Rabbit Anti T-Lymphocyte Globulin Induces Apoptosis in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Compartments and Leukemia Cells, While Hematopoetic Stem Cells Are Apoptosis Resistant

AbstractPolyclonal anti-T-lymphocyte globulins (ATG) are used in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) for the prophylaxis of graft versus host disease (GVHD) by in vivo T cell depletion. In this study we investigated the complement independent induction of apoptosis by rabbit ATG in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) compartments and hematopoetic stem cells (HSC). We also detected antileukemic activity of ATG by measuring apoptosis in myeloid and lymphatic leukemia cell lines and primary leukemia cells. We found ATG to induce apoptosis in T-lymphocytes (CD4+, CD8+), B-lymphocytes (CD20+), natural killer (NK)-cells (CD56+), and monocytes (CD14+). HSC, in contrast, were apoptosis resistant and could be growth stimulated by low-dose ATG in the presence of bystander cells. The human leukemia cell lines Jurkat, Daudi, DG-75 (lymphoblastic), and K562, HL-60, KG1, and U937 (myeloblastic) underwent ATG-induced apoptosis, whereas the NK-cell line YT was resistant. Primary leukemia cells from 6 investigated patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 9 of 10 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 4 of 8 patients with acute myeloblastic leukemia underwent ATG-induced apoptosis. We conclude apoptosis induction in all PBMNC compartments contributes to GVHD prophylaxis. ATG might support engraftment. Finally, antileukemic activity of ATG could positively influence the transplantation outcome

Using Distributed Ledger Technologies to Support Complex Supply Chains

The concept of blockchain, as part of distributed ledger technologies, has gained a lot of interest recently, especially in cryptocurrencies. With the addition of other technical capabilities, e.g., smart contracts and oracles, this interest has spread to other areas as well and affects a wide variety of business processes such as supply chain processes. However, in research, the wide variety of processes finds inadequate consideration to date. In this research paper, we provide an overview of the state of the art of distributed ledger technologies in supply chains and point out future research topics. Therefore, we conducted a structured literature review, systematized potential application areas in supply chain processes, and showed that research gaps exist. To address the research gaps, we derived open research questions, whereby conducting design studies to deal with the practical problems in the application areas plays a central role

Accuracy evaluation of a Low-Cost Differential Global Positioning System for mobile robotics

Differential GPS, commonly referred as DGPS, is a well-known and very accurate localization system for many outdoor applications in particular for mobile outdoor robotics. The most common drawback of DGPS systems are the high costs for both base station and receivers. In this paper, we present a setup that uses third-party open-source software and a Ublox ZED-F9P chip to build a ROS-enabled low-cost DGPS setup that is ready to use in a few hours. The main goal of this paper is to analyze and evaluate the repetitive and absolute accuracy of the system. The first measurement also examines the differences between a SAPOS base station and a locally installed one consisting of low-cost components. During the evaluation process of the absolute accuracy, a moving mobile robot is used on the receiver side. It is tracked through a highly accurate VICON motion capture system.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Sensors 202

Design and Implementation of a Distributed Ledger Technology Platform to Support Customs Processes within Supply Chains

In international trade, customs clearance fulfills complex and country-specific tasks in the execution of supply chain processes. Importers and exporters have to integrate customs authorities into the information flow, as customs authorities require information, e.g., on the bill of lading and the commercial invoice apart from the customs declaration. In addition, involved sub-service providers increase the problem of information asymmetry and the required coordination effort. Practice and research consider Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) as a potential solution since this technology maintains a mutually agreed and secure database of value-creation partners. However, research has hardly investigated the design of such DLT systems. Therefore, we present a requirements catalogue, a concept, and a prototype of a DLT platform to address the outlined problem of information asymmetry, especially with a focus on customs processes

Design and Implementation of Hierarchical Digital Twins in Industrial Production Environments

The increasing requirements for industrial production environments due to customer expectations, the implementation of batch size 1, and further automation of production processes are confronting companies with new challenges. In particular, the emergence of cyber-physical systems is influencing and complicating manufacturing processes by capturing an increasing amount of information within production facilities. Digital twins are an interdisciplinary technology that may solve these issues because they serve to monitor, control, and optimize cyber-physical systems by creating a digital representation of real-world objects. Existing concepts for digital twins usually consider specific and independent objects. This is of limited use for production environments due to a multitude of different machines and associated sensor types. Therefore, we propose a requirements catalog, concept, and prototypical implementation for the hierarchical structuring of digital twins in this paper

study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background For treating deep caries lesions, selective or stepwise (one- and two-step) incomplete excavation seems advantageous compared with complete caries removal. However, current evidence regarding the success, as defined by not requiring any retreatments, or survival of teeth after different excavations is insufficient for definitive recommendation, especially when treating deciduous teeth. Moreover, restoration integrity has not been comparatively analyzed longitudinally, and neither patients’, dentists’ or parents’ preferences nor the clinical long-term costs emanating from both initial and retreatments have been reported yet. Methods/Design The planned study is a prospective multicenter, two-arm parallel group, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing selective and stepwise excavation in deciduous molars with deep, active caries lesions without pulpal symptoms. We will recruit 300 children aged between three and nine-years-old with a minimum of one such molar. Patients participating in another study, or those with systemic diseases, disabilities or known allergies to used materials as well patients with teeth expected to exfoliate within the next 18 months will be excluded. After inclusion, sequence generation will be performed. Initial treatment will follow dental routine. During excavation, leathery, moist and reasonably soft dentin will be left in proximity to the pulp followed by adhesive restoration of the cavity. Afterwards, patients’, dentists’ and parents’ subjective assessment of the treatment will be recorded using visual analogue or Likert scales. Re-examination will be performed after six months, and only then teeth will be allocated to one of the two interventions. Selectively excavated teeth will not be treated further, whilst for stepwise caries removal, a second excavation will be performed until only hard dentin remains. Clinical re-evaluations will be performed after 12, 24 and 36 months. Restorations will be reassessed using modified Ryge criteria. Objectively or subjectively required retreatments will determine success and survival. Retreatments will be evaluated both subjectively and regarding generated costs. Discussion Based on the results of the trial, decision-making for treating deep caries lesions in deciduous molars based on multiple criteria should be feasible

Human subsystems of medial temporal lobes extend locally to amygdala nuclei and globally to an allostatic-interoceptive system

In mammals, the hippocampus, entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices (i.e., core regions of the human medial temporal lobes, MTL) are locally interlaced with the adjacent amygdala nuclei at the structural and functional levels. At the global brain level, the human MTL has been described as part of the default mode network whereas amygdala nuclei as parts of the salience network, with both networks forming collectively a large-scale brain system supporting allostatic-interoceptive functions. We hypothesized (i) that intrinsic functional connectivity of slow activity fluctuations would reveal human MTL subsystems locally extending to the amygdala; and (ii) that these extended local subsystems would be globally embedded in large-scale brain systems supporting allostatic-interoceptive functions. From the resting-state fMRI data of three independent samples of cognitively healthy adults (one main and two replication samples: Ns = 101, 61, and 29, respectively), we analyzed the functional connectivity of fluctuating ongoing BOLD-activity within and outside the amygdala-MTL in a data-driven way using masked independent component and dual-regression analyses. We found that at the local level MTL subsystems extend to the amygdala and are functionally organized along the longitudinal amygdala-MTL axis. These subsystems were characterized by a consistent involvement of amygdala, hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex, but a variable participation of perirhinal and parahippocampal regions. At the global level, amygdala-MTL subsystems selectively connected to salience, thalamic-brainstem, and default mode networks – the major cortical and subcortical parts of the allostatic-interoceptive system. These results provide evidence for integrated amygdala-MTL subsystems in humans, which are embedded within a larger allostatic-interoceptive system

Spatial Patterns and Sequential Sampling Plans for Estimating Densities of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Soybean in the North Central Region of the United States

Stink bugs are an emerging threat to soybean (Fabales: Fabaceae) in the North Central Region of the United States. Consequently, region-specific scouting recommendations for stink bugs are needed. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatial pattern and to develop sampling plans to estimate stink bug population density in soybean fields. In 2016 and 2017, 125 fields distributed across nine states were sampled using sweep nets. Regression analyses were used to determine the effects of stink bug species [Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Euschistus spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)], life stages (nymphs and adults), and field locations (edge and interior) on spatial pattern as represented by variance–mean relationships. Results showed that stink bugs were aggregated. Sequential sampling plans were developed for each combination of species, life stage, and location and for all the data combined. Results for required sample size showed that an average of 40–42 sample units (sets of 25 sweeps) would be necessary to achieve a precision of 0.25 for stink bug densities commonly encountered across the region. However, based on the observed geographic gradient of stink bug densities, more practical sample sizes (5–10 sample units) may be sufficient in states in the southeastern part of the region, whereas impractical sample sizes (\u3e100 sample units) may be required in the northwestern part of the region. Our findings provide research-based sampling recommendations for estimating densities of these emerging pests in soybean

Human subsystems of medial temporal lobes extend locally to amygdala nuclei and globally to an allostatic-interoceptive system.

In mammals, the hippocampus, entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices (i.e., core regions of the human medial temporal lobes, MTL) are locally interlaced with the adjacent amygdala nuclei at the structural and functional levels. At the global brain level, the human MTL has been described as part of the default mode network and amygdala nuclei as parts of the salience network, with both networks collectively forming a large-scale brain system supporting allostatic-interoceptive functions. We hypothesized (i) that intrinsic functional connectivity of slow activity fluctuations would reveal human MTL subsystems locally extending to the amygdala; and (ii) that these extended local subsystems would be globally embedded in large-scale brain systems supporting allostatic-interoceptive functions. Capitalizing on resting-state fMRI data of three independent samples of cognitively healthy adults (one main and two replication samples: N ​= ​101, 60, and 29, respectively), we analyzed the functional connectivity of fluctuating ongoing BOLD-activity within and outside the amygdala-MTL in a data-driven way using masked independent component and dual-regression analyses. We found that at the local level, MTL subsystems extend to the amygdala and are functionally organized along the longitudinal amygdala-MTL axis. These subsystems are characterized by consistent involvement of amygdala, hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex, but variable participation of perirhinal and parahippocampal regions. At the global level, amygdala-MTL subsystems selectively connect to salience, thalamic-brainstem, and default mode networks – the major cortical and subcortical components of the allostatic-interoceptive system. These findings provide evidence for integrated amygdala-MTL subsystems in humans, which are embedded within a larger allostatic-interoceptive system