Full-length genome sequence of Ntaya virus

Presentation of pyrosequencing data and phylogenetic analysis for the full genome of Ntaya virus, type virus of the Ntaya virus group of the Flaviviridae isolated in Cameroon in 1966

Quantum-mechanical model for particles carrying electric charge and magnetic flux in two dimensions

We propose a simple quantum mechanical equation for $n$ particles in two dimensions, each particle carrying electric charge and magnetic flux. Such particles appear in (2+1)-dimensional Chern-Simons field theories as charged vortex soliton solutions, where the ratio of charge to flux is a constant independent of the specific solution. As an approximation, the charge-flux interaction is described here by the Aharonov-Bohm potential, and the charge-charge interaction by the Coulomb one. The equation for two particles, one with charge and flux ($q, \Phi/Z$) and the other with ($-Zq, -\Phi$) where $Z$ is a pure number is studied in detail. The bound state problem is solved exactly for arbitrary $q$ and $\Phi$ when $Z>0$. The scattering problem is exactly solved in parabolic coordinates in special cases when $q\Phi/2\pi\hbar c$ takes integers or half integers. In both cases the cross sections obtained are rather different from that for pure Coulomb scattering.Comment: 12 pages, REVTeX, no figur

Guillain-Barré syndrome: a century of progress

In 1916, Guillain, Barré and Strohl reported on two cases of acute flaccid paralysis with high cerebrospinal fluid protein levels and normal cell counts — novel findings that identified the disease we now know as Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS). 100 years on, we have made great progress with the clinical and pathological characterization of GBS. Early clinicopathological and animal studies indicated that GBS was an immune-mediated demyelinating disorder, and that severe GBS could result in secondary axonal injury; the current treatments of plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin, which were developed in the 1980s, are based on this premise. Subsequent work has, however, shown that primary axonal injury can be the underlying disease. The association of Campylobacter jejuni strains has led to confirmation that anti-ganglioside antibodies are pathogenic and that axonal GBS involves an antibody and complement-mediated disruption of nodes of Ranvier, neuromuscular junctions and other neuronal and glial membranes. Now, ongoing clinical trials of the complement inhibitor eculizumab are the first targeted immunotherapy in GBS

Jahn-Teller Anharmonic Coupling for an Octahedral System

13 pages, LaTex file - ThéorieThe coupling between doubly degenerate electronic states and doubly degenerate vibrations is analysed for an octahedral system on the basis of the introduction of an anharmonic Morse potential for the vibronic part. The vibrations are described by anharmonic coherent states and their linear coupling with the electronic states is considered. The matrix elements of the vibronic interaction are builded and the energy levels corresponding to the interaction Hamiltonian are derived

Posterior cordomtomy for bilateral vocal cord paralysis: CO2 laser vs. microsurgery with cold instruments

Idea: The restoration of the airways after bilateral vocal cord paralysis is still a challenge for the otolaryngologist. Techniques including endoscopic approaches (Kashima's technique) have been developed for management of adduction bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Method: From 1998 to 2011, 20 patients were endoscopically treated by CO2 Laser (15 patients) and by cold microsurgical instruments (5 patients) in our ENT Department. A better and simpler procedure is cordotomy using the Kashima technique. This involves separating one vocal cord from the vocal process, creating a posterior gap for respiration and maintaining anterior vocal cord contact for phonation.Results: The aetiology of vocal cord paralysis of our patients was the following: posttyroidectomy (8), central nervous system disease (7), idiopathic (5). All treatments were performed in one stage, except for one patient who underwent three month after operation a contralateral cordotomy. Post-operative assessment was performed and consisted of videolaryngoscopy with 70 degree rigid endoscope. The respiratory function and the phonation presented the similar results in both techniques. The healing process was delayed in cases of microsurgery with cold instruments. Speech therapy is used to supplement the operation.Conclusion: Our experience suggests that bilateral vocal cord paralysis can be primarily treated by posterior cordotomy. Moreover, the different therapeutic choices should be adjusted by the surgeon for the patient's gender, age, general conditions, physical and professional activities

Upper airway obstruction determined by a mixed laryngocele - Literature review - About 2 cases treated in ENT Department Timisoara

Introduction: We reviewed the treatment options for laryngoceles over the last two decades.Methods: We searched PubMed for the keyword "laryngocele", assessing the type of laryngocele/laryngopyocele (internal/external) and the treatment modality. Results: We identified 71 laryngoceles in 63 patients, assessing the surgical treatment. An external approach was performed in 25 of 29 (86.2%) cases of mixed laryngoceles. In our ENT Department Timisoara we identified in the last 2 decades a number of 5 cases, and the last 2 cases presented a mixed laryngoceles with respiratory distress.Conclusions: CO2 LASER resection by microlaryngoscopy represents the main therapeutic option for internal laryngoceles while the external approaches still remain the main therapeutic approach for the treatment of mixed laryngoceles.Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an

On molecular orientability on a fine porous surface

The refraction of a porous structure with adsorbed molecules was investigated. Effects based on adsorbate molecule orientability relative to the whole porous sample were evidenced including quantitative estimates of the adsorbate molecule amount in pores. In a resonance electromagnetic field, sharp changes in the permeability of a fine-pored sample were observed corresponding to a variation in the incident laser intensity. Finally, a theory of the orientational action of the radiation field was developed, which accounts for the adsorption potential increase not only by the interaction of field polarized molecules with those on the surface, but also by the interaction of the induced molecular dipole with its reflection in the wall material.Le sujet de cette recherche concerne l'étude de la réfraction d'une structure poreuse contenant des molécules adsorbées. Nous avons mis en évidence des effets liés à l'orientabilité des molécules adsorbées par rapport a l'échantillon poreux. Nous donnons également une estimation de la quantité de molécules adsorbées dans les pores. Dans un champ électromagnétique résonnant, nous avons observé une modification sensible de la perméabilité d'une membrane finement poreuse. Ces modifications correspondent à une variation de l'intensité laser incidente. Nous avons enfin développé une théorie de l'action d'orientation du champ de radiation. Cette théorie explique l'accroissement du potentiel d'adsorption dû d'une part, à l'interaction des molécules polarisées par le champ avec les molécules de la surface, d'autre part à l'interaction du dipôle moléculaire induit avec son image dans la paroi de l'échantillon