Deformation versus Sphericity in the Ground States of the Lightest Gold Isotopes.

The changes in mean-squared charge radii of neutron-deficient gold nuclei have been determined using the in-source, resonance-ionization laser spectroscopy technique, at the ISOLDE facility (CERN). From these new data, nuclear deformations are inferred, revealing a competition between deformed and spherical configurations. The isotopes ^{180,181,182}Au are observed to possess well-deformed ground states and, when moving to lighter masses, a sudden transition to near-spherical shapes is seen in the extremely neutron-deficient nuclides, ^{176,177,179}Au.

The in- and out-of-hospital management of HF patients: results from a nationwide Belgian survey.

Background: We conducted a nationwide survey to describe the in-and out-of-hospital flow (diagnosis, treatment and follow-up) of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Method: A survey was developed with five dedicated HF cardiologists. The data are all self-reported by cardiologists.

Towards high-resolution laser ionization spectroscopy of the heaviest elements in supersonic gas jet expansion.

Resonant laser ionization and spectroscopy are widely used techniques at radioactive ion beam facilities to produce pure beams of exotic nuclei and measure the shape, size, spin and electromagnetic multipole moments of these nuclei. However, in such measurements it is difficult to combine a high efficiency with a high spectral resolution. Here we demonstrate the on-line application of atomic laser ionization spectroscopy in a supersonic gas jet, a technique suited for high-precision studies of the ground- and isomeric-state properties of nuclei located at the extremes of stability.

Evaluation of Cystatin C for the Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats.

Background: Serum cystatin C (sCysC) and urinary cystatin C (uCysC) are potential biomarkers for early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. An in-depth clinical validation is required.

Objectives: To evaluate CysC as a marker for CKD in cats and to compare assay performance of the turbidimetric assay (PETIA) with the previously validated nephelometric assay (PENIA).

Systolic blood pressure, routine kidney variables and renal ultrasonographic findings in cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.

Objectives Hypertension is a common cause of proteinuria in HIV-infected people. In cats, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection appears to be associated with proteinuria. Therefore, the results from systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements in naturally infected FIV-positive cats were reviewed to assess whether hypertension contributes to the observed proteinuria in these cats.

Long-term follow-up of renal function assessing serum cystatin C in dogs with diabetes mellitus or hyperadrenocorticism.

Background: Serum cystatin C (sCysC) is used as biomarker for glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on renal function in dogs are unclear. Some renal variables have been evaluated in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC), but not sCysC.

The effect of feeding, storage and anticoagulant on feline serum cystatin C.

Serum cystatin C (sCysC) is a possible marker for early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. In contrast with serum creatinine (sCr), feline sCysC is not affected by age, breed or sex. However, further biological and clinical validation is required.

Serum and urinary cystatin C in cats with feline immunodeficiency virus infection and cats with hyperthyroidism.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate serum cystatin C (sCysC) and urinary cystatin C (uCysC) in cats with hyperthyroidism and cats with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

Methods: Thirty cats with FIV, 26 hyperthyroid cats and 28 healthy cats were included. sCysC and uCysC:creatinine (uCysC/uCr) ratio were measured with a human particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay, previously validated for feline CysC measurement.

Biological validation of feline serum cystatin C: The effect of breed, age and sex and establishment of a reference interval.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in cats, but the routine renal markers, serum creatinine (sCr) and urea, are not sensitive or specific enough to detect early CKD. Serum cystatin C (sCysC) has advantages over sCr, both in humans and dogs, and sCysC concentration is significantly higher in cats with CKD than in healthy cats. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age, sex and breed on feline sCysC and to establish a reference interval for feline sCysC.

Effects of long-term treatment with rotigotine transdermal system on dyskinesia in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: In two 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, rotigotine transdermal system was well-tolerated and efficacious monotherapy in early-stage PD. This post hoc analysis of the long-term open-label extensions (NCT00594165; NCT00599196) of these studies assessed incidence and severity of dyskinesia in participants treated with rotigotine, with or without concomitant levodopa, for up to 6 years.

Methods: Open-label rotigotine was titrated to optimal dose (≤16 mg/24 h).

Routine kidney variables, glomerular filtration rate and urinary cystatin C in cats with diabetes mellitus, cats with chronic kidney disease and healthy cats.

Objectives: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a frequent and serious complication in human diabetic patients, but data are limited in cats. This study was undertaken to assess whether diabetic cats are susceptible to DKD.

Methods: Kidney function was compared between 36 cats with diabetes mellitus (DM), 10 cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 10 age-matched healthy cats by measuring routine kidney variables (serum creatinine [sCreat], serum urea [sUrea], urine specific gravity [USG], urinary protein:creatinine ratio [UPC]), urinary cystatin C:creatinine ratio and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Cystatin C: a new renal marker and its potential use in small animal medicine.

The occurrence of chronic kidney disease is underestimated in both human and veterinary medicine. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is considered the gold standard for evaluating kidney function. However, GFR assessment is time-consuming and labor-intensive and therefore not routinely used in practice.

Analytical validation of a human particle-enhanced nephelometric assay for cystatin C measurement in feline serum and urine.

Background: In people and dogs, Cystatin C (CysC), a renal glomerular and tubular marker, seems superior to serum creatinine to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). A particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay is available to measure human CysC, but there are no reports in cats.

Objective: The goal of this study was the validation of the human CysC nephelometric assay with feline serum and urine, and to perform a pilot study comparing serum and urine CysC between healthy cats and cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Rotigotine transdermal system and evaluation of pain in patients with Parkinson's disease: a post hoc analysis of the RECOVER study.

Background: Pain is a troublesome non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). The RECOVER (Randomized Evaluation of the 24-hour Coverage: Efficacy of Rotigotine; Clintrials.gov: NCT00474058) study demonstrated significant improvements in early-morning motor function (UPDRS III) and sleep disturbances (PDSS-2) with rotigotine transdermal system.

Associations between severity of motor function and nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a post hoc analysis of the RECOVER Study.

Background: RECOVER (NCT00474058), a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and unsatisfactory early-morning motor symptom control, demonstrated significant improvements with rotigotine in early-morning motor function (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS] III), and nocturnal sleep disturbances (modified Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale [PDSS-2]), and improvements in nonmotor symptoms (NMS; Non-Motor Symptom Scale [NMSS]).

Methods: Post hoc analyses investigated the correlation between motor symptom and NMS severity in PD by evaluating associations between UPDRS III and both NMSS and PDSS-2 scores. Categories were defined for UPDRS III, NMSS, and PDSS-2 total scores; analyses were conducted for the full analysis set (n = 267).

Measurement of the first ionization potential of astatine by laser ionization spectroscopy.

The radioactive element astatine exists only in trace amounts in nature. Its properties can therefore only be explored by study of the minute quantities of artificially produced isotopes or by performing theoretical calculations. One of the most important properties influencing the chemical behaviour is the energy required to remove one electron from the valence shell, referred to as the ionization potential.

Novel functional imaging of changes in small airways of patients treated with extrafine beclomethasone/formoterol.

Background: Inhaled formulations using extrafine particles of long-acting β2-agonists and corticosteroids were developed to optimize asthma treatment. Findings that these combinations reach and treat smaller airways more effectively are predominantly based on general non-specific outcomes with little information on regional characteristics.

Objectives: This study aims to assess long-term effects of extrafine beclomethasone/formoterol on small airways of asthmatic patients using novel functional imaging methods.

Rotigotine and specific non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease: post hoc analysis of RECOVER.

Background: Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) represent major causes of morbidity. RECOVER, a randomized controlled trial of rotigotine transdermal system, was the first prospective controlled trial to use the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) as an exploratory outcome for assessment of treatment effects on non-motor symptoms in PD. Rotigotine improved NMSS total score compared with placebo, and the "Sleep/fatigue" and "Mood/apathy" domains.

Routine health screening: findings in apparently healthy middle-aged and old cats.

Study Rationale: Veterinary practitioners often perform geriatric health screening in cats. Unfortunately, scientific information regarding clinical and laboratory abnormalities and normal blood pressure values in elderly cats is scarce. This prospective study evaluated routine health screening tests in apparently healthy middle-aged and old cats.

Treatment of patients with early and advanced Parkinson's disease with rotigotine transdermal system: age-relationship to safety and tolerability.

Although dopamine agonists (DAs) are sometimes perceived as poorly tolerated by the elderly, there is little clinical evidence to support these concerns. Safety and tolerability of rotigotine have been demonstrated in four 6-month randomized placebo-controlled studies: two in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and two in advanced PD. A post hoc analysis of data from these pivotal trials was carried out to compare the adverse event (AE) profiles of younger and older patient populations.

Effect of rotigotine on sleep and quality of life in Parkinson's disease patients: post hoc analysis of RECOVER patients who were symptomatic at baseline.

Objective: The aim of this research is to characterize further the potential motor and non-motor benefits of rotigotine reported in the double-blind, placebo-controlled RECOVER trial primary publication, by performing a post hoc exploratory analysis of patient status (symptom improvement/worsening).

Methods: Full RECOVER trial methodological details have already been reported. The post hoc analyses presented here are done on individual items of the PDSS-2 and PDQ-8 for all patients and two subgroups (baseline symptomatic and highly symptomatic patients).

Continuous versus on-demand pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis: evidence and practice.

This review aims to compare continuous with on-demand pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis by focusing on pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, safety, effectiveness, cost and cost-effectiveness considerations. A working party of experts reviewed and discussed the literature and guidelines, and conducted a qualitative analysis of the Summary of Product Characteristics of specific medicines. With respect to medicines, the working party limited itself to antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and leukotriene antagonists.

Probing ionic association on metal oxide clusters by pulsed field gradient NMR spectroscopy: the example of Sn12-oxo clusters.

Pulsed field gradient (1)H NMR spectroscopy has been applied to investigate the association behavior of the Sn(12)-oxo cluster macrocation [(BuSn)(12)O(14)(OH)(6)](2+) with two different and smaller anions, p-toluenesulfonate (PTS(-)) and diphenylphosphinate (Ph(2)PO(2) (-)). By monitoring the translational diffusion coefficients of the various species involved, it is shown that the association depends on the anion involved and on the solvent used. Moreover, the possibility to individually monitor the diffusion characteristics of multiple anionic and cationic species in mixtures, by virtue of resolved (1)H resonances available from each species, allows us to evidence the occurrence of ion exchange in such systems.

Palliative care: knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners: the results of a questionnaire after training.

A questionnaire about attitudes and knowledge in palliative care treatment was sent to 185 general practitioners who participated such a seminar some months before. The response rate was low (69/185). Pain is the most frequent symptom.