Three months versus one year of oral anticoagulant therapy for idiopathic deep venous thrombosis. Warfarin Optimal Duration Italian Trial Investigators

BACKGROUND

In patients with idiopathic deep venous thrombosis, continuing anticoagulant therapy beyond three months is associated with a reduced incidence of recurrent thrombosis during the period of therapy. Whether this benefit persists after anticoagulant therapy is discontinued is controversial.

METHODS

Patients with a first episode of idiopathic proximal deep venous thrombosis who had completed three months of oral anticoagulant therapy (with warfarin, in 97 percent of the cases and acenocoumarol in 3 percent) were randomly assigned to the discontinuation of oral anticoagulants or to their continuation for nine additional months. The primary study outcome was recurrence of symptomatic, objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism during at least two years of follow-up.

RESULTS

The primary intention-to-treat analysis showed that of 134 patients assigned to continued oral anticoagulant therapy, 21 had a recurrence of venous thromboembolism (15.7 percent; average follow-up, 37.8 months), as compared with 21 of 133 patients assigned to the discontinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy (15.8 percent; average follow-up, 37.2 months), resulting in a relative risk of 0.99 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.57 to 1.73). During the initial nine months after randomization (after all patients received three months of therapy), 1 patient had a recurrence while receiving oral anticoagulant therapy (0.7 percent), as compared with 11 of the patients assigned to the discontinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy (8.3 percent; P=0.003). The incidence of recurrence after the discontinuation of treatment was 5.1 percent per patient-year in patients in whom oral anticoagulant therapy was discontinued after 3 months (95 percent confidence interval, 3.2 to 7.5 percent; average interval since discontinuation, 37.2 months) and 5.0 percent per patient-year in patients who received an additional 9 months of oral anticoagulant therapy (95 percent confidence interval, 3.1 to 7.8 percent; average interval since discontinuation, 29.4 months). None of the recurrences were fatal. Four patients had non-fatal major bleeding during the extended period of anticoagulant therapy (3.0 percent).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with idiopathic deep venous thrombosis, the clinical benefit associated with extending the duration of anticoagulant therapy to one year is not maintained after the therapy is discontinued.

Exploring gravity with the MIGA large scale atom interferometer

We present the MIGA experiment, an underground long baseline atom interferometer to study gravity at large scale. The hybrid atom-laser antenna will use several atom interferometers simultaneously interrogated by the resonant mode of an optical cavity. The instrument will be a demonstrator for gravitational wave detection in a frequency band (100 mHz–1 Hz) not explored by classical ground and space-based observatories, and interesting for potential astrophysical sources. In the initial instrument configuration, standard atom interferometry techniques will be adopted, which will bring to a peak strain sensitivity of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\bf{2}}\cdot {\bf{1}}{{\bf{0}}}^{-{\bf{13}}}/\sqrt{{\bf{H}}{\bf{z}}}$$\end{document}2⋅10−13/Hz at 2 Hz. This demonstrator will enable to study the techniques to push further the sensitivity for the future development of gravitational wave detectors based on large scale atom interferometers. The experiment will be realized at the underground facility of the Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit (LSBB) in Rustrel–France, an exceptional site located away from major anthropogenic disturbances and showing very low background noise. In the following, we present the measurement principle of an in-cavity atom interferometer, derive the method for Gravitational Wave signal extraction from the antenna and determine the expected strain sensitivity. We then detail the functioning of the different systems of the antenna and describe the properties of the installation site.

Cardiac arrest and sudden death in competitive athletes with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a predisposing factor for sport-related cardiac arrest (CA), sudden cardiac death (SD), and life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT). The aim of this study was the assessment of athletes with ARVD, particularly the CA survivors. From 1974 to January 1996, 1642 competitive athletes (aver. 25.5 yr.), 136 of whom were top level athletes (TLA), were studied for important arrhythmic manifestations. All athletes underwent an individualised study protocol including a series of non invasive and invasive diagnostic techniques. One hundred and one athletes (90 males, 11 females, aver. 25.9 yr.) were diagnosed as being affected by ARVD on the basis of the WHO/ISFC criteria. The same percentage (about 6%) of ARVD is present in both the general arrhythmic athletes population and in the subgroup of TLA. Prevalence of ARVD among athletes with CA or SD is high (respectively 23% and 25%), confirming the observation that ARVD is one of the major causes of SD in Italian athletes. All CA were athletic activity related, indicating the potentiality of exercise as a cause of electrical destabilisation in subjects with ARVD. In athletes with documented ARVD intense sport activity has to be proscribed. In athletes at risk of CA or SD an aggressive treatment, ICD implantation and RF catheter ablation must be taken into consideration.

Incidence of cancer after a first episode of idiopathic venous thromboembolism treated with 3 months or 1 year of oral anticoagulation

BACKGROUND

A prolonged treatment with oral anticoagulants has been claimed to reduce the incidence of newly diagnosed cancer in the long-term follow-up of patients with venous thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVES

In a multicenter prospective study we assessed the incidence of newly diagnosed clinically overt cancer in patients with a first episode of idiopathic venous thromboembolism (VTE) treated with oral anticoagulants for 3 months or 1 year.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with an idiopathic venous thromboembolism who had completed 3 months of oral anticoagulant therapy without having a recurrence, bleeding or newly diagnosed cancer were randomized to discontinue oral anticoagulant therapy or to continue it for nine additional months. Idiopathic venous thromboembolism was defined as thrombosis occurring in the absence of known cancer, known thrombophilia, or temporary risk factors for venous thromboembolism. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year after randomization.

RESULTS

A total of 429 patients, 265 patients with DVT and 164 with PE, were followed up for an average of 43.7 months after randomization. A newly diagnosed cancer occurred in 32 patients (7.5%), 13 (6.2%) of the 210 patients treated for 3 months and 19 (8.7%) of the 219 patients treated for 1 year (RR = 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.36-1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of newly diagnosed clinically overt cancer is not reduced in patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism treated with 1-year anticoagulant treatment compared with patients treated for 3 months.

Determination of the newtonian gravitational constant using atom interferometry

We present a new measurement of the Newtonian gravitational constant G based on cold-atom interferometry. Freely falling samples of laser-cooled rubidium atoms are used in a gravity gradiometer to probe the field generated by nearby source masses. In addition to its potential sensitivity, this method is intriguing as gravity is explored by a quantum system. We report a value of G = 6.667 x 10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2), estimating a statistical uncertainty of +/-0.011 x 10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2) and a systematic uncertainty of +/-0.003 x 10(-11) m(3) kg(-1) s(-2). The long-term stability of the instrument and the signal-to-noise ratio demonstrated here open interesting perspectives for pushing the measurement accuracy below the 100 ppm level.

Arrhythmia patterns in athletes with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a typical 'silent' arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in athletes, with the possibility of normal ventricular performance and life-threatening arrhythmias. We studied 32 athletes (28 M, 4 F), mean age 23 years, follow-up 6.7 years, all previously declared fit for sports activity. They were studied for significant ventricular arrhythmias with LBBB with a final diagnosis of ARVD based on accepted clinical, echocardiographic and angiographic criteria. The study protocol included Holter monitoring (HM), stress test (ST), electrophysiological endocavitary study (EES), 2D echocardiography, RV and LV cardioangiography and coronarography. The most serious arrhythmia appeared at a mean age of 23.4 years, 20 had clinical sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) (19/20, 95% during sports activity), six non-sustained VT and one ventricular fibrillation (VF). Severe symptoms occurred in 16/32 athletes (50%) during sports activity in 13/16 (81%): presyncope in nine (non-sustained VT in one, sustained VT in eight); syncope in five (sustained VT); aborted sudden death (SD) in one, SD (follow-up) in one. The reproducibility (HM, ST, EES) of clinically severe arrhythmic manifestations which occurred during sports activity was not high. In fact, during sport many factors are at work which may activate several arrhythmogenic mechanisms not easily reproducible in the laboratory. We conclude that a cardioarrhythmological study is mandatory in suspected right ventricular arrhythmias, including morphological study of the RV, to avoid arrhythmic risk during athletic activity.

Flavin adenine dinucleotide synthesis in isolated rat liver mitochondria caused by imported flavin mononucleotide

Evidence is given in this paper that externally added flavin mononucleotide (FMN) induces flavin adenine dinucleotide synthesis in isolated rat liver mitochondria, as shown by fluorimetric, chromatographic, and enzymatic assays. FMN association with mitochondria is a process with hyperbolic features that is sensitive to externally added mersalyl.

Trajectories of Sugar Consumption and Dental Caries in Early Childhood

This study verifies the association between the trajectory of sugar consumption and dental caries in the 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort in Pelotas, Brazil. It was conducted with data from the follow-ups at 3, 12, 24, and 48 mo from the 2015 Birth Cohort, which included 4,275 children born alive in hospitals in Pelotas. Data collection included standardized questionnaires for first caregivers applied by trained interviewers at all follow-ups. Exposure was the trajectory of sugar consumption from 3 to 48 mo (always low, always intermediate, increasing, and always high), obtained by group-based trajectory modeling. The outcome of this study was dental caries, obtained through clinical examination performed by calibrated dentists at 48 mo of age. Socioeconomic conditions and oral health instruction from a health professional during the first 4 y of life were included in the analysis as potential confounders. Prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were provided from generalized estimating equations with a log-Poisson with robust variance specification. In total, 3,654 (91.1%) children participated in the survey at 48 mo, and 2,806 children had complete data for the analyzes performed. Of these, 1,012 (36.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 34.3-37.8) experienced caries, and 723 (25.8%; 95% CI, 24.2-27.4) had cavitated caries. Regarding cavitated caries, the prevalence was 1.48 times higher in the group with increasing sugar consumption than children with always low consumption. There is an association between the trajectory of sugar consumption and dental caries at 48 mo. Children with increasing and always high sugar consumption have the highest prevalence of caries.

HIDRAdisk: validation of an innovative visual tool to assess the burden of hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful inflamed nodules, recurrent abscesses and fistulas located in apocrine gland-bearing body sites. The negative impact of HS on patient's quality of life (QoL) has been reported to be greater than other dermatologic conditions as psoriasis and atopic eczema, and its improvement is an important goal in disease management. Nowadays, there are no specific validated QoL instruments available for HS and generic dermatologic questionnaires are used.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of HIDRAdisk, a new innovative tool designed for rapid assessment of HS burden and, at the same time, an intuitive graphic visualization of the measurement outcome.

METHODS

A multicentre, longitudinal, observational study was conducted to validate the HIDRAdisk compared with other validated questionnaires [Skindex-16, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-General Health (WPAI:GH)] and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity in Italian patients with any degree of HS severity, as measured by Hurley stage and HS Physician Global Assessment (HS-PGA).

RESULTS

A total of 140 patients (59% women; mean age 34.9 ± 11.0 years) were enrolled in 27 dermatologic centres. HIDRAdisk showed a strong correlation with Skindex-16 and DLQI, and a good one with WPAI:GH (correlation coefficient: 0.7568, 0.6651 and 0.5947, respectively) and a statistically significant correlation with both Hurley stage and HS-PGA. Very good internal consistency (Cronbach coefficient >0.80; intraclass correlation coefficient >0.6), with correlation between the 10 items, good test-retest reliability (Spearman correlation coefficient, 0.8331; P < 0.0001) and responsiveness to changes were demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that HIDRAdisk, a short and innovative visual HS QoL instrument, has been psychometrically validated in Italian language and it may help improve the management of HS once implemented in routine clinical practice.

A fibered laser system for the MIGA large scale atom interferometer

We describe the realization and characterization of a compact, autonomous fiber laser system that produces the optical frequencies required for laser cooling, trapping, manipulation, and detection of 87Rb atoms - a typical atomic species for emerging quantum technologies. This device, a customized laser system from the Muquans company, is designed for use in the challenging operating environment of the Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit (LSBB) in France, where a new large scale atom interferometer is being constructed underground - the MIGA antenna. The mobile bench comprises four frequency-agile C-band Telecom diode lasers that are frequency doubled to 780 nm after passing through high-power fiber amplifiers. The first laser is frequency stabilized on a saturated absorption signal via lock-in amplification, which serves as an optical frequency reference for the other three lasers via optical phase-locked loops. Power and polarization stability are maintained through a series of custom, flexible micro-optic splitter/combiners that contain polarization optics, acousto-optic modulators, and shutters. Here, we show how the laser system is designed, showcasing qualities such as reliability, stability, remote control, and flexibility, while maintaining the qualities of laboratory equipment. We characterize the laser system by measuring the power, polarization, and frequency stability. We conclude with a demonstration using a cold atom source from the MIGA project and show that this laser system fulfills all requirements for the realization of the antenna.

A shift in the epidemiology of low body mass index in Brazilian adults

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence and current predictors of low body mass index (BMI) in a population undergoing a rapid nutritional transition.

DESIGN

Population-based cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Individuals living in the urban area of Pelotas, a medium-sized southern Brazilian city, were interviewed at home.

SUBJECTS

A multiple-stage sampling strategy was used. Out of 3372 eligible subjects, 3047 were interviewed. The study was restricted to adults (> or = 20 y).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Low BMI was defined as <18.5 kg/m2.

RESULTS

The prevalence of low BMI was 2.7% (95% confidence interval: 2.1; 3.3), higher in women than men (3.8 vs 1.3%; P < 0.001). In the whole sample (men and women combined), living without a partner and current smoking were positively associated with low BMI. Among women, low BMI presented a U-shaped relationship with age and was positively associated with educational level. The prevalence of low BMI in young women was 6.3%, and in highly educated young women was 8.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistently with previous Brazilian studies, a decline in the overall prevalence of low BMI is clear. However, differently from these studies, the predictors of low BMI in women are similar to those observed within developed countries (including low age and high education), possibly indicating an increase in eating disorders.

Source mass and positioning system for an accurate measurement of G

We report on a system of well-characterized source masses and their precision positioning system for a measurement of the Newtonian gravitational constant G using atoms as probes. The masses are 24 cylinders of 50 mm nominal radius, 150.2 mm nominal height, and mass of about 21.5 kg, sintered starting from a mixture of 95.3% W, 3.2% Ni, and 1.5% Cu. Density homogeneity and cylindrical geometry have been carefully investigated. The positioning system independently moves two groups of 12 cylinders along the vertical direction by tens of centimeters with a reproducibility of a few microns. The whole system is compatible with a resolution DeltaG/G<10(-4).

Catheter ablation in competitive athletes: indication

Some supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT), particularly if paroxysmal and/or related to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), may in some cases endanger an athlete's professional career due to hemodynamic consequences during athletic activity, which in some instances may be life-threatening. One must also take into account that in Italy the law makes antiarrhythmic drug treatment (AAD) incompatible with sport eligibility. For these reasons, the utilization of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in athletes has different indications as opposed to the normal population, since the primary goal is "the eligibility of the athlete." In our study, we discuss the criteria for indication of RFA in athletes with SVT on the basis of the data obtained from our population of athletes, studied over a 20-year period, from 1974 to the 31st of December 1993. These athletes were evaluated for arrhythmic events, utilizing a standardized cardioarrhythmological protocol: 1,325 athletes (1,125 men, 200 women, mean age 20.7 years). One subgroup included 380 athletes with WPW (28.7%), 22 athletes with aborted sudden death (1.6%), 6 of whom had WPW, 13 athletes with sudden death (0.98%), and 2 of whom had WPW. Another subgroup was formed by 116 top level elite professional athletes (TLA) (mean age 22.9 years), of which 10 of 116 (8.6%) had WPW and 12 of 116 (10.3%) had paroxysmal SVT. The most important indications for RFA in athletes are represented by: WPW asymptomatic at risk, symptomatic during athletic activity, and/or requiring AAD treatment: paroxysmal junctional reentrant tachycardia: when this condition is disabling and related to exercise and therefore compromising an athlete's performance and sports career. Paroxysmal junctional reentrant tachycardia is easily reproduced via transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP) during exercise (bicycle ergometer), common in athletes but normally the recurrences are concentrated only during the period in which the athlete is engaged in sport. Rare indications for RFA are focal or reentry, permanent SVT, and particularly junctional reentrant tachycardia. For each individual athlete, we have to consider the possible side-effects of RFA, the possible recurrences with psychobiological traumatic consequences, the effective recovery period, and the natural history of the tachyarrhythmias, which frequently disappear after interruption of the sports career.

Watt-level single-frequency tunable neodymium MOPA fiber laser operating at 915-937 nm

We have developed a Watt-level single-frequency tunable fiber laser in the 915-937 nm spectral window. The laser is based on a neodymium-doped fiber master oscillator power amplifier architecture, with two amplification stages using a 20 mW extended cavity diode laser as seed. The system output power is higher than 2 W from 921 to 933 nm, with a stability better than 1.4% and a low relative intensity noise.

Long-term follow-up of patients with inducible supraventricular tachycardia treated with flecainide or propafenone: therapy guided by transesophageal electropharmacologic testing

We report our experience with flecainide and propafenone therapy for inducible supraventricular tachycardias and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias due to atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentry or the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. We performed an electropharmacologic test (ET) that consisted of first inducing a clinical arrhythmia by transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP) protocol. This was followed by intravenous drug administration and TAP reevaluation, either after acute intravenous administration or in oral steady-state. We used ET with flecainide and/or propafenone to study 2 groups of patients at least 3 years before the long-term clinical observation period. The first group was comprised of 58 patients with reciprocating tachycardias--due to AV node reentry in 17 (29.3%) and anomalous pathway in 41 (70.7%). Twelve (29.3%) of the latter had reciprocating tachycardias, 15 (36.6%) had atrial fibrillation, and 14 (34.2%) had both arrhythmias. During ET, flecainide was administered to 42 patients, and the ET was considered positive in 28 (66.7%). Propafenone was administered to 32 patients, with positive results in 15 (46.9%). In 15 patients, both flecainide and propafenone were tested, 8 receiving flecainide after a negative ET with propafenone, and 7 receiving propafenone after a negative ET with flecainide. In the first group, the ET was positive in 7 (87.5%), and in the second group, it was positive in 3 (42.9%). In a follow-up of 40.1 +/- 11 months, 38 (65.5%) patients had positive outcomes, 5 (8.6%) had to stop receiving the drugs because of side effects, 3 (5.2%) stopped because of inefficacy, and 12 (20.7%) dropped out.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

All-Optical Bose-Einstein Condensates in Microgravity

We report on the all-optical production of Bose-Einstein condensates in microgravity using a combination of grey molasses cooling, light-shift engineering and optical trapping in a painted potential. Forced evaporative cooling in a 3-m high Einstein elevator results in 4×10^{4} condensed atoms every 13.5 s, with a temperature as low as 35 nK. In this system, the atomic cloud can expand in weightlessness for up to 400 ms, paving the way for atom interferometry experiments with extended interrogation times and studies of ultracold matter physics at low energies on ground or in Space.

Feedback control of trapped coherent atomic ensembles

We demonstrate how to use feedback to control the internal states of trapped coherent ensembles of two-level atoms, and to protect a superposition state against the decoherence induced by a collective noise. Our feedback scheme is based on weak optical measurements with negligible backaction followed by coherent microwave manipulations. The efficiency of the feedback system is studied for a simple binary noise model and characterized in terms of the trade-off between information retrieval and destructivity from the optical probe. We also demonstrate the correction of more general types of collective noise. This technique can be used for the operation of atomic interferometers beyond the standard Ramsey scheme, opening the way towards improved atomic sensors.

[Stable ventricular tachycardia in arrhythmogenic dysplasia of the right ventricle in sportsmen]

Right ventricular arrhythmogenic dysplasia (RVAD) is a typical asymptomatic arrhythmogenic cardiopathy in athletes, which is occasionally concurrent with normal ventricular function and life-threatening arrhythmias. A total of 32 athletes (28 males and 4 females, mean age, 23 years, mean follow-up, 6.7 years) were examined for severe cardiac arrhythmias with left bundle branch block. The conclusive diagnosis of RVAD was established from clinical, echocardio-, and angiographic evidence. The protocol of the examination involved Holter monitoring, loading tests, electrophysiological study, two-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac angiography of the right and left ventricles, coronary angiography. The most severe arrhythmias were observed in athletes whose mean age was 23.4 years, 20 patients had sustained ventricular tachycardia (it occurred only in 19 who were indulging in sports), 6 presented with transient ventricular tachycardia, and 1 had ventricular fibrillation. They all had been considered fit for sports. The disease proceeded severely in 16 of 32 athletes (in 13 of 16 while indulging in sports), the conditions close to syncope were seen in 9 patients (8 had sustained ventricular tachycardias and 1 had transient ventricular tachycardias), syncopes were observed in 5 patients (sustained ventricular tachycardias).

[Effects on renal function of a drug antagonistic to morphine-like peptide systems after water load]

Following i.v. administration of 0,4 mg Naloxone, a pure antagonist of opioid peptides, a study of renal function was performed in 5 patients who underwent oral water load equal to 20 cc/Kg water for 15-20 min. Within 15 min after administration of the drug all cases showed a further increase in urinary flow resulting from an increase in glomerular filtration rate and CH2O. The absence of systemic haemodynamic changes (BP, HR) suggested an intrarenal origin of the phenomena observed, as a sign of expansion of the system responsible for free water elimination. We put forward the hypothesis that Naloxone inhibits the antidiuretic activity of opioid peptides - in any case quiescent under water load conditions - which is masked by osmotic and volume mechanism.

[Arrhythmologic study of 50 patients with arrhythmogenic disease of the right ventricle: prognostic implications]

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular disease is a syndrome which involves a wide spectrum of anatomo-clinical features. It is characterised by different levels of right ventricle anomaly, and by life-threatening "right" hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias. Fifty consecutive pts were retrospectively examined at the Arrhythmological Centre in Trento between 1977 and 1988. The results of rigorous arrhythmological, echocardiographic and angiographic criteria showed that all pts were affected by arrhythmogenic right ventricular disease.

CASE STUDY

39/50 (78%) males, 11/50 (22%) females; age 30.6 years (11-78) at the time of the first study.

METHODS

clinical history in 50/50 pts, electrocardiogram in 50/50 pts, Holter monitoring in 50/50 pts, ergometric test in 49/50 pts, non-invasive analysis using signal-averaging QRS in 17/50 pts, 2D echocardiogram in 50/50 pts, angiography in 38/50 pts, electrophysiological endocavitary study in 35/50 pts.

RESULTS

familial 2/50 (4%); 1/50 (2%) was in class II NYHA; first arrhythmia at 24.6 years (8-60); most severe arrhythmia at 27.7 years (9-74). Forty-three out of fifty patients (86%) were symptomatic for arrhythmias: 28/50 (56%) as a result of stress; 20/50 (40%) had life-threatening symptoms; 6/50 (12%) had aborted sudden death. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular disease was "localized" in 42/50 (84%) and "diffused" in 8/50 (16%) and was associated with anomalies of the left ventricle in 30/50 (60%). Electrocardiogram showed: right bundle branch block in 10/50 (20%), negative T wave on the right precordial leads in 19/50 (38%), delayed ventricular potentials in 4/17 (23.5%). Using the electrocardiogram, Holter monitoring and electrophysiological endocavitary study the following were documented: a) clinical ventricular tachycardia in 40/50 (80%): non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in 10/50 (20%), sustained ventricular tachycardia in 30/50 (60%); b) electrically induced ventricular tachycardia in 26/35 (74.2%): non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in 8/35 (22.8%), sustained ventricular tachycardia in 18/35 (51.4%) (clinical sustained ventricular tachycardia in 18/18); c) multiform ventricular tachycardia in 12/50 (24%) (diffused arrhythmogenic right ventricular disease in 3/12 and associated anomalies of the left ventricle in 11/12); d) pleomorphic sustained ventricular tachycardia in 9/30 (30%) (diffused arrhythmogenic right ventricular disease in 2/9, and associated anomalies of the left ventricle in 8/9). Forty-two out of fifty patients (84%) underwent antiarrhythmic treatment. When the study was carried out 6.6 years (1 month-22 years) had passed since the first symptom; follow-up was 2.1 years (1 month-11 years) while the interval between the first symptom and the last check-up was 8.4 years (1-30 years); 2/50 dropped out and 2/50 died suddenly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

In situ characterization of an optical cavity using atomic light shift

We report the precise characterization of the optical potential obtained by injecting a distributed-feedback erbium-doped fiber laser at 1560 nm to the transverse modes of a folded optical cavity. The optical potential was mapped in situ using cold rubidium atoms, whose potential energy was spectrally resolved thanks to the strong differential light shift induced by the 1560 nm laser on the two levels of the probe transition. The optical potential obtained in the cavity is suitable for trapping rubidium atoms and eventually to achieve all-optical Bose-Einstein condensation directly in the resonator.

Multiphoton Atom Interferometry via Cavity-Enhanced Bragg Diffraction

We present a novel atom interferometer configuration that combines large momentum transfer with the enhancement of an optical resonator for the purpose of measuring gravitational strain in the horizontal directions. Using Bragg diffraction and taking advantage of the optical gain provided by the resonator, we achieve momentum transfer up to 8ℏk with mW level optical power in a cm-sized resonating waist. Importantly, our experiment uses an original resonator design that allows for a large resonating beam waist and eliminates the need to trap atoms in cavity modes. We demonstrate inertial sensitivity in the horizontal direction by measuring the change in tilt of our resonator. This result paves the way for future hybrid atom or optical gravitational wave detectors. Furthermore, the versatility of our method extends to a wide range of measurement geometries and atomic sources, opening up new avenues for the realization of highly sensitive inertial atom sensors.