Treatment Toxicity: Radiation

Radiation exposures, both intentional and unintentional, have influence on normal tissue function. Short-term and long-term injuries can occur to all cell systems of both limited and rapid self-renewal potential. Radiation effects can last a lifetime for a patient and can produce complications for all organs and systems. Often invisible at the time of exposure, the fingerprints for cell damage can appear at any timepoint after. Health-care providers will need comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the acute and late effects of radiation exposure and how these interrelate with immediate and long-term care

Glaucoma in primates: cytochrome oxidase reactivity in parvo- and magnocellular

PURPOSE. To evaluate the differential effects of ganglion cell depletion from experimental glaucoma on the relative metabolic activities of neurons in the parvo (P)-and magno (M)-cellular visual pathways of the macaque visual system. METHODS. Monocular experimental glaucoma was induced in monkeys (Macaca mulatta and M. fascicularis) by applying a laser to the trabecular meshwork to increase intraocular pressure (IOP). After other behavioral and electrophysiological studies, the lateral geniculate nuclei (LGNs) and the primary visual cortices were analyzed for functional afference from surviving ganglion cells, indicated by cytochrome oxidase (CO) histochemistry. RESULTS. CO reactivity (COR) indicated a general reduction in neural metabolism with increasing severity of glaucoma. COR in the LGNs was reduced to the same degree in both the P-and M-cellular layers. In layer 4C␤ of the V1 cortex, the reactivity was always reduced more than in the layer 4C␣ division. CONCLUSIONS. Experimental glaucoma in monkeys reduces visual afference to the central nervous system, thereby reducing the metabolic drive as indicated by COR. The detrimental effect of glaucoma did not appear to be any greater for the M-cell, rather than the P-cell pathway in the LGN or in the visual cortex. Both are affected by the duration and severity of the experimental glaucoma. Overall, the alterations in metabolism of neurons in the parallel visual pathways supplied by the P␣ and P␤ ganglion cells do not suggest that tests based on the functional properties of one or the other would provide optimal assessment of glaucoma. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41: 1791-180

Acquisition and Management of Data for Translational Science in Oncology

Oncology clinical trials provide opportunity to advance care for patients with cancer. Bridging basic science with bedside care, cancer clinical trials have brought new and updated scientific knowledge at a rapid pace. Managing subject data in translation science requires a sophisticated informatics infrastructure that will enable harmonized datasets across all areas that could influence outcomes. Successful translational science requires that all relevant information be made readily available in a digital format that can be queried in a facile manner. Through a translational science prism, we look at past issues in cancer clinical trials and the new National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute initiative to address the need of database availability at an enterprise level

Transformerless topologies for grid-connected single-phase photovoltaic inverters

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in . Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections,structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS, [VOL 15 , ISSUE 7, (07/2011)] DOI 10.1016/j.rser.2011.03.034[EN] In order to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of a photovoltaic system, the use of transformerless photovoltaic inverters is an alternative of increasing interest. However, this topology needs to be studied in detail, as it presents some problems related to the galvanic connection between the grid and the photovoltaic generator (e.g. efficiency degradation and safety problems). In this paper, a review of grid-connected single-phase photovoltaic inverters based on transformerless topologies has been carried out. On the one hand, some alternatives based on classical topologies have been presented. On the other hand, alternatives based on multi-level inverter topologies have been studied, showing up that no leakage current is generated in comparison to classical topologies. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under grant ENE2009-13998-C02-02.Patrao Herrero, I.; Figueres Amorós, E.; González Espín, FJ.; Garcerá Sanfeliú, G. (2011). Transformerless topologies for grid-connected single-phase photovoltaic inverters. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 15(7):3423-3431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.03.034S3423343115

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Re-imagining Periphery: On Identifying Development Opportunity of North Anhui through Place-based Circular Transition

North Anhui 6 cities locate at the periphery of Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in the eastern part of China. Even though YRD are the country’s most developed region, north Anhui are the most underdeveloped area according to Human Development Index in the region with only 1/5 of the core area’s GDP per capita. Large population outflow and high take-up of primary industry are two key features of the area. All 6 cities are secondary cities (non-capital prefecture-city), with similar GDP total amount and different development momentum. The 6 cities’ geographical location also lays in the middle ground of two urban agglomeration, Xuzhou urban agglomeration and Greater Shanghai Metropolitan Area, giving them opportunities to exploit the development opportunities offered by both. Currently, the Yangtze River Delta is facing the urgency to transit its current industrial landscape into a carbon-neutral circular economy. A new industrial value chain is about to be implemented throughout the region which can be a chance for the north Anhui area. The project thus raises the research question: how and to what extend can circular transition help develop peripheral area. By combining Stan Allen’s infrastructural urbanism and Jo Williams’ three pillars of circular development, the project proposes the concept of place-based circular transition which guide the strategy setting towards agro-industrial synergy, regenerative agriculture and distributive justice through designing hard, soft and organizational infrastructures. The project is thus not only a proposition of new way of looking at region development equality, but also discusses a missing yet important spatial aspect of circular transition.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Complex Citie