Recent advances in positron emission particle tracking: a comparative review.

Positron emission particle tracking (PEPT) is a technique which allows the high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging of particulate and multiphase systems, including systems which are large, dense, and/or optically opaque, and thus difficult to study using other methodologies. In this work, we bring together researchers from the world's foremost PEPT facilities not only to give a balanced and detailed overview and review of the technique but, for the first time, provide a rigorous, direct, quantitative assessment of the relative strengths and weaknesses of all contemporary PEPT methodologies. We provide detailed explanations of the methodologies explored, including also interactive code examples allowing the reader to actively explore, edit and apply the algorithms discussed. The suite of benchmarking tests performed and described within the document is made available in an open-source repository for future researchers.

Socio-cultural norms and roles in the use and abuse of alcohol among members of a rural community in Southeast Nigeria.

Social influences together with local cultural norms are central factors that can influence the use of alcohol. The study, therefore, identified socio-cultural norms and roles capable of influencing alcohol use among young people in an alcohol producing community, in Nigeria. We used qualitative technique - focused group discussions among selected key persons in the area of study. Three groups; adult males, adult females and youths were engaged in discussions around the themes of socio-cultural; norms, roles, beliefs, values and practices that influences alcohol abuse. The focus group discussions lasted for 60-90 min and each group comprised 8-10 participants. The discussions took place in February 2016. Nine socio-cultural themes emerged following a thematic analysis of the findings, one of which is: Involvement of those who should control drinking in palm wine business hinder control of abuse. Using Vygotsky's Socio-cultural theory guide, the researchers were able to provide the scaffolding that supported the expression of the harmful effect of alcohol abuse and suggestions for improving control by participants.

[Nine month chemotherapy with INH and rifampicin for non-cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis].

In order to know the adequate duration of the chemotherapy with two drugs (INH + RFP) for pulmonary tuberculosis with non-cavitary minimal radiological findings (minimal case), 278 cases with minimal lesion which had completed 9 months' chemotherapy, were observed for more than six months up to 5 years (mean duration = 54.4 months). Of them, 60 cases were bacteriologically confirmed by smear and/or culture examination. Many cases showed further improvement in radiological findings even after the end of the chemotherapy. Of 180 cases of initially infiltrative type (GAKKEN B type), 10 cases showed the enlargement of shadow radiologically, but were not regarded as relapsed cases, because they remained bacteriologically negative and the shadow improved in 1-2 months without additional chemotherapy. Only 3 cases (1.1%) were regarded as relapsed cases because of the positive bacteriological conversion and aggravation of the shadow. They were initially sputum negative. It can be concluded that for radiological minimal cases, nine months is enough for the duration of chemotherapy when the INH-RFP regimen is used.

Antigenic variations of retrovirus in Japanese cancer patients.

Previously we demonstrated the prevalence of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTVL-I) infection among cancer patients in Japan. This study was carried out to examine antigenic properties of retroviruses prevalent among Japanese cancer patients. Sera of 126 Japanese patients with cancer of different organs and with no history of blood transfusion, 94 in adult T cell leukemia (ATL)-endemic area and 32 in ATL-nonendemic area, were surveyed for antibodies to HTLV-I and HTLV-II by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot analysis, and indirect immunogold electron microscopy. Among patients who were seropositive to HTLV-I, 39 of 56 (69.6%) in ATL-endemic area and 9 of 9 (100%) in ATL-nonendemic area were seropositive also to HTLV-II. Of 48 sera positive to both HTLV-I and HTLV-II, 34 (70.8%) showed stronger reactivities to HTLV-I than to HTLV-II. Among patients who were seronegative to HTLV-I, 3 of 38 (7.9%) in ATL-endemic area and 5 of 23 (21.7%) in ATL-nonendemic area were seropositive to HTLV-II. Antibodies appearing and disappearing in sera of patients examined during the clinical course reacted with peptide species of HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II not always consistent with peptide species cross-reactive between HTLV-I and HTLV-II. These results indicate the antigenic diversity of retroviruses prevalent among Japanese cancer patients.