Contribution of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of talus skip metastases of Ewing's sarcoma of the calcaneus in a child: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Ewing's sarcoma of the calcaneus is rare. About thirty cases with calcaneus involvement have been reported in the literature. Talus skip metastases have rarely been described in the available literature</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a case of a 14-year-old Moroccan boy, who presented with Ewing's sarcoma of his right calcaneus, diagnosed by swelling of the calcaneus evolving over a year. Radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed an important tumoral process of the calcaneus and talus skip metastases. The diagnosis was confirmed with histology after a biopsy. In spite of amputation and postoperative chemotherapy, our patient died six months later due to secondary respiratory distress after lung metastasis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Imaging, especially magnetic resonance, is important in the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma and skeletal skip metastases. Treatment of Ewing's sarcoma consists of chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical resection depending on the stage and extent of the disease. With the exception of lesions in the calcaneus, the prognosis for disease-free survival of Ewing's sarcoma of the foot is excellent.</p

Uniform Dispersion and Exfoliation of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in CNT-MgB2 Superconductor Composites Using Surfactants

We developed a novel yet commercially viable strategy of synthesizing superior high-TC superconducting composites by dispersing fully exfoliated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) uniformly throughout the grain of CNT-MgB2 composites. First, we optimized the amount of the surfactant required to produce a highly stable and homogeneous colloidal suspension of CNTs. This amount was found to be 1/8th of the amount of CNTs. Second, we prepared a homogeneous CNT-B mixture by adding amorphous nano-boron (B) to the colloidal CNT suspension. Next, two different MgB2 synthesis routes were explored. In one case, we mixed an appropriate amount of Mg in the CNT-B mixture and carried out sintering. In the second case, the CNT-B mixture was heat treated at 500 °C, prior to mixing with Mg and sintering to form CNT-MgB2. Both kinds of samples were rigorously characterized to obtain an insight into their properties. The direct synthesis route shows a clear exfoliation and uniform dispersion of CNTs with a critical current density (JC) of 104 A/cm2 at 3.5 T and 20 K, which is useful for the application in magnetic resonance imaging MRI magnet operating with a cryogen free cooler. Our JC(H) result is 10 times higher than that of the pure sample. By contrast, the performance of the sample subjected to heat processing before sintering was severely compromised given the formation of MgO. Despite its simplicity, the direct synthesis route can be used for the cost-effective fabrication of CNT–MgB2 superconducting composites

Which approach is best for subungual glomus tumors? Transungual with microsurgical dissection of the nail bed or periungual?

Glomus tumors are rare, accounting for 1% to 5% of all hand tumors. The treatment of subungual glomus tumors consists of complete surgical excision, either by the periungual or transungual approach. Tumor recurrence and nail dystrophy are the main complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome as a function of the surgical approach used-transungual or periungual. Fifty-three patients presenting with a subungual glomus tumor underwent surgical excision through the periungual approach if the tumor was peripheral, or the transungual approach if the tumor was centrally located. These patients were followed for an average of 2. years. Pain relief was always obtained the day following surgery. Wound healing was achieved on average after 2. weeks with the periungual approach and 5. weeks with the transungual approach. Other than some longitudinal striations in 10 patients (18.9%) who had been operated through the transungual approach, there were no complications or tumor recurrence. We recommend a periungual approach for a peripheral tumor and a transungual approach for a central tumor. The latter approach, which carries some risks of nail-related sequelae-always minor in our experience-allows for better exposure if the tumor is centrally located.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Primary subcutaneous hydatid disease of the forearm

SCOPUS: le.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Giant energy harvesting potential in (100)-oriented 0.68PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.32PbTiO3 with Pb(Zr0.3Ti0.7)O3/PbOx buffer layer and (001)-oriented 0.67PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.33PbTiO3 thin films

This work emphasis on the competence of (100)-oriented PMN–PT buffer layered (0.68PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.32PbTiO3 with Pb(Zr0.3Ti0.7)O3/PbOx buffer layer) and (001)-oriented PMN–PT (0.67PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.33PbTiO3) for low grade thermal energy harvesting using Olsen cycle. Our analysis (based on well-reported experiments in literature) reveals that these films show colossal energy harnessing possibility. Both the films are found to have maximum harnessable energy densities (PMN–PT buffer layered: 8 MJ/m3; PMN–PT: 6.5 MJ/m3) in identical ambient conditions of 30–150°C and 0–600 kV/cm. This energy harnessing plausibility is found to be nearly five times higher than the previously reported values to date

Mechanism of Enhanced Carbon Substitution in CNT-MgB2 Superconductor Composite Using Ball Milling in a Methanol Medium: Positive Role of Boron Oxide

In the present work, we report on the role of the methanol medium and ball-milling time in the substitution of carbon in carbon nanotube CNT-MgB 2 superconductors. In our samples, we find that the CNTs are intact and well dispersed. However, the liquid medium (methanol) used for dispersion of the constituent materials is also acting as a source of C for substitution. However, the substitution of C from methanol is not direct; rather, B 2 O 3 , which had been considered as just an impurity, plays a positive role in binding the methanol molecules to the surface of B. The detailed mechanism of methanol absorption and the role of B 2 O 3 and ball-milling time are presented here. In addition, we present the J C (H, T) data, which show that approximately 3% of C substitution provides the best critical current density at 20 K