Extraction of Beam-Spin Asymmetries from the Hard Exclusive π

We have measured beam-spin asymmetries to extract the sinϕ moment A_{LU}^{sinϕ} from the hard exclusive e[over →]p→e^{'}nπ^{+} reaction above the resonance region, for the first time with nearly full coverage from forward to backward angles in the center of mass. The A_{LU}^{sinϕ} moment has been measured up to 6.6 GeV^{2} in -t, covering the kinematic regimes of generalized parton distributions (GPD) and baryon-to-meson transition distribution amplitudes (TDA) at the same time. The experimental results in very forward kinematics demonstrate the sensitivity to chiral-odd and chiral-even GPDs. In very backward kinematics where the TDA framework is applicable, we found A_{LU}^{sinϕ} to be negative, while a sign change was observed near 90° in the center of mass. The unique results presented in this Letter will provide critical constraints to establish reaction mechanisms that can help to further develop the GPD and TDA frameworks.

Human BRCA1-associated breast cancer: no increase in numerical chromosomal instability compared to sporadic tumors.

BRCA1 is a major gatekeeper of genomic stability. Acting in multiple central processes like double-strand break repair, centrosome replication, and checkpoint control, BRCA1 participates in maintaining genomic integrity and protects the cell against genomic instability. Chromosomal instability (CIN) as part of genomic instability is an inherent characteristic of most solid tumors and is also involved in breast cancer development. In this study, we determined the extent of CIN in 32 breast cancer tumors of women with a BRCA1 germline mutation compared to 62 unselected breast cancers. We applied fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with centromere-specific probes for the chromosomes 1, 7, 8, 10, 17, and X and locus-specific probes for 3q27 (BCL6), 5p15.2 (D5S23), 5q31 (EGR1), 10q23.3 (PTEN), and 14q32 (IGH@) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue microarray sections. Our hypothesis of an increased level of CIN in BRCA1-associated breast cancer could not be confirmed by this approach. Surprisingly, we detected no significant difference in the extent of CIN in BRCA1-mutated versus sporadic tumors. The only exception was the CIN value for chromosome 1. Here, the extent of CIN was slightly higher in the group of sporadic tumors.

Influence of SiO2 matrix on electronic and optical properties of Si nanocrystals.

Based on ab initio density functional theory we present electronic properties and the optical response for Si nanocrystals embedded in amorphous SiO(2) networks. Quasi-spherical dots with diameters from 0.8 to 1.6 nm are investigated. The results for Si nanocrystals embedded in SiO(2) are compared with corresponding results for hydrogenated Si nanocrystals of the same size. The calculations show the influence of the interface between nanocrystal and matrix on the electronic properties. The results are compared with recent experimental data and discussed in detail. As striking features, strong reductions of the gaps and their diameter variation are predicted due to the oxide presence. Electronic confinement mainly influences the absorption edge while at higher photon energies only broad peaks at almost fixed positions occur.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: the liver affects the heart.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy historically has been confused as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The key points for diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy have been well explained, however this entity was neglected for a long time. Nowadays the diagnosis of this entity has become important because it is a factor that contributes significantly to morbidity-mortality in cirrhotic patients. Characteristics of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy are a hyperdynamic circulatory state, altered diastolic relaxation, impaired contractility, and electrophysiological abnormalities, particularity QT interval prolongation. The pathogenesis includes impaired function of beta-receptors, altered transmembrane currents and overproduction of cardiodepressant factors, such as nitric oxide, cytokines and endogenous cannabinoids. In addition to physical signs of hyperdynamic state and heart failure under stress conditions, the diagnosis can be done with dosage of serum markers, electrocardiography, echocardiography and magnetic resonance. The treatment is mainly supportive, but orthotopic liver transplantation appears to improve this condition although the prognosis of liver transplantation in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is uncertain.

Complications of untreated and ineffectively treated neurogenic bladder dysfunctions in children: our own practical classification.

The neurogenic dysfunctions of the detrusor and the sphincter are caused by either a known congenital defect of the nervous system or by acquired damage to the nervous system. In patients with idiopathic bladder dysfunctions neurological examinations fail to reveal any pathology in the nervous system. The treatment strategy for the patient with detrusor-sphincter dysfunction should be based on a comprehensive functional and morphological evaluation. Clean Intermittent Catheterization is mandatory if voiding is ineffective. Reduced bladder capacity related to detrusor overactivity and decreased bladder walls compliance is successfully managed conservatively with oral anticholinergics. Conservative treatment prevents complications in the majority of patients. However, despite proper conservative treatment, some patients still develop complications. We propose our own practical classification of complications characteristic for the bladder and sphincter dysfunctions: 1. Urinary tract infections; 2. Urolithiasis; 3. Anatomic changes in the lower urinary tract; 4. Anatomic changes in the upper urinary tract; 5. Functional disturbances of kidneys parenchyma; 6. Urinary incontinence. Proposed practical classification of complications of bladder and sphincter dysfunctions is clear and simple. This classification can be used both in children with neurogenic and non-neurogenic dysfunctions. It is helpful in planning follow-up procedures and evaluation of treatment results.

Acute phase proteins disturbances indicate uncompensated obesity declining physical fitness.

OBJECTIVE: The correlation between physical fitness and health indicators still requires a research aimed at improving the knowledge about physical fitness and the impact of obesity on the health status in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is an analysis of the results of the EUROFIT battery tests in relation to routine laboratory parameters and the inflammation markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the group of 123 Polish adolescents the routine parameters of lipid metabolism and acute phase proteins were investigated, and compared with EUROFIT motor fitness tests results, expressed as percentiles of the results achieved by healthy Polish population. RESULTS: Most of the EUROFIT tests battery were performed by overweight adolescent girls on an insufficient level. Children who were described by parameters indicating more advanced obesity performed the EUROFIT tests worse. There was showed a negative correlation between the concentration of HDL cholesterol and the long jump (rho=-0.304) as well as with the speed of limb movement (rho=-0.277). There was a positive correlation between the speed of limb movement and the concentration of triglycerides (rho=0.335), LDL cholesterol (rho=0.305) and the percentage of the A4 (rho=0.239). CONCLUSIONS: Disturbed lipid parameters, as well as altered glycosylation profiles of acute phase proteins, were observed in all overweight children, and the intensity of alterations correlated with worse fitness.

[Autologous serum versus hyaluronic acid eye drops for the treatment of corneal erosions after vitrectomy in diabetic patients. A prospective randomized study]. / Vergleich von Eigenserum und Hyaluronsäure zur Behandlung kornealer Erosiones nach Vitrektomie bei Diabetikern. Eine prospektive, randomisierte Studie.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether treatment with autologous serum exhibits better epitheliotropic properties than hyaluronic acid in patients with reduced wound healing (diabetics). PATIENTS AND METHOD: This prospective randomized study included all diabetic patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy with abrasion of the corneal epithelium. In addition to the usual topical therapy one group was treated with hourly application of autologous serum, the other group with hyaluronic acid drops. We evaluated the time needed for closure of the corneal epithelium as well as other parameters such as patient's age, sex, duration of surgery, history of diabetes, and the current HbA1C. RESULTS: There were 23 patients enrolled in the study. The epithelium healed a mean of 2 days earlier in the autologous serum group. Based on the statistically significant difference in favor of autologous serum, the study was terminated after treatment of 23 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Autologous serum eye drops lead to earlier closure of the corneal epithelium after intraoperative abrasion in diabetic patients when compared with artificial tears.

[Subjective decrease of visual acuity after photodynamic therapy: documentation by optical coherence tomography and its correlation with visual acuity]. / Disminución de la agudeza visual tras terapia fotodinámica: estudio mediante tomografía de coherencia óptica y su correlación con la agudeza visual.

CASE REPORT: A 68-year-old patient complained of decreased visual acuity (VA) two days after photodynamic therapy (PDT) had been performed. VA decreased from the pre-operative value of 0.4 to 0.1 on the second postoperative day. With additional + 1.75 diopters, VA was 0.32. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) disclosed a subneuroretinal fluid accumulation causing a serous retinal detachment 600 microm in height. One week postoperatively, neither decreased vision nor retinal elevation were noted. DISCUSSION: The temporary subjective decreased VA could be predominantly reduced by adequate refraction. OCT and VA measurements excluded ischemia of the neuroretina or the choroid as a causative factor.

Amorphous Ge quantum dots embedded in crystalline Si: ab initio results.

We study amorphous Ge quantum dots embedded in a crystalline Si matrix through structure modeling and simulation using ab initio density functional theory including spin-orbit interaction and quasiparticle effects. Three models are generated by replacing a spherical region within diamond Si by Ge atoms and creating a disordered bond network with appropriate density inside the Ge quantum dot. After total-energy optimisations of the atomic geometry we compute the electronic and optical properties. We find three major effects: (i) the resulting nanostructures adopt a type-I heterostructure character; (ii) the lowest optical transitions occur only within the Ge quantum dots, and do not involve or cross the Ge-Si interface. (iii) for larger amorphous Ge quantum dots, with diameters of about 2.0 and 2.7 nm, absorption peaks appear in the mid-infrared spectral region. These are promising candidates for intense luminescence at photon energies below the gap energy of bulk Ge.

The dexamethasone suppression test in patients with alcoholism.

It is unknown whether the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) can be used to help identify patients with major depressive disorder if they have recently been abusing alcohol. We evaluated 38 male alcoholics with Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the standardized overnight 1-mg DST, administered after 3-4 weeks of detoxification. Eighty-two percent had a normal suppressive DST response. The DST may be useful in aiding identification of patients with a profile of major depressive disorder and continued depression after alcohol detoxification. The test might facilitate a rational selection of alcoholics who may benefit from antidepressants. However, the possibility of false positive results must be further investigated.

Denying the incredible: unexplained deaths in a Veterans Administration hospital.

During July and August 1975 a large number of patients at the Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Hospital experienced unexplained respiratory arrests, and there were six deaths. These were later shown to be due to the deliberate injection of pancuronium bromide, a muscle relaxant. A questionnaire survey of the reactions of the hospital patients and staff to the deaths revealed that the patients had more confidence in the hospital and their medical treatment than did the staff, and those patients who were theoretically most vulnerable used denial to cope with the unprecedented and frightening situation.

Results of high dose 106-ruthenium irradiation of choroidal melanomas.

The favored treatment of intraocular melanomas in Germany is 106-ruthenium eye plaque therapy. The Departments of Radiation Therapy and Ophthalmology (University of Münster) initiated a clinical study in 1981 to reveal the effect of high-dose beta irradiation (15.000 cGy to the apex of the tumor) regarding tumor regression, treatment related side effects, visual acuity, and survival. Sixty-seven patients have been treated since 1981. In 12 patients a second course of irradiation has been performed because of insufficient tumor regression or no change after the first plaque treatment. Sixty-five percent (44/67 pts.) were over 60 years of age. Twenty-four patients had a small tumor (up to 3 mm in height), 20 patients had a medium sized tumor (3.1-5 mm in height), and 22 patients had a large tumor (more than 5.1 mm in height). Fifty-one patients had a follow-up of at least 12 months. A total tumor regression was achieved in 34/51 patients (67%), partial tumor regression occurred in 13/51 patients (25%), and in 4/51 patients (8%) there was no change after the first course. After the second course of 106-ruthenium-irradiation 5 of the 12 patients showed total tumor regression, 3 had partial regression, and in 4 patients only an increase of the tumor echogenity could be assessed by ultrasonography, but no change in height. Visual acuity, which depends mostly on the localization of the tumor, was preserved at pretreatment levels in 72% of the patients. Two patients died with documented metastatic disease, one patient died of myocardial infarction. There was only one enucleation because of neovascular glaucoma.

Linkage between research sponsorship and patented eye-care technology.

PURPOSE: To examine the linkage between the funding of ophthalmologic and related biomedical research and the development of patented eye-care technology using data on patents granted and the scientific literature cited by those patents. METHODS: The United States patents granted during the 20-year period from 1975 through 1994 were screened using patent office classifications and key words to identify all eye-care-related patents. Each patent's nonpatent references (references to literature other than previously granted patents) were examined, and those references to scientific papers then were reviewed to determine the authors' institutions and acknowledged funding sources. RESULTS: Major findings include the following: (1) Eye technology innovation has grown steadily, with a threefold increase in number of patents granted from 224 in 1975 to 662 in 1994. (2) The cited scientific base that supports this technology has grown even more rapidly, with a sixfold increase in the average number of nonpatent references, from fewer than 0.5 per patent in 1975 to more than 3.0 in 1994; as a result, the total number of nonpatent references has increased by a factor of 20, from 100 in 1975 to 2000 in 1994. (3) The National Eye Institute is the leading single institution in providing support for this research: 31% of all eye-care patents with science references cite papers that contain at least one acknowledgment to National Eye Institute (NEI) support; and when NEI is combined with the rest of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 41% of the patents with science references are linked to NIH-funded research. (4) Patent science dependence, as measured by science references, is greatest for technologies related to medical treatment, surgical instruments, and intraocular lenses; moderate for diagnostic instruments and contact lens; and least for eyeglasses. CONCLUSIONS: The NIH and other sponsored vision research is of direct and increasing relevance to the growing number of US patented eye-care technologies.

Cerebral cortical atrophy in alcoholic men.

Sixteen alcoholic men under 50 with no gross evidence of intellectual impairment were evaluated by means of neurologic examination, neuropsychologic testing and computerized tomography. Computerized tomography demonstrated mild to moderate cortical atrophy in 11 of the 16 men when compared to an age-matched medical control group. The cortical atrophy was associated with evidence of memory and visual-motor impairment on neuropsychologic testing. The seriousness of the condition paralleled the length and intensity of alcohol abuse.

A new concept for an atraumatic foreign-body microextractor for vitreous surgery.

A new concept of a foreign-body microextractor is introduced. The holding part consists of flexible, silicone-covered, looplike branches that adapt to the form of the foreign body and surround it completely, so a safe extraction through the scleral incision is guaranteed.

Radiological and histological findings of the lacrimal passages of newborns.

By means of postmortem dacryocystograms and photomicrographs of histological slides, the topography and morphology of the lacrimal passages in premature and mature newborn infants are demonstrated. Because of the bends in the course of the lower tear duct, a percentage of probings will fail to effect satisfactory perforation of Hasner's membrane. In most cases the soft texture of this membrane requires no more than syringing under pressure using a hollow probe.

Ultrasonic findings after treatment of retinal detachment by intravitreal silicone instillation.

Postoperative A- and B-scan ultrasonography in 55 patients with complicated retinal detachment who had undergone pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal silicone oil tamponade showed that the position of the retina could be demonstrated. The reproducible phenomena in eyes with clear media indicated that the same characteristics could be used for diagnosis in eyes with opacification of the lens or cornea.

Vitreopapillary traction in proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy [ssee comments].

AIM: To present the clinical profile of a new entity in advanced proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy (PDVR). Mechanisms of vision loss due to vitreopapillary traction on the nasal optic disc are described, followed by an introduction of methods for prevention and treatment in such cases. METHODS: 17 patients with PDVR and traction on the nasal side of the optic disc, pallor of the optic nerve head, and reduced visual acuity were included in the study. Six patients were observed retrospectively and 11 patients prospectively before and after pars plana vitrectomy. Pre- and postoperative examinations included visual acuity, Goldmann's visual field, fluorescein angiography, and measurements of visual evoked potentials (VEP). RESULTS: During a postoperative follow up period of 3 to 24.5 months (mean 14.5 months) an improvement in optic disc appearance combined with an increased visual acuity (mean increase in VA = 0.171) was observed in 15/17 (88.3%) patients. In addition, 8/17 (47%) of these patients showed higher VEP amplitudes (mean 3.83 microV), and eight (6/8 of the same patients as VEP amplitudes) patients showed a reduction of latency (mean reduction 22.25 ms) during VEP assessment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that vitreopapillary traction may damage the anterior optic nerve, via decreased axoplasmatic flow in the optic nerve fibres and/or mechanical reduction of perfusion in the posterior ciliary arteries. The effects of each mechanism appear to be reversible, but in the long term might lead to irreversible optic nerve atrophy. Therefore, in patients with vitreopapillary traction, early vitrectomy should be considered as a method to prevent optic neuropathy.

Decompression of the orbit and the optic nerve in different diseases.

During the past six years, visual loss in 60 patients was caused by infectious processes and mucoceles of the ethmoid region, benign paranasal tumours, endocrine ophthalmopathies, head trauma etc. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative visual function in 48 cases treated by decompression of the orbit and in 12 cases treated by decompression of the optic nerve demonstrated visual improvement of 68 percent on average. Surgically, we preferred the transethmoidal route and in some cases the lateral osteoplastic approach. With regard to the success of the surgical therapy, a correlation between the time of manifestation of the visual loss and the time of surgery was found. The results mainly depended on the underlying diseases.