Spacetime Structure near Generic Horizons and Soft Hair.

We explore the spacetime structure near nonextremal horizons in any spacetime dimension greater than two and discover a wealth of novel results: (i) Different boundary conditions are specified by a functional of the dynamical variables, describing inequivalent interactions at the horizon with a thermal bath. (ii) The near horizon algebra of a set of boundary conditions, labeled by a parameter s, is given by the semidirect sum of diffeomorphisms at the horizon with "spin-s supertranslations." For s=1 we obtain the first explicit near horizon realization of the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs algebra. (iii) For another choice, we find a nonlinear extension of the Heisenberg algebra, generalizing recent results in three spacetime dimensions. This algebra allows us to recover the aforementioned (linear) ones as composites. (iv) These examples allow us to equip not only black holes, but also cosmological horizons with soft hair. We also discuss implications of soft hair for black hole thermodynamics and entropy.

The effect of L-carnitine on inflammatory mediators: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Reducing inflammation by nutritional supplements may help to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. Our aim in this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of L-carnitine on inflammatory mediators including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: Our systematic search to find relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was performed up to October 2018 using ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, and SCOPUS. In this meta-analysis, the weighted mean differences (WMD) with standard errors (SE) were used to pool the data. WMD was calculated by subtracting change-from-baseline mean values in the control group from change-from-baseline mean values in the intervention group in each study. To identify heterogeneity among studies, the I2 statistic was employed. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42019116695). RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that L-carnitine supplementation was significantly associated with lower levels of CRP in comparison to controls (WMD = -1.23 mg/L; 95% CI: -1.73, -0.72 mg/dL; P < 0.0001). Also, a slight but statistically significant decrease was observed in IL-6 and TNF-α levels (WMD = -0.85 pg/dL; 95% CI: -1.38, -0.32 pg/dL; P = 0.002 and WMD = -0.37 pg/dL; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.06 pg/dL; P = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that L-carnitine reduced inflammatory mediators, especially in studies with a duration of more than 12 weeks. Further studies with different doses and intervention durations and separately in men and women are necessary.

Controlling Goos-Hänchen shifts due to the surface plasmon effect in a hybrid system.

We have theoretically studied the Goos-Hänchen (GH) shifts of both the reflected and transmitted probe beams emerging from a cavity consisting of a hybrid system of a coupled quantum dot (QD) nanostructure and a metallic nanoparticle (MNP). It is realized that the GH shifts in the transmitted and reflected light beams can be enhanced due to the surface plasmon effect in the MNP. Also, it is shown that by adjusting the distance between QD and MNP and polarization control between probe field and major axis of the hybrid system, the simultaneous negative and positive GH shifts in reflected and transmitted light beams can occur. Moreover, the effects of the intensity and detuning of the coupling light on the GH shift properties of the reflected and transmitted lights have been discussed. We have found that under different parametric conditions of the hybrid system, the GH shifts of the reflected and transmitted light beams can be adjusted by tuning the intensity and controlling the detuning of the coupling field. The results show that our proposed model may be used for future optical sensor devices based on MNP hybrid systems.

Inhibition Mechanisms of a Pyridazine-Based Amyloid Inhibitor: As a ß-Sheet Destabilizer and a Helix Bridge Maker.

Conformational diseases have been investigated extensively in recent years; as a result, a number of drug candidates have been introduced as amyloid inhibitors; however, no effective therapies have been put forward. RS-0406 with pyridazine as its core chemical structure has so far shown promising results in inhibiting amyloid formation. In the present work, using molecular dynamics, we undertook the investigation of RS-0406 interactions with U-shaped Aß1-42 and Aß1-40 pentamers, Aß1-42 monomers, and double-horseshoe-like Aß1-42. To set better parameters for the small molecule, experimental and computational log P values were obtained. In addition, an analogue of RS-0406 was also simulated for comparison. The results indicate that RS-0406 may inhibit amyloid formation exploiting two different mechanisms. One mechanism includes stabilizing the α helix, in the monomer peptide, by binding to the flanking sites of the amyloidogenic region. The second mechanism mediates through interaction of the small molecules near the amyloidogenic regions, leading to destabilization of the ß-sheets in both the U-shaped and the S-shaped fibril. Notably, a persistent interaction between the imidazole ring of His14 from an S-shaped structure and the pyridazine ring of RS-0406 was observed. The unique structural properties of RS-0406, including aromaticity, H-bonding capability, flexibility, and symmetry, allow the small molecule to noticeably affect amyloid formation.

Radiographic examination of the greater sciatic notch in determining the sex among Iranian people.

The distinctive morphology of the human innominate bone (os coxae) and its clear sexual dimorphism make it of interest from anatomical, anthropological and forensic points of view. The features of the greater sciatic notch of the coxae are characteristic and are commonly used to determine sex in unknown individuals. In this study, several measurements of the greater sciatic notch, e.g. width (AB), depth (OC) and width of the posterior segment (OB) were taken and indices I and II were calculated in 64 adult (32 men and 32 women) and side (right: left) coxae radiography (A-P view). Results indicated that out of all the parameters studied, width of the notch (right and left) (P < 0.001), posterior segment width (right and left) (P < 0.001), right (P = 0.036) and left (P = 0.008) index II of notch were found to be significantly greater in women as compared with men. Discriminant function analysis showed that the accuracy of sex determination varied from 100% in the men and 40% in the women groups to 70% for the total group. These results can be used as an aid to the identification of human skeletal remains in Iranian people.

Determination of aflatoxin M(1) in breast milk samples in Tabriz-Iran.

The aim of this study was to examine the exposure of lactating mothers to aflatoxins using aflatoxin M(1) in breast milk as a biomarker for exposure and to detect its determining factors and possible effects on child growth. A 9% sample of 2022 lactating women who exclusively breastfed their infants, including 91 lactating women of urban areas of Tabriz city and 91 lactating women of its rural areas were recruited by a geographical clustered sampling method. Breast milk samples and information on food intake were collected from subjects using structured food-frequency questionnaire. Extraction of AFM(1) was performed with the ELISA test procedure. Aflatoxin M(1) was detected in breast milk of 20 out of 91 mothers (22%) in concentrations of 6.96 +/- 0.94 (pg/ml) in rural areas. Aflatoxin M(1) contamination was not present in samples of urban areas. The presence of aflatoxin M(1) was significantly associated with consumption of local milk (beta = 0.71, P < 0.001) and stunted growth in children (beta = -0.31, P < 0.015). These findings emphasize the need for developing strategies to reduce exposure to aflatoxin, possibly involving interventions targeted at reducing contamination of foods.

Realization of Cohen-Glashow very special relativity on noncommutative space-time.

We show that the Cohen-Glashow very special relativity (VSR) theory [A. G. Cohen and S. L. Glashow, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 021601 (2006)] can be realized as the part of the Poincaré symmetry preserved on a noncommutative Moyal plane with lightlike noncommutativity. Moreover, we show that the three subgroups relevant to VSR can also be realized in the noncommutative space-time setting. For all of these three cases, the noncommutativity parameter theta(mu upsilon) should be lightlike (theta(mu upsilon) theta mu upsilon = 0). We discuss some physical implications of this realization of the Cohen-Glashow VSR.

Determination of free L-carnitine levels in type II diabetic women with and without complications.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the determination of carnitine levels and nutritional status in patients of type II diabetes. OBJECTIVE: We designed this study to determine changes of serum-free L-carnitine in type II diabetic women. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study (case-control study). SETTING: Clinical of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Sina Hospital, Pharmacological Research Center, Tabriz Medical university, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Taking into account the importance of the control of diabetes, in the present case-control study, the levels of serum-free L-carnitine, blood glucose and lipids, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status assessed in the case and control groups which were selected by the simple sampling method. The control group (n=18) included patients with no complications and the case group (n=33) was grouped into three subgroups including patients with retinopathy, hyperlipidemia and neuropathy. RESULTS: Study results indicated that the mean serum-free L-carnitine concentration in the case group was significantly lower than its mean concentration level in the control group, 39.63+/-8.99 vs 53.42+/-0.93 micromol/l, respectively (P<0.001). Serum-free L-carnitine in retinopathy, hyperlipidemia and neuropathy case subgroups were 39.03+/-9.89, 39.63+/-8.99 and 40.44+/-12.50 micromol/l, respectively (P>0.05). No significant difference was found between the serum-free carnitine levels of the case subgroups. The mean blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: In this study, the mean serum-free L-carnitine levels in diabetic patients with complications was almost 25% lower than in diabetic patients with no complications. On the basis of the study results, carnitine supplementation in diabetic patients, especially in patients with diabetes complications, might be useful.

Quantitative determination of Malathion in pesticide by modified attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry applying genetic algorithm wavelength selection method.

A simple and environment friendly method was developed for determination of Malathion content of analytical and commercial insecticide samples with no special preparation. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra were characterized and 1000-2000cm(-1) region was selected for quantitative analysis utilizing partial least square (PLS) and two wavelength selection methods: (a) principal component regression (PCR) and (b) genetic algorithm (GA). Relative error of prediction (REP) was calculated in PLS, PCR-PLS and GA-PLS methods and was 3.536, 1.656 and 0.188, respectively. Proposed method is successfully applicable for quantification of Malathion in commercial grade samples and reliable results in comparison with known methods, confirms this idea.

Leptogenesis from gravity waves in models of inflation.

We present a new mechanism for creating the observed cosmic matter-antimatter asymmetry which satisfies all three Sakharov conditions from one common thread, gravitational waves. We generate lepton number through the gravitational anomaly in the lepton number current. The source term comes from elliptically polarized gravity waves that are produced during inflation if the inflaton field contains a CP-odd component. The amount of matter asymmetry generated in our model can be of realistic size for the parameters within the range of some inflationary scenarios and grand unified theories.

Noncommutativity in space and primordial magnetic field.

In this paper we show that noncommutativity in spatial coordinates can generate magnetic field in the early Universe on a horizon scale. The strength of such a magnetic field depends on the number density of massive charged particles present at a given moment. This allows us to trace back the temperature dependence of the noncommutativity scale from the bounds on primordial magnetic field coming from nucleosynthesis.

Hydrogen atom spectrum and the lamb shift in noncommutative QED.

We have calculated the energy levels of the hydrogen atom as well as the Lamb shift within the noncommutative quantum electrodynamics theory. The results show deviations from the usual QED both on the classical and the quantum levels. On both levels, the deviations depend on the parameter of space/space noncommutativity.

Prognostic significance of the labeling of Adnab-9 in pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), morphologically resembling colonic adenomas, often have an indefinable malignant potential. We used a monoclonal antibody (MAb) raised against colonic adenomas, Adnab-9, to identify patients with a better prognosis. METHODS: We assessed Adnab-9-labeled sections of these neoplasms from 50 patients, 13 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, and 32 colonic adenomas using standard immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: 26% of the IPMNs labeled with Adnab-9 as compared to 0% of pancreatic ductal cancers or surrounding benign tissues, (p < 0.001) and 53% of adenomas (p < 0.025). Labeling in IPMNs was usually seen in the noninvasive epithelium suggesting that Adnab-9 is a premalignant marker in these lesions. Labeling of invasive IPMN's identified a group of patients with a superior overall survival (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Adnab-9 labeling-characteristics appear similar for both IPMNs and adenomatous polyps, suggesting that they are analogous lesions. Adnab-9 labeling may also be a useful prognostic marker for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

Hepatitis in disseminated bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection.

Local immunotherapy with an attenuated live strain of Mycobacterium bovis, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is an effective and frequently used treatment for in situ transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Success rates are high, and serious side effects are infrequent but can affect every organ system. A 79-year-old patient with recently diagnosed TCC who was treated with intravesical BCG for a recurrence after initial surgical treatment is reported. After unsuccessful attempts at bladder catheterization with the creation of a false passage for his third treatment, BCG was instilled via a suprapubic catheter the same day and again a week later. Two weeks after the third BCG instillation, the patient presented with profound lethargy and weakness to the point of not being able to get up out of a chair. He was febrile, anorexic, icteric and had hepatosplenomegaly. Disseminated BCG infection was suspected on the basis of history, clinical examination and a liver biopsy that showed noncaseating granulomatous hepatitis. Empirical treatment was started with antituberculous combination therapy. A short course of an oral corticosteroid was given. Clinical improvement was marked and sustained so that the patient could be discharged home for the full six-month course of his treatment. Disseminated BCG infection with granulomatous hepatitis can be severe and life-threatening in cases where a large intravascular inoculum of BCG may have been given inadvertently.

Role of ERCP in the diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas may present in a "ductectatic" form, which parallels a distinct clinical presentation. We describe six patients with this entity termed mucinous ductal ectasia, or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. All six patients presented with typical clinical and endoscopic findings and subsequently, almost all were found to have mucinous ductal cystadenocarcinomas. The endoscopic and pancreatographic findings associated with an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm are characteristic, unique, and yield a high diagnostic accuracy. It is important to recognize these features of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm since the tumor has a lower malignant potential than adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, and surgical resection is curative in many cases.

Cigarette smoking as a predictor of alcohol and other drug use by children and adolescents: evidence of the "gateway drug effect".

Data from a statewide survey, conducted by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center, of 20,629 Indiana students in grades 5-12 were analyzed to determine the extent to which cigarette smoking predicted use of alcohol and other drugs and acted as a so-called "gateway drug." A three-stage purposive/quota cluster sampling strategy yielded a representative sample of Indiana students, stratified by grade. Cross-tabulated data revealed a strong, dose-dependent relationship between smoking behavior and binge drinking, as well as use of alcohol and illicit drugs. Daily pack-a-day smokers were three times more likely to drink alcohol, seven times more likely to use smokeless tobacco, and 10-30 times more likely to use illicit drugs than nonsmokers. A stepwise multiple regression analyzed the role that the student's perceptions of the risk of using drugs and of peer approval/disapproval of the student's drug use, gender, grade in school, and ethnic background played in predicting alcohol and other drug use.

Scalloped valvulae conniventes: an endoscopic marker of celiac sprue.

The finding, in a patient with celiac sprue, of a characteristic change at endoscopy (scalloping of the valvulae conniventes, event on close inspection, but forming only a mosaic pattern from a distance) led to an endoscopic survey designed to define its incidence. In a series of 28 sequential patients found to have microscopic changes characteristic of sprue on biopsy, distinctive endoscopic changes were found in 22 (in 6 of 9 with sprue in relapse, and 16 of 19 presenting with initial symptoms). The finding of the distinctive appearance provides an endoscopically recognizable pattern that can be associated with sprue. It also provides the potential for early recognition of the process in patients in whom the diagnosis might otherwise have been delayed due to a lack of substantial evolution of the usually associated symptom complex.

Gastric intramural pseudocyst of the pancreas.

We describe a patient in whom a pseudocyst of the pancreatic tail ruptured into the wall of the stomach. Because of the intramural location of this lesion, its sonographic and computed tomographic features were those of a gastric tumor. The correct diagnosis was made only by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which showed extravasation of contrast material from the pancreatic duct into a nonhomogeneous cystic cavity.

Chronic mesenteric vascular insufficiency with gastric ulceration.

Four middle-aged women presented with long histories of severe progressive weight loss and chronic abdominal pain. Endoscopically atypical gastric ulcers were identified in all; the ulcers were multiple and antral in location, with irregular shapes, sloping edges, and whitish sclerotic bases, and were surrounded by mottled and erythematous mucosa containing numerous superficial erosions. They did not heal with conservative therapy. All 4 patients were found to be suffering from chronic mesenteric vascular insufficiency. Balloon dilatation of the superior mesenteric artery in one and surgical revascularization in the others resulted in progressive clinical improvement and healing of the ulcers. The striking feature in these patients with mesenteric ischemia was the finding of gastric ulcers with a morphology different from the ordinary gastric ulcer, which healed only with revascularization. Future observation of similar lesions should suggest the possible diagnosis and expedite early treatment of mesenteric insufficiency in patients with this disorder.