Intercomparison of bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements at in- and out-of-plane geometries.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the measurements of the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) in industry and research and development. However, there is currently no dedicated key comparison to demonstrate the scale conformity. To date, scale conformity has been proved only for classical in-plane geometries, in comparisons between different national metrology institutes (NMIs) and designated institutes (DIs). This study aims at expanding that with nonclassical geometries, including, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, two out-of-plane geometries. A total of four NMIs and two DIs participated in a scale comparison of the BRDF measurements of three achromatic samples at 550 nm in five measurement geometries. The realization of the scale of BRDF is a well-understood procedure, as explained in this paper, but the comparison of the measured values presents slight inconsistencies in some geometries, most likely due to the underestimation of measurement uncertainties. This underestimation was revealed and indirectly quantified using the Mandel-Paule method, which provides the interlaboratory uncertainty. The results from the presented comparison allow the present state of the BRDF scale realization to be evaluated, not only for classical in-plane geometries, but also for out-of-plane geometries.

Preliminary measurement scales for sparkle and graininess.

Large effect pigments, widely used in various fields of industrial applications, produce characteristic visual textures known as sparkle and graininess, which need to be quantified by objective or subjective methods. The development of preliminary measurement scales for sparkle and graininess, whose recommendation is now under discussion in the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), is described in this article. These scales are absolute, linear and traceable to standards of optical radiation metrology. The main purpose of this article is to justify the convenience of adopting these preliminary measurements scales, showing clear evidence that they correlate well with subjective evaluations. Before standardization, these scales need to be validated with more experimental data, including different specimens and experimental systems from other research groups.

Gene polymorphisms for elucidating the genetic structure of the heavy-metal hyperaccumulating trait in Thlaspi caerulescens and their cross-genera amplification in Brassicaceae.

Genetic polymorphism was investigated in Thlaspi caerulescens J. & C. Presl at 15 gene regions, of which seven have been identified to putatively play a role in heavy-metal tolerance or hyperaccumulation. Single nucleotide and length polymorphisms were assessed at four cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) and 11 simple sequence repeat (microsatellite) loci, respectively. The utility of these loci for genetic studies in T. caerulescens was measured among seven natural populations (135 individuals). Fourteen loci rendered polymorphism, and the number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 5 and 1 to 27 for CAPS and microsatellites, respectively. Up to 12 alleles per locus were detected in a population. The global observed heterozygosity per population varied between 0.01 and 0.31. Additionally, cross-species/genera amplification of loci was investigated on eight other Brassicaceae (five individuals per population). Overall, 70% of the cross-species/genera amplifications were successful, and among them, more than 40% provided intraspecific polymorphisms within a single population. This indicates that such markers may, as well, allow comparative population genetic or mapping studies between and within several Brassicaceae, particularly for genes involved in traits such as heavy-metal tolerance and/or hyperaccumulation.

Cadmium hyperaccumulation and reproductive traits in natural Thlaspi caerulescens populations.

During the last decade, the metal hyperaccumulating plants have attracted considerable attention because of their potential use in decontamination of heavy metal contaminated soils. However, in most species, little is known regarding the function, the ecological and the evolutionary significances of hyperaccumulation. In our study, we investigated the parameters influencing the Cd concentration in plants as well as the biological implications of Cd hyperaccumulation in nine natural populations of Thlaspi caerulescens. First, we showed that Cd concentration in the plant was positively correlated with plant Zn, Fe, and Cu concentrations. This suggested that the physiological and/or molecular mechanisms for uptake, transport and/or accumulation of these four heavy metals interact with each other. Second, we specified a measure of Cd hyperaccumulation capacity by populations and showed that T. caerulescens plants originating from populations with high Cd hyperaccumulation capacity had better growth, by developing more and bigger leaves, taller stems, and produced more fruits and heavier seeds. These results suggest a tolerance/disposal role of Cd hyperaccumulation in this species.

Long-term results of conventional-dose salvage chemotherapy in patients with refractory and relapsed Hodgkin's disease (Croatian experience).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze outcome of patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) in whom first-line chemotherapy with mustine/vincristine/procarbazine/prednisone (MOPP) had failed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1982 to December 1989 among 210 patients treated with MOPP and radiotherapy to initial bulky sites, 65 patients were primary refractory to or relapsed after initial treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 65 patients (44%) were primary refractory to initial chemotherapy, 20 relapsed within 12 months after complete remission (CR) and 16 relapsed after CR that lasted more than 12 months. Patients with primary refractory HD and early relapse (<12 months after CR) were treated with doxorubicin/bleomycin/vinblastine/darcarbazine. In patients with late relapse (>12 months after CR) MOPP was repeated. The median follow-up for all patients was 115 months. The overall response rate was 63%. Thirty-three patients (51%) achieved a second CR and eight patients (12%) partial response. Remission rate was greatest in patients with late relapse (CR >12 months) (75 versus 55% for early relapse versus 35% for primary refractory HD) (P <0.01). At 10 years, overall and failure-free survival rates were 21 and 16%, respectively. Patients who were in first remission longer than 12 months had a superior overall survival (37 versus 18% for early relapse) and failure-free survival (24 versus 10% for early relapse). No patient with primary refractory HD was alive beyond 52 months after initial treatment failure (P <0.01). Main prognostic factors were duration of the first remission and tumor bulk at relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm previous observations that a significant proportion of patients with HD who experience induction treatment failure cannot be cured with conventional treatment and probably need more aggressive therapy.

Reduced expression of BMP-3 due to mechanical loading: a link between mechanical stimuli and tissue differentiation.

Mechanical signaling and BMP expression appear to be involved in controlling the differentiation of cartilage in fracture repair, but the connection between mechanics and BMP signaling is not known. In this study of rats, we used a bone chamber to see how BMP gene expression was changed by a mechanical loading regime that induces cartilage formation in this model. We compared the still undifferentiated tissue in loaded and unloaded chambers in the same rat regarding the expression of TGFbeta-1, BMP-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, CDMP-1, 2 and ALK-2 and 3 by using RT-PCR normalized against GAPDH. We found expression of TGFbeta-1, BMP-2 and 4 in all specimens, and BMP 5-7 and CDMPs in none. 1 week after loading started, BMP-3 was strongly expressed in the unloaded control specimens in 7 of 8 animals, but detectable in only I of the contralateral loaded ones. After 2 weeks of loading, the BMP-3 expression pattern was less clear, but with both time groups taken together, there was still less BMP-3 expression on the loaded side in 9 rats, more in 1 and no difference in 5 (p = 0.01). ALK-2 at 1 week was expressed in all specimens expressing BMP-3 and in none of the others. At 2 weeks, ALK-2 was expressed in all specimens. Thus, a loading regime, known to induce cartilage in this model, caused down-regulation of BMP-3 and ALK-2. The results are consistent with the view that BMP-3 inhibits differentiation, as recently described. This role appears to be linked to the ALK-2 receptor. Most importantly, the results indicate a link between mechanical signaling and BMP expression such that mechanically-induced down-regulation of the inhibiting BMP-3 enabled the induction of cartilage.

Computed tomographic imaging to determine the frequency of anatomical variations in pneumatization of the ethmoid bone.

The present study was performed on axial and coronal CT scans of 212 patients. Scans were analyzed by an anatomist and a radiologist for the presence of Haller's cells, agger nasi cells, Onodi's cells and pneumatized crista galli. Results demonstrated the presence of Haller's cells in 21.2%, Onodi's cells in 10.4% and pneumatized crista galli in 2.4% of patients. A pneumatized anterior clinoid process was found in 0.5% of the patients. The data obtained in our study were compared with those reported in other anatomic and radiologic studies.

Topoanatomic relations of the ophthalmic artery viewed in four horizontal layers.

In the present paper we have studied the gross anatomy of the ophthalmic artery in 200 human cadaver dissections viewed in four horizontal layers. The ophthalmic artery can be divided into the origin, intracranial, intracanalicular and intraorbital parts. The most common origin of the artery was from the medial half of the anterior side of the internal carotid artery (ICA) in its upper curve (52%), followed by the medial half of the superior side (44%), and in only 4% from the medial side of the upper curve of the ICA. We have examined the topographic anatomy of the ophthalmic artery in detail, and found a rare anastomosis of the ophthalmic artery with the frontal branch of the middle meningeal artery.

Osteogenic protein-1 (bone morphogenetic protein-7) reduces severity of injury after ischemic acute renal failure in rat.

We have shown that osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) (bone morphogenetic protein-7) is responsible for the induction of nephrogenic mesenchyme during embryonic kidney development. Gene knock-out studies showed that OP-1 null mutant mice die of renal failure within the first day of postnatal life. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of recombinant human OP-1 for the treatment of acute renal failure after 60 min bilateral renal artery occlusion in rats. Bioavailability studies in normal rats indicate that approximately 1.4 microg OP-1/ml is available in the circulation 1 min after intravenous administration of 250 microg/kg, which then declines steadily with a half life of 30 min. About 0.5% of the administered OP-1 dose/g tissue is targeted for OP-1 receptors in the kidney. We show that OP-1 preserves kidney function, as determined by reduced blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and increased survival rate when administered 10 min before or 1 or 16 h after ischemia, and then at 24-h intervals up to 72 h after reperfusion. Histochemical and molecular analyses demonstrate that OP-1: (a) minimizes infarction and cell necrosis, and decreases the number of plugged tubules; (b) suppresses inflammation by downregulating the expression of intercellular adhesive molecule, and prevents the accumulation and activity of neutrophils; (c) maintains the expression of the vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype in pericellular capillaries; and (d) reduces programmed cell death during the recovery. Collectively, these data suggest that OP-1 prevents the loss of kidney function associated with ischemic injury and may provide a basis for the treatment of acute renal failure.

[Pneumatization of the middle nasal turbinate: a CT study]. / Pneumatizacija srednje nosne skoljke: CT prikaz.

Anatomic variations of the middle turbinate may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of inflammatory processes of the paranasal sinuses. A detailed analysis of coronal and axial plane CT scans of the paranasal sinuses obtained from 120 patients was performed. Paradoxical curve of the middle concha was detected in 24.2% of patients. Pneumatized middle turbinate was found in 42.5% and "true" concha bullosa in 8.3% of patients. Bilateral concha bullosa was found in 1.7% of patients.

[The role of bone morphogenetic proteins in compensatory renal growth]. / Uloga kostanih morfogenetskih proteina u kompenzatornom rastu bubrega.

Bone morphogenetic proteins are members of transforming growth factor beta superfamily. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) has been recognized as a key signalling molecule during the kidney development and is capable of protecting kidney against acute renal failure in postnatal life. In the present study the involvement of BMP-7 in the kidney compensatory growth after unilateral nephrectomy has been explored. Northern analysis of mRNA from 3 to 21 days after surgery indicated that BMP-7 message was unchanged thus excluding BMP-7 as a compensatory growth agent.

Differences between male and female breast cancer. II. Clinicopathologic features.

The aim of this study was direct comparison of clinicopathologic features in male and female breast cancer patients. The study included 100 male and 500 female patients with pathohistologically confirmed breast cancer, who were treated at the University Hospital for Tumors in Zagreb, Croatia, between 1970 and 1990. The results revealed significant sex-related differences in the following characteristics: patients age at diagnosis (36% vs. 66% below the age of 60, respectively, p < 0.001), delay in treatment (29% vs. 58% within the first 3 months, p < 0.001), tumor size (45% vs. 58% up to 5 cm, p < 0.001), number of affected regional lymph nodes (74% vs. 87% up to 5 nodes, p < 0.01), TNM-stage distribution (49% vs. 56% in stages I-II, p < 0.001), estrogen receptor values (69% vs. 32% > 10 fmol/mg protein, p < 0.001) and progesterone receptor values (67% vs. 48% > 10 fmol/mg protein, p < 0.05). No significant sex-related differences in breast cancer patients were found regarding histologic grade of malignancy (males: grade I-36%; II-34%; III-30%; females: grade I-33%; II-36%; III-31%), affected breast (left in 58% males vs. 50% females), and type of surgical treatment (modified radical mastectomy in 64% male vs. 61% female patients). This study confirmed the well-known facts that male breast cancer develops at an older age and with a much higher proportion of positive tumor hormone receptors. Furthermore, the authors found the male patients in Croatia to be insufficiently informed about the possibility of breast cancer development in male sex, which resulted in a significantly prolonged treatment delay and, consequently, higher TNM stage of the disease, bigger tumors and more affected lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis in comparison to female patients.

Differences between male and female breast cancer. III. Prognostic features.

The aim of this study was direct comparison of prognostic features in male and female breast cancer patients. The study included 100 male and 500 female patients with pathohistologically confirmed breast cancer, who were treated at the University Hospital for Tumors in Zagreb, Croatia, between 1970 and 1990. Stage-adjusted univariate analysis of differences in five-year overall survival revealed similar prognosis in both sexes when the disease was in TNM-stages I and II (males: 95% and 80%; females: 90% and 79%, respectively). However, the study showed that in TNM stages III and IV, male patients had a significantly worse five-year overall survival (males: 39% and 5%; females: 61% and 27%, respectively; p < 0.05). The impact of ten clinicopathologic characteristics on survival in males and females was also analyzed through the multivariate statistical analysis, in this case by multiple regression. Analyzed characteristics included patient age at diagnosis, delay in treatment, tumor size, number of affected lymph nodes, TNM-stage, histologic grade, affected breast, estrogen and progesterone receptor values, and type of surgery. An extremely intriguing finding was that the percent of survival variance explained by ten selected predictors (R2) amounted to as much as 78.7% in males, in comparison to only 23.1% in females. Three predictors that explained most of the survival variance in males were TNM-stage (21.0%), number of affected lymph nodes (19.5%) and delay in treatment (16.2%). The most important corresponding prognostic factors in females were number of affected lymph nodes (12.7%), histologic grade (6.6%) and tumor size (5.9%). The authors concluded that, from the prognostic point of view, male and female breast cancer represent two quite different diseases: in males, the outcome can be very precisely predicted from the basic clinicopathologic characteristics of the disease, while in females there is probably a wide spectrum of other factors with a significant influence on the prognosis, which require additional studies.

Regeneration of articular cartilage defects in rabbits by osteogenic protein-1 (bone morphogenetic protein-7).

Osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1, BMP-7), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta family, induces cartilage and bone formation when implanted at intra and extraskeletal sites in vivo. The human OP-1 gene has been cloned and biologically active recombinant OP-1 homodimers have been produced. In the present study, the authors investigated the influence of OP-1 on healing of full-thickness articular cartilage defects, made by drilling two adjacent (phi 3mm) holes through articular cartilage of NZW rabbit knee joint were dissected and examined histomorphometrically. Results indicated that OP-1 induced articular cartilage healing and regeneration of the joint surface which contained cells resembling mature joint chondrocytes. These data imply a new strategy for biological repair of damaged joint surfaces in humans.

TGF-beta and basement membrane matrigel stimulate the chondrogenic phenotype in osteoblastic cells derived from fetal rat calvaria.

Primary cultures of fetal rat calvarial cells contain a spectrum of osteogenic phenotypes including undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, osteoprogenitor cells, and osteoblasts. We recently demonstrated that rat calvarial osteoblast-like cells grown on basement membrane undergo profound morphological changes resembling a canalicular network in bone. In the present study, we examined the effect of reconstituted basement membrane Matrigel on chondroblastic versus osteoblastic differentiation of different cell subpopulations obtained by five consecutive enzymatic digestions of rat calvarial cell populations. We found that the appearance of canalicular cell processes decreased with the later digests. When cells from the fourth and fifth digest were grown on top of Matrigel for 7 days, the majority of the cell aggregates displayed chondrocytic characteristics but none of the cells became hypertrophic. When individual chondroblastic cell aggregates were subsequently transferred from Matrigel to plastic, they started expressing types I and X collagens, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin. Within the next 7 days (days 8-14 of the experiment), the majority of cells increased in size, and at day 17 on plastic (day 24 of the experiment) mineralized bone nodules formed. The chondroblastic differentiation of calvarial cells grown on Matrigel could be inhibited by a specific transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) but not by a TGF-beta 2 antibody. Addition of recombinant TGF-beta 1 to similar cultures promoted the appearance of chondroblastic cell aggregates. The cartilage phenotype could not, on the contrary, be promoted by growing the cells on other extracellular matrices such as a collagen I gel. We suggest that TGF-beta 1 in concert with the basement membrane extracellular matrix induces chondroblastic differentiation of rat calvarial osteoprogenitor cells.

[Dental pulp in carious teeth]. / Zubna pulpa kariozno oboljelih zuba.

Various etiologic causes lead to dental pulp changes ranging from inflammation to necrosis. The most frequent changes, however, are caused by bacterial activity and toxins from carious process. According to the opinion of various authors and on the basis of our investigations the conclusion can be made that all the forms of dental pulp changes can be developed as the sequela of the disease of supporting apparatus. Pathohistologic examination of dental pulp of cariously damaged teeth showed that the occurred changes are mostly the sequela of inflammation and regressive and progressive changes are found as well.