Massa Occipital Volumosa: Foliculite Queloidial da Nuca

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Late Cytomegalovirus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients after a Six-Month Prevention Protocol

BACKGROUND: Despite a reduction in the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections after kidney transplantation, less is known about late CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients. OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence of CMV infection in a cohort of patients under a high surveillance CMV prevention protocol and identify factors associated with late CMV infection. METHODS: Analysis of a consecutive cohort of 181 kidney allograft recipients between January 2012 and Aug 2015. CMV prevention-protocol consisted of 6-month universal prophylaxis and pre-emptive therapy for high-risk group (D+/R- or patients submitted to lymphocyte-depleting agent for induction or rejection treatment) and pre-emptive therapy for standard-risk group (D±/R+). Stopping valganciclovir was followed by CMV screening in the next two appointments. RESULTS: CMV infection was identified in 73 of 181 patients; the rate in high-risk group and standard-risk group was similar (p=0.443). However, in the latter group, the infection occurred mostly in the first 6 months. Late CMV infection occurred in 25 of 181 patients (5 of standard-risk group and 20 of high-risk group), after a median (IQR) of 253 (230.3-312.3) days after transplantation and 55 (41-89.5) days after the protocol period. Screening for CMV after valganciclovir discontinuation revealed 56% of late CMV infections. In high-risk group, D+/R- was associated with late CMV infection (HR 2.7, p=0.039) and in standard-risk group; lower age was associated with late CMV infection (HR 0.89, p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CMV infection was similar to that reported in the literature. In high-risk patients, antigenemia surveillance during prophylaxis did not appear to reduce late CMV infections. Antigenemia screening after valganciclovir had limited results in the diagnosis of late CMV infection. D+/R- was associated to late CMV infection in high-risk group. Lower age appeared to influence late CMV infection in standard-risk group.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COLDz: Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array discovery of a gas-rich galaxy in COSMOS

The broad spectral bandwidth at mm and cm-wavelengths provided by the recent upgrades to the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) has made it possible to conduct unbiased searches for molecular CO line emission at redshifts, z > 1.31. We present the discovery of a gas-rich, star-forming galaxy at z = 2.48, through the detection of CO(1-0) line emission in the COLDz survey, through a sensitive, Ka-band (31 to 39 GHz) VLA survey of a 6.5 square arcminute region of the COSMOS field. We argue that the broad line (FWHM ~570 +/- 80 km/s) is most likely to be CO(1-0) at z=2.48, as the integrated emission is spatially coincident with an infrared-detected galaxy with a photometric redshift estimate of z = 3.2 +/- 0.4. The CO(1-0) line luminosity is L'_CO = (2.2 +/- 0.3) x 10^{10} K km/s pc^2, suggesting a cold molecular gas mass of M_gas ~ (2 - 8)x10^{10}M_solar depending on the assumed value of the molecular gas mass to CO luminosity ratio alpha_CO. The estimated infrared luminosity from the (rest-frame) far-infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) is L_IR = 2.5x10^{12} L_solar and the star-formation rate is ~250 M_solar/yr, with the SED shape indicating substantial dust obscuration of the stellar light. The infrared to CO line luminosity ratio is ~114+/-19 L_solar/(K km/s pc^2), similar to galaxies with similar SFRs selected at UV/optical to radio wavelengths. This discovery confirms the potential for molecular emission line surveys as a route to study populations of gas-rich galaxies in the future

W/AlSiTiNx/SiAlTiOyNx/SiAlOx multilayered solar thermal selective absorber coating

Solar thermal energy has often been used as a renewable green energy source. Here we present a design composed of a highly selective solar thermal absorber coating that has been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering. This will consist of four layers: W/AlSiTiNx/SiAlTiOyNx/SiAlOx. The coating that was utilised revealed an excellent average solar thermal absorbance, (alpha = 95.5%) with very low emittance, (epsilon = 9.6% calculated for 500 degrees C) together with an excellent thermal stability after annealed at 500 degrees C, in air for 350 h, and at 630 degrees C in vacuum for 220 h.FCT in the framework of the Strategic Funding UID/FIS/04650/2013 and the financial support of FCT, POCI and PORL operational programs through the project POCI01-0145-FEDER-016907 (PTDC/CTM-ENE/2892/2014), co-financed by European community fund FEDER

Development of a standardized histopathology scoring system for intervertebral disc degeneration in rat models: An initiative of the ORS spine section

Background Rats are a widely accepted preclinical model for evaluating intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and regeneration. IVD morphology is commonly assessed using histology, which forms the foundation for quantifying the state of IVD degeneration. IVD degeneration severity is evaluated using different grading systems that focus on distinct degenerative features. A standard grading system would facilitate more accurate comparison across laboratories and more robust comparisons of different models and interventions. Aims This study aimed to develop a histology grading system to quantify IVD degeneration for different rat models. Materials & Methods This study involved a literature review, a survey of experts in the field, and a validation study using 25 slides that were scored by 15 graders from different international institutes to determine inter- and intra-rater reliability. Results A new IVD degeneration grading system was established and it consists of eight significant degenerative features, including nucleus pulposus (NP) shape, NP area, NP cell number, NP cell morphology, annulus fibrosus (AF) lamellar organization, AF tears/fissures/disruptions, NP-AF border appearance, as well as endplate disruptions/microfractures and osteophyte/ossification. The validation study indicated this system was easily adopted, and able to discern different severities of degenerative changes from different rat IVD degeneration models with high reproducibility for both experienced and inexperienced graders. In addition, a widely-accepted protocol for histological preparation of rat IVD samples based on the survey findings include paraffin embedding, sagittal orientation, section thickness < 10 μm, and staining using H&E and/or SO/FG to facilitate comparison across laboratories. Conclusion The proposed histological preparation protocol and grading system provide a platform for more precise comparisons and more robust evaluation of rat IVD degeneration models and interventions across laboratories

Time-dependent fibre pull-out behaviour in self-compacting concrete

In the present study, the effectiveness of a fibre as an element for transferring stresses across cracks under a sustained load was assessed. Single fibre pull-out creep tests were performed, in which fibre slip was monitored as a function of the time. The influence of the fibre orientation angle (0, 30 and 60 degrees), as well as pre-imposed fibre slip levels, spr, 0.3 and 0.5 mm on the creep response was investigated. Additionally, instantaneous fibre pull-out tests were carried out on undamaged-bond specimens in order to quantify the effects of the pull-out creep behaviour. The damage introduced by the pre-slip levels in the bond of the fibre/matrix interface influenced the long-term fibre pull-out behaviour and, consequently, accelerated the creep rate. However, the assembled pull-out creep behaviour did not differ considerably from the instantaneous pull-out behaviour for the adopted pre-imposed fibre slip levels.This work is supported by the FEDER funds through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors - COMPETE and National Funds through FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project 18 SlabSys-HFRC-PTDC/ECM/120394/2010. The authors would like to acknowledge the materials supplied by Radmix and Maccaferri (fibres), SECIL (cement), SIKA and BASF (superplasticizers), Omya Comital (limestone filler), and Pegop (Fly ash).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Retina and Choroid of Diabetic Patients Without Observed Retinal Vascular Changes: A Longitudinal Study

PURPOSE: To identify changes in choroidal thickness (CT) and all retinal layers of diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) after 1 year of follow-up. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. METHODS: Overall, 125 diabetic patients without DR were included. Two visits were scheduled: the first visit (V1) and a second visit after 12 months (V2). At both visits, patients received a complete ophthalmologic evaluation that included OCT. Each retinal layer thickness was calculated for 9 ETDRS sectors, and CT was measured at 13 locations. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used. RESULTS: Of the 125 patients, 103 completed the study, and 9 of the 103 developed DR (8.7%). CT was significantly higher at V2 than at V1, with an average value of 10-17 μm at almost half the locations (500, 1000, and 1500 μm temporal; 500 and 1000 μm nasal; and 1000 μm superior to the fovea) (P < .001-.003). The thicknesses of the ganglion cell layer (I3 and N6 sectors), inner plexiform layer (S6 and N6 sectors), inner nuclear layer (T6 and N6 sectors), and outer plexiform layer (S6 sector), as well as the overall retinal thickness (RT) (S3, N3, I3, S6, and T6 sectors), were decreased at V2 (P < .001). Visible retinopathy was negatively associated with overall RT (central, S3, T3, I3, and N3 sectors, P = .004-.024) and the thickness of the ONL (T6 and I6 sectors, P = .007 and P = .009) and photoreceptor layer (N6 sector, P = .038). The presence of DR decreased the overall RT by 13.04-16.63 μm. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients without DR showed a thicker choroid and a thinner retina, particularly in inner layers, after 1 year of follow-up. These structural changes may correspond to the early neurodegenerative phase of DR.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio