The automatic computation for SUSY processes

We have constructed a system for the automatic computation of cross-sections for the processes of the SUSY QED by the extension of the GRACE system including a Majorana fermion. The system has also been applied to another model including Majorana fermions, MSSM, by the definition of the model file.Comment: total 4 page

Spontaneously Ruptured Giant Splenic Cyst with Elevated Serum Levels of CA 19-9, CA 125 and Carcinoembryonic Antigen

Splenic cyst is a relatively rare disease; however, the occurrence of complications associated with its rupture is even more rare. A 20-year-old female patient who had severe abdominal and left shoulder pain was admitted to our hospital. The patient's abdomen was hard and tender to the touch and she presented with a high fever. The patient's serum levels of the tumor markers carbohydrate antigen 19-9, cancer antigen 125 and carcinoembryonic antigen were high. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed an 11-cm multilocular cystic lesion in the spleen and the presence of free intraperitoneal fluid. Peritonitis with ruptured splenic cyst was diagnosed, and the patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. The abdominal cavity was filled with purulent fluid. The cyst was localized to the spleen and had already ruptured. Total splenectomy and cyst resection were performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on day 9 following surgery. The histological findings showed the lesion to be a benign epidermoid cyst completely lined with inner stratified squamous epithelium with a capsule of connective tissue. In the immunostaining analyses, the squamous epithelium was positive for carcinoembryonic antigen. A ruptured splenic cyst causes sudden onset of severe peritonitis and elevation of serous tumor markers. An emergency operation is indicated as the treatment for a ruptured splenic cyst with peritonitis, after which a favorable outcome can be expected

Increased nitric oxide levels in exhaled air of rat lung allografts

AbstractIn organ transplantation nitric oxide has been reported to be involved in allograft rejection. We examined in a rat lung transplantation model whether nitric oxide is overproduced in acute rejection and can be detected in exhaled air. Thirteen rat right lung transplants were separated into three groups: group 1 (n = 5), untreated allografts (Brown-Norway [RT1n] to Lewis [RT1l]); group 2 (n = 4), cyclosporine-treated allografts; and group 3 (n = 4), isografts (Lewis to Lewis). We examined exhaled nitric oxide levels with a chemiluminescence analyzer and chest roentgenograms on days 2 through 5. Histologic samples were obtained on days 3 and 5. On day 5, the recipients were killed and we measured exhaled nitric oxide from the right and left lungs separately. Blood samples were also obtained for measurement of serum nitrite/nitrate. The exhaled nitric oxide level in untreated allografts increased significantly from day 5 (63.9 ± 39.2 ppb, p = 0.0095) and was significantly higher than that in treated allografts (9.1 ± l.6 ppb) (p = 0.0085) and isografts (6.9 ± 0.5 ppb) (p = 0.0068). The nitric oxide level in untreated allografts (826.5 ± 416.1 ppb) was 75 times as high as that from the contralateral normal left lungs (11.2 ± 2.6 ppb) (p = 0.0118). The level of exhaled nitric oxide correlated significantly with the histologic rejection grade (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference in the serum nitrite/nitrate levels between allografts and isografts. These data suggest that increased exhaled nitric oxide levels might reflect acute rejection in lung transplants. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:830-5

Effects of angiotensin II on the pericyte-containing microvasculature of the rat retina

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65918/1/jphysiol.2004.073098.pd

Thymoma-associated Graft-versus-Host Disease-like Erythroderma

We report a 40-year-old woman with recurrent thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis, in whom an unusual form of erythroderma developed. A histological examination revealed a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-like reaction. After high-dose steroid therapy, the metastatic thymoma lesion in the abdominal cavity was reduced in size from 9.5 × 6 × 7.5 cm to 4 × 3 × 1 cm in diameter. Nevertheless, the GVHD-like erythroderma become aggravated, her condition worsened, and the patient finally suffered from respiratory failure and died of sepsis. A GVHD-like reaction may be a rare presentation of thymoma-associated immunological disorders such as myasthenia gravis or pure red cell aplasia. Herein, we discuss the present case and review pertinent reports of thymoma cases associated with GVHD

Results of surgical treatment of thymomas with special reference to the involved organs

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study is to clarify the significance of the particular involved organ as a prognostic factor and its relation to other previously reported factors. Methods: The prognoses of 194 consecutive patients with thymoma who had undergone complete or subtotal resection were reviewed retrospectively. Survival was evaluated as actuarial freedom from tumor death. Analysis of prognostic factors was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log rank test and Cox's proportional hazards model. Results: The Masaoka staging system and involvement of the great vessels were the independent prognostic factors in the entire study group; age, sex, histologic subtype, completeness of resection, association of myasthenia gravis, or involvement of other organs were not factors. The 10-year and 20-year survivals were 99% and 90% in stage I, 94% and 90% in stage II, 88% and 56% in stage III, 30% and 15% in stage IVa, 0% and 0% in stage IVb, 93% and 83% in the absence of involvement of the great vessels, and 54% and 20% in the presence of it. Involvement of the great vessels was also the single independent prognostic factor in the patients with stage III disease although completeness of resection or involvement of other organs were not. The 10-year and 20-year survivals in patients with stage III disease were 97% and 75% in the absence of involvement of the great vessels, and 70% and 29% in the presence of it. Conclusion: Although the Masaoka staging system is a valuable prognostic factor, the category of stage III is heterogeneous and consists of 2 groups with distinct prognoses depending on involvement of the great vessels. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:605-13

Activation of Cdc42 by trans interactions of the cell adhesion molecules nectins through c-Src and Cdc42-GEF FRG

Nectins, Ca2+-independent immunoglobulin-like cell–cell adhesion molecules, initiate cell–cell adhesion by their trans interactions and recruit cadherins to cooperatively form adherens junctions (AJs). In addition, the trans interactions of nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 and Rac small G proteins, which increases the velocity of the formation of AJs. We examined here how nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 in MDCK epithelial cells and L fibroblasts. Nectins recruited and activated c-Src at the nectin-based cell–cell adhesion sites. FRG, a GDP/GTP exchange factor specific for Cdc42, was then recruited there, tyrosine phosphorylated by c-Src, and activated, causing an increase in the GTP-bound active form of Cdc42. Inhibition of the nectin-induced activation of c-Src suppressed the nectin-induced activation of FRG and Cdc42. Inhibition of the nectin-induced activation of FRG or depletion of FRG by RNA interference suppressed the nectin-induced activation of Cdc42. These results indicate that nectins induce the activation of Cdc42 through c-Src and FRG locally at the nectin-based cell–cell adhesion sites