ABSTRACT
The Mexico-UK Sub-Millimetre Camera for AsTronomy (MUSCAT) is a 1.1-mm band receiver consisting of 1,500 single-colour lumped-element kinetic inductance detectors and is scheduled for deployment to the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. MUSCAT is designed to utilise the full field of view of the LMT's upgraded 50-m primary mirror (approximately 4'). Here we will present the as-measured performance of MUSCAT from the final lab-verification testing prior to shipping to the LMT. We will also explain the overall design of MUSCAT including the novel technologies utilised-such as continuous cooling using sorption coolers and a miniature dilutor, and horn-coupled LEKIDs-for which MUSCAT will provide a first on-sky demonstration.
ABSTRACT
SARS-CoV-2 infection is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the complex scenario of COVID-19, it is also possible to find patients with renal damage. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and not unique, and the clinical presentation may include urinary alterations, such as proteinuria and hematuria, accompanied with reduced renal function, or not. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is not uncommon, especially among critically ill patients hospitalized in intensive care unit. AKI is a negative prognostic factor and is associated with high in-hospital mortality. An early diagnosis of AKI and the assessment of any risk factors allow the nephrologist to implement appropriate therapeutic strategies, such as pharmacological or extracorporeal support. Still, mortality in patients with AKI during COVID-19 remains high. COVID-19 AKI is a quickly evolving field of study.
ABSTRACT
Metformin is the most commonly prescribed oral antidiabetic medication. Direct/indirect activation of Adenosine Monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and non-AMPK pathways, amongst others, are deemed to explain the molecular mechanisms of action of metformin. Metformin is an established insulin receptor sensitising antihyperglycemic agent, is highly affordable, and has superior safety and efficacy profiles. Emerging experimental and clinical evidence suggests that metformin has pleiotropic non-glycemic effects. Metformin appears to have weight stabilising, renoprotective, neuroprotective, cardio-vascular protective, and antineoplastic effects and mitigates polycystic ovarian syndrome. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of metformin seem to qualify it as an adjunct therapy in treating infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and the current novel Covid-19 infections. So far, metformin is the only prescription medicine relevant to the emerging field of senotherapeutics. Non-glycemic effects of metformin favourable to its repurposing in therapeutic use are hereby discussed.