Fusion reaction study of halo system by quantum mechanical-based model for ⁶He+⁶⁴Zn, ⁸B+⁵⁸Ni and 8He+¹⁹⁷Au systems

In the current work the calculations of the reaction cross-section of total fusion σ fus, the fusion barrier distribution D fus, and the probability P fus were achieved for systems ⁶He+⁶⁴Zn, ⁸B+⁵⁸Ni and ⁸He+¹⁹⁷Au which involve halo nuclei by using a semiclassical approach. The semiclassical and quantum mechanics treatments comprise the approximation of WKB for describing the relative motion among projectile nuclei and target nuclei, and the method of CDCC (Continuum Discretized Coupled Channel) for describing the intrinsic motion for the projectile and target nuclei. Our semiclassical calculations yielded findings that were compared to obtainable experimental data as well as quantum mechanics calculations. For fusion cross-sections σ fus below and above the Coulomb barrier Vb, the quantum mechanics coupled channels are very similar, according to the experimental results

Corticosteroid Therapy in Genotype ST-11 Meningococcal Infections.

International audienceCorticosteroid treatment for meningococcal disease is debated. We report a high risk of death (odds ratio 4.68, 95% confidence interval: 1.91-11.46; P = 0.001) without corticosteroid treatment when meningococcal disease is provoked by isolates belonging to the hyperinvasive genotype ST-11. Genotypes of meningococcal isolates should be considered with corticosteroids therapy for meningococcal disease

Acute cervical lymphadenitis and infections of the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces in children

International audienceBackground: Acute cervical adenitis can evolve into suppurative cervical lymphadenitis and may sometimes be associated with infection of the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces (i.e., retropharyngeal and poststyloid parapharyngeal abscesses). This study aimed to describe the clinical presentation of acute cervical lymphadenitis and infections of the retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal spaces in children and examine the management of these conditions. Methods: This was a retrospective study including children from 3 months to 18 years old who were hospitalized in the Pediatric Department of the Centre-Intercommunal-de-Créteil between January 2003 and May 2010. Selected cases were based on the diagnosis of acute cervical lymphadenitis, suppurative cervical lymphadenitis, or infections of the retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal spaces. Case history, clinical signs, laboratory tests, imaging, treatment and clinical course were collected from patient charts. Results: We included 75 children (54 males [72%]); 62 (83%) were 3 years old (48%) underwent a rapid antigen detection test (RADT) for group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes; results for 10 were positive (48%). Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the neck in children with torticollis (n = 31) demonstrated an abscess in 21 (68%). Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 8 patients (11%) and 8 (11%) required surgical drainage. Bacteriology was positive in 8 patients (11%), with a predominance of Staphylococcus aureus and S. pyogenes. All patients received intravenous antibiotics and the outcome was favorable regardless of surgery. Recurrence was observed in only 1 case among the 34 patients with a follow-up visit after discharge. Conclusion: Our data suggest that presentation with cervical lymphadenitis associated with fever and torticollis requires evaluation by contrast-enhanced CT scan. Furthermore, abscess drainage should be restricted to the most severely affected patients who do not respond to antibiotic therapy

Factors associated with death in children with purpura fulminans: a French national prospective cohort study

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Vaccine failure after Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine may be linked to decline of bactericidal titers and absence of herd immunity.

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Systematic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Screening at Hospital Admission in Children: A French Prospective Multicenter Study

International audienceTo assess the relevance of systematic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) screening of all children admitted to hospital, we conducted a prospective multicenter study including 438 consecutive hospitalized children. A symptom-based SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy failed to identify 45% (95% confidence interval, 24%-68%) of hospitalized children infected by SARS-CoV-2. To limit intrahospital transmission, a systematic screening of children admitted to hospital should be considered