Luminosity-independent measurement of the proton-proton total cross section at √s=8 TeV.

The TOTEM collaboration has measured the proton-proton total cross section at √s=8 TeV using a luminosity-independent method. In LHC fills with dedicated beam optics, the Roman pots have been inserted very close to the beam allowing the detection of ~90% of the nuclear elastic scattering events. Simultaneously the inelastic scattering rate has been measured by the T1 and T2 telescopes. By applying the optical theorem, the total proton-proton cross section of (101.7±2.9) mb has been determined, well in agreement with the extrapolation from lower energies. This method also allows one to derive the luminosity-independent elastic and inelastic cross sections: σ(el)=(27.1±1.4) mb; σ(inel)=(74.7±1.7) mb.

Double diffractive cross-section measurement in the forward region at the LHC.

The first double diffractive cross-section measurement in the very forward region has been carried out by the TOTEM experiment at the LHC with a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=7 TeV. By utilizing the very forward TOTEM tracking detectors T1 and T2, which extend up to |η|=6.5, a clean sample of double diffractive pp events was extracted. From these events, we determined the cross section σDD=(116±25) µb for events where both diffractive systems have 4.7<|η|min<6.5.

Dynamical energy analysis for built-up acoustic systems at high frequencies.

Standard methods for describing the intensity distribution of mechanical and acoustic wave fields in the high frequency asymptotic limit are often based on flow transport equations. Common techniques are statistical energy analysis, employed mostly in the context of vibro-acoustics, and ray tracing, a popular tool in architectural acoustics. Dynamical energy analysis makes it possible to interpolate between standard statistical energy analysis and full ray tracing, containing both of these methods as limiting cases. In this work a version of dynamical energy analysis based on a Chebyshev basis expansion of the Perron-Frobenius operator governing the ray dynamics is introduced. It is shown that the technique can efficiently deal with multi-component systems overcoming typical geometrical limitations present in statistical energy analysis. Results are compared with state-of-the-art hp-adaptive discontinuous Galerkin finite element simulations.

From milk to diet: feed recognition for milk authenticity.

The presence of plastidial DNA fragments of plant origin in animal milk samples has been confirmed. An experimental plan was arranged with 4 groups of goats, each provided with a different monophytic diet: 3 fresh forages (oats, ryegrass, and X-triticosecale) and one 2-wk-old silage (X-triticosecale). Feed-derived rubisco (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, rbcL) DNA fragments were detected in 100% of the analyzed goat milk samples, and the nucleotide sequence of the PCR-amplified fragments was found to be 100% identical to the corresponding fragments amplified from the plant species consumed in the diet. Two additional chloroplast-based molecular markers were used to set up an assay for distinctiveness, conveniently based on a simple PCR. In one case, differences in single nucleotides occurring within the gene encoding for plant maturase K (matK) were exploited. In the other, plant species recognition was based on the difference in the length of the intron present within the transfer RNA leucine (trnL) gene. The presence of plastidial plant DNA, ascertained by the PCR-based amplification of the rbcL fragment, was also assessed in raw cow milk samples collected directly from stock farms or taken from milk sold on the commercial market. In this case, the nucleotide sequence of the amplified DNA fragments reflected the multiple forages present in the diet fed to the animals.

Molecular cloning of three rice alpha-tubulin isotypes: differential expression in tissues and during flower development.

We have isolated three rice cDNA sequences coding for divergent isotypes of alpha-tubulin. TubA1 and TubA2 are members of the plant subfamily I of alpha-tubulins whereas TubA3 belongs to subfamily II. The pattern of accumulation of TubA3 mRNA in rice flowers, roots and coleoptile segments treated with auxin differs significantly from what observed for TubA1 and TubA2 mRNAs.

Cloning and transcriptional analysis of the ADE6 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene, ADE6, encoding 5'-phosphoribosylformyl glycinamidine synthetase (EC 6.3.5.3) has been cloned by complementation of an ade6 auxotroph. Transformation of ade6 mutants with ADE6-carrying centromeric plasmids restored normal, adenine-independent growth behavior in the recipients. Strains containing a disrupted ade6 allele were constructed and behaved as stable adenine auxotrophs. Southern transfer and genetic analyses of strains carrying a disrupted ade6 allele demonstrated that the cloned gene was ADE6 and not a suppressor. The cloned ADE6 DNA was mapped on the RAD2-proximal fragment of chromosome VII by hybridization on yeast chromosomes separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Northern-blot hybridization experiments show that the ADE6 region produces two different mRNA species of approx. 5 and 2 kb. Disappearance of the larger, but not the smaller, transcript is associated with ade6 mutations. A threefold repression in the amount of the 5-kb ADE6 mRNA is observed when growth medium is supplemented with exogenous adenine.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in children from other than HLA-identical sibling donor.

Optimal allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) presupposes the use of a HLA-identical sibling as donor. Unfortunately, only about 30% of patients have an HLA-matched donor, so that the use of alternative donors has been increasingly used. We report an analysis of 13 children transplanted using an HLA-partially matched donor as source of haemopoietic stem cells. They suffered of ALL (3 pts), ANLL (1 pt), SAA (2 pts), Osteopetrosis (1 pt), Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (2 pts), Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (2 pts) and Familial Haemophagocitic Lymphohistiocytosis (2 pts). Full engraftment was obtained in all 11 of the patients who survived longer than 14 days and, globally, a moderate incidence of acute GvHD (grade II-IV) was observed in the evaluable patients (3 out of 11 with a percentage of 27%); only a patient of the six survivors more than one hundred days after BMT had severe chronic GvHD (16.6%). Four pts (31%) are actually alive and well (mean follow-up 358 days) with a mean Karnofsky score of 95%. Our data suggest that BMT from HLA-partially matched donors could represent a possible alternative therapeutic strategy in children when a compatible donor is not available. This is especially due to the reduced severity of GvHD in childhood and because of T-cell depleted marrow transplants could obtain more satisfactory results when employed in typical pediatric non-malignant disorders (i.e. immunodeficiencies) rather than in leukemia.

Chromosomal abnormalities in a primary small cell lung cancer.

A cytogenetic analysis of a fresh primary tumor specimen of small cell lung cancer showed a del(3)(p14p23) in the majority of metaphases. Additional clonal changes were found in the karyotype. No abnormalities for Ha-ras, Ki-ras, N-ras, myb, or myc were detected by Southern blot analysis of the tumor DNA.

Translocation (8;21) in two cases of refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation.

We report two cases of refractory anemia with excess of blasts in transformation (RAEB-T) with the translocation (8;21), which is frequent in ANLL but not in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). A review of such cases leads us to conclude that myeloproliferative disorders characterized by the t(8;21) may be preceded by an MDS phase.

Palatal myoclonus and unusual MRI findings in a patient with membranous lipodystrophy.

We describe an Italian male patient, deceased at 29 years of age, affected with a syndrome characterized by childhood-onset seizures, mental disorders, motor dysfunction and bilateral palatal myoclonus. Skeletal X-ray examination showed diffuse osteopenia of the tubular bones, and cyst-like lesions in the carpal, metacarpal and tarsal bones bilaterally and in the proximal end of the right femur. Skin biopsy showed subcutaneous and adipose tissue containing membranocystic structures. Cerebral MR and CT scans showed fronto-temporal atrophy, altered signal of the white matter and mineralization of the caudate and dentate nuclei. These findings strongly recall polycystic lipomembranous osteodysplasia with sclerosing leukoencephalopathy, but in the present case, bone alterations were not prominent; moreover, palatal myoclonus has never previously been described in this syndrome.

Silver staining combined with alcian blue and hematoxylin-eosin for the detection of Lawsonia intracelullaris in swine proliferative enteropathy.

Fragments of ileum from 663 pigs were collected in abattoirs, prepared with the use of standard histological methods and stained with a novel sensitive histochemical method for the detection of porcine proliferative enteropathy. The method is a combination of the following 3 well-known methods, the Warthin-Starry method, alcian blue and hematoxylin-eosin. In 11 cases, mucus-producing cells were completely absent, severe adenomatous proliferation was observed and intracellular bacteria were found in enterocytes. Disappearance of goblet cells and the presence of adenomatous proliferation without any detectable intracellular bacteria were observed in 16 cases. In the remaining 636 cases, histological changes and intracellular bacteria were not found. When comparing the conventional Warthin-Starry method with the modified staining method presented here, the same 16 cases were found. However, the method presented here enables examination of large numbers of sections in a relatively short period of time.

Histopathological characterization of a novel monoclonal antibody, MLuC1, reacting with lung carcinomas.

A monoclonal antibody (MoAb), MLuC1, derived from the fusion of P3-X63-Ag 8-U1 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells from an HR mouse immunized with the carcinoma cell line SW626, was studied to define its reactivity profile on normal and neoplastic human tissues and its potential clinical applications in lung cancer. Evaluation of paraffin sections using the ABC immunoperoxidase method showed a "pan-epithelial" reactivity; a large majority of epithelial components of organs in the respiratory, digestive and urogenital systems (except liver, rectum and ovary) were immunostained. As regard to neoplastic tissues MLuC1 recognized 84% of lung carcinomas (82% of small cell, 100% of squamous cell, 74% of adenocarcinomas), 86% of breast and 62% of ovarian carcinomas. On the contrary, MLuC1 was non-reactive with the other normal and tumoral non-epithelial tissues. Due to its spectrum of reactivity this MoAb could be useful for different diagnostic purposes such as differential diagnosis and lung cancer cytology.

In vivo and in vitro growth of SCLC cells derived from biopsies.

In order to increase the availability of SCLC cells derived from biopsies, in vivo and in vitro growth methods were investigated. The cells grown in both conditions were periodically monitored for reactivity with 2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs): MLuC1 directed against SCLC cells and IM1 which recognizes the class II antigen on activated lymphocytes and macrophages. About 50% of the 28 analyzed SCLC specimens were found to proliferate in one or both systems. The in vitro-grown cells exhibited the same heterogeneity found in the original cell suspensions and moreover, in some cases only normal cells were recovered after several in vitro passages. From the subcutaneous transplanted tumors a large number of MLuC1-positive tumor cells could easily be recovered, thus indicating the validity of the in vivo methodology. The MBr1 MAb, directed against an epithelial antigen, was found to react with about 50% of the 26 tested tumors, mainly those which demonstrated in vivo and/or in vitro growth capacity. These data suggest that only some tumors, presumably with peculiar biological characteristics, can efficiently grow in these artificial systems.

Skull changes and intellectual status in hydrocephalic children following CSF shunting.

A total of 76 shunt-treated hydrocephalic children were examined at least once between two and 12-years after surgery to determine what skull changes had occurred and to assess the children's intellectual status. The high incidence of skull changes in shunt-treated, non-tumoral, hydrocephalic children was confirmed. A strict relationship existed between skull changes and low intracranial pressure. The results indicate that impairment of mental development parallels the degree of skull changes, suggesting a close relationship between impaired mental development and cerebrospinal fluid hypotension.

Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des tradipraticiens de la sante de la ville d'Abidjan sur le paludisme.

INTRODUCTION : An estimated 300 to 500 million clinical cases of malaria occur each year worldwide, 90% in Africa, mostly among young children. In Cote d'Ivoire, malaria is 46.03% of disease states and 62.44% of hospital admissions. In children under 5 years, it is 42.67% of the reasons for consultation and 59.68% of hospital admissions. In pregnant women, it represents 22.91% of disease states and 36.07% of hospital admissions. In Africa, traditional medicine is the first resort for the vast majority of people, because of its accessibility both geographically, economically and culturally. However, some modern practitioners show an attitude of distrust of traditional medicine and its players, calling them irrational. This work had set out to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of traditional healers in the uncomplicated and complicated in the context of collaboration between traditional and modern medicine for the optimal management of critical cases. MATERIALS AND METHOD : The study focused on traditional healers practicing in the city of Abidjan. The study was conducted using individual interviews over a period of 30 days. The interviews were conducted in local languages, with the assistance, if necessary, translators. For data collection, we used a questionnaire containing four items: the socio-demographic characteristics of traditional healers, their knowledge on malaria, diagnostic practices and traditional therapies. RESULTS : Of the 60 healers and included in the study, only six were women (10%), a sex-ratio of a woman to 9 men. 66.7% of respondents traditional healers are herbalists and 25% of naturopaths.Only 8.3% were spiritualists. The etiology of malaria most commonly cited by the traditional healers were mosquito bites (16.7%), food (1.7%), solar (1.7%) and fatigue (1.7%) . 25% of traditional healers are associated with mosquitoes, sun and fatigue. Symptomatology most cited were fever (100%), dark urine (86%), the yellow or pale conjunctiva (80%), vomiting (71.7%), nausea (58.3%) and abdominal pain (48.3%). Traditional healers recognized three types of malaria: the white shape, form yellow / red and the black form. Traditional healers malarious patients surveyed were receiving both first (58.3%) than second-line (41.7%). 78.3% of them practiced an interview and physical examination of theirpatients before the diagnosis. In 13.3% of cases they were divinatory consultation. Medications used to treat malaria were herbal in 95% of cases. The main sign of healing was the lack of fever (58.3%). 90%of traditional healers interviewed referring cases of malaria black (severe malaria). This reference is made to modern health facilities (90.2%). 68.3% of respondents practiced traditional healers of malaria prophylaxis among pregnant women and children under 5 years.CONCLUSION : A description of clinical malaria by traditional practitioners in health is not very far from that of modern medicine. Nevertheless, the logics of our respondents are etiological more complex and linked to their cultural context. The management of cases is made from medicinal plants in treatment failure patients are usually referred to modern health facilities. The involvement of traditional healers in the detection and quick reference risk cases can contribute to reducing child mortality due to severe malaria.

[Knowledge, attitude, and practice of traditional healers on the topic of malaria in the city of Abidjan]. / Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques des tradipraticiens de la sante de la ville d'Abidjan sur le paludisme.

INTRODUCTION: An estimated 300 to 500 million clinical cases of malaria occur each year worldwide, 90% in Africa, mostly among young children. In Cote d'Ivoire, malaria is 46.03% of disease states and 62.44% of hospital admissions. In children under 5 years, it is 42.67% of the reasons for consultation and 59.68% of hospital admissions. In pregnant women, it represents 22.91% of disease states and 36.07% of hospital admissions. In Africa, traditional medicine is the first resort for the vast majority of people, because of its accessibility both geographically, economically and culturally. However, some modern practitioners show an attitude of distrust of traditional medicine and its players, calling them irrational. This work had set out to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of traditional healers in the uncomplicated and complicated in the context of collaboration between traditional and modern medicine for the optimal management of critical cases. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study focused on traditional healers practicing in the city of Abidjan. The study was conducted using individual interviews over a period of 30 days. The interviews were conducted in local languages, with the assistance, if necessary, translators. For data collection, we used a questionnaire containing four items: the socio-demographic characteristics of traditional healers, their knowledge on malaria, diagnostic practices and traditional therapies. RESULTS: Of the 60 healers and included in the study, only six were women (10%), a sex-ratio of a woman to 9 men. 66.7% of respondents traditional healers are herbalists and 25% of naturopaths.Only 8.3% were spiritualists. The etiology of malaria most commonly cited by the traditional healers were mosquito bites (16.7%), food (1.7%), solar (1.7%) and fatigue (1.7%) . 25% of traditional healers are associated with mosquitoes, sun and fatigue. Symptomatology most cited were fever (100%), dark urine (86%), the yellow or pale conjunctiva (80%), vomiting (71.7%), nausea (58.3%) and abdominal pain (48.3%). Traditional healers recognized three types of malaria: the white shape, form yellow / red and the black form. Traditional healers malarious patients surveyed were receiving both first (58.3%) than second-line (41.7%). 78.3% of them practiced an interview and physical examination of theirpatients before the diagnosis. In 13.3% of cases they were divinatory consultation. Medications used to treat malaria were herbal in 95% of cases. The main sign of healing was the lack of fever (58.3%). 90%of traditional healers interviewed referring cases of malaria black (severe malaria). This reference is made to modern health facilities (90.2%). 68.3% of respondents practiced traditional healers of malaria prophylaxis among pregnant women and children under 5 years. CONCLUSION: A description of clinical malaria by traditional practitioners in health is not very far from that of modern medicine. Nevertheless, the logics of our respondents are etiological more complex and linked to their cultural context. The management of cases is made from medicinal plants in treatment failure patients are usually referred to modern health facilities. The involvement of traditional healers in the detection and quick reference risk cases can contribute to reducing child mortality due to severe malaria.

Bacillus thuringiensis isolates entomopathogenic for Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Samples of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) were collected from soil and insects. Eight isolates were selected from rural soil, 15 from urban soil and 11 from insects. These were evaluated for entomopathogenicity against larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis and Culex quinquefasciatus. The pathogenicity tests showed that a higher percentage of isolates were active against A. gemmatalis (60%) compared to C. quinquefasciatus (31%). Probit analysis (LC50) indicated that against A. gemmatalis four of the isolates presented values similar to the reference strain against A. gemmatalis, while against C. quinquefasciatus one isolate showed an LC50 similar to the reference strain (IPS-82). SDS-PAGE characterisation of two isolates showed a 27 kDa protein fraction related to the Bt subspecies israelensis cytolytic toxin (cyt) gene. One 130 kDa protein, possibly related to the Bt crystal inclusions (cry1) gene, was identified in the other two isolates, which were more toxic for lepidoptera; another isolate presented a protein of 100 kDa. Some new local Bt isolates had similar LC50 probit values to the reference strains.