Treatment of Truncal Incompetence and Varicose Veins with a Single Administration of a New Polidocanol Endovenous Microfoam Preparation Improves Symptoms and Appearance

ObjectiveThis multicenter, parallel group study was designed to determine if a single administration of ≤15 mL of pharmaceutical-grade polidocanol endovenous microfoam (PEM, now approved in the United States as Varithena [polidocanol injectable foam], BTG International Ltd.) could alleviate symptoms and improve appearance of varicose veins in a typical population of patients with moderate to very severe symptoms of superficial venous incompetence and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein (GSV) system.MethodsThe primary endpoint was patient-reported venous symptom improvement measured by change from baseline to Week 8 in 7-day average VVSymQ score. Co-secondary endpoints measured improvement in appearance of visible varicose veins from baseline to Week 8, as measured by the Independent Photography Review–Visible Varicose Veins (IPR-V3) and Patient Self-assessment of Visible Varicose Veins (PA-V3) scores. Patients were randomized to five groups: PEM 0.125% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 2%, or placebo. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded at each study visit. Tertiary endpoints measured duplex ultrasound response, changes in venous clinical severity score, and the modified Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study–Quality of Life/Symptoms.ResultsAt Week 8, VVSymQ scores for the pooled PEM group (0.5% + 1% + 2%; p < .0001) and individual dose concentrations (p < .001) were significantly superior to placebo. Mean changes from baseline to Week 8 in IPR-V3 and PA-V3 scores were significantly greater for pooled PEM than for placebo (p < .0001). Most AEs were mild and resolved without sequelae. No pulmonary emboli were reported.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that a single administration of up to 15 mL of PEM is a safe, effective, and convenient treatment for the symptoms of superficial venous incompetence and the appearance of visible varicosities of the GSV system. Doses of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% PEM appear to have an acceptable risk-benefit ratio

Fast-timing measurements in neutron-rich odd-mass zirconium isotopes using LaBr3:Ce detectors coupled with Gammasphere

A fast-timing experiment was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory to measure the lifetimes of the lowest lying states of nuclei belonging to the deformed regions around mass number A 110 and A 150. These regions were populated via spontaneous fission of 252 Cf and the gamma radiation following the decay of excited states in the fission fragments was measured using 51 Gammasphere detectors coupled with 25 LaBr 3 :Ce detectors. A brief description of the acquisition system and some preliminary results from the fast-timing analysis of the fission fragment 100Zr are presented. The lifetime value of \u3c4 = 840(65) ps was found for the 2 + state in 100 Zr consistent within one standard deviation of the adopted value with 791 +26 -35 ps. This is associated with a quadrupole deformation parameter of 0.36(2) which is within one standard deviation of the literature value of 0.3556 +82 -57

Fast-timing measurements in the ground-state band of Pd114

Using a hybrid Gammasphere array coupled to 25 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, the lifetimes of the first three levels of the yrast band in Pd-114, populated via Cf-252 decay, have been measured. The measured lifetimes are tau(2+) = 103(10) ps, tau(4+) = 22(13) ps, and tau(6+) &lt;= 10 ps for the 2(1)(+), 4(1)(+), and 6(1)(+) levels, respectively. Palladium-114 was predicted to be the most deformed isotope of its isotopic chain, and spectroscopic studies have suggested it might also be a candidate nucleus for low-spin stable triaxiality. From the lifetimes measured in this work, reduced transition probabilities B(E2; J -&gt; J - 2) are calculated and compared with interacting boson model, projected shell model, and collective model calculations from the literature. The experimental ratio R-B(E2) = B(E2; 4(1)(+) -&gt; 2(1)(+))/B(E2; 2(1)(+) -&gt; 0(1)(+)) = 0.80(42) is measured for the first time in Pd-114 and compared with the known values R-B(E2) in the palladium isotopic chain: the systematics suggest that, for N = 68, a transition from gamma-unstable to a more rigid gamma-deformed nuclear shape occurs

Fast-timing measurements in the ground-state band of Pd 114

Using a hybrid Gammasphere array coupled to 25 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, the lifetimes of the first three levels of the yrast band in Pd114, populated via Cf252 decay, have been measured. The measured lifetimes are τ2+=103(10)ps, τ4+=22(13)ps, and τ6+≤10ps for the 21+, 41+, and 61+ levels, respectively. Palladium-114 was predicted to be the most deformed isotope of its isotopic chain, and spectroscopic studies have suggested it might also be a candidate nucleus for low-spin stable triaxiality. From the lifetimes measured in this work, reduced transition probabilities B(E2;J→J-2) are calculated and compared with interacting boson model, projected shell model, and collective model calculations from the literature. The experimental ratio RB(E2)=B(E2;41+→21+)/B(E2;21+→01+)=0.80(42) is measured for the first time in Pd114 and compared with the known values RB(E2) in the palladium isotopic chain: the systematics suggest that, for N=68, a transition from γ-unstable to a more rigid γ-deformed nuclear shape occurs

Fast-Timing measurements in 100zr using labr3(ce) detectors coupled with gammasphere

In order to investigate the evolution of nuclear deformation in the region of the chart of nuclides around mass numbers A ' 110 and A ' 150, an experiment was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory where the gamma-decay radiation emitted from the fission fragments of 252Cf was measured using 51 Gammasphere detectors coupled with 25 LaBr3(Ce) detectors. In this work, a short description of the experimental setup is presented together with some preliminary results from the fast-Timing analysis of the 4+ state of the nucleus 100Zr. A lifetime value of τ = 50(28) ps was obtained using the Generalized Centroid Shift Method. This result agrees with the literature value of τ = 53(4) ps within one standard deviation

Fast timing measurement using an labr3(Ce) scintillator detector array coupled with gammasphere

A fast-timing experiment was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory in December 2015 and January 2016, measuring decay radiation of fission products from a 252Cf fission source. Details of the set-up, integration with Digital Gammasphere, and the data acquisition system are presented. The timing performance of the set-up, capable of measuring lifetimes from the nanosecond region down to tens of picoseconds, is discussed. First preliminary results from the fast-timing analysis of the fission fragment data are presented

Fast timing measurement using an labr3(Ce) scintillator detector array coupled with gammasphere

A fast-timing experiment was performed at the Argonne National Laboratory in December 2015 and January 2016, measuring decay radiation of fission products from a252Cf fission source. Details of the set-up, integration with Digital Gammasphere, and the data acquisition system are presented. The timing performance of the set-up, capable of measuring lifetimes from the nanosecond region down to tens of picoseconds, is discussed. First preliminary results from the fast-timing analysis of the fission fragment data are presented