Treatment Outcomes of Patients With Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis According to Drug Susceptibility Testing to First- and Second-line Drugs: An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis

The clinical validity of drug susceptibility testing (DST) for pyrazinamide, ethambutol, and second-line antituberculosis drugs is uncertain. In an individual patient data meta-analysis of 8955 patients with confirmed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, DST results for these drugs were associated with treatment outcome

Experimental confirmation of efficient island divertor operation and successful neoclassical transport optimization in Wendelstein 7-X

We present recent highlights from the most recent operation phases of Wendelstein 7-X, the most advanced stellarator in the world. Stable detachment with good particle exhaust, low impurity content, and energy confinement times exceeding 100 ms, have been maintained for tens of seconds. Pellet fueling allows for plasma phases with reduced ion-temperature-gradient turbulence, and during such phases, the overall confinement is so good (energy confinement times often exceeding 200 ms) that the attained density and temperature profiles would not have been possible in less optimized devices, since they would have had neoclassical transport losses exceeding the heating applied in W7-X. This provides proof that the reduction of neoclassical transport through magnetic field optimization is successful. W7-X plasmas generally show good impurity screening and high plasma purity, but there is evidence of longer impurity confinement times during turbulence-suppressed phases.EC/H2020/633053/EU/Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium/ EUROfusio

Low cost performance evaluation of passive solar buildings

An approach to low-cost instrumentation and performance evaluation of passive solar heated buildings is presented. Beginning with a statement of the need for a low-cost approach, a minimum list of measured quantities necessary to compute a set of recommended performance factors is developed. Conflicts and confusion surrounding the definition of various performance factors are discussed and suggestions are made for dealing with this situation. Available instrumentation and data processing equipment is presented. The recommended system would monitor approximately ten variables and compute numerous performance factors on site at a projected system cost of less than $3,000 per installation

European Prevalence of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Forecasting Study

The purpose of this study was to provide an estimate of the number of current and future patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in Europe. We systematically searched 11 literature databases on 18 May 2022 for studies on the prevalence of PCV among a consecutive and representative group of patients with suspected neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Prevalence of PCV in patients with suspected neovascular AMD was summarized and included in a prevalence meta-analysis. We then used current population data and population forecasts by Eurostat and the Office for National Statistics to determine current and future number of patients with neovascular AMD in Europe. Then, we calculated the number of patients with PCV with our calculated estimate of the prevalence of PCV among Europeans suspected with neovascular AMD. A total of five eligible studies were identified which included a total of 1359 patients. All these studies used the gold standard of indocyanine green angiography as a routine part of their diagnostic approach. Among patients undergoing detailed retinal examination for suspected neovascular AMD, our meta-analysis calculated the prevalence of PCV to be 8.3% (95% confidence interval: 6.8-9.8%). Our population estimates find that a total of 217,404 patients with PCV exist in Europe in the year 2022, which constitutes 0.04% of the entire population of Europe. This number is estimated to increase to 287,517 patients in the year 2040. Our estimates are important for different healthcare stakeholders, especially when planning and allocating expensive resources.Ophthalmic researc