Observation of Seven Astrophysical Tau Neutrino Candidates with IceCube.

We report on a measurement of astrophysical tau neutrinos with 9.7 yr of IceCube data. Using convolutional neural networks trained on images derived from simulated events, seven candidate ν_{τ} events were found with visible energies ranging from roughly 20 TeV to 1 PeV and a median expected parent ν_{τ} energy of about 200 TeV. Considering backgrounds from astrophysical and atmospheric neutrinos, and muons from π^{±}/K^{±} decays in atmospheric air showers, we obtain a total estimated background of about 0.5 events, dominated by non-ν_{τ} astrophysical neutrinos. Thus, we rule out the absence of astrophysical ν_{τ} at the 5σ level. The measured astrophysical ν_{τ} flux is consistent with expectations based on previously published IceCube astrophysical neutrino flux measurements and neutrino oscillations.

Previous in-home physiotherapy prevents institutionalization after short-term hospitalization in community-dwelling older dependent people.

AIMS: Short-term hospitalization of community-dwelling older dependent people in a geriatric acute care unit is sometimes needed to treat an acute health problem. Serious loss of independence can lead to difficulties in maintaining home care and is followed, at hospital discharge, to institutionalization in a long-term care home. We investigated the variables, particularly those related to the paramedical staff at home, predicting a return home or an institutionalization at hospital discharge. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of 398 sixty and more year-old patients, living at home, having a natural caregiver, and hospitalized in an acute care unit of the State Geriatric Center. RESULTS: 289 (72.6%) patients returned home, 101 (25.3%) were admitted in a long-term care home, and 8 (2%) died. Independent predictors of institutionalization were length of stay in the acute care unit [adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.102, P < 0.001], disruptive behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD, AOR = 1.827, P = 0.039), caregiver burden (AOR = 1.976, P = 0.038), moderately severe-to-severe cognitive impairment (AOR = 2.121, P = 0.011), and living alone with a close or a remote caregiver (AOR = 2.620 and 4.446, P = 0.003 and 0.001, respectively). In-home physiotherapy was independently associated (AOR = 0.393, P = 0.002) with a lower risk of institutionalization. CONCLUSION: In-home physiotherapy should be recommended to community-dwelling older dependent people, especially if they are living alone and/or if they present disruptive BPSD and/or moderately severe-to-severe cognitive impairment.

Motor-cortex excitability and response variability following paired-associative stimulation: a proof-of-concept study comparing individualized and fixed inter-stimulus intervals.

While diverging efficacy and inter-individual response variability have repeatedly been reported for paired-associative stimulation (PAS), approaches to overcome these issues are yet lacking. Hence, the aim of the present study was to determine whether response variability could be reduced through the application of an individualized PAS paradigm. Changes of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) elicited motor-evoked potentials (MEP) following different PAS paradigms were assessed in three experimental conditions. According to a within-subjects design, 21 participants received three consecutive PAS paradigms differing with respect to the applied inter-stimulus intervals (ISI) between peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and TMS. Based on foregoing considerations, we compared fixed ISI of 25 ms (PAS 25) and 22 ms (PAS 22) to an individualized PAS paradigm accounting for conduction time differences on the single subject level (iPAS). Overall, we did not observe significantly increased post-stimulation MEP magnitudes in any of the three experimental paradigms. Explorative analyses revealed increased inter-individual response variability in case of PAS 25 and PAS 22 compared to higher rates of expected MEP magnitude increases in case of our iPAS paradigm. The findings of our proof-of-concept study points towards a potential association of decreased inter-individual variability with individually selected ISI that account for differences in conduction time. However, as our findings did not reach the significance threshold, our study highlights the issue of intra-individual variability in PAS paradigms. Further replication studies with larger sample sizes and repetitive designs are needed to confirm our findings.

Anatomic feasibility of a new endopelvic approach for iliac crest bone harvesting.

PURPOSE: For the past few years, anterior exposure for surgery of the lumbar spine has gained popularity for the treatment of disk disease or spondylosis. Cancellous bone remains the gold standard for fusion. Iliac crest bone harvesting is safe but there are donor site complications. Bone substitutes exist, like recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 rhBMP-2. This alternative offers a high rate of fusion but with local and general complications. The aim of our study is to show the feasibility of an endopelvic approach for iliac bone crest harvesting to avoid donor site complication. METHOD: Twenty anterior retroperitoneal lumbar spine approaches have been realized in the anatomy department of the University of Bordeaux. The volumes of cancellous bone have been measured and procedure complications have been reported. RESULTS: The mean volume of cancellous bone was 5.9 cc, the maximum volume was 8.2 cc and the minimum volume was 4.5 cc. No complications have been reported during the approach or the bone harvesting. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior retroperitoneal approach for iliac bone crest harvesting is a safe way to obtain sufficient volume of cancellous bone for a single lumbar spinal fusion. This exposure avoids the risks of an iliac crest donor site complications or rhBMP-2 complications.

Adsorption of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) at the Oil/Water Interface: A Neutron Reflection Study.

The structure of the adsorbed protein layer at the oil/water interface is essential to the understanding of the role of proteins in emulsion stabilization, and it is important to glean the mechanistic events of protein adsorption at such buried interfaces. This article reports on a novel experimental methodology for probing protein adsorption at the buried oil/water interface. Neutron reflectivity was used with a carefully selected set of isotopic contrasts to study the adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at the hexadecane/water interface, and the results were compared to those for the air/water interface. The adsorption isotherm was determined at the isoelectric point, and the results showed that a higher degree of adsorption could be achieved at the more hydrophobic interface. The adsorbed BSA molecules formed a monolayer on the aqueous side of the interface. The molecules in this layer were partially denatured by the presence of oil, and once released from the spatial constraint by the globular framework they were free to establish more favorable interactions with the hydrophobic medium. Thus, a loose layer extending toward the oil phase was clearly observed, resulting in an overall broader interface. By analogy to the air/water interface, as the concentration of BSA increased to 1.0 mg mL(-1) a secondary layer extending toward the aqueous phase was observed, possibly resulting from the steric repulsion upon the saturation of the primary monolayer. Results clearly indicate a more compact arrangement of molecules at the oil/water interface: this must be caused by the loss of the globular structure as a consequence of the denaturing action of the hexadecane.

Paternal origins of Chinese cattle.

To determine the genetic diversity and paternal origin of Chinese cattle, 302 males from 16 Chinese native cattle breeds as well as 30 Holstein males and four Burma males as controls were analysed using four Y-SNPs and two Y-STRs. In Chinese bulls, the taurine Y1 and Y2 haplogroups and indicine Y3 haplogroup were detected in seven, 172 and 123 individuals respectively, and these frequencies varied among the Chinese cattle breeds examined. Y2 dominates in northern China (91.4%), and Y3 dominates in southern China (90.8%). Central China is an admixture zone, although Y2 predominates overall (72.0%). The geographical distributions of the Y2 and Y3 haplogroup frequencies revealed a pattern of male indicine introgression from south to north China. The three Y haplogroups were further classified into one Y1 haplotype, five Y2 haplotypes and one Y3 haplotype in Chinese native bulls. Due to the interplay between taurine and indicine types, Chinese cattle represent an extensive reservoir of genetic diversity. The Y haplotype distribution of Chinese cattle exhibited a clear geographical structure, which is consistent with mtDNA, historical and geographical information.

Hepatic enzymes activity in the fish Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) after sublethal cypermethrin exposure.

Prochilodus lineatus, a fish, was exposed to sublethal concentrations of cypermethrin: 0.075, 0.150, and 0.300 µg L(-1) and a control group (without cypermethrin) for 96 h. Five specimens were exposed in each concentration for triplicate (n = 60). Hepatic biochemical values and behavioral changes were studied. The results revealed a significantly higher level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in hepatic tissue at different concentrations of cypermethrin tested compared to control (p < 0.05). A decrease in total protein was observed in exposed groups but not significantly (p > 0.05). This study provides information to know toxic mechanisms of cypermethrin on hepatic enzymes of P. lineatus that are poorly understood.

Genetic stability in the Icelandic horse breed.

Despite the Icelandic horse enjoying great popularity worldwide, the breed's gene pool is small. This is because of a millennium of isolation on Iceland, population crashes caused by natural disasters and selective breeding. Populations with small effective population sizes are considered to be more at risk of selection pressures such as disease and environmental change. By analysing historic and modern mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear coat colour genes, we examined real-time population dynamics in the Icelandic horse over the last 150 years. Despite the small gene pool of this breed, we found that the effective population size and genetic profile of the Icelandic horse have remained stable over the studied time period.

Characterization of cytochrome b diversity in Chinese domestic horses.

Previous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop and microsatellite studies have shown that Chinese horses have multiple maternal origins and high genetic diversity. To better characterize maternal genetic origins and diversity of Chinese domestic horses, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 407 complete 1140 bp sequences of the horse mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b (CYTB) gene, including 323 horses from 13 Chinese indigenous breeds and 84 reference sequences from GenBank. A total of 114 haplotypes were identified, of which 73 appeared among the 13 Chinese horse breeds. The high mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b haplotypic diversity suggests multiple maternal origins in Chinese horses.

[French practical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of IPF - 2021 update, full version]. / Recommandations pratiques pour le diagnostic et la prise en charge de la fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique ­ Actualisation 2021. Version intégrale.

BACKGROUND: Since the previous French guidelines were published in 2017, substantial additional knowledge about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has accumulated. METHODS: Under the auspices of the French-speaking Learned Society of Pulmonology and at the initiative of the coordinating reference center, practical guidelines for treatment of rare pulmonary diseases have been established. They were elaborated by groups of writers, reviewers and coordinators with the help of the OrphaLung network, as well as pulmonologists with varying practice modalities, radiologists, pathologists, a general practitioner, a head nurse, and a patients' association. The method was developed according to rules entitled "Good clinical practice" in the overall framework of the "Guidelines for clinical practice" of the official French health authority (HAS), taking into account the results of an online vote using a Likert scale. RESULTS: After analysis of the literature, 54 recommendations were formulated, improved, and validated by the working groups. The recommendations covered a wide-ranging aspects of the disease and its treatment: epidemiology, diagnostic modalities, quality criteria and interpretation of chest CT, indication and modalities of lung biopsy, etiologic workup, approach to familial disease entailing indications and modalities of genetic testing, evaluation of possible functional impairments and prognosis, indications for and use of antifibrotic therapy, lung transplantation, symptom management, comorbidities and complications, treatment of chronic respiratory failure, diagnosis and management of acute exacerbations of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: These evidence-based guidelines are aimed at guiding the diagnosis and the management in clinical practice of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[French practical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of IPF - 2021 update, short version]. / Recommandations pratiques pour le diagnostic et la prise en charge de la fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique ­ Actualisation 2021. Version courte.

BACKGROUND: Since the previous French guidelines were published in 2017, substantial additional knowledge about idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has accumulated. METHODS: Under the auspices of the French-speaking Learned Society of Pulmonology and at the initiative of the coordinating reference center, practical guidelines for treatment of rare pulmonary diseases have been established. They were elaborated by groups of writers, reviewers and coordinators with the help of the OrphaLung network, as well as pulmonologists with varying practice modalities, radiologists, pathologists, a general practitioner, a head nurse, and a patients' association. The method was developed according to rules entitled "Good clinical practice" in the overall framework of the "Guidelines for clinical practice" of the official French health authority (HAS), taking into account the results of an online vote using a Likert scale. RESULTS: After analysis of the literature, 54 recommendations were formulated, improved, and validated by the working groups. The recommendations covered a wide-ranging aspects of the disease and its treatment: epidemiology, diagnostic modalities, quality criteria and interpretation of chest CT, indication and modalities of lung biopsy, etiologic workup, approach to familial disease entailing indications and modalities of genetic testing, evaluation of possible functional impairments and prognosis, indications for and use of antifibrotic therapy, lung transplantation, symptom management, comorbidities and complications, treatment of chronic respiratory failure, diagnosis and management of acute exacerbations of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: These evidence-based guidelines are aimed at guiding the diagnosis and the management in clinical practice of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The cosmopolitan maternal heritage of the Thoroughbred racehorse breed shows a significant contribution from British and Irish native mares.

The paternal origins of Thoroughbred racehorses trace back to a handful of Middle Eastern stallions, imported to the British Isles during the seventeenth century. Yet, few details of the foundation mares were recorded, in many cases not even their names (several different maternal lineages trace back to 'A Royal Mare'). This has fuelled intense speculation over their origins. We examined mitochondrial DNA from 1929 horses to determine the origin of Thoroughbred foundation mares. There is no evidence to support exclusive Arab maternal origins as some historical records have suggested, or a significant importation of Oriental mares (the term used in historic records to refer to Middle East and western Asian breeds including Arab, Akhal-Teke, Barb and Caspian). Instead, we show that Thoroughbred foundation mares had a cosmopolitan European heritage with a far greater contribution from British and Irish Native mares than previously recognized.

Genetic diversity of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in Chinese native buffalo.

The origins of the domestic water buffalo remain contentious. To better understand the origins of Chinese water buffalo, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene from 270 individuals representing 13 Chinese domestic swamp buffalo populations. We found genetic evidence of introgression of river buffalo into Chinese swamp buffalo herds. Swamp buffalo haplotypes can be divided into two highly divergent lineages (A and B), suggesting that Chinese native swamp buffalo have two maternal origins. We found that the A→G transition in the buffalo MT-CYB gene stop codon resulted in buffalo haplotypes being terminated by one of two stop codons: AGA or AGG. AGA is common to river buffalo and lineage A of swamp buffalo, while AGG is specific to lineage B of swamp buffalo. Lineage A appears to have been domesticated in China. Further genetic evidence is required to clarify the origins of lineage B.

Management of gynecomastia: an outcome analysis in a multicentric study.

AIM: Male gynecomastia (MG), the most frequent mammary anomaly in human males, is a clinical disease occurring mainly in adolescence and old age. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze 126 consecutive cases of mixed gynecomastia, in order to assess the incidence of early and late postoperative complications and to evaluate the aesthetic results and the quality of life after surgery. METHODS: From January 1st, 2000, to December 31st, 2006 a total of 126 cases of MG were performed by the Plastic Surgery Units of Siena and Pisa. Patients' average age was 28 years, 111 patients (88%) presented bilateral MG, and 15 (11.9%) had monolateral MG. The prevalent surgical approach was adenomammectomy with periareolar inferior or inverted "Omega" incision, other technique included circumareolar or vertical scar incision and liposuction. Before and one year after surgery, all patients were given a questionnaires to evaluate the motivations leading to the request of a treatment ,the degree of satisfaction related to the result and the improvement of the quality of life. RESULTS: Overall complication rate was 17.72% All patients reported an improvement in their quality of life with an average score of satisfaction of 8.2/10. CONCLUSION: Patients' degree of satisfaction was high, surgery, in fact, has contributed in all cases to improve their quality of life. On the basis of the short operating time and of the few sequele, we suggest to the patients affected by gynecomastia to undergo surgery always and as soon as possible. A separated analysis of the data obtained by the two University Centres show that they overlap in respect to the sample, the employed technique and results.

Omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation and angiogenesis: basic mechanisms behind the cardioprotective effects of fish and fish oils.

Atherosclerosis is now widely accepted to be an inflammatory disease, characterized by degenerative as well as proliferative changes and extracellular accumulation of lipid and cholesterol, in which an ongoing inflammatory reaction plays an important role both in initiation and progression/destabilization, converting a chronic process into an acute disorder. Neovascularization has also been recognized as an important process for the progression/destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. In fact, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques prone to rupture are characterized by an enlarged necrotic core, containing an increased number of vasa vasorum, apoptotic macrophages, and more frequent intraplaque haemorrhage. Various functional roles have been assigned to intimal microvessels, however the relationship between the process of angiogenesis and its causal association with the progression and complications of atherosclerosis are still challenging and controversial. In the past 30 years, the dietary intake of omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids--mainly derived from fish--has emerged as an important way to modify cardiovascular risk through beneficial effects on all stages of atherosclerosis, including plaque angiogenesis. This review specifically focuses on the modulating effects of n-3 fatty acids on molecular events involved in early and late atherogenesis, including effects on endothelial expression of adhesion molecules, as well as pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic enzymes. By accumulating in endothelial membrane phospholipids, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease the transcriptional activation of several genes through an attenuation of activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB system of transcription factors. This occurs secondary to decreased generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. This series of investigations configures a clear example of nutrigenomics--i.e., how nutrients may affect gene expression, ultimately affecting a wide spectrum of human diseases.

Lipid excess affects chaperone-mediated autophagy in hypothalamus.

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. Overweight and obesity directly affect health-related quality of life and also have an important economic impact on healthcare systems. In experimental models, obesity leads to hypothalamic inflammation and loss of metabolic homeostasis. It is known that macroautophagy is decreased in the hypothalamus of obese mice but the role of chaperone-mediated autophagy is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of hypothalamic chaperone-mediated autophagy in response to high-fat diet and also the direct effect of palmitate on hypothalamic neurons. Mice received chow or high-fat diet for 3 days or 1 week. At the end of the experimental protocol, chaperone-mediated autophagy in hypothalamus was investigated, as well as cytokines expression. In other set of experiments, neuronal cell lines were treated with palmitic acid, a saturated fatty acid. We show that chaperone-mediated autophagy is differently regulated in response to high-fat diet intake for 3 days or 1 week. Also, when hypothalamic neurons are directly exposed to palmitate there is activation of chaperone-mediated autophagy. High-fat diet causes hypothalamic inflammation concomitantly to changes in the content of chaperone-mediated autophagy machinery. It remains to be studied the direct role of inflammation and lipids itself on the activation of chaperone-mediated autophagy in the hypothalamus in vivo and also the neuronal implications of chaperone-mediated autophagy inhibition in response to obesity.

Alkaline comet assay for genotoxic effect detection in neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus (Pisces, Curimatidae).

Toxicants on fish may induce genetic alterations that can be used as genotoxic markers. We evaluated DNA damage using alkaline comet assay applied on erythrocytes after in vivo exposure of Prochilodus lineatus to different concentrations of Cypermethrin (0.300, 0.150, 0.075 and 0.000 microg/L) as a probable chemical mutagen. The results revealed a significantly higher level of DNA damage at all concentrations of Cypermethrin tested compared to control and background level (p < 0.05). We have standardized the technique for one of the most common native fish species that will be useful for biomonitoring genotoxicity in polluted waters of the region.

[Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and abscess reaction to nontuberculous mycobacteria acquired form jacuzzi aerosol]. / Pneumopathie d'hypersensibilité à mycobactéries atypiques se compliquant d'un abcès à Mycobacterium intracellulare.

INTRODUCTION: Mycobacterium avium complex can be responsible for a number of different radio-clinical presentations, ranging from invasive infections to hypersensitivity pneumonitis due to repeated inhalation of antigens. The diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis is clinical, radiological, biological and microbiological. CASE REPORT: A 61-year-old male developed a hypersensitivity pneumonitis reaction to non-tuberculous mycobacteria, following the repeated use of his own spa, which later evolved into chronic respiratory failure. The diagnosis was made via an environmental analysis. Immunosuppressive treatment comprising corticosteroids and methotrexate led to moderate improvement, but may also have been responsible for the development of a M. intracellulare abscess. Despite 12 months of well-conducted antibiotic treatment, the evolution was unfavourable, with a relapse of a M. intracellulare infection three months after the end of treatment, followed by the patient's death. CONCLUSION: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis reaction to non-tuberculous mycobacteria should be considered in patients who have their own spa. In the absence of microbiological identification, environmental analysis may guide the diagnosis. A fatal evolution of PHS is infrequent but prognosis may depend on the degree of associated fibrosis.

[Is the incidence of parapneumonic pleural effusion increasing?]. / Está aumentando la incidencia de derrames pleurales paraneumónicos?

INTRODUCTION: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the microorganism most frequently associated with complicated pleural effusion. After the introduction of the heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine, there was a decline in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease and, to a lesser extent, in that of pneumonia. However, the incidence of empyema apparently increased. The antipneumococcal heptavalent vaccine was introduced in Spain in 2001. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the incidence of pleural effusion secondary to pneumonia has increased in hospitalized patients and to examine the possible influence of the antipneumococcal heptavalent vaccine on the incidence rate of parapneumonic effusions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients aged less than 16 years old admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia between 1999 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. We calculated the annual incidence rate of pleural effusion with respect to the total number of patients admitted with pneumonia and with respect to patients considered to have probable bacterial pneumonia, based on previously established criteria. RESULTS: A total of 337 patients were analyzed, of which 213 (63.2%) met the criteria for a diagnosis of probable bacterial pneumonia. Pleural effusion was found in 34 patients (15.9%), and 13 of these effusions (38%) were complicated. No clear trend was detected in the annual incidence of probable bacterial pneumonia per 100 admitted patients, although the highest numbers were detected in the last two years of the study period. The percentage of complications (effusions) remained constant (mean: 16.28%). No differences were found in the effusion rate between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients (12.5% vs 18.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The trend in the incidence of parapneumonic pleural effusions was parallel and proportional to that of probable bacterial pneumonia.

[Viral respiratory tract infections in the first six months of life]. / Infecciones virales de vías respiratorias en los primeros seis meses de vida.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus and Influenza virus infections are known causes of hospital admission in infants. It is less well known the pattern of virus infections in infants under 6 months of age in the outpatient setting. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological pattern of community-acquired viral respiratory infections in infants under 6 months. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cohort of infants from the 8 and 9 Madrid Health Districts was followed by telephone calls every two weeks since birth during the epidemic winter season. Clinical and epidemiological data were collected in pre-designed questionnaires. Nasopharyngeal aspirate was obtained in every patient with symptoms compatible with respiratory infection. Diagnosis of the more common virus was made with direct immunofluorescence and nucleic acid amplification test (PCR). RESULTS: Were recruited 316 newborns. The 1,865 phone calls made (median 4 for every child), produced 106 visits, and the illness confirmed in 89 illness. Rhinitis (91%) and cough (69%) were the most common symptoms. Upper respiratory infection was the principal clinical diagnosis (84.5%), and 17 of the 72 samples (23.2%) were positive. Most common viruses were RSV (41.1%) and rhinovirus (35.2%). Of the children visited, 17 out of 106 (16%) (5.3% of the cohort) were admitted to hospital. Diagnoses were febrile syndrome and bronchiolitis. We did not find any epidemiological factor associated with viral respiratory infection in positive cases. CONCLUSIONS: In our population most of the respiratory infections in infants are minor and do not need hospital assistance. Rhinovirus and RSV are the major pathogens. We did not find any epidemiological factor associated with viral respiratory infection.