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- Camilo, F., et al.
(author)
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Revival of the Magnetar PSR J1622-4950: Observations with MeerKAT, Parkes, XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR
- 2018
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 1538-4357 .- 0004-637X. ; 856:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- New radio (MeerKAT and Parkes) and X-ray (XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR) observations of PSR J1622-4950 indicate that the magnetar, in a quiescent state since at least early 2015, reactivated between 2017 March 19 and April 5. The radio flux density, while variable, is approximately 100 larger than during its dormant state. The X-ray flux one month after reactivation was at least 800 larger than during quiescence, and has been decaying exponentially on a 111 19 day timescale. This high-flux state, together with a radio-derived rotational ephemeris, enabled for the first time the detection of X-ray pulsations for this magnetar. At 5%, the 0.3-6 keV pulsed fraction is comparable to the smallest observed for magnetars. The overall pulsar geometry inferred from polarized radio emission appears to be broadly consistent with that determined 6-8 years earlier. However, rotating vector model fits suggest that we are now seeing radio emission from a different location in the magnetosphere than previously. This indicates a novel way in which radio emission from magnetars can differ from that of ordinary pulsars. The torque on the neutron star is varying rapidly and unsteadily, as is common for magnetars following outburst, having changed by a factor of 7 within six months of reactivation.
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- Abidi, S, et al.
(author)
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Standardised shorter regimens versus individualised longer regimens for rifampin- or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
- 2020
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In: The European respiratory journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 1399-3003 .- 0903-1936. ; 55:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We sought to compare the effectiveness of two World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended regimens for the treatment of rifampin- or multidrug-resistant (RR/MDR) tuberculosis (TB): a standardised regimen of 9–12 months (the “shorter regimen”) and individualised regimens of ≥20 months (“longer regimens”).We collected individual patient data from observational studies identified through systematic reviews and a public call for data. We included patients meeting WHO eligibility criteria for the shorter regimen: not previously treated with second-line drugs, and with fluoroquinolone- and second-line injectable agent-susceptible RR/MDR-TB. We used propensity score matched, mixed effects meta-regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios and adjusted risk differences (aRDs) for failure or relapse, death within 12 months of treatment initiation and loss to follow-up.We included 2625 out of 3378 (77.7%) individuals from nine studies of shorter regimens and 2717 out of 13 104 (20.7%) individuals from 53 studies of longer regimens. Treatment success was higher with the shorter regimen than with longer regimens (pooled proportions 80.0% versus 75.3%), due to less loss to follow-up with the former (aRD −0.15, 95% CI −0.17– −0.12). The risk difference for failure or relapse was slightly higher with the shorter regimen overall (aRD 0.02, 95% CI 0–0.05) and greater in magnitude with baseline resistance to pyrazinamide (aRD 0.12, 95% CI 0.07–0.16), prothionamide/ethionamide (aRD 0.07, 95% CI −0.01–0.16) or ethambutol (aRD 0.09, 95% CI 0.04–0.13).In patients meeting WHO criteria for its use, the standardised shorter regimen was associated with substantially less loss to follow-up during treatment compared with individualised longer regimens and with more failure or relapse in the presence of resistance to component medications. Our findings support the need to improve access to reliable drug susceptibility testing.
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- Johansson, H., et al.
(author)
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FRAX-based fracture probabilities in South Africa
- 2021
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In: Archives of Osteoporosis. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1862-3522 .- 1862-3514. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The hip fracture rates in South Africa were used to create ethnic-specific FRAX (R) models to facilitate fracture risk assessment.IntroductionThe aim of this study was to develop FRAX models to compute the 10-year probability of hip fracture and major osteoporotic fracture and assess their potential clinical application.MethodsAge- and sex-specific incidence of hip fracture and national mortality rates were incorporated into a FRAX model for the White, Black African, Coloured and Indian population of South Africa. Age-specific 10-year probabilities of a major osteoporotic fracture were calculated in women to determine fracture probabilities at a femoral neck T score of -2.5 SD, or those equivalent to a woman with a prior fragility fracture. Fracture probabilities were compared with those from selected countries.ResultsProbabilities were consistently higher in Indian than in Coloured men and women, in turn, higher than in Black South Africans. For White South Africans, probabilities were lower than in Indians at young ages up to the age of about 80 years. When a BMD T score of -2.5 SD was used as an intervention threshold, FRAX probabilities in women age 50 years were approximately 2-fold higher than in women of the same age but with an average BMD and no risk factors. The increment in risk associated with the BMD threshold decreased progressively with age such that, at the age of 80 years or more, a T score of -2.5 SD was no longer a risk factor. Probabilities equivalent to women with a previous fracture rose with age and identified women at increased risk at all ages.ConclusionsThese FRAX models should enhance accuracy of determining fracture probability amongst the South African population and help guide decisions about treatment.
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- Conradie, W., et al.
(author)
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New species of Mongrel Frogs (Pyxicephalidae: Nothophryne) for northern Mozambique inselbergs
- 2018
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In: African Journal of Herpetology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2156-4574 .- 2153-3660. ; 67:1, s. 61-85
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nothophryne Poynton, 1963 is a monotypic genus of frog, with the nominal species N. broadleyi found only on Mount Mulanje, in southern Malawi. Recent surveys in northern Mozambique, however, have uncovered at least four new species associated with four inselbergs (Mount Inago, Mount Namuli, Mount Ribaue and Taratibu Hills). Previous phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial genes suggest that each mountain isolate has an endemic species of Nothophryne. Herein we provide a rediagnosis of the genus and comparative diagnoses of four new species based on new material.ZooBank urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:19C53BF3-BA52-4CAE-933F-5BBEE0AF0457
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- Farooq, Harith, 1986, et al.
(author)
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Shedding Light on a Biodiversity Dark Spot: Survey Of Amphibians and Reptiles of Pemba Region in Northern Mozambique
- 2022
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In: Herpetological Conservation and Biology. - 2151-0733. ; 17:2, s. 423-432
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The biodiversity of northern Mozambique is likely one of the least known in southern Africa but is expected to harbor rich herpetofaunal diversity due to the high diversity in neighboring countries, the presence of diverse habitats, and its large size. Here, we summarize 19 years of reported observations and collections from the Pemba region in Cabo Delgado Province to better document the herpetofaunal diversity and distribution in coastal northern Mozambique. We report the presence of two species of amphibians and 27 species of reptiles for the first time from the region. In total, the Pemba region is now known to harbor 54 herpetofaunal species (19 amphibians and 35 reptiles) of which two (sea turtles) are at risk. Additionally, of the six snake species regarded as medically important to humans, we have formally documented five for the first time from the entire Cabo Delgado Province. Our compilation of new records adds 15 verified herpetofaunal species for the province, raising the total from 86 to 101. © 2022. Harith Farooq All Rights Reserved.
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