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Gottfried TM, Galeazzi P, Föger A, Dejaco D, Tröger A, Fischer N, Innerhofer V, Di Trapani F, Weiss N, Seebacher J, Dierker A, Schmutzhard J. Evaluation of an impedance-based method to monitor the insertion of the electrode array during cochlear implantation. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2024:10.1007/s00405-024-08584-2. [PMID: 38564010 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-024-08584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cochlear implantation is a prevalent remedy for severe-to-profound hearing loss. Optimising outcomes and hearing preservation, and minimising insertion trauma, require precise electrode placement. Objective monitoring during the insertion process can provide valuable insights and enhance surgical precision. This study assesses the feasibility and performance of an impedance-based method for monitoring electrode insertion, compared to the surgeon's feedback. METHODS The study utilised the Insertion Monitoring Tool (IMT) research software, allowing for real-time measurement of impedance and evoked compound action potential (eCAP) during electrode insertion in 20 patient implantations. This enabled an impedance-based method to continuously assess the status of each electrode during the insertion process. The feasibility and performance was evaluated and compared to the surgeon's feedback approach. eCAP measurements focused merely on feasibility without searching specific responses. RESULTS The IMT demonstrated feasibility in measuring real-time impedances and eCAP during the insertion of the electrode array. The impedance-based method exhibited potential for accurately monitoring the insertion depth with a high success rate. However, further development is needed to improve the number of usable contacts. CONCLUSIONS Objective monitoring with the impedance-based method shows promise as a valuable tool to enhance the precision of cochlear implant electrode insertion respecting insertion distance estimation. The IMT research software proved feasible in recording real-time impedances and eCAP during electrode insertion. While this impedance-based method exhibits high success rates, further improvements are required to optimise the number of usable contacts. This study highlights the potential of objective monitoring techniques to enhance cochlear implantation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timo M Gottfried
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Pablo Galeazzi
- MED-EL Medical Electronics, Worldwide Headquarters, Fürstenweg 77a, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Aline Föger
- MED-EL Medical Electronics, Worldwide Headquarters, Fürstenweg 77a, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Daniel Dejaco
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Andrea Tröger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Veronika Innerhofer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Francesco Di Trapani
- MED-EL Medical Electronics, Worldwide Headquarters, Fürstenweg 77a, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Nora Weiss
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bleichstraße 15, 44787, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TUM School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Josef Seebacher
- Departement of Hearing, Speech and Voice Disorders, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Angelika Dierker
- MED-EL Medical Electronics, Worldwide Headquarters, Fürstenweg 77a, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
| | - Joachim Schmutzhard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria.
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Fischer N, Costa CP, Hur M, Kirkwood JS, Woodard SH. Impacts of neonicotinoid insecticides on bumble bee energy metabolism are revealed under nectar starvation. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169388. [PMID: 38104805 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Bumble bees are an important group of insects that provide essential pollination services as a consequence of their foraging behaviors. These pollination services are driven, in part, by energetic exchanges between flowering plants and individual bees. Thus, it is important to examine bumble bee energy metabolism and explore how it might be influenced by external stressors contributing to declines in global pollinator populations. Two stressors that are commonly encountered by bees are insecticides, such as the neonicotinoids, and nutritional stress, resulting from deficits in pollen and nectar availability. Our study uses a metabolomic approach to examine the effects of neonicotinoid insecticide exposure on bumble bee metabolism, both alone and in combination with nutritional stress. We hypothesized that exposure to imidacloprid disrupts bumble bee energy metabolism, leading to changes in key metabolites involved in central carbon metabolism. We tested this by exposing Bombus impatiens workers to imidacloprid according to one of three exposure paradigms designed to explore how chronic versus more acute (early or late) imidacloprid exposure influences energy metabolite levels, then also subjecting them to artificial nectar starvation. The strongest effects of imidacloprid were observed when bees also experienced nectar starvation, suggesting a combinatorial effect of neonicotinoids and nutritional stress on bumble bee energy metabolism. Overall, this study provides important insights into the mechanisms underlying the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on pollinators, and underscores the need for further investigation into the complex interactions between environmental stressors and energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Claudinéia P Costa
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Manhoi Hur
- IIGB Metabolomics Core Facility, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jay S Kirkwood
- IIGB Metabolomics Core Facility, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - S Hollis Woodard
- Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
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3
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Wasser F, Zähter Ş, Sokol M, Rivers M, Atzeni S, Condamine FP, Cristoforetti G, Fauvel G, Fischer N, Gizzi LA, Hannasch A, Hesse M, Laštovička T, Lutz P, Rubovič P, Schaumann G, Schott N, Singh RL, Theobald W, Weber S, Ditmire T, Forner T, Roth M. Full aperture backscatter diagnostics for characterization of laser plasma instabilities at the extreme light infrastructure (ELI) beamlines. Rev Sci Instrum 2023; 94:093503. [PMID: 37737696 DOI: 10.1063/5.0153874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
We report on the commissioning of a full aperture backscatter diagnostics station for the kilojoule, nanosecond high repetition rate L4n laser operating at a wavelength of 527 nm at the Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) - Beamlines, Dolni Brezany, Czech Republic. Light scattered back from laser-plasma interaction into the cone of the final focusing lens is captured and split into different channels to measure the signatures of laser plasma instabilities from stimulated Brillouin scattering, stimulated Raman scattering, and two plasmon decay with respect to back scattered energy, its spectrum, and its temporal profile. The performance was confirmed in a commissioning experiment with more than 800 shots at laser intensities ranging from 0.5 × 1013 to 1.1 × 1015 W cm-2. These diagnostics are permanently installed at ELI Beamlines, and can be used to understand the details of laser-plasma interactions in experiments with kJ and 527 nm light. The large number of shots that can be collected in an experimental campaign will allow us to study the details of the laser-plasma interaction with a high level of confidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Wasser
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
- IU Internationale Hochschule GmbH, Darmstädter Landstrasse 110, 60598 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ş Zähter
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Sokol
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Rivers
- University of Texas, 110 Inner Campus Dr., Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - S Atzeni
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - F P Condamine
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, 25241 Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | | | - G Fauvel
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, 25241 Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - N Fischer
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - L A Gizzi
- Intense Laser Irradiation Laboratory, INO-CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Hannasch
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Hesse
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - T Laštovička
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, 25241 Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - P Lutz
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - P Rubovič
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, 25241 Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - G Schaumann
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - N Schott
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schlossgartenstrasse 9, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - R L Singh
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, 25241 Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - W Theobald
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - S Weber
- Extreme Light Infrastructure ERIC, ELI-Beamlines Facility, 25241 Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - T Ditmire
- University of Texas, 110 Inner Campus Dr., Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - T Forner
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Roth
- Focused Energy GmbH, Im Tiefen See 45, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
- Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schlossgartenstrasse 9, 64289 Darmstadt, Germany
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4
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Fischer N, Moreels S, Dauby N, Reynders M, Petit E, Gérard M, Lacor P, Daelemans S, Lissoir B, Holemans X, Magerman K, Jouck D, Bourgeois M, Delaere B, Quoilin S, Van Gucht S, Thomas I, Bossuyt N, Barbezange C. Influenza versus other respiratory viruses - assessing severity among hospitalised children, Belgium, 2011 to 2020. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2300056. [PMID: 37470740 PMCID: PMC10360368 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.29.2300056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundKnowledge on the burden attributed to influenza viruses vs other respiratory viruses in children hospitalised with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in Belgium is limited.AimThis observational study aimed at describing the epidemiology and assessing risk factors for severe disease.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed data from routine national sentinel SARI surveillance in Belgium. Respiratory specimens collected during winter seasons 2011 to 2020 were tested by multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Demographic data and risk factors were collected through questionnaires. Patients were followed-up for complications or death during hospital stay. Analysis focused on children younger than 15 years. Binomial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for severe disease in relation to infection status.ResultsDuring the winter seasons 2011 to 2020, 2,944 specimens met the study case definition. Complications were more common in children with underlying risk factors, especially asthma (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46-2.30) and chronic respiratory disease (aRR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.44-2.32), regardless of infection status and age. Children infected with non-influenza respiratory viruses had a 32% higher risk of complications (aRR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06-1.66) compared with children with influenza only.ConclusionMulti-virus testing in children with SARI allows a more accurate assessment of the risk of complications and attribution of burden to respiratory viruses beyond influenza. Children with asthma and respiratory disease should be prioritised for clinical care, regardless of their virological test result and age, and targeted for prevention campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- National Influenza Centre, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- European Public Health Microbiology Training Programme (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah Moreels
- Health Services Research - Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Dauby
- Centre for Environmental Health and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire St-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marijke Reynders
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, Brugge-Oostende AV, Belgium
| | - Evelyn Petit
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, Brugge-Oostende AV, Belgium
| | - Michèle Gérard
- Centre for Environmental Health and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Lacor
- Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Siel Daelemans
- Paediatric Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Xavier Holemans
- General Internal Medicine and Infectiology, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Koen Magerman
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium
- Infection Control, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Door Jouck
- Infection Control, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Marc Bourgeois
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
| | | | - Sophie Quoilin
- Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases - Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Nathalie Bossuyt
- Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases - Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
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5
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Fischer S, Rothermundt C, Stalder O, Terbuch A, Hermanns T, Zihler D, Müller B, Fankhauser CD, Hirschi-Blickenstorfer A, Seifert B, Kluth LA, Ufe MP, Mingrone W, Templeton AJ, Fischer N, Rothschild S, Woelky R, Gillessen S, Cathomas R. The Value of Tumour Markers in the Detection of Relapse-Lessons Learned from the Swiss Austrian German Testicular Cancer Cohort Study. EUR UROL SUPPL 2023; 50:57-60. [PMID: 36874175 PMCID: PMC9976201 DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have established roles in the management and follow-up of testicular cancer. While a tumour marker rise can serve as an indicator of relapse, the frequency of false-positive marker events has not been studied systematically in larger cohorts. We assessed the validity of serum tumour markers for the detection of relapse in the Swiss Austrian German Testicular Cancer Cohort Study (SAG TCCS). This registry was set up to answer questions on the diagnostic performance and impact of imaging and laboratory tests in the management of testicular cancer, and has included 948 patients between January 2014 and July 2021.A total of 793 patients with a median follow-up of 29.0 mo were included. In total, 71 patients (8.9%) had a proven relapse, which was marker positive in 31 patients (43.6%). Of all patients, 124 (15.6%) had an event of a false-positive marker elevation. The positive predictive value (PPV) of the markers was limited, highest for βHCG (33.8%) and lowest for LDH (9.4%). PPV tended to increase with higher levels of elevation. These findings underline the limited accuracy of the conventional tumour markers to indicate or rule out a relapse. Especially, LDH as part of routine follow-up should be questioned. Patient summary With the diagnosis of testicular cancer, the three tumour markers alpha-fetoprotein, beta human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase are routinely measured during follow-up to monitor for relapse. We demonstrate that these markers are often falsely elevated, and, by contrast, many patients do not have marker elevations despite a relapse. The results of this study can lead to improved use of these tumour markers during follow-up of testis cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Fischer
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland. Tel. +41 71 494 9701.
| | - Christian Rothermundt
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | - Angelika Terbuch
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Comprehensive Cancer Center Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Hermanns
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Zihler
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Beat Müller
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Bettina Seifert
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Liestal, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Walter Mingrone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Olten, Olten, Switzerland
| | - Arnoud J. Templeton
- Department of Medical Oncology, St. Claraspital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Sacha Rothschild
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Regina Woelky
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Frauenfeld, Frauenfeld, Switzerland
| | - Silke Gillessen
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, EOC, Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Università della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
- University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Richard Cathomas
- Division of Medical Oncology/Haematology, Cantonal Hospital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
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Hitz F, Lang N, Mey U, Mingrone W, Moccia A, Taverna C, Novak U, Stenner F, Schmidt A, Mamot C, Fischer N, Putora PM, Putora PM. Decision-Making among Experts in Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma. Oncology 2022; 101:159-165. [PMID: 36103806 DOI: 10.1159/000526360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the treatment of advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (aHL), based on guidelines a multitude of treatment options are available. The availability of PET-guided decision-making and new therapeutic agents increase the complexity of the decision-making process. METHODS Thirteen experts of Swiss university and cantonal hospitals in Switzerland were asked to describe their institutional decision-making practice in aHL. Variables influencing the decision-making process were identified, standardized, and converted into decision trees for analysis of consent and discrepancies. The algorithms of all participating experts were analyzed with the objective consensus methodology. RESULTS Four decision criteria (age, fertility preservation, fitness, and interim PET) and 12 unique treatment regimens were identified. Consensus for the treatment of aHL for young and fit, as well as for older patients without comorbidity, was found. Large heterogeneity was identified with use of a variety of different regimens for unfit patients with aHL and for young female patients with a desire of fertility preservation. CONCLUSIONS Four major decision criteria were identified allowing the representation of expert's approach to first-line treatment of aHL. Among Swiss experts, consensus for a PET-guided curative treatment of aHL was identified. The use of a multitude of treatment regimens was observed for older and comorbid (unfit) aHL patients, highlighting the need for clinical trials and recommendations for this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicitas Hitz
- Department of Medical Oncology/Hematology, Kantonsspital St.Gallen, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Noémie Lang
- Department of Oncology, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Mey
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kantonsspital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Walter Mingrone
- Kantonsspital Olten, Medizinische Onkologie, Olten, Switzerland
| | - Alden Moccia
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Christian Taverna
- Medical Oncology, Kantonsspital Münsterlingen, Münsterlingen, Switzerland
| | - Urban Novak
- Department of Medical Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Frank Stenner
- Oncology University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Schmidt
- Hematology/Oncology, Municipal Hospital Zurich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Mamot
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Cantonal Hospital of Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | | | - Paul M Putora
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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7
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Vaughan AM, Cenciarelli O, Colombe S, Alves de Sousa L, Fischer N, Gossner CM, Pires J, Scardina G, Aspelund G, Avercenko M, Bengtsson S, Blomquist P, Caraglia A, Chazelle E, Cohen O, Diaz A, Dillon C, Dontsenko I, Kotkavaara K, Fafangel M, Ferraro F, Firth R, Fonager J, Frank C, Carrasco MG, Gkolfinopoulou K, Grenersen MP, Guzmán Herrador BR, Henczkó J, Hoornenborg E, Igoe D, Ilić M, Jansen K, Janță DG, Johansen TB, Kasradze A, Koch A, Kyncl J, Martins JV, McAuley A, Mellou K, Molnár Z, Mor Z, Mossong J, Novacek A, Orlikova H, Pem Novosel I, Rossi MK, Sadkowska-Todys M, Sawyer C, Schmid D, Sîrbu A, Sondén K, Tarantola A, Tavares M, Thordardottir M, Učakar V, Van Ewijk C, Varjas J, Vergison A, Vivancos R, Zakrzewska K, Pebody R, Haussig JM. A large multi-country outbreak of monkeypox across 41 countries in the WHO European Region, 7 March to 23 August 2022. Euro Surveill 2022; 27. [PMID: 36082686 PMCID: PMC9461311 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.36.2200620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Following the report of a non-travel-associated cluster of monkeypox cases by the United Kingdom in May 2022, 41 countries across the WHO European Region have reported 21,098 cases and two deaths by 23 August 2022. Nowcasting suggests a plateauing in case notifications. Most cases (97%) are MSM, with atypical rash-illness presentation. Spread is mainly through close contact during sexual activities. Few cases are reported among women and children. Targeted interventions of at-risk groups are needed to stop further transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling M Vaughan
- World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Soledad Colombe
- Outbreak Research Team, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Geneva, Switzerland.,World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Natalie Fischer
- Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Geneva, Switzerland.,World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Celine M Gossner
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Jeff Pires
- World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giuditta Scardina
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
| | - Gudrun Aspelund
- Centre for Health Security and Communicable Disease Control, The Directorate of Health, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Margarita Avercenko
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Department of Infectious Risks Analysis and Prevention, Centre for Disease Prevention and Control of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Sara Bengtsson
- Unit for Diagnostics Preparedness of Notifiable and High Consequence Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Paula Blomquist
- Field Services, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Caraglia
- Directorate General of Health Prevention, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilie Chazelle
- Santé publique France, the French National Public Health Agency, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Orna Cohen
- Division of Epidemiology, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Asuncion Diaz
- National Centre of Epidemiology, Carlos III Health Institute, CIBER in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Christina Dillon
- Health Services Executive, Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Irina Dontsenko
- Department of Communicable Diseases, Health Board, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Katja Kotkavaara
- Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mario Fafangel
- Communicable Diseases Centre, National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Federica Ferraro
- Directorate General of Health Prevention, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Jannik Fonager
- Department of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Frank
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mireia G Carrasco
- Ministry of Health, Government of Andorra, Andorra la Vella, Andorra
| | - Kassiani Gkolfinopoulou
- Surveillance Coordination Department. Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY), Athens, Greece
| | | | - Bernardo R Guzmán Herrador
- Coordinating Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES), Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Judit Henczkó
- Department of Microbiological Reference Laboratory, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Elske Hoornenborg
- Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Derval Igoe
- Health Services Executive, Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maja Ilić
- Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Klaus Jansen
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denisa-Georgiana Janță
- National Centre of Surveillance and Control of Communicable Disease, National Institute of Public Health Romania, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Ana Kasradze
- Head of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Division, National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Anders Koch
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Kyncl
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - João Vieira Martins
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andrew McAuley
- Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Kassiani Mellou
- Directorate of Epidemiological Surveillance and Intervention for Infectious Diseases, Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY), Athens, Greece
| | - Zsuzsanna Molnár
- Department of Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Infection Control, National Public Health Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zohar Mor
- School of Health Sciences, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel.,Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Alina Novacek
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Vienna, Austria
| | - Hana Orlikova
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Maria K Rossi
- Public Health Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Clare Sawyer
- Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Public Health Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Schmid
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Vienna, Austria
| | - Anca Sîrbu
- National Centre of Surveillance and Control of Communicable Disease, National Institute of Public Health Romania, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Klara Sondén
- Unit for Diagnostics Preparedness of Notifiable and High Consequence Pathogens, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Arnaud Tarantola
- Santé publique France Regional Office, Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France
| | - Margarida Tavares
- National Program for Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Infection, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal.,Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), and EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Emerging Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marianna Thordardottir
- Centre for Health Security and Communicable Disease Control, The Directorate of Health, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Veronika Učakar
- Communicable Diseases Centre, National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Catharina Van Ewijk
- ECDC Fellowship Programme, Field Epidemiology path (EPIET), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden.,National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Juta Varjas
- Department of Communicable Diseases, Health Board, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Roberto Vivancos
- Field Services, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karolina Zakrzewska
- National Institute of Public Health (NIH) - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Richard Pebody
- World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joana M Haussig
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden
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8
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Pratsinis M, Fankhauser C, Pratsinis K, Beyer J, Bührer E, Cathomas R, Fischer N, Hermanns T, Hirschi-Blickenstorfer A, Kamradt J, Alex Kluth L, Zihler D, Mingrone W, Müller B, Nestler T, Rothschild SI, Seifert B, Templeton AJ, Terbuch A, Ufen MP, Woelky R, Gillessen S, Rothermundt C. Metastatic Potential of Small Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Implications for Surveillance of Small Testicular Masses. EUR UROL SUPPL 2022; 40:16-18. [PMID: 35515270 PMCID: PMC9062248 DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Patient summary
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9
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Dejaco D, Riedl D, Cassar AE, Gottfried T, Rasse T, Fischer N, Kreuzer-Simonyan A, Seebacher J, Riechelmann H, Keintzel T, Schmutzhard J. Modified Power Piston Versus Simultaneous Stapedotomy With Hearing Aids in Otosclerosis: A Follow-Up Study Exploring Speech Recognition, Quality of Life and Usage of Device. Otol Neurotol 2022; 43:429-436. [PMID: 35170556 PMCID: PMC8915993 DOI: 10.1097/mao.0000000000003514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare audiologic outcomes, quality-of-life (QoL) and usage-of-device (UoD) between case-matched, otosclerotic patients with mixed hearing loss (MHL) which received (a) stapedotomy and postoperative amplification with hearing aids (SDT+HA) or (b) short-incudial process coupled active middle ear implant with simultaneous stapedotomy (mPP). STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Prospective, matched case-control, follow-up study conducted at two tertiary otologic referral centers. Eligible were all otosclerotic patients with MHL, which received mPP at either of the two institutions. A case-matched-cohort of SDT+HA-patients was generated from the hospitals database based on preoperative audiologic findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES For sound- and speech perception, primary outcome parameters were the mean postoperative, aided air-conduction pure tone average (mpa-AC-PTA) and word recognition score at 80 dB speech level (mpa-WRS), for QoL the mean Nijmegen-Cochlear-Implant-Questionnaire (NCIQ) total-score, and for UoD the mean score rated on a 10-point Likert-scale. RESULTS A total of 28 patients were included; 14 received mPP; mpa-AC-PTA and mpa-WRS significantly improved from 47.1 dB-HL to 34.3 dB-HL (-12.8 dB-HL; p < 0.001) and from 75.0% to 93.2% (+18.2%; p = 0.002) compared to 46.5 dB-HL to 31.9 dB-HL (-14.8 dB-HL; p < 0.008) and 75.0% to 93.2% (+18.2%; p = 0.002) for SDT+HA. No significant difference between groups was observed (all p > 0.1). NCIQ total-score between groups did not significantly differ (70.4 vs. 69.9; p = 0.93). UoD for mPP was significantly higher (6.1 vs. 3.0; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS If medical/technical problems prevent usage of HA in otosclerosis with MHL, mPP can be considered as effective treatment option with similar audiological outcome and QoL. A significantly higher UoD for mPP was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dejaco
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - David Riedl
- Department of Medical Psychology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck
| | - Anna Elisabeth Cassar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - Timo Gottfried
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - Thomas Rasse
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - Armina Kreuzer-Simonyan
- Department for Hearing, Speech and Voice Disorders, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Josef Seebacher
- Department for Hearing, Speech and Voice Disorders, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck
| | - Thomas Keintzel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels
| | - Joachim Schmutzhard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck
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10
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Marrazzo P, Fischer N, Nastasi C, Cricca M, Fusco D. Host–Pathogen Interactions: Organotypic Cultures to Unravel the Mysteries of the Primordial Hostility among Organisms. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030362. [PMID: 35335685 PMCID: PMC8951007 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Marrazzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (D.F.)
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Claudia Nastasi
- Laboratory of Cancer Pharmacology, Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, 20156 Milan, Italy;
| | - Monica Cricca
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Daniela Fusco
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Hamburg-Borstel-Lübeck-Riems, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (D.F.)
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11
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Melcher C, Renner C, Piepenbrink M, Fischer N, Büttner A, Wegener V, Birkenmaier C, Jansson V, Wegener B. Biomechanical comparisons of three minimally invasive Achilles tendon percutaneous repair suture techniques. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2022; 92:105578. [PMID: 35093798 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2022.105578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While no gold standard exists for the management of Achilles tendon ruptures, surgical repair is common in healthy and active patients. Minimally invasive repair methods have become increasingly popular, while biomechanical equivalency hasn't been proven yet. METHODS A mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture was created 6 cm proximal to the calcaneal insertion in 27 fresh-frozen cadaveric ankles. Specimens were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 repair techniques: Huttunen et al. (2014) (1) PARS Achilles Jig System, Nyyssönen et al. (2008) (2) Achilles Midsubstance SpeedBridge™, Schipper and Cohen (2017) (3) Dresdner Instrument and subsequently subjected to cyclic loading with 250 cycles each at 1 Hz with 4 different loading ranges (20-100 N, 20-200 N, 20-300 N, and 20-400 N). FINDINGS After 250 cycles no significant differences in elongation were observed between PARS and Dresdner Instrument(p = 1.0). Furthermore, SpeedBridge™ repairs elongated less than either Dresdner Instrument (p = 0.0006) or PARS (p = 0.102). Main elongation (85%) occurred within the first 10 cycles with a comparable elongation in between 10 and 100 and 100-250 cycles. While all repairs withstood the first 250 cycles of cyclic loading from 20 to 100 N, only the PARS (468 ± 175) and Midsubstance SpeedBridge™ (538 ± 208) survived more cycles. Within all 3 groups suture cut out was seen to be the most common failure mechanism. INTERPRETATION Within all groups early repair elongation was seen. While this was least obvious within the SpeedBridge™ technique, ultimate strengths of repairs (cycles to failure) were comparable across PARS and SpeedBridge™ with a decline in the Dresdner Instrument group.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Melcher
- University Hospital Ulm, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (RKU), Oberer Eseelsberg 45, 89081 Ulm, Germany; University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - C Renner
- Arthrex GmbH, Erwin-Hielscher-Straße 9, 81249 München, Germany.
| | - M Piepenbrink
- Arthrex GmbH, Erwin-Hielscher-Straße 9, 81249 München, Germany.
| | - N Fischer
- Arthrex GmbH, Erwin-Hielscher-Straße 9, 81249 München, Germany.
| | - A Büttner
- University Hospital Rostock, Department of Forensic Medicine, St. Georg-Str.108, 18055 Rostock, Germany.
| | - V Wegener
- University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - C Birkenmaier
- University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - V Jansson
- University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
| | - B Wegener
- University Hospital LMU Munich, Department of Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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12
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He J, Fischer N, Aparicio C. Durability of Cell Adhesion Peptides Coatings for Dental Implants. Dent Mater 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.12.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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13
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von Stillfried S, Freeborn B, Windeck S, Boor P, Böcker J, Schmidt J, Tholen P, Röhrig R, Majeed R, Wienströer J, Bremer J, Weis J, Knüchel R, Breitbach A, Bülow RD, Cacchi C, Wucherpfennig S, Märkl B, Claus R, Dhillon C, Schaller T, Sipos E, Spring O, Braun G, Römmele C, Kling E, Kröncke T, Wittmann M, Hirschbühl K, Heppner FL, Meinhardt J, Radbruch H, Streit S, Horst D, Elezkurtaj S, Quaas A, Göbel H, Friemann J, Hansen T, Titze U, Lorenzen J, Reuter T, Woloszyn J, Baretton G, Hilsenbeck J, Meinhardt M, Pablik J, Sommer L, Holotiuk O, Meinel M, Esposito I, Crudele G, Seidl M, Mahlke N, Hartmann A, Haller F, Eichhorn P, Lange F, Amann KU, Coras R, Ingenwerth M, Rawitzer J, Schmid KW, Theegarten D, Gradhand E, Smith K, Wild P, Birngruber CG, Schilling O, Werner M, Acker T, Gattenlöhner S, Franz J, Metz I, Stadelmann C, Stork L, Thomas C, Zechel S, Ströbel P, Fathke C, Harder A, Wickenhauser C, Glatzel M, Matschke J, Krasemann S, Dietz E, Edler C, Fitzek A, Fröb D, Heinemann A, Heinrich F, Klein A, Kniep I, Lohner L, Möbius D, Ondruschka B, Püschel K, Schädler J, Schröder AS, Sperhake JP, Aepfelbacher M, Fischer N, Lütgehetmann M, Pfefferle S, Jonigk D, Werlein C, Domke LM, Hartmann L, Klein I, Schirmacher P, Schwab C, Röcken C, Langer D, Roth W, Strobl S, Rudelius M, Delbridge C, Kasajima A, Kuhn PH, Slotta-Huspenina J, Weichert W, Weirich G, Stock K, Barth P, Schnepper A, Wardelmann E, Evert K, Evert M, Büttner A, Manhart J, Nigbur S, Bösmüller H, Fend F, Granai M, Klingel K, Warm V, Steinestel K, Umathum VG, Rosenwald A, Vogt N, Kurz F. [Update on collaborative autopsy-based research in German pathology, neuropathology, and forensic medicine]. Pathologie (Heidelb) 2022; 43:101-105. [PMID: 36114379 PMCID: PMC9483541 DOI: 10.1007/s00292-022-01117-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autopsies are a valuable tool for understanding disease, including COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS The German Registry of COVID-19 Autopsies (DeRegCOVID), established in April 2020, serves as the electronic backbone of the National Autopsy Network (NATON), launched in early 2022 following DEFEAT PANDEMIcs. RESULTS The NATON consortium's interconnected, collaborative autopsy research is enabled by an unprecedented collaboration of 138 individuals at more than 35 German university and non-university autopsy centers through which pathology, neuropathology, and forensic medicine autopsy data including data on biomaterials are collected in DeRegCOVID and tissue-based research and methods development are conducted. More than 145 publications have now emerged from participating autopsy centers, highlighting various basic science and clinical aspects of COVID-19, such as thromboembolic events, organ tropism, SARS-CoV‑2 detection methods, and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 at autopsy. CONCLUSIONS Participating centers have demonstrated the high value of autopsy and autopsy-derived data and biomaterials to modern medicine. The planned long-term continuation and further development of the registry and network, as well as the open and participatory design, will allow the involvement of all interested partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia von Stillfried
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Benita Freeborn
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Svenja Windeck
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland
| | - Peter Boor
- Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland ,Medizinische Klinik II (Nephrologie und Immunologie), Universitätsklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland ,Elektronenmikroskopische Einrichtung, Universitätsklinik RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074 Aachen, Deutschland
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Fischer N, Maex M, Mattheus W, Van den Bossche A, Van Cauteren D, Laisnez V, Hammami N, Ceyssens PJ. Genomic epidemiology of persistently circulating MDR Shigella sonnei strains associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) in Belgium (2013-19). J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 77:89-97. [PMID: 34673959 PMCID: PMC8730680 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Shigella sonnei resistant to first-line antibiotics azithromycin and ciprofloxacin are on the rise globally. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of MDR S. sonnei in Belgium and to identify origins and circulating clusters through WGS. Methods We undertook demographic, temporal and geographical analysis of 930 S. sonnei isolates submitted to the Belgian National Reference Centre for Salmonella and Shigella between 2017 and 2019. Phylogenetic analysis of WGS data, genotyping and identification of genetic markers of antimicrobial resistance was performed on 372 Belgian isolates submitted between 2013 and 2019. Results S. sonnei was identified in 75% (930/1253) of Belgian Shigella isolates submitted between 2017 and 2019. Overall, 7% (69/930) of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin alone, 6% (57/930) showed reduced susceptibility to azithromycin alone, and 24% (223/930) exhibited both. Men were at higher risk of carrying a double resistant S. sonnei strain, compared with women (risk ratio = 8.6, 95% CI = 5.4–13.9). Phylogenetic analysis revealed four independent Belgian clusters of persistently circulating MDR strains, associated with men who have sex with men (MSM) and of the same genotypes as previously described international MSM-related clades. Belgian isolates carried various incompatibility (Inc)-type plasmids, the SpA plasmid and ESBL genes. Conclusions In Belgium, S. sonnei isolates from men are much more likely to be resistant to important first-line antibiotics than isolates from women. Multiple co-circulating MDR S. sonnei clusters of different genotypes were identified in the MSM community. Further studies on risk groups are needed for targeted prevention, improved clinical and public health management and antimicrobial stewardship in Belgium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Gustav III:s Boulevard 40, 169 73 Solna, Sweden.,Division of Human Bacterial Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Engeland 642, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
| | - Margo Maex
- Division of Human Bacterial Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Engeland 642, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
| | - Wesley Mattheus
- Division of Human Bacterial Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Engeland 642, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
| | - An Van den Bossche
- Division of Human Bacterial Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Engeland 642, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
| | - Dieter Van Cauteren
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium
| | - Valeska Laisnez
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium.,Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid, Koning Albert-II-laan 35 bus 33, 1030 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Naïma Hammami
- Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid, Koning Albert-II-laan 35 bus 33, 1030 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pieter-Jan Ceyssens
- Division of Human Bacterial Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Engeland 642, 1180 Uccle, Belgium
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15
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Fischer N, Peeters I, Klamer S, Montourcy M, Cuylaerts V, Van Beckhoven D, De Baetselier I, Van der Heyden J, Vanden Berghe W. Prevalence estimates of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Belgium: results from two cross-sectional studies. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:947. [PMID: 34521367 PMCID: PMC8439092 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06646-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) is the most diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in Belgium. Screening programs focus on young women, due to the implications of chronic asymptomatic infections for reproductive health. Thereby, the frequency of infections in men and older adults is underestimated. This study aimed to estimate the point-prevalence of chlamydia in the broader Belgian population, to inform evidence-based prevention and control strategies. Methods We conducted two cross-sectional prevalence studies of chlamydia infection in the population of Belgium aged 16–59 years, 2018–2020. In the CT1 study 12,000 representative individuals were randomly selected from the national register and invited by letter to collect a urine sample at home. The CT2 study used urine samples collected through the Belgian Health Examination Survey. Molecular detection of chlamydia DNA was performed using Xpert® or Abbott Real-Time CT/NG assays. Weighted estimated prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated per gender and age groups of 16/18–29, 30–44 and 45–59 years, relative to the general Belgian population. Data collected on sociodemographic variables and sexual behavior were used to identify potential risk factors for chlamydia infection through calculation of the odds ratio (OR). Results The population-wide weighted estimated prevalence was 1.54% (95% CI 0.78–3) in CT1 and 1.76% (95% CI 0.63–4) in CT2. We observed no statistically significant difference between men and women or age groups. Civil relationship status (OR = 14.1 (95% CI 1.78–112), p < 0.01), sexual intercourse with a casual partner (OR = 6.31 (95% CI 1.66–24.1), p < 0.01) and > 3 sexual partners in the last 12 months (OR = 4.53 (95% CI 1.10–18.6), p = 0.02) were associated with higher relative risk for chlamydia infection. Conclusion Nationwide prevalence studies are relevant to assess the distribution of chlamydia and inform public health actions. The overall low prevalence and heterogeneous distribution of chlamydia in the general Belgian population needs to be considered for future strategies and potential harm of testing and treating asymptomatic individuals need to be taken into account. Effective case management should include appropriate treatment of symptomatic patients and partner notification, and prevention strategies should encourage behaviors such as condom use. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-021-06646-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium. .,European Programme for Public Health Microbiology (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Gustav III:s Boulevard 40, 169 73, Solna, Sweden.
| | - Ilse Peeters
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
| | - Sofieke Klamer
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
| | - Marion Montourcy
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
| | - Vicky Cuylaerts
- Department of Clinical Sciences, National Reference Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Clinical Reference Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van Beckhoven
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
| | - Irith De Baetselier
- Department of Clinical Sciences, National Reference Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections, Clinical Reference Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Van der Heyden
- Service Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Service Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Rue Ernest Blerot 1, 1070, Anderlecht, Belgium
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16
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Fischer N, Plaikner M, Schartinger VH, Kremser C, Riechelmann H, Schmutzhard J, Gottfried T, Dejaco D, Tauber H, Josip E, Henninger B. MRI of middle ear cholesteatoma: The importance of observer reliance from diffusion sequences. J Neuroimaging 2021; 32:120-126. [PMID: 34398501 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) in MRI has been developed as an important tool for the detection of cholesteatoma. Various DWI sequences are available. This study aims to evaluate the importance of the observer's reliance level for the detection of cholesteatoma. METHODS Forty patients meeting the following criteria were included in the study: (1) chronic otitis media, (2) preoperative MRI including various DWI sequences, and (3) middle-ear surgery. The MRI protocol contained the following sequences: (1) axial and (2) coronal echoplanar imaging (EPI) readout-segmented (RESOLVE) DWI with Trace acquisition and (3) coronal non-EPI half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) DWI. Cholesteatoma diagnosis was based on standard diagnostic criteria for cholesteatoma with DWI. Additionally, the radiologists were asked to grade personal reliance on their diagnosis using a Likert-type scale from 1 = very insecure to 5 = very secure. RESULTS Axial and coronal RESOLVE DWI showed a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 72.2%, respectively. The mean reliance was 3.9 for axial and 3.8 for coronal images. HASTE DWI had a sensitivity/specificity of 81.8%/66.7% with the highest reliance of all evaluated sequences (4.4). Cases with a reliance level of 5 showed a sensitivity/specificity of 100% in all sequences. A reliance level of 5 was given in the axial and coronal RESOLVE DWI in 32.5% of cases and in the HASTE DWI in 57.5%. CONCLUSION The evaluated DWI sequences showed comparable results. The reliance level significantly improved the predictor of cholesteatoma disease with MRI techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Plaikner
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Volker H Schartinger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Kremser
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joachim Schmutzhard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Timo Gottfried
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Dejaco
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmuth Tauber
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ena Josip
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Benjamin Henninger
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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17
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Sousa JA, Batista E, Demeyer S, Fischer N, Pellegrino O, Ribeiro AS, Martins LL. Uncertainty calculation methodologies in microflow measurements: Comparison of GUM, GUM-S1 and Bayesian approach. Measurement (Lond) 2021; 181:109589. [PMID: 36540695 PMCID: PMC9756327 DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2021.109589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The importance of measurement quality cannot be over emphasized in medical applications, as one is dealing with life issues and the wellbeing of society, from oncology to new-borns, and more recently to patients of the COVID-19 pandemic. In all these dire situations, the accuracy of fluid delivered according to a prescribed dose can be critical. Microflow applications are growing in importance for a wide variety of scientific fields, namely drug development and administration, Organ-on-a-Chip, or bioanalysis, but accurate and reliable measurements are a tough challenge in micro-to-femto flow operating ranges, from 2.78 × 10-4 mL/s down to 2.78 × 10-7 mL/s (1000 μL/h down to 1 μL/h). Several sources of error have been established such as the mass measurement, the fluid evaporation dependent on the gravimetric methodology implemented, the tube adsorption and the repeatability, believed to be closely related to the operating mode of the stepper motor and drive screw pitch of a syringe pump. In addition, the difficulty in dealing with microflow applications extends to the evaluation of measurement uncertainty which will qualify the quality of measurement. This is due to the conditions entailed when measuring very small values, close to zero, of a quantity such as the flow rate which is inherently positive. Alternative methods able to handle these features were developed and implemented, and their suitability will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Sousa
- IPQ - Portuguese Institute for Quality, 2829-513 Caparica, Portugal
| | - E Batista
- IPQ - Portuguese Institute for Quality, 2829-513 Caparica, Portugal
| | - S Demeyer
- LNE - Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais, 75724 Paris, France
| | - N Fischer
- LNE - Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais, 75724 Paris, France
| | - O Pellegrino
- IPQ - Portuguese Institute for Quality, 2829-513 Caparica, Portugal
| | - A S Ribeiro
- LNEC - National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, 1700-513 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - L L Martins
- LNEC - National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, 1700-513 Lisboa, Portugal
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18
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Fischer N, Darmstadt GL, Shahunja KM, Crowther JM, Kendall L, Gibson RA, Ahmed T, Relman DA. Topical emollient therapy with sunflower seed oil alters the skin microbiota of young children with severe acute malnutrition in Bangladesh: A randomised, controlled study. J Glob Health 2021; 11:04047. [PMID: 34386216 PMCID: PMC8325932 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.04047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Topical emollient therapy with sunflower seed oil (SSO) reduces risk of sepsis and mortality in very preterm infants in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). Proposed mechanisms include modulation of skin and possibly gut barrier function. The skin and gut microbiota play important roles in regulating barrier function, but the effects of emollient therapy on these microbiotas are poorly understood. Methods We characterised microbiota structure and diversity with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence data and ecological statistics in 20 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) aged 2-24 months, at four skin sites and in stool, during a randomised, controlled trial of emollient therapy with SSO in Bangladesh. Microbes associated with therapy were identified with tree-based sparse discriminant analysis. Results The skin microbiota of Bangladeshi children with SAM was highly diverse and displayed significant variation in structure as a function of physical distance between sites. Microbiota structure differed between the study groups (P = 0.005), was more diverse in emollient-treated subjects–including on the forehead which did not receive direct treatment–and changed with each day (P = 0.005) at all skin sites. Overall, Prevotellaceae were the most differentially affected by emollient treatment; several genera within this family became more abundant in the emollient group than in the controls across several skin sites. Gut microbiota structure was associated with sample day (P = 0.045) and subject age (P = 0.045), but was not significantly affected by emollient treatment (P = 0.060). Conclusions Emollient therapy altered the skin microbiota in a consistent and temporally coherent manner. We speculate that therapy with SSO enhances skin barrier function in part through alterations in the microbiota, and through systemic mechanisms. Strategies to strengthen skin and gut barrier function in populations at risk, such as children in LMICs like Bangladesh, might include deliberate manipulation of their skin microbiota. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02616289.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Gary L Darmstadt
- Prematurity Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - K M Shahunja
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarroheal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | | | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarroheal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - David A Relman
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarroheal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh.,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Infectious Diseases Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System 154T, Palo Alto, California, USA
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19
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Mortgat L, Verdonck K, Hutse V, Thomas I, Barbezange C, Heyndrickx L, Fischer N, Vuylsteke B, Kabouche I, Ariën KK, Desombere I, Duysburgh E. Prevalence and incidence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in Belgian hospitals before vaccination: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050824. [PMID: 34187832 PMCID: PMC8245288 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe prevalence and incidence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Belgian hospital healthcare workers (HCW) in April-December 2020. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. Follow-up was originally planned until September and later extended. SETTING Multicentre study, 17 hospitals. PARTICIPANTS 50 HCW were randomly selected per hospital. HCW employed beyond the end of the study and whose profession involved contact with patients were eligible. 850 HCW entered the study in April-May 2020, 673 HCW (79%) attended the September visit and 308 (36%) the December visit. OUTCOME MEASURES A semiquantitative ELISA was used to detect IgG against SARS-CoV-2 in serum (Euroimmun) at 10 time points. In seropositive samples, neutralising antibodies were measured using a virus neutralisation test. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swabs. Participant characteristics and the presence of symptoms were collected via an online questionnaire. RESULTS Among all participants, 80% were women, 60% nurses and 21% physicians. Median age was 40 years. The seroprevalence remained relatively stable from April (7.7% (95% CI: 4.8% to 12.1%) to September (8.2% (95% CI: 5.7% to 11.6%)) and increased thereafter, reaching 19.7% (95% CI: 12.0% to 30.6%) in December 2020. 76 of 778 initially seronegative participants seroconverted during the follow-up (incidence: 205/1000 person-years). Among all seropositive individuals, 118/148 (80%) had a positive neutralisation test, 83/147 (56%) presented or reported a positive RT-qPCR, and 130/147 (88%) reported COVID-19-compatible symptoms at least once. However, only 46/73 (63%) of the seroconverters presented COVID-19-compatible symptoms in the month prior to seroconversion. CONCLUSIONS The seroprevalence among hospital HCW was slightly higher than that of the general Belgian population but followed a similar evolution, suggesting that infection prevention and control measures were effective and should be strictly maintained. After two SARS-CoV-2 waves, 80% of HCW remained seronegative, justifying their prioritisation in the vaccination strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04373889.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure Mortgat
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), ECDC, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kristien Verdonck
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Veronik Hutse
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Thomas
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cyril Barbezange
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leo Heyndrickx
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- European Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), ECDC, Solna, Sweden
| | - Bea Vuylsteke
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ines Kabouche
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin K Ariën
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Desombere
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Els Duysburgh
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
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20
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Fehr M, Lang N, Rubio L, Güsewell S, Templeton A, Aeppli S, Tsang R, Hodgson D, Moccia A, Bargetzi M, Caspar C, Brülisauer DMA, Ebnöther M, Fischer N, Prica A, Kukreti V, Ghilardi G, Krasniqi F, Mey UJ, Mingrone W, Novak U, Richter P, Kridel R, Rodin D, Rütti M, Schmidt A, Stenner F, Voegeli M, Zander T, Crump M, Hitz F, Kuruvilla J. PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CLASSICAL HODGKIN LYMPHOMA ‐ A JOINT ANALYSIS OF TWO CLINICAL DATABASES. Hematol Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/hon.113_2880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Fehr
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Medical Oncology and Haematology St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - N Lang
- Hôpitaux Universitaires Genève, Department of Oncology Genève Switzerland
| | - L Rubio
- Manchester Royal Infirmary, Haematology Manchester UK
| | - S Güsewell
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - A.J. Templeton
- Claraspital Basel, Oncology and Haematology Basel Switzerland
| | - S Aeppli
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Medical Oncology and Haematology St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - R Tsang
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
| | - D Hodgson
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
| | - A Moccia
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Department of Medical Oncology Bellinzona Switzerland
| | - M Bargetzi
- Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Haematology Aarau Switzerland
| | - C Caspar
- Cantonal Hospital Baden, Oncology und Haematology Baden Switzerland
| | | | - M Ebnöther
- Claraspital Basel, Oncology and Haematology Basel Switzerland
| | - N Fischer
- Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Medical Oncology and Haematology Winterthur Switzerland
| | - A Prica
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
| | - V Kukreti
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
| | - G Ghilardi
- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Haematology Bellinzona Switzerland
| | - F Krasniqi
- University Hospital Basel, Oncology Basel Switzerland
| | - U. J Mey
- Cantonal Hospital Grisons, Oncology and Haematology Chur Switzerland
| | - W Mingrone
- Cantonal Hospital Olten, Centre for Oncology Olten Switzerland
| | - U Novak
- University Hospital Bern, Medical Oncology Bern Switzerland
| | - P Richter
- Cantonal Hospital Grisons, Oncology and Haematology Chur Switzerland
| | - R Kridel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
| | - D Rodin
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Radiation Oncology Toronto Switzerland
| | - M Rütti
- Hospital Wil, Medicine Wil Switzerland
| | - A Schmidt
- Stadtspital Triemli, Medical Oncology und Haematology Zürich Switzerland
| | | | - M Voegeli
- Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Oncology and Haematology Liestal Switzerland
| | - T Zander
- Cantonal Hospital Luzern, Medical Oncology Luzern Switzerland
| | - M Crump
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
| | - F Hitz
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Medical Oncology and Haematology St. Gallen Switzerland
| | - J Kuruvilla
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Medical Oncology and Haematology Toronto Canada
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21
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Fischer N, Kieferle I, Kulozik U, Germann N. Three-dimensional numerical investigation of the displacement of shear-thinning milk protein concentrates in spacer-filled channel. J FOOD ENG 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2020.110459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Favrot C, Fischer N, Rostaher A, Olivry T. Evaluation of Plasma C-Reactive Protein as a Biomarker in Dogs with Atopic -Dermatitis Receiving Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy: A Pilot Study. SCHWEIZ ARCH TIERH 2021; 163:67-72. [PMID: 33528368 DOI: 10.17236/sat00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this pilot study, we wished to determine if C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could be a useful severity or treatment biomarker for canine atopic dermatitis (AD). Nine atopic dogs received allergen immunotherapy for 1 year. Blood was collected before and at four re-evaluation visits. At each time point, the skin lesions were graded with the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) 4, and the plasma CRP levels were measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). We found a significant yet minimal correlation between the CRP levels and the CADESI4 scores. The CRP levels were not significantly different between dogs with AD of increasing severity. Finally, there was no correlation between the percentage change in CADESI4 and CRP values during immunotherapy. In conclusion, the lack of significant difference in CRP levels between dogs of increasing AD severity and lack of correlation between percentage changes in skin lesion and CRP values suggest that this protein would not be a clinically-useful biomarker in atopic dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Favrot
- Dermatology Unit, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich
| | - N Fischer
- Dermatology Unit, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich
| | - A Rostaher
- Dermatology Unit, Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich
| | - T Olivry
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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23
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Fischer N, Dauby N, Bossuyt N, Reynders M, Gérard M, Lacor P, Daelemans S, Lissoir B, Holemans X, Magerman K, Jouck D, Bourgeois M, Delaere B, Quoilin S, Van Gucht S, Thomas I, Barbezange C, Subissi L. Monitoring of human coronaviruses in Belgian primary care and hospitals, 2015-20: a surveillance study. Lancet Microbe 2021; 2:e105-e114. [PMID: 33937883 PMCID: PMC8064766 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(20)30221-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Seasonal human coronaviruses (hCoVs) broadly circulate in humans. Their epidemiology and effect on the spread of emerging coronaviruses has been neglected thus far. We aimed to elucidate the epidemiology and burden of disease of seasonal hCoVs OC43, NL63, and 229E in patients in primary care and hospitals in Belgium between 2015 and 2020. Methods We retrospectively analysed data from the national influenza surveillance networks in Belgium during the winter seasons of 2015–20. Respiratory specimens were collected through the severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and the influenza-like illness networks from patients with acute respiratory illness with onset within the previous 10 days, with measured or reported fever of 38°C or greater, cough, or dyspnoea; and for patients admitted to hospital for at least one night. Potential risk factors were recorded and patients who were admitted to hospital were followed up for the occurrence of complications or death for the length of their hospital stay. All samples were analysed by multiplex quantitative RT-PCRs for respiratory viruses, including seasonal hCoVs OC43, NL63, and 229E. We estimated the prevalence and incidence of seasonal hCoV infection, with or without co-infection with other respiratory viruses. We evaluated the association between co-infections and potential risk factors with complications or death in patients admitted to hospital with seasonal hCoV infections by age group. Samples received from week 8, 2020, were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Findings 2573 primary care and 6494 hospital samples were included in the study. 161 (6·3%) of 2573 patients in primary care and 371 (5·7%) of 6494 patients admitted to hospital were infected with a seasonal hCoV. OC43 was the seasonal hCoV with the highest prevalence across age groups and highest incidence in children admitted to hospital who were younger than 5 years (incidence 9·0 [95% CI 7·2–11·2] per 100 000 person-months) and adults older than 65 years (2·6 [2·1–3·2] per 100 000 person-months). Among 262 patients admitted to hospital with seasonal hCoV infection and with complete information on potential risk factors, 66 (73·3%) of 90 patients who had complications or died also had at least one potential risk factor (p=0·0064). Complications in children younger than 5 years were associated with co-infection (24 [36·4%] of 66; p=0·017), and in teenagers and adults (≥15 years), more complications arose in patients with a single hCoV infection (49 [45·0%] of 109; p=0·0097). In early 2020, the Belgian SARI surveillance detected the first SARS-CoV-2-positive sample concomitantly with the first confirmed COVID-19 case with no travel history to China. Interpretation The main burden of severe seasonal hCoV infection lies with children younger than 5 years with co-infections and adults aged 65 years and older with pre-existing comorbidities. These age and patient groups should be targeted for enhanced observation when in medical care and in possible future vaccination strategies, and co-infections in children younger than 5 years should be considered during diagnosis and treatment. Our findings support the use of national influenza surveillance systems for seasonal hCoV monitoring and early detection, and monitoring of emerging coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Funding Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety, and Environment; Belgian National Insurance Health Care (Institut national d'assurance maladie-invalidité/Rijksinstituut voor ziekte-en invaliditeitsverzekering); and Regional Health Authorities (Flanders Agentschap zorg en gezondheid, Brussels Commission communautaire commune, Wallonia Agence pour une vie de qualité).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- National Influenza Centre, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,European Public Health Microbiology Training Programme, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicolas Dauby
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire St-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium.,Centre for Environmental Health and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Bossuyt
- Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marijke Reynders
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Microbiology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, Brugge-Oostende AV, Bruge, Belgium
| | - Michèle Gérard
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire St-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Patrick Lacor
- Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Siel Daelemans
- Pediatric Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bénédicte Lissoir
- Department of Microbiology, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Xavier Holemans
- Infectiology, Grand Hôpital de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Koen Magerman
- Clinical Laboratory, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Infection Control, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Door Jouck
- Department of Infection Control, Jessa Ziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Marc Bourgeois
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
| | | | - Sophie Quoilin
- Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Lorenzo Subissi
- National Influenza Centre, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium.,European Public Health Microbiology Training Programme, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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24
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Bader W, Gottfried T, Degenhart G, Johnson Chacko L, Sieber D, Riechelmann H, Fischer N, Hoermann R, Glueckert R, Schrott-Fischer A, Schmutzhard J. Measurement of the Intracochlear Hypothermia Distribution Utilizing Tympanic Cavity Hypothermic Rinsing Technique in a Cochlea Hypothermia Model. Front Neurol 2021; 11:620691. [PMID: 33505351 PMCID: PMC7830138 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.620691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cochlea implants can cause severe trauma leading to intracochlear apoptosis, fibrosis, and eventually to loss of residual hearing. Mild hypothermia has been shown to reduce toxic or mechanical noxious effects, which can result in inflammation and subsequent hearing loss. This paper evaluates the usability of standard surgical otologic rinsing as cooling medium during cochlea implantation as a potential hearing preservation technique. Material and Methods: Three human temporal bones were prepared following standard mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy. Applying a retrocochlear approach leaving the mastoidectomy side intact, temperature probes were placed into the basal turn (n = 4), the middle turn (n = 2), the helicotrema, and the modiolus. Temperature probe positions were visualized by microcomputed tomography (μCT) imaging and manually segmented using Amira® 7.6. Through the posterior tympanotomy, the tympanic cavity was rinsed at 37°C in the control group, at room temperature (in the range between 22 and 24°C), and at iced water conditions. Temperature changes were measured in the preheated temporal bone. In each temperature model, rinsing was done for 20 min at the pre-specified temperatures measured in 0.5-s intervals. At least five repetitions were performed. Data were statistically analyzed using pairwise t-tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: Steady-state conditions achieved in all three different temperature ranges were compared in periods between 150 and 300 s. Temperature in the inner ear started dropping within the initial 150 s. Temperature probes placed at basal turn, the helicotrema, and middle turn detected statistically significant fall in temperature levels following body temperature rinses. Irrigation at iced conditions lead to the most significant temperature drops. The curves during all measurements remained stable with 37°C rinses. Conclusion: Therapeutic hypothermia is achieved with standard surgical irrigation fluid, and temperature gradients are seen along the cochlea. Rinsing of 120 s duration results in a therapeutic local hypothermia throughout the cochlea. This otoprotective procedure can be easily realized in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Bader
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Timo Gottfried
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerald Degenhart
- Department of Radiology, University Clinics Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Sieber
- MED-EL Medical Electronics GesmbH, Research and Development, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Romed Hoermann
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Joachim Schmutzhard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Fischer N, Štulhofer A, Hald GM, Carvalheira A, Træen B. Sexual Satisfaction in Older Heterosexual Couples From Four European Countries: Exploring the Roles of Actual and Perceived Discrepancy in Sexual Interest. J Sex Res 2021; 58:64-73. [PMID: 32852228 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2020.1809615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Even though sexual activity frequently takes place with another person, research rarely focuses on how partners influence each other's sexual lives. This study used the sexual dyad to compare the concept of actual versus perceived discrepancy in sexual interest and explored how each is related to older partnered individuals' sexual satisfaction. Further, the study assessed the robustness of the association between sexual interest discrepancy and sexual satisfaction, if any, by controlling for emotional intimacy. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) using structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to examine 677 heterosexual couples ages 60 to 75 in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal. Although a couple's actual discrepancy in sexual interest was not predictive of female and male partners' sexual satisfaction, perceived discrepancy was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction in both partners after controlling for emotional intimacy. This indicates that the subjective feelings of being sexually dissimilar seem to be more important to sexual satisfaction than the actual mismatch among partners in older heterosexual couples. Moreover, the finding that emotional intimacy is linked with sexual satisfaction underscores the importance of a broader perspective on sexuality among older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fischer
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
| | - A Štulhofer
- Department of Sociology, University of Zagreb
| | - G M Hald
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen
| | - A Carvalheira
- William James Center for Research, ISPA, University Institute
| | - B Træen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo
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Moccia AA, Aeppli S, Güsewell S, Bargetzi M, Caspar C, Brülisauer D, Ebnöther M, Fehr M, Fischer N, Ghilardi G, Krasniqi F, Lang N, Mey U, Mingrone W, Novak U, Pfleger C, Richter P, Rütti M, Schmidt A, Stenner F, Voegeli M, Zander T, Zucca E, Hitz F. Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients over 60 years with Hodgkin lymphoma treated in Switzerland. Hematol Oncol 2020; 39:196-204. [PMID: 33300135 DOI: 10.1002/hon.2830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in older patients appears to be a different disease compared with younger patients with historically lower survival rates. This is related to a variety of factors, including increased treatment-related toxicity, the presence of comorbidities, and biologic differences. In order to better assess the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcome of this particular population, we conducted a population-based, retrospective analysis including 269 patients with HL older than 60 years (median age 71 years, range 60-94), treated between 2000 and 2017 in 15 referral centers across Switzerland. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and cause-specific survival (CSS). The vast majority of patients were treated with curative intent, either with a combined modality approach (chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy) or with systemic therapy. At a median follow-up of 6.6 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-7.6), 5-year PFS was 52.2% (95% CI, 46.0-59.2), 5-year OS was 62.5% (95% CI, 56.4-69.2), and 5-year CSS was 85.1.8% (95% CI, 80.3-90.1) for the entire cohort. A significant difference in terms of CSS was observed for patients older than 71 years in comparison to patients aged 60-70 years (hazard ratio 2.6, 1.3-5.0, p = 0.005). Bleomycin-induced lung toxicity (BLT) was documented in 26 patients (17.7%) out of the 147 patients exposed to this compound and was more frequent in patients older than 71 years (15/60, 25%). Outcome of HL pts older than 71 years appeared to decrease substantially in comparison to the younger counterpart. Treatment-related toxicities appeared to be relevant, in particular, BLT. New, potentially less toxic strategies need to be investigated in prospective clinical trials in this particular frail population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Moccia
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - S Aeppli
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - S Güsewell
- Clinical Trials Unit, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - M Bargetzi
- Hematology, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - C Caspar
- Medical Oncology and Hematology, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - D Brülisauer
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - M Ebnöther
- Medical Oncology and Hematology, Claraspital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - M Fehr
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - N Fischer
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - G Ghilardi
- Hematology Clinic, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - F Krasniqi
- Medical Oncology Clinic, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - N Lang
- Medical Oncology Clinic, University Hospital of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
| | - U Mey
- Medical Oncology and Hematology, Kantonsspital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - W Mingrone
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Kantonsspital Olten, Olten, Switzerland
| | - U Novak
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - C Pfleger
- Medical Oncology and Hematology, Claraspital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - P Richter
- Medical Oncology and Hematology, Kantonsspital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
| | - M Rütti
- Internal Medicine Clinic, Spital Wil, Wil, Switzerland
| | - A Schmidt
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Stadtspital Triemli, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - F Stenner
- Medical Oncology Clinic, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - M Voegeli
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland
| | - T Zander
- Medical Oncology, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - E Zucca
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - F Hitz
- Medical Oncology and Hematology Clinic, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Duysburgh E, Mortgat L, Barbezange C, Dierick K, Fischer N, Heyndrickx L, Hutse V, Thomas I, Van Gucht S, Vuylsteke B, Ariën KK, Desombere I. Persistence of IgG response to SARS-CoV-2. Lancet Infect Dis 2020; 21:163-164. [PMID: 33341124 PMCID: PMC7833610 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30943-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Els Duysburgh
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Laure Mortgat
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cyril Barbezange
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Katelijne Dierick
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; European Public Health Microbiology Training, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Leo Heyndrickx
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Veronik Hutse
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Thomas
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Gucht
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bea Vuylsteke
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kevin K Ariën
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Desombere
- Department of Infectious Diseases in Humans, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Heshmat A, Sajedi S, Johnson Chacko L, Fischer N, Schrott-Fischer A, Rattay F. Dendritic Degeneration of Human Auditory Nerve Fibers and Its Impact on the Spiking Pattern Under Regular Conditions and During Cochlear Implant Stimulation. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:599868. [PMID: 33328872 PMCID: PMC7710996 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.599868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to limitations of human in vivo studies, detailed computational models enable understanding the neural signaling in the degenerated auditory system and cochlear implants (CIs). Four human cochleae were used to quantify hearing levels depending on dendritic changes in diameter and myelination thickness from type I of the auditory nerve fibers (ANFs). Type I neurons transmit the auditory information as spiking pattern from the inner hair cells (IHCs) to the cochlear nucleus. The impact of dendrite diameter and degree of myelination on neural signal transmission was simulated for (1) synaptic excitation via IHCs and (2) stimulation from CI electrodes. An accurate three-dimensional human cochlear geometry, along with 30 auditory pathways, mimicked the CI environment. The excitation properties of electrical potential distribution induced by two CI were analyzed. Main findings: (1) The unimodal distribution of control dendrite diameters becomes multimodal for hearing loss cases; a group of thin dendrites with diameters between 0.3 and 1 μm with a peak at 0.5 μm appeared. (2) Postsynaptic currents from IHCs excite such thin dendrites easier and earlier than under control conditions. However, this advantage is lost as their conduction velocity decreases proportionally with the diameter and causes increased spike latency and jitter in soma and axon. Firing probability reduces through the soma passage due to the low intracellular current flow in thin dendrites during spiking. (3) Compared with dendrite diameter, variations in myelin thickness have a small impact on spiking performance. (4) Contrary to synaptic excitation, CIs cause several spike initiation sites in dendrite, soma region, and axon; moreover, fiber excitability reduces with fiber diameter. In a few cases, where weak stimuli elicit spikes of a target neuron (TN) in the axon, dendrite diameter reduction has no effect. However, in many cases, a spike in a TN is first initiated in the dendrite, and consequently, dendrite degeneration demands an increase in threshold currents. (5) Threshold currents of a TN and co-stimulation of degenerated ANFs in other frequency regions depend on the electrode position, including its distance to the outer wall, the cochlear turn, and the three-dimensional pathway of the TN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Heshmat
- Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation, Institute for Analysis and Scientific Computing, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria.,Laboratory for Inner Ear Biology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sogand Sajedi
- Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation, Institute for Analysis and Scientific Computing, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Laboratory for Inner Ear Biology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Laboratory for Inner Ear Biology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anneliese Schrott-Fischer
- Laboratory for Inner Ear Biology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Frank Rattay
- Faculty of Mathematics and Geoinformation, Institute for Analysis and Scientific Computing, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
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Urbschat C, Schepanski S, Solano M, Stelzer I, Fischer N, Alawi M, Thiele K, Hecher K, Arck P. Fetal immune development is directly modulated by maternal immune cells during pregnancy in mice. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2020. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1717982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C Urbschat
- Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - S Schepanski
- Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - M.E Solano
- Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - I Stelzer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - N Fischer
- Center for Diagnostics, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - M Alawi
- Bioinformatics Core, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - K Thiele
- Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - K Hecher
- Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - P Arck
- Klinik für Geburtshilfe und Pränatalmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
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Pinggera L, Innerhofer V, Fischer N, Riechelmann H. [Biologics for Chronic Rhinosinusitis]. Laryngorhinootologie 2020; 99:483-493. [PMID: 32585720 DOI: 10.1055/a-1026-2845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammation of the nasal and paranasal mucosa, lasting for more than 12 weeks. By now approximately 15 % of the European and American population are affected, which indicates that CRS is a serious health problem. Beside other subgroups the most important classification is CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Standard-of-care therapies include nasal saline solution as well as topic or systemic corticosteroids. If this does not lead to a sufficient recovery, surgical therapy is a good option. A new therapy option is represented by biologics, particularly monoclonal antibodies (mAB). They are well-established for treatment of asthma bronchiale. Due to the fact that asthma is often associated with nasal polyps, and mAB may could also lead to improvements in CRS, studies were conducted. In the meantime there is a number of mAB which have emerged as an alternative treatment for patients with CRSwNP.
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Fischer N, Træen B, Štulhofer A, Hald GM. Mechanisms underlying the association between perceived discrepancy in sexual interest and sexual satisfaction among partnered older adults in four European countries. Eur J Ageing 2020; 17:151-162. [PMID: 32549870 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-019-00541-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The ways in which the discrepancy between one's own interest in sex and that of one's partner may affect personal sexual satisfaction has rarely been systematically studied, especially among older adults. Previous research among younger adults indicates that a discrepancy in sexual desire can be detrimental in terms of several relationship outcomes, including sexual satisfaction. This study aimed to investigate a conceptual model of sexual satisfaction among coupled older adults which posits that the association between perceived discrepancy in sexual interest and sexual satisfaction is mediated by the frequency of sexual activity and emotional closeness during sex. Data from a probability-based postal survey that included 2695 partnered heterosexual adults aged 60-75 years from four European countries (Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and Portugal) were used to test the mediation model. Due to expected gender differences in the two mediators, all analyses were carried out separately for men and women. The findings supported the proposed model, suggesting that as an individual's perception of a discrepancy in sexual interest increases, his or her levels of sexual frequency and perceived closeness during sex decrease-which in turn diminishes sexual satisfaction. The results of this study provide insights into links among sexual interest, sexual frequency, emotional closeness, and sexual satisfaction in older adults, and point to substantial similarities in the sexuality of aging men and women in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fischer
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3A, 0373 Oslo, Norway
| | - B Træen
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Forskningsveien 3A, 0373 Oslo, Norway
| | - A Štulhofer
- Department of Sociology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - G M Hald
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Fischer N, Træen B. PS-1-1 Sexual Satisfaction in Older Couples From Four European Countries: Exploring the Effects of Actual and Perceived Discrepancy in Sexual Interest, Physical Affection, and Emotional Intimacy. J Sex Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Papachristofilou A, Bedke J, Hayoz S, Fischer N, Schiel X, Schratzenstaller U, Krege S, Lorch A, Aebersold DM, Putora PM, Berthold DR, Zihler D, Azinwi NC, Zengerling F, Dieing A, Mueller AC, Cathomas R. Treatment compliance and early toxicity in SAKK 01/10: Single-dose carboplatin and involved-node radiotherapy for treatment of stage IIA/B seminoma. J Clin Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2020.38.6_suppl.405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
405 Background: Standard treatment options for stage IIA/B seminoma include either extensive paraaortal/pelvic radiotherapy or intensive chemotherapy with 3x BEP or 4x EP. Both treatment modalities are associated with excellent efficacy but also a high rate of acute and late toxicities. Therefore, de-escalation strategies appear warranted for this patient group aiming to minimize acute and long-term toxicities while maintaining efficacy. SAKK 01/10 is a joint project of the Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research and the German Testicular Cancer Study Group. Methods: Patients with stage IIA/B seminoma (de novo or relapse on active surveillance) were eligible for participation in this single arm phase II trial. A repeat scan was advised in patients with equivocal lymph node enlargement. Treatment consisted of one cycle carboplatin AUC7 followed by involved-node radiotherapy with 30 Gy in stage IIA and 36 Gy in stage IIB disease. The primary endpoint of the trial is 3-year progression free survival. We report on treatment compliance and early toxicity during treatment and within 30 days. Results: 120 patients with stage IIA/B seminoma were recruited from 10/12 until 06/18 in 20 study centers in Switzerland and Germany. 116 patients were eligible and initiated treatment per protocol (40% stage IIA, 60% stage IIB). All patients received chemotherapy (CT) with a median applied dose of 984 mg (range: 560-1920 mg). The median planning target volume (PTV) for radiotherapy (RT) was 297 cm3 (range: 24-1047 cm3). RT was delayed/interrupted in two patients due to adverse events. During CT, grade 2 and grade 3 adverse events were seen in 21% and 2% of all patients respectively (most common grade 2 events: neutropenia 6%, nausea 5%). During RT, grade 2 and grade 3 adverse events were seen in 26% and 6% of all patients respectively (most common grade 2 events: neutropenia 15%, nausea 6%). One case of transient creatinine increase was reported as a severe adverse event, resolving without sequelae. Conclusions: Treatment with one cycle carboplatin AUC7 and 30-36 Gy involved-node radiotherapy for stage IIA/B seminoma is feasible and demonstrates a very favorable early toxicity profile. Clinical trial information: NCT01593241.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jens Bedke
- Department of Urology, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hayoz
- Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Xaver Schiel
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Palliative Medicine and Internal Medicine, München Klinik Harlaching, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schratzenstaller
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Krege
- Department of Urology, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany
| | - Anja Lorch
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel M. Aebersold
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Deborah Zihler
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Kantonsspital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Ngwa C. Azinwi
- Istituto Oncologico della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Friedemann Zengerling
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Ulm, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Annette Dieing
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Vivantes Klinik am Urban, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Richard Cathomas
- Department of Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Graubünden, Chur, Switzerland
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Gartmeier M, Fischer N, Gut R, Hoier S, Riedo D. Praxis psychologischer Beratung und Intervention: Konzeption und Transfer eines didaktischen Bausteins zum Aufbau der Kompetenz angehender Lehrpersonen im Bereich der Gesprächsführung mit Eltern. Psychologie in Erziehung und Unterricht 2019. [DOI: 10.2378/peu2020.art02d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Johnson Chacko L, Sergi C, Eberharter T, Dudas J, Rask-Andersen H, Hoermann R, Fritsch H, Fischer N, Glueckert R, Schrott-Fischer A. Early appearance of key transcription factors influence the spatiotemporal development of the human inner ear. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 379:459-471. [PMID: 31788757 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03115-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Expression patterns of transcription factors leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase-1 (TAK1), SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 2 (SOX2), and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) in the developing human fetal inner ear were studied between the gestation weeks 9 and 12. Further development of cochlear apex between gestational weeks 11 and 16 (GW11 and GW16) was examined using transmission electron microscopy. LGR5 was evident in the apical poles of the sensory epithelium of the cochlear duct and the vestibular end organs at GW11. Immunostaining was limited to hair cells of the organ of Corti by GW12. TAK1 was immune positive in inner hair cells of the organ of Corti by GW12 and colocalized with p75 neurotrophic receptor expression. Expression for SOX2 was confined primarily to the supporting cells of utricle at the earliest stage examined at GW9. Intense expression for GATA3 was presented in the cochlear sensory epithelium and spiral ganglia at GW9. Expression of GATA3 was present along the midline of both the utricle and saccule in the zone corresponding to the striolar reversal zone where the hair cell phenotype switches from type I to type II. The spatiotemporal gradient of the development of the organ of Corti was also evident with the apex of the cochlea forming by GW16. It seems that highly specific staining patterns of several transcriptions factors are critical in guiding the genesis of the inner ear over development. Our findings suggest that the spatiotemporal gradient in cochlear development extends at least until gestational week 16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, 8440 112 St, NW, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2B7, Canada
| | - Theresa Eberharter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jozsef Dudas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helge Rask-Andersen
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Romed Hoermann
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Division of Clinical & Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helga Fritsch
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Division of Clinical & Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- University Clinics Innsbruck, Tirol Kliniken, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- University Clinics Innsbruck, Tirol Kliniken, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anneliese Schrott-Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Sprockett D, Fischer N, Boneh RS, Turner D, Kierkus J, Sladek M, Escher JC, Wine E, Yerushalmi B, Dias JA, Shaoul R, Kori M, Snapper SB, Holmes S, Bousvaros A, Levine A, Relman DA. Treatment-Specific Composition of the Gut Microbiota Is Associated With Disease Remission in a Pediatric Crohn's Disease Cohort. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2019; 25:1927-1938. [PMID: 31276165 PMCID: PMC7185687 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izz130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The beneficial effects of antibiotics in Crohn's disease (CD) depend in part on the gut microbiota but are inadequately understood. We investigated the impact of metronidazole (MET) and metronidazole plus azithromycin (MET+AZ) on the microbiota in pediatric CD and the use of microbiota features as classifiers or predictors of disease remission. METHODS 16S rRNA-based microbiota profiling was performed on stool samples from 67 patients in a multinational, randomized, controlled, longitudinal, 12-week trial of MET vs MET+AZ in children with mild to moderate CD. Profiles were analyzed together with disease activity, and then used to construct random forest models to classify remission or predict treatment response. RESULTS Both MET and MET+AZ significantly decreased diversity of the microbiota and caused large treatment-specific shifts in microbiota structure at week 4. Disease remission was associated with a treatment-specific microbiota configuration. Random forest models constructed from microbiota profiles before and during antibiotic treatment with metronidazole accurately classified disease remission in this treatment group (area under the curve [AUC], 0.879; 95% confidence interval, 0.683-0.9877; sensitivity, 0.7778; specificity, 1.000; P < 0.001). A random forest model trained on pre-antibiotic microbiota profiles predicted disease remission at week 4 with modest accuracy (AUC, 0.8; P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS MET and MET+AZ antibiotic regimens in pediatric CD lead to distinct gut microbiota structures at remission. It may be possible to classify and predict remission based in part on microbiota profiles, but larger cohorts will be needed to realize this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sprockett
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Rotem Sigall Boneh
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Dan Turner
- The Juliet Keidan Institute of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Jarek Kierkus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Feeding Disorders and Pediatrics, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Sladek
- Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Johanna C Escher
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Eytan Wine
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Baruch Yerushalmi
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Soroka University Medical Center, and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Jorge Amil Dias
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital de Sao Joao, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ron Shaoul
- Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Ruth Children’s Hospital, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Kori
- Pediatric Day Care Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Scott B Snapper
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan Holmes
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Athos Bousvaros
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arie Levine
- Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David A Relman
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Infectious Diseases Section, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Theis D, Sauerwein M, Fischer N. Perceived quality of instruction: The relationship among indicators of students' basic needs, mastery goals, and academic achievement. Br J Educ Psychol 2019; 90 Suppl 1:176-192. [PMID: 31562646 DOI: 10.1111/bjep.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Students' mastery goals are positively related to adaptive learning behaviour. Moreover, these goals often mediate the relation between perceived classroom characteristics and academic achievement. Research generally shows a decline of academic achievement and mastery goals after transition to middle school. Creating a learning environment at middle school according to students' basic needs for autonomy, competence, and social relatedness might help to reduce these declines. However, little is known about the relationship between perceived fulfilment of needs, mastery goals, and academic achievement. AIMS We investigate the relationship between indicators of students' perceived fulfilment of needs and their graded performance to determine whether the connection is indirect via mastery goals. SAMPLE We surveyed 2,105 students during the first year in middle school. METHODS We assessed the amount of the students' perceived autonomy, recognition of competence and support from the teacher (as indicators of competence and social relatedness) in class, their mastery goals, and their grades. Multilevel models were calculated. RESULTS Perceived fulfilment of needs correlated significantly with mastery goals and graded performance. Mastery goals predicted graded performance; however, when perceived fulfilment of needs and mastery goals were analysed simultaneously, the correlation between mastery goals and graded performance was no longer significant. There was no indirect relation between perceived fulfilment of needs and graded performance via mastery goals. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that creating the learning environment according to the students' basic needs is positively related to their mastery goals and graded performance during the first year at middle school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Désirée Theis
- DIPF
- Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Sauerwein
- DIPF
- Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Natalie Fischer
- DIPF
- Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,University of Kassel, Germany
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Fischer N, Widmann G, Dejaco D, Schmutzhard J. Eine seltene Ursache der chronischen Otitis
media. Laryngorhinootologie 2019; 98:500-502. [DOI: 10.1055/a-0829-6950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Reiterer E, Reider S, Lackner P, Fischer N, Dejaco D, Riechelmann H, Zorowka P, Kremsner PG, Adegnika AA, Schmutzhard E, Schmutzhard J. A long-term follow-up study on otoacoustic emissions testing in paediatric patients with severe malaria in Gabon. Malar J 2019; 18:212. [PMID: 31234890 PMCID: PMC6591898 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2840-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a previous study, severe and cerebral malaria have been connected with acute cochlear malfunction in children, demonstrated by a decrease of transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) reproducibility. This study aims to determine whether cochlear malfunction persists for 4 years after recovery from severe malaria in a subset of the previous study's collective. Follow-up TEOAEs were performed on site (CERMEL, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Lambaréné, Gabon) or at the participants' homes; 33 out of 90 participants included in the initial investigation by Schmutzhard et al. could be retrieved and were re-examined, 31/33 could be included. Of the 57 missing participants, 51 could not be contacted, 1 had moved away, 4 refused to cooperate, and 1 had died. METHODS As in the initial investigation, participants of this prospective follow-up study were subjected to TEOAE examination on both ears separately. A wave correlation rate of > 60% on both ears was considered a "pass"; if one ear failed to pass, the examination was considered a "fail". The results were compared to the primary control group. Additionally, a questionnaire has been applied focusing on subsequent malaria infections between the primary inclusion and follow-up and subjective impairment of hearing and/or understanding. RESULTS The cohort's mean age was 9 years, 14 children were female, 18 male. 31 had been originally admitted with severe, one with cerebral malaria. 83.8% of participants (n = 26) presented with a TEOAE correlation rate of > 60% on both ears (the cut-off for good cochlear function); in the control group, 92.2% (n = 83) had passed TEOAE examination on both ears. Recurrent severe malaria was associated with a worse TEOAE correlation rate. Age at infection and gender had no influence on the outcome. CONCLUSIONS Cochlear malfunction seems to be persistent after 4 years in more than 16% of children hospitalized for malaria. In a healthy control group, this proportion was 7.8%. Yet, the severity of the initial TEOAE-decrease did not predict a worse outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Reiterer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Simon Reider
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Lackner
- Department of Neurology, NICU, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniel Dejaco
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patrick Zorowka
- Department of Hearing, Speech and Voice Disorders, Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Albert Schweitzer Hospital (MRUG), Lambaréné, Gabon.,Institut für Tropenmedizin, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ayola Akim Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné, Albert Schweitzer Hospital (MRUG), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Erich Schmutzhard
- Department of Neurology, NICU, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joachim Schmutzhard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Fischer N, Johnson Chacko L, Majerus A, Potrusil T, Riechelmann H, Schmutzhard J, Schrott-Fischer A, Glueckert R. Age-Dependent Calcium-Binding Protein Expression in the Spiral Ganglion and Hearing Performance of C57BL/6J and 129/SvJ Mice. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2019; 81:138-154. [PMID: 31170714 DOI: 10.1159/000499472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Calcium-binding proteins in neurons buffer intracellular free Ca2+ ions, which interact with proteins controlling enzymatic and ion channel activity. The heterogeneous distribution of calretinin, calbindin, and parvalbumin influences calcium homeostasis, and calcium-related neuronal processes play an important role in neuronal aging and degeneration. This study evaluated age-related changes in calretinin, calbindin, and parvalbumin immune reactivity in spiral ganglion cells. METHODS A total of 16 C57BL/6J and 16 129/SvJ mice at different ages (2, 4, 7, and 12 months) were included in the study. Hearing thresholds were assessed using auditory brainstem response before inner ears were excised for further evaluation. Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry for the aforementioned calcium-binding proteins was performed at the cellular level. RESULTS The hearing thresholds of C57BL/6J and 129/SvJ mice increased significantly by 7 months of age. The average immune reactivity of calbin-din as well as the relative number of positive cells increased significantly with aging, but no significant alterations in calretinin or parvalbumin were observed. CONCLUSIONS Upregulation of calbindin could serve as a protection to compensate for functional deficits that occur with aging. Expression of both calretinin and parvalbumin seem to be stabilizing factors in murine inner ears up to the age of 12 months in C57BL/6J and 129/SvJ mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Majerus
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Potrusil
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joachim Schmutzhard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tirol Kliniken, University Clinics of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Fischer N, Schartinger VH, Dejaco D, Schmutzhard J, Riechelmann H, Plaikner M, Henninger B. Readout-Segmented Echo-Planar DWI for the Detection of Cholesteatomas: Correlation with Surgical Validation. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2019; 40:1055-1059. [PMID: 31122917 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MR imaging has become an important tool for the detection of cholesteatomas of the middle ear. Various diffusion-weighted imaging sequences are available and have shown promising results. This study aimed to evaluate readout-segmented echo-planar DWI for the detection of cholesteatoma and compare the results with surgical validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty patients with chronic otitis media (24 females and 26 males; range, 12-76 years of age; mean age, 41 years) who underwent MR imaging before an operation of the middle ear (1-169 days) were included. The MR imaging protocol consisted of axial and coronal readout-segmented echo-planar DWI with b-values of 0 and 1000 s/mm2 and 3-mm slice thickness. The readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted images were fused with standard T2-weighted sequences for better anatomic assignment. The results of the MR imaging evaluation were correlated with the results from the operation. RESULTS Readout-segmented echo-planar DWI detected 22 of the 25 cases of surgically proved cholesteatoma. It has an accuracy of 92% (95% confidence interval, 80.8%-97.8%), a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 96%, a positive predictive value of 96%, and a negative predictive value of 89%. In 1 case, a positive finding for cholesteatoma with readout-segmented echo-planar DWI could not be proved by histology, and in 3 cases, histology yielded a cholesteatoma that was not detected with MR imaging. CONCLUSIONS Readout-segmented echo-planar DWI is a promising and reliable MR imaging sequence for the detection and exclusion of cholesteatoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fischer
- From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology (N.F., V.H.S., D.D., J.S., H.R.)
| | - V H Schartinger
- From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology (N.F., V.H.S., D.D., J.S., H.R.)
| | - D Dejaco
- From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology (N.F., V.H.S., D.D., J.S., H.R.)
| | - J Schmutzhard
- From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology (N.F., V.H.S., D.D., J.S., H.R.)
| | - H Riechelmann
- From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology (N.F., V.H.S., D.D., J.S., H.R.)
| | - M Plaikner
- Radiology (M.P., B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - B Henninger
- Radiology (M.P., B.H.), Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Fischer N, Johnson Chacko L, Glueckert R, Schrott-Fischer A. Age-Dependent Changes in the Cochlea. Gerontology 2019; 66:33-39. [DOI: 10.1159/000499582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Johnson Chacko L, Wertjanz D, Sergi C, Dudas J, Fischer N, Eberharter T, Hoermann R, Glueckert R, Fritsch H, Rask-Andersen H, Schrott-Fischer A, Handschuh S. Growth and cellular patterning during fetal human inner ear development studied by a correlative imaging approach. BMC Dev Biol 2019; 19:11. [PMID: 31109306 PMCID: PMC6528216 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-019-0191-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Progressive transformation of the otic placode into the functional inner ear during gestational development in humans leads to the acquisition of hearing perception via the cochlea and balance and spatial orientation via the vestibular organ. Results Using a correlative approach involving micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT), transmission electron microscopy and histological techniques we were able to examine both the morphological and cellular changes associated with human inner ear development. Such an evaluation allowed for the examination of 3D geometry with high spatial and temporal resolution. In concert with gestational progression and growth of the cochlear duct, an increase in the distance between some of the Crista ampullaris is evident in all the specimens examined from GW12 to GW36. A parallel increase in the distances between the macular organs - fetal utricle and saccule - is also evident across the gestational stages examined. The distances between both the utricle and saccule to the three cristae ampullares also increased across the stages examined. A gradient in hair cell differentiation is apparent from apex to base of the fetal cochlea even at GW14. Conclusion We present structural information on human inner ear development across multiple levels of biological organization, including gross-morphology of the inner ear, cellular and subcellular details of hearing and vestibular organs, as well as ultrastructural details in the developing sensory epithelia. This enabled the gathering of detailed information regarding morphometric changes as well in realizing the complex developmental patterns of the human inner ear. We were able to quantify the volumetric and linear aspects of selected gestational inner ear specimens enabling a better understanding of the cellular changes across the fetal gestational timeline. Moreover, these data could serve as a reference for better understanding disorders that arise during inner ear development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12861-019-0191-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lejo Johnson Chacko
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Wertjanz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Consolato Sergi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Division of Anatomical Pathology, 5B4.09 Walter C MacKenzie Health Sciences Centre, University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jozsef Dudas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Theresa Eberharter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Romed Hoermann
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Division of Clinical & Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Rudolf Glueckert
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.,University Clinics Innsbruck, Tirol Kliniken, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helga Fritsch
- Department of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Division of Clinical & Functional Anatomy, Medical University of Innsbruck, Muellerstrasse 59, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helge Rask-Andersen
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Uppsala University Hospital, 751 85, Uppsala, SE, Sweden
| | - Anneliese Schrott-Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Stephan Handschuh
- VetCore Facility for Research, Imaging Unit, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria
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Hatterer E, Chauchet X, Barba L, Richard F, Moine V, Chatel L, Cons L, Ravn U, Masternak K, Fischer N, Kosco-Vilbois M, Ferlin W, Buatois V, Shang L. Targeting a membrane-proximal epitope on mesothelin increases the tumoricidal activity of a bispecific antibody blocking CD47 on tumor cells. Eur J Cancer 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2019.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Dejaco D, Steinbichler T, Schartinger VH, Fischer N, Anegg M, Dudas J, Posch A, Widmann G, Riechelmann H. Specific growth rates calculated from CTs in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study performed in Austria. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e025359. [PMID: 30782931 PMCID: PMC6367981 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide data on specific growth rates (SGRs) of primary tumours (PT-SGR) and largest pathological cervical lymph nodes (LN-SGR) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). To explore PT-SGR's and LN-SGR's correlation with selected biomarkers epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Ki67 and CD44. DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective study performed at a tertiary oncological referral centre in Innsbruck, Austria. PARTICIPANTS Adult patients with incident HNSCC treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) or radiochemotherapy (RCT). OUTCOME MEASURES Volumes of the primary tumour (PT-volume) and largest pathological cervical lymph node (LN-volume) were measured in CT scans obtained at time of diagnosis and subsequent planning CTs immediately prior to RT or RCT. SGRs were calculated assuming an exponential growth function. PT-SGR's and LN-SGR's correlation with EGFR, Ki67 and CD44 were explored. RESULTS In 123 patients, mean interval between diagnostic and planning CT was 29±21 days. PT-SGR was 1.8±1.8% (mean±SD) per day and was positively correlated with EGFR, Ki67 and CD44 expression (p=0.02; p=0.02; p=0.03). LN-SGR was 1.7±2.0% per day and increased with larger initial LN-volume, was lower in laryngeal cancer (p=0.003) and slowed down with time. LN-SGR was not correlated with EGFR, Ki67 or CD44 expression in primary tumours (p>0.12). New cartilage or bone infiltration occurred in 10 patients and new central lymph node necrosis in 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS HNSCCs are fast-growing tumours for which treatment must not be delayed. Clinical tumour growth rates are influences by EGFR, KI67 and CD44 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dejaco
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Teresa Steinbichler
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Volker Hans Schartinger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natalie Fischer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maria Anegg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Joszef Dudas
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Andrea Posch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerlig Widmann
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Radiology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Herbert Riechelmann
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Gueneau F, Ravn U, Fischer N. Round optimization for improved discovery of native bispecific antibodies. Methods 2019; 154:51-59. [PMID: 30448477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The assembly of bispecific antibodies (bsAb) that retain the structure of a standard IgG can be challenging as the correct pairing of the different heavy and light chains has to be ensured while unwanted side products kept to a minimum. The use of antibodies sharing a common chain facilitates assembly of such bsAb formats but requires additional efforts during the initial discovery phase. We have developed a native bsAb format called κλ body based on antibodies that, while being specific for different antigens, share the same heavy chain. Such antibodies can readily be isolated from antibody libraries incorporating a single VH combined with light chain diversity. However, in order to improve the discovery process of such fixed VH antibodies, we developed a method to optimize populations of light chains by recovering and shuffling CDRL3 sequences that have been enriched for antigen binding by phage display selection. This approach allowed for the isolation of a more diverse and potent panel of antibodies blocking the interaction between PD-1 and PD-L1 when compared to our standard in vitro selection approach, thus providing better building blocks for subsequent bsAb generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Gueneau
- Novimmune SA, 14 chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - U Ravn
- Novimmune SA, 14 chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - N Fischer
- Novimmune SA, 14 chemin des Aulx, 1228 Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland.
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Hirschi S, Fischer N, Kalbermatter D, Laskowski PR, Ucurum Z, Müller DJ, Fotiadis D. Design and assembly of a chemically switchable and fluorescently traceable light-driven proton pump system for bionanotechnological applications. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1046. [PMID: 30705382 PMCID: PMC6355921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37260-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Energy-supplying modules are essential building blocks for the assembly of functional multicomponent nanoreactors in synthetic biology. Proteorhodopsin, a light-driven proton pump, is an ideal candidate to provide the required energy in form of an electrochemical proton gradient. Here we present an advanced proteoliposome system equipped with a chemically on-off switchable proteorhodopsin variant. The proton pump was engineered to optimize the specificity and efficiency of chemical deactivation and reactivation. To optically track and characterize the proteoliposome system using fluorescence microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis, fluorescenlty labelled lipids were implemented. Fluorescence is a highly valuable feature that enables detection and tracking of nanoreactors in complex media. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy, and correlative atomic force and confocal microscopy revealed that our procedure yields polylamellar proteoliposomes, which exhibit enhanced mechanical stability. The combination of these features makes the presented energizing system a promising foundation for the engineering of complex nanoreactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hirschi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - N Fischer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - D Kalbermatter
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - P R Laskowski
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Z Ucurum
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - D J Müller
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - D Fotiadis
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Knauß S, Preuße C, Fischer N, Allenbach Y, Radbruch H, Matyash V, Endres M, Goebel H, Benveniste O, Stenzel W. INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES. Neuromuscul Disord 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.06.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Rothermundt C, Thurneisen C, Cathomas R, Müller B, Mingrone W, Hirschi-Blickenstorfer A, Wehrhahn T, Ruf C, Rothschild SI, Seifert B, Terbuch A, Grassmugg T, Woelky R, Fankhauser C, Kunit T, Fischer N, Inauen R, Kamradt J, Ziegler K, Haynes A, Jüni P, Gillessen S. Correction to: Baseline characteristics and patterns of care in testicular cancer patients: first data from the Swiss Austrian German Testicular Cancer Cohort Study (SAG TCCS). Swiss Med Wkly 2018; 148:w14674. [PMID: 30182362 DOI: 10.4414/smw.2018.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Rothermundt
- Klinik für Medizinische Onkologie und Hämatologie, Departement Innere Medizin, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Donker T, Van Esveld S, Fischer N, Van Straten A. 0Phobia - towards a virtual cure for acrophobia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2018; 19:433. [PMID: 30092844 PMCID: PMC6085658 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-018-2704-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been shown to be as effective as traditional forms of in vivo exposure therapy for the treatment of specific phobias. However, as with in vivo exposure, VRET still involves relatively high costs and limited accessibility which makes it prohibitive for a large part of the population. Innovative methods using smartphone applications (apps) may improve accessibility and scalability of VRET. The aim of this study is to evaluate 0Phobia, a gamified self-guided VRET for acrophobia that is delivered through a smartphone app in combination with rudimentary cardboard virtual reality (VR) goggles. METHODS/DESIGN Participants (N = 180, aged 18-65 years) with acrophobia symptoms will be recruited from the Dutch general population and randomized to either 0Phobia (n = 90) or a waitlist control condition (n = 90). 0Phobia will be delivered over a period of 3 weeks and includes psychoeducation, VR exposure, cognitive techniques, monitoring of symptoms, and relapse prevention. The primary outcome measure will be the Acrophobia Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures will include user-friendliness, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mastery. Assessments will take place online at baseline, directly after the intervention (post test) and at follow-up (3 months). DISCUSSION This study capitalizes on novel technology and recent scientific advances to develop an affordable and scalable treatment modality. TRIAL REGISTRATION Netherlands Trial Register: NTR6442 . Registered on 29 June 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Donker
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Movement- and Behavioral Sciences, Section Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - S Van Esveld
- Faculty Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - N Fischer
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Movement- and Behavioral Sciences, Section Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A Van Straten
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Faculty of Movement- and Behavioral Sciences, Section Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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