Die Prädiktion des klinischen Funktionsniveaus mit Hilfe von neuronalen Netzen

Durch eine Vorhersage des Funktionsniveaus können Patientinnen und Patienten vorzeitig erkannt werden, deren psychopathologischer Zustand sich im weiteren klinischen Verlauf verschlechtern wird. Modelle, die dazu publiziert wurden sind äußerst kompliziert, beinhalten MRT Daten und genetische Analysen, sowie aufwändige klinische Testverfahren, die speziell ausgebildetes Personal benötigen. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass das Funktionsniveau von Patienten mit Hilfe von LSTM Netzen vorhergesagt werden kann. Es waren nur Daten aus Fragebögen nötig. Dabei ist herauszustellen, dass vor allem das soziale Funktionsniveau, welches durch den GF S gemessen wurde, die beste Prädiktionsgüte lieferte. Die aktuellen Ergebnisse übertreffen die Vorhersagegenauigkeit ähnlicher, bereits publizierter Modelle. Die aktuelle Arbeit kann neue Perspektiven für eine integrative und evidenzbasierte Medizin bieten. Die Güte der einzelnen Prädiktion für die jeweiligen Subgruppen sollte in weiteren Studien mit Daten, welche nicht aus dem PRONIA Datensatz stammen, repliziert werden

Jinetear y resolver

Die vorliegende Diplomarbeit analysiert die sozialen Auswirkungen der wirtschaftlichen Strukturreform, die während der Spezialperiode der 1990er Jahre auf Kuba durchgeführt wurde. In einem ersten Schritt wird die ökonomische und soziale Ausgangssituation vorgestellt. Danach werden verschiedene Reformvorschläge sowie die letztlich gewählte Variante in ihrer konkreten Ausgestaltung präsentiert. Schließlich werden die Folgen in Bezug auf das Bildungs-, Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen, die Lebensbedingungen der KubanerInnen sowie den sozialen Zusammenhalt der kubanischen Gesellschaft aufgezeigt.This Master's thesis analyzes the social consequences of the economic structural reform that was implemented in Cuba during the Special Period of the 1990s. In a first step, the economic and social situation at the beginning of the 1990s is described. Then different proposals for a reform and the finally adopted version are presented. Finally, the consequences for the educational, healthcare and social systems, for the Cubans' life conditions as well as for the social coherence within the Cuban society are pointed out

Die mexikanische Bourgeoisie und das NAFTA

Die vorliegende wissenschaftliche Arbeit analysiert auf Grundlage der historisch-materialistischen Methode die Entstehungsgeschichte des Nordamerikanischen Freihandelsabkommens. Als Basis dienen theoretische Konzepte und Erklärungsmuster, die von Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, Leo Trotzki, Ruy Mauro Marini, Henrique Cardoso, Robert W. Cox und William I. Robinson & Jerry Harris erarbeitet wurden. Während die grundlegende Strukturierung der Gesellschaft in gesellschaftliche Klassen sowie eine nachteilige Ausgangsposition des Südens in wirtschaftlichen Beziehungen von allen Theoretikern geteilt wird, gibt es unterschiedliche Auffassungen zum Verlauf des Entwicklungsprozesses, zum Verhältnis von Entwicklung und Abhängigkeit, zur Bedeutung der historischen Komponente, zum Verhältnis von ökonomischer Basis und Überbau sowie zur Möglichkeit und/oder Notwendigkeit der Überwindung kapitalistischer Produktionsstrukturen. Bevor konkret die Entstehungsgeschichte des NAFTA betrachtet wird, verdeutlicht ein historischer Einführungsteil die ökonomischen, politischen und sozialen Vorbedingungen für die Handelsliberalsierung in Mexiko. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt dabei auf dem Kräfteverhältnis zwischen den sozialen Klassen, das sich während der 1970er- und 1980er Jahre zugunsten der Fraktion des Großkapitals verschiebt. Schließlich spiegelt sich auch im NAFTA-Verhandlungsprozess ein extremes Ungleichgewicht – nicht nur zwischen Arbeit und Kapital, sondern auch zwischen den verschiedenen Kapitalfraktionen – wider. Zudem zeigt sich, dass politische und ökonomische Elite zwei relativ getrennte soziale Gruppen darstellen, die allerdings im Falle des NAFTA eng kooperieren, um die für beide Seiten vorteilhafte Unterzeichnung des Freihandelsvertrags durchzusetzen. Durch Kooptation und mit gezielter Propaganda konnten die Mittelklassen vom Projekt des NAFTA überzeugt werden. Ein organisierter Widerstand der unterdrückten Klassen wurde durch die Fragmentierung des Produktionsprozesses erschwert und scheiterte, weil sich keine die Opposition einenden sowie anführenden sozialen Kräfte etablieren konnten.Applying historical materialism as a methodological approach, the present degree thesis analyses the genesis of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Theoretical concepts and patterns of explanation to examine questions of development by Marxist and Marxist-inspired theoreticians serve as a foundation. Whereas among these scholars there is a basic accordance in relation to the existence of social classes plus the disadvantaging initial position of the South, there are different notions concerning other topics. Before going into detail about the genesis of NAFTA, economic, political and social preconditions for the liberalisation of trade in Mexico are pointed out in a historical introductory part. Special attention was paid to the social distribution of power between classes which increasingly shifts in favour of the big capitalists during the 1970s and 1980s. NAFTA negotiations reflect an extreme disequilibrium – not only between Labour and Capital but also between diverse fractions of capitalists. Furthermore, it becomes obvious that both the political and economic elite represent two relatively separated social groups, who cooperate in the case of NAFTA to achieve the signing of a contract beneficial for both sides. To conceive them as integral parts of one (even transnationalised) capitalist class does not comply with their different material interests. By means of cooptation and well-directed propaganda the middle classes could be persuaded to support the NAFTA-project. Organised resistance of the oppressed classes was made difficult through fragmentation of the production process and failed because no social forces unifying and leading the opposition could establish themselves

Lunar cycles and rainy seasons drive growth and reproduction in nummulitid foraminifera, important producers of carbonate buildups

Representatives of the foraminifer Nummulites are important in Earth history for timing Cenozoic shallow-water carbonates. Taphonomic complexity explains the construction of carbonate buildups, but reproduction and life span of the constructing individuals are unknown. During the 15-month investigation period, asexually reproduced schizonts and gamonts showed equal proportions in the first half of this period, whereas gamonts predominated in the second half. Oscillations in cell growth are mainly caused by light intensities during chamber construction when minor differences in water depth increase the photosynthetic rate of endosymbiotic diatoms during neap tides. The continuous reproduction rate of N. venosus throughout the year is increased in subtropical calms by higher summer temperatures and the marginal input of inorganic nutrients during rainy seasons. The expected life span of both gamonts and schizonts are 18 month

A prospective cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for validation of biomarkers (PROVALID) –study design and baseline characteristics

Background/Aims: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 and kidney disease in these patients varies widely between European countries. Methods: In addition to store biosamples the “Prospective cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for validation of biomarkers” collects information on history, physical status, laboratory measurements and medication in 4000 patients with diabetes mellitus type 2, being taken care of at the primary level of healthcare in 5 European countries (Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland and Scotland). Next to comparing the rate of loss of eGFR between the countries, a further objective of the PROVALID study is to determine the 5-year cumulative incidence of renal and cardiovascular outcomes. Results: The mean age of the population recruited is 62.9±10 years, 54.6% are male and the mean BMI is 30.9±5.4 kg/m2 . Metabolic control (median HBA1c 6.8 % (6.2;7.5)) is achieved via administration of metformin in 67.4% of the patients and insulin in 30.3%. Median systolic and diastolic blood pressure at recruitment is 135 (125;146) and 80 (72;85) mmHg, 65.4% of subjects received RAAS blocking agents. Mean eGFR is 80.7±29.2 ml/min/1.73m2 and median baseline albumin/creatinine ratio 8.3 mg (IQR: 3.8 and 25.1). Conclusion: PROVALID will provide information on incidence and progression of renal and cardiovascular disease and therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in different European countries. Thus, in contrast to many other cohort studies we will be able to associate national clinical practise pattern with outcome in this highly vulnerable patient population

Real-time depth sectioning: Isolating the effect of stress on structure development in pressure-driven flow

Transient structure development at a specific distance from the channel wall in a pressure-driven flow is obtained from a set of real-time measurements that integrate contributions throughout the thickness of a rectangular channel. This “depth sectioning method” retains the advantages of pressure-driven flow while revealing flow-induced structures as a function of stress. The method is illustrated by applying it to isothermal shear-induced crystallization of an isotactic polypropylene using both synchrotron x-ray scattering and optical retardance. Real-time, depth-resolved information about the development of oriented precursors reveals features that cannot be extracted from ex-situ observation of the final morphology and that are obscured in the depth-averaged in-situ measurements. For example, at 137 °C and at the highest shear stress examined (65 kPa), oriented thread-like nuclei formed rapidly, saturated within the first 7 s of flow, developed significant crystalline overgrowth during flow and did not relax after cessation of shear. At lower stresses, threads formed later and increased at a slower rate. The depth sectioning method can be applied to the flow-induced structure development in diverse complex fluids, including block copolymers, colloidal systems, and liquid-crystalline polymers

Reparation of an inflamed air-liquid interface cultured a549 cells with nebulized nanocurcumin

The anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and antimicrobial activities of curcumin (CUR) are missed because of its low solubility in aqueous media, low bioavailability, and structural lability upon oral intake. Soft nanoparticles such as nanoliposomes are not efficient as CUR carriers, since crystalline CUR is expelled from them to physiological media. Nanostructures to efficiently trap and increase the aqueous solubility of CUR are needed to improve both oral or nebulized delivery of CUR. Here we showed that SRA1 targeted nanoarchaeosomes (nATC) [1:0.4 w:w:0.04] archaeolipids, tween 80 and CUR, 155 ± 16 nm sized of −20.7 ± 3.3 z potential, retained 0.22 mg CUR ± 0.09 per 12.9 mg lipids ± 4.0 (~600 µM CUR) in front to dilution, storage, and nebulization. Raman and fluorescence spectra and SAXS patterns were compatible with a mixture of enol and keto CUR tautomers trapped within the depths of nATC bilayer. Between 20 and 5 µg CUR/mL, nATC was endocytosed by THP1 and A549 liquid–liquid monolayers without noticeable cytotoxicity. Five micrograms of CUR/mL nATC nebulized on an inflamed air–liquid interface of A549 cells increased TEER, normalized the permeation of LY, and decreased il6, tnfα, and il8 levels. Overall, these results suggest the modified pharmacodynamics of CUR in nATC is useful for epithelia repair upon inflammatory damage, deserving further deeper exploration, particularly related to its targeting ability.Fil: Altube, María Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; ArgentinaFil: Caimi, Lilen Ivonne. Fundación Instituto Leloir; ArgentinaFil: Huck Iriart, Cristián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Morilla, María José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Eder Lilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Diseño de Estrategias de Targeting de Drogas; Argentin

Adverse Drug Reactions And Kinetics Of Cisplatin Excretion In Urine Of Patients Undergoing Cisplatin Chemotherapy And Radiotherapy For Head And Neck Cancer: A Prospective Study

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Cisplatin is a high-potency anticancer agent; however, it causes significant adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Potential pharmacokinetic markers must be studied to predict or prevent cisplatin-induced ADRs and achieve better prognosis. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between ADRs and kinetics of cisplatin excretion in the urine of patients undergoing high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Methods: Outpatients with head and neck cancer received a first cycle of high-dose cisplatin chemotherapy (80-100 mg/m(2)) concurrent to radiotherapy. ADRs (haematological, renal, and gastrointestinal reactions) were classified based on severity by National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 4, grade 0-4). The kinetics of cisplatin excretion in urine was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography over three time periods: 0-12, 12-24, and 24-48 h after the administration of cisplatin. Spearman Correlation test and regression analysis were performed to assess the relationship between ADRs and cisplatin excretion in the urine. Results: In total, 59 patients with a mean age of 55.6 +/- 9.4 years were analysed; most patients were male (86.4%), white (79.7%), and with pharyngeal tumours in advanced stages (66.1%). The most frequently observed ADRs were anaemia (81.4%), lymphopenia (78%), and nausea (64.4%); mostly grades 1 and 2 of toxicity. The mean cisplatin excretion was 70.3 +/- 64.4, 7.3 +/- 6.3, and 5 +/- 4 mu g/mg creatinine at 0-12, 12-24, and 24-48 h, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the amount of cisplatin excreted did not influence the severity of ADRs. Conclusions: The most frequent ADRs were anaemia, lymphopenia, and nausea. Grades 1 and 2 were the severities for most ADRs. The period over which the highest cisplatin excretion observed was 0-12 h after chemotherapy, and cisplatin excretion could not predict toxicity.25Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [2012/01807-2, 2014/18294-3, 2014/04744-7]Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Molecular diagnostics helps to identify distinct subgroups of spinal astrocytomas

Primary spinal cord astrocytomas are rare, hence few data exist about the prognostic significance of molecular markers. Here we analyze a panel of molecular alterations in association with the clinical course. Histology and genome sequencing was performed in 26 spinal astrocytomas operated upon between 2000 and 2020. Next-generation DNA/RNA sequencing (NGS) and methylome analysis were performed to determine molecular alterations. Histology and NGS allowed the distinction of 5 tumor subgroups: glioblastoma IDH wildtype (GBM); diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M mutated (DMG-H3); high-grade astrocytoma with piloid features (HAP); diffuse astrocytoma IDH mutated (DA), diffuse leptomeningeal glioneural tumors (DGLN) and pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). Within all tumor entities GBM (median OS: 5.5~months), DMG-H3 (median OS: 13~months) and HAP (median OS: 8~months) showed a fatal prognosis. DMG-H3 tend to emerge in adolescence whereas GBM and HAP develop in the elderly. HAP are characterized by CDKN2A/B deletion and ATRX mutation. 50% of PA tumors carried a mutation in the PIK3CA gene which is seemingly associated with better outcome (median OS: PIK3CA mutated 107.5 vs 45.5~months in wildtype PA). This exploratory molecular profiling of spinal cord astrocytomas allows to identify distinct subgroups by combining molecular markers and histomorphology. DMG-H3 tend to develop in adolescence with a similar dismal prognosis like GBM and HAP in the elderly. We here describe spinal HAP with a distinct molecular profile for the first time