1,072 research outputs found
Update in diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease
The field of interstitial lung disease (ILD) has undergone significant evolution in recent years, with an increasing incidence and more complex, ever expanding disease classification. In their most severe forms, these diseases lead to progressive loss of lung function, respiratory failure and eventually death. Despite notable advances, progress has been challenged by a poor understanding of pathological mechanisms and patient heterogeneity, including variable progression. The diagnostic pathway is thus being continually refined, with the introduction of tools such as transbronchial cryo lung biopsy and a move towards genetically aided, precision medicine. In this review, we focus on how to approach a patient with ILD and the diagnostic process
Diffusion-controlled phase growth on dislocations
We treat the problem of diffusion of solute atoms around screw dislocations.
In particular, we express and solve the diffusion equation, in radial symmetry,
in an elastic field of a screw dislocation subject to the flux conservation
boundary condition at the interface of a new phase. We consider an incoherent
second-phase precipitate growing under the action of the stress field of a
screw dislocation. The second-phase growth rate as a function of the
supersaturation and a strain energy parameter is evaluated in spatial
dimensions d=2 and d=3. Our calculations show that an increase in the amplitude
of dislocation force, e.g. the magnitude of the Burgers vector, enhances the
second-phase growth in an alloy. Moreover, a relationship linking the
supersaturation to the precipitate size in the presence of the elastic field of
dislocation is calculated.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, a revised version of the paper presented in
MS&T'08, October 5-9, 2008, Pittsburg
Surfing the π-clouds for Non-covalent Interactions: A comparative Study of Arenes versus Alkenes
A comparative study by NMR spectroscopy using molecular balances indicates that non-covalent functional group interactions with an arene dominate over those with an alkene and a p-facial intramolecular hydrogen bond from a hydroxyl group to an arene is favoured by ~1.2 kJ mol-1. The strongest interaction observed in this study is with the cyano group and analysis of the series of Et, CH=CH2, C≡CH and C≡N groups is indicative of a weak long range electrostatic interaction and a correlation with the electrophilicity of the Ca atom of the Y substituent. Changes in the free energy differences of conformers show a linear dependence on the solvent hydrogen bond acceptor parameter β
Evolution of 18F-FDG-PET/CT findings in patients following COVID-19 pneumonia: An Initial Investigation
Background: The evolution of pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake is unknown in patients with pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 pneumonia) and in those with persistent respiratory symptoms post-COVID-19 termed Post-COVID-19 Lung-Disease (PCLD). The aim of this study was to assess the temporal evolution of pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake and identify a potential role for the use of 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging in the management of these patients. Methods: Clinical data and CT imaging of all patients that underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging at UCLH, Lon-don during the UK pandemic were reviewed to find evidence of active or recovered SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results of PCR tests were used where available. Patients were divided in to acute (early and late) COVID-19 pneumonia, PCLD and asymptomatic recovery. 18F-FDG uptake in the lungs was measured as a target-to-background ratio (SUVmax/SUVmin) TBRlung which was compared to temporal-stage and plasma CRP. Results: There were 50 patients in total (median 61y, range 18-87y, 32-male): 23 incidental acute COVID-19 pneumonia cases identified retrospectively (8 Early, 15 Late), 9 asymptomatic recovered patients, and 18 cases performed for PCLD. In acute COVID-19 patients <3 weeks since disease onset TBRlung was strongly correlated with time since disease onset (rs=0.81, p<0.001)
Impaired decisional impulsivity in pathological videogamers
Abstract
Background
Pathological gaming is an emerging and poorly understood problem. Impulsivity is commonly impaired in disorders of behavioural and substance addiction, hence we sought to systematically investigate the different subtypes of decisional and motor impulsivity in a well-defined pathological gaming cohort.
Methods
Fifty-two pathological gaming subjects and age-, gender- and IQ-matched healthy volunteers were tested on decisional impulsivity (Information Sampling Task testing reflection impulsivity and delay discounting questionnaire testing impulsive choice), and motor impulsivity (Stop Signal Task testing motor response inhibition, and the premature responding task). We used stringent diagnostic criteria highlighting functional impairment.
Results
In the Information Sampling Task, pathological gaming participants sampled less evidence prior to making a decision and scored fewer points compared with healthy volunteers. Gaming severity was also negatively correlated with evidence gathered and positively correlated with sampling error and points acquired. In the delay discounting task, pathological gamers made more impulsive choices, preferring smaller immediate over larger delayed rewards. Pathological gamers made more premature responses related to comorbid nicotine use. Greater number of hours played also correlated with a Motivational Index. Greater frequency of role playing games was associated with impaired motor response inhibition and strategy games with faster Go reaction time.
Conclusions
We show that pathological gaming is associated with impaired decisional impulsivity with negative consequences in task performance. Decisional impulsivity may be a potential target in therapeutic management
Urban blue space renovation and local resident and visitor well-being: A case study from Plymouth, UK
This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordObservational studies have suggested that people with better access to attractive, safe, and inclusive blue spaces enjoy higher psychological well-being, with particular benefits for those living in deprived urban areas. However, intervention studies are scarce. To help bridge this gap we conducted a repeat cross-sectional study exploring local resident and visitor well-being before and after a small-scale intervention aimed at improving the quality of an urban beach area in a deprived neighbourhood in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Physical alterations were co-created with local stakeholders and residents, and accompanied by a series of on-site community events. Key outcomes were self-reported psychological well-being, satisfaction with personal safety and community belonging, and perceptions of site quality. Adjusted linear models showed that positive well-being (B = 7.42; 95% CI = 4.18–10.67) and life satisfaction (B = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.11–0.70) were both higher after the intervention compared to before, with associations for life satisfaction stronger among those who visited the site in the last four weeks. Associations with positive well-being were partially mediated by greater satisfaction with community belonging; and associations with life satisfaction were partially and independently mediated by greater satisfaction with personal safety and community belonging. Although caution needs to be taken due to the repeat cross-sectional design and the sampling of site visitors as well as local residents, the findings support the idea that environmental improvements to urban blue spaces can foster better psychological well-being, and underline the importance of community involvement in the process.European Union Horizon 2020Amsterdam Public Health Research Institut
Microbial ligand costimulation drives neutrophilic steroid-refractory asthma
Funding: The authors thank the Wellcome Trust (102705) and the Universities of Aberdeen and Cape Town for funding. This research was also supported, in part, by National Institutes of Health GM53522 and GM083016 to DLW. KF and BNL are funded by the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, BNL is the recipient of an European Research Commission consolidator grant and participates in the European Union FP7 programs EUBIOPRED and MedALL. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
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