Search

Purpose: The Region of Southern Denmark has recently established four late effects clinics to help cancer survivors suffering from complex and severe late effects. This study aimed to capture and analyze the full range of physical, mental, and psychosocial issues using patient-reported outcomes. Moreover, we aimed to describe demographic data and the type and severity of the late effects., Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among cancer survivors referred to a late effects clinic. Before their first appointment, patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life cancer survivorship core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-SURV100). We compared mean scores of the EORTC QLQ-SURV100 scales that were comparable to the scales/items from the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire with norm data for the Danish population and EORTC reference values., Results: All patients referred to the clinic within its first 2 years were included (n = 247). The mean age was 57 [23-85] years and 74% were females. The most common cancer diagnoses was breast cancer (39%). The five most commonly reported late effects were fatigue (66%), pain (51%), cognitive impairment (53%), sleep problems (42%), and neuropathy (40%). A total of 236 of the patients entering the clinic completed QLQ-SURV100. They reported significantly worse mean scores on all scales compared to the Danish norm population and EORTC reference values for pretreatment cancer patients, p < 0.001. Effect sizes were moderate or large for all scales., Interpretation: In this study, we collected demographic data and described the late effects presented by the patents referred to the clinic. Moreover, we captured and analyzed the full range of physical, mental, and psychosocial issues using QLQ-SURV100. Patients referred to the Late Effects Clinic (LEC) had a number of late effects and reported a significantly lower health-related quality of life compared to the general Danish population and patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer, suggesting the aim of helping patients suffering from late effects gain a better quality of life is in dire need.

The first hundred attoseconds of the electron dynamics during strong field tunneling ionization are investigated. We quantify theoretically how the electron's classical trajectories in the continuum emerge from the tunneling process and test the results with those achieved in parallel from attoclock measurements. An especially high sensitivity on the tunneling barrier is accomplished here by comparing the momentum distributions of two atomic species of slightly deviating atomic potentials (argon and krypton) being ionized under absolutely identical conditions with near-infrared laser pulses (1300 nm). The agreement between experiment and theory provides clear evidence for a nonzero tunneling time delay and a nonvanishing longitudinal momentum of the electron at the "tunnel exit."

Channel-selective electron emission from strong-field photoionization of H&#95;{2} molecules is experimentally investigated by using ultrashort laser pulses and a reaction microscope. The electron momenta and energy spectra in coincidence with bound and dissociative ionization channels are compared. Surprisingly, we observed an enhancement of the photoelectron yield in the low-energy region for the bound ionization channel. By further investigation of asymmetrical electron emission using two-color laser pulses, this enhancement is understood as the population of the autoionizing states of H&#95;{2} molecules in which vibrational energy is transferred to electronic energy. This general mechanism provides access to the vibrational-state distribution of molecular ions produced in a strong-field interaction.

Ca(2+) and cAMP signalling pathways interact in a complex manner at multiple sites. This crosstalk fine-tunes the spatiotemporal patterns of Ca(2+) and cAMP signals. In salivary glands of the blowfly Calliphora vicina fluid secretion is stimulated by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) via activation of two different 5-HT receptors coupled to the InsP(3)/Ca(2+) (Cv5-HT(2α)) or the cAMP pathway (Cv5-HT(7)), respectively. We have shown recently in permeabilized gland cells that cAMP sensitizes InsP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release to InsP(3). Here we study the effects of the cAMP signalling pathway on 5-HT-induced oscillations in transepithelial potential (TEP) and in intracellular [Ca(2+)]. We show: (1) Blocking the activation of the cAMP pathway by cinanserin suppresses the generation of TEP and Ca(2+) oscillations, (2) application of 8-CPT-cAMP in the presence of cinanserin restores 5-HT-induced TEP and Ca(2+) oscillations, (3) 8-CPT-cAMP sensitizes the InsP(3)/Ca(2+) signalling pathway to 5-HT and the Cv5-HT(2α) receptor agonist 5-MeOT, (4) 8-CPT-cAMP induces Ca(2+) oscillations in cells loaded with subthreshold concentrations of InsP(3), (5) inhibition of protein kinase A by H-89 abolishes 5-HT-induced TEP and Ca(2+) spiking and mimics the effect of cinanserin. These results suggest that activation of the cyclic AMP pathway promotes the generation of 5-HT-induced Ca(2+) oscillations in blowfly salivary glands., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Highly excited states of rubidium (Rb) atoms attached to helium (He) nanodroplets are studied by two-photon ionization spectroscopy in combination with electron and ion imaging. We find high yields of RbHe and RbHe(2) exciplexes when exciting to the 4D and 6P bands but not at the 6S band, in accord with a direct formation of exciplexes in binding RbHe pair potentials. Photoion spectra and angular distributions are in good agreement with a pseudodiatomic model for the RbHe(N) complex. Repulsive interactions in the excited states entail fast dissociation followed by ionization of free Rb atoms as well as of RbHe and RbHe(2) exciplexes.

We demonstrate ultrafast resonant energy absorption of rare-gas doped He nanodroplets from intense few-cycle (~10 fs) laser pulses. We find that less than 10 dopant atoms "ignite" the droplet to generate a nonspherical electronic nanoplasma resulting ultimately in complete ionization and disintegration of all atoms, although the pristine He droplet is transparent for the laser intensities applied. Our calculations at those intensities reveal that the minimal pulse length required for ignition is about 9 fs., (© 2011 American Physical Society)

A series of potent phthalazinone-based human H(1) and H(3) bivalent histamine receptor antagonists, suitable for intranasal administration for the potential treatment of allergic rhinitis, were identified. Blockade of H(3) receptors is thought to improve efficacy on nasal congestion, a symptom of allergic rhinitis that is currently not treated by current antihistamines. Two analogues (56a and 56b) had slightly lower H(1) potency (pA(2) 9.1 and 8.9, respectively, vs 9.7 for the clinical gold-standard azelastine, and H(3) potency (pK(i) 9.6 and 9.5, respectively, vs 6.8 for azelastine). Compound 56a had longer duration of action than azelastine, low brain penetration, and low oral bioavailability, which coupled with the predicted low clinical dose, should limit the potential of engaging CNS-related side-effects associated with H(1) or H(3) antagonism.

We have examined the role of the Ca(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin) in the regulation of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) in blowfly salivary glands. In response to the neurohormone serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] and under the mediation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, the secretory cells assemble and activate V-ATPase molecules at the apical membrane. We demonstrate that the inhibition of calcineurin activity by cyclosporin A, by FK-506, or by prevention of the elevation of Ca(2+) diminishes the 5-HT-induced assembly and activation of V-ATPase. The effect of calcineurin on V-ATPase is mediated by the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, with calcineurin acting upstream of PKA, because 1) cyclosporin A does not influence the 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-CPT-cAMP)-induced activation of V-ATPase, and 2) the 5-HT-induced rise in cAMP is highly reduced in the presence of cyclosporin A. Moreover, a Ca(2+) rise evoked by the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid leads to an increase in intracellular cAMP concentration and a calcineurin-mediated PKA-dependent activation of V-ATPase. We propose that calcineurin activity mediates cross talk between the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/Ca(2+) and the cAMP/PKA signaling pathways, thereby augmenting the 5-HT-induced rise in cAMP and thus the cAMP/PKA-mediated activation of V-ATPase.

In Germany, liver diseases are the leading cause of death through illness among 30 to 45 year olds. Most are chronic diseases and timely preventative or therapeutic measures could avert their manifestation or at least the following complications. Currently, screening for liver diseases is focused on specific groups at risk such as patients with alcohol abuse, relatives of patients with a genetic disease or individuals at risk of an infection with a viral hepatitis. For some diseases, studies have been started to test the practicability of population screening, which has already been successfully implemented for Hepatitis B and C in blood donors. Screening is also recommended for advanced liver disease. It helps to detect the development of cirrhosis and its complications namely varices and hepatocellular carcinoma.

History and Clinical Findings: In a 39-year-old man with increasing spasmodic epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting, varices of the esophagus and the gastric fundus were found endoscopically., Investigations: A portal vein thrombosis and a consecutive thrombosis of the splenic vein were diagnosed by colour Doppler sonography and angio CT. A protein S deficiency (59 %) was found to be the underlying illness., Treatment and Course: The thrombosis and the resulting clinical symptoms completely resolved shortly after starting therapeutic heparinization. For six months, the patient has been without complaints or clinical symptoms., Conclusion: Hence, an isolated protein S deficiency can be the cause for a portal vein thrombosis.

Recent reports have indicated a high incidence of erythromycin resistance in Group A streptococci isolated from children in Japan. The present study investigated antibiotic susceptibility patterns of 280 pharyngeal isolates from ambulatory patients using the plate dilution technique. The incidences of resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline were 4.3 and 7.8%, respectively. No resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, methicillin, oxacillin, cefaclor or moxalactam was found, and there was no evidence of penicillin tolerance using the standard tube dilution technique. The erythromycin-resistant isolates were of T-pattern 12, M-type 12, and two erythromycin-resistant isolates were also resistant to tetracycline. Data on the source of the isolates suggest that a localized outbreak of erythromycin-resistant streptococcal infection occurred.

The comparative in vitro activity of amikacin, cefamandole, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, moxalactam, piperacillin, ticarcillin and tobramycin against 170 community blood culture isolates of gram-negative bacilli was investigated using the quantitative plate dilution method. Results showed that amikacin, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, moxalactam, piperacillin and tobramycin were most active on a weight basis. Tobramycin and amikacin were quite active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa but one isolate showed an MIC of 50 micrograms/ml to both. The order of activity of the remaining drugs for P. aeruginosa was cefoperazone greater than moxalactam greater than cefotaxime and piperacillin greater than ticarcillin.