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This study aimed at the assessment and monitoring of digital image quality parameters resulting from the use of portable X-ray equipment in clinical examinations. A multicentric study was conducted for quality assessment of images produced using the portable NOMAD® with the DIGORA® ™ Optime UV computed radiography (CR) system. The digital image quality was evaluated in terms of high- and low-contrast spatial resolution, contrast noise ratio (CNR), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The samples comprised six biomaterials: zirconia (Zr), lyophilized bone (LB), photopolymerizable restorative resin (PRR), glass ionomer cement (GIC), GIC photopolymerizable (GICP), and double adhesive resin cement (DARC). The DICOM image (processed pixels) and raw data (without processing) were quantitatively analyzed. The qualitative visual analysis was performed in an adequately illuminated environment and then repeated in an environment equivalent to that of a clinical practice using conventional monitoring equipment. The relative biomaterial contrast was normalized by the high-contrast result of Zr. The Zr image demonstrated no noise because the standard deviation of the digital image biomaterial pixel mean was zero. In contrast, the relative SNR of the biomaterials was normalized by the DARC result. The relative CNR values according to different aluminum thicknesses were 0.11 for LB and 0.3–0.35 for PRR, GIC, and GICP. The spatial resolution was identical for both high-resolution and conventional monitors; however, for a 0.2-s clinical exposure, the resolution produced by the high-quality monitor increased. The quality control tests indicated the compatibility of the CR system-assisted portable X-ray equipment, verifying the status and image quality. El objetivo fue evaluar los parámetros de calidad de la imagen digital cuando se utiliza un equipo de rayos X portátil. Se llevó a cabo un estudio para evaluar la calidad de las imágenes producidas con el sistema portátil de radiografía computarizada (RC) NOMAD® y DIGORA® Optime UV. La calidad de la imagen digital se evaluó en términos de resolución espacial de alto y bajo contraste, relación de ruido de contraste (CNR) y relación señal-ruido (SNR). Las muestras estaban compuestas por seis biomateriales: zirconio (Zr), hueso liofilizado (LB), resina restauradora fotopolimerizable (PRR), cemento de ionómero de vidrio (GIC), cemento de ionómero de vidrio fotopolimerizable (GICP) y cemento adhesivo de resina dual (DARC). La imagen DICOM (píxeles procesados) y los datos sin procesar (sin procesamiento) se analizaron cuantitativamente, así como el análisis visual cualitativo. El contraste relativo del biomaterial fue normalizado por el resultado de alto contraste de Zr. La imagen de Zr no presentó ruido debido a que su deviación estándar fue cero. Sin embargo, la SNR relativa de los biomateriales fue normalizada por el resultado DARC. Los valores relativos de CNR en relación con diferentes espesores de Al fueron 0,11 para LB y 0,3-0,35 para PRR, GIC y GICP. La resolución espacial fue idéntica para los monitores convencionales y de alta resolución; sin embargo, con una exposición de 0,2 s, la resolución del monitor de alta calidad aumentó. Las pruebas de control de calidad establecieron la compatibilidad de los equipos de rayos X portátiles asistidos por el sistema CR. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar e monitorar os parâmetros de qualidade da imagem digital quando o equipamento portátil de raios X é utilizado em exames clínicos. Foi realizado um estudo multicêntrico para avaliação da qualidade das imagens produzidas com o NOMAD® portátil e com o sistema de radiografia computadorizada (CR) DIGORA® Optime UV. A qualidade da imagem digital foi avaliada em termos de resolução espacial de alto e baixo contraste, razão de ruído de contraste (CNR) e relação sinal-ruído (SNR). As amostras foram compostas por seis biomateriais comumente utilizados: zircônia (Zr), osso liofilizado (LB), resina restauradora fotopolimerizável (PRR), cimento de ionômero de vidro (GIC), cimento de ionômero de vidro fotopolimerizável (GICP) e cimento resinoso adesivo dual (DARC). A imagem DICOM (pixels processados) e os dados brutos (sem processamento) foram analisados ​​quantitativamente, assim como a análise visual qualitativa. O contraste relativo do biomaterial foi normalizado pelo resultado de alto contraste do Zr. A imagem Zr não apresentou ruído porque seu desvio padrão foi zero. No entanto, a SNR relativa dos biomateriais foi normalizada pelo resultado DARC. Os valores relativos de CNR em relação a diferentes espessuras de Al foram 0,11 para LB e 0,3–0,35 para PRR, GIC e GICP. A resolução espacial foi idêntica para monitores convencionais e de alta resolução; no entanto, com uma exposição clínica de 0,2 s, a resolução do monitor de alta qualidade aumentou. Os testes de controle de qualidade estabeleceram a compatibilidade dos equipamentos de raios X portáteis assistidos pelo sistema CR.

We describe a typical case of apical ballooning syndrome in an octogenarian female patient with left ventricular wall motion abnormality on electrocardiography, whose ventricular function returned to normal. The patient has allergic rhinitis and had used nasal decongestant excessively a few hours prior to the episode of pain.

We describe a typical case of apical ballooning syndrome in an octogenarian female patient with left ventricular wall motion abnormality on electrocardiography, whose ventricular function returned to normal. The patient has allergic rhinitis and had used nasal decongestant excessively a few hours prior to the episode of pain.

OBJECTIVE: To report a syndrome that is uncommon in childhood and call pediatricianśattention to the tubular diseases - just like Bartters syndrome - in differential diagnosis of failure to thrive and other diseases that can be usually found in children.METHODS: Two patients are presented. The first, a 3 years and 2 months old boy who was submitted for investigation of a failure to thrive detected when he was 9 months old. The second patient, a 3 months old girl, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit due to severe electrolyte disturbances. She was supposed to have a pyloric hypertrophic stenosis.RESULTS: Both patients had failure to thrive, hypocloremic alkalosis, hypokalemia, and hypercalciuria. The first had a positive obstetric history for polihydramnios that is frequently found in the neonatal form of this syndrome. Treatment was done by blood potassium correction, together with indometacin and spironolactone administration. These drugs where well tolerated by the patients who have improved their growth rhythm only a short time after electrolytic disturbances had been corrected.CONCLUSIONS: The Bartter's syndrome is a tubular disease that is unusual in childhood. It must be considered as a possible cause of failure to thrive. The neonatal form is rare and can produce severe hydro-electrolytic disturbances, increasing the difficulties for diagnosis. The treatment is well tolerated, even by small children, and must begin early to reduce the troubles to thrive.

Summary and Conclusions In a field study in South Carolina, Anopheles quadrimaculatus mosquitoes were applied to native cases of malaria in Negroes to determine the infectivity of such malaria cases. Of 142 feedings upon Plasmodium falciparum patients, 21 showed infections. Of 12,606 mosquitoes dissected, 2.5 per cent were infected. These infections developed normally in the mosquito and in one out of two trials transmission was successful. The majority of the mosquito infections occurred during the months of October through January. Mosquitoes kept at outside temperatures during October and November became infected. One patient remained infective to mosquitoes over an 8-month period. Of the 25 patients showing gametocytes, 64 per cent infected mosquitoes. The gametocyte densities resulting in infections were relatively low, none being over 90 per cmm. Thirteen of the infections resulted when the gametocytes were fewer than 10 per cmm. Patients with asymptomatic parasitemias infected mosquitoes at about the same rate as did those who were symptomatic. As the asymptomatic group is considerably larger than the other, it is concluded that the former is mainly responsible for the transmission of malaria. There were 14 feedings upon P. malariae. Four cases showed gametocytes of a low density at feeding and three lots of mosquitoes were infected. Of 586 mosquitoes dissected, 1.7 per cent were infected. Of nine feedings upon P. vivax, none became infected nor were gametocytes present. It is concluded that the patient with an asymptomatic parasitemia, usually with a relatively low gametocyte density, is the important factor in the transmission and maintenance of P. falciparum and P. malariae malaria in the area studied.