Dilating covariant representations of the non-commutative disc algebras

Let $\phi$ be an isometric automorphism of the non-commutative disc algebra \fA_n for $n \geq 2$. We show that every contractive covariant representation of (\fA_n, \phi) dilates to a unitary covariant representation of (\O_n, \phi). Hence the C*-envelope of the semicrossed product \fA_n \times_{\phi} \bZ^+ is \O_n \times_{\phi} \bZ.Comment: 18 page

Corticosteroids and hip fracture risk in elderly respiratory patients: EPIC-Greece cohort

INTRODUCTION: In an ageing population the prevalence of osteoporosis and chronic respiratory diseases is expected to increase in the near future. Interestingly, several forms of corticosteroids, drugs implicated in osteoporosis pathogenesis, are prescribed to respiratory patients without taking into consideration their age and risk for osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk for hip fracture of the elder individuals who are taking corticosteroids for respiratory disease, including inhalers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on incident hip fractures were collected through the active follow-up for all individuals participating in the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Greece) study who were 60 years or older at recruitment and reported "a doctor's diagnosis" of respiratory disease. Socio-demographic, life-style, health status data and use of corticosteroids were recorded from the baseline and follow-up questionnaires. Cox regression models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) adjusting for relevant confounders. RESULTS: We observed an increase in hip fracture risk with corticosteroid intake overall (HR: 1.68, 95% CI: 0.85-3.34). Increased risk persisted when we restricted our analysis to participants taking any form of corticosteroids for obstructive lung disease (HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.64-3.06) and to those using only inhalers (HR: 1.58, 95% CI: 0.71-3.50). However, these positive associations did not reach the nominal level of significance probably due to the small number of participants with hip fractures during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Hip fracture risk should be taken into consideration when recommending corticosteroids to the elder respiratory patients, including inhalers

Retrorectal endometrioid cyst: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Developmental cysts are the most common retrorectal cystic lesions in adults, whereas reports of endometrioid cysts in this anatomic location are extremely rare.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 21-year-old nulliparous Greek woman presented with chronic noncyclic pelvic pain, and a retrorectal cyst was diagnosed. The lesion was resected through a laparotomy and, on histologic examination, was found to be an endometrioid cyst. The treatment was completed with a six-month course of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue. One year after surgery, the woman remained free of symptoms, and pelvic imaging showed no recurrence of the lesion. Reviewing the literature, we found only three previous reports of an endometrioid cyst in this anatomic location.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In women of reproductive age, endometriosis must be included in the differential diagnosis of retrorectal cysts.</p

Serum Profiles of C-Reactive Protein, Interleukin-8, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Background-Aims. Early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis would lead to prompt intensive treatment resulting in improvement of the outcome. The present study investigated the use of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as prognosticators of the severity of the disease. Methods. Twenty-six patients with acute pancreatitis were studied. Patients with APACHE II score of 9 or more formed the severe group, while the mild group consisted of patients with APACHE II score of less than 9. Serum samples for measurement of CRP, IL-8 and TNF-α were collected on the day of admission and additionally on the 2nd, 3rd and 7th days. Results. Significantly higher levels of IL-8 were found in patients with severe acute pancreatitis compared to those with mild disease especially at the 2nd and 3rd days (P = .001 and P = .014, resp.). No significant difference for CRP and TNF-α was observed between the two groups. The optimal cut-offs for IL-8 in order to discriminate severe from mild disease at the 2nd and 3rd days were 25.4 pg/mL and 14.5 pg/mL, respectively. Conclusions. IL-8 in early phase of acute pancreatitis is superior marker compared to CRP and TNF-α for distinguishing patients with severe disease

Selective Enzymatic Oxidation of Silanes to Silanols

Compared to the biological world's rich chemistry for functionalizing carbon, enzymatic transformations of the heavier homologue silicon are rare. We report that a wild‐type cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450_(BM3) from Bacillus megaterium, CYP102A1) has promiscuous activity for oxidation of hydrosilanes to give silanols. Directed evolution was applied to enhance this non‐native activity and create a highly efficient catalyst for selective silane oxidation under mild conditions with oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The evolved enzyme leaves C−H bonds present in the silane substrates untouched, and this biotransformation does not lead to disiloxane formation, a common problem in silanol syntheses. Computational studies reveal that catalysis proceeds through hydrogen atom abstraction followed by radical rebound, as observed in the native C−H hydroxylation mechanism of the P450 enzyme. This enzymatic silane oxidation extends nature's impressive catalytic repertoire

Collision of adenocarcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) in the stomach: report of a case

A 78-year-old woman was diagnosed with a proximal gastric adenocarcinoma and underwent an elective D2 total gastrectomy with splenectomy. Subsequent histopathology revealed the presence of another tumour at the gastric antrum. This was a small benign gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) mixed with gastric adenocarcinoma cells similar to those of the main gastric tumour i.e. a collision tumour. The literature has only few previous reports of this very rare association. It is not known whether this synchronicity is incidental or there is a causative factor inducing the development of tumours of different histotypes in the same organ. Pathologists, oncologists and surgeons should be aware of this interesting condition

Evaluation of food photographs assessing the dietary intake of children up to 10 years old

OBJECTIVE: Young children lack basic skills related to recognizing the types of foods they consume and dietary surveys often rely on parents' response. The present study aimed to evaluate how well parents of children aged from 3 months to 10 years perceive images of portions of foods commonly consumed by young children. DESIGN: Pre-weighed, actual food portions (n 2314) were shown to the study participants who were asked to indicate the picture that corresponded to the food in view. Mean differences between picture numbers selected and shown were estimated and compared using unpaired t tests or Tukey-Cramer pairwise comparisons. SETTING: Real-time testing of parents' perception of food images presenting portion sizes consumed by children up to 10 years old. SUBJECTS: A convenience sample of 138 parents/caregivers of young children (69 % females). RESULTS: Individuals selected the correct or adjacent image in about 97 % of the assessments. Images presenting amorphous solids (i.e. pies and pastries with a filling), liquid or semi-liquid dishes (i.e. soups, porridges, fruit and vegetable purées) were more prone to bias. There was no indication that personal characteristics (gender, age, educational background, age, number of offspring) were associated with differences in the way parents/caregivers perceived the food pictures. CONCLUSIONS: Food pictures may not be appropriate to quantify the intake of liquid, semi-liquid or amorphous solid foods in surveys addressing young children and studies evaluating their performance as food portion anchors should ensure the inclusion of several and various amorphous foods in the assessment

Non-operative management of blunt abdominal trauma. Is it safe and feasible in a district general hospital?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To evaluate the feasibility and safety of non-operative management (NOM) of blunt abdominal trauma in a district general hospital with middle volume trauma case load.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prospective protocol-driven study including 30 consecutive patients who have been treated in our Department during a 30-month-period. Demographic, medical and trauma characteristics, type of treatment and outcome were examined. Patients were divided in 3 groups: those who underwent immediate laparotomy (OP group), those who had a successful NOM (NOM-S group) and those with a NOM failure (NOM-F group).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>NOM was applied in 73.3% (22 patients) of all blunt abdominal injuries with a failure rate of 13.6% (3 patients). Injury severity score (ISS), admission hematocrit, hemodynamic status and need for transfusion were significantly different between NOM and OP group. NOM failure occurred mainly in patients with splenic trauma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to our experience, the hemodynamically stable or easily stabilized trauma patient can be admitted in a non-ICU ward with the provision of close monitoring. Splenic injury, especially with multiple-site free intra-abdominal fluid in abdominal computed tomography, carries a high risk for NOM failure. In this series, the main criterion for a laparotomy in a NOM patient was hemodynamic deterioration after a second rapid fluid load.</p

Multiple jejuno-jejunal fistulae of uncertain origin: a case report

A 43 year-old male patient presented with small bowel obstruction while being treated for cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy. Laparotomy revealed multiple adhesions and multiple jejuno-jejunal fistulae. Absence of previous abdominal surgery or other abdominal insult favoured an 'idiopathic' origin of these unusual lesions, although treated tuberculosis may have been the underlying cause. To the best of our knowledge this intestinal condition has never previously been reported in the medical literature

Selective Enzymatic Oxidation of Silanes to Silanols

Compared to the biological world's rich chemistry for functionalizing carbon, enzymatic transformations of the heavier homologue silicon are rare. We report that a wild‐type cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (P450_(BM3) from Bacillus megaterium, CYP102A1) has promiscuous activity for oxidation of hydrosilanes to give silanols. Directed evolution was applied to enhance this non‐native activity and create a highly efficient catalyst for selective silane oxidation under mild conditions with oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The evolved enzyme leaves C−H bonds present in the silane substrates untouched, and this biotransformation does not lead to disiloxane formation, a common problem in silanol syntheses. Computational studies reveal that catalysis proceeds through hydrogen atom abstraction followed by radical rebound, as observed in the native C−H hydroxylation mechanism of the P450 enzyme. This enzymatic silane oxidation extends nature's impressive catalytic repertoire