Gastric perforation in a 5-day-old infant: A case report.

Gastric perforation in a new-born signifies a surgical emergency requiring immediate attention. Therefore, early diagnosis is expected to lead to a better prognosis. Any infant presenting with sudden and severe abdominal distention should be suspected of gastric perforation. Diagnosis is confirmed by pneumoperitoneum in the plain abdominal X-ray, including anteroposterior and lateral views. In this study, we report a case of a 5-day-old neonate, who was diagnosed with gastric perforation and accordingly proceeded with primary surgical repair.

Mature Jejunal Teratoma in adolescents: A case report.

Jejunal teratoma (JT) is a rare type of extragonadal teratoma. To date, the subject of mature jejunal teratomas has not yet been discussed in the literature. This type of teratoma contains cystic, solid, and calcified components. JT may be suspected on a computed tomography (CT) scan, whichcan describe the various features of the germinal layer components, followed by normal laboratory results of alpha feto protein (AFP) and ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß- hCG). This case report describes that of a teenager with a mature JT whose chief complaints were recurrent general weakness due to anemia and an abdominal mass. The patient was initially treated with non-operative management; however, his symptoms remained unresolved, and he accepted surgical intervention. No additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required after complete tumor excision. The patient no longer complained of general weakness following surgery.

Measurements of sky brightness at Bosscha Observatory, Indonesia.

To determine the level of light pollution due to human activities, we performed sky-brightness measurements at Bosscha Observatory, Indonesia (107°36'E; 6°49'S, 1300 m above sea level) for seven years from 2011 to 2018, using a portable photometer pointed at the zenith. From 1692 nightly records, we found that the average brightness on moonless nights reached the 19.70 ± 0.84 and 19.01 ± 0.88 astronomical magnitudes per square arcsecond (mpass), with median values of 19.73 mpass and 19.03 mpass for the AM and PM periods, respectively. The darkest skies occurred in the peak of the summer season during the month of July, which corresponds to the lowest annual temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity. The internal temperature of our Sky Quality Meter is adequately stable, and our results correlate well with other measurements. The sky brightness depends on the age of the Moon (days past new Moon) and on seasonal monthly variations, but it is not related to the lunar distance. The night-SB quality can be modified by the coupled climate system as a diurnal cycle to an 11-year solar cycle. The cities around the Observatory, Bandung and Lembang, clearly make strong contributions to light pollution in the area due to unshielded light sources.

Angle-resolving time-of-flight electron spectrometer for near-threshold precision measurements of differential cross sections of electron-impact excitation of atoms and molecules.

This article presents a new type of low-energy crossed-beam electron spectrometer for measuring angular differential cross sections of electron-impact excitation of atomic and molecular targets. Designed for investigations at energies close to excitation thresholds, the spectrometer combines a pulsed electron beam with the time-of-flight technique to distinguish between scattering channels. A large-area, position-sensitive detector is used to offset the low average scattering rate resulting from the pulsing duty cycle, without sacrificing angular resolution. A total energy resolution better than 150 meV (full width at half maximum) at scattered energies of 0.5-3 eV is achieved by monochromating the electron beam prior to pulsing it. The results of a precision measurement of the differential cross section for electron-impact excitation of helium, at an energy of 22 eV, are used to assess the sensitivity and resolution of the spectrometer.

Reversing effect of agosterol A, a spongean sterol acetate, on multidrug resistance in human carcinoma cells.

The effect of agosterol A, a novel polyhydroxylated sterol acetate isolated from a marine sponge, on P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated multidrug-resistant cells (KB-C2) and the multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP1)-mediated multidrug-resistant cells (KB-CV60) was examined. Agosterol A reversed the resistance to colchicine in KB-C2 cells and also the resistance to vincristine in KB-CV60 cells at 3 to 10 microM concentration. Agosterol A at 3 mM increased the vincristine concentration in both KB-C2 cells and KB-CV60 cells to the level in parental KB-3-1 cells. Agosterol A also decreased the efflux of vincristine from both KB-C2 cells and KB-CV60 cells to the level seen in KB-3-1 cells. Agosterol A inhibited the [(3)H]azidopine-photolabeling of P-gp and also inhibited the uptake of [(3)H]S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione (DNP-SG) in inside-out membrane vesicles prepared from KB-CV60 cells. We conclude that agosterol A directly inhibited drug efflux through P-gp and/or MRP1.

Imaging of puerperal septic thrombophlebitis: prospective comparison of MR imaging, CT, and sonography.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare prospectively the abilities of MR imaging, CT, and sonography to reveal puerperal septic thrombophlebitis in the pelvis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six women with puerperal fever for 5 days refractory to antimicrobial therapy underwent MR imaging, CT, and sonography. We obtained unenhanced axial CT images followed by enhanced images after the administration of an oral contrast agent for which we followed a specific protocol. Axial T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo MR images with phase reconstruction and sagittal T1-weighted MR images were obtained. Real-time sonography was performed using Doppler color flow mapping and spectral waveform analysis. RESULTS: Of the 76 women, 64 completed studies with all three techniques. Ovarian vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 12 women. True-positive results were indicated when at least two of the three studies showed the presence of a clot; true-negative results were indicated when at least two of the three studies showed a lack of thrombosis. MR imaging and CT revealed both ovarian veins in all cases (64/64). Sonography revealed 33 (52%) of 64 right ovarian veins and 15 (23%) of 64 left ovarian veins. MR imaging (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 100%) and CT (sensitivity, 100%; specificity 99%) were comparable in all but two cases. In one such case, MR imaging showed patency, CT revealed findings interpreted as thrombosis, and sonography showed flow in the partially occluded vein. In the second such case, bilateral thrombosis was seen on CT, but interpretations based on sonography and MR imaging were left-sided thrombosis only. Sonography correctly revealed six of the 12 cases of ovarian vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: CT and MR imaging proved to be the studies of choice in the evaluation of ovarian vein thrombosis.

CT appearance of the pelvis after cesarean section.

Myometrial defects at the incision site after cesarean section may appear bizarre on CT scans, especially in the case of low transverse incisions, but may not indicate clinically significant dehiscence. These CT findings should be regarded as common in the patient without complications after cesarean section, so that unnecessary surgical intervention and additional treatment can be avoided.