We hypothesized that the incubation for urethral gonorrhoea would be longer for men with oropharyngeal gonorrhoea than those without oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. We conducted a chart review of men who have sex with men with urethral gonorrhoea symptoms at a sexual health clinic between 2019 and 2021. The incubation period was defined as the number of days between men’s last sexual contact and onset of symptoms. We used a Mann–Whitney U test to compare differences in the median incubation for urethral gonorrhoea between men with and men without oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. There were 338 men with urethral symptoms (median age = 32 years; IQR: 28–39), and of these, 307 (90.1%) were tested for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, of whom 124 (40.4%, 95% CI: 34.9–46.1) men had oropharyngeal and urethral gonorrhoea. We analyzed incubation data available for 190 (61.9%) of the 307 men, with 38.9% (74/190) testing positive for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. The incubation for urethral gonorrhoea did not differ between 74 men (39%) with oropharyngeal gonorrhoea (median = 4 days; IQR: 2–6) and 116 men (61%) without oropharyngeal gonorrhoea (median = 2.5 days; IQR: 1–5) (p = 0.092). Research is needed to investigate gonorrhoea transmission from the oropharynx to the urethra.

Background: Pilocytic astrocytoma and other circumscribed low-grade brain tumors can exhibit spontaneous enhancement changes despite stable size and clinical status. We aimed to describe this phenomenon in adults. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our MRI database (2011-2021) to identify cases with enhancement changes in otherwise stable tumors. We searched for reports containing: “pilocytic”, “pilomyxoid”, “RGNT”, “rosette”, “glioneuronal”, “DNET”, and “dysembryoplastic”. Exclusion criteria included WHO grade 3/4 tumors, patients <19 years, equivocal diagnostic findings, and no serial MRIs. We reviewed 238 patients. Results: We identified 12 adult patients with the desired phenomenon: 6 pilocytic astrocytoma, 1 pilomyxoid astrocytoma, 2 rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor, 1 unverified low-grade glioma, and 2 cases without biopsy. Seven were untreated, while five were residual or recurrent tumors. Six showed a pattern of new/increasing and subsequent decreasing/disappearing enhancement over 1-4 years. One exhibited spontaneous regression of enhancement over 1 year. Five showed repeating cycles of increasing and decreasing enhancement over longer monitoring periods of 7-15 years, with mean duration of increasing enhancement prior to decline of 21.4 months (SD 5.9). Conclusions: Spontaneous contrast enhancement fluctuation in adult pilocytic astrocytoma and other circumscribed low-grade brain tumors can occur, and on its own should not be misconstrued as evidence of tumor progression/regression.

Masturbation is a common sexual practice in men, and saliva is often used as a lubricant during masturbation by men who have sex with men. However, the role of saliva use during masturbation in the transmission of chlamydia is still unclear. We developed population-level, susceptible-infected-susceptible compartmental models to explore the role of saliva use during masturbation on the transmission of chlamydia at multiple anatomical sites. In this study, we simulated both solo masturbation and mutual masturbation. Our baseline model did not include masturbation but included transmission routes (anal sex, oral-penile sex, rimming, kissing and sequential sexual practices) we have previously validated (model 1). We added masturbation to model 1 to develop the second model (model 2). We calibrated the model to five clinical datasets separately to assess the effects of masturbation on the prevalence of site-specific infection. The inclusion of masturbation (model 2) significantly worsened the ability of the models to replicate the prevalence of C. trachomatis. Using model 2 and the five data sets, we estimated that saliva use during masturbation was responsible for between 3.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–6.8] and 6.2% (95% CI 3.8–10.5) of incident chlamydia cases at all sites. Our models suggest that saliva use during masturbation is unlikely to play a major role in chlamydia transmission between men, and even if it does have a role, about one in seven cases of urethral chlamydia might arise from masturbation.

Background. Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption are metrics commonly used to measure alcohol consumption behaviors. Epidemiological studies indicate that these alcohol consumption measures are differentially associated with (mental) health outcomes and socioeconomic status (SES). The current study aims to elucidate to what extent genetic risk factors are shared between frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, and how these alcohol consumption measures are genetically associated with four broad phenotypic categories: (i) SES; (ii) substance use disorders; (iii) other psychiatric disorders; and (iv) psychological/personality traits.

Methods. Genome-Wide Association analyses were conducted to test genetic associations with alcohol consumption frequency (N = 438 308) and alcohol consumption quantity (N = 307 098 regular alcohol drinkers) within UK Biobank. For the other phenotypes, we used genome-wide association studies summary statistics. Genetic correlations (rg) between the alcohol measures and other phenotypes were estimated using LD score regression.

Results. We found a substantial genetic correlation between the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption (rg = 0.52). Nevertheless, both measures consistently showed opposite genetic correlations with SES traits, and many substance use, psychiatric, and psychological/personality traits. High alcohol consumption frequency was genetically associated with high SES and low risk of substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders, whereas the opposite applies for high alcohol consumption quantity.

Conclusions. Although the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption show substantial genetic overlap, they consistently show opposite patterns of genetic associations with SES-related phenotypes. Future studies should carefully consider the potential influence of SES on the shared genetic etiology between alcohol and adverse (mental) health outcomes.

This study examines the associations between maternal Traditional dietary pattern adherence and HIV/treatment with neonatal size and adiposity in urban, black South Africans, as well as how specific maternal factors – that is BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) – may influence these associations. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine associations among maternal Traditional diet pattern adherence (pattern score), HIV/treatment status (three groups: HIV negative, HIV positive (antenatal antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation), HIV positive (pre-pregnancy ART initiation)), BMI and GWG (kg/week), and newborn (1) weight:length ratio (WLR, kg/m) in 393 mother–neonate pairs, and (2) Peapod estimated fat mass index (FMI, kg/m3) in a 171-pair subsample. In fully adjusted models, maternal obesity and GWG were associated with 0·25 kg/m (P=0·008) and 0·48 kg/m (P=0·002) higher newborn WLR, whereas Traditional diet pattern score was associated with lower newborn WLR (−0·04 kg/m per +1 sd; P=0·033). In addition, Traditional diet pattern score was associated with 0·13 kg/m3 (P=0·027) and 0·32 kg/m3 (P=0·005) lower FMI in the total sample and in newborns of normal-weight women, respectively. HIV-positive (pre-pregnancy ART) v. HIV-negative (ref) status was associated with 1·11 kg/m3 (P=0·002) higher newborn FMI. Promotion of a Traditional dietary pattern, alongside a healthy maternal pre-conception weight, in South African women may reduce newborn adiposity and metabolic risk profiles. In HIV-positive women, targeted monitoring and management strategies are necessary to limit treatment-associated effects on in utero fat deposition.

Background: Ataluren is the first drug to treat the underlying cause of nmDMD. Methods: Phase 2 and 3 studies of ataluren in nmDMD were reviewed, with efficacy and safety/tolerability findings summarized. Results: Ataluren nmDMD trials include: a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study (N=38); a Phase 2b randomized controlled trial (RCT) (N=174); an ongoing US-based open-label safety extension study (N=108); an ongoing non-US-based open-label safety/efficacy extension study (N=94); and a Phase 3 RCT, ACT DMD (N=228), whose primary endpoint was change in six-minute walk distance (6MWD) over 48 weeks. The proof-of-concept study demonstrated increased dystrophin production in post-treatment muscle biopsies from ataluren-treated patients with nmDMD. The Phase 2b results demonstrated an ataluren treatment effect in 6MWD, timed function tests, and other measures of physical functioning, The Phase 3 ACT DMD results demonstrated an ataluren treatment effect in patients with nmDMD in both primary and secondary endpoints, particularly in those with a baseline 6MWD of 300-400m. Ataluren was consistently well-tolerated in all three trials, as well as in the ongoing extension studies. Trial findings will be presented in detail. Conclusions: The totality of the results demonstrates that ataluren enables nonsense mutation readthrough in the dystrophin mRNA, producing functional dystrophin and slowing disease progression.

Supported by: PTC Therapeutics Inc.

Background: Ataluren is the first drug to treat the underlying cause of nmDMD. Methods: ACT DMD is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind study. Males 7-16 years with nmDMD and a screening six-minute walk distance (6MWD) ≥150 m and <80%-predicted were randomized to ataluren 40 mg/kg/day or placebo for 48 weeks. A pre-specified subgroup included patients with baseline 6MWD 300-400 m. A meta-analysis of the overall ACT DMD population and the ‘ambulatory decline phase’ subgroup of the Phase 2b study (those patients meeting ACT DMD entry criteria) was pre-specified in the statistical plan. Results: In the overall ACT DMD population (N=228), changes in TFTs favored ataluren over placebo: 10-meter walk/run, -1.2s (p=0.117); 4-stair climb, -1.8s (p=0.058); 4-stair descend, -1.8s (p=0.012). In the pre-specified subgroup (n=99), these differences increased to -2.1s, -3.6s, and -4.3s, respectively, and were statistically significant (p<0.01) for 4-stair climb and descend. Results are supported by the meta-analysis (N=291), which demonstrated significant differences (p<0.05) in 10-meter walk/run, 4-stair climb, 4-stair descend. Conclusions: TFT results showed a benefit for ataluren in ACT DMD, and a larger treatment effect in the pre-specified baseline 6MWD 300-400 m subgroup as well as the pre-specified meta-analysis of ACT DMD and the Phase 2b study decline subgroup.

Supported By: PTC Therapeutics Inc.

The symmetry properties of many inorganic two-dimensional monolayer crystals make them piezoelectric, whereas their three-dimensional parent crystals are not. The emergence of piezoelectricity in the single-layer limit points toward intriguing electromechanical effects and applications in the single- or few-layer regime. We use density functional theory to calculate the piezoelectric coefficients of BN, MoS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, WS2, WSe2 and WTe2. These coefficients are found to be comparable to, and in some cases greater than those of commonly used wurtzite piezoelectrics. The centrosymmetry of a BN bilayer prevents a piezoelectric effect for this structure. However, by developing an elastic model, we find that the bilayer exhibits an unusual electromechanical coupling to the curvature, similar to that of a bimorph. A BN bilayer is found to amplify the constituent monolayers’ in-plane piezoelectric displacements by factors on the order of 103-104 into out-of plane deflections.

Ninety-five patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis had a range of specimens taken at laparotomy for bacterial culture. Bacteria were isolated from 68 % of cases. Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen. Other aerobic and anaerobic intestinal bacteria were also isolated. Liver biopsy, bile and gallstones were the most rewarding specimens for culture. Infection was usually localized, but systemic infection occurred occasionally. The site of infection is probably in the liver parenchyma; however, the route by which intestinal bacteria invade the liver is not known. Sixty per cent of the cases of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis had gallstones and 20% were infected with Clonorchis sinensis.

Strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from laparotomy specimens from Chinese patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis in Hong Kong. A large variety of serotypes were found. Several sites were sampled in each patient. While only one serotype was normally isolated from one site, different sites often yielded different serotypes in the same patient. Generally the ‘O’ types found did not correspond to those found in the faeces of the Hong Kong Chinese population.

The Singaporean patriarch Lee Kuan Yew popularized the argument that ‘Asian values’ derived from Confucian cultural traditions are inconsistent with the development of democracy in East Asia. There is an active scholarly debate over whether the hierarchic and deferential social authority relations of Confucian traditions are incompatible with support for democracy. Drawing upon the newest wave of the World Values Survey, we analyze public opinion in six East Asian nations and four Western democracies. We first assess orientations toward authority, and then link these sentiments to support for democracy. The results contradict the core tenets of the ‘culture is destiny’ argument in the Asian values literature, and offer a more positive view of the prospects for political development in the region.

An efficient flexible top-emitting organic light-emitting device (OLED) was fabricated on an aluminum-laminated polyethylene terephthalate substrate. A spin-coated light-emitting polymer layer was sandwiched between a silver anode and a multi-layered semitransparent cathode. The performance of polymer OLEDs was analyzed and compared with that of the devices having a conventional structure. An optical microcavity formed in the device enables to tune the emission color by varying the thickness of the active polymer layer. The OLEDs having a 110-nm-thick active polymer layer exhibited superior electroluminescence performance, with a turn-on voltage of 2.5V and a luminance efficiency of 4.56 cd/A at an operating voltage of 10V.

The synthesis of three layer sodium cobalt oxide, NaxCoO2 (x=0.3, 0.5, 0.6, 0.75 and 1.0) is reported. For x=0.6, 0.75, and 1.0, conventional solid-state synthesis was employed. x=0.3 and 0.5 were obtained via oxidative deintercalation of sodium at room temperature. x=0.3 can be hydrated to Na0.3CoO2•1.3H2O which is superconducting with a Tc of 4.3 K. Although having the same chemical stiochiometry as the previously reported two layer superconductor, it has a different stacking sequence of CoO2 layers making it structurally distinct. Crystals of three layer NaCoO2 show triangular morphology compared to hexagonal morphology for two layer Na0.7CoO2.

Biaxially oriented Ba1−xSrxTiO3 (BST) thin films were fabricated under a highly reducing atmosphere (oxygen partial pressure ∼10−18 atm) on base metal substrates (〈100〉 Ni) using a fluorinated chemical solution deposition method. The degree of film orientation was investigated with respect to film annealing temperature and composition (x = 0, 0.33, 0.5, 0.67, 1). The solution synthesis route included fluorinated solvents, donor-dopants, and chelating agents for control of orientation, defect chemistry, and morphology. Free-energy and phase diagrams guided solution development using halide addition to avoid intermediate BaCO3 formation and instead produce direct crystallization of BaTiO3-type materials from BaF2. The degree of (200) orientation of BST films deposited on 〈100〉 Ni substrates displayed a compositional dependence for 0 < x < 1, with a maximum orientation Lotgering factor approaching unity. Low-temperature (500 °C) crystallization of highly oriented films was demonstrated for solution-derived BST on Ni, which may have enabling materials integration implications for capacitors and other applications.