Correlation of cytomorphology and histopathology in the diagnostic process of myeloid malignancies

Bone marrow cytomorphology and histopathology are the cornerstones for the initial diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other related myeloid disorders. They provide a rapid first insight into diagnostic categories and thus help in clinical decision making. However, difficulties in the morphologic assessment of MDS exist due to inter- and intra-observer variability. In this study, we directly compared the results of cytomorphology and histopathology obtained in a real-world diagnostic scenario in 90 patients with myeloid malignancies aiming to evaluate their validity for diagnosing and classifying various myeloid malignancies. While both techniques placed 80% of our bone marrow samples into the same diagnostic category and thus showed a good correlation, our study also demonstrates the limitations in correlating marrow cytomorphology and histopathology, even following stringent and repetitive diagnostic assessments. This was particularly true for CMML, where not only additional diagnostic tools such as molecular genetics or clinical evaluation but also the analysis of the peripheral blood smears aided in finding the correct diagnosis. Overall, our data emphasize the need for a comprehensive diagnostic review in a patient-for-patient setting when a myeloid malignancy is suspected or confirmed. We propose that the combination of cytomorphologic and histopathologic assessment with clinical, laboratory, and genetic parameters is essential in achieving high diagnostic accuracy in an interdisciplinary setting

Correlation of clinical and physical-technical image quality in chest CT : a human cadaver study applied on iterative reconstruction

Background: The first aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical and physical-technical image quality applied to different strengths of iterative reconstruction in chest CT images using Thiel cadaver acquisitions and Catphan images. The second aim was to determine the potential dose reduction of iterative reconstruction compared to conventional filtered back projection based on different clinical and physical-technical image quality parameters. Methods: Clinical image quality was assessed using three Thiel embalmed human cadavers. A Catphan phantom was used to assess physical-technical image quality parameters such as noise, contrast-detail and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Both Catphan and chest Thiel CT images were acquired on a multislice CT scanner at 120 kVp and 0.9 pitch. Six different refmAs settings were applied (12, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150refmAs) and each scan was reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) algorithms (1,3 and 5 strengths) using a sharp kernel, resulting in 24 image series. Four radiologists assessed the clinical image quality, using a visual grading analysis (VGA) technique based on the European Quality Criteria for Chest CT. Results: Correlation coefficients between clinical and physical-technical image quality varied from 0.88 to 0.92, depending on the selected physical-technical parameter. Depending on the strength of SAFIRE, the potential dose reduction based on noise, CNR and the inverse image quality figure (IQF(inv)) varied from 14.0 to 67.8 %, 16.0 to 71.5 % and 22.7 to 50.6 % respectively. Potential dose reduction based on clinical image quality varied from 27 to 37.4 %, depending on the strength of SAFIRE. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that noise assessments in a uniform phantom overestimate the potential dose reduction for the SAFIRE IR algorithm. Since the IQF(inv) based dose reduction is quite consistent with the clinical based dose reduction, an optimised contrast-detail phantom could improve the use of contrast-detail analysis for image quality assessment in chest CT imaging. In conclusion, one should be cautious to evaluate the performance of CT equipment taking into account only physical-technical parameters as noise and CNR, as this might give an incomplete representation of the actual clinical image quality performance

Using the IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa to inform decision-making

The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is an important tool for biological invasion policy and management and has been adopted as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standard to measure the severity of environmental impacts caused by organisms living outside their native ranges. EICAT has already been incorporated into some national and local decision-making procedures, making it a particularly relevant resource for addressing the impact of non-native species. Recently, some of the underlying conceptual principles of EICAT, particularly those related to the use of the precautionary approach, have been challenged. Although still relatively new, guidelines for the application and interpretation of EICAT will be periodically revisited by the IUCN community, based on scientific evidence, to improve the process. Some of the criticisms recently raised are based on subjectively selected assumptions that cannot be generalized and may harm global efforts to manage biological invasions. EICAT adopts a precautionary principle by considering a species’ impact history elsewhere because some taxa have traits that can make them inherently more harmful. Furthermore, non-native species are often important drivers of biodiversity loss even in the presence of other pressures. Ignoring the precautionary principle when tackling the impacts of non-native species has led to devastating consequences for human well-being, biodiversity, and ecosystems, as well as poor management outcomes, and thus to significant economic costs. EICAT is a relevant tool because it supports prioritization and management of non-native species and meeting and monitoring progress toward the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 6

Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (third edition)

The third edition of Flow Cytometry Guidelines provides the key aspects to consider when performing flow cytometry experiments and includes comprehensive sections describing phenotypes and functional assays of all major human and murine immune cell subsets. Notably, the Guidelines contain helpful tables highlighting phenotypes and key differences between human and murine cells. Another useful feature of this edition is the flow cytometry analysis of clinical samples with examples of flow cytometry applications in the context of autoimmune diseases, cancers as well as acute and chronic infectious diseases. Furthermore, there are sections detailing tips, tricks and pitfalls to avoid. All sections are written and peer‐reviewed by leading flow cytometry experts and immunologists, making this edition an essential and state‐of‐the‐art handbook for basic and clinical researchers.DFG, 389687267, Kompartimentalisierung, Aufrechterhaltung und Reaktivierung humaner Gedächtnis-T-Lymphozyten aus Knochenmark und peripherem BlutDFG, 80750187, SFB 841: Leberentzündungen: Infektion, Immunregulation und KonsequenzenEC/H2020/800924/EU/International Cancer Research Fellowships - 2/iCARE-2DFG, 252623821, Die Rolle von follikulären T-Helferzellen in T-Helferzell-Differenzierung, Funktion und PlastizitätDFG, 390873048, EXC 2151: ImmunoSensation2 - the immune sensory syste

EMPOWERMENT : how architecture influences our emotions

Weltweit stehen Menschen unter dem Druck, den gesellschaftlichen Normen und Erwartungen zu entsprechen. Scheinbar makellose Ideale führen zu unrealistischen Ansprüchen an sich selbst.In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden zwei Aspekte hervorgehoben. Zum Ersten sollte man sich mit den eigenen Emotionen beschäftigen (körperintern) und zum Zweiten ist die Umgebung (körperextern) zu betrachten. Es ist meiner Meinung nach wichtig zu wissen, was man selbst für sich selbst tun kann. Die Orientierung nach Empowerment rückt in den Vordergrund.Es stellt sich mir die Frage, inwiefern sich dieser Begriff in die Architektur einfließen lässt. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, ein Tool als fundamentalen Prototyp zu entwickeln, welcher die Emotionen des Users in eine Beziehung mit der Architektur bringen soll. Insbesondere lag der Fokus des Projekts darauf, ein Erlebnis zu ermöglichen, das eine Interaktion in geschützter Umgebung unterstützt, frei von gesellschaftlichen Vorgaben. Dafür gilt die virtuelle Realität als besonders hilfreiches Instrument.Es wurde ein virtuelles Raumerlebnis geschaffen, welches durch eine Kombination aus unbewusst entstandenen Reaktionen und simultan bewussten Entscheidungen beeinflusst wurde. Diese Reaktionen konnten direkt mittels Biofeedback gemessen werden. Durch eigens programmierte Skripte, in Arduino und Unity, konnten die Echtzeitdaten mit dem Medium Virtual Reality verbunden werden. Die interaktiven, willentlich veranlassten Entscheidungen wurden mit einem Controller durchgeführt. Somit ist es möglich einen individuellen Dialog zwischen Mensch, Maschine und der Architektur herzustellen.It is a worldwide observation that people are under pressure to meet certain social norms and expectations. It would appear that flawless ideals lead to unrealistic and often unattainable expectations of oneself.The present work highlighted two aspects; Primarily, an individual should be aware of their own personal emotions, and secondly, the external environment surrounding that individual should be appropriately adapted. An individuals knowledge of how they can help themselves is, in my opinion, a route to empowerment. The goal of the present work is to explore the further potential of architecture by combining an individuals emotions with their present environment.The question is to what extent this term can be incorporated into the architecture. This work aimed to develop a tool as a fundamental prototype that would bring the user's emotions into a relationship with architecture. In particular, the focus of the project was on enabling an experience that supports interaction in a protected environment, free from social constraints. Virtual reality is regarded as a particularly helpful instrument for this.A virtual space experience is created, which is influenced by unconscious reactions and simultaneously by conscious decisions.Reactions, that can be measured by Biofeedback, to different emotions should not be neglected as they account for 80% of daily decisions.Through programmed scripts, in Arduino and Unity, real-time data can be translated into a virtual reality medium and the deliberate, interactive decisions are made using hand controllers. It is then possible to create a dialogue between Man, Machine and Architecture.Arbeit an der Bibliothek noch nicht eingelangt - Daten nicht geprüftInnsbruck, Univ., Masterarb., 2019(VLID)450409

Begleitende Evaluierung der Kampagne innovatives-oesterreich.at

Die Kampagne innovatives-oesterreich.at ist als breitgefächertes Kommunikationsprogramm angelegt und zielt darauf, das Verständnis für den Nutzen von Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie zu erhöhen und Aktivitäten in diesem Bereich anzuregen. Sie bündelt eine Reihe von Einzelmaßnahmen und Projekten, die auf den Dialog zwischen Wissenschaft und einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit setzen. Im Fokus der Kampagne stehen dabei zwei Zielgruppen: Jugendliche und Klein- und Mittelunternehmen. Die begleitende Evaluierung zielt auf die Bereitstellung einer Informationsbasis für die mit der Steuerung der Kampagne befassten Akteure; sie soll Ergebnisse und empirisch informierte handlungsrelevante Hinweise für den Dialog zwischen den Stakeholdern liefern und – im Sinne einer transparenten Bilanz über Erfolge und Defizite – eine Grundlage für allfällige Konsequenzen zur Steuerung und künftigen Gestaltung der Kampagne bereitstellen

Challenging the Metallothionein (MT) Gene of Biomphalaria glabrata: Unexpected Response Patterns Due to Cadmium Exposure and Temperature Stress

Metallothioneins (MTs) are low-molecular-mass, cysteine-rich, metal binding proteins. In most animal species, they are involved in metal homeostasis and detoxification, and provide protection from oxidative stress. Gastropod MTs are highly diversified, exhibiting unique features and adaptations like metal specificity and multiplications of their metal binding domains. Here, we show that the MT gene of Biomphalaria glabrata, one of the largest MT genes identified so far, is composed in a unique way. The encoding for an MT protein has a three-domain structure and a C-terminal, Cys-rich extension. Using a bioinformatic approach involving structural and in silico analysis of putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBs), we found that this MT gene consists of five exons and four introns. It exhibits a regulatory promoter region containing three metal-responsive elements (MREs) and several TFBs with putative involvement in environmental stress response, and regulation of gene expression. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) data indicate that the MT gene is not inducible by cadmium (Cd) nor by temperature challenges (heat and cold), despite significant Cd uptake within the midgut gland and the high Cd tolerance of metal-exposed snails