Long-range structure of Cu(InxGa1-x)3Se5: A complementary neutron and anomalous x-ray diffraction study

The following article appeared in Journal of Applied Physics 109.1 (2011): 013518 and may be found at http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journal/jap/109/1/10.1063/1.3524183Distinguishing the scattering contributions of isoelectronic atomic species by means of conventional x-ray- and/or electron diffraction techniques is a difficult task. Such a problem occurs when determining the crystal structure of compounds containing different types of atoms with equal number of electrons. We propose a new structural model of Cu(InxGa1-x) 3Se5 which is valid for the entire compositional range of the CuIn3Se5-CuGa3Se5 solid solution. Our model is based on neutron and anomalous x-ray diffraction experiments. These complementary techniques allow the separation of scattering contributions of the isoelectronic species Cu+ and Ga3+, contributing nearly identically in monoenergetic x-ray diffraction experiments. We have found that CuIII3Se5 (III =In,Ga) in its room temperature near-equilibrium modification exhibits a modified stannite structure (space group I4̄2m). Different occupation factors of the species involved, Cu+ In3+, Ga3+, and vacancies have been found at three different cationic positions of the structure (Wyckoff sites 2a, 2b, and 4d) depending on the composition of the compound. Significantly, Cu+ does not occupy the 2b site for the In-free compound, but does for the In-containing case. Structural parameters, including lattice constants, tetragonal distortions, and occupation factors are given for samples covering the entire range of the CuIn 3Se5-CuGa3Se5 solid solution. At the light of the result, the denotation of Cu-poor 1:3:5 compounds as chalcopyrite-related materials is only valid in reference to their composition.This work was supported financially by the PPP-program Acciones Integradas Hispano-Alemanas of the DAAD under the Contract No. 314-Al-e-dr (HA2006-0025 spanish reference). Sylvio Haas is gratefully acknowledged for his support in anomalous XRD data acquisition and conversion

Human Infections with Borna Disease Virus 1 (BoDV-1) Primarily Lead to Severe Encephalitis: Further Evidence from the Seroepidemiological BoSOT Study in an Endemic Region in Southern Germany

More than 40 human cases of severe encephalitis caused by Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) have been reported to German health authorities. In an endemic region in southern Germany, we conducted the seroepidemiological BoSOT study (“BoDV-1 after solid-organ transplantation”) to assess whether there are undetected oligo- or asymptomatic courses of infection. A total of 216 healthy blood donors and 280 outpatients after solid organ transplantation were screened by a recombinant BoDV-1 ELISA followed by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (iIFA) as confirmatory test. For comparison, 288 serum and 258 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples with a request for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) diagnostics were analyzed for BoDV-1 infections. ELISA screening reactivity rates ranged from 3.5% to 18.6% depending on the cohort and the used ELISA antigen, but only one sample of a patient from the cohort with requested TBE diagnostics was confirmed to be positive for anti-BoDV-1-IgG by iIFA. In addition, the corresponding CSF sample of this patient with a three-week history of severe neurological disease tested positive for BoDV-1 RNA. Due to the iIFA results, all other results were interpreted as false-reactive in the ELISA screening. By linear serological epitope mapping, cross-reactions with human and bacterial proteins were identified as possible underlying mechanism for the false-reactive ELISA screening results. In conclusion, no oligo- or asymptomatic infections were detected in the studied cohorts. Serological tests based on a single recombinant BoDV-1 antigen should be interpreted with caution, and an iIFA should always be performed in addition

Randomised trial on performance, safety and clinical benefit of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol and isotonic saline nasal sprays in patients suffering from dry nose symptoms

Objective: Limited data exist on the clinical benefits of nasal applications for moistening the nasal mucosa. We therefore investigated the effects of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol and isotonic saline nasal sprays in patients suffering from dry nose symptoms in an otorhinolaryngological outpatient setting. Methods: 240 patients were randomised into this prospective, three-armed clinical trial with two assessment points (baseline and 4 weeks later). Patients received either hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol or isotonic saline nasal spray over a period of four weeks. Rhinitis Sicca Symptom Score (RSSS) was assessed as primary endpoint, and individual symptoms and tolerability of all treatments as secondary endpoints. Patient perceptions after first application of the allocated nasal spray were recorded using the Nasal Spray Sensory Scale. Treatment effects were analysed for each study arm first and subsequently compared against each other. Results: RSSS (hyaluronic acid: mean difference = 8.90 [98.33% CI = 7.34/10.45]; hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol: mean difference = 8.42 [98.33% CI = 6.91/9.94]; isotonic saline: mean difference = 8.94 [98.33% CI = 7.33/10.54]), individual symptoms and Endoscopy Score im proved significantly (p < 0.001) in all treatment arms. Tolerability was assessed as "flawless" in more than 85% of all treatments, which is reflected in overall high rankings in the Nasal Spray Sensory Scale. Perception of nasal moisturisation was reported to be significantly higher in patients receiving hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol as compared to patients receiving hyaluronic acid or isotonic saline. No further significant differences were observed between the three treatments. Conclusion: All three tested sprays (hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol and isotonic saline) proved to be suitable treatments for patients suffering from dry nose symptoms. (DRKS-ID: DRKS00013357) (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan Inc

The translocator protein 18kDa ligand etifoxine in the treatment of depressive disorders—a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study

Background Recent developments suggest that neurosteroids may achieve rapid antidepressant effects. As such, neurosteroidogenesis mediated by the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) might constitute a promising option for the treatment of depression. Therefore, the current clinical trial aims to get the first evidence of whether TPSO ligands promote rapid antidepressant effects. Furthermore, we study which mechanisms of action, e.g., modulation of distinct neuronal networks, neurosteroidogenesis, endocrinological mechanisms, TSPO expression or microbiome composition, contribute to their putative antidepressant effects. Methods This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind single-center trial of 2-week treatment with the TSPO ligand etifoxine versus placebo in depressive patients. Main eligibility criteria: male or female individuals aged 18 to 65 years with unipolar/bipolar depressive disorder with no other psychiatric main diagnosis or acute neurological/somatic disorder or drug/alcohol dependence during their lifetime. The primary endpoint is the time point at which 50% of the maximal effect has occurred (ET50) estimated by the scores of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-21). A total of 20 patients per group are needed to detect changes of therapeutic efficacy about 5% and changes of ET50 about 10% with a power of 70%. Assuming a drop-out rate of 10–20%, 50 patients will be randomized in total. The study will be conducted at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University of Regensburg. Discussion This study will provide a first proof-of-concept on the potential of the TSPO ligand etifoxine in the treatment of depressive disorders. Trial registration Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT number: 2021-006773-38, registration date: 14 September 2022) and German Register of Clinical Studies (DRKS number: DRKS00031099, registration date: 23 January 2023)

Reducing the metabolic burden of rRNA synthesis promotes healthy longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract Ribosome biogenesis is initiated by RNA polymerase I (Pol I)-mediated synthesis of pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNA). Pol I activity was previously linked to longevity, but the underlying mechanisms were not studied beyond effects on nucleolar structure and protein translation. Here we use multi-omics and functional tests to show that curtailment of Pol I activity remodels the lipidome and preserves mitochondrial function to promote longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Reduced pre-rRNA synthesis improves energy homeostasis and metabolic plasticity also in human primary cells. Conversely, the enhancement of pre-rRNA synthesis boosts growth and neuromuscular performance of young nematodes at the cost of accelerated metabolic decline, mitochondrial stress and premature aging. Moreover, restriction of Pol I activity extends lifespan more potently than direct repression of protein synthesis, and confers geroprotection even when initiated late in life, showcasing this intervention as an effective longevity and metabolic health treatment not limited by aging