Erythema induratum (of Bazin) in a patient with endometrial tuberculosis

We report erythema induratum in a patient who was found to have active endometrial tuberculosis. This case report emphasizes the importance of an exhaustive search for active tuberculosis in patients with erythema induratum, especially in countries where tuberculosis is prevalent, as the indiscriminate treatment of erythema induratum with steroids may be harmful.     

Boosting with poxviruses enhances Mycobacterium bovis BCG efficacy against tuberculosis in guinea pigs

Tuberculosis is rising in the developing world due to poor health care, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection, and the low protective efficacy of the Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine. A new vaccination strategy that could protect adults in the developing world from tuberculosis could have a huge impact on public health. We show that BCG boosted by poxviruses expressing antigen 85A induced unprecedented 100% protection of guinea pigs from high-dose aerosol challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, suggesting a strategy for enhancing and prolonging the efficacy of BCG.     

A model for combined targeting and tracking tasks in computer applications

Current models for targeted-tracking are discussed and shown to be inadequate as a means of understanding the combined task of tracking, as in the Drury’s paradigm, and having a final target to be aimed at, as in the Fitts’ paradigm. It is shown that the task has to be split into components that are, in general, performed sequentially and have a movement time component dependent on the difficulty of the individual component of the task. In some cases, the task time may be controlled by the Fitts’ task difficulty, and in others, it may be dominated by the Drury’s task difficulty. Based on an experiment carried out that captured movement time in combinations of visually controlled and ballistic movements, a model for movement time in targeted-tracking was developed.     

Systematic review of carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) as a biochemical marker in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although many biochemical markers have been examined in pancreatic cancer none are definitive for pre-operative diagnosis. This systematic review examines studies using biochemical markers for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in order to appraise their role in contemporary management algorithms. METHODS: A search of the MEDLINE database was undertaken using the key words pancreatic neoplasm and serum tumour marker. Only studies providing original data on sensitivity and specificity are included and data are presented on diagnostic accuracy, effect of cholestasis and the relation of tumour stage to blood levels of markers. RESULTS: CA 19-9 is the most extensively evaluated with pooled data from 2283 patients. The median sensitivity of CA 19-9 for diagnosis is 79 (70-90%) and median specificity 82 (68-91%). CA 19-9 elevation in non-malignant jaundice results in a fall in specificity. Combination with other markers improves accuracy. CONCLUSION: As the most extensively evaluated marker, CA 19-9 should be used in contemporary algorithms for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Elevated values should be repeated after relief of jaundice.