Developing a culturally acceptable peanut nutrition bar with smallholder women farmers in Kaffrine, Senegal using response surface methodology.

To increase farm income and food security, a collaboration was made with smallholder women farmers in Kaffrine, Senegal to develop a culturally acceptable peanut nutrition bar using healthy indigenous and local ingredients and feasible manufacturing methods. This study aimed to use response surface methodology to optimize the bar's formulation and characterize the texture, nutrient profile, sensory qualities, and water activity. The bars were made by varying the ratio of cowpea flour to corn flour (w/w, d.

MR venography using time-resolved imaging in interventional management of pelvic venous insufficiency.

Purpose Of Review: To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance venography with time-resolved imaging (MRV TRI) in the diagnosis of pelvic vein insufficiency (PVI).

Recent Findings: A retrospective single-center review of N = 17 consecutive patients who underwent pelvic MRI for the assessment of PVI was performed. N = 8/17 (47%) studies were positive for PVI.

Decontamination after a release of B. anthracis spores.

Decontaminating civilian facilities or large urban areas following an attack with Bacillus anthracis poses daunting challenges because of the lack of resources and proven technologies. Nevertheless, lessons learned from the 2001 cleanups together with advances derived from recent research have improved our understanding of what is required for effective decontamination. This article reviews current decontamination technologies appropriate for use in outdoor environments, on material surfaces, within large enclosed spaces, in water, and on waste contaminated with aerosolized B.

First-principles molecular dynamics simulations of condensed-phase V-type nerve agent reaction pathways and energy barriers.

Computational studies of condensed-phase chemical reactions are challenging in part because of complexities in understanding the effects of the solvent environment on the reacting chemical species. Such studies are further complicated due to the demanding computational resources required to implement high-level ab initio quantum chemical methods when considering the solvent explicitly. Here, we use first-principles molecular dynamics simulations to examine condensed-phase decontamination reactions of V-type nerve agents in an explicit aqueous solvent.

Efficacy of liquid and foam decontamination technologies for chemical warfare agents on indoor surfaces.

Bench-scale testing was used to evaluate the efficacy of four decontamination formulations on typical indoor surfaces following exposure to the liquid chemical warfare agents sarin (GB), soman (GD), sulfur mustard (HD), and VX. Residual surface contamination on coupons was periodically measured for up to 24h after applying one of four selected decontamination technologies [0.5% bleach solution with trisodium phosphate, Allen Vanguard Surface Decontamination Foam (SDF™), U.

Splenic sarcoidosis: a case report and review of the imaging findings of multiple incidental splenic lesions as the initial presentation of sarcoidosis.

MRI is helpful in characterizing splenic lesions, but there can be significant variability and overlap in the appearance of both benign and malignant splenic lesions; thus, a confident diagnosis can be presentation and classic imaging appearance , and further assessment for any other associated findings suggestive of systemic sarcoidosis is critical to avoid missed or delayed diagnosis-specifically, to avoid over-diagnosis of malignant disease because multiple splenic lesions can be the initial presentation of sarcoidosis.

The national framework and consequence management guidance following a biological attack.

Consequence management following a release of aerosolized Bacillus anthracis spores requires a high level of technical understanding and direction. National policies and regulations address the topics of preparedness goals and organizational structure, but they do not tell responders how to perform remediation. Essential considerations include determining what must be cleaned, evaluating health risks, ascertaining the priority of cleanup, and selecting appropriate decontamination technologies to meet consensus and risk-derived clearance goals.

The challenge of determining the need for remediation following a wide-area biological release.

Recovering from a biological attack is a complex process requiring the successful resolution of numerous challenges. The Interagency Biological Restoration Demonstration program is one of the first multiagency efforts to develop strategies and tools that could be effective following a wide-area release of B. anthracis spores.

Rapid-viability PCR method for detection of live, virulent Bacillus anthracis in environmental samples.

In the event of a biothreat agent release, hundreds of samples would need to be rapidly processed to characterize the extent of contamination and determine the efficacy of remediation activities. Current biological agent identification and viability determination methods are both labor- and time-intensive such that turnaround time for confirmed results is typically several days. In order to alleviate this issue, automated, high-throughput sample processing methods were developed in which real-time PCR analysis is conducted on samples before and after incubation.

Developing Health-Based Pre-Planning Clearance Goals for Airport Remediation Following a Chemical Terrorist Attack: Decision Criteria for Multipathway Exposure Routes.

In the event of a chemical terrorist attack on a transportation hub, post-event remediation and restoration activities necessary to attain unrestricted facility re-use and re-entry could require hours to multiple days. While timeframes are dependent on numerous variables, a primary controlling factor is the level of pre-planning and decision-making completed prior to chemical release. What follows is the second of a two-part analysis identifying key considerations, critical information and decision criteria to facilitate post-attack and post-decontamination consequence management activities.

Developing Health-Based Pre-Planning Clearance Goals for Airport Remediation Following Chemical Terrorist Attack: Introduction and Key Assessment Considerations.

In the event of a chemical terrorist attack on a transportation hub, post-event remediation and restoration activities necessary to attain unrestricted facility reuse and re-entry could require hours to multiple days. While restoration timeframes are dependent on numerous variables, a primary controlling factor is the level of pre-planning and decision-making completed prior to chemical terrorist release. What follows is the first of a two-part analysis identifying key considerations, critical information, and decision criteria to facilitate post-attack and post-decontamination consequence management activities.

Decontamination options for Bacillus anthracis-contaminated drinking water determined from spore surrogate studies.

Five parameters were evaluated with surrogates of Bacillus anthracis spores to determine effective decontamination alternatives for use in a contaminated drinking water supply. The parameters were as follows: (i) type of Bacillus spore surrogate (B. thuringiensis or B.

Most-probable-number rapid viability PCR method to detect viable spores of Bacillus anthracis in swab samples.

A comparison of Most-Probable-Number Rapid Viability (MPN RV) PCR and traditional culture methods for the quantification of Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores in macrofoam swabs from a multi-center validation study was performed. The purpose of the study was to compare environmental swab processing methods for recovery, detection, and quantification of viable B. anthracis spores from surfaces.

Rapid, high-throughput, culture-based PCR methods to analyze samples for viable spores of Bacillus anthracis and its surrogates.

To rapidly remediate facilities after a biothreat agent release, improved turnaround times are needed for sample analysis. Current methods to confirm the presence of a viable biothreat agent are limited by low sample throughput. We have developed a rapid-viability-polymerase chain reaction (RV-PCR) method to determine the presence of viable spores.

An application of spatial deconvolution to a capillary-based high-pressure chamber for fluorescence microscopy imaging.

Capillary-based high-pressure chambers for which the wall serves as both the optical window and mechanical support have been reported for fluorescence microscopy imaging. Although capillary chambers are straightforward and economical to construct, the curved capillary wall introduces image aberrations. The significance of these aberrations in imaging sub-cellular-dimension objects has yet to be assessed.

Needle thoracostomy in the treatment of a tension pneumothorax in trauma patients: what size needle?

Background: A tension pneumothorax requires immediate decompression using a needle thoracostomy. According to advanced trauma life support guidelines this procedure is performed in the second intercostal space (ICS) in the midclavicular line (MCL), using a 4.5-cm (2-inch) catheter (5-cm needle).

Portal vein thrombi after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: its incidence and association with pouchitis.

Purpose: Portal vein thrombi (PVT) have recently been linked to ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). We assessed the rate of PVT in patients who underwent IPAA and attempted to identify the associated features.

Methods: We reviewed all patients who underwent IPAA at our hospital between 1997 and 2002, noting demographic, operative, and clinical data.

Prostate cancer: gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging at 3 weeks compared with needle biopsy at 6 months after cryoablation.

Purpose: To determine if nonenhancing tissue on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained 3 weeks after cryoablation of the prostate helps reliably and accurately predict nonviable cryoablated tissue at 6-month biopsy.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients with prostate cancer who underwent cryoablation were followed up prospectively. Fifty-one underwent gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging at 3 weeks (three had gadolinium allergy); 49, biopsy at 6 months (three refused and two had other primary malignancies); and all, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests at 6 weeks, 3 months, and every 3 months thereafter.

How clean is clean enough? Recent developments in response to threats posed by chemical and biological warfare agents.

Recent terrorist events underscore the urgent need to develop a comprehensive set of health-protective cleanup standards and effective decontamination technologies for use in the restoration of civilian facilities. Accurate scientific information remains limited in the area of biological warfare agents. However, new guidelines and calculated cleanup values are emerging for initial re-entry and long-term reoccupation following use of chemical warfare agents.

Technology challenges in responding to biological or chemical attacks in the civilian sector.

Increasingly sophisticated technologies are needed for counterterrorism responses to biological and chemical warfare agents. Recently developed detection and identification systems are characterized by increased sensitivity, greater automation, and fewer false alarms. Attempts are also under way to reduce the cost and complexity of field-deployable systems.

Extensor digitorum brevis manus: A case of fourth-compartment syndrome.

The presence of an extensor digitorum brevis manus represents a variation of the normal anatomy of the fourth extensor compartment of the wrist. It usually presents as a swelling on the dorsum of the wrist and is often inaccurately diagnosed. An awareness of its existence and of its characteristic appearance on diagnostic imaging studies is the basis for diagnosis.