Superior electric double layer capacitors using ordered mesoporous carbons

This paper reports for the first time superior electric double layer capacitive properties of ordered mesoporous carbon (OMCs) with varying ordered pore symmetries and mesopore structure. Compared to commercially used activated carbon electrode, Maxsorb, these OMC carbons have superior capacitive behavior, power output and high-frequency performance in EDLCs due to the unique structure of their mesopore network, which is more favorable for fast ionic transport than the pore networks in disordered microporous carbons. As evidenced by N-2 sorption, cyclic voltammetry and frequency response measurements, OMC carbons with large mesopores, and especially with 2-D pore symmetry, show superior capacitive behaviors (exhibiting a high capacitance of over 180 F/g even at very high sweep rate of 50 mV/s, as compared to much reduced capacitance of 73 F/g for Maxsorb at the same sweep rate). OMC carbons can provide much higher power density while still maintaining good energy density. OMC carbons demonstrate excellent high-frequency performances due to its higher surface area in pores larger than 3 nm. Such ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) offer a great potential in EDLC capacitors, particularly for applications where high power output and good high-frequency capacitive performances are required. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Charcot`s arthropathy secondary to herpetic encephalitis sequelae: an unusual presentation

Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot`s arthropathy) is a progressive articular disease associated with a reduced sensorial and protector proprioceptive reflex. Its etiology includes many different conditions such as syringomyelia, traumatic lesion causing medullary deformity, spina bifida, diabetic neuropathy, leprosy neuropathy, neurofibromatosis, amyloid neuropathy, alcohol, and repetitive injection of hydrocortisone into joints, among others. However, the relationship between Charcot`s arthropathy and herpetic encephalitis has not yet been described. Herpes encephalitis causes acute and chronic diseases of the peripheral or central nervous system. It can manifest as subacute encephalitis, recurrent meningitis, or myelitis. It can also resemble psychiatric syndromes, diplopia, sensory changes in the face and limbs, personality changes, frontal dysexecutive syndrome, stiff neck, subclinical alterations of the vestibular function, intracranial hypertension, convulsion, hemiparesis, and generally includes motor components, among others. On the other hand, pure peripheral sensory disturbance has not been described. In this article, we report the clinical case of a patient with Charcot`s arthropathy secondary to pure peripheral sensory polyneuropathy as a consequence of progressive herpetic encephalitis sequelae. In this article, the authors report the first case of Charcot`s arthropathy secondary to herpetic encephalitis.

The effects of moderate and low levels of acoustic overstimulation on stereocilia and their tip links in the guinea pig

Guinea pigs were exposed to pure tones of 10 kHz at intensities between 98 and 115 dB SPL for 5-30 min, to produce varying degrees of acoustic trauma. Changes in auditory thresholds were measured electrophysiologically, and the animals were immediately fixed for scanning electron microscopy. Correlation between morphological changes to the hair bundle and losses in threshold, showed that with the smallest degrees of trauma (98 dB SPL for 15 min, mean maximum threshold loss of 22 dB), damage was confined to a small stretch of inner hair cells (IHC), with only subtle changes to the stereocilia of the outer hair cells (OHC). At exposure intensities greater than 102 dB SPL (duration: 15 min) the IHC stereocilia in the centre of the lesion were always substantially disarrayed. Substantial damage to the OHC bundles was seen only with exposures above 110 dB SPL(duration: greater than or equal to 5 min), producing threshold losses of 50 dB or more. Tip links were lost only where the stereocilia were disarrayed. It is concluded that the tip links are not the most vulnerable components of the cochlear hair cell, but that relatively low levels of acoustic stimulation can cause significant damage to the stereociliary bundle of the IHCs.

Improved method for counting virus and virus like particles

An improved method for counting virus and virus like particles by electron microscopy (EM) was developed. The procedure involves the determination of the absolute concentration of pure or semi-pure particles once deposited evenly on EM grids using either centrifugation or antibody capture techniques. The counting of particles was done with a Microfiche unit which enlarged approximately 50 x the image of particles on a developed negative film which had been taken at a relatively low magnification (2500 x) by EM. Initially, latex particles of a known concentration were counted using this approach, to prove the accuracy of the technique. The latex particles were deposited evenly on an EM grid using centrifugation (Modified Beckmen EM-90 Airfuge technique). Subsequently, recombinant Bluetongue virus (BTV) core-like particles (CLPs) captured by a Monoclonal antibody using a hovel sample loading method were counted by the Microfiche unit method and by a direct EM method. Comparison of the simplified counting method developed with a conventional method, showed good agreement. The method is simple, accurate, rapid, and reproducible when used with either pure particles or with particles from crude cell culture extracts.

Evaluation of fly ash as a component of potting substrates

A series of laboratory and glasshouse experiments were undertaken to assess the potential for incorporation of fly ash in soilless potting substrates. The physical and chemical properties of a commercially available bark based substrate, the University of California (UC) 1:1 peat:sand mix and a range uf test substrates containing fly ash were characterised. In test mixtures, fly ash was substituted for a portion of either the peat or sand component of the UC mix, at rates of 10, 20, 30 and 50% of the mix volume, Incorporation of fly ash greatly increased the plant available water capacity (10-1500 kPa) of the substrate. However, high pH, increased substrate strength and reduced air-filled porosity were considered adverse effects, particularly at ash rates > 20%. The growth of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), petunia (Petunia x hybrida grandiflora) and Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) in the substrates was assessed. Two watering regimes, capillary watering and irregular hosing, were used to identify effects of available water capacity on plant growth, but no effect was identified. Test mixtures containing fly ash as 20% of the substrate volume produced growth equal to that in the UC mix, with substrates containing 10% ash producing significantly greater growth of tomato and petunia. At rates of incorporation > 20% reduced plant growth was attributed to both adverse physical and chemical characteristics of the substrate. As fly ash is available at low cost and can be successfully substituted for a considerable portion of the expensive peat component, its use at low application rates in potting substrates may be desirable from an economic viewpoint.

Antibacterial activity of bovine lactoferrin-derived peptides

Several peptides sharing high sequence homology with lactoferricin B (Lf-cin B) were generated from bovine lactoferrin (Lf) with recombinant chymosin. Two peptides were copurified. one identical to Lf-cin B and another differing from Lf-cin B by the inclusion of a C-terminal alanine (lactoferricin). Two other peptides were copurified from chymosin-hydrolyzed Lf. one differing from Lf-cin B by the inclusion of C-terminal alanyl-leucine and the other being a heterodimer linked by a disulfide bond, These peptides were isolated in a single step from chymosin-hydrolyzed Lf by membrane ton-exchange chromatography and were purified by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), They were characterized by. N-terminal Edman sequencing, mass spectrometry, and antibacterial activity determination, Pure lactoferricin, prepared from pepsin-hydrolyzed Lf, was purified by standard chromatography techniques, This peptide was analyzed against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria before and after reduction of its disulfide bond or cleavage after its single methionine residue and was found to inhibit the growth of all the test bacteria at a concentration of 8 mu M or less, Subfragments of lactoferricin were isolated from reduced and cleaved peptide by reverse-phase HPLC, Subfragment 1 (residues I to 10) was active against most of the test microorganisms at concentrations of 10 to 50 mu M. Subfragment 2 (residues 11 to 26) was active against only a few microorganisms at concentrations up to 100 mu M. These antibacterial studies indicate that the activity of lactoferricin Is mainly, but not wholly, due to its N-terminal region.

Two-stage laparoscopic liver resection for bilateral colorectal liver metastasis

Hepatectomy may prolong the survival of colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. Two-stage liver surgery is a valid option for the treatment of bilobar colorectal liver metastasis. This video demonstrates technical aspects of a two-stage pure laparoscopic hepatectomy for bilateral liver metastasis. To the authors` knowledge, this is the first description of a two-stage laparoscopic liver resection in the English literature. A 54-year-old man with right colon cancer and synchronous bilobar colorectal liver metastasis underwent laparoscopic right colon resection followed by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. The patient then was referred for surgical treatment of liver metastasis. Liver volumetry showed a small left liver remnant. Surgical planning was for a totally laparoscopic two-stage liver resection. The first stage involved laparoscopic resection of segment 3 and ligature of the right portal vein. The postoperative pathology showed high-grade liver steatosis. After 4 weeks, the left liver had regenerated, and volumetry of left liver was 43%. The second stage involved laparoscopic right hepatectomy using the intrahepatic Glissonian approach. Intrahepatic access to the main right Glissonian pedicle was achieved with two small incisions, and an endoscopic vascular stapling device was inserted between these incisions and fired. The line of liver transection was marked following the ischemic area. Liver transection was accomplished with the Harmonic scalpel and an endoscopic stapling device. The specimen was extracted through a suprapubic incision. The falciform ligament was fixed to maintain the left liver in its original anatomic position, avoiding hepatic vein kinking and outflow syndrome. The operative time was 90 min for stage 1 and 240 min for stage 2 of the procedure. The recoveries after the first and second operations were uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative days 2 and 7, respectively. Two-stage liver resections can be performed safely using laparoscopy. The intrahepatic Glissonian approach is a useful tool for pedicle control of the right liver, especially after previous dissection of the hilar plate.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve A Plexus Rather Than a Nerve?

Objectives: To analyze the frequency of extralaryngeal branching (ELB) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in a consecutive series of patients undergoing thyroidectomy by the same group of surgeons during an extended period and to compare our findings with the data available in the literature. Design: Retrospective medical record study. Setting: Academic research. Patients: From March 1, 1983, to September 30, 2008, 2677 patients underwent thyroidectomy. Of these, 1638 patients had surgical information about at least 1 RLN. A total of 1081 patients underwent bilateral operations. During the last 5 years of the study, intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was performed in selected patients using a commercially available system. Main Outcome Measures: Information was obtained regarding 2154 RLNs. Results: A total of 1390 RLNs (64.53%) had ELB. Among 447 patients in whom intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was used, the anterior branches usually exhibited more electrophysiologic activity. Conclusions: Extralaryngeal branching was found in 64.53% of RLNs in this case series. In recent patients with intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring, electrophysiologic activity was observed in the branches, particularly the anteriorly situated ones. Recognition of this frequent anatomical configuration and meticulous preservation of all branches are of paramount importance to decrease postoperative morbidity associated with thyroidectomy.

Squeezing in anomalous resonance fluorescence

The squeezing properties of the fluorescence field emitted by a two-level atom driven by a coherent laser field in a squeezed vacuum are calculated. We show that in the region of the anomalous resonance fluorescence the emitted field exhibits squeezing that is much larger than that in the input squeezed vacuum. The squeezing spectrum attains a minimum value that corresponds to 75% squeezing. We also find that, in the total fluorescence field, squeezing attains an optimum achievable value in the fluorescence field emitted by a two-level atom. The optimum squeezing is associated with the collapse of the system into a pure state. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America.

Peripheral neuropathy in patients with primary antiphospholipid (Hughes`) syndrome

The involvement of the peripheral nervous system in diverse autoimmune diseases is well established. However, no appropriately designed studies have been performed in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS)-related peripheral neuropathy. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy in patients diagnosed with PAPS. Twenty-six consecutive patients with PAPS (Sapporo criteria) and 20 age-and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled at two referral centers. Exclusion criteria were secondary causes of peripheral neuropathy. A complete clinical neurologic exam followed by nerve conduction studies (NCS) was performed. Paresthesias were reported in eight patients (31%). Objective mild distal weakness and abnormal symmetric deep tendon reflexes were observed in three patients (11.5%). With regard to the electrophysiologic evidence of peripheral neuropathy, nine patients (35.0%) had alterations: four (15.5%) had pure sensory or sensorimotor distal axonal neuropathy (in two of them a carpal tunnel syndrome was also present) and one (4%) had sensorimotor demyelinating and axonal neuropathy involving upper and lower extremities, while four patients (15.5%) showed isolated carpal tunnel syndrome. Clinical and serologic results were similar in all the patients with PAPS, regardless of the presence of electrophysiologic alterations. In conclusion, peripheral neuropathy is a common asymptomatic abnormality in patients with PAPS. The routine performance of NCS may be considered when evaluating such patients. Lupus (2010) 19, 583-590.

Qualitative and Quantitative Real Time Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography for Detecting Hibernating Myocardium

Background: Real time myocardial contrast echocardiography (RTMCE) is an emerging imaging modality for assessing myocardial perfusion that allows for noninvasive quantification of regional myocardial blood flow (MBF). Aim: We sought to assess the value of qualitative analysis of myocardial perfusion and quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) by RTMCE for predicting regional function recovery in patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Twenty-four patients with coronary disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction < 45%) underwent RTMCE before and 3 months after CABG. RTMCE was performed using continuous intravenous infusion of commercially available contrast agent with low mechanical index power modulation imaging. Viability was defined by qualitative assessment of myocardial perfusion as homogenous opacification at rest in >= 2 segments of anterior or >= 1 segment of posterior territory. Viability by quantitative assessment of MBF was determined by receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis. Results: Regional function recovery was observed in 74% of territories considered viable by qualitative analysis of myocardial perfusion and 40% of nonviable (P = 0.03). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of qualitative RTMCE for detecting regional function recovery were 74%, 60%, 77%, and 56%, respectively. Cutoff value of MBF for predicting regional function recovery was 1.76 (AUC = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.62-0.92). MBF obtained by RTMCE had sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 50%, positive predictive value of 75%, and negative predictive value of 78%. Conclusion: Qualitative and quantitative RTMCE provide good accuracy for predicting regional function recovery after CABG. Determination of MBF increases the sensitivity for detecting hibernating myocardium. (Echocardiography 2011;28:342-349).

Molecular motion in miscible polymer blends .1. Motion in blends of PEO and PVPh studied by solid-state C-13 T-1 rho measurements

Changes in molecular motion in blends of PEO-PVPh have been studied using measurements of C-13 T-1 rho relaxation times. C-13 T-1 rho relaxation has been confirmed as arising from spin-lattice interactions by observation of the variation in T-1 rho with rf field strength and temperature. In the pure homopolymers a minimum in T-1 rho is observed at ca. 50 K above the glass transition temperatures detected by DSC. After blending, the temperature of the minimum in T-1 rho for PEO increased, while that for PVPh decreased, however, the minima, which correspond to the temperatures where the average correlation times for reorientation are close to 3.1 mu s, are separated by 45 K (in a 45% PEO-PVPh blend). These phenomena are explained in terms of the local nature of T-1 rho measurements. The motions of the individual homopolymer chains are only partially coupled in the blend. A short T-1 rho has been observed for protonated aromatic carbons, and assigned to phenyl rings undergoing large-angle oscillatory motion, The effects of blending, and temperature, on the proportion of rings undergoing oscillatory motion are analyzed.

Pressure-Frequency Sensing Subxiphoid Access System for Use in Percutaneous Cardiac Electrophysiology: Prototype Design and Pilot Study Results

We have designed, built, and tested an early prototype of a novel subxiphoid access system intended to facilitate epicardial electrophysiology, but with possible applications elsewhere in the body. The present version of the system consists of a commercially available insertion needle, a miniature pressure sensor and interconnect tubing, read-out electronics to monitor the pressures measured during the access procedure, and a host computer with user-interface software. The nominal resolution of the system is <0.1 mmHg, and it has deviations from linearity of <1%. During a pilot series of human clinical studies with this system, as well as in an auxiliary study done with an independent method, we observed that the pericardial space contained pressure-frequency components related to both the heart rate and respiratory rate, while the thorax contained components related only to the respiratory rate, a previously unobserved finding that could facilitate access to the pericardial space. We present and discuss the design principles, details of construction, and performance characteristics of this system.

Double-blind, Randomized placebo controlled trial of fulvestrant compared with exemestane after prior nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, advanced breast cancer: Results from EFECT

Purpose The third-generation nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are increasingly used as adjuvant and first-line advanced therapy for postmenopausal, hormone receptor-positive (HR +) breast cancer. Because many patients subsequently experience progression or relapse, it is important to identify agents with efficacy after AI failure. Materials and Methods Evaluation of Faslodex versus Exemestane Clinical Trial (EFECT) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, multicenter phase III trial of fulvestrant versus exemestane in postmenopausal women with HR + advanced breast cancer (ABC) progressing or recurring after nonsteroidal AI. The primary end point was time to progression (TTP). A fulvestrant loading-dose (LD) regimen was used: 500 mg intramuscularly on day 0, 250 mg on days 14, 28, and 250 mg every 28 days thereafter. Exemestane 25 mg orally was administered once daily. Results A total of 693 women were randomly assigned to fulvestrant (n = 351) or exemestane ( n = 342). Approximately 60% of patients had received at least two prior endocrine therapies. Median TTP was 3.7 months in both groups ( hazard ratio = 0.963; 95% CI, 0.819 to 1.133; P = .6531). The overall response rate ( 7.4% v 6.7%; P = .736) and clinical benefit rate ( 32.2% v 31.5%; P = .853) were similar between fulvestrant and exemestane respectively. Median duration of clinical benefit was 9.3 and 8.3 months, respectively. Both treatments were well tolerated, with no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events or quality of life. Pharmacokinetic data confirm that steady-state was reached within 1 month with the LD schedule of fulvestrant. Conclusion Fulvestrant LD and exemestane are equally active and well-tolerated in a meaningful proportion of postmenopausal women with ABC who have experienced progression or recurrence during treatment with a nonsteroidal AI.

Concomitant expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition biomarkers in breast ductal carcinoma: Association with progression

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process implicated in cancer progression in which the underlying cellular changes have been identified mainly using in vitro models. We determined the expression of some putative EMT biomarkers including E-cadherin, beta-catenin, zinc finger factor Snail (Snail), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1), TGF beta type II receptor (TBRII) and the HGF receptor (c-met) and their possible correlation to progression and overall survival in a series of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC). Biomarkers were immunohistochemically determined in 55 IDC specimens from which 21 had lymph node metastases and in 95 DCIS specimens, 46 of these cases associated to invasive carcinoma, in a tissue microarray (TMA). Positive cytoplasmic staining of TGF beta 1 (78.2%), c-met (43.6%), Snail (34.5%), TBRII (100%), membranous E-cadherin (74.5%) and membranous/cytoplasmic beta-catenin (71%) were detected in the IDC samples. Metastatic lymph node samples displayed similar frequencies. A significant increase of c-met and TGF beta 1 positivity along DCIS to IDC progression was noted but only TGF beta 1 positivity was associated with presence of lymph node metastases and advanced stages in IDC. The evaluation of the other EMT markers in DCIS did not show differences in positivity rate as compared to invasive carcinomas. DCIS either pure or associated to IDC showed similar expression of the analyzed biomarkers. All the carcinomas exhibited positive expression of TBRII. Associations between the markers, determined by Spearman`s correlation coefficient, showed a significant association between TGF beta 1 and respectively E-cadherin, beta-catenin and cmet in DCIS cases, but in invasive carcinomas only cadherin and catenin were positively correlated. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that none of the EMT biomarkers analyzed were correlated with survival, which was significantly determined only by clinical and hormone receptor parameters.