Observation of Betatron X-Ray Radiation in a Self-Modulated Laser Wakefield Accelerator Driven with Picosecond Laser Pulses.

We investigate a new regime for betatron x-ray emission that utilizes kilojoule-class picosecond lasers to drive wakes in plasmas. When such laser pulses with intensities of ∼5×10^{18} W/cm^{2} are focused into plasmas with electron densities of ∼1×10^{19} cm^{-3}, they undergo self-modulation and channeling, which accelerates electrons up to 200 MeV energies and causes those electrons to emit x rays. The measured x-ray spectra are fit with a synchrotron spectrum with a critical energy of 10-20 keV, and 2D particle-in-cell simulations were used to model the acceleration and radiation of the electrons in our experimental conditions.

Efficiency of water use and nitrogen for goat milk production in irrigated pasture to different management / Eficiência de uso de água e nitrogênio para produção de leite de cabra em pastagem irrigada sob diferentes manejos

The aim was to determine the efficiency of use of water and nitrogen for forage production and goat-milk production on an irrigated Tanzania Guineagrass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia) pasture subjected to different management practices. The management levels tested were combinations among nitrogen fertilization levels and post-grazing residual heights (ResH): Intensive (ResH = 33.0cm and 600.0kg N/ha.year-1); Moderate (ResH = 47.0cm and 300.0kg N/ha.year-1); Light (ResH = 47cm and 0kg N/ha.year-1); and Conventional (ResH = 33cm and 0kg N/ha year-1). The efficiency of water use for forage production was higher in intensive and Moderate management. The Conventional management was recommended only for forage production since there is no nitrogen input available because this result was similar to Intensive management in water efficiency. The efficiency of water use to produce goat milk was higher in Intensive management. Moderate management presented higher efficiency of nitrogen to produce forage. On the other hand, Intensive management was more efficient using nitrogen in goat milk production. The amount of water needed to produce one liter of goat milk varied from 893.20 to 3,933.50L. In the moderate management, up to 121.48kg forage and 21.56kg of milk were produced for every kilogram of N utilized. Intensive management is advantageous for water use efficiency as well nitrogen efficiency to produce goat milk in cultivated pasture.(AU)

Objetivou-se determinar a eficiência de uso de água e nitrogênio para a produção de forragem e de leite de cabra em pasto irrigado de capim-tanzânia, submetido a diferentes manejos. Os manejos testados foram combinações entre níveis de adubação nitrogenada e alturas residuais pós-pastejo (Altr): intensivo (Altr = 33,0cm e 600,0kg N/ha.ano-1); moderado (Altr = 47,0cm e 300,0kg N/ha.ano-1); leve (Altr = 47,0cm e 0kg N/ha.ano-1) e convencional (Altr = 33,0cm e 0kg N/ha.ano-1). A eficiência do uso de água para produção de forragem foi obtida nos manejos intensivo e moderado. O manejo convencional só foi interessante no caso da produção de forragem em situação de ausência de nitrogênio, não diferindo do manejo intensivo para a eficiência de uso de água. A eficiência de uso de água para a produção de leite foi maior no intensivo. A maior eficiência do uso de nitrogênio para produzir forragem foi no moderado, enquanto a maior eficiência de nitrogênio para a produção de leite foi no intensivo. A quantidade de água para produzir um litro de leite de cabra variou de 893,20 em manejo intensivo a 3.933,50L em convencional. Manejo intensivo é vantajoso para eficiência de uso de água e nitrogênio para a produção de forragem e de leite de cabra.(AU)

Serum anti-mullerian hormone levels and follicular cohort characteristics after pituitary suppression in the late luteal phase with oral contraceptive pills.

BACKGROUND: Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is a marker of ovarian function and reserve and reflects the number and size of antral follicles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of FSH suppression on AMH levels, during the late luteal phase of human menstrual cycle, with the use of oral contraceptives pills (OCP). METHODS: Twenty normovulatory infertile women were included in the study. On the third day of a spontaneous menstrual cycle, the patients were submitted to a transvaginal ultrasound examination and blood sample collection. From the 20th day of this menstrual cycle, the patients took daily OCP, containing 0.030 mg of ethinyl-estradiol plus 0.15 mg of desogestrel. On the third day of the following cycle, the measurements were repeated. RESULTS: After OCP use, the levels of FSH and estradiol were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The number of antral follicles measured on both occasions did not differ, although after OCP use, the follicles presented significantly lower diameters (mean 4.4 + 1.7 mm before OCP versus 3.5 + 1.2 mm after OCP P < 0.001). The levels of AMH were significantly reduced after pituitary suppression, with a median (inter-quartile range) of 3.02 ng/mL (1.21-6.39) before OCP and 2.22 ng/mL (0.9-3.11) after OCP, P = 0.04. CONCLUSIONS: The short administration of OCP in late luteal phase caused suppression of FSH secretion during the cycle transition, leading to a more homogeneous follicular cohort. The lower AMH levels observed, although simultaneous with FSH suppression, were probably not a direct effect of the reduced FSH levels, but were more likely a consequence of the lower production by the arrested follicular cohort.

Evaluación y prevención de reacciones adversas. Farmacovigilancia, experiencia en el Hospital Garrahan / Evaluation and prevention of adverse reactions. Pharmacovigilance, experience at the Hospital Garrahan

La función principal de la Farmacovigilancia es minimizar la ocurrencia de RAM (reacciones adversas a medicamentos) a través de la detección, registro y notificación de las mismas. Los objetivos son evaluar a través de la clasificación de RAM del Subcomité de Farmacovigilancia la participación de los diferentes sectores que influyen en su aparición y desarrollar estrategias para disminuir la ocurrencia de las mismas. Considerando la definición de RAM de la OMS, se analizaron las RAM registradas por el Subcomité en el período 1996-2003 (n=363) utilizando métodos de detección tales como : seguimientos de pacientes, medicamentos trazadores, suspensiones abruptas de indicaciones, patologías asociadas y resultados de laboratorio. Se asignó causalidad por el Algoritmo de Naranjo y se clasificó por severidad según la OMS. La comunicación de las RAM se realizó a través de las fichas amarillas de la ANMAT. Se utilizó la base de datos Epi-Info 6 y Excel en el análisis y la recopilación de datos . Las RAM de mayor frecuencia se debieron a: Antibióticos (39 por ciento), Anticonvulsivantes (diez y ocho por ciento), Hemoderivados y Vacunas (8 por ciento), Inmunosupresores (10 por ciento) y Citostáticos (8 por ciento). El 13.5 por ciento del total de las mismas eran evitables. El 39.1 por ciento de las RAM se detectaron por reporte voluntario y el 41.6 por ciento por seguimiento de pacientes. La distribución de RAM asociadas a Grupos de medicamentos coincide con la bibliografía consultada. Es posible reducir las RAM evitables a través del conocimiento adecuado de la farmacoterapia pediátrica poe el equipo de salud y las intervenciones farmaceúticas

Prolactin and growth hormone secretion after thyrotrophin-releasing hormone infusion and dopaminergic (DA2) blockade in infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis.

BACKGROUND: The origin of infertility in patients with endometriosis without tubal occlusion has not yet been clearly defined. Several reports show an abnormal pituitary-ovarian axis in this group of patients. Moreover, prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) secretion is closely related to reproductive status. This study aimed to evaluate PRL and GH secretion after metoclopramide and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) infusion in infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis. METHODS: A total of 64 women participated in the study: 33 fertile patients without endometriosis; 10 fertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis; and 21 infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis. TRH or metoclopramide was administered randomly in two sequential menstrual cycles (cycle days 3-5). Serum PRL and GH secretion before and after dopaminergic type 2 (DA2) receptor blockade and TRH were compared. RESULTS: Higher serum PRL levels were observed in patients with endometriosis at baseline and after 15 and 30 min of TRH administration. Also, infertile patients with endometriosis had lower serum estradiol levels than fertile patients. Moreover, the dopaminergic blockade did not result in abnormal PRL or GH secretion. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased serum estradiol levels and altered PRL secretion after TRH administration in infertile patients with minimal/mild endometriosis are related to ovulatory dysfunction and infertility in this group of patients without tubal occlusion.

Hyperprolactinemia and luteal insufficiency in infertile patients with mild and minimal endometriosis.

The objective of the present paper was to assess the presence of hormonal alterations in infertile women with stage I or II endometriosis (Group III, n = 20) compared to fertile women without endometriosis (Group I, n = 14) and to fertile women with endometriosis (Group II, n = 7). Serum levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, TSH, and PRL were measured between days 1 and 5 of the early follicular phase; in the luteal phase, three serum samples were collected for progesterone measurement, and endometrial biopsies were performed. Serum estradiol levels were lower (p = 0.035) in infertile patients with endometriosis than in fertile patients without endometriosis. Six infertile patients with endometriosis presented prolactin levels above 20 ng/ml. This was not observed in the other groups. Luteal insufficiency was more frequent in infertile patients with endometriosis (78.9%) than in fertile patients with (42.9%) or without endometriosis (0%). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, only the presence of endometriosis and infertility was significantly associated with luteal insufficiency. The serum levels of LH, FSH, and TSH were not significantly different among the groups. Luteal insufficiency and altered prolactin secretion were associated with endometriosis, and could be important mechanisms causing infertility in this group of patients.

The analysis of methadone in nail clippings from patients in a methadone-maintenance program.

This study offers an analytical scheme for methadone in fingernail clippings. Nail specimens (0.18-16.33 mg) were collected from 30 consenting adults participating in a methadone-maintenance program along with questionnaires regarding their drug-use histories. The nail clippings were stored in plastic bags and transferred to the laboratory for analysis. They were decontaminated by sonication for 15-min intervals successively in 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, water (three times), and methanol (three times). The methanolic washes were collected and screened for methadone by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Three washes were found sufficient to provide EIA negative results. The decontaminated nail clippings were hydrolyzed in 1M NaOH. Aliquots of the hydrolysates were screened for methadone by EIA and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean methadone concentrations in fingernail clippings determined by EIA and GC-MS were 32.8 and 26.9 ng/mg, respectively. Hydrolysates of the equivalent of 10 mg of blank nail clippings were spiked with known concentrations of methadone and analyzed by the developed procedures in order to determine extraction recoveries and limits of detection of the two techniques. Based on our results, fingernails appear to be a potentially useful biological specimen for the analysis of methadone and the monitoring of patient compliance to methadone-maintenance programs.

Analysis of morphine by RIA and HPLC in fingernail clippings obtained from heroin users.

Heroin is abused around the world and is frequently reported as the cause of death in overdose cases. Analysis of morphine in hair has been used in the past in forensic toxicology to study the addiction history of heroin addicts. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the nail as an analytical specimen in the identification and quantification of morphine in fingernail clippings of known heroin users. Fingernail clippings were obtained from 26 consenting patients of the Glasgow Drug Problem Service. At the time of sampling, the participants provided answers to a questionnaire regarding their drug use patterns. Samples were decontaminated by sonication in SDS, deionized water and methanol, and the methanolic washes were screened for analyte presence. The washed nail clippings were then hydrolyzed and extracted. RIA was used for the screening and HPLC for the confirmation of morphine. Positive RIA results were obtained with nail clippings from 25 of the 26 heroin users. The levels ranged from 0.06 to 4.69 ng/mg with a mean morphine concentration of 1.67 ng/mg. HPLC results were positive for 22 of the 26 nail samples. The mean morphine level by HPLC was 2.11 ng/mg with a range from 0.14 to 6.90 ng/mg. Based on these results, we suggest that nails have the potential of becoming a powerful alternative to hair for the detection of past heroin use in forensic cases.

Plasmacytoma of the urethra treated by excisional biopsy.

Plasmacytoma is an unusual disease of plasma cells, its presentation in the urethra is rare. We report the sixth known case of primary urethral plasmacytoma, which was treated by surgical excision, without recurrence for 3 years of follow-up.

Cisto hidatico retrovesical. / Retrovesical hydatid cyst

Relatam-se um caso de cisto hidatico retrovesical isolado em um homem de 36 anos, com queixas de acentuada dificuldade miccional e mostrando, ao exame fisico, massa globosa e tensa na regiao suprapubica, que persistiu apos cateterizacao vesical. A cistografia revelou sinais de massa retrovesical, determinando compressao extrinseca na bexiga. O diagnostico foi confirmado durante a exploracao cirurgica. Nao foi descoberta doenca hidatica em nenhuma outra localizacao (e.g.: figado, pulmao, etc.). Discute-se tambem a provavel via de instalacao do cisto nessa situacao rara