Marathon-Induced Cardiac Strain as Model for the Evaluation of Diagnostic microRNAs for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: The current gold standard biomarker for myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac troponin (cTn), is recognized for its high sensitivity and organ specificity; however, it lacks diagnostic specificity. Numerous studies have introduced circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for MI. This study investigates the MI-specificity of these serum microRNAs by investigating myocardial stress/injury due to strenuous exercise. Methods: MicroRNA biomarkers were retrieved by compre hensive review of 109 publications on diagnostic serum microRNAs for MI. MicroRNA levels were first measured by next-generation sequencing in pooled sera from runners (n = 46) before and after conducting a full competitive marathon. Hereafter, reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) of 10 selected serum microRNAs in 210 marathon runners was performed (>10,000 qPCR measurements). Results: 27 potential diagnostic microRNA for MI were retrieved by the literature review. Eight microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-26a-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-133a-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-191-5p, miR-486-3p) showed positive correlations with cTnT in marathon runners, whereas two miRNAs (miR-134-5p and miR-499a-5p) showed no correlations. Upregulation of miR-133a-3p (p = 0.03) and miR-142-5p (p = 0.01) went along with elevated cTnT after marathon. Conclusion: Some MI-associated microRNAs (e.g., miR-133a-3p and miR-142-5p) have similar kinetics under strenuous exercise and MI as compared to cTnT, which suggests that their diagnostic specificity could be lim ited. In contrast, several MI-associated microRNAs (miR-26a-5p, miR-134-5p, miR-191-5p) showed different release behavior; hence, combining cTnT with these microRNAs within a multi-marker strategy may add diagnostic accuracy in MI

Marathon-Induced Cardiac Strain as Model for the Evaluation of Diagnostic microRNAs for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: The current gold standard biomarker for myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac troponin (cTn), is recognized for its high sensitivity and organ specificity; however, it lacks diagnostic specificity. Numerous studies have introduced circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for MI. This study investigates the MI-specificity of these serum microRNAs by investigating myocardial stress/injury due to strenuous exercise. Methods: MicroRNA biomarkers were retrieved by comprehensive review of 109 publications on diagnostic serum microRNAs for MI. MicroRNA levels were first measured by next-generation sequencing in pooled sera from runners (n = 46) before and after conducting a full competitive marathon. Hereafter, reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) of 10 selected serum microRNAs in 210 marathon runners was performed (>10,000 qPCR measurements). Results: 27 potential diagnostic microRNA for MI were retrieved by the literature review. Eight microRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-26a-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-133a-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-191-5p, miR-486-3p) showed positive correlations with cTnT in marathon runners, whereas two miRNAs (miR-134-5p and miR-499a-5p) showed no correlations. Upregulation of miR-133a-3p (p = 0.03) and miR-142-5p (p = 0.01) went along with elevated cTnT after marathon. Conclusion: Some MI-associated microRNAs (e.g., miR-133a-3p and miR-142-5p) have similar kinetics under strenuous exercise and MI as compared to cTnT, which suggests that their diagnostic specificity could be limited. In contrast, several MI-associated microRNAs (miR-26a-5p, miR-134-5p, miR-191-5p) showed different release behavior; hence, combining cTnT with these microRNAs within a multi-marker strategy may add diagnostic accuracy in MI

Räumliche Visualisierung und GIS- gestützte Auswertungen des Wirtschaftsverkehrs von Berlin

Ziel der Untersuchungen ist es auf der Grundlage heterogener Geodatenquellen deutschlandweite Interdependenzen zwischen Wirtschaftsstruktur, Raumstruktur (Stadtstruktur) und dem daraus abzuleitenden Wirtschaftsverkehr (Verkehrsverhalten) räumlich erfassen und erklären zu können. Das Geoinformationssystem soll als Tool zur raumdifferenzierenden Betrachtung von Verkehrsinfrastruktur, Verkehrsverflechtungen und raumbezogenen Effekten des Verkehrs sowie zur Analyse des Verkehrs als Ursache und Folge von Flächennutzungsmustern auf unterschiedlichen Maßstabsebenen eingesetzt werden

USE OF GIS METHODOLOGY FOR ONLINE URBAN TRAFFIC MONITORING

Main goal of traffic management is the optimisation of trafic flow. This aim is based on possession of precise traffic describing data and parameters. Two dimensional traffic data acquisition becomes a research emphasis of German Aerospace Center (DLR)s Institute of Transport Research to improve these data basis. Data sources are ground based like floating car data as well as airborne remote sensing data and the developed procedures are appropriate to support trafic management effectively. A preliminary real time system for airborne traffic monitoring (ATMS) was already successful proved to collect traffic data on demand. The whole chain of the system extends from the sensor technology - including a stabilized platform and image processing, via the data transmission to the ground - to a traffic center for the further processing of images in which the information will be refined with prognosis tools. An open interface ensures a multi-facetted utilization of the information by multiple user groups. The data processing is based on a commercially available dibital map. Practical tests showed that the quality of traffic flow data extraction will increase significantly by improving the digital map basis. The aim of the work presented here is to use heterogeneous image data, especially high resolution satellite data (Quickbird, Ikonos) to extend the a priory knowledge for implementation into the monitoring system. In parallel the image data from ATMS can be evaluated in focus of problems o description and assessment of the urban space. Consequently a GIS platform seems to be an adequate tool to implement, process, analyse and visualise the actual geo-data. Special GIS data products are availble or simulations or analysis and merge of sociodemographic and socioeconomic structure data (people and pixels), and the methodology can be adopted for real-time applications like ATMS. Additionally the GIS System offers the opportunity to implement and manage the historical traffic flow data generated and derived from all data collecting systems (terrestrial, airborne and spaceborne sensors). In front of this background the paper will present the analysis of existing Satellite and ATMS data for the region of Berlin. As a first step the applicationof a vegetation detection algorithm will be shown. This results in an information layer concerning structures of trees at or near street areas and will eliminate an essential disturbance factor at real time airborne data collection and will therefore enhance the validity of the derived data. Since at the moment the digital map will not account for parking areas, high resolution remote sensing data will be analysed to extract accordant information layer for future applications. The implementation of the extended a priory knowledge into both the ATMS as well as the GIS will be presented and the improvements will be demonstrated

At the Limits of Liquid Crystallinity: Stimuli Responsive 3D Columnar Liquid Crystals and Soft Crystals of Supramolecular Anthracene Mesogens

At the Limits of Liquid Crystallinity: Stimuli Responsive 3D Columnar Liquid Crystals and Soft Crystals of Supramolecular Anthracene Mesogen

Solid-state assisted synthesis of oligobenzoates

<div><p>The solid-state assisted synthesis opens an easy access to oligobenzoates end-capped with gallic acid, protocatechuic acid or 4-hydroxybenzoic acid etherified with long flexible chains – which are important precursors for liquid crystalline materials. The latter may consist of aliphatic, oligoethyleneoxy and semiperfluorinated chains. The rapid preparation of oligoesters with different peripheries is demonstrated.</p></div

Hypoxia stimulates migration of breast cancer cells via the PERK/ATF4/LAMP3-arm of the unfolded protein response

Abstract Introduction The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 pathway can stimulate tumor cell migration and metastasis. Furthermore, hypoxic tumors are associated with a poor prognosis. Besides the HIF-1 pathway, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is also induced by hypoxic conditions. The PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-arm of the UPR induces expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3), a factor that has been linked to metastasis and poor prognosis in solid tumors. In this study the role of UPR-induced LAMP3 in hypoxia-mediated migration of breast cancer cells was examined. Methods A number of in vitro metastasis models were used to study the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells under hypoxic conditions. PERK, ATF4 and their downstream factor LAMP3 were knocked down to examine their role in cell migration. In addition, multicellular tumor spheroids were used to study the involvement of the tumor microenvironment in invasion. Results Using transwell assays, migration of different breast cancer cell lines was assessed. A direct correlation was found between cell migration and baseline LAMP3 expression. Furthermore, moderate hypoxia (1% O2) was found to be optimal in stimulating migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. siRNA mediated knockdown of PERK, ATF4 and LAMP3 reduced migration of cells under these conditions. Using gap closure assays, similar results were found. In a three-dimensional invasion assay into collagen, LAMP3 knockdown cells showed a diminished capacity to invade compared to control cells when collectively grown in multicellular spheroids. Conclusions Thus, the PERK/ATF4/LAMP3-arm of the UPR is an additional pathway mediating hypoxia-induced breast cancer cell migration