Mutation specific PCR and direct solid phase sequencing assay for the detection of hepatitis B virus pre-C/C mutants in anti-HBe-positive, chronic he…

1994

Sequence analysis of the HBV DNA from patients with anti-HBe+, chronic hepatitis B revealed that the lack of HBeAg is mostly due to a single GA transition at nucleotide position 1896, resulting in a translational stop codon. A point mutation-specific polymerase chain reaction (msPCR) for the detection of this genetic variant was established. Two serologically defined groups of patients with symptomatic chronic hepatitis B (HBeAg+ n = 14, anti-HBe+ n = 11) were included in this study. Viral DNA from 43 sera (26 eAg+/17 anti-HBe+) was amplified twice, using two different sets of PCR primers. Each set contained the same — strand primer, but the + strand primers differed at their 3′-end, thus b…

The AVL-mode: a safe closed loop algorithm for ventilation during total intravenous anesthesia.

1994

The Adaptive Lung Ventilation Controller (ALV-Controller) represents a new approach to closed loop control of ventilation. It is based on a pressure controlled ventilation mode. Adaptive lung ventilation signifies automatic breath by breath adaptation of breathing patterns to the lung mechanics of an individual patient. The specific goals are to minimize work of breathing, to maintain a preset alveolar ventilation and to prevent the occurrence of intrinsic PEEP. We ventilated 5 patients undergoing major abdominal procedures using ALV. ALV was tolerated well in all patients. Alveolar ventilation was preset between 5500 and 6500 ml/min. Serial dead space (Vds) and respiratory time constant (r…

Theoretical study of the effect of substituent and backbone conformation on the electronic properties of symmetrically substituted poly(di‐n‐alkylsil…

1994

We present the results of ab initio 3‐21G∗ geometry optimizations and valence effective Hamiltonian (VEH) band structure calculations aimed at determining the evolution of the geometric and electronic (ionization potential, electron affinities, and band gaps) properties of all‐trans poly(dimethylsilane), poly(diethylsilane), poly(di‐n‐propylsilane), and poly(di‐n‐butylsilane) when increasing the size of the alkyl group. In the latter polymer, we have also studied the 7/3 conformation, in order to analyze the effect of the backbone conformation on the geometric and electronic structure. The VEH ionization potentials of all‐trans poly(di‐n‐alkylsilanes) are almost equal, and as experimental p…

Schwermetalle und organische Umweltchemikalien in Rehwild (Capreolus capreolus L.) aus Forst- und Agrarstandorten

1994

Rehwild eignet sich als Indikator fur die flachenhafte Kontamination von Lebensraumen mit Umweltchemikalien. An funf Forst- bzw. Agrarstandorten in Rheinland-Pfalz wurde der Einflus der Nutzungsart (Wald, Agrarflache, Weinbau) auf die Kontamination der Okosysteme aufgezeigt. Die Schwermetalle Blei und Cadmium wurden im Nierengewebe gemessen, die organischen Umweltchemikalien PCB, α-HCH, γ-HCH (Lindan), DDT und DDE in Nieren und Leber und auf den Fettgehalt der Organe bezogen. Die Untersuchung fuhrte zu folgenden Ergebnissen: Blei: Die Bleigehalte der Nierenproben aus den verschiedenen Standorten weisen auf eine allgemeine geringe Hintergrundbelastung der Okosysteme hin. Cadmium: Fur Cadmium…

Dimesogenic ferroelectric polysiloxanes

1994

Dimesogenic polysiloxane [Si(Me) 2 O] m [Si(Me)(R)O] n (R= (CH 2 ) 3 CH(COO[CH 2 ] 11 OPhPhOCOPh(NO 2 )OC * H(Me)C 6 H 13 ) 2 are synthesized by hydrosilylation. The phase transition temperaturs are determined and the ferroelectric properties are investigated

Value of routine abdominal and lymph node sonography in the follow-up of breast cancer patients.

1994

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to review usefulness and intervals for abdominal sonography during the follow-up of breast cancer patients. Additionally, we assessed the value of regional lymph node sonography in patients with possible locoregional recurrence. Subjects: Retrospectively, 2657 abdominal ultrasound examinations of 414 patients and 299 sonographic examinations of the regional lymph nodes in 227 patients after surgical treatment for breast cancer were evaluated. Results: Follow-up abdominal sonography revealed metastases in 6.8% of patients, and in 1% of examinations. There was no dependence on the initial T- or N-stage. At sonography of the regional lymph nodes in…

The intermediate coherent scattering function of entangled polymer melts: a Monte Carlo test of des Cloizeaux' theory

1994

Using the bond fluctuation model for flexible polymer chains in a dense melt the intermediate coherent scattering function for chains containing N=200 monomers is calculated and interpreted in terms of a recent theory of des Cloizeaux. The theory yields an explicit description for the crossover from the Rouse model to the regime where reptation prevails, for the limit N→∞. While the Monte Carlo data are qualitatively compatible with this description, an accurate estimation of the tube diameter is prevented due to the onset of a diffusive decay of the scattering function, not included in the theory. For a full quantitative analysis of the Monte Carlo data (as well as of experiments on chains…

Intracellular acidosis in murine fibrosarcomas coincides with ATP depletion, hypoxia, and high levels of lactate and total Pi

1994

Bioenergetic and metabolic status of murine FSaII tumours were evaluated using 31P MRS, acid extracts ('global' techniques) and quantitative bioluminescence ('microregional' assay). Data obtained from s.c. tumours of varying sizes (44-600 mm3) have been correlated with the oxygenation status evaluated using O2-sensitive needle electrodes. beta-NTP/Pi and phosphocreatine (PCr)/Pi ratios derived from 31P MRS were positively correlated to the median tissue pO2 values. pH declined during growth with intracellular acidosis being evident in tumours > 350 mm3. Whereas lactic acid formation greatly contributed to this decline in small- and medium-sized tumours, ATP hydrolysis and slowing down of th…

DNA measurements for monitoring chemotherapy in advanced head and neck carcinomas

1994

Background. Quantitative DNA measurements have demonstrated prognostic relevance in various malignancies, including head and neck cancer. The application of DNA measurements in monitoring and predicting the outcome of chemotherapy in treating patients with head and neck cancer was investigated. Methods. Twenty-five patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck who underwent primary chemotherapy with three courses of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) were examined in this study. Cytologic smears from the tumor site, as well as from normal mucosa, were taken before and 1 week after each course of chemotherapy. Quantitative DNA measurements were performed using an auto…

Fixed point property in Banach lattices with Banach-Saks property

1994

One-loop effective lagrangian for an extension of the standard model with a heavy charged scalar singlet

1994

We study several problems related to the construction and the use of effective Lagrangians by considering an extension of the standard model that includes a heavy scalar singlet coupled to the leptonic doublet. Starting from the full renormalizable model, we build an effective field theory by integrating out the heavy scalar. A local effective Lagrangian (up to operators of dimension six) is obtained by expanding the one-loop effective action in inverse powers of the heavy mass. This is done by matching some Green functions calculated with both the full and the effective theories. Using this simple example we study the renormalization of effective Lagrangians in general and discuss how they…

Vinorelbine plus cisplatinum for the treatment of stage IIIB and IV non small cell lung carcinoma

1994

Thirty consecutive patients with stage IIIB-IV non small cell lung cancer were treated with a combination of cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1 plus vinorelbine 25-30 mg/m2 on days 1, 8. This cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. The overall response rate was 46%, with 1 patient showing a complete response and 13 patients (43%) a partial response with a mean duration of 8.4+ months. Six patients had a stabilization and 10 progressed. The main toxicities were represented by myelosuppression and nausea/vomiting. Grade 3 leukopenia was seen in 33% of cases, grade 2 thrombocytopenia in 12%, and phlebitis in the injection vein in 16%. Mild constipation was also recorded. The combination of cisplatin plus v…

Prevalence of mental disorders among children in Valencia, Spain.

1994

A 2-stage survey was carried out to establish the point-prevalence of mental disorders and help-seeking behaviour in children aged 8, 11 and 15 living in the city of Valencia. Global prevalence rates, rates by age and rates by sex, as well as rates of specific diagnosis according to DSM-III-R criteria are described. Help-seeking behaviour was found to be related to an interaction between internalizing and externalizing symptoms and sex.

Linearization of holomorphic mappings on fully nuclear spaces with a basis

1994

In [13] Mazet proved the following result.If U is an open subset of a locally convex space E then there exists a complete locally convex space (U) and a holomorphic mapping δU: U→(U) such that for any complete locally convex space F and any f ɛ ℋ (U;F), the space of holomorphic mappings from U to F, there exists a unique linear mapping Tf: (U)→F such that the following diagram commutes;The space (U) is unique up to a linear topological isomorphism. Previously, similar but less general constructions, have been considered by Ryan [16] and Schottenloher [17].

Epiphora Secondary to Blockage of the Lacrimal System: The Role of Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy

1994

Stenosis of the lacrimal system may occur secondary to tumor, infection, trauma, and congenital etiologies. Attempts to remedy this problem often include irrigation and probing. However, if these fail, external or internal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with or without stenting may be performed. The purpose of this article is to detail our experience with a microscopic endonasal approach to DCR utilized in 23 patients. This is a modification of an older accepted procedure which utilizes the modern techniques of endonasal sinus surgery. This approach has allowed for immediate restoration of drainage in 22 of 23 cases. In one case, the procedure was repeated because of restenosis at the level o…

Permutability in finite soluble groups

1994

Let G be a finite soluble group and let Σ be a Hall system of G. A subgroup U of G is said to be Σ-permutable if U permutes with every member of Σ. In [1; I, 4·29] it is proved that if U and V are Σ-permutable subgroups of G then so also are U ∩ V and 〈U, V〉.

Imation of land surface emissivity differences in the split-window channels of AVHRR

1994

Abstract A method for estimating the difference between the channel emissivities in NOAA-AVHRR Channels 4 and 5 is proposed and applied to a data set from the HAPEX-MOBILHY experiment. The method is based on the separation between the atmospheric and emissivity effects in the brightness temperature difference measured with AVHRR Channels 4 and 5. Atmospheric profiles coincident to the satellite overpass and a radiative transfer model are required to estimate the atmospheric correction for brightness temperatures. With this procedure, the emissivity difference Δe is obtained at the satellite spatial and spectral resolution, which has a great interest for correcting thermal images with the sp…

New Quantum Effects in the Dynamics of a Two-mode Field Coupled to a Two-level Atom

1994

Abstract The dynamics of a degenerate two-mode electromagnetic field coupled to a single two-level atom is investigated both analytically and numerically. New quantum effects are discussed concerning the time dependence of the photon number and of its fluctuations, assuming that at t = 0 one of the modes is coherent and the other is empty. The field dynamics are dominated by oscillatory net exchanges of a large number of photons between the two modes, displaying amplitude decay. Over a longer time scale, revivals and collapses in the field populations take place. The time scales of these phenomena are much larger than those of the atomic Rabi oscillations decay. Moreover, the system attains…

First measurement of the electric formfactor of the neutron in the exclusive quasielastic scattering of polarized electrons from polarized 3He

1994

Abstract A first measurement of the asymmetry in quasielastic scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from a polarized 3 He gas target in coincidence with the knocked out neutron is reported. This measurement was made feasible by the cw beam of the 855 MeV Mainz Microtron MAMI. It allows a determination of the electric formfactor of the neutron G E n independent of binding effects to first order. At Q 2 =0.31 ( GeV /c) 2 two asymmetries A ∥ ( S He ∥ q ) and A ⊥ ( S He ⊥ q ) have been measured giving A ∥ =(−7.40±0.73)% and A ⊥ =(0.89±0.30)% . The ratio A ⊥ / A ∥ is independent of the absolute value of the electron and target polarization and yields G E n =0.035±0.012±0.005.

Circular Texture in Thin Wires

1994

Ferroelectric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes designed for high second-order nonlinear susceptibilities

1994

Ferroelectric liquid crystalline (FLC) copolysiloxanes containing suitable comonomers («NLO-chromophores») for second harmonic generation (SHG) have been prepared. Their important feature is a donor-acceptor x-system sited perpendicular to the long axis of the side-group moieties in order to adopt the polar ordering of the ferroelectric LC phase. The influcences of the mesogen structure and of the content of NLO-chromophores on the liquid crystalline and ferroelectric properties are studied. The desired chiral smectic C * phase is retained up to 30 mol-% of chromophore. Also, first measurements of second harmonic generation have been performed

Ein zahngrößen- und gesichtsbreitenbezogener Zahnbogenindex

1994

Taking as its starting point the often postulated criticism of Pont's Index, the intent of the study was to develop a diagnostic procedure which took into consideration the objection that the Pont Index doesn't take the shape of the patient's skull into consideration. On the basis of the data obtained from the models and anthropological measurements of 50 adult subjects with fairly eugnathic dentition, the first step was to follow Pont and study which skull size exhibited the highest correlation to the posterior dental arch. Of all the relevant sizes the zygomatic arch width exhibited the highest correlation. Reference values for the posterior dental arch width, which were obtained with the…

Increase by NO synthase inhibitors of acetylcholine release from guinea-pig myenteric plexus

1994

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors on the electrically evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine were studied in guinea-pig myenteric plexus preparations preincubated with [3H]choline. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (EC50 5.3 mumol l-1) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (EC50 1.3 mumol l-1) concentration-dependently increased the evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine without affecting the basal outflow. The facilitatory effect of NG-mono-methyl-L-arginine was prevented by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. The results suggest that endogenous NO inhibits the depolarisation-evoked release of acetylcholine.

Great Attractor-like structures and large-scale anisotropy

1994

Effects of human recombinant interleukins on stimulation-evoked noradrenaline overflow from the rat perfused spleen

1994

Experiments were carried out in the isolated spleen of the rat to study in a lymphoid organ the influence of interleukins (ILs) on noradrenaline release. Spleens were perfused with Tyrode's solution and the overflow of endogenous noradrenaline was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Perivascular electrical stimulation (4 or 10 Hz, 20-28 mA, 2 min) caused an increase in noradrenaline overflow and in perfusion pressure, both of which were markedly reduced by perfusion with Ca(2+)-free solution, abolished by tetrodotoxin, unaffected by hexamethonium, and subject to alpha 2-adrenoceptor- and muscarinic receptor-mediated modulation as shown by the effects of rauwolscine and methac…

Supravital Uptake of Cationic Dyes by Mast Cell Granules: A Light and Electron Microscope Study

1994

Methylene blue and neutral red were selected for staining mast cell granules by supravital injections. A new technique was applied for embedding in paraffin and Araldite without dislocation or loss of dye. Stabilization and electron microscopic identification of the dyes were achieved by transforming them into electron-dense precipitates using phosphomolybdic acid dissolved in a paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde mixture to preserve the ultrastructure of the tissues. It was found that in general the intensity of the light microscopic staining correlated directly with the electron density. Closer study revealed that not all cytoplasmic granules exhibited the same strong affinity for the cationi…

Investigations on Load Capacity and stability of deformation of rubber cylindrical shells under internal pressure

1994

The paper presents a wide analysis of conditions under which a loss of deformation stability can be observed as well as local bulges form in axially-symmetric (rotational) shells of any length. Analytical relations of the theory of shells were used for the analysis. If the maximum pressure in the shell was exceeded, the deformation process was investigated too. In such a case, strains begin to develop more intensely in the central part of a long cylindrical shell and, owing to that, one or more superimposed bulges (blisters) form. Symmetry of the shell deformation in relation to the centre of its length can be disturbed. A set of algebraic equations was derived for determination of critical…

Interactions between chemical evolution (hydration) and physical evolution (setting) in the case of tricalcium silicate

1994

This paper describes recent experimental results concerning investigation of the parameters which determine, on the one hand, the kinetics of hydration of tricalcium silicate and the thermodynamic, morphological and structural characteristics of C-S-H and, on the other hand, the evolution of the particle interactions at the origin of setting. It is shown that, in both cases, lime concentration in solution is the most important parameter. As a consequence, the chemical evolution of the system, which controls the lime concentration in solution, determines the nature of particle interactions and the physical evolution of the suspension or paste. In return, the contacts, between particles, resu…

CT-Angiographie der Bronchialarterien

1994

Sur la r�gularit� de la fonction croissance d'une vari�t� riemannienne

1994

On etudie la differentiabilite de la fonction croissance d'une variete riemannienne complete. En general, elle a la meme regularite qu'une fonction concave: la derivee peut avoir des sauts pour lesquels on donne une formule. Dans le cas analytique reel, la fonction croissance est de classeC1. Un exemple montre qu'elle n'est pas necessairementC2. A titre d'application, nous construisons, pour toute variete ouverte paracompacteM et toute fonction croissantev de classeC1, une metrique continue de croissance egale av et une metrique de classeC∞ surM de croissance proche dev en topologieC1-fine.

Characterization of single-mode graded-index fibers: A new method based on transverse offset splice loss

1994

A method of characterization has been proposed for single-mode graded-index fibers using knowledge of the power transmission coefficient at the splice as a function of transverse offset. The method utilizes an analytical expression for the power transmission coefficient based on a highly accurate variational approximation for the LP01 mode developed earlier. The method accurately predicts the profile shape parameter and the normalized frequency of the fiber. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Investigation of nitrogen and helium cryosorption on molecular sieves

1994

Abstract The helium-containing plasma exhaust gases of Tokamaks can be pumped by cryopumps using cryosorption panels coated with solid porous materials. The best pumping characteristics are achieved with activated charcoal and molecular sieves at temperatures below 10 K. In order to select the most suitable material with respect to cryosorption properties and reactivation behaviour, comparative tests on various molecular sieve types differing in cavity structure, pore size and polarity were carried out. Nitrogen and helium adsorption isotherms were determined at LN 2 temperature and at 14.5 K, respectively, expecting that an extrapolation mechanism between the adsorption properties of both …

Influence of nifedipine on the metabolism of gingival fibroblasts.

1994

Calcium antagonists are the gold standard in the therapy of coronary heart disease and hypertension. The prototype of these drugs is nifedipine which, as well as its therapeutic effects on the cells of the cardiovascular system, also has unpleasant side effects on other organ systems. One side effect can be a missive hyperplasia of the gingiva, the reason for which are unclear. In vitro experiments were designed to elucidate the influence of nifedipine on the growth of human gingival fibroblasts in short and long term (72 hours, 6 weeks) cell culture. The following cellular parameters were determined quantitatively: cell proliferation (cell count, [3H]thymidine incorporation), protein synth…

Nonisothermal elongational behavior of blends with liquid crystalline polymers

1994

Measurements of melt strength and breaking stretching ratio of several blends of thermoplastic polymers with liquid crystalline polymers are presented. The melt strength behavior depends not only on the viscosity of the blends but also on the temperature dependence of the viscosity. In particular, even if the viscosities of the blends are, at the extrusion temperature, lower than that of the thermoplastic matrices, the melt strength can be larger than that of the pure thermoplastics if its viscosity-temperature curve exceeds that of the matrices far from the solidification temperature. This behavior allows one to spin or film blow these blends despite the low viscosity.

Local disorder studied inSrTiO3at low temperature by EXAFS spectroscopy

1994

The temperature dependence of the local distortions in ${\mathrm{SrTiO}}_{3}$ has been studied by EXAFS spectroscopy at the titanium K edge (4982 eV). The oxygen-ion Debye-Waller factor ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{0}^{2}$ has been determined from 4.5 to 240 K. The antiferrodistortive transition at 105 K is evidenced by a step in this Debye-Waller factor. At about 31 K, a maximum of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}_{0}^{2}$ is detected and the EXAFS oscillations due to the first oxygen shell increase. This is the signature of a maximum disorder in the lattice vibrations in this temperature range. A quasiharmonic model with a sinusoidal modulation of the Ti-O distance cannot account for t…

Enormous hemangiosarcoma of the heart

1994

This report describes a 26-year-old patient with hemangiosarcoma of the heart and summarizes the clinicopathological features in previous reports of patients with cardiac angiosarcoma. The patient was admitted to our hospital because of a syncope and one episode of nocturnal dyspnea and hemoptysis. In his history he complained of progressive weakness and loss of weight over the past 2 months. Echocardiography and computed tomography of the chest showed inhomogeneous masses in the pericardial cavity completely surrounding the heart and involving the ascending aorta and the superior vena cava. Histological examination of the tissue obtained from the mass by fine needle technique revealed a po…