267 research outputs found
Non-specific chronic musculoskeletal pain: prevalence, spatial extent of pain, mental comorbidities, and psychophysiological patterns
Chronic back pain (CBP) is common and has high socio-economic relevance. Moreover, therapeutic approaches for CBP have had limited success, because so far there are only unspecific treatment approaches for a heterogeneous CBP group. In addition, research on CBP is typically based on highly selected samples, often relies on data gathered from questionnaires rather than interviews or examinations, and usually neglects the heterogeneity of patients.
This hampers the generalization of results. Therefore, there is a need for research with high methodological quality that accounts for the heterogeneity of CBP patients.
In regard to this, research projects that combined the advantages of population-based studies and clinical methods and consider that CBP seems to be a complex condition that usually involves further symptoms in addition to pain in the back were designed. This research also considers the link between clinical manifestations and pathophysiological findings.
The five studies encompassed by this dissertation thesis deal with diverse aspects of CBP. These include prevalence rate, the spatial extent of pain, sociodemografic and clinical variables, mental comorbidity, and psychophysiological patterns. Summarized the findings underpin the heterogeneity of CBP patients that should be accounted for in treatment and research. A study that considers these findings and points to subgroup-specific approaches is introduced. The results will foster the development of new subgroup-specific treatment options and corresponding diagnostic markers
Visa inc. and global payments industry â a part of equity resarch
Visa is the market leader in the global payments industry.
The steady development towards cashless payment, digital
and innovative payment options is constantly increasing.
Visa's unique positioning in a special 4 party system allows
a significant lead, which has to be maintained in view of
increasing competition and macroeconomic risk factors.
The forecasting of Visa's financials is based on the
assumption of a positive development. This is justified by
Visa's resilience in the industrial landscape and the
effective further development of the business model. This
allows visa to demonstrate good profitability and resilience
also in terms of share pric
Evaluating differently tutored groups in problem-based learning in a German dental curriculum: a mixed methods study
Background: It is still unclear to what extent the PBL tutor affects learning in PBL-sessions. This mixed-methods study (Part 1 and 2) evaluated the effects of facilitative (f) versus non-facilitative (nf) tutoring roles on knowledge-gain and group functioning in the field of endodontics. Methods: Part 1 was a quantitative assessment of tutor effectiveness within a prospective, experimental, single-blind, stratified, randomized, two-group intervention study. Participants attended PBL in the context of a hybrid curriculum. A validated questionnaire was used and knowledge assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. External observers rated tutor performance. Part 2 was a qualitative assessment of tutor effectiveness and consisted of semi-structured expert interviews with tutors and focus group discussions with students. Results: Part 1: f tutors obtained significantly higher scores than nf tutors with respect to learning motivation and tutor effectiveness (pââ€â0.05). nf tuition resulted in a slightly larger knowledge gain (pâ=â0.08). External observers documented a significantly higher activity among facilitative tutors compared to non-facilitative tutors. Part 2: Tutors found the f role easier although this led to a less autonomous working climate. The students rated f tutoring as positive in all cases. Conclusions: With respect to PBL-group performance, students felt that groups guided in a non-facilitative fashion exhibited a higher level of independence and autonomy, especially with increasing PBL experience. In addition, students reported that more preparation was necessary for sessions guided by a non-facilitative tutor. Tutors were able to modify their role and influence group processes in a controlled manner. Results are useful for future âTrain-the-Teacherâ sessions
Randomized crossover comparison of proportional assist ventilation and patient-triggered ventilation in extremely low birth weight infants with evolving chronic lung disease
Background: Refinement of ventilatory techniques remains a challenge given the persistence of chronic lung disease of preterm infants. Objective: To test the hypothesis that proportional assist ventilation ( PAV) will allow to lower the ventilator pressure at equivalent fractions of inspiratory oxygen (FiO(2)) and arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation in ventilator-dependent extremely low birth weight infants in comparison with standard patient-triggered ventilation ( PTV). Methods: Design: Randomized crossover design. Setting: Two level-3 university perinatal centers. Patients: 22 infants ( mean (SD): birth weight, 705 g ( 215); gestational age, 25.6 weeks ( 2.0); age at study, 22.9 days ( 15.6)). Interventions: One 4- hour period of PAV was applied on each of 2 consecutive days and compared with epochs of standard PTV. Results: Mean airway pressure was 5.64 ( SD, 0.81) cm H2O during PAV and 6.59 ( SD, 1.26) cm H2O during PTV ( p < 0.0001), the mean peak inspiratory pressure was 10.3 ( SD, 2.48) cm H2O and 15.1 ( SD, 3.64) cm H2O ( p < 0.001), respectively. The FiO(2) ( 0.34 (0.13) vs. 0.34 ( 0.14)) and pulse oximetry readings were not significantly different. The incidence of arterial oxygen desaturations was not different ( 3.48 ( 3.2) vs. 3.34 ( 3.0) episodes/ h) but desaturations lasted longer during PAV ( 2.60 ( 2.8) vs. 1.85 ( 2.2) min of desaturation/ h, p = 0.049). PaCO2 measured transcutaneously in a subgroup of 12 infants was similar. One infant met prespecified PAV failure criteria. No adverse events occurred during the 164 cumulative hours of PAV application. Conclusions: PAV safely maintains gas exchange at lower mean airway pressures compared with PTV without adverse effects in this population. Backup conventional ventilation breaths must be provided to prevent apnea-related desaturations. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Base
Kosten, Nutzen, Erlöse bei der Renaturierung von GewĂ€ssern: Ermittlung und ökonomische Analyse der Kosten, Nutzen und Erlöse bei der Renaturierung von GewĂ€ssern im lĂ€ndlichen Raum: Projekt ElmaR II â Kosten, Nutzen, Erlöse: Abschlussbericht
Die Umsetzung von MaĂnahmen zur Renaturierung von GewĂ€ssern geht mit zahlreichen planerischen und finanziellen Herausforderungen einher. Will man dies erfolgreich vor Ort mit den FlĂ€cheneigentĂŒmern/-nutzern, Kommunen, etc. gestalten, sind u.a. Kosten-Nutzen-Betrachtungen notwendig. Am Beispiel der Anlage von gewĂ€sserschonenden Bewirtschaftungsformen (z. B. Agrarholzsysteme) wird dargestellt. dass die Verbesserung ökologischer ZustĂ€nde an GewĂ€ssern auch Wirkungen auf regionale Wertschöpfungsketten entfalten können. AusfĂŒhrungen zum (Umwelt-)Nutzen von GewĂ€sserrenaturierungen und zum Einsatz möglicher Förder- und Finanzierungsinstrumentarien runden die Studie ab. Die Veröffentlichung richtet sich an FlĂ€cheneigentĂŒmer, FlĂ€chenbewirtschafter, Kommunen, politische EntscheidungstrĂ€ger und fachlich interessierte BĂŒrger.
Redaktionsschluss: 30.06.202
Systems analysis of cancer cell heterogeneity in caspase-dependent apoptosis subsequent to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization.
Deregulation of apoptosis is a hallmark of carcinogenesis. We here combine live cell imaging and systems modeling to investigate caspase-dependent apoptosis execution subsequent to mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) in several cancer cell lines. We demonstrate that, although most cell lines that underwent MOMP also showed robust and fast activation of executioner caspases and apoptosis, the colorectal cancer cell lines LoVo and HCT-116 Smac(-/-), similar to X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP)-overexpressing HeLa (HeLa XIAP(Adv)) cells, only showed delayed and often no caspase activation, suggesting apoptosis impairment subsequent to MOMP. Employing APOPTO-CELL, a recently established model of apoptosis subsequent to MOMP, this impairment could be understood by studying the systemic interaction of five proteins that are present in the apoptosis pathway subsequent to MOMP. Using APOPTO-CELL as a tool to study detailed molecular mechanisms during apoptosis execution in individual cell lines, we demonstrate that caspase-9 was the most important regulator in DLD-1, HCT-116, and HeLa cells and identified additional cell line-specific co-regulators. Developing and applying a computational workflow for parameter screening, systems modeling identified that apoptosis execution kinetics are more robust against changes in reaction kinetics in HCT-116 and HeLa than in DLD-1 cells. Our systems modeling study is the first to draw attention to the variability in cell specific protein levels and reaction rates and to the emergent effects of such variability on the efficiency of apoptosis execution and on apoptosis impairment subsequent to MOMP
Quantum dots in micropillar cavities for scalable photonic applications
Scalable quantum photonic applications require wavelength reproducibility and high quality of the emitted photons. To address these issues, we investigate strain-tuning of self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots embedded into micropillar cavities
Endothelial basement membrane limits tip cell formation by inducing Dll4/Notch signalling in vivo
How individual components of the vascular basement membrane influence endothelial cell behaviour remains unclear. Here we show that laminin α4 (Lama4) regulates tip cell numbers and vascular density by inducing endothelial Dll4/Notch signalling in vivo. Lama4 deficiency leads to reduced Dll4 expression, excessive filopodia and tip cell formation in the mouse retina, phenocopying the effects of Dll4/Notch inhibition. Lama4-mediated Dll4 expression requires a combination of integrins in vitro and integrin ÎČ1 in vivo. We conclude that appropriate laminin/integrin-induced signalling is necessary to induce physiologically functional levels of Dll4 expression and regulate branching frequency during sprouting angiogenesis in vivo
A multicentric observational trial of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for metastatic breast cancer
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