Exclusive Four-pion Photoproduction in Ultra-peripheral Heavy-ion Collisions at RHIC and LHC Energies

We study the photoproduction of exclusive 2π+2π− mesons in ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions at the RHIC and LHC energies. Predictions in photon–nucleus interactions are calculated for various resonances at central and forward rapidities. The recent H1 preliminary data are utilized to improve the description of the poorly known γp→4π±p process. We present the comparisons of our results to the available STAR data at RHIC, and made predictions for the LHC energies

Exclusive four-pion photoproduction in ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and LHC energies

We study the photoproduction of exclusive $2\pi^+2\pi^-$ mesons in ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions at RHIC and LHC energies. Predictions in photon-nucleus interactions are calculated for various resonances at central and forward rapidities. The recent H1 preliminary data are utilized to improve the description of the poorly known $\gamma p \to 4\pi^\pm p$ process. We present the comparisons of our results to the available STAR data at RHIC, and made predictions for LHC energies.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables, presented at XXVI Cracow EPIPHANY Conference, LHC Physics: Standard Model and Beyon

Hybrid-procedures for the Treatment of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections

AimThe conventional open repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms and dissections remains complex and demanding and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present our experience of hybrid open and endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms and dissections.MethodsWithin an experience of 226 aortic stent-grafts between 1998 and April 2006, 6 of the patients (median age 60 years, range 35 to 68 years) with thoracoabdominal aneurysms (Crawford type I, II, III, and V) were treated with a combined endovascular and open surgical approach. Five men and one woman, with median aneurysm diameter of 75mm (range 70–100mm), received revascularization of the renal arteries, the superior mesenteric artery, and the coeliac trunk accomplished via transperitoneal bypass grafting. Aneurysmal exclusion was then performed by stent-graft deployment.ResultsThe entire procedure was technically successful in all patients. The patients were discharged a median of 9 days after the operation, while the postoperative studies revealed the patency of the vessels and no evidence of type I endoleak or secondary rupture of the aneurysm. During follow up (1 to 22 months) spiral-CT scanning revealed distinct shrinkage of the aneurysm, no graft migration or endoleak and patency of all revascularised vessels, except one renal artery in two patients. No patient experienced any temporary or permanent neurological deficit, and no dialysis was necessary.ConclusionThe combined endovascular and open surgical approach is feasible, without cross clamping of the aorta and with minimized ischemia time for renal and visceral arteries, and seems to be an appropriate strategy for patients with a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm or dissection

Endotension is Influenced by Wall Compliance in a Latex Aneurysm Model

AbstractObjectives. Even though endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) creates a closed chamber except for patent branches, the intra-sac pressure is never zero. This study was designed to investigate whether, and to what extent, aneurysm wall compliance influences intra-sac pressure.Design. In vitro experimental study.Methods. Aneurysm models with six and 12 latex layers were produced, resulting in elastic and stiff circumferential compliance (3.5±0.5 and 0.9±0.3%/100 mmHg, respectively). The models with an 18 mm internal neck and maximum aneurysm diameter of 60 mm were inserted into an in vitro circulation system. The systemic mean pressure (SPmean) was varied from 50 to 120 mmHg. After the aneurysm was excluded with a knitted polyethylene graft, aneurysm sac mean pressure (ASPmean) and aneurysm sac pulse pressure (ASPpulse) were measured. Data are presented as mean±SD. Statistics were performed using repeated measurements of variance; p<0.05 was considered significant.Results. In the model EVAR created a closed chamber without endoleak, but with an aneurysm sac pressure related to wall compliance. In the elastic aneurysm model with six latex coats the aneurysm sac mean pressure (ASPmean) and the aneurysm sac pulse pressure (ASPpulse) at all systemic pressures were significantly lower than they were in the stiffer model with 12 latex coats (p<0.05). At a SPmean of 90 mmHg, the ASPmean was 21.0±0.9 mmHg (six latex coats) and 26.0±0.2 mmHg (12 latex coats) (p<0.05), the ASPpulse was 5.7±0.2 mmHg (six latex coats) and 8.8±0.3 mmHg (12 latex coats) (p<0.05).Conclusions. This in vitro model demonstrated that the aneurysm sac mean pressure (ASPmean) and the aneurysm sac pulse pressure (ASPpulse) were significantly influenced by the compliance of the aneurysm wall. These data highlight the need for further studies regarding endotension

The γγ→J/ψJ/ψ\gamma \gamma \to J/\psi J/\psi reaction and the J/ψJ/ψJ/\psi J/\psi pair production in exclusive ultraperipheral ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions

We calculate the cross section for the $\gamma \gamma \to J/\psi J/\psi$ process. Two mechanisms are considered: box (two-loop) diagrams of the order of $O(\alpha_{em}^2 \alpha_s^2)$ and two-gluon exchange of the order of $O(\alpha_{em}^2 \alpha_s^4)$. The first mechanism is calculated in the heavy-quark non-relativistic approximation while the second case we also include the effects of quantum motion of quarks in the bound state. The box contribution dominates at energies close to the threshold ($W <$ 15 GeV) while the two-gluon mechanism takes over at $W >$ 15 GeV. Including the bound-state wave function effects for the two-gluon exchange mechanism gives a cross section 0.1 - 0.4 pb, substantially smaller than that in the non-relativistic limit (0.4 - 1.6 pb). We also find a strong infrared sensitivity which manifests itself in a rather strong dependence on the mass for the $t$-channel gluons. The elementary cross section is then used in the Equivalent Photon Approximation (EPA) in the impact parameter space to calculate the cross section for $^{208}Pb+^{208}Pb \to ^{208}Pb + J/\psi J/\psi + ^{208}Pb$ reaction. Distributions in rapidity of the $J/\psi J/\psi$ pair and invariant mass of the pair are shown.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

New insights regarding the incidence, presentation and treatment options of aorto-oesophageal fistulation after thoracic endovascular aortic repair: the European Registry of Endovascular Aortic Repair Complications

OBJECTIVES: To review the incidence, clinical presentation, definite management and 1-year outcome in patients with aorto-oesophageal fistulation (AOF) following thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: International multicentre registry (European Registry of Endovascular Aortic Repair Complications) between 2001 and 2011 with a total caseload of 2387 TEVAR procedures (17 centres). RESULTS: Thirty-six patients with a median age of 69 years (IQR 56-75), 25% females and 9 patients (19%) following previous aortic surgery were identified. The incidence of AOF in the entire cohort after TEVAR in the study period was 1.5%. The primary underlying aortic pathology for TEVAR was atherosclerotic aneurysm formation in 53% of patients and the median time to development of AOF was 90 days (IQR 30-150). Leading clinical symptoms were fever of unknown origin in 29 (81%), haematemesis in 19 (53%) and shock in 8 (22%) patients. Diagnosis could be confirmed via computed tomography in 92% of the cases with the leading sign of a new mediastinal mass in 28 (78%) patients. A conservative approach resulted in a 100% 1-year mortality, and 1-year survival for an oesophageal stenting-only approach was 17%. Survival after isolated oesophagectomy was 43%. The highest 1-year survival rate (46%) could be achieved via an aggressive treatment including radical oesophagectomy and aortic replacement [relative risk increase 1.73 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-2.92]. The survival advantage of this aggressive treatment modality could be confirmed in bootstrap analysis (95% CI 1.11-3.33). CONCLUSIONS: The development of AOF is a rare but lethal complication after TEVAR, being associated with the need for emergency TEVAR as well as mediastinal haematoma formation. The only durable and successful approach to cure the disease is radical oesophagectomy and extensive aortic reconstruction. These findings may serve as a decision-making tool for physicians treating these complex patients

phenosim - A software to simulate phenotypes for testing in genome-wide association studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is a great interest in understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits in natural populations. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are becoming routine in human, animal and plant genetics to understand the connection between naturally occurring genotypic and phenotypic variation. Coalescent simulations are commonly used in population genetics to simulate genotypes under different parameters and demographic models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we present <monospace>phenosim</monospace>, a software to add a phenotype to genotypes generated in time-efficient coalescent simulations. Both qualitative and quantitative phenotypes can be generated and it is possible to partition phenotypic variation between additive effects and epistatic interactions between causal variants. The output formats of <monospace>phenosim</monospace> are directly usable as input for different GWAS tools. The applicability of <monospace>phenosim</monospace> is shown by simulating a genome-wide association study in <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>By using the coalescent approach to generate genotypes and <monospace>phenosim</monospace> to add phenotypes, the data sets can be used to assess the influence of various factors such as demography, genetic architecture or selection on the statistical power of association methods to detect causal genetic variants under a wide variety of population genetic scenarios. <monospace>phenosim</monospace> is freely available from the authors' website <url>http://evoplant.uni-hohenheim.de</url></p

Prevention of acute kidney injury and protection of renal function in the intensive care unit

Acute renal failure on the intensive care unit is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. To determine recommendations for the prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI), focusing on the role of potential preventative maneuvers including volume expansion, diuretics, use of inotropes, vasopressors/vasodilators, hormonal interventions, nutrition, and extracorporeal techniques. A systematic search of the literature was performed for studies using these potential protective agents in adult patients at risk for acute renal failure/kidney injury between 1966 and 2009. The following clinical conditions were considered: major surgery, critical illness, sepsis, shock, and use of potentially nephrotoxic drugs and radiocontrast media. Where possible the following endpoints were extracted: creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate, increase in serum creatinine, urine output, and markers of tubular injury. Clinical endpoints included the need for renal replacement therapy, length of stay, and mortality. Studies are graded according to the international Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) group system Several measures are recommended, though none carries grade 1A. We recommend prompt resuscitation of the circulation with special attention to providing adequate hydration whilst avoiding high-molecular-weight hydroxy-ethyl starch (HES) preparations, maintaining adequate blood pressure using vasopressors in vasodilatory shock. We suggest using vasopressors in vasodilatory hypotension, specific vasodilators under strict hemodynamic control, sodium bicarbonate for emergency procedures administering contrast media, and periprocedural hemofiltration in severe chronic renal insufficiency undergoing coronary intervention