FLUTE: a versatile linac-based THz source.

A new compact versatile linear accelerator named FLUTE is currently being designed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. This paper presents the status of this 42 MeV machine. It will be used to generate strong (several 100 MV/m) ultra-short (~1 ps) THz pulses (up to ~4-25 THz) for photon science experiments, as well as to conduct a variety of accelerator studies. The latter range from comparing different coherent THz radiation generation schemes to compressing electron bunches and studying the electron beam stability. The bunch charge will cover a wide range (~100 pC-3 nC). Later we plan to also produce ultra-short x-ray pulses from the electron bunches, which, for example, could then be combined for THz pump-x-ray probe experiments.

Accuracy and precision of a novel non-invasive core thermometer.

BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of core temperature is a standard component of perioperative and intensive care patient management. However, core temperature measurements are difficult to obtain in awake patients. A new non-invasive thermometer has been developed, combining two sensors separated by a known thermal resistance ('double-sensor' thermometer). We thus evaluated the accuracy of the double-sensor thermometer compared with a distal oesophageal thermometer to determine if the double-sensor thermometer is a suitable substitute. METHODS: In perioperative and intensive care patient populations (n=68 total), double-sensor measurements were compared with measurements from a distal oesophageal thermometer using Bland-Altman analysis and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). RESULTS: Overall, 1287 measurement pairs were obtained at 5 min intervals. Ninety-eight per cent of all double-sensor values were within +/-0.5 degrees C of oesophageal temperature. The mean bias between the methods was -0.08 degrees C; the limits of agreement were -0.66 degrees C to 0.50 degrees C. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of fever were 0.86 and 0.97, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of hypothermia were 0.77 and 0.93, respectively. Lin's CCC was 0.93. CONCLUSIONS: The new double-sensor thermometer is sufficiently accurate to be considered an alternative to distal oesophageal core temperature measurement, and may be particularly useful in patients undergoing regional anaesthesia.

Mammary gland secretory concretions contain non-collagenous bone matrix proteins.

Secretory concretions in mammary gland alveoli are commonly of microscopical size. However, some concretions reach clinically palpable dimensions and may occlude teat canals and obstruct milk flow. We studied secretory concretions in sheep, goat and cow mammary glands, using routine histological staining methods, conventional histochemistry and electron microscopy. As concretions frequently mineralize, immunostaining for keratan sulphate and calcium-binding non-collagenous bone matrix proteins (bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, osteonectin and osteopontin) was performed. Concretions consisted of organic matrix (condensed secretions) with calcium precipitates. Mineralized deposits mostly show concentric organization, bound haematoxylin, and were readily identified in H&E-stained sections. Mineral components of concretions reacted for calcium carbonate and phosphate, organic matrix was found to contain sialoglycan material. Immunohistochemistry revealed bone sialoprotein, osteonectin and keratan sulphate in cow and goat concretions. Osteocalcin was detected in sheep, cow and goat concretions, whilst osteopontin was not identified in any of the specimens studied. Our results indicate the presence of non-collagenous bone matrix proteins (except osteopontin) in mammary gland concretions. These glycoproteins are commonly thought to govern mineralization of organic matrix and are assumed also to promote mineral deposition in mammary gland secretory concretions. Besides caseins, these particular glycoproteins have to be considered as calcium-binding milk proteins.

Comparison of scratching behaviour of growing pigs with sarcoptic mange before and after treatment, employing two distinct approaches.

In a closed pig breeding and finishing herd suffering from sarcoptic mange, two selected groups of pigs were filmed during a period of 10 days before and after treatment. The observation always commenced each hour and lasted for 15 min. Before treatment, observations was done round the clock, after treatment from 8:00 to 22:15. Before treatment the pens were stocked with 11 (pen A) and 10 (pen B) growing pigs (Large WhitexLandrace sows; 5 months old) with an average weight of approximately 70 kg examined for sarcoptic mange by skin scrapings and ELISA. The animals had never been treated with an acaricide or endectocide before. After 10 days, the pigs were treated twice (18 days interval) with Dectomax 1% solution for pigs (Pfizer, Austria) at a dose of 0.3 mg Doramectin i.m./kg body weight. After treatment, seven pigs were observed in both pens. Most scratching actions both before (83.1%) and after (94.5%) treatment were of one to 10 s. After treatment, the 10 s-scratching episodes decreased by 67.3% (from 21.2 to 6.9 mean SRE/pig), and the scratching actions of longer than 10 s by 91.7% (from 4.3 to 0.4 mean SRE/pig), such that the latter could be observed only occasionally after treatment. A distinct increase in scratching activity both before and after treatment could be observed primarily between 10:00 and 15:00. Significant differences of scratching and rubbing activity between before and after treatment could also be seen at midday. The interpretation of the scratching index values before and after the treatment were carried out according to Cargill et al. [Cargill, C., Davies, P., Carmichael, I., Hooke, F., Moore, M., 1994. Treatment of pigs with doramectin to control sarcoptic mange. Proceedings of the 13th IPVS Congress, Bangkok, Thailand, p. 238] with the maximum and minimal limiting values specified in the literature, and compared with calculations using the method described by Hollanders et al. [Hollanders, W., Harbers, A.H.M., Huige, J.C.M., Monster, P., Rambags, P.G.M., Hendrikx, W.M.L., 1995. Control of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis with ivermectin: influence on scratching behaviour of fattening pigs and occurence of dermatitis at slaughter. Vet. Parasitol. 58, 117-127]. Depending on the methods used and the limiting values set, 6.7-34.6% of the observations before and 2.0-17.3% of the observations after treatment revealed a "strong evidence of mange" or a "suspicion of mange". All other observations indicated that the pigs were free from mange.

Analysis of theFusarium toxins Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone in Austrian feeds of the crop years 2002 and 2003.

164 feed samples were collected in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Styria and Carynthia in the crop years 2002 and 2003 and were analysed by means of the RIDASCREEN(®) ELISA-assay for theFusarium toxins Deoxynivalenol (DON) and Zearalenone (ZON). The collected samples consisted of swine feeds, cereals and silages. DON concentrations were found up to the range of mg/kg (ppm), in contrast ZON results remained significantly lower.

Clinical and pathological features of the Porcine Ulcerative Dermatitis Syndrome (PUDS).

The nomenclature of ulcerative dermatitis as used in literature is somehow confusing because on the one hand this skin disorder is associated with bacterial growth and on the other hand it is a synonym for a chronic sporadic disease of adult sows with unknown aetiology. Thus, we propose the terminus 'Porcine Ulcerative Dermatitis Syndrome (PUDS)' for the latter to distinguish between these two disease complexes. This syndrome could be identified by clinical and pathological examinations in six sows, that were submitted to the clinic. Epidermal ulcers could be found nearly all over the body, but teats were always spared. Haematological examination showed a slight anaemia but physiological leucocyte counts. However, lymphopenia (x = 44.8%), granulocytosis (x = 42.0%) and an increased number of monocytes (x = 13.1%) could be found. Histologically, a lymphoplasmacytic and granulohistiocytic infiltration in the corium was most prominent. In some cases, a moderate leucocytoclastic vasculitis and perivasculitis could be seen at the dermo-epidermal border. Additionally, a multifocal interstitial nephritis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration was a prominent feature in all animals. Participation of an immune complex associated disorder can be assumed when regarding histological findings as skin lesions in combination with glomerulonephritis are a common feature of such diseases. Also, IgG levels were elevated two- to fourfold in all affected sows when compared with healthy control pigs. This supports the hypothesis that not only T cells, as shown previously, but also the humoral branch of the immune system is involved in the aetiology of PUDS.

Differentiation of Babesia bigemina, B. bovis, B. divergens and B. major by Western blotting--first report of B. bovis in Austrian cattle.

To establish an assay for the serological differentiation of bovine Babesia species ( B. bigemina, B. bovis, B. divergens and B. major), antigens from experimentally infected cattle were Western blotted and probed with homologous and heterologous sera. Varying antigen patterns for each species allowed the determination of species-specific diagnostic antigens. Blood samples from 36 naturally infected cattle from the province of Styria were tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) against B. divergens, as well as by Western blotting against B. bigemina, B. bovis, B. divergens and B. major, 3 weeks after clinical babesiosis was diagnosed by blood smears. All 36 cattle were B. divergens-positive when tested by IFAT. In four cases (11%), an infection with both B. bovis and B. divergens and in two cases a single infection with B. bovis were diagnosed when tested by Western blot. B. bigemina and B. major infections were not detected. These are the first serologically confirmed cases of B. bovis in Austrian cattle.

[Occurrence of the fusariotoxins deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in Austrian feedstuff in the period from 1995 to 1999]. / Zum Vorkommen der Fusarientoxine Desoxynivalenol und Zearalenon in österreichischen Futtermitteln im Zeitraum von 1995 bis 1999.

3970 feed samples were analysed for the fusariumtoxins deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. 979 (24.6%) of the submitted feed samples from farms with case history (swine herds: decreased feed intake and daily weight gain, vomiting, cannibalism, impaired fertility, small litter size, weakness of newborn piglets, prolonged oestrus of sows; cattle: persistence of follicular ovarian cysts, enteritis, decreased slaughter weight, feed refusal). 74% of the samples contained cereal and corn ingredients respectively or were complete diet samples from swine herds. Based on economic losses the fusariumtoxin deoxynivalenol is most important in Austrian husbandry and particularly found in maize, cornsilage, wheat and oat.

[Effect of mycotoxin contaminated feed on production parameters of dairy cows]. / Einfluss von mykotoxinkontaminiertem Futter auf Leistungsparameter beim Milchrind.

Based on a feeding trial using 27 lactating "Simmental-cows" the effect of naturally contaminated feed with deoxynivalenol (DON) as well as zearalenone (ZON) regarding production parameters was examined. 3 groups of cows according to lactation number, milk yield (kg ECM) and body mass were used. The average daily intake of DON in group K was 12.4 mg, in group T 14.1 mg and in group M 14.3 mg and ZON in group K was 12.4 mg, in group T 0.67 mg and in group M 0.68 mg respectively. The feed of animals of group M was supplemented with "Mycofix Plus" as mycotoxin inactivator. The red and white blood picture including the thrombocytes were in all groups within the normal range. Concerning enzymes (GGT, AP) and metabolites (GLUC, TBIL, UREA, CREA) the mean values of the 3 groups were in the normal range. Slightly increased were the mean values of all groups in respect to the AST- and GLDH-activities. Volatile fatty acids of the rumen content were significantly highest in group M, also the number of dead rumen infusoria was significantly decreased, but the counts of small sized infusoria increased. The study has shown that "Mycofix Plus" might be able to enhance the activity of rumen flora concerning detoxification of mycotoxins in feed of dairy cows.

Cochlear implantation in Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome.

Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome represents a rare, autosomal recessive cause of congenital deafness. Affected patients have a characteristic prolongation of the QT interval on electrocardiogram, along with cardiac arrhythmias, recurrent syncopal episodes, and a predisposition to sudden death. We present the first reported case of cochlear implantation in a child with Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome. Special perioperative precautions were required, including cardiac monitoring for 48 hours, perioperative beta blockade, and special anesthetic considerations. Because sudden patient death has been associated with exposures to loud sounds in patients with prolonged QT syndrome without hearing loss (Ward-Romano syndrome), initial cochlear implant stimulation was performed with cardiac monitoring. This patient has responded well to cochlear implantation with 11 months of implant use. The patient has achieved limited open-set word comprehension and significantly improved speech, as is expected for her age. Although the patient had no problems with cardiac arrhythmias at surgery, she has since experienced a syncopal episode requiring placement of an automatic pacemaker and defibrillator. The implant has continued to work well despite the pacemaker and defibrillator. Cochlear implantation can be relatively safely performed in patients with Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome, provided proper precautions are followed.

[Not Available]. / Die Fusarientoxine Deoxynivalenol und Zearalenon in österreichischen Futtermitteln.

3970 feedsamples were analysed for the Fusariumtoxins deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. 979 (24.6 %) of the submitted feed samples came from farms with case history (swine herds: decreased feed intake and daily weight gain, vomiting, cannibalism, impaired fertility, small litter size, weakness of newborn piglets, prolonged oestrus of sows; cattle: persistence of the follicular ovarian cysts, enteritis, decreased slaughter weight, feed refuse), which correlated positively with the mycotoxicological results. 74 % of the samples contained cereal and corn components respectively or complete diet samples from swine herds. Based on economic losses the fusariumtoxin Desoxynivalenol is most important in Austrian husbandry and particularly found in maize, cornsilage, wheat and oat.

Pathology of large-caliber stereotactic biopsies in nonpalpable breast lesions.

We report the surgical pathology experience with large caliber stereotactic biopsies for non-palpable breast lesions in 217 patients. The aim is to compare the demographics to another somewhat similar center (#2), and to published results with the much smaller stereotactic needle biopsies, including our own historical controls. The large caliber tissue specimens yielded proportionally fewer nonspecific diagnoses, with remaining areas of difficulty. An evolving diagnostic strategy is outlined.

Sequence-ready contig for the 1.4-cM ductal carcinoma in situ loss of heterozygosity region on chromosome 8p22-p23.

We report the construction of an approximately 1.7-Mb sequence-ready YAC/BAC clone contig of 8p22-p23. This chromosomal region has been associated with frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in breast, ovarian, prostate, head and neck, and liver cancer. We first constructed a meiotic linkage map for 8p to resolve previously reported conflicting map orders from the literature. The target region containing a putative tumor suppressor gene was defined by allelotyping 65 cases of sporadic ductal carcinoma in situ with 18 polymorphic markers from 8p. The minimal region of loss encompassed the interval between D8S520 and D8S261, and one tumor had loss of D8S550 only. We chose to begin physical mapping of this minimal LOH region by concentrating on the distal end, which includes D8S550. A fine-structure radiation hybrid map for the region that extends from D8S520 (distal) to D8S1759 (proximal) was prepared, followed by construction of a single, integrated YAC/BAC contig for the interval. The approximately 1730-kb contig consists of 13 YACs and 27 BACs. Fifty-four sequence-tagged sites (STSs) developed from BAC insert end-sequences and 11 expressed sequence tags were localized within the contig by STS content mapping. In addition, four unique cDNA clones from the region were isolated and fully sequenced. This integrated YAC/BAC resource provides the starting point for transcription mapping, genomic sequencing, and positional cloning of this region.

Improved disease resistance after Babesia divergens vaccination.

The efficacy of a new inactivated vaccine against Babesia divergens was evaluated by means of inoculation tests. The infection was initiated by i.v. injection of blood containing 2 x 10(9) living parasites into splenectomized and non-splenectomized calves. Clinical status and hematological parameters were determined. Serology examinations for antibodies against B. divergens were carried out by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Non-vaccinated and splenectomized animals exhibited experimental infections. In vaccinated and splenectomized animals, clinical symptoms and prolonged incubation periods were observed.

[Clinical and microbiological investigations of atrophic rhinitis of Upper Austrian swine herds]. / Klinische und mikrobiologische Untersuchungen über die Rhinitis atrophicans in oberösterreichischen Schweinebeständen.

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of the progressive and non-progressive atrophic rhinitis of Upper Austrian swine herds. Further on the resistance pattern of the pathogens involved to chemotherapeutics was tested. In the period of May 1993 to June 1996 a total of 56 Upper Austrian swine herds were examined and on the occasion of the animal herd health management 997 nasal swab-samples of young pigs taken. The area of this investigation included 14 Upper Austrian districts and the herds examined were divided into 3 types. Type 1 were swine herds of the swine breeding association (SZV), type 2 piglet producing farms (FP) and type 3 closed swine herds (GB). Sucking- and weaning piglets aged from 4 to 10 weeks were selected for these examinations. On the average 10 nasal swab-samples (2 swabs per animal) per herd were taken, microbiologically examined and the toxin by means of ELISA-tests determined. In terms of resistance testing (antibiogram) 20 different chemotherapeutics, which consisted of 11 different groups of drugs, were used. As a result of 997 nasal swab-samples examined, 304 (30.5%) P. m., 111 (11.1%) tox. P. m. and 35 (3.5%) B. b. were isolated. 50% of the Upper Austrian swine herds showed PAR by means of microbiological examination and ELISA-tests as well. The resistance pattern of P. m. and B. b. exhibited significant differences. Penicillin and lincospectin were highly resistant concerning isolates of B. b., but were highly sensitive for P. m. Enrofloxacin turned out as the most effective drug to the P. m.-toxin-negative- and B. b.-strains tested, because no resistance was observed. Finally efficient PAR control programmes of swine herds belonging to the Upper Austrian swine herd health service are described.

Biomechanical analysis of two change-of-direction maneuvers while running.

Many research efforts focus on unidirectional gait. However, few functional activities are exclusively linear: people regularly change directions to evade obstructions. Directional changes have been identified as particularly hazardous, but rarely studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the kinetics of abrupt changes of direction while running. Twelve adult volunteers performed 10 trials each for 45 degrees and 90 degrees change-of-direction conditions. Orthogonal force and moment (torque) records were obtained using a computer-interfaced force platform system. Vertical, braking, and propulsive force and applied torque variables were extracted for statistical analysis. Significant force differences (p < .01) were identified between conditions. Applied torques were highly variable and not significantly different. Functionally, these data suggest that applied forces serve as the principal impetus of directional change.

Interobserver variability in the detection of spontaneous echo contrast, left atrial thrombi, and left atrial appendage thrombi by transoesophageal echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the interobserver variability between two observers from different echocardiographic laboratories. DESIGN: Two observers reviewed video recordings blinded to the other's diagnosis. In part I (n = 88), they determined interobserver variability for spontaneous echo contrast, left atrial thrombi, and appendage thrombi. No diagnostic criteria for thrombi were defined. In part II (n = 85), diagnostic criteria for thrombi were defined. RESULTS: Part I: Both observers agreed in diagnosing spontaneous echo contrast in 97%, left atrial thrombi in 90%, left atrial appendage thrombi in 94%. Part II: With predefined criteria no disagreement occurred in diagnosing left atrial thrombi. In the diagnosis of left atrial appendage thrombi both observers agreed in 89%. The mean diameters of the 10 thrombi on which the observers agreed were greater than of the nine appendage thrombi on which they disagreed. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver variability in the diagnosis of spontaneous echo contrast is low. Defined criteria decrease interobserver variability for left atrial and appendage thrombi, although one third of the thrombi diagnosed by one observer were not confirmed by the other. Interobserver variability is high in the assessment of small structures (< 15 mm) within the left atrial appendage.

[The mineral content of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in the serum and bones and the serum activity of alkaline phosphatase in slaughtered fattening pigs]. / Untersuchungen über die Mineralstoffgehalte Calcium, Phosphor und Magnesium im Serum und Knochen sowie die Serum-Aktivität der Alkalischen Phosphatase bei geschlachteten Mastschweinen.

The mineral content of serum and bones in 311 fattening pigs kept in a large scale farming operation was analyzed. Serum and metacarpal (III and IV) bone samples were obtained during slaughtering. The mean values of serum parameters as determined by automated dry-chemistry (Kodak Ektachem) were: Ca 2.80 +/- 0.20 mmol/l, P 3.08 +/- 0.67 mmol/l, Mg 1.21 +/- 0.24 mmol/l and Alkaline Phosphatase 211.25 +/- 56.91 U/l. Ash in bones was on average 62.85 +/- 2.07%. Ca- und Mg-contents of bones were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the percentage found for Ca was 31.87 +/- 2.68%, and for Mg 0.64 +/- 0.05%. P in bones was determined spectrophotometrically by the vanadate-molybdate method and was 17.48 +/- 0.97%. The Ca/P-ratio in serum was 0.94 +/- 0.16, in bones 1.83 +/- 0.19, Ca/Mg in serum 2.37 +/- 0.31 and in bones 50.05 +/- 5.00. The parameters tested (Ca, P, Mg, AP) and the Ca/P- and Ca/Mg-ratios of minerals in serum and bones did not differ between sexes. Between all serum parameters positive correlations were found as well as between Ca and Mg in bones. Ca, P and Mg in bones were negatively correlated to Ca, P and Mg in serum, respectively. All results of the parameters examined were within the normal range for healthy fattening pigs, with the only exception that Ca-values in bones were lower than normal. A new method for preparing the bone samples for the analyses of minerals was established and can be recommended for further investigations.

Heme protein dynamics studied by phosphorescence of an external phosphorescent probe molecule.

The rate constant for quenching, kq, of the phosphorescence of 6-bromo-2-naphthyl sulfate (BNS) by cytochromes c, cytochrome c peroxidase, catalase, and myoglobin has been measured as a function of temperature and solvent viscosity. In aqueous solution at pH 7.0 for cytochromes c and myoglobin the value of kq is nearly equal to the rate constant for diffusional intermolecular contact, which is estimated from the value of kq for microperoxidase-11. For cytochrome c peroxidase and catalase kq is at least 350 times smaller than the rate of diffusional quenching, which shows that quenching of BNS phosphorescence occurs predominantly over the short distance between donor and acceptor. The mechanism for cytochrome c and myoglobin is found not to involve static quenching, deep penetration of BNS into the globin, or unfolding of the protein to allow contact between heme and BNS. It is concluded that quenching occurs by interaction of BNS with the exposed heme edge and by surface insertion of BNS into the protein to a depth sufficient for quenching by the unexposed heme. The effect of rapid-diffusional enhancement on kq is small. From a comparison of the results for the heme proteins, a model emerges that describes cytochrome c and myoglobin as having dynamic surfaces. Sufficient fluctuations persist to allow penetration of polyatomic probe molecules into the protein matrix, but the dynamics and/or interior microenvironment acts to increase resistance with increasing depth of penetration.

Desmoid tumor of the breast following augmentation mammaplasty.

Fewer than 100 cases of desmoid tumor of the breast have been reported. We report the first recorded case of desmoid associated with silicone gel-filled implants.