[Castleman's disease in the rheumatological practice]

The term Castleman's disease encompasses a group of rare lymphoproliferative diseases that show histopathological similarities in lymph node biopsy. Diagnostic criteria and a specific ICD-10 code have been available for a few years. Case studies listed at the beginning illustrate that close cooperation between clinicians and pathologists is required to enable a reliable diagnosis. For an optimal histopathological assessment, the pathologist is also dependent on the removal of a complete lymph node. Before distinguishing a potentially fatal multicentric idiopathic Castleman's disease from the resectable unicentric form, which is important in terms of prognosis and treatment, early diagnosis presupposes that Castleman's disease is considered in the differential diagnosis. Various immune phenomena and overlaps with autoimmune diseases can increase the probability of misdiagnosis or undetected cases in the clinical routine of rheumatologists. The intention of the present overview is therefore to point out the similarities with autoimmune diseases that are relevant for differential diagnoses and to point out situations that justify a review of the previous diagnosis.

An intra-action review conducted by the CDC foundation during COVID-19 to evaluate emergency response procedures

OBJECTIVES

During times of emergency response, the CDC Foundation leverages partnerships and relationships to better understand the situation and respond rapidly to save lives. As the COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold, an opportunity became clear to improve our work in emergency response through documentation of lessons learned and incorporating them into best practices.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a mixed methods study.

METHODS

The CDC Foundation Response, Crisis and Preparedness Unit conducted an internal evaluation via an intra-action review to evaluate and rapidly improve emergency response activities to provide effective and efficient response-related program management.

RESULTS

The processes developed during the COVID-19 response to conduct timely and actionable reviews of the CDC Foundation's operations led to the identification of gaps in the work and management processes and to creation of subsequent actions to address these issues. Such solutions include surge hiring, establishing standard operating procedures for processes not yet documented, and creating tools and templates to streamline emergency response operations.

CONCLUSIONS

The creation of manuals and handbooks, intra-action reviews, and impact sharing for emergency response projects led to actionable items meant to improve processes and procedures and the ability of the Response, Crisis and Preparedness Unit to quickly mobilize resources directed toward saving lives. These products are now open-source resources that can be used by other organizations to improve their own emergency response management systems.

[Update on collaborative autopsy-based research in German pathology, neuropathology, and forensic medicine]

BACKGROUND

Autopsies are a valuable tool for understanding disease, including COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The German Registry of COVID-19 Autopsies (DeRegCOVID), established in April 2020, serves as the electronic backbone of the National Autopsy Network (NATON), launched in early 2022 following DEFEAT PANDEMIcs.

RESULTS

The NATON consortium's interconnected, collaborative autopsy research is enabled by an unprecedented collaboration of 138 individuals at more than 35 German university and non-university autopsy centers through which pathology, neuropathology, and forensic medicine autopsy data including data on biomaterials are collected in DeRegCOVID and tissue-based research and methods development are conducted. More than 145 publications have now emerged from participating autopsy centers, highlighting various basic science and clinical aspects of COVID-19, such as thromboembolic events, organ tropism, SARS-CoV‑2 detection methods, and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 at autopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Participating centers have demonstrated the high value of autopsy and autopsy-derived data and biomaterials to modern medicine. The planned long-term continuation and further development of the registry and network, as well as the open and participatory design, will allow the involvement of all interested partners.

Sex differences in zonulin in affective disorders and associations with current mood symptoms

INTRODUCTION

The bidirectional connection between the brain and the gut within psychiatric entities has gained increasing scientific attention over the last years. As a regulator of intestinal permeability, zonulin acts as a key player on the interface of this interplay. Like several psychiatric disorders, intestinal permeability was associated with inflammation in previous findings.

METHODS

In this study we explored differences in zonulin serum levels in currently depressed (n = 55) versus currently euthymic (n = 37) individuals with an affective disorder. Further, we explored sex differences and possible influences on zonulin and affective symptoms like medication, age, body mass index, and smoking status.

RESULTS

Serum zonulin was significantly higher in females than in men independent from affective status (z = -2.412, p = .016). More specifically, females in the euthymic subgroup had higher zonulin levels than euthymic men (z = -2.114, p = .035). There was no difference in zonulin serum levels in individuals taking or not taking a specific psychopharmacotherapy. We found no correlation between zonulin serum levels and depression severity.

DISCUSSION

Increased serum zonulin levels as a proxy for increased intestinal permeability in women may indicate a state of elevated susceptibility for depression-inducing stimuli.

NEUTRON NOISE PATTERNS FROM COUPLED FUEL-ASSEMBLY VIBRATIONS

The neutron flux fluctuation magnitude of KWU-built PWRs shows a hitherto unexplained correlation with the types of loaded fuel assemblies. Also, certain measured long-range neutron flux fluctuation patterns in neighboring core quadrants still lack a closed understanding of their origin. The explanation of these phenomena has recently revived a new interest in neutron noise research.

The contribution at hand investigates the idea that a synchronized coolant-driven vibration of major parts of the fuel-assembly ensemble leads to these phenomena. Starting with an assumed mode of such collective vibration, the resulting effects on the time-dependent neutron-flux distribution are analyzed via a DYN3D simulation. A three-dimensional representation of the time-dependent bow of all fuel assemblies is taken into account as a nodal DYN3D feedback parameter by time-dependent variations of the fuel-assembly pitch. The impact of its variation on the cross sections is quantified using a cross-section library that is generated from the output of corresponding CASMO5 calculations.

The DYN3D simulation qualitatively reproduces the measured neutron-flux fluctuation patterns. The magnitude of the fluctuations and its radial dependence are comparable to the measured details. The results imply that collective fuel-assembly vibrations are a promising candidate for being the key to understand long-known fluctuation patterns in KWU built PWRs. Further research should elaborate on possible excitation mechanisms of the assumed vibration modes.

Critical assessment of staining properties of a new visualization technology: a novel, rapid and powerful immunohistochemical detection approach

Immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections is a vital technique in pathological diagnostics and theranostics. Several kinds of detection systems are available—each of them with their advantages and disadvantages. Here we present the results of a study assessing a prototype immunohistochemical detection technology (PIDT) for visualization of antigens in tissue sections. Different tumor tissues (n = 11) were stained with selected antibodies (n = 30) and a subset of these under different fixation conditions. The staining properties were assessed according to six staining quality parameters (signal distribution, intensity, tissue and slide background, acutance, clarity of details, and subcellular morphological details), and the results were compared with those of a well-established detection system (EnVision FLEX). Overall, both detection methods revealed good to optimal results regarding the evaluated parameters even under unfavorable fixation conditions. However, with the prototype detection technology a quicker turnaround time was reached primarily due to shorter primary antibody incubation times. Moreover, PIDT-stained tissues showed higher signal intensity and a uniform signal distribution over the tissue slide, still, with well-preserved tissue morphology and without impairing the gradation of staining intensity of different cell types. In particular, the prototype detection technology performed better in poorly or delayed fixed tissue. In situations where rapid and profound results are in demand, and particularly in the context of a small laboratory setting, this prototype detection technology could be a useful addition to the established detection systems.

THU0053 CONTRIBUTION OF DEFECTIVE NON-APOPTOTIC FAS SIGNALING TO IMMUNE DYSREGULATION IN AUTOIMMUNE LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE SYNDROME (ALPS)

Background:

ALPS patients show impaired generation of humoral memory for T independent antigens whereas they generate memory for self-antigens due to impaired FAS-dependent removal of autoreactive germinal center B cells. It is known that FAS signaling via caspase activation results in cell apoptosis. However, FAS ligation may also initiate or modulate non-apoptotic signaling as shown for example by its ability to activate NF-κB. Recent data implicate a regulatory role of FAS in the modulation of mTOR signaling in ALPS double-negative T cells. Moreover, a recently described C194V FAS mutation disturbs its post-translational modification leading to impaired apoptosis induction while non-apoptotic signalling is still intact. Consequently, C194V FAS protects from the autoimmune phenotype in the murine ALPS system. This supports the view that FAS may prevent autoimmunity with other mechanisms than inducing apoptosis.

Objectives:

We hypothesize that FAS mutations impair this modulatory signaling, leading to hyper-activation of B cells. Therefore we aim to investigate non apoptotic FAS signaling in B cells derived from healthy individuals and ALPS patients.

Methods:

We studied resting and activated B cells in ALPS patients in presence or absence of FAS ligand by flow cytometry analysing relevant molecules to the CD40 signaling pathway. We used mass cytometry to perform functional phenotyping of B cells isolated from secondary lymphoid organs. Proteomic studies were performed to identify potential signaling circuits and RNA sequencing to study the consequences of FAS signaling on B cell fate.

Results:

In CD40L activated B cells, FAS signaling results in specific modulation of the mTOR signaling pathway. This modulation is absent in ALPS derived B cells. In line with these data germinal center B cells and plasmablast from secondary lymphoid organs of ALPS patients show hyperactive mTOR signaling pathway. Proteomic studies identify a circuit that links FAS to the phosphatase PTEN via DAXX and the deubiquitinase USP7.

Conclusion:

We describe a new role of FAS in the regulation of B cell activation. Defects in FAS signaling in ALPS contribute to dysregulation of the mTOR signaling pathway and disturbed B cell development.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Evaluating exposure of pedestrians to airborne contaminants associated with non-potable water use for pavement cleaning

Climate change and increasing demography press local authorities to look after affordable water resources and replacement of drinking water for city necessities like street and pavement cleaning by more available raw water. Though, the substitution of drinking by non-drinking resources demands the evaluation of sanitary hazards. This article aims therefore to evaluate the contribution of cleaning water to the overall exposure of city dwellers in case of wet pavement cleaning using crossed physical, chemical and biological approaches. The result of tracer experiments with fluorescein show that liquid water content of the cleaning aerosol produced is about 0.24 g m(-3), rending possible a fast estimation of exposure levels. In situ analysis of the aerosol particles indicates a significant increase in particle number concentration and particle diameter, though without change in particle composition. The conventional bacterial analysis using total coliforms as tracer suggests that an important part of the contamination is issued from the pavement. The qPCR results show a more than 20-fold increase of background genome concentration for Escherichia coli and 10-fold increase for Enterococcus but a negligible contribution of the cleaning water. The fluorescence analysis of the cleaning aerosol confirms the above findings identifying pavement surface as the major contributor to aerosol organic load. The physical, chemical and microbiological approaches used make it possible to describe accurately the cleaning bioaerosol and to identify the existence of significantly higher levels of all parameters studied during the wet pavement cleaning. Though, the low level of contamination and the very short time of passage of pedestrian in the zone do not suggest a significant risk for the city dwellers. As the cleaning workers remain much longer in the impacted area, more attention should be paid to their chronic exposure.

Dynamics enhanced by HCl doping triggers full Pauling entropy release at the ice XII-XIV transition

The pressure–temperature phase diagram of ice displays a perplexing variety of structurally distinct phases. In the century-long history of scientific research on ice, the proton-ordered ice phases numbered XIII through XV were discovered only recently. Despite considerable effort, none of the transitions leading from the low-temperature ordered ices VIII, IX, XI, XIII, XIV and XV to their high-temperature disordered counterparts were experimentally found to display the full Pauling entropy. Here we report calorimetric measurements on suitably high-pressure-treated, hydrogen chloride-doped ice XIV that demonstrate at the maximum 60% of the Pauling entropy is released at the transition to ice XII. Dielectric spectroscopy on undoped and on variously doped ice XII crystals reveals that addition of hydrogen chloride, the agent triggering complete proton order in ice XIV, enhances the precursor dynamics strongest. These discoveries provide new insights into the puzzling observation that different dopants trigger the formation of different proton-ordered ice phases.

The preparation of fully proton-ordered ice phases remains challenging and residual entropy usually remains even at the absolute zero. Here, the authors achieve a transition from disordered ice XII to fully ordered ice XIV triggered by HCl doping, which enhances proton transfer dynamics by five orders of magnitude.

[Psammomatous melanotic schwannoma as indicator of a Carney complex]

Within a few months a 31-year-old female patient was diagnosed with a psammomatous melanotic schwannoma, an atrial myxoma and microfollicular adenomas in both thyroid lobes. Therefore, sufficient diagnostic criteria of a Carney complex were fulfilled. The Carney complex is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder with highly variable phenotypes, which was initially described by Carney in 1985 as a complex of myxomas, spotty skin pigmentation and endocrine overactivity. Pathologists should consider this differential diagnosis in reports when confronted with a psammomatous melanotic schwannoma.

Structural study of low concentration LiCl aqueous solutions in the liquid, supercooled, and hyperquenched glassy states

Neutron diffraction experiments on a solution of LiCl in water (R = 40) at ambient conditions and in the supercooled and hyperquenched states are reported and analyzed within the empirical potential structure refinement framework. Evidence for the modifications of the microscopic structure of the solvent in the presence of such a small amount of salt is found at all investigated thermodynamic states. On the other hand, it is evident that the structure of the hyperquenched salty sample is similar to that of pure low density amorphous water, although all the peaks of the radial distribution functions are broader in the present case. Changes upon supercooling or hyperquenching of the ion's hydration shells and contacts are of limited size and evidence for segregation phenomena at these states does not clearly show up, although the presence of water separated contacts between ion of the same sign is intriguing.

High-density amorphous ice: Molecular dynamics simulations of the glass transition at 0.3 GPa

Based on several force fields (COMPASS, modified TIP3P and SPC/E) high-density amorphous ice is simulated by use of isothermal-isobaric molecular dynamics at a pressure of p approximately 0.3 GPa in the temperature range from 70 to 300 K. Starting at low temperature a large number of heating/cooling cycles are performed and several characteristic properties (density, total energy, and mobility) are traced as functions of temperature. While the first cycles are showing irreversible structural relaxation effects data points from further cycles are reproducible and give clear evidence for the existence of a glass-to-liquid transition. Although, the observed transition temperatures T(g) are dependent on the actual force field used and slightly dependent on the method adopted the results indicate that high-density amorphous ices may indeed be low-temperature structural proxies of ultraviscous high-density liquids.

An error model for protein quantification

MOTIVATION

Quantitative experimental data is the critical bottleneck in the modeling of dynamic cellular processes in systems biology. Here, we present statistical approaches improving reproducibility of protein quantification by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.

RESULTS

Based on a large data set with more than 3600 data points, we unravel that the main sources of biological variability and experimental noise are multiplicative and log-normally distributed. Therefore, we suggest a log-transformation of the data to obtain additive normally distributed noise. After this transformation, common statistical procedures can be applied to analyze the data. An error model is introduced to account for technical as well as biological variability. Elimination of these systematic errors decrease variability of measurements and allow for a more precise estimation of underlying dynamics of protein concentrations in cellular signaling. The proposed error model is relevant for simulation studies, parameter estimation and model selection, basic tools of systems biology.

AVAILABILITY

Matlab and R code is available from the authors on request. The data can be downloaded from our website www.fdm.uni-freiburg.de/~ckreutz/data.

Impact of the AEP-Monitor/2-derived composite auditory-evoked potential index on propofol consumption and emergence times during total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil in children

BACKGROUND

The composite auditory evoked potential index (cAAI), derived from the AEP Monitor/2 (version 1.6; Danmeter A/S, Odense, Denmark) is a measure of the hypnotic component of general anaesthesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of cAAI guidance on propofol consumption and emergence times in children receiving total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil.

METHODS

Twenty children, aged 3-11 years, scheduled for strabismus repair under TIVA with propofol and remifentanil were enrolled. Remifentanil was given to all patients at a constant infusion rate of 0.3 microg kg(-1) min(-1) throughout the anaesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to receive a continuous propofol infusion adjusted either according to a conventional clinical practice (Group C, n = 10) or guided by cAAI-monitoring (Group G, n = 10, target cAAI 25-35). All patients were connected to the AEP Monitor/2, but in group C the anaesthetist was blinded to cAAI values. Propofol consumption (mgkg(-1)h(-1)) and emergence times (min) were the primary and secondary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Propofol consumption and emergence times (mean +/- SD) were significantly lower in group G compared to group C (Propofol: G: 4.2 +/- 1.7 vs. C 6.4 +/- 1.3 mg kg(-1) h(-1); P < 0.01; emergence times: G: 5.1 +/- 3.7 vs. C 13.2 +/- 8.2 min; P < 0.01). Intraoperative cAAI values (median [interquartile range]) were significantly higher in group G (23.9 [18-29.7]) than in group C (18.4 [16.0-22.1]; P < 0.01). Haemodynamic variables remained stable within age-related limits, and there were no observations of adverse events, especially no clinical signs of intraoperative awareness in any patient.

CONCLUSION

Composite auditory evoked potential index monitoring during propofol/remifentanil-TIVA in children results in reduced propofol consumption and faster emergence.

Control of oxygen transport in the microcrustacean Daphnia: regulation of haemoglobin expression as central mechanism of adaptation to different oxygen and temperature conditions

The pathway for oxygen, the control of oxygen transport and the role of haemoglobin expression for the physiological adaptation to different oxygen and temperature conditions were studied in the ecological model organism Daphnia magna. Ventilation of the inner walls of the carapace as the main gas exchange area as well as of the embryos in the brood pouch are controlled, oxygen-dependent processes. The P(O2)-dependent increase of heart rate as well as perfusion rate during short-term, progressive hypoxia improves the circulatory oxygen transport within the body. The regulation of haemoglobin (Hb) expression is the central mechanism for a medium-term adaptation to hypoxia. Genetic control elements and oxygen conditions near the two Hb synthesis sites (fat cells, epipodite epithelial cells) determine, which types of Hb subunits and, accordingly, hetero-multimeric Hb macromolecules are produced. One synthesis site may respond mainly to internal, the other one to external oxygen conditions. Depending on environmental condition, either higher quantities of macromolecules of unchanged functionality (P50) or increasing amounts of macromolecules with higher oxygen affinity are synthesized. The Hb subunit DmHbA is probably of considerable importance for this functional change. The physiological benefits of haemoglobin in Daphnia are discussed. Physiological adaptation of Daphnia to different temperatures is also related to the control of oxygen transport processes with the regulation of haemoglobin expression again as a central mechanism.

Simulation of all-order density-functional perturbation theory, using the second order and the strong-correlation limit

To boost the accuracy of electronic structure calculations, the exchange-correlation energy may be constructed from the Kohn-Sham orbitals. A formally exact construction is the density-functional perturbation series, which appears to diverge for many real systems. We predict the radius of convergence and resum this series, using only exact exchange and second-order correlation plus explicit density functionals for the strong-interaction limit. Our new correlation functional, along with exact exchange, predicts atomization energies with competitive accuracy and without the usual error cancellation.

Toxicity of combined sewer overflows on river phytoplankton: the role of heavy metals

The toxic effect of a combined sewer overflow (CSO) on the phytoplankton community of the river Seine has been studied by means of short-term primary production measurements. As the discharged solids usually do not remain in the water column, only filtered or centrifugated fractions were tested. The collected phytoplankton were grown in the laboratory for 2 days, after addition of N, P and EDTA. Stock cultures in exponential growth were directly tested with heavy metals, but resuspended algal cells were used for effluent testing. The results show an increase of EC50 value for the single metal species in the order Cu<<Zn</=Pb. Free metal contents were calculated with the chemical speciation model Mineql+. The EC50 dilution of the tested CSOs effluent was 50%. This value increased by 30% after addition of 5 10(-6) M EDTA, indicating that the effluent toxicity is only partially due to its metallic compounds.

1H, 51V and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance studies of structure and properties of vanadia supported on TiO chi/SiO2

1H magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectra of TiO chi/SiO2 catalysts suggest the interaction of surface TiO chi species with Si-OH groups of the silica. Simultaneously, Ti-OH groups from surface titania species appear. The distribution of TiO chi species over SiO2 is non-uniform, since a considerable part of surface OH groups remains unreacted with supported titania. Supported vanadia species interact both with Si-OH and Ti-OH groups. 51V NMR spectra suggest the interaction of vanadia with supported titania species and show the non-uniform distribution of titania over the SiO2 surface. Deposition of titania as well as vanadia produces strong electron-accepting (Lewis) sites which interact with the terminal N atom of adsorbed N2O molecules, resulting in a downfield shift of the resonance in 15N NMR spectra. The acid strength of electron-accepting sites is similar in both cases. Only about 10% of the total amount of supported titania and vanadia create Lewis sites.

Induction of stress fibres and intercellular gaps in human vascular endothelium by shock-waves

Human umbilical cords were exposed to high amplitude focussed ultrasonic pulses with focal energy densities 0.6 and 0.4 mJ mm-2. The endothelium of the exposed vessel (vein) was examined by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The degree of tissue change ranged from the induction of stress fibres and intercellular gaps to the complete detachment of endothelial cells combined with damage of the basement membrane. An increased number of stress fibres may indicate an increased vessel wall permeability. This might explain the enhanced effects in experimental tumour therapy that have been found by other authors when combining shock-waves with drugs.

Shock wave induced endothelial damage--in situ analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy

For more than a decade, extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy has been a standard clinical method for the treatment of urinary stones. However, side effects that are likely to be correlated to vessel damage can often be observed using noninvasive diagnostic techniques, e.g., magnetic resonance imaging. To avoid side effects it is useful to understand the interaction between shock waves and the vascular system. In particular, this is important in view of new applications like gallstone lithothripsy. In the present study, we exposed human umbilical vessels to electromagnetically generated ultrasound shock waves to analyze subsequent alterations of their endothelial layer. Following en face preparation and fluorescent staining, the endothelium was examined in a confocal laser scanning microscope. Endothelial cells of the shock wave exposed vessels revealed permeabilization of plasma membranes and mitochondrial alterations as potentially lethal damage. An increase in the number of stress fibres may indicate functional changes possibly influencing vessel wall permeability.

Testosterone metabolism in the medial basal hypothalamus of the starved male rat

The conversion of testosterone to estradiol by aromatase and to dihydrotestosterone by 5 alpha-reductase was measured in the medial basal hypothalamus of starved and control male rats. Activities of both enzymes were significantly reduced in starved animals. Aromatase activity was 18.2 +/- 2.3 versus 29.8 +/- 5.7 fmol E2/mg protein/90 min (mean +/- SEM, P less than 0.02) and 5 alpha-reductase was 4.95 +/- 0.35 versus 5.96 +/- 0.30 pmol DHT/mg protein/90 min (P less than 0.02) for starved and control animals respectively. The results indicate that hypothalamic metabolism of testosterone is decreased during starvation. Therefore the increased sensitivity of the T-LH feedback described earlier in starved rats [4] cannot be explained by changes in central testosterone metabolism.

Location of heparin-binding sites of fibronectin. Detection of a hitherto unrecognized transamidase sensitive site

Resolution of a cathepsin D digest of plasma fibronectin on heparin-Sepharose yielded, in addition to non-bound and weakly retained material (Fraction I and II), various fragments which were not eluted until 0.25M NaCl (Fraction III) and 0.5M NaCl (Fraction IV) was applied. Fraction III contained predominantly a peptide of Mr 70 000 originating from the N-terminus of the fibronectin subunits as well as high molecular weight precursors yielding the Mr 70 000 peptide by further digestion. All those peptides were retained by immobilized denatured collagen, type I, indicating the presence of the known gelatin-binding domain. In addition, they contained a transamidase-sensitive site as revealed from a digest of fibronectin previously labelled with [14C]putrescine by a transamidase-mediated reaction. Plasminolysis of the fragment of Mr 70 000 resulted in two peptides of Mr 30 000 and 40 000, only the former being retained by heparin-Sepharose. Fraction IV contained a fragment of Mr 140 000 which, after reduction, dissociated into two peptides of Mr 75 000 and 65 000. Apparently, it included the disulfide bond(s) connecting the two fibronectin subunits close to their C-terminal ends. Partial digestion of the two electrophoretically separated peptide chains with protease of Staphylococcus aureus V8 yielded for each chain a number of peptides with equal electrophoretic migration rate. In addition, however, some peptides were different in the two digests. The results were consistent with an identical or homologous structure of the two peptide chains with an additional sequence in the longer chain. The latter (Mr 75 000) uniquely contained a transamidase susceptible site as demonstrated by processing of [14C]putrescine-labelled fibronectin.