Open data from the third observing run of LIGO, Virgo, KAGRA, and GEO

The global network of gravitational-wave observatories now includes five detectors, namely LIGO Hanford, LIGO Livingston, Virgo, KAGRA, and GEO 600. These detectors collected data during their third observing run, O3, composed of three phases: O3a starting in 2019 April and lasting six months, O3b starting in 2019 November and lasting five months, and O3GK starting in 2020 April and lasting two weeks. In this paper we describe these data and various other science products that can be freely accessed through the Gravitational Wave Open Science Center at https://gwosc.org. The main data set, consisting of the gravitational-wave strain time series that contains the astrophysical signals, is released together with supporting data useful for their analysis and documentation, tutorials, as well as analysis software packages

Child health, developmental plasticity, and epigenetic programming

Plasticity in developmental programming has evolved in order to provide the best chances of survival and reproductive success to the organism under changing environments. Environmental conditions that are experienced in early life can profoundly influence human biology and long-term health. Developmental origins of health and disease and life-history transitions are purported to use placental, nutritional, and endocrine cues for setting long-term biological, mental, and behavioral strategies in response to local ecological and/or social conditions. The window of developmental plasticity extends from preconception to early childhood and involves epigenetic responses to environmental changes, which exert their effects during life-history phase transitions. These epigenetic responses influence development, cell- and tissue-specific gene expression, and sexual dimorphism, and, in exceptional cases, could be transmitted transgenerationally. Translational epigenetic research in child health is a reiterative process that ranges from research in the basic sciences, preclinical research, and pediatric clinical research. Identifying the epigenetic consequences of fetal programming creates potential applications in clinical practice: the development of epigenetic biomarkers for early diagnosis of disease, the ability to identify susceptible individuals at risk for adult diseases, and the development of novel preventive and curative measures that are based on diet and/or novel epigenetic drugs

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: new insights and guidance for clinicians to improve detection and clinical management. A position paper from the Consensus Panel on Familial Hypercholesterolaemia of the European Atherosclerosis Society

Item does not contain fulltextAIMS: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare life-threatening condition characterized by markedly elevated circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and accelerated, premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD). Given recent insights into the heterogeneity of genetic defects and clinical phenotype of HoFH, and the availability of new therapeutic options, this Consensus Panel on Familial Hypercholesterolaemia of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) critically reviewed available data with the aim of providing clinical guidance for the recognition and management of HoFH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Early diagnosis of HoFH and prompt initiation of diet and lipid-lowering therapy are critical. Genetic testing may provide a definitive diagnosis, but if unavailable, markedly elevated LDL-C levels together with cutaneous or tendon xanthomas before 10 years, or untreated elevated LDL-C levels consistent with heterozygous FH in both parents, are suggestive of HoFH. We recommend that patients with suspected HoFH are promptly referred to specialist centres for a comprehensive ACVD evaluation and clinical management. Lifestyle intervention and maximal statin therapy are the mainstays of treatment, ideally started in the first year of life or at an initial diagnosis, often with ezetimibe and other lipid-modifying therapy. As patients rarely achieve LDL-C targets, adjunctive lipoprotein apheresis is recommended where available, preferably started by age 5 and no later than 8 years. The number of therapeutic approaches has increased following approval of lomitapide and mipomersen for HoFH. Given the severity of ACVD, we recommend regular follow-up, including Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of the heart and aorta annually, stress testing and, if available, computed tomography coronary angiography every 5 years, or less if deemed necessary. CONCLUSION: This EAS Consensus Panel highlights the need for early identification of HoFH patients, prompt referral to specialized centres, and early initiation of appropriate treatment. These recommendations offer guidance for a wide spectrum of clinicians who are often the first to identify patients with suspected HoFH

Fisioterapia após substituição artroscópica do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães: II - avaliação artroscópica e anatomopatológica Physiotherapy after arthroscopic repair of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs: II - Arthroscopic and anatomopathological evaluations

Avaliou-se o enxerto da fascia lata na substituição artroscópica do ligamento cruzado cranial (LCC), realizou-se a caracterização histológica do enxerto e da interface enxerto-osso e avaliou-se, por meio de exames artroscópicos e anatomopatológicos, o efeito da fisioterapia pós-operatória. Foram utilizados 16 cães, sem raça definida, machos, pesando entre 19,2 e 26,3kg, submetidos à ruptura experimental do LCC e subsequente substituição artroscópica desse ligamento pelo enxerto autógeno da fascia lata. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos de oito cada: no grupo I, os cães foram submetidos ao programa de fisioterapia pós-operatória e, no grupo II, à imobilização temporária do membro. Os exames artroscópicos e histológicos mostraram alterações articulares sugestivas de processo degenerativo aos 60 dias após a cirurgia, que se apresentavam mais acentuadas nos cães do grupo II. Na análise histológica do enxerto, observou-se reorganização das fibras colágenas, que ocorreu de forma mais intensa e precoce nos animais do grupo I. Houve progressiva integração das fibras colágenas na interface enxerto-osso. Conclui-se que é viável utilizar a fascia lata como substituto do LCC por cirurgia artroscópica, que o enxerto sofre processos de ligamentação e de osteointegração, e que a fisioterapia reduz a progressão das alterações degenerativas e incentiva o processo de ligamentação do enxerto.<br>The fascia lata graft in the arthroscopic reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), the histological characteristics of the graft and the graft-bone interface, and the effects of postoperative physiotherapy by arthroscopic and anatomopathological exams were evaluated. Sixteen male mongrel dogs weighing from 19.2 to 26.3kg had the CCL experimentally ruptured and the stifle joint was stabilized by arthroscopical technique with fascia lata as an autogenous graft. Eight dogs were included in a postoperative physiotherapy group and the other eight in a temporary immobilization group. Arthroscopic and histological examinations showed articular lesions consistent with degenerative joint disease at 60 days after surgery, which was more severe in dogs from the temporary immobilization group. From histological studies, the graft underwent a collagenic reorganization process that was more intense and earlier in dogs from the physiotherapy group. There was a progressive establishment of collagen fiber continuity in the graft-bone interface. It can be concluded that fascia lata graft can be used to replace the CCL by arthroscopic surgery, the graft undergo a ligamentization and osteointegration process, and the postoperative physiotherapy decrease the degenerative joint disease progression and stimulate the ligamentization of the graft