FDG-PET positive pilomatrixoma — reconsidering multicentricity in Langerhans cell histiocytosis

We report a case of a woman who underwent a curative resection of an upper jaw tumor histologically verified as eosinophilic granuloma. To exclude possible multiorgan involvement, PET/CT imaging was performed and revealed a metabolically active, partially calcified lesion located on the chest wall surface and clinically corresponding to a gradually developing, round, subcutaneous infiltrate with erythematous overlying skin. After complete extirpation, the pathological finding was consistent with pilomatrixoma surprisingly, thus dismissing the suspected diagnosis of multi-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Traffic Service Solution for Rural Settlements by Means of Tertiary Country Roads

The article focuses on the issue of traffic service for rural settlements and related production, tourist and recreation activities in rural areas in the conditions of the Czech Republic by means of rural tertiary roads. The article declares their critical importance for assurance of traffic service and penetrability of the Czech rural areas. Theoretical grounds have been specified for their designing, as well as basic criteria and parameters. A selected territorial segment is used to demonstrate a system approach to this issue and traffic flows are classified in terms of the type, direction and intensity. In conclusion, the article summarizes benefits of the solution defined by the described method

Measuring diffuse metabolic activity on FDG-PET/CT: new method for evaluating Langerhans cell histiocytosis activity in pulmonary parenchyma

Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is a rare cause of interstitial lung disease characterized by formation of nodules in the active phase of the disease that evolve into nonactive cystic lesions later on. To evaluate PLCH activity in patients, we developed a new method for measuring diffuse metabolic activity on fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) using a lung-to-liver activity ratio. Material and Methods: We retrospectively studied a series of 4 FDG-PET and 23 FDG-PET/CT scans from 7 patients with PLCH and analyzed a sample of 100 randomly chosen FDG-PET/CT studies free from any known lung or hepatic diseases. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in a spherical volume (6–8 cm in diameter) in the right lung was put into relation with SUVmax in a spherical volume (9–10 cm in diameter) in the reference liver parenchyma to set up the SUVmaxPULMO/SUVmaxHEPAR index. The index values were compared to the disease course in each patient. Results: In patients with PLCH, a close correlation between the index value and the disease course was found in all seven subjects, where the increasing index values indicated disease activity, while decreasing index values were observed after therapy administration. In the group of 100 healthy control subjects, we found index values lower than 0.3 in 80% and lower than 0.4 in 96%. Conclusion: Measuring SUVmaxPULMO/SUVmaxHEPAR values and their time-trend monitoring represent simple, noninvasive screening tools allowing an early diagnosis and treatment response follow-up assessment in patients with PLCH

Land adjustment projection and realization specificity in mountainous and sub-mountainous localities.

The aim of this work was to describe specifics of projection and realization of common facilities within land adjustment projects in mountainous and submountainous localities. In order to this specification, twenty-three projects in the district of Český Krumlov were studied. They were compared with the current {--} rather universal - methodology and differences were described. Simultaneously, several imperfections of these projects were described and evidences were shown, as well. As a result, new, fully concrete and practical methodological advices were presented in order to prevent these imperfections, respecting the specific conditions of mountainous and sub-mountainous localities. Finally, it was evaluated how the projected measures actually manage to accomplish

On weak non-linearity of models of physical systems

summary:The introduction of the concept of weak non-linearity is motivated by the effort to determine a certain class of non-linear systems whose properties important in technical appliations coincide with those of asymptotically stable linear systems. A model of the phzsical system described by Eq. (1) is called weakly non-linear (quasilinear) if any two solutions $x_1(t), x_2(t)$ of Eq. (1) sarisfy Eq. (2). A model described by Eq. (1) is weakly non-linear if there exists a way of expressing the right-hand side $f(x,t)$ of this equation in the form (3) so that the inequality (8) is satisfied

Application of mini-MLST and whole genome sequencing in low diversity hospital extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae population

Studying bacterial population diversity is important to understand healthcare associated infections’ epidemiology and has a significant impact on dealing with multidrug resistant bacterial outbreaks. We characterised the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing K. pneumoniae (ESBLp KPN) population in our hospital using mini-MLST. Then we used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to compare selected isolates belonging to the most prevalent melting types (MelTs) and the colonization/infection pair isolates collected from one patient to study the ESBLp KPN population’s genetic diversity. A total of 922 ESBLp KPN isolates collected between 7/2016 and 5/2018 were divided into 38 MelTs using mini-MLST with only 6 MelTs forming 82.8% of all isolates. For WGS, 14 isolates from the most prominent MelTs collected in the monitored period and 10 isolates belonging to the same MelTs collected in our hospital in 2014 were randomly selected. Resistome, virulome and ST were MelT specific and stable over time. A maximum of 23 SNV per core genome and 58 SNV per core and accessory genome were found. To determine the SNV relatedness cut-off values, 22 isolates representing colonization/infection pair samples obtained from 11 different patients were analysed by WGS with a maximum of 22 SNV in the core genome and 40 SNV in the core and accessory genome within pairs. The mini-MLST showed its potential for real-time epidemiology in clinical practice. However, for outbreak evaluation in a low diversity bacterial population, mini-MLST should be combined with more sensitive methods like WGS. Our findings showed there were only minimal differences within the core and accessory genome in the low diversity hospital population and gene based SNV analysis does not have enough discriminatory power to differentiate isolate relatedness. Thus, intergenic regions and mobile elements should be incorporated into the analysis scheme to increase discriminatory power

Automated compared to manual office blood pressure and to home blood pressure in hypertensive patients

<p>We studied the relationships of automated blood pressure (BP), measured in the healthcare centre, with manual office BP and home BP. Stable outpatients treated for hypertension were measured automatically, seated alone in a quiet room, six times after a 5 min rest with the BpTRU device, and immediately afterwards using the auscultatory method. Home BP was measured in a subgroup during 7 days preceding the visit. The automated, office and home BP values were 131.2 ± 21.8/77.8 ± 12.1 mmHg, 146.9 ± 20.8/85.8 ± 12.4 mmHg and 137.7 ± 17.7/79.4 ± 8.2 mmHg, respectively. Limits of agreement between office and automated BP (2 SDs in Bland–Altman plots) were +42.6 to –12.6/+22.6 to –6.6 mmHg for systolic/diastolic BP; for home and automated BP they were +45.8 to –25.8/+20.8 to –12.6 mmHg. For patients with two visits, intraclass correlation coefficients of BP values measured during the first and second visits were 0.66/0.72 for systolic/diastolic automated BP and 0.68/0.74 for systolic/diastolic office BP. Automated BP was lower than home BP and no more closely related to home BP than to office BP. It did not show better repeatability than office BP. Whether automated BP and the “white-coat effect”, calculated cas the office BP–automated BP difference, have clinical and prognostic importance deserves further studies.</p