A novel test of gravity via black hole eikonal correspondence

When adopted in black hole spacetimes, geometric-optics approximations imply a mapping between the quasinormal mode (QNM) spectrum of black holes in the eikonal limit and black hole images. In particular, the real part and the imaginary part of eikonal QNM frequencies are associated with the apparent size and the detailed structure of the ring images, respectively. This correspondence could be violated when going beyond general relativity. We propose a novel method to test the eikonal correspondence via the comparison of two sets of observables from a nonrotating black hole, one extracted from QNM spectra and the other from the lensed photon rings on the image plane. Specifically, the photon ring observables robustly capture the information of the black hole spacetime itself regardless of the surrounding emission models. Therefore, the proposed test of eikonal correspondence can be validated in quite broad scenarios.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures. Matching published versio

Acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura in an adolescent with 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus infection

AbstractAlthough both leukopenia and thrombocytopenia are not uncommon hematological findings among patients with novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection, immune thrombocytopenic purpura has rarely been shown to be associated with this novel influenza A infection. Here, we describe a previously healthy adolescent who presented with fever, influenza-like symptoms and acute onset of generalized petechiae and active oral mucosa bleeding on the third day of his illness. Severe leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were found. There was neither malignancy nor blast cells found by bone marrow aspiration. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was positive for novel 2009 H1N1 influenza infection. Novel influenza-associated atypical immune thrombocytopenic purpura was diagnosed. The patient recovered uneventfully after oseltamivir and methylprednisolone therapy

Risk of liver dysfunction and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases in people with hidradenitis suppurativa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world evidences

BackgroundTo date, evidences with high evidence-level evaluating the association between liver diseases and hidradenitis suppurativa was lacking. Given that inconsistency exists in some of the previous observational studies, evaluating the prevalence of liver diseases in HS patients could potentially serve as a reference of future guidelines for HS comorbidity screening. The aim of the current study was to evaluate potential association between hidradenitis suppurativa and liver diseases and provide integrated evidences.MethodsA search in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase based on the syntaxes ‘‘hidradenitis suppurativa’’ or ‘‘acne inversa’’ with “comorbidities”, “liver diseases”, “fatty liver” or “hepatitis” was performed. Observational studies evaluating epidemiological association between hidradenitis suppurativa and the risk of all liver diseases, including specific diseases as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis B, hepatitis C were targeted to be extracted in this systematic review and meta-analysis.ResultsWithin the initial 702 records, there were finally 8 real-world observational studies extracted. Results suggest that patients with HS are associated with all liver diseases (OR= 1.50; 95% CI, 1.27, 1.76), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (OR= 1.78; 95% CI, 1.28, 2.48) and hepatitis B (OR=1.48; 95% CI, 1.12, 1.94), but not hepatitis C (OR= 1.27; 95% CI, 0.78, 2.07). HS patients were associated with significantly increased risk of liver diseases, especially the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatitis B.ConclusionsClinicians should be alert to the clinical relationship while caring people with hidradenitis suppurativa and the screening of liver function should be recommended to HS patients. Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022296034

Effects of Childhood Adversity and Resilience on Taiwanese Youth Health Behaviors

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can leave negative impacts on one\u27s health behaviors or social functioning later in life. Resilient characteristics have been shown to mitigate effects against risk behaviors in developing adolescents. However, clinical and research attention has rarely been given to jointly consider the effects of ACEs and resilient characteristics on health behaviors in Taiwanese youth. Method: A total of 200 individuals aged 15–22 years were recruited from primary care settings, communities, and schools. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their ACEs, resilient characteristics, and health behaviors. Univariate analysis was firstly used to describe the correlates of ACEs and resilient characteristics. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of both factors with health behaviors. Results: More than half (61.5%) of those surveyed had been exposed to at least one category of ACE. Verbal (37%) and physical (21%) abuses were the most common types of ACEs. The counts in the ACE categories were associated with being involved in physical fights (odds ratio 1.28 [confidence interval 1.01–1.63]), property damage (1.29 [1.03–1.61]), running away from home (1.30 [1.05–1.60]), bullying victimization (1.37 [1.16–1.61]), and sleep problems/tiredness (1.25 [1.03–1.52]). Meanwhile, resilience scores were associated with decreased odds of infrequent seatbelt use (0.47 [0.23–0.97]), low fruit and vegetable intake (0.42 [0.21–0.86]) unsatisfied body image (0.46 [0.22–0.97]), and sleep problems/tiredness (0.37 [0.18–0.79]). Conclusions: ACEs and resilience characteristics play a significant role in shaping youth health behaviors. Further research should be undertaken to identify ways to build resilience against health risks in youth with prior ACE exposure

Gender-Differential Associations between Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Symptoms and Youth Health Risk Behaviors

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the common developmental disorders that generally receives clinical attention at learning ages, and some symptoms may persist in young adulthood.1 Past research has demonstrated a consistent association between ADHD and youth health risk behaviors (e.g., cigarette smoking), which often develop during adolescence and contribute to early morbidity and mortality among young adults.2 However, ADHD symptoms are not routinely screened in adolescents and emerging adults during their visits to healthcare providers.3 The six-item Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS-6) for ADHD has been validated in the young population for screening purposes.4 This short form is time-saving and also provides a comparable predictivity of ADHD diagnosis as that of the original long version.5 Although accumulating evidence has demonstrated the association between ADHD symptoms and youth health risk behaviors, this issue has scarcely been explored in the Taiwanese youth population.6 Therefore, this study was conducted to validate the psychometric property of the Chinese version of ASRS-6 and examine the gender-stratified association between ADHD symptoms and youth health risk behaviors

Increased CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells correlate with poor short-term outcomes in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients

BackgroundThe roles of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) in chronicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been confirmed. We aimed to explore alteration of Treg in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).MethodsThirty-two HBV-related ACLF patients, 44 chronic hepatitis B patients, and 41 healthy controls were recruited. We detected frequencies of peripheral Treg and intrahepatic forkhead winged helix transcription factor (Foxp3)+ cells. Inhibitory activity of Treg was assessed by functional suppression assays. Serum interferon-γ and interleukin-10 were also determined.ResultsPeripheral Treg and intrahepatic Foxp3+ cells were more markedly increased in ACLF than chronic hepatitis B and controls (all p < 0.001), and the Foxp3+ cells located predominantly in the portal areas. The Treg frequency was positively correlated with HBV DNA load, international normalized ratio, model of end stage liver disease score, and serum interleukin-10 level in ACLF patients. Functional assays in vitro demonstrated that ACLF patients exhibited higher suppressive effects of Treg on proliferations of autologous CD4+CD25− T cells than controls. On logistic regression, prolonged international normalized ratio and higher peripheral Treg frequency predicted 30-day survival of ACLF.ConclusionThe patients with HBV-related ACLF exhibit increased amounts of Treg, of which redistribution from periphery to liver seems to modulate liver inflammation. Higher Treg amounts are associated with more severe liver disease in ACLF, and its level in combination with international normalized ratio may assist prediction of short-term outcomes of HBV-related ACLF

A 0.35 THz Extended Interaction Oscillator based on Overmoded and Bi-Periodic Structure

An improved topology of Extended interaction oscillators (EIO) is presented with enhanced efficiency at 0.35 THz. A bi-periodic ladder-type structure is used for optimizing the performance of the TM 31−2π mode operation, based on bi-periodic interaction gaps composed of staggered short and long slots. The bi-periodic interaction mechanism permits to operate the circuit with a standing-wave field between the π and 2π modes, thus providing the potential to combine the advantages of both π and 2π modes in terms of both coupling and output performance. The resulting transverse TM 31 operating mechanism exhibits a good agreement with the bi-periodic structure in terms of coupling performance, with the short slot length positively correlated with the value of effective characteristic impedance M2R/Q . The circuit demonstrates attractive coupling and output characteristics by optimization of M2R/Q and Qe . A state-of-the-art value M2R/Q of 59.69 Ω and a moderate Qe of 2523.52 are achieved for a proposed eight-period ladder-type EIO. An RF power of 540 W is obtained with a 42.5 kV, 0.6 A sheet beam, with 2.1% electronic efficiency at 0.35 THz

Mortality risk factors in patients with Acinetobacter baumannii ventilator-associated pneumonia

Background/PurposeVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii has contributed to high mortality rate, prolonged stays in the intensive care unit, and the rapid development of antimicrobial resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. This study sought to determine predictors of mortality and carbapenem resistance for patients with A baumannii VAP.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 541 adult patients with A baumannii pneumonia, who were admitted to a medical center between 2005 and 2007; of which 180 (33.3%) had been treated with mechanical ventilation. Of the 180 patients, 98 (54.4%) who survived were categorized as the survivor group, and 82 (45.6%) who died as the mortality group. Eighty-seven (48.3%) with imipenem-sensitive A baumannii VAP were categorized as the IS-AB group, and the remaining 93 (51.7%) with imipenem-resistant VAP as the IR-AB group.ResultsCompared with the survivor group, the mortality group had significantly higher Charlson comorbidity index scores, and more neoplastic disease, other sites of infection, bloodstream infections, altered mental status, confusion, urea >7 mmol/L, respiratory rate >30/min, low blood pressure (systolic <90 mmHg or diastolic <60 mmHg), age >65 years (CURB-65) ≥ 3, creatinine > 1.6 mg/dL, C-reactive protein ≥ 100 mg/L, and imipenem resistance. The survivor group had more cases of tracheostomy and diabetes mellitus than the mortality group had. Compared with the IS-AB group, the IR-AB group had higher Charlson comorbidity index scores, longer stays before VAP onset, an increase in other sites of infection, white blood cell count <4/μL or >1.1 × 104/μL, and higher hospital mortality rates.ConclusionInadequate initial empiric antimicrobial therapy and higher disease severity scores, including CURB ≥ 3 and C-reactive protein ≥ 120 mg/L, were independent risk factors associated with higher mortality rates for A baumannii pneumonia. Length of stay before VAP and white blood cell count <4/μL or >1.1 × 104/μL were independent risk factors for carbapenem resistance