F XIII activity determinations appear to have a predictive value in patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and the administration of F XIII concentrates may contribute to the improvement of gastrointestinal complications.

We attempted to analyze how PACO2 is regulated during progesterone-induced hyperventilation in the luteal phase. A model for the CO2 control loop was constructed, in which the function of the CO2 exchange system was described as PACO2 = 0.863 x VCO2/VA (gain H = dPACO2/dVA) and that of the CO2 sensing system as VA = S (PACO2 - B). Using this model, we estimated (1) the primary increase in VA (delta VA (op)) produced by progesterone stimulation and (2) the effectiveness (E) of the loop to regulate PACO2, defined as delta PACO2 (op)/delta PACO2 (cl) in which op signifies open-loop and cl, closed-loop. These respiratory variables were investigated throughout the menstrual cycle in 8 healthy women. During the luteal phase, on average, VA increased by 9.4% and PACO2, B and H decreased by 0.33 kPa (2.5 mm Hg), 0.47 kPa (3.5 mm Hg) and 13.6%, respectively, while S and VCO2 did not change significantly. Delta VA (op) increased progressively on successive days of the luteal phase while E remained unchanged at a value of 7.9, thus there was a progressive decrease in PACO2. The decrease in H was considered to lessen delta PACO2 (op) and so reduce the final deviation of PACO2 (delta PACO2 (cl) during the luteal phase. The decrease in B was found to be dependent on delta VA (op).

Purpose We have developed a new stationary grid named a pixel‐aligned grid (PA grid), in which the grid lines are aligned to the pixel lines with submicron‐order precision. Further, we have evaluated its performance relative to that of a conventional grid combined with grid‐line removal (GLR) processing. Methods A flat‐panel detector system of an indirect type, with a pixel pitch of 150 μm, was employed. Four PA grids having a grid ratio of 6:1 associated with abdominal bedside radiography, with the grid‐line pitch (GP) varied around the target value of 150 μm, were produced. Blank images were obtained with four PA grids for measuring the period and amplitude of the grid artifact. In performance evaluation, acrylic and anthropomorphic abdominal phantom images were used with the PA grid, a conventional grid (40 lines/cm, grid ratio 6:1), and no grids. The grid artifacts were evaluated by power spectrum (PS) analysis. Also, the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) improvement factor (KSNR) was measured. Results Grid artifacts were hardly recognizable with PA grids with GP errors of 0.3 μm and 0.6 μm because of the prolonged grid artifact periods. The measured artifact amplitudes of these PA grids were less than 0.6%. Furthermore, the PA grids did not produce notable frequency peaks in PS. In contrast, the conventional grid without GLR processing produced two conspicuous peaks. With GLR processing, notable reductions in PS were observed around the two peak frequencies, which caused blurring in bone structures. For the acrylic thickness of 20 cm, the KSNRs for the PA grid were around 1.4, suggesting some SNR improvement in abdominal bedside radiography. Conclusion The present study has demonstrated that PA grids with their grid‐line pitches close to the pixel‐line pitch within errors of 0.6 μm produce grid artifact‐free images without any signal losses. Thus, the proposed PA grid will prove to be effective and useful in various clinical applications.

The localization of intrarenal cross-linked fibrin was examined by the effect of monochloroacetic acid treatment on the kidney sections. In acute glomerulonephritis or in mild diffuse or focal proliferative type of nephritis, cross-linked fibrin was observed mainly within glomerular capillary walls. Extension of cross-linked fibrin deposit over the mesangium or sclerotic area was seen in moderate to severe proliferative type of nephritis or in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. In hemolytic uremic syndrome or disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, cross-linked fibrin was detected within glomeruli and vessels.

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