The impact of restricted diet on brain function using BOLD-fMRI

We investigated the effect of a restricted diet model on activity in the human motor cortex using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Two series of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-fMRI measurements were made in healthy subjects performing simple motor tasks using their right hands. The first series was done 5-10days prior to the restricted diet schedule (controls), and the second series was performed after 25-28days of restricted diet, in the form of a religious fast (Ramadan). The size and intensity of the activated area in the motor cortex increased during the time of restricted diet versus the controls. We conclude that restricted diet has a significant effect on cerebral activity, as shown by BOLD-fMRI, although the exact relationship between the images and neuronal activity due to the restricted diet is still to be determine

Aneurysmal bone cyst primary - about eight pediatric cases: radiological aspects and review of the literature

The aneurysmal bone cyst is a pseudotumoral lesion that can take several aspects. This is a rare lesion representing 1% of bone tumors. It appears usually during the first 30 years of life. The pathogenesis is that of a process of "dysplasia/hyperplasia", favored by a circulatory deficiency and hemorrhage within the lesion and the phenomena of osteoclasis. The objective of this work is to illustrate with analysis, the specific forms and atypical aneurysmal bone cyst which often pose a diagnostic challenge requiring radiological investigation with histological confirmation. We report eight pediatric cases of aneurysmal cysts collected over a period of 3 years, 3 boys and 5 girls. All patients had standard radiographs. MRI was performed in three patients. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The atypia has been in the seat: fibula (1 case), metaphyseal (2 cases), diaphyseal (4 cases) and metatarsal (1 case). Aneurysmal bone cyst is a rare benign tumor with predilection to the metaphysis of long bones. Atypical forms even fewer are dominated by the atypical seat.Key words: Bone cyst, aneurysm, osteolytic lesio

Primary hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary: A case report

Primary hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary (HCO) is a very rare type of high-grade invasive malignant ovarian tumor with hepatic differentiation and production of á-fetoprotein (AFP). We describe a 78-year-old Moroccan woman who presented to our hospital with abdominal distension andpurplish nodules infiltrating the para umbilical skin with weight loss and impairment of her performance status. Excisional biopsy of the paraumbilical nodule revealed a cutaneous localization of moderately   differentiated adenocarcinoma and pelvic ultrasonography noted the presence of a tumoral right adnexal mass. The patient underwent an exploratory laparoscopy which found peritoneal carcinomatosis with pelvic adhesions allowing only a peritoneal biopsy. Diagnosis of primary hepatoid carcinoma of the ovary was established on the basis of classic   histopathologic findings, immunohistochemical staining and marked elevation in serum of á-fetoprotein more than the carbohydrate antigen 125. The patient received 3 cycles of chemotherapy based on Carboplatin and Paclitaxel with disease progression. No second line chemotherapy was given because of the drop of patient's performance status to 3. The patient died one month later

Abundance of Delta Resonances in 58Ni+58Ni Collisions between 1 and 2 AGeV

Charged pion spectra measured in 58Ni-58Ni collisions at 1.06, 1.45 and 1.93 AGeV are interpreted in terms of a thermal model including the decay of Delta resonances. The transverse momentum spectra of pions are well reproduced by adding the pions originating from the Delta-resonance decay to the component of thermal pions, deduced from the high transverse momentum part of the pion spectra. About 10 and 18% of the nucleons are excited to Delta states at freeze-out for beam energies of 1 and 2 AGeV, respectively.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX with 3 included figures; submitted to Physics Letters

Stopping and Radial Flow in Central 58Ni + 58Ni Collisions between 1 and 2 AGeV

The production of charged pions, protons and deuterons has been studied in central collisions of 58Ni on 58Ni at incident beam energies of 1.06, 1.45 and 1.93 AGeV. The dependence of transverse-momentum and rapidity spectra on the beam energy and on the centrality of the collison is presented. It is shown that the scaling of the mean rapidity shift of protons established for AGS and SPS energies is valid down to 1 AGeV. The degree of nuclear stopping is discussed; the IQMD transport model reproduces the measured proton rapidity spectra for the most central events reasonably well, but does not show any sensitivity between the soft and the hard equation of state (EoS). A radial flow analysis, using the midrapidity transverse-momentum spectra, delivers freeze-out temperatures T and radial flow velocities beta_r which increase with beam energy up to 2 AGeV; in comparison to existing data of Au on Au over a large range of energies only beta_r shows a system size dependence

K^+ production in the reaction 58Ni+58Ni^{58}Ni+^{58}Ni at incident energies from 1 to 2 AGeV

Semi-inclusive triple differential multiplicity distributions of positively charged kaons have been measured over a wide range in rapidity and transverse mass for central collisions of $^{58}$Ni with $^{58}$Ni nuclei. The transverse mass ($m_t$) spectra have been studied as a function of rapidity at a beam energy 1.93 AGeV. The $m_t$ distributions of K^+ mesons are well described by a single Boltzmann-type function. The spectral slopes are similar to that of the protons indicating that rescattering plays a significant role in the propagation of the kaon. Multiplicity densities have been obtained as a function of rapidity by extrapolating the Boltzmann-type fits to the measured distributions over the remaining phase space. The total K^+ meson yield has been determined at beam energies of 1.06, 1.45, and 1.93 AGeV, and is presented in comparison to existing data. The low total yield indicates that the K^+ meson can not be explained within a hadro-chemical equilibrium scenario, therefore indicating that the yield does remain sensitive to effects related to its production processes such as the equation of state of nuclear matter and/or modifications to the K^+ dispersion relation.Comment: 24 pages Latex (elsart) 7 PS figures to be submitted to Nucl. Phys

Prominent transverse flow of clusters in stopped Au(150 A MeV)+Au reactions

Stopped Au(150 A MeV) + Au collisions have been measured with the FOPI-Detector at GSI by imposing an upper limit on the ratio of the global longitudinal momentum to the collected charge within an event

Pseudotumoral tracheobronchial amyloidosis mimicking asthma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Tracheobronchial amyloidosis is an uncommon localized form of amyloidosis that can simulate a tracheal tumor. Clinical signs are not specific and the diagnosis is rarely given before performing a bronchoscopy with multiples biopsies.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 60-year-old Moroccan woman, complaining of dyspnea and wheezing for three years, who was treated at our institution for management of severe asthma. A bronchoscopy revealed a tumor formation of her trachea; multiples biopsies were performed and a diagnosis made of amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. She successfully received an endoscopic resection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case highlights the importance of routinely carrying out an endoscopy in any patient complaining of atypical bronchial symptoms or with uncontrolled asthma. Tracheal amyloidosis is a rare disease, confirmed by histological examination of bronchial biopsies, and the treatment of choice is based on the bronchoscopic resection.</p

Central Collisions of Au on Au at 150, 250 and 400 A MeV

Collisions of Au on Au at incident energies of 150, 250 and 400 A MeV were studied with the FOPI-facility at GSI Darmstadt. Nuclear charge (Z < 16) and velocity of the products were detected with full azimuthal acceptance at laboratory angles of 1-30 degrees. Isotope separated light charged particles were measured with movable multiple telescopes in an angular range of 6-90 degrees. Central collisions representing about 1 % of the reaction cross section were selected by requiring high total transverse energy, but vanishing sideflow. The velocity space distributions and yields of the emitted fragments are reported. The data are analysed in terms of a thermal model including radial flow. A comparison with predictions of the Quantum Molecular Model is presented.Comment: LateX text 62 pages, plus six Postscript files with a total of 34 figures, accepted by Nucl.Phys.