Discovery of the supernova remnant G351.0-5.4

Context. While searching the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) for diffuse radio emission, we have serendipitously discovered extended radio emission close to the Galactic plane. The radio morphology suggests the presence of a previously unknown Galactic supernova remnant. An unclassified {\gamma}-ray source detected by EGRET (3EG J1744-3934) is present in the same location and may stem from the interaction between high-speed particles escaping the remnant and the surrounding interstellar medium. Aims. Our aim is to confirm the presence of a previously unknown supernova remnant and to determine a possible association with the {\gamma}-ray emission 3EG J1744-3934. Methods. We have conducted optical and radio follow-ups of the target using the Dark Energy Camera (DECam) on the Blanco telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) and the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT). We then combined these data with archival radio and {\gamma}-ray observations. Results. While we detected the extended emission in four different radio bands (325, 1400, 2417, and 4850 MHz), no optical counterpart has been identified. Given its morphology and brightness, it is likely that the radio emission is caused by an old supernova remnant no longer visible in the optical band. Although an unclassified EGRET source is co-located with the supernova remnant, Fermi-LAT data do not show a significant {\gamma}-ray excess that is correlated with the radio emission. However, in the radial distribution of the {\gamma}-ray events, a spatially extended feature is related with SNR at a confidence level $\sim 1.5$ {\sigma}. Conclusions. We classify the newly discovered extended emission in the radio band as the old remnant of a previously unknown Galactic supernova: SNR G351.0-5.4.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, accepted A&

Random Topologies and the emergence of cooperation: the role of short-cuts

We study in detail the role of short-cuts in promoting the emergence of cooperation in a network of agents playing the Prisoner's Dilemma Game (PDG). We introduce a model whose topology interpolates between the one-dimensional euclidean lattice (a ring) and the complete graph by changing the value of one parameter (the probability p to add a link between two nodes not already connected in the euclidean configuration). We show that there is a region of values of p in which cooperation is largely enhanced, whilst for smaller values of p only a few cooperators are present in the final state, and for p \rightarrow 1- cooperation is totally suppressed. We present analytical arguments that provide a very plausible interpretation of the simulation results, thus unveiling the mechanism by which short-cuts contribute to promote (or suppress) cooperation

Kidney transplantation and withdrawal rates among wait-listed first-generation immigrants in Italy

Background: Multiple barriers diminish access to kidney transplantation (KT) in immigrant compared to non-immigrant populations. It is unknown whether immigration status reduces the likelihood of KT after wait-listing despite universal healthcare coverage with uniform access to transplantation. Methods: We retrospectively collected data of all adult waiting list (WL) registrants in Italy (2010-20) followed for 5 years until death, KT in a foreign center, deceased-donor kidney transplant (DDKT), living-donor kidney transplant (LDKT) or permanent withdrawal from the WL. We calculated adjusted relative probability of DDKT, LDKT and permanent WL withdrawal in different immigrant categories using competing-risks multiple regression models. Results: Patients were European Union (EU)-born (n = 21 624), Eastern European-born (n = 606) and non-European-born (n = 1944). After controlling for age, sex, blood type, dialysis vintage, case-mix and sensitization status, non-European-born patients had lower LDKT rates compared to other immigrant categories: LDKT adjusted relative probability of non-European-born vs. Eastern European-born 0.51 (95% CI: 0.33-0.79; P = 0.002); of non-European-born vs. EU-Born: 0.65 (95% CI: 0.47-0.82; P = 0.001). Immigration status did not affect the rate of DDKT or permanent WL withdrawal. Conclusions: Among EU WL registrants, non-European immigration background is associated with reduced likelihood of LDKT but similar likelihood of DDKT and permanent WL withdrawal. Wherever not available, new national policies should enable coverage of travel and medical fees for living-donor surgery and follow-up for non-resident donors to improve uptake of LDKT in immigrant patients, and provide KT education that is culturally competent, individually tailored and easily understandable for patients and their potential living donors

Primer informe de Aelurostrongylus abstrusus en el caracol de tierra Rumina decollata, en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Railliet, 1898) is a worldwide distributed lungworm that affects wild and domestic cats, causing bronchopneumonia of varying intensity. Cats became infected by eating slugs and snails with third infective stage larvae (L3). The aim of the study was to describe the presence of A. abstrusus in R. decollate snails. R. decollata specimens and samples of cats’ faeces were collected from the open spaces of a public institution of Buenos Aires city, inhabited by a stray cat population. Cats’ faeces were processed by Baermman´s technique and snails were digested in pool, by artificial digestion method. First stage larvae of A. abstrusus were recovered from 35.30 % (6/17) of the sampled faeces. An 80 % (20/25) snails pools were positive for the second and third larval stages. Mean value of total larvae recovered per pool was 150.64 and mean value of L3/pool was 93.89. This is the first report of the development of A. abstrusus infective larvae in R. decollate snail as intermediate host, since the relationship between high levels of infection in snails and in cats’ faeces could be demonstrated in cats’ habitat.Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Railliet, 1898) es un helminto pulmonar mundialmente distribuido que afecta a los gatos, causando bronconeumonias de variada intensidad. La infección se produce por ingestión de babosas y caracoles terrestres con larvas infectantes (L3). El objetivo del estudio fue describir la presencia de A. abstrusus en el caracol R. decollata. Se recolectaron muestras de heces felinas y caracoles presentes en una institución pública de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, habitada por una población de gatos sin propietario. Las heces fueron procesadas mediante la técnica de Baermman y los caracoles fueron digeridos en pool por digestión artificial enzimática. Larvas de primer estadio (L1) de A. abstrusus fueron recuperadas en el 35,30% (6/17) de las heces. El 80% (20/25) de los pooles de caracoles presentó larvas de segundo y tercer estadio. El promedio de larvas totales recuperado por pool fue de 150,64 y el valor medio de L3/pool fue de 93.89. Este es el primer hallazgo del desarrollo de larvas infectivas de A. abstrusus en el caracol doméstico R. decollata. Los altos niveles de infección encontrados en los caracoles y en las heces de los gatos demuestran el potencial de R. decollata como hospedador intermediario de A. abstrusus.Fil: Cardillo, Natalia Marina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Area de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Clemente, A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Area de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Pasqualetti, M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Area de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Borrás, P.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Area de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Rosa, A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Area de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; ArgentinaFil: Ribicich, M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.veterinarias. Area de Parasitología y Enfermedades Parasitarias; Argentin

Temporary interruption of baricitinib: characterization of interruptions and effect on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background In clinical practice, temporary interruption of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy is common for various reasons including side effects, non-compliance, or necessity for surgery. To characterize temporary interruptions of baricitinib and placebo-matched tablets in phase 3 studies of patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and describe their impact on efficacy and safety. Methods During 4 baricitinib phase 3 studies, investigators documented timing, reason, and duration of investigator-initiated temporary interruptions of study drug. In 2 studies, patients recorded RA symptoms in daily diaries for 12 weeks. Post hoc analyses investigated changes in symptom scores during interruptions and resumption of treatment. Interruptions were evaluated for reoccurrence of adverse events or laboratory abnormalities after retreatment. Results Across the placebo-controlled studies, interruptions occurred in larger proportions of baricitinib- (2 mg, 18%; 4 mg, 18%) vs placebo-treated (9%) patients in only one study (bDMARD-inadequate responder patients, RA-BEACON). In the active comparator-controlled studies, the lowest rates of interruption were in the baricitinib monotherapy arm (9%) of RA-BEGIN (vs methotrexate monotherapy or combination therapy), and proportions were similar for baricitinib (10%) and adalimumab (9%) in RA-BEAM. Adverse events were the most common reason for interruption, but their reoccurrence after drug restart was infrequent. Most interruptions lasted ≤ 2 weeks. Daily diaries indicated modest symptom increases during interruption with return to pre-interruption levels or better after resumption. Interruptions had no impact on long-term efficacy outcomes. Conclusions Consistent with its pharmacologic properties, brief interruptions of baricitinib during phase 3 studies were associated with minor increases in RA symptoms that resolved following retreatment. This analysis provides useful information for clinicians, as temporary interruption of antirheumatic therapy is common in the care of patients with RA

Correction to: Temporary interruption of baricitinib: characterization of interruptions and effect on clinical outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background In clinical practice, temporary interruption of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) therapy is common for various reasons including side effects, non-compliance, or necessity for surgery. To characterize temporary interruptions of baricitinib and placebo-matched tablets in phase 3 studies of patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and describe their impact on efficacy and safety. Methods During 4 baricitinib phase 3 studies, investigators documented timing, reason, and duration of investigator-initiated temporary interruptions of study drug. In 2 studies, patients recorded RA symptoms in daily diaries for 12 weeks. Post hoc analyses investigated changes in symptom scores during interruptions and resumption of treatment. Interruptions were evaluated for reoccurrence of adverse events or laboratory abnormalities after retreatment. Results Across the placebo-controlled studies, interruptions occurred in larger proportions of baricitinib- (2 mg, 18%; 4 mg, 18%) vs placebo-treated (9%) patients in only one study (bDMARD-inadequate responder patients, RA-BEACON). In the active comparator-controlled studies, the lowest rates of interruption were in the baricitinib monotherapy arm (9%) of RA-BEGIN (vs methotrexate monotherapy or combination therapy), and proportions were similar for baricitinib (10%) and adalimumab (9%) in RA-BEAM. Adverse events were the most common reason for interruption, but their reoccurrence after drug restart was infrequent. Most interruptions lasted ≤ 2 weeks. Daily diaries indicated modest symptom increases during interruption with return to pre-interruption levels or better after resumption. Interruptions had no impact on long-term efficacy outcomes. Conclusions Consistent with its pharmacologic properties, brief interruptions of baricitinib during phase 3 studies were associated with minor increases in RA symptoms that resolved following retreatment. This analysis provides useful information for clinicians, as temporary interruption of antirheumatic therapy is common in the care of patients with RA