Optimising whole body computed tomography doses for paediatric trauma patients: a Swiss retrospective analysis.

We aimed to evaluate the impact of a low-dose whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) protocol on radiation doses in paediatric major trauma patients. Retrospective cohort study of paediatric trauma patients (<16 years) at a national level 1 paediatric trauma centre (PTC) over a 6 year period prior and post introduction of a low-dose WBCT protocol (2014-2019). Demographic data, patient characteristics, CT device, and exposure information including scan range, dose-length product, and volume CT dose index were collected. Effective dose (ED) and exposure parameters were compared before and after protocol introduction. Forty-eight patients underwent WBCT during the study period. Prior to introduction of the low-dose protocol (n= 18), the ED was 20.6 mSv (median 20.1 ± 5.3 mSv [range 12.5-30.7]). After introduction of the low-dose WBCT protocol (n= 30), mean ED was 4.8 mSv (median 2.6 ± 5.0 [range: 0.8-19.1]). This resulted in a reduction of 77% in mean ED (pvalue <0.001). Significant radiation dose reduction of 77% can be achieved with low-dose WBCT protocols in PTCs

Quantification of heterogeneity in lung disease with image-based pulmonary function testing

Published: 27 July 2016Computed tomography (CT) and spirometry are the mainstays of clinical pulmonary assessment. Spirometry is effort dependent and only provides a single global measure that is insensitive for regional disease, and as such, poor for capturing the early onset of lung disease, especially patchy disease such as cystic fibrosis lung disease. CT sensitively measures change in structure associated with advanced lung disease. However, obstructions in the peripheral airways and early onset of lung stiffening are often difficult to detect. Furthermore, CT imaging poses a radiation risk, particularly for young children, and dose reduction tends to result in reduced resolution. Here, we apply a series of lung tissue motion analyses, to achieve regional pulmonary function assessment in β-ENaC-overexpressing mice, a well-established model of lung disease. The expiratory time constants of regional airflows in the segmented airway tree were quantified as a measure of regional lung function. Our results showed marked heterogeneous lung function in β-ENaC-Tg mice compared to wild-type littermate controls; identified locations of airway obstruction, and quantified regions of bimodal airway resistance demonstrating lung compensation. These results demonstrate the applicability of regional lung function derived from lung motion as an effective alternative respiratory diagnostic tool.Charlene S. Stahr, Chaminda R. Samarage, Martin Donnelley, Nigel Farrow, Kaye S. Morgan, Graeme Zosky, Richard C. Boucher, Karen K. W. Siu, Marcus A. Mall, David W. Parsons, Stephen Dubsky and Andreas Foura

Remote sensing and transect-based retrieval of spatial soil and terrain (SOTER) information in semi-arid Niger

A methodology for retrieval and mapping of spatial soil and terrain data based on the SOTER approach has been developed for semi-arid Niger. Remote sensing technics and detailed ground transect investigations are used, and the collected data are integrated into a SOTER database and a Geographic Information System. Transect selection, their realization and the related problems with transect-based calculations are discussed. The method permits estimations of soil type coverages, present land use and soil degradation at different scale levels. The significant dynamics of soil redistribution are pointed out and attributed to present and past erosion events

CO2 and CH4 fluxes and carbon stock changes of peat soils in relation to differences in soil water content

In natural conditions peat soils exhibit high groundwater levels leading to a reduction of mineralization processes and hence favoring the accumulation of organic matter. Therefore peat soils under anaerobic conditions are considered to be a large sink of atmospheric CO2, but a source of methane (CH4). Drosler et al (2007) reported a high average CH4 flux of 1,27 mg C m2 h-1 from peat soils in Germany and the Netherlands under saturated conditions. Historically, more than half of the peat soils in Germany have been drained for agricultural purposes, and many of them are currently being restored by raising the groundwater levels. The effect of restoration on the total soil C emission is still unclear, due to the high temporal variability of CO2 and CH4 fluxes, often associated with fluctuations of the water table. This study 1) compares CO2 and CH4 fluxes from Histosols of the Danube floodplain near Ulm (S-Germany), differing in water regime from August 2008 to January 2009, and 2) estimates the contribution of vegetation cover to soil C emission

Symposium no. 24 Paper no. 249 Presentation: poster 249-1

Fly ash is a waste product of the electrical power plant at Mae Mau in Lampang province, northern Thailand. This experiment was conducted in order to study the responses of selected soil types on fly ash applications with respect to chemical properties. The experiment was based on soil samples from two depths, 0-0.1 m. and 0.1-0.25 m. depths of three soil series developed on different substrate: Doi Pui (Dp, granite), Ubon (Ub, sandstone) and Takhli (Tk, limestone). Soil samples were mixed with fly ash at rates of 0, 1.5 and 3.0 t ha and incubated for a month at field capacity. Soil reaction ( pH ) was slightly increased in Dp and Ub but decreased in Tk topsoil from 6.1 to 5.9 with fly ash application. The concentrations of available P and exchangeable K and Na were increased. Calcium and magnesium increased especially in Dp and Ub soil series with low initial amounts and coarser textures. Fly ash application had an influence on the DTPA extractable amount of trace elements. As a general trend, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn decreased, probably due to a pHeffect. A benefit is expected using fly ash as soil amendment in boron deficient soils of Thailand due to a boron content in the fly ash of more than 20 mg kg . With respect to heavy metals, no consistent effect could be detected since background values a partly higher than concentrations in the fly ash. Usually, at the rate of 1.5 t ha fly ash application, an increase of 1-2 mg kg of As, Ni and Co can be expected in the Dp and Tk soil series, whereas Cd and Cr responses were out of the detection limit. As will be the element which restricts fly ash application and should be carefully monitored

Freeze-drying of ovalbumin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle vaccine formulation increases antigen stability under ambient conditions

Amino functionalised mesoporous silica nanoparticles (AM-41) have been identified as a promising vaccine delivery material. The capacity of AM-41 to stabilise vaccine components at ambient temperature (23-27°C) was determined by adsorbing the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) to AM-41 particles (OVA-41). The OVA-41 was successfully freeze-dried using the excipients 5% trehalose and 1% PEG8000. The immunological activity of OVA and the nanoparticle structure were maintained following two months storage at ambient temperature. The results of immunisation studies in mice with reconstituted OVA-41 demonstrated the induction of humoral and cell-meditated immune responses. The capacity of AM-41 particles to facilitate ambient storage of vaccine components without the loss of immunological potency will underpin the further development of this promising vaccine delivery platform.Karishma T. Mody, Donna Mahony, Antonino S. Cavallaro, Frances Stahr Shi Zhang Qiao, Timothy J. Mahony, Neena Mitte