The JEM-EUSO Instruments

For the JEM-EUSO CollaborationJEM-EUSO mission with a large and wide-angle telescope to be mounted on the International Space Station has been planned to open up "particle astronomy" through the investigation of extreme-energy cosmic rays by detecting fluorescence and Cherenkov photons generated by air showers in the earth's atmosphere. The JEM-EUSO telescope consists of 3 light-weight optical Fresnel lenses with a diameter of about 2.5m, 300k channels of MAPMTs, front-end readout electronics, trigger electronics, and system electronics. An infrared camera and a LIDAR system will be also used to monitor the earth's atmosphere. Status of the JEM-EUSO instruments will be reported

Left hepatic lobectomy in a long-term biliary atresia survivor

Surgery was performed on day 43 for biliary atresia. Left lobectomy with preservation of Roux-en-y cholecystojejunostomy was performed for refractory cholangitis after 25 years. Our case is currently awaiting liver transplantation. This is the second report of liver resection in a long-term biliary atresia survivor in the English literature.Key words: Biliary atresia, lobectomy, long-term survivo

Schizophrenia: from the brain to peripheral markers. A consensus paper of the WFSBP task force on biological markers

Objective. The phenotypic complexity, together with the multifarious nature of the so-called "schizophrenic psychoses", limits our ability to form a simple and logical biologically based hypothesis for the disease group. Biological markers are defined as biochemical, physiological or anatomical traits that are specific to particular conditions. An important aim of biomarker discovery is the detection of disease correlates that can be used as diagnostic tools. Method. A selective review of the WFSBP Task Force on Biological Markers in schizophrenia is provided from the central nervous system to phenotypes, functional brain systems, chromosomal loci with potential genetic markers to the peripheral systems. Results. A number of biological measures have been proposed to be correlated with schizophrenia. At present, not a single biological trait in schizophrenia is available which achieves sufficient specificity, selectivity and is based on causal pathology and predictive validity to be recommended as diagnostic marker. Conclusions. With the emergence of new technologies and rigorous phenotypic subclassification the identification of genetic bases and assessment of dynamic disease related alterations will hopefully come to a new stage in the complex field of psychiatric research