G. Singh

Cutaneous reactions in patients with solitary cysticercus granuloma on phenytoin sodium

Several medical conditions are believed to be associated with an increased risk of cutaneous adverse reactions to anti-epileptic drugs. The aim of this study was to study the frequency and nature of cutaneous reactions in a cohort of patients being treated with phenytoin sodium for seizures, who were divided into those with a solitary cysticercus granuloma (SCG) and those with a condition other than SCG, to determine if the presence of SCG increases the risk of cutaneous adverse reaction to phenytoin. A cohort of 117, consecutively begun on treatment with phenytoin for seizure control, were followed up prospectively for the development of cutaneous reactions. There were 63 patients with SCG upon imaging and 54 patients to whom phenytoin was administered for seizures due to causes other than SCG or multiple neurocysticercosis. Cutaneous reactions were significantly more common (p = 0.02) in patients with SCG (9/63 patients; 14.3%) than in controls (2/54 patients; 3.7%). The spectrum of skin reactions in patients with SCG included benign skin rash (n = 3), anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome (n = 4), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (n = 1), and urticaria (n = 1). Individuals with seizures due to SCG have a high incidence of cutaneous adverse reactions to phenytoin. This fact should be kept in mind when initiating them on treatment with this anti-epileptic drug.

Measurement of large angle Rayleigh scattering cross sections for 39.5, 40.1 and 45.4 keV photons in elements with 26 ≤ Z ≤ 83

The present work reports Rayleigh scattering cross section measurements for the 39.5keV (Sm- Kα2), 40.1keV (Sm-Kα1) and 45.4keV (Sm-Kβ1,3) X-ray photons in 35 elements with 26 ≤ Z ≤ 83 at backward angle of 139°. The scattering measurements were performed in reflection mode geometrical set up involving a secondary photon source consisting of Samarium (62Sm) target excited by the 59.54keV γ-rays from the 241Am radioactive source. The scattered photons were detected using a low energy germanium (LEGe) detector. The product of detector efficiency, intensity of incident photons and other geometrical factors were determined by measuring the K X-ray yields from targets with 47 ≤ Z ≤ 59 and knowledge of the respective K X-ray fluorescence cross sections. The measured cross sections are compared with the theoretical cross sections based on the modified form factor (MF) formalisms and the second-order S-matrix approach. The experimental results demonstrate large deviations from the MF values for the elements with K shell binding energy (BK) in vicinity of the incident photon energy (Ein), which smooth out with inclusion of the anomalous scattering factors (ASFs). The S-matrix values, in general, agree with the measured cross sections for all the elements under investigation.

Level Density Parameter: A Tool to Study the Particle Spectra

The compound nucleus 76Kr* is formed in the heavy‐ion fusion reactions by an asymmetric entrance channel 12C+64Zn and the symmetric entrance channel 31P+45Sc at the excitation energy of 75 MeV and angular momentum of 39 η. Neutron energy spectra of the asymmetric system (12C+64Zn) at different angles are well described by the statistical model predictions using the normal value of the level density parameter a = A/8 MeV−1. However, in the case of the symmetric system (31P+45Sc), the statistical model interpretation of the data requires the change in the value of a = A/10 MeV−1. The delayed evolution of the compound system in case of the symmetric 31P+45Sc system may lead to the formation of a temperature equilibrated dinuclear complex, which may be responsible for the neutron emission at higher temperature, while the protons and alpha particles are evap orated after neutron emission when the system is sufficiently cooled down and the higher λ‐values do not contribute in the formation of the compound nucle...