Pedagogically fast model to evaluate and optimize passively Q-switched Nd-doped solid-state lasers.

The coupled rate equations with the spatial overlap effect for four-level passively Q-switched lasers are fully considered. A transcendental equation is derived for the residual fraction of the inversion density after the finish of the Q-switched pulse. Comprehensive calculations for the transcendental equation were executed to attain an analytical function for precisely fitting the residual fraction of the inversion density. With the fitting function, a pedagogical model with the correction for high output coupling is developed to straightforwardly analyze the output pulse energy and peak power. Detailed experiments are carried out to validate the model.

Propagation-dependent evolution of interfering multiple beams and kaleidoscopic vortex lattices.

In this Letter, we experimentally explore the propagation-dependent evolution of generating the pseudo-nondiffracting quasi-crystalline (crystalline) beams based on the multibeam interference. We originally derived an analytical formula to exactly manifest the propagation evolution of interfering multiple beams. With the analytical formula, the formation of quasi-crystalline structures in the focal plane can be explicitly verified. Furthermore, the distance of the effective propagation-invariant region can be verified in terms of experimental parameters. More importantly, we employed the developed formula to confirm the formation of kaleidoscopic vortex lattices by means of numerically computing the propagation-dependent phase singularities.

Emergence of a sylvatic enzootic formosan ferret badger-associated rabies in Taiwan and the geographical separation of two phylogenetic groups of rabies viruses.

Taiwan had been declared rabies-free in humans and domestic animals for five decades until July 2013, when surprisingly, three Formosan ferret badgers (FB) were diagnosed with rabies. Since then, a variety of wild carnivores and other wildlife species have been found dead, neurologically ill, or exhibiting aggressive behaviors around the island. To determine the affected animal species, geographic areas, and environments, animal bodies were examined for rabies by direct fluorescent antibody test (FAT). The viral genomes from the brains of selected rabid animals were sequenced for the phylogeny of rabies viruses (RABV). Out of a total of 1016 wild carnivores, 276/831 (33.2%) Formosan FBs were FAT positive, with occasional biting incidents in 1 dog and suspected spillover in 1 house shrew. All other animals tested, including dogs, cats, bats, mice, house shrews, and squirrels, were rabies-negative. The rabies was badger-associated and confined to nine counties/cities in sylvatic environments. Phylogeny of nucleoprotein and glycoprotein genes from 59 Formosan FB-associated RABV revealed them to be clustered in two distinct groups, TWI and TWII, consistent with the geographic segregation into western and eastern Taiwan provided by the Central Mountain Range and into northern rabies-free and central-southern rabies-affected regions by a river bisecting western Taiwan. The unique features of geographic and genetic segregation, sylvatic enzooticity, and FB-association of RABV suggest a logical strategy for the control of rabies in this nation.

Psychosocial problems in children with allergic diseases: a population study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: A few studies had pointed out the relationship between a single allergic disease and children's psychosocial problems; however, all of these researchers considered the allergic diseases separately. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between collective allergic diseases and psychosocial problems among 4- to 12-year-old children in Taiwan. METHODS: The data were generated from the 2005 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey. A total of 2955 parents or guardians completed the answers for their 4- to 12-year-old children. We used logistic regressions to investigate the association of allergic diseases and the psychosocial problems. RESULTS: About 40.62% children had at least one allergic disease in the past year, and 17.75% children had a score of psychosocial problems higher than or equal to the 75th percentile. After controlling for demographic factors, the risk of having high-level psychosocial problem for children with any allergic disease was 1.84 times of those without allergy. For those who had one, two or more than two allergic diseases, the risks of having psychosocial problems were 1.56, 2.20 and 3.39 times of those had no allergy disease respectively. Children with asthma, dermatitis and rhinitis simultaneously had the highest psychosocial impact (odds ratio = 5.10). CONCLUSIONS: Collective allergic diseases were associated with psychosocial problems in children, and the effect was gradient. Parents and paediatricians should pay attention to psychosocial problems in children with allergic diseases and vice versa.

Vaccine-associated rhabdomyosarcoma with spinal epidural invasion and pulmonary metastasis in a cat.

A 7-year-old, female, domestic medium-haired cat had a recurrent deep dermal mass in the interscapular region after initial surgical removal 3 months earlier. The cat had received a killed rabies vaccine and a five-in-one vaccine in the same area about 2 months prior to the first surgery. The relapsed mass was diagnosed as vaccine-associated sarcoma. The cat was euthanized 2 months later because of hind limb paralysis. At necropsy, multiple, poorly demarcated, nodular masses were seen in the muscles around the shoulders, neck, and thoracic vertebrae. Pulmonary metastasis and spinal epidural invasion at T1-T3 with regional cord compression and malacia were observed. Microscopically, the masses consisted of interwoven bundles of spindle cells with prominent multinucleated giant cell formation. The neoplastic cells stained strongly positive for myoglobin, and moderately but variably positive for vimentin, desmin, and alpha- smooth muscle actin. Phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin staining revealed cytoplasmic striations in scattered tumor cells. The tumor was considered a vaccine-associated rhabdomyosarcoma.

[Analysis of malignancy of human brain glioma with silver colloid-staining technique].

The nucleolar organizer regions are loops of DNA that exist in cellular nucleolus and possess ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes. Ribonucleic acid polymerase I acts on these areas. This experience collects 52 primary human gliomas at TSGH from 1984 to 1989. These included 23 astrocytomas, 8 anaplastic astrocytomas and 21 glioblastoma multiforms. After thin cutting on slides and deparaffinizing, we stained each by the silver colloid technique. We counted the total quantity of Ag-NOR dots of over 400 tumor cells of each case and average of Ag-NOR dots per cell (+/- standard error of the mean) with X1000 oil lens. The results are 1.68 +/- 0.05, 2.00 +/- 0.10; 2.55 +/- 0.13 respectively, showing significant differences among these. The average Ag-NOR paralleled the degree of histopathological malignancy. With the average Ag-NOR of tumor cells to predict the patients prognosis, we found that the group containing patients with less than 2.00 Ag-NOR per cell had better prognosis than the group with 2.00 Ag-NOR or more. The silver colloid-staining technique is a simple, rapid and reproducible method to evaluate the malignancy of human brain gliomas and to estimate the long-term prognosis of patients.

Lupus nephritis, emphasizing tubulointerstitial lesions: a clinico-pathological analysis.

Tubulointerstitial lesions (TIL) such as interstitial inflammation, fibrosis and tubular atrophy are frequently found in classes of lupus nephritis. A retrospective study evaluate lupus nephritis, the relationship between TIL and glomerular lesions, and the significance of TIL in assessing the severity and prognosis for cases of lupus nephritis. Between June 1983 and Jan 1990, 492 renal biopsies were performed. Lupus nephritis was diagnosed in 37 patients who fulfilled the American Rheumatology Association (ARA) criteria for Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The results showed a significant correlation between degree of TIL and impairment of renal function. Degree of TIL and severity of glomerular lesions must be considered simultaneously to predict renal function of patients with lupus nephritis.

Carcinoid tumor localized in the liver--two cases report: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.

Two cases of carcinoid tumors, considered to be probably hepatic in origin, occurring in a 53-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman are reported. In both cases no endocrine syndrome appeared, and an alternative primary source of the tumor was not found in case two, despite an intensive search at operation. The neoplasms in both cases were soft, firm, brown-pink and well-encapsulated. They were composed of small uniform cells, that had distinct borders and grew in insular, nests, trabeculae and strands that were separated by a delicate fibrous stroma. Stains of argentaffin and argyrophil showed strong positivity in both cases. The immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies all demonstrated characteristics of a carcinoid. The postoperative recovery was good. They have remained well 5 years later in case 1 and 3 years in case 2 after surgical treatment. Literature concerning this rare condition is also reviewed.

Scanning electron microscopic study of three glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines of the Chinese brain in vitro and in vivo.

Three permanent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines have been successfully established and characterized from the Chinese brain GBM tumors. The tumorigenicity in the athymic nude mice with multiple pulmonary metastases are observed. The scanning electron microscopic examinations reveal numerous surface microvilli and blebs of various size on the primary GBM tumors, the cultured tumor cells in vitro and the xenografted tumor cells in the nude mice in vivo. The distinct ultrastructural features of stellate cultured cells with astrocytic-differentiation after db-cAMP treatment of 96 hours show many intermittent dilations (pseudopods) along the long cytoplasmic processes. The intermittent dilatations and growth cones also express strongly positive immunostaining for GFAP. The growth inhibition of db-cAMP treated, cultured in vitro tumor cells is also observed. We are convinced that the continuous, established cell lines and tumorigenicity in the athymic nude mice may constitute the best reliable in vitro and in vivo systems for the investigation of human brain GBM.

Small cell lung carcinoma: clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study.

Sixty-seven cases of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLA) in Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH) during the past 16 years were studied. For patients with extensive stage of disease, the mean survival time and 2-year survival rate were 7.2 months and 3.1% versus 13.4 months and 16.7% for patients with limited stage. A better prognosis was obtained by treatment with a combination of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical studies were performed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The positive rates in descending order were bombesin (80%), synaptophysin (74.3%), neurofilament (68.6%), neuron-specific enolase (60%), low molecular weight cytokeratin (54.3%), high molecular weight cytokeratin (25.7%), chromogranin-A (22.9%), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (0). Seven cases were examined and found to be ultrastructure; only 3 cases were found to contain neurosecretory granules. We emphasize that electron microscopy is not necessary as a routine diagnostic procedure, while light microscopy should be employed whenever possible; the immunohistochemical study should be considered within this context.

Focal glomerulosclerosis: a clinico-pathological analysis of 36 adult patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the clinicopathological correlation of focal glomerulosclerosis in 36 adult patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. All cases were divided into two groups, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, 23 cases) and focal global glomerulosclerosis (FGBG, 13 cases), on the basis of pathological findings. Most patients with FSGS were non-responsive/partial-responsive (22/22) to the corticosteroid treatment. By contrast, those with FGBG gave a relatively high responsive rate of 7/12 to the same therapy. The 5 non-responders with FGBG, however, were noted to have intensive interstitial fibrosis/mononuclear cell infiltrate of the renal lesions (4 cases), or diffusely glomerular Clq deposition without other coexisting immune deposits (1 case). Most cases of FSGS (20/23) became steroid dependent or remained heavy proteinuria resistant to corticosteroids/other immunosuppressive agents over a mean of 3.4 (ranged, 1 to 7) years after renal biopsy. Three of the 5 patients of FGBG initially non-responsive/partial-responsive to corticosteroids turned out to have protein-free urine (less than 4 mg/hr/m2) (2 patients) 1 month after leaving the hospital and became mildly proteinuric (1 patient) two months after discharge, respectively. The remainders of FGBG (10/13) were free of protein in their urine sample or had occasional episodes of proteinuria over a mean duration of 4.1 (ranged, 1 to 7) years. In addition, chronic renal insufficiency on discharge was noted in 2 cases of FSGS (2/23) and 1 case of FGBG (1/13). Only two cases of FSGS (2/23) progressed into a uremic status 3 and 5 years, respectively, after the time of the presumed clinical onset of their disease. These findings suggest that FGBG clinically behaves similar to a minimal change disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Congenital Letterer-Siwe disease with intrauterine fetal death: a case report and review of the literature.

Letterer-Siwe disease is a rare proliferative disorder of the Langerhans cells, usually encountered inpatients under the age of 3 years. We present an unusual case of intrauterine fetal death at the 28th gestational week associated with generalized papular skin eruptions and systemic histiocytic infiltrates characteristic of Letterer-Siwe disease. Histopathologic features of Langerhans cells were further confirmed by immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. The events occurring in pregnancy which may be worth mentioning are: (1) routine chest P-A view X-ray exposure of the mother 2 days before LMP, (2) the mother was exposed to certain Chinese herbs, in particular, the 101 hair growth solution (A Chinese herb mixture used for alopecia; contents unknown) from assisting her husband in topical applications, and (3) the mother has worked in front of computer monitors 8 hours a day for 10 years.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver with occlusive endophlebitis: report of a case.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is an extremely rare benign tumor. Only 12 cases have so far been reported in the English literature. The etiology and pathogenesis of IPT remain obscure. We herein present an additional case of IPT of the liver with occlusive endophlebitis in a 36-year-old female. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated the polyclonal nature of the plasma cells in the tumor, including IgA, IgM, IgG, kappa and lambda. The inflammatory pseudotumor should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of hepatic space-occupying malignant lesions.

Tumor localization of human brain malignant glioma xenograft in nude mice with a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody.

A murine monoclonal antibody designated as MAb 3H9 (IgG1 subclass immunoglobulin, kappa light chain) expressed specific antibody binding activity to a human brain malignant glioma cell line (GBM8401/TSGH,NDMC) and many formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded malignant gliomas that have been produced in our laboratory by hybridoma technology. The immunohistochemical indirect immunofluorescence, peroxidase-antiperoxidase assays, and specific electron microscopic immunogold staining revealed that 3H9 probably recognized a distinct glioma-associated surface antigen on the GBM8401 cultured cells. In vivo radioimmunolocalization of GBM8401 xenografts in nude mice by external scintigraphy with radiolabeled 3H9 has been performed to evaluate potential clinical application as diagnostic or therapeutic reagents. On the 3rd day after an intravenous injection of 15 microCi, the 125I- or 131I-radiolabeled 3H9 was successful in immunolocalization of a human brain GBM8401 xenograft in the nude mouse. In large xenografts, the radioactivity ratios of tumor to brain and tumor to blood were 11.0 and 2.4, respectively. In small xenografts, the tumor to brain and tumor to blood ratios were 14.0 and 2.9, respectively. The clearance of radiolabeled 3H9 in the bloodstream of the nude mouse was not affected by the presence of a GBM8401 xenograft. This preliminary experiment reveals that human brain GBM8401 xenografts in nude mice can be detected in vivo by radiolabeled 3H9.

Simultaneous renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma in a kidney--a case report and literature review.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common tumor of the kidney. Angiomyolipoma is frequently present in the patient who has the stigma of tuberous sclerosis. We reported a case of a 39-year-old female, without the stigma of tuberous sclerosis, who was admitted on account of a firm, huge, fixed and palpable mass over the left flank region for one week. After radical nephrectomy, the pathological report was renal cell carcinoma, granular cell type, associated with angiomyolipoma. The literature concerning this unusual case is reviewed.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the spleen--case report and literature review.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the spleen is an extremely rare benign lesion. We herein report an additional case of a 64-year-old man with IPT of spleen to compare with seven cases previously reported in the literature. However, the immunohistochemical studies has demonstrated to polyclonality of plasma cells which was comparable to these seven previously reported cases. The clinical and pathological findings, as well as the possibilities of etiology and pathogenesis are also described.

Diaphragmatic defect as a cause of massive hydrothorax in cirrhosis of liver.

A 56-year-old woman with a 2-year history of cirrhosis of the liver and frequent right pleural effusion was admitted with intractable shortness of breath. Chest x-ray examination showed marked pleural effusion of the right lung field with a shift of the mediastinum to the left. Ascites was not conspicuous. Except for the liver cirrhosis, there was no clinical evidence of other underlying diseases. The patient died with a relatively short course after hospitalization. At autopsy, an apparent bleb with 1-mm hole in the tendinous portion of the right diaphragm was noted. We suggest that the ascitic fluid directly crossed the diaphragmatic defect to the pleural cavity, which contributed to the hydrothorax. In this article we review the pertinent literature.