555 research outputs found
Diagnostic performance of transthyretin measurement in fat tissue of patients with ATTR amyloidosis
In this article, the diagnostic performance of a transthyretin (TTR) ELISA for detection and characterization of transthyretin-derived (ATTR) amyloid in abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue was studied. Fat tissue specimens were analyzed of 38 patients with ATTR amyloidosis, 70 controls, and 17 carriers of a TTR mutation. Amyloid amount was graded semi-quantitatively in Congo red-stained specimens (0-4+). Amyloid was extracted from tissue in guanidine, and the TTR concentration was measured using a sandwich TTR-ELISA. The TTR concentration of patients with ATTR amyloidosis (mean 0.84 ng/mg fat tissue) was significantly higher than controls (p<0.001). With a TTR concentration of 0.13 ng/mg fat tissue as cut-off value, 32 of the 38 ATTR patients were identified resulting in a sensitivity of 84%. Sixty-seven of the 70 controls had values below the cut-off value resulting in a specificity of 96%. Thus, measuring TTR in fat tissue is useful for detecting ATTR amyloidosis and for characterizing amyloid as ATTR type
The Effect of Plasma Exchange on Serum Levels of TTR Met-30 in a Patient with FAP Type I:Influence of the Acute-Phase Response
The Effect of Plasma Exchange on Serum Levels of TTR Met-30 in a Patient with FAP Type I:Influence of the Acute-Phase Response
Interactions of Ar(9+) and metastable Ar(8+) with a Si(100) surface at velocities near the image acceleration limit
Auger LMM spectra and preliminary model simulations of Ar(9+) and metastable
Ar(8+) ions interacting with a clean monocrystalline n-doped Si(100) surface
are presented. By varying the experimental parameters, several yet undiscovered
spectroscopic features have been observed providing valuable hints for the
development of an adequate interaction model. On our apparatus the ion beam
energy can be lowered to almost mere image charge attraction. High data
acquisition rates could still be maintained yielding an unprecedented
statistical quality of the Auger spectra.Comment: 34 pages, 11 figures, http://pikp28.uni-muenster.de/~ducree
Extended Classical Over-Barrier Model for Collisions of Highly Charged Ions with Conducting and Insulating Surfaces
We have extended the classical over-barrier model to simulate the
neutralization dynamics of highly charged ions interacting under grazing
incidence with conducting and insulating surfaces. Our calculations are based
on simple model rates for resonant and Auger transitions. We include effects
caused by the dielectric response of the target and, for insulators, localized
surface charges. Characteristic deviations regarding the charge transfer
processes from conducting and insulating targets to the ion are discussed. We
find good agreement with previously published experimental data for the image
energy gain of a variety of highly charged ions impinging on Au, Al, LiF and KI
crystals.Comment: 32 pages http://pikp28.uni-muenster.de/~ducree
Estimating the cost-effectiveness of detecting cases of chronic hepatitis C infection on reception into prison
Background
In England and Wales where less than 1% of the population are Injecting drug users (IDUs), 97% of HCV reports are attributed to injecting drug use. As over 60% of the IDU population will have been imprisoned by the age of 30 years, prison may provide a good location in which to offer HCV screening and treatment. The aim of this work is to examine the cost effectiveness of a number of alternative HCV case-finding strategies on prison reception
Methods
A decision analysis model embedded in a model of the flow of IDUs through prison was used to estimate the cost effectiveness of a number of alternative case-finding strategies. The model estimates the average cost of identifying a new case of HCV from the perspective of the health care provider and how these estimates may evolve over time.
Results
The results suggest that administering verbal screening for a past positive HCV test and for ever having engaged in illicit drug use prior to the administering of ELISA and PCR tests can have a significant impact on the cost effectiveness of HCV case-finding strategies on prison reception; the discounted cost in 2017 being £2,102 per new HCV case detected compared to £3,107 when no verbal screening is employed.
Conclusion
The work here demonstrates the importance of targeting those individuals that have ever engaged in illicit drug use for HCV testing in prisons, these individuals can then be targeted for future intervention measures such as treatment or monitored to prevent future transmission
The formation of autoantibodies and antibodies to TNF-alpha blocking agents in relation to clinical response in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
The formation of autoantibodies and antibodies to TNF-alpha blocking agents in relation to clinical response in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
The formation of autoantibodies and antibodies to TNF-alpha blocking agents in relation to clinical response in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Living on the Margin in the Anthropocene: Engagement Arenas for Sustainability Research and Action at the Ocean-Land Interface
The advent of the Anthropocene underscores the need to develop and implement transformative governance strategies that safeguard the Earth\u27s life-support systems, most critically at the ocean-land interface - the Margin. The seaward realm of the Margin is the new frontier for resource exploitation and colonization to meet the needs of coastal nations and humanity overall. Here, we spotlight the pivotal role of the Margin for planetary resilience and sustainability, highlight priority issues, and outline a research strategy which aims to: (a) better understand Margin social-ecological systems; (b) guide sustainable development of Margin resources; (c) design governance regimes to reverse unsustainable practices; (d) facilitate equitable sharing of Margin resources; and (e) evaluate alternative research approaches and partnerships that address major Margin challenges. © 2015 The Authors
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