Quadrupole shift of nuclear magnetic resonance of donors in silicon at low magnetic field.

Shifts from the expected nuclear magnetic resonance frequencies of antimony and bismuth donors in silicon of greater than a megahertz are observed in electrically detected magnetic resonance spectra. Defects created by ion implantation of the donors are discussed as the source of effective electric field gradients generating these shifts via quadrupole interaction with the nuclear spins. The experimental results are modeled quantitatively by molecular orbital theory for a coupled pair consisting of a donor and a spin-dependent recombination readout center.

Running away from stress: How regulatory modes prospectively affect athletes' stress through passion.

A prospective field study conducted with runners training for an upcoming marathon (Marathon of Rome 2013) examined the relation between regulatory modes, locomotion and assessment, and stress. Integrating regulatory mode theory and the dualistic model of passion, we hypothesized that the relation between regulatory modes (evaluated 3 months before the race) and the experience of stress approaching the marathon, is mediated by the type of passion (harmonious vs obsessive) athletes experience with regard to marathoning. Results revealed that (a) locomotion positively predicted harmonious passion, which in turn reduced athletes' experience of stress; and (b) assessment positively predicted obsessive passion, which in turn enhanced athletes' experience of stress. Overall, the present results suggest that proximal psychological mechanisms such as basic regulatory mode orientations can predict distal outcomes such as stress indirectly through their relation with motivational phenomena such as passion.

Management of high-quality dehydrated grape in vinification to produce dry red wines.

Grape controlled dehydration of "Cesanese" and "Sangiovese" wine grapes, followed by an innovative vinification protocol, was studied. Fresh grapes of both varieties were processed into basic wines (IW = initial wine). 'Cesanese' must from pressed dehydrated grapes (solid and liquid) was directly added (15 and 30% v/v) into the IW activating a refermentation. 'Sangiovese' must (solid and liquid) from pressed dehydrated grapes was fermented and, when the wine reached 5% alcohol concentration, every day, the IW was added until a final concentration of 40 or 60% (v/v). The produced "blended wines" (BW) had significantly higher alcohol, glycerol, extract, and polyphenol concentration. Malolactic fermentation was completely ended in all BW with no malic acid and formation of lactic acid (0.5-1 g/L). All wines showed a significant higher concentration in 4-vinylguaiacol, acetovanillone, and 3-oxo-α-ionol, providing spicy and fruity notes at the sensory analyses, and being appreciated for their body balance, less acidity, and flavor intensity.

Incidence, presenting features and outcome of extramedullary disease in multiple myeloma: a longitudinal study on 1003 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: There are few data on the incidence and prognosis of extramedullary (EM) multiple myeloma (MM). There are concerns about a possible increase of EM relapses with the expanding use of high-dose therapy (HDT) and biological agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The incidence of EM disease, its relationship with prior exposure to HDT or novel agents, and its prognostic impact were analyzed in 1003 MM patients. Based on the different therapies available, three periods were considered: 1971-1993, conventional-dose chemotherapy; 1994-1999, HDT for younger patients; and 2000-2007, introduction of novel agents. RESULTS: Overall, 13% of patients had EM disease, 7% at diagnosis and 6% later. In the 2000-2007 period, there was a significant increase of EM involvement, at diagnosis (P = 0.02) and during follow-up (P = 0.03). The risk of EM spread was not significantly increased after HDT [hazard ratio (HR 0.6)], bortezomib (HR 1.62), or thalidomide/lenalidomide (HR 1.07). EM disease was associated with shorter overall (HR 3.26, P < 0.0001) and progression-free (HR 1.46, P = 0.04) survival. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of EM disease has increased, probably due to the availability of more sensitive imaging techniques and the prolongation of patients' survival. HDT or novel agents seem not to increase the risk of EM disease. EM involvement confers a poor prognosis.

A different schedule of zoledronic acid can reduce the risk of the osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with multiple myeloma.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a reported complication of bisphosphonate use. The incidence ranges between 6 and 13% and seems to be higher in people treated with zoledronic acid (ZA) than with pamidronate. We retrospectively evaluated the incidences of ONJ and skeletal-related events (SRE) in 106 patients with multiple myeloma divided in two groups according to the schedule of administration of bisphosphonates: 51 received monthly administrations until tolerated (group A, standard schedule), 55 were treated monthly during the first year and then every 3 months (group B, reduced schedule). The incidence of SRE was similar (15.1 per 100 person years in group A and 17.7 in group B). ONJ occurred in seven patients, six in group A and one in group B (P=0.049). The risk of ONJ was eight-fold lower with the reduced schedule than with the standard schedule. The only significant risk factor for ONJ was the type of bisphosphonate (P=0.006). The incidence of ONJ was significantly higher with ZA than with pamidronate + ZA (9.1 vs 1.6 per 100 person-years). No ONJ was observed in patients treated only with pamidronate. A reduced schedule of ZA may be safer than the standard schedule while maintaining anti-resorptive efficacy.

[Acquired hemophilia A associated with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia successfully treated by rituximab and azacitidine]. / Hémophilie A acquise associée à une leucémie myélomonocytaire chronique traitée efficacement par rituximab et azacitidine.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired hemophilia A is a factor VIII deficiency related to anti-factor VIII immunoglobulins. We are reporting the case of a patient with acquired hemophilia A related to chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. CASE REPORT: A 74-years old woman had a spontaneous calf hematoma with compression syndrome. Coagulation tests revealed an extended partial thromboplastin time and a factor VIII deficiency with circulating factor VIII antibodies. Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia was diagnosed in the same time. Initial management included hemostatic transfusion and steroids and was completed rituximab and azacitidine. Evolution was favorable. CONCLUSION: We report a case of acquired hemophilia A complicating a chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Management with steroids, rituximab and azacitidine was successful. Useful of rituximab during acquired hemophilia is proposed.

Role of Nd/Ba disorder on the penetration depth of Nd(1+x)Ba(2-x)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin films

We report on a study on the effect of Nd/Ba disorder on the ab-plane penetration depth of epitaxial Nd(1+x)Ba(2-x)Cu(3)O(7-delta) thin films. While in stoichiometric samples lambda(T) at low temperature is linear, Nd-rich films exhibit a quadratic law. For low Nd excess (x<0.04), a satisfying fit is obtained using the "dirty" d-wave model assuming that Nd ions at Ba sites act as strong scattering centers. At high x (x>0.15) the data are explained if Nd/Ba disorder becomes less effective as a source of scattering. The effect of localization has been discussed to account for the experimental results.

Inhibition of autophagy with clarithromycin: a new strategy to enhance sensitivity of CML stem cells to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Autophagy inhibition has been shown to sensitize tumor cells to cell death induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The remarkable responses obtained in seven patients with the combination of clarithromycin and TKIs support the hypothesis that the inhibition of autophagy may make chronic myeloid leukemia cells sensitive to killing by TKIs.

Autoradiographic thymidine-3H activity after successive steps of the Feulgen reaction.

Autoradiographs were prepared of sections of the ovary of Dytiscus marginalis labelled with thymidine-3H after each successive step of the Feulgen reaction and after treatment with each separate component of the Schiff's reagent. Results of grain counts over ovarian nurse cells showed that losses of thymidine-3H activity occur not only during hydrolysis but also during the successive steps of the Feulgen reaction. It is suggested that the latter decrease in radioactivity may depend on the extraction of fragments of apurinic acid from the sections. An emulsion desensitizing effect has also been observed in sections stained with basic fuchsin alone; this effect appears, however, to be strongly counteracted by the metabisulphite present in the Schiff's reagent.