Recently, Lee et al reported a new grading system for the lumbar spinal foraminal stenosis. They considered the type of stenosis, the amount of fat obliteration, and the presence of nerve root ...compression. Our aim was to evaluate whether a new MR imaging grading system correlated with symptoms and neurologic signs and could replace the previous grading system.
We examined 91 patients (M/F = 49:42; mean age, 50 years) who visited our institution and underwent MR imaging of the L-spine and were evaluated by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists. The presence and grade of lumbar foraminal stenosis at the maximal narrowing point was assessed according to the new grading system suggested by Lee et al (Lee system) and the Wildermuth grading system (Wildermuth system). Results were correlated with clinical manifestations and neurologic physical examination. Statistical analysis was performed by using κ statistics, categoric regression analysis, and nonparametric correlation analysis (Spearman correlation).
Interobserver agreement in the grading of foraminal stenosis between the 2 readers was substantially correlated (κ of Lee system = 0.767, κ of Wildermuth system = 0.734). The Rs for reader 1 and reader 2 between the Lee system and the Wildermuth system were 0.880 and 0.885, between Lee system and PNM were 0.715 and 0.604, and between the Wildermuth system and PNM were 0.800 and 0.680. For patients younger than 50 years of age, the R between the Lee and Wildermuth systems was higher than that for patients 50 years or older, but the Rs between the grading system and PNM were lower in the younger group than in the older group. The Rs of the Wildermuth system with PNM were higher in the older group than in the younger group; the differences between the Rs of the Lee system with PNM and the Wildermuth system with PNM were higher in the older group (0.016 young versus 0.130 old and 0.008 versus 0.107).
Interobserver agreement of the Lee system was slightly higher than the Wildermuth system and substantially correlated. Both systems are good for evaluation of lumbar spinal foraminal stenosis, but the Lee system showed slightly better interobserver agreement and good clinical correlation in the younger group of patients.
We present new constraints on the dark matter-induced annual modulation signal using 1.7 years of COSINE-100 data with a total exposure of 97.7 kg yr. The COSINE-100 experiment, consisting of 106 kg ...of NaI(Tl) target material, is designed to carry out a model-independent test of DAMA/LIBRA's claim of WIMP discovery by searching for the same annual modulation signal using the same NaI(Tl) target. The crystal data show a 2.7 cpd/kg/keV background rate on average in the 2-6 keV energy region of interest. Using a χ-squared minimization method we observe best fit values for modulation amplitude and phase of 0.0092±0.0067 cpd/kg/keV and 127.2±45.9 d, respectively.
The Korea Invisible Mass Search (KIMS) collaboration has developed low-background NaI(Tl) crystals that are suitable for the direct detection of WIMP dark matter. Building on experience accumulated ...during the KIMS-CsI programs, the KIMS-NaI experiment will consist of a 200 kg NaI(Tl) crystal array surrounded by layers of shielding structures and will be operated at the Yangyang underground laboratory. The goal is to provide an unambiguous test of the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation signature. Measurements of six prototype crystals show progress in the reduction of internal contamination from radioisotopes. Based on our understanding of these measurements, we expect to achieve a background level in the final detector configuration that is less than 1 count/day/keV/kg for recoil energies around 2 keV. The annual modulation sensitivity for the KIMS-NaI experiment shows that an unambiguous 7
σ
test of the DAMA/LIBRA signature would be possible with a 600 kg year exposure with this system.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Unconventional Fermi surface in an insulating state Tan, B. S.; Hsu, Y.-T.; Zeng, B. ...
Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science),
07/2015, Letnik:
349, Številka:
6245
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Insulators occur in more than one guise; a recent finding was a class of topological insulators, which host a conducting surface juxtaposed with an insulating bulk. Here, we report the observation of ...an unusual insulating state with an electrically insulating bulk that simultaneously yields bulk quantum oscillations with characteristics of an unconventional Fermi liquid. We present quantum oscillation measurements of magnetic torque in high-purity single crystals of the Kondo insulator SmB6, which reveal quantum oscillation frequencies characteristic of a large three-dimensional conduction electron Fermi surface similar to the metallic rare earth hexaborides such as PrB6 and LaB6. The quantum oscillation amplitude strongly increases at low temperatures, appearing strikingly at variance with conventional metallic behavior.
The unique optical properties of metals are at the core of many areas of research and applications, including plasmonics, metamaterials, superlensing and subdiffraction focusing, optical antennas and ...surface enhanced Raman scattering. One important length scale inherent in metamaterials and plasmonics research activities in the microwave, terahertz, infrared, visible and ultraviolet ranges is the skin depth of metal, which remains at the submicrometre level throughout the broad spectral range. One prominent question is whether terahertz electromagnetic waves can be controlled on the nanoscale to achieve new functionalities in the sub-skin-depth regime. Here, we show that a λ/30,000 slit on metal film acts as a nanogap-capacitor charged by light-induced currents, enhancing the electric field by orders of magnitudes.
Migraine carries an increased risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases that cannot be explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The circulating endothelial progenitor cell ...(EPC) number is a surrogate biologic marker of vascular function, and diminished EPC counts are associated with higher cardiovascular risk. We investigated whether abnormalities in EPC levels and functions are present in migraine patients.
Consecutive headache patients (n =166) were enrolled, including those with tension type headache (TTH; n = 74), migraine without aura (MO; n = 67), and migraine with aura (MA; n = 25). EPC colony-forming units in peripheral blood samples and migratory capacity to chemoattractants (stromal cell-derived factor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor) and cellular senescence levels were assayed in risk factor-matched subjects (n = 6 per group).
The TTH group had more cardiovascular risk factors, more headache days, and higher Framingham risk scores than the other two groups. Mean numbers of EPC colony-forming units were 47.8 +/- 24.3 in TTH, 20.4 +/-22.2 in MO, and 8.6 +/- 10.1 in MA patients (p < 0.001 in TTH vs MO; p = 0.001 in MO vs MA). EPC colony counts of normal subjects (n = 37) were not significantly different from those with TTH. Multiple linear regression models identified only MO, MA, and the presence of migraine (MO + MA) as significant predictors of EPC levels. In addition, EPCs from migraine patients (MO and MA) showed reduced migratory capacity and increased cellular senescence compared with EPCs from TTH or normal subjects.
Circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) numbers and functions are reduced in migraine patients, suggesting that EPCs can be an underlying link between migraine and cardiovascular risk.
International Consensus on drug allergy Demoly, P.; Adkinson, N. F.; Brockow, K. ...
Allergy,
April 2014, Letnik:
69, Številka:
4
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
When drug reactions resembling allergy occur, they are called drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) before showing the evidence of either drug‐specific antibodies or T cells. DHRs may be allergic or ...nonallergic in nature, with drug allergies being immunologically mediated DHRs. These reactions are typically unpredictable. They can be life‐threatening, may require or prolong hospitalization, and may necessitate changes in subsequent therapy. Both underdiagnosis (due to under‐reporting) and overdiagnosis (due to an overuse of the term ‘allergy’) are common. A definitive diagnosis of such reactions is required in order to institute adequate treatment options and proper preventive measures. Misclassification based solely on the DHR history without further testing may affect treatment options, result in adverse consequences, and lead to the use of more‐expensive or less‐effective drugs, in contrast to patients who had undergone a complete drug allergy workup. Several guidelines and/or consensus documents on general or specific drug class‐induced DHRs are available to support the medical decision process. The use of standardized systematic approaches for the diagnosis and management of DHRs carries the potential to improve outcomes and should thus be disseminated and implemented. Consequently, the International Collaboration in Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (iCAALL), formed by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), and the World Allergy Organization (WAO), has decided to issue an International CONsensus (ICON) on drug allergy. The purpose of this document is to highlight the key messages that are common to many of the existing guidelines, while critically reviewing and commenting on any differences and deficiencies of evidence, thus providing a comprehensive reference document for the diagnosis and management of DHRs.
PDF
