Radiolabeled fragments of monoclonal antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen for localization of human colon carcinoma grafted into nude mice.

Four monoclonal antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have been selected from 32 hybrids that produce antibodies against this antigen, by the criteria of high affinity for CEA and low cross-reactivity with granulocyte glycoprotein(s). The specificity of tumor localization in vivo of the four MAb, and their F(ab')2 and Fab fragments was compared in nude mice bearing grafts of a serially transplanted, CEA-producing, human colon carcinoma. The distribution of radiolabeled MAb and their fragments after intravenous injection was analyzed by direct measurement of radioactivity in tumor and normal organs, as well as by whole-body scanning and by autoradiography of tumor sections. Paired labeling experiments, in which 131I-labeled antibody or fragments and 125I-labeled control IgG are injected simultaneously, were undertaken to determine the relative tumor uptakes of each labeled protein. The tumor antibody uptake divided by that of control IgG defines the specificity index of localization. Tumor antibody uptakes (as compared with the whole mouse), ranging between 7 and 15, and specificity indices ranging between 3.4 and 6.8, were obtained with the four intact MAb at day 4-5 after injection. With F(ab')2 fragments of the four MAb, at day 3, the tumor antibody uptakes ranged between 12 and 24 and the specificity indices between 5.3 and 8.2. With the Fab fragments prepared from the two most promising MAb, the antibody uptakes reached values of 34 and 82 at day 2-3 and the specificity indices were as high as 12 and 19. The scanning results paralleled those obtained by direct measurement of radioactivity. With intact MAb, tumor grafts of 0.5-1 g gave very contrasted positive scans 3 d after injection. Using MAb fragments, tumors of smaller size were detectable earlier. The best results were obtained with Fab fragments of MAb 35, which gave clear detections of tumors weighing only 0.1 g as early as 48 h after injection. Autoradiographs of tumor sections from mice injected with 125I-labeled MAb demonstrated that the radioactivity was localized in the tumor tissues and not in the stromal connective tissue of mouse origin. The highest radioactivity concentration was localized in areas known to contain CEA such as the pseudolumen of glands and the apical side of carcinoma cells. The penetration of radioactivity in the central part of tumor nodules and the pseudolumen appeared to be increased with the use of MAb fragments.

A surface-based approach to quantify local cortical gyrification.

The high complexity of cortical convolutions in humans is very challenging both for engineers to measure and compare it, and for biologists and physicians to understand it. In this paper, we propose a surface-based method for the quantification of cortical gyrification. Our method uses accurate 3-D cortical reconstruction and computes local measurements of gyrification at thousands of points over the whole cortical surface. The potential of our method to identify and localize precisely gyral abnormalities is illustrated by a clinical study on a group of children affected by 22q11 Deletion Syndrome, compared to control individuals.

Robotic Gait Training Is not Superior to Conventional Treadmill Training in Parkinson Disease: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of robots for gait training in Parkinson disease (PD) is growing, but no evidence points to an advantage over the standard treadmill. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind controlled trial, participants aged <75 years with early-stage PD (Hoehn-Yahr <3) were randomly allocated to 2 groups: either 30 minutes of gait training on a treadmill or in the Lokomat for 3 d/wk for 4 weeks. Patients were evaluated by a physical therapist blinded to allocation before and at the end of treatment and then at the 3- and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the 6-minute walk test. RESULTS: Of 334 screened patients, the authors randomly allocated 30 to receive gait training with treadmill or the Lokomat. At baseline, the 2 groups did not differ. At the 6-month follow-up, both groups had improved significantly in the primary outcome measure (treadmill: mean = 490.95 m, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 448.56-533.34, P = .0006; Lokomat: 458.6 m, 95% CI = 417.23-499.96, P = .01), but no significant differences were found between the 2 groups (P = .53). DISCUSSION: Robotic gait training with the Lokomat is not superior to treadmill training in improving gait performance in patients with PD. Both approaches are safe, with results maintained for up to 6 months.

A methodology for the classification of convective structures using meteorological radar: Application to heavy rainfall events on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula

During the period 1996-2000, forty-three heavy rainfall events have been detected in the Internal Basins of Catalonia (Northeastern of Spain). Most of these events caused floods and serious damage. This high number leads to the need for a methodology to classify them, on the basis of their surface rainfall distribution, their internal organization and their physical features. The aim of this paper is to show a methodology to analyze systematically the convective structures responsible of those heavy rainfall events on the basis of the information supplied by the meteorological radar. The proposed methodology is as follows. Firstly, the rainfall intensity and the surface rainfall pattern are analyzed on the basis of the raingauge data. Secondly, the convective structures at the lowest level are identified and characterized by using a 2-D algorithm, and the convective cells are identified by using a 3-D procedure that looks for the reflectivity cores in every radar volume. Thirdly, the convective cells (3-D) are associated with the 2-D structures (convective rainfall areas). This methodology has been applied to the 43 heavy rainfall events using the meteorological radar located near Barcelona and the SAIH automatic raingauge network.

Radar analysis of the life cycle of mesoscale convective systems during the 10 June 2000 event

The 10 June 2000 event was the largest flash flood event that occurred in the Northeast of Spain in the late 20th century, both as regards its meteorological features and its considerable social impact. This paper focuses on analysis of the structures that produced the heavy rainfalls, especially from the point of view of meteorological radar. Due to the fact that this case is a good example of a Mediterranean flash flood event, a final objective of this paper is to undertake a description of the evolution of the rainfall structure that would be sufficiently clear to be understood at an interdisciplinary forum. Then, it could be useful not only to improve conceptual meteorological models, but also for application in downscaling models. The main precipitation structure was a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) that crossed the region and that developed as a consequence of the merging of two previous squall lines. The paper analyses the main meteorological features that led to the development and triggering of the heavy rainfalls, with special emphasis on the features of this MCS, its life cycle and its dynamic features. To this end, 2-D and 3-D algorithms were applied to the imagery recorded over the complete life cycle of the structures, which lasted approximately 18 h. Mesoscale and synoptic information were also considered. Results show that it was an NS-MCS, quasi-stationary during its stage of maturity as a consequence of the formation of a convective train, the different displacement directions of the 2-D structures and the 3-D structures, including the propagation of new cells, and the slow movement of the convergence line associated with the Mediterranean mesoscale low.

Heel and toe clearance estimation for gait analysis using wireless inertial sensors.

Tripping is considered a major cause of fall in older people. Therefore, foot clearance (i.e., height of the foot above ground during swing phase) could be a key factor to better understand the complex relationship between gait and falls. This paper presents a new method to estimate clearance using a foot-worn and wireless inertial sensor system. The method relies on the computation of foot orientation and trajectory from sensors signal data fusion, combined with the temporal detection of toe-off and heel-strike events. Based on a kinematic model that automatically estimates sensor position relative to the foot, heel and toe trajectories are estimated. 2-D and 3-D models are presented with different solving approaches, and validated against an optical motion capture system on 12 healthy adults performing short walking trials at self-selected, slow, and fast speed. Parameters corresponding to local minimum and maximum of heel and toe clearance were extracted and showed accuracy ± precision of 4.1 ± 2.3 cm for maximal heel clearance and 1.3 ± 0.9 cm for minimal toe clearance compared to the reference. The system is lightweight, wireless, easy to wear and to use, and provide a new and useful tool for routine clinical assessment of gait outside a dedicated laboratory.

Transformed and nontransformed human T lymphocytes migrate to skin in a chimeric human skin/SCID mouse model.

To study human T cell migration to human skin in vivo, we grafted severe combined immunodeficient mice with 500-microm thick human skin. Two weeks after grafting, epidermal and dermal structures in the grafts were of human origin. When we intraperitoneally injected grafted mice with clones of the human HUT-78 T cell line derived from a patient with cutaneous T cell lymphoma and Sézary syndrome, we detected in the grafts the rare Vbeta23-Jbeta1.2 T cell receptor transcripts characteristic for the HUT-78 clones. These signals were found 2-6 d after cell injection in about 40% of the grafted and HUT-78 cell injected mice but not in grafts from mice that received no exogenous T cells. In contrast to HUT-78 cells, which only accumulate in low number, grafts topically challenged with nickel sufate in vaseline from mice that were injected with autologous nickel-reactive T cell lines led to massive accumulation of T cells within 3 d. Only scattered T cells accumulated in the skin when grafted mice received vaseline plus T cells, nickel sulfate alone, T cells alone, or nickel sulfate plus an allogeneic nickel-nonreactive T cell clone. When the T cell lines were labeled with the fluorochrome PKH-26 before cell injection, spots of fluorescent label in the size and shape of cells were found in the grafts challenged with nickel. Together, these results clearly demonstrate that human T cells can migrate to human skin in this chimeric human/mouse model.

Chansonnier des ducs de Lorraine

Contient : 1 « Deul et ennuy... » ; 2 « Beata es, Maria... » ; 3 « Da pacem, Domine... » ; 4 « Da pacem, Domine... » ; 5 « Dulcis amica Dei... » ; 6 « Si sumpsero... » ; 7 « O quam glorifica... » ; 8 « Si dedero... » ; 9 « Mes pensées... » ; 10 « L'eure est venue... » ; 11 « Despitant fortune... » ; 12 « Allez, regretz... » ; 13 « Les grans regretz... » ; 14 « Va t'em, regret... » ; 15 « Qui belles amours a... » ; 16 « Se je vous eslongne... » ; 17 « Helas! de vous certes... » ; 18 « Si vous voulez estre... » ; 19 « N'ay ge pas droit... » ; 20 « Ha! qu'il m'ennuye... » ; 21 « Seul et eureux... » ; 22 « La saison en est... » ; 23 « Penser en vous... » ; 24 « Venez, regretz... » ; 25 « Des fais mondains... » ; 26 « De plus en plus... » ; 27 « Mon souvenir... » ; 28 « A heur le tiens... » ; 29 « Tant ay d'ennuyt... » ; 30 « Comme femme desconfortée... » ; 31 « Si congié prens... » ; 32 « Se mieulx ne vient... » ; 33 « Plus que aultre... » ; 34 « En l'ombre d'ung buyssonnet... » ; 35 « La regrettée... » ; 36 « Je sçay tout... » ; 37 « Fors seullement... » ; 38 « Il n'est vivant... » ; 39 « Vostre beaulté... » ; 40 « Helas ! pourquoy... » ; 41 « Je ne viz oncques... » ; 42 « Royne dez flours... » ; 43 « Faisons boutons... » ; 44 « Fin ch'yo vivo... » ; 45 « Yo so contento... » ; 46 « Que vous ma dame... » ; 47 « La gaye pastoure... » ; 48 « Se j'ay perdu mon amy... » ; 49 « Mon seul plaisir... » ; 50 « Ce moys de may... » ; 51 « Si fayt il vous... » ; 52 « Pastourelle... » ; 53 « Belle, se j'avoye... » ; 54 « Amoureuse m'y fault estre... » ; 55 « Tant bel m'y sont... » ; 56 « Se j'avoye de la soie... » ; 57 « Lourdault... » ; 58 « L'autre jour m'y chevauchoye... » ; 59 « La nuyt s'en va... » ; 60 « Il estoit ung bon homme... » ; 61 « Fors seulement... » ; 62 « Crux triumphans... » ; 63 « Jesus, dignum nomen... » ; 64 « My levay... » ; 65 « Mary de par sa mere... » ; 66 « La cuiller d'or... » ; 67 « Faictes, s'il vous plait... » ; 68 « Ne par Dieu... » ; 69 « Seullette suis... » ; 70 « Mon mari m'a diffamée... » ; 71 « L'amour de moy est enclose... » ; 72 « Mannette m'a mandé... » ; 73 « A l'ombre du bissonnet... » ; 74 « Triste et pensif... » ; 75 « Cum summo... »

Residual thermomechanical stresses in thinned-chip assemblies

A new technology for the three-dimensional (3-D) stacking of very thin chips on a substrate is currently under development within the ultrathin chip stacking (UTCS) Esprit Project 24910. In this work, we present the first-level UTCS structure and the analysis of the thermomechanical stresses produced by the manufacturing process. Chips are thinned up to 10 or 15 m. We discuss potentially critical points at the edges of the chips, the suppression of delamination problems of the peripheral dielectric matrix and produce a comparative study of several technological choices for the design of metallic interconnect structures. The purpose of these calculations is to give inputs for the definition of design rules for this technology. We have therefore undertaken a programme that analyzes the influence of sundry design parameters and alternative development options. Numerical analyses are based on the finite element method.

Measurements of seismic attenuation and transient fluid pressure in partially saturated Berea sandstone: Evidence of fluid flow on the mesoscopic scale

A novel laboratory technique is proposed to investigate wave-induced fluid flow on the mesoscopic scale as a mechanism for seismic attenuation in partially saturated rocks. This technique combines measurements of seismic attenuation in the frequency range from 1 to 100?Hz with measurements of transient fluid pressure as a response of a step stress applied on top of the sample. We used a Berea sandstone sample partially saturated with water. The laboratory results suggest that wave-induced fluid flow on the mesoscopic scale is dominant in partially saturated samples. A 3-D numerical model representing the sample was used to verify the experimental results. Biot's equations of consolidation were solved with the finite-element method. Wave-induced fluid flow on the mesoscopic scale was the only attenuation mechanism accounted for in the numerical solution. The numerically calculated transient fluid pressure reproduced the laboratory data. Moreover, the numerically calculated attenuation, superposed to the frequency-independent matrix anelasticity, reproduced the attenuation measured in the laboratory in the partially saturated sample. This experimental?numerical fit demonstrates that wave-induced fluid flow on the mesoscopic scale and matrix anelasticity are the dominant mechanisms for seismic attenuation in partially saturated Berea sandstone.

Transient Ischemic Dilation (TID) ratio measurement during Rb-82 cardiac PET: Comparison between three different software packages.

Background: TIDratio indirectly reflects myocardial ischemia and is correlated with cardiacprognosis. We aimed at comparing the influence of three different softwarepackages for the assessment of TID using Rb-82 cardiac PET/CT. Methods: Intotal, data of 30 patients were used based on normal myocardial perfusion(SSS<3 and SRS<3) and stress myocardial blood flow 2mL/min/g)assessed by Rb-82 cardiac PET/CT. After reconstruction using 2D OSEM (2Iterations, 28 subsets), 3-D filtering (Butterworth, order=10, ωc=0.5), data were automatically processed, and then manually processed fordefining identical basal and apical limits on both stress and rest images.TIDratio were determined with Myometrix®, ECToolbox® and QGS®software packages. Comparisons used ANOVA, Student t-tests and Lin concordancetest (ρc). Results: All of the 90 processings were successfullyperformed. TID ratio were not statistically different between software packageswhen data were processed automatically (P=0.2) or manually (P=0.17). There was a slight, butsignificant relative overestimation of TID with automatic processing incomparison to manual processing using ECToolbox® (1.07 ± 0.13 vs 1.0± 0.13, P=0.001)and Myometrix® (1.07 ± 0.15 vs 1.01 ± 0.11, P=0.003) but not using QGS®(1.02 ±0.12 vs 1.05 ± 0.11, P=0.16). The best concordance was achieved between ECToolbox®and Myometrix® manual (ρc=0.67) processing.Conclusion: Using automatic or manual mode TID estimation was not significantlyinfluenced by software type. Using Myometrix® or ECToolbox®TID was significantly different between automatic and manual processing, butnot using QGS®. Software package should be account for when definingTID normal reference limits, as well as when used in multicenter studies. QGS®software seemed to be the most operator-independent software package, whileECToolbox® and Myometrix® produced the closest results.

Exporting Contours to DICOM-RT Structure Set

This paper presents an ITK implementation for exportingthe contours of the automated segmentation results toDICOM-RT Structure Set format. The âeurooeradiotherapystructure setâeuro (RTSTRUCT) object of the DICOM standard isused for the transfer of patient structures and relateddata, between the devices found within and outside theradiotherapy department. It mainly contains theinformation of regions of interest (ROIs) and points ofinterest (E.g. dose reference points). In many cases,rather than manually drawing these ROIs on the CT images,one can indeed benefit from the automated segmentationalgorithms already implemented in ITK. But at present, itis not possible to export the ROIs obtained from ITK toRTSTRUCT format. In order to bridge this gap, we havedeveloped a framework for exporting contour data toRTSTRUCT. We provide here the complete implementation ofRTSTRUCT exporter and present the details of the pipelineused. Results on a 3-D CT image of the Head and Neck(H&N) region are presented.

ZHARP: three-dimensional motion tracking from a single image plane.

Three-dimensional imaging and quantification of myocardial function are essential steps in the evaluation of cardiac disease. We propose a tagged magnetic resonance imaging methodology called zHARP that encodes and automatically tracks myocardial displacement in three dimensions. Unlike other motion encoding techniques, zHARP encodes both in-plane and through-plane motion in a single image plane without affecting the acquisition speed. Postprocessing unravels this encoding in order to directly track the 3-D displacement of every point within the image plane throughout an entire image sequence. Experimental results include a phantom validation experiment, which compares zHARP to phase contrast imaging, and an in vivo study of a normal human volunteer. Results demonstrate that the simultaneous extraction of in-plane and through-plane displacements from tagged images is feasible.

Fibrinogen and fibronectin binding cooperate for valve infection and invasion in Staphylococcus aureus experimental endocarditis.

The expression of Staphylococcus aureus adhesins in Lactococcus lactis identified clumping factor A (ClfA) and fibronectin-binding protein A (FnBPA) as critical for valve colonization in rats with experimental endocarditis. This study further analyzed their role in disease evolution. Infected animals were followed for 3 d. ClfA-positive lactococci successfully colonized damaged valves, but were spontaneously eradicated over 48 h. In contrast, FnBPA-positive lactococci progressively increased bacterial titers in vegetations and spleens. At imaging, ClfA-positive lactococci were restricted to the vegetations, whereas FnBPA-positive lactococci also invaded the adjacent endothelium. This reflected the capacity of FnBPA to trigger cell internalization in vitro. Because FnBPA carries both fibrinogen- and fibronectin-binding domains, we tested the role of these functionalities by deleting the fibrinogen-binding domain of FnBPA and supplementing it with the fibrinogen-binding domain of ClfA in cis or in trans. Deletion of the fibrinogen-binding domain of FnBPA did not alter fibronectin binding and cell internalization in vitro. However, it totally abrogated valve infectivity in vivo. This ability was restored in cis by inserting the fibrinogen-binding domain of ClfA into truncated FnBPA, and in trans by coexpressing full-length ClfA and truncated FnBPA on two separate plasmids. Thus, fibrinogen and fibronectin binding could cooperate for S. aureus valve colonization and endothelial invasion in vivo.

Rockfall monitoring by Terrestrial Laser Scanning ¿ case study of the basaltic rock face at Castellfollit de la Roca (Catalonia, Spain)

This case study deals with a rock face monitoring in urban areas using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner. The pilot study area is an almost vertical, fifty meter high cliff, on top of which the village of Castellfollit de la Roca is located. Rockfall activity is currently causing a retreat of the rock face, which may endanger the houses located at its edge. TLS datasets consist of high density 3-D point clouds acquired from five stations, nine times in a time span of 22 months (from March 2006 to January 2008). The change detection, i.e. rockfalls, was performed through a sequential comparison of datasets. Two types of mass movement were detected in the monitoring period: (a) detachment of single basaltic columns, with magnitudes below 1.5 m3 and (b) detachment of groups of columns, with magnitudes of 1.5 to 150 m3. Furthermore, the historical record revealed (c) the occurrence of slab failures with magnitudes higher than 150 m3. Displacements of a likely slab failure were measured, suggesting an apparent stationary stage. Even failures are clearly episodic, our results, together with the study of the historical record, enabled us to estimate a mean detachment of material from 46 to 91.5 m3 year¿1. The application of TLS considerably improved our understanding of rockfall phenomena in the study area.