Limitations of a thermal camera in measuring surface temperature of laser-irradiated tissues

Thermal cameras are used in research laboratories to measure tissue temperature during laser irradiation. This study was an evaluation of the accuracy of a 3-5 microns thermal camera and two 8-12 microns cameras in detecting the maximum temperatures of small targets. The size of the targets was within the range of laser spot diameters which are used for vessel welding, angioplasty, and dermatology. The response to a sharp thermal edge was measured and analyzed for the three cameras, which had a scanning rate of 30 frames per second. The response of the 3-5 microns camera to reference black body targets of different sizes was also studied. It was found that the detector system required an average of 2.44 microseconds to reach 90% of maximum step response for the 8-12 microns system and 5.85 microseconds for the 3-5 microns system. With a 3 x telescope and a 9.5 inch focal distance close-up lens, the 3-5 microns camera underestimated the temperature of targets smaller than 2.0 mm because of its slow detector response. Although the 8-12 microns camera provides more accurate measurements due to its faster detector response, it still underestimates the temperature of targets smaller than 900 microns, when similar magnification and focal distance are used. Methods to compensate for the inaccuracies are discussed, including empirical correction factors and the inverse filtering technique.     

The feasibility of sensitization studies using fewer test animals

The possibility of reducing the number of animals in sensitization studies (maximization method) is discussed on the basis of results from 20 sensitization tests. It appears that the number of test animals in sensitization studies may be reduced to ten treated animals and five control animals without prejudice to the quality of the test.     

Intracerebral temperature monitoring in severely head injured patients

Summary In a series of 6 severely head injured patients, intraventricular as well as rectal, bladder and jugular vein temperature is recorded. The relationship between these temperatures in different conditions is evaluated. Intracerebral temperature is 0.5±0.2 °C (mean ± SD) higher than bladder temperature except in conditions such as brain death. It is concluded that rectal temperature is not representative and therefore not a good alternative to the measurement of brain temperature. More data on human intracerebral temperature are mandatory as well as prospective studies correlating intracerebral temperature with final outcome in head injury.     

高温对热区部队战士激素调节的影响

选择某电子对抗团战士和某坦克旅战士共64人,分别在高温、高湿等因素作用下连续作业1h(摩托小时),观察战士体内激素及电解质的变化情况。结果表明:两部队战士的心钠素、皮质醇、醛固酮水平作业前后有非常显著性以上的差异;血清K~+、Ca~(2+)浓度降低,Na~+浓度升高。以上结果表明:高温环境对战士体内激素水平影响显著,机体出现应激性改变。     

Determination of tissue optical properties by steady-state spatial frequency-domain reflectometry

A new non-invasive method to measure the optical properties of biological tissue is described. This method consists of illuminating the investigated sample with light which is spatially periodically modulated in intensity. The spatial modulation of the backscattered light and the diffuse reflectivity of the sample, both detected with an imaging technique, are used to deduce the absorption and reduced scattering coefficient from a table generated by Monte Carlo simulations. This principle has three major advantages: Firstly, it permits the immediate acquisition of the average values of the optical coefficients over a relatively large area (typ. 20 mm in diameter), thus avoiding the perturbations generated by small tissue heterogeneities; It also provides good flexibility for measuring the optical coefficients at various wavelengths and it does not require the use of a detector with a large dynamic range. The method was first validated on phantoms with known optical properties. Finally, we measured the optical properties of human skin at 400 nm, 500 nm, 633 nm and 700 nm in vivo.     

Changes in hemodynamics and the temperature regime in the mother-placenta-fetus system under the influence of some drugs

Translated fromBuylleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 115, No. 1, pp. 21–23, January, 1993     

中指近节背侧岛状皮瓣

介绍中指近节背侧岛状皮瓣的应用解剖,该皮瓣的营养动脉为第2掌背动脉,位置表浅,解剖容易,安全可靠。自1990年11月以来,应用该皮瓣修复手部软组织缺损共6例,均获成功。     

Guinea pig maximisation test for skin sensitisation: the use of fewer test animals

Current European Community (Annex V) guidelines recommend the use of 20 test animals in the guinea pig maximisation test for skin sensitisation. The suitability, for classification and labelling purposes, of reducing the number of test animals has been examined by analysing the results of 40 studies submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, and by the use of a mathematical model. Our results suggest that in most cases an experiment with ten test animals can be used to determine satisfactorily whether a substance should be labelled with the risk phrase may cause sensitisation by skin contact. However, serious consideration should be given to the need for additional investigation if two or three of the ten test animals show a sensitisation response. The highest nonirritant concentration of a substance should be used at challenge. Clearer guidance in Annex V on evaluating challenge responses would be beneficial.     

Real-time nested multiplex PCR for the detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and varicella zoster virus

One hundred forty-nine specimens were tested in a LightCycler nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction (LCnmPCR) for Herpes simplex virus (HSV)1, HSV2, and VZV. Eighty-one were from genitourinary medicine (GUM) patients and the other 68 specimens were from other patients with skin lesions. The results were compared to a conventional multiplex nested PCR (nmPCR) using agarose gel electrophoresis. Twenty-five specimens were positive in both assays for HSV1 and 29 were positive for VZV. For HSV2 there were 27 positive in the LCnmPCR and 26 positive in the nmPCR assay. The melting temperatures (Tms) of each target were different with a mean of 84.75 degrees C for HSV1, 88.57 degrees C for HSV2, and 83.62 degrees C for VZV. The melting curves of positive specimens directly overlaid the melting curves of the positive controls in the assay. The LCnmPCR assay is a convenient alternative to conventional PCR using agarose gel electrophoresis. It improves specimen turnaround time by eliminating the need for gel electrophoresis, transillumination, and gel photography. It also shows increased sensitivity for HSV2 over our standard assay. This LCnmPCR reduces further the possibility of amplicon contamination with nested PCR protocols.     

Effects of estrus cycle on thermoregulatory responses during exercise in rats

Summary In female rats, rectal temperature (T _re), tail vasomotor response, oxygen uptake , and carbon dioxide production were measured in proestrus and estrus stages during treadmill running at two different speeds at an ambient temperature (T _a) of 24° C. Experiments were performed at 2.00–6.00 a.m., when the difference inT _re was greatest between the two stages;T _re at rest in the estrus stage was 0.54° C higher than in the proestrus stage. In a mild warm environment, thresholdT _re for a rise in tail skin temperature (T _tail) was also higher in the estrus stage than in the proestrus stage. In contrast, no difference was seen in the thresholdT _re and steady stateT _re at the end of exercise between proestrus and estrus stages. These values were higher at the higher work intensity. was also similar between the two stages, except in the second 5 min after the beginning of exercise, when was greater andT _re rose more steeply in the proestrus stage. These data indicate that deep body temperature during exercise is regulated at a certain level depending on the work intensity and is not influenced by the estrus cycle.This study was supported in part by a Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan (Grant No. 62480114)