Prospectus, April 23, 2003

https://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_2003/1012/thumbnail.jp

Incidence and etiology of acute renal failure among ambulatory HIV-infected patients

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a cause of renal dysfunction in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Its incidence and causes have not been studied since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV ambulatory patients. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 754 HIV patients, 18 years or older, seen at a university-based infectious disease clinic between 2000 and 2002. ARF was identified using proportional increases in serum creatinine from baseline and by chart review. Clinical conditions were assessed at the time of the ARF event. ARF incidence rates (IR) were calculated by dividing the number of events by person time at risk. To compare patients with and without ARF, t test or chi-square test were used. RESULTS: Patient's mean age was 40 years; 68% were male and 61% were black. One hundred-eleven ARF events occurred in 71 subjects (IR 5.9 per 100 person-years; 95% CI 4.9, 7.1). ARF was more common in men, in those with CD4 cell count 10,000 copies/mL. These patients more often had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis C infection (HCV), and have received HAART. ARF was mainly community-acquired, due to prerenal causes or acute tubular necrosis, and associated with opportunistic infections and drugs. Liver disease was a cause of ARF in HCV-infected patients. CONCLUSION: ARF is common in ambulatory HIV patients. Immunosuppression, infection, and HCV are important conditions associated with ARF in the post-HAART era

Arktisk klimaregnskap - Forprosjekt for kartlegging av behov for lokalt tilpasset klimaregnskap og nye muligheter for bruk av arealdata

NLR Nord Norge opplever at målkonflikten mellom å opprettholde matproduksjon i hele landet og klimatiltak stiller den nordnorske bonden overfor tilsynelatende uforenelige krav. Ved hjelp av litteraturstudie og bruk av arealdata og kart undersøkes behov og muligheter for bedre lokalt tilpasset datagrunnlag til klimaarbeidet på kommune- og gårdsnivå. Litteraturstudiet viser at metodikken i kommunalt klimaregnskap og Landbrukets klimakalkulator i liten grad tar hensyn til de nordlige driftsforholdene, og at sammenlikning av eget klimaavtrykk med andres har begrensninger. Det er viktig å se klimaarbeidet i sammenheng med bærkraftig arealforvaltning i jordbruket. Uttesting i Vestvågøy kommune og på fem testbruk viser at data og kart fra jordkartlegging og vegetasjonskartlegging kan være nyttige supplement i klimaarbeidet på kommune- og gårdsnivå. Rapporten sammenstiller forslag til forbedringer og oppfølgingsprosjekter.Arktisk klimaregnskap - Forprosjekt for kartlegging av behov for lokalt tilpasset klimaregnskap og nye muligheter for bruk av arealdatapublishedVersio

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Follow-up of Targeted Biopsy-negative Prostate Lesions

BACKGROUND: The optimal radiological follow-up of prostate lesions negative on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsy (MRI-TB) is yet to be optimised. OBJECTIVE: To present medium-term radiological and clinical follow-up of biopsy-negative lesions. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The records for men who underwent multiparametric MRI at the UCLH one-stop clinic for suspected prostate cancer between September 2017 and March 2020 were reviewed (n = 1199). Patients with Likert 4 or 5 lesions were considered (n = 495), and those with a subsequent negative MRI-TB comprised the final study population (n = 91). OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Baseline and follow-up MRI and biopsy data (including prostate-specific antigen [PSA], prostate volume, radiological scores, and presence of any noncancerous pathology) were extracted from reports. The last follow-up date was the date of the last test or review in clinic. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Median follow-up was 1.8 yr (656 d, interquartile range [IQR] 359-1008). At baseline, the median age was 65.4 yr (IQR 60.7-70.0), median PSA was 7.1 ng/ml (IQR 4.7-10.0), median prostate volume was 54 ml (IQR 39.5-75.0), and median PSA density (PSAD) was 0.13 ng/ml2 (IQR 0.09-0.18). Eighty-six men (95%) had Likert 4 lesions, while the remaining five (5%) had Likert 5 lesions. Only 21 men (23%) had a single lesion; most had at least two. Atrophy was the most prevalent pathology on MRI-TB, present in 64 men (74%), and followed by acute inflammation in 42 (46%), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in 33 (36%), chronic inflammation in 18 (20%), atypia in 13 (14%), and granulomatous inflammation in three (3%). Fifty-eight men had a second MRI study (median 376 d, IQR 361-412). At the second MRI, median PSAD decreased to 0.11 ng/ml2 (IQR 0.08-0.18). A Likert 4 or 5 score persisted only in five men (9%); 40 men (69%) were scored Likert 3, while the remaining 13 (22%) were scored Likert 2 (no lesion). Of 45 men with a Likert ≥3 score, most only had one lesion at the second MRI (28 men; 62%). Of six men with repeat MRI-TB during the study period, two were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer and both had persistent Likert 4 scores (at baseline and at least one follow-up MRI). CONCLUSIONS: Most biopsy-negative MRI lesions in the prostate resolve over time, but any persistent lesions should be closely monitored. PATIENT SUMMARY: Lesions in the prostate detected via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that are negative for cancer on biopsy usually resolve. Repeat MRI can indicate persistent lesions that might need a second biopsy

Motives of cheating among secondary students: The role of self-efficacy and peer influence

A survey research study was conducted with a sample of 100 secondary students from a local secondary school about the motives of cheating. The primary focus of this study was the interplay among variables of self-efficacy, peer influence and cheating. The results showed that students with low self-efficacy were more likely to cheat than those who perceived themselves as efficacious. It was further found that peers played a significant role in discouraging cheating by expressing disapproval and informing teachers of dishonest behaviour

Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Adult Study Protocol: Rationale, Objectives, and Design

IMPORTANCE: SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in ongoing, relapsing, or new symptoms or other health effects after the acute phase of infection; termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), or long COVID. The characteristics, prevalence, trajectory and mechanisms of PASC are ill-defined. The objectives of the Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Multi-site Observational Study of PASC in Adults (RECOVER-Adult) are to: (1) characterize PASC prevalence; (2) characterize the symptoms, organ dysfunction, natural history, and distinct phenotypes of PASC; (3) identify demographic, social and clinical risk factors for PASC onset and recovery; and (4) define the biological mechanisms underlying PASC pathogenesis. METHODS: RECOVER-Adult is a combined prospective/retrospective cohort currently planned to enroll 14,880 adults aged ≥18 years. Eligible participants either must meet WHO criteria for suspected, probable, or confirmed infection; or must have evidence of no prior infection. Recruitment occurs at 86 sites in 33 U.S. states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico, via facility- and community-based outreach. Participants complete quarterly questionnaires about symptoms, social determinants, vaccination status, and interim SARS-CoV-2 infections. In addition, participants contribute biospecimens and undergo physical and laboratory examinations at approximately 0, 90 and 180 days from infection or negative test date, and yearly thereafter. Some participants undergo additional testing based on specific criteria or random sampling. Patient representatives provide input on all study processes. The primary study outcome is onset of PASC, measured by signs and symptoms. A paradigm for identifying PASC cases will be defined and updated using supervised and unsupervised learning approaches with cross-validation. Logistic regression and proportional hazards regression will be conducted to investigate associations between risk factors, onset, and resolution of PASC symptoms. DISCUSSION: RECOVER-Adult is the first national, prospective, longitudinal cohort of PASC among US adults. Results of this study are intended to inform public health, spur clinical trials, and expand treatment options

TXS 0506+056 with Updated IceCube Data

Past results from the IceCube Collaboration have suggested that the blazar TXS 0506+056 is a potential source of astrophysical neutrinos. However, in the years since there have been numerous updates to event processing and reconstruction, as well as improvements to the statistical methods used to search for astrophysical neutrino sources. These improvements in combination with additional years of data have resulted in the identification of NGC 1068 as a second neutrino source candidate. This talk will re-examine time-dependent neutrino emission from TXS 0506+056 using the most recent northern-sky data sample that was used in the analysis of NGC 1068. The results of using this updated data sample to obtain a significance and flux fit for the 2014 TXS 0506+056 "untriggered" neutrino flare are reported

Galactic Core-Collapse Supernovae at IceCube: “Fire Drill” Data Challenges and follow-up

The next Galactic core-collapse supernova (CCSN) presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make astrophysical measurements using neutrinos, gravitational waves, and electromagnetic radiation. CCSNe local to the Milky Way are extremely rare, so it is paramount that detectors are prepared to observe the signal when it arrives. The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a gigaton water Cherenkov detector below the South Pole, is sensitive to the burst of neutrinos released by a Galactic CCSN at a level >10σ. This burst of neutrinos precedes optical emission by hours to days, enabling neutrinos to serve as an early warning for follow-up observation. IceCube\u27s detection capabilities make it a cornerstone of the global network of neutrino detectors monitoring for Galactic CCSNe, the SuperNova Early Warning System (SNEWS 2.0). In this contribution, we describe IceCube\u27s sensitivity to Galactic CCSNe and strategies for operational readiness, including "fire drill" data challenges. We also discuss coordination with SNEWS 2.0