Influence of the lattice topography on a three-dimensional, controllable Brownian motor

We study the influence of the lattice topography and the coupling between motion in different directions, for a three-dimensional Brownian motor based on cold atoms in a double optical lattice. Due to controllable relative spatial phases between the lattices, our Brownian motor can induce drifts in arbitrary directions. Since the lattices couple the different directions, the relation between the phase shifts and the directionality of the induced drift is non trivial. Here is therefore this relation investigated experimentally by systematically varying the relative spatial phase in two dimensions, while monitoring the vertically induced drift and the temperature. A relative spatial phase range of 2pi x 2pi is covered. We show that a drift, controllable both in speed and direction, can be achieved, by varying the phase both parallel and perpendicular to the direction of the measured induced drift. The experimental results are qualitatively reproduced by numerical simulations of a simplified, classical model of the system

Particle Dark Matter Physics: An Update

This write--up gives a rather elementary introduction into particle physics aspects of the cosmological Dark Matter puzzle. A fairly comprehensive list of possible candidates is given; in each case the production mechanism and possible ways to detect them (if any) are described. I then describe detection of the in my view most promising candidates, weakly interacting massive particles or WIMPs, in slightly more detail. The main emphasis will be on recent developments.Comment: Invited talk at the 5th Workshop on Particle Physics Phenomenology, Pune, India, January 1998; 21 pages, LaTeX with equation.st

Blood lactate levels in 31 female dogs with pyometra

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Canine pyometra is a life-threatening disease common in countries where spaying of dogs is not routinely performed. The disease is associated with endotoxemia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and a 3–4% mortality rate. Blood lactate analysis is clinically valuable in predicting prognosis and survival, evaluating tissue perfusion and treatment response in human and veterinary critical care settings. The aims of the present study were to investigate 1) the blood lactate levels of female dogs with pyometra by a hand-held analyser and 2) if these levels are related with the clinical status or other biochemical or hematological disorders.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In total 31 female dogs with pyometra admitted for surgical ovariohysterectomy and 16 healthy female control dogs were included in the present study. A complete physical examination including SIRS-status determination was performed. Blood samples for lactate concentrations, hematological and biochemical parameters, acid-base and blood gas analysis and other laboratory parameters were collected and subsequently analysed. The diagnosis pyometra was verified with histopathological examination of the uterus and ovaries. Increased hospitalisation length and presence of SIRS were used as indicators of outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the pyometra group the median blood lactate level was 1,6 mmol l^-1(range <0.8–2.7 mmol l^-1). In the control group the median lactate level was 1,2 mmol l^-1(range <0.8–2.1 mmol l^-1). Of the 31 bitches 19 (61%) fulfilled 2 or more criteria for SIRS at inclusion, 10 bitches (32%) fulfilled 3 of the SIRS criteria whereas none accomplished more than 3 criteria. Lactate levels did not differ significantly between the pyometra and control group, or between the SIRS positive and SIRS negative dogs with pyometra. Increased lactate concentration (>2.5 mmol l^-1) was demonstrated in one female dog with pyometra (3%), and was not associated with longer hospitalisation or presence of SIRS. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. None of the bitches died during or within two months of the hospital stay. The measurements of temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, percentage bandforms of neutrophilic granulocytes, α₂-globulins, creatinin, pvCO₂, TCO₂and base excess showed significant differences between the SIRS positive and the SIRS negative pyometra cases.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Increased blood lactate concentrations were demonstrated in 3% (1/31), and SIRS was present in 61% (19/31) of the female dogs with pyometra. Preoperative lactate levels were not related with presence of SIRS or prolonged hospitalisation. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. The value of a single and repeated lactate analysis in more severely affected cases remains to be determined.</p

Cardiac troponin I levels in canine pyometra

BACKGROUND: Myocardial injury may contribute to unexpected deaths due to pyometra. To detect myocardial damage, measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is currently the most sensitive and specific method. The aims of the present study were to evaluate presence of myocardial damage in canine pyometra by analysis of cTnI, to explore whether myocardial injury was associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and to evaluate whether other clinical or laboratory parameters were associated with cTnI increase. METHODS: Preoperative plasma levels of cTnI were investigated in 58 female dogs with pyometra and 9 controls. The value of physical examination findings, haematological, serum biochemical and pro-inflammatory (CRP and TNF-α) parameters as possible predictors of increased cTnI levels was also evaluated. RESULTS: Seven dogs with pyometra (12%) and one control dog (11%) had increased levels of cTnI. In the pyometra group, the levels ranged between 0.3–0.9 μg l(-1 )and in the control dog the level was 0.3 μg l(-1). The cTnI levels did not differ significantly between the two groups. No cardiac abnormalities were evident on preoperative physical examinations. Four of the pyometra patients died within two weeks of surgery, of which two were examined post mortem. In one of these cases (later diagnosed with myocarditis and disseminated bacterial infection) the cTnI levels increased from 0.9 μg l(-1 )preoperatively to 180 μg l(-1 )the following day when also heart arrhythmia was also detected. The other patient had cTnI levels of 0.7 μg l(-1 )with no detectable heart pathology post mortem. CTnI increase was not associated with presence of SIRS. There was a trend for the association of cTnI increase with increased mortality. No preoperative physical examination findings and few but unspecific laboratory parameters were associated with increased cTnI levels. CONCLUSION: Increased cTnI levels were observed in 12% of the dogs with pyometra. The proportions of dogs with cTnI increase did not differ significantly in the pyometra group compared with the control group. CTnI increase was not associated with presence of SIRS. A trend for association of cTnI increase and mortality was observed. Preoperative physical examination findings and included laboratory parameters were poor predictors of increased cTnI levels

Continuation of fluoropyrimidine treatment with S-1 after cardiotoxicity on capecitabine- or 5-fluorouracil-based therapy in patients with solid tumours : a multicentre retrospective observational cohort study

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)Background: Capecitabine- or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy is widely used in many solid tumours, but is associated with cardiotoxicity. S-1 is a fluoropyrimidine with low rates of cardiotoxicity, but evidence regarding the safety of switching to S-1 after 5-FU- or capecitabine-associated cardiotoxicity is scarce. Patients and methods: This retrospective study (NCT04260269) was conducted at 13 centres in 6 countries. The primary endpoint was recurrence of cardiotoxicity after switch to S-1-based treatment due to 5-FU- or capecitabine-related cardiotoxicity: clinically meaningful if the upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval (CI; by competing risk) is not including 15%. Secondary endpoints included cardiac risk factors, diagnostic work-up, treatments, outcomes, and timelines of cardiotoxicity. Results: Per protocol, 200 patients, treated between 2011 and 2020 [median age 66 years (range 19-86); 118 (59%) males], were included. Treatment intent was curative in 145 (73%). Initial cardiotoxicity was due to capecitabine (n = 170), continuous infusion 5-FU (n = 22), or bolus 5-FU (n = 8), which was administered in combination with other chemotherapy, targeted agents, or radiotherapy in 133 patients. Previous cardiovascular comorbidities were present in 99 (50%) patients. Cardiotoxic events (n = 228/200) included chest pain (n = 125), coronary syndrome/infarction (n = 69), arrhythmia (n = 22), heart failure/cardiomyopathy (n = 7), cardiac arrest (n = 4), and malignant hypertension (n = 1). Cardiotoxicity was severe or life-threatening in 112 (56%) patients and led to permanent capecitabine/5-FU discontinuation in 192 (96%). After switch to S-1, recurrent cardiotoxicity was observed in eight (4%) patients (95% CI 2.02-7.89, primary endpoint met). Events were limited to grade 1-2 and occurred at a median of 16 days (interquartile range 7-67) from therapy switch. Baseline ischemic heart disease was a risk factor for recurrent cardiotoxicity (odds ratio 6.18, 95% CI 1.36-28.11). Conclusion: Switching to S-1-based therapy is safe and feasible after development of cardiotoxicity on 5-FU- or capecitabine-based therapy and allows patients to continue their pivotal fluoropyrimidine-based treatment.Peer reviewe

A robotic wheelchair trainer: design overview and a feasibility study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Experiencing independent mobility is important for children with a severe movement disability, but learning to drive a powered wheelchair can be labor intensive, requiring hand-over-hand assistance from a skilled therapist.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To improve accessibility to training, we developed a robotic wheelchair trainer that steers itself along a course marked by a line on the floor using computer vision, haptically guiding the driver's hand in appropriate steering motions using a force feedback joystick, as the driver tries to catch a mobile robot in a game of "robot tag". This paper provides a detailed design description of the computer vision and control system. In addition, we present data from a pilot study in which we used the chair to teach children without motor impairment aged 4-9 (n = 22) to drive the wheelchair in a single training session, in order to verify that the wheelchair could enable learning by the non-impaired motor system, and to establish normative values of learning rates.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Training with haptic guidance from the robotic wheelchair trainer improved the steering ability of children without motor impairment significantly more than training without guidance. We also report the results of a case study with one 8-year-old child with a severe motor impairment due to cerebral palsy, who replicated the single-session training protocol that the non-disabled children participated in. This child also improved steering ability after training with guidance from the joystick by an amount even greater than the children without motor impairment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The system not only provided a safe, fun context for automating driver's training, but also enhanced motor learning by the non-impaired motor system, presumably by demonstrating through intuitive movement and force of the joystick itself exemplary control to follow the course. The case study indicates that a child with a motor system impaired by CP can also gain a short-term benefit from driver's training with haptic guidance.</p

Ebf factors and MyoD cooperate to regulate muscle relaxation via Atp2a1

Jin, Saihong et al.Myogenic regulatory factors such as MyoD and Myf5 lie at the core of vertebrate muscle differentiation. However, E-boxes, the cognate binding sites for these transcription factors, are not restricted to the promoters/enhancers of muscle cell-specific genes. Thus, the specificity in myogenic transcription is poorly defined. Here we describe the transcription factor Ebf3 as a new determinant of muscle cell-specific transcription. In the absence of Ebf3 the lung does not unfold at birth, resulting in respiratory failure and perinatal death. This is due to a hypercontractile diaphragm with impaired Ca2+ efflux-related muscle functions. Expression of the Ca2+ pump Serca1 (Atp2a1) is downregulated in the absence of Ebf3, and its transgenic expression rescues this phenotype. Ebf3 binds directly to the promoter of Atp2a1 and synergises with MyoD in the induction of Atp2a1. In skeletal muscle, the homologous family member Ebf1 is strongly expressed and together with MyoD induces Atp2a1. Thus, Ebf3 is a new regulator of terminal muscle differentiation in the diaphragm, and Ebf factors cooperate with MyoD in the induction of muscle-specific genes. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited.This work was supported by grants from the German Research Foundation (DFG, TRR54; FOR1586; FOR2033) and by a stipend of the Max Planck SocietyPeer Reviewe