Refractory pemphigus foliaceus associated with herpesvirus infection: case report

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an autoimmune disease characterized by blistering of the skin. Infections caused by members of the herpesviridae family have been suggested as a possible triggering factor for pemphigus vulgaris (PV), but not for PF. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of Human herpesvirus (types 1, 2, 3) in corticosteroid refractory skin lesions from a patient with PF, by a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The sample collected from cutaneous blisters has tested positive for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) after sequence analysis of the amplified viral genomic segment. The study concluded that when PF patients present corticosteroid or immunosuppressants refractory lesions, herpetic infection should be considered

Spectrum of early lung cancer presentation in low-dose screening CT : a pictorial review

The typical presentation of early stage lung cancers on low-dose CT screening are non-calcified pulmonary nodules. However, there is a wide spectrum of unusual focal abnormalities that can be early presentations of lung cancer. These abnormalities include, for example, cancers associated with \u2018cystic airspaces\u2019 or scar-like cancers. The detection of lung cancer with low-dose CT can be affected by the absence of intravenous contrast medium. As a consequence, endobronchial and central lesions can be difficult to recognize, raising the potential for missed cancers. Focal lesions arising within pre-existing lung disease, such as lung fibrosis or apical scars, can also be early lung cancer manifestations and deserve particular consideration as recognition of these lesions may be hindered by the underlying disease. Furthermore, the unpredictable growth rate of lung cancer, which ranges from indolent to aggressive cancers, necessitates attention to the wide spectrum of progression in lung cancer appearance on serial low-dose CT scans. In this pictorial review we discuss the spectrum of early lung cancer presentation in low-dose CT screening, highlighting typical as well as unusual radiological features and the varied growth rates of early lung cancer. Teaching Points \u2022 There is a wide spectrum of early presentations of lung cancer on LDCT. \u2022 Low radiation dose and the absence of contrast medium injection can affect lung cancer detection. \u2022 Lung cancer growth shows various behaviours, ranging from indolent to aggressive cancers. \u2022 Familiarity with LDCT technique can improve CT screening effectiveness and avoid missed diagnosis

Dynamical mass measurements of two protoplanetary discs

ALMA observations of line emission from planet forming discs have demonstrated to be an excellent tool to probe the internal disc kinematics, often revealing subtle effects related to important dynamical processes occurring in them, such as turbulence, or the presence of planets, that can be inferred from pressure bumps perturbing the gas motion, or from detection of the planetary wake. In particular, we have recently shown for the case of the massive disc in Elias 2-27 how one can use such kind of observations to measure deviations from Keplerianity induced by the disc self-gravity, thus constraining the total disc mass with good accuracy and independently on mass conversion factors between the tracer used and the total mass. Here, we refine our methodology and extend it to two additional sources, GM Aur and IM Lup, for which archival line observations are available for both the 12CO and the 13CO line. For IM Lup, we are able to obtain a consistent disc mass of Mdisc=0.1 Msun, implying a disc-star mass ratio of 0.1 (consistent with the observed spiral structure in the continuum emission) and a gas/dust ratio of ~ 65 (consistent with standard assumptions), with a systematic uncertainty by a factor ~2 due to the different methods to extract the rotation curve. For GM Aur, the two lines we use provide slightly inconsistent rotation curves, that cannot be attributed only to a difference in the height of the emitting layer, nor to a vertical temperature stratification. Our best fit disc mass measurement is Mdisc=0.26Msun, implying a disc-star mass ratio of ~0.35 and a gas/dust ratio of ~130... ABRIDGEDComment: 14 pages, 10 figures, MNRAS in pres

Mercado fotovoltaico no Brasil: implantado de políticas governamentais e marcos regulatórios

A energia solar fotovoltaica tem atributos que a tornam única. O fato de ser possível incrementar a produção tão rapidamente e a tecnologia se desenvolver a partir de infraestrutura existente faz com que a taxa de inovação no segmento seja muito maior que nos demais setores de energia. Este trabalho apresenta um panorama do mercado fotovoltaico no mundo e no Brasil, mas especificamente destaca o atual processo de desenvolvimento e implantação de políticas governamentais e marcos regulatório para a inserção da energia solar fotovoltaica na matriz de energia elétrica brasileira.The photovoltaic solar energy has attributes that make it unique. The electricity production can be increased rapidly and technology can be developed from existing infrastructure, resulting in a rate of innovation much higher than in other energy sectors. This paper presents an overview of the PV market in the world and in Brazil, focusing on the current development and implementation of government policies and regulatory frameworks for the integration of photovoltaic systems in the Brazilian energy mix.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Long-term outcomes of a pilot CT screening for lung cancer

Background: Low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening can detect early stage lung cancer in high-risk populations. However, no data on repeated annual screening over more than 5 years are available, and the impact of screening on lung cancer mortality is controversial. Methods: We analysed outcomes in high-risk asymptomatic volunteers (smokers and former smokers, >50 years) enrolled in a pilot study over 1 year from June 2000, who received annual low-dose CT for 7 years. Cumulative lung cancer incidence and survival were represented by Kaplan 12Meier curves. Standardized incidence and mortality ratios were used to estimate risks relative to the general Italian and US population. Results: Compliance was 86% at the end of the seventh year in 1035 recruited volunteers (71% men, mean age 58 years). Lung cancer was diagnosed in 54 (5.3%); radical surgery was possible in 48/54 (87%); 39/54 (72%) had stage I disease. Five-year survival was 63% overall, 89% for stage I cases. During 6308 person-years of observation, 47 participants had died versus 75 expected in the Italian general population standardised for age and sex. Fourteen lung cancer deaths were registered versus 27 expected in a standardised US smoker population. Conclusions: Seventy percent of screening-diagnosed patients had stage I disease, and the survival of screen-detected cancer patients was high. Lung cancer mortality was favourable compared to age- and sex-matched population of US smokers, suggesting that mortality can be lowered by screening, although larger trials with longer follow-up are necessary to confirm these findings

Implantado de sistemas de geracáo distribuída com telhados fotovoltaicos no sul do Brasil

O atual processo brasileiro de regulamentação e incentivo á geração de energias renováveis deve proporcionar um cenário promissor para a energia solar fotovoltaica. Este trabalho apresenta a descrição do projeto de 120 telhados fotovoltaicos no Brasil a serem implantados nos próximos anos e que visa delimitar as condições e impactos da geração distribuída de energia elétrica a partir de sistemas fotovoltaicos em telhados de consumidores na rede de baixa tensão. O trabalho descreve especialmente o estágio atual dos telhados fotovoltaicos que serão instalados em um condomínio de residências na cidade de Porto Alegre localizada no sul do Brasil e destacando os requesitos e condições necessárias exigidas pela concessionária proprietária da rede elétrica de distribuição onde os sistemas fotovoltaicos serão conectados.The recent regulatory law encouraging the implementation of renewable energy sources established a promising scenario for photovoltaics in Brazil. This paper describes the 120 photovoltaic roofs project to be accomplished in several regions of Brazil in the following months and briefly analyzes the impact of distributed generation on the distribution grid. Particular attention is given to the case of 20 photovoltaic roofs to be installed in residences in the city of Porto Alegre, highlighting the conditions and requirements imposed by the electricity utility owner of the distribution grid to which these systems are to be connected.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Solitary fibrous tumours : unusual aspects of a rare disease

Background: In literature there are only a few descriptions of the typical presentation of solitary fibrous tumours (SFT) and only a few case reports showing its unusual clinical and radiological features. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the computed tomography scans of 36 patients presenting with a histological diagnosis of SFT between 1998 and 2008. Results: We present five cases of SFT with an atypical clinical presentation and radiological features. Conclusions: SFT can occasionally present with unusual radiological features making a differential diagnosis difficult. Even thought imaging plays a fundamental role in the initial diagnostic approach, final diagnosis in only confirmed by biopsy and histology

Characteristics of Convective Sources of Gravity Waves and Sprites Present in Satellite IR Images During the SpreadFEx 2005 Campaign

We developed a technique to identify and estimate the size, intensity, and Tropopause overshoot of thunderstorm convective cores expected to be significant sources of gravity waves. The work was based on GOES IR images of South America on the night of 30 September to 1 October and 25–26 October 2005, as part of the Spread F Experiment (SpreadFEx) in Brazil in 2005. We also characterized, for the first time, the convective activity of three small TLE producing thunderstorms that yielded 11 TLEs on 25–26 October 2005. The campaign occurred during the dry to wet season transition in central Brazil, marked by the presence of extra-tropical cyclogenesis over the Atlantic Ocean, and cold fronts penetrating inland. The Tropopause temperature was typically −76°C with a corresponding altitude of ~15 200 m. Vigorous convective cores capable of generating strong gravity waves were located in convective regions having areas with cloud top temperatures ≤−76°C. They had typical cloud-top temperature deficits of ΔT−2.0°C to −8.0°C from the average surroundings, implying overshoot heights of 200 to 3100 m, which are within the typical range. Fast vertical development and high horizontal growth rates were associated with a large number of simultaneously active vigorous convective cores, indicating that their dynamics may have determined the spatial-temporal development of the thunderstorms analyzed. Moderate convective cores were also present in areas with cloud top −76°C≤T≤−70°C. They had ΔT of −1.9°C to −5.3°C producing overshoots between 80–300 m. All convective cores had typical diameters of 5–20 km and their size tended to increase with ΔT, there was a 57% correlation between the two parameters. Analysis of the relationship of cloud top T with positive and negative cloud-to-ground lightning (+/−CG) occurrence rate and with peak current showed that lighting activity may provide an independent way to identify convective cores and measure their intensity, since they were characterized by a high incidence of low peak current −CGs that forms the bulk of the −CG population