Role of ultrasound in colorectal diseases

Ultrasound is an undervalued non-invasive examination in the diagnosis of colonic diseases. It has been replaced by the considerably more expensive magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, despite the fact that, as first examination, it can usefully supplement the diagnostic process. Transabdominal ultrasound can provide quick information about bowel status and help in the choice of adequate further examinations and treatment. Ultrasonography, as a screening imaging modality in asymptomatic patients can identify several colonic diseases such as diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. In addition, it is widely available, cheap, non-invasive technique without the use of ionizing radiation, therefore it is safe to use in childhood or during pregnancy, and can be repeated at any time. New ultrasound techniques such as elastography, contrast enhanced and Doppler ultrasound, mini-probes rectal and transperineal ultrasonography have broadened the indication. It gives an overview of the methodology of various ultrasound examinations, presents the morphology of normal bowel wall and the typical changes in different colonic diseases. We will pay particular attention to rectal and transperineal ultrasound because of their outstanding significance in the diagnosis of rectal and perineal disorders. This article seeks to overview the diagnostic impact and correct indications of bowel ultrasound

New trends in biophotonics

Photonic structures offer a promising alternative of conventional electronic ones, especially for future information technological applications. Instead of conductors and transistors, their optical analogues (miniature light guides and optical switches, respectively) are serving as passive and active elements processing information in photonic circuits. One of the biggest challenges in this respect is to find proper nonlinear optical (NLO) materials that are able to actively control the flow of information in integrated optical (IO) circuits. Several inorganic and organic materials have been considered for this special application, requiring high speed, sensitivity, reliability and log-term stability. So far, however, none of them is regarded as the optimal solution. In 2002, we suggested an especially stable, light-sensitive biomaterial, the protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR), to be used as an active material in NLO structures of IO applications (Ormos et al. 2002). An IO switching and modulation using a bR adlayer on a grating-coupled planar optical waveguide was also demonstrated. This publication inspired a number of upcoming research papers dealing with the application of bR in different optical switch structures, defining a new trend in photonics, using hybride structures comprised of passive inorganic, and active biomaterials. Below, we give a brief overview of the relevant, recent results

Towards a new community energy policy?

In the energy political conditions of the 21st century, Europe, too, faces new challenges. Adapting to these conditions, solving today's problems is impossible by using yesterday's answers; new and more efficient solutions must be found. The 25 isolated national energy policies are no longer suitable for the solution of problems; a better coordinated, community-level energy policy is required

New insight into the oxidation of Fe(II) by desferrioxamine B (DFB): spectrophotometric and capillary electrophoresis (CE) study

Results on the previously described irreversible redox reaction taking place between iron(II) and desferrioxamine B (DFB) under anaerobic conditions have been complemented by additional capillary electrophoresis (CE) and kinetic studies in the present work. Reduction of the oxidizing agent, DFB to monoamide derivative, was confirmed by CE technique and suggestion for the most probable kinetically active species and mechanism of the initial step is discussed in the paper. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Az alvás és a kimerültség vizsgálata daganatos betegek körében = Investigation of sleep and fatigue in patients with cancer

Absztrakt: Bevezetés: A rosszindulatú daganat diagnózisa nagyobb distresszel jár, mint bármely más diagnózis. A daganatos betegségek jelentős pszichés terheléssel járnak, az egészségügyi személyzet kapacitása pedig korlátozott. Ezért kiemelten fontos a hatékony pszichológiai szűrési eljárások kidolgozása. Az alvás alapvető jelentőségű a pszichés működésben, a rossz alvásminőség ismert probléma a daganatos betegek esetén. Célkitűzés: A kutatás célja az alvásminőséget és a kimerültséget mérő vizuális analóg skálák alkalmazhatóságának vizsgálata. Módszer: Vizuális analóg skálákon mértük az alvás minőségét és a kimerültséget. Vizsgálatunkban szerepelt még az Athén Insomnia Skála, a Daganatos Kimerültség Skála és az Alvási Kondíció Indikátor is. A pszichés distressz mértékét az Általános Szorongás Zavar Kérdőívvel, a Beck Depresszió Kérdőívvel és a Rövidített Érzelemszabályozási Nehézségek Kérdőívvel mértük fel. A betegek által tapasztalt fájdalom és jól-lét mértékét a Fájdalom Arcai Skálával és a WHO Jól-lét Kérdőívével vizsgáltuk. Összesen 71 daganatos beteg vett részt a vizsgálatban. Eredmények: Az alvásminőség és a kimerültség – a vizuális és a többtételes skálákkal mérve is – szignifikáns összefüggést mutatott a distresszel (szorongás, depresszió, érzelemszabályozási nehézség) és a fájdalommal. A distressz és a fájdalom szignifikánsan alacsonyabb jól-léttel mutatott összefüggést. Következtetések: A jelen vizsgálat megerősíti, hogy az alvás minősége fontos tényező a daganatos betegek distressz-, fájdalom- és általános jól-lét szintjének alakulásában. Ez alátámasztja, hogy az alvásminőséget és a kimerültséget mérő vizuális analóg skálák alkalmasak – az alvásminőségen és a kimerültségen túl – a pszichológiai distressz szűrésére és a jól-lét szintjének becslésére is. Alkalmazásuk ajánlható a klinikai gyakorlatban onkopszichológiai szűrésre, az onkopszichológiai ellátás indikációjának megállapítására. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(42): 1720–1726. | Abstract: Introduction: The diagnosis of cancer elicits greater distress than any other diagnosis. The prevalence of psychological difficulties is high in cancer, and resources of the medical staff are limited. The development of efficient screening measures is therefore of utmost importance. Sleep is vital to all psychological functioning and poor sleep is a known problem in cancer. Aim: The main goal of the present study was testing of visual analogue scales assessing sleep quality and fatigue. Method: Sleep quality and fatigue were assessed with visual analogue scales. The Sleep Condition Indicator, the Athens Insomnia Scale and the Cancer Fatigue Scale were also included. Psychological distress was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Brief Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Pain and well-being was measured with the Faces of Pain Scale and the WHO Well-being Scale, respectively. A total of 71 patients with cancer were enrolled in this study. Results: Insomnia and fatigue – measuring them with visual and several-item scales – showed high correlation with the measures of distress (anxiety, depression, emotion regulation difficulties) and pain. Distress and pain showed significant negative correlation with well-being. Conclusions: It has been affirmed that sleep quality is crucial in the changes of distress, pain and general well-being in cancer patients. It affirms that the visual analogue scales assessing sleep quality and fatigue – besides sleep quality and fatigue – are acceptable screening tools of distress and decreased well-being. Their use in clinical practice is recommended for screening in cancer patients and providing indications for onco-psychological treatment. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(42): 1720–1726