Spectroscopy along Flerovium Decay Chains: Discovery of

A nuclear spectroscopy experiment was conducted to study α-decay chains stemming from isotopes of flerovium (element Z=114). An upgraded TASISpec decay station was placed behind the gas-filled separator TASCA at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt, Germany. The fusion-evaporation reactions ^{48}Ca+^{242}Pu and ^{48}Ca+^{244}Pu provided a total of 32 flerovium-candidate decay chains, of which two and eleven were firmly assigned to ^{286}Fl and ^{288}Fl, respectively. A prompt coincidence between a 9.60(1)-MeV α particle event and a 0.36(1)-MeV conversion electron marked the first observation of an excited state in an even-even isotope of the heaviest man-made elements, namely ^{282}Cn. Spectroscopy of ^{288}Fl decay chains fixed Q_{α}=10.06(1) MeV. In one case, a Q_{α}=9.46(1)-MeV decay from ^{284}Cn into ^{280}Ds was observed, with ^{280}Ds fissioning after only 518 µs. The impact of these findings, aggregated with existing data on decay chains of ^{286,288}Fl, on the size of an anticipated shell gap at proton number Z=114 is discussed in light of predictions from two beyond-mean-field calculations, which take into account triaxial deformation.

Quality of pharmacotherapy consultations provided by drug information centers in the United States.

We evaluated the performance of 116 U.S. drug information centers in responding to specific questions about drugs. The primary measures were correctness of responses and extent of probing for patient data. Questions addressed the effect of ranitidine on blood alcohol concentrations, the potential interaction between didanosine and dapsone, prevention of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced peptic ulcers, and use of erythromycin for diabetic gastroparesis. The percentages of centers providing correct overall responses were 70% for the ranitidine question, 90% for the didanosine-dapsone question, 8% for the NSAID question, and 20% for the erythromycin question. For the three patient-specific questions, the percentages of centers eliciting vital patient data were 27% for the didanosine-dapsone question, 86% for the NSAID question, and 5% for the erythromycin question. In providing pharmacotherapy consultations, drug information centers generally failed to obtain pertinent patient data, thereby risking incorrect responses and inappropriate recommendations.

Symptomatic cardiotoxicity associated with 5-fluorouracil.

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 35 hospitals with oncology units to determine the incidence of symptomatic cardiotoxicity in patients receiving continuous infusions of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and to identify risk factors that could contribute to the development of 5-FU-associated cardiotoxicity. A sample of 483 patients [197 (41%) women, overall average age +/- SD 60.9 +/- 11.9 yrs] were followed for one cycle of 5-FU infusion. Thirty-eight (7.9%) patients had abrupt termination of the infusion. There were 9 (1.9%) cases of suspected or documented cardiotoxic events. Cardiotoxicity occurred in 7 (3.35%) of 209 patients receiving their first course of 5-FU and in 2 (0.73%) other patients (p=0.044). Based on univariate analysis, the following patient groups were at elevated risk of cardiotoxicity: those with preexisting cardiac disease (RR=6.83, p=0.0023); patients receiving calcium channel blockers (RR=4.75, p=0.014); those receiving nitrates (RR=9.18, p=0.007); and patients receiving concomitant etoposide (RR=10.32, p=0.022). Patients with underlying cardiac disease require close monitoring while receiving continuous infusions of 5-FU. They should be observed for signs and symptoms of cardiotoxicity, and vital signs should be measured frequently. Continued reporting of 5-FU-associated cardiotoxicity is necessary to identify other patients at risk.

Reducing the incidence of stomatitis using a quality assessment and improvement approach.

Stomatitis occurs in approximately 40% of the patients receiving systemic administration of chemotherapy and cancer treatments such as radiation to the head and neck. The presence of stomatitis affects the course of treatment and a patient's quality of life. An oncology nursing unit developed a quality assessment and improvement indicator addressing stomatitis. Oral cavity screening, dental consultations, oral care techniques, and patient teaching were included in the nursing interventions, which resulted in a marked reduction of new cases of stomatitis.

Suppression of precocial copulation by progesterone implants in the male chick forebrain.

Precocial copulation in 2-wk.-old male chicks, described behaviorally as free mount, tread, posterior contact, waggle, peek, and seize, was developed through hand-training experience and androgen treatment. Crystalline progesterone was then implanted in various forebrain or midbrain regions. Results indicated that progesterone inhibited copulatory behavior when placed in the periventricular areas of the preoptic-hypothalamic continuum. Progesterone implants in the preoptic lateral forebrain bundle regions also suppressed precocial copulation. Forebrain implants of cholesterol did not result in copulatory inhibition. The suppression of copulatory behavior was not accompanied by loss of weight or deficits in general activity or comb growth. These data indicate that brain regions responsible for progesterone-induced copulatory inhibition are similar in neuroanatomical distribution to those involved in testosterone-induced copulatory activation.

Testosterone concentration in the male chick brain: an autoradiographic survey.

Differential uptake of [(3)H]testosterone in male chick brain was found in periventricular areas of preoptic-hypothalamic continuum. Concentration of silver grains for all decapitation periods was especially high in the medial preoptic area, particularly the nucleus praeopticus paraventricularis magnocellularis. Distribution of testosterone-sensitive cells is in agreement with studies showing neuroanatomical control of reproductive behavior by the avian forebrain.