Cecal diverticulitis mimicking acute Appendicitis: a report of 4 cases

Diverticulum of the cecum is a rare, benign, generally asymptomatic lesion that manifests itself only following inflammatory or hemorrhagic complications. Most patients with inflammation of a solitary diverticulum of the cecum present with abdominal pain that is indistinguishable from acute appendicitis. The optimal management of this condition is still controversial, ranging from conservative antibiotic treatment to aggressive resection. We describe four cases that presented with symptoms suggestive of appendicitis, but were found at operation to have an inflamed solitary diverticulum

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

STRENGTHENING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS WITH STEEL PLATES

Bu çalısmada, çelik levhalar ile güçlendirilmis betonarme kirislerin eğilme altındaki davranısları deneysel olarak arastırılmıstır. Deneysel çalısma, biri yalın, altısı güçlendirilmis kiris olmak üzere toplam yedi adet 1/1 ölçekli kiris modeli ile gerçeklestirilmistir. Deney elemanları iki noktalı tek düze yükler altında test edilmistir. Çalısmada, çelik levha kalınlığının, yapıstırma yöntemi etkinliğinin ve yan yüz çelik levha kullanımının davranıs üzerine etkileri ele alınmıstır. Deney sonuçları; dayanım, süneklik, enerji tüketimi ve rijitlik bakımından irdelenmistir. Çalısma sonucunda, çelik levha kullanılarak güçlendirilen betonarme kirislerin yeterli davranıs sergilediği görülmüstür.Experiments for flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete beams using epoxy-bonded steel plates were carried out. Seven 1/1 scaled reinforced concrete beams including one reference and six strengthed beams were tested under two point monotonic loading. In this study, main parameters considered were plate thickhness, efficiency of bonding method and using side face steel plates. On basis of the experimental study, the performance of the specimens were evaluated as regards strength, ductility, energy dissipation and stiffness. At the end of the study, it was observed that satisfactory behaviors can be achived with using epoxy bonded steel plate for strengthening of reinforced concrete beams

Parasitic infestation as cause of acute appendicitis

Scopo dello studio è di verificare il ruolo, tuttora controverso, delle infestazioni parassitarie come possibile causa di appendicite acuta. Pazienti e metodi. Nello studio retrospettivo sono stati inclusi 5.100 pazienti operati per appendicite acuta tra il 1998 e il 2005. I pazienti sono stati divisi in due gruppi, a seconda della presenza (gruppo I, n = 24) o meno (gruppo II, n = 5.076) di parassiti nel lume appendicolare. Risultati. In 24 pazienti (0,5%) l’esame istologico ha dimostrato la presenza di infestazione parassitaria: in 12 casi (50%) da Enterobius vermicularis, in 6 (25%9 da schistostomi, in 4 (17%) da Ascaris lumbricoides, in 2 (8%) da Taenia saginata. Le percentuali di pazienti con appendicite flemmonosa, gangrenosa o perforata sono risultate sovrapponibili nei due gruppi, mentre la percentuale di esami istologici del pezzo operatorio negativi è risultata significativamente maggiore nel gruppo I (25% vs 4,8%, p 0.001). Conclusioni. Pur potendo l’infestazione parassitaria dare sintomi simili a quelli dell’appendicite acuta, raramente ne è causa

Diffusion-weighted MRI and FLAIR sequence for differentiation of hydatid cysts and simple cysts in the liver

Purpose: The contribution of DWI and FLAIR to the differential diagnosis of type 1, 2, and 3 hydatid cysts and simple liver cysts was investigated according to the Gharbi classification. This study is the first report using FLAIR sequence for the differential diagnosis of liver hydatid cysts in this regard. Methods: A total of 82 hydatid cysts and 40 simple cysts were scanned with DWI (in b600-b1000 values) and FLAIR sequence. In 64 patients included in the study, a total of 122 cystic lesions were diagnosed histopatho-logically or during follow-up. FLAIR and DWI signal characteristics were evaluated, and ADC values were calculated. Results: The mean ADC value of hydatid cysts on DWI (b600) was 3.07 +/- 0.41 x 10(-3) s/mm(2), while it was 3.91 +/- 0.51 x 10(-3) s/mm(2) for simple cysts and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). On b1000 DWI, the mean ADC values of hydatid and simple cysts were 2.99 +/- 0.38 x 10(-3) s/mm(2) and 3.43 +/- 0:29 x 10(-3) s/mm(2), respectively (p < 0.05). The qualitative evaluation of the signal intensity on b600-1000 DWI demonstrated the difference between the simple and hydatid cyst groups (p < 0.05). Type 2 hydatid cysts alone were distinguished from type 2-3 hydatid and simple cysts by FLAIR (p < 0.05). Conclusions: ADC values can distinguish between hydatid cyst and simple cyst. FLAIR contributes to the differ-entiation of type 2 hydatid and simple cysts

Strengthening and Repair of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using External Steel Plates

WOS: 000318881600007The study presents the results of an experimental program aimed at investigating the flexural behavior of externally plated RC beams. A total of 13 full-scale rectangular RC beams were tested. The effects on the behavior of the plate thickness, the anchorage of the plate to the beam through anchor bolts or side plates (collars), and the use of perforated plates instead of solid ones were investigated. The experiments indicated that the beam ductility increases as the plate thickness decreases, and the anchorage of the plate to the beam through bolts or collars proves to be an efficient method for preventing the premature plate peeling failure and achieving sufficient ductility in beams strengthened with thick solid plates. Anchor bolts had adverse effects on the ductilities of the beams with thin plates, and the use of perforated steel plates was found to be an efficient method for increasing the ductility of a strengthened beam. The beams repaired with perforated plates anchored to the beam with collars had load-carrying capacities close to those of the undamaged beams. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers