Unitary partitioning and the contextual subspace variational quantum eigensolver

The contextual subspace variational quantum eigensolver (CS-VQE) is a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm that approximates the ground-state energy of a given qubit Hamiltonian. It achieves this by separating the Hamiltonian into contextual and noncontextual parts. The ground-state energy is approximated by classically solving the noncontextual problem, followed by solving the contextual problem using VQE, constrained by the noncontextual solution. In general, computation of the contextual correction needs fewer qubits and measurements compared with solving the full Hamiltonian via traditional VQE. We simulate CS-VQE on different tapered molecular Hamiltonians and apply the unitary partitioning measurement reduction strategy to further reduce the number of measurements required to obtain the contextual correction. Our results indicate that CS-VQE combined with measurement reduction is a promising approach to allow feasible eigenvalue computations on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices. We also provide a modification to the CS-VQE algorithm; the CS-VQE algorithm previously could cause an exponential increase in Hamiltonian terms but with this modification now at worst will scale quadratically

Head-shaking nystagmus in the early stage of unilateral meniere’s disease

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of head-shaking nystagmus (HSNy), evoked after the resolution of a vertigo spell, to predict an imminent crisis in the early stage of Meniere’s disease (MD). MATERIALS and METHODS: A total of 20 patients in the early stage of MD were included in the study. The head-shaking test (HST) was performed twice, during the first visit within 24 h of vertigo spell (T0) and 48 h later (T1). The onset of a new vertigo episode during the 2 weeks following the first visit was recorded in each patient’s medical record. The sensitivity and specificity of HSNy toward predicting a new vertigo episode were calculated. RESULTS: At T0, an evoked ipsilesional HSNy in 15 (75%) patients was observed; in four of them, the HSNy had a biphasic component. The HSNy was present and persistent at T1 in 8 (42.1%) patients; among these cases, 6 patients had ipsilesional HSNy, and 2 patients a contralesional HSNy. None of the patients presented with a biphasic HSNy at T1. Seven (36.8%) patients experienced the recurrence of a vertigo crisis. Among these, 6 patients had ipsilesional HSNy at T1. Only 8 patients with ipsilesional HSNy at T0 did not have recurrence. The sensitivity of the ipsilesional HSNy in predicting the recurrence of vertigo in patients with MD was 100% at T0 and 85.7% at T1. The specificity was 46.6% and 100% at T0 and T1, respectively. CONCLUSION: The HST can be a useful test in the early stages of MD to predict a new vertigo attack

Arthrogenic human synovial cysts: immunohistochemical profile of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha

Background: Synovial cysts are currently classified as degenerative lesions affectingthe joint capsule or adjacent structures. Materials and methods: In our study we describe the results obtained in an immunohistochemicalstudy comprising 18 patients with synovial cysts, performedto evaluate the pathophysiological role of some inflammatory cytokines such as:interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Results: Results showed an over-expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 which appearsto be involved in the onset and progression of the disease. At the presenttime it is not possible to affirm that these molecules play a direct role also dueto the absence of further and more specific investigations. The authors thereforehypothesize that inhibition of inflammation may have a significant role in thepathogenesis and regression of synovial cysts. Conclusions: Hence, these inflammatory cytokines may be considered potentialtherapeutic targets. The development of synthetic inhibitors of these inflammatoryfactors could lead to a reduction in the intensity of inflammation, thus inhibitingthe onset and development of the disease

Prevalence of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion in Greek patients with sporadic ALS

A total of 178 consecutive patients with definite sALS without frontotemporal dementia (FTD) were enrolled in this study, after complete clinical evaluation. A Repeat-Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (RP-PCR) protocol was applied to detect the G4C2 repeats expansions. In the studied sALS patients, 5.06% (n = 9) carried the C9orf72 mutation. Among carriers, 2/3 of them were females and spinal onset accounted for 78% and bulbar for 22%, while the mean age of onset was about 60 years. Our study showed that the prevalence of C9orf72 repeat expansion in Greek sALS patients is similar to the overall frequency of the mutation in European populations. The pathogenic mutation remains a promising biomarker for genetic testing and targeted treatment

Sub-clinical effects of chronic noise exposure on vestibular system

Aim: to investigate the effect of chronic noise exposure on vestibular function of subjects without clinical evidence of vestibular disorders and with documented cochlear damage from noise. Subjects and methods: 25 patients with chronic noise- induced hearing loss (NIHL) and without vestibular complaints (group A) and 25 matched controls with sensorineural hearing loss without noise exposure (group B), underwent audiological and vestibular test including caloric and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials tests (cVEMPs). Results: In subjects chronically exposed to noise, similarly to that of the auditory threshold, an increase in the evocation threshold of VEMPs has been documented, statistically significant (p<0,05) and independent of the performance of the auditory threshold. p1-n1 amplitude values showed a significant difference between group A and group B. No significant difference for p1-n1 latencies between the two groups was found. Conclusion: We have documented the possibility of vestibular lesion, along with cochlear damage, related to chronic acoustic trauma

Neuroinflammatory disorders of the brain and inner ear: a systematic review of auditory function in patients with migraine, multiple sclerosis, and neurodegeneration to support the idea of an innovative ‘window of discovery’

Background: Hearing can be impaired in many neurological conditions and can even represent a forme fruste of specific disorders. Auditory function can be measured by either subjective or objective tests. Objective tests are more useful in identifying which auditory pathway (superior or inferior) is most affected by disease. The inner ear’s perilymphatic fluid communicates with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via the cochlear aqueduct representing a window from which pathological changes in the contents of the CSF due to brain inflammation could, therefore, spread to and cause inflammation in the inner ear, damaging inner hair cells and leading to hearing impairment identifiable on tests of auditory function. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed, searching for papers with case–control studies that analyzed the hearing and migraine function in patients with neuro-inflammatory, neurodegenerative disorders. With data extracted from these papers, the risk of patients with neurological distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was then calculated. Results: Patients with neurological disorders (headache, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis) had a higher risk of having peripheral auditory deficits when compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion: Existing data lend credence to the hypothesis that inflammatory mediators transmitted via fluid exchange across this communication window, thereby represents a key pathobiological mechanism capable of culminating in hearing disturbances associated with neuroimmunological and neuroinflammatory disorders of the nervous system

Sudden olfactory loss as an early marker of COVID-19: a nationwide Italian survey

Purpose: The presence of many asymptomatic COVID-19 cases may increase the risks of disease dissemination, mainly for physicians. There are numerous reports on the frequent findings of sudden anosmia or hyposmia, before or at the same time of the typical COVID-19 symptoms onset. The aim of this study was to verify the association of olfactory impairment and COVID-19, providing a basis for subsequent research in the field of COVID-19 clinical heterogeneity. Methods: We developed a 15-item online questionnaire on “Sudden Olfactory Loss (SOL) and COVID-19” that was administered during March 2020 to Italian general practitioners registered to a social media group. Results: One hundred and eighty responses were received. SOL was identified as a significant sign of infection in COVID-19 patients, mainly aged between 30 and 40 years, even in the absence of other symptoms. SOL was present as an initial symptom in 46.7% of subjects, and in 16.7%, it was the only symptom. Among the COVID-19 confirmed cases, SOL occurred as the only symptom in 19.2% of patients. Conclusion: SOL could represent a possible early symptom in otherwise asymptomatic COVID-19 subjects. Subjects affected by SOL should be considered as potential COVID-19 cases. Level of evidence: 4

Tinnitus and equilibrium disorders in COVID-19 patients: preliminary results

Purpose: Tinnitus and equilibrium disorders such as dizziness and vertigo have been reported by patients with COVID-19; however, they have been rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of subjective tinnitus and dizziness in a sample of COVID-19 patients using an online 10-item close-ended questionnaire. Methods: A multicentric study that included 15 Italian hospitals in different regions was conducted using an online 10-item close-ended questionnaire developed to identify the presence of tinnitus and balance disorders in patients with COVID-19 between May 5 and June 10, 2020. The questionnaire was administered to 185 patients in a period of > 30 – < 60 days after diagnosis of COVID-19; responses were recorded in an online Excel spreadsheet. The questionnaire was composed of three sections: (1) demographic information; (2) presence and characteristics of tinnitus and dizziness after COVID-19 diagnosis; (3) possible association with migraine. Results: Thirty-four patients (18.4%) reported equilibrium disorders after COVID-19 diagnosis. Of these, 32 patients reported dizziness (94.1%) and 2 (5.9%) reported acute vertigo attacks. Forty-three patients (23.2%) reported tinnitus; 14 (7.6%) reported both tinnitus and equilibrium disorders. Conclusion: This study suggests that the presence of subjective otoneurological symptoms such as tinnitus and balance disorders can affect COVID-19 patients; further studies are necessary to investigate the prevalence and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these subjective symptoms in COVID-19 patients

Teaching and learning in a multilingual Europe: findings from a cross-european study

School classrooms within the EU are multilingual learning environments. The diversity of pupils in classrooms raises significant challenges for teachers, but to date, there are no data from large-scale surveys that compare views within and across European countries. A bespoke questionnaire was designed to examine views of current classroom learning environments with respect to the multilingualism. The questionnaire was piloted and subsequently completed by 2792 teachers across different European countries. Eleven countries provided sufficient data for analyses. Results from structural equation model- ling showed that teachers’ attitudes could be reliably measured across Europe with the use of carefully devised questionnaire, whose loading and factor structure remained invariant across countries. Teachers’ views about multilingualism were most challenged by the numbers of children in their classes, not the percentage of multilingual pupils in the class. Countries differed in how they perceived multilingualism, with their differences leading to distinctive country clusters. Gender and education level (elementary vs. secondary) differences were also observed irrespective of country. These findings enhance our understanding of the role that the characteristics of teachers and their classrooms play in a multilingual setting across diverse European settings. The practical relevance of the results and new opportunities for teacher training are discussed

Rapid clinical management of leishmaniasis in emergency department: A case report with clinical review of recent literature

Systemic or localized lympho-adenomegaly is a common cause of access to the emergency department (ED), and differential diagnosis is often complicated. The combination of anamnesis, physical examination, laboratory tests, and instrumental diagnosis are extremely important to orientate toward a rapid and correct therapy, even if a prompt discrimination of the etiology of this lymphadenomegaly is not often possible. Our aim with this review is to improve the management of a differential diagnosis between hematological and infective diseases as leishmaniasis in ED and suggest quick diagnostic techniques that might be useful for early identification. Together in the review, we describe a case report of a young man affected from visceral leishmaniasis who presented to our ED and was incorrectly addressed to the wrong ward for the study of his condition. Subsequently, we focus on the clinical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis and compare it to the most common differential diagnoses that are usually taken into account in the management of such patients