Significance of peripheral layer: the case of mucus flow through a ciliated tube using Rabinowitsch model

Modern medicine has taken energy loss during cilia beating in the human stomach, which under some circumstances causes blood flow to become acidic, very seriously. In current report covering a whole advancement and results for the impact of Rabinowitsch model with cilia-driven flow analysis with the help of ciliary beating in a cylindrical tube. The fluid is incompressible, and layers of fluid do not mix. The fluid flow with heat and mass transfer is firstly modeled in wave and then transformed into fixed frame. Exact solutions for stresses, temperature velocity, and concentration profiles whereas numerical pressure rise is obtained subject to relevant boundary conditions. The behavior of incipient parameters is shown graphically (plotted in MATHEMATICA 13.0) in the results section. The key findings obtained from graphical results show that maximum magnitude for velocity and temperature is achieved in middle layer of fluid whereas in the outer layer concentration profile is maximum. The current study may help researchers to develop new treatments for diseases such as cystic fibrosis, in which impaired ciliary function leads to mucus accumulation in the lungs. The attained exact and numerical outcomes are novel and offered here for first time in literature.

Modulated complexed stenosed region consequences under the electroosmotic stimulation

The present study analyzes the theoretical consequences of slip effects in a complex stenosed region. The flow of blood in a stenosed region is incorporated with hybrid nanofluid features which are being prepared with copper and copper oxide nanoparticles. The flow is also intensified by applying an electric field in the axial direction. The governing equations for the proposed paradigm are solved and the corresponding closed-form solutions are obtained for the cases of mild stenosis. Parameters such as Electro-osmotic, velocity slip and Helmholtz-Smoluchowski are specially focused in this study. The heat transfer, hemodynamic velocity, wall shear stress and resistance impedance for the flow are precisely determined. The various parameters that influence the physical characteristics of flow are plotted, and their effects are discussed in detail. The present model has the potential application in medical pumps for drug delivery systems.

A Technology-Informed Approach to Clinical Trial Equity

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Despite efforts to increase participation of diverse communities in clinical trials, ethnic/racial minorities remain underrepresented. One such determinant may be lack of access to a comprehensive cancer center that conducts clinical research. Historically, our institution has had low accrual from rural regions further away from our cancer center, with Hispanic or Latino (HL) patients (pts) being especially underrepresented in our clinical research. In this study, we explored the impact of a clinical trial that allowed pts to receive chemotherapy (chemo) with their local oncologist. We hypothesize that allowing pts to receive chemo locally will lead to higher rates of enrollment from populations under-represented in clinical trials.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We conducted a study for pts with rectal cancer to undergo short-course radiation followed by 4 months of chemo with the option to pursue watch and wait if pts achieve a clinical complete response. Radiation was administered at our institution while pts could receive standard-of-care chemo closer to home with their local oncologist. For pts who received chemo locally, the research coordinator and co-investigators held video visits with the pts prior to each chemo infusion to review adverse events (AE), labs, and chemo dosing. We compared demographic data of pts on this trial with that of pts enrolled across all adult therapeutic oncologic clinical trials over the same time period at our institution. Distance to our institution was calculated based on pts' primary residence zip code. Protocol compliance with AE reporting for pts who received chemo locally was assessed by chart review.

RESULTS

Between May 2020 and January 2023, 24/35 enrolled pts completed both radiation and chemo on trial. 13/24 pts (54%) received chemo locally. Of the 24 pts, 16 were White (67%), 7 Asian (29%), 1 Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander (4%). Of all enrolled patients, 4 were HL (16.7%), compared to our institutional average of 16.5%. All enrolled HL pts received their chemo locally. The average distance traveled by non-HL pts from their home to our institution was 87.7 miles (range 5.1 - 308). In contrast, HL pts traveled an average of 147.8 miles (range 110 - 249), 68% further than their non-HL counterparts. There was 100% compliance with AE reporting among those pts who received their chemo locally.

CONCLUSION

Although the percentage of HL participation in our study was consistent with our institutional average, all HL pts enrolled on the trial received treatment locally and lived substantially further from our institution than non-HL. By allowing pts to receive this part of treatment locally, we provided pts who live further away an opportunity to engage in clinical research without the associated financial and time toxicities related with traveling for treatment. By decentralizing clinical trials and leveraging telemedicine, we can promote the participation of under-represented groups in clinical trials.

Current understanding of an Emerging Coronavirus using in silico approach: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Novel coronavirus (nCoV) namely "SARS-CoV-2" is being found responsible for current PANDEMIC commenced from Wuhan (China) since December 2019 and has been described with epidemiological linkage to China in about 221 countries and territories until now. In this study we have characterized the genetic lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and report the recombination within the genus and subgenus of coronaviruses. Phylogenetic relationship of thirty nine coronaviruses belonging to its four genera and five subgenera was analyzed by using the Neighbor-joining method using MEGA 6.0. Phylogenetic trees of full length genome, various proteins (spike, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid) nucleotide sequences were constructed separately. Putative recombination was probed via RDP4. Our analysis describes that the "SARS-CoV-2" although shows great similarity to Bat-SARS-CoVs sequences through whole genome (giving sequence similarity 89%), exhibits conflicting grouping with the Bat-SARS-like coronavirus sequences (MG772933 and MG772934). Furthermore, seven recombination events were observed in SARS-CoV-2 (NC_045512) by RDP4. But not a single recombination event fulfills the high level of certainty. Recombination mostly housed in spike protein genes than rest of the genome indicating breakpoint cluster arises beyond the 95% and 99% breakpoint density intervals. Genetic similarity levels observed among "SARS-CoV-2" and Bat-SARS-CoVs advocated that the latter did not exhibit the specific variant that cause outbreak in humans, proposing a suggestion that "SARS-CoV-2" has originated possibly from bats. These genomic features and their probable association with virus characteristics along with virulence in humans require further consideration.

Electro-Osmotic Propulsion of Jeffrey Fluid in a Ciliated Channel Under the Effect of Nonlinear Radiation and Heat Source/Sink

Mathematical modeling of mechanical system in microfluidics is an emerging area of interest in microscale engineering. Since microfluidic devices use the hair-like structure of artificial cilia for pumping, mixing, and sensing in different fields, electro-osmotic cilia-driven flow helps to generate the fluid velocity for the Newtonian and viscoelastic fluid. Due to the deployment of artificial ciliated walls, the present research reports the combined effect of an electro-osmotic flow and convective heat transfer on Jeffrey viscoelastic electrolytic fluid flow in a two-dimensional ciliated vertical channel. Heat generation/absorption and nonlinear radiation effects are included in the present mathematical model. After applying Debye-Huckel approximation and small Reynolds number approximation to momentum and energy equation, the system of nonlinear partial differential equation is reduced into nonhomogenous boundary value problem. The problem determines the velocity, pressure, and temperature profiles by the application of semi-analytical technique known as homotopy perturbation method (HPM) with the help of software Mathematica. The graphical results of the study suggest that HPM is a reliable methodology for thermo physical electro-osmotic rheological transport in microchannels.

An extremely rare complete bilateral duplication of Inferior vena cava in a male cadaver: anatomy, embryology and clinical relevance

The study presented an extremely rare case of real complete bilateral duplication of inferior vena cava (IVC) in a male cadaver which has never been reported before. Both IVC had approximately the same diameter. The right IVC drained into the right atrium; the left IVC continued as hemiazygos vein and drained into the superior vena cava. Three anastomotic venous channels, a cranial preaortic, a middle and a caudal retroaortic, joined both vessels. Multiple variations in the way of drainage of posterior intercostal veins, on both sides, were also present. The present report invalidates an old classification defining the two vessels when joined at the level of the renal veins as complete bilateral duplication of IVC. Although the presence of combination of venous variations is extremely rare, awareness of such variations is essential for clinical and surgical procedures to avoid misdiagnosis and surgical complications.

Effect of nano-particles on MHD flow of tangent hyperbolic fluid in a ciliated tube: an application to fallopian tube

This study shows the effects of magnetic field and copper nanoparticles on the flow of tangent hyperbolic fluid (blood) through a ciliated tube (fallopian tube). The present study will be very helpful for those patients who are facing blood clotting in fallopian tube that may cause for infertility or cancer. The nanoparticles and magnetic field are very helpful to break the clots in blood flowing in fallopian tube. Since blood flows in fallopian tube due to ciliary movement, therefore medicines containing copper nanoparticles and magnetic field with radiation therapy help to improve the patient. Ciliary movement has a particular pattern of motion i.e., metachronal wavy motion which helps to fluid flow. For the forced convective MHD flow of tangent hyperbolic nano-fluid, momentum and energy equations are solved by the small Reynolds' number approximation and Adomian decomposition method by constructing the recursive relation of ADM and solved by software "MATHEMATICA". The effects of parameters such as nanoparticle volume fraction, Hartmann number, entropy generation and Bejan's number have been discussed through graphs plotted in software "MATHEMATICA". It is found that blood flow is accelerated and heat transfer enhancement is maximum in the presence of nano particles, also magnetic effects accelerates the blood flow and help to enhance the heat transfer whereas the presence of porous medium increases the fluid's velocity and reduce the transfer of heat through fluid flow.

Mathematical modelling of ciliary propulsion of an electrically-conducting Johnson-Segalman physiological fluid in a channel with slip

Bionic systems frequently feature electromagnetic pumping and offer significant advantages over conventional designs via intelligent bio-inspired properties. Complex wall features observed in nature also provide efficient mechanisms which can be utilized in biomimetic designs. The characteristics of biological fluids are frequently non-Newtonian in nature. In many natural systems super-hydrophobic slip is witnessed. Motivated by these phenomena, in this paper, we discussed a mathematical model for the cilia-generated propulsion of an electrically-conducting viscoelastic physiological fluid in a ciliated channel under the action of magnetic field. The rheological behavior of the fluid is simulated with the Johnson-Segalman constitutive model which allows internal wall slip. The regular or coordinated movement of the ciliated edges (which line the internal walls of the channel) is represented by a metachronal wave motion in the horizontal direction which generates a two-dimensional velocity profile. This mechanism is imposed by a periodic boundary condition which generates propulsion in the channel flow. Under the classical lubrication approximation, the boundary value problem is non-dimensionalized and solved analytically with a perturbation technique. The influence of the geometric, rheological (slip and Weissenberg number) and magnetic parameters on velocity, pressure gradient and the pressure rise (evaluated via the stream function in symbolic software) are presented graphically and interpreted at length.

Association Between Hepatitis B Infection and Pancreatic Cancer: A Population-Based Analysis in the United States

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the role of hepatitis B (HepB) infection in the causation of pancreatic cancer and the predictors of pancreatic cancer and mortality.

METHODS

We identified pancreatic cancer patients 11 to 70 years of age from the 2013-2014 National Inpatient Sample. Pearson χ test and Student's t-test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. We assessed the association of HepB and pancreatic cancer and the independent mortality predictors by multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of 69,210 pancreatic cancer patients, 175 patients with a history of HepB and 69,035 patients without a history of HepB were identified. Compared with the pancreatic cancer-non-HepB group, the pancreatic cancer-HepB group consisted more of younger (mean, 60.4 [standard deviation, 7.4] years vs 68.2 [standard deviation, 12.1] years), male, black, and Asian patients with low household income and nonelective admissions. The odds of developing pancreatic cancer among the HepB patients were significantly higher (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.056-1.449; P = 0.008). Black race, age ≥ 65 years, and male sex demonstrated greater odds of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

This study concluded up to a 24% increased likelihood of pancreatic cancer among the HepB patients. Blacks showed greater odds of pancreatic cancer and related mortality.

Tetramethylpyrazine inhibited hypoxia-induced expression of calcium-sensing receptors in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in chickens

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is a biologically active ingredient, which is isolated from a popularChinese medicinal plant. It has been used effectively to treat ischemic heart problems, cerebrovascular and thrombotic vascular diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of TMP on calciumsensing receptors in pulmonary artery smooth muscle in chickens. For this purpose forty day-old chicks were distributed into five groups: the control group, the hypoxia group (kept under low Oxygen treatment), and TMP groups (kept under low Oxygen treatment along with treatment of different concentrations of TMP). The pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells were also cultured on 6-well plates in high glucose culture medium and divided into the same five groups. We used in vivo and in vitro study models by applying immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR assay and Western blotting analysis. Our results showed that pre-incubation with hypoxia markedly stimulated the activation of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). The TMP decreased the mRNA and protein levels of CaSR. Treatment with TMP clearly inhibited the activation of all CaSR in a dose-dependent manner. Our data demonstrated that TMP can down-regulate the expression of CaSR. Therefore, these findings provide a new target to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under hypoxic conditions.

Genetic barcoding and phylogenetic analysis of dusky cotton bug (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis) using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene

Cotton dusky bug (Oxycarenus spp.) mostly attack on cash crops such as Gossypium, Cola and Hibiscus which affect the national economy therefore sustainable pest management is needed. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene is utilized as marker gene for DNA barcoding, genetic and ecological study of insects. In present study insect (cotton dusky bug) samples were collected from cotton fields in Faisalabad. COI gene was amplified from genomic DNA of bug and cloned into pTZ57R/T vector (Fermentas). The clone was sent to Macrogen (South Korea) for Sanger sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis and pairwise multiple sequence alignment showed that our cotton dusky bug grouped with two species of Oxycarenus genus and highest sequence identity was 91.1% with Oxycarenus hylinipennis. This is the first report of genetic barcode of Oxycarenus hylinipennis from cotton from Pakistan.

Exact solution of cilia induced flow of a Jeffrey fluid in an inclined tube

The present study investigated the cilia induced flow of MHD Jeffrey fluid through an inclined tube. This study is carried out under the assumptions of long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximations. Exact solutions for the velocity profile, pressure rise, pressure gradient, volume flow rate and stream function are obtained. Effects of pertinent physical parameters on the computational results are presented graphically.

DNA binding mode of transition metal complexes, a relationship to tumor cell toxicity

Transition metal-based compounds constitute a distinct class of chemotherapeutics extensively used in the clinic as antitumor and antiviral agents. However, drug resistance and side effects of established antitumor metallodrugs such as cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)] and its analogues, carboplatin and oxaliplatin, have limited their clinical utility. These limitations have prompted a search for more effective and less toxic metal-based antitumor agents. The unique properties of metal ions, such as redox transfer/electron shuttling, and versatile coordination geometries arising from various oxidation states, result in metal ions and complexes that have potential medicinal applications that could be complementary to organic compounds and which are widely sought in drug discovery efforts. This review summarizes the results that show that transition metal complexes exhibit antitumor effects that differ from cisplatin or its analogues.

The orthopaedic aspects of mycetoma

This article presents an overview of mycetoma and offers guidelines for orthopaedic surgeons who may be involved in the care of patients with this condition.

Abstract P4-04-08: A Potential non-viral vector to transfect dendritic cell and thereby MHC-Class I antigen presentation might be a potential use in carcinoma

To date almost no remarkable potential non-viral vector was developed to transfect promisingly primary dendritic cell like Bone Marrow Derived Dendritic Cell (BMDC) so that it might generate antigen presentation while epitopic-plasmid was delivered. Here we have introduced a potential non-viral vector named Stearyl-KALA MEND (100–130 nm, zeta potential 35–40 mV), which expressed to date the highest transgene expression while firefly luciferase was introduced (sub-cloned), and thereby promising antigen presentation in vitro while OVA plasmid containing MHC Class-I restricted SIINFEKL epitope was introduced and co-cultured with B3Z T-cell hybridoma. On the basis of these results, we used this vector to transfect BMDC and harvested the DC to chase the corresponding EG7-OVA induced tumor ex vivo. Later we further immunized mice directly with STR-KALA MEND containing OVA plasmid and challenged against the tumor (EG7-OVA induced). In this in vivo study we found also a significant antitumor activity. To evaluate the promptness of our vector we further sub-cloned Mart-1 gene, in our sub-cloned plasmid vector and immunized the mice as before. Thereafter inserting B16F10 melanoma cells to the immunized mice we found also a significant antitumor activity after 24 days of inoculation. Thus the vector, STR-KALA MEND might be a future potential use as DNA vaccine in anti-tumor methodology.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-04-08.

A case-control study of the relation between plasma selenium and asthma in European populations: a GAL2EN project

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that selenium levels are relatively low in Europe and may be falling. Low levels of selenium or low activity of some of the enzymes dependent on selenium have been associated with asthma.

METHODS

The GA(2)LEN network has organized a multicentre case-control study in Europe to assess the relation of plasma selenium to asthma. The network compared 569 cases in 14 European centres with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting asthma symptoms in the last 12 months with 576 controls from the same centres with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms in the last 12 months.

RESULTS

All cases and controls were selected from the same population defined by age and place of residence. Mean plasma selenium concentrations among the controls ranged from 116.3 microg/l in Palermo to 67.7 microg/l in Vienna and 56.1 microg/l among the children in Oslo. Random effects meta-analysis of the results from the centres showed no overall association between asthma and plasma selenium [odds ratio (OR)/10 microg/l increase in plasma selenium: 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89-1.21] though there was a significantly protective effect in Lodz (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.29-0.78) and a marginally significant adverse effect in Amsterdam (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 0.98-2.90) and Ghent (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.03-1.77).

CONCLUSION

This study does not support a role for selenium in protection against asthma, but effect modification and confounding cannot be ruled out.

The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA2LEN European case-control study

Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking. As part of a multicentric case-control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres. All cases and controls were selected from the same population, defined by age (20-45 yrs) and place of residence. In a random effects meta-analysis, weekly use of paracetamol, compared with less frequent use, was strongly positively associated with asthma after controlling for confounders. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across centres. No association was seen between use of other analgesics and asthma. These data add to the increasing and consistent epidemiological evidence implicating frequent paracetamol use in asthma in diverse populations.

The relation between paracetamol use and asthma: a GA2LEN European case-control study

Studies from the UK and USA suggest that frequent use of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may increase the risk of asthma, but data across Europe are lacking. As part of a multicentric case-control study organised by the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN), it was examined whether or not frequent paracetamol use is associated with adult asthma across Europe. The network compared 521 cases with a diagnosis of asthma and reporting of asthma symptoms within the last 12 months with 507 controls with no diagnosis of asthma and no asthmatic symptoms within the last 12 months across 12 European centres. All cases and controls were selected from the same population, defined by age (20-45 yrs) and place of residence. In a random effects meta-analysis, weekly use of paracetamol, compared with less frequent use, was strongly positively associated with asthma after controlling for confounders. There was no evidence for heterogeneity across centres. No association was seen between use of other analgesics and asthma. These data add to the increasing and consistent epidemiological evidence implicating frequent paracetamol use in asthma in diverse populations.

HIV-1 Tat mimetic of VEGF correlates with increased microvessels density in AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell and Burkitt lymphomas

Angiogenic switch marks the beginning of tumor’s strategy to acquire independent blood supply. In some subtypes of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, higher local vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression correlates with increased microvessel density. However, this local VEGF expression is higher only in tumors with elevated expression of the receptors of the growth factor, suggesting an autocrine growth-promoting feedback loop. Several studies have indicated that VEGF receptors are also targeted by Tat protein from the HIV-1-infected cells. Given the similarity of the basic region of Tat to the angiogenic factors (basic fibroblast growth factor, VEGF), Tat mimics these proteins and binds to their receptors. We evaluated the role of HIV-1 Tat in regulating the level of VEGF expression and microvessel density in the AIDS-related diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and Burkitt lymphomas (BL). By luciferase assay, we showed that VEGF promoter activity was downregulated in vitro in cells transfected with Tat. Reduced VEGF protein expression in primary HIV-1 positive BL and DLBCL, compared to the negative cases, supported the findings of promoter downregulation from the cell lines. Microvascular density assessed by CD34 expression was, however, higher in HIV-1 positive than in HIV-1 negative tumors. These results suggest that Tat has a wider angiogenic role, besides the regulation of VEGF expression. Thus, targeting Tat protein itself and stabilizing transient silencing of VEGF expression or use of monoclonal antibodies against their receptors in the AIDS-associated tumors will open a window for future explorable pathways in the management of angiogenic phenotypes in the AIDS-associated non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.

Pattern of cancer in young adults at National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), Bangladesh

This is an analysis of 1624 young adults (20-44 years) new cancer patients who attended Out Patient Department of NICRH in 2005 from 01 January to 31 December. This study was carried out to know the age and sex distribution and types of cancer they are suffering from. Histologiacally or cytologically confirmed patients or those patients having radiological or clinical evidence of malignancy were included in the study. There were 42.9% male and 57.1% female with male to female ratio of 0.75: 1.00. Female populations of this age group were the most cancer sufferers. Mean age of young adults was 34.47 (SD+/-6.33) years. Muslims (93.4%) were in majority and 36.5% were illiterate. This study revealed that the top five cancers found in both sexes were breast cancer (19.2%), female genital organ cancer (17.7%), GIT cancer (13.5%), head & neck cancer (12.2%) and respiratory tract cancer (7.9%). Breast cancer and GIT cancer ranked top among females and males respectively.

Direct measurement of the L/K ratio in (7)Be electron capture

The ratio of L- to K-shell electron captures in light nuclei is particularly sensitive to electron overlap and exchange effects. Calculations of these effects in (7)Be disagree by more than 20%. We report a measurement of the L/K ratio in (7)Be, using a cryogenic microcalorimeter which clearly separates L- and K-shell captures. The obtained L/K ratio of 0.040(6) is less than half that of existing predictions for free (7)Be. The discrepancy is likely due to in-medium effects distorting the L-shell electron orbitals.

A new algorithm for learning in piecewise-linear neural networks

Piecewise-linear (PWL) neural networks are widely known for their amenability to digital implementation. This paper presents a new algorithm for learning in PWL networks consisting of a single hidden layer. The approach adopted is based upon constructing a continuous PWL error function and developing an efficient algorithm to minimize it. The algorithm consists of two basic stages in searching the weight space. The first stage of the optimization algorithm is used to locate a point in the weight space representing the intersection of N linearly independent hyperplanes, with N being the number of weights in the network. The second stage is then called to use this point as a starting point in order to continue searching by moving along the single-dimension boundaries between the different linear regions of the error function, hopping from one point (representing the intersection of N hyperplanes) to another. The proposed algorithm exhibits significantly accelerated convergence, as compared to standard algorithms such as back-propagation and improved versions of it, such as the conjugate gradient algorithm. In addition, it has the distinct advantage that there are no parameters to adjust, and therefore there is no time-consuming parameters tuning step. The new algorithm is expected to find applications in function approximation, time series prediction and binary classification problems.

Three-dimensional video compression using subband/wavelet transform with lower buffering requirements

Three-dimensional (3-D) video compression using wavelets decomposition along the temporal axis dictates that a number of video frames must be buffered to allow for the temporal decomposition. Buffering of frames allows for the temporal correlation to be made use of, and the larger the buffer the more effective the decomposition. One problem inherent in such a set up in interactive applications such as video conferencing, is that buffering translates into a corresponding time delay. We show that 3-D coding of such image sequences can be achieved in the true sense of temporal direction decomposition but with much less buffering requirements. For a practical coder, this can be achieved by introducing an approximation to the way the transform coefficients are encoded. Applying wavelet decomposition using some types of filters may introduce edge errors, which become more prominent in short signal segments. We also present a solution to this problem for the Daubechies (1988) family of filters.

The beginnings of chronic airflow obstruction

Recent follow-up studies have provided convincing evidence that the foundations of chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) are laid in utero and early childhood. Men born in Hertfordshire and Derbyshire, England, were more likely to have impaired lung function at 60-70 years of age if they had been lighter at birth and if they had had lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in the first 2 years of life. Furthermore, they were more likely to have died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease if they had been lighter at 1 year of age. These findings suggest that impairment of pulmonary growth in utero and early childhood, as a consequence of undernutrition and LRTI, plays an important part in the development of CAO in late adult life. This may be of particular importance for the future respiratory health of developing nations as the additive effects of smoking take hold.

Asthma in Gaza refugee camp children and its relationship with house dust mites

Three hundred asthmatic children aged 3 to 15 years, and 100 age-sex-neighborhood matched controls, were studied for environmental risk factors for asthma during 1986 to 1987. In 98% of the asthmatic patients, exposure to house dust aggravated the symptoms. In 97% of the cases, the symptoms were more severe at home; in more than 50%, the symptoms persisted throughout the year. Significantly more cigarettes were smoked in the homes of the allergic children than in the control homes. House dust samples from homes of 20 asthmatic and 20 nonasthmatic children were examined for the presence of house dust mites. Twelve species of mites were identified, of which Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, the most prevalent (97%), was found in all samples examined. The average number of mites per gram dust was 447 in homes of children with asthma, and 399 in homes of controls. Although dust and mites seem to be the most important factors causing allergies in Gaza and most of the children are exposed to large numbers of mites in their homes, it appears that those who are genetically predisposed and who are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke are at greater risk for allergic symptoms.

Measles in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza: continuing incidence and the case for a new eradication strategy

Measles continues to occur in epidemic waves in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, causing morbidity and mortality. In Israel, immunization of infants against measles began in 1967, and 90% had been immunized by the mid-1980s. In Gaza and the West Bank, where immunization of infants against measles began in 1973 and 1976, respectively, the immunization rate reached 75% in the late 1970s and increased to greater than 90% in the 1980s. Measles epidemics, which previously had occurred in 5- to 7-year cycles, occurred every 2-4 years in the 1980s and affected individuals who were older than those affected in previous years. Israel's commitment to eradicating measles by 1992 will require a substantially expanded immunization program in comparison with the traditional program that requires immunization of infants alone. The benefits of several alternative immunization strategies considerably exceed their costs. A new, two-dose immunization will be needed as a minimal strategy, and a campaign for administering booster doses to school-aged children may be required as well to achieve control and eradication of measles. Measles is a serious but preventable public health problem; appropriate strategies must be devised by national and international public health officials to control the disease in developing and developed countries.

Bilateral mammary artery bypass and sternal dehiscence. A favorable outcome

The efficacy of mammary artery bypass for coronary artery disease has been well established. The present retrospective series of consecutive patients was scrutinized to assess the incidence of sternal dehiscence following myocardial revascularization using the right and left internal mammary arteries. For comparison, the consecutive group of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization with unilateral internal mammary artery bypass was analyzed for similar sternal complications. In a consecutive series of patients, 277 patients underwent myocardial revascularization using the right and left internal mammary arteries for bypass. The overall operative mortality in this group of patients was 0.722 per cent. In this group there was an overall incidence of seven sternal dehiscences, both partial and complete for an incidence of 2.52 per cent. Upon analysis, it was shown that the female sex and diabetes were the conditions that most likely predisposed to the occurrence of sternal dehiscence whether partial or complete. For comparison, a consecutive group of 413 patients were analyzed for similar demographic data and results. The overall operative mortality in this group was 1.21 per cent. The overall incidence of sternal dehiscence both partial and complete, was 0.484 per cent. Both instances of sternal dehiscence occurred in diabetic patients and the data indicates, as in the bilateral internal mammary artery group, the presence of diabetes predisposed to the occurrence of this complication. The low overall incidence of sternal dehiscence in the expanded use of the mammary arteries should not deter the surgeon from aggressive use of the mammary arteries. One should use caution, however, in using bilateral mammary artery grafts in diabetics, women, and to a lesser extent, patients more than 70 years of age.

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare in clinical specimens: etiological factor or contaminant?

The Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) group comprised 10.5% of all nontuberculous mycobacteria isolated in the Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Tel Aviv, in an 11-year study period. From the Buirej Chest Hospital in Gaza, alone, 273 strains were isolated, representing 12.1% of the specimens from that hospital, while 149 strains (0.24% of all specimens) were isolated from all other institutions. Pulmonary disease was attributed to this organism in 22 patients, 17 of whom were hospitalized (initially for tuberculosis or another lung disease) in Buirej Hospital. The water was thought to be the source of contamination, since MAI strains, similar to those found in sputum, were isolated from it. In 1985, the water system was renovated and the MAI incidence in sputum from this hospital consequently declined.