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Background: The devices used for in vivo examination of muscle contractions assess only pure force contractions and the so-called isokinetic contractions. In isokinetic experiments, the extremity and its muscle are artificially moved with constant velocity by the measuring device, while a tetanic contraction is induced in the muscle, either by electrical stimulation or by maximal voluntary activation. With these systems, experiments cannot be performed at pre-defined, constant muscle length, single contractions cannot be evaluated individually and the separate examination of the isometric and the isotonic components of single contractions is not possible.Methods: The myograph presented in our study has two newly developed technical units, i.e. a). a counterforce unit which can load the muscle with an adjustable, but constant force and b). a length-adjusting unit which allows for both the stretching and the contraction length to be infinitely adjustable independently of one another. The two units support the examination of complex types of contraction and store the counterforce and length-adjusting settings, so that these conditions may be accurately reapplied in later sessions.Results: The measurement examples presented show that the muscle can be brought to every possible pre-stretching length and that single isotonic or complex isometric-isotonic contractions may be performed at every length. The applied forces act during different phases of contraction, resulting into different pre- and after-loads that can be kept constant - uninfluenced by the contraction. Maximal values for force, shortening, velocity and work may be obtained for individual muscles. This offers the possibility to obtain information on the muscle status and to monitor its changes under non-invasive measurement conditions.Conclusion: With the Complex Myograph, the whole spectrum of a muscle's mechanical characteristics may be assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic pain is one of the most frequent clinical problems after inguinal hernia surgery. Despite more than two decades of research and numerous publications, no evidence exists to allow for chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) specific treatment algorithms. Methods: This narrative review presents the current knowledge of the non-surgical management of CPIP and makes suggestions for daily practice. Results: There is a paucity for high-level evidence of non-surgical options for CPIP. Different treatment options and algorithms have been published for chronic pain patients in the last decades. Discussion and conclusion: It is suggested that non-surgical treatment is introduced in the management of all CPIP patients. The overall approach to interventions should be pragmatic, tiered and multi-interventional, starting with least invasive and only moving to more invasive procedures upon lack of effect. Evaluation should be multidisciplinary and should take place in specialized centres. We strongly suggest to follow general guidelines for treatment of persistent pain and to build a database allowing for establishing CPIP specific evidence for optimal analgesic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparing the CESD-score's symptom categories, registry patients scored highest on sleep, fatigue and agitation. This is in line with previous results.7,8 Patients' reportings on symptom frequency was markedly higher for AD patients having depression as comorbidity compared to patients reporting no depression comorbidity. The presented issue highlight the relevant role of depressive symptoms for a high proportion of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a multifactorial genesis including genetic predispositions and environmental risk and trigger factors. One of the latter possibly is smoking, indicated by an increased prevalence of AD in adults and children that are actively or passively exposed to cigarette smoke. Objectives: In this study, AD characteristics and its atopic comorbidities are compared in smoking and non‐smoking AD patients. Methods: TREATgermany is a non‐interventional clinical registry which includes patients with moderate to severe AD in Germany. Baseline data of patients included in TREATgermany from inception in June 2016 to April 2020 in 39 sites across Germany was analysed comparing AD disease characteristics and comorbidities in smokers vs. non‐smokers. Results: Of 921 patients, 908 (male: 58.7%) with a mean age of 41.9 ± 14.4 reported their smoking status. The objective Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (oSCORAD) did not differ between smokers (n = 352; 38.8%) and non‐smokers, however, lesions' intensity of oozing/crusts and excoriations as well as patient global assessment scores (PGA) of AD severity were higher in smoking as opposed to non‐smoking patients. Smokers reported a lower number of weeks with well‐controlled AD and more severe pruritus than non‐smokers. Total IgE levels were more elevated in smokers and they displayed a younger age at the initial diagnosis of bronchial asthma. After adjustment for potential confounders, the increased intensity of oozing/crusts, the reduced number of weeks with well‐controlled AD and the greater pruritus remained different in smokers compared to non‐smokers. In addition, smoking patients with adult‐onset AD showed a 2.5 times higher chance of involvement of the feet. Conclusions: German registry data indicate that AD patients who smoke have a higher disease burden with a different distribution pattern of lesions in adult‐onset AD. Linked Commentary Valeria Aoki and Raquel Leão Orfali J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2022; 36: 324–325. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17901. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae provides long baseline (∼4 yr) V - band light curves for sources brighter than V≲ 17 mag across the whole sky. We produced V - band light curves for a total of ∼61.5 million sources and systematically searched these sources for variability. We identified ∼426 000 variables, including ∼219 000 new discoveries. Most (⁠|${\sim }74{ per\ cent}$|⁠) of our discoveries are in the Southern hemisphere. Here, we use spectroscopic information from LAMOST, GALAH, RAVE, and APOGEE to study the physical and chemical properties of these variables. We find that metal-poor eclipsing binaries have orbital periods that are shorter than metal-rich systems at fixed temperature. We identified rotational variables on the main-sequence, red giant branch, and the red clump. A substantial fraction (⁠|${\gtrsim }80{ per\ cent}$|⁠) of the rotating giants have large |$v$| rot or large near-ultraviolet excesses also indicative of fast rotation. The rotational variables have unusual abundances suggestive of analysis problems. Semiregular variables tend to be lower metallicity (⁠|$\rm [Fe/H]{\sim }-0.5$|⁠) than most giant stars. We find that the APOGEE DR16 temperatures of oxygen-rich semiregular variables are strongly correlated with the W RP − W JK colour index for |$\rm T_{eff}\lesssim 3800$|  K. Using abundance measurements from APOGEE DR16, we find evidence for Mg and N enrichment in the semiregular variables. We find that the Aluminum abundances of the semiregular variables are strongly correlated with the pulsation period, where the variables with |$\rm P\gtrsim 60$|  d are significantly depleted in Al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Atopic Dermatitis (AD) TREATgermany registry was initiated by the German Society for Dermatology (DDG) in 2011 to evaluate the 'real‐life' situation of health care for patients with AD. Objectives: Interim data analysis on baseline characteristics as well as current and prescribed systemic treatments of the TREATgermany registry patients. Methods: Patients (≥18 years) with moderate‐to‐severe AD [objective (o)SCORAD > 20], or with current or previous anti‐inflammatory systemic treatment for AD within 24 months, were included and are followed up over at least 24 months. To assess clinical signs, the eczema area severity index (EASI, 0–72), the oSCORAD (0–83) and the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA; 6‐point scale) were used. The disease severity was globally scored by the patients [Patient Global Assessment (PGA); six‐step Likert scale]. Disease symptoms were assessed by the patient‐oriented eczema measure (POEM, 0–28) and numeric rating scales (NRS, 0–10). Health‐related quality of life was measured using the dermatological life quality index (DLQI, 0–30). Results: A total of 612 patients were recruited across 32 sites between 06/2016 and 01/2019 (mean age: 42.6 ± 14.2 years; mean oSCORAD: 40.8 ± 16.3). The mean POEM score was 16.3 ± 7.5. Pruritus was rated highest among subjective symptoms (NRS: 5.4 ± 2.7). The mean DLQI value was 11.3 ± 7.5. The frequency of arterial hypertension was lower (20.8%) compared with the general population, whilst this was higher for depression (10%). More than 60% of the patients had received systemic glucocorticosteroids, and 36.8% had received cyclosporine A prior to inclusion. Dupilumab was the leading substance documented as either 'current' (12.1%) or 'prescribed' (31.4%) at baseline. Conclusions: These 'real‐life' data clearly demonstrate the substantial disease burden. Most of TREATgermany patients were already treated with or prescribed dupilumab at baseline. Moreover, current findings indicate the urgent need for further alternative agents in order to achieve a perceptible improvement of quality of life of patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize |${\sim } 71\, 200$| W Ursae Majoris (UMa) type (EW) contact binaries, including |${\sim } 12\, 600$| new discoveries, using All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAN-SN) V -band all-sky light curves along with archival data from Gaia , 2MASS, AllWISE, LAMOST, GALAH, RAVE, and APOGEE. There is a clean break in the EW period–luminosity relation at |$\rm \log (\it P/{\rm d})\,{\simeq }\,{\rm -0.30}$|⁠ , separating the longer period, early-type EW binaries from the shorter period, late-type systems. The two populations are even more cleanly separated in the space of period and effective temperature, by |$T_{\rm eff}=6710\,{\rm K}-1760\,{\rm K}\, \log (P/0.5\,{\rm d})$|⁠. Early-type and late-type EW binaries follow opposite trends in T eff with orbital period. For longer periods, early-type EW binaries are cooler, while late-type systems are hotter. We derive period–luminosity relationships in the WJK , V, Gaia DR2 G, J, H, K s, and W 1 bands for the late-type and early-type EW binaries separated by both period and effective temperature, and by period alone. The dichotomy of contact binaries is almost certainly related to the Kraft break and the related changes in envelope structure, winds, and angular momentum loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) provides long baseline (∼4 yr) light curves for sources brighter than V ≲ 17 mag across the whole sky. As part of our effort to characterize the variability of all the stellar sources visible in ASAS-SN, we have produced ∼30.1 million V -band light curves for sources in the Southern hemisphere using the APASS DR9 (AAVSO Photometric All-Sky Survey Data Release) catalogue as our input source list. We have systematically searched these sources for variability using a pipeline based on random forest classifiers. We have identified |${\sim } 220\, 000$| variables, including |${\sim } 88\, 300$| new discoveries. In particular, we have discovered |${\sim }48\, 000$| red pulsating variables, |${\sim }23\, 000$| eclipsing binaries, ∼2200 δ-Scuti variables, and |${\sim }10\, 200$| rotational variables. The light curves and characteristics of the variables are all available through the ASAS-SN variable stars data base (https://asas-sn.osu.edu/variables). The pre-computed ASAS-SN V -band light curves for all the ∼30.1 million sources are available through the ASAS-SN photometry data base (https://asas-sn.osu.edu/photometry). This effort will be extended to provide ASAS-SN light curves for sources in the Northern hemisphere and for V  ≲ 17 mag sources across the whole sky that are not included in APASS DR9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the physical and electrical properties of SrxTi1-xOy (STO)-based metal-insulator-metal capacitors (MIMcaps) with various compositions are studied in detail. While most recent studies on STO were done on noblelike metal electrodes (Ru, Pt), this work focuses on a low temperature (250 °C) atomic layer deposition (ALD) process, using an alternative precursor set and carefully optimized processing conditions, enabling the use of low-cost, manufacturable-friendly TiN electrodes. Physical analyses show that the film crystallization temperature, its texture and morphology strongly depends on the Sr/Ti ratio. Such physical variations have a direct impact on the electric properties of SrxTi1-xOy based capacitors. It is found that Sr-enrichment result in a monotonous decrease in the dielectric constant and leakage current as predicted by ab initio calculations. The intercept of the EOT vs physical thickness plot further indicates that increasing the Sr-content at the film interface with the bottom TiN would result in lower interfacial equivalent-oxide thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) provides long-baseline (∼4 yr) light curves for sources brighter than V ≲ 17 mag across the whole sky. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has started to produce high-quality light curves with a baseline of at least 27 d, eventually for most of the sky. The combination of ASAS-SN and TESS light curves probes both long- and short-term variability in great detail, especially towards the TESS continuous viewing zones (CVZ) at the ecliptic poles. We have produced ∼1.3 million V -band light curves covering a total of |${\sim }1000 \, \rm deg^2$| towards the southern TESS CVZ and have systematically searched these sources for variability. We have identified ∼11 700 variables, including ∼7 000 new discoveries. The light curves and characteristics of the variables are all available through the ASAS-SN variable stars data base (https://asas-sn.osu.edu/variables). We also introduce an online resource to obtain pre-computed ASAS-SN V -band light curves (https://asas-sn.osu.edu/photometry) starting with the light curves of the ∼1.3 million sources studied in this work. This effort will be extended to provide ASAS-SN light curves for ∼50 million sources over the entire sky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We report on the discovery and follow-up of a peculiar transient, OGLE17aaj, which occurred in the nucleus of a weakly active galaxy. We investigate whether it can be interpreted as a new candidate for a tidal disruption event (TDE). Methods. We present the OGLE-IV light curve that covers the slow 60-day-long rise to maximum along with photometric, spectroscopic, and X-ray follow-up during the first year. Results. OGLE17aaj is a nuclear transient exhibiting some properties similar to previously found TDEs, including a long rise time, lack of colour-temperature evolution, and high black-body temperature. On the other hand, its narrow emission lines and slow post-peak evolution are different from previously observed TDEs. Its spectrum and light-curve evolution is similar to F01004-2237 and AT 2017bgt. Signatures of historical low-level nuclear variability suggest that OGLE17aaj may instead be related to a new type of accretion event in active super-massive black holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of a new gravitationally lensed quasar (double) from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) identified inside the ~670deg2 area encompassing the Magellanic Clouds. The source was selected as one of ~60 'red W1 - W2' mid-infrared objects from WISE and having a significant amount of variability in OGLE for both two (or more) nearby sources. This is the first detection of a gravitational lens, where the discovery is made 'the other way around', meaning we first measured the time delay between the two lensed quasar images of -132 < tAB < -76 d (90 per cent CL), with the median tAB ≈-102 d (in the observer frame), and where the fainter image B lags image A. The system consists of the two quasar images separated by 1.5 arcsec on the sky, with I ≈20.0mag and I ≈19.6mag, respectively, and a lensing galaxy that becomes detectable as I ≈21.5 mag source, 1.0 arcsec from image A, after subtracting the two lensed images. Both quasar images show clear AGN broad emission lines at z=2.16 in the New Technology Telescope spectra. The spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting with the fixed source redshift provided the estimate of the lensing galaxy redshift of z ≈0.9 ± 0.2 (90 per cent CL), while its type is more likely to be elliptical (the SED-inferred and lens-model stellar mass is more likely present in ellipticals) than spiral (preferred redshift by the lens model). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of previous studies have indicated that Broca's area has an important role in understanding and producing syntactically complex sentences and other language functions. If Broca's area is critical for these functions, then either infarction of Broca's area or temporary hypoperfusion within this region should cause impairment of these functions, at least while the neural tissue is dysfunctional. The opportunity to identify the language functions that depend on Broca's area in a particular individual was provided by a patient with hyperacute stroke who showed selective hypoperfusion, with minimal infarct, in Broca's area, and acutely impaired production of grammatical sentences, comprehension of semantically reversible (but not non-reversible) sentences, spelling, and motor planning of speech articulation. When blood flow was restored to Broca's area, as demonstrated by repeat perfusion weighted imaging, he showed immediate recovery of these language functions. The identification of language functions that were impaired when Broca's area was dysfunctional (due to low blood flow) and recovered when Broca's area was functional again, provides evidence for the critical role of Broca's area in these language functions, at least in this individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differentiation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) from multiple sclerosis (MS) can be challenging, especially when neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms are accompanied by white matter lesions in the brain. Given the lack of discriminative power of currently applied tools for their differentiation, there is an unmet need for other measures that can aid in distinguishing between the two autoimmune disorders. In this study we aimed at exploring whether brain atrophy measures could serve as markers differentiating MS and SLE. Thirty-seven relapsing-remitting MS and 38 SLE patients with nervous system manifestations, matched according to age and disease duration, underwent 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including volumetric sequences, and clinical assessment. Voxelwise analysis was performed using ANTS-SyN elastic registration protocol, FSL Randomise and Gamma methods. Cortical and subcortical segmentation was performed with Freesurfer 5.3 pipeline using T1-weighted MPRAGE sequence data. Using MRI volumetric markers of general and subcortical gray matter atrophy and clinical variables, we built a stepwise multivariable logistic diagnostic model to identify MRI parameters that best differentiate MS and SLE patients. We found that the best volumetric predictors to distinguish them were: fourth ventricle volume (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.57, area under the curve, AUC 0.77), posterior corpus callosum (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.57, AUC 0.68), and third ventricle to thalamus ratio (sensitivity 0.42, specificity 0.84, AUC 0.65). The same classifiers were identified in a subgroup analysis that included patients with a short disease duration. In MS brain atrophy and lesion load correlated with clinical disability, while in SLE age was the main determinant of brain volume. This study proposes new imaging parameters for differential diagnosis of MS and SLE with central nervous system involvement. We show there is a different pattern of atrophy in MS and SLE, and the key structural volumes that are differentially affected include fourth ventricle and posterior section of corpus callosum, followed by third ventricle to thalamus ratio. Different correlation patterns between volumetric and clinical data may suggest that while in MS atrophy is driven mainly by disease activity, in SLE it is mostly associated with age. However, these results need further replication in a larger cohort.

Background and Purpose: Nonimaging transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) and imaging TCD (TCDI) are used for determination of the risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The purpose was to compare angle-corrected, uncorrected TCDI, and TCD blood flow velocities in children with SCD., Materials and Methods: A total of 37 children (mean age, 7.8 +/- 3.0 years) without intracranial arterial narrowing determined with MR angiography, were studied with use of TCD and TCDI at the same session. Depth of insonation and TCDI mean velocities with and without correction for the angle of insonation in the terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle (MCA), anterior (ACA), and posterior (PCA) cerebral arteries were compared with TCD velocities with use of a paired t test., Results: Two arteries were not found on TCDI compared with 15 not found on TCD. Average angle of insonation in the MCA, ACA, ICA, and PCA was 31 degrees , 44 degrees , 25 degrees , and 29 degrees , respectively. TCDI and TCD mean depth of insonation for all arteries did not differ significantly; however, individual differences varied substantially. TCDI velocities were significantly lower than TCD velocities, respectively, for the right and left sides (mean +/- SD): MCA, 106 +/- 22 cm/s and 111 +/- 33 cm/s versus 130 +/- 19 cm/s and 134 +/- 26 cm/s; ICA, 90 +/- 14 cm/s and 98 +/- 27 cm/s versus 117 +/- 18 cm/s and 119 +/- 23 cm/s; ACA, 74 +/- 24 cm/s and 88 +/- 25 cm/s versus 105 +/- 23 cm/s and 105 +/- 31 cm/s; and PCA, 84 +/- 27 cm/s and 82 +/- 21 cm/s versus 95 +/- 23 cm/s and 94 +/- 20 cm/s. TCD and angle-corrected TCDI velocities were not statistically different except for higher angle-corrected TCDI values in the left ACA and right PCA., Conclusion: TCD velocities are significantly higher than TCDI velocities but are not different from the angle-corrected TCDI velocities. TCDI identifies the major intracranial arteries more effectively than TCD.

Platelet angiotensin II (AngII) receptor number has been suggested as a screening test for pregnancy-induced hypertension. However, markedly different false-positive rates have been reported, perhaps the result of differing methods used. We sought therefore to compare the two methods. Platelet AngII receptor number was determined by saturation analysis with computerized curve fitting and specific binding at a single radioligand concentration. The two methods were compared by correlation and by plotting their differences v their means, to determine their limits of agreement. There were significant correlations between the value obtained by saturation analysis and each of the three single ligand concentrations studied (1 nmol/L, P < .001; 500 pmol/L, P < .001; and 250 pmol/L, P < .01). However, for none of the three did the regression line approach the line of equality. Assessment of agreement by comparing differences and means for each subject showed increasing scatter with increasing receptor number and 95% confidence intervals too large to be clinically relevant. We conclude that the receptor number estimated from specific binding at one ligand concentration differs significantly from that obtained by saturation analysis. The limits of agreement of the two methods are wide and we urge caution in the use of single ligand concentration methods for estimating binding site densities.

Objective: The relation between plasma angiotensin II concentrations and the platelet angiotensin II receptor was examined in four different groups of subjects. Platelet receptors were used as representative of physiologically significant sites such as in vascular smooth muscle., Subjects: A control group consisting of non-pregnant females was studied together with three pregnant groups: normal pregnant women in both early and then late gestation and women with diagnosed pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)., Methods: Blood was collected from each subject for estimation of plasma angiotensin II concentration and isolation of platelets, which were then used in non-competitive binding studies. Both receptor capacity and affinity for the ligand were calculated for each subject., Results: In the control group, a significant negative correlation between angiotensin II and receptor capacity was established. This was in marked contrast to the first trimester group which showed no such correlation and where there was a significant reduction or nil receptor capacity but only a slight elevation in mean plasma angiotensin II concentration. This phenomenon of reduced or absent binding persisted into the third trimester when plasma angiotensin II was significantly elevated compared with all other groups. PIH subjects had the lowest plasma angiotensin levels and 90% had clearly measurable binding to the platelet receptor, which was not however as high as that in the control group. Two normotensive subjects who demonstrated significant potentiation of receptor binding in the third trimester subsequently developed PIH., Conclusions: The inverse relation between plasma angiotensin II and its platelet receptor, found in non-pregnant subjects, is significantly altered in normal pregnancy. Reduced receptor capacity and lack of relation with circulating ligand observed in early gestation reflects an alteration at the receptor level which is independent of plasma angiotensin II concentration. This alteration appears to persist throughout pregnancy except in subjects predisposed to PIH when receptor binding is closer to non-pregnant values. Changes in receptor binding found in people who ultimately developed PIH but who were still clinically normal at the time suggest that binding to the platelet receptor could be used as a screening test for all primiparae to identify those predisposed to PIH later on in pregnancy.

The expression of the glomerular receptor for angiotensin II (Ang II-R) was examined longitudinally following the induction of anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis in the rat. The specific aim of the project was to determine whether immunologically-induced glomerular injury led to significant abnormalities of the relationship between glomerular Ang II-R and its circulating ligand, Ang II. Scatchard analysis was used to measure Ang II-R on purified glomeruli at selected time intervals over two months following a single dose of sheep anti-rat GBM antibody. Corresponding values for plasma Ang II were determined. Receptor density fell to approximately 50% by 16 hours following the injection of antibody (control 96.4 +/- 9.3 x 10(6); nephritic 52.6 +/- 5.6 x 10(6) receptors/glomerulus; P less than 0.001) and there was a corresponding threefold increase in plasma Ang II (control 21.0 +/- 2.5; nephritic 66.6 +/- 20.6 pg/ml; P less than 0.01). However, this reduction in receptor binding could not be explained by the rise in plasma Ang II concentration, as effective blockade of the RAS by enalapril did not alter receptor expression (56.1 +/- 4.6 x 10(6) receptors/glomerulus). Subsequently, a rise in receptor density and a corresponding fall in plasma Ang II were observed: three days after antibody administration, receptor concentration had increased significantly above control values (150.5 +/- 11.9 x 10(6] while plasma Ang II was undetectable (that is, less than 5 pg/ml). Ang II-R remained elevated for the next two weeks but returned to normal four to eight weeks after the administration of nephrotoxic antibody.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)