Magnetized Plasma Sheath in the Presence of Negative Ions

The sheath formation in a weakly magnetized collisionless electronegative plasma consisting of electrons, negative and positive ions has been numerically investigated using the hydrodynamic equations. The electrons and negative ions are assumed to follow Boltzmann relation. A sheath formation criterion has been analytically derived. The paper focuses on studying the sheath structure by varying the electronegativity. It has been observed that the presence of negative ions has a substantial effect on the sheath structure. The observations made in the present work have profound significance on processing plasmas, especially in the semiconductor industry as well as in fusion studies

Study of two-electron temperature plasma sheath using non-extensive electron distribution in presence of an external magnetic field

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How to be a Posthuman

The digital exhibition How to Become a Posthuman is part of the collective artistic research project Fabulation for Future, which is based on the call for deputies to form the fictive International Committee to Save the Earth through Speculative Fabulation. The international committee deputies met online for the first time in September 2021: during an online symposium Intra-Activity: the Posthuman, Fabulation and Matter and an online workshop, the deputies unfolded fabulative concepts and intertwined their approaches. These were sympoietically developed further in a subsequent 9-month project process and are now presented in the digital exhibition. Physical continuations of the exhibition are planned for 2023 under the title Games of Becoming

Impact of statin therapy on coronary plaque composition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound studies

Background: Virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) imaging is an innovative tool for the morphological evaluation of coronary atherosclerosis. Evidence for the effects of statin therapy on VH-IVUS parameters have been inconclusive. Consequently, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of statin therapy on plaque volume and its composition using VH-IVUS. Methods: The search included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Embase (through 30 November 2014) to identify prospective studies investigating the effects of statin therapy on plaque volume and its composition using VH-IVUS. Results: We identified nine studies with 16 statin treatment arms and 830 participants. There was a significant effect of statin therapy in reducing plaque volume (standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.137, 95 % confidence interval (CI): -0.255, -0.019; P = 0.023), external elastic membrane volume (SMD: -0.097, 95 % CI: -0.183, -0.011; P = 0.027) but not lumen volume (SMD: -0.025, 95 % CI: -0.110, +0.061; P = 0.574). There was a significant reduction in fibrous plaque volume (SMD: -0.129, 95 % CI: -0.255, -0.003; P = 0.045) and an increase of dense calcium volume (SMD: +0.229, 95 % CI: +0.008, +0.450

Key features of puberty onset and progression can help distinguish self-limited delayed puberty from congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism

Introduction: Delayed puberty (DP) is a frequent concern for adolescents. The most common underlying aetiology is self-limited DP (SLDP). However, this can be difficult to differentiate from the more severe condition congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH), especially on first presentation of an adolescent patient with DP. This study sought to elucidate phenotypic differences between the two diagnoses, in order to optimise patient management and pubertal development. Methods: This was a study of a UK DP cohort managed 2015-2023, identified through the NIHR clinical research network. Patients were followed longitudinally until adulthood, with a definite diagnosis made: SLDP if they had spontaneously completed puberty by age 18 years; HH if they had not commenced (complete, cHH), or had commenced but not completed puberty (partial, pHH), by this stage. Phenotypic data pertaining to auxology, Tanner staging, biochemistry, bone age and hormonal treatment at presentation and during puberty were retrospectively analysed. Results: 78 patients were included. 52 (66.7%) patients had SLDP and 26 (33.3%) patients had HH, comprising 17 (65.4%) pHH and 9 (34.6%) cHH patients. Probands were predominantly male (90.4%). Male SLDP patients presented with significantly lower height and weight standard deviation scores than HH patients (height p=0.004, weight p=0.021). 15.4% of SLDP compared to 38.5% of HH patients had classical associated features of HH (micropenis, cryptorchidism, anosmia, etc. p=0.023). 73.1% of patients with SLDP and 43.3% with HH had a family history of DP (p=0.007). Mean first recorded luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibin B were lower in male patients with HH, particularly in cHH patients, but not discriminatory. There were no significant differences identified in blood concentrations of FSH, testosterone or AMH at presentation, or in bone age delay. Discussion: Key clinical markers of auxology, associated signs including micropenis, and serum inhibin B may help distinguish between SLDP and HH in patients presenting with pubertal delay, and can be incorporated into clinical assessment to improve diagnostic accuracy for adolescents. However, the distinction between HH, particularly partial HH, and SLDP remains problematic. Further research into an integrated framework or scoring system would be useful in aiding clinician decision-making and optimization of treatment.  

Does the external remote controller’s reading correspond to the actual lengthening in magnetic-controlled growing rods?

Purpose Magnetic-controlled growing rods (MCGRs) are now routinely used in many centres to treat early-onset scoliosis (EOS). MCGR lengthening is done non-invasively by the external remote controller (ERC). Our experience suggests that there may be a discrepancy between the reported rod lengthening on the ERC and the actual rod lengthening. The aim of this study was to investigate this discrepancy. Methods This was a prospective series. Eleven patients who were already undergoing treatment for EOS using MCGRs were included in this study. Results One hundred and ninety-two sets of ultrasound readings were obtained (96 episodes of rod lengthening on dual-rod constructs) and compared to their ERC readings. Only 15/192 (7.8%) readings were accurate; 27 readings (14.9%) were false positive; and 8 readings (4.2%) were an underestimation while 142 readings (74.0%) were an overestimation by the ERC. Average over-reporting by the ERC was 5.31 times of the actual/ultrasound reading. When comparing interval radiographs with lengthening obtained on ultrasound, there was a discrepancy with an average overestimation of 1.35 times with ultrasound in our series. There was a significant difference between ERC and USS (p = 0.01) and ERC and XR (p = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between USS and XR (p > 0.99). Conclusion The reading on the ERC does not equate to the actual rod lengthening. The authors would recommend that clinicians using the MCGR for the treatment of early-onset scoliosis include pre- and post-extension imaging (radiographs or ultrasound) to confirm extension lengths at each outpatient extension. In centres with ultrasound facilities, we would suggest that patients should have ultrasound to monitor each lengthening after distraction but also 6-month radiographs

The selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulator (SPPARM) paradigm : conceptual framework and therapeutic potential: A consensus statement from the International Atherosclerosis Society (IAS) and the Residual Risk Reduction Initiative (R3i) Foundation

In the era of precision medicine, treatments that target specific modifiable characteristics of high-risk patients have the potential to lower further the residual risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Correction of atherogenic dyslipidemia, however, remains a major unmet clinical need. Elevated plasma triglycerides, with or without low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), offer a key modifiable component of this common dyslipidemia, especially in insulin resistant conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. The development of selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulators (SPPARM) offers an approach to address this treatment gap. This Joint Consensus Panel appraised evidence for the first SPPARM agonist and concluded that this agent represents a novel therapeutic class, distinct from fibrates, based on pharmacological activity, and, importantly, a safe hepatic and renal profile. The ongoing PROMINENT cardiovascular outcomes trial is testing in 10,000 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of HDL-C whether treatment with this SPPARM agonist safely reduces residual cardiovascular risk.Peer reviewe

Key features of puberty onset and progression can help distinguish self-limited delayed puberty from congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism

IntroductionDelayed puberty (DP) is a frequent concern for adolescents. The most common underlying aetiology is self-limited DP (SLDP). However, this can be difficult to differentiate from the more severe condition congenital hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH), especially on first presentation of an adolescent patient with DP. This study sought to elucidate phenotypic differences between the two diagnoses, in order to optimise patient management and pubertal development.MethodsThis was a study of a UK DP cohort managed 2015-2023, identified through the NIHR clinical research network. Patients were followed longitudinally until adulthood, with a definite diagnosis made: SLDP if they had spontaneously completed puberty by age 18 years; HH if they had not commenced (complete, cHH), or had commenced but not completed puberty (partial, pHH), by this stage. Phenotypic data pertaining to auxology, Tanner staging, biochemistry, bone age and hormonal treatment at presentation and during puberty were retrospectively analysed.Results78 patients were included. 52 (66.7%) patients had SLDP and 26 (33.3%) patients had HH, comprising 17 (65.4%) pHH and 9 (34.6%) cHH patients. Probands were predominantly male (90.4%). Male SLDP patients presented with significantly lower height and weight standard deviation scores than HH patients (height p=0.004, weight p=0.021). 15.4% of SLDP compared to 38.5% of HH patients had classical associated features of HH (micropenis, cryptorchidism, anosmia, etc. p=0.023). 73.1% of patients with SLDP and 43.3% with HH had a family history of DP (p=0.007). Mean first recorded luteinizing hormone (LH) and inhibin B were lower in male patients with HH, particularly in cHH patients, but not discriminatory. There were no significant differences identified in blood concentrations of FSH, testosterone or AMH at presentation, or in bone age delay.DiscussionKey clinical markers of auxology, associated signs including micropenis, and serum inhibin B may help distinguish between SLDP and HH in patients presenting with pubertal delay, and can be incorporated into clinical assessment to improve diagnostic accuracy for adolescents. However, the distinction between HH, particularly partial HH, and SLDP remains problematic. Further research into an integrated framework or scoring system would be useful in aiding clinician decision-making and optimization of treatment.