Quantitation of muscles and fat by ultrasonography: a useful method in the assessment of malnutrition in children

We used ultrasonography to measure muscles in the arms and thighs of 16 children with malignant diseases. Thicknesses of transverse sections of the brachial biceps muscle and the femoral quadriceps muscle were measured by ultrasound at the midpoint of the right arm and thigh. These two measures had a linear correlation (r = 0.76). The ultrasound measurements did not differ from those obtained by the CT scan which was used as a reference standard. The reproducibility of the measurements was good; the coefficient of variation was 2.4% for the midarm muscles and 2.8% for the midthigh muscles. We conclude that the ultrasound method combined with simple anthropometric measurements is helpful in the assessment of nutritional status of children with potential malnutrition.     

Differences in DNA-fingerprints between remission and relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

DNA "fingerprint" (DNA-F) analysis, based on the polymorphism caused by numeric variations in the tandem repeats of minisatellite areas of the human genome, has a potential capacity to reveal even minor genomic changes. In this study we have applied DNA-F to the detection of residual disease in leukemia. In order to identify normal and leukemic cell populations, we used two molecular probes: Jeffrey's minisatellite probes and M13 wild type phage probe, which detect different sets of polymorphic fragments in the human genome. Comparison of varying minisatellite fragments between remission and relapse was performed by Southern blot hybridization in seven patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The results suggest that Southern hybridization with DNA "fingerprint" probes can prove to be a sensitive method in the detection of minimal residual disease in ALL.     

X-ray scattering in full-field digital mammography

Effects of x-ray scattering on full-field digital mammography are analyzed with the scattering model of Seibert and Boone [Med. Phys. 15, 567-575 (1988)]. A new method is introduced for the estimation of model parameters from measurements. It is shown that with breasts thinner than a certain threshold, removing the anti-scatter grid leads to an improved contrast-to-noise ratio with a smaller patient dose. A fast approximate algorithm is presented for determining the scattered field in a gridless digital mammogram.     

Occupational IgE-mediated allergy to Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle)

BACKGROUND: We report on IgE-mediated allergy in a worker caused by Tribolium confusum (confused flour beetle). These beetles lived in the "old" flour to which he was exposed in his work. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old, nonatopic mechanic in a rye crispbread factory developed rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms, as well as urticaria on his wrists, lower arms, hands, neck, and face, during the maintenance and repair of machines contaminated by flour. This flour had been in and on the machines for a long time, and it contained small beetles. The patient did not suffer any symptoms when handling fresh, clean flour. RESULTS: Skin prick tests with standard environmental allergens, storage mites, enzymes, flours, and molds were negative. A prick test with flour from the machines gave a 10-mm reaction. An open application of the same flour caused urticarial whealing on the exposed skin. Prick tests with fresh flour from the factory were negative. A prick test with minced T. confusum from the flour in the machines gave a 7-mm reaction. Histamine hydrochloride 10 mg/ml gave a 7-mm reaction. Specific serum IgE antibodies to T. confusum were elevated at 17.2 kU/l. Prick tests with the flour from the machines were negative in five control patients. CONCLUSIONS: The patient had occupational contact urticaria, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthmatic symptoms from exposure to flour. His symptoms were caused by immediate allergy to the beetle T. confusum. Immediate allergy to this beetle has rarely been reported in connection with respiratory symptoms, but it may be more common. Contact urticaria from this source has not been reported before.     

Ethylene–Propylene Copolymerisations: Effect of Metallocene Structure on Termination Reactions and Polymer Microstructure

Summary: Ethylene–propylene (EP) copolymerisations were performed with two sterically different metallocenes activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) in an attempt to better understand the effect of catalyst structure on termination reactions and polymer microstructure. The metallocene precursors under investigation were rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride ( 1 ) and a more sterically hindered counterpart rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐isopropyl‐4‐[3,5‐dimethylphenyl]indenyl) zirconium dichloride ( 2 ). For both catalyst systems, the most common termination mechanism was chain transfer to aluminium. In addition, for polymer samples polymerised with 1 /MAO, chain growth was terminated by chain transfer to Zr metal in propylene‐rich polymerisations and by chain transfer to ethylene monomer in ethylene‐rich polymerisations. The steric hindrance of 2 was able to suppress the chain transfer to the ethylene monomer, and chain transfer to Zr metal was also found in the ethylene‐rich polymerisations. The greater steric hindrance of 2 also affected the EP copolymer microstructure: regioregularity in the propylene‐rich copolymers was greater and isotacticity less with 2 /MAO than with 1 /MAO.

The catalyst precursors used: rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1‐indenyl)zirconium dichloride ( 1 ) and rac‐dimethylsilylbis(2‐isopropyl‐4‐[3,5‐dimethylphenyl]indenyl) zirconium dichloride ( 2 ).     

Vascular endothelial growth factor C is required for sprouting of the first lymphatic vessels from embryonic veins

Lymphatic vessels are essential for immune surveillance, tissue fluid homeostasis and fat absorption. Defects in lymphatic vessel formation or function cause lymphedema. Here we show that the vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is required for the initial steps in lymphatic development. In Vegfc-/- mice, endothelial cells commit to the lymphatic lineage but do not sprout to form lymph vessels. Sprouting was rescued by VEGF-C and VEGF-D but not by VEGF, indicating VEGF receptor 3 specificity. The lack of lymphatic vessels resulted in prenatal death due to fluid accumulation in tissues, and Vegfc+/- mice developed cutaneous lymphatic hypoplasia and lymphedema. Our results indicate that VEGF-C is the paracrine factor essential for lymphangiogenesis, and show that both Vegfc alleles are required for normal lymphatic development.     

A Follow-up Study of Immunoglobulin Levels and Autobodies in an Unselected Pregnant Population

PROBLEM: To obtain a systematic view of changes in the levels of immunoglobulins (Igs), other serum proteins, and autoantibodies during pregnancy and postpartum. METHOD: A series of 220 women were followed throughout pregnancy and four to six months postpartum. RESULTS: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration clearly decreased toward term. The concentrations of IgM and IgA decreased only slightly. In most instances autoantibody levels paralleled changes in the corresponding immunoglobulin class levels. In few cases, however, there were clear deviations from this. With respect to IgG class autoantibodies, the highest autoantibody levels were found in the postpartum specimen. IgM class autoantbody levels remained almost constant throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The intrapregnancy decrease of IgG is mainly due to hemodilution, but when the effect of hemodilution is taken into account, total amounts of IgM and IgA are increased. The results suggests that compared to IgG the regulatory mechanisms of IgM and IgA are altered during pregnancy.