Search

In 2017, sediment cores were retrieved from sites M0080, M0079, and M0078 in the Corinth basin during IODP Expedition 381. This study focuses on the Holocene and middle Pleistocene ostracod assemblages retrieved from sites M0080, in the Gulf of Alkyonides, and M0078 in the Corinth Gulf. It explores the paleoenvironmental constraints that affected the Tuberoloxoconcha species' distribution in these two sites and investigates the stratigraphic appearance of the new species Tuberoloxoconcha aielloi in the Corinth basin during deglacial and glacial periods over the last 400,000 years. In the Gulf of Corinth, fossil assemblages dominated by T. aielloi n. sp. have identified brackish shallow water environments corresponding to deglacial and glacial phases, when the basin was likely semi-isolated from Mediterranean waters, with high fluvial input lowering the salinity of the waterbody. The study highlights the discontinuous occurrence of T. aielloi and its morphotypes, identifying cold phases during MIS 10 and MIS 7d, and warmer phases during MISs 2–3-4-5a. The variability in ornamentation potentially reflects different water chemistry in the two sites. The post-400 ky appearance of T. aielloi , coinciding with the development of the marine connection through the Rion Strait, implies a Mediterranean/Atlantic origin for the genus. This study provides insights into the environmental conditions and evolutionary history of T. aielloi species in the Corinth basin, contributing to a broader understanding of benthic species' responses to past and future sea level changes. • Ostracod species as markers for glacial-phase brackish environments • Deglacial periods marked by peculiar ostracod assemblages in the Corinth basin • Reconstruction of Holocene to Middle Pleistocene palaeoenvironments • Evidence of morphological variability linked to water chemistry across MIS intervals • Assessment of the origin of the Tuberoloxoconcha genus [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: There is a lack of any overview of changes over time and variation in the epidemiology of psoriasis with age and between genders. Objectives: To perform a systematic review of published population‐based studies on variations in psoriasis incidence and prevalence with age and between genders, and to explore trends in psoriasis epidemiology over time. Methods: Eleven electronic and regional databases were searched from their inception dates to October 2019. No language restrictions were applied. Studies were eligible if they reported on changes in psoriasis incidence and/or prevalence over time and/or by age group and gender. Results: In total 308 papers were critically appraised, from which 90 studies from 22 countries were included. Incidence data confirmed a clear bimodal age pattern in psoriasis onset, with the first and second peaks at around 30–39 and 60–69 years of age, respectively, and evidence suggesting that it presents slightly earlier in women than in men. Prevalence data showed an increasing trend with age until around 60 or 70 years, after which it decreases. Although there was lack of agreement on specific gender differences in psoriasis incidence and prevalence, a slight male predominance was reported in several studies. Studies worldwide suggested a stable or slightly decreasing trend in psoriasis incidence, while an increasing trend in psoriasis prevalence has been consistently reported. One particular challenge faced was the vastly different methodologies used in the included studies, which contributed to some of the heterogeneity of the results. Conclusions: Studies on changes over time in the occurrence of psoriasis have contributed to a greater appreciation of the increasing burden of the disease. However, further research is required to determine the reasons driving the increase in psoriasis prevalence over time. What is already known about this topic?Systematic reviews examining the global epidemiology of psoriasis have explored variations in the incidence and prevalence of psoriasis in children and adults, and in the overall population.The extent to which the occurrence of psoriasis varies over time, as well as by gender and with age, has not been systematically explored. What does this study add? Incidence data confirm a clear bimodal age pattern in psoriasis onset, with evidence suggesting it presents slightly earlier in women than in men.Psoriasis prevalence shows an increasing trend with age until 60 or 70 years, after which it decreases.There is lack of agreement on specific gender differences in psoriasis incidence and prevalence; however, several studies report a slight male predominance.The increasing trend in psoriasis prevalence, despite a stable or a slightly decreasing trend in its incidence, warrants further investigation. Plain language summary available online [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Psoriasis is associated with risk factors for serious infections, but the independent relationship between psoriasis and serious infection is as yet unclear. Objectives: To determine whether people with psoriasis have a higher risk of hospitalization due to any infection, respiratory infections, soft‐tissue and skin infections, or a higher risk of death due to infection. Methods: We conducted a cohort study of people (≥ 18 years) with psoriasis using the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD GOLD) linked to Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) mortality records between 1 April 2003 and 31 December 2016, and matched with up to six comparators on age, sex and general practice. Hospitalization was ascertained from HES records; death was ascertained from ONS mortality records. Stratified Cox proportional hazard models were estimated, with stepwise adjustment in different models for potential confounders or mediators between psoriasis and serious infection. Results: There were 69 315 people with psoriasis and 338 620 comparators who were followed up for a median (interquartile range) of 4·9 (5·9) and 5·1 (6·3) years, respectively. People with psoriasis had a higher incidence rate of serious infection [20·5 per 1000 person‐years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 20·0–21·0, n = 7631] compared with those without psoriasis (16·1 per 1000 person‐years, 95% CI 15·9–16·3, n = 30 761). The fully adjusted hazard ratio for the association between psoriasis and serious infection was 1·36 (95% CI 1·31–1·40), with similar results across the other outcomes. Conclusions: Psoriasis is associated with a small increase in the risk of serious infection. Further research is needed to understand how psoriasis predisposes to a higher risk of infection. What is already known about this topic? Several studies have shown that people with psoriasis have a higher risk of hospitalization due to infection, but these studies are limited by residual confounding for lifestyle factors or underestimation of the true incidence of hospital admissions from primary care electronic health records. What does this study add? Using a large primary care database linked with secondary care Hospital Episode Statistics, we found that, after adjusting for potential confounders and mediators, the hazard ratio for the association between psoriasis and the development of serious infection was 1·36 (95% confidence interval 1·31–1·40).In summary, we show that having psoriasis is independently associated with a small but increased risk of serious infection. Linked Comment:Naldi. Br J Dermatol 2021; 184:6. Plain language summary available online [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Psychological distress among people with psoriasis may lead to elevated risks of suicide and nonfatal self‐harm. Objectives: To investigate psychiatric comorbidity, psychotropic medication prescribing and risk of suicidality in people with psoriasis. Methods: A cohort of patients with psoriasis (1998–2014) was delineated using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, with linkage to Hospital Episode Statistics and Office for National Statistics mortality records. Each patient with psoriasis was matched with up to 20 patients without psoriasis on age, sex and general practice. A stratified Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for suicide or nonfatal self‐harm risks adjusted for socioeconomic status. Results: At baseline, among 56 961 and 876 919 patients with and without psoriasis, higher prevalence for histories of alcohol misuse, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, self‐harm and psychotropic drug prescription were observed. The deprivation‐adjusted HR indicated lower suicide risk in people with psoriasis [HR 0·59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·41–0·85]. The risk of suicide varied according to age: it was lower in people with psoriasis diagnosed at ≥ 40 years (HR 0·38, 95% CI 0·21–0·66), whereas there was no difference in risk of suicide in people with psoriasis diagnosed before age 40 years (HR 0·92, 95% CI 0·58–1·46). Conversely, there was a small increased risk for self‐harm (HR 1·15, 95% CI 1·04–1·27) associated with psoriasis. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental illness was raised in people with psoriasis, and this may lead to a greater risk of self‐harm. Nevertheless, having psoriasis does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of suicide. Healthcare professionals caring for patients with psoriasis should continue to monitor and tackle effectively the psychological needs of these individuals. What's already known about this topic? Psychosocial comorbidity is common in patients with psoriasis.Earlier studies have tried to examine the risk of suicide, but were limited by power to examine the risk of this rare outcome. What does this study add? The overall risk of suicide in people with psoriasis was 40% lower than in peers without the condition.The risk of suicide varied according to age: it was 60% lower among individuals with psoriasis diagnosed at ≥ 40 years than in people without the disease of the same age group, whereas if the diagnosis occurred prior to age 40 years there was no difference in risk between the two groups.Conversely, there was a 15% increase in self‐harm risk in the psoriasis group vs. the general population. Plain language summary available online Respond to this article [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The burden of psoriasis across many world regions is high and there is a recognized need to better understand the epidemiology of this common skin disorder. Objectives To examine changes in the prevalence and incidence of psoriasis, and mortality rates over a 15-year period. Methods Cohort study involving analysis of longitudinal electronic health records between 1999 and 2013 using the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink ( CPRD). Results The prevalence of psoriasis increased steadily from 2·3% (2297 cases per 100 000) in 1999 to 2·8% (2815 per 100 000) in 2013, which does not appear to be attributable to changes in incidence rates. We observed peaks in age bands characteristic of early-onset (type I) and late-onset (type II) psoriasis, and changes in incidence and prevalence rates with increasing latitude in the U.K. All-cause mortality rates for the general population and for patients with psoriasis have decreased over the last 15 years. However, the risk of all-cause mortality for patients with psoriasis remains elevated compared with people without psoriasis (hazard ratio 1·21; 95% confidence interval 1·13-1·3) and we found no significant change in this relative excess mortality gap over time. Conclusions We found an increasing population living longer with psoriasis in the U.K., which has important implications for healthcare service delivery and for resource allocation. Importantly, early mortality in patients with psoriasis remains elevated compared with the general population and we found no evidence of change in this premature mortality gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-two panel members agreed that at least four of the eight supportive diagnostic criteria must be present together with the essential criterion to make a diagnosis of CPP. Dear Editor, Despite psoriasis being a common disease, surprisingly little guidance exists on clinical diagnostic criteria.1 The variable presentation of psoriasis and its differential diagnoses make diagnosis challenging,2 particularly for nondermatologists. The consensus exercise included a recommendation for the clinical diagnosis of CPP across diverse ethnic groups. [Extracted from the article]

Understanding millennial changes in relative sea level (RSL) and coastal responses in stable regions is crucial for deciphering the intricate relationship between natural dynamics and human adaptation. This interdisciplinary study explores the interplay between mid-to-Late Holocene sea-level fluctuations and tectonic along the mid-Tyrrhenian coast. The study area, located between the Fondi and Garigliano coastal plains, held great significance in ancient times. In particular, the strategic role of Formia, a monitoring point for the Tyrrhenian Sea, made this city one of the most important commercial hub during Roman occupation, leading to a significant urbanization of the coastal stretch testified by well-preserved remains nowadays scattered along the submerged or semi-submerged coastal sectors. This study reconstructs the mid-to-Late Holocene morpho-evolution and RSL changes in the study area by creating a geodatabase made of 52 sea-level markers (SLMs) derived from direct geoarchaeological measurements, stratigraphic and palaeoecological interpretations of new borehole data, and previously published stratigraphic data. Specifically, the radiocarbon dating of three peat samples provided new data ranging between 7.62 ± 47 and 1.00 ± 51 ka BP on the sea level history in the area. Based on our dataset, between 9.0 and 8.0 ka BP, the sea level rose from −19 m to −6.5 m at a rate of about 15.6 mm/y, slowing to 0.8 mm/y afterwards, stabilizing at its current position. Results suggest that during the 1st century BC, local sea level was no higher than −0.55 ± 0.29 m. The collected RSL data support the hypothesis of tectonic stability of this sector during the last 2.0 ka, testified by the position of the SLMs in accordance with the glacio-hydro-isostatic adjustment (GIA) models and supported by the determination of average vertical ground movement rates of −0.017 ± 0.23 mm/y. Finally, in terms of coastal changes the overlay between new data from geoarchaeological surveys, reinterpretation of previously-published stratigraphic data, and geomorphological analysis allowed us to deduce a general coastal progradation trend in the historical time for both low-lying and rocky sectors, due to natural and anthropogenic forcing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this reported work is to extend a recent, simple and effective algorithm for the estimation of the probability density function and cumulative density function to the case of bidimensional random vectors. The algorithm is based on an information maximisation approach. The nonlinear bidimensional function involved in the algorithm is adaptively modified during learning and is implemented by using a bidimensional spline function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Psoriasis is a long‐term skin disorder that currently does not have a cure. Many people with psoriasis also suffer from social or emotional problems, called psychosocial comorbidities. Suggested explanations for mental illness in people with psoriasis include the considerable impact that psoriasis has on people's quality of life, mainly related to how their skin looks and how this impacts on their lives. It is thought that the psychological burden in people with psoriasis may lead to elevated risk of self‐harm and suicide. This study, from the UK, examined this theory by comparing medical data from 56,961 people with psoriasis and 876,919 without. This data showed higher prevalence of alcohol misuse, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, self‐harm, and psychotropic drug (for mental health) prescription in people with psoriasis. However, while there was a 15% increase in self‐harm risk in the psoriasis group versus the general population, the overall risk of suicide in people with psoriasis was 40% lower compared to peers without the condition. The risk of suicide varied according to age: it was 60% lower among individuals with psoriasis diagnosed at age 40 or over, compared to people without the disease of the same age group, whereas if the diagnosis occurred prior to age 40 years there was no difference in risk between the two groups. Healthcare professionals caring for patients with psoriasis should continue to monitor and tackle effectively the psychological needs of these individuals. Linked Article: Parisi et al. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:108–115 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linked Article: Parisi et al. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:108–115 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A commentary is presented on an article on the connection of obesity with adipokines and psoriasis.

A novel, simple and effective algorithm for the estimation of the probability density function and cumulative density function is presented. The algorithm is based on an information maximisation approach. The nonlinear function involved in the algorithm is adaptively modified during learning and is implemented by using a spline function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Psoriasis is a serious and chronic noncommunicable disease. However, the fundamental measure of disease occurrence, the incidence, has been scarcely reported globally. There are no previous studies of psoriasis incidence in Latin America. Aim: To estimate the incidence rates of psoriasis in Chile during 2016 and 2017 using an administrative database, the Waiting List Repository. Methods: We examined referrals of psoriasis at onset, made by physicians to dermatologists, evaluated the agreement of diagnosis, and estimated the incidence of the disease considering the eligible population at risk. Results: In most cases, the referrals corresponded to incident cases of psoriasis (73.3%; 95% CI: 66.6–79.2). The national incidence rates of psoriasis were 22.1 (95% CI: 21.1–23.1) and 22.7 (95% CI: 21.8–23.6) per 100 000 person‐years in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The most common type of psoriasis was the late‐onset type. We observed a high variation in the figures throughout the country, with a range from 0.75 (95% CI: 0.3–1.5) per 100 000 person‐years in the Metropolitan region to 164.9 (95% CI: 138.6–195.1) per 100 000 person‐years in the Aysen region. Conclusion: We describe for the first time the incidence of psoriasis in a Latin American country. Our findings could potentially guide collaborations to improve our global understanding of psoriasis in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a Machine Learning (ML) approach for the analysis and classification of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) given a limited number of B-scan images. Specifically, we consider both a custom Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and a wellestablished Deep Learning (DL) architecture, DenseNet, that is opportunely scaled down to take into account the small dataset. Those networks are then employed to classify B-scan simulations from buried cylinders in order to retrieve the host media permittivity, the cylinder depth respect to surface, and cylinders radius. A prediction based on the mean-square error (MSE) is applied. The main aim of the proposed work is to test the applicability of a scaled-down version of DenseNet architecture to the analysis of B-scan images and compare the performance respect to a classical CNN. The architecture chosen has shown interesting results in retrieving information from a limited data set. Limitations of the considered approach are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of some convergence properties of a recent class of nonlinear adaptive filters, known as 'functional link adaptive filters' (FLAFs) is aimed at. In particular, a convergence stability range is derived for nonlinear FLAFs using trigonometric series expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with a heavy burden of morbidity, disability and cost. The occurrence of the disease in Israel has not been previously investigated. Objectives: To provide standardized estimates of trends in psoriasis incidence, prevalence and mortality among patients in Israel between 2011 and 2017. Methods: Using electronic health records from Clalit Health Services, the largest nationwide public health provider in Israel, we conducted a population‐based study investigating trends in the annual incidence and prevalence of psoriasis between the years 2011 and 2017. We report age‐ and sex‐adjusted rates, using the standard European population as a reference. Results: We identified 71 094 incident psoriasis cases. The mean (SD) age of onset was 42.4 (21.0) years with a bimodal distribution, peaking in the early '30s and early '60s. Late‐onset psoriasis, occurring after 40 years of age, accounted for 51.1% of incident cases. The annual psoriasis incidence rate was constant throughout the study period (280/100 000 person‐years). Psoriasis prevalence rose from 2.5% in 2011 to 3.8% in 2017. Conclusions: Psoriasis prevalence is increasing in Israel, although its incidence is stable. Clinicians and policymakers should plan to address the growing demands in the clinical, economic and societal burden of psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of some convergence properties of a recent class of nonlinear adaptive filters, known as 'functional link adaptive filters' (FLAFs) is aimed at. In particular, a convergence stability range is derived for nonlinear FLAFs using trigonometric series expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular docking is a computational method employed to estimate the binding between a small ligand (the drug candidate) and a protein receptor that has become a standard part of workflow in drug discovery. Generally, when the binding site is known and a molecule is similar to known ligands, the most popular docking methods are rather accurate in the prediction of the geometry. Unfortunately, when the binding site is unknown, the blind docking analysis requires large computational resources and the results are often not accurate. Here we present Yada, a new tool for molecular docking that is capable to distribute efficiently calculations onto general purposes computer grid and that combines biological and structural information of the receptor. Yada is available for Windows and Linux and it is free to download at . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]