Disappearance of back-to-back high-pT hadron correlations in central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s NN ] =200 GeV

Azimuthal correlations for large transverse momentum charged hadrons have been measured over a wide pseudorapidity range and full azimuth in Au+Au and p+p collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The small-angle correlations observed in p+p collisions and at all centralities of Au+Au collisions are characteristic of hard-scattering processes previously observed in high-energy collisions. A strong back-to-back correlation exists for p+p and peripheral Au+Au. In contrast, the back-to-back correlations are reduced considerably in the most central Au+Au collisions, indicating substantial interaction as the hard-scattered partons or their fragmentation products traverse the medium.

["Sunshine at school": a network for training on sun exposure. Assessment of knowledge among 683 children]

INTRODUCTION

The protection of children from sun exposure appears inadequate. We assessed the knowledge of pre-teenagers, before and after they attended a training session on sun exposure. This investigation was carried out in Orléans and in 5 surrounding cities, from September 2000 to April 2002.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A didactic slide show on sun exposure and photoprotection was presented to 683 children in grade 4 and 5 by a nurse and a dermatologist during 30 informative sessions. The children filled in questionnaires at each training session and then one month later. The questionnaires contained 10 closed questions involving 32 cognitive and behavioral items.

RESULTS

Forty-five percent of the children claimed that they were exposed to the sun more than one hour a day during holidays, 14 p. 100 more than 3 hours a day; 26 p. 100 declared they had never been sunburnt; 46 p. 100 said they had been less than 5 times, 15 p. 100 from 5 to 10 times and 12 p. 100 more than 10 times; 74 p. 100 of the children claimed they enjoyed getting sun-tanned; 80 p. 100 knew that sun exposure could lead to serious diseases, while 73 p. 100 realized that contracting sunburns during childhood increases the risk of subsequent skin cancers; 89 p. 100 knew of the necessity of sun-screen use prior to exposure, 94 p. 100 knew that they help to protect the skin whereas 78 p. 100 knew it must be applied on a regular basis; 77 p. 100 of the children had been informed of the importance of sun protection factor; 92 p. 100 of them were aware of the relevance of a cap and sunglasses for protection from the sun, whereas only 45 p. 100 knew of the need for a tee-shirt.

DISCUSSION

Our study showed that children are generally aware of the dangers of sun exposure. This might be the result of previously initiated information and prevention campaigns on skin cancers. This study suggests the efficiency of such projects, and the lasting effects of the information received within one month. However, large numbers of children are still overexposed and subsequently suffer from traumas. The appeal of sun embellishment appears to go back to childhood, and should be taken into account from the early stages of childhood in future preventive actions. An efficient policy of education on sun exposure - including teaching tools relevant to each age--still has to be developed.

Azimuthal anisotropy and correlations in the hard scattering regime at RHIC

Azimuthal anisotropy (v(2)) and two-particle angular correlations of high p(T) charged hadrons have been measured in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV for transverse momenta up to 6 GeV/c, where hard processes are expected to contribute significantly. The two-particle angular correlations exhibit elliptic flow and a structure suggestive of fragmentation of high p(T) partons. The monotonic rise of v(2)(p(T)) for p(T)<2 GeV/c is consistent with collective hydrodynamical flow calculations. At p(T)>3 GeV/c, a saturation of v(2) is observed which persists up to p(T)=6 GeV/c.

3D analysis of posturo-kinetic coordination associated with a climbing task in children and teenagers

The aim of this study was to characterize the modifications of the posturo-kinetic coordination during a climbing task as a function of postural and/or movement constraints in children (8-10 years) and adolescents (10-15 years). A 3D-analysis of forces was recorded for different movement amplitudes and types of holds. The results show the involvement of horizontal and vertical forces to maintain equilibrium during the steady state changes for different experimental groups. The contribution of horizontal and vertical forces changes in the course of movement realization. The vertical momentum (Iz) is mainly involved in the movement initiation: this role is mostly meaning for children. The horizontal momentum (Ih) is mainly involved in controlling equilibrium: this role is mostly meaning for adolescents.

Angiogenesis and invasive recurrence in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

The development of an invasive recurrence following treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) converts a non-fatal disease to one associated with mortality. To date, no pathological or molecular features have been found to predict for the type of recurrence. Previous studies have suggested that in DCIS angiogenesis may be an important factor in determining the transformation from in situ to invasive carcinoma. We looked at 355 cases of DCIS and found that 32 had subsequently developed recurrent disease. In these 32 cases and in matched controls, periductal vascular density was determined using morphometry and anti-endothelial antibodies, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD34. Vascular density was related to the risk of both invasive and in situ recurrence. Normal lobules at least 2 mm away were used as controls. Differences in the phenotype of individual blood vessels was detected by performing dual staining immunofluorescence on selected cases. The microvessel density (MVD), as detected with the CD34 antibody, was higher around foci of DCIS than around normal breast lobules (P=0.001). Furthermore, it was significantly higher in cases of DCIS that recurred (P<0.0001). The findings with the vWF antibody were less clear cut and suggested a trend in decreasing MVD with increasingly aggressive disease. Dual immunofluorescence staining shows that the increase in MVD seen around DCIS is due to an increase in CD34+/vWF-blood vessels. An increase in CD34+/vWF-of blood vessels may be able to predict cases of DCIS that are at a high risk of developing a recurrence.

Coherent rho(0) production in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions

The STAR Collaboration reports the first observation of exclusive rho(0) photoproduction, AuAu-->AuAurho(0), and rho(0) production accompanied by mutual nuclear Coulomb excitation, AuAu-->Au*Au*rho(0), in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions. The rho(0) have low transverse momenta, consistent with coherent coupling to both nuclei. The cross sections at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV agree with theoretical predictions treating rho(0) production and Coulomb excitation as independent processes.

Diversity in antimicrobial resistance and other characteristics among Salmonella typhimurium DT104 isolates

Multiresistant Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium definitive type 104 (S. Typhimurium DT104 or DT104) bacteria are important pathogens in animals and humans. DT104 isolates are often called pentaresistant strains that spread clonally. The purpose of this study was to determine phenotypic, genotypic, and epidemiologic characteristics of 175 S. Typhimurium DT104 strains isolated from food-producing animals in Canada. More than 90% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin (Amp), chloramphenicol (Chl), florfenicol (Flo), sulfisoxazole (Sul), and tetracycline (Tet), 53% of the isolates were additionally resistant to spectinomycin (Spc) and streptomycin (Str), and 28% to kanamycin (Kan) and neomycin (Neo). Sixty-one percent of the strains harbored a single 60-MDa plasmid, 21% contained 60- and 2.0-MDa plasmids, and 4% had 60, 4.6- and 2.0-MDa plasmids. Resistance to Kan and Neo was encoded by the aminoglycoside aphA-1 gene on 2.0-MDa plasmids, whereas resistance to trimethoprim (Tmp) and Sul was encoded by the dhfrIb gene on 4.6-MDa plasmids. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) showed the presence of integrons with the ant (3")-Ia aminoglycoside adenyltransferase and the bla(PSE-1) beta-lactamase gene cassettes, and the presence of the flost gene in all but one strain resistant to Spc and Str, Amp, and Chl and Flo, respectively. DT104 isolates from cattle at six feedlots represented a separate clone; they were sensitive to Str and Spc and lacked the ant (3")-Ia gene. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) using Bln I, Spe I, and Xba I resulted in 15, 12, and 8 PFGE patterns, respectively. In summary, we observed considerable diversity in phenotypic, genotypic, and epidemiological characteristics among the DT104 isolates.

Centrality dependence of high-p(T) hadron suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV

Inclusive transverse momentum distributions of charged hadrons within 0.2<p(T)<6.0 GeV/c have been measured over a broad range of centrality for Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV. Hadron yields are suppressed at high p(T) in central collisions relative to peripheral collisions and to a nucleon-nucleon reference scaled for collision geometry. Peripheral collisions are not suppressed relative to the nucleon-nucleon reference. The suppression varies continuously at intermediate centralities. The results indicate significant nuclear medium effects on high-p(T) hadron production in heavy-ion collisions at high energy.

[Digital purpura revealing septicaemical rat-bite fever]

INTRODUCTION

Infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis is an uncommon illness which can lead to death if untreated. We report the case in which initially cutaneous signs permitted diagnosis and further identification of the organism.

CASE REPORT

A 42 year-old woman presented with a three-day history of acrally distributed purpuric macules on her fingers. Two days later, she was admitted for arthritis of the knees and wrists. There were two large pustules on the left elbow and the right knee. Laboratory studies showed inflammatory changes. The diagnosis of streptobacillary rat-bite fever was made after isolation of Gram-negative bacilli from a blood-culture and from cutaneous lesions. Finally identification of the organism was made by molecular biology analysis. The patient received intravenous ofloxacin and imipenem with complete resolution of arthritis and the cutaneous lesions.

DISCUSSION

Streptobacillary rat-bite fever is a systemic infectious disease. It is caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, organism found in the oropharyngeal flora of small rodents, especially rats. The illness is uncommon in urban settings. It starts by fever, followed by arthritis and rash. Septicaemical rat-bite fever may start only with cutaneous involvement such as acral purpura, like in our case. This clinical manifestation must be recognized by the dermatologist, because the illness can lead to death if untreated.

Azimuthal anisotropy of K(0)(S) and Lambda+Lambda production at midrapidity from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV

We report STAR results on the azimuthal anisotropy parameter v(2) for strange particles K(0)(S), Lambda, and Lambda at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=130 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The value of v(2) as a function of transverse momentum, p(t), of the produced particle and collision centrality is presented for both particles up to p(t) approximately 3.0 GeV/c. A strong p(t) dependence in v(2) is observed up to 2.0 GeV/c. The v(2) measurement is compared with hydrodynamic model calculations. The physics implications of the p(t) integrated v(2) magnitude as a function of particle mass are also discussed.

Midrapidity Lambda and Lambda(macro) production in Au+Au collisions at the square root of [s(NN)]=130 GeV

We report the first measurement of strange (Lambda) and antistrange (Lambda macro) baryon production from square root of [s(NN)]=130 GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Rapidity density and transverse mass distributions at midrapidity are presented as a function of centrality. The yield of Lambda and Lambda; hyperons is found to be approximately proportional to the number of negative hadrons. The production of Lambda; hyperons relative to negative hadrons increases very rapidly with transverse momentum. The magnitude of the increase cannot be described by existing hadronic string fragmentation models alone.

Microsatellite instability and intratumoural heterogeneity in 100 right-sided sporadic colon carcinomas

Microsatellite instability has been proposed as an alternative pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of immunohistochemistry as a new tool for highlighting mismatch repair deficiency and to compare the results with a PCR-based microsatellite assay. A total of 100 sporadic proximal colon adenocarcinomas were analysed. The expression of hMLH1, hMSH2 and hMSH6 proteins evaluated by immunohistochemistry was altered in 39% of the cancers, whereas microsatellite instability assessed by PCR was detected in 43%. There was discordance between the two methods in eight cases. After further analyses performed on other tumoural areas for these eight cases, total concordance between the two techniques was observed (Kappa=100%). Our results demonstrate that immunohistochemistry may be as efficient as microsatellite amplification in the detection of unstable phenotype provided that at least two samples of each carcinoma are screened, because of intratumoural heterogeneity.

[Genital papules revealing a Churg-Strauss syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous lesions are rarely inaugural in Churg and Strauss syndrome. We report the case of a patient in whom recurrent papular lesions of the penis revealed a Churg-Strauss granulomatous angeitis.

OBSERVATION

A 54 year-old man consulted for recurrent non-infiltrated and painless erythematous papules of the penis over the past 4 years. His past history revealed severe asthma, which had appeared at the same time, nasal polyposis and chronic sinusitis. Other than the genital organs, the clinical examination was normal. Histological exploration of a cutaneous biopsy of the penis showed a necrotic granulomatous vasculitis. The usual biological examinations were normal. Research for proteinuria, hematuria and measurement of polynuclear anticytoplasm antibodies were negative. Pulmonary X-ray revealed a bilateral interstitial syndrome with micronodules. The broncho-alveolar wash revealed moderate granulocyte alveolitis with numerous eosinophilic polynuclears. The electromyogram showed a reduction in the sensitive potential of the nerves explored in the 4 limbs. Churg-Strauss granulomatous angeitis was diagnosed. Treatment with 0.8 mg/kg/day of prednisone was initiated. The cutaneous lesions disappeared rapidly. Since three months later there had been no relapse, corticosteroid therapy was slowly and progressively reduced. Nine months later, the patient exhibited new papular lesions of the glans penis and progressive relapse of asthma. Treatment with cyclophosphamide (Endoxan(R)) combined with systemic corticosteroids was initiated.

DISCUSSION

In view of the concomitance of necrotic granulomatous vasculitis in the cutaneous biopsies, severe, recent corticosteroid-dependent asthma, eosinophil-rich pulmonary infiltrate, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and the onset of a neuropathy, the diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome was retained. The absence of hypereosinophilia in the blood during diagnosis can be explained by the oral corticosteroid therapy at low doses because of the asthma and sinusitis. However, hypereosinophil blood levels had been reported in several prior hemograms. Damage to the genital organ is exceptional during Churg-Strauss syndrome and is usually of granulomatous prostatitis form. Only one other case has been reported. Our observation is original in that it was isolated to the genital skin, which led to the diagnosis of Churg and Strauss granulomatous angeitis with systemic involvement.

[Orofacial herpes and other localizations (genital herpes and neonatal herpes excluded)]

BACKGROUND

Herpes is a pandemic infection in the human species. The purpose of this work was to conduct a critical analysis of the literature devoted to the pathophysiology and treatment of orofacial herpes an other localizations (genital herpes and neonatal herpes excluded).

METHODS

We searched for articles in English and French devoted to orofacial herpes and other herpetic localizations indexed in Medline (1980-July 001), EmBase, and the Cochrane Library (1995-July 2001). Critical analysis was based on level of proof using the ANAES methodology.

RESULTS

More than 700 articles were identified. One hundred four were selected for this report. Primary HSV1 infection usually occurred before adulthood and involved acute gingivo-stomatitis in the majority of the cases. Several primary HIV1 infections were asymptomatic or aspecific and non-recognized. After the primary infection, the virus remains in the ganglion of the trigeminal nerve in a latent state and can be reactivated sporadically. Reactivation is associated with viral excretion and can be symptomatic (herpetic recrudescence) or not (recurrence). Recrudescence of orofacial herpes is typically labial. No currently available vaccine can prevent acquisition of HSV1. Treatment of acute gingivostomatitis has been standardized and is based on aciclovir. Inversely, the effectiveness of aciclovir and other nucleoside analogs with anti-herpes activity has not been clearly established for prevention or cure of recrudescence of orofacial herpes. Other localizations (hand, anus, diffuse skin localizations in contact sports, Kaposi-Juliusberg syndrome) are much more exceptional. Treatment has not been standardized.

DISCUSSION

Despite the abundance of the literature on orofacial herpes, consistent quality is lacking, particularly concerning therapeutic studies. The quality of these reports is generally inferior to those devoted to genital herpes. There has however been a general trend towards improved methodology over the last years. Very little has been reported on exceptional localizations of orofacial herpes.

Vascular density and phenotype around ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast

Up to 50% of recurrences of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast are associated with invasive carcinoma but no pathological or molecular features have yet been found to predict for the development of invasive disease. For a tumour to invade, it requires the formation of new blood vessels. Previous studies have described a vascular rim around ducts involved by ductal carcinoma in situ, raising the possibility that the characteristics of periductal vascularisation may be important in determining transformation from in situ to invasive disease. Periductal vascular density and phenotype were determined using morphometry and a panel of anti-endothelial antibodies (von Willebrand factor, CD31, CD141 and CD34) and related to the presence of invasive carcinoma and other histological features. Compared to normal lobules, pure ductal carcinoma in situ exhibited a greater density of CD34+ and CD31+ vessels but a decrease in those that were immunopositive for vWF, indicating a difference in phenotype and in density. Ductal carcinoma in situ associated with invasive carcinoma showed a profile of vascular immunostaining similar to that of pure ductal carcinoma in situ but there were significantly greater numbers of CD34+ and CD141+ vessels and fewer staining for vWF. There was a significant negative correlation between vascular density and both the cross-sectional areas of the ducts involved and the extent of the necrosis of the tumour they contained. A correlation between vascular density and nuclear grade was also noted, being highest in the intermediate grade. The greater density of CD34+ and CD141+ vessels around ductal carcinoma in situ associated with invasive carcinoma could reflect a greater predisposition to invade but a direct effect of co-existent invasive carcinoma cannot entirely be ruled out in the present study. The relationship between vascular density, grade, duct size and nuclear grade suggests that periductal angiogenesis increases with tumour growth rate but is unable to keep pace with the most rapidly growing lesions.

Small-cell carcinoma of the esophagus: report of three cases and review of the literature with emphasis on therapy

Primary small-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus is rare, with about 200 cases reported up till now in the literature. Like pulmonary SCC, it is an aggressive tumor associated with a poor prognosis. Between 1994 and 1997, three patients with SCC of the esophagus were treated at Besançon University Hospital and this represented 1.85% of all esophageal malignancies diagnosed during this period: one patient had a limited tumor and underwent initial surgical resection, then chemotherapy with cisplatine and etoposide, and radiotherapy for recurrences. The other patients had extensive disease at diagnosis and were treated by the same chemotherapy. This retrospective study reports our experience of patients with this particular tumor and outlines the management strategy based on the available literature.