OPEN FAU Online-Publikationssystem der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
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Potential of an mRNA-Based Urine Assay (Xpert® Bladder Cancer Detection1) in Hematuria Patients - Results from a Cohort Study
No full textBACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Assessment of patients with hematuria (aH) remains a challenge in urological practice, balancing the benefits of diagnosing a potentially underlying bladder cancer (UCa) against the risks of possibly unnecessary diagnostic interventions. This study analyzes the potential of an mRNA-based urine assay, the Xpert ® Bladder Cancer Detection- CE-IVD (Xpert BC-D), in patients with hematuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 368 patients with newly observed painless hematuria and no history of UCa were included in this observational study. Patients received urological workup, including urethrocystoscopy (WLC), upper tract imaging, urine cytology and Xpert BC-D. Patients with positive WLC were recommended to undergo tumor resection (TUR-B). RESULTS: After excluding non-assessable cases, 324 patients were considered for analysis (188 males, 136 females; median age: 61 years). Eight of twenty-eight patients with a positive TUR-B had Ta low grade (LG) tumors; the others were diagnosed with high grade (HG) lesions (Ta: 4, CIS: 2, T1:11, > T1:3). The Xpert BC-D was more sensitive than urine cytology (96% vs. 61%) ( p = 0.002). Increased risk ratios (RR) were observed for gross hematuria, gender, urine cytology, and positive Xpert BC-D (all p < 0.05). Age and positive Xpert BC-D remained independent predictors of UCa in multivariate analysis. Simulating a triage with WLC restricted to patients with positive Xpert BC-D could have saved 240 (74.1%) assessments at the cost of missing one pTa LG tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a potential role for Xpert BC-D in preselecting patients with hematuria for either further invasive diagnosis or an alternate diagnostic procedure
Illness perceptions in cochlear implant users – a longitudinal study
Full text linkPurpose ‘Illness perceptions’ refers to the thoughts and ideas a person has about an illness. According to Leventhal’s Self-Regulatory Model (SRM), changing the threatening illness perceptions of cochlear implant (CI) recipients can be a further step in optimizing hearing outcomes with the CI. The aims of the present study were to assess users’ illness perceptions and to determine whether perceptions change during six months of CI rehabilitation. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight participants completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ), assessing their illness perceptions on nine scales. Data were collected at a German CI center at first CI fitting and six-month follow-up. After first fitting, participants underwent intensive rehabilitation including auditory training, medical, audiological and psychological treatments. Results At both assessments, participants tended to view their hearing impairment as a severe threat. On the Brief IPQ, the ‘consequences’ assessment improved during CI rehabilitation, which can be explained by the CI-induced hearing improvement. However, ‘understanding’ and ‘identity’ assessments worsened. This could be because CI recipients only come to realize the full complexity of their hearing impairment during rehabilitation. The other scales and the total score remained unaffected. Conclusions Current practice in CI rehabilitation seems to be insufficient to improve threatening illness perceptions (except for perceived consequences). This may be because standard information often fails to reach the patients. The development and empirical validation of an intervention program to address individual illness perceptions in CI recipients could be helpful in this context. Further research will be needed to confirm the results
Imaginaries and Normativities. Experimental Impulses for Digital and Public Theologies
No full textThe article explores how Digital and Public Theologies, two separate but overlapping discourses, can combine empirical and normative efforts. The article highlights the role that the sensitivity for context should play in the development of each of these theologies. To better understand the role of the context, the category of the imaginary is outlined with reference to Charles Taylor and Cornelius Castoriadis. This category helps to describe and criticize imaginaries that determine the social, psychological, political, and contextual realities which theology reflects on – this will be called the reflective or critical task of theology. The category also helps to describe and criticize the imaginaries that determine theological thinking itself, the perspective of a given theology as well as the orientations it suggests. This is the self-critical task of theology. Furthermore, I will suggest to see it as a constant and remaining task of theology to make its imaginations explicit and open to critique because these imaginations are the source of orientations that theology articulates. This calls for theologies that understand themselves as dynamic, unfinished, and discursive
Pandemic Robot
No full textRobot-based service platforms are currently establishing themselves as new and affordable variants for supporting care in elderly, retirement and nursing homes. Many are open multifunctional platforms, which can potentially be integrated into such environments, if the necessary infrastructure is available. Furthermore, many services can be realized on these platforms, which can be used to foster distant interactions between inhabitants and care-providers, while simultaneously keeping up the quality of life of the inhabitants. Open mobile robotic platforms allow the extension with adequate new sensors. To detect infectious diseases of residents and healthcare-professionals, optical sensors can be used for the assessment of vital data such as heartrate and heartrate variability, respiratory rate, SpO2 or temperature. Additionally, you can consider demographic data (age, gender, constitution) of the observed person for the optical assessment, i.e. obtained by facial image analysis. As these mobile platforms are also equipped for telepresence, in case of detecting an infected person, these systems support video conferencing with their built-in cameras and microphones. Finally, the interaction with the electronic care record is necessary to upload all acquired vital data and further relevant information. All the named technologies have been under investigation in the past years and are currently moving from laboratory settings to real-world scenarios. Nevertheless, the smooth integration of all components into one system architecture in combination with (AI-based) data analysis are still open issues
Operando Untersuchung der Übergangsmetallau ösung von Lithium-Ionen-Akkumulator-Kathoden
No full textThe development and commercialisation of rechargeable Li-ion batteries in the 1990s has started a revolutionary shift in consumer electronics and is today the indispensable power source for phones, laptops and other portable devices. This is due to the batteries’ high specific energy density in the range of some hundred Wh/kg (Blomgren, Sagadevan), a consequence of light weight and very low standard potential of metallic lithium, which partly translates to its ions as well; and exceptional cycling stability and efficiency, which enables a long battery lifetime without significant degradation in performance. Depending on cell chemistry and application requirements, i.e. power or energy demand, some thousand charge and discharge cycles or 10 year lifetime (defined as capacity retention over 80% of initial value) are possible. In recent years, the interest in Li-ion batteries has grown even more, as an instrumental part in transport electrification and potential grid storage for renewable energies. Sitting at a produced energy of ca. 700 GWh in 2022, the global lithium ion batteries market may well grow up to 4700 GWh in 2030 according to business analysts (McKinsey), signifying a 30% increase per year. The comprehensive impact of Li-ion battery technology has been recognized with the Nobel Prize in chemistry for Whittingham, Goodenough and Yoshino in 2019. However, as electric vehicles and storage systems require increased power and energy density, respectively, pushing the limits of Li-ion chemistry has become very difficult. The obvious measure, extending the voltage window of the battery and thus increase utilization of Li-ions, also accelerates degradation reactions and shortens the batteries’ lifetime considerably. A major parasitic process in this context is the dissolution of transition metals from the cathode. In the usual potential window of Li-ion batteries, i.e. 3 – 4.2 V vs Li, delithiation and lithiation of the cathode host structure during charge and discharge is highly reversible and efficient, except for Li loss during the first few cycles due to the formation of electrode interface layers. The repeated extraction and insertion of Li-ions is accompanied by changes in the crystal volume – slow expansion of the oxide layers during charge and sudden contraction approaching end of charge - which result in mechanical stress and grinding over extended periods of time. Increasing the cutoff potential during charge severely enhances the structural rearrangements and facilitates TM dissolution. This process coincides with phase transitions of the cathode material, oxygen release and electrolyte decomposition, which in themselves are detrimental for the battery performance. Dissolved transition metals, even worse, may migrate to the anode and deposit into the anode electrolyte interface. The insertion reaction not only increases the thickness of the SEI, which raises the internal resistance, but also traps active Li ions, which reduces the Li inventory. Overall, capacity and capacity retention of the battery deteriorate.
Though state of the art cathode materials such as NCM 532 already suffer from transition metal dissolution, potential future materials such as high voltage spinel LMO or LNMO are even more prone to dissolution. Mn ions, which would be beneficial as main metal due to natural abundance, non-toxicity and environmental friendliness, is particularly detrimental to the battery performance upon dissolution, thus preventing the application of corresponding materials. An essential role in the development of next generation Li-ion batteries and counter-measures for TM dissolution is therefore the understanding of fundamental dissolution processes. Although a variety of experimental techniques have been presented in literature, most investigations are performed post-mortem on disassembled cells. There are many reports on operando in-situ studies, which like the ex-situ analyses have given invaluable insight into the dissolution mechanism. However, due to lack of sensitivity or the time frame of most spectroscopic techniques, real time data are scarce. Online analysis of TM dissolution, by monitoring the concentration of TM metals in the electrolyte, can therefore add new insights concerning the dissolution process. In this work, a flow cell coupled to ICP-MS is used to ascertain the change in TM concentration operando at a ppb scale and with a resolution of one second in an intuitive manner. This method can therefore be useful in swiftly elucidating dissolution mechanisms and evaluate influences of operating parameters and materials on TM dissolution
Imaging in reconstructive microsurgery – current standards and latest trends
Full text linkIn microsurgery, many different imaging techniques are available in both flap and lymphatic surgery that all come with their own advantages and disadvantages. In flap surgery, CT angiography is considered as the gold standard. Among others, Doppler ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound, ICG, and smartphone-based thermal cameras are valuable imaging techniques. In lymphatic surgery, photoacoustic imaging, laser tomography, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and high frequency ultrasound stand available to surgeons next to the current standard of lymphoscintigraphy. It is crucial to know the advantages and disadvantages to various techniques and highly adviced to microsurgeons be capable of using a variety of them
The effect of Rsk2 on TNFα-mediated bone loss in the TMJ and craniofacial skeleton
Full text linkObjectives This study aims to investigate the impact of the pro-osteoblastogenic ERK-activated ribosomal S6 kinase ( Rsk2) on Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α-induced bone loss in the craniofacial system, focusing on its role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective is to understand whether Rsk2 , previously shown to have protective effects in long bones against TNFα-induced bone resorption, exhibits similar effects in the craniofacial region. Materials , and Methods. The study compares mice with TNFα overexpression, Rsk2 knockout mice, and a combination of TNFα, and Rsk2 knockout mice using detailed micro-computed tomography coupled with landmark based morphometric analysis, and classical histology. The overall skull morphology, mandible shape, and the temporomandibular joint were examined. Additionally, histological sections were utilized to examine the synovial membrane. Results Combining TNFα, and Rsk2 deficiency does not further alter overall skull shape compared to TNFα alone. TNFα overexpression shortens the mandibular ramus, exacerbated by Rsk2 absence. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) reveals significant temporomandibular joint damage from TNFα, independent of Rsk2 . However, histological sections show increased synovial membrane thickness with TNFα, heightened in the absence of Rsk2 . Conclusions Rsk2 mitigates TNFα-induced effects on mandibular ramus length in the craniofacial system but has limited impact on the temporomandibular joint, except for synovial membrane thickness. Overall, Rsk2 demonstrates a weaker preventive effect on TNFα-induced craniofacial bone loss compared to its established role in the appendicular skeleton. Clinical Relevance This study highlights regional differences in Rsk2's protective mechanisms, emphasizing the need for further exploration of the underlying mechanisms for these disparities. Understanding these regional differences can be crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.Universität Leipzig (1039
Ångström-Lokalisierung eines Nanpartikels durch transversale Kerker-Streuung
No full textThe aim of the thesis is to experimentally demonstrate a localization scheme of a single nanoparticle with a resolution of less than an Ångström, followed by its proof-of-concept on-chip version using a silicon based photonic crystal waveguide. The theory of the localization follows the principle of Kerker’s forward/backward scattering. Here we demonstrated a modified version of the Kerker’s scattering—transverse Kerker scattering—where the single nanoparticle exhibits directional scattering in the plane perpendicular to propagation of light. This was achieved via excitation of a Huygen’s dipole—a combination of two orthogonally polarized linear dipoles with a relative phase of π/2—in the nanoparticle using tightly focused cylindrical vector beams, such as, radially or azimuthally polarized beams. Such a beam exhibits a strong longitudinal field component in the center of the beam i.e. on the optical axis upon tight focusing. However, around the optical axis within the focal plane, presence of both longitudinal and transverse field components allows us to excite Huygen’s dipole in the nanoparticle, to obtain strongly directional scattering. And the position information of the nanoparticle gets encoded within the strength and the direction of the scattering pattern. The strength of the directivity depends on the excitation beam parameters, such as wavelength, field distribution, the particle parameters, such as size, refractive index, and the position of the nanoparticle within the focal spot, relative to the optical axis. We numerically optimized some of these parameters to get an estimate for the values that lead to the strongest displacement sensitivity of the directional scattering. In the experimental setup developed in-house, radially and azimuthally polarized paraxial light beams were prepared and analyzed with high precision to ensure good mode quality. Polarization tailored paraxial beams are then focused tightly onto silicon nano-sphere using microscope objective. Due to the high refractive index of silicon and its dielectric nature, a combination of electric and magnetic dipole moments gets excited, where the strength of these dipoles depends on the scattering cross section and the particle position relative to optical axis. We experimentally demonstrated the wavelength dependent directivity trend for a silicon nanosphere of diameter 168 nm using both radially and azimuthally polarized excitation. Using azimuthally polarized excitation of wavelength 545 nm, we could detect a particle displacement of 3 Å with a localization accuracy down to 0.6 Å. For the on-chip version, we used a photonic crystal waveguide based microchip with a 520 nm diameter particle at the center of 3-way waveguide crossing. Careful choice of waveguide and particle parameters allowed to perform the experiment in the telecom band (1608 nm excitation wavelength). As a first proof of concept, we could demonstarte a localization accuracy of 7.5 Å for a 520 nm particle, which is at the order of λ/300
Magnetische Akkumulation von SPIONs unter arteriellen Flussbedingungen: Der Effekt von Serum und roten Blutzellen
Full text linkEine der Grundsäulen der konventionellen Therapie von kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen und malignen Neoplasien ist nach wie vor die systemische Gabe von verschiedenen Wirkstoffen. Das kann jedoch besonders im Rahmen der Chemotherapie, zu teils schweren Nebenwirkungen für den Patienten führen, die nicht selten für eine Limitierung der Therapie verantwortlich sind. Bis jetzt fehlt ein Klinik erprobtes Verfahren, welches eine gezielte Applikation des Wirkstoffes im betreffenden Gewebe ermöglicht. Die Nanomedizin erlangt hier als neuer Ansatz zur Distributionsplattform immer mehr Aufmerksamkeit. Eine solche mögliche Anwendung der Nanomedizin wird derzeit bei SEON, der Sektion für Experimentelle Onkologie und Nanomedizin der HNO-Klinik Erlangen, mit dem Konzept des Magnetic Drug Targeting (MDT) erforscht. Dabei werden mit wirkstoffbeladene superparamagnetische Eisenoxid – Nanopartikel (SPIONs) unter Anlage eines externen magnetischen Feldes im erkrankten Gewebe angereichert. So soll die systemisch wirksame Dosis des Medikaments reduziert werden und gleichzeitig eine höhere Konzentration im anvisierten Gewebe erzielt werden. Während dieses Verfahren in der Tumorbehandlung erste vielversprechende Ergebnisse zeigen konnte, ist das Konzept MDT im kardiovaskulären Bereich bisher noch wenig erprobt. Da sich hier die pathologischen Mechanismen vorzugsweise in den größeren Arterien abspielen, muss das externe Magnetfeld stark genug sein, um die im fließenden Blut herrschenden Schubeffekte und hydrodynamisch wirksamen Kräfte überwinden zu können. Mittels eines ex-vivo Models aus menschlichen Umbilikalarterien konnte bei SEON bereits eine Anreicherung von verschiedenen SPIONs in der Gefäßwand unter Flussbedingungen mit Zellkulturmedium erreicht werden. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit untersuchten wir den Effekt von verschiedenen Blutbestandteilen auf die Möglichkeit einer magnetischen Akkumulation unterschiedlicher SPIONs unter permanentem Fluss
The Extended Synaptotagmins of Physcomitrium patens
Full text linkMembrane contact sites (MCSs) between the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane enable the transport of lipids without membrane fusion. Extended Synaptotagmins (ESYTs) act at MCSs, functioning as tethers between two membrane compartments. In plants, ESYTs have been mainly investigated in A. thaliana and shown to maintain the integrity of the plasma membrane, especially during stress responses like cold acclimatization, mechanical trauma, and salt stress. ESYTs are present at the MCSs of plasmodesmata, where they regulate defense responses by modulating cell-to-cell transfer of pathogens. Here, the analysis of ESYTs was expanded to the bryophyte Physcomitrium patens , an extant representative of the earliest land plant lineages. P. patens was found to contain a large number of ESYTs, distributed over all previously established classes and an additional class not present in A. thaliana . Motif discovery identified regions in the Synaptotagmin-like mitochondrial (SMP) domain that may explain phylogenetic relationships as well as protein function. The adaptation mechanisms of P. patens necessary to conquer land and its simple tissue structure make it highly suitable as a model organism to study ESYT functions in tip growth, stress responses, and plasmodesmata-mediated transport, and open new directions of research regarding the function of MCSs in cellular processes and plant evolution.This research received no external funding