Vacuum And Thermoplastic Mould-based Immobilization Systems Used In Patient Undergoing Pelvic Radiation Therapy: A Comparative Study

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to compare two immobilization systems for comparison of setup errors in targeted radiotherapy. Methods: Retrospective analysis was done for the patients undergoing radiotherapy from May 2012 to December 2018 at our institution. Immobilization was performed on 30 patients sessions (Vacuum cushion i.e., Vac-Lok™ = 15; Thermoplastic mould i.e., Pelvicast pelvic masks = 15). A total of 763 cone-beams were analysed. The target lesion location was verified by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) prior to each session, with displacements assessed by CBCT simulation prior to each treatment session. Systematic setup errors, random setup errors, isocenter deviations in the Medio-lateral (ML), Supero-inferior (SI), Antero-posterior (AP), Rotation (yaw) directions of the patient position was calculated. Results: On comparing the Vac-Lok™ and Pelvicast pelvic masks group with respect to Systematic and random error in the lateral, longitudinal, vertical and YAW direction, no statistically significant difference was seen except the random error in YAW direction (P=0.037, Unpaired t-test). There was no difference observed in comparing the isocentric deviation. Conclusion: It was inferred and concluded that using a vacuum cushion for pelvic radiotherapy provides no added benefit compared to using a thermoplastic mould. Thermoplastic mould is recommended for patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy to improve overall reproducibility

Gray mold disease of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis and its pathogen identification / 中国中药杂志

Gray mold disease is one of the most important diseases of planted Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, the disease appeared primarily as blossom blights and fruit rots, but also as stem rots, leaf rots.In this study, the pathogenetic fungi was isolated from plant tissue or sclerotia that covering the fruit of diseased P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis, the pathogen was certified according to Koch's Postulation. The pathogen produced abundant black, irregular sclerotia on surface of diseased plants and potato dextrose agar. The conidiophores and clusters of oval conidia resembled a grape-like cluster, the size of conidia was 9.70-13.70 μm [average of (11.32±0.82)μm]×7.05-9.12 μm [average of (8.24±0.48)μm], the microconidia produced on potato dextrose agar were spherical,and the size was （3.34±0.31） μm,the pathogen was identified as Botrytis sp based on morphological characteristics. The DNA sequence analysis of the G3PDH, HSP60, RPB2 genes placed the pathogen in a single clade that outside defined species of Botrytis, so the pathogen could be identified as a new species of Botrytis. The pathogen requires 20 °C, pH 8, darkness or low light condition for the best growth.

Contaminación por mohos y aislamiento de cladosporium spp. y thamnidium spp. en cámaras frigoríficas de plantas procesadoras de alimentos marinos y empresas frigoríficas del sur de Chile / Mould contamination and isolation of cladosporium spp. and thamnidium spp. in frigorific chambers of sea-food processing plants and frigorific enterprises from South of Chile

La apertura de nuevos mercados para los productos hidrobiológicos chilenos ha impuesto el análisis del estatus sanitario de cámaras frigoríficas donde estos productos son almacenados. Para medir el estatus sanitario, la Unión Econó- mica Euroasiática (UEE) exige un recuento total de mohos e identificación de los géneros Cladosporium y Thamnidium en paredes y ambiente de las cámaras frigoríficas. Poco se sabe sobre los niveles de contaminación de mohos en cámaras frigoríficas de productos de exportación en Chile. Aquí, los resultados de 88 análisis de mohos en paredes y aire, realizados a 24 empresas diferentes que poseen cámaras frigoríficas conteniendo productos hidrobiológicos, son mostrados. El recuento total de mohos y el número de colonias de Cladosporium spp. y Thamnidium spp. fueron determinados. Además, los niveles de contaminación por mohos fueron comparados entre plantas procesadoras de alimentos y empresas frigoríficas. Thamnidium spp. no fue encontrado en ninguno de los análisis realizados. Los resultados indican que los niveles de contaminación por mohos son aceptables para la UEE. Este es el primer reporte de niveles de contaminación de mohos en cámaras frigoríficas de productos hidrobiológicos en el sur de Chile.

The opening of new markets for Chilean hydrobiological products had imposed the analysis of the sanitary status of frigorific chambers where those products are kept. To measure the sanitary status, the Euroasiatic Economical Union (EEU) requires a total mould count and identification of Cladosporium and Thamnidium in walls and air of the frigorific chambers. Little is known about contamination levels of moulds in frigorific chambers of export products in Chile. Here, the results of 88 mould analyses in walls and air, performed to 24 different enterprises that possess frigorific chambers containing hydrobiological products, are shown. Total mould count and Cladosporium spp. and Thamnidium spp. colony number were determined. Additionally the levels of moulds contamination were compared between food-processing plants and frigorific enterprises. Thamnidium spp. was not found in any of the analyses performed. The results indicate that levels of moulds contamination are acceptable to the EEU. This is the first report of mould contamination levels in frigorific chambers of hydrobiological products from south of Chile.

Optimal "Huohou" of fermentation process of Jianqu Leaven / 中成药

AIM To analyze the optimal "Huohou" (fermentation time and temperature) of fermentation process of Jianqu Leaven [fermentation product composed of medicinal materials (Artemisiae annuae Herba,Menthae haplocalycis Herba,Angelicae dahuricae Radix,etc.),wheat bran and flour).METHODS The colors and odors of twelve batches of samples during fermentation process were detected by machine vision and electronic nose technologies,respectively.The contents of total sugar and total protein,together with activities of amylase,protease and lipase,were determined to analyze constituent changes.RESULTS The content of total sugar was significantly decreased,but that of total protein was slightly increased,and the activities of three enzymes were increased to different degrees.At temperature of 28-30 ℃ and relative humidity of 70％-80％,the optimal fermentation terminal point of Jianqu Leaven was 30-36 h.CONCLUSION The Jianqu Leaven obtained by this fermentation method is totally covered with white mould,and has wine flavor,which meets the requirement of traditional processing.

Antibiotic-laden Arthroplasty with a Novel Design of Cement Mould and Metallic Endoskeleton for Treatment of Hip Infection, an Inexpensive Alternative: A Preliminary Report of Two Cases

Infection of the hip after implant fixation is an uncommon yet devastating complication that results in poor long-term outcome. The gold standard treatment for chronic infection after hip arthroplasty is a two-stage protocol: eradication of infection, follow by re-implantation arthroplasty. The use of interim antibiotic-laden cement spacer has become a popular procedure to maintain hip joint function and provide antibiotic elution simultaneously before re-implantation. However, antibiotic cement spacer is mechanically weak and breaks if overloaded. Therefore, we designed a cement mould with metallic endoskeleton with the aim of creating a stronger, inexpensive, antibiotic-impregnated spacer resembling a unipolar arthroplasty. We report two cases of severe hip joint infection after implant fixation (bipolar hemiarthroplasty, screw fixation neck of femur). Both patients had undergone first stage surgery of debridement and articulating antibiotic cement insertion using our design. Although the second stage surgery was planned for these patients, both patients delayed the operation in view of good functional status after a year walking with the antibiotic cement spacer. These cases showed that the mechanical property of the new antibiotic cement spacer was promising but further mechanical studies upon this new endoskeleton design are required.

A rare case of onychomycosis caused by Emericella quadrilineata (Aspergillus tetrazonus).

Onychomycosis is a common chronic nail disorder where dermatophytes are the predominant pathogens. However, non‑dermatophytic moulds like Aspergillus can also be implicated as the causative agents. Herein, we report a rare case of onychomycosis due to Emericella quadrilineata (Aspergillus tetrazonus) in an apparently immunocompetent host.

Modeling the Growth of Byssochlamys fulva on Solidified Apple Juice at Different Temperatures

The aim of this study was to establish primary and secondary models to describe the growth kinetics of Byssochlamys fulva on solidified apple juice at different temperatures. B. fulva was inoculated on solidified apple juice at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 °C. Linear-with-breakpoint, Baranyi and Roberts, and Huang primary models (without upper asymptote) were fitted to the data, and they showed good ability to describe the growth kinetics. B. fulva showed longer adaptation time on apple juice than on culture medium, but growth rates were similar as reported in the literature. The dependence of µmax and λ parameters on temperature was described with Square Root and Arrhenius-Davey secondary models, respectively. These models were important to establish process/storage conditions and apple juice shelf life.

Clinico‑demographical profile of keratomycosis in Delhi, North India.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinico‑demographical profile of keratomycosis. (January 2004 to January 2012). The corneal scrapings were processed by direct microscopic methods and standard culture techniques. Of 209 cases of keratitis studied, culture yielded growth in 80 cases (38.3%). Out of these 80 cases of growth, fungi were isolated in 77.5% and bacteria in 22.5%. The spectrum of keratomycosis was Aspergillus flavus (22.5%), Fusarium solani (16.1%), A. fumigatus (11.3%), Candida albicans (6.4%), etc., Routine surveillance of fungal keratitis is necessary to know the existing and emerging pattern of pathogens and to prevent use of un‑warranted anti‑microbial therapy.

Risk factors of childhood asthma in Wuhan city / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To conform the risk factors of childhood asthma and to provide accordance for the healthy management of children with asthma.Methods A cross-section investigation was carried out by multi-stage random sampling in Wuhan city.The investigation included questionnaire and clinic examination.The study population was the infant and children whose age were 0 to 14 years old,and the sample size was 4 132.One hundren and seventyfour children were diagnosed as asthma,and 173 non-asthma children with similar age in the same region were selected as controls.Chi-square test and multiple Logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of childhood asthma in Wuhan city.Results Family allergy history,allergic rhinitis,eczema,food allergy and drug allergy were the risk factors of childhood asthma.Furthermore,dust mites,mould,anther dust,mugwort,cat/dog hair were main allergize source.In addition,premature delivery,abdominal delivery,mildew stain in ceiling or floor,raise pets especially cat,chemical fiber pillow and blanket bedclothes will increase the incidence,while spontaneous delivery and breast feeding were with protection effect.The results of multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that children who were with allergic rhinitis,familiar allergic history,dust mites positive test,drug allergy and blanker bedclothes were the high risk group of childhood asthma.Conclusions Childhood asthma is high relative with atopy,and these children who are with allergic rhinitis,familiar allergic history and dust mites positive test should be strictly health management.Chemical fiber pillow,blanket bedclothes,raising pet cats and mould in ceiling and floor in atopy children family should be avoided.

Assessing the Microbiological Level and the Incidence of Water-soaking on the Proximate Composition of two Cultivars of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Grains Grown in Côte d’Ivoire.

Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the influence of seed treatment (soaking in water) on nutritional and microbiological composition of two cowpea cultivars. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Food Biochemistry and Tropical Products Technology, and the laboratory of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, University of Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, between October 2010 and December 2011. Study Design: Method based on AOAC tests and AFNOR for microbiological analysis. A two-way analysis of variance and t-test were used. Methodology: The proximate composition of soaked and non soaked cowpea grains was determined and microbiological (bacteriological and mycological) analysis of these grains was also performed. Results: The major components were 28% and 26.25% protein, 48.35% and 47.99% carbohydrate, 41.66% and 40.05% starch for the RC (red cultivar) and WC (white cultivar) respectively. Lipids are less represented in the 2 cultivars (2.5%). There were significant reductions in the contents of the major components as a result of the treatment. Plain water soaking brought about a significant decrease in the proximate composition causing a mean reduction of 3.14% and 10.02% protein, 28.23% and 29.30% carbohydrate, 29.47% and 28.94% starch, 18.80% and 22.02 % energy for the RC and WC respectively. The mean decrease for mineral was 23.13% and 47.66% iron, 2.32% and 8.15% calcium, 9.30% and 2.10% phosphorus for the RC and WC respectively. In general the highest reduction was observed in the WC variety. Mean count (Log10 cfu/g) of total aerobic miroflora, coliforms, mould and yeast were 6.29 and 6.43; 2.04 and 2.58; 4.41 and 4.78 for the RC and WC respectively. Five genera of mould were isolated: Aspergillus, Mucor, Penicillium, Botrytis and Geotrichum. The predominant fungi belonged to Aspergillus genus. Conclusion: The cultivar types of cowpea and the preparation methods could affect the nutrient availability of this product. Cold water soaking has a great influence on the properties of cowpea grains.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation By Immediate Denture Prosthesis - A Case Report.

Esthetics plays a major concern in prosthesis. Golden guidelines of selecting and arranging teeth in natural pattern, and maintaing equilibrium of muscle forces over the prosthesis will provide good prognosis.A case in which all teeth present were of grade II and grade III mobility, immediate denture was planned to over come the social immobility. Customized bite registration tray was prepared for the record of maxillomandibular relation. All natural teeth were duplicated using selective shade of heat cure acrylic. Teeth were arranged in natural tooth pattern. Waxed up denture is acrylised and inserted soon after total extraction.

Flexible resins in the rehabilitation of maxillectomy patient.

Surgical resection is an established and common method for treatment of maxillofacial tumors. Such intervening surgery in this region may involve the destruction of antral, nasal, or orbital contents and jaws. Normally, the end result is a defect which may affect speech, swallowing, mastication and facial appearance. Prosthodontic restoration of functions and facial form is an excellent method in the replacement of missing parts and restoration of contour. Pertinent research in materials, designs and methods have resulted in whole array of possible prosthess that can be provided to meet specific patient needs. This case report describes the fabrication of definitive obturator prosthesis made of flexible acrylic resin on a chrome cobalt base.

Growth of Byssochlamys nivea in pineapple juice under the effect of water activity and ascospore age

The study of thermal resistant mould, including Byssochlamys nivea, is of extreme importance since it has been associated with fruit and fruit products. The aim of this work is to analyze the influence of water activity (a w) and ascospore age (I) on the growth of Byssochlamys nivea in pineapple juice. Mold growth was carried out under different conditions of water activity (a w) (0.99, 0.96, 0.95, 0.93, 0.90) and ascospore age (I) (30, 51, 60, 69, 90 days). Growth parameters as length of adaptation phase (λ), maximum specific growth rate (µmax) and maximum diameter reached by the colony (λ) were obtained through the fit of the Modified Gompertz model to experimental data (measuring radial colony diameter). Statistica 6.0 was used for statistical analyses (significance level α = 0.05). The results obtained clearly showed that water activity is statistically significant and that it influences all growth parameters, while ascospore age does not have any statistically significant influence on growth parameters. Also, these data showed that by increasing a w from 0.90 to 0.99, the λ value substantially decreased, while µmax and λ values rose. The data contributed for the understanding of the behavior of B. nivea in pineapple juice. Therefore, it provided mathematical models that can well predict growth parameters, also helping on microbiological control and products' shelf life determination.

Imunoensaios: uma alternativa para a detecção de fungos toxigênicos em alimentos / alimentosImmunoassays: an alternative for toxigenicfungi detection in foods

O monitoramento constante da contaminação fúngica é imprescindível para assegurar a qualidade e segurança dos alimentos, reduzindo as perdas econômicas, assim como os riscos à saúde humana e animal. Os métodos tradicionais de identificação e detecção de fungos (cultivo em diversos meios, exame microscópico e análises bioquímicas) geralmente consomem muito tempo e exigem pessoal com experiência. Os imunoensaios, particularmente os ensaios imunoenzimáticos, constituem uma alternativa promissora aos métodos tradicionais devido à alta sensibilidade, especificidade, reprodutibilidade e potencial como método rápido de controle de qualidade. Dentre os ensaios imunoenzimáticos, aqueles baseados em exoantígenos são os mais empregados na resolução de problemas taxonômicos, detecção e identificação de fungos toxigênicos. Nesta revisão serão abordados conceitos básicos de imunoensaios, métodos de detecção de fungos, assim como diversos ensaios imunoenzimáticos para a detecção de fungos toxigênicos em alimentos.

Constant monitoring of mould contamination is essential in order to assure the food quality and safetyand reduce the economic losses, as well as to minimize the potential hazards to human and animal health.The traditional methods for mould identification and detection (culture in several media, microscopicexamination and chemical analysis) are usually time-consuming and require trained staff. Immunoassays,particularly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could be a promising alternative to the traditionalmethods due to high sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility and potential for use in rapid quality control.Among ELISAs, those based on exoantigens are the most employed in the resolution of taxonomicproblems, detection and identification of toxigenic fungi. This review discusses the basic principles ofimmunoassays, methods of mould detection and the several ELISAs developed for toxigenic fungidetection in food

Mycoflora of Chicken-Viscera with Aid of RAPD Technique as a Tool for Confirmation

A total of 100 samples of chicken-viscera were collected from different poultry-slaughtering houses in Austria; (20 samples of each of gizzard, heart, intestine, liver and spleen). Intestine and gizzard were heavy contaminated with moulds than other examined visceral organs (4.4x105 and 2.6x104 colonies/1 g of the samples, respectively). Fungal contamination was not detected in all samples of heart and spleen. Eighty-five mould isolates were collected from the examined samples, the majority of isolates belonging to Aspergillus glaucus group (20.0%) and Trichoderma (14.1%). These isolates comprised 15 species belonging to 9 genera. Members of Aspergillus glaucus (telomorph: Eurotium) group and Trichoderma were further confirmed their identification using random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) technique.

R/D on Polymeric Products Used for Cataract Operation. Study on Moulds of Nonrigid Flats Shafting / 中国康复理论与实践

@#The tri-plate horizontal mould with nonrigid surgical sponge inserts was developed to establish an industrial system for shaping surgical sponge which is used for cataract operation. The conception on an insertion mechanism of nonrigid flat inserts was firstly suggested by us. The prototype horizontal moulds with tri plate have been designed and manufactured. The experiment results of hundred thousand of times injection shaping have proved that the conception of the design is rational. The structure of shafting mould for nonrigid flats has been confirmed. Present article discussed the design and working mechanism of the insertion in the horizontal injection mould.

Why does slug length correlate with speed during migration in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Taking advantage of the fact that static electricity in plastic Petri dishes will produce very long, thin migrating slugs of Dictyostelium discoideum, it was shown that these slugs moved particularly rapidly. This is consistent with the demonstration of Inouye and Takeuchi that speed varies with length for slugs migrating on agar. Based on these observations it is suggested that slug speed is controlled by both the resistance at the tip and some factor that correlates With slug size, such as the concentration of endogenously produced ammonia.

The determination of spatial pattern in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Free-living amoebae of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum aggregate when starved and give rise to a long and thin multicellular structure, the slug. The slug resembles a metazoan embryo, and as with other embryos it is possible to specify a fate map. In the case of Dictyostelium discoideum the map is especially simple: cells in the anterior fifth of the slug die and form a stalk while the majority of those in the posterior differentiate into spores. The genesis of this anterior-posterior distinction is the subject of our review. In particular, we ask: what are the relative roles of individual pre-aggregative predispositions and post-aggregative position in determining cell fate? We review the literature on the subject and conclude that both factors are important. Variations in nutritional status, or in cell cycle phase at starvation, can bias the probability that an amoeba differentiates into a stalk cell or a spore. On the other hand, isolates, or slug fragments, consisting of only prestalk cells or only prespore cells can regulate so as to result in a normal range of both cell types. We identify three levels of control, each being responsible for guiding patterning in normal development: (i) 'coin tossing', whereby a cell autonomously exhibits a preference for developing along either the stalk or the spore pathway with relative probabilities that can be influenced by the environment; (ii) 'chemical kinetics', whereby prestalk and prespore cells originate from undifferentiated amoebae on a probabilistic basis but, having originated, interact (e.g. via positive and negative feedbacks), and the interaction influences the possibility of conversion of one cell type into the other; and (iii) 'positional information', in which the spatial distribution of morphogens in the slug influences the pathway of differentiation. In the case of possibilities (i) and (ii), sorting out of like cell types leads to the final spatial pattern. In the case of possibility (iii), the pattern arises in situ.