The QCD transition temperature: results with physical masses in the continuum limit II.

We extend our previous study [Phys. Lett. B643 (2006) 46] of the cross-over temperatures (T_c) of QCD. We improve our zero temperature analysis by using physical quark masses and finer lattices. In addition to the kaon decay constant used for scale setting we determine four quantities (masses of the \Omega baryon, K^*(892) and \phi(1020) mesons and the pion decay constant) which are found to agree with experiment. This implies that --independently of which of these quantities is used to set the overall scale-- the same results are obtained within a few percent. At finite temperature we use finer lattices down to a <= 0.1 fm (N_t=12 and N_t=16 at one point). Our new results confirm completely our previous findings. We compare the results with those of the 'hotQCD' collaboration.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, 3 table

Small bowel biopsy in Swedish paediatric clinics

Aim: A correct diagnosis of coeliac disease, one of the most common chronic diseases in Swedish children, demands small bowel biopsy, which can be performed endoscopically or by means of a peroral capsule. Recently there was a debate among Swedish paediatric gastroenterologists, with some advocating the cessation of capsule biopsy in favour of endoscopic biopsies. To gain information on which to base a recommendation for which technique to use, the Swedish Working Group for Childhood Coeliac Disease was commissioned to carry out a national questionnaire study on current small bowel biopsy routines in Swedish paediatric clinics. Methods: A questionnaire concerning biopsy routines in the year 2000 was sent to all paediatric clinics performing biopsies. A reply was obtained from 39 of 40 clinics, covering 98% of the Swedish population. Results: Some 1400 biopsies were performed, 64% of which were capsule biopsies and 36% endoscopic. Three clinics performed all biopsies endoscopically and 11 clinics all via a capsule. At endoscopy all children were under deep sedation or full anaesthesia, while most children undergoing capsule biopsy were under light or deep sedation. The oxygen saturation was monitored during endoscopy but less often or never during routine capsule biopsy. The presence of the parents during biopsy varied according to the degree of sedation: at 97% of the clinics performing capsule biopsy on children under light sedation, the parents were present during the whole procedure, whereas no parents were present at clinics where the biopsy was performed endoscopically under anaesthesia. Conclusion: Compared with the results of a similar questionnaire concerning biopsy routines performed in the early 1990s, children are now more effectively sedated. Furthermore, there is an obvious trend from capsule towards endoscopic biopsy. Both the endoscopic and the capsule biopsy techniques are useful and satisfactory for obtaining small bowel mucosal samples providing that the children are effectively sedated. For practical and economic reasons the capsule biopsy technique will probably continue to be used, although to a lesser extent than today

Dose-Dependent Effect of Growth Hormone on Final Height in Children with Short Stature without Growth Hormone deficiency.

Context: Effect of GH therapy in short non GH deficient children, especially idiopathic short stature (ISS) has not been clearly established owing to lack of controlled trials until final height (FH). Objective: To investigate the effect of two GH doses compared with untreated controls on growth to FH in short children mainly with ISS. Design and Setting: A randomized, controlled, long-term multicenter trial in Sweden. Intervention: Two doses of GH (Genotropin): 33 or 67 microg/kg/d plus untreated controls. Subjects: 177 subjects with short stature were enrolled. Of these, 151 were included in the Intent to Treat (AllITT) Population and 108 in the Per Protocol (AllPP) Population. Analysis of ISS subjects included 126 children in the ITT (ISSITT) Population and 68 subjects in the PP (ISSPP) Population. Main Outcome Measures: FH SDS, difference in SDS to midparenteral height (diff MPHSDS), and gain in HeightSDS. Results: After 5.9+/-1.1 yr on GH therapy, the FHSDS in the AllPP Population treated with GH vs. controls was -1.5+/-0.81 (33 microg/kg/d: -1.7+/-0.70, 67 microg/kg/d: -1.4+/-0.86; P<0.032), vs. -2.4+/-0.85 (P<0.001), the diff MPHSDS -0.2+/-1.0 vs. -1.0+/-0.74 (P<0.001), and the gain in HeightSDS 1.3+/-0.78 vs. 0.2+/-0.69 (P<0.001). GH therapy was safe and had no impact on time to onset of puberty. A dose-response relationship identified after 1 yr remained to FH for all growth outcome variables in all four populations. Conclusion: GH treatment significantly increased FH in ISS children in a dose-dependent manner, with a mean gain of 1.3 SDS (8 cm), and a broad range of response from no gain to 3 SDS compared to a mean gain of 0.2 SDS in the untreated controls