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PubMed2004

Genetic characterization of Sézary's syndrome by conventional cytogenetics and cross-species color banding fluorescent in situhybridization.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sezary's syndrome is a peripheral T-cell neoplasm characterized by a pruritic exfoliative or infiltrated erythroderma, lymphadenopathies, and atypical T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Cytogenetic studies are scarce. This study was designed to increase cytogenetic information on this disorder. DESIGN AND METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 21 patients with Sezary's syndrome (10 men, 11 women, mean age 64 years) and analyzed by conventional cytogenetics (72-hr cultures with phytohemagglutinin). For a better characterization of multiple chromosomal rearrangements, cross-species color banding (RxFISH) was used in four cases. RESULTS: Fifteen (71.4%) of the 21 cases showed cytogenetic aberrations, with the karyotype being complex in 14. Among the 15 patients with an abnormal karyotype, 8 presented a diploid/near-diploid karyotype and 7 a near-tetraploid karyotype. The chromosomes most frequently involved were 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 17. The most common structural rearrangements affected 1q, 2q, 6q23-27, and 8q22. Monosomies of chromosomes 9 and 10 and trisomies of chromosome 18 were recurrently observed. A statistical trend between abnormal and complex karyotypes, the presence of monosomy 10, the number of Sezary cells, and a decreased overall survival was observed. RxFISH technology allowed the description of 27 previously undetected chromosomal abnormalities. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal karyotypes, particularly complex karyotypes, were frequently detected in patients with Sezary's syndrome. Monosomy 10 was the most frequent recurrent cytogenetic marker (73% in abnormal cases). There was a high diversity of chromosomal breakpoints. RxFISH is a useful novel technology for redefining complex karyotypes.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Virtopsy: forensic traumatology of the subcutaneous fatty tissue; multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as diagnostic tools.

Traumatic lesions of the subcutaneous fatty tissue provide important clues for forensic reconstruction. The interpretation of these patterns requires a precise description and recording of the position and extent of each lesion. During conventional autopsy, this evaluation is performed by dissecting the skin and subcutaneous tissues in successive layers. In this way, depending on the force and type of impact (right angle or tangent), several morphologically distinct stages of fatty tissue damage can be differentiated: perilobular hemorrhage (I), contusion (II), or disintegration (III) of the fat lobuli, and disintegration with development of a subcutaneous cavity (IV). In examples of virtopsy cases showing blunt trauma to the skin and fatty tissue, we analyzed whether these lesions can also be recorded and classified using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MSCT has proven to be a valuable screening method to detect the lesions, but MRI is necessary in order to properly differentiate and classify the grade of damage. These noninvasive radiological diagnostic tools can be further developed to play an important role in forensic examinations, in particular when it comes to evaluating living trauma victims.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2004

Analysis of remnant reticulocyte mRNA reveals new genes and antisense transcripts expressed in the human erythroid lineage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We studied the gene expression profile of human purified reticulocytes to provide a transcriptional basis for the study of erythroid biology, differentiation and hematologic disorders. DESIGN AND METHODS: We screened highly purified blood reticulocytes from ten healthy adult volunteers. We chose a modified protocol of serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), the serial analysis of downsized extracts (SADE). RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that 64% of gene signatures (tags) matched with known genes; mainly hemoglobin. In addition to the abundant globin mRNA, SAGE analysis identified previously described genes and new transcripts. In reticulocytes, which are poor in mRNA, we also identified 9% of EST and 27% of tags that did not match with any known genes. Mining our data, 70% of the unknown tags and 39% of tags identifying EST were found to be specific to the reticulocyte. We demonstrated the presence of a mRNA that matched with the reverse sequence of the hemoglobin b (HBB) transcript. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: This is the first description of an antisense transcript of the human HBB gene suggesting regulation by way of sense-antisense pairing. The well-characterized genes found in the SAGE library were genes specific to the blood cell lineage, housekeeping genes and, interestingly, genes not previously described in the reticulocyte. Furthermore the study provides markers of the erythroid lineage regulated during the differentiation process as observed in in vitro experiments.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Infant mortality statistics from the 2002 period: linked birth/infant death data set.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents 2002 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data file by a variety of maternal and infant characteristics. The linked file differs from the mortality file, which is based entirely on death certificate data. METHODS: Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted. RESULTS: The U.S. infant mortality rate increased from 6.8 infant deaths per 1000 live births in 2001 to 7.0 in 2002. The rate for infants of non-Hispanic white mothers was 5.7 in 2001 compared with 5.8 in 2002. The rate for infants of non-Hispanic black mothers was 13.5 in 2001 compared with 13.9 in 2002. Neither of the changes for non-Hispanic white nor non-Hispanic black was significant. Between 2001 and 2002, overall cause-specific rates increased 5 percent for low birthweight and 14 percent for maternal complications. The rate rose significantly for infants of mothers who smoked, 10.5 to 11.1. It also increased significantly from 10.7 to 11.5 for infants of mothers aged 15-17 years. The rate dropped significantly for triplet births, 71.4 to 60.1. Infant mortality rates ranged from 3.0 per 1000 live births for Chinese mothers to 13.9 for non-Hispanic black mothers. Among Hispanics, rates ranged from 3.7 for Cuban mothers to 8.2 for Puerto Rican mothers. Infant mortality rates were higher for those infants whose mothers were born in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, were unmarried, or smoked during pregnancy. Infant mortality was also higher for male infants, multiple births, and infants born preterm or at low birthweight. The three leading causes of infant death-Congenital malformations, low birthweight, and Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)-taken together accounted for 45 percent of all infant deaths. For infants of non-Hispanic black mothers, the cause-specific infant mortality rate for low birthweight was nearly four times that for infants of non-Hispanic white mothers. For infants of non-Hispanic black and American Indian mothers, the SIDS rates were at least double the rate for non-Hispanic white mothers. A more intensive analysis of the rise in the infant mortality rate utilizing information on maternal and infant health risk factors available in the linked birth/infant death and fetal death data files is forthcoming.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Infant mortality statistics from the 2003 period linked birth/infant death data set.

OBJECTIVES: This report presents 2003 period infant mortality statistics from the linked birth/infant death data file by a variety of maternal and infant characteristics. The linked file differs from the mortality file, which is based entirely on death certificate data. METHODS: Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted. Excluding rates by cause of death, the infant mortality rate is now published with two decimal places. RESULTS: The U.S. infant mortality rate was 6.84 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2003, a return to the rate in 2001, compared with 6.95 in 2002. Infant mortality rates ranged from 4.83 per 1,000 live births for Asian or Pacific Islander mothers to 13.60 for non-Hispanic black mothers. Among Hispanics, rates ranged from 4.57 for Cuban mothers to 8.18 for Puerto Rican mothers. Infant mortality rates were higher for those infants whose mothers were born in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, were unmarried, or smoked during pregnancy. Infant mortality was also higher for male infants, multiple births, and infants born preterm or at low birthweight. Infants born at the lowest birthweights and gestational ages have a large impact on overall U.S. infant mortality. Nearly one-half (49 percent) of all infant deaths in the U.S. in 2003 occurred to the 0.8 percent of infants whose birthweight was less than 1,000 grams. The three leading causes of infant death--Congenital malformations, low birthweight, and SIDS--taken together accounted for 45 percent of all infant deaths. For infants of non-Hispanic black mothers, the cause-specific infant mortality rate for low birthweight was nearly four times that for infants of non-Hispanic white mothers. For infants of non-Hispanic black and American Indian mothers, the SIDS rates were more than double the rate for non-Hispanic white mothers.

Birth Certificates↗

PubMed1985

[Burnout : ten years later.].

The important literature on burn-out or professionnal exhaustion is examined here from three aspects: socio-cultural anthropology, biological anthropology and ethnopsychiatry. On the socio-cultural level, the emergence of burn-out is seen as an epiphenomenon arising conjointly from a new work ethic and a new concept of the person; on the biological level, the burnout is presented in relation to two main areas of study: as an adaptative strategy used by individuals to face particularly demanding situations in their working environment and as a particular modality of the interrelations between physical, psychological and behavioral dimensions in a person; on the ethnopsychiatric level, the burn-out is not interpreted as a new category in the description of illnessess but rather as a model of behavior more socially accepted and as an integrative concept that allows one to give meaning to a diversified group of symptoms. Studies on burn-out indicators, their causes, its neuro-physiology and its definition are explicitly discussed according to three perspectives: socio-cultural, biological and ethnopsychiatric.

English Abstract↗

PubMed1990

[Recall of positive and negative life events. Studies of mood-inducing effect and production of texts].

Studies on the influence of affective states on cognitive processes have used different techniques of experimentally inducing the subjects' mood. One of these techniques, the "autobiographical recollection methodology" is analyzed in the present paper. The experimental studies are concerned with two main questions: first, the reliability, stability and potential reactivity of mood effects produced by this method as well as possible mechanisms underlying these effects; second, possible differences in the descriptions of positive versus negative life events are analyzed. In four studies with altogether N = 344 subjects, the participants were asked to remember and vividly write down an important happy or sad event from their lives. These descriptions were content-analyzed and their effects on the subjects' mood were studied. The results show that the autobiographical recollection methodology is in all four studies an effective mood induction technique lasting 15 minutes. After this time, the subjects' mood comes back to its pretest state. If an adequate cover story is used, there are no signs of reactivity effects of this method. With respect to the underlying mechanisms, the data show that the vividness and specificity of the description were positively related to the respective mood effects. Additionally, the description of negative events led to stronger mood effects when they were uncontrollable. All other variables analyzed (for example, number of words written, time needed, degree of analytical reasoning, degree of expressed emotionality) were unrelated to the mood changes. It is concluded that the effect of the autobiographical recollection methodology is dependent mainly on the event valence category and more or less unrelated to quantitative variables of the event description. With respect to the descriptions of positive versus negative life events, the data show that descriptions of sad events were longer, took more time, were more analytical, and contained more causal attributions than descriptions of positive events. These differences are interpreted as demonstrations of a positivity negativity asymmetry in the processing and storage of affective material.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Applied X-ray photogrammetry in neurosurgery.

The introduction of X-ray stereophotogrammetry into neurosurgery permits the exact localisation of metal-dense foreign bodies, the spatial representation of cerebral tumours and their blood supply. The determination of the target point in stereotactic operations is carried out after adjustment of the reference points on the X-ray picture directly by the computer, the seat of the probe can be seen in the X-ray picture in its spatial relations. For intracranial aneurysms, the position, the size, and the topographic situation of the neck of the aneurysm can be determined, and thus the placing of the clip during the operation can be pre-planned and made simpler and safer. A description of the photographic technique and the interpretation by means of the new stereocomparator of Messrs. Zeiss is given.

Humans↗

PubMed1982

Proposals for the classification of the myelodysplastic syndromes.

New diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of the various myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are proposed, and a detailed description is given of the features that may help define MDS. Five MDS are described: (1) refractory anaemia (RA), (2) RA with ring sideroblasts, (3) RA with excess of blasts (RAEB), (4) chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML), and (5) RAEB 'in transformation'. One of the main distinguishing features of these conditions is the proportion of blast cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and/or bone marrow (BM). The morphological features of the blast cells that are of diagnostic importance have been redefined. In RA, with or without ringed sideroblasts, there are fewer than 1% of blasts in the PB and fewer than 5% in the BM; RAEB is defined as having between 5% and 20% of blasts in the BM and fewer than 5% in the PB; RAEB in transformation (a newly defined category) will be considered when any of the following features is present: (i) more than 5% of blasts in the PB, (ii) 20-30% in the BM, and (iii) the presence of Auer rods in granulocyte precursors in BM or PB. In accordance with these newly defined criteria, it is now proposed that over 30% of bone marrow blasts will suffice for the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in any of its forms (M1-M6). The proposed descriptions of the MDS should facilitate the interpretation of data emerging from cytogenetic and bone marrow culture studies and the search for features of possible prognostic significance. Recognition of the new category, RAEB in transformation, may throw light on the pathogenesis of AML.

Anemia, Aplastic↗

PubMed1994

[The planning and intervention for bilateral lift augmentation of the sinus floors in implant surgery. A case report].

The authors report a clinical case in which the inadequacy of bone to receive implants at the maxillary level was resolved by bilateral sinus elevation. In the reported case, two sinus elevations were performed as well as two isolations of the mental nerves and 10 osseointegrated implants under general anesthesia in a single session. In a preliminary approach, the patient was studied by CT using an acrylic mask to optimize the grafted sites and improve the interpretation of the CT scan imaging. A description is presented of the technique used for the sinus elevation. Clinical indications for this procedure are described as well as the replacement material. The sinus elevation procedure enlarges the area of utilization of osseointegrated implants and lends itself to a good application in the current studies on active molecules in the cell replication and in guided tissues regeneration.

Anesthesia, Dental↗

PubMed2006

Social Stories for children with disabilities.

A review of the empirical research literature on Social Stories is presented, including a descriptive review and single-subject meta-analysis of appropriate studies. Examination of data suggests the effects of Social Stories are highly variable. Interpretations of extant studies are frequently confounded by inadequate participant description and the use of Social Stories in combination with other interventions. It is unclear whether particular components of Social Stories are central to their efficacy. Data on maintenance and generalization are also limited. Social Stories stand as a promising intervention, being relatively straightforward and efficient to implement with application to a wide range of behaviors. Further research is needed to determine the exact nature of their contribution and the components critical to their efficacy.

Asperger Syndrome↗

PubMed1986

[Right bundle-branch block configuration in the pacemaker ECG--3 different observations].

We report on 3 cases of right bundle branch block configuration in the ECG after pacemaker implantation. In case 1 it was not noticed that the catheter had been directed through an unknown sinus venosus defect into the left atrium and the left ventricle. In case 2 the catheter reached the left ventricle via an iatrogenic perforation of the lower part of the atrial septum. In case 3 the catheter was situated correctly in the right ventricle, but the tip was penetrating the septum. Different possibilities of interpretation of this phenomenon are discussed, and a description of further pacemaker catheter misplacements which may be responsible for a right bundle branch block configuration is given. The authors take the view that a pacemaker catheter should not remain in the arterial area, in the pericardial space and in the coronary sinus. A lateral radiograph, a 12-lead ECG and an echocardiographic study are helpful for detecting and interpreting an unusual catheter position or a right bundle branch block configuration in the pacemaker ECG.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

[Idiopathic dilatation of the atria: a syndrome? Description of a case of idiopathic biatrial dilatation, review of the literature and a proposal for a pathogenetic interpretation].

Idiopathic severe dilatation of bilateral atrial and urethero-pelvic systems was found in a 53-year-old woman. Degeneration of muscle fibers without inflammation is a constant feature of idiopathic atrial enlargement. Degenerative process can extensively involve atrial wall (generalized dilatation) or can be localized (aneurysmal dilatation). In both types of lesion clinical features are related to atrial arrhythmias and to compression on atrio-ventricular valves and ventricles by the enlarged atria. Only the outcome of the atrial arrhythmias can help to distinguish between the two conditions: development of irreversible atrial standstill in generalized dilatation and definitive restoration of sinus rhythm, following surgery, in aneurysmal dilatation. In each atrium, a different rate of incidence of the two types of dilatation has been documented in the literature: as for the right atrium, more than 40 cases of generalized dilatation have been reported and only 4 of the aneurysmal type. On the other hand, isolated left atrial enlargement was of aneurysmal type in all 30 reported cases. Biatrial dilatation was generalized in 7 cases and due to multiple aneurysms in a single case. The Authors support the hypothesis that idiopathic atrial dilatation could be due to a degenerative process affecting the atrial components derived from primitive atria, in which the muscular layer is structured into pectinate muscles. They also suggest to distinguish, even from the etiopathogenetic point of view, between aneurysmal dilatation (localized and fortuitous lesion) and generalized dilatation (diffuse degeneration of pectinate muscles). This distinction could well related with the different outcome of atrial arrhythmia in the two types of dilatation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiomegaly↗

PubMed2001

Robust tracking and posture description for laboratory rodents using active shape models.

We are in the process of developing an automated image analysis system, which uses deformable models of shape, learned from image examples, to interpret video images of rodents. Active shape models provide a compact description of the shape of the animal in a way that enables the postures the differentiate various behaviors to be distinguished. They also model the image profile across the shape boundary. We show how these features allow automatic, robust segmentation of the explicit object of interest. Rather than just detecting movement or changes from background in the image, the system can focus on objects that are of the correct shape and appearance. The modeling of the image profiles also allows the system to distinguish between the actual animal and image artifacts. We show how these techniques are being extended to extract postural information, which can then be integrated with positional data to produce a model of behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

[On-line evaluation of the cardiotocogram using computer technology].

For an analysis of the cardiotocogram obtained by the fetal monitor HP 8040A the authors used original hardware and software means, i.e. PC XT IBM compatible in connection with an intelligent analog input periphery, which preprocesses the basic information, and with a programme using a scheme originating from the Maeda's evaluation of CTG modified by Srp. After having obtained 25 tracings (more than 8.5 hours), a detailed analysis of the computer interpretation of each course was performed, i.e. of the description of individual pathogenomic phenomena of the type of baseline heart rate, amplitude of variability, accelerations and decelerations including time parameters and mutual correlations. The results of the statistic evaluation are discussed, above all those concerning the decelerations, where the interpretation is so far burdened by a higher false negativity. Proposals for further elaboration of the programme means are presented including the optimalisation of the scheme used in evaluation, the running graphic presentation of the results and further graphic outputs for documentation purposes.

Cardiotocography↗

PubMed1997

Explaining different profiles in quality of life experiences in acute and chronic leukemia.

There is a need to understand and explain why quality of life (QOL) is experienced and viewed differently by those with acute and chronic leukemia. A total of 23 adults with either acute or chronic leukemia were interviewed about their experience of QOL. Adults with acute leukemia described QOL as a positive attitude to life, whereas those with chronic leukemia described QOL as life satisfaction. In order to elucidate why there are differences in their experience of QOL, a qualitative text analysis was used. The narrated interviews, tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim, were interpreted based on the following three questions: Why are there differences in these individuals' description of QOL? What are they talking about? Which phenomenon are they describing? The findings were interpreted, "a feeling of uncertainty," which made the difference to their experience of QOL. This uncertainty was expressed in different forms and could be seen in different degrees. Uncertainty is an important factor affecting the QOL of these adults. Nurses who work with these patients have a major role to play in minimizing uncertainty by offering coping skills to deal with feelings and improving QOL since QOL is one of the outcomes of nursing care.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1998

Probabilistic interpretation of population codes.

We present a general encoding-decoding framework for interpreting the activity of a population of units. A standard population code interpretation method, the Poisson model, starts from a description as to how a single value of an underlying quantity can generate the activities of each unit in the population. In casting it in the encoding-decoding framework, we find that this model is too restrictive to describe fully the activities of units in population codes in higher processing areas, such as the medial temporal area. Under a more powerful model, the population activity can convey information not only about a single value of some quantity but also about its whole distribution, including its variance, and perhaps even the certainty the system has in the actual presence in the world of the entity generating this quantity. We propose a novel method for forming such probabilistic interpretations of population codes and compare it to the existing method.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

PubMed2005

Colors in atypical nevi: a computer description reproducing clinical assessment.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Atypical nevi (AN) share some dermoscopic features with early melanoma (MM), and computer elaboration of digital images could represent a useful support to diagnosis to assess automatically colors in AN, and to compare the data with those referring to clearly benign nevi (BN) and MMs. METHODS: An image analysis program enabling the numerical description of color areas in melanocytic lesions was used on 459 videomicroscopic images, referring to 76 AN, 288 clearly BN and 95 MMs. RESULTS: Black, white and blue-gray were more frequently found in AN than in clearly BN, but less frequently than in MMs. Color area values significantly differed between the three groups. CONCLUSION: The clinical-morphological interpretation of the numerical data, based on the mathematical description of the aspect and distribution of different color areas in different lesion types may contribute to the characterization of AN and their distinction from MMs.

Algorithms↗