Direct temporal characterization of sub-3-fs deep UV pulses generated by resonant dispersive wave emission.

We report on the complete temporal characterization of ultrashort pulses, generated by resonant dispersive wave emission in gas-filled hollow-capillary fibers, with energy in the microjoule range and continuously tunable from the deep-ultraviolet to the ultraviolet. Temporal characterization of such ultrabroad pulses, particularly challenging in this spectral region, was performed using an all-in-vacuum setup for self-diffraction frequency resolved optical gating (SD-FROG). Sub-3-fs pulses were measured, tunable from 250 nm to 350 nm, with a minimum pulse duration of 2.4 ± 0.1 fs.

Argentine tango in the care of Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and analysis of the intervention.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the content of the interventions reported in studies investigating the applicability and efficacy of Argentine tango in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. METHODS: Independent reviewers searched databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and PEDro) from their inception to November 2019. Eligible studies were randomised, controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials, and case reports. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The Template for Intervention Description and Replication guidelines and checklist were used to assess quality and quantity of the content of Argentine tango interventions' description. RESULTS: We found 21 papers investigating the applicability and efficacy of Argentine tango in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. Completeness of the reporting of intervention was satisfying. The intervention is intended to affect a variety of aspects of functioning relevant to individuals with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. Detailed information on the intervention's procedure and dosing is usually provided. The delivery of the Tango dance program was predominantly extensive; however, the intervention has been provided with various approaches and showed to be very adaptable. Attrition- and adherence- rates described are acceptable. The Adapted Tango dance program is the earliest and most researched modality of tango intervention in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. CONCLUSIONS: Argentine tango is appropriately described in the studies investigating the applicability and efficacy of the intervention in participants with Idiopathic Parkinson Disease. However, the reporting could be ameliorated.

Straight motion of half-integer topological defects in thin Fe-N magnetic films with stripe domains.

In thin magnetic films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a periodic "up-down" stripe-domain structure can be originated at remanence, on a mesoscopic scale (~100 nm) comparable with film thickness, by the competition between short-range exchange coupling and long-range dipolar interaction. However, translational order is perturbed because magnetic edge dislocations are spontaneously nucleated. Such topological defects play an important role in magnetic films since they promote the in-plane magnetization reversal of stripes and, in superconductor/ferromagnet hybrids, the creation of superconducting vortex clusters. Combining magnetic force microscopy experiments and micromagnetic simulations, we investigated the motion of two classes of magnetic edge dislocations, randomly distributed in an [Formula: see text]-implanted Fe film. They were found to move in opposite directions along straight trajectories parallel to the stripes axis, when driven by a moderate dc magnetic field. Using the approximate Thiele equation, analytical expressions for the forces acting on such magnetic defects and a microscopic explanation for the direction of their motion could be obtained. Straight trajectories are related to the presence of a periodic stripe domain pattern, which imposes the gyrotropic force to vanish even if a nonzero, half-integer topological charge is carried by the defects in some layers across the film thickness.

'Real-life' report on the management of chronic GvHD in the Gruppo Italiano Trapianto Midollo Osseo (GITMO).

Several guidelines have been published about management of chronic GvHD (cGvHD), but the clinical practice still remains demanding. The Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo (GITMO) has planned a prospective observational study on cGvHD, supported by a dedicated software, including the updated recommendations. In view of this study, two surveys have been conducted, focusing the management of cGvHD and ancillary therapy in cGvHD, to address the current 'real life' situation. The two surveys were sent to all 57 GITMO centers, performing allografting in Italy; the response rate was 57% and 66% of the interviewed centers, respectively. The first survey showed a great disparity especially regarding steroid-refractory cGvHD, although extracorporeal photo-apheresis resulted as the most indicated treatment in this setting. Another challenging issue was the strategy for tapering steroid: our survey showed a great variance, and this disagreement could be a real bias in evaluating outcomes in prospective studies. As for the second survey, the results suggest that the ancillary treatments are not standardized in many centers. All responding centers reported a strong need to standardize management of cGvHD and to participate in prospective trials. Before starting observational and/or interventional studies, a detailed knowledge of current practice should be encouraged.

Evaluation and review of body fluids saliva, sweat and tear compared to biochemical hydration assessment markers within blood and urine.

Evaluating and testing hydration status is increasingly requested by rehabilitation, sport, military and performance-related activities. Besides commonly used biochemical hydration assessment markers within blood and urine, which have their advantages and limitations in collection and evaluating hydration status, there are other potential markers present within saliva, sweat or tear. This literature review focuses on body fluids saliva, sweat and tear compared to blood and urine regarding practicality and hydration status influenced by fluid restriction and/or physical activity. The selected articles included healthy subjects, biochemical hydration assessment markers and a well-described (de)hydration procedure. The included studies (n=16) revealed that the setting and the method of collecting respectively accessing body fluids are particularly important aspects to choose the optimal hydration marker. To obtain a sample of saliva is one of the simplest ways to collect body fluids. During exercise and heat exposures, saliva composition might be an effective index but seems to be highly variable. The collection of sweat is a more extensive and time-consuming technique making it more difficult to evaluate dehydration and to make a statement about the hydration status at a particular time. The collection procedure of tear fluid is easy to access and causes very little discomfort to the subject. Tear osmolarity increases with dehydration in parallel to alterations in plasma osmolality and urine-specific gravity. But at the individual level, its sensitivity has to be further determined.

Hematologic improvement and response in elderly AML/RAEB patients treated with valproic acid and low-dose Ara-C.

The histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to be active on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and refractory anemia with excess of blasts (RAEB). Thirty-one elderly AML/RAEB patients (AML n=25; RAEB n=6) with a high rate of comorbidity were entered in a phase II study with low-dose cytarabine (Ara-C) and VPA. Fitness was evaluated by means of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), including the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) score, the self-sufficiency scores of Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL). Eight patients obtained a lasting complete remission and 3 other patients obtained hematologic improvement for a total response rate of 35%. Five of 11 responding patients were relapsed or resistant after a previous treatment with Ara-C. Seven of 11 responding patients were assessed as frail at enrollment and/or had IADL impairment. Grades 3 and 4 toxicities were mainly hematological. Low-dose Ara-C and VPA is a relatively non-toxic combination with good therapeutic activity in elderly patients with AML/RAEB. This therapeutic approach represents an alternative treatment for patients who cannot undergo standard induction therapy.

Two-step magnetic ordering in quasi-one-dimensional helimagnets: possible experimental validation of villain's conjecture about a chiral spin liquid phase.

Low-temperature specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and zero-field muon spin resonance (microSR) measurements have been performed in the quasi-one-dimensional molecular helimagnetic compound Gd(hfac)3NITEt. The specific heat presents two anomalies at T(0)=2.19+/-0.02 K and T(N)=1.88+/-0.02 K, which both disappear upon the application of a weak magnetic field. Conversely, magnetic susceptibility and muSR data show the divergence of two-spin correlation functions only at T(N)=1.88+/-0.02 K. These results suggest an experimental validation of Villain's conjecture of a two-step magnetic ordering in quasi-one-dimensional XY helimagnets; i.e., the paramagnetic phase and the helical spin solid phase are separated by a chiral spin liquid phase, where translational invariance is broken without violation of rotational invariance.

[Alexithymic features and emotional distress in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and medication-overuse headache (MOH)]. / Caratteristiche alessitimiche e distress emozionale in pazienti con cefalea tensiva cronica e da abuso di farmaci.

AIMS: The study examined the role of alexythimia and emotional distress in patients with diagnosis of chronic headaches (tension-type and medication overuse headache). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)and the Rapid Stress Assessment (RSA) were administered to a sample of 104 patients (day hospital and outpatients) composed by 70 with CTTH and 34 with MOH. RESULTS: In total sample, 16.3% of patients were classified as alexithymics, 20.2% as intermediates and 63.5% as non-alexithymics, according to the TAS-20 criteria. Anxiety and Lack of social support (RSA) showed the higher values, yet the RSA mean profile didn't exceed the normative range. Alexithymics scored higher on all the RSA scales; significant positive correlations were also obtained among RSA and TAS-20 values. MOH patients were more frequently classifi ed as alexithymics and reported higher values on Aggressiveness scale (RSA) compared to CCTH patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings supported a link between alexithymia and emotional distress, as an index of psychological maladjustment in chronic headache patients.

Affectivity and sexuality in the elderly: often neglected aspects.

Sexuality and affectivity constitute a complex phenomenon involving many spheres: biological, psychological and social. To investigate these aspects, we distributed a dedicated questionnaire, followed by an interview, to 130 elderly residents in Milan and 100 in Monza. The answers indicated that the elderly communicate their emotions regarding the affective and sexual sphere, with different levels of desire for physical contact. The main variables were sex, age, marital status, co-morbidity and poly-pharmacotherapy, the perception of health status and of oneself, past experiences, cultural conditioning and social factors.

Finite-size effects in single chain magnets: an experimental and theoretical study.

The problem of finite-size effects in s=1/2 Ising systems showing slow dynamics of the magnetization is investigated introducing diamagnetic impurities in a Co2+-radical chain. The static magnetic properties have been measured and analyzed considering the peculiarities induced by the ferrimagnetic character of the compound. The dynamic susceptibility shows that an Arrhenius law is observed with the same energy barrier for the pure and the doped compounds while the prefactor decreases, as theoretically predicted. Multiple spin reversal has also been investigated.

Tensile and compressive behaviour of the bovine periodontal ligament.

The mechanical response of the bovine periodontal ligament (PDL) subjected to uniaxial tension and compression is reported. Several sections normal to the longitudinal axis of bovine incisors and molars were extracted from different depths. Specimens with dimensions 10 x 5 x 2 mm including dentine, PDL and alveolar bone were obtained from these sections. Scanning electron microscopy suggested a strong similarity between the bovine PDL and the human PDL microstructure described in the literature. The prepared specimens were tested in a custom made uniaxial testing machine. They were clamped on their bone and dentine extremities and immersed in a saline solution at 37 degrees C. Stress-strain curves indicated that the PDL is characterized by a non-linear and time-dependent mechanical behaviour with the typical features of collagenous soft tissues. The curves exhibited hysteresis and preconditioning effects. The mechanical parameters evaluated in tension were maximum tangent modulus, strength, maximizer strain and strain energy density. For the molars, all these parameters increased with depth except for the apical region. For the incisors, all parameters increased with depth except ultimate strain which decreased. It was assumed that collagen fibre density and orientation were responsible for these findings.

Low-molecular-weight heparin for the long-term treatment of symptomatic venous thromboembolism: meta-analysis of the randomized comparisons with oral anticoagulants.

BACKGROUND: The management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) requires an initial treatment with unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), followed by oral anticoagulants (OA) for at least 3 months. OA treatment however, requires laboratory monitoring of anticoagulation, carries a definite risk of bleeding, and may be contraindicated in some patients. As an alternative to vitamin K antagonists, subcutaneous LMWH has been proposed and evaluated in randomized clinical trials, but they are all small studies that lack the power to establish if these two treatment modalities are equivalent in efficacy or safety. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy (VTE recurrence) and safety (bleeds and deaths) of long-term treatment of VTE with LMWH compared with OA. A secondary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of LMWH on cancer mortality. METHODS: Computerized searches of MedLine and EmBase were performed. In addition, randomized clinical trials were located through personal communication with colleagues, and through the manual scanning of meeting proceedings and reference lists of relevant studies. When necessary, the authors of the selected papers were called to obtain additional information. Two reviewers (AI and FG) reviewed and extracted data independently using a standard form. The primary analysis was performed for efficacy and safety endpoints on an intention-to-treat basis for the study period of randomized treatment. A meta-regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between daily dose and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Seven studies that fulfillled our predefined criteria were identified, for a total of 1379 patients. When all studies were combined, a statistically non-significant reduction in the risk of VTE (OR 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41, 1.07) and in the risk of major bleeding (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.18, 1.11) in favor of LMWH treatment was found. No difference in total mortality (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.78, 1.83) or in cancer-related mortality was observed between the LMWH and the OA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that a 3-month course of LMWH is as effective and safe as a corresponding period of OA treatment, and may thus be considered as a valuable alternative option for patients in whom OA treatment appears contraindicated or problematic.

Rapid detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) system.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has increased the need for rapid drug susceptibility tests, which are needed for adequate patient treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) system to detect multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains. The MGIT system was compared with two standard methods (proportion and resistance ratio methods). One hundred clinical M. tuberculosis isolates [25 susceptible to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), 20 resistant to INH, 30 resistant to INH-RIF, and 25 resistant to INH-RIF and other drugs] obtained in the State of S o Paulo were tested for INH and RIF susceptibility. Full agreement among the tests was found for all sensitive and all INH-resistant strains. For RIF-resistant strains results among the tests agreed for 53 (96.4%) of 55 isolates. Results were obtained within 6 days (range, 5 to 8 days), 28 days and 12 days when using MGIT, the proportion method and the resistance ratio methods, respectively. The MGIT system presented an overall agreement of 96% when compared with two standard methods. These data show that the MGIT system is rapid, sensitive and efficient for the early detection of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis.

Rapid detection of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis using the mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) system

The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has increased the need for rapid drug susceptibility tests, which are needed for adequate patient treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT) system to detect multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains. The MGIT system was compared with two standard methods (proportion and resistance ratio methods). One hundred clinical M. tuberculosis isolates [25 susceptible to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), 20 resistant to INH, 30 resistant to INH-RIF, and 25 resistant to INH-RIF and other drugs] obtained in the State of Säo Paulo were tested for INH and RIF susceptibility. Full agreement among the tests was found for all sensitive and all INH-resistant strains. For RIF-resistant strains results among the tests agreed for 53 (96.4 percent) of 55 isolates. Results were obtained within 6 days (range, 5 to 8 days), 28 days and 12 days when using MGIT, the proportion method and the resistance ratio methods, respectively. The MGIT system presented an overall agreement of 96 percent when compared with two standard methods. These data show that the MGIT system is rapid, sensitive and efficient for the early detection of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis

Mechanical characterization of bovine periodontal ligament.

This study is part of a research program that aims to develop a constitutive three-dimensional model of the periodontal ligament (PDL) through the identification of pertinent material parameters. As part of this program, bovine PDL was utilized to establish stress-strain responses under tensile and compressive loading conditions. Fresh bovine molars were secured, frozen and prepared to appropriate dimensional specifications. Bar-shaped specimens that comprised portions of dentine, PDL and bone were produced. Push-pull tests were conducted using a specifically constructed loading machine. Full range monotonic stress-strain diagrams were generated. The effect of a rate increase on cyclic S-E diagrams was also determined. The influence of specimen thickness was expressed in terms of modulus of elasticity, strength, uniaxial maximizer strain, and strain energy density. The overall load-response was heavily hysteretic in compression. On the tensile side, after a steep rise, the curve tended to flatten out asymptotically. Variations in rate that spanned four orders of magnitude had no effect on reciprocal load responses. The E-modulus was in the 4-8 MPa range, the strength of the PDL was 1-2 MPa, the maximizer strain was at 45-60% and the strain energy density ranged between 0.3 and 0.4 MPa.

Loco-regional thrombolysis in the treatment of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis: report of two cases.

Although intravenous (i.v.) heparin is widely used as the first line treatment for cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST), the most appropriate therapy for this disease is still controversial. We report 2 cases of CVST who were successfully treated by means of loco-regional thrombolysis with urokinase. In the first case we chose this treatment instead of i.v. heparin because clinical conditions of the patient appeared critical for life on hospital admission; in the second case loco-regional thrombolysis was performed because a full-dose heparin treatment over 8 days failed to improve the clinical picture of the patient. In the literature, there are no established criteria for the use of loco-regional thrombolysis in CVST. On the basis of our own experience and few previous reports on the matter, we suggest that loco-regional thrombolysis should be considered an appropriate treatment for CVST when patients are at life risk, when an involvement of deep cerebral veins is present or when, after full heparinization, patients are doing poorly clinically.

Two-step disordering of perpendicularly magnetized ultrathin films.

We have imaged the stripe domain structure of perpendicularly magnetized fcc ultrathin Fe films grown on Cu(100). The stripe phase has a strong local orientational order and sustains the two kinds of fluctuations predicted by Abanov et al. [Phys. Rev. B 51, 1023 (1995)]: meandering and dislocations. Before reaching the Curie temperature, the stripes transform into a new and so far unobserved domain structure, characterized by domains with predominantly square corners. We argue that this phase is the tetragonal liquid phase proposed by Abanov et al. to separate the stripe phase from the paramagnetic phase. This two-step disordering is reminiscent of a two-dimensional melting process.

Fracture toughness of aged dental composites in combined mode I and mode II loading.

Resin-based laboratory dental composites for prosthetic restorations have been developed in the past years as a cost-effective alternative to conventional porcelain-fused-to-metal or full ceramic restorations. The fracture toughness at different stress states (K(Ic), K(IIc), and mixed-modes K(I), K(II) ) was assessed for three laboratory dental composite resins used for prosthetic restorations that were aged up to 12 months in a food simulating fluid (10% ethanol) at 37 degrees C. The materials were mainly di- methacrylate based resins reinforced with submicron glass filler particles. The Brazilian disk test was used on precracked chevron-notched specimens, and different stress states were obtained by angulating the precracked chevron notch relative to the diametral compressive loading direction. The stress intensity factors were calculated using Atkinson et al.'s relation. For all three materials, mode I fracture toughness values ranged between 0.48-0.64 MPa. m(0.5) and mode II values ranged between 0.93-1.2 MPa. m(0.5). Overall, aging time and storage media had little effect on toughness. Considering the inherently low toughness of these restorative materials, their use should be limited to low stress masticatory areas.