Since 2003, a monitoring program has been conducted on several glaciers and glacierets in the Pascua-Lama region of the Chilean Andes (29◦S/70◦W; 5000 m a.s.l.), permitting the study of glaciological ...processes on ice bodies in a subtropical, arid, high-elevation area where no measurements were previously available. In this paper we present: (1) six years of glaciological surface mass balance measurements from four ice bodies in the area, including a discussion of the nature of the studied glaciers and glacierets and characterization of the importance of winter mass balance to annual mass balance variability; and (2) changes in surface area of twenty ice bodies in the region since 1955, reconstructed from aerial photographs and satellite images, which shows that the total glaciated surface area reduced by ∼29 % between 1955 and 2007, and that the rate of surface area shrinkage increased in the late 20th century. Based on these datasets we present a first interpretation of glacier changes in relation with climatic parameters at both local and regional scales.
ABSTRACT
Objectives
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is becoming a more frequently used diagnostic and therapeutic tool in children. We sought to determine the indications, ...feasibility, safety, and effect on patient management of ERCP in pediatric patients of varying age.
Methods
All ERCPs performed during a 4‐year period in patients aged 18 years or less at an academic hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The indications, type of anesthesia administered, type of duodenoscope used, diagnostic findings, therapeutic interventions, complication rate, and effect on management were compared between children (age 0–12 years) and adolescents (age 13–18 years).
Results
A total of 53 procedures were performed in 43 patients whose median age was 13.5 years. ERCP was successful in 50 of 53 cases (94%) with a complication rate of 6%. Endoscopic therapy was provided in 24 of 53 cases (45%). Compared with adolescents (n = 28), children (n = 25) were more likely to receive general anesthesia (96% vs. 29%;P < 0.001) and undergo ERCP with a pediatric duodenoscope (0% vs. 40%). ERCP affected management in 73% of cases, equally in both groups.
Conclusion
ERCP is a successful and safe diagnostic and therapeutic modality in a variety of pancreatobiliary disorders that directly affects management in children of all ages.
Introduction: Preliminary investigations suggest that Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (ECA) may have a genetic predisposition. Aim: To determine whether patients with BE or ECA ...have an increased prevalence of BE and/or ECA in their families. Methods: Patients with BE and ECA were identified through a pathology database at a university hospital. The diagnosis of BE or ECA was reconfirmed by an experienced gastrointestinal pathologist. The control group consisted of a cohort of patients enrolled in a pharmacotherapy study of esophagitis. All control subjects had gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and endoscopic evidence of esophagitis without BE or ECA. Patients and controls were given a standardized questionnaire (modified Mayo GERQ) about severity and duration of reflux symptoms, risk factors, and detailed family history. Prevalence of a family history of BE or ECA was compared between index patients and control subjects. Results: Questionnaires were returned by 18/54 (33%) in the BE/ECA group and 24/46 (52%) in the control group. Four (22%) index patients in the BE/ECA group compared to none (0%) in the control group reported at least one first- or second- degree relative with BE or ECA (p = 0.03, Fischer's exact). One patient reported 2 first-degree relatives (1 ECA and 1 BE), and another reported an identical twin with BE. Compared to the control group, the BE/ECA group tended to be older (mean age, 62 years vs. 55 years, p < 0.1) and had a greater proportion of men (72% vs. 42%, p < 0.1). Race, severity of GERD symptoms, duration of GERD symptoms, smoking history, alcohol history, and obesity (Body Mass Index >30 kg/m2) were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma are more likely to have a family history of BE or ECA compared to GERD patients without BE. Prospective studies to determine the prevalence of BE in family members of patients with BE or ECA are needed.
Hemangiopericytoma: case reports Kinnard, P; Likongo, Y; Echavé, V ...
Canadian journal of surgery
27, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The authors' experience with two recent cases and their review of the literature suggest that the behaviour of hemangiopericytoma is unpredictable and that wide surgical excision is the treatment of ...choice because of the potential for malignant change.
Power supply arcing Singh, P.; Mazzuca, S.; Yao, Y. ...
IWIPP 2000. International Workshop on Integrated Power Packaging (Cat. No.00EX426),
2000
Conference Proceeding
The trend to pack more power in smaller spaces is leading to higher rates of computer power supply arcing in the field. Power density increase is being achieved by decreasing the spacing between ...features such as the power train MOSFET leads and by increasing the switching frequency. Both of these changes make power supplies more prone to field arcing. This paper discloses a technique called the partial vacuum test to predict the arcing propensity in power supplies. The partial vacuum test also helps determine the corrective actions needed to avoid field arcing by indicating the locations susceptible to arcing. The paper also describes a test called the zinc spray test that can help determine the minimum spacing between features, subjected to high voltages with high frequency harmonics, that will not arc in the field.
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