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A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a case study of a female patient diagnosed with generalized nodular vasculitis (NV) by mycobacterium (M.) marinum.

Muon spin relaxation measurements are reported on three members of the LixMPO4 series. The magnetic properties of stoichiometric samples with M = Ni, Co, Fe were investigated at low temperature. In LiNiPO4 we observe different forms of the muon decay asymmetry in the commensurate and incommensurate antiferromagnetic phases, accompanied by a change in the temperature dependence of the muon oscillation frequency. In LiCoPO4 the form of the muon decay asymmetry indicates that the correlation between layers decreases as the Néel temperature is approached from below. LiFePO4 shows more conventional behavior, typical for a three-dimensional antiferromagnet. Measurements on LixFePO4 with x = 0.8,0.9, and 1 show evidence for lithium diffusion below ~250 K and muon diffusion dominating the form of the relaxation at higher temperature. The thermally activated form of the observed hopping rate suggests an activation barrier for lithium diffusion of ~100 meV and a diffusion constant of DLi ~ 10-10 to 10-9 cm² s-1 at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a novel susceptometer with a particularly small spatial footprint and no moving parts. The susceptometer is suitable for use in systems with limited space where magnetic measurements may not have been previously possible, such as in pressure cells and rotators, as well as in extremely high pulsed fields. The susceptometer is based on the proximity detector oscillator, which has a broad dynamic resonant frequency range and has so far been used predominantly for transport measurements. We show that for insulating samples, the resonance frequency behavior as a function of field consists of a magnetoresistive and an inductive component, originating, respectively, from the sensor coil and the sample. The response of the coil is modeled, and upon subtraction of the magnetoresistive component the dynamic magnetic susceptibility and magnetization can be extracted. We successfully measure the magnetization of the organic molecular magnets Cu(H2O)5(VOF4)(H2O) and [Cu(HF2)(pyz)2]BF4 in pulsed magnetic fields and by comparing the results to that from a traditional extraction susceptometer confirm that the new system can be used to measure and observe magnetic susceptibilities and phase transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxides containing iridium ions display a range of magnetic and conducting properties that depend on the delicate balance between interactions and are controlled, at least in part, by the details of the crystal architecture. We have used muon spin rotation (μSR) to study the local field in four iridium oxides, Ca4IrO6, Ca5Ir3O12, Sr3Ir2O7, and Sr2IrO4, which show contrasting behavior. Our μSR data on Ca4IrO6 and Ca5Ir3O12 are consistent with conventional antiferromagnetism where quasistatic magnetic order develops below TN=13.85(6) and 7.84(7) K, respectively. A lower internal field is observed for Ca5Ir3O12, as compared to Ca4IrO6, reflecting the presence of both Ir4+ and Ir5+ ions and resulting in a more magnetically dilute structure. Muon precession is only observed over a restricted range of temperature in Sr3Ir2O7, while the Mott insulator Sr2IrO4 displays more complex behavior, with the μSR signal containing a single, well-resolved precession signal below TN=230 K, which splits into two precession signals at low temperature following a reorientation of the spins in the ordered state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: Posterior urethral valves (PUV) are a common cause of lower urinary tract obstruction. Renal failure occurs in approximately one third of the cases. It is debated whether urinoma formation is a protective mechanism to reduce pressure-related impairment of renal function. The aim of our study was to determine if urinoma formation is able to preserve renal function on the side of the urinoma. Methods: Five male patients diagnosed with posterior urethral valves and uni- or bilateral urinoma formation were reviewed. Renal function was assessed by serum creatinine level at days 4-7 and at two months, in addition to dimercaptosuccinylacid (DMSA) scintigraphy at 4-6 weeks postnatal age. Results: Impaired renal function occurred unilaterally in four patients, two had bilateral urinoma formation, and the other two boys presented with unilateral urinoma, one with preserved renal function ipsilateral to the urinoma and the other on the contralateral side. Urinary ascites was detected in three patients, all underwent antenatal centesis. Conclusions: No association was found between renal function and urinoma formation in patients with PUV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Order-disorder mechanism is a part of phase transition nature in the ABO 3 perovskites. It is related with the existence of polar regions, which dynamics in the electric field determines the dielectric response near T c . Temperature dependence of mechanical strain connected with polarisation change in the paraelectric phase has been investigated for the BaTiO 3 and PbZrO 3 single crystals. Existence of polar regions influences the electrostrictive properties and induces the piezoelectric effect in the paraelectric phase. A non-linear temperature dependence of the electrostrictive coupling between the macroscopic strain and macroscopic polarisation has been found above T c . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The causative molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of coeliac disease are poorly understood. To unravel novel aspects of disease pathogenesis, we used microarrays to determine changes in gene expression of duodenal biopsies. Methods: cDNA microarrays representing 19 200 genes were used to compare gene expression profiles of duodenal biopsies from 15 coeliac disease patients with villous atrophy (Marsh III) and seven control individuals with normal biopsies (Marsh 0). In addition, the specific effect of gluten was studied by comparing the expression profiles of Marsh Ill lesions of seven patients exposed to gluten with four patients on a gluten free diet. Results: Comparing Marsh Ill with Marsh 0 lesions identified 109 genes that differed significantly (p<0.001) in expression levels between patients and controls. A large number of these genes have functions in proliferation and differentiation pathways and might be important for correct development of crypt-villous units. Alterations in these pathways may lead to the characteristic hyperplasia and villous atrophy seen in coeliac disease. The analyses also revealed 120 differentially expressed genes (p<0.005) when comparing patients on a gluten free diet with those exposed to gluten. These genes further strengthen our observation of increased cell proliferation in the presence of gluten. Conclusions: Our study provides new candidate genes in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. Based on our results, we hypothesise that villous atrophy in coeliac disease patients is due to failure in cell differentiation. These genes are involved in pathways not previously implicated in coeliac disease pathogenesis and they may provide new targets for therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports the influence of an ethanol emitter (Ethicap[sup ®]) on the microbiological condition and the shelf life extension of a bakery product. Pre-baked buns, with a water activity of 0.95, were packaged with different amounts of Ethicap[sup ®] and stored at room temperature. Yeasts and moulds remained largely absent from the core of the pre-baked bun (< 10[sup 2] cfug[sup -1]) during storage, independent of the presence of ethanol. The total mesophilic count was low at the beginning of the storage experiment (< 10[sup 2] cfug[sup -1]), but increased without ethanol within 1 week to an unacceptable level. In the presence of ethanol, the total mesophilic count stabilizes at a consumable level of 10[sup 5]-10[sup 6] cfug[sup -1]. The increase of total mesophilic count was caused by growth of a Bacillus spp., probably B. subtilis. Mould growth on the outer surface is limiting for shelf life extension. On the pre-baked buns, the following moulds were present: Penicillium solitum, P. commune, P. corylophilum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum and C. herbarum. These started to grow within 4-6 days. Mould growth can be delayed for 13 days by adding Ethicap[sup ®]. The ethanol probably has to be absorbed by the pre-baked bun to be effective in growth suppression of the Bacillus spp. the moulds. The pre-baked buns absorb most of the ethanol from the package headspace, and the ethanol content of the products is ~0.8 weight% after 21 days. This largely exceeds the overall migration limit of 60mg kg[sup -1] food (0.006 weight%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A recent court decision in Germany defined assisted suicide as a basic human right. Consequently, the discussion regarding PAD needs to be extended to people who are in forensic/secure psychiatric hospitals or prisons, sometimes without any prospects of release. Several studies have shown that long-term hospitalization and detention are associated with feelings of hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideations. Moreover, the resources for adequate therapy are often rare. This results in complex moral challenges for mental health care. Objectives: To review current practices in countries that allowPAD and to discuss ethical conflicts. Methods: Literature review; international comparison of current regulations. Results: A majority of the literature on PAD in detention refers to prisoners with terminal medical conditions. Single case reports of PAD-requests of mentally disordered offenders aroused great public interest. The resulting ethical conflicts are similar to those issues regarding PAD and mental disorder in general. However, in secure treatment settings and detention additional aspects such as adverse living conditions and inadequate access to mental health care need to be taken into account. Conclusions: If unbearable pain is not a precondition for assisted suicide, then mentally disordered and healthy offenders have a right to request PAD, provided they have medical decision-making capacity. Considering the common insufficient mental health care for people in detention, policy and law makers need to ensure that access to PAD will not replace therapy. Professionals involved in PAD evaluations need support by specific guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease, with right-heart failure being the main cause of death. In patients refractory to conventional drug therapy, atrial septostomy can serve as palliative treatment or as a bridge to transplantation. A 41-year-old woman with a 15-year history of PAH associated with a corrected atrial septal defect presented with severe deterioration of symptoms. Echocardiography confirmed reocclusion of an atrial septal stoma that had been created several months before. After performing a repeat atrial septostomy, we implanted a custom-made atrial septostomy device, an Amplatzer septal occluder that had been fenestrated to serve as a custom-made atrial septostomy device. This resulted in an improvement in cardiac output and a marked symptomatic relief. During the 6-year follow-up, the patient was clinically stable with limited but constant exercise tolerance, under specific medical therapy. Repeated echocardiography confirmed long-term patency of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Andes-Amazon basin of Peru and Bolivia is one of the most data-poor, biologically rich, and rapidly changing areas of the world. Conservation scientists agree that this area hosts extremely high endemism, perhaps the highest in the world, yet we know little about the geographic distributions of these species and ecosystems within country boundaries. To address this need, we have developed conservation data on endemic biodiversity (~800 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and plants) and terrestrial ecological systems (~90; groups of vegetation communities resulting from the action of ecological processes, substrates, and/or environmental gradients) with which we conduct a fine scale conservation prioritization across the Amazon watershed of Peru and Bolivia. We modelled the geographic distributions of 435 endemic plants and all 347 endemic vertebrate species, from existing museum and herbaria specimens at a regional conservation practitioner's scale (1:250,000-1:1,000,000), based on the best available tools and geographic data. We mapped ecological systems, endemic species concentrations, and irreplaceable areas with respect to national level protected areas. Results We found that sizes of endemic species distributions ranged widely (< 20 km2 to > 200,000 km2) across the study area. Bird and mammal endemic species richness was greatest within a narrow 2500-3000 m elevation band along the length of the Andes Mountains. Endemic amphibian richness was highest at 1000-1500 m elevation and concentrated in the southern half of the study area. Geographical distribution of plant endemism was highly taxon-dependent. Irreplaceable areas, defined as locations with the highest number of species with narrow ranges, overlapped slightly with areas of high endemism, yet generally exhibited unique patterns across the study area by species group. We found that many endemic species and ecological systems are lacking national-level protection; a third of endemic species have distributions completely outside of national protected areas. Protected areas cover only 20% of areas of high endemism and 20% of irreplaceable areas. Almost 40% of the 91 ecological systems are in serious need of protection (= < 2% of their ranges protected). Conclusions We identify for the first time, areas of high endemic species concentrations and high irreplaceability that have only been roughly indicated in the past at the continental scale. We conclude that new complementary protected areas are needed to safeguard these endemics and ecosystems. An expansion in protected areas will be challenged by geographically isolated micro-endemics, varied endemic patterns among taxa, increasing deforestation, resource extraction, and changes in climate. Relying on pre-existing collections, publically accessible datasets and tools, this working framework is exportable to other regions plagued by incomplete conservation data.

The interplay and coexistence of superconducting, magnetic, and structural order parameters in NaFe1-xCoxAs have been studied using superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, muon spin rotation, and synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction. Substituting Fe by Co weakens the ordered magnetic state through both a suppression of TN and a reduction in the size of the ordered moment. Upon further substitution of Fe by Co the high sensitivity of the muon as a local magnetic probe reveals a magnetically disordered phase, in which the size of the moment continues to decrease and falls to zero around the same point at which the magnetically driven structural distortion is no longer resolvable. Both magnetism and the structural distortion are weakened as the robust superconducting state is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]