Tram Track Research Articles

English

Sturge-Weber syndrome, sometimes referred to as encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis, is a rare congenital neurological and skin disorder. It is one of the phakomatoses and is often associated with port-wine stains of the face, glaucoma, seizures, mental retardation, and ipsilateral leptomeningeal angioma (cerebral malformations and tumors). It is characterized by abnormal blood vessels on the brain surface. Normally, only one side of the brain is affected. We report a case of 13 year old female child with facial port wine stains along with radiological features which showed tram track sign and cortical atrophy in the right parietal lobe.

Experimental Research of New Tram Track Construction Operating Fatigue Capacity

The results of dynamical fatigue testing of natural tram track fragment are presented. The fibrous concrete (foundation) was used in track superstructure, the rubber pads “PREFArails” were used for noise and vibration reduction. The cycle testing results analysis demonstrated that “PREFArail” pads ensure the overall structure operability over not less than 25 years without repair. The recommendations for pads and fibrous concrete foundation use on tram tracks in Saint-Petersburg were given.

Feasibility and potential role of ferumoxytol-enhanced neuroimaging in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder

We assessed ferumoxytol-enhanced brain MRI to identify monocyte/macrophage accumulation in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Four HIV-infected subjects with undetectable HIV RNA levels on antiretroviral therapy, HIV DNA level in CD14+ cells ≥10 copies/10(6) cells, and cognitive impairment underwent ferumoxytol-enhanced brain MRI. On post-ferumoxytol susceptibility-weighted images, all HIV-infected subjects demonstrated a diffuse "tram track" appearance in the perivascular regions of cortical and deep white matter vessels suggesting ferumoxytol uptake in monocytes/macrophages. This finding was not present in an HIV-seronegative control. While ferumoxytol may have potential as an imaging biomarker for monocyte/macrophage accumulation in patients with HAND, future study is needed.

Study on the Noise Reduction Performance of a New Type Elastic Particles Applied to the Tram

As the development of the economic society, the new orbit form such as modern tram track arises at the historic moment. Considering the urban internal environment, a higher request is put forward on vibration and noise reduction. This passage is devoted to analyze the noise reduction performance of the granule material, which gained by recycling the waste rubber. We can draw the following conclusions by comparing the noise value and frequency characteristic analysis in different conditions: the new particle material, the ratio of which is 3mm and 5mm, can suppress the noise in different frequency. Especially, the effect is obvious in high frequency area about 1000Hz to 1500Hz.When the track is under a vertical excitation, the combined structure can suppress the rail acoustic radiation noise obviously within 0 to 4000Hz frequency and 1/3 octave center frequency. The horizontal reduction of the noise will be reduced as the increasing of the distance between the vibration source and the test point.

Mutations in KCTD1 Cause Scalp-Ear-Nipple Syndrome

Scalp-ear-nipple (SEN) syndrome is a rare, autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by cutis aplasia of the scalp; minor anomalies of the external ears, digits, and nails; and malformations of the breast. We used linkage analysis and exome sequencing of a multiplex family affected by SEN syndrome to identify potassium-channel tetramerization-domain-containing 1 (KCTD1) mutations that cause SEN syndrome. Evaluation of a total of ten families affected by SEN syndrome revealed KCTD1 missense mutations in each family tested. All of the mutations occurred in a KCTD1 region encoding a highly conserved bric-a-brac, tram track, and broad complex (BTB) domain that is required for transcriptional repressor activity. KCTD1 inhibits the transactivation of the transcription factor AP-2α (TFAP2A) via its BTB domain, and mutations in TFAP2A cause cutis aplasia in individuals with branchiooculofacial syndrome (BOFS), suggesting a potential overlap in the pathogenesis of SEN syndrome and BOFS. The identification of KCTD1 mutations in SEN syndrome reveals a role for this BTB-domain-containing transcriptional repressor during ectodermal development.

Noise Attenuation from Tramway Traffic

The article describes course and results of experiment, which provided influence of change of acoustic absorption properties of concrete tram track surface by using the recycled rubber on traffic noise attenuation. The experiment was carried out in cooperation of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, VSB-TU Ostrava with the companies: the Ostrava Transport Company Plc, ODS - the Transport Constructions Plc, INTERTECH plus, Ltd. and with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, VSB-TU Ostrava [2].

“Tram Track Effect” After Treatment of Acne Scars Using a Microneedling Device

“Tram Track Effect” After Treatment of Acne Scars Using a Microneedling Device

Imaging Features of Extra Cranial Parapharyngeal Space Meningioma: Case Report

Parapharyngeal tumors are less common in clinical practice and are often difficult to diagnose upon clinical examination due to the anatomic complexity of the region. We report a rare case of extracranial parapharyngeal space meningioma presenting as a cervical mass with encasement of cranial nerves giving tram track appearance and features on various imaging modalities [Radiographs, Ultrasound, Computed tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)].

Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia With Endobronchial Involvement

We report here a case of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with significant endobronchial involvement. A 59-year-old man was admitted complaining of fever, productive cough, wheezing, and dyspnea. There were ground-glass opacities in bilateral upper fields and tram track shadows in the left lower lung field on chest x-ray, and ground-glass opacities in bilateral upper lobes, thickening of the bronchial walls, and centrilobular nodules on computed tomographic scan of the chest. There was marked eosinophilia in the peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and was diagnosed as chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. Bronchoscopy also revealed white nodules at the orifice of the right S and the left S bronchi. The histologic examination of these nodules revealed eosinophilic inflammation into the bronchial wall. This is a rare case of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia with endobronchial eosinophilic involvement.

Diagnosis and treatment of ossification of the ligamentum flavum associated with dural ossification

In this paper, the authors aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) associated with dural ossification (DO) and to identify improved methods for preoperative diagnosis. Thirty-six patients who had undergone OLF surgery between February 2005 and September 2009 were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: one that included patients with intraoperative evidence of DO and a second group that included patients without DO. The clinical features of DO were summarized and the neurological status of the patients was evaluated pre- and postoperatively. The incidence rate of DO associated with OLF was 39% (14/36). The sensitivity and specificity of the tram track sign were found to be 93% and 59%, respectively. Dural ossification was found among 86% of the patients with tuberous type Sato classification. The postoperative neurological status of patients was generally improved relative to that observed prior to surgery, although neurological recovery did not differ between the 2 groups. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was the main complication, occurring predominantly in the patients with DO, and all leaks resolved in all patients after comprehensive treatments. The tram track sign and Sato classification were found to be useful for preoperative diagnosis of DO and for determining the surgical procedure to be performed. Dural ossification had no effect on postoperative neurological recovery.

Sturge-Weber syndrome with bilateral facial nevus and early cerebral calcification

Sturge Weber syndrome is characterized by unilateral facial nevus with a tram track appearance on CT scan. However different variants have been described. We report one such variant in a 14 months old child with bilateral facial nevus and bilateral curvilinear calcification. There was also global development delay and early onset of seizures reflecting the severe bilateral cortical changes.

Genetic Engineering of Donor T Cells for BMT Immunotherapy: Expression of TRAIL and PLZF Selectively Enhances GVT and Abrogates Gvhd

AbstractAbstract 730Efforts to improve graft-versus-tumor (GVT) activity of alloreactive donor T cells are limited by a concomitant rise in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We employed experimental allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) models to assess two novel strategies, in which T lineage cells were genetically engineered to enhance selective effector functions. In addition to the transgenic expression of these molecules on mature donor T cells, we also used genetically engineered precursor T cells as an “off the shelf” adoptive cell therapy.One strategy relies on T cell cytolytic molecule TNF-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL), which can induce apoptotic signals through death receptor (DR) 4 and 5 molecules (only DR5 in mice) expressed on target cells. Certain tumor cells are known to express high levels of surface DR5 making TRAIL an attractive candidate for genetic engineering of donor T cells to enhance GVT activity. Extending previous studies indicating that TRAIL expression in donor T cells is dispensable for the development of GVHD, we evaluated the effect of TRAIL over-expression in donor T cells (mature and precursor) on GVHD and GVT. Mature T cells derived from donor B6 splenocytes were transduced with a lentiviral TRAIL expression vector. The transduced TRAIL+ T cells were adoptively transferred on day 0 into lethally irradiated CBF1 recipients of a T cell depleted allo-BMT, bearing LB27.4 tumors, (B6 ^ CBF1+LB27.4) to assess their GVHD and GVT activity. TRAIL+ T cells displayed significantly enhanced antitumor immunity compared to T cells transduced with a control vector against LB27.4 tumor cell lines in vitro and upon transfer into tumor bearing allo-BMT recipients (p<0.01)(Fig 1A). Interestingly, the recipients treated with TRAIL+ T cells had significantly less GVHD. We observed increased DR5 expression on host antigen presenting cells (APC) soon after the total body irradiation used in our preparative regimens, suggesting that TRAIL+ donor T cells could potently eliminate host APC, resulting in less GVHD. Precursor T cells have the added benefits of reconstituting the T cell compartment without GVHD and “off the shelf” use. We generated TRAIL+ precursor T cells from transduced B6 murine hematopoietic stem cells and expanded them using the OP9-DL1 co-culture system. Adoptive transfer of B6 TRAIL+ precursor T cells into syngeneic-transplanted BALB/c mice could reconstitute the T cell compartment with TRAIL expressing T cells. When challenged with localized RENCA tumors, TRAIL+ precursor T cells showed enhanced antitumor activity (p<0.05) compared to mock (GFP)-transduced controls (Fig 1B).The second strategy explores the use of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF). PLZF is a member of the BTB-ZF (Broad complex, Tram track, Bric-^-brac-zinc finger) family of transcription factors. In NKT and NK cells, it controls key steps in development, activation and effector functions. Its ectopic expression on conventional T cell confers NKT and NK-like properties. Recent studies using transgenic mice have shown that T cells ectopically expressing PLZF spontaneously acquire an effector/memory phenotype and CD8+ T cells spontaneously express IFN-gamma. Using PLZF+ transgenic donor (B6) T cells in A20-tumor challenged B6 ^ BALB/c allo-BMT model, we found that PLZF+ T cells have less GVHD activity while GVT activity remained intact (p<0.001)(Fig 1C). Using adoptive transfer of CFSE-labeled donor T cells we observed that fast proliferating allo-responsive PLZF+ T cells died after only a few cell cycles. We then transduced donor T cells with an expression vector and confirmed that transduced PLZF expressing donor T cells have less GVHD activity and intact GVT activity (Fig 1D).In conclusion, our data suggest that adoptive therapy with genetically engineered TRAIL or PLZF expressing donor T cells exert less GVHD activity while displaying intact or enhanced GVT activity. Furthermore, the “off the shelf” use of genetically enhanced precursor T cells indicates a promising cell therapy strategy to enhance anti-tumor activity in both autologous and allogeneic BMT patients. [Display omitted] Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

On the interest of integrating vehicle dynamics for the ground propagation of vibrations: the case of urban railway traffic

This paper presents a complete numerical model for studying the vertical dynamics of the vehicle/track interaction and its impact on the surrounding soil, with the emphasis on vehicle modelling. A decoupling between the track and the soil is proposed, due to the difficulty of considering all the subsystem components. The train/track model is based on a multibody model (for the vehicle) and a finite element model (for the track). The soil is modelled using an infinite/finite element approach. Simulations of both models are carried out in the time domain, which is better able to simulate the propagation of the vibration waves and to take into account the possible nonlinearity of a component. The methodology is applied in the case of an urban tram track and validated with the available experimental data. Models for the tram, the track and the soil are described. Results from the complete model of the vehicle and a simple model, based on an axle load, are compared with experimental results and the benefits of a complete model in the simulation of the ground vibration propagation induced by railway vehicles are demonstrated. Moreover, a parametric study of the vehicle wheel type is conducted, which shows the advantage of a resilient wheel, for various rail defects.

Mucoid degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligament: news from the recent past

I read with great interest the article ‘‘Mucoid degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligament: a case report’’, by Shoji et al. [5]. However, in spite of finding this work instructive and enlightening, there are some observations I would like to make. The authors state that, to their knowledge, ‘‘clinically symptomatic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) mucoid degeneration has never been reported’’ [5]. In fact, this is not true. Even though they have cited in their references an article written by our group [2], dealing with mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), another work of our team, even more relevant in this setting, was not mentioned. In this work, we suggest that diffuse intrasubstance signal abnormalities of the PCL seen at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were the counterpart of the mucoid degeneration of the ACL [7]. This conclusion was based on several evidences, namely: (1) the structural changes of the PCL seen at MRI were very similar to the already classic appearance of the mucoid degeneration of the ACL, especially in the coronal and axial planes (although somewhat different in the sagittal images); (2) six out of the seven patients studied had concomitant signs of degeneration of the ACL and the PCL, supporting the possibility of a common origin for these changes; (3) it is already established that degeneration of the ACL and PCL often coexist and that the former is a predictor of the latter [1, 6]; and (4) Hodler et al. [3] showed that focal signal abnormalities of the cruciate ligaments seen at MRI in the knees of cadavers were the result of degenerative changes. As far as I know, ours is the first work to describe such findings in vivo. It is probable that Shoji et al. were not aware of our article, given that their manuscript was received for evaluation on October, 2008, and our work was published on the November–December issue of the same year, in a different journal. This unawareness makes the similarities between their patient and our first case even more striking. Both subjects were young, presented with limited range of articular motion and without imaging signs of degeneration of the ACL. The appearance of the PCL in both patients was quite similar, ‘‘tram track’’-like (with a core of high signal intensity in T2-weighted images surrounded by a rim of low signal in sagittal images, mostly posterior and superior). MRI is superior to arthroscopy for diagnosing intraligamentous abnormalities [4], although biopsy, which can be carried out via arthroscopy, remains the gold standard to establish a definitive diagnosis. The work of Shoji et al. [5] made me happy in many ways. First of all, this excellent article confirmed definitively, through surgery and biopsy, the hypothesis that we made based on imaging, lending credit to our own work. Furthermore, it was once more emphasized the role of MRI as a non-invasive tool in the diagnosis of purely intrasubstance ligamentous abnormalities, which can be missed even at arthroscopy in some patients [4]; MRI allows a precise preoperative staging and can alert the surgeon that the affected ligament is not normal, even if it does not look altered externally during arthroscopic inspection. The point to be learned here is to avoid the erroneous diagnosis of a partially torn LCP in a patient who has a clearly abnormal ligament on imaging but lacks a history of trauma or clinical signs which may suggest a ruptured ligament. S. L. Viana (&) Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Clinica Vila Rica, SHLS 716, W423-431, CEP 70390-907 Brasilia, DF, Brazil e-mail: radiolog@uol.com.br

Dural Ossification in Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum

A retrospective review. The aim of this study is to highlight one of the under recognized and under reported aspects of ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF), namely, dural ossification in OLF and to discuss the incidence, radiologic signs, causes as well as the surgical and prognostic implications of dural ossification in OLF. OLF is being increasingly recognized as a cause of myelopathy. One of the surgical pitfalls in the management of this condition is ossification of the dura mater in OLF. Preoperative identification of ossified dura mater will be helpful to the surgeon to modify the surgical technique and to counsel patients regarding the risks of surgery. A retrospective analysis of a database of OLF maintained by this author was done to identify cases of OLF where there was intraoperative evidence of dural ossification and dural laceration. Only those patients who had both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included in the analysis. Patients with MR imaging alone were excluded from the analysis as CT evaluation was not done routinely in the earlier part of the study. Nurick's grading was used to assess the neurologic status before and after surgery. The CT and MR images of these patients were analyzed to identify radiologic signs of dural ossification. The pattern of dural ossification, if present, was noted. The intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. During the study period from 1997 to 2006, there were 20 patients with OLF who had both CT and MR imaging evaluation. Of these 20 patients, 8 had intraoperative evidence of dural ossification and these patients also sustained dural laceration during surgery. Of these 8 patients, CT evidence of dural ossification was found in 7. In the remaining one patient, there was no radiologic evidence of dural ossification. The radiologic signs of dural ossification as depicted in the bone windows of CT were of 2 types: (1) the "tram track sign," where there was a hyperdense bony excrescence with a hypodense center and (2) the "comma sign," where there was evidence of ossification of one-half of the circumference of the duramater. Of these 7 patients, 4 developed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following surgery and 1 of these 4 patients developed meningitis. Neurologic function improved by one Nurick's grade in 5 of the 7 patients. In the remaining 2 patients, there was no change in the neurologic status. Dural ossification is a common finding in OLF. There are 2 radiologic signs of dural ossification, namely, the "tram track sign" and the "comma sign." Preoperative identification of dural ossification might help the surgeon to anticipate and appropriately deal with dural laceration during surgery. This will also help to counsel patients regarding the risks of surgery for OLF. The surgical and prognostic implications of dural ossification are being discussed.

Arabidopsis thaliana BTB/ POZ‐MATH proteins interact with members of the ERF/AP2 transcription factor family

In Arabidopsis thaliana, the BTB/POZ-MATH (BPM) proteins comprise a small family of six members. They have been described previously to use their broad complex, tram track, bric-a-brac/POX virus and zinc finger (BTB/POZ) domain to assemble with CUL3a and CUL3b and potentially to serve as substrate adaptors to cullin-based E3-ligases in plants. In this article, we show that BPMs can also assemble with members of the ethylene response factor/Apetala2 transcription factor family, and that this is mediated by their meprin and TRAF (tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor) homology (MATH) domain. In addition, we provide a detailed description of BPM gene expression patterns in different tissues and on abiotic stress treatments, as well as their subcellular localization. This work connects, for the first time, BPM proteins with ethylene response factor/Apetala2 family members, which is likely to represent a novel regulatory mechanism of transcriptional control.

Noise and vibrations at tram track intersection

In urban areas noise and vibration due to public traffic diminish the quality of life. In Zagreb, tram traffic is the most important form of public transport. Tram network has 120 km of the tracks and 190 trams are used for passengers transport every day. In the movement of the vehicle over track, the interaction between the wheel and track plays the most important role in the field of noise and vibrations. The increasing of noise and vibrations are particularly emphasized at track intersection where a given number of track switches and crossings are installed. This paper presents an experimental study of noise and ground vibrations through the passage of three types of tram vehicles. The measurements were done on the tram intersection with the highest traffic volume in Zagreb's tram network. Two types of track construction were analyzed, discrete and continuous rail fastening system. During the track reconstruction at this intersection, the existing discrete rail fastening system was replaced with a continuous. Because of that, the measurements were carried before and after reconstruction at the same test points. Test results have showed significant reductions of noise and vibrations at track intersection in the case of continuous rail installation.

Tram track sign

A 41-year-old man complained of blurred vision in his left eye. This progressed over the course of 3 months to the point that he was unable to read with his left eye. Color perception was decreased. He felt a pressure-like sensation behind his left eye. Ophthalmologic evaluation revealed ‘‘Drusen’’ in his left eye. On neurologic examination a relative afferent pupillary defect was found on the left. There was no papilledema on either side but venous pulsations were absent on the left. Magnetic resonance imaging of the orbit with fat suppression and gadolinium administration showed linear enhancement along the optic nerve sheath within the optic canal (white arrows). The optic nerve is seen as negative contrast (‘tram track sign’; PF pituitary fossa, IC internal carotid artery, LR lateral rectus muscle).

Refinement of Immunohistologic Parameters for Her2/neu Scoring Validation by FISH and CISH

The conventional method of scoring Her2/neu immunostaining is recognized to result in a high false-positive rate among 2+ cases when compared with results obtained with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); however, costs and convenience dictates that immunohistochemistry remains the screening test for Her2/neu status in patients with breast cancer. We describe refined criteria for scoring of Her2/neu on the basis of anatomic localization rather than the subjective assessment of intensity. The presence of a circumferential tram track pattern that results from the staining of apposing cell membranes in >25% of the tumor cells was necessary for a 3+ score (Her2/neu overexpressed) and the presence of the tram track pattern in <25% was scored 2+ (equivocal); granular and fragmented membrane staining was scored 1+ (negative). The tram track pattern of Her2/neu overexpression showed 100% concordance with gene amplification. FISH and CISH testing in selected cases from the other categories validated the revised scoring method. These criteria reduced the numbers of equivocal staining cases that required FISH testing.

Nottingham Express Transit Line 1: geometrical aspects

The Nottingham Express Transit Line 1 was opened in March 2004. It consists of 14 route-km, of which 4 km are on-street. This paper describes the design of the on-street alignment and some of the technical issues, such as effects of combining horizontal and vertical geometry, associated with reintroducing tram track into the streets of the city of Nottingham.