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This collaborative study suggests that sterile leukocyturia might be a low‐cost marker of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in kidney allograft biopsies.

Kidney allograft interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA) is associated with a poorer renal function and outcome. In the current clinical practice, an early diagnosis can only be provided by invasive tests. We aimed to investigate the association of sterile leukocyturia with Banff criteria histological findings in kidney allograft protocol biopsies. We studied 348 allograft biopsies from two different European countries performed at 8.5 + 3.5 months after transplantation. In these cases, the presence of sterile leukocyturia (Leuc+, n = 70) or no leukocyturia (Leuc−, n = 278) was analyzed and related to Banff elementary lesions. Only IF/TA was significantly different between Leuc+ and Leuc− groups. IF/TA was present in 85.7% of Leuc+ and 27.7% of Leuc− patients (p < 0.001). IF/TA patients had higher serum creatinine and presence of proteinuria (p < 0.05). Independent predictors of IF/TA were donor age, donor male sex, serum creatinine and Leuc+ (hazard ratio 18.2; 95% confidence interval, 8.1–40.7). The positive predictive value of leukocyturia for predicting IF/TA was 85.7% whereas the negative predictive value was 72.3%. These studies suggest that leukocyturia is a noninvasive and low-cost test to identify IF/TA. An early diagnosis may allow timely interventional measures directed to minimize its impact and improve graft outcome.

We have used deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) and high resolution DLTS to characterize the defects introduced in epitaxially grown n‐type, P‐doped, Si during electron beam deposition (EBD) of Pt for Schottky contact formation. The identity of some of these defects could be established by comparing their properties to those of well‐known defects introduced by high energy electron irradiation of the same material. The most prominent EBD‐induced defects thus identified were the E‐center (VP center), the A‐center (VO center), interstitial carbon (Ci), and the interstitial carbon–substitutional carbon (CiCs) pair. EBD also introduced some defects that were not observed after high energy electron irradiation. DLTS depth profiling revealed that the main defects, VO and VP, could be detected up to 0.5 µm below the metal–Si interface. Shielding the sample from particles originating in the region of the electron beam significantly reduced defect introduction and resulted in Schottky contacts with improved rectification properties. Finally, we have found that exposing the sample to EBD conditions, without actually depositing metal, introduced a different set of electron traps, not introduced by the EBD process.

De-differentiated thyroid carcinoma is characterized by loss of thyroid-specific functions and properties. The therapeutic options for this type of thyroid cancer are limited and generally not efficient. Recent studies with retinoic acid (RA) have shown that this drug can induce re-differentiation of the thyrocyte and tumor regression after 131I therapy. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of RA therapy in patients with extensive thyroid tumor involvement, which lost radioiodine uptake ability. A total of 5 patients (1 follicular carcinoma, 3 papillary carcinomas and 1 poorly differentiated carcinoma) were treated with isotretinoin (1.0 to 1.5 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks and then submitted to radioiodine therapy. Three parameters for assessment of RA effects were established: a) reduction of serum thyroglobulin levels; b) increment of the post-therapeutic dose radioiodine uptake; c) tumor size regression after therapy. All patients completed the treatment and the most frequent side effects were dry skin and lips and hypertriglyceridemia. One patient showed satisfactory response (2 or more of the 3 criteria were reached) and a new cycle of RA was given. In two, just a partial response (1 criterion) was seen and the other patients did not respond. Based on these results, isotretinoin might be an option for de-differentiated thyroid cancer, with low rate of severe side effects, especially when compared with cytotoxic drugs. Aggressive thyroid cancer frequently needs multimodal adjuvant therapy.

Apresentamos o caso clínico de um doente de vinte e urn anos, sexo masculino, raça branca, toxicodependente, que se queixou, no Serviço de Urgência, de febre, emagrecimento, dor abdominal e diarreia. Foi excluído o diagnóstíco inicial de apendicite. Baseados nos estudos radiológicos e endoscópicos, foi feito o diagnóstico de doença de Crohn ileo-cecal e iniciado tratamento com ácido 5-aminosalicílico e corticosteroides. Dada a má resposta clínics, foi adicionada 5-mercaptopurina. Seis semanas mais tarde. o doente ficou neutropénico e a febre reapareceu. Os radiogramas e tomografia computadorizada (TC) revelaram um derrame pleural direito e uma lesão cavitada nodular no segmento posterior do lobo superior do pulmão direito. Foi realizada uma biópsia pleural e foram identificados bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes (BAAR). Foi iniciado tratamento específico para a tuberculose e as imagens pulmonares desapareceram, mas a febre e as dores abdominais persistiram.

Abstract: The methods which have been used to design gauzes for the production of uniformly sheared streams in wind tunnels are analysed. The analysis of the results which have been obtained with single gauzes show that the poor theoretical evaluations of the shear rate that have been reported in the literature seem to be related to the different empirical expressions which have been assumed for the lift coefficient. This analysis indicates that the empirical relation established by Dryden and Schubauer (1947) gives satisfactory results, as long as mean mean angle of inclination of the gauze is taken into account in evaluating the resistance coefficient. The theoretical analysis of these flows shows that streams with “high” shear rates can only be obtained with single gauzes when “high” drag screens are used. This has the disadvantage of producing large scale turbulent motion downstream from the gauze. As an alternative to this single gauze approach, and to the semi-empirical technique used by Woo et al. (1981) of building a double gauze with non-uniform porosity, a theoretical analysis of the flow through double gauzes of uniform porosity leads to a useful method of designing gauzes for specific shear rates of high intensity. The method was used in the design of a double gauze that produced a stream with a non-dimensional shear rate of 1.73 (Woo et al. obtained 1.8), which is quite uniform and shows close agreement with the theoretical value. The results of this analysis indicate that the most appropriate method of producing high shear rates with low turbulence intensities is to use a set of several gauzes of low resistance. Modifications to the theoretical expressions obtained that take into account the presence of the additional gauzes might be a valuable improvement in the designing of gauzes for highly sheared streams with low turbulence intensities.

We have used deep level transient spectroscopy to characterize the defects introduced in n-type, Sb-doped, Ge during electron beam deposition of different metals for Schottky contact formation. We have found that the relative concentration of the electron beam induced defects depended on the metal used: metals that required a higher beam intensity to evaporate, e.g. Ru, resulted in larger defect concentrations than metals that required a lower beam intensity, e.g. Pd. The nature of some of these defects could be established by comparing their properties to those of well-known defects introduced by electron irradiation of the same material. The most prominent defect thus identified was the E-center, i.e. the Sb-V center. This defect forms when vacancies, that are introduced during the interaction of energetic metal and other particles with the Ge surface, diffuse into the Ge where they bond to Sb dopant atoms. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

This study evaluated the impact of different CP levels and RDP:RUP ratios in the diets of 24 crossbred Holstein–Gir midlactating dairy cows. Animals were allotted for 60 d to 4 treatments on a complete random design (n= 6). Experimental diets were formulated using the CNCPS version 6.1 model to meet production requirements and to be isoenergetic and provide the same amount of MP. Crude protein concentrations were 12.4, 13.0, 13.6, and 15.4% on a DM basis. Ruminally degradable protein levels ranged from 5.6 to 9.7% DM and RUP ranged from 6.8 to 5.7 DM in relation to treatments with lower and higher CP levels, respectively. Soypass (Cargill) was used in substitution to soybean meal and urea to adjust RDP:RUP ratios. Parameters evaluated were DMI, CP intake (CPI), DM digestibility, nitrogen balance, microbial protein yield (MPY), and plasma urea nitrogen (PUN). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED from SAS 9.0 on a split plot design. Dry matter intake did not differ among treatments and ranged from 20.0 to 21.6 kg/d, whereas CPI increased (P< 0.01) as diets' CP level increased (2.59–3.46 kg/d). Treatments did not affect DM digestibility (60.2–61.9%) but CP digestibility increased (P< 0.04) as RDP levels in the diets increased (58.2–67.2%). Treatments did not affect milk N (119–135 g/d) or N in feces (178–182 g/d). Urine N increased (116–247 g/d) as diets CP level increased (P< 0.01). Microbial protein yield was not affected by treatments. Plasma urea nitrogen values raised from 10.2 to 19.6 mg/dL as RDP levels increased (P< 0.01). Results show that formulating diets with more RUP sources can be an efficient tool to reduce N excretion and improve N balance. Reducing RDP and CP levels in the diets did not affect DMI and did not impair MPY.

Tick-borne disease (TBD), a hemolytic disease complex of challenging timely diagnosis, causes extensive losses to tropical-region dairy-replacement rearing systems. Objectives were to investigate the association between TBD and intake and ingestive behaviors. Weaned calves (n = 35; groups of 12, 12, and 11) enrolled at 108 ± 8 days old were group-housed for 4 weeks in a pen containing 12 electronic feed bins and 2 electronic water bins. Data were automatically collected via radio-frequency identification ear-tags at each bin visit and summarized within bin type (feed or water) as intake (kg/day), frequency (visits/day) and duration (minutes/day) of visits. Water and TMR were provided ad libitum. Tick-borne disease was confirmed if hematocrit was ≤ 25% at weekly clinical exams. The 12 calves with positive diagnoses received antimicrobial and antipyretic treatment. Day of diagnosis was set as day 0 and sick period as days -4 to +4. A within-calf healthy-period mean (HP) was calculated using all days between consecutive negative diagnoses for each response variable. Each sick day was compared with within-calf HP using repeated-measures models. Feed intake was lesser than during HP on days -1, 0, and +1, and frequency and duration of feed bin visits were reduced between days -3 and +4 (P<0.05). Frequency of feed bin visits was reduced by 25% on day -3 (58.0 ± 7.2 vs. 77.4 ± 7.6 visits/day at HP; P<0.05). Water intake was reduced on day 0 (9.3 ± 1.3 kg/day vs. 13.2 ± 1.4 kg/day at HP; P<0.05). Water intake, frequency and duration of water bin visits were reduced on day +1 (P<0.05). These changes are in agreement with sickness behaviors and could be applied towards automated TBD detection. Timely treatment may reduce the convalescence period and improve prognosis, performance, and welfare. Precision technologies should be assessed for development of TBD detection algorithms.