Estudio refractométrico y conoscópico de las gemas facetadas transparentes birrefringentes de la colección del Museu de Geologia de Barcelona

This work is a revision of faceted transparent birrefringent gems detailed in the catalogue of the collection of the Museu de Geologia published in 2000. The process use figures of interference as especially convincing method for a correct identification of these kind of gems. The Conoscope Figueras 93 is especially suitable for a clear and correct observation of figures of interference. The gemmological refractometer has been used for refractometric readings. Key words: Faceted gems, Figures of interference, Conoscope, Birrefringence, Refractometry, Catalogue, Museu de Geologia, Barcelona, Spain.Este trabajo recoge una revisión de las gemas facetadas birrefringentes del Museo de Geología de Barcelona, detalladas en un catálogo publicado en el año 2000. En el proceso de revisión se utilizan las figuras de interferencia como método más convincente para la correcta identificación de este tipo de gemas, estando el conoscopio Figueras 93 especialmente indicado para la mejor observación de estas figuras. Para las lecturas refractométricas se ha usado el refractómetro gemológico. Palabras clave: Gemas facetadas, Figuras de interferencia, Conoscopio, Birrefringencia, Refractometría, Catálogo, Museu de Geologia, Barcelona, España

Correction: Long-term outcome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for Shwachman–Diamond syndrome: a retrospective analysis and a review of the literature by the Severe Aplastic Anemia Working Party of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (SAAWP-EBMT)

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper

Transient Facial Nerve Paralysis (Bell's Palsy) following Intranasal Delivery of a Genetically Detoxified Mutant of Escherichia coli Heat Labile Toxin

BACKGROUND: An association was previously established between facial nerve paralysis (Bell's palsy) and intranasal administration of an inactivated influenza virosome vaccine containing an enzymatically active Escherichia coli Heat Labile Toxin (LT) adjuvant. The individual component(s) responsible for paralysis were not identified, and the vaccine was withdrawn. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Subjects participating in two contemporaneous non-randomized Phase 1 clinical trials of nasal subunit vaccines against Human Immunodeficiency Virus and tuberculosis, both of which employed an enzymatically inactive non-toxic mutant LT adjuvant (LTK63), underwent active follow-up for adverse events using diary-cards and clinical examination. Two healthy subjects experienced transient peripheral facial nerve palsies 44 and 60 days after passive nasal instillation of LTK63, possibly a result of retrograde axonal transport after neuronal ganglioside binding or an inflammatory immune response, but without exaggerated immune responses to LTK63. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: While the unique anatomical predisposition of the facial nerve to compression suggests nasal delivery of neuronal-binding LT-derived adjuvants is inadvisable, their continued investigation as topical or mucosal adjuvants and antigens appears warranted on the basis of longstanding safety via oral, percutaneous, and other mucosal routes

What is the impact of local control in Ewing sarcoma: analysis of the first Brazilian collaborative study group-EWING1

Background: Relapse in localized Ewing sarcoma patients has been a matter of concern regarding poor prognosis. Therefore, we investigated the impact of local control modality (surgery, surgery plus radiotherapy, and radiotherapy) on clinical outcomes such as survival and recurrence in patients with non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma treated on the first Brazilian Collaborative Group Trial of the Ewing Family of Tumors (EWING1). Methods: Seventy-three patients with localized Ewing sarcoma of bone aged < 30 years were included. The treating physicians defined the modality of local control based on the recommendations of the coordinating center and the patient and tumor characteristics. Possible associations of local control modality with local failure (LF), disease-free survival (DFS), event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Results: Mean patient age was 12.8 years (range, 2 to 25 years) and median follow-up time was 4.5 years (range, 2. 3 to 6.7 years). Forty-seven patients underwent surgery, 13 received radiotherapy, and 13 received both. The 5-year EFS, OS, and DFS for all patients was 62.1%, 63.3%, and 73.1%, respectively. The 5-year cumulative incidence (CI) of LF was 7.6% for surgery, 11.1% for radiotherapy, and 0% for postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) (p = 0.61). The 5-year EFS was 71.7% for surgery, 30.8% for radiotherapy, and 64.1% for PORT (p = 0.009). Conclusions: There was a significant effect of local control modality on EFS and OS in the study. Surgery and PORT modalities yielded very close results. The group treated with radiotherapy alone had considerably worse outcomes. This may be confounded by greater risk factors in these patients. There was no significant effect of local control modality on the CI of LF and DFS.Children's Cancer InstituteRafael Accordi Foundation, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHCPA, Serv Orthoped & Traumatol, Rua Ramiro Barcelos 2350, BR-90035903 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, HCPA, Dept Pediat, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica Rio Grande Sul PUCRS, Dept Pediat, Hosp Sao Lucas, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHCPA, Serv Orthoped & Traumatol, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Support Grp Children & Adolescents Canc GRAACC, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Canc Infantojuvenil, Fundacao Pio 12, Barretos, SP, BrazilCtr Hosp Pereira Rossell, Montevideo, UruguayHosp AC Camargo Canc Ctr, Orthoped Serv, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Misericordia Porto Alegre, Serv Orthoped & Traumatol, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Orthoped Trauma Inst, Hosp Clin Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Misericordia Sao Paulo HSCSP, Dept Orthoped & Traumatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilPontificia Univ Catolica Rio Grande Sul PUCRS, Hosp Sao Lucas, Serv Orthoped & Traumatol, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista UNESP, Hosp Clin Botucatu, Sch Med, Botucatu, SP, BrazilInst Canc Infantil, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Support Grp Children & Adolescents Canc GRAACC, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilChildren's Cancer InstituteRafael Accordi Foundation, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilWeb of Scienc

The association between gestational weight gain z-score and stillbirth: a case-control study

Background There is limited information on potentially modifiable risk factors for stillbirth, such as gestational weight gain (GWG). Our purpose was to explore the association between GWG and stillbirth using the GWG z−score. Methods We analyzed 479 stillbirths and 1601 live births from the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network case−control study. Women with triplets or monochorionic twins were excluded from analysis. We evaluated the association between GWG z−score (modeled as a restricted cubic spline with knots at the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles) and stillbirth using multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations, adjusting for pre − pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and other confounders. In addition, we conducted analyses stratified by pre − pregnancy BMI category (normal weight, overweight, obese). Results Mean GWG was 18.95 (SD 17.6) lb. among mothers of stillbirths and 30.89 (SD 13.3) lb. among mothers of live births; mean GWG z−score was − 0.39 (SD 1.5) among mothers of cases and − 0.17 (SD 0.9) among control mothers. In adjusted analyses, the odds of stillbirth were elevated for women with very low GWG z−scores (e.g., adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for z−score − 1.5 SD versus 0 SD: 1.52 (1.30, 1.78); aOR (95% CI) for z−score − 2.5 SD versus 0 SD: 2.36 (1.74, 3.20)). Results differed slightly by pre − pregnancy BMI. The odds of stillbirth were slightly elevated among women with overweight BMI and GWG z−scores ≥1 SD (e.g., aOR (95% CI) for z−score of 1.5 SD versus 0 SD: 1.84 (0.97, 3.50)). Conclusions GWG z−scores below − 1.5 SD are associated with increased odds of stillbirth

T-cell and serological responses to Erp, an exported Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein, in tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The identification of antigens able to differentiate tuberculosis (TB) disease from TB infection would be valuable. Cellular and humoral immune responses to Erp (Exported repetitive protein) – a recently identified <it>M. tuberculosis </it>protein – have not yet been investigated in humans and may contribute to this aim.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed the cellular and humoral immune responses to Erp, ESAT-6, Ag85B and PPD in TB patients, in BCG⁺individuals without infection, BCG⁺individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI) and BCG^-controls. We used lymphoproliferation, ELISpot IFN-γ, cytokine production assays and detection of specific human antibodies against recombinant <it>M. tuberculosis </it>proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We included 22 TB patients, 9 BCG⁺individuals without TB infection, 7 LTBI and 7 BCG^-controls. Erp-specific T cell counts were higher in LTBI than in the other groups. Erp-specific T cell counts were higher in LTBI subjects than TB patients (median positive frequency of 211 SFC/10⁶PBMC (range 118–2000) for LTBI subjects compared to 80 SFC/10⁶PBMC (range 50–191), p = 0.019); responses to PPD and ESAT-6 antigens did not differ between these groups. IFN-γ secretion after Erp stimulation differed between TB patients and LTBI subjects (p = 0.02). Moreover, LTBI subjects but not TB patients or healthy subjects produced IgG3 against Erp.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The frequencies of IFN-γ-producing specific T cells, the IFN-γ secretion and the production of IgG3 after Erp stimulation are higher in LTBI subjects than in TB patients, whereas PPD and ESAT-6 are not.</p