Role of dynamic Jahn-Teller distortions in Na2C60 and Na2CsC60 studied by NMR

Through 13C NMR spin lattice relaxation (T1) measurements in cubic Na2C60, we detect a gap in its electronic excitations, similar to that observed in tetragonal A4C60. This establishes that Jahn-Teller distortions (JTD) and strong electronic correlations must be considered to understand the behaviour of even electron systems, regardless of the structure. Furthermore, in metallic Na2CsC60, a similar contribution to T1 is also detected for 13C and 133Cs NMR, implying the occurence of excitations typical of JT distorted C60^{2-} (or equivalently C60^{4-}). This supports the idea that dynamic JTD can induce attractive electronic interactions in odd electron systems.Comment: 3 figure

Superconducting properties and c-axis superstructure of Mg1-xAlxB2

The superconducting and structural properties of a series of Mg1-xAlxB2 samples have been investigated. X-ray diffraction results confirmed the existence of a structural transition associated with the significant change in inter-boron layer distance as reported previously by Slusky et al. Moreover,transmission-electron-microscopy observations revealed the existence of a superstructure with doubled lattice constant along the c-axis direction. We propose that this superstructure is essentially related to the structural transition. The modifications of superconducting transition temperature Tc, the normal state resistivity, and the upper critical field Bc2 by Al doping are discussed in terms of Al-substitution induced changes in the electronic structure at the Fermi energy.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure

The double deep gluteal muscles

During routine dissections on a 65-year-old male cadaver, we encountered double piriformis, double gemelli superior and inferior, double quadratus femoris muscles in the left gluteal region. The sciatic nerve passed between the lower piriformis and the upper superior gemelli muscles (infrapiriform foramen) as usual. No other variation was found in the region. This rare variation may be of importance in the radiology and surgery of this region

Anatomic variations of the coracoacromial ligament in neonatal cadavers: A neonatal cadaver study

One of the most common causes of pain and disability in the upper limb is inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons. When no significant bony abnormality exists in the surrounding structures, the coracoacromial ligament has been implicated as a possible cause of impingement on the cuff tendons and various morphological variants of the ligament have so far been claimed to be either the cause or the result of impingement. In this study, 110 shoulders from 60 neonatal cadavers that were preserved in a preparation of formaldehyde were dissected. Anatomic variations of coracoacromial ligaments were investigated with metric and histologic analysis. Three main ligament types were identified: quadrangular, broad band and U-shaped. The multiple banded ligament was not found. Histologic analysis showed that in U-shaped ligaments a thin tissue existed in the central part of the ligament close to the coracoid. Comparing our data with the adult measurements of a previous study we suggest that the primordial ligament is broad shaped, but assumes a quadrangular shape due to the different growth rates of the coracoid and acromial ends. We also suggest that broad and U-shaped ligaments account for the primordial and quadrangular and Y-shaped ligaments account for the adult types of the single or double banded anatomic variants respectively. Our results show that various types of the coracoacromial ligament are present at the neonatal period and that the final shape of the ligament should be defined by developmental factors, rather than degenerative changes. (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams wilkins

Attenuation of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by oral sulfhydryl containing antioxidants in rats: erdosteine and N-acetylcysteine

Antioxidant therapy may be useful in diseases with impaired oxidant antioxidant balance such as lung fibrosis. The effects of sulfhydryl-containing antioxidant agents N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and erdosteine on the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis were compared in rats. The animals were divided into four groups: Vehicle + vehicle, vehicle + bleomycin (2.5 U/kg), bleomycin + erdosteine (10 mg/kg), and bleomycin + NAC (3 mmol/kg). Bleomycin administration resulted in prominent lung fibrosis as measured by lung hydroxylproline content and lung histology which is almost completely prevented by erdosteine and NAC. Hydroxyproline content was 18.7 +/- 3.5 and 11.2 +/- 0.6 mg/g dried tissue in bleomycin and saline treated rats, respectively (P < 0.001), and this level was 11.3 +/- 1.2 and 13.8 +/- 1.2 mg/g dried tissue in erdosteine and NAC pretreated, respectively. Erdosteine and NAC significantly reduced depletion of glutathione peroxidase, and prevented increases in myeloperoxidase activities, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde levels in lung tissue produced by bleomycin. Data presented here indicate that erdosteine and NAC similarly prevented bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and their antioxidant effects were also similar in this experiment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Assessment of the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts performed in a Turkish university hospital

The success rate of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may differ from institution to institution, even within different sites in the same institution. A variety of factors may influence the outcome. In this study, we assessed the adequacy of CPR attempts guided by the current standards and aimed to define the factors influencing the outcome following in-hospital cardiac arrest. One hundred and thirty-four patients who required CPR were studied prospectively. Different variables for the CPR performance were recorded using forms designed for this study in the tight of the guidelines. In these CPR forms various data including the demographics, history, monitoring, number, composition and experience of the anaesthesiologists, the site of CPR, time of day, the delay before onset of CPR, tracheal intubation, duration of arrest, initial rhythm in ECG monitored patients, management of CPR, drug administration and reversible causes of cardiac arrest were recorded. Our rates of immediate survival, survival at 24h and survival to discharge 49.3%, 28.5% and 13.4%, respectively. The extent of monitoring prior to arrest, the attendance of one or more experienced anesthesiologists in the CPR team, CPR during office hours, CPR in ICU or operating room, early initiation of CPR and tracheal intubation prior to arrest were found as the factors increasing discharge survival. We conclude that early initiation of CPR with an experienced team in a well-equipped hospital sites increases the discharge survival rate following cardiac arrest. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved