It is generally accepted that post-MI heart failure (HF) changes a variety of aspects of sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ fluxes but for some aspects there is disagreement over whether there is an ...increase or decrease. The commonest statistical approach is to treat data collected from each cell as independent, even though they are really clustered with multiple likely similar cells from each heart. In this study, we test whether this statistical assumption of independence can lead the investigator to draw conclusions that would be considered erroneous if the analysis handled clustering with specific statistical techniques (hierarchical tests).
Ca2+ transients were recorded in cells loaded with Fura-2AM and sparks were recorded in cells loaded with Fluo-4AM. Data were analysed twice, once with the common statistical approach (assumption of independence) and once with hierarchical statistical methodologies designed to allow for any clustering. The statistical tests found that there was significant hierarchical clustering. This caused the common statistical approach to underestimate the standard error and report artificially small P values. For example, this would have led to the erroneous conclusion that time to 50% peak transient amplitude was significantly prolonged in HF. Spark analysis showed clustering, both within each cell and also within each rat, for morphological variables. This means that a three-level hierarchical model is sometimes required for such measures. Standard statistical methodologies, if used instead, erroneously suggest that spark amplitude is significantly greater in HF and spark duration is reduced in HF.
Ca2+ fluxes in isolated cardiomyocytes show so much clustering that the common statistical approach that assumes independence of each data point will frequently give the false appearance of statistically significant changes. Hierarchical statistical methodologies need a little more effort, but are necessary for reliable conclusions. We present cost-free simple tools for performing these analyses.
Background. Although brain tumors are the second most frequent malignancy in children, relatively little is known about the role of family history in risk of these tumors.
Methods. Children under the ...age of 18 years (n = 361) in whom primary brain tumors were diagnosed were identified from eight United States population‐based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries and compared to matched controls (n = 1083) identified by random‐digit dialing. Information regarding family history of birth defects or tumors was obtained, along with data on other potential risk factors, from interviews with the mothers and fathers of the index children.
Results. No significant differences were found in family history of epilepsy. However, moderate elevations in risk were observed for a history of birth defects in maternal relatives, particularly for female propositi. Significantly more mothers (odds ratio OR = 1.63, 95% confidence limits CL = 1.03, 2.57) and maternal female relatives (OR = 2.15, 95% CL = 1.14, 4.06) of cases than of controls were reported to have had birth defects. History of birth defects in maternal relatives was particularly associated with childhood brain tumors of “other” (not astrocytoma or medulloblastoma) histologic type (OR = 2.37, 95% CL = 1.25, 4.53) and infratentorial tumors (OR = 1.76, 95% CL = 1.06, 2.93). Slight excesses of tumors were observed in paternal relatives of children with astrocytomas (OR = 1.43, 95% CL 0.93, 2.20) or with infratentorial tumors (OR = 1.46, 95% CL 0.97, 2.20). Risk of childhood brain tumors did not increase with the number of relatives affected with brain tumors, breast cancer, leukemia or lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas, or all of these tumor types combined (the Li‐Fraumeni syndrome).
Conclusions. These findings suggest a modest increase in risk of childhood brain tumors associated with maternal family history of birth defects. Family history of tumors does not appear to contribute appreciably to an increased risk of brain tumors in children. Cancer 1994; 73:1302–11.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Efforts to evaluate the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of conspecific brood parasitism in birds and other animals have focused on the fitness costs of parasitism to hosts and fitness benefits ...to parasites. However, it has been speculated recently that, in species with biparental care, host males might cooperate with parasitic females by allowing access to the host nest in exchange for copulations. We develop a cost‐benefit model to explore the conditions under which such host‐parasite cooperation might occur. When the brood parasite does not have a nest of her own, the only benefit to the host male is siring some of the parasitic eggs (quasi‐parasitism). Cooperation with the parasite is favored when the ratio of host male paternity of his own eggs relative to his paternity of parasitic eggs exceeds the cost of parasitism. When the brood parasite has a nest of her own, a host male can gain additional, potentially more important benefits by siring the high‐value, low‐cost eggs laid by the parasite in her own nest. Under these conditions, host males should be even more likely to accept parasitic eggs in return for copulations with the parasitic female. We tested these predictions for American coots (Fulica americana), a species with a high frequency of conspecific brood parasitism. Multilocus DNA profiling indicated that host males did not sire any of the parasitic eggs laid in host nests, nor did they sire eggs laid by the parasite in her own nest. We used field estimates of the model parameters from a four‐year study of coots to predict the minimum levels of paternity required for the costs of parasitism to be offset by the benefits of mating with brood parasites. Observed levels of paternity were significantly lower than those predicted under a variety of assumptions, and we reject the hypothesis that host males cooperated with parasitic females. Our model clarifies the specific costs and benefits that influence host‐parasite cooperation and, more generally, yields precise predictions about expected levels of host male paternity. These predictions will enable a more rigorous assessment of field studies designed to test adaptive hypotheses of host‐parasite cooperation.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NMLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Upon contact with water, under a variety of conditions, C60 spontaneously forms a stable aggregate with nanoscale dimensions (d = 25−500 nm), termed here “nano-C60”. The color, hydrophobicity, and ...reactivity of individual C60 are substantially altered in this aggregate form. Herein, we provide conclusive lines of evidence demonstrating that in solution these aggregates are crystalline in order and remain as underivatized C60 throughout the formation/stabilization process that can later be chemically reversed. Particle size can be affected by formation parameters such as rates and the pH of the water addition. Once formed, nano-C60 remains stable in solution at or below ionic strengths of 0.05 I for months. In addition to demonstrating aggregate formation and stability over a wide range of conditions, results suggest that prokaryotic exposure to nano-C60 at relatively low concentrations is inhibitory, indicated by lack of growth (≥0.4 ppm) and decreased aerobic respiration rates (4 ppm). This work demonstrates the fact that the environmental fate, distribution, and biological risk associated with this important class of engineered nanomaterials will require a model that addresses not only the properties of bulk C60 but also that of the aggregate form generated in aqueous media.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Summary
Background
Paediatric cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is uncommon and inadequately described in the literature. Similar to adults, children with CLE develop LE‐specific and/or ...LE‐nonspecific skin findings. Similarities and differences in demographics and clinical course between paediatric and adult CLE have not been sufficiently described.
Objectives
To detail the demographic and clinical features of paediatric CLE and compare these findings with those reported in the adult literature.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed of 53 children seen in a paediatric dermatology clinic with cutaneous manifestations of LE.
Results
Patients presented with all five major subtypes of CLE, with some notable differences from adult CLE and previously published reports of paediatric CLE. Progression from discoid LE to systemic LE (SLE) did not occur in our cohort. Patients with subacute CLE were more likely than adults to have lesions below the waist as well as concomitant SLE. Sex distribution for CLE in our study was equal prior to puberty and female predominant in post‐pubertal patients.
Conclusions
Children with CLE have variable clinical presentations and progression to SLE that may be different from adult disease. Specifically, children with acute and subacute CLE may be more likely than adults to have systemic disease; therefore, patients with these subtypes should be monitored closely for evidence of SLE. Study limitations included small patient numbers that may limit the ability to generalize these data and relatively short follow‐up intervals.
What's already known about this topic?
The demographics and clinical course differ between cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) subtypes in adults.
Patterns in the demographics and disease course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) differ between children and adults.
The female to male ratio of SLE is equal until puberty and then becomes female predominant.
What does this study add?
The demographics and clinical course also differ between CLE subtypes in children.
Patterns in the demographics and disease course of CLE differ between children and adults.
The female to male ratio of CLE is equal until puberty and then becomes female predominant.
Children are more prone than adults to develop CLE subtypes that are more strongly associated with systemic disease.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
We present a new measurement of the positive muon magnetic anomaly, a_{μ}≡(g_{μ}-2)/2, from the Fermilab Muon g-2 Experiment using data collected in 2019 and 2020. We have analyzed more than 4 times ...the number of positrons from muon decay than in our previous result from 2018 data. The systematic error is reduced by more than a factor of 2 due to better running conditions, a more stable beam, and improved knowledge of the magnetic field weighted by the muon distribution, ωover ˜_{p}^{'}, and of the anomalous precession frequency corrected for beam dynamics effects, ω_{a}. From the ratio ω_{a}/ωover ˜_{p}^{'}, together with precisely determined external parameters, we determine a_{μ}=116 592 057(25)×10^{-11} (0.21 ppm). Combining this result with our previous result from the 2018 data, we obtain a_{μ}(FNAL)=116 592 055(24)×10^{-11} (0.20 ppm). The new experimental world average is a_{μ}(exp)=116 592 059(22)×10^{-11} (0.19 ppm), which represents a factor of 2 improvement in precision.
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CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Early haemorrhage control and minimizing the time to definitive care have long been the cornerstones of therapy for patients exsanguinating from non-compressible haemorrhage (NCH) after penetrating ...injuries, as only basic treatment could be provided on scene. However, more recently, advanced on-scene treatments such as the transfusion of blood products, resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) have become available in a small number of pre-hospital critical care teams. Although these advanced techniques are included in the current traumatic cardiac arrest algorithm of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC), published in 2021, clear guidance on the practical application of these techniques in the pre-hospital setting is scarce. This paper provides a scoping review on how these advanced techniques can be incorporated into practice for the resuscitation of patients exsanguinating from NCH after penetrating injuries, based on available literature and the collective experience of several helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) across Europe who have introduced these advanced resuscitation interventions into routine practice.
Marine soundscapes can provide information on the presence of soniferous species and, in some cases, habitat characteristics and biodiversity of certain marine organisms. Tropical back-reefs ...functioning as nursery areas provide essential fish habitat for juveniles and sub-adults moving to offshore coral reefs as they grow; yet little is known of underwater soundscapes in these habitats. We characterized the soundscapes of 7 artificial patch reefs within a seagrass-dominated, back-reef embayment in The Bahamas. Hydrophones were deployed at each reef and recorded simultaneously for 2 min every 20 min from March to July 2016. Sound pressure levels (SPLs) and acoustic complexity (ACI) were analyzed for low (0.1–1.5 kHz) and high (4–20 kHz) frequency bands to evaluate sounds produced by marine organisms. Low frequency SPLs associated with fish vocalizations peaked twice per day for some reefs, but showed no relationship with habitat complexity or fish community structure. High frequency SPLs and invertebrate snap rates peaked nightly and were positively correlated with structural rugosity of reefs but not fish community structure. ACI values for both high and low frequency bands showed no associations with habitat complexity or fish community structure. These findings suggest that high frequency SPLs and invertebrate snap rates may be more indicative of habitat complexity in back-reef nurseries than low frequency SPLs, and that neither ACI values for low or high frequency bands correlate with fish community structure in areas dominated by juvenile and sub-adult fish.
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BFBNIB, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Nocardiosis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. Herein, we present successful adjunctive use of liposomal nebulized amikacin and tedizolid in a recipient of ...allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation infected with
Nocardia nova
complex who presented multiple complications to conventional therapeutic options.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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