Detection of Coalescent Acute Mastoiditis on MRI in Comparison with CT

Purpose Current imaging standard for acute mastoiditis (AM) is contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), revealing inflammation-induced bone destruction, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outperforms CT in detecting intracranial infection. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of MRI with CT in detecting coalescent AM and see to which extent MRI alone would suffice to diagnose or rule out this condition. Methods The MR images of 32 patients with AM were retrospectively analyzed. Bone destruction was evaluated from T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) and T1 Gd magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) images. Intramastoid enhancement and diffusion restriction were evaluated subjectively and intramastoid apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured. The MRI findings were compared with contrast-enhanced CT findings of the same patients within 48 & x202f;h of the MR scan. Results Depending on the anatomical subsite, MRI detected definite bone defects with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54-82%. Exception was the inner cortical table where sensitivity was only 14% and specificity was 76%. Sensitivity for general coalescent mastoiditis remained 100% due to multiple coexisting lesions. The absence of intense enhancement and non-restricted diffusion had a high negative predictive value for coalescent mastoiditis: an intramastoid ADC above 1.2 & x202f;x 10(-3)& x202f;mm(2)/s excluded coalescent mastoiditis with a negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion The MRI did not miss coalescent mastoiditis but was inferior to CT in direct estimation of bone defects. When enhancement and diffusion characteristics are also considered, MRI enables dividing patients into low, intermediate and high-risk categories with respect to coalescent mastoiditis, where only the intermediate risk group is likely to benefit from additional CT.Peer reviewe

Association of multiple sclerosis and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Peer reviewe

The design of IPT system for multiple kitchen appliances using class E LCCL circuit

Since many years ago, kitchen appliances are powered up by cable connected. This create a troublesome case as wire might tangle together and cause kitchen table messy. Due to this, wireless power technology (WPT) is introduced as its ability is to transmit power to load without physical contact. This leads to cordless solution better in safety as the product can be completely seal, highly expandable power range. This work focuses on the design of WPT based on inductive approach to power up multiple kitchen appliances. The selection of inductive approach over its partners capacitive and acoustic is mainly due to high power efficiency. Class E inverter is proposed here to convert the DC to AC current to drive the inductive link. A 1 MHz operating frequency is used. To ensure the circuit is robust with load variations, an LCCL impedance matching is proposed. This solution is table to maintain the output power if there is a slight change in load impedance. Finally, the developed prototype is able to supply 50V utput which can achieve power transmission up to 81.76%

Is Agricultural Institutions Affect the Sustainability of Local Adan Rice Farming?

Krayan's main commodity is Adan rice which has received a Geographical Indication Certification (GIS). This rice has high economic value and competitiveness because it is cultivated organically. Therefore, local rice commodities need to be cultivated in a sustainable manner. One dimension of local rice sustainability is the institutional dimension. The institutional dimension is an important for sustainable agricultural development because it plays a supporting role in the success of farming. This study aims to analyze the sustainability of local Adan rice farming on the institutional dimension in Krayan District, Nunukan Regency, Indonesia. This research was completed by using the Multi Dimensional Scaling Method and sample was obtained of 50 respondents. The results showed that the institutional dimension of local Adan rice farming in Krayan District was 58.41 which means the institutional dimension has an affect on the sustainability of Adan rice  farming in Krayan sub-district with a quite sustainable status. The results of the analysis of sensitive attributes on the institutional dimension are capital loans from financial institutions (banks or other capital assistance institutions), the existence of cooperative institutions, capital assistance from cooperatives and Membership in indigenous forums. This implies that, considering all sensitive attributes of institutional dimension are important aspect to support the sustainability of local Adan rice farming

Detection of Coalescent Acute Mastoiditis on MRI in Comparison with CT

Purpose Current imaging standard for acute mastoiditis (AM) is contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), revealing inflammation-induced bone destruction, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outperforms CT in detecting intracranial infection. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of MRI with CT in detecting coalescent AM and see to which extent MRI alone would suffice to diagnose or rule out this condition. Methods The MR images of 32 patients with AM were retrospectively analyzed. Bone destruction was evaluated from T2 turbo spin echo (TSE) and T1 Gd magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) images. Intramastoid enhancement and diffusion restriction were evaluated subjectively and intramastoid apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured. The MRI findings were compared with contrast-enhanced CT findings of the same patients within 48 & x202f;h of the MR scan. Results Depending on the anatomical subsite, MRI detected definite bone defects with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54-82%. Exception was the inner cortical table where sensitivity was only 14% and specificity was 76%. Sensitivity for general coalescent mastoiditis remained 100% due to multiple coexisting lesions. The absence of intense enhancement and non-restricted diffusion had a high negative predictive value for coalescent mastoiditis: an intramastoid ADC above 1.2 & x202f;x 10(-3)& x202f;mm(2)/s excluded coalescent mastoiditis with a negative predictive value of 92%. Conclusion The MRI did not miss coalescent mastoiditis but was inferior to CT in direct estimation of bone defects. When enhancement and diffusion characteristics are also considered, MRI enables dividing patients into low, intermediate and high-risk categories with respect to coalescent mastoiditis, where only the intermediate risk group is likely to benefit from additional CT

Multivisceral intestinal transplantation: Surgical pathology

We report the diagnostic surgical pathology of two children who underwent multivisceral abdominal transplantation and survived for 1 month and 6 months. There is little relevant literature, and diagnostic criteria for the various clinical possibilities are not established; this is made more complicated by the simultaneous occurrence of more than one process. We based our interpretations on conventional histology, augmented with immunohistology, including HLA staining that distinguished graft from host cells in situ. In some instances functional analysis of T cells propagated from the same biopsies was available and was used to corroborate morphological interpretations. A wide spectrum of changes was encountered. Graft-versus-host disease, a prime concern before surgery, was not seen. Rejection was severe in 1 patient, not present in the other, and both had evidence of lymphoproliferative disease, which was related to Epstein-Barr virus. Bacterial translocation through the gut wall was also a feature in both children. This paper documents and illustrates the various diagnostic possibilities.. © 1989 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted

Positioning system for sensor less linear DC motor.

Linear motor has gain popularity as linear motion drive in office and factory automation which provides an alternative method to conventional rotary motor. Chip mounting is one of linear motor applications especially for linear DC motor (LDM). Displacement sensor which is normally used for positioning on the system, made the system expensive. This paper discusses the application of sensor less on positioning system for LDM. A spring is used to determine the position, while the spring displacement which is proportional to the thrust was produced by the motor. The thrust itself can be controlled by controlling the current supplied to the motor. Therefore, the positioning of LDM can be controlled by varying the current value. The approach used in this paper is to control the current is by manipulating various pattern of pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. As a result, the settling time less than 32 ms for 10 mm positioning has been achieved

Parents' underestimation of their child's weight status. Moderating factors and change over time: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Parents' underestimation of their child's weight status can hinder active participation in overweight prevention programs. We examined the level of agreement between the parents' perception of their child's weight status and the child's actual weight status, moderating factors, and change over time. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data collected in 2009 (n = 8105), 2013 (n = 8844) and 2017 (n = 11,022) from a community-based survey conducted among parents of children age 2-12 years in the Netherlands. Parents classified their perception of their child's weight status on a 5-point Likert scale. In 2009 and 2013, the child's BMI was calculated from self-reported data by parents. The level of agreement between the parent's perception of the weight status and the actual weight status was examined using Cohen's kappa. The role of demographic factors on parents' perception were examined using logistic regression. RESULTS: In 2009, 2013 and 2017, 6%, 6% and 5% of the parents, respectively, classified their child as heavy/extremely heavy. In 2009 and 2013, 64.7% and 61.0% of parents, respectively, underestimated the weight status of their overweight child. This was even higher among parents of obese children. Overall, the agreement between the parents' perception and the actual weight status improved from 2009 (kappa = 0.38) to 2013 (kappa = 0.43) (p<0.05), but remained unsatisfactory. The parents' underestimation of their child's overweight/obesity status was associated with the child's age in 2009 and 2013 (2-7 years; OR: 0.18), the child's gender in 2009 (male; OR: 0.55), and the parents' education level in 2009 (middle and high education; OR: 0.56 and 0.44 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Parents' underestimation of their child's weight status remains alarmingly high, particularly among parents of young, obese children. This underestimation is a barrier to preventing childhood overweight/obesity. Healthcare professionals should take this underestimation into consideration and should actively encourage parents to take steps to prevent overweight/obesity in their children

A Virological Study of Enterovirus Infections in Peninsular Malaysia

Background: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common illness in infants and children. It can be caused by many different human enteroviruses. Of these human enteroviruses, human enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection is more frequently associated with serious neurological complications and fatalities. The emergence of this virus emphasized the need for surveillance study and identification of EV71 to provide early warning of potential EV71 encephalitis outbreaks and assist in directing public health interventions as well as inform clinical decisions. This surveillance study was aimed to examine the prevalence of enteroviruses and EV71 in suspected clinical specimens. Methods: Samples preparation: Specimens with the clinical and epidemiological data were received from various hospitals in West Malaysia from January to December 2007. The samples were analyzed immediately upon arrival in our laboratory otherwise stored at −80 ◦C. RNA extraction: The RNA from the specimens were extracted using High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid Kit. PCR analysis and primer sequences: One step RT-PCR was employed with primers EVPCR1 (5�-ACA-CGG-ACA-CCCAAA-GTA-GTC-GGT-TCC-3�) and EVPCR2 (5�-TCC-GGC-CCCTGA-ATG-CGG-CTA-ATC-C-3�) for enteroviruses and MAS01S (5�-ATA-ATA-GCA-YTR-GCG-GCA-GCC-CA-3�) and MAS02A (5�-AGA-GGG-AGR-TCT-ATC-TCY-CC-3�) for EV71. Results: A total number of 2,381 clinical specimens were analyzed for the presence of enteroviruses and EV71 by RTPCR analysis. Out of all of the specimens analyzed, 531 (22.3%) were positive for enteroviruses and 21 (0.04%) of these were positive for EV71. These results showed that EV71 is less prevalent than other enteroviruses in the clinical specimens analyzed. Conclusion: The outcomes of the present surveillance study suggested that the EV71 which is more frequently associated with serious neurological and complications and fatalities is less prevalent than other enteroviruses. The results obtained also confirmed the usefulness of the PCR as a simple and rapid method for the detection of enteroviruses and discrimination of EV71 from other enteroviruses in clinical specimens

Fate and Effect of Intravenously Infused Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and Resection

Liver ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable during transplantation and resection and is characterized by hepatocellular injury. Therapeutic strategies to reduce IRI and accelerate regeneration could offer major benefits. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are reported to have anti-inflammatory and regeneration promoting properties. We investigated the effect of MSC in a model of combined IRI and partial resection in the mouse. Hepatic IRI was induced by occlusion of 70% of the blood flow during 60 minutes, followed by 30% hepatectomy. 2 × 105 MSC or PBS were infused 2 hours before or 1 hour after IRI. Six, 48, and 120 hours postoperatively mice were sacrificed. Liver damage was evaluated by liver enzymes, histology, and inflammatory markers. Regeneration was determined by liver/body weight ratio, proliferating hepatocytes, and TGF-β levels. Fate of MSC was visualized with 3D cryoimaging. Infusion of 2 × 105 MSC 2 hours before or 1 hour after IRI and resection showed no beneficial effects. Tracking revealed that MSC were trapped in the lungs and did not migrate to the site of injury and many cells had already disappeared 2 hours after infusion. Based on these findings we conclude that intravenously infused MSC disappear rapidly and were unable to induce beneficial effects in a clinically relevant model of IRI and resection