TOI-2285b: A 1.7 Earth-radius planet near the habitable zone around a nearby M dwarf

We report the discovery of TO1-2285b, a sub-Neptune-sized planet transiting a nearby (42 pc) M dwarf with a period of 27.3 d. We identified the transit signal from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite photometric data, which we confirmed with ground-based photometric observations using the multiband imagers MuSCAT2 and MuSCAT3. Combining these data with other follow-up observations including high-resolution spectroscopy with the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph, high-resolution imaging with the SPeckle Polarimeter, and radial velocity (RV) measurements with the InfraRed Doppler instrument, we find that the planet has a radius of 1.74 +/- 0.08 R-circle plus, a mass of <19.5 M-circle plus + (95% c.I.), and an insolation flux of 1.54 +/- 0.14 times that of the Earth. Although the planet resides just outside the habitable zone for a rocky planet, if the planet harbors an H2O layer under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, then liquid water could exist on the surface of the H2O layer depending on the planetary mass and water mass fraction. The bright host star in the near-infrared (K-s = 9.0) makes this planet an excellent target for further RV and atmospheric observations to improve our understanding of the composition, formation, and habitability of sub-Neptune-sized planets

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Ureteroscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma and ureteropelvic obstruction

Introduction: Technological advances have increased the application of the endoscopic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Materials and Methods: Published, peer-reviewed articles on endoscopic treatment of upper tract TCC and UPJO were identified using the MEDLINE database. Results: Although nephroureterectomy remains the gold standard for upper tract TCC treatment, low-grade, low-stage and small tumors, especially in patients with solitary kidneys or poor renal function can be managed with encouraging success rates, despite the considerable recurrence rate. Endoscopic alternatives to pyeloplasty for UPJO can be used especially in cases with absence of crossing vessels, stricture length less than 1.5 cm, severe hydronephrosis and renal function less than 30%. Conclusion: Proper patient selection is critical for the successful endoscopic management of treatment of upper tract TCC and UPJO

Une ponte record chez la couleuvre de Montpellier Malpolon monspessulanus

International audienceA clutch of 15 eggs was recorded in a large female Montpellier snake (snout-vent length SVL100cm, total length 130cm). In France, this represents the maximal value recorded for the species, butlittle information is available on the fecundity of this species. Pre-laying and post-laying maternal masswas respectively of 579g and 379g. On average, the eggs measured 38.8mm x 26.0mm and weighted 15.0g(note that the eggs were examined 1.5 day after laying, hence each absorbed approximately 1.7 g of waterprior to measurements). Relative clutch mass was 50%

Phospholipid Content of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Is Modulated by the Growth Phase Rather Than the Immobilization State

Biofilms have significance in medical, industrial, and environmental settings, and can cause important damage. As biofilms are tolerant to various stresses, including antibiotics, it is necessary to better understand their formation. For this reason, we characterized the phospholipidome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen involved in numerous infections, during the first steps of the biofilm development. By a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry time-course analysis over a 24-h period, we compared the phospholipid (PL) composition of immobilized (attached) and planktonic (unattached) P. aeruginosa PAO1 cells. Our results showed that the PL content of P. aeruginosa PAO1 was mainly modulated by the incubation time, thus related to bacterial growth but also, more modestly, by the immobilization state. We observed that relative amounts of PL varied over time with two main profiles and that these profiles are correlated to its fatty acid composition, including the degree of unsaturation. A statistical analysis revealed that the PL contents of both attached and unattached PAO1 cells were significantly different mainly after 3 and 6h of incubation and that the amounts of two PL presented a statistical difference between attached and unattached cells all along the 24-h period: PtdEtn 16:0_18:1 and PtdEtn 18:1_18:1

A novel robotic system for single-port urologic surgery: First clinical investigation

Background The idea of performing a laparoscopic procedure through a single abdominal incision was conceived with the aim of expediting postoperative recovery.Design, setting, and participants This was a prospective institutional review board-approved, Innovation, Development, Exploration, Assessment, Long-term Study (IDEAL) phase 1 study. After enrollment, patients underwent a major urologic robotic single-port procedure over a 3-wk period in July 2010. The patients were followed for 3 yr postoperatively. Intervention Different types of urologic surgeries were performed using the da Vinci SP Surgical System. This system is intended to provide the same core clinical capabilities as the existing multiport da Vinci system, except that three articulating endoscopic instruments and an articulating endoscopic camera are inserted into the patient through a single robotic port.Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The main outcomes were the technical feasibility of the procedures (as measured by the rate of conversions) and the safety of the procedures (as measured by the incidence of perioperative complications). Secondary end points consisted of evaluating other key surgical perioperative outcomes as well as midterm functional and oncologic outcomes.Results and limitations A total of 19 patients were enrolled in the study. Eleven of them underwent radical prostatectomy; eight subjects underwent nephrectomy procedures (partial nephrectomy, four; radical nephrectomy, two; and simple nephrectomy, two). There were no conversions to alternative surgical approaches. Overall, two major (Clavien grade 3b) postoperative complications were observed in the radical prostatectomy group and none in the nephrectomy group. At 1-yr follow-up, one radical prostatectomy patient experienced biochemical recurrence, which was successfully treated with salvage radiation therapy. The median warm ischemia time for three of the partial nephrectomies was 38 min. At 3-yr follow-up all patients presented a preserved renal function; none had tumor recurrence. Study limitations include the small sample and the lack of a control group.Conclusions We describe the first clinical application of a novel robotic platform specifically designed for single-port urologic surgery. Major urologic procedures were successfully completed without conversions. Further assessment is warranted to corroborate these promising findings.Patient summary A novel purpose-built robotic system enables surgeons to perform safely and effectively a variety of major urologic procedures through a single small abdominal incision. Trial registration The study was registered on www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02136121)

Platinum Priority -Prostate Cancer Multicentric Oncologic Outcomes of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Localized Prostate Cancer in 803 Patients

E U R O P E A N U R O L O G Y X X X ( 2 0 1 0 ) X X X -X X X a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e u r o p e a n u r o l o g y . c o m Article info Article history: Accepted June 22, 2010 Published online ahead of print on July 3, 2010 Keywords: Ultrasound surgery High-intensity focused ultrasound Localized prostate cancer Abstract Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an emerging treatment for select patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa). Objectives: To report the oncologic outcome of HIFU as a primary care option for localized prostate cancer from a multicenter database. Design, setting, and participants: Patients with localized PCa treated with curative intent and presenting at least a 2-yr follow-up from February 1993 were considered in this study. Previously irradiated patients were excluded from this analysis. In case of any residual or recurrent PCa, patients were systematically offered a second session. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine disease-free survival rates (DFSR). Measurements: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and pathologic results were measured pre-and post-HIFU. Results and limitations: A total of 803 patients from six urologic departments met the inclusion criteria. Stratification according to d'Amico's risk group was low, intermediate, and high in 40.2%, 46.3%, and 13.5% of patients, respectively. Mean follow-up was 42 AE 33 mo. Mean PSA nadir was 1.0 AE 2.8 ng/ml with 54.3% reaching a nadir of 0.3 ng/ml. Control biopsies were negative in 85% of cases. The overall and cancer-specific survival rates at 8 yr were 89% and 99%, respectively. The metastasis-free survival rate at 8 yr was 97%. Initial PSA value and Gleason score value significantly influence the DFSR. The 5-and 7-yr biochemical-free survival rates (Phoenix criteria) were 83-75%, 72-63%, and 68-62% ( p = 0.03) and the additional treatment-free survival rates were 84-79%, 68-61%, and 52-54% ( p < 0.001) for low-, intermediate-, and highrisk patients, respectively. PSA nadir was a major predictive factor for HIFU success: negative biopsies, stable PSA, and no additional therapy. Conclusions: Local control and DFSR achieved with HIFU were similar to those expected with conformal external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT). The excellent cancer-specific survival rate is also explained by the possibility to repeat HIFU and use salvage EBRT

LESS living donor nephrectomy: Surgical technique and results

Purpose: We present the findings of 50 patients undergoing pure trans-umbilical laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) living donor nephrectomy (LDN), between February 2010 and May 2014. Materials and Methods: Laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery LDN was performed through an umbilical incision. Different trocars were used, namely Gelpoint (Applied Mιdical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) SILS port (Covidien, Hamilton, Bermuda), R-port (Olympus Surgical, Orangeburg, NY) and standard trocars, inserted through the same skin incision but using separate fascial punctures. The standard laparoscopic technique was employed. The kidney was pre-entrapped in a retrieval bag and extracted trans-umbilically. Data were collected prospectively including questionnaires containing patient reported oral pain medication duration and time to recovery. Results: LESS LDN was successful in all patients. Mean warm ischemia time was 6.2 min (3-15), mean procedure time was 233.2 min (172-300), and hospitalization stay was 3.94 days (3-7) with a visual analogue pain score at discharge of 1.32 (0-3). No intraoperative complications occurred. The mean time of oral pain medication was 8.72 days (1-20) and final scar length was 4.06 cm (3-5). Each allograft was functional. Conclusion: Although challenging, trans-umbilical LESS LDN seems to be feasible and safe. Hence, LESS has the potential to improve cosmetic results and decrease morbidity