Status of the BMV experiment

In this contribution we present the status of the BMV experiment whose goal is to measure the vacuum magnetic birefringence

Carcinoma de pene y liquen escleroso: dos entidades estrechamente relacionadas

El liquen escleroatrófico (LS) o Balanitis xerótica obliterans es un transtorno crónico de la piel de causa desconocida que puede aparecer en la región genital sobre todo en varones de mediana edad no circuncidados y que se relaciona con el cáncer de pene. Su incidencia varía en función de las serie

Incidencia de liquen escleroso en 617 circuncisiones

El liquen escleroatrófico es un transtorno crónico de la piel de causa desconocida que puede aparecer en la región genital sobre todo en varones de mediana edad no circuncidados y que se relaciona con el cáncer de pene. Su incidencia varía en función de las series

Fenotipo de Cintura Hipertrigliceridémica en la población con Enfermedad Renal Crónica. Cohorte NEFRONA

Antecedentes y objetivo El fenotipo de cintura hipertrigliceridémica (FCH) se define para población general. La Enfermedad Renal Crónica (ERC) asocia cambios en la composición corporal, elevada comorbilidad y una epidemiología reversa en relación con el colesterol y el índice de masa corporal. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar los puntos de corte en población con ERC y analizar su relación con el riesgo cardiovascular (RCV). Métodos Incluimos 2271 enfermos renales de la cohorte NEFRONA. Seleccionamos los puntos de corte de triglicéridos y cintura mediante análisis de quintiles y curvas ROC, utilizando presencia de enfermedad ateroesclerótica moderada-severa (EA2-3) como variable resultado. Analizamos la prevalencia del mismo y su asociación con otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular, incluimos análisis de regresión multivariable para medir la magnitud de su efecto frente a las variables EA2-3 y evento o muerte cardiovascular (EoMCV). Resultados Seleccionamos los puntos de corte: Triglicéridos = 143 mg/dl con cintura > 102 cm en varones o 94 cm en mujeres (Sensibilidad 26%; Especificidad 87%). La prevalencia del FCH específico fue 22.4%, sin diferencias entre estadios de ERC. Asoció aumento de riesgo independiente frente a EA2-3 (OR 1.61; IC 95%: 1.12-2.32, p = 0.011) y EoMCV (HR 3.08; IC 95%: 1.66-5.72, p = 0.000). Identificamos una interacción entre FCH y fósforo. Conclusiones Adaptar la definición del FCH en la población con ERC mejora su rendimiento diagnóstico. Identifica un RCV adicional en una población donde otros métodos de cribado no han mostrado utilidad, siendo de fácil acceso clínico. Su interacción con los niveles de fósforo podría reflejar un papel en la regulación del metabolismo óseo-mineral. Background and objective The hypertriglyceridaemic waist (HTW) phenotype is defined for the general population. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) tends to bring on changes in body composition, is associated with higher comorbidity than the general population and, furthermore, shows reverse epidemiology with related prognostic variables like cholesterol and body mass index. Our objective was to identify cut-off points in the population with CKD and to analyse its relationship with cardiovascular risk (CVR). Methods We included 2271 CKD patients from the NEFRONA cohort. Triglyceride and waist cut-off points were selected through quintiles analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluation, using the presence of moderate to severe atherosclerosis score (AS 2-3) as outcome variable. Then, we analysed HTW prevalence and its association with other cardiovascular risk factors, and we measured the magnitude of its effect on AS 2-3 and cardiovascular event or death (CVEoD) by multivariate regression analysis. Results We selected the cut-off points: triglyceride concentrations =143 mg/dl with waist circumference values >102 cm in men and 94 cm in women (sensitivity 26%; specificity 87%). Specific HTW prevalence was 22.4%, without significative differences between CKD stages. The multivariate regression analysis shows specific HTW as an independent AS 2-3 (OR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.12-2.32, p = 0.011) and CVEoD (HR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.66-5.72, p = 0.000) risk factor. An interaction between phosphorus level and specific HTW was identified. Conclusions Adapting the HTW definition might improve specificity to assess cardiovascular risk in the population with CKD. It identifies an additional CVR in a population in which other screening methods have not proven to be useful, and it is easily clinically accessible. Its interaction with phosphorus levels suggests an association between HTW and bone-mineral metabolism regulation

The BMV experiment : a novel apparatus to study the propagation of light in a transverse magnetic field

In this paper, we describe in detail the BMV (Bir\'efringence Magn\'etique du Vide) experiment, a novel apparatus to study the propagation of light in a transverse magnetic field. It is based on a very high finesse Fabry-Perot cavity and on pulsed magnets specially designed for this purpose. We justify our technical choices and we present the current status and perspectives.Comment: To be published in the European Physical Journal

Management of Septated Malignant Pleural Effusions

Purpose of Review: We review recent studies of patients with septated malignant pleural effusions, to understand what the clinical implications for patients are and what evidence-based methods should be used to manage these effusions. Recent Findings: Fibrinolytics improve effusion size assessed radiologically in patients with a chest drain inserted for septated malignant pleural effusions but this does not translate into an improvement in breathlessness relief or pleurodesis success. Fibrinolytics have also been used in patients with septated effusions associated with indwelling pleural catheters, but dyspnoea relief has not been assessed in this population. Patients with septated effusions or extensive adhesions appear to have a worse prognosis. Summary: Patients with septated malignant pleural effusions have a poor prognosis and do not gain clinical benefit from fibrinolytics via chest drain. The role of fibrinolytics for septated effusions associated with indwelling pleural catheters requires further study

Multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis reveals multiple introductions in Spain of Xanthomonas arboricola pv. Pruni, the causal agent of bacterial spot disease of stone fruits and almond

Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni is the causal agent of the bacterial spot disease of stone fruits, almond and some ornamental Prunus species. In Spain it was first detected in 2002 and since then, several outbreaks have occurred in different regions affecting mainly Japanese plum, peach and almond, both in commercial orchards and nurseries. As the origin of the introduction(s) was unknown, we have assessed the genetic diversity of 239 X. arboricola pv. pruni strains collected from 11 Spanish provinces from 2002 to 2013 and 25 reference strains from international collections. We have developed an optimized multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) scheme targeting 18 microsatellites and five minisatellites. A high discriminatory power was achieved since almost 50% of the Spanish strains were distinguishable, confirming the usefulness of this genotyping technique at small spatio-temporal scales. Spanish strains grouped in 18 genetic clusters (conservatively delineated so that each cluster contained haplotype networks linked by up to quadruple-locus variations). Furthermore, pairwise comparisons among populations from different provinces showed a strong genetic differentiation. Our results suggest multiple introductions of this pathogen in Spain and redistribution through contaminated nursery propagative plant material

Predicting survival in malignant pleural effusion: development and validation of the LENT prognostic score

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) causes debilitating breathlessness and predicting survival is challenging. This study aimed to obtain contemporary data on survival by underlying tumour type in patients with MPE, identify prognostic indicators of overall survival and develop and validate a prognostic scoring system. METHODS: Three large international cohorts of patients with MPE were used to calculate survival by cell type (univariable Cox model). The prognostic value of 14 predefined variables was evaluated in the most complete data set (multivariable Cox model). A clinical prognostic scoring system was then developed and validated. RESULTS: Based on the results of the international data and the multivariable survival analysis, the LENT prognostic score (pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (PS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and tumour type) was developed and subsequently validated using an independent data set. Risk stratifying patients into low-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups gave median (IQR) survivals of 319 days (228–549; n=43), 130 days (47–467; n=129) and 44 days (22–77; n=31), respectively. Only 65% (20/31) of patients with a high-risk LENT score survived 1 month from diagnosis and just 3% (1/31) survived 6 months. Analysis of the area under the receiver operating curve revealed the LENT score to be superior at predicting survival compared with ECOG PS at 1 month (0.77 vs 0.66, p<0.01), 3 months (0.84 vs 0.75, p<0.01) and 6 months (0.85 vs 0.76, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The LENT scoring system is the first validated prognostic score in MPE, which predicts survival with significantly better accuracy than ECOG PS alone. This may aid clinical decision making in this diverse patient population

Management and resistance in the digital newsroom

What happens when there is conflict between the profit motivations of a news outlet and the professional values of its journalists? Questions of managerial influence and journalistic autonomy have interested media scholars from the seminal work of Warren Breed onwards. However, there have only been a handful of studies since the introduction of audience metrics which, this research suggests, allow managers to more efficiently monitor and discipline their journalists. This article presents an ethnographic case study of a Reuters newswire bureau during a time of conflict between the management and journalists. The article outlines the strategies that management used to incentivize their journalists to change their reporting priorities. These included the strategic dissemination of audience metrics and praise, and the hiring and promotion of ‘appropriate’ journalists to positions of influence. These interventions changed who was considered a ‘good journalist’ at the newswire, disrupting existing hierarchies, and eventually changing the culture of the newsroom. The article draws on the insights of Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory to help explain how managerial power operates, and the role that individual journalists play producing and reinforcing newsroom norms

Quantum cascade laser frequency stabilisation at the sub-Hz level

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL) are increasingly being used to probe the mid-infrared "molecular fingerprint" region. This prompted efforts towards improving their spectral performance, in order to reach ever-higher resolution and precision. Here, we report the stabilisation of a QCL onto an optical frequency comb. We demonstrate a relative stability and accuracy of 2x10-15 and 10-14, respectively. The comb is stabilised to a remote near-infrared ultra-stable laser referenced to frequency primary standards, whose signal is transferred via an optical fibre link. The stability and frequency traceability of our QCL exceed those demonstrated so far by two orders of magnitude. As a demonstration of its capability, we then use it to perform high-resolution molecular spectroscopy. We measure absorption frequencies with an 8x10-13 relative uncertainty. This confirms the potential of this setup for ultra-high precision measurements with molecules, such as our ongoing effort towards testing the parity symmetry by probing chiral species