Out-of-focus spatial map imaging of magnetically deflected sodium ammonia clusters.

This paper introduces out-of-focus spatial map imaging (SMI) as a detection method for magnetic deflection of molecular/cluster beams, using Nam(NH3)n to illustrate its capabilities. This method enables imaging of the complete spatial distribution, simplifying measurements and allowing for cluster-size-resolved analysis by shifting away from traditional in-focus SMI conditions. Incorporating out-of-focus SMI with TOF-MS and velocity map imaging into a single setup allows for direct assessment of clusters' magnetic moments without needing to pre-select velocities. Key findings include a slower relaxation for Na(NH3)4 compared to Na(NH3)3 and Na(NH3)5, unexpectedly high deflection for larger clusters up to Na(NH3)9, hinting at changes in cluster dynamics as the first solvation shell closes. The study also covers the first measurements of Na2(NH3)1 and Na3(NH3)n, showing distinct deflection behaviors and underscoring the improved capabilities of the new detection method.

Comparison of Heated Electrospray Ionization and Nanoelectrospray Ionization Sources Coupled to Ultra-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Highly Complex Atmospheric Aerosol Samples.

Direct infusion analysis using soft ionization techniques coupled to ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometers (UHRMS) allows screening of thousands of organic species in complex samples. Despite the high analytical throughput of direct infusion, this technique is known to be prone to matrix effects caused by changes in the ionization efficiency of an analyte, ion suppression, or enhancement due to the presence of certain compounds and inorganic salts in the sample. In this study we compared two soft ionization sources, that is, heated electrospray ionization (HESI) and nano-ESI for the analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples in the negative ionization mode. In-source fragmentation tests were conducted and experiments involving sample desalting through solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a reversed phase functionalized polymeric sorbent and spiking samples with inorganic salt were performed. Both ionization sources showed specific advantages and disadvantages for the direct infusion analysis of atmospheric aerosol extracts. The mass spectra of aerosol samples analyzed using HESI contained a large number of high molecular weight homologues containing sulfur and nitrogen, suggesting that this source is prone to formation of salt adducts and noncovalent compounds in samples enriched with inorganic salts. Data from the same aerosol sample extracts analyzed using nanoelectrospray ionization (nano-ESI) show less adduct formation; however, a decrease in the number of homologues was observed, as well as loss of molecules at higher mass range, indicating that the nano-ESI source is more prone to ion suppression. Irrespective of ionization source, SPE pretreatment significantly improved ion recoveries for organic species with nonpolar and moderately polar functional groups, but lower recoveries were obtained for highly oxygenated molecules. Therefore, while SPE reduced in-source adduct formation, it also limited the range of compounds identified through a single analysis.

Fabrication of spectrally sharp Si-based dielectric resonators: combining etaloning with Mie resonances.

We use low-resolution optical lithography joined with solid state dewetting of crystalline, ultra-thin silicon on insulator (c-UT-SOI) to form monocrystalline, atomically smooth, silicon-based Mie resonators in well-controlled large periodic arrays. The dewetted islands have a typical size in the 100 nm range, about one order of magnitude smaller than the etching resolution. Exploiting a 2 µm thick SiO2 layer separating the islands and the underlying bulk silicon wafer, we combine the resonant modes of the antennas with the etalon effect. This approach sets the resonance spectral position and improves the structural colorization and the contrast between scattering maxima and minima of individual resonant antennas. Our results demonstrate that templated dewetting enables the formation of defect-free, faceted islands that are much smaller than the nominal etching resolution and that an appropriate engineering of the substrate improves their scattering properties. These results are relevant to applications in spectral filtering, structural color and beam steering with all-dielectric photonic devices.

Endometriosis after menopause: physiopathology and management of an uncommon condition.

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent inflammatory disease that is usually characterized by infertility and pain symptoms. This disease mainly occurs during the reproductive years and is rarely diagnosed after menopause. We discuss the physiopathology of this condition after menopause as well as treatment options and the risk of malignant transformation. Occurrence or progression of postmenopausal endometriosis lesions could be related to extra-ovarian production of estrogen by endometriosis lesions and adipose tissue, which becomes the major estrogen-producing tissue after menopause. Postmenopausal women with symptomatic endometriosis should be managed surgically because of the risk of malignancy; medical treatments can be used in cases of pain recurrence after surgery. Aromatase inhibitors act by decreasing extra-ovarian estrogen production and by blocking the feed-forward stimulation loop between inflammation and aromatase within endometriosis lesions. The evidence is currently insufficient to support a conclusion about the optimal hormone replacement therapy for women with endometriosis. The question of malignant transformation of endometriosis in response to hormone replacement therapy in women with a history of endometriosis remains unanswered and needs a long-term follow-up study to evaluate the risk of an adverse outcome. Further studies should be performed to determine the optimal management of menopausal women with endometriosis.

Cost and resource implications with serum angiogenic factor estimation in the triage of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the economic and resource implications of using plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 s(Flt1) and placenta growth factor (PlGF) measurements in pre-eclampsia evaluation and management. DESIGN: Retrospective cost analysis of our prospective cohort study. SETTING: Boston, Massachusetts (USA). POPULATION: Women (n = 176) presenting to the hospital at <34 weeks of gestation for evaluation of possible pre-eclampsia during 2009-10. Cases without complete cost or outcome data (n = 9) and re-enrolments (n = 18) were excluded. METHODS: Modelled comparisons between the standard approach (combination of blood pressure, urinary protein excretion, alanine aminotransferase and platelet counts) and a novel approach (ratio of plasma sFlt1 and PlGF) using actual hospital data converted to 2012 US dollars in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Direct 2-week costs and resource use by groups having true or false positive and negative test results for adverse outcomes according to approach. RESULTS: The improved specificity of the novel approach decreased the proportion of women falsely labelled as test-positive from 42.3% (34.4-50.2%) to 4.0% (0.85-7.15%) and increased the proportion correctly labelled as test-negative from 23.5% (16.7-30.3%) to 61.7% (53.9-69.5%). This could potentially reduce average per-patient costs by $1215. Substantial quantities of resources [47.2% (35.7-58.7%) of antenatal admissions and 72.5% (68.0-77.0%) of tests for fetal wellbeing] were unnecessarily used for women who were truly negative. A proportion of iatrogenic preterm deliveries among women with negative results was potentially avoidable representing further cost and resource savings. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical use of the plasma sFlt1 and PlGF ratio improves risk stratification among women presenting for pre-eclampsia evaluation and has the potential to reduce costs and resource use.

Advances in neurosteroids: role in clinical practice.

The steroidogenic endocrine glands and local synthesis both contribute to the pool of steroids present in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Although the synthesis of neurosteroids in the nervous system is now well established, the spectrum of respective functions in regulating neuronal and glial functions remains to be fully elucidated. From the concept of neurosteroids derives another treatment strategy: the use of pharmaceutical agents that increase the synthesis of endogenous neurosteroids within the nervous system. This approach has so far been hampered by lack of knowledge concerning the regulation of the biosynthetic pathways of neurosteroids and their relationship with sex steroids produced by the peripheral gland or with exogenous steroids. The present review summarizes some of the available clinical and experimental findings supporting the critical role of neurosteroids during fertile life and reproductive aging and their relationship with endogenous and exogenous sex steroids. The brain metabolism of synthetic progestins and the implications of DHEA treatment in postmenopausal women will also be discussed.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of epithelial antigen Ber-Ep4 and CD10: new markers for endometriosis?

BACKGROUND: Early and certain diagnoses of endometriosis are mandatory to begin the correct treatment and to exclude the risk of endometriosis-associated ovarian carcinoma (EOC) and endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess the immunohistochemical expression of Ber-Ep4, an epithelial antigen, and CD10 in endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight women underwent laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and endometriotic samples were recovered for histology. In all surgical specimens Ber-Ep4 and CD10 were searched by an immnohistochemical method. The authors evaluated the correlations among the immunohistochemical positivity and the location of endometriosis. RESULTS: Most cases (40/48 83.34%) were represented by ovarian endometriotic cyst. Among the eight remaining cases, three (3/48, 6.25%) were pelvic endometriotic lesions, two (2/48, 4.17%) peritoneum of vesico-uterine pouch, one vaginal lesion (2.08%), one salpinx lesion (2.08%), and one inguinal location (2.08%). Ber-Ep4 and CD10 were expressed in 90% and in 100% of the ovarian lesions, respectively. In pelvic lesions Ber-Ep4 and CD10 showed both 66.67% of positivity and had the same pattern in peritoneal, salpinx, vaginal, and inguinal lesions (50%, 100%, 100%, 100%, respectively). Ber-Ep4 was negative in 6/48 (12.5%) cases whereas CDO10 was negative in 2/48 (4.17%) cases of endometriosis. The sensitivity of Ber-Ep4 and CD10 for endometriosis diagnosis were 87.50% and 95.83%, respectively. Immunohistochemistry for Ber-Ep4 showed positivity in all cases of endometriosis with typical cubic epithelium, whereas CD10 was positive in 1/2 (50%) atypical case. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical expression of Ber-Ep4 and CD10 was positive in most cases of endometriosis and was useful in differential diagnosis with mesothelial cysts. Ber-Ep4 was negative in cases of hyperplastic epithelium or cytological atypia; these cases are not well-differentiated and could be optimally treated by surgery and not by hormonal therapy because of the risk of cancer degeneration.

P16 immunostaining and HPV testing in histological specimens from the uterine cervix.

BACKGROUND: The cellular tumor suppressor protein pl61NK4a (p16) has been identified as a biomarker for transforming human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. P16 is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that regulates the cell cycle and cell proliferation by inhibiting cell cycle G1 progression. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To confirm the role of p16 as biomarker for transforming HPV infections and possible clinical applications in histological samples from the uterine cervix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subject of this study included 56 biopsies of the cervical canal collected from January 2012 to September 2012 in the Institute of Pathology of the University of Sassari. The search for HPV immunohistochemistry was performed with the monoclonal antibody DAKO 1:25, while for the detection of p16 was used CINtecTM p16 (INK4a) histology kit. RESULTS: In 56 biopsies performed in women aged between 23 and 69 years, the authors highlighted, by histological analysis, 24 cases of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) - cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN1) and 31 cases of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) - CIN2/3); 15 CIN2, 14 CIN3, and two cervical squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCIS). One case was an infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma (ISC). In 24 CIN1, there was a 16.67% positivity for p16 and an equal percentage occurred for HPV. In 15 cases of CIN2 the percentage of positivity for p16 was considerably increased (73.33%), unlike the search for HPV which had a positivity rate of 20%. Finally, in 14 cases of CIN3, and in three carcinomas, the positivity for p16 was equal to 100%, however the search for HPV positivity was between 0% and 7.14%. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that p16 was a highly sensitive marker of cervical dysplasia. The authors have shown that p16 overexpression increased with the severity of cytological abnormalities and that had a greater ability to identify the viral infection compared to the classical immunohistochemical staining for HPV.

Portable HEPA filtration successfully augments natural-ventilation-mediated airborne particle clearance in a legacy design hospital ward.

As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic has proceeded, ventilation has been recognized increasingly as an important tool in infection control. Many hospitals in Ireland and the UK do not have mechanical ventilation and depend on natural ventilation. The effectiveness of natural ventilation varies with atmospheric conditions and building design. In a challenge test of a legacy design ward, this study showed that portable air filtration significantly increased the clearance of pollutant aerosols of respirable size compared with natural ventilation, and reduced spatial variation in particle persistence. A combination of natural ventilation and portable air filtration is significantly more effective for particle clearance than either intervention alone.

[LESS, NOTES and robotic surgery in gynecology: an update and upcoming perspectives]. / Chirurgie LESS, NOTES et robotique en gynécologie: mise au point et perspectives.

Laparoscopy revolutionized the gynecological surgical world during the 1980's and 1990's and has changed the approach to surgical procedures ever since. Minimal invasive surgery procedures are now the standard of care for many gynecological operations. At the beginning of the 21st century, robotic gynecological surgery, laparo-endoscopic single site surgery (LESS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) may be on the threshold of another such revolutionary breakthrough. In this article, we review the present place of these new techniques in gynecological surgery and discuss their future perspective.

Providing monovalent oral polio vaccine type 1 to newborns: findings from a pilot birth-dose project in Moradabad district, India.

PROBLEM: Poliovirus transmission remained a public health challenge in western Uttar Pradesh, India in late 2005 and early 2006. In 2006, the India Expert Advisory Group for Polio Eradication concluded that, given the peak incidence of polio among children 6 to 12 months of age, a targeted birth dose of oral polio vaccine may be necessary to interrupt intense poliovirus transmission in high risk areas. APPROACH: The Government of Uttar Pradesh, the National Polio Surveillance Project and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) implemented a pilot birth-dose project aimed at identifying and vaccinating all newborns with a dose of oral polio vaccine within 72 hours of birth in an effort to evaluate operational feasibility and potential impact on population immunity. LOCAL SETTING: The project was piloted in Moradabad district: zone 7 in Moradabad City (urban setting), Kunderki block (rural setting) and in select birthing hospitals. RELEVANT CHANGES: Between July 2006 and February 2007, 9740 newborns were identified, of which 6369 (65%) were vaccinated by project personnel within 72 hours of birth. Project coverage (for total newborns vaccinated) ranged from 39% (in zone 7) to 76% (in Kunderki block) of the estimated number of newborns vaccinated during previous supplemental immunization activities. LESSONS LEARNED: Birth-dose coverage among newborns was lower than expected. Expansion costs were estimated to be high, with marginal impact. The project, however, provided opportunities to strengthen newborn tracking systems which have increased the number of newborns and young infants vaccinated during supplemental immunization activities and enrolled in routine programmes.

Ethanol tolerance in the rat is learned.

Rats were trained to walk on a treadmill to avoid foot shock. The animals developed tolerance for ethanol if given subsequent practice while ethanol intoxicated. Rats given equivalent doses of ethanol after practice did not develop tolerance, nor did saline-treated controls. These results challenge the hypothesis that mere repeated doses of ethanol are sufficient to induce tolerance. It seems that tolerance does not develop unless the response used to measure tolerance is performed while the subject is intoxicated.

[Endometriosis: review of the literature and clinical management]. / Prise en charge de l'endométriose.

Despite numerous studies, endometriosis remains unclear concerning the etiopathogenesis, the natural history and optimal treatment. It occurs preferentially in young women and may be associated with a series of painful symptoms very disabling, together with infertility and significant psychological problems. Because of the multiple consultations, operations and disability it can cause, endometriosis takes an increasing part in health costs. Delays between onset and diagnosis are still long, and it is important to diagnose as early as possible to stop this disease so as to maintain or restore fertility and quality of life for patients. That is why a careful listening and clinical examination with appropriate investigations will improve our global care.

Modulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte microbicidal activity and oxidative metabolism by fibrinogen degradation products D and E.

Fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) D and E are typically present in blood of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation and related conditions in which granulocyte (PMN) defense against bacterial infection may be compromised. This study was intended to determine whether FDP modify PMN functions critical to their bactericidal activity. Incubation of human PMN and Escherichia coli with 50-100 micrograms/ml FDP did not affect phagocytosis, but reduced by greater than 90% the cells' ability to inhibit bacterial colony growth compared with control PMN incubated with albumin or fibrinogen. FDP (10-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited PMN O2- release and chemotaxis stimulated by FMLP by 17-50% (P less than 0.005) and 41% (P less than 0.01), respectively. Fragment E3, and not fragment D1, was primarily responsible for inhibition of FMLP-induced PMN O2- release. Phorbol myristate acetate (10 ng/ml), 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (10(-6) M), AA (4.2 x 10(-5) M), and zymosan-activated serum-stimulated PMN O2- release were also decreased 37-63% by FDP compared with control protein. There are at least two mechanisms by which FDP may impair PMN responses. With respect to FMLP, FDP (16-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited specific binding to the cell surface over a ligand concentration range of 1.4-85 nM [3H]FMLP. In contrast, FDP did not effect the extent of phorbol ester binding to PMN but blocked activation of protein kinase C. These data suggest that elevated plasma FDP inhibit several PMN functions critical to the bactericidal role of these inflammatory cells.

[Laparoscopic lateral suspension, another way to treat genital prolapse]. / La suspension latérale cœlioscopique, une autre façon de traiter les prolapsus génitaux.

The laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is the treatment of choice of pelvic organ prolapses since more than twenty years. The laparoscopic lateral suspension with mesh is an alternative technique. Its originality is the subperitoneal passing of the lateral arm of the mesh in the lateral abdominal wall, leaving the skin above the iliac crest, in a place without risks of vascular, nerve, bowel injuries. We report in this article the results of the three main publications on the subject. The indications are cystocele and apical descent. It can be envisaged when the access of the promontory is difficult; for instance in the presence of obesity, adhesions, sigmoid megacolon, or low position of the left common iliac vein, partially covering the promontory. It is also a practical technique for surgeons having a moderate experience of the promontory access.

The remarkable reaction of N2O with a binary component lanthanide oxide mixture.

The interaction of N2O with a Sm2O3-PrO(2-x) mixed oxide proceeds via the unexpected production of a new bulk phase that has been tenatively assigned to a new cis-hyponitrite compound.

Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) and aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) single particle analysis of metallurgy plant emissions.

The chemical composition of single particles deposited on industrial filters located in three different chimneys of an iron-manganese (Fe-Mn) alloy manufacturing plant have been compared using aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). Very similar types of particles were observed using both analytical techniques. Calcium-containing particles dominated in the firing area of the sintering unit, Mn and/or Al-bearing particles were observed at the cooling area of the sintering unit, while Mn-containing particles were dominant at the smelting unit. SEM-EDX analysis of particles collected downstream of the industrial filters showed that the composition of the particles emitted from the chimneys is very similar to those collected on the filters. ATOFMS analysis of ore samples was also performed to identify particulate emissions that could be generated by wind erosion and manual activities. Specific particle types have been identified for each emission source (chimneys and ore piles) and can be used as tracers for source apportionment of ambient PM measured in the vicinity of the industrial site.

[Practice guidelines: conservative treatment of fibroids]. / Traitement conservateur des fibromes: recommandations pour la pratique.

The conservative treatment of uterine fibroids is essentially based on symptomatology and patient's choice of treatment. The gynaecologist must develop a clear therapeutic protocol based on clinical examination, available test results and consideration of patient preference. The therapeutic options include close surveillance, hormonal treatments, conservative operative endoscopy and arterial embolization.

Neurobiology of DHEA and effects on sexuality, mood and cognition.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester, DHEAS, are the most abundant steroid hormones in the humans. However, their physiological significance, their mechanisms of action and their possible roles as treatment are not fully clarified. Biological actions of DHEA(S) in the brain involve neuroprotection, neurite growth, neurogenesis and neuronal survival, apoptosis, catecholamine synthesis and secretion, as well as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiglucocorticoid effects. In addition, DHEA affects neurosteroidogenis and endorphin synthesis/release. We also demonstrated in a model of ovariectomized rats that DHEA therapy increases proceptive behaviors, already after 1 week of treatment, affecting central function of sexual drive. In women, the analyses of clinical outcomes are far from being conclusive and many issues should still be addressed. Although DHEA preparations have been available in the market since the 1990s, there are very few definitive reports on the biological functions of this steroid. We demonstrate that 1 year DHEA administration at the dose of 10mg provided a significant improvement in comparison with vitamin D in sexual function and in frequency of sexual intercourse in early postmenopausal women. Among symptomatic women, the spectrum of symptoms responding to DHEA requires further investigation, to define the type of sexual symptoms (e.g. decreased sexual function or hypoactive sexual desire disorder) and the degree of mood/cognitive symptoms that could be responsive to hormonal treatment. In this regard, our findings are promising, although they need further exploration with a larger and more representative sample size. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Essential role of DHEA.