111 research outputs found
Fast Time Structure During Transient Microwave Brightenings: Evidence for Nonthermal Processes
Transient microwave brightenings (TMBs) are small-scale energy releases from
the periphery of sunspot umbrae, with a flux density two orders of magnitude
smaller than that from a typical flare. Gopalswamy et al (1994) first reported
the detection of the TMBs and it was pointed out that the radio emission
implied a region of very high magnetic field so that the emission mechanism has
to be gyroresonance or nonthermal gyrosynchrotron, but not free-free emission.
It was not possible to decide between gyroresonance and gyrosynchrotron
processes because of the low time resolution (30 s) used in the data analysis.
We have since performed a detailed analysis of the Very Large Array data with
full time resolution (3.3 s) at two wavelengths (2 and 3.6 cm) and we can now
adequately address the question of the emission mechanism of the TMBs. We find
that nonthermal processes indeed take place during the TMBs. We present
evidence for nonthermal emission in the form of temporal and spatial structure
of the TMBs. The fast time structure cannot be explained by a thermodynamic
cooling time and therefore requires a nonthermal process. Using the physical
parameters obtained from X-ray and radio observations, we determine the
magnetic field parameters of the loop and estimate the energy released during
the TMBs. The impulsive components of TMBs imply an energy release rate of 1.3
x 10^22 erg/s so that the thermal energy content of the TMBs could be less than
10^24 erg.Comment: 15 pages (Latex), 4 figures (eps). ApJ Letters in press (1997
The role of intradiscal steroids in the treatment of discogenic low back pain
LBP is one of the most common reasons for visiting a doctor and is the most common cause of disability under age 45.Amongst a variety of etiologies, internal disc disruption (IDD) has been postulated as an important cause of low back pain. Treating discogenic low back pain continues to be a challenge to physicians. Inflammation, either from direct chemical irritation or secondary to an autoimmune response to the nucleus pulposus has been implicated as the primary pain source. Both steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have partial effectiveness in treating pain associated with inflammation. Therefore, the rationale for using intradiscal steroids is to suppress the inflammation within the disc, thereby alleviating the patient’s symptoms. The goal of this article is to review the literature regarding the efficacy of intradiscal steroids to treat low back pain of discogenic origin
Early changes in the haemostatic and procoagulant systems after chemotherapy for breast cancer
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) following breast cancer chemotherapy is common. Chemotherapy-induced alterations in markers of haemostasis occur during chemotherapy. It is unclear how rapidly this occurs, whether this is upregulated in patients developing VTE and whether changes predict for VTE. Markers of haemostasis, functional clotting assays and vascular endothelial growth factor were measured before chemotherapy and at 24 h, 4 days, 8 days and 3 months following commencement of chemotherapy in early and advanced breast cancer patients and in age- and sex-matched controls. Duplex ultrasound imaging was performed after 1 month or if symptomatic. Of 123 patients, 9.8% developed VTE within 3 months. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), D-dimer, fibrinogen, platelet count, VEGF and fibrinogen were increased in cancer. Fibrinogen, D-dimer, VEGF and tissue factor were increased, at baseline, in patients subsequently developing VTE. D-dimer of less than 500 ng ml−1 has a negative predictive value of 97%. Activated partial thromboplastin time, PT and thrombin–antithrombin showed significantly different trends, as early as within 24 h, in response to chemotherapy in patients subsequently developing VTE. Markers of coagulation and procoagulants are increased, before chemotherapy, in patients who subsequently develop VTE. A group of patients at minimal risk of VTE can be identified, allowing targeted thrombopropylaxis to the higher risk group
To which countries do European psychiatric trainees want to move to and why?
publisher: Elsevier articletitle: To which countries do European psychiatric trainees want to move to and why? journaltitle: European Psychiatry articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.06.010 content_type: article copyright: © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.publisher: Elsevier articletitle: To which countries do European psychiatric trainees want to move to and why? journaltitle: European Psychiatry articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.06.010 content_type: article copyright: © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.BACKGROUND: There is a shortage of psychiatrists worldwide. Within Europe, psychiatric trainees can move between countries, which increases the problem in some countries and alleviates it in others. However, little is known about the reasons psychiatric trainees move to another country. METHODS: Survey of psychiatric trainees in 33 European countries, exploring how frequently psychiatric trainees have migrated or want to migrate, their reasons to stay and leave the country, and the countries where they come from and where they move to. A 61-item self-report questionnaire was developed, covering questions about their demographics, experiences of short-term mobility (from 3 months up to 1 year), experiences of long-term migration (of more than 1 year) and their attitudes towards migration. RESULTS: A total of 2281 psychiatric trainees in Europe participated in the survey, of which 72.0% have 'ever' considered to move to a different country in their future, 53.5% were considering it 'now', at the time of the survey, and 13.3% had already moved country. For these immigrant trainees, academic was the main reason they gave to move from their country of origin. For all trainees, the overall main reason for which they would leave was financial (34.4%), especially in those with lower (2500€) incomes, personal reasons were paramount (44.5%). CONCLUSIONS: A high number of psychiatric trainees considered moving to another country, and their motivation largely reflects the substantial salary differences. These findings suggest tackling financial conditions and academic opportunities
Final Report: Production of Biodiesel From Algae Applied to Agricultural Wastewater Treatment
Dual Paraneoplastic Endocrine Syndromes Heralding Onset of Extrapulmonary Small Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Narrative Review
ObjectiveExtrapulmonary small cell carcinoma (EPSCC) is rare and frequent metastases at presentation can complicate efforts to identify a site of origin. In particular, SCC comprises <1% of prostate cancers and has been implicated in castration resistance.MethodsClinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathology data are presented.ResultsA 56-year-old man with locally advanced prostate adenocarcinoma on androgen deprivation therapy presented with a clogged nephrostomy tube. Laboratory results included calcium 13.8 mg/dL (8.5–10.5 mg/dL), albumin 3.6 g/dL (3.5–5 mg/dL), and potassium 2.8 mmol/L (3.5–5.2 mmol/L). Hypercalcemia investigation revealed intact PTH 19 pg/mL (16–87 pg/mL), 25-OH vitamin D 15.7 ng/mL (>30 ng/mL), and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) 63.4 pmol/L (<2.3 pmol/L). Workup for hypokalemia yielded aldosterone 5.3 ng/dL (<31 ng/dL), renin 0.6 ng/mL/h (0.5–4 ng/mL/h), and 6:00 a.m. cortisol 82 µg/dL (6.7–22.6 µg/dL) with ACTH 147 pg/mL (no ref. range). High-dose Dexamethasone suppression testing suggested ACTH-dependent ectopic hypercortisolism. Contrast-enhanced CT findings included masses in the liver and right renal pelvis, a heterogeneous enlarged mass in the region of the prostate invading the bladder, bilateral adrenal thickening, and lytic lesions in the pelvis and spine. Liver biopsy identified epithelioid malignancy with Ki proliferation index 98% and immunohistochemical staining positive for synaptophysin and neuron-specific enolase, compatible with high-grade small cell carcinoma. Staining for ACTH was negative; no stain for CRH was available. Two weeks after chemotherapy, 6:00 a.m. cortisol normalized and CT scans showed universal improvement.ConclusionExtensive literature details paraneoplastic syndromes associated with SCC, but we report the first case of EPSCC diagnosed due to onset of dual paraneoplastic syndromes
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