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Background
With upcoming therapeutic interventions for patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), instruments for the follow-up of patients are needed to describe disease progression and to evaluate potential therapeutic effects. So far, volumetric brain changes have been proposed as clinical endpoints in the literature, but cognitive scores are still lacking. This study followed disease progression predominantly in language-based performance within 1 year and defined a PPA sum score which can be used in therapeutic interventions.
Methods
We assessed 28 patients with nonfluent variant PPA, 17 with semantic variant PPA, 13 with logopenic variant PPA, and 28 healthy controls in detail for 1 year. The most informative neuropsychological assessments were combined to a sum score, and associations between brain atrophy were investigated followed by a sample size calculation for clinical trials.
Results
Significant absolute changes up to 20% in cognitive tests were found after 1 year. Semantic and phonemic word fluency, Boston Naming Test, Digit Span, Token Test, AAT Written language, and Cookie Test were identified as the best markers for disease progression. These tasks provide the basis of a new PPA sum score. Assuming a therapeutic effect of 50% reduction in cognitive decline for sample size calculations, a number of 56 cases is needed to find a significant treatment effect. Correlations between cognitive decline and atrophy showed a correlation up to r = 0.7 between the sum score and frontal structures, namely the superior and inferior frontal gyrus, as well as with left-sided subcortical structures.
Conclusion
Our findings support the high performance of the proposed sum score in the follow-up of PPA and recommend it as an outcome measure in intervention studies.
Recently, we have shown that C6-ceramides efficiently suppress viral replication by trapping the virus in lysosomes. Here, we use antiviral assays to evaluate a synthetic ceramide derivative α-NH2-ω-N3-C6-ceramide (AKS461) and to confirm the biological activity of C6-ceramides inhibiting SARS-CoV-2. Click-labeling with a fluorophore demonstrated that AKS461 accumulates in lysosomes. Previously, it has been shown that suppression of SARS-CoV-2 replication can be cell-type specific. Thus, AKS461 inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in Huh-7, Vero, and Calu-3 cells up to 2.5 orders of magnitude. The results were confirmed by CoronaFISH, indicating that AKS461 acts comparable to the unmodified C6-ceramide. Thus, AKS461 serves as a tool to study ceramide-associated cellular and viral pathways, such as SARS-CoV-2 infections, and it helped to identify lysosomes as the central organelle of C6-ceramides to inhibit viral replication.
HtrA proteases and chaperones exhibit important roles in periplasmic protein quality control and stress responses. The genetic inactivation of htrA has been described for many bacterial pathogens. However, in some cases such as the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, HtrA is secreted where it cleaves the tumour-suppressor E-cadherin interfering with gastric disease development, but the generation of htrA mutants is still lacking. Here, we show that the htrA gene locus is highly conserved in worldwide strains. HtrA presence was confirmed in 992 H.pylori isolates in gastric biopsy material from infected patients. Differential RNA-sequencing (dRNA-seq) indicated that htrA is encoded in an operon with two subsequent genes, HP1020 and HP1021. Genetic mutagenesis and complementation studies revealed that HP1020 and HP1021, but not htrA, can be mutated. In addition, we demonstrate that suppression of HtrA proteolytic activity with a newly developed inhibitor is sufficient to effectively kill H.pylori, but not other bacteria. We show that Helicobacter htrA is an essential bifunctional gene with crucial intracellular and extracellular functions. Thus, we describe here the first microbe in which htrA is an indispensable gene, a situation unique in the bacterial kingdom. HtrA can therefore be considered a promising new target for anti-bacterial therapy.
Background
In patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD), increased levels of circulating fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) are independently associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. Interventional strategies aiming to reduce levels of FGF-23 in HD patients are of particular interest. The purpose of the current study was to compare the impact of high-flux versus low-flux HD on circulating FGF-23 levels.
Methods
We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the MINOXIS study, including 127 dialysis patients randomized to low-flux (n = 62) and high-flux (n = 65) HD for 52 weeks. Patients with valid measures for FGF-23 investigated baseline and after 52 weeks were included.
Results
Compared to baseline, a significant increase in FGF-23 levels after one year of low-flux HD was observed (Delta plasma FGF-23: +4026 RU/ml; p < 0.001). In contrast, FGF-23 levels remained stable in the high flux group (Delta plasma FGF-23: +373 RU/ml, p = 0.70). The adjusted difference of the absolute change in FGF-23 levels between the two treatment groups was statistically significant (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
Over a period of 12 months, high-flux HD was associated with stable FGF-23 levels, whereas the low-flux HD group showed an increase of FGF-23. However, the implications of the different FGF 23 time-trends in patients on high flux dialysis, as compared to the control group, remain to be explored in specifically designed clinical trials.
Die thorakale Strahlentherapie birgt stets das Risiko der Entstehung einer Pneumonitis, deren frühe Diagnose wichtig ist. Mit der Exhalat-Kondensat-Methode gelingt es, die alveoläre Oberfläche wenig invasiv und beliebig oft wiederholbar untersuchen zu können. Methodik, Variabilität der Exhalatparameter bei Gesunden, Unterschiede zwischen diesen und Patienten während einer thorakalen Strahlentherapie sollten untersucht, Zusammenhänge der Exhalatparameter mit Blutserumkonzentrationen von Total-Protein und TGF-beta; geklärt werden und die Eignung der Methode zur Früherkennung einer Strahlenpneumonitis geprüft werden. 14 gesunde Probanden (an drei aufeinander folgenden Messtagen) und 14 Patienten (bei 0 und 50Gy Gesamt-Energiedosis) wurden untersucht. Jeder atmete 15 Minuten lang am Jaeger ECoScreen; Exhalatmenge und Atemvolumen (V’E) wurden bestimmt. Bei den Probanden wurde am ersten Messtag, bei den Patienten beides Mal Blutserum abgenommen. Exhalat- und Serumproben wurden eingefroren und später auf TGF-beta; und Total-Protein untersucht. Die Untersuchungen waren problemlos durchzuführen; die Messung des V’E war allerdings umständlich. Eine Bestimmung der Masse des Exhalat-Kondensats ist genauer als die des Volumens. TGF-beta; konnte in keiner Kondensatprobe nachgewiesen werden, Total-Protein bei allen. Total-Protein und TGF-beta; ließen sich im Serum messen. Vier Patienten erkrankten an einer Pneumonitis, im Mittel 43,5 ±27 Tage nach Erhalt von 50Gy. Bei Gesunden bedeutet ein höheres V’E auch signifikant mehr Exhalat (p = 0,0004***); die Tag-zu-Tag-Variabilität aller Exhalatparameter war beträchtlich. Übungsphasen, weitere Standardisierungen und geeignete „Referenzkollektive“ sind für eine Etablierung der Methode unbedingt notwendig. Patienten höheren Körpergewichts (p = 0,0072**) und mit einem größerem Body-Mass-Index (BMI, p = 0,0095**) produzierten vor Therapie signifikant mehr Exhalat-Kondensat. Es fand sich bei den Älteren am zweiten Messtermin signifikant mehr Protein im Exhalat (p = 0,045*), dies ist als Alters- und / oder Krankheitsfolge zu werten (in beiden Teilkollektiven findet sich kein solcher Zusammenhang). Die Patienten hatten höhere Ausgangswerte aller drei Exhalatparameter als die Probanden. Bei den Gesunden fand sich infolge „Gewöhnung“ an die Messapparatur am zweiten Messtag weniger Exhalat und ein geringeres V’E. Die Patienten hatten vor Beginn der Therapie mehr Protein im Exhalat, was eine bei vielen vorbestehende alveoläre Schrankenstörung vermuten lässt. Die Patienten hatten stets mehr Protein im Exhalat als die Probanden, dieses stieg während der Therapie um das 1,7fache an; trotzdem ließ sich kein signifikanter Zusammenhang mit der Entwicklung einer Strahlenpneumonitis finden. Bei den Gesunden fanden sich bei jeweils höheren Ausgangswerten auch signifikant stärkere Abnahmen der Exhalatmenge (p = 0,025*) und des V’E (p = 0,040*) – es kommt also bei den „Gewöhnungseffekten“ auf die Zeitdauer des Messintervalls an. Mittelwerte aus mehreren Messungen trugen zu einer schärferen Abgrenzung der zwei Kollektive bei; bei jeweils n = 22 Personen pro Kollektiv wären mehr signifikante Unterschiede zu finden gewesen. Die Serumkonzentrationen von Protein und TGF-beta waren von den demographischen Daten unabhängig und hingen niemals voneinander ab. Die TGF-beta-Serumkonzentrationen der an Pneumonitis erkrankten Patienten nahmen im Laufe der Strahlentherapie im Durchschnitt um 32,9% ab, während sie sich bei den übrigen praktisch nicht änderten; wahrscheinlich handelt es sich hier um typische transiente Abfälle von TGF-beta. Bei den Probanden waren Serum- und Exhalatparameter unabhängig voneinander. Bei den Patienten war mehr Protein im Exhalat-Kondensat, wenn bei 0Gy mehr Serum-TGF-beta vorhanden war. Nach 50Gy war umso mehr Protein im Kondensat, je niedriger es im Serum war. Bei Patienten, die im Laufe der Therapie mehr Protein im Exhalat hatten, fand sich auch eine signifikant steigende Proteinkonzentration im Serum (p = 0,027*). Sinkt TGF-beta im Serum während der Therapie ab (eher steigendes Pneumonitis-Risiko in dieser Studie), dann steigt V’E (p = 0,0100*) und sinkt das Protein im Exhalat (p = 0,043*) signifikant. Bei 0Gy war der Protein-Quotient aus Exhalat und Serum bei den Patienten 1,3mal höher und stieg bis 50Gy um das 1,75fache auf das 2,28fache der Probanden-Ausgangswerte an. Ein hohes TGF-beta im Serum bei 0Gy ging mit einem signifikant steigenden V’E (p = 0,0067**) und sinkenden Protein im Exhalat (p = 0,012*) im Laufe der Therapie einher. Steigt Protein im Serum während der Therapie an, fand sich ein eher höheres V’E vor Beginn der Therapie. Waren Exhalatmenge und V’E vor Therapie eher hoch, stieg TGF-beta im Serum bis 50Gy eher an.
Highly efficient single-photon sources (SPS) can increase the secure key rate of quantum key distribution (QKD) systems compared to conventional attenuated laser systems. Here we report on a free space QKD test using an electrically driven quantum dot single-photon source (QD SPS) that does not require a separate laser setup for optical pumping and thus allows for a simple and compact SPS QKD system. We describe its implementation in our 500 m free space QKD system in downtown Munich. Emulating a BB84 protocol operating at a repetition rate of 125 MHz, we could achieve sifted key rates of 5-17 kHz with error ratios of 6-9% and g((2))(0)-values of 0.39-0.76.
The ongoing digitization of historical photographs in archives allows investigating the quality, quantity, and distribution of these images. However, the exact interior and exterior camera orientations of these photographs are usually lost during the digitization process. The proposed method uses content-based image retrieval (CBIR) to filter exterior images of single buildings in combination with metadata information. The retrieved photographs are automatically processed in an adapted structure-from-motion (SfM) pipeline to determine the camera parameters. In an interactive georeferencing process, the calculated camera positions are transferred into a global coordinate system. As all image and camera data are efficiently stored in the proposed 4D database, they can be conveniently accessed afterward to georeference newly digitized images by using photogrammetric triangulation and spatial resection. The results show that the CBIR and the subsequent SfM are robust methods for various kinds of buildings and different quantity of data. The absolute accuracy of the camera positions after georeferencing lies in the range of a few meters likely introduced by the inaccurate LOD2 models used for transformation. The proposed photogrammetric method, the database structure, and the 4D visualization interface enable adding historical urban photographs and 3D models from other locations.
Enteric glial cells (EGCs) of the enteric nervous system are critically involved in the maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier function (IEB). The underlying mechanisms remain undefined. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) contributes to IEB maturation and may therefore be the predominant mediator of this process by EGCs. Using GFAP\(^{cre}\) x Ai14\(^{floxed}\) mice to isolate EGCs by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), we confirmed that they synthesize GDNF in vivo as well as in primary cultures demonstrating that EGCs are a rich source of GDNF in vivo and in vitro. Co-culture of EGCs with Caco2 cells resulted in IEB maturation which was abrogated when GDNF was either depleted from EGC supernatants, or knocked down in EGCs or when the GDNF receptor RET was blocked. Further, TNFα-induced loss of IEB function in Caco2 cells and in organoids was attenuated by EGC supernatants or by recombinant GDNF. These barrier-protective effects were blunted when using supernatants from GDNF-deficient EGCs or by RET receptor blockade. Together, our data show that EGCs produce GDNF to maintain IEB function in vitro through the RET receptor.
Recently, we found that the cytidine deaminase APOBEC3G (A3G) inhibits measles (MV) replication. Using a microarray, we identified differential regulation of several host genes upon ectopic expression of A3G. One of the up-regulated genes, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein retention receptor KDELR2, reduced MV replication ~5 fold when it was over-expressed individually in Vero and CEM-SS T cells. Silencing of KDELR2 in A3G-expressing Vero cells abrogated the antiviral activity induced by A3G, confirming its role as an A3G-regulated antiviral host factor. Recognition of the KDEL (Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu) motif by KDEL receptors initiates the retrograde transport of soluble proteins that have escaped the ER and play an important role in ER quality control. Although KDELR2 over-expression reduced MV titers in cell cultures, we observed no interaction between KDELR2 and the MV hemagglutinin (H) protein. Instead, KDELR2 retained chaperones in the ER, which are required for the correct folding and transport of the MV envelope glycoproteins H and fusion protein (F) to the cell surface. Our data indicate that KDELR2 competes with MV envelope proteins for binding to calnexin and GRP78/Bip, and that this interaction limits the availability of the chaperones for MV proteins, causing the reduction of virus spread and titers.
Transmission of measles virus (MV) from dendritic to airway epithelial cells is considered as crucial to viral spread late in infection. Therefore, pathways and effectors governing this process are promising targets for intervention. To identify these, we established a 3D respiratory tract model where MV transmission by infected dendritic cells (DCs) relied on the presence of nectin-4 on H358 lung epithelial cells. Access to recipient cells is an important prerequisite for transmission, and we therefore analyzed migration of MV-exposed DC cultures within the model. Surprisingly, enhanced motility toward the epithelial layer was observed for MV-infected DCs as compared to their uninfected siblings. This occurred independently of factors released from H358 cells indicating that MV infection triggered cytoskeletal remodeling associated with DC polarization enforced velocity. Accordingly, the latter was also observed for MV-infected DCs in collagen matrices and was particularly sensitive to ROCK inhibition indicating infected DCs preferentially employed the amoeboid migration mode. This was also implicated by loss of podosomes and reduced filopodial activity both of which were retained in MV-exposed uninfected DCs. Evidently, sphingosine kinase (SphK) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) as produced in response to virus-infection in DCs contributed to enhanced velocity because this was abrogated upon inhibition of sphingosine kinase activity. These findings indicate that MV infection promotes a push-and-squeeze fast amoeboid migration mode via the SphK/S1P system characterized by loss of filopodia and podosome dissolution. Consequently, this enables rapid trafficking of virus toward epithelial cells during viral exit.