95 research outputs found
Pityriasis lichenoides: clinical and immunogenetic studies
Type of study: Prevalence study. Objectives: Despite pityriasis lichenoides is an uncommon dermatosis, we observed 12 cases in the last 3 years. By this means, we review clinical and histopathologic findings of all patients with pityriasis lichenoides seen at our Division. Furthermore, since pathogenic features of the disease are unknown, we performed HLA class I and II typings to search for possible immunogenetic markers for pityriasis lichenoides. Methods: Twenty-one patients with biopsy-proven diagnosis of pityriasis lichenoides were evaluated. HLA class I and II antigens were typed using conventional serological procedures. Results: Children and young adults were predominantly affected. Most of the cases were seen in fall and winter time. Typical disseminated lesions were observed more frequently. Both acute and chronic patterns were observed at histology. Compared to controls, the HLA-B17 antigen was overrepresented in patients (P< 0.005). Conclusions: Although pityriasis lichenoides remains a cutaneous disease of undetermined origin, our findings show that the disease is associated with the HLA-B17 antigen.
.Modelo de estudo:Estudo de prevalĂŞncia. Objetivos: Embora a pitirĂase liquenĂłide seja uma dermatose incomum, 12 casos foram por nĂłs observados nos Ăşltimos trĂŞs anos. Assim, neste estudo, avaliamos os perfis clĂnicos e histopatolĂłgicos dos pacientes com pitirĂase liquenĂłide, atendidos na DivisĂŁo de Dermatologia. AlĂ©m disso, tipificamos os antĂgenos HLA de classes I e II nesses pacientes.Metodologia: Foram estudados 21 pacientes com diagnĂłstico clĂnico e histopatolĂłgico de pitirĂase liquenĂłide. As tipificações dos antĂgenos de histocompatibilidade de classes I e II foram realizadas, utilizando-se mĂ©todos sorolĂłgicos. Resultados: A maioria dos casos ocorreu entre crianças e ou adultos jovens, no outono e inverno. As lesões tĂpicas de forma disseminada foram as mais freqĂĽentes. Os achados histopatolĂłgicos mostraram lesões dos tipos agudo e crĂ´nico. O antĂgeno HLA-B17 estava significantemente aumentado nos pacientes em relação aos controles (P<0,005).Conclusões: Embora a etiologia da pitirĂase liquenĂłide nĂŁo seja conhecida, os achados aqui relatados mostram que o marcador HLA-B17 Ă© prevalente entre os doentes
Fermilab E791
Fermilab E791, a very high statistics charm particle experiment, recently
completed its data taking at Fermilab's Tagged Photon Laboratory. Over 20
billion events were recorded through a loose transverse energy trigger and
written to 8mm tape in the the 1991-92 fixed target run at Fermilab. This
unprecedented data sample containing charm is being analysed on many-thousand
MIP RISC computing farms set up at sites in the collaboration. A glimpse of the
data taking and analysis effort is presented. We also show some preliminary
results for common charm decay modes. Our present analysis indicates a very
rich yield of over 200K reconstructed charm decays.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, LaTe
Dalitz Plot Analysis of the Decay D^+ --> K^- pi^+ pi^+ and Indication of a Low-Mass Scalar K pi Resonance
We study the Dalitz plot of the decay D^+ --> K^- pi^+ pi^+ with a sample of
15090 events from Fermilab experiment E791. Modeling the decay amplitude as the
coherent sum of known K pi resonances and a uniform nonresonant term, we do not
obtain an acceptable fit. If we allow the mass and width of the K^*_0(1430) to
float, we obtain values consistent with those from PDG but the chi^2 per degree
of freedom of the fit is still unsatisfactory. A good fit is found when we
allow for the presence of an additional scalar resonance, with mass 797 +/- 19
+/- 43 MeV/c^2 and width 410 +/- 43 +/- 87 MeV/c^2. The mass and width of the
K^*_0(1430) become 1459 +/- 7 +/- 5 MeV/c^2 and 175 +/- 12 +/- 12 MeV/c^2,
respectively. Our results provide new information on the scalar sector in
hadron spectroscopy.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter
Enabling connectivity for tactical networks in mountainous areas by aerial relays
A general modeling framework for realistic performance evaluations of tactical mobile ad-hoc networks deployed in mountainous areas is presented. The framework is easily extensible, and can be eventually automated. It can be also used to generate data for other network simulators. The framework utilizes the freely downloadable high resolution 3D terrain data to define time dependent trajectories of network nodes. The node speeds and directions are linked to the terrain profile which extends the previously proposed mobility models. The path-loss analysis along the node trajectories revealed the need for aerial relays to enable full network connectivity at all times. The network consisting of 5 cluster heads and a single stationary relay is considered as a case study. The relay location and its antenna height are optimized to achieve the line-of-sight connectivity over the whole mission duration. The antenna radiation pattern at the relay is incorporated in the analysis. The resulting star network topology is used by the cluster heads to broadcast their packets to all other cluster heads. Several relaying schemes including the amplify-and-forward and the decode-and-forward relaying are studied together with the go-back-N retransmissions to achieve the reliable data transfer
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Essential Oil Citral in Experimental Infection with Staphylococcus aureus
This study proposes to implement an alternative and effective strategy for local treatment of disease provoked by S. aureus. For the analysis of possible anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil, after establishing an air pouch model, 48 male mice of Balb/c were treated, infected, and euthanized at 4 and 8 h. Thus, the total and differential white blood cells were counted in the animal’s blood, and cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were titrated using ELISA in the air pouch lavage. Moreover, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 gene expression was analyzed through an RT-qPCR array, and S. aureus was quantified using qPCR. Our results, p<0.05, showed that EOC reduced the quantity of microorganisms. The group of mice treated with essential oil citral showed a significant decrease in TNF-α levels in tests demonstrating anti-inflammatory activity. There is no data about the mutual influence of the air pouch model, essential oil citral, and S. aureus. Thus, considering the interaction of these variables and the anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil citral, we demonstrated, by alternative local treatment, a new antimicrobial agent that is not an antibiotic
Healthcare providers’ perspectives of disrespect and abuse in maternity care facilities in Nigeria: a qualitative study
Objectives
To explore healthcare providers’ perspectives of disrespect and abuse in maternity care and the impact on women’s health and well-being.
Methods
Qualitative interpretive approach using in-depth semi-structured interviews with sixteen healthcare providers in two public health facilities in Nigeria. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically.
Results
Healthcare providers’ accounts revealed awareness of what respectful maternity care encompassed in accordance with the existing guidelines. They considered disrespectful and abusive practices perpetrated or witnessed as violation of human rights, while highlighting women’s expectations of care as the basis for subjectivity of experiences. They perceived some practices as well-intended to ensure safety of mother and baby. Views reflected underlying gender-related notions and societal perceptions of women being considered weaker than men. There was recognition about adverse effects of disrespect and abuse including its impact on women, babies, and providers’ job satisfaction.
Conclusions
Healthcare providers need training on how to incorporate elements of respectful maternity care into practice including skills for rapport building and counselling. Women and family members should be educated about right to respectful care empowering them to report disrespectful practices
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