176 research outputs found
Residual-based localization and quantification of peaks in x-ray diffractograms
We consider data consisting of photon counts of diffracted x-ray radiation as
a function of the angle of diffraction. The problem is to determine the
positions, powers and shapes of the relevant peaks. An additional difficulty is
that the power of the peaks is to be measured from a baseline which itself must
be identified. Most methods of de-noising data of this kind do not explicitly
take into account the modality of the final estimate. The residual-based
procedure we propose uses the so-called taut string method, which minimizes the
number of peaks subject to a tube constraint on the integrated data. The
baseline is identified by combining the result of the taut string with an
estimate of the first derivative of the baseline obtained using a weighted
smoothing spline. Finally, each individual peak is expressed as the finite sum
of kernels chosen from a parametric family.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/08-AOAS181 the Annals of
Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of
Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org
Adolescence is a sensitive period for prefrontal microglia to act on cognitive development
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a cortical brain region that regulates various cognitive functions. One distinctive feature of the PFC is its protracted adolescent maturation, which is necessary for acquiring mature cognitive abilities in adulthood. Here, we show that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, contribute to this maturational process. We find that transient and cell-specific deficiency of prefrontal microglia in adolescence is sufficient to induce an adult emergence of PFC-associated impairments in cognitive functions, dendritic complexity, and synaptic structures. While prefrontal microglia deficiency in adolescence also altered the excitatory-inhibitory balance in adult prefrontal circuits, there were no cognitive sequelae when prefrontal microglia were depleted in adulthood. Thus, our findings identify adolescence as a sensitive period for prefrontal microglia to act on cognitive development
Long-Term Outcomes with Subcutaneous C1-Inhibitor Replacement Therapy for Prevention of Hereditary Angioedema Attacks
Background
For the prevention of attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE), the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous human C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH[SC]; HAEGARDA, CSL Behring) was established in the 16-week Clinical Study for Optimal Management of Preventing Angioedema with Low-Volume Subcutaneous C1-Inhibitor Replacement Therapy (COMPACT).
Objective
To assess the long-term safety, occurrence of angioedema attacks, and use of rescue medication with C1-INH(SC).
Methods
Open-label, randomized, parallel-arm extension of COMPACT across 11 countries. Patients with frequent angioedema attacks, either study treatment-naive or who had completed COMPACT, were randomly assigned (1:1) to 40 IU/kg or 60 IU/kg C1-INH(SC) twice per week, with conditional uptitration to optimize prophylaxis (ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT02316353).
Results
A total of 126 patients with a monthly attack rate of 4.3 in 3 months before entry in COMPACT were enrolled and treated for a mean of 1.5 years; 44 patients (34.9%) had more than 2 years of exposure. Mean steady-state C1-INH functional activity increased to 66.6% with 60 IU/kg. Incidence of adverse events was low and similar in both dose groups (11.3 and 8.5 events per patient-year for 40 IU/kg and 60 IU/kg, respectively). For 40 IU/kg and 60 IU/kg, median annualized attack rates were 1.3 and 1.0, respectively, and median rescue medication use was 0.2 and 0.0 times per year, respectively. Of 23 patients receiving 60 IU/kg for more than 2 years, 19 (83%) were attack-free during months 25 to 30 of treatment.
Conclusions
In patients with frequent HAE attacks, long-term replacement therapy with C1-INH(SC) is safe and exhibits a substantial and sustained prophylactic effect, with the vast majority of patients becoming free from debilitating disease symptoms
Endothelin B Receptors on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells of the Human Umbilical Vein Mediate Vasoconstriction
Assessment of lung volumes using helical CT at inspiration and expiration: comparison with pulmonary function tests.
Cooperating working groups of GMDS, IBS-DR, DGEpi & DGSMP: a platform for training and scientific exchange on statistics and methods in medicine, clinical research and epidemiology
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