Prominence cavities in coronal helmet streamers are readily detectable in white-light coronagraph images, yet their interpretation may be complicated by projection effects. In order to determine a ...cavity's density structure, it is essential to quantify the contribution of noncavity features along the line of sight. We model the coronal cavity as an axisymmetric torus that encircles the Sun at constant latitude and fit it to observations of a white- light cavity observed by the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory (MLSO) MK4 coronagraph from 2006 January 25 to 30. We demonstrate that spurious noncavity contributions (including departures from axisymmetry) are minimal enough to be incorporated in a density analysis as conservatively estimated uncertainties in the data. We calculate a radial density profile for cavity material and for the surrounding helmet streamer (which we refer to as the 'cavity rim') and find that the cavity density is depleted by a maximum of 40% compared to the surrounding helmet streamer at low altitudes (1.18 R sub(image)) but is consistently higher (double or more) than in coronal holes. We also find that the relative density depletion between cavity and surrounding helmet decreases as a function of height. We show that both increased temperature in the cavity relative to the surrounding helmet streamer and a magnetic flux rope configuration might lead to such a flattened density profile. Finally, our model provides general observational guidelines that can be used to determine when a cavity is sufficiently unobstructed to be a good candidate for plasma diagnostics.
Loss of lean body mass is a relevant component of the cachexia, or protein energy wasting (PEW), syndrome. Reduced muscle mass seems to be the most solid criterion for the presence of cachexia/PEW in ...patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and those with greater muscle mass loss have a higher risk of death. Children with CKD have many risk factors for lean mass and muscle wasting, including poor appetite, inflammation, growth hormone resistance, and metabolic acidosis. Mortality risks in patients with CKD increases as body mass index (BMI) and weight decreases. However, data regarding cachexia/PEW and muscle wasting in children with CKD is scarce due to lack of consensus in diagnostic criteria and an appropriate investigative methodology. Further research is urgently needed to address this important complication in the pediatric CKD setting, which may have fundamental impact on clinical outcomes.
Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) comprise a large family of key defence enzymes against xenobiotic toxicity. Here we describe the comprehensive characterisation of this important multigene family in ...the model monocot species rice Oryza sativa(L.). Furthermore, we investigate the molecular evolution of the family based on the analysis of (1) the patterns of within-genome duplication, and (2) the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary divergence among rice, Arabidopsis, maize and soybean GSTs. By in-silico screening of the EST and genome divisions of the Genbank/EMBL/DDBJ database we have isolated 59 putative genes and two pseudogenes, making this the largest plant GST family characterised to date. Of these, 38 (62%) are represented by genomic and EST sequences and 23 (38%) are known only from their genomic sequences. A preliminary survey of EST collections shows a large degree of variability in gene expression between different tissues and environmental conditions, with a small number of genes (13) accounting for 80% of all ESTs. Rice GSTs are organised in four main phylogenetic classes, with 91% of all rice genes belonging to the two plant-specific classes Tau (40 genes) and Phi (16 genes). Pairwise identity scores range between 17 and 98% for proteins of the same class, and 7 and 21% for interclass comparisons. Rapid evolution by gene duplication is suggested by the discovery of two large clusters of 7 and 23 closely related genes on chromosomes 1 and 10, respectively. A comparison of the complete GST families in two monocot and two dicot species suggests a monophyletic origin for all Theta and Zeta GSTs, and no more than three common ancestors for all Phi and Tau genes.
The KASCADE experiment measures extensive air showers induced by cosmic rays in the energy range around the so-called knee. The data of KASCADE have been used in a composition analysis showing the ...knee at 3–5
PeV to be caused by a steepening in the light-element spectra T. Antoni et al., (KASCADE Coll.), Astropart. Phys. 24 (2005) 1–25. Since the applied unfolding analysis depends crucially on simulations of air showers, different high-energy hadronic interaction models (QGSJet and SIBYLL) were used. The results have shown a strong dependence of the relative abundance of the individual mass groups on the underlying model. In this update of the analysis we apply the unfolding method with a different low energy interaction model (FLUKA instead of GHEISHA) in the simulations. While the resulting individual mass group spectra do not change significantly, the overall description of the measured data improves by using the FLUKA model. In addition data in a larger range of zenith angle are analysed. The new results are completely consistent, i.e. there is no hint to any severe problem in applying the unfolding analysis method to KASCADE data.
Primary aldosteronism (PA) represents the main cause of endocrine secondary arterial hypertension in which aldosterone production is inappropriately elevated. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an ...endocrine disease characterized by hypercalcemia due to overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Although these two endocrine pathologies are secondary to hypertension in middle aged population, the occurrence of the PHPT in PA patients has rarely reported in the literature. The aim of the study was to describe some PA patients with concurrent PHPT, referred in a tertiary center of arterial hypertension.
We performed a retrospective study. In particular, the registry of 306 patients with PA seen in our center since 2004 was examined and revealed 8 patients (2.6%) with concurrent PHPT.
There are several possible explanations for the association of these two endocrine disorders, including the combination was a random finding that PA inheres PHPT or vice versa.
Jejunal adenocarcinoma is a very rare disease but the frequency of this rare carcinoma is higher in celiac patients. We report the first case report of a second jejunal loop adenocarcinoma associated ...with celiac disease.
A 47-year-old woman, with a history of celiac disease. Computerized tomographic scans of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a severe retroperitoneal lymphoadenopathy, para-aortic, inter-aorto-caval, porto-caval, posterior pancreaticoduodenal space, celiac trunk, lesser gastric curvature, lymph node grouping. The patient underwent digiunal resection and regional lymphadenectomy. Diagnosis was poorly differentiated jejunal adenocarcinoma, infiltrating subserosal adipose tissue, metastasing in five out of eight regional lymph nodes. U.I.C.C. 2017 grading = pT3 pN2 G3 R0; Stage IIIB.
The jejunum accounts for 11-25% of small bowel adenocarcinoma, that accounts for less than 5% of gastrointestinal cancer, notwithstanding that 90% of the mucosa surface area of the digestive tract is made by small intestine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a second loop jejunal adenocarcinoma complicating celiac disease. In our study, the diagnosis of cancer was made by computed tomography (CT) of abdomen and the patient was operated. For the diagnosis of small bowel tumour, CT enteroclysis has a sensitivity of 85-95% and a specificity of 90-96%. Complete resection (RO) of the jejunal adenocarcinoma, with regional lymph nodes resection and jejuno-jejunal anastomosis should be performed.
After curative surgical resections of small bowel adenocarcinoma, adjuvant chemo-therapy has not shown a clear benefit in retrospective studies. Preoperative Chemo-Radio-therapy and careful Imaging Staging are the first steps to planning surgery.
The treatment of allergic rhinitis has been revolutionized by the introduction of topical nasal steroids, which are one of the commonest prescriptions from otolaryngology departments. With so many ...different sprays available on the market, the literature was reviewed for the efficacy, side-effect profile and relative cost of each product and the following conclusions made: (1) A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamines in the treatment of allergic rhinitis showed a clear benefit in favour of intranasal steroids in relieving nasal symptoms. (2) There is no clear evidence to support the suggestion that one steroid spray is more effective than another in the treatment of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. (3) All the sprays have a similar side-effect profile; the commonest being epistaxis with a reported incidence between 17 and 23 per cent. In all the clinical trials, the placebo spray had an appreciable rate of epistaxis of between 10 to 15 per cent. (4) Fluticasone causes a reduction in endogenous cortisol secretion but no significant adrenal suppression was seen with triamcinolone, beclomethasone, budesonide or mometasone. (5) There is little evidence that skeletal growth is restricted by the administration of topical nasal steroid sprays. (6) There is considerable variation in the daily cost of each spray. Beclomethasone, dexamethasone and budesonide are significantly cheaper than fluticasone, mometasone or triamcinolone.
The purpose of this study is to determine the anatomical aspects, mechanisms, risk factors and appropriate management of development of pneumothorax during a routine colonoscopy.
We report a case of ...an accidental bowel wall injury during diagnostic colonoscopic with consequent pneumoperitoneum; this was followed by expansion of gas through diaphragmatic fenestration perhaps congenital, in right pleural cavity causing pneumothorax.
Rarely, colonic perforation during colonoscopy can occur into the extraperitoneal space, thus leading to the passage and diffusion of air along the fascial planes and large vessels, possibly causing pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. The combination of intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal perforation has also been reported. Pneumothorax following a colonoscopy sigmoid perforation is an extremely rare but severe and often lifethreatening complication.
If the patient develops dyspnea and pneumoderma during or after this procedure, a chest radiogram or thoracoabdominal CT should be taken for diagnostic purposes. Urgent treatment, starting with chest tube insertion(s) and laparotomy or laparoscopy could be lifesaving.
We report on a dynamical event observed in a quiescent prominence on 2007 November 8: a well-formed dark 'bubble' with a bright core rose vertically through the prominence without causing it to ...erupt. This event was observed in H alpha and He i 1083 nm with the instruments of the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory. The dark bubble had a size of over image and rose from the prominence base, at an average speed of image12 km simage, forming a bright compression front as it traversed the prominence. It finally assumed a 'keyhole' shape before fading. The bright core embedded in the dark bubble was observed to rise from the solar limb, accelerating from image12 to image20 km s super(-1), leaving a thin trail of material behind. Subsequent observations indicate that this was not an exceptional event, but rather that similar disturbances do occur occasionally in prominences without disrupting them. In this Letter we present the November 8 observations, and propose a possible interpretation of the physical mechanism behind these dynamic events.
By statically balancing of the plane mechanisms and especially those functioning at high speeds is being pursued the decrease of the value of the resultant force of all inertia forces that work on ...the component elements, thus obtaining a significant decrease in vibrations and shocks during the functioning. On the other hand, the existence of balancing masses which ensure the balancing of the mechanism leads to increased gauge and its mass. In this paper are presented some possibilities of statically balancing a plane mechanism which is composed of three independent contours. First is analyzed the case when the mechanism is totally balanced. Then a solution is proposed for a partial balancing of the mechanism based on the balancing of the first harmonic of the inertia force developed in a piston of the mechanism. Finally, are presented some simulation results concerning the variation of the value of the resultant inertia force during a cinematic cycle when the mechanism is unbalanced and when it is partially balanced. Also, it is analyzed the variation of the motor moment when the mechanism is unbalanced and when is totally and partially balanced.
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