PuraStat in gastrointestinal bleeding: results of a prospective multicentre observational pilot study

Background: A recently developed haemostatic peptide gel for endoscopic application has been introduced to improve the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, efficacy and indication profiles of PuraStat in a clinical setting. Methods: In this prospective observational multicentre pilot study, patients with acute non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding (upper and lower) were included. Primary and secondary application of PuraStat was evaluated. Haemoglobin, prothrombin time, platelets and transfusion behaviour were documented before and after haemostasis. The efficacy of PuraStat was assessed during the procedure, at 3 days and 1 week after application. Results: 111 patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding were recruited into the study. 70 percent (78/111) of the patients had upper gastrointestinal bleeding and 30% (33/111) had lower gastrointestinal bleeding. After primary application of PuraStat, initial haemostatic success was achieved in 94% of patients (74/79, 95% CI 88-99%), and in 75% of the patients when used as a secondary haemostatic product, following failure of established techniques (24/32, 95% CI 59-91%). The therapeutic success rates (absence of rebleeding) after 3 and 7 days were 91% and 87% after primary use, and 87% and 81% in all study patients. Overall rebleeding rate at 30 day follow-up was 16% (18/111). In the 5 patients who finally required surgery (4.5%), PuraStat allowed temporary haemostasis and stabilisation. Conclusions: PuraStat expanded the therapeutic toolbox available for an effective treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding sources. It could be safely applied and administered without complications as a primary or secondary therapy. PuraStat may additionally serve as a bridge to surgery in order to achieve temporary haemostasis in case of refractory severe bleeding, possibly playing a role in preventing immediate emergency surgery

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N=10,535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β=0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β=0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

A Many-analysts Approach to the Relation Between Religiosity and Well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N = 10, 535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β = 0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β = 0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

Measurement of the B0s→μ+μ− Branching Fraction and Effective Lifetime and Search for B0→μ+μ− Decays

A search for the rare decays Bs0→μ+μ- and B0→μ+μ- is performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in pp collisions corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 4.4  fb-1. An excess of Bs0→μ+μ- decays is observed with a significance of 7.8 standard deviations, representing the first observation of this decay in a single experiment. The branching fraction is measured to be B(Bs0→μ+μ-)=(3.0±0.6-0.2+0.3)×10-9, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The first measurement of the Bs0→μ+μ- effective lifetime, τ(Bs0→μ+μ-)=2.04±0.44±0.05  ps, is reported. No significant excess of B0→μ+μ- decays is found, and a 95% confidence level upper limit, B(B0→μ+μ-)<3.4×10-10, is determined. All results are in agreement with the standard model expectations.A search for the rare decays $B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ and $B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-$ is performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in $pp$ collisions corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 4.4 fb$^{-1}$. An excess of $B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ decays is observed with a significance of 7.8 standard deviations, representing the first observation of this decay in a single experiment. The branching fraction is measured to be ${\cal B}(B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-)=\left(3.0\pm 0.6^{+0.3}_{-0.2}\right)\times 10^{-9}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The first measurement of the $B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ effective lifetime, $\tau(B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-)=2.04\pm 0.44\pm 0.05$ ps, is reported. No significant excess of $B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-$ decays is found and a 95 % confidence level upper limit, ${\cal B}(B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-)<3.4\times 10^{-10}$, is determined. All results are in agreement with the Standard Model expectations

Evaluation and further development of an in vitro assay for determination of the sensitizing potential of contact allergens

Die allergische Kontaktdermatitis ist eine der häufigsten Pathologien des menschlichen Immunsystems und von großer volkswirtschaftlicher Relevanz. Ein konsequentes Screening von Chemikalien auf kontaktallergene Eigenschaften und eine Beschränkung ihrer Verwendung im täglichen Leben kann die Prävalenz dieser Erkrankung senken. Zur Zeit ist der am meisten verwendete Assay für eine solche prädiktive Testung der Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) in Mäusen. Aus ethischen Gründen, aber auch in Hinsicht auf kommende gesetzliche Beschränkungen für Tierversuche – z.B. für Kosmetika – ist es wünschenswert, einen in vitro Assay für diese Fragestellung zu entwickeln. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein solcher in vitro Assay – der Loose-fit Coculture-based Sensitization Assay (LCSA) – evaluiert, weiterentwickelt und verfeinert. Der LCSA basiert auf einer Kokultur aus primären humanen Keratinozyten, auf welche allogene humane Monozyten gesät werden. Nach Gabe von Granulozyten/Makrophagen koloniestimulierendem Faktor (GM-CSF), Interleukin-4 (IL-4) und Transformierendem Wachstumsfaktor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) konnten aus den Monozyten Langerhanszell-ähnliche Zellen generiert werden, welche die Fähigkeit besitzen, auf Kontaktallergene zu reagieren. Alle acht getesteten Kontaktallergene konnten eine messbare Reaktion in der Kokultur hervorrufen, sechs davon im Sinne einer Hochregulation von CD86 bei den Langerhanszell- ähnlichen Zellen. Für die zunächst negativ getesteten Metallallergene Nickel und Cobalt konnten im Rahmen dieser Arbeit alternative Parameter gefunden werden: die ins Kulturmedium sezernierten Proteine Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1beta (MIP-1beta, auch: CCL-4) und Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Des Weiteren konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Zeit zur Generierung der Langerhanszell- ähnlichen Zellen, sowie die hierfür benötigten Zytokine reduziert werden können, ohne dass die Aussagekraft des Assays beeinträchtigt wird, wodurch dessen Wirtschaftlichkeit erhöht wird. Neben dem Verzicht auf Tierversuche hat der hier vorgestellte LCSA weitere Vorteile gegenüber dem LLNA in Mäusen: reine Irritanzien (im LLNA oft falsch positiv) riefen hier keine Reaktion hervor, Metallallergene (im LLNA oft nur mit Hilfe spezieller Techniken erkennbar) konnten durch die Implementation zusätzlicher Ausleseparameter positiv getestet werden. Als Nachteil des LCSA muss gelten, dass das Stratum corneum, welches in vivo die erste Barriere für Kontaktallergene darstellt, nicht simuliert wird. So kann die unterschiedlich starke Hautpenetration von Allergenen nicht in deren Risikobewertung mit einbezogen werden. Realistischerweise muss man davon ausgehen, dass nicht ein in vitro Assay allein den LLNA wird ersetzen können, sondern vielmehr eine Zusammenschau der Ergebnisse unterschiedlicher Assays eine detaillierte Bewertung des allergenen Risikopotenzials von Chemikalien möglich machen wird.The allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most common pathologies of the human immune system and has significant economical impact. Consistent screening of chemicals for allergenic properties and their restriction in daily use could reduce the prevalence of this disease. Currently, the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) in mice is the most popular assay for such predictive testing. For ethical reasons – but also in regard to forthcoming legal restrictions for animal tests, such as for cosmetics – it is desirable to develop an in vitro assay for that issue. Such an in vitro assay – the Loose- fit Coculture-based Sensitization Assay (LCSA) – was evaluated, further developed and refined during the course of this dissertation. The LCSA is based on a coculture of primary human keratinocytes on which allogenic human monocytes were seeded. After application of granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) the monocytes differentiated towards Langerhans cell- like cells, which were capable of reacting to contact allergens. All of the eight tested contact allergens could evoke a measurable response in the coculture, six of them by upregulation of CD86 in Langerhans cell-like cells. For the two tested metal allergens nickel and cobalt alternative parameters had to be found: the proteins macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1beta (MIP- 1beta, also: CCL-4) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which were secreted into the cell culture medium. Furthermore, it was shown that the time to generate Langerhans cell-like cells and the consumption of cytokines could be reduced without impairing the validity of the assay, thus improving its cost effectiveness. Beyond refraining from animal testing the LCSA has further advantages over the LLNA in mice: mere irritants (often false positive in the LLNA) showed no reaction; metal allergens (usually only detectable using special techniques in the LLNA) were clearly tested positive after additional read out parameters were implemented. A disadvantage of the LCSA is the fact that the stratum corneum as the outermost barrier for contact allergens in vivo is not simulated. So different skin penetration abilities of allergens cannot be considered for measuring their risk potential. One has to assume that not one in vitro assay alone has the potential of replacing the LLNA but rather the combination of results of multiple in vitro assays may allow for detailed assessment of the allergenic risk potential of chemicals

Small intestinal inflammation following oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii does not occur exclusively in C57BL/6 mice: review of 70 reports from the literature

Small intestinal immunopathology following oral infection with tissue cysts of Toxoplasma gondii has been described in C57BL/6 mice. Seven days after infection, mice develop severe small intestinal necrosis and succumb to infection. The immunopathology is mediated by local overproduction of Th1-type cytokines, a so-called “cytokine storm”. The immunopathogenesis of this pathology resembles that of inflammatory bowel disease in humans, i.e., Crohn’s disease. In this review, we show that the development of intestinal pathology following oral ingestion of T. gondii is not limited to C57BL/6 mice, but frequently occurs in nature. Using a Pubmed search, we identified 70 publications that report the development of gastrointestinal inflammation following infection with T. gondii in 63 animal species. Of these publications, 53 reports are on accidental ingestion of T. gondii in 49 different animal species and 17 reports are on experimental infections in 19 different animal species. Thus, oral infection with T. gondii appears to cause immunopathology in a large number of animal species in addition to mice. This manuscript reviews the common features of small intestinal immunopathology in the animal kingdom and speculates on consequences of this immunopathology for humankind

Impacts of a multimodal mobility service on travel behavior and preferences: user insights from Munich’s first Mobility Station

The City of Munich, in cooperation with the local public transport provider MVG, is testing a pilot project of a “Mobility Station”, which is a multimodal mobility hub connecting public transport (PT) and new shared mobility services. The project’s goal is to provide sustainable mobility options that allow citizens to be mobile without owning a car. To evaluate the acceptance of the Mobility Station, as well as short and long term effects on mobility behavior, we developed an online user survey in close cooperation with the stakeholders and experts in the field of shared mobility. The results provide insights on the awareness and perception of the Mobility Station among users, their mobility patterns, current degree of multimodality, as well as actual and potential changes on mobility behavior and travel preferences due to the multimodal mobility service. Most users are young, male, and highly educated individuals with access to multiple mobility options. PT plays a central role for daily mobility together with the services they were identified to be customers of. The high share of users that use different mobility services at least once a month indicates some degree of multimodality. Actual and potential changes in mobility behavior towards multimodality were revealed. Some users declared to use other mobility services more often. They appreciate the availability of different mobility options and show interest in other services and intermodal connections indicating that there is still potential to increase multimodal behavior

Improved weed segmentation in UAV imagery of sorghum fields with a combined deblurring segmentation model

Abstract Background Efficient and site-specific weed management is a critical step in many agricultural tasks. Image captures from drones and modern machine learning based computer vision methods can be used to assess weed infestation in agricultural fields more efficiently. However, the image quality of the captures can be affected by several factors, including motion blur. Image captures can be blurred because the drone moves during the image capturing process, e.g. due to wind pressure or camera settings. These influences complicate the annotation of training and test samples and can also lead to reduced predictive power in segmentation and classification tasks. Results In this study, we propose DeBlurWeedSeg, a combined deblurring and segmentation model for weed and crop segmentation in motion blurred images. For this purpose, we first collected a new dataset of matching sharp and naturally blurred image pairs of real sorghum and weed plants from drone images of the same agricultural field. The data was used to train and evaluate the performance of DeBlurWeedSeg on both sharp and blurred images of a hold-out test-set. We show that DeBlurWeedSeg outperforms a standard segmentation model that does not include an integrated deblurring step, with a relative improvement of $$13.4 \%$$ 13.4 % in terms of the Sørensen-Dice coefficient. Conclusion Our combined deblurring and segmentation model DeBlurWeedSeg is able to accurately segment weeds from sorghum and background, in both sharp as well as motion blurred drone captures. This has high practical implications, as lower error rates in weed and crop segmentation could lead to better weed control, e.g. when using robots for mechanical weed removal

Einstellung der Schüler/innen zum Fach und zum Lernen: Freude am Fach, fachbezogenes Selbstkonzept und ihr Zusammenhang mit den fachlichen Leistungen

Fachbezogene Einstellungen spielen in Schule und Unterricht eine wichtige Rolle: Sie sind einerseits wesentliche Faktoren für das Lernen. Andererseits sind Interesse am Lernen und am Fach sowie die Entwicklung eines positiven Selbstkonzepts aber auch für sich Ziele der Schule. Dieses Kapitel untersucht die Freude an Mathematik, Deutsch und Englisch sowie das auf diese Fächer bezogene Selbstkonzept der Schüler/innen. Dabei werden diese Merkmale zwischen den Fächern, zwischen der 4. und der 8. Schulstufe sowie zwischen unterschiedlichen Gruppen von Schülerinnen und Schülern – etwa nach Geschlecht, Migrationshintergrund oder besuchter Schulsparte – verglichen. Den Abschluss bilden Analysen zum Zusammenhang zwischen nonkognitiven Faktoren des Lernens und dem Kompetenzniveau der Schüler/innen. (DIPF/Orig.