The Latitudinal Diversity Gradient: Novel Understanding through Mechanistic Eco-evolutionary Models

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most widely studied patterns in ecology, yet no consensus has been reached about its underlying causes. We argue that the reasons for this are the verbal nature of existing hypotheses, the failure to mechanistically link interacting ecological and evolutionary processes to the LDG, and the fact that empirical patterns are often consistent with multiple explanations. To address this issue, we synthesize current LDG hypotheses, uncovering their eco-evolutionary mechanisms, hidden assumptions, and commonalities. Furthermore, we propose mechanistic eco-evolutionary modeling and an inferential approach that makes use of geographic, phylogenetic, and trait-based patterns to assess the relative importance of different processes for generating the LDG.Additional co-authors: David Storch, Thorsten Wiegand, Allen H Hurlber

German S3 guideline "actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma" – long version of the update 2023

Actinic keratosis (AK) are common lesions in light-skinned individuals that can potentially progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Both conditions may be associated with significant morbidity and constitute a major disease burden, especially among the elderly. To establish an evidence-based framework for clinical decision making, the guideline “actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma” was updated and expanded by the topics cutanepus squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease) and actinic cheilitis. This guideline was developed at the highest evidence level (S3) and is aimed at dermatologists, general practitioners, ear nose and throat specialists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists in hospitals and office-based settings, as well as other medical specialties, policy makers and insurance funds involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with AK and cSCC

High expression of tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor correlates with liver metastasis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

Increased expression of tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in tumour tissue and/or serum has been associated with poor survival in various cancer forms. Moreover, a proinvasive function of TATI has been shown in colon cancer cell lines. In this study, we have examined the prognostic significance of tumour-specific TATI expression in colorectal cancer, assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue microarrays (TMAs) with tumour specimens from two independent patient cohorts. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards modelling were used to estimate time to recurrence, disease-free survival and overall survival. In both cohorts, a high (>50% of tumour cells) TATI expression was an independent predictor of a significantly shorter overall survival. In cohort II, in multivariate analysis including age, gender, disease stage, differentiation grade, vascular invasion and carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA), high TATI expression was associated with a significantly decreased overall survival (HR=1.82; 95% CI=1.19–2.79) and disease-free survival (HR=1.56; 95% CI=1.05–2.32) in curatively treated patients. Moreover, there was an increased risk for liver metastasis in both cohorts that remained significant in multivariate analysis in cohort II (HR=2.85; 95% CI=1.43–5.66). In conclusion, high TATI expression is associated with liver metastasis and is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer

Comparative study of the mode of action of different splint therapy concepts in anterior disc displacement with reduction

Die CMD ist ein weitverbreitetes Krankheitsbild in der Gesellschaft und bedarf aufgrund ihrer Komplexität individueller sowie effektiver Therapieformen. So ist es auch nicht weiter verwunderlich, dass durch stetig neue technische Erkenntnisse auch zukünftig zielgerichtete Studien das therapeutische Spektrum erweitern müssen. Daher beschäftigte sich die vorliegende Studie mit der Frage, ob behandlungsbedürftige Patienten mit ADVmR durch die Hilfe eines neuartigen multifunktionellen Schienentherapiekonzeptes zu therapieren sind und inwieweit die Befundung von realen Unterkieferbewegungen in die Bewertung zu integrieren ist. So konnte nach zahntechnischer Herstellung dreier verschiedener dentaler Aufbissschienen eine vergleichende Untersuchung mit Hilfe der real-time-MRT und überlagerten dynamischen Sequenzen durchgeführt werden. Diese Studie konnte durch ihre Ergebnisse die Wirkweise einer bimaxillären Kalottenschiene bei ADVmR belegen und bestätigte den klinischen Mehrwert einer Verwendung von MRT-Sequenzen in Echtzeit. Trotz der vielversprechenden Ergebnisse einer bimaxillären Kalottenschiene sind fortlaufende Studien nötig, um die Wirkweise dieser Schiene weiter zu untersuchen und eine generelle Therapieempfehlung aussprechen zu können. Obwohl die herausgearbeiteten Vorteile einer real-time-MRT ersichtlich waren, ist abzuwarten, ob sie sich auch in der täglichen instrumentellen Funktionsanalyse bewähren kann. Durch das breite therapeutische Spektrum der bimaxillären Kalottenschiene und die Verwendung einer real-time-MRT könnten sich neue Möglichkeiten bei einer Behandlung von ADVmR ergeben

Kollokationen und Kompetenzbeispiele im De Gruyter Wörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache

Köster L, Neubauer F. Kollokationen und Kompetenzbeispiele im De Gruyter Wörterbuch Deutsch als Fremdsprache. In: Wiegand HE, ed. Perspektiven der pädagogischen Lexikographie des Deutschen II. Untersuchungen anhand des "de Gruyter Wörterbuchs Deutsch als Fremdsprache". Tübingen: Niemeyer; 2002: 283-310

Right ventricular function correlates of right atrial strain in pulmonary hypertension: A combined cardiac magnetic resonance and conductance catheter study

The functional relevance of right atrial (RA) function in pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking-derived RA phasic function with invasively measured pressure-volume (PV) loop-derived right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic elastance (Eed) and RV-arterial coupling [end-systolic/arterial elastance (Ea/Ees)]. In 54 patients with severe PH, CMR was performed within 24 hours of diagnostic right heart catheterization and PV measurements. RA phasic function was assessed by CMR imaging of RA reservoir, passive, and active strain. The association of RA phasic function with indices of RV function was evaluated by Spearman's rank correlation and linear regression analyses. Median [interquartile range] RA reservoir, passive, and active strain were 19.5% [11.0-24.5], 7.0% [4.0-12.0], and 13.0% [7.0-18.5], respectively. Ees/Ea was 0.73 [0.48-1.08] and Eed was 0.14 mm Hg/ml [0.05-0.22]. RV diastolic impairment [RV end-diastolic pressure (EDP) and Eed] was correlated with RA phasic function, but Ea and Ees were not. In addition, RA phasic function was correlated with inferior vena cava diameter. In multivariate linear regression analysis, adjusting for key PV-loop indices, Eed and EDP remained significantly associated with RA phasic function. We conclude that RA phasic function is altered in relation to impaired diastolic function of the chronically overloaded right ventricle, and contributes to backwards venous flow and systemic congestion. These results call for more attention to RA function in the management of patients with PH.SCOPUS: ar.jDecretOANoAutActifinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Association of right atrial conduit phase with right ventricular lusitropic function in pulmonary hypertension

Alterations of right atrial (RA) function have emerged as determinants of outcome in pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to clarify the pathophysiological associations of impaired RA conduit function with right ventricular (RV) function in PH. In 51 patients with PH (48 with pulmonary arterial hypertension), RA conduit function was assessed as echocardiographic peak early diastolic strain rate (PEDSR). PEDSR and cardiac magnetic resonance parameters were measured within 24 h of right heart catheterization and generation of pressure–volume loops to assess RV diastolic (RV end-diastolic pressure [EDP] and relaxation [Tau]) and systolic function. Spearman rho correlation and linear regression analysis were used to determine the association of PEDSR with RV function. The impact of PEDSR on time to clinical worsening was assessed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses. Median (interquartile range) PEDSR was − 0.56 s − 1 (− 1.08 to − 0.37). Impaired PEDSR was significantly correlated with RV diastolic stiffness [EDP (rho = 0.570; p < 0.001) and Tau (rho = 0.500; p < 0.001)] but not with RV contractility or coupling. In multivariate linear regression including parameters of RV lusitropic and inotropic function, EDP remained independently associated with impaired PEDSR. During a median follow-up of 9 months, 23 patients deteriorated. After multivariate adjustment, PEDSR remained associated with clinical worsening (hazard ratio: 2.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.20–6.78). Altered RV lusitropy is associated with impaired RA conduit phase. PEDSR emerged as a promising, non-invasive, bedside-ready parameter to evaluate RV diastolic function and to predict prognosis in PH.SCOPUS: ar.jDecretOANoAutActifinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe