Monolayer doping of germanium by phosphorus-containing molecules.

The DPP (diethyl 1-propylphosphonate) and ODPA (octadecylphosphonic acid) molecules are studied as precursors for the monolayer doping (MLD) of germanium. Their adsorption behaviour is investigated, revealing different physicochemical interactions between the phosphorus-containing molecules and the Ge surfaces. It is discovered that DPP adsorption occurs after the oxidation of Ge surface, while the ODPA undergoes chemisorption on -H terminated surfaces. Quantitative phosphorus analysis demonstrates that in the first case more than one monolayer is formed (from 2 to 4), while in the second a single monolayer is formed. Moreover, the analysis of phosphorus diffusion from the surface layers into the Ge matrix reveals that conventional thermal annealing processes are not suitable for Ge injection due to a higher activation energy of the process in comparison with silicon. On the contrary, pulsed laser melting is effective in forming a doped layer, owing to the precursor's decomposition under UV light.

Coherent effects of high-energy particles in a graded Si(1-x)Ge(x) crystal.

A graded Si(1-x)Ge(x) crystal has been manufactured for operation with high-energy protons to excite coherent interactions of the particles with the crystal such as channeling and volume reflection. The crystal had the shape of a parallelepiped though its (111) atomic planes were curved at a radius of 25.6 m because of the graded Ge content. The crystal was exposed to a 400 GeV/c proton beam at the external lines of CERN Super Proton Synchrotron to probe its capability to steer high-energy particles. Measured deflection efficiency was 62.0% under planar channeling and 96.0% under volume reflection. Such values are critically compared to their counterparts for a standard bent Si crystal under peer conditions. A Monte Carlo simulation of the dynamics of channeled and volume reflected particles in a graded crystal including the effect of Ge impurities and of lattice dislocations has been carried out. We found that the effect of crystal imperfections spoiled the efficiency of channeling while it negligibly affected the performance of volume reflection. We finally propose the usage of the graded crystal as a primary scatterer to aid halo collimation for the new generation of hadronic machines. As a unique feature, a properly cut graded crystal circumvents the problem of the miscut angle, which is currently a severe limitation for implementation of crystal-assisted collimation.

A girl with G syndrome and agenesis of the corpus callosum.

We report on a female patient with G syndrome. The clinical expression is relatively severe and includes 2 manifestations not previously reported, ie, agenesis of the corpus callosum and umbilical hernia. These new findings support the notion that there is a developmental defect of the midline as the basis of the G syndrome.

Botulinum toxin (BoNT) and back pain.

Myofascial pain syndrome is defined as subacute or chronic pain with sensory, motor and autonomic symptoms referred from active trigger points with associated painful dysfunctions. Authors present the usefulness of botulinum toxin A or B (BoNT/A or BoNT/B) injected into target muscles since the toxin is capable of controlling not only the muscular spasm but mostly the pain by alternative mechanisms of action, which are discussed. Posology of BoNT, technical aspects and results are presented. BoNT represents an interesting and useful tool for an adequate management of patients with myofascial pain.

Serum haptoglobin appearance during neonatal period is associated with acid phosphatase (ACP1) phenotype.

Erythrocyte acid phosphatase (ACP1) is a polymorphic enzyme found in many tissues and acts in vivo as a flavin-mononucleotide phosphatase. We have recently observed a relation between this enzyme and length of gestation. The present study shows that the pattern of appearance of serum haptoglobin during the neonatal period is associated with ACP1 phenotype suggesting some important function of this polymorphic enzyme in human development.

Weaning: current status and practical recommendations.

The author reviews the current concepts on the weaning process of infant age and the breast feeding practice in the last 50 years in Italy, with particular emphasis on the reduction of its frequency and duration in time. Weaning can be summarized by three questions: why? when? how? The best moment to start weaning is based on our knowledge about the physiologic development of the digestive capacity and on the nutritional requirement for the optimal growth. There is a general agreement to start weaning after the fourth month of life and when the birth weight of the infant has doubled. Regarding the type of food with which to start, the author's preference is for a sweet kind like a mixture of cow's milk and rice starch at 5%, to be given with a small feeding spoon. The second approach can be a little soup with vegetable broth, cereals and strained fruit products. Mixed foods should be introduced separately.

Lower limb spasticity assessment using an inertial sensor: a reliability study.

Spasticity is a common motor impairment in patients with neurological disorders that can prevent functional recovery after rehabilitation. In the clinical setting, its assessment is carried out using standardized clinical scales. The aim of this study was to verify the applicability of inertial sensors for an objective measurement of quadriceps spasticity and evaluate its test-retest and inter-rater reliability during the implementation of the Wartenberg pendulum test. Ten healthy subjects and 11 patients in vegetative state with severe brain damage were enrolled in this study. Subjects were evaluated three times on three consecutive days. The test-retest reliability of measurement was assessed in the first two days. The third day was devoted to inter-rater reliability assessment. In addition, the lower limb muscle tone was bilaterally evaluated at the knee joint by the modified Ashworth scale. The factorial ANOVA analysis showed that the implemented method allowed us to discriminate between healthy and pathological conditions. The fairly low SEM and high ICC values obtained for the pendulum parameters indicated a good test-retest and inter-rater reliability of measurement. This study shows that an inertial sensor can be reliably used to characterize leg kinematics during the Wartenberg pendulum test and provide quantitative evaluation of quadriceps spasticity.

MRI findings of prostate stromal tumour of uncertain malignant potential: a case report.

Prostatic stromal tumours are rare neoplasias that include benign, malignant and borderline lesions. Stromal tumour of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) has been recently described and only a few reports exist in the literature. As a rare and distinct neoplasia, to date, there is no description of MRI findings of prostate STUMP. In this article, we describe the clinical and MRI features with histopathological correlation of a patient with prostate STUMP.

Assessment of sensorized garments as a flexible support to self-administered post-stroke physical rehabilitation.

The aim of this study was to provide a description of a newly-developed remote rehabilitation system that can be employed both at home and in the hospital, supporting motor rehabilitation for post-stroke patients with upper-limb impairment. A garment, which embeds kinesthetic sensors made of a piezoresitive polymer, is provided with a wireless connection to a computer (the patient station). The station detects in real time whether the patient is performing the exercises correctly or not, and provides feedback through an easy visual representation on the screen. Movement recognition is performed using a template matching approach, which allows exercises to be defined during each session as required without additional configuration. In this study an healthy volunteer used the garment to record 840 exercises, mimicking both correct and incorrect compensatory movements under expert supervision. The sensitivity and specificity of the recognition system were measured through its ability to correctly identify the pre-labelled exercises. A pilot set of 13 post-stroke subjects (mean age of 50) was then offered to use the rehabilitation system while in the neuro-rehabilitation ward; the acceptability was assessed through a 10-question subjective evaluation questionnaire. The wearable system tested provided a raw recognition performance (correct-versus-incorrect exercise detection) above 90%. The majority of the patients were satisfied with the system, considered it useful, and would use it at home. In conclusion, computer-based interventions can support widespread, earlier and more intense physical therapy after a neurological event, provided they are easy to use and blend well with the existing rehabilitation workflow. Wearable sensors are promising candidates to realize unobtrusive devices to support the rehabilitation process and its continuity after discharge from the Rehabilitation Unit.

[Notes for a history of pediatrics]. / Appunti per una storia della pediatria.

The origins, major events and the Italian and foreign literature on the history of pediatrics are summarized. The origins of the word ''pediatrics'', the history of pediatric incunables and the first textbooks of pediatrics in Italian language are reviewed. Moreover, the foundation of the first pediatric hospital in Italy, the Italian history of academic schools in pediatrics, the first national congress and the formation of the national society of pediatrics are outlined. In 1998, on the occasion of the 100 years anniversary of the foundation of the national society of pediatrics, a special group on the history of pediatrics was formed. Finally, other topics for further studies are suggested.

Treatment of phonic tics in patients with Tourette's syndrome using botulinum toxin type A.

We assessed the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on phonic tics in patients with Tourette's syndrome. A total of 30 patients received 2.5 IU BTX-A (BOTOX; Allergan) in both vocal cords. All patients were assessed after 15 days and then 4 times over a 12-month period. At each visit the following data were collected: phenomenology of tics, global impression of changes by physician and patient, number of BTX-A injections given, interval between injections, time to response, duration of response, presence of post-injection hypophonia and side effects, presence of premonitory sensory tic component, and interference with social life and work or school activities. Vocal tics improved after treatment in 93% patients, with 50% being tic-free. Mean response time was 5.8 days, and mean duration of response was 102 days. Quality of life improved, and premonitory experiences dropped from 53% to 20%. Hypophonia was the only side effect of note (80% of patients). BTX-A is an effective and safe treatment for phonic tics associated with Tourette's syndrome.

Serum lipid pattern in beta-thalassaemia.

Serum lipids, phospholipid fractions and the composition of serum lipid fatty acids were studied in 20 children presenting beta-thalassaemia major, 20 heterozygous children and 20 normal controls. Total serum phospholipids, their fractions and cholesterol were significantly lower in patients with thalassaemia major. These changes were referred to hepatic damage and to severe anaemia, respectively. Some serum lipid polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly decreased in patients with thalassaemia major as compared to heterozygotes and normal controls. Since these alterations are a sign of lipid oxidation, the causes of this phenomenon are discussed.

Role of genetic variability in neonatal jaundice. A prospective study on full-term, blood group-compatible infants.

A series of genetic, developmental and environmental variables have been analyzed in a prospective sample of full-term newborn babies, compatible with their mothers in the major blood group systems, in order to attempt an evaluation of the effect of these variables on serum bilirubin level during the first few days of life. Three genetic factors (PGM1, ACP1 and ADA) and three non-genetic variables (rise of bilirubin level during the first day of life, a mother with a history of previous abortion, and use of alcoholic beverages by the mother) have a significant predictive value for the separation of newborns with clinically relevant jaundice from other infants.

Sex ratio in man: an analysis of the relationship with ABO blood groups and placental alkaline phosphatase phenotype.

Secondary sex ratio (SR) in man is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. It has been observed that SR in subjects of blood group B compatible with their mothers is higher than in other subjects. The analysis of 676 newborns of the Rome population and 1,684 newborns of the New Haven (Connecticut) population have confirmed a higher SR in B group subjects compatible with their mothers. The data also indicate that placental alkaline phosphatase is another genetic factor influencing SR in man and that there is a strong interaction among ABO phenotype, fetomaternal ABO compatible status and PAP phenotype concerning their effects on SR.

Longitudinal assessment of children with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening.

Clinical and laboratory data from 42 children (31 females and 11 males) with primary congenital hypothyroidism (CH) diagnosed by neonatal screening over a six-year period are reported. The mean age at onset of thyroid hormone therapy was 33 days. The adequacy of replacement therapy was assessed by repeated TT4, FT4, T3 and TSH serum determinations. The high serum TT4 concentrations frequently observed were not accompanied by clinical evidence of hyperthyroidism. rT3 levels determined in 28 CH children with TT4 greater than 15 micrograms/dl were clearly higher than in the controls. The mean weight, length and head circumference remained always between the 50th and 75th centile. The radiological assessment of the knee, mainly the distal femoral surface, has been considered as an important clinical value in the initial diagnosis and in the evaluation of both severity and duration of disease. The psychomotor development was assessed using Brunet-Lezine's test until age 36 months, Stanford-Binet at 4 and 5 and WISC at 6 years of age. The mean global developmental quotients (GDQ) were always between 85 and 97 at 6 to 72 months of age, only eight children were below 85. A significant correlation was found between GDQ at 6 months and the bone age. The neurological examination showed an impairment of posture, coordination and subtle deficits in motor and perceptual abilities in a small percentage of children.