Refine
Year of publication
- 2021 (585) (remove)
Document Type
- Article (345)
- Doctoral Thesis (229)
- Book (7)
- Report (2)
- Part of a Book (1)
- Final Thesis (1)
Is part of the Bibliography
- no (585)
Keywords
- - (288)
- COVID-19 (10)
- cold physical plasma (7)
- inflammation (7)
- reactive oxygen species (7)
- CAP (6)
- cancer (6)
- climate change (6)
- quality of life (6)
- stroke (6)
Institute
- Institut für Biochemie (44)
- Kliniken und Polikliniken für Innere Medizin (30)
- Institut für Pharmazie (28)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie (27)
- Abteilung für Mikrobiologie und Molekularbiologie (25)
- Institut für Community Medicine (24)
- Institut für Physik (24)
- Institut für Botanik und Landschaftsökologie & Botanischer Garten (21)
- Institut für Psychologie (21)
- Institut für Immunologie u. Transfusionsmedizin - Abteilung Immunologie (18)
Publisher
- MDPI (155)
- Frontiers Media S.A. (88)
- Wiley (28)
- SAGE Publications (12)
- BMJ Publishing Group (7)
- De Gruyter (7)
- IOP Publishing (6)
- S. Karger AG (6)
- Public Library of Science (PLoS) (3)
- American Society for Microbiology (ASM) (2)
Für frühgeborene Kinder ist Muttermilch die empfohlene enterale Ernährung mit vielen bereits gut untersuchten positiven Effekten. Jedoch ist der Gehalt an Makronährstoffen zu niedrig, um die Bedürfnisse von Frühgeborenen zu decken. Zusätzlich zeigt native Muttermilch eine hohe inter- und intraindividuelle Variabilität der Makronährstoffe. Die Effizienz der allgemein verbreiteten Standardfortifizierung mit kommerziell erhältlichen Fortifiern ist durch diese Variabilität beeinträchtigt und kann so in einem Großteil der Muttermilchproben zu einer inadäquaten Nährstoffzufuhr führen, die zu niedrig, jedoch auch zu hoch ausfallen kann. Unzureichende Ernährung kann einen negativen Einfluss auf das Wachstum und die Körperzusammensetzung sowie Folgeerkrankungen im Erwachsenenalter haben.
Diese Studie zeigt anhand eines Datensatzes mit realen Messwerten zur Zusammensetzung der Muttermilch in über 3300 Proben, dass die Messung der Makronährstoffe in nativer Muttermilch und die anschließende, darauf basierende Targetfortifizierung mit der individuellen Ergänzung der fehlenden Makronährstoffen zu adäquaten Nährstoffeinträgen führt. Mit diesem Ansatz kann auf die Variabilität der nativen Muttermilch reagiert und die Variation der Makronährstoffeinfuhr signifikant verringert werden. In dieser Arbeit wurden drei verschiedene optimierte Standardfortifier entwickelt. Deren Zusammensetzung erhöht den Makronährstoffeintrag bereits unter Standardfortifizierung, aber noch mehr bei ein oder zwei Muttermilchanalysen pro Woche.
Weiterhin wurde in dieser Arbeit der Einfluss der durch die verschiedenen Fortifizierungsstrategien erzeugten Nährstoffzufuhren auf die Wachstumsraten berechnet, die für Standardfortifizierung ungenügende und für Targetfortifizierung hauptsächlich zufriedenstelle Ergebnisse zeigt.
Verschiedene Kombinationen von Pooling mit bis zu drei Proben oder von Pooling einer größeren Anzahl wie in einer Milchbank zu Verfügung stehenden Proben verringerten nicht die Variabilität der Nährstoffzufuhr. Ebenso zeigte die Gefriertrocknung keine zufriedenstellenden Ergebnisse für alle Makronährstoffkonzentrationen.
Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit verdeutlichen, dass standardfortifizierte Muttermilch trotz verschiedener Poolingstrategien keine adäquate Makronährstoffzufuhr für frühgeborene Kinder sicherstellt. Für den klinischen Alltag wird die Bedeutung der Targetfortifizierung deutlich, die mit regelmäßiger Muttermilchanalyse und unter Anwendung optimierter Standardfortifier zufriedenstellend gelingen kann und so zu physiologischen Wachstumsraten führen kann.
A Brief History of APIs
(2021)
Online platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter offer a wide range of data for scientific research. Since many of the social media providers have set up application programming interfaces (APIs), extensive volumes of data can be collected automatically (Jünger, 2018; Keyling & Jünger, 2016). Social media data are attractive, inter alia, because they not only include already available communication, such as that from public media, but they also make organisational and interpersonal communication visible (Ledford, 2020). In addition, these data are process-generated (Baur, 2011, p. 1234), meaning that they are generated independently of scientific research and thus promise an authentic insight into human behaviour. 1 A wide range of studies in the social sciences exploit APIs for data collection and analysis. Thus, the establishment and development of APIs has significant implications for science.
Einführung in die Ethik
(2021)
Das Open Access-Lehrbuch bietet eine allgemeinverständliche, aber wissenschaftlichen Ansprüchen genügende Einführung in die philosophische Ethik. Es erläutert den Begriff der Ethik, ihre zentralen Probleme, ihre geschichtliche Entwicklung, die einflussreichsten ethischen Grundpositionen und ihre aktuelle Relevanz in verschiedenen Praxisfeldern. Dabei erleichtert der historisch-systematische Zugang das Verständnis des Zusammenhangs von ethischer Theorie und gesellschaftlicher Praxis.
Soziale Eingebundenheit
(2021)
Der Schul- und Unterrichtsalltag wird maßgeblich durch soziale Interaktionen geprägt. Sowohl Beziehungen mit Lehrer*innen als auch mit Schülern und Schülerinnen (Peers) tragen zentral zu Lehr-/Lernprozessen und persönlicher Entwicklung der Heranwachsenden bei. Bei Lehrkräften entscheiden sie über Erfolg und Misserfolg beruflichen Handelns und finden dementsprechend zunehmend auch in der Lehrer*innenbildung Berücksichtigung. Was lange Zeit als „Kuschelpädagogik“ belächelt wurde, entpuppt sich – auch durch aktuelle Befunde aus der Hirnforschung – als einer der wichtigsten Bausteine für erfolgreiche Lehr-Lernprozesse: die Qualität der sozialen Beziehungen – subsumiert unter dem Begriff der sozialen Eingebundenheit.
In diesem Band werden sowohl theoretische Beiträge als auch aktuelle empirische Befunde zu Lehrer*innen-Schüler*innen-Beziehungen, Schüler*innen-Schüler*innen-Beziehungen und Beziehungen in der Lehrer*innenbildung vereint.
Der Band richtet sich an Personen, die sich mit sozialen Beziehungen im Bereich Schule und Lehrer*innenbildung beschäftigen, sei es durch eigene Forschungstätigkeiten, das Studium oder eine Tätigkeit in ebendieser Praxis.
Einfluss der Plasmabehandlung auf das transepidermale Penetrationsverhalten von Arzneistoffen
(2021)
Zusammenfassung und Ausblick
Die Forschungshypothese, dass eine Plasmabehandlung der Haut mit kaltem
Atmosphärendruckplasma zu einer lokalen Änderung der physikochemischen Eigenschaften des
Stratum corneum und dessen Struktur und (Barriere-)Funktion führt, konnte bestätigt werden.
Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden morphologisch sichtbare Hautveränderungen, die
Penetrationseigenschaften verschiedener Substanzen vor und nach Plasmabehandlung sowie
Veränderungen der Lipidzusammensetzung des Stratum corneum auf molekularer Ebene analysiert.
Der wesentliche Erkenntnisgewinn der Arbeit besteht im qualitativen und quantitativen Nachweis der
gefahrlosen durch kaltes Atmosphärendruckplasma vermittelten Penetrationssteigerung von
Substanzen in die Haut mit speziellem Fokus auf das Stratum corneum.
Die Plasmabehandlung der Haut mit einem Plasmajet lockert abhängig von der
Plasmabehandlungszeit das aus Corneozyten und einer interzellulären Lipidmatrix bestehende
Stratum corneum auf. Die aufgelockerte Struktur des Stratum corneum ermöglicht eine beschleunigte
Penetration verschiedener, nach Plasmabehandlung applizierter Substanzen durch die Haut (Kapitel
4.2.). Die Penetrationssteigerung variiert dabei abhängig von den Stoffeigenschaften der
penetrierenden Substanz (zum Beispiel Molekülgröße und Lipophilie).
Die morphologische Auflockerung des Stratum corneum spiegelt sich im nach der Plasmabehandlung
veränderten Ceramid-Profil wieder. Die veränderten Barriereeigenschaften in den obersten Schichten
des Stratum corneum nach einer einminütigen Plasmabehandlung lassen sich über die Interaktion von
plasma-produzierten reaktiven Spezies mit Lipiden der Haut (insbesondere Triacylglycerolen) und
die dadurch vermittelte Bildung von Triacylglycerol-Oxidationsprodukten erklären (Kapitel 4.4.).
Eine Plasmabehandlung hat im Bereich der in der Dermatologie für den kINPen MED empfohlenen
Anwendungsdauer von 15 s/cm² bis 1 min/cm² keine negativen Auswirkungen auf die Haut (keine
gesteigerte Anzahl an Apoptosen im Stratum basale, Möglichkeit der Regeneration des
aufgelockerten Stratum corneum von basal, (Kapitel 4.3.)). Längere Behandlungszeiten von 2
min/cm² bis 5 min/cm² können jedoch zu Apoptosen in für die Zellregeneration bedeutenden
Schichten führen.
Im Gegensatz zu anderen Methoden zur transdermalen Penetrationssteigerung besteht bei der Plasma-
vermittelten Penetrationssteigerung auf Grund der antibakteriellen Plasmaeigenschaften und der
Penetrationsbeschleunigung von ausschließlich kleinen Stoffen (Größe unter 689 nm) ein geringeres
Risiko der Infektion der behandelten Hautbereiche durch die Einwanderung von Bakterien und
Pilzen. Die Plasmabehandlung stellt demnach eine zukunftsträchtige Möglichkeit zur gefahrlosen
Penetrationssteigerung von Arzneistoffen durch die Hautbarriere dar.
Da die in dieser Arbeit gewonnenen Daten in vitro mit Hilfe eines Schweineohrmodells ermittelt
wurden, ermöglichen sie einen ersten Einblick in die Reaktion der gesunden menschlichen Haut auf
die Plasmabehandlung, lassen sich jedoch nicht eins zu eins auf die in vivo-Situation am menschlichen
Körper übertragen. Zudem sollte bei der Plasmabehandlung in vivo beachtet werden, dass es am
menschlichen Körper große intra- und interindividuelle Unterschiede in der Beschaffenheit der
Hautbarriere gibt, welche zu unterschiedlich starken Effekten der Plasmabehandlung führen könnten.
Ein Vergleich der Penetrationseigenschaften weiterer Stoffe mit unterschiedlichen hydro- und
lipophilen Stoffeigenschaften sowie unterschiedlichen Molekülgrößen vor und nach
Plasmabehandlung wäre für weitere Forschungsarbeiten empfehlenswert. Auf diese Weise könnte
erforscht werden, auf welche Substanzen die Plasmabehandlung der Haut den größten Einfluss hat
und es wären weitere Rückschlüsse auf die Form der aufgelockerten Bindungen, sowie auf eine
eventuelle Interaktion modifizierter Stratum corneum-Bestandteile mit der penetrierenden Substanz
möglich. Gleichzeitig könnten die Versuche mit längeren Penetrationszeiten wiederholt werden, um
zu überprüfen, ob tatsächlich eine Rechtsverschiebung des Peaks der Konzentration der penetrierten
Substanzen (siehe Kapitel 3.4. und Kapitel 3.5.) in tiefere Hautbereiche stattfindet.
Ein direkter Vergleich penetrationssteigernder Methoden (beispielsweise Mikronadeln und
Plasmajet) wäre interessant, um die verschiedenen Systeme auch quantitativ vergleichen zu können
und zu analysieren, ob die Vorteile der plasmavermittelten Penetrationssteigerung gegenüber der
Mikronadelmethode durch die Menge an penetrierter Substanz ausgeglichen werden können.
Neben den Lipiden könnte auch die Modifikation weiterer Stratum-corneum-Bestandteile ursächlich
für die veränderten Barriereeigenschaften der Haut nach Plasmabehandlung sein. Interessant wäre
deshalb auch die Untersuchung der Stratum-corneum-Peptide und -Proteine vor und nach
Plasmabehandlung.
Um die Reaktion der Haut in vivo auf die Plasmabehandlung besser vorhersagen zu können und damit
die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit erlangten Erkenntnisse in die klinische Praxis übertragen zu können,
sind weitere Studien nötig. Diese könnten die in vitro-Experimente am Schweineohr beispielsweise
auf ein in vivo-Mäusehautmodell übertragen. An einem frischen Mäusehautmodell wäre auch die
Untersuchung längerer Penetrationszeiten sowie die Geschwindigkeit der Hautregeneration und dem
damit Verbundenen Wiederaufbau der Hautbarriere nach Plasmabehandlung möglich.
Nach einer Verifizierung der Ergebnisse in vivo könnten die im Rahmen dieses Projekts gewonnenen
Erkenntnisse in Zukunft auf den klinischen Alltag übertragen werden. Für Langzeittherapien bei
speziellen Patientengruppen mit Problemen bei der oralen Medikamentenaufnahme (beispielsweise
in Form von Resorptionsstörungen im Magen-Darm-Trakt) oder bei einem starken First-Pass-Effekt
des Medikaments in der Leber ist die transdermale Medikamentenapplikation eine
Ausweichmöglichkeit, welche durch eine vorherige Plasmabehandlung der Haut noch verbessert
werden würde.
Im Rahmen des bereits etablierten medizinischen Anwendungsfelds von kaltem
Atmosphärendruckplasma bei der Behandlung chronischer Wunden könnte eine Plasmabehandlung
der Wundränder und angrenzender gesunder Hautbereiche die Penetration von nach der Behandlung
applizierten wundheilungsfördernden Cremes und Gels im betroffenen Gebiet beschleunigen und so
die Heilungsaussichten noch weiter verbessern.
In der DDR wurde im Leistungssport staatlicherseits ein System entwickelt, welches sich unter anderem durch den Einsatz von leistungssteigernden Substanzen auszeichnete. Diese Substanzen zogen häufig schwere somatische Schäden nach sich. Die Sportler*innen wussten in den meisten Fällen nicht, dass sie diese Mittel erhielten und waren häufig minderjährig. Der Alltag der Sportler*innen war meist durch prekäre physische sowie psychische Trainingsbedingungen geprägt. Auf Grund von Schilderungen der Betroffenen, Berichten von Sporthistoriker*innen und Unterlagen des Ministeriums für Staatssicherheit lässt sich vermuten, dass ein erheblicher Teil der Sportler*innen unter psychischen Erkrankungen leidet. Daher sollte die psychische Verfassung überblickshaft dargestellt werden.
Vor diesem Hintergrund wurden Fragebogenpakete an 1200 Proband*innen verschickt, die sich bis zum Erhebungszeitpunkt ratsuchend an die Doping-Opfer-Hilfe e.V. gewendet hatten. Diese Pakete enthielten jeweils 13 Selbstbeurteilungsskalen zur psychischen Symptomatik bzw. Persönlichkeitsmerkmalen. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit einer nach Alter und Geschlecht parallelisierten Stichprobe (N=255) aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung verglichen.
Auf allen untersuchten Skalen konnten signifikante Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Der Großteil der betroffenen Sportlerinnen und Sportler wies eine klinisch-relevante psychische Belastung auf. Exemplarisch hierfür sind eine hohe Punktprävalenz für Posttraumatische Belastungsstörungen (21,1%) und eine klinisch relevante depressive Symptomatik (65,19%).
Vermutlich konnten die negativen Erlebnisse im Kindes- und Jugendalter auf zwei Arten pathogen wirken. Zum einen konnten sie direkt psychische Erkrankungen auslösen und zum anderen fand eine negative Beeinflussung der Entwicklung statt, welche bei den Betroffenen zu einer erhöhten Vulnerabilität gegenüber späteren Stressereignissen führen konnte. Aufgrund des Querschnittsdesigns der Studie müssen potenziell kausale Zusammenhänge jedoch mit Zurückhaltung diskutiert werden. Eine Berücksichtigung der Sportarten bei weiteren Untersuchungen könnte besondere Risikogruppen darstellen.
Ion trajectories have been simulated for an assembly of a linear quadrupole ion-filter and a linear Paul trap with additional pin electrodes for MS SPIDOC, a project in preparation for the study of biomolecules by single-particle imaging with X-ray pulses. The ion-optical components are based on digital RF guiding and trapping fields. In order to carefully handle biomolecules over a wide mass-over-charge range, the module presented consists of separate components for filtering and accumulation/trapping in order to select the ions of interest and to convert the beam from a continuous ion source to ion bunches, respectively, as required for the experiments downstream. The present analysis focuses on the transmission efficiency and mass resolving power of the filter, as well as the buffer-gas-pressure-dependent ion capture and thermalization in the trap for the example of a mass-to-charge ratio equivalent to hemoglobin 15+ ions. The resulting optimized ion bunch delivered by the assembly is characterized.
Modulation der biologischen Wirkung von MikroRNA-1 mittels chemischer Modifikation des RNA-Moleküls
(2021)
In vielen Malignitäten kann eine Dysregulation von miR beobachtet werden. Die reduzierte Expression dieser kleinen, nicht-codierenden RNA resultiert in verlängertem Tumorüberleben, einer gesteigerten Proliferationsrate, verbesserter Angiogenese und Metastasierung von Tumorzellen [1, 2]. Da miR-1 in ihrer Funktion als Tumorsuppressor mehrere onkogene Signal- und Effektorkaskaden supprimieren kann, ist die Erforschung ihres therapeutischen Potenzials von gesteigertem Interesse [1]. Dies zu realisieren eignen sich Prostatakarzinomzellen in besonderem Maße, da dort endogene miR-1 enorm herunterreguliert ist [157].
Die vorliegende Arbeit untersuchte die miR-1 Re-Expressionstherapie zur Hemmung der Tumorprogression auf molekularer Ebene an Prostatakarzinomzellen mit synthetischen miR-1 Molekülen. Darüber hinaus wurde die synthetische miR-1 durch unterschiedliche Substituenten modifiziert, um zu evaluieren ob diese Modifikationen Einfluss auf die biologische Wirkung auf die untersuchten Prostatakarzinomzelllinien haben. Ein weiterer Fokus lag dabei auf der Fragestellung, ob die Position und die chemischen Eigenschaften der Substituenten selbst einen Einfluss auf die miR-1 Effekte ausüben.
Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Wiederherstellung der intrazellulären miR-1 Spiegel durch die unmodifizierte, synthetische miR-1 bereits einen hemmenden Effekt auf das Tumorwachstum hatte. Ausserdem deuten die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass die chemisch synthetisierte und modifizierte miR-1, der unveränderten, synthetischen miR-1 in ihrer tumorsupprimierenden Funktion überlegen sein kann.
Die antiproliferative Wirksamkeit der modifizierten miR-1 Moleküle hing jedoch eher von der Position, als von der Art des modifizierten Nukleotids ab. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass, unabhängig vom Substituenten, Modifikationen an vermutlich kritischen Positionen sogar ein gesteigertes Tumorwachstum zur Folge hatten. Substituenten an ungünstigen Positionen konnten zu Reduktion der antiproliferativen Effekte von miR-1-Molekülen und somit sogar zu vermehrten Tumorwachstum führen. Dies bietet die Möglichkeit, durch die Auswahl gut charakterisierter miR mit hohem antiproliferativem Potenzial maßgeschneiderte, synthetisch modifizierte miR für die zukünftige, individualisierte Therapie verschiedener Krebsentitäten zu entwickeln.
Diese Studie liefert einen umfassenden Überblick über die Assoziationen der fünf Adipokine Adiponektin, Chemerin, Galektin-3, Leptin und Resistin mit der Menge unterschiedlicher Fettkompartimente sowie metabolischer Risikofaktoren und Phänotypen. Dafür wurden Daten von 4116 Teilnehmern der bevölkerungsbasierten SHIP-TREND-Studie mittels multivariabler linearer und logistischer Regressionsmodelle analysiert.
Adipöse Teilnehmer weisen verglichen mit normalgewichtigen Probanden höhere Chemerin-, Galektin-3- und Leptinkonzentrationen sowie niedrigere Adiponektinkonzentrationen auf. Der Leberfettgehalt sowie die Menge des subkutanen (SAT)- und viszeralen Fettgewebes (VAT) waren jeweils unabhängig voneinander invers mit der Adiponektinkonzentration assoziiert. Zusätzlich konnten unabhängige positive Assoziationen zwischen dem Leberfettgehalt, der Menge des SAT und der Chemerinkonzentration sowie zwischen SAT und der Galektin-3- und Leptinkonzentration beobachtet werden. Bei körperlich inaktiven Teilnehmern vs. körperlich aktiveren Probanden wurde eine höhere Chemerin- und Leptinkonzentration festgestellt. Darüber hinaus wiesen Raucher vs. Nichtraucher eine höhere Chemerin- und Galektin-3-Konzentration sowie eine niedrigere Leptin- und Adiponektinkonzentration auf. Der Alkoholkonsum war positiv mit dem Adiponektin- und invers mit dem Resistinspiegel assoziiert. Alle untersuchten Adipokine zeigten zudem signifikante Assoziationen mit mindestens einem Lipidmarker auf. Mit Ausnahme von Resistin wurden für alle untersuchten Adipokine signifikante Assoziationen mit dem Glukosestoffwechsel festgestellt. Insgesamt war eine hohe Adiponektinkonzentration mit einem vorteilhaften Stoffwechselprofil verbunden, wohingegen eine hohe Chemerin-, Galektin-3- bzw. Leptinkonzentration mit ungünstigen Stoffwechselbedingungen assoziiert war. Interessanterweise scheint eine hohe Leptinkonzentration aber hauptsächlich auf Übergewicht hinzuweisen, wohingegen eine hohe Adiponektin- oder Chemerinkonzentration mit einem breiteren Spektrum metabolischer Phänotypen assoziiert ist. Galektin-3 und Resistin scheinen dagegen nur eine untergeordnete Rolle in Zusammenhang mit metabolischen Phänotypen zu spielen.
Insgesamt trägt die vorliegende Untersuchung zu einem besseren Verständnis der Assoziationen von Adipokinen mit unterschiedlichen Fettkompartimenten, Verhaltensrisikofaktoren und metabolischen Phänotypen bei. Allerdings ist bisher sehr wenig über das gesamte Spektrum der komplexen Physiologie der Adipokine bekannt. Daher sind weitere Studien erforderlich, um Klarheit in diese Zusammenhänge zu bringen.
Da die Prävalenz von Übergewicht und Adipositas weiterhin ansteigt, wird die Prävention sowie die Behandlung von Adipositas und ihren Folgeerkrankungen in Zukunft eine entscheidende Rolle in der Medizin spielen.
Um jedoch passende Präventionsstrategien und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten zu entwickeln, ist es von großer Bedeutung, die pathophysiologischen Grundlagen dieser Volkskrankheit zu erforschen.
Da die Prävalenz erst in den letzten Jahren deutlich angestiegen ist, gibt es bislang nur wenige Langzeitstudien zu Adipositas und ihrem Effekt auf Hirnparameter.
Die vorliegende Studie verwendet jedoch einen Versuchsaufbau, der es ermöglicht strukturelle Adipositaseffekte des Gehirns über einen Zeitraum von durchschnittlich 4,9 Jahren zu dokumentieren. Gleichzeitig ermöglicht diese Arbeit die Beobachtung langfristiger Auswirkungen polygener Adipositas auf die graue Substanz.
Nach standardisierter Erhebung somatometrischer Daten von 502 Probanden, erfolgte die Durchführung von ebenfalls standardisierten MRT-Untersuchungen des Hirns an zwei Messzeitpunkten, jeweils unter den gleichen Bedingungen. Daraufhin erfolgte die statistische Auswertung dieser Daten unter Verwendung einer Zielregion- sowie Globalanalyse. Eine mögliche altersbedingte Verzerrung wurde durch die Adjustierung an das Alter verhindert. Es konnten strukturelle Unterschiede der grauen Substanz des Gehirns dokumentiert und bestätigt sowie eine mögliche Verbindung zwischen hohen BMI-Werten und einer konsekutiven Hirnatrophie formuliert werden.
Die Ergebnisse liefern erste Hinweise auf einen möglichen kausalen Zusammenhang struktureller Adipositas-Effekte auf das Gehirn.
Im Zuge dieser Arbeit wurde herausgefunden, dass hauptsächlich die kortikale Dicke sowie das Volumen des OFC und des AC-MPFC durch einen höheren Ausgangs-BMI-Wert negativ beeinflusst werden. Allerdings ergibt sich aus den vorliegenden Daten kein Hinweis auf einen Zusammenhang zwischen genetisch bedingter BMI-Erhöhung und Hirnatrophie.
Eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Mechanismen könnten dabei eine mögliche Rolle bei der Entstehung einer Hirnatrophie bei adipösen Personen spielen. Um diese besser zu verstehen, sind weitere Studien notwendig und aufgrund der hohen Prävalenzen sicher auch von medizinischem, aber auch wirtschaftlichem Interesse.
Die ex-vivo Wirkung von Spermin und Spermidin auf T-Lymphozyten bei Patienten mit kognitivem Defizit
(2021)
Demenzerkrankungen stellen die Medizin und die Wissenschaft vor eine der größten Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhunderts. Aufgrund des Fehlens kausaler Therapien werden neue Therapieansätze dringend für die Bewältigung dieser medizinisch herausfordernden Erkrankung benötigt. Vielversprechende Ergebnisse im Hinblick auf ein neues Therapeutikum liefert eine Klinische Studie (Smart-Age) mit einem polyaminreichen Pflanzenextrakt als Nahrungsergänzungsmittel, eingesetzt bei Patienten mit Subjektiver kognitiver Verschlechterung (engl. Subjective Cognitive Decline).
Da die genauen Wirkmechanismen der Polyamine Spermin und Spermidin auf die kognitive Gesundheit noch unzureichend verstanden sind und das Immunsystem eine zentralen Rolle in der Pathogenese der Alzheimer-Demenz einnimmt, war es das Ziel in der vorliegenden Dissertation die Wirkung der beiden genannten Polyamine auf die Aktivierung und Autophagie von T-Lymphozyten und die Zytokinsekretion von PBMC durchflusszytometrisch, anhand einer Studienkohorte kognitiv beeinträchtigter Patienten (Subjektive kognitive Verschlechterung SCD, milde kognitive Beeinträchtigung MCI, milde Alzheimer-Demenz) (n=22) und gesunder, altersäquivalente Kontrollprobanden (n=12), zu untersuchen.
Die Ergebnisse der Arbeit zeigen, dass Spermin und Spermidin die Aktivierung und die Autophagie von T-Lymphozyten dosisabhängig in der Patienten- und der Kontrollkohorte steigert. Spermin führte zu einer dosisabhängig verminderten Zytokinexpression aller 11 untersuchten Zytokine in der Patienten- und der Kontrollkohorte. Spermidin hingegen führte sowohl zu einer vermehrten als auch einer verminderten Expression einzelner Zytokine im Zellkulturüberstand.
In der vorliegenden explorativen Studie konnte somit erstmals prospektiv der Einfluss der Polyamine Spermin und Spermidin auf die T-Lymphozyten Aktivierung, Autophagie und die Zytokinexpression von Patienten im Frühstadium kognitiver Erkrankungen in in-vitro Experimenten gezeigt werden. Verglichen mit einer Kontrollkohorte kognitiv gesunder, altersentsprechender Probanden zeigten sich ähnliche Effekte von Spermin und Spermidin auf die untersuchten Parameter, wobei für einzelne Parameter der Untersuchung eine höhere Sensitivität der Polyaminbehandlung von T-Lymphozyten kognitiv erkrankter Patienten nachzuvollziehen war.
Die Daten dieser Dissertation liefern somit einen ersten Beitrag zur umfassenden Beleuchtung zellulärer Wirkmechanismen einer Polyaminsubstitution in humanen, peripheren Immunzellen bezüglich kognitiver Gesundheit, um hierdurch neue therapeutische Ansätze zur Behandlung dementieller Erkrankungen zu entwickeln.
Ziel:
Es wurde die Inzidenz knöcherner Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen im WBCT in einem städtischen Traumazentrum der Maximalversorgung untersucht und die Dunkelziffer der übersehenen Frakturen in der primären radiologischen Diagnostik beschrieben. Außerdem wurden assoziierte Faktoren für das Auftreten und das Übersehen von knöcherner Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen beleuchtet.
Material und Methoden:
Es handelt sich um eine retrospektive Kohortenstudie mit Screening aller WBCT in einem Zeitraum von insgesamt acht Monaten. Im ersten Schritt wurden die Hände- und Handgelenke in drei Ebenen mit einer Schichtdicke von 1-2mm rekonstruiert und diese durch einen unabhängigen Radiologen begutachtet. Anschließend wurden die primären Befunde mit dem Referenztest, der Reevaluation der WBCT, verglichen. Hieraus wurde die diagnostische Genauigkeit des WBCT im Rahmen der primären Befundung abgeleitet. Beeinflussende Faktoren (GCS, Artefakte, Trauma-Mechanismus, begleitende Verletzungen) wurden ermittelt und ein Algorithmus zur Verbesserung der Detektionsrate entwickelt.
Ergebnisse:
Insgesamt wurden 506 WBCT im genannten Zeitraum von 01/2020 bis 08/2020 in die Studie eingeschlossen. Es zeigten sich in 59 (11,7%) WBCT 92 knöcherne Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen. Distale intraartikuläre Radiusfrakturen traten am häufigsten auf (n=24, 26,1%) und bei 22 Patienten (37,3%) kam es zu multiplen Verletzungen. 4 Fälle wurden primär korrekt als positiv gewertet, was einer äußerst geringen Sensitivität und einer hohen Spezifität des WBCT bei der Primärbefundung entspricht (Sensitivität 6,8%; 95% CI 1,9 - 16,5; Spezifität 100%; 95% CI 99,2 bis 100,0). Nach zusätzlicher, sekundärer Bildgebung und klinischer Neubewertung wurden 43 weitere positive Fälle (72,9%) identifiziert. Insgesamt 12 Verletzungen blieben unentdeckt (20,3%). Motorradunfälle prädisponierten für knöcherne Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen (22% vs. 10,1% in einer Polytraumavergleichsgruppe ohne Hand-/Handgelenksfrakturen, p=0,006). In 98% der Fälle kam es zusätzlich zu weiteren Frakturen der Extremitäten, wobei nur 37% der Patienten ohne knöcherne Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen zusätzliche Extremitätenfrakturen aufwiesen (p<0,001). Weitere Aspekte wie die Vigilanz und das Vorliegen von Artefakten stellten keine signifikanten Beeinflussungsfaktoren dar.
Schlussfolgerung:
Die Prävalenz knöcherner Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen im WBCT nach einem Polytrauma betrug 11,7% in der Kohorte. 93,2% wurden in der Primäruntersuchung übersehen. Knöcherne Hand- und Handgelenkverletzungen gehen oft mit weiteren Frakturen der Extremitäten einher und treten häufiger nach Motorradunfällen auf. Durch wiederholte klinische Bewertungen und sekundäre radiologische Reevaluierung einer WBCT mit multiplanaren Rekonstruktionen der Hände kann die Zahl der übersehenen Frakturen bei Polytraumapatienten reduziert werden.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), due to its genomic heterogeneity and lack of development of effective therapies, will become the second leading cause of cancer-related death within 10 years. Therefore, identifying novel targets that can predict response to specific treatments is a key goal to personalize pancreatic cancer therapy and improve survival. Given that the occurrence of oncogenic KRAS mutations is a characteristic event in PDAC leading to genome instability, a better understanding of the role of DNA repair mechanisms in this process is desirable. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of the error-prone DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) repair pathway, alt-EJ in the presence of KRAS G12D mutation in pancreatic cancer formation. Our findings showed that oncogenic KRAS contributes to the activation of the alt-EJ mechanism by increasing the expression of Polθ, Lig3 and Mre11, key components of alt-EJ in both mouse and human PDAC models. In addition, we demonstrated that alt-EJ has increased activity in DNA DSBs repair pathway in a mouse and human model of PDAC bearing KRAS G12D mutation. We further focused on estimating the impact of alt-EJ inactivation by polymerase theta (Polθ) deletion on pancreatic cancer development and survival in genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). Here, we described that although deficiency of Polθ resulted in delayed cancer progression and prolonged survival of experimental mice, it can lead to full-blown PDAC. Our study showed that disabling one component of the alt-EJ may be insufficient to fully suppress pancreatic cancer progression and a complete understanding of all alt-EJ factors and their involvement in DSB repair and oncogenesis is required.
Bei einem seit vielen Jahren bekannten erhöhten Risiko für MS-Patient:innen epileptische Anfälle zu erleiden, untersuchten wir eine Gruppe von Patient:innen mit diesen beiden Voraussetzungen. Die epileptischen Anfälle können hier als Folge der MS auftreten, aber auch durch Erkrankungen in der Vorgeschichte der Patient:innen begünstigt werden. Für unsere Studie wählten wir einen retrospektiven populationsbasierten Ansatz.
Die finale Studiengruppe bestand aus 59 Personen mit epileptischen Anfällen und MS aus insgesamt 2285 MS-Patient:innen, die in den Zentren Greifswald und Rostock in diesem Zeitraum behandelt wurden. Es zeigte sich eine Prävalenz epileptischer Anfälle bei Patient:innen mit MS-Diagnose von 2,6%. Eine Aufteilung in zwei Subgruppen mit epileptischen Anfällen vor/nach MS-Diagnose, mit 22 vs. 37 Patient:innen, wurde anschließend durchgeführt. Die Patient:innen in der Subgruppe MS-E Gruppe waren durchschnittlich 9 Jahre älter und wiesen einen höheren EDSS aus, verglichen mit der Subgruppe E-MS. Bei 16,9% der Kohorte wurde der epileptische Anfall rückblickend als erstes MS-Symptom gewertet. In 50,8% der Studienpopulation bestanden epileptogene Risikofaktoren in der Vorgeschichte, mit 40,9% (9/22) vs. 56,8% (21/37) in den Subgruppen vor/nach MS-Diagnose. Die häufigsten konkurrierenden Ursachen bestanden in abgelaufenen Schädel-Hirn-Traumata und cerebralen Ischämien, zusammen in mehr als 30% der Fälle. Die Diagnosestellung der epileptischen Anfälle und Epilepsie erfolgte bei 18,6% ohne EEG-Diagnostik, bei erfolgter EEG-Diagnostik bestanden in 58,3% pathologische EEG-Muster. Bei einem Drittel der Patient:innen erfolgte die Diagnosestellung ohne direkte Beobachtung oder EEG-Auffälligkeiten.
Im Vergleich zur Normalbevölkerung zeigt sich in unserer Studienpopulation eine erhöhte Prävalenz epileptischer Anfälle. Die Bedeutung einer adäquaten Diagnostik der epileptischen Anfälle, auch wenn einmalig aufgetreten, stellt sich in unserer Studie dar. Hierbei ist es entscheidend, dass eine EEG-Diagnostik erfolgt und zusätzlich eine ausführliche semiologische Anamnese. Diese sollte idealerweise von Ärzt:innen oder Neurolog:innen mit epileptologischer Erfahrung durchgeführt werden um die Befunde gut einordnen zu können, am besten im Rahmen eines strukturierten Work-ups. Die epileptischen Anfälle können sowohl vor, als auch nach dem Beginn der MS-Symptomatik auftreten und auch die erste Manifestation der Erkrankung darstellen. Alternative Risikofaktoren für epileptische Anfälle sollten sorgfältig erfragt und dokumentiert werden, die Diagnosestellung und Behandlung einer Epilepsie aber nicht verzögern. Es stellte sich in unserer Kohorte kein signifikanter Unterschied in bestehenden Risikofaktoren zwischen den Sub¬gruppen vor/nach MS-Diagnose heraus. Dies spricht dafür, epileptische Anfälle als einen Teil der MS-Erkrankung zu betrachten, der durch Risikofaktoren aber auch die MS-Erkrankung selbst verursacht werden kann.
Die Sepsis stellt ein hoch komplexes, klinisch heterogenes Krankheitsbild dar, das die Medizin und Wissenschaft auf der ganzen Welt vor große Herausforderungen stellt. Obwohl nahezu jeder erfahrene Intensivmediziner Unterschiede zwischen einem Patienten mit abdomineller Sepsis und einem Patienten mit Urosepsis benennen könnte, haben nur sehr wenige Forschungsgruppen diese Unterschiede
weiter untersucht und beschrieben. Jede Sepsis beginnt in einem anatomischen Fokus der Infektion, der sich fast überall im menschlichen Körper befinden kann. Existieren Unterschiede zwischen Patienten mit unterschiedlichem Sepsisfokus? Ist Sepsis vielleicht nicht gleich Sepsis? Um diese Fragen zu beantworten, hat unsere Arbeitsgruppe über einen Zeitraum von acht Jahren die Daten von 816 Sepsispatienten ausgewertet, deren Fokus ausschließlich im Abdomen, Respirationstrakt, Urogenitaltrakt oder den Knochen und Weichteilen lag. Die Patienten wurden über den gesamten Studienzeitraum konsekutiv eingeschlossen und prospektiv auf das Vorliegen einer Sepsis gescreent. Wir verglichen klinische, mikrobiologische und laborchemische Daten zum Sepsiszeitpunkt zwischen den Fokusgruppen und konnten signifikante Unterschiede in allen drei Bereichen beobachten. Beispielsweise war die Inzidenz für das Auftreten eines septischen Schocks bei Patienten mit abdominellem und urogenitalem Fokus signifikant höher als bei den anderen Gruppen. In Bezug auf die mikrobiologischen Unterschiede waren die Urosepsis und die Knochen- und Weichteilsepsis mit deutlich höheren Blutkulturpositivitäten assoziiert. Außerdem unterschied sich das Erregerspektrum zwischen den Gruppen. Des Weiteren konnten wir Unterschiede in den Laborergebnissen der Patienten zum Sepsiszeitpunkt feststellen. Fast die Hälfte der Patienten mit Urosepsis zeigte pathologisch erhöhte PCT-Werte im Vergleich zu nur 15 % der respiratorischen Gruppe. Weiterhin hatten dreimal so viele Patienten mit Fokus im Bereich Knochen/Weichteile eine Hypoalbuminämie wie Patienten der urogenitalen und pulmonalen Gruppe. Darüber hinaus waren die verschiedenen Sepsisfokusse mit Unterschieden in den SOFA-Scores, SIRS-Kriterien und dem Auftreten von Organdysfunktionen zum Sepsisbeginn assoziiert. Die vorliegende Dissertation liefert eindeutige Hinweise auf klinische, laborchemische und mikrobiologische Unterschiede zwischen Sepsispatienten mit verschiedenen Sepsisfokussen zum Beginn der Sepsis. In großen randomisierten Studien sollte den deutlichen Unterschieden zwischen den verschiedenen Sepsisfokussen möglicherweise mehr Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt werden, damit therapeutische Ansätze, welche nur einer Subgruppe helfen, mit ausreichender Fallzahl herausgearbeitet werden können.
Background: COVID-19 lead to the adoption of containment measures including temporary closure of dental clinics. Despite the risk of infection transmission, dental emergencies have not ceased during this pandemic and had to be managed also in the lockdown period.
Aim: To analyze the profiles and offered management options of pediatric patients presenting with dental emergencies during a COVID-19 lockdown.
Design: Retrospective analysis of patient records of children seeking emergency dental treatment during a 7-week lockdown period in 2020 in a university pedodontics clinic in Germany, compared to a similar cohort from 2019. Data on patient level, tooth level, and session level were collected. An analysis of the digital records after 6 months follow-up was performed for the patients who received Non-Aerosol Generating Procedures (NAGP) as management for dental emergency in the lockdown period in 2020.
Results: The 2020 cohort consisted of 83 patients, while the 2019 cohort included 46 patients showing 45% higher necessity for emergency treatment in 2020. Most common chief complaint was oral mucosal conditions in 2020 (26.4%), and irreversible pulpitis in 2019 (25.5%). Dental caries (without spontaneous pain) was the second most chief complaint in both cohorts (20.7% and 23.4% respectively). Most interventions in 2020 were Minimally Invasive Treatments such as the hall technique and silver diammine fluoride (20.3%), which were in 2019 not considered, followed by pharmacological treatment (16.9%), which were in 2019 also highly used (35.9%). The 6 months follow up for the NAGP revealed benefit in management of the acute dental problem, by either direct treatment or by postponing the treatment need to a later time period.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to increase in emergency pediatric dental visits and shifted treatment options towards less invasive procedures.
In challenging situations, where aerosols increase the risk of infection transmission, NAPD are a viable option in the management of dental emergencies, especially in pediatric dentistry.
Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is likely to be the second-most common cause of dementia in individuals under 65 years of age. Pathognomonic changes in personality, behavior and motivation are known to lead to high caregiver stress and burden, with little support being available. The aim of this work is to present the current state of knowledge on the characteristics, challenges and unmet needs of caregivers as well as on possible interventions.
Two scoping reviews on caregiver burden using the PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science and ScienceDirect in April 2017 and November 2019, respectively. A total of 107 articles were considered eligible and were analyzed qualitatively and summarized.
Our results show that caregivers of patients with FTLD are often female, spouses of the PwD, younger in age, have underage children and provide care at home. Behavioral and motivational disturbances in the PwD are perceived to be the most burdensome aspects of caregiving. Those caring for an individual with the bvFTD subtype thus report higher levels of burden than caregivers of an individual with a form of PPA. With rising dementia severity, caregivers report higher levels of burden. Many caregivers experience a decline in their own physical and mental health as well as a significant financial burden resulting from care duties. The deterioration of the relationship between the PwD and their caregivers is a main burdensome aspect. Only few interventions were conducted so far, and none of those that were identified were designed as an RCT. The most efficacious interventions were those aimed directly at caregivers, whereas interventions aiming at the amelioration of symptoms in the PwD showed little effect.
Further research should reproduce and validate efficacious interventions and establish new interventional approaches. Another focus should be set on the situation of underage children of individuals with FTLD and relatives of a person with hereditary FTD. More research from non-Western countries is needed in order to identify culture-specific factors of caregiver burden. Along those lines, support structures for FTLD caregivers should be assessed on a local basis and extended accordingly. So far, no study has assessed the relationship between caregiver burden and possible consequences for the quality of care provided to the PwD in FTLD specifically. Awareness both in the wider population and among healthcare professionals is an urgent need for the future since FTLD is often misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in obtaining the correct diagnosis and access to suitable support.
Zusammenfassend wurde festgestellt, dass eine Epilepsie im Kindes- und Jugendalter eine insgesamt gute Prognose hat. Von den untersuchten 666 Patienten wurden 65,3 % der Patienten während des Studienzeitraumes anfallsfrei, 29,1 % zeigten eine klinische Besserung.
Den größten prognostischen Vorhersagewert hatte dabei das EEG. Wurde ein normales EEG erreicht, dann wurden auch 96,0 % klinisch anfallsfrei oder verbesserten sich. Ebenfalls betrachtet wurden die initialen EEGs. Es stellte sich heraus, dass Patienten ohne Allgemeinveränderungen im initialen EEG einen besseren Therapieerfolg aufwiesen (85,6 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert).
An zweiter Stelle steht der mentale Status. Kinder mit einer normalen Intelligenz zeigten ein besseres Outcome als Kinder mit einer Lern- oder geistigen Behinderung. Eine IQ-Wert-Veränderung nach Medikamenteneinnahme konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden.
Ebenfalls einen signifikanten Einfluss hatte die Anzahl der Versuche. Die besten Ergebnisse wurden nach dem ersten Versuch erzielt. Mit steigender Versuchszahl verringerte sich der prozentuale Erfolg, aber auch mit mehr als 4 Versuchen konnten noch Verbesserungen oder auch Anfallsfreiheit erzielt werden.
Es zeigte sich, dass auch die Ätiologie einen gewissen Voraussagewert hat. Patienten mit einer idiopathischen Epilepsie hatten eine bessere Prognose als Kinder mit symptomati-schen oder kryptogenen Anfällen. Dabei spielte auch die Art der Epilepsie eine große Rolle, denn darauf bezieht sich die medikamentöse Behandlung. Die besten Ergebnisse zeigten sich bei den benignen Partialepilepsien (90,1% anfallsfrei oder verbessert), den Absencen (65,2 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert) und den primären Grand mal Anfällen (71,4 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert). Schlechter zu behandeln waren die fokalen und die sekundären Grand Mal Anfälle und die größten Schwierigkeiten fand man bei den syndromalen Epilepsien wie BNS-Anfällen und das Lennox-Gastaut Syndrom.
Die am häufigsten verwendeten Medikamente waren Valproat, Lamotrigin, Sultiam, Topi-ramat und Levetiracetam. Eine besonders gute Wirksamkeit zeigte bei Absencen Ethosu-ximid (74,1 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert), bei den benignen Partialepilepsien Sultiam (94,9 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert), bei fokalen Anfällen Oxcarbazepin (71,5 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert) und bei Grand mal Epilepsien Valproat (76,5 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert). Valproat besitzt ein breites Wirkspektrum und führte bei fast allen Anfallsarten zur klinischen Verbesserung oder Anfallsfreiheit. Allerdings zeigte es auch die meisten Nebenwirkungen (31,6 % aller Nebenwirkungen) zu denen Gewichtszunahme, negative Verhaltensänderungen und Sedierung zählten. Insgesamt sind traten in 21,7 % aller medikamentösen Therapieversuchen Nebenwirkungen auf.
Auch die Anzahl der Medikamente spielt eine Rolle bezüglich Prognose und Erfolg. Die besten Ergebnisse zeigten sich unter einer Monotherapie (98,6 % der Patienten mit einer Monotherapie wurden anfallsfrei oder verbesserten sich).
Die neuen Antiepileptika (69,7 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert) haben einen ähnlichen Be-handlungserfolg wie die alten Antiepileptika (71,6 % anfallsfrei oder verbessert). Bei einigen Anfallsarten sind die neuen Medikamente eine Verbesserung 68, 69, 70, 71 und zeigen vor allem einen Vorteil im Nebenwirkungsprofil. Allerdings bestehen noch Lücken in der Zulassung und sie haben höhere Therapiekosten. Vigabatrin wird vor allem bei BNS Anfällen und cortikalen Dysplasien angewendet. Lamotrigin sticht durch das breite Anwendungsspektrum mit wenig Nebenwirkungen hervor. Levetiracetam zeigt im EEG positive Resultate und auch klinisch vor allem bei Grand Mal Anfällen. Es hat keine Interaktionen und im Gegensatz zu Valproat kaum Teratogenität. Oxcarbazepin ist durch weniger Nebenwirkungen bei fokalen Anfällen eine gute Alternative. Aber trotz der höheren Nebenwirkungen sind die alten Antiepileptika unverzichtbar. Sultiam ist weiterhin das Medikament der ersten Wahl bei benignen Partialepilepsien mit einem sehr guten Erfolg.
Es wurde festgestellt, dass in der Kinder- und Jugendklinik der Universitätsmedizin Greifswald eine weitgehend gute Einstellung der Epilepsie erfolgen konnte. Ein Teil der Patienten konnte aber trotz mehrerer Versuche und Medikamente bis zum Ende des Studienzeitpunktes nicht zufriedenstellend behandelt werden. Dies und auch die bestehenden Nebenwirkungen zeigen, dass eine stetige Weiterentwicklung der antikonvulsiven Therapie wichtig ist und angestrebt werden sollte.
Summary
The present article deals with Easy-to-read Russian. It focuses on the level of syntax which is mainly characterized by the avoidance of complex sentence structures. The necessity to write sentences that are as short and simple as possible is intuitively comprehensible, but often difficult to implement in practice since Easy-to-read texts also have to express causal, final or many other relations. Suggestions for avoiding complex syntactic structures in Russian are submitted and put up for discussion by consulting results and important proposals of studies about German “Leichte Sprache”. This includes both clause constructions and complex sentences with their individual subgroups as well as asyndetic compound sentences. On the whole, the study is intended to make a linguistically substantiated contribution to the development of Easy-to-read Russian, for which there are only initial approaches available today.
Summary
The article discusses Adam Naruszewicz‘s famous Ode to Justice (1773) and the engagement of occasional poetry in contemporary discussions about the handling of justice in political trials. Looking at the trial of 1773 the Ode addresses the question of finding a just sentence for the abortive attempt two years earlier to abduct king Stanisław August. The article presents the pertinent aspects for such an analysis in three parts: 1) an introduction to the conceptualization of royal justice in European thought of the Enlightenment, 2) the known facts about the abduction and its historical contexts, 3) an overview of the occasional poetry written by Naruszewicz about the incident from 1771 to 1773 leading to an analysis of the Ode to Justice in regard to the political reasoning of its author.
Abstract
This brief discussion paper is concerned with the sequence [have NP Vpp] and its distinction into a causative and a passive construction, which hinges on the (non-)agentivity of the subject participant, so that the sequence can be seen as ambiguous in that respect. Instead of analyzing these uses as two different constructions, I propose a unified analysis as instances of the affactive construction. This construction has the functional potential of putting primary focus on secondary participants, so-called afficiary participants. The potential ambiguity with regard to the agentivity of these participants is not an issue in usage, as it is only evoked as part of the conceptual content in the background.
Late to bed, late to rise—Warmer autumn temperatures delay spring phenology by delaying dormancy
(2021)
Abstract
Spring phenology of temperate forest trees has advanced substantially over the last decades due to climate warming, but this advancement is slowing down despite continuous temperature rise. The decline in spring advancement is often attributed to winter warming, which could reduce chilling and thus delay dormancy release. However, mechanistic evidence of a phenological response to warmer winter temperatures is missing. We aimed to understand the contrasting effects of warming on plants leaf phenology and to disentangle temperature effects during different seasons. With a series of monthly experimental warming by ca. 2.4°C from late summer until spring, we quantified phenological responses of forest tree to warming for each month separately, using seedlings of four common European tree species. To reveal the underlying mechanism, we tracked the development of dormancy depth under ambient conditions as well as directly after each experimental warming. In addition, we quantified the temperature response of leaf senescence. As expected, warmer spring temperatures led to earlier leaf‐out. The advancing effect of warming started already in January and increased towards the time of flushing, reaching 2.5 days/°C. Most interestingly, however, warming in October had the opposite effect and delayed spring phenology by 2.4 days/°C on average; despite six months between the warming and the flushing. The switch between the delaying and advancing effect occurred already in December. We conclude that not warmer winters but rather the shortening of winter, i.e., warming in autumn, is a major reason for the decline in spring phenology.
Introduction: To maintain a sufficient donor pool, deferred first-time donors (FTD) should be motivated to return for blood donation. This pilot study investigates how deferral affects momentary mood, satisfaction with the donation process, and subsequent return behavior to examine their potential for motivating (deferred) FTD. Methods: All of the subjects (n = 96) completed a first questionnaire (A1) before pre-donation assessment. Deferred FTD (n = 22) were asked to complete a second questionnaire (A2) immediately after deferral, while non-deferred FTD (n = 74) filled in the second questionnaire (A3) after blood donation. The impact of deferral, momentary mood, and satisfaction with the donation process on return behavior within 12 months was tested by calculating two path analyses, controlling for sex and age. Results: Mood (p < 0.001) and satisfaction with social aspects of the donation process (p = 0.01) were decreased after deferral. Deferred FTD were less likely than non-deferred FTD to return to the blood donation center within 12 months (60.8 vs. 36.4%; p = 0.043). However, path analyses revealed that deferral effects on mood and satisfaction were not connected to return behavior. Instead, age had a significant influence on return behavior (p < 0.05) such that, overall, non-returning FTD were older than returning FTD, regardless of their deferral status. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that mood and satisfaction with the donation process are directly affected by deferral but not clearly responsible for low return rates. It seems promising to embed these variables in established health behavior models in further studies to increase the return rates of deferred FTD.
Introduction: Patients who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Weight loss can have a positive effect on glycemic control. Objective: We aimed to investigate glycemic control in patients with T2DM and overweight or obesity during a structured weight-loss program. Methods: This was a prospective, interventional study. We recruited 36 patients (14 men and 22 women) with a median age of 58.5 years and median body mass index (BMI) of 34.1, to a 15-week structured weight-loss program with a low-calorie (800 kcal) formula diet for 6 weeks. The primary end point, HbA<sub>1c</sub> level, and secondary end points, anthropometric data, medication, and safety, were assessed weekly. Laboratory values and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after 15 weeks. Results: HbA<sub>1c</sub> decreased from 7.3% at baseline to 6.5% at 15 weeks (p < 0.001), median body weight by 11.9 kg (p < 0.001), median BMI by 4.3 (p < 0.001) and median waist circumference by 11.0 cm (p < 0.001). Two participants discontinued insulin therapy, 4 could reduce their dosage of oral antidiabetic agents, and 6 completely discontinued their antidiabetic medication. Insulin dose decreased from 0.63 (0.38–0.89) to 0.39 (0.15–0.70) units/kg body weight (p < 0.001). No patient experienced hypoglycemic episodes or hospital emergency visits. Triglycerides and total cholesterol decreased as well as surrogate markers of liver function. However, the levels of high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C) as well as uric acid remain unchanged. Regarding quality of life, the median physical health score increased from 44.5 (39.7–51.4) at baseline to 48.0 (43.1–55.3; p = 0.007), and the median mental health score decreased from 42.1 (36.1–46.7) to 37.4 (30.3–43.7; p = 0.004). Conclusions: A structured weight-loss program is effective in the short term in reducing HbA<sub>1c</sub>, weight, and antidiabetic medication in patients with T2DM who are overweight or obese. Levels of HDL-C and LDL-C were not affected by short-term weight loss. The decline in mental health and the long-term effects of improved glycemic control require further trials.
Abstract
Social organisation in species with fluctuating population sizes can change with density. Therefore, information on (future) density obtained during early life stages may be associated with social behaviour. Olfactory cues may carry important social information. We investigated whether early life experience of different experimental densities was subsequently associated with differences in attraction to adult conspecific odours. We used common voles (Microtus arvalis), a rodent species undergoing extreme density fluctuations. We found that individuals originating from high experimental density populations kept in large outdoor enclosures invested more time in inspecting conspecific olfactory cues than individuals from low‐density populations. Generally, voles from both treatments spent more time with the olfactory cues than expected by chance and did not differ in their latency to approach the odour samples. Our findings indicate either that early experience affects odour sensitivity or that animals evaluate the social information contained in conspecific odours differently, depending on their early life experience of conspecific density.
Introduction: In the light of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, convalescent plasma is a treatment option for COVID-19. In contrast to usual therapeutic plasma, the therapeutic agents of convalescent plasma do not represent clotting factor activities, but immunoglobulins. Quarantine storage of convalescent plasma as a measure to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission is not feasible. Therefore, pathogen inactivation (e.g., Theraflex®-MB, Macopharma, Mouvaux, France) is an attractive option. Data on the impact of pathogen inactivation by methylene blue (MB) treatment on antibody integrity are sparse. Methods: Antigen-specific binding capacity was tested before and after MB treatment of plasma (n = 10). IgG and IgM isoagglutinin titers were tested by agglutination in increasing dilutions. Furthermore, the binding of anti-EBV and anti-tetanus toxin IgG to their specific antigens was assessed by ELISA, and IgG binding to Fc receptors was assessed by flow cytometry using THP-1 cells expressing FcRI and FcRII. Results: There was no significant difference in the isoagglutinin titers, the antigen binding capacity of anti-EBV and anti-tetanus toxin IgG, as well as the Fc receptor binding capacity before and after MB treatment of plasma. Conclusion: MB treatment of plasma does not inhibit the binding capacity of IgM and IgG to their epitopes, or the Fc receptor interaction of IgG. Based on these results, MB treatment of convalescent plasma is appropriate to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission if quarantine storage is omitted.
Non-carious dental lesions such as developmental defects of enamel (DDE) and erosive tooth wear (ETW) are the subject of intensive research. This paper aims to give perspectives on both DDE, including dental fluorosis and molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), and ETW, presenting epidemiological data from the Americas and associated diagnostic aspects. Besides, it is important to present evidence to guide the clinical assessment process, supporting the clinicians’ management decisions towards better oral health of their patients. The overall increase in the worldwide prevalence of non-carious lesions discussed in this this paper may reflect the need of perceptual changes. Although the number of publications related to these conditions has been increasing in the last years, there is still a need for clinical diagnostic and management awareness to include these conditions in routine dental practice. Besides, it is important to provide recommendations for standardized clinical assessment criteria, improving the process and helping clinicians’ adherence. In this sense, this paper discusses the most commonly implemented indices for each condition. Thus, despite the wide range of diagnostic indices, BEWE is proposed to be the index recommended for ETW assessment, Dean or Thylstrup & Fejerskov indices for fluorosis and preferably the EAPD criteria (or modified DDE index) for MIH. Overall, non-carious lesions are a growing concern, and it is important to implement preventive measures that control their severity and progression, and accurate diagnosis by the dental clinician.
Abstract
The two important mechanisms influencing the response of phytoplankton communities to alterations of abiotic factors in their environment are difficult to distinguish: species sorting resulting from a change in interspecific competitive pressure, and phenotypic plasticity (here explicitly physiological plasticity i.e. species‐specific physiological adjustment). A shift in species composition as well as physiological adjustments in species can lead to changes in fatty acid composition that determine the food quality for zooplankton consumers.
We used phytoplankton communities consisting of five species and exposed them to two different light intensities, two light conditions (constant and variable), and two levels of phosphorus supply. Changes in fatty acid and species composition were analyzed. We compared community pairs differing in one factor by calculating the Bray‐Curtis similarity index for the composition of both variables. Comparing the Bray‐Curtis similarity index of the species composition with the index of the fatty acid composition was used to estimate the effects of species sorting and physiological plasticity.
Changes in nutrient supply influenced fatty acid responses based on species sorting and physiological plasticity the most. On one hand, the relevance of physiological plasticity was highest at cultivation in different nutrient supplies but the same light environment. Conversely with low nutrients species sorting appeared to dominate the response to changes in light, while at high nutrients physiological plasticity appeared to influence the response. Overall, under low phosphorus supply the communities showed a lower total fatty acid content per carbon and had increased proportions of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Instead, communities in low light produced more of eicosapentaenoic acid.
Our results suggest that the relevance of species sorting and physiological plasticity in shaping the community response highly depends on the environmental factors that influence the system. Nutrient supply had the largest effect, while light had more limited conditional effects. However, all of these factors are important in shaping the food quality of the phytoplankton community for higher trophic levels.
Are old regions less attractive? Interregional labour migration in a context of population ageing
(2021)
Abstract
Regional demographic change is often conceptualized as a circular process, where out‐migration continuously worsens conditions of population ageing and shrinkage. Thus, if migration acts as a consequence as well as cause of ageing, migration patterns should be influenced by the age structure of origin and destination regions. This paper analyses individual‐level migration decisions of full‐time employees across 326 German regions between 1997 and 2013 using binary choice models. The results show that individuals are more likely to migrate out of and less likely to migrate towards ageing regions. Moreover, the identified patterns are consistent with age‐selective migration reinforcing ageing processes and polarization of demographic structure.
Abstract
Introduced populations of invasive organisms have to cope with novel environmental challenges, while having reduced genetic variation caused by founder effects. The mechanisms associated with this “genetic paradox of invasive species” has received considerable attention, yet few studies have examined the genomic architecture of invasive species. Populations of the heart node ant Cardiocondyla obscurior belong to two distinct lineages, a New World lineage so far only found in Latin America and a more globally distributed Old World lineage. In the present study, we use population genomic approaches to compare populations of the two lineages with apparent divergent invasive potential. We find that the strong genetic differentiation of the two lineages began at least 40,000 generations ago and that activity of transposable elements (TEs) has contributed significantly to the divergence of both lineages, possibly linked to the very unusual genomic distribution of TEs in this species. Furthermore, we show that introgression from the Old World lineage is a dominant source of genetic diversity in the New World lineage, despite the lineages' strong genetic differentiation. Our study uncovers mechanisms underlying novel genetic variation in introduced populations of C. obscurior that could contribute to the species' adaptive potential.
Abstract
Saliva is an attractive sampling matrix for measuring various endogenous and exogeneous substances but requires sample treatment prior to chromatographic analysis. Exploiting supercritical CO2 for both extraction and chromatography simplifies sample preparation, reduces organic solvent consumption, and minimizes exposure to potentially infectious samples, but has not yet been applied to oral fluid. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of online supercritical fluid extraction coupled to supercritical fluid chromatography and single‐quadrupole mass spectrometry for monitoring the model salivary tracer caffeine. A comparison of 13C‐ and 32S‐labeled internal standards with external standard calibration confirmed the superiority of stable isotope‐labeled caffeine over nonanalogous internal standards. As proof of concept, the validated method was applied to saliva from a magnetic resonance imaging study of gastric emptying. After administration of 35 mg caffeine via ice capsule, salivary levels correlated with magnetic resonance imaging data, corroborating caffeine's usefulness as tracer of gastric emptying (R2 = 0.945). In contrast to off‐line methods, online quantification required only minute amounts of organic solvents and a single manual operation prior to online bioanalysis of saliva, thus demonstrating the usefulness of CO2‐based extraction and separation techniques for potentially infective biomatrices.
Abstract
Halide methyltransferases (HMTs) enable the enzymatic synthesis of S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAM) from S‐adenosyl‐l‐homocysteine (SAH) and methyl iodide. Characterisation of a range of naturally occurring HMTs and subsequent protein engineering led to HMT variants capable of synthesising ethyl, propyl, and allyl analogues of SAM. Notably, HMTs do not depend on chemical synthesis of methionine analogues, as required by methionine adenosyltransferases (MATs). However, at the moment MATs have a much broader substrate scope than the HMTs. Herein we provide an overview of the discovery and engineering of promiscuous HMTs and how these strategies will pave the way towards a toolbox of HMT variants for versatile chemo‐ and regioselective biocatalytic alkylations.
Abstract
Myxomycetes are terrestrial protists with many presumably cosmopolitan species dispersing via airborne spores. A truly cosmopolitan species would suffer from outbreeding depression hampering local adaptation, while locally adapted species with limited distribution would be at a higher risk of extinction in changing environments. Here, we investigate intraspecific genetic diversity and phylogeography of Physarum albescens over the entire Northern Hemisphere. We sequenced 324 field collections of fruit bodies for 1–3 genetic markers (SSU, EF1A, COI) and analysed 98 specimens with genotyping by sequencing. The structure of the three‐gene phylogeny, SNP‐based phylogeny, phylogenetic networks, and the observed recombination pattern of three independently inherited gene markers can be best explained by the presence of at least 18 reproductively isolated groups, which can be seen as cryptic species. In all intensively sampled regions and in many localities, members of several phylogroups coexisted. Some phylogroups were found to be abundant in only one region and completely absent in other well‐studied regions, and thus may represent regional endemics. Our results demonstrate that the widely distributed myxomycete species Ph. albescens represents a complex of at least 18 cryptic species, and some of these seem to have a limited geographical distribution. In addition, the presence of groups of presumably clonal specimens suggests that sexual and asexual reproduction coexist in natural populations of myxomycetes.
Abstract
This work presents the reactivity and dissolution of an as‐polished and electrochemically pre‐treated polycrystalline Au electrode, which is used as a model system. The effect of the electrochemical pre‐treatment in corrosive 0.37 M HCl solutions on the Au surface roughness and dissolution is investigated by varying the number of pre‐treatment steps at 1.16 V against the reversible hydrogen electrode. It is shown that the first 10 s pre‐treatment of the as‐polished Au results in a higher surface roughness and thus higher electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) than that of the as‐polished Au. With the subsequent pre‐treatments, however, the ECSA is gradually decreasing reaching a steady value. The dissolution rate of the pre‐treated Au electrodes upon potential cycling in 0.1 M H2SO4 is determined by in situ inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A non‐linear dependence of Au dissolution amount is found with respect to the number of pre‐treatments. The overall total Au dissolution rate follows a similar trend as ECSA/roughness. However, an important difference in the dissolution behavior is identified with respect to dissolution processes during Au oxidation (anodic dissolution) and Au reduction (cathodic dissolution): the former is more sensitive to the surface roughness. Thus, the ratio between Au anodic and cathodic dissolution amounts decreases substantially with decrease in surface roughness. This finding is explained by the slow and fast dissolution kinetics for anodic and cathodic processes, respectively. Current work further advances our understanding of the complex Au dissolution mechanism.
Abstract
Aim
Species ranges are highly dynamic, shifting in space and time as a result of complex ecological and evolutionary processes. Disentangling the relative contribution of both processes is challenging but of primary importance for forecasting species distributions under climate change. Here, we use the spectacular range expansion (ca. 1000 km poleward shift within 10 years) of the butterfly Pieris mannii to unravel the factors underlying range dynamics, specifically the role of (i) niche evolution (changes in host‐plant preference and acceptance) and (ii) ecological processes (climate change).
Location
Provence‐Alpes‐Côte d’Azur, France; North Rhine‐Westphalia, Rhineland‐Palatinate and Hesse, Germany.
Taxon
Insect and angiosperms.
Methods
We employed a combination of (i) common garden experiments, based on replicated populations from the species’ historical and newly established range and host‐plant species representative for each distribution range, co‐occurrence analyses and (ii) grid‐based correlative species distribution modelling (SDM) using Maxent.
Results
We observed changes in oviposition preference, with females from the newly established populations showing reduced host‐plant specialization and also an overall increased fecundity. These changes in behaviour and life history may have enabled using a broader range of habitats and thus facilitated the recent range expansion. In contrast, our results indicate that the range expansion is unlikely to be directly caused by anthropogenic climate change, as the range was not constrained by climate in the first place.
Main conclusions
We conclude that evolution of a broader dietary niche rather than climate change is associated with the rapid range expansion, and discuss potential indirect consequences of climate change as trigger for the genetic differences found. Our study thus illustrates the importance of species interactions in shaping species distributions and range shifts, and draws attention to indirect effects of climate change. Embracing this complexity is likely the key to a better understanding of range dynamics.
Abstract
Nervous system development has been intensely studied in insects (especially Drosophila melanogaster), providing detailed insights into the genetic regulatory network governing the formation and maintenance of the neural stem cells (neuroblasts) and the differentiation of their progeny. Despite notable advances over the last two decades, neurogenesis in other arthropod groups remains by comparison less well understood, hampering finer resolution of evolutionary cell type transformations and changes in the genetic regulatory network in some branches of the arthropod tree of life. Although the neurogenic cellular machinery in malacostracan crustaceans is well described morphologically, its genetic molecular characterization is pending. To address this, we established an in situ hybridization protocol for the crayfish Procambarus virginalis and studied embryonic expression patterns of a suite of key genes, encompassing three SoxB group transcription factors, two achaete–scute homologs, a Snail family member, the differentiation determinants Prospero and Brain tumor, and the neuron marker Elav. We document cell type expression patterns with notable similarities to insects and branchiopod crustaceans, lending further support to the homology of hexapod–crustacean neuroblasts and their cell lineages. Remarkably, in the crayfish head region, cell emigration from the neuroectoderm coupled with gene expression data points to a neuroblast‐independent initial phase of brain neurogenesis. Further, SoxB group expression patterns suggest an involvement of Dichaete in segmentation, in concordance with insects. Our target gene set is a promising starting point for further embryonic studies, as well as for the molecular genetic characterization of subregions and cell types in the neurogenic systems in the adult crayfish brain.
Abstract
Background
The need to optimize exposure treatments for anxiety disorders may be addressed by temporally intensified exposure sessions. Effects on symptom reduction and public health benefits should be examined across different anxiety disorders with comorbid conditions.
Methods
This multicenter randomized controlled trial compared two variants of prediction error‐based exposure therapy (PeEx) in various anxiety disorders (both 12 sessions + 2 booster sessions, 100 min/session): temporally intensified exposure (PeEx‐I) with exposure sessions condensed to 2 weeks (n = 358) and standard nonintensified exposure (PeEx‐S) with weekly exposure sessions (n = 368). Primary outcomes were anxiety symptoms (pre, post, and 6‐months follow‐up). Secondary outcomes were global severity (across sessions), quality of life, disability days, and comorbid depression.
Results
Both treatments resulted in substantial improvements at post (PeEx‐I: dwithin = 1.50, PeEx‐S: dwithin = 1.78) and follow‐up (PeEx‐I: dwithin = 2.34; PeEx‐S: dwithin = 2.03). Both groups showed formally equivalent symptom reduction at post and follow‐up. However, time until response during treatment was 32% shorter in PeEx‐I (median = 68 days) than PeEx‐S (108 days; TRPeEx‐I = 0.68). Interestingly, drop‐out rates were lower during intensified exposure. PeEx‐I was also superior in reducing disability days and improving quality of life at follow‐up without increasing relapse.
Conclusions
Both treatment variants focusing on the transdiagnostic exposure‐based violation of threat beliefs were effective in reducing symptom severity and disability in severe anxiety disorders. Temporally intensified exposure resulted in faster treatment response with substantial public health benefits and lower drop‐out during the exposure phase, without higher relapse. Clinicians can expect better or at least comparable outcomes when delivering exposure in a temporally intensified manner.
Abstract
G‐quadruplexes have attracted growing interest in recent years due to their occurrence in vivo and their possible biological functions. In addition to being promising targets for drug design, these four‐stranded nucleic acid structures have also been recognized as versatile tools for various technological applications. Whereas a large number of studies have yielded insight into their remarkable structural diversity, our current knowledge on G‐quadruplex stabilities as a function of sequence and environmental factors only gradually emerges with an expanding collection of thermodynamic data. This minireview provides an overview of general rules that may be used to better evaluate quadruplex thermodynamic stabilities but also discusses present challenges in predicting most stable folds for a given sequence and environment.
Abstract
Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in circulation playing a key role in acute inflammation during microbial infections. Phagocytosis, one of the crucial defence mechanisms of neutrophils against pathogens, is amplified by chemotactic leukotriene (LT)B4, which is biosynthesized via 5‐lipoxygenase (5‐LOX). However, extensive liberation of LTB4 can be destructive by over‐intensifying the inflammatory process. While enzymatic biosynthesis of LTB4 is well characterized, less is known about molecular mechanisms that activate 5‐LOX and lead to LTB4 formation during host–pathogen interactions. Here, we investigated the ability of the common opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans to induce LTB4 formation in neutrophils, and elucidated pathogen‐mediated drivers and cellular processes that activate this pathway. We revealed that C. albicans‐induced LTB4 biosynthesis requires both the morphological transition from yeast cells to hyphae and the expression of hyphae‐associated genes, as exclusively viable hyphae or yeast‐locked mutant cells expressing hyphae‐associated genes stimulated 5‐LOX by [Ca2+]i mobilization and p38 MAPK activation. LTB4 biosynthesis was orchestrated by synergistic activation of dectin‐1 and Toll‐like receptor 2, and corresponding signaling via SYK and MYD88, respectively. Conclusively, we report hyphae‐specific induction of LTB4 biosynthesis in human neutrophils. This highlights an expanding role of neutrophils during inflammatory processes in the response to C. albicans infections.
Abstract
Background
Twenty five‐hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels have been proposed to protect against periodontitis based on in vitro and observational studies but evidence from long‐term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is lacking. This study tested whether genetically proxied 25OHD is associated with periodontitis using Mendelian randomization (MR).
Methods
Genetic variants strongly associated with 25OHD in a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of 417,580 participants of European ancestry were used as instrumental variables, and linked to GWAS summary data of 17,353 periodontitis cases and 28,210 controls. In addition to the main analysis using an inverse variance weighted (IVW) model, we applied additional robust methods to control for pleiotropy. We also undertook sensitivity analyses excluding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) used as instruments with potential pleiotropic effects and used a second 25OHD GWAS for replication. We identified 288 SNPs to be genome‐wide significant for 25OHD, explaining 7.0% of the variance of 25OHD levels and providing ≥90% power to detect an odds ratio (OR) of ≤ 0.97.
Results
MR analysis suggested that a 1 standard deviation increase in natural log‐transformed 25OHD was not associated with periodontitis risk (IVW OR = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.97–1.12; P‐value = 0.297). The robust models, replication, and sensitivity analyses were coherent with the primary analysis.
Conclusions
Collectively, our findings suggest that 25OHD levels are unlikely to have a substantial effect on the risk of periodontitis, but large long‐term RCTs are needed to derive definitive evidence on the causal role of 25OHD in periodontitis.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of tooth splinting (TS) and occlusal adjustment (OA) compared to no TS or OA in patients with periodontitis exhibiting masticatory dysfunction.
Material
The primary outcome criterion was tooth loss (TL), and the secondary outcome parameters were change in probing pocket depth (PPD), change in clinical attachment level (CAL), tooth mobility (TM), and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs). Literature search was performed on three electronic databases (from 01/1965 to 04/2021) and focused on clinical studies with at least 12 months follow‐up.
Results
From a total of 1515 publications, 51 articles were identified for full‐text reading, of which 2 retrospective case series on TS with low risk of bias and 1 randomized and 2 prospective studies on OA with unclear risk of bias were included. For TS, synthesis of data showed that in 72 patients, 26 out of 311 teeth (weighted mean incidence of TL 8.4%) and 156 out of 1541 teeth with no TS (weighted mean incidence of TL 10.1%) were lost over 2 years following non‐surgical periodontal therapy. The randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) indicated CAL gain for teeth with OA compared to no OA. For the effect of OA on TL, PPD, and TM, heterogeneous data were retrieved from the included studies.
Conclusions
Within the limitations of this review and based on a low level of evidence, it is concluded that TS does not improve survival of mobile teeth in patients with advanced periodontitis. OA on teeth with mobility and/or premature contacts may lead to improved CAL, while the effect of OA on the remaining periodontal parameters remains unclear.
Abstract
We investigated four subaerial (paleo)lacustrine landforms at the north‐eastern shoreline of Schweriner See, north‐eastern Germany. These included two beach ridges, one subaerial nearshore bar and a silting up sequence located close to a fossil cliff, which marks the former maximum extent of Schweriner See. We used luminescence profiling with a SUERC portable OSL device (POSL) on all four sediment sequences in combination with sedimentological investigations such as grain size, loss‐on‐ignition and magnetic susceptibility to provide information on the various formations in a lacustrine depositional environment. The POSL reader was used on pre‐treated polymineral samples to gain an insight into luminescence distribution within the individual sediment sequences, but also among the four sequences. POSL proved valuable to understand depositional processes, which were not visible in lithology or sedimentological parameters. With somewhat larger uncertainty this method provides relative chronologies of the sediment sequences. Additionally, we carried out radiocarbon dating and full optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating to establish a chronological framework. OSL ages proved to be more reliable to date beach ridges in this setting than radiocarbon samples, which were severely influenced by sediment reworking. This combined approach of sedimentological analyses, luminescence profiling and absolute age determinations revealed details in depositional processes at Schweriner See which otherwise would have remained undetected. Furthermore, it helped to set these subaerial (paleo)lacustrine landforms in a chronological framework.
Currently, poleward range expansions are observed in many taxa, often in response to anthropogenic climate change. At the expanding front, populations likely face cooler and more variable temperature conditions, imposing thermal selection. This may result in changes in trait means or plasticity, the relative contribution of which is not well understood. We, here, investigate evolutionary change in range‐expanding populations of the butterfly Pieris mannii, by comparing populations from the core and the newly established northern range under laboratory conditions. We observed both changes in trait means and in thermal reaction norms. Range‐expanding populations showed a more rapid development, potentially indicative of counter‐gradient variation and an increased cold tolerance compared with core populations. Genotype‐environment interactions prevailed in all associated traits, such that the above differences were restricted to cooler environmental conditions. In range‐expanding populations, plasticity was decreased in developmental traits enabling relatively rapid growth even under cooler conditions but increased in cold tolerance arguably promoting higher activity under thermally challenging conditions. Notably, these changes must have occurred within a time period of ca. 10 years only. Our results suggest, in line with contemporary theory, that the evolution of plasticity may play a hitherto underestimated role for adaptation to climatic variation. However, rather than generally increased or decreased levels of plasticity, our results indicate fine‐tuned, trait‐specific evolutionary responses to increase fitness in novel environments.
Objective
To evaluate individual and group long-term efficacy and safety of erenumab in individuals with episodic migraine (EM) for whom 2–4 prior preventatives had failed.
Methods
Participants completing the 12-week double-blind treatment phase (DBTP) of the LIBERTY study could continue into an open-label extension phase (OLEP) receiving erenumab 140 mg monthly for up to 3 years. Main outcomes assessed at week 112 were: ≥50%, ≥75% and 100% reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD) as group responder rate and individual responder rates, MMD change from baseline, safety and tolerability.
Results
Overall 240/246 (97.6%) entered the OLEP (118 continuing erenumab, 122 switching from placebo). In total 181/240 (75.4%) reached 112 weeks, 24.6% discontinued, mainly due to lack of efficacy (44.0%), participant decision (37.0%) and adverse events (AEs; 12.0%). The ≥50% responder rate was 57.2% (99/173) at 112 weeks. Of ≥50% responders at the end of the DBTP, 36/52 (69.2%) remained responders at ≥50% and 22/52 (42.3%) at >80% of visits. Of the non-responders at the end of the DBTP, 60/185 (32.4%) converted to ≥50% responders in at least half the visits and 24/185 (13.0%) converted to ≥50% responders in >80% of visits. Change from baseline at 112 weeks in mean (SD) MMD was −4.2 (5.0) days. Common AEs (≥10%) were nasopharyngitis, influenza and back pain.
Conclusions
Efficacy was sustained over 112 weeks in individuals with difficult-to-treat EM for whom 2–4 prior migraine preventives had failed. Erenumab treatment was safe and well tolerated, in-line with previous studies.
Trial registration number NCT03096834
Abstract
Body weight loss is frequently regarded as negatively related to outcomes in patients with malignancies. This retrospective analysis of the FIRE‐3 study evaluated the evolution of body weight in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). FIRE‐3 evaluated first‐line FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil and irinotecan) plus cetuximab or bevacizumab in mCRC patients with RAS‐WT tumors (ie, wild‐type in KRAS and NRAS exons 2‐4). The prognostic and predictive relevance of early weight loss (EWL) regarding patient outcomes and treatment side effects were evaluated. Retrospective data on body weight during first 6 months of treatment were evaluated (N = 326). To correlate with efficacy endpoints and treatment side effects, patients were grouped according to clinically significant EWL ≥5% and <5% at Month 3. Age constituted the only significant predictor of EWL following a linear relationship with the corresponding log odds ratio (P = .016). EWL was significantly associated with the incident frequencies of diarrhea, edema, fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Further, a multivariate analysis revealed EWL to be an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival (32.4 vs 21.1 months; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13‐2.38; P = .0098) and progression‐free survival (11.8 vs 9.0 months; HR: 1.72; 95% CI = 1.18‐2.5; P = .0048). In conclusion, EWL during systemic treatment against mCRC is significantly associated with patient age. Patients exhibiting EWL had worse survival and higher frequencies of adverse events. Early preventative measures targeted at weight maintenance should be evaluated, especially in elderly patients being at highest risk of EWL.
Seit nunmehr zwei Jahrzehnten ist Våre arveord von Harald Bjorvand und Otto
Lindeman eine der ersten Adressen für alle, die sich mit nordischer Etymologie
befassen. Charakteristisch für Våre arveord. Etymologisk ordbok ist, dass die beiden Autoren nicht nur die germanischen Sprachen im Blick haben, sondern auch
zurück in die gemeinsame Geschichte der indoeuropäischen (nicht-anatolischen)
Sprachen greifen. D
Rice husk, one of the main side products in the rice production, and its sustainable management represent a challenge in many countries. Herein, we describe the use of this abundant agricultural bio‐waste as feedstock for the preparation of silver‐containing carbon/silica nano composites with antimicrobial properties. The synthesis was performed using a fast and cheap methodology consisting of wet impregnation followed by pyrolysis, yielding C/SiO2 composite materials doped with varying amounts of silver from 28 to 0.001 wt %. The materials were fully characterized and their antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogens, namely E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli, and the pathogenic yeast C. albicans was investigated. Sensitivities of these strains against the prepared materials were demonstrated, even with exceptional low amounts of 0.015 m% silver. Hence, we report a straightforward method for the synthesis of antimicrobial agents from abundant sources which addresses urgent questions like bio‐waste valorization and affordable alternatives to increasingly fewer effective antibiotics.
Bioinformatics Algorithms and Predictive Models: The Grand Challenge in Computational Virology
(2021)
Never in the past has the relevance of bioinformatic and predictive tools been more central
in the field of virology as today. SARS-CoV-2 has brought along a huge health burden, but also
a deeper awareness that scientific progress can no longer be effective without extensive systems
for data storage, sharing and analysis, as well as computational tools dedicated to molecular
epidemiology, NGS data analysis, prediction of drug targets, multi-OMIC data integration, and
many other applications.
Objectives: An inverse relationship between education and cardiovascular risk has been described, however, the combined association of education, income, and neighborhood socioeconomic status with macrovascular disease is less clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of educational level, equivalent household income and area deprivation with macrovascular disease in Germany.
Methods: Cross-sectional data from two representative German population-based studies, SHIP-TREND (n = 3,731) and KORA-F4 (n = 2,870), were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the association between socioeconomic determinants and macrovascular disease (defined as self-reported myocardial infarction or stroke).
Results: The study showed a higher odds of prevalent macrovascular disease in men with low and middle educational level compared to men with high education. Area deprivation and equivalent income were not related to myocardial infarction or stroke in any of the models.
Conclusion: Educational level, but not income or area deprivation, is significantly related to the macrovascular disease in men. Effective prevention of macrovascular disease should therefore start with investing in individual education.
Although the nose, as a gateway for organism–environment interactions, may have a key role in asthmatic exacerbation, the rhinobiome of exacerbated children with asthma was widely neglected to date. The aim of this study is to understand the microbiome, the microbial immunology, and the proteome of exacerbated children and adolescents with wheeze and asthma. Considering that a certain proportion of wheezers may show a progression to asthma, the comparison of both groups provides important information regarding clinical and phenotype stratification. Thus, deep nasopharyngeal swab specimens, nasal epithelial spheroid (NAEsp) cultures, and blood samples of acute exacerbated wheezers (WH), asthmatics (AB), and healthy controls (HC) were used for culture (n = 146), 16 S-rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (n = 64), and proteomic and cytokine analyses. Interestingly, Proteobacteria were over-represented in WH, whereas Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were associated with AB. In contrast, Actinobacteria commonly colonized HCs. Moreover, Staphylococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, and Sphingomonadaceae were significantly more abundant in AB compared to WH and HC. The α-diversity analyses demonstrated an increase of bacterial abundance levels in atopic AB and a decrease in WH samples. Microbiome profiles of atopic WH differed significantly from atopic AB, whereby atopic samples of WH were more homogeneous than those of non-atopic subjects. The NAEsp bacterial exposure experiments provided a disrupted epithelial cell integrity, a cytokine release, and cohort-specific proteomic differences especially for Moraxella catarrhalis cultures. This comprehensive dataset contributes to a deeper insight into the poorly understood plasticity of the nasal microbiota, and, in particular, may enforce our understanding in the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbation in childhood.
Respiratory infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Acquired CD4+ T cell mechanism are essential for the protection against colonization and subsequent development of infections by S. pneumoniae. In this study, we hypothesized that age-related changes within the CD4+ T-cell population compromise CD4+ T-cell specific responses to S. pneumoniae, thereby contributing to increased susceptibility at older age. To this end, we interrogated the CD4+ T-cell response against the immunogenic pneumococcal protein AliB, part of the unique oligopeptide ABC transporter system responsible for the uptake of nutrients for the bacterium and crucial for the development of pneumococcal meningitis, in healthy young and older adults. Specifically, proliferation of CD4+ T cells as well as concomitant cytokine profiles and phenotypic markers implied in immunosenescence were studied. Older adults showed decreased AliB-induced CD4+ T-cell proliferation that is associated with an increased frequency of regulatory T cells and lower levels of active CD25+CD127+CTLA-4−TIGIT-CD4+T cells. Additionally, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFNy and IL-17F were decreased at older age. Our findings indicate that key features of a pneumococcal-specific CD4+ T-cell immune response are altered at older age, which may contribute to enhanced susceptibility for pneumococcal infections.
Food craving (FC) peaks are highly context-dependent and variable. Accurate prediction of FC might help preventing disadvantageous eating behavior. Here, we examine whether data from 2 weeks of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) questionnaires on stress and emotions (active EMA, aEMA) alongside temporal features and smartphone sensor data (passive EMA, pEMA) are able to predict FCs ~2.5 h into the future in N = 46 individuals. A logistic prediction approach with feature dimension reduction via Best Item Scale that is Cross-Validated, Weighted, Informative and Transparent (BISCWIT) was performed. While overall prediction accuracy was acceptable, passive sensing data alone was equally predictive to psychometric data. The frequency of which single predictors were considered for a model was rather balanced, indicating that aEMA and pEMA models were fully idiosyncratic.
Within the last decades cancer treatment improved by the availability of more specifically
acting drugs that address molecular target structures in cancer cells. However, those target-sensitive
drugs suffer from ongoing resistances resulting from mutations and moreover they are affected
by the cancer phenomenon of multidrug resistance. A multidrug resistant cancer can hardly be
treated with the common drugs, so that there have been long efforts to develop drugs to combat
that resistance. Transmembrane efflux pumps are the main cause of the multidrug resistance in
cancer. Early inhibitors disappointed in cancer treatment without a proof of expression of a respective
efflux pump. Recent studies in efflux pump expressing cancer show convincing effects of those
inhibitors. Based on the molecular symmetry of the efflux pump multidrug resistant protein (MRP) 4
we synthesized symmetric inhibitors with varied substitution patterns. They were evaluated in a
MRP4-overexpressing cancer cell line model to prove structure-dependent effects on the inhibition
of the efflux pump activity in an uptake assay of a fluorescent MRP4 substrate. The most active
compound was tested to resentisize the MRP4-overexpressing cell line towards a clinically relevant
anticancer drug as proof-of-principle to encourage for further preclinical studie
Contaminated surfaces have been discussed as a possible source of severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Under experimental conditions, SARS-CoV-2 can remain
infectious on surfaces for several days. However, the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 detection on surfaces
in healthcare settings and the public is currently not known. A systematic literature review was
performed. On surfaces around COVID-19 cases in healthcare settings (42 studies), the SARS-CoV2 RNA detection rates mostly were between 0% and 27% (Ct values mostly > 30). Detection of
infectious SARS-CoV-2 was only successful in one of seven studies in 9.2% of 76 samples. Most of the
positive samples were obtained next to a patient with frequent sputum spitting during sampling.
Eight studies were found with data from public surfaces and RNA detection rates between 0% and
22.1% (Ct values mostly > 30). Detection of infectious virus was not attempted. Similar results
were found in samples from surfaces around confirmed COVID-19 cases in non-healthcare settings
(7 studies) and from personal protective equipment (10 studies). Therefore, it seems plausible to
assume that inanimate surfaces are not a relevant source for transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In public
settings, the associated risks of regular surface disinfection probably outweigh the expectable health
benefit
With more than 25 million people affected, heart failure (HF) is a global threat. As energy
production pathways are known to play a pivotal role in HF, we sought here to identify key metabolic
changes in ischemic- and non-ischemic HF by using a multi-OMICS approach. Serum metabolites and
mRNAseq and epigenetic DNA methylation profiles were analyzed from blood and left ventricular
heart biopsy specimens of the same individuals. In total we collected serum from n = 82 patients
with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and n = 51 controls in the screening stage. We identified
several metabolites involved in glycolysis and citric acid cycle to be elevated up to 5.7-fold in DCM
(p = 1.7 × 10−6
). Interestingly, cardiac mRNA and epigenetic changes of genes encoding rate-limiting
enzymes of these pathways could also be found and validated in our second stage of metabolite
assessment in n = 52 DCM, n = 39 ischemic HF and n = 57 controls. In conclusion, we identified a
new set of metabolomic biomarkers for HF. We were able to identify underlying biological cascades
that potentially represent suitable intervention targets.
Cold physical plasma is a partially ionized gas expelling many reactive oxygen and nitrogen
species (ROS/RNS). Several plasma devices have been licensed for medical use in dermatology, and
recent experimental studies suggest their putative role in cancer treatment. In cancer therapies with
an immunological dimension, successful antigen presentation and inflammation modulation is a
key hallmark to elicit antitumor immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for this task. However,
the inflammatory consequences of DCs following plasma exposure are unknown. To this end,
human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) were expanded from isolated human primary monocytes;
exposed to plasma; and their metabolic activity, surface marker expression, and cytokine profiles
were analyzed. As controls, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid, and peroxynitrite were used.
Among all types of ROS/RNS-mediated treatments, plasma exposure exerted the most notable
increase of activation markers at 24 h such as CD25, CD40, and CD83 known to be crucial for T cell
costimulation. Moreover, the treatments increased interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, and IL-23. Altogether,
this study suggests plasma treatment augmenting costimulatory ligand and cytokine expression in
human moDCs, which might exert beneficial effects in the tumor microenvironment.
Unveiling the N-Terminal Homodimerization of BCL11B by Hybrid Solvent Replica-Exchange Simulations
(2021)
Transcription factors play a crucial role in regulating biological processes such as cell
growth, differentiation, organ development and cellular signaling. Within this group, proteins
equipped with zinc finger motifs (ZFs) represent the largest family of sequence-specific DNA-binding
transcription regulators. Numerous studies have proven the fundamental role of BCL11B for a
variety of tissues and organs such as central nervous system, T cells, skin, teeth, and mammary
glands. In a previous work we identified a novel atypical zinc finger domain (CCHC-ZF) which
serves as a dimerization interface of BCL11B. This domain and formation of the dimer were shown
to be critically important for efficient regulation of the BCL11B target genes and could therefore
represent a promising target for novel drug therapies. Here, we report the structural basis for
BCL11B–BCL11B interaction mediated by the N-terminal ZF domain. By combining structure
prediction algorithms, enhanced sampling molecular dynamics and fluorescence resonance energy
transfer (FRET) approaches, we identified amino acid residues indispensable for the formation of
the single ZF domain and directly involved in forming the dimer interface. These findings not only
provide deep insight into how BCL11B acquires its active structure but also represent an important
step towards rational design or selection of potential inhibitors.
COVID-19 Vaccinated Individuals Can Be a Source of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission—A Systematic Review
(2021)
Fundamental rights are probably given back earlier to COVID-19 vaccinated individuals
assuming that they cannot spread SARS-CoV-2 anymore. The objective of the study was to determine
if COVID-19 vaccinated individuals can still be the source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. PubMed
was searched for studies on 4 April 2021. All studies with original data on COVID-19 cases among
vaccinated individuals (phase III RCTs) and on viral load in the upper respiratory tract of vaccinated
macaques after a SARS-CoV-2 challenge were included. Symptomatic COVID-19 cases were found
in four trials among vaccinated participants although less frequently than among control subjects.
One study revealed asymptomatic COVID-19 cases in a similar frequency among 2.168 AZD1222-
vaccinated subjects (1.0%) compared to 2.223 control subjects (1.0%). In 15 studies with vaccinated
macaques, it was found that the load of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, subgenomic RNA and infectious virus
in the upper respiratory tract is variable. Sterilizing immunity was found in none of the animal
studies. Major limitations of the animal studies are that the SARS-CoV-2 challenge took place within
a few weeks of the final or only vaccine dose, that the viral challenge was often high and, in some
studies, administered by up to four routes. Based on current knowledge it seems clear that COVID-19
vaccinated individuals can still be the source of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
The innate immune system relies on families of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)
that detect distinct conserved molecular motifs from microbes to initiate antimicrobial responses.
Activation of PRRs triggers a series of signaling cascades, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory
cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobials, thereby contributing to the early host defense against
microbes and regulating adaptive immunity. Additionally, PRRs can detect perturbation of cellular
homeostasis caused by pathogens and fine-tune the immune responses. Among PRRs, nucleotide
binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) have attracted particular interest in the
context of cellular stress-induced inflammation during infection. Recently, mechanistic insights into
the monitoring of cellular homeostasis perturbation by NLRs have been provided. We summarize
the current knowledge about the disruption of cellular homeostasis by pathogens and focus on NLRs
as innate immune sensors for its detection. We highlight the mechanisms employed by various
pathogens to elicit cytoskeleton disruption, organelle stress as well as protein translation block, point
out exemplary NLRs that guard cellular homeostasis during infection and introduce the concept of
stress-associated molecular patterns (SAMPs). We postulate that integration of information about
microbial patterns, danger signals, and SAMPs enables the innate immune system with adequate
plasticity and precision in elaborating responses to microbes of variable virulence.
The thyroid gland is both a thyroid hormone (TH) generating as well as a TH responsive
organ. It is hence crucial that cathepsin-mediated proteolytic cleavage of the precursor thyroglobulin
is regulated and integrated with the subsequent export of TH into the blood circulation, which is
enabled by TH transporters such as monocarboxylate transporters Mct8 and Mct10. Previously, we
showed that cathepsin K-deficient mice exhibit the phenomenon of functional compensation through
cathepsin L upregulation, which is independent of the canonical hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis,
thus, due to auto-regulation. Since these animals also feature enhanced Mct8 expression, we aimed
to understand if TH transporters are part of the thyroid auto-regulatory mechanisms. Therefore,
we analyzed phenotypic differences in thyroid function arising from combined cathepsin K and
TH transporter deficiencies, i.e., in Ctsk-/-/Mct10-/-
, Ctsk-/-/Mct8-/y, and Ctsk-/-/Mct8-/y/Mct10-/-
.
Despite the impaired TH export, thyroglobulin degradation was enhanced in the mice lacking Mct8,
particularly in the triple-deficient genotype, due to increased cathepsin amounts and enhanced cysteine peptidase activities, leading to ongoing thyroglobulin proteolysis for TH liberation, eventually
causing self-thyrotoxic thyroid states. The increased cathepsin amounts were a consequence of
autophagy-mediated lysosomal biogenesis that is possibly triggered due to the stress accompanying
intrathyroidal TH accumulation, in particular in the Ctsk-/-/Mct8-/y/Mct10-/- animals. Collectively,
our data points to the notion that the absence of cathepsin K and Mct8 leads to excessive thyroglobulin
degradation and TH liberation in a non-classical pathway of thyroid auto-regulation.
: Platelets are components of the blood that are highly reactive, and they quickly respond
to multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes. In the last decade, it became clear that
platelets are the key components of circulation, linking hemostasis, innate, and acquired immunity.
Protein composition, localization, and activity are crucial for platelet function and regulation. The
current state of mass spectrometry-based proteomics has tremendous potential to identify and quantify thousands of proteins from a minimal amount of material, unravel multiple post-translational
modifications, and monitor platelet activity during drug treatments. This review focuses on the role
of proteomics in understanding the molecular basics of the classical and newly emerging functions
of platelets. including the recently described role of platelets in immunology and the development
of COVID-19.The state-of-the-art proteomic technologies and their application in studying platelet
biogenesis, signaling, and storage are described, and the potential of newly appeared trapped ion
mobility spectrometry (TIMS) is highlighted. Additionally, implementing proteomic methods in
platelet transfusion medicine, and as a diagnostic and prognostic tool, is discussed.
Harmonization of Biobank Education for Biobank Technicians: Identification of Learning Objectives
(2021)
: The quality of biospecimens stored in a biobank depends tremendously on the technical
personnel responsible for processing, storage, and release of biospecimens. Adequate training of
these biobank employees would allow harmonization of correct sample handling and thus ensure a
high and comparable quality of samples across biobank locations. However, in Germany there are no
specific training opportunities for technical biobank staff. To understand the educational needs of
the technical personnel a web-based survey was sent to all national biobanks via established e-mail
registers. In total, 79 biobank employees completed the survey, including 43 technicians. The majority
of the participating technical personnel stated that they had worked in a biobank for less than three
years and had never participated in an advanced training. Three-quarters of the technicians indicated
that they were not able to understand English content instantly. Based on these results and the results
of a workshop with 16 biobank technicians, 41 learning objectives were formulated. These learning
objectives can be used as a basis for advanced training programs for technical personnel in biobanks.
Setting up courses based on the identified learning objectives for this group of biobank staff could
contribute to harmonization and sustainability of biospecimen quality.
Myocardial infarction is a leading cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. The only
viable treatment for the ischemic insult is timely reperfusion, which further exacerbates myocardial
injury. Maintaining mitochondrial function is crucial in preserving cardiomyocyte function in
ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. Poloxamer (P) 188 has been shown to improve cardiac IR injury
by improving cellular and mitochondrial function. The aim of this study was to show if P188
postconditioning has direct protective effects on mitochondrial function in the heart. Langendorff
prepared rat hearts were subjected to IR injury ex-vivo and reperfused for 10 min with 1 mM P188
vs. vehicle. Cardiac mitochondria were isolated with 1 mM P188 vs. 1 mM polyethylene glycol
(PEG) vs. vehicle by differential centrifugation. Mitochondrial function was assessed by adenosine
triphosphate synthesis, oxygen consumption, and calcium retention capacity. Mitochondrial function
decreased significantly after ischemia and showed mild improvement with reperfusion. P188 did
not improve mitochondrial function in the ex-vivo heart, and neither further P188 nor PEG induced
direct mitochondrial protection after IR injury in this model.
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae causes severe diseases including sepsis, pneumonia
and wound infections and is differentiated into hypervirulent (hvKp) and classic (cKp) pathotypes.
hvKp isolates are characterized clinically by invasive and multiple site infection and phenotypically
in particular through hypermucoviscosity and increased siderophore production, enabled by the
presence of the respective virulence genes, which are partly carried on plasmids. Methods: Here, we
analyzed two K. pneumoniae isolates of a human patient that caused severe multiple site infection.
By applying both genomic and phenotypic experiments and combining basic science with clinical
approaches, we aimed at characterizing the clinical background as well as the two isolates in-depth.
This also included bioinformatics analysis of a chromosomal virulence plasmid integration event.
Results: Our genomic analysis revealed that the two isolates were clonal and belonged to sequence
type 420, which is not only the first description of this K. pneumoniae subtype in Germany but also
suggests belonging to the hvKp pathotype. The latter was supported by the clinical appearance and
our phenotypic findings revealing increased siderophore production and hypermucoviscosity similar
to an archetypical, hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strain. In addition, our in-depth bioinformatics
analysis suggested the insertion of a hypervirulence plasmid in the bacterial chromosome, mediated
by a new IS5 family sub-group IS903 insertion sequence designated ISKpn74. Conclusion: Our study
contributes not only to the understanding of hvKp and the association between hypervirulence and
clinical outcomes but reveals the chromosomal integration of a virulence plasmid, which might lead
to tremendous public health implications.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been subject of increasing interest in the pathophysiology and therapy of cancers in recent years. In skin cancer, ROS are involved in UV-induced tumorigenesis and its targeted treatment via, e.g., photodynamic therapy. Another recent technology for topical ROS generation is cold physical plasma, a partially ionized gas expelling dozens of reactive species onto its treatment target. Gas plasma technology is accredited for its wound-healing abilities in Europe, and current clinical evidence suggests that it may have beneficial effects against actinic keratosis. Since the concept of hormesis dictates that low ROS levels perform signaling functions, while high ROS levels cause damage, we investigated herein the antitumor activity of gas plasma in non-melanoma skin cancer. In vitro, gas plasma exposure diminished the metabolic activity, preferentially in squamous cell carcinoma cell (SCC) lines compared to non-malignant HaCaT cells. In patient-derived basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and SCC samples treated with gas plasma ex vivo, increased apoptosis was found in both cancer types. Moreover, the immunomodulatory actions of gas plasma treatment were found affecting, e.g., the expression of CD86 and the number of regulatory T-cells. The supernatants of these ex vivo cultured tumors were quantitatively screened for cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, identifying CCL5 and GM-CSF, molecules associated with skin cancer metastasis, to be markedly decreased. These findings suggest gas plasma treatment to be an interesting future technology for non-melanoma skin cancer topical therapy.
The early-life microbiome (ELM) interacts with the psychosocial environment, in particular during early-life adversity (ELA), defining life-long health trajectories. The ELM also plays a significant role in the maturation of the immune system. We hypothesised that, in this context, the resilience of the oral microbiomes, despite being composed of diverse and distinct communities, allows them to retain an imprint of the early environment. Using 16S amplicon sequencing on the EpiPath cohort, we demonstrate that ELA leaves an imprint on both the salivary and buccal oral microbiome 24 years after exposure to adversity. Furthermore, the changes in both communities were associated with increased activation, maturation, and senescence of both innate and adaptive immune cells, although the interaction was partly dependent on prior herpesviridae exposure and current smoking. Our data suggest the presence of multiple links between ELA, Immunosenescence, and cytotoxicity that occur through long-term changes in the microbiome.
Neutrophils in Tuberculosis: Cell Biology, Cellular Networking and Multitasking in Host Defense
(2021)
Neutrophils readily infiltrate infection foci, phagocytose and usually destroy microbes. In
tuberculosis (TB), a chronic pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb),
neutrophils harbor bacilli, are abundant in tissue lesions, and their abundances in blood correlate
with poor disease outcomes in patients. The biology of these innate immune cells in TB is complex.
Neutrophils have been assigned host-beneficial as well as deleterious roles. The short lifespan of
neutrophils purified from blood poses challenges to cell biology studies, leaving intracellular
biological processes and the precise consequences of Mtb–neutrophil interactions ill-defined. The
phenotypic heterogeneity of neutrophils, and their propensity to engage in cellular cross-talk and
to exert various functions during homeostasis and disease, have recently been reported, and such
observations are newly emerging in TB. Here, we review the interactions of neutrophils with Mtb,
including subcellular events and cell fate upon infection, and summarize the cross-talks between
neutrophils and lung-residing and -recruited cells. We highlight the roles of neutrophils in TB
pathophysiology, discussing recent findings from distinct models of pulmonary TB, and emphasize
technical advances that could facilitate the discovery of novel neutrophil-related disease
mechanisms and enrich our knowledge of TB pathogenesis
: Background: High-impact trauma frequently leads to injuries of the orbit, but literature
focusing on the viscerocranium rather than the neurocranium is underrepresented. Methods: Retrospective cohort study (2006–2014) at an urban level 1 trauma center assessing the frequency and
typical patterns of orbital injuries on whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) with maxillofacial
multi-slice CT (MSCT) after severe trauma. (1) Screening of consecutive WBCT cases for dedicated
maxillofacial MSCT. (2) Examination by two independent experts’ radiologists for (peri-/)orbital
injuries. (3) Case review for trauma mechanisms. Results: 1061 WBCT were included revealing 250
(23.6%) patients with orbital injuries. Less than one-quarter (23.3%) of patients showed osseous
and 9.5% showed soft tissue injuries. Combined osseous and soft tissue lesions were present in
39.2% of orbital injuries, isolated soft tissue injuries were rare. Single- or two-wall fractures of the
orbit were prevalent, and the orbital floor was affected in 67% of fractures. Dislocated extraocular
muscles (44.6%), deformation of the ocular globe (23.8%), and elongation of the optic nerve (12.9%)
were the most frequently soft tissue findings. Vascular trauma was suspected in 15.8% of patients.
Conclusions: Orbital trauma was confirmed in 23.6% of cases with suspected facial injuries after severe
trauma. Concomitant soft tissue injuries should be excluded explicitly in cases with orbital fractures
to prevent loss of vision or ocular motility.
Background: Gram-negative infections of the peritoneal cavity result in profound modifications of peritoneal B cell populations and induce the migration of peritoneal B cells to distant
secondary lymphoid organs. However, mechanisms controlling the egress of peritoneal B cells from
the peritoneal cavity and their subsequent trafficking remain incompletely understood. Sphingosine1-phosphate (S1P)-mediated signaling controls migratory processes in numerous immune cells. The
present work investigates the role of S1P-mediated signaling in peritoneal B cell trafficking under
inflammatory conditions. Methods: Differential S1P receptor expression after peritoneal B cell activation was assessed semi-quantitatively using RT-PCR in vitro. The functional implications of
differential S1P1 and S1P4 expression were assessed by transwell migration in vitro, by adoptive
peritoneal B cell transfer in a model of sterile lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peritonitis and in
the polymicrobial colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) model. Results: The two sphingosine-1-
phosphate receptors (S1PRs) expressed in peritoneal B cell subsets S1P1 and S1P4 are differentially
regulated upon stimulation with the TLR4 agonist LPS, but not upon PMA/ionomycin or B cell receptor (BCR) crosslinking. S1P4 deficiency affects both the trafficking of activated peritoneal B cells
to secondary lymphoid organs and the positioning of these cells within the functional compartments of the targeted organ. S1P4 deficiency in LPS-activated peritoneal B cells results in significantly reduced numbers of splenic innate response activator B cells. Conclusions: The S1P-S1PR system is implicated in the trafficking of LPS-activated peritoneal B cells. Given the protective role of peritoneal B1a B cells in peritoneal sepsis, further experiments to investigate the impact of S1P4 mediated signaling on the severity and mortality of peritoneal sepsis are warranted.
Fibroblasts contribute to approximately 20% of the non-cardiomyocytic cells in the heart. They play important roles in the myocardial adaption to stretch, inflammation, and other pathophysiological conditions. Fibroblasts are a major source of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins whose production is regulated by cytokines, such as TNF-α or TGF-β. The resulting myocardial fibrosis is a hallmark of pathological remodeling in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Therefore, in the present study, the secretome and corresponding transcriptome of human cardiac fibroblasts from patients with DCM was investigated under normal conditions and after TNF-α or TGF-β stimulation. Secreted proteins were quantified via mass spectrometry and expression of genes coding for secreted proteins was analyzed via Affymetrix Transcriptome Profiling. Thus, we provide comprehensive proteome and transcriptome data on the human cardiac fibroblast’s secretome. In the secretome of quiescent fibroblasts, 58% of the protein amount belonged to the ECM fraction. Interestingly, cytokines were responsible for 5% of the total protein amount in the secretome and up to 10% in the corresponding transcriptome. Furthermore, cytokine gene expression and secretion were upregulated upon TNF-α stimulation, while collagen secretion levels were elevated after TGF-β treatment. These results suggest that myocardial fibroblasts contribute to pro-fibrotic and to inflammatory processes in response to extracellular stimuli.
Sal (Shorea robusta) forests, a dominant forest type in Nepal, experience different disturbance intensities depending on management regimes. This study compares the impact of disturbance on Nepalese Sal forests, which are managed on three major management regimes: protected area, state-managed forest, and buffer zone community forest. Using a systematic sampling approach, we sampled 20 plots, each covering 500 square meters, and nested plots within each main plot to measure pole and regeneration for each management regime. We recorded forest characteristics including tree species, counts, diameter, height, crown cover, and disturbance indicators. We compared forest attributes such as diversity indices, species richness, and stand structure by management regime using analysis of variance and regression analysis. The forest management regimes were classified into three disturbance levels based on disturbance factor bundles, and the buffer zone community forest was found to have the highest disturbance while the protected forest had the lowest disturbance. Species richness, diversity, evenness, abundance, density and basal area were higher, but regeneration was lower in protected area and state-managed forest compared to the buffer zone community forests. This suggests positive impacts of moderate disturbance on regeneration. The management plan should prioritize the minimization of excessive disturbance to balance forest conservation and provide forest resources to local users.
Endothelial dysfunction (ED) comes with age, even without overt vessel damage such as that which occurs in atherosclerosis and diabetic vasculopathy. We hypothesized that aging would affect the downstream signalling of the endothelial nitric oxide (NO) system in the vascular smooth muscle (VSM). With this in mind, resistance mesenteric arteries were isolated from 13-week (juvenile) and 40-week-old (aged) mice and tested under isometric conditions using wire myography. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced relaxation was reduced in aged as compared to juvenile vessels. Pretreatment with L-NAME, which inhibits nitrix oxide synthases (NOS), decreased ACh-mediated vasorelaxation, whereby differences in vasorelaxation between groups disappeared. Endothelium-independent vasorelaxation by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was similar in both groups; however, SNP bolus application (10−6 mol L−1) as well as soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activation by runcaciguat (10−6 mol L−1) caused faster responses in juvenile vessels. This was accompanied by higher cGMP concentrations and a stronger response to the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil in juvenile vessels. Mesenteric arteries and aortas did not reveal apparent histological differences between groups (van Gieson staining). The mRNA expression of the α1 and α2 subunits of sGC was lower in aged animals, as was PDE5 mRNA expression. In conclusion, vasorelaxation is compromised at an early age in mice even in the absence of histopathological alterations. Vascular smooth muscle sGC is a key element in aged vessel dysfunction.
The therapeutic efficacy of a cardiovascular device after implantation is highly dependent on the host-initiated complement and coagulation cascade. Both can eventually trigger thrombosis and inflammation. Therefore, understanding these initial responses of the body is of great importance for newly developed biomaterials. Subtle modulation of the associated biological processes could optimize clinical outcomes. However, our failure to produce truly blood compatible materials may reflect our inability to properly understand the mechanisms of thrombosis and inflammation associated with biomaterials. In vitro models mimicking these processes provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of biomaterial-induced complement activation and coagulation. Here, we review (i) the influence of biomaterials on complement and coagulation cascades, (ii) the significance of complement-coagulation interactions for the clinical success of cardiovascular implants, (iii) the modulation of complement activation by surface modifications, and (iv) in vitro testing strategies.
EGFR is overexpressed in the majority of clear cell renal cell carcinomas (CCRCCs). Although EGFR deregulation was found to be of great significance in CCRCC biology, the EGFR
overexpression is not associated with EGFR-targeted therapy responsiveness. Moreover, the prognostic role of EGFR expression remains controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the role
played by EGFR overexpression in CCRCC and its prognostic significance associated with different
immunohistochemical localization patterns. In our study, the Total Score (TS) related to membranouscytoplasmic EGFR expression showed a significant correlation with grade, pathologic stage (pT),
and Stage, Size, Grade, and Necrosis (SSIGN) score, and a negative correlation with nuclear EGFR
expression. No significant correlations were shown between nuclear EGFR and clinic-pathological
features. Additionally, a correlation between SGLT1 expression levels and pT was described. Multivariate analysis identifies pT and SSIGN score as independent prognostic factors for CCRCC. A
significantly increased survival rate was found in the case of positive expression of nuclear EGFR
and SGLT1. Based on our findings, SGLT1 and nuclear EGFR overexpression defines a subgroup of
CCRCC patients with good prognosis. Membranous-cytoplasmic EGFR expression was shown to be
a poor prognostic factor and could define a CCRCC subgroup with poor prognosis that should be
responsive to anti-EGFR therapies
FAM159B is a so-called adaptor protein. These proteins are essential components in numerous cell signalling pathways. However, little is known regarding FAM159B expression in normal and neoplastic human tissues. The commercially available rabbit polyclonal anti-human FAM159B antibody HPA011778 was initially characterised for its specificity using Western blot analyses and immunocytochemistry and then applied to a large series of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded normal and neoplastic human tissue samples. Confirmation of FAM159B’s predicted size and antibody specificity was achieved in BON-1 cells, a neuroendocrine tumour cell line endogenously expressing FAM159B, using targeted siRNA. Immunocytochemical experiments additionally revealed cytoplasmic expression of the adaptor protein. Immunohistochemical staining detected FAM159B expression in neuronal and neuroendocrine tissues such as the cortex, the trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root and intestinal ganglia, the pancreatic islets and the neuroendocrine cells of the bronchopulmonary and gastrointestinal tract, but also in the syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta. FAM159B was also expressed in many of the 28 tumour entities investigated, with high levels in medullary and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, parathyroid adenomas, lung and ovarian carcinomas, lymphomas and neuroendocrine tumours of different origins. The antibody HPA011778 can act as a useful tool for basic research and identifying FAM159B expression in tissue samples.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are reminiscent of their cell of origin and thus represent a
valuable source of biomarkers. However, for EVs to be used as biomarkers in clinical practice, simple,
comparable, and reproducible analytical methods must be applied. Although progress is being
made in EV separation methods for human biofluids, the implementation of EV assays for clinical
diagnosis and common guidelines are still lacking. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of
established EV separation techniques from human serum and plasma, including ultracentrifugation
and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), followed by concentration using (a) ultracentrifugation,
(b) ultrafiltration, or (c) precipitation, and immunoaffinity isolation. We analyzed the size, number,
protein, and miRNA content of the obtained EVs and assessed the functional delivery of EV cargo.
Our results demonstrate that all methods led to an adequate yield of small EVs. While no significant
difference in miRNA content was observed for the different separation methods, ultracentrifugation
was best for subsequent flow cytometry analysis. Immunoaffinity isolation is not suitable for
subsequent protein analyses. SEC + ultracentrifugation showed the best functional delivery of
EV cargo. In summary, combining SEC with ultracentrifugation gives the highest yield of pure
and functional EVs and allows reliable analysis of both protein and miRNA contents. We propose
this combination as the preferred EV isolation method for biomarker studies from human serum
or plasma.
PIM1 Inhibition Affects Glioblastoma Stem Cell Behavior and Kills Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells
(2021)
Despite comprehensive therapy and extensive research, glioblastoma (GBM) still represents the most aggressive brain tumor in adults. Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are thought to play a major role in tumor progression and resistance of GBM cells to radiochemotherapy. The PIM1 kinase has become a focus in cancer research. We have previously demonstrated that PIM1 is involved in survival of GBM cells and in GBM growth in a mouse model. However, little is known about the importance of PIM1 in cancer stem cells. Here, we report on the role of PIM1 in GBM stem cell behavior and killing. PIM1 inhibition negatively regulates the protein expression of the stem cell markers CD133 and Nestin in GBM cells (LN-18, U-87 MG). In contrast, CD44 and the astrocytic differentiation marker GFAP were up-regulated. Furthermore, PIM1 expression was increased in neurospheres as a model of GBM stem-like cells. Treatment of neurospheres with PIM1 inhibitors (TCS PIM1-1, Quercetagetin, and LY294002) diminished the cell viability associated with reduced DNA synthesis rate, increased caspase 3 activity, decreased PCNA protein expression, and reduced neurosphere formation. Our results indicate that PIM1 affects the glioblastoma stem cell behavior, and its inhibition kills glioblastoma stem-like cells, pointing to PIM1 targeting as a potential anti-glioblastoma therapy.
Doxorubicin is a frequently used anticancer drug to treat many types of tumors, such as breast cancer or bronchial carcinoma. The clinical use of doxorubicin is limited by its poorly predictable cardiotoxicity, the reasons of which are so far not fully understood. The drug is a substrate of several efflux transporters such as P-gp or BCRP and was recently reported to be a substrate of cation uptake transporters. To evaluate the potential role of transporter proteins in the accumulation of doxorubicin at its site of action (e.g., mammary carcinoma cells) or adverse effects (e.g., heart muscle cells), we studied the expression of important uptake and efflux transporters in human breast cancer and cardiac tissue, and investigated the affinity of doxorubicin to the identified transporters. The cellular uptake studies on doxorubicin were performed with OATP1A2*1, OATP1A2*2, and OATP1A2*3-overexpressing HEK293 cells, as well as OCT1-, OCT2-, and OCT3- overexpressing MDCKII cells. To assess the contribution of transporters to the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin, we determined the cell viability in the presence and absence of transporter inhibitors in different cell lines. Several transporters, including P-gp, BCRP, OCT1, OCT3, and OATP1A2 were expressed in human heart and/or breast cancer tissue. Doxorubicin could be identified as a substrate of OCT1, OCT2, OCT3, and OATP1A2. The cellular uptake into cells expressing genetic OATP1A2 variants was markedly reduced and correlated well with the increased cellular viability. Inhibition of OATP1A2 (naringin) and OCT transporters (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) resulted in a significant decrease of doxorubicin-mediated cytotoxicity in cell lines expressing the respective transporters. Similarly, the excipient Cremophor EL significantly inhibited the OCT1-3- and OATP1A2-mediated cellular uptake and attenuated the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin. In conclusion, genetic and environmental-related variability in the expression and function of these transporters may contribute to the substantial variability seen in terms of doxorubicin efficacy and toxicity.
Background/Aims
Prematurely born infants undergo costly, stressful eye examinations to uncover the small fraction with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that needs treatment to prevent blindness. The aim was to develop a prediction tool (DIGIROP-Screen) with 100% sensitivity and high specificity to safely reduce screening of those infants not needing treatment. DIGIROP-Screen was compared with four other ROP models based on longitudinal weights.
Methods
Data, including infants born at 24–30 weeks of gestational age (GA), for DIGIROP-Screen development (DevGroup, N=6991) originate from the Swedish National Registry for ROP. Three international cohorts comprised the external validation groups (ValGroups, N=1241). Multivariable logistic regressions, over postnatal ages (PNAs) 6–14 weeks, were validated. Predictors were birth characteristics, status and age at first diagnosed ROP and essential interactions.
Results
ROP treatment was required in 287 (4.1%)/6991 infants in DevGroup and 49 (3.9%)/1241 in ValGroups. To allow 100% sensitivity in DevGroup, specificity at birth was 53.1% and cumulatively 60.5% at PNA 8 weeks. Applying the same cut-offs in ValGroups, specificities were similar (46.3% and 53.5%). One infant with severe malformations in ValGroups was incorrectly classified as not needing screening. For all other infants, at PNA 6–14 weeks, sensitivity was 100%. In other published models, sensitivity ranged from 88.5% to 100% and specificity ranged from 9.6% to 45.2%.
Conclusions
DIGIROP-Screen, a clinical decision support tool using readily available birth and ROP screening data for infants born GA 24–30 weeks, in the European and North American populations tested can safely identify infants not needing ROP screening. DIGIROP-Screen had equal or higher sensitivity and specificity compared with other models. DIGIROP-Screen should be tested in any new cohort for validation and if not validated it can be modified using the same statistical approaches applied to a specific clinical setting.
Introduction
Stroke is the leading neurological cause of adult long-term disability in Europe. Even though functional consequences directly related to neurological impairment are well studied, post-stroke trajectories of functional health according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health are poorly understood. Particularly, no study investigated the relationship between post-stroke trajectories of activities of daily living (ADL) and self-rated health (SRH). However, such knowledge is of major importance to identify patients at risk of unfavourable courses. This prospective observational study aims to investigate trajectories of ADL and SRH, and their modifying factors in the course of the first year after stroke.
Methods and analysis
The study will consecutively enrol 300 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA; Age, Blood Pressure, Clinical Features, Duration of symptoms, Diabetes score ≥3). Patient inclusion is planned from May 2021 to September 2022. All participants will complete an interview assessing ADL, SRH, mental health, views on ageing and resilience-related concepts. Participants will be interviewed face-to-face 1–5 days post-stroke/TIA in the hospital; and will be followed up after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months via telephone. The 12-month follow-up will also include a neurological assessment. Primary endpoints are ADL operationalised by modified Rankin Scale scores and SRH. Secondary outcomes are further measures of ADL, functional health, physical activity, falls and fatigue. Views on ageing, social support, resilience-related concepts, affect, frailty, illness perceptions and loneliness will be examined as modifying factors. Analyses will investigate the bidirectional relationship between SRH and ADL using bivariate latent change score models.
Ethics and dissemination
The study has been approved by the institutional review board of the University Medicine Greifswald (Ref. BB 237/20). The results will be disseminated through scientific publications, conferences and media. Moreover, study results and potential implications will be discussed with patient representatives.
Trial registration number NCT04704635.
AbstractWe propose a new scattering mechanism of Rydberg excitons, i.e., those with high principal quantum numbers, namely scattering by coupled LO phonon-plasmon modes, which becomes possible due to small differences in energies of the states due to different quantum defects. Already in very low-density electron–hole plasmas these provide a substantial contribution to the excitonic linewidth. This effect should allow determining plasma densities by a simple line shape analysis. Whenever one expects that low-density electron–hole plasma is present the plasmon induced broadening is of high significance and must be taken into account in the interpretation.
Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have been recently described as rare complications following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with vector vaccines. We report a case of a young woman who presented with VITT and cerebral CVST 7 days following vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca). While the initial MRI was considered void of pathological findings, MRI 3 days later revealed extensive CVST of the transversal and sigmoidal sinus with intracerebral haemorrhage. Diagnostic tests including a platelet-factor-4-induced platelet activation assay confirmed the diagnosis of VITT. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and argatroban resulted in a normalisation of platelet counts and remission of CVST.
AbstractThe performance of a positively biased external ring anode in combination with a hollow cathode (HC) discharge or a magnetron sputtering (MS) discharge, both with a Ti cathode and with Ar as working gas, is investigated. Plasma and floating potential increase as function of anode voltage. Energy-resolved mass spectrometry reveals that the kinetic energy of argon and titanium ions is enhanced by a positive anode voltage allowing for an effective energy control of plasma ions.
AbstractInfrared IR absorption spectra of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) microparticles confined in an rf plasma are studied at different plasma conditions. Several absorption peaks have been analysed in dependence of plasma power and their temporal evolution. For comparison, the IR absorption spectra of heated MF microparticles without plasma exposition are used to determine the general influence of the temperature on the IR spectra. Measuring the temperature of the particles inside the plasma shows that the temperature is not the only process changing the particles’ IR spectra. Chemical changes of the MF particles with increasing plasma power influence the absorption peak structure.
Digitale Medien verändern, wie literarische Texte geschrieben werden und wie erzählt wird. Zugleich verändern sie die Auffassung von Gegenwart. Vor diesem Hintergrund fragt der Band nach dem Status von Gegenwartsliteratur nach der Digitalisierung: Welche Rolle spielen neue Zeitkonzepte für das Schreiben? Welche Formen der Zeitreflexion prägen Romane der letzten 15 Jahre? Welche neuen Schreibweisen werden in digitalen Medien entwickelt?
AbstractThe efficient operation of a tokamak is limited by several constraints, such as the transition to high confinement or the density limits occurring in both confinement regimes. These particular boundaries of operation are derived in terms of a combination of dimensionless parameters describing interchange-drift-Alfvén turbulence without any free adjustable parameter. The derived boundaries describe the operational space at the separatrix of the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak, which is presented in terms of an electron density and temperature existence diagram. The derived density limits are compared against Greenwald scaling. The power threshold and role of ion heat flux for the transition to high confinement are discussed.
Fast 3D particle reconstruction using a convolutional neural network: application to dusty plasmas
(2021)
AbstractWe present an algorithm to reconstruct the three-dimensional positions of particles in a dense cloud of particles in a dusty plasma using a convolutional neural network. The approach is found to be very fast and yields a relatively high accuracy. In this paper, we describe and examine the approach regarding the particle number and the reconstruction accuracy using synthetic data and experimental data. To show the applicability of the approach the 3D positions of particles in a dense dust cloud in a dusty plasma under weightlessness are reconstructed from stereoscopic camera images using the prescribed neural network.
AbstractAnalytical results for the dielectric function in RPA are derived for three-, two-, and one-dimensional semiconductors in the weakly-degenerate limit. Based on this limit, quantum corrections are derived. Further attention is devoted to systems with linear carrier dispersion and the resulting Dirac-cone physics.
Background and aim
To report the six-month safety analyses among patients enrolled in the “Physical Fitness Training in Subacute Stroke—PHYS-STROKE” trial and identify underlying risk factors associated with serious adverse events.
Methods
We performed a pre-specified safety analysis of a multicenter, randomized controlled, endpoint-blinded trial comprising 200 patients with moderate to severe subacute stroke (days 5–45 after stroke) that were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either aerobic, bodyweight supported, treadmill-based training (n = 105), or relaxation sessions (n = 95, control group). Each intervention session lasted for 25 min, five times weekly for four weeks, in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy. Serious adverse events defined as cerebro- and cardiovascular events, readmission to hospital, and death were assessed during six months of follow-up. Incident rate ratios (IRR) were calculated, and Poisson regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for serious adverse events and to test the association with aerobic training.
Results
Six months after stroke, 50 serious adverse events occurred in the trial with a higher incidence rate (per 100 patient-months) in the training group compared to the relaxation group (6.31 vs. 3.22; IRR 1.70, 95% CI 0.96 to 3.12). The association of aerobic training with serious adverse events incidence rates were modified by diabetes mellitus (IRR for interaction: 7.10, 95% CI 1.56 to 51.24) and by atrial fibrillation (IRR for interaction: 4.37, 95% CI 0.97 to 31.81).
Conclusions
Safety analysis of the PHYS-STROKE trial found a higher rate of serious adverse events in patients randomized to aerobic training compared to control within six months after stroke. Exploratory analyses found an association between serious adverse events occurrence in the aerobic training group with pre-existing diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation which should be further investigated in future trials.
Data access statement
The raw data and analyses scripts are provided by the authors on a secure online repository for reproduction of reported findings.
Universal products provide an axiomatic framework to study noncommutative independences general enough to include, besides the well known "single-faced" case (i.e., tensor, free, Boolean, monotone and antimonotone independence), also more recent "multi-faced" examples like bifree independence. Questions concerning classification have been fully answered in the single-faced case, but are in general still open in the multi-faced case. In this thesis we discuss how one can use insights in the relation between universal products and their associated moment-cumulant formula as a starting point towards a combinatorial approach to (multi-faced) universal products. We define certain classes of partitions and discuss why the defining axioms are sufficient to associate to each of them a multi-faced universal product. For the two-faced case we present our result that every positive and symmetric universal product can be produced in this fashion and we outline how these results might contribute to a classification of positive and symmetric universal products.
Primary tooth trauma occurs commonly during the development of motor coordination. Its consequences do not only affect the traumatized primary tooth but may affect the underlying permanent successor as well. Its management may involve very high costs on patients and insurance companies and complicated injuries can have negative effects on the quality of life of preschool children. Investigating the causes and patterns of trauma in primary teeth are highly needed to aim for preventive measures. This retrospective study compared the patterns of dental trauma injuries at the trauma center at Greifswald University/Germany for a recent pediatric cohort (2014-16, 103 children) with a historic one before the German unification and the health care system reformation (1974-1989, n=120). The data contained details on etiology, injury types and treatment delivered for 450 injured teeth (247 historic, 203 recent). In both cohorts, the occurrence was more common in males than females (63%/55%, resp.) with an age peak from 2 to 6 years. Maxillary incisors were most affected (89.6%/88.6%, resp.) and periodontal ligament injuries dominated (77.8%/90.3%, resp.).
Almost half of the injuries occurred at home (46.6%), mostly due to falling (48.5%) or during playing (37.8%) in the recent pediatric cohort which provided better forensic data due to insurance issues and potential concern about child abuse. Advice and follow up was the most common approach in the recent pediatric cohort (76%).
Trauma patterns in the primary dentition seem to be rather universal due to the activities of small children and their anatomic conditions. Trauma to primary dentition occurred mostly at home or in the nurseries and possibly is hard to avoid due to falls or accidents during normal playing. Even after 30 years and a change in the health care system due to German unification, the patterns remain similar.
2
Therapeutische Antikörper können unerwartete Wirkungen verursachen, wenn das Zielantigen nicht nur auf den Zielzellen exprimiert wird. Ein gegen das CD38-Antigen gerichteter Antikörper, Daratumumab (DARA), wurde für die Behandlung des multiplen Myeloms entwickelt. Allerdings beeinträchtigt dieser Antikörper erheblich die Verträglichkeitsuntersuchungen zwischen Blutkonserve und Patientenplasma vor der Transfusion von Erythrozytenkonzentraten.
CD38 wird auch auf Erythrozyten (RBCs) exprimiert. Durch die Bindung von DARA an die Spendererythrozyten wird im indirekten Antihumanglobulintest (IAT) eine in vitro Unverträglichkeit mit allen Testerythrozyten angezeigt. Dies wird dadurch verursacht, dass das erforderliche Antihumanglubulin (AHG) humanes IgG bindet, unabhängig davon, welches Zielantigen dieser Antikörper hat. Infolgedessen können Agglutinationen durch transfusionsrelevante Antikörper im Patientenplasma von DARA-induzieretn Agglutinationen nicht unterschieden werden, wodurch das Risiko für akute hämolytische Transfusionsreaktionen steigt.
Daraus ergab sich die Fragestellung für meine Arbeit – eine Modifikation für den IAT zu finden, der diese Interferenz auflöst. Ich habe zwei neue Strategien verfolgt: i) die Adsorption von DARA aus dem Patientenplasma mit CD38-exprimierenden peripheren Blutzellen, ii) die Blockung der DARA-Bindungsstelle auf Erythrozyten, ohne dass die Bindung von transfusionsrelevanten erythrozytären Antikörpern behindert wird.
Für den ersten Ansatz konnte ich PBMCs als die Zellen identifizieren, die die höchste CD38 Expression zeigten. Leider konnte die Inkubation von DARA-gespiktem Plasma selbst nach mehreren Adsorptionsschritten die Interferenz im IAT nicht vollständig beseitigen. Auch die Durchführung der Methode erwies sich als nicht praktikabel für ein Routine-Diagnostiklabor. Für den zweiten Ansatz habe ich mit Hilfe von Pepsin F(ab‘)2 Fragmente von DARA hergestellt um damit die DARA-Bindungsstelle auf den Erythrozyten zu blockieren, damit das AHG nur an gebundene transfusionsrelevante Antikörper bindet. Die Zugabe von DARA F(ab´)2 Fragmenten zu den Testerythrozyten konnte die DARA-induzierten Agglutinationen im IAT verhindern und im Plasma vorhandene erythrozytäre Alloantikörper sichtbar und differenzierbar machen. Weiterhin konnte ich nachweisen, dass die Zugabe von DARA (Fab´)2 Fragmenten nicht die Sensitivität der Teste im Gelzentrifugationstest und im Capture® beeinträchtigt. Experimente mit Plasma von Myelom-Patienten vor und nach der DARA-Infusion bestätigten die Ergebnisse. Die Verwendung von F(ab‘)2 Fragmenten ist ein vielversprechendes Verfahren, um Interferenzen von therapeutischen Antikörpern im IAT der prätransfusionellen Diagnostik aufzulösen - nicht nur für Daratumumab.
Hintergrund: Das gemeinsame Auftreten von verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren, speziell das Tabakrauchen, der gesundheitsriskante Alkoholkonsum, Übergewicht/Adipositas und mangelnde körperliche Aktivität stellt eine enorme Herausforderung für die öffentliche Gesundheit dar. Aktuell ist deren Verbreitung sowie deren soziodemografische Prädiktoren bei Krankenhauspatient*innen mit nicht-übertragbaren Erkrankungen unzureichend beschrieben.
Ziel: Zum einen untersuchte diese Arbeit die Verbreitung der vier verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren bei Krankenhauspatient*innen. Zum anderen wurden soziodemografische Prädiktoren der verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren bei Krankenhauspatient*innen mit nicht-übertragbaren Erkrankungen, d.h. mit kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen, Krebserkrankungen, chronischen Erkrankungen des Atmungssystems sowie Diabetes mellitus Typ II, untersucht.
Methode: An einem Universitätsklinikum in Vorpommern wurde über 17 Monate hinweg ein systematisches Patientenscreening hinsichtlich derer verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren sowie soziodemografischen Faktoren durchgeführt. Insgesamt konnten 5.762 Patient*innen im Alter von 18 bis 64 Jahren in die Studie eingeschlossen werden. Zur Feststellung der Verbreitung von verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren wurden Häufigkeiten sowie 95%-Konfidenzintervalle ermittelt. Zur Untersuchung von Prädiktoren verhaltensbasierter Risikofaktoren wurden logistische Regressionen durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse: Von allen Krankenhauspatient*innen litten über die Hälfte an nicht-übertragbaren Erkrankungen (n=3.214, 55,7 %). Insgesamt wiesen in allen vier untersuchten Fachabteilungen des Krankenhauses 96,2 % der Patient*innen (58,6 % männlich) mindestens einen und 71,4 % zwei oder mehr verhaltensbasierte Risikofaktoren auf. In der Subgruppe der Krankenhauspatient*innen mit nicht-übertragbaren Erkrankungen waren die Häufigkeiten vergleichbar. Über fast alle Erkrankungsgruppen hinweg zeigte sich, dass es bei den verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren zu einem eher homogenen Auftreten hinsichtlich ihrer soziodemografischen Prädiktoren kam.
Diskussion: Es besteht ein ausgesprochener Bedarf an systematischen Screening- sowie Interventionsmaßnahmen bei Krankenhauspatient*innen hinsichtlich ihrer verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren. Dabei sollten v.a. multiple Risikoverhaltensmuster gleichzeitig adressiert werden. Maßnahmen zur Prävention sollten zielgruppenorientiert entwickelt und umgesetzt werden, wobei soziodemografische Unterschiede bei verhaltensbasierten Risikofaktoren zu berücksichtigen sind. Im Sinne der Primär-, Sekundär- sowie Tertiärprävention sollte das Auftreten nicht-übertragbarer Erkrankungen bei bislang noch nicht erkrankten Patient*innen verhindert und der Behandlungserfolg sowie die Prognose bei bereits erkrankten Patient*innen verbessert werden.
Die gestörte Glukosetoleranz (engl. impaired glucose tolerance, IGT) ist eines der präsymptomatischen Zustände des Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) und erfordert zur Diagnose einen oralen Glukosetoleranztest (oGTT). Ziele dieser Arbeit waren:
1) die Identifikation einer Metabolitsignatur zur Vorhersage einer IGT,
2) die pathophysiologische Einordnung der bedeutendsten Assoziationen und
3) die Identifizierung von Untergruppen innerhalb der IGT-Population, um so erste
Hinweise auf eine Patientenstratifizierung anhand objektivierbarer Metabolitmarker im
Blut zu erlangen.
Dazu dienten Metabolomdaten basierend auf Massenspektrometrie und Kernspinresonanzspektroskopie von 827 Teilnehmern der Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)-TREND. Durch einen targeted und non-targeted Anlayseansatz konnte ein breites Spektrum an Metaboliten erfasst und mithilfe statistischer und bioinformatischer Methoden die Assoziationen zum oGTT-Outcome, zur 2-Stunden Insulinkonzentration und daraus abgeleitet zur IGT, ausgewertet werden. Aus über 100 assoziierten Molekülen konnten beteiligte Stoffwechselwege, wie etwa der Katabolismus von verzweigtkettigen Aminosäuren und Veränderungen im Lipoprotein- und Fettstoffwechsel herausgearbeitet werden. Zudem konnte eine integrative Signatur zur Vorhersage einer IGT abgeleitet werden. Es wurde ein verbessertes IGT-Prädiktionsmodell etabliert, welches auf einer Kombination von Metaboliten und klinischen Merkmalen basiert. Diese Befunde sind jedoch in klinischen Studien zu prüfen. Über Verfahren des maschinellen Lernens konnten zwei Cluster innerhalb der IGT-Population identifiziert werden. Die IGT-Cluster spiegeln möglicherweise unterschiedlich fortgeschrittene IGT-Stadien oder verschiedene Ätiopathogenesen wider. Metabolitsignaturen könnten demnach gegebenenfalls eine frühzeitige Patientenstratifizierung ermöglichen. Somit wären bereits IGT-Patienten einem Risikoprofil zuzuordnen, was eine zuverlässigere T2DM- Risikoprognose erlauben würde. Durch rechtzeitige Präventivmaßnahmen bei IGT-betroffenen Personen könnte die Manifestation eines T2DM unter Umständen verhindert werden.
Die hier vorgestellten Befunde sind jedoch als vorläufig zu betrachten und bedürfen einer Replikation in unabhängigen Studien. Die Subtypen-Klassifizierung sollte idealerweise in einer längsschnittlichen Follow-up-Studie examiniert werden, um eine tatsächliche klinische Relevanz zu belegen. Von besonderer Bedeutung wäre dabei die Untersuchung der IGT-Cluster im Follow-up hinsichtlich eines Ansprechens auf allgemeine Interventionsmaßnahmen wie z.B. Lebensstiländerungen aber auch hinsichtlich einer spontanen IGT-Regredienz oder Progression zu einem T2DM und damit einhergehenden Komplikationen.
Die Grundlamelle der mittleren Nasenmuschel – dreidimensionale Struktur und klinische Anatomie
(2021)
Die Basallamelle der mittleren Nasenmuschel (3BL) ist eine anatomische Landmarkenstruktur, welche in der endoskopischen transnasalen Schädelbasischirurgie verstanden werden muss. Sie besteht aus einem vorderen vertikalen und einem hinteren horizontalen Anteil und erscheint in ihrer einfachsten Darstellung – wenn man sie von der Seite betrachtet – „L“-förmig. In dieser Studie analysierten wir ihre dreidimensionale (3D) Morphologie sowie Variationen mit Fokus auf eine präzise und systematische Beschreibung der angewandten Anatomie.
Digitale Volumentomographien (DVT) von 25 Erwachsenen, 19 Kadaver und 6 Schädeln (insgesamt: 100 Kopfhälften) wurden mit der 3DSlicer-Software untersucht und somit 3D-Modelle der 3BL erstellt. Wir haben eine geometrische Klassifizierung der Form der 3BL eingeführt, basierend auf Segmenten. Wir analysierten ihre Parameter und Beziehung zu benachbarten anatomischen Strukturen.
Bei seitlicher Betrachtung gab es kein konsistentes „L“-förmiges Erscheinungsbild der 3BL, wie es sonst oft zitiert wird. Zur Beschreibung der 3BL wurde eine Klassifikation von 9 Segmentarten verwendet. Die 3BL hatten durchschnittlich 2,95 ± 0,70 Segmente (Median: 3), am häufigsten war die Horizontalplatte (23,05 % aller Segmente), danach die konkav-konvexe Platte (22,71 %) und die Sigmaplatte (22,37 %). Weitere Arten waren selten. Wir identifizierten eine Horizontalplatte in 68 % der Basallamellen, während 32 % der 3BL vertikal gerichtet waren. Die sigma – konkav-konvex – horizontale trisegmentale 3BL war der häufigste Phänotyp (27 %). Insgesamt war das sigma – konkav-konvexe Muster in 42 % erkennbar. 87 % der 3BL hafteten an der Bulla ethmoidalis.
Die Segmentierungsmethode erschien geeignet, die Morphologie der 3BL adäquat zu beschreiben. Diese Studie kann helfen, durch die Klassifizierung der anatomischen Variationen die intraoperative Orientierung während der Siebbeindissektion zu verbessern.
Diese kumulative Doktorarbeit fasst unsere kürzlich erschienene Publikation zusammen [1].
Die Messung der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration bei Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz während der Dialyse stellt eine neue nicht-invasive Methode zur Evaluation des Dialyseerfolges dar.
Ziel dieser Studie ist es die endexspiratorische Ammoniakkonzentration von Patienten mit terminaler Niereninsuffizienz während der Dialyse zu messen, um einen signifikanten Abfall der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration während des Dialysevorganges nachzuweisen. Des Weiteren gilt es Einflussfaktoren auf die endexspiratorische Ammoniakkonzentration vor der Dialyse zu finden sowie eine mögliche positive Korrelation zwischen der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration und der Harnstoffkonzentration im Blut zu untersuchen.
Insgesamt wurden 45 Dialysepatienten (22 Frauen, 23 Männer) im Alter zwischen
dem 28. und dem 85. Lebensjahren für diese Studie rekrutiert. Es erfolgte eine standardisierte Befragung der Patienten bezüglich ihrer Vorerkrankungen und kardiovaskulären Risikofaktoren. Die restlichen relevanten Diagnosen wurden aus den Krankenunterlagen entnommen. Neben der Messung der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration erfolgten laborchemische Bestimmungen der Ammoniakkonzentration im EDTA-Blut ebenfalls vor und nach der Dialyse. Auch weitere Laborparameter, wie Aspartataminotransferase, Alaninaminotransferase, Gamma-Glutamyl-Transferase, Harnstoff, Kreatinin sowie Hämoglobin HbA1c wurden mitbestimmt. Die Analyse der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration erfolgte mittels des durchstimmbaren Infrarotdiodenlasers unter der Anwendung der Absorptionsspektroskopie als eine hoch sensitive und selektive Methode zur Bestimmung der organischen Atembestandteile.
Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen einen signifikanten Abfall der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentrationen im Verlauf der Dialyse (mediane Werte: von 236,3 ppb
auf 120,6 ppb (p < 0,001)). Beim genaueren Betrachten des individuellen Verlaufs von Dialysepatienten fällt auf, dass 18 Patienten mit einer hohen endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration vor der Dialyse (über 300 ppb) einen deutlichen Abfall (> 100 ppb) im Verlauf der Behandlung aufweisen. Von den Patienten, bei denen vor der Dialyse ein niedriger Atemammoniakspiegel (< 300 ppb) erfasst wurde, zeigten sich bei fünf Probanden ein deutlichen Abfall, bei elf Probanden ein geringerer Abfall (< 100 ppb), bei vier Probanden keine signifikante Veränderung (±10 ppb) und bei sieben Teilnehmern eine Erhöhung der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration während der Dialyse.
Die statistische Analyse ergab weiterhin eine deutlich positive Korrelation zwischen den Ammoniakkonzentrationen im Blut vor der Dialyse mit den Blutammoniakwerten nach der Dialyse und eine mäßig positive Korrelation zwischen den endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentrationen vor der Dialyse mit den Ammoniakspiegel im Atem nach der Dialyse. Eine schwach positive Korrelation wurde zwischen den endexspiratorischen Ammoniakwerten nach der Dialyse mit den Blutammoniakwerten nach der Dialyse gefunden. Die lineare Regressionsanalyse ergab eine signifikante Assoziation von Nephrektomie und Restdiurese mit den endexspiratorischen Ammoniakwerten, welche vor der Dialyse gemessen wurden. Damit wird verdeutlich, das nephrektomierte Patienten und Patienten mit einer höheren Restdiurese einen deutlichen Abfall der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentrationen während der Dialyse aufzeigten und somit vermehrt von der Dialyse als Behandlung profitieren.
In Anlehnung an die Ergebnisse dieser Studie, dass im Verlauf der Dialyse ein signifikanter Abfall der endexspiratorischen Ammoniakkonzentration vorliegt, wird eine klinische Etablierung der nicht-invasiven Ammoniakkonzentrationsmessung vor und nach der Dialyse als eine gute Möglichkeit der Überwachung einer Dialysesitzung empfohlen. Aus unserer Sicht sollte am besten die Messung nicht offline mittels Sammelns der Atemproben im Tedlar-Beutel, sondern durch direktes Ausatmen in das Messsystem erfolgen, um den Verlust von an der Oberfläche des Beutels haftenden Ammoniaks zu verhindern. Falls jedoch die offline Methode bevorzugt werden sollte, müsste gewährleistet werden, dass die Atemgasproben so schnell wie möglich analysiert werden, um die Messgenauigkeit zu stärken.
Hand- und Unterarmverletzungen zählen zu den häufig übersehenen Verletzungen bei Polytraumapatienten. Sie sind selten lebensbedrohlich, können jedoch zu dauerhafter Funktionseinschränkung und Einbußen an Lebensqualität führen. Goldstandard für die Diagnostik von Patienten mit Verdacht auf Polytrauma ist ein CT von Kopf, Hals und Körperstamm. Ein einheitliches Protokoll zur Lagerung der Arme ist dabei bisher nicht etabliert. Die Lagerung der Arme wurde bisher vornehmlich nicht im Hinblick auf den Nutzen für die Diagnostik von Verletzungen in diesem Bereich, sondern auf ihre negativen Auswirkungen wie vermehrte abdominelle Bildartefakte und erhöhte Strahlenbelastung betrachtet. Mittel der Wahl zur Diagnostik von Handfrakturen ist gemäß aktueller S3-Leitlinie das konventionelle Röntgen.
Diese Studie stellt unseres Wissens die erste systematische Untersuchung des diagnostischen Potentials des PCT für Hand- und Unterarmfrakturen bei Polytraumapatienten dar. An zwei überregionalen Traumazentren wurden demografische, klinische und Bildgebungsdaten von 426 intubierten Patienten mit der Arbeitsdiagnose Polytrauma analysiert, von denen 66 (15,5 %) Hand- oder Unterarmfrakturen aufwiesen. Rund 75 % der Hand- und Unterarmfrakturen wurden bereits im initialen PCT diagnostiziert. Bei weiteren 14 % erfolgte die Diagnose mittels konventioneller Röntgenaufnahmen innerhalb der ersten 24 Stunden nach Aufnahme. 12 % der Frakturen wurden nach mehr als 24 Stunden, bis zu 40 Tage nach Aufnahme, diagnostiziert. Klinisch auffällige Frakturen sowie solche, die in vollständig abgebildeten Regionen lagen, wurden signifikant häufiger im PCT diagnostiziert, auch wenn fast alle Frakturen selbst im Scanfeld enthalten waren. Eine besonders vollständige Abbildung der oberen Extremität wurde bei Lagerung der Hände auf dem Abdomen beobachtet.
Diese Ergebnisse zeigen eindrücklich, dass das PCT schon jetzt zur frühzeitigen Diagnostik von Hand- und Unterarmfrakturen geeignet ist, insbesondere bei Lagerung der Hände auf dem Abdomen. Vor allem klinisch unauffällige Frakturen, die entsprechend den Leitlinien keine weitere Diagnostik erfahren würden, können durch eine aufmerksame Befundung frühzeitig identifiziert und einer adäquaten Therapie zugeführt werden. Auf Basis der technischen Weiterentwicklungen hinsichtlich Strahlendosis und Bildartefakte sowie der neuen Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich des diagnostischen Potentials des PCT bei Hand- und Unterarmfrakturen sollte die PCT-Diagnostik auch die obere Extremität mit einbeziehen und könnte zusätzliche Röntgenaufnahmen in Zukunft obsolet werden lassen.
A lot of research data has become available since the outbreak of the COVID-19
pandemic in 2019. Connecting this data is essential for the understanding of the
SARS-CoV-2 virus and the fight against the pandemic.
Amongst biological and biomedical research data, computational models targeting
COVID-19 have been emerging and their number is growing constantly. They are a
central part of the field of Systems Biology, which aims to understand the mechanisms
and behaviour of biological systems. Model predictions help to understand the
mechanisms of the novel coronavirus and the life-threatening disease it is causing.
Both biomedical research data and modelling data regarding COVID-19 have
previously been stored in separated domain-specific graph databases. MaSyMoS,
short for Management System for Models and Simulations, is a graph database for
storing simulation studies of biological and biochemical systems. The CovidGraph
project integrates research data regarding COVID-19 and the coronavirus family
from various data resources in a knowledge graph.
In this thesis, we integrate simulation models from MaSyMoS, including models
targeting COVID-19, into the CovidGraph. Therefore, we present a concept for
the integration of simulation studies and the linkage through ontology terms and
reference publications in the CovidGraph. Ultimately, we connect data from the field
of systems biology and biomedical research data in a graph database.
Palliative Sedierung (PS) kommt zum Einsatz, wenn schwere Symptome am Ende des Lebens anderweitig nicht gelindert werden können und nimmt in der Palliativmedizin einen immer höheren Stellenwert ein. Es ist nur wenig über die Aufklärung der Patienten und die Durchführung der PS in Deutschland bekannt.
Ziel der Arbeit war es, in einer beobachtenden prospektiven Querschnittsstudie Daten zur Vorbereitung und zum Ablauf der PS auf der Palliativstation und im Hospiz der Universitätsmedizin Greifswald sowie im Rahmen einer spezialisierten ambulanten Palliativversorgung (SAPV) über ein Jahr zu erheben. Dazu wurden in den einzelnen Institutionen einheitliche Aufklärungs- und Dokumentationsbögen eingeführt.
Im Erhebungszeitraum wurden 1124 Patienten behandelt. Insgesamt erhielten 5,25% (n=59) der Patienten eine PS. Es wurden Unterschiede in der Häufigkeit zwischen den Institutionen festgestellt (Palliativstation: 7,65%; Hospiz: 1,85%; SAPV: 4,59%). Sedierte Patienten auf der Palliativstation waren signifikant jünger als nicht sedierte (65,6 vs. 71,1 Jahre) und lebten signifikant häufiger in einer festen Partnerschaft. Die meistgenannte Indikation zur PS war Unruhe, gefolgt von Angst, Delir und fehlender Lebensqualität. Oft war es der Wunsch des Patienten und seiner Angehörigen, eine PS zu starten. Ging es um die Fragen nach dem Beginn der PS, der Tiefe und der Medikation, wurde der Patient deutlich seltener in den Entscheidungsprozess einbezogen als seine Angehörigen. Durchschnittlich dauerten die PS ca. vier Tage mit einer Spannweite von vier Stunden bis 23 Tage. Das am häufigsten genutzte Sedativum war Midazolam, selten in Kombination mit anderen Sedativa. Oft wurden zur Symptomreduktion weitere Medikamente (z.B. Analgetika, Antiemetika, Antipsychotika) verabreicht.
Viele Aspekte sind in den Leitlinien nicht einheitlich definiert und werden in der Literatur kontrovers diskutiert, z.B. psychische Symptome als Indikation für eine PS, künstliche Nahrungs- und Flüssigkeitszufuhr während der PS, sowie die angemessene Tiefe und Beurteilung einer PS. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit zeigen, worauf die Behandler bei der Planung einer PS besonderes Augenmerk legen sollten. Eine frühzeitige Aufklärung des Patienten und seiner Familie mit einer klaren Abgrenzung der PS von der Sterbehilfe ist neben der ständigen Weiterbildung aller Palliativmediziner und Pflegekräfte äußerst wichtig.