Multidimensional en-face OCT imaging of the retina.

Fast T-scanning (transverse scanning, en-face) was used to build B-scan or C-scan optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the retina. Several unique signature patterns of en-face (coronal) are reviewed in conjunction with associated confocal images of the fundus and B-scan OCT images. Benefits in combining T-scan OCT with confocal imaging to generate pairs of OCT and confocal images similar to those generated by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) are discussed in comparison with the spectral OCT systems. The multichannel potential of the OCT/SLO system is demonstrated with the addition of a third hardware channel which acquires and generates indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence images. The OCT, confocal SLO and ICG fluorescence images are simultaneously presented in a two or a three screen format. A fourth channel which displays a live mix of frames of the ICG sequence superimposed on the corresponding coronal OCT slices for immediate multidimensional comparison, is also included. OSA ISP software is employed to illustrate the synergy between the simultaneously provided perspectives. This synergy promotes interpretation of information by enhancing diagnostic comparisons and facilitates internal correction of movement artifacts within C-scan and B-scan OCT images using information provided by the SLO channel

Dynamical Systems on Hilbert C*-Modules

We investigate the generalized derivations and show that every generalized derivation on a simple Hilbert $C^*$-module either is closable or has a dense range. We also describe dynamical systems on a full Hilbert $C^*$-module ${\mathcal M}$ over a $C^*$-algebra ${\mathcal A}$ as a one-parameter group of unitaries on ${\mathcal M}$ and prove that if $\alpha: \R\to U({\mathcal M})$ is a dynamical system, where $U({\mathcal M})$ denotes the set of all unitary operator on ${\mathcal M}$, then we can correspond a $C^*$-dynamical system $\alpha^{'}$ on ${\mathcal A}$ such that if $\delta$ and $d$ are the infinitesimal generators of $\alpha$ and $\alpha^{'}$ respectively, then $\delta$ is a $d$-derivation.Comment: 7 pages, minor changes, to appear in Bull. Iranian Math. So

Finite temperature calculations for the bulk properties of strange star using a many-body approach

We have considered a hot strange star matter, just after the collapse of a supernova, as a composition of strange, up and down quarks to calculate the bulk properties of this system at finite temperature with the density dependent bag constant. To parameterize the density dependent bag constant, we use our results for the lowest order constrained variational (LOCV) calculations of asymmetric nuclear matter. Our calculations for the structure properties of the strange star at different temperatures indicate that its maximum mass decreases by increasing the temperature. We have also compared our results with those of a fixed value of the bag constant. It can be seen that the density dependent bag constant leads to higher values of the maximum mass and radius for the strange star.Comment: 21 pages, 2 tables, 12 figures Astrophys. (2011) accepte

Interventions for behaviour change and self-management in stroke secondary prevention: protocol for an overview of reviews

Abstract Background Stroke secondary prevention guidelines recommend medication prescription and adherence, active education and behavioural counselling regarding lifestyle risk factors. To impact on recurrent vascular events, positive behaviour/s must be adopted and sustained as a lifestyle choice, requiring theoretically informed behaviour change and self-management interventions. A growing number of systematic reviews have addressed complex interventions in stroke secondary prevention. Differing terminology, inclusion criteria and overlap of studies between reviews makes the mechanism/s that affect positive change difficult to identify or replicate clinically. Adopting a two-phase approach, this overview will firstly comprehensively summarise systematic reviews in this area and secondly identify and synthesise primary studies in these reviews which provide person-centred, theoretically informed interventions for stroke secondary prevention. Methods An overview of reviews will be conducted using a systematic search strategy across the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed and Epistomonikas. Inclusion criteria: systematic reviews where the population comprises individuals post-stroke or TIA and where data relating to person-centred risk reduction are synthesised for evidence of efficacy when compared to standard care or no intervention. Primary outcomes of interest include mortality, recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular events. In phase 1, two reviewers will independently (1) assess the eligibility of identified reviews for inclusion; (2) rate the quality of included reviews using the ROBIS tool; (3) identify unique primary studies and overlap between reviews; (4) summarise the published evidence supporting person-centred behavioural change and self-management interventions in stroke secondary prevention and (5) identify evidence gaps in this field. In phase 2, two independent reviewers will (1) examine person-centred, primary studies in each review using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR checklist), itemising, where present, theoretical frameworks underpinning interventions; (2) group studies employing theoretically informed interventions by the intervention delivered and by the outcomes reported (3) apply GRADE quality of evidence for each intervention by outcome/s identified from theoretically informed primary studies. Disagreement between reviewers at each process stage will be discussed and a third reviewer consulted. Discussion This overview will comprehensively bring together the best available evidence supporting person-centred, stroke secondary prevention strategies in an accessible format, identifying current knowledge gaps

Posttraumatic left-sided portal hypertension manifested with bleeding fundal varices

Catedra de chirurgie nr.1 „Nicolae Anestiadi” şi Laboratorul Chirurgie Hepato-Pancreato-Biliară, Universitatea de Stat de Medicină şi Farmacie „Nicolae Testemiţanu”, IMSP Institutul de Medicină Urgentă, Chișinău, Republica Moldova, Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă, Constanţa, Romania, Al XIII-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” și al III-lea Congres al Societății de Endoscopie, Chirurgie miniminvazivă și Ultrasonografie ”V.M.Guțu” din Republica MoldovaIntroducere: Varicele gastrice izolate (VGI) hemoragice sunt o complicație potențial letală cauzată de tromboza izolată a venei splenice. Autorii prezintă un caz de VGI hemoragice rezolvat prin fundectomie și splenectomie. Material și metode: Un pacient, 50 de ani, a fost spitalizat cu hemoragie digestivă superioară. Din anamneză – traumatism abdominal bont rezolvat nonoperator. Examenul clinic: puls – 98 bătăi/min, tensiunea arterială - 100/60 mmHg. Splina de dimensiuni normale. Hemoglobina - 66 g/L, eritrocite - 2.4x1012 /L, Ht - 22%; leucocite - 9.3x109 /L, trombocite 250x109 /L. Biochimia sângelui normală cu excepția unei hipoproteinemii minore. Examenul endoscopic: VGI cu hemoragie, clasificate F3 Lg-f (The Japan Society for Portal Hypertension) sau IGV type 1 (clasificarea Sarin), acoperite cu un cheag. Deoarece ligaturarea endoscopică cu mini-loop a fost considerată ineficientă a fost decisă rezolvarea chirurgicală. Intraoperator au fost depistate varice subseroase fundice gigante și vena gastrică scurtă cu un diametru de 1.5 cm; nu au fost semne de ciroză sau patologie pancreatică. S-a efectuat devascularizarea pe curbura mare, splenectomie și fundectomie cu stapler liniar Proximate® 60 (Ethicon). Rezultate: Perioada postoperatorie a fost fără complicații și pacientul a fost externat la a 11-a zi postoperator. Monitorizarea timp de 4 luni nu a înregistrat semne de recidivă. Concluzii: Hipertensiune portală stângă cu varice fundice hemoragice este o situație rară, însă cu potențial letal înalt, care trebuie luată în considerație la pacienții cu hemoragie digestivă superioară și probe hepatice normale. Tratamentul de elecție este considerată rezecția fundică cu splenectomie.Background: Hemorrhagic isolated gastric varices (IGV) are a life-threatening complication induced by isolated splenic vein thrombosis. We describe herein a case with bleeding IGV successfully managed by stapling fundectomy with splenectomy. Methods and materials: A 50-year-old male patient referred to our department for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. No past medical history except for a blunt abdominal managed non-operatively. Physical exam was unrevealing; heart rate – 98 beats/minute, blood pressure - 100/60 mmHg. No splenomegaly. Hemoglobin - 66 g/L, red blood cells - 2.4x1012 /L, Ht of 22%; white blood cell count - 9.3x109 /L and platelet count was 250x109 /L. Biochemical test was normal except for a minor hypoproteinemia. An upper endoscopy revealed bleeding IGV, considered as Lg-f F3 (The Japan Society for Portal Hypertension) or IGV type 1 (Sarin classification), covered with a clot. Since endoscopic mini-loop hemostasis was unfeasible, surgical management was decided. During surgery huge subserosal fundal varices and a 1.5 cm in diameter short gastric vein were observed and no liver cirrhosis or pancreatic pathology. Devascularisation on the greater gastric curvature, splenectomy and stapling fundectomy using a Proximate® linear stapler 60 have been performed. Results: The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient discharged 11 days after surgery. During a 4 month follow-up the patient is free of disease recurrence. Conclusion: The sinister portal hypertension with hemorrhagic fundal varices is a rare, but life-threatening condition, which should be suspected in all the patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and normal liver tests. The treatment of choice is considered to be the fundal resection and splenectomy