julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Scleroderma Renal Crisis: Risk Factors for an Increasingly Rare Organ Complication
2019-04-01

Objective. Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a severe life-threatening manifestation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the knowledge about risk factors for SRC is limited. We determined here the frequency of SRC and identified risk factors for the prediction of SRC. Methods. Based on regular followup data from the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma, we used univariate and multivariate generalized estimating equations to analyze the association between clinical variables, SSc subsets, therapy [i.e., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), corticosteroids], and the occurrence of SRC. Results. Data of 2873 patients with 10,425 visits were available for analysis with a mean number of registry visits of 3.6 ± 2.8 and a mean time of followup of 3.6 ± 3.8 years. In total, 70 patients developed SRC (70/2873, 2.4%). Of these patients, 57.1% (40/70) were diagnosed with diffuse cutaneous SSc, 31.4% (22/70) with limited cutaneous SSc, and 11.4% (8/70) with SSc-overlap syndromes. Predictive independent factors with the highest probability for SRC were positive anti-RNA polymerase antibodies (RNAP), a history of proteinuria prior to SRC onset, diminished DLCO, and a history of hypertension. Interestingly, positive antitopoisomerase autoantibodies did not predict a higher risk for SRC. Further, patients with SRC were significantly more frequently treated with ACEi and corticosteroids without being independently associated with SRC. Conclusion. In this cohort, SRC has become a rare complication. By far the highest risk for SRC was associated with the detection of anti-RNAP and proteinuria.
The dIANA database – Resource for isotopic paleodietary research in the Baltic Sea area
2019-04-01

Paleodietary research is a complex field, which requires large sets of background information. Owing to increasing interest and activity in the field, a substantial amount of archaeological isotope baseline data exist for Northern Europe, consisting mainly of animal bone collagen δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values. However, the data are scattered into dozens of publications written in multiple languages and less-accessible formats, making the data laborious to use. This article presents the first compilation work of this data, the open access dIANA database (Dietary Isotopic baseline for the Ancient North; https://www.oasisnorth.org/diana.html), aimed to support (paleo)dietary research in the Baltic Sea area. The database work is complemented with new analyses of archaeological and (pre-)modern domestic and wild fauna from Finland and Russia broadening the selection of analysed species in the database. We present and discuss data examples, which on one hand show existing spatiotemporal isotope patterns related to diet and differences in the environmental carbon sources and on the other, also visualize the current status of baseline research and the need for further analyses in the circum-Baltic area.
Retrospective Correction Of Rigid And Non-Rigid MR Motion Artifacts Using Gans
2019-04-01

Motion artifacts are a primary source of magnetic resonance (MR) image\\nquality deterioration with strong repercussions on diagnostic performance.\\nCurrently, MR motion correction is carried out either prospectively, with the\\nhelp of motion tracking systems, or retrospectively by mainly utilizing\\ncomputationally expensive iterative algorithms. In this paper, we utilize a new\\nadversarial framework, titled MedGAN, for the joint retrospective correction of\\nrigid and non-rigid motion artifacts in different body regions and without the\\nneed for a reference image. MedGAN utilizes a unique combination of\\nnon-adversarial losses and a new generator architecture to capture the textures\\nand fine-detailed structures of the desired artifact-free MR images.\\nQuantitative and qualitative comparisons with other adversarial techniques have\\nillustrated the proposed model performance.\\n
Regulatory T Cells in an Endogenous Mouse Lymphoma Recognize Specific Antigen Peptides and Contribute to Immune Escape
2019-04-01

Abstract Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) sustain immune homeostasis and may contribute to immune escape in malignant disease. As a prerequisite for developing immunologic approaches in cancer therapy, it is necessary to understand the ontogeny and the antigenic specificities of tumor-infiltrating Tregs. We addressed this question by using a λ-MYC transgenic mouse model of endogenously arising B-cell lymphoma, which mirrors key features of human Burkitt lymphoma. We show that Foxp3+ Tregs suppress antitumor responses in endogenous lymphoma. Ablation of Foxp3+ Tregs significantly delayed tumor development. The ratio of Treg to effector T cells was elevated in growing tumors, which could be ascribed to differential proliferation. The Tregs detected were mainly natural Tregs that apparently recognized self-antigens. We identified MHC class II–restricted nonmutated self-epitopes, which were more prevalent in lymphoma than in normal B cells and could be recognized by Tregs. These epitopes were derived from proteins that are associated with cellular processes related to malignancy and may be overexpressed in the tumor.
Alternative splicing of the tumor suppressor ASPP2 results in a stress-inducible, oncogenic isoform prevalent in acute leukemia
2019-04-01

Our data demonstrates that ASPP2κ plays a distinctive role as an antiapoptotic regulator of the TP53 checkpoint, rendering cells to a more aggressive phenotype as evidenced by proliferation and apoptosis rates - and ASPP2κ expression results in acquisition of genomic mutations, a first initiating step in leukemogenesis. We provide proof-of-concept to establish ASPP2κ as a clinically relevant biomarker and a target for molecule-defined therapy. FUND: Unrestricted grant support from the Wilhelm Sander Foundation for Cancer Research, the IZKF Program of the Medical Faculty Tübingen, the Brigitte Schlieben-Lange Program and the Margarete von Wrangell Program of the State Ministry Baden-Wuerttemberg for Science, Research and Arts and the Athene Program of the excellence initiative of the Eberhard-Karls University, Tübingen.
Tandem Acyl Substitution/Michael Addition of Thioesters with Vinylmagnesium Bromide
2019-04-01

A tandem reaction of thioesters with vinylmagnesium bromide is reported. The initial acyl substitution provides an α,β-unsaturated ketone which further reacts with the liberated thiolate. This transition-metal-free synthesis of β-sulfanyl ketones takes place under mild reaction conditions, whereas the addition of a second Grignard molecule is almost completely suppressed. The carefully chosen parameters enabled the transformation of different substrates in moderate to good yields.
Autoimmune Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Successful Treatment with Adjunct High-Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulin
2019-04-01

Abstract We describe a rare case of autoimmune heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in which antibodies against platelet factor 4/heparin have led to platelet activation even after heparin cessation, causing a delayed drop in platelet count to below 20 × 109/L. Most interestingly, platelet count rapidly improved after intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and no new thromboembolic complications were observed with further anticoagulation with rivaroxaban.
Interacting relativistic quantum dynamics of two particles on spacetimes with a Big Bang singularity
2019-04-01

Relativistic quantum theories are usually thought of as being quantum field theories, but this is not the only possibility. Here, we consider relativistic quantum theories with a fixed number of particles that interact neither through potentials nor through exchange of bosons. Instead, the interaction can occur directly along light cones, in a way similar to the Wheeler-Feynman formulation of classical electrodynamics. For two particles, the wave function is here of the form ψ(x1, x2), where x1 and x2 are spacetime points. Specifically, we consider a natural class of covariant equations governing the time evolution of ψ involving integration over light cones or even more general spacetime regions. It is not obvious, however, whether these equations possess a unique solution for every initial datum. We prove for Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker spacetimes that in the case of purely retarded interactions, there does, in fact, exist a unique solution for every datum on the initial hypersurface. The proof is based on carrying over similar results for a Minkowski half-space (i.e., the future of a spacelike hyperplane) to curved spacetime. Furthermore, we show that also in the case of time-symmetric interactions and for spacetimes with both a Big Bang and a Big Crunch, solutions do exist. However, initial data are then not appropriate anymore; the solution space gets parametrized in a different way.
Left ventricular assist devices exchange: why, when and how to do it—experience from experts
2019-04-01

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) became a routine instrument in the treatment of severe heart failure with constantly increasing number of patients treated with LVAD (1). Continuous technical development and large empirical knowledge in this field has led to a very high reliability and excellent long-term results (MOMENTUM III). Recently published results for the first time reported even better 2-year survival in LVAD compared to heart transplantation (HTx) (2). However, there is an inevitable risk of device failure alongside which may result in the need for device exchange. Mainly three causes are associated with the need for exchange, specifically (in the order of frequency) (I) device thrombosis, (II) infection and (III) device malfunction.
MAVS‐induced mitochondrial membrane remodeling
2019-04-01

Mitochondrial membrane remodeling has been linked with several cellular processes including mitochondrial damage or apoptotic cell death and proceeds via yet poorly understood mechanisms. In this issue of The FEBS Journal, Hwang et al. used different forms of super resolution microscopy to study the formation of macromolecular complexes of mitochondrial antiviral signal protein (MAVS). They found that dsRNA stimulation correlates with MAVS-dependent changes in the morphology of mitochondria that require MAVS transmembrane domain.
Estimating Braking Performance in Osteoarthritis of the Knee or Hip with a Reaction Timer
2019-04-01

Objective To investigate if testing in a brake simulator can be replaced by a simple reaction timer setup imitating the ergonomic conditions of emergency braking when evaluating the ability to drive in patients with musculoskeletal problems of the lower extremities. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was performed in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in our University Hospital from October 2014 until May 2015. Patients attending our department with either osteoarthritis or arthroplasty of the knee or hip were asked to participate in the study if they had a valid driving license. The age limit was from 18 to 85 years. Both women and men were included. Registered demographic data were patient age, height, sex, body weight, and body mass index. Braking performance (brake response time [BRT]) was evaluated in a brake simulator that was embedded into a real car cabin (10 measurements). The values obtained were compared with those registered when simply testing (5 measurements) those patients with a normal reaction timer setup that imitated the sitting position in a car. Kendall's tau correlation coefficient was calculated between the values obtained from the brake simulator with those from the reaction timer setup. Results Altogether, 137 patients (median age 67 years [range, 24–89 years]) with either osteoarthritis of the knee (n = 55) or hip (n = 82) were tested. Age was comparable in both collectives ( P = 0.807). The mean body height was 1.70 m in both groups. Knee patients presented with a higher body weight of approximately 5 kg ( P = 0.014) and consequently also had a higher body mass index ( P = 0.023). The median BRT in the brake simulator was 628 ms (range, 390–1444 ms) for all subjects: 592 ms (range, 418–1146 ms) in the hip group and 696 ms (range, 390–1444 ms) in the knee group. Measurement values obtained by the reaction timer were significantly ( P &lt; 0.001) higher by approximately 15% (SD, 22%) than those measured in the brake simulator. A moderate correlation was found between the reaction timer and the brake simulator, with a Kendall's tau of 0.449 ( P &lt; 0.001) for all patients. Interestingly, hip patients showed a higher correlation ( τ = 0.471) than knee patients ( τ = 0.263). Conclusion Even though the measured correlations do not allow us to make a definite statement concerning braking performance, especially in knee patients, a simple reaction timer test can provide a low‐cost first estimate of BRT for patients and their treating physicians. For forensic statements, the brake simulator will, however, remain the gold standard.
OC 8521 PRELIMINARY REPORT ON SAFETY OF CO-ADMINISTERED HUMAN HOOKWORM VACCINE CANDIDATES NA-APR-1 (M74)/ALHYDROGEL® AND NA-GST-1/ALHYDROGEL® IN GABONESE CHILDREN
2019-04-01

Background Human hookworm infection is a major public health issue in tropical low and middle-income countries with severe consequences. To date, improvement of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene is the major contributor to disease control, and additional control tools are needed. Here, we assess a phase I trial of a new hookworm vaccine candidate Na -APR-1 (M74)/Alhydrogel and Na -GST-1/Alhydrogel in Gabonese school-age children. Methods A double-blind, randomised, controlled, dose-escalation phase I clinical trial that aims to evaluate safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Na -APR-1 (M74)/Alhydrogel co-administered with Na -GST-1/Alhydrogel hookworm vaccines in children aged 6 to 10 years living in hookworm-endemic area of Lambaréné, compared to the hepatitis B vaccine (ENGERIX-B). Children received three doses of assigned vaccines, delivered intramuscularly (deltoid) on Days 0, 56, and 112 or 180. Safety is measured from Day 0 through Day 14 by the occurrence of solicited injection site and systemic reactogenicity events. Clinical laboratory evaluations were performed approximately 14 days after each immunisation. Unsolicited adverse events were collected from Day 0 through approximately 1 month after each vaccination. Results A total of 135 children were screened, and 60, aged 6 to 10 years old, were randomised into 3 groups and received 10 μg, 30 μg or 100 μg of Na -APR-1 (M74)/Alhydrogel and Na -GST-1 Alhydrogel, respectively, compared to ENGERIX-B. At baseline, the mean age of the study population was 7.4 years and the sex ratio 1.3 (male: female). From Day 0 up to Day 14 after vaccination, the main solicited adverse events were pain and swelling at injection sites with 135 (26 of grade 2 and 1 of grade 3) and 9 events, respectively. Regarding systemic adverse events, 3 occurrences of grade 1 headache were recorded. Immunogenicity analyses are underway. Conclusion The preliminary results confirm that co-administration of the two hookworm vaccine candidates is safe and well-tolerated in Gabonese children.
Predictive Ability of a Laboratory Performance Test in Mountain Bike Cross-country Olympic Athletes
2019-04-01

Abstract Mountain bike Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) has an intermittent performance profile, underlining the importance of anaerobic metabolism. Traditional performance tests in cycling primarily quantify aerobic metabolism and inadequately meet the demands in XCO. The aim was therefore to validate a specific test that quantifies these requirements by means of an XCO race. Twenty-three competitive XCO athletes (17.9±3.6 years) performed a previously developed performance test and an XCO race within one week. Correlations between individual anaerobic threshold (IAT), 4 mmol lactate threshold (LT4), maximal aerobic power (MAP), maximal effort time trials (TT) for 10–300 s and mean power output of the race (POR) were calculated. In addition, a multiple regression model of the predictive value of the test was calculated. Variables correlated significantly (p&lt;.01) with POR: IAT (r=.81), LT4 (r=0.79), MAP (r=0.91), TT10 (r=0.75), TT30 (r=0.85), TT60 (r=0.84) and TT300 (r=0.86). In the regression model, sex and body mass were set influencing variables (R2adj.=0.70), whereby MAP had the highest correlation with POR and significantly improved the predictive value of the model (R2adj.=0.86). The high correlation of collected performance variables with POR indicated the MTB-PT’s additional benefit for performance testing in XCO because it is specific but very feasible.
Covariants of SL4(ℂ) and incidence geometry of ℙ3(ℂ)
2019-04-01

We determine a minimal generating set for the algebra of covariants of an arbitrary number of points, lines and planes in three-dimensional projective space. Moreover, we discuss the corresponding minimal set of geometric incidence relations.
Integrated Microscopy Approaches in Archaeobotany: proceedings of the 2016 and 2017 workshops, University of Reading, UK
2019-04-01

Archaeobotany is the study of archaeological plant remains, which include macroremains, such as seeds and wood charcoal, and a range of associated microfossils, such as phytoliths, pollen, spores and starch grains. These papers showcase a range of microscopy approaches that can be applied to examine and interpret botanical and organic assemblages in the archaeological record, and to address a range of topical research themes and current debates in archaeology, such as environmental management, human responses to environmental change and sustainable life-ways spanning a broad geographical and chronological time periods. Soil micromorphology is a technique that enables the formation and post-depositional processes of archaeological deposits to be understood by reconstructing sediment histories. It allows archaeobotanical remains to be examined within their depositional context to provide a micro-contextual interpretation of the evidence, and to understand different types of archaeobotanical remains in a range of preservation conditions. As with many other proxies, formation processes and taphonomy are key issues in the study of any type of plant remains, and this is reflected in several contributions of this volume.
Learning from Each Other
2019-04-01

This article is based on the European project on confirmation work. It provides a brief description of the theological and ecclesiological background of this project as well as of the empirical studies carried out in this project in nine European countries and summarizes some of the main results. The example of Germany is used for presenting more detailed insights into the practice of confirmation work there as well as the religious attitudes of the confirmands. Given the high participation rates (more than 90% of Protestant youth in the respective age group in Europe versus 59% in the United States), the emphasis on reaching as many young people as possible is seen as a core characteristic of confirmation work in Germany and Europe. In a second step, the author considers confirmation in Europe and in the United States comparatively by identifying and discussing commonalities and differences on the basis of the empirical results from the research on confirmation work in the European and in the American project. One main difference is identified in the emphasis on mentorship (United States) and young volunteers (Europe). The final part of the article has its focus on the question of what confirmation work in the United States and in Europe could possibly learn from each other.
Factors contained in the expansion medium regulate the expression stem cell markers CD146 and SUSD2 on human placenta‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells and modulate their differentiation capacity in vitro
2019-04-01

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are investigated in vitro and in vivo manifold to serve as cellular therapy in different clinical situations including the regeneration of muscular tissues eventually. For production of MSCs for experimental purposes expansion media often include fetal bovine serum (FBS) as source of growth factors. In clinical situations xenogenic components such as FBS must be avoided in many countries. Therefore, different xeno‐free MSC expansion media were developed and FBS was replaced e.g. by human serum (hS), platelet lysate (hPL) or hPL plus human plasma (hPLP). However, differences in these medium complements could influence the phenotype and characteristics of MSCs. We therefore compared the expression of cell surface markers, the differentiation capacity and the expression of key cytokines involved in muscular regeneration in human placenta‐derived MSC‐like cells (pMSCs) expanded in different xeno‐free and GMP‐compliant expansion media. We report that addition of 5% hPL to either commercial MSC expansion medium (medium with FBS + 5% hPL) or to GMP‐compliant MSC expansion medium (DMEM + 5% hS + 5% hPL) significantly increased the MSC proliferation (p&lt;0.05), and reduced the expression of CD146 (p&lt;0.05), whereas CD73 and CD90 and other markers remained unchanged, on both transcript and protein levels. Expression of stem cell marker SUSD2 was not significantly regulated by hPL. The osteogenic differentiation capacity was reduced in pMSCs expanded in medium complemented with 5% hP + 5% hPL when compared to pMSCs incubated in medium containing FBS without hPL, but not in DMEM + hS compared to DMEM+ hS + hPL. Significant changes in the expression of neuro‐ or myo‐regenerative cytokines including BDNF, bFGF, GDNF, HGF, IGF‐1, IGF‐2, TGFβ, or VEGF in MSCs was not influenced by the composition of the GMP‐compliant expansion media. However, some interindividual differences between pMSCs from individual donors and between batches of hPL were noted. In contrast, the composition of expansion media did not influence osteogenesis or expression of stem cell markers CD146 and SUSDA on human bone marrow‐derived MSCs. We conclude that the expression of CD146 and the osteogenic differentiation potential of human pMSCs is influenced by the expansion medium. The expression of the regenerative cytokines investigated was not biased by hPL in the expansion medium. Expansion of pMSCs in GMP‐compliant medium enriched by hP + hPL could therefore be an advantage when bone formation by the MSCs applied should be avoided in clinical situations. Support or Funding Information This work was supported in part by grants from the DFG, BMBF and by institutional funding. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .
Visual and physiological optics: introduction to the Journal of the Optical Society of America A feature issue
2019-04-01

The 9th European Meeting on Visual Physiological Optics (VPO2018) was held August 29-31, 2018, in Athens, Greece. This issue of the Journal of the Optical Society of America A (JOSA A) is a dedicated feature, including numerous articles that span a large range of visual optics related topics, ranging from geometrical optics to visual psychophysics and from optical metrology to ophthalmic diagnostic technologies. The next VPO meeting will be held August 2020 in Cambridge, UK.
Minimally invasive embolectomy of HeartWare left ventricular assist device outflow graft
2019-04-01

Nowadays permanent mechanical circulatory support is a common treatment option for end-stage heart failure. Due to a shortage of donor heart transplantation not always being available for the patient in need to get life-saving treatment, a left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) is a suitable treatment option to overcome long waiting times on the transplant waiting list (1). Despite the technical evolution and better understanding of LVAD, there are still drawbacks in treating patients with an LVAD. Typical complications are bleeding complications, infections, right heart failure, and the risk of thrombus formation, which can lead to a device failure with a hemodynamic instability of the patient (2).