Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals in the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey.

The central region of the Milky Way is one of the foremost locations to look for dark matter (DM) signatures. We report the first results on a search for DM particle annihilation signals using new observations from an unprecedented γ-ray survey of the Galactic Center (GC) region, i.e., the Inner Galaxy Survey, at very high energies (≳100 GeV) performed with the H.E.S.S. array of five ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. No significant γ-ray excess is found in the search region of the 2014-2020 dataset and a profile likelihood ratio analysis is carried out to set exclusion limits on the annihilation cross section ⟨σv⟩. Assuming Einasto and Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) DM density profiles at the GC, these constraints are the strongest obtained so far in the TeV DM mass range. For the Einasto profile, the constraints reach ⟨σv⟩ values of 3.7×10^{-26} cm^{3} s^{-1} for 1.5 TeV DM mass in the W^{+}W^{-} annihilation channel, and 1.2×10^{-26} cm^{3} s^{-1} for 0.7 TeV DM mass in the τ^{+}τ^{-} annihilation channel. With the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey, ground-based γ-ray observations thus probe ⟨σv⟩ values expected from thermal-relic annihilating TeV DM particles.

Prevention of accidental intraocular injection following inadvertent needle perforation of the eyeball.

To prevent accidental intraocular injection after inadvertent single needle perforation of the eyeball, the authors recommend moving the needle and watching for corresponding movement of the globe following peribulbar or retrobulbar placement of the needle and prior to injecting. The authors have found this technique to be safe and reliable, with negligible morbidity.

Magnesium levels in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet in hypertensive and normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

The authors, by means of a recently introduced method, evaluated the intraplatelet concentrations of magnesium in 45 normotensive patients with type II diabetes mellitus, in 45 hypertensive diabetics and in 15 healthy controls. They also evaluated plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of the cation through direct current plasma spectrometer. Both normotensive and hypertensive diabetics showed a reduction in plasma, erythrocyte, and platelet concentrations of magnesium compared to controls. On the contrary, no significant difference was found between hypertensive and normotensive diabetics with regard to plasma and erythrocyte magnesium, whereas intraplatelet assay of the ion pointed out significantly lower concentrations of magnesium in hypertensive compared to normotensive patients (56.4 +/- 9.0 vs 60.7 +/- 10.2 micrograms/10(8) cells--p < 0.05). The authors believe that intraplatelet assay of magnesium may be the most reliable method for the evaluation of the cation in hypertensive diabetics, probably because platelets share common features with smooth muscle cells, including the alpha-2-adrenoceptor cyclase system and a coupling mechanism concerning the calcium-dependent contraction.

Putrescine, polyamines, and N1-acetylpolyamine levels in retina, visual cortex and cerebellum of free-running mice kept under continuous light or darkness.

Putrescine, spermidine and spermine levels were detected in the retina, visual cortex, cerebellum and parietal cortex of CD1 mice exposed to 36h continuous light or darkness. Retinal putrescine and polyamine concentrations were found to be highest in dark-adapted mice, and the stimulation of dark-adapted retina with flicker illumination was also accompanied by a significant decrease in putrescine, spermidine and spermine levels. In visual cortex as well as in cerebellum spermidine and spermine contents were higher in dark-adapted mice in comparison to light-exposed animals, while in parietal cortex no significant change was found neither in spermidine nor spermine levels. In the brain areas studied flicker illumination produced no significant decreases in putrescine and polyamine contents. The total polyamines expressed as putrescine equivalents were noticeably decreased in retina, visual cortex and cerebellum of light-adapted mice. In the retina spermine/spermidine molar ratio was significantly higher than in dark-adapted mice. The administration of N1, N2-bis-(2,3-butadienyl)-1,4-butanediamine (MDL 72527) produced a strong decrease of retinal putrescine and spermidine concentrations in both dark-adapted and light-exposed mice, and in the retina of mice exposed to continuous light a significant decrease in the spermine level was also observed. According to the influence on polyamine reutilization, after the irreversible inhibition of polyamine oxidase by MDL 72527, in the retina N1-acetylspermidine and N1-acetylspermine accumulation was highest in light-adapted mice. On the contrary in visual cortex, cerebellum and parietal cortex the MDL 72527 administration produced a more marked decrease of putrescine and spermidine contents in mice kept in continuous darkness.

Excess of taurine supplementation in rat: effects on GABA-related amino acids in developing nervous tissues.

The effects of taurine supplementation on GABA-related amino acid homeostasis in developing nervous tissues of suckling rats were studied. In the first two weeks of postnatal growth, cerebral cortex and cerebellum appear more accessible to taurine supplementation in comparison to retina; in addition, different changes in excitatory/inhibitory amino acids were observed. After the 5th day of life, in the retina and cerebellum of taurine-supplemented pups a decrease in GABA levels was found; in contrast, in cerebral cortex GABA content significantly increased throughout 20 days of postnatal growth. In all nervous tissues studied (except for cerebellum) glutamine concentration increased at the 5th day; then in cerebellum and in retina, but not in cerebral cortex, a significant decrease until the 20th day occurred. Furthermore, in cerebellum and retina taurine supplementation decreased glutamate levels, in comparison to controls, at the 10th and until the 20th day of postnatal life, respectively, whereas in cerebral cortex an increase in glutamate level was observed only at the 5th day. In conclusion, taurine supplementation, in excess to the usual amount from the mother's milk, affected the glutamate compartments in various cell types. The changes in GABA-related amino acid concentrations in cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and retina may depend on the different pattern of the metabolic processes at different maturative stages.

[Evaluation of acute cardiotoxicity from the combination cyclophosphamide-mitoxantrone-5-fluorouracil (CMF) with Holter ECG]. / Valutazione della cardiotossicità in acuto dell'associazione ciclofosfamide-novantrone-5-fluorouracile (CNF) mediante ecg di Holter.

By making use of a twenty-four hour Holter monitoring, it as been possible to compute the acute cardiotoxicity of the cyclophosphamide + mitoxantrone + 5-fluorouracil (CNF) association in twenty oncologic patients (pts) each of whom being immune from organic cardiopathy emerging clinically and at their first cycle of chemotherapy. The following parameters have been computed: meaningful changes in the heart frequency; premature atrial and ventricular depolarizations, both as a first appearance and as a clear growth in the number; the ST dislocation entity; malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The administration of CNF at the doses of: 600 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide, 12 mg/m2 of mitoxantrone and 600 mg/m2 of 5-fluorouracil , has caused a meaningful increase in the heart frequency on 6 pts (30%), an increase of premature atrial depolarization on 4 pts (20%) with an appearance ex novo on 2 pts (10%), an increase of premature ventricular depolarization, without any passing to superior Lown classes, on 2 pts (10%) with an appearance ex novo on 3 pts (15%). Although the results in the study point out a frequency percentage of simple hyperkinetic arrhythmias equal to the 55%, the lack of more serious hyperkinetic arrhythmias and of intense disorders of ventricular repolarization testified to a synergic effect as a determining factor on the acute cardiotoxicity of the previously discussed association, in our opinion.

[3 cases of gingival hyperplasia during nifedipine therapy]. / Su tre casi di iperplasia gengivale in corso di terapia con Nifedipina.

The authors report the cases of three male patients, aged 36, 54 and 52 years, who developed gingival hypertrophy during treatment with nifedipine at a dose of 40 mg/daily. Hypertrophy was the same as that observed in patients treated with anti-convulsive or cytostatic drugs, and may probably be due to interference with calcium ions and local factors. Full recovery was achieved by suspending nifedipine treatment in all patients.

[The diagnostic value of delta-R and delta-Q as positive criteria of the ergometry test in a group of patients with angina pectoris of effort]. / Valore diagnostico del delta-R e del delta-Q come criteri di positività del test ergometrico in un gruppo di pazienti con angina da sforzo.

ECG-exercise tests were performed in 29 patients affected by effort chest pain. All patients underwent coronary angiography and/or revealed positive results in the cycloergometer effort test. The aim of the study was to evaluate ultrasonic variations in the R and Q waves due to maximal effort, so as to increase the information provided by the effort ECG. In the coronary angiographic test, 21 out of 29 patients revealed significant hemodynamic coronary stenosis; 10 patients were affected by previous myocardial necrosis; 8 patients showed no hemodynamic coronary lesions (OV). In the OV patients a statistically significant increase was observed in the Q wave at maximal effort in comparison with average basal values; on the other hand, there was a decrease, although not significant, in voltage at peak effort in patients with coronary stenosis. R wave amplitude was smaller in comparison to basal values in OV patients, while a significant increase was observed in the 21 patients with coronary lesions.

Alport's syndrome and retinal telangiectasia.

A 30-year-old woman with Alport's syndrome was noted to have unilateral retinal telangiectasia. Intravenous fluorescein angiography was performed to help establish the diagnosis. Photocoagulation was not done since visual acuity was good and there was no apparent threat at this time to central vision. To our knowledge, this is the first reported association of retinal telangiectasia with Alport's syndrome.

Spontaneous resolution of massive periretinal proliferation.

A bullous retinal detachment with breaks in all quadrants developed in the right eye of a 72-year-old man four weeks after he had undergone cataract extraction. The retina was reattached successfully with a 360-degree scleral buckle. Four weeks later, the retina had redetached and developed fixed folds and broad equatorial membranes. These features and the hazy vitreous suggested massive periretinal proliferation. Fourteen days later, the patient's visual acuity suddenly improved and an examination disclosed that the retina had spontaneously reattached. Visual acuity was 6/12 (20/40) and has remained stable for 14 months.

Tuberculoma of the choroid.

A 22-year-old South American man with known active pulmonary tuberculosis was seen because of marked unilateral loss of vision. A diagnosis of choroidal tuberculoma was made. Resolution of the lesion while under antituberculous medication was documented by the use of serial fundus photographs and fluorescein angiography. The typical presenting features of ocular tuberculosis are discussed. Fluorescein angiography has been performed infrequently in cases of tuberculosis.

Closed vitrectomy: the Grieshaber instrument.

Description of Grieshaber nibbler for closed vitreous surgery: tip diameter is 1.6 mm, cutting is by four exquisitely cutting blades mounted on axis supported at both ends. Control console determines mode and speed of rotation. Oscillating cutting mode is recommended. Infusion is at the instrument's tip instead of its side. Unusually powerful but adjustable endo-illumination is available through fiberoptics. The fiberoptics tip is shaped to facilitate its introduction into the eye. A separate channel permits suction reversal. Five brief case descriptions illustrate versatility of the instrument. Its main advantages are its exquisite cutting properties, its powerful and adjustable endo-illumination, and its tip-end infusion hole.

Choroidal folds.

We documented the presence of choroidal folds in a series of 59 eyes. Fifteen separate conditions were established as causes of the choroidal folds. Hyperopia was the most common cuase, although no definite etiology could be established in ten cases.