Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Negative Microscopic Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Rural Peru.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic to South America where diagnosis is most commonly conducted via microscopy. Patients with suspected leishmaniasis were referred for enrollment by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Lima, Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and several rural areas of Peru. A 43-question survey requesting age, gender, occupation, characterization of the lesion(s), history of leishmaniasis, and insect-deterrent behaviors was administered. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on lesion materials at the Naval Medical Research Unit No. 6 in Lima, and the results were compared with those obtained by the MoH using microscopy. Factors associated with negative microscopy and positive PCR results were identified using

Design of power-blocks for medium-scale supercritical carbon dioxide plants

For power production, the emerging technologies of supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) cycles show potential advantages if compared to conventional plants. The current bottleneck in exploiting such cycles is the development of novel components such as turbomachines and heat-exchangers. This paper focuses on the layout arrangement and machinery design of a novel power block for a 10 to 15 MW supercritical carbon dioxide plant. The applied design procedure involves 0D and 1D models implemented using an in-house Fortran code, and 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses using ANSYS-CFX. Novel configurations of the power block were designed, starting with the same primary thermal source. At nominal conditions, expected overall output powers from 13.2 to 16.2 MW were found. Finally, some qualitative considerations were included in the discussion to compare the analysed arrangements

Role of imaging and adrenal venous sampling techniques in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a rare condition characterized by inappropriately high secretion of aldosterone, independently of the renin-angiotensin system, not suppressed by sodium loading test. PA represents the most common cause of secondary hypertension and its early detection and treatment can help reduce the cardiovascular (CV) risk. Case presentation: We report on a 42-year-old man who was referred to an outpatients’ clinic reporting headache and vomiting associated with hypertension and was discharged with oral antihypertensive medication (irbesartan) and low-sodium diet. Three years later, he underwent further hospitalization for muscle pain in lower limb associated with severe hypokalemia (1.7 mmol/L) and elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels (2634 U/L). Abdominal CT scan excluded the presence of adrenal lesions. Acute intravenous potassium chloride (KCL) supplementation normalized serum potassium level and the patient was discharged with diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and hypokalemia and with antihypertensive medication (spironalactone: 100 mg/day and amlodipine: 5 mg/day) and oral KCL supplementation (600 mg/day). After pharmacological washout, an inappropriately high aldosterone concentration (75.10 pg/ml) and very low renin level (1.10 pg/ml) were detected. PA diagnosis was confirmed by oral saline infusion test (SIT). Aldosterone levels did not normalize after dexamethasone suppression testing. Abdominal MRI showed a nodule measuring 6 mm in the right adrenal. A subsequent adrenal venous sampling (AVS) confirmed the unilateral (right) lateralization of the aldosterone hypersecretion. Conclusion: Although invasive, AVS is the gold standard test to differentiate PA subtypes in patients who can be considered ideal candidates for unilateral adrenalectomy

Determination of Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Meat Alternatives (PBMAs) and Ingredients after Microwave Cooking

In this study, we investigate the role of microwave cooking in reducing mycotoxin contamination in plant-based food matrices, with a focus on veggie burgers (purchased and home-made) and their ingredients (soybean, potatoes, zucchini, carrots). Two different conditions were studied (Max–Min) that were 800 W for 60 s and 800 W for 90 s, respectively. The degradation patterns of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3), trichothecenes (T2, HT2, ZEA), and ochratoxin A (OTA) were studied. The extraction procedures were conducted with the QuEChERS extraction, and the analyses were conducted with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that degradation under microwave cooking varies considerably across different food matrices and cooking conditions. This study provides valuable insights into the degradation of mycotoxins during microwave cooking and underscores the need for more research in this area to ensure food safety

Microbial community of the deep-sea brine Lake <em>Kryos </em>seawater-brine interface is active below the chaotropicity limit of life as revealed by recovery of mRNA

Within the complex of deep, hypersaline anoxic lakes (DHALs) of the Mediterranean Ridge we identified a new, unexplored DHAL and named it "Lake Kryos" after a nearby depression. This lake is filled with MgCl2-rich, athalassohaline brine (salinity >470 practical salinity units), presumably formed by the dissolution of Messinian bischofite. Compared to the DHAL Discovery, it contains elevated concentrations of kosmotropic sodium and sulfate ions, which are capable of reducing the net chaotropicily of MgCl2-rich solutions. The brine of Lake Kryos may therefore be biologically permissive at MgCl2 concentrations previously considered incompatible with life. We characterized the microbiology of the seawater-Kryos brine interface and managed to recover mRNA from the 2.27-3.03 M MgCl2 layer (equivalent to 0.747-0.631 water-activity) thereby expanding the established chaotropicity window-for-life. The primary bacterial taxa present there were KB1 candidate division and DHAL-specific group of organisms, distantly related to Desulfohalobium. Two euryarchaeal candidate divisions MSBL1 and HC1, detected in minority in the overlaying layers, accounted for more than 85% of the rRNA-containing archaeal clones analyzed in 2.27-3.03 M MgCl2 layer. These findings shed light on the plausibility of life in highly chaotropic environments, geochemical windows for microbial extremophiles, and have implications for habitability elsewhere in the Solar System

An extremely rare association of TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma, metastatic neuroendocrine tumor and Cushing’s syndrome in a patient with MEN-1 gene mutation

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)-1 syndrome is a rare disorder, due to the loss of function of the tumor suppressor menin. It consists of the association of two or more endocrine tumors, often presenting in a familial setting, being inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. The most frequent manifestations of MEN-1 syndrome are primary hyperparathyroidism, followed by pituitary adenomas (mainly prolactinomas) and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors, but several other associated conditions have been reported. Herein we describe the case of a male patient, affected by sporadic MEN-1, diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, TSH-secreting pituitary adenoma and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia causing Cushing’s syndrome, due to a de novo MEN-1 gene mutation. The patient has been successfully treated with first generation somatostatin analog Octreotide LAR (30 mg every 28 days) -with stabilization of the known neuroendocrine lesions and shrinkage of the pituitary adenoma- and with bilateral adrenalectomy. The patient is still regularly followed-up at our Endocrine Unit, and his clinical conditions are stable

The Grizzly, March 19, 1991

New U.S.G.A Officers Appointed • Pennsylvania Pro-Life Convention Held • Rare Israeli Exhibition Arrives Safely • Village Idiots Compete at Pitt • Tenure Candidates Approved for Next Year • Alcohol Recovery Group to Start • Seniors Prepare for Graduation • Just Do It -- The Nautilus Connection • Flags: The Collegeville Connection • U.S.G.A Minutes • The Knack is Bnack! • Ursinus Students in Indonesia for a Day • Julian\u27s House • Meistersingers • Talking With Betty Boop • Bowie: Something Old and Something New • City of David at Berman • Men\u27s Lacrosse Club Wins Season Opener • Tennis Teams Begin Season • Five Named to MAC Honor Roll • Softball Starts Season • Baseball World Tour \u2791 • Indoor Track Finishes Season • Letter: On Teaching Catalan • Student Apathy is Growing • Consider Women\u27s Studies Next Semesterhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1273/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, February 19, 1991

Wismer Renovations • Movies Moved • Clark Wins NEH Grant: Travels to China • Teaching Catalan, An Alternative Language • Book Fair Comes to Ursinus • Italian Market: A Way of Life • Unchangeable South Street • Screaming Trees • Death of a Salesperson • Murder at Toranno\u27s • Swimmers Prepare for MAC Championship • Men\u27s Basketball Finishes Season with 11-14 Record • Black History Month • He\u27s Back! David Lee Roth, Stud or Stroker? • Modern Shakespeare • Wrestlers Romp • Schafer Tells of Track Troubles • Women Race at MAC Championships • Gymnasts Having Fun • Letter: Olin, for Students or Posterity? • Domestic Policy: A Matter of Perspective • Ah, Um, Uh... • An Elegantly Simple Plan • Radioactivity at Ursinus Collegehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1271/thumbnail.jp

Pathology reporting in neuroendocrine neoplasms of the digestive system: everything you always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask

During the 5th NIKE (Neuroendocrine tumors Innovation in Knowledge and Education) meeting, held in Naples, Italy, in May 2019, discussions centered on the understanding of pathology reports of gastroenetropancreactic neuroendocrine neoplasms. In particular, the main problem concerned the difficulty that clinicians experience in extrapolating relevant information from neuroendocrine tumor pathology reports. During the meeting, participants were asked to identify and rate issues which they have encountered, for which the input of an expert pathologist would have been appreciated. This article is a collection of the most rated questions and relative answers, focusing on three main topics: 1) morphology and classification; 2) Ki67 and grading; 3) immunohistochemistry. Patient management should be based on multidisciplinary decisions, taking into account clinical and pathology-related features with clear comprehension between all health care professionals. Indeed, pathologists require clinical details and laboratory findings when relevant, while clinicians require concise and standardized reports. In keeping with this last statement, the minimum requirements in pathology datasets are provided in this paper and should be a baseline for all neuroendocrine tumor professionals