Nuclear Charge Radius of

Collinear laser spectroscopy was performed on the isomer of the aluminium isotope ^{26m}Al. The measured isotope shift to ^{27}Al in the 3s^{2}3p ^{2}P_{3/2}^{○}→3s^{2}4s ^{2}S_{1/2} atomic transition enabled the first experimental determination of the nuclear charge radius of ^{26m}Al, resulting in R_{c}=3.130(15) fm. This differs by 4.5 standard deviations from the extrapolated value used to calculate the isospin-symmetry breaking corrections in the superallowed ß decay of ^{26m}Al. Its corrected Ft value, important for the estimation of V_{ud} in the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix, is thus shifted by 1 standard deviation to 3071.4(1.0) s.

Nuclear Charge Radii of the Nickel Isotopes

Collinear laser spectroscopy is performed on the nickel isotopes ^{58-68,70}Ni, using a time-resolved photon counting system. From the measured isotope shifts, nuclear charge radii R_{c} are extracted and compared to theoretical results. Three ab initio approaches all employ, among others, the chiral interaction NNLO_{sat}, which allows an assessment of their accuracy. We find agreement with experiment in differential radii δ⟨r_{c}^{2}⟩ for all employed ab initio methods and interactions, while the absolute radii are consistent with data only for NNLO_{sat}. Within nuclear density functional theory, the Skyrme functional SV-min matches experiment more closely than the Fayans functional Fy(Δr,HFB).

Improvement in dyspareunia after vaginal mesh removal measured by a validated questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to examine the effect of the surgical removal of vaginally placed prolapse and incontinence mesh on sexual function. We hypothesize that patients with painful complications of mesh will experience improvement in dyspareunia and sexual function after mesh removal. METHODS: The eligible cohort consisted of 133 women who presented with a new onset of pain attributed to mesh-augmented incontinence or prolapse surgery and who elected to undergo mesh removal between 1 August 2012 and 1 July 2013. Sexual function symptoms were assessed before and after mesh removal surgery using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire short form (PISQ-12). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of improvement in dyspareunia. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients undergoing mesh removal completed a pre-operative questionnaire, 63 of whom also completed a post-operative questionnaire. After mesh removal, there was a nearly 50% reduction in the proportion of women reporting always experiencing post-operative pain with intercourse among those experiencing pre-operative pain. There was a statistically significant quantitative improvement in pain with intercourse after mesh removal based on mean change score of PISQ-12 question 5 "How often do you experience pain with intercourse?". In multivariate analysis, only history of vaginal delivery was associated with symptom improvement. CONCLUSION: Removal of transvaginal prolapse mesh is associated with improvement in self-reported dyspareunia based on a standardized question on a validated instrument in a small cohort of women. Although larger studies are needed to confirm the relationship between mesh-augmented surgeries and post-procedural dyspareunia, these data suggest that consideration of mesh removal is a reasonable step for patients with painful intercourse attributed to mesh-augmented prolapse and incontinence surgeries.

Charge Radius of the Short-Lived

We present the first laser spectroscopic measurement of the neutron-rich nucleus ^{68}Ni at the N=40 subshell closure and extract its nuclear charge radius. Since this is the only short-lived isotope for which the dipole polarizability α_{D} has been measured, the combination of these observables provides a benchmark for nuclear structure theory. We compare them to novel coupled-cluster calculations based on different chiral two- and three-nucleon interactions, for which a strong correlation between the charge radius and dipole polarizability is observed, similar to the stable nucleus ^{48}Ca. Three-particle-three-hole correlations in coupled-cluster theory substantially improve the description of the experimental data, which allows to constrain the neutron radius and neutron skin of ^{68}Ni.

Correlates of 1-Year Change in Quality of Life in Patients with Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Findings from the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network.

PURPOSE: We evaluated and identified baseline factors associated with change in health related quality of life among patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 191 men and 233 women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (collectively referred to as urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome) were followed for 12 months with bimonthly completion of the Short Form 12 to assess general mental and physical health related quality of life, and with biweekly assessment of condition specific health related quality of life using the Genitourinary Pain Index. A functional clustering algorithm was used to classify participants as improved, stable or worsened for each health related quality of life measure. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine baseline factors associated with change. RESULTS: Physical health related quality of life improved in 22% of the participants, mental health related quality of life improved in 25% and condition specific health related quality of life improved in 47%. Better baseline physical health related quality of life, older age and the presence of nonurological symptoms were associated with lower likelihood of improvement in physical health related quality of life. Better baseline mental health related quality of life, female sex, and greater baseline depression and stress were associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in mental health related quality of life. Better baseline condition specific health related quality of life and more severe baseline urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome pain symptoms were associated with a lower likelihood of improvement in condition specific health related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: While several nonurologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome factors influenced the trajectory of general health related quality of life over time, only condition specific baseline health related quality of life and urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms were associated with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome specific health related quality of life change. Significant differences in how urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome impacts various aspects of health related quality of life suggest a multidisciplinary approach to assessment and treatment of these patients.

Laser Spectroscopy of Neutron-Rich Tin Isotopes: A Discontinuity in Charge Radii across the N=82 Shell Closure.

The change in mean-square nuclear charge radii δ⟨r^{2}⟩ along the even-A tin isotopic chain ^{108-134}Sn has been investigated by means of collinear laser spectroscopy at ISOLDE/CERN using the atomic transitions 5p^{2} ^{1}S_{0}→5p6 s^{1}P_{1} and 5p^{2} ^{3}P_{0}→5p6s ^{3}P_{1}. With the determination of the charge radius of ^{134}Sn and corrected values for some of the neutron-rich isotopes, the evolution of the charge radii across the N=82 shell closure is established. A clear kink at the doubly magic ^{132}Sn is revealed, similar to what has been observed at N=82 in other isotopic chains with larger proton numbers, and at the N=126 shell closure in doubly magic ^{208}Pb. While most standard nuclear density functional calculations struggle with a consistent explanation of these discontinuities, we demonstrate that a recently developed Fayans energy density functional provides a coherent description of the kinks at both doubly magic nuclei, ^{132}Sn and ^{208}Pb, without sacrificing the overall performance. A multiple correlation analysis leads to the conclusion that both kinks are related to pairing and surface effects.

AFOMP Policy No 5: career progression for clinical medical physicists in AFOMP countries.

This policy statement, which is the fifth of a series of documents being prepared by the Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics Professional Development Committee, gives guidance on how clinical medical physicists' careers should progress from their initial training to career end. It is not intended to be prescriptive as in some AFOMP countries career structures are already essentially defined by employment awards and because such matters will vary considerably from country to country depending on local culture, employment practices and legislation. It is intended to be advisory and set out options for member countries and employers of clinical medical physicists to develop suitable career structures.

Importance of species of Triatominae (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) in risk of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in western Mexico.

The epidemiological risk of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas in human populations of western Mexico is still under study. Although most vectors in this region and their vector capability are already known, new studies estimating the risk and the importance of individual Triatominae species (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) for T. cruzi transmission are necessary. For 1 yr, every month, > 400 human dwellings and their surroundings in eight communities of two western Mexico states were searched for triatomines. More than 1,000 specimens representing four species were collected and checked for T. cruzi infection. Based on the usual entomological indices, only the inhabitants of Gavilán El Progreso-La Villita are at serious risk of vectorial infection by T. cruzi. A population of Meccus longipennis (Usinger) was found living in peridomestic rock pile boundary walls after an insecticide spraying. It was confirmed the major role of peridomestic habitats as shelter areas for triatomines, particularly in rock pile boundary walls and chicken roosts. Triatominae presence also was verified in certain sylvatic habitats, including primarily heaps of stones. The important role of M. longipennis in the potential transmission of T. cruzi in the region and the secondary role of M. picturatus (Usinger) and Triatoma barberi Usinger also were confirmed. Null colonization of houses by T. barberi, which was collected primarily in peridomestic habitats, differs from its common intradomiciliary collection in other studies. Meccus pallidipennis (Stål) most probably does not exist in Nayarit. Meccus mazzottii (Usinger) and Meccus phyllosomus (Burmeister) are no longer found in Nayarit and Jalisco. Additional studies are necessary to determine the current epidemiological situation in other areas of western Mexico.

Polypropylene sling for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Sling procedures have been used successfully for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. Using similar surgical principles to the cadaveric fascia sling, we describe the placement of a thinly woven Prolene mesh under the mid to distal urethra. We describe our technique and report our initial early results. Technical Considerations. A total of 98 consecutive patients were evaluated. All patients had clinical evidence of stress urinary incontinence. The patients underwent a preoperative evaluation with video- urodynamic studies, symptom questionnaire, and cystoscopy. A 1 x 10-cm Prolene mesh was placed under the mid to distal urethra. Postoperatively, the patients were evaluated at 3-month intervals with a symptom questionnaire, physical examination, and postvoid residual volume determination. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a new, simple, quick, inexpensive, and effective method to correct stress urinary incontinence by placing a Prolene mesh under the distal urethra.

Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of hydronephrosis, reflux and renal scarring in children.

PURPOSE: We studied the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating hydronephrosis, differential renal function, vesicoureteral reflux and renal scarring in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 patients with hydronephrosis were evaluated with MRI. Coronal T1 and axial T1 and T2-weighted images were obtained before and after the administration of intravenous contrast material. Patients with vesicoureteral reflux underwent magnetic resonance voiding cystourethrography. Differential renal function was estimated from differential parenchymal volumes determined from MRI using computer software. The results were compared to standard imaging modalities. RESULTS: A total of 19 MRI studies were performed in 16 patients, including 3 for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, 11 for vesicoureteral reflux and 2 for other conditions. MRI provided the best anatomic detail and clear corticomedullary differentiation. MRI identified renal scarring and cortical thinning in 8 cases, while mercaptoacetyltriglycine 3 scans did not show any renal scarring and single photon emission computerized tomography-dimercapto-succinic acid nuclear scans diagnosed only 4 of 5 cases. There was good correlation between differential function obtained from nuclear scans and differential parenchymal volumes obtained from MRI (correlation coefficient 0.86, r2 = 0.74). Magnetic resonance voiding cystourethrography diagnosed reflux in 4 of 5 patients in whom vesicoureteral reflux was previously documented by standard voiding cystourethrography. CONCLUSIONS: MRI provides an alternative for the evaluation of hydronephrosis in children by combining the information provided by functional and anatomic nuclear scans, voiding cystourethrography and ultrasonography in a single study without ionizing radiation. MRI appears to be as good as existing modalities in the evaluation of renal scarring and cortical thinning.

Diagnostic imaging of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses a variety of fascial and anatomic defects that can include a combination of cystocele, rectocele, uterine prolapse, enterocele and vault prolapse. Accurate diagnosis of the coexisting abnormalities is essential in planning reconstructive procedures so that the risks of recurrence and reoperation can be minimized. At this time, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging is the study of choice to evaluate the female pelvis and delineate the possible components of pelvic floor dysfunction.

Polypropylene sling for treatment of stress urinary incontinence: an alternative to tension-free vaginal tape.

PURPOSE: Sling procedures have been used successfully to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI). We report our initial experience with the use of a synthetic polypropylene mesh for treatment of SUI. Based on similar surgical principles of cadaveric fascia sling, we describe placement of a thinly woven polypropylene mesh under the distal urethra. We describe our technique and report our initial results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 146 consecutive patients evaluated. All patients had clinical evidence of SUI. Patients underwent preoperative evaluation with video urodynamics, symptom questionnaire, and cystoscopy. Postoperatively the patients were evaluated at 3-month intervals by symptom questionnaire, physical examination, and postvoid residuals (PVR). One year after the procedure, all patients were asked to fill out a voiding dysfunction and incontinence symptom questionnaire and a validated quality-of-life questionnaire. A flow and PVR also were obtained. RESULTS: Average intraoperative time was 27 minutes for the sling procedure. There were no intraoperative complications and one major postoperative complication. There was no permanent retention and no erosions. Ninety-two percent of patients had either no or rare stress incontinence. Postoperatively, 7% of patients developed de novo urge incontinence. CONCLUSION: We describe excellent results with a new simple, quick, and inexpensive method to correct SUI by placing a polypropylene mesh under the distal urethra.

Evaluation of sonographic renal parenchymal area in the management of hydronephrosis.

PURPOSE: We used quantitative parameters of renal sonography to differentiate children with significant obstruction requiring surgical intervention from those without significant obstruction who were followed conservatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of children who underwent evaluation for hydronephrosis. Those with a history of vesicoureteral reflux, anatomical abnormalities or neurogenic bladder were excluded from study. Patients were divided according to hydronephrosis grade into groups 1-grades III and IV followed conservatively, 2-grades III and IV requiring surgical intervention, 3-unilateral grade II and 4-bilateral. All images were scanned into a computer. Renal parenchymal and pelvic area was determined using National Institutes of Health image software. Parenchymal-to-pelvic area ratios were calculated from all images. We evaluated the ability of these measurements to determine the likelihood of surgical intervention. RESULTS: The records of 81 children were available for analysis. Deterioration in parenchymal area growth was a predictor of surgical intervention. Such patients had catch-up growth of the affected kidney after pyeloplasty. A parenchymal-to-pelvic area ratio of greater than 1.6 on the initial ultrasound study after birth predicted cases that would need pyeloplasty in the future (p <0.05). No patient with grade II hydronephrosis required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Following serial parenchymal area on serial ultrasound is useful for evaluating children with hydronephrosis. Those with a parenchymal area below the nomogram for growth usually require pyeloplasty. A parenchymal-to-pelvic area ratio of less than 1.6 on the initial ultrasound study after birth in patients with prenatally diagnosed ureteropelvic junction obstruction or on initial ultrasound in those diagnosed postnatally indicated the need for surgical intervention in this limited series.

New millennium, new slings.

The etiology of stress incontinence is not completely understood. In the past, bladder neck suspensions were performed to correct anatomic abnormalities of the bladder neck and urethral hypermobility. This procedure was attractive because of its simplicity, low morbidity, and excellent early success rate. With time, the successes seen with bladder neck suspensions have not proven to be durable, and alternative surgical procedures have been developed. Until recently, the indications for bladder neck suspension were types I and II stress incontinence; slings were reserved for type III incontinence. However, slings have been shown to be as effective as and more durable than bladder neck suspensions for treatment of all types of stress incontinence; therefore, their popularity has spread. The success of distal urethral slings suggests that it is not necessary to correct anatomic hypermobility to correct stress incontinence. A plethora of new procedures and materials has emerged, leading to an increased need for well-controlled, objective outcome studies in order to understand the impact of these surgeries on our patients.

Risks and complications of transrectal ultrasound.

Transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsies of the prostate are routinely performed to diagnose and stage prostate cancer. This diagnostic technique is a safe method to diagnose prostate cancer with few major complications but frequent minor complications.

Tumors and DNA adducts in mice exposed to benzo[a]pyrene and coal tars: implications for risk assessment.

Current methods to estimate the quantitative cancer risk of complex mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) such as coal tar assume that overall potency can be derived from knowledge of the concentration of a few carcinogenic components such as benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Genotoxic damage, such as DNA adducts, is thought to be an essential aspect of PAH-induced tumorigenesis and could be a biomarker for exposure useful for estimating risk. However, the role of B[a]P and the relationship of adduct formation in tumorigenesis have not been tested rigorously in models appropriate for human health risk assessment. Therefore, we directly compared tumor induction and adduct formation by B[a]P and coal tars in several experimental protocols, including one broadly accepted and used by regulators. We found that B[a]P content did not account for tumor incidences after exposure to coal tars. DNA adducts were found in both tumors and tumor-free tissue and tumor outcomes were not predicted by either quantitation of total DNA adducts or by the DNA adduct formed by B[a]P. These data suggest that risk assessments based on B[a]P content may not predict accurately risk to human health posed by environmental PAH.

Risks and complications of transrectal ultrasound guided prostate needle biopsy: a prospective study and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate is routinely performed to diagnose and stage prostate cancer. We prospectively evaluated the true incidence of complications and identified risk factors of needle biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 128 patients who underwent transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy. A pre-biopsy questionnaire provided demographic information. Immediate complications were recorded by the surgical team at the procedure. Information on delayed complications was obtained by telephone interview. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: There was 1 major and 135 minor complications in 77 patients with at least 1 complication in 63.6%. Most patients tolerated the procedure with minimal discomfort regardless of the number and location of biopsies but younger patients had significantly more discomfort than older men (R = -0.26, p = 0.005). The most common complication was persistent hematuria in 47.1% of cases. None of the hemorrhagic complications was related to previous aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, or the total number of biopsies performed. Infectious complications were rare with only a 1.7% incidence of fever. This rate was associated with the choice of antibiotic combination used (R = 0.25, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy is safe for diagnosing prostate cancer with few major but frequent minor complications. Patients are likely to have persistent hematuria for up to 3 to 7 days after the procedure. Recent use of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not an absolute contraindication for this procedure. Additional analgesics are not required in patients who undergo anterior or multiple biopsies but they may be useful in younger patients.

Ah receptor-independent induction of CYP1A2 gene expression in genetically inbred mice.

Acenaphthylene is a tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon which induces hepatic methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) activity and CYP1A2 mRNA levels in 2 week-old male B6C3F1 mice. In the present study, this induction response was further investigated in genetically-inbred mice which differ in their aryl-hydrocarbon (Ah)-responsiveness. Acenapthylene (300 mg/kg) induced a 5- to 23-fold induction of MROD activity in Ah-nonresponsive (DBA and SJL) and responsive (C3H, C57/BL6, A/J, CBA and B6C3F1) mice. The highest induction response was observed in the DBA strain in which there was a 23- and 15-fold increase in activity in males and females, respectively. Acenaphthylene also caused a 2-fold increase in CYP1A2 mRNA and immunoreactive protein levels in 2 week-old DBA mice; however, this induction response was not observed in 6 week-old animals. For example, MROD activity in 6 week-old DBA mice was induced <2-fold by acenaphthylene, mainly as a consequence of increased basal CYP1A2 expression and MROD activity which, at the age of 6 weeks, approached levels induced by acenaphthylene in the 2 week-old mice. This was also observed by immunohistochemical staining with CYP1A2 antibodies of 2 and 6 week-old hepatic tissue from treated and control mice which also showed that CYP1A2 induction was dependent on the age of the animals.

Carcinogenicity of benzo[a]pyrene and manufactured gas plant residues in infant mice.

The present study determined tumorigenicity, tumor classification and DNA damage induced in infant mice by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) or Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) residues after a single exposure. Male and female B6C3F1 mice were exposed to B[a]P or MGP residue from a single environmental site (MGP-4) and males were also exposed to MGP residue composite from seven different sites (MGP-M7). At 26, 39 and 52 weeks after exposure tumorigenesis was assessed in lung, forestomach and liver. Formation and persistence of DNA adducts were quantified by 32P-postlabeling. Exposure of males to B[a]P induced liver tumors in a dose and time dependent manner. MGP induced more advanced tumors than B[a]P. Only a single liver tumor was found in MGP-4 treated females. No forestomach and few pulmonary adenomas were induced in males or females. MGP-4, MGP-M7 or B[a]P induced DNA adducts in males and females. Adducts in liver, lung and forestomach peaked on different days and decreased at different rates. At 24 h post-exposure, no significant differences in initial DNA adduct levels occurred in males and females exposed to MGP-4 or B[a]P. Lack of DNA damage (adducted DNA) did not account for non-responsiveness of lung and forestomach in B6C3F1 genders as well as in liver in females. MGP tumorigenicity could not be accounted for solely by B[a]P content nor did it reflect additivity of B[a]P and other carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in MGP. Synergy among MGP-PAHs, presence of unidentified carcinogens and/or promoters in MGP may account for MGP potency. The B6C3F1 infant male model is a convenient and rapid assay for assessing MGP liver tumorigenicity and potency.

Novel susceptibility locus for mouse hepatomas: evidence for a conserved tumor suppressor gene.

We have identified previously a putative tumor suppressor gene (TSG) locus at human chromosome (hchr) 7q31 showing that it is altered in a variety of human epithelial tumors. To determine whether this TSG is conserved in mice, we studied loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in chemically induced mouse liver adenomas. The LOH analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of 17 (CA)n microsatellite repeats on mouse chromosome (mchr) 6 A2-C3. Ninety-six of 106 cases (90.6%) had LOH at D6Mit50, and 89.5% had LOH at D6Mit179. These two loci are 0.2 cM apart on mchr 6A2. Another high-LOH site was found in the C3 band. The high incidence of LOH in the 7q-homologous segment of mchr 6 indicates that the human TSG is conserved and is involved in the development of hepatomas.