The numerical equivalence relation for height functions and ampleness and nefness criteria for divisors

In this paper, we study properties of Weil height functions associated with numerically trivial divisors. It helps us to define the fractional limit of $h_E$ with respect to $h_D$ on $U$, with $D$ ample: \Flim_D(E,U) := \liminf_{\substack{P \in U h_D(P) \rightarrow \infty}}\dfrac{h_E(P)}{h_D(P)}. The value of \Flim_D(E,U) contains numerical information about a divisor $E$, enough to determine whether $E$ is ample, numerically effective or pseudo-effective

Abdominal pain without bruising or sign of trauma: pancreatic injuries in children is difficult to predict

Pancreatic injuries due to trauma in children are rare. An early diagnosis is difficult as the signs and symptoms are insidious, but delays in diagnosis can lead to significant complications. We report a case of a child who visited the emergency department with aggravating abdominal pain. The physicians first diagnosed the abdominal pain as being caused by a disease in the emergency department, but the patient was subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic injury. Clinicians should be aware of a possible trauma in children who complain of vague abdominal pain even in the absence of corresponding history

Two cases of female hydrocele of the canal of nuck

The processus vaginalis within the inguinal canal forms the canal of Nuck, which is a homolog of the processus vaginalis in women. Incomplete obliteration of the processus vaginalis causes indirect inguinal hernia or hydrocele of the canal of Nuck, a very rare condition in women. Here, we report 2 cases of hydrocele of the canal of Nuck that were diagnosed with ultrasonography in both cases and magnetic resonance imaging in 1 case to confirm the sonographic diagnosis. High ligation and hydrocelectomy were conducted in both patients. In 1 patient, 14 months later, the occurrence of contralateral inguinal hernia was suspected, but did not require surgery. The other patient had a history of surgery for left inguinal hernia 11 months before the occurrence of right hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. In both cases, the occurrence of an inguinal hernia on the contralateral side was noted

What we need to know when performing and interpreting US elastography

According to the increasing need for accurate staging of hepatic fibrosis, the ultrasound (US) elastography techniques have evolved significantly over the past two decades. Currently, US elastography is increasingly used in clinical practice. Previously published studies have demonstrated the excellent diagnostic performance of US elastography for the detection and staging of liver fibrosis. Although US elastography may seem easy to perform and interpret, there are many technical and clinical factors which can affect the results of US elastography. Therefore, clinicians who are involved with US elastography should be aware of these factors. The purpose of this article is to present a brief overview of US techniques with the relevant technology, the clinical indications, diagnostic performance, and technical and biological factors which should be considered in order to avoid misinterpretation of US elastography results

Validation of the finger counting method using the Monte Carlo simulation

Purpose The dose of drug and the size of instrument are determined based on children’s weight. We aimed to validate the finger counting method (FCM) for weight estimation in Korean children using the Monte Carlo simulation. Methods We estimated the weight of Korean children aged 1 to 9 years by the FCM. These measurements were compared with the weight extracted by the Monte Carlo simulation applied to the “2007 Korean Children and Adolescents Growth Standard.” Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were measured to assess the correlation between the weight extracted by the simulation and that estimated by FCM. Bland-Altman analyses were performed to assess the agreement between the weight extracted by the simulation and that estimated by FCM and 2 other well-known pediatric weight estimation formulas (the Advanced Pediatric Life Support and Luscombe formulas). Results Data regarding 9,000 children’s weight selected by age and gender was randomly extracted using the simulation. We found a positive correlation between the weight estimated by the FCM and the weight extracted (in boys, r = 0.896, P < 0.001; in girls, r = 0.899, P < 0.001). The FCM tended to underestimate weight in the children aged 7 years or old. Conclusion This article suggests the usefulness of FCM in weight estimation, particularly in children younger than 7 years. With appreciation of the limitation in older children, the FCM could be applied to emergency practice

Ultrastructure of Cryptosporidium parvum Found in the Small Intestine of Immunosuppressed Mice

The ultrastructure of various stages of Cryptosporidium parvum was observed by transmission electron microscopy. C. parvum infection was activated in the small intestine of Korean laboratory mice (fCR) by immunosuppression with prednisolone for 7 weeks. The oocyst discharge was confirmed by modified Kinyon's acid fast stain of fecal specimens. Various endogenous stages of parasites, i. e., trophozoites, meronts, merozoites, and macrogametocytes, were observed in the middle part of the small intestine, as an extracytoplasmic but intracellular parasite of host mucosal epithelial cells. In trophozoites, a large nucleus with a prominent nucleolus was seen, and as they developed into meronts, endoplasmic reticulum appeared prominently in the cytoplasm. Two kinds of meronts, type I and type II, with eight and four merozoites respectively, were found. New merozoites were produced by nuclear division and external budding of the residual body of the meronts. The merozoites were lined with two unit membranes, unlike C. muris that has three membranes, and a nucleus was located near the posterior end. Mature merozoites had conoids, rhoptries and numerous micronemes; the characteristic structures of coccidian parasites. Macrogametocytes were largely vacuolated and "wall-forming body I" was recognized. Other sexual stages were difficult to recognize from our specimens. The present study confirmed that the Cryptosporidium found in the small intestine of Korean laboratory mice has a characteristic ultrastructure consistent with C. parvum