Calycosin and Formononetin Induce Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation by the Activation of Large-Conductance Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels (BKCa)

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Primordial Black Holes: sirens of the early Universe

Primordial Black Holes (PBHs) are, typically light, black holes which can form in the early Universe. There are a number of formation mechanisms, including the collapse of large density perturbations, cosmic string loops and bubble collisions. The number of PBHs formed is tightly constrained by the consequences of their evaporation and their lensing and dynamical effects. Therefore PBHs are a powerful probe of the physics of the early Universe, in particular models of inflation. They are also a potential cold dark matter candidate.Comment: 21 pages. To be published in "Quantum Aspects of Black Holes", ed. X. Calmet (Springer, 2014

A Large Population Histology Study Showing the Lack of Association between ALT Elevation and Significant Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B

OBJECTIVE: We determined the association between various clinical parameters and significant liver injury in both hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. METHODS: From 1994 to 2008, liver biopsy was performed on 319 treatment-naive CHB patients. Histologic assessment was based on the Knodell histologic activity index for necroinflammation and the Ishak fibrosis staging for fibrosis. RESULTS: 211 HBeAg-positive and 108 HBeAg-negative patients were recruited, with a median age of 31 and 46 years respectively. 9 out of 40 (22.5%) HBeAg-positive patients with normal ALT had significant histologic abnormalities (necroinflammation grading >/= 7 or fibrosis score >/= 3). There was a significant difference in fibrosis scores among HBeAg-positive patients with an ALT level within the Prati criteria (30 U/L for men, 19 U/L for women) and patients with a normal ALT but exceeding the Prati criteria (p = 0.024). Age, aspartate aminotransferase and platelet count were independent predictors of significant fibrosis in HBeAg-positive patients with an elevated ALT by multivariate analysis (p = 0.007, 0.047 and 0.045 respectively). HBV DNA and platelet count were predictors of significant fibrosis in HBeAg-negative disease (p = 0.020 and 0.015 respectively). An elevated ALT was not predictive of significant fibrosis for HBeAg-positive (p = 0.345) and -negative (p = 0.544) disease. There was no significant difference in fibrosis staging among ALT 1-2 x upper limit of normal (ULN) and > x 2 ULN for both HBeAg-positive (p = 0.098) and -negative (p = 0.838) disease. CONCLUSION: An elevated ALT does not accurately predict significant liver injury. Decisions on commencing antiviral therapy should not be heavily based on a particular ALT threshold.published_or_final_versio

The incidence and distribution of musculoskeletal disorders in final‐year Australian sonography students on clinical placement

Quinton, AE ORCiD: 0000-0001-6585-7468Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) are defined as injury or pain resulting from work and are common in qualified sonographers, affecting the shoulder, neck, wrist, and hands. Risk factors include poor ergonomics, work flow, inadequate breaks, and psychological stress. WRMSD carries a significant financial and emotional cost to industry. The incidence of WRMSD in Australian trainee sonographers is unknown. The aim of this research is to identify the incidence and distribution of WRMSD in trainee sonographers. Method: This is a prospective observational study. An anonymous online survey was distributed to final-year medical sonography students, and participation was voluntary and based on self-selection. Results: There were 35/86 respondents, a 40.7% response rate. The incidence of WRMSD was 97%. Age, body mass index, height, gender, time spent scanning/day, and number of scans performed/day were not found to be associated with the development of WRMSD. The scanning shoulder, wrist, neck, and back were most commonly affected. Conclusion: WRMSD incidence and distribution in Australian trainees are similar to that of qualified sonographers. It is therefore important to begin preventative measures early on in sonographer training to help minimise WRMSD developing