The new Felsenkeller 5 MV underground accelerator

The field of nuclear astrophysics is devoted to the study of the creation of the chemical elements. By nature, it is deeply intertwined with the physics of the Sun. The nuclear reactions of the proton-proton cycle of hydrogen burning, including the 3He({\alpha},{\gamma})7Be reaction, provide the necessary nuclear energy to prevent the gravitational collapse of the Sun and give rise to the by now well-studied pp, 7Be, and 8B solar neutrinos. The not yet measured flux of 13N, 15O, and 17F neutrinos from the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle is affected in rate by the 14N(p,{\gamma})15O reaction and in emission profile by the 12C(p,{\gamma})13N reaction. The nucleosynthetic output of the subsequent phase in stellar evolution, helium burning, is controlled by the 12C({\alpha},{\gamma})16O reaction. In order to properly interpret the existing and upcoming solar neutrino data, precise nuclear physics information is needed. For nuclear reactions between light, stable nuclei, the best available technique are experiments with small ion accelerators in underground, low-background settings. The pioneering work in this regard has been done by the LUNA collaboration at Gran Sasso/Italy, using a 0.4 MV accelerator. The present contribution reports on a higher-energy, 5.0 MV, underground accelerator in the Felsenkeller underground site in Dresden/Germany. Results from {\gamma}-ray, neutron, and muon background measurements in the Felsenkeller underground site in Dresden, Germany, show that the background conditions are satisfactory for nuclear astrophysics purposes. The accelerator is in the commissioning phase and will provide intense, up to 50{\mu}A, beams of 1H+, 4He+ , and 12C+ ions, enabling research on astrophysically relevant nuclear reactions with unprecedented sensitivity.Comment: Submitted to the Proceedings of the 5th International Solar Neutrino Conference, Dresden/Germany, 11-14 June 2018, to appear on World Scientific -- updated version (Figure 2 and relevant discussion updated, co-author A. Domula added

Interaktion von ß-Lactam-Antibiotika mit den Antiseptika Octenidindihydrochlorid,Polihexanid und Chlorhexidindigluconat

Im heutigen Klinikalltag werden zur Behandlung chronischer Wunden Antiseptika und Antibiotika häufig kombiniert. Die vorliegende Arbeit hinterfragt diese Kombinationen, da sie oft ohne Wissen möglicher Wechselwirkungen verabreicht werden. Wir haben das Interaktionspotential der drei Antiseptika Octenidindihydrochlorid, Polihexanid und Chlorhexidindigluconat mit folgenden ß-Lactam-Antibiotika untersucht: Oxacillin, Ampicillin, Piperacillin + Tazobactam, Imipenem und Ceftazidim. In der Auswahl der Erreger haben wir uns auf die konzentriert, die statistisch besonders häufig in chronischen Wunden nachgewiesen werden: zwei S. aureus Stämme, ein MRSA-Stamm, zwei Enterococcus-, vier Pseudomonaden- und zwei E. coli-Stämme. In Vorversuchen haben wir mit der Mikroagardilutionsmethode die MHK’s der Erreger der verschiedenen Antiseptika auf den verschiedenen Agarsorten (Müller-Hinton-, Isosensitest-, CSA- und Blutagar) bestimmt. Orientierend an diesen Werten haben wir in den Hauptversuchen mittels Agardiffusions-Dilutions-Combitest das Interaktionspotential der oben genannten Antiinfektiva untersucht. Dazu haben wir Platten mit den Konzentrationen MHK, 1/8 MHK und 1/16 MHK gegossen. Bei der Auswertung wird deutlich, dass nicht alle Kombinationen bedenkenlos zusammengestellt werden sollten. In unseren Versuchen schneidet OCT am besten ab, hier vor allem die Kombination mit IMP 10. Auch PHMB weist gute Ergebnisse auf und nimmt eine Position zwischen OCT und CHX ein. CHX schneidet bei unseren Versuchen am schlechtesten ab und sollte sehr kritisch eingesetzt werden. Die Ergebnisse machen aber auch deutlich, dass es klare Unterschiede bezüglich der Erreger gibt.The combined usage of antibiotics and antiseptics for the treatment of chronic wounds is a daily clinical practice. As their combination is frequently used without the knowledge of possible interactions, this dissertation questions its application. We have tested the interaction of the three antiseptics Octenidindihydrochlorid, Polihexanid und Chlorhexidindigluconat with the following ß-lactam-antibiotics: Oxacillin, Ampicillin, Piperacillin + Tazobactam, Imipenem und Ceftazidim. We have chosen pathogens which are proven to be present frequently in chronic wounds: two strains of S. aureus, one MRSA-strain, two strains of Enterococcus, four strains of Pseudomonas and two strains of E.coli. In pretests, the MICs of the microorganisms of the three antiseptics on the different agar (Mueller Hinton agar, Isosensitestagar, CSA-agar and blood agar) were determined by using the micro agar dilution method. Considering these results, the interactions were investigated by using agardiffusion-dilution-combitest in our main tests. For these tests we have prepared culture medium with the concentrations MIC, 1/8 MIC and 1/16 MIC. In conclusion, it becomes apparent that not all combinations are harmless. OCT turned out to be the best antiseptic in our tests; especially with IMP 10. Similarly, PHMB showed good results and can be classified between OCT and CHX concerning its effects. It could be demonstrated that CHX is the worst antiinfective and therefore its application should be limited. Furthermore our results indicate that the interactional effects differ depending on the pathogens

Psoralen as a Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy by Means of In Vitro Cherenkov Light

Possible enhancements of DNA damage with light of different wavelengths and ionizing radiation (Rhenium-188—a high energy beta emitter (Re-188)) on plasmid DNA and FaDu cells via psoralen were investigated. The biophysical experimental setup could also be used to investigate additional DNA damage due to photodynamic effects, resulting from Cherenkov light. Conformational changes of plasmid DNA due to DNA damage were detected and quantified by gel electrophoresis and fluorescent staining. The clonogene survival of the FaDu cells was analyzed with colony formation assays. Dimethyl sulfoxide was chosen as a chemical modulator, and Re-188 was used to evaluate the radiotoxicity and light (UVC: λ = 254 nm and UVA: λ = 366 nm) to determine the phototoxicity. Psoralen did not show chemotoxic effects on the plasmid DNA or FaDu cells. After additional treatment with light (only 366 nm—not seen with 254 nm), a concentration-dependent increase in single strand breaks (SSBs) was visible, resulting in a decrease in the survival fraction due to the photochemical activation of psoralen. Whilst UVC light was phototoxic, UVA light did not conclude in DNA strand breaks. Re-188 showed typical radiotoxic effects with SSBs, double strand breaks, and an overall reduced cell survival for both the plasmid DNA and FaDu cells. While psoralen and UVA light showed an increased toxicity on plasmid DNA and human cancer cells, Re-188, in combination with psoralen, did not provoke additional DNA damage via Cherenkov light

Psoralen as a Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy by Means of In Vitro Cherenkov Light

Possible enhancements of DNA damage with light of different wavelengths and ionizing radiation (Rhenium-188—a high energy beta emitter (Re-188)) on plasmid DNA and FaDu cells via psoralen were investigated. The biophysical experimental setup could also be used to investigate additional DNA damage due to photodynamic effects, resulting from Cherenkov light. Conformational changes of plasmid DNA due to DNA damage were detected and quantified by gel electrophoresis and fluorescent staining. The clonogene survival of the FaDu cells was analyzed with colony formation assays. Dimethyl sulfoxide was chosen as a chemical modulator, and Re-188 was used to evaluate the radiotoxicity and light (UVC: λ = 254 nm and UVA: λ = 366 nm) to determine the phototoxicity. Psoralen did not show chemotoxic effects on the plasmid DNA or FaDu cells. After additional treatment with light (only 366 nm—not seen with 254 nm), a concentration-dependent increase in single strand breaks (SSBs) was visible, resulting in a decrease in the survival fraction due to the photochemical activation of psoralen. Whilst UVC light was phototoxic, UVA light did not conclude in DNA strand breaks. Re-188 showed typical radiotoxic effects with SSBs, double strand breaks, and an overall reduced cell survival for both the plasmid DNA and FaDu cells. While psoralen and UVA light showed an increased toxicity on plasmid DNA and human cancer cells, Re-188, in combination with psoralen, did not provoke additional DNA damage via Cherenkov light

Acute flaccid myelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in children: A comparative study with evaluation of diagnostic criteria.

Background and purpose Differentiation between acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) can be difficult, particularly in children. Our objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy by giving recommendations based on a comparison of clinical features and diagnostic criteria in children with AFM or GBS. Methods A cohort of 26 children with AFM associated with enterovirus D68 was compared to a cohort of 156 children with GBS. The specificity of the Brighton criteria, used for GBS diagnosis, was evaluated in the AFM cohort and the specificity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) AFM diagnostic criteria in the GBS cohort. Results Children with AFM compared to those with GBS had a shorter interval between onset of weakness and nadir (3 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001), more often had asymmetric limb weakness (58% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), and less frequently had sensory deficits (0% vs. 40%, p < 0.001). In AFM, cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte counts were higher, whereas protein concentrations were lower. Spinal cord lesions on magnetic resonance imaging were only found in AFM patients. No GBS case fulfilled CDC criteria for definite AFM. Of the AFM cases, 8% fulfilled the Brighton criteria for GBS, when omitting the criterion of excluding an alternate diagnosis. Conclusions Despite the overlap in clinical presentation, we found distinctive early clinical and diagnostic characteristics for differentiating AFM from GBS in children. Diagnostic criteria for AFM and GBS usually perform well, but some AFM cases may fulfill clinical diagnostic criteria for GBS. This underlines the need to perform diagnostic tests early to exclude AFM in children suspected of atypical GBS

Acute flaccid myelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in children: A comparative study with evaluation of diagnostic criteria.

Background and purpose Differentiation between acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) can be difficult, particularly in children. Our objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy by giving recommendations based on a comparison of clinical features and diagnostic criteria in children with AFM or GBS. Methods A cohort of 26 children with AFM associated with enterovirus D68 was compared to a cohort of 156 children with GBS. The specificity of the Brighton criteria, used for GBS diagnosis, was evaluated in the AFM cohort and the specificity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) AFM diagnostic criteria in the GBS cohort. Results Children with AFM compared to those with GBS had a shorter interval between onset of weakness and nadir (3 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001), more often had asymmetric limb weakness (58% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), and less frequently had sensory deficits (0% vs. 40%, p < 0.001). In AFM, cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte counts were higher, whereas protein concentrations were lower. Spinal cord lesions on magnetic resonance imaging were only found in AFM patients. No GBS case fulfilled CDC criteria for definite AFM. Of the AFM cases, 8% fulfilled the Brighton criteria for GBS, when omitting the criterion of excluding an alternate diagnosis. Conclusions Despite the overlap in clinical presentation, we found distinctive early clinical and diagnostic characteristics for differentiating AFM from GBS in children. Diagnostic criteria for AFM and GBS usually perform well, but some AFM cases may fulfill clinical diagnostic criteria for GBS. This underlines the need to perform diagnostic tests early to exclude AFM in children suspected of atypical GBS