In situ reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes in high nitrate groundwater.

In situ bioremediation using carbohydrate was evaluated as an in situ treatment alternative for trichloroethene (TCE) and cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) in groundwater containing high nitrate concentrations. Upon addition of carbohydrate to groundwater, sequential reduction of electron acceptors was observed, where nitrate was reduced early in the pilot test, followed by sulfate and TCE. Reduction of cDCE to vinyl chloride and ethene occurred in conjunction with increased iron and manganese, and increased methane concentrations, approximately 7 months into the evaluation period, following depletion of nitrate and sulfate.

Chronic sphenoid sinusitis revisited: comparison of multidetector axial sections, multiplanar reconstructions, and virtual sinoscopy with endoscopic sinus surgery.

Objectives: To assess the role of multidetector computed tomography (CT) and CT virtual sinoscopy in the evaluation of chronic sphenoid sinusitis and to compare the imaging findings with functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital.

Safety and reactogenicity of a low dose diphtheria tetanus acellular pertussis vaccine (Boostrix) in pre-school Indian children.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and reactogenicity of a reduced-antigen-content combined Diphtheria Tetanus Acellular Pertussis (dTpa) vaccine in Indian preschool children.

Methods: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals combination dTpa vaccine was administered as a single booster dose to 347 children aged 46 years in seven centers across India. All children were subsequently followed up for two weeks for safety and reactogenicity assessment.

Early differentiation between dengue and septic shock by comparison of admission hemodynamic, clinical, and laboratory variables: a pilot study.

Objective: To compare the clinical, hemodynamic, and laboratory variables, treatment, and outcome in dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and septic shock (SS), with an aim to permit early differentiation at presentation to the emergency department.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: A tertiary care pediatric emergency and critical care unit.

A benchtop system to assess cortical neural interface micromechanics.

A benchtop brain tissue-microelectrode insertion model system was developed to aid in improving the design of cortical neural interfaces. The model partially mimics the in vivo environment via the use of human cadaver brain specimens (nspecimen = 6), or agar gel exposed to physiologically relevant mechanical oscillations. 150 lpm diameter stainless-steel microelectrode wires (TS = 600 MPa) implanted 3.

Imaging nuances of perineural spread of head and neck malignancies.

Perineural spread is a common growth pattern of head and neck malignancies. Recognizing this pattern by imaging is important for two reasons: 1) it may be the only evidence of malignancy; and 2) its presence in conjunction with a mass converts management from surgical resection to radiation or chemotherapy. High field strength magnets and thin sections with high resolution and fat suppression now allow earlier diagnosis of this entity, but even with these imaging developments, familiarity with the relevant anatomy and the subtle alterations on MRI are necessary to identify this condition.

Annealing-induced interfacial toughening using a molecular nanolayer.

Self-assembled molecular nanolayers (MNLs) composed of short organic chains and terminated with desired functional groups are attractive for modifying surface properties for a variety of applications. For example, organosilane MNLs are used as lubricants, in nanolithography, for corrosion protection and in the crystallization of biominerals. Recent work has explored uses of MNLs at thin-film interfaces, both as active components in molecular devices, and as passive layers, inhibiting interfacial diffusion, promoting adhesion and toughening brittle nanoporous structures.

Thrombosis of a fusiform intracranial aneurysm induced by overlapping neuroform stents: case report.

Objective: To present a case of a true fusiform basilar artery aneurysm that underwent spontaneous thrombosis after placement of two overlapping Neuroform stents (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA).

Clinical Presentation: A 45-year-old woman with transient syncopal episodes experienced a fall and presented to the emergency room. Incidentally, a non-contrast head computed tomographic scan and digital subtraction angiography demonstrated an unruptured, fusiform mid-basilar artery aneurysm.

Can pretreatment CT perfusion predict response of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract treated with induction chemotherapy?

Background And Purpose: Treatment of advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract with nonsurgical organ preservation protocols demonstrates improved cure rates with fewer comorbidities compared with surgery and radiation. The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess whether pretreatment evaluation of the primary site with quantitative CT perfusion measurements predicted response to induction chemotherapy and to create a prediction model to predict the response to induction chemotherapy in future patients.

Methods: Seventeen patients who were enrolled in a prospective trial assessing surgical intervention versus a nonsurgical protocol underwent a pretreatment CT perfusion followed by direct laryngoscopy.

Preliminary study of neurite outgrowth within polyimide microtubes.

The cone electrode first developed by P.R. Kennedy paved headway in the area of cortical prostheses.

Transarterial embolization of a cervical dural arteriovenous fistula. Presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

We describe a case of a 75-year-old man who presented with acute onset of headache and subarachnoid hemorrhage and initial cerebral angiography was deemed "negative". In retrospect, a faint contrast collection was present adjacent to the right vertebral artery at the C1 level suspicious for a small dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). Follow-up angiography with selective microcatheter injections of the right vertebral artery and C1 radicular artery confirmed a complex dAVF with characteristically specific venous drainage patterns associated with a subarachnoid hemorrhage presentation.

Young heroin users in Baltimore: a qualitative study.

This study describes the characteristics of 67 young heroin users, interviewed using a semistructured qualitative questionnaire (QQ) as part of a larger study of 18- to 25-year-old heroin users seeking detoxification with buprenorphine at a drug treatment center in Baltimore. This new generation of heroin users has a different demographic profile compared to older heroin users in this area. Our data, supported by data from another clinic and from the Maryland State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration, seem to indicate that the younger heroin users in treatment settings are predominantly White, with a high proportion of women, often living in the suburbs.

Correlation between initial and early follow-up CT perfusion parameters with endoscopic tumor response in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx treated with organ-preservation therapy.

Background And Purpose: Current organ-preservation regimens for upper aerodigestive tract squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) require endoscopic procedures under general anesthesia to evaluate the tumor response. The purpose of our study was to determine whether CT perfusion (CTP) parameters correlate with response to induction chemotherapy as assessed by endoscopy under general anesthesia.

Methods: Nine patients with advanced (stage 3 or 4) SCCA of the oropharynx were enrolled in a nested phase 2 prospective trial in which induction chemotherapy was used to assess the tumor response.

Value of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose imaging with dual-head gamma camera in coincidence mode: comparison with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in patients with suspected recurrent head and neck cancers.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of dual-head gamma-camera (DHGC) imaging in the coincidence mode using 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose in differentiating recurrent tumor from posttreatment changes in previously treated head and neck cancer.

Methods: This was a single-center prospective study performed with the approval of our Institutional Review Board. Twenty-nine patients with suspected recurrent head and neck cancers were prospectively enrolled in this study.

Radiation-induced cavernomas of the brain.

The purpose of this report is to add support to the growing literature that there is a correlation between radiation and cavernomas of the brain, particularly if the radiation is received in childhood, as well as to increase awareness of this correlation in the radiology community. Retrospective review of our experience returned five patients who received radiation therapy while they were children and developed cavernomas in the irradiated tissues 3-41 years later. Cavernomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a hemorrhagic lesion in any patient who has received previous CNS radiation, particularly if he or she underwent radiation therapy in childhood.

Concurrent outbreak of leptospirosis and dengue in Mumbai, India, 2002.

This prospective study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of a concurrent outbreak of leptospirosis and dengue and to describe the clinical illnesses. From 20 June to 14 November 2002, children who presented to our hospital with a suspected diagnosis of leptospirosis or dengue were admitted. In every child with suspected leptospirosis, a screening latex agglutination test was carried out to detect anti-Leptospira antibodies.

Computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography in cervicocranial vascular disease.

Although catheter angiography, or digital subtraction angiography (DSA), is still regarded as the gold standard for imaging of cervicocranial vascular disease, its morbidity, cost, and time-consuming features have prompted the development of noninvasive techniques based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging. With the advent of powerful software, CT and magnetic resonance angiography are complementing and, in some cases, even replacing DSA in the diagnostic evaluation of carotid atherostenosis, unruptured aneurysms, dissections, stroke, penetrating trauma to the neck, and dural venous sinus occlusive disease. They offer advantages over DSA not only in reduced morbidity and time-saving but also in assessment of brain parenchyma, quantitative perfusion, and abnormalities of vessel walls.

Obstructed labour - a preventable entity.

We present a clinical study of 204 cases of obstructed labour admitted over a period of 5 years between 1991-92 and 1996-97 in a rural institute in central India. They constituted 1.9% of births.

Pediatric head and neck masses.

Most neck masses in the pediatric head and neck region are benign. Congenital, developmental, and inflammatory lesions make up most of the masses in the pediatric head and neck. For example, neck masses due to inflammatory lymphadenitis are common in children because of the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of head and neck neoplasms.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a validated noninvasive method for evaluation of possible malignant tumor and lymph nodes of the head and neck. From its roots as a budding research application, it has made the critical transition to a widespread clinical tool. MRS analyzes the tissue at a molecular level and searches for the presence of specific metabolites, which are markers for malignancy.

Magnetic resonance imaging of perineural spread of head and neck malignancies.

Perineural invasion is a common mechanism of spread of head and neck cancers. Imaging plays an important role in detection of this condition because a large number of patients with perineural spread (PNS) are clinically asymptomatic. Accurate detection of PNS requires an understanding of anatomy of commonly involved neural pathways.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is a useful clinical tool in evaluation of soft tissue neoplasm and lymph nodes in head and neck. It is thought to be a useful predictor of response to radiotherapy for head and neck carcinoma and used to monitor the treatment and distinguish post-therapeutic changes from recurrent mass with greater confidence. It can be used to distinguish between normal and malignant tissue and to differentiate a malignant lymphoma from other lymph nodal enlargements.

Evaluation of carotid artery stenosis: contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography compared with conventional digital subtraction angiography.

Objective: To compare retrospectively high-resolution contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography with centric k-space filling and digital subtraction angiography in the assessment of degree of carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated 14 carotid arteries (in 7 patients), and the degree of carotid stenosis determined was compared to calculate interobserver reliability. Thirty-six carotid arteries (in 18 patients) were then assessed with both contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography.

Shaken baby syndrome.

A 5-month-old infant with Shaken Baby Syndrome is reported. This form of physical child abuse is often overlooked. It should be suspected in infant who present with drowsiness, coma, seizures or apnea.