Phase Diagram of Pressure-Induced Superconductivity in EuFe2As2 Probed by High-Pressure Resistivity up to 3.2 GPa

We have constructed a pressure$-$temperature ($P-T$) phase diagram of $P$-induced superconductivity in EuFe$_2$As$_2$ single crystals, via resistivity ($\rho$) measurements up to 3.2 GPa. As hydrostatic pressure is applied, an antiferromagnetic (AF) transition attributed to the FeAs layers at $T_\mathrm{0}$ shifts to lower temperatures, and the corresponding resistive anomaly becomes undetectable for $P$ $\ge$ 2.5 GPa. This suggests that the critical pressure $P_\mathrm{c}$ where $T_\mathrm{0}$ becomes zero is about 2.5 GPa. We have found that the AF order of the Eu$^{2+}$ moments survives up to 3.2 GPa without significant changes in the AF ordering temperature $T_\mathrm{N}$. The superconducting (SC) ground state with a sharp transition to zero resistivity at $T_\mathrm{c}$ $\sim$ 30 K, indicative of bulk superconductivity, emerges in a pressure range from $P_\mathrm{c}$ $\sim$ 2.5 GPa to $\sim$ 3.0 GPa. At pressures close to but outside the SC phase, the $\rho(T)$ curve shows a partial SC transition (i.e., zero resistivity is not attained) followed by a reentrant-like hump at approximately $T_\mathrm{N}$ with decreasing temperature. When nonhydrostatic pressure with a uniaxial-like strain component is applied using a solid pressure medium, the partial superconductivity is continuously observed in a wide pressure range from 1.1 GPa to 3.2 GPa.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review B, selected as "Editors' Suggestion

Pressure-Induced Antiferromagnetic Bulk Superconductor EuFe2_2As2_2

We present the magnetic and superconducting phase diagram of EuFe$_2$As$_2$ for $B \parallel c$ and $B \parallel ab$. The antiferromagnetic phase of the Eu$^{2+}$ moments is completely enclosed in the superconducting phase. The upper critical field vs. temperature curves exhibit strong concave curvatures, which can be explained by the Jaccarino-Peter compensation effect due to the antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the Eu$^{2+}$ moments and conduction electrons.Comment: submitted to the proceedings of the M2S-IX Toky

Rationale and design of assessment of lipophilic vs. hydrophilic statin therapy in acute myocardial infarction (the ALPS-AMI) study

SummaryBackgroundStatins reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although all statins are equally effective in secondary prevention, there might be certain differences in the effects of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins. Therefore, our aim is to compare the effectiveness of lipophilic atorvastatin and hydrophilic pravastatin in secondary prevention after AMI.Methods and resultsThis study is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter study of 500 patients with AMI. Patients that have undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention will be randomly allocated to receive either atorvastatin or pravastatin with the treatment goal of lowering their low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level below 100mg/dl for 2 years. The primary endpoint will be death due to any cause, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, unstable angina, or congestive heart failure requiring hospital admission, or any type of coronary revascularization.ConclusionThis is the first multicenter trial to compare the effects and safety of lipophilic and hydrophilic statin therapy in Japanese patients with AMI. It addresses an important issue and could influence the use of statin treatment in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease

Catheter ablation of non-inducible atrial tachycardia after surgical repair of heart disease

We present a patient with non-inducible atrial tachycardia (AT) after atriotomy for surgical repair of heart disease who underwent ablation successfully. Using a 3-D mapping system, we presumed the atriotomy site on the lateral right atrial wall by searching for linear double potentials (DP) during sinus/paced rhythm from the coronary sinus, but it was evaluated incompletely. We could verify the edges of the atriotomy scar precisely by pacing from close to the linear DP lesion and the opposite site. After ablation between the presumed atriotomy scar and the inferior vena cava and cavotricuspid isthmus, no AT recurred without anti-arrhythmic drugs.ArticleHEART AND VESSELS. 27(1):114-118 (2012)journal articl

Perception of SUS users: expectation and satisfaction of care in the Family Health Strategy

OBJETIVO: este trabalho buscou analisar as percepções quanto à satisfação e expectativas dos usuários dos serviços de saúde de um território atendido pela Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF), do município de Bauru, Estado de São Paulo, e assim, promover um direcionamento no acolhimento e atenção dada aos indivíduos ali atendidos. MÉTODO: trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa que utilizou a análise do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Fizeram parte da pesquisa 10 usuários da ESF selecionados por meio de amostragem oportunista. Foi utilizado um questionário semi-estruturado e as entrevistas foram gravadas em áudio para posterior análise do discurso. A referida pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP) da FOB/USP bem como pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, sob protocolo numero 167/2009.Para aprovação neste CEP, a pesquisa contou com o cadastro no Conselho Nacional de Saúde (CONEP), via Sistema Nacional de Ética em Pesquisa (SISNEP) RESULTADOS: verificou-se com os resultados obtidos que os usuários estão satisfeitos com o atendimento recebido. Além disso, notou-se a presença da participação popular quanto à divisão de responsabilidades no cuidado à saúde. No entanto, apresentaram queixas quanto à lentidão no referenciamento para a média e a alta complexidade. CONCLUSÃO: a Fonoaudiologia concentra parte das suas atividades na média e alta complexidade, níveis citados como insatisfação do usuário. Assim sendo, sugere-se o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa em locais cuja atuação fonoaudiológica esteja presente

Study protocol of the SACURA trial: a randomized phase III trial of efficacy and safety of UFT as adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer is internationally accepted as standard treatment with established efficacy, but the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colon cancer remains controversial. The major Western guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for “high-risk stage II” cancer, but this is not clearly defined and the efficacy has not been confirmed. METHODS/DESIGN: SACURA trial is a multicenter randomized phase III study which aims to evaluate the superiority of 1-year adjuvant treatment with UFT to observation without any adjuvant treatment after surgery for stage II colon cancer in a large population, and to identify “high-risk factors of recurrence/death” in stage II colon cancer and predictors of efficacy and adverse events of the chemotherapy. Patients aged between 20 and 80 years with curatively resected stage II colon cancer are randomly assigned to a observation group or UFT adjuvant therapy group (UFT at 500–600 mg/day as tegafur in 2 divided doses after meals for 5 days, followed by 2-day rest. This 1-week treatment cycle is repeated for 1 year). The patients are followed up for 5 years until recurrence or death. Treatment delivery and adverse events are entered into a web-based case report form system every 3 months. The target sample size is 2,000 patients. The primary endpoint is disease-free survival, and the secondary endpoints are overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and incidence and severity of adverse events. In an additional translational study, the mRNA expression of 5-FU-related enzymes, microsatellite instability and chromosomal instability, and histopathological factors including tumor budding are assessed to evaluate correlation with recurrences, survivals and adverse events. DISCUSSION: A total of 2,024 patients were enrolled from October 2006 to July 2010. The results of this study will provide important information that help to improve the therapeutic strategy for stage II colon cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00392899