Calculation of the nematic entropy using digital images.

In this work we will use digital images to compute the entropy dependence on temperature of a nematic lyotropic sample. The set of images comprehend the entire temperature range between a reentrant nematic isotropic phase transition, at a low temperature, and a usual nematic isotropic phase transition at a higher temperature. We will show that, inside the nematic phase, the image entropy profile agrees accurately with the entropy given by the Maier-Saupe model. As far as we know, this is the first time that the entropy of a lyotropic nematic phase is evaluated by this method, which introduces a way to measure their macroscopic variables. Namely, being that the entropy is a thermodynamical potential, this result implies that digital images can be used to compute mean values of nematic random variables.

Reentrant isotropic-calamitic nematic phase transition in potassium laurate-decanol- D2O mixtures.

The phase diagram is an interesting field of research, particularly in lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC). In this way, one of the most important phase diagrams of this LLC system was reported by Yu and Saupe. Two uniaxial (calamitic--N(C) and discotic--N(D)) and one biaxial nematic (N(B)) phases were determined by these authors. Furthermore, in this phase diagram the classical isotropic phase (I was observed at high temperature as well as a reentrant isotropic phase (I(RE)) which takes place at lower temperature. Later, this phase diagram was also studied by several authors and in all cases the I(RE)-N(C)-I phase transitions were not observed. In this work, we present a study of this phase diagram through digital image processing and refractometry optical techniques. The occurrence of these phase transitions is investigated and characterized. In addition, the order parameter is obtained based on the Vuks hypothesis from a particular point, in the range of the N(C) phase, where the absolute value of the optical birefringence (Deltan is maximum.

[Unusually early onset of Kawasaki syndrome with coronary artery aneurysms]. / Ungewöhnlich frühes Auftreten eines Kawasaki-Syndroms mit Koronararterien-Aneurysma.

Kawasaki disease is a multisystem illness that has been described throughout the world. It affects children with a peak frequency in the 6-month to 5-year group. Besides the typical clinical findings and specific laboratory changes during the initial phase of acute illness there are obligatory cardiovascular manifestations due to a generalized microvasculitis. Above all the coronary arteritis resulting in the formation of aneurysm may complicate a primarily good prognosis (causing death in 1-2% of the cases). The present case report describes a coronary artery involvement in a young 1 1/2-month-old infant with Kawasaki disease.

[Toxic shock syndrome in a 14-year-old girl]. / Syndrom des toxischen Schocks bei einem 14 jährigen Mädchen.

The toxic shock syndrome in a 14-year old girl is described. This syndrome occurs most frequently - but not exclusively - in the teens and young women during the first days of menstruation, if tampons are used. The patients are acutely ill with high fever, diarrhea and/or vomiting, with a rash, with loss of consciousness, and signs of shock (occasionally shock lung syndrome and renal insufficiency). During convalescence desquamation of hands and feet shows up. Patients with much less severe symptoms have been seen. The primary lesion is a local infection (e.g. vaginitis) with staphylococcus aureus, the symptoms being caused by staphylococcal toxins. Early recognition and immediate therapy are important for a better prognosis. The therapy consists of removal of the tampon, i.v. fluids including albumin, and the administration of a beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotic.

[The estimation of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyro-binding-index, and free-thyroxine-index in the newborn (author's transl)]. / Thyroxin- und Trijodthyronin-Bestimmungen sowie Thyroid-Bindungs-Index und Freier Thyroxin-Index beim Neugeborenen

Because of the importance of early diagnosis of hypothyroidism normal values of thyroxine (T4), thyro-binding-index (TBI), free thyroxine-index (FTI) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the serum of newborns were established. In extremely premature babies as in early fetal life the total thyroxine is relatively low. The lowest serum thyroxine in newborns without hypothyroidism was found in a premature infant with a birth weight of 750 g, i.e. 4.8 mug/100 ml on the 4th day of life. Otherwise the T4 values were quite high during the neonatal period, without signs of hyperthyroidism. Our hypothyroid patients scarcely had higher T4 values (0.8-5.1 mug/100 ml) within the first month of life than older hypothyroid patients. Healthy newborns had a mean T4 value of about 15 mug/100 ml during the first week of life (two standard deviations 6.4-23.6 mug/100 ml). Afterwards the T4 values slowly came down to a mean of about 12 mug/100 ml in the 4th week of life. During the first month of life the FTI of hypothyroid patients was below two standard deviations of normal newborn values, whereas TBI-values showed an overlap. During the first 3 days of life newborns with goiter had T4-values in the lower normal or hypothyroid range without obvious signs of hypothyroidism. FTI was quite low, too, and TBI relatively high (as in hypothyroidism). Within the second week of life all these values normalized mostly after treatment with KI ointment, occasionally without this treatment. Where these values did not normalize, hypohtyroidism was assumed. Triiodothyronine in cord blood was very low (0.47 ng/1.6 ng/ml) during the neonatal period (one to two days after birth almost 2.0 mg/ml). Values in our hypothyroid patients fluctuated widely (zero to slightly elevated values with a mean of 0.78 ng/ml). Therefore, T4 seemed more reliable than T3 for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism (the opposite was true for hyperthyroidism.