Cerebellar involvement that occurred during treatment of Legionella pneumonia: A case report

Legionnaires’ disease can appear with different levels of severity. A case of a previously healthy lady with communityacquiredpneumonia who progressed to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and developed cerebellar dysfunctionis reported. In patients presenting with neurological symptoms after an episode of pneumonia, Legionella infectionshould be considered. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2013; 3(2): 83-85Key words: Legionella, cerebellar dysfunction, dysarthria, ataxi

Assessment of Invisible Areas and Military Objects in Mountainous Terrain

During war activities, the evaluation of invisible areas and military armors in mountainous terrain is very important for assessment of operational-tactical situation in battlefield. This information can be used for prevention of an enemy sudden attack. In given paper, the quantitative method of the assessment of invisible areas and military objects in mountainous terrain is developed and offered by using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The probabilities of detection of invisible area or enemy object by using 1 and n UAVs are calculated. Previously obtained data by ArcGIS software (GIS technology) have been used for calculations and evaluations the number of invisible areas and military objects. The analysis of the dependence of effectiveness of revealing and localization areas and military objects on UAV number has been carried out. It was established that for quantitative analysis of invisible areas it is more efficiently to use one UAV, but for detection of armored vehicles and military objects it is more efficiently to use several UAV. Our experiments in mountainous conditions had shown that at flight height 300 m and battle-front 2,5 km putting 3-5 UAVs is real. In this case, all of them perform operational mission and return to base

Effects of Different Anesthetic Techniques on Serum Leptin, C-reactive Protein, and Cortisol Concentrations in Anorectal Surgery

Aim: To compare the effects of intratracheal general anesthesia (ITGA) and regional (saddle block) anesthesia on leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and cortisol blood concentrations during anorectal surgery. Methods: Fifty-eight patients suffering from hemorrhoidal disease, pilonidal sinus, anal fissure, or anal fistula were included the study. Patients were randomly assigned into one of the two groups (n = 29). Patients in one group received ITGA. After thiopental and fentanyl induction, vecuronium was used as a muscle relaxant. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. In the other group we applied saddle block, injecting hyperbaric bupivacaine into the subarachnoid space, through the L3-L4 intervertebral space, in the sitting position. Blood samples were collected for leptin, CRP, and cortisol analysis before the induction of anesthesia at 3 and 24 hours postoperatively. Results: Preoperative leptin, CRP, and cortisol concentrations were comparable between the groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative levels of leptin and CRP in both groups. Although not significant, leptin and CRP concentrations were lower in the saddle block group at three hours postoperatively (mean ± SD, 6.95 ± 8.59 and 6.02 ± 12.25, respectively) than in the ITGA group (mean ± SD, 9.04 ± 9.89 and 8.40 ± 15.75, respectively). During early postoperative period, cortisol increased slightly in the ITGA group and remained at similar level in the saddle block group, but later decreased in both groups. Cortisol levels in the saddle block group were significantly lower than in the ITGA group at 3 hours postoperatively (343.7 ± 329.6 vs 611.4 ± 569.8; P = 0.034). Conclusion: Saddle block, a regional anesthetic technique, may attenuate stress response in patients undergoing anorectal surgery, by blocking afferent neural input during early postoperative perio

Electret composite with deep trapping centers on the interphase boundary

An electret composite comprising a polymer matrix material that contains particles of a piezoelectric material with deep trapping centers on the interphase boundaries between the matrix and particles of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material may have a tetragonal or a rhombohedral structure, and the polymer matrix material may be selected from high-density polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and a copolymer of vinylidenechloride and tetrafluoroethylene. The composite has a potential difference> 500V, lifespan> 10 years, dielectric permeability≧ 20, specific electric resistance≧ 10 14 Ohm· m; provision of deep trapping centers on the interphase boundaries with activation energy in the range of 1 to 1.25 eV, and stable electret charge

Composites with high photoquenching factor of electroconduction based on polymer-metalorganic compounds

A composite material with a high photoquenching factor of electroconductivity comprising a multiple-component system which is a combination of a polymeric material matrix and a ferrocene-type compound contained in the polymeric material matrix. In one or more aspects of the invention, the polymer material matrix may be formed with polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a copolymer of vinylidene chloride and trifluoroethylene. Additionally, the ferrocene-type compound may be contained in the composite in an amount of 10 vol. % to 50 vol. % per 100 vol. % of the matrix, an, depending on the type of the polymer used as a matrix and on the content of the ferrocene-type compound in the matrix, the Rf/R0 ratio, where Rf is electrical resistance of the composite under illumination conditions, and R0 is electrical resistance of the composite without illumination, may be increase under illumination with a factor of up to 960

Ofloxacin plus Rifampicin versus Doxycycline plus Rifampicin in the treatment of brucellosis: a randomized clinical trial [ISRCTN11871179]

BACKGROUND: The combination therapies recommended by the World Health Organization for treatment of brucellosis are doxycycline plus rifampicin or doxycycline plus streptomycin. Although highly successful results have been obtained with these two regimens, relapse rates as high as 14.4%. The most effective and the least toxic chemotherapy for human brucellosis is still undetermined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy, adverse effects and cost of ofloxacin plus rifampicin therapy, and doxycycline plus rifampicin therapy and evaluate in the treatment of brucellosis. METHODS: The open trial has been carried out prospectively by the two medical centers from December 1999 to December 2001 in Duzce region Turkey. The diagnosis was based on the presence of signs and symptoms compatible with brucellosis including a positive agglutination titre (≥1/160) and/or a positive culture. Doxycycline and rifampicin group consisted of 14 patients who were given doxycycline 200 mg/day plus rifampicin 600 mg/day during 45 days and this group Ofloxacin plus rifampicin group was consisted of 15 patients who were given ofloxacin 400 mg/day plus rifampicin 600 mg/day during 30 days. RESULTS: Regarding clinical and/or demographic characteristics no significant difference was found between two groups of patients that underwent two different therapeutic regimens. At the end of the therapy, two relapses were seen in both groups (p = 0.695). Although duration of therapy was two weeks shorter in group treated with rifampicin plus ofloxacin, the cure rate was similar in both groups of examinees. Fever dropped more rapidly in the group that treated with rifampicin plus ofloxacin, 74 ± 30 (ranges 48–216) vs. 106 ± 26 (ranges 48–262) hours (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Ofloxacin plus rifampicin therapy has advantages of shorter treatment duration and provided shorter course of fever with treatment than in doxycycline plus rifampicin therapy. However, cost of ofloxacin plus rifampicin treatment is higher than doxycycline plus rifampicin treatment. Because of the similar effects, adverse effects and relapses rates between two regimens, we still advice doxycycline plus rifampicin for the treatment of brucellosis for countries, which have limited resources

О переносе ряда понятий статистической радиофизики в теорию одномерных точечных отображений

In the article, the possibility of using a bispectrum under the investigation of regular and chaotic behaviour of one-dimensional point mappings is discussed. The effectiveness of the transfer of this concept to nonlinear dynamics was demonstrated by an example of the Feigenbaum mapping. Also in the work, the application of the Kullback-Leibler entropy in the theory of point mappings is considered. It has been shown that this information-like value is able to describe the behaviour of statistical ensembles of one-dimensional mappings. In the framework of this theory some general properties of its behaviour were found out. Constructivity of the Kullback-Leibler entropy in the theory of point mappings was shown by means of its direct calculation for the ”saw tooth” mapping with linear initial probability density. Moreover, for this mapping the denumerable set of initial probability densities hitting into its stationary probability density after a finite number of steps was pointed out. В статье обсуждается возможность использования биспектра при исследовании регулярного и хаотического поведения одномерных точечных отображений. Эффективность трансфера этого понятия в нелинейную динамику продемонстрирована на примере отображения Фейгенбаума. Также в работе рассмотрено применение энтропии Кульбака–Лейблера в теории точечных отображений. Показано, что эта величина информационного характера пригодна для описания поведения статистических ансамблей одномерных отображений. В рамках этой теории выявлены некоторые общие свойства её поведения. Конструктивизм энтропии Кульбака–Лейблера в теории точечных отображений показан также прямым её вычислением для отображения «зуб пилы» с линейным начальным распределением вероятностей. Кроме того, для этого отображения указано счётное множество начальных распределений вероятностей, попадающих в его стационарное распределение вероятностей за конечное число шагов. 

Estudo da formação de aderências e da cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas em ratos com sepse peritoneal induzida

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da sepse abdominal sobre a formação de aderências e a cicatrização de anastomoses colônicas em ratos. MÉTODOS: 40 ratos distribuídos em dois grupos contendo 20 animais, para anastomose do cólon esquerdo na presença (grupo S) ou ausência (grupo N) de indução de sepse por ligadura e punção do ceco (CLP). Cada grupo foi dividido em subgrupos para eutanásia no terceiro (N3 e S3) ou sétimo (N7 e S7) dia de pós-operatório (DPO). Foi avaliada a quantidade de aderências e removido um segmento colônico contendo a anastomose para análise histopatológica, força de ruptura, hidroxiprolina e conteúdo de colágeno tecidual. RESULTADOS: Os animais submetidos à CLP apresentaram maior quantidade de aderências intra-abdominais tanto no 3° DPO (p=0,00) quanto no 7° DPO (p=0,00). Tiveram menores valores de força de ruptura no 3° DPO (p=0,00), porém maiores valores no 7° DPO (p=0,00). Não houve diferença na variação da concentração de hidroxiprolina, conteúdo de colágeno e histopatologia. CONCLUSÕES: A infecção peritoneal desencadeada por CLP aumentou a quantidade de aderências intra-cavitárias. Houve diminuição da resistência de anastomoses cólicas no 3° DPO, com posterior aumento no 7° DPO, sem efeito sobre os outros parâmetros da cicatrização. ________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTPURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of abdominal sepsis on adhesion formation and colon anastomosis healing in rats. METHODS: Forty rats were distributed in two groups containing 20 rats each for left colon anastomosis in the presence (Group S) or absence (Group N) of induced sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture. Each group was divided into subgroups for euthanasia on the third (N3 and S3) or seventh (N7 or S7) post-operative day. The amount of adhesions was evaluated and a segment of the colon was removed for histopathologic analysis, bursting strength assessment, hydroxyproline and the determination of tissue collagen. RESULTS: The subjects which underwent cecal ligation and puncture presented a higher amount of intra-abdominal adherences in both third (p=0,00) and seventh (p=0,00) post-operatory days. Smaller bursting strengths were found in the S3 subgroup, and greater bursting strengths were found in the S7 subgroup. There was no difference in the variations on the concentrations of hydroxyproline, tissue collagen and histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The peritoneal infection which was developed by cecal ligation and puncture raised the amount of intra-cavitary adhesions. There was a decrease in the amount of colonic anastomosis on the third post-operatory day with a following raise on the seventh without any effects on other healing parameters