A case of fungal keratitis: A clinical and in vivo confocal microscopy assessment

A presumed case of fungal keratitis is presented. Confocal images highlight the advantage of using such technology to follow therapeutic progress, particularly when standard laboratory testing is inconclusive. This case also demonstrates the importance of continued patient education regarding overall compliance and lens care.     

Winner-Takes-All Associative Memory: A Hamming Distance Vector Quantizer

We present a design methodology for mapping neuralyinspired algorithms for vector quantization, into VLSI hardware.We describe the building blocks used: memory cells, current conveyors,and translinear circuits. We use the basic building blocks todesign an associative processor for bit-pattern classification;a high-density memory based neuromorphic processor. Operatingin parallel, the single chip system determines the closest match,based on the Hamming distance, between an input bit pattern andmultiple stored bit templates; ties are broken arbitrarily. Energyefficient processing is achieved through a precision-on-demandarchitecture. Scalable storage and processing is achieved througha compact six transistor static RAM cell/ALU circuit. The singlechip system is programmable for template sets of up to 124 bitsper template and can store up to 116 templates (total storagecapacity of 14 Kbits). An additional 604 bits of auxiliary storageis used for pipelining and fault tolerance re-configuration capability.A fully functional 6.8 mm by 6.9 mmchip has been fabricated in a standard single–poly, double–metal2.0µmn–well CMOS process.     

Non-gadolinium dynamic angiography of the neurovasculature using arterial spin labeling MRI: preliminary experience in children

Objective

We demonstrate the potential clinical utility of a 4D non-gadolinium dynamic angiography technique based on arterial spin-labeling called contrast inherent inflow enhanced multi-phase angiography (CINEMA) in pediatric patients.

Materials and Methods

CINEMA was qualitatively compared to conventional time-of-flight (TOF) angiography in a cohort of 31 pediatric patients at 3 Tesla.

Results

CINEMA data were successfully acquired and reconstructed in all patients with no image artifacts. There were no cases where CINEMA was rated inferior to TOF in depicting intracranial vessel conspicuity. In 19 cases, CINEMA was rated equivalent to TOF and in the 12 remaining cases CINEMA was rated superior to TOF.

Conclusion

There is a steadily rising concern in adults and children over the potential effects of intracranial deposition of gadolinium. CINEMA is therefore a viable alternative in dynamic neurovascular imaging.

     

Housing quality and resilience in New Zealand

There is extensive research on the negative health impacts of poor housing quality. However, little is known about the potential health benefits of high-quality housing in poor neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods with unexpectedly good health outcomes despite high levels of deprivation have been deemed resilient places and housing quality in these areas may be a contributor to this resilience. This study aimed to evaluate whether an indicator of neighbourhood housing quality was associated with a previously quantified resilience index (RINZ) in New Zealand. It was found that areas with high housing quality tended to have higher median income, greater proportions of partnered people and shorter-term residents, and very low proportions of Māori. A positive association was found between housing quality and resilience, after adjustment for deprivation. There was no indication of differences by heterogeneity in housing quality within the aggregate unit of analysis. These findings pose the hypothesis that improving housing quality in similarly deprived areas that have poor health outcomes could potentially boost health. To extend this understanding, further development of a more sophisticated housing quality indicator is recommended.     

Physicochemical and toxicological properties of commercial carbon blacks modified by reaction with ozone

Ozonation of two commercial carbon blacks (CBs), Printex 90 (P90) and Flammruss 101 (F101), was carried out and changes in their morphology, physical properties, and cytotoxicity were examined. The hypothesis examined was that different methods of manufacture of CBs influence their chemical reactivity and toxicological properties. Structural changes were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). Introduction of surface oxygen functionality upon ozonation led to changes in surface charge, aggregation characteristics, and free radical content of the CBs. However, these changes in surface functionality did not alter the cytotoxicity and release of inflammation markers upon exposure of the CBs to murine macrophages. Interaction of macrophages with F101 resulted in higher levels of inflammatory markers than P90, and the only structural correlation was with the higher persistent radical concentration on the F101.     

Are oral contraceptives a significant contributor to the estrogenicity of drinking water?

Recent observed feminization of aquatic animals has raised concerns about estrogenic compounds in water supplies and the potential for these chemicals to reach drinking water. Public perception frequently attributes this feminization to oral contraceptives (OCs) in wastewater and raises concerns that exposure to OCs in drinking water may contribute to the recent rise in human reproductive problems. This paper reviews the literature regarding various sources of estrogens, in surface, source and drinking water, with an emphasis on the active molecule that comes from OCs. It includes discussion of the various agricultural, industrial, and municipal sources and outlines the contributions of estrogenic chemicals to the estrogenicity of waterways and estimates that the risk of exposure to synthetic estrogens in drinking water on human health is negligible. This paper also provides recommendations for strategies to better understand all the potential sources of estrogenic compounds in the environment and possibilities to reduce the levels of estrogenic chemicals in the water supply.     

Development of an automated turbidimetric immunoassay for quantification of bovine serum immunoglobulin G

OBJECTIVE: To develop an automated turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA) for measurement of bovine IgG. SAMPLE POPULATION: 24 bovine serum samples. PROCEDURE: IgG concentration was determined by use of the TIA, and results were compared with those of the radial immunodiffusion (RID) method. Variables were determined, using commercially available reagents and a clinical biochemical analyzer. For the TIA, polyclonal goat anti-bovine IgG (Fc specific) serum, bovine IgG calibrator serum, and polyethylene glycol reaction buffer were used. Sample concentrations were determined by the instrument, using the linear regression method of least squares. The accuracy of this assay was validated by referencing to a purified bovine IgG standard and by recovery of control standards. Parallelism was documented by assay linearity and serial sample dilution linearity. Interference resulting from hemolyzed samples was examined. RESULTS: The TIA method correlated positively (r = 0.9957) and significantly (P < 0.05) with the RID method, yielding a regression equation with slope of 0.78708 and y-intercept of 1.02102. Bias attributable to hemolysis was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The TIA method is automated, accurate, and precise for bovine serum IgG quantification. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This assay provides sample results in approximately 10 minutes and may be used as an alternative to the manual RID method.     

IMing, Text Messaging, and Adolescent Social Networks

Building on previous research in computer-mediated communication, social and communication networks, and adolescent development, this article raises three issues regarding adolescent use of socially interactive technologies (SITs) and their relationship to offline social networks: 1) whether adolescents are creating more, but weaker ties using SITs, 2) to what extent adolescent SIT-facilitated networks overlap with friendship networks, and 3) whether SIT relationships are important for adolescents who have fewer offline peer ties. In order to investigate these questions, network data collection and analysis were integrated with more traditional questionnaire methodology and statistical analysis. The results show that the adolescents in the study were not creating more ties using SITs, nor were they necessarily creating weaker SIT-based ties; that there was little overlap between SIT-facilitated and offline social networks; and that socially isolated adolescents were less likely than other adolescents to use SITs.     

Comparison of power deposition by in-phase 433 MHz andphase-modulated 915 MHz interstitial antenna array hyperthermia systems

The interstitial microwave antenna array hyperthermia (IMAAH) system produces a pattern of specific absorption rate (SAR) that is nonuniform within a 2-cm square array when driven in phase at 915 MHz. It was found that phase modulation makes the time-averaged SAR pattern significantly more uniform in planes perpendicular to the antennas. To drive antennas in phase at 433 MHz similarly improves SAR uniformity when the antennas are of resonance length     

A stability study of green tea catechins during the biscuit making process

A green tea extract (GTE) was incorporated into biscuit as a source of tea catechins. The stability of tea catechins in the biscuit making process was studied. A method was developed for the separation and quantification of tea catechins in GTE, dough, and biscuit samples using a RP-HPLC system. GTEs at 150, 200, and 300 mg per 100 g of flour were formulated. The results obtained showed that green tea catechins were relatively stable in dough. The stability of (−)-EGCG and (−)-ECG was determined at an interval of every 2 min during baking. Their stability decreased as the baking progressed and increased as the concentration of GTE was increased in the biscuit dough. The stability of (−)-EGCG also increased as pH of the dough was reduced and made less alkaline.