Flexible behaviour in a mesopelagic fish (Maurolicus muelleri)

Variability of mesopelagic scattering layers is often attributed to environmental conditions or multi-species layer composition. Yet, little is known about variation in behaviour among the individuals forming scattering layers. Based on a 10 months high-resolution dataset from stationary echosounders in a Norwegian fjord, we here assess short-term and long-term behaviour of a single mesopelagic fish species, the pearlside Maurolicus muelleri. The daytime vertical extension of the monospecific pearlside scattering layers spanned four orders of magnitude ambient light in the autumn and winter and less than one order of magnitude in summer. While the main layers tracked relatively stable light levels over daytime, some individuals actively crossed light gradients of up to 1.5 orders of magnitude. This included individuals that moved between scattering layers, and apparently bold individuals that made regular upward excursions beyond the main population distribution. During the daytime, M. muelleri mitigated the risk of predation by forming tight groups in the upper scattering layer and, at light levels >10−6 µmol m−2 s−1, by instantly diving into deeper waters upon encounters with predators. Our observations suggest that individual, and probably state-dependent, decisions may extend the pearlsides’ vertical distribution, with implications for predator–prey interactions.publishedVersio

Automated grading of cerebral vasospasm to standardize computed tomography angiography examinations after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is frequently used with computed tomography perfusion imaging (CTP) to evaluate whether endovascular vasospasm treatment is indicated for subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with delayed cerebral ischemia. However, objective parameters for CTA evaluation are lacking. In this study, we used an automated, investigator-independent, digital method to detect vasospasm, and we evaluated whether the method could predict the need for subsequent endovascular vasospasm treatment.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and analyzed imaging data for 40 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhages. The cerebrovascular trees were digitally reconstructed from CTA data, and vessel volume and the length of the arteries of the circle of Willis and their peripheral branches were determined. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis based on a comparison with digital subtraction angiographies was used to determine volumetric thresholds that indicated severe vasospasm for each vessel segment. Results: The automated threshold-based volumetric evaluation of CTA data was able to detect severe vasospasm with high sensitivity and negative predictive value for predicting cerebral hypoperfusion on CTP, although the specificity and positive predictive value were low. Combining the automated detection of vasospasm on CTA and cerebral hypoperfusion on CTP was superior to CTP or CTA alone in predicting endovascular vasospasm treatment within 24 h after the examination. Conclusions: This digital volumetric analysis of the cerebrovascular tree allowed the objective, investigator-independent detection and quantification of vasospasms. This method could be used to standardize diagnostics and the selection of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with delayed cerebral ischemia for endovascular diagnostics and possible interventions

Gesundheitsverläufe im Alter: Wege in die Pflegebedürftigkeit

Eine zentrale Aufgabe der sozialen Pflegeversicherung ist es, Menschen dabei zu unterstützen, trotz einer verminderten Selbstständigkeit und mehr oder weniger ausgeprägten Hilfe- und Unterstützungsbedarfs, ein möglichst selbstbestimmtes Leben zu führen. Ihre Leistungen sollen die familiäre, nachbarschaftliche und sonstige ehrenamtliche Pflege und Betreuung ergänzen, wenn Menschen wegen einer körperlichen, geistigen oder seelischen Krankheit die regelmäßigen Aufgaben des täglichen Lebens nicht mehr selbstständig meistern können. Doch welche Faktoren beeinflussen, ob und wie schnell Menschen in eine solche Situation geraten? Welche Ansatzpunkte gibt es, um den Eintritt von Pflegebedürftigkeit zu verhindern oder zumindest zu verzögern? Mit dieser Frage hat sich das Forschungsprojekt "Gesundheitsverläufe im Alter: Wege in die Pflegebedürftigkeit" beschäftigt, das von 2018 bis Ende des Jahres 2021 im Rahmen des Modellprogramms nach § 8 Absatz 3 SGB XI zur Weiterentwicklung der Pflegeversicherung gefördert wurde. In der gemeinsamen Forschungsarbeit des Deutschen Zentrums für Altersfragen (DZA) und der Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin stand also die Frage nach Präventionspotenzialen im Vorfeld einer Pflegebedürftigkeit im Mittelpunkt. Diese wurden auf der Basis belastbarer wissenschaftlicher Informationen über die Entstehung von Pflegebedarf aus verschiedenen Quellen identifiziert: zum einen über Daten der regelmäßig stattfindenden Befragungsstudie des DZA "Deutsches Alterssurvey" und zum anderen über Daten zur Pflegebegutachtung des Medizinischen Dienstes Berlin-Brandenburg von über 70.000 Erstanträgen für einen Pflegegrad im Jahr 2017

Beyond the Global Brain Differences:Intraindividual Variability Differences in 1q21.1 Distal and 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 Deletion Carriers

BACKGROUND: Carriers of the 1q21.1 distal and 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 copy number variants exhibit regional and globalbrain differences compared with noncarriers. However, interpreting regional differences is challenging if a globaldifference drives the regional brain differences. Intraindividual variability measures can be used to test for regionaldifferences beyond global differences in brain structure.METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging data were used to obtain regional brain values for 1q21.1 distal deletion (n =30) and duplication (n = 27) and 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 deletion (n = 170) and duplication (n = 243) carriers and matchednoncarriers (n = 2350). Regional intra-deviation scores, i.e., the standardized difference between an individual’sregional difference and global difference, were used to test for regional differences that diverge from the globaldifference.RESULTS: For the 1q21.1 distal deletion carriers, cortical surface area for regions in the medial visual cortex, posterior cingulate, and temporal pole differed less and regions in the prefrontal and superior temporal cortex differedmore than the global difference in cortical surface area. For the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 deletion carriers, cortical thicknessin regions in the medial visual cortex, auditory cortex, and temporal pole differed less and the prefrontal andsomatosensory cortex differed more than the global difference in cortical thickness.CONCLUSIONS: We find evidence for regional effects beyond differences in global brain measures in 1q21.1 distaland 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 copy number variants. The results provide new insight into brain profiling of the 1q21.1 distaland 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 copy number variants, with the potential to increase understanding of the mechanismsinvolved in altered neurodevelopment

Genetic Variants For Head Size Share Genes and Pathways With Cancer

The size of the human head is highly heritable, but genetic drivers of its variation within the general population remain unmapped. We perform a genome-wide association study on head size (N = 80,890) and identify 67 genetic loci, of which 50 are novel. Neuroimaging studies show that 17 variants affect specific brain areas, but most have widespread effects. Gene set enrichment is observed for various cancers and the p53, Wnt, and ErbB signaling pathways. Genes harboring lead variants are enriched for macrocephaly syndrome genes (37-fold) and high-fidelity cancer genes (9-fold), which is not seen for human height variants. Head size variants are also near genes preferentially expressed in intermediate progenitor cells, neural cells linked to evolutionary brain expansion. Our results indicate that genes regulating early brain and cranial growth incline to neoplasia later in life, irrespective of height. This warrants investigation of clinical implications of the link between head size and cancer

Genetic correlations and genome-wide associations of cortical structure in general population samples of 22824 adults

Cortical thickness, surface area and volumes vary with age and cognitive function, and in neurological and psychiatric diseases. Here we report heritability, genetic correlations and genome-wide associations of these cortical measures across the whole cortex, and in 34 anatomically predefined regions. Our discovery sample comprises 22,824 individuals from 20 cohorts within the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortium and the UK Biobank. We identify genetic heterogeneity between cortical measures and brain regions, and 160 genome-wide significant associations pointing to wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β and sonic hedgehog pathways. There is enrichment for genes involved in anthropometric traits, hindbrain development, vascular and neurodegenerative disease and psychiatric conditions. These data are a rich resource for studies of the biological mechanisms behind cortical development and aging

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Improved upper limb function in non-ambulant children with SMA type 2 and 3 during nusinersen treatment: a prospective 3-years SMArtCARE registry study

Background The development and approval of disease modifying treatments have dramatically changed disease progression in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Nusinersen was approved in Europe in 2017 for the treatment of SMA patients irrespective of age and disease severity. Most data on therapeutic efficacy are available for the infantile-onset SMA. For patients with SMA type 2 and type 3, there is still a lack of sufficient evidence and long-term experience for nusinersen treatment. Here, we report data from the SMArtCARE registry of non-ambulant children with SMA type 2 and typen 3 under nusinersen treatment with a follow-up period of up to 38 months. Methods SMArtCARE is a disease-specific registry with data on patients with SMA irrespective of age, treatment regime or disease severity. Data are collected during routine patient visits as real-world outcome data. This analysis included all non-ambulant patients with SMA type 2 or 3 below 18 years of age before initiation of treatment. Primary outcomes were changes in motor function evaluated with the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE) and the Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM). Results Data from 256 non-ambulant, pediatric patients with SMA were included in the data analysis. Improvements in motor function were more prominent in upper limb: 32.4% of patients experienced clinically meaningful improvements in RULM and 24.6% in HFMSE. 8.6% of patients gained a new motor milestone, whereas no motor milestones were lost. Only 4.3% of patients showed a clinically meaningful worsening in HFMSE and 1.2% in RULM score. Conclusion Our results demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements or stabilization of disease progression in non-ambulant, pediatric patients with SMA under nusinersen treatment. Changes were most evident in upper limb function and were observed continuously over the follow-up period. Our data confirm clinical trial data, while providing longer follow-up, an increased number of treated patients, and a wider range of age and disease severity

I gråzonen mellan trygghet och skräck : "Unheimlich" som berättarteknik i Tove Janssons roman Trollvinter

Denna uppsats utvecklar Sigmund Freuds begrepp "unheimlich" till ett litteraturvetenskapligtbegrepp och analysverktyg utifrån en hermeneutisk-fenomenologisk ansats. "Unheimlich"framkallas av grundläggande kategoriseringsproblem som uppstår i konfrontation med omvärlden.Begreppet används för att rama in och förstå kategoriseringsproblem i Tove Janssons bokTrollvinter utifrån den litterärt framställda protagonistens perspektiv. Analysen består i attundersöka kategoriseringsproblemens förekomst och funktion för berättelsen. Den visar hur dessakategoriseringsproblem skapar en spänningsladdad dynamik i Trollvinter och hur "unheimlich"berättartekniskt kan utnyttjas för att driva berättelsen framåt. Berättelsen kan ses som ett saktalärande av att hantera grundläggande kategoriseringsproblem och därmed iordningställande avrelationen till omvärlden. Denna uppsats visar således hur "unheimlich" kan användas som ettlitteraturvetenskapligt analysverktyg på litteratur av detta slag för att göra systematiskaundersökningar av dess förekomst och funktion för berättelsen.In dieser Magister-Arbeit wird Sigmund Freuds Definition von "unheimlich" mit Hilfe eineshermeneutisch-phänomenologischen Ansatzes zu einem literaturwissenschaftlichen Analyse-Hilfsmittel weiterentwickelt. Jemand oder etwas kann dann als "unheimlich" verstanden werden,wenn wesentliche Kategorisierungsprobleme bestehen, welche in Konfrontation mit der Umwelthervorgerufen werden. Der Begriff "unheimlich" wird genutzt um beschriebene Erlebnisse derHauptfigur Mumin in Tove Janssons Buch Trollvinter einzurahmen und zu verstehen. Die Analysebesteht darin, das Vorkommen und die Funktion von Kategorisierungsproblemen innerhalb derGeschichte zu untersuchen und zu zeigen, wie diese eine spannungsgeladene Dynamik inTrollvinter erzeugen. Es wird gezeigt, wie "Das Unheimliche" erzähltechnisch genutzt werden kann,um die Handlung der Geschichte voranzutreiben. Trollvinter kann als ein langsames "in Ordnungbringen" der Beziehung zur Umwelt verstanden werden. Somit zeigt die vorliegende Magister-Arbeit, wie das Vorkommen und die Funktion von "unheimlich" innerhalb einer Geschichtesystematisch untersucht, verstanden und in größeren Zusammenhang gebracht werden kann