Search

Mutual-Shielding Directional Gamma Detector excels at sensitivity and can achieve good angular accuracy and a large field of view. In this paper, we present, in detail, a method to optimize a mutual shielding directional detector array regarding the scintillators positioning for a given number and size of detection units. The optimization goals are improvement of accuracy and sensitivity. The optimization uses two types of fast, non-Monte-Carlo simulations since the simulation needs to generate measurements from all directions for each array formation tested. Both these simulations are explained and demonstrated. The presented method uses the ambiguity function to assess the accuracy and identify directions that may generate errors due to similar responses from other directions. Then, addressing these problematic directions can be fixed by changing the scintillators’ positions or adding a partial shield to change the response at one of the similar directions.

Abstract Herpetiformis dermatitis is the best characterized extraintestinal manifestation of celiac disease (CD). However, other chronic heterogeneous skin lesions have been associated with CD and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Summary:. Subfascial abscess of the lateral thigh is a relatively uncommon complication following gluteal fat grafting due to their subclinical presentation. Despite its rarity, subfascial abscesses can be dangerous and life-threatening when diagnosis is delayed. In this case report, we present a 28-year-old woman who presented to our hospital with swelling and erythema following a gluteal fat grafting procedure performed abroad. Our initial treatment which included transcutaneous drainage and systemic antibiotics was unsuccessful. This conservative approach was influenced by the patient’s initial procedure and attempt to conserve aesthetic appearance. The severity of the complication was not entirely known until advanced radiological imaging (computer tomography imaging) was performed several days after hospitalization and revealed large subfascial abscess. Surgical drainage with fasciotomy was required due to a persisting high fever and fluid accumulation in the lateral thigh. Approximately 1 L of purulent fluid was collected, containing large bulks of fat particles and blood clots that drained from the subfascial space. The wound was left open and treated with vacuum-assisted closure. Direct penetration of cannula through fascial layer, insertion of harvested fat that exceeds intrinsic properties of fascia, or unknown intercompartment connections can lead to deep subfascial migration of fat. Aggressive measures that include immediate advanced radiological imaging should be performed when the severity of damage and migration of injected fat are unknown. Transcutaneous drainage is not effective for subfascial abscesses due to formation of large fat particles and blood clots that cannot be drained. Immediate incision and drainage should be considered for similar cases.

The article focuses on a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concerning influenza-associated deaths in the country from 1976 to 2007. Data showed that influenza-related death has an annual rate of 1.4 to 16.7 deaths per 100,000 persons in the country during the period. It is said that many of the influenza-related deaths have been caused by secondary infections including bacterial pneumonia. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for people more than six months old to limit the risk of influenza complications.

Background. Two doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) are recommended for children <9 years old receiving vaccine for the first time, but compliance is suboptimal. This study assessed the need for a second dose of TIV in this age group.Methods. In this prospective, open-label study, 232 influenza vaccine-naive 5-8-year-olds enrolled in a health maintenance organization received 2 doses of TIV in fall 2004. Serum for antibody titer measurement was obtained at 3 time points (n=222). Parents completed diaries for 5 days.Results. Both doses of vaccine were well tolerated. The strongest predictor of a protective antibody response (>/=1 : 40) after 1 dose of TIV was baseline seropositive status. In multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, and baseline serostatus, the proportion of children with protective antibody responses was significantly higher after 2 doses than after 1 dose of TIV for each antigen (P<.001, for A/H1N1; P=.01, for A/H3N2; P<.001, for B). Age and sex were not independently predictive of a protective antibody response. Over one-third of children had antibody responses <1:40 for the type B vaccine component, even after 2 doses.Conclusions. The present study supports the need for 2 doses of TIV in 5-8-year-olds receiving TIV for the first time. Efforts to increase compliance with the 2-dose recommendation are warranted. Copyright © 2006 Infectious Diseases Society of America [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Previous research on the effectiveness of needle exchange programs (NEP) in preventing hepatitis C virus (HCV) in people who inject drugs (PWID) has shown mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to use the meta-analytic approach to examine the association between NEP use and HCV prevention in PWIDs. Methods Study inclusion criteria were (1) observational studies, (2) PWIDs, (3) NEP use, (4) HCV status ascertained by serological testing, (5) studies published in any language since January 1, 1989, and (6) data available for measures of association. Studies were located by searching four electronic databases and cross-referencing. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa (NOS) scale. A ratio measure of association was calculated for each result from cohort or case–control studies and pooled using a random effects model. Odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) models were analyzed separately. Results were considered statistically significant if the 95% confidence interval (CI) did not cross 1. Heterogeneity was estimated using Q and I 2 with alpha values for Q ≤ 0.10 considered statistically significant. Results Of the 555 citations reviewed, 6 studies containing 2437 participants were included. Studies had an average NOS score of 7 out of 9 (77.8%) stars. Concerns over participant representativeness, unclear adjustments for confounders, and bias from participant nonresponse and loss to follow-up were noted. Results were mixed with the odds ratio model indicating no consistent association (OR, 0.51, 95% CI, 0.05–5.15), and the hazard ratio model indicating a harmful effect (HR, 2.05, 95% CI, 1.39–3.03). Substantial heterogeneity (p ≤ 0.10) and moderate to large inconsistency (I 2 ≥ 66%) were observed for both models. Conclusions The impact of NEPs on HCV prevention in PWIDs remains unclear. There is a need for well-designed research studies employing standardized criteria and measurements to clarify this issue. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42016035315

O seguinte texto pretende apresentar o resumo da minha pesquisa de trabalho de conclusão de curso – TCC, intitulado: SE EU COMPREI, ENTÃO É MEU: coisas do cotidiano e do prazer sexual para além da heteronormatividade. Este trabalho tem o intuito de problematizar, desde uma perspectiva das ciências humanas, em especial da Arqueologia, de que o órgão genital, nesse caso o pênis, não é o fator que define o gênero de alguém. Através das análises comparativas desde as coisas contemporâneas, em específico entre as próteses penianas das lojas de Sex Shops e próteses penianas das lojas especializadas para homens trans, coloco em debate as representações fálicas de gênero, corpo, sexo, sexualidade e as masculinidades. Aponto ao fato de que tais representações são múltiplas e variadas. Portanto, se trata de um trabalho que tem como objetivo problematizar essencialismos e reducionismos.

The article presents an update on influenza activity in the U.S. and worldwide between May 21 to September 9, 2006. Seven systems are used by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for national influenza surveillance of which four are operating year-round. These include the World Health Organization and the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance System. Between the given period, various influenza viruses cocirculated worldwide of which influenza A viruses are dominant in Asia and influenza B viruses are dominant in Japan.

To produce and purify movement protein of Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV MP), a plant viral vector engineered from an in vivo infectious clone of Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) was used. The CGMMV MP ORF was in frame inserted between the P1 and HC-Pro ORFs of the ZYMV vector. The infectious activity of the vector was approved by rubbing the plasmid on Chenopodium quinoa leaves and observing local lesions. Individual lesions were mechanically transferred to the systemic host plant zucchini squash at the stage of two-cotyledon. The stability of recombinant protein expression was assessed by successive passages of recombinant from infected plant and throughout the period of 30 days after inoculation in a single plant and after 10 serial passages. Then, the leaves tissues of inoculated plant were analyzed by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Recombinant protein was purified using centrifuge method combine with gel extraction; each step was sampled and analyzed by western blotting and SDS-PAGE. The results showed approximately 1.8–2.2 mg recombinant MP per 100 g tissues were purified from leaves two weeks post inoculation. Also, the vector was remarkably stable in squash after 10 serial passages and 30 days. The procedure provides a convenient and fast method for production of large quantities of pure CGMMV MP in planta.