The reactions γp→ηp and γp→η^{'}p are measured from their thresholds up to the center-of-mass energy W=1.96 GeV with the tagged-photon facilities at the Mainz Microtron, MAMI. Differential cross ...sections are obtained with unprecedented statistical accuracy, providing fine energy binning and full production-angle coverage. A strong cusp is observed in the total cross section for η photoproduction at the energies in the vicinity of the η^{'} threshold, W=1896 MeV (E_{γ}=1447 MeV). Within the framework of a revised ηMAID isobar model, the cusp, in connection with a steep rise of the η^{'} total cross section from its threshold, can only be explained by a strong coupling of the poorly known N(1895)1/2^{-} state to both ηp and η^{'}p. Including the new high-accuracy results in the ηMAID fit to available η and η^{'} photoproduction data allows the determination of the N(1895)1/2^{-} properties.
A precise measurement of the differential cross sections dσ/dΩ and the linearly polarized photon beam asymmetry Σ_{3} for Compton scattering on the proton below pion threshold has been performed with ...a tagged photon beam and almost 4π detector at the Mainz Microtron. The incident photons were produced by the recently upgraded Glasgow-Mainz photon tagging facility and impinged on a cryogenic liquid hydrogen target, with the scattered photons detected in the Crystal Ball/TAPS setup. Using the highest statistics Compton scattering data ever measured on the proton along with two effective field theories (both covariant baryon and heavy-baryon) and one fixed-t dispersion relation model, constraining the fits with the Baldin sum rule, we have obtained the proton electric and magnetic polarizabilities with unprecedented precision: α_{E1}=10.99±0.16±0.47±0.17±0.34, β_{M1}=3.14±0.21±0.24±0.20±0.35; in units of 10^{-4} fm^{3} where the errors are statistical, systematic, spin polarizability dependent, and model dependent.
The Basic Safety Standard (BSS) Directive 2013/59/EURATOM of the European Union (EU) has stated the need for member states to establish national action plans to mitigate their general population's ...long-term risks of exposure to radon gas. Maps of radon-prone areas provide a useful tool for the development of such plans. This paper presents the maps of radon-prone areas in the Eastern Canary Islands (Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) obtained from assessment of Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) distribution in the territory. GRP constitutes a magnitude that is contingent on both radon activity concentration and gas permeability of soils. An extensive campaign covering all geological formations of the Eastern Canary Islands was undertaken to locally sample these parameters. Geostatistical analysis of the spatial distribution of radon concentration in soils, permeability and GRP was performed on each of the islands, and the relationship between these magnitudes and the characteristic geological formations of the volcanic islands was investigated. Areas dominated by basic volcanic and plutonic rocks (originated by both recent and ancient volcanism) exhibit relatively low levels of radon in soils, and with the exception of specific cases of very high permeability, these areas are not classified as prone to radon risk according to international criteria. Areas in which intermediate or acidic volcanic and plutonic rocks predominate are characterised by greater radon activity concentration in soils, rendering them radon-prone. Given these results, Lanzarote is classified as an island with low radon risk all over its surface; Fuerteventura presents low-medium risk; and Gran Canaria contains extensive areas in the centre and north where the risk is medium or high. This classification is consistent with the risk maps obtained by National and European agencies from indoor radon measurements conducted on these islands.
Display omitted
•EU Member states have to establish action plans to mitigate radon exposure risks.•A study of Soil radon gas concentration and gas permeability of soils were performed.•Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) distribution in the territory have been assessed.•Maps of radon prone areas in the Eastern Canary Islands are displayed based on GRP.•The subsequent zonal classification agrees with those provided by the authorities.
The double polarization observable E and the helicity dependent cross sections σ_{1/2} and σ_{3/2} were measured for η photoproduction from quasifree protons and neutrons. The circularly polarized ...tagged photon beam of the A2 experiment at the Mainz MAMI accelerator was used in combination with a longitudinally polarized deuterated butanol target. The almost 4π detector setup of the Crystal Ball and TAPS is ideally suited to detect the recoil nucleons and the decay photons from η→2γ and η→3π^{0}. The results show that the narrow structure previously observed in η photoproduction from the neutron is only apparent in σ_{1/2} and hence, most likely related to a spin-1/2 amplitude. Nucleon resonances that contribute to this partial wave in η production are only N 1/2^{-} (S_{11}) and N 1/2^{+} (P_{11}). Furthermore, the extracted Legendre coefficients of the angular distributions for σ_{1/2} are in good agreement with recent reaction model predictions assuming a narrow resonance in the P_{11} wave as the origin of this structure.
Background
The efficacy of current topical acne treatments in mitigating the potential for acne scarring is not known.
Objective
To evaluate the effect of adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (A/BPO) ...gel compared to vehicle in reducing the risk of acne scarring.
Methods
Multicentre, randomized, investigator‐blinded, vehicle‐controlled, split‐face study conducted over 6 months. Subjects were adults with active moderate facial acne vulgaris and at least 10 atrophic acne scars at baseline. Efficacy evaluations included counts of atrophic acne scars and primary acne lesions as well as a Scar Global Assessment (SGA; 5‐point scale).
Results
After 6 months treatment, scar counts remained stable with A/BPO while increasing by approximately 25% with vehicle (mean scar count 11.58 vs. 13.55, respectively, at Month 6; P = 0.036). The percentage of subjects with a SGA of ‘almost clear’ (hardly visible scars) increased from 9.7% to 45.2% with A/BPO, whereas it did not change with vehicle (P = 0.0032). Total acne lesion counts decreased by 65% with A/BPO and 36% with vehicle (mean lesion count 8.5 vs. 16.1, respectively, at Month 6; P < 0.001).
Limitations
Relatively small study group (31 subjects).
Conclusion
Topical long‐term treatment with A/BPO is effective in reducing the risk of atrophic scars and improving the global severity of scarring.
The association between membranous nephropathy (MN) and cancer is often mentioned in textbooks but poorly substantiated, and the characteristics of cancer-associated MN are unknown. To address these ...questions, we studied a cohort of 240 patients with MN, among them 24 had malignancy at the time of renal biopsy or within a year thereafter. The incidence of cancer was significantly higher in these patients than in the general population (standardized incidence ratio 9.8 5.5–16.2 for men and 12.3 4.5–26.9 for women). The frequency of malignancy increased with age. At the time of diagnosis, clinical presentation did not differ between the patients with cancer-associated MN and those with idiopathic MN, but smoking was more frequent among patients with cancer. Analysis of renal biopsies revealed that the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating the glomeruli was significantly higher in patients with cancer-associated MN (P=0.001). The best cutoff value for distinguishing malignancy-related cases from controls was eight cells per glomerulus. Using this threshold led to a diagnosis of cancer-associated MN with a specificity of 75% and a sensitivity of 92%. In patients with cancer-associated MN, there was a strong relationship between reduction of proteinuria and clinical remission of cancer (P<0.001). In conclusion, our study provides epidemiologic evidence of an excess of cancer risk in patients with MN. It also shows that age, smoking, and the presence of glomerular leukocytic infiltrates strongly increase the likelihood of malignancy in MN patients.
Summary
Background
Possible outcomes of acne lesions are atrophic scars, which may cause serious psychological distress. Current treatments for postacne scarring often require invasive procedures. ...Pathophysiological studies on acne scarring have only investigated the first week of papule life.
Objectives
To study the pathophysiology of atrophic scar formation to identify molecular and cellular pathways that can lead to new therapies for the prevention of acne scarring.
Methods
Large‐scale gene expression profiling and immunohistochemistry analysis were performed on uninvolved skin and papules in both scar‐prone (SP) and non‐scar‐prone (NSP) patients with acne, at different time points.
Results
Gene expression and immunohistochemistry analyses showed a very similar immune response in 48‐h‐old papules in SP and NSP populations, characterized by elevated numbers of T cells, neutrophils and macrophages. However, the immune response only persisted in SP patients in 3‐week‐old papules, and was characterized by an important B‐cell infiltrate. Transient downmodulation of sebaceous gland markers related to lipid metabolism was observed in 48‐h‐old papules in NSP patients, followed by normalization after 3 weeks. In contrast, in SP patients a drastic reduction of these markers persisted in 3‐week‐old papules, suggesting an irreversible destruction of sebaceous gland structures after inflammatory remodelling in SP patients with acne.
Conclusions
Long‐lived acne papules are characterized by a B‐cell infiltrate. A relationship exists between the duration and severity of inflammation and the alteration of sebaceous gland structures, leading to atrophic scar formation in acne.
What's already known about this topic?
Early activation of innate immunity was observed in clinically normal skin of patients with acne prone to atrophic scarring.
Inflammation is stronger and lasts longer in 1‐week‐old papules in patients prone to scarring.
What does this study add?
The inflammatory response in papules of scar‐prone (SP) patients with acne can last > 3 weeks.
Plasma cells are specifically involved in the immune response of evolved‐lesions in SP patients only.
Downregulation of sebaceous gland markers associated with the long‐term inflammatory response in SP patients suggests destruction of sebaceous glands.
What is the translational message?
Inflammatory immune processes persist for at least 3 weeks in the lesions of SP patients with acne. New early and sustained treatment regimens preventing or at least reducing the duration of inflammatory processes in SP patients with acne are required.
Linked Comment: Wang and Saedi. Br J Dermatol 2018; 179:819.
Respond to this article
Summary
Background
Few studies have evaluated differences between rosacea subtypes in epidemiological associations and clinical features. The natural history of rosacea is unknown and progression ...between subtypes has been implied but not formally evaluated.
Objectives
To assess associations between the four rosacea subtypes erythematotelangiectatic (ETR), papulopustular (PPR), phymatous (PHY) and ocular, including quantitative and qualitative details on primary and secondary features of rosacea. A secondary objective was to evaluate for the potential of progression between subtypes.
Methods
This cross‐sectional study recruited subjects with rosacea from Northern Germany and comprised clinical evaluation by a dermatologist and a survey of demographics and onset of rosacea‐associated signs and symptoms.
Results
A total of 135 subjects with rosacea were enrolled. PHY was more frequently associated with PPR than ETR (P < 0·001). Compared with ETR, PPR was significantly associated with facial burning/stinging (P = 0·001), phymas (P < 0·001) and oedema (P < 0·001); and during flushing episodes, was more frequently associated with burning (P = 0·018), skin tension (P = 0·005) and itching (P = 0·027). ETR was more frequently associated with dry facial skin (P < 0·001). Flushing was reported by 66% and the site most frequently involved was the cheeks (100%). Papulopustules were evanescent in 42% and the sites most frequently involved were the cheeks (80%) and nose (67%). Of those fulfilling criteria for at least two subtypes, 66% developed ETR before PPR; 92% developed ETR before PHY; 83% developed PPR before PHY; and the majority developed cutaneous rosacea‐associated features before ocular signs/symptoms.
Conclusions
Significant differences exist between ETR and PPR in rosacea‐associated features and in subtype associations. A small proportion of subjects with rosacea may progress between subtypes.
What's already known about this topic?
Rosacea has been categorized into three cutaneous and one ocular subtype based on primary and secondary clinical features.
There is speculation but little data in the literature regarding associations between primary and secondary clinical features and rosacea subtypes, qualitative and quantitative aspects of primary and secondary rosacea‐associated features, and progression between rosacea subtypes.
What does this study add?
This study provides quantitative details on frequency, duration and location of evanescent primary rosacea‐associated features – flushing and papulopustules.
It demonstrates significant associations in papulopustular rosacea (PPR) with facial burning/stinging, oedema and phymas compared with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR).
During flushing episodes, PPR was more frequently associated with burning, skin tension and itching compared with ETR.
Subtype progression was observed in a small proportion of subjects, with ETR progressing to PPR and phymatous rosacea, and PPR progressing to phymatous rosacea. Ocular symptoms developed after rosacea‐associated cutaneous features in the majority.
Within the framework of the recent approval of the National Plan Against Radon by the Council of Ministers of the Spanish Government, one of its five axes focuses on the delimitation of priority ...action areas. In line with this objective, this paper presents the indoor radon risk maps of the Canary Islands. Due to the volcanic origin of the Canary Islands, there is a great deal of geological heterogeneity in the soils on which buildings settle, making it very difficult to delimit radon-risk areas in the process of creating maps. Following a methodology developed in previous works for a study area formed of a set of representative municipalities, this paper presents radon risk maps of the Canary Islands based on lithostratigraphic information and high-resolution terrestrial gamma radiation maps. The goodness of fit of these maps is verified based on a statistical analysis of indoor radon concentration measurements carried out at representative building enclosures. In order to analyse the level of risk to the population, these maps were combined with built up areas (urban fabric) maps and estimations of the annual effective doses due to radon was obtained by applying a dosimetric model. This methodology improves the capability to delimit indoor radon risk areas, with a greater margin of safety. In this respect, it is estimated that areas classified as low risk have indoor radon concentrations 41 % below the current reference level of 300 Bq/m3 established by national regulations in compliance with the precepts laid down in the European EURATOM Directive.
Display omitted
•Radon risk maps applying a methodology developed for volcanic islands•These maps combine lithostratigraphic information and terrestrial gamma radiation.•Indoor radon measurements confirm the suitability of risk maps.•Crossing risk maps with urban fabric allows evaluating the risk in the population.•An estimation of effective annual dose for each risk area defined is provided.
The transposition of the European EURATOM directive into the regulations of the different member states of the European Union involved governments making great efforts to define priority action maps ...against indoor radon exposure in buildings over a short time period. In Spain, the Technical Building Code established 300 Bq/m3 as a reference level and set up a classification of municipalities in which remediation measures should be adopted for radon exposure in buildings. Oceanic volcanic islands, such as the Canary Islands, present high geological heterogeneity in a small space due to their volcanic origin. This variability poses a challenge to the elaboration of radiological risk maps, which makes it necessary to have a high density of data to collect local variations. This paper presents a methodology to obtain accurate radon risk maps based on geological criteria and terrestrial gamma radiation. The predictive efficiency of these maps is statistically verified using indoor radon concentration data measured in buildings. Other radiological variables, which are commonly used as criteria for radon risk prediction found in the literature, were also applied, such as the geogenic radon potential and the activity concentration of natural radioisotopes in soils. The higher resolution of the maps obtained allows for a more detailed classification of radon risk zones in the study area than the current risk maps published in the Spanish building regulations.
Display omitted
•A methodology to obtain radon risk maps in volcanic islands has been developed.•Radon risk maps are based on geological criteria and terrestrial gamma radiation.•Indoor radon data support the goodness of proposed radon risk maps.•Proxy radiological variables corroborate radon risk maps.•Current risk areas included in national regulatory maps could be improved.
PDF
