Materials Issues In X-Ray Lithography

In this paper, an outline of materials-related activities in the national X-Ray Lithography Program is given. The program is directed towards the development of sub-quarter micron design-rule x-ray lithography together with the ancillary technologies required to fabricate defect-free x-ray masks. Work done at the Naval Research Laboratory is highlighted and used for examples. Most materials related work occurs in conjunction in the x-ray mask fabrication pro. cess. Topics discussed include electron beam-matter interaction in the mask patterning process, membane fabrication, stress control in thin membranes, reactive-ion etching of absorber-layers, mask inspection and repair.

Cohort study of a campylobacteriosis outbreak associated with chicken liver parfait, United Kingdom, June 2010

In an outbreak of 24 cases of gastroenteritis among guests at a wedding reception, 13 cases had confirmed Campylobacter infection. In a cohort study, univariate analysis revealed a strong association with consumption of chicken liver parfait: risk ratio (RR): 30.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.34-208.44, p<0.001, which remained after adjustment for potential confounders in a multivariable model: RR=27.8, 95% CI=3.9-199.7, p=0.001. These analyses strongly support the hypothesis that this outbreak was caused by the consumption of chicken liver parfait.

Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 and mortality in the United Kingdom: risk factors for death, April 2009 to March 2010

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches

Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 and mortality in the United Kingdom: risk factors for death, April 2009 to March 2010

This paper describes the epidemiology of fatal pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases in the United Kingdom (UK) since April 2009 and in particular risk factors associated with death. A fatal case was defined as a UK resident who died between 27 April 2009 and 12 March 2010, in whom pandemic influenza A(H1N1) infection was confirmed by laboratory or recorded on death certificate. Case fatality ratios (CFR) were calculated using the estimated cumulative number of clinical cases as the denominator. The relative risk of death was estimated by comparing the population mortality rate in each risk group, with those not in a risk group. Across the UK, 440 fatal cases were identified. In England, fatal cases were mainly seen in young adults (median age 43 years, 85% under 65 years), unlike for seasonal influenza. The majority (77%) of cases for whom data were available (n=308) had underlying risk factors for severe disease. The CFR in those aged 65 years or over was nine per 1,000 (range 3 - 26) compared to 0.4 (range 0.2 to 0.9) for those aged six months to 64 years. In the age group between six month and 64 years, the relative risk for fatal illness for those in a risk group was 18. The population attributable fractions in this age group were highest for chronic neurological disease (24%), immunosuppression (16%) and respiratory disease (15%). The results highlight the importance of early targeted effective intervention programmes.

Phenotype/Genotype Correlations in the Ultrastructure of Monogenetic Glomerular Diseases

Electron microscopy defined classic patterns of hereditary glomerular disease long before genetics revealed an underlying specific mutation. Genetic analysis is now easier to perform in clinical practice but an earlier optimism that genetics would predict disease severity and phenotype is challenged. The classic paradigm is Alport nephritis in which only a subset of mutations may predict glomerular abnormalities and disease severity. Interpretation of ultrastructural pathology of monogenetic diseases like Alport nephritis is complicated when the proband is the first family member to be diagnosed or there is discrepancy between clinical presentation and ultrastructural changes. In this review the authors have selected a dozen cases representative of common monogenetic glomerular diseases as a platform to discuss the utility of diagnostic electron microscopy in the era of molecular genetics. The emphasis is on genotype/glomerular phenotype correlations.

Phenotypic spectrum of neurodegeneration associated with mutations in the PLA2G6 gene (PLAN)

BACKGROUND

Neurodegeneration associated with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders in which disruption of cellular mechanisms leads to accumulation of iron in the basal ganglia. This group includes patients with recently discovered mutations in the PLA2G6 gene encoding a calcium-independent phospholipase A2 enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids. Previously, children with PLA2G6 mutations have been diagnosed with several different disorders and we wished to better define the phenotype of PLA2G6- associated neurodegeneration.

METHODS

Detailed review of the clinical and genetic features of 14 and radiologic features of 13 of these patients with PLA2G6 mutations was undertaken.

RESULTS

Median age of symptom presentation was 14 months. One third of the cohort presented following an intercurrent illness. The children had progressive cognitive and motor skill regression, with evidence of axial hypotonia, four limb spasticity, bulbar dysfunction, and strabismus. All patients developed cerebellar ataxia and dystonia. Most patients had optic atrophy. Brain imaging demonstrated cerebellar cortical atrophy and gliosis in all patients. Changes consistent with increased iron deposition were identified in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Novel corpus callosum changes are also reported.

CONCLUSION

We describe a cohort of patients with PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN). Although patients with PLAN have previously been diagnosed with infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy, neurodegeneration associated with brain iron accumulation, and Karak syndrome, they display a characteristic clinical and radiologic phenotype. PLA2G6 mutational analysis will negate the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures such as tissue biopsy.

Evaluation of the impact of errors in the measurement of backfat depth on the prediction of fat-free lean mass

The development of regression equations to predict carcass composition typically assumes that the independent variables, such as backfat depth, are measured without error. However, technological and operator-specific types of measurement errors do exist. To evaluate the impact of measurement error for backfat depth, Monte Carlo simulation was used to model carcass fat-free lean mass (FFLM) in pigs. In the simulation, FFLM was a linear function of carcass weight and actual backfat depth (ABFD). Carcass weight was assumed to be measured without error, but measurement errors were generated such that the correlation (r(BF)) of the measured backfat depth (BFD) and ABFD ranged from 0.70 to 0.95. Two types of measurement errors were simulated: 1) constant variation that was additive to the variance of ABFD, and 2) variation proportional to the ABFD that was additive to the variance in ABFD. A total of 1,000 replications of 1,000 pigs were simulated. Within each type of measurement error, the absolute values of the regression coefficients and R2 values of the equations decreased as r(BF) decreased. The probability of the backfat depth squared (BFD2) being significant (P < 0.05) in the regression equation was increased when the measurement errors were proportional to ABFD. The occurrence of a significant BFD2 variable was 792 times out of 1,000 replications when r(BF) = 0.95 and increased to 996 times out of 1,000 when r(BF) = 0.85 for BFD with type 2 measurement errors. The inclusion of a CW x BFD variable in the regression equations (P < 0.05) increased (270 to 423 times out of 1,000) as r(BF) decreased from 0.85 to 0.70 for BFD with type 2 errors. Equations developed from BFD with measurement errors resulted in biased predictions of FFLM and changes in FFLM per unit change in BFD. The level and type of measurement errors that exist in the independent variables should be evaluated.

Substance P and acetylcholine are co-localized in the pathway mediating mucociliary activity in Rana pipiens

Mucociliary activity is an important clearance mechanism in the respiratory system of air breathing vertebrates. Substance P (SP) and acetylcholine play a key role in the stimulation of the mucociliary transport in the frog palate. In this study, retrograde neuronal tracing was combined with immunocytochemistry for SP and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) in the trigeminal ganglion and for neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) in the palate of Rana pipiens. The cells of origin of the palatine nerve were identified in the trigeminal ganglion using the retrograde tracer Fluorogold (FG). Optimal labeling of FG cells in the trigeminal ganglion was obtained at 96 h of exposure. Immunoflorescent shows that SP and acetylcholine are co-localized in 92% of the cells labeled with FG in the trigeminal ganglion. NK1 receptors were found in the membrane of epithelial and goblet cells of the palate. Ultrastructural study of the palate showed axonal-like endings with vesicles in connection with epithelial and goblet cells. These results further support the concerted action of both neurotransmitters in the regulation of mucociliary activity in the frog palate.