A candidate super-Earth planet orbiting near the snow line of Barnard's star.

Barnard's star is a red dwarf, and has the largest proper motion (apparent motion across the sky) of all known stars. At a distance of 1.8 parsecs1, it is the closest single star to the Sun; only the three stars in the α Centauri system are closer. Barnard's star is also among the least magnetically active red dwarfs known2,3 and has an estimated age older than the Solar System. Its properties make it a prime target for planetary searches; various techniques with different sensitivity limits have been used previously, including radial-velocity imaging4-6, astrometry7,8 and direct imaging9, but all ultimately led to negative or null results. Here we combine numerous measurements from high-precision radial-velocity instruments, revealing the presence of a low-amplitude periodic signal with a period of 233 days. Independent photometric and spectroscopic monitoring, as well as an analysis of instrumental systematic effects, suggest that this signal is best explained as arising from a planetary companion. The candidate planet around Barnard's star is a cold super-Earth, with a minimum mass of 3.2 times that of Earth, orbiting near its snow line (the minimum distance from the star at which volatile compounds could condense). The combination of all radial-velocity datasets spanning 20 years of measurements additionally reveals a long-term modulation that could arise from a stellar magnetic-activity cycle or from a more distant planetary object. Because of its proximity to the Sun, the candidate planet has a maximum angular separation of 220 milliarcseconds from Barnard's star, making it an excellent target for direct imaging and astrometric observations in the future.

Fusion Object Detection and Action Recognition to Predict Violent Action.

In the context of Shared Autonomous Vehicles, the need to monitor the environment inside the car will be crucial. This article focuses on the application of deep learning algorithms to present a fusion monitoring solution which was three different algorithms: a violent action detection system, which recognizes violent behaviors between passengers, a violent object detection system, and a lost items detection system. Public datasets were used for object detection algorithms (COCO and TAO) to train state-of-the-art algorithms such as YOLOv5. For violent action detection, the MoLa InCar dataset was used to train on state-of-the-art algorithms such as I3D, R(2+1)D, SlowFast, TSN, and TSM. Finally, an embedded automotive solution was used to demonstrate that both methods are running in real-time.

AI based monitoring violent action detection data for in-vehicle scenarios.

With the evolution of technology associated with mobility and autonomy, Shared Autonomous Vehicles will be a reality. To ensure passenger safety, there is a need to create a monitoring system inside the vehicle capable of recognizing human actions. We introduce two datasets to train human action recognition inside the vehicle, focusing on violence detection. The InCar dataset tackles violent actions for in-car background which give us more realistic data. The InVicon dataset although doesn't have the realistic background as the InCar dataset can provide skeleton (3D body joints) data. This datasets were recorded with RGB, Depth, Thermal, Event-based, and Skeleton data. The resulting dataset contains 6 400 video samples and more than 3 million frames, collected from sixteen distinct subjects. The dataset contains 58 action classes, including violent and neutral (i.e., non-violent) activities.

A multiplanet system of super-Earths orbiting the brightest red dwarf star GJ 887.

The closet exoplanets to the Sun provide opportunities for detailed characterization of planets outside the Solar System. We report the discovery, using radial velocity measurements, of a compact multiplanet system of super-Earth exoplanets orbiting the nearby red dwarf star GJ 887. The two planets have orbital periods of 9.3 and 21.8 days. Assuming an Earth-like albedo, the equilibrium temperature of the 21.8-day planet is ~350 kelvin. The planets are interior to, but close to the inner edge of, the liquid-water habitable zone. We also detect an unconfirmed signal with a period of ~50 days, which could correspond to a third super-Earth in a more temperate orbit. Our observations show that GJ 887 has photometric variability below 500 parts per million, which is unusually quiet for a red dwarf.

Skin cancer after nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common skin cancer in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, and is well documented to occur in patients that have undergone either solid organ transplantation or conventional myeloablative bone marrow transplantation. Nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (NMAT) provides transient, intensive immunosuppression, permitting allogeneic engraftment without ablating the marrow. The purpose of this report is to describe six patients that developed SCC (n=3), basal cell carcinoma (n=2), or malignant melanoma (n=2) over a period of 2-26 months following NMAT. All patients had myelodysplasia or acute myelogenous leukemia prior to transplantation. The authors demonstrate for the first time that patients who undergo NMAT are at risk for developing skin cancers and emphasize the need for close surveillance in the post transplantation period.

Macrophage activation syndrome and other systemic inflammatory conditions after BMT.

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is being used to treat autoimmune diseases refractory to conventional therapy, including rheumatoid arthritis. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a descriptive term for a systemic inflammatory disorder that has been described in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). This case report describes a young adult with systemic JRA (sJRA) who developed MAS on day # 12 post-autologous transplantation. The patient developed high fever, laboratory evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hepatocellular injury, pancytopenia and hyper-ferritinemia. All viral, bacterial and fungal studies were negative and the patient improved with high-dose glucocorticosteroid and cyclosporine therapy. Extreme elevation of serum ferritin was documented and helpful in monitoring response to therapy. A number of systemic inflammatory syndromes have been described in association with HCT. These include DIC, 'engraftment syndrome,' infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Macrophage activation syndrome presents with features of DIC and is closely related or identical to infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome. The diagnosis needs to be established in a timely fashion because early and appropriate treatment may improve outcome.

Schmidt's syndrome in a child with diabetes mellitus.

Schmidt's syndrome (thyroid and adrenal insufficiency) and concurrent diabetes mellitus represent an intriguing multiple endocrinopathy in children. This report describes an eleven-year-old girl with diabetes of eight years' duration presenting in adrenal crisis. Serum thyroxine was undetectable, and antibodies to both thyroglobulin and adrenal tissue were found in high titer. The child's condition stabilized with hormonal replacement therapy, except for persistent growth failure. Approximately two years later she succumbed during a rapidly fulminant episode of ketoacidosis. The natural history of her illness supports recent speculation based on serologic data that juvenile diabetes mellitus may be an immunologic disorder in some children.

New federal policy for children with special health care needs: implications for pediatricians.

Title V of the Social Security Act of 1935 established the nation's first categorical health care program for children: the Crippled Children's Service. In 1985, federal legislation changed the name of the Crippled Children's Service to the Program for Children With Special Health Care Needs. Four years later, new amendments to Title V dramatically altered the Program's mission. States are now required to spend 30% of the funds from the Maternal and Child Health Services block grant on children with special health care needs and to take specific steps toward improving the service system for these children and their families. The new mandate is the only current foundation of a national health policy for children with special health care needs. The 1989 law substantially broadens the mission of the state programs and explicitly recognizes that all children with a special health care need should have access to an appropriate, community-based system of care monitored by state Children with Special Health Care Needs agencies. In addition, states are now required to conduct needs assessments pertaining to these children, to foster local systems of care, and to ensure a high quality of community-based services. Understanding the implications of the new amendments is essential because pediatricians and other child health care professionals have key roles to play in implementing these new policies.

Growth in children with cerebral palsy fed via gastrostomy.

Growth characteristics of 57 children with feeding gastrostomies attending the cerebral palsy clinic at a regional medical facility were evaluated. All children had severe neuromotor and orofacial involvement and mental retardation. More than 90% of the patients were less than fifth percentile for height and weight, and 80% were underweight for height before gastrostomy tube placement. Following gastrostomy, 33% remained underweight for height and 21% became overweight for height. The majority of children remained at less than the fifth percentile for height and weight. Improvement in linear growth was much less common than improvement in weight. Children with gastrostomies placed in the first year of life were most likely to exceed the fifth percentile for height and weight. The mechanisms of growth retardation in children severely affected by cerebral palsy are not known, but poor nutrition is thought to be the major contributor. Gastrostomy feeding in children severely affected by cerebral palsy can improve nutritional status but does not eliminate growth retardation. The importance of growth and adequate nutrition in reducing morbidity in children with severe neuromotor involvement remains to be established.

Coronary risk factors in adolescents related to their knowledge of familial coronary heart disease and hypercholesterolemia: the Muscatine Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of a school-based questionnaire, to identify adolescents with adverse coronary risk factor levels. DESIGN: In Muscatine, IA, students (9th through 12th grade) completed a questionnaire providing medical history information about first- and second-degree relatives. Anthropometric measures were obtained and blood pressure, lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels were determined. RESULTS: A history of parental coronary heart disease (CHD) was rare and a history of parental high cholesterol frequently was unknown; however, when known, a history of high cholesterol or early (30 to 55 years of age) or later (> 55 years of age) CHD (myocardial infarction, coronary bypass, or death from a heart attack) in grandfathers enriched the identification of adolescents with adverse coronary risk factors. Parental history of CHD was associated with an increased risk for high body mass index and low apolipoprotein A1 levels in their children. Grandfather history of early or later CHD was associated with an increased risk for low apolipoprotein A1 and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and high body mass index in their grandchildren. Students with positive grandfather histories of high cholesterol had higher total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios. Grandmother histories, because most were negative, did not help identify adolescents in this population with adverse coronary risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: A parental history of CHD as well as a grandfather history of high cholesterol or CHD enriches the identification of children with adverse coronary risk factor levels. The positive predictive values associated with using a school-based history obtained from adolescents, many with the aid of their parents, are small and many adolescents do not know their family history. It is essential that pediatricians inquire about parental and especially grandparental medical histories in accordance with the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines to help identify children at highest familial risk. The importance of determining parental and grandparental histories of CHD or hypercholesterolemia should be emphasized to families who are uncertain of their histories to identify children and adolescents who require a physician's care. It is also important for pediatricians to remind their colleagues who care for patients with premature ischemic heart disease to refer their progeny for pediatric care so that their lipids and lipoproteins may be screened and counseling provided.

A phase I/II study of the protease inhibitor indinavir in children with HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Indinavir, an inhibitor of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease, is approved for the treatment of HIV infection in adults when antiretroviral therapy is indicated. We evaluated the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of the indinavir free-base liquid suspension and the sulfate salt dry-filled capsules in HIV-infected children, and studied its preliminary antiviral and clinical activity in this patient population. In addition, we evaluated the pharmacokinetic profile of a jet-milled suspension after a single dose. METHODS: Previously untreated children or patients with progressive HIV disease despite antiretroviral therapy or with treatment-associated toxicity were eligible for this phase I/II study. Three dose levels (250 mg/m2, 350 mg/m2, and 500 mg/m2 per dose given orally every 8 h) were evaluated in 2 age groups (<12 years and >/=12 years). Indinavir was initially administered as monotherapy and then in combination with zidovudine and lamivudine after 16 weeks. RESULTS: Fifty-four HIV-infected children (ages 3.1 to 18.9 years) were enrolled. The indinavir free-base suspension was less bioavailable than the dry-filled capsule formulation, and therapy was changed to capsules in all children. Hematuria was the most common side effect, occurring in 7 (13%) children, and associated with nephrolithiasis in 1 patient. The combination of indinavir, lamivudine, and zidovudine was well tolerated. The median CD4 cell count increased after 2 weeks of indinavir monotherapy by 64 cells/mm3, and this was sustained at all dose levels. Plasma ribonucleic acid levels decreased rapidly in a dose-dependent way, but increased toward baseline after a few weeks of indinavir monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Indinavir dry-filled capsules are relatively well tolerated by children with HIV infection, although hematuria occurs at higher doses. Future studies need to evaluate the efficacy of indinavir when combined de novo with zidovudine and lamivudine.

A phase I/II study of the protease inhibitor ritonavir in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Ritonavir, a potent antiretroviral protease inhibitor, has been approved for the treatment of adults and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In a phase I/II study, we assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of the oral solution of ritonavir in HIV-infected children and studied the preliminary antiviral and clinical effects. METHODS: HIV-infected children between 6 months and 18 years of age were eligible. Four dose levels of ritonavir oral solution (250, 300, 350, and 400 mg/m given every 12 hours) were evaluated in two age groups (2 years). Ritonavir was administered alone for the first 12 weeks and then in combination with zidovudine and/or didanosine. Clinical and laboratory parameters were monitored every 2 to 4 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 48 children (median age, 7.7 years; range, 0.5 to 14.4 years) were included in this analysis. Dose-related nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were the most common toxicities and resulted in discontinuation of ritonavir in 7 children. Ritonavir was well absorbed at all dose levels, and plasma concentrations reached a peak 2 to 4 hours after a dose. CD4 cells counts increased by a median of 79 cells/mm3 after 4 weeks of monotherapy and were maintained throughout the study. Plasma HIV RNA decreased by 1 to 2 log10 copies/mL within 4 to 8 weeks of ritonavir monotherapy, and this level was sustained in patients enrolled at the highest dose level of 400 mg/m for the 24-week period. CONCLUSIONS: The oral solution of ritonavir has potent antiretroviral activity as a single agent and is relatively well tolerated by children when administered alone or in combination with zidovudine or didanosine.

Nonablative hematopoietic cell transplantation for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Nonablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is becoming a preferred treatment for those recipients in whom the potential toxicity risk of standard ablative allogeneic therapy may be unacceptable. Graft-versus-malignancy effects may be generated against epithelial malignancies which are similar to the graft-versus-leukemia activity that is well documented in human hematological malignancies. Renal cell carcinoma has been shown to be responsive to immunotherapy with recombinant human cytokines and may be an ideal model for exploring this novel therapy. Clinical investigations have demonstrated regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma occurs in some patients following nonablative allogeneic HCT. However, graft-versus-host disease remains a significant toxicity of nonablative transplantation, and further investigations are warranted to further evaluate this promising approach and to improve its safety.

Leukocyte granulation abnormality associated with normal neutrophil function and neurologic impairment.

This article describes studies of two unrelated patients, ages 5.5 and 26 years, with leukocyte granulation abnormalities similar to those in the Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Both patients presented with neurologic manifestations characterized by psychomotor impairment, but neither had any evidence of oculocutaneous albinism, photophobia, or increased susceptibility to pyogenic infection. The leukocytes were studied for cytochemical, ultrastructural, ultrastructural cytochemical, and functional characteristics. Abnormal granules were present in neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes; in the neutrophil series the abnormalities involved both the azurophilic and specific granules. On ultrastructural examination, the abnormal granules in the neutrophils were found to result from fusion of both peroxidase-positive and peroxidase-negative granules. Large numbers of normal granules were also present. The abnormal large granules in the eosinophils and basophils were the result of fusion of normal granules. The neutrophil function studies showed normal chemotaxis, chemiluminescence, bactericidal activity, and nitro-blue tetrazolium reduction. The normal neutrophil function studies were paralleled by the clinical histories in that neither patient had a history of severe infectious episodes.

Diagnosis of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection by means of a commercially available polymerase chain reaction gene amplification.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in infants and children at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN: A prospective, blinded study of 286 HIV-seropositive infants and children. Infection was diagnosed by antibody detection after 18 months of age, two positive direct tests (p24 antigen and HIV culture), or the presence of an illness that defines the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. SETTING: University of South Florida and All Children's Hospital, St Petersburg, inpatient and outpatient centers. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred eighty-six infants and children seropositive for HIV who were examined between July 1988 and September 1992. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of a commercially available PCR test. RESULTS: Five hundred sixty-seven PCR tests were performed on samples from 286 seropositive subjects followed up for a minimum of 16 months. Of the subjects, 105 were confirmed to be infected and 181 uninfected. Overall, 96 of 105 initial PCRs in infected subjects were positive (sensitivity, 91.4%; positive predictive value, 99%). If samples obtained during the first week of life are excluded, 95 to 100 samples were positive (sensitivity, 95%). Of 181 initial PCR tests from seropositive subjects who seroreverted, 180 were negative (specificity, 99.4%,; negative predictive value, 95.2%). The predictive value of a positive test was 90.9% and that of a negative test was 93.1% in the first month of life. All 145 initial samples obtained between 5 weeks and 12 months of age correctly predicted infection status (positive predictive value, 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Gene amplification by means of a commercially available PCR is useful in the diagnosis of HIV infection for infants born to seropositive mothers. Between day 7 through 1 year of age, HIV infection is accurately diagnosed by the PCR assay.

New concepts in staging and follow-up of bladder carcinoma.

This article presents new staging systems and methods for properly assessing bladder carcinoma by computerized tomography (CT) scanning and transurethral ultrasound. The practical clinical modalities for following bladder cancer including cytology and random biopsy are presented, in addition to tumor markers. Also, newer methods of detecting recurrence and predicting invasion such as ABO(H) antigen testing, chromosome analysis, and flow cytometry are reviewed in an attempt to understand better the cellular and nuclear abnormalities in malignant transitional cells.

Gonococcal infections of penile prostheses.

The first two known cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of a penile implant are reported. The literature regarding periprosthetic infections is reviewed, and the mode of transmission of the gonococcal organism to the corpora is discussed.

Use of horseshoe kidney in renal transplantation: technical aspects.

The incidence and etiology of horseshoe kidneys and their structural abnormalities are discussed. Previously, patients with horseshoe kidneys have been considered undesirable donors for renal transplantation. Two cases of horseshoe kidney transplantation are presented, apparently, the first reported utilization of such a donor for transplantation, along with important aspects of surgical technique.

Pulmonary emboli. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Pulmonary embolism is responsible for 50,000 deaths each year. A high diagnostic index of suspicion is necessary if the diagnosis of embolism is to be made prior to death since the classic triad of chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis occurs infrequently. Preventive measures including preoperative anticoagulation will reduce the incidence of trombus formation. Treatment depends on early recognition, rapid anticoagulation, and, in selected cases, partial occlusion of the vena cava.

Use of ephedrine to control anal urinary incontinence.

A case illustrating the use of ephedrine to control urinary incontinence from the rectum is reported. It is postulated that this successful treatment is due to the action of ephedrine on the smooth muscle of the anal sphincter.