New Measurement of ^{12}C+^{12}C Fusion Reaction at Astrophysical Energies

Carbon and oxygen burning reactions, in particular, ^{12}C+^{12}C fusion, are important for the understanding and interpretation of the late phases of stellar evolution as well as the ignition and nucleosynthesis in cataclysmic binary systems such as type Ia supernovae and x-ray superbursts. A new measurement of this reaction has been performed at the University of Notre Dame using particle-γ coincidence techniques with SAND (a silicon detector array) at the high-intensity 5U Pelletron accelerator. New results for ^{12}C+^{12}C fusion at low energies relevant to nuclear astrophysics are reported. They show strong disagreement with a recent measurement using the indirect Trojan Horse method. The impact on the carbon burning process under astrophysical scenarios will be discussed.

[A family of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome]

Objective: To analyze the clinical manifestations and gene variations of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). Methods: Clinical data and gene testing of four children and three adult relatives in a family from Puning, Guangdong were retrospectively analyzed. CD4(+)T cells, CD8(+)T cells, B cells, monocytes and NK cells were assessed by flow cytometry. Plasma level of TNFR receptors were assessed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TNFRSF1A gene variation was identified by second generation sequencing. Swiss-Model was used to analyze the potential impact of TNFRSF1A gene variation on its protein tertiary structure. Results: For all the patients,periodic fever was the main clinical feature,combined with arthralgia,myalgia,multiple serositis,periorbital edema and migratory cutaneous rash,accompanied with elevated level of acute-phase reactants and increased white blood cell counts during each episode. This disease was found in both gender and every generation in this family. The median age of onset was 2 years, ranging from 6 months to 30 years. The plasma level of TNFR1 of the patients range from 0 to 12.4 ng/L,which was lower than that of the normal controls range from 18.0~22.2 ng/L,while the level of TNFR2 was normal. Also, the numbers of T cells, B cells and monocytes were within normal range; however,number of NK cells in the patients (0.070±0.034) was lower than that in the normal controls (0.152±0.122). The TNFRSF1A variation,located in exon 3: c.295T>A (p.C99S),was found in the proband as well as the other 6 family members,which could induce change of the side chain of amino acid according to the prediction of the three-dimensional structure,subsequently affecting the binding to the receptor. Conclusions: TRAPS is characterized by periodic fever,arthralgia,myalgia,multiple serositis,periorbital edema and migratory cutaneous rash,with a significant decrease in plasma level of TNFR1 and NK cells. The gene sequencing analysis revealed a pathogenic variation in TNFRSF1A gene.

Epidemiology and prognostic factors for mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort: a 12-year review

BACKGROUND

Limited information exists regarding survival of Asian patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the epidemiology, outcome and prognostic factors of these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective review of MF/SS cases diagnosed from 2000 to 2011 at a tertiary referral dermatology centre in Singapore was performed.

RESULTS

Of 246 patients, 63% were male and the median age at diagnosis was 49 years. 73.2% were Chinese, 12.6% Indian, 6.9% Malay and 7.3% Caucasian. A total of 239 patients (97.2%) had MF and seven had SS. Median follow-up duration was 6.3 years, and median duration of symptoms at diagnosis was 13 months. For patients with MF, the majority had early disease (92.8% stage IA-IIA). 3.8% were stage IIB, 1.7% stage III and 1.7% stage IV. Complete response to treatment occurred in 78.2%, partial response in 9.6%, persistent but non-progressive disease in 10.0% and disease progression in 4.1% of patients. Large cell transformation occurred in 4.1% of patients. Mean overall survival during this study was 12.7 years, with death occurring in 2.5% of patients (all ≥stage IIB at diagnosis). For patients with SS, 71.4% presented with stage IVA disease, 28.6% stage IVB. Complete response to treatment occurred in 14.2%, persistent but non-progressive disease in 28.6% and disease progression in 57.2% of patients. Mean overall survival was 3.3 years within this study, with death occurring in 42.9% of SS patients. Prognostic factors associated with favourable recurrence-free survival were male gender (P = 0.008), early disease stage (T1) at diagnosis (P < 0.001) and absence of maintenance treatment after remission (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Compared to Caucasian and East Asian cohorts, MF in South-East Asians was diagnosed at a younger age and associated with lower mortality, largely due to greater prevalence of hypopigmented MF.

Key ^{19}Ne States Identified Affecting γ-Ray Emission from ^{18}F in Novae

Detection of nuclear-decay γ rays provides a sensitive thermometer of nova nucleosynthesis. The most intense γ-ray flux is thought to be annihilation radiation from the β^{+} decay of ^{18}F, which is destroyed prior to decay by the ^{18}F(p,α)^{15}O reaction. Estimates of ^{18}F production had been uncertain, however, because key near-threshold levels in the compound nucleus, ^{19}Ne, had yet to be identified. We report the first measurement of the ^{19}F(^{3}He,tγ)^{19}Ne reaction, in which the placement of two long-sought 3/2^{+} levels is suggested via triton-γ-γ coincidences. The precise determination of their resonance energies reduces the upper limit of the rate by a factor of 1.5-17 at nova temperatures and reduces the average uncertainty on the nova detection probability by a factor of 2.1.

ILC2 frequency and activity are inhibited by glucocorticoid treatment via STAT pathway in patients with asthma

Background

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) were closely associated with asthma. However, there were no perspective studies about the effects of glucocorticoid on ILC2s in asthma patients. Our objective was to perform a perspective study and evaluate the ILC2 activity after glucocorticoid therapy in asthma patients.

Methods

The asthma and asthma with allergic rhinitis patients were treated with glucocorticoid for 3 months. The circulating ILC2 levels were evaluated. The effects of glucocorticoid on ILC2s and possible signalling pathways were investigated in vitro.

Results

The patients were well‐controlled, and the high ILC2 levels were significantly decreased at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Peripheral blood monocytes from allergic patients produced dramatic IL‐5, IL‐13 and IL‐9 in response to IL‐25, IL‐33 plus IL‐2, and glucocorticoid significantly decreased their levels. Moreover, ILC2s were identified to be the predominant source of IL‐5, IL‐13 and IL‐9, and glucocorticoid treatment was able to reverse their high levels. STAT3, STAT5, STAT6, JAK3 and MEK signalling pathways were proved to be involved in regulating ILC2 activity under the glucocorticoid treatment.

Conclusion

The data suggested that glucocorticoid administration could be effective in treating asthma by regulating ILC2s via MEK/JAK‐STAT signalling pathways. This provides a new understanding of glucocorticoid application in regard to allergic diseases.

Experimental measurement of the 12C+16O fusion cross sections at astrophysical energies

The total cross sections of the 12C+16O fusion have been experimentally determined at low energies to investigate the role of this reaction during late stellar evolution burning phases. A high-intensity oxygen beam was produced by the 5MV pelletron accelerator at the University of Notre Dame impinging on a thick ultra-pure graphite target. Protons and γ-rays were measured simultaneously in the center-of-mass energy range from 3.64 to 5.01 MeV, using strip silicon and HPGe detectors. Statistical model calculations were employed to interpret the experimental results. A new broad resonance-like structure is observed for the 12C+16O reaction, and a decreasing trend of its S-factor towards low energies is found.

Structural and functional 3D mapping of skin tumours with non-invasive multispectral optoacoustic tomography

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in technology have enabled the development of various non-invasive skin imaging tools to aid real-time diagnosis of both benign and malignant skin tumours, minimizing the need for invasive skin biopsy. Multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) is a recently developed non-invasive imaging tool, which offers the unique capacity for high resolution three dimensional (3D) optical mapping of tissue by further delivering highly specific optical contrast from a depth of several millimetres to centimetres in living tissues. MSOT enables volumetric, spectroscopic differentiation of tissue, both in vivo and in real time, with and without the application of biomarker-specific probes, and is further able of providing spatial maps of skin chromophores, as well as underlying blood vasculature.

METHODS

Three patients with suspicious skin tumours consented to have their lesions imaged with MSOT prior to excision. The histological findings and measurements were compared.

RESULTS

We demonstrated the first in vivo clinical use of MSOT for 3D reconstruction of skin tumours in three patients with good histological correlation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm the potential benefit of the new imaging method in guiding surgical intervention to achieve a more precise excision with better clearance and lower relapse rates. It can also potentially help to shorten the duration of Mohs' micrographic surgery. Further large-scale studies are necessary to ensure correlation between MSOT and histology.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: 35 patients treated with Mohs micrographic surgery using paraffin sections

BACKGROUND

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) has conventionally been treated with wide local excision. More recently Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been advocated.

OBJECTIVES

To assess our departmental experience with DFSP in the context of a literature review relating to DFSP treated with MMS.

METHODS

This was a case review of 35 patients with DFSP treated between 1998 and 2009 with MMS using paraffin-embedded sections.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients required one horizontal layer to clear their tumour, 10 patients needed two and eight patients needed three layers or more. The median preoperative clinical size was 6 cm(2) (range 0·75-54·8) and the median postoperative wound size was 46·8 cm(2) (range 4-145·2). Tumour persistence has not been observed in any of our patients after a median follow-up duration of 29·5 months (range 6-146).

CONCLUSIONS

We present 35 DFSP patients, none of whom showed persistent tumour after treatment with 'slow' MMS using paraffin sections. We advocate MMS as the treatment of choice for DFSP, especially for tumours over the head and neck region where tissue conservation is particularly important.

Scrotal pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn's disease

Scrotal pyoderma gangrenosum is uncommon. We present a 17-year-old Chinese male patient with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease presenting with scrotal pyoderma gangrenosum. Biopsy and other investigations were done to diagnose and look for associated diseases of pyoderma gangrenosum. Treatment with high-dose prednisolone failed. Subsequent treatment with oral cyclosporine was successful.

A randomized double-blind controlled trial to compare a triclosan-containing emollient with vehicle for the treatment of atopic dermatitis

The use of topical antiseptics in the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has previously been explored. However, no triclosan-containing leave-on emollient has been evaluated previously, to our knowledge. The aims of this study were to assess the safety and efficacy of an emollient containing triclosan compared with the emollient alone (vehicle) for the treatment of AD. Eligible patients with mild to moderate AD were randomized to receive either the study cream or vehicle. All patients also received a low-potency corticosteroid cream to use during the treatment phase of the study if necessary. Patients were assessed for severity according to the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index, amount of corticosteroid used, patient assessment of cream, and adverse events (AEs). In total, 60 patients received either the study cream or vehicle, and an intention-to-treat analysis was performed. At day 14, there was a significant decrease in SCORAD from baseline for the study cream compared with vehicle (P < 0.05). At day 27, although there was an improved mean reduction from baseline, this was no longer significant (P > 0.05). Only four patients had mild treatment-related AEs. The mean total amount of topical steroid applied by the patients using the study was significantly lower than that used by controls (P = 0.40). Triclosan-containing leave-on emollient was safe and highly acceptable to patients. However, the overall benefit on day 27 was not significant. Nevertheless, the amount of topical steroid used by patients was significantly less with the study cream than with the vehicle, thus further studies are needed to confirm its steroid-sparing effect.

Scrofuloderma from the acromioclavicular joint presenting as a chronic ulcer in an immunocompetent host

A 53-year-old woman presented with a chronic, non-healing painless ulcer over her right clavicular area of a two-month duration. Skin biopsy, microbiological and radiological investigations confirmed the diagnosis of scrofuloderma arising from an underlying tuberculous infection of her acromioclavicular joint. She was treated successfully with anti-tuberculosis therapy with complete healing of the ulcer. Awareness of this uncommon presentation of osteoarticular tuberculosis may assist in earlier diagnosis.

15O(alpha,gamma)19Ne breakout reaction and impact on X-ray bursts

The breakout reaction 15O(alpha,gamma)19Ne, which regulates the flow between the hot CNO cycle and the rp process, is critical for the explanation of the burst amplitude and periodicity of x-ray bursters. We report on the first successful measurement of the critical alpha-decay branching ratios of relevant states in 19Ne populated via 19F(3He,t)19Ne. Based on the experimental results and our previous lifetime measurements of these states, we derive the first experimental rate of 15O(alpha,gamma)19Ne. The impact of our experimental results on the burst pattern and periodicity for a range of accretion rates is analyzed.

Isospin diffusion and the nuclear symmetry energy in heavy ion reactions

Using symmetric 112Sn+112Sn, 124Sn+124Sn collisions as references, we probe isospin diffusion in peripheral asymmetric 112Sn+124Sn, 124Sn+112Sn systems at an incident energy of E/A=50 MeV. Isoscaling analyses imply that the quasiprojectile and quasitarget in these collisions do not achieve isospin equilibrium, permitting an assessment of isospin transport rates. We find that comparisons between isospin sensitive experimental and theoretical observables, using suitably chosen scaled ratios, permit investigation of the density dependence of the asymmetry term of the nuclear equation of state.

Clinical predictors of acute respiratory acidosis during exacerbation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Mechanical ventilation (MV) during exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unequivocally needed when apnoea, cardiorespiratory arrest, coma, hypoxia or treatment failure is present. The need is less clear when the patient can respond, has intact airway reflexes and spontaneous respiration. In this situation, acidosis is an important factor in the decision to institute MV. This study aimed to provide a clinical means of identifying patients with acute respiratory acidosis (ARA) in a setting where blood gas analysis is unavailable. We undertook a prospective, observational study of consecutive patients who presented to two emergency departments with severe and life-threatening exacerbation of asthma or COPD. Each underwent clinical assessment, treatment and blood gas analysis. The outcome measure was ARA or mixed ARA and metabolic acidosis. A total of 127 episodes in patients aged 15-90 years (65.3% males and 34.7% females) were included in the study. Of these, 62.2% had asthma and 37.8% had COPD; 71.7% had life-threatening and 28.3% had severe attacks. Overall, the adjusted odds ratio (and 95% confidence intervals) for predictors of ARA were 7.09 (1.79-28.06) for drowsiness, 4.11 (1.31-12.88) for flushing, 3.34 (1.01-11.02) for having COPD and 2.86 (1.01-8.07) for intercostal retractions. In conclusion, with drowsiness, the likelihood of ARA is about seven times higher. The presence of flushing, COPD and intercostal retractions also increase the risk of ARA.

The acute presentation of pulmonary thromboembolism: a retrospective viewpoint

INTRODUCTION

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) has been considered rare among Asians. We aim to describe the frequency and clinical features of this condition in a hospital in Singapore. Among patients admitted by the Emergency Department (ED), comparisons were made between those primarily diagnosed in the ED and those who were not.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of all cases of radiologically proven acute PE over a 20-month period.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients were identified. The mean age was 61.5 +/- 18.0 years with a female to male ratio of 1.8:1. There were more Malays compared to other races. There were also more Caucasians, given the proximity of the hospital to the airport and the inclusion of tourists. The commonest symptoms were dyspnoea and chest pain, while the commonest signs were tachycardia and tachypnoea. Prolonged immobilisation was the commonest risk factor. Electrocardiographic S1Q3T3 pattern was seen in more patients compared to Western studies. Cardiomegaly was the commonest chest X-ray finding. Thirty-two patients were identified to have a source of embolisation. Overall mortality rate was 21%. The ED diagnosed 36% of the cases. Alternative admitting diagnoses were predominantly ischaemic heart disease and pneumonia. The group diagnosed in the ED were notably female (P = 0.044), Caucasian (P = 0.002) and had prolonged immobilisation (P = 0.025) prior to the onset of PE.

CONCLUSION

Acute PE is not as rare here as previously thought. Clinical features reveal more similarities than differences compared to other studies in the literature. We advocate a high index of suspicion for earlier diagnosis in the ED.

Isospin fractionation in nuclear multifragmentation

Isotopic distributions for light particles and intermediate mass fragments have been measured for 112Sn+112Sn, 112Sn+124Sn, 124Sn+112Sn, and 124Sn+124Sn collisions at E/A = 50 MeV. Isotope, isotone, and isobar yield ratios are utilized to estimate the isotopic composition of the gas phase at freeze-out. Analyses within the equilibrium limit imply that the gas phase is enriched in neutrons relative to the liquid phase represented by bound nuclei. These observations suggest that neutron diffusion is commensurate with or more rapid than fragment production.

Case reports on acute toluene poisoning during parquet flooring

We report two cases of acute toluene poisoning occurring during parquet flooring. Inhalation is the major route of absorption in the workplace, owing to the high volatility of the compound. Such patients should be monitored closely for respiratory distress, central nervous system (CNS) depression and cardiac arrhythmias. Both our patients manifested signs of CNS depression and one had bronchospasm aborted by salbutamol Industries using toluene must ensure that precautions like adequate ventilation are taken to protect their workers.

Disposition kinetics of trimethoprim in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

1. The pharmacokinetics of trimethoprim (TMP) following intra-aortic administration were investigated in rainbow trout. 2. The disposition kinetics for TMP were best described by a three-compartment open model. The disappearance of TMP from fish blood was characterized by rapid and pronounced distribution phases and a slow terminal elimination phase. 3. In contrast with pharmacokinetic data of TMP in mammals, the present study documented a long terminal elimination t1/2(36.1 h), large Vdss(5980 ml/kg) and small Clb(2.4 ml/min/kg) for TMP in rainbow trout, thus illustrating the slow biotransformation and elimination capacity, particularly the strong 'holding' capacity (storage) for the drug in trout. 4. The pharmacokinetic profiles in the present study indicated no dose dependency of TMP following three different bolus doses (5, 10 and 50 mg/kg). Hence, the first-order kinetic assumption was verified. 5. Urinary excretion of TMP was a minor elimination route in trout (14.4% dose).

Effects of the new calcium entry blocker isradipine (PN 200-110) in essential hypertension

In this double-blind cross-over study 16 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension were treated with placebo and the dihydropyridine derivative, isradipine 5-10 mg twice daily. In the supine position isradipine reduced systolic (-18 mm Hg; p less than 0.002) and diastolic (-15 mm Hg; p less than 0.001) pressures, while heart rate was not changed; in the standing position, systolic (-15 mm Hg; p less than 0.002) and diastolic (-14 mm Hg; p less than 0.001) pressures decreased, whereas heart rate increased (+6 bpm; p less than 0.05). Body weight and lower leg volumes remained unaltered, suggesting that isradipine did not cause fluid retention. On IS plasma angiotensin I (+40 pg/ml), angiotensin II (+ 14 pg/ml), and aldosterone (+4.1 ng/dl) rose. The intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations and the transmembrane cation transport activities (Na+-K+ pump, Na+-K+ cotransport, Na+-Li+ countertransport), measured ex vivo in the erythrocytes of eight male patients, were not significantly influenced by isradipine. Hot flushes and facial erythema occurred more frequently (p less than 0.05) on isradipine than on placebo. In conclusion, the new calcium entry blocker isradipine at a dose of 5-10 mg twice daily lowers blood pressure and is well tolerated in most patients with essential hypertension.