Demystifying Industrial Internet of Things start-ups – A multi-layer taxonomy

Described as a fundamental paradigm shift by researchers, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is credited with massive potential. In the context of emerging technologies, such as the IIoT, start-ups occupy a crucial role, as new technologies are often first commercialized by start-ups. Because of the rising importance of IIoT start-ups as drivers of industrial innovation, IIoT solutions demand deepened theoretical insights. As existing classification schemes in the industrial context do not sufficiently account for the ever more critical role of IIoT start-ups, we present a multi-layer taxonomy of IIoT start-up solutions. Building on state-of-the-art literature and a sample of 78 real-world IIoT start-up solutions, the taxonomy comprises ten dimensions and related characteristics structured along the three layers solution, data, and business model. The taxonomy contributes to the descriptive knowledge on the IIoT and enables researchers and practitioners to better understand IIoT start-up solutions

Stable conditional expression and effect of C/EBPβ-LIP in adipocytes using the pSLIK system

Murine 3T3-L1 adipocytes are widely used as a cellular model of obesity. However, whereas transfection of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is straightforward, ectopic gene expression in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes has proved challenging. Here, we used the pSLIK vector system to generate stable doxycycline-inducible expression of the liver-enriched inhibitor protein isoform of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) {beta} (C/EBP{beta}-LIP) in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Because overexpression of C/EBP{beta}-LIP impairs adipocyte differentiation, the C/EBP{beta}-LIP construct was first integrated in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes but expression was induced only when adipocytes were fully differentiated. Increased C/EBP{beta}-LIP in mature adipocytes down-regulated C/EBP{beta} target genes including 11{beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and fatty acid binding protein 4, but had no effect on asparagine synthetase, demonstrating that transcriptional down-regulation by C/EBP{beta}-LIP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is not a general effect. Importantly, these genes were modulated in a similar manner in adipose tissue of mice with genetically increased C/EBP{beta}-LIP levels. The use of the pSLIK system to conditionally express transgenes in 3T3-L1 cells could be a valuable tool to dissect adipocyte physiology

Sequential therapy with inotuzumab ozogamicin, CD19 CAR T cells, and blinatumomab in an elderly patient with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Cancer patients frequently require central venous catheters for therapy and parenteral nutrition and are at high risk of central venous catheter-related infections (CRIs). Moreover, CRIs prolong hospitalization, cause an excess in resource utilization and treatment cost, often delay anti-cancer treatment, and are associated with a significant increase in mortality in cancer patients. We therefore summoned a panel of experts by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO) and updated our previous guideline on CRIs in cancer patients. After conducting systematic literature searches on PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases, video- and meeting-based consensus discussions were held. In the presented guideline, we summarize recommendations on definition, diagnosis, management, and prevention of CRIs in cancer patients including the grading of strength of recommendations and the respective levels of evidence. This guideline supports clinicians and researchers alike in the evidence-based decision-making in the management of CRIs in cancer patients

Characteristics and Outcome of Elderly Patients (>55 Years) with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Prognosis of elderly ALL patients remains dismal. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the course of 93 patients >55 years with B-precursor (n = 88) or T-ALL (n = 5), who received age-adapted, pediatric-inspired chemotherapy regimens at our center between May 2003 and October 2020. The median age at diagnosis was 65.7 years, and surviving patients had a median follow-up of 3.7 years. CR after induction therapy was documented in 76.5%, while the rate of treatment-related death within 100 days was 6.4%. The OS of the entire cohort at 1 and 3 year(s) was 75.2% (95% CI: 66.4-84.0%) and 47.3% (95% CI: 36.8-57.7%), respectively, while the EFS at 1 and 3 years(s) was 59.0% (95% CI: 48.9-69.0%) and 32.9% (95% CI: 23.0-42.8%), respectively. At 3 years, the cumulative incidence (CI) of relapse was 48.3% (95% CI: 38.9-59.9%), and the CI rate of death in CR was 17.3% (95% CI: 10.9-27.5%). Older age and an ECOG > 2 represented risk factors for inferior OS, while BCR::ABL1 status, immunophenotype, and intensity of chemotherapy did not significantly affect OS. We conclude that intensive treatment is feasible in selected elderly ALL patients, but high rates of relapse and death in CR underline the need for novel therapeutic strategies.ISSN:2072-669