An off-axis rotating atom trap.

We present a novel configuration of a magneto-optical trap for cold atoms. The trap is very simple in design, employing only a small permanent magnet and an external Helmholtz bias coil. The trap's principal advantage is that the entire volume of the overlapping laser beams can be used for atom guiding and manipulation. An especially interesting effect is the rotation of the trapped atoms in circular motion as the permanent magnet is rotated. Clouds containing on the order of 2*10(6) atoms are rotated up to 60Hz forming a 5 mm diameter ring. This rotation can potentially be used in studying the behavior of cold atoms in 2-dimensional potential as well as applications for rotational sensors. We also present a classical theoretical model to simulate the experiment.

[Long-term effects of combined therapy in patients with beta-thalassemia major]. / Effetti a distanza della terapia combinata in soggetti affetti da beta-thalassemia major.

We evaluated therapy complications in 19 beta-thalassemia major patients (mean age from 3 years/5 months and 1 years/6 months) who were followed at II Pediatric Department-University of Bari. 3 out of 19 patients underwent allogenic BMT from matched related donor; 2 out of 19 underwent splenectomy. All of them were receiving hypertransfusion therapy and continuous chelation with DFO. In all patients we performed physical examination, laboratory assays, cardiac and endocrinologic function tests, serum HBV-HCV-HIV antibodies, otoscopy and audiometric test, fundus oculi, skeletal x-ray. 1 out of 19 patients, who was under 15, had a slight dilatation of left ventricle and arythmia. All patients were HBsAb positive. 4/19 patients were HCV Ab positive (ELISA test) with an increase in ALT-AST serum levels since at least 6 months. In 3 of them we assessed RIBA test, always positive. 3 of them underwent liver biopsy (1 iron overload 2 chronic active hepatitis). All patients were HIV Ab negative. 4/15 patients revealed low GH levels after Arginina test. 13 pre-pubescent patients had normal results with GNRH test but lower results after FSH test. 1 pubescent patient had gonadotropic hypophyseal deficit. 4 patients had subclinic hypothiroidism. We couldn't find any sequelas in bone-eyes-ears. Hypertransfusion therapy, chelation, profilaxis of infections improved length and quality of life in thalassemic patients. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism remains a serious sequela and we think it needs to be treated.

[New surgical technique for the repair of abdominal hernia with mesh]. / Una nuova tecnica chirurgica per la riparazione con mesh del laparocele.

The use of prostheses is indispensable in major anterior abdominal hernias when it is not possible to close the edges of the hernial opening without strain. The most commonly used prostheses are made from dacron, polypropylene (PPNE) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTF) mesh. It is important to point out that, in spite of the excellent characteristics of these materials, there is no ideal prosthesis. There is a well-known increase in the risk of rejection and infection when mesh is placed in contact with the subcutis and the formation of adhesions, with the possibility of occlusions and fistulas, when it is in direct contact with the intestine. Whereas EPTF does not cause problems of adhesion, it has a greater tendency to cause rejection and infection if placed in the subcutaneous area. Moreover, there is a increased risk of displacement and it is also very costly. The opposite is true of dacron and PPNE mesh. When the mesh serves to "replace" a wall defect and it cannot be isolated by the interposition of the peritoneum or muscular fascia, it comes into direct contact with the intestine and subcutaneous tissue. The technique outlined here aims to isolate the prosthesis from the intestinal loops and subcutaneous tissue. The hernial sac itself is used for this purpose and is divided into two flaps by a cut perpendicular to the wall. The free edge of one flap is sutured to the inside of the hernial opening. The mesh is then sutured half inside and half outside the hernial opening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chromosomal localization of murine ryanodine receptor genes RYR1, RYR2, and RYR3 by in situ hybridization.

In situ hybridization experiments were performed using complementary DNA probes to determine the location on murine chromosomes of the three genes of the ryanodine receptor/Ca2+ channel family: RYR1, RYR2, and RYR3. The skeletal ryanodine receptor, or type 1 (Ryr1), maps to bands 7A2-7A3; the cardiac ryanodine receptor, or type 2 (Ryr2), to 13A1-13A2; and type 3 (Ryr3) to 2E5-2F3.

A new technique for indirect inguinal hernia repair.

This report concerns a preliminary study of a new technique for indirect herniorraphy, which was used in 242 patients from December 1988 through March 1991. Its main characteristics are the creation of a deep neo-inguinal ring in a more medial site, shortening of the inguinal canal by transposition of the superficial ring to the point where the inferior border of the internal oblique muscle is well represented, reinforcement of the inguinal canal by overlapping the external oblique aponeurosis in a double-breast fashion, and maintenance of the cremasteric muscle. Follow-up in our outpatient clinic was carried out at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months in 71% of our patients. There were no recurrences, except for one crural pseudo-recurrence, no mortality, and no testicular atrophy. Thirteen percent of patients had subcutaneous serous collection; 1% had hematomas; 2% temporary testicular edema; and 0.4% wound infection.

Modified technique of sphincteroplasty with the use of a specially prepared cannula.

A modified technique of sphincteroplasty with the use of a specially prepared cannula can exclude the pancreatic duct from the operative field by covering it with the posterior wall of the cannula. The use of the cannula can avoid some of the technical difficulties that may be encountered with operations involving the papilla of Vater. Our experience with 51 patients has been presented.