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Redouté's Les Liliacées, Candolle and Geneva
No full textPierre-Joseph Redouté's Les Liliacées is a famous work on petaloid monocots with a complex background published in Paris in 1802–1815. While the plant illustrations were produced by Redouté and a team of engravers and printers, Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle, François Delaroche and Alire Raffeneau-Delile provided the plant descriptions. Based on archival evidence it is shown that the text for volumes 5–7 was written by Delaroche (not as previously believed for volumes 5–6), while volumes 1–4 are by Candolle and volume 8 with a few exceptions by Raffeneau-Delile. The pertinent herbarium record is extremely fragmentary, but a small number of specimens has been traced in the herbarium of the Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques in Geneva, which help to interpret the names validated in Les Liliacées. In addition, the archives of this institution preserve a selection of black proofs and colour proofs of the engravings which offer a peephole to Redouté's studio, while several letters offer additional information on the working process. Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle's role in the project, his special interest in Narcissus L. resulting in the current subdivision of this genus and his contacts with Delaroche and Raffeneau-Delile are discussed. In an appended list the historical and correct names are provided for all plants illustrated on tab. 1–240 and 480–486, which have been provided with descriptions and comments by Candolle
Oesophageal cancer and its associated factors among patients attending surgical and oncology clinics at Garissa County Referral Hospital, Kenya: a case–control study
No full textBackground
Oesophageal cancer (EC) is a common cause of cancer mortality. Evidence on the burden, risk factors and treatment outcomes is limited in low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the features of EC cases and determine associated factors among patients attending surgical and oncology clinics in Garissa County Referral Hospital (GCRH).
Methods
We conducted a case–control study in which cases were patients with EC and positive histological confirmation and controls were patients admitted to GCRH for other diseases. Data on exposures were extracted from patient files. Data on tobacco and alcohol use were based on current or past use as documented in the records; hot tea intake referred to habitual consumption. Mixed-effect logistic regression model was used to determine EC-associated factors.
Results
141 cases and 282 controls were recruited. Of the 141 cases, 59 (42%) had cancer in the lower third of the oesophagus, whereas 72 (51%) and 10 (7%) had cancers in the middle and upper thirds, respectively. EC was associated with tobacco use (adjusted OR (AOR), 21.02, 95% CI 5.41 to 81.69), consumption of hot tea (AOR 59.87, 95% CI 5.45 to 657.35), chewing khat (miraa, AOR 9.94, 95% CI 3.59 to 27.52), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (AOR 54.12, 95% CI 24.48 to 119.62), gastritis (AOR 17.89, 95% CI 2.94 to 108.989) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (AOR 69.31, 95% CI 14.09 to 340.9). Among the case group, 95 (65%) had surgery or gastrostomy tube placement as treatments for EC.
Conclusion
The study findings highlight modifiable risk factors for EC, including tobacco use, hot tea consumption, chewing miraa, GERD, gastritis and PUD. Targeted screening of high-risk patients may improve early detection and outcomes
In vitro Charakterisierung von mit onkolytischen Vaccinia Virus behandelten Pankreaskarzinomzellen und deren Wirkung auf die angeborene Immunantwort
No full textBackground: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The immunosuppressive feature of its tumor microenvironment impairs the effectiveness of traditional therapies. Recent advances have explored the potential of oncolytic virotherapy. In this study, we used a Western reserve oncolytic vaccinia virus (vvDD), and two cytokine-armed variants (vvDD-IL2; vvDD-IL15) for treatment of PDAC cells and explored its impact on the response of human natural killer cells.
Method: For testing functionality and efficient replication, viral constructs were assayed in plaque and viability assays after infection. We performed microscopy and flow cytometry to characterize viral integration after infection via emitted YFP signals. Virus-infected PDAC cells were co-cultured with human derived PBMCs and a NK cell line for downstream exploration of NK cell responses, focusing on activation, cytotoxicity, and effector functions. Mechanisms of oncolysis and immunogenic cell death (ICD) were investigated via proteomic and other molecular analyses.
Results: Our results show that both, vvDD and its cytokine-armed variants, efficiently penetrated PDAC cells and led to downstream oncolysis. Proteomic analysis of virus-infected PDAC cells elicited substantial changes in carcinogenic signaling pathways. Expression analyses of co-cultured NK cells revealed NK cell activation with effector function of a rare CD56dimCD16dim NK cell subtype. In addition, we found that the killing of PDAC cells in this context was mediated via the Fas ligand (FasL) resulting in immunogenic cell death.
Conclusions: Our findings highlight the potential of oncolytic vaccinia viruses to not merely induce oncolysis but modulating the immune environment via enhanced NK cell effector function. Such bioactive agents could counter the immune-deprived and -suppressive conditions regularly found in PDAC.Hintergrund: Das duktale Pankreasadenokarzinom (PDA) ist eine aggressive Krebserkrankung mit begrenzten Behandlungsmöglichkeiten und schlechter Prognose. Die immunsupprimierende Eigenschaften seiner Mikroumgebung beeinträchtigt die Wirksamkeit herkömmlicher Systemtherapien. Das Potenzial der onkolytischen Virustherapie konnte in den letzten Jahren eindrücklich dargestellt werden. In dieser Studie untersuchten wir einen onkolytischen Vaccinia virus Stamm (vvDD), sowie zwei mit Zytokinen-geladenen Varianten (vvDD-IL2, vvDD-IL15), zur Behandlung von PDA Zellen und deren Einfluss auf humane natürlichen Killerzellen (NK Zellen).
Methode: Zur Testung der Funktionalität und effektiven Replikation, wurden nach Infektio der Vaccinia Viren, diese mithilfe von sogenannten Plaque- und Viabilitätsassays untersucht. Wir führten Immunfluoreszenz Mikroskopien und Durchflusszytometrien durch, um die virale Integration anhand der emittierenden YFP Signale zu untersuchen. Virusinfizierte PDA Zellen wurden mit humanen PBMCs oder mit einer NK-Zelllinie co-kultiviert um die Immunantwort der NK-Zellen zu bewerten, mit Fokus auf deren Aktivierung, Zytotoxizität und Effektorfunktionen. Zusätzlich wurden Mechanismen der Onkolyse und des immunogenen Zelltods mithilfe von Proteom und anderer molekularer Analysen untersucht.
Ergebnisse: Unsere Ergebnisse zeigten, dass sowohl vvDD als auch die mit Zytokinen ausgestatteten Varianten, PDA Zellen effizient penetrieren und eine effektive Onkolyse evozieren. Die Proteomanalyse virusinfizierter PDA Zellen zeigte erhebliche Veränderungen karzinogener Signalwege. Expressionsanalysen der co-kultivierten NK-Zellen, zeigten eine erhöhte NK-Zellaktivierung eines seltenen CD56dimCD16dim NK-Zell Subtyps. Darüber hinaus beobachteten wir, das in diesem Zusammenhang das Töten der PDA Zellen durch Fas-Liganden (FasL) vermittelt wurde und diese einen immunogenen Zelltod evoziert.
Schlussfolgerungen: Insgesamt demonstrieren unsere Ergebnisse das Potential onkolytischer Vaccinia Viren nicht nur zur effektiven Onkolyse, sondern vorallem der Modulation der immunreagiblen Umgebung mit verbesserter Effektorfunktion der NK Zellen. Solche bioaktiven Wirkmechanismen könnten in der Therapie die Immungeschwächte- und supprimierte Mikroumgebung des PDAs effektiv entgegenwirken
Potentials and Pitfalls of Transdisciplinary Interaction between Climate Scientists and Practice Stakeholders to Reduce the Risks of Extreme Events
No full textFestschrift für Susanne Klengel
No full textDer Facettenreichtum Lateinamerikas zeigt sich in der großen Bandbreite der interdisziplinären Lateinamerikaforschung. Die Beiträge in diesem Band gewähren vielfältige Einblicke in diese: Sie führen von der lateinamerikanischen Geistesgeschichte über ambivalente Denkwege sowie Räume und Grenzen hin zu literaturwissenschaftlichen Kontexten und schließlich nach Berlin als Ort amerikanischen Schreibens. Dabei rücken jene Aspekte in den Mittelpunkt, die auch für Susanne Klengels Forschungsarbeit bedeutsam sind. Lateinamerika mit all seinen Sprachen, Geschichten, Ethnien, Kulturen und Theosophien hat sie sich durch ein anti-paradigmatisches Vorgehen erschlossen. Sie lädt zum Denken außerhalb gewohnter Muster ein, durchdringt auf diese Weise die Paradoxien und Kontingenzen der Realität und führt uns so durch die verschlungenen Pfade zwischen Lateinamerika, Europa und Indien. Ihr ist dieser Band gewidmet
Entwurf, Implementierung und Bewertung einer LLM-gestützten Benutzeroberfläche für einen Fragebogen zu erblichen Risikofaktoren für Brust- und Eierstockkrebs
No full textThis bachelor’s thesis examines the integration of large language models into medical
questionnaires using the example of a checklist from the Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft for
recording hereditary risk factors for breast and ovarian cancer. The aim is to develop
and evaluate an LLM-assisted user interface that supports users in answering complex
questions, thereby improving usability and user experience.
As part of a human-centered design process, a proof of concept was designed, developed,
and tested in a qualitative study with six participants. The user interface includes arti-
ficial intelligence support from two LLM agents that communicate with each other and
generate appropriate outputs for users. The results of the study show improved trans-
parency, guidance, and efficiency through LLM assistance, while reducing the overall
complexity of the questionnaire.
The work confirms the potential of large language models to support medical survey in-
struments, but also provides an outlook on necessary improvements and future research
areas for the further development of such applications.Diese Bachelorarbeit untersucht die Integration von Large Language Modellen in medi-
zinische Fragebögen am Beispiel einer Checkliste der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft zur Er-
fassung von erblichen Risikofaktoren für Brust- und Eierstockkrebs. Ziel ist die Entwick-
lung und Evaluation eines LLM-unterstützten User Interfaces, das Nutzer der Checkliste
bei der Beantwortung komplexer Fragen unterstützt und auf diese Weise die Benutzer-
freundlichkeit und Benutzererfahrung verbessert.
Im Rahmen des Human-Centered Design Prozesses, zugeschnitten auf das Ziel dieser
Bachelorarbeit, wurde ein Proof of Concept entworfen, entwickelt und in einer qualita-
tiven Studie mit sechs Teilnehmern getestet. Das User Interface umfasst eine künstliche
Intelligenz Unterstützung durch zwei LLM-Agenten, die miteinander kommunizieren und
auf diese Weise den Nutzenden angebrachte Rückmeldungen generieren. Die Ergebnisse
der Studie zeigen eine verbesserte Transparenz, Führung und Verständlichkeit durch die
LLM-Assistenz, während es die generelle Komplexität des Fragebogens reduziert.
Die Arbeit bestätigt das Potenzial von Large Language Modellen zur Unterstützung
medizinischer Erhebungsinstrumente, gibt jedoch auch einen Ausblick auf notwendige
Verbesserungen und zukünftige Forschungsfelder für die Weiterentwicklung solcher An-
wendungen
On Pentafluoroorthotellurates and Related Compounds
No full textThis Review surveys the properties and applications of the pentafluoroorthotellurate (“teflate”, OTeF5) ligand and highlights the syntheses of the known teflate-based compounds across the periodic table. Due to the accessibility to several useful teflate transfer reagents and its unique properties, including strong electron-withdrawing character, considerable steric bulk, and stability against oxidation, a variety of intriguing p-block and d-block species have been reported. These encompass highly reactive Lewis acids, versatile weakly coordinating anions, neutral and cationic noble gas compounds, and a wide number of transition metal complexes. The lower analogues of the pentafluoroorthochalcogenate group, OSeF5 and OSF5, are described as well, although fewer examples are known. Recent progress in the derivatization of the OTeF5 group to cis- and trans-PhTeF4O or trans-(C6F5)2TeF3O moieties is also discussed, opening pathways to exciting new research directions
Sleep quality and the biological stress system during an internet-based intervention for major depressive disorder
No full textIntroduction
Poor sleep quality is a persistent and debilitating symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD), with dysregulations in the biological stress system constituting a potential underlying physiological mechanism. Accordingly, a psychotherapeutic intervention may affect the interplay between sleep quality, MDD and the biological stress system.We examined how basal cortisol, and alpha-amylase levels correspond to perceived sleep quality during an internet-based intervention for MDD. Furthermore, we investigated how changes in sleep quality during the intervention relate to changes in these biological stress system markers. We hypothesized that: 1) short-term and long-term sleep quality would improve during the intervention, 2a) across assessment time points, poor sleep quality would be associated with higher cortisol and alpha-amylase concentrations, and 2b) pre-to-post intervention improvements in sleep quality (treatment response) would be associated with pre-to-post decreases in both biological markers, compared to non-response.
Methods
We analyzed forty-one participants (age: 35 ± 12y; females: 82.6 %) suffering from mild to moderate MDD. The cognitive behavioral internet-based intervention consisted of seven weekly writing-based modules with individualized feedback. Participants collected 12 saliva samples at home over two consecutive weekdays at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Outcome parameters of the cortisol and alpha-amylase diurnal profiles were the awakening responses, the total diurnal output, and the diurnal slopes. Self-reported sleep quality was retrospectively assessed for the night before (short-term) and for the two-week period preceding saliva collection (long-term). Treatment response was determined using the reliable change index of the pre-to-post, two-week sleep quality difference scores. Hypotheses 1 and 2a were tested using random intercept hierarchical linear models, Hypothesis 2b was tested using linear regressions with age, biological sex, BMI and medication use on the day of sampling as covariates.
Results
Long-term sleep quality increased significantly from pre-to post-intervention (d = 0.78; p < 0.001), partially confirming Hypothesis 1. Contrary to the expected effect of Hypothesis 2a, poor long-term sleep quality at pre-intervention was associated with a blunted cortisol awakening response (CAR; p < 0.05). Post-hoc analyses showed an association of pre-to-post CAR changes and pre-intervention sleep quality (p < 0.01) indicating that individuals with higher pre-intervention sleep problems, on average, exhibited a pre-to-post increase in the CAR. The responder analyses showed that individuals with a marked pre-to-post sleep quality increase (i.e., responders) showed a higher increase in the CAR, compared to non-responders (p < 0.05), which again ran contrary to the effect proposed in Hypothesis 2b.
Discussion
Prior to psychotherapeutic treatment MDD patients with poor sleep quality showed a blunted CAR, pointing to hypocortisolemia in these individuals. Furthermore, intervention-induced changes in sleep quality may lead to a normalization of the CAR
Highly Sensitive Suspension Immunoassay for Multiplex Detection, Differentiation, and Quantification of Eight Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxins (SEA to SEI)
No full textStaphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are major contributors to foodborne intoxications. Reliable detection methods for SEs are essential to maintain food safety and protect public health. Since the heat-stable toxins also exert their toxic effect in the absence of the bacterium, reliance on DNA detection alone can be misleading: it does not allow for determining which specific toxins encoded by a given strain are produced and epidemiologically linked with a given outbreak. Commercially available diagnostic assays for SE detection are so far limited in sensitivity and specificity as well as in the range of targeted toxins (SEA–SEE), thus non-targeted SEs linked to foodborne illness remain undetected at the protein level. This study aimed to develop a highly sensitive and specific multiplex suspension immunoassay (SIA) for SEA to SEI. To this end, high-affinity monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the specific detection of the individual SEs were generated. When implemented in sandwich ELISAs and multiplex SIA, these mAbs demonstrated exceptional sensitivity with detection limits in the low picogram per millilitre range. When applied for the analysis of SE production in liquid cultures of a panel of 145 whole-genome sequenced strains of Staphylococcus spp. and Enterococcus faecalis, the novel multiplex SIA detected and differentiated the eight SEs with assay accuracies of 86.9–100%. Notably, the multiplex SIA covered one to four sequence variants for each of the individual SEs. Validation confirmed high recovery rates and reliable performance in three representative complex food matrices. The implementation of the novel mAbs in a multiplex SIA enabled, for the first time, simultaneous detection, differentiation, and quantification of multiple SEs from minimal sample volumes using Luminex® technology. As a result, the multiplex SIA will help strengthen food safety protocols and public health response capabilities