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Hochwasserrisiken verstehen und beeinflussen – Das Schweizer Mobiliar Lab für Naturrisiken
No full textModulation of Extracellular Matrix Composition and Chronic Inflammation with Pirfenidone Promotes Scar Reduction in Retinal Wound Repair.
Get PDFWound repair in the retina is a complex mechanism, and a deeper understanding of it is necessary for the development of effective treatments to slow down or even prevent degenerative processes leading to photoreceptor loss. In this study, we harnessed a laser-induced retinal degeneration model (532-nm laser photocoagulation with 300 μm spot size, 60 ms duration and 60 mV pulse), enabling a profound molecular elucidation and a comprehensive, prolonged observation of the wound healing sequence in a murine laser-induced degeneration model (C57BL/6J mice, 6-12 weeks) until day 49 post-laser. Our observations included the expression of specific extracellular matrix proteins and myofibroblast activity, along with an analysis of gene expression related to extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules through RNA measurements. Furthermore, the administration of pirfenidone (10 mg/kg via drinking water), an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic compound, was used to modulate scar formation after laser treatment. Our data revealed upregulated collagen expression in late regenerative phases and sustained inflammation in the damaged tissue. Notably, treatment with pirfenidone was found to mitigate scar tissue formation, effectively downregulating collagen production and diminishing the presence of inflammatory markers. However, it did not lead to the regeneration of the photoreceptor layer
International GNSS Service: Technical Report 2023
No full textApplications of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) to Earth Sciences are
numerous. The International GNSS Service (IGS), a voluntary federation of government
agencies, universities and research institutions, combines GNSS resources and expertise
to provide the highest–quality GNSS data, products, and services in order to support
high–precision applications for GNSS–related research and engineering activities.
This IGS Technical Report 2023 includes contributions from the IGS Governing Board,
the Central Bureau, Analysis Centers, Data Centers, station and network operators,
working groups, pilot projects, and others highlighting status and important activities,
changes and results that took place and were achieved during 2023
Factors influencing pain medication and opioid use in patients with musculoskeletal injuries: a retrospective insurance claims database study.
Get PDFOpioid use is only recommended in selected cases of musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries. We assessed factors associated with increased opioid use in MSK injuries. In a retrospective analysis of over four million workers with MSK injuries using the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund (Suva) database, we analyzed risk factors by multivariate logistic regression. Injury severity was associated with pain medication, opioid, and strong opioid use. Whereas fractures, contusions, and ruptures had higher odds for any pain medication use, increased odds for strong opioids were observed in fractures, superficial injuries, and other injuries. Injuries of the shoulders, elbow, chest, back/spine, thorax, and pelvis/hips showed high odds for opioid use (odds ratio (OR) > 2.0). Injuries of the shoulders had higher odds for strong opioid use (OR 1.136; 95% CI 1.040-1.241). The odds for using strong opioids increased from 2008 OR 0.843 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.798-0.891) to 2018 OR 1.503 (95% CI 1.431-1.578), compared to 2013. Injury severity, type of injury, and injured body parts influenced the use of pain medication and overall opioid use in musculoskeletal injuries. Strong opioids were more often used in fractures but also in superficial and other minor injuries, which indicates that other factors play a role when prescribing strong opioids
Vertical and lateral distribution of helium in porewater of the Mesozoic sedimentary sequence of northern Switzerland – A comparative investigation across multiple boreholes
Get PDFHelium concentrations and 3He/4He ratios were measured on porewater extracted from the low-permeability rock matrix and groundwater in bounding aquifers in Northern Switzerland. The samples were collected from six deep boreholes, which were drilled across the Tertiary Molasse and the underlying Mesozoic sediments at three different study areas within the context of Nagra’s deep drilling programme for the underground disposal of radioactive waste. Porewater helium data obtained from each borehole at high spatial resolution describe continuous profiles over multiple aquifer-aquitard intervals across the Jurassic to Triassic sediment sequence. Given the lateral distribution of the investigated areas (~20 km apart) and having two boreholes in each area (a few km apart), this allows to investigate both vertical and lateral changes of He in the porewater and groundwater system at high resolution and over large scales.
In the about 300–400 m thick Dogger–Lias aquitard sequence including the Opalinus Clay, porewater He concentrations are nearly identical and have very similar 3He/4He signatures in all boreholes. This suggests a common history in the development of these systems despite the boreholes being located in three study areas with different hydrogeological setting and tectonic history since their last burial and diagenesis. Proximal to the groundwaters, He profiles show that the porewater system is controlled by diffusive redistribution of in-situ produced He from high concentrations in the aquitards towards lower concentrations in the bounding groundwaters. At some locations, the influence of evaporitic strata with very low diffusivity acting as transport barriers becomes obvious. Close to the aquitards, differences between the profile shapes of helium and other conservative tracers such as δ2H in the different boreholes and areas indicate different boundary conditions for the different tracers over the more recent geological past, as well as, for some boreholes, the potential contribution of helium from the groundwater to the porewater in the nearby low-permeability rock matrix.
In one study area, cross-formation transport of helium could be identified close to a deep reaching tectonic structure related to the Hegau-Lake Constance fault system. This basement derived gas is subsequently laterally distributed via groundwater in the different aquifers and influences the porewater of the adjacent aquitard formations, as evidenced by the helium concentrations and 3He/4He ratios in the groundwater and porewater in the two boreholes of this siting area
Efficacy and Safety of Non-Vitamin-K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin Across the Spectrum of Body Mass Index and Body Weight: An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of Four Randomized Clinical Trials of 58 464 Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.
No full textBACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of non-vitamin-K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) across the spectrum of body mass index (BMI) and body weight (BW) remain uncertain.
METHODS
We analyzed data from COMBINE AF (A Collaboration Between Multiple Institutions to Better Investigate Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulant Use in Atrial Fibrillation), which pooled patient-level data from the 4 pivotal randomized trials of NOAC versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were stroke or systemic embolic events (stroke/SEE) and major bleeding, respectively; secondary outcomes were ischemic stroke/SEE, intracranial hemorrhage, death, and the net clinical outcome (stroke/SEE, major bleeding, or death). Each outcome was examined across BMI and BW. Because few patients had a BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (n=598), the primary analyses were restricted to those with a BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2.
RESULTS
Among 58 464 patients, the median BMI was 28.3 (interquartile range, 25.2-32.2) kg/m2, and the median BW was 81.0 (interquartile range, 70.0-94.3) kg. The event probability of stroke/SEE was lower at a higher BMI irrespective of treatment, whereas the probability of major bleeding was lower at a higher BMI with warfarin but relatively unchanged across a BMI with an NOAC. NOACs reduced stroke/SEE overall (HRadj, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.73-0.88]; P<0.001), with a generally consistent effect across BMI (Ptrend across HRs, 0.48). NOACs also reduced major bleeding overall (HRadj, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.82-0.94]; P<0.001), but with attenuation of the benefit at a higher BMI (Ptrend, 0.003). The overall treatment effects of an NOAC versus warfarin for secondary outcomes were consistent across BMI, with the exception of the net clinical outcome and death, which, although was reduced overall with an NOAC (net clinical outcome, HRadj, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.87-0.95]; P<0.001; death, HRadj, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.86-0.97]; P=0.003), tended to favor warfarin at a higher BMI (Ptrend, 0.001 and 0.08, respectively). This finding was not explained by differences in ischemic or fatal bleeding events. All findings were qualitatively similar when analyzed across BW.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment effect of NOAC versus warfarin in atrial fibrillation is generally consistent for stroke/SEE across the spectrum of BMI and BW, whereas the reduction in major bleeding is attenuated at a higher BMI and BW. Death and the net clinical outcome are reduced with NOACs versus warfarin overall, although there remain uncertainties for these outcomes at a very high BMI and BW
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in Ukraine.
Get PDFToxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic parasite worldwide, but it has received limited attention in Ukraine. A seroepidemiological study was conducted and samples from 452 wild boars that had been hunted in 2006-2011 in 23 of the 25 regions of Ukraine were tested to estimate T. gondii seroprevalence. A locally available commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the investigation. Additionally, we tested 92 of the sera using a widely used commercial multi-species ELISA and an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). With the locally available ELISA, 35 of the 452 wild boars tested positive, yielding a seroprevalence estimate of 7.7% (95% confidence interval 5.5-10.5). The seropositive wild boars originated from eight of the regions. Using the majority criteria, 10/92 samples tested using both ELISAs and the IFAT were considered positive, yielding an estimated seroprevalence of 10.9% within the subset of samples. The highest seroprevalence was observed in wild boars hunted in Luhans'k (30.0%), Odesa (17.7%) and Kharkiv (12.7%). Seroprevalence was higher in older animals (13.3% for age group >12 months and 7.7% for age group ≤12 months). This is the first seroepidemiological study of T. gondii in wild boars in Ukraine. Assuming that seropositivity indicates presence of infectious parasites in the tissues, eating undercooked meat of wild boars hunted in Ukraine could be a potential source of infection to other hosts, including humans
Digitally enhanced hands-on surgical training (DEHST) enhances the performance during freehand nail distal interlocking.
No full textPURPOSE
Freehand distal interlocking of intramedullary nails remains a challenging task. Recently, a new training device for digitally enhanced hands-on surgical training (DEHST) was introduced, potentially improving surgical skills needed for distal interlocking.
AIM
To evaluate whether training with DEHST enhances the performance of novices (first-year residents without surgical experience in freehand distal nail interlocking).
METHODS
Twenty novices were randomly assigned to two groups and performed distal interlocking of a tibia nail in mock operation under operation-room-like conditions. Participants in Group 1 were trained with DEHST (five distal interlocking attempts, 1 h of training), while those in Group 2 did not receive training. Time, number of X-rays shots, hole roundness in the X-rays projection and hit rates were compared between the groups.
RESULTS
Time to complete the task [414.7 s (range 290-615)] and X-rays exposure [17.8 µGcm2 (range 9.8-26.4)] were significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 [623.4 s (range 339-1215), p = 0.041 and 32.6 µGcm2 (range 16.1-55.3), p = 0.003]. Hole projections were significantly rounder in Group 1 [95.0% (range 91.1-98.0) vs. 80.8% (range 70.1-88.9), p < 0.001]. In Group 1, 90% of the participants achieved successful completion of the task in contrast to a 60% success rate in Group 2. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.121).
CONCLUSIONS
In a mock-operational setting, training with DEHST significantly enhanced the performance of novices without surgical experience in distal interlocking of intramedullary nails and hence carries potential to improve safety and efficacy of this important and demanding surgical task to steepen the learning curve without endangering patients.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
II
The Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI) biobank: from concept to reality.
Get PDFOBJECTIVES
To describe the concept, establishment and the operationalization of the biobank of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI), the available biosamples, and demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants.
SETTING
The SwiSCI biobank is a platform for research within SwiSCI. It collects and processes serum, plasma, PBMCs, RNA, DNA, and urine from three rehabilitation centers. Samples are collected at admission to first rehabilitation and at discharge. Additionly, the biobank provides services to projects nested in SwiSCI or otherclinical trials among Spinal Cord Injury population.
METHODS
Descriptive statistics were used for an overview of available biosamples, study participant characteristics, and comparison of the participating centers.
RESULTS
Between the SwiSCI biobank establishment on June 27th, 2016, and October 19th, 2023, the SwiSCI Study has obtained informed consent from 524 individuals. Of these, 315 (60.1%) have agreed to donate biospecimens to the biobank. The average age of the contributors was 54 years (range: 38-65), with the majority being male (80%). Most participants suffered from traumatic injuries (66%) and were classified as paraplegic (64%). Approximately 80% presented with motor and sensory-incomplete SCI. The median Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) score was 31 (Interquartile Range: 19-58). The proportion of individuals providing paired biosamples at two distinct time points ranged from 63% (for RNA) to 65% (for urine and urine sediment).
CONCLUSIONS
The SwiSCI biobank is a unique platform designed to serve as a basis for collaborative SCI research, including multi-omics approaches. The longitudinal collection of biospecimens and cryopreservation of multiple aliquots for each participant are fundamental for scrutinizing the temporal associations, ensuring research reproducibility, and achieving an adequate sample size for future investigations
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