Energy dependence of forward-rapidity [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] production in pp collisions at the LHC

We present results on transverse momentum ([Formula: see text]) and rapidity ([Formula: see text]) differential production cross sections, mean transverse momentum and mean transverse momentum square of inclusive [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at forward rapidity ([Formula: see text]) as well as [Formula: see text]-to-[Formula: see text] cross section ratios. These quantities are measured in pp collisions at center of mass energies [Formula: see text] and 13 TeV with the ALICE detector. Both charmonium states are reconstructed in the dimuon decay channel, using the muon spectrometer. A comprehensive comparison to inclusive charmonium cross sections measured at [Formula: see text], 7 and 8 TeV is performed. A comparison to non-relativistic quantum chromodynamics and fixed-order next-to-leading logarithm calculations, which describe prompt and non-prompt charmonium production respectively, is also presented. A good description of the data is obtained over the full [Formula: see text] range, provided that both contributions are summed. In particular, it is found that for [Formula: see text] GeV/c the non-prompt contribution reaches up to 50% of the total charmonium yield.

Production of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons up to high transverse momentum in pp collisions at 2.76 TeV

The invariant differential cross sections for inclusive [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons at midrapidity were measured in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV for transverse momenta [Formula: see text] GeV/c and [Formula: see text] GeV/c, respectively, using the ALICE detector. This large range in [Formula: see text] was achieved by combining various analysis techniques and different triggers involving the electromagnetic calorimeter (EMCal). In particular, a new single-cluster, shower-shape based method was developed for the identification of high-[Formula: see text] neutral pions, which exploits that the showers originating from their decay photons overlap in the EMCal. Above 4 GeV/[Formula: see text], the measured cross sections are found to exhibit a similar power-law behavior with an exponent of about 6.3. Next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations differ from the measured cross sections by about 30% for the [Formula: see text], and between 30-50% for the [Formula: see text] meson, while generator-level simulations with PYTHIA 8.2 describe the data to better than 10-30%, except at [Formula: see text] GeV/[Formula: see text]. The new data can therefore be used to further improve the theoretical description of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] meson production.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products on the lactational performance of mid-lactation dairy cows

This study was to evaluate 1 current and 2 newly developed Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP, Diamond V Original XPC and 2 test products) on the production efficiency of mid-lactation dairy cows. Eighty mid-lactation (164.5 ± 67.5 d in milk: DIM) Holstein cows (56 multiparous and 24 primiparous) were blocked by parity, DIM, and milk production, and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) Control (CON): corn silage and haylage based ration; 2) XPC: CON ration with Original XPC added at 14 g/d; 3) Product 1 (P1): CON ration with Product 1 added at 5 g/d; and 4) Product 2 (P2): CON ration with Product 2 added at 19 g/d. Treatments were blended with dried distillers grains and then mixed into a total mixed ration at 454 g/d. The first 14 d of the study (d–14 to 0) was for training cows to use the Calan door feeding system and cows were fed the CON ration during this period followed by an 8 wk continuous experimental period. Dry matter intakes were similar (P > 0.10) when cows were fed all treatments (25.7, 26.1, 25.1, and 26.2 kg/d for CON, XPC, P1, and P2, respectively). Milk production (33.3, 34.4, 35.5, and 36.8 kg/d) was improved (P < 0.05) for cows fed P2 compared to cows fed CON, with cows fed other treatments being intermediate and similar (P > 0.10). Feed efficiency (milk yield/dry matter intake) was improved (P < 0.05) for cows fed P1 and P2, compared to cows fed CON and XPC (1.30, 1.34, 1.49 and 1.41 kg/kg). Milk fat content was reduced (P < 0.05) for cows fed P2 (4.17, 3.93, 4.08, and 3.85%) compared to cows fed CON, with cows fed other treatments being intermediate (P > 0.10). Milk protein and lactose percentages were similar (P > 0.10) among treatments. Cows fed P2 had reduced (P < 0.05) molar proportion of ruminal acetate (63.8, 64.0, 63.1, and 62.3%) and greater (P < 0.05) propionate (18.9, 19.3, 19.7, and 20.6%) than cows fed other treatments. Supplementing a dairy ration with SCFP, such as P2, can improve milk production and feed efficiency of mid-lactation cows.

Study of prostatic pathology and its correlation with prostate specific antigen level

Background: Diseases primarily inflicting prostate gland are inflammation, benign prostatic hyperplasia and cancer. Prostate specific antigen is a protein produced by the cells of prostate gland. It has been widely used in the diagnosis and management of patients with prostatic cancer. The aim this study was to determine the correlation between serum prostate specific antigen level and histological findings in biopsy specimens of men with prostatic disease.Materials and methods: This study was carried out at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, department of Pathology over a period of 2 years. One hundred and twenty eight cases with prostatic lesions were included in this study. Prostate specific antigen values of these cases were recorded before the surgical process. Histology of the tissue samples collected after transurethral resection of prostate was studied and relationship with prostate specific antigen level were analyzed.Results: Benign prostatic hyperplasia was the most common histological lesion encountered (n=95; 74.22%). Prostatic adenocarcinomas were seen a decade older than those with benign lesions. Maximum number of the benign cases had the Prostate specific antigen range of 0-7ng/ml. Most of the prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions were seen within the PSA range of 0-7ng/ml and adenocarcinoma in the range of >20ng/ml.Conclusion: Prostate specific antigen is specific for the prostate but not for prostate cancer. Both benign and malignant lesions in prostate can cause increase in serum prostate specific antigen levels, but the chances of malignancy it rising level. 

First-Principles Correlated Approach to the Normal State of Strontium Ruthenate

The interplay between multiple bands, sizable multi-band electronic correlations and strong spin-orbit coupling may conspire in selecting a rather unusual unconventional pairing symmetry in layered Sr2RuO4. This mandates a detailed revisit of the normal state and, in particular, the T-dependent incoherence-coherence crossover. Using a modern first-principles correlated view, we study this issue in the actual structure of Sr2RuO4 and present a unified and quantitative description of a range of unusual physical responses in the normal state. Armed with these, we propose that a new and important element, that of dominant multi-orbital charge fluctuations in a Hund's metal, may be a primary pair glue for unconventional superconductivity. Thereby we establish a connection between the normal state responses and superconductivity in this system.

The enhanced photocatalytic activity of g-C3N4-LaFeO3 for the water reduction reaction through a mediator free Z-scheme mechanism

A g-C₃N₄/LaFeO₃ solid–solid interface showing enhanced hydrogen production ability under visible-light irradiation through a mediator free Z-Scheme mechanism.

Role of S-100 Immunostain as An Auxiliary Diagnostic Aid in Leprosy

INTRODUCTION

Histopathologic diagnosis of leprosy is difficult when Bacillary Index (BI) is zero and neural involvement are not easily identifiable on routine Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. This study was undertaken to study the role of S-100 immunostaining in demonstrating different patterns of nerve involvement in various types of leprosy.

METHODS

Thirty one skin biopsies with clinico-histopathologic diagnoses of leprosy over a period of two years were included in the study. Ten cases of non-lepromatous granulomatous dermatoses (including eight cases of lupus vulgaris and two cases of erythema nodosum) were used as controls. Tissue sections from all cases and controls were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain, Fite stain and S-100 immunostain. The H&E stained slides were used to study the histopathological features, Fite stained slides for Bacillary Index and S-100 for nerve changes.

RESULTS

Neural changes could be demonstrated in the entire spectrum of leprosy using S-100 immunostaining. The most common pattern of nerve destruction in the tuberculoid spectrum was fragmented and infiltrated whereas lepromatous spectrum showed mostly fragmented nerve twigs. Intact nerves were not detected in any of the leprosy cases.

CONCLUSIONS

S-100 immunostain is a useful auxiliary aid to the routine H&E stain in the diagnosis of leprosy especially tuberculoid spectrum and intermediate leprosy.

A difficult case of recurrent hypoglycaemia: role of insulin assays in establishing the diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Insulin assays are designed to detect endogenous insulin, however, insulin assays produced by different manufacturers may detect exogenous recombinant insulin, with varying degrees of cross-reactivity between different assays. We report a fascinating and difficult case of recurrent hypoglycaemia, where the final diagnosis was established with the help of insulin assays using different platforms.

CASE REPORT

A 24-year-old female presented with recurrent hypoglycaemic episodes on a background of Type 1 diabetes mellitus and a completely resected synovial sarcoma of the right hip several years previously. She reported significant physical, sexual and emotional abuse leading to reduced appetite and weight loss. Despite withdrawing insulin therapy, she experienced profound hypoglycaemic episodes with detectable C-peptide and inappropriately elevated insulin levels, suggesting endogenous hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia; however, localization studies were negative and finally she was found to have exogenous hyperinsulinaemia after discordant insulin levels were detected using two different insulin assays. The C-peptide level was elevated as a result of stimulation by parenteral dextrose and was suppressed after dextrose was ceased. Her Type 1 diabetes mellitus was fabricated and she had factitious hypoglycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Factitious hypoglycemia is difficult to diagnose and treat. A low blood glucose level, suppressed C-peptide level and an inappropriately elevated insulin level is the classic finding. We were able to make a diagnosis in the present case after discordant insulin levels were detected on the two different insulin assays, signifying cross-reactivities of the recombinant insulin with the assays. A multidisciplinary team approach with psychiatric input is needed to treat such cases.

Effects of conservation method on condensed tannin content, ruminal degradation, and in vitro intestinal digestion of purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.)

In situ and in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of forage conservation method on the chemical composition, ruminal degradation, and intestinal digestion of purple prairie clover (PPC), which was conserved as freeze-dried forage (FD), silage (SIL), or hay (Hay). In situ dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and crude protein (CP) degradabilities were determined by incubating the forages in three rumen-cannulated heifers for 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 h. Intestinal DM and CP digestions were estimated by incubating 12 h ruminal in situ residues in a modified three-step in vitro procedure. Ensiling decreased (P < 0.001) extractable condensed tannins (CT) but increased (P < 0.001) protein- and fiber-bound CT compared with FD and Hay. The ruminal disappearance of CP at 8 and 24 h was affected by conservation method (P < 0.001), ranked as SIL > FD > Hay. The effective degradability of DM was lower (P < 0.001) for Hay than for FD and SIL. Ensiling lowered (P < 0.001) whereas haymaking increased (P < 0.001) intestinal digestion of CP compared with the fresh PPC. There were no differences in intestinal DM digestion among the three conserved forages. The results suggest that PPC conserved as Hay may conserve the biological activity of CT via preserving extractable CT more than as SIL, thus having the potential to improve protein utilization in ruminants.

Schwannoma in lower lip - A case report

Journal of Society of Surgeons of Nepal Vol.17(1) 2014: 44-46

Maxillary Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumour

The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor is a benign, locally invasive, slow-growing neoplasm occurring as intraosseous (94%) and extraosseous (6%) variants and with a frequency of 1-2%. Extraosseous variant is diagnosed slightly earlier than the intraosseous type. The intraosseous CEOT shows a maxilla:mandible site ratio of 1:2 and are mainly located in the premolar/molar region. Histologically, the CEOT is characterized by the occurrence of sheets, nests and masses of polyhedral, eosinophilic epithelial cells which may show cellular abnormalities including giant cell formation and nuclear pleomorphism. Some cells increase in size and produce a homogeneous, eosinophilic, 'amyloid-like' substance which may become calcified and which may be liberated as the cells break down. Enucleation with a margin of macroscopically normal tissue is the recommended treatment for CEOT involving the mandible. Maxillary CEOT are treated more aggressively, as they tend to grow more rapidly and do not usually remain well confined.

Serum lipid profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma: alterations and association with some clinicopathological parameters and tobacco use

Hypocholesterolemia has been observed in patients with cancers of various organs; however the potential role of alterations in serum lipid profile in oral cancer remains controversial. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the serum lipid profile in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its prognostic significance. Ninety untreated OSCC patients, who reported to the craniofacial unit for treatment between 2011 and 2014, were identified to obtain clinicopathological data and preoperative blood investigations including lipid profile. The fasting blood lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL), was evaluated using a fully automated biochemistry analyser. Data were analyzed statistically using the Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and post hoc tests. Statistically significant decreases in serum TC, HDL, and LDL levels were observed in OSCC patients as compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in mean lipid profile values in terms of stage, grade, or lymph node metastasis. This study identified changes in lipid profiles in OSCC. The results suggest that during the development and progression of OSCC, levels of serum lipids are decreased. A review of the literature confirmed that OSCC patients exhibit aberrant serum lipid patterns.