OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and risk of serious renal events in routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to confirm a bidirectional association between severe hypoglycemic events (SHEs) and cardiovascular (CV) event risk and to characterize individuals at dual risk.

OBJECTIVE

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and its observational follow-up Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) demonstrated the dominant role of glycemia, second only to age, as a risk factor for a first cardiovascular event in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We now investigate the association between established risk factors and the total cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden, including subsequent (i.e., recurrent) events.

Seth Flaxman, Michael Chirico, Pau Pereira, Charles Loeffler.

Source: The Annals of Applied Statistics, Volume 13, Number 4, 2564--2585.

Abstract:
We propose a generic spatiotemporal event forecasting method which we developed for the National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Real-Time Crime Forecasting Challenge (National Institute of Justice (2017)). Our method is a spatiotemporal forecasting model combining scalable randomized Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space (RKHS) methods for approximating Gaussian processes with autoregressive smoothing kernels in a regularized supervised learning framework. While the smoothing kernels capture the two main approaches in current use in the field of crime forecasting, kernel density estimation (KDE) and self-exciting point process (SEPP) models, the RKHS component of the model can be understood as an approximation to the popular log-Gaussian Cox Process model. For inference, we discretize the spatiotemporal point pattern and learn a log-intensity function using the Poisson likelihood and highly efficient gradient-based optimization methods. Model hyperparameters including quality of RKHS approximation, spatial and temporal kernel lengthscales, number of autoregressive lags and bandwidths for smoothing kernels as well as cell shape, size and rotation, were learned using cross validation. Resulting predictions significantly exceeded baseline KDE estimates and SEPP models for sparse events.

Timothy J. Schoenfeld
May 1, 2013; 33:7770-7777
BehavioralSystemsCognitive

Hydrocephalus is a pathologic condition associated with various brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dysfunctional ependymal cells (EpCs) are believed to contribute to the development of hydrocephalus. It is thus of interest to investigate EpCs' development and function. Here, we report that vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 35 (VPS35) is critical for EpC differentiation, ciliogenesis, and survival, and thus preventing neonatal hydrocephalus. VPS35 is abundantly expressed in EpCs. Mice with conditional knock-out (cKO) of Vps35 in embryonic (Vps35^GFAP-Cre and Vps35^Emx1-Cre) or postnatal (Vps35^Foxj1-CreER) EpC progenitors exhibit enlarged lateral ventricles (LVs) and hydrocephalus-like pathology. Further studies reveal marked reductions in EpCs and their cilia in both Vps35^GFAP-Cre and Vps35^Foxj1-CreER mutant mice. The reduced EpCs appear to be due to impairments in EpC differentiation and survival. Additionally, both Vps35^GFAP-Cre and Vps35^Foxj1-CreER neonatal pups exhibit increased cell proliferation and death largely in a region close to LV-EpCs. Many microglia close to the mutant LV-EpC region become activated. Depletion of the microglia by PLX3397, an antagonist of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), restores LV-EpCs and diminishes the pathology of neonatal hydrocephalus in Vps35^Foxj1-CreER mice. Taken together, these observations suggest unrecognized functions of Vps35 in EpC differentiation, ciliogenesis, and survival in neonatal LV, and reveal pathologic roles of locally activated microglia in EpC homeostasis and hydrocephalus development.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study reports critical functions of vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 35 (VPS35) not only in promoting ependymal cell (EpC) differentiation, ciliogenesis, and survival, but also in preventing local microglial activation. The dysfunctional EpCs and activated microglia are likely to induce hydrocephalus.

With Washington, D.C. COVID-19 state of emergency, Smithsonian officials say museums to close Saturday, March 14; events canceled through May 3

Tulips, cherry blossoms and orchids supply a ray of hope during self-isolation

COMPLAINTS about holidays have overtaken job concerns as the number one issue for hundreds of Scots contacting two independent national advice services every day during the coronavirus crisis.

The more popular the stream, the worse it looks. There is a technology out there that would work, but its association with piracy has companies afraid of using it.

Russia's Teenagers Football League, the springboard to success for Yuri Zhirkov and Alan Dzagoev, has held a series of events aimed at uniting different faiths and nationalities.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein with anti-infective activities being part of the innate defensive network. Bovine and human lactoferrin share high homology. Bovine lactoferrin can prevent late-onset sepsis in preterm very low birth weight neonates.

In preterm very low birth weight infants, bovine lactoferrin is able to prevent not only late-onset sepsis but also systemic fungal infections. This protection is achieved independently from their colonization status. (Read the full article)

Sudden infant death syndrome remains the major cause of postneonatal death in developed countries. Although infant-parent bed-sharing following antenatal smoking or maternal consumption of alcohol on the bed-sharing night increases the risk of death, the mechanism is not known.

Bed-sharing infants experienced more oxygen desaturations and episodes of carbon dioxide rebreathing than cot-sleeping infants but showed appropriate behavioral and physiologic responses. A deficit in these responses in vulnerable infants could link to increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. (Read the full article)

The Global Trigger Tool uses a sampling methodology to identify and measure harm rates. It has been shown to effectively detect adverse events when applied in the adult environment, but it has never been evaluated in a pediatric setting.

The Global Trigger Tool can be used in the pediatric inpatient environment to measure adverse safety events. We detected a 2 to 3 times higher harm rate than previously found with different metrics in this setting. (Read the full article)

In 2007, manufacturers voluntarily withdrew over-the-counter (OTC) infant cough and cold medications (CCMs) from the US market. A year later, manufacturers announced OTC CCM labeling would be revised to warn against OTC CCM use by children aged <4 years.

Among children aged <2 and 2 to 3 years, emergency department visits for CCM adverse events declined nationally after the withdrawal and labeling revision announcement relative to all adverse drug event visits. Unsupervised ingestions caused most CCM adverse events after each intervention. (Read the full article)

Psychosocial stress in childhood has been associated with a greater risk of future overweight, although the associations have not always been consistent, the types of psychosocial stressors have often been somewhat extreme, and moderators of the association have rarely been examined.

Experiencing many negative life events in childhood, particularly with chronicity or events that are family health related, increases risk of overweight by age 15 years. Maternal obesity and greater delay of gratification for food each intensify this risk. (Read the full article)

Source: www.businessinsider.com - Saturday, May 09, 2020
Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have reported increased use amid the coronavirus pandemic, while touting virtual dating alternatives for users instead of meeting up in person. Swaths of users are still encouraging matches to break quarantine to have sex and go on dates, despite social distancing guidelines and fines to comply with them. An illustrator on Instagram has been collecting screenshots of these situations, and told Business Insider that users will brand themselves as "badasses," dispute the effectiveness of isolating, and lash out in anger and hurl abusive language when they're rejected. Spokespeople for Grindr, Tinder and Bumble told Business Insider they've informed users to adhere to social-distancing guidelines, but did not respond to inquiries about actions they're taking against users in places where violating lockdown orders can be against the law. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . As millions remain confined to their homes to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the desire for human contact and connection has risen dramatically and led some to search for ways to break those social distancing rules. Popular dating apps — including Tinder , Bumble , and Hinge — have reported significant increases during the outbreak of swiping activity, matches between users, and messages exchanged. It's also led to the introduction of a breed of users who are interested in shirking lockdown orders, an

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is one of the main causes of death due to cardiomyopathy and heart failure in Latin American countries. The treatment of Chagas disease is directed at eliminating the parasite, decreasing the probability of cardiomyopathy, and disrupting the disease transmission cycle. Benznidazole (BZ) and nifurtimox (NFX) are recognized as effective drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease by the World Health Organization, but both have high toxicity and limited efficacy, especially in the chronic disease phase. At low doses, aspirin (ASA) has been reported to protect against T. cruzi infection. We evaluated the effectiveness of BZ in combination with ASA at low doses during the acute disease phase and evaluated cardiovascular aspects and cardiac lesions in the chronic phase. ASA treatment prevented the cardiovascular dysfunction (hypertension and tachycardia) and typical cardiac lesions. Moreover, BZ+ASA-treated mice had a smaller cardiac fibrotic area than that in BZ-treated mice. These results were associated with an increase in the number of eosinophils and reticulocytes and level of nitric oxide in the plasma and cardiac tissue of ASA-treated mice relative to respective controls. These effects of ASA and BZ+ASA in chronically infected mice were inhibited by pretreatment with the LXA₄ receptor antagonist, Boc-2, indicating that the protective effects of ASA are mediated by ASA-triggered lipoxin. These results emphasize the importance of exploring new drug combinations for treatments of acute phase of Chagas disease that are beneficial for chronic patients.

Prospective transfer students can explore the Lehigh Valley Campus virtually during the Transfer Thursday events

Philip M. Farrell
Jan 1, 2001; 107:1-13
ARTICLES

After two prosecutors recused themselves from investigating Ahmaud Arbery's death, Gregory and Travis McMichael were arrested.

The Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center at Penn State has a slate of programming for Financial Literacy Month this April and is offering help to anyone in the University community who is anxious about their financial future.

The Student Activities Office at Penn State Wilkes-Barre typically offers a full slate of activities for students and will continue to do so throughout April — even though the way those activities are delivered may look a little different.

Virtual visits provide opportunities to learn about what Penn State York has to offer. Programming scheduled through May.

Want to encourage girls to become professional technologists? Here's how to make sure your girls-in-tech events help them to accurately set their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career expectations.

Halloween programs, 18th century trades and William Penn Day among the events to be presented.

Highlights include programs on African-American life at the John Dickinson Plantation in the 18th century, the evolution of black recorded music and African-American archaeology in Delaware.

Highlights include programs on women's suffrage, Harriet Tubman and the female vocalists of the Victor Talking Machine Company.

Highlights include Buena Vista’s First Annual Spring Open House, The Old State House's Coffee-Hour Lecture Series and programs on Delaware's Dutch heritage.

Highlights include Dover Days programs, A Day in Old New Castle and “A Sailor’s Life for Me,” the Zwaanendael Museum’s 7th Annual Maritime Celebration.

Programs on Delaware heroes of the War of 1812, dyeing fabrics 18th-century style, and Separation Day in New Castle to be featured.

Programs on quill-pen writing, Alexander Hamilton and a murder mystery to be featured.

Film screenings, and programs on Sherlock Holmes, and George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin to be featured.

Native-American programming, Chautauqua shows and surviving the London Blitz among activities to be presented.

Early 1900s music education, the life of Delaware patriot Caesar Rodney and walking tours of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes among topics to be explored.

Changes to American society in the early 20th century, grave sites of notable New Castle veterans, and candle-making among topics to be explored.

Highlights include activities celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, early jazz and the Avery’s Rest archaeological site.

Highlights include programs on the Underground Railroad, black recording artists and record labels from the early 20th century, and First African Baptist Church cemeteries in Philadelphia.

Activities honor and celebrate women's lives and historic achievements.

Highlights include programs on the artist who created "His Master's Voice," the bombardment of Lewes and a festival at Fort Christina.

Dover Days, A Day in Old New Castle and the Zwaanendael Maritime Festival among programs to be offered.

Separation Day, Black Music Month Celebration and a historic preservation symposium among programs to be offered.

Programs on Independence Day, baseball Hall-of-Famer William “Judy” Johnson and campfires at the John Dickinson Plantation to be featured.

Sherlock Holmes comes to Delaware, a screening of “How to Train Your Dragon—The Hidden World” and the history of women's suffrage in the First State to be featured.

Chautauqua tent shows, Native-American programming and a historical play on Caesar Rodney among the activities to be presented.