Showing papers by "University of Zagreb published in 2018"
TL;DR: In insights into the role of alcohol consumption in the genetic architecture of hypertension, a large two-stage investigation incorporating joint testing of main genetic effects and single nucleotide variant (SNV)-alcohol consumption interactions is conducted.
Abstract: Heavy alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for hypertension; the mechanism by which alcohol consumption impact blood pressure (BP) regulation remains unknown. We hypothesized that a genome-wide association study accounting for gene-alcohol consumption interaction for BP might identify additional BP loci and contribute to the understanding of alcohol-related BP regulation. We conducted a large two-stage investigation incorporating joint testing of main genetic effects and single nucleotide variant (SNV)-alcohol consumption interactions. In Stage 1, genome-wide discovery meta-analyses in ≈131K individuals across several ancestry groups yielded 3,514 SNVs (245 loci) with suggestive evidence of association (P < 1.0 x 10-5). In Stage 2, these SNVs were tested for independent external replication in ≈440K individuals across multiple ancestries. We identified and replicated (at Bonferroni correction threshold) five novel BP loci (380 SNVs in 21 genes) and 49 previously reported BP loci (2,159 SNVs in 109 genes) in European ancestry, and in multi-ancestry meta-analyses (P < 5.0 x 10-8). For African ancestry samples, we detected 18 potentially novel BP loci (P < 5.0 x 10-8) in Stage 1 that warrant further replication. Additionally, correlated meta-analysis identified eight novel BP loci (11 genes). Several genes in these loci (e.g., PINX1, GATA4, BLK, FTO and GABBR2) have been previously reported to be associated with alcohol consumption. These findings provide insights into the role of alcohol consumption in the genetic architecture of hypertension.
1,218 citations
21 May 2018
TL;DR: Recent developments in XAI in supervised learning are summarized, a discussion on its connection with artificial general intelligence is started, and proposals for further research directions are given.
Abstract: In the last decade, with availability of large datasets and more computing power, machine learning systems have achieved (super)human performance in a wide variety of tasks. Examples of this rapid development can be seen in image recognition, speech analysis, strategic game planning and many more. The problem with many state-of-the-art models is a lack of transparency and interpretability. The lack of thereof is a major drawback in many applications, e.g. healthcare and finance, where rationale for model's decision is a requirement for trust. In the light of these issues, explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) has become an area of interest in research community. This paper summarizes recent developments in XAI in supervised learning, starts a discussion on its connection with artificial general intelligence, and gives proposals for further research directions.
657 citations
Fredrick R. Schumacher1, Ali Amin Al Olama2, Sonja I. Berndt3, Sara Benlloch2 +204 more•Institutions (79)
TL;DR: A large meta-analysis combining genome-wide and custom high-density genotyping array data identifies 63 new susceptibility loci for prostate cancer, enhancing fine-mapping efforts and providing insights into the underlying biology of PrCa1.
Abstract: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and fine-mapping efforts to date have identified more than 100 prostate cancer (PrCa)-susceptibility loci. We meta-analyzed genotype data from a custom high-density array of 46,939 PrCa cases and 27,910 controls of European ancestry with previously genotyped data of 32,255 PrCa cases and 33,202 controls of European ancestry. Our analysis identified 62 novel loci associated (P C, p.Pro1054Arg) in ATM and rs2066827 (OR = 1.06; P = 2.3 × 10−9; T>G, p.Val109Gly) in CDKN1B. The combination of all loci captured 28.4% of the PrCa familial relative risk, and a polygenic risk score conferred an elevated PrCa risk for men in the ninetieth to ninety-ninth percentiles (relative risk = 2.69; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.55–2.82) and first percentile (relative risk = 5.71; 95% CI: 5.04–6.48) risk stratum compared with the population average. These findings improve risk prediction, enhance fine-mapping, and provide insight into the underlying biology of PrCa1. A large meta-analysis combining genome-wide and custom high-density genotyping array data identifies 63 new susceptibility loci for prostate cancer, enhancing fine-mapping efforts and providing insights into the underlying biology.
585 citations
University of Brescia1, Karolinska Institutet2, University of Zagreb3, Athens State University4, Papworth Hospital5, Utrecht University6, Shaare Zedek Medical Center7, Medical University of Vienna8, Ege University9, University of Bologna10, Heidelberg University11, Poznan University of Medical Sciences12, University of Cambridge13, University of Zurich14
TL;DR: There is an urgent need to develop evidence‐based treatment algorithms to prolong life when possible and in accordance with patient preferences, increase life quality, and reduce the burden of hospitalization in this vulnerable patient population.
Abstract: This article updates the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2007 classification of advanced heart failure and describes new diagnostic and treatment options for these patients. Recognizing the patient with advanced heart failure is critical to facilitate timely referral to advanced heart failure centres. Unplanned visits for heart failure decompensation, malignant arrhythmias, co-morbidities, and the 2016 ESC guidelines criteria for the diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are included in this updated definition. Standard treatment is, by definition, insufficient in these patients. Inotropic therapy may be used as a bridge strategy, but it is only a palliative measure when used on its own, because of the lack of outcomes data. Major progress has occurred with short-term mechanical circulatory support devices for immediate management of cardiogenic shock and long-term mechanical circulatory support for either a bridge to transplantation or as destination therapy. Heart transplantation remains the treatment of choice for patients without contraindications. Some patients will not be candidates for advanced heart failure therapies. For these patients, who are often elderly with multiple co-morbidities, management of advanced heart failure to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life should be emphasized. Robust evidence from prospective studies is lacking for most therapies for advanced heart failure. There is an urgent need to develop evidence-based treatment algorithms to prolong life when possible and in accordance with patient preferences, increase life quality, and reduce the burden of hospitalization in this vulnerable patient population.
507 citations
Harvard University1, University of Tübingen2, Max Planck Society3, Hungarian Academy of Sciences4, Howard Hughes Medical Institute5, University College Dublin6, University of Vienna7, University of Coimbra8, University of Ferrara9, University of Adelaide10, University of Cambridge11, Trinity College, Dublin12, Broad Institute13, Emory University14, University of Florence15, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences16, Danube Private University17, Romanian Academy18, Centre national de la recherche scientifique19, Eötvös Loránd University20, Sofia University21, University of Oxford22, University of Wyoming23, University of Zagreb24, Pennsylvania State University25, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine26, Université de Montréal27, University of Bucharest28, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich29, University of Edinburgh30, University of Wisconsin-Madison31, University of Palermo32, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts33, Naturhistorisches Museum34, Russian Academy of Sciences35, University of Toronto36, University of Latvia37, Durham University38, University of Hull39, Grand Valley State University40, Columbia University41
TL;DR: It is shown that southeastern Europe continued to be a nexus between east and west after the arrival of farmers, with intermittent genetic contact with steppe populations occurring up to 2,000 years earlier than the migrations from the steppe that ultimately replaced much of the population of northern Europe.
Abstract: Farming was first introduced to Europe in the mid-seventh millennium bc, and was associated with migrants from Anatolia who settled in the southeast before spreading throughout Europe. Here, to und ...
447 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of pectin extraction from food waste and by-products is presented, focusing on the conventional and innovative processing techniques (microwave extraction, enzymatic extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction).
Abstract: Background A large amount of food wastes and by-products are produced from farm to plate. They represent valuable sources for the production of high-added value compounds such as pectin. Pectin is the methylated ester of polygalacturonic acid and presents a wide range of applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products as well as in food industry such as gelling agent in fruit-based products, stabilizer in fruit and milk beverages and fruit filling for bakery and confectionary products, among others. Therefore, pectin recovery is of great importance. Scope and Approach The commercially available pectin is almost exclusively derived from citrus peels or apple pomace, by-products from fruit juice manufacturing. But, nowadays the number of novel food waste and by-products sources for pectin extraction are increasing. Moreover, the application of innovative approaches is necessary due to the limitation of conventional processes. The present review will focus on the conventional and innovative processing techniques (microwave extraction, enzymatic extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction) to extract pectin from different wastes and by-products. Key Findings and Conclusions The pectin extraction differs according to the matrix studied as well as temperature, pH, time, solvents, and solid to liquid ratio. The use of innovative extraction processes such as ultrasound, microwave and enzymes can be a useful tool to increase pectin yield and quality, and reducing extraction time, temperature, use of toxic solvents and strong acidic conditions for pectin recovery. Moreover, the combination of solvent modelling and the use of particular extraction processes can enable the selective recovery of pectin.
377 citations
TL;DR: It is quantified how benefits exceed costs by a safe margin with the benefits of systems integration being the most important.
373 citations
TL;DR: A fully automated processing pipeline for the structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the developing neonatal brain is proposed, which has been specifically designed to address considerable differences between adult and neonatal brains, as imaged using MRI.
313 citations
TL;DR: We are increasingly no longer in a world where digital technology and media is separate, virtual, "other" to a "natural" human and social life as discussed by the authors, and this has inspired the emergence of a new concept called ''the...
Abstract: We are increasingly no longer in a world where digital technology and media is separate, virtual, ‘other’ to a ‘natural’ human and social life. This has inspired the emergence of a new concept—‘the...
312 citations
TL;DR: An extensive practical and pragmatic overview on the use of the main chemometrics tools in food science studies, focusing on the effects of process variables on chemical composition and on the authentication of foods based on chemical markers is provided.
Abstract: In the last decade, the use of multivariate statistical techniques developed for analytical chemistry has been adopted widely in food science and technology. Usually, chemometrics is applied when there is a large and complex dataset, in terms of sample numbers, types, and responses. The results are used for authentication of geographical origin, farming systems, or even to trace adulteration of high value-added commodities. In this article, we provide an extensive practical and pragmatic overview on the use of the main chemometrics tools in food science studies, focusing on the effects of process variables on chemical composition and on the authentication of foods based on chemical markers. Pattern recognition methods, such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis, have been used to associate the level of bioactive components with in vitro functional properties, although supervised multivariate statistical methods have been used for authentication purposes. Overall, chemometrics is a useful aid when extensive, multiple, and complex real-life problems need to be addressed in a multifactorial and holistic context. Undoubtedly, chemometrics should be used by governmental bodies and industries that need to monitor the quality of foods, raw materials, and processes when high-dimensional data are available. We have focused on practical examples and listed the pros and cons of the most used chemometric tools to help the user choose the most appropriate statistical approach for analysis of complex and multivariate data.
302 citations
Van Andel Institute1, Tufts University2, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill3, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center4, BC Cancer Agency5, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center6, Institute for Systems Biology7, University of California, Santa Cruz8, University of Pennsylvania9, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia10, University of Michigan11, Baylor College of Medicine12, University of Wisconsin-Madison13, University of Hamburg14, University of Zagreb15, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital16, Massachusetts Institute of Technology17, National Institutes of Health18, University of Southern California19
TL;DR: High-dimensional analyses identified distinct molecular patterns that characterized the major recognized histologic subtypes of TGCT: seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac tumor, and teratoma, and a subset of pure seminomas defined by KIT mutations, increased immune infiltration, globally demethylated DNA, and decreased KRAS copy number.
Christopher J L Murray1, Charlton S K H Callender1, Xie Rachel Kulikoff1, Vinay Srinivasan1 +1092 more•Institutions (424)
TL;DR: This work estimated population in 195 locations by single year of age and single calendar year from 1950 to 2017 with standardised and replicable methods and used the cohort-component method of population projection, with inputs of fertility, mortality, population, and migration data.
TL;DR: The use of active packaging and natural antioxidants, the active film development techniques, as well as the use of biopolymers as substitutes for synthetic polymers and their direct application in the meat industry are given.
TL;DR: This paper deals with recent trends in the bioethanol production as a fuel from different renewable raw materials as well as with its separation and purification processes.
Abstract: Production of biofuels from renewable feedstocks has captured considerable scientific attention since they could be used to supply energy and alternative fuels. Bioethanol is one of the most interesting biofuels due to its positive impact on the environment. Currently, it is mostly produced from sugar- and starch-containing raw materials. However, various available types of lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and forestry residues, and herbaceous energy crops could serve as feedstocks for the production of bioethanol, energy, heat and value-added chemicals. Lignocellulose is a complex mixture of carbohydrates that needs an efficient pretreatment to make accessible pathways to enzymes for the production of fermentable sugars, which after hydrolysis are fermented into ethanol. Despite technical and economic difficulties, renewable lignocellulosic raw materials represent low-cost feedstocks that do not compete with the food and feed chain, thereby stimulating the sustainability. Different bioprocess operational modes were developed for bioethanol production from renewable raw materials. Furthermore, alternative bioethanol separation and purification processes have also been intensively developed. This paper deals with recent trends in the bioethanol production as a fuel from different renewable raw materials as well as with its separation and purification processes.
TL;DR: Active packaging is a thriving field given its duality as barrier to external detrimental factors and active role in food preservation and quality as mentioned in this paper, however, research is still in its early stages with a long way to go in the design of innovative and economical active packaging materials containing appropriate active agents.
Abstract: Background The ever-growing world population results in the ineluctable increase of food demand which translates in the augment of the global market of packaging materials. Hence, the concept of active packaging materializes as a technology to enhance the safety, quality and shelf-life of the packaged foods. Active packaging systems can contribute to the reduction of food waste by providing, apart from an inert barrier to external conditions, several functions associated with food preservation, namely absorbing/scavenging, releasing/emitting and removing properties, temperature, microbial and quality control. Scope and approach The purpose of this review is to present a concise (but wide-ranging) appraisal on the latest advances in active agents for active food packaging. Emphasis is placed on active functions such as antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, oxygen and ethylene scavenging, and carbon dioxide emitting. An effort was made to highlight representative articles that prompted research on active agents towards viable market solutions. Key findings and conclusions Active packaging is a thriving field given its duality as barrier to external detrimental factors and active role in food preservation and quality. The use of natural active agents is a flourishing field due to the general concern towards natural-based additives. Nevertheless, research is still in its early stages with a long way to go in the design of innovative and economical active packaging materials containing appropriate active agents. The interaction between packaging, environment and food is the key challenge for achieving commercial translation.
Humboldt University of Berlin1, Sapienza University of Rome2, University of Vermont3, European Forest Institute4, University of Freiburg5, Danish Nature Agency6, University of Forestry, Sofia7, University of Turin8, Forest Research Institute9, Mediterranean University10, University of Lisbon11, University of Zagreb12, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague13, Aleksandras Stulginskis University14, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro15, Saints Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje16, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research17, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad18, University of Eastern Finland19, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences20
TL;DR: In this article, Sabatini et al. discuss the importance of gender diversity in soccer and discuss the role of gender in the sport of soccer in terms of sportswriting.
Abstract: Francesco Maria Sabatini1 | Sabina Burrascano2 | William S. Keeton3 | Christian Levers1 | Marcus Lindner4 | Florian Pötzschner1 | Pieter Johannes Verkerk5 | Jürgen Bauhus6 | Erik Buchwald7 | Oleh Chaskovsky8 | Nicolas Debaive9 | Ferenc Horváth10 | Matteo Garbarino11 | Nikolaos Grigoriadis12 | Fabio Lombardi13 | Inês Marques Duarte14 | Peter Meyer15 | Rein Midteng16 | Stjepan Mikac17 | Martin Mikoláš18 | Renzo Motta11 | Gintautas Mozgeris19 | Leónia Nunes14,20 | Momchil Panayotov21 | Peter Ódor10 | Alejandro Ruete22 | Bojan Simovski23 | Jonas Stillhard24 | Miroslav Svoboda18 | Jerzy Szwagrzyk25 | Olli-Pekka Tikkanen26 | Roman Volosyanchuk27 | Tomas Vrska28 | Tzvetan Zlatanov29 | Tobias Kuemmerle1
TL;DR: The Immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycome is well known for its heterogeneity and shows a significant degree of variation within populations, making it an excellent biomarker of a person's general health state and a promising add-on to improve existing disease biomarkers.
TL;DR: In many industrial processes, large quantities of volatile and flammable organic solvents are used in various reaction systems and separation steps define a major part of the environmental and economic performance of a process as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: The recently discovered novel class of recalcitrant poly Saccharide degraders‐lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are presented, because of these enzymes importance in the cellulose degradation process.
Abstract: This review aims to present current knowledge of the fungi involved in lignocellulose degradation with an overview of the various classes of lignocellulose-acting enzymes engaged in the pretreatment and saccharification step. Fungi have numerous applications and biotechnological potential for various industries including chemicals, fuel, pulp, and paper. The capability of fungi to degrade lignocellulose containing raw materials is due to their highly effective enzymatic system. Along with the hydrolytic enzymes consisting of cellulases and hemicellulases, responsible for polysaccharide degradation, they have a unique nonenzymatic oxidative system which together with ligninolytic enzymes is responsible for lignin modification and degradation. An overview of the enzymes classification is given by the Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZy) database as the major database for the identification of the lignocellulolytic enzymes by their amino acid sequence similarity. Finally, the recently discovered novel class of recalcitrant polysaccharide degraders-lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are presented, because of these enzymes importance in the cellulose degradation process.
TL;DR: Large-scale genome sequencing analyses on biliary tract cancers suggest cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs, and these findings could be useful to establish treatment and diagnostic strategies for BTCs based on genetic information.
TL;DR: Based on the available literature, the beneficial effects of apigenin as a future anticancer modality are promising but they require further in vitro and in-vivo studies to enable its translation from bench to bedside.
TL;DR: This review emphasizes that the Lb.
Abstract: Lactobacillus plantarum (widespread member of the genus Lactobacillus) is one of the most studied species extensively used in food industry as probiotic microorganism and/or microbial starter. The exploitation of Lb. plantarum strains with their long history in food fermentation forms an emerging field and design of added-value foods. Lb. plantarum strains were also used to produce new functional (traditional/novel) foods and beverages with improved nutritional and technological features. Lb. plantarum strains were identified from many traditional foods and characterized for their systematics and molecular taxonomy, enzyme systems (α-amylase, esterase, lipase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, enolase, phosphoketolase, lactase dehydrogenase, etc.), and bioactive compounds (bacteriocin, dipeptides, and other preservative compounds). This review emphasizes that the Lb. plantarum strains with their probiotic properties can have great effects against harmful microflora (foodborne pathogens) to increase safety and shelf-life of fermented foods.
TL;DR: The review focuses on radio-based WCSs, and finds that ubiquitous wireless technologies are helping make analytical (bio)chemical sensing appropriate and realistic for mass market adoption, in particular for two major classes of chemical sensor – electrochemical and optical.
Abstract: Parallel advances in chemical sensing and wireless communication technologies have sparked the development of wireless chemical sensors (WCSs). These hybrid devices enable wireless determination, collection and distribution of (bio)chemical analytical information in a way that is significantly impacting the Sensor Internet of Things with applications in healthcare, defence, sport, the environment, and agriculture. Challenges and examples for each of the major chemical sensor and major radio technologies related to different application areas are reviewed, including the latest trends emerging from wearable sensors. The review focuses on radio-based WCSs, and finds that ubiquitous wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) are helping make analytical (bio)chemical sensing appropriate and realistic for mass market adoption, in particular for two major classes of chemical sensor – electrochemical and optical. The review provides an in-depth analysis of academic WCS research publications over the ten year period 2007–2017.
University of Colorado Denver1, VU University Amsterdam2, University of Göttingen3, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center4, Nemours Foundation5, University of Toronto6, Children's Memorial Hospital7, University of Washington8, Children's National Medical Center9, National Institutes of Health10, Harvard University11, University of Pennsylvania12, Pennsylvania State University13, Wright State University14, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis15, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center16, Baylor College of Medicine17, Université de Montréal18, Boston Children's Hospital19, University of New South Wales20, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children21, Medical University of Graz22, McGill University23, University of Paris24, University of Paris-Sud25, Uppsala University26, Sapienza University of Rome27, University of Bonn28, German Cancer Research Center29, Heidelberg University30, University of Zurich31, University of Geneva32, University College London33, University of Zagreb34, Royal Victoria Infirmary35
TL;DR: Clinical, radiologic, and molecular factors that correlate with survival in children and young adults with DIPG are reported, which are important for risk stratification in future clinical trials.
Abstract: Purpose Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a brainstem malignancy with a median survival of 10 years (11% v 3% and 33% v 23%, respectively; P < .001) and with longer symptom duration ( P < .001). STSs, compared with LTSs, more commonly presented with cranial nerve palsy (83% v 73%, respectively; P = .008), ring enhancement (38% v 23%, respectively; P = .007), necrosis (42% v 26%, respectively; P = .009), and extrapontine extension (92% v 86%, respectively; P = .04). LTSs more commonly received systemic therapy at diagnosis (88% v 75% for STSs; P = .005). Biopsies and autopsies were performed in 299 patients (30%) and 77 patients (10%), respectively; 181 tumors (48%) were molecularly characterized. LTSs were more likely to harbor a HIST1H3B mutation (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.5; P = .002). Conclusion We report clinical, radiologic, and molecular factors that correlate with survival in children and young adults with DIPG, which are important for risk stratification in future clinical trials.
TL;DR: In this paper, a detailed literature review was carried out in order to detect the current state of the research on clean transport sector, as well as to point out the gaps in the research.
Abstract: Energy demand of a transport sector has constantly been increasing in the recent years, consuming one third of the total final energy demand in the European Union (EU) over the last decade. A transition of this sector towards sustainable one is facing many challenges in terms of suitable technology and energy resources. Especially challenging transition is envisaged for heavy-weight, long-range vehicles and airplanes. A detailed literature review was carried out in order to detect the current state of the research on clean transport sector, as well as to point out the gaps in the research. In order to calculate the resources needed for the transition towards completely renewable transport sector, four main alternatives to the current fossil fuel systems were assessed and their potential was quantified, i.e. biofuels, hydrogen, synthetic fuels (electrofuels) and electricity. Results showed that electric modes of transport have the largest benefits and should be the main aim of the transport transition. It was calculated that 72.3% of the transport energy demand on the EU level could be directly electrified by the technology existing today. For the remaining part of the transport sector a significant demand for energy resources exists, i.e. 3069 TWh of additional biomass was needed in the case of biofuels utilization scenario while 2775 TWh of electricity and 925 TWh of heat were needed in the case of renewable electrofuels produced using solid oxide electrolysis scenario.
University of New South Wales1, University of Pennsylvania2, Veterans Health Administration3, University of Zagreb4, Kurume University5, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill6, University at Buffalo7, Tehran University of Medical Sciences8, University of Marburg9, University Medical Center Groningen10, Rabin Medical Center11, University Hospital of Bern12, Yonsei University13, Keio University14, Mayo Clinic15, Cairo University16, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai17, University of Utah18, Mercy Health19, Hokkaido University20, Medical University of Warsaw21, Akdeniz University22, Reims University23, Emory University24, Duke University25, Paracelsus Private Medical University of Salzburg26, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki27, Masaryk University28, Clínica Alemana29, Karadeniz Technical University30, University of Lübeck31, University of São Paulo32, University of California, Irvine33, Sheba Medical Center34, University of Parma35, University of Barcelona36, St. John's University37, Leicester Royal Infirmary38, United States Department of Veterans Affairs39, Stanford University40, University of California, Davis41
TL;DR: Recommendations from a subsequent Delphi consensus to broaden the generalizability of recommendations includes intravenous CD20 inhibitors as a first line therapy option for moderate to severe pemphigus.
Abstract: Background Several European countries recently developed international diagnostic and management guidelines for pemphigus, which have been instrumental in the standardization of pemphigus management. Objective We now present results from a subsequent Delphi consensus to broaden the generalizability of the recommendations. Methods A preliminary survey, based on the European Dermatology Forum and the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology guidelines, was sent to a panel of international experts to determine the level of consensus. The results were discussed at the International Bullous Diseases Consensus Group in March 2016 during the annual American Academy of Dermatology conference. Following the meeting, a second survey was sent to more experts to achieve greater international consensus. Results The 39 experts participated in the first round of the Delphi survey, and 54 experts from 21 countries completed the second round. The number of statements in the survey was reduced from 175 topics in Delphi I to 24 topics in Delphi II on the basis of Delphi results and meeting discussion. Limitations Each recommendation represents the majority opinion and therefore may not reflect all possible treatment options available. Conclusions We present here the recommendations resulting from this Delphi process. This international consensus includes intravenous CD20 inhibitors as a first-line therapy option for moderate-to-severe pemphigus.
University of Palermo1, University of Bologna2, Polish Academy of Sciences3, University of Vienna4, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria5, University of Belgrade6, Ljubljana University Medical Centre7, University of Göttingen8, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki9, University of Latvia10, University of British Columbia11, University College London12, University of Kansas13, University of Alabama at Birmingham14, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens15, University of Debrecen16, Paracelsus Private Medical University of Salzburg17, University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik18, University of Zagreb19, University of London20, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai21, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences22, Charles University in Prague23, University of Western Australia24, University of California, Irvine25
TL;DR: The aim of this expert opinion paper is to provide the first attempt at recommendation on the management of statin intolerance through the use of nutraceuticals with particular attention on those with effective low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction.
TL;DR: With capital investments into blockchain technology projected to reach US$400 million in 2019, health professionals and decision makers should be aware of the transformative potential that blockchain technology offers for healthcare organizations and medical practice.
Abstract: Blockchain technology is a decentralized database that stores a registry of assets and transactions across a peer-to-peer computer network, which is secured through cryptography, and over time, its history gets locked in blocks of data that are cryptographically linked together and secured. So far, there have been use cases of this technology for cryptocurrencies, digital contracts, financial and public records, and property ownership. It is expected that future uses will expand into medicine, science, education, intellectual property, and supply chain management. Likely applications in the field of medicine could include electronic health records, health insurance, biomedical research, drug supply and procurement processes, and medical education. Utilization of blockchain is not without its weaknesses and currently, this technology is extremely immature and lacks public or even expert knowledge, making it hard to have a clear strategic vision of its true future potential. Presently, there are issues with scalability, security of smart contracts, and user adoption. Nevertheless, with capital investments into blockchain technology projected to reach US$400 million in 2019, health professionals and decision makers should be aware of the transformative potential that blockchain technology offers for healthcare organizations and medical practice.
TL;DR: A new regularisation penalty, derived from physically relevant equations of strain (deformation) energy, is proposed and implemented and it is demonstrated that its use leads to improved and more robust alignment of multimodal imaging data.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the observations and physical mechanisms behind this eruptive activity, with a view to making an assessment of the current capability of forecasting these events for space weather risk and impact mitigation.
Abstract: Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were discovered in the early 1970s when space-borne coronagraphs revealed that eruptions of plasma are ejected from the Sun. Today, it is known that the Sun produces eruptive flares, filament eruptions, coronal mass ejections and failed eruptions; all thought to be due to a release of energy stored in the coronal magnetic field during its drastic reconfiguration. This review discusses the observations and physical mechanisms behind this eruptive activity, with a view to making an assessment of the current capability of forecasting these events for space weather risk and impact mitigation. Whilst a wealth of observations exist, and detailed models have been developed, there still exists a need to draw these approaches together. In particular more realistic models are encouraged in order to asses the full range of complexity of the solar atmosphere and the criteria for which an eruption is formed. From the observational side, a more detailed understanding of the role of photospheric flows and reconnection is needed in order to identify the evolutionary path that ultimately means a magnetic structure will erupt.