INTO Connect Updates

INTO Connect is a software platform that provides faculty and administrators with the opportunity to maintain student records in a secure online environment that meets the privacy policies of the institution and the privacy laws of the federal government. This session introduces the platform to possible new users and highlights the benefits and challenges of using INTO Connect for Academic English programs. The session also explores the possibilities of how INTO Connect can be used to meet the needs of different institutions. In this session, attendees will learn: 1. The benefits and challenges of integrating INTO Connect with your existing program: A. Faculty buy-in B. Faculty training C. Functional use of INTO Connect (Attendance, Reports and etc). D. Program administration E. Meeting FERPA standards and institutional standards F. Costs of setup and maintenance G. Future uses of the platform 2. Meet the needs of different institutions A. What is currently available on INTO Connect for use B. What can be made available on INTO Connect for use 3. Conclusion - Where do we go from here? Session keywords: technology, online record-keeping, students, teachers, program administration, student service

Patients with Intolerance Reactions to Total Knee Replacement: Combined Assessment of Allergy Diagnostics, Periprosthetic Histology, and Peri-implant Cytokine Expression Pattern

We performed a combined approach to identify suspected allergy to knee arthroplasty (TKR): patch test (PT), lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), histopathology (overall grading; T- and B-lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils), and semiquantitative Real-time-PCR-based periprosthetic inflammatory mediator analysis (IFN gamma, TNF alpha, IL1-beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL17, and TGF beta). We analyzed 25 TKR patients with yet unexplained complications like pain, effusion, and reduced range of motion. They consisted of 20 patients with proven metal sensitization (11 with PT reactions;9 with only LTT reactivity). Control specimens were from 5 complicated TKR patients without metal sensitization, 12 OA patients before arthroplasty, and 8 PT patients without arthroplasty. Lymphocytic infiltrates were seen and fibrotic (Type IV membrane) tissue response was most frequent in the metal sensitive patients, for example, in 81% of the PT positive patients. The latter also had marked periprosthetic IFN gamma expression. 8/9 patients with revision surgery using Ti-coated/oxinium based implants reported symptom relief. Our findings demonstrate that combining allergy diagnostics with histopathology and periprosthetic cytokine assessment could allow us to design better diagnostic strategies

Ramucirumab plus docetaxel versus placebo plus docetaxel in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma after platinum-based therapy (RANGE): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial

Few treatments with a distinct mechanism of action are available for patients with platinum-refractory advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. We assessed the efficacy and safety of treatment with docetaxel plus either ramucirumab-a human IgG1 VEGFR-2 antagonist-or placebo in this patient population

Generation of Annelated Dicarbenes and Their Alkali-Metal Chelate Complexes in Solution : Equilibrium between Hetero- and Homoleptic NHC Lithium Complexes

Attempts to generate the free bis­(N-heterocyclic carbene) vegi^R (R = <i>n</i>Pr, <i>t</i>Bu; vegi^R = 2,7-dihydro-2,7-dialkyldiimidazo­[1,5-<i>b</i>:5′,1′-<i>f</i>]­pyridazine-1,8-diylidene) from its imidazolium salts <b>1</b> with alkali-metal bases resulted exclusively in the formation of the respective lithium, sodium, and potassium complexes <b>2</b>–<b>4</b> due to the strongly chelating properties of the dicarbene. DFT calculations reveal pronounced dispersion interactions in the case of <i>N-tert</i>-butyl substituents as the reason for the formation of the homoleptic lithium species <b>2b-H</b> in solution. The dynamic behavior of the lithium complexes in equilibrium was studied by NMR techniques. Attempts to liberate the free carbenes by addition of the respective crown ethers failed for the lithium and sodium complexes. Deprotonation of the imidazolium salts <b>1a</b>,<b>b</b> with the strong metal-free phosphazene base P4-<i>t</i>Bu ({(Me₂N)₃PN}₃PN<i>t</i>Bu) generated successfully the free dicarbenes vegi^R (<b>5</b>) and monocarbene <b>6b</b> in solution

Patients with Intolerance Reactions to Total Knee Replacement: Combined Assessment of Allergy Diagnostics, Periprosthetic Histology, and Peri-implant Cytokine Expression Pattern

We performed a combined approach to identify suspected allergy to knee arthroplasty (TKR): patch test (PT), lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), histopathology (overall grading; T- and B-lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils), and semiquantitative Real-time-PCR-based periprosthetic inflammatory mediator analysis (IFNγ, TNFα, IL1-β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL17, and TGFβ). We analyzed 25 TKR patients with yet unexplained complications like pain, effusion, and reduced range of motion. They consisted of 20 patients with proven metal sensitization (11 with PT reactions; 9 with only LTT reactivity). Control specimens were from 5 complicated TKR patients without metal sensitization, 12 OA patients before arthroplasty, and 8 PT patients without arthroplasty. Lymphocytic infiltrates were seen and fibrotic (Type IV membrane) tissue response was most frequent in the metal sensitive patients, for example, in 81% of the PT positive patients. The latter also had marked periprosthetic IFNγ expression. 8/9 patients with revision surgery using Ti-coated/oxinium based implants reported symptom relief. Our findings demonstrate that combining allergy diagnostics with histopathology and periprosthetic cytokine assessment could allow us to design better diagnostic strategies

Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy: A diagnostic technique for easy real-time evaluation of benign and malignant skin tumours

Ex vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (ex vivo CLSM) is a novel diagnostic tool for a quick bedside evaluation of freshly excised tissue, comparable to histology. We aimed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of ex vivo CLSM in detecting malignant features, to validate its reliability in identifying various skin tumours based on a combination of confocal features and to evaluate the digital staining mode (DS). One-hundred twenty freshly excised skin samples from 91 patients were evaluated. Each lesion was screened for the presence of 23 predefined confocal criteria with ex vivo CLSM, followed by a histopathological examination. The diagnostic agreement between ex vivo CLSM and histology was 89.2%. The diagnostic accuracy of ex vivo CLSM in detecting malignancy reached a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 76%. Ex vivo CLSM enabled a rapid identification of the most common skin tumours, the tumour dignity and cytological features. The DS demonstrated a close resemblance to conventional histopathology

S2k guideline: Rosacea

This updated and upgraded S2k guideline deals with the diagnosis and treatment of rosacea, which is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease mostly affecting the face. Initially, rosacea is characterized by recurrent erythema, telangiectasia and flushing. Later, the inflammatory component predominates, with persistent erythema with follicular papules, papulopustules and pustules. The development of phyma, which usually occurs on the acral localizations, is the most severe manifestation. For the treatment of rosacea, the interdisciplinary guideline committee, with representatives of the German Dermatological Society (DDG), the Professional Association of German Dermatologists (BVDD), the German Opthalmological Society (DOG), the Society for Dermopharmacy (GD), the Swiss Society for Dermatology and Venereology (SGDV) and the German Rosacea Aid e. V., recommends the avoidance of trigger factors and topical applications of metronidazole, azelaic acid or ivermectin. For symptomatic treatment of persistent centrofacial erythema, the topical vasoconstrictors brimonidine or oxymetazoline can also be used. Systemic therapy is recommended for therapy-resistant and severe forms of rosacea papulopustulosa. The drug of choice is low-dose doxycycline. Alternatively, low-dose isotretinoin can be recommended. Ocular rosacea should be treated with lid margin hygiene. For topical treatment, ciclosporin eye drops, azithromycin, ivermectin or metronidazole are suggested

Neurofeedback of Slow Cortical Potentials in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Multicenter Randomized Trial Controlling for Unspecific Effects

Background: Neurofeedback (NF) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been investigated in a series of studies over the last years. Previous studies did not unanimously support NF as a treatment in ADHD. Most studies did not control for unspecific treatment effects and did not demonstrate that self-regulation took place. The present study examined the efficacy of NF in comparison to electromyographic (EMG) feedback to control for unspecific effects of the treatment, and assessed self-regulation of slow cortical potentials (SCPs). Methods: A total of 150 children aged 7–9 years diagnosed with ADHD (82% male; 43% medicated) were randomized to 25 sessions of feedback of SCPs (NF) or feedback of coordination of the supraspinatus muscles (EMG). The primary endpoint was the change in parents’ ratings of ADHD core symptoms 4 weeks after the end of treatment compared to pre-tests. Results: Children in both groups showed reduced ADHD-core symptoms (NF 0.3, 95% CI -0.42 to -0.18; EMG 0.13, 95% CI -0.26 to -0.01). NF showed a significant superiority over EMG (treatment difference 0.17, 95% CI 0.02–0.3, p = 0.02). This yielded an effect size (ES) of d = 0.57 without and 0.40 with baseline observation carried forward (BOCF). The sensitivity analysis confirmed the primary result. Successful self-regulation of brain activity was observed only in NF. As a secondary result teachers reported no superior improvement from NF compared to EMG, but within-group analysis revealed effects of NF on the global ADHD score, inattention, and impulsivity. In contrast, EMG feedback did not result in changes despite more pronounced self-regulation learning. Conclusions: Based on the primary parent-rated outcome NF proved to be superior to a semi-active EMG feedback treatment. The study supports the feasibility and efficacy of NF in a large sample of children with ADHD, based on both specific and unspecific effects

Alzheimer’s genetic risk factor FERMT2 (Kindlin-2) controls axonal growth and synaptic plasticity in an APP-dependent manner

International audienceAlthough APP metabolism is being intensively investigated, a large fraction of its modulators is yet to be characterized. In this context, we combined two genome-wide high-content screenings to assess the functional impact of miRNAs and genes on APP metabolism and the signaling pathways involved. This approach highlighted the involvement of FERMT2 (or Kindlin-2), a genetic risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as a potential key modulator of axon guidance, a neuronal process that depends on the regulation of APP metabolism. We found that FERMT2 directly interacts with APP to modulate its metabolism, and that FERMT2 underexpression impacts axonal growth, synaptic connectivity, and long-term potentiation in an APP-dependent manner. Last, the rs7143400-T allele, which is associated with an increased AD risk and localized within the 3′UTR of FERMT2, induced a downregulation of FERMT2 expression through binding of miR-4504 among others. This miRNA is mainly expressed in neurons and significantly overexpressed in AD brains compared to controls. Altogether, our data provide strong evidence for a detrimental effect of FERMT2 underexpression in neurons and insight into how this may influence AD pathogenesis