Large asymptomatic Left Atrial Myxoma with ossification: case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors. They are usually small or moderate in size by the time of the diagnosis, exhibiting non specific cardiac or systemic symptoms, and are most frequently soft and friable without microscopic signs of ossification. We describe herein an extremely rare case of an asymptomatic giant left atrial myxoma with angiographic neovascularization and ossification.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An asymptomatic 58-year-old male with a giant left atrial tumor, was transferred to our Unit for surgical treatment. The tumor was an incidental finding during a work-up for hemoptysis due to bronchectasis. The coronary angiogram showed tumor vessels originating from the RCA. The tumor macroscopically did not resemble a myxoma, considering its dimensions (12 × 10 cm) and its solid substance. The mass was excised together with the interatrial septum and the right lateral LA wall close to the right pulmonary veins orifices. The defect was closed with Dacron patches in order to prevent malformation of both atria. The pathology study revealed a benign myxoma with excessive osteoid (mature bone) content.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We consider our case as extremely rare because of the asymptomatic course despite the large size of the tumor, the blood supply from the right coronary artery and the bone formation.</p

Triangulation supports agricultural spread of the Transeurasian languages

The origin and early dispersal of speakers of Transeurasian languages, i.e., Japanese, Korean, Tungusic, Mongolic and Turkic, is among the most disputed issues of Eurasian population history. A key problem is the relationship between linguistic dispersals, agricultural expansions and population movements. Here we address this question through ‘triangulating’ genetics, archaeology and linguistics in a unified perspective. We report new, wide-ranging datasets from these disciplines, including the most comprehensive Transeurasian agropastoral and basic vocabulary presented to date, an archaeological database of 255 Neolithic and Bronze Age sites from Northeast Asia, and the first collection of ancient genomes from Korea, the Ryukyu islands and early cereal farmers in Japan, complementing previously published genomes from East Asia. Challenging the traditional ‘Pastoralist Hypothesis’, we show that the common ancestry and primary dispersals of Transeurasian languages can be traced back to the first farmers moving across Northeast Asia from the Early Neolithic onwards, but that this shared heritage has been masked by extensive cultural interaction since the Bronze Age. As well as marking significant progress in the three individual disciplines, by combining their converging evidence, we show that the early spread of Transeurasian speakers was driven by agriculture.Introduction Linguistics Archaeology Genetics Discussion: Triangulation Method

SCAview: an Intuitive Visual Approach to the Integrative Analysis of Clinical Data in Spinocerebellar Ataxias

With SCAview, we present a prompt and comprehensive tool that enables scientists to browse large datasets of the most common spinocerebellar ataxias intuitively and without technical effort. Basic concept is a visualization of data, with a graphical handling and filtering to select and define subgroups and their comparison. Several plot types to visualize all data points resulting from the selected attributes are provided. The underlying synthetic cohort is based on clinical data from five different European and US longitudinal multicenter cohorts in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, 2, 3, and 6 (SCA1, 2, 3, and 6) comprising > 1400 patients with overall > 5500 visits. First, we developed a common data model to integrate the clinical, demographic, and characterizing data of each source cohort. Second, the available datasets from each cohort were mapped onto the data model. Third, we created a synthetic cohort based on the cleaned dataset. With SCAview, we demonstrate the feasibility of mapping cohort data from different sources onto a common data model. The resulting browser-based visualization tool with a thoroughly graphical handling of the data offers researchers the unique possibility to visualize relationships and distributions of clinical data, to define subgroups and to further investigate them without any technical effort. Access to SCAview can be requested via the Ataxia Global Initiative and is free of charge

OMAE2006-92110 RESEARCH ON APPLICABILITY OF NEW MATERIALS TO MARINE STRUCTURES IN TROPICAL CLIMATES -DURABILITY ASSESSMENT OF NEW MATERIALS- Shozo TAKIZAWA Norishige MINEMURA

ABSTRACT New structural members that are light and durable are anticipated to reduce the running and maintenance costs of structures exposed to harsh marine environments, such as offshore oil production facilities, thereby reducing their lifecycle cost. This study aims to investigate the applicability of new materials to marine structures, focusing on their durability. To this end, a 5-year exposure test has been conducted beginning in 1999 on 3 types of specimens (for corrosion observation, tension testing, and joint strength testing) made of 21 selected materials (6 nonferrous metals, 8 steels, 4 composite materials, and 3 rope materials). The specimens have been exposed at 3 sites: Okinotori-shima and Miyako-jima, corrosive environments with high temperature and humidity, and a thermo-hygrostatic room in a laboratory. Having completed the natural exposure tests in 2004, the authors conducted strength tests and observation thereafter toward 2005. This paper summarizes the results of such tests and observation conducted so far, while making a final assessment of each material, and refers to the tasks ahead based on these results. No marked differences were observed between the results of exposure at Okinotori-shima and Miyako-jima. Both islands were therefore found to be similar environments in terms of corrosion. The corrosion states of specimens were classified into five Categories: I (no corrosion), II (slight corrosion), III (light corrosion), IV (corrosion with strength loss), and V (corrosion with significant strength loss). Only reference specimens of ordinary steel were designated as Category V. Those designated as Category IV included textile ropes and Ni steel and coated steel panels with damaged coating film. Most other new materials were designated as Categories III or less with no strength losses. Materials designated as Categories I to III were subjected to surface observation using optical and electron microscopes and element distribution analysis over a cross section using an electron beam probe microanalyzer. The progress of corrosion in each material over the five years has thus been elucidated. Within the range of the 5-year exposure test, most of the selected new materials pose no problems in regard to durability. However, marine structures are more vulnerable to alternate stresses than general structural members on land because of constant waves and pulsating gales on the sea. The authors intend to investigate the durability of structural members under continued or cyclic stress as a subject for the future