Ab initio calculation of resonant X-ray scattering in Manganites

We study the origin of the resonant x-ray signal in manganites and generalize the resonant cross-section to the band structure framework. With {\it ab initio} LSDA and LSDA+U calculations we determine the resonant x-ray spectrum of LaMnO$_3$. The calculated spectrum and azimuthal angle dependence at the Mn $K$-edge reproduce the measured data without adjustable parameters. The intensity of this signal is directly related to the orthorhombicity of the lattice. We also predict a resonant x-ray signal at the La $L$-edge, caused by the tilting of the MnO$_6$ octahedra. This shows that the resonant x-ray signal in the hard x-ray regime can be understood in terms of the band structure of a material and is sensitive to the fine details of crystal structure.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Six pelagic seabird species of the North Atlantic engage in a fly-and-forage strategy during their migratory movements

Bird migration is commonly defined as a seasonal movement between breeding and non-breeding grounds. It generally involves relatively straight and directed large-scale movements, with a latitudinal change, and specific daily activity patterns comprising less or no foraging and more traveling time. Our main objective was to describe how this general definition applies to seabirds. We investigated migration characteristics of 6 pelagic seabird species (little auk Alle alle, Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica, common guillemot Uria aalge, Brünnich’s guillemot U. lomvia, black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis). We analysed an extensive geolocator positional and saltwater immersion dataset from 29 colonies in the North-East Atlantic and across several years (2008-2019). We used a novel method to identify active migration periods based on segmentation of time series of track characteristics (latitude, longitude, net-squared displacement). Additionally, we used the saltwater immersion data of geolocators to infer bird activity. We found that the 6 species had, on average, 3 to 4 migration periods and 2 to 3 distinct stationary areas during the non-breeding season. On average, seabirds spent the winter at lower latitudes than their breeding colonies and followed specific migration routes rather than non-directionally dispersing from their colonies. Differences in daily activity patterns were small between migratory and stationary periods, suggesting that all species continued to forage and rest while migrating, engaging in a ‘fly-and-forage’ migratory strategy. We thereby demonstrate the importance of habitats visited during seabird migrations as those that are not just flown over, but which may be important for re-fuelling.publishedVersio

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression as Surrogate Marker for Cardiovascular Risk Meta-Analysis of 119 Clinical Trials Involving 100 667 Patients

Background: To quantify the association between effects of interventions on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) progression and their effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods: We systematically collated data from randomized, controlled trials. cIMT was assessed as the mean value at the common-carotid-artery; if unavailable, the maximum value at the common-carotid-artery or other cIMT measures were used. The primary outcome was a combined CVD end point defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization procedures, or fatal CVD. We estimated intervention effects on cIMT progression and incident CVD for each trial, before relating the 2 using a Bayesian meta-regression approach. Results: We analyzed data of 119 randomized, controlled trials involving 100 667 patients (mean age 62 years, 42% female). Over an average follow-up of 3.7 years, 12 038 patients developed the combined CVD end point. Across all interventions, each 10 μm/y reduction of cIMT progression resulted in a relative risk for CVD of 0.91 (95% Credible Interval, 0.87–0.94), with an additional relative risk for CVD of 0.92 (0.87–0.97) being achieved independent of cIMT progression. Taken together, we estimated that interventions reducing cIMT progression by 10, 20, 30, or 40 μm/y would yield relative risks of 0.84 (0.75–0.93), 0.76 (0.67–0.85), 0.69 (0.59–0.79), or 0.63 (0.52–0.74), respectively. Results were similar when grouping trials by type of intervention, time of conduct, time to ultrasound follow-up, availability of individual-participant data, primary versus secondary prevention trials, type of cIMT measurement, and proportion of female patients. Conclusions: The extent of intervention effects on cIMT progression predicted the degree of CVD risk reduction. This provides a missing link supporting the usefulness of cIMT progression as a surrogate marker for CVD risk in clinical trials

Effects of copper on the micro-segregation of manganese in high strength iron

Translated from Russian (Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved., Chern. Metall. 1984 (5) p. 153-154)SIGLEAvailable from British Library Lending Division - LD:5828.4(M--36029)T / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Timely diagnosis of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency in children and young adults with lipid profile abnormalities. Expert opinion

M.V. Ezhov1, E.Yu. Zakharova2, A.A. Avramenko3,4, A.S. Alieva5, I.N. Zakharova6, I.V. Leont'eva7, S.I. Malyavskaya8, I.M. Osmanov9, D.I. Sadykova10, M.L. Stolina11, T.V. Strokova7,12 1National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow, Russian Federation 2Research Center for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russian Federation 3V.P. Polyakov Samara Regional Clinical Cardiological Dispensary, Samara, Russian Federation 4Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russian Federation 5V.A. Almazov National Medical Research Center, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation 6Russian Medical Academy of Continuous Professional Education, Moscow, Russian Federation 7Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation 8North State Medical University, Arkhangelsk, Russian Federation 9Z.A. Bashlyaeva Children’s City Clinical Hospital, Moscow, Russian Federation 10Kazan State Medical University, Kazan, Russian Federation 11Pacific State Medical University, Vladivostok, Russian Federation 12Federal Research Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology, Moscow, Russian Federation Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is a monogenic progressive life-threatening condition characterized by abnormal lipid profiles in most patients of all ages. Timely diagnosis and early pathogenetically-oriented treatment (available in Russia) are crucial for children and young adults since abnormal serum levels of lipids are associated with the onset and severity of atherosclerosis in adolescence, young and middle age. The prognosis of LAL-D without pathogenetically oriented treatment is poor. Data on cholesteryl ester storage disease (a variant of LAL-D in children and adults), early atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, aortic calcification, etc., are available. However, early diagnosis of LAL-D is difficult due to long-term latent course and nonspecific clinical signs. In December 2020, a panel of leading Russian experts in the diagnosis and treatment of orphan diseases and lipidologists was held in Moscow. This panel developed an algorithm to optimize the early diagnosis of dyslipidemias in children and young adults and identify patients with LAL-D in a total population of patients with lipid profile abnormalities. Keywords: lysosomal acid lipase deficiency, lipid profile, atherosclerosis, lipid center. For citation: Ezhov M.V., Zakharova E.Yu., Avramenko A.A. et al. Timely diagnosis of lysosomal acid lipase deficiency in children and young adults with lipid profile abnormalities. Expert opinion. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2021;4(3):268–276 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2021-4-3-268-276. </p

An Exploratory Analysis of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibition and Aortic Stenosis in the FOURIER Trial

Importance Despite recent advances in treatment of severe aortic valve stenosis (AS), AS remains a life-threatening condition with no proven disease-modifying therapy. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) have been implicated in the pathobiology of AS. The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor evolocumab reduces circulating LDL-C concentrations by 50% to 60% and Lp(a) by 20% to 30%. Objective To determine whether evolocumab reduces the risk of AS events in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Interventions Patients were randomized 1:1 to evolocumab or placebo. Design, Setting, and Participants Exploratory analysis of the FOURIER trial, which enrolled 27 & x202f;564 patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who were taking statin therapy at 1242 sites in 49 countries from February 2013 to November 2016. Patients were randomized to evolocumab or placebo and followed up for a median (interquartile range) of 2.2 (1.8-2.5) years. This post hoc analysis was performed from September 2019 to February 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Site-reported adverse events of new or worsening AS or aortic valve replacement (termed AS events). The adjusted risk of AS events was calculated with a multivariable model including concentrations of Lp(a) and LDL-C corrected for Lp(a) content, plus age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, current smoking, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Evolocumab efficacy was tested using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results Aortic stenosis events occurred in 63 patients (48 men [76%]; mean [SD] age, 69 [9] years) over a median of 2.2 years. Elevated Lp(a) concentration was associated with higher rates of AS events (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.55 [95% CI, 1.17-2.05] per SD; P = .002), including aortic valve replacement (aHR, 2.22 [95% CI, 1.38-3.58] per SD; P = .001), after multivariable adjustment. The corrected LDL-C concentration was not significantly associated with AS events (aHR, 1.23 [95% CI, 0.93-1.61] per SD; P = .14). The overall HR for AS events with evolocumab was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.40-1.09), with no apparent association in the first year (HR, 1.09 [95% CI, 0.48-2.47]) but an HR of 0.48 (95% CI, 0.25-0.93) after the first year of treatment. Conclusions and Relevance In this exploratory analysis of the FOURIER trial, higher Lp(a) levels, but not Lp(a)-corrected LDL-C levels, were associated with a higher risk of subsequent AS events, including aortic valve replacement. Long-term therapy with evolocumab may reduce AS events, and this raises the possibility that specific pharmacologic lipid-lowering therapy could offer a means to prevent or slow the progression of AS. These exploratory findings merit further investigation with a dedicated randomized clinical trial.Cardiolog