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Support bandages: properties of support bandage materials and biomechanical properties
No full textZusammenfassung Stützverbände dienen der Ruhigstellung und Immobilisation von Gliedmaßen nach jeglicher Art von Verletzungen, die einer entsprechenden Immobilisation bedürfen. Je nach der Art der Verletzung kommen verschiedene Arten von Stützverbänden sowie auch verschiedene Materialien zum Einsatz. Aufgrund der zunehmend operativen Behandlung von Frakturen im Kindesalter beobachten wir einen rasanter Verlust der „handwerklichen“ Fähigkeit zur optimalen Applikation besonders von Gipsverbänden. Im Nachfolgenden sollen einerseits die verschiedenen Materialien von Stützverbänden und deren Eigenschaften dargestellt und andererseits auch die entsprechenden Indikationen aufgeführt werden.Abstract Support bandages and casts are used to immobilize and stabilize limbs after various types of injuries that require appropriate immobilization. Depending on the type of injury, different types of support bandages/casts and different materials are used. Due to the increasing surgical treatment of fractures in children, we are observing a decline in the practical skills needed to properly apply supportive bandages, particularly plaster casts. In the following, the different materials of support bandages and their properties are presented as well as their corresponding indications.Zusammenfassung Stützverbände dienen der Ruhigstellung und Immobilisation von Gliedmaßen nach jeglicher Art von Verletzungen, die einer entsprechenden Immobilisation bedürfen. Je nach der Art der Verletzung kommen verschiedene Arten von Stützverbänden sowie auch verschiedene Materialien zum Einsatz. Aufgrund der zunehmend operativen Behandlung von Frakturen im Kindesalter beobachten wir einen rasanter Verlust der „handwerklichen“ Fähigkeit zur optimalen Applikation besonders von Gipsverbänden. Im Nachfolgenden sollen einerseits die verschiedenen Materialien von Stützverbänden und deren Eigenschaften dargestellt und andererseits auch die entsprechenden Indikationen aufgeführt werden.Abstract Support bandages and casts are used to immobilize and stabilize limbs after various types of injuries that require appropriate immobilization. Depending on the type of injury, different types of support bandages/casts and different materials are used. Due to the increasing surgical treatment of fractures in children, we are observing a decline in the practical skills needed to properly apply supportive bandages, particularly plaster casts. In the following, the different materials of support bandages and their properties are presented as well as their corresponding indications
Cattle, capital, and the imagination of self-expanding value
No full textAs cattle-keeping pastoralists continue to attract the intellectual interest of anthropologists worldwide, research focuses particularly on livelihood and resource management as well as on pastoral development and participation in a globalizing world. While this orientation implies an epistemological division between acting subjects (people) and managed objects (cattle), this article goes back to the earlier anthropology of pastoralists to ask how a society of humans constitutes itself through the ownership of herd animals. To this end, the concept of capital is adopted to dialectically integrate the material, the relational, and the ideational dimensions of cattle and thereby elucidate the congruence of managing animals and managing people within a single form of practice. The article is a general theoretical contribution to the study of pastoralism but takes the Woɗaaɓe cattle herders in West Africa as a case in point to mobilize the ethnographic detail needed for the argument
Privacy Preservation for PET/CT DICOM Images in Clinical Studies
No full textMedical provides objective measures, such as for disease monitoring or treatment response, and is increasingly included in clinical studies. High-quality study data is valuable for secondary use but requires de-identification to protect privacy while preserving key clinical information, such as patient characteristics required for interpreting Positron Electron Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) images. We evaluate the current DICOM-compliant de-identification methods for PET/CT imaging, addressing challenges in clinical study application
Chromene flavanones from Dalea boliviana as xanthine oxidase inhibitors: in vitro biological evaluation and molecular docking studies
No full textBackground Prenylated flavanones represent a structurally diverse class of natural compounds with significant biological potential. Among them, chromene flavanones (CFs) constitute a rare and specialized subgroup with promising therapeutic applications. These molecules have gained attention due to their potential to inhibit xanthine oxidase (XO), a key enzyme involved in oxidative stress-related disorders such as gout and hyperuricemia. Their distinctive structural features, combined with notable bioactivity, make them compelling candidates for further pharmacological exploration. Given their potential relevance, this study focuses on the in vitro and in silico evaluation of three CFs isolated from Dalea boliviana Britton [Fabacea], assessing their capacity to inhibit XO and elucidating key structure–activity relationships (SARs) that contribute to their biological effectiveness. Purpose This study aims to investigate the in vitro and in silico interactions of the chromene flavanones, namely, ( 2S ) 5,2′-dihydroxy-6″,6″-dimethylchromeno-(7,8:2″,3″)-flavanone ( 1 ), ( 2S ) 5,2′-dihydroxy-6″,6″-dimethylchromeno-(7,8:2″,3″)-3′-prenylflavanone ( 2 ), and obovatin ( 3 ), obtained from D. boliviana , with XO, in order to explore their potential as XO inhibitors and their potential therapeutic applications for hyperuricemic diseases. Material and Methods XO inhibition by the three chromene flavanones was measured spectroscopically. The relationships between their structures and inhibitory activities were evaluated. Moreover, molecular docking studies were performed to propose the binding modes of the most active natural compounds. Results and discussion Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited potent inhibition, with IC 50 values in the nanomolar range (0.5 ± 0.01 nM and 1.7 ± 0.46 nM, respectively), demonstrating significantly higher activity than allopurinol (AL), the reference inhibitor (IC 50 = 247 ± 4 nM). In contrast, compound 3 displayed only weak inhibition. SAR analysis revealed that the presence of a chromene moiety in the A-ring, combined with hydroxyl and prenyl groups in the B-ring, played a crucial role in enhancing inhibitory activity. Molecular docking studies confirmed the strong binding affinities of compounds 1 and 2 within the active site of XO (PDB ID: 3NVY), with binding energies of −6.1687 kcal/mol and −6.7820 kcal/mol, respectively. Key stabilizing interactions involved π–π interactions with Phe914 and hydrogen bonding with residues such as Leu873 and Leu1014. These findings highlight the structural features essential for potent XO inhibition and suggest that chromene flavanones represent a valuable scaffold for the development of novel inhibitors. Further molecular dynamics simulations could provide deeper insights into their stability and interaction dynamics, aiding in the rational design of more effective XO inhibitors. Conclusion Our findings lead us to propose these chromene flavanones as lead compounds for the design and development of novel XO inhibitors for treating diseases in which exacerbated activity of this enzyme is involved
ATIP1 Is a Suppressor of Cardiac Hypertrophy and Modulates AT2-Dependent Signaling in Cardiac Myocytes
No full textSo far, the molecular functions of the angiotensin-type-2 receptor (AT2) interacting protein (ATIP1) have remained unclear, although expression studies have revealed high levels of ATIP1 in the heart. To unravel its physiological function, we investigated ATIP1-KO mice. They develop a spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy with a significantly increased heart/bodyweight ratio, enlarged cardiomyocyte diameters, and augmented myocardial fibrosis. Hemodynamic measurements revealed an increased ejection fraction (EF) in untreated ATIP1-KO mice, and reduced end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (ESV and EDV), which, in sum, reflect a compensated concentric cardiac hypertrophy. Importantly, no significant differences in blood pressure (BP) were observed. Chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion resulted in increases in BP and EF in ATIP1-KO and WT mice. Reductions in ESV and EDV occurred in both ATIP1-KO and WT but to a lesser extent in ATIP1-KOs. Isolated cardiomyocytes exhibited a significantly increased contractility in ATIP1-KO and accelerated Ca2+ decay. AngII treatment resulted in increased fractional shortening in WT but decreased shortening in ATIP1-KO, accompanied by accelerated cell relaxation in WT but absent effects on relaxation in ATIP1-KO cells. The AT2 agonist CGP42112A increased shortening in WT cardiomyocytes but, again, did not affect shortening in ATIP1-KO cells. Relaxation was accelerated by CGP42112A in WT but was unaffected in ATIP1-KO cells. We show that ATIP1 deficiency results in spontaneous cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and that ATIP1 is a downstream signal in the AT2 pathway regulating cell contractility. We hypothesize that the latter effect is because of a disinhibition of the AT1 pathway by impaired AT2 signaling
Cardiorenal syndrome: causes, diagnosis and treatment of congestive nephropathy
No full textZusammenfassung Die kongestive Nephropathie (CN) ist eine Entität des kardiorenalen Syndroms, die wesentlich auf dem Boden einer venösen Kongestion und neurohormonellen Aktivierung entsteht. Eine Herzinsuffizienz, pulmonalarterielle Hypertonie, isolierte Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz und angeborene Herzfehler sind die häufigsten Ursachen. Es gibt bis dato keine allgemein akzeptierten diagnostischen Kriterien, jedoch scheint das Erfassen des intrarenalen venösen Blutflusses mittels Dopplersonographie die geeignetste Methode zu sein. Mit dieser Technik kann ein kontinuierlicher venöser Fluss (keine Kongestion) von den diskontinuierlichen Flussmustern pulsatil (leichte Kongestion), biphasisch (moderate Kongestion) und monophasisch (schwere Kongestion) differenziert werden. Der Venous Impedance Index und der Renal Venous Stasis Index sind zusätzliche dopplersonographische Kriterien zum Erfassen einer CN. Therapien mit Schleifendiuretika und/oder Natrium-Glukose-Kotransporter-2(SGLT-2)-Inhibitoren können eine venöse Kongestion nachweislich verbessern.Abstract Congestive nephropathy (CN) is an entity of the cardiorenal syndrome that essentially arises from venous congestion and neurohormonal activation. The most common underlying causes include heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, isolated tricuspid valve insufficiency and congenital heart defects. Currently, there are no universally accepted diagnostic criteria; however, the most suitable method appears to be the recording of intrarenal venous blood flow using Doppler sonography. A distinction can be made between continuous venous flow (no congestion) and discontinuous flow patterns, categorized as pulsatile (mild), biphasic (moderate) and monophasic (severe congestion). The venous impedance index (VII) and the renal venous stasis index (RVSI) are additional Doppler sonographic criteria for detecting CN. Evidence supports the efficacy of loop diuretics and/or the administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the management of venous congestion.Zusammenfassung Die kongestive Nephropathie (CN) ist eine Entität des kardiorenalen Syndroms, die wesentlich auf dem Boden einer venösen Kongestion und neurohormonellen Aktivierung entsteht. Eine Herzinsuffizienz, pulmonalarterielle Hypertonie, isolierte Trikuspidalklappeninsuffizienz und angeborene Herzfehler sind die häufigsten Ursachen. Es gibt bis dato keine allgemein akzeptierten diagnostischen Kriterien, jedoch scheint das Erfassen des intrarenalen venösen Blutflusses mittels Dopplersonographie die geeignetste Methode zu sein. Mit dieser Technik kann ein kontinuierlicher venöser Fluss (keine Kongestion) von den diskontinuierlichen Flussmustern pulsatil (leichte Kongestion), biphasisch (moderate Kongestion) und monophasisch (schwere Kongestion) differenziert werden. Der Venous Impedance Index und der Renal Venous Stasis Index sind zusätzliche dopplersonographische Kriterien zum Erfassen einer CN. Therapien mit Schleifendiuretika und/oder Natrium-Glukose-Kotransporter-2(SGLT-2)-Inhibitoren können eine venöse Kongestion nachweislich verbessern.Abstract Congestive nephropathy (CN) is an entity of the cardiorenal syndrome that essentially arises from venous congestion and neurohormonal activation. The most common underlying causes include heart failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, isolated tricuspid valve insufficiency and congenital heart defects. Currently, there are no universally accepted diagnostic criteria; however, the most suitable method appears to be the recording of intrarenal venous blood flow using Doppler sonography. A distinction can be made between continuous venous flow (no congestion) and discontinuous flow patterns, categorized as pulsatile (mild), biphasic (moderate) and monophasic (severe congestion). The venous impedance index (VII) and the renal venous stasis index (RVSI) are additional Doppler sonographic criteria for detecting CN. Evidence supports the efficacy of loop diuretics and/or the administration of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in the management of venous congestion
Entry Efficiency, Protease Dependence, and Antibody-Mediated Neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 Sublineages KP.3.1.1 and XEC
No full textBackground: The SARS-CoV-2 variants KP.3.1.1 and XEC currently dominate the COVID-19 epidemic. However, their cell tropism, proteolytic processing, and susceptibility to neutralization by monoclonal antibodies remain incompletely characterized. Methods: We employed pseudotyped viruses to assess the entry efficiency of KP.3.1.1 and XEC in various cell lines, their dependence on TMPRSS2 for lung cell entry, and their ability to use ACE2 for infection. Additionally, we evaluated their susceptibility to neutralization by monoclonal antibodies BD55-4637 and BD55-5514. Results: KP.3.1.1 and XEC entered cell lines with similar efficiency as the parental JN.1 lineage and utilized TMPRSS2 for Calu-3 lung cell entry. Unlike JN.1, KP.3.1.1 and XEC failed to efficiently use murine ACE2 for cell entry. Both variants were effectively neutralized by the monoclonal antibodies BD55-4637 and BD55-5514, suggesting therapeutic potential. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that JN.1, KP.3.1.1, and XEC, like their predecessor BA.2.86, rely on TMPRSS2 for lung cell entry and remain sensitive to certain neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. However, these variants differ in their ability to utilize ACE2 species orthologs for cell entry
Left ventricular deformation predicts major adverse cardiac events following acute myocardial infarction independently of afterload and ventricular–arterial coupling
No full textAbstract Background Load dependence on left ventricular (LV) strain is under constant debate with its interference with prognostic implications remaining unclear. Consequently, we sought to investigate their interaction and prognostic value following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using state-of-the-art cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Methods In total, 1235 patients ( n = 795 ST-elevation [STEMI] and 440 non-STEMI) underwent CMR in median 3 days following AMI. Infarct characteristics were described by CMR using tissue characterisation (infarct size, microvascular obstruction, area at risk) and deformation imaging including LV global longitudinal and circumferential strain (GLS/GCS). Non-invasive haemodynamic indices included effective arterial elastance Ea (end-systolic pressure (ESP)/stroke volume) and the non-geometric LV end-systolic afterload index NGI [(ESP × LV end-systolic volume (ESV))/LV mass] for estimation of LV afterload. LV contractility was assessed using end-systolic elastance Ees (ESP/LV ESV). Ventriculo–arterial coupling was described as Ea/Ees. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded within the first year. Results All haemodynamic indices were impaired in patients with MACE during follow-up compared to patients without ( p < 0.001–0.005). Ventriculo–arterial coupling showed the highest correlation to infarct properties (infarct size r = 0.51, p < 0.001) and deformation imaging (GLS r = 0.54, GCS r = 0.72, p < 0.001). GLS and GCS were associated with MACE independently of all haemodynamic indices ( p < 0.001 for all except of GCS-Ea/Ees p = 0.024). Conclusions Non-invasive haemodynamic indices are associated with outcome following AMI with ventriculo–arterial coupling showing the most prominent association to infarct properties and outcome. GCS showed higher correlation to haemodynamic indices compared to GLS whilst both are independent predictors for MACE. Graphical abstractDZHK 100010447Georg-August-Universität Göttingen 50110000338
The Sunrise Ultraviolet Spectropolarimeter and Imager: Standalone Polarimetric Calibration
No full textAbstract Sunrise is a 1-m optical solar observatory carried aloft by a stratospheric balloon. It was developed to study magnetic fields and plasma flows in the solar atmosphere with very high spatial resolution and sensitivity. The Sunrise UV Spectropolarimeter and Imager (SUSI) operates in the 309 – 417 nm range, covering thousands of spectral lines that are poorly accessible from the ground and largely unexplored. The instrument includes a dual-beam polarimeter based on a rotating waveplate, a polarization beam splitter and two custom-made CMOS cameras. SUSI gathers data at high spectral, spatial and temporal resolution. These data are stored onboard during flight. Given that SUSI does not include a polarimetric calibration unit onboard, its polarimetric demodulation matrix is estimated during laboratory calibration measurements prior to its flight. The quality of this calibration is crucial to accurately demodulate the data post-flight and reach the instrument’s maximum polarimetric sensitivity goal of 1 × 10 − 3 of the continuum intensity. In this paper, we report the results of eighth polarimetric calibrations of SUSI standalone, acquired at six different wavelengths using artificial LED light sources. The field-dependant demodulation matrices obtained are within the values expected from the design, including their polarimetric efficiencies and temporal stability. The matrices are also confirmed to satisfy the calibration repeatability criterion imposed by the SUSI sensitivity goal.Strategic Innovations Fund of the President of the Max Planck SocietyMax-Planck-Förderstiftung https://doi.org/10.13039/100018385Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz through Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und RaumfahrtEuropean Research Council https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000781Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas https://doi.org/10.13039/501100002923Max-Planck-Gesellschaft https://doi.org/10.13039/501100004189National Aeronautics and Space Administration https://doi.org/10.13039/100000104National Astronomical Observatory of Japan https://doi.org/10.13039/501100006326Max Planck Institute for Solar System Researc
