Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

The 2021 WHO catalogue of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex mutations associated with drug resistance: a genotypic analysis.

Background: Molecular diagnostics are considered the most promising route to achievement of rapid, universal drug susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). We aimed to generate a WHO-endorsed catalogue of mutations to serve as a global standard for interpreting molecular information for drug resistance prediction. Methods: In this systematic analysis, we used a candidate gene approach to identify mutations associated with resistance or consistent with susceptibility for 13 WHO-endorsed antituberculosis drugs. We collected existing worldwide MTBC whole-genome sequencing data and phenotypic data from academic groups and consortia, reference laboratories, public health organisations, and published literature. We categorised phenotypes as follows: methods and critical concentrations currently endorsed by WHO (category 1); critical concentrations previously endorsed by WHO for those methods (category 2); methods or critical concentrations not currently endorsed by WHO (category 3). For each mutation, we used a contingency table of binary phenotypes and presence or absence of the mutation to compute positive predictive value, and we used Fisher's exact tests to generate odds ratios and Benjamini-Hochberg corrected p values. Mutations were graded as associated with resistance if present in at least five isolates, if the odds ratio was more than 1 with a statistically significant corrected p value, and if the lower bound of the 95% CI on the positive predictive value for phenotypic resistance was greater than 25%. A series of expert rules were applied for final confidence grading of each mutation. Findings: We analysed 41 137 MTBC isolates with phenotypic and whole-genome sequencing data from 45 countries. 38 215 MTBC isolates passed quality control steps and were included in the final analysis. 15 667 associations were computed for 13 211 unique mutations linked to one or more drugs. 1149 (7·3%) of 15 667 mutations were classified as associated with phenotypic resistance and 107 (0·7%) were deemed consistent with susceptibility. For rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, fluoroquinolones, and streptomycin, the mutations' pooled sensitivity was more than 80%. Specificity was over 95% for all drugs except ethionamide (91·4%), moxifloxacin (91·6%) and ethambutol (93·3%). Only two resistance mutations were identified for bedaquiline, delamanid, clofazimine, and linezolid as prevalence of phenotypic resistance was low for these drugs. Interpretation: We present the first WHO-endorsed catalogue of molecular targets for MTBC drug susceptibility testing, which is intended to provide a global standard for resistance interpretation. The existence of this catalogue should encourage the implementation of molecular diagnostics by national tuberculosis programmes. Funding: Unitaid, Wellcome Trust, UK Medical Research Council, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Macroglossia: compressiontherapy as an alternative treatment option

Ilie A, Claßen S, Meier L, et al. Makroglossie: Kompressionsverband als Therapieoption. Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie. 2023

Stapes Prosthesis Length: One Size Fits All?

Sudhoff H, Gehl H B, Boga E, et al. Stapes Prosthesis Length: One Size Fits All? Audiology and Neurotology. 2019;24(1):1-7.Background: The insertion of the stapes piston into the vestibule provides the physical basis for a successful stapedotomy. In routine clinical practice, two different ways to handle prosthesis length are performed: (1) an individualized measurement of the stapes prosthesis length or (2) a standard prosthesis length for all cases. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare both ways of handling prosthesis length and the effect of these methods on insertional prosthesis depth. Material and Method: We retrospectively evaluated 39 patients after performing a stapedotomy for radiologically estimated vestibular stapes prosthesis insertion depth. The individual measured length data were hypothetically changed to a standard length of 4.75, 5, 5.25, and 5.5 mm, and the insertion depths were compared. Results: The individually measured prosthesis lengths led to an insertion depth between 0.2 and 1.6 mm (mean 0.74 mm). The ratio of insertion depth/vestibular depth was between 8 and 59.1% (mean 26.6%). The different assumed standard lengths led to different rates of the vestibulum positions and possible bony contacts at the vestibulum floor. Conclusion: The individual measurement led to a zero rate of the vestibulum positions of stapes prosthesis pistons with a low insertion depth/vestibular depth ratio

Cleanable bag filter : comparisons of different testing methods of ageing of filter materials

Cleanable bag filters are used to separate dust and other airborne particulate systems. Due to typical process conditions, they are subject to thermal, chemical and mechanical stress during use. The main objective of the IGF project no. 18307 "Investigation of the chemical and thermal degradation of cleanable filter media and improvement of their resistance by surface modification", was the development of a valid test method which can reproduce degradation caused by high temperatures and aggressive chemical atmospheres in a practice-oriented but time-saving manner. Within the IGF project, 2 accelerated ageing methods were applied, both of which have the decisive advantage of investigating damage in the gas phase. Many resistances of filter materials are otherwise carried out by immersing the materials in a mostly liquid damage medium at a defined temperature. These resistances are difficult to transfer ageing in the gas phase

Abreinigbare Filtermedien : Vergleich unterschiedlicher Prüfmethoden

Abreinigbare Schlauchfilter kommen zur Abscheidung von Stäuben sowie staubförmigen Substanzen zum Einsatz. Aufgrund typischer Prozessbedingungen unterliegen sie während ihres Einsatzes thermischer, chemischer und mechanischer Beanspruchung. Das IGF-Projekt Nr. 18307 "Untersuchung der chemischen und thermischen Degradation von abreinigbaren Filtermedien und Verbesserung deren Beständigkeit durch Oberflächenmodifikation" hat mehrere Prüfmethoden verglichen

Stapes piston insertion depth and clinical correlations

Gil Mun S, Scheffner E, Müller S, et al. Stapes piston insertion depth and clinical correlations. Acta Oto-Laryngologica. 2019;139(10):829-832

Algorithm-Based Hearing and Speech Therapy Rehabilitation after Cochlear Implantation

Eichler T, Rötz W, Kayser C, et al. Algorithm-Based Hearing and Speech Therapy Rehabilitation after Cochlear Implantation. Brain Sci. 2022;12(5):580

Algorithm-Based Hearing and Speech Therapy Rehabilitation after Cochlear Implantation

Introduction: Due to the changes in the indication range for cochlear implants and the demographic development towards an aging society, more and more people are in receipt of cochlear implants. An implantation requires a close-meshed audiological and logopedic aftercare. Hearing therapy rehabilitation currently requires great personnel effort and is time consuming. Hearing and speech therapy rehabilitation can be supported by digital hearing training programs. However, the apps currently on the market are to a limited degree personalized and structured. Increasing digitalization makes it possible, especially in times of pandemics, to decouple hearing therapy treatment from everyday clinical practice. Material and Methods: For this purpose, an app is in development that provides hearing therapy tailored to the patient. The individual factors that influence hearing outcome are considered. Using intelligent algorithms, the app determines the selection of exercises, the level of difficulty and the speed at which the difficulty is increased. Results: The app works autonomously without being connected to local speech therapists. In addition, the app is able to analyze patient difficulties within the exercises and provides conclusions about the need for technical adjustments. Conclusions: The presented newly developed app represents a possibility to support, replace, expand and improve the classic outpatient hearing and speech therapy after CI implantation. The way the application works allows it to reach more people and provide a time- and cost-saving alternative to traditional therapy