Quantile reference values for peak oxygen uptake: Cross-sectional study of 9,354 adult participants of cardiopulmonary exercise tests using cycle ergometry in three German cities.

Background Low cardiorespiratory tness is a crucial risk factor for premature death and a plethora of health threats. It is determined by measuring the maximal volitional oxygen consumption (V_ O2peak) in incremental cardiopulmonary exercise tests. The interpretation of an individual's V_ O2peak is only meaningful if sex-speci c and age-speci c reference values are considered. The primary goal of this study was to create reference values for V_ O2peak based on cardiopulmonary exercise tests using cycle ergometry. Methods The data were acquired in the course of primary preventive health screenings. Overall, 9,354 German white-collar workers (6,063 men, 3,291 women) aged 25 to 69 years who performed cycle ergometry-based incremental exercise tests were included in the analysis. Three study centres recorded the data in a central database (Prevention First Registry) for an inquiry period between 2001 and 2015. Quantile regressions were used to create nomograms and an interactive web application was developed (www.uks.eu/vo2peak). Apparent and external validations of the regression ts were performed. The generalisability of this sample was assessed by comparing ve characteristics to a study which was representative of the German population. Exercise test modalities were not recorded in the full dataset but were acquired retrospectively for a random sample with an a priori calculated sample size of 252 participants. Results An estimated proportion of 97% of the recorded exercise tests was continued until exertion. The reference values showed a particularly high validity for the age groups from 30 to 64 years. 3/5 characteristics in men and 4/5 characteristics in women of this sample were signi cantly di erent from the German population, indicating a selection of healthy participants. Conclusions The reference values presented by this study are based on one of the most extensive databases in this eld. They can be used for participants of cycle ergometry-based exercise tests aged 25 to 69 years who are part of a population that is comparable to this study.Hintergrund Eine niedrige kardiorespiratorische Fitness ist ein entscheidender modi zierbarer Risikofaktor f ur vorzeitiges Versterben sowie eine Vielzahl von weiteren Gesundheitsgefahren. Sie wird bestimmt, indem die maximal willku rliche Sauersto aufnahme (V_ O2peak) bei einer spiroergometrischen Untersuchung gemessen wird. Die individuelle V_ O2peak ist jedoch nur aussagekr aftig, wenn sie mit geschlechtsspezi schen und altersspezi schen Referenzwerten verglichen wird. Das prim are Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Erstellung von Referenzwerten fu r die V_ O2peak, welche im Rahmen von Spiroergometrien mit Fahrradergometern erhoben wurden. Methoden Die Datenerhebung erfolgte im Rahmen von pr aventivmedizinischen Untersuchungen bei denen eine Spiroergometrie mit Fahrradergometern durchf uhrt wurde. Insgesamt wurden 9,354 Teilnehmer (6,063 M anner, 3,291 Frauen) im Alter von 25 bis 69 Jahren in die Analyse eingeschlossen. Die Teilnehmer waren vor allem B uroangestellte mit einem bewegungsarmen Arbeitsumfeld. Untersuchungen aus drei deutschen Zentren wurden in einer zentralen Datenbank (Prevention First Registry) gespeichert. Quantilregressionen wurden berechnet um Nomogramme zu erstellen und eine Webapplikation wurde entwickelt (www.uks.eu/vo2peak). Apparente und externe Validierungen der Quantilregressionen wurden durchgef uhrt. F unf Merkmale dieser Studienpopulation wurden mit einer f ur Deutschland repr asentativen Studie verglichen um die Repr asentativit at der Ergebnisse zu untersuchen. Die Testmodalit aten der Spiroergometrien wurden nicht in der zentralen Datenbank gespeichert und wurden deshalb f ur eine Zufallsstichprobe mit einer a priori berechneten Fallzahl von 252 Teilnehmern erhoben. Ergebnisse Bei einem gesch atzten Anteil von 97% der Teilnehmer wurden Ausbelastungskriterien erf ullt. Die Referenzwerte zeigten eine besonders hohe Validit at f ur die Altersgruppen von 30 bis 64 Jahre. 3/5 Merkmale bei M annern und 4/5 Merkmale bei Frauen dieser Studienpopulation zeigten signi kante Unterschiede zur deutschen Bev olkerung. Dies deutet auf eine Selektion von gesunden Teilnehmern hin. Schlussfolgerung Die Referenzwerte dieser Studie basieren auf einer der umfangreichsten bisher publizierten Datengrundlagen in diesem Feld. Sie k onnen f ur Teilnehmer von fahrradergometrischen Spiroergometrien im Alter von 25 bis 69 Jahren verwendet werden, die einer Bev olkerungsgruppe angeh oren, welche vergleichbar mit dieser Studienpopulation ist

Considering the shareholder perspective: value-based management systems and stock market performance

We empirically study the use of value-based management systems in listed German firms and examine implications for firms' stock market performance. Using a novel, hand-collected data set covering 1,083 firm years from 2002 to 2008, we find that value-based management systems become increasingly common. Specifically, in 2008 42% of our sample firms have implemented such a system. In the empirical analysis, we find that firms that implement value-based management systems earn statistically significant and economically substantial abnormal stock market returns measured within a two-year adoption phase. These excess returns are not jeopardized by poor post-adoption returns. In the analysis, we carefully control for risk and account for endogeneity concerns. Overall, our findings support the view that shareholders consider the adoption of a value-based management system as a credible signal that management will focus on shareholder interests and that such systems actually increase shareholder value. --value-based management,corporate governance,econometric analysis,Germany

Oncogenic fusion protein BCR-FGFR1 requires the breakpoint cluster region-mediated oligomerization and chaperonin Hsp90 for activation.

Mutation and translocation of fibroblast growth factor receptors often lead to aberrant signaling and cancer. This work focuses on the t(8;22)(p11;q11) chromosomal translocation which creates the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) fibroblast growth factor receptor1 (FGFR1) (BCR-FGFR1) fusion protein. This fusion occurs in stem cell leukemia/lymphoma, which can progress to atypical chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, or B-cell lymphoma. This work focuses on the biochemical characterization of BCR-FGFR1 and identification of novel therapeutic targets. The tyrosine kinase activity of FGFR1 is required for biological activity as shown using transformation assays, interleukin-3 independent cell proliferation, and liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy analyses. Furthermore, BCR contributes a coiled-coil oligomerization domain, also essential for oncogenic transformation by BCR-FGFR1. The importance of salt bridge formation within the coiled-coil domain is demonstrated, as disruption of three salt bridges abrogates cellular transforming ability. Lastly, BCR-FGFR1 acts as a client of the chaperonin heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), suggesting that BCR-FGFR1 relies on Hsp90 complex to evade proteasomal degradation. Transformed cells expressing BCR-FGFR1 are sensitive to the Hsp90 inhibitor Ganetespib, and also respond to combined treatment with Ganetespib plus the FGFR inhibitor BGJ398. Collectively, these data suggest novel therapeutic approaches for future stem cell leukemia/lymphoma treatment: inhibition of BCR oligomerization by disruption of required salt bridges; and inhibition of the chaperonin Hsp90 complex

LIFETIMES OF HUMAN OCCUPATIONS IN AMAZONIA: RETHINKING THE HUMAN PRESENCE AND LANDSCAPE TRANSFORMATIONS

Following the Historical Ecologists approach, this article will use data from different collaborative  with the intention of showing that the Amazon rainforest today, considered by many as the one of very few wild, pristine and unspoilt environments on the planet is actually the result of a long period of human managements that have had beneficial impacts on the system. This is an extremely important premise to rethink the role of traditional populations to preserve the Amazon. This work addresses the four main moments in the history of human occupation in the Amazon: the early migrants; the first more stationary occupations, the great villages, the population peak around the year one thousand and the traditional populations today.   Key-words: Historical Ecology. Traditional Amazonian societies. Amazonian archaeology.Seguindo a abordagem dos Ecologistas Históricos, este artigo usará dados de diferentes projetos colaborativos com o intuito de demonstrar que a floresta amazônica atual, considerada por muitos como um dos poucos ambientes selvagens, pristinos e intocados do planeta, é, na verdade, o resultado de um longo período manejos humanos que causaram impactos benéficos ao sistema. Essa premissa é extremamente importante para repensar o papel das populações tradicionais para a preservação da Amazônia. Este trabalho foca quatro momentos principais da história da ocupação humana na Amazônia: os migrantes iniciais; as primeiras ocupações mais fixas, as grandes aldeias, o ápice populacional por volta do ano mil e as populações tradicionais atuais.    Palavras-chaves: Ecologia Histórica. Sociedades amazônicas tradicionais. Arqueologia amazônica

The value of multimodality imaging for detection, characterisation and management of a wall adhering structure in the right atrium

The case presents a wall adherent structure in the right atrium in a young patient with peripheral tcell lymphoma followed by successful prolonged lysis therapy resulting in the resolution of the thrombus is presented. This case highlights the utility of multimodality imaging in an accurate assessment of the right atrium thrombus and the effectiveness of prolonged lysis therapy.peer-reviewe

New Frontiers of Quantified Self 3: Exploring Understudied Categories of Users

Quantified Self (QS) field needs to start thinking of how situated needs may affect the use of self-tracking technologies. In this workshop we will focus on the idiosyncrasies of specific categories of users

Práticas Funerárias na Amazônia: a morte, a diversidade e os locais de enterramento

Resumo: neste trabalho buscou-se um diálogo com alguns conceitos teóricos oriundos da Antropologia (Teoria da Prática e Identidade) aplicados ao estudo de contextos funerários. Esses conceitos foram associados à metodologia da arqueologia da morte (elaborados por Duday e Masset em 1986) e aplicados aos contextos da arqueologia Amazônica. Como resultado tem-se atualmente um panorama inicial das práticas funerárias de diferentes partes da Amazônia, constituindo um corpo de dados passível de ser comparado às grandes teorias de ocupação dessa região. Palavras-chave: Arqueologia Amazônica. Práticas Funerárias. Gestos

Sistemática filogenética de espécies do grupo Leptodactylus marmoratus (Anura, Leptodactylidae) : uma abordagem miológica e osteológica

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, 2012.O gênero Leptodactylus é composto por 89 espécies distribuidas no sul da América do Norte, América do Sul e algumas ilhas Caribenhas. Estas espécies costumam ser divididas em cinco grupos fenéticos. O grupo L. marmoratus é caracterizado por espécies de pequeno porte que constroem câmaras subterrâneas aonde se desenvolvem girinos endo ou exotróficos. Análises filogenéticas com base em dados moleculares recentes sugerem que o grupo L. marmoratus seja monofilético. Entretanto, poucos estudos analisaram as relações entre as espécies do grupo e há escassos trabalhos morfológicos com o grupo. Com base nisso, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar conjuntos de dados miológicos e osteológicos e, a partir destes, propor uma hipótese filogenética para espécies do grupo L. marmoratus. Foram acessados dados da musculatura superficial da mandíbula, hióide e da língua, assim como a osteologia cranial e pós-cranial de 12 espécies do grupo (duas das quais ainda não foram descritas) e duas espécies do grupo externo. Um levantamento preliminar de músculos de duas espécies do grupo L. fuscus também foi realizado. Em todas as espécies do grupo analisadas foram encontradas evidências de dimorfismo sexual para os músculos petrohióide anterior e geniohióide lateral, os quais estão relacionados ao aparato hióide. Também foram encontradas características sexualmente dimorficas na osteologia da região do crânio de todas as espécies do grupo L. marmoratus. A maior parte dos músculos analisados se manteve constante entre as espécies do grupo L. marmoratus. Entretanto, diferenças foram encontradas entre este grupo e duas espécies do grupo L. fuscus, o que sugere que possam representar informações indicativas de grupos monofiléticos entre as espécies de Leptodactylus. Assumindo-se que o grupo L. marmoratus seja monofilético, realizamos uma análise cladística com 42 caracteres. Os resultados indicam grande conteúdo de informação entre os caracteres avaliados, uma vez que apenas uma árvore sem politomias foi obtida. Estes resultados corroboram o monofilestismo das espécies do grupo L. marmoratus. Este grupo se subdividiu em dois clados: um composto por espécies amazônicas de ambientes abertos e de Cerrado, e outro clado composto por espécies do sudeste, sul, nordeste e uma espécie amazônica de ambiente florestado. ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe genus Leptodactylus comprises 89 species which are distributed along south of North America, South America and a few Caribbean islands. These species are commonly divided in five phenetic groups. The L. marmoratus group is characterized by its small sized species that construct subterranean chambers where the development of endo or exotrophic tadpoles takes place. Phylogenetic analyses based in recent molecular data suggest that the L. marmoratus group is monophyletic. However, few studies have analyzed the internal relationships between its species and there are scarce morphological studies with the group. Based on these facts, this work aimed to investigate sets of miological and osteological data and, from these, propose a phylogenetic hypothesis for species of the L. marmoratus group. We accessed data from the superficial mandible, hyoid and tongue musculature, as well as cranial and postcranial osteology for 12 species of the group (two of which have not yet been described) e two species of the outgroup. A preliminary survey of muscles of two species of the group L. fuscus was also accomplished. Evidence of sexual dimorphism is indicated for the múscles anterior petrohyoideus and geniohyoideus lateralis, which are involved with the hyoide apparatus. We also found sexually dimorphic characteristics on the cranial osteology of all the species of the L. marmoratus group examined. The majority of the muscles analyzed were constant between the species of the L. marmoratus group, however distinct differences were found between the species of this group and species of the L. fuscus group, suggesting that they might indicate monophyletic groups among the species of Leptodactylus. Assuming that the L. marmoratus group is monophyletic, we implemented a cladistic analysis with 42 characters. The results indicate a large amount of information between the characters, since only one tree without polytomies was obtained. These results corroborate the monophyletism of the L. marmoratus group. This group was subdivided in two clades: one composed of Amazonian species of open habitats and of Cerrado, and another clade composed of species of the southeast, south and northeastern Brazil and one Amazonian species of forested regions