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class_sz is a versatile, robust and efficient code, in C and Python, optimized to compute theoretical predictions for a wide range of observables relevant to cross-survey science in the Stage IV era. The code is public at https://github.com/CLASS-SZ/class_sz along with a series of tutorial notebooks (https://github.com/CLASS-SZ/notebooks). It will be presented in full detail in paper II. Here we give a brief overview of key features and usage.

Extracting precise cosmology from weak lensing surveys requires modelling the non-linear matter power spectrum, which is suppressed at small scales due to baryonic feedback processes. However, hydrodynamical galaxy formation simulations make widely varying predictions for the amplitude and extent of this effect. We use measurements of Dark Energy Survey Year 3 weak lensing (WL) and Atacama Cosmology Telescope DR5 kinematic Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (kSZ) to jointly constrain cosmological and astrophysical baryonic feedback parameters using a flexible analytical model, 'baryonification'. First, using WL only, we compare the |$S_8$| constraints using baryonification to a simulation-calibrated halo model, a simulation-based emulator model, and the approach of discarding WL measurements on small angular scales. We find that model flexibility can shift the value of |$S_8$| and degrade the uncertainty. The kSZ provides additional constraints on the astrophysical parameters, with the joint WL + kSZ analysis constraining |$S_8=0.823^{+0.019}_{-0.020}$|⁠. We measure the suppression of the non-linear matter power spectrum using WL + kSZ and constrain a mean feedback scenario that is more extreme than the predictions from most hydrodynamical simulations. We constrain the baryon fractions and the gas mass fractions and find them to be generally lower than inferred from X-ray observations and simulation predictions. We conclude that the WL + kSZ measurements provide a new and complementary benchmark for building a coherent picture of the impact of gas around galaxies across observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Mo, Co, Li, B, Ti, Cr, Rb, Sr, Cd, and Pb in donkey milk and their distribution in major milk fractions (i.e., fat, casein, whey proteins, and aqueous phase). Individual milk samples were provided by 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys. Subsequent centrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and ultrafiltration were carried out to remove fat, casein, and whey proteins to obtain skim milk, a supernatant whey fraction, and the aqueous phase of milk, respectively. Concentrations of the elements were measured in whole milk and fractions by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and the concentrations associated with fat, casein, and whey proteins were then calculated. The effect of removal of fat, casein, and whey proteins was determined by repeated-measures ANOVA. The fat fraction of donkey milk carried a small (∼4.5% to 13.5%) but significant proportion of Mo, Co, Ti, Cr, and Sr. The casein fraction in donkey milk carried almost all milk Zn, a majority of Cu and Mn, and most of Mo, Ti, and Sr. Relevant proportions, between 20% and 36%, of Se, Co, and Cr were also associated with caseins. The majority of Se, Co, Li, B, Cr, and Rb, and relevant proportions of Mn, Mo, Ti, and Sr were found in soluble form (ultracentrifuged samples) and distributed between whey proteins and the aqueous phase of milk (ultrafiltered samples). Whey proteins in donkey milk carried the majority of milk Se and Co. All Li and B was present in the aqueous phase of milk, which also contained most Rb and Cr, and 17% to 42% of Mn, Se, Mo, Co, Ti, and Sr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Spinal infections, represent quite rare but often severe conditions. However, due to symptoms' non-specificity and the lack of specific laboratory tests, diagnosis is often delayed with serious consequences for the patient's outcomes. The present investigation aimed at evaluating the role of procalcitonin (PCT) and other clinical features on the risk stratification and the clinical outcomes in spondylodiscitis patients treated in our Emergency Department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present investigation represents a single-center retrospective study. Clinical records of consecutive patients admitted to our Emergency Department from 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2021 were evaluated and patients with spondylodiscitis diagnosis in this period were recruited. Our primary outcome was the degree of autonomy of patients following the acute event. Our secondary outcome was the resolution of the infection. RESULTS: In the study period, a total of 345 patients were evaluated. Among these, 165 met the inclusion criteria, and constituted the study cohort. Concerning the primary outcome, we observed that the most significant predictive factors for being non-autonomous were elevated serum creatinine (> 1.05 mg/dl), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) > 23 mg/dl, Lactate dehydrogenase > 228 U/L, PCT > 0.11 ng/mL. Patients with higher PCT (PCT > 0.11 ng/mL) and higher BUN (BUN > 23 mg/dl) had higher odds of infection persistence (the Odd Ratio, OR, were respectively 3.78 for PCT and 3.14 for BUN). CONCLUSIONS: PCT assay may play a role in diagnosing spondylodiscitis in an emergency setting. A PCT value > 0.11 ng/mL should be considered as a red flag, a predictor of worse clinical outcomes and persistence of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La sarcoïdose est une maladie inflammatoire systémique caractérisée par la formation de granulomes épithélioïdes et gigantocellulaires dans divers organes, principalement le parenchyme pulmonaire et les ganglions lymphatiques intrathoraciques. La physiopathologie de la sarcoïdose et notamment son primum movens restent encore mal connus, mais l'hypothèse la plus largement acceptée aujourd'hui suppose un défaut de clairance antigénique (concernant des antigènes microbiens ou minéraux) chez des individus génétiquement prédisposés. Les avancées du séquençage à haut débit a par ailleurs permis la mise en évidence d'une accumulation de variants pathogènes dans les voies de signalisation de l'autophagie, de la mitophagie et de mTOR (inhibitrice de l'autophagie et de la mitophagie) chez les patients porteurs de sarcoïdose [1]. Des lignées de cellules lymphoblastoïdes ont été générées à partir de cellules mononucléées de sang périphérique de patients issue d'une famille porteuse de sarcoïdose (trois patients sarcoïdose, deux contrôles intrafamiliaux et un contrôle extra familial). Cette famille a été sélectionnée au sein de la cohorte SARCFAM (cohorte rassemblant des cas de sarcoïdose groupés sur le plan familial à l'échelon national). L'aspect au repos des lignées lymphoblastoïdes ont été évaluées en premier lieu par microscopie électronique à transmission. Le métabolisme mitochondrial dans ces lignées cellulaires a été évalué par technologie seahorse (consommation d'oxygène et glycolyse). Le pool d'ADN mitochondrial (mtDNA) de ces lignées a également été quantifié à l'état basal et en réponse à un stimulus chimique (arséniate de sodium). L'expression génique et protéique des gènes associés au stress oxydatif et à l'autophagie ont également été évalués respectivement en PCR quantitative et par Western Blot. En microscopie électronique, on notait la présence de cellules porteuses de mitochondries altérées (cristae irrégulières) était notée dans le groupe sarcoïdose. Les taux de consommation d'oxygène (OCR) étudiés en seahorse était inférieurs chez les contrôles en comparaison aux patients porteurs de sarcoïdose. Ces OCR étaient inférieurs dans toutes les configurations de mesures relatives aux OCR mitochondriaux (OCR basal, OCR lié à la synthèse d'ATP et l'OCR maximal, p < 0,05). L'OCR non mitochondrial (OCR lié aux réactions d'oxydoréduction intracellulaires) était similaire dans les deux groupes. La production totale d'ATP était diminuée dans le groupe sarcoïdose et était liée à une diminution de la production d'ATP glycolyse-dépendante (p < 0,01). La quantification du mtDNA avant et après la stimulation des lignées lymphoblastoïdes montrait une accumulation de mtDNA en réponse à la stimulation par arséniate chez les patients porteurs de sarcoïdose et cette différence n'était pas visualisée de manière significative chez les contrôles. Après stimulation par arséniate, on observait une augmentation de l'expression de gènes associés au stress oxydatif et à l'autophagie (SQSTM1/NRF2) dans le groupe sarcoïdose, sans que cette augmentation puisse être visualisée chez les contrôles (p < 0,01). En western blot, il a été mis en évidence un effondrement des taux de TOMM20 (un marqueur de membrane mitochondriale), de BNIP3L sous forme non monomérique (mitophagie PARKIN indépendante) et de PINK1 (mitophagie PARKIN dépendante) (p < 0,01). Des différences en termes de morphologie, de métabolisme et de respiration mitochondriale ont pu être mises en évidence au sein de cette famille chez les individus porteurs de sarcoïdose. Les anomalies de structure mitochondriale ont déjà pu être observées en microscopie électronique dans des cellules endothéliales bronchiques dans une population de patients avec sarcoïdose [2]. L'accumulation de mtDNA avait également déjà été mise en évidence dans la cohorte GRADS, dans le liquide de LBA de malades [3]. Ces résultats contribuent au faisceau d'argument impliquant la dysfonction mitochondriale dans la physiopathologie de la sarcoïdose. Il n'est pour le moment pas possible de dire si cette dysfonction est le primum movens de la génération du granulome ou si elle contribue à l'entretien de la réaction inflammatoire (notamment par l'accumulation des ROS cytosoliques, de mtDNA oxydé et par l'activation de NLRP3 et NFkB par ces derniers). Il existe chez les patients porteurs de sarcoïdose des différences en termes de morphologie et de métabolisme mitochondrial. Ces différences pourraient être liées à une mitophagie déficiente qui empêcherait la dégradation de mitochondries défectueuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of Ca, P, S, Mg, K, and Na, and their distribution in major fractions of donkey milk (i.e., fat, casein, whey proteins, and aqueous phase). Individual milk samples were collected by mechanical milking from 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys. Milk yield per milking was recorded and milk gross composition, casein content, and pH were determined. Whole milk samples were centrifuged to separate fat and to obtain skim milk. Skim milk samples were ultracentrifuged to separate a sedimentable casein pellet and to obtain a supernatant whey (soluble) fraction, which was then ultrafiltered to obtain the aqueous phase of donkey milk. Whole milk and the processed samples were analyzed for the aforementioned elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The concentration of elements associated with fat, casein, and whey proteins was then calculated. All the Na was present in the aqueous phase. The fat fraction in donkey milk carried very little or none of the investigated elements. The majority of Ca (62.9%) and P (53.1%) was associated with casein, and the rest of these elements was mostly present in the aqueous phase. The majority of Mg was present in the aqueous phase, but a relevant part (32.6%) was associated with the casein fraction. No K was associated with casein. On a molar basis, the ratio of colloidal Ca and P to casein (mmol/g of casein) was more than double the values reported in literature for cow milk. The correlation coefficient was negative between milk pH and P in the ultracentrifuged (r = −0.81) and ultrafiltered (aqueous) fraction (r = −0.66). Milk pH correlated positively with colloidal Ca (r = 0.59) and with the ratio of colloidal Ca to casein (mmol/g of casein; r = 0.68). Colloidal Ca and P were positively correlated (r = 0.64). These data suggest that the high ratio of colloidal Ca and P to donkey casein micelles is due to a larger amount of colloidal calcium phosphate bound to casein micelles compared with literature data on cow milk. The percentage of elements associated with whey proteins was less than 5% for Ca, P, and K, but Mg reached approximately 9% of total Mg. The majority of S (63.6%) was associated with whey proteins, and only one-fourth of this element was associated with casein, indicating a higher content of sulfur-containing amino acids in donkey whey proteins than in casein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of four different grain composition diets of finishing lambs on lamb performance, dry matter (DM) digestibility, rumen fermentation and leptin mRNA expression were evaluated. Thirty-two Pelibuey lambs (25.35 ± 4.73 kg bodyweight) were used in a completely randomised experiment in which lambs were fed diets that contained 30%, 45%, 60% or 75% grain (DM basis). The results indicated that increasing the grain level improved the average daily weight gain, hot carcass weight, DM digestibility and feed conversion linearly (P < 0.01); however, feed intake was not affected. Ruminal pH decreased linearly as the grain content was increased (P < 0.01). Ruminal propionate concentration increased and acetate concentration declined with increased grain content (P < 0.01). Leptin mRNA expression in perirenal adipose tissue increased linearly (P < 0.05) as grain content increased. Based on these results, we conclude that increasing grain level in the diets of finishing feedlot lambs improved weight gain and feed efficiency; however, because weight gain and feed efficiency were similar at the higher grain levels, our data suggest including 60% grain in lamb finishing rations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Glutamate triggers a rapid dedifferentiation response in rat Müller mature cells. [•] Dedifferentiation involves NMDAR, mGluR2, DNA methylation and morphological changes. [•] Dedifferentiated cells express progenitor genes but also Müller identity genes. [•] Their early neuronal differentiation potential is similar to retinal progenitors. [•] These cells fail to further differentiate to mature photoreceptor lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this trial was to study the concentration of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cobalt (Co) and iodine (I) in milk and blood serum of lactating donkeys, taking into account the effects of lactation stage and dietary supplementation with trace elements. During a 3-month period, 16 clinically healthy lactating donkeys (Martina-Franca-derived population), randomly divided into two homogeneous groups (control (CTL) and trace elements (TE)), were used to provide milk and blood samples at 2-week intervals. Donkeys in both groups had continuous access to meadow hay and were fed 2.5 kg of mixed feed daily, divided into two meals. The mixed feed for the TE group had the same ingredients as the CTL, but was supplemented with a commercial premix providing 163 mg Zn, 185 mg Fe, 36 mg Cu, 216 mg Mn, 0.67 mg Se, 2.78 mg Co and 3.20 mg I/kg mixed feed. The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Se, Co and I were measured in feeds, milk and blood serum by inductively coupled plasma-MS. Data were processed by ANOVA for repeated measures. The milk concentrations of all the investigated elements were not significantly affected by the dietary supplementation with TE. Serum concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu Mn and Se were not affected by dietary treatment, but TE-supplemented donkeys showed significantly higher concentrations of serum Co (1.34 v. 0.69 μg/l) and I (24.42 v. 21.43 μg/l) than unsupplemented donkeys. The effect of lactation stage was significant for all the investigated elements in milk and blood serum, except for serum manganese. A clear negative trend during lactation was observed for milk Cu and Se concentrations (−38%), whereas that of Mn tended to increase. The serum Cu concentration was generally constant and that of Co tended to increase. If compared with data reported in the literature for human milk, donkey milk showed similarities for Zn, Mn, Co and I. Furthermore, this study indicated that, in the current experimental conditions, the mineral profile of donkey milk was not dependent on dietary TE supply. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effects of impurities such as chromium and bismuth on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an AlSi9Cu3(Fe) secondary die casting alloy are investigated. Metallographic and image analysis techniques have been used to examine the microstructural changes. The results indicate that the area fraction and the size of brittle α-Alx(Fe,Mn,Cr)ySiz intermetallic compounds increase by increasing the Cr content, and this affects the ultimate tensile strength and the ductility of the alloy at higher Cr level. On the other hand, the Bi addition seems to not produce significant changes in the microstructure and in the average mechanical properties of the secondary AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy. However, the Weibull statistics show that the addition of Bi leads to less reliable castings, which may be associated with an increase in oxide film defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We describe our preliminary experience with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in emergency department (ED) patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain. Methods: A convenience cohort of patients with low- to intermediate-risk acute chest pain presenting to a suburban ED in 2009 were prospectively enrolled if the attending physician ordered a CCTA for possible coronary artery disease. Demographic and clinician data were entered into structured data collection sheets required before any imaging. The results of CCTA were classified as normal, nonobstructive (1%-50% stenosis), and obstructive (>50% stenosis). Outcomes included hospital admission and death within a 6-month follow-up period. Results: In 2009, 507 patients with ED chest pain had a CCTA while in the ED. The median (interquartile range) age was 54 (47-62) years; 51.5% were female. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction risk scores were 0 (42.6%), 1 (42.2%), 2 (11.8%), 3 (2.4%), and 4 (1.0%). The results of CCTA were normal (n = 363), nonobstructive (n = 123), and obstructive (n = 21). Admission rates by CCTA results were obstructive (90.5%), nonobstructive (4.9%), and normal (3.0%). None of the patients with normal or nonobstructive CCTA died within the 6-month follow-up period (0%; 95% confidence interval, 0-0.9%). Conclusions: Many ED patients with low- to intermediate-risk chest pain have a normal or nonobstructive CCTA and may be safely discharged from the ED without any associated mortality within the following 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 61-year-old woman underwent celiac trunk stenting to treat abdominal angina. Three months later, she was readmitted for recurrent symptoms. Computed tomography control revealed the migration of the stent into the splenic artery. No sign of vessel injury or end-organ ischemia was detected. Repeat stenting of the celiac trunk was performed; the postoperative course was uneventful. 12 months later, the patient was asymptomatic with the second stent in its correct position, and she was asymptomatic for mesenteric ischemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small-caliber launcher (SCL) is a 2-m-long railgun with a 1-in bore. The gun line houses 91.5-in (232.4 cm) rails with a 1.25 in \times 0.25 in thickness. A need was determined to characterize the gun line for maximum performance of exit velocity, peak velocity, and efficiency by using factorial experiments with linear regression modeling. In this paper, a 2^k factorial experiment was designed and conducted in order to study the effect of key design factors (i.e., charge voltage, armature mass, and starting location) on the performance of the SCL. This statistical method enables the efficient and accurate characterization of the joint effects of these design factors on the SCL. Analysis of variance indicates that a combination of low armature mass (i.e., 49 g), high charge voltage (i.e., 12 kV), and short starting location (i.e., 29.6 cm) maximizes the SCL's exit velocity, peak velocity, and efficiency. Furthermore, some interactions between these factors were found to cause significant statistical effects on SCL performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

( Headache 2010;50:998-1004) Background.- Chronic migraine with symptomatic medication overuse (CMwMO) is a common and often debilitating clinical condition. Withdrawal of the offending drug(s) is considered the first step in management. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may be a useful technique for obtaining information on particular neuronal changes in the pain network involved in this condition. Objective.- To identify specific fMRI patterns in patients suffering from CMwMO before and after withdrawal intervention. Methods.- We collected fMRI data from a group of patients suffering from CMwMO, evaluating those patients prior to and 6 months following withdrawal. We applied stimuli at sites far removed from where the headaches were experienced. Moreover, pre-intervention fMRI data from the headache patients were compared with those obtained from headache-free and otherwise healthy controls. Results.- Before withdrawal, the right supramarginal gyrus, the right inferior and superior parietal cortex were hypoactive. Activity recovered to almost normal 6 months after withdrawal of the offending medications. Conclusions.- The hypoactivation we detected in the lateral pain system indicate that there exists a modification of the pain network in CMwMO and that these changes are reversible with therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]