Upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope timing of NGC 1851A: a possible millisecond pulsar - neutron star system.

In this work, we present the results of 1 yr of upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope timing measurements of PSR J0514-4002A, a 4.99-ms pulsar in a 18.8-d eccentric ([Formula: see text]) orbit with a massive companion located in the globular cluster NGC 1851. Combining these data with earlier Green Bank Telescope data, we greatly improve the precision of the rate of advance of periastron, [Formula: see text] which, assuming the validity of general relativity, results in a much refined measurement of the total mass of the binary, [Formula: see text]. Additionally, we measure the Einstein delay parameter, γ, something that has never been done for any binary system with an orbital period larger than [Formula: see text]10 h. The measured value, [Formula: see text], is by far the largest for any binary pulsar. Furthermore, we measure the proper motion of the system ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]), which is not only important for analysing its motion in the cluster, but is also essential for a proper interpretation of γ, given the latter parameter's correlation with the variation of the projected semimajor axis. The measurements of γ and the proper motion enable a separation of the system component masses: we obtain a pulsar mass of [Formula: see text] and a companion mass of [Formula: see text]. This raises the possibility that the companion is also a neutron star. Searches for radio pulsations from the companion have thus far been unsuccessful; hence, we cannot confirm the latter hypothesis. The low mass of this millisecond pulsar - one of the lowest ever measured for such objects - clearly indicates that the recycling process can be achieved with a relatively small amount of mass transfer.

Effect of everolimus on skin lesions in patients treated for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma and renal angiomyolipoma: final 4-year results from the randomized EXIST-1 and EXIST-2 studies.

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder associated with tumour growth in various organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart and skin. Cutaneous lesions are prevalent manifestations of TSC, occurring in up to 90% of patients. Oral mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, such as everolimus, is believed to be effective for treatment of TSC-associated lesions because they act on the underlying disease pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the long-term effect of oral everolimus on TSC-associated skin lesions as a secondary objective in the phase III studies EXIST-1 (NCT00789828) and EXIST-2 (NCT00790400) after approximately 4 years of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Everolimus was dosed 4.5 mg/m2 /day (titrated to trough 5-15 ng/mL) in patients with TSC-associated subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in EXIST-1, and 10 mg/day initially in adult patients with TSC- or sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis-associated renal angiomyolipoma in EXIST-2. Following positive results from the core phase, remaining patients were offered open-label everolimus in an extension. Skin lesion response rate was the proportion of patients achieving complete or partial clinical response. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients in EXIST-1 and 107 in EXIST-2 received everolimus and had ≥1 skin lesion at baseline. Skin lesion response rate (95% confidence interval) was 58.1% (48.1-67.7%) in EXIST-1 and 68.2% (58.5-76.9%) in EXIST-2; most were partial responses. At week 192 (EXIST-1: n = 55; EXIST-2: n = 56), 69% and 66% had a response. Most common drug-related adverse event was stomatitis (41-45%). CONCLUSION: Oral everolimus improved TSC-related skin lesions, with responses sustained over 4 years of treatment in EXIST-1 and EXIST-2.

Caffeine levels in beverages from Argentina's market: application to caffeine dietary intake assessment.

The caffeine content of different beverages from Argentina's market was measured. Several brands of coffees, teas, mates, chocolate milks, soft and energy drinks were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. The highest concentration level was found in short coffee (1.38 mg ml(-1)) and the highest amount per serving was found in instant coffee (95 mg per serving). A consumption study was also carried out among 471 people from 2 to 93 years of age to evaluate caffeine total dietary intake by age and to identify the sources of caffeine intake. The mean caffeine intake among adults was 288 mg day(-1) and mate was the main contributor to that intake. The mean caffeine intake among children of 10 years of age and under was 35 mg day(-1) and soft drinks were the major contributors to that intake. Children between 11 and 15 years old and teenagers (between 16 and 20 years) had caffeine mean intakes of 120 and 240 mg day(-1), respectively, and mate was the major contributor to those intakes. Drinking mate is a deep-rooted habit among Argentine people and it might be the reason for their elevated caffeine mean daily intake.

Frecuencia del fenotipo Rh en donantes de sangre / Frequency of the Rh phenotype among blood donors

El sistema Rh es el grupo sanguíneo más complejo y polimórfico de la membrana del eritrocito. Su gran importancia e interés clínico se deben a que sus antígenos son sumamente inmunogénicos y juegan un papel central en la patogénesis de la enfermedad hemolítica feto neonatal, en reacciones hemolíticas transfusionales y en algunas anemias hemolíticas autoinmunes. El objetivo del siguiente trabajo es estimar la frecuencia del fenotipo Rh en donantes de sangre. La población estudiada corresponde a 3.214 muestras de sangre, que afecta a la totalidad de donantes que se presentaron en el banco de sangre del Hospital "4 de Junio" desde el 1º de junio de 2005 al 1º de julio de 2006. La muestra a estudiar consistió en 718 especímenes. Se utilizó un procedimiento de muestreo probabilístico aleatorio simple. La investigación realizada empleó un diseño de tipo retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional, transversal. La tipificación del fenotipo Rh se realizó con reactivos monoclonales de diferentes marcas. La técnica usada fue en tubo, en fuerza iónica normal, para lo cual se realizó una suspensión globular al 2-5 por ciento. En las células Rh negativo se realizó además la determinación del D débil. El conocimiento previo del fenotipo Rh en pacientes politransfundidos, y/o pacientes que hayan desarrollado aloanticuerpos, como así también en donantes de sangre acelera notablemente la selección de las unidades más aptas para su transfusión. El impacto a largo plazo de esta práctica, llevada a cabo en forma rutinaria, sería considerablemente importante, ya que de esta manera se reducirían los incidentes de sensibilización por los antígenos del sistema Rh, que a menudo es imposible de evitar con las técnicas de compatibilidad realizadas de rutina. Las categorías o variantes del fenotipo Rh más frecuentemente encontradas en la población de donantes de sangre estudiada fueron: DCcEe (23,3 por ciento), DCe (23,11 por ciento) y DCce (21,86 por ciento).

The Rh system is the most complete and polymorphic blood sanguine group of the red cell membrane. Its paramount importance and clinical interestis owed to the fact that its antigens are highly immunogenic and they play a central role on the pathogenesis of the neonatal foetus hemolytic illness, on hemolytic transfusional reactions and some autoimmune hemolytic anemias. The aim of the present work is to estimate the Rh phenotype frecuency in blood donors. The population studied corresponds to 3.214 blood samples, wich affect the total number of blood donors who attended to the blood bank of the "June 4" Hospital. The gathering of blood samples dates from June 1st 2005 toJuly 1st 2006. The studied samples consisted of 718 specimens. In order to do this, a simple probabilistic process at random was applied. This research was developed by means of a retrospective, descriptive and transverse type of design. The Rh typification was obtained by monoclonal reactives from different brands. The applied technique was done in a tube, at regular ionic strengh. In order to do this, it was necessary a globular suspension at 2-5 percent. Besides, on the Rh negative cell the measurement of the weak D was done. The previous acknowledge of the Rh phenotype in polytransfusioned patients who might have developed their own alloantibodies, and in blood donors, it notably quickens the selection of the most suitable units for its transfusion. The consequences of this practice within a time and been done as part of a routine would be of a considerable importance, since we could reduce the incidents about the sensible reactions caused by the Rh antigens, that are often impossible of avoiding throughout the routine compatibility techniques. Most frequently found of the Rh phenotype in the blood donors population were: DccEe (23,39 percent), DCe (23,11 percent), and DCce (21,86 percent).

Nutritional and technological behavior of stabilized iron-gluconate in wheat flour.

Food fortification has been shown to be an effective strategy to overcome iron malnutrition. When a new iron compound is developed for this purpose, it must be evaluated from a nutritional and technological point of view before adding it into foods. In this way, we have evaluated ferrous gluconate stabilized by glycine as a new iron source to be used in wheat flour fortification. We performed biological studies in rats as well as sensory perceptions by human subjects in wheat flour fortified with this iron source. The productions of pentane as a rancidity indicator as well as the change of the sensorial properties of the biscuits made with stabilized ferrous gluconate-fortified wheat flour were negligible. Iron absorption in water from this iron source was similar to the reference standard ferrous sulfate. Nevertheless, because of the phytic acid content, iron absorption from fortified wheat flour decrease 40% for both iron sources. The addition of zinc from different sources did not modify iron absorption from ferrous sulfate and stabilized ferrous gluconate in water and wheat flour. The iron absorption mechanism as well as the biodistribution studies demonstrate that the biological behavior of this iron source does not differ significantly from the reference standard. These results demonstrate that the iron source under study has adequate properties to be used in wheat flour fortification. Nevertheless, more research is needed before considering this iron source for its massive use in food fortification.

Zinc deficiency and growth: current concepts in relationship to two important points: intellectual and sexual development.

Zinc deficiency remains a serious health problem worldwide affecting developed as well as developing countries. Despite the evidence proving that zinc deprivation during the periods of rapid growth negatively affects the cognitive brain as well as sexual development, there are few complete studies carried out in children. The present article proposes a revision of the evidence gathered until now on the relationship existing between zinc deficiency and intellectual and sexual development during the stages of childhood, preadolescence, and adolescence.