Self-assembly of melem on Ag(111)—emergence of porous structures based on amino-heptazine hydrogen bonds

Self-assembly of melem on Ag(111) as studied by Scanning-Tunneling-Microscopy (STM) in ultra-high vacuum revealed a great structural variety. In total, five porous and two densely packed monolayer polymorphs were observed. All structures are stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, where melem–melem arrangements are based on very few basic motifs. Six out of seven polymorphs can be described by a unified concept

Severe paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Renal cell carcinoma can cause various paraneoplastic syndromes including metabolic and hematologic disturbances. Paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia has been reported in a variety of hematologic and solid tumors. We present the first case in the literature of severe paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia in a patient with renal cell carcinoma.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 46 year-old patient patient with a history of significant weight loss, reduced general state of health and coughing underwent radical nephrectomy for metastasized renal cell carcinoma. Three weeks after surgery, the patient presented with excessive peripheral hypereosinophilia leading to profound neurological symptoms due to cerebral microinfarction. Systemic treatment with prednisolone, hydroxyurea, vincristine, cytarabine, temsirolimus and sunitinib led to reduction of peripheral eosinophils but could not prevent rapid disease progression of the patient. At time of severe leukocytosis, a considerable increase of cytokines associated with hypereosinophilia was measurable.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia in patients with renal cell carcinoma might indicate poor prognosis and rapid disease progression. Myelosuppressive therapy is required in symptomatic patients.</p

Insulin Receptor in Pancreatic Cancer-Crown Witness in Cross Examination

Background The proximity of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) to the physiological source of the growth promoting hormone insulin might be exploited by this highly malignant cancer entity. We investigated if (I) PDACs express the insulin receptor (IR) in cancer cells and cancer vasculature, (II) if IR correlates with clinicopathological patient characteristics, including survival, and hence is involved in PDAC biology, (III) if IR is already expressed in precursor lesions, if (IV) the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) is associated with clinicopathological patient characteristics and survival and (V) is linked to IR expression. Methods 160 PDAC samples were examined for IR and IGF1R expression by immunohistochemistry. A modified HistoScore was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Results IR overexpression was already observed in pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Furthermore, it was more frequently observed in advanced disease and associated with distant metastasis, UICC stage, lymphatic invasion and an increased lymph node ratio, but without impacting survival in the end. IGF1R expression was not associated with clinicopathological parameters or survival, in contrast to former paradigms. Conclusions We hypothesize that the close proximity to the pancreatic islets might be advantageous for cancer growth at first, but it experiences self-limitation due to surgical removal or local destruction following accelerated cancer growth

Predictive factors for beneficial application of high-frequency electromagnetics for tumour vaporization and coagulation in neurosurgery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To identify preoperative and intraoperative factors and conditions that predicts the beneficial application of a high-frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) system for tumor vaporization and coagulation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred three subsequent patients with brain tumors were microsurgically treated using the EMF system in addition to the standard neurosurgical instrumentarium. A multivariate analysis was performed regarding the usefulness (ineffective/useful/very helpful/essential) of the new technology for tumor vaporization and coagulation, with respect to tumor histology and location, tissue consistency and texture, patients' age and sex.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The EMF system could be used effectively during tumor surgery in 83 cases with an essential contribution to the overall success in 14 cases. In the advanced category of effectiveness (very helpful/essential), there was a significant difference between hard and soft tissue consistency (50 of 66 cases vs. 3 of 37 cases). The coagulation function worked well (very helpful/essential) for surface (73 of 103 cases) and spot (46 of 103 cases) coagulation when vessels with a diameter of less than one millimeter were involved. The light-weight bayonet hand piece and long malleable electrodes made the system especially suited for the resection of deep-seated lesions (34 of 52 cases) compared to superficial tumors (19 of 50 cases).</p> <p>The EMF system was less effective than traditional electrosurgical devices in reducing soft glial tumors. Standard methods where also required for coagulation of larger vessels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is possible to identify factors and conditions that predict a beneficial application of high-frequency electromagnetics for tumor vaporization and coagulation. This allows focusing the use of this technology on selective indications.</p

Perisylvian white matter connectivity in the human right hemisphere

Background By using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) and subsequent tractography, a perisylvian language network in the human left hemisphere recently has been identified connecting Brocas's and Wernicke's areas directly (arcuate fasciculus) and indirectly by a pathway through the inferior parietal cortex. Results Applying DTI tractography in the present study, we found a similar three-way pathway in the right hemisphere of 12 healthy individuals: a direct connection between the superior temporal and lateral frontal cortex running in parallel with an indirect connection. The latter composed of a posterior segment connecting the superior temporal with the inferior parietal cortex and an anterior segment running from the inferior parietal to the lateral frontal cortex. Conclusion The present DTI findings suggest that the perisylvian inferior parietal, superior temporal, and lateral frontal corticies are tightly connected not only in the human left but also in the human right hemisphere

Austrian Research and Technology Report 2023

Der Forschungs- und Technologiebericht ist der Lagebericht über die aus Bundesmitteln geförderte Forschung, Technologie und Innovation in Österreich und wird im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (BMBWF) in Einvernehmen mit dem Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie (BMK) sowie dem Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft (BMAW) erstellt. Der vorliegende Bericht steht im Zeichen eines komplexen Wandels auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen, einerseits getrieben durch multiple Krisen, die nicht nur das Innovationsverhalten von Unternehmen und wissenschaftlichen Akteurinnen und Akteuren verändern, sondern auch veränderte Rahmenbedingungen mit sich bringen. Die Twin Transition ist allgegenwärtig. Im vorliegenden Bericht wird mit dem Schwerpunktthema der Fokus auf die Grüne Transformation in Forschung und Wirtschaft gelegt. Abstrac

Österreichischer Forschungs- und Technologiebericht 2023

Der Forschungs- und Technologiebericht ist der Lagebericht über die aus Bundesmitteln geförderte Forschung, Technologie und Innovation in Österreich und wird im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung (BMBWF) in Einvernehmen mit dem Bundesministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie (BMK) sowie dem Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft (BMAW) erstellt. Der vorliegende Bericht steht im Zeichen eines komplexen Wandels auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen, einerseits getrieben durch multiple Krisen, die nicht nur das Innovationsverhalten von Unternehmen und wissenschaftlichen Akteurinnen und Akteuren verändern, sondern auch veränderte Rahmenbedingungen mit sich bringen. Die Twin Transition ist allgegenwärtig. Im vorliegenden Bericht wird mit dem Schwerpunktthema der Fokus auf die Grüne Transformation in Forschung und Wirtschaft gelegt

Austrian Research and Technology Report 2022

Der Forschungs-und Technologiebericht 2022 gibt einen Überblick über die aus Bundesmitteln geförderte Forschung, Technologie und Innovation (FTI) in Österreich. Neben der Darstellung aktueller forschungspolitischer Entwicklungen, die den Stand der Umsetzung der mit Ende 2020 verabschiedeten FTI-Strategie 2030, forschungsrelevante Teilstrategien und neueste Entwicklungen im Hochschulbereich behandelt, werden auf Grundlage rezenter Daten aus diversen internationalen Rankings, aus der F&E (Forschung & Entwicklung)-Erhebung 2019 und der Globalschätzung 2022 Analysen zur nationalen und internationalen FTI-Performance Österreichs erstellt

A skin cancer prevention facial-aging mobile app for secondary schools in Brazil : appearance-focused interventional study.

Background: The incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other major cancer both in Brazil and worldwide. Southeast Brazil has especially high incidences of melanoma, and early detection is low. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a primary risk factor for developing melanoma. Increasing attractiveness is a major motivation among adolescents for tanning. A medical student-delivered intervention that takes advantage of the broad availability of mobile phones and adolescents? interest in their appearance indicated effectiveness in a recent study from Germany. However, the effect in a high-UV index country with a high melanoma prevalence and the capability of medical students to implement such an intervention remain unknown. Objective: In this pilot study, our objective was to investigate the preliminary success and implementability of a photoaging intervention to prevent skin cancer in Brazilian adolescents. Methods: We implemented a free photoaging mobile phone app (Sunface) in 15 secondary school classes in southeast Brazil. Medical students ?mirrored? the pupils? altered 3-dimensional (3D) selfies reacting to touch on tablets via a projector in front of their whole grade accompanied by a brief discussion of means of UV protection. An anonymous questionnaire capturing sociodemographic data and risk factors for melanoma measured the perceptions of the intervention on 5-point Likert scales among 356 pupils of both sexes (13-19 years old; median age 16 years) in grades 8 to 12 of 2 secondary schools in Brazil. Results: We measured more than 90% agreement in both items that measured motivation to reduce UV exposure and only 5.6% disagreement: 322 (90.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that their 3D selfie motivated them to avoid using a tanning bed, and 321 (90.2%) that it motivated them to improve their sun protection; 20 pupils (5.6%) disagreed with both items. The perceived effect on motivation was higher in female pupils in both tanning bed avoidance (n=198, 92.6% agreement in females vs n=123, 87.2% agreement in males) and increased use of sun protection (n=197, 92.1% agreement in females vs n=123, 87.2% agreement in males) and independent of age or skin type. All medical students involved filled in a process evaluation revealing that they all perceived the intervention as effective and unproblematic, and that all pupils tried the app in their presence. Conclusions: The photoaging intervention was effective in changing behavioral predictors for UV protection in Brazilian adolescents. The predictors measured indicated an even higher prospective effectiveness in southeast Brazil than in Germany (>90% agreement in Brazil vs >60% agreement in Germany to both items that measured motivation to reduce UV exposure) in accordance with the theory of planned behavior. Medical students are capable of complete implementation. A randomized controlled trial measuring prospective effects in Brazil is planned as a result of this study