Use of inflammatory molecules to predict the occurrence of fever in onco-hematological patients with neutropenia

Febrile neutropenia remains a frequent complication in onco-hematological patients, and changes in the circulating level of inflammatory molecules (IM) may precede the occurrence of fever. The present observational prospective study was carried out to evaluate the behavior of plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), soluble TNF-α I and II receptors (sTNFRI and sTNFRII), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1 or chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)], macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α or CCL3), eotaxin (CCL11), interleukin-8 (IL-8 or CXCL8), and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10 or CXCL10) in 32 episodes of neutropenia in 26 onco-hematological patients. IM were tested on enrollment and 24-48 h before the onset of fever and within 24 h of the first occurrence of fever. Eight of 32 episodes of neutropenia did not present fever (control group) and the patients underwent IM tests on three different occasions. sTNFRI levels, measured a median of 11 h (1-15) before the onset of fever, were significantly higher in patients presenting fever during follow-up compared to controls (P = 0.02). Similar results were observed for sTNFRI and CCL2 levels (P = 0.04 for both) in non-transplanted patients. A cut-off of 1514 pg/mL for sTNFRI was able to discriminate between neutropenic patients with or without fever during follow-up, with 65% sensitivity, 87% specificity, and 93% positive predictive value. Measurement of the levels of plasma sTNFRI can be used to predict the occurrence of fever in neutropenic patients

Commissioning Of The Lnls 2 T Hybrid Wiggler

We present the results of the commissioning of a 28-pole 2 T Hybrid Wiggler at the electron storage ring of the Brazilian Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (LNLS). The wiggler will be used mainly for protein crystallography and was optimized for the production of 12 keV photons. We describe the effects of the insertion device on the storage ring lattice, such as the correction of the linear tune-shift perturbations produced by the wiggler as well as on the reduction of beam lifetime at full energy. Since the injection at the LNLS storage ring is performed at 500 MeV we also focus on the effects of non-linearities and their impact on injection efficiency. © 2005 IEEE.200510721074(2003), L. Liu and P. F. Tavares, A Hybrid Multipolar Wiggler for Protein Crystallography at the LNLS Synchrotron Light Source, LNLS, MeT 01/2003Ferreira, M.J., Design, Construction and Commissioning of a NEG Coated Wiggler Vacuum Chamber for the LNLS Storage Ring These proceedingsFerreira, M.J., Design, Development, Construction and Installation of a Ceramic Chamber for a Pulsed Kicker at the LNLS Storage Ring These Proceeding