A non-variational approach to nonlinear stability in stellar dynamics applied to the King model

In previous work by Y. Guo and G. Rein, nonlinear stability of equilibria in stellar dynamics, i.e., of steady states of the Vlasov-Poisson system, was accessed by variational techniques. Here we propose a different, non-variational technique and use it to prove nonlinear stability of the King model against a class of spherically symmetric, dynamically accessible perturbations. This model is very important in astrophysics and was out of reach of the previous techniques

Apolipoprotein E epsilon 4 (APOE-ε4) genotype is associated with decreased 6-month verbal memory performance after mild traumatic brain injury

Introduction: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele associates with memory impairment in neurodegenerative diseases. Its association with memory after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is unclear. Methods: mTBI patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score 13–15, no neurosurgical intervention, extracranial Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≤1) aged ≥18 years with APOE genotyping results were extracted from the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot (TRACK-TBI Pilot) study. Cohorts determined by APOE-ε4(+/−) were assessed for associations with 6-month verbal memory, measured by California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II) subscales: Immediate Recall Trials 1–5 (IRT), Short-Delay Free Recall (SDFR), Short-Delay Cued Recall (SDCR), Long-Delay F

Multiethnic meta-analysis identifies ancestry-specific and cross-ancestry loci for pulmonary function

Nearly 100 loci have been identified for pulmonary function, almost exclusively in studies of European ancestry populations. We extend previous research by meta-analyzing genome-wide association studies of 1000 Genomes imputed variants in relation to pulmonary function in a multiethnic population of 90,715 individuals of European (N = 60,552), African (N = 8429), Asian (N = 9959), and Hispanic/Latino (N = 11,775) ethnicities. We identify over 50 additional loci at genome-wide significance in ancestry-specific or multiethnic meta-analyses. Using recent fine-mapping methods incorporating functional annotation, gene expression, and differences in linkage disequilibrium between ethnicities, we further shed light on potential causal variants and genes at known and newly identified loci. Several of the novel genes encode proteins with predicted or established drug targets, including KCNK2 and CDK12. Our study highlights the utility of multiethnic and integrative genomics approaches to extend existing knowledge of the genetics of l

Cohort Profile: Pregnancy And Childhood Epigenetics (PACE) Consortium.

Development Psychopathology in context: famil

Prevalence and determinants of virological failure in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy in rural Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: In Africa, success of antiretroviral treatment (ART) seems to lag behind in children compared with adults, and high therapeutic failure rates have been reported. We aimed to identify prevalence and determinants of virological failure in HIV-infected children treated under programmatic conditions. METHODS: All patients 200 copies/ml). Among children on nevirapine (NVP), plasma levels were subtherapeutic in 14.2% and supratherapeutic in 42.2%. Determinants of virological failure included male sex, lower CD4(+) T-cell counts, subtherapeutic drug levels, longer time on ART and a deceased mother. Poor adherence was associated with subtherapeutic NVP plasma levels and advanced disease stages (WHO stage 3/4). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates high virological failure rates and a high variability of NVP plasma levels among HIV-infected children in a routine ART programme in rural Cameroon. Strategies to improve adherence to ART in HIV-infected children are urgently needed

Diagnosis and Management of Systemic Endemic Mycoses Causing Pulmonary Disease

Systemic endemic mycoses cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in certain regions of the world and the real impact on global health is not well understood. Diagnosis and management remain challenging, especially in low-prevalence settings, where disease awareness is lacking. The main challenges include the variability of clinical presentation, the fastidious and slow-growing nature of the fungal pathogens, the paucity of diagnostic tests, and the lack of options and toxicity of antifungal drugs. Coccidioidomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis are restricted to the Americas only, and while histoplasmosis and blastomycosis also occur predominantly in the Americas, these mycoses have also been reported on other continents, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Talaromycosis is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions in South-East Asia and southern China. Systemic endemic mycoses causing pulmonary disease are usually acquired via the airborne route by inhalation of fungal spores. Infections can range from asymptomatic or mild with flu-like illnesses to severe pulmonary or disseminated diseases. Skin involvement is frequent in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, and talaromycosis and manifests as localized lesions or diffuse nodules in disseminated disease, but can also occur with other endemic mycoses. Culture and/or characteristic histopathology from clinical samples is the diagnostic standard for endemic mycoses. Immunological assays are often not available for the diagnosis of most endemic mycoses and molecular amplification methods for the detection of fungal nucleic acids are not standardized at present. The first-line treatment for mild to moderate histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, and talaromycosis is itraconazole. Severe illness is treated with amphotericin B. Patients with severe coccidioidomycosis should receive fluconazole. Treatment duration depends on the specific endemic mycosis, the severity of disease, and the immune status of the patient, ranging between 6 weeks and lifelong treatment. (C) 2018 S. Karger AG, Base

Sólidos totais do leite em amostras de tanque nos estados do Paraná, Santa Catarina e São Paulo Milk total solids in bulk tank samples of Paraná, Santa Catarina and São Paulo States

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a variação dos sólidos totais em amostras de leite de tanques de 32.590 rebanhos dos estados do Paraná, Santa Catarina e São Paulo. Foram analisadas 257.540 amostras de leite de tanques coletadas entre janeiro de 1999 e novembro de 2001, no Laboratório Central do Programa de Análise de Rebanhos Leiteiros do Paraná (PARLPR), da Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa. Utilizando-se o método dos quadrados mínimos, foram estudados os efeitos de rebanho, região, mês e ano de análise, idade da amostra e escore de células somáticas sobre os sólidos totais, em amostras de leite de tanques. As médias ajustadas dos sólidos totais por região variaram de 11,78 a 12,83%; a maior média foi verificada em maio de 2001 e a menor, em janeiro de 2000; os sólidos totais não demonstraram variação até o quinto dia de análise; o efeito de escore de células somáticas foi contraditório, se comparado aos relatados por outros autores. Todos os fatores incluídos no modelo linear foram altamente significativos sobre as características analisadas. O coeficiente de correlação entre sólidos totais e seus componentes foi de 0,875 para gordura, 0,653 para proteína, 0,237 para lactose, e 0,643 para sólidos não-gordurosos. A correlação de sólidos totais com contagem de células somáticas foi 0,012, e com escore de células somáticas, de 0,023.<br>The objective of this research was to study the variation of total solids in bulk tank milk samples in 32,590 herds of Paraná, Santa Catarina and São Paulo states, in Brazil. A total of 257,540 bulk tank samples collected between January 1999 and November 2001 were analyzed at the Central Laboratory of the Programa de Análise dos Rebanhos Leiteiros do Paraná (PARLPR) of the Holstein Association of the state of Paraná. Least Square Means Method procedures were used to study the effects of herd, region, month and year of test, age of the sample and somatic cell score on total solids of bulk tank milk. The adjusted means of total solids by region ranged from 11.78 to 12.83%; the greatest means were in May 2001 and the smallest in January 2000; total solids did not show variation until the fifth day of analysis; the effect of cell score was contradictory, when compared with other authors. All factors included in the linear model had highly significant effect on the trait analyzed. The correlation coefficient between total solids and their components were 0.875 for fat, 0.653 for protein, 0.237 for lactose, and 0.643 for solids not fat. Correlation of total solids with somatic cell count was 0.012, and 0.023 with somatic cell score