Interpretation of venous occlusion plethysmography using a nonlinear model

Venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP) is a noninvasive technique widely employed for the detection of deep-vein thrombosis. Previous reports that VOP outflow curves are closely fit by a first-order exponential suggest that venous compliance and resistance are nearly constant. Typically, however, the venous compliance function has a sigmoid shape; in addition, the resistance in a collapsing tube must increase. This paradox was resolved by the surprising finding that for realistic nonlinear compliance and resistance these nonlinearities cancel, producing a quasilinear venous outflow that approximates a simple exponential.     

Psychometric Properties of Resting Anterior EEG Asymmetry: Temporal Stability and Internal Consistency

We examined whether resting anterior electroencephalographic (EEG) asymmetry in the alpha frequency band has psychometric properties that would be expected of a measure assessing individual differences. In each of two experimental sessions, separated by three weeks, resting EEG in midfrontal and anterior temporal sites was recorded from 85 female adults during eight 60-s baselines. Resting alpha asymmetry demonstrated acceptable test-retest stability and excellent internal consistency reliability. Analyses including other frequency bands indicated that degree of stability varied somewhat as a function of band and region. In addition, asymmetry was less stable than absolute power. Discussion focuses on the implications of the present findings for the measurement and conceptualization of resting anterior asymmetry.     

Verumontanum mucosal gland hyperplasia is associated with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia of the prostate

BACKGROUND: Verumontanum mucosal gland hyperplasia (VMGH) and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) are both small glandular proliferations that are histologically and topographically unique. METHODS: One hundred ten randomly selected, whole-mount, radical prostatectomy specimens were reviewed to assess independently the normal histology of the prostatic urethra and periurethral area and the association of AAH with other pathologic features, including VMGH. The degree of nodular hyperplasia was evaluated by total prostate weight for comparison purposes. RESULTS: Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia was found in 37 cases (33.6%) and was nearly always (32/37) associated with nodules of nodular hyperplasia. Verumontanum mucosal gland hyperplasia was present in 32 cases (29.1%; 21 with AAH, 11 without AAH). There was a significant association between presence of VMGH and AAH (P <.001, Fisher exact test). The degree of nodular hyperplasia was not significantly different between prostates with and without VMGH or AAH. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that AAH and VMGH occur more commonly in prostates when the other is also present.     

The efficacy of strategic treatments with ivermectin pour-on against trichostrongylid and lungworm infections in first year grazing calves in northern Germany.

Three groups of 8 first year grazing calves each were either left untreated as controls (group 1), or were treated with 10 mg levamisole spot-on/kg bodyweight (group 2) or with 0.5 mg ivermectin pour-on/kg bodyweight 3, 8, and 13 weeks after turnout (group 3), respectively. Egg counts, herbage larval counts, worm counts of tracer calves, pepsinogen concentrations and weight gains showed a high efficacy of the strategic treatment in group 3 against gastrointestinal nematodes. The calves of group 1 and 2 developed clinical signs of parasitic bronchitis whereas the group 3 animals remained clinically healthy. The strategic treatment with ivermectin cleaned the respective pasture from infective lungworm larvae.     

Spectrum of CLN6 mutations in variant late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of autosomal recessive neurodegenerative diseases of childhood. CLN6, the gene mutated in variant late infantile NCL (vLINCL), was recently cloned. We report the identification of eight further mutations in CLN6 making a total of 18 reported mutations. These mutations include missense, nonsense, small deletions or insertions, and two splice-site mutations. Ten mutations affect single amino acids, all of which are conserved across vertebrate species. Minor differences in the pattern of disease symptom evolution can be identified. One patient with a more protracted disease progression was a compound heterozygote for a missense mutation and an unidentified mutation. Fifteen CLN6 mutations occur in one or two families only, and families from the same country do not all share the same mutation. Unlike NCLs caused by mutations in CLN1, CLN3, CLN5, and CLN8, there is no major founder mutation in CLN6. However, one mutation (E72X) is significantly more common in patients from Costa Rica than two other mutations present in that same population. In addition, a 1-bp insertion (c.316insC) is associated with families from Pakistan and I154del may be common in Portugal. A group of Roma Gypsy families from the Czech Republic share two disease-associated haplotypes, one of which is also present in a Pakistani family, consistent with the proposed migration of the Roma from the Indian subcontinent 1,000 years ago. All mutations are recorded in the NCL Mutation Database together with their country of origin for use in the development of rapid screening assays to confirm diagnosis and to facilitate carrier testing appropriate to a population.     

Cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma (CMS) in the liver and bile ducts. A clinicopathologic study of 17 cases, 4 with malignant change

This study of 17 cases describes a homogeneous clinicopathologic group of tumors previously subsumed under the general term, hepatobiliary cystadenoma. This unique group of neoplasms that the authors have termed "cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma" (CMS), occurred exclusively in women and showed two essential tumor components: a cyst lining of columnar to cuboidal, mucin secreting epithelium; and a moderately to densely cellular stroma composed of spindle (rarely oval) cells. The stromal element appeared similar to primitive mesenchyme, both on light and electron microscopic study, showing variable differentiation toward fibroblasts, smooth muscle, adipose tissue and capillaries. Cases of hepatobiliary "cystadenoma" in the literature with histology similar to CMS had similar sex and age incidences, while histologically dissimilar cases, lacking the mesenchymal stroma, had significantly different parameters. Four cases of CMS in this series showed malignant change that was manifested as papillary adenocarcinoma, suggesting the need for complete surgical removal of these premalignant neoplasms.     

Aerobic Capacity after Contracting lnfectious Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis can be disabling to athletes of all ages. Traditionally, long periods of limited physical activity are prescribed. During this time period a significant level of detraining can occur. Sixteen cadets from USMA who were identified as having mononucleosis had their aerobic capacity determined immediately after becoming afebrile. Nine of these cadets then entered a 2-week exercise program while the others remained inactive. After this time period all cadets were allowed to exercise at their own discretion. After an additional 2-week period (4 weeks after becoming afebrile), aerobic capacity was again determined. There were no differences within the groups when comparing VO2 max, METS, or run time to exhaustion on the two aerobic tests. One individual served as a case study with aerobic tests every week for 4 weeks and then 6 months after becoming afebrile. Again, no differences were observed in any variables measured. Thus, prolonged bed rest does not seem to be indicated for the individual recovering from mononucleosis. Noncontact activities can be initiated as soon as the fever disappears. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;8(4):199-202.     

Determining technologist staffing requirements and productivity in an academic setting

The department of radiology at New England Deaconess Hospital, in response to the recently imposed legislative constraints on reimbursement for the care of hospitalized patients, has extended a method developed in 1977 to define staffing requirements and productivity and to track departmental operating efficiency.