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Effects of different concentrations of a white grape marc extract on broiler performance, apparent ileal digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier function and nutrient transport markers
Get PDFThe current study evaluated the effect of a white grape marc extract (GME) on growth performance, gut health, and intestinal function in broiler chickens at different dosages to determine a dose-related efficacy of the extract without inducing any adverse effects. Four hundred male broiler chickens received a basal diet without (CON) or with the GME at different levels, based on its polyphenolic concentration: 200 (LPP), 750 (MPP), and 1,500 (HPP) mg/kg, respectively. Growth performance parameters were recorded during the whole trial. At 35 days, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of several nutrients was determined. Additionally, jejunal and cecal tissues were collected to assess tissue morphology. Jejunal tissue was also gathered for gene expression and Ussing chamber studies. Finally, breast muscle was collected for lipid oxidation assessment. Dietary supplementation of the GME did not significantly impact the growth performance of broiler chickens with the exception of the FCR that seemed to be increased by the GME supplementation (P = 0.083). The AID of most of the analyzed nutrients was also unaffected with the exception of the amino acid aspartic acid, which was higher in MPP and HPP compared to LPP (P = 0.006). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in villus length (VL), crypt depth (CD), villus-to-crypt ratio (V/C) in the jejunum, or in cecal CD. The number of goblet cells in jejunal villi and crypts was higher in MPP and HPP than in CON (P < 0.001). There were no effects on the mRNA abundance of some pro-inflammatory cytokines, mucins, or tight junction proteins measured in jejunal tissue nor on antioxidant capacity measured in breast muscle. In the Ussing chamber experiment, the GME decreased jejunal tissue conductance after glucose addition in MPP and HPP groups (P = 0.033). In conclusion, although the inclusion of a white GME in the diet of broiler chickens did not significantly enhance growth performance or nutrient absorption, it was confirmed that none of the tested concentrations induced adverse effects
Reading Mirtha Dermisache
Get PDFBeginning in the late 1960s, the Argentinian conceptual artist Mirtha Dermisache (1940–2012) produced publications that consist of asemic writing: marks that resemble language but lack semantic content. Her artist’s books, letters and postcards challenge habitual responses to both art and literature, leading us to re-evaluate how language works, how we perceive it, and how it might be distinguished from drawing. This publication brings together three academic essays and an artist’s tribute, each offering a distinct approach to “reading” Mirtha Dermisache
Threshold guided automated delineation of acute cerebral infarction based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) thresholds
Get PDFZusammenfassung
Hintergrund: In der Diagnostik des ischämischen Schlaganfalls ist die automatisierte Quantifizierung des Infarktes von zunehmender Bedeutung. Zur Abgrenzung des Infarktkerns in der diffusionsgewichteten Bildgebung (DWI) verwenden etablierte Algorithmen generalisierte Grenzwerte des scheinbaren Diffusionskoeffizienten (ADC). Zugrundeliegende Annahmen wurden bisher nur unzureichend überprüft, auch bleiben Einflussfaktoren auf die automatisierte Methode unbekannt.
Methoden: Anhand von Bilddaten der von 2008 bis 2013 durchgeführten 1000Plus Studie (clinicaltrials.org NCT00715533) wurde eine experimentelle retrospektive Analyse von ADC-Grenzwert basierenden Läsionssegmentierungen durchgeführt. Ein eigens entwickelter Segmentierungsalgorithmus wurde an einer heterogenen Gruppe von 108 ischämischen Schlaganfallpatienten getestet, welcher einen üblichen ADC-Grenzwert von ≤620×10-6mm2/s anwendet. Als Ground Truth diente die manuelle Abgrenzung der DWI-Läsion durch erfahrene Neuroradiologen. In der vorliegenden Patientenkohorte wurden optimale ADC-Grenzwerte zur DWI-Läsionsabgrenzung in Grenzwertanalysen identifiziert. Einflussfaktoren auf ADC-Grenzwert-abhängige Segmentierungsmethoden wurden mittels Regressionsmodellen untersucht.
Ergebnisse: Automatisiert segmentierte DWI-Läsionen wiesen im Vergleich zur manuellen Standardmethode signifikant geringere Volumina (Mittlere Differenz: -4.9 ml) und ADC-Werte (Mittlere Differenz: -186 × 10−6mm2/s) auf (n = 108). Der Dice-Koeffizient betrug im Median 0.43 (IQR 0.20 – 0.64). Einflussfaktoren auf die räumliche Übereinstimmung des entwickelten Segmentierungsalgorithmus stellten die ADC-Werte innerhalb der DWI-Läsion (β = -0.65, p <.01) und des gesunden Hirnparenchyms (β = 0.17, p <.01) dar. Das Volumen der Läsion (β = 0.55, p <.01) korrelierte mit dem Dice-Koeffzienten. Der mittels gepoolter Grenzwertoptimierungskurve bestimmte optimale ADC-Grenzwert in vorliegender Kohorte betrug 693×10-6mm2/s (Sensitivität 63%, Spezifität 75%). Optimale individuelle Kurven zeigten ADC-Grenzwerte mit einem Interquartilenabstand von ≤634 – 735×10-6mm2/s auf. Signifikante Einflussfaktoren auf den diagnostischen Nutzen optimaler individueller ADC-Grenzwerte waren im Regressionsmodell die ADC-Werte innerhalb der DWI-Läsionen (β = -0.9, p <.01) und im übrigen Hirnparenchyms (β = 0.29, p <.01). Es zeigte sich kein relevanter Einfluss des Zeitintervalls (0 – 24 Stunden) auf die mittleren ADC-Werte innerhalb der DWI-Läsion oder die Leistungsfähigkeit von ADC-Grenzwerten. Ein ADC-Anstieg innerhalb der DWI-Läsion konnte zwischen Tag 3 und 7 nachgewiesen werden.
Konklusion: Die Anwendung von restriktiven ADC-Grenzwerten führt zu signifikant geringeren Läsionsvolumina im Vergleich zur Standardmethode. Läsionsspezifische und patientenspezifische Faktoren beeinflussen die Leistungsfähigkeit der angewandten ADC-Grenzwerte. Das Zeitintervall stellt innerhalb von 24 Stunden keinen Einflussfaktor dar.Abstract
Background: Automated infarct quantification methods are already established in ischemic stroke diagnostics. Algorithms use threshold values of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to delineate the infarct core in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Only a few independent studies have examined differences to the previous standard method of examiner-dependent manual delineation. Factors influencing the supposedly more objective method remain unknown.
Methods: Using image data from the 1000Plus study conducted from 2008 to 2013 (clinicaltrials.org NCT00715533), an experimental retrospective analysis of ADC threshold-based lesion segmentation was performed. For this purpose, a segmentation algorithm was developed and tested on a heterogeneous group of 108 ischemic stroke patients using a standard ADC threshold of ≤620×10-6mm2/s. Manual delineation of the DWI lesion by experienced neuroradiologists served as ground truth. Resulting segmentations were analyzed. In receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, optimal ADC thresholds for DWI lesion delineation were identified in the present patient cohort. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze factors influencing the performance of the algorithm as well as the diagnostic capabilities of ADC thresholds identified in the ROC analysis. The time course of the ADC values within the DWI lesion was recorded.
Results: Automated segmented DWI lesions had significantly lower volumes (mean difference: -4.9 ml) and ADC values (mean difference: -186×10-6mm2/s) compared to the manual standard method. The median Dice coefficient was 0.43 (IQR 0.20 - 0.64). Factors influencing the spatial agreement of the developed segmentation algorithm were the ADC values within the DWI lesion (β = -0.65, p <.01) and the unaffected brain parenchyma (β = 0.17, p <.01). DWI lesion volume (β = 0.55, p <.01) correlated positively with the Dice coefficient. The optimal ADC threshold determined by pooled ROC analysis in the present cohort was 693×10-6mm2/s (sensitivity 63%, specificity 75%). Optimal individual curves showed ADC thresholds with an interquartile range of ≤634 - 735×10-6mm2/s. In the regression model, the ADC value within the DWI lesion (β = -0.9, p <.01) and the brain parenchyma (β = 0.29, p <.01) were influential factors on the diagnostic benefit of optimal individual ADC thresholds. There was no relevant influence of the time interval (0 - 24 hours) on the mean ADC values within the DWI lesion or the performance of ADC thresholds. An ADC increase within the DWI lesion was detected between day 3 and 7.
Conclusion: The application of restrictive ADC thresholds leads to significantly lower lesion volumes compared to the standard method. Lesion as well as patient specific factors influence the performance of the applied ADC thresholds. However, the time of symptom onset to imaging within 24 hours is not considered an influential factor
The Lung Clearance Index in Preschool Children with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia Compared to Preschool Children with Cystic Fibrosis
Get PDFHintergrund: Die primäre ziliäre Dyskinesie (PCD) ist eine seltene angeborene Erkrankung, die mit einer gestörten Motilität der Zilien im Körper einhergeht. Klinisch manifestiert sie sich, aufgrund der gestörten mukoziliären Clearance, vor allem durch Erkrankungen der Atemwege. Eine andere Erkrankung, der eine Störung der mukoziliären Clearance zugrunde liegt ist die Mukoviszidose (CF). Verschiedene Studien konnten zeigen, dass die Lungenerkrankung bei Kindern mit Mukoviszidose (CF) bereits im Säuglingsalter existiert. Diese konnte bei Vorschulkindern mit CF durch den Lung Clearance Index (LCI), der durch Multiple-Breath Washout (MBW) bestimmt wird, sensitiv detektiert werden. Im Gegensatz dazu gibt es nur wenige Daten zu Beginn und Ausprägung der Lungenerkrankung bei Vorschulkindern mit primärer ziliärer Dyskinesie (PCD). Auch zur Eignung des LCI als sensitivem, quantitativem und nicht-invasivem Messwert liegen für die PCD bei Vorschulkindern kaum Daten vor.
Zielsetzung: Das Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Durchführbarkeit von MBW, sowie die Sensitivität von MBW zur Detektion von pulmonalen Ventilationsinhomogenitäten bei Vorschulkindern mit PCD zu untersuchen.
Methoden: Diese Studie war eine prospektive, multizentrische Querschnittsstudie. Per MBW mit Stickstoffauswaschung wurde bei Vorschulkindern mit PCD, Vorschulkindern mit CF und gesunden Kontrollen im gleichen Alter der LCI bestimmt und zwischen den Gruppen verglichen.
Ergebnisse: MBW wurde erfolgreich von 27 Vorschulkindern mit PCD, 34 Vorschulkindern mit CF und 30 gesunden Kontrollen durchgeführt (Altersdurchschnitt 4,8 Jahre, Spannweite 2,2-6,9 Jahre). Die Durchführbarkeit von MBW unterschied sich mit 93,1% in der PCD-Gruppe nicht von der in der CF-Gruppe (91,9%) und den gesunden Kontrollen (85,7%; P=0,55). Der LCI der Vorschulkinder mit PCD (Median, 9,1) war im Vergleich zu dem der gesunden Kontrollen (Median, 7,0) erhöht (P<0,0001). Er unterschied sich nicht vom LCI der Vorschulkinder mit CF (Median, 8,6; P=0,71).
Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Studie konnte zeigen, dass die Lungenerkrankung bereits bei Vorschulkindern mit PCD nachweisbar war und ähnlich zur frühen Lungenerkrankung bei CF ausgeprägt sein könnte. Aufgrund dessen sollten früh ein systematisches Monitoring und die Therapie bei Patienten mit PCD erfolgen. LCI könnte für Kinder mit PCD ein geeigneter diagnostischer Marker und ein potenzieller Endpunkt in klinischen Interventionsstudien sein.Background: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare congenital disorder associated with impaired motility of the cilia in the body. It manifests itself primarily through respiratory diseases due to impaired mucociliary clearance. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is another disease characterised by impaired mucociliary clearance. Previous studies demonstrated that lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF) exists already in young infants. The lung clearance index (LCI) derived from multiple-breath washout (MBW) sensitively detects this early lung disease in preschool children with CF. In preschool children with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), only limited data on the onset and severity of lung disease exist. Also LCI has not been investigated as a non-invasive quantitative endpoint to studies in this patients.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and sensitivity of MBW to detect ventilation inhomogeneity in preschool children with PCD and to compare the LCI of preschool children with PCD to the LCI of age-matched healthy controls and children with CF.
Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional multicenter study, LCI was determined in clinically stable preschoolers with PCD, preschoolers with CF, and healthy control (HC) participants using nitrogen MBW. LCI was compared between the three groups.
Results: Twenty-seven children with PCD, 34 children with CF, and 30 HC participants (mean age, 4.8 years; range, 2.2-6.9 years) performed MBW successfully. The feasibility in preschoolers with PCD was 93.1% and did not differ from that in preschoolers with CF (91.9%) and in HC participants (85.7%; P=0.55). LCI was increased in preschool children with PCD (median, 9.1) compared to healthy controls (median, 6.9; P<0.0001), but did not differ from children with CF (median, 8.6; P=0.71).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated an early onset of lung disease in preschool children with PCD. It suggested that the severity of lung disease in PCD in the preschool years may be similar to early lung disease in CF. These data support the need for diagnostic monitoring and therapy early in life and support the LCI as a non-invasive diagnostic tool and as a potential endpoint in clinical trials testing early intervention strategies in children with PCD
Mothers of Young Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stress
Get PDFObjective: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, psychosocial well-being of families and parents worldwide has been impaired. As part of a larger online survey, we analyzed maternal depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Method: A total of 666 mothers from Germany with young children (mostly aged 0–3 years) filled out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at 2 time points during the pandemic (T1: summer/fall 2020; T2: early spring 2021). We (1) calculated prevalence rates of a risk for depression and high perceived stress levels, (2) analyzed differences between time points via paired t tests, and (3) examined the reciprocal relation between the two constructs via cross-lagged panel modeling. Results: Considering cut-off values of the EPDS (≥10) and PSS (≥27), 33.8% carried a risk for depression and 15.2% high levels of stress at T1, whereas, respectively, 55.1% and 26.0% did so at T2. Depressive symptom severity and perceived stress levels significantly differed between measurement points with higher values at T2 (p < 0.001). Our cross-lagged panel analysis revealed large correlations (p < 0.001) within as well as small to medium (i.e., [0.21, 0.47]) auto-regressive (p < 0.001) and reciprocal (p < 0.001) predictions across time points between the severity of depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Conclusions: This work demonstrates how severely mothers of infants were affected by depressive symptoms and perceived stress in a time of pandemic crisis. Psychosocial support should focus on screening and treating mothers as early as possible to mitigate the risk for subsequent depressive symptoms and perceived stress. Aiming attention at both depressive symptom reduction and stress relief most successfully promotes maternal well-being
Pre-Rift Orogenic Erosion Facilitates the Exhumation of Lower Crust at Rifted Margins
Get PDFDuring the late-stage of continental rifting, lower crustal rocks can be exhumed to the Earth's surface. Such exposure has been identified especially in rifts that developed within former orogens. These rifts exploited zones of lithospheric weakness created during previous mountain-building events. Here we investigate whether lower crustal exhumation during rifting could result directly from structural inheritance of prior orogeny. To this aim we use Wilson-Cycle numerical models where we impose a prior shortening and subsequent extension. Our models incorporate the effects of thermal and structural inheritance as well as surface processes. We find that the erosion of mountain belts thins the upper crust, reducing the upper-to-lower crustal ratio prior to rifting. This process facilitates the exhumation of lower crustal material during extension, exposing them at the Earth's surface along the footwall of normal faults. We suggest a new conceptual model to explain lower crustal exhumation observed at rifted margins worldwide
Dysregulation of monocytic PD-1-signalling in patients undergoing Immune-Checkpoint-Blockade-Therapy with immune-related adverse events
Get PDFEinleitung: Immun-assoziierte Nebenwirkungen (irAE) sind eine wesentliche Limitation
der Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitor-Therapie (ICI), die in den vergangenen Jahren die
Behandlung diverser Tumorentitäten revolutioniert hat. IrAE weisen große
Ähnlichkeiten zu Autoimmunerkrankungen auf und betreffen die Hälfte der ICI-
Patient:innen (IP), wobei die Inzidenz aufgrund neuer Indikationen und des Einsatzes
von Kombinationstherapien, die ein erhöhtes Risiko für irAE aufweisen, vermutlich
steigt. Die zugrunde liegende Pathophysiologie ist nach wie vor schlecht verstanden.
Unsere Arbeitsgruppe hat bei der Untersuchung der Reaktivität peripherer
Leukozytenpopulationen im Anschluss an zelltypspezifische Stimulationen bei IP eine
erhöhte Toll-Like-Rezeptor-2-Reaktivität (TLR2) von Monozyten festgestellt. Diese blieb
bei IP mit irAE (AE-IP) aus, was zu der Hypothese führte, dass schadensassoziierte
molekulare Muster (DAMPs), welche zum Teil TLR2-Liganden sind, in Kontext von irAE
relevant sein könnten, zumal ihnen bei Autoimmunerkrankungen eine Schlüsselrolle
zugeschrieben werden.
Methoden: Mithilfe FACS-basierter in vitro-Assays wurde erstens untersucht, welche
Prozesse die PD-1-Expression auf Monozyten modulieren, zweitens wie eine PD-1-
Blockade die Reaktivität von Monozyten beeinflusst und drittens die Monozyten-
Reaktivität im Anschluss an verschiedene Ko-Kulturen mit DAMPs analysiert. Mittels
ELISA- und Immunoplex-Assays sowie cfDNA-Isolierung wurden verschiedene TLR2-
Liganden und Zytokine bei den IP quantifiziert, um mögliche Faktoren zu identifizieren,
die die Monozytenreaktivität modulieren.
Ergebnisse: Durch Inkubation von PBMC konnte PD-1 auf Monozyten von gesunden
Spender:innen (HC) induziert werden. Der bei IP beobachtete Anstieg der
monozytären Reaktivität konnte in vitro bestätigt werden. Darüber hinaus wiesen HC-
Monozyten durch die Anwesenheit von AE-IP-Sera eine abgeschwächte
Zytokinproduktion nach TLR2-Stimulation auf, was auf einen löslichen Faktor im Serum
der AE-IP hinweist, der für diesen Mechanismus verantwortlich sein könnte. Bei den
AE-IP wurden erhöhte Level zellfreier DNA (cfDNA) beobachtet, welche mit dem Grad
der Desensibilisierung von HC-Monozyten durch die IP-Sera korrelierte. Auch führte
isolierte cfDNA von IP zu einer reduzierten Zytokin-Produktion sowie zu einer
Herunterregulierung von PD-1 auf HC-Monozyten. Die Quantifizierung von DAMPs
und Zytokinen bei den IP ergab zudem einen Anstieg des anti-inflammatorischen
Zytokins IL-10 und des TLR2-Agonisten HMGB-1 bei jenen IP, die keine irAE
entwickelten.
Diskussion: Zusammenfassend wurden funktionelle Auswirkungen der PD-1-Blockade
auf Monozyten charakterisiert und cfDNA als DAMP identifiziert, welches potenziell die
TLR2-Reaktivität bei AE-IP beeinträchtigt. Perspektivisch könnte cfDNA eine Rolle als
prädiktiver Biomarker für irAE sowie als therapeutisches Ziel spielen.Introduction: Immune related adverse events (irAE) play a key role in immune
checkpoint therapy (ICI), being one of the main limitations of this promising tool
against cancer. Summarizing a variety of autoimmune disease-like side effects, mainly
affecting skin, gastrointestinal tract and lung, but potentially any organ system, irAE
occur in over half of patients receiving checkpoint therapy (IP) against PD-1, PD-L1 and
CTLA-4 with numbers assumably rising due to a growing field of indications and the
use of combination therapies which have an increased risk of causing irAE. The
underlying mechanism remains unclear with some hypotheses being discussed, mainly
referring to T cells as major disease drivers. Analyzing the reactivity of peripheral
leukocyte populations upon cell-type-specific stimulation, our group found an increase
of the Toll Like-Receptor 2-reactivity (TLR2) of monocytes in IP which was absent in
patients with irAE (AE-IP). Therefore, we assumed a potential role of damage-
associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), some of which are TLR2-Ligands, as they are
being attributed a key role in autoimmune disease, which resemble irAE in its clinical
characteristics.
Methods: FACS based in vitro assays were established in order to first, examine
mechanisms modulating the PD-1- expression, second, to characterize the effect of PD-
1-blockade on monocytes reactivity and third, to identify potential factors that could
account for the altered TLR signaling patterns of AE-IP. By using ELISA- and
Immunoplex-based assays as well as cfDNA isolation technique a variety of TLR2-
Ligands were quantified in the IP aiming to identify possible factors dampening the
monocyte reactivity.
Results: PD-1-expression could be induced by incubating PBMC overnight. Also, the
increase of monocytes reactivity following anti-PD-1-treatment observed in patients
was validated in vitro. Furthermore AE-IP-sera led to a desensitization of TLR2-reactivity
of healthy control (HC) monocytes, indicating a soluble factor that indeed accounts for
this mechanism. Levels of cell free DNA (cfDNA) levels were found to be elevated in
AE-IP and correlated with the degree in which the patients’ sera desensitized HC
monocytes. Also, isolated cfDNA from IP led to a reduced production of cytokines and
a downregulation of PD-1 in HC monocytes. In addition, quantification of cytokines and
DAMPs in the IP revealed increasing levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and
the TLR2 agonist HMGB-1 in IP who didn’t develop irAE.
Discussion: In conclusion, functional effects of blocking PD-1 on monocytes were
characterized and cfDNA was identified as potential DAMP to hamper the TLR2
reactivity in AE-IP. Perspectively cfDNA could play a role as predictive biomarker for
irAE as well as a therapeutic target to lower the negative effects of irAE without
interfering with the effectiveness of ICI
Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy as a tool to reveal the vibrational and molecular structure of [FeFe] hydrogenases
No full text[FeFe] hydrogenases are Nature's most efficient catalysts for the cleavage and evolution of molecular hydrogen. Despite decades of research, key aspects of the catalytic cycle and the underlying geometrical and electronic properties of the active-site cofactor, called the H-cluster, are not fully understood. Spectroscopic techniques have played a central role in establishing the current state of knowledge on [FeFe] hydrogenases, and further advances in the field depend critically on novel techniques that yield so-far inaccessible insights into structural and mechanistic aspects. Infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy represents a well-established and versatile technique that can identify and characterize all active and inactive states of the H-cluster by means of structurally sensitive and spectrally isolated CO and CN stretching vibrations. However, the amount of information that can be extracted from these linear experiments is inherently limited. Here we introduce experimental and computational two-dimensional (2D-)IR spectroscopy for the characterization of [FeFe] hydrogenases. Utilizing the Hinact state of the H-cluster as a model system, we demonstrate that this nonlinear technique yields direct information about the nature and interactions of the CO and CN stretching vibrations. These insights allow, for the first time, to quantitatively describe the character of these widely used reporter vibrations, their spatial localization, and the way they change upon structural variation of the H-cluster. The strength of this approach is demonstrated by correctly identifying the proposed structure of the Hinact state, in solution and at ambient temperature. In conclusion, the introduced combination of experimental and computational 2D-IR spectroscopy represents a powerful approach for studying [FeFe] hydrogenases and other complex organometallic targets
Synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of sodium adsorption on vertically arranged MoS2 layers coated with pyrolytic carbon
Get PDFHybrid materials consisting of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphitic-like carbon have great potential for practical application as anodes in high-performance sodium-ion batteries. In this work, to reveal the effect of carbon coating on the interaction of sodium with the MoS2 layers located vertically relative to the substrate, model experiments were carried out using synchrotron-radiation-induced X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Sodium vapor obtained by heating a sodium source was simultaneously deposited in vacuum on the surfaces of MoS2, pyrolytic carbon, and a hybrid sample obtained by transferring a pyrolytic carbon film onto the MoS2 film. According to XPS data, sodium easily penetrates into the space between the vertical layers of the uncoated film, and its interaction with MoS2 leads to the transformation of the original hexagonal structure into a distorted tetragonal one. Under the experimental conditions, sodium is unable to diffuse through the carbon film consisting of horizontally oriented graphene domains and is almost completely removed by annealing the sample at 773 K in ultrahigh vacuum. The presence of the underlying MoS2 film facilitates the diffusion of sodium through the graphitic coating, but not all of the deposited sodium reaches MoS2. As a result, the sodium-induced rearrangement of the carbon-coated MoS2 is less than that of the free MoS2 film, and annealing of the sodiated sample restores its structure. The obtained results demonstrate the important role of the graphitic coating in the development of viable MoS2-based electrodes for energy storage systems