First Dark Matter Search Results from the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment.

The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment is a dark matter detector centered on a dual-phase xenon time projection chamber operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, USA. This Letter reports results from LUX-ZEPLIN's first search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with an exposure of 60 live days using a fiducial mass of 5.5 t. A profile-likelihood ratio analysis shows the data to be consistent with a background-only hypothesis, setting new limits on spin-independent WIMP-nucleon, spin-dependent WIMP-neutron, and spin-dependent WIMP-proton cross sections for WIMP masses above 9 GeV/c^{2}. The most stringent limit is set for spin-independent scattering at 36 GeV/c^{2}, rejecting cross sections above 9.2×10^{-48} cm at the 90% confidence level.

Results of a Search for Sub-GeV Dark Matter Using 2013 LUX Data.

The scattering of dark matter (DM) particles with sub-GeV masses off nuclei is difficult to detect using liquid xenon-based DM search instruments because the energy transfer during nuclear recoils is smaller than the typical detector threshold. However, the tree-level DM-nucleus scattering diagram can be accompanied by simultaneous emission of a bremsstrahlung photon or a so-called "Migdal" electron. These provide an electron recoil component to the experimental signature at higher energies than the corresponding nuclear recoil. The presence of this signature allows liquid xenon detectors to use both the scintillation and the ionization signals in the analysis where the nuclear recoil signal would not be otherwise visible. We report constraints on spin-independent DM-nucleon scattering for DM particles with masses of 0.4-5 GeV/c^{2} using 1.4×10^{4} kg day of search exposure from the 2013 data from the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment for four different classes of mediators. This analysis extends the reach of liquid xenon-based DM search instruments to lower DM masses than has been achieved previously.

Limits on Spin-Dependent WIMP-Nucleon Cross Section Obtained from the Complete LUX Exposure.

We present experimental constraints on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon elastic cross sections from the total 129.5 kg yr exposure acquired by the Large Underground Xenon experiment (LUX), operating at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota (USA). A profile likelihood ratio analysis allows 90% C.L. upper limits to be set on the WIMP-neutron (WIMP-proton) cross section of σ_{n}=1.6×10^{-41} cm^{2} (σ_{p}=5×10^{-40} cm^{2}) at 35 GeV c^{-2}, almost a sixfold improvement over the previous LUX spin-dependent results. The spin-dependent WIMP-neutron limit is the most sensitive constraint to date.

First Searches for Axions and Axionlike Particles with the LUX Experiment.

The first searches for axions and axionlike particles with the Large Underground Xenon experiment are presented. Under the assumption of an axioelectric interaction in xenon, the coupling constant between axions and electrons g_{Ae} is tested using data collected in 2013 with an exposure totaling 95 live days ×118 kg. A double-sided, profile likelihood ratio statistic test excludes g_{Ae} larger than 3.5×10^{-12} (90% C.L.) for solar axions. Assuming the Dine-Fischler-Srednicki-Zhitnitsky theoretical description, the upper limit in coupling corresponds to an upper limit on axion mass of 0.12 eV/c^{2}, while for the Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zhakharov description masses above 36.6 eV/c^{2} are excluded. For galactic axionlike particles, values of g_{Ae} larger than 4.2×10^{-13} are excluded for particle masses in the range 1-16 keV/c^{2}. These are the most stringent constraints to date for these interactions.

Results from a Search for Dark Matter in the Complete LUX Exposure.

We report constraints on spin-independent weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-nucleon scattering using a 3.35×10^{4} kg day exposure of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment. A dual-phase xenon time projection chamber with 250 kg of active mass is operated at the Sanford Underground Research Facility under Lead, South Dakota (USA). With roughly fourfold improvement in sensitivity for high WIMP masses relative to our previous results, this search yields no evidence of WIMP nuclear recoils. At a WIMP mass of 50 GeV c^{-2}, WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross sections above 2.2×10^{-46} cm^{2} are excluded at the 90% confidence level. When combined with the previously reported LUX exposure, this exclusion strengthens to 1.1×10^{-46} cm^{2} at 50 GeV c^{-2}.

[Cat scratch disease with bone involvement: a case report and literature review]. / Maladie des griffes du chat avec localisations osseuses: une observation et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Cat scratch disease is an infectious disease caused by Bartonella henselae. Most of the patients present with a lymphadenopathy associated with a local infection at the site of the cat scratch. Disseminated infection is uncommon. CASE REPORT: We report an immunocompetent 61-year-old woman who presented with a systemic cat scratch disease including a multifocal osteomyelitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by PCR on the adenopathy. A literature review identified 51 other cases of osteomyelitis associated with cat scratch disease, 14 of those confirmed by PCR. CONCLUSION: Bone involvement in cat scratch disease is rare, especially in adults. The diagnosis should be suspected on the basis of patient questioning. The antibiotherapy and the place of surgery are discussed.

Multifocal central nervous system lesions in three patients with trichinosis.

Three patients with trichinosis developed central nervous system complications. Cerebral computed tomography showed multifocal hypodense lesions in two patients. The lesions were associated with contrast enhancement and cortical gyral enhancement in the first case, suggesting hypoxia and infarction. In the second patient, magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple high-signal-intensity lesions. Early cerebral computed tomography was normal in the third patient. All patients recovered after treatment with antiparasitic drugs and corticosteroids. We suggest that neurologic complications of trichinosis should be treated by corticosteroids and flubendazole.

Catabolism of human fibrinogen fragment D in normal subjects and patients with liver cirrhosis.

The catabolism of human fragment D, (FgD), obtained by plasmin digestion of fibrinogen has been investigated in normal subjects and patients with liver cirrhosis and the results compared with those obtained for fibrinogen (Fg). Fg was labelled with I-125 and Fg D with I-131 using the chloramine T method. The plasma disappearance curves of both labelled proteins fitted a two exponential curve. In controls the plasma clearance rate of Fg D was greater than that of Fg as shown by the marked difference between the half-lives of these two tracers: 8,9 and 83,5 hours for Fg D and Fg respectively. The fractional catabolic rate of Fg D was 3.38 times the plasma pool per day. In nine patients with liver cirrhosis, catabolism of Fg was not modified. In contrast, catabolism of Fg D was significantly reduced with a half life of 13.0 hours and a low fractional catabolic rate. These results suggest the role of the liver in the catabolism of Fg D in man.

Fatal injuries caused by guns using shotshell: case reports and ballistic studies.

The authors present six cases of homicide and suicide in which the weapon involved was a handgun using shotshell. The injuries caused are described and the ballistic characteristics of the weapons are studied. Such weapons, which are relatively easy to obtain, are not as innocuous as they may appear, since they may be modified either by changing the barrel or by removal of the device inside the barrel which is intended to prevent the firing of solid slugs.

[Characteristics of benzodiazepine consumption in patients hospitalized in an internal medicine department]. / Caractéristiques de la consommation de benzodiazépines chez des patients hospitalisés dans un service de médècine interne.

We have studied benzodiazepines (BZD) intake among 129 patients admitted in an internal medicine unit. In this population, we have differentiated long term (over 4 months) users (n = 25), occasional users (n = 24), and non users (n = 80). Analysis of the results favoured the fact that BZD users were, more than non users, alike to have a history of cardiovascular and/or rheumatic diseases, to have had multiple surgical procedures and that these patients often took several other psychotropic and non psychotropic drugs. Particular characteristics of long term users are discussed next (prevalence, sex ratio, incidence of depression).

[Myelographic diagnosis of radiculomeningeal metastases of carcinomas. Apropos of 10 cases]. / Diagnostic myélographique des métastases radiculo-méningées des carcinomes. A propos de dix observations.

The authors report ten cases of intra-arachnoid metastases affecting the spinal cord and its roots. These cases illustrate all the myelographic appearances seen: multiple nodular appearances, striated appearance related to thickening of the roots, failure to visualise one or more root sheaths, filling defect of varying regularity preferentially seen in the dural cul-de-sac, but also in the terminal part of the cord associated with varying degrees of block. Myelographic technique is essential of they are to be visualised: water soluble opaque agents and tomography, if possible by complex scanning alone ensure accurate analysis of the roots. This type of involvement raises a pathogenic problem regarding the exact mechanism of such metastases. The prognosis is very poor despite treatment based upon radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

[Clinical and laboratory features of endemic goiter in the Man region (Ivory Coast) (author's transl)]. / Aspect clinique et biologique du goitre endémique dans la région de Man (Côte d'Ivorie).

An epidemiological study involving 616 subjects carried out in the Man region, Côte d'Ivoire, showed endemic goiter in 54,5% of the group overall and in 80% of females. Thyroid function of subjects chosen at random in the goitrous and non-goitrous group (105 G and 71 NG respectively) was identical. Compared with a French control group T4 was significantly lower but T3 and TSH were higher. TBG level is high with low iodine elimination. High levels of TSH are not necessarily associated with low T3 or T4 levels, or with clinical signs of a hypothyroid condition. They are probably the result of a transient reaction. T4-TSH and T3-TSH correlations for NG subjects were (-0,40) but the T3-TSH correlation for the G subjects was significantly lower (-0,23). These differences could be explained by the simultaneous high levels of T3 and TSH more frequently rencountered in G subjects and by the fact that serious hypothyroid conditions are more frequent in the NG group (6 out of 9). The percentage of hypothyroid conditions is high in both clinical and biological investigations. No anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were found in any of the hypothyroid cases with goitre. The histograms illustrate the clinical and biological heterogeneity of a homogeneous non-medicalised population.

[Urologic manifestations of aortocaval fistulas]. / Manifestations urologiques des fistules aorto-caves.

The authors report two cases of aortocaval fistula, resulting from the rupture of an abdominal aneurysm, and revealed by lumbar pains and hematuria. In both cases, the left kidney was mute, and was possibly responsible for the hematuria.

[Disseminated varicella-zoster virus infection with hemorrhagic gastritis during the course of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: case report and literature review]. / Infection disséminée au virus varicelle-zona avec gastrite hémorragique compliquant une leucémie lymphoïde chronique : une observation et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: The reactivation of varicella-zoster virus occurs in immunocompromised patients, especially in cases of hematological malignancy. Disseminated reactivation could involve digestive tract with life-threatening condition. CASE REPORT: A 76-year-old woman, with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, presented with left hypochondrium pain, and a vesicular rash with hemorrhagic shock that revealed an hemorrhagic gastritis due to varicella-zoster virus. The literature review identified 28 additional cases of gastrointestinal mucosal damage during reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. Mortality is 40%. We report here the first case in the course of low-grade lymphoid malignancy. CONCLUSION: Acute gastrointestinal symptoms in immunocompromised patients should evoke a varicella-zoster virus reactivation with gastrointestinal involvement. This clinical manifestation, although rare, should not be ignored because of its severity.

Treatment of limbic encephalitis with anti-glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibodies.

We report a 72-year-old patient who developed acute limbic encephalitis initially considered of uncertain aetiology. Detailed information on clinical presentation, MRI appearance, antibody levels, cognitive impairment assessment, treatment and evolution of the patient is reported here. Since the early 2000s, many antibodies implied in central nervous system autoimmune disorders have been identified. Anti-glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibodies have been recently identified as associated with limbic encephalitis, as was the case in our patient.