Phase dependence of microwave-assisted switching of a single magnetic nanoparticle.

Microwave-assisted switching of the magnetization is an efficient way to reduce the magnetic field required to reverse the magnetization of nanostructures. Here, the phase sensitivity of microwave-assisted switching of an individual cobalt nanoparticle is studied using a pump-probe technique. The pump microwave pulse prepares an initial state of the magnetization, and the probe pulse tests its stability against switching. Precession states are established, which are stable against switching. Their basin of attraction is measured and is in qualitative agreement with numerical macrospin calculations. The damping parameter is evaluated using the variable delay pump-probe technique.

Functional analysis of two haplotypes of the human endothelial protein C receptor gene.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the effect of the endothelial protein receptor gene (PROCR) haplotypes H1 and H3 on venous thromboembolism (VTE), to study their effect on endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and to investigate the functionality of H1 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms in an in vitro model. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Protein C (PC), activated PC, and soluble EPCR (sEPCR) levels were measured in 702 patients with VTE and 518 healthy individuals. All subjects were genotyped for PROCR H1 and H3. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells isolated from 111 umbilical cords were used to study the relation between PROCR haplotypes, PROCR mRNA, cellular distribution of EPCR, and rate of PC activation. Finally, the functionality of the intragenic PROCR H1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was analyzed using a luciferase-based method. We confirmed that individuals carrying H1 have reduced VTE risk, increased plasma activated PC levels, and reduced plasma sEPCR levels and that individuals with the H3H3 genotype have an increased VTE risk and increased plasma sEPCR levels. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, H1 is associated with increased membrane-bound EPCR, increased rate of PC activation, and reduced sEPCR in conditioned medium, but does not significantly influence PROCR mRNA levels. In contrast, H3 is associated with reduced membrane-bound EPCR and increased sEPCR in human umbilical vein endothelial cell-conditioned medium, higher levels of a truncated mRNA isoform, and a lower rate of PC activation. Finally, we identified the g.2132T>C single-nucleotide polymorphism in intron 1 as an intragenic H1-specific functional single-nucleotide polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: These results support a protective role of PROCR H1 against VTE and an increased risk of VTE associated with the H3 haplotype.

Exudación lipídica masiva y desprendimiento de retina tras braquiterapia y termoterapia transpupilar combinada en melanoma de coroides / Massive lipid exudation and retinal detachment after combined brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy in choroidal melanoma

Caso clínico: Varón de 59 años con melanoma coroideo en ojo izquierdo. Se realiza tratamiento con braquiterapia mediante placa (iodo-125), apareciendo exudación masiva, desprendimiento de retina y grandes placas de depósitos lipídicos una semana después. Se monitoriza la evolución mediante funduscopia y ecografía mensualmente y una vez reabsorbido el fluido subretiniano se realiza termoterapia transpupilar (TTT) de la masa tumoral irradiada, 9 meses tras la intervención. Tres meses después se producen roturas retinianas con siembra vítrea que hacen necesaria la enucleación. Discusión: La terapia combinada con placas de braquiterapia y TTT puede asociar complicaciones severas que requieran la enucleación (AU)

Case report: A 59 year-old male with choroidal melanoma in the left eye who underwent plaque brachytherapy (iodine 125). One week after surgery, massive exudation with retinal detachment and lipid exudation was observed. Evolution was assessed with funduscopy and ultrasound every month. Nine months after surgery transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was performed over the fluid-free irradiated residual tumour. Three months after this procedure, new retinal breaks appeared in the treated area with vitreous seeding that required enucleation. Discussion: Combined treatment with plaque brachytherapy and TTT may associate severe complications that may require enucleation of the involved eye (AU)

Massive lipid exudation and retinal detachment after combined brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy in choroidal melanoma.

CASE REPORT: A 59 year-old male with choroidal melanoma in the left eye who underwent plaque brachytherapy (iodine 125). One week after surgery, massive exudation with retinal detachment and lipid exudation was observed. Evolution was assessed with funduscopy and ultrasound every month. Nine months after surgery transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) was performed over the fluid-free irradiated residual tumour. Three months after this procedure, new retinal breaks appeared in the treated area with vitreous seeding that required enucleation. DISCUSSION: Combined treatment with plaque brachytherapy and TTT may associate severe complications that may require enucleation of the involved eye.

Colloidal crystal thin films grown into corrugated surface templates.

The influence of patterned surfaces on the formation of one- and two-dimensional colloidal crystals is analyzed. We have used the corrugated surface of a digital versatile disc (DVD) for template surface processing. When the sphere diameter is on the order of the groove width of patterned substrates, a rich variety of particle decorations appear. However, if particle size is much larger than template patterns, large domains of particle ordering are formed.

Estudio de los trastornos de personalidad y de la utilización de servicios en la población clínica atendida en la red de salud mental de un sector sanitario / Study of personality disorders and the use of services in the clinical population attended in the mental health network of a community area

Introducción. Los trastornos de personalidad (TP) constituyen un problema clínico y asistencial creciente. En España los estudios de los TP y de la utilización de servicios de salud mental (SM) en población clínica son escasos. Sin embargo, estos datos son necesarios para planificar la asistencia de los TP. Método. Se han estudiado todos los pacientes atendidos durante 1 año en el conjunto de los servicios psiquiátricos (n=2.701) y por separado en los servicios hospitalarios (n=193) y ambulatorios (n=2.649). Se han incluido todos los pacientes diagnosticados de TP mediante entrevista clínica (criterios DSM-IV-TR). Se han investigado variables demográficas, clínicas y uso de servicios de SM. Resultados. La proporción de TP en el conjunto de la población atendida fue del 11% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 9,8-12,2) y en los servicios hospitalarios y ambulatorios del 17,6% (IC 95%: 12,9-23,6) y 10,3% (IC 95%: 9,2-11,5), respectivamente. Los TP más representados fueron el límite (25,7%), el histriónico (24%) y el obsesivo-compulsivo (6,4%), y el 19,6% fueron TP no especificado. Los TP hicieron una utilización importante de los recursos de salud mental (hospitalarios, ambulatorios y urgencias). Los trastornos del estado de ánimo, de ansiedad y por consumo de sustancias fueron los más comórbidos en el eje I. Conclusiones. El estudio de los TP atendidos en los servicios de SM de un distrito sanitario mediante evaluación clínica es un instrumento económico, sencillo y reproducible para planificar la asistencia de los TP (AU)

Introduction. Personality disorders (PD) are a growing clinical and health care problem. In Spain, the studies of PD and utilization of the Mental Health Services(MHS) in the clinical population are scant. However, these data are necessary in the planning of MHS for PD. Method. We studied all the patients attended throughout one year in all the psychiatric departments (n=2701), and separately in the inpatient (n=193) and outpatient (n=2649) psychiatric services. All the patients diagnosed with PD by clinical interview (DSM-IV-TR criteria) were included. Demographic and clinical variables as well as use of MHS were studied. Results. The proportion of PD in the population attended was 11% (95% CI: 9.8%-12.2%) and in the inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services 17.6% (95% CI: 12.9%-23.6%) and 10.3% (95% CI: 9.2%-11.5%), respectively. The most representative PD were borderline (25.7%), histrionic (24%) and obsessive-compulsive (6.4%) and 19.6% were not otherwise specified PD. PD accounted for an extensive use of mental health resources (inpatient, outpatient and emergency units). The most comorbid conditions in axis I were affective, anxiety and substance-related disorders. Conclusions. The study of PD attended in the MHS in a community area by means of clinical evaluation is an economical instrument, which is easily applied and replicated in planning of MHS for PD (AU)

Study of personality disorders and the use of services in the clinical population attended in the mental health network of a community area.

INTRODUCTION: Personality disorders (PD) are a growing clinical and health care problem. In Spain, the studies of PD and utilization of the Mental Health Services (MHS) in the clinical population are scant. However, these data are necessary in the planning of MHS for PD. METHOD: We studied all the patients attended throughout one year in all the psychiatric departments (n=2701), and separately in the inpatient (n=193) and outpatient (n=2649) psychiatric services. All the patients diagnosed with PD by clinical interview (DSM-IV-TR criteria) were included. Demographic and clinical variables as well as use of MHS were studied. RESULTS: The proportion of PD in the population attended was 11% (95% CI: 9.8%-12.2%) and in the inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services 17.6% (95% CI: 12.9%- 23.6%) and 10.3% (95% CI: 9.2%-11.5%), respectively. The most representative PD were borderline (25.7%), histrionic (24%) and obsessive-compulsive (6.4%) and 19.6% were not otherwise specified PD. PD accounted for an extensive use of mental health resources (inpatient, outpatient and emergency units). The most comorbid conditions in axis I were affective, anxiety and substance-related disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The study of PD attended in the MHS in a community area by means of clinical evaluation is an economical instrument, which is easily applied and replicated in planning of MHS for PD.

Layering transitions in confined colloidal crystals: the hcp-like phase.

This paper investigates the sequence of morphological transitions in a nearly hard sphere arrangement confined in a wedge cell. A model that shows smooth transitions between the different particle orderings for a small number of layers is proposed. In this model, both the buckling and the (100) hexagonal close packed (hcp) phases are particular cases of a much more general particle arrangement tendency that we call hcp-like ordering. This phase, which does not correspond to any known close packed ordering, is able to adopt packing arrangements commensurate with the cell thickness. More striking, the hcp-like phase adapts itself to the progressive changes of the cell thickness by a smooth change in the interlayer spacing. We present hcp-like orderings up to six layers and a complete sequence of transformations between two and four layers. Finally, a packing model of the transition from two to three layers is also presented.

Faceting and commensurability in crystal structures of colloidal thin films.

This Letter investigates the influence of finite size effects on the particle arrangement of thin film colloidal crystals. A rich variety of crystallographic faceting with large single domain microcrystallites is shown. Optical reflectance experiments together with scanning electron microscopy permit the identification of the crystal symmetry and the facet orientation, as well as the exact number of monolayers. When the cell thickness is not commensurable with a high symmetry layering, particles arrange themselves in a periodic distribution of (111)- and (100)-orientated face centered cubic (fcc) microcrystallites separated by planar defects. These structures can be described as a fcc ordering orientated along a vicinal surface, modified by a periodic distribution of fcc (111) stacking faults.

Estancia media hospitalaria y tratamiento con terapia electroconvulsiva / Mean hospital stay and treatment with electroconvulsive therapy

Introducción. El objetivo es analizar si el tiempo de estancia media hospitalaria es o no menor en los episodios en los que se aplica terapia electroconvulsiva (TEC). Métodos. El diseño del estudio es observacional retrospectivo. La muestra es de 30 pacientes con un trastorno para el que se ha demostrado la eficacia de la TEC (trastornos esquizofrénicos, trastornos bipolares y depresión mayor). A estos pacientes se les practicó TEC entre los años 1996 y 2001. Se han estudiado cada uno de los episodios (n = 185) de estos pacientes comparando el tiempo de estancia media de los episodios en los que se practicó TEC (n = 50) con los que no se practicó (n = 135). Se utilizó la prueba no paramétrica de la U de Mann-Whitney. Se estableció la significación con una p < 0,05. Resultados. Este trabajo encuentra diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los episodios (p = 0,000), siendo más larga la estancia cuando se practica TEC

Introduction. The objective is to analyze if the mean hospital stay is less than the episodes or not in which electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is applied. Methods. With a retrospective design, we studied a sample of 30 patients in whom ECT was applied between 1996 and 2001. These patients were suffering a disorder for which ECT has been shown to be effective (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression). Each one of the episodes (n = 185) of these patients was studied, comparing the length of stay in the hospital in these patients in which ECT was applied (n = 135) with those where it was not (n = 50). Statistical analysis was carried out by non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U tests. The descriptive level of statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Results. This work shows statistically significant differences between the treatment groups (p = 0.000), the length of stay being longer when ECT is applied

Mean hospital stay and treatment with electroconvulsive therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The objective is to analyze if the mean hospital stay is less than the episodes or not in which electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is applied. METHODS: With a retrospective design, we studied a sample of 30 patients in whom ECT was applied between 1996 and 2001. These patients were suffering a disorder for which ECT has been shown to be effective (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression). Each one of the episodes (n = 185) of these patients was studied, comparing the length of stay in the hospital in these patients in which ECT was applied (n = 135) with those where it was not (n = 50). Statistical analysis was carried out by non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U tests. The descriptive level of statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. RESULTS: This work shows statistically significant differences between the treatment groups (p = 0.000), the length of stay being longer when ECT is applied.

Thermally activated magnetic reversal induced by a spin-polarized current.

We have measured the statistical properties of magnetic reversal in nanomagnets driven by a spin-polarized current. Like reversal induced by a magnetic field, spin-transfer-driven reversal near room temperature exhibits the properties of thermally activated escape over an effective barrier. However, the spin-transfer effect produces qualitatively different behaviors than an applied magnetic field. We discuss an effective current vs field stability diagram. If the current and field are tuned so that their effects oppose one another, the magnet can exhibit telegraph-noise switching.

Magnetic anisotropy variations and nonequilibrium tunneling in a cobalt nanoparticle.

We present detailed measurements of the discrete electron-tunneling level spectrum within nanometer-scale cobalt particles as a function of magnetic field and gate voltage, in this way probing individual quantum many-body eigenstates inside ferromagnetic samples. Variations among the observed levels indicate that different quantum states within one particle are subject to different magnetic anisotropy energies. Gate-voltage studies demonstrate that the low-energy tunneling spectrum is affected dramatically by the presence of nonequilibrium spin excitations.

White-light-modified Talbot array illuminator with a variable density of light spots.

A flexible array illuminator, comprising only two conventional optical elements, with a variable density of bright white-light spots is presented. The key to our method is to obtain with a single diffractive lens an achromatic version of different fractional Talbot images, produced by free-space propagation, of the amplitude distribution at the back focal plane of a periodic refractive microlens array under a broadband point-source illumination. Some experimental results of our optical procedure are also shown.

[Carcinoma of Bellini's ducts: apropos of a case]. / Carcinoma de ductos de Bellini: A propósito de un caso.

OBJECTIVE: To report an additional case of collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney, known as carcinoma of Bellini. METHODS/RESULTS: A 65-year-old male patient was admitted for left renal pain. An ultrasound scan showed a solid right renal mass. The patient underwent extended radical nephrectomy. Pathological analysis of the surgical specimen disclosed carcinoma of Bellini. The patient is asymptomatic 18 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Carcinoma of Bellini is an uncommon tumor type arising from the collecting duct cells and accounts for 0.5%-2% of all renal tumors.

[Pure yolk sack tumor of the testis in adults: report of a case]. / Tumor testicular de saco vitelino (yolk sack) puro en el adulto: a próposito de un caso.

Report of one case of pure yolk sack testicular tumour in an adult patient. This was a stage I case which had been under observation for 3 years without further evidence of disease. Several aspects related with this type of germinal, non-seminomatous tumour of the testicle are commented upon.

Acute pancreatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus: necropsy of a case and review of the pancreatic vascular lesions.

The role of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the development of acute pancreatitis is a matter of controversy since, in many cases, this complication has been attributed to the drugs administered. In this study, we present a patient diagnosed as having SLE who developed acute pancreatitis with no apparent cause aside from her basic disease, and in whose necropsy was observed vascular damage consisting of severe intimal proliferation. Pancreatic vascular lesions in previously reported patients with lupus are reviewed.