The chemical evolution of the solar neighbourhood

Recent models of galactic chemical evolution account for updated evolutionary models of massive stars (with special emphasis on stellar winds) and for the effects of intermediate mass and massive binaries. The results are summarised. We also present a critical discussion on possible effects of stellar rotation on overall galactic chemical evolutionary simulations.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, Pacific Rim Conference, Xi'an, China, 11-17 July 200

Measurement of the inclusive and dijet cross-sections of b-jets in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The inclusive and dijet production cross-sections have been measured for jets containing b-hadrons (b-jets) in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The measurements use data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 34 pb^-1. The b-jets are identified using either a lifetime-based method, where secondary decay vertices of b-hadrons in jets are reconstructed using information from the tracking detectors, or a muon-based method where the presence of a muon is used to identify semileptonic decays of b-hadrons inside jets. The inclusive b-jet cross-section is measured as a function of transverse momentum in the range 20 < pT < 400 GeV and rapidity in the range |y| < 2.1. The bbbar-dijet cross-section is measured as a function of the dijet invariant mass in the range 110 < m_jj < 760 GeV, the azimuthal angle difference between the two jets and the angular variable chi in two dijet mass regions. The results are compared with next-to-leading-order QCD predictions. Good agreement is observed between the measured cross-sections and the predictions obtained using POWHEG + Pythia. MC@NLO + Herwig shows good agreement with the measured bbbar-dijet cross-section. However, it does not reproduce the measured inclusive cross-section well, particularly for central b-jets with large transverse momenta.Comment: 10 pages plus author list (21 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version published in European Physical Journal

A case of osteomalacia due to deranged mineral balance caused by saccharated ferric oxide and short-bowel syndrome : A case report

Rationale: Saccharated ferric oxide has been shown to lead to elevation of fibroblast growth factor 23, hypophosphatemia, and, consequently, osteomalacia. Moreover, mineral imbalance is often observed in patients with short-bowel syndrome to some degree. Patient concerns: A 62-year-old woman with short-bowel syndrome related with multiple resections of small intestines due to Crohn disease received regular intravenous administration of saccharated ferric oxide. Over the course of treatment, she was diagnosed with tetany, which was attributed to hypocalcemia. Additional assessments of the patient revealed not only hypocalcemia, but also hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, osteomalacia, and a high concentration of fibroblast growth factor 23 (314 pg/mL). Diagnoses: We diagnosed her with mineral imbalance-induced osteomalacia due to saccharated ferric oxide and short-bowel syndrome. Interventions: Magnesium replacement therapy and discontinuation of saccharated ferric oxide alone. Outcomes: These treatments were able to normalize her serum mineral levels and increase her bone mineral density. Lessons: This case suggests that adequate evaluation of serum minerals, including phosphate and magnesium, during saccharated ferric oxide administration may be necessary, especially in patients with short-bowel syndrome

Breakdown of Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodule Accompanied by Acromegaly After Octreotide Treatment

Patients with acromegaly are at increased risk of developing certain tumors, including goiter and thyroid nodules, and occasionally autonomous thyroid nodules. A 53-year-old woman presented at our hospital with untreated acromegaly. She had typical physical features of acromegaly with pituitary adenoma, and thyrotoxicosis with thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression was also confirmed. Thyroid ultrasonography and scintigraphy showed an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule on her right lobe. Because her thyrotoxicosis was mild, she was initially treated with octreotide for acromegaly. However, 1 month after octreotide administration, she developed neck pain and fever with transient thyrotoxicosis. The blood flow around the nodule then decreased and the excess trapping of isotope detected by scintigraphy was reduced, followed by normalization of insulin-like growth factor-1 levels and thyroid function. This case suggests that octreotide may have unexpected effects on autonomous thyroid nodules. However, further studies are needed to determine the clinical course of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules, including thyroid function and tumor manifestations, during octreotide therapy

Arthroscopically Assisted Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing for Periprosthetic Fracture of the Femur after Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty

Retrograde intramedullary nailing (RIMN) has been used for periprosthetic fracture of the distal femur after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), yielding good fracture union rates and satisfactory outcomes. However, RIMN for posterior-stabilized- (PS-) TKA risks malpositioning the entry point and disturbing the post of the tibial insert, and the surgeon therefore usually requires knee joint arthrotomy. We report a case of a 79-year-old male who was involved in bicycle accident resulting in periprosthetic fracture of the distal femur after PS-TKA. We performed osteosynthesis with arthroscopically assisted RIMN to define an appropriate entry point. RIMN for posterior-stabilized- (PS-) TKA risks malpositioning the entry point and disturbing the post of the tibial insert. Because arthroscopy can directly visualize the entry point and the tibial post without arthrotomy, arthroscopically assisted RIMN offers a useful technical option for periprosthetic fracture of the distal femur after PS-TKA

Effects of 50 mg vildagliptin twice daily vs. 50 mg sitagliptin once daily on blood glucose fluctuations evaluated by long-term self-monitoring of blood glucose

To date, several clinical trials have compared differences in glucose fluctuation observed with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, most patients were assessed for limited periods or during hospitalization. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of switching from sitagliptin to vildagliptin, or vice versa, on 12-week glucose fluctuations using self-monitoring of blood glucose in the standard care setting. We conducted a multicenter, prospective, open-label controlled trial in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-two patients were treated with vildagliptin (50 mg) twice daily or sitagliptin (50 mg) once daily and were allocated to one of two groups: vildagliptin treatment for 12 weeks before switching to sitagliptin for 12 weeks, or vice versa. Daily profiles of blood glucose were assessed several times during each treatment period, and the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions and M-value were calculated. Metabolic biomarkers such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), glycated albumin, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol were also assessed. With vildagliptin treatment, mean amplitude of glycemic excursions was significantly improved compared with sitagliptin treatment (57.9 ± 22.2 vs. 68.9 ± 33.0 mg/dL; p=0.0045). M-value (p=0.019) and mean blood glucose (p=0.0021) were also lower with vildagliptin, as were HbA1c, glycated albumin, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol. There were no significant differences in other metabolic parameters evaluated. Reduction of daily blood glucose profile fluctuations by vildagliptin was superior to that of sitagliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes