ABSTRACT
ANAIS is a direct detection dark matter experiment aiming at the testing of the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation result, which, for about two decades, has neither been confirmed nor ruled out by any other experiment in a model independent way. ANAIS-112, consisting of 112.5 kg of sodium iodide crystals, has been taking data at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory, Spain, since August 2017. This Letter presents the annual modulation analysis of 1.5 years of data, amounting to 157.55 kg yr. We focus on the model independent analysis searching for modulation and the validation of our sensitivity prospects. ANAIS-112 data are consistent with the null hypothesis (p values of 0.67 and 0.18 for [2-6] and [1-6] keV energy regions, respectively). The best fits for the modulation hypothesis are consistent with the absence of modulation (S_{m}=-0.0044±0.0058 cpd/kg/keV and -0.0015±0.0063 cpd/kg/keV, respectively). They are in agreement with our estimated sensitivity for the accumulated exposure, which supports our projected goal of reaching a 3σ sensitivity to the DAMA/LIBRA result in five years of data taking.
ABSTRACT
To support the construction of experiments at the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC) in Spain, an Ultra-Low Background Service (ULBS) and a Copper Electroforming Service (CES) were created. The measurement technique employed at the ULBS is gamma spectroscopy with high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. A new anti-radon system is being implemented. The main goal of CES is to obtain high-purity copper pieces. A new electroforming set-up inside LSC underground clean room is planned. Radon and environmental measurements at the LSC are presented. The ULBS and CES are reviewed.
ABSTRACT
Phospholipases A(2) are enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids that release arachidonic acid, which serves as substrate for pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and leucotriens. The design of specific inhibitors for PLA(2) might help in the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs. Polyhydroxy phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, vitamin E, rosmarinic acid and aristolochic acid, are able to inhibit PLA(2) from different sources. Herein, we have studied the kinetic behavior and the capacity of inhibiting edema formation induced by PLA(2) of five different polyhydroxy phenolic compounds (two phenolic derivatives and three acetophenone hydroxylated derivatives) extracted from the venom of Crotalus adamanteus. The results showed that compounds 1,3-dihydroxy benzene, 1,3,5-trihydroxy benzene and 2,4,6-trihydroxy acetophenone were the most efficient in the inhibition of the enzymatic activity and edema induction by PLA(2). It was also verified that the number of hydroxyls in each molecule is not a limiting factor for the inhibition capacity of these compounds. Molecular modeling studies indicated that the most active compounds are linked to the amino acid Asp 49 and that they destabilize the coordination of the calcium atom, which is essential to the catalytic activity. The study of potential surfaces showed that there are conditions in which the potential values must be adequate for enzyme complex formation with polyhydroxy phenolic compounds. When the potential over the hydroxyl surfaces is very high, formation of stable complexes does not occur and the enzyme does not act intensely. These results might be helpful in the design of a drug that specifically inhibits PLA(2).
Subject(s)
Crotalid Venoms/chemistry , Models, Molecular , Phenols/isolation & purification , Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors , Animals , Drug Design , Edema/drug therapy , Enzyme Inhibitors/isolation & purification , Humans , Kinetics , Phenols/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Several nitrostyrene derivatives were synthesized and their inhibitive activities on phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) from Bothrops jararacussu venom were evaluated. Some compounds were very efficient as inhibition agents against edema-inducing, enzymatic and myotoxic activities. Data revealed that the size of the substitute and substitution position in the nitrostyrene moiety had important influence on the inhibition capacities. The enzymatic kinetic studies show that the nitrostyrene derivatives compounds inhibit PLA(2) in a non-competitive manner. The electronic, molecular and topologic parameters were calculated using ab initio quantum calculations (density functional theory-DFT) and analyzed by chemometric methods (principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)) in order to build models able to establish relationships between the electronic features and the structure-activity presented by the target compound. Compounds with the nitro group in the ortho, meta and para position (compounds 2-4) on the aromatic ring were more efficient in the inhibition of PLA(2) activity in all tests. These results indicate that the influence of the nitro group in the aromatic ring is, in fact, important. In addition, quantum chemistry calculations show that compounds with a higher capacity of inhibiting PLA(2) present lower values of highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy and polarizability, suggesting the formation of a charge-transferring complex between the nitrostyrene compounds and PLA(2).
Subject(s)
Bothrops , Crotalid Venoms/chemistry , Phospholipase A2 Inhibitors , Styrenes/chemistry , Animals , Cluster Analysis , Kinetics , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Phospholipases A2/isolation & purification , Styrenes/chemical synthesis , Styrenes/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) of mediastinal or hilar enlarged lymph nodes is a useful and safe technique. Nevertheless, its use has not become widespread, and the necessity of a specific training to obtain good results has been reported. In order to evaluate the clinical usefulness and cost-effectiveness of TBNA in inexperienced brochoscopists in this technique, a prospective study was conducted of this technique used in all patients with a chest CT with paratracheobronchial lymph nodes larger than 10 mm who had a fiberbronchoscopy ordered. TBNA was performed in 66 lymph node staging in 59 patients. In 76% of cases adequate specimens were obtaned, and a cytohistologic diagnosis was established in 59%. In 44% of patients, TBNA avoided other more invasive diagnostic procedures. Had TBNA not been performed, cost was estimated to have been at least five times higher. We conclude that TBNA could be a useful cost-effective technique in inexperienced teams.
Subject(s)
Biopsy, Needle , Lung Diseases/pathology , Lymphatic Diseases/pathology , Biopsy, Needle/economics , Bronchi , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Female , Humans , Male , Mediastinoscopes , Mediastinum , Middle Aged , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
La punción-aspiración transbronquial (PATB) de adenopatías mediastínicas o hiliares es una técnica útil y segura. Sin embargo, su uso no se ha generalizado, describiéndose la necesidad de un entrenamiento específico para la obtención de buenos resultados. Con el objetivo de evaluar la utilidad clínica y el coste-efectividad de la PATB en broncoscopistas sin experiencia previa en la misma hemos realizado de forma prospectiva esta técnica a todos los pacientes con una tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) torácica con adenopatías paratraqueobronquiales mayores de 10 mm y a los que se les había solicitado una fibrobroncoscopia. Se realizó la PATB en 66 estaciones ganglionares de 59 pacientes. En el 76 por ciento de los casos se obtuvieron muestras adecuadas, pudiéndose realizar un diagnóstico citohistológico en el 59 por ciento. La PATB evitó en el 44 por ciento de los pacientes la realización de otros procedimientos más cruentos para el diagnóstico. De no haberse realizado la PATB estimamos que el coste hubiera sido como mínimo 5 veces superior. Concluimos que la PATB podría ser una técnica con una buena rentabilidad y coste-efectividad en equipos sin experiencia previa en la misma (AU)
No disponible
Subject(s)
Middle Aged , Male , Female , Humans , Biopsy, Needle , Prospective Studies , Mediastinoscopes , Bronchi , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Mediastinum , Lymphatic Diseases , Lung DiseasesABSTRACT
The contribution of 222Rn to the background in a low background experiment with a germanium detector has been estimated. We have also checked the efficacy of a standard radon cleaning system. The cleaning reduces the radon concentration two orders of magnitude with respect to the air in the laboratory. The residual 222Rn represents at most 12.5% of the background in the low energy region, a value low enough for the purpose of our experiment. A detailed study of the radioactive background is presented.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants, Radioactive/analysis , Radiation Monitoring/methods , Radon/analysis , Germanium , Radiation Monitoring/instrumentation , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
The paper describes in brief the findings in 5,616 autopsies of adult mink, performed at the Institute of Pathology-CIC, La Plata, during the last five years. Nearly all these carcasses, coming from the most important ranches, were examined bacteriologically and histopathologically. Observations about the incidence of different causes of death, its distribution annually and prophylactic measures were reported. It concludes that Aleutian disease is the most important cause of death and produces severe economic losses.
Subject(s)
Aleutian Mink Disease/epidemiology , Animal Diseases/epidemiology , Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Infections/veterinary , Mink , Animals , Infections/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The incidence of perinatal mortality in mink was investigated in commercial farms in Argentina. Of a total of 2122 kits, 548 of those that were born alive died within the first four weeks of life (25.8% mortality) and there were also 62 stillborn kits. Death resulted from a variety of causes of which septicaemia, starvation and hypothermia were the most common conditions. The highest mortality occurred within the first week of life (61.9%). The lesions found in young kits at post-mortem examination are described and related to contributory factors such as weight, litter size and age at death.
Subject(s)
Hypothermia/veterinary , Mink , Sepsis/veterinary , Starvation/veterinary , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cause of Death , Congenital Abnormalities/mortality , Congenital Abnormalities/veterinary , Female , Fetal Death/veterinary , Hypothermia/mortality , Pregnancy , Sepsis/mortality , Starvation/mortality , Wounds and Injuries/mortality , Wounds and Injuries/veterinaryABSTRACT
This work describes the first Haemorrhagic Pneumonia cases in minks not only from Argentina, but from South hemisphere as well. Epidemiology, symptomatology and macro and microscopic lesions found were similar to those described in other countries. The diagnosis was done by isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in large numbers from affected lungs, and serotype no. 6 (Difco system) was the most frequent. Haemorrhagic Pneumonia was experimentally reproduced after infecting intranasally narcotized minks.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/veterinary , Mink , Pneumonia/veterinary , Pseudomonas Infections/veterinary , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Argentina , Lung/microbiology , Mink/microbiology , Pneumonia/epidemiology , Pneumonia/etiology , Pneumonia/microbiology , Pseudomonas Infections/epidemiology , Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Esta es la primera comunicación acerca de la existencia de casos de neumonía hemorrágica en visones en la República Argentina y en el hemisferio sur. La epidemiología de la enfermedad es similar a la descripta en otros países, al igual que la sintomalogía y las lesiones macro y microscópicas. El diagnóstico se efectuó con el aislamiento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa en repetidas ocasiones de los pulmones afectados, siendo el serotipo nro. 6 (Sistema Difco) el más frecuente. Se reprodujo experimentalmente la enfermedad infectando visones por vía intranasal previa narcosis de los mismos
Subject(s)
Animals , Hemorrhage/veterinary , Pseudomonas Infections/veterinary , Pneumonia/veterinary , Argentina , Lung/pathology , Mink , Pneumonia/microbiologyABSTRACT
This work describes the first Haemorrhagic Pneumonia cases in minks not only from Argentina, but from South hemisphere as well. Epidemiology, symptomatology and macro and microscopic lesions found were similar to those described in other countries. The diagnosis was done by isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in large numbers from affected lungs, and serotype no. 6 (Difco system) was the most frequent. Haemorrhagic Pneumonia was experimentally reproduced after infecting intranasally narcotized minks.
ABSTRACT
Esta es la primera comunicación acerca de la existencia de casos de neumonía hemorrágica en visones en la República Argentina y en el hemisferio sur. La epidemiología de la enfermedad es similar a la descripta en otros países, al igual que la sintomalogía y las lesiones macro y microscópicas. El diagnóstico se efectuó con el aislamiento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa en repetidas ocasiones de los pulmones afectados, siendo el serotipo nro. 6 (Sistema Difco) el más frecuente. Se reprodujo experimentalmente la enfermedad infectando visones por vía intranasal previa narcosis de los mismos (AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Hemorrhage/veterinary , Pseudomonas Infections/veterinary , Pneumonia/veterinary , Lung/pathology , Mink , Pneumonia/microbiology , ArgentinaABSTRACT
Se describe la experiencia obtenida en el hospital docente "General Calixto Garcia" acerca de las lesiones toracicas de los politraumatizados y se hace un analisis especial de los traumatismos oseos de la pared toracica basado en dicha experiencia con 115 pacientes hospitalizados en 1978, y 79 en 1981. El 51,6% de los traumatismos del torax en hospitalizados en nuestro servicio ocurrieron en politraumatizados.El 73,2% se preto en pacientes que estaban entre los 21 y 60 anos de edad, y el 79,7% en el sexo masculino. Las causas mas frecuentes de estos traumatismos fueron los accidentes del transito y las precipitaciones o caidas. Hubo lesiones de la pared toracica en el 88,2% de los politraumatizados, y el 16,3% de ellos tenia tambien lesiones viscerales del torax. Las lesiones mas frecuentemente asociadas a los traumatismos toracicos fueron las craneoencefalicas y tambien las que mas contribuyeron a la mortalidad. La mortalidad general en los politraumatizados con lesiones toracicas oscilo entre el 12,2% y el 12,7% y fue nueve veces superior a la ocurrida en los pacientes con traumatismos aislados del torax. Las lesiones del esqueleto del torax que mayor mortalidad produjeron, fueron el torax batiente y la fractura del esternon
