Brain abscess following rituximab infusion in a patient with pemphigus vulgaris.

BackgroundImmunocompromised patients are at increased risk for developing meningitis or, rarely, brain abscess with opportunistic organisms like Listeria monocytogenes.Case reportA 52 year-old Saudi Arabian woman who was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris and diabetes and had been on prednisolone and azathioprine for about 4 years. She presented with headache, low-grade fever, and left-sided weakness 2 weeks after receiving the second dose of rituximab infusion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enhanced space-occupying lesion with multiple small cyst-like structures and vasogenic edema in the right temporoparietal area. Her blood culture was positive for Listeria monocytogenes, and a brain biopsy showed necrotic tissues with pus and inflammatory cells. She recovered after a 6-week course of antibiotics with ampicillin and gentamycin.ConclusionsBrain abscess due to Listeria monocytogenes is a risk that should be considered when adding rituximab to the regimen of a patient who is already Immunocompromised

Erin\u27s Isle

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/5828/thumbnail.jp

Helen

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/1442/thumbnail.jp

Impact of optical phase conjugation on the nonlinear Shannon limit

Compensation of the detrimental impacts of nonlinearity on long-haul wavelength division multiplexed system performance is discussed, and the difference between transmitter, receiver and in-line compensation analyzed. We demonstrate that ideal compensation of nonlinear noise could result in an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (measured in dB) of 50%, and that reaches may be more than doubled for higher order modulation formats. The influence of parametric noise amplification is discussed in detail, showing how increased numbers of optical phase conjugators may further increase the received signal-tonoise ratio. Finally the impact of practical real world system imperfections, such as polarization mode dispersion, are outlined

Engaging Children in Design Thinking Through Transmedia Narrative (RTP)

This paper presents the implementation of Imaginative Education (IE) pedagogy for creating a transmedia learning environment that engages children in learning about engineering design. IE uses narrative to engage learners\u27 imaginations; helps them master the cognitive tools necessary for progressing to higher levels of understanding; and helps them structure what they learn in meaningful ways. Included in the paper is an introduction to IE pedagogy and the use of transmedia in education; an overview of the online learning environment called Through My Window (TMW) that we have developed for middle school children; and a detailed look at a learning adventure on engineering design called Trapped in Time. Assessment data collected by external evaluators shows that TMW positively impacted student interest in engineering and increased STEM identity. Preliminary results for the Trapped in Time learning adventure indicate improved understanding of engineering design

Acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland: A Continuing Medical Education Case

No abstract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58660/1/20852_ftp.pd