Localized amyloid light-chain amyloidosis and extramedullary plasmacytoma of the mitral valve.

An unusual case of localized amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis and extramedullary plasmacytoma of the mitral valve is described. The worsening of a mitral regurgitation led to investigations and surgery. The valve presented marked distortion and thickening by type AL amyloid associated with a monotypic CD138+ immunoglobulin lambda plasma cell proliferation. Systemic staging showed a normal bone marrow and no evidence of amyloid deposition in other localizations. The patient's outcome after mitral valve replacement was excellent. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a localized AL amyloidosis as well as of a primary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the mitral valve.

Mudanças de volume devido à variação do teor de água em um vertissolo no semiárido de Pernambuco

A instabilidade volumétrica de solos devido à mudança no teor de água é complexa e influenciada por vários fatores, entre os quais se incluem o tipo de solo, condicionantes climáticos e estados de tensão. Os Vertissolos estão entre os solos que experimentam mudança de volume, sendo uma de suas principais características morfológicas os slickensides, resultantes da sua capacidade de se contrair e fissurar com o ressecamento e se expandir com o umedecimento. Os solos que variam de volume, quando inundados por água, demandam cuidado extra, independentemente do uso que se quer dar a eles: agropecuário, para obra de engenharia ou ambos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, por meio de ensaios edométricos simples e duplos com diferentes valores de umidade inicial e tensões externas aplicadas, a variação do volume e da tensão de expansão do solo, devido à mudança do teor de água, em um Vertissolo coletado no município de Petrolândia-PE. A tensão de expansão foi avaliada por seis métodos distintos. Os resultados mostram que a expansão, contração ou colapso do solo dependem do teor de umidade inicial e da tensão externa aplicada. A tensão de expansão é influenciada pelo caminho de tensão aplicado. As variações de volume, com o tempo, devido ao processo de mudança de umidade do solo, podem ser de expansão, expansão e colapso e só de colapso ou contração. Conclui-se que a variação de volume, devido à variação do teor de água, está associada à condição inicial em que se encontra o solo e àquela a que será submetido.

Force volume and stiffness tomography investigation on the dynamics of stiff material under bacterial membranes.

The determination of the characteristics of micro-organisms in clinical specimens is essential for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of infections. A thorough investigation of the nanoscale properties of bacteria can prove to be a fundamental tool. Indeed, in the latest years, the importance of high resolution analysis of the properties of microbial cell surfaces has been increasingly recognized. Among the techniques available to observe at high resolution specific properties of microscopic samples, the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is the most widely used instrument capable to perform morphological and mechanical characterizations of living biological systems. Indeed, AFM can routinely study single cells in physiological conditions and can determine their mechanical properties with a nanometric resolution. Such analyses, coupled with high resolution investigation of their morphological properties, are increasingly used to characterize the state of single cells. In this work, we exploit the capabilities and peculiarities of AFM to analyze the mechanical properties of Escherichia coli in order to evidence with a high spatial resolution the mechanical properties of its structure. In particular, we will show that the bacterial membrane is not mechanically uniform, but contains stiffer areas. The force volume investigations presented in this work evidence for the first time the presence and dynamics of such structures. Such information is also coupled with a novel stiffness tomography technique, suggesting the presence of stiffer structures present underneath the membrane layer that could be associated with bacterial nucleoids.

Documentary material relating to the history of Iowa - Volume 1, 1895.

Benjamin F. Shambaugh edited and compiled documents and publications for this book on the history of Iowa. This volume 1 includes documentary material from the Louisiana Purchase, the Territories of the Northwest, Wisconsin and Iowa; the Convention of 1857;the Iowa Constitution of 1846 and the Ratification of Constitutional Amendments.

Documentary material relating to the history of Iowa - Volume 2, 1896.

Benjamin F. Shambaugh edited and compiled documents and publications for this book on the history of Iowa. This volume 2 is concerned with the history of local political organizations and documents illustrative of the development of local government in the Territory of the Northwest from 1787 to 1800, in the Territory of Indiana from 1800 to 1805 and in the Territory of Michigan from 1805 to September 6, 1834.

Documentary material relating to the history of Iowa - Volume 3, 1896.

Benjamin F. Shambaugh edited and compiled documents and publications for this book on the history of Iowa. This volume 3 is a continuation of volume 2 which is concerned with the history of local political organization from 1787 to 1834. Documents are illustrative of the development of local government in Iowa from the establishment of the Territory of Wisconsin in 1836 to the revision of the statutes of Iowa in 1842-43. It includes documentary material from the Louisiana Purchase, the Territories of the Northwest, Wisconsin and Iowa; the Convention of 1857; the Iowa Constitution of 1846 and the Ratification of Constitutional Amendments.

Use of Railroad Flat Cars for Low-Volume Road Bridges, August 1999

In an attempt to solve the bridge problem faced by many county engineers, this investigation focused on a low cost bridge alternative that consists of using railroad flatcars (RRFC) as the bridge superstructure. The intent of this study was to determine whether these types of bridges are structurally adequate and potentially feasible for use on low volume roads. A questionnaire was sent to the Bridge Committee members of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to determine their use of RRFC bridges and to assess the pros and cons of these bridges based on others’ experiences. It was found that these types of bridges are widely used in many states with large rural populations and they are reported to be a viable bridge alternative due to their low cost, quick and easy installation, and low maintenance. A main focus of this investigation was to study an existing RRFC bridge that is located in Tama County, IA. This bridge was analyzed using computer modeling and field load testing. The dimensions of the major structural members of the flatcars in this bridge were measured and their properties calculated and used in an analytical grillage model. The analytical results were compared with those obtained in the field tests, which involved instrumenting the bridge and loading it with a fully loaded rear tandem-axle truck. Both sets of data (experimental and theoretical) show that the Tama County Bridge (TCB) experienced very low strains and deflections when loaded and the RRFCs appeared to be structurally adequate to serve as a bridge superstructure. A calculated load rating of the TCB agrees with this conclusion. Because many different types of flatcars exist, other flatcars were modeled and analyzed. It was very difficult to obtain the structural plans of RRFCs; thus, only two additional flatcars were analyzed. The results of these analyses also yielded very low strains and displacements. Taking into account the experiences of other states, the inspection of several RRFC bridges in Oklahoma, the field test and computer analysis of the TCB, and the computer analysis of two additional flatcars, RRFC bridges appear to provide a safe and feasible bridge alternative for low volume roads.

Comparação entre métodos para determinação de carbono orgânico em amostras de solo mensuradas por volume ou massa

O uso da massa (g) ou do volume (cm³) como medida da quantidade de solo para determinação do teor de C orgânico do solo (COS), bem como a utilização de diferentes métodos de determinações analíticas empregados para essa mesma finalidade, pode alterar diretamente a interpretação dos resultados. Este trabalho teve como objetivo comparar os métodos colorimétricos e titulométricos de determinação de matéria orgânica em três solos com diferentes texturas, tomando-se as amostras por massa (pesagem) e por volume (cachimbagem). Houve variação no teor de COS entre os métodos estudados para um mesmo solo. O uso da massa e do volume alterou diretamente a interpretação dos teores de matéria orgânica no solo. Há variações nos métodos de determinação de COS entre solos de diferentes texturas.

Mapping, organic matter mass and water volume of a peatland in Serra do Espinhaço Meridional

Peatlands form in areas where net primary of organic matter production exceeds losses due to the decomposition, leaching or disturbance. Due to their chemical and physical characteristics, bogs can influence water dynamics because they can store large volumes of water in the rainy season and gradually release this water during the other months of the year. In Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, a peatland in the environmental protection area of Pau-de-Fruta ensures the water supply of 40,000 inhabitants. The hypothesis of this study is that the peat bogs in Pau-de-Fruta act as an environment for carbon storage and a regulator of water flow in the Córrego das Pedras basin. The objective of this study was to estimate the water volume and organic matter mass in this peatland and to study the influence of this environment on the water flow in the Córrego das Pedras basin. The peatland was mapped using 57 transects, at intervals of 100 m. Along all transects, the depth of the peat bog, the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates and altitude were recorded every 20 m and used to calculate the area and volume of the peatland. The water volume was estimated, using a method developed in this study, and the mass of organic matter based on samples from 106 profiles. The peatland covered 81.7 hectares (ha), and stored 497,767 m³ of water, representing 83.7 % of the total volume of the peat bog. The total amount of organic matter (OM) was 45,148 t, corresponding to 552 t ha-1 of OM. The peat bog occupies 11.9 % of the area covered by the Córrego das Pedras basin and stores 77.6 % of the annual water surplus, thus controlling the water flow in the basin and consequently regulating the water course.

Pediatric morphea (localized scleroderma): review of 136 patients.

BACKGROUND: Morphea is an autoimmune inflammatory sclerosing disorder that may cause permanent functional disability and disfigurement. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the clinical features of morphea in a large pediatric cohort. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 136 pediatric patients with morphea from one center, 1989 to 2006. RESULTS: Most children showed linear morphea, with a disproportionately high number of Caucasian and female patients. Two patients with rapidly progressing generalized or extensive linear morphea and arthralgias developed restrictive pulmonary disease. Initial oral corticosteroid treatment and long-term methotrexate administration stabilized and/or led to disease improvement in most patients with aggressive disease. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis, relatively small sample size, and risk of a selected referral population to the single site are limitations. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an increased prevalence of morphea in Caucasian girls, and support methotrexate as treatment for problematic forms. Visceral manifestations rarely occur; the presence of progressive problematic cutaneous disease and arthralgias should trigger closer patient monitoring.

Prognostic in Vivo Biomarkers for Lesion Development after Cerebral Ischemia

A better prediction of the outcome after ischemia and estimation of onset time at early time points would greatly facilitate clinical decisions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to use magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify neurochemical markers for outcome prediction at early time points after ischemia.ICR-CD1 mice were subjected to 10-minute, 30-minute or permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) was monitored in all animals by laser-Doppler flowmetry. All MR studies were carried out in a horizontal 14.1T magnet. Fast spin echo images with T2-weighted parameters were Bacquired to localize the volume of interest and evaluate the lesion size. Immediately after adjustment of field inhomogeneities, localized 1H MRS was applied to obtain the neurochemical profile from the striatum (6-8 μl) or the cortex (2.2-2.5 μl). Six animals (sham group) underwent nearly identical procedures without MCAO.By comparing the evolution of several metabolites in ischemia of varying severity, we observed that glutamine increases early after transient ischemia independently of severity, but decreases in permanent ischemia. On the opposite, GABA increased in permanent ischemia and decreased in transient. We also observed a decrease in the sum of N-acetyl aspartate + glutamate + taurine in all irreversibly damaged tissues, independently of reperfusion and severity. Finally, we have observed that some metabolites decrease exponentially after ischemia. This exponential decrease could be used to determine the time of ischemia onset in permanent ischemia.In Conclusion, magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be used as a prognostic and diagnostic tool to monitor reperfusion, identify reversibly and irreversibly damaged tissue and evaluate the time of ischemia onset. If these Results can be translated to stroke patients, this technique would greatly improve the diagnosis and help with clinical decisions.

Localized interstitial granuloma annulare induced by subcutaneous injections for desensitization.

We describe a patient with interstitial granuloma annulare associated with subcutaneous injection therapy (SIT) for desensitization to a type I allergy. Asymptomatic, erythematous, violaceous annular patches were located at the injection sites on both her arms. Medical history revealed perennial rhinoconjonctivitis treated with SIT (Phostal Stallergen® cat 100% and D. pteronyssinus/D.farinae 50%:50%).

Cut-off importance sampling of bole volume

Summary