Repeat head computed tomography after minimal brain injury identifies the need for craniotomy in the absence of neurologic change.

Background: In this era of cost containment, the value of routine repeat head computed tomography (CT) in patients with mild TBI (mTBI) and no interval neurologic change has been challenged. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that routine repeat head CT provides critical information after mTBI even with no neurologic change.

Methods: From January 1996 to May 2010, records from all patients admitted to our Level I trauma center with an arrival Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 to 15 and at least one head CT were retrospectively reviewed.

Optical encryption and QR codes: secure and noise-free information retrieval.

We introduce for the first time the concept of an information "container" before a standard optical encrypting procedure. The "container" selected is a QR code which offers the main advantage of being tolerant to pollutant speckle noise. Besides, the QR code can be read by smartphones, a massively used device.

Friction coefficients and wear rates of different orthodontic archwires in artificial saliva.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the influence of the nature of the orthodontic archwires on the friction coefficient and wear rate against materials used commonly as brackets (Ti-6Al-4V and 316L Stainless Steel). The materials selected as orthodontic archwires were ASI304 stainless steel, NiTi, Ti, TiMo and NiTiCu. The array archwire's materials selected presented very similar roughness but different hardness.

The interplay of Graves' disease and twin molar pregnancy.

Twin molar pregnancy with coexistent viable fetus in a patient with Graves' disease is a rare entity. The patient is a 37-year-old woman who was hospitalised owing to persistent vomiting and vaginal bleeding. The pregnancy test was positive and the pelvic ultrasound disclosed twin gestation of complete mole and a coexistent viable 12-week fetus.

Wilson maxillary curve analyzed by CBCT. A study on normocclusion and malocclusion individuals.

Unlabelled: The anatomy of dental compensation curve in the frontal plane described by George H. Wilson is one of the occlusal determinants of orthodontic treatment. However, there is few published comparing malocclusion and normocclusion individuals.

Early results after synchronous carotid stent placement and coronary artery bypass graft in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Background: The optimal management of patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease requiring cardiac surgery is still unknown. Staged carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting (CAS), each followed by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), are options frequently employed. However, for patients with severe carotid artery disease in urgent need of open cardiac revascularization, staged operations may not be the most appropriate alternative.

Safety and efficacy of treatment with pegylated interferon alpha-2a with ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is an important predictive outcome parameter for pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy. Most published therapeutic trials to date have enrolled mainly patients with HCV genotypes 1, 2 and 3. Limited studies have focused on genotype 4 patients, who have had a poor representation in pivotal trials.

The anorectic effect of GLP-1 in rats is nutrient dependent.

GLP-1-induced insulin secretion from the β-cell is dependent upon glucose availability. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether CNS GLP-1 signaling is also glucose-dependent. We found that fasting blunted the ability of 3(rd) cerebroventricularly (i3vt)-administered GLP-1 to reduce food intake.

Admission hematocrit and transfusion requirements after trauma.

Background: The decision to transfuse packed RBCs (PRBC) during initial resuscitation of trauma patients is based on physiologic state, evidence for blood loss, and potential for ongoing hemorrhage. Initial hematocrit (Hct) is not considered an accurate marker of blood loss. This study tests the hypothesis that admission Hct is associated with transfusion requirements after trauma.

C-reactive protein causes insulin resistance in mice through Fcγ receptor IIB-mediated inhibition of skeletal muscle glucose delivery.

Elevations in C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance. Whether CRP plays a causal role is unknown. Here we show that CRP transgenic mice and wild-type mice administered recombinant CRP are insulin resistant.

Linked total elbow arthroplasty as treatment of distal humerus fractures.

Treatment of distal humerus fractures may be challenging, especially in the elderly patient. Total elbow replacement has been proposed as an option in selected patients. We present the results of a linked elbow replacement in 16 patients with a comminuted fracture of the distal humerus which was not considered amenable to reliable open reduction and internal fixation.

Total airway reconstruction.

We present a case of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) that required multilevel surgical correction of the airway and literature review and discuss the role supraglottic laryngeal collapse can have in OSA. A 34-year-old man presented to a tertiary otolaryngology clinic for treatment of OSA. He previously had nasal and palate surgeries and a Repose tongue suspension.

Venous thromboembolism after trauma: a never event?*.

Objective: Rates of venous thromboembolism as high as 58% have been reported after trauma, but there is no widely accepted screening protocol. If Medicare adds venous thromboembolism to the list of "preventable complications," they will no longer reimburse for treatment, which could have devastating effects on many urban centers. We hypothesized that prescreening with a risk assessment profile followed by routine surveillance with venous duplex ultrasound that could identify asymptomatic venous thromboembolism in trauma patients.

Human adenovirus-vectored foot-and-mouth disease vaccines: establishment of a vaccine product profile through in vitro testing.

Next generation, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) molecular vaccines based on replication deficient human adenovirus serotype 5 viral vectored delivery of FMD capsid genes (AdFMD) are being developed by the United States Dept. of Homeland Security and industry partners. The strategic goal of this program is to develop AdFMD licensed vaccines for the USA National Veterinary Stockpile for use, if needed, as emergency response tools during an FMD outbreak.

Severe perirenal hematoma in a patient with a single kidney treated with sunitinib for metastatic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

A better understanding of the angiogenic process has markedly expanded the use of antiangiogenic therapy in many solid tumors. It is known that there is a close relationship between cancer disease, vascular homeostasis, angiogenesis and coagulation cascade. In this setting, antiangiogenic therapy could interfere and potentially increase the risk of bleeding or thromboembolic events.

Multiplexing of encrypted data using fractal masks.

In this Letter, we present to the best of our knowledge a new all-optical technique for multiple-image encryption and multiplexing, based on fractal encrypting masks. The optical architecture is a joint transform correlator. The multiplexed encrypted data are stored in a photorefractive crystal.

Papillary thyroid-type carcinoma arising from struma ovarii.

Malignant transformation of benign monodermal teratoma is a rare presentation of struma ovarii. A 41-year-old Filipina presented with 1-year history of recurrent lower abdominal pain, abdominal swelling and vomiting. Ultrasound of the abdomen revealed a large cystic abdomino-pelvic mass densely adherent to the intestinal and uterine wall with moderate ascitis.

Master key generation to avoid the use of an external reference wave in an experimental JTC encrypting architecture.

In experimental optodigital encrypting architectures, the use of a reference wave is essential. In this contribution, we present an experimental alternative to avoid the reference wave during the encrypting procedure in a joint transform correlator architecture by introducing the concept of a master key. Besides, the master key represents an additional security element for the entire protocol.

Experimental multiplexing of encrypted movies using a JTC architecture.

We present the first experimental technique to encrypt a movie under a joint transform correlator architecture. We also extend the method to multiplex several movies in a single package. We use a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to encrypt experimentally each movie.

Noma in an Afghani child: a case report.

We present a case of Cancrum Oris, also known as Noma, in a child treated by an Otorhinolaryngologist at a United States-led Joint Forces hospital in Afghanistan. Noma is a deadly, necrotizing infection of the face that is rarely seen in wealthy nations but can cause significant morbidity in third world countries. Through a literature review, we report the incidence, risk factors, clinical features, and proposed treatment for this disease.

Effectiveness of a bipolar vessel sealant device for sealing uterine horns and bodies from dogs.

Objective: To compare the bursting strength of a vessel sealant device (VSD) with that of an encircling suture on uterine horns and bodies from dogs.

Sample: Uteri from 24 shelter dogs with unknown reproductive histories. PROCEDURES-Uterine horns and bodies were allocated to groups to be sealed with suture or a VSD.

Optical smart packaging to reduce transmitted information.

We demonstrate a smart image-packaging optical technique that uses what we believe is a new concept to save byte space when transmitting data. The technique supports a large set of images mapped into modulated speckle patterns. Then, they are multiplexed into a single package.