Optical Spectroscopy of X-Mega targets in the Carina Nebula - VI. FO 15: a new O-Type double-lined eclipsing binary

We report the discovery of a new O-type double-lined spectroscopic binary with a short orbital period of 1.4 days. We find the primary component of this binary, FO 15, to have an approximate spectral type O5.5Vz, i.e. a Zero-Age-Main-Sequence star. The secondary appears to be of spectral type O9.5V. We have performed a numerical model fit to the public ASAS photometry, which shows that FO 15 is also an eclipsing binary. We find an orbital inclination of ~ 80 deg. From a simultaneous light-curve and radial velocity solution we find the masses and radii of the two components to be 30 +/- 1 and 16 +/- 1 solar masses and 7.5 +/- 0.5 and 5.3 +/- 0.5 solar radii. These radii, and hence also the luminosities, are smaller than those of normal O-type stars, but similar to recently born ZAMS O-type stars. The absolute magnitudes derived from our analysis locate FO 15 at the same distance as Eta Carinae. From Chandra and XMM X-ray images we also find that there are two close X-ray sources, one coincident with FO 15 and another one without optical counterpart. This latter seems to be a highly variable source, presumably due to a pre-main-sequence stellar neighbour of FO 15.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Higher resolution version available at http://lilen.fcaglp.unlp.edu.ar/papers2006.htm

First constraints on the magnetic field strength in extra-Galactic stars: FORS2 observations of Of?p stars in the Magellanic Clouds

Massive O-type stars play a dominant role in our Universe, but many of their properties remain poorly constrained. In the last decade magnetic fields have been detected in all Galactic members of the distinctive Of?p class, opening the door to a better knowledge of all O-type stars. With the aim of extending the study of magnetic massive stars to nearby galaxies, to better understand the role of metallicity in the formation of their magnetic fields and magnetospheres, and to broaden our knowledge of the role of magnetic fields in massive star evolution, we have carried out spectropolarimetry of five extra-Galactic Of?p stars, as well as a couple of dozen neighbouring stars. We have been able to measure magnetic fields with typical error bars from 0.2 to 1.0 kG, depending on the apparent magnitude and on weather conditions. No magnetic field has been firmly detected in any of our measurements, but we have been able to estimate upper limits to the field values of our target stars. One of our targets, 2dFS 936, exhibited an unexpected strengthening of emission lines. We confirm the unusual behaviour of BI 57, which exhibits a 787 d period with two photometric peaks and one spectroscopic maximum. The observed strengthening of the emission lines of 2dFS 936, and the lack of detection of a strong magnetic field in a star with such strong emission lines is at odd with expectations. Together with the unusual periodic behaviour of BI 57, it represents a challenge for the current models of Of?p stars. The limited precision that we obtained in our field measurements (in most cases as a consequence of poor weather) has led to field-strength upper limits that are substantially larger than those typically measured in Galactic magnetic O stars. Further higher precision observations and monitoring are clearly required.Comment: Accepted by A&

Surface abundances of ON stars

Massive stars burn hydrogen through the CNO cycle during most of their evolution. When mixing is efficient, or when mass transfer in binary systems happens, chemically processed material is observed at the surface of O and B stars. ON stars show stronger lines of nitrogen than morphologically normal counterparts. Whether this corresponds to the presence of material processed through the CNO cycle or not is not known. Our goal is to answer this question. We perform a spectroscopic analysis of a sample of ON stars with atmosphere models. We determine the fundamental parameters as well as the He, C, N, and O surface abundances. We also measure the projected rotational velocities. We compare the properties of the ON stars to those of normal O stars. We show that ON stars are usually helium-rich. Their CNO surface abundances are fully consistent with predictions of nucleosynthesis. ON stars are more chemically evolved and rotate - on average - faster than normal O stars. Evolutionary models including rotation cannot account for the extreme enrichment observed among ON main sequence stars. Some ON stars are members of binary systems, but others are single stars as indicated by stable radial velocities. Hence, mass transfer is not a simple explanation for the observed chemical properties. We conclude that ON stars show extreme chemical enrichment at their surface, consistent with nucleosynthesis through the CNO cycle. Its origin is not clear at present.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures (+ appendix). A&A accepte

Spanning Properties of Theta-Theta Graphs

We study the spanning properties of Theta-Theta graphs. Similar in spirit with the Yao-Yao graphs, Theta-Theta graphs partition the space around each vertex into a set of k cones, for some fixed integer k > 1, and select at most one edge per cone. The difference is in the way edges are selected. Yao-Yao graphs select an edge of minimum length, whereas Theta-Theta graphs select an edge of minimum orthogonal projection onto the cone bisector. It has been established that the Yao-Yao graphs with parameter k = 6k' have spanning ratio 11.67, for k' >= 6. In this paper we establish a first spanning ratio of $7.82$ for Theta-Theta graphs, for the same values of $k$. We also extend the class of Theta-Theta spanners with parameter 6k', and establish a spanning ratio of $16.76$ for k' >= 5. We surmise that these stronger results are mainly due to a tighter analysis in this paper, rather than Theta-Theta being superior to Yao-Yao as a spanner. We also show that the spanning ratio of Theta-Theta graphs decreases to 4.64 as k' increases to 8. These are the first results on the spanning properties of Theta-Theta graphs.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures, 3 table

Improvement of the reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RTLAMP) method for the detection of Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd)

Peach latent mosaic viroid (PLMVd) is the most known peach viroid. Among the diagnostic techniques used for its detection, the most recent described being the reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (RT-LAMP). Several modifications were done on the basic protocol proposed by Boubourakas et al. (2009), additional experiments were preformed in order to further evaluate the method. Namely, the reaction time was further reduced and traces of leaf tissue, taken by a sterile toothpick, instead of tRNA were used as the intial material. Moreover, the AMV reverse transcriptase proved to be more effective than Thermoscript, while restriction enzyme analysis was performed on the RT-LAMP products in order to confirm that products had the respective sequences of the selected target. Finally, the extremely high efficiency and sensitivity of RT-LAMP proved to be sufficient for the detection of PLMVd in hosts other than peach. Keywords: PLMVd, RT-LAMP, peach, reverse transcriptase

Anticoagulation for the long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer

Background: Cancer increases the risk of thromboembolic events in patients including those receiving anticoagulation treatments. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and oral anticoagulants for the long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer. Search methods: We conducted a comprehensive search for studies of anticoagulation in cancer patients including 1. a February 2013 electronic search of: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL Issue 12, 2012), MEDLINE, and EMBASE; 2. a handsearch of conference proceedings; 3. checking of references of included studies; 4. use of the 'related citation' feature in PubMed; and 5. a search of clinicaltrials.gov for ongoing studies. Selection criteria: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing long-term treatment with LMWH versus oral anticoagulants (vitamin K antagonist (VKA) or ximelagatran) in patients with cancer and symptomatic objectively confirmed VTE. Data collection and analysis: Using a standardized data form, we extracted data on methodological quality, participants, interventions and outcomes of interest: survival, recurrent VTE, major bleeding, minor bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and postphlebitic syndrome. We assessed the quality of evidence at the outcome level following the GRADE approach. Main results: Of 9559 identified citations, 10 RCTs (11 reports) were eligible and reported data for 1981 patients with cancer. We excluded 14 studies in which patients with cancer constituted study subgroups, but did not report outcome data for them. Meta-analysis of seven RCTs comparing LMWH with VKA found no statistically significant survival benefit (hazard ratio (HR) 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.81 to 1.14) but a statistically significant reduction in VTE (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.71). The remaining findings did not exclude a beneficial or harmful effect of LMWH compared with VKA for the outcomes of major bleeding (RR 1.07; 95% CI 0.52 to 2.19), minor bleeding (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.51 to 1.55), or thrombocytopenia (RR 0.98; 95% CI 0.57 to 1.66). We judged the quality of evidence as low for mortality, major bleeding, and minor bleeding, and as moderate for recurrent VTE. One RCT comparing dabigatran with VKA did not exclude beneficial or harmful effects of one agent over the other. One RCT comparing six months' extension of anticoagulation with 18 months of ximelagatran 24 \u3bcg twice daily versus no extended ximelagatran did not exclude beneficial or harmful effects for the outcomes of reduction in VTE, mortality, and minor bleeding. One RCT comparing once-weekly subcutaneous injection of idraparinux for three or six months versus standard treatment (parenteral anticoagulation followed by warfarin or acenocoumarol) suggested a reduction in recurrent VTE (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.14 to 1.11) at six months, but did not exclude beneficial or harmful effects for the outcomes of mortality (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.66 to 1.48) and major bleeding (RR 1.04; 95% CI 0.39 to 2.83). Authors' conclusions: For the long-term treatment of VTE in patients with cancer, LMWH compared with VKA reduces venous thromboembolic events but not mortality. The decision for a patient with cancer and VTE to start long-term LMWH versus oral anticoagulation should balance the benefits and harms and integrate the patient's values and preferences for the important outcomes and alternative management strategies

Perspectivele tratamentului complex al hepatitei cronice virale cu utilizarea imunomodulatorului polioxidoniu

Conferinţa naţională în medicina internă din Republica Moldova cu participare internaţională, 19-20 mai 2011, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaSummary. Clinical and immunological effectiveness of the immunomodulator Polioxidoniu in the complex treatment of chronic viral hepatitis was determined; it has been manifested by decreasing of clinical manifestations, optimization of laboratory indices of hepatic syndromes, by improving of functional activity of T and B lymphocytes and T-helper subpopulation.Actualitate. Reechilibrarea disfuncţiilor imune prin intermediul preparatelor imunotrope a devenit o preocupare în terapia complexă a maladiilor hepatobiliare, cu evaluarea eficacităţii remediului farmaceutic polioxidoniu cu un distins potenţial imunomodulator, cu acţiune detoxifiantă, antioxidantă şi membranostabilizantă. Scopul lucrării: evaluarea eficacităţii clinicoparaclinice a tratamentului complex cu polioxidoniu la bolnavii cu hepatită cronică virală. Material şi metode. Au fost evaluaţi 28 de bolnavi cu hepatită cronică virală prin examenele clinic şi de laborator, cu cercetarea statusului funcţional al ficatului, prin investigaţii imunologice, markerii hepatitei virale. 16 pacienţi (lotul de bază) au fost supuşi tratamentului standard cu asocierea polioxidoniului 6 mg 2 ml i/m peste o zi nr. 5; 12 bolnavi (lotul-martor) au urmat tratamentul de bază.Rezultate. În cazul tratamentului complex cu polioxidoniu au fost înregistrate diminuarea manifestărilor sindromului dispeptic, o tendinţă de descreştere a ALT, AST, LDH în raport cu lotulmartor (p>0,05), valori mai reduse ale bilirubinei totale (12,65±0,86 μmol/l), ale fracţiunii ei conjugate (3,21±0,41 μmol/l), ale colesterolului (4,15±0,25 mmol/l), ale activităţii fosfatazei alcaline (83,06±5,06 UI/l), GGTP (28,39±2,59 UI/l) şi ale nivelului de trigliceride (1,11±0,15/l). Eficacitatea răspunsului curativ al imunităţii umorale la bolnavii din cele două loturi clinice s-a manifestat prin scăderea concentraţiei limfocitelor, celulelor B, prin creşterea indicelui leuco- B-limfocitar (p>0,05). Concluzii. Eficacitatea clinico-paraclinică a imunomodulatorului polioxidoniu s-a vădit prin diminuarea manifestărilor clinice, a activităţii funcţionale a limfocitelor T şi B, a subpopulaţiei T-helper, prin optimizarea indicilor sindroamelor hepatice de laborator, graţie proprietăţilor lui antitoxice, membranostabilizante, antioxidante şi imunomodulatoare, fiind un remediu eficient în tratamentul complex al bolnavilor cu hepatită cronică virală

Clinical Processes - The Killer Application for Constraint-Based Process Interactions?

For more than a decade, the interest in aligning information systems in a process-oriented way has been increasing. To enable operational support for business processes, the latter are usually specified in an imperative way. The resulting process models, however, tend to be too rigid to meet the flexibility demands of the actors involved. Declarative process modeling languages, in turn, provide a promising alternative in scenarios in which a high level of flexibility is demanded. In the scientific literature, declarative languages have been used for modeling rather simple processes or synthetic examples. However, to the best of our knowledge, they have not been used to model complex, real-world scenarios that comprise constraints going beyond control-flow. In this paper, we propose the use of a declarative language for modeling a sophisticated healthcare process scenario from the real world. The scenario is subject to complex temporal constraints and entails the need for coordinating the constraint-based interactions among the processes related to a patient treatment process. As demonstrated in this work, the selected real process scenario can be suitably modeled through a declarative approach.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2016-76956-C3-2-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2015-71938-RED

Importanţa imunocorectorului BioR în tratamentul ulcerului duodenal la pacienţii vârstnici

Conferinţa naţională în medicina internă din Republica Moldova cu participare internaţională, 19-20 mai 2011, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaSummary. The combination of immunocorrector BioR with standard antiulcer scheme helped for earlier disappearing of pain and dyspeptic syndromes, shrinking of the terms of scarring of ulcerous defect, in increasing the level T-helpers and T-suppressors, and production of Ig M, G and В lymphocytes.Actualitatea temei. În ulcerul duodenal (UD) la pacienţii vârstnici se implică multe niveluri ale homeostazei, inclusiv sistemul imun, se stabileşte un proces cronic imun, manifestat prin implicarea verigilor celulare şi umorale ale sistemului imun, fapt ce necesită studierea ulterioară şi sistematizarea pentru crearea metodelor eficiente şi ştiinţific justificate de tratament. BioR este un imunocorector şi un stabilizator de membrane celulare, care are o acţiune antioxidantă, este un produs al Spirulinei platensis. Scopul lucrării: studiul comparativ al eficacităţii clinice a imunocorectorului BioR în tratamentul complex al ulcerului duodenal la pacienţii vârstnici. Material şi metode. Au fost investigaţi 50 de pacienţi vârstnici. Lotul I (25 pacienţi) – cu tratament standard antiulceros, la care s-a asociat BioR 0,5%- 1,0 (5,0 mg) ml i/m pe zi, timp de 10 zile. Lotul II (25 pacienţi) – cu tratament standard. Rezultate. La pacienţii lotului I media termenelor de suprimare a sindromului algic a constituit 10,4±0,3 zile (р<0,001); gradul mediu de gravitate (GMG) a sindromului dolor până şi după tratament a constituit 1,99 şi 0,91, cicatrizarea defectului ulceros peste 14 zile s-a constatat în 96% cazuri, peste 21 zile – 100% cazuri, s-a evidenţiat creşterea nivelului СD3, СD8, СD4, Ig M, G, B-limfocitelor. În lotul II media termenelor de suprimare a sindromului algic a fost de 15,5±0,6 zile (р<0,001); GMG până şi după tratament a constituit 1,97 şi 1,21; cicatrizarea defectului ulceros peste 14 zile s-a constatat în 88%, peste 21 de zile cicatrizarea completă nu a fost atestată la 1 (4%) pacient; modificări statistic veridice ale indicilor imunităţii celulare şi celei umorale nu au fost observate, cu toate că a existat o tendinţă de ameliorare a acestora. Concluzii. Administrarea imunocorectorului BioR în asociere cu terapia standard pacienţilor vârstnici cu UD contribuie la ameliorarea în termene mai reduse a sindromului dolor, la cicatrizarea mai rapidă a defectului ulceros, la diminuarea intensităţii reacţiilor imunopatologice celulare şi umorale, ceea ce argumentează asocierea remediului dat la tratamentul de bază al pacienţilor vârstnici cu UD

Эффективность озонотерапии в сочетании со стабильной стенокардией путем оценки велоэргометрических проб у пожилых больных

Discipline Occupational Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine No 6, Nicolae Testemitanu State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Congresul III al Medicilor de Familie din Republica Moldova 17–18 mai, 2012, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaThe aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerance of ozone therapy with bicycle stress test in patients of older age groups with coronary artery disease and stable angina. The study included 36 patients with ischemic disease, including 20 men and 16 women, between the ages of 61-70 (mean 64.6 ± 4.8 years). It was proven that the use of ozone therapy in treatment of patients with coronary artery disease could improve the standard antianginal therapy, which manifests an increase in exercise tolerance, decreasing the frequency of anginal attacks, and, as a consequence, decreasing the number of nitroglycerin tablets taken. Была исследована клиническая эффективность комплексного лечения озоном у пациентов со стабильной стенокардией старших возрастных групп. В исследование было включено 36 больных с ишемической болезнью сердца, включая 20 мужчин и 16 женщин, в возрасте 61-70 лет (в среднем 64,6 ± 4,8 года). Было доказано, что использование озонотерапии в лечении пациентов с ишемической болезнью сердца улучшило стандартную терапию, которая проявлялась уменьшением частоты болевых приступов стенокардии и, как следствие, уменьшением приема таблеток нитроглицерина