We present observations of Q1549-C25, an ~L* star-forming galaxy at z=3.15 for which Lyman-continuum (LyC) radiation is significantly detected in deep Keck/LRIS spectroscopy. We find no evidence for ...contamination from a lower-redshift interloper close to the line of sight in the high signal-to-noise spectrum of Q1549-C25. Furthermore, the morphology of Q1549-C25 in V_606, J_125, and H_160 Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging reveals that the object consists of a single, isolated component within 1". In combination, these data indicate Q1549-C25 as a clean spectroscopic detection of LyC radiation, only the second such object discovered to date at z~3. We model the spectral energy distribution (SED) of Q1549-C25, finding evidence for negligible dust extinction, an age (assuming continuous star formation) of ~1 Gyr, and a stellar mass of M_*=7.9x10^9 M_sun. Although it is not possible to derive strong constraints on the absolute escape fraction of LyC emission, f_esc(LyC), from a single object, we use simulations of intergalactic and circumgalactic absorption to infer f_esc(LyC)>=0.51 at 95% confidence. The combination of deep Keck/LRIS spectroscopy and HST imaging is required to assemble a larger sample of objects like Q1549-C25, and obtain robust constraints on the average f_esc(LyC) at z~3 and beyond.
Lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the world for both men and women as well as the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The aim of this study is to summarize the ...radiological characteristics between primary lung adenocarcinoma subtypes and to correlate them with FDG uptake on PET-CT.
This retrospective study included 102 patients with pathohistologically confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. A PET-CT examination was performed on some of the patients and the values of SUVmax were also correlated with the histological and morphological characteristics of the masses in the lungs.
The results of this analysis showed that the mean size of AIS-MIA (adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma) cancer was significantly lower than for all other cancer types, while the mean size of the acinar cancer was smaller than in the solid type of cancer. Metastases were significantly more frequent in solid adenocarcinoma than in acinar, lepidic, and AIS-MIA cancer subtypes. The maximum standardized FDG uptake was significantly lower in AIS-MIA than in all other cancer types and in the acinar predominant subtype compared to solid cancer. Papillary predominant adenocarcinoma had higher odds of developing contralateral lymph node involvement compared to other types. Solid adenocarcinoma was associated with higher odds of having metastases and with higher SUVmax. AIS-MIA was associated with lower odds of one unit increase in tumor size and ipsilateral lymph node involvement.
The correlation between histopathological and radiological findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis and staging. By integrating both sets of data, clinicians can enhance diagnostic accuracy and determine the optimal treatment plan.
Microvascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive hand surgery, and coronary artery bypass surgery call for a microanatomical study of the branching pattern of the superficial palmar arch (SPA). For ...the anatomical analysis, we used a group of 20 dissected human hands injected with 4% formaldehyde solution and a 10% mixture of melted gelatin and India ink. The morphometric study was performed on 40 human hands of adult persons injected with methyl-methacrylate fluid into the ulnar and radial arteries simultaneously and afterwards corroded in 40% KOH solution for the preparation of corrosion cast specimens. The mean diameter of the SPA, between the second and third common palmar digital arteries, was 1.86 ± 0.08 mm. We identified the persistent median artery (PMA) in 5% of hands. We distinguished the three main groups of the SPAs according to variations in morphology and branching of the arch: Type 1, the long SPA; Type 2, the middle length SPA; and Type 3, the short SPA found in 27.5% of specimens. The communicating branch (CB), a vessel interconnecting the SPA to the closest branch of the radial artery, is classified into two different morphological groups. The third type of incomplete short arterial arch is the most important of the three groups of SPAs. That short SPA is potentially inadequate for restoring circulation after occlusion or radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass.
The aim of this study was the micromorphological analysis of the distribution of microvessels, mast cells and ganglionic neurons in two parts, proximal and distal of the human superior cervical ...sympathetic ganglions (SCSGs). Statistical analyses were applied to detect the possible metric regional differences in their densities. Five injected human SCSGs with colored India ink and gelatin were microdissected and examined. Second group of five human SCSGs was prepared and serially sliced for CD34 and mast cell tryptase immunostaining. The microscopic fields of two parts of the SCSGs were analyzed for the following quantifications: microvessel density (MVD), mast cell density (MCD), and ganglionic cell count and measurements. The mean number of CD34-positive microvessels in microscopic fields, the MVD, had a value of 83 for the upper parts, and 82.7 for the lower parts of SCSGs. The mean number of tryptase-positive mast cells in microscopic fields, the MCD, was 4.5 in the proximal parts, and 4.7 in the distal parts of SCSGs. The mean number of ganglionic neurons in microscopic fields was 19.5 in the proximal parts, and 19.8 in the distal parts of SCSGs. The density of CD34-positive microvessels, the density of tryptase-positive mast cells, and the density, mean diameters and mean areas of ganglionic neurons were not significantly different in two observed parts, upper and lower of the SCSGs. In conclusion, the distributions of microvessels, mast cells, and neurons in two parts of the SCSGs were uniform with no specific micromorphological variations, there is a homogenous vascular and cellular pattern within the SCSGs.
Objective To analyze metabolic parameters, body composition (BC), and bone mineral density (BMD) in childhood-onset GH deficiency (COGHD) patients during the transition period (TP). Design Single- ...center, retrospective study was performed on 170 consecutive COGHD patients (age 19.2 ± 2.0 years, range 16–25) transferred after growth completion from two pediatric clinics to the adult endocrine unit. Two separate analyses were performed: (i) cross-sectional analysis of hormonal status, metabolic parameters, BC, and BMD at first evaluation after transfer from pediatrics to the adult department; (ii) longitudinal analysis of BC and BMD dynamics after 3 years of GH replacement therapy (rhGH) in TP. Results COGHD was of a congenital cause (CONG) in 50.6% subjects, tumor-related (TUMC) in 23.5%, and idiopathic (IDOP) in 25.9%. TUMC patients had increased insulin and lipids levels (P < 0.01) and lower Z score at L-spine (P < 0.05) compared to CONG and IDOP groups. Patients treated with rhGH in childhood demonstrated lower fat mass and increased BMD compared to the rhGH-untreated group (P < 0.01). Three years of rhGH after growth completion resulted in a significant increase in lean body mass (12.1%) and BMD at L-spine (6.9%), parallel with a decrease in FM (5.2%). Conclusion The effect of rhGH in childhood is invaluable for metabolic status, BC, and BMD in transition to adulthood. Tumor-related COGHD subjects are at higher risk for metabolic abnormalities, alteration of body composition, and decreased BMD, compared to those with COGHD of other causes. Continuation of rhGH in transition is important for improving BC and BMD in patients with persistent COGHD.
Lymphocytic hypophysitis (LH) is an autoimmune inflammatory infiltration of the pituitary gland, usually with a benign evolution. In rare circumstances the inflammatory process may extend beyond the ...pituitary and infiltrate the surrounding structures. We present a 42-year-old woman affected by an aggressive form of LH with extension to the cavernous sinus causing internal carotid artery occlusion and right sixth cranial nerve palsy. Prednisone therapy caused severe iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, and the patient underwent transsphenoidal decompression. The histopathology report was consistent with LH. The patient was symptom free for a short period with reappearance of severe headache, diplopia, and hearing loss (middle ear inflammation) 3 months after surgery. Corticosteroids were reintroduced with the addition of azathioprine, but there was no regression of the pituitary mass. The patient was referred for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using Gamma Knife (15 Gy to the margin). After 26 months, azathioprine was stopped, and the dose of prednisone was gradually tapered to 7.5 mg/day. Sellar magnetic resonance imaging showed regression of the pituitary mass. After follow-up for > 3 years after SRS, there was no clinical or radiologic evidence of the disease, but carotid arteries remained occluded. The patient developed secondary hypothyroidism and hypogonadism as consequences of SRS. An aggressive form of LH extending beyond the pituitary gland infiltrating surrounding structures is described. It was successfully treated with SRS after failure of transsphenoidal surgery and combined immunosuppressive therapy (prednisone, azathioprine). The review of the literature presents timely information concerning treatment with azathioprine and SRS of patients with an aggressive form of LH.
Background/Aim. Segmental fractures represent complex tibial injuries, featuring a unique fracture type that is most commonly caused by high-energy trauma. These fractures are considered to be a ...treatment challenge for orthopaedic surgeons due to their sporadic presentation, wide zone of soft tissue injury, and increased rate of complications. They are characterized by a highly unstable intermediary segment and a high rate of open fractures. The method of Ilizarov with its characteristics could offer many advantages over the existing operative techniques. This method, using a percutaneous approach, minimizes the intraoperative trauma and avoids the additional compromising of the biological environment at the fracture site. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the Ilizarov fixator in the treatment of segmental tibial fractures. Methods. We analyzed 30 patients treated with the Ilizarov fixator between 2012 and 2017. The average age of patients was 36 years (from 24 to 65). The most common mechanism of injury was a road traffic accident. Open fractures were noted in 22 cases. All fractures were reduced using indirect percutaneous techniques with a great focus on achieving the correct length, rotation, and axial alignment of fragments. All patients were advised to bear weight as tolerated from the second postoperative day. Bone healing and functional results were evaluated according to the criteria established by the Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov. Results. Bone healing was achieved in all patients. The average time to union was 25 weeks (19 to 36 weeks). Bone results were excellent in 23 patients, good in five, and fair in two patients. Functional results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 5, and fair in three cases. Eight patients had minor pin-tract infections, successfully treated with oral antibiotics. Patients were without any major complications. Conclusion. The Ilizarov method is a safe and efficient treatment modality for segmental tibial fractures.
All the functions of the digestive system are controlled, guided and initiated by the autonomic nervous system. A special part of this system placed in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract is known ...as the enteric or metasympathetic nervous system. The aim of this study was to analyse myenteric nervous plexus in different parts of the digestive tract.
We examined the myenteric nervous plexus of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, transverse colon and rectum in tissue samples taken from 30 cadavers of persons aged 20-84 years. After standard histological processing sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, cresyl violet (CV) and AgNO₃ method. Multipurpose test system M42 was used in morphometric analysis. The results were analyzed by t-test and analysis of variance.
The number of neurons per cm² surface was the lowest in the esophagus (2.045 ± 310.30) and the largest in the duodenum (65,511 ± 5,639). The statistical processing showed significant differences (P < 0.001) in the number of neurons between the esophagus and all other parts of the digestive tract. The maximal value of the average surface of the myenteric nervous plexus neurons was observed in the esophagus (588.93 ± 30.45 µm²) and the lowest in the stomach (296.46 ± 22.53 µm²).
There are differences in the number of ganglion cells among different parts of the human digestive tract. The differences range from a few to several tens of thousands of neuron/cm2. The myenteric nervous plexus of the esophagus was characterized by a significantly smaller number of neurons but their bodies and nuclei are significantly larger compared to other parts of the digestive tract.
The effect of systematic and continuous environmental factors on milk performance traits over standard lactations in 2805 Simmental cows was evaluated using the general linear model. The systematic ...factors included the effect of farm or breeding area, calving season, year of birth, season of birth, lactation group and their interactions. The continuous factor analysed was the effect of age at first conception. The effect of farm, lactation group and calving season on standard lactation milk performance was found to be highly significant (P<0.01), excepting the effect of calving season on milk fat percent in standard lactations which showed statistical significance (P<0.05). The interactions between year and season of birth, farm and calving season, and farm and lactation group had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on all performance traits studied. Age at first conception, as a continuous factor, had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on milk yield and milk fat percent, and a non-significant effect on milk fat yield. The model used to correct the performance traits over standard lactations for the effect of systematic factors was highly significant (P<0.01). The variance of the model accounted for 20.06 and 37.31% of the total variance of milk fat yield and milk fat percent, respectively. The resulting coefficients of determination (R2) ranged from 0.20 for milk fat yield to 0.37 for milk fat percent.
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