Showing papers by "University of Basel published in 2017"
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Theo Vos1, Amanuel Alemu Abajobir, Kalkidan Hassen Abate2, Cristiana Abbafati3 +775 more•Institutions (305)
TL;DR: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2016 (GBD 2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of prevalence, incidence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) for 328 causes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016.
10,401 citations
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University College London1, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia2, VU University Medical Center3, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital4, National Multiple Sclerosis Society5, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University6, Medical University of Graz7, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute8, Fukushima Medical University9, New York University10, University of Düsseldorf11, University of Basel12, Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis13, University of Manitoba14, St. Michael's Hospital15, Hebron University16, Johns Hopkins University17, University of Copenhagen18, University of British Columbia19, University of Bari20, Claude Bernard University Lyon 121, French Institute of Health and Medical Research22, University of California, San Francisco23, Mayo Clinic24, Salisbury University25, Cleveland Clinic26
TL;DR: The 2017 McDonald criteria continue to apply primarily to patients experiencing a typical clinically isolated syndrome, define what is needed to fulfil dissemination in time and space of lesions in the CNS, and stress the need for no better explanation for the presentation.
Abstract: The 2010 McDonald criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis are widely used in research and clinical practice. Scientific advances in the past 7 years suggest that they might no longer provide the most up-to-date guidance for clinicians and researchers. The International Panel on Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis reviewed the 2010 McDonald criteria and recommended revisions. The 2017 McDonald criteria continue to apply primarily to patients experiencing a typical clinically isolated syndrome, define what is needed to fulfil dissemination in time and space of lesions in the CNS, and stress the need for no better explanation for the presentation. The following changes were made: in patients with a typical clinically isolated syndrome and clinical or MRI demonstration of dissemination in space, the presence of CSF-specific oligoclonal bands allows a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; symptomatic lesions can be used to demonstrate dissemination in space or time in patients with supratentorial, infratentorial, or spinal cord syndrome; and cortical lesions can be used to demonstrate dissemination in space. Research to further refine the criteria should focus on optic nerve involvement, validation in diverse populations, and incorporation of advanced imaging, neurophysiological, and body fluid markers.
3,945 citations
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University of Freiburg1, University of Alberta2, University of Milan3, Western General Hospital4, Medical University of Vienna5, Bond University6, Norwegian University of Science and Technology7, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre8, Karlstad University9, Sapienza University of Rome10, University of Basel11, University of Lisbon12, University of St. Gallen13, HAN University of Applied Sciences14, Université libre de Bruxelles15
TL;DR: These evidence-based guidelines were developed to translate current best evidence and expert opinion into recommendations for multi-disciplinary teams responsible for identification, prevention, and treatment of reversible elements of malnutrition in adult cancer patients.
1,740 citations
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TL;DR: An unprecedentedly high resolution global potential soil erosion model is presented, using a combination of remote sensing, GIS modelling and census data, that indicates a potential overall increase in global soil erosion driven by cropland expansion.
Abstract: Human activity and related land use change are the primary cause of accelerated soil erosion, which has substantial implications for nutrient and carbon cycling, land productivity and in turn, worldwide socio-economic conditions. Here we present an unprecedentedly high resolution (250 × 250 m) global potential soil erosion model, using a combination of remote sensing, GIS modelling and census data. We challenge the previous annual soil erosion reference values as our estimate, of 35.9 Pg yr−1 of soil eroded in 2012, is at least two times lower. Moreover, we estimate the spatial and temporal effects of land use change between 2001 and 2012 and the potential offset of the global application of conservation practices. Our findings indicate a potential overall increase in global soil erosion driven by cropland expansion. The greatest increases are predicted to occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. The least developed economies have been found to experience the highest estimates of soil erosion rates.
1,311 citations
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University of California, San Francisco1, University of Basel2, University of British Columbia3, McGill University4, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University5, Queen Mary University of London6, University of Düsseldorf7, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai8, University of Miami9, Hoffmann-La Roche10, Genentech11, Baylor College of Medicine12
TL;DR: Among patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, ocrelizumab was associated with lower rates of clinical and MRI progression than placebo; there was no clinically significant difference between groups in the rates of serious adverse events and serious infections.
Abstract: BackgroundAn evolving understanding of the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis suggests that depleting B cells could be useful for treatment. We studied ocrelizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes CD20-expressing B cells, in the primary progressive form of the disease. MethodsIn this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 732 patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in a 2:1 ratio to receive intravenous ocrelizumab (600 mg) or placebo every 24 weeks for at least 120 weeks and until a prespecified number of confirmed disability progression events had occurred. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks in a time-to-event analysis. ResultsThe percentage of patients with 12-week confirmed disability progression was 32.9% with ocrelizumab versus 39.3% with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.98; P=0.03). The percentage of patients with 24-week confirmed disability progression w...
1,220 citations
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University of Alabama at Birmingham1, College of Health Sciences, Bahrain2, University of Hohenheim3, Jimma University4, Queensland Government5, University of Queensland6, Mekelle University7, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation8, University of Cartagena9, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital10, University of Manitoba11, University of Gondar12, University of São Paulo13, Aga Khan University14, New Generation University College15, Public Health Foundation of India16, Duy Tan University17, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention18, Bielefeld University19, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute20, Imperial College London21, University of Basel22, Boston Children's Hospital23, Baylor College of Medicine24, Yonsei University25, Tehran University of Medical Sciences26, Jordan University of Science and Technology27, University of London28, University of Melbourne29, University of Liverpool30, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust31, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg32, United Nations Population Fund33, Iran University of Medical Sciences34, University of Ulm35, University of Sydney36, University of Porto37, University of British Columbia38, A.T. Still University39, Golestan University40, Harvard University41, Case Western Reserve University42, Marshall University43, University of KwaZulu-Natal44, AIIMS, New Delhi45, Utkal University46, Haramaya University47, Queensland University of Technology48, Wrocław Medical University49, Jagiellonian University Medical College50, Hanoi Medical University51, Johns Hopkins University52, National Research University – Higher School of Economics53, University of Bergen54, Norwegian Institute of Public Health55, University of Tromsø56, Karolinska Institutet57, Kyoto University58, Jackson State University59, Wuhan University60, University of Washington61
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report results of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2015 study on primary liver cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 195 countries or territories from 1990 to 2015, and present global, regional, and national estimates on the burden of liver cancer attributable to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol, and an “other” group that encompasses residual causes.
Abstract: Importance Liver cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths globally. The most common causes for liver cancer include hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol use. Objective To report results of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2015 study on primary liver cancer incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for 195 countries or territories from 1990 to 2015, and present global, regional, and national estimates on the burden of liver cancer attributable to HBV, HCV, alcohol, and an “other” group that encompasses residual causes. Design, Settings, and Participants Mortality was estimated using vital registration and cancer registry data in an ensemble modeling approach. Single-cause mortality estimates were adjusted for all-cause mortality. Incidence was derived from mortality estimates and the mortality-to-incidence ratio. Through a systematic literature review, data on the proportions of liver cancer due to HBV, HCV, alcohol, and other causes were identified. Years of life lost were calculated by multiplying each death by a standard life expectancy. Prevalence was estimated using mortality-to-incidence ratio as surrogate for survival. Total prevalence was divided into 4 sequelae that were multiplied by disability weights to derive years lived with disability (YLDs). DALYs were the sum of years of life lost and YLDs. Main Outcomes and Measures Liver cancer mortality, incidence, YLDs, years of life lost, DALYs by etiology, age, sex, country, and year. Results There were 854 000 incident cases of liver cancer and 810 000 deaths globally in 2015, contributing to 20 578 000 DALYs. Cases of incident liver cancer increased by 75% between 1990 and 2015, of which 47% can be explained by changing population age structures, 35% by population growth, and −8% to changing age-specific incidence rates. The male-to-female ratio for age-standardized liver cancer mortality was 2.8. Globally, HBV accounted for 265 000 liver cancer deaths (33%), alcohol for 245 000 (30%), HCV for 167 000 (21%), and other causes for 133 000 (16%) deaths, with substantial variation between countries in the underlying etiologies. Conclusions and Relevance Liver cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths in many countries. Causes of liver cancer differ widely among populations. Our results show that most cases of liver cancer can be prevented through vaccination, antiviral treatment, safe blood transfusion and injection practices, as well as interventions to reduce excessive alcohol use. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, the identification and elimination of risk factors for liver cancer will be required to achieve a sustained reduction in liver cancer burden. The GBD study can be used to guide these prevention efforts.
1,208 citations
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University of California, San Francisco1, University of British Columbia2, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University3, Queen Mary University of London4, University of Düsseldorf5, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai6, University of Barcelona7, Autonomous University of Barcelona8, Medical University of Łódź9, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston10, University Hospital of Basel11, McGill University12, Hoffmann-La Roche13, Genentech14, University of Basel15
TL;DR: Among patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, ocrelizumab was associated with lower rates of disease activity and progression than interferon beta‐1a over a period of 96 weeks.
Abstract: BackgroundB cells influence the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Ocrelizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively depletes CD20+ B cells. MethodsIn two identical phase 3 trials, we randomly assigned 821 and 835 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis to receive intravenous ocrelizumab at a dose of 600 mg every 24 weeks or subcutaneous interferon beta-1a at a dose of 44 μg three times weekly for 96 weeks. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate. ResultsThe annualized relapse rate was lower with ocrelizumab than with interferon beta-1a in trial 1 (0.16 vs. 0.29; 46% lower rate with ocrelizumab; P<0.001) and in trial 2 (0.16 vs. 0.29; 47% lower rate; P<0.001). In prespecified pooled analyses, the percentage of patients with disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks was significantly lower with ocrelizumab than with interferon beta-1a (9.1% vs. 13.6%; hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.81; P<0.001), as was the percentage of patients with disabilit...
1,198 citations
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German Cancer Research Center1, Université de Sherbrooke2, University Health Network3, University of Pittsburgh4, IMT Institute for Advanced Studies Lucca5, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital6, University of Toronto7, Zhejiang University of Technology8, Harvard University9, Utrecht University10, Université de Montréal11, National Research Council12, University of Washington13, University of Western Ontario14, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne15, ETSI16, Siemens17, University of Southern California18, King's College London19, University of Bordeaux20, Centre national de la recherche scientifique21, Copenhagen University Hospital22, University of Hamburg23, University of Basel24
TL;DR: The encouraging finding that most state-of-the-art algorithms produce tractograms containing 90% of the ground truth bundles (to at least some extent) is reported, however, the same tractograms contain many more invalid than valid bundles, and half of these invalid bundles occur systematically across research groups.
Abstract: Tractography based on non-invasive diffusion imaging is central to the study of human brain connectivity. To date, the approach has not been systematically validated in ground truth studies. Based on a simulated human brain data set with ground truth tracts, we organized an open international tractography challenge, which resulted in 96 distinct submissions from 20 research groups. Here, we report the encouraging finding that most state-of-the-art algorithms produce tractograms containing 90% of the ground truth bundles (to at least some extent). However, the same tractograms contain many more invalid than valid bundles, and half of these invalid bundles occur systematically across research groups. Taken together, our results demonstrate and confirm fundamental ambiguities inherent in tract reconstruction based on orientation information alone, which need to be considered when interpreting tractography and connectivity results. Our approach provides a novel framework for estimating reliability of tractography and encourages innovation to address its current limitations.
996 citations
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University of Marburg1, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg2, Rovira i Virgili University3, University of Göttingen4, Max Planck Society5, University of California, Los Angeles6, International School for Advanced Studies7, University of Melbourne8, University of Trieste9, Ikerbasque10, University of Toronto11, Nanyang Technological University12, National Institutes of Health13, Stanford University14, Shanghai Jiao Tong University15, Tongji University16, University of Seville17, Karolinska Institutet18, Drexel University19, Sichuan University20, Rice University21, Northwestern University22, University of Basel23, Zhejiang University24, Heidelberg University25, University of Tokyo26, Harvard University27, University of Utah28, University of Michigan29, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology30, Seoul National University31, Saarland University32, Columbia University33, Chinese Academy of Sciences34, Kazan Federal University35, Emory University36, University of California, Irvine37, Autonomous University of Barcelona38, University of Massachusetts Amherst39, Pennsylvania State University40, Ghent University41, Imperial College London42, National Tsing Hua University43, South China University of Technology44, University of Ulm45, Hebrew University of Jerusalem46, Huazhong University of Science and Technology47, Peking University48
TL;DR: An overview of recent developments in nanomedicine is provided and the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field are highlighted and translation to the clinic is highlighted.
Abstract: The design and use of materials in the nanoscale size range for addressing medical and health-related issues continues to receive increasing interest. Research in nanomedicine spans a multitude of areas, including drug delivery, vaccine development, antibacterial, diagnosis and imaging tools, wearable devices, implants, high-throughput screening platforms, etc. using biological, nonbiological, biomimetic, or hybrid materials. Many of these developments are starting to be translated into viable clinical products. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in nanomedicine and highlight the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field and translation to the clinic.
926 citations
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TL;DR: This work systematically analyzed binding specificities of full-length transcription factors and extended DNA binding domains to unmethylated and CpG-methylated DNA by using methylation-sensitive SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment).
Abstract: INTRODUCTION Nearly all cells in the human body share the same primary genome sequence consisting of four nucleotide bases. One of the bases, cytosine, is commonly modified by methylation of its 5 position in CpG dinucleotides (mCpG). Most CpG dinucleotides in the human genome are methylated, but the level of CpG methylation varies with genetic location (promoter versus gene body), whether genes are active versus silenced, and cell type. Research has shown that the maintenance of a particular cellular state after cell division is dependent on faithful transmission of methylated CpGs, as well as inheritance of the mother cells’ repertoire of transcription factors by the daughter cells. These two mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance are linked to each other; the binding of transcription factors can be affected by cytosine methylation, and cytosine methylation can, in turn, be added or removed by proteins that associate with transcription factors. RATIONALE The genetic and epigenetic language, which imparts when and where genes are expressed, is understood at a conceptual level. However, a more detailed understanding is needed of the genomic regulatory mechanism by which methylated cytosines affect transcription factor binding. Because cytosine methylation changes DNA structure, it has the potential to affect binding of all transcription factors. However, a systematic analysis of binding of a large collection of transcription factors to all possible DNA sequences has not previously been conducted. RESULTS To globally characterize the effect of cytosine methylation on transcription factor binding, we systematically analyzed binding specificities of full-length transcription factors and extended DNA binding domains to unmethylated and CpG-methylated DNA by using methylation-sensitive SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment). We evaluated binding of 542 transcription factors and identified a large number of previously uncharacterized transcription factor recognition motifs. Binding of most major classes of transcription factors, including bHLH, bZIP, and ETS, was inhibited by mCpG. In contrast, transcription factors such as homeodomain, POU, and NFAT proteins preferred to bind methylated DNA. This class of binding was enriched in factors with central roles in embryonic and organismal development. The observed binding preferences were validated using several orthogonal methods, including bisulfite-SELEX and protein-binding microarrays. In addition, the preference of the pluripotency factor OCT4 to bind to a mCpG-containing motif was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis in mouse embryonic stem cells with low or high levels of CpG methylation (due to deficiency in all enzymes that methylate cytosines or contribute to their removal, respectively). Crystal structure analysis of the homeodomain proteins HOXB13, CDX1, CDX2, and LHX4 revealed three key residues that contribute to the preference of this developmentally important family of transcription factors for mCpG. The preference for binding to mCpG was due to direct hydrophobic interactions with the 5-methyl group of methylcytosine. In contrast, inhibition of binding of other transcription factors to methylated sequences was found to be caused by steric hindrance. CONCLUSION Our work constitutes a global analysis of the effect of cytosine methylation on DNA binding specificities of human transcription factors. CpG methylation can influence binding of most transcription factors to DNA—in some cases negatively and in others positively. Our finding that many developmentally important transcription factors prefer to bind to mCpG sites can inform future analyses of the role of DNA methylation on cell differentiation, chromatin reprogramming, and transcriptional regulation.
846 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of the thermodynamic properties of matter at extreme densities, even exceeding nuclear matter density severely, is presented, where the composition of matter for such conditions, the resulting pressure, and the maximum mass of cold neutron stars are described.
Abstract: What are the thermodynamic properties of matter at extreme densities, even exceeding nuclear matter density severely? How can we describe the composition of matter for such conditions, the resulting pressure, and the maximum mass of cold neutron stars? How is this affected by finite temperatures, as they occur in core collapse supernovae and in compact star mergers? This review addresses these points within the framework of constraints from experiments as well as astronomical observations.
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Christian R. Marshall, Daniel P. Howrigan1, Daniel P. Howrigan2, Daniele Merico +326 more•Institutions (98)
TL;DR: In this article, a centralized analysis pipeline was applied to a SCZ cohort of 21,094 cases and 20,227 controls, and a global enrichment of copy number variants (CNVs) was observed in cases (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, P = 5.7 × 10-15), which persisted after excluding loci implicated in previous studies.
Abstract: Copy number variants (CNVs) have been strongly implicated in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). However, genome-wide investigation of the contribution of CNV to risk has been hampered by limited sample sizes. We sought to address this obstacle by applying a centralized analysis pipeline to a SCZ cohort of 21,094 cases and 20,227 controls. A global enrichment of CNV burden was observed in cases (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, P = 5.7 × 10-15), which persisted after excluding loci implicated in previous studies (OR = 1.07, P = 1.7 × 10-6). CNV burden was enriched for genes associated with synaptic function (OR = 1.68, P = 2.8 × 10-11) and neurobehavioral phenotypes in mouse (OR = 1.18, P = 7.3 × 10-5). Genome-wide significant evidence was obtained for eight loci, including 1q21.1, 2p16.3 (NRXN1), 3q29, 7q11.2, 15q13.3, distal 16p11.2, proximal 16p11.2 and 22q11.2. Suggestive support was found for eight additional candidate susceptibility and protective loci, which consisted predominantly of CNVs mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination.
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TL;DR: Three new genome-wide significant nonsynonymous variants associated with Alzheimer's disease are observed, providing additional evidence that the microglia-mediated innate immune response contributes directly to the development of Alzheimer's Disease.
Abstract: We identified rare coding variants associated with Alzheimer's disease in a three-stage case–control study of 85,133 subjects. In stage 1, we genotyped 34,174 samples using a whole-exome microarray. In stage 2, we tested associated variants (P < 1 × 10−4) in 35,962 independent samples using de novo genotyping and imputed genotypes. In stage 3, we used an additional 14,997 samples to test the most significant stage 2 associations (P < 5 × 10−8) using imputed genotypes. We observed three new genome-wide significant nonsynonymous variants associated with Alzheimer's disease: a protective variant in PLCG2 (rs72824905: p.Pro522Arg, P = 5.38 × 10−10, odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, minor allele frequency (MAF)cases = 0.0059, MAFcontrols = 0.0093), a risk variant in ABI3 (rs616338: p.Ser209Phe, P = 4.56 × 10−10, OR = 1.43, MAFcases = 0.011, MAFcontrols = 0.008), and a new genome-wide significant variant in TREM2 (rs143332484: p.Arg62His, P = 1.55 × 10−14, OR = 1.67, MAFcases = 0.0143, MAFcontrols = 0.0089), a known susceptibility gene for Alzheimer's disease. These protein-altering changes are in genes highly expressed in microglia and highlight an immune-related protein–protein interaction network enriched for previously identified risk genes in Alzheimer's disease. These genetic findings provide additional evidence that the microglia-mediated innate immune response contributes directly to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
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TL;DR: The methods used to identify autophagy structures, and to measure autophagic flux in cultured cells and animals are reviewed, and the existing Autophagy reporter mice that are useful for autophile studies and drug testing are described.
Abstract: Autophagy is a cytoplasmic degradation system, which is important for starvation adaptation and cellular quality control. Recent advances in understanding autophagy highlight its importance under physiological and pathological conditions. However, methods for monitoring autophagic activity are complicated and the results are sometimes misinterpreted. Here, we review the methods used to identify autophagic structures, and to measure autophagic flux in cultured cells and animals. We will also describe the existing autophagy reporter mice that are useful for autophagy studies and drug testing. Lastly, we will consider the attempts to monitor autophagy in samples derived from humans.
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TL;DR: The basic principles, advantages and limitations of the most common AFM bioimaging modes are reviewed, including the popular contact and dynamic modes, as well as recently developed modes such as multiparametric, molecular recognition, multifrequency and high-speed imaging.
Abstract: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful, multifunctional imaging platform that allows biological samples, from single molecules to living cells, to be visualized and manipulated. Soon after the instrument was invented, it was recognized that in order to maximize the opportunities of AFM imaging in biology, various technological developments would be required to address certain limitations of the method. This has led to the creation of a range of new imaging modes, which continue to push the capabilities of the technique today. Here, we review the basic principles, advantages and limitations of the most common AFM bioimaging modes, including the popular contact and dynamic modes, as well as recently developed modes such as multiparametric, molecular recognition, multifrequency and high-speed imaging. For each of these modes, we discuss recent experiments that highlight their unique capabilities.
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Karolinska University Hospital1, Karolinska Institutet2, University of Washington3, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center4, University of Basel5, Medical Products Agency6, University of Copenhagen7, Durham University8, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research9, Mayo Clinic10, University of California, Berkeley11, University College London12
TL;DR: The main changes compared to previous definitions are the introduction of a "probable disease" category and to incorporate quantitative nucleic acid testing in some end-organ disease categories.
Abstract: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease are important causes of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. For the purpose of developing consistent reporting of CMV outcomes in clinical trials, definitions of CMV infection and disease were developed and most recently published in 2002. Since then, there have been major developments in its diagnosis and management. Therefore, the CMV Drug Development Forum consisting of scientists, clinicians, regulators, and industry representatives has produced an updated version incorporating recent knowledge with the aim to support clinical research and drug development. The main changes compared to previous definitions are the introduction of a "probable disease" category and to incorporate quantitative nucleic acid testing in some end-organ disease categories. As the field evolves, the need for updates of these definitions is clear, and collaborative efforts between scientists, regulators, and industry can provide a platform for this work.
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TL;DR: This Review discusses important new insights that have been gained into the molecular principles of c-di-GMP synthesis and degradation, which are mediated by diguanylate cyclases and c- DiGMP-specific phosphodiesterases, respectively, and the cellular functions that are exerted by c-Di-G MP-binding effectors and their diverse targets.
Abstract: Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are highly versatile signalling molecules that control various important biological processes in bacteria. The best-studied example is cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP). Known since the late 1980s, it is now recognized as a near-ubiquitous second messenger that coordinates diverse aspects of bacterial growth and behaviour, including motility, virulence, biofilm formation and cell cycle progression. In this Review, we discuss important new insights that have been gained into the molecular principles of c-di-GMP synthesis and degradation, which are mediated by diguanylate cyclases and c-di-GMP-specific phosphodiesterases, respectively, and the cellular functions that are exerted by c-di-GMP-binding effectors and their diverse targets. Finally, we provide a short overview of the signalling versatility of other CDNs, including c-di-AMP and cGMP-AMP (cGAMP).
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TL;DR: A description of protein-protein interface conservation as a function of evolutionary distance to reduce the noise in deep multiple sequence alignments and a distance measure to structurally compare homologous multimeric protein complexes are defined.
Abstract: Cellular processes often depend on interactions between proteins and the formation of macromolecular complexes. The impairment of such interactions can lead to deregulation of pathways resulting in disease states, and it is hence crucial to gain insights into the nature of macromolecular assemblies. Detailed structural knowledge about complexes and protein-protein interactions is growing, but experimentally determined three-dimensional multimeric assemblies are outnumbered by complexes supported by non-structural experimental evidence. Here, we aim to fill this gap by modeling multimeric structures by homology, only using amino acid sequences to infer the stoichiometry and the overall structure of the assembly. We ask which properties of proteins within a family can assist in the prediction of correct quaternary structure. Specifically, we introduce a description of protein-protein interface conservation as a function of evolutionary distance to reduce the noise in deep multiple sequence alignments. We also define a distance measure to structurally compare homologous multimeric protein complexes. This allows us to hierarchically cluster protein structures and quantify the diversity of alternative biological assemblies known today. We find that a combination of conservation scores, structural clustering, and classical interface descriptors, can improve the selection of homologous protein templates leading to reliable models of protein complexes.
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TL;DR: It is suggested that in this particular study context, points, levels and leaderboards functioned as extrinsic incentives, effective only for promoting performance quantity.
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TL;DR: Numerical evidence that ML model predictions deviate from DFT less than DFT (B3LYP) deviates from experiment for all properties is presented and suggests that ML models could be more accurate than hybrid DFT if explicitly electron correlated quantum (or experimental) data were available.
Abstract: We investigate the impact of choosing regressors and molecular representations for the construction of fast machine learning (ML) models of 13 electronic ground-state properties of organic molecules. The performance of each regressor/representation/property combination is assessed using learning curves which report out-of-sample errors as a function of training set size with up to ∼118k distinct molecules. Molecular structures and properties at the hybrid density functional theory (DFT) level of theory come from the QM9 database [Ramakrishnan et al. Sci. Data 2014, 1, 140022] and include enthalpies and free energies of atomization, HOMO/LUMO energies and gap, dipole moment, polarizability, zero point vibrational energy, heat capacity, and the highest fundamental vibrational frequency. Various molecular representations have been studied (Coulomb matrix, bag of bonds, BAML and ECFP4, molecular graphs (MG)), as well as newly developed distribution based variants including histograms of distances (HD), angles...
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TL;DR: How nutrient availability is sensed and transduced to TOR in budding yeast and mammals is reviewed to allow novel strategies in the treatment for mTOR‐related diseases.
Abstract: Coordinating cell growth with nutrient availability is critical for cell survival. The evolutionarily conserved TOR (target of rapamycin) controls cell growth in response to nutrients, in particular amino acids. As a central controller of cell growth, mTOR (mammalian TOR) is implicated in several disorders, including cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Here, we review how nutrient availability is sensed and transduced to TOR in budding yeast and mammals. A better understanding of how nutrient availability is transduced to TOR may allow novel strategies in the treatment for mTOR-related diseases.
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TL;DR: A bedside care workforce with a greater proportion of professional nurses is associated with better outcomes for patients and nurses, and reducing nursing skill mix by adding nursing associates and other categories of assistive nursing personnel without professional nurse qualifications may contribute to preventable deaths, erode quality and safety of hospital care and contribute to hospital nurse shortages.
Abstract: Objectives To determine the association of hospital nursing skill mix with patient mortality, patient ratings of their care and indicators of quality of care.
Design Cross-sectional patient discharge data, hospital characteristics and nurse and patient survey data were merged and analysed using generalised estimating equations (GEE) and logistic regression models.
Setting Adult acute care hospitals in Belgium, England, Finland, Ireland, Spain and Switzerland.
Participants Survey data were collected from 13 077 nurses in 243 hospitals, and 18 828 patients in 182 of the same hospitals in the six countries. Discharge data were obtained for 275 519 surgical patients in 188 of these hospitals.
Main outcome measures Patient mortality, patient ratings of care, care quality, patient safety, adverse events and nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction.
Results Richer nurse skill mix (eg, every 10-point increase in the percentage of professional nurses among all nursing personnel) was associated with lower odds of mortality (OR=0.89), lower odds of low hospital ratings from patients (OR=0.90) and lower odds of reports of poor quality (OR=0.89), poor safety grades (OR=0.85) and other poor outcomes (0.80
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South University of Science and Technology of China1, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology2, University of Basel3, University of Nottingham4, Aalto University5, University of Kassel6, ETH Zurich7, National Institute for Environmental Studies8, Utrecht University9, Columbia University10, Goddard Institute for Space Studies11, Beijing Forestry University12, University of Tokyo13
TL;DR: A variety of indicators that have been developed to capture different characteristics of water scarcity are reviewed, finding challenges remain on appropriate incorporation of green water, water quality, environmental flow requirements, globalization and virtual water trade in water scarcity assessment.
Abstract: Water scarcity has become a major constraint to socio-economic development and a threat to livelihood in increasing parts of the world. Since the late 1980s, water
scarcity research has attracted much political and public attention. We here review a variety of indicators that have been developed to capture different characteristics of
water scarcity. Population, water availability and water use are the key elements of these indicators. Most of the progress made in the last few decades has been on the
quantification of water availability and use by applying spatially explicit models. However, challenges remain on appropriate incorporation of green water (soil moisture), water quality, environmental flow requirements, globalization and virtual water trade in water scarcity assessment. Meanwhile, inter- and intra- annual variability of water availability and use also calls for assessing the temporal dimension of water scarcity. It requires concerted efforts of hydrologists, economists, social scientists, and environmental scientists to develop integrated approaches to
capture the multi-faceted nature of water scarcity.
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University of London1, University of Queensland2, Monash University3, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research4, Shanghai Jiao Tong University5, Anhui Medical University6, Queensland University of Technology7, University of São Paulo8, University of Ottawa9, University of Los Andes10, Fudan University11, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague12, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic13, University of Oulu14, Oulu University Hospital15, Dublin Institute of Technology16, Brunel University London17, Nagasaki University18, University of Tsukuba19, Kyoto University20, Seoul National University21, Spanish National Research Council22, University of Valencia23, Umeå University24, Lund University25, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute26, University of Basel27, National Taiwan University28, Harvard University29, Yale University30, Duy Tan University31, Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University32, Public Health England33
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that climate change can directly affect human health by varying exposure to non-optimal outdoor temperature, however, evidence on this direct impact at a global scale is limited.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to improve and expand the quantification of personal health-care access and quality for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015.
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Radboud University Nijmegen1, Queen Mary University of London2, University of Colorado Denver3, Case Western Reserve University4, University of Basel5, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens6, University of Massachusetts Medical School7, University of Bonn8, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases9, University of California, San Diego10, Washington University in St. Louis11, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy12, National Institutes of Health13, Braunschweig University of Technology14, Brigham and Women's Hospital15, University of Copenhagen16, Humanitas University17, Trinity College, Dublin18, University of Amsterdam19, Harvard University20, Charité21, University of Minnesota22
TL;DR: A general guide to the cellular and humoral contributors to inflammation as well as to the pathways that characterize inflammation in specific organs and tissues is provided.
Abstract: Biologists, physicians and immunologists have contributed to the understanding of the cellular participants and biological pathways involved in inflammation. Here, we provide a general guide to the cellular and humoral contributors to inflammation as well as to the pathways that characterize inflammation in specific organs and tissues.
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TL;DR: High NLR is associated with an adverse OS and DFS in patients with breast cancer with a greater effect on disease-specific outcome in ER and HER2-negative disease and its addition to established risk prediction models warrants further investigation.
Abstract: The presence of a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with increased mortality in several malignancies. Here, we quantify the effect of NLR on survival in patients with breast cancer, and examine the effect of clinicopathologic factors on its prognostic value. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted to identify publications exploring the association of blood NLR (measured pre treatment) and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) among patients with breast cancer. Data from studies reporting a hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) or a P value were pooled in a meta-analysis. Pooled HRs were computed and weighted using generic inverse variance. Meta-regression was performed to evaluate the influence of clinicopathologic factors such as age, disease stage, tumor grade, nodal involvement, receptor status, and NLR cutoff on the HR for OS and DFS. All statistical tests were two-sided. Fifteen studies comprising a total of 8563 patients were included. The studies used different cutoff values to classify high NLR (range 1.9–5.0). The median cutoff value for high NLR used in these studies was 3.0 amongst 13 studies reporting a HR for OS, and 2.5 in 10 studies reporting DFS outcomes. NLR greater than the cutoff value was associated with worse OS (HR 2.56, 95% CI = 1.96–3.35; P < 0.001) and DFS (HR 1.74, 95% CI = 1.47–2.07; P < 0.001). This association was similar in studies including only early-stage disease and those comprising patients with both early-stage and metastatic disease. Estrogen receptor (ER) and HER-2 appeared to modify the effect of NLR on DFS, because NLR had greater prognostic value for DFS in ER-negative and HER2-negative breast cancer. No subgroup showed an influence on the association between NLR and OS. High NLR is associated with an adverse OS and DFS in patients with breast cancer with a greater effect on disease-specific outcome in ER and HER2-negative disease. NLR is an easily accessible prognostic marker, and its addition to established risk prediction models warrants further investigation.
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TL;DR: Patients reported more beneficial health behaviours, less symptoms and higher quality of life and to be more satisfied with treatment when they had higher trust in their health care professional when the interplay between trust and health outcomes was found.
Abstract: Objective
To examine whether patients’ trust in the health care professional is associated with health outcomes.
Study selection
We searched 4 major electronic databases for studies that reported quantitative data on the association between trust in the health care professional and health outcome. We screened the full-texts of 400 publications and included 47 studies in our meta-analysis.
Data extraction and data synthesis
We conducted random effects meta-analyses and meta-regressions and calculated correlation coefficients with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Two interdependent researchers assessed the quality of the included studies using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.
Results
Overall, we found a small to moderate correlation between trust and health outcomes (r = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19–0.29). Subgroup analyses revealed a moderate correlation between trust and self-rated subjective health outcomes (r = 0.30, 0.24–0.35). Correlations between trust and objective (r = -0.02, -0.08–0.03) as well as observer-rated outcomes (r = 0.10, -0.16–0.36) were non-significant. Exploratory analyses showed a large correlation between trust and patient satisfaction and somewhat smaller correlations with health behaviours, quality of life and symptom severity. Heterogeneity was small to moderate across the analyses.
Conclusions
From a clinical perspective, patients reported more beneficial health behaviours, less symptoms and higher quality of life and to be more satisfied with treatment when they had higher trust in their health care professional. There was evidence for upward bias in the summarized results. Prospective studies are required to deepen our understanding of the complex interplay between trust and health outcomes.
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TL;DR: It is shown that extracellular serine is required for optimal T-cell expansion even in glucose concentrations sufficient to support T cell activation, bioenergetics, and effector function, and Restricting dietary serine impairs pathogen-driven expansion of T cells in vivo, without affecting overall immune cell homeostasis.
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Paris Descartes University1, French Institute of Health and Medical Research2, university of lille3, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine4, University of Lübeck5, University of Padua6, University of Pécs7, University of the Witwatersrand8, University of Giessen9, University of Verona10, University of Zurich11, University of Bari12, Lund University13, Charles University in Prague14, Marche Polytechnic University15, University of Belgrade16, Sapienza University of Rome17, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy18, University of Debrecen19, University of Basel20, Ghent University21, Federal University of Paraná22, University of Milan23, Policlinico Umberto I24, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven25, University of Waikato26, University of Otago27, University of Alabama28, University Hospital Centre Zagreb29, James Cook University Hospital30, Technische Universität München31, University of Buenos Aires32, Medical University of Białystok33, University of Florence34
TL;DR: Combining two complementary and detailed databases enabled the collection of an unprecedented 3700 deaths, revealing the major contribution of the cardiopulmonary system to SSc mortality.
Abstract: Objectives To determine the causes of death and risk factors in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods Between 2000 and 2011, we examined the death certificates of all French patients with SSc to determine causes of death. Then we examined causes of death and developed a score associated with all-cause mortality from the international European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database. Candidate prognostic factors were tested by Cox proportional hazards regression model by single variable analysis, followed by a multiple variable model stratified by centres. The bootstrapping technique was used for internal validation. Results We identified 2719 French certificates of deaths related to SSc, mainly from cardiac (31%) and respiratory (18%) causes, and an increase in SSc-specific mortality over time. Over a median follow-up of 2.3 years, 1072 (9.6%) of 11 193 patients from the EUSTAR sample died, from cardiac disease in 27% and respiratory causes in 17%. By multiple variable analysis, a risk score was developed, which accurately predicted the 3-year mortality, with an area under the curve of 0.82. The 3-year survival of patients in the upper quartile was 53%, in contrast with 98% in the first quartile. Conclusion Combining two complementary and detailed databases enabled the collection of an unprecedented 3700 deaths, revealing the major contribution of the cardiopulmonary system to SSc mortality. We also developed a robust score to risk-stratify these patients and estimate their 3-year survival. With the emergence of new therapies, these important observations should help caregivers plan and refine the monitoring and management to prolong these patients’ survival.