Muon spin relaxation study on itinerant ferromagnet CeCrGe₃ and the effect of Ti substitution on magnetism of CeCrGe₃

A Muon spin relaxation (µSR) study has been performed on the Kondo lattice heavy fermion itinerant ferromagnet CeCrGe3. Recent investigations of bulk properties have revealed a long-range ordering of Cr moments at Tc = 70 K in this compound. Our µSR investigation between 1.2 K and 125 K confirm the bulk magnetic order which is marked by a loss in initial asymmetry below 70 K accompanied with a sharp increase in the muon depolarization rate. Field dependent µSR spectra show that the internal field at the muon site is higher than 0.25 T apparently due to the ferromagnetic nature of ordering. The effect of Ti substitution on the magnetism in CeCrGe3 is presented. A systematic study has been made on polycrystalline CeCr(1-x)Ti(x)Ge3 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) using magnetic susceptibility χ(T), isothermal magnetization M(H), specific heat C(T) and electrical resistivity ρ(T) measurements which clearly reveal that the substitution of Ti for Cr in CeCrGe3 strongly influences the exchange interaction and ferromagnetic ordering of Cr moments. The Cr moment ordering temperature is suppressed gradually with increasing Ti concentration up to x = 0.50 showing Tc = 7 K beyond which Ce moment ordering starts to dominate and a crossover between Cr and Ce moment ordering is observed with a Ce moment ordering Tc = 14 K for x = 1.0. The Kondo lattice behavior is evident from temperature dependence of ρ(T) in all CeCr(1-x)Ti(x)Ge3 samples.

Gender-specific brain regional variation of neurons, endogenous estrogen, neuroinflammation and glial cells during rotenone-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Rotenone (RT) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) by inhibiting the mitochondrial electron transport chain; causing dopaminergic (DA) cell death in the substantia nigra (SN) and simulates other models of induced Parkinson's disease (PD). There is a sincere dearth of knowledge regarding the status of glial cells, neuroprotective estrogen and the status of neuroinflammatory TNF-α in the different brain regions in either sex during healthy, as well as during PD conditions. In the present study of RT-induced mouse model of PD, we have selected the frontal cortex (FC), hippocampus (HC) and SN from either sex of Swiss albino mice as these are the major regions involved during PD pathogenesis. During non pathogenic conditions, the ROS-scavenging enzyme activity varied among the brain regions and also in between genders. The number of DOPA decarboxylase-positive cells, astrocytes and microglia was similar in the respective regions of the brain in both the sexes. The level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was same in the respective FC and HC in either sex except that of SN. The expression level of estrogen and its receptors varied among the three brain regions. During RT treatment, ROS-scavenging enzyme activities increased, DOPA decarboxylase-positive neurons and fibers in DA as well as in norepinephrinergic (NE) systems become degenerated, number of astrocytes decreased and microglial cells increased in those specific brain regions in either of the sexes except in the SN region of males where astrocyte number remained unaltered and microglial cell percentage decreased. TNF-α increased in the FC and SN but remained unaltered in the HC of both sexes. Estradiol level decreased in the HC and SN but the level unevenly varied in the FC. Similarly, the estrogen bound and nuclear-cytosolic receptor α and β also varied differentially among the brain regions of the two sexes. Therefore our present study depicts that there exists a clear variation of neuronal and astroglial cell population, estrogen and its receptor levels in different brain regions of both the sexes during control and RT-treated pathogenic condition and these variations have major implication in PD pathogenesis and progression.

Complexation of Eu(iii) with Cucurbit[n]uril, n = 5 and 7: A Thermodynamic and Structural Study

An investigation of Eu(iii) CBn complexes in solution using calorimetry, TRFS, EXAFS and DFT calculations shows the presence of Eu(iii) in different binding modes depending on the cavity size of CBn and the stoichiometry of the complex.

Natural resolution or intervention for fluid collections in acute severe pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Revisions in terminology of fluid collections in acute pancreatitis have necessitated reanalysis of their evolution and outcome. The course of fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis was evaluated prospectively.

METHODS

Consecutive adults with acute pancreatitis, who had contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) within 5-7 days of symptom onset, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study in a tertiary-care centre. Patients were treated according to standard guidelines. Follow-up transabdominal ultrasonography was done at 4-week intervals for at least 6 months. CECT was repeated at 6-10 weeks, or at any time if there were new or persistent symptoms. Asymptomatic collections were followed until spontaneous resolution. Risk factors for pancreatic pseudocysts or walled-off necrosis (WON) were assessed in multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

Of 122 patients with acute pancreatitis, 109 were analysed. Some 91 patients (83·5 per cent) had fluid collections at baseline. Eleven of 29 with interstitial oedematous pancreatitis had acute peripancreatic fluid collections, none of which evolved into pseudocysts. All 80 patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis had at least one acute necrotizing collection (ANC); of these, five patients died (2 after drainage), three underwent successful drainage within 5 weeks, and collections resolved spontaneously in 33 and evolved into WON in 39. By 6 months' follow-up, WON had required drainage in eight patients, resolved spontaneously in 23 and was persistent but asymptomatic in seven. Factors associated with increased risk of WON were blood urea nitrogen 20 mg/dl or more (odds ratio (OR) 10·96, 95 per cent c.i. 2·57 to 46·73; P = 0·001) and baseline ANC diameter greater than 6 cm (OR 14·57, 1·60 to 132·35; P = 0·017). Baseline ANC diameter over 6 cm was the only independent predictor of either the need for drainage or persistence of such collections beyond 6 months (hazard ratio 6·61, 1·77 to 24·59; P = 0·005).

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic pseudocysts develop infrequently in oedematous acute pancreatitis. Only one-quarter of ANCs either require intervention or persist beyond 6 months, whereas more than one-half of WONs resolve without any intervention within 6 months of onset. Baseline diameter of ANC(s) is an important predictor of outcome.

Investigations of the singlet ground state system: PrIrSi3

We report our comprehensive study of physical properties of a ternary intermetallic compound PrIrSi3 investigated by dc magnetic susceptibility χ(T), isothermal magnetization M(H), thermo-remnant magnetization M(t), ac magnetic susceptibility χac(T), specific heat Cp(T), electrical resistivity ρ(T), muon spin relaxation (µSR) and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements. A magnetic phase transition is marked by a sharp anomaly at Ttr = 12.2 K in χ(T) measured at low applied fields which is also reflected in the Cp(T) data through a weak anomaly at 12 K. An irreversibility between the zero field cooled and field cooled χ(T) data below 12.2 K and a very large relaxation time of M(t) indicates the presence of ferromagnetic correlation. The magnetic part of specific heat shows a broad Schottky-type anomaly near 40 K due to the crystal electric field (CEF) effect. An extremely small value of magnetic entropy below 12 K suggests a CEF-split singlet ground state which is confirmed from our analysis of INS data. The INS spectra show two prominent inelastic excitations at 8.5 meV and 18.5 meV that could be well accounted by a CEF model. The CEF splitting energy between the ground state singlet and the first excited doublet is found to be 92 K. Our µSR data reveal a possible magnetic ordering below 30 K, which is much higher than that found from the specific heat and magnetic susceptibility measurements. This could be due to the presence of short range correlations well above the long range magnetic ordering or due to the electronic changes induced by muons. The induced moment magnetism in the singlet ground state system PrIrSi3 with such a large splitting energy of 92 K is quite surprising.

Mal-united fracture of calcaneum treated with lateral decompression

Fracture calcaneum is commonly complicated with mal-union. Mal-union is usually presented with broadening of the lateral wall of the calcaneum, irregularity of the sub-talar joint and loss of the vertical height of the body of calcaneum with varus rotation. In this study twenty three (n=23) patients underwent a lateral decompression for pain on lateral aspect of foot on walking and tip toeing, secondary to a mal-united calcaneal fracture with or without sub-talar intra-articular involvement. Almost every patient had ballooned out body of calcaneum with impingement of peroneal tendon sheath with its content and lateral heel pain as a result of deformity. So in current study the operative procedure selected was excision of a lateral calcaneal bony mass and decompression of the peroneal tendon to relieve pain. Peroneal tenogram was a routine procedure before surgery to detect presence and site of blockade within tendon sheath. The average follow-up was for a period of 31.6 months. Result was assessed according to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hind foot Scale. Two patients (n=2, 8.69%) had excellent (Category 1) result, seventeen (n=17, 73.9%) were good (Category 2), two (n=2, 8.69%) were fair (Category 3) and rest two (n=2, 8.69%) were with poor (Category 4) outcome. Every four out of five patients got back painless Heel and Ankle after surgery. The results suggest that the lateral decompression procedure is a technically simpler yet viable alternative to late sub-talar fusion for lateral pain following a mal-united fracture of calcaneum.

Initiation of insulin aspart to Indian subjects on OADs show significant improvement in glycaemic outcomes: the A1chieve observational study

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide and India stands second next only to china. The management of diabetes in real life settings needs to be evaluated for deriving better management practices. A1chieve observational study evaluated the use of modern insulin in real life settings. This was a 24-week, international, prospective, multicenter, non-interventional, observational study of people with type 2 diabetes. India recruited with 20,554 subjects and a total of 1815 patients were enrolled to receive insulin aspart as bolus insulin therapy of whom 1450 (79.9%) were insulin naïve and 365 (20.1%) were insulin users. At the end of 24 weeks, only one SAE was reported in this study and overall hypoglycemia events per patient year decreased from 2.49 (348 episodes) to 0.17 (20 episodes). There were no major hypoglycemic episodes reported in either insulin naive or insulin treated subjects. There was a significant improvement in the HbA(1c) values from the baseline in both insulin naive and insulin users. The mean HbA(1c) value was reduced from 9.5 to 7.4 (p < 0.001) for insulin naïve subjects and from 9.2 to 7.7 (p < 0.001) in insulin experienced subjects. Fasting plasma glucose values decreased by 70 mg/dL and 50 mg/dL in insulin naive and insulin experienced, respectively and the difference from baseline was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The post prandial glucose value was also significantly (p < 0.001) reduced by 105 mg/dL for insulin naïve subjects and 55 mg/dL for insulin experienced subjects. The composite end point was achieved by 46.6% of insulin naive and 38.1% of insulin-experienced subjects. The study concluded with good HbA(1c) reduction along with lower incidence of hypoglycemia and better health related quality of life outcomes in both in insulin naive and insulin experienced subjects who used insulin aspart as bolus insulin treatment.

Fibrous dysplasia: rapid malignant transformation into osteogenic sarcoma - A rare occurance

Malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia is rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases with a mean lag period of 13.5 years. We report a case of Osteogenic Sarcoma with chondroid differentiation in a pre-existing Fibrous Dysplasia occurring within one year of surgical resection and without any history of exposure to radiation. To the best of our knowledge and extensive search of literature, malignant transformation of Fibrous Dysplasia in such a short period of time, and without history of radiation exposure has never been reported from India.Journal of Pathology of Nepal (2012) Vol. 2, 335-337DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v2i4.6891

P4-07-11: Circulating Tumor Cells after Neoadjuvant Therapy Predict Outcome in Stage I to III Breast Cancer

Introduction: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) predict outcome in metastatic breast cancer, but their significance is unclear in non-metastatic patients. Furthermore, it is unclear if the presence of CTCs after completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) predicts worse outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine if CTCs after NACT predicts worse outcome.

Methods: Clinical stage I-III breast cancer patients seen at a single tertiary cancer center provided informed consent to participate in an IRB-approved study involving collection of blood (7.5 ml x 2 tubes) at the time of surgery for their primary breast cancer. CTCs were detected using the Cell SearchTM system. A positive result was defined as the presence of one or more cells per 7.5 ml blood since the threshold for positivity has not been established in non-metastatic breast cancer. Statistical analyses used chi-square and Fischer's exact test.

Results: One hundred and twenty patients were prospectively enrolled. Median age was 50 years and median follow-up was 33 months. Eight percent of patients had T1 disease, 35% T2, 18% T3, and 39% T4. Fifty-three percent of patients (63/120) had hormone receptor positive disease. Thirty-two percent of patients (38/120) were HER-2 positive. Thirty percent (36/120) were triple negative. Seventy-eight percent (91/120) had lymph node positive disease. Two or more CTCs were present in 9% of patients (11/120). Of the 11 patients who died, 3 had 2 or more CTCs (P=0.08). Of the 20 who relapsed, 6 had 2 or more CTCs (P=0.0019).

Conclusions: Presence of two or more CTCs after NACT predicted worse relapse free survival in patients with stage I-III breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-07-11.