175 research outputs found
Evaluating Depressive Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Psychometric Comparison of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Background: The aim of this study was to compare two measures of depression in patients with schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, including patients with delusional and schizoaffective disorder, to conclude implications for their application. Sampling and Methods: A total of 278 patients were assessed using the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17). The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was also applied. At admission and discharge, a principal component analysis was performed with each depression scale. The two depression rating scales were furthermore compared using correlation and regression analyses. Results: Three factors were revealed for the CDSS and HAMD-17 factor component analysis. A very similar item loading was found for the CDSS at admission and discharge, whereas results of the loadings of the HAMD-17 items were less stable. The first two factors of the CDSS revealed correlations with positive, negative and general psychopathology. In contrast, multiple significant correlations were found for the HAMD-17 factors and the PANSS sub-scores. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that the HAMD-17 accounted more for the positive and negative symptom domains than the CDSS. Conclusions:The present results suggest that compared to the HAMD-17, the CDSS is a more specific instrument to measure depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, especially in acutely ill patients. Copyright (c) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base
Interpreting a 750 GeV diphoton resonance
We discuss the implications of the significant excesses in the diphoton final
state observed by the LHC experiments ATLAS and CMS around a diphoton invariant
mass of 750 GeV. The interpretation of the excess as a spin-zero s-channel resonance implies
model-independent lower bounds on both its branching ratio and its coupling to photons,
which stringently constrain dynamical models. We consider both the case where the
excess is described by a narrow and a broad resonance. We also obtain model-independent
constraints on the allowed couplings and branching fractions to final states other than
diphotons, by including the interplay with 8 TeV searches. These results can guide attempts
to construct viable dynamical models of the resonance. Turning to specific models,
our findings suggest that the anomaly cannot be accounted for by the presence of only an
additional singlet or doublet spin-zero field and the Standard Model degrees of freedom; this
includes all two-Higgs-doublet models. Likewise, heavy scalars in the MSSM cannot explain
the excess if stability of the electroweak vacuum is required, at least in a leading-order analysis.
If we assume that the resonance is broad we find that it is challenging to find a weakly
coupled explanation. However, we provide an existence proof in the form of a model with
vectorlike quarks with large electric charge that is perturbative up to the 100 TeV scale.
For the narrow-resonance case a similar model can be perturbative up to high scales also
with smaller charges. We also find that, in their simplest form, dilaton models cannot
explain the size of the excess. Some implications for flavor physics are briefly discussed
Learning Control of Quantum Systems
This paper provides a brief introduction to learning control of quantum
systems. In particular, the following aspects are outlined, including
gradient-based learning for optimal control of quantum systems, evolutionary
computation for learning control of quantum systems, learning-based quantum
robust control, and reinforcement learning for quantum control.Comment: 9 page
Enhancement of Tumour-Specific Immune Responses In Vivo by ‘MHC Loading-Enhancer’ (MLE)
BACKGROUND:Class II MHC molecules (MHC II) are cell surface receptors displaying short protein fragments for the surveillance by CD4+ T cells. Antigens therefore have to be loaded onto this receptor in order to induce productive immune responses. On the cell surface, most MHC II molecules are either occupied by ligands or their binding cleft has been blocked by the acquisition of a non-receptive state. Direct loading with antigens, as required during peptide vaccinations, is therefore hindered. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:Here we show, that the in vivo response of CD4+ T cells can be improved, when the antigens are administered together with 'MHC-loading enhancer' (MLE). MLE are small catalytic compounds able to open up the MHC binding site by triggering ligand-release and stabilizing the receptive state. Their enhancing effect on the immune response was demonstrated here with an antigen from the influenza virus and tumour associated antigens (TAA) derived from the NY-ESO-1 protein. The application of these antigens in combination with adamantane ethanol (AdEtOH), an MLE compound active on human HLA-DR molecules, significantly increased the frequency of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in mice transgenic for the human MHC II molecule. Notably, the effect was evident only with the MLE-susceptible HLA-DR molecule and not with murine MHC II molecules non-susceptible for the catalytic effect of the MLE. CONCLUSION:MLE can specifically increase the potency of a vaccine by facilitating the efficient transfer of the antigen onto the MHC molecule. They may therefore open a new way to improve vaccination efficacy and tumour-immunotherapy
Deprescribing interventions and their impact on medication adherence in community-dwelling older adults with polypharmacy: a systematic review
Background: Polypharmacy, and the associated adverse drug events such as non-adherence to prescriptions, is a
common problem for elderly people living with multiple comorbidities. Deprescribing, i.e. the gradual withdrawal
from medications with supervision by a healthcare professional, is regarded as a means of reducing adverse effects
of multiple medications including non-adherence. This systematic review examines the evidence of deprescribing
as an effective strategy for improving medication adherence amongst older, community dwelling adults.
Methods: A mixed methods review was undertaken. Eight bibliographic database and two clinical trials registers
were searched between May and December 2017. Results were double screened in accordance with pre-defined
inclusion/exclusion criteria related to polypharmacy, deprescribing and adherence in older, community dwelling
populations. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used for quality appraisal and an a priori data collection
instrument was used. For the quantitative studies, a narrative synthesis approach was taken. The qualitative data was
analysed using framework analysis. Findings were integrated using a mixed methods technique. The review was
performed in accordance with the PRISMA reporting statement.
Results: A total of 22 original studies were included, of which 12 were RCTs. Deprescribing with adherence as an
outcome measure was identified in randomised controlled trials (RCTs), observational and cohort studies from 13
countries between 1996 and 2017. There were 17 pharmacy-led interventions; others were led by General Practitioners
(GP) and nurses. Four studies demonstrated an overall reduction in medications of which all studies corresponded with
improved adherence. A total of thirteen studies reported improved adherence of which 5 were RCTs. Adherence was
reported as a secondary outcome in all but one study.
Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to show that deprescribing improves medication adherence. Only 13
studies (of 22) reported adherence of which only 5 were randomised controlled trials. Older people are particularly
susceptible to non-adherence due to multi-morbidity associated with polypharmacy. Bio-psycho-social factors
including health literacy and multi-disciplinary team interventions influence adherence. The authors recommend
further study into the efficacy and outcomes of medicines management interventions. A consensus on priority
outcome measurements for prescribed medications is indicated
Y-Chromosome Variation in Hominids: Intraspecific Variation Is Limited to the Polygamous Chimpanzee
The original publication is available at www.plosone.orgBackground: We have previously demonstrated that the Y-specific ampliconic fertility genes DAZ (deleted in azoospermia)
and CDY (chromodomain protein Y) varied with respect to copy number and position among chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
In comparison, seven Y-chromosomal lineages of the bonobo (Pan paniscus), the chimpanzee’s closest living relative,
showed no variation. We extend our earlier comparative investigation to include an analysis of the intraspecific variation of
these genes in gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), and examine the resulting patterns in the light of
the species’ markedly different social and mating behaviors.
Methodology/Principal Findings: Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) of DAZ and CDY in 12 Y-chromosomal
lineages of western lowland gorilla (G. gorilla gorilla) and a single lineage of the eastern lowland gorilla (G. beringei graueri)
showed no variation among lineages. Similar findings were noted for the 10 Y-chromosomal lineages examined in the
Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), and 11 Y-chromosomal lineages of the Sumatran orangutan (P. abelii). We validated
the contrasting DAZ and CDY patterns using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in chimpanzee and
bonobo.
Conclusion/Significance: High intraspecific variation in copy number and position of the DAZ and CDY genes is seen only in
the chimpanzee. We hypothesize that this is best explained by sperm competition that results in the variant DAZ and CDY
haplotypes detected in this species. In contrast, bonobos, gorillas and orangutans—species that are not subject to sperm
competition—showed no intraspecific variation in DAZ and CDY suggesting that monoandry in gorillas, and preferential
female mate choice in bonobos and orangutans, probably permitted the fixation of a single Y variant in each taxon. These
data support the notion that the evolutionary history of a primate Y chromosome is not simply encrypted in its DNA
sequences, but is also shaped by the social and behavioral circumstances under which the specific species has evolved.Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SCHE 214/8)Publisher's versio
Production of dust by massive stars at high redshift
The large amounts of dust detected in sub-millimeter galaxies and quasars at
high redshift pose a challenge to galaxy formation models and theories of
cosmic dust formation. At z > 6 only stars of relatively high mass (> 3 Msun)
are sufficiently short-lived to be potential stellar sources of dust. This
review is devoted to identifying and quantifying the most important stellar
channels of rapid dust formation. We ascertain the dust production efficiency
of stars in the mass range 3-40 Msun using both observed and theoretical dust
yields of evolved massive stars and supernovae (SNe) and provide analytical
expressions for the dust production efficiencies in various scenarios. We also
address the strong sensitivity of the total dust productivity to the initial
mass function. From simple considerations, we find that, in the early Universe,
high-mass (> 3 Msun) asymptotic giant branch stars can only be dominant dust
producers if SNe generate <~ 3 x 10^-3 Msun of dust whereas SNe prevail if they
are more efficient. We address the challenges in inferring dust masses and
star-formation rates from observations of high-redshift galaxies. We conclude
that significant SN dust production at high redshift is likely required to
reproduce current dust mass estimates, possibly coupled with rapid dust grain
growth in the interstellar medium.Comment: 72 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables; to be published in The Astronomy and
Astrophysics Revie
Signatures of mutational processes in human cancer.
All cancers are caused by somatic mutations; however, understanding of the biological processes generating these mutations is limited. The catalogue of somatic mutations from a cancer genome bears the signatures of the mutational processes that have been operative. Here we analysed 4,938,362 mutations from 7,042 cancers and extracted more than 20 distinct mutational signatures. Some are present in many cancer types, notably a signature attributed to the APOBEC family of cytidine deaminases, whereas others are confined to a single cancer class. Certain signatures are associated with age of the patient at cancer diagnosis, known mutagenic exposures or defects in DNA maintenance, but many are of cryptic origin. In addition to these genome-wide mutational signatures, hypermutation localized to small genomic regions, 'kataegis', is found in many cancer types. The results reveal the diversity of mutational processes underlying the development of cancer, with potential implications for understanding of cancer aetiology, prevention and therapy
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