Pygmy dipole resonance in 140Ce via inelastic scattering of 17O

The γ decay from the high-lying states of Ce140 excited via inelastic scattering of O17 at a bombarding energy of 340 MeV was measured using the high-resolution AGATA-demonstrator array in coincidence with scattered ions detected in two segmented ΔE-E silicon detectors. Angular distributions of scattered ions and emitted γ rays were measured, as well as their differential cross sections. The excitation of 1- states below the neutron separation energy is similar to the one obtained in reactions with the α isoscalar probe. The comparison between the experimental differential cross sections and the corresponding predictions using the distorted-wave Born approximation allowed us to extract the isoscalar component of identified 1- pygmy states. For this analysis the form factor obtained by folding microscopically calculated transition densities and optical potentials was used

Motor differences identify children with autism engaged in iPad gameplay

Autism is a developmental disorder evident from infancy. Yet, its clinical identification is often not possible until after the third year of life. New evidence indicates disruption to motor timing and integration may underpin the disorder, providing a potential new marker for its early identification. We employed smart tablet computers with touch-sensitive screens and embedded inertial movement sensors to record the movement kinematics and gesture forces made by 37 children 3-6 years old with autism and 45 age- and gender-matched children developing typically. Machine learning analysis of the children’s motor patterns identified autism with 93% accuracy. Analysis revealed these patterns consisted of greater forces at contact and with a different distribution of forces within a gesture, and gesture kinematics were faster and larger, with more distal use of space. These data support the notion disruption to movement is core feature of autism, and demonstrate autism can be assessed by smart device gameplay

Age, insulin, SHBG and sex steroids exert secondary influence on plasma leptin level in women

Cel pracy. Znany jest związek pomiędzy tłuszczową masą ciała a poziomem leptyny. Celem przedstawianej pracy jest poszukiwanie innych czynników wpływających na poziom leptyny jak wiek, stężenie insuliny, SHBG, hormony płciowe.Materiał. 86 kobiet (średni wiek 47.0 ±14.3 lat, estradiol 50.0±60.6 ng/l, FSH 52.4±42.9 IU/l; BMI 26.9±5.9) podzielono na trzy grupy według BMI. Grupę A stanowiło 39 kobiet o prawidłowej masie ciała (średni wiek 44.4±16.0 lat; estradiol 69.6±79.8 ng/l; FSH 50.4±47.7 IU/l; BMI 22.9±1.3), grupę B 27 kobiet z nadwagą (średni wiek 55.0±6.4 lat; estradiol 25.1±17.2 ng/l; FSH 75.6±26.3 IU/l; BMI 27.7±1.6) a grupę C 21 kobiet otyłych (średni wiek: 48.7±12.2 lat; estradiol 36.9±44.0 ng/l; FSH 42.3±36.6 IU/l i BMI 34.6±4.9).Metody. Standardowa ocena kliniczna i pomiar poziomu hormonów wykonywane były w warunkach podstawowych: LH, FSH, prolaktyna, estradiol, leptyna, IGF-I, hormon wzrostu, IGFBP-3, insulina, DHEAS, SHBG, testosteron. Poziom hormonów oceniano metodą RIA. W analizie statystycznej zastosowano testy Shapiro–Wilk, Manna–Whitneya oraz test korelacji rang Spearmana.Wyniki. Biorąc pod uwagę wszystkie badane kobiety (n=86) stwierdzono korelację poziomu leptyny z wiekiem (r=0.32; pAim. As the link between body fat and leptin is well known, the aim of the study was to seek for secondary regulators of plasma leptin level. Patients. 86 women (mean: age 47.0±14.3 years; estradiol 50.0±60.6 ng/l; FSH 52.4±42.9 IU/l; BMI 26.9±5.9) divided into three groups according to their BMI. Group A: 39 normal weight women (mean: age 44.4±16.0 years; estradiol 69.6±79.8 ng/l; FSH 50.4±47.7 IU/l; BMI 22.9±1.3). Group B: 27 overweighted women (mean: age 55.0±6.4 years; estradiol 25.1±17.2 ng/l; FSH 75.6±26.3 IU/l; BMI 27.7±1.6). Group C: 21 obese women with mean: age 48.7±12.2 years; estradiol 36.9±44.0 ng/l; FSH 42.3±36.6 IU/l and BMI 34.6±4.9. Methods. Standard clinical evaluation and hormone evaluation (LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol, leptin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), insulin, dihydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globin (SHBG) and testosterone were done in basic condition which levels of were measured by RIA kits. Statistical analysis. Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon u test, Spearman rank correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression: p values of 0.05 or less were considered as significant. Results. Taking all women into account (n=86) the plasma leptin level correlated directly with age (r=0.32;

Assessment of the ovarian reserve in a group of perimenopausal women

Wiarygodna ocena rezerwy jajnikowej nadal pozostaje wyzwaniem dla wielu klinicystów. Pomimo wielu możliwości diagnostycznych wciąż brakuje jednej wiarygodnej metody. Jest to o tyle istotne, że coraz większa grupa kobiet decyduje się na macierzyństwo w późniejszym wieku, tak że realizacja płodności może zachodzić w okresie już zmniejszającej się zdolności do reprodukcji. Problem dotyczy także kobiet stosujących przewlekle antykoncepcję, pacjentek z prawidłowym stężeniem hormonu folikulotropowego (follicle-stimulating hormone - FSH) w surowicy, z rzadkimi owulacjami lub całkowitym brakiem jajeczkowania, jak również tych w wieku rozrodczym z wysokim stężeniem FSH, niezależnie od obecności lub braku miesiączek, po ekspozycji na chemioterapię lub poddanych napromienieniu. Wraz z wiekiem kobiety pogorsza się bowiem jakość pęcherzyków jajnikowych oraz zmniejsza się ich liczba. Coraz częściej pytanie o rezerwę jajnikową, czyli czynnościowy potencjał jajnika, dotyczy liczby i jakości oocytów w jajnikach w aspekcie skuteczności technik wspomaganej reprodukcji. Względny hypoestrogenizm towarzyszący procesom starzenia się może mieć odległy wpływ na stan zdrowia. Poza zmniejszonymi zdolnościami reprodukcyjnymi, utrzymujące się małe stężenia estrogenów mogą zwiększać ryzyko chorób serca i osteoporozy. Mimo dostępności wielu metod biochemicznych i ultrasonograficznych, które przedstawiono w poniższej pracy, nie istnieje metoda zarówno prosta w wykonaniu, jak i wiarygodna. Idealną ocenę rezerwy jajnikowej stanowi odpowiedź jajnika na standardowy protokół stymulacji.Assessment of the ovarian reserve is all the time a challenge for many clinicians. Although there are many methods used in clinical practice, we still do not have one, simple and reliable method. This is particularly relevant in the present social climate, when increasing numbers of women are deferring childbearing. The decline in fecundity with the age of a woman is mainly attributed to the loss of follicles from the ovary and a decrease in oocyte quality. Evaluation of the aging status of the ovary in an individual woman has been hampered by the lack of knowledge with regard to the contribution of these two factors. Very often the ovarian reserve is the main factor influencing results of assisted reproductive techniques. IVF treatment is both expensive and stressful for patients. The expected chances of achieving a successful pregnancy are crucial in the decision as to whether an infertile couple should embark on IVF treatment. The ovarian reserve significantly influences IVF outcome. Hypoestrogenism connected with the aging can have future influence on the health status. Besides low potential of reproduction, low estrogen level may have bad correlations with cardiovascular diseases and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Although there are many diagnostic methods, we still do not have one, simple and reliable method. The ideal method will be the response of the ovary to the standard ovulation protoco

Mechanisms of opsonized HIV entry in normal B lymphocytes

AbstractUsing our in vitro model of normal B cell infection that functions with low doses of HIV but requires virus opsonization by seropositive patient serum, and complement, we analyzed what receptors allowed virus entry. Here, we show that HIV infection of B cells occurs through 2 major receptors: the CD4 antigen and the CR1/CR2 complex. These 2 pathways work independently since a complete inhibition of virus entry requires both CD4 and CD21/CD35 blockade on CD4dim tonsillar B cells whereas only the latter is critical on CD4-negative B cells