Design study for Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS)

The feasibility of dividing the 8-12 micrometer thermal infrared wavelength region into six spectral bands by an airborne line scanner system was investigated. By combining an existing scanner design with a 6 band spectrometer, a system for the remote sensing of Earth resources was developed. The elements in the spectrometer include an off axis reflective collimator, a reflective diffraction grating, a triplet germanium imaging lens, a photoconductive mercury cadmium telluride sensor array, and the mechanical assembly to hold these parts and maintain their optical alignment across a broad temperature range. The existing scanner design was modified to accept the new spectrometer and two field filling thermal reference sources

Delphi initiative for early-onset colorectal cancer (DIRECt). International Management Guidelines.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC) are managed according to guidelines that are not age-specific. A multidisciplinary international group (DIRECt), comprised of 69 experts, was convened to develop the first evidence-based consensus recommendations for eoCRC. METHODS: After reviewing the published literature, a Delphi methodology was employed to draft and respond to clinically relevant questions. Each statement underwent 3 rounds of voting and reached a consensus level of agreement of ≥80%. RESULTS: The DIRECt group produced 31 statements in 7 areas of interest: diagnosis, risk factors, genetics, pathology-oncology, endoscopy, therapy, and supportive care. There was strong consensus that all individuals younger than 50 should undergo CRC risk stratification and prompt symptom assessment. All newly diagnosed eoCRC patients should receive germline genetic testing, ideally before surgery. Based on current evidence, endoscopic, surgical, and oncologic treatment of eoCRC should not differ from later onset CRC, except for individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants. The evidence on chemotherapy is not sufficient to recommend changes to established therapeutic protocols. Fertility preservation and sexual health are important to address in eoCRC survivors.The DIRECt group highlighted areas with knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in future research efforts, including age at first screening for the general population, use of fecal immunochemical tests, chemotherapy, endoscopic therapy, and post-treatment surveillance for eoCRC patients. CONCLUSIONS: The DIRECt group produced the first consensus recommendations on eoCRC. All statements should be considered together with the accompanying comments and literature reviews. We highlighted areas where research should be prioritized. These guidelines represent a useful tool for clinicians caring for patients with eoCRC

Delphi Initiative for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (DIRECt) International Management Guidelines

Background & aims: Patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC) are managed according to guidelines that are not age-specific. A multidisciplinary international group (DIRECt), composed of 69 experts, was convened to develop the first evidence-based consensus recommendations for eoCRC. Methods: After reviewing the published literature, a Delphi methodology was used to draft and respond to clinically relevant questions. Each statement underwent 3 rounds of voting and reached a consensus level of agreement of ≥80%. Results: The DIRECt group produced 31 statements in 7 areas of interest: diagnosis, risk factors, genetics, pathology-oncology, endoscopy, therapy, and supportive care. There was strong consensus that all individuals younger than 50 should undergo CRC risk stratification and prompt symptom assessment. All newly diagnosed eoCRC patients should receive germline genetic testing, ideally before surgery. On the basis of current evidence, endoscopic, surgical, and oncologic treatment of eoCRC should not differ from later-onset CRC, except for individuals with pathogenic or likely pathogenic germline variants. The evidence on chemotherapy is not sufficient to recommend changes to established therapeutic protocols. Fertility preservation and sexual health are important to address in eoCRC survivors. The DIRECt group highlighted areas with knowledge gaps that should be prioritized in future research efforts, including age at first screening for the general population, use of fecal immunochemical tests, chemotherapy, endoscopic therapy, and post-treatment surveillance for eoCRC patients. Conclusions: The DIRECt group produced the first consensus recommendations on eoCRC. All statements should be considered together with the accompanying comments and literature reviews. We highlighted areas where research should be prioritized. These guidelines represent a useful tool for clinicians caring for patients with eoCRC

Improvement of children's nutritional status after enteral feeding by PEG: an interim report

Background: Enteral feeding by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is indicated as long-term nutritional support for children with neurologic impairment and dysphagia. We report our experience with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and evaluate the age range of children with cerebral palsy who benefit most with weight and height gain.Methods: in a prospective study, from August 1996 to August 1997, 20 endoscopic gastrostomies were performed in 20 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (16), myopathy (2), and brain trauma (2). the mean age was 6.5 years and the mean follow-up 5.9 months. All patients had severe mental impairment and oropharyngeal dysphagia. They were followed up monthly on an outpatient basis by both the gastroenterologist and the dietitian, who assessed gastrostomy complications and performed anthropometric measurements.Results: All 20 patients benefited from enteral nutrition with a statistically significant gain in weight (p < 0.01), and there was a trend toward improved weight/height ratio in children under 4 years of age according to Z-score and mid-arm muscle area (p < 0.01). Triceps skinfold thickness failed to reach statistical significance. There were no immediate complications related to the procedure. Perforations occurred with three (15%) tubes, and the plugs for introduction of food had to be replaced after 4 months of use. All complications, namely formation of granulation tissue at the stoma (7), stoma infection (4), gastroesophageal reflux pneumonia (3), and pneumoperitoneum (1) were managed clinically.Conclusions: Endoscopic gastrostomy is a safe procedure for children. Enteral feeding resulted in a trend toward a normalized weight/height ratio for children with cerebral palsy younger than 4 years and significant weight gain in those older than 12 years.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilAssociacao Assistencia Crianca Defeituosa, AACD, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, UNIFESP, Div Gastroenterol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Radiographic analysis of metatarsus primus elevatus: a preliminary study.

The authors investigated the effect of x-ray tube head angulation and central ray direction on the position of the first metatarsal relative to the second metatarsal in the lateral foot radiographic view. This preliminary study shows that these variables may influence the perception of metatarsus primus elevatus in the weightbearing lateral foot radiograph

Assessment and nutrition education in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ABSTRACT Neurological patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)often deteriorate to a worsening nutritional status. The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional status and food intake after nutrition education in patients with ALS. Clinical, anthropometric and functional variables were analyzed. Fifty-three patients were monitored at an early stage of the disease. The average score on the functionality scale was 33 points. Initially only 3.8% were classified as low body weight. After three months, 50% showed significant variation in anthropometric measures related to muscle mass and body fat reserves without association with clinical variables. After nutritional guidance, there was an increase in the intake of all food groups, especially the dairy group (p <0.05).The change of the nutritional status occurs early in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, even in those previously eutrophic or over weight. There was an increase in food intake after nutritional guidance according to the food guide adapted to the Brazilian population