Self-energy of image states on copper surfaces

We report extensive calculations of the imaginary part of the electron self-energy in the vicinity of the (100) and (111) surfaces of Cu. The quasiparticle self-energy is computed by going beyond a free-electron description of the metal surface, either within the GW approximation of many-body theory or with inclusion, within the GW$\Gamma$ approximation, of short-range exchange-correlation effects. Calculations of the decay rate of the first three image states on Cu(100) and the first image state on Cu(111) are also reported, and the impact of both band structure and many-body effects on the electron relaxation process is discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Burden of Disease Caused by Otitis Media: Systematic Review and Global Estimates

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Otitis media (OM) is a leading cause of health care visits and drugs prescription. Its complications and sequelae are important causes of preventable hearing loss, particularly in developing countries. Within the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, for the year 2005 we estimated the incidence of acute OM, chronic suppurative OM, and related hearing loss and mortality for all ages and the 21 WHO regional areas.</p> <h3>Methods</h3><p>We identified risk factors, complications and sequelae of OM. We carried out an extensive literature review (Medline, Embase, Lilacs and Wholis) which lead to the selection of 114 papers comprising relevant data. Data were available from 15 of the 21 WHO regions. To estimate incidence and prevalence for all countries we adopted a two stage approach based on risk factors formulas and regression modelling.</p> <h3>Results</h3><p>Acute OM incidence rate is 10.85% i.e. 709million cases each year with 51% of these occurring in under-fives. Chronic suppurative OM incidence rate is 4.76‰ i.e. 31million cases, with 22.6% of cases occurring annually in under-fives. OM-related hearing impairment has a prevalence of 30.82 per ten-thousand. Each year 21thousand people die due to complications of OM.</p> <h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Our study is the first attempt to systematically review the available information and provide global estimates for OM and related conditions. The overall burden deriving from AOM, CSOM and their sequelae is considerable, particularly in the first five years of life and in the poorest countries. The findings call for incorporating OM-focused action within preventive and case management strategies, with emphasis on the more affected.</p> </div

Serum soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level and peripheral eosinophil count in patients with nasal polyposis

PubMedID: 25655059Background: Nasal polyposis is one of the most common inflammatory pathologies of the nasal cavity. Eosinophilic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels and eosinophil count in nasal polyposis patients. Methods: The study was performed on 24 adult nasal polyposis patients and 24 age-matched healthy individuals. The patients had not received any medical or surgical treatment. Pre-operative computed tomography scans were assessed using the Lund-MacKay grading system, and soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels were measured with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Compared with controls, eosinophil levels in nasal polyposis patients were increased (p = 0.024), but there was no significant difference in soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand levels (p = 0.529). The Lund-Mackay mean grading was 12.43 ± 6.9. There was no correlation between soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level and Lund-Mackay grading and eosinophil count. Conclusion: There was no relationship between soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level and blood eosinophil or clinical markers; however, soluble tumour necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand level remains of interest for future studies. Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015

CT bronchus sign-guided bronchoscopic multiple diagnostic: Procedures in carcinomatous solitary pulmonary nodules and masses

WOS: 000072206100011PubMed ID: 9523368CT bronchus sign (BS) designates a bronchus leading directly to a peripheral pulmonary lesion. The objective of this investigation is to determine the contribution of BS-guided bronchoscopic multiple diagnostic procedures (BMDPs) to the diagnostic yield of solitary nodules or masses (SPNMs) suspected of pulmonary carcinoma (PC). A prospective study was carried out in 92 patients with a 2-5 cm diameter SPNM at the level of third to fifth bronchial branching and without endobronchial tumors. Within 10 days after 2-mm CT scans were done, in each of 92, bronchial washing (BW), brushing (BR), transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBB) were performed respectively, via fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) under fluoroscopic guidance. In 40 (82%) of 49 with BS and in 19 (44%) of 43 without BS, FB established the diagnosis (p 0.05) were determined to be significant (p < 0.05). Thoracotomy verified diagnosis in 48 of 59 cases diagnosed and 19 of 33 undiagnosed by FB, and various tissue biopsies or clinical follow-up in 11 diagnosed and 14 undiagnosed by FB. The above data suggest that in the diagnosis of PC as a SPNM at the level of third-fifth bronchial branching, combining the guidance of CT BS, and BMDPs under fluoroscopic guidance can increase the yield considerably

CT bronchus sign-guided bronchoscopic multiple diagnostic procedures in carcinomatous solitary pulmonary nodules and masses

PubMed ID: 9523368CT bronchus sign (BS) designates a bronchus leading directly to a peripheral pulmonary lesion. The objective of this investigation is to determine the contribution of BS-guided bronchoscopic multiple diagnostic procedures (BMDPs) to the diagnostic yield of solitary nodules or masses (SPNMs) suspected of pulmonary carcinoma (PC). A prospective study was carried out in 92 patients with a 2-5 cm diameter SPNM at the level of third to fifth bronchial branching and without endobronchial tumors. Within 10 days after 2-mm CT scans were done, in each of 92, bronchial washing (BW), brushing (BR), transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) and transbronchial lung biopsy (TBB) were performed respectively, via fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FB) under fluoroscopic guidance. In 40 (82%) of 49 with BS and in 19 (44%) of 43 without BS, FB established the diagnosis (p 0.05) were determined to be significant (p < 0.05). Thoracotomy verified diagnosis in 48 of 59 cases diagnosed and 19 of 33 undiagnosed by FB, and various tissue biopsies or clinical follow-up in 11 diagnosed and 14 undiagnosed by FB. The above data suggest that in the diagnosis of PC as a SPNM at the level of third-fifth bronchial branching, combining the guidance of CT BS, and BMDPs under fluoroscopic guidance can increase the yield considerably