Photometric Properties of Long-period Variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Approximately four thousand light curves of red variable stars in the LMC were selected from the 2.3-years duration MOA database by a period analysis using the Phase Dispersion Minimization method. Their optical features (amplitudes, periodicities, position in CMD) were investigated. Stars with large amplitues and high periodicities were distributed on the only one strip amongst multiple structure on the LMC period-luminosity relation. In the CMD, the five strips were located in the order of the period. The stars with characterized light curves were also discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, Proceeding of WS on Mass-Losing Pulsating Stars and Their Circumstellar Matter, Sendai, Japa

Luminosities of AGB Variables

The prevailing evidence suggests that most large-amplitude AGB variables follow the period luminosity (PL) relation that has been established for Miras in the LMC and galactic globular clusters. Hipparcos observations indicate that most Miras in the solar neighbourhood are consistent with such a relation. There are two groups of stars with luminosities that are apparently greater than the PL relation would predict: (1) in the LMC and SMC there are large amplitude variables, with long periods, P> 420 days, which are probably undergoing hot bottom burning, but which are very clearly more luminous than the PL relation (these are visually bright and are likely to be among the first stars discovered in more distant intermediate age populations); (2) in the solar neighbourhood there are short period, P<235 days, red stars which are probably more luminous than the PL relation. Similar short-period red stars, with high luminosities, have not been identified in the Magellanic Clouds.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure, to be published in Mass-Losing Pulsating Stars and their Circumstellar Matter, Y. Nakada & M. Honma (eds) Kluwer ASSL serie

Persistent use of Analgesic Medications in Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease.: Persistent analgesic use in Alzheimer's disease

International audienceBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported a lower use of analgesics in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) than in non-AD elderly. To date, no study has focused on persistent analgesic use in patients with mild-to-moderate AD. METHODS: The "Réseau sur la maladie d'Alzheimer Français" (REAL.FR) cohort study enrolled community-dwelling patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Persistent analgesic use was defined as the consumption of at least one analgesic drug during two consecutive visits (6 months). Associated factors were identified in a nested case-control study. RESULTS: In REAL.FR, 595 patients were present during at least two consecutive visits [mean age = 77.5 ± 6.8 years, mini-mental state examination (MMSE) = 20.1 ± 4.2]. Prevalence of persistent analgesic use was 13.1 % (95 % CI = 10.4-15.9). The incidence of persistent analgesic use was 5.9/100 patient-years (95 % CI = 5.2-6.6). Women (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.1, 95 % CI = 1.2-8.1), patients with musculoskeletal disorders (OR = 3.4, 95 % CI = 1.6-7.3) and patients treated with numerous medications (OR = 3.0, 95 % CI = 1.5-5.8) were more likely to use analgesics persistently. Statistically significant associations were found with disease duration and disease progression but not with AD severity at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a low use of analgesics in AD patients, which could vary with AD progression