C‐reactive protein flare‐response predicts long‐term efficacy to first‐line anti‐PD‐1‐based combination therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Objectives Immune checkpoint blockade (IO) has revolutionised the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Early C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics, especially the recently introduced CRP flare-response phenomenon, has shown promising results to predict IO efficacy in mRCC, but has only been studied in second line or later. Here, we aimed to validate the predictive value of early CRP kinetics for 1st-line treatment of mRCC with αPD-1 plus either αCTLA-4 (IO+IO) or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (IO+TKI). Methods In this multicentre retrospective study, we investigated the predictive potential of early CRP kinetics during 1st-line IO therapy. Ninety-five patients with mRCC from six tertiary referral centres with either IO+IO (N = 59) or IO+TKI (N = 36) were included. Patients were classified as CRP flare-responders, CRP responders or non-CRP responders as previously described, and their oncological outcome was compared. Results Our data validate the predictive potential of early CRP kinetics in 1st-line immunotherapy in mRCC. CRP responders, especially CRP flare-responders, had significantly prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) compared with non-CRP responders (median PFS: CRP flare-responder: 19.2 months vs. responders: 16.2 vs. non-CRP responders: 5.6, P < 0.001). In both the IO+IO and IO+TKI subgroups, early CRP kinetics remained significantly associated with improved PFS. CRP flare-response was also associated with long-term response ≥ 12 months. Conclusions Early CRP kinetics appears to be a low-cost and easy-to-implement on-treatment biomarker to predict response to 1st-line IO combination therapy. It has potential to optimise therapy monitoring and might represent a new standard of care biomarker for immunotherapy in mRCC

Adaptive memory representations of musical tempo and pitch

Recent studies showed that the perception of extremely shifted versions of familiar pieces of music affects judgements about the original tempo and pitch. This paper aims to give an overview on musical adaptation effects (MAEs) for musical tempo and pitch. The focus is set on the questions if the recently found MAEs are generally comparable between the tempo and the pitch domain, and if they can be found to the same extent. In a series of eight empirical studies (N = 288, mean age = 26, SD = 8.6, 78 % female participants) the influence of extremely shifted versions (tempo-accelerated or pitch-shifted) of audio signals on memory representations was tested. Within this paper the focus will be set on a study on musical pitch (N = 30, mean age = 23, SD = 3, 77 % female participants). We used six TV themes, pre-selected for familiarity, as stimuli. The influence of different presentation conditions on the persistency and comparability of MAEs in the time and pitch domain were tested. The results of repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed treatment x probe interactions. Overall, participants had difficulties to distinguish between a shifted and an original probe version after hearing an extreme version in the treatment. MAEs vary between the domains of interest. The adaptation effects for musical tempo are stronger and more systematic than the effects found for musical pitch. The results give further insight into the memory representations of musical pitch in comparison with the results from the time domain

Vereinfachung der AAI durch ein Proxy Upload Tool und Nutzung von ROBOT Zertifikaten

Um die Nutzer bei der Verwendung ihrer persönlichen Zertifikate zu unterstützen, wurde ein Tool entwickelt, mit dessen Hilfe abgeleitete Proxie-Zertifikate in Liferay-Portale hochgeladen werden können. Sollen statt einzelner Gridjobs allgemeine Dienste abgesichert werden, so können dafür ROBOT Zertifikate verwendet werden. Ein Konzept zur Integration von ROBOTS in die allgemeine D-Grid-Policy wird vorgestellt und eine erste Anwendung im TextGrid gezeigt

Smart Energy Communities: Wie die Blockchain regionale Energieerzeuger stärkt

Ein digitaler regionaler Herkunftsnachweis für Strom aus regenerativen Quellen ist ein wichtiger Baustein einer dezentralen Energiewende. Er eröffnet Potenziale zur Einsparung von Steuern und Abgaben, und ermöglicht die gezielte Vermarktung von regional produziertem Strom. Auf diese Weise werden Anreize zum lokalen Ausgleich von Energieerzeugung und Verbrauch gesetzt, der die Verteilnetze entlasten kann. Das volle Nutzenpotenzial des Herkunftsnachweises kann im momentanen regulatorischen Rahmen jedoch nicht genutzt werden

How Do Hunters Hunt Wild Boar? Survey on Wild Boar Hunting Methods in the Federal State of Lower Saxony

High wild boar population densities lead to demands for a population reduction to avoid crop damages or epidemic diseases. Along with biological studies, a better understanding of the human influence on wildlife and on wildlife management is important. We conducted inquiries on hunting methods and on hunters’ attitudes in the Federal State of Lower Saxony, Germany, to better understand hunting strategies and the influence on increasing wild boar population, as well as to underpin game management concepts. Single hunt, especially at bait, is still the most widely used method for hunting wild boar. The proportion of drive hunts within the hunting bag is increasing. The proportions of hunting methods vary regionally due to wild boar densities, geographical features (vegetation, terrain, etc.) and hunters’ practices. Hunters increased the proportion of conjoint hunts on wild boar. Baiting remains an important hunting method in wild boar management and the proportion of drive hunts should be fostered. Private hunting is important for wild boar management, although it is just insufficient. Additionally, administrative wildlife managers are recommended for the near future as coordinators of wild boar management, and as such, could manage hunting, the incorporation of regional conditions and investigating hunters’ attitudes and abilities