Computed tomography depiction of normal inguinal lymph nodes in children

Background: The aim of the study was to establish computed tomography (CT) characteristics, distribution and provide normative data about size of normal inguinal lymph nodes in a paediatric population. Materials and methods: Four hundred eighty-one otherwise healthy children (147 girls, mean age: 8.87, range 0–17 years) underwent pelvic CT in the setting of high-energy trauma were included in the study. Both axial and coronal 1.25-mm reconstructions were evaluated for the presence, location (deep or superficial), number, presence of fat attenuation, and shape of the lymph nodes, short-axis diameter of the biggest lymph node for each of right and left inguinal regions. Results: A total of 7556 lymph nodes were detected in 481 subjects (the mean count of superficial and deep inguinal lymph nodes was 13.35 [range 6–23] and 2.36 [range 0–7] per subject, respectively): 15% (1135/7556) deep located, 85% (6421/7556) superficially located, 86.6% (6547/7556) with fat attenuation, 99.2% (7496/7556) oval in shape, 0.8% (60/7556) spherical. The short-axis diameter of the lymph nodes increased with age. Pearson’s correlation coefficient for superficial and deep lymph nodes in boys and girls, respectively: 0.538 (p < 0.001), 0.504 (p < 0.001), 0.452 (p < 0.001) and 0.268 (p < 0.001). The mean maximum short-axis diameters in different age groups and gender varied between 6.33 ± 0.85 mm and 8.68 ± 1.33 mm for superficial, 3.62 ± 1.16 mm and 5.83 ± 1.05 mm for deep inguinal lymph nodes. Conclusions: Inguinal lymph nodes were multiple, commonly contained fat, and were oval in shape. The data determined about inguinal lymph node size in different paediatric age groups may be applicable as normative data in daily clinical CT evaluation practice

Microbiological characterization of cig kofte sold at retail in Ankara, Turkey, and evaluation of selected antimicrobials as ingredients to control foodborne pathogens in cig kofte during refrigerated storage

Goncuoglu, Muammer/0000-0001-7245-1941WOS: 000415769700018We monitored the occurrence and fate of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, E. coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and/or Salmonella spp. in cig kofte (translated as "raw meatball") purchased from establishments in Turkey or prepared and inoculated in our laboratory. Of the 24 beef and 144 vegetarian samples of cig kofte purchased, Salmonella were recovered from the vegetarian samples (1 of 24 samples), but not from the samples containing beef (<= 2.3 log CFU/g detection limit). L. monocytogenes were recovered from 2 of 24 beef (8.3%) and 2 of 144 vegetarian (1.4%) samples of cig kofte, whereas E. colt O157 were recovered from 5 of 24 meat (20.8%) and 21 of 144 vegetarian (14.6%) samples of cig kofte tested. Levels of total aerobic bacteria ranged from 3.7 to 9.0 log CFU/g, whereas levels of Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms ranged from 2.3 to 7.3 log CFU/g. In our laboratory, finely-ground beef (93:7%, lean:fat) was separately inoculated (ca. 4.0 log CFU/g) with multi-strain cocktails of STEC, Salmonella spp., or L. monocytogenes and then mixed with either bulgur wheat alone or with bulgur wheat along with tomato sauce, vegetables, and various spices. Next, aliquots of buffered vinegar (BV) or distilled white vinegar (DV; 5% acidity) were added as antimicrobials to the inoculated batter to deliver 0, 2.5, or 5.0% (vol/wt) of the antimicrobial. The resultant batter was shaped into ca. 15 g balls by hand and stored at 4 or 15 degrees C. When cig kofte was formulated with or without spices and with or without antimicrobials, pathogen numbers remained relatively unchanged after 3 days of storage at 4 degrees C. In contrast, when cig kofte was formulated without spices and without antimicrobials, pathogen levels increased by ca. 0.2 to 0.9 log CFU/g, respectively, after 3 days at 15 degrees C. When product was formulated with spices, in the absence of antimicrobials, STEC and L. monocytogenes levels decreased by ca. 03 and 0.7 log CFU/g, respectively, whereas Salmonella spp. increased by ca. 0.3 log CFU/g after 3 days at 15 degrees C. Thus, the formulation of cig kofte used in this study did not support growth (<= 1.0 log CFU/g) of either STEC, Salmonella spp., or L. monocytogenes. Our data also confirm that pathogens can be recovered on occasion from cig kofte sold at restaurants and at retail in Turkey, as well as highlight the importance of proper formulation, handling, and storage practices to ensure its safety. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Agriculture and Food Research Initiative from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Prevention, Detection and Control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) [2012-68003-30155, A4101]We extend our sincere appreciation to Manuela Osoria (USDA/ARS/ERRC; Wyndmoor, PA) and Nicole Arnold (North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC) for their assistance on this project. A special note of thanks to Dr. Bryan Vinyard (USDA/ARS/BARC, Beltsville, MD) for statistically analyzing these data. In addition, we are extremely grateful to Ben Chapman (NCSU) and Amy K. Tarlo and Cheryle K. Radcliff (Souderton Area High School; Souderton, PA) for their assistance with the recruitment and/or mentoring of students. This project is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grant No. 2012-68003-30155 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Prevention, Detection and Control of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from Pre-Harvest Through Consumption of Beef Products Program - A4101

Magnetic resonance enterography in pediatric celiac disease

Objective: To assess if magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) is capable of showing evidence/extent of disease in pediatric patients with biopsy‐proven celiac disease (CD) by comparing with a control group, and to correlate the MRE findings with anti‐endomysial antibody (EMA) level, which is an indicator of gluten‐free dietary compliance. Methods: Thirty‐one pediatric patients (mean age 11.7 ± 3.1 years) with biopsy‐proven CD and 40 pediatric patients as a control group were recruited in the study. The MRE images of both patients with CD and those of the control group were evaluated by two pediatric radiologists in a blinded manner for the mucosal pattern, presence of wall thickening, luminal distention of the small bowel, and extra‐intestinal findings. Patient charts were reviewed to note clinical features and laboratory findings. The histopathologic review of the duodenal biopsies was re‐conducted. Results: The mean duration of the disease was 5.6 ± 1.8 years (range: 3‐7.2 years). In 24 (77%) of the patients, EMA levels were elevated (mean 119.2 ± 66.6 RU/mL). MRE revealed normal fold pattern in all the patients. Ten (32%) patients had enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Conclusion: Although a majority of the patients had elevated EMA levels indicating poor dietary compliance, MRE did not show any mucosal abnormality associated with the inability of MRE to detect mild/early changes of CD in children. Therefore, it may not be useful for the follow‐up of pediatric CD

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children: a systematic review of imaging findings

Background: COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus infection that can cause a severe respiratory illness and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Because children appear to be less severely affected than adults, their imaging appearances have not been extensively reported. Objective: To systematically review available literature regarding imaging findings in paediatric cases of COVID-19. Materials and methods: We searched four databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar) for articles describing imaging findings in children with COVID-19. We included all modalities, age &lt;18&nbsp;years, and foreign language articles, using descriptive statistics to identify patterns and locations of imaging findings, and their association with outcomes. Results: Twenty-two articles were included, reporting chest imaging findings in 431 children, of whom 421 (97.7%) underwent CT. Criteria for imaging were lacking. At diagnosis, 143/421 (34.0%) had a normal CT. Abnormalities were more common in the lower lobes and were predominantly unilateral. The most common imaging pattern was ground-glass opacification (159/255, 62.4%). None of the studies described lymphadenopathy, while pleural effusions were rare (three cases). Improvement at follow-up CT imaging (3–15&nbsp;days later) was seen in 29/100 (29%), remained normal in 25/100 (25%) and progressed in 9/100 (9%). Conclusion: CT chest findings in children with COVID-19 are frequently normal or mild. Lower lobes are predominantly affected by patchy ground-glass opacification. Appearances at follow-up remain normal or improve in the majority of children. Chest CT imaging adds little to the further management of the patient and should be reserved for severe cases or for identifying alternative diagnoses