Search for solar axions by the CERN axion solar telescope with 3He buffer gas: closing the hot dark matter gap.

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope has finished its search for solar axions with (3)He buffer gas, covering the search range 0.64 eV ≲ ma ≲ 1.17 eV. This closes the gap to the cosmological hot dark matter limit and actually overlaps with it. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of gaγ ≲ 3.3 × 10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., with the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Future direct solar axion searches will focus on increasing the sensitivity to smaller values of gaγ, for example by the currently discussed next generation helioscope International AXion Observatory.

Establishment of Age-Specific Whole Blood Biochemistry and Gas Reference Intervals in Broiler Chickens using the i-STAT and the Vetscan VS2 Portable Analyzers.

Whole blood biochemistry and blood gas analysis are uncommonly used in poultry, but their use could improve the diagnosis of certain diseases or aid in monitoring flock health. To create preliminary reference intervals for selected blood analytes in broilers using the i-STAT and Vetscan VS2 (VS2) portable analyzers, we tested broilers at 7, 21, and 35 days of age. A total of 134 venous blood samples from healthy chickens of two different flocks were analyzed. There were significant age-related increases in concentration for glucose, hematocrit, ionized calcium, sodium, and carbon dioxide partial pressure on the i-STAT and for aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, total calcium, phosphorus, and total protein on the VS2. Conversely, significant decreases in concentration were observed for pH, oxygen partial pressure, oxygen saturation on the i-STAT and for uric acid and albumin on the VS2. Additionally, significant differences were found on some blood parameters among the two flocks. Extremely high CK values were found on broilers after 21 days of age, indicating a possible degree of muscle injury during the grow-out. Preliminary reference intervals for all the analytes at each of the age groups were obtained. This study's data provide a starting point for the interpretation of blood analysis in broiler chickens at different ages and offer a new approach to investigate certain metabolic diseases that affect commercial poultry.

Nota de investigación- Establecimiento de intervalos de referencia de gases y bioquímica de sangre completa específicos por edad en pollos de engorde utilizando los analizadores portátiles i-STAT y Vetscan VS2. La bioquímica de sangre completa y el análisis de gases sanguíneos se usan con poca frecuencia en avicultura, pero su uso podría mejorar el diagnóstico de ciertas enfermedades o ayudar a monitorear la salud de las parvadas. Para crear intervalos de referencia preliminares para componentes sanguíneos selectos en pollos de engorde utilizando los analizadores portátiles i-STAT y Vetscan VS2 (VS2), se analizaron muestras de pollos de engorde a los 7, 21 y 35 días de edad. Se analizaron un total de 134 muestras de sangre venosa de pollos sanos de dos parvadas diferentes. Hubo aumentos significativos relacionados con la edad en la concentración de glucosa, hematocrito, calcio ionizado, sodio y presión parcial de dióxido de carbono en el i-STAT, y para aspartato aminotransferasa, creatina quinasa (CK), calcio total, fósforo y proteína total en el VS2. Por otro lado, se observaron disminuciones significativas en la concentración para el pH, la presión parcial de oxígeno, la saturación de oxígeno en el i-STAT y para el ácido úrico y la albúmina en el VS2. Además, se encontraron diferencias significativas para los parámetros sanguíneos entre las dos parvadas. Se encontraron valores de creatina quinasa extremadamente altos en pollos de engorde después de los 21 días de edad, lo que indica un posible grado de lesión muscular durante el engorde. Se obtuvieron los intervalos de referencia preliminares para todos los componentes en cada uno de los grupos de edad. Los datos de este estudio proporcionan un punto de partida para la interpretación del análisis de sangre en pollos de engorde a diferentes edades y ofrecen un nuevo enfoque para investigar ciertas enfermedades metabólicas que afectan a las aves comerciales.

Search for sub-eV mass solar axions by the CERN Axion Solar Telescope with 3He buffer gas.

The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) has extended its search for solar axions by using (3)He as a buffer gas. At T=1.8 K this allows for larger pressure settings and hence sensitivity to higher axion masses than our previous measurements with (4)He. With about 1 h of data taking at each of 252 different pressure settings we have scanned the axion mass range 0.39 eV≲m(a)≲0.64 eV. From the absence of excess x rays when the magnet was pointing to the Sun we set a typical upper limit on the axion-photon coupling of g(aγ)≲2.3×10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., the exact value depending on the pressure setting. Kim-Shifman-Vainshtein-Zakharov axions are excluded at the upper end of our mass range, the first time ever for any solar axion search. In the future we will extend our search to m(a)≲1.15 eV, comfortably overlapping with cosmological hot dark matter bounds.

Retention of mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask and mouth-to-face shield ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Retention of mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask and mouth-to-face shield ventilation techniques is poorly understood. METHODS: A prospective randomised clinical trial was undertaken in January 2004 in 70 candidates randomly assigned to training in mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask or mouth-to-face shield ventilation. Each candidate was trained for 10 min, after which tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute volume, peak airway pressure and the presence or absence of stomach inflation were measured. 58 subjects were reassessed 1 year later and study parameters were recorded again. Data were analysed with ANOVA, chi(2) and McNemar tests. RESULTS: Tidal volume, minute volume, peak airway pressure, ventilation rate and stomach inflation rate increased significantly at reassessment with all ventilation techniques compared with the initial assessment. However, at reassessment, mean (SD) tidal volume (960 (446) vs 1008 (366) vs 1402 (302) ml; p<0.05), minute volume (12 (5) vs 13 (7) vs 18 (3) l/min; p<0.05), peak airway pressure (14 (8) vs 17 (13) vs 25 (8) cm H(2)O; p<0.05) and stomach inflation rate (63% vs 58% vs 100%; p<0.05) were significantly lower with mouth-to-mask and mouth-to-face shield ventilation than with mouth-to-mouth ventilation. The ventilation rate at reassessment did not differ significantly between the ventilation techniques. CONCLUSIONS: One year after a single episode of ventilation training, lay persons tended to hyperventilate; however, the degree of hyperventilation and resulting stomach inflation were lower when a mouth-to-mask or a face shield device was employed. Regular training is therefore required to retain ventilation skills; retention of skills may be better with ventilation devices.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer of the oral cavity in a patient who had had a renal transplant.

The Epstein-Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer is a new phenomenon that was first described in 2014, and we know of only 67 reported cases. We describe a case in a patient who had had a renal transplant.

Nerve injury associated with orthognathic surgery. Part 1: UK practice and motor nerve injuries.

The head and neck is anatomically complex, and several nerves are at risk during orthognathic operations. Some injuries to nerves are reported more commonly than others. To find out what consultant surgeons tell their patients about the prevalence of common nerve injuries before orthognathic operations, we did a postal survey of fellows of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS). We also reviewed published papers to find out the reported incidence of injuries to cranial motor nerves during orthognathic operations. Only injuries to the facial nerve were commonly reported, and we found only case reports about injuries to the oculomotor, abducens, and trochlear nerves. The risk of temporary facial nerve palsy reported was 0.30/100 nerves (95% CI 0.23 to 0.50) and permanent facial nerve palsy was 0.06/100 nerves (95% CI 0.02 to 0.15).

Medium-term outcomes and complications after total replacement of the temporomandibular joint. Prospective outcome analysis after 3 and 5 years.

In this prospective analysis, we assess the medium-term benefits, efficacy, and safety of the TMJ Concepts joint replacement system in the United Kingdom. Outcome measures of pain, maximum mouth opening, and diet were recorded preoperatively and at intervals up to 3 and 5 years. All patients who had replacement temporomandibular joints (TMJ) within a 6-year period were included. A total of 58 patients (84 joints) were followed up for 3 years (mean age 47, range 19-72) and 26 (42 joints) for 5 years (mean age 46, range 27-70). The female to male ratio was 52:6 at 3 years and 23:3 at 5 years. The most common diagnosis was degenerative disease, and the mean number of previous TMJ procedures was 2.4 (range 0-14). There were significant improvements in pain scores (7.4 reduced to 0.6 at 3 years and 0.8 at 5 years), maximum mouth opening (21.0-35.5mm at 3 years and 23.8-33.7mm at 5 years), and dietary scores (4.1-9.7 at 3 years and 3.7-9.6 at 5 years). Revision operations were required in 2 patients (not included in the outcome data) for biofilm infection of the prosthesis secondary to local infection in the head and neck. One patient had weakness of the temporal branch of the facial nerve that needed correction. TMJ replacement is an effective form of management for an irreparably damaged joint, particularly in cases of ankylosis. It lessens pain and improves function with minimal long-term morbidity.

Destruction of human tear proteins by ozone.

By an in vitro system human tears from healthy donors were exposed in a sealed vessel to a single dose of ozone. A marked destruction of tear proteins by ozone was observed as indicated by the disappearance of the protein pattern in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis compared with the control. Lysozyme, a significant protein in tears, was demonstrated to be susceptible to degradation by O3. The destruction of tear proteins by ozone can be determined quantitatively by radial immunodiffusion as shown for human tear albumin. Variations of ozone concentrations and reaction time showed that destruction of tear proteins by ozone depended on the ozone concentration and occurred within a few minutes of exposure of tears to ozone.

Plasma high density lipoproteins in coronary, cerebral and peripheral vascular disease. The influence of various risk factors.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the HDL/total cholesterol ratio have been measured in 440 patients with coronary, cerebral or peripheral vascular disease and in 440 matched controls. The patients were subdivided into sex- and age-groups and according to physical activity, smoking, hypertension and non-insulin-dependent and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The average HDL cholesterol level was significantly decreased in all the three groups of localization of ischaemic vascular disease (IVD). Plasma HDL concentration in men was lower than in women in every age-group. Lowest values were measured in patients with cerebral vascular diseases. From among the risk factors supposed to be related to IVD, lack of physical exercise resulted in a decrease of HDL cholesterol and HDL/total cholesterol values. In all the three localizations of IVD cigarette smokers had lower HDL levels than non-smokers. The influence of hypertension on serum HDL concentration was not unidirectional. The coexistence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes and IVD resulted in decreased lipid parameters. The sera of insulin-dependent diabetics had higher HDL contents and higher HDL/total cholesterol ratios than those of non-diabetics in all the three localizations of the vascular disease in men and in women suffering from peripheral vascular disease.

Factor, present in plasma, inhibiting the interaction of low density lipoprotein with arterial proteoglycan.

The complex formation of LDL with arterial proteoglycan or glycosaminoglycan was quantitated as precipitation of LDL-cholesterol after incubation in a low ionic strength buffer containing CaCl2 and MgCl2. It was found that human plasma or serum contains a factor which inhibits this complex formation. Upon density gradient centrifugation this factor was found at d greater than 1.24 g/ml. It could be further purified from the d greater than 1.24 g/ml fraction by affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose and hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose. The content of inhibitory activity was found to vary over a 4-fold range in sera of apparently healthy persons.

Elastase-type enzymes and their relation to blood lipids in atherosclerotic patients.

Serum elastase-type activity, elastase inhibitory capacity and their relation to lipids were examined in 140 male patients with ischemic vascular disease (coronary, cerebral, peripheral) and in 60 control subjects. In a further 24 patients with acute myocardial infarction elastase activity, inhibitory capacity and lipids during the course of the illness have also been investigated. Serum elastase-type activity was found to be significantly lower and inhibitory capacity significantly higher in the groups of patients than in the controls. HDL- and HDL2-cholesterol as well as apo A concentration showed significant negative correlation with elastase inhibitory capacity both in atherosclerotic and in control subjects. During the course of myocardial infarction a significant elevation of serum elastase-type activity could be observed at the end of the first week; serum triglyceride levels increased, HDL- and HDL2-concentrations decreased significantly in the first 3 weeks, than gradually approached the initial values. In the patients with an elevation of serum elastase-like activity by more than 30% in the first week, there was a significantly higher elevation of serum GOT and LDH1 and a greater occurrence of transmural (Q) infarction than in those with a smaller variation of elastase-like activity.

Ventricular thrombus and subarachnoid bleeding during support with ventricular assist devices.

We report the case of a 23-year-old man with acute aortic valve insufficiency caused by endocarditis, who after emergency aortic valve replacement developed biventricular heart failure. The heart failure was treated with temporary assist devices. Subarachnoid bleeding and thrombus obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract was detected. The postoperative course is presented with special emphasis on management of subarachnoid bleeding and the simultaneous use of anticoagulation necessary for ventricular assist devices.

Overweight and obesity in native-American adolescents: comparing nonreservation youths with African-American and Caucasian peers.

Previous studies have consistently shown that, compared to national standards, Native Americans across all age groups are disproportionately overweight or obese. Although most available data on rates of obesity in this group come from studies conducted on reservations, the proportion of Native Americans residing on reservation lands is rapidly declining. This study examines the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a population of Midwestern adolescents in public school settings and contrasts Caucasian and African-American adolescents with Native-American youths of the same age. Data were derived from a secondary analysis of an anonymous health-risk survey. Height, weight, and ethnicity were ascertained through self-report. The results call into question whether rates of overweight or obesity in Native-American adolescents are disproportionate relative to those for Caucasian and African-American adolescents. Cumulative comparisons of all overweight and obese adolescents in the sample (n = 5,655) show significant differences among ethnic groups, but age-specific comparisons do not yield a consistent pattern, especially for Native-American girls. To compare the entire sample to national weight standards, we plotted mean body mass index (BMI) for each ethnic group by age against NHANES II reference data. Age-specific BMI means for Native-American and Caucasian girls fell largely below the NHANES II reference data. We present several explanations for these results. Given the study limitations, further objective study of the weight status of Native-American children and adolescents in direct comparison with other ethnic groups is recommended.

The influence of bisacodyl and deacetylbisacodyl on mucus secretion, mucus synthesis and electrolyte movements in the rat colon in vivo.

The effect of the diphenolic laxatives bisacodyl and deacetylbisacodyl on mucus secretion and fluid, sodium and potassium net transport was studied in rat colon perfused in vivo. Mucus output in the effluent was determined as total protein-bound hexose. Deacetylbisacodyl was more potent than the parent compound and was used to investigate dose-response relationships. At a low concentration (0.1 mg/dl), mucus and potassium secretion were stimulated whereas sodium and fluid absorption were inhibited, or converted to secretion, only at higher concentrations (0.5-3.0 mg/dl). All effects were dose-dependent and reversible within 1 h. With longer lasting perfusion of deacetylbisacodyl, mucus appeared in two peaks, one initial peak and another after 4 h. The late peak contained newly synthetized glycoproteins as indicated by the incorporation of intravenously injected [14C]galactose. It is concluded that stimulation of mucus secretion and synthesis contributes to the laxative action of bisacodyl. The effects of low versus high concentrations suggests that part of the potassium secretion is due to mucus release.

Chronic hypercapnia should not exclude patients from lung volume reduction surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic hypercapnia is still considered to increase the risk for perioperative mortality and therefore to be a contraindication for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). The aim of this study was to analyse the influences of hypercapnia upon postoperative outcome. METHODS: The functional improvement (preop vs. 3 months postop) and clinical outcome was studied in 22 patients with chronic hypercapnia (preoperative arterial pCO2 > or = 45 mmHg) who underwent LVRS between 9/94 and 2/97 and were compared to all other patients (n = 58) without hypercapnia. Data are expressed as the mean +/- SEM. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 9.1% (2/22) in patients with chronic hypercapnia (HC) and 5.2% (3/58) in patients with normal arterial pCO2 levels (control) (P = n.s). The stay on the ICU (3.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.3 days) and duration of chest drainage (7.3 +/- 1.2 vs. 7.2 +/- 0.8 days) was similar between both groups (HC vs. control) (P = n.s). The preoperative lung function (% of predicted) and blood gas (mmHg) parameters were significantly worse in HC patients compared to control patients. In both groups significant functional improvements were observed: FeV1 in the control group increased by 37% within the first 3 months (29.1 +/- 1.7% of predicted vs. 39.9 +/- 3.1% of predicted, P = 0.0198). In the HC group, FeV1 increased by 73% which was even higher than in the controls (19.5 +/- 1.5% of predicted vs. 33.7 +/- 4.7% of predicted, P = 0.0385). All patients of both groups who died perioperatively had a significantly higher severity of parenchymal destruction than those who survived (P = 0.0277 and 0.0380, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic hypercapnia alone, had no significantly higher mortality and morbidity, and therefore should not be excluded from LVRS. However, the presence of additional risk factors, such as homogeneity of disease, high degree of parenchymal destruction or pulmonary hypertension should be considered as contraindications for the procedure.

Childhood sexual abuse and coercive sex among school-based adolescents in a midwestern state.

PURPOSE: Childhood sexual abuse has been identified in several studies as a predictor of adult sexual aggression or sexual victimization. Aggression and victimization are defined in this study as coercive sex. To date, no study of a sample of high school adolescents has investigated the association between a self-reported history of childhood sexual abuse and adolescent coercive sex. METHOD: Findings from the present study are based on a 10% random sample of the white and all the African American and Native American 9th and 12th grade students of a Midwestern state who completed a state-wide anonymous survey of risk-taking behavior in 1989. RESULTS: The present study identified a 10% prevalence of sexual abuse. Females were four times more likely to report sexual abuse than males, while Native Americans and African Americans were approximately twice as likely as whites to report sexual abuse. Sexually abused adolescents were five times more likely to report any type of coercive sex with a friend or date than their nonabused peers. Specifically, compared to nonabused peers, sexually abused adolescents were twice as likely to report sexual aggression, and six times more likely to report sexual victimization and the co-occurrence of sexual aggression and victimization. CONCLUSIONS: Both by victimizing and being revictimized, sexually abused adolescents perpetuate their abusive experience. Adolescent health care providers should assess patients for sexually coercive behavior if they report childhood sexual abuse and assess adolescents who report current sexually coercive behavior for childhood sexual abuse.

[Treatment of arterial aneurysms of the pelvic leg vessels using dacron covered nitinol stents]. / Behandlung arterieller Aneurysmen der Becken-Bein-Gefässe mittels Dacron-ummantelter Nitinol-Stents.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success rates of the implantation of stent grafts in the treatment of peripheral aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 13 patients with 15 aneurysms at the common iliac artery (n = 6), external iliac artery (n = 1), hypogastric artery (n = 2), femoral artery (n = 2) or popliteal artery (n = 4), implantation of dacron-covered nitinol stents was performed. The patients were followed up for three to 20 months (mean, 8.8 months) with intravenous digital subtraction angiography, CT or colour-coded Doppler sonography. RESULTS: In all cases, the aneurysm was successfully occluded after stent implantation. In one case with a popliteal aneurysm, kinking of the vessel caused thrombosis of the stent. The stent was successfully reopened. The aneurysm however, had to be surgically treated 9 months later. The primary and secondary patency rates at 6 months were 93% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The method described might be an alternative therapy to surgery. There are some limitations in respect of treatment of popliteal aneurysms.

The interaction of human plasma low density lipoproteins with glycosamino-glycans: influence of the chemical composition.

Human plasma of 5 normolipemic individuals was incubated for 24 hr at 37 C in the presence or in the absence of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT)-inhibitors. Plasma stored at 4 C served as a control. The low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions of the samples were isolated and investigated with respect to changes in chemical composition and complexing activity with glycosamino glycans (GAG). Incubation of plasma in the presence of LCAT inhibitors caused a significant increase of LDL triglycerides at the expense of cholesteryl esters. Incubation with active LCAT not only changed the core but also the surface constituents (decrease in phospholipids and in free cholesterol). The amount of GAG bound per mg of LDL was not uniformly changed in samples incubated after LCAT inhibition. LDL isolated from plasma incubated in the presence of LCAT, on the other hand, showed a significant reduction in GAG binding. The ratio of free cholesterol:GAG in the complex was most significantly reduced in LCAT-modified LDL. There was in addition a highly significant correlation between the LDL:GAG ratio in the complex and the free cholesterol and phospholipid content of the LDL samples. It is concluded that alterations in surface lipid constituents of LDL strongly affect their interaction with sulfated polysaccharides, an effect which may be relevant also in vivo for the interaction of LDL with cell surfaces and intercellular matrices.