Validation of the German version of the subarachnoid haemorrhage outcome tool (SAHOT)

Objective:The subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) outcome tool (SAHOT) is the first SAH-specific patient reported outcome measure, and was developed in the UK. We aimed to validate the SAHOT outside the UK, and therefore endeavored to adapt the SAHOT into German and to test its psychometric properties. Methods:We adapted and pilot tested the German version. We applied the SAHOT, Quality of Life after Brain Injury, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and EuroQol questionnaires in a cohort of 89 patients with spontaneous SAH after discharge. We assessed internal consistency by Cronbach’s α, test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation, and validity by Pearson correlations with established measures. Sensitivity to change was evaluated following neurorehabilitation by effect sizes. Results:The translation of SAHOT resulted in a German version that is semantically and conceptually equivalent to the English version. Internal consistency was good regarding the physical domain (α = 0.83) and excellent for the other domains (α = 0.92–0.93). Test–retest reliability indicated a high level of stability with an intraclass correlation of 0.85 (95% CI: 0.83–0.86). All domains correlated moderately or strongly with established measures (r = 0.41–0.74; p < 0.01). SAHOT total scores showed moderate sensitivity to change (Cohen’s d = −0.68), while mRS and GOSE showed no significant sensitivity to change. Conclusion:The SAHOT can be adapted to other health care systems and societies than the UK. The German version of the SAHOT is a reliable and valid instrument, and can be used in future clinical studies and individual assessment after spontaneous SAH

Western Star, 1911-06-14

The Western Star began publication on Newfoundland's west coast on 4 April 1900, appearing weekly with brief semiweekly periods up to 1952, when it became a daily. As of 17 April 2019 it continues as a free weekly community paper

Angle-dependent magnetotransport in GaAs/InAs core/shell nanowires

We study the impact of the direction of magnetic flux on the electron motion in GaAs/InAs core/shell nanowires. At small tilt angles, when the magnetic field is aligned nearly parallel to the nanowire axis, we observe Aharonov–Bohm type h/e flux periodic magnetoconductance oscillations. These are attributed to transport via angular momentum states, formed by electron waves within the InAs shell. With increasing tilt of the nanowire in the magnetic field, the flux periodic magnetoconductance oscillations disappear. Universal conductance fluctuations are observed for all tilt angles, however with increasing amplitudes for large tilt angles. We record this evolution of the electron propagation from a circling motion around the core to a diffusive transport through scattering loops and give explanations for the observed different transport regimes separated by the magnetic field orientation

Atrial fibrillation complicated by heart failure induces distinct remodeling of calcium cycling proteins.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are two of the most common cardiovascular diseases. They often coexist and account for significant morbidity and mortality. Alterations in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis play a critical role in AF initiation and maintenance. This study was designed to specifically elucidate AF-associated remodeling of atrial Ca2+ cycling in the presence of mild HF. AF was induced in domestic pigs by atrial burst pacing. The animals underwent electrophysiologic and echocardiographic examinations. Ca2+ handling proteins were analyzed in right atrial tissue obtained from pigs with AF (day 7; n = 5) and compared to sinus rhythm (SR) controls (n = 5). During AF, animals exhibited reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (from 73% to 58%) and prolonged atrial refractory periods. AF and HF were associated with suppression of protein kinase A (PKA)RII (-62%) and Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) δ by 37%, without changes in CaMKIIδ autophosphorylation. We further detected downregulation of L-type calcium channel (LTCC) subunit α2 (-75%), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (Serca) 2a (-29%), phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser16, -92%; Thr17, -70%), and phospho-ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) (Ser2808, -62%). Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) levels were upregulated (+473%), whereas expression of Ser2814-phosphorylated RyR2 and LTCCα1c subunits was not significantly altered. In conclusion, AF produced distinct arrhythmogenic remodeling of Ca2+ handling in the presence of tachycardia-induced mild HF that is different from AF without structural alterations. The changes may provide a starting point for personalized approaches to AF treatment

Validation of the German version of the subarachnoid haemorrhage outcome tool (SAHOT)

Objective: the subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) outcome tool (SAHOT) is the first SAH-specific patient reported outcome measure, and was developed in the UK. We aimed to validate the SAHOT outside the UK, and therefore endeavoured to adapt the SAHOT into German and to test its psychometric properties. Methods: we adapted and pilot tested the German version. We applied the SAHOT, Quality of Life after Brain Injury, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and EuroQol questionnaires in a cohort of 89 patients with spontaneous SAH after discharge. We assessed internal consistency by Cronbach’s α, test-retest reliability by intraclass correlation and validity by Pearson correlations with established measures. Sensitivity to change was evaluated following neurorehabilitation by effect sizes.Results: the translation of SAHOT resulted in a German version that is semantically and conceptually equivalent to the English version. Internal consistency was good regarding the physical domain (α=0.83) and excellent for the other domains (α=0.920.93). Test–retest reliability indicated a high level of stability with an intraclass correlation of 0.85 (95%CI:0.83-0.86). All domains correlated moderately or strongly with established measures (r=0.41-0.74; p&lt;0.01). SAHOT total scores showed moderate sensitivity to change (Cohen`s d=-0.68), while mRS and GOSE showed no significant sensitivity to change. Conclusion: the SAHOT can be adapted in other health care systems and societies than the UK. The German version of the SAHOT is a reliable and valid instrument, and can be used in future clinical studies and individual assessment after spontaneous SAH

Verbesserte Adhäsion von Endothelzellen auf beschichteten Oxygenatormembranen aus PMP

Einleitung: Patienten mit schweren Lungenschäden, wie sie beispielsweise bei der chronisch-obstruktiven Lungenerkrankung auftreten, sind auf den Einsatz von Membranoxygenatoren zur Oxygenierung und Kohlenstoffdioxidentfernung angewiesen. Standardmäßig werden hierzu Hohlfasermembranen aus Polymeren, z.B. Polymethylpenten (PMP), eingesetzt, an deren Oberfläche der Gasaustausch stattfindet. Aufgrund der fehlenden antithrombogenen Eigenschaften des Fasermaterials kommt es jedoch zur Thrombenbildung, welche wiederum die Gasaustauschrate und damit die Lebensdauer der Membran verringert. Eine Endothelialisierung der Faseroberfläche soll daher antithrombogene Eigenschaften vermitteln. Materialien und Methoden: Aus Hautbiopsaten isolierte humane dermale mikrovaskuläre Endothelzellen (HDMECs) wurden auf die beschichteten PMP-Fasermatten ausgesät. Im Anschluss an die Adhäsion der Zellen, wurden die Fasermatten in einem Flussreaktor unter dynamischen Bedingungen kultiviert. Die Besiedlung der Fasern, sowie die Viabilität der Zellen, die Integrität des Zellmonolayers und die Expression endothelzell-spezifischer Marker wurde analysiert. Hierzu fand eine Lebend-Tot-Färbung mittels Fluoresceindiacetat und Propidiumiodid (FDA/PI), sowie Immunfluoreszenzfärbungen von vaskulärem endothelialem Cadherin (VE-Cadherin) und PECAM-1 statt. Ergebnisse und Diskussion: Mittels FDA/PI-Färbung wurde direkt im Anschluss an die Adhäsionszeit sowie nach 7- bis 14-tägiger dynamischer Kultur nachgewiesen, dass die Bedeckung großer Teile der Faseroberfläche mit viablen Zellen erreicht werden konnte. Die Zellen zeigten die Expression der Proteine VECadherin und PECAM-1, welche wichtige Bestandteile der Zell-Zell-Kontakte innerhalb des Endothels darstellen und damit dessen Integrität - die Voraussetzung für die Antithrombogenität - widerspiegeln. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Studien konnte in den vorliegenden Versuchen die dynamische Kultivierung primärer humaner Endothelzellen auf beschichteten PMP-Fasern verbessert werden. Eine dynamische Kultivierung unter physiologischen Flussbedingungen war ebenfalls möglich

Phase coherent transport in hollow InAs nanowires

Hollow InAs nanowires are produced from GaAs/InAs core/shell nanowires by wet chemical etching of the GaAs core. At room temperature, the resistivity of several nanowires is measured before and after removal of the GaAs core. The observed change in resistivity is explained by simulating the electronic states in both structures. At cryogenic temperatures, quantum transport in hollow InAs nanowires is studied. Flux periodic conductance oscillations are observed when the magnetic field is oriented parallel to the nanowire axis