Nitric acid in the stratosphere based on Odin observations from 2001 to 2009 – Part 2: High-altitude polar enhancements

The wintertime abundance of nitric acid (HNO<sub>3</sub>) in the polar upper stratosphere displays a strong inter-annual variability, and is known to be strongly influenced by energetic particle precipitation (EPP), primarily by protons during solar proton events (SPEs), but also by precipitating auroral or relativistic electrons. We analyse a multi-year record (August 2001 to April 2009) of middle atmospheric HNO<sub>3</sub> measurements by the Sub-Millimeter Radiometer instrument aboard the Odin satellite, with a focus on the polar upper stratosphere. SMR observations show clear evidence of two different types of polar high-altitude HNO<sub>3</sub> enhancements linked to EPP. In the first type, referred to as direct enhancements by analogy with the EPP/NO<sub>x</sub> direct effect, enhanced HNO<sub>3</sub> mixing ratios are observed for a short period (1 week) after a SPE, upwards of a level typically in the mid-stratosphere. In a second type, referred to as indirect enhancements by analogy with the EPP/NO<sub>x</sub> indirect effect, the descent of mesospheric air triggers a stronger and longer-lasting enhancement. Each of the three major SPEs that occurred during the Northern Hemisphere autumn or winter, in November 2001, October–November 2003 and January 2005, are observed to lead to both direct and indirect HNO<sub>3</sub> enhancements. On the other hand, indirect enhancements occur recurrently in winter, are stronger in the Southern Hemisphere, and are influenced by EPP at higher altitudes

Tako-tsubo Syndrome as First Manifestation in a Case of Pheochromocytoma Developed From a Non-functional Adrenal Incidentaloma

Abstract Background: Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine secreting tumor that, in extremely rare cases, may develop over time from a non-functional adrenal adenoma. Catecholamine excess can lead to a kind of cardiomyopathy similar to that seen in tako-tsubo syndrome (TTS). Case report: A 69 years old female with a history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and a non-functional right adrenal adenoma diagnosed 3 years earlier was referred to our center for further investigations. During the evaluation, she had a hypertensive crisis with chest pain, tachycardia, and diaphoresis. Suspecting an acute coronary syndrome, she underwent coronary angiography, which showed the typical features of TTS. The high 24 h-urinary metanephrines excretion and abdominal MRI findings were suggestive of pheochromocytoma. Right laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, with the resolution of all symptoms. Pathology findings confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. After 12 months, the patient was still asymptomatic, with the echocardiography displaying a complete recovery of the left-ventricular function. Conclusions: The development of a pheochromocytoma from an adrenal non functional adenoma is an extremely rare event, but potentially life-threating because of the catecholamine-associated cardiovascular toxicity. In particular, TTS is a form of cardiomyopathy that has been increasingly described as associated with catecholamine-secreting tumors. The exclusion of pheochromocytoma in a patient with TTS has important therapeutic implications, since the administration of β-blockers may be extremely harmful in patients with catecholamine surge in the absence of adequate α-blockage. Keywords: adrenal incidentaloma; catecholamine; infarction; pheochromocytoma; tako-tsubo syndrome; ventricular dysfunction

Primary Lymphoma of the Kidney: Case Report and Review of Literature

Lymphomatous involvement of the kidney is often seen as a part of disseminated disease. Characteristics of disease are poor prognosis and survival of less than a year after diagnosis. The primary renal lymphoma is very rare, is usually part of general disease, is difficult to diagnostic, and has a poor prognosis. Noncharacteristic solitary renal masses need to be differentiated from renal cell carcinoma. We present a 73-year-old man with a solitary renal mass treated with partial nephrectomy and histologic diagnosed with a primary lymphoma of the kidney. In the preventive diagnosis, conventional radiology is unsuitable, contrast-enhanced renal ultrasound contributes to the diagnosis, and primary renal biopsy is useful. We reviewed the medical literature and discuss primary renal lymphoma, a rare disease with poor prognosis, whose treatment after postsurgical diagnosis based on chemotherapy with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone)

Descent from the polar mesosphere and anomalously high stratopause observed in 8 years of water vapor and temperature satellite observations by the Odin Sub-Millimeter Radiometer

Using newly analyzed mesospheric water vapor and temperature observations from the Sub-Millimeter Radiometer instrument aboard the Odin research satellite over the period 2001-2009, we present evidence for an anomalously strong descent of dry mesospheric air from the lower mesosphere into the upper stratosphere in the winters of 2004, 2006, and 2009. In the three cases, the descent follows the recovery of the upper stratospheric polar vortex from a major midwinter stratospheric sudden warming. It is also accompanied by the rapid formation of an anomalously warm polar mesospheric layer, i.e., an elevated polar stratopause, near 75 km, and its slower descent to prewarming level (near 1 hPa) over 1.5-2 months. These three winters stand out in the current record of Odin/Sub-Millimeter Radiometer observations started in July 2001

Efficacy of vitamin E in the conservative treatment of Peyronie's disease: legend or reality? A controlled study of 70 cases

The medical treatment is indicated in the development stage of Peyronie’s disease (PD) for at least 1 year after diagnosis and whenever in case of penile pain. This research was conducted to demonstrate the possible effectiveness of vitamin E in PD treatment, whereas in the scientific literature this topic is much discussed. A total of 70 patients (age:26–69 years, mean: 54.1 ± 9.71) diagnosed with PD were enrolled in a conservative treatment. In addition to medical histories and physical examinations all patients underwent the following tests: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, penile ultrasound and photographic documentation, pain evaluation by a conventional 10-point pain scale Visual analogue pain scale (VAS). All 70 patients were divided into two different treatment groups: A and B, with different combinations of drugs: A = vitamin E + verapamil (injection + iontophoresis) + blueberries + propolis + topical diclofenac; B = verapamil (injection + iontophoresis) + blueberries + propolis + topical diclofenac. All patients were treated for 6 months after which they underwent the same follow-up tests as performed prior to the treatment. Intergroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences: in the vitamin E group the effective plaque size reduction was 50.2% whereas in the control group the reduction was 35.8% (p = 0.027). In group A the improvement of curvature occurred in 96.6% of the cases whereas in the control group B this occurred in 48.4% (p = 0.0001), moreover, the mean curvature decrease was respectively 12.25° and 6.73° (p = 0.01). IIEF score was significantly improved in group A patients with comorbidities and erectile dysfunction (p = 0.025). Increase in plaque size occurred only in the control group (17.1%) (p = 0.032). We can affirm that vitamin E can help to prevent the progression of PD. This study strongly supports the recommendation that the best approach for treating PD is multimodal therapy

Dynamics and chemistry of vortex remnants in late Arctic spring 1997 and 2000: Simulations with the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS)

High-resolution simulations of the chemical composition of the Arctic stratosphere during late spring 1997 and 2000 were performed with the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). The simulations were performed for the entire northern hemisphere on two isentropic levels 450 K (~18 km) and 585 K (~24 km).<br> <br> The spatial distribution and the lifetime of the vortex remnants formed after the vortex breakup in May 1997 display different behavior above and below 20 km. Above 20 km, vortex remnants propagate southward (up to 40°N) and are &quot;frozen in'' in the summer circulation without significant mixing. Below 20 km the southward propagation of the remnants is bounded by the subtropical jet. Their lifetime is shorter by a factor of 2 than that above 20 km, owing to significant stirring below this altitude. The behavior of vortex remnants formed in March 2000 is similar but, due to an earlier vortex breakup, dominated during the first 6 weeks after the vortex breakup by westerly winds, even above 20 km.<br> <br> Vortex remnants formed in May 1997 are characterized by large mixing ratios of HCl indicating negligible, halogen-induced ozone loss. In contrast, mid-latitude ozone loss in late boreal spring 2000 is dominated, until mid-April, by halogen-induced ozone destruction within the vortex remnants, and subsequent transport of the ozone-depleted polar air masses (dilution) into the mid-latitudes. By varying the intensity of mixing in CLaMS, the impact of mixing on the formation of ClONO₂ and ozone depletion is investigated. We find that the photochemical decomposition of HNO₃ and not mixing with NO_x-rich mid-latitude air is the main source of NO_x within the vortex remnants in March and April 2000. Ozone depletion in the remnants is driven by ClO_x photolytically formed from ClONO₂. At the end of May 1997, the halogen-induced ozone deficit at 450 K poleward of 30°N amounts to ~12% with ~10% in the polar vortex and ~2% in well-isolated vortex remnants after the vortex breakup

Association between exposure to fine particulate matter and osteoporosis: a population-based cohort study

Long-term environmental air pollution exposure was associated with osteoporosis' risk in a cohort of women at high risk of fracture. Cortical sites seemed to be more susceptible to the exposure's effect

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a somatostatin analogue released from PLGA microspheres

The purpose of this study was to design poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres for the continuous delivery of the somatostatin analogue, vapreotide, over 2–4 weeks. The microspheres were produced by spray-drying and the desired characteristics, i.e. high encapsulation efficiency and controlled release over 2–4 weeks, achieved through optimizing the type of polymer, processing solvent, and co-encapsulated additive. The in vitro release was tested in fetal bovine serum preserved with 0.02% of thiomersal. Furthermore, formulations were injected intramuscularly into rats to obtain pharmacokinetic profiles. Encapsulation efficiency was between 34 and 91%, depending on the particular formulation. The initial peptide release (within 6 h) was lowest, i.e. 1 ng/ml) over 21–28 days in rats was the one made with end-group uncapped PLGA 50:50, the solvent acetic acid and the additive polyethyleneglycol. In conclusion, the optimization of formulation parameters allowed us to produce vapreotide-loaded PLGA microspheres of suitable characteristics for therapeutic use