Evidence for heavy hyperhydrogen (Λ)(6)h.

Evidence for the neutron-rich hypernucleus (Λ)(6)H is presented from the FINUDA experiment at DAΦNE, Frascati, studying (π+,π-) pairs in coincidence from the K(stop)(-) + (6)Li →(Λ)(6)H + π+ production reaction followed by (Λ)(6)H → (6)He + π- weak decay. The production rate of (Λ)(6) undergoing this two-body π- decay is determined to be (2.9 ± 2.0) × 10(-6)/K(stop)(-). Its binding energy, evaluated jointly from production and decay, is BΛ((Λ)(6)H) = (4.0 ± 1.1) MeV with respect to (5)H+Λ. A systematic difference of (0.98 ± 0.74) MeV between BΛ values derived separately from decay and from production is tentatively assigned to the (Λ)(6)H 0(g.s.)(+) → 1+ excitation.

Evidence for a kaon-bound state K(-)pp produced in K(-) absorption reactions at rest.

We have searched for a deeply bound kaonic state by using the FINUDA spectrometer installed at the e(+)e(-) collider DAPhiNE. Almost monochromatic K(-)'s produced through the decay of phi(1020) mesons are used to observe K(-) absorption reactions stopped on very thin nuclear targets. Taking this unique advantage, we have succeeded to detect a kaon-bound state K(-)pp through its two-body decay into a Lambda hyperon and a proton. The binding energy and the decay width are determined from the invariant-mass distribution as 115(+6)(-5)(stat)(+3)(-4)(syst) MeV and 67(+14)(-11)(stat)(+2)(-3)(syst) MeV, respectively.

PCR testing for HCV in anti-HCV negative blood donors involved in the so called HCV +ve post-transfusion hepatitis.

UNLABELLED: Although it is infrequent, post-transfusion HCV infection may occur if the donors blood is collected in the window period between exposure and anti-HCV detectability by ELISA testing. STUDY DESIGN: In these last years, despite of routine application of anti-HCV testing, our blood transfusion center has been involved in 53 cases of alleged post-transfusion HCV hepatitis and look-back programs were set up with the goal of finding out the donors possibly involved in viral transmission. Most of these patients were hematological cases with multiple transfusions given because of aplastic anemia (3 cases), leukemia with or without bone marrow transplantation (5/4 cases) but necessitating long-term platelet support, leukemia and solid cancer patients undergoing autologous PBSC transplantation (3/4 cases) and TTP (2 cases). Only 32 patients were of the simple medical or surgical type, 9 transfused because of cardiac or vascular surgery, 8 because of spine surgery, 5 for different diseases and 5 for different types of cancer surgery. Donor's infectivity was determined by ELISA anti-HCV testing, by recombinant immunoblotting assay, and by nucleic acid testing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No donors out of 267 traced of a total of 359 involved was found with anti-HCV seroconversion, or positive on PCR testing. This suggests that the responsibility for HCV transmission can only hypothetically be related to blood or blood components and that other transmission routes should be found out.

The use of ACTH and beta-endorphin levels to measure the stress impact and safety of extracorporeal lithotripsy.

The authors measured the plasma levels of beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) related to pain in 11 urologic patients who underwent extracorporeal lithotripsy. The study included eight male and three female patients (aged 24 to 65 years) with single kidney stones of less than 20 mm who were treated with the Lithoring Multi-One device. The device delivered 2,000 shock waves from 18 kV to 25 kV, increasing by 1 kV every 250 shock waves. Three patients experienced pain, but only one required intravenous analgesia. The assay of plasmatic ACTH and beta-endorphin is proposed to control the safety and the stress impact of new devices and techniques. In addition, the study demonstrates the medicolegal relevance of such an assay in the evaluation of pain.

Encefalocele basal y disfunción hipotálamohipofisaria: aspectos clinicos y neuroendocrinos / Basal encephalocele and hypothalamo-hypophyseal dysfunction: clinical and neuroendocrinal aspects

Comunicaron los autores el presente caso por su carácter excepcional - primera referencia sobre el tema en la literatura médica argentina - destacando su importancia ya que la rara incidencia de esta entidad nosológica ha ocasionado omisiones diagnósticas que pueden superarse

Encefalocele basal y disfunción hipotálamohipofisaria: aspectos clinicos y neuroendocrinos / Basal encephalocele and hypothalamo-hypophyseal dysfunction: clinical and neuroendocrinal aspects

Comunicaron los autores el presente caso por su carácter excepcional - primera referencia sobre el tema en la literatura médica argentina - destacando su importancia ya que la rara incidencia de esta entidad nosológica ha ocasionado omisiones diagnósticas que pueden superarse (AU)