Long-Lived Inverse Chirp Signals from Core-Collapse in Massive Scalar-Tensor Gravity.

This Letter considers stellar core collapse in massive scalar-tensor theories of gravity. The presence of a mass term for the scalar field allows for dramatic increases in the radiated gravitational wave signal. There are several potential smoking gun signatures of a departure from general relativity associated with this process. These signatures could show up within existing LIGO-Virgo searches.

Factors influencing the Shear Wave Elastography evaluation of the patellar tendon.

AIM: There is no clear standardization for tendon Shear Wave Elastography (SWE), and data regarding the factors that influence the correctness of evaluation are scarce. We aimed to determine the intra- and interobserver agreement in patellar tendon SWE, and to establish the influence of various factors on elasticity values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 37 healthy volunteers; SWE of the patellar tendon was performed by two examiners. The following factors were analyzed: probe frequency, degree of joint flexion, size of region of interest (ROI), distance of the color box from the probe footprint, utilization of coupling gel as standoff, and the effect of physical exercise on elastic modulus values. RESULTS: Highest overall interobserver [k=0.767, 95%CI (0.717-0.799), p<0.001] and intraobserver agreement [k=0.920 (0.909-0.929) for examiner 1, k=0.891 (0.875-0.905) for examiner 2] was obtained with the knee in the neutral position, using the L18-5 probe. With the knee flexed at 30º and 45º, the elasticity values were higher compared to the neutral position (p<0.001). With the probe immersed in 0.25 and 0.50 cm coupling gel, the median values were lower compared to the probe placed on the skin (p=0.001, p=0.018). The ROI dimensions and the placement of the SWE box at the level of the skin or at 0.5 cm below skin did not significantly influence the elastic modulus. After physical exercise, the elasticity values decreased in the proximal and middle portion of the tendon (p=0.002, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The best results obtained in patellar tendon SWE were with the knee in neutral position, in the proximal or middle tendon, after 10 minutes of relaxation and with the probe placed directly on the skin with minimal pressure. The size and position of ROI do not significantly influence the examination.

Diagnostic role of CXCL13 biomarker in primary Sjogren's syndrome patients with parotid non-Hodgkin's lymphoma complication.

INTRODUCTION: Serum biomarkers are important predictive factors for development of parotid non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) complication in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients. The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum CXCL13 chemokine in pSS patients with parotid NHL complication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum CXCL13 chemokine was assessed in 33 patients with pSS [7 with parotid NHL complication (pSS+NHL subgroup) and 26 without NHL (pSS-NHL subgroup)] and 30 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The serum CXCL13 levels in pSS+NHL subgroup [175.2 (107.9-220.4) pg/ml] were significantly higher comparing to the healthy subjects group (p=0.018) and the pSS-NHL subgroup (p=0.048). A cut-off value of 123.45pg/ml (Se=71.4%, Sp=80.8%, AUROC=0.747) was established for parotid lymphoma diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The serum CXCL13 biomarker could be considered a valuable tool for the diagnosis of parotid NHL complication in pSS patients.

Combined Effects of Vitamin D Status, Renal Function and Age on Serum Parathyroid Hormone Levels.

Background: Vitamin D status and renal function are well-known independent predictors of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. We aimed to describe the combined effects of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and age on serum PTH levels across the whole clinical spectrum. Methods: We retrieved from our endocrinology center database all PTH measurement between 2012 and 2020 for which a simultaneous measurement of serum 25(OH)D, calcium and creatinine was available. Age, sex and diagnosis were available for all subjects. Intact PTH was measured using the same electrochemiluminescence assay. Results: There were 6,444 adults and 701 children without a diagnosis of hyper- or hypoparathyroidism or abnormal serum calcium levels. In adults with 25(OH)D≥12 ng/mL multiple regression models showed that serum PTH was negatively correlated with both 25(OH)D and GFR. Regression (-0.68 and -1.59 vs. -0.45 and -0.22 respectively), partial correlation (-0.16 and -0.35 vs. -0.12 and -0.10 respectively) and determination coefficients (0.14 vs. 0.031) were higher in CKD than in normal renal function. In subjects with 25(OH)D<12 ng/mL, GFR was the only significant predictor in those with CKD (ß-coefficient=-2.5, r=-0.55) and 25(OH)D was the only significant predictor in those with normal renal function (ß-coefficient=-2.05, r=-0.11). Increasing age was associated with higher PTH levels only in those with normal renal function and 25(OH)D≥12 ng/mL. Conclusions: We showed that declining vitamin D and renal function have additive effects on serum PTH in subjects without vitamin D deficiency. In vitamin D deficient subjects this dependency is stronger but is not additive anymore.