Measurement of Th-232(n,5n gamma) cross sections from 29 to 42 MeV

The excitation function of the reaction Th-232(n,5n gamma)Th-228 from 29 to 42 MeV has been measured for the first time at the quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam of the UCL cyclotron CYCLONE employing the Li-7(p,n) source reaction. Taking advantage of the good energy resolution of the planar High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors, prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to detect the gamma rays resulting from the decay of excited states of nuclei created by the (n,xn) reactions. The neutron beam was characterized by a combination of time of flight measurements carried out using a liquid scintillation detector and a U-238 fission ionization chamber and fluence measurements carried Out using a proton recoil telescope. The preliminary results are compared with calculations performed using the TALYS-0.72 code.International Conference on Nuclear Data for Science and Technology, Proceedings, Apr 22-27, 2007, Nice, Franc

Interstitial cystitis: a rare manifestation of primary Sjögren’s syndrome, successfully treated with low dose cyclosporine

Chronic interstitial cystitis (IC), mostly affecting middle-aged women, is a very rare manifestation of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Hereby, we report a 42-year-old woman with pSS, presenting with dysuria, urinary frequency, and suprapubic pain. She was diagnosed to have chronic IC, based upon the cystoscopic biopsy finding of chronic inflammation in the bladder wall. Systemic corticosteroid and azathioprine treatments together with local intravesical therapies were not effective. Therefore, cyclosporine (CSA) therapy was initiated. Initial low dose of CSA (1.5 mg/kg/d) improved the symptoms of the patient, with no requirement for dose increment. After 4 months of therapy, control cystoscopic biopsy showed that bladder inflammation regressed and IC improved. This case suggests that even low doses of CSA may be beneficial for treating chronic IC associated with pSS syndrome

Pathogenesis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis

The severity of renal involvement is the major factor determining the long-term outcome of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) nephritis (HSPN). Approximately 40% children with HSP develop nephritis, usually within 4 to 6 weeks after the initial onset of the typical purpuric rashes. Although the pathogenetic mechanisms are still not fully delineated, several studies suggest that galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) is recognized by anti-glycan antibodies, leading to the formation of the circulating immune complexes and their mesangial deposition that induce renal injury in HSPN