Removal of ghost particles from the reconstruction of dusty plasma in integral photography by three-dimensional deconvolution.

The integral photography and deconvolution techniques have been applied to identify the three-dimensional (3D) positions of particles levitating in plasma. Artifacts in the light field, i.e.

Investigating the stability of dengue virus envelope protein dimer using well-tempered metadynamics simulations.

We explored the stability of the dengue virus envelope (E) protein dimer since it is widely assumed that the E protein dimer is stabilized by drug ligands or antibodies in an acidic environment, neutralizing the virus's ability to fuse with human cells. During this process, a large conformational change of the E protein dimer is required. We performed Molecular Dynamics simulations to mimic the conformational change and stability of the dimer in neutral and acidic conditions with the well-tempered metadynamics method.

Health checkup and telemedical intervention program for preventive medicine in developing countries: verification study.

Background: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing throughout the world, including developing countries.

Objective: The intent was to conduct a study of a preventive medical service in a developing country, combining eHealth checkups and teleconsultation as well as assess stratification rules and the short-term effects of intervention.

Methods: We developed an eHealth system that comprises a set of sensor devices in an attaché case, a data transmission system linked to a mobile network, and a data management application.

GramHealth: a bottom-up approach to provide preventive healthcare services for unreached community.

Insufficient healthcare facilities and unavailability of medical experts in rural areas are the two major reasons that kept the people unreached to healthcare services. Recent penetration of mobile phone and the demand to basic healthcare services, remote health consultancy over mobile phone became popular in developing countries. In this paper, we introduce two such representative initiatives from Bangladesh and discuss the technical challenges they face to serve a remote patient.

A magnetically driven PDMS peristaltic micropump.

We present a robust low-cost PDMS peristaltic micropump with magnetic drive. The fabrication process is based on the soft molding and bonding of three PDMS layers. A base layer incorporates the microchannel while a middle layer contains the actuation membrane.

A method for oral DNA delivery with N-acetylated chitosan.

Purpose: The gastrointestinal tract poses a variety of morphological and physiological barriers to the expression of a target gene. In this work, N-acetylated chitosan is used as a gene delivery carrier for solving this problem.

Methods: Plasmid DNAs carrying the lacZ gene and interluekin-10 (IL-10) gene were mixed with N-acetylated chitosan.

An infant with an intradural lipoma of the cervical spine extending into the posterior fossa.

Background: Intradural lipomas of the cervical spine are very rare. These tumours show no association with spinal dysraphism. We describe an infant with cervical spinal cord lipoma.

Influence of renal function on serum and urinary heart fatty acid-binding protein levels.

Background: Serum heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) has been reported to be a sensitive and early indicator of myocardial damage. However, circulating H-FABP may be cleared considerably from kidney, similar to that found for myoglobin. Therefore, the possibility exists that any change in renal function affects serum H-FABP concentration, and thus leads to erroneous interpretation.

[Effects of colforsin daropate hydrochloride in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery].

The effects of Adehl, colforsin daropate hydrochloride, on hemodynamics were studied in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Twenty-six patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into two groups according to the intraoperative administration of Adehl. The control group (n = 14) received no Adehl treatment and the Adehl group (n = 12) received Adehl infusion immediately after anesthesia induction (0.

Detection of PCR products of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in human stool samples using surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

A method for the rapid detection of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in stools was evaluated. Strains possessing Shiga toxin-2 (stx-2) genes were isolated from stool samples and amplified using oligonucleotide primers. Stools spiked with cultured E.

Internal thoracic artery as a collateral source to the ischemic lower extremity.

Based on the superior long-term results, internal thoracic artery is widely used for coronary artery bypass grafting. However, the vessel can play an important role as a collateral source to the chronically ischemic lower limbs. We reported two cases who underwent simultaneous revascularization to the myocardium and lower limbs because this particular condition was anticipated.

Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor during warm blood cardioplegia.

Background: Effects of captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, during warm blood cardioplegia were assessed in the blood-perfused, isolated rat heart.

Methods: The isolated hearts were arrested for 60 minutes with warm blood cardioplegia given at 20-minute intervals and were reperfused for 60 minutes. The control group (n = 10) received standard cardioplegia and the captopril group (n = 10) received cardioplegia supplemented with captopril (2 mmol/L).

Coronary artery bypass surgery in a patient with myasthenia gravis.

A 73-year-old man with myasthenia gravis required quadruple coronary artery bypass grafting due to triple-vessel disease. Anesthetic management was performed with general anesthesia using a reduced dose of muscle relaxant with the aid of a neuromuscular transmission monitor. He was extubated 14 hrs after surgery without difficulty under this monitor.

Effects of supplemental L-arginine during warm blood cardioplegia.

Objectives: Effects of supplemental L-arginine, nitric oxide precursor, during warm blood cardioplegia were assessed in the blood perfused isolated rat heart.

Methods: The isolated hearts were perfused with blood at 37 degrees C from a support rat. After 20 minutes of aerobic perfusion, the hearts were arrested for 60 minutes with warm blood cardioplegia given at 20-minute intervals.

Plasma and urinary levels of heart fatty acid-binding protein in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

To evaluate the clinical significance of the plasma and urinary levels of heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, a prospective study was conducted. Ten patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled. Blood samples for determination of plasma H-FABP (pH-FABP), the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and troponin-T (TnT), and urine samples for determination of urinary H-FABP (uH-FABP) were collected serially.

Application of peptide nucleic acid to the direct detection of deoxyribonucleic acid amplified by polymerase chain reaction.

Double-stranded DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was detected by peptide nucleic acid (PNA) using a BIAcore 2000 biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR). PNA is an artificial oligo amide that is capable of forming highly stable complexes with complementary oligonucleotides. We succeeded in the direct detection of double-stranded DNA, amplified by PCR with high-sequence specificity.

Detection of PCR products in solution using surface plasmon resonance.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were detected using a flow injection-type sensor based on surface plasmon resonance. Asymmetric PCR was used to amplify the target DNA sequence, and two products with different length were produced. The novelty of our DNA detection system was that our target DNA was double stranded but the probe binding site, located in the 3'-terminus, was single stranded.

[Aortic arch surgery in the elderly].

A consecutive series of 16 patients over 75 years old who underwent aortic arch operations with hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion from 1994 to 1997 was analyzed. These patients (group O) was compared with 18 patients aged from 70 to 74-year-old (group M) and 38 patients under the age of 69 (group Y) who underwent aortic arch operation during the same period. There were 5 males and 11 females with a mean age of 77.

Novel DNA detection system of flow injection analysis (2). The distinctive properties of a novel system employing PNA (peptide nucleic acid) as a probe for specific DNA detection.

In order to realize immediate detection of a double stranded DNA amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), we applied Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) to the probe of DNA detection system using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). We report our success in immediate detection of PCR products solution with high sequence-specificity.

Novel detection system of flow injection analysis (1). The existence of significant relation between secondary structure of DNA and sensitivity in signal detection.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) products was detected quantitatively using a flow injection type sensor, based on Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). We used asymmetric PCR to amplify the two kinds of products; their DNA lengths are different. This novel design permitted us not only to detect PCR products with high-sensitivity, but also to develop a rapid DNA detection system for the sense of the genetic pathogen.

[Acute aortic dissection complicated with acute myocardial infarction--a case report of successful operation for the case of DOA].

A 61-year-old woman who suddenly manifested chest and back pain was admitted after the diagnosis of acute type A dissection complicated with acute inferior myocardial infarction at another hospital. While being transported to our hospital by ambulance, her ECG repeatedly demonstrated ventricular fibrillation of cardiac arrest. She was in the state of dead on arrival (DOA) when arrived at our hospital.

[Surgical treatment for active infective endocarditis].

Between April 1975 and December 1995, 33 patients with active infective endocarditis underwent surgical treatment at our hospital. The location of diseased valve was shown as ; 18 in aortic, 11 in mitral, and 4 in aortic and mitral position. Of these, 14 patients had an annular abscess or mycotic aneurysm.

Aortic valve replacement for aortic regurgitation due to Kawasaki disease. Report of two cases.

Two cases of severe aortic regurgitation due to Kawasaki disease are reported. Both patients were diagnosed as having Kawasaki disease in their infancy, and were followed up by a pediatrician. Aortic regurgitation was detected 18 months in one case and 36 days in the other case after onset of the illness.

Cisplatin neuropathy: a prospective clinical and electrophysiological study in Chinese patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Nineteen Chinese patients with stage III or IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma by the criteria established by the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, treated with cisplatin, 120 mg/m2, every 4 weeks for a maximum of twelve courses if possible, were studied prospectively with clinical and electrophysiological evaluation before and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months during cisplatin administration. Neuropathy occurred in 12 of the 19 patients at the cumulative dose of 360 mg/m2. Up to 89% of the patients assessed in their final examination developed neuropathy.

Hydroxamamide as a chelating moiety for the preparation of 99Tcm radiopharmaceuticals (I).

Hydroxamamides contain a nitrogen and an oxygen as donor atoms, and can be synthesized by the simple reaction of nitriles with hydroxylamine. Benzohydroxamamide (BHam) was investigated as a new ligand for 99Tcm. The yield of the 99Tcm-BHam complex was determined by thin-layer chromatography using cellulose strips.