University of Münster

About: University of Münster is a education organization based out in Münster, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Transplantation. The organization has 35609 authors who have published 69059 publications receiving 2278534 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Munster & University of Muenster.

Lithium ion, lithium metal, and alternative rechargeable battery technologies: the odyssey for high energy density

Abstract: Since their market introduction in 1991, lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have developed evolutionary in terms of their specific energies (Wh/kg) and energy densities (Wh/L). Currently, they do not only dominate the small format battery market for portable electronic devices, but have also been successfully implemented as the technology of choice for electromobility as well as for stationary energy storage. Besides LIBs, a variety of different technologically promising battery concepts exists that, depending on the respective technology, might also be suitable for various application purposes. These systems of the “next generation,” the so-called post-lithium ion batteries (PLIBs), such as metal/sulfur, metal/air or metal/oxygen, or “post-lithium technologies” (systems without Li), which are based on alternative single (Na+, K+) or multivalent ions (Mg2+, Ca2+), are currently being studied intensively. From today’s point of view, it seems quite clear that there will not only be a single technology for all applications (technology monopoly), but different battery systems, which can be especially suitable or combined for a particular application (technology diversity). In this review, we place the lithium ion technology in a historical context and give insights into the battery technology diversity that evolved during the past decades and which will, in turn, influence future research and development.

P- and E-selectin mediate recruitment of T-helper-1 but not T-helper-2 cells into inflamed tissues

Abstract: When activated, T helper cells differentiate into one of two subsets, Th1 and Th2, characterized by distinct profiles of cytokine production. Th1 cells activate pro-inflammatory effector mechanisms involved in protection and autoimmunity, whereas Th2 cells induce humoral and allergic responses and downregulate local inflammation. Apart from differences in the repertoire of cytokines, no phenotypic attributes are established that distinguish the two subsets. Here we show that Th1 cells, but not Th2 cells, are able to bind to P-selectin and E-selectin. Moreover, only Th1 cells can efficiently enter inflamed sites in Th1-dominated models, such as sensitized skin or arthritic joints, but not in a Th2-dominated allergic response. Immigration of Th1 cells into inflamed skin can be blocked by antibodies against P- and E-selectin. These results provide evidence for adhesion mechanisms to distinguish between the two T helper subsets and mediate their differential trafficking. They indicate that selective recruitment is an additional level of regulation for both effector function profile and character of a local immune response.

Cortical abnormalities in adults and adolescents with major depression based on brain scans from 20 cohorts worldwide in the ENIGMA Major Depressive Disorder Working Group.

Abstract: The neuro-anatomical substrates of major depressive disorder (MDD) are still not well understood, despite many neuroimaging studies over the past few decades. Here we present the largest ever worldwide study by the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Major Depressive Disorder Working Group on cortical structural alterations in MDD. Structural T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 2148 MDD patients and 7957 healthy controls were analysed with harmonized protocols at 20 sites around the world. To detect consistent effects of MDD and its modulators on cortical thickness and surface area estimates derived from MRI, statistical effects from sites were meta-analysed separately for adults and adolescents. Adults with MDD had thinner cortical gray matter than controls in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior and posterior cingulate, insula and temporal lobes (Cohen's d effect sizes: -0.10 to -0.14). These effects were most pronounced in first episode and adult-onset patients (>21 years). Compared to matched controls, adolescents with MDD had lower total surface area (but no differences in cortical thickness) and regional reductions in frontal regions (medial OFC and superior frontal gyrus) and primary and higher-order visual, somatosensory and motor areas (d: -0.26 to -0.57). The strongest effects were found in recurrent adolescent patients. This highly powered global effort to identify consistent brain abnormalities showed widespread cortical alterations in MDD patients as compared to controls and suggests that MDD may impact brain structure in a highly dynamic way, with different patterns of alterations at different stages of life.

Dogma Disputed: Can Aggressively Lowering Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Be Dangerous?

Abstract: Because blood flow in the coronary arteries takes place largely during diastole, an increase in risk for coronary artery disease with excessive lowering of diastolic blood pressure is plausible, al...

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and prevention of sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract: ContextRecently, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has been promoted for prevention of sudden death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the effectiveness and appropriate selection of patients for this therapy is incompletely resolved.ObjectiveTo study the relationship between clinical risk profile and incidence and efficacy of ICD intervention in HCM.Design, Setting, and PatientsMulticenter registry study of ICDs implanted between 1986 and 2003 in 506 unrelated patients with HCM. Patients were judged to be at high risk for sudden death; had received ICDs; underwent evaluation at 42 referral and nonreferral institutions in the United States, Europe, and Australia; and had a mean follow-up of 3.7 (SD, 2.8) years. Measured risk factors for sudden death included family history of sudden death, massive left ventricular hypertrophy, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter monitoring, and unexplained prior syncope.Main Outcome MeasureAppropriate ICD intervention terminating ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.ResultsThe 506 patients were predominately young (mean age, 42 [SD, 17] years) at implantation, and most (439 [87%]) had no or only mildly limiting symptoms. ICD interventions appropriately terminated ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in 103 patients (20%). Intervention rates were 10.6% per year for secondary prevention after cardiac arrest (5-year cumulative probability, 39% [SD, 5%]), and 3.6% per year for primary prevention (5-year probability, 17% [SD, 2%]). Time to first appropriate discharge was up to 10 years, with a 27% (SD, 7%) probability 5 years or more after implantation. For primary prevention, 18 of the 51 patients with appropriate ICD interventions (35%) had undergone implantation for only a single risk factor; likelihood of appropriate discharge was similar in patients with 1, 2, or 3 or more risk markers (3.83, 2.65, and 4.82 per 100 person-years, respectively; P = .77). The single sudden death due to an arrhythmia (in the absence of advanced heart failure) resulted from ICD malfunction. ICD complications included inappropriate shocks in 136 patients (27%).ConclusionsIn a high-risk HCM cohort, ICD interventions for life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias were frequent and highly effective in restoring normal rhythm. An important proportion of ICD discharges occurred in primary prevention patients who had undergone implantation for a single risk factor. Therefore, a single marker of high risk for sudden death may be sufficient to justify consideration for prophylactic defibrillator implantation in selected patients with HCM.