Interlayer superfluidity in bilayer systems of fermionic polar molecules

We consider fermionic polar molecules in a bilayer geometry where they are oriented perpendicularly to the layers, which permits both low inelastic losses and superfluid pairing. The dipole-dipole interaction between molecules of different layers leads to the emergence of interlayer superfluids. The superfluid regimes range from BCS-like fermionic superfluidity with a high Tc to Bose-Einstein (quasi-)condensation of interlayer dimers, thus exhibiting a peculiar BCS-Bose-Einstein condensation crossover. We show that one can cover the entire crossover regime under current experimental conditions.

Spontaneous breaking of spatial and spin symmetry in spinor condensates

Parametric amplification of quantum fluctuations constitutes a fundamental mechanism for spontaneous symmetry breaking. In our experiments, a spinor condensate acts as a parametric amplifier of spin modes, resulting in a twofold spontaneous breaking of spatial and spin symmetry in the amplified clouds. Our experiments permit a precise analysis of the amplification in specific spatial Bessel-like modes, allowing for the detailed understanding of the double symmetry breaking. On resonances that create vortex-antivortex superpositions, we show that the cylindrical spatial symmetry is spontaneously broken, but phase squeezing prevents spin-symmetry breaking. If, however, nondegenerate spin modes contribute to the amplification, quantum interferences lead to spin-dependent density profiles and hence spontaneously formed patterns in the longitudinal magnetization.

Mott-insulator phases of spin-3/2 fermions in the presence of quadratic Zeeman coupling

We study the influence of the quadratic Zeeman effect on the Mott-insulator phases of hard-core 1D spin-3/2 fermions. We show that, contrary to spinor bosons, the quadratic Zeeman coupling preserves an SU(2)⊗SU(2) symmetry, leading for large-enough quadratic Zeeman coupling to an isotropic pseudo-spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet. Decreasing the quadratic Zeeman coupling, this phase undergoes, depending on the scattering lengths, either a Kosterlitz-Thouless transition into a gapped dimerized phase or a commensurate-incommensurate transition into a gapless spin liquid. This rich phase diagram can be observed experimentally in four-component fermions in optical lattices under similar entropy constraints to those needed for Néel order in spin-1/2 gases.

Effect of Capsicum carotenoids on growth and ochratoxin A production by chilli and paprika Aspergillus spp. isolates

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a natural carotenoid mixture (Capsantal FS-30-NT), containing capsanthin and capsorubin, on growth and mycotoxin production of ochratoxin A-producing A. ochraceus, A. westerdijkiae, and A. tubingensis isolates. One isolate of each species, previously isolated from paprika or chilli, was inoculated on Czapek Yeast extract Agar (CYA) medium supplemented with different amounts of capsantal (0 to 1%) and incubated at 10, 15 and 25 degrees C for 21days. Growth rates and lag phases were obtained, and OTA production was determined at 7, 14 and 21days. The taxonomically related A. ochraceus and A. westerdijkiae showed the same behavior at 15 degrees C, but A. ochraceus was able to grow at 10 degrees C and had higher growth rates at 25 degrees C. A. tubingensis had the highest growth rates and lowest OTA production capacity of the assayed isolates, and it was not able to grow at 10 degrees C. Capsantal addition resulted in increased lag phases at 15 degrees C for all the strains, while growth rates remained rather constant. At 25 degrees C capsantal reduced growth rates, with rather constant lag phases. However, the effect of capsantal on OTA production was inconclusive, because it depended on temperature or time, and mostly was not significant. Low temperature has been a crucial factor in OTA production, regardless of the capsantal concentration tested, especially for A. tubingensis and A. westerdijkiae. Industrial storage temperature for paprika and chilli is approximately 10 degrees C. If this temperature is maintained, mould growth and OTA production should be reduced.

Parametric amplification of vacuum fluctuations in a spinor condensate

Parametric amplification of vacuum fluctuations is crucial in modern quantum optics, enabling the creation of squeezing and entanglement. We demonstrate the parametric amplification of vacuum fluctuations for matter waves using a spinor F=2 87Rb condensate. Interatomic interactions lead to correlated pair creation in the mF=±1 states from an initial mF=0 condensate, which acts as a vacuum for mF≠0. Although this pair creation from a pure mF=0 condensate is ideally triggered by vacuum fluctuations, unavoidable spurious initial mF=±1 atoms induce a classical seed which may become the dominant triggering mechanism. We show that pair creation is insensitive to a classical seed for sufficiently large magnetic fields, demonstrating the dominant role of vacuum fluctuations. The presented system thus provides a direct path towards the generation of nonclassical states of matter.

Mesoscopic ensembles of polar bosons in triple-well potentials

Mesoscopic dipolar Bose gases in triple-well potentials offer a minimal system for the analysis of the nonlocal character of the dipolar interaction. We show that this nonlocal character may be clearly revealed by a variety of possible ground-state phases. In addition, an appropriate control of short-range and dipolar interactions may lead to novel scenarios for the dynamics of polar bosons in lattices, including the dynamical creation of mesoscopic quantum superpositions, which may be employed in the design of Heisenberg-limited atom interferometers.

Chiral confinement in quasirelativistic Bose-Einstein condensates

In the presence of a laser-induced spin-orbit coupling an interacting ultracold spinor Bose-Einstein condensate may acquire a quasirelativistic character described by a nonlinear Dirac-like equation. We show that as a result of the spin-orbit coupling and the nonlinearity the condensate may become self-trapped, resembling the so-called chiral confinement, previously studied in the context of the massive Thirring model. We first consider 1D geometries where the self-confined condensates present an intriguing sinusoidal dependence on the interparticle interactions. We further show that multidimensional chiral confinement is also possible under appropriate feasible laser arrangements, and discuss the properties of 2D and 3D condensates, which differ significantly from the 1D case.

Multiresonant spinor dynamics in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We analyze the spinor dynamics of a 87Rb F=2 condensate initially prepared in the m(F) = 0 Zeeman sublevel. We show that this dynamics, characterized by the creation of correlated atomic pairs in m(F) = +/-1, presents an intriguing multiresonant magnetic-field dependence induced by the trap inhomogeneity. This dependence is directly linked to the most unstable Bogoliubov spin excitations of the initial m(F) = 0 condensate, showing that, in general, even a qualitative understanding of the pair-creation efficiency in a spinor condensate requires a careful consideration of the confinement.

Renal transplantation with expanded criteria donors: the experience of one Portuguese center

BACKGROUND

The shortage of kidneys available for transplantation has led to enlarged criteria donors (ECD): namely, donors older than 60 years or aged between 50 and 59 years with 2 of the following characteristics-hypertension, predonation serum creatinine level higher than 1.5 mg/dL or cerebrovascular disease as the cause of death. The aim of this study was to analyze renal transplants using ECD compared with standard criteria donors (SCD) concerning the incidences of delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection episodes (ARE), and patient and graft survivals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study of 409 cadaveric renal transplants over the last 4 years identified ECD in contrast with SCD.

RESULTS

Of the transplants, 24.4% used ECD. The baseline characteristics of recipients of ECD versus SCD kidneys were similar, except for age and cold ischemia time. Comparing ECD and SCD, we observed an higher incidence of DGF (35% vs 18%), occurrence of ARE (34.4% vs 16.6%), average serum creatinine levels at 6 (1.87 vs 1.4 mg/dL), and 12 months (1.88 vs 1.43 mg/dL) as well as lower graft survival at 1 (82% vs 91%) and 3 years (75% vs 84%) after transplantation. Recipient survival at 1 year was not different. Multivariate analysis identified recipient age, cold ischemia time, ARE, and DGF as risk factors for graft failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal transplantation with grafts from ECD shows significantly worse outcomes with higher rates of DGF and ARE, worse graft function, and lower graft survival.

Impact of hepatitis B and C virus infections on kidney transplantation: a single center experience

OBJECTIVE

The impacts of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections on patient and renal graft survivals are controversial. This study sought to evaluate the effects of pretransplantation HCV and HBV infections on renal transplant patients and their grafts at our center.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined 1224 renal transplantations performed between 1992 and 2006, including 28 HBsAg positive; 64, anti-HCV; 9, anti-HCV plus HBsAg positive; and 1123, negative for anti-HCV and HBsAg. The mean posttransplantation follow-up was 5.6 +/- 4.1 years.

RESULTS

The prevalences of HBV infection were 6.2% in 1994 and 2.3% in 2006 and those of HCV infection were 6.8% in 1998 and 5.2% in 2006. The rejection rate was higher among HBV+ (46.4%) and HCV+ (40.6%) groups than the negative groups (31.5%), but it was not significant. There were no significant differences in patient and graft survivals among the groups. The major cause of patient death was liver failure among patients with concomitant HBV+ and HCV+ infections and cardiovascular disease among HCV+ and negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There has been a decrease in the prevalence of recipients with hepatitis virus infections over the last 15 years. Patient and graft survivals were not affected by HCV or HBV infection.

Phonon instability with respect to soliton formation in two-dimensional dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates

The partially attractive character of the dipole-dipole interaction leads to phonon instability in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates, which is followed by collapse in 3D geometries. We show that in 2D, the nature of the post-instability dynamics is fundamentally different, due to the stabilization of 2D solitons. As a result, a transient gas of attractive solitons is formed, and collapse may be avoided. In the presence of an harmonic trap, the post-instability dynamics is characterized by a transient pattern formation followed by the creation of stable 2D solitons. This dynamics should be observable in ongoing experiments, allowing for the creation of stable 2D solitons for the first time ever in quantum gases.

Association of ERBB2 gene status with histopathological parameters and disease-specific survival in gastric carcinoma patients

The clinical significance of ERBB2 amplification/overexpression in gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the ERBB2 status in 463 gastric carcinomas using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), and compared the findings with histopathological characteristics and with disease-specific survival. ERBB2 overexpression (2+ and 3+) and amplification (ratio ERBB2/CEP17⩾2) were found in 43 (9.3%) and 38 (8.2%) gastric carcinomas, respectively. Perfect IHC/FISH correlation was found for the 19 cases scored as 0 (all negative by FISH), and also for the 25 cases scored as 3+ (all positive by FISH). One out of six carcinomas scored as 1+ and 12 out of 18 carcinomas scored as 2+ were positive by FISH. ERBB2 amplification was associated with gastric carcinomas of intestinal type (P=0.007) and with an expansive growth pattern (P=0.021). ERBB2 amplification was detected in both histological components of two mixed carcinomas, indicating a common clonal origin. A statistically significant association was found between ERBB2 amplification and worse survival in patients with expansive gastric carcinomas (P=0.011). We conclude that ERBB2 status may have clinical significance in subsets of gastric cancer patients, and that further studies are warranted to evaluate whether patients whose gastric carcinomas present ERBB2 amplification/overexpression may benefit from therapy targeting this surface receptor.

DNA cytometry and kinetics of rat urothelial lesions during chemical carcinogenesis

The aims of this study were to evaluate the DNA content of chemically-induced rat urothelial lesions and their relationship to the proliferation index and histological patterns. Sixty female Fisher 344 rats were divided randomly into six groups, four groups were exposed to N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine for a period of 10 and 20 weeks, and two groups of ten rats were used as control animals. Paraffin sections were Feulgen stained and analyzed using DNA image cytometry analysis; histograms were classified as either diploid or aneuploid. Ki-67 immunoreactivity was determined by means of the streptavidin-biotin-complex immunoperoxidase method. All normal urothelium from the control groups were found to have diploid DNA content. The same histogram pattern was found in the simple hyperplasia group. As regards the other histological lesions, the frequency of the aneuploidy varied depending on the lesion type: 20% of aneuploidy were nodular hyperplasia, 32% of aneuploidy were dysplasias, 25% of aneuploidy were papilloma, 44% of aneuploidy were papillary neoplasm of low malignant potential, 22% of aneuploidy were low-grade papillary carcinoma, 100% of aneuploidy were high-grade papillary carcinoma and 100% of the aneuploidy were invasive carcinoma. Our results revealed the existence of a statistically significant relationship between DNA ploidy and histological pattern lesions (r=0.3, p<0.023). The Ki-67 proliferation index was significantly higher in aneuploid lesions than in diploid (r=0.56, p=0.01). There was also a statistically significant difference in the Ki-67 proliferation index in relation to the histopathological pattern (r=0.751, p<0.01). DNA content was associated with the Ki-67 proliferation index and histopathological grade. DNA content and prolife-ration index have critical roles to play during urothelial carcinogenesis.

HER2 gene amplification and EGFR expression in a large cohort of surgically staged patients with nonendometrioid (type II) endometrial cancer

Type II endometrial cancers (uterine serous papillary and clear cell histologies) represent rare but highly aggressive variants of endometrial cancer (EC). HER2 and EGFR may be differentially expressed in type II EC. Here, we evaluate the clinical role of HER2 and EGFR in a large cohort of surgically staged patients with type II (nonendometrioid) EC and compare the findings with those seen in a representative cohort of type I (endometrioid) EC. In this study HER2 gene amplification was studied by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 279 patients with EC (145 patients with type I and 134 patients with type II EC). All patients were completely surgically staged and long-term clinical follow up was available for 258 patients. The rate of HER2 gene amplification was significantly higher in type II EC compared with type I EC (17 vs 1%, P<0.001). HER2 gene amplification was detected in 17 and 16% of the cases with uterine serous papillary and clear cell type histology, respectively. In contrast, EGFR expression was significantly lower in type II compared with type I EC (34 vs 46%, P=0.041). EGFR expression but not HER2 gene amplification was significantly associated with poor overall survival in patients with type II EC, (EGFR, median survival 20 vs 33 months, P=0.028; HER2, median survival 18 vs 29 months, P=0.113) and EGFR expression retained prognostic independence when adjusting for histology, stage, grade, and age (EGFR, P=0.0197; HER2, P=0.7855). We conclude that assessment of HER2 gene amplification and/or EGFR expression may help to select type II EC patients who could benefit from therapeutic strategies targeting both HER2 and EGFR.

Stability of dark solitons in three dimensional dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates

The dynamical stability of dark solitons in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates is studied. For standard short-range interacting condensates, dark solitons are unstable against transverse excitations in two and three dimensions. On the contrary, due to its nonlocal character, the dipolar interaction allows for stable 3D stationary dark solitons, opening a qualitatively novel scenario in nonlinear atom optics. We discuss in detail the conditions to achieve this stability, which demand the use of an additional optical lattice, and the stability regimes.

Magnetic dipolar interaction in a Bose-Einstein condensate atomic interferometer

We study the role played by the magnetic dipole interaction in the decoherence of a lattice-based interferometer that employs an alkali Bose-Einstein condensate with a tunable scattering length. The different behavior we observe for two different orientations of the dipoles gives us evidence of the anisotropic character of the interaction. The experiment is correctly reproduced by a model we develop only if the long-range interaction between different lattice sites is taken into account. Our model indicates that dipolar interaction can be compensated by a proper choice of the scattering length and that the magnetic dipole interaction should not represent an obstacle for atom interferometry with Bose-Einstein condensates with a tunable interaction.

Notch-1 associates with IKKalpha and regulates IKK activity in cervical cancer cells

Notch-1 inhibits apoptosis in some transformed cells through incompletely understood mechanisms. Notch-1 can increase nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity through a variety of mechanisms. Overexpression of cleaved Notch-1 in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells activates NF-kappaB via interaction with the I kappa B kinase (IKK) signalosome. Concomitant activation of the Notch and NF-kappaB pathways has been described in a large series of cervical cancer specimens. Here, we show that wild-type, spontaneously expressed Notch-1 stimulates NF-kappaB activity in CaSki cervical cancer cells by associating with the IKK signalosome through IKKalpha. A significant fraction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated IkappaB kinase activity in CaSki cells is Notch-1-dependent. In addition, Notch-1 is found in the nucleus in association with IKKalpha at IKKalpha-stimulated promoters and is required for association of IKKalpha with these promoters under basal and TNF-alpha-stimulated conditions. Notch-1-IKKalpha complexes are found in normal human keratinocytes as well, suggesting that IKK regulation is a physiological function of Notch-1. Both Notch-1 and IKKalpha knockdown sensitize CaSki cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis to equivalent extents. Our data indicate that Notch-1 regulates NF-kappaB in cervical cancer cells at least in part via cytoplasmic and nuclear IKK-mediated pathways.

Transverse instability of straight vortex lines in dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates

The physics of vortex lines in dipolar condensates is studied. Because of the nonlocality of the dipolar interaction, the 3D character of the vortex plays a more important role in dipolar gases than in typical short-range interacting ones. In particular, the dipolar interaction significantly affects the stability of the transverse modes of the vortex line. Remarkably, in the presence of a periodic potential along the vortexline, the spectrum of transverse modes shows a rotonlike minimum, which eventually destabilizes the straight vortex when the BEC as a whole is still stable, opening the possibility for new scenarios for vortex-line configurations in dipolar gases.

Resonant spin-changing collisions in spinor fermi gases

The compensation of quadratic Zeeman effect and trap energy in high-spin fermions is shown to lead to resonances in the spin-changing collisions that are typically absent in spinor condensates and spin-1/2 fermions. We study these resonances in lattice fermions, showing that they permit the targeting of a particular spin-changing channel while suppressing the rest and the creation of magnetically insensitive superpositions of many-body states with entangled spin and trap degrees of freedom. Finally, the intersite tunneling may lead to a quantum phase transition described by a quantum Ising model.

The tumour suppressor gene p53 modulates the severity of antigen-induced arthritis and the systemic immune response

p53 is a transcription factor with a well-described role in the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest as part of a protective response to a variety of stressful stimuli. Expansion of inflamed tissue in rheumatoid arthritis has been related to the loss of functioning p53, and the severity of collagen-induced arthritis is increased in p53-/- mice. Our objective was to assess the role of p53 in a model of adaptive immunity, antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). AIA was induced in p53-/- and wild-type mice by priming with methylated bovine serum albumin followed by intra-articular challenge. Severity of arthritis was assessed using a standardized scoring system and synovial apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labelling. Splenocyte proliferation was measured by [H(3)] incorporation and interferon (IFN)-gamma release. Splenocyte viability was assessed using Titreglow. Splenic T cell activation status was assessed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Increased severity of AIA in p53-/- mice was associated with decreased synovial apoptosis and with increased delayed-type hypersensitivity response, increased mitogen and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation and increased IFN-gamma release in p53-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. Antigen-specific immunoglobulin responses were equivalent in both groups. Splenocyte viability was increased in p53-/- mice but T cell apoptosis was equivalent. T cell activation markers were increased in p53-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor release was increased in p53-/- mice with a trend to increased interleukin-6 in p53-/- mice compared with littermates. p53 is involved in the modulation of adaptive and innate immune responses relevant to arthritis models and is also involved in the modulation of severity of AIA by both cell-cycle dependent and cell-cycle-independent mechanisms.

Capsicum and Mycotoxin Contamination: State of the Art in a Global Context

Owing to their usual conditions of production in countries with warm and humid climates and to poor storage conditions, products derived from Capsicum sp. are susceptible to fungal contamination and development, which can lead to the accumulation of mycotoxins in these foods. Thus, products as chilli or paprika can be contaminated with fungal toxins, such as aflatoxins, ochratoxins and other mycotoxins, which pose a serious risk to public health. This study reviews the main aspects regarding mycotoxin contamination of Capsicum, in the context of the importance of this product in a global market and approaches the effect of processing on final contamination of foods, as well as reviews the analytical methodology commonly employed in fungal and mycotoxin analysis in these types of products.

The effect of lens wear on refractive index of conventional hydrogel and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses: a comparative study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the ability of four silicone-hydrogel contact lenses (galyfilcon A, balafilcon A, lotrafilcon A and lotrafilcon B) to retain their equilibrium water content before and after wear, through measurements of refractive index and compare with that of a conventional disposable hydrogel contact lens (etafilcon A).

METHODS

The refractive indices of 115 contact lenses were measured using an automated refractometer (CLR 12-70, Index Instruments, Cambridge, U.K.) before and after a schedule of daily wear by 58 patients for 30 days in the case of silicone-hydrogel lenses and 15 days for the conventional contact lenses.

RESULTS

In the silicone-hydrogel contact lenses the changes on the refractive indices were not statistically significant, however after being worn the refractive index of the conventional etalfilcon A hydrogel contact lens increased significantly (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results presented here show that after being worn the silicone-hydrogel contact lens, show more capacity to retain or to reach their initial equilibrium water content than conventional hydrogel contact lenses. This suggests that the silicone-hydrogel contact lenses are less susceptible to spoilation over time maintaining its biocompatibility and contributing to the clinical success of lens performance.

Cold dipolar gases in quasi-one-dimensional geometries

We analyze the physics of cold dipolar gases in quasi-one-dimensional geometries, showing that the confinement-induced scattering resonances produced by the transversal trapping are crucially affected by the dipole-dipole interaction. As a consequence, the dipolar interaction may drastically change the properties of quasi-1D dipolar condensates, even for situations in which the dipolar interaction would be completely overwhelmed by the short-range interactions in a 3D environment.

Compatibility of a live infectious bovine rhinotraheitis (IBR) marker vaccine and an inactivated bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) vaccine

The target animals and vaccination regimes for vaccines against the bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and the bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) are very similar. Therefore, we have compared different schedules for the combined use of a live IBR marker vaccine and an inactivated BVD vaccine. The neutralizing antibody response against BVDV did not reveal any differences between the group vaccinated only with the BVD vaccine and the groups that were vaccinated simultaneously (together in the same syringe) or concurrently (two separate injections) with the IBR marker vaccine at the first or second dose and the third dose of the BVD vaccine. Likewise, the bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) neutralizing antibody titres did not exhibit any negative effect by the simultaneous or concurrent use of the two products as compared to the single IBR marker vaccination. These results indicate that the two vaccines can be applied at the same day for the first or second dose of the BVD basic vaccination and then at the booster vaccinations (third dose onwards).

Toscana virus meningitis in Portugal, 2002-2005

Toscana virus infection is endemic in Italy, but has also been documented in other Mediterranean countries. Our aim was to investigate the occurrence of Toscana virus (TOSV) meningitis in children and young adults in a metropolitan area in the north of Portugal. Cerebrospinal fluid samples from 308 patients with the diagnosis of meningitis and with negative bacterial culture were tested for enteroviruses and herpesviruseses by reverse transcription PCR. Those samples that proved negative for enterovirus and herpesvirus were tested for Toscana virus with a commercial reverse transcription nested PCR assay. In total, we investigated 106 samples, collected between May and September during the four-year period between 2002 and 2005 from patients younger than 30 years old. Toscana virus was the cause of meningitis in six (5.6%) of the cases, three children and three young adults. All had a benign course and self-limited disease. Since a first case report of TOSV infection 1985 and another in 1996, both in foreign tourists, these six cases of Toscana virus meningitis are, to our knowledge, the first diagnosed in Portuguese inhabitants, and they underline the need for more studies on the prevalence of this virus in Portugal.

Painful legs and moving toes syndrome associated with Hashimoto's disease

A patient with Hashimoto' s disease presented with painful legs and moving toes (PLMT). The neurological and electrophysiological findings suggest that, in this case, PLMT syndrome is a variety of dystonic movement and is associated with Hashimoto's disease.

Raman spectroscopic characterization of porcine brain tissue using a single fiber-optic probe

Accurate targeting of diseased and healthy tissue has significantly been improved by MRI/CT-based navigation systems. Recently, intraoperative MRI navigation systems have proven to be powerful tools for the guidance of the neurosurgical operations. However, the widespread use of such systems is held back by the costs, the time consumption during operation, and the need for MR-compatible surgical devices. Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive optical technique that enables real-time tissue identification and classification and has proved to be a powerful diagnostic tool in a large number of studies. In the present report, we have investigated the possibility of distinguishing different brain structures by using a single fiber-optic probe to collect Raman scattered light in the high-wavenumber region of the spectrum. For the Raman measurements, 7 pig brains were sliced in the coronal plain and Raman spectra were obtained of 11-19 anatomical structures. Adjacent brain structures could be distinguished based on their Raman spectra, reflecting the differences in their biochemical composition and illustrating the potential Raman spectroscopy holds as a guidance tool during neurosurgical procedures.

Evaluation of the induction of NS3 specific BVDV antibodies using a commercial inactivated BVDV vaccine in immunization and challenge trials

In order to evaluate whether cattle vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) can be differentiated serologically from BVDV infected animals, two different aspects were investigated. Firstly the antibody response against non-structural proteins (NS) was measured after multiple vaccinations of cattle with a single or double dose of a commercially available inactivated BVDV vaccine. In a second study, the animals were first vaccinated with the product, and then infected with BVDV. The antibody response was determined in four different commercial ELISA systems. It can be concluded, that the inactivated BVD vaccine exhibits properties of a marker vaccine when an appropriate antibody NS3 ELISA is applied: after vaccination NS3-specific antibody levels are low or undetectable, but the vaccination does in the present study not show any interference with the development of antibodies against NS3 after subsequent field virus infection.

Acute liver failure in pregnancy associated with maternal MCAD deficiency

In recent years the association between severe pregnancy complications and fetal fatty acid oxidation (FAO) disorders has been reported. However, there are few descriptions of a maternal FAO disorder leading to these complications. We describe acute liver failure associated with an undiagnosed maternal medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency. The previously healthy proband presented at the 39th week with an itchy rash, palmar erythema and trace proteinuria; she was admitted onto a maternity ward. Acute fatty liver was suspected from the blood tests and a Caesarean section was performed, delivering a healthy boy. Cord blood samples were taken at delivery as part of an ongoing research project. The analysis of the cord blood sample showed a high concentration of octanoylcarnitine of 2.3 micromol/L (reference <0.1), suggesting a possible fatty acid oxidation disorder. However, subsequent acylcarnitine analyses of the baby's blood showed a normal pattern. The proband was further evaluated by urine organic acids and acylcarnitine profile. Elevated concentrations of hexanoylglycine in urine and octanoylcarnitine in blood spots were found, consistent with a diagnosis of MCAD deficiency. Mutation analyses confirmed that she was homozygous for c.985A>G (K329E). Even though these pregnancy complications are rare and it is not possible to affirm that the proband's acute liver failure was secondary to an undiagnosed MCAD deficiency, it seems likely.

Pentachlorophenol removal from aqueous matrices by sorption with almond shell residues

Sorption with activated carbon has been the technique preferred for pentachlorophenol (PCP) removal from contaminated waters, but regeneration needs and high operation costs are supporting a renewed interest in the search for alternative sorbents. Among them, almond shell, an agricultural by-product, provides interesting economical advantages, once shells account for 50% (in mass) of the whole almond. In this work, the capacity of almond shells to remove PCP from waters without previous activation was studied in batch conditions. While PCP analysis was performed solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD), mercury porosimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided a preliminary physical and chemical characterization of the sorbent. Almond shells were essentially a macroporous material, with an average surface area of 12.9+/-2.8 m2/g. The efficiency of PCP removal was 93+/-14%, in 24 h, with an initial concentration of 100 microg/l PCP and 5 microg PCP/g shell. Isotherm data adjusted better to Freundlich equation, where K(F) and 1/n were 0.075+/-0.081 mg(1-1/n) l(1/n) and 1.882+/-0.289, respectively. Average desorption efficiency was 7%, indicating strong adsorption capacity. Results proved that almond shells may be an excellent low-cost alternative for PCP removal from contaminated waters.

MSH6 germline mutations in early-onset colorectal cancer patients without family history of the disease

Germline MLH1 and MSH2 mutations are scarce in young colorectal cancer patients with negative family history of the disease. To evaluate the contribution of germline MSH6 mutations to early-onset colorectal cancer, we have analysed peripheral blood of 38 patients diagnosed with this disease before 45 years of age and who presented no family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer-related cancers. Blood samples from 108 healthy volunteers were analysed for those genetic alterations suspected to affect the function of MSH6. Of the seven (18.4%) MSH6 alterations found, we have identified three novel germline mutations, one 8 bp deletion leading to a truncated protein and two missense mutations resulting in the substitution of amino acids belonging to different polarity groups. High-frequency microsatellite instability was found in the patient with the MSH6 deletion, but not in the other 27 carcinomas analysed. No MLH1 promoter methylation was detected in tumour tissue. Our findings suggest that germline MSH6 mutations contribute to a subset of early-onset colorectal cancer. Further studies are warranted to understand the genetic and environmental factors responsible for the variable penetration of MSH6 germline mutations, as well as to identify other causes of early-onset colorectal cancer.

Spin-3 chromium Bose-Einstein condensates

We analyze the physics of spin-3 Bose-Einstein condensates, and, in particular, the new physics expected in ongoing experiments with condensates of chromium atoms. We first discuss the ground-state properties, which, depending on still unknown chromium parameters, and for low magnetic fields, can present various types of phases. We also discuss the spinor dynamics in chromium spinor condensates, which present significant qualitative differences when compared to other spinor condensates. In particular, dipole-induced spin relaxation may lead for low magnetic fields to transfer of spin into angular momentum similar to the well-known Einstein-de Haas effect. Additionally, a rapid large transference of population between distant magnetic states also becomes possible.