ABSTRACT
Magnetic skyrmions are topologically protected spin textures with great technological potential. These topologically non-trivial non-coplanar spin textures give rise to a topological Hall effect, enabling the purely electronic detection of magnetic skyrmions. We report a clear topological Hall effect in thin films of the the Heusler alloy Mn2CoAl, a ferromagnetic spin-gapless semiconductor, capped by a thin layer of Pd. We exploit the strong thickness- and temperature-dependence of the anomalous Hall effect in this system, tuning it to zero to enable the unambiguous measurement of the topological Hall effect, which is observed for temperatures between 3 K and 280 K. The topological Hall effect is evidence of skyrmions, and we demonstrate the simultaneous coexistence of opposite polarity skyrmions using a novel method involving minor field loops of the Hall effect.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We evaluated the use of tamsulosine versus placebo for management of ureteral stent discomfort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective and randomized study was realized in the Department of Urology of three university hospital. The participation was proposed at all patient having indication to receive an ureteral stent except for cancer. The evaluation of the tolerance used two validate questionnaires: Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) and IPSS completed by each patient the day of the insertion, next day, one week later and the day before and after the removal. The main assessment criterion was the question "global quality of life" one week after the stent insertion. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were randomized between June, 2010 and October, 2012. Despite phone reminders only 38 (48.1%) were complete questionnaires. Out of 39, 18 patients in the tamsulosine group and out of 40, 20 in the phloroglucinol group. The majority of the patients (92%) were included for stone disease. There is not significant difference between the 2 groups using the USSQ and IPSS at day+1, day+7, pre-ablation and day+1 ablation. A significant improvement of the scores was noted to day+1 by the ablation of the JJ in 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Our study did not show superiority of tamsulosine versus placebo in the improvement of the tolerance of ureteral stent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.
Subject(s)
Pain/etiology , Pain/prevention & control , Stents/adverse effects , Sulfonamides/therapeutic use , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Prosthesis Design , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tamsulosin , UreterABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively evaluate efficiency and tolerance of intermittent self-dilatation (ISD) after unicenter internal urethrotomy (IU) on urethral strictures (US). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to November 2008, ISD have been performed after IU on 54 patients; 44.4% were iatrogenic. ISD median frequency was once a week (0.25-14). ISD was carried out for a median period of 8.4 months (0-97). RESULTS: IPSS was 21 at diagnosis vs 7 during ISD (P=0.018). QoL score of IPSS was 5 at diagnosis vs 2 during ISD (P=0.03). Maximum flow rate was 4.6mL/s at diagnosis vs 16.6mL/s during ISD (P=0.003). Ten patients had recurrence during ISD period. The follow-up from the beginning of ISD was 35 months (range, 0-164). Urologists' evaluation of ISD tolerance was excellent or good for 47 patients (87%). Tolerance self-evaluation was excellent or good for seven patients out of 15. CONCLUSION: ISD was a well-tolerated and useful option after IU. It had a 81.5% efficiency in our cohort.
Subject(s)
Dilatation , Quality of Life , Self Care , Urethra , Urethral Stricture/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Algorithms , Catheters, Indwelling , Diagnostic Self Evaluation , Dilatation/methods , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Secondary Prevention , Treatment Outcome , Urethra/surgery , Urethral Stricture/etiology , Urethral Stricture/surgeryABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Translation and linguistic validation of the French version of the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-back translation of the original Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire was performed. First, two urologists translated the English version in French. Then a first consensus meeting between the translators and a group composed with three urologists, one general practitioner and two nurses was achieved. Back-translation of this version was then done by professional translators (Nagpal, Paris) to ensure that no distortion was detected between the two questionnaires. Finally, a pilot test followed by an interview was carried out among two men and two women who had an indwelling ureteral stent. RESULTS: The consensus version is attached to the article. No difficulties were reported by the pilot population to comprehend or to complete this USSQ French version. CONCLUSION: This USSQ version - attached to the article - makes it possible for researchers among a French population to use this validated and internationally recognized tool that provides reproducible and measurable endpoints on tolerance of ureteral stents.
