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Double differential neutron spectra (energy, angle) originating from a thick nat Cu target bombarded by a 12 MeV/nucleon 36 S 16 + beam were measured by the activation method and the Time-of-flight technique at the Grand Accelerateur National d’Ions Lourds (GANIL). A neutron spectrum unfolding algorithm combining the SAND-II iterative method and Monte-Carlo techniques was developed for the analysis of the activation results that cover a wide range of neutron energies. It was implemented into a graphical user interface program, called GanUnfold. The experimental neutron spectra are compared to Monte-Carlo simulations performed using the PHITS and FLUKA codes.

SummaryBackground Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that can impair quality of life. Localized treatments may be cumbersome and ineffective, and no systemic treatments have proven to be significantly beneficial. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerance of low-dose oxybutynin for hyperhidrosis. Methods We conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. From June 2013 to January 2014, 62 patients with localized or generalized hyperhidrosis were enrolled. Oxybutynin was started at a dose of 2·5 mg per day and increased gradually to 7·5 mg per day. The primary outcome was defined as improvement of at least one point on the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS). Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and tolerance were also reported. Results Most patients (83%) in our study had generalized hyperhidrosis. Oxybutynin was superior to placebo in improving the HDSS: 60% of patients treated with oxybutynin, compared with 27% of patients treated with placebo, improved at least one point on the HDSS (P = 0·009). The mean improvement in quality of life measured by DLQI was significantly better in the oxybutynin arm (6·9) than in the placebo arm (2·3). The most frequent side-effect was dry mouth, which was observed in 43% of the patients in the oxybutynin arm, compared with 11% in the placebo arm. Conclusions Treatment with low-dose oxybutynin is effective in reducing symptoms of hyperhidrosis in generalized or localized forms. Side-effects were frequent but minor and mainly involved dry mouth.

In vitro nickel (II) complex presents antimitotic effects. In this work, we have studied the in vivo seasonal effects of nickel (II), ligand and the complex [NiCl2(M5FTSC)2] in male Swiss mice. During spring, an intra peritoneal (i.p.) injection of NiCl2 in aqueous NaCl up to 1.0.10-2 mmol.kg-1 body weight (b.w.) killed 10% of the rodents after 6 days. Lethal dose 100% (LD100) was up 1.91.10-2 mmol.kg-1 b.w.; ligand was less toxic than Ni (II), while the complex was 25% lethal at 1.37.10-2 mmol.kg-1 b.w. In autumn, mice were less sensitive to NiCl2. The ligand and the complex, on the contrary, were more toxic. This leads us to the conclusion that, in vivo, chronotolerance of nickel (II), ligand and complex in aqueous solution, are quite different in spring and autumn seasons.

Genetic studies of wild animal populations are often hindered by difficulties in obtaining blood samples. Recent advances in molecular biology have allowed the use of noninvasive samples as sources of DNA (e.g., hair or feces), but such samples may provide low-quality DNA and prevent the determination of true genotypes in subsequent DNA analysis. We present a preliminary study aimed at assessing the reliability of using fecal samples for genotyping in Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). The test was performed on samples of blood and feces from 11 captive animals, using three dinucleotide microsatellites. The CTAB DNA extraction method was found to be the most relevant for Barbary macaque feces, yielding successful amplification at all loci for 70% of PCRs. All the fecal samples tested gave correct genotypes at least once for each locus when referenced against blood-derived genotypes. An average of 18.3% of PCRs displayed spurious genotypes (false homozygous or false allele). The minimum theoretical probability required to obtain a 100% accurate genotype is 0.74, based on the criterion that a correct genotype is assessed only if it was observed at least twice. The observed probability of obtaining a correct genotype from three PCRs, based on our genotyping results, was greater (0.81 on average) than the minimum threshold. In conclusion, our comparison of blood and fecal samples showed that fecal sampling is a reliable tool for the further study of wild Barbary macaque populations.