Myxoid fibroblastic tumor of the maxillary sinus in a 21-month-old child: An unusual diagnosis.

Myxoid tumors of the soft tissue are a heterogeneous group of lesions with significant differences in behavior, from being totally harmless to malignant tumors with metastasizing potential. We describe the unusual case of a 21-month-old boy who developed a paranasal low-grade myxoid neoplasm with recurrent potential. The histological findings showed a proliferation of spindle cells within a vascular and myxoid background. The immunohistochemistry had the features of myofibroblasts and fibroblasts with strong Vimentin and light Smooth Muscle Actin reactivity. Close collaboration between clinician and pathologist is necessary to deal with these unusual lesions to predict their local aggressiveness and long-term behavior. Most of these cellular myxomas have been described in adults, involving primarily the limbs, but this case shows that any localization is possible

Distinguishing among Scalar Field Models of Dark Energy

We show that various scalar field models of dark energy predict degenerate luminosity distance history of the Universe and thus cannot be distinguished by supernovae measurements alone. In particular, models with a vanishing cosmological constant (the value of the potential at its minimum) are degenerate with models with a positive or negative cosmological constant whose magnitude can be as large as the critical density. Adding information from CMB anisotropy measurements does reduce the degeneracy somewhat but not significantly. Our results indicate that a theoretical prior on the preferred form of the potential and the field's initial conditions may allow to quantitatively estimate model parameters from data. Without such a theoretical prior only limited qualitative information on the form and parameters of the potential can be extracted even from very accurate data.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Vector field as a quintessence partner

We derive generic equations for a vector field driving the evolution of flat homogeneous isotropic universe and give a comparison with a scalar filed dynamics in the cosmology. Two exact solutions are shown as examples, which can serve to describe an inflation and a slow falling down of dynamical ``cosmological constant'' like it is given by the scalar quintessence. An attractive feature of vector field description is a generation of ``induced mass'' proportional to a Hubble constant, which results in a dynamical suppression of actual cosmological constant during the evolution.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX file, iopart class, discussion extended, reference adde

Interacting Ghost Dark Energy in Non-Flat Universe

A new dark energy model called "ghost dark energy" was recently suggested to explain the observed accelerating expansion of the universe. This model originates from the Veneziano ghost of QCD. The dark energy density is proportional to Hubble parameter, $\rho_D=\alpha H$, where $\alpha$ is a constant of order $\Lambda_{\rm QCD}^3$ and $\Lambda_{\rm QCD}\sim 100 MeV$ is QCD mass scale. In this paper, we extend the ghost dark energy model to the universe with spatial curvature in the presence of interaction between dark matter and dark energy. We study cosmological implications of this model in detail. In the absence of interaction the equation of state parameter of ghost dark energy is always $w_D > -1$ and mimics a cosmological constant in the late time, while it is possible to have $w_D < -1$ provided the interaction is taken into account. When $k = 0$, all previous results of ghost dark energy in flat universe are recovered. To check the observational consistency, we use Supernova type Ia (SNIa) Gold sample, shift parameter of Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMB) and the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillation peak from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The best fit values of free parameter at $1\sigma$ confidence interval are: $\Omega_m^0= 0.35^{+0.02}_{-0.03}$, $\Omega_D^0=0.75_{-0.04}^{+0.01}$ and $b^2=0.08^{+0.03}_{-0.03}$. Consequently the total energy density of universe at present time in this model at 68% level equates to $\Omega_{\rm tot}^0=1.10^{+0.02}_{-0.05}$.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures. V2: Added comments, observational consequences, references, figures and major corrections. Accepted for publication in General Relativity and Gravitatio

How do parents of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) perceive their therapies?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies are commonly used by pediatric patients with chronic medical conditions. Little is known about parents' perceptions of these therapies. This study describes the views of parents of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) regarding conventional and CAM therapies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Parents of children with JIA seen at a pediatric rheumatology clinic were surveyed between June 1 and July 31, 2007. Questionnaires asked about patients' use of over 75 therapies in the past 30 days, their perceived helpfulness (0 = not helpful; 3 = very helpful), perceived side effects (0 = none; 3 = severe), and whether each therapy would be recommended to other patients with JIA (Yes, No, Not sure).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Questionnaires were returned by 52/76 (68%) parents; patients' average age was 10.9 years and 87% were Caucasian. Medications were used by 45 (88%) patients; heat (67%) and extra rest (54%) were also commonly used. CAM therapies were used by 48 (92%), e.g., massage (54%), vitamins and other supplements (54%), avoiding foods that worsened pain (35%) and stress management techniques (33%). Among the therapies rated by 3 or more parents, those that scored 2.5 or higher on helpfulness were: biologic medications, methotrexate, naproxen, wheelchairs, orthotics, heat, vitamins C and D, music, support groups and prayer. CAM therapies had 0 median side effects and parents would recommend many of them to other families.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>JIA patients use diverse therapies. Parents report that many CAM therapies are helpful and would recommend them to other parents. These data can be used in counseling patients and guiding future research.</p

Mechanical Properties of Dual-Cured Resin Luting Agents for Ceramic Restoration

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical properties including surface hardness, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of two dual-cured resin luting agents (New Resin Cement [NRC] and Variolink II [VLII]) irradiated through four different thickness of leucite ceramics (0, 1, 2, and 3 mm) and their shear bond strength to zirconia ceramic (Cercon) using each ceramic primer. Materials and Methods: Knoop hardness was measured on a thin layer of resin luting agent on the ceramic surface. Three-point bending tests were performed after 24 h storage at 37°C. Two different-shaped zirconia ceramic specimens with or without sandblasting with alumina were treated with each primer. The specimens were then cemented together with each resin luting agent. Half of the specimens were stored in water at 37°C for 24 h and the other half were thermocycled 5,000 times. Results: VLII revealed statistically higher Knoop hardness and flexural modulus than NRC for each thickness of ceramic. No significant differences in flexural strength were observed between VLII and NRC for each ceramic spacer. Reduction of the mechanical properties with increase of ceramic thickness varied for each property. However, these properties were similar between the two materials. Blasting with alumina was significantly effective for increasing shear bond strength of both resin luting agents before and after thermal cycling. The use of New Ceramic Primer showed the highest shear bond strength and maintained bond durability after 5,000 thermocycles. Conclusion: Mechanical properties of NRC dual-cured resin luting agent appear adequate for ceramic restorations.This is an electronic version of an Article published in Journal of Prosthodontics 16(5): 370-376, 2007

The CMB power spectrum out to l=1400 measured by the VSA

We have observed the cosmic microwave background (CMB) in three regions of sky using the Very Small Array (VSA) in an extended configuration with antennas of beamwidth 2 degrees at 34 GHz. Combined with data from previous VSA observations using a more compact array with larger beamwidth, we measure the power spectrum of the primordial CMB anisotropies between angular multipoles l = 160 - 1400. Such measurements at high l are vital for breaking degeneracies in parameter estimation from the CMB power spectrum and other cosmological data. The power spectrum clearly resolves the first three acoustic peaks, shows the expected fall off in power at high l and starts to constrain the position and height of a fourth peak.Comment: 6 pages with 5 figures, MNRAS in press (minor corrections

Change in basic motor abilities, quality of movement and everyday activities following intensive, goal-directed, activity-focused physiotherapy in a group setting for children with cerebral palsy

Background: The effects of intensive training for children with cerebral palsy (CP) remain uncertain. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact on motor function, quality of movements and everyday activities of three hours of goal-directed activity-focused physiotherapy in a group setting, five days a week for a period of three weeks. Methods: A repeated measures design was applied with three baseline and two follow up assessments; immediately and three weeks after intervention. Twenty-two children with hemiplegia (n = 7), diplegia (n = 11), quadriplegia (n = 2) and ataxia (n = 2) participated, age ranging 3-9 y. All levels of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were represented. Parents and professionals participated in goal setting and training. ANOVA was used to analyse change over repeated measures. Results: A main effect of time was shown in the primary outcome measure; Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM- 66), mean change being 4.5 (p < 0.01) from last baseline to last follow up assessment. An interaction between time and GMFCS-levels was found, implying that children classified to GMFCS-levels I-II improved more than children classified to levels III-V. There were no main or interaction effects of age or anti-spastic medication. Change scores in the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) ranged 2.0-6.7, p < 0.01 in the Self-care domain of the Functional Skills dimension, and the Self-care and Mobility domains of the Caregiver Assistance dimension. The children's individual goals were on average attained, Mean Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) T-score being 51.3. Non-significant improved scores on the Gross Motor Performance Measure (GMPM) and the Quality of Upper Extremities Skills Test (QUEST) were demonstrated. Significant improvement in GMPM scores were found in improved items of the GMFM, not in items that maintained the same score. Conclusions: Basic motor abilities and self-care improved in young children with CP after goal-directed activityfocused physiotherapy with involvement of their local environment, and their need for caregiver assistance in self-care and mobility decreased. The individualized training within a group context during a limited period of time was feasible and well-tolerated. The coherence between acquisition of basic motor abilities and quality of movement should be further examined

The effect of osteoprotegerin administration on the intra-tibial growth of the osteoblastic LuCaP 23.1 prostate cancer xenograft

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) plays a central role in controlling bone resorption. Exogenous administration of OPG has been shown to be effective in preventing osteolysis and limiting the growth of osteolytic metastasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of OPG on osteoblastic prostate cancer (CaP) metastases in an animal model. LuCaP 23.1 cells were injected intra-tibially and Fc-OPG (6.0 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously three times a week starting either 24 hours prior to cell injection (prevention regimen) or at 4 weeks post-injection (treatment regimen). Changes in bone mineral density at the tumor site were determined by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Tumor growth was monitored by evaluating serum prostate specific antigen (PSA). Fc-OPG did not inhibit establishment of osteoblastic bone lesions of LuCaP 23.1, but it decreased growth of the tumor cells, as determined by decreases in serum PSA levels of 73.0 ± 44.3% ( P < 0.001) and 78.3 ± 25.3% ( P < 0.001) under the treatment and prevention regimens, respectively, compared to the untreated tumor-bearing animals. Administration of Fc-OPG decreased the proliferative index by 35.0% ( P = 0.1838) in the treatment group, and 75.2% ( P = 0.0358) in the prevention group. The results of this study suggest a potential role for OPG in the treatment of established osteoblastic CaP bone metastases.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42587/1/10585_2004_Article_2869.pd