227 research outputs found
Actividad de fluidos hidrotermales del Neoproterozoico tardío en el cinturón de Tandilia, Argentina
In the Barker - Villa Cacique area, Tandilia belt, alteration mineral assemblages were studied by petrography, XRD and EMPA at three different stratigraphic levels: (1) a phyllic alteration at the unconformity palaeoproterozoic basement-neoproterozoic sedimentary succession (TLPU); (2) an advanced argillic alteration in the Las Águilas Formation (middle level); and (3) a phyllic alteration on pyroclastic rocks of the Olavarría Formation (upper level). Special emphasize was placed on the chemical characterization of K-white micas and chlorites. Secondary K-white micas of altered migmatites, from the Las Aguilas and Olavarría Formations have a low paragonite content (Na* 9.5 km) for the entire sedimentary pile. Hot fluids would rise from deep-seated realms, metamorphic and/or hidden igneous sources. A correlation with a rasiliano thermo-tectonic event is hypothesized.En el área de Barker - Villa Cacique, Tandilia, se estudiaron mediante petrografía, DRX, y microsonda electrónica, las para- génesis de minerales de alteración de tres niveles estratigráficos diferentes: (1) alteración fílica de la discordancia basamento paleoproterozoico-secuencia sedimentaria neoproterozoica (TLPU); (2) alteración argílica avanzada en la Formación Las Águilas (nivel medio); y (3) alteración fílica en rocas piroclásticas de la Formación Olavarría (nivel superior). Las micas potási- cas y cloritas, de dichos niveles de alteración, fueron caracterizadas químicamente. Las micas potásicas de migmatitas alteradas y de las formaciones Las Águilas y Olavarría tienen un bajo contenido en paragonita (Na* 9,5 km) para el total de la pila sedimentaria. Los fluidos hidrotermales habrían ascendido desde ambientes profundos con una fuente metamórfica y/o cuerpos ígneos ocultos. Una correlación con un evento termo-tectónico Brasiliano es hipotetizada.Fil: Martinez, Juan Cruz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Dristas, Jorge A.. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geologia. Catedra de Petrologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Van Den Kerkhof, Alfons M. . Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen; AlemaniaFil: Wemmer, Klaus . Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen; AlemaniaFil: Massonne, Hans J.. Universität Stuttgart; AlemaniaFil: Theye, Thomas. Universität Stuttgart; AlemaniaFil: Frisicale, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Geológico del Sur; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin
Edge contribution to forward scattering by spheres
Edge functions T1 and T2, which describe the polarization-dependent edge contribution to forward scattering by spheres, are derived from the exact Mie solution. All the relative refractive indices and the 64 , x , 2048 size parameter range are considered. The edge functions significantly improve the approximation methods that can be used to calculate forward-scattering patterns. For m close to 1, an asymptotic approximation is used. Otherwise, the familiar geometrical optics approximation and the similar physical optics approximation for glory rays are used. Both geometrical and physical optics equations can be deduced from the above-mentioned asymptotic approximation
Can AMP induce sputum eosinophils, even in subjects with complete asthma remission?
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The definition of <b>"</b>clinical asthma remission" is based on absence of symptoms and use of medication. However, in the majority of these subjects airway inflammation is still present when measured. In the present study we investigated whether "complete asthma remission", additionally defined by the absence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and the presence of a normal lung function, is associated with the absence of airway inflammation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients with a former diagnosis of asthma and a positive histamine provocation test were re-examined to identify subjects with complete asthma remission (no asthma symptoms or medication, PC<sub>20 </sub>histamine > 32 mg/ml, FEV<sub>1 </sub>> 90% predicted). Patients with PC<sub>20 </sub>histamine ≤ 32 mg/ml were defined as current asthmatics and were divided in two groups, i.e. asthmatics with and without BHR to adenosine 5'monophoshate (AMP). Sputum induction was performed 1 week before and 1 hour after AMP provocation. Sputum induction and AMP provocation were previously shown to be sensitive markers of airway inflammation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven patients met criteria for complete asthma remission. Twenty-three were current asthmatics, including twelve without hyperresponsiveness to AMP. Subjects with complete asthma remission showed no AMP-induced sputum eosinophilia (median (range) 0.2 (0 - 4.6)% at baseline and 0.2 (0 - 2.6)% after AMP). After AMP, current asthmatics had a significant increase in sputum eosinophils (0.5 (0 - 26.0)% at baseline and 2.6 (0 - 32.0) % after AMP), as had the subgroup of current asthmatics without hyperresponsiveness to AMP (0.2 (0 - 1.8)% at baseline and 1.3 (0 - 6.3)% after AMP).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Subjects with complete asthma remission, in contrast to subjects with current asthma, do not respond with eosinophilic inflammation in sputum after AMP provocations. These data lend support to the usefulness of the definition of complete asthma remission.</p
The predictive value of the NICE "red traffic lights" in acutely ill children
Objective: Early recognition and treatment of febrile children with serious infections (SI) improves prognosis, however, early detection can be difficult. We aimed to validate the predictive rule-in value of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) most severe alarming signs or symptoms to identify SI in children. Design, Setting and Participants: The 16 most severe ("red") features of the NICE traffic light system were validated in seven different primary care and emergency department settings, including 6,260 children presenting with acute illness. Main Outcome Measures: We focussed on the individual predictive value of single red features for SI and their combinations. Results were presented as positive likelihood ratios, sensitivities and specificities. We categorised "general" and "disease-specific" red features. Changes in pre-test probability versus post-test probability for SI were visualised in Fagan nomograms. Results: Almost all red features had rule-in value for SI, but only four individual red features substantially raised the probability of SI in more than one dataset: "does not wake/stay awake", "reduced skin turgor", "non-blanching rash", and "focal neurological signs". The presence of ≥3 red features improved prediction of SI but still lacked strong rule-in value as likelihood ratios were below 5. Conclusions: The rule-in value of the most severe alarming signs or symptoms of the NICE traffic light system for identifying children with SI was limited, even when multiple red features were present. Our study highlights the importance of assessing the predictive value of alarming signs in clinical guidelines prior to widespread implementation in routine practice
Predictive factors for response and toxicity after brachytherapy for rectal cancer; results from the HERBERT study
Cellular mechanisms in basic and clinical gastroenterology and hepatolog
Association between blood eosinophil count and risk of readmission for patients with asthma: historical cohort study
Background: Recent studies have demonstrated an association between high blood eosinophil counts and greater risk of asthma exacerbations. We sought to determine whether patients hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation were at greater risk of readmission if they had a high blood eosinophil count documented before the first hospitalization.
Methods: This historical cohort study drew on 2 years of medical record data (Clinical Practice Research Datalink with Hospital Episode Statistics linkage) of patients (aged ≥5 years) admitted to hospital in England for asthma, with recorded blood eosinophil count within 1 baseline year before admission. We analyzed the association between high blood eosinophil count (≥0.35x109 cells/L) and readmission risk during 1 year of follow-up after hospital discharge, with adjustment for predefined, relevant confounders using forward selection.
Results: We identified 2,613 eligible patients with asthma-related admission, of median age 51 years (interquartile range, 36–69) and 76% women (1,997/2,613). Overall, 835/2,613 (32.0%) had a preadmission high blood eosinophil count. During the follow-up year, 130/2,613 patients (5.0%) were readmitted for asthma, including 55/835 (6.6%) with vs. 75/1,778 (4.2%) without high blood eosinophil count at baseline (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.49; 95% CI 1.04–2.13, p = 0.029). The association was strongest in never-smokers (n = 1,296; HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.27–3.68, p = 0.005) and absent in current smokers (n = 547; HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.49–2.04, p = 0.997).
Conclusions: A high blood eosinophil count in the year before an asthma-related hospitalization is associated with increased risk of readmission within the following year. These findings suggest that patients with asthma and preadmission high blood eosinophil count require careful follow-up, with treatment optimization, after discharge
Endothelial and Inflammation Biomarker Profiles at Diagnosis Reflecting Clinical Heterogeneity and Serving as a Prognostic Tool For Treatment Response in Two Independent Cohorts of Patients With Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Objective: Juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) is a heterogeneous systemic immune-mediated vasculopathy. This study was undertaken to 1) identify inflammation/endothelial dysfunction–related biomarker profiles reflecting disease severity at diagnosis, and 2) establish whether such biomarker profiles could be used for predicting the response to treatment in patients with juvenile DM. Methods: In total, 39 biomarkers related to activation of endothelial
Lack of evidence for zoonotic transmission of Schmallenberg virus
The emergence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel orthobunyavirus, in ruminants in Europe triggered a joint veterinary and public health response to address the possible consequences to human health. Use of a risk profiling algorithm enabled the conclusion that the risk for zoonotic transmission of SBV could not be excluded completely. Self-reported health problems were monitored, and a serologic study was initiated among persons living and/or working on SBV-affected farms. In the study set-up, we addressed the vector and direct transmission routes for putative zoonotic transfer. In total, 69 sheep farms, 4 goat farms, and 50 cattle farms were included. No evidence for SBV-neutralizing antibodies was found in serum of 301 participants. The lack of evidence for zoonotic transmission from either syndromic illness monitoring or serologic testing of presumably highly exposed persons suggests that the public health risk for SBV, given the current situation, is absent or extremely low
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