Universal quantum logic in hot silicon qubits.

Quantum computation requires many qubits that can be coherently controlled and coupled to each other1. Qubits that are defined using lithographic techniques have been suggested to enable the development of scalable quantum systems because they can be implemented using semiconductor fabrication technology2-5. However, leading solid-state approaches function only at temperatures below 100 millikelvin, where cooling power is extremely limited, and this severely affects the prospects of practical quantum computation. Recent studies of electron spins in silicon have made progress towards a platform that can be operated at higher temperatures by demonstrating long spin lifetimes6, gate-based spin readout7 and coherent single-spin control8. However, a high-temperature two-qubit logic gate has not yet been demonstrated. Here we show that silicon quantum dots can have sufficient thermal robustness to enable the execution of a universal gate set at temperatures greater than one kelvin. We obtain single-qubit control via electron spin resonance and readout using Pauli spin blockade. In addition, we show individual coherent control of two qubits and measure single-qubit fidelities of up to 99.3 per cent. We demonstrate the tunability of the exchange interaction between the two spins from 0.5 to 18 megahertz and use it to execute coherent two-qubit controlled rotations. The demonstration of 'hot' and universal quantum logic in a semiconductor platform paves the way for quantum integrated circuits that host both the quantum hardware and its control circuitry on the same chip, providing a scalable approach towards practical quantum information processing.

Subarachnoid space of the optic nerve sheath and intracranial hypertension: a macroscopic, light and electron microscopic study.

PURPOSE: The optic nerve (ON) is an extension of the central nervous system via the optic canal to the orbital cavity. It is accompanied by meninges whose arachnoid layer is in continuity with that of the chiasmatic cistern. This arachnoid layer is extended along the ON, delimiting a subarachnoid space (SAS) around the ON. Not all forms of chronic intracranial hypertension (ICH) present papilledema. The latter is sometimes asymmetric, unilateral, or absent. The radiological signs of optic nerve sheath (ONS) dilation, in magnetic resonance imaging, are inconsistent or difficult to interpret. The objective of this study was to analyze the anatomy, the constitution, and the variability of the SAS around the ON in its intraorbital segment to improve the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanism of asymmetric or unilateral or absent papilledema in certain ICH. METHODS: The study was carried out on nine cadaveric specimens. In four embalmed specimens, macroscopic analysis of the SAS of the ONS were performed, with description about density of the arachnoid trabecular meshwork in three distinct areas (bulbar segment, mid-orbital segment and the precanal segment). In three other embalmed specimens, after staining of SAS by methylene blue (MB), we performed macroscopic analysis of MB progression in the SAS of the ONS. Then, in two non-embalmed specimens, light and electron microscopy (EM) analysis were also done. RESULTS: On the macroscopic level, after staining of SAS, we found in all cases that MB progressed on 16 mm average throughout the SAS of the ONS without reaching the papilla. In four embalmed specimens, in the SAS of the ONS, the density of the arachnoid trabecular meshwork showed inter-individual variability (100%) and intra-individual variability with bilateral variability (50%) and/or variability within the same ONS (88%). On the microscopic level, the arachnoid trabeculae of the ONS are composed of dense connective tissue. The EM perfectly depicted its composition which is mainly of collagen fibers of parallel orientation. CONCLUSION: The variability of the SAS around the ONS probably impacts the symmetrical or asymmetrical nature of papilledema in ICH.

[Urinary drainage of spinal cord injured patients in the acute phase of trauma: A descriptive, retrospective study]. / Drainage urinaire des blessés médullaires à la phase aiguë du traumatisme : étude descriptive, rétrospective.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary retention in the acute phase of a spinal cord injury (SCI) requires bladder drainage (BD). International scientific societies recommend early implementation of intermittent catheterisation (IC) to prevent lower urological complications, preserve fertility, the urological future of the patient and improve its quality of life. The aim of our study was to analyze the mode of BD in the acute phase of a trauma in patients with SCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the mode of BD of patients with SCI in the acute phase of trauma at the Bordeaux University Hospital from 2013 to 2018. RESULTS: The care pathways of 81 patients were analyzed; patients were hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) (42%, n=34), in orthopaedic ward (19.8%, n=16) or in ICU and orthopaedic ward (38.2%, n=31). All of them had an indwelling catheter (IUD) inserted before IC was introduced in 56 of them (69%). On hospital discharge, IC was the BD for only 37% of patients, with differences according to the care pathway: 65% of patients leaving ICU were on IC, compared with 11% leaving orthopaedic ward. 80% of patients who had IC in ICU had an IUD installed in orthopaedic ward. CONCLUSION: In this study, during the acute phase of a trauma in the majority of SCI patient, IC was introduced only in a minority of patients and the promotion was different within the hospital care pathways. Those results enhanced the need for IC awareness in different hospital units to standardize the best patient care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Spin Relaxation Benchmarks and Individual Qubit Addressability for Holes in Quantum Dots.

We investigate hole spin relaxation in the single- and multihole regime in a 2 × 2 germanium quantum dot array. We find spin relaxation times T1 as high as 32 and 1.2 ms for quantum dots with single- and five-hole occupations, respectively, setting benchmarks for spin relaxation times for hole quantum dots. Furthermore, we investigate qubit addressability and electric field sensitivity by measuring resonance frequency dependence of each qubit on gate voltages. We can tune the resonance frequency over a large range for both single and multihole qubits, while simultaneously finding that the resonance frequencies are only weakly dependent on neighboring gates. In particular, the five-hole qubit resonance frequency is more than 20 times as sensitive to its corresponding plunger gate. Excellent individual qubit tunability and long spin relaxation times make holes in germanium promising for addressable and high-fidelity spin qubits in dense two-dimensional quantum dot arrays for large-scale quantum information.

Tunable Coupling and Isolation of Single Electrons in Silicon Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Quantum Dots.

Extremely long coherence times, excellent single-qubit gate fidelities, and two-qubit logic have been demonstrated with silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor spin qubits, making it one of the leading platforms for quantum information processing. Despite this, a long-standing challenge in this system has been the demonstration of tunable tunnel coupling between single electrons. Here we overcome this hurdle with gate-defined quantum dots and show couplings that can be tuned on and off for quantum operations. We use charge sensing to discriminate between the (2,0) and (1,1) charge states of a double quantum dot and show excellent charge sensitivity. We demonstrate tunable coupling up to 13 GHz, obtained by fitting charge polarization lines, and tunable tunnel rates down to <1 Hz, deduced from the random telegraph signal. The demonstration of tunable coupling between single electrons in a silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor device provides significant scope for high-fidelity two-qubit logic toward quantum information processing with standard manufacturing.

Mobilization of retrotransposons as a cause of chromosomal diversification and rapid speciation: the case for the Antarctic teleost genus Trematomus.

BACKGROUND: The importance of transposable elements (TEs) in the genomic remodeling and chromosomal rearrangements that accompany lineage diversification in vertebrates remains the subject of debate. The major impediment to understanding the roles of TEs in genome evolution is the lack of comparative and integrative analyses on complete taxonomic groups. To help overcome this problem, we have focused on the Antarctic teleost genus Trematomus (Notothenioidei: Nototheniidae), as they experienced rapid speciation accompanied by dramatic chromosomal diversity. Here we apply a multi-strategy approach to determine the role of large-scale TE mobilization in chromosomal diversification within Trematomus species. RESULTS: Despite the extensive chromosomal rearrangements observed in Trematomus species, our measurements revealed strong interspecific genome size conservation. After identifying the DIRS1, Gypsy and Copia retrotransposon superfamilies in genomes of 13 nototheniid species, we evaluated their diversity, abundance (copy numbers) and chromosomal distribution. Four families of DIRS1, nine of Gypsy, and two of Copia were highly conserved in these genomes; DIRS1 being the most represented within Trematomus genomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping showed preferential accumulation of DIRS1 in centromeric and pericentromeric regions, both in Trematomus and other nototheniid species, but not in outgroups: species of the Sub-Antarctic notothenioid families Bovichtidae and Eleginopsidae, and the non-notothenioid family Percidae. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the outgroups, High-Antarctic notothenioid species, including the genus Trematomus, were subjected to strong environmental stresses involving repeated bouts of warming above the freezing point of seawater and cooling to sub-zero temperatures on the Antarctic continental shelf during the past 40 millions of years (My). As a consequence of these repetitive environmental changes, including thermal shocks; a breakdown of epigenetic regulation that normally represses TE activity may have led to sequential waves of TE activation within their genomes. The predominance of DIRS1 in Trematomus species, their transposition mechanism, and their strategic location in "hot spots" of insertion on chromosomes are likely to have facilitated nonhomologous recombination, thereby increasing genomic rearrangements. The resulting centric and tandem fusions and fissions would favor the rapid lineage diversification, characteristic of the nototheniid adaptive radiation.

Spin Lifetime and Charge Noise in Hot Silicon Quantum Dot Qubits.

We investigate the magnetic field and temperature dependence of the single-electron spin lifetime in silicon quantum dots and find a lifetime of 2.8 ms at a temperature of 1.1 K. We develop a model based on spin-valley mixing and find that Johnson noise and two-phonon processes limit relaxation at low and high temperature, respectively. We also investigate the effect of temperature on charge noise and find a linear dependence up to 4 K. These results contribute to the understanding of relaxation in silicon quantum dots and are promising for qubit operation at elevated temperatures.

A novel image processing workflow for the in vivo quantification of skin microvasculature using dynamic optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: Currently, imaging technologies that can accurately assess or provide surrogate markers of the human cutaneous microvessel network are limited. Dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) allows the detection of blood flow in vivo and visualization of the skin microvasculature. However, image processing is necessary to correct images, filter artifacts, and exclude irrelevant signals. The objective of this study was to develop a novel image processing workflow to enhance the technical capabilities of D-OCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-center, vehicle-controlled study including healthy volunteers aged 18-50 years. A capsaicin solution was applied topically on the subject's forearm to induce local inflammation. Measurements of capsaicin-induced increase in dermal blood flow, within the region of interest, were performed by laser Doppler imaging (LDI) (reference method) and D-OCT. RESULTS: Sixteen subjects were enrolled. A good correlation was shown between D-OCT and LDI, using the image processing workflow. Therefore, D-OCT offers an easy-to-use alternative to LDI, with good repeatability, new robust morphological features (dermal-epidermal junction localization), and quantification of the distribution of vessel size and changes in this distribution induced by capsaicin. The visualization of the vessel network was improved through bloc filtering and artifact removal. Moreover, the assessment of vessel size distribution allows a fine analysis of the vascular patterns. CONCLUSION: The newly developed image processing workflow enhances the technical capabilities of D-OCT for the accurate detection and characterization of microcirculation in the skin. A direct clinical application of this image processing workflow is the quantification of the effect of topical treatment on skin vascularization.

Validation of 3D skin imaging for objective repeatable quantification of severity of atrophic acne scarring.

BACKGROUND: One major sequelae of acne is atrophic scarring, yet objective tools to assess scars are lacking. Neither depth nor volume of atrophic scars is readily evaluable clinically and standard 2D photography is significantly affected by lighting and shadows. The aim of our study was to define and evaluate parameters of 3D imaging that can be used to assess severity of atrophic acne scarring. METHODS: Single center study of 31 patients with acne scarring. A target area of 3 × 3 cm was defined on the face. The global severity of atrophic acne scarring in the target area was evaluated by 5 dermatologists and scars were counted and categorized by size (scars < 2 mm, 2-4 mm, and > 4 mm in diameter). Three dimensional images of the target area were acquired with the LifeViz Micro® system and analysis was performed using MountainsMaps® software. An algorithm was developed to quantify the scar volume loss: shape removal step, with an order 5 polynomial, and to calculate the Valley void volume 80% (Vvv 80%) defined in the ISO-25178 standard for 3D surface texture. RESULTS: Correlation coefficient of the Vvv parameter to mean global severity at the target area rating was 0.77. The volume of scars evaluated with the Vvv parameter was mainly impacted by scars > 2 mm. The evaluations demonstrated good repeatability (with an intra-class correlation coefficient ICC = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate convergent validation to clinical assessment and repeatability of 3D skin imaging in atrophic acne scarring. Image analysis is straightforward and can be integrated into an automated workflow.

National epidemiological study reveals longer paediatric bone and joint infection stays for infants and in general hospitals.

AIM: Published studies have suggested that two to five days of intravenous treatment could effectively treat paediatric bone and joint infections (PBJI), allowing a faster discharge. This study analysed the factors associated with PBJI hospital stays lasting longer than five days using the French National Hospital Discharge Database. METHODS: We selected children under 15 years hospitalised in 2013 with haematogenous PBJIs using a validated French algorithm based on specific diagnosis and surgical procedure codes. Risk factors for stays of more than five days were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: In 2013, 2717 children were hospitalised for PBJI, with 49% staying more than five days. The overall incidence of 22 per 100 000, was highest in males and toddlers. The main causes were septic arthritis (50%) and osteomyelitis (46%) and 50% of the pathogens were Staphylococci. The odd ratios for stays of five days or more were infancy, coded bacteria and sickle cell disease (7.0), having spondylodiscitis rather than septic arthritis (2.2) and being hospitalised in a general hospital rather than a teaching hospital (1.6). CONCLUSION: Half of the hospital stays exceeded five days, despite scientific evidence supporting a shorter intravenous antibiotherapy regimen. Greater knowledge and widespread use of short treatment regimens are needed.

Pazopanib or placebo in completely resected stage I NSCLC patients: results of the phase II IFCT-0703 trial.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant treatment in resected stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is generally not recommended. Pazopanib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGFR-1/2/3 and PDGFR-α/ß. We explored the feasibility and efficacy of adjuvant pazopanib in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this double-blind phase II/III trial, patients with resected stage I NSCLC were randomized to placebo or pazopanib 800 mg/day (P800) for 6 months with a two-step Fleming design. The primary endpoint was compliance (percentage of patients receiving ≥3 months pazopanib). From the interim analysis after 64 patients were included, the IDMC recommended reducing to pazopanib 400 mg/day (P400) due to insufficient compliance, with a one-step Fleming. Although unplanned, survival data were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients were enrolled in each arm; 61% were male, 91% were smokers, median age was 60 years, 80% had pathological stage IA, and 16% had squamous cell carcinoma. Pazopanib compliance was 38% [95% confidence interval (CI) 23-55] with P800, increasing to 69% (95% CI 50-84; P = 0.027) with P400. Two patients had grade 4 toxicities with P800. The most common grade 3 toxicities were increased transaminases (16%), hypertension (13%), and diarrhea (9%) with P800, and gastrointestinal disorders (16%; 6% diarrhea) and hypertension (6%) with P400. Median follow-up was 47 months. Three-year recurrence-free survival was 76% (95% CI 65%-86%) with pazopanib and 83% (95% CI 74%-92%) with placebo [hazard ratio = 1.3 (95% CI 0.6-2.7), P = 0.53]. Five-year overall survival was 83% (95% CI 72-94) with pazopanib and 94% [95% CI 88-100] with placebo [hazard ratio = 1.8 (95% CI 0.6-5.5), P = 0.26]. CONCLUSIONS: In resected stage I NSCLC patients adjuvant 400 mg/day pazopanib but not 800 mg/day was feasible, although possibly infra-therapeutic and failed to improve relapse-free survival.

Impacts of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies and antibody-mediated rejection on outcomes after intestinal transplantation in children.

AMR is a risk factor for graft failure after SBTx. We studied impact of DSAs and AMR in 22 children transplanted between 2008 and 2012 (11 isolated SBTx, 10 liver inclusive Tx, and one modified multivisceral Tx). Three patients never developed DSA, but DSAs were found in seven in the pre-Tx period and de novo post-Tx in 19 children. Pathology revealed cellular rejection (15/19), with vascular changes and C4d+. Patients were treated with IV immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis, and steroids. Rescue therapy included antithymocyte globulins, rituximab, eculizumab, and bortezomib. Pathology and graft function normalized in 13 patients, graft loss occurred in two, and death in seven. At the end of the follow-up, 15 children were alive (68%), 13 with functioning graft (59%). Prognosis factors for poor outcome after Tx were the presence of symptoms at AMR suspicion (P +.033). DSAs were often found following SBTx, mostly de novo. Resistant ACR or severe AMR is still difficult to differentiate, with a high need for immunosuppression in both. DSAs may precede development of severe disease and pathology features on the graft: relationship and correlation need to be better investigated with larger groups before and after Tx.

BIL&GIN: A neuroimaging, cognitive, behavioral, and genetic database for the study of human brain lateralization.

We report on a database, named BIL&GIN, designed for investigating the cognitive, behavioral, genetic, and brain morphological/functional correlates of hemispheric specialization. The database contains records from a sample of 453 adult participants enriched in left-handers (45%, N=205) as compared to the general population. For each subject, socio-demographic data, hand and eye laterality, family handedness, and cognitive abilities in the language, motor, visuo-spatial, and numerical domains have been recorded. T1-MRI and DTI data were also acquired, as well as resting-state functional MRI. Task-evoked functional MRI was performed in a sub-sample of 303 subjects (157 left-handers) using a customized functional battery of 16 cognitive tasks exploring the same three cognitive domains. Performances at the tasks executed in the magnet as well as post-acquisition debriefing were recorded. A saliva sample was obtained from the subjects of this sub-sample from which DNA was extracted. The BIL&GIN contains results of imaging data processing for each subject, namely maps of tissue (GM, WM, CSF) probability, cortical thickness, cortical surface, and diffusion parameters as well as regional values of these phenotypes for regions of both AAL and FreeSurfer parcellations. For the subjects who underwent FMRI, individual SPM contrast maps for each of the 8 runs were also calculated and included in the database, as well as corresponding BOLD variations in ROIs of the AAL and AICHA atlases, and Wilke's hemispheric functional lateralization index. The BIL&GIN data sharing is based on a collaborative model.

Complex Magnetism of Lanthanide Intermetallics and the Role of their Valence Electrons: Ab Initio Theory and Experiment.

We explain a profound complexity of magnetic interactions of some technologically relevant gadolinium intermetallics using an ab initio electronic structure theory which includes disordered local moments and strong f-electron correlations. The theory correctly finds GdZn and GdCd to be simple ferromagnets and predicts a remarkably large increase of Curie temperature with a pressure of +1.5 K kbar(-1) for GdCd confirmed by our experimental measurements of +1.6 K kbar(-1). Moreover, we find the origin of a ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic competition in GdMg manifested by noncollinear, canted magnetic order at low temperatures. Replacing 35% of the Mg atoms with Zn removes this transition, in excellent agreement with long-standing experimental data.

Ability of esCCO to track changes in cardiac output.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether cardiac output measured with pulse wave transit time (esCCO, Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan) is able to track changes in cardiac output induced by an increase in preload (volume expansion/passive leg-raising) or by changes in vasomotor tone (variation in norepinephrine dosage) in critically ill patients. METHODS: Eighty patients for whom the decision to give fluid (500 mL of saline over 15 min) (n=20), to perform passive leg-raising (n=20), and to increase (n=20) or to decrease (n=20) norepinephrine were included by the physician. Cardiac output was measured with pulse wave transit time (CO-esCCO) and transthoracic echocardiography (CO-TTE) before and after therapeutic intervention. RESULTS: Comparison between CO-TTE and CO-esCCO showed a bias of -0.7 l min(-1) and limits of agreement of -4.4 to 2.9 l min(-1), before therapeutic intervention and a bias of -0.5 l min(-1) and limits of agreement of -4.2 to 3.2 l min(-1) after therapeutic intervention. Bias was correlated with systemic vascular resistance (r(2)=0.60, P<0.0001). Percentage error was 61% before and 59% after therapeutic intervention. Considering the overall data (n=80), the concordance rate was 84%, polar plot analysis revealed an angular bias (sd) of -11°(35°) and radial limits of agreement of (sd 50°). With regard to passive leg-raising and volume expansion groups (n=40), the concordance rate was 83%, the angular bias (sd) was -20°(36°) and radial limits of agreement ( 50°). Considering variations in norepinephrine dosage groups (n=40), the concordance rate was 86%, the angular bias (sd) was -1.8°(33°) and radial limits of agreement (40°). CONCLUSIONS: esCCO was not able to track changes in cardiac output, induced by an increase in preload or by variations in vasomotor tone. Therefore, esCCO cannot guide haemodynamic interventions in critically ill patients.

Relationships between hand laterality and verbal and spatial skills in 436 healthy adults balanced for handedness.

The relationship between manual laterality and cognitive skills remains highly controversial. Some studies have reported that strongly lateralised participants had higher cognitive performance in verbal and visuo-spatial domains compared to non-lateralised participants; however, others found the opposite. Moreover, some have suggested that familial sinistrality and sex might interact with individual laterality factors to alter cognitive skills. The present study addressed these issues in 237 right-handed and 199 left-handed individuals. Performance tests covered various aspects of verbal and spatial cognition. A principal component analysis yielded two verbal and one spatial factor scores. Participant laterality assessments included handedness, manual preference strength, asymmetry of motor performance, and familial sinistrality. Age, sex, education level, and brain volume were also considered. No effect of handedness was found, but the mean factor scores in verbal and spatial domains increased with right asymmetry in motor performance. Performance was reduced in participants with a familial history of left-handedness combined with a non-maximal preference strength in the dominant hand. These results elucidated some discrepancies among previous findings in laterality factors and cognitive skills. Laterality factors had small effects compared to the adverse effects of age for spatial cognition and verbal memory, the positive effects of education for all three domains, and the effect of sex for spatial cognition.

Detection of fungi in the airways of horses according to the sample site: a methodological study.

Fungal detection in equine airways may be performed on either tracheal wash (TW) or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by either cytology or culture. However, method comparisons are sparse. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of fungi in airways of horses according to the sample site and laboratory methodology. Sixty-two adult horses, investigated in the field or referred for respiratory disease, were included. Tracheal wash, and BALF collected separately from both lungs, were collected using a videoendoscope. Fungi were detected in cytologic samples examined by light microscopy, and by fungal culture. Hay was sampled in the field. Prevalence of fungi was of 91.9% in TW and 37.1% in BALF. Fungi were cultured from 82.3% of TW and 20.9% of BALF. Fungal elements were observed cytologically in 69.4% of TW and 22.6% of BALF. In 50% of horses, the same fungi were detected in both TW and hay, but fungi detected in BALF and hay differed in all horses. Poor agreement was found for the detection of fungi between TW and BALF and between fungal culture and cytologic examination (Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ) < 0.20). Moderate agreement was found between cytologic examination of left and right lungs (κ = 0.47). The prevalence of fungi detected cytologically on pooled BALF was significantly different (p = 0.023) than on combined left and right BALF. Fungi were more prevalent in the TW than BALF, and results suggest that hay might not be the primary source of fungi of the lower respiratory tract of horses.

Risk factors for early mortality from lung cancer: evolution over the last 20 years in the French nationwide KBP cohorts.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the most recent advances, including targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors, on early (3-month) mortality in lung cancer is unknown. The aims of this study were to evaluate the real-world rate of and risk factors for early mortality, as well as trends in early mortality over the last 20 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The KBP prospective observational multicenter studies have been conducted every 10 years since 2000. These studies collect data on all newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer (all stages and histologies) over 1 year in non-academic public hospital pulmonology or oncology units in France. In this study, we analyzed data on patient and tumor characteristics from participants in the KBP-2020 cohort and compared the characteristics of patients who died within 3 months of diagnosis with those of all other patients within the cohort. We also carried out a comparative analysis with the KBP-2000 and KBP-2010 cohorts. RESULTS: Overall, 8999 patients from 82 centers were included in the KBP-2020 cohort. Three-month survival data were available for 8827 patients, of whom 1792 (20.3%) had died. Risk factors for early mortality were: male sex, age >70 years, symptomatic disease at diagnosis, ever smoker, weight loss >10 kg, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (≥1), large-cell carcinoma or not otherwise specified, and stage ≥IIIC disease. The overall 3-month mortality rate was found to have decreased significantly over the last 20 years, from 24.7% in KBP-2000 to 23.4% in KBP-2010 and 20.3% in KBP-2020 (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Early mortality among patients with lung cancer has significantly decreased over the last 20 years which may reflect recent improvements in treatments. However, early mortality remained extremely high in 2020, particularly when viewed in light of improvements in longer-term survival. Delays in lung cancer diagnosis and management could contribute to this finding.

An observational cross-sectional survey of rosacea: clinical associations and progression between subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated differences between rosacea subtypes in epidemiological associations and clinical features. The natural history of rosacea is unknown and progression between subtypes has been implied but not formally evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To assess associations between the four rosacea subtypes [erythematotelangiectatic (ETR), papulopustular (PPR), phymatous (PHY) and ocular], including quantitative and qualitative details on primary and secondary features of rosacea. A secondary objective was to evaluate for the potential of progression between subtypes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited subjects with rosacea from Northern Germany and comprised clinical evaluation by a dermatologist and a survey of demographics and onset of rosacea-associated signs and symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 135 subjects with rosacea were enrolled. PHY was more frequently associated with PPR than ETR (P < 0·001). Compared with ETR, PPR was significantly associated with facial burning/stinging (P = 0·001), phymas (P < 0·001) and oedema (P < 0·001); and during flushing episodes, was more frequently associated with burning (P = 0·018), skin tension (P = 0·005) and itching (P = 0·027). ETR was more frequently associated with dry facial skin (P < 0·001). Flushing was reported by 66% and the site most frequently involved was the cheeks (100%). Papulopustules were evanescent in 42% and the sites most frequently involved were the cheeks (80%) and nose (67%). Of those fulfilling criteria for at least two subtypes, 66% developed ETR before PPR; 92% developed ETR before PHY; 83% developed PPR before PHY; and the majority developed cutaneous rosacea-associated features before ocular signs/symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences exist between ETR and PPR in rosacea-associated features and in subtype associations. A small proportion of subjects with rosacea may progress between subtypes.

Thermal properties and surface reactivity in simulated body fluid of new strontium ion-containing phosphate glasses.

In this paper, we investigate the effect of SrO substitution for CaO in 50P2O5-10Na2-(40-x)CaO-xSrO glass system (x from 0 to 40) on the thermal and structural properties and also on the glass reactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF) in order to find new glass candidates for biomedical glass fibers. The addition of SrO at the expense of CaO seems to restrain the leaching of phosphate ions in the solution limiting the reduction of the solution pH. We observed the formation of an apatite layer at the surface of the glasses when in contact with SBF. SrO and MgO were found in the apatite layer of the strontium ion-containing glasses, the concentration of which increases with an increase of SrO content. We think that it is the presence of MgO and SrO in the layer which limits the leaching of phosphate in the solution and thus the glass dissolution in SBF.