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Background Cranial osteomas are regarded by some as very common; yet their classification, symptomatology, and management have been neglected. Methods We report on a giant enostotic convexity osteoma and have reviewed the medical literature. Results A new comprehensive classification for cranial osteomas is proposed: (1) intraparenchymal, (2) dural, (3) skull base, and (4) skull vault. The latter is in turn, subdivided into exostotic and enostotic variants. Three symptom producing enostotic convexity osteomas have been reported in the world literature. We also describe a giant enostotic skull vault osteoma and propose an original surgical technique used to successfully resect this unusual tumor. Conclusions Most cranial osteomas are asymptomatic and need not be resected. Those that are symptomatic should be managed properly. Their excision, if nor properly performed, may lead to unforeseen cerebral complications.

Thirty-eight patients underwent surgical removal of their smooth silicone gel breast implants. In 22 cases the implants had been inserted for aesthetic augmentation, and in 16 for reconstruction. Twelve of the reconstructed patients had a simple mastectomy, four had a modified radical mastectomy with latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction. The time between implantation and removal was from three months to 18 years, with a mean of 8.75. Sixty-two implants were removed of which 33 were intact, 17 leaking, and 12 ruptured. Fifteen intact implants were removed in the first five years and 18 from five to ten years; no implant had been in place for more than ten years. In those implants where there was leakage (n=17), two were removed in the first five years, four from five to ten years, and 11 after ten years. None of the implants removed during the first five years of implantation were ruptured. Nevertheless, rupture was detected in three implants removed from five to ten years, and in nine removed after ten years. Thus, the 20 implants removed after 10 or more years of implantation showed some form of damage to their outer shell. These findings suggest that a thorough follow-up is mandatory in patients having silicone gel breast implants for more than five years.

[NiCl2(C14H12N2)(H2O)] complex has been synthesized from nickel chloride hexahydrate (NiCl2·6H2O) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen) as N,N-bidentate ligand. The synthesized complex was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTA). The complex was further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) as triclinic with space group P-1. The desired complex, subjected to thermal decomposition at low temperature of 400 °C in an open atmosphere, revealed a novel and facile synthesis of pure NiO nanoparticles with uniform spherical particle; the structure of the NiO nanoparticles product was elucidated on the basis of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-vis spectroscopy, TG/DTA, XRD, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

The motivation for single event effects (SEE) analysis and mitigation as part of the process for adaptation of a commercial Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architecture for space-qualified applications is discussed. The interdependent roles of heavy-ion and laser-induced upset evaluation coupled with computer-aided investigations of SEE mechanisms and mitigation techniques in this process are shown to enable a significant reduction in SEE sensitivity of the device, while achieving minimal impact on remanufacturing steps.

There are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C12H9ClN2OS, a Schiff base derived from hydrazide, in which the dihedral angles between the thiophene and benzene rings are 3.6 (3) and 7.3 (3)°. In the crystal, the two independent molecules are arranged about an approximate non-crystallographic inversion center and are connected by two N—H...O hydrogen bonds. Weak C—H...Cl contacts are also present. Conversely, there are neither significant aromatic stacking interactions nor contacts involving S atoms.

The title compound, C25H26Cl2FN3O4S, contains two bio-active moieties (thiobarbituric acid and fluoroquinolone). In the crystal, molecules are linked via C—H...O and C—H...F hydrogen bonds, forming two-dimensional slab-like networks lying parallel to the bc plane. The benzene ring substituted by F and Cl atoms and the 4-chlorobutyl group seem to be partly disordered, however attempts to model the disorder were unsuccessful.

In the title racemic Schiff base ligand, C20H20Cl2N2, which was prepared by the condensation of 2-chlorobenzaldehyde and cyclohexane-1,2-diamine, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation and the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings of the 2-chlorophenyl substituent groups is 62.52 (8)°. In the structure, there are two short intramolecular methine C—H...Cl interactions [C...Cl = 3.066 (2) and 3.076 (3) Å], and in the crystal there are also weak intermolecular aromatic C—H...Cl [3.464 (3), 3.553 (3) and 3.600 (3) Å] and Cl...Cl [3.557 (3) and 3.891 (3) Å] contacts.

In the title compound, C15H14O3, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 75.85 (7)°. In the crystal, centrosymmetrically related mol­ecules are weakly associated through pairs of inter­actions between a benzene ring and an O atom of the ester group [ring centroid⋯O = 3.952 (7) A], and through pairs of inter­actions between the other benzene ring and an O atom of the phen­oxy group [ring centroid⋯O = 3.912 (7) A], giving chains extending along [110].

The objective of this work was to evaluate the possibility of adding Selenium to a Bioactive glass. The subsequent glass along with a Selenium free bioactive glass underwent standard characterization techniques. The results showed that the Selenium containing glass had similar characteristics as the selenium free glass and thus will be considered for future testing including in vitro and in vivo testing.

In the title compound, C14H16N4, the six-membered hexahydropyrimidine ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal, one of the two pyrimidine N atoms engages in N—H...N hydrogen bonding with one of the pyridine N atoms, generating a helical chain running along the c axis. The helical pitch is the length of the c axis.

The title compound, [HgCl2(C14H12N2)], consists of one 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen) ligand chelating the HgII ion and two chloride ligands coordinating to the HgII ion, forming a distorted tetrahedral environment. The dmphen ligand is nearly planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0225 Å). The dihedral angle between the normal to the plane defined by the HgII atom and the two Cl atoms and the normal to the plane of the dmphen ring is 81.8 (1)°.

We determined the effects of 6 wk of endurance running on citrate synthase (CS) activity and myosin heavy chain (MHC) expression in bilateral surgical-overloaded rodent fast-twitch plantaris and slow-twitch soleus muscles. The overload induced significant hypertrophy in both muscle types, and this response was enhanced by endurance training. The overload-induced compensatory hypertrophy was accompanied by a proportional increase in muscle CS content. Although endurance training produced significant increases in CS concentration in either muscle type of the normal-trained groups (P < 0.05), it was not effective in causing similar changes in the overloaded trained muscles. Also, overload of either the sedentary or trained groups produced an increase in slower MHC isoforms (i.e., type I in the soleus and types I and IIa in the plantaris) and a concomitant decrease in the faster MHC isoforms (type IIa in the soleus and IIb in the plantaris; P < 0.05), whereas endurance training alone produced the opposite effect, especially in the plantaris. Collectively, these data suggest that 1) increments in muscle oxidative enzyme content due to endurance training are compromised when a hypertrophying process is occurring concomitantly; and 2) the relative loading state imposed on the muscle during repetitive locomotor activity is critical in regulating the pattern of MHC plasticity.

The ways in which the variables time, distance, and force or effort mediate behavior were examined. Rats' running in a running wheel under various schedule conditions was studied by implementing the interactive schedule (Berger, 1988), a schedule in which a continuum of reinforcement contingencies is used. The variables of time and distance were manipulated via four points on the continuum. One point was a pure fixed-interval schedule, one was a pure fixed-ratio schedule, and the remaining two points on the continuum were hybrids of those two schedules. Additionally, the effect of effort on behavior was examined by setting the tangential force requirement on the running wheel to 20 g or 80 g, resulting in eight conditions. The dependent measures were distance per session, reinforcers per session, distance per reinforcer, and move speed. Results indicated that the rats responded in a manner that was neither a pure time-minimization strategy nor a pure distance-minimization strategy, suggesting tha...

In the title compound, C5H5Br2N2+·Br−·0.5H2O, 3-amino-2,6-di­bromo­pyridine is protonated on the amine N atom and this cation is planar, excluding the H atoms attached to N. The organic cation, bromide anion and interstitial water mol­ecule are held together by hydrogen bonding, bromine–bromine interactions and by a special type of electrostatic interaction between aryl bromine and the centroids of two pyridine rings, forming a bridge-like non-covalent bond.

Effects of iron contamination on the breakdown and reliability characteristics of thin silicon gate oxides are discussed. Gate oxide integrity is measured for thermal oxides of 8, 10, 13 and 20 nm grown on silicon wafers intentionally contaminated with 10 10 –10 14 cm −3 of iron. Iron concentration in silicon is measured using surface photovoltage (SPV) minority carrier lifetime analysis. The density of gate oxide weak spots as a function of iron concentration for the various oxide thicknesses is reported. For 10 nm oxides, iron concentration cannot exceed 8 × 10 10 cm −3 without severe degradation in oxide quality. The threshold contamination level for 20 nm oxides is 200 times higher

The asymmetric fission barriers and the released kinetic energies in the deformation valley leading rapidly to two tangent spherical fragments have been calculated for {sup 194}Hg, {sup 149}Tb, {sup 110{minus}112}In, {sup 94}Mo, and {sup 75}Br within the generalized liquid-drop model including the nuclear proximity energy. Results are compared to experimental data and predictions of the Yukawa plus exponential finite range liquid-drop model and the liquid-drop model. The calculated asymmetric fission barrier heights lie between the values obtained by the two other theoretical approaches.

Introduction La maladie de Still de l’adulte (MSA) est une maladie multi-systemique rare consideree etre un syndrome auto-inflammatoire complexe. Elle est marquee par une activation excessive des macrophages qui pourrait expliquer l’apparition d’un syndrome d’activation macrophagique (SAM). La manifestation endocardique de la MSA reste cependant une observation exceptionnelle. Nous rapportons le cas d’une endocardite annoncant la MSA et se compliquant du SAM. Observation Un patient de 47 ans est hospitalise pour des douleurs abdominales associees a des gonalgies inflammatoires bilaterales et une fievre hectique a 39 °C, evoluant depuis une semaine. Les bilans initiaux montrent une hyperleucocytose (GB = 13300/mm3, 89 % de PNN) avec un syndrome inflammatoire (CRP = 167 mg/lL). Un CT Scan thoraco abdomino pelvien montre une hepato-splenomegalie, avec des bandelettes d’atelectasie en plus d’un epanchement pleural bilateral. Les hemocultures prelevees reviennent steriles, le bilan auto-immun (ANA, FR, cryoglobuline, les ANCA, les anticorps anti-phospholipides) et les serologies de Coxiella, Bartonella, Salmonella, Brucella, EBV, HIV, CMV, hepatite B et C et Parvovirus sont negatifs. L’echographie transœsophagienne revele une vegetation de 10 × 8 mm sur la valve aortique, justifiant une antibiotherapie probabiliste (gentamycine et vancomycine) pour le traitement d’une endocardite a serologie negative. Cinq jours apres le debut de l’antibiotherapie, on note la persistance de la fievre hectique et l’apparition d’un rash rose evanescent sur le thorax en plus d’une odynophagie. Biologiquement : LDH = 877 UI, ferritine = 14322 ng/mL et la ferritine glycosylee Discussion L’atteinte endocardique est une entite rare au cours de la MSA qui peut etre le mode revelateur de la maladie comme dans notre cas. Cette presentation clinique compliquee du SAM, mime une endocardite infectieuse severe ce qui rend le diagnostic difficile. Par ailleurs, la deterioration du patient sous antibiotherapie et la negativite des hemocultures, en plus de son amelioration rapide sous Etoposide et corticotherapie confirment l’origine non infectieuse de l’endocardite chez un patient ayant la MSA, compliquee du SAM. Conclusion L’atteinte endocardique est rapportee parmi les manifestations cardiaques de la MSA. Le SAM est une complication grave de la MSA, qui necessite un haut index de suspicion et une prise en charge rapide.

Evolution in the treatment of multiple myeloma and impact on dialysis independence: data from a French cohort from 1999 to 2014

In the title compound, (2-amino-4,6-di­methyl­pyridinium) ­di­iodo­cuprate(I), (C7H11N2)[CuI2], the planar 2-amino-4,6-di­methyl­pyridine species is protonated at the pyridine N atom. It interacts with the inorganic chains by extensive hydrogen bonding. The cation forms N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds from both its pyridine and amine N atoms. The copper(I) species is tetrahedrally bonded to four iodide ions (average Cu—I distance = 2.665 A, with a standard uncertainty of 0.019 A) and forms infinite edge-sharing chains. Atom-site symmetries: Cu (2); I, phenyl-C and N (m).

In the title compound, [C5H6N3]Br·H2O, the 2,6-di­amino­pyridine is protonated on the ring N atom. The cation is planar. The moieties are held together by extensive hydrogen bonding and by π–π interactions. The bromide ion is hydrogen bonded, as acceptor, to two H2O mol­ecules, with an average Br⋯H—O(H2O) distance of 3.322 (11) A, to the ring N atom Br⋯N—H(NH) 3.353 (3) A, and to four amino N atoms, with an average Br⋯H—N(NH2) 3.63 (14) A. The water mol­ecule bonds, as acceptor, to the pyridine N atom O⋯H—N(NH2) 2.583 (5) A. The closest π–π interaction is between pyridine ring planes, with an interplanar spacing 3.358 A apart.

This study aimed to present a clinical report of an irradiated oncologic patient who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy to be rehabilitated with implant-supported prosthesis.A 67-year-old man was admitted at Oral Oncology Center (FOA-UNESP) presenting a lesion on the mouth floor. After clinical evaluation, incisional biopsy and histopathological exam, a grade II squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. The patient was subjected to surgery to remove the lesion and partial glossectomy. Afterwards, the radiotherapy, in the left/right cervicofacial area of the supraclavicular fossa, was conducted. After 3 years of the surgery, the patient was submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Then, four implants were installed in patient's mandible. Five months later, an upper conventional complete denture and lower full-arch implant-supported prosthesis were fabricated.The treatment resulted in several benefits such as improving his chewing efficiency, swallowing and speech, less denture trauma on the mucosa and improving his self-esteem.

In the title molecular salt, C10H10N22+·2Br−, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 20.83 (14)° and the N—H groups have a transoid conformaton [N—C—C—N = 158.5 (3)°]. In the crystal, the cations are linked to the anions by two N—H...Br and five C—H...Br hydrogen bonds, generating corrugated sheets incorporating R21(7), R42(10), R42(11) and two different R42(12) loops. This structure was originally reported by Nakatsu et al. [Acta Cryst (1972), A28, S24], but no atomic coordinates are available.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Hg(SCN)2(C14H12N2)], contains two complex molecules in which the HgII atoms are both four-coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral configuration by two N atoms from a chelating 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline ligand and by two S atoms from two thiocyanate anions. The 1,10-phenanthroline ligand is slightly folded for one complex, the dihedral angle between the pyridine planes being 5.3 (1)°. In contrast it is nearly planar [0.5 (1)°] as it complexes with the other HgII atom. The thiocyanate ligands are virtually linear and the S atom is bonded to HgII with N...S—Hg angles ranging from 99.3 (1) to 103.5 (1)°. Despite the presence of six aromatic rings in the asymmetric unit, there are no significant intermolecular π–π contacts between phenanthroline ligands as the centroid–centroid distance of the closest contact between six-membered rings is 4.11 (1) A°.

In the title salt, C(6)H(10)N(2) (2+)·2Br(-), the non-H atoms of the 3-methyl-pyridinium unit of the cation are almost coplanar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0052 Å). In the crystal, the dications and Br anions are linked by a combination of six hydrogen bonds, viz. one N(py)-H⋯Br, two C-H⋯Br and three H(2)N-H⋯Br, into supra-molecular layers, parallel to the bc plane, composed of alternating R(2) (4)(10) and R(2) (4)(8) loops. Weak π-π inter-actions between cationic rings with centroid-centroid distances of 3.891 (2) Å are also observed.

In the title salt, C6H9N2+·Br2I−, the cation is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0062 Å for the non-H atoms) while the anion is almost linear with a Br—I—Br angle of 177.67 (2)°. The crystal packing shows two anions and two cations connected via N—H...Br and (pyridine)N—H...Br hydrogen-bonding interactions, forming centrosymmetric tetramers with R44(16) ring motifs. Very weak offset aromatic π–π stacking interactions [centroid-centroid separation = 4.038 (4), slippage = 1.773 Å] also occur.

In the title salt, 2C7H10N+·IBr2−·Br−, each of the anions, viz. [IBr2]− and Br−, lie on a twofold axis. The IBr2− anion is almost linear, with a Br—I—Br angle of 178.25 (3)°. The cation is essentially planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.0067 Å). In the crystal, each Br− anion links two cations via N—H...Br...H—N hydrogen-bonding interactions.

Pituitary adenomas comprise approximately 10-15% of intracranial tumors and result in morbidity associated with altered hormonal patterns, therapy and compression of adjacent sella turcica structures. The use of functional foods containing carotenoids contributes to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and vascular disorders. In this study, we evaluated the influence of different concentrations of beta-carotene and lycopene on cell viability, colony formation, cell cycle, apoptosis, hormone secretion, intercellular communication and expression of connexin 43, Skp2 and p27(kip1) in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma cells, the AtT20 cells, incubated for 48 and 96 h with these carotenoids. We observed a decrease in cell viability caused by the lycopene and beta-carotene treatments; in these conditions, the clonogenic ability of the cells was also significantly decreased. Cell cycle analysis revealed that beta-carotene induced an increase of the cells in S and G2/M phases; furthermore, lycopene increased the proportion of these cells in G0/G1 while decreasing the S and G2/M phases. Also, carotenoids induced apoptosis after 96 h. Lycopene and beta-carotene decreased the secretion of ACTH in AtT20 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Carotenoids blocked the gap junction intercellular communication. In addition, the treatments increased the expression of phosphorylated connexin43. Finally, we also demonstrate decreased expression of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2) and increased expression of p27(kip1) in carotenoid-treated cells. These results show that lycopene and beta-carotene were able to negatively modulate events related to the malignant phenotype of AtT-20 cells, through a mechanism that could involve changes in the expression of connexin 43, Skp2 and p27(kip1); and suggest that these compounds might provide a novel pharmacological approach to the treatment of Cushing's disease.

The absence of an ear, which can be the result of a congenital malformation, surgical tumour resection or traumatic injury, is a significant aesthetic problem. Attachment of ear prostheses with adhesives can cause local irritation for the wearer and affect the colour of the prostheses. Use of implants in craniofacial reconstruction can improve the retention and stability of prostheses giving to patient greater comfort and security relative to adhesive attachment.The aim of this report was to present a clinical case of a mutilated patient who was rehabilitated by means of installing an ear prosthesis fixed through osseointegrated implants.The patient had two implants installed in the mastoid region that were linked by a bar, and a clip-type system was used. The ear prosthesis was constructed from medical-use silicone, pigmented to match the patient's skin colour and linked to the retention system.The patient's rehabilitation was satisfactory from both a functional and an aesthetic point of view, making it possible for the patient to return to a normal social life and regain lost self-esteem.

Ocular prosthesis materials should have specific properties for their indication and durability; therefore, it is important to investigate their physical behaviour when affected by several disinfectants.This study evaluated the influence of different disinfecting solutions on the microhardness and surface roughness of acrylic resins for ocular prosthesis.Fifty samples simulating ocular prostheses were fabricated with N1 resin and colourless resin and divided (n = 10) according to the disinfectant used: neutral soap, Opti-free, Efferdent, 1% hypochlorite (HYC) and 4% chlorhexidine (CHX). Samples were stored in saline solution at 37°C and disinfected during 120 days. Both microhardness and roughness were investigated before, after 60 days and 120 days of disinfection and storage. Microhardness was measured using a microhardner and the roughness with a roughness device.N1 resin showed lower microhardness when compared with colourless resin (p0.05). HYC and CHX groups exhibited the highest change of microhardness and roughness values (p0.05). An increase in roughness and reduction in microhardness of ocular acrylic resins were observed after both periods of disinfection and storage (p0.05).Both disinfection/storage periods affected the microhardness and roughness values of the samples.

Using fully-depleted technology, the Loral 256K SOI SRAM has demonstrated under worst case SEU and prompt dose testing an LET threshold of at least 80 MeV cm/sup /spl and/2//mg, and a prompt dose rate upset level of greater then 4E10 rad(Si)/s, respectively, without design hardening. Total dose testing on transistors fabricated on enhanced bond and etchback SOI substrates indicates over 100 krad(Si) capability. Together, these results represent the first description of a fully depleted SOI technology for all radiation-hardened applications except extreme total dose. >

The execution of most large water projects in Lebanon has been continuously postponed, due to political reasons for the period preceding 1975 and to the civil war after that date. The accumulated impacts of mismanagement and shortage in water supplies forced population to drill their private wells and extract groundwater to meet their increasing needs. This uncontrolled action has significantly deteriorated the quality of groundwater, reflected in the increasing salinity of extracted water from coastal aquifers, and in the contamination of many wells and springs by improperly disposed waste water. The overexploitation of the aquifers has led to considerable decline in the discharge of springs and rivers amounting 18.8% between the 1960's and early 80's, irrespective of rainfall fluctuations. This study shows that the water budget in early 1980's has decreased appreciably, relative to 1960's budget. In Mount Lebanon basin the amount of precipitation dropped from 2700 to 2214 m3 yr−1, the rivers, discharge declined from 1320 to 834 Mm3 yr−1, and the recharge to groundwater decreased from 733 to 601 Mm3 yr−1.

The title compound, [Re(C12H8N2)(CO)3Cl], contains isolated molecular units. Rhenium(I) is six-coordinated by the two N atoms of 1,10-phenanthroline, three carbonyls and one chloride anion. The coordination sphere is a distorted octahedron, with the chloride anion trans to one of the carbonyls. There is a significant trans influence, which lengthens one of the Re—C bonds by ca. 0.05 A. The bidentate 1,10-phenanthroline deviates slightly from planarity, with a dihedral angle between its two heterocyclic rings of 5.5 (3)°, and is folded away from the chloride anion. The Re(I) atom lies 0.192 (3) A from the least-squares plane of 1,10-phenanthroline. There are no π ring interactions between adjacent 1,10-phenanthroline rings.

Double-differential cross sections for neutron production were measured in 96-MeV neutron-induced reactions at The Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden. Measurements for Fe and Pb targets were performed using two independent setups: DECOI-DEMON, time-of-flight telescope dedicated to the detection of emitted neutrons with energies between a few and 50 MeV and CLODIA-SCANDAL device devoted to measuring emitted neutrons with energies above 40 MeV. Double-differential cross sections were measured for an angular range between 15 and 98 deg and with low-energy thresholds (approximate to 2 MeV). Angular and energy distributions and total neutron emission cross sections have been obtained from those measurements. Results have been compared with predictions given by different models included in several transport codes (MCNPX, GEANT, TALYS, PHITS, and DYWAN) and with other experimental data (the EXFOR database).

To evaluate the influence of chemical disinfection and storage duration on the flexural strength of acrylic resins commonly used to make ocular prostheses.A total of 260 samples were manufactured with N1 resin and colourless resin. Both resins were thermopolymerised using a microwave oven. Samples were stored and periodically disinfected and were divided into groups: control (no disinfection) (I), neutral soap (II), Opti-free (III), Efferdent (IV), 1% hypochlorite (V) or 4% chlorhexidine (VI). The flexural strength was measured before and after 60 and 120 days of storage. Data were analysed by anova and Tukey test (0.05).The flexural strength of the N1 resin was higher than that for the colourless resin. There was a significant difference in the flexural strength before and after 60 and 120 days of storage with disinfection, regardless of the resin and disinfectant. Group I in the initial period exhibited greater flexural strength, with significant difference only in group VI after 120 days.It can be concluded that the flexural strength only changed after 120 days of storage for samples disinfected with chlorhexidine. However, all flexural strength values obtained herein were acceptable clinical limits for the acrylic resins.

The 200MHz RAD750™ PowerPC™ Microprocessor is a second generation RAD750 fabricated in the BAE Systems' RH18, 180nm radiation hardened process technology. The processor was evaluated in the various radiation environments and demonstrated significant improvements in performance, power and radiation tolerance over the first generation 133MHz RAD750.

A 39-year-old male patient known to have neurofibromatosis-1, presented with sciatica and low back pain. At the age of 27, an MRI of the spine revealed widening of the lumbar canal due to posterior scalloping of the last 4 lumbar vertebrae. Repeat MRI and simple lateral lumbosacral plain film at the age of 39, revealed significant progression of the lumbosacral lesion. In view of the progression of the disease during the last 15 years, we opted for insertion of a lumbo-peritoneal (LP) shunt to decrease the CSF pressure, which is the most probable cause of scalloping. We shied away from lumbar fixation as we thought that this would not stop the vertebral erosion. The LP shunt affected good symptomatic and radiologic outcome over a 2-year follow up.

Pregabalin, a molecule with similar structure of GABA neurotransmitter, initially developed as an antiepileptic, is now commonly used in the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathies. We report an 82-year-old man who presented with confusion, urinary incontinence and gait instability. He was receiving pregabalin for a left L5 radicular pain. Laboratory tests at admission revealed a profound hyponatremia (117 mmol/L) that was corrected by fluid restriction and pregabalin withdrawal. According to the patient and laboratory outcome, we established the diagnosis of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion due to pregabalin. The test of Naranjo demonstrated a probable imputability of pregabalin.

Proton Induced X‐ray Emission (PIXE) using high energy protons is a nondestructive multi‐elemental technique that can analyze medium and heavy trace elements on thick samples. A new experimental setup is being built at the ARRONAX facility (Nantes, France) for this purpose. Experiments on multi‐layer targets have been made in order to identify the sequences and to measure the different layer thicknesses. Our approach is to consider the relative intensities of Kα/Kβ lines in different layers as well as the gamma intensity ray ratio from each layer versus the reference layer. Two multi‐layer targets were used: the first one composed of 10 μm Au, 30μm Bi and 250 μm Cu, and the second composed of 125 μm Ti, 10 μm Au and 50 μm Ag. In both cases, we used Al 100 μm as a reference layer. This work emphasizes the importance of having both X‐ray and gamma‐ray information in multi‐layer analyses.

Calculations based on the rotational liquid-drop model including the nuclear proximity energy and using a family of compact and creviced shapes predict the existence of hyperdeformed prolate states of [beta][similar to]0.9 in a spin range of about (70--110)[h bar] for [sup 152]Dy. These results are in good agreement with the recent observations at the Chalk River Laboratories of hyperdeformed shapes in [sup 152]Dy using [ital p]-[gamma]-[gamma] coincidence techniques. Such hyperdeformed states are predicted in the whole Periodic Table but for different spin regions.