61 research outputs found
Relativistic Mean Field Approach and the Pseudo-Spin Symmetry
Based on the Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) approach the existence of the
broken pseudo-spin symmetry is investigated. Both spherical RMF and constrained
deformed RMF calculations are carried out employing realistic Lagrangian
parameters for spherical and for deformed sample nuclei. The quasi - degenerate
pseudo-spin doublets are confirmed to exist near the fermi surface for both
spherical and deformed nuclei.Comment: 9 pages RevTex, 4 p.s figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. C as R.
The pseudo-spin symmetry in Zr and Sn isotopes from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line
Based on the Relativistic continuum Hartree-Bogoliubov (RCHB) theory, the
pseudo-spin approximation in exotic nuclei is investigated in Zr and Sn
isotopes from the proton drip line to the neutron drip line. The quality of the
pseudo-spin approximation is shown to be connected with the competition between
the centrifugal barrier (CB) and the pseudo-spin orbital potential (PSOP). The
PSOP depends on the derivative of the difference between the scalar and vector
potentials . If , the pseudo-spin symmetry is exact. The
pseudo-spin symmetry is found to be a good approximation for normal nuclei and
to become much better for exotic nuclei with highly diffuse potential, which
have . The energy splitting of the pseudo-spin partners is
smaller for orbitals near the Fermi surface (even in the continuum) than the
deeply bound orbitals. The lower components of the Dirac wave functions for the
pseudo-spin partners are very similar and almost equal in magnitude.Comment: 22 pages, 9figure
Bell's inequalities in the tomographic representation
The tomographic approach to quantum mechanics is revisited as a direct tool
to investigate violation of Bell-like inequalities. Since quantum tomograms are
well defined probability distributions, the tomographic approach is emphasized
to be the most natural one to compare the predictions of classical and quantum
theory. Examples of inequalities for two qubits an two qutrits are considered
in the tomographic probability representation of spin states.Comment: 11 pages, comments and references adde
Search for double beta decay of Zinc and Tungsten with the help of low-background ZnWO4 crystal scintillators
Double beta processes in 64-Zn, 70-Zn, 180-W, and 186-W have been searched
for with the help of large volume (0.1-0.7 kg) low background ZnWO4 crystal
scintillators at the Gran Sasso National Laboratories of the INFN. Total time
of measurements exceeds 10 thousands hours. New improved half-life limits on
double electron capture and electron capture with positron emission in 64-Zn
have been set, in particular (all the limits are at 90% C.L.): T1/2(0nu2EC)>
1.1e20 yr, T1/2(2nuECbeta+)>7.0e20 yr, and T1/2(0nuECbeta+)>4.3e20 yr. The
different modes of double beta processes in 70-Zn, 180-W, and 186-W have been
restricted at the level of 1e17-1e20 yr.Comment: 20 p., submitted to Phys. Rev.
Malignant lymphomas (ML) and HIV infection in Tanzania
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HIV infection is reported to be associated with some malignant lymphomas (ML) so called AIDS-related lymphomas (ARL), with an aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. The ML frequency, pathogenicity, clinical patterns and possible association with AIDS in Tanzania, are not well documented impeding the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Sections of 176 archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies of ML patients at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH)/Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Tanzania from 1996-2001 were stained for hematoxylin and eosin and selected (70) cases for expression of pan-leucocytic (CD45), B-cell (CD20), T-cell (CD3), Hodgkin/RS cell (CD30), histiocyte (CD68) and proliferation (Ki-67) antigen markers. Corresponding clinical records were also evaluated. Available sera from 38 ML patients were screened (ELISA) for HIV antibodies. The proportion of ML out of all diagnosed tumors at MNH during the 6 year period was 4.2% (176/4200) comprising 77.84% non-Hodgkin (NHL) including 19.32% Burkitt's (BL) and 22.16% Hodgkin's disease (HD). The ML tumors frequency increased from 0.42% (1997) to 0.70% (2001) and 23.7% of tested sera from these patients were HIV positive. The mean age for all ML was 30, age-range 3-91 and peak age was 1-20 years. The male:female ratio was 1.8:1. Supra-diaphragmatic presentation was commonest and histological sub-types were mostly aggressive B-cell lymphomas however, no clear cases of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) were diagnosed. Malignant lymphomas apparently, increased significantly among diagnosed tumors at MNH between 1996 and 2001, predominantly among the young, HIV infected and AIDS patients. The frequent aggressive clinical and histological presentation as well as the dominant B-immunophenotype and the HIV serology indicate a pathogenic association with AIDS. Therefore, routine HIV screening of all malignant lymphoma patients at MNH is necessary to enable comprehensive ARL diagnosis and formulation of preventive and therapeutic protocols.\u
Entry-instrument used in the patient's evaluation in a post-anaesthetic recovery room: a matter of great concern: care continuity
T. brucei Infection Reduces B Lymphopoiesis in Bone Marrow and Truncates Compensatory Splenic Lymphopoiesis through Transitional B-Cell Apoptosis
African trypanosomes of the Trypanosoma brucei species are extracellular protozoan parasites that cause the deadly disease African trypanosomiasis in humans and contribute to the animal counterpart, Nagana. Trypanosome clearance from the bloodstream is mediated by antibodies specific for their Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG) coat antigens. However, T. brucei infection induces polyclonal B cell activation, B cell clonal exhaustion, sustained depletion of mature splenic Marginal Zone B (MZB) and Follicular B (FoB) cells, and destruction of the B-cell memory compartment. To determine how trypanosome infection compromises the humoral immune defense system we used a C57BL/6 T. brucei AnTat 1.1 mouse model and multicolor flow cytometry to document B cell development and maturation during infection. Our results show a more than 95% reduction in B cell precursor numbers from the CLP, pre-pro-B, pro-B, pre-B and immature B cell stages in the bone marrow. In the spleen, T. brucei induces extramedullary B lymphopoiesis as evidenced by significant increases in HSC-LMPP, CLP, pre-pro-B, pro-B and pre-B cell populations. However, final B cell maturation is abrogated by infection-induced apoptosis of transitional B cells of both the T1 and T2 populations which is not uniquely dependent on TNF-, Fas-, or prostaglandin-dependent death pathways. Results obtained from ex vivo co-cultures of living bloodstream form trypanosomes and splenocytes demonstrate that trypanosome surface coat-dependent contact with T1/2 B cells triggers their deletion. We conclude that infection-induced and possibly parasite-contact dependent deletion of transitional B cells prevents replenishment of mature B cell compartments during infection thus contributing to a loss of the host's capacity to sustain antibody responses against recurring parasitemic waves
Comprehensive genomic profiles of small cell lung cancer
We have sequenced the genomes of 110 small cell lung cancers (SCLC), one of the deadliest human cancers. In nearly all the tumours analysed we found bi-allelic inactivation of TP53 and RB1, sometimes by complex genomic rearrangements. Two tumours with wild-type RB1 had evidence of chromothripsis leading to overexpression of cyclin D1 (encoded by the CCND1 gene), revealing an alternative mechanism of Rb1 deregulation. Thus, loss of the tumour suppressors TP53 and RB1 is obligatory in SCLC. We discovered somatic genomic rearrangements of TP73 that create an oncogenic version of this gene, TP73Dex2/3. In rare cases, SCLC tumours exhibited kinase gene mutations, providing a possible therapeutic opportunity for individual patients. Finally, we observed inactivating mutations in NOTCH family genes in 25% of human SCLC. Accordingly, activation of Notch signalling in a pre-clinical SCLC mouse model strikingly reduced the number of tumours and extended the survival of the mutant mice. Furthermore, neuroendocrine gene expression was abrogated by Notch activity in SCLC cells. This first comprehensive study of somatic genome alterations in SCLC uncovers several key biological processes and identifies candidate therapeutic targets in this highly lethal form of cancer
Osteometric analysis of scapula and humerus for Rangifer tarandus and Cervus elaphus:a contribution to the discrimination Late Pleistocene cervids
Fossil remains of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) occurring outside their present range are an important indicator of
formerly cold climatic conditions, but are easily confused with those of the red deer (Cervus elaphus). The locality
of Kiputz IX has yielded one of the best-preserved Late Pleistocene reindeer populations of the southern Pyrenees,
occurring in association with Bison priscus and the much more abundant Cervus elaphus. Fossil remains from this site
are mostly complete and not affected by human intervention, thus creating the perfect conditions for reliable osteometric
analyses. Here, we quantify diagnostic morphological features of the scapula and the humerus of Cervus elaphus
and Rangifer tarandus to establish the potential of these bones to aid in interspecific discrimination. In the case of the
scapula, the best species discriminator is the ratio of the minimum anteroposterior diameter of the scapular neck and the
development of the articular process, while the breadth of the trochlea is the best discriminator in the case of the humerus
LYMPHOID DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH HHV-8/KSHV INFECTION: FACTS AND CONTENTIONS
Following the demonstration in 1994, that Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) was associated with a novel virus (KSHV or HHV-8) belonging to the lymphotropic herpes family, this virus was also found in certain lymphoid neoplasias of immunodeficient (HIV+) and immune competent hosts. The association of HHV-8/KSHV infection is now well established with primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) or body cavity based lymphoma (BCBL) and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) of the plasma cell type. A possible pathogenic role of HHV-8/KSHV in other lymphoid tumours including primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and multiple myeloma (MM) as well as some atypical lymphoproliferations and sarcoidosis has also been suggested, but this is at present a controversial matter, or not confirmed. Several HHV-8/KSHV genes, including potential oncogenes, genes homologous to various cellular genes and growth factors have been incriminated in the pathogenesis of KS and PEL/BCBL, but a common pathogenic mechanism for the clearly diverse proliferations represented by PEL, MCD and KS is at present not evident
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