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Myosteatosis in multiple myeloma: a key determinant of survival beyond sarcopenia
No full textObjectiveFatty infiltration of skeletal muscle (Myosteatosis) is associated with increased frailty, decreased muscle and mobility function, which seems fairly prevalent in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of myosteatosis assessed by CT for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).Materials and methodsThis IRB-approved cohort study included patients with newly diagnosed MM who were treated at a single university hospital and received CT at baseline. Geriatric assessment was performed via International Myeloma Working Group frailty score and Revised Myeloma Comorbidity Index. Myosteatosis was determined through measurement of paravertebral muscle radiodensity. Statistical analyses included uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models and the Kaplan–Meier-method.ResultsA total of 226 newly diagnosed MM patients (median age: 65 years [range: 29–89], 63% males, mean BMI: 25 [14–42]) were analyzed. The prevalence of myosteatosis was 51%. Muscle radiodensity was significantly decreased in individuals with International Staging System stage III vs. I (p Myosteatosis remained an independent predictor of OS in multivariable analyses (HR: 1.98; 95%-CI: 1.20–3.27).ConclusionMyosteatosis seems fairly prevalent in patients with newly diagnosed MM and associated with impaired overall survival. Prospective clinical trials are required to better understand the role of myosteatosis in MM patients
Improved charge carrier transport across grain boundaries in N‐type PbSe by dopant segregation
No full textDoping is an important and routine method to tune the properties of semiconductors. Dopants accumulated at grain boundaries (GBs) can exert a profound influence on microstructures and transport properties of heat and charge. To unravel the effect of dopant accumulation at GBs on the scattering of electrons, individual high-angle GBs in three PbSe samples doped with different amounts of Cu using a home-designed correlative characterization platform combining electron backscatter diffraction, microcircuit transport property measurements, and atom probe tomography are studied. The findings reveal that the segregation of Cu dopants to GBs reduces the GB potential barrier height. Once the GB phase reaches an equilibrium with saturated Cu, the extra Cu dopants distribute homogeneously inside the grains, compensating for vacancies and improving the electrical conductivity of the PbSe grains. The results correlate the Cu distribution at GBs and grains with local electrical properties, enlightening strategies for manipulating advanced functional materials by GB segregation engineering
Electrodermal and respiratory synchrony in couple therapy in distinct therapeutic subsystems and reflection periods
No full textA quasi‐experimental investigation of differences between face‐to‐face and videoconference interviews in an actual selection process
No full textFrequency and clinical significance of Herpes simplex virus type 1/2 reactivation in adult patients with mild to moderately severe community-acquired pneumonia: a multicentre cohort study
No full textPurposeThis study assessed the frequency, clinical significance, and risk factors for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation in immunocompetent patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).MethodsThe study included adult CAP-patients who were enrolled in the CAPNETZ study between 2007 and 2017 and had a residual sputum sample available for analysis. In addition to routine diagnostics, sputum and blood samples were tested for HSV-1/2 using PCR. Demographics, comorbidities, and CRB-65 score were compared between HSV-positive and negative patients using Fisher exact or Mann Whitney test. Logistic regression analyses investigated the influence of HSV reactivation on a modified hospital recovery scale (HRS) until day 7, divided into 3 categories (no oxygen therapy, oxygen therapy, ICU admission or death).ResultsAmong 245 patients, HSV-1 and HSV-2 were detected in 30 patients (12.2%, 95%CI 8.7–16.9) and 0 patients, respectively. All HSV-positive patients were hospitalized, had a CRB-65 severity score of 0–2 and survived the first 28 day. In the HSV-positive group, patients had a non-significantly higher median age (70.5 versus 66 years) and a higher rate of oncological comorbidities (16.7% versus 8.8%) compared to the HSV-negative group. Distribution of co-pathogens and outcome parameters did not significantly differ between both groups. In a multivariate logistic regression model, age (AOR 1.029, p = 0.012) and CRB-65 score (AOR 1.709, p = 0.048), but not HSV-1 as single or co-pathogen were independently associated with higher HRS.ConclusionOur study suggests that HSV-1 reactivation is common in CAP but might not be associated with specific risk factors or a complicated disease course
Weighted multiple point cloud fusion
No full textMultiple viewpoint 3D reconstruction has been used in recent years to create accurate complete scenes and objects used for various applications. This is to overcome limitations of single viewpoint 3D digital imaging such as occlusion within the scene during the reconstruction process. In this paper, we propose a weighted point cloud fusion process using both local and global spatial information of the point clouds to fuse them together. The process aims to minimize duplication and remove noise while maintaining a consistent level of details using spatial information from point clouds to compute a weight to fuse them. The algorithm improves the overall accuracy of the fused point cloud while maintaining a similar degree of coverage comparable with state-of-the-art point cloud fusion algorithms
Octreotide subcutaneous depot for acromegaly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial, ACROINNOVA 1
No full textContextAcromegaly, characterized by excessive GH and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), impacts quality of life (QoL) and mortality. Standard of care (SoC; octreotide long-acting repeatable or lanreotide autogel) treatment typically requires healthcare provider administration. CAM2029, a novel subcutaneous octreotide depot with increased bioavailability using FluidCrystal technology, enables self-administration and room-temperature storage.ObjectiveAssess superiority of CAM2029 vs placebo for biochemical control in patients with controlled acromegaly.Design24-week, multinational, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial (NCT04076462).Setting45 sites; 10 countries.Patients72 patients on SoC with biochemical control at screening [IGF-1 ≤upper limit of normal (ULN); mean GH InterventionsPatients were randomized 2:1 to once-monthly CAM2029 (n = 48) or placebo (n = 24).Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary endpoint was proportion of patients with IGF-1 ≤ULN (week 22/24 mean), with dose-reduced patients classified as nonresponders; first key secondary endpoint was the same, including dose-reduced responders. The second key secondary endpoint was proportion of patients with IGF-1 ≤ULN (week 22/24) and mean GH ResultsAt week 22/24 (intention-to-treat analysis), CAM2029-treated patients demonstrated superior response rates vs placebo for IGF-1 (72.2% vs 37.5%; risk difference: 34.6, 95% confidence interval: 11.3, 57.9; P = .0018) and combined IGF-1/GH (70.0% vs 37.5%; P = .0035). CAM2029-treated patients had well-controlled symptoms, improved QoL, and treatment satisfaction vs placebo and baseline. CAM2029 was well tolerated; safety was consistent with SoC.ConclusionCAM2029 provides a convenient and effective treatment option for acromegaly, with superior biochemical control vs placebo. Symptom control, QoL, and satisfaction were improved from baseline SoC
Ecological interactions in glacier environments: a review of studies on a model Alpine glacier
No full textGlaciers host a variety of cold-adapted taxa, many of which have not yet been described. Interactions among glacier organisms are even less clear. Understanding ecological interactions is crucial to unravelling the functioning of glacier ecosystems, particularly in light of current glacier retreat. Through a review of the existing literature, we aim to provide a first overview of the biodiversity, primary production, trophic networks, and matter flow of a glacier ecosystem. We use the Forni Glacier (Central Italian Alps) – one of the best studied alpine glaciers in the world – as a model system for our literature review and integrate additional original data. We reveal the importance of allochthonous organic matter inputs, of Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic green algae in primary production, and the key role of springtails (Vertagopus glacialis) on the glacier surface in sustaining populations of two apex terrestrial predators: Nebria castanea (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and Pardosa saturatior (Araneae: Lycosidae). The cryophilic tardigrade Cryobiotus klebelsbergi is the apex consumer in cryoconite holes. This short food web highlights the fragility of nodes represented by invertebrates, contrasting with structured microbial communities in all glacier habitats. Although further research is necessary to quantify the ecological interactions of glacier organisms, this review summarises and integrates existing knowledge about the ecological processes on alpine glaciers and supports the importance of glacier-adapted organisms in providing ecosystem services
Neural implants without active implanted electronics: possibilities and limitations of transcutaneous coupling in miniaturized active implants
No full textGoal: Transcutaneous coupling scheme for wireless powering and signal in active implants are known for more than a decade. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo behavior of this approach to drive multiple channels of an implanted peripheral nerve interfaces. Methods: The stimulation signals were transmitted through the skin over two contacts to an intracorporeal counterpart which was connected to a cuff electrode with two channels. EMG after stimulation was measured to establish recruitment curves. Results: Limitations of transcutaneous coupling were found in the feasible complexity of the system. High electrical crosstalk in a multi-channel system reduces this approach to low channel applications, such as pain treatment. No significant influence of the pulse width or extracorporeal stimulation amplitude on the electrical crosstalk was observed. Conclusions: The study's findings provide insight into the behavior of the transcutaneous coupling scheme in vivo and highlight the limitations and areas of application. Our results indicate that transcutaneous coupling schemes are a promising alternative approach for wireless powering of implants, as it does not require complex implanted electronics, expensive sophisticated electronics, and hermetic enclosures. Physical constraints, however, limit the use in highly selective nerve stimulation scenarios