Comprehensive time series analysis of the transiting extrasolar planet WASP-33b

HD 15082 (WASP-33) is the hottest and fastest rotating star known to harbor a transiting extrasolar planet (WASP-33b). The lack of high precision radial velocity (RV) data stresses the need for precise light curve analysis and gathering further RV data. By using available photometric and RV data, we perform a blend analysis, compute more accurate system parameters, confine the planetary mass and attempt to cast light on the observed transit anomalies. We combine the original HATNet observations and various followup data to jointly analyze the signal content and extract the transit component and use our RV data to aid the global parameter determination. The blend analysis of the combination of multicolor light curves yields the first independent confirmation of the planetary nature of WASP-33b. We clearly identify three frequency components in the 15-21 1/day regime with amplitudes 7-5 mmag. These frequencies correspond to the delta Scuti-type pulsation of the host star. None of these pulsation frequencies or their low-order linear combinations are in close resonance with the orbital frequency. We show that these pulsation components explain some but not all of the observed transit anomalies. The grand-averaged transit light curve shows that there is a ~1.5 mmag brightening shortly after the planet passes the mid-transit phase. Although the duration and amplitude of this brightening varies, it is visible even through the direct inspections of the individual transit events (some 40-60% of the followup light curves show this phenomenon). We suggest that the most likely explanation of this feature is the presence of a well-populated spot belt which is highly inclined to the orbital plane. This geometry is consistent with the inference from the spectroscopic anomalies. Finally, we constrain the planetary mass to M_p=3.27+/-0.73 M_J by using our RV data collected by the TRES spectrograph.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figures, 7 tables, submitted to A&

Effect of COMBinAtion therapy with remote ischemic conditioning and exenatide on the Myocardial Infarct size: a two-by-two factorial randomized trial (COMBAT-MI)

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) and the GLP-1 analog exenatide activate different cardioprotective pathways and may have additive effects on infarct size (IS). Here, we aimed to assess the efficacy of RIC as compared with sham procedure, and of exenatide, as compared with placebo, and the interaction between both, to reduce IS in humans. We designed a two-by-two factorial, randomized controlled, blinded, multicenter, clinical trial. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) within 6 h of symptoms were randomized to RIC or sham procedure and exenatide or matching placebo. The primary outcome was IS measured by late gadolinium enhancement in cardiac magnetic resonance performed 3–7 days after PPCI. The secondary outcomes were myocardial salvage index, transmurality index, left ventricular ejection fraction and relative microvascular obstruction volume. A total of 378 patients were randomly allocated, and after applying exclusion criteria, 222 patients were available for analysis. There were no significant interactions between the two randomization factors on the primary or secondary outcomes. IS was similar between groups for the RIC (24 ± 11.8% in the RIC group vs 23.7 ± 10.9% in the sham group, P = 0.827) and the exenatide hypotheses (25.1 ± 11.5% in the exenatide group vs 22.5 ± 10.9% in the placebo group, P = 0.092). There were no effects with either RIC or exenatide on the secondary outcomes. Unexpected adverse events or side effects of RIC and exenatide were not observed. In conclusion, neither RIC nor exenatide, or its combination, were able to reduce IS in STEMI patients when administered as an adjunct to PPCI

Mice lacking endoglin in macrophages show an impaired immune response

24 p.-9 fig.-1 tab. Ojeda Fernández, Luisa et al.Endoglin is an auxiliary receptor for members of the TGF-β superfamily and plays an important role in the homeostasis of the vessel wall. Mutations in endoglin gene (ENG) or in the closely related TGF-β receptor type I ACVRL1/ALK1 are responsible for a rare dominant vascular dysplasia, the Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), or Rendu-OslerWeber syndrome. Endoglin is also expressed in human macrophages, but its role in macrophage function remains unknown. In this work, we show that endoglin expression is triggered during the monocyte-macrophage differentiation process, both in vitro and during the in vivo differentiation of blood monocytes recruited to foci of inflammation in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. To analyze the role of endoglin in macrophages in vivo, an endoglin myeloid lineage specific knock-out mouse line (Engfl/flLysMCre) was generated. These mice show a predisposition to develop spontaneous infections by opportunistic bacteria. Engfl/flLysMCre mice also display increased survival following LPS-induced peritonitis, suggesting a delayed immune response. Phagocytic activity is impaired in peritoneal macrophages, altering one of the main functions of macrophages which contributes to the initiation of the immune response. We also observed altered expression of TGF-β1 target genes in endoglin deficient peritoneal macrophages. Overall, the altered immune activity of endoglin deficient macrophages could help to explain the higher rate of infectious diseases seen in HHT1 patients.This work was funded by: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (SAF2011-23475 to LMB; SAF2013-43421-R and SAF2010- 19222 to CB.Peer reviewe

Age at menopause in Latin America

OBJECTIVE: To assess the age at menopause (AM) in Latin America urban areas. DESIGN: A total of 17,150 healthy women, aged 40 to 59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centers in 47 cities of 15 Latin American countries, were surveyed regarding their age, educational level, healthcare coverage, history of gynecological surgery, smoking habit, presence of menses, and the use of contraception or hormone therapy at menopause. The AM was calculated using logit analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the entire sample was 49.4 ± 5.5 years. Mean educational level was 9.9 ± 4.5 years, and the use of hormone therapy and oral contraception was 22.1% and 7.9%, respectively. The median AM of women in all centers was 48.6 years, ranging from 43.8 years in Asuncion (Paraguay) to 53 years in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia). Logistic regression analysis determined that women aged 49 living in cities at 2,000 meters or more above sea level (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4-2.9, P less than 0.001) and those with lower educational level (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3-2.8, P less than 0.001) or living in countries with low gross national product (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5-2.9, P less than 0.001) were more prone to an earlier onset of menopause. CONCLUSIONS: The AM varies widely in Latin America. Lower income and related poverty conditions influence the onset of menopause. © 2006 by The North American Menopause Society

Retrospective multicentre observational study on clinical management and treatment of different types of status epilepticus in clinical practice

Introduction: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We analyse characteristics of this entity in our population. Methods: Data from electronic medical records of adults diagnosed with SE were collected retrospectively from 5 hospitals over 4 years. Results: Data reflected 84 episodes of SE in 77 patients with a mean age of 60.3 years. Of this sample, 52.4% had a previous history of epilepsy. Status classification: 47.6% tonic–clonic, 21.4% complex partial, 17.9% partial motor, 6% partial simple, 3.6% myoclonic, and 3.6% subtle SE. Based on the duration of the episode, SE was defined in this study as early stage (up to 30 min) in 13.1%, established (30-120 min) in 20.2%, refractory (more than 120 min) in 41.7%, and super-refractory (episodes continuing or recurring after more than 24 h of anaesthesia) in 13.1%. Ten patients (11.9%) died when treatment failed to control SE. The cumulative percentage of success achieved was 8.3% with the first treatment, 27.3% for the second, 48.7% for the third, 58.2% for the fourth, 70.1% for the fifth, 80.8% for the sixth, 83.2% for the seventh, and 84.4% for the eighth. Conclusions: In our study, we found that SE did not respond to treatment within 2 hours in approximately half the cases and 11.9% of the patients died without achieving seizure control, regardless of the type of status. Half the patients responded by the third treatment but some patients needed as many as 8 treatments to resolve seizures. Using large registers permitting analysis of the different types and stages of SE is warranted. Resumen: Introducción: El estatus epiléptico es una urgencia neurológica asociada a una mortalidad y morbilidad significativa. Analizamos las características en nuestra población. Métodos: Se recogieron los datos de manera retrospectiva de la historia clínica electrónica de adultos con diagnóstico de estatus epiléptico en 5 centros hospitalarios durante 4 años. Resultados: Se obtuvieron datos de un total de 84 episodios en 77 pacientes, con edad media de 60,3 años. El 52,4% tenían historia previa de epilepsia. Clasificación según el tipo de estatus: 47,6% tónico-clónico; 21,4% parcial complejo; 17,9% parcial motor; 6% parcial simple; 3,6% mioclónico y 3,6% sutil. Si analizamos el momento que finalizó el estatus según las fases definidas para este estudio obtenemos: 13,1% precoz (hasta 30 min); 20,2% establecido (entre 30-120 min); 41,7% refractario (más de 120 min) y 13,1% superrefractario (continúan o recurren después de más de 24 h de anestesia). Diez casos (11,9%) fallecieron sin haberse controlado el estatus. El porcentaje acumulativo de éxito alcanzado con el primer tratamiento fue de 8,3%; segundo 27,3%; tercero 48,7%; cuarto 58,2%; quinto 70,1%; sexto 80,8%; séptimo 83,2% y octavo 84,4%. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio encontramos que el estatus no se controló en las primeras 2 h en casi la mitad de los casos, y un 11,9% fallecieron sin controlarse, sin haber diferencias significativas entre el tipo de estatus. En casi la mitad se logró el control del estatus con el tercer tratamiento, pero en algún caso se precisó hasta 8. Son necesarios registros amplios que permitan analizar el manejo en los distintos tipos y fases. Keywords: Status epilepticus, Treatment, Prognosis, Tonic–clonic, Complex partial, Partial motor, Palabras clave: Estatus epileptico, Tratamiento, Pronóstico, Tónico-clonico, Parcial complejo, Parcial moto

Estudio observacional multicéntrico retrospectivo sobre el manejo clínico y terapéutico de los diferentes tipos de estatus epiléptico en la práctica clínica

Resumen: Introducción: El estatus epiléptico es una urgencia neurológica asociada a una mortalidad y morbilidad significativa. Analizamos las características en nuestra población. Métodos: Se recogieron los datos de manera retrospectiva de la historia clínica electrónica de adultos con diagnóstico de estatus epiléptico en 5 centros hospitalarios durante 4 años. Resultados: Se obtuvieron datos de un total de 84 episodios en 77 pacientes, con edad media de 60,3 años. El 52,4% tenían historia previa de epilepsia. Clasificación según el tipo de estatus: 47,6% tónico-clónico; 21,4% parcial complejo; 17,9% parcial motor; 6% parcial simple; 3,6% mioclónico y 3,6% sutil. Si analizamos el momento que finalizó el estatus según las fases definidas para este estudio obtenemos: 13,1% precoz (hasta 30 min); 20,2% establecido (entre 30-120 min); 41,7% refractario (más de 120 min) y 13,1% superrefractario (continúan o recurren después de más de 24 h de anestesia). Diez casos (11,9%) fallecieron sin haberse controlado el estatus. El porcentaje acumulativo de éxito alcanzado con el primer tratamiento fue de 8,3%; segundo 27,3%; tercero 48,7%; cuarto 58,2%; quinto 70,1%; sexto 80,8%; séptimo 83,2% y octavo 84,4%. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio encontramos que el estatus no se controló en las primeras 2 h en casi la mitad de los casos, y un 11,9% fallecieron sin controlarse, sin haber diferencias significativas entre el tipo de estatus. En casi la mitad se logró el control del estatus con el tercer tratamiento, pero en algún caso se precisó hasta 8. Son necesarios registros amplios que permitan analizar el manejo en los distintos tipos y fases. Abstract: Introduction: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We analyse characteristics of this entity in our population. Methods: Data from electronic medical records of adults diagnosed with SE were collected retrospectively from 5 hospitals over 4 years. Results: Data reflected 84 episodes of SE in 77 patients with a mean age of 60.3 years. Of this sample, 52.4% had a previous history of epilepsy. Status classification: 47.6% tonic-clonic, 21.4% complex partial, 17.9% partial motor, 6% partial simple, 3.6% myoclonic, and 3.6% subtle SE. Based on the duration of the episode, SE was defined in this study as early stage (up to 30 min) in 13.1%, established (30-120 min) in 20.2%, refractory (more than 120 min) in 41.7%, and super-refractory (episodes continuing or recurring after more than 24 h of anaesthesia) in 13.1%. Ten patients (11.9%) died when treatment failed to control SE. The cumulative percentage of success achieved was 8.3% with the first treatment, 27.3% for the second, 48.7% for the third, 58.2% for the fourth, 70.1% for the fifth, 80.8% for the sixth, 83.2% for the seventh, and 84.4% for the eighth. Conclusions: In our study, we found that SE did not respond to treatment within 2 h in approximately half the cases and 11.9% of the patients died without achieving seizure control, regardless of the type of status. Half the patients responded by the third treatment but some patients needed as many as 8 treatments to resolve seizures. Using large registers permitting analysis of the different types and stages of SE is warranted. Palabras clave: Estatus epileptico, Tratamiento, Pronóstico, Tónico-clonico, Parcial complejo, Parcial motor, Keywords: Status epilepticus, Treatment, Prognosis, Tonic-clonic, Complex partial, Partial moto

Weight variation in users of the once-a-month injectable contraceptive Cyclofem

This study was aimed to evaluate weight variation in 3183 women using the injectable contraceptive Cyclofem. All women were allocated to groups according to their weight at admission. The weight gain was inversely proportional to the weight at admission. The groups of women weighing less than 50 kg at admission, experienced a higher increase, 2.8% in four months, and they continued gaining weight, reaching 7.7% in 13 months. Women weighing more than 64 kg at admission did not present any weight change in 4 months and increased only 1.7% at 13 months. When women were classifed as discontinuers due to weight increase, discontinuers due to other reasons, and continuers, at four months? the differences in the mean weight between the groups was statistically significant only in the groups weighing 55 kg or more at admission. At 13 months, the results were similar and the differences were statistically significant only in the groups weighing 55-59 kg and 60-64 kg. Discontinuation rates due to weight increase were proportional to the weight at admission. This rate was almost three times higher in the group of women weighing more than 64 kg at admission than in the group weighing less than 55 kg (p<0.001). In conclusion, considering the data presented in this study, it is impossible to recommend health providers to inform women who choose Cyclofem as their contraceptive method, that this method may increase their weight throughout its use.14418519