2,852 research outputs found
Using multiple geochemical proxies to trace origin of gypsum (Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, -70ka).
This paper discusses the geochemical
signature of the Carpentaria evaporitic
levels using minor-trace and rare-earth
elements (REE) and Sr, O, C and S isotopes. The chemistry of these evaporites reveals important criteria for distinguishing between ancient marine and non-marine evaporites. © 2007, Sociedad Geologica de Espan
Unmasking a new prognostic marker and therapeutic target from the GDNF-RET/PIT1/p14ARF/p53 pathway in acromegaly
Most of acromegaly is caused by a sporadic somatotropinoma and a couple of novel gene mutations responsible for somatotropinoma have recently been reported. To determine the cause of sporadic somatotropinoma in Japanese patients, we analyzed 61 consecutive Japanese patients with somatotropinoma without apparent family history. Comprehensive genetic analysis revealed that 31 patients harbored guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha stimulating (GNAS) mutations (50.8%) and three patients harbored aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) mutations (4.9%). No patients had G protein-coupled receptor 101 (GPR101) mutations. The patients in this cohort study were categorized into three groups of AIP, GNAS, and others and compared the clinical characteristics. The AIP group exhibited significantly younger age at diagnosis, larger tumor, and higher nadir GH during oral glucose tolerance test. In all patients with AIP mutation, macro- and invasive tumor was detected and repetitive surgery or postoperative medical therapy was needed. One case showed a refractory response to postoperative somatostatin analogue (SSA) but after the addition of cabergoline as combined therapy, serum IGF-I levels were controlled. The other case showed a modest response to SSA and the switching to cabergoline monotherapy was also effective. These data suggest that although resistance to SSA has been reported in patients with AIP mutations, the response to dopamine agonist (DA) may be retained. In conclusion, the cause of sporadic somatotropinoma in Japanese patients was comparable with the previous reports in Caucasians, patients with AIP mutations showed unique clinical characteristics, and DA may be a therapeutic option for patients with AIP mutations
Screening for Gynecologic Conditions With Pelvic Examination US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
IMPORTANCE Many conditions that can affect women\u27s health are often evaluated through pelvic examination. Although the pelvic examination is a common part of the physical examination, it is unclear whether performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic women has a significant effect on disease morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE To issue a new US Preventive Services Task Force(USPSTF) recommendation on screening for gynecologic conditions with pelvic examination for conditions other than cervical cancer, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, for which the USPSTF has already made specific recommendations. EVIDENCE REVIEW The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the accuracy, benefits, and potential harms of performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women 18 years and older who are not at increased risk for any specific gynecologic condition. FINDINGS Overall, the USPSTF found inadequate evidence on screening pelvic examinations for the early detection and treatment of a range of gynecologic conditions in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of performing screening pelvic examinations in asymptomatic, nonpregnant adult women. (I statement) This statement does not apply to specific disorders for which the USPSTF already recommends screening (ie, screening for cervical cancer with a Papanicolaou smear, screening for gonorrhea and chlamydia)
In Vitro Activity of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam Against Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Causing Urinary, Intra-Abdominal and Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Intensive Care Units in Portugal: the STEP Multicenter Study
The STEP surveillance study was designed to increase knowledge about distribution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Portugal, focusing on the intensive care unit (ICU). Antimicrobial susceptibility of common agents was also evaluated and compared with that of one of the latest therapeutic introductions, ceftolozane-tazobactam (C/T). Clinical isolates of Enterobacterales (n=426) and P. aeruginosa (n=396) from patients admitted in Portuguese ICUs were included. Activity of C/T and comparators was investigated using standard broth microdilution. Isolates were recovered from urinary tract (UTI, 36.9%), intra-abdominal (IAI, 24.2%) and lower respiratory tract (LRTI, 38.9%) infections. In P. aeruginosa, overall distribution of MDR/extremely-drug resistant (XDR)/pan-drug resistant (PDR) isolates accounted for 21.2%, 23.2% and 0.8%, respectively. C/T was the most potent agent tested against P. aeruginosa and MDR/XDR/PDR phenotypes. In Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase (CP) phenotypes accounted for 16.6% and 1.7%, respectively, whereas in Klebsiella spp., ESBL and CP-phenotypes represented 28.5% and 17.9%, respectively. Overall, susceptibility of C/T against Enterobacterales was 86.9%. C/T was the least affected agent in E. coli (99.4% susceptibility), whereas its activity was moderate in Klebsiella spp. (71.5%) and Enterobacter spp. (70.4%), due in part to a high rate of ESBL and CP-phenotypes. In Enterobacterales, blaKPC was the most prevalent CP gene (63.0%), followed by blaOXA-48 (33.3%) and blaVIM (3.7%). These microbiological results reinforce C/T as a therapeutic option in ICU patients with UTI, IAI or LRTI due to P. aeruginosa or Enterobacterales isolates, but not for CP producers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Improving the delivery and efficiency of fungus-impregnated cloths for control of adult Aedes aegypti using a synthetic attractive lure
Abstract Background Entomopathogenic fungi are highly promising agents for controlling Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Deploying fungus-impregnated black cloths in PET traps efficiently reduced Ae. aegypti female survival rates under intra-domicile conditions. With the aim of further increasing the effectiveness of the traps, the addition of attractive lures to fungus-impregnated traps was evaluated. Methods Black cloths were suspended inside 2 l plastic bottles called “PET traps”. These traps were placed in rooms simulating human residences. The first experiments evaluated the attraction of mosquitoes to PET traps with black cloths covered in adhesive film with and without synthetic lures (AtrAedes™). Traps were left in the test rooms for either 24 or 48 h. The attractiveness of the lures over time was also evaluated. The efficiency of PET traps with fungus-impregnated black cloths associated with lures was compared to that of traps without lures. Results The highest percentage of captured mosquitoes (31 and 66%) were observed in PET traps with black cloths covered in adhesive film + attractive lure maintained in test rooms for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Black cloths covered in adhesive film captured 17 or 36% of the mosquitoes at 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The attractiveness of the lures fell gradually over time, capturing 37% after 5 days on the bench and 22% of the mosquitoes after 30 days exposure to ambient conditions. Associating attractive synthetic lures with black cloths impregnated with M. anisopliae placed in test rooms for 120 h reduced mean survival to 32%, whilst black cloths impregnated with M. anisopliae without lures resulted in a 48% survival rate. Using Beauveria bassiana in the traps resulted in a 52% reduction in mosquito survival, whilst combining Beauveria and AtrAedes resulted in a 36% survival rate. PET traps impregnated with fungus + AtrAedes resulted in similar reductions in survival when left in the rooms for 24, 48, 72 or 120 h. Conclusions AtrAedes increased attractiveness of PET traps with black cloths under intra-domicile conditions and when associated with M. anisopliae or B. bassiana, significantly reduced Aedes survival. This strategy will reduce the number of PET traps necessary per household
Recent advances on information transmission and storage assisted by noise
The interplay between nonlinear dynamic systems and noise has proved to be of
great relevance in several application areas. In this presentation, we focus on
the areas of information transmission and storage. We review some recent
results on information transmission through nonlinear channels assisted by
noise. We also present recent proposals of memory devices in which noise plays
an essential role. Finally, we discuss new results on the influence of noise in
memristors.Comment: To be published in "Theory and Applications of Nonlinear Dynamics:
Model and Design of Complex Systems", Proceedings of ICAND 2012 (Springer,
2014
Preparation and in vitro evaluation of 177Lu-iPSMA-RGD as a new heterobivalent radiopharmaceutical
This study aimed to synthesize a new 177Lu-iPSMA-RGD heterobivalent radiopharmaceutical, as well as to assess the in vitro radiopharmaceutical potential to target cancer cells overexpressing PSMA and a(v) b(3) integrins. The radiotracer prepared with a radiochemical purity of 98.8 ± 1.0% showed stability in human serum, specific recognition with suitable affinity to PSMA and a(v)b(3) integrins, and capability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and VEGF signaling (antiangiogenic effect). Results warrant further preclinical studies to establish the 177Lu-iPSMA-RGD potential as a dual therapeutic radiopharmaceutical.CONACyT-CB-2016-01-28152
Non-thermal emission processes in massive binaries
In this paper, I present a general discussion of several astrophysical
processes likely to play a role in the production of non-thermal emission in
massive stars, with emphasis on massive binaries. Even though the discussion
will start in the radio domain where the non-thermal emission was first
detected, the census of physical processes involved in the non-thermal emission
from massive stars shows that many spectral domains are concerned, from the
radio to the very high energies.
First, the theoretical aspects of the non-thermal emission from early-type
stars will be addressed. The main topics that will be discussed are
respectively the physics of individual stellar winds and their interaction in
binary systems, the acceleration of relativistic electrons, the magnetic field
of massive stars, and finally the non-thermal emission processes relevant to
the case of massive stars. Second, this general qualitative discussion will be
followed by a more quantitative one, devoted to the most probable scenario
where non-thermal radio emitters are massive binaries. I will show how several
stellar, wind and orbital parameters can be combined in order to make some
semi-quantitative predictions on the high-energy counterpart to the non-thermal
emission detected in the radio domain.
These theoretical considerations will be followed by a census of results
obtained so far, and related to this topic... (see paper for full abstract)Comment: 47 pages, 5 postscript figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy
and Astrophysics Review. Astronomy and Astrophysics Review, in pres
The mu problem and sneutrino inflation
We consider sneutrino inflation and post-inflation cosmology in the singlet
extension of the MSSM with approximate Peccei-Quinn(PQ) symmetry, assuming that
supersymmetry breaking is mediated by gauge interaction. The PQ symmetry is
broken by the intermediate-scale VEVs of two flaton fields, which are
determined by the interplay between radiative flaton soft masses and higher
order terms. Then, from the flaton VEVs, we obtain the correct mu term and the
right-handed(RH) neutrino masses for see-saw mechanism. We show that the RH
sneutrino with non-minimal gravity coupling drives inflation, thanks to the
same flaton coupling giving rise to the RH neutrino mass. After inflation,
extra vector-like states, that are responsible for the radiative breaking of
the PQ symmetry, results in thermal inflation with the flaton field, solving
the gravitino problem caused by high reheating temperature. Our model predicts
the spectral index to be n_s\simeq 0.96 due to the additional efoldings from
thermal inflation. We show that a right dark matter abundance comes from the
gravitino of 100 keV mass and a successful baryogenesis is possible via
Affleck-Dine leptogenesis.Comment: 27 pages, no figures, To appear in JHE
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