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We focus on developing a standalone android application module to parse web databases and text files. The application is capable of retrieving and visualizing the data from NIST and similar web databases as well as from the text files stored locally on a phone storage device. The data is represented by the X-ray mass attenuation and absorption coefficients for all elements from the periodic table and other complex compounds acquired for the range of X-ray photons energies. Upon retrieving, parsing, and conversion the data is fully ready for visualization or, as originally designed, to be supplied for further simulation of the computed tomography experiment in multiple formats. The application is useful as a simple, open-source Java code, collection of methods to organize the access and parsing of the locally and remotely stored data in the text formats in the nuclear physic numerical experiment. In the application, a separate thread was dedicated to data retrieval and analysis. This thread is hosted by a fragment to provide the survival of calculations during the application's configuration changes. It also facilitates unrestricted internet access otherwise prohibited on the main UI thread. The results of parsing and calculations in the concurrent thread were linked to the main thread with the Progress Update callback function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a modification of the previously developed and maintained computed tomography simulation and reconstruction software for the mammography case. New additional modules are designed to process the mammography data. Mammography provides incomplete information about the subject taken from the limited number points of view but as a result has potentially minimized exposure to radiation for the biological tissue under study. We implement this method by providing new standalone independent mammography modules in our software package. These modules are responsible for creating the projections' set according to the operator's input of exposure angles, phantom's structure, and other multiple recording parameters. These additional modules reconstruct the data from these generated sets of projections or take the real medical data as input. Contrast and features' recognition are particularly important elements of the study due to the limited number of projections in set. Our software could be used in combination with any real commercial mammography scanner as well as for research purposes to train medical and physics personnel and study for novel methods of contrast and image enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are over 7,000 people on dialysis in Australia and this is predicted to increase due to the ageing population and the high incidence of diabetes mellitus. Discontinuation of dialysis is the second most frequent cause of death in dialysis patients in Australia. Risk factors for the discontinuation of dialysis include: co-morbidities (especially diabetes mellitus) and being older. Because the decision to discontinue dialysis is a major life choice, collaborative decision making should be encouraged, and the patient needs assurances of the continuation of care and kindness, a palliative care plan, and the alleviation of suffering. Patients decide to discontinue dialysis because of an unacceptable quality of life, depression and a chronic failure to thrive. Health professionals need to support end of life decision making using an ethical decision framework. A review of current literature was undertaken and revealed a paucity of information in regard to palliation in those with end stage renal disease who had discontinued dialysis. The fear of dying, pain, suffering, and abandonment that a patient and/or their family may perceive as being associated with death may create barriers to decisions to discontinue with dialysis treatments. Therefore health care personnel should provide information with honesty to allow patients to predict their quality of life and death. Support for the patient and family during the dying period should be multi-disciplinary, with clear and timely communication between all members of the team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the biopsychosocial impact of end-stage renal disease on dialysis patients and their partners. Forty-four participants were interviewed separately (22 patients and their partners) by way of two open-ended questions, and multiple themes were identified from verbatim transcripts. Both the patients and partners viewed their relationship very positively, and both were overwhelmed by the impact of dialysis on their lives. Anger, depression and hopelessness were evident in the patients, whilst a pervasive sadness, resentment, guilt and loss were prevalent in the partners. This study gives a unique perspective on the negative impact which dialysis can have on couples, yet it also suggests that some are able to cope in a positive way despite the many life-style adjustments required by dialysis. The results of this study indicate that nurses need to recognize and respond to the tremendous emotional impact that chronic illness and its treatment can have on families in an era where it is possible to sustain life for years with the use of life support technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The haematological variables, haematinic state, and placental function of more than 2000 pregnant women, heterozygous for either alpha- or beta-thalassaemia genes, were examined during pregnancy. Four features emerged. Firstly, it was possible by discriminant function analysis of haematological variables to distinguish in pregnant patients between the anaemia caused by thalassaemia trait and that caused by iron deficiency. Secondly, patients with thalassaemia become significantly more anaemic in pregnancy, beta more than alpha, but this was mainly due to plasma dilution. From the data percentile curves were drawn for each type of thalassaemia which predicted the patients' expected "normal" haemoglobin throughout gestation. Thirdly, patients with alpha-thalassaemia had the same incidence of iron deficiency as normal pregnant patients, whereas in those with beta-thalassaemia it was four times less common. The incidence of folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency was the same in all groups. Finally, as assessed by serum oestriol concentration, there did not appear to be any abnormality of placental function or fetal development associated with maternal thalassaemia, and, also, there seemed to be no increase in maternal or fetal morbidity in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In 73 patients with fulminant viral hepatitis, non-A non-B hepatitis (NANB) was most common (43.8%), with hepatitis type A (HAV) diagnosed in 31.5% and hepatitis type B (HBV) in 24.7%. The non-A non-B group had a significantly longer duration from the onset of symptoms to the appearance of encephalopathy (median 21 days) compared with the HAV and HBV groups (medians 10 and seven days, p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.005 respectively). In the HAV group the severity of liver damage, judged by the maximum prolongation of the prothrombin time, was significantly less than in the HBV group (58 and 150 seconds prolonged respectively, p less than 0.005), and cerebral oedema was significantly less frequent (39% and 72% respectively, p less than 0.05). Consistent with this, the survival rate was higher in the HAV group (43.4%) compared with the HBV group (16.6%) and NANB group (9.3%) (p less than 0.005). These variations in presentation and clinical course may be a consequence of differences in the pathogenesis of the hepatic necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lymphocytes from 39 patients with HBsAg positive chronic liver disease were incubated with their own hepatocytes to investigate mechanisms of lymphocyte-mediated liver damage. Cytotoxicity was significantly increased in 46% overall, and in 73% of those with chronic active hepatitis. Unlike HBsAg negative chronic active hepatitis where only non-T cells were cytotoxic, HBsAg positive patients had both cytotoxic T and non-T cells. A purified liver membrane complex (LSP) and aggregated IgG both blocked non-T cytotoxicity without affecting T cell cytotoxicity; this suggests that the former is probably an antibody-dependent cell-mediated reaction against normal membrane components. This was confirmed in preliminary studies which demonstrated that preincubation of hepatocytes with the F(ab)2' fragment of an anti-human IgG reduced non-T lymphocyte cytotoxicity. T-cell cytotoxicity was restricted to HBeAg-positive patients, suggesting a relationship between T-cell cytotoxicity and viral replication. Purified HBsAg, however, blocked cytotoxicity in only three of 11 cases. Non-T lymphocytes reacting with normal membrane components may contribute to liver damage in both 'autoimmune' and virus-associated chronic liver disease, whereas cytotoxic T-cells, probably reacting with viral determinants, are exclusive to those with viral replication. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fifty patients were examined clinically and neurologically for seven days after pneumoencephalography. Headache was present in 78%, neck stiffness in 34%, pyrexia in 38%, vomiting in 34%, tachycardia in 74%, a change in the level of consciousness in 18%, and abnormal neurological signs in 30%. Of the 13 patients with epilepsy, there was an increased frequency of seizures in four, associated with increased EEG epileptiform activity in three. EEG abnormality either appeared or increased in 74% of cases on the second day after the air study. A mechanism for the production of these sequelae is proposed. It is concluded that these findings indicate that in most cases an organic brain syndrome follows pneumoencephalography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on an increasing incidence of tuberculosis in patients with HIV infection. He informs that persons infected with HIV are more likely at the risk of developing pulmonary TB. He states that identification of TB and drug resistant TB with the Gene Xpert, an automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based method, has reduced work-up time and microscopic observation drug susceptibility (MODS) has proved to be reliable and cost-effective in detecting TB and drug-resistant TB.

Effects of MgO deposition on Si/SiO2 system and charge carrier trapping and recombination in Si/SiO2/MgO structures are studied using second-harmonic generation (SHG). An ultrafast 800 nm laser was used both for multi-photon induced electron injection through the SiO2 into a potential well in the MgO, and for monitoring the time-dependent SHG signal, which is sensitive to the electric field at the Si/SiO2 interface. Our results indicate that the MgO deposition introduces new trap states, and electrons trapped in the MgO transport more readily through the SiO2 than those in traps on the surface of SiO2. We attribute this to differences in trap energy levels and/or differences in process damage-induced defect densities in the SiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charge generation, transport, and recombination processes in UNIBOND® silicon-on-insulator wafers are studied via an optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) technique. The electric fields at the interfaces vary with time due to charge trapping. The presence of a thin native oxide layer on the top Si film contributes significantly to the SH intensity due to the strong time-dependent electric field generated by electrons transported to the surface. For the thick buried oxide, the electric field is primarily due to carrier trapping at the interface, and it varies with time weakly. The SHG signals depend strongly on the externally applied electric field, which can differentiate the contribution of each interface to the total SH signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection have been examined in 34 patients with acute hepatitis B, 17 of whom developed fulminant hepatic failure. Hepatitis B surface antigen concentrations were significantly lower and hepatitis Be antigen was less frequently detectable in patients with fulminant hepatic failure compared with those with acute hepatitis (median 0.64 micrograms, range 16-0 and median 32 micrograms and range 100-4 micrograms respectively, p less than 0.001; HBeAg detected in 12% and 88% respectively, p less than 0.001). The IgM component of hepatitis B core antibody was significantly higher in the patients with fulminant hepatic failure with median values of 500 IU/ml compared with those with uncomplicated hepatitis (median 202 IU/ml, p less than 0.05 Wilcoxon's rank test). Three patients who developed a fulminant course had detectable levels of either anti-HBs or anti-HBe. These results are consistent with enhanced antibody responses to all three hepatitis B virus antigens and more rapid clearance of the latter during fulminant hepatic failure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A profile of Professor Naomichi Arima from Kagoshima University, Japan, is presented, who will retire in the year 2017. Arima worked at the Hematology/Immunology clinic at the university; and he also conducted research to identify new anti-cancer drugs led clinical trials for the treatment of patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL).

The author presents his views on the paper "In vitro and in vivo anti-cancer effects of Tillandsia recurvata (ball moss) from Jamaica" by H.I.C. Lowe and colleagues and also discusses the economic profit which the developed countries can derive from fostering research and innovation in cancer. He mentions that the paper highlights the efficacy of an endemic plant Tillandsia recurvata which is grown in Jamaica. He highlights the bioactivity of the endemic plant against cancer cells.

This paper describes some challenges of haemodialysis nursing in the 1970s. The major issues were the large blood volumes in the extra-corporeal circuit, massive doses of heparine during haemodialysis, maintenance of the external shunt patency, pyrogenic reactions and many blood transfusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, where ≈96% of affected infants reside. The current standard of care, therapeutic hypothermia, is frequently ineffective in this setting, likely because injury may be occurring earlier during labor. Here, we studied the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of perinatal caffeine administration in near-term lambs following global ischemic injury to support the development of earlier treatment strategies targeting the fetus in utero as well as the infant postnatally., Methods: Ewes were randomly assigned to receive either 1 g IV caffeine citrate or placebo before delivery and placental transport assessed. Near-term lambs (141-143 days) of both sexes were subjected to severe global hypoxia-ischemia utilizing an acute umbilical cord occlusion model. Lambs that received caffeine in utero also received 20 mg/kg IV caffeine citrate following resuscitation and 10 mg/(kg·d) IV for 2 days. An additional cohort received 60 mg/kg followed by 30 mg/(kg·d) (low dose versus high dose) postnatally. Biochemical, histological, and neurological outcome measures in lambs were assessed over a 6-day period., Results: Perinatal caffeine administration demonstrated excellent placental transport kinetics and was well tolerated with lamb plasma levels comparable to those targeted in neonates with apnea of prematurity. Caffeine administration resulted in a systemic immunomodulatory effect, evidenced by significant reductions in proinflammatory IP-10 levels. Treated lambs demonstrated improved neurodevelopmental outcomes, while histological analysis revealed that caffeine reduced gray matter injury and attenuated inflammation in the cingulate and parasagittal cortex. This neuroprotective effect was greater and via a different mode of action than we previously reported for azithromycin. A higher caffeine dosing regimen demonstrated significant toxicity., Conclusions: Perinatal caffeine administration is well tolerated, attenuates systemic and brain inflammation, and contributes to improvements in histological and neurological outcomes in an ovine model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy., Competing Interests: None.

Background: In critically ill patients, delirium is a prognostic indicator of morbidity and mortality., Objective: This study investigates the impact of a delirium diagnosis on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation., Methods: This retrospective study included all adult patients who received LVADs at our institution between January 2016 and December 2020. We compared preimplantation characteristics between the two groups, with and without a diagnosis of delirium, and compared their outcomes, including 1-month, 6-month, and in-hospital mortality, as well as reintubation rate, length of stay, discharge disposition, and readmission rates., Results: In total, 361 patients (26.7% women and 75.8% African American) received durable LVADs. Ninety-four patients (26.1%) were diagnosed with delirium during the index admission. Preimplantation demographic characteristics, past medical and psychiatric conditions, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Profile, and laboratory values did not differ between the two groups with and without a diagnosis of delirium; older age (59 vs 56; P = 0.03) was associated with delirium. Delirium diagnosis was associated with higher 1-month (P = 0.007), 6-month (P = 0.004), and in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001), unplanned reintubations (P < 0.001), and a lower likelihood of discharge home (P = 0.03). Total hospital and intensive care unit length of stay were higher in patients with a diagnosis of delirium, though these results were not statistically significant. Readmission to the hospital after index admission was quicker in patients with a diagnosis of delirium, but this result was not statistically significant., Conclusions: In this study, a diagnosis of delirium during the LVAD implantation admission was associated with higher mortality, adverse postsurgical outcomes, and unfavorable discharge dispositions. Future prospective research is needed to validate the prognostic implications of delirium in both the short and long term. Additionally, there is a need to identify modifiable risk factors associated with delirium to promote early diagnosis and implement evidence-based management strategies to enhance outcomes within this population., (Copyright © 2024 Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)