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Maximum Diameter (maximum + diameter)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	56%
Life Sciences	28%
Earth and Environmental Science	8%
2 Other Domains	8%

Selected Abstracts

Sentinel node in head and neck cancer: Use of size criterion to upstage the no neck in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 2 2007
Lee W. T. Alkureishi MBChB
Abstract Background. Anatomical imaging tools demonstrate poor sensitivity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with clinically node-negative necks (cN0). This study evaluates nodal size as a staging criterion for detection of cervical metastases, utilizing sentinel node biopsy (SNB) and additional pathology (step-serial sectioning, SSS; and immunohistochemistry, IHC). Methods. Sixty-five patients with clinically N0 disease underwent SNB, with a mean of 2.4 nodes excised per patient. Nodes were fixed in formalin, bisected, and measured in 3 axes before hematoxylin-eosin staining. Negative nodes were subjected to SSS and IHC. SNB-positive patients underwent modified radical neck dissection. Results. Maximum diameter was larger in levels II and III (13.1 and 13.2 mm) when compared with level I (10.5 mm; p = .004, p = .018), while minimum diameter was constant. Positive nodes were larger than negative nodes (p = .007), but nodes found positive by SSS/IHC were not significantly larger than negative nodes for either measurement (p = .433). Sensitivity and specificity were poor for all measurements. Conclusions. Nodal size is an inaccurate predictor of nodal metastases and should not be regarded as an accurate means of staging the clinically N0 neck. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006 [source]

Femoral dimensions and mid-thigh circumference in Alligator mississippiensis

LETHAIA, Issue 4 2004
JAMES FARLOW
The mid-thigh circumference of the intact hindlimb in Alligator mississippiensis is tightly correlated with transverse dimensions of the proximal and distal articular surfaces of the femur, and with minimum midshaft femoral circumference. Maximum diameter of the proximal articular end, width across the distal articular end, and midshaft circumference are the best femoral predictors of circumference of the intact thigh. Regression equations of mid-thigh circumference against these femoral dimensions can be used to estimate the transverse dimensions of the intact hindlimb in extinct crocodylian-like archosaurs. [source]

What do dung beetles eat?

ECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
PETER HOLTER
Abstract 1.,Most adult coprophagous beetles feed on fresh dung of mammalian herbivores, confining ingestion to small particles with measured maximum diameters from 2,5 to 130 ,m, according to body size and kind of beetle. This study explores benefits and costs of selective feeding in a ,typical' dung beetle with a maximum diameter of ingested particles (MDIP) of 20 ,m. 2.,Examined dung types (from Danish domestic sheep, cattle and horse, and African wild buffalo, white rhino and elephant) contained 76,89% water. Costs of a 20 ,m MDIP were often low, since 69,87% of the total nitrogen in bulk dung other than that of elephant and rhino (40,58%) was available to selective feeders. 3.,Nitrogen concentrations were high , and C/N ratios low , in most types of bulk dung compared with the average food of terrestrial detritivores or herbivores. Exceptions were elephant and rhino dung with low nitrogen concentrations and high C/N ratios. 4.,Estimated C/N ratios of 13,39 in bulk dung (sheep,elephant) were decreased by selective feeding to 7.3,12.6 in the ingested material. In assimilated food, ratios are probably only 5,7, as most assimilable nitrogen and carbon may be of microbial origin. If so, the assimilable food contains a surplus of nitrogen relative to carbon. 5.,The primary advantage of selective feeding, particularly in dung with a high C/N ratio, may be to concentrate assimilable carbon in the ingested food. Effects of changing the MDIP within 20,106 ,m are modest, especially in dung with a low C/N ratio. [source]

Adjuvant fractionated high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy after external beam radiotherapy in Tl and T2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 5 2004
Jiade J. Lu MD
Abstract Background. The value of high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDRIB) for persistent or recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been well described; however, the benefit of routine adjuvant fractionated HDRIB following external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has not been completely determined. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the outcome of two fractions of adjuvant HDRIB treatment in Tl and T2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods. Thirty-three consecutive and nonselected patients who had Tl and T2 non-disseminated nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated according to an IRB approved institutional research protocol between March 1999 and July 2001. By the 1997 AJCC cancer staging classification, 22 patients (67%) had Tl disease and 11 patients (33%) had T2 disease. Seventeen of these patients who had stage I or stage II disease (i.e., NO or Nl) were treated with EBRT followed by two fractions of adjuvant HDRIB (group 1); 16 patients who had stage III or stage IV disease (i.e., N2 or N3) were treated with concurrent cisplatin, EBRT and adjuvant HDRIB and subsequent adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy (group 2). EBRT was delivered by daily conventional fractionation to a total dose of 66 Gy to the primary tumor. Nodal disease received 66 Gy if it was less than 3cm in maximum diameter and 70 Gy if larger or there was palpable residual disease after 66 Gy. A total of 10 Gy of HDRIB in 2 equal fractions of 5 Gy spaced 1 week apart was delivered starting 1 week after the completion of EBRT. All patients were assessed for treatment response, local control, survival, and toxicity. Results. The median follow up for all 29 surviving patients is 29 months (range: 17,38 months). One patient died 7 months and one died 18 months after radiation therapy from the effects of distant metastases; two died of unrelated causes. At the time of this analysis, one patient (3%) had persistent local disease and one patient (3%) developed pathologically confirmed local recurrence in the nasopharynx. In addition, one patient (3%) developed recurrence only in a neck node followed by distant metastasis, and two patients (6%) developed distant metastasis without locoregional relapse. The 2-year local control rate at the primary site was 93.6%, and the overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 82% and 74% respectively. All patients experienced some degree of acute and/or late toxicity related to radiation therapy. Ten patients (30%) experienced grade 3 acute and/or late toxicity and six patients (18%) developed grade 4 acute and/or late toxicity. No grade 5 toxicity occurred. No unexpected damage of structures within the HDRIB fields was detected. Conclusions. EBRT supplemented by two fractions of adjuvant HDRIB produced a 93.6% local control rate for Tl and T2 nasopharyngeal cancer at 2 years of follow up, with acceptable rates of acute and late toxicity. Brief adjuvant HDRIB appears to permit dose escalation safely, even in patients who receive chemotherapy concurrently with conventional radiation therapy. This strategy needs to be optimized and then tested in a prospective randomized phase III trial to learn if it can improve outcome. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck26: 389,395, 2004. [source]

Identifying rotation and oscillation in surface tension measurement using an oscillating droplet method

HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 7 2008
Shumpei Ozawa
Abstract We proposed a new approach to identify the frequencies of droplet rotation and m=±2 oscillation that degrade the accuracy of surface tension measurement by an oscillating droplet method. Frequencies of droplet rotation and m=±2 oscillation can be identified by a phase unwrapping analysis of time dependence of the deflection angle for the maximum diameter of the droplet image observed from above. The present method was validated, using test data with given frequencies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(7): 421,430, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20214 [source]

Incidence and growth pattern of simple cysts of the kidney in patients with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2003
KEN MARUMO
AbstractBackground: We examined the incidence and natural history of simple renal cysts found by ultrasonography (US) in patients referred for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Methods: Among the 906 patients aged 18,78 years, 743 patients who had undergone US were included in the present study. The natural history of simple renal cysts was investigated in 55 patients who underwent periodical US examinations for more than 3 years. Results: The incidence of simple renal cysts was 4.3% for ages 29 years or younger, 15.3% for ages 30,39, 21.8% for ages 40,49, 23.3% for ages 50,59 and 32.6% for ages 60 years or older; thus the incidence increased in older age groups (P = 0.0005 for men, P = 0.0020 for women). Men tended to have a higher incidence than women. The degree of hematuria did not influence the incidence of renal cysts (P = 0.9044). The annual growth rate of the mean maximum diameter was 4.2% during a 3-year follow-up period in 55 patients and 5.1% during a 6-year follow-up in 31 patients. Conclusion: Since the diameter of a renal cyst may increase by 5% annually, the diameter of the cyst may increase by 1.6 times in 10 years. The scheduling of follow-up examinations depends on the size at the time of disclosure, the effects on calyceal systems, or the suspicion of a concurrent malignant disease. However, the most simple renal cysts may be followed-up at an interval of more than 10 years, once a diagnosis has been established. [source]

Sexual reproduction in the tropical corallimorpharian Rhodactis rhodostoma

INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000
Nanette E. Chadwick-Furman
Abstract. Polyps of the tropical corallimorpharian Rhodactis rhodostoma segregate sexes between center and edge positions within aggregations produced by clonal replication. On a reef flat at Eilat, northern Red Sea, infertile polyps and males occur mainly along the edges of clonal aggregations, while females mostly occupy central positions within each aggregation. In addition, on the inner to middle reef flat where polyps of this species are abundant, aggregations consist mostly of females. On the outer reef flat, where polyps are rare, a sampled aggregation consisted mostly of males and infertile polyps. Male polyps are significantly smaller than females, and the smallest polyps are infertile. Fecundity increases significantly with polyp size in females, but testis size and number do not vary with body size in males. Oocytes are present in polyps during most of the year and gradually increase in size until annual spawning in June-July during the period of maximum day length. Testes do not vary significantly in size during the year and remain a small proportion of body mass (>8%). In contrast, females invest up to 30% of their body mass into gonads during the months immediately before spawning. The annual spawning of gametes coincides with a temporary drop in the frequency of clonal replication by polyps. We estimate that each female polyp of R. rhodostoma may release up to 3000 large eggs (500 ,m in maximum diameter) each summer. The high investment of this corallimorpharian in sexual production of planktonic propagules may allow rapid dispersal to reef habitats distant from parent populations. [source]

Blood cell profile of six Mediterranean mariculture fish species

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
M. Pavlidis
Summary The haematological profile and a description of the cell types from the peripheral blood of six Mediterranean fish species are presented. The highest haematocrit value was recorded in the saupe, Sarpa salpa (P < 0.001), the only herbivorous species, and which also lacked monocyte cells. Eosinophils were absent from the blood of the European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. White sea bream, Diplodus sargus and gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata had statistically significantly high numbers of neutrophils and low numbers of lymphocytes (P < 0.001). The numbers of different leucocyte cell types were not influenced by sex or maturity stage in any species, although some variation in the maximum diameter of the cells was observed. [source]

Total Arch Replacement with Open Stent-Grafting for Aneurysm of Ductus Arteriosus After Surgery for Patent Ductus Arteriosus

JOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 5 2010
Kosaku Nishigawa M.D.
An enhanced computed tomography of the chest revealed a saccular aneurysm measuring a maximum diameter of 28 mm in the lesser curvature of the distal aortic arch; she was diagnosed with an aneurysm of ductus arteriosus after surgery for PDA. We performed total aortic arch replacement with open stent-grafting through median sternotomy. This approach enabled us to avoid the risk of dissecting adhesions around the aneurysm and clamping the aorta distal to the aneurysm.,(J Card Surg 2010;25:557-559) [source]

Thyroid follicular neoplasms: Can sonography distinguish between adenomas and carcinomas?

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 9 2009
Hyung Suk Seo MD
Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine whether sonography (US) can usefully differentiate thyroid follicular adenoma (FA) and follicular carcinoma (FC). Methods This retrospective study included 60 pathologically proven FAs and 66 FCs in 123 consecutive patients (17 males and 106 females) with a mean age of 47 ± 13 years, (17,73 years) who underwent thyroid surgery. We analyzed US features of each nodule, including maximum diameter, echogenicity, composition, presence of calcification, margins, and presence of halo. The frequencies of each US feature were compared by using the ,2 test or Fisher's exact test between FAs and FCs. The relative risk of malignancy was evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results Isohypoechoic echogenicity, predominantly solid or mixed echotexture, and presence of microcalcifications or rim calcifications were associated with FC (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that predominantly solid or mixed echotexture and microcalcifications or rim calcifications were associated with significant increases in relative risk for FC (odds ratio 8.1 and odds ratio 13.5, respectively, p < 0.01). Conclusions The US features of isohypoechoic echogenicity, predominantly solid or mixed echotexture, and microcalcifications or rim calcifications are more common in FC than in FA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009 [source]

Multicenter prospective analysis of newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma with respect to the percentage of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive ,-fetoprotein,

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 12 2001
Hiroko Oka
Abstract Background and Aim: The Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of ,-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) has been reported to be a highly useful marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with a conventional serum AFP concentration, which allows earlier detection of HCC compared with using other imaging modalities and predicting prognosis after therapy. A collaborative prospective study involving nine Japanese hospitals was conducted to analyze the relationships between the tumor characteristics of a HCC patient and the percentage of AFP-L3/AFP total at the initial detection. Methods: Between 1 October 1996 and 30 September 1997, a total of 388 patients with newly diagnosed HCC were registered. Results: The cut-off level of the percentage of AFP-L3 was altered from 15 to 10%. The AFP-L3-positive HCC patients demonstrated the characteristics of having an advanced tumor, such as the number of tumors, maximum diameter, tumor spread, portal vein invasion, tumor stage, and tumor classification. With the conventional cut-off level of 15% of the percentage of AFP-L3, the malignant characteristics were more definite than that of 10%. However, no significant differences of serum AFP concentration were observed for malignant characteristics such as maximum diameter and histopathological grading. Conclusion: Serum AFP concentration does not reveal a malignancy of HCC, however, the AFP-L3-positive HCC has biologically malignant characteristics, especially portal vein invasion and lower tumor classification, and is an advanced tumor regardless of small tumor size and lower serum AFP concentration. As AFP-L3 shows the tumor characteristics, its presence should be an important factor in the determination of therapy and prognosis of patients. [source]

Malignant or borderline mucinous cystic neoplasms have a larger number of loculi than mucinous cystadenoma: A retrospective study with MR

JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2007
Yoshikazu Okamoto MD
Abstract Purpose To determine whether there is any correlation between the number of loculi and the pathological grade of malignancy in mucinous cystic tumors of the ovary. Materials and Methods We retrospectively studied MR images of 67 pathologically proven mucinous cystic tumors of the ovaries. Of these 67 cases, 38 were cystadenomas and 29 were malignant lesions (18 borderline malignancy and 11 adenocarcinomas). We counted the number of loculi and measured the maximum diameter of masses on MRI. We compared the number, the maximum diameter, and the ratio of the number of loculi to the maximum diameter in each adenoma and malignancy using Student's t -test. Results The mean number of loculi was 18.2 in cystadenoma and 80.9 in malignant lesions. The mean maximum diameter of tumors was 13.0 cm in cystadenoma and 18.7 cm in malignant lesions. The mean ratio of the number of loculi to the maximum diameter was 1.3 in adenoma and 5.4 in malignant lesions. The differences between the benign and malignant lesions were statistically significant in number (P = 0.001), maximum diameter (P = 0.011), and ratio (P = 0.002). Conclusion Ovarian mucinous neoplasm of borderline malignancy and mucinous adenocarcinomas had a larger number of loculi than adenomas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;26:94,99. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

MORPHOLOGY, REPRODUCTION, AND THE 18S rRNA GENE SEQUENCE OF PIHIELLA LIAGORACIPHILA GEN.

JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 5 2003
ET SP.
Pihiella liagoraciphila gen. et sp. nov. (Rhodophyta) is described for a minute endo/epiphyte that is commonly associated with members of the Liagoraceae ( Nemaliales, Rhodophyta). Algae are discoid or subspherical and grow to a maximum diameter of 400 ,m. Attachment is via isolated elongate rhizoids that penetrate into the loosely filamentous structure of the host or by a pad of several coalesced rhizoids where the host has a more cohesive cortex. Elongate surface hairs are common. Gametophytes are dioecious, the spermatangia arising on surface cells, and carpogonia with elongate trichogynes borne directly on undifferentiated surface supporting cells. Large sporangia form on stalk cells across the upper surface of the plants, these appearing to be either monosporangial or the result of fertilization of the carpogonia and equivalent to undivided zygotosporangia. Carposporophytes and tetrasporangia are unknown. 18S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicate that Pihiella constitutes a clade of long branch length most closely related to the Ahnfeltiales. The unique morphology and reproduction of Pihiella, combined with a substantial genetic divergence from the Ahnfeltiales, suggest that it is sufficiently distinct to warrant placement in a new family and order. We therefore describe the family Pihiellaceae and the order Pihiellales to accommodate the new genus. [source]

Improvement of port wine stain laser therapy by skin preheating prior to cryogen spray cooling: A numerical simulation

LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006
Wangcun Jia PhD
Abstract Background and Objectives Although cryogen spray cooling (CSC) in conjunction with laser therapy has become the clinical standard for treatment of port wine stain (PWS) birthmarks, the current approach does not produce complete lesion blanching in the vast majority of patients. The objectives of this study are to: (1) experimentally determine the dynamic CSC heat flux when a skin phantom is preheated, and (2) numerically study the feasibility of using skin preheating prior to CSC to improve PWS laser therapeutic outcome. Study Design/Materials and Methods A fast-response thin-foil thermocouple was used to measure the surface temperature and thus heat flux of an epoxy skin phantom during CSC. Using the heat flux as a boundary condition, PWS laser therapy was simulated with finite element heat diffusion and Monte Carlo light distribution models. Epidermal and PWS blood vessel thermal damage were calculated with an Arrhenius-type kinetic model. Results Experimental results show that the skin phantom surface can be cooled to a similar minimum temperature regardless of the initial temperature. Numerical simulation indicates that upon laser irradiation, the epidermal temperature increase is virtually unaffected by preheating, while higher PWS blood vessel temperatures can be achieved. Based on the damage criterion we assumed, the depth and maximum diameter of PWS vessels that can be destroyed irreversibly with skin preheating are greater than those without. Conclusions Skin preheating prior to CSC can maintain epidermal cooling while increasing PWS blood vessel temperature before laser irradiation. Numerical models have been developed to show that patients may benefit from the skin preheating approach, depending on PWS vessel diameter and depth. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:155,162, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor of the testis: Comparative immunohistochemical study with Leydig cell tumor

PATHOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2005
Katsuaki Sato
Large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor is a rare type of testicular, tumor., Reported, herein, is, a, Japanese, patient with this tumor not associated with Carney's complex. An 11-year-old boy was admitted to hospital because of left testicular enlargement, and radical orchiectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the tumor was well circumscribed and had a maximum diameter of approximately 2 cm. The cut surface showed a yellow-white solid mass. Histologically, the tumor was composed of large neoplastic cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with a tubular, trabecular, and solid arrangement and loose myxoid stroma with irregularly shaped calcification. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, S-100 protein, calretinin, inhibin-,, melan-A, and CD10, and type IV collagen and laminin were observed in the extracellular matrix around the tumor cells. The distributions of melan-A, CD10, and mitochondria were characteristically patchy; in contrast, they were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm in a control case of Leydig cell tumor. The differences in immunostaining patterns for melan-A, CD10, and mitochondria as well as positivity for S-100 protein-, might be useful diagnostic hallmarks of large cell calcifying Sertoli cell tumor for discrimination from Leydig cell tumor. [source]

PhadiatopTM compared to skin-prick test as a tool for diagnosing atopy in epidemiological studies in schoolchildren

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2007
Luis Garcia-Marcos
The validity of the PhadiatopTM test as compared to the skin-prick test (SPT) for diagnosing atopy in the epidemiological field has not been studied in schoolchildren. The aim of the present study was to evaluate its validity for classifying schoolchildren 9,12 yr old into atopics and non-atopics. A total of 621 children whose parents authorized both a SPT and a blood extraction from all children participating in the phase II of the International Study of Allergies in Children (ISAAC) in Cartagena (Spain) were included in the analysis. A positive SPT was that with at least a wheal having a maximum diameter of 3 mm, once the negative value had been subtracted. PhadiatopTM was performed according to the manufacturer instructions. Diagnostic tests using SPT as the gold standard were calculated for the whole group of children and also for those with asthma or rhinoconjunctivitis and for children without any of them. The results of the tests were: sensitivity 85.0% (95% CI 82.2,87.8%), specificity 85.5% (95%CI 82.7,88.3%), positive predictive value 72.7% (95%CI 69.0,76.1%), negative predictive value 92.7% (95%CI 90.6,94.7%) and accuracy 85.3% (95%CI 82.3,88.0%). The results improved among the symptomatic groups. PhadiatopTM can be used as a valid alternative to SPT in the epidemiological setting to diagnose atopy. [source]

Diameter of paediatric sized flexible bronchoscopes: When size matters

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 8 2006
Barry Linnane MD
Abstract Background: A flexible bronchoscope typically gets its designated size from the diameter of the distal tip but this is not the maximum diameter of the insertion tube. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the size and site of the maximum diameter of flexible bronchoscope insertion tubes and to compare standard bronchofiberscopes with newer bronchovideoscopes. Methods: We assessed 10 bronchoscopes ranging from 2.2 to 4.9 mm external diameter (Olympus®, Tokyo, Japan) using an electronic digital caliper. Investigators were blinded to the type and model of each scope. The median, minimum and maximum diameters of the bronchoscopes were calculated and the measured diameters were compared with the stated diameters of the distal tip and insertion tube. Results: The maximum and median measured diameters were wider than the stated diameter of the distal tip in all the scopes. The maximum discrepancy between the measured and stated diameters ranged from 0.19 mm (6.7%) to 0.66 mm (22.2%) with a mean of 0.41 mm (14.0%). There was no difference between bronchofiberscopes and bronchovideoscopes. Conclusion: The maximum diameter of the distal tip and insertion tube of pediatric sized flexible bronchoscopes is significantly greater than the manufacturer's specifications. This may impact on the choice of bronchoscope selected for procedures in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006; 41: 787,789. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Malignant Melanoma on the Sole: How to Detect the Early Lesions Efficiently

PIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 2000
TOSHIAKI SAIDA
Early detection of malignant melanoma (MM) is essential to improve the prognosis. In non-white populations, including Japanese, the sole is the most prevalent site of MM. On the sole, however, melanocytic nevus is also frequently found. Clinical differentiation of early MM from benign melanocytic nevus on the sole is sometimes difficult because both are observed as a brownish-black macule. For the effective early detection of MM on the sole, the author has proposed guidelines based on the data of hundreds of melanocytic lesions on the sole. The algorithmic guidelines are as follows: when you see a pigmented lesion on the sole, first exclude congenital melanocytic nevus and some other specified disorders, and then measure the maximum diameter of the lesion. If it is more than 7 mm, biopsy it for histopathologic evaluation. If it is 7 mm or less, just follow the course of the lesion and advise the patient to come back if it enlarges to more than 7 mm. Even when the lesion is 7 mm or less, a biopsy is recommended on it, if it shows marked irregularity in shape and/or color or it shows the parallel ridge pattern with epiluminescence microscopy (ELM). The author believes the guidelines surely work efficiently in screening early MM on the sole. [source]

Hydrodynamic characteristics of gas,solid fluidization at high temperature

THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010
Shabnam Sanaei
Abstract Effect of temperature on the hydrodynamics of bubbling gas,solid fluidized beds was investigated in this work. Experiments were carried out at different temperatures ranged of 25,600°C and different superficial gas velocities in the range of 0.17,0.78,m/s with sand particles. The time-position trajectory of particles was obtained by the radioactive particle tracking technique at elevated temperature. These data were used for determination of some hydrodynamic parameters (mean velocity of upward and downward-moving particles, jump frequency, cycle frequency, and axial/radial diffusivities) which are representative to solids mixing through the bed. It was shown that solids mixing and diffusivity of particles increases by increasing temperature up to around 300°C. However, these parameters decrease by further increasing the temperature to higher than 300°C. This could be attributed to the properties of bubble and emulsion phases. Results of this study indicated that the bubbles grow up to a maximum diameter by increasing the temperature up to 300°C, after which the bubbles become smaller. The results showed that due to the wall effect, there is no significant change in the mean velocity of downward-moving clusters. In order to explain these trends, surface tension of emulsion between the rising bubble and the emulsion phase was introduced and evaluated in the bubbling fluidized bed. The results showed that surface tension between bubble and emulsion is increased by increasing temperature up to 300°C, however, after that it acts in oppositely. L'effet de la température sur l'hydrodynamique de lits fluidisés de gaz-solide bouillonnants a fait l'objet de l'étude de cet ouvrage. Des expériences ont été faites à différentes températures se situant entre 25 et 600°C et différentes vélocités de gaz superficiels sur une plage de 0,17 à 0,78,m/s avec particules de sable. La trajectoire temps-position des particules a été obtenue à l'aide d'une technique de repérage par particules radioactives à haute température. Ces données ont été utilisées pour déterminer certains des paramètres hydrodynamiques (vélocité moyenne des particules ascendantes et descendantes, la fréquence de sauts bonds, la fréquence de cycles et les diffusivités axiales et radiales), lesquels sont représentatifs de solides se mélangeant dans le lit. Il a été démontré que le mélange de solides et la diffusivité des particules augmentent en haussant la température à environ 300°C. Cependant, ces paramètres diminuent en accroissant davantage la température au-delà de 300°C. Cela pourrait être attribué aux propriétés des phases de bouillonnement et d'émulsion. Les résultats de cette étude indiquent que les bulles croissent pour atteindre un diamètre maximum en augmentant la température jusqu'à 300°C. Au-delà de cette température, les bulles deviennent plus petites. Les résultats démontrent qu'en raison de l'effet de paroi, il n'y a pas de changement significatif à la vélocité moyenne des grappes descendantes. Afin d'expliquer ces tendances, la tension de surface de l'émulsion entre la bulle ascendante et la phase émulsion a été introduite et évaluée dans le lit fluidisé bouillonnant. Les résultats ont démontré que la tension de surface entre la bulle et l'émulsion augmente en haussant à température jusqu'à 300°C; cependant, après cette température, elle agit inversement. [source]

Cytologic, hormonal, and ultrasonographic correlates of the menstrual cycle of the New World monkey Cebus apella

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2005
R.E. Ortiz
Abstract Few reports on the reproductive physiology of Cebus apella have been published. In this study we characterized menstrual cycle events by means of vaginal cytology, ultrasonography (US), and hormonal measurements in serum during three consecutive cycles in 10 females, and assessed the probability that ovulation would occur in the same ovary in consecutive cycles in 18 females. The lengths and phases of the cycles were determined according to vaginal cytology. Taking the first day of endometrial bleeding as the first day of the cycle, the mean cycle length ± SEM was 19.5±0.4 days, with follicular and luteal phases lasting 8.2±0.2 and 11.3±0.4 days, respectively. The follicular phase included menstruation and the periovulatory period, which was characterized by the presence of a large number of superficial eosinophilic cells in the vaginal smear. The myometrium, endometrium, and ovaries were clearly distinguished on US examination. During each menstrual cycle a single follicle was recruited at random from either ovary. The follicle grew from 3 mm to a maximum diameter of 8,9 mm over the course of 8 days, in association with increasing estradiol (E2) serum levels (from 489±41 to 1600±92 pmol/L). At ovulation, the mean diameter of the dominant follicle usually decreased by >20%, 1 day after the maximum E2 level was reached. Ovulation was associated with an abrupt fall in E2, a decreased number of eosinophilic cells, the presence of leukocytes and intermediate cells in the vaginal smear, and a progressive increase in progesterone (P) levels that reached a maximum of 892±65 nmol/L on days 3,6 of the luteal phase. The menstrual cycle of Cebus apella differs in several temporal and quantitative aspects from that in humans and Old World primates, but it exhibits the same correlations between ovarian endocrine and morphologic parameters. Am. J. Primatol. 66:233,244, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Two new approaches in intrauterine tracheal occlusion using an ultrathin fetoscope

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2010
Michael Tchirikov MD
Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: To introduce and establish a new approach in minimal invasive fetoscopic surgery in order to reduce access trauma and the iatrogenic preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) as a major complication of intrauterine treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Methods: In total, 27 pregnant sheep were operated on using fetoscopes with 1.2 and 1.0 mm optics. We used an elliptic sheath alone with a maximum diameter of 2.6/1.3 mm; in these cases the balloon was placed under ultrasound control. In comparison, we placed the balloon under fetoscopic control using the fetoscopic sheath and a 7F (2.3 mm) introducer. Therefore, the maximum access trauma was not bigger than the diameter of sheath of introducer. Results: With this technique we successfully operated on 22 sheep. The use of real time three-dimensional ultrasound control distinctly facilitates the operation procedure. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings show that fetoscopic tracheal occlusion using ultrathin fetoscopes and reducing the access trauma on the level of 4.2 or even 2.65 mm2 could be seen as a method of reducing the rate of PPROM. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source]

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma: a micromorphometric study relating to prognosis and completion lymph node dissection

BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
S. Debarbieux
Summary Background, Sentinel lymph node (SLN) positivity has been found to be strongly associated with a poor prognosis in melanoma. Objectives, This large referral centre study was conducted: (i) to confirm the powerful prognostic value of SLN biopsy (SLNB); (ii) to correlate patient prognosis to the micromorphometric features of SLN metastasis in SLN-positive patients; and (iii) to correlate these micromorphometric features to the likelihood of positive completion lymph node dissection (CLND). Patients and methods, SLNB was performed in 455 cases of primary melanoma between January 1999 and December 2004; for patients with positive SLN, the following micromorphometric features were registered: size of the largest metastasis (two diameters), depth of metastasis, number of millimetric slices involved, maximum number of metastases on a single section, presence of intracapsular lymphatic invasion and extracapsular spread. Kaplan,Meier survival curves were compared with the log-rank test; multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox regression model. Dependence of CLND status on micromorphometric features of SLN was assessed by the ,2 test and predictive values of the different features were evaluated by multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model. Results, A positive SLN was identified in 98 of our 455 cases. Survival was significantly shorter in SLN-positive patients than in SLN-negative patients. Extracapsular invasion was found to be an independent prognostic factor of disease-free survival; ulceration of the primary and the maximum diameter of the largest metastasis were identified as independent predictive factors of disease-specific survival. Age and the lowest diameter of the largest metastasis were identified as independent predictive criteria of positive CLND, whereas depth of metastasis was not. Positivity of CLND was not significantly associated with a worse prognosis. Conclusions, Our study confirms the previously demonstrated strong prognostic value of SLNB. It also confirms the relationship between tumour burden in the SLN (evaluated by the maximum diameter of the largest metastasis) and clinical outcome. We point out a new micromorphometric feature of SLN, which seems to be predictive of CLND status: the lowest diameter of the largest metastasis. [source]

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Ovarian Cysts in MRL/MpJ Mice Originate from Rete Ovarii

ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 3 2007
Y. Kon
Summary In MRL mice aged more than 1 year, but not in C57BL/6 mice, ovaries had grossly visible cysts presenting unilaterally or bilaterally. Postnatally, all MRL mice developed ovarian cysts by 8 months of age. Observations by light microscopy, including lectin histochemistry, indicated that the cysts sometimes included papillomatous tissues located at the hilar region and were similar to the rete ovarii system, but not to follicles. Two types of epithelial cells, ciliated and non-ciliated, were arranged on the cysts, in which both cell types had many microvilli projecting in various directions and random ramifications in the cystic lumen. These characteristics suggest that ovarian cysts developing in MRL mice originate mostly from the rete ovarii. Cysts derived from the rete ovarii at 8 months of age were histologically detected in all C3H mice as well as MRL mice, with variable incidence in ICR, AKR, CBA/N and ddY, and none in C57L/6, DBA/2, BALB and A/J mice. However, measurement of the maximum diameters of the ovarian cysts indicated that MRL mice regularly possessed the largest cysts visible to the naked eye. This is the first report of ovarian cysts in this inbred strain, suggesting that ovarian cysts in MRL mice appear with stable incidence and development. [source]