Around-the-clock observations of the Q0957+561A,B gravitationally lensed quasar. II. Results for the second observing season

We report on an observing campaign in 2001 March to monitor the brightness of the later arriving Q0957+561B image in order to compare with the previously published brightness observations of the (first-arriving) A image. The 12 participating observatories provided 3543 image frames, which we have analyzed for brightness fluctuations. From our classical methods for time-delay determination, we find a 417.09 ± 0.07 day time delay, which should be free of effects due to incomplete sampling. During the campaign period, the quasar brightness was relatively constant and only small fluctuations were found; we compare the structure function for the new data with structure function estimates for the 1995-1996 epoch and show that the structure function during our observing interval is unusually depressed. We also examine the data for any evidence of correlated fluctuations at zero lag. We discuss the limits of our ability to measure the cosmological time delay if the quasar's emitting surface is time resolved, as seems likely

Predicting adverse perinatal outcomes with fetal modified myocardial performance index and epicardial fat tissue thickness in diabetes-complicated pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate fetal modified myocardial performance index (mod-MPI) and fetal epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes in diabetic pregnant women.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study including 90 gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 45 pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) and 90 healthy pregnant women (control group). Two-dimensional gray-scale and Doppler fetal echocardiography were used to calculate the mod-MPI. EFT thickness was measured in the hypoecho-genic area between the myocardium and the visceral pericardium on the right ventricle by distinguishing it from the pericardial fluid by Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: Both mod-MPI values and EFT thickness were significantly higher in diabetic pregnant women (p<0.001; for both). No significant differences were observed in mod-MPI values and EFT thickness between pregnant women with GDM and PGDM. In addition, there was no significant difference in fetal mod-MPI values and EFT thicknesses among diabetic pregnant women based on their treatment requirements. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that mod-MPI value (cut-off 0.54, 95% CI: 0.629-0.837, p<0.001, sensitivity 64.6%, specificity 61.7%) and EFT thickness (cut-off 1.85 mm, 95% CI: 0.524-0.750, p=0.014, sensitivity 65.8%, specificity 63.9%) could predict adverse neonatal outcomes in diabetic pregnant women. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that both mod-MPI (p=0.003) and EFT thickness (p=0.008) were independently associated with adverse outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: Fetal mod-MPI values and EFT thickness increase in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, and these measurements may serve as valuable predictors of adverse perinatal outcomes

A Rare Case of Partial Unilateral Corpus Cavernosum Agenesis With Concomitant Multiple Genitourinary Anomalies

Congenital penile agenesis is a rare condition with an incidence of 1 in 30 million, while other congenital malformations of the cavernous bodies are much less common. In a few cases in the literature, it has been reported that the reason for consulting a physician with these conditions is the insufficient erection. As a first reported case, we present a 16-year-old male patient with partial unilateral corpus cavernosum agenesis accompanying genitourinary anomalies. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc

Brain's alpha activity is highly reduced in euthymic bipolar disorder patients

Brain's alpha activity and alpha responses belong to major electrical signals that are related to sensory/cognitive signal processing. The present study aims to analyze the spontaneous alpha activity and visual evoked alpha response in drug free euthymic bipolar patients. Eighteen DSM-IV euthymic bipolar patients (bipolar I n = 15, bipolar II n = 3) and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Patients needed to be euthymic at least for 4 weeks and psychotrop free for at least 2 weeks. Spontaneous EEG (4 min eyes closed, 4 min eyes open) and evoked alpha response upon application of simple visual stimuli were analyzed. EEG was recorded at 30 positions. The digital FFT-based power spectrum analysis was performed for spontaneous eyes closed and eyes open conditions and the response power spectrum was also analyzed for simple visual stimuli. In the analysis of spontaneous EEG, the ANOVA on alpha responses revealed significant results for groups (F(1,34) = 8.703; P < 0.007). Post-hoc comparisons showed that spontaneous EEG alpha power of healthy subjects was significantly higher than the spontaneous EEG alpha power of euthymic patients. Furthermore, visual evoked alpha power of healthy subjects was significantly higher than visual evoked alpha power of euthymic patients (F(1,34) = 4.981; P < 0.04). Decreased alpha activity in spontaneous EEG is an important pathological EEG finding in euthymic bipolar patients. Together with an evident decrease in evoked alpha responses, the findings may lead to a new pathway in search of biological correlates of cognitive impairment in bipolar disorder

Significantly increased levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in rheumatic heart disease: a beneficial role for MBL deficiency

Although mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is known to be involved in the primary defense against microorganisms, there are emerging lines of evidence for an active proinflammatory role for MBL in different chronic diseases. In this study we determined the circulating levels of MBL in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). A total of 100 patients (77 women, 23 men; mean age 45·8 ± 11 years, range 19–76 years) with chronic RHD, and a previous diagnosis of rheumatic fever, were studied. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients to evaluate valvular heart disease. Ninety-nine healthy individuals matched for age, sex and ethnic origin were included as controls. MBL concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and C3 and C4 levels by turbidimetry. MBL levels were significantly higher in patients with RHD than in healthy subjects (mean ± SEM: 3036·2 ± 298·9 ng/ml versus 1942·6 ± 185·5 ng/ml, P < 0·003). In addition, MBL deficiency was more prevalent in controls (17·1%) than in patients (9% P < 0·09). Concentrations of C4 were within the normal range (22·7 ± 0·8 mg/dl, normal: 10·0–40·0 mg/dl), while C3 concentrations were found to be elevated (109·2 ± 3·6 mg/dl, normal: 50·0–90·0 mg/dl). No correlation was observed between serum MBL levels and valve area or the type of surgical procedure. The significantly elevated circulating MBL levels in patients with RHD together with the greater prevalence of MBL deficiency in controls suggest that MBL may cause undesirable complement activation contributing to the pathogenesis of RHD