High-pressure spin shifts in the pseudogap regime of superconducting YBa2Cu4O8 as revealed by 17O NMR

A new NMR anvil cell design is used for measuring the influence of high pressure on the electronic properties of the high-temperature superconductor YBa$_2$Cu$_4$O$_8$ above the superconducting transition temperature $T_{\rm c}$. It is found that pressure increases the spin shift at all temperatures in such a way that the pseudo-gap feature has almost disappeared at 63 kbar. This change of the temperature dependent spin susceptibility can be explained by a pressure induced proportional decrease (factor of two) of a temperature dependent component, and an increase (factor of 9) of a temperature independent component, contrary to the effects of increasing doping. The results demonstrate that one can use anvil cell NMR to investigate the tuning of the electronic properties of correlated electronic materials with pressure.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Surface analysis of localized corrosion of austenitic 316L and duplex 2205 stainless steels in simulated body solutions

We report on cyclic voltammetry and in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) studies of localized corrosion of duplex 2205 stainless steel (DSS 2205) and austenitic stainless steel of the type AISI 316L in two model solutions, including artificial saliva (AS) and a simulated physiological solution known as – Hank's solution (PS). The AFM topography analysis illustrated the higher corrosion resistance of DSS 2205 steel for the chosen range of electrochemical potentials that were applied to the steel surface in both solutions. In contrast, pitting corrosion was observed at the surface of AISI 316L steel, with the pits becoming more evident, larger and deeper, when the sample was electrochemically treated in the PS. On both surfaces the growth of corrosion products formed during the oxidation process was observed. As a result, depending on the sample's metallurgical structure, different types of oxides covered the surface close to the breakdown potential. We distinguished between the square-like type of oxides on the surface of the DSS 2205, and the AISI 316L with its ellipse-like oxide deposits. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed the chemical composition of the deposition products, which consisted of two main elements, Fe and Cr. However, the oxides of the alloying elements Ni and Mo were negligible compared to the bulk

Prognostic association of depression following myocardial infarction with mortality and cardiovascular events:A meta-analysis of 25 years of research

AbstractObjectiveA meta-analysis of over 25 years of research into the relationship between post-myocardial infarction (MI) depression and cardiac prognosis was conducted to investigate changes in this association over time and to investigate subgroup effects.MethodA systematic literature search was performed (Medline, Embase and PsycINFO; 1975–2011) without language restrictions. Studies investigating the impact of post-MI depression on cardiovascular outcome, defined as all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and cardiac events within 24 months after the index MI, were identified. Depression had to be assessed within 3 months after MI using established instruments. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a random effects model.ResultsA total of 29 studies were identified, resulting in 41 comparisons. Follow-up (on average 16 months) was described for 16,889 MI patients. Post-MI depression was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [(OR), 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.73–2.93; P<.001], cardiac mortality (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.68–4.36; P<.001) and cardiac events (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.37–1.85; P<.001). ORs proved robust in subgroup analyses but declined over the years for cardiac events.ConclusionsPost-MI depression is associated with a 1.6- to 2.7-fold increased risk of impaired outcomes within 24 months. This association has been relatively stable over the past 25 years

Smart decentralised energy management

The German–Finnish research project FUture Smart Energy shows, how flexible devices, consuming or producing electricity in electric grids, can be self-organised in a fully decentralised way, using autonomous algorithms integrated with the devices\u27 controllers. By shifting operation time, existing flexible devices are hereby utilised as ‘virtual batteries’, providing high storage capacity and power. To gain sufficient flexibility, a large number of devices like combined heat and power generators, heat pumps (HP), heaters, coolers, charging stations, pumps, household appliances and industrial plants, has to be coordinated. This results in a high system complexity for which the evaluated method provides an easy, resilient, cyber-secure and cost-effective solution. This novel technology uses a new market approach for electric energy systems. A real-time price signal is generated directly out of grid state variables, like frequency, voltage, power or current, and broadcast to the flexible devices. Without a need for central control, the flexible devices react like a natural swarm to the price signal. The system is easily and highly scalable, as adding and removing flexibilities does not imply adapting a central control system. The system can be operated parallel or in addition to existing energy markets

FUSE – using artificial intelligence in the energy grid of tomorrow

The objective of Future Smart Energy (FUSE), a Finnish-German research and development project, is to develop methods based on artificial intelligence (AI) that will help to increase the resilience of future energy distribution grids. The use cases that are investigated include both condition monitoring/predictive maintenance, and distributed demand-side management in medium-voltage and low-voltage grids. The FUSE concept foresees a hierarchical infrastructure of sensing- and data processing nodes that use AI to transform raw data into information on asset and grid status and performance. FUSE supports the upward flow of data and aggregation of information into high-level visualisations for grid operators, as well as the downward flow of soft control signals that trigger the distributed self-control of assets. This study outlines the FUSE concept and presents the first results.This is an open access article published by the IET under the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of sex differences in depression and prognosis in persons with myocardial infarction: a MINDMAPS study

Objective - Using combined individual patient data (IPD) from prospective studies, we explored sex differences in depression and prognosis post-myocardial infarction (MI), and determined whether disease indices could account for found differences. Methods - Meta-analysis of IPD from 10,175 MI patients who completed diagnostic interviews or depression questionnaires from 16 prospective studies of MI patients, identified by systematic review for the MINDMAPS study. Multilevel logistic and Cox regression models were used to determine sex differences in prevalence of depression and sex-specific effects of depression on subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality. Results - Combined interview and questionnaire data from observational studies showed that 36% (635/1760) of women and 29% (1575/5526) of men reported elevated levels of depression (age-adjusted OR=0.68, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.77, p (sex*depression interaction p Conclusions - The prevalence of depression post-MI was higher in women than men, but the association between depression and cardiac prognosis was worse for men. LVEF was associated with depression in men only, and accounted for the increased risk of all-cause mortality in depressed men versus women, suggesting that depression in men post-MI may in part reflect cardiovascular disease severity

Oxaliplatin-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis under Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: Two Cases of a Rare Adverse Event

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a multicausal systemic inflammatory disease of the small vessels, histologically characterized by inflammation and deposition of both nuclear debris and fibrin in dermal postcapillary venules. The clinical picture typically involves palpable purpura of the lower legs and may be associated with general symptoms such as fatigue, arthralgia and fever. Involvement of the internal organs, most notably the kidneys, the central nervous system or the eyes, is possible and determines the prognosis. Oxaliplatin-induced leukocytoclastic vasculitis is a very rare event that limits treatment options in affected patients. We report 2 patients who developed the condition under chemotherapy for advanced rectal and metastatic colon carcinoma, respectively; a termination of the therapy was therefore necessary. While current therapies for colorectal cancer include the combination of multimodal treatment with new and targeted agents, rare and unusual side effects elicited by established agents also need to be taken into account for the clinical management

Adjusted prognostic association of post-myocardial infarction depression withmortality and cardiovascular events: an individual patient data meta-analysis

Background: The association between depression after myocardial infarction (post-MI) and increased risk of mortality and cardiac morbidity may be due to cardiac disease severity. Aims: To combine original data from studies on the association between post-MI depression and prognosis into one database. To investigate to what extent post-MI depression predicts prognosis independently of disease severity. Method: Individual patient data meta-analysis of studies, using multilevel, multivariable Cox regression analyses. Results:Sixteen studies participated, creating a database of 10,175 post-MI patients. HRs for post-MI depression were 1.32 (95%CI 1.26-1.38, p Conclusions: The association between post-MI depression and prognosis is attenuated after adjustment for cardiac disease severity. Still, depression remains independently associated with prognosis, with a 22% increased risk of all-cause mortality and a 13% increased risk of cardiovascular events per standard deviation in depression z-score. Declaration of interest: None

Glycan Binding Proteins in Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Research

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells that hold enormous therapeutic potential. They are currently in a focus of intense clinical and scientific investigation. MSCs are a promising cell type for various applications in the field of tissue engineering due to their multi-lineage differentiation capacity. Furthermore, one of their most interesting characteristics is that they possess immunomodulatory properties making these cells an attractive candidate for therapy of several immune-mediated disorders. MSCs are of nonembryonic origin and thus provide a less controversial and technically more feasible alternative for ESCs in future therapeutic applications. Due to their location on the cell surface, glycans are ideal molecules for identification, purification, and characterization of cells for therapeutic purposes. Methods to reliably and proficiently determine both the change in the presence of a specific glycan structures and the changes in the glycome profile of a cell, are needed. Glycan binding proteins in general serve as diagnostic tools in medical and scientific laboratories. High affinity and exquisite specificity are important factors for their successful use. The aim of this study was to characterize the glycans on the surface of MSCs in order to find novel MSC specific glycan markers. Further goal was to develop antibodies specific for MSC surface glycans, including the novel MSC marker. As described in the original publications of this study, we first characterized the glycome of MSCs and discovered that certain specific glycan epitopes are present only in MSCs, and not in cells differentiated from them. These epitopes include i antigen, which was further characterized to be a marker for umbilical cord blood derived MSCs. An antibody against the i antigen was generated using recombinant technology. Antibodies recognizing MSC surface glycans were also generated by utilizing hybridoma technology, using whole MSCs in the immunization. Taken together, these studies provide information of the changes in the glycome profile during MSC differentiation and describe a novel MSC marker. In these studies, we used two different methods to generate anti-glycan antibodies and emphasize the importance of thorough characterization of the binding properties of GBPs. The information of the characteristic glycosylation features of MSCs, and specific markers especially, can be used to isolate and characterize desired, therapeutically advantageous cell populations for distinct applications. Development of better glycan binding proteins will advance the field of cellular therapy and also the glycobiological research in general.Mesenkymaaliset kantasolut (eli mesenkymaaliset stroomasolut) ovat monikykyisiä soluja, jotka pystyvät erilaistumaan useiksi erilaisiksi solutyypeiksi. Viime aikoina näiden solujen tutkimus ja kliininen käyttö on herättänyt paljon huomiota ja kiinnostusta. Mesenkymaalinen kantasolu on lupaava solutyyppi moniin terapeuttisiin sovelluksiin. Erityisesti kudosteknologiset sovellukset käyttävät hyväkseen mesenkymaalisten kantasolujen erilaistumiskykyä. Yksi mesenkymaalisten kantasolujen kiinnostavimmista piirteistä on kuitenkin niiden vaikutus immuunivasteeseen ja mahdollinen käyttö immuunivälitteisten sairauksien, kuten käänteishyljintäreaktion hoidossa. Sekä tutkimus- että terapiakäyttöön tarkoitetut solut täytyy voida tunnistaa, eristää ja karakterisoida hyvin. Solun pinnalla olevat sokerimolekyylit eli glykaanit tarjoavat tähän oivan mahdollisuuden. Sokerirakenteista voidaan tarkkailla yksittäisten glykaanien esiintymisen muutoksia sekä pinnan sokeriprofiilin kokonaismuutoksia. Tutkimusmenetelmät ovat viime vuosina kehittyneet huimasti, mutta vaativat vielä jatkuvaa kehitystä. Sokerirakenteita sitovat proteiinit (vasta-aineet ja lektiinit) ovat laboratorioissa yleisesti käytettyjä diagnostisia työkaluja, ja soveltuvat hyvin solun pinnan sokereiden tutkimiseen. Tarkasti määritetty sitoutumisspesifisyys ja riittävän hyvä sitoutumislujuus ovat merkittäviä tekijöitä glykaaneja sitovien proteiinien onnistuneelle käytölle sekä niiden avulla saatujen tulosten oikeellisuudelle. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli kartoittaa mesenkymaalisten kantasolujen pinnan sokerirakenteita tavoitteena löytää spesifinen markkeri sekä kehittää vasta-aineita näitä rakenteita tunnistamaan. Ensiksi havaitsimme solun pinnan sokeriprofiilin muuttuvan solun erilaistuessa. Keskityimme tarkastelemaan lineaarista poly-LacNAc rakennetta, eli i-antigeenia, jonka määrä solun pinnalla väheni huomattavasti solujen erilaistuessa. Tarkempi karakterisointi osoitti i-antigeenin olevan spesifinen markkeri mesenkymaalisille kantasoluille. Kehitimme i-antigeenin tunnistavan vasta-aineen rekombinanttitekniikalla sekä mesenkymaalisen solun pinnan sokereille spesifisiä vasta-aineita hybridoomatekniikalla. Jotta soluterapiaa voidaan turvallisesti kehittää lisääntyviin hoitotarpeisiin, tarvitaan tarkkoja karakterisointimenetelmiä ja hyviä työkaluja solujen tunnistamiseen ja eristämiseen. Tietoa pinnan sokerirakenteiden muutoksista voidaan käyttää eristettäessä haluttuja solupopulaatiota eri terapiasovelluksiin. Sokerirakenteita sitovien proteiinien kehittäminen edesauttaa sekä soluterapian että glykobiologisen tutkimuksen kehittymistä