BepiColombo mission confirms stagnation region of Venus and reveals its large extent.

The second Venus flyby of the BepiColombo mission offer a unique opportunity to make a complete tour of one of the few gas-dynamics dominated interaction regions between the supersonic solar wind and a Solar System object. The spacecraft pass through the full Venusian magnetosheath following the plasma streamlines, and cross the subsolar stagnation region during very stable solar wind conditions as observed upstream by the neighboring Solar Orbiter mission. These rare multipoint synergistic observations and stable conditions experimentally confirm what was previously predicted for the barely-explored stagnation region close to solar minimum. Here, we show that this region has a large extend, up to an altitude of 1900 km, and the estimated low energy transfer near the subsolar point confirm that the atmosphere of Venus, despite being non-magnetized and less conductive due to lower ultraviolet flux at solar minimum, is capable of withstanding the solar wind under low dynamic pressure.

Inner southern magnetosphere observation of Mercury via SERENA ion sensors in BepiColombo mission.

Mercury's southern inner magnetosphere is an unexplored region as it was not observed by earlier space missions. In October 2021, BepiColombo mission has passed through this region during its first Mercury flyby. Here, we describe the observations of SERENA ion sensors nearby and inside Mercury's magnetosphere. An intermittent high-energy signal, possibly due to an interplanetary magnetic flux rope, has been observed downstream Mercury, together with low energy solar wind. Low energy ions, possibly due to satellite outgassing, were detected outside the magnetosphere. The dayside magnetopause and bow-shock crossing were much closer to the planet than expected, signature of a highly eroded magnetosphere. Different ion populations have been observed inside the magnetosphere, like low latitude boundary layer at magnetopause inbound and partial ring current at dawn close to the planet. These observations are important for understanding the weak magnetosphere behavior so close to the Sun, revealing details never reached before.

Risk of hernia formation after radical prostatectomy: a comparison between open and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy within the prospectively controlled LAPPRO trial.

PURPOSE: In addition to incisional hernia, inguinal hernia is a recognized complication to radical retropubic prostatectomy. To compare the risk of developing inguinal and incisional hernias after open radical prostatectomy compared to robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy. METHOD: Patients planned for prostatectomy were enrolled in the prospective, controlled LAPPRO trial between September 2008 and November 2011 at 14 hospitals in Sweden. Information regarding patient characteristics, operative techniques and occurrence of postoperative inguinal and incisional hernia were retrieved using six clinical record forms and four validated questionnaires. RESULTS: 3447 patients operated with radical prostatectomy were analyzed. Within 24 months, 262 patients developed an inguinal hernia, 189 (7.3%) after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and 73 (8.4%) after open radical prostatectomy. The relative risk of having an inguinal hernia after robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy was 18% lower compared to open radical retropubic prostatectomy, a non-significant difference. Risk factors for developing an inguinal hernia after prostatectomy were increased age, low BMI and previous hernia repair. The incidence of incisional hernia was low regardless of surgical technique. Limitations are the non-randomised setting. CONCLUSIONS: We found no difference in incidence of inguinal hernia after open retropubic and robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The low incidence of incisional hernia after both procedures did not allow for statistical analysis. Risk factors for developing an inguinal hernia after prostatectomy were increased age and BMI.

Observations of a Solar Energetic Particle Event From Inside and Outside the Coma of Comet 67P.

We analyze observations of a solar energetic particle (SEP) event at Rosetta's target comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko during 6-10 March 2015. The comet was 2.15 AU from the Sun, with the Rosetta spacecraft approximately 70 km from the nucleus placing it deep inside the comet's coma and allowing us to study its response. The Eastern flank of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) also encountered Rosetta on 6 and 7 March. Rosetta Plasma Consortium data indicate increases in ionization rates, and cometary water group pickup ions exceeding 1 keV. Increased charge exchange reactions between solar wind ions and cometary neutrals also indicate increased upstream neutral populations consistent with enhanced SEP induced surface activity. In addition, the most intense parts of the event coincide with observations interpreted as an infant cometary bow shock, indicating that the SEPs may have enhanced the formation and/or intensified the observations. These solar transient events may also have pushed the cometopause closer to the nucleus. We track and discuss characteristics of the SEP event using remote observations by SOHO, WIND, and GOES at the Sun, in situ measurements at Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory Ahead, Mars and Rosetta, and ENLIL modeling. Based on its relatively prolonged duration, gradual and anisotropic nature, and broad angular spread in the heliosphere, we determine the main particle acceleration source to be a distant ICME which emerged from the Sun on 6 March 2015 and was detected locally in the Martian ionosphere but was never encountered by 67P directly. The ICME's shock produced SEPs for several days which traveled to the in situ observation sites via magnetic field line connections.

Cyclophosphamide exposure assessed with the biomarker phosphoramide mustard-hemoglobin in breast cancer patients: The TailorDose I study.

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) dosing by body surface area (BSA, m2) has been questioned as a predictor for individual drug exposure. This study investigated phosphoramide mustard-hemoglobin (PAM-Hb, pmol g-1 Hb) as a biomarker of CPA exposure in 135 female breast cancer patients receiving CPA during three courses based on BSA: 500 mg/m2 (C500 group, n = 67) or 600 mg/m2 (C600 group, n = 68). The inter-individual difference was calculated for both groups by dividing the highest through the lowest PAM-Hb value of each course. The inter-occasion difference was calculated in percentage for each individual by dividing their PAM-Hb value through the group mean per course, and subsequently dividing this ratio of the latter through the previous course. A multivariable linear regression (MLR) was performed to identify factors that explained the variation of PAM-Hb. During the three courses, the inter-individual difference changed from 3.5 to 2.1 and the inter-occasion difference ranged between 13.3% and 11.9% in the C500 group. In the C600 group, the inter-individual difference changed from 2.7 to 2.9 and the inter-occasion difference ranged between 14.1% and 11.7%. The MLR including BSA, age, GFR, and albumin explained 17.1% of the variation of PAM-Hb and was significantly better then the model including only BSA. These factors should be considered when calculating the first dose of CPA for breast cancer patients.

SERENA: Particle Instrument Suite for Determining the Sun-Mercury Interaction from BepiColombo.

The ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission to Mercury will provide simultaneous measurements from two spacecraft, offering an unprecedented opportunity to investigate magnetospheric and exospheric particle dynamics at Mercury as well as their interactions with solar wind, solar radiation, and interplanetary dust. The particle instrument suite SERENA (Search for Exospheric Refilling and Emitted Natural Abundances) is flying in space on-board the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and is the only instrument for ion and neutral particle detection aboard the MPO. It comprises four independent sensors: ELENA for neutral particle flow detection, Strofio for neutral gas detection, PICAM for planetary ions observations, and MIPA, mostly for solar wind ion measurements. SERENA is managed by a System Control Unit located inside the ELENA box. In the present paper the scientific goals of this suite are described, and then the four units are detailed, as well as their major features and calibration results. Finally, the SERENA operational activities are shown during the orbital path around Mercury, with also some reference to the activities planned during the long cruise phase.

Patient-reported chronic pain after open inguinal hernia repair with lightweight or heavyweight mesh: a prospective, patient-reported outcomes study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain after groin hernia repair is a significant problem, and it is unclear whether or not lightweight meshes help. This national register-based study investigated whether patients who underwent open anterior mesh inguinal hernia repair with lightweight mesh had less chronic pain than those who had hernia repair with heavyweight mesh. METHODS: All patients registered in the Swedish Hernia Register between September 2012 and October 2016 were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing patient-reported outcome measures 1 year after surgery. The present study examined open anterior repair with mesh sutured in place with non-absorbable sutures in male patients only. The primary endpoint, chronic pain, was defined as pain present in the past week that could not be ignored and interfered with concentration (on chores) and daily activities. RESULTS: In total, 23 259 male patients provided data for analysis (response rate 70·6 per cent). Rates of chronic pain after repairs using regular polypropylene lightweight mesh, composite (poliglecaprone-25) polypropylene lightweight mesh and polypropylene heavyweight mesh were 15·8, 15·6 and 16·2 per cent respectively. Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis showed no significant differences between regular (odds ratio (OR) 0·98, 95 per cent c.i. 0·90 to 1·06) or composite (OR 0·95, 0·86 to 1·04) lightweight mesh versus heavyweight mesh. The most striking risk factor for chronic pain was young age; 19·4 per cent of patients aged less than 50 years experienced pain 1 year after hernia repair (OR 1·43, 1·29 to 1·60). CONCLUSION: Patient-reported chronic pain 1 year after open mesh repair of inguinal hernia was common, particularly in young men. The risk of developing chronic pain was not influenced by the type of mesh.

ANTECEDENTES: El dolor crónico tras la reparación de la hernia inguinal es un problema significativo y no se conoce con claridad si la utilización de mallas ligeras lo disminuye o no. Este estudio basado en un registro nacional, analizó si los pacientes sometidos a reparación de una hernia inguinal con malla anterior por vía abierta (open anterior mesh, OAM) tenían menos dolor crónico con mallas ligeras que pesadas. MÉTODOS: A todos los pacientes incluidos en el Registro de Hernia sueco entre septiembre de 2012 y octubre de 2016 se les pidió que respondieran un cuestionario que evaluaba los resultados percibidos por el paciente un año después de la cirugía. Se incluyeron solamente los pacientes del sexo masculino en los que la OAM se fijó con suturas reabsorbibles. La variable principal (dolor crónico) se definió como la presencia de dolor que no podía obviarse y que interfería la concentración (en las tareas) y las actividades diarias durante la semana anterior a la de la encuesta. RESULTADOS: Respondieron a la encuesta 23.259 (tasa de respuesta 70,6%) pacientes varones tras OAM. El análisis de regresión logística múltiple con razón de oportunidades (odds ratio, OR) ajustada no demostró diferencias significativas en el dolor crónico entre las mallas ligeras de polipropileno (15,8% (OR 0,98, i.c. del 95% 0,90-1,06)) o las mallas ligeras de polipropileno compuesto (poliglecaprona-25) (15,6% (OR 0,95, i.c. del 9% 0,86-1,04)) o las mallas de polipropileno pesado (16,2%). Sorprendentemente, el factor de riesgo para el dolor crónico fue la edad temprana (< 50 años) 19,3% (OR 1,43, i.c. del 95% 1,29-1,60)). CONCLUSIÓN: El dolor crónico percibido por el paciente un año después de una reparación de una hernia inguinal abierta y con colocación de una malla fue alto, especialmente en varones jóvenes. El tipo de malla no tuvo influencia en el riesgo de aparición de dolor crónico.

Targeting transcriptional control of soluble guanylyl cyclase via NOTCH for prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is an effector enzyme of nitric oxide (NO). Recent work has unravelled how levels of this enzyme are controlled, and highlighted a role in vascular disease. We provide a timely summary of available knowledge on transcriptional regulation of sGC, including influences from the NOTCH signalling pathway and genetic variants. It is speculated that hypertension-induced repression of sGC starts a vicious circle that can be initiated by periods of stress, diet or genetic factors, and a key tenet is that reduction in sGC further raises blood pressure. The idea that dysregulation of sGC contributes to syndromes caused by defective NOTCH signalling is advanced, and we discuss drug repositioning for vascular disease prevention. The advantage of targeting sGC expression rather than activity is also considered. It is argued that transcriptional inputs on sGC arise from interactions with other cells, the extracellular matrix and microRNAs (miRNAs), and concluded that the promise of sGC as a target for prevention of cardiovascular disease has increased in recent time.

Untargeted screening for novel autoantibodies with prognostic value in first-episode psychosis.

Immunological and inflammatory reactions have been suggested to have a role in the development of schizophrenia, a hypothesis that has recently been supported by genetic data. The aim of our study was to perform an unbiased search for autoantibodies in patients with a first psychotic episode, and to explore the association between any seroreactivity and the development of a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) disorder characterized by chronic or relapsing psychotic symptoms. We collected plasma samples from 53 patients when they were treated for their first-episode psychosis, and 41 non-psychotic controls, after which the patients were followed for a mean duration of 7 years. Thirty patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or a long-term unspecified nonorganic psychosis during follow-up, whereas 23 patients achieved complete remission. At the end of follow-up, plasma samples were analyzed for IgG reactivity to 2304 fragments of human proteins using a multiplexed affinity proteomic technique. Eight patient samples showed autoreactivity to the N-terminal fragment of the PAGE (P antigen) protein family (PAGE2B/PAGE2/PAGE5), whereas no such autoreactivity was seen among the controls. PAGE autoreactivity was associated with a significantly increased risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia during follow-up (odds ratio 6.7, relative risk 4.6). An immunohistochemistry analysis using antisera raised against the N-terminal fragment stained an unknown extracellular target in human cortical brain tissue. Our findings suggest that autoreactivity to the N-terminal portion of the PAGE protein family is associated with schizophrenia in a subset of patients with first-episode psychosis.

Policies for managing emergency medical services in mass casualty incidents.

INTRODUCTION: Diverse decision-making is needed in managing mass casualty incidents (MCIs), by emergency medical services (EMS). The aim of the study was to review consensus among international experts concerning policies of EMS management during MCIs. METHODS: Applicability of 21 EMS policies was tested through a 2-cycle modified e-Delphi process, in which 38 multi-disciplinary experts from 10 countries participated. Threshold for approving proposed solutions was defined as consensus of >80%. Policies that did not achieve the targeted consensus were reviewed to detect variability according to respondents' origin country. RESULTS: 16 policies were endorsed in the first cycle including collaboration between ambulance service providers; implementing a unified mode of operation; preparing criteria for ground versus aerial evacuation; and, developing support systems for caregivers exposed to violence. An additional policy which proposed that senior EMS officers should not necessarily act as on-site MCI commanders was endorsed in the second cycle. Demographic breakdown of views concerning non-consensual policies revealed differences according to countries of origin. Assigning ambulances to off-duty team members was highly endorsed by experts from Israel and South Africa and strongly rejected by European respondents. Avoiding entry to risk areas until declared safe was endorsed by European, Asian and Oceanic experts, but rejected by Israeli, South African and North American experts. CONCLUSIONS: Despite uniqueness of countries and EMS agencies, solutions to most dilemmas were applicable to all organizations, regardless of location or affiliation. Cultural diversity was found concerning readiness to implement military-civilian collaboration in MCIs and a rigid separation between work-leisure responsibilities.

Current wheeze, asthma, respiratory infections, and rhinitis among adults in relation to inspection data and indoor measurements in single-family houses in Sweden-The BETSI study.

In the Swedish Building Energy, Technical Status and Indoor environment study, a total of 1160 adults from 605 single-family houses answered a questionnaire on respiratory health. Building inspectors investigated the homes and measured temperature, air humidity, air exchange rate, and wood moisture content (in attic and crawl space). Moisture load was calculated as the difference between indoor and outdoor absolute humidity. Totally, 7.3% were smokers, 8.7% had doctor' diagnosed asthma, 11.2% current wheeze, and 9.5% current asthma symptoms. Totally, 50.3% had respiratory infections and 26.0% rhinitis. The mean air exchange rate was 0.36/h, and the mean moisture load 1.70 g/m3 . Damp foundation (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.16-2.78) was positively associated while floor constructions with crawl space (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.84) was negatively associated with wheeze. Concrete slabs with overlying insulation (OR=2.21, 95% CI 1.24-3.92) and brick façade (OR=1.71, 95% CI 1.07-2.73) were associated with rhinitis. Moisture load was associated with respiratory infections (OR=1.21 per 1 g/m3 , 95% CI 1.04-1.40) and rhinitis (OR=1.36 per 1 g/m3 , 95% CI 1.02-1.83). Air exchange rate was associated with current asthma symptoms (OR=0.85 per 0.1/h, 95% CI 0.73-0.99). Living in homes with damp foundation, concrete slabs with overlying insulation, brick façade, low ventilation flow, and high moisture load are risk factors for asthma, rhinitis, and respiratory infections.

Displacement Forces in Stent Grafts: Influence of Diameter Variation and Curvature Asymmetry.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term durability after endovascular aortic repair is influenced by stent graft migration causing types I and III endoleaks. Flow induced displacement forces have been shown to have the potential to cause migration. In this study, the influence of the distal diameter of iliac limb stent grafts and the shape of graft curvature on flow induced displacement forces, were investigated. METHODS: In an experimental pulsatile flow model mimicking aortic conditions in vivo, flow induced displacement forces at the proximal and distal ends of iliac limb stent grafts were studied at different angles (0-90°) and perfusion pressures (145/80, 170/90, 195/100 mmHg). Bell-bottomed, tapered, and non-tapered stent grafts and also asymmetric stent graft curvatures at 90° bend were studied. Measurements of graft movement were performed at all studied angulations and graft shapes. RESULTS: For all stent graft diameters, flow induced displacement forces increased with higher pressure and increased stent graft angulation. Forces in the bell-bottom graft were considerably higher than in tapered and non-tapered grafts, with a markedly elevated peak force at the distal end (proximal end, 2.3 ± 0.06 N and distal end, 6.9 ± 0.05 N compared with 1.7 ± 0.08 N and 1.6 ± 0.08 N in non-tapered grafts; p < .001 both). Peak forces in tapered and non-tapered grafts were not significantly different between the proximal and distal end. In asymmetric stent graft curvatures, a significant increase in displacement forces was observed in the attachment zone that was closest to the stent graft bend. Graft movement increased with greater displacement forces. CONCLUSION: Flow induced displacement forces in iliac limb stent grafts are significant and are influenced by distal stent graft diameter and the shape of the graft curvature. The displacement forces are particularly high at the large distal end of bell-bottom grafts. Wide iliac arteries treated with bell-bottom stent grafts may require more vigilant surveillance and improved stent graft fixation.

Adenine-induced chronic renal failure in rats decreases aortic relaxation rate and alters expression of proteins involved in vascular smooth muscle calcium handling.

AIM: Rats with adenine-induced chronic renal failure (A-CRF) develop a reduced rate of relaxation of the thoracic aorta. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this abnormality. METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats received either chow containing adenine or were pair-fed with normal chow (controls). After 8-14 weeks, arterial function was analysed ex vivo using wire myography and the expression of proteins involved in vascular smooth muscle excitation-contraction coupling in the thoracic aorta was analysed. RESULTS: The rate of relaxation following washout of KCl was reduced in A-CRF rats vs. controls in the thoracic aorta (P < 0.01), abdominal aorta (P < 0.05), and common carotid artery (P < 0.05), but not in the common femoral artery. Relaxation rates of thoracic aortas increased (P < 0.01), but were not normalized, in response to washout of KCl with Ca2+ -free buffer. Microarray and qRT-PCR analyses of genes involved in excitation-contraction coupling identified 10 genes, which showed significantly altered expression in A-CRF thoracic aortas. At the protein level, the α2 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase (P < 0.001) and SERCA2 (P < 0.05) was significantly downregulated, whereas stromal interaction molecule 1 and calsequestrin-1 and calsequestrin-2 were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rats with A-CRF show a marked alteration in relaxation of larger conduit arteries localized proximal to the common femoral artery. This abnormality may be caused by reduced cytosolic Ca2+ clearance in vascular smooth muscle cells secondary to dysregulation of proteins crucially involved in this process.

Serious adverse events within 30 days of groin hernia surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze severe complications after groin hernia repair with respect to age, ASA score, hernia anatomy, method of repair and method of anesthesia, using nationwide registers. The annual rate of 20 million groin hernia operations throughout the world renders severe complications, although rare, important both for the patient, the clinician, and the health economist. METHODS: Two nationwide registers, the Swedish Hernia Register and the National Swedish Patient Register were linked to find intraoperative complications, severe cardiovascular events and severe surgical adverse events within 30 days of groin hernia surgery. RESULTS: 143,042 patients, 8 % women and 92 % men, were registered between 2002 and 2011. Intraoperative complications occurred in 801 repair, 592 patients suffered from cardiovascular events and 284 patients from a severe surgical event within 30 days of groin hernia surgery. Emergency operation was a risk factor for both cardiovascular and severe surgical adverse events with odds ratios for cardiovascular events of 3.1 (2.5-4.0) for men and 2.8 (1.4-5.5) for women. Regional anesthesia was associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity compared with local anesthesia, odds ratio 1.4 (1.1-1.9). In men, bilateral hernia and sliding hernia approximately doubled the risk for severe surgical events; odds ratio 1.9 (1.1-3.5) and 2.2 (1.6-3.0), respectively. Methods other than open anterior mesh repair increased the risk for surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the increased risk for cardiovascular or surgical complications associated with emergency surgery, bilateral hernia, sliding hernia, and regional anesthesia may enable the surgeon to further reduce their incidence.

Fate of necrotic volume after microwave ablation of multiple liver metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to find the rate of shrinkage of necrosis and time of peak ablation volume after multiple microwave ablations in the treatment of multiple liver metastases of colorectal cancer. These factors are not known and are important in evaluation of treatment and identification of local recurrence, as microwave treatment is becoming more used thanks to improved technology in diagnostics and interventional therapy. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of non-cirrhotic patients with multiple liver only metastases of colorectal cancer, not suited for resection for this reason. Patients were selected for palliative microwave treatment at a liver multidisciplinary team conference. 68 ablations were made in six patients. Ablation volume was analysed with repeated imaging and computer analyses. RESULTS: The ablation volume peeks after 5-7 days where after reduction of the necrosis in the liver occurs logarithmically with a 60% reduction of ablation volume after 100 days and 80% after a year. DISCUSSION: Liver regeneration after microwave ablations occurs at a constant logarithmic rate after an initial expansion of the ablation volume during the first five days. Evaluation of ablation volume in comparison to tumour volume must take this into account so that follow-up imaging is properly timed.