bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Schistosomiasis Does Not Affect the Outcome of HCV Infection in Genotype 4-Infected Patients
Authors: Allam Walaa R. , Barakat Ahmed , Zakaria Zainab , Galal Gehan , Abdel-Ghafar Tamer S. , El-Tabbakh Mohamed , Mikhail Nabiel , Waked Imam , Abdelwahab Sayed F.
Published: March 2014

Although reports suggest that Schistosoma mansoni increases hepatitis C virus (HCV) morbidity and chronicity, its impact on HCV spontaneous resolution is not clear. HCV genotype, viral load, abdominal ultrasonographic findings, and HCV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were examined among 141 healthcare workers infected with HCV (68 workers with and 73 workers without S. mansoni). HCV genotype 4 was dominate, and viral loads were 2.62 ± 0.69 × 106 and 4.24 ± 1.4 × 106 IU/mL among patients with and without coinfection, respectively (P = 0.309); 23.5% with and 32.9% without coinfection had spontaneously resolved HCV infection (P = 0.297). Interferon-γ spot-forming cells/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells among responding viremic patients with and without coinfection were 716 ± 194 and 587 ± 162, whereas among aviremic patients, it was 794 ± 272 and 365 ± 36 (P > 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, there was no statistical difference in HCV spontaneous resolution, viral load, liver pathology, or CMI in patients with or without S. mansoni coinfection, suggesting that it did not impact the outcome of HCV infection.
Automated identification and tracking of polar-cap plasma patches at solar minimum
Authors: Burston R. , Hodges K. , Astin I. , Jayachandran P. T.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. A method of automatically identifying and tracking polar-cap plasma patches, utilising data inversion and feature-tracking methods, is presented. A well-established and widely used 4-D ionospheric imaging algorithm, the Multi-Instrument Data Assimilation System (MIDAS), inverts slant total electron content (TEC) data from ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers to produce images of the free electron distribution in the polar-cap ionosphere. These are integrated to form vertical TEC maps. A flexible feature-tracking algorithm, TRACK, previously used extensively in meteorological storm-tracking studies is used to identify and track maxima in the resulting 2-D data fields. Various criteria are used to discriminate between genuine patches and "false-positive" maxima such as the continuously moving day-side maximum, which results from the Earth's rotation rather than plasma motion. Results for a 12-month period at solar minimum, when extensive validation data are available, are presented. The method identifies 71 separate structures consistent with patch motion during this time. The limitations of solar minimum and the consequent small number of patches make climatological inferences difficult, but the feasibility of the method for patches larger than approximately 500 km in scale is demonstrated and a larger study incorporating other parts of the solar cycle is warranted. Possible further optimisation of discrimination criteria, particularly regarding the definition of a patch in terms of its plasma concentration enhancement over the surrounding background, may improve results.
Influence of water vapour on the height distribution of positive ions, effective recombination coefficient and ionisation balance in the quiet lower ionosphere
Authors: Barabash V. , Osepian A. , Dalin P.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Mesospheric water vapour concentration effects on the ion composition and electron density in the lower ionosphere under quiet geophysical conditions were examined. Water vapour is an important compound in the mesosphere and the lower thermosphere that affects ion composition due to hydrogen radical production and consequently modifies the electron number density. Recent lower-ionosphere investigations have primarily concentrated on the geomagnetic disturbance periods. Meanwhile, studies on the electron density under quiet conditions are quite rare. The goal of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the ionospheric parameter responses to water vapour variability in the quiet lower ionosphere. By applying a numerical D region ion chemistry model, we evaluated efficiencies for the channels forming hydrated cluster ions from the NO+ and O2+ primary ions (i.e. NO+.H2O and O2+.H2O, respectively), and the channel forming H+(H2O)n proton hydrates from water clusters at different altitudes using profiles with low and high water vapour concentrations. Profiles for positive ions, effective recombination coefficients and electrons were modelled for three particular cases using electron density measurements obtained during rocket campaigns. It was found that the water vapour concentration variations in the mesosphere affect the position of both the Cl2+ proton hydrate layer upper border, comprising the NO+(H2O)n and O2+(H2O)n hydrated cluster ions, and the Cl1+ hydrate cluster layer lower border, comprising the H+(H2O)n pure proton hydrates, as well as the numerical cluster densities. The water variations caused large changes in the effective recombination coefficient and electron density between altitudes of 75 and 87 km. However, the effective recombination coefficient, αeff, and electron number density did not respond even to large water vapour concentration variations occurring at other altitudes in the mesosphere. We determined the water vapour concentration upper limit at altitudes between 75 and 87 km, beyond which the water vapour concentration ceases to influence the numerical densities of Cl2+ and Cl1+, the effective recombination coefficient and the electron number density in the summer ionosphere. This water vapour concentration limit corresponds to values found in the H2O-1 profile that was observed in the summer mesosphere by the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). The electron density modelled using the H2O-1 profile agreed well with the electron density measured in the summer ionosphere when the measured profiles did not have sharp gradients. For sharp gradients in electron and positive ion number densities, a water profile that can reproduce the characteristic behaviour of the ionospheric parameters should have an inhomogeneous height distribution of water vapour.
Small cell lung carcinoma in a patient with previously diagnosed Ménétrier’s disease: Is this another neuroendocrine manifestation of the neoplastic potential of this condition?
Authors: Gerada Eleanor , Gerada Jurgen , Camilleri Lianne , Babic Darko , Micallef Josef
Published: March 2014

A 73-year old man with a history of Ménétrier’s disease developed a mass in the axilla. Histology revealed this to be a metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma, most consistent with a lung primary. Computed tomography scan of the thorax showed a 28mm lesion in close proximity to the right bronchus intermedius. Cytological specimen from bronchoalveolar lavage yielded small cell carcinoma cells. Serum chromogranin A and serum gastrin levels were found to be significantly elevated. Ménétrier’s disease has been associated with malignancy especially neuroendocrine neoplasms. Small cell lung carcinoma is also a high grade neuroendocrine lung neoplasm. In this report we will bring forward hypotheses about possible links between the two conditions.
Chronic eosinophilic leukemia transformation into acute myeloid leukemia with monocytic differentiation
Authors: Driscoll James J. , Abdel Malek Mohamed A.Y. , Sayed Douaa M. , Ahmad Youseryeia A.
Published: March 2014

We present a rare case of a patient that presented with a highly elevated total leukocytic count, abnormally high eosinophils and increased number of blasts that was diagnosed as chronic eosinophilic leukemia. The blast cell count did not reach the threshold to diagnose acute leukemia. Over 6 months, the case progressed to acute myeloid leukemia with normal total leukocyte count but high percentage of blast cells and decreased percentage of eosinophils.
A unique case of kidney’s collecting system MALT lymphoma
Authors: Asgari Seyed Alaeddin , Baghani Aval Hamidreza , Asgari Seyed Ali , Kheradmand Keyvan
Published: March 2014

Low-grade B cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphomas) are mostly seen in the gastrointestinal tract. MALT lymphomas involving kidney are extremely rare. We report on a case of MALT lymphomas of the kidney. A 74-year-old woman presented with an episode of gross hematuria and right flank pain. In renal sonography, we found a hypoecho lesion measuring 61 × 58 × 44 mm in the lower pole of right kidney. A computed tomography scan revealed an enlarged hypodense soft tissue measuring 62 × 42 × 37 mm within the pelvic brim of the right kidney, with extension to the proximal portion of the ipsilateral ureter and engulfed it. The patient underwent a right radical nephrectomy. The pathology specimen indicated a lymphoprolifrative disorder involving the kidney and ureter. To obtain a definitive diagnosis, we used an immunohistochemistry, which confirmed the diagnosis of a MALT lymphoma.
Ovarian metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Bauerová Lenka , Dundr Pavel , Fischerová Daniela , Pešl Michal , Zikán Michal , Burgetová Andrea
Published: March 2014

We report on a 61-year-old woman with a history of right-sided nephrectomy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) occurring 21 years ago; she currently presented with a bilateral ovarian tumour. Histologically, the tumour of both ovaries was clear cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for vimentin, RCC marker, epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin AE1/3 and CD10. Cytokeratin 7, CA125, HMWCK, estrogen and progesterone receptors were all negative. Based on the morphologyand immunophenotype of the tumour, we established a diagnosis of late metastasis of RCC in the ovaries. A postoperative abdominal computed tomography scan, however, revealed a tumour mass solely in the left kidney, which had not been visible in the preoperative ultrasound. The patient underwent nephron-sparing surgery and a biopsy showed the tumour to be clear cell RCC. Metastasis of RCC to the ovaries is rare, and to the best of our knowledge, only 24 cases have been reported to date. However, due to the different treatments and prognosis, the distinction between a primary ovarian tumour and metastasis of RCC is important.
Is there an urban-rural-gradient in patients with urinary incontinence?
Authors: Wille Sebastian , Katarzyna Kawa , Ahrens Ulrike , Eminaga Okyaz , Engelmann Udo , Jenny Paas
Published: March 2014

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine whether the responses to the same questionnaire differ between women living in a large city and women living in a rural area.Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 88 patients living in the large city of Cologne and of 86 patients living in Brühl and its surrounding rural regions. The responses on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) of 88 patients who suffer from urinary incontinence and live in a large city were compared to the responses 86 patients who live the rural region of Brühl. In addition, ages, frequency of micturition, use of pads, prior and desired treatment were compared. Limitations of this study include its retrospective study design and the absence of sociodemographic data. Furthermore, the use of a pad test could objectify the extent of incontinence.Results: On average, patients from Cologne used of 6.2 pads and patients from Brühl used 3 pads. Patients from the large city scored 14 out of 21 points on the ICIQ-SF, and women from Brühl scored 11 out of 21 points. This difference was significant. Patients from Cologne had received medicinal treatment or physical therapy significantly more often.Conclusion: The results suggest that urinary incontinence is perceived as a greater impairment by patients residing in (large) cities compared to patients residing in rural areas. An urban-rural gradient in patients with urinary incontinence can be described.
Male circumcision performed with 8-figure non-absorbable suture technique
Authors: Xi Ren Chong , Sheng Yin Rui , Chen Wang Hong , Sheng Li , Gang Ji Jing , Tong Zhou , Shan Zhang , Shuo Yang Feng , Gang Zhang Zhi , Sheng Yu Guo , Ling Xu Jun , Ying Guo Hong , Dong Liu Chun , Ju Zhu Kun
Published: March 2014

Introduction: We analyze the outcome of circumcisions performed with 8-figure non-absorbable suture (8FNS) and assess the feasibility of using the technique in male circumcision.Methods: We randomly divided 317 patients who would undergo circumcision between February 2009 and January 2012 into 2 groups. Each group was subdivided into children (age range: 7 to 15 years) and adult (range: 16 to 85 years). In the experiment group (n =166), we used 8FNS and in the control group (n = 151), commonly absorbable sutures (CAS) were used for the circumcised wound closure. The results of 2 groups were compared. We also performed a cost analysis and a mean 6-month follow-up (range:1-12). Chi-square and Student’s t-test were used in statistical analysis. Differences were considered significant (p ＜ 0.05).Results: No patients were required to remove their sutures postoperatively.Among them, the sutures of the 8FNS for circumcision felloff spontaneously within 9 days (6.2 ± 1.57). There was no statisticallysignificant difference between the 2 groups in surgical duration (16.2 ± 1.73 vs. 15.8 ± 2.01) and follow-up time (6.4 ± 3.82 vs. 6.2 ± 2.39). The overall complication rate of the 2 groups was 6.63% and 10.53% (p = 0.15), respectively. In addition, the complication rate among the adults was significantly lower in the 8FNS group compared to children (2.53% vs. 10.34%, p = 0.04). Also, the average cost (in US dollars) of 8FNS for circumcision was $20.7 ± $3.83 less than $35.8 ± $5.02 of CAS, which is a very significant difference (p < 0.0001).Conclusions: 8FNS for circumcision is feasible, easy, safe and cost-effective, especially for adult males.
Concomitant testicular seminoma and ectopic adrenal tissue of the cord in a 45-year-old male
Authors: Floyd (Jr) Michael S , Itam Sarah , Nasir Nyla , Weerasinghe Suboda M , Irwin Paul P , Maddineni Satish B
Published: March 2014

Aberrant adrenal tissue near the adrenal gland is common, but the finding of ectopic adrenal tissue in structures around the spermatic cord and testis is rare. We describe a case of concomitant seminoma and ectopic adrenal tissue of the spermatic cord occurring in an adult patient who had undergone orchidopexy as a child.
Renal lymphangiectasia presenting with hypertension and polycythemia
Authors: Blanc Mathieu , Schmutz Gérard , Belzile François , Sabbagh Robert
Published: March 2014

We report a very rare case of renal lymphangiectasia, an accumulation of lymph in the renal lymphatic system secondary to obstruction. Our patient presented to his family doctor for an annual check-up which resulted with high blood pressure and polycythemia. An ultrasound was performed and revealed a large right perirenal collection. A year later, a controlled abdominal computed tomography scan showed a progression and compression of perirenal collection on the right kidney, as well as apparition of a left perirenal collection. Percutaneous drainage of both collections was unsuccessful. Laparoscopy-guided marsupialisation was performed and successful. Blood pressure lowered to normal range without medication. The patient’s hemoglobin level decreased within normal range after 3 additional phlebotomies postoperatively.
Clinical outcomes in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma receiving everolimus or temsirolimus after sunitinib.
Authors: Iacovelli Roberto , Cartenì Giacomo , Milella Michele , Berardi Rossana , Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Verzoni Elena , Rizzo Mimma , Santoni Matteo , Procopio Giuseppe
Published: March 2014

Introduction: There are little data on the clinical activity of temsirolimus (TM) and everolimus (EV) when used as second-line therapy after sunitinib (SU) in patients with metastatic renal cellcarcinoma (mRCC).Methods: Patients with mRCC treated with EV or TM after SU were included in this retrospective analysis. Progression-free survival (PFS), time to sequence failure (TTSF) from the start of SU to disease progression with EV/TM and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared across groups using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to investigate predictors of TTSF and OS.Results: In total, 89 patients (median age 60.0 years) were included. At baseline 43% were classified as MSKCC good-risk, 43% as intermediate-risk and 14% as poor-risk. Median OS was 36.3 months and median TTSF was 17.2 months. Sixty-five patients received SU-EV and 24 patients SU-TM. Median PFS after the second-line treatment was 4.3 months in the EV group and 3.5 months in the TM group (p = 0.63). Median TTSF was 17.0 and 18.9 months (p = 0.32) and the OS was 35.8 and 38.3 months (p = 0.73) with SU-EV and SU-TM, respectively. The prognostic role of initial MSKCC was confirmed by multivariable analysis (hazard ratio 1.76, 95% confidence interval 1.08-2.85. p = 0.023).Conclusions: This study did not show significant differences in terms of disease control and OS between EV and TM in the second-line setting. EV remains the preferred mTOR inhibitor for the treatment of mRCC patients resistant to prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.
Pudendal schwannoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Mazzola Clarisse R. , Power Nicholas , Bilsky Mark H. , Robert Roger , Guillonneau Bertrand
Published: March 2014

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours most often associated with the cranial nerves and the peripheral nerve system of the neck and extremities. Pelvic schwannomas are rare, with only about 25 cases reported. We report the case of a 34-year-old man referred for worsening pain of 10 years duration involving the right testicle and right penile shaft. Magnetic resonance imaging discovered a well-circumscribed pelvic tumour of 3.2 × 2.8 × 3.2 cm. Considering the possible complications involved in exposing the pudendal nerve during surgical resection, we performed an extensive literature search to aid preoperative planning. The most commonly described surgical approach for pelvic schwannomas has been open median laparotomy with transperitoneal dissection. To our knowledge, pudendal schwannomas have never been described in the literature. However, after considering the location and characteristics of the tumour, we chose laparoscopy because it offers the advantages of better visualization of anatomical structures with minimal invasiveness and faster recovery. At the 3-week follow-up, the patient described a significant decrease in pain and normal neurological and urological examinations.
The diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal lipomatous tumors in Chinese patients: a 31-year follow-up study
Authors: Sun Fukang , Zhao Juping , Jing Xiaolong , Zhou Wenlong , Huang Xin , Wang Haofei , Zhu Yu , Yuan Fei , Shen Zhoujun
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Adrenal lipomatous tumours (ALTs) are rarely encountered in clinical practice and consequently little is known about their clinical features.Methods: We analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of ALTs based on cases presenting at a single centre over a 31-year period. We reviewed clinical data from patients with primary adrenal tumours treated at the Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai between January 1980 and December 2010.Results: A total of 73 cases of primary ALTs in 22 men and 51 women (mean age 51.1±14.2 years) were reviewed. The ALTs included 65 myelolipomas (89.0%), 3 lipomas (4.1%), 2 angiomyolipomas (2.7%), 2 teratomas (2.7%), and 1 liposarcoma (1.4%). Of the total 73 patients, 24 of them had tumours in the left adrenal gland, 47 in the right gland and 2 had bilateral tumours. In total, 51 patients underwent open surgery and 22 laparoscopic surgery.Conclusion: Myelolipoma is predominant among the various types of lipomatous adrenal gland tumours; it accounts for about 90% of all cases. Surgery is recommended for tumours ≥3.5 cm in diameter, for all cases of symptomatic tumour, and for cases of teratoma or liposarcoma identified by preoperative imaging.
Systemowe leczenie chorych na niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca—Od nihilizmu do nadziei
Authors: Jassem Jacek
Published: March 2014

W niniejszym zeszycie “Pneumonologii i Alergologii Polskiej” znajdą Państwo czwartą edycję opinii polskich ekspertów na temat systemowego leczenia niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca (NDRP) [...]
Hypofractionated Conformal Radiotherapy in Combination with Chemotherapy in Limited Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Socha Joanna , Guzowska Agnieszka , Tyc-Szczepaniak Dobromira , Szczęsna Aleksandra , Kępka Lucyna
Published: March 2014

Aim: To evaluate the results of hypofractionated conformal radiotherapy (RT) in limited disease small cell lung cancer (LD-SCLC) patients, with particular interest in the value of “early” RT, i.e., given before the 3rd chemotherapy (CHT) cycle. Material and Methods: Outcome of hypofractionated RT (42 Gy, 2.8 Gy/fraction, given over 19–21 days, using “concomitant boost” technique—elective volume [39 Gy, 2.6 Gy/fraction] and tumour volumes treated during the same fraction) combined with CHT in 100 consecutive LD-SCLC patients, was retrospectively assessed. The outcomes were compared with a previously published series of 117 LD-SCLC patients treated in the same institution with hyperfractionated or conventionally fractionated RT. Results: Forty-two patients (42%) received “early” RT. Grade 3 NCI CTC acute oesophageal toxicity appeared in 5% of patients. There were three treatment-related deaths. Three-year overall survival (OS) rate was 39.4%, median—24 months in the examined group vs. 26.0%, and 18 months in historical control, p = 0.02. Three-year OS for 78 patients with completed CHT was 42.2%, median—28 months vs. 30%, and 14 months for 22 patients who received ≤ 3 CHT cycles, (p = 0.03). The actuarial 3-year locoregional failure risk (LRFR) was 34.0% in the examined group vs. 51.0% in the historical control, p = 0.04. Multivariate analysis showed a marginally significant correlation between the “early” use of RT and LRFR: RR = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.17–1.04), p = 0.06, with no significant impact on OS. Conclusions: Shorter duration of RT using hypofractionation results in encouraging outcomes and acceptable toxicity. Completion of all planned CHT cycles is the most important factor for OS.
Analysis of Treatment Results in Primary Germ Cell Tumours with Mediastinal Location: Own Experience
Authors: Kowalski Dariusz , Knetki-Wróblewska Magdalena , Winiarczyk Kinga , Jaśkiewicz Piotr , Orłowski Tadeusz , Langfort Renata , Krzakowski Maciej , Olszewski Michał
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Primary germ cell tumours with mediastinal location comprise 1–6% of mediastinal tumours and 2–5% of all germ cell tumours occurring in adults. They are identified mostly in the 3rd decade of life, in 90% of cases in men. The most common symptoms are dyspnea, chest pain, cough, fever and weight loss. The aim of the present study was the analysis of our own results of treatment of primary germ cell tumours with mediastinal location, and a review of the literature concerning this subject. Material and Methods: Five patients (4 males, 1 female) median age 27.8 years (range 23–30 years) treated in the period from 1999 to 2009 in Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre and Institute of Oncology, Department of Lung Cancer and Chest Tumours in Warsaw, due to germinal tumours with primary mediastinal location, entered the study. Results: All patients received chemotherapy according to the BEP regimen. All patients achieved an objective response to treatment. Two patients died due to disease progression in spite of II- and III-line treatment. Three patients are still in follow-up. The median survival time was 55.8 months (range 8.0–120.0 months). Conclusions: Primary mediastinal germ cell tumours have worse prognosis than do those with gonadal location. Based on our observations and review of the literature, it can be concluded that the results of treatment of non-seminoma type germ cell tumours with primary mediastinal location remain poor. Patients who develop early recurrence or progression during first-line chemotherapy are particularly at risk of unfavourable outcome. Identification of new standards of treatment in tumours resistant to cisplatin require further studies evaluating the effectiveness of new generation cytostatic drugs.
Rola systemowych metod leczenia u chorych na niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca i złośliwego międzybłoniaka opłucnej: Uaktualnione zalecenia ekspertów
Authors: Jassem Jacek , Biernat Wojciech , Bryl Maciej , Chorostowska-Wynimko Joanna , Dziadziuszko Rafał , Krawczyk Paweł , Kordek Radzisław , Kowalski Dariusz , Krzakowski Maciej , Olszewski Włodzimierz , Orłowski Tadeusz , Ramlau Rodryg , Rzyman Witold
Published: March 2014

Rak płuca jest w Polsce najczęstszą przyczyną zgonów nowotworowych. Około 85% wszystkich nowotworów płuca stanowi rak niedrobnokomórkowy (NDRP), w którym leki cytotoksyczne i ukierunkowane molekularnie odgrywają coraz większą rolę. W pracy przedstawiono oparte na obecnej wiedzy zalecenia dotyczące stosowania tych metod w praktyce klinicznej u chorych na NDRP oraz na złośliwego międzybłoniaka opłucnej.
Zapalenie ziarniniakowe płuc jako powikłanie leczenia dopęcherzowymi wlewkami BCG—Opis przypadku
Authors: Rogoziński Paweł , Taracha-Guz Daria , Pęcikiewicz Paweł , Kachel Tomasz , Dubiel Grzegorz , Wandzel Piotr , Bruliński Krzysztof
Published: March 2014

Szczepionka BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) zawiera atenuowany szczep Mycobacterium bovis i jest wykorzystywana w szczepieniach przeciwgruźliczych na całym świecie. Jednym z dodatkowych zastosowań BCG jest immunoterapia nowotworów, w której szczepionkę podaje się w postaci wlewek do pęcherza moczowego w celu leczenia powierzchownych postaci raka pęcherza moczowego. Skuteczność immunoterapii BCG w zapobieganiu wznowie ocenia się na 70–99% i jest wyższa niż miejscowej chemioterapii. Do najczęstszych działań niepożądanych takiego leczenia należą gorączka oraz zapalenie pęcherza moczowego, natomiast poważne powikłania w postaci krwiopochodnego rozsiewu prątków do narządów, szczególnie zapalenia płuc, z tworzeniem się serowaciejących ziarniniaków w płucach spotykane są bardzo rzadko. Autorzy opisują przypadek 68-letniego mężczyzny leczonego dopęcherzowymi wlewkami BCG z powodu powierzchownego raka pęcherza moczowego. Pacjent miał wykonaną przezcewkową elektroresekcję zmian w pęcherzu, a następnie otrzymywał cyklicznie przez 3 lata dopęcherzowe wlewki BCG. Po jednej z serii wlewek, kilka dni po zakończeniu terapii, wystąpiły objawy ogólne z wysoką gorączką. W wykonanych badaniach stwierdzono cechy mogące przemawiać za zapaleniem wątroby, a w płucach zaobserwowano zmiany rozsiane. U pacjenta przeprowadzono diagnostykę inwazyjną zmian płucnych pobierając na drodze wideotorakoskopii fragment miąższu płuca. W badaniu histopatologicznym stwierdzono obecność ziarniny z centralną martwicą serowatą. Podejrzewając zakażenie BCG, rozszerzono diagnostykę o badania bakteriologiczne i genetyczne w kierunku obecności prątków kwasoopornych, które ostatecznie dały wynik negatywny. Rozpoznano ziarniniakowe zapalenie płuc jako powikłanie leczenia dopęcherzowymi wlewkami BCG. Rozpoczęto leczenie z zastosowaniem leków przeciwprątkowych. Po zakończonej farmakoterapii wykonano kontrolne badania radiologiczne stwierdzając znaczną, lecz niecałkowitą remisję zmian płucnych.
Apoptoza limfocytów pęcherzykowych. Część 1—Szlaki apoptozy limfocytów
Authors: Kopiński Piotr , Chorostowska-Wynimko Joanna , Dyczek Andrzej , Giżycka Agata
Published: March 2014

Apoptoza jest postacią zaprogramowanej śmierci, zasadniczą w utrzymaniu homeostazy ustrojowej, w tym zapoczątkowania, rozwoju i zejścia reakcji odpornościowych. Wyróżniono dwa główne szlaki apoptozy, zewnątrzpochodny (z pośrednictwem receptorów śmierci) i wewnątrzpochodny (mitochondrialny). Dodatkowo limfocyty o czynności cytotoksycznej inicjują apoptozę komórek docelowych na szlaku granzymów/perforyny (pseudoreceptorowym). Swoiste procesy apoptotyczne, tj. śmierć komórkowa wzbudzona aktywacją (AICD) i śmierć z zaniechania (NID) są odmianami odpowiednio: szlaku zewnątrz- i wewnątrzpochodnego. Obydwa wydają się pełnić kluczową rolę w apoptozie uczulonych antygenowo komórek T w fazie kontrakcji odczynu zapalnego. Limfocyty pęcherzykowe (AL) są prawie wyłącznie efektorowymi komórkami T, uczestniczącymi w patofizjologii śródmiąższowych chorób płuc (ILD). Liczba AL w dolnych drogach oddechowych zależy od rekrutacji do płuc, proliferacji i miejscowej apoptozy. Zgodnie z piśmiennictwem należy zaznaczyć, że AL zwykle nie proliferują w pęcherzykach płucnych, częstość ich apoptozy wynosi około 1% komórek u osób zdrowych i jest ono znamiennie obniżone w chorobach z limfocytowym zapaleniem pęcherzyków, jak sarkoidoza i zewnątrzpochodne alergiczne zapalenie pęcherzyków (EAA). Mechanizmy apoptozy AL nie zostały całkowicie wyjaśnione. Prawdopodobnie zasadnicze znaczenie w wygaszaniu odpowiedzi ze strony komórek T, jak w remisji w EAA lub sarkoidozie, pełni jednak proces NID, podczas gdy mechanizm AICD ma znaczenie pomocnicze i/lub modulujące. Wypada podkreślić, że wiele chorób grupy ILD ma charakter przewlekły bez remisji lub poprawy klinicznej i opisanie ich w kategoriach ekspansji/kontrakcji odpowiedzi immunologicznej napotyka na trudności.
La plateforme référentielle
Authors: Demullier Bérénice , Straub Dominique , Massoubre Catherine
Published: March 2014

En application de la loi du 17 Juin 1998, les dispositifs de soins ambulatoires aux Auteurs d’Infraction à Caractère Sexuel (AICS) s’affinent. Ils s’appuient sur le cadre légal de l’injonction de soins et confie au médecin coordonnateur la mission d’évaluer la qualité du travail thérapeutique réalisé par le patient probationnaire. En Rhône-Alpes, les plateformes référentielles (PFR) ont été créées au sein de CMP volontaires à la suite du plan de prévention de la récidive de 2009. En lien avec le CRIAVS (Centre Ressource pour les Intervenants auprès des Auteurs de Violence Sexuelle), elles répondent à quatre missions : accueillir, évaluer, orienter et éventuellement soigner. L’expérience de la PFR roannaise aborde la question de l’aspect qualitatif des soins et de l’évaluation du risque de récidive, sans réduire la personne aux actes qu’elle a commis.
Sex-specific triacylglycerides are widely conserved in Drosophila and mediate mating behavior
Authors: Chin Jacqueline SR , Ellis Shane R , Pham Huong T , Blanksby Stephen J , Mori Kenji , Koh Qi Ling , Etges William J , Yew Joanne Y
Published: March 2014

Pheromones play an important role in the behavior, ecology, and evolution of many organisms. The structure of many insect pheromones typically consists of a hydrocarbon backbone, occasionally modified with various functional oxygen groups. Here we show that sex-specific triacylclyerides (TAGs) are broadly conserved across the subgenus Drosophila in 11 species and represent a novel class of pheromones that has been largely overlooked. In desert-adapted drosophilids, 13 different TAGs are secreted exclusively by males from the ejaculatory bulb, transferred to females during mating, and function synergistically to inhibit courtship from other males. Sex-specific TAGs are comprised of at least one short branched tiglic acid and a long linear fatty acyl component, an unusual structural motif that has not been reported before in other natural products. The diversification of chemical cues used by desert-adapted Drosophila as pheromones may be related to their specialized diet of fermenting cacti.
ERK8 is a negative regulator of O-GalNAc glycosylation and cell migration
Authors: Chia Joanne , Tham Keit Min , Gill David James , Bard-Chapeau Emilie Anne , Bard Frederic A
Published: March 2014

ER O-glycosylation can be induced through relocalisation GalNAc-Transferases from the Golgi. This process markedly stimulates cell migration and is constitutively activated in more than 60% of breast carcinomas. How this activation is achieved remains unclear. Here, we screened 948 signalling genes using RNAi and imaging. We identified 12 negative regulators of O-glycosylation that all control GalNAc-T sub-cellular localisation. ERK8, an atypical MAPK with high basal kinase activity, is a strong hit and is partially localised at the Golgi. Its inhibition induces the relocation of GalNAc-Ts, but not of KDEL receptors, revealing the existence of two separate COPI-dependent pathways. ERK8 down-regulation, in turn, activates cell motility. In human breast and lung carcinomas, ERK8 expression is reduced while ER O-glycosylation initiation is hyperactivated. In sum, ERK8 appears as a constitutive brake on GalNAc-T relocalisation, and the loss of its expression could drive cancer aggressivity through increased cell motility.
Fabrication of DC inorganic electroluminescent thin-film devices with novel n–p–n type structure
Authors: Ishimura Takuyoshi , Matsumoto Hironaga
Published: March 2014

Inorganic electroluminescent (iEL) thin films are used in light-emitting devices and are functional under alternating current conditions only. Stable luminescent light has yet to be obtained under direct current conditions. We postulated that thin-film iEL light emission occurs when an injected electron occupies the excited state of a luminescent center and then recombines radiatively. From this perspective, we fabricated a novel stacked n–p–n type thin-film iEL device composed of indium tin oxide (ITO)–ZnO–CuAlO2–ZnS–ZnS:TbF3–Al thin films and obtained stable luminescence using a low-voltage DC power supply. The overall luminescent color of the device depended on only the dopant in the luminescent layer, not the band gap or thin-film material.
Minimum gate trigger current degradation in 4.5 kV 4H-SiC commutated gate turn-off thyristor
Authors: Nakayama Koji , Tanaka Atsushi , Ogata Shuji , Izumi Toru , Hayashi Toshihiko , Asano Katsunori
Published: March 2014

The increment in minimum gate trigger current in a 4H-SiC commutated gate turn-off thyristor after the current stress test is investigated. The recombination at the intersection line of the Shockley-type stacking faults and the pn junction causes a reduction in the level of carrier injection from the anode to the gate. The current gain of the top pnp bipolar junction transistor, therefore, decreases, and the minimum gate trigger current increases. The minimum gate trigger current after the current stress test does not return to that before the current stress test at 200 °C, although the on-state voltage of the degraded thyristor returns to that of the original one when the temperature is increased to more than 150 °C. The Shockley-type stacking faults, which are parallel to the current flow from the anode to the gate and cause the increment in minimum gate trigger current, exist even if the temperature increases.
High-sensitivity fiber-optic refractive index sensor based on multimode interference using small-core single-mode fiber for biosensing
Authors: Fukano Hideki , Aiga Tomohiro , Taue Shuji
Published: March 2014

A fiber-optic refractive index (RI) sensor using multimode interference (MMI) composed of an unclad multimode fiber (MMF) sandwiched by small-core single-mode fibers (SMFs) has been proposed and demonstrated. The small-core SMF at the input port enhances the diffraction of the light outputted to the MMF, and that at the output port provides a steep coupling characteristic of interfered light at the end of the MMF, resulting in the generation of a sharp signal. This leads to high sensitivity to small RI changes. A very high sensitivity of less than 6 × 10−6 at an RI of more than 1.35 has been realized.
Reliability study of thermal cycling stress on smart power devices
Authors: Zhang Ming , Yoshihisa Yasuki , Furuya Keiichi , Imai Yukari , Hatasako Kenichi , Ipposhi Takashi , Maegawa Shigeto
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we describe a smart power device degradation behavior under thermal cycling stress. An innovative test structure was developed, which faithfully reflects a stress state caused by the smart power device during operation. From our experiment, the device degraded after millions of fast thermal cycling pulses. We discovered that via destruction was the cause of the device degradation. For the duration of thermal cycling stress, the via resistance increased gradually, and finally increased rapidly at the point of millions of cycles. A failure via was observed, which was broken into two parts. Therefore, the via disconnection was considered to be due to thermo-mechanical stress or electro-migration. Some experiments were conducted, and we demonstrated that the via destruction dominated to the thermo-mechanical stress introduced by the thermal cycling stress.
P-Channel versus N-Channel in MOS-ICs of Submicron Channel Lengths
Authors: Dang Luong Mo , Iwai Hiroshi , Nishi Yoshio , Taguchi Shinji
Published: March 2014

Measurements of saturated currents made on numerous MOSFETs of decreasing channel lengths, show that their “conducting capability” is dropping sharply due to the effect of carrier velocity saturation and that this tendency is sharper in n-channel devices than in p-channel ones. The tendency is adequately explained using a previously reported one-dimensional model with some refinements. Simulation for the propagation delay time of ring oscillators show that the continuing drop in conducting capability of short channel devices, will eventually lead to a situation where the NMOS and the PMOS will not be distinguishable with each other in terms of speed.
(Invited) Is SOS Ready for VLSI?
Authors: Borel J.
Published: March 2014

Very large scale integration requires technologies with specific characteristics such as the ability to scale down device geometries (to micron size dimensions), a very low power dissipation per gate and high yields. Deep depletion CMOS/SOS technology has ideal characteristics in this respect and takes advantage of an extra parameter for optimization: the monosilicon layer thickness. Detailed characterization of deep depletion CMOS/SOS devices shows low threshold variations, acceptable mobility values and very low leakage currents with I(V) characteristics showing good saturation properties. Moreover the figure of merit of such a technology is typically below 1 pJ giving subnanosecond switching time for very low power consumption per gate and then a reasonable total power consumption per chip.
High Speed C-MOS IC Using Buried SiO2 Layers Formed by Ion Implantation
Authors: Izumi Katsutoshi , Doken Masanobu , Ariyoshi Hisashi
Published: March 2014

Buried SiO2 layers were formed by oxygen-ion(16O+) implantation into silicon. The impurity distribution of the oxygen-implanted silicon substrate was analyzed by Auger spectroscopy. The properties of the buried SiO2 layers were investigated by infrared spectra, C-V characteristics, dielectric strength, dielectric constants, and refractive indices. The epitaxially-grown silicon layer on the buried SiO2 layer showed a good
monocrystalline state.
MOS devices were fabricated using the epitaxial silicon layer, and the field effect mobilities of holes and electrons were 240 and 610 cm2/V· s, respectively, for 5 V gate bias. 21-stage C-MOS ring oscillators with effective channel length of 3.1 µm were fabricated. The propagation delay time and the dissipation power were 0.83 ns/stage and 0.33 mW/stage, respectively, for 5 V operation of the oscillators.
Yield Modeling of Bipolar Integrated Circuits
Authors: Murrmann Helmuth , Kranzer Ditmar
Published: March 2014

The equation correlating yield, chip-size and defect density is reanalysed with respect to its applicability in a production environment. This implies that most of the information necessary for a statistical evaluation is derived from electrical measurements at wafer probe stations in order to obtain the required amount of data. The advantages of test structures and the importance of some layout parameters are emphasized. The procedure discussed is applied to modern bipolar technology. Two IC's (memory, random logic) are used to demonstrate the influence of certain defects on the total yield.
A High Speed Schottky 4 k-Bit PROM Using Diffused Eutectic Aluminum Process (Deap)
Authors: Fukushima Toshitaka , Ueno Kouji , Tanaka Kazuo
Published: March 2014

To achieve higher packing density for larger integration, various undesirable parasitic effects which degrade performance of each element must be primarily taken into account. This paper will describe a high speed 4096 bit bipolar shorted-junction type Schottky TTL PROM fabricated by the use of passive isolation techniques named “Shallow V Groove” (SVG) and “Isolation by Oxide and Polysilicon” (IOP). These two techniques have suppressed the undesirable parasitic effects and accomplished drastic improvement especially in both of cell size and speed by the factor of 1/2 and 2, respectively, as compared to those of our current gold doped device.
A Single-Chip Speech Synthesizer for the PARCOR CODEC
Authors: Miyahara Norio , Yamada Shin-ichiro , Yamane Michihiro , Saito Kazuyuki , Arai Eisuke , Sunazawa Manabu
Published: March 2014

A speech synthesizer for PARCOR CODEC, using 2 µm E/D n-MOS microfabrication technology, is developed. The synthesis operation is executed through a multistage lattice filter which is organized by RAM, adder/substracter, and multiplier. The number of the filter stage can be altered to either 8 or 10 by an external signal, according to the demanded quality. The synthesis operation is fully controlled by the program stored in the ROM. Input signals of the synthesizer are the sound source parameter and PARCOR coefficients, and have a fixed point 2's complement format. Internal data bit length is 16 bits. The parallel multiplier used in the synthesizer achieves high speed operation and integration density using modified Booth's algorithm and cellular array formation. The measured maximum clock frequency and power dissipation of the synthesizer are 5 MHz and 450 mW, respectively.
Adaptive Wafer Scale Integration
Authors: Hsia Yukun , Chang Gareth C. C. , Erwin F. Dennis
Published: March 2014

Based on an in-situ electrical alterable nonvolatile semiconductor memory, the MNOS transistor, an adaptive interconnect is developed to implement wafer-scale integration. Experimental validation of the interconnect is reported. The interconnect concept is further extended to the design of semiconductor mass memory and the design of an adaptive voter to implement fault tolerant systems.
A 3000-Gate CMOS Masterslice LSI
Authors: Ashida Mitsumasa , Hoshikawa Ryusuke , Matsumura Nobutake , Ishii Jun-ichi , Ichikawa Hiroaki , Sugiura Yoshihide , Inayosh Katsuyuki
Published: March 2014

A new CMOS masterslice LSI has been developed. This LSI adopts silicon gate CMOS of 3.6 µm gate length and double layer metal interconnection process. It can take up to 3000 effective gates without any special cooling requirement. The average propagation delay time is 7 ns/gate and the power dissipation of an LSI is 50 mW at 10 MHz operation. By suitable DA support, it becomes possible to develop LSI's in quick turnaround time avoiding design changes or errors.
Analysis and Design of the Taper Isolated Dynamic RAM Threshold Transistor for VLSI dRMs
Authors: Chatterjee P. K. , Taylor G. W. , Leiss J. E.
Published: March 2014

A single buried channel nMOS transistor is shown to provide two dynamically programmable threshold voltages by spatially confining a hole packet at the Si/SiO2 interface, to provide a ROM like memory cell called the Taper Isolated dRAM. This cell is 3x smaller than a standard capacitor cell, has 10x less leakage at high temperature and potentially has a 2–3x speed advantage in a large array, and a 100x better immunity to alpha particle induced soft errors.
Effects of High Temperature Hydrogen Annealing on n-Channel Si-Gate MNOS Devices
Authors: Yatsuda Yuji , Minami Shin-ichi , Kondo Ryuji , Hagiwara Takaaki , Itoh Yokichi
Published: March 2014

High temperature hydrogen annealing, rather than high temperature nitrogen annealing, is adopted as an essential technology for fabrication of n-channel silicon-gate MNOS memory devices offering excellent charge retention characteristics. Retention is greatly influenced by the annealing ambient and temperature after nitride deposition. In case of annealing in nitrogen or oxygen, higher temperatures cause a large amount of retention degradation, while in hydrogen, they do not degrade but improve retention.
The high temperature hydrogen annealing decreases both Si–SiO2 interface state density and the Si3N4 conductivity. The interface state density greatly influences charge decay due to direct tunneling when the devices are tested at room temperature. The conductivity is influential at elevated temperatures.
Long retentivity is evaluated and the results confirm a ten year nonvolatility at 125°C.
N-Channel High Speed Nonvolatile Static RAM Utilizing MNOS Capasitors
Authors: Saito Shozo , Uchida Yukimasa , Endo Norio
Published: March 2014

An improved n-channel nonvolatile static RAM is proposed by introducing a new memory cell which consists of a pair of MNOS capacitors and a 6-transistor MOS flipflop circuit. The RAM can be operated as a high speed static memory under a stable power supply, and as a nonvolatile memory by externally applying erasing/writing signals to a common MNOS gate signal line. Self-generation of inhibiting voltage by bootstrapping effect of MNOS capacitors enables this memory to operate with a single power supply of 5 V. Fully decoded 16-bit experimental devices are fabricated and evaluated. This technology shows the possibility to realize a high packing density memory of 4 K-bit or beyond with the access time of less than 100 ns using 3 µm design rule.
Static Induction Transistor Memory
Authors: Nishizawa Jun-ichi , Tamamushi Takashige , Ohmi Tadahiro , Nonaka Terumoto , Mochida Yasunori
Published: March 2014

Vertically configured dynamic SIT memory seems to exhibit high speed and low power operation with high packing density. Basic operations of SIT memory is demonstrated by using a single cell sample and a 36 bit cell array sample particularly on the measurements of the retention characteristic with temperature variations and the speed performance. In SIT memory, the voltage source is not supplied to the storage capacitor, so that there can exist two operational modes, i.e., majority carrier accumulation mode and the depletion mode. The depletion mode is found to be superior to the accumulation mode in the memory retention characteristics.
These two modes of SIT memory operations are compared with the conventional dynamic MOS RAM operations.
Bipolar Mode Static Induction Transistor
Authors: Nishizawa Jun-ichi , Ohmi Tadahiro , Mochida Yasunori , Matsuyama Takeshi
Published: March 2014

Junction gate static induction transistor (JSIT) is designed as normally-off device, where the channel is completely pinched-off by the gate to channel built-in voltage, thus establishing a potential barrier in the channel. An application of forward gate bias voltage lowers the potential barrier and allows the drain current to flow. This normally-off JSIT is called bipolar mode SIT (BSIT). Basic characteristics of BSIT is similar to that of bipolar transistor. BSIT is characterized by low impedance, high current gain, high transconductance and high current density, so that BSIT is promising for high current, high speed and high efficiency switching devices as well as low voltage and low energy integrated circuits.
Basic operational principle of BSIT is described by feedback theory with a consideration to the virtual base resistance.
A New Majority Carrier Diode–The Camel Diode
Authors: Shannon J. M.
Published: March 2014

A majority carrier diode is described in which current flow is controlled by a potential hump in the bulk of a semiconductor. In order to make a diode of good quality on an n-type substrate a highly doped p+ region is used to form a potential barrier between a degenerate n-type region and the substrate.
Silicon diodes with ideality factors <2 have been made using ion implantation at low energies. The current voltage characteristics of these diodes and their switching behaviour were found to be consistent with majority carrier transport over a potential barrier.