The lack of models describing the propagation of X‐rays in waveguides and the interference mechanism between incident and reflected radiation waves hamper the understanding and the control of wave ...propagation phenomena occurring in many real systems. Here, experimental spectra collected at the exit of microchannel plates (MCPs) under the total X‐ray reflection condition are presented. The results are discussed in the framework of a theoretical model in which the wave propagation is enhanced by the presence of a transition layer at the surface. The angular distributions of the propagating radiation at the exit of these MCPs with microchannels of ∼3 µm diameter will also be presented and discussed. These spectra show contributions associated with the reflection of the primary monochromatic beam and with the fluorescence radiation originating from the excitation of atoms composing the surface of the microchannel. The soft X‐ray fluorescence spectra collected at the exit of microcapillaries were analyzed in the framework of a wave approximation while diffraction contributions observed at the exit of these hollow X‐ray waveguides have been calculated using the Fraunhofer diffraction model for waves in the far‐field domain. Data collected at the Si L‐edge show that in glassy MCPs the fluorescence radiation can be detected only when the energy of the primary monochromatic radiation is above the absorption edge for grazing angles higher than half of the critical angle of the total reflection phenomenon. Experimental data and simulations of the propagating radiation represent a clear experimental confirmation of the channeling phenomenon of the excited fluorescence radiation inside a medium and point out that a high transmission can be obtained in waveguide optics for parameters relevant to X‐ray imaging.
We present here the angular distribution of the radiation propagated inside MultiChannel Plates with micro-channels of ∼3μm diameter. The spectra collected at the exit of the channels present a ...complex distribution with contributions that can be assigned to the fluorescence radiation, originated from the excitation of the micro-channel walls. For radiation above the absorption edge, when the monochromatic energy in the region of the Si L-edge hits the micro-channel walls with a grazing angle θ⩾5°, or at the O K-edge when θ⩾2° a fluorescence radiation is detected. Additional information associated to the fine structures of the XANES spectra detected at the exit of MCPs are also presented and discussed.
Compact and flexible Micro-Channel Plate (MCP) devices are versatile optical systems suitable to condense and shape intense X-ray beams. Studies on propagation of both soft and hard X-ray radiations ...through these devices are of continuous interests because of increasing demand of synchrotron radiation X‑ray sources, in particular, to enhance the spot stability and to optimize the beam for specific experiments. In this work synchrotron radiation sources as well as a conventional X-ray tube coupled to polycapillary lenses have been used to characterize the transmission and the angular distribution of thin flat or spherically bent MCPs with different curvature radii. It is shown that the radiation beam from both synchrotron radiation and conventional X-ray sources can be efficiently condensed by thin spherically bent MCPs.
Capillary optics is a fundamental X-ray technology capable of generating a high flux density with sub μm spot size. The physical basis of capillary optics refers to the mechanism of the total ...external reflection of X-rays although experimental data about the transport of the radiation inside such kind of structures are really limited.
We present here the data of reflection and transmission soft X-ray synchrotron radiation experiments performed with different types of microchannel plates. In particular, we discuss the presence of fine structures in the XANES spectra at the energy of the Si L-edges detected at the exit of micro-capillary structures under the condition of the total X-ray reflection.
In this contribution we compare experimental and theoretical diffractive patterns of Micro Channel Plates (MCPs) in transmission. We evaluate the transmission efficiency of different optical devices ...at different energies of the primary X-ray radiation in the normal incidence geometry. Data were collected performing angular scans of both the MCP device and of the detector in the range of a few degrees. We analyzed MCPs of 33mm and 20mm diameter and ∼300µm thickness, having circular micro-channels of 3.4µm directed normal to the MCP surface. Quite symmetric patterns of increasing complexity from high to low photon energy have been collected. Their shape and intensity are in reasonable agreement with preliminary simulations.
Since publication of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for management of hand osteoarthritis (OA) in 2007 new evidence has emerged. The aim was to update these ...recommendations. EULAR standardised operating procedures were followed. A systematic literature review was performed, collecting the evidence regarding all non-pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical treatment options for hand OA published to date. Based on the evidence and expert opinion from an international task force of 19 physicians, healthcare professionals and patients from 10 European countries formulated overarching principles and recommendations. Level of evidence, grade of recommendation and level of agreement were allocated to each statement. Five overarching principles and 10 recommendations were agreed on. The overarching principles cover treatment goals, information provision, individualisation of treatment, shared decision-making and the need to consider multidisciplinary and multimodal (non-pharmacological, pharmacological, surgical) treatment approaches. Recommendations 1-3 cover different non-pharmacological treatment options (education, assistive devices, exercises and orthoses). Recommendations 4-8 describe the role of different pharmacological treatments, including topical treatments (preferred over systemic treatments, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being first-line choice), oral analgesics (particularly NSAIDs to be considered for symptom relief for a limited duration), chondroitin sulfate (for symptom relief), intra-articular glucocorticoids (generally not recommended, consider for painful interphalangeal OA) and conventional/biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (discouraged). Considerations for surgery are described in recommendation 9. The last recommendation relates to follow-up. The presented EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance on the management of hand OA, based on expert opinion and research evidence.
Aims
Recent molecular methods for diagnosis of superficial mycoses have determined the need for a rapid and easy method of extracting DNA. The aim of study was to determine growth conditions and ...techniques of DNA extraction for Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum.
Methods and Results
Samples were prepared of each of the DNA extraction methods (phenol–chloroform, CTAB and four different kits) for all of the incubation periods (4, 7 and 10 days) of the cultures on the solid and in the liquid medium. The highest DNA concentrations were obtained using the phenol–chloroform method. The concentration of DNA extracted with the CTAB method accounted for 62·21%, for kits it corresponded from 35·53 to 15·41%. The analysis of the DNA weight yield revealed the highest isolation efficiency of the phenol–chloroform method, 1 mg of mycelium yielded 223·8 μg DNA. Lower DNA yield (by 39·32%) was obtained with the CTAB method; in the case of kits by 68·46–85·32%. In most of the techniques, the DNA yield on the solid medium was higher.
Conclusion
In summary, the highest DNA yield was noted in the 7‐day cultures and extraction with the phenol–chloroform method. Importantly, the type of culture was not relevant for the diagnostic result.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Most mycoses are caused by fungi that reside in nature. The severity of the infection depends on the pathogenic attributes, socioeconomic factors and local environmental conditions. Recent diagnosis increasingly relies on not only the clinical features. Molecular identifications have determined the need for a rapid and easy method of extracting DNA. Usually two factors have to be considered: maximize the DNA yield and ensure that the extracted DNA is susceptible to enzymatic reactions. These data suggest that phenol–chloroform methods and a 7‐day culture period may be useful for validation and constitute the first step of molecular diagnosis of dermatophytes.
Wild animals can serve as hosts, amplifiers or reservoirs for various zoonotic diseases. Most species of deer in highly fragmented agricultural landscapes, search out maximum cover from intrusive ...human activity. Hence, the likelihood of zoonosis transmission is likely to increase the more humans and wildlife interact. In our study, we conducted a comparative analysis of bacteria isolated from the faeces of red deer (Cervus elaphus) living in their natural environment in south‐western Poland and brought in from Hungary and Slovakia under a species reintroduction programme. The faecal bacterial flora from 120 specimens of deer were examined, with particular attention to potentially pathogenic agents. We isolated 458 micro‐organisms, of which 13 (2·84%) were identified as EHEC (Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli) strains, and of these one strain, produced the Shiga toxin. No strain was identified as having ESBL (Extended‐Spectrum Beta‐Lactamase) resistance. Other bacteria that are important in terms of the health of humans and animals included Yersinia enterocolitica (4, 0·67%) and Staphylococcus aureus (4, 0·67%), but without methicillin resistance, and Listeria monocytogenes (8, 1·75%). Of all the micro‐organisms 138 (30·13%) were bacteria of the genus Enterococcus, including 12 (2·62%) of the species Enterococcus faecium. The results of the study indicate that red deer may play an important role in the environmental maintenance of zoonotic pathogens.
Significance and Impact of the Study
A particularly important factor in the epidemiology of bacterial infections is the introduction of pathogens posing a risk to other animals and humans into the soil, plants and especially water, as contaminants together with faeces. Our study presents screening of potentially pathogenic bacteria in different populations of deer that were displaced under reintroduction programmes. Based on our own research and the literature data, it seems that wild ruminants play an important role in the maintenance of zoonotic pathogens and information about zoonoses from red deer will become increasingly important as deer populations continue to grow, especially in Europe.
Significance and Impact of the Study: A particularly important factor in the epidemiology of bacterial infections is the introduction of pathogens posing a risk to other animals and humans into the soil, plants and especially water, as contaminants together with faeces. Our study presents screening of potentially pathogenic bacteria in different populations of deer that were displaced under reintroduction programmes. Based on our own research and the literature data, it seems that wild ruminants play an important role in the maintenance of zoonotic pathogens and information about zoonoses from red deer will become increasingly important as deer populations continue to grow, especially in Europe.
To develop evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hand osteoarthritis (OA).
The multidisciplinary guideline development group, representing 15 European countries, generated 10 key ...propositions regarding diagnosis using a Delphi consensus approach. For each recommendation, research evidence was searched for systematically. Whenever possible, the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio (LR) were calculated; relative risk and odds ratios were estimated for risk factors for hand OA. Quality of evidence was categorised using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) hierarchy, and strength of recommendation was assessed by the EULAR visual analogue scale.
Diagnostic topics included clinical manifestations, radiographic features, subgroups, differential diagnosis, laboratory tests, risk factors and comorbidities. The sensitivity, specificity and LR varied between tests depending upon the cut-off level, gold standard and controls. Overall, no single test could be used to define hand OA on its own (LR <10) but a composite of the tests greatly increased the chance of the diagnosis. The probability of a subject having hand OA was 20% when Heberden nodes alone were present, but this increased to 88% when in addition the subject was over 40 years old, had a family history of nodes and had joint space narrowing in any finger joint.
Ten key recommendations for diagnosis of hand OA were developed using research evidence and expert consensus. Diagnosis of hand OA should be based on assessment of a composite of features.
PDF
