Ceramic varistors based on ZnO-SnO2 ANASTASIOU, A; LEE, M. H. J; LEACH, C ...
Journal of the European Ceramic Society,
2004, 2004-1-00, 20040101, Letnik:
24, Številka:
6
Conference Proceeding, Journal Article
Recenzirano
Model ceramic varistor formulations based on 98% ZnO-SnO2 (plus 2% oxides of Bi, Co and Mn) were prepared by conventional powder processing and specimens were sintered at 1150-1275 C. The product ...density increased with SnO2 content, but decreased with increase in sintering temperature. The microstructures contained ZnO, Zn2SnO4 spinel and very small bismuth rich phases; with increasing Sn content the spinel became the dominant phase. I-V measurements showed the non-linear coefficients (alpha) to be in the range 24-32. For all compositions, the alpha values decreased with increasing sintering temperature; the maximum alpha value was obtained with samples containing 20 mol% SnO2 sintered at 1200 C. Breakdown fields were in the range 3000-11000 V/cm and increased with increasing Sn content. Leakage currents were in the range 1-11 microA. Sn substitution for Zn seems to cause a strong donor effect. 12 refs.
Background Epidemiological studies of molluscum contagiosum (MC) in children are limited.
Patients and method Between 1997 and 1999, 110 children with MC (60 boys, 50 girls, mean age: 4.8 years) ...were studied. Treatment consisted of removal of all MC lesions in a single session by sterilized tweezers.
Results In children aged ≤ 2 years, the MC lesions were located mainly on the face, whereas in older children they were located on the trunk. Twenty children had atopic dermatitis (18.2% vs. 5% of Greek children aged 1–6 years; P < 0.001). Four children had numerous and recurrent MC lesions without any other systemic manifestations. In these children, humoral and cellular immunities were found to be normal. Seventy‐seven children (70%) were cured after one treatment session, 22 children (20%) after a second session and 11 (10%) after ≥ three sessions. No patients experienced secondary bacterial infection or scarring.
Conclusions In contrast to cool climates where the age of peak incidence of MC in children is 10–12 years, in a warm country such as Greece, it is at the younger age of 4.8 years. In young children aged 2 years, the MC lesions are located mainly on the face, whereas in older children they are located on the trunk. Atopic dermatitis is a predisposing factor for MC. In cases where MC lesions are numerous and/or persist but there are no other signs of systemic infections, the possibility of immunodeficiency is minimal. Removal of MC lesions by tweezers is an efficient, simple and inexpensive method of treatment without sequelae.
A patient with Lemierre syndrome Vargiami, Efthimia G.; Farmaki, E.; Tasiopoulou, D. ...
European journal of pediatrics,
04/2010, Letnik:
169, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Lemierre syndrome, also known as postanginal sepsis, is a severe complication of an acute oropharyngeal infection that results in septic thrombophlebitis of the ipsilateral internal jugular vein with ...subsequent septicemia, often complicated by metastatic infections (Syed et al., Laryngoscope 117:1605–1610,
2007
). We present the case of a previously healthy 12-year-old boy with Lemierre syndrome, caused by streptococci (
Abiotrophia defectiva
), complicating a subcutaneous neck abscess. The patient had metastatic sequelae, was treated with antibiotics (clindamycin and vancomycin) and low molecular weight heparin, and had an uneventful outcome.
This study investigated whether participation in sensorimotor activities by preschool children involving their own bodily balance while walking on a beam over the floor has an effect on their ...understanding of the mechanical equilibrium of a balance beam. The children were from seven kindergartens on the island of Rhodes, Greece. The balance beam consisted of a horizontal stick balancing around its centre of mass (middle point), while carrying equal-weight objects on either side of it. The study utilised a two-group design, and was conducted in three phases (pre-test, treatment and post-test). The results of the study provide evidence that there was such an effect, since the children (who participated in the sensorimotor activities) could select out of a number of objects those two with the same weight regardless of their shape, size or colour, in order to balance the stick. This effect also can be seen when a comparison is made with a second group of children, which had previously participated in a hands-on activity regarding the equilibrium of a similar balance beam, and which (children), therefore, had a definite advantage over the other children who had participated in the sensorimotor activity. A Chi Square Test showed no significant differences between the two groups on both an immediate and a delayed post-test, while the McNemar Test for the Significance of Change showed a statistically significant difference (that is, a negative change in performance between the first and the second post-test) only within the hands-on group. This difference represents evidence that the children from the sensorimotor group remembered better the rule they were applying (i.e., selecting equal-weight objects) in order to balance the beam. Author abstract
Chronic heart failure (CHF) may be considered a state of immune activation and persistent inflammation expressed by increased circulating levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose ...of the study was to investigate the immune status in patients with CHF compared to normal individuals. We measured serum cytokine levels as well as cytokine production after ex vivo LPS stimulation of whole blood taken from 14 patients with CHF and 14 healthy volunteers. We used 500
pg/ml of LPS for an incubation period of 4
h to stimulate 100
μL of whole blood. Patients with CHF had significantly higher levels of TNF-RI, and TNF-RII in serum compared to normal individuals. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 did not differ significantly. After LPS stimulation, patients with CHF had significantly higher levels of TNF-α and IL-10, and significantly lower IL-6 levels compared to normal individuals. TNF-α receptors did not differ significantly. Patients with CHF may be found in a pro- as well as an anti-inflammatory state. They also do not develop endotoxin tolerance in an ex vivo laboratory model using whole blood stimulated with LPS. They may have increased TNF-α and IL-10 production after LPS stimulation of whole blood, which may contribute to a worsening of heart function, more severe disease presentation and a worse outcome during infections.
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