scholarly journals Radiological evaluation of postoperative osteomyelitis in long bones: Which is the best tool?

2021 ◽  
pp. 175045892096134
Author(s):  
Andrew Kailin Zhou ◽  
Milind Girish ◽  
Azeem Thahir ◽  
Jiang An Lim ◽  
Xiaoyu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Long Bone ◽  
Pathological Fractures ◽  
Non Union ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Long Bone Osteomyelitis ◽  
Postoperative Osteomyelitis

Currently, definitive diagnosis of osteomyelitis involves a combination of clinical signs, symptoms, laboratory tests, imaging modalities and cultures from blood, joint or body fluid. Imaging plays a critical role in the osteomyelitis diagnosis. Each of these tests incurs an additional cost to the patient or healthcare system and their use varies according to the preference of the healthcare professional and the healthcare setup. Imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis and management of postoperative long bone osteomyelitis, with the aim of reducing long-term complications such as non-union, amputation and pathological fractures. In this review, we discuss the key findings on different radiological modalities and correlate them with disease pathophysiology. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging is the best available imaging modality due to its sensitivity in detecting early signs of long bone osteomyelitis and high soft tissue resolution. Other modalities such as radio-nuclear medicine, computed tomography and ultrasound have been proved to be useful in different clinical scenarios as described in this narrative review.

Haematogenous osteomyelitis: clinical presentation and outcome in three dogs

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (02) ◽  
pp. 146-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rabillard ◽  
L. Souchu ◽  
G. W. Niebauer ◽  
O. Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Pelvic Abscess ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Diagnostic Investigation ◽  
Pathological Fractures ◽  
Surgical Biopsy ◽  
Biopsy Specimens ◽  
Haematogenous Osteomyelitis

SummaryHaematogenous osteomyelitis is a rare form of bone infection in adult dogs. Most commonly the infection is iatrogenic or traumatic in origin. The authors report three different presentations of haematogenous osteomyelitis: a focal pelvic localisation in a growing dog, a vertebral lesion in an adult dog with associated neurological signs and a multifocal affection in another adult dog with concomitant pathological fractures.Clinical signs included pyrexia of undetermined origin, focal pain and lameness. Diagnostic investigation included radiographic imaging, bone scintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging, surgical biopsy, and bacteriological culture with sensitivity testing of biopsy specimens as well as of peripheral blood samples. Treatment consisted of long-term antimicrobial therapy and surgical debridement with curettage of the pelvic abscess of the young dog and decompressive hemilaminectomy of the second dog, with excellent recovery. The dog affected by polyostotic bone involvement and suffering pathological fractures was euthanatized.Haematogenous osteomyelitis may be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge and may present as a devastating skeletal condition, even in adult dogs, and should be considered amongst the differential diagnoses early on to allow effective treatment.

Configurations to Superior Environmental Innovation Strategy: A Both–And Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 108602662110316
Author(s):  
Tiziana Russo-Spena ◽  
Nadia Di Paola ◽  
Aidan O’Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Environmental Innovation ◽  
Data Set

An effective climate change action involves the critical role that companies must play in assuring the long-term human and social well-being of future generations. In our study, we offer a more holistic, inclusive, both–and approach to the challenge of environmental innovation (EI) that uses a novel methodology to identify relevant configurations for firms engaging in a superior EI strategy. A conceptual framework is proposed that identifies six sets of driving characteristics of EI and two sets of beneficial outcomes, all inherently tensional. Our analysis utilizes a complementary rather than an oppositional point of view. A data set of 65 companies in the ICT value chain is analyzed via fuzzy-set comparative analysis (fsQCA) and a post-QCA procedure. The results reveal that achieving a superior EI strategy is possible in several scenarios. Specifically, after close examination, two main configuration groups emerge, referred to as technological environmental innovators and organizational environmental innovators.

scholarly journals Overexpression of MdATG8i improves water use efficiency in transgenic apple by modulating photosynthesis, osmotic balance, and autophagic activity under moderate water deficit

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Jia ◽  
Ke Mao ◽  
Ping Wang ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Xumei Jia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Photosynthetic Capacity ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Drought Conditions ◽  
Moderate Drought ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Autophagic Activity

AbstractWater deficit is one of the major limiting factors for apple (Malus domestica) production on the Loess Plateau, a major apple cultivation area in China. The identification of genes related to the regulation of water use efficiency (WUE) is a crucial aspect of crop breeding programs. As a conserved degradation and recycling mechanism in eukaryotes, autophagy has been reported to participate in various stress responses. However, the relationship between autophagy and WUE regulation has not been explored. We have shown that a crucial autophagy protein in apple, MdATG8i, plays a role in improving salt tolerance. Here, we explored its biological function in response to long-term moderate drought stress. The results showed that MdATG8i-overexpressing (MdATG8i-OE) apple plants exhibited higher WUE than wild-type (WT) plants under long-term moderate drought conditions. Plant WUE can be increased by improving photosynthetic efficiency. Osmoregulation plays a critical role in plant stress resistance and adaptation. Under long-term drought conditions, the photosynthetic capacity and accumulation of sugar and amino acids were higher in MdATG8i-OE plants than in WT plants. The increased photosynthetic capacity in the OE plants could be attributed to their ability to maintain optimal stomatal aperture, organized chloroplasts, and strong antioxidant activity. MdATG8i overexpression also promoted autophagic activity, which was likely related to the changes described above. In summary, our results demonstrate that MdATG8i-OE apple lines exhibited higher WUE than WT under long-term moderate drought conditions because they maintained robust photosynthesis, effective osmotic adjustment processes, and strong autophagic activity.

scholarly journals Brain Abscess Caused by Nocardia: Case Report and Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Finger ◽  
Maria Eduarda Conte Gripa ◽  
Tiago Paczko Bozko Cecchini ◽  
Tobias Ludwig do Nascimento
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Brain Abscess ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Occipital Lobe ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Rare Clinical Entity ◽  
Brain Abscesses

AbstractNocardia brain abscess is a rare clinical entity, accounting for 2% of all brain abscesses, associated with high morbidity and a mortality rate 3 times higher than brain abscesses caused by other bacteria. Proper investigation and treatment, characterized by a long-term antibiotic therapy, play an important role on the outcome of the patient. The authors describe a case of a patient without neurological comorbidities who developed clinical signs of right occipital lobe impairment and seizures, whose investigation demonstrated brain abscess caused by Nocardia spp. The patient was treated surgically followed by antibiotic therapy with a great outcome after 1 year of follow-up.

scholarly journals A 7-month inhalation toxicology study in C57BL/6 mice demonstrates reduced pulmonary inflammation and emphysematous changes following smoking cessation or switching to e-vapor products

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 239784732199587
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Kumar ◽  
Ulrike Kogel ◽  
Marja Talikka ◽  
Celine Merg ◽  
Emmanuel Guedj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Pulmonary Inflammation ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Inhalation Study ◽  
Toxicology Study ◽  
Nasal Tissue ◽  
Product Switching ◽  
The Impact

Cigarette smoking causes serious diseases, including lung cancer, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. While cessation remains the most effective approach to minimize smoking-related disease, alternative non-combustible tobacco-derived nicotine-containing products may reduce disease risks among those unable or unwilling to quit. E-vapor aerosols typically contain significantly lower levels of smoke-related harmful and potentially harmful constituents; however, health risks of long-term inhalation exposures are unknown. We designed a 7-month inhalation study in C57BL/6 mice to evaluate long-term respiratory toxicity of e-vapor aerosols compared to cigarette smoke and to assess the impact of smoking cessation (Cessation group) or switching to an e-vapor product (Switching group) after 3 months of exposure to 3R4F cigarette smoke (CS). There were no significant changes in in-life observations (body weights, clinical signs) in e-vapor groups compared to the Sham Control. The 3R4F CS group showed reduced respiratory function during exposure and had lower body weight and showed transient signs of distress post-exposure. Following 7 months of exposure, e-vapor aerosols resulted in no or minimal increase in pulmonary inflammation, while exposure to 3R4F CS led to impairment of lung function and caused marked lung inflammation and emphysematous changes. Biological changes observed in the Switching group were similar to the Cessation group. 3R4F CS exposure dysregulated the lung and nasal tissue transcriptome, while these molecular effects were substantially lower in the e-vapor group. Results from this study demonstrate that in comparison with 3R4F CS, e-vapor aerosols induce substantially lower biological responses including pulmonary inflammation and emphysematous changes, and that complete switching from CS to e-vapor products significantly reduces biological changes associated with CS in C57BL/6 mice.

scholarly journals Wire-in-Wire TiO2/C Nanofibers Free-Standing Anodes for Li-Ion and K-Ion Batteries with Long Cycling Stability and High Capacity

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Die Su ◽  
Yi Pei ◽  
Li Liu ◽  
Zhixiao Liu ◽  
Junfang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Electronic Conductivity ◽  
Specific Capacity ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Cycling Stability ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
High Specific Capacity ◽  
Tetracarboxylic Dianhydride ◽  
Carbon Network

AbstractWearable and portable mobile phones play a critical role in the market, and one of the key technologies is the flexible electrode with high specific capacity and excellent mechanical flexibility. Herein, a wire-in-wire TiO2/C nanofibers (TiO2 ww/CN) film is synthesized via electrospinning with selenium as a structural inducer. The interconnected carbon network and unique wire-in-wire nanostructure cannot only improve electronic conductivity and induce effective charge transports, but also bring a superior mechanic flexibility. Ultimately, TiO2 ww/CN film shows outstanding electrochemical performance as free-standing electrodes in Li/K ion batteries. It shows a discharge capacity as high as 303 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 after 6000 cycles in Li half-cells, and the unique structure is well-reserved after long-term cycling. Moreover, even TiO2 has a large diffusion barrier of K+, TiO2 ww/CN film demonstrates excellent performance (259 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 after 1000 cycles) in K half-cells owing to extraordinary pseudocapacitive contribution. The Li/K full cells consisted of TiO2 ww/CN film anode and LiFePO4/Perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride cathode possess outstanding cycling stability and demonstrate practical application from lighting at least 19 LEDs. It is, therefore, expected that this material will find broad applications in portable and wearable Li/K-ion batteries.

scholarly journals A Mixed-Methods Investigation into Barriers for Sharing Geospatial and Resilience Flood Data in the UK

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1235
Author(s):  
Luke Waterman ◽  
Mónica Rivas Casado ◽  
Emma Bergin ◽  
Gary McInally
Keyword(s):  
Data Sharing ◽  
Local Politics ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Third Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Third Sector Organisations ◽  
Data Points ◽  
The Uk

With increases in average temperature and rainfall predicted, more households are expected to be at risk of flooding in the UK by 2050. Data and technologies are increasingly playing a critical role across public-, private- and third-sector organisations. However, barriers and constraints exist across organisations and industries that limit the sharing of data. We examine the international context for data sharing and variations between data-rich and data-sparse countries. We find that local politics and organisational structures influence data sharing. We focus on the case study of the UK, and on geospatial and flood resilience data in particular. We use a series of semi-structured interviews to evaluate data sharing limitations, with particular reference to geospatial and flood resilience data. We identify barriers and constraints when sharing data between organisations. We find technological, security, privacy, cultural and commercial barriers across different use cases and data points. Finally, we provide three long-term recommendations to improve the overall accessibility to flood data and enhance outcomes for organisations and communities.

scholarly journals Radiation Necrosis of the Lateral Skull Base and Temporal Bone

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 265-271
Author(s):  
Marc W. Herr ◽  
Aurora G. Vincent ◽  
Meghan A. Skotnicki ◽  
Yadranko Ducic ◽  
Spiros Manolidis
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Temporal Bone ◽  
Radiation Necrosis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Lateral Skull Base ◽  
The Many ◽  
Work Up

AbstractRadiation therapy plays a critical role in the treatment of malignancies involving the head and neck. Although the therapeutic effects of ionizing radiation are achieved, normal tissues are also susceptible to injury and significant long-term sequelae. Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone (ORNTB) is among the many complications that can arise after therapy. ORNTB is a debilitating and potentially lethal condition that continues to challenge patients and treating physicians. Herein, we review the pathophysiology, presentation, work-up, and management of ORNTB.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document