Isotope correlations as a probe for freeze-out characterization: central 124Sn+64Ni, 112Sn+58Ni collisions

124Sn+64Ni and 112Sn+58Ni reactions at 35 AMeV incident energy were studied with the forward part of CHIMERA multi-detector. The most central collisions were selected by means of a multidimensional analysis. The characteristics of the source formed in the central collisions, as size, temperature and volume, were inspected. The measured isotopes of light fragments (3 <= Z <=8) were used to examine isotope yield ratios that provide information on the free neutron to proton densities.Comment: 4 pages, Contribution to 8th International Conference on Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions, Moscow 200

Predicting survival of de novo metastatic breast cancer in Asian women: Systematic review and validation study

10.1371/journal.pone.0093755PLoS ONE94-POLN

Prognostic indices for brain metastases – usefulness and challenges

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This review addresses the strengths and weaknesses of 6 different prognostic indices, published since the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) developed and validated the widely used 3-tiered prognostic index known as recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) classes, i.e. between 1997 and 2008. In addition, other analyses of prognostic factors in groups of patients, which typically are underrepresented in large trials or databases, published in the same time period are reviewed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Based on a systematic literature search, studies with more than 20 patients were included. The methods and results of prognostic factor analyses were extracted and compared. The authors discuss why current data suggest a need for a more refined index than RPA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>So far, none of the indices has been derived from analyses of all potential prognostic factors. The 3 most recently published indices, including the RTOG's graded prognostic assessment (GPA), all expanded from the primary 3-tiered RPA system to a 4-tiered system. The authors' own data confirm the results of the RTOG GPA analysis and support further evaluation of this tool.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This review provides a basis for further refinement of the current prognostic indices by identifying open questions regarding, e.g., performance of the ideal index, evaluation of new candidate parameters, and separate analyses for different cancer types. Unusual primary tumors and their potential differences in biology or unique treatment approaches are not well represented in large pooled analyses.</p

Leukoencephalopathy as a rare complication of hepatitis C infection.

We report the case of a 64-year-old female patient with hepatitis C infection (HCV), who developed Sjögren's disease and sensory peripheral neuropathy. Clinical conditions worsened over three years with central nervous system involvement characterised by transient third cranial nerve paresis and mild selective impairment of attention and memory. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse periventricular and lobar white matter hyperintensity. Laboratory findings included mixed cryoglobulinaemia (type II), cryocrit 1.47%, low serum levels of complement C4 and high levels of rheumatoid factor, HCV 1b genotype, high HCV mRNA levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Skin biopsy showed evidence of vasculitis. After one year of plasmapheresis, immunosuppressant therapy and occasional corticosteroid treatment, neurological symptoms improved, skin biopsy changed and inflammation parameters normalised, suggesting that neurological symptoms might be related to the high levels of mixed cryoglobulins

Isospin effects on two-particle correlation functions in E/A=61 MeV Ar-36+Sn-112,Sn-124 reactions

Small-angle, two-particle correlation functions have been measured for Ar-36+Sn-112,Sn-124 collisions at E/A=61 MeV. Total momentum gated neutron-proton (np) and proton-proton (pp) correlations are stronger for the Sn-124 target. Some of the correlation functions for particle pairs involving deuterons or tritons (nd, pt, and nt) also show a dependence on the isospin of the emitting source

Chronology of particle emission from the E/A=61 MeV Ar-36+Al-27 reaction

The emission time chronology of neutrons, protons, and deuterons from the E/A=61 MeV Ar-36+Al-27 reaction is deduced from two-particle correlation functions

Calibration of a neutron time-of-flight multidetector system for an intensity interferometry experiment

We present the details of an experiment on light particle interferometry. In particular, we focus on a time-of-flight technique which uses a cyclotron RF signal as a start and a liquid scintillator time signal as a stop, to measure neutron energy in the range of En approximate to 1.8-150 MeV. This dynamic range (up to 300 ns) is much larger than the beam bunch separation (54 ns) of the AGOR cyclotron (KVI). However, the problem of a short burst period is overcome by using the time information obtained from a fast projectile fragment phoswich detector. The complete analysis procedure to extract the final neutron kinetic energy spectra, is discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia—1-year results of a prospective series

Purpose: To study the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin in the treatment of juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia. Methods: Prospective, open label, two-centre, noncomparative, interventional case series. Consecutive patients with juxtafoveal CNV associated with pathologic myopia were recruited and treated with a standard regimen of PDT with verteporfin. Patients were being followed up every 3-monthly and retreatment was considered when there was evidence of angiographic leakage. Outcome measures included changes in the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the 1-year follow-up when compared with the baseline, the proportion of patients who had stable (within 1 line) and improved visions. Results: A total of 11 eyes from 11 patients with juxtafoveal CNV secondary to pathologic myopia were recruited and all completed the 1-year follow-up. The mean age at presentation was 44.8 years. The refractive error ranged from -6.0 to -15.0 D (± SD was -9.55 ± 3.04D). The logMAR BCVA improved from 0.57 to 0.39 at the 1-year follow-up (Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, P = 0.027). The mean improvement was 1.8 lines. Five eyes (45.4%) had BCVA improved by ≥3 lines. None of the treated patients had visual loss of ≥1 line. The mean number of treatments over the 12-month study period was 2.3 sessions. Conclusions: The results are encouraging, especially on considering the low retreatment rate, stable or improved BCVA in all treated eyes, and consistently good safety profile. Juxtafoveal myopic CNV may be an expanded indication for PDT with verteporfin. © 2005 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex