bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of substance P and somatostatin receptors in cutaneous lymphocytic inflammatory and tumoral infiltrates
Authors: Misery L , Bourchanny D , Kanitakis J , Schmitt D , Claudy A
Published: July 2002

Background

The expression of receptors for neuropeptides in the skin is modified in skin diseases.

Objective

We studied the cutaneous expression of substance P (SP) and somatostatin (SOM) receptors (SPR and SSTR, respectively) in skin affected by cutaneous inflammatory or tumoral T‐cell infiltrates because these two neuropeptides are the ones most involved in inflammation.

Methods

We revealed expression of these receptors using a binding in situ technique that gave highly specific results. Skin biopsies were incubated with biotinylated neuropeptides (SP or SOM).

Results

In normal skin, SSTR were observed on blood vessels, smooth muscle fibres and sweat glands. SSTR expression was modified only when expressed by keratinocytes in Ofuji papuloerythroderma and by plasmocytes in plasmocytoma. SPR distribution was not modified in subjects with atopic dermatitis or lupus. The expression of SPR in the epidermis was diminished in Ofuji papuloerythroderma and parapsoriasis and absent in mycosis fungoides.

Conclusions

These results suggest that malignant lymphocytic infiltrates can inhibit SPR expression on keratinocytes.
Pyoderma gangrenosum associated with sclerosing cholangitis, type 1 diabetes mellitus and ulcerative colitis
Authors: Goreti Catorze M , Pereira F , Fonseca F , Morbey A , Assis Pacheco F
Published: July 2002

We describe the case of a 22‐year‐old black female with type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosed when she was 12 years old. She first presented (March 1994) with pustules and ulcerations on the upper and lower limbs, trunk and scalp at the age 17. The diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum was made. Since presentation, changes in liver function were detected and subsequent study led to the diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis. The diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was made after colonoscopy. Partial response was obtained with minocycline and clofazimine, but treatment with 5‐aminosalicylic acid achieved no improvement of the ulcerations. Liver transplantation, followed by immunosuppressive therapy led to complete regression of the cutaneous lesions.
Optimal temporal frequencies in oscillatory movement hyperacuity measurements of visual function in cataract patients
Authors: Hurst Mark , Watkins Russell , Buckingham Terry
Published: July 2002

Hyperacuity tasks have been suggested for the assessment of potential visual function in the presence of cataracts. To test this suggestion, hyperacuity thresholds for an oscillating bar were measured in 30 subjects with idiopathic cataract and in 24 age‐matched normals over a range of oscillation frequencies. Each subject's cataract was categorized using the Oxford Clinical Cataract Classification and Grading System. Cataract was found to have a significant effect on thresholds, although a differential morphological effect on thresholds was equivocal. Thresholds at higher temporal frequencies were significantly raised when compared to the normal group. The main conclusion to be drawn from this study is that motion hyperacuity thresholds appear unaffected by cataract at low oscillation frequencies and should be used in preference to higher frequencies in the assessment of such patients.
Factors affecting the clinical testing of accommodative facility
Authors: Kȩdzia Bolesław , Pieczyrak Danuta , Tondel Grażyna , Maples Willis C.
Published: July 2002

A number of variables in the accommodation flipper test are thought to contaminate the results: the time for naming symbols; the manual facility to actually operate the flippers; the minification or magnification of symbol target size by the lenses; saccadic eye movements; and the relationship between the accommodation stimulus and its response. With the exception of the last variable, all undesirable factors have been eliminated in a newly developed modified method of accommodation facility measurement. In this method, double measurement through plano and ±2.00 D lenses, is executed. The average time in seconds per one cycle, taking only the accommodation into account for a group of 43 children (age from 7 years 11 months to 9 years 11 months), is 3.7 monocularly and 8.5 binocularly and the average number of cycles per minute in this group is 32.1 and 33.8 monocularly (for the dominant and nondominant eye, respectively) and 22.6 binocularly. These results in sec/cycle do not differ considerablyfrom results received by other authors, if one considers the time necessary for naming the digits, mechanically changing the lenses, saccadic eye movements etc., and even those results given in cycles/minute do not differ either taking the wide ranges of standard deviations into account. However, the method reported here reflects accommodation facility more precisely. Measurements were performed also with the hand held flipper. Comparison of results summarised above and those obtained with a hand held flipper demonstrates that the hand held flipper is not a good device to measure accommodative facility.
COMPARISON BETWEEN A QUANTITATIVE CLINICAL SCALE AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Authors: Capone L. , Gentile R. , Schoenhuber R.
Published: July 2002

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most frequent cause of pain and paresthesias in the upper extremities. Neurophysiological studies allow to confirm diagnosis based on clinical evaluation.

Aim of the study: to investigate if the score of the Simovic and Weinberg Clinical Scale (SWCS) for CTS correlates to the neurophysiological severity assessment proposed by Padua.

Material and methods: 65 consecutive patients with suspected CTS were examinated. 54 were females (mean age, 54.5; range, 23–83). Body mass index (BMI), wrist circumference, and symptoms duration were also calculated for each patient. The SWCS was administered to all patients before neurophysiological evaluation. The scale consists of 11 items (8 anamnestic and 3 clinical), which have a different impact on the total score (maximum 30/30). Diagnosis of CTS using SWCS can be probable (9–30/30), possible (7–8/30), or unlikely (1–6/30). CTS were classified using neurophysiological criteria according to Padua into six severity groups (from negative to extreme).

Results: CTS severity according to Padua's criteria was related to higher scores in SWCS. No correlation was found comparing BMI and symptoms duration with clinical and neurophysiological severity. Wrist circumference was also not significant. There was no diagnosis of unlikely‐CTS at SWCS, but on the contrary 15 patients with probable CTS had no pathological findings at electrophysiological evaluation.

Comment: Clinical severity assessed using SWCS correlates with neurophysiological severity. Irritative symptoms are easily recognized by the SWCS, even if there is no neurophysiological correlate. The use of a sensitive scale as SWCS allows to avoid useless neurophysiological studies if the diagnosis of CTS is unlikely.
A CASE CONTROL STUDY OF ANTI‐GANGLIOSIDE AND ANTI‐CAMPYLOBACTER JEJUNI ANTIBODIES IN GBS: CORRELATION WITH ANTECEDENT EVENTS AND WITH CLINICAL FEATURES
Authors: Carpo M. , Bersano A. , Citterio A. , Allaria S. , Cosi V. , Nappi G. , Scarlato G. , Nobile‐Orazio E. , The West Lombardia Gbs study group
Published: July 2002

Anti‐ganglioside antibodies have been reported frequently in Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS), where they were often associated with an antecedent Campylobacter Jejuni (CJ) infection. To determine whether this association is also present in an Italian population we implemented a case‐control study of GBS patients in Western Lombardia from 1996 to 1998. We collected sera from 47 GBS patients in the acute phase (39 of whom were redrawn after three weeks), 43 neurological controls (NC), and 41 non‐neurological controls (NNC). Sera were tested by ELISA for IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies to GM1, GD1a, GD1b, GM2, GQ1b, and to CJ. None of the anti‐ganglioside antibodies tested was significantly more frequent in GBS patients during the acute phase of the disease than in NC or NNC. All anti‐ganglioside antibodies tested were more frequent during recovery than in the acute phase, even if the difference was significant only for anti‐GQ1b IgG and IgM antibodies. The frequency of anti‐GQ1b IgG was also significantly higher in convalescent GBS than in NC and NNC sera. There was no correlation between the presence of anti‐ganglioside IgM antibodies in acute sera and IgG antibodies in convalescent sera. Anti‐CJ IgG antibodies were only found in two acute GBS patients and in one NC. Both CJ‐positive GBS patients had an antecedent diarrhea and one also had high anti‐GM1 IgG. An antecedent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) but not diarrhea was significantly more frequent in GBS than in NC/NNC. URTI in GBS patients was not associated with a higher frequency of anti‐ganglioside antibodies than in NC/NNC. In conclusion, in this study anti‐ganglioside antibodies were not associated with GBS in the acute phase, but tended to increase during the course of the disease possibly suggesting a secondary immune response. This finding might reflect the low frequency of diarrhea and CJ infection in our GBS population, supporting the hypothesis of a regional variability in the etiopathogenetic mechanism of GBS.
CRYOGLOBULINEMIC NEUROPATHY: A CLINICAL STUDY OF 25 CASES
Authors: Ferraris A. , Marbini A. , Giuberti T. , Garini G. , Allegri I. , Gemignani F.
Published: July 2002

Cryoglobulinemic neuropathy is probably the commonest form of vasculitic neuropathy, at least in Southern Europe. We studied 25 patients (19 females, 6 males) with symptomatic cryoglobulinemic neuropathy (HCV‐related in all patients but 4) clinically evident, and confirmed by neurophysiological study. Cryoglobulin was type 2 in 17 cases, type 3 in 4 cases, and not characterized in 4 cases. Neuropathy was more often in form of asymmetrical (mainly) sensory polyneuropathy (11 cases); other forms included symmetrical sensory polyneuropathy (8 cases), sensorimotor polyneuropathy (2 cases), and mononeuropathy multplex (4 cases). Neuropathy was often the presenting manifestation of the disease (16 cases), usually in association with purpura (9 cases). Purpura was the commonest non‐neurological manifestation (21 cases), and was especially severe in frequency and intensity in 11 cases. Purpura of relevant entity tended to be associated with more severe features of neuropathy, on clinical and neurophysiological grounds, and worsening course. Severe purpura was more often associated with asymmetrical neuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex. Hepatic involvement, relevant in 7 cases and mild in 11 cases, did not correlate with the severity of neuropathic manifestations.

Peripheral nerve involvement in mixed cryoglobulinemia has heterogeneous features, but factors conditioning its expression are poorly known. Our study suggests that the severity of neuropathy is correlated with purpura thus the pathogenic mechanisms of cutaneous and neurological manifestations may be interconnected.
ELECTRONEUROGRAPHY IN GUILLAIN‐BARRE, SYNDROME (GBS): SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY
Authors: Iuliano G. , Mauro A. , Esposito A.
Published: July 2002

We assessed clinical sensitivity and specificity of different electroneurographic (ENG) parameters versus clinical diagnosis of GBS.

Clinical data of 24 patients affected by upper and lower limb neuropathy were revised. In all the patients the neurophysiologic examination was performed according to the AAEM guidelines for GBS diagnosis. Fourteen patients (10 males, mean age 47.9, range 13‐70, and 4 females 71.5, 69–76) received a diagnosis of GBS. The non‐GBS group included nine males (59.11, 35–78) and one female (41 years) with different neuropathies (3 diabetic, 2 alcoholic, 5 unknown ethiology). Sensitivity and specificity of various neurophysiologic parameters were calculated.

The single classical neurophysiological paremeters gave variable values of sensitivity and specificity. The new variables we introduced, Polineuropathy (diffusion of abnormal findings and F ‐ Wave latency) and Demyelination (distal motor evoked potential amplitude and/or motor conduction blocks) gave the highest value of sensitivity and specificity, when associated.
CIDP: DESCRIPTION OF FOUR PARTICULAR CASES
Authors: Manganelli F. , De Joanna G. , Bruno R. , Santoro L.
Published: July 2002

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polineuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired polineuropathy, clinically heterogeneous, and is associated with demyelination of spinal roots and peripheral nerves with a monophasic, progressive or relapsing course.

We describe four patients affected by CIDP with different clinical pictures.

The first patient, a 54‐year‐old man, complained of a 10 year paresthesia, with a slight wasting and weakening of the right leg, where he showed the absence of deep tendon reflexes and a reduction of the vibration sense.

The second patient, a 21‐year‐old woman, had distal paresthesia and mild weakness restricted to the left hand. Deep tendon reflexes were reduced and vibration sense was normal.

The third patient, a 41‐year‐old man, with a 5 year history of muscle cramps more frequent in the upper limbs, showed mild weakness of the right forearm, absence of distal deep tendon reflexes, and a reduction of vibration sense in the lower limbs.

The last patient, a 20‐year‐old man, showed a marked increase of CPK level, a severe and progressive proximal and distal hypotrophy in the upper and lower limbs, and respiratory distress. Deep tendon reflexes were absent.

Nerve conduction studies showed a reduction of sensory and motor velocity, which was not homogeneous among the patients and among the explored nerves of each patients. Proximal motor conduction blocks were present only in three cases. CSF parameters were normal and antibodies anti nerve were absent in all patients.

The first three patients were treated with IVIg with a clear clinical and electrophysiological improvement, the last patient showed a moderate improvement, only after cyclosporin A treatment.

These four cases confirm that CIDP is clinically heterogeneous with a variable spectrum of symptoms and severity, from a minimal clinical evidence to a severe clinical picture as in our fourth patient.
EXPRESSION OF TENASCIN‐C IN THE SURAL NERVE OF PATIENTS WITH INHERITED DEMYELINATING NEUROPATHIES
Authors: Massa R. , Palumbo C. , Bernardi G. , Modesti A.
Published: July 2002

Tenascin‐C (TN‐C) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein synthesized by glial cells that is involved in neuron–glia interactions. During development of peripheral nerve (PN), TN‐C is abundantly expressed by myelinating Schwann cells, while in the adult its synthesis is down‐regulated and its localization restricted to the node of Ranvier in myelinated nerve fibers.

Interestingly, TN‐C expression is up‐regulated in the PN of some animal models of inherited human demyelinating neuropathies. Moreover, in TN‐C‐deficient mice, important morphological alterations of PN have been demonstrated.

We have therefore studied the expression of TN‐C in sural nerve biopsies of patients with inherited demyelinating neuropathies such as CMT1 and HNPP, using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods. At variance with control nerves, where TN‐C immunoreactivity was localized only in the perineurium and at the node of Ranvier, in all pathological nerves TN‐C was present also in a variable number of Schwann cells and myelin sheaths, sometimes marking whole myelin internodes.

These data suggest that TN‐C expression by Schwann cells in human pathologic nerves may be a marker of active demyelination and/or remyelination. These events may be modulated by TN‐C by mediating adhesive interactions between axons and Schwann cells, in a way similar to that observed in the developmental stage.
DYSAUTONOMIA IN CRYOGLOBULINEMIC AND ALCOHOLIC NEUROPATHIES
Authors: Ammendola A. , Ambrosone L. , Ciccone G. , Argenzio F. , Cantore R. , Iannaccone S. , Ugolini G. , Di Iorio G. , Migliaresi S. , Bravaccio F.
Published: July 2002

Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) can evaluate the activity of both sensory afferent and sudomotor sympathetic efferent fibres in peripheral neuropathy (PN). This electrophysiological test was performed in two groups of patients: one with HCV‐related mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) and the other with chronic alcoholism (CA). Thirty consecutive HCV‐related MC patients, 25 female and 5 male, aged 35–74 years and thirty‐three consecutive CA patients, 8 female and 25 male, aged 24–69 years were studied. In all cases, neurological exam, peroneal, sural and ulnar nerve conduction velocity, standardised test battery for autonomic disorder (defined according to Bellavere, 1990) and SSR (recorded with electrodes attached to the palm and sole and considered abnormal if no response was recorded) were performed.

PN was found in 27 MC patients (90%) and in 23 CA patients (69.6%). Autonomic dysfunction, shown by cardiovascular tests, was found in 3 MC patients, all with PN and in 6 CA subjects, all but one with PN. SSR resulted absent in 12 MC patients (40%): three of them with and 9 without dysautonomia; SSR was also absent in 9 CA patients (27.2%) (1 with and 8 without dysautonomia).

In MC and CA patients, autonomic dysfunction frequency increases when SSR is studied together with standard cardiovascular tests. SSR provides further information about sympathetic autonomic system activity and therefore it is advisable to add this investigation to tests usually utilized in functional evaluation of autonomic nervous system.
INTRAMYELINIC EDEMA: AN ELEMENTARY PATHOLOGICAL LESION IN CIDP
Authors: Madia F. , Sabatelli M. , Quaranta L. , Lippi G. , Conte A. , Tonali P.
Published: July 2002

Pathological abnormalities of sural nerve biopsies from patients affected by chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) include segmental demyelination, inflammatory infiltrates, axonal degeneration, subperineurial edema and Schwann cell proliferation.

There are few reports in the literature (Waddy '89, Sabatelli '96) describing edema of the myelin sheath as an additional pathological feature of CIDP. This peculiar abnormality is a prominent finding in several experimental toxic and compression neuropathies. In 1993 Tatum described Intramyelinic Edema in experimental allergic neuritis induced by systemic passive transfer of human IgM anti‐myelin‐associated glycoprotein, and suggested that this change may play a role in the pathogenesis of demyelination.

In order to establish whether intramyelinic edema may represent an elementary pathological lesion in human peripheral neuropathies, we reviewed morphological data of sural nerve biopsies from 46 CIDP patients admitted to our Institute from 1988 to 2001 and we compared them with findings from patients affected by other neuropathies.

IE was observed in 6 patients with CIDP, but in none of the 500 patients affected by neuropathies of different etiology. In two out of the six patients the neuropathy was associated with IgM‐paraprotein, without anti‐MAG activity. IE was a prominent feature in only one patient while in the remaining patients it was confined to sporadic fibers. In one patient with a mild form of CIDP, IE was the only pathological finding. In the remaining patients it was associated with segmental demyelination and axonal loss.

Our findings show that although IE is observed in only a minority of CIDP patients (13% of our series), this pathological finding may be considered a specific abnormality of inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies. We suggest that axonal shrinkage, which is invariably associated with IE, may represent a mechanism of loss of function in CIDP, in addition to segmental demyelination and axonal loss.
EXPRESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR NF‐KB IN PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHIES OF DIFFERENT ORIGIN
Authors: Mazzeo A. , Laurà M. , Aguennouz M. , Vita G.
Published: July 2002

Background: Nuclear Factor‐kB (NF‐kB) is a transcription factor expressed ubiquitously, that plays an important role in immune and inflammatory responses by regulating the expression of different genes. Furthermore many studies have shown its involvement in the apoptosis of neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of this factor in inflammatory demyelinating and axonal neuropathies as well as in non‐inflammatory neuropathies. Materials and Methods: We studied the expression of NF‐kB by immunocytochemistry and Western Blot of nuclear extract proteins in sural nerve biopsies of 11 patients with peripheral neuropathies of different origin: 3 with CIDP, 2 with chronic axonal inflammatory neuropathy, 2 with vasculitis, 2 with CMT1 and 2 with CMT2. Three normal nerves served as controls. Immunohistochemistry for macrophages, B, CD4 and CD8 cell subsets was also performed. Results: NF‐kB expression was found in some endoneurial vessel walls, many cell nuclei and in the outermost layer of myelin sheath of some nerve fibers in inflammatory axonal and demyelinating neuropathies. Few positive cells were found in hereditary neuropathies whereas no immunoreactivity was detected in normal controls. Western blot analysis confirmed such findings. Conclusion: Our findings underline the role of NF‐kB in the immune response of inflammatory neuropathies. NF‐kB reactivity in hereditary neuropathies may be related to the apoptotic mechanism.
DIPHTHERITIC NEUROPATHY: A CASE REPORT
Authors: Monti F. , Zambito Marsala S. , Capus L. , Mascioli M.
Published: July 2002

We describe the case of an Italian 51‐year‐old woman who developed a particular descending paralysis after severe pharyngeal infection. When she was taking a holiday in Madagascar she suffered a severe pharyngeal infection with pseudomembranes, neck oedema that lasted almost one month despite antibiotics treatment. One month after the infection, she developed a left lower cranial paralysis causing palatal and pharyngeal weakness, blurring of vision as a result of paralysis of accommodation. A severe descending paralysis followed consisting of weakness of limbs and paresthesia of extremities. EMG showed prolonged distal motor latencies, absence of F wave in the median nerve, and normal value of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities.

Since the primary pathologic change is segmental demyelination, slowing of sensory and motor conduction velocity is a common electrophysiological finding. However, decreased conduction velocity and increased distal motor latency may not be present two weeks after the onset of neurological symptoms, and maximal electrophysiological abnormalities may be found after clinical recovery has began.

We report this particular clinical picture to remind that adults vaccinated in childhood do not continue to have sufficient immunity to protect against diphtheria so diphtheritic neuropathy must be kept in mind because the clinical signs are similar to those seen in the Guillain Barré syndrome and the distinction between the two is sometimes difficult.
PHENOTYPE OF PMP22 TRANSGENIC SCHWANN CELLS IN CULTURE
Authors: Nobbio L. , Vigo T. , Mantero  , Levi G. , Abruzzese M. , Mandich P. , Mancardi G.L. , Schenone A.
Published: July 2002

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) neuropathy is due to a duplication of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. In the sciatic nerves of PMP22 transgenic (PMP22tg) animals, Schwann cells (SC) switch on the myelinating program by producing detectable levels of myelin related proteins (PMP22, P0, MBP), but express also early maturational markers and antigens typical of non‐myelinating SC (p75NGFR).

To further investigate PMP22tg SC behaviour, we established short‐term (five days) SC cultures from P30 normal and PMP22tg rats. Semiquantitative RT‐PCR was used to study PMP22, P0, MBP and p75NGFR mRNA expression, both in basal conditions and after forskolin (FSK) addition to mimic the axonal contact. SC proliferation rate was studied using a colorimetric assay (MTT based). Moreover, a gold particle motility assay was used to evaluate cell motility and shaping. Finally, preliminary experiments on SC migration in presence of IGFI were performed using a Boyden chamber.

Homozygous and heterozygous PMP22tg SC, compared to normal ones, showed higher basal levels of PMP22 (0.82 vs 0.6 vs 0.09), P0 (2.24 vs 1.92 vs 0.53) and p75NGFR (1.33 vs 1.38 vs 0.34) mRNAs. FSK treatment (24 hrs) further increased PMP22 levels in homozygous (1.57 vs 0.82), heterozygous (0.93 vs 0.6) and normal (0.194 vs 0.09) cultures. PMP22tg SC showed a lower proliferation rate than normal ones. In basal conditions no differences were found between PMP22tg and normal SC in terms of cell area and motility, whereas FSK treatment determined, in PMP22tg SC, a significant decrease in cell area and motility. Finally, cell migration in the presence of a chemoattractant molecule did not differ between PMP22tg and normal SC.

Cultured PMP22tg SC, besides maintaining the ability to overexpress PMP22, further increase its expression after FSK treatment. As PMP22tg SC in the presence of FSK also show a decreased motility and area, but migration seems to be identical between normal and transgenic cells, we conclude that axonal contact may increase PMP22 expression at a level that affects SC ability of forming myelin.
RESPONSE TO IVIg TREATMENT IN CANOMAD
Authors: Pareyson D. , Allegri I. , Ciano C. , Scaioli V. , Andreetta F. , Morbin M. , Lauria G. , Sghirlanzoni A.
Published: July 2002

The acronym CANOMAD (Chronic Ataxic Neuropathy, Ophthalmoplegia, IgM paraproteinemia, cold Agglutinin and Disialosyl antibodies) indicates a very rare form of dysimmune neuropathy. We observed a 73‐year‐old male patient who had suffered from diplopia, disequilibrium and paresthesiae for about 8 years. The disease ran a fluctuating course with alternating periods of spontaneous worsening and improvement. On clinical examination, he showed diplopia and strabismus in all gaze directions, ataxia of stance and gait, positive Romberg sign, generalized deep tendon areflexia; distal sensory loss to all modalities was found, and was particularly severe for position and vibration sense. Hematologic work‐up revealed the presence of an IgM‐k monoclonal gammopathy. Nerve conduction studies showed a marked decrease of conduction velocities in motor and sensory nerves; sensory action potentials were greatly reduced, while compound muscle action potentials were only mildly affected. Serum immunologic investigations revealed the presence of high titers of anti‐disialosyl IgM antibodies. Therefore, all the features of CANOMAD but cold agglutinin (reported in 50% of patients) were present. Data on response to treatment in CANOMAD are very scanty. We administered to the patient two courses of high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and he showed dramatic improvement of diplopia, ataxia and paresthesiae, which started during the infusion period and lasted for 1–2 months. Treatment with low dose steroids after the first IVIg course did not prevent progressive worsening, which was reverted by a further IVIg course.
Glucose, Blood Pressure, and Lipid Control in Older People with and without Diabetes Mellitus: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Smith Nicholas L. , Savage Peter J. , Heckbert Susan R. , Barzilay Joshua I. , Bittner Vera A. , Kuller Lewis H. , Psaty Bruce M.
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk‐factor treatment and control in older adults with normal fasting glucose, impaired fasting glucose, and diabetes mellitus and whether those with diabetes mellitus had better risk factor control than older adults with normal fasting glucose.

DESIGN:

Secondary analysis of data from population‐based, prospective cohort study of risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in older people (Cardiovascular Health Study).

SETTING:

Community‐based.

PARTICIPANTS:

Community‐dwelling adults aged 65 and older.

MEASUREMENTS:

Fasting plasma glucose, serum cholesterol and its subfractions, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and body mass index.

RESULTS:

There were 579 (18%) cohort members with diabetes mellitus (77% receiving antidiabetic medication, 23% with fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL and no treatment), 213 (6%) with impaired fasting glucose, and 2,582 (77%) with normal fasting glucose. Of diabetic participants, 12% had recommended fasting glucose levels of less than 110 mg/dL. Of participants with hypertension, a larger proportion of diabetic participants than nondiabetic participants (89% versus 75%, P < .01) was treated with antihypertensive agents, but a smaller proportion of diabetic participants had recommended blood pressure levels of 129/85 mmHg or lower than nondiabetic participants had recommended blood pressure levels of 139/89 mmHg or lower (27% vs 48%, P < .01). Diabetic dyslipidemic participants were treated less often with lipid‐lowering therapy (26% versus 55%, P < .01) and achieved recommended low‐density lipoprotein goals less often (8% versus 54%, P < .01) than nondiabetic dyslipidemic participants.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overall, treatment and control of cardiovascular risk factors were suboptimal in this older population, especially among those with diabetes mellitus. Optimizing risk‐factor control can improve health outcomes in older adults with and without diabetes mellitus. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:416–423, 2002.
Morphological Adaptation of Inflorescences in Plants that Develop at Low Temperatures in Early Spring: The Convergent Evolution of “Downy Plants”
Authors: Tsukaya H. , Tsuge T.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: A new category of plants that exhibit convergent evolution, namely “downy plants”, is described and discussed here on the bais of natural selection. So‐called snowball plants can be represented by Saussurea gossypiphora D. Don (Compositae), which has extremely dense trichomes on well‐developed bracts that are tightly packed around floral buds. Plants whose morphology is similar to that of S. gossypiphora are found at high elevations of alpine zones in the Nepalese Himalayas, where temperatures are low and precipitation is high (frequent rain) in summer. Nonetheless, we noticed that plants with a morphology similar to that of Himalaya snowball plants are commonly distributed from temperature to Arctic zones, and are even found in Alaska where precipitation is very limited. Willows (Salix spp.: Salicaceae) and deciduous magnolias (Magnoliaceae) are typical examples of such plants. Measurements of temperature inside and outside the inflorescences of Salix (pussy willow or catkin) and of Magnolia suggested that the pubescent bracts might play a role in keeping the interior of buds warm, but that the effect depends on light intensity. Our examination of such species led us to extend the concept of “snowball plants” to a larger group of plants, namely “downy plants”, that are characterized by very dense trichomes on tightly packed bracts of inflorescences. Downy plants are thereby considered to represent a convergent adaptation that allows blooming at low temperatures.
pH: Signal and Messenger in Plant Cells
Authors: Felle H. H.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Since water spontaneously ionizes, protons cannot be removed from the medium: their free concentration in cells must be regulated through actively controlling H+‐related transport across membranes, by active and passive buffering, and by setting a certain pH within the metabolic network. Whereas these are the basic tools that provide effective H+ homeostasis, cellular compartmentation serves as an intermediate store into which protons can be shifted temporarily and from which protons can be regained when required. On the other hand, intracellular compartments can also serve as a final proton sink. pH regulation is not confined to intracellular spaces, but also comprises the apoplast. Whereas the pH of the cytosol is kept slightly alkaline at 7.2 to 7.5, with an average buffer capacity of 20 to 80 mM H+ per pH unit, the apoplastic pH may vary among tissues but is always acidic, with values between pH 5 and 6 and with a buffer capacity in the lower millimolar range per pH unit. pH can be a signal and/or a messenger, a distinction not always clearly made. Here, “signal” should be understood as information about an ongoing or preceding process, whereas “messenger” would be the carrying of certain information that will lead to a change of state. As such, pH would signal light intensity changes, drought, lack of oxygen and the presence of symbiotic partners or microbial attackers. On the other hand, pH would be a messenger in situations where pH changes are preconditions for certain processes, e.g., the gravity response or for activation of certain transporters in stomatal movements, and possibly for growth. The function of pH as a cellular messenger raises the question of whether pH should be understood as a “second messenger” in the way this is done for Ca2+. In an effort to give a comprehensive answer to this problem, the different roles of Ca2+ and H+ in cellular signalling are discussed and a number of Ca2+/pH interactions are presented.
Plasmaless cleaning process of silicon surface using chlorine trifluoride
Authors: Saito Yoji , Yamaoka Osamu , Yoshida Akira
Published: July 2002

Plasmaless etching using ClF3 gas around room temperature has been investigated for the silicon substrates with the various thicknesses of native oxide. The native oxide can be removed with ClF3 gas. A specular surface is obtained by ultraviolet light irradiation which remarkably accelerates the removal of the native oxide without changing the etch rate of silicon. The etched surface is analyzed with Auger electron measurement, indicating the existence of Cl atoms on it.
Limited thickness epitaxy in GaAs molecular beam epitaxy near 200 °C
Authors: Eaglesham D. J. , Pfeiffer L. N. , West K. W. , Dykaar D. R.
Published: July 2002

The low-temperature limit to GaAs molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is studied at temperatures from 250 °C to room temperature. Using transmission electron microscopy of layers grown under a variety of conditions we show that, as for Si MBE, there is an epitaxial thickness hepi at which a growing epitaxial layer becomes amorphous. The temperature, growth rate, composition, and defect density all appear to be constant during growth of the epitaxial layer, and (in analogy with Si MBE) we tentatively associate the breakdown of epitaxy at hepi with roughening of the growth surface. We demonstrate that hepi depends strongly on composition, increasing rapidly with Ga/As ratio at fixed temperature. At fixed Ga/As ratio, hepi shows an abrupt increase from <200 to ≳5000 Å at 210 °C. The results have implications for the growth of GaAs/GaAs for high-speed photodetectors, as well as possible applications to GaAs/Si heteroepitaxy.
Breakdown of crystallinity in low-temperature-grown GaAs layers
Authors: Liliental-Weber Zuzanna , Swider W. , Yu K. M. , Kortright J. , Smith F. W. , Calawa A. R.
Published: July 2002

A systematic study of the change in structural quality of as-grown GaAs layers deposited at temperatures between 180 and 210 °C by molecular beam epitaxy was performed using transmission electron microscopy, double-crystal x-ray rocking curves, and particle-induced x-ray emission. We found that the crystal quality was correlated strongly with growth temperature near 200 °C. The lattice parameter and the amount of As incorporated in the layer were observed to increase at lower growth temperatures. After exceeding a certain growth-temperature-dependent layer thickness, large densities of pyramidal-type defects are formed, which at lowest growth temperature result in the breakdown of crystallinity and in columnar polycrystalline growth. The lattice expansion is ascribed to the excess As in the layers. The mechanisms of breakdown of crystallinity are discussed.
Surface morphology of related GexSi1−x films
Authors: Hsu J. W. P. , Fitzgerald E. A. , Xie Y. H. , Silverman P. J. , Cardillo M. J.
Published: July 2002

We have investigated the surface morphology of relaxed, compositionally graded GexSi1−x structures, to illustrate the influence of defect-related strain fields on film growth. Quantitative topographic measurements via scanning force microscopy show that the roughness associated with the cross-hatch patterns, due to underlying misfit dislocations beneath the surface, increases as the final Ge concentration or the grading rate increases. We further show that strain fields arising from the termination of threading dislocations at the surface result in shallow depressions.
Novel method for C60 synthesis: A thermal plasma at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Yoshie Ken-ichi , Kasuya Shigeaki , Eguchi Keisuke , Yoshida Toyonobu
Published: July 2002

We report here that fullerenes (C60,C70,C84, etc.) can be fabricated in a 7% yield by carbon particle evaporation in a hybrid plasma which is characterized by the superposition of a rf plasma and a dc arc jet operated at atmospheric pressure. We found that increasing the pressure in the plasma gas increases the yield of fullerenes. We also investigated the effect of introducing the gas for quenching the plasma gas on the yield of fullerenes. Furthermore, this method has also been used to produce metal fulleride.
Liquid crystal millimeter wave electronic phase shifter
Authors: Lim K. C. , Margerum J. D. , Lackner A. M.
Published: July 2002

The birefringence of two common nematic liquid crystals were measured in the millimeter wave range, and were found to be in the range of 0.19–0.22 at room temperature. Using liquid crystal electro- and magneto-optical effects, we present the first experimental data of a novel liquid crystal millimeter wave electronic phase shifter. Our experiments show that liquid crystals could play an important role in future millimeter wave device technologies.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of the electronic structure of chemical vapor deposited diamond films
Authors: Perez J. M. , Lin C. , Rivera W. , Hyer R. C. , Green M. , Sharma S. C. , Chopra D. R. , Chourasia A. R.
Published: July 2002

Scanning tunneling microscopy has been used to characterize the electronic structure and surface morphology of diamond films grown using the hot filament and microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition techniques. We observe a significant difference between the current-voltage (I-V) curves for the two types of films. The I-V curves for the hot-filament grown films are characterized by a well-defined zero-current region from which a surface band gap of 4.1 eV is measured. The I-V curves for the microwave plasma grown films exhibit a rectifying behavior which can be modeled by surface band bending. We compare the surface density of states obtained from the I-V curves with those obtained from x-ray photoelectron and appearance potential spectroscopies.
Ferroelectric La-Sr-Co-O/Pb-Zr-Ti-O/La-Sr-Co-O heterostructures on silicon via template growth
Authors: Ramesh R. , Gilchrist H. , Sands T. , Keramidas V. G. , Haakenaasen R. , Fork D. K.
Published: July 2002

Ferroelectric Pb0.9La0.1Zr0.2Ti0.8O3 thin film capacitors with a symmetrical La-Sr-Co-O top and bottom electrodes have been grown on [001] Si with yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) buffer layer. A layered perovskite ‘‘template’’ layer (200–300 Å thick), grown between the YSZ buffer layer and the bottom La-Sr-Co-O electrode, is critical for obtaining the required orientation of the subsequent layers. When compared to the capacitors grown with the Y-Ba-Cu-O top and bottom electrodes, these structures possess two advantages: (i) the growth temperatures are lower by 60–150 °C; (ii) the capacitors show a larger remnant polarization ΔP (ΔP=switched polarization–nonswitched polarization), 25–30 μC/cm2, for an applied voltage of only 2 V (applied field of 70 kV/cm). The fatigue, retention, and aging characteristics of these new structures are excellent.
First images from a magnetic resonance force microscope
Authors: Züger O. , Rugar D.
Published: July 2002

We describe a new magnetic resonance imaging technique based on the measurement of magnetic force acting between a magnetic tip and the resonantly excited spins in the sample. Magnetic resonance force maps of the sample are formed by scanning the tip with respect to the sample while measuring the angstrom-scale vibration of a microcantilever holding the sample. Real-space spin density information can be recovered from the force maps by using a simple image reconstruction technique. The technique was demonstrated for electron spin resonance in micrometer-size particles of diphenylpicrylhydrazil. Using a tip that generates a field gradient of 4.3 G/μm, a lateral resolution of 5 μm, and an axial resolution of 1 μm was achieved.
YBa2Cu3O7−δ Josephson junctions on directionally ion beam etched MgO substrates
Authors: Ramos J. , Ivanov Z. G. , Olsson E. , Zarembinski S. , Claeson T.
Published: July 2002

Shallow, 1–40 nm deep steps were ion beam milled at 60° angle of incidence to the normal of the MgO substrate in order to form Josephson junctions. Microbridges were patterned across the step boundary in films of YBa2Cu3O7−δ. They displayed critical current densities and critical current-normal resistance products that, on the whole, decreased with increasing step height, leveling off at about 5 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of 45° [001]-tilt regions in the films close to the steps. Interferometers (dc-SQUIDs) showed magnetic field response at temperatures above 77 K and a noise level of about 1.5×10−8 Φ02/Hz at 10 Hz and 4.2 K.
Real-time wave-amplitude spectrum analyzer for air-liquid interfaces
Authors: Barter J. D. , Lee P. H. Y.
Published: July 2002

We describe a method for the direct, absolute and noninvasive measurement of surface height profiles on air-liquid interfaces. Wave amplitude spectra are directly obtained from electronically imaged surface height profiles without resorting to problematic reconstructions from wave slope measurements. This measurement principle relies on the volume attenuation of light in the liquid rather than the refraction of light at the wave-supporting interface. Surface height resolution of tens of micrometers has been demonstrated. A suitable photodiode detector and an appropriate laser provide the two parameters which are sufficient to optimize system spatial and temporal resolution and spatial dynamic range.
Force microscopy imaging in liquids using ac techniques
Authors: Lantz M. A. , O’Shea S. J. , Welland M. E.
Published: July 2002

Two ac techniques for imaging under liquids using atomic force microscopy are investigated. In the first method, the sample is oscillated with a sinusoidal displacement, whereas in the second method, the cantilever is oscillated with a sinusoidal magnetic force. Both techniques are successful for topographic imaging under liquids with the tip in repulsive contact with the sample. Of the two methods, the cantilever driven technique is found to be less noisy. In addition to topographic imaging, noncontact magnetic force imaging under liquid is demonstrated.
Influence of hydrogen on the electrical and optical activity of misfit dislocations in Si/SiGe epilayers
Authors: Higgs V. , Kittler M.
Published: July 2002

Photoluminescence spectroscopy and electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) technique have been used to characterize misfit dislocations in Si/SiGe epilayers following hydrogen plasma treatment (T=200–500 °C). Low temperature EBIC measurements showed that the majority (90%) of shallow levels associated with misfit dislocations were not passivated, whereas deeper midgap levels are readily passivated. The dislocation (D bands) related luminescence features were all reduced in intensity following hydrogen treatment; at T=300 °C the D1 was preferentially passivated and could no longer be observed, whereas the other D bands although reduced in intensity could still be observed. Depassivation experiments showed that following posthydrogenation annealing at 600 °C the deep levels passivated as measured by EBIC and the D bands are regenerated.
Using electron channeling patterns for the measurement of lattice parameters
Authors: Curzon A. E. , Rajora O. S.
Published: July 2002

The positions of the lines seen in an electron channeling pattern depend on the type and orientation of the crystal producing the pattern and on the energy of the incident electron beam. It is possible to make three lines intersect at a point by altering the energy or equivalently the wavelength, λ, of the incident electrons. A mathematical expression, valid for all crystal classes, is derived for this wavelength in terms of the Miller indices and plane spacings of the Bragg planes which give rise to the three lines in question. The theory has been tested by using the hexagonal layer material NbSe2. The channeling lines whose Bragg planes are (22.0), (3̄0.0), and (22̄.2̄) were found to intersect at λ=0.0098 nm which leads to a c spacing of c=1.26±0.01 nm. The x-ray value is 1.254 nm. The analysis is formulated so that it can be used on a computer without graphics facilities.
Repetitive subsecond fluorescence spectra and anisotropy measurements using an optical multichannel analyzer
Authors: Deranleau David A. , Stüssi Edgar
Published: July 2002

A vidicon tube-based optical multichannel analyzer (OMA) was interfaced to a minicomputer to facilitate the acquisition of real-time light transmission (or fluorescence anisotropy), right-angle scattering, and fluorescence spectra at subsecond rates. The apparatus was designed for kinetic studies of the optical responses of living cells to stimulation with physiological and other activators, and features menu-driven interactive graphics for presentation and handling of the intensity, wavelength, and time data in two or three dimensions. Stimulus-induced secretion of acriflavine-loaded human blood platelet dense granule contents is shown as an example of the apparatus capabilities.
Design of an ultrahigh-vacuum specimen environment for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy
Authors: McDonald M. L. , Gibson J. M. , Unterwald F. C.
Published: July 2002

A JEOL 200CX high-resolution transmission electron microscope with point-to-point resolution of 2.5 Å has been modified to achieve an ultrahigh-vacuum specimen environment (∼10−9τ). In situ heating and evaporation are provided in the specimen viewing position, where high resolution can be maintained at temperatures exceeding 600 °C. Our design employs complete differential pumping of the specimen chamber and the use of a He-cooled cyroshield at the specimen for best vacuum attainment. Our design philosophy permits the instruments to be used for a wide variety of in situ experiments, including low-pressure (<10−1τ) gas reaction.
Soft x-ray microscopy with coherent x rays (invited)
Authors: Kirz J. , Ade H. , Jacobsen C. , Ko C.-H. , Lindaas S. , McNulty I. , Sayre D. , Williams S. , Zhang X. , Howells M.
Published: July 2002

The Soft X-ray Undulator beamline at the NSLS supports a soft x-ray imaging program including scanning transmission microscopy, scanning photoemission microscopy, Gabor and Fourier transform holography, and large angle diffraction. Zone plates from an LBL Center for X-ray Optics/IBM collaboration are used as optical elements. The current instrumentation of the beamline and the experimental stations is discussed, along with plans for the future at the NSLS and prospects for imaging programs at third generation sources.