Ancilla-assisted measurement of photonic spatial correlations and entanglement.

We report an experiment in which the moments of spatial coordinates are measured in down-converted photons directly, without having to reconstruct any marginal probability distributions. We use a spatial light modulator to couple the spatial degrees of freedom and the polarization of the fields, which acts as an ancilla system. Information about the spatial correlations is obtained via measurements on the ancilla qubit. Among other applications, this new method provides a more efficient technique to identify continuous variable entanglement.

A cost evaluation of treatment alternatives for mild-to-moderate bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors in Brazil.

The first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors in Brazil is currently activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC), with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) used as second-line therapy or as a last resort. The aim of this study was to determine the cost and effectiveness of these treatments from the perspective of the Brazilian National Health Service. A decision analysis model was constructed to assess total direct medical costs (including drug costs, costs of outpatient or inpatient care, ambulance transportation and cost of concomitant medications) of first-line treatment with aPCC or rFVIIa. Clinical outcome and resource utilization data were obtained both retrospectively and prospectively and validated by the consensus of an expert panel of Brazilian haematologists. A total of 103 bleeds in 25 patients were included in the analysis. rFVIIa resolved bleeds more quickly (4.4 h) than aPCC (62.6 h) and was more effective (100% vs. 56.7% respectively). Mean total direct medical costs (from initiation to cessation of bleed) were estimated to be US$13 500 (aPCC) and US$7590 (rFVIIa). Extensive sensitivity analyses confirmed the cost-effectiveness of rFVIIa. Compared with aPCC, rFVIIa was more effective and less expensive when used as first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate bleeding episodes in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors in Brazil. rFVIIa should be considered a first-line treatment for the management of these patients.

[Guerreiro Machado reaction. Chromatographic analysis of Trypanosoma cruzi antigens]. / Estudos sobre a reacão de Guerreiro Machado. Análise cromatográfica de antígenos de Trypanosma cruzi.

The aqueous extract of Trypanosoma cruzi, previously treated by benzene, was filtered through a column of Sephadex G-200. The eluted fractions were tested by complement-fixation with the chagasic reference serum. It was found that the CF antigens were eluted in the first fractions and the contaminants in the last ones. The aqueous antigen, when dried and extracted with methanol, showed a very high titer in the complement-fixation quantitative test. This antigen is free of contaminants and can be recommended for use in the serological test for the diagnosis of Chagas' disease.

Serology in leprosy.

A critical survey of the literature on serology in leprosy has shown that sera taken from lepromatous patients display some striking differences in comparison with sera from tuberculoid patients. The tests most frequently employed were complement-fixation, haemagglutination, electrophoresis, precipitation and immunofluorescence, together with a variety of antigens not only from lepromas but also from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other actinomycetales.With the exception of the Rubino test, all these serological tests are lacking in specificity for leprosy since leprous sera have a broad range of reactivity with different antigens, including those employed in the serological diagnosis of syphilis.Some features of the leprous sera could be related to a hypersensitivity state involving circulating immune complexes, low levels of complement and the presence of antibodies similar to those found in sera from patients with autoimmune diseases.

Preliminary investigations on abnormal immunoglobulin(s) in leprosy.

A new, abnormal immunoglobulin designated IgK has been discovered in leprous Rubino-negative sera. The IgK having a negative net charge and its own antigenic specificity appears to be partly related to the Fc fragment of IgA and to Fab fragments of known immunoglobulins, but its net charge is negative at pH 8.8. Its molecule seems to possess kappa but not lambda light polypeptide chains. Implications of this discovery are discussed.

Immunological determination of Mycobacterium leprae by means of cytoplasmic antigens.

Mycobacterium leprae was isolated and purified from lepromas, the spleen, and the liver of leprosy patients. An immunodiffusion analysis of the cytoplasms obtained from four lots of M. leprae and M. lepraemurium, 295 strains of different actinomycetales, and 12 other bacteria was performed with the use of the cytoplasm antisera. Immunological relationships were revealed between the cytoplasms of M. leprae, M. lepraemurium, M. avium, M. gallinarum, M. tuberculosis, M. simiae, M. kansasii, M. chitae, M. capsulatum, Actinomyces israelii, A. naeslundii, and some strains of saprophytic mycobacteria. These studies led to the proposed concept of the immunological evolution of M. leprae and M. lepraemurium and an Actinomyces-like progenitor through M. avium-M. gallinarum and to a proposal for the polyvalent vaccine currently being developed by this research group.