200 research outputs found
Enhancement of bichromatic high-harmonic generation with a high-frequency field
Using a high-frequency field superposed to a linearly polarized bichromatic
laser field composed by a wave with frequency and a wave with
frequency , we show it is possible to enhance the intensity of a
group of high harmonics in orders of magnitude. These harmonics have
frequencies about 30% higher than the monochromatic-cutoff frequency, and,
within the three-step-model framework, correspond to a set of electron
trajectories for which tunneling ionization is strongly suppressed. Particular
features in the observed enhancement suggest that the high-frequency field
provides an additional mechanism for the electron to reach the continuum. This
interpretation is supported by a time-frequency analysis of the harmonic yield.
The additional high frequency field permits the control of this group of
harmonics leaving all other sets of harmonics practically unchanged, which is
an advantage over schemes involving only bichromatic fields.Comment: 6 pages RevTex, 5 figures (ps files), Changes in text, figures,
references and equations include
Polimiosite : investigação clínica em duas irmãs
We present an investigation of a case of polymyositis affecting two sisters of one same parenthood. Their cases have been documented for almost two decades, being investigated by means of a diagnostic protocol which combined clinical findings as well as laboratorial, histopathological and image tests. In both cases, clinical manifestations started in childhood, without signs of involvement of the central and peripheral nervous system. Both patients proved to respond to a therapeutics based on corticosteroids. The degree of relatedness between their parents corroborate the notion that genetic factors may contribute to the development of the disease. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMOApresentamos a investigação de dois casos de polimiosite, ocorridos entre irmãs de uma mesma
filiação. Seus casos foram documentados ao longo de quase duas décadas, tendo sido diagnosticados utilizando-
se de protocolo diagnóstico que combinou achados clínicos, exames laboratoriais, histopatológicos e por
imagem. Em ambos os casos, as manifestações clínicas se iniciaram ainda na infância, sendo constatada
ausência de acometimento do sistema nervoso central ou periférico. Ambas as pacientes responderam
satisfatoriamente a terapia baseada em corticosteróide. O grau de parentesco entre os genitores das pacientes
sugere que fatores genéticos podem predispor ao desenvolvimento da doença
Modelling laser-atom interactions in the strong field regime
We consider the ionisation of atomic hydrogen by a strong infrared field. We
extend and study in more depth an existing semi-analytical model. Starting from
the time-dependent Schroedinger equation in momentum space and in the velocity
gauge we substitute the kernel of the non-local Coulomb potential by a sum of N
separable potentials, each of them supporting one hydrogen bound state. This
leads to a set of N coupled one-dimensional linear Volterra integral equations
to solve. We analyze the gauge problem for the model, the different ways of
generating the separable potentials and establish a clear link with the strong
field approximation which turns out to be a limiting case of the present model.
We calculate electron energy spectra as well as the time evolution of electron
wave packets in momentum space. We compare and discuss the results obtained
with the model and with the strong field approximation and examine in this
context, the role of excited states.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Coadministration of tacrolimus with corticosteroid accelerates recovery in refractory patients with polymyositis/ dermatomyositis: a retrospective study
Ecological networks reveal resilience of agro-ecosystems to changes in farming management
International audienc
Effects of conventional immunosuppressive treatment on CD244+ (CD28null) and FOXP3+ T cells in the inflamed muscle of patients with polymyositis and dermatomyositis
Responsiveness to exercise training in juvenile dermatomyositis: a twin case study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) often present strong exercise intolerance and muscle weakness. However, the role of exercise training in this disease has not been investigated.</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>this longitudinal case study reports on the effects of exercise training on a 7-year-old patient with JDM and on her unaffected monozygotic twin sister, who served as a control.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Both the patient who was diagnosed with JDM as well as her healthy twin underwent a 16-week exercise training program comprising aerobic and strengthening exercises. We assessed one repetition-maximum (1-RM) leg-press and bench-press strength, balance, mobility and muscle function, blood markers of inflammation and muscle enzymes, aerobic conditioning, and disease activity scores. As a result, the healthy child had an overall greater absolute strength, muscle function and aerobic conditioning compared to her JDM twin pair at baseline and after the trial. However, the twins presented comparable relative improvements in 1-RM bench press, 1-RM leg press, VO<sub>2peak</sub>, and time-to-exhaustion. The healthy child had greater relative increments in low-back strength and handgrip, whereas the child with JDM presented a higher relative increase in ventilatory anaerobic threshold parameters and functional tests. Quality of life, inflammation, muscle damage and disease activity scores remained unchanged.</p> <p>Results and Conclusion</p> <p>this was the first report to describe the training response of a patient with non-active JDM following an exercise training regimen. The child with JDM exhibited improved strength, muscle function and aerobic conditioning without presenting an exacerbation of the disease.</p
Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and dermatomyositis as first manifestations of underlying breast malignancy: a report of two cases and a brief review of the subject
Prominent Plasmacytosis Following Intravenous Immunoglobulin Correlates with Clinical Improvement in Guillain-Barré Syndrome
BACKGROUND: High doses of pooled polyclonal IgG are commonly used to treat numerous autoimmune diseases. Their mode of action nevertheless remains only partially explained. At the same time, until now, no early biological marker has been able to predict their efficacy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In a first pilot retrospective analysis, we reviewed white blood cell counts and blood smears in consecutive patients with autoimmune disease (n = 202) and non-autoimmune disease (n = 104). Autoimmune patients received either intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg, n = 103), plasma exchange (n = 78) or no specific treatment (n = 21). We then prospectively monitored consecutive autoimmune patients with IVIg injection (n = 67), or without any specific treatment (n = 10) using the same routine laboratory tests, as well as flow cytometry. Both retrospective and prospective analyses identified large plasma-cell mobilization exclusively in IVIg-treated autoimmune patients 7 days after initiation of treatment. The majority of IVIg-mobilized plasma cells were immature HLA-DR(high)/CD138(low)/CXCR4(low) plasma cells expressing intracellular immunoglobulin G which were neither IVIg- nor human IgG-specific. Importantly, we found a strong negative correlation between the absolute number of IVIg-mobilized plasma cells and time to improve neurological function in both retrospective and prospective studies of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), (r = -0.52, p = 0.0031, n = 30, r = -0.47, p = 0.0028, n = 40, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: IVIg promotes immature plasma-cell mobilization in patients with GBS, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, myasthenia gravis and inflammatory myopathy. Prominent day 7 plasma-cell mobilization is a favourable prognostic marker in patients with GBS receiving IVIg treatment
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