Regeneration of grassy fynbos near Grahamstown (eastern Cape) after fire

The regeneration of grassy fynbos was studied for a period of 13months after the original vegetation had been totally destroyed by fire. Because the fire was preceded by a very dry spell and succeeded by months of high rainfall, regeneration proved to be rapid and the growth of some of the species was clearly related to rainfall. Species recolonization was very rapid and in a particular order. The classification of the species into regeneration type and phenological groups relates well to other studies on fire regeneration in the fynbos. After 13months over 100 species had returned to the area, the plants showing a progressive increase in height, basal and aerial cover

Human papillomavirus (HPV) contamination of gynaecological equipment.

OBJECTIVE: The gynaecological environment can become contaminated by human papillomavirus (HPV) from healthcare workers' hands and gloves. This study aimed to assess the presence of HPV on frequently used equipment in gynaecological practice. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 179 samples were taken from fomites (glove box, lamp of a gynaecological chair, gel tubes for ultrasound, colposcope and speculum) in two university hospitals and in four gynaecological private practices. Samples were collected with phosphate-buffered saline-humidified polyester swabs according to a standardised pattern, and conducted twice per day for 2 days. The samples were analysed by a semiquantitative real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson's χ(2) test and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-two (18%) HPV-positive samples were found. When centres were compared, there was a higher risk of HPV contamination in gynaecological private practices compared with hospitals (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.06 to 6.86). Overall, there was no difference in the risk of contamination with respect to the time of day (OR 1.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 4.69). When objects were compared, the colposcope had the highest risk of contamination (OR 3.02, 95% CI 0.86 to 10.57). CONCLUSIONS: Gynaecological equipment and surfaces are contaminated by HPV despite routine cleaning. While there is no evidence that contaminated surfaces carry infectious viruses, our results demonstrate the need for strategies to prevent HPV contamination. These strategies, based on health providers' education, should lead to well-established cleaning protocols, adapted to gynaecological rooms, aimed at eliminating HPV material

Muon Catalyzed Fusion in 3 K Solid Deuterium

Muon catalyzed fusion in deuterium has traditionally been studied in gaseous and liquid targets. The TRIUMF solid-hydrogen-layer target system has been used to study the fusion reaction rates in the solid phase of D_2 at a target temperature of 3 K. Products of two distinct branches of the reaction were observed; neutrons by a liquid organic scintillator, and protons by a silicon detector located inside the target system. The effective molecular formation rate from the upper hyperfine state of $\mu d$ and the hyperfine transition rate have been measured: $\tilde{\lambda}_(3/2)=2.71(7)_{stat.}(32)_{syst.} \mu/s$, and $\tilde{\lambda}_{(3/2)(1/2)} =34.2(8)_{stat.}(1)_{syst.} \mu /s$. The molecular formation rate is consistent with other recent measurements, but not with the theory for isolated molecules. The discrepancy may be due to incomplete thermalization, an effect which was investigated by Monte Carlo calculations. Information on branching ratio parameters for the s and p wave d+d nuclear interaction has been extracted.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, submitted to PRA Feb 20, 199

Field Studies of Six Southern African Species of Erythrina

Volume: 66Start Page: 521End Page: 52

Reduced hemidiaphragmatic paresis with extrafascial compared with conventional intrafascial tip placement for continuous interscalene brachial plexus block: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

The incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis with continuous interscalene brachial plexus block (CISB) can approach 100%. We tested the hypothesis that extrafascial placement of the catheter tip reduces the rate of hemidiaphragmatic paresis compared with intrafascial tip placement for CISB while providing effective analgesia. Seventy patients undergoing elective major shoulder surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided CISB plexus block for analgesia with the catheter tip placed either within (intrafascial group) or immediately outside (extrafascial group) the brachial plexus sheath midway between the levels of C5 and C6. Catheters were bolus dosed with ropivacaine 0.5% 20 ml before surgery, followed by an infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% at 4 ml h -1 for the first 2 days after surgery. The primary outcome was hemidiaphragmatic paresis measured by M-mode ultrasonography on postoperative day (POD) 1. Secondary outcomes included forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and rest pain scores. The incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis on POD 1 was significantly reduced in the extrafascial group {intrafascial, 41% [95% confidence interval (CI) 25-59%]; extrafascial, 15% (95% CI 5-32%); P =0.01}. We were unable to detect a difference between groups in any of the functional respiratory outcomes or in rest pain scores [numerical rating scale (1-10): intrafascial, 3 (95% CI 2-3); extrafascial, 3 (95% CI: 2-4); P =0.93] on POD 1. Placement of the catheter tip immediately outside of the brachial plexus sheath reduced the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis on POD 1 associated with ultrasound-guided CISB while providing effective analgesia after major shoulder surgery. Our results do not support the routine placement of the catheter tip within the brachial plexus sheath for CISB. NCT02433561

Extrafascial injection for interscalene brachial plexus block reduces respiratory complications compared with a conventional intrafascial injection: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial?.

BACKGROUND: Hemidiaphragmatic paresis after ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block is reported to occur in up to 100% of patients. We tested the hypothesis that an injection lateral to the brachial plexus sheath reduces the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis compared with a conventional intrafascial injection, while providing similar analgesia. METHODS: Forty ASA I-III patients undergoing elective shoulder and clavicle surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block for analgesia, using 20 ml bupivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine 1:200 000 injected either between C5 and C6 within the interscalene groove (conventional intrafascial injection), or 4 mm lateral to the brachial plexus sheath (extrafascial injection). The primary outcome was incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis (diaphragmatic excursion reduction >75%), measured by M-mode ultrasonography, before and 30 min after the procedure. Secondary outcomes were forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and peak expiratory flow. Additional outcomes included time to first opioid request and pain scores at 24 h postoperatively (numeric rating scale, 0-10). RESULTS: The incidences of hemidiaphragmatic paresis were 90% (95% CI: 68-99%) and 21% (95% CI: 6-46%) in the conventional and extrafascial injection groups, respectively (P<0.0001). Other respiratory outcomes were significantly better preserved in the extrafascial injection group. The mean time to first opioid request was similar between groups (conventional: 802 min [95% CI: 620-984 min]; extrafascial: 973 min [95% CI: 791-1155 min]; P=0.19) as were pain scores at 24 h postoperatively (conventional: 1.6 [95% CI: 0.9-2.2]; extrafascial: 1.6 [95% CI: 0.8-2.4]; P=0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block with an extrafascial injection reduces the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis and impact on respiratory function while providing similar analgesia, when compared with a conventional injection. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02074397

Prevalence of anal dysplasia and HPV genotypes in gynecology patients: The ANGY cross-sectional prospective clinical study protocol.

Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are highly prevalent in the sexually active populations, with a significant burden in terms of health and psychological cost in all class ages. High-risk (HR) HPV genotypes are associated with anogenital dysplasia and cancers, and anal HPV-induced cancer is increasingly observed in women. The interactions of HPV genotype's between the anus and the cervix, and the subsequent occurrence of dysplasia remains unclear. This clinical study set out to test the hypothesis that risk factors for anal HR-HPV and dysplasia may differ in women with or without cervical dysplasia or in HIV-positive women. Cervical and anal HPV genotypes and cytology testing will be performed prospectively in a cohort of women recruited in a tertiary university hospital in Switzerland. Women will be allocated to three groups: 1) normal previous cervical smear; 2) high-grade cervical dysplasia (H-SIL) at previous cervical smear; 3) HIV+, independently of previous cervical smear result. General inclusion criteria comprised the followings: Female-Age > = 18 years; Satisfactory understanding of French; No objection to HIV testing. Specific inclusion criteria are: Group 1, no past or current gynecological dysplasia and HIV negative; Group 2, Gynecological dysplasia (H-SIL) or carcinoma in situ demonstrated by histology (vulvar, vaginal or cervical) and HIV negative; Group 3: HIV-positive (regardless of viremia or CD4 count) with or without gynecological dysplasia. General exclusion criteria are: Pregnancy; History of anal dysplasia/cancer; Status after pelvic radiotherapy; Absence of anus and anal canal. Estimated prevalences of anal dysplasia are: in group 1, 1% (0-2%); in group 2, 15% (5-27%), and in group 3, 30% (19-45%). With a 10% margin error, a sample size of 120 women per group is required to reach 90% power for detecting statistical significance (unilateral α error of 5%). The primary endpoint is the prevalence of anal and cervical dysplasia, and description of the respective HPV genotypes in each group. The results of this study could improve the standard of screening of cervical and anal dysplasia in women through evidence of concomitant presence of HPV's and/or dysplasia in anus or cervix to support vaccination for instance. Beginning of recruitment started in September 2016. Results should be presented in end of 2022. Preliminary analysis for first 100 patients reveals that the mean age of the population is 39.6 (± 10.9) years with mean age of first sexual intercourse of 18.5 (± 3.9) years. In this cohort, 12% are vaccinated and 38% having had anal intercourse. Overall, 43% of the studied population had cervical HR-HPV in the studied population, and 53% had normal cytology. Anal LR HPV and HR HP were found in 27.6% and 38.4% of all patients respectively. Eighty percent had normal anal cytology. Groups 1,2 and 3 had a significant difference in terms of age, gestity, parity, age of first sexual intercourse, systematic use of condom, number of cervical LR HPV and HR HPV and abnormal cervical cytologies. The study was approved by the institutional review board-CER-VD#2015-00200-on the 29th of June 2016 and is registered on the Swiss National Clinical Trials Portal (SNCTP), SNCTP000002567, Registered 29 June 2016, https://www.kofam.ch/en/snctp-portal/study/40742/