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We present the first X-ray observation of the energetic millisecond pulsar binary PSR J1431−4715, performed with XMM-Newton and complemented with fast optical multi-band photometry acquired with the ULTRACAM instrument at ESO-NTT. It is found as a faint X-ray source without a significant orbital modulation. This contrasts with the majority of systems that instead display substantial X-ray orbital variability. The X-ray spectrum is dominated by non-thermal emission and, due to the lack of orbital modulation, does not favour an origin in an intrabinary shock between the pulsar and companion star wind. While thermal emission from the neutron star polar cap cannot be excluded in the soft X-rays, the dominance of synchrotron emission favours an origin in the pulsar magnetosphere that we describe at both X-ray and gamma-ray energies with a synchro-curvature model. The optical multi-colour light curve folded at the 10.8 h orbital period is double-humped and dominated by ellipsoidal effects, but also affected by irradiation. The ULTRACAM light curves are fit with several models encompassing direct heating and a cold spot, or heat redistribution after irradiation either through convection or convection plus diffusion. Despite the inability to constrain the best irradiation models, the fits provide consistent system parameters, giving an orbital inclination of 59 ± 6° and a distance of 3.1 ± 0.3 kpc. The companion is found to be an F-type star, underfilling its Roche lobe (fRL = 73 ± 4%) with a mass of 0.20 ± 0.04 M⊙, confirming the redback status, but hotter than the majority of redbacks. The stellar dayside and nightside temperatures of 7500 K and 7400 K, respectively, indicate a weak irradiation effect on the companion, likely due to its high intrinsic luminosity. Although the pulsar mass cannot be precisely derived, a heavy (1.8−2.2 M⊙) neutron star is favoured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CXOU J110926.4−650224 is a candidate transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) with X-ray and radio emission properties reminiscent of those observed in confirmed tMSPs in their X-ray 'subluminous' disc state. We present the results of observing campaigns that, for the first time, characterise the optical and near-infrared variability of this source and establish a connection with the mode-switching phenomenon observed in X-rays. The optical emission exhibited flickering activity, frequent dipping episodes where it appeared redder, and a multi-peaked flare where it was bluer. The variability pattern was strongly correlated with that of the X-ray emission. Each dip matched an X-ray low-mode episode, indicating that a significant portion of the optical emission originates from nearly the same region as the X-ray emission. The near-infrared emission also displayed remarkable variability, including a dip of 20 min in length during which it nearly vanished. Time-resolved optical spectroscopic observations reveal significant changes in the properties of emission lines from the disc and help infer the spectral type of the companion star to be between K0 and K5. We compare the properties of CXOU J110926.4−650224 with those of other tMSPs in the X-ray subluminous disc state and discuss our findings within the context of a recently proposed scenario that explains the phenomenology exhibited by the prototypical tMSP PSR J1023+0038. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among hard X-ray Galactic sources detected with the Swift and INTEGRAL surveys, those discovered as accreting white dwarf binaries have surprisingly boosted in number in the recent years. The majority are identified as magnetic Cataclysmic Variables of the Intermediate Polar type, suggesting this subclass as an important constituent of the Galactic population of X-ray sources. We here review and discuss the X-ray emission properties of newly discovered sources in the framework of an identification programme with the XMM-Newton satellite that increased the sample of this subclass by a factor of two. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the first NuSTAR observation of the transitional millisecond pulsar binary XSS J12270–4859 during its current rotation-powered state, complemented with a 2.5 yr-long radio monitoring at Parkes telescope and archival XMM–Newton and Swift X-ray and optical data. The radio pulsar is mainly detected at 1.4 GHz displaying eclipses over |$\sim 40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of the 6.91 h orbital cycle. We derive a new updated radio ephemeris to study the 3–79 keV light curve that displays a significant orbital modulation with fractional amplitude of |$28\pm 3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠ , a structured maximum centred at the inferior conjunction of the pulsar and no cycle-to-cycle or low–high-flaring mode variabilities. The average X-ray spectrum, extending up to ∼70 keV without a spectral break, is well described by a simple power law with photon index Γ = 1.17 ± 0.08 giving a 3–79 keV luminosity of |$\rm 7.6_{-0.8}^{+3.8} \times 10^{32}\, erg\, s^{-1}$| for a distance of 1.37 |$_{-0.15}^{+0.69}$|  kpc. Energy resolved orbital light curves reveal that the modulation is not energy dependent from 3 to 25 keV and is undetected with an upper limit of |${\sim} 10{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| above 25 keV. Comparison with previous X-ray XMM–Newton observations in common energy ranges confirms that the modulation amplitudes vary on time-scales of a few months, indicative of a non-stationary contribution of the intrabinary shock (IBS) formed by the colliding winds of the pulsar and the companion. A more detailed inspection of energy resolved modulations than previously reported gives hints of a mild softening at superior conjunction of the pulsar below 3 keV, likely due to the contribution of the thermal emission from the neutron star. The IBS emission, if extending into the MeV range, would be energetically capable alone to irradiate the donor star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the association between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and maternal hemodynamic parameters using multivariable analysis, adjusting for major confounding factors, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension).Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2013 and April 2016. Two cohorts of patients were recruited, between 24 and 39 weeks of gestation, in a high-risk outpatient setting. These cohorts comprised 49 appropriate-for-gestational-age singleton fetuses and 93 that were FGR (abdominal circumference (AC) at recruitment in the second half of pregnancy ≤ 10th percentile with a previous normal AC at 20-22 weeks). Maternal echocardiography was performed at the time of enrolment and included hemodynamic parameters of systolic and diastolic function and cardiac remodeling indices. Data were analyzed using a multivariable generalized linear model to estimate the association of FGR with maternal hemodynamic parameters after adjusting for significant confounding factors.Results: In the multivariable analysis, after adjustment for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and smoking, FGR was associated with a 14% increase in maternal total vascular resistance, 16% reduction in cardiac output, 13% reduction in left ventricular mass and 11% reduction in heart rate; similar results were observed for the corresponding indexed parameters. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the absence of FGR were associated with a 25% increase in total vascular resistance, 16% increase in left ventricular mass and 14% reduction in diastolic function; similar results were observed for the corresponding indexed parameters.Conclusion: FGR is significantly and independently associated with several maternal hemodynamic parameters, even after adjustment for major confounding factors, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hard X-ray source 2PBC J0658.0–1746 was proposed as an eclipsing magnetic cataclysmic variable of the polar type, based on optical follow-ups. We present the first spectral and timing analysis at X-ray energies with XMM–Newton , complemented with archival X-ray, optical, infrared (IR) photometry, and spectroscopy. The X-ray emission shows bright and faint phases and total eclipses recurring every 2.38 h, consistent with optical properties. This firmly identifies 2PBC J0658.0–1746 as an eclipsing polar, the second hard X-ray selected in the orbital period gap. The X-ray orbital modulation changes from cycle-to-cycle and the X-ray flux is strongly variable over the years, implying a non-stationary mass accretion rate both on short and long time-scales. The X-ray eclipses allow to refine the orbital ephemeris with period 0.09913398(4) d, and to constrain the binary inclination |$79^{\circ}\lesssim i \lesssim 90^{\circ}$| and the mass ratio 0.18 |$\lt M_2/M_{\mathrm{ WD}}\lt $| 0.40. A companion mass M |$_{2}=0.2-0.25\rm \, M_{\odot }$| with a radius R |$_{2}=0.24-0.26\rm \, R_{\odot }$| and spectral type ∼M4, at D |$=209^{+3}_{-2}\rm \, pc$|⁠ , is derived. A lower limit to the white dwarf mass of |$\sim 0.6\, \rm \, M_{\odot }$| is obtained from the X-ray spectrum. An upper limit to the magnetic colatitude, |$\beta \lesssim 50^{\circ}$|⁠ , and a shift in azimuth, |$\psi \sim 14^{\circ}$|⁠ , of the main accreting pole are also estimated. The optical/IR spectral energy distribution shows large excess in the mid-IR due to lower harmonics of cyclotron emission. A high-state mass accretion rate |$\rm \, \sim 0.4-1\times 10^{-10}\, M_{\odot }\, yr^{-1}$|⁠ , lower than that of cataclysmic variables above the gap and close to that of systems below it, is estimated. With 2PBC J0658.0–1746, the number of hard X-ray-selected polars increases to 13 members, suggesting that they are not as rare as previously believed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical and X-ray observations suggested that the 9.38 h binary, SWIFT J0746.3-1608 could be a cataclysmic variable (CV) of the magnetic or nova-like type, or a low-mass X-ray binary. Its optical, UV, and X-ray light curves are strongly variable over years. We report on a recent XMM–Newton observation (2018 April 28), when the source had recovered from a deep low state that likely begun mid-late 2011. We detect for the first time a signal at about 38 min that we interpret as the rotation of the accreting white dwarf primary. Its amplitude decreases with increasing energy, indicating localized photoelectric absorption from cold material. The X-ray spectrum shows optically thin thermal emission with excess at the iron complex, absorbed by a dense medium partially covering the X-ray source. Based on these features, we propose that SWIFT J0746.3-1608 is a magnetic CV of the Intermediate Polar (IP) type. The long-term light curves at different wavelengths show high and low states, a rare phenomenon in the IP subclass and observed so far in only three other systems. The long orbital period, the peculiar long-term variability, and its proposed magnetic nature makes SWIFT J0746.3-1608 an interesting evolutionary test case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present timing and spectral analysis of a sample of seven hard X-ray selected cataclysmic variable candidates based on simultaneous X-ray and optical observations collected with XMM-Newton, complemented with Swift/BAT and INTEGRAL /IBIS hard X-ray data and ground-based optical photometry. For six sources, X-ray pulsations are detected for the first time in the range of ~296-6098 s, identifying them as members of the magnetic class. Swift J0927.7-6945, Swift J0958.0-4208, Swift J1701.3-4304, Swift J2113.5+5422 and possibly PBC J0801.2-4625 are intermediate polars (IPs), while Swift J0706.8+0325 is a short (1.7 h) orbital period polar, the 11th hard X-ray-selected identified so far. X-ray orbital modulation is also observed in Swift J0927.7-6945 (5.2 h) and Swift J2113.5+5422 (4.1 h). Swift J1701.3-4304 is discovered as the longest orbital period (12.8 h) deep eclipsing IP. The spectra of the magnetic systems reveal optically thin multitemperature emission between 0.2 and 60 keV. Energy-dependent spin pulses and the orbital modulation in Swift J0927.7-6945 and Swift J2113.5+5422 are due to intervening local high-density absorbing material (NH ~ 1022-23 cm-2). In Swift J0958.0-4208 and Swift J1701.3-4304, a soft X-ray blackbody (kT ~ 50 and ~80 eV) is detected, adding them to the growing group of 'soft' IPs. White dwarf masses are determined in the range of ~0.58-1.18M☉, indicating massive accreting primaries in five of them. Most sources accrete at rates lower than the expected secular value for their orbital period. Formerly proposed as a long-period (9.4 h) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Youth with Tourette syndrome (TS) exhibit, compared to healthy, abnormal ability to lateralize digital sequential tasks. It is unknown whether this trait is related to inter-hemispheric connections, and whether it is preserved or lost in patients with TS persisting through adult life. We studied 13 adult TS patients and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers. All participants undertook: 1) a finger opposition task, performed with the right hand (RH) only or with both hands, using a sensor-engineered glove in synchrony with a metronome at 2 Hz; we calculated a lateralization index [(single RH–bimanual RH)/single RH X 100) for percentage of correct movements (%CORR); 2) MRI-based diffusion tensor imaging and probabilistic tractography of inter-hemispheric corpus callosum (CC) connections between supplementary motor areas (SMA) and primary motor cortices (M1). We confirmed a significant increase in the %CORR in RH in the bimanual vs. single task in TS patients (p<0.001), coupled to an abnormal ability to lateralize finger movements (significantly lower lateralization index for %CORR in TS patients, p = 0.04). The %CORR lateralization index correlated positively with tic severity measured with the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (R = 0.55;p = 0.04). We detected a significantly higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in both the M1-M1 (p = 0.036) and the SMA-SMA (p = 0.018) callosal fibre tracts in TS patients. In healthy subjects, the %CORR lateralization index correlated positively with fractional anisotropy of SMA-SMA fibre tracts (R = 0.63, p = 0.02); this correlation was not significant in TS patients. TS patients exhibited an abnormal ability to lateralize finger movements in sequential tasks, which increased in accuracy when the task was performed bimanually. This abnormality persists throughout different age periods and appears dissociated from the transcallosal connectivity of motor cortical regions. The altered interhemispheric transfer of motor abilities in TS may be the result of compensatory processes linked to self-regulation of motor control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Genetic variants for IgE-mediated peanut allergy are yet to be fully characterized and to date only one genomewide association study ( GWAS) has been published. Objective To identify genetic variants associated with challenge-proven peanut allergy. Methods We carried out a GWAS comparing 73 infants with challenge-proven IgE-mediated peanut allergy against 148 non-allergic infants (all ~ 1 year old). We tested a total of 3.8 million single nucleotide polymorphisms, as well as imputed HLA alleles and amino acids. Replication was assessed by de novo genotyping in a panel of additional 117 cases and 380 controls, and in silico testing in two independent GWAS cohorts. Results We identified 21 independent associations at P ≤ 5 × 10−5 but were unable to replicate these. The most significant HLA association was the previously reported amino acid variant located at position 71, within the peptide-binding groove of HLA- DRB1 ( P = 2 × 10−4). Our study therefore reproduced previous findings for the association between peanut allergy and HLA- DRB1 in this Australian population. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Genetic determinants for challenge-proven peanut allergy include alleles at the HLA- DRB1 locus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the Gardner problem of inferring interactions and fields for an Ising neural network from given patterns under a local stability hypothesis is addressed under a dual perspective. By means of duality arguments, an integer linear system is defined whose solution space is the dual of the Gardner space and whose solutions represent mutually unstable patterns. We propose and discuss Monte Carlo methods in order to find and remove unstable patterns and uniformly sample the space of interactions thereafter. We illustrate the problem on a set of real data and perform ensemble calculation that shows how the emergence of phase dominated by unstable patterns can be triggered in a nonlinear discontinuous way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the nature of CXOU J005440.5−374320 (J0054), a peculiar bright (∼4 × 1039 erg s−1) and soft X-ray transient in the spiral galaxy NGC 300 with a six-hour periodic flux modulation that was detected in a 2014 Chandra observation. Subsequent observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton, as well as a large observational campaign of NGC 300 and its sources performed with the Swift Neil Gehrels Observatory, showed that this source exhibits recurrent flaring activity: four other outbursts were detected across ∼8 years of monitoring. Using data from the Swift/UVOT archive and from the XMM-Newton/OM and Gaia catalogues, we determined that the source is likely associated with a bright blue optical/ultraviolet counterpart. This prompted us to perform follow-up observations with the Southern African Large Telescope in December 2019. With the multi-wavelength information at hand, we discuss several possibilities for the nature of J0054. Although none is able to account for the full range of the observed peculiar features, we found that the two most promising scenarios are a stellar-mass compact object in a binary system with a Wolf–Rayet star companion, or the recurrent tidal stripping of a stellar object trapped in a system with an intermediate-mass (∼1000 M⊙) black hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an analysis of X-ray, ultraviolet and optical/near-IR photometric data of the transitional millisecond pulsar binary XSS J12270-4859, obtained at different epochs after the transition to a rotation-powered radio pulsar state. The observations, while confirming the large-amplitude orbital modulation found in previous studies after the state change, also reveal an energy dependence of the amplitudes as well as variations on time-scale of months. The amplitude variations are anticorrelated in the X-ray and the UV/optical bands. The average X-ray spectrum is described by a power law with Γ index of 1.07(8) without requiring an additional thermal component. The power-law index Γ varies from ~1.2 to ~1.0 between superior and inferior conjunction of the neutron star.We interpret the observed X-ray behaviour in terms of synchrotron radiation emitted in an extended intrabinary shock, located between the pulsar and the donor star, which is eclipsed due to the companion orbital motion. The G5-type donor dominates the UV/optical and near-IR emission and is similarly found to be heated up to ~6500 K as in the disc state. The analysis of optical light curves gives a binary inclination 46 ≲ i ≲ 65 and a mass ratio 0.11 ≲ q ≲ 0.26. The donor mass is found to be 0.15 ≲ M² ≲ 0.36M๏ for a neutron star mass of 1.4 M๏. The variations in the amplitude of the orbital modulation are interpreted in terms of small changes in the mass-flow rate from the donor star. The spectral energy distribution from radio to gamma-rays is composed by multiple contributions that are different from those observed during the accretion-powered state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IGR J04571+4527 and Swift J0525.6+2416 are two hard X-ray sources detected in the Swift/BAT and INTEGRAL/IBIS surveys. They were proposed to be magnetic cataclysmic variables of the intermediate polar (IP) type, based on optical spectroscopy. IGR J04571+4527 also showed a 1218 s optical periodicity, suggestive of the rotational period of a white dwarf, further pointing towards an IP classification. We here present detailed X-ray (0.3-10 keV) timing and spectral analysis performed with XMM-Newton, complemented with hard X-ray coverage (15-70 keV) from Swift/BAT. These are the first high-S/N observations in the soft X-ray domain for both sources, allowing us to identify the white dwarf X-ray spin period of Swift J0525.6+2416 (226.28 s), and IGR J04571+4527 (1222.6 s). A model consisting of multitemperature optically thin emission with complex absorption adequately fits the broadband spectrum of both sources. We estimate a white dwarf mass of about 1.1 and 1.0 M for IGR J04571+4527 and Swift J0525.6+2416, respectively. The above characteristics allow us to unambiguously classify both sources as IPs, confirming the high incidence of this subclass among hard X-ray emitting cataclysmic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first detection of X-ray coherent pulsations from the transitional millisecond pulsar XSS J12270-4859, while it was in a sub-luminous accretion disc state characterized by a 0.5-10 keV luminosity of 5 × 1033 erg s-1 (assuming a distance of 1.4 kpc). Pulsations were observed by XMM-Newton at an rms amplitude of (7.7 ± 0.5) per cent with a second harmonic stronger than the fundamental frequency, and were detected when the source is neither flaring nor dipping. The most likely interpretation of this detection is that matter from the accretion disc was channelled by the neutron star magnetosphere and accreted on to its polar caps. According to standard disc accretion theory, for pulsations to be observed the mass inflow rate in the disc was likely larger than the amount of plasma actually reaching the neutron star surface; an outflow launched by the fast rotating magnetosphere then probably took place, in agreement with the observed broad-band spectral energy distribution. We also report about the non-detection of X-ray pulsations during a recent observation performed while the source behaved as a rotationally-powered radio pulsar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uniform sampling of convex regions in high dimension is an important computational issue, both from theoretical and applied point of view. The hit-and-run Monte Carlo algorithms are the most efficient methods known to perform it and one of their bottlenecks relies in the difficulty of escaping from tight corners in high dimension. Inspired by optimized Monte Carlo methods used in statistical mechanics, we define a new algorithm by over-relaxing the hit-and-run dynamics. We made numerical simulations on high-dimensional simplexes and hypercubes in order to test its performances, pointing out its improved ability to escape from angles and finally apply it to an inference problem in the steady state dynamics of metabolic networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swift J2218.4+1925, a hard-X-ray source detected by Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), has been proposed as a candidate magnetic cataclysmic variable of the polar type from optical spectroscopy. Using XMM-Newton we perform detailed timing and spectral analysis with simultaneous X-ray (0.3-10 keV) and optical B-band data. We complement the spectral study with archival hard-X-ray (14-70 keV) spectra collected by Swift BAT as well as with optical, near and mid-infrared photometry from Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Two-Micron All Sky Survey and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer archive, respectively. A strong periodic X-ray signal at 2.16 h, fully consistent with the recently determined spectroscopic orbital period, adds Swift J2218.4+1925 to the small group of hard-X-ray polars and locates it at the low edge of the orbital period gap. The X-ray pulse profile shows the typical bright and faint phases seen in polars, that last ~70 and ~30 percent of the orbit, respectively. A pronounced dip centred on the bright phase is also detected. It is stronger at lower energies and is mainly produced by photoelectric absorption. A binary inclination i ~ 40°-50° and a magnetic colatitude β ~ 55°-64° are estimated. The source appears to accrete over a large area ~24° wide. A multitemperature optically thin emission with complex absorption well describes the broad-band (0.3-70 keV) spectrum, with no signs of a soft X-ray blackbody component. The spectral shape strongly varies with the source rotation reaching plasma temperatures up to 55 keV, hardening at the dip and being softer during the faint phase (~7 keV). We also find the first indication of an absorption edge due to a warm absorber in a polar. Indication of overabundance of neon is found in the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) spectra. The UV to mid-IR spectral energy distribution reveals an excess in the near and mid-IR, likely due to low cyclotron harmonics. We further estimate a white dwarf mass of 0.97 MΘ and a distance of 230-250 pc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peculiar low-mass X-ray binary XSS J12270−4859, associated with the Fermi/LAT source 2FGL J1227.7−4853, was in an X-ray, gamma-ray and optical low-luminosity persistent state for about a decade until the end of 2012, when it entered into the dimmest state ever observed. The nature of the compact object has been controversial until the detection of a 1.69 ms radio pulsar early 2014. We present optical spectroscopy and optical/near-IR photometry during the previous brighter and in the recent faint states. We determine the first spectroscopic orbital ephemeris and an accurate orbital period of 6.912 46(5) h. We infer a mid G-type donor star and a distance d = 1.8–2.0 kpc. The donor spectral type changes from G5 V to F5 V between inferior and superior conjunctions, a signature of strong irradiation effects. We infer a binary inclination 45° ≲ i ≲ 65° and a highly undermassive donor, M2 ∼ 0.06–0.12 M⊙, for a neutron star mass in the range 1.4–3 M⊙. Thus, this binary joins as the seventh member the group of ‘redbacks’. In the high state, the emission lines reveal the presence of an accretion disc. They tend to vanish at the donor star superior conjunction, where also flares are preferentially observed together with the occurrence of random dips. This behaviour could be related to the propeller mechanism of the neutron star recently proposed to be acting in this system during the high state. In the low state, the emission lines are absent in all orbital phases indicating that accretion has completely switched-off and that XSS J12270−4859 has transited from an accretion-powered to a rotation-powered phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the impact of cancer on the lives of sick people. A multidisciplinary workgroup, including doctors, psychologists, social workers and pharmacists, conducted research works on possible answers (legal and statutory assistance) and discussion on the limits of these. In conclusion of this work, a proposal for the improvement of the existing solutions is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevalence rates of food allergy have increased rapidly in recent decades. Of concern, rates of increase are greatest among children under 5 yrs of age and for those food allergies that persist into adulthood such as peanut or tree nut allergy and shellfish allergy. Given these trends, the overall prevalence of food allergy will compound over time as the number of children affected by food allergy soars and a greater proportion of food-allergic children are left with persistent disease into adulthood. It is therefore vital to identify novel curative treatment approaches for food allergy. Acquisition of oral tolerance to the diverse array of ingested food antigens and intestinal microbiota is an active immunologic process that is successfully established in the majority of individuals. In subjects who develop food allergy, there is a failure or loss of oral tolerance acquisition to a limited number of food allergens. Oral immunotherapy ( OIT) offers a promising approach to induce specific oral tolerance to selected food allergens and represents a potential strategy for long-term curative treatment of food allergy. This review will summarize the current understanding of oral tolerance and clinical trials of OIT for the treatment of food allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of this study was to identify psychopathological factors associated with long-term functional outcome in euthymic bipolar disorder patients and to test new measures of mood instability and symptoms intensity. Method Fifty-five patients with more than 12 months of follow-up were included. In addition to traditional clinical variables, the time spent ill was documented using a modified life-charting technique based on NIHM life-charting method. New measures, Mood Instability Factor, and Mood Intensity Factor were defined and assessed. Functioning Assessment Short Test ( FAST) was used to assess disability. Results The follow-up period was 3.00 ± 1.51 years. Weeks with subsyndromal depressive symptoms (β = 0.133, t = 2.556, P = 0.014), weeks with mild manic symptoms (β = 1.441, t = 3.10, P = 0.003), and the Mood Instability Factor (β = 0.105, t = 3.593, P = 0.001) contributed to approximately 46% of the FAST total score variance. Conclusion New methodologies including subsyndromal symptoms and mood instability parameters might contribute to understand the worse long-term functional outcome that affects a considerable percentage of BD patients even after episode remission. Concerns about therapeutic approaches are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We submitted two groups of healthy adults either to right or left PPC tDCS. [•] We examined their performance in a suprasecond time reproduction task. [•] Cathodal stimulation upon the right PPC affected temporal accuracy. [•] Cathodal stimulation upon the left PPC affected temporal variability. [•] Results suggest that both left and right PPC play a role in time processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factors modifying the clinical penetrance of DYT1 dystonia are incompletely defined. Particularly, the contribution of extragenetic factors has been subject to only limited investigation and remains largely unexplored. A possible effect of childhood infections has been proposed, and the effect of other factors, such as perinatal adversity and trauma, has not been systematically investigated. We performed an exploratory analysis of the exposure to perinatal adversity, childhood infections, general anaesthesia and trauma comparing 39 manifesting carriers of the ∆GAG mutation, 23 non-manifesting carriers and 48 non-carriers from a multi-centre European series of 28 families with DYT1 dystonia, by means of a self-completed questionnaire and clinical interview. Detailed information on perinatal adversities (pre-term birth, complications at natural delivery, urgent caesarean section), previous childhood infections, and prior general anaesthesia or physical trauma was recorded. A positive association between a history of complications of vaginal delivery and manifestation of dystonia was detected, which was not confounded by age, gender, or education level (odds ratio 8.47, 95 % confidence interval 1.45-49.4, p = 0.02). We could not observe any significant association between presence of dystonia and the other investigated variables. Comparing non-manifesting carriers to non-carriers, the presence of the ∆GAG mutation per se was not associated with any of the environmental exposures explored. Perinatal adversities might modulate the clinical penetrance of DYT1 dystonia; their interaction with known genetic factors modifying penetrance of this condition should be investigated in new, larger collaborative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. XSS J1227.0-4859 is a peculiar, hard X-ray source recently positionally associated to the Fermi-LAT source 1FGL J1227.9- 4852/2FGL J1227.7-4853. Multi-wavelength observations have added information on this source, indicating a low-luminosity lowmass X-ray binary (LMXB), but its nature is still unclear. Aims. To progress in our understanding, we present new X-ray data from a monitoring campaign performed in 2011 with the XMM-Newton, RXTE, and Swift satellites and combine them with new gamma-ray data from the Fermi and AGILE satellites. We complement the study with simultaneous near-UV photometry from XMM-Newton and with previous UV/optical and near-IR data. Methods. We analysed the temporal characteristics in the X-rays, near-UV, and gamma rays and studied the broad-band spectral energy distribution from radio to gamma rays. Results. The X-ray history of XSS J1227 over 7 yr shows a persistent and rather stable low-luminosity (6 × 1033 d21 kpcerg s-1) source, with flares and dips being peculiar and permanent characteristics. The associated Fermi-LAT source 2FGL J1227.7-4853 is also stable over an overlapping period of 4.7 yr. Searches for X-ray fast pulsations down to msec give upper limits to pulse fractional amplitudes of 15-25% that do not rule out a fast spinning pulsar. The combined UV/optical/near-IR spectrum reveals a hot component at ~13 kK and a cool one at ~4.6 kK. The latter would suggest a late-type K2-K5 companion star, a distance range of 1.4-3.6 kpc, and an orbital period of 7-9 h. A near-UV variability (≳6 h) also suggests a longer orbital period than previously estimated. Conclusions. The analysis shows that the X-ray and UV/optical/near-IR emissions are more compatible with an accretion-powered compact object than with a rotational powered pulsar. The X-ray to UV bolometric luminosity ratio could be consistent with a binary hosting a neutron star, but the uncertainties in the radio data may also allow an LMXB black hole with a compact jet. In this case, it would be the first associated with a high-energy gamma-ray source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics and relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression during early T-cell development. Mononuclear cells were collected at birth and at 12 months from 60 infants and were either activated with anti-CD3 for 24 h or cultured in media alone, and the CD4+ T-cell subset purified. DNA and RNA were co-harvested and DNA methylation was measured in 450 000 CpG sites in parallel with expression measurements taken from 25 000 genes. In unstimulated cells, we found that a subset of 1188 differentially methylated loci were associated with a change in expression in 599 genes (adjusted P value<0.01, β-fold >0.1). These genes were enriched in reprogramming regions of the genome known to control pluripotency. In contrast, over 630 genes were induced following low-level T-cell activation, but this was not associated with any significant change in DNA methylation. We conclude that DNA methylation is dynamic during early T-cell development, and has a role in the consolidation of T-cell-specific gene expression. During the early phase of clonal expansion, DNA methylation is stable and therefore appears to be of limited importance in short-term T-cell responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aim at characterizing a sample of nine new hard X-ray selected cataclysmic variable (CVs), to unambiguously identify them as magnetic systems of the intermediate polar (IP) type. Methods. We performed detailed timing and spectral analysis by using X-ray, and simultaneous UV and optical data collected by XMM-Newton, complemented with hard X-ray data provided by INTEGRAL and Swift. The pulse arrival time were used to estimate the orbital periods. The broad band X-ray spectra were fitted using composite models consisting of different absorbing columns and emission components. Results. Strong X-ray pulses at the white dwarf (WD) spin period are detected and found to decrease with energy. Most sources are spin-dominated systems in the X-rays, though four are beat dominated at optical wavelengths. We estimated the orbital period in all system (except for IGR J16500-3307), providing the first estimate for 10RJ08390-4833, 1GRJ18308-1232, and 1GRJ18173-2509. All X-ray spectra are multi-temperature. V2069 Cyg and RX J0636+3535 posses a soft X-ray optically thick component at κT ∼ 80 eV. An intense Kα Fe line at 6.4 κeV is detected in all sources. An absorption edge at 0.76 κeV from OV11 is detected in IOR J08390-4833. The WD masses and lower limits to the accretion rates are also estimated. Conclusions. We found all sources to be IPs. IOR J08390-4833, V2069 Cyg, and IGR J16500-3307 are pure disc accretors, while IGR J18308-1232, IGR J1509-6649, IGR J17195-4100, and RX J0636+3535 display a disc-overflow accretion mode. All sources show a temperature gradient in the post-shock regions and a highly absorbed emission from material located in the pre-shock flow which is also responsible for the X-ray pulsations. Reflection at the WD surface is likely the origin of the fluorescent iron line. There is au increasing evidence for the presence of a warm absorber in IPs, a feature that needs future exploration. The addition of two systems to the subgroup of soft X-ray IPs confirms a relatively large (∼30%) incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samamé C, Martino DJ, Strejilevich SA. Social cognition in euthymic bipolar disorder: systematic review and meta-analytic approach. Objective: Deficits in social cognition have been reported in euthymic subjects with bipolar disorder (BD). However, some studies have failed to find differences favoring controls. As most investigations have been conducted with small samples, they have not had sufficient power to detect statistically significant differences. Furthermore, studies communicating positive results have scarcely attempted to estimate effect sizes for patient-control differences. The aim of this study was to summarize the findings of reports on social cognition in patients with euthymic BD and to combine their data to identify possible deficits and quantify their magnitude. Method: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Results: Impairments of moderate magnitude (0.5 < d < 0.8) were noted across mentalizing skills, whereas small but significant effect sizes ( d < 0.5) were observed for facial emotion recognition. No patient-control differences were found for decision-making. Conclusion: Meta-analytic findings provide evidence for emotion processing and theory of mind deficits in remitted bipolar patients. However, it is not yet clear whether these areas of impairment are related to neurocognitive dysfunctions or to medication effects. The results are discussed with regard to targets for future neuropsychological research on BDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To cite this article: Martino DJ, Bosco A, McKenna KL, Hollams E, Mok D, Holt PG, Prescott SL. T-cell activation genes differentially expressed at birth in CD4+ T-cells from children who develop IgE food allergy. Allergy 2012; 67: 191-200. Abstract Background: Presymptomatic immaturity in neonatal T-cell function is a consistent antecedent of allergic disease, including reduced responsiveness to polyclonal activation. Methods: To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we examined for differences in T-cell gene expression in longitudinal samples collected at birth and at 1 year of age in children with ( n = 30) and without IgE-mediated food allergy ( n = 30). We employed a low-level soluble anti-CD3 stimulus to activate the T-cell receptor (TCR) and surveyed gene expression by DNA microarray in purified CD4+ T-cells. Allergen-specific responses were assessed in parallel functional studies. Results: At birth, the allergic group showed a reduced number of genes up regulated in response to anti-CD3 treatment on the microarray and a reduced lympho proliferative capacity, suggesting clear differences in T-cell signalling pathways. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) validation of candidate genes confirmed significantly lower expression of a number of genes in the allergic group including RELB, NFKB2, LIF and FAS. By 12 months of age, there were marked changes in the anti-CD3 response in all infants, culminating in upregulation of cytokine genes (IL-5, IL-13, IL-17 and IL-22). Neonatal differences were no longer apparent. Instead, the allergic group, all symptomatic by this age, showed differential expression of T-cell lineage pathways including GATA-3, MAL and FcER1 in unstimulated T-cells. Allergen stimulation induced significantly higher cytokines production (IL-5, IL-13 and IFNγ) in the allergic group. Conclusion: Although transient, suboptimal neonatal T-cell activation pathways that signal through the NF-κB complex may affect the developmental transition of T-cell phenotypes in the periphery shortly after birth and may increase the risk of food allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe main aim of this study was to compare a large population of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) types I and II strictly defined as euthymic with healthy controls on measures of decision making. An additional aim was to compare performance on a decision-making task between patients with and without a history of suicide attempt.MethodEighty-five euthymic patients with BD-I or BD-II and 34 healthy controls were included. All subjects completed tests to assess verbal memory, attention and executive functions, and a decision-making paradigm (the Iowa Gambling Task, IGT).ResultsBoth groups of patients had worse performance than healthy controls on measures of verbal memory, attention and executive function. No significant differences were found between BD-I, BD-II and healthy controls on measures of decision making. By contrast, patients with a history of suicide attempt had lower performance in the IGT than patients without a history of suicide attempt.ConclusionsPatients with euthymic BD-I and BD-II had intact decision-making abilities, suggesting that this does not represent a reliable trait marker of the disorder. In addition, our results provide further evidence of an association between impairments in decision making and vulnerability to suicidal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND: Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterized by dysfunctional connectivity between prefrontal cortex and sub-cortical structures, and altered meso-cortical and/or meso-striatal dopamine release. Since time processing is also regulated by fronto-striatal circuits and modulated by dopaminergic transmission, we hypothesized that time processing is abnormal in TS. METHODS: We compared time processing abilities between nine children with TS-only (i.e. without major psychiatric comorbidities) and 10 age-matched healthy children, employing a time reproduction task in which subjects actively reproduce different temporal intervals, and a time comparison task in which subjects judge whether a test interval is longer or shorter than a reference interval. IQ, sustained and divided attention, and working memory were assessed in both groups using the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised, and the Digit Span sub-test of the WISC-R. RESULTS: Children with TS-only reproduced in an overestimated fashion over-second, but not sub-second, time intervals. The precision of over-second intervals reproduction correlated with tic severity, in that the lower the tic severity, the closer the reproduction of over-second time intervals to their real duration. Time reproduction performance did not significantly correlate with IQ, attention and working memory measures in both groups. No differences between groups were documented in the time comparison task. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of time processing in children with TS-only seems specific for the over-second range of intervals, consistent with an enhancement in the 'cognitively controlled' timing system, which mainly processes longer duration intervals, and depends upon dysfunctional connectivity between the basal ganglia and the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. The absence of between-group differences on time comparison, moreover, suggests that TS patients manifest a selective improvement of 'motor' timing abilities, rather than of perceptual time abilities. Our data also support an enhancement of cognitive control processes in TS children, probably facilitated by effortful tic suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in patients with movement disorders. Evaluating quality of sleep is of primary importance because of the effect that nocturnal and daytime sleep abnormalities exert on general health status. However, quality of sleep has never been addressed in detail in patients with dystonia. The aim of this case–control study was to analyse quality of sleep in patients with the two most common forms of primary focal dystonia, blepharospasm (BSP) and cervical dystonia (CD). Methods: We evaluated quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and excessive daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS) in 98 patients with focal adult-onset dystonia (52 with BSP; 46 with CD) and in a group of 56 age-and gender-matched healthy subjects. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for the evaluation of depressive symptomatology. Results: Quality of sleep was impaired (significantly higher PSQI scores) in both groups of patients. However, differences in PSQI scores between patients with CD and control subjects were partly confounded by BDI scores, whereas differences in PSQI scores between patients with BSP and control subjects were not influenced by BDI. Excessive daytime sleepiness was not significantly more frequent than in control subjects in either patients with BSP or patients with CD. Conclusions: This study suggests that the assessment and treatment of insomnia-related complaints should be considered in global management plans of patients with focal dystonia, particularly in those affected by BSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Despite the growing number of reports describing adult-onset primary lower limb dystonia (LLD) this entity has never been systematically evaluated in the general population of patients with primary adult-onset dystonia. Methods: From outpatients with adult-onset primary dystonia attending nine Italian University centres for movement disorders we consecutively recruited 579 patients to undergo a standardized clinical evaluation. Results: Of the 579 patients assessed, 11 (1.9%) (8 women, 3 men) had LLD, either alone ( n = 4, 0.7%) or as part of a segmental/multifocal dystonia ( n = 7, 1.2%). The age at onset of LLD (47.9 ± 17 years) was significantly lower than the age at onset of cranial dystonias (57.9 ± 10.7 years for blepharospasm, and 58.9 ± 11.8 years for oromandibular dystonia) but similar to that of all the other adult-onset primary dystonias. The lower limb was either the site of dystonia onset (36.4%) or the site of dystonia spread (63.6%). In patients in whom LLD was a site of spread, dystonia seemed to spread following a somatotopic distribution. Only one patient reported a recent trauma involving the lower limb whereas 36.4% of the patients reported pain at the site of LLD. Only 64% of our patients needed treatment for LLD, and similarly to previously reported cases, the most frequently tried treatments was botulinum toxin and trihexyphenidyl. Conclusion: The lower limb is an uncommon but possible topographical site of dystonia in adulthood that should be kept in consideration during clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigenetic mechanisms provide new insights into how environmental changes may mediate the increasing propensity for complex immune diseases such as allergic disease. There is now strong evidence that early environmental exposures play a key role in activating or silencing genes by altering DNA and histone methylation, histone acetylation and chromatin structure. These modifications determine the degree of DNA compaction and accessibility for gene transcription, altering gene expression, phenotype and disease susceptibility. While there is already evidence that a number of early environmental exposures are associated with an increased risk of allergic disease, several new studies indicate in utero microbial and dietary exposures can modify gene expression and allergic disease propensity through epigenetic modification. This review explores the evidence that immune development is under clear epigenetic regulation, including the pattern of T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cell differentiation, regulatory T cell differentiation, and more recently, Th17 development. It also considers the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation and early immune defects in allergy prone neonates. The inherent plasticity conferred by epigenetic mechanisms clearly also provides opportunities for environmental strategies that can re-programme gene expression for disease prevention. Identifying genes that are differentially silenced or activated in relation to subsequent disease will not only assist in identifying causal pathways, but may also help identify the contributing environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The syndrome of fixed dystonia includes both CRPS–dystonia and psychogenic dystonia. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but a high prevalence of neuropsychiatric illness has previously been reported. Methods: Clinical and neuropsychiatric follow-up study by telephone and self-administered instruments (HADS, SDQ-20, DES II, EQ-5D), on 41 patients with fixed dystonia after a mean of 7.6 (±3.6) years. Results: We obtained information on clinical outcome in 35 (85.4%) patients and neuropsychiatric questionnaire data in 22 (53.7%). Eighty-three percent were women. Thirty-one percent had worsened, 46% were the same and 23% had improved, of whom 6% had major remissions. At follow-up, mean duration of illness was 11.8 (±4.9) years and mean age 43.2 (±14.8) years. Except for 1 patient who was re-diagnosed with corticobasal degeneration, the diagnosis remained unchanged in others. Forty-one percent had scores indicating anxiety and 18% indicating depression; 18% scored within the range of dissociative/somatoform disorders on DES II and 19% on SDQ-20. The mean EQ-5D index and VAS scores were 0.34 and 56.1%. Comparison between the 3 outcome groups revealed significant difference only in the EQ-5D (p =0.003). Only baseline CRPS predicted a worse outcome (χ 2 =0.006). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the prognosis of this syndrome is poor, with improvement in less than 25% of patients, major remission in only 6% and continued worsening in a third. A high rate of neuropsychiatric findings was noted and new neuropsychiatric features had occurred in some. Average health status was poor. Of the baseline parameters, only CRPS predicted poorer outcome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and purpose: Adult-onset dystonia may be related, amongst other factors, to abnormal neuronal plasticity in cortical and subcortical structures. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is a major modulator of synaptic efficiency and neuronal plasticity. Recent works documented that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the BDNF gene, the Val66Met SNP, modulates short-term plastic changes within motor cortical circuits. In this study we aimed at exploring the effect of this SNP upon the risk of developing common forms of primary adult-onset dystonia. Methods: We explored the influence of the Val66Met SNP of the BDNF gene on the risk of cranial and cervical dystonia in a cohort of 156 Italian patients and 170 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects drawn from the same population. Results: The presence of the rare Met allele was not significantly associated with the diagnosis of dystonia (age- and gender-adjusted odds ratios of 1.22, P = 0.38). The study had a >90% power to detect a 50% change in the risk of developing cranial-cervical dystonia associated with the presence of the Met allele. Moreover, there was no relationship between Val66Met SNP and age at dystonia onset or type of dystonia. Conclusion: Our data do not support the common variant Val66Met of the BDNF gene as an etiologic factor shared by the various forms of primary adult-onset dystonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how the volatility, node- or link-based, affects the evolution of social networks in simple models. The model describes the competition betweenorder – promoted by the efforts of agents to coordinate – and disorder induced byvolatility in the underlying social network.We find that when volatility affects mostly the decay of links, the model exhibit a sharp transition between an ordered phase with a dense network and a disordered phase with a sparse network. When volatility is mostly node-based, instead, only the symmetric (disordered) phase existsThese two regimes are separated by a second order phase transition of unusual type, characterized by an order parameter critical exponent β = 0+.We argue that node volatility has the same effect in a broader class of models, and provide numerical evidence in this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cataclysmic Variables are the most abundant population of galactic compact interacting binaries. They represent test objects to improve our knowledge of accretion theory as well as evolution of low-mass close binary systems. The UV domain represents a key range, linking the high energy emission to that of the optical domain, to understand the complex interplay of accretion and outflow processes, as well as to infer the physical status of the accreting primaries. Some of the major results and future needs in this range are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Variations in early intestinal colonization patterns have been implicated in the predispostion to allergic disease through effects on mucosal and systemic immune function. Methods Colonization patterns and mucosal IgA production at 6 months of age were examined in relation to early exposures, systemic immune development and early allergic outcomes. This was performed in a cohort ( n=189) who had received either Lactobacillus acidophilus or a placebo since birth. Results Children who developed sensitization to one or more allergens by 12 months of age had significantly higher total (but not secretory) IgA levels at 6 months ( P=0.024), but this was independent of probiotic treatment. There were no relationships between colonization patterns and IgA (total or secretory IgA) levels or allergic outcomes (sensitization, atopic dermatitis or food allergies). Breastfeeding, and the use of yoghurt or probiotic supplements were independently associated with significantly higher proportions of ‘favourable’ lactobacilli and bifidobacteria species. Caesarean delivery and the use of antibiotics during the first 6 months were not associated with significant variations in colonization. Higher proportions of ‘favourable’ bacteria (notably bifidobacteria) were associated with reduced production of most cytokine response to allergens, but increased expression of regulatory cell markers ( P=0.009) and transforming growth factor-β ( P=0.016). Conclusion ‘Favourable’ colonization, particularly with bifidobacteria, was associated with effects on cellular immune function, but this was not associated with mucosal immunity (secretory IgA) or reduced risk of allergic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between prior trauma and primary adult-onset dystonia is not well understood. Previous uncontrolled observations and exploratory case-control studies have yielded contradictory results.Objective: To analyse the association between cranial dystonia and prior head trauma.Methods: An ad hoc multicentre case-control study was performed using a semistructured interview to collect detailed information on the history of head trauma before disease onset in five Italian tertiary referral centres for movement disorders. The presence of a history of head trauma and of post-traumatic sequelae (loss of consciousness, bone fractures, scalp/facial wounds) before disease onset was recorded from 177 patients with primary adult-onset cranial dystonia and from 217 controls with primary hemifacial spasm matched by age strata and sex. Differences between groups were assessed by Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test, and the relationship between prior head trauma and case/control status was analysed by multivariate logistic regression models.Results: No association was found between vault/maxillofacial trauma and cranial dystonia. Most reported traumas occurred several years before disease onset. None of the main post-traumatic sequelae altered the chance of developing cranial dystonia compared with patients with primary hemifacial spasm, nor did head trauma modify the age at onset of cranial dystonia.Conclusions: These results do not support prior head trauma as a possible environmental factor modifying the risk of developing late-onset cranial dystonia. The lack of association may have pathogenetic and medical-forensic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of trace elements in 36 milk samples were determined in dairy farms in Sicily. the determination of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Se and Zn were performed using an atomic absorbtion spectrophotometer. Among the toxic elements, the highest concentrations were those of Pb (range 0.4-170.1 µg/kg) of which 22 samples were above the Maximum Residue Level of 20 µg/kg. the lowest levels were those of Cd (range <0.01-20.1 µg/kg), while intermediate values were those of As (range <0.2-188.7 µg/kg). regarding essential elements, the highest concentrations were those of Zn (range 3.7-9.6 mg/kg), followed by cu (range 9.1-229.9 µg/kg) and se (range 6.4-41.5 µg/kg). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To investigate the immune-mediated response in TS, and its relationship with streptococcal infection, we measured serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin in patients with TS, compared to healthy and diseased controls. Soluble VCAM-1 and sE-selectin were significantly elevated in children and adults with TS, and sVCAM-1 was higher among anti-basal ganglia antibodies (ABGA)-positive adults with TS. No correlation of adhesion molecule levels to clinical severity or anti-streptococcal antibodies was observed. Children with Sydenham''s chorea and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) showed an increased level of sICAM-1, but not sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin. These results provide initial evidence for a role of adhesion molecules and systemic inflammation in TS, and support the hypothesis of an ongoing immune-mediated process in this condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sydenham's chorea (SC) became a well defined nosological entity only during the second half of the nineteenth century. Such progress was promoted by the availability of large clinical series provided by newly founded paediatric hospitals. This paper analyses the demographic and clinical features of patients with chorea admitted to the first British paediatric hospital (the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London) between 1852 and 1936. The seasonal and demographic characteristics of SC during this time appear strikingly similar to those observed today, and witness the introduction of modern 'statistically averaging' techniques in the approach to complex paediatric syndromes. Great Ormond Street (GOS) hospital case notes provide detailed descriptions of the 'typical cases' of SC, and show that British physicians working in the early age of paediatric hospitals succeeded in recognising the most distinctive clinical features of this fascinating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sydenham's chorea (SC) became a well defined nosological entity only during the second half of the nineteenth century. Such progress was promoted by the availability of large clinical series provided by newly founded paediatric hospitals. This paper analyses the demographic and clinical features of patients with chorea admitted to the first British paediatric hospital (the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London) between 1852 and 1936. The seasonal and demographic characteristics of SC during this time appear strikingly similar to those observed today, and witness the introduction of modern statistically averaging techniques in the approach to complex paediatric syndromes. Great Ormond Street (GOS) hospital case notes provide detailed descriptions of the "typical cases" of SC, and show that British physicians working in the early age of paediatric hospitals succeeded in recognising the most distinctive clinical features of this fascinating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stained glass windows from the Carthusian Monastery of Pavia, dating back to the 15th century, were studied by combining two analytical techniques: electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Chemical compositions and oxidation states of the transition ions, present as minor elements, were investigated by EPMA and EPR, respectively, in order to ascertain the role played by chromophorous ions in the glass coloration. The investigated glass can be defined as K–Ca glass, and the panes with red, green and blue colours were produced using flashing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]