Numerical profile correction of microwave cavity resonance spectroscopy measurements of the electron density in low-pressure discharges.

Low-temperature plasmas are widely studied in laboratory environments and form the backbone of many industrial processes. Highly energized electrons enable processes such as ionization, dissociation, and plasma chemical reactions, while the heavy species, such as neutral gas atoms and molecules, remain near room temperature. Hence, understanding the electron dynamics is crucial to the control and optimization of plasmas and their applications.

Theoretical characterization of an atmospheric pressure glow discharge used for analytical spectrometry.

We have investigated the plasma processes in an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) in He used for analytical spectrometry by means of fluid and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Typical results include the potential and electric field distributions in the plasma, the density profiles of the various plasma species throughout the discharge, the mean electron energy, as well as the rates of the various collision processes in the plasma, and the relative importance of the different production and loss rates for the various species. The similarities and differences with low-pressure glow discharges are discussed.

Lupus-specific kidney deposits of HSP90 are associated with altered IgG idiotypic interactions of anti-HSP90 autoantibodies.

Previous studies have shown that autoantibodies to heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) are elevated in a significant proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are more likely to have renal disease and a low C3 level. Using samples from 24 patients, we searched for glomerular deposits of HSP90 in renal biopsy specimens from seven patients with lupus nephritis and 17 cases of glomerulonephritis from patients without SLE. Positive glomerular immunofluorescent staining for HSP90 was observed in six of seven cases of SLE and positive tubular staining in two of seven SLE patients.

Prevalence of IgM-, IgA- and IgG-rheumatoid factors in seronegative polyarticular disease compared to pauciarticular disease in juvenile chronic arthritis as measured by ELISA.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of the rheumatoid factor isotypes measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in polyarticular and pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), and evaluate the diagnostic test qualities.

Patients And Methods: 53 patients with JCA (20 with seronegative polyarticular disease at onset, 21 with pauciarticular onset and course of disease and 12 with extended pauciarticular disease), as well as 125 control children (58 healthy controls and 67 patients with other diseases) were tested. ELISA for the detection of IgM-, IgA- and IgG-isotypes of RFs was used.

Autoimmune thyroid disorders in juvenile chronic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The appearance of autoimmune thyroiditis in the course of other autoimmune diseases, which do not affect specific organs (systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and others), is more frequent than is usually believed. Nevertheless, it is scarcely studied, especially in children. The purpose of this study was to look for autoimmune lesions of the thyroid gland in children suffering from juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).