Charles University in Prague

About: Charles University in Prague is a education organization based out in Prague, Czechia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 32392 authors who have published 74435 publications receiving 1804208 citations.

A randomized trial of parenteral methotrexate comparing an intermediate dose with a higher dose in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who failed to respond to standard doses of methotrexate.

Abstract: Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of parenteral methotrexate (MTX) at an intermediate dosage (15 mg/m2/week) versus a higher dosage (30 mg/m2/week) in patients with polyarticular-course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who failed to improve while receiving standard dosages of MTX (8–12.5 mg/m2/week). Methods In the screening phase, 595 patients who were newly started on a standard dose of MTX were followed up for 6 months. Subsequently, the nonresponders, defined according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) pediatric 30% improvement criteria (pediatric 30), were randomized to receive an intermediate dose or higher dose of parenteral MTX for an additional 6 months. Improvement in the screening and randomization phase was defined by the ACR pediatric 30 response, as well as by the 50% and 70% response levels (ACR pediatric 50 and ACR pediatric 70, respectively). Results In the screening phase, after receiving standard doses of MTX, 430 patients (72%) improved according to the ACR pediatric 30, while 360 (61%) met the ACR pediatric 50 and 225 (38%) met the ACR pediatric 70; among these patients, 69 (12%) also met the definition of complete disease control. Of the 133 nonresponders, 80 were randomized to receive an intermediate dose or higher dose of MTX. In the randomization phase, the ACR pediatric 30 response rate was 25 of 40 children (62.5%) in the intermediate-dose group versus 23 of 40 children (57.5%) in the higher-dose group. An ACR pediatric 50 response rate was attained by 23 patients (57.5%) receiving an intermediate dose versus 22 (55%) in the higher-dose group. An ACR pediatric 70 response rate was seen in 18 children (45%) receiving an intermediate dose versus 19 (47.5%) receiving a higher dose. Five children (12.5%) in the intermediate-dose group versus 4 (10%) receiving the higher dose of MTX also met the definition of complete disease control. None of the intergroup differences in response rate were significant. There were no significant differences in the frequency of adverse events or laboratory abnormalities between the 2 randomized groups. Conclusion This study shows that the plateau of efficacy of MTX in JIA is reached with parenteral administration of 15 mg/m2/week and that a further increase in dosage is not associated with any additional therapeutic benefit. MTX should be administered for up to 9–12 months to appreciate its full therapeutic effect.

Spectral Measurement of Electron Antineutrino Oscillation Amplitude and Frequency at Daya Bay

Abstract: A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯_e) from six 2.9 GW_(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin^2 2θ_(13) = 0.090^(+0.008)_(−0.009) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯e mass-squared difference |Δm2ee|=(2.59^(+0.19)_(−0.20))×10^−3 eV^2 is obtained using the observed ν¯_e rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm^(2)_(ee)| is consistent with |Δm^(2)_(μμ)| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

The Role of Inflammation in Age-Related Sarcopenia

Abstract: Many physiological changes occur with aging. These changes often, directly or indirectly, result in a deterioration of the quality of life and even in a shortening of life expectancy. Besides increased levels of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage and cell apoptosis, another important factor affecting the aging process involves a systemic chronic low-grade inflammation. This condition has already been shown to be interrelated with several (sub)clinical conditions, such as insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Recent evidence, however, shows that chronic low-grade inflammation also contributes to the loss of muscle mass, strength and functionality, referred to as sarcopenia, as it affects both muscle protein breakdown and synthesis through several signaling pathways. Classic interventions to counteract age-related muscle wasting mainly focus on resistance training and/or protein supplementation to overcome the anabolic inflexibility from which elderly suffer. Although the elderly benefit from these classic interventions, the therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory strategies is of great interest, as these might add up to/support the anabolic effect of resistance exercise and/or protein supplementation. In this review, the molecular interaction between inflammation, anabolic sensitivity and muscle protein metabolism in sarcopenic elderly will be addressed.

Measurement of the Z/γ* boson transverse momentum distribution in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: This paper describes a measurement of the Z/gamma* boson transverse momentum spectrum using ATLAS proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of root s = 7TeV at the LHC. The measurement is performed in the Z/gamma* -> e(+)e(-) and Z/gamma* -> mu(+)mu(-) channels, using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb(-1). Normalized differential cross sections as a function of the Z/gamma* boson transverse momentum are measured for transverse momenta up to 800 GeV. The measurement is performed inclusively for Z/gamma* rapidities up to 2.4, as well as in three rapidity bins. The channel results are combined, compared to perturbative and resummed QCD calculations and used to constrain the parton shower parameters of Monte Carlo generators.