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Charged particle spectra in central S+S collisions at 200 GeV/c per nucleon
(1994)
- The transverse momentum and rapidity distributions of negative hadrons and participant protons have been measured for central 32S+ 32S collisions at plab=200 GeV/c per nucleon. The proton mean rapidity shift < Delta y>~1.6 and mean transverse momentum <pT>~0.6 GeV/c are much higher than in pp or peripheral AA collisions and indicate an increase in the nuclear stopping power. All pT spectra exhibit similar source temperatures. Including previous results for K0s Lambda , and Lambda -bar, we account for all important contributions to particle production.
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Activation of TRPC6 channels is essential for lung ischaemia–reperfusion induced oedema in mice
(2012)
- Lung ischaemia–reperfusion-induced oedema (LIRE) is a life-threatening condition that causes pulmonary oedema induced by endothelial dysfunction. Here we show that lungs from mice lacking nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox2y/−) or the classical transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6−/−) are protected from LIR-induced oedema (LIRE). Generation of chimeric mice by bone marrow cell transplantation and endothelial-specific Nox2 deletion showed that endothelial Nox2, but not leukocytic Nox2 or TRPC6, are responsible for LIRE. Lung endothelial cells from Nox2- or TRPC6-deficient mice showed attenuated ischaemia-induced Ca2+ influx, cellular shape changes and impaired barrier function. Production of reactive oxygen species was completely abolished in Nox2y/− cells. A novel mechanistic model comprising endothelial Nox2-derived production of superoxide, activation of phospholipase C-γ, inhibition of diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase, DAG-mediated activation of TRPC6 and ensuing LIRE is supported by pharmacological and molecular evidence. This mechanism highlights novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of LIRE.
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Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and waterfiltered infrared A (wIRA) in patients with recalcitrant common hand and foot warts
(2004)
- Background: Common warts (verrucae vulgares) are human papilloma virus (HPV) infections with a high incidence and prevalence, most often affecting hands and feet, being able to impair quality of life. About 30 different therapeutic regimens described in literature reveal a lack of a single striking strategy. Recent publications showed positive results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in the treatment of HPV-induced skin diseases, especially warts, using visible light (VIS) to stimulate an absorption band of endogenously formed protoporphyrin IX. Additional experiences adding waterfiltered infrared A (wIRA) during 5-ALA-PDT revealed positive effects. Aim of the study: First prospective randomised controlled blind study including PDT and wIRA in the treatment of recalcitrant common hand and foot warts. Comparison of "5-ALA cream (ALA) vs. placebo cream (PLC)" and "irradiation with visible light and wIRA (VIS+wIRA) vs. irradiation with visible light alone (VIS)". Methods: Pre-treatment with keratolysis (salicylic acid) and curettage. PDT treatment: topical application of 5-ALA (Medac) in "unguentum emulsificans aquosum" vs. placebo; irradiation: combination of VIS and a large amount of wIRA (Hydrosun® radiator type 501, 4 mm water cuvette, waterfiltered spectrum 590-1400 nm, contact-free, typically painless) vs. VIS alone. Post-treatment with retinoic acid ointment. One to three therapy cycles every 3 weeks. Main variable of interest: "Percent change of total wart area of each patient over the time" (18 weeks). Global judgement by patient and by physician and subjective rating of feeling/pain (visual analogue scales). 80 patients with therapy-resistant common hand and foot warts were assigned randomly into one of the four therapy groups with comparable numbers of warts at comparable sites in all groups. Results: The individual total wart area decreased during 18 weeks in group 1 (ALA+VIS+wIRA) and in group 2 (PLC+VIS+wIRA) significantly more than in both groups without wIRA (group 3 (ALA+VIS) and 4 (PLC+VIS)): medians and interquartile ranges: -94% (-100%/-84%) vs. -99% (-100%/-71%) vs. -47% (-75%/0%) vs. -73% (-92%/-27%). After 18 weeks the two groups with wIRA differed remarkably from the two groups without wIRA: 42% vs. 7% completely cured patients; 72% vs. 34% vanished warts. Global judgement by patient and by physician and subjective rating of feeling was much better in the two groups with wIRA than in the two groups without wIRA. Conclusions: The above described complete treatment scheme of hand and foot warts (keratolysis, curettage, PDT treatment, irradiation with VIS+wIRA, retinoic acid ointment; three therapy cycles every 3 weeks) proved to be effective. Within this treatment scheme wIRA as non-invasive and painless treatment modality revealed to be an important, effective factor, while photodynamic therapy with 5-ALA in the described form did not contribute recognisably - neither alone (without wIRA) nor in combination with wIRA - to a clinical improvement. For future treatment of warts an even improved scheme is proposed: one treatment cycle (keratolysis, curettage, wIRA, without PDT) once a week for six to nine weeks. © 2004 Fuchs et al; licensee German Medical Science. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL : http://www.egms.de/en/gms/volume2.shtml
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The German MultiCare-study : patterns of multimorbidity in primary health care - protocol of a prospective cohort study
(2009)
- Background Multimorbidity is a highly frequent condition in older people, but well designed longitudinal studies on the impact of multimorbidity on patients and the health care system have been remarkably scarce in numbers until today. Little is known about the long term impact of multimorbidity on the patients' life expectancy, functional status and quality of life as well as health care utilization over time. As a consequence, there is little help for GPs in adjusting care for these patients, even though studies suggest that adhering to present clinical practice guidelines in the care of patients with multimorbidity may have adverse effects. Methods The study is designed as a multicentre prospective, observational cohort study of 3.050 patients aged 65 to 85 at baseline with at least three different diagnoses out of a list of 29 illnesses and syndromes. The patients will be recruited in approx. 120 to 150 GP surgeries in 8 study centres distributed across Germany. Information about the patients' morbidity will be collected mainly in GP interviews and from chart reviews. Functional status, resources/risk factors, health care utilization and additional morbidity data will be assessed in patient interviews, in which a multitude of well established standardized questionnaires and tests will be performed. Discussion The main aim of the cohort study is to monitor the course of the illness process and to analyse for which reasons medical conditions are stable, deteriorating or only temporarily present. First, clusters of combinations of diseases/disorders (multimorbidity patterns) with a comparable impact (e.g. on quality of life and/or functional status) will be identified. Then the development of these clusters over time will be analysed, especially with regard to prognostic variables and the somatic, psychological and social consequences as well as the utilization of health care resources. The results will allow the development of an instrument for prediction of the deterioration of the illness process and point at possibilities of prevention. The practical consequences of the study results for primary care will be analysed in expert focus groups in order to develop strategies for the inclusion of the aspects of multimorbidity in primary care guidelines.
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Vision, Logdrill : mikrobielle Gemeinschaften des nördlichen Atlantik, 3te Dimension des Logatchev-Hydrothermalfeldes : Forschungsschiff Maria S. Merian, Reise Nr. MSM03, 20. 09. 2006 – 30. 11. 2006
(2006)
- Fahrtabschnitt MSM 03/1: Der nördliche Atlantik weist drei Eigenschaften auf, die ihn zu einem der interessantesten Meeresgebiete machen. Zum einen beginnt hier das Absinken von kalten und dichten Wassermassen nördlich von Grönland und Island und bildet dadurch einen wichtigen Faktor der globalen ozeanischen Wasserzirkulation, dem globalen Strömungsgürtel. Zum anderen transportiert die Verlängerung des Golf Stromes, die Nordatlantische Drift, warmes Oberflächenwasser bis nach Spitzbergen und beeinflußt so entscheidend das Klima in Europa. Schließlich fließen kalte Oberflächenwässer an der Küste Grönlands entlang südwärts und transportieren nährstoffreiches Wasser in den Süden. Während der letzten 15 Jahre ist mit Hilfe von kultivierungsunabhängigen Methoden die mikrobiellen Gemeinschaften in verschiedenen marinen Systemen sehr intensiv erforscht worden. Viele unbekannte und nicht kultivierte Organismen wie der weit verbreitete SAR11 Cluster wurden entdeckt und quantitativ verfolgt. Kürzlich wurden Genomanalysen ganzer mikrobieller Gemeinschaften initiiert (Metagenomics). Jedoch bleibt solche Forschung oft auf küstennahe Standorte beschränkt. Nur wenige Studien beschrieben bisher die mikrobielle Diversität, Struktur und Funktion im offenen Ozean und über ganze Meeresbecken hinweg. Das sogenannte AMT (Atlantic Meridional Transect) Programm ist eines dieser Studien, welche es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht hat, den gesamten Atlantischen Ozean von den britischen Inseln (50°N) bis zu den Falkland Inseln (50°S) zu untersuchen. Zweimal im Jahr werden in einem interdisziplinären Ansatz der Einfluß der biotischen (Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Mikrobiologie) und abiotischen Faktoren (physikalischen und chemischen Parameter) auf die gesamte mikrobielle Gemeinschaft untersucht. Erste Ergebnisse dieser Studien bestätigten zum Beispiel die Einnischung von verschiedenen Ökotypen des wichtigen Primärproduzenten Prochlorococcus in distinkte Wasserkörper (Tiefe, Breitengrad) entlang des Atlantischen Ozeans. Eine erste Studie zur Erforschung des Picoplanktons nördlich des 50° Breitengrades stellte das PRIME Programm dar. Neuere Untersuchungen in dem Gebiet richteten sich auf die Bakterioplankton-Gemeinschaft von Tiefenwässern unterhalb von 1000 m. Für die Oberflächengewässer dieser Region jedoch fehlt eine genauere Untersuchung der Diversität, Struktur und Funktion der mikrobiellen Gemeinschaft mit modernen molekularbiologischen Methoden. Fahrtabschnitt MSM 03/2: Das Ziel der Forschungsfahrt ist die detaillierte Untersuchung des flachen Untergrundes im Logatchev Hydrothermalfeldam Mittelatlantischen Rücken (MAR) bei 15°N mit bis zu 15 m tiefen Bohrungen. Die Fahrt findet im Rahmen des DFG-SPP 1144 statt und komplettiert die bisher gewonnenen Oberflächenproben sowie die im Rahmen des ODP-Leg 209 gewonnenen Tiefen-proben. Das in 3000m Wassertiefe liegende und an Mantelgesteine gebundene Logatchev Hydrothermalfeld ist durch intensive Anreicherung an Kupfer, Gold, Kobalt und anderen Wertelementen am Meersboden und vermutlich auch im flachen Untergrund gekennzeichnet. Gleichzeitig sind die hydrothermalen Fluide an bestimmten Gasen wie CH4 und H2 sehr stark angereichert, was intensive Auswirkungen auf die an das Hydrothermalsystem gekoppelten Mikroorganismen hat. Die Mikroben sitzen auf den Oberflächen der Untergrundgesteine und Mineralpräzipitate im Bereich der hydrothermalen Austrittsstellen, wobei letztere spezifische ökologische Nischen bilden. Neben der Untersuchung der Tiefenzonierungen der Mineralisationen und Alterationen sowie deren Altersstellungen, ist die vermutete direkte Interaktion zwischen den Mikroorganismen (subsurface biosphere) und den hydrothermalen Mineralbildungen ein weiterer wichtiger wissenschaftlicher Aspekt. Auf der MSM03/2-Reise wird erstmals das ferngesteuerte Bohrgerät Rockdrill2 des British Geological Survey eingesetzt. Neben deutschen Wissenschaftlern der Fachrichtungen Lagerstättenkunde, Petrologie, Geochemie und Mikrobiologie werden britische Techniker und Ingenieure sowie Wissenschaftler aus Russland und China an der Fahrt teilnehmen.
