Human liver flukes

Liver fluke infections occur in people worldwide. In some low-income regions, a combination of ecological, agricultural, and culinary factors leads to a very high prevalence of infection but, in higher-income regions, infections are uncommon. Infection is associated with substantial morbidity and several liver fluke species are recognised as biological carcinogens. Here, we review the epidemiology, clinical significance, and diagnostic and treatment strategies of human infection with these pathogens

Soil-transmitted helminth infections

More than a quarter of the world's population is at risk of infection with the soil-transmitted helminths Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), Trichuris trichiura, and Strongyloides stercoralis. Infected children and adults present with a range of medical and surgical conditions, and clinicians should consider the possibility of infection in individuals living in, or returning from, endemic regions. Although safe and effective drugs are donated free to endemic countries, only half of at-risk children received treatment in 2016. This Seminar describes the epidemiology, lifecycles, pathophysiology, clinical diagnosis, management, and public health control of soil-transmitted helminths. Previous work has questioned the effect of population-level deworming; however, it remains beyond doubt that treatment reduces the severe consequences of soil-transmitted helminthiasis. We highlight the need for refined diagnostic tools and effective control options to scale up public health interventions and improve clinical detection and management of these infections

Time-resolved Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study of Sol-Gel Precursor Solutions of Lead Zirconate Titanate and Zirconia

The evolution of nanostructure in sol¿gel derived lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and zirconia precursor sols at different hydrolysis ratios was investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The shape of the clusters in the zirconia sol could be described by the length-polydisperse cylindrical form factor. The zirconia-based clusters were characterized by a cross-sectional radius, r0, of 0.28 nm and a practically monodisperse length of ca. 1.85 nm. These clusters were probably constructed of zirconia-related tetrameric building blocks. Similar cylindrical structural motifs were observed in PZT precursor sols with [H2O]/[Zr + Ti] = 9.26 and 27.6, but the polydispersity in length was much higher. Clear scattering contributions from Ti and Pb centers were not detected, which was interpreted in terms of a homogeneous distribution of unbound lead ions in solution and the relatively low scattering intensity from any Ti-based clusters or oligomers that may have been present in the sols

Behavioral clusters and coronary heart disease risk

The purpose of the present study was to empirically identify individuals who differed in their patterns of components derived from the structured interview (SI), and to evaluate whether individuals characterized by the different patterns varied in terms of their risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). The present study represents a reanalysis of data from the Western Collaborative Group Study in which components of Type A were individually related to risk for CHD. Subgroups of individuals who differed in the patterns of their component scores were identified by means of cluster analytic techniques and were found to vary in their risk of CHD. As expected, a pattern of characteristics in which hostility was salient was found to be predictive of CHD. Moreover, another pattern of characteristics that appears to reflect pressured, controlling, socially dominant behavior in which hostility was not salient also was found to be predictive of CHD. Further, two patterns of characteristics were identified that were unrelated to CHD risk. Finally, two patterns of characteristics were identified that were related to reduced risk of CHD. Overall, these results suggest that future research should investigate variables in addition to hostility in regard to risk for and protection from CHD

Nanoscale structure evolution in alkoxide-carboxylate sol-gel precursor solutions of barium titanate

The evolution of hydrolyzed alkoxide–carboxylate sol–gel precursor solutions of barium titanate was investigated by time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and viscosity measurements. Sols were prepared from titanium(IV) iso-propoxide in 2-methoxyethanol and barium acetate in acetic acid. Analysis of the experimental data showed that the evolution of the sol went through three stages. In stage (i) mainly isolated primary scatterers of ∼0.45 nm radius formed. Stage (ii) showed the growth of branched oligomeric mass fractal-like structures with a 3–15 nm gyration radius and fractal dimension 1.9–1.5, as well as the presence of internally ordered structures with a correlation length of ∼1.8 nm. In stage (iii), higher-level hierarchy developed in the sol, probably due to cluster–cluster aggregation of the fractal-like branched oligomers into a gel. The data suggest that the agglomerates of primary scatterers are Ti-based and are built of small spherical primary particles of very similar size. The inorganic core of these particles had a radius of ∼0.45 nm, and they had an outer organic ligand shell of ∼0.45 nm thickness. Ba-related species remained dissolved in the acetic acid matrix and were present as ions. No Ba-related species could be seen with SAXS. Ba seemed to exert an indirect influence on the growth and precipitation or stabilization of the titanium-based structures from solution

Improved regional wall motion 6 months after direct myocardial revascularization (DMR) with the NOGA DMR system

A60-year-old man was referred to our intervention laboratory for direct myocardial revascularization (DMR). He had received maximal medical therapy and had undergone coronary bypass surgery 10 years earlier, and his peripheral coronary anatomy was now found to be unsuited for surgical revascularization

'The natural foundation of perfect efficiency' : medical services and the Victorian Post Office

This article explores the creation of the Post Office medical service. Working for the Post Office was relatively well-paid and an increasing number of doctors were employed. Medical provision expanded with the introduction of non-contributory pensions from mid-century and developed into a comprehensive and nationwide service that was involved at all stages of employment, from initial recruitment through to receiving a pension. Post Office doctors assessed candidates’ fitness for work, checked on sick absences, provided free medicine and advice and visited workers’ homes. Doctors were responsible for determining whether or not a worker should be pensioned off on grounds of ill health. The career of the first Chief Medical Officer, Dr Waller Lewis, also illustrates the range of other areas in which the Post Office medical service became involved, including the clinical assessment and relief of sickness as well as identifying preventative measures to improve health outcomes.Kingston Universit

Top quark associated production of topcolor pions at hadron colliders

We investigate the associated production of a neutral physical pion with top quarks in the context of topcolor assisted technicolor. We find that single-top associated production does not yield viable rates at either the Tevatron or LHC. tt-associated production at the Tevatron is suppressed relative to Standard Model ttH, but at the LHC is strongly enhanced and would allow for easy observation of the main decay channels to bottom quarks, and possible observation of the decay to gluons.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PR