bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential regulation of Bcl‐2, AP‐1 and NF‐κB on cardiomyocyte apoptosis during myocardial ischemic stress adaptation
Authors: Maulik Nilanjana , Goswami Shyamal , Galang Nathaniel , Das Dipak K.
Published: July 2002

Acute ischemia followed by prolonged reperfusion has been shown to induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In this report, we demonstrate that myocardial adaptation to ischemia induced by repeated cyclic episodes of short‐term ischemia each followed by another short duration of reperfusion reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. This was associated with the induction of the expression of Bcl‐2 mRNA and translocation and activation of NF‐κB. Another transcription factor, AP‐1, remained unaffected by repeated ischemia and reperfusion, but exhibited significant upregulation by a single episode of 30 min ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. This activation of AP‐1 was inhibited by a scavenger of oxygen free radicals, DMTU. Thirty minutes ischemia and 120 min reperfusion downregulated the induction of the expression of Bcl‐2 mRNA, but moderately activated NF‐κB binding activity. This was associated with an increased number of apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation in cardiomyocytes which were attenuated by DMTU. The results of this study indicate that Bcl‐2, AP‐1 and NF‐κB differentially regulate cardiomyocyte apoptosis mediated by acute ischemia and prolonged reperfusion.
Comparison ofEscherichia coliand rabbit reticulocyte ribosome display systems
Authors: Hanes Jozef , Jermutus Lutz , Schaffitzel Christiane , Plückthun Andreas
Published: July 2002

Ribosome display is a technology for library selection and simultaneous molecular evolution in vitro. We present here a comparison between anoptimized Escherichia colisystem and different rabbit reticulocyte ribosome display systems, optimized in a number of parameters, as a coupled eukaryotic system had been suggested to result in high enrichment factors [He and Taussig (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 5132–5134]. With all systems, antibody scFv fragments, complexed to the ribosomes and the corresponding mRNA, were enriched by binding to their cognate antigen and enrichment was always dependent on the absence of a stop codon and the presence of cognate antigen. However, the efficiency of theE. coliribosome display system was 100‐fold higher than an optimized uncoupled rabbit reticulocyte ribosome display system, with separate in vitro transcription and translation, which was in turn several‐fold more efficient than the reported coupled system. Neither theE. colinor the rabbit reticulocyte ribosome display system was dependent on the orientation of the domains of an antibody scFv fragment or on the spacer sequence. In summary, we could not detect any intrinsic advantage of using a eukaryotic translation system for ribosome display.
Molecular cloning, expression and immunological characterisation of Lol p 5C, a novel allergen isoform of rye grass pollen demonstrating high IgE reactivity1
Authors: Suphioglu Cenk , Mawdsley David , Schäppi George , Gruehn Sabine , de Leon Maria , Rolland Jennifer M. , O'Hehir Robyn E.
Published: July 2002

A novel isoform of a major rye grass pollen allergen Lol p 5 was isolated from a cDNA expression library. The new isoform, Lol p 5C, shares 95% amino acid sequence identity with Lol p 5A. Both isoforms demonstrated shared antigenic activity but different allergenic activities. Recombinant Lol p 5C demonstrated 100% IgE reactivity in 22 rye grass pollen sensitive patients. In comparison, recombinant Lol p 5A showed IgE reactivity in less than 64% of the patients. Therefore, Lol p 5C represents a novel and highly IgE‐reactive isoform allergen of rye grass pollen.
Different induction of gulonolactone oxidase in aromatic hydrocarbon‐responsive or ‐unresponsive mouse strains
Authors: Braun László , Kardon Tamás , Koulali Karim El , Csala Miklós , Mandl József , Bánhegyi Gábor
Published: July 2002

The role of aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)‐mediated signal transduction pathways was investigated in the regulation of ascorbate synthesis by using Ah‐responsive and Ah‐unresponsive mouse strains. In vivo 3‐methylcholanthrene treatment increased hepatic and plasma ascorbate concentrations only in the Ah‐responsive strain. The mRNA level of gulonolactone oxidase and the microsomal ascorbate production from p‐nitrophenyl glucuronide, D‐glucuronic acid or gulonolactone in the liver of Ah‐responsive and Ah‐unresponsive mice were compared. In Ah‐responsive mice, these parameters were higher originally, and they further increased upon in vivo addition of 3‐methylcholanthrene, while in Ah‐unresponsive mice the treatment was not effective. These results suggest that the transcription of gulonolactone oxidase gene is regulated by an Ah receptor‐dependent signal transduction pathway.
Insulin resistance in clomiphene responders and non‐responders with polycystic ovarian disease and therapeutic effects of metformin
Authors: Parsanezhad M.E , Alborzi S , Zarei A , Dehbashi S , Omrani Gh
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical features, endocrine and metabolic profiles in clomiphene (CC) responders and non‐responders with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), and to examine the effects of metformin (MTF) on the above parameters of CC resistance. Methods: A prospective clinical trial was undertaken at the infertility division of a university teaching hospital. Forty‐one CC responders were selected and their hormonal and clinical features were determined. Forty‐one CC‐resistant PCOD women were also selected and clinical features; metabolic and hormonal profiles before and after treatment with MTF 1500 mg/day for 6–8 weeks were evaluated. Women who failed to conceive were treated by CC while continuing to take MTF. Results: CC responders had higher insulin levels while non‐responders were hyperinsulinemic. Menstrual irregularities improved in 30%. Mean±S.D. area under curve of insulin decreased from 297.58±191.33 to 206±0.1 mIU/ml per min (P=0.005). Only 39.39% ovulated and 24.24% conceived. Conclusion: PCOD is associated with insulin resistance (IR) particularly in CC‐resistant women. Insulin resistance and androgen levels are significantly higher in obese patients. MTF therapy improved hyperandrogenemia, IR, and pregnancy rate.
Risk factors associated with endometrial polyps in abnormal uterine bleeding
Authors: Bakour S.H , Gupta J.K , Khan K.S
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To evaluate the significance of various risk factors associated with endometrial polyps in women with abnormal uterine bleeding. Methods: A prospective cohort study of 248 consecutive patients evaluated for abnormal uterine bleeding in a Rapid Access Ambulatory Diagnostic (RAAD) clinic was carried out from 1996 to 1997. Endometrial polyps were diagnosed using outpatient hysteroscopy and their histological nature was confirmed in all patients by performing inpatient polypectomy. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate the effects of age, parity, menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy and tamoxifen treatment on the occurrence of polyps. Results: In an analysis adjusted for the effects of age, parity and menopausal status, tamoxifen treatment was associated with endometrial polyps (adjusted odds ratio 11.21, 95% confidence interval 2.70–46.46, P=0.0009) but hormone replacement therapy was not (adjusted odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 0.68–3.20, P=0.32). Conclusion: Our study confirmed that tamoxifen is associated with endometrial polyps. However, it rejects the hypothesis that hormone replacement therapy is a risk factor for endometrial polyps.
Improving emergency obstetric care at a state referral hospital, Kebbi State, Nigeria
Authors: Oyesola R , Shehu D , lkeh A.T , Maru I ,   (The Sokoto PMM Team)
Published: July 2002

Preliminary studies: An inventory at Birnin Kebbi Specialist Hospital in Nigeria revealed poor capacity in emergency obstetric care and excessive delays. Focus group discussions among community members emphasized poor services as a reason for not seeking care. Interventions: During 1992–1993, several specialist obstetricians visited the hospital. They provided training to general physicians and midwives and care to patients, and stayed approximately five weeks each. An obstetric first‐aid box with essential drugs and supplies was introduced. Midwives were trained in recognition and management of obstetric complications. Subsequent community interventions focused on improving access and reducing delay in seeking care. Results: The number of cesarean sections performed increased from 101 in 1990 to 131 in 1995. The case fatality rate among women with complications dropped from 22% to 5% over the same period. The number of women with complications seeking treatment in the hospital increased from 200 in 1990 to 227 in 1994, and then declined to 152 in 1995. Costs: The cost of improvements at the hospital was approximately US$12 300, with 10% contributed from government sources. Conclusion: Improving hospital obstetric services is feasible and affordable. Better services, however, may not be sufficient to reverse declining hospital utilization related to worsening economic conditions. © 1997 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Ten years' experience with clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients: Factors indicating the therapeutic response
Authors: Alvarez E , Barón F , Perez-Blanco J , Puigdemont José Soriano D , Masip C , Perez-Solá V
Published: July 2002

A prospective study in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients was performed over 10 years to evaluate the therapeutic response to clozapine and the variables related to this treatment. Eighty schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients (according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM]-IIIR criteria), considered as refractory (previously resistant to at least two different typical neuroleptics), were studied. The average dose of clozapine was 267 mg/d. The clinical variables considered were: Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), number of admissions before and after clozapine treatment and the Strauss-Carpenter scale as measures of efficacy; Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS), to assess personal and social adjustment before illness; Karolinska Personality Scale (KPS) to assess stable traits of personality; and the Simpson-Angus scale as a measure of extrapyramidal symptoms. Sixty percent of patients showed a significant improvement after clozapine treatment. Side-effects were mild and well tolerated, with no cases of haematological disturbance and only five withdrawals because of adverse events. The severity of the episode, according to BPRS score and anxiety as a personal trait, are related to good prognosis. Other relationships between improvement and clinical and demographic variables are discussed.
Organizing ODIN: a case study in European academic co-operation
Authors: Dowrick C. , Vázquez-Barquero J.L. , Wilkinson G. , Wilkinson C. , Lehtinen V. , Dalgard O.S. , Casey P. ,   The ODIN Group
Published: July 2002

The European Commission is an increasingly important source of funding for international research projects and is due to announce its Framework 5 program early in 1999. The Outcomes of Depression International Network (ODIN), funded from the current EC Biomed 2 program, is a case study in European academic co-operation. Its organization has three key elements. First, engaging the principal investigators: this has involved identifying potential partners, ensuring reciprocity of interests, effective co-ordination, `dividing the spoils' in advance, and setting up good personal and electronic communication systems. Second, an esprit de corps has been created amongst the researchers, maintaining contact and consistency, and promoting higher degrees. Third, ongoing problems including difficulties in negotiations with the EC, divergence of detailed study methods, and isolation and demoralization amongst researchers, have been addressed. ODIN may provide a useful model for researchers wishing to set up international collaborative groups.
Skeletal muscle characteristics, muscle strength and thigh muscle area in patients before and after cardiac transplantation
Authors: Schaufelberger Maria , Eriksson Bengt O. , Lönn Lars , Rundqvist Bengt , Sunnerhagen Katharina Stibrant , Swedberg Karl
Published: July 2002

Background:

Patients with chronic heart failure demonstrate several skeletal muscle abnormalities. The underlying mechanisms are unclear. After cardiac transplantation, cardiac function is restored, but exercise capacity is still impaired.

Aim:

To evaluate the influence of cardiac transplantation on skeletal muscle fibre composition, fibre area and capillarization as well as muscle enzymes, lactate, thigh muscle area and strength.

Methods:

Ten patients were longitudinally investigated before, 1–3 and 6–9 months after transplantation. Ten healthy individuals served as controls. A biopsy from the lateral vastus muscle was obtained and the thigh muscle area was measured with computed tomography. Muscle strength in the knee extensors and exercise capacity were also evaluated.

Results:

Muscle lactate was elevated in patients vs. controls (3.6±3.0 vs. 1.5±0.7 mmol/kg wet wt., P = 0.037), and decreased to normal (1.4±0.3 mmol/kg wet wt., P = 0.038) after transplantation. Citrate synthase activity was decreased in patients (5.6±1.5 μmol/g wet wt./min) vs. controls (8.1±1.6 μmol/g wet wt./min, P = 0.0018), and did not change post transplantation. Patients had decreased number of capillaries in contact with each fibre vs. controls (2.6±0.5 vs. 3.5±1.0, P = 0.039) which persisted post transplantation. Exercise capacity increased after transplantation (74±22 vs. 118±26 W, P = 0.0002), whereas muscle strength did not improve significantly.

Conclusion:

The persisting intrinsic abnormalities in skeletal muscle after cardiac transplantation may contribute to the impaired exercise capacity observed in cardiac transplant recipients.
Worsening of heart failure during hospital course of an unselected cohort of 2507 patients with myocardial infarction is a factor of poor prognosis: the PRIMA study
Authors: de Gevigney Guy , Ecochard René , Rabilloud Muriel , Gaillard Sandrine , Cheneau Edouard , Ducreux Corinne , Cao Danièle , Milon Hugues , Delahaye François ,   PRIMA group
Published: July 2002

Worsening of heart failure in patients with myocardial infarction is seldom studied, elderly patients often are not included, and multivariate analysis is uncommon. The prospective PRIMA study (Prise en charge de l'Infarctus du Myocarde Aigu; management of acute myocardial infarction) sought to determine the incidence of worsening heart failure, its risk factors, and its prognostic importance in patients with myocardial infarction, regardless of age and hospital facilities, in the ‘real world’ in a region in France, using multivariate analysis. Data were prospectively collected in all patients with myocardial infarction admitted in all hospitals in three departments in the Rhône–Alpes region in France between 1 September 1993 and 31 January 1995. Among the 2507 patients included, 33% were in Killip classes II–IV at admission. After exclusion of patients with admission Killip class IV, 416 patients (17% of the cohort, 24% of women and 14% of men) had worsening of Killip class during the first 5 days. In‐hospital mortality (overall, 14%) increased dramatically with Killip class at admission (9% in class I, 62% in class IV) and with worsening of Killip class during the first 5 days (36.5 vs. 8.5% if no worsening). In multivariate analysis, older age, diabetes mellitus and anterior Q‐wave myocardial infarction were significant predictors of Killip class at admission and of its worsening; Killip class > I at admission was a significant predictor of Killip‐class worsening. The significant predictors of in‐hospital mortality were older age, Killip class III at admission and worsening of Killip class during the first 5 days. This large, unselected cohort revealed that, among patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure and its worsening are frequent, especially in the elderly, and dramatically worsen the in‐hospital mortality.
Indicators of myocardial dysfunction and quality of life, one year after acute infarction
Authors: Ecochard René , Colin Cyrille , Rabilloud Muriel , de Gevigney Guy , Cao Danièle , Ducreux Corinne , Delahaye François ,   PRIMA group
Published: July 2002

Background:

There remains controversy concerning the association between myocardial dysfunction diagnosed soon after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and subsequent quality of life.

Aims:

We searched for a correlation between criteria of myocardial dysfunction assessed within the first month after AMI, and quality of life perceived 1 year later.

Methods:

Six hundred and seventy‐one patients were followed up and quality of life was assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile. Spearman correlation was used for univariate analyses. A logistic regression identified independent predictors of impaired quality of life.

Results:

Patients perceiving inferior quality of life were 61% for energy, 61% for sleep, 49% for physical mobility, 49% for pain, 63% for emotional reactions, and 28% for social isolation. Impaired quality of life was not associated with the initial Killip class. A low ejection fraction was associated with impaired physical mobility (OR ‐ 1.21, 95% CI ‐ 1.05–1.39). Presence of abnormally contracting myocardial segments was associated with impaired mobility (1.40, 1.09–1.80) and with increased pain (1.30, 1.02–1.66). The presence of diseased coronary vessels was associated with pain (1.25, 1.06–1.46).

Conclusion:

Myocardial dysfunction was generally associated with impaired quality of life. This has to be considered when assessing improvement of quality of life after medical or surgical treatment of AMI.
Productivity and persistence of Kura clover and white clover mixtures with grasses
Authors: Seguin Philippe , Pomerleau‐Lacasse Florence , Drapeau Raynald , Lajeunesse Julie , St‐Pierre‐Lepage Sandrine
Published: April 2020

There is a lack of persistent forage legumes for permanent pastures in eastern Canada. Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.; KC) is a long‐lived species, with demonstrated potential in various regions, however, there is a lack of information on its performance in mixtures with grasses and no comparisons with white clover (Trifolium repens L.; WC), the main legume species recommended for pastures in eastern Canada. Objectives were to evaluate the potential of KC when grown in mixtures with grasses and compare its performance with WC based‐mixtures and N‐fertilized grass monocultures. Twenty treatments that included KC, WC, and six perennial grasses species (Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis L.; KB], meadow bromegrass [Bromus biebersteinii Roem. & Schult., MB], orchardgrass [Dactylis glomerata L., OR], smooth bromegrass [Bromus inermis L.; SB], tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.; TF], and timothy [Phleum pratense L.; TI]) seeded alone and in binary mixtures were seeded in 2 yr at two sites and monitored for up to four production years. During the first production year, WC‐based mixtures yields were overall greater than those of KC‐based mixtures, while in the second production year and onwards, KC treatments had similar or greater yields than WC, illustrating the greater persistence of KC. Adding KC to grasses also increased total forage yields by 13% on average compared to N‐fertilized solo‐seeded grasses. The performance of specific KC–grass mixtures was variable across sites‐years with no specific mixture being consistently more productive. Kura clover is adapted to contrasting environments of Québec and appears to be a suitable alternative to WC.
Diastolic blood pressure predicts outcomes after aortic paravalvular leak closure
Authors: Vogt Joshua C. , Michelena Hector I. , Nishimura Rick A. , Nkomo Vuyisile T. , Pislaru Sorin V. , Reeder Guy S. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Eleid Mackram F.
Published: April 2020

Objectives

We sought to determine hemodynamic effects of aortic paravalvular leak (PVL) and predictors of clinical outcomes after aortic PVL closure.

Background

The significance of hemodynamic alterations in PVL and relation to severity, procedural success of percutaneous closure and clinical outcomes have not been defined.

Methods

Patients undergoing percutaneous PVL closure between July 21, 2004 and September 10, 2018 were included. PVL severity was assessed by echocardiography and aortic angiography. Hemodynamics were assessed by intra‐arterial pressure tracings before and after PVL closure. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, redo aortic valve replacement (AVR) and redo PVL closure.

Results

One hundred and seventeen patients (mean age 70.3 ± 14.9 years, 79% surgical and 21% transcatheter prostheses) underwent PVL closure with 94% technical success. PVL was moderate or greater in 106 (91%) at baseline and 11 (11%) post‐procedure. Diastolic BP for those with moderate or greater PVL was lower than for those with less PVL (50.3 ± 11.7 vs. 56.5 ± 12.4 mmHg, p < .001). Pulse pressure was similar between these groups (69.9 ± 20.3 vs. 67.4 ± 21.2 mmHg, p = .39). 35 patients (34%) had 40 events during a mean follow‐up of 1.6 ± 1.9 years (23 deaths, 12 redo AVR, and five redo PVL closures). In a multivariate model, final diastolic BP <47 mmHg (HR 3.27 [1.45–7.36], p = .007) was a significant predictor of the composite endpoint.

Conclusions

Diastolic BP was significantly associated with aortic PVL severity and clinical outcomes after PVL closure. In contrast, pulse pressure did not correlate with PVL severity or outcomes. These findings have implications for clinical management of patients with aortic PVL.
A k‐nearest neighbor query method based on trust and location privacy protection
Authors: Guo Liangmin , Zhu Ying , Yang Hao , Luo Yonglong , Sun Liping , Zheng Xiaoyao
Published: April 2020

Spatial query is an important supporting technology in the Internet of Things (IoT) and location‐based services (LBS). The k‐nearest neighbor query is widely used for spatial queries. However, user location privacy may be leaked in the query. In addition, some users are malicious or uncooperative. With the objective of overcoming these problems, a k‐nearest neighbor query method based on trust and location privacy protection is proposed. First, we employ a new K‐anonymity method based on cooperation to protect a query user's location privacy. In this method, the query user constructs an anonymous group by introducing a trust mechanism to incentivize cooperation among users. Then, according to the different radii of the selection area set by the query user, agent users with higher reputation values who send query requests for the query user are selected. Finally, the agent users obtain the query results from the LBS server and forward them to the query user, and the query user screens the results according to his or her real location. The experiments show that our method can effectively stimulate users to cooperate, better exclude malicious users, and improve the accuracy of the query results while protecting the privacy of the query
user.
Differential outcomes of patients with thyroid FNA diagnoses of AUS/FLUS with and without nuclear atypia: The potential need for separation in the Bethesda System
Authors: Deftereos Georgios , Schmechel Stephen C. , Waner Emily E. , Itani Malak , Dighe Manjiri K. , Tylee Tracy S.
Published: April 2020

Background: In the current version of The Bethesda System (TBS) for thyroid cytopathology, the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) category has an estimated risk of malignancy of 10% to 30%. Diagnostic criteria include presence of nuclear atypia, suggestive of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), as well as other types of atypia, which can be seen with non‐malignant entities. Aim of this study was to investigate differential outcomes of AUS/FLUS, based on specific morphologic criteria, and assess their respective malignancy risks.

Methods: From a total of 1233 patients undergoing thyroid FNAs between 2010 and 2014 at the University of Washington, 119 had AUS/FLUS without nuclear atypia, and 64 with nuclear atypia. Outcomes for patients with and without nuclear atypia (with the exception of 24 patients lost to follow‐up) were evaluated and results were compared.

Results: 16/57 (28.1%) patients with AUS/FLUS and nuclear atypia subsequently had carcinomas on thyroidectomy, statistically higher than the 8/102 patients (7.8%, P = .001) without nuclear atypia. When comparing only patients who underwent surgery (n = 63), again those with AUS/FLUS and nuclear atypia had statistically higher rates of carcinoma (16/31, 51.6%), compared to those without (8/32, 25%; P = .0394). Overall, 24/159 (15.1%) of patients with AUS/FLUS had carcinoma on subsequent histology.

Conclusion: Malignancy rates for AUS/FLUS were in line with TBS estimated risks. However, our data demonstrate that the presence or absence of nuclear atypia is associated with different malignancy rates, suggesting the possibility that the AUS/FLUS category may best be split into two subcategories with different implied risks of malignancy.
Psychopathology in refugees subjected to the Dublin Regulation: an Italian study
Authors: Caroppo Emanuele , Lanzotti Pierluigi , Janiri Luigi
Published: April 2020

Background

Literature shows that migrants—a generic definition for persons who leave their own country of origin—have increased psychopathological vulnerability. Between 2014 and 2017, 976 963 non-European Union (non-EU) people arrived in Italy, of which 30% for humanitarian reasons. This study is aimed at a better understanding of the experience of asylum seekers who transferred to Italy were subjected to the EU Dublin Regulation and most of them suspended in their asylum application.

Methods

We elaborate a descriptive study based on a population of refugees and asylum seekers who have suffered from social and personal migratory stressful factors. Clinical data was collected between 2011 and 2013 at the “A. Gemelli” General Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy. Minors, elderly people, and patients who are unable to declare a voluntary consensus and economic migrants were excluded from the study. Candidates for the status of refugee or asylum seekers were included.

Results

The sample consisted of 180 asylum seekers aged 25.52 ± 5.6 years. Most frequently diagnosis was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (53%), subthreshold PTSD was reported in 22% of subjects. We found phenomenological patterns highly representative of PTSD of the dissociative subtype. Around 20% of the sample suffered from psychotic symptomatology.

Conclusions

Loss of the migratory project and the alienation mediated by chronic social defeat paradigm may trigger a psychopathological condition described by the failure to cope with the negative emotional context of social exclusion and solitude. A common and integrated treatment project is needed, with the scope of reintegrating the migrant’s personal and narrative identity.
The role of stellar rotation in Tidal Disruption Events
Authors: Sacchi Andrea , Lodato Giuseppe
Published: April 2020

Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs) are highly variable high energy phenomena originating from Galactic Nuclei (Komossa & Bade 1999). TDEs are thus powerful tools to study quiescent Galactic Nuclei given their extreme brightness (several times super-Eddington) and the possibility of being seen in non-AGN galaxies. A TDE is the violent disruption of a star passing by a Super Massive Black Hole (SMBH); after the disruption, roughly half of the star mass gains enough energy to escape from the Black Hole, while the other half is bound to the Hole, falls back and eventually accretes onto it. Early works, (Rees 1988), pointed out a t−5/3 behaviour for the light curves of this event and since then such a time dependency became the signature of these events. Strong deviations are however introduced when one considers the internal stellar structure or if one considers partial disruptions. One feature that has never been taken into account is the effect of stellar rotation in the resulting fallback rate, which is the aim of the present work. Firstly, we will show analytical estimates of the impact of stellar rotation on the TDE and we will then present a set of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic simulations of the tidal disruption of rotating stars, performed in order to test these analytical estimates.
Young radio jets breaking free: molecular and HI outflows in their centers
Authors: Morganti Raffaella , Oosterloo Tom , Schulz Robert , Tadhunter Clive , Raymond Oonk J. B.
Published: April 2020

Our view of the central regions of AGN has been enriched by the discovery of fast and massive outflows of H I and molecular gas. Here we present a brief summary of results obtained for young (and restarted) radio AGN. We find that H I outflows tend to be particularly common in this group of objects. This supports the idea that the jet, expanding in a clumpy medium, plays a major role in driving these outflows. The clumpiness of the medium is confirmed by VLBI and ALMA observations. The H I observations reveal that, at least part of the gas, is distributed in clouds with sizes up to a few tens of pc and mass ~104Mȯ. A change of the conditions in the outflow, with an increasing fraction of diffuse components, as the radio jets grow, is suggested by the high resolution H I observations. The molecular gas completes the picture, showing that the radio plasma jet can couple well with the ISM, strongly affecting the kinematics, but also the physical conditions of the molecular gas. This is confirmed by numerical simulations reproducing, to first order, the kinematics of the gas.
Ratio of kinetic-to-bolometric luminosity at the “cold” disk accretion onto black holes
Authors: Bogovalov Sergey
Published: April 2020

In galactic nuclei (AGN), the kinetic energy flux of the jet may exceed the bolometric luminosity of the disk a few orders of magnitude. At the “cold” accretion the radiation from the disk is suppressed because the wind from the disk carries out almost all the angular momentum and the gravitational energy of the accreted material. We calculate an unavoidable radiation from such a disk and the ratio of the kinetic-to-bolometric luminosity from a super massive black hole in framework of the paradigm of the optically thick α-disk of Shakura & Sunyaev. The results confirm that the gravitational energy of the accreted material can be the only source of energy in AGNs.
Low frequency observations of radio relics and halos
Authors: Kale Ruta
Published: April 2020

Diffuse radio emission from galaxy clusters in the form of radio halos and relics are tracers of the shocks and turbulence in the intra-cluster medium. The imprints of the physical processes that govern their origin and evolution can be found in their radio morphologies and spectra. The role of mildly relativistic population of electrons may be crucial for the acceleration mechanisms to work efficiently. Low frequency observations with telescopes that allow imaging of extended sources over a broad range of low frequencies (<2 GHz) offer the best tools to study these sources. I will review the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations in the past few years that have led to: i) statistical studies of large samples of galaxy clusters, ii) opening of the discovery space in low mass clusters and iii) tracing the spectra of seed relativistic electrons using the Upgraded GMRT.
Probing the B-fields of AGN jets on kiloparsec scales - NGC 6251
Authors: Knuettel Sebastian , Gabuzda Denise
Published: April 2020

By constructing images of the Faraday rotation measure (RM) of large scale astrophysical jets, the line-of-sight magnetic field component and electron density in the region of Farady rotation can be investigated. A significant gradient in the RM transverse to the jet direction may indicate a corresponding gradient in the line-of-sight magnetic field, implying a toroidal or helical magnetic field, which would, in turn, imply the presence of an associated electrical current in the jet. The detection of such large scale gradients can reliably demonstrate that helical or toroidal fields can persist to large distances from the central AGN. We present a kiloparsec-scale Faraday rotation map of NGC 6251 that shows statistically significant transverse RM gradients across its kiloparsec scale jet structure that imply an outward current.
Flip of the jet head position of 3C 84 in 2015
Authors: Kino M. , Nagai H. , Wajima K. , Kawakatu N. , Orienti M. , Giovannini G. , Hada K. , Niinuma K. , Giroletti M.
Published: April 2020

By performing the multi-epoch monitoring observation with KaVA at 43 GHz, we investigate the kinematics of the notable newborn bright component C3 located at the tip of the recurrent jet of 3C 84. During 2015 August-September,we discover the positional flip of the C3 component about 0.4 milli-arcsecond in angular scale. The flux density of the C3 component coherently showed the monotonic increase after the flip during our monitoring period. These phenomena are in good agreement with characteristic behaviors of a jet propagation in clumpy ambient medium predicted in hydrodynamical simulations.
Prodigious and Continuous Formation of Super Star Clusters from Cooled Intracluster Gas
Authors: Lim Jeremy , Wong Emily , Ohyama Youichi , Broadhurst Tom , Medezinski Elinor
Published: April 2020

Globular clusters (GCs) — compact and massive star clusters found ubiquitously around galaxies — are believed to be ancient relics (ages ≳ 10 Gyr) from the early formative phase of galaxies, although their physical origin remains widely debated. The most numerous GC populations are hosted by giant elliptical galaxies, where they can exhibit a broad dispersion in colour interpreted as a wide spread in metallicity. Here, we show that many thousands of similarly compact and massive super star clusters have formed at an approximately steady rate over, at least, the past ~1 Gyr around the nearby giant elliptical galaxy, NGC 1275, at the centre of the Perseus cluster. The number distribution of these young star clusters appears to exhibit a similar dependence in luminosity and mass as the even more numerous but older GCs around NGC 1275. In just a few Gyr, these super star clusters will evolve to become indistinguishable in broadband optical colours from the older GCs, and their spread in age add to the dispersion in colour of these GCs. The spatial distribution of the super star clusters resembles the filamentary network of multiphase gas in the cluster core, implying that they formed from molecular gas amassed from cooling of the hot intracluster gas. The sustained formation of super star clusters from cooled intracluster gas constitutes a previously unrecognised but prodigious source of GCs over cosmic timescales, and contributes to both their enormous numbers and broad colour dispersion in giant elliptical galaxies.
Research on Stability of Optimal Sheet-cutting Strategy Based on Improved Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Song Chuancheng , Gong Kun , Bu Jiahui , Huang Liya
Published: April 2020

With the increasing advancement of automation, the demand for efficient and versatile sheet-cutting optimization solutions is imperative. In this paper, the real-coded genetic algorithm is employed as the core algorithm to realize the automatic planning system for cutting two-dimensional plates combined with the actual requirement. According to the practical investigation in the building materials market, a certain type of sheet material and the final product model is simulated from the perspective of various requirements in this paper, in which the utilization rates and suppliers’ profits are also calculated and predicted to implement the effectiveness and advancement of the algorithm. The results show that compared with other methods, the optimal sheet-cutting strategy based on improved real-coded genetic algorithm reduces the computational complexity and maintains high stability under the premise of high utilization, which is more appropriate for systems with various product types and quantity constraints.
Isolated lichen planus of the lips: cases reports and literature review
Authors: Garma Maroua , Hasni Wafa , Annabi Bechir , Sriha Badreddine , Boudegga Souha , Boughzella Abdellatif
Published: April 2020

Introduction:Lichen planus is an inflammatory mucocutaneous dermatosis involving skin, appendages and mucosa. Oral mucosa is the most commonly involved in all its sites, rarely the lips especially when isolated. The aim was to conduct a literature review about isolated lichen planus of the lips and reporting two case reports of this lesion in order to highlight epidemiologic, clinical and histological features and therapeutic modalities of this lesion.Observations:Case report 1: a 34-year-old diabetic male patient consulted for an erosive, crusted and hemorrhagic cheilitis of the lower lip. Clinical and histological examination led to the diagnosis of isolated lichen planus of the lips. Case report 2: a 33-year-old female patient was referred from dermatology department for biopsy of chronic cheilitis of the lower lip. Clinical and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of isolated lichen planus of the lips.Discussion:The review based on 34 case reports of isolated lichen planus of the lips, in addition to literature data confirmed that it is a benign rare lesion affecting mostly male patients having middle age with preponderance of the lower lip, its erosive form is the most frequent and it presents a favorable healing with topical treatment particularly corticosteroids.
Management der chirurgischen Therapie der fortgeschrittenen Hidradenitis suppurativa unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der perioperativen Antibiose – Eine Fragebogenstudie
Authors: Raunik Bernhard , Neuwirth Maximilian , Thalhammer Florian , Haslik Werner , Nedomansky Jakob
Published: April 2020

Einleitung Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) ist eine chronische, wiederkehrende, entzündliche Erkrankung der Haut, welche Bereiche des Körpers befällt, die reich an apokrinen Schweißdrüsen sind. Ausgedehnte Erkrankungen bedürfen oft einer chirurgischen Therapie mit antibiotischer Begleitung. Verwendete Substanzen sind etwa Clindamycin, auch in Kombination mit Rifampicin, oder Tetracycline. Für die perioperative Anwendung gibt es derzeit kaum genaue Empfehlungen.

Patienten/Material und Methoden Eine anonyme Fragebogenuntersuchung wurde durchgeführt, um den Status quo der perioperativen antibiotischen Therapie zu erheben. Befragt wurden Ärztinnen und Ärzte an Abteilungen für Plastische Chirurgie, Allgemeinchirurgie und Dermatologie im deutschsprachigen Raum. Der Fragebogen wurde mit Limesurvey© erstellt und unter Vermittlung der Bundesministerien für Gesundheit an die infrage kommenden Abteilungen versandt. Die Antworten wurden mittels IBM® SPSS® Version 23 ausgewertet.

Resultate Mit der antibiotischen Therapie wurde am öftesten präoperativ begonnen. Keimabstriche hatten die bedeutendste Rolle in der Auswahl der Präparate. Diese wurden ungeachtet des Verabreichungszeitpunktes großteils an die mikrobiologischen Ergebnisse angepasst. Clindamycin wurde sowohl topisch als auch systemisch am häufigsten eingesetzt. Die Kombination mit Rifampicin war die gängigste. Adalimumab war der am häufigsten verabreichte Antikörper gegen Tumornekrosefaktor-Alpha (TNF-α). In beinahe der Hälfte der Fälle wurden sie zusammen mit Antibiotika verabreicht, wobei deren Verabreichungsdauer oft deutlich länger war. Die Erkrankungsausprägung war der entscheidendste Faktor für die Notwendigkeit operativer Versorgungen. Ein großflächiges Debridement mit offener Wundbehandlung war in beinahe allen Regionen die operative Behandlungsmethode der Wahl.

Schlussfolgerung Diese Studie hat gezeigt, dass große Unterschiede in der Behandlung zwischen den einzelnen Fachdisziplinen und Ländern bestehen. Sowohl die Schwere der Erkrankung, als auch die Erfahrungen und Vorlieben der Behandler selbst haben Einfluss auf die Therapie. Abhängig von der therapieführenden Fachdisziplin werden gewisse Behandlungen seltener oder gar nicht angeboten. Überarbeitete und aktuellere Leitlinien mit Integration aller behandelnden Disziplinen wären zur Vereinheitlichung der Therapie wünschenswert.
Onko-Nexus: Ein bayerisches „Kümmererprojekt“
zur Überwindung der Schnittstelle ambulanter/stationärer
Sektor – die drei Jahresergebnisse
Authors: Kaiser Florian , Vehling-Kaiser Ursula , Hoffmann Ana , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Weiglein Tobias , Schmidt Jörg , Tischer Johanna
Published: April 2020

Der Onko-Nexus („Kümmererprojekt“), gefördert vom
Bayerischen Staatsministerium für Gesundheit und Pflege, widmet sich der
Verbesserung der ambulanten/stationären
Schnittstellenproblematik für Patienten mit hochkomplexen malignen
Erkrankungen, die einen Aufenthalt an einem universitären Zentrum
benötigten. Die Patienten wurden von einer ambulanten und einer
stationären „Kümmerin“ (medizinische
Fachangestellte) mitbetreut. Zusätzlich wurde vom universitären
Zentrum eine Spezialsprechstunde in der heimatnahen onkologischen Praxis
angeboten. Während der 3-jährigen Laufzeit konnten 26 Patienten
in das Projekt eingeschlossen werden. Nach Abschluss des Projektes wurden 9
Patienten und die 2 „Kümmerinnen“ mittels qualitativer
Leitfadeninterviews befragt. Die Patienten profitierten v. a. von der
intensivierten Betreuung, der Vermeidung von Fahrstrecken und dem engen Kontakt
zwischen Klinik und Praxis. Das Projekt wirkte sich deutlich positiv auf die
Lebensqualität der Patienten aus.
A Systematic Meta-Analysis of CT Features of COVID-19: Lessons from Radiology
Authors: Venugopal Vasantha Kumar , Mahajan Vidur , Rajan Sriram , Agarwal Vikash , Rajan Ruchika , Syed Salsabeel , Mahajan Harsh
Published: April 2020

1.

Several studies have been published in the past few months describing the CT features of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is a great degree of heterogeneity in the study designs, lesion descriptors used and conclusions derived. In our systematic analysis and meta-review, we have attempted to homogenize the reported features and provide a comprehensive view of the disease pattern and progression in different clinical stages. After an extensive literature search, we short-listed and reviewed 49 studies including over 4145 patients with 3615 RT-PCR positive cases of COVID-19 disease. We have found that there is a good agreement among these studies that diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacities (GGOs) is the most common finding at all stages of the disease followed by consolidations and mixed density lesions. 78% of patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infections had either ground-glass opacities, consolidation or both. Inter-lobular septal thickening was also found to be a common feature in many patients in advanced stages. The progression of these initial patchy GGO’s and consolidations to diffuse lesions with septal thickening, air bronchograms in the advanced stages, to either diffuse “white-out” lungs needing ICU admissions or finally resolving completely without or with residual fibrotic strips was also found to be congruent among multiple studies. Prominent juxta- lesional pulmonary vessels, pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy in RT-PCR proven cases were found to have poor clinical prognosis. Additionally, we noted wide variation in terminology used to describe lesions across studies and suggest the use of standardized lexicons to describe findings related to diseases of vital importance.
Changes in soil fungal communities following anthropogenic disturbance are linked to decreased lodgepole pine seedling performance
Authors: Beck Jackson L. , Cale Jonathan A. , Rodriguez‐Ramos Jean C. , Kanekar Sanat S. , Karst Justine , Cahill James F. , Simard Suzanne W. , Erbilgin Nadir
Published: April 2020

Disturbances are frequent events across the Canadian boreal forest and can affect both below‐ and above‐ground ecosystem processes. How disturbances change below‐ground soil fungal communities and in‐turn affect pine establishment and performance is poorly understood. Such understanding has become increasingly important in light of observed changes in disturbance regimes in recent years due to climate change.

We used a greenhouse experiment to determine how soil inoculum collected from lodgepole pine stands undisturbed (control) or disturbed by fire, mountain pine beetle outbreak, logging and salvage logging affect pine seedling performance in western Canada. We first characterized whether fungal communities of seedling roots change as a function of inoculum source, and then determined whether changes in fungal community composition impact pine seedling performance (biomass and height).

Root fungal communities of pine seedlings from logged and salvage logged disturbances differed from their respective paired controls, while soils from natural disturbances (fire and beetle outbreak) did not. Among disturbances, the pine root fungal communities of fire and salvage logged disturbances differed.

In parallel to the root fungal communities, seedling performance also decreased when comparing logging and salvage logging disturbances to paired controls. Among disturbance treatments, seedlings from the salvage logged disturbance did not grow as big as seedlings inoculated with soils from burned forests.

Synthesis and application. Our findings indicate that anthropogenic disturbances (logging and salvage logging) can have cross‐generational impacts on pine seedling performance, through functional shifts in seedling root fungal community structure. Furthermore, the impacts of soil fungi on pine seedlings appear to be pronounced following salvage logging, stressing the importance of compound disturbance events. These findings may be important to land managers considering clear‐cut logging or salvage logging in pine forests, particularly where soil biotic communities are likely to be one of the predominate factors in pine establishment.
Internal jugular vein phlebectasia in a one‐year‐old Warmblood stallion
Authors: Vera L. , Muylle S. , van Loon G. , Gatel L. , Martens A. , Vanderperren K.
Published: April 2020

Internal jugular vein phlebectasia (IJVP) is a saccular or fusiform dilation of the internal jugular vein without tortuosity. In human patients, it causes an asymptomatic intermittent unilateral swelling in the lower part of the neck. Although the diagnosis can be suggested based on the clinical features, confirmation by imaging techniques is necessary. This report describes the first reported case of IJVP in a one‐year‐old Warmblood horse. The horse was admitted with a large, soft intermittent swelling in the right jugular groove, especially when lowering the head. Ultrasound showed an enlarged vein (10 cm diameter) draining normally towards the heart. Furthermore, contrast‐enhanced CT (CECT) revealed a large distention of the deep venous system on the right side of the neck. Due to uncertain future athletic performance and both the extent and the complexity of the venous dilation, surgical intervention was declined and the horse was subjected to euthanasia. Post‐mortem dissection revealed a small right external jugular vein but a markedly dilated right internal jugular vein (10 cm diameter), which is normally absent in horses. Based on the imaging and necropsy findings, diagnosis of IJVP was  made.