Simultaneous detection and image capture of biological evidence using a combined 360^°camera system with single wavelength laser illumination

The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Forensic investigators frequently utilise light sources to detect and presumptively identify biological evidence. The instrumentation typically deploys single or multiple wavelength exposures at various intensities, which interact with constituents of biological material, initiating fluorescence or improving contrast between the material and substrate. Documentation using sketches and/or photographic approaches follows detection, which are essential for scene reconstruction. Recent research has demonstrated the simultaneous detection and capture of biological evidence using a 360° camera system combined with an alternate light source exhibiting broad wavelength ranges of light. Single wavelength light sources reportedly offer enhanced sensitivity, due to the increased light intensity and narrower bandwidth of light, although their combined use with a 360° camera system has not yet been explored. Samples of human blood, semen, saliva, and latent fingermarks were deposited on to a variety of substrates. A 360° camera system combined with a laser light source was used to detect and capture the samples. Ten participants were asked to detect the samples on images of the substrates without ground truth knowledge. It was possible to detect and capture biological evidence, although success varied according to substrate colour and light intensity. Advantageously, presumptive screening for biological fluids and the simultaneous location and visualisation of such evidence as part of a 360° panorama of the scene for contextual purposes was permitted. There was no fluorescent response from the fingermarks, although the oblique lighting effects appeared sufficient to aid mark detection in some circumstances. The use of single wavelength illumination clearly facilitates identification of a range of forensically important material. When coupled with a 360-degree camera, this allows for simultaneous identification and recording of such evidence in the context of the whole environment. © 201

The tuberculosis necrotizing toxin kills macrophages by hydrolyzing NAD.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) induces necrosis of infected cells to evade immune responses. Recently, we found that Mtb uses the protein CpnT to kill human macrophages by secreting its C-terminal domain, named tuberculosis necrotizing toxin (TNT), which induces necrosis by an unknown mechanism. Here we show that TNT gains access to the cytosol of Mtb-infected macrophages, where it hydrolyzes the essential coenzyme NAD(+). Expression or injection of a noncatalytic TNT mutant showed no cytotoxicity in macrophages or in zebrafish zygotes, respectively, thus demonstrating that the NAD(+) glycohydrolase activity is required for TNT-induced cell death. To prevent self-poisoning, Mtb produces an immunity factor for TNT (IFT) that binds TNT and inhibits its activity. The crystal structure of the TNT-IFT complex revealed a new NAD(+) glycohydrolase fold of TNT, the founding member of a toxin family widespread in pathogenic microorganisms

Voluntary reporting of errors in radiotherapy. Errors collection in radiotherapy

A reporting worksheet was developed in 2001 to collect the errors discovered in the department. The worksheet comprised the following variables: body site, machine and energy, phase of RT procedure, description of incident, how discovered, date of incident, date of discovery, staff member involved in incident and staff member who discovered it (only qualification). The personnel was required reporting events explaining the importance of safeguarding patients and assuring that no disciplinary trial would be opened. Up to 2016 were collected 101 worksheets. 34 in breast treatments, 21 Head and Neck (H&N), 9 Chest, 19 Pelvis, 13 bone metastases (MTX), 5 brain. In 2001-2009 were collected 37 events, 24 Near Miss (NM), 13 Incident (I), 2 of them harmful. In 2009-2012 42 NM, no I, 2014-2016 22 events, 21 NM and 1 incident. In 2001-2009 majority of the errors was made in prescription phase (12/37), in 2009-2012 in dose-calculation phase and transfer phase (19/42). In 2014-2016 the events were balanced in all the phases. Although voluntary reporting of errors does not discover all the errors, it permits to improve the procedures and to increase a positive culture towards errors. Their distribution among sites of treatment, professionals and steps of the treatment pathways is significant different in the three periods considered. Collection and analysis of errors may improve patient's safety in radiation oncology