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Purpose: We present our initial clinical experience with a recently introduced 64-detector computed tomography (64-MDCT) scanner that makes use of a periodic motion of the focal spot in the longitudinal direction (z-flying focal spot), which enables it to reach a final spatial resolution of 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 mm(3) and a temporal resolution of 83 ms., Materials and Methods: A total of 114 patients (108 men, six women; age range 36-77 years, mean 63.1 years) underwent retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated examination of the coronary arteries using a 64-MDCT scanner (Somatom Sensation 64, Siemens Medical Solutions, Germany). Acquisition parameters were the following: collimation 64 x 0.6 mm, 800 quality reference milliampere second (mAs), 120 kVp, 0.33-s gantry rotation time and pitch 0.2. Images were acquired in all cases after i.v. administration of 80 ml of contrast agent (Iomeron 400 mgI/dl, Bracco, Italy) + 30 ml of saline at 4 /s and delay time determined using a bolus triggering technique. Oral betablockers were administered to patients with heart rate (HR) >75 bpm. To reduce radiation exposure, an automatic exposure control system was applied in all cases to adapt tube current to patient size and anatomic shape (CARE Dose 4D, Siemens Medical Solutions, Germany). The optimal temporal window for raw data reconstruction was chosen from an initial preview of images reconstructed with different phase settings (range 0%-95% RR interval with 5% gap) at a selected anatomical level in the mid part of the right coronary artery. CT dose index volume and effective dose were quantified in all patients using dedicated software., Results: Mean HR recorded during image acquisition was 65.6+/-19.2 bmp (range: 44-96 bmp), and beta-blockers were administered to 16/114 patients (14.0%). Technical adequacy was achieved in all patients but two (2/114; 1.7%). In patients with HR <60 bmp, the best reconstruction intervals were identified in the end-systolic (30%-35% of the RR interval) and end-diastolic (60%-65% of the RR interval) phases; with faster HR (>80 bmp), high image quality was observed in end-systole (30%-35% of the RR interval). Mean CT dose index (CTDI) volume was 36.53+/-8.30 mGy per patient. In comparison with a conventional examination with fixed mAs, the use of the CARE Dose 4D system provided a 33.3% CTDI volume reduction (p<0.001). Mean effective dose was 9.5+/-3.4 millisievert (mSv) per patient (range 7.1-17.7)., Conclusions: The 64-MDCT scanner diagnostic performance for coronary CT angiography is further improved with better spatial and temporal resolution and faster scan times; besides, initial clinical results are promising. The use of dose-reducing acquisition techniques is mandatory to limit radiation exposure to the patient.

The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Isospora suis is reported for the first time in piglets in Italy, in the province of Mantova: the first one has been found in 1 and the second one in 39 out of 200 litters. Two piglets, respectively 20-day-old and 24-day-old, were experimentally infected with Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts from naturally infected calves, without clinical signs.

In 1983 the authors carried out a survey in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Principe, analysing 1050 specimens of stools collected among the population from apparently healthy subjects chosen at random and in a number proportional to the distribution of the population in the regions of the country (about 1% of the population was examined). The examined subjects were divided into 3 age groups (0-3, 4-12, more than 12 years old), to have homogeneous groups in relation principally to modalities of life and nutritional patterns. There were 488 male subjects and 562 females. The survey was preceded by a sensitization of the people to the problem of intestinal parasites and by two preliminary surveys about the number of existing latrines and about people's believes and attitudes in relation to helmintiasis. The tests were made according to the modified Ritchie technique on fecal specimens preserved with 10% formol solution. The following results were found: a) Protozoa: Entamoeba coli, 43.0%; Iodamoeba buetschlii, 9.0%; Giardia intestinalis, 8.8%; Endolimax nana, 7.0%; E. histolytica, 5.5%; E. hartmanni, 2.5%; Chilomastix mesnili, 2.3%; Trichomonas intestinalis, 0.2%; Balantidium coli, 0.1%. b) Helminths: Trichuris trichiura, 87.7%; Ascaris lumbricoides, 64.3%; Ancylostomatidae, 40.5%; Strongyloides stercoralis, 6.8%; Hymenolepis diminuta, 0.3%; H. nana, 0.2%; Schistosoma haematobium, 0.2%. In 28.2% of the specimens (with more than 50% of subjects in some villages) eggs of Heterophyidae were found, very similar to Metagonimus yokogawai, but not yet identified by us, with the following characteristics: elliptical shape, average size 25 mu (22.2-27.7) X 18.5 mu (17-21), thick wall, operculum difficult to see, not sticking out from the outline but visible by focusing being in a different refractiveness, presence of a small polar knob, colour slightly brownish, asymmetric miracidium. Further investigations are necessary to identify the species of this trematode and to understand if it is a true human parasite or a pseudoparasite. The general results show the existence of a heavy fecal pollution all over the territory of the D.R. of São Tomé and Principe, connected with unhygienic life conditions, dangerous for health. This suggests to start urgently a sanitation program.

The authors carried out a coprological survey in Pemba Island, analysing, by modified Ritchie technique, 413 stools samples. The specimens were collected among the population from apparently healthy subjects chosen at random in a number equal to 2% of the whole population. The examined subjects were divided in 3 age groups, 211 were males, 202 females. The following results were obtained (in order of prevalence): a) Protozoa: Entamoeba coli 35.6%, Giardia intestinalis 5.6%, Endolimax nana 4.3%, E. histolytica 3.1%, Chilomastix mesnili 2.9%, Iodamoeba buetschlii 4.3%, E. hartmanni 0.7%; b) Helminths: Trichuris trichiura 87.9%, Ancylostomatidae 67.5%, Ascaris lumbricoides 39.7%, Strongyloides stercoralis 18.9%, Schistosoma haematobium 1.9%, S. mansoni 0.2%, S. fuelleborni 0.2%, Enterobius vermicularis 0.2%. The high moisture of soil and the rain distribution during the year could be favouring the high prevalence of T. trichiura and Ancylostomatidae. The case of schistosomiasis due to S. mansoni reported, seems to be imported from the Mainland, while the case of S. fuelleborni could be autochtonous. Totally, 392 subjects (94.4%) were found positive for pathogenic species (Helminths and Protozoa).

A coprological survey was carried out in 1982-1983 in East Boè and in Canhabaque Island, (Bijagòs Islands), where 289 and 288 specimens of stools, respectively, have been collected. The samples were taken from apparently healthy subjects, of both sexes and of different age groups. The tests were made according to the modified Ritchie technique. The following results were obtained: A) East Boè: 1) Protozoa: E. coli 68.9%, E. nana 24.6%, G. intestinalis 8.7%, I. buetschlii 5.9%, E. histolytica 1.7%, E. hartmanni 0.7%, T. intestinalis 0.7%. b) Helminths: Ancylostomatidae 69.2%, T. trichiura 38.4%, S. stercoralis 6.2%, Taenia sp. 1.7%, H. nana 0.7%, S. haematobium 0.7%, S. mansoni 0.7%, S. fuelleborni 0.7%. B) Canhabaque: a) Protozoa: E. coli 85.1%, I. buetschlii 14.9%, E. nana 12.5%, G. intestinalis 8.3%, C. mesnili 7.3%, E. hartmanni 1.4%, E. histolytica 1.0%, T. intestinalis 0.4%. b) Helminths: Ancylostomatidae 87.9%, T. trichiura 9.4%, S. stercoralis 7.9%, S. fuelleborni 2.8%, Trichostrongylus sp. 1.4%, A. lumbricoides 0.7%, H. nana 0.4%. Eggs of Capillaria sp. probably pseudoparasites, were found in 8.7% of samples. The high prevalence of Ancylostomatidae infections appears to be related to the heavy fecal pollution all over the examined territory. The utilization of antihelminthic drug of popular medicine, which has a specific action on A. lumbricoides, could explain the lack and the low prevalence, respectively, of A. lumbricoides infections in both examined areas. In the past, other authors emphasized the low prevalence of this parasite for other Guinea Bissau regions which have a different geomorfological constitution. The cases of S. fuelleborni and H. nana are the first reported for Guinea Bissau.