosome 22q11.2. Thymic aplasia or hypoplasia is known to be a typical feature in this condition. We aimed to establish (i) the prevalence of del22q11.2 in fetal CHD and (ii) whether ultrasound assessment of an absent or hypoplastic fetal thymus helps in preselection of a group who are at high risk for this deletion. Study design In fetuses (> 16 weeks) with CHD, karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization for 22q11.2 were offered and the fetal thymus was evaluated sonographically. Results One hundred and forty-nine fetuses with CHD and normal karyotype were analyzed. Seventy-six fetuses had conotruncal anomalies. 22q11.2 deletion was present in 10 cases (6.7%), all of which had conotruncal anomalies (13.1%). Thymic hypoplasia or absence was suspected in 11 cases with conotruncal anomaly. Nine of these 11 had the deletion; two cases were false positive. One fetus with a normal-sized thymus had deletion of 22q11.2 (sensitivity 90%, specificity 98.5%, positive predictive value 81.8%, and negative predictive value 99.2%). By subtype of cardiac anomaly, there was deletion in four of six fetuses with interruption of the aortic arch, two of four with absent pulmonary valve syndrome, three of nine with truncus arteriosus and one of 11 cases of tetralogy of Fallot. Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect ( n = 7), right-sided aortic arch ( n = 4), transposition of the great arteries ( n = 14), double outlet right ventricle ( n = 13) and other complex malpositions of the great vessels ( n = 8) were not associated with the deletion. Conclusion Thymic hypoplasia or aplasia may reliably be diagnosed during fetal echocardiography. The technique allows identification of a group at high risk for 22q11.2 deletion and is more specific and sensitive than by subtype of cardiac anomaly alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutron deficient nuclei near 100Sn have been produced by fragmentation of a 1 . AGeV 112Sn beam. The fragments were separated, identified and stopped in a highly segmented silicon strip detector stack. This detector measured the total energy of emitted β+-particles. γ-radiation was measured with surrounding detectors. The half-lives for many nuclides have been determined for the first time and give important information for the following topics: For the heaviest particle-stable odd-odd nuclei 90Rh, 94Ag and 98In we observed for the first time fast β-decays, compatible with superallowed Fermi transitions and confirmed such decays for 78Y, 82Nb and 86Tc. We have also observed long-lived T = 0 states in some of these nuclei. We measured the half-lives of all rp-process waiting-point nuclei from 80Zr up to 92, 93Pd. In addition we find the proton drip line nucleus 77Y to decay dominantly via β-decay. To study the Gamov-Teller strength in the β-decay near the doubly magic 100Sn we measured the half-life, β- and γ-spectrum of 102Sn. We propose a level scheme for the daughter nuclide 102In and deduce the Gamov-Teller strength ( BGT = 4.0±0.6). This is one of the largest values known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We report on a 16-week fetus, in which detection of increased nuchal translucency thickness and bilateral intracardiac echogenic foci led to the prenatal diagnosis of truncus arteriosus communis, interruption of the aortic arch and aplastic thymus. Cytogenetic examination confirmed a 22q11.2 microdeletion consistent with the suspected CATCH 22 syndrome. Subsequently hydrops fetalis developed and the fetus died in utero at 18 weeks. This case report supports the hypothesis that both cardiac failure and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction may cause increased nuchal translucency thickness. The association between increased nuchal translucency thickness and CATCH 22 syndrome should be considered in diagnostic procedures. The sonographic diagnosis of both increased nuchal translucency thickness and intracardiac echogenic foci requires specialist ultrasonography and echocardiography. In particular, identification of right-sided or bilateral echogenic foci should prompt further detailed examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Lymphotoxin (LT)-α, a member of the TNF family, is recognized as an important mediator in different aspects of lymphoid organ development. Targeted disruption of this molecule resulted in a substantial reduction in the proportion of αEβ7-integrinhigh CD8+ T cells detectable in peripheral lymphoid organs. This defect, however, was not observed on mature CD4–CD8+ thymocytes. To determine whether this was due to downregulation of β7-integrin expression by peripheral CD8+ T cells or a failure of thymic emigration of CD8+ β7-integrinhigh T cells, β7-integrin was examined on recent thymic emigrants (RTE). When analysed within 16 h after leaving the thymus CD4–CD8+ RTE in both LT-α–/– and wild type (wt) mice remained β7-integrinhigh and were indistinguishable. However, within 3–5 days, emigration loss of β7-integrin became evident in LT-α–/– mice. Despite this loss, the proportion of thymically derived αβTCR+ T-cell populations in the intestinal epithelium, an important target tissue of CD8+ αEβ7-integrinhigh T cells, was increased in the absence of LT-α. In contrast, B cells were detectable only rarely in the intestinal tissue of LT-α–/– mice. The expression of E-Cadherin remained unchanged. These results indicate that a LT-α-dependent process maintains a high level of αEβ7-integrin expression by peripheral CD8+ T cells, and with this control mechanism LT-α may help to regulate CD8+ T-cell numbers in the tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the spectrum of congenital heart malformations, the frequency of extracardiac malformations, and the proportion of chromosome aberrations among fetuses sent for necropsy.Material: Necropsies were performed on 815 fetuses-448 induced abortions (55%), 220 spontaneous abortions (27%), and 147 stillbirths (18%)-during a seven year period (1991-97) in the department of pathology of the Charité Medical Centre in Berlin. A congenital heart defect was identified in 129 cases (16%). For all 129 fetuses, karyotyping and an ultrasound examination had been performed.Results: Congenital heart defects were present in 22% of induced abortions (99 cases), 9% of spontaneous abortions (20 cases), and 7% of stillbirths (10 cases). The heart malformations were classified into 13 categories. A fetus with more than one defect was included only in the category of the most serious defect. The malformations in order of frequency were: ventricular septal defect (VSD) (28%), atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) (16%), hypoplastic left heart (HLH) (16%), double outlet right ventricle (DORV) (12%), coarctation of the aorta (CoA) (6%), transposition of the great arteries (TGA) (4%), aortic valve stenosis (AoVS) (4%), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) (3%), truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) (3%), pulmonary valve stenosis/pulmonary valve atresia (PaVS/PaVA) (3%), tricuspid atresia (TA) (3%), single ventricle (SV) (1.5%), and atrial septal defect (ASD) (0.5%). The most common congenital heart defects were VSD, AVSD, HLH, and DORV, which made up 72% of all the cases. In 11 cases the heart defect was isolated (no other cardiovascular or extracardiac malformations present), 85 cases (66%) were associated with additional cardiac malformations, 85 cases (66%) were associated with extracardiac malformations, and chromosome anomalies were detected in 43 cases (33%).Conclusions: Fetal congenital heart malformations are common. These defects are often associated with other cardiovascular and extracardiac malformations, as well as with chromosome anomalies. Complex heart defects such as AVSD, HLH, and DORV are frequent in fetuses, as they often lead to spontaneous abortion or stillbirth or, after prenatal diagnosis, to deliberate termination of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background Structured preoperative data collection and computer-assisted methods are claimed to improve diagnostic accuracy in patients with acute abdominal pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible age- and sex-related effect of using structured data collection in the preoperative diagnosis of patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Methods Between 1989 and 1994, clinical and demographic data from 1764 consecutive patients were recorded. In 1990 and 1992, various detailed symptom, clinical and laboratory data were collected prospectively on a structured registration form. Age- and sex-specific diagnostic accuracy as well as perforation rate were calculated for each year. Results Diagnostic accuracy increased significantly by 5 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1–9) per cent when structured data registration was applied. In female patients aged between 13 and 40 years, diagnostic accuracy increased by 16 (95 per cent c.i. 8–24) per cent. Significant changes in diagnostic accuracy were not seen in other subgroups. Perforation rates remained unchanged during the entire study period. Conclusion In this population-based study, diagnostic accuracy in patients operated on for suspected acute appendicitis increased for all patients when structured preoperative data collection was used. However, the only subgroup with a significant increase in diagnostic accuracy was female patients aged between 13 and 40 years. Perforation rate was unaffected by structured data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical gain on the 476.5 nm Ar II 4 p−4 s ion laser transition has been observed in argon-gas excited by 2.5 ns pulses of 90 MeVS ions with a repetition rate of 4883 Hz. The energy per pulse was 23 μJ. The projectiles were stopped in the target at pressures between 5 and 20 kPa. Gain was determined from a measured transient increase of the intensity of a 476.5 nm probe laser beam sent along the ion beam axis and back reflected by an aluminum foil. The maximum gain observed was (0.4±0.1)×10 at a target-gas pressure of 5 kPa. Control experiments using krypton as target-gas were performed and yielded a null result. The optical gain observed in argon is consistent with the result from an analysis of spectroscopic studies of rare-gas targets excited by heavy ion beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Strongly damped collisions were studied in uranium induced reactions onPd andSn target nuclei near the barrier. The excitation-energy splitting was deduced from binary reaction yields and those in which the heavy fragment undergoes sequential fission. For systems with 87≦ Z≦95 for the heavy fragment, the excitation energy is concentrated in the lighter nucleus, at best shared equally. The results indicate a non-equilibrated energy dissipation, and support nucleon exchange based on average single-particle strength functions as the underlying dissipation mechanism at the barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The angular correlations of protons evaporated from the compound nucleusCe exhibit strong anisotropies which are inconsistent with the emission from a spherical source. The data can be explained by an enhanced emission probability due to a lower Coulomb barrier perpendicular to the spin axis of strongly deformed nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutron-rich nucleiSi,Si,Si,P,P,S andS were investigated by studyingC andO - induced transfer reactions onS using a Q3 D magnetic spectrograph and a position sensitive focal plane gas detector. The previously unknown mass of the isotopeSi was determined. The accuracy of the mass excess values of the isotopesSi,Si,P andP has been improved. Excited states of the isotopesSi,Si,P,P andS were identified for the first time. In addition the γ-decay of excited states inS andS was studied with a Ge(Li) detector in coincidence with the Q3 D focal plane detector. Experimental values for the mass excesses are compared with published mass formulae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The quasistatic and dynamic elastic behaviour of the tail artery of male normotensive (NCR) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats was determined in vitro. The tone of the smooth muscle was enhanced by norepinephrine and diminished by papaverine. The circumferential wall stress was changed by varying the transmural pressure level. The experimental procedure was the same as that used in a previous investigation (Bauer and Pasch, 1971). The circumferential (tangential) elastic wall modulus E was calculated from the mean internal and external radii determined at each pressure level and from dynamic pressure-volume recordings in the frequency range between 0.03 and 20 Hz. The calculation was based on a formula valid for thick-walled, longitudinally constrained vessels. Results: There is a clear difference between the effects of spontaneous hypertension on the tail artery and on the peripheral resistance vessels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure and flow recordings from a given site in an artery can be used for the resolution of the pulse wave into its forward and backward components if the characteristic impedance ( Z) is known. The principle of this method was reported by von Kries in 1892. In the present work, the procedure is first applied to a theoretical, non-uniform tube model. The characteristic impedances of the model are assumed to be real magnitudes. From the results it is seen that the calculated backward wave provides a criterion which indicates whether the true value of Z actually has been used for the resolving procedure. If, as in the case of natural pulses, Z is not known, its value can be obtained by repeatedly performing the resolving procedure using various values of Z, and choosing the value of Z employed to calculate the backward wave which best fits the criterion. The method is demonstrated on pulses of the abdominal aorta and carotid artery of the dog. The results are compared with the average values of the input impedance in the higher frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NO reductase synthesis was investigated immunochemically and by activity assays in cells of Pseudomonas stutzeri ZoBell grown in continuous culture at discrete aeration levels, or in O-limited batch cultures supplemented with N oxides as respiratory substrate. Under aerobic conditions, NO reductase was not expressed in P. stutzeri. Oxygen limitation in combination with the presence of nitrate or nitrite derepressed NO reductase synthesis. On transition from aerobic to anaerobic conditions in continuous culture, NO reductase was synthesized below 3% air saturation and reached maximum expression under anaerobic conditions. By use of mutant strains defective in nitrate respiration or nitrite respiration, the inducing effect of individual N oxides on NO reductase synthesis could be discriminated. Nitrite caused definite, concentration-dependent induction, while nitrate promoted moderate enzyme synthesis or amplified effects of nitrite. Exogenous nitric oxide (NO) in concentrations ≦25 μM induced trace amounts of NO reductase; in higher concentrations it arrested cell growth. Nitrite reductase or NO reductase were not detected immunochemically under these conditions. NO generated as an intermediate appeared not to induce NO reductase significantly. Antiserum raised against the P. stutzeri NO reductase showed crossreaction with cell extracts from P. stutzeri JM300, but not with several other denitrifying pseudomonads or Paracoccus denitrificans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunogold labelling techniques on ultrathin sections of low temperature embedded cells yielded evidence for the periplasmic location of the respiratory enzymes NO reductase and nitrite reductase (cytochrome cd) in Pseudomonas stutzeri strain ZoBell. Cell fractionation by spheroplast preparation and two-dimensional electrophoresis showed the absence of a membrane association of these enzymes. Immunocytochemical localization of NO reductase in a mutant strain deficient in the chromophore of NO reductase showed the gold label at the cell periphery, indicating that the copper chromophore processing takes place after export of this protein's apoform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutants with defective respiratory nitrite utilization (Nir phenotype) were obtained by transposon Tn 5 insertion into genomic DNA of the ZoBell strain of Pseudomonas stutzeri. Three representative mutants were characterized with respect to their activities of nitrite and nitric oxide reduction, cytochrome cd content, and pattern of soluble c-type cytochromes. Mutant strain MK201 over-produced cytochrome c about fourfold by comparison with the wild type, but possessed an in vitro functional cytochrome cd. Mutant strain MK202 lacked cytochrome cd and, simultaneously, had low amounts of cytochrome c and the split α-peak c-type cytochrome. Strain MK203 synthesized nitrite reductase defective in the heme d prosthetic group. Irrespective of these biochemically distinct Nir phenotypes, all mutants preserved the nitric oxidereducing capability of the wild type. The mutant characteristics demonstrate that cytochrome cd is essential for nitrite respiration of P. stutzeri and establish the presence of a nitric oxide-reducing system distinct from cytochrome cd. They also indicate the functional or regulatory interdependence of c-type cytochromes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]