Shuttle synthetic aperture radar implementation study, volume 1

Results of an implementation study for a synthetic aperture radar for the space shuttle orbiter are described. The overall effort was directed toward the determination of the feasibility and usefulness of a multifrequency, multipolarization imaging radar for the shuttle orbiter. The radar is intended for earth resource monitoring as well as oceanographic and marine studies

Total synthesis of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid clivonine

Two syntheses of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloid clivonine (1) are described. Both employ previously reported 7-arylhydrindane 6 as an intermediate but differ in the method employed for subsequent introduction of what becomes the ring-B lactone carbonyl carbon (C7). The synthesis featuring a Bischler–Napieralski reaction for this transformation constitutes the first asymmetric synthesis of natural (+)-clivonine. Crystal structures for compounds (±)-13, (±)-16, (−)-20 and (±)-28 are also reported

The role of dendritic cells in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is marked by a complex interplay of dendritic cells (DCs), T-cells, cytokines, and downstream transcription factors as part of a self-sustaining type 1 cytokine network. As integral players of the immune system, DCs represent antigen-presenting cells that are crucial for efficient activation of T-cells and B-cells. DCs have also been linked to distinct chronic inflammatory conditions, including psoriasis. In the setting of psoriasis therapy, DC/T cell interactions serve as a potential target for biologic response modifiers. Here we describe the major DC subsets as well as the immunologic involvement of DCs within the context of psoriatic lesions

Microsatellite Support for Active Inbreeding in a Cichlid Fish

In wild animal populations, the degree of inbreeding differs between species and within species between populations. Because mating with kin often results in inbreeding depression, observed inbreeding is usually regarded to be caused by limited outbreeding opportunities due to demographic factors like small population size or population substructuring. However, theory predicts inclusive benefits from mating with kin, and thus part of the observed variation in inbreeding might be due to active inbreeding preferences. Although some recent studies indeed report kin mating preferences, the evidence is still highly ambiguous. Here, we investigate inbreeding in a natural population of the West African cichlid fish Pelvicachromis taeniatus which showed clear kin mating preferences in standardized laboratory experiments but no inbreeding depression. The presented microsatellite analysis reveals that the natural population has, in comparison to two reference populations, a reduced allelic diversity (A = 3) resulting in a low heterozygosity (Ho = 0.167) pointing to a highly inbred population. Furthermore, we found a significant heterozygote deficit not only at population (Fis = 0.116) but also at subpopulation level (Fis = 0.081) suggesting that inbreeding is not only a by-product of population substructuring but possibly a consequence of behavioral kin preferences

Financial implications of cancer. Empirical data and ethical aspects

Mehlis K, Witte J, Surmann B, et al. Financial implications of cancer. Empirical data and ethical aspects. In: Manz MG, ed. Abstractband für die Virtuelle Jahrestagung der Deutschen, Österreichischen und Schweizerischen Gesellschaften für Hämatologie und Medizinische Onkologie, 09.–11. Oktober 2020: Abstracts. Oncology Research and Treatment . Vol 43. Basel: Karger; 2020: 21-22

Alefacept in the treatment of psoriasis in patients for whom conventional therapies are inadequate.

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Many patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis fail to respond to or are not appropriate candidates for conventional systemic therapies and/or phototherapy. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy, quality of life and safety of alefacept among the proportion of patients who participated in the phase III studies and who were not suitable candidates for conventional systemic psoriasis therapies or phototherapy. METHODS: The patient's historical responses at the baseline visit during the phase III studies of alefacept were used to identify a subpopulation in whom the use of methotrexate, ciclosporin, retinoids, ultraviolet B or psoralen plus ultraviolet A was ineffective or inappropriate. Endpoints included Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and adverse events. RESULTS: Most patients (69%) who were treated with alefacept in the phase III programme were not candidates for > or =1 of the above-mentioned therapies, and 41 and 21% were not candidates for > or =2 and > or =3, respectively. A reduction in PASI of > or =75% was achieved by 27, 23 and 26% of alefacept-treated patients who were not candidates for > or =1, > or =2 and > or =3 conventional systemic psoriasis therapies or phototherapy, respectively (all p < or = 0.001 vs. placebo). The corresponding results for PASI 50 were 53, 52 and 50% (all p < or = 0.001 vs. placebo). At 2 weeks after the last dose of alefacept, mean DLQI overall scores were reduced by -4.2, -3.9 and -5.2, respectively (all p < or = 0.001 vs. placebo). The incidence of adverse events was similar in the alefacept and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy, quality of life effects and safety of alefacept in patients who were not candidates for conventional systemic psoriasis therapies or phototherapy were similar to those reported previously for the overall alefacept-treated population in the phase III studies