Pulmonary cavitation in coalworkers' pneumoconiosis: with special reference to the cavitation in the massive fibrotic form of the disease

1). An historical review is given of pulmonary cavitation occurring in coa'ltorkers, pith special reference to the observations of the nineteenth century Scottish physicians.2). Pulmonary cavitation may occur in association with simple pneumoconiosis. Eight such cases admitted to the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit ward between 1946 and 1952 are described. The differential diagnosis is discussed and the management and treatment are considered.3). Cavitation was discovered in 104 patients with progressive massive fibrosis admitted to the ward between the same dates. Of these 104 cases, 26 had tubercle bacilli in the sputum during life and 78 did not, although bacilli were cultured from the lungs of one of them at autopsy. Difficulty in classification may arise from the finding of nonpathogenic acid -fast bacilli in the sputum and the importance of animal inoculation is stressed.4). Fever, loss of weight, toxaemia and an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate are not reliable guides to the differentiation between sputum positive and negative cases of cavitated progressive massive fibrosis because the frequent non -tuberculous respiratory infections in patients with progressive massive fibrosis may affect these clinical findings.5). The prognosis for patient; in the sputum positive group of cavitated progressive massive fibrosis is poor, few surviving for more than two years after the appearance of tubercle bacilli in the sputum. In the absence of a positive sputum the prognosis for patients with cavitated progressive massive fibrosis is no vorse than for non-cavitated progressive massive fibrosis.6). Treatment is unsatisfactory but the sputum positive cases should be given anti-tuberculous drugs for the symptomatic benefit which they frequently confer. In sputum negative cases cavitation is of little clinical significance and such cases only require reassurance and possibly symptomatic treatment.7) . The nature and pathogenesis of coalworkers' pneumoconiosis are discussed. It is considered that simple pneumoconiosis is a pure coal dust effect. Progressive massive fibrosis occurs in lungs which already contain a certain amount of coal dust and is probably the result of some additional factor. There is evidence that this factor is tuberculous infection but the hypothesis remains unproven. Cavitation often occurs in massive fibrosis and it appears to be due to two basic processes, tuberculosis or ischaemic necrosis, acting alone or in combination

Androsterone glucuronide to dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate ratio is discriminatory for obese Caucasian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Androsterone glucuronide (ADTG) concentrations have been suggested as a marker of the effects of androgens at the target tissue level. As the mechanism for hyperandrogenemia in obese and nonobese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may differ, this study compared the different androgen parameters in non-obese compared to obese women with PCOS, and in normal subjects. METHODS: Eleven non-obese and 14 obese women with PCOS were recruited and compared to 11 control women without PCOS. Total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), ADTG, and androstenedione were analysed using gold standard tandem mass spectrometry, and the free androgen index (FAI) was calculated. RESULTS: Total testosterone, ADTG and androstendione levels did not differ between non-obese (body mass index (BMI) ≤25 kg/m2) and obese PCOS (BMI >25 kg/m2) but all were significantly higher than for controls (p < 0.01). The ADTG to DHEAS ratio was significantly elevated 39 ± 6 (p < 0.01) in obese PCOS in comparison to non-obese PCOS and controls (28 ± 5 and 29 ± 4, respectively). The free androgen index (FAI) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly higher in obese PCOS compared to non-obese PCOS and controls (p < 0.01). DHEAS was significantly higher in the non-obese versus obese PCOS (p < 0.01). All androgen parameters were significantly lower and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) significantly higher in normal subjects compared to those with obese and non-obese PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: The ADTG:DHEAS ratio was significantly elevated in obese PCOS compared to non-obese PCOS and controls suggesting that this may be a novel biomarker discriminatory for obese PCOS subjects, perhaps being driven by higher hepatic 5α reductase activity increasing ADTG formation in these women

Supplemental instruction in the first intermediate accounting course: Investigation of an intervention strategy to improve student performance: Working paper series--11-13

The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of supplemental instruction (SI) on students' performance in the first intermediate accounting course. We perform analysis of covariance to evaluate the effect of SI attendance on course grades, after controlling for incoming grade point average, financial principles grade, and whether the principles course was taken at a university or community college. Additionally, we provide descriptive information regarding student characteristics and SI usage. Results indicate that SI participation had a significant effect on the first intermediate course grade, with an improvement in course GPA of .57 for students who attended three or more SI sessions. Additionally, results confirm that the above control factors were all important indicators of success in the course. While this study's results suggest SI is a successful intervention strategy, it was conducted at one institution. Consequently, generalization of the results may be limited to similar institutions of higher learning, particularly for institutions with different student demographics. Additional research at dissimilar institutions, as well comparing SI to alternative intervention strategies, would help institutions allocate scarce resources among the most effective programs. This study extends prior research on SI impact to an upper-division accounting course, as well as combining the SI research stream with research on grade determinants in the first intermediate accounting course. Using this information to identify students at risk may help improve the potential for their success if academic advisors and course instructors strongly encourage these students throughout the semester to participate in SI

The racist bodily imaginary: the image of the body-in-pieces in (post)apartheid culture

This paper outlines a reoccurring motif within the racist imaginary of (post)apartheid culture: the black body-in-pieces. This disturbing visual idiom is approached from three conceptual perspectives. By linking ideas prevalent in Frantz Fanon’s description of colonial racism with psychoanalytic concepts such as Lacan’s notion of the corps morcelé, the paper offers, firstly, an account of the black body-in-pieces as fantasmatic preoccupation of the (post)apartheid imaginary. The role of such images is approached, secondly, through the lens of affect theory which eschews a representational ‘reading’ of such images in favour of attention to their asignifying intensities and the role they play in effectively constituting such bodies. Lastly, Judith Butler’s discussion of war photography and the conditions of grievability introduces an ethical dimension to the discussion and helps draw attention to the unsavory relations of enjoyment occasioned by such images

Assessment and Management of Obesity and Self-maintenance (AMOS): Outcomes of a multidisciplinary clinic for people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity

Background: Obesity is a prevalent and complex condition with genetic, environmental and behavioural determinants associated with comorbidities such as cancer, obstructive sleep apnoea, infertility, and cardiovascular disease. The Mean (M) BMI of adults attending Diabetes Clinics in regional Tasmania was 44.5 kg/m2. Interdisciplinary support leads to sustained weight loss and improved metabolic markers. However, reduced access to health services, nutritious dietary and physical activity options in rural and remote areas can challenge bariatric and diabetes management. Aim: To describe the effects of an interdisciplinary clinic focused on tailored bariatric management for people living with type 2 diabetes. Method: Single-centre randomised control trial in rural-regional Tasmania between 2015 and 2019. Participants randomly assigned to routine care (usual diabetes centre appointment) or intervention (tailored person-centred interdisciplinary bariatric management focused on self-maintenance). Intervention was provided by a nurse practitioner and dietitian (baseline, 6- and 12-weeks, then 3-monthly intervals to 24 months), a physiotherapist (baseline, 1-, 6- and 12-months), a credentialled diabetes educator at weeks 2, 4, 8, 10 (delivering support phone-calls), and psychologist when required. Glucose-lowering medicines altered to weight-neutral/lowering medicines. Metabolic surgery offered to suitable participants after 12-months. Results: 224 participants (113 intervention, 111 control). Mean age 60-years (24-73), 76.3% on disability/unemployment benefits and Indigenous Australians represented 7%. 16 had metabolic surgery (12 intervention, 4 control). Intervention participants showed greater weight loss (M=-4.2kg[MK1] (95% CI: -5.7, -2.6)) at 6-months; difference of -9.3kg (95%CI: -12.5, -6.2) at 24-month. HbA1c at 6-months showed greater reduction for intervention group (M=-0.37% (95%CI: -0.67%, -.06%)) and 24-months (-0.65% (95%CI: -1.07%, -.22%)). The rate of eGFR decline in the usual care group was 1.36ml/min/m2/year versus 0.23 ml/min/m2/year (difference 1.14ml/min/m2/year (95%CI -0.34, 2.63; P=0.14). Conclusion: The interdisciplinary bariatric management compared to usual care resulted in greater weight loss and improved glycaemia and differences were sustained for up to 2-years

The NIDDK Central Repository at 8 years—Ambition, Revision, Use and Impact

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Central Repository makes data and biospecimens from NIDDK-funded research available to the broader scientific community. It thereby facilitates: the testing of new hypotheses without new data or biospecimen collection; pooling data across several studies to increase statistical power; and informative genetic analyses using the Repository’s well-curated phenotypic data. This article describes the initial database plan for the Repository and its revision using a simpler model. Among the lessons learned were the trade-offs between the complexity of a database design and the costs in time and money of implementation; the importance of integrating consent documents into the basic design; the crucial need for linkage files that associate biospecimen IDs with the masked subject IDs used in deposited data sets; and the importance of standardized procedures to test the integrity data sets prior to distribution. The Repository is currently tracking 111 ongoing NIDDK-funded studies many of which include genotype data, and it houses over 5 million biospecimens of more than 25 types including serum, plasma, stool, urine, DNA, red blood cells, buffy coat and tissue. Repository resources have supported a range of biochemical, clinical, statistical and genetic research (188 external requests for clinical data and 31 for biospecimens have been approved or are pending). Genetic research has included GWAS, validation studies, development of methods to improve statistical power of GWAS and testing of new statistical methods for genetic research. We anticipate that the future impact of the Repository’s resources on biomedical research will be enhanced by (i) cross-listing of Repository biospecimens in additional searchable databases and biobank catalogs; (ii) ongoing deployment of new applications for querying the contents of the Repository; and (iii) increased harmonization of procedures, data collection strategies, questionnaires etc. across both research studies and within the vocabularies used by different repositories

SN2013fs and SN2013fr: Exploring the circumstellar-material diversity in Type II supernovae

We present photometry and spectroscopy of SN2013fs and SN2013fr in the first 100 days post-explosion. Both objects showed transient, relatively narrow H$\alpha$ emission lines characteristic of SNeIIn, but later resembled normal SNeII-P or SNeII-L, indicative of fleeting interaction with circumstellar material (CSM). SN2013fs was discovered within 8hr of explosion. Its light curve exhibits a plateau, with spectra revealing strong CSM interaction at early times. It is a less luminous version of the transitional SNIIn PTF11iqb, further demonstrating a continuum of CSM interaction intensity between SNeII-P and IIn. It requires dense CSM within 6.5$\times$10$^{14}$~cm of the progenitor, from a phase of advanced pre-SN mass loss shortly before explosion. Spectropolarimetry of SN2013fs shows little continuum polarization, but noticeable line polarization during the plateau phase. SN2013fr morphed from a SNIIn at early times to a SNII-L. After the first epoch its narrow lines probably arose from host-galaxy emission, but the bright, narrow H$\alpha$ emission at early times may be intrinsic. As for SN2013fs, this would point to a short-lived phase of strong CSM interaction if proven to be intrinsic, suggesting a continuum between SNeIIn and II-L. It is a low-velocity SNII-L, like SN2009kr but more luminous. SN2013fr also developed an IR excess at later times, due to warm CSM dust that require a more sustained phase of strong pre-SN mass loss.Comment: MNRAS accepted. 28 pages, 23 figures, 8 table

Levinson's theorem and scattering phase shift contributions to the partition function of interacting gases in two dimensions

We consider scattering state contributions to the partition function of a two-dimensional (2D) plasma in addition to the bound-state sum. A partition function continuity requirement is used to provide a statistical mechanical heuristic proof of Levinson's theorem in two dimensions. We show that a proper account of scattering eliminates singularities in thermodynamic properties of the nonideal 2D gas caused by the emergence of additional bound states as the strength of an attractive potential is increased. The bound-state contribution to the partition function of the 2D gas, with a weak short-range attraction between its particles, is found to vanish logarithmically as the binding energy decreases. A consistent treatment of bound and scattering states in a screened Coulomb potential allowed us to calculate the quantum-mechanical second virial coefficient of the dilute 2D electron-hole plasma and to establish the difference between the nearly ideal electron-hole gas in GaAs and the strongly correlated exciton/free-carrier plasma in wide-gap semiconductors such as ZnSe or GaN.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; new version corrects some minor typo