61 research outputs found
Varna, the prehistoric trade center in the studies of Harald Haarmann. Some critical notes
No full textThe name Varna occupies a key place in world ancient history. Everyone has heard about the gold of the phenomenal Varna I necropolis. This is the reason for our interest in the two books published in recent years by the famous German archaeolinguist Harald Haarmann: "The Mystery of the Danube Civilization" (2015) and "In the Footsteps of Indo-Europeans" (2020).The author defines Varna as one of the oldest, permanently inhabited places in Europe. He connects it with the earliest gold and the earliest processing of grapes for wine. He examines the social development of the local society and proclaims the emergence of the upper class and hierarchical structure of the society. For him, the Varna I necropolis testifies to the earliest elitist model, in contrast to other egalitarian Balkan Chalcolithic cultures.These are generally the positives, but along with them, there are many negatives. It turns out that H. Haarmann does not know or does not use terms such as "Varna culture" and "necropolis", but speaks of Varna as of a city and trade center, and of the Varna necropolis as a "field with graves", which is absolutely incorrect. As for the thesis about the "elite cavalry detachments of steppe nomads, bearers of the Kurgan culture, who had conquered Varna peacefully", it reveals a weak knowledge of the facts and is close to absurd.In this sense, the article gives positive assessments of a number of the views of the great archaeolinguist referred to the Chalcolithic center near Varna. At the same time, it does not spare him some critical remarks. Moreover, his books are aimed at the mass reader with a promotional focus. This is what makes some mistakes unwanted and dangerous, which can create a misconception and mislead the reader
Anti-pan-neurofascin antibodies induce subclass-related complement activation and nodo-paranodal damage
No full textAbstract
Autoimmune neuropathy associated with antibodies against pan-neurofascin is a new subtype of nodo-paranodopathy. It is relevant because it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Affected patients often require intensive care unit treatment for several months, and data on the reversibility and long-term prognosis are limited. The pathogenicity including IgG subclass-associated mechanisms has not been unraveled, nor been directly compared to anti-neurofascin-155 IgG4 related pathology. Understanding the underlying pathology might have a direct impact on treatment of these severely affected patients.
By a multicenter combined pro- and retrospective approach, we provide clinical data of a large cohort of patients with anti-neurofascin associated neuropathy (n = 18) including longitudinal titre and neurofilament light chain assessment via Ella® and relate clinical data to in vitro pathogenicity studies of anti-neurofascin antibodies. We assessed antibody binding characteristics and the pathogenic effects of anti-pan-neurofascin vs. neurofascin-155 antibodies on living myelinating dorsal root ganglia co-cultures. Additionally, we analyzed the IgG subclass profile and the complement binding capacity and effector functions considering the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin preparations via ELISA and cell-based assays.
In contrast to chronic, neurofascin-155 IgG4 associated neuropathy, anti-pan-neurofascin associated disease presented with a high morbidity and mortality, but as a monophasic and potentially reversible disorder. During follow-up, antibodies were no longer detectable in 8/11 patients. Anti-pan-neurofascin had direct access to the nodes of Ranvier in myelinating cultures titre-dependently, most probably inducing this severe phenotype. Antibody preincubation lead to impaired paranode formation, destruction of paranodal architecture and alterations on paranodal myelin and sensory neurons in the cultures, with more severe effects than neurofascin-155 antibodies. Besides IgG4, subclass IgG3 was detected and associated with complement binding and cytotoxic effects in vitro. As a possible correlate of axonal damage in vivo, we detected highly increased serum neurofilament light chain levels (sNF-L), correlating to serum C3a. Still, sNF-L was not identified as a marker for poor prognosis, but rather as an inter-individual and intra-individual marker for acuteness, severity, and course, with a strong decrease during recovery.
Our data provide evidence that anti-pan-neurofascin antibodies directly attack the node and induce severe and acute, but potentially reversible nodo-paranodal pathology, possibly involving complement-mediated mechanisms. Screening for autoantibodies thus is crucial to identify this subset of patients who benefit from early antibody-depleting therapy. Titre and sNF-L might serve as valuable follow-up parameters. The prospect of a favourable outcome has high relevance for physicians, patients and relatives during months of critical care
Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and disability progression in progressive multiple sclerosis
No full textAbstract Objective Progression prediction is a significant unmet need in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (pwPMS). Studies on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) have either been limited to single center with relapsing MS or were based solely on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), which limits its generalizability to state‐of‐the‐art clinical settings and trials applying combined outcome parameters. Methods Serum GFAP and NfL (neurofilament light chain) were investigated in EmBioProMS participants with primary (PP) or secondary progressive MS. Six months confirmed disability progression (CDP) was defined using combined outcome parameters (EDSS, timed‐25‐foot walk test (T25FW), and nine‐hole‐peg‐test (9HPT)). Results 243 subjects (135 PPMS, 108 SPMS, age 55.5, IQR [49.7–61.2], 135 female, median follow‐up: 29.3 months [17.9–40.9]) were included. NfL (age‐) and GFAP (age‐ and sex‐) adjusted Z scores were higher in pwPMS compared to HC ( p 3 was associated with higher risk for CDP in participants with low NfL Z score (i.e., ≤1.0) (HR: 2.38 [1.12–5.08], p = 0.025). In PPMS, GFAP Z score >3 was associated with higher risk for CDP (HR: 2.88 [1.21–6.84], p = 0.016). Risk was further increased in PPMS subjects with high GFAP when NfL is low (HR: 4.31 [1.53–12.13], p = 0.006). Interpretation Blood GFAP may help identify pwPPMS at risk of progression. Combination of high GFAP and low NfL levels could distinguish non‐active pwPMS with particularly high progression risk.Deutschen Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft https://doi.org/10.13039/50110000745
Patient-reported outcome parameters and disability worsening in progressive multiple sclerosis
No full textfornicator-werewolf-devil. media images of seriekillers in the german mass media 1918 - 1945
No full textAnhand einer Untersuchung, wie Medien mit dem Phänomen Serienmord umgehen und welche Bilder des Bösen sie im Zuge dessen konstruieren und transportieren, kann viel über die Konstitution einer Gesellschaft – und ihrer Medien – und gesellschaftliche Ansichten in Bezug auf Gewalt, Ausgrenzung und Toleranz, die Einstellung zum Bösen, zum Anderen und Fremden gezeigt und somit Aufschluss über Mentalitäten der Menschen einer Epoche erreicht werden.
Es wird aufgezeigt, wie eine Gesellschaft auf das plötzliche Hereinbrechen des „unerklärlich Bösen“ reagierte, welcher Mittel sie sich zu seiner Beschreibung bediente und damit: Wie es dazu kommt, dass die personifizierte Scheußlichkeit des Serienmörders nicht nur zum Protagonisten, sondern häufig genug zu einem durchaus als faszinierend, wenn nicht sogar positiv gesehenen Helden der veröffentlichten Meinung gemacht werden konnte. Dabei wird davon ausgegangen, dass der Serienmörder in modernen, säkularisierten Zeiten als Substitut einer Teufelsfigur herhält, auf den man seine verborgenen Ängste projizieren kann.
Zu einer Entmythisierung dieser modernen Teufelsfigur wird beizutragen, dass aufgezeigt wird, wer an diesem Mythos mitstrickte und welche Interessen dahinter standen. Denn der Serienmörder ist keinesfalls ein natürliches Zentrum des öffentlichen Diskurses. Er wird vielmehr dazu gemacht, etwa aus kommerziellen Gründen, weil die Kombination von Sex und Tod ein nahezu unschlagbares Verkaufsargument auf dem Boulevard darstellt; oder um eine bestimmte gesellschaftspolitische Ideologie zu befördern, wofür es noch immer von Vorteil war, die Zeitgenossen durch die Präsentation fürchterlicher Verbrechen tüchtig zu erschrecken. Deshalb ist es auch durchaus angemessen, von der Erfindung des Serienmörders zu sprechen.
Die Leitfrage der Untersuchung lautet, welches Bild sich die deutsche Gesellschaft von ihren Serienmördern machte und warum die Medien gerade zu dieser Art von Berichterstattung griffen. Der Fundus der Mörderimages blieb dabei stets der gleiche. Welche Bilder jedoch jeweils herausgegriffen wurden, war von den Umständen der Zeit abhängig. Ich werde infolgedessen erörtern, welche Bilder zu welcher Zeit dominierten und weshalb.
Zu diesem Zweck werden die Medienauftritte bestimmter Serienmörder in der Weimarer Republik und im Nationalsozialismus untersucht. Den Anfang machen dabei die 1920er Jahre, in denen vor dem Hintergrund des eben beendeten Weltkrieges, politischer Unruhen und der gesellschaftszerrüttenden Hyperinflation eine höchst spektakuläre Mordserie stattfand bzw. aufgeklärt wurden: Der Fall des Hannoveraners Fritz Haarmann, des heute noch bekanntesten deutschen Serienkillers, dem die Polizei 1924 auf die Schliche kam. Den Schwerpunkt bildet dabei die Analyse der Massenmedien, d.h. in dieser Periode: regionaler wie überregionaler Zeitungen und Illustrierten. Aber auch wissenschaftliche Meinungsäußerungen und fiktionale Medien wie Film und Belletristik sind einbezogen. Diese Darstellung ist eingebettet in ein Panorama der Zeit, um deutlich zu machen, vor welchem Hintergrund der gesellschaftlichen und politischen Entwicklung Medienmacher die Morde deuteten.
Dem Fall Haarmann gegenüber stelle ich den Frauenmörder Carl Großmann, der heute nahezu vergessen ist, dessen Serienmorde an Frauen der Berliner Unterschicht Anfang der 1920er Jahre jedoch damals große Erregung auslösten. Ein Vergleich des öffentlichen Umgangs mit beiden Fällen verdeutlicht das absichtsvolle Schüren bestimmter „moral panics“. Zudem erlaubt die Viktimologie interessante Einblicke in die Sichtweise des mainstreams auf die Randgruppen und Außenseiter der Gesellschaft. Für die NS-Zeit wird die Mordserie des Adolf Seefeld betrachtet. Es müssen hier andere Untersuchungsmaßstäbe angelegt werden als für die Epoche Weimars. Schließlich existierte eine unabhängige Justiz jetzt ebensowenig wie eine freie Presse.In the context of serial murder cases like Fritz Haarmann, Carl Großmann and Adolf Seefeld a discussion unfolded in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany on the genesis of serial murderers and the social counteraction against them. The explanations of these crimes were mostly biological (regression, “degeneration”, hereditary handicap), even though there were a few arguments regarding social problems. The link between criminality and biology and the assumption of hereditary crime led to approval for eugenical measures against criminals as a solution of the alleged crime problem of Weimar times. The mass media played an active role in advocating such measures by describing the perpetrators as monsters and devils, who were a danger to society
Clinical effectiveness of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: results of the EU-CERT-ICD controlled multicentre cohort study
No full textAims: The EUropean Comparative Effectiveness Research to Assess the Use of Primary ProphylacTic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (EU-CERT-ICD), a prospective investigator-initiated, controlled cohort study, was conducted in 44 centres and 15 European countries. It aimed to assess current clinical effectiveness of primary prevention ICD therapy. Methods and results: We recruited 2327 patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and guideline indications for prophylactic ICD implantation. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Clinical characteristics, medications, resting, and 12-lead Holter electrocardiograms (ECGs) were documented at enrolment baseline. Baseline and follow-up (FU) data from 2247 patients were analysable, 1516 patients before first ICD implantation (ICD group) and 731 patients without ICD serving as controls. Multivariable models and propensity scoring for adjustment were used to compare the two groups for mortality. During mean FU of 2.4 ± 1.1 years, 342 deaths occurred (6.3%/years annualized mortality, 5.6%/years in the ICD group vs. 9.2%/years in controls), favouring ICD treatment [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.682, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.537–0.865, P = 0.0016]. Multivariable mortality predictors included age, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association class <III, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Adjusted mortality associated with ICD vs. control was 27% lower (HR 0.731, 95% CI 0.569–0.938, P = 0.0140). Subgroup analyses indicated no ICD benefit in diabetics (adjusted HR = 0.945, P = 0.7797, P for interaction = 0.0887) or those aged ≥75 years (adjusted HR 1.063, P = 0.8206, P for interaction = 0.0902). Conclusion: In contemporary ICM/DCM patients (LVEF ≤35%, narrow QRS), primary prophylactic ICD treatment was associated with a 27% lower mortality after adjustment. There appear to be patients with less survival advantage, such as older patients or diabetics
Fumaric acid esters do not reduce inflammatory NF-B/p65 nuclear translocation, ICAM-1 expression and T-cell adhesiveness of human brain microvascular endothelial cells
No full textDimethyl fumarate (DMF) is approved for disease-modifying treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Animal experiments suggested that part of its therapeutic effect is due to a reduction of T-cell infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS) by uncertain mechanisms. Here we evaluated whether DMF and its primary metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF) modulate pro-inflammatory intracellular signaling and T-cell adhesiveness of nonimmortalized single donor human brain microvascular endothelial cells at low passages. Neither DMF nor MMF at concentrations of 10 or 50 M blocked the IL-1-induced nuclear translocation of NF-B/p65, whereas the higher concentration of DMF inhibited the nuclear entry of p65 in human umbilical vein endothelium cultured in parallel. DMF and MMF also did not alter the IL-1-stimulated activation of p38 MAPK in brain endothelium. Furthermore, neither DMF nor MMF reduced the basal or IL-1-inducible expression of ICAM-1. In accordance, both fumaric acid esters did not reduce the adhesion of activated Jurkat T cells to brain endothelium under basal or inflammatory conditions. Therefore, brain endothelial cells probably do not directly mediate a potential blocking effect of fumaric acid esters on the inflammatory infiltration of the CNS by T cells
Efficacy of electrical baroreflex activation is independent of peripheral chemoreceptor modulation
No full textArterial baroreflex activation through electrical carotid sinus stimulation has been developed for the treatment of resistant hypertension. Previous studies suggested that the peripheral chemoreflex is tonically active in hypertensive patients and may inhibit baroreflex responses. We hypothesized that peripheral chemoreflex activation attenuates baroreflex efficacy evoked by electrical carotid sinus stimulation. We screened 35 patients with an implanted electrical carotid sinus stimulator. Of those, 11 patients with consistent acute depressor response were selected (7 men/4 women, age: 67±8 years, body mass index: 31.6±5.2 kg/m2, 6±2 antihypertensive drug classes). We assessed responses to electrical baroreflex stimulation during normoxia, isocapnic hypoxia (SpO2: 79.0±1.5%), and hyperoxia (40% end-tidal O2 fraction) by measuring heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation, oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO2 and O2 fractions, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity. During normoxia, baroreflex activation reduced systolic blood pressure from 164±27 to 151±25 mm Hg (mean±SD, P<0.001), heart rate from 64±13 to 61±13 bpm (P=0.002), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity from 42±12 to 36±12 bursts/min (P=0.004). Hypoxia increased systolic blood pressure 8±12 mm Hg (P=0.057), heart rate 10±6 bpm (P<0.001), muscle sympathetic nerve activity 7±7 bursts/min (P=0.031), and ventilation 10±7 L/min (P=0.002). However, responses to electrical carotid sinus stimulation did not differ between hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions: systolic blood pressure: -15±7 versus -14±8 mm Hg (P=0.938), heart rate: -2±3 versus -2±2 bpm (P=0.701), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity: -6±4 versus -4±3 bursts/min (P=0.531). We conclude that moderate peripheral chemoreflex activation does not attenuate acute responses to electrical baroreflex activation therapy in patients with resistant hypertension. These patients provided insight into human baroreflex-chemoreflex interactions that could not be gained otherwise
Kriterien der ethnischen Identität
No full textSUMMARY
Criteria for Ethnic Identity
Despite numerous publications on theoretical and methodological issues regarding ethnic identity (ethnicity), many methodological problems relative to this topic remain insufficiently clarified. This article deals particularly with the problems involved in establishing and evaluating criteria of ethnic identity. The author assigns the complex of problems regarding ethnic identity significant status within a theory of the ecology of language. Specific points covered in methodological issues involving the formation of concepts and application of terminology involve:
1. problems of the weighting of distinctive features;
2. problems in the mutual boundary-marking between ethnic groups (i.e., problems of ethnic borders);
3. problems in the changeability of ethnic identity;
4. problems in the correlation of language and ethnicity;
5. problems of the polarity of subjective and objective features of ethnicity;
6. problems of multiple identities and the role of ethnic identity;
7. problems in the historical dimension of ethnic identity;
8. problems in the linking of groups within language communities of the same national identity.
In international sociological and sociolinguistic research, unanimity of opinion exists only on the fact that ethnic identity cannot be characterized by a single feature but rather by a series of individual features (the accumulation of features). The priorities to be attached to the individual features are in large measure disputed. The author proceeds from the assumption that ethnic identities in real life are formed through a stronger or weaker dominance of individual features; they should be characterized accordingly. An unacceptable a priori evaluation or weighting of features is thus avoided.
In the specific context of a long-term research program on the smaller language communities and ethnic languages of Europe, the author particularly examines the role of language in ethnicity. Contrary to most previous contributions to discussions of this problem area, the author distinguishes between the general linguistic affiliation as a characteristic of ethnic identity on the one hand (cf. the relationship in point 4) and the criterion of language-oriented group formations (cf. relationship in point 8). The problem area of the principle of language community is illustrated using the example of the Transcarpathian Gypsies in the Ukraine.
RESUMO
Kriterioj de la etna idento
Malgraŭ multaj ĝisnunaj eldonajoj pri la etna idento (etneco), multaj metodaj pro-blemoj rilataj al tiu temaro restas nesufice klarigitaj. La jena artikolo aparte traktas la problemaron de la starigo kaj elvalorigo de kriterioj de la etna idento. La autoro al-jugas al la problemaro pri la etna idento gravan rangon interne de teorio pri la lingva ekologio. Apartaj punktoj, traktitaj en metodaraj demandoj, rilataj al la formado de konceptoj kaj la apliko de terminaro, estas:
1. problemaro pri la elvalorigo de karakteraj trajtoj;
2. problemaro de la reciproka limigo inter etnaj grupoj (t.e. problemoj pri etnaj limoj);
3. problemaro pri la šanĝebleco de la etna idento;
4. problemaro pri la rilato inter lingvo kaj etneco;
5. problemaro pri la polusigo de subjektivaj kaj objektivaj trajtoj de etneco;
6. problemaro de pluroblaj identoj kaj la rolo de etna idento;
7. problemaro ce la historia dimensio de la etna idento;
8. problemaro de la formiĝo de grupoj interne de lingvaj komunumoj de la sama nacia idento.
En la internacia sociologia kaj socilingvistika esplorado, unuanimeco de opinio ekzistas nur pri la fakto, ke ne eblas karakterizi la etnan identon nur per unusola trajto, sed, male, per aro da opaj trajtoj (la kuniĝo de trajtoj). Oni grandparte disputas pri la prioritato, kiun oni aljuĝu al la opaj trajtoj. La autoro progresas ek de la asumo, ke la etnaj identoj en la vera vivo estas formitaj per, jen pli forta, jen pli malforta, rego de opaj trajtoj; oni karakterizu ilin lau tio. Tiel, oni evitas neakceptindan aprioran elvalorigon au elpezigon de trajtoj.
En la aparta kunteksto de longdaura esplorprogramo pri la pli malgrandaj lingvaj komunumoj kaj etnaj lingvoj de Europo, la autoro aparte pristudas la rolon de la lingvo ce la etneco. Kontraue al la plejmultaj ĝisnunaj kontribuoj al diskutoj pri tiu problemaro, la autoro distingas inter la ĝenerala lingva aparteno kiel trajto de la etna idento unuflanke (komparu la rilton ce punkto 4) kaj la kriterion de la formigo de grupoj surbaze de lingvo (komparu la rilaton ce punkto 8). La problemaro de la prin-cipo de la lingva komunumo estas ilustrita per la ekzemplo de la transkarpataj ciganoj en Ukrajnio.</jats:p
Hermann Haarmann, Michael Hanke, Steffi Winkler (Hg.): Play it again, Vilém! Medien und Spiel im Anschluß an Vilém Flusser
No full text- …
