83 research outputs found

    A First Survey on the Diversity of the R Community

    Full text link
    The study presented here is a first attempt to capture the demographics and opinions of the R community, starting with the attendees of the useR! conference 2016. One aim of Forwards, the R Foundation taskforce on women and other under-represented groups, is to identify groups that are under-represented in the R community and to further stimulate ideas and take initiatives for widening their participation. Since R is an open-source software with various platforms for exchange, however, it is difficult to obtain information about its community – let alone define this community in the first place. As a starting point, a survey was conducted with the attendees of the useR! conference 2016 to document their sociodemographic and computational backgrounds, experiences and opinions. The present paper gives an overview of the results of this first survey. Most of the analysis focuses on women participants, that are generally under-represented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines, but the results also show a severe underrepresentation of minorities. A surprising finding concerns a gender difference with regard to the experience with R and the publication of R packages. We investigated possible reasons for this difference by the means of a logistic regression analysis. The self-evident limitations of this first survey are discussed and directions for future research as well as potential means for improvement are outlined

    Composition and physicochemical properties of dried berry pomace

    Full text link
    [EN] BACKGROUND Berry pomace is a valuable but little used by-product of juice manufacturing. When processed to a stable fruit powder, the composition differs from that of the whole fruit. To facilitate application in foods, a detailed knowledge of its composition and physicochemical properties is essential. RESULTS Blackcurrant, redcurrant, chokeberry, rowanberry and gooseberry were selected for analysis. All pomace powders had a high fibre content (> 550 g kg(-1)) and a fat content of up to 200 g kg(-1). Despite identical milling conditions, the particle sizes of the pomace powders varied. This can be traced back to seed content and brittleness, which also becomes apparent with respect to surface characteristics. Blackcurrant pomace powder differed from other varieties in terms of its low water-binding capacity (3.2 g g(-1)) and a moderate moisture uptake, whereas chokeberry pomace powder showed the highest polyphenol content and rowanberry pomace powder was rich in flavonols. CONCLUSION The results obtained in the present study provide a comprehensive overview of the properties of berry pomace powder and allow conclusions to be made regarding their applicability for use in complex food systems. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical IndustryThe research project was approved during the second SUSFOOD ERA-Net call (www.susfood-era.net).The funding of the project, assured through the national partner organizations, is gratefully acknowledged: Federal Ministry of Education and Research via PTJ in Germany (grant 031B0004), INIA in Spain and FORMAS in Sweden.Reibner, AM.; Al Hamimi, S.; Quiles Chuliá, MD.; Schmidt, C.; Struck, S.; Hernando Hernando, MI.; Turner, C.... (2018). Composition and physicochemical properties of dried berry pomace. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 99(3):1284-1293. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.930212841293993Elleuch, M., Bedigian, D., Roiseux, O., Besbes, S., Blecker, C., & Attia, H. (2011). Dietary fibre and fibre-rich by-products of food processing: Characterisation, technological functionality and commercial applications: A review. Food Chemistry, 124(2), 411-421. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.06.077Ktenioudaki, A., & Gallagher, E. (2012). Recent advances in the development of high-fibre baked products. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 28(1), 4-14. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2012.06.004McKee, L. H., & Latner, T. A. (2000). Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 55(4), 285-304. doi:10.1023/a:1008144310986Dhillon, G. S., Kaur, S., & Brar, S. K. (2013). Perspective of apple processing wastes as low-cost substrates for bioproduction of high value products: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 27, 789-805. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2013.06.046Kohajdová, Z., Karovičová, J., & Jurasová, M. (2013). Influence of grapefruit dietary fibre rich powder on the rheological characteristics of wheat flour dough and on biscuit quality. Acta Alimentaria, 42(1), 91-101. doi:10.1556/aalim.42.2013.1.9Struck, S., Plaza, M., Turner, C., & Rohm, H. (2016). Berry pomace - a review of processing and chemical analysis of its polyphenols. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 51(6), 1305-1318. doi:10.1111/ijfs.13112Skrede, G., Wrolstad, R. E., & Durst, R. W. (2000). Changes in Anthocyanins and Polyphenolics During Juice Processing of Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). Journal of Food Science, 65(2), 357-364. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.2000.tb16007.xHoltung, L., Grimmer, S., & Aaby, K. (2011). Effect of Processing of Black Currant Press-Residue on Polyphenol Composition and Cell Proliferation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(8), 3632-3640. doi:10.1021/jf104427rOszmiański, J., & Wojdylo, A. (2005). Aronia melanocarpa phenolics and their antioxidant activity. European Food Research and Technology, 221(6), 809-813. doi:10.1007/s00217-005-0002-5Viuda-Martos, M., López-Marcos, M. C., Fernández-López, J., Sendra, E., López-Vargas, J. H., & Pérez-Álvarez, J. A. (2010). Role of Fiber in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 9(2), 240-258. doi:10.1111/j.1541-4337.2009.00102.xEim, V. S., Simal, S., Rosselló, C., & Femenia, A. (2008). Effects of addition of carrot dietary fibre on the ripening process of a dry fermented sausage (sobrassada). Meat Science, 80(2), 173-182. doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.11.017Sójka, M., Miszczak, A., Sikorski, P., Zagibajło, K., Karlińska, E., & Kosmala, M. (2015). Pesticide residue levels in strawberry processing by-products that are rich in ellagitannins and an assessment of their dietary risk to consumers. NFS Journal, 1, 31-37. doi:10.1016/j.nfs.2015.09.001European Commission EU pesticides database http://ec.europa.eu/foodOrtelli, D., Edder, P., & Corvi, C. (2004). Multiresidue analysis of 74 pesticides in fruits and vegetables by liquid chromatography–electrospray–tandem mass spectrometry. Analytica Chimica Acta, 520(1-2), 33-45. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2004.03.037Rohm, H., Brennan, C., Turner, C., Günther, E., Campbell, G., Hernando, I., … Kontogiorgos, V. (2015). Adding Value to Fruit Processing Waste: Innovative Ways to Incorporate Fibers from Berry Pomace in Baked and Extruded Cereal-based Foods—A SUSFOOD Project. Foods, 4(4), 690-697. doi:10.3390/foods4040690Schmidt, C., Geweke, I., Struck, S., Zahn, S., & Rohm, H. (2017). Blackcurrant pomace from juice processing as partial flour substitute in savoury crackers: dough characteristics and product properties. International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 53(1), 237-245. doi:10.1111/ijfs.13639Tarrega, A., Quiles, A., Morell, P., Fiszman, S., & Hernando, I. (2017). Importance of consumer perceptions in fiber-enriched food products. A case study with sponge cakes. Food & Function, 8(2), 574-583. doi:10.1039/c6fo01022aŠporin, M., Avbelj, M., Kovač, B., & Možina, S. S. (2017). Quality characteristics of wheat flour dough and bread containing grape pomace flour. Food Science and Technology International, 24(3), 251-263. doi:10.1177/1082013217745398Choi, Y.-S., Kim, Y.-B., Hwang, K.-E., Song, D.-H., Ham, Y.-K., Kim, H.-W., … Kim, C.-J. (2016). Effect of apple pomace fiber and pork fat levels on quality characteristics of uncured, reduced-fat chicken sausages. Poultry Science, 95(6), 1465-1471. doi:10.3382/ps/pew096Hilz, H., Bakx, E. J., Schols, H. A., & Voragen, A. G. J. (2005). Cell wall polysaccharides in black currants and bilberries—characterisation in berries, juice, and press cake. Carbohydrate Polymers, 59(4), 477-488. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2004.11.002Tournas, V. H., & Katsoudas, E. (2005). Mould and yeast flora in fresh berries, grapes and citrus fruits. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 105(1), 11-17. doi:10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2005.05.002Sivam, A. S., Sun-Waterhouse, D., Perera, C. O., & Waterhouse, G. I. N. (2012). Exploring the interactions between blackcurrant polyphenols, pectin and wheat biopolymers in model breads; a FTIR and HPLC investigation. Food Chemistry, 131(3), 802-810. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.09.047Plaza, M., Abrahamsson, V., & Turner, C. (2013). Extraction and Neoformation of Antioxidant Compounds by Pressurized Hot Water Extraction from Apple Byproducts. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(23), 5500-5510. doi:10.1021/jf400584fHernández-Carrión, M., Sanz, T., Hernando, I., Llorca, E., Fiszman, S. M., & Quiles, A. (2015). New formulations of functional white sauces enriched with red sweet pepper: a rheological, microstructural and sensory study. European Food Research and Technology, 240(6), 1187-1202. doi:10.1007/s00217-015-2422-1Rohm, H., & Jaros, D. (1996). Colour of hard cheese. Zeitschrift f�r Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung, 203(3), 241-244. doi:10.1007/bf01192871Mutungi, C., Schuldt, S., Onyango, C., Schneider, Y., Jaros, D., & Rohm, H. (2011). Dynamic Moisture Sorption Characteristics of Enzyme-Resistant Recrystallized Cassava Starch. Biomacromolecules, 12(3), 660-671. doi:10.1021/bm101321qZahn, S., Forker, A., Krügel, L., & Rohm, H. (2013). Combined use of rebaudioside A and fibres for partial sucrose replacement in muffins. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 50(2), 695-701. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2012.07.026Robertson, J. A., de Monredon, F. D., Dysseler, P., Guillon, F., Amado, R., & Thibault, J.-F. (2000). Hydration Properties of Dietary Fibre and Resistant Starch: a European Collaborative Study. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 33(2), 72-79. doi:10.1006/fstl.1999.0595Raghavendra, S. N., Ramachandra Swamy, S. R., Rastogi, N. K., Raghavarao, K. S. M. S., Kumar, S., & Tharanathan, R. N. (2006). Grinding characteristics and hydration properties of coconut residue: A source of dietary fiber. Journal of Food Engineering, 72(3), 281-286. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2004.12.008Vagiri, M., & Jensen, M. (2017). Influence of juice processing factors on quality of black chokeberry pomace as a future resource for colour extraction. Food Chemistry, 217, 409-417. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.08.121Sójka, M., & Król, B. (2008). Composition of industrial seedless black currant pomace. European Food Research and Technology, 228(4), 597-605. doi:10.1007/s00217-008-0968-xSójka, M., Kołodziejczyk, K., & Milala, J. (2013). Polyphenolic and basic chemical composition of black chokeberry industrial by-products. Industrial Crops and Products, 51, 77-86. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.08.051U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference https://www.ars.usda.gov/National Institute for Health and Welfare, Fineli Finnish food composition database https://fineli.fi/fineli/en/indexWawer, I., Wolniak, M., & Paradowska, K. (2006). Solid state NMR study of dietary fiber powders from aronia, bilberry, black currant and apple. Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 30(2), 106-113. doi:10.1016/j.ssnmr.2006.05.001German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology Mikrobiologische Richt- und Warnwerte zur Beurteilung von Lebensmitteln https://www.dghm-richt-warnwerte.de/deFazaeli, M., Emam-Djomeh, Z., Kalbasi Ashtari, A., & Omid, M. (2012). Effect of spray drying conditions and feed composition on the physical properties of black mulberry juice powder. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 90(4), 667-675. doi:10.1016/j.fbp.2012.04.006Margraf, T., Karnopp, A. R., Rosso, N. D., & Granato, D. (2015). Comparison between Folin-Ciocalteu and Prussian Blue Assays to Estimate The Total Phenolic Content of Juices and Teas Using 96-Well Microplates. Journal of Food Science, 80(11), C2397-C2403. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.13077Sajewicz, M., Staszek, D., Wróbel, M. S., Waksmundzka-Hajnos, M., & Kowalska, T. (2012). The HPLC/DAD Fingerprints and Chemometric Analysis of Flavonoid Extracts from the Selected Sage (Salvia) Species. Chromatography Research International, 2012, 1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/230903Ćujić, N., Savikin, K., Miloradovic, Z., Ivanov, M., Vajic, U.-J., Karanovic, D., … Mihailovic-Stanojevic, N. (2018). Characterization of dried chokeberry fruit extract and its chronic effects on blood pressure and oxidative stress in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Journal of Functional Foods, 44, 330-339. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2018.02.027Gavrilova, V., Kajdžanoska, M., Gjamovski, V., & Stefova, M. (2011). Separation, Characterization and Quantification of Phenolic Compounds in Blueberries and Red and Black Currants by HPLC−DAD−ESI-MSn. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(8), 4009-4018. doi:10.1021/jf104565yBochi, V. C., Godoy, H. T., & Giusti, M. M. (2015). Anthocyanin and other phenolic compounds in Ceylon gooseberry (Dovyalis hebecarpa) fruits. Food Chemistry, 176, 234-243. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.12.041Kylli, P., Nohynek, L., Puupponen-Pimiä, R., Westerlund-Wikström, B., McDougall, G., Stewart, D., & Heinonen, M. (2010). Rowanberry Phenolics: Compositional Analysis and Bioactivities. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(22), 11985-11992. doi:10.1021/jf102739vBräunlich, M., Slimestad, R., Wangensteen, H., Brede, C., Malterud, K., & Barsett, H. (2013). Extracts, Anthocyanins and Procyanidins from Aronia melanocarpa as Radical Scavengers and Enzyme Inhibitors. Nutrients, 5(3), 663-678. doi:10.3390/nu5030663Nakajima, J., Tanaka, I., Seo, S., Yamazaki, M., & Saito, K. (2004). LC/PDA/ESI-MS Profiling and Radical Scavenging Activity of Anthocyanins in Various Berries. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2004(5), 241-247. doi:10.1155/s1110724304404045Borges, G., Degeneve, A., Mullen, W., & Crozier, A. (2010). Identification of Flavonoid and Phenolic Antioxidants in Black Currants, Blueberries, Raspberries, Red Currants, and Cranberries†. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(7), 3901-3909. doi:10.1021/jf902263nLaroze, L. E., Díaz-Reinoso, B., Moure, A., Zúñiga, M. E., & Domínguez, H. (2010). Extraction of antioxidants from several berries pressing wastes using conventional and supercritical solvents. European Food Research and Technology, 231(5), 669-677. doi:10.1007/s00217-010-1320-9Rakic, V., Ota, A., Skrt, M., Miljkovic, M., Kostic, D., Sokolovic, D., & Poklar-Ulrih, N. (2015). Investigation of fluorescence properties of cyanidin and cyanidin 3-o-β-glucopyranoside. Hemijska industrija, 69(2), 155-163. doi:10.2298/hemind140203030rRaghavendra, S. N., Rastogi, N. K., Raghavarao, K. S. M. S., & Tharanathan, R. N. (2004). Dietary fiber from coconut residue: effects of different treatments and particle size on the hydration properties. European Food Research and Technology, 218(6), 563-567. doi:10.1007/s00217-004-0889-2Kosmala, M., Kołodziejczyk, K., Markowski, J., Mieszczakowska, M., Ginies, C., & Renard, C. M. G. C. (2010). Co-products of black-currant and apple juice production: Hydration properties and polysaccharide composition. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 43(1), 173-180. doi:10.1016/j.lwt.2009.06.016Guillon, F., & Champ, M. (2000). Structural and physical properties of dietary fibres, and consequences of processing on human physiology. Food Research International, 33(3-4), 233-245. doi:10.1016/s0963-9969(00)00038-7Rosell, C. M., Santos, E., & Collar, C. (2009). Physico-chemical properties of commercial fibres from different sources: A comparative approach. Food Research International, 42(1), 176-184. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2008.10.003Yalegama, L. L. W. C., Nedra Karunaratne, D., Sivakanesan, R., & Jayasekara, C. (2013). Chemical and functional properties of fibre concentrates obtained from by-products of coconut kernel. Food Chemistry, 141(1), 124-130. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.02.118Selani, M. M., Brazaca, S. G. C., dos Santos Dias, C. T., Ratnayake, W. S., Flores, R. A., & Bianchini, A. (2014). Characterisation and potential application of pineapple pomace in an extruded product for fibre enhancement. Food Chemistry, 163, 23-30. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.04.076Figuerola, F., Hurtado, M. L., Estévez, A. M., Chiffelle, I., & Asenjo, F. (2005). Fibre concentrates from apple pomace and citrus peel as potential fibre sources for food enrichment. Food Chemistry, 91(3), 395-401. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2004.04.036Kohajdová, Z., Karovičová, J., Magala, M., & Kuchtová, V. (2014). Effect of apple pomace powder addition on farinographic properties of wheat dough and biscuits quality. Chemical Papers, 68(8). doi:10.2478/s11696-014-0567-1CHEN, J. Y., PIVA, M., & LABUZA, T. P. (1984). Evaluation of Water Binding Capacity (WBC) of Food Fiber Sources. Journal of Food Science, 49(1), 59-63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2621.1984.tb13668.xTimmermann, E. O. (1989). A B. E. T.-like three sorption stage isotherm. Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions 1: Physical Chemistry in Condensed Phases, 85(7), 1631. doi:10.1039/f19898501631Witczak, T., Witczak, M., Socha, R., StĘPień, A., & Grzesik, M. (2016). Candied Orange Peel Produced in Solutions with Various Sugar Compositions: Sugar Composition and Sorption Properties of the Product. Journal of Food Process Engineering, 40(2), e12367. doi:10.1111/jfpe.12367Tsami, E., Krokida, M. K., & Drouzas, A. E. (1998). Effect of drying method on the sorption characteristics of model fruit powders. Journal of Food Engineering, 38(4), 381-392. doi:10.1016/s0260-8774(98)00130-7Oliveira, D. E. C. de, Resende, O., Costa, L. M., Ferreira Júnior, W. N., & Igor O. F., S. (2017). Hygroscopicity of baru (Dipteryx alata Vogel) fruit. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 21(4), 279-284. doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v21n4p279-284Ribeiro, L. C., Costa, J. M. C. da, & Afonso, M. R. A. (2016). Hygroscopic behavior of lyophilized acerola pulp powder. Revista Brasileira de Engenharia Agrícola e Ambiental, 20(3), 269-274. doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v20n3p269-274Struck, S., Straube, D., Zahn, S., & Rohm, H. (2018). Interaction of wheat macromolecules and berry pomace in model dough: Rheology and microstructure. Journal of Food Engineering, 223, 109-115. doi:10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2017.12.01

    The acute angiogenic signalling response to low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction

    Get PDF
    This study investigated protein kinase activation and gene expression of angiogenic factors in response to low-load resistance exercise with or without blood flow restriction (BFR). In a repeated measures cross-over design, six males performed four sets of bilateral knee extension exercise at 20% 1RM (reps per set = 30:15:15:continued to fatigue) with BFR (110 mmHg) and without (CON). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before, 2 and 4 h post-exercise. mRNA expression was determined using real-time RT-PCR. Protein phosphorylation/expression was determined using Western blot. p38MAPK phosphorylation was greater (p = 0.05) at 2 h following BFR (1.3 ± 0.8) compared to CON (0.4 ± 0.3). AMPK phosphorylation remained unchanged. PGC-1α mRNA expression increased at 2 h (5.9 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 0.8; p = 0.03) and 4 h (3.2 ± 0.8 vs. 1.5 ± 0.4; p = 0.03) following BFR exercise with no change in CON. PGC-1α protein expression did not change following either exercise. BFR exercise enhanced mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 2 h (5.2 ± 2.8 vs 1.7 ± 1.1; p = .02) and 4 h (6.8 ± 4.9 vs. 2.5 ± 2.7; p = .01) compared to CON. mRNA expression of VEGF-R2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α increased following BFR exercise but only eNOS were enhanced relative to CON. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 mRNA expression was not altered in response to either exercise. Acute low-load resistance exercise with BFR provides a targeted angiogenic response potentially mediated through enhanced ischaemic and shear stress stimuli

    Pericyte derived chemokines amplify neutrophil recruitment across the cerebrovascular endothelial barrier

    Get PDF
    Excessive neutrophil extravasation can drive immunopathology, exemplified in pyogenic meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Insufficient knowledge of the mechanisms that amplify neutrophil extravasation has limited innovation in therapeutic targeting of neutrophil mediated pathology. Attention has focussed on neutrophil interactions with endothelia, but data from mouse models also point to a role for the underlying pericyte layer, as well as perivascular macrophages, the only other cell type found within the perivascular space in the cerebral microvasculature. We tested the hypothesis that human brain vascular pericytes (HBVP) contribute to neutrophil extravasation in a transwell model of the cerebral post-capillary venule. We show that pericytes augment endothelial barrier formation. In response to inflammatory cues, they significantly enhance neutrophil transmigration across the endothelial barrier, without increasing the permeability to small molecules. In our model, neither pericytes nor endothelia responded directly to bacterial stimulation. Instead, we show that paracrine signalling by multiple cytokines from monocyte derived macrophages drives transcriptional upregulation of multiple neutrophil chemokines by pericytes. Pericyte mediated amplification of neutrophil transmigration was independent of transcriptional responses by endothelia, but could be mediated by direct chemokine translocation across the endothelial barrier. Our data support a model in which microbial sensing by perivascular macrophages generates an inflammatory cascade where pericytes serve to amplify production of neutrophil chemokines that are translocated across the endothelial barrier to act directly on circulating neutrophils. In view of the striking redundancy in inflammatory cytokines that stimulate pericytes and in the neutrophil chemokines they produce, we propose that the mechanism of chemokine translocation may offer the most effective therapeutic target to reduce neutrophil mediated pathology in pyogenic meningitis

    Translating the Dutch walking stairs, walking ability and rising and sitting questionnaires into German and assessing their concurrent validity with VAS measures of pain and activities in daily living

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Dutch Walking Stairs, Walking Ability and Rising and Sitting Questionnaires are three validated instruments to measure physical activity and limitations in daily living in patients with lower extremity disorders living at home of which no German equivalents are available. Our scope was to translate the Walking Stairs, Walking Ability and Rising and Sitting Questionnaires into German and to verify its concurrent validity in the two domains pain and activities in daily living by comparing them with the corresponding measures on the Visual Analogue Scale.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We translated the Walking Stairs, Walking Ability and Rising and Sitting Questionnaires according to published guidelines. Demographic data and validity were assessed in 52 consecutive patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1 of the lower extremity. Information on age, duration of symptoms, type of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 1 and type of initiating event were obtained. We assessed the concurrent validity in the two domains pain and activities in daily living by comparing them with the corresponding measures on the Visual Analogue Scale.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that variability in the German Walking Stairs, Walking Ability and Rising and Sitting Questionnaires was largely explained by measures of pain and activities in daily living on the Visual Analogue Scale.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study shows that the domains pain and activities in daily living are properly represented in the German versions of the Walking Stairs, Walking Ability and Raising and Sitting Questionnaires. We would like to propagate their use in clinical practice and research alike.</p

    An Overview of Recent Application of Medical Infrared Thermography in Sports Medicine in Austria

    Get PDF
    Medical infrared thermography (MIT) is used for analyzing physiological functions related to skin temperature. Technological advances have made MIT a reliable medical measurement tool. This paper provides an overview of MIT’s technical requirements and usefulness in sports medicine, with a special focus on overuse and traumatic knee injuries. Case studies are used to illustrate the clinical applicability and limitations of MIT. It is concluded that MIT is a non-invasive, non-radiating, low cost detection tool which should be applied for pre-scanning athletes in sports medicine

    Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Bioactivity at the Site of an Acute Cell-Mediated Immune Response Is Preserved in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Responding to Anti-TNF Therapy

    Get PDF
    The impact of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies on inducible TNF-dependent activity in humans has never been evaluated in vivo. We aimed to test the hypothesis that patients responding to anti-TNF treatments exhibit attenuated TNF-dependent immune responses at the site of an immune challenge. We developed and validated four context-specific TNF-inducible transcriptional signatures to quantify TNF bioactivity in transcriptomic data. In anti-TNF treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, we measured the expression of these biosignatures in blood, and in skin biopsies from the site of tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) as a human experimental model of multivariate cell-mediated immune responses. In blood, anti-TNF therapies attenuated TNF bioactivity following ex vivo stimulation. However, at the site of the TST, TNF-inducible gene expression and genome-wide transcriptional changes associated with cell-mediated immune responses were comparable to that of RA patients receiving methotrexate only. These data demonstrate that anti-TNF agents in RA patients do not inhibit inducible TNF activity at the site of an acute inflammatory challenge in vivo, as modeled by the TST. We hypothesize instead that their therapeutic effects are limited to regulating TNF activity in chronic inflammation or by alternative non-canonical pathways

    PoPoolation: A Toolbox for Population Genetic Analysis of Next Generation Sequencing Data from Pooled Individuals

    Get PDF
    Recent statistical analyses suggest that sequencing of pooled samples provides a cost effective approach to determine genome-wide population genetic parameters. Here we introduce PoPoolation, a toolbox specifically designed for the population genetic analysis of sequence data from pooled individuals. PoPoolation calculates estimates of θWatterson, θπ, and Tajima's D that account for the bias introduced by pooling and sequencing errors, as well as divergence between species. Results of genome-wide analyses can be graphically displayed in a sliding window plot. PoPoolation is written in Perl and R and it builds on commonly used data formats. Its source code can be downloaded from http://code.google.com/p/popoolation/. Furthermore, we evaluate the influence of mapping algorithms, sequencing errors, and read coverage on the accuracy of population genetic parameter estimates from pooled data

    Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS): Psychometric Quality of the Gold Standard for Tic Assessment Based on the Large-Scale EMTICS Study

    Get PDF
    The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) is a clinician-rated instrument considered as the gold standard for assessing tics in patients with Tourette's Syndrome and other tic disorders. Previous psychometric investigations of the YGTSS exhibit different limitations such as small sample sizes and insufficient methods. To overcome these shortcomings, we used a subsample of the large-scale “European Multicentre Tics in Children Study” (EMTICS) including 706 children and adolescents with a chronic tic disorder and investigated convergent, discriminant and factorial validity, as well as internal consistency of the YGTSS. Our results confirm acceptable convergent and good to very good discriminant validity, respectively, indicated by a sufficiently high correlation of the YGTSS total tic score with the Clinical Global Impression Scale for tics (rs = 0.65) and only low to medium correlations with clinical severity ratings of attention deficit/hyperactivity symptoms (rs = 0.24), obsessive–compulsive symptoms (rs = 27) as well as internalizing symptoms (rs = 0.27). Internal consistency was found to be acceptable (Ω = 0.58 for YGTSS total tic score). A confirmatory factor analysis supports the concept of the two factors “motor tics” and “phonic tics,” but still demonstrated just a marginal model fit (root mean square error of approximation = 0.09 [0.08; 0.10], comparative fit index = 0.90, and Tucker Lewis index = 0.87). A subsequent analysis of local misspecifications revealed correlated measurement errors, suggesting opportunities for improvement regarding the item wording. In conclusion, our results indicate acceptable psychometric quality of the YGTSS. However, taking the wide use and importance of the YGTSS into account, our results suggest the need for further investigations and improvements of the YGTSS. In addition, our results show limitations of the global severity score as a sum score indicating that the separate use of the total tic score and the impairment rating is more beneficial
    corecore