ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the DarkSide-20k (DS) Dark Matter international experimental collaboration together with engineers, scientists and manufacturers in Italy, Canada, the USA and eight other countries diverted their research efforts to develop MVM, a new readily manufactured, relatively low-cost ventilator tailored to the most severe intubated patients. Using expertise developed for DS, they produced and received authorization for 7300 units delivered to the Canadian government for its stockpile, now being considered for donation to other countries in urgent need. Other members of DS are using photo-electronics innovation to develop 3D π a more sensitive positron emission tomography (PET) scanner that can provide better resolution and reduce doses, of particular value for providing access for pediatric patients.
ABSTRACT
A 60-year-old woman with chronic renal failure, hyperphosphatemia, normocalcemia and hyperparathyroidism presented with skin and subcutaneous tissue necrosis over the upper lateral aspects of both thighs which became progressively worse with subsequent ulceration over the period of 1 week. A biopsy of the affected skin and subcutaneous tissues demonstrated discrete foci of calcification compatible with the diagnosis of calcifying panniculitis. While it was possible to control the patient's hyperphosphatemia using magnesium carbonate, local ulcer care, including daily whirlpool and repeated local surgical excision, failed to stop the progression of the surrounding skin and subcutaneous tissue necrosis with subsequent ulceration. A trial of oral prednisone for a total of 10 days followed by oral cimetidine for 3 months resulted in complete healing at the incision sites without recurrence after 9 months. In this case of calcifying panniculitis the conditions for calciphylaxis were present, and a new management approach was applied.