Infrared spectroscopic examination of aqueous humor.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on a new technique for examining aqueous humor. PARTICIPANTS: Aqueous humor samples obtained from 198 patients (cataract: n=66 eyes; age-related macular degeneration [AMD]: n=66; diabetic macular edema: n=66) were in vitro examined by mid infrared spectroscopy. After training and validating the technique, 66 samples were taken for the final independent prediction. RESULTS: In computerized analysis of the spectrometric data, 22 (100%) cataract eyes were diagnosed as the cataract group, 17 (77%) diabetic macular edema eyes were diagnosed as the diabetic macular edema group, and 14 (64%) eyes with AMD were diagnosed as the AMD group. Mid infrared spectrometry could statistically significantly (P=0.004) differentiate between the 3 study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mid infrared spectroscopic examination of aqueous humor may be able to differentiate eyes with cataract, AMD, or diabetic macular edema.     

A newly established murine immature dendritic cell line can be differentiated into a mature state, but exerts tolerogenic function upon maturation in the presence of glucocorticoid

The phenotype and function of murine dendritic cells (DCs) are primarily studied using bone-marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs), but may be hampered by the heterogeneous phenotype of BM-DCs due to their differential state of maturation. Here we characterize a newly established murine DC line (SP37A3) of myeloid origin. During maintainance in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and M-CSF, SP37A3 cells resemble immature DCs characterized by low expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II and costimulatory molecules and low T-cell stimulatory capacity. Upon stimulation, SP37A3 cells acquire a mature phenotype and activate naive T cells as potently as BM-DCs. Similar to BM-DCs, SP37A3 cells activated in the presence of dexamethasone-induced regulatory T cells, which were anergic upon restimulation and suppressed proliferation of naive T cells. This tolerogenic state was reflected by lower expression levels of costimulatory molecules and proinflammatory cytokines compared with mature cells, as well as up-regulated expression of FcgammaRIIB and interleukin-1RA (IL-1RA). SP37A3 cells were responsive to dexamethasone even when applied at later time points during activation, suggesting functional plasticity. Thus, DC line SP37A3 represents a suitable model to study functions of immature and mature as well as tolerogenic myeloid DCs, circumventing restrictions associated with the use of primary DCs and BM-DCs.     

FOODLIT-PRO: conceptual and empirical development of the food literacy wheel

Abstract

Pursuing food systems’ sustainability is crucial. Given the risk constituted by unhealthy diets, scarce research on food-related adjacent fields, and inconsistency across food literacy conceptualizations, this study aims to explore the constructs’ definition and develop a conceptual and empirical framework of food literacy. A quantitative approach was taken on previously obtained qualitative outcomes from 30 interviews with experts from food-related fields. Food literacy was defined by a four-dimension model: Cooking Skills, Preserve and Analyse, Choice and Acquisition, Search and Plan. The framework Food Literacy Wheel integrates the construct definition, food literacy determinants (Internal, External) and influential factors (Nutritional, Psychological, Health, Learning Contexts, Policy, Industry, Sustainability, Social and Cultural). Allowing a broader perspective of food literacy within major food systems, this study contributes with new insights for future instruments and interventions, paving the way to develop/implement food literacy-related multi-sectorial and multilevel actions.     

Antwort auf den Leserbrief von Valhaus et al. Zu unserer Kasuistik „Kardiogener Schock 4 Stunden nach akut-PTCA bei Hinterwandinfarkt“

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The pathophysiology of chronic subdural hematoma revisited: emphasis on aging processes as key factor

GeroScience - Chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) affects mostly elderly subjects. Previously, pathophysiological concepts suggested that CSH is secondary to degradation of subdural collections of...