11 research outputs found
Elastic Stars in General Relativity: II. Radial perturbations
We study radial perturbations of general relativistic stars with elastic
matter sources. We find that these perturbations are governed by a second order
differential equation which, along with the boundary conditions, defines a
Sturm-Liouville type problem that determines the eigenfrequencies. Although
some complications arise compared to the perfect fluid case, leading us to
consider a generalisation of the standard form of the Sturm-Liouville equation,
the main results of Sturm-Liouville theory remain unaltered. As an important
consequence we conclude that the mass-radius curve for a one-parameter sequence
of regular equilibrium models belonging to some particular equation of state
can be used in the same well-known way as in the perfect fluid case, at least
if the energy density and the tangential pressure of the background solutions
are continuous. In particular we find that the fundamental mode frequency has a
zero for the maximum mass stars of the models with solid crusts considered in
Paper I of this series.Comment: 22 pages, no figures, final version accepted for publication in
Class. Quantum Grav. The treatment of the junction conditions has been
improve
Genome-wide analysis of ivermectin response by Onchocerca volvulus reveals that genetic drift and soft selective sweeps contribute to loss of drug sensitivity
Treatment of onchocerciasis using mass ivermectin administration has reduced morbidity and transmission throughout Africa and Central/South America. Mass drug administration is likely to exert selection pressure on parasites, and phenotypic and genetic changes in several Onchocerca volvulus populations from Cameroon and Ghana-exposed to more than a decade of regular ivermectin treatment-have raised concern that sub-optimal responses to ivermectin's anti-fecundity effect are becoming more frequent and may spread.Pooled next generation sequencing (Pool-seq) was used to characterise genetic diversity within and between 108 adult female worms differing in ivermectin treatment history and response. Genome-wide analyses revealed genetic variation that significantly differentiated good responder (GR) and sub-optimal responder (SOR) parasites. These variants were not randomly distributed but clustered in ~31 quantitative trait loci (QTLs), with little overlap in putative QTL position and gene content between the two countries. Published candidate ivermectin SOR genes were largely absent in these regions; QTLs differentiating GR and SOR worms were enriched for genes in molecular pathways associated with neurotransmission, development, and stress responses. Finally, single worm genotyping demonstrated that geographic isolation and genetic change over time (in the presence of drug exposure) had a significantly greater role in shaping genetic diversity than the evolution of SOR.This study is one of the first genome-wide association analyses in a parasitic nematode, and provides insight into the genomics of ivermectin response and population structure of O. volvulus. We argue that ivermectin response is a polygenically-determined quantitative trait (QT) whereby identical or related molecular pathways but not necessarily individual genes are likely to determine the extent of ivermectin response in different parasite populations. Furthermore, we propose that genetic drift rather than genetic selection of SOR is the underlying driver of population differentiation, which has significant implications for the emergence and potential spread of SOR within and between these parasite populations
Original Article - Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Diagnostic Gynaecological Laparoscopic Procedures: Comparison of the Efficacy of the Combination of Dexamethasone and Metoclopramide with that of Dexamethasone and Ondansetron
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital with the aim of comparing the efficacy of a combination of dexamethasone and metoclopramide with dexamethasone and ondansetron for the prophylaxis of postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV] after diagnostic gynaecological laparoscopic procedures.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, randomised, double-blind study, 120 women received either saline I.V. [Group I, n=40]; a combination of dexamethasone [8 mg] with metoclopramide [10 mg] [Group II, n=40]; or a combination of dexamethasone [8 mg] with ondansetron [4 mg] [Group III, n=40] prior to induction of general anaesthesia. PONV was evaluated at regular intervals. The results were analysed using one-way ANOVA, post-hoc, Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallace tests and Z test for proportions where appropriate through a SPSS V.9 package.
RESULTS: The 3 groups were well matched for demographic characteristics. The incidence of nausea and emesis was significantly lower in Group III {[17.5%, P <0.02] and [10%, P <0.01] respectively}. Nausea scores were also lower in Group III [P <0.02]. Rescue anti-emetic requirements were higher in Group I [P <0.05] as compared to Groups II and III.
CONCLUSIONS: A combination of dexamethasone and ondansetron was more efficacious as compared to that of metoclopramide and dexamethasone. The combination of metoclopramide and dexamethasone seems to offer no additional benefit as compared to saline placebo
Brief Report - Percutaneous Tracheostomy by Guidewire Dilating Forceps Technique: Review of 98 Patients
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous tracheostomy to a large extent has replaced
conventional surgical tracheostomy by virtue of its low incidence of
complications and the rapidity with which the procedure can be
performed at the bedside avoiding transport of critically ill patients
to the operating rooms. Since it is a blind approach, ponchoscopic
guidance has been suggested which might not always be possible due to
logistic reasons. METHODS: A retrospective study of 98 patients who had
guide wire dilating forceps technique of percutaneous tracheostomy
without the aid of a ponchoscope was undertaken. By ensuring the free
mobility of the guide wire at each step of the procedure, a safe
placement of the tracheostomy tube was achieved. RESULTS: The mean
operating time was 3.05 mins [S.D:2.20]. Two patients had peristomal
bleeding as an early complication. 34 patients could be decannulated
with good primary approximation of the stomal tissues [mean: 3.92days,
S.D: 1.46]. There were no deaths or life threatening complications
attributable to this technique. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of
ponchoscopic guidance, adopting the simple but effective precaution of
free movement of guide wire at each step of the procedure, a safe
tracheostomy tube placement is possible