Sample positioning in neutron diffraction experiments using a multi-material fiducial marker

An alternative sample positioning method is reported for use in conjunction with sample positioning and experiment planning software systems deployed on some neutron diffraction strain scanners. In this approach, the spherical fiducial markers and location trackers used with optical metrology hardware are replaced with a specifically designed multi-material fiducial marker that requires one diffraction measurement. In a blind setting, the marker position can be determined within an accuracy of ±164 µm with respect to the instrument gauge volume. The scheme is based on a pre-determined relationship that links the diffracted peak intensity to the absolute positioning of the fiducial marker with respect to the instrument gauge volume. Two methods for establishing the linking relationship are presented, respectively based on fitting multi-dimensional quadratic functions and a cross-correlation artificial neural network

Additional considerations for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition worldwide. It is characterised by numerous upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms, but patients mainly present with heartburn and regurgitation. Various causes have been linked to the pathophysiology of GORD. Some of them are well known, while others are less frequently implicated. Oesophageal inflammation is the result of the inadequately managed suppression of gastric acid caused by the retrograde flow from the stomach through the lower oesophageal sphincter, which may result in complications, including stricture formation, Barrett’s oesophagus, erosive oesophagitis and adenocarcinoma. The incidence per region and country varies significantly, and is dependent on the population demographics. GORD is responsible for an impaired general health score in affected individuals, and has a negative impact on economic productivity in society. Treatment may range from unscheduled self-medication to complicated laparoscopic surgery. This article describes some of the associated factors, revised definitions and the role of surgery in the management of GORD.Keywords: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, glucocorticoid, GORD, Helicobacter pylori, obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, quality of lif

Evidence that changes the way you practise: the pharmacological management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is defined as a chronic symptom-based disease that affects the upper gastrointestinal tract, resulting in mucosal damage caused by the retrograde flow of gastric acid from the stomach through an incompetent cardiac sphincter into the lower oesophagus. Typically, symptoms include dyspepsia, epigastric pain, heartburn, belching, bloating, nausea, early satiation and postprandial fullness. Several risk factors have been identified, which mainly include alcohol (15%), aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (25%), corticosteroids, obesity and pregnancy (10%), hiatal hernias (60-80%), hypercalcaemia, Helicobacter pylori infection (40-90%) and hypersecretory states (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). Complications of GORD include non-oesophageal reflux disease, erosive oesophagitis, Barrett’s oesophagus and adenocarcinoma. A study in the USA showed that GORD was responsible for the greatest direct cost of any gastrointestinal disease, and most of that expenditure was on pharmacotherapy. The pharmacological management of GORD will be the focus of this article.Keywords: gastro-oeosophageal reflux disease, gastric secretion, dyspepsia, proton-pump inhibitor, histamine-2-receptor antagonist

The pharmacological management of erectile dysfunction

The inability to attain or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual intercourse is a common problem experienced by a third of men over the age of 40 years. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a debilitating disease which can have profound psychological effects on personal relationships and the social well-being of the affected individual. The diagnosis and evaluation of sexual dysfunction has been well described, and several validated algorithms are available to quantify the classification and severity. The International Index of Erectile Function and the Sexual Health Inventory for Men questionnaires are commonly used in the initial assessment of ED. Several risk factors have been linked to the pathophysiology of ED. Endothelial damage has been the focus of many recent studies. An evaluation of cardiovascular status, in addition to the administration of questionnaires to men with ED, might reduce mortality and improve sexual quality of life.Keywords: cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, prostaglandin, testosteron

A personalised medicine approach for ponatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is characterised by the presence of a fusion driver oncogene, BCR-ABL1, which is a constitutive tyrosine kinase. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the central treatment strategy for CML patients and have significantly improved survival rates, but the T315I mutation in the kinase domain of BCR-ABL1 confers resistance to all clinically approved TKIs, except ponatinib. However, compound mutations can mediate resistance even to ponatinib and remain a clinical challenge in CML therapy. Here, we investigated a ponatinib-resistant CML patient through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to identify the cause of resistance and to find alternative therapeutic targets. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out WGS on a ponatinib-resistant CML patient and demonstrated an effective combination therapy against the primary CML cells derived from this patient in vitro. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrate the emergence of compound mutations in the BCR-ABL1 kinase domain following ponatinib treatment, and chromosomal structural variation data predicted amplification of BCL2. The primary CD34(+) CML cells from this patient showed increased sensitivity to the combination of ponatinib and ABT-263, a BCL2 inhibitor with a negligible effect against the normal CD34(+) cells. CONCLUSION: Our results show the potential of personalised medicine approaches in TKI-resistant CML patients and provide a strategy that could improve clinical outcomes for these patients

Triadimef on, a Systemic Fungicide Against U ncinula N ecator (Oidium) on Wine Grapes: Disease Control, Residues and Effect on Fermentation and Wine Quality

The efficacy of the systemic fungicide triadimefon (l-(4-chlorophenoxy)-3,3-dimethyl-l(lH-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanone as a wettable powder spray was evaluated against oldium in field trials. At a high level of infection (86,2% infection), treatment of the grapes with vine sulphur was inadequate (65% infection), while the triadimefon treatment controlled the disease excellently (10,5% infection). Residues recovered from grapes were low, in the order of 0,245 mg/kg on grapes harvested immediately after the final application of the fungicide. Addition of 200 mg triadimefon (active ingredient)/ f, to grape juice had no significant effect on either onset or rate of fermentation. Fermentation of must from triadimefon-treated grapes was also similar to that of must from untreated grapes, and no effect on wine quality could be observed

Effect of theophylline-ethylenediamine in Cheyne-Stokes respiration

Localisation of the respiratory centre:- The respiratory centre, which is constituted by the integration of many neurons, has been localised . in e relatively extensive area between the upper border of the pons and the lower third or so of the medulla oblongata. It has been demonstrated by V. E. Henderson and Craigie, by Gesell, Bricker and Magee that these neurons are scattered at different levels through the formatio reticularis of the se parts of the brain stern. The centre is bilateral and each half contains inspiratory and expiratory components that control muscles of inspiration and expiration respectively.The nervous structures controlling respiration has been localised by Markwald. The fact that powerful and prolonged tonic inspiratory movements supervened after bilateral section of the vagus nerves and division of the brain stem immediately behind the posterior colliculi, made him conclude that a centre inhibitory to respiration was located in the posterior colliculi.Tine vagi however also has an inhibitory action, consequently these inspiratory movements, or "cramps", as he termed them, appeared only after their influence had been abolished as well. In recent years Lumsden found that prolonged inspiratory movements occurred only if the section passed through the pons e few millimetres behind its anterior border, and occurred whether the vági were divided or not, and . that these respiratory movements were dependent upon an apneustic or inspiratory centre situated at the level of the striae accousticae, which was dominated normally by an inhibitory or pneumotoxic centre situated 'i.n the upper part of the pons. On account of the inhibitory influence of the latter, the apneustic n-ovements were transformed into the rhythmical movements characteristic of normal respiration, as shown by the fact that rythmic action currents are registered by leads from the medulla. Section of the brain stem behind the atriae accousticae brought about a series of gasps occurring at relatively long intervals

The Possibilities of applying present-day Knowledge of Wine Aroma Components: Influence of several Juice Factors on Fermentation rate and Ester Production during Fermentation

The influence of several juice factors on fermentation and ester production was investigated to achieve a more satisfactory reproducibility of wine aroma composition. The contents of two acetates and three ethyl esters in the winewere used as the main analytical criteria. The factors which exerted the most marked influence on ester composition and fermentation were grape maturity, sugar content, fermentation temperature, and jutc'e>cfarity. The cuitivars examined exerted no noticeable differences