Spectrally Sharp Near-Field Thermal Emission: Revealing Some Disagreements between a Casimir-Polder Sensor and Predictions from Far-Field Emittance.

Near-field thermal emission largely exceeds blackbody radiation, owing to spectrally sharp emission in surface polaritons. We turn the Casimir-Polder interaction between Cs(7P_{1/2}) and a sapphire interface into a sensor sharply filtering, at 24.687 THz, the near-field sapphire emission at ∼24.5 THz. The temperature evolution of the sapphire mode is demonstrated. The Cs sensor, sensitive to both dispersion and dissipation, suggests the polariton to be redshifted and sharper, as compared, up to 1100 K, to predictions from far-field sapphire emission, affected by birefringence and multiple resonances.

Prevalence, risk factors and evolution of diabetes mellitus after treatment in primary aldosteronism. Results from the SPAIN-ALDO registry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and evolution of diabetes mellitus (DM) after targeted treatment in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study of PA patients in follow-up at 27 Spanish tertiary hospitals (SPAIN-ALDO Register). RESULTS: Overall, 646 patients with PA were included. At diagnosis, 21.2% (n = 137) had DM and 67% of them had HbA1c levels < 7%. In multivariate analysis, family history of DM (OR 4.00 [1.68-9.53]), the coexistence of dyslipidemia (OR 3.57 [1.51-8.43]) and advanced age (OR 1.04 per year of increase [1.00-1.09]) were identified as independent predictive factors of DM. Diabetic patients were on beta blockers (46.7% (n = 64) vs. 27.5% (n = 140), P < 0.001) and diuretics (51.1% (n = 70) vs. 33.2% (n = 169), p < 0.001) more frequently than non-diabetics. After a median follow-up of 22 months [IQR 7.5-63.0], 6.9% of patients developed DM, with no difference between those undergoing adrenalectomy and those treated medically (HR 1.07 [0.49-2.36], p = 0.866). There was also no significant difference in the evolution of glycemic control between DM patients who underwent surgery and those medically treated (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DM affects about one quarter of patients with PA and the risk factors for its development are common to those of the general population. Medical and surgical treatment provides similar benefit in glycemic control in patients with PA and DM.

Appraisal of the difference between the mesiodistal diameters of deciduous incisors and molars and permanent teeth.

AIM: Difference in tooth size between deciduous and permanent teeth can resolve space problems during development of the dentition. AIM: To determine the difference in size between deciduous and permanent teeth in the anterior and posterior areas of the mouth in a group of school-age children from Medellin, Colombia. DESIGN: this longitudinal prospective, descriptive investigation was carried out in 139 skeletal Class I dental stone casts from school-age children from Medellin. Patients were followed annually from 6 to 12 years of age. The final sample consisted of 53 children (35 girls and 18 boys). Leeway space and the incisor liability were determined. RESULTS: A higher positive leeway space was found in the mandible than in the maxilla (3.622 mm and 1.556 mm, respectively). Incisor liability was negatively higher in the maxilla than in the mandible (-7.884mm and -5.386mm, respectively). Six patients showed a negative leeway space between -1.582 mm and -3.184 mm for the mandible and the maxilla, respectively. No statistical significant differences were found by gender; girls showed higher leeway space and incisor liability than boys. CONCLUSION: Normal values for one ethnic group should not be considered normal for another and each group must be treated according to its own characteristics.

Enhanced thermal conduction by surface phonon-polaritons.

Improving heat dissipation in increasingly miniature microelectronic devices is a serious challenge, as the thermal conduction in nanostructures is markedly reduced by increasingly frequent scattering of phonons on the surface. However, the surface could become an additional heat dissipation channel if phonons couple with photons forming hybrid surface quasiparticles called surface phonon-polaritons (SPhPs). Here, we experimentally demonstrate the formation of SPhPs on the surface of SiN nanomembranes and subsequent enhancement of heat conduction. Our measurements show that the in-plane thermal conductivity of membranes thinner than 50 nm doubles up as the temperature rises from 300 to 800 kelvin, while thicker membranes show a monotonic decrease. Our theoretical analysis shows that these thickness and temperature dependencies are fingerprints of SPhP contribution to heat conduction. The demonstrated thermal transport by SPhPs can be useful as a previously unidentified channel of heat dissipation in a variety of fields including microelectronics and silicon photonics.

Electric stimulation of the vagus nerve reduced mouse neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation (NI) is a key feature in the pathogenesis and progression of infectious and non-infectious neuropathologies, and its amelioration usually improves the patient outcome. Peripheral inflammation may promote NI through microglia and astrocytes activation, an increased expression of inflammatory mediators and vascular permeability that may lead to neurodegeneration. Several anti-inflammatory strategies have been proposed to control peripheral inflammation. Among them, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) recently emerged as an alternative to effectively attenuate peripheral inflammation in a variety of pathological conditions with few side effects. Considering that NI underlies several neurologic pathologies we explored herein the possibility that electrically VNS can also exert anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. METHODS: NI was experimentally induced by intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 male mice; VNS with constant voltage (5 Hz, 0.75 mA, 2 ms) was applied for 30 s, 48 or 72 h after lipopolysaccharide injection. Twenty four hours later, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα) levels were measured by ELISA in brain and spleen extracts and total brain cells were isolated and microglia and macrophage proliferation and activation was assessed by flow cytometry. The level of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were estimated in whole brain extracts and in histologic slides by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: VNS significantly reduced the central levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the percentage of microglia (CD11b/CD45low) and macrophages (CD11b/CD45high), 24 h after the electrical stimulus in LPS stimulated mice. A significantly reduced level of Iba-1 expression was also observed in whole brain extracts and in the hippocampus, suggesting a reduction in activated microglia. CONCLUSIONS: VNS is a feasible therapeutic tool to attenuate the NI reaction. Considering that NI accompanies different neuropathologies VNS is a relevant alternative to modulate NI, of particular interest for chronic neurological diseases.

Phase transformations of crystalline SiO2 versus dynamic disorder between room temperature and liquid state.

The sequence of phase transitions of crystalline silica has been probed by infrared emission spectroscopy. The lattice dynamics, deeply impacted by the low frequency dynamic disorder, exhibit with increasing temperature signs of inhomogeneous broadening of the symmetry allowed normal modes. High frequency supplementary components are also activated. The analysis with a causal Voigt dielectric function model within the framework of hard mode spectroscopy allowed a fine characterization of solid­solid phase transitions. We also report experimental evidence showing that the occurrence of the intermediate ill-defined region above 1300 K is concomitant with the reactivation of the low frequency dynamic disorder; a behavior change that on the way explains the appearance of the negative thermal expansion regime.

Georreferenciación de pacientes diagnosticados con Fibrosis Quistica en la unidad proyecto Aragua. Universidad de Carabobo, período junio 1993-junio 2011, Venezuela / Georeferencng off patients with cystic fibrosis diagnosed i the project arragua unit - carabobo university, period june 1993 - june 2011, Venezuela.

Los Sistemas de Información Geográfica son definidos, como conjunto de tecnologías, métodos y procedimientos informaticos, que pueden ser utilizados para conocer la distribución de patologías como la Fibrosis Quística, que es una enfermedad de etiología genética, con un patrón de herencia autosómica recesiva, que aunque tiene una baja incidencia, sus complicaciones son severas, requiriendo de tratamiento diario y frecuentes hospitalizaciones, lo que representa un alto costo para la sociedad. En Venezuela no se conoce de forma precisa la distribución espacial de esta patología, esto motivo a la realización de una investigación de tipo descriptiva, documental y retrospectiva, que permitió desarrollar un modelo georreferencial con 69 pacientes diganosticados con Fibrosis Quística en la Unidad Proyecto Aragua (UPA), durante el periodo Junio 1993- Junio 2011. Los resultados obtenidos evidenciaron que los lugares de procedencia más frecuentes fueron: Distrito Capital, Aragua y Carabobo, igualmente facilitó la identificación de los patrones de distribución georreferencial de dichos pacientes y sus familiares hasta el segundo grado de consanguinidad y se presenta la posible migración o rutas genética de los genes de Fibrosis Quistica.

Geographic Information Systems are defined as a set of computer technology, methods and procedures used in the handling and analysis of geographically referenced data. They can be used to map the distribution of diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis is a disease of genetic etiology with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, although it has a low incidence, complications of this disease are very severe and require treatment daily and frequent hospitalizations, representing a high cost to society. In Venezuela it is not known precisely the spatial distribution of this disease, which is why there was a descriptive research, documentary, retrospective, which allowed developing a geospatial model with 69 CF patients who were diagnosed in the Project Aragua Unit (UPA) during the period June 1993 - June 2011, resulting in the most common places of origin were: Capital District, Aragua and Carabobo; it also facilitated the identification of the pattient of distribution of georreferencial such patient and their relatives up to the second degree of consaguinity and presents the possible migration or “path” genetics of the genes for Cystic Fibrosis.

[Drug induced lupus]. / Lupus induzido por fármacos.

A case of acute ischemia of the right inferior limb after anti-tuberculous therapy in a 42-Year old woman is reported. This complication was confirmed by artheriography and the investigation revealed vasculitis and anti-histone antibodies. Drug-induced lupus was then diagnosed. A brief review about this subject is also made.

Evaluación del proceso de reintegro socio-laboral en personas que han sufrido accidentes del trabajo que fueron atendidas en terapia ocupacional del Hospital del Trabajador Santiago / Evaluation of the social and work reincorporation proces of people who have sufered labour acidents and who were treated at the Ocupational Therapy unit of the Workers Hospital in Santiago

El presente artículo corresponde a una síntesis de los resultados más relevantes obtenidos a partir del estudio denominado Nivel de participación sociolaboral y satisfacción con aspectos de su vida en personas con disminución de su capacidad de ganancia, como consecuencia de un accidente del trabajo, que han recibido apoyos personales y contextuales como parte de un proceso de rehabilitación en el Hospital del Trabajador Santiago. Estudio de Seguimiento 2002-2004.Corresponde a un diseño descriptivo no experimental, de carácter cuantitativo, que incorpora una perspectiva cualitativa. La población estudiada corresponde a 82 personas atendidas en Terapia Ocupacional, evaluadas entre el año 2002 y 2004 con una pérdida de ganancia sobre un 32.5 por ciento. Los resultados muestran que el 89 por ciento de la población ha vuelto a trabajar, encontrándose el 66,7 por ciento plena o medianamente satisfecho con su proceso de reintegro laboral. En el 72.4 por ciento de quienes se reintegran, su jefatura señala que su desempeño se ha mantenido o mejorado. Cabe destacar que el 92 por ciento de trabajadores en los que se efectuó Visitas a Empresas, ya sea para evaluar el puesto de trabajo o efectuar una evaluación en situación real, tiene resultados exitosos, lo que permite avalar técnicas propias del modelo de intervención. Los aspectos relevantes que impactan en la percepción de calidad de vida son las posibilidades para ejercer roles y las interferencias de las secuelas en las relaciones interpersonales.

This item is a summary of the most relevant results obtained from the study called Level of social and labor participation and satisfaction with aspects of life in people with reduced earning capacity as a result of an labor accident, that have received personal and contextual support as part of a rehabilitation process in the Workers’ Hospital of Santiago. Monitoring Survey 2002-2004. It represents a descriptive non-experimental design, quantitative and incorporating a qualitative perspective. The population studied 82people treated in Occupational Therapy, evaluated between 2002 and 2004 with a loss of profit on 32.5 percent. The results show that 89 percent of the population has returned to work, being 66.7 percent fully or fairly satisfied with their job reinstatement process. In 72.4 percent of those returning, their boss pointed out that his performance has been maintained or improved. It is noteworthy that 92 percent of workers that took place in the Company Visits, to assess whether the job position or making a real situation assessment, had successful results, allowing endorse own techniques of the intervention model. Relevant aspects that impact on the perception of quality of life are the chance to practice roles and interference in the aftermath of interpersonal relationships.

Proyecto evaluación funcional reimplantes digitales / Functional evaluation proyect in digital reimplantation

La técnica del reimplante digital ha sido ampliamente estudiada y definida como beneficiosa para los pacientes. Concientes de ello quisimos aportar un nuevo elemento de prueba para validarla, basado en la determinación del funcionamiento manual y la valoración del paciente respecto de esta. Entre noviembre 2000 y mayo 2002 se realizaron 19 reimplantes digitales en el Hospital del Trabajador de Santiago. Estos fueron citados a control, concurriendo 10 de ellos, a los cuales se les aplicó una prueba de función manual, 400 puntos y otra de autopercepción de desempeño, DASH. Además fueron evaluados con las mismas pruebas, un grupo de control de 10 pacientes con amputaciones de dedos que no fueron reimplantados. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba de Wilcoxon, para muestras independientes, utilizándose un nivel de significación de 0,05. Los resultados muestran que no existieron diferencias en la prueba de 400 puntos, (medición funcional), pero si las hubo en el DASH (autopercepción individual). Nuesto análisis permite mostrar que aquellos pacientes sometidos a un reimplante digital tienen mejor percepción de sus capacidades y habilidades.

Evaluación mecánica de un nuevo sistema de instrumentación posterior de columna / Mechanical testing of a new spine instrumentation

Se diseño un sistema de instrumentación posterior de columna con un nuevo metodo de fijación entre las barras y los elementos de anclaje vertebrates, el cual se decidió probar mecanicamente y compararlo con los instrumentales existentes. Se valoro la dureza del acero inoxidable 316 LVM, utilizado para la fabricación del instrumental. Se realizaron 4 pruebas de carga estatica: 1. Fuerza al deslizamiento axial; 2. Rigidez en compresion axial con modelo de corpectomía total, hasta la falla; 3. Fuerza al doblamiento del sistema barra-tornillo-candado; 4. Medición del maximo torque de la fijación barra-tornillo-candado. Finalmente se realizó la prueba de fatiga ciclica en un modelo de corpectomía total, hasta la falla, con una carga de 500 /Yen/ton a una frecuencia de 5 hertz. Los resultados obtenidos permiten concluir que el instrumental evaluado en este trabajo, con un sistema nuevo de fijación barra-elemento de anclaje vertebral y desarrollado completamente en nuestro pais, es comparable en sus características biomecanicas a sistemas de fijación de columna posteriores de uso a nivel mundial. Los resultados obtenidos en las pruebas mecanicas permiten la utilización de este instrumental en la practica clínica