Feasibility of extracting a Σ−\Sigma^- admixture probability in the neutron-rich Λ10^{10}_{\Lambda}Li hypernucleus

We examine theoretically production of the neutron-rich $^{10}_{\Lambda}$Li hypernucleus by a double-charge exchange ($\pi^-$, $K^+$) reaction on a $^{10}$B target with distorted-wave impulse approximation calculations. The result shows that the magnitude and shape of the calculated spectrum at 1.20 GeV/c by a one-step mechanism $\pi^-p \to K^+ \Sigma^-$ via $\Sigma^-$ doorways caused by a $\Sigma^-p \leftrightarrow \Lambda n$ coupling can explain the recent experimental data, and the $\Sigma^-$ admixture probability in $^{10}_{\Lambda}$Li is found to be the order of 10$^{-1}$ %. The ($\pi^-$, $K^+$) reaction provides a capability of extracting properties of wave functions with $\Lambda$-$\Sigma$ coupling effects in neutron-rich nuclei, together with the reaction mechanism.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Refractory Epilepsy: Effects on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Peripheral Blood

Objective: The vagus nerve has important immunological functions that may be relevant for its anticonvulsive action. We postulate that this anticonvulsive action is activated by a shift in the immune system resulting in a reduction of neurotoxic and an increase of neuroprotective tryptophan metabolites. Methods: Eleven patients with refractory epilepsy and 11 controls matched for age and gender were included in this study. The primary outcome measure was a 50% seizure reduction. Other variables were pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, cortisol, and the tryptophan metabolites 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OH-KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), kynurenine, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindol acetic acid (5-HIAA). Blood samples were scheduled during baseline, and in week 28 of add-on treatment. Results: IL-6 levels were higher in the responders than in the control group, and decreased after vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), whereas IL-10 was low and increased after VNS. In nonresponders, VNS resulted in an increase of IL-6 plasma levels and in a decrease of IL-10. Cortisol concentrations are higher in the epilepsy group than in the control group. After VNS, these concentrations decreased. The concentrations of the tryptophan metabolites were lower in the epilepsy group than in the control group. The KYNA ratios are defined as the ratio of neuroprotective KYNA versus neurotoxic 3-OH-KYN and KYNA versus neurotoxic kynurenine: these ratios were lower in epilepsy patients than in controls, and they both moderately increased after VNS. Conclusion: The outcome of this preliminary study indicates that VNS causes a rebalancing of the immune system. This results in: (1) a reduction of neurotoxic and an increase of neuroprotective kynurenine metabolites and (2) in the normalization of cortisol levels. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Base

Hyperonic mixing in five-baryon double-strangeness hypernuclei in a two-channel treatment

Properties of hypernuclei $_{\Lambda \Lambda}^5$H and $_{\Lambda \Lambda }^5$He are studied in a two-channel approach with explicit treatment of coupling of channels ^3\text{Z}+\Lambda+\Lambda and \alpha+\Xi. Diagonal \Lambda\Lambda and coupling \Lambda\Lambda-\Xi N interactions are derived within G-matrix procedure from Nijmegen meson-exchange models. Bond energy \Delta B_{\Lambda\Lambda} in $_{\Lambda \Lambda}^5$He exceeds significantly that in $_{\Lambda \Lambda}^5$H due to the channel coupling. Diagonal \Xi\alpha attraction amplifies the effect, which is sensitive also to \Lambda-core interaction. The difference of the \Delta B_{\Lambda\Lambda} values can be an unambiguous signature of the \Lambda\Lambda-\Xi N coupling in \Lambda\Lambda hypernuclei. However, improved knowledge of the hyperon-nucleus potentials is needed for quantitative extraction of the coupling strength from future data on the \Lambda\Lambda hypernuclear binding energies.Comment: 11 pages with 3 figures; Phys. Rev. C, accepte

Pre-eclampsia is associated with a twofold increase in diabetes : a systematic review and meta-analysis

CSK and RH are funded by National Institute for Health Research Academic Clinical Fellowships. This study was supported by a grant from the North Staffs Heart Committee.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Prolonged PR interval, first-degree heart block and adverse cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: First-degree atrioventricular block is frequently encountered in clinical practice and is generally considered a benign process. However, there is emerging evidence that prolonged PR interval may be associated with adverse outcomes. This study aims to determine if prolonged PR interval is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies that evaluated clinical outcomes associated with prolonged and normal PR intervals. Relevant studies were pooled using random effects meta-analysis for risk of mortality, cardiovascular mortality, heart failure, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation and stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Sensitivity analyses were performed considering the population type and the use of adjustments. Results: Our search yielded 14 studies that were undertaken between 1972 and 2011 with 400 750 participants. Among the studies that adjusted for potential confounders, the pooled results suggest an increased risk of mortality with prolonged PR interval risk ratio (RR) 1.24 95% CI 1.02 to 1.51, five studies. Prolonged PR interval was associated with significant risk of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction (RR 1.39 95% CI 1.18 to 1.65, three studies) and atrial fibrillation (RR 1.45 95% CI 1.23 to 1.71, eight studies) but not cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction or stroke or TIA. Similar observations were recorded when limited to studies of first-degree heart block. Conclusions: Data from observational studies suggests a possible association between prolonged PR interval and significant increases in atrial fibrillation, heart failure and mortality. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm the relationships reported, consider possible mechanisms and define the optimal monitoring strategy for such patients

Stochastic Variational Search for ΛΛ4^{4}_{\Lambda\Lambda}H

A four-body calculation of the $pn\Lambda\Lambda$ bound state, $^{\ 4}_{\Lambda\Lambda}$H, is performed using the stochastic variational method and phenomenological potentials. The$NN$,$\Lambda N$, and$\Lambda\Lambda$potentials are taken from a recent Letter by Filikhin and Gal, PRL{\bf 89}, 172502 (2002). Although their Faddeev-Yakubovsky calculation found no bound-state solution over a wide range of$\Lambda\Lambda$interaction strengths, the present variational calculation gives a bound-state energy, which is clearly lower than the$_\Lambda^3{H}+\Lambda$threshold, even for a weak$\Lambda\Lambda$interaction strength deduced from a recent experimental$B_{\Lambda\Lambda}(^{6}_{\Lambda\Lambda}{He})$value. The binding energies obtained are close to, and slightly larger than, the values obtained from the three-body$d\Lambda\Lambda$ model in the Letter.Comment: Corrected typos, added addtional calculations regarding a truncated to l=0 interaction model, 4 pages, 3 figure

Effect of age on the prognostic value of left ventricular function in patients with acute coronary syndrome:a prospective registry study

Objective: This study aims to study the prognostic impact of LV function on mortality and examine the effect of age on the prognostic value of left ventricular function.  Methods: We examined the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) registry (2006-2010) data with a mean follow up of 2.1 years. LV function was categorized into good (ejection fraction (EF) ≥50%), moderate (EF 30-49%) and poor (EF <30%) categories. Cox-proportional hazards models were constructed to examine the prognostic significance of LV function in different age groups (<65, 65-74, 75-84 and ≥85 years) on all-cause mortality adjusting for baseline variables.  Results: Of 424,848 patients, LV function data available for 123,609. Multiple imputations were used to impute missing values of LV function and the final sample for analyses were drawn from 414,305. After controlling for confounders, 339,887 participants were included in the regression models. For any age group, mortality was higher with worsening degree of LV impairment. Increased age reduced the adverse prognosis associated with reduced LV function (hazard ratios (HRs) of death comparing poor LV function to good LV function were 2.11 95%CI 1.88-2.37 for age <65 years and 1.28 95%CI 1.20-1.36 for age ≥85 years. Older patients had a high mortality risk even in those with good LV function. HRs of mortality for ≥85 compared to <65 years (HR=1.00) within good, moderate and poor ejection fractions groups were 5.89, 4.86 and 3.43, respectively.  Conclusions: In patients with ACS, clinicians should interpret the prognostic value of LV function taking into account patient’s age

Bariatric surgery and its impact on cardiovascular disease and mortality : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPostprin