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We compared the effects of two specific resistance training (RT) exercise orders on cardiovascular risk factors. Forty-four untrained older women (>60 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: control (CON, n = 15), multi-joint to single-joint (MJ-SJ, n = 14), and single-joint to multi-joint (SJ-MJ, n = 15) exercise orders. Training groups performed a whole-body RT program (eight exercises, 3 × 10–15 repetitions for each exercise) over 12 weeks in 3 days/week. Body fat, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, glucose, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, total radical-trapping antioxidant (TRAP), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ferrous oxidation-xylenol (FOX), and nitric oxide concentrations (NOx) were determined pre- and post-intervention. Significant interaction group × time (p < 0.05) revealed reducing fat mass and trunk fat and improvements in glucose, LDL-c, IL-10, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, FOX, and AOPP concentrations in both training groups, without differences between them (p > 0.05). The results suggest that 12 weeks of RT, regardless of exercise order, elicit positive adaptations on body fat and metabolic biomarkers similarly in older women.

Effects of price, sold items, negative feedbacks, positive feedbacks, or no feedbacks are studied for online market engines mainly through eBay. Random walk type model is established to measure the duration that sellers with business effected negatively in order to turn it around. This study was based on data from eBay where not only prices play a role in selling items but also the impact factor that buyers depend on in general. This impact factor was studied for five different types of sellers over the same duration selling the same commodity.

In this paper, we study the optimal level of cash for the firm to hold. We model the cash level with inflows and outflows due to deposits and withdrawals; in between, the cash level is a stochastic process where it signals a time to sell. After modeling the continuous jump, we implemented first step analysis method to find the probability of the event with initial cash and we were able to calculate data driven by set of difference equations. These data are used to determine the length of the period of the investment. Then, we adopt the probabilistic decision model where it goes under mathematical optimization. This model let the investor to maximize the probability of success or to stop on one of the largest fortunes using the equation of the principle of optimality. Finally, to solve these optimal equations, we used the result of positive dynamic programming and we elaborated them by proves.

Resume But Evaluer le controle des facteurs de risque chez les patients coronariens a distance d’une readaptation cardiaque. Methodes Les donnees de 2005 a 2015 de readaptation cardiaque ambulatoire de 4 semaines avec un suivi a 1 an ont ete analysees. La morbidite, la mortalite cardiovasculaire, les facteurs de risque ont ete compares aux etudes Reach et Euroaspire. Resultats Sur 1091 patients coronariens, 746 (68 %) ont ete suivis a 1 an : 60 ans (20–85 ans) 15 % de femmes, 44 % hypertendus, 36 % fumeurs, 17 % diabetiques et 74 % dyslipidemiques. A la fin du stage, il existe une nette amelioration (PA ≤ 140/90 mmHg et IMC > 30 : 80 et 20 % vs 65 et 25 % en debut de stage ; LDL Conclusion L’education des patients coronariens lors d’un stage de readaptation cardiaque ameliore significativement la prise en charge des facteurs de risque, la morbidite et la mortalite. Neanmoins, le controle obtenu en fin de stage diminue a un an.

Silicon monoxide, SiOhas been deposited on Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) surface using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique. Several thickness films (200, 500 and 700 nm) were prepared. The obtained films were identified and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). At specific coating thickness, far infrared radiation transmittance was prohibited while the ultraviolet–visible transmittance is allowed and that will be explained in details. AFM results showed homogenous and smooth silicon mono oxide thin films. The mean grain size, average roughness (Ra) and root mean square (RMS) roughness values for SiO films were estimated from AFM. Optical measurements show that the coated films prevent the transmission of IR radiation near 9.5μm and allow UV-VIS transmission during the sun-shining time., Moroccan Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 7, No 2 (2019)

Stabilizing precarious slopes by installing piles has become a widespread technique for landslides prevention. The design of slope-stabilizing piles by the finite element method is more accurate comparing to the conventional methods. This accuracy is because of the ability of this method to simulate complex configurations, and to analyze the soil-pile interaction effect. However, engineers prefer to use the simplified analytical techniques to design slope stabilizing piles, this is due to the high computational resources required by the finite element method. Aiming to combine the accuracy of the finite element method with simplicity of the analytical approaches, a hybrid methodology to design slope stabilizing piles was proposed in 2012. It consists of two steps; (1): an analytical estimation of the resisting force needed to stabilize the precarious slope, and (2): a numerical analysis to define the adequate pile configuration that offers the required resisting force. The hybrid method is applicable only for the analysis and the design of stabilizing piles placed in the middle of the slope, however, in certain cases like road constructions, piles are needed to be placed at the toe of the slope. Therefore, in this paper a simplified model for the hybrid method is dimensioned to analyze and design stabilizing piles placed at the toe of a precarious slope. The validation of the simplified model is presented by a comparative analysis with the full coupled finite element model.

Introduction L’hyperphosphoremie est un desordre hydroelectrolytique observe dans diverses situations : insuffisance renale aigue ou chronique, syndrome de lyse tumorale, rhabdomyolyse. Neanmoins, sa mesure peut etre faussee par des interferences analytiques, dont nous rapportons ici un exemple d’interet pour le clinicien. Methodes Quatre patients ont presente une hyperphosphoremie « isolee » dans un contexte de myelome multiple IgG, sans alteration du debit de filtration glomerulaire ni lyse tumorale. La technique standard de dosage du phosphore est la colorimetrie, basee sur la mesure de l’absorbance du complexe forme par le phosphore et le molybdate d’ammonium. Ce reactif peut interagir avec une immunoglobuline monoclonale. Pour s’affranchir de l’impact du composant monoclonal, chaque serum a ete deproteinise, par precipitation des proteines seriques a l’acide sulfosalicylique 1,57 M. L’analyse des plasmas a ete reiteree durant le suivi des patients. Resultats obtenus ou attendus Quatre patients (2 femmes et 2 hommes) âges de 55 a 78 ans, au diagnostic ou lors du suivi d’un myelome multiple avec un pic IgG important (kappa dans trois cas, lambda dans un cas) ont ete inclus. Tous les patients presentaient une hyperprotidemie superieure a 100 g/l, sans manifestation clinique d’hyperviscosite. Les valeurs initiales de phosphoremie, de phosphoremie apres deproteinisation, de protidemie et de pic sont presentees dans le Tableau 1 . Apres traitement, la diminution de la phosphoremie mesuree en colorimetrie etait parallele a celle de l’abondance du pic IgG, suggerant le lien direct entre le composant monoclonal et l’artefact de laboratoire. Conclusion La constatation d’une hyperphosphoremie isolee en presence d’un composant monoclonal IgG abondant doit conduire le clinicien et le biologiste a suspecter un artefact de laboratoire. Il convient de controler ce taux apres deproteinisation, devenue systematique dans notre centre lorsque la protidemie excede 100 g/l, permettant d’eviter des investigations et actions therapeutiques inutiles.

Background Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly the standard of care in the management of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and junction (AEG). In randomised controlled trials (RCTs), the MAGIC regimen of pre- and postoperative chemotherapy, and the CROSS regimen of preoperative chemotherapy combined with radiation, were superior to surgery only in RCTs that included AEG but were not powered on this cohort. No completed RCT has directly compared neoadjuvant or perioperative chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The Neo-AEGIS trial, uniquely powered on AEG, and including comprehensive modern staging, compares both these regimens. Methods This open label, multicentre, phase III RCT randomises patients (cT2-3, N0-3, M0) in a 1:1 fashion to receive CROSS protocol (Carboplatin and Paclitaxel with concurrent radiotherapy, 41.4Gy/23Fr, over 5 weeks). The power calculation is a 10% difference in favour of CROSS, powered at 80%, two-sided alpha level of 0.05, requiring 540 patients to be evaluable, 594 to be recruited if a 10% dropout is included (297 in each group). The primary endpoint is overall survival, with a minimum 3-year follow up. Secondary endpoints include: disease free survival, recurrence rates, clinical and pathological response rates, toxicities of induction regimens, post-operative pathology and tumour regression grade, operative in-hospital complications, and health-related quality of life. The trial also affords opportunities for establishing a bio-resource of pre-treatment and resected tumour, and translational research. Discussion This RCT directly compares two established treatment regimens, and addresses whether radiation therapy positively impacts on overall survival compared with a standard perioperative chemotherapy regimen Sponsor: Irish Clinical Research Group (ICORG). Trial registration NCT01726452. Protocol 10-14. Date of registration 06/11/2012. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3386-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

To assess risk factors monitoring in coronary patients one year after cardiac rehabilitation.From 2015 to 2015, cardiac morbidity, total mortality and risk factors data were collected from a 4-week ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation program with a control one year later and were compared with the results of Euroaspire and Reach studies.Out of 1091 (87%) coronary patients, 746 (68%) were re-examined 12months later (aged 60years (ranging from 20 to 85years), 15% women, 44% hypertensive, 36% smokers, 17% diabetics, 74% with dyslipidemia). At the end of the program, management of CV risk factors was improved (BP ≤ 140/90mmHg and BMI 30: 80 and 20% vs 65 and 25% at the beginning of the program; LDL 0.7g/L: 42% and smoking: 4% vs 18% when hospitalized for their cardiac event). Unfortunately, this benefit decreased significantly at one year (BP ≤ 140/90mmHg: 63%, LDL 0.7g/L: 27%; smoking: 6%) but it remains better than in Euroaspire IV study: 57, 20 et 16% respectively). While 54% had insufficient physical activity before cardiac rehabilitation, they were only 23% at 1-year vs 60% in Euroaspire study. We reported a total mortality of 0.6% vs 2.9% in Reach study and 12% cardiac hospitalization (53% for a new coronary event).Participation of coronary patients in a cardiac rehabilitation program significantly improves management of CV risk factors, morbidity and mortality. However, the control obtained at the end of the program decreases at one year.

Appendix B: - Description of data: Membership of Trials Steering Committee (DOCX 22 kb)

Appendix A: Description of data: copy of consent form (DOCX 60 kb)

Substituted perchlorobutadienes were synthesized from the reactions of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene with some thiols in ethanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The oxidation products were obtained from the reactions of thioethers with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The structures of the new compounds were characterized by microanalysis and spectroscopic data. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

This study explores the relationship between buyer experience and final price in Internet auctions for a homogenous product. We find that more experienced buyers are able to purchase a homogenous product at lower prices, on average, compared to relatively less experienced buyers. The findings are robust to how we account for instances when auctions fail to result in a sale or when they end via the “Buy it Now” option. This result supports findings from the experimental auction literature on auction performance and experience using real auction data.

Wear performance of engine oil was studied in the presence of submicron iron fluoride (FeF3) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) using 2 different r/min test cycles and a ball-on-ring wear tester apparatus under boundary lubrication. The submicron powder mix was called fluorinated mixture with FeF3 catalyst to PTFE ratio of [1:2]. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analysis of PTFE and FeF3 presented clear evidence of the catalyst importance in preparing the surface and lowering energy barrier. An explicit design of experiment analysis was developed to investigate the interactions of the fluorinated mix in commercial fully formulated oil and in plain oils subject to 2 different r/min test cycles of 100 r/min for the first 5000 revolutions and a 700 r/min until failure or 100 000 revolutions whichever comes first. All tests were generated under extreme boundary lubrication (Hertzian contact pressure of 2.72 GPa) and compared with 1 cycle at 700 r/min. The tests cylinders were baked in oil for a specific period of time and this was included as a factor in the 2-level factorial of the design of experiment (DOE). A fundamental and analytical study of the friction and wear performance was carried out on the plain zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP) oil+(FeF3, PTFE) optimized DOE combination to justify the model predictions of the DOE. The fundamental analysis did not include commercial oils in the study since there were many components that affect the wear performance and frictional behaviour. Friction coefficient under boundary lubrication is affected by many factors. In order to study the friction characteristic of optimized tests, DOE was used to simplify experimentations and to investigate the failure and wear responses with respect to fluorinated mix interactions in plain and fully formulated oils. The 2 different r/min cycles tests indicate better performance than the one continuous 700 r/min cycle tests. Findings indicate that the positive factors affecting friction and wear are fluorinated mix concentrations together with oil formulations. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, focus ion beam, X-ray of wear track, and Auger electron spectroscopy were used to characterize the tribofilm of the two optimized tests of fluorinated mix in plain ZDDP oil under 1 continuous 700 r/min and 2 different r/min test cycles. Results indicate that the thickness of the tribofilms is in the range of 220 nm and phosphorus exists in both wear tracks with more traces in the 2 r/min cycles sample.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is recommended for younger patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Achieving complete response (CR) or at least very good partial response (VGPR) is a major prognostic factor for survival with 20% to 30% of patients achieving CR after ASCT. Bortezomib has shown synergistic effects with melphalan and no prolonged hematologic toxicity. In this Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome (IFM) phase 2 study, 54 untreated patients were enrolled between July and December 2007 to receive bortezomib (1 mg/m2 × 4) and melphalan (200 mg/m2) as conditioning regimen (Bor-HDM). Overall, 70% of patients achieved at least VGPR, including 17 patients with CR (32%) after ASCT. No toxic deaths were observed. Bortezomib did not increase hematologic toxicity. Only 1 grade 3 to 4 peripheral neuropathy was reported. A matched control analysis was conducted comparing our cohort with patients from the IFM 2005-01 trial (HDM alone). Patients were matched for response to induction therapy and type of induction: CR was higher in the Bor-HDM group (35% vs 11%; P = .001), regardless of induction therapy. These results suggest that Bor-HDM is a safe and promising conditioning regimen. Randomized studies are needed to assess whether this conditioning regimen is superior to HDM alone. This trial was registered at [www.clinicaltrials.gov][1] as [NCT00642395][2]. [1]: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00642395&atom=%2Fbloodjournal%2F115%2F1%2F32.atom

Resume Introduction Le bortezomib (Velcade ® ) est un inhibiteur selectif du proteasome. Il est indique dans le traitement de myelomes multiples refractaires ou en rechute et permet d’obtenir 35 % de reponse d’une duree mediane de 12 mois. De nombreux effets indesirables, essentiellement hematologiques et neurologiques, ont ete observes lors du traitement. Dix a 20 % des patients presentent des manifestations cutanees pleiomorphes. Observation Nous rapportons le cas d’un homme de 72 ans, atteint d’un myelome multiple en rechute, qui a presente une dermatose neutrophilique aigue a type de syndrome de Sweet induite par le bortezomib. Discussion L’interet de cette description reside dans la difficulte du diagnostic, qui necessite un faisceau d’arguments cliniques et histologiques suffisants, et dans l’efficacite des corticoides systemiques, permettant de poursuivre les injections de bortezomib.

We consider a three-stage discrete-time population model with density-dependent survivorship and time-dependent reproduction. We provide stability analysis for two types of birth mechanisms: continuous and seasonal. We show that when birth is continuous there exists a unique globally stable interior equilibrium provided that the inherent net reproductive number is greater than unity. If it is less than unity, then extinction is the population's fate. We then analyze the case when birth is a function of period two and show that the unique two-cycle is globally attracting when the inherent net reproductive number is greater than unity, while if it is less than unity the population goes to extinction. The two birth types are then compared. It is shown that for low birth rates the adult average number over a one-year period is always higher when reproduction is continuous. Numerical simulations suggest that this remains true for high birth rates. Thus periodic birth rates of period two are deleterious for the three-stage population model. This is different from the results obtained for a two-stage model discussed by Ackleh and Jang (J. Diff. Equ. Appl., 13, 261-274, 2007), where it was shown that for low birth rates seasonal breeding results in higher adult averages.

Resume Le progres des connaissances sur la sclerose laterale amyotrophique a conduit au developpement du premier et, a ce jour, seul traitement etiologique, le riluzole, dont l’efficacite a ete prouvee dans deux essais cliniques controles. Ces etudes ont montre que le riluzole augmente le taux de survie des patients de l’ordre de 25 p. 100 sur une periode de 12 mois de traitement. Depuis sa commercialisation, son benefice clinique a egalement ete confirme dans plusieurs etudes epidemiologiques. Au depart, le riluzole a ete propose en raison de ses qualites anti-glutamates, mais les mecanismes d’action exacts responsables de ses effets dans la SLA demeurent encore inconnus. Par ailleurs, plusieurs molecules anti-glutamates ont ete essayees sans succes dans cette maladie, ainsi que de nombreuses molecules anti-oxydantes, neurotrophiques, immunomodulatrices, et favorisant le metabolisme mitochondrial. Tous ces essais se sont reveles negatifs, et cela malgre des pre requis qui semblaient solides et bases sur une litterature riche. Malgre le faible taux d’augmentation des transaminases, un traitement par riluzole necessite un controle strict des fonctions hepatiques. En cas de fatigue importante, d’alteration de l’etat general ou d’insuffisance respiratoire, sa posologie devrait etre administree et augmentee de facon progressive. Si l’on se base sur les qualites neuroprotectrices du riluzole, la presence d’une mort neuronale precoce dans la SLA, la difficulte a confirmer rapidement le diagnostic, et l’interet evident a traiter precocement, le traitement des formes suspectees de la maladie devient legitime. Les perspectives de traitement etiologique de la SLA dependront de notre capacite a mieux en comprendre la physiopathologie ou les causes d’echecs dans le passe ainsi que du developpement de nouveaux bio marqueurs. Mais elles dependront aussi de notre capacite a realiser des essais cliniques de longue duree et portant sur un nombre important de patients. De nouvelles methodes, telle que la therapie cellulaire, sont actuellement en developpement et representent un veritable espoir pour l’avenir.

We study the existence and uniqueness of periodic solutions and the stability of the zero solution of the nonlinear neutral differential equation $$ frac{d}{dt}x(t) = -a(t)x(t)+ frac{d}{dt}Q(t, x(t-g(t))) +G(t,x(t), x(t-g(t))). $$ In the process we use integrating factors and convert the given neutral differential equation into an equivalent integral equation. Then we construct appropriate mappings and employ Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem to show the existence of a periodic solution of this neutral differential equation. We also use the contraction mapping principle to show the existence of a unique periodic solution and the asymptotic stability of the zero solution provided that $Q(0,0)= G(t, 0,0) = 0$.

To decrease red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirements during high-dose therapy (HDT) for hematological malignancies, we conducted a pilot study to assess the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) given during chemotherapy before HDT and autologous peripheral stem-cell transplantation (APSCT). The transfusion histories of 15 HDT and APSCT for hematological disease performed in 11 consecutive patients who received rHuEpo (10 000 U subcutaneously three times/week) were compared to those of 22 HDT and ASCT performed in 17 consecutive historical controls matched for hematological parameters. rHuEpo increased the hemoglobin (Hb) level from 10.3+/-2.3 g/dl at diagnosis to 12.9+/-2.2 g/dl at the time of HDT in 11 patients; no major adverse effects occurred. Compared to historical controls (95%, 21/22), RBC transfusion requirements were significantly lower for rHuEpo recipients (26%, 4/15) (P=0.00001) and rHuEpo responders (15%, 2/13) (P=0.000002). After HDT and APSCT, fewer RBC transfusions were needed: 3.3, 1.2 and 0.3 RBC units for controls, rHuEpo recipients and rHuEpo responders, respectively (P=0.006 and 0.00002). Therefore, rHuEpo should be administered before, and not after HDT and APSCT, to lower RBC transfusion requirements after HDT and APSCT.

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is often a devastating condition and a significant cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Because the percentage of senior citizens is increasing in many countries and because of the increased incidence of SAH in elderly patients, ruptured intracranial aneurysm is an increasingly frequent pathology in western countries. Twenty years ago, older people were considered to have such a poor prognosis that they were frequently excluded from active treatment on the unique basis of their advanced age. Improving results published in recent studies showed that the classic fatalistic attitude associated with age and intracranial aneurysm (IA) should be reconsidered. Therefore, because of improvements in surgical results and neuro-intensive care, the appearance of interventional neuroradiology, and more aggressive rehabilitation programs, the management of ruptured IA in the elderly is changing. This article aims to review epidemiology, emphasize the specific aspects of the disease in the elderly, and present the current management of SAH in an elderly population.

Wide-neck renal artery aneurysms are difficult or impossible to treat endovascularly with Guglielmi detachable coils. The authors report a case of embolization of a wide-neck aneurysm of the right renal artery bifurcation with the combination of a TrisPan coil (neck-bridge device developed by Boston Scientific Target) and Guglielmi detachable coils. Complete occlusion of the aneurysm with preservation of the renal artery and its branches was shown with angiography performed after the procedure.

We consider the nonlinear Volterra discrete system with nonlinear peturbation Our goal is to use Lyapunov functionals to obtain conditions that guarantee all solutions of the above Volterra equation are bounded and derive conditions that ensure asymptotic stability and exponential stability, in the case x = 0 is a solution.

The low incidence of extrapyramidal effects with atypical neuroleptics has been ascribed to their 5-HT(2A)- and 5-HT(2C)-serotonin receptor antagonistic properties. On the other hand, the acute increase in striatal dopamine release by submaximal dopamine D(2) autoreceptor blockade can be respectively reduced and increased by 5-HT(2A)- and 5-HT(2C)-antagonists. Cyamemazine is a neuroleptic D(2)- and 5-HT(2A)-receptor antagonist, with small antagonistic activity at 5-HT(2C) receptors and low incidence of extrapyramidal side effects. Therefore, submaximal cyamemazine was tested in rats for its acute action on the extracellular concentrations of dopamine and dopamine metabolites (DOPAC: 3,4,dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and HVA: 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl-acetic acid) in the corpus striatum. The serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA (5-hydroxy-indole-acetic acid) was measured in parallel. Rats prepared for microdialysis (striatum) were intraperitoneally given cyamemazine 1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg or vehicle ( n=4 in each group). Dopamine, DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations in perfusates under basal conditions and after stimulation by high K(+) were measured by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. Cyamemazine 1 mg/kg significantly reduced extracellular concentrations of basal dopamine (-77%), DOPAC (-54%), HVA (-54%) and 5-HIAA (-65%). No such effects were seen with the dose of cyamemazine 5 mg/kg or for K(+)-evoked dopamine release. In conclusion, submaximal cyamemazine can acutely reduce basal dopamine release and metabolism in the rat striatum. Such unusual action can be explained by the original pharmacological profile of cyamemazine (potent D(2)- and 5-HT(2A)-antagonist, with small antagonistic activity at 5-HT(2C) receptors). Further experiments are required to explain the low incidence of extrapyramidal side actions with cyamemazine.

Background and Purpose—We sought to describe the clinical outcome and results obtained in the endovascular therapy of ruptured cerebral aneurysms in the elderly over an 8-year period. We compared endovascular therapy results in patients aged ≥65 and Methods—During 1993–1999, 52 patients aged 65 to 85 years (mean age, 71.5±4.7 years) were embolized with the use of Guglielmi detachable coils (group I). During the same period, 143 patients aged Results—In group I, clinical grades on admission were as follows: HH 1, 9.5%; HH 2, 33%; HH 3, 21%; HH 4, 34.5%; HH 5, 2%. Outcome was favorable in 48% of patients (GOS 1 or 2); the mortality rate was 23%. No rebleeding was observed. Patients presenting lesions ≥10 mm had an unfavorable outcome in >77% of cases. Thromboembolic complications were present in 13% of cases. In group II, clinical grades on admission were as follows: HH 1, 14.5%; HH 2, 47%; HH 3, 11%; HH 4, 24%; HH 5, 3.5%. Favorable outcome (GOS 1 or 2) was observed in 77% of cases, with 14% mortality. Complications due to the endovascular procedure were present in 4.2% of cases. Patients with HH grades 1 or 2 on admission showed a positive outcome (GOS 1 or 2) in 77% of cases in group I and in 88.5% of cases in group II. Mortality was 9% in the first subgroup compared with 2.8% in the second. Patients who had a high clinical grade on admission (HH 4 or 5) showed a favorable outcome (GOS 1 or 2) in 16% of cases in group I compared with 41% in group II.Conclusions—Endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients aged ≥65 years appears to be effective against rebleeding and represents an alternative to surgery. However, perioperative thromboembolic complications are more frequent in the elderly population.

About 30% of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL) carry TAL1 gene aberrations. In the majority of cases (approximately 25%), this concerns a submicroscopic deletion of approximately 90 kb in chromosome region 1p32, which deletes the coding regions of the SIL gene and the untranslated region of the TAL1 gene, thereby placing the TAL1 gene under control of the SIL promoter region. Translocation (1;14)(p32;q11) involving the TAL1 gene occurs at a much lower frequency (3%), whereas some other rare variant translocations have been described as well. In this study we developed a set of TAL1 FISH probes based on the split-signal FISH principle that enables detection of both types of TAL1 gene aberrations in single test. For this purpose, one probe was designed downstream of the TAL1 gene (TAL1-D) and the second probe in the region upstream of the TAL1 gene, partly covering the SIL gene (SIL-U). We show that this split-signal FISH probe set allows reliable detection of the unaffected SIL-TAL1 gene region with a fusion signal, SIL-TAL1 fusion genes with loss of the SIL-U signal, and TAL1 gene translocations with a split-signal, independent of the involved partner gene.

Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) residing at the corneal periphery are largely responsible for maintaining corneal optical transparency by continuously supplying new corneal epithelial cells, which mature during their radial migration to the central cornea. Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects all the structures of the eye including the cornea. Frequent epithelial erosions, delayed wound healing, and microbial infections are common alterations of the diabetic eye that can result in vision loss. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding oligonucleotides that regulate gene expression by repressing translation. Our purpose was to understand the role of miR-146a in the human limbal versus central corneal epithelial compartment in normal and pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus. Using quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) we found miR-146a enrichment in the limbal corneal compartment. This miRNA was also expressed at higher levels in the diabetic vs. normal limbus. Cell migration and wound closure were significantly delayed in normal and diabetic primary limbal epithelial cells (LEC) transfected with miR-146a. Cells treated with miR-146a had decreased levels of phosphorylated (activated) p38 and EGFR, mediators of epithelial wound healing. Conversely, inhibition of miR-146a significantly enhanced cell migration in both normal and diabetic primary LEC and in diabetic organ-cultured corneas by nearly 40% vs. scrambled miRNA control, accompanied by increased phosphorylated signaling intermediates. Transfection of miR-146a in cultured LEC resulted in an increased immunoreactivity for putative LEC markers Frizzled-7 and K15, whereas inhibition of miR-146a decreased their expressions. These data suggest that miR-146a plays a role in LEC maintenance at the corneal periphery, and its expression is downregulated during their migration towards the central cornea and accompanying terminal differentiation. Furthermore, abnormal miR-146a upregulation may be an important mechanism of delayed wound healing in the diabetic cornea.

Size-selective spectroscopic techniques and a tight-binding calculation with restricted configuration interaction are used to study the recombination and the relaxation of excitons in CdS quantum dots. The optical absorption spectrum is calculated and is found to be close to the experiments. The analysis of the luminescence shows that an emission of light corresponding to transitions between quantum confined states is obtained only in QDs larger than 3 nm. The exciton levels are compared with those given by simple effective mass approximation. The photoluminescence excitation spectra suggest that for upper exciton levels non-radiative captures of the carrier may become competitive compared to relaxation processes.