1,314 research outputs found
Relaxing cosmological tensions with a sign switching cosmological constant: Improved results with Planck, BAO, and Pantheon data
We present a further observational analysis of the CDM model
proposed in Akarsu et al. [Phys. Rev. D 104, 123512 (2021)]. This model is
based on the recent conjecture suggesting the Universe has transitioned from
anti-de Sitter vacua to de Sitter vacua (viz., the cosmological constant
switches sign from negative to positive), at redshift ,
inspired by the graduated dark energy model proposed in Akarsu et al. [Phys.
Rev. D 101, 063528 (2020)]. CDM was previously claimed to
simultaneously relax five cosmological discrepancies, namely, the , ,
and tensions along with the Ly- and anomalies,
which prevail within the standard CDM model as well as its
canonical/simple extensions. In the present work, we extend the previous
analysis by constraining the model using the Pantheon data (with and without
the SH0ES prior) and/or the completed BAO data along with the full Planck
CMB data. We find that CDM exhibits a better fit to the data
compared to CDM, and simultaneously relaxes the six discrepancies of
CDM, viz., the , , , Ly-, , and
discrepancies, all of which are discussed in detail. When the
prior is included in the analyses, CDM performs
significantly better in relaxing the , , and tensions with the
constraint even when the Ly- data (which imposed
the constraint in the previous studies) are excluded. In
contrast, the presence of the prior causes only negligible improvements
for CDM. Thus, the CDM model provides remedy to
various cosmological tensions simultaneously, only that the galaxy BAO data
hinder its success to some extent.Comment: 27 pages, 11 figures, 5 tables; matches the version published in
Physical Review
CDM model: A promising scenario for alleviation of cosmological tensions
We present a comprehensive analysis of the CDM model, which
explores the recent conjecture suggesting a rapid transition of the Universe
from anti-de Sitter vacua to de Sitter vacua (viz., the cosmological constant
switches sign from negative to positive) at redshift ,
inspired by the graduated dark energy (gDE) model. Our analysis shows that,
predicting , CDM simultaneously addresses
the major cosmological tensions of the standard CDM model, viz., the
Hubble constant , the Type Ia Supernovae absolute magnitude ,
and the growth parameter tensions, along with other less significant
tensions such as the BAO Lyman- discrepancy.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, and Supplemental material (7 pages, 8
figures, 2 tables
A Clinical Score to Predict Dose Reductions of Antidiabetes Medications with Intentional Weight Loss: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Abstract Background We assessed the predictive accuracy of an empirically-derived score (weight loss, insulin resistance, and glycemic control: “WIG”) to predict patients who will be successful in reducing diabetes mellitus (DM) medication use with weight loss. Methods Case records of 121 overweight and obese patients with DM at two outpatient weight management centers were analyzed. Results Mean period of follow-up was 12.5 ± 3.5 months. To derive the “WIG” scoring algorithm, one point each was assigned to “W” (loss of 5% of initial body weight within the first 3 months of attempting weight loss), “I” (triglyceride [TGL]/highdensity lipoprotein ratio \u3e3 [marker of insulin resistance] at baseline), and “G” (glycosylated hemoglobin [A1c%] \u3e8.5 at baseline). WIG score showed moderate accuracy in discriminating anti-DM dose reductions at baseline, and after 3 months of weight loss efforts (likelihood ratios [LR] + \u3e1, LR−0.7), and demonstrated good reproducibility. Conclusions WIG score shows promise as a tool to predict success with dose reductions of antidiabetes medications. Keywords Clinical score; Diabetes mellitus; Insulin resistance; Obesit
Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Recipients of Male Unrelated Donor Compared with Parous Female Sibling Donor Transplants
Optimal donor selection is critical for successful allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Donor sex and parity are well-established risk factors for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), with male donors typically associated with lower rates of GVHD. Well-matched unrelated donors (URDs) have also been associated with increased risks of GVHD as compared with matched sibling donors. These observations raise the question of whether male URDs would lead to more (or less) favorable transplant outcomes as compared with parous female sibling donors. We used the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research registry to complete a retrospective cohort study in adults with acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome, who underwent T-cell replete HCT from these 2 donor types (parous female sibling or male URD) between 2000 and 2012. Primary outcomes included grade 2 to 4 acute GVHD (aGVHD), chronic GVHD (cGVHD), and overall survival. Secondary outcomes included disease-free survival, transplant-related mortality, and relapse. In 2813 recipients, patients receiving male URD transplants (n = 1921) had 1.6 times higher risk of grade 2 to 4 aGVHD (P \u3c .0001). For cGVHD, recipient sex was a significant factor, so donor/recipient pairs were evaluated. Female recipients of male URD grafts had a higher risk of cGVHD than those receiving parous female sibling grafts (relative risk [RR] = 1.43, P \u3c .0001), whereas male recipients had similar rates of cGVHD regardless of donor type (RR = 1.09, P = .23). Donor type did not significantly affect any other end point. We conclude that when available, parous female siblings are preferred over male URDs
Room temperature reversible colossal volto-magnetic effect in all-oxide metallicmagnet/topotactic-phase-transition material heterostructures
Multiferroic materials have undergone extensive research in the past two
decades in an effort to produce a sizable room-temperature magneto-electric
(ME) effect in either exclusive or composite materials for use in a variety of
electronic or spintronic devices. These studies have looked into the ME effect
by switching the electric polarization by the magnetic field or switching the
magnetism by the electric field. Here, an innovative way is developed to knot
the functional properties based on the tremendous modulation of electronics and
magnetization by the electric field of the topotactic phase transitions (TPT)
in heterostructures composed of metallic-magnet/TPT-material. It is divulged
that application of a nominal potential difference of 2-3 Volts induces
gigantic changes in magnetization by 100-250% leading to colossal Voltomagnetic
effect, which would be tremendously beneficial for low-power consumption
applications in spintronics. Switching electronics and magnetism by inducing
TPT through applying an electric field requires much less energy, making such
TPT-based systems promising for energy-efficient memory and logic applications
as well as opening a plethora of tremendous opportunities for applications in
different domains
The Protective Role of MLCP-Mediated ERM Dephosphorylation in Endotoxin-Induced Lung Injury in Vitro and in Vivo
The goal of this study was to investigate the role of MLC phosphatase (MLCP) in a LPS model of acute lung injury (ALI). We demonstrate that ectopic expression of a constitutively-active (C/A) MLCP regulatory subunit (MYPT1) attenuates the ability of LPS to increase endothelial (EC) permeability. Down-regulation of MYPT1 exacerbates LPS-induced expression of ICAM1 suggesting an anti-inflammatory role of MLCP. To determine whether MLCP contributes to LPS-induced ALI in vivo, we utilized a nanoparticle DNA delivery method to specifically target lung EC. Expression of a C/A MYPT1 reduced LPS-induced lung inflammation and vascular permeability. Further, increased expression of the CS1β (MLCP catalytic subunit) also reduced LPS-induced lung inflammation, whereas the inactive CS1β mutant increased vascular leak. We next examined the role of the cytoskeletal targets of MLCP, the ERM proteins (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin), in mediating barrier dysfunction. LPS-induced increase in EC permeability was accompanied by PKC-mediated increase in ERM phosphorylation, which was more prominent in CS1β depleted cells. Depletion of Moesin and Ezrin, but not Radixin attenuated LPS-induced increases in permeability. Further, delivery of a Moesin phospho-null mutant into murine lung endothelium attenuated LPS-induced lung inflammation and vascular leak suggesting that MLCP opposes LPS-induced ALI by mediating the dephosphorylation of Moesin and Ezrin
Enhancing the health of women living with HIV: the SMART/EST Women’s Project
The principal objective of these multisite studies (Florida, New York, New Jersey: epicenters for human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] among women) was to develop and implement effective combinations of behavioral interventions to optimize the health status of the most neglected and understudied population affected by the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in the United States: poor women of color living with HIV. The two studies enrolled nearly 900 women randomly assigned to “high intensity” (cognitive–behavioral stress management training combined with expressive–supportive therapy [CBSM]+ group) or “low intensity” (individual psychoeducational program) treatment conditions over a period of 9 years. The initial study of the stress management and relaxation training/expressive–supportive therapy (SMART/EST) Women’s Project (SWP I) focused on reducing depression and anxiety, as well as improving self-efficacy and overall quality of life for women with case-defined AIDS. Findings from this study demonstrated the utility of CBSM+ in reducing distress (depression, anxiety) and denial, while improving social support, self-efficacy, coping skills, and quality of life. The second study (SWP II), which included all women living with HIV, extended these findings by demonstrating that exposure to CBSM+ significantly improved the ability of the participants to take advantage of a health behavior change program encouraging the adoption and maintenance of healthier lifestyle behaviors (high levels of medication adherence, appropriate nutritional intake and physical activity, safer sexual practices, and reduced alcohol use/abuse) essential for optimal health in the context of living with HIV. SWP II also determined that the intervention program was equally beneficial to less-acculturated segments of the affected population (ie, non-English speaking HIV+ women) through the creation of culturally and linguistically sensitive Spanish and Creole versions of the program. A third study (SWP III) is currently underway to “translate” this evidence-based treatment program into Community Health Centers in Miami, New York City, and metropolitan New Jersey
Hippocampal overexpression of NOS1AP promotes endophenotypes related to mental disorders.
BACKGROUND
Nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP; previously named CAPON) is linked to the glutamatergic postsynaptic density through interaction with neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). NOS1AP and its interaction with nNOS have been associated with several mental disorders. Despite the high levels of NOS1AP expression in the hippocampus and the relevance of this brain region in glutamatergic signalling as well as mental disorders, a potential role of hippocampal NOS1AP in the pathophysiology of these disorders has not been investigated yet.
METHODS
To uncover the function of NOS1AP in hippocampus, we made use of recombinant adeno-associated viruses to overexpress murine full-length NOS1AP or the NOS1AP carboxyterminus in the hippocampus of mice. We investigated these mice for changes in gene expression, neuronal morphology, and relevant behavioural phenotypes.
FINDINGS
We found that hippocampal overexpression of NOS1AP markedly increased the interaction of nNOS with PSD-95, reduced dendritic spine density, and changed dendritic spine morphology at CA1 synapses. At the behavioural level, we observed an impairment in social memory and decreased spatial working memory capacity.
INTERPRETATION
Our data provide a mechanistic explanation for a highly selective and specific contribution of hippocampal NOS1AP and its interaction with the glutamatergic postsynaptic density to cross-disorder pathophysiology. Our findings allude to therapeutic relevance due to the druggability of this molecule.
FUNDING
This study was funded in part by the DFG, the BMBF, the Academy of Finland, the NIH, the Japanese Society of Clinical Neuropsychopharmacology, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, and the European Community
Unilateral hemothorax in a 46 year old South Indian male due to a giant arteriovenous hemodialysis fistula: a case report
In a patient undergoing regular hemodialysis through an arteriovenous fistula access, pleural effusion is a known long term complication. However, a unilateral hemothorax is relatively uncommon. Here we report a 46 year old male, end-stage renal disease patient, on maintenance hemodialysis, who presented with a giant brachiocephalic AV fistula in his left arm and progressive breathlessness. Radiological imaging revealed a left sided pleural effusion. Ultrasound guided aspiration revealed a hemorrhagic pleural fluid. A Doppler study of the fistula revealed a high velocity blood flow through the fistula, thereby establishing the cause of the unilateral hemothorax. Ligation of the fistula resulted in complete resolution of the hemothorax. The other possible causes for hemothorax in a dialysis patient are also discussed in this case report
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