Apheresis therapies in MOGAD: a retrospective study of 117 therapeutic interventions in 571 attacks.

Background: Incomplete attack remission is the main cause of disability in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Apheresis therapies such as plasma exchange and immunoadsorption are widely used in neuroimmunology. Data on apheresis outcomes in MOGAD attacks remain limited.

Decoding the influence of emotional and attentional states on self-control using facial analysis.

Self-control plays a pivotal role in pursuing long-term goals related to health and financial well-being. While ample evidence suggests that humans are prone to occasional self-control lapses, little is known about how changes in emotional and attentional states affect the ability to maintain self-control. In two studies (N = 109 and N = 90), we used emotion recognition software to decode participants' facial expressions while manipulating their attentional and emotional states during a Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) before exerting self-control in a subsequent task.

Rapid depletion of CD20 B and T cells following ofatumumab therapy onset.

Background: The humanized monoclonal anti-CD20-antibody ofatumumab is highly effective in treating relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the immanent effect of ofatumumab on the peripheral immune system, particularly targeting B and T cells expressing CD20.

Methods: Blood samples of 53 MS patients receiving ofatumumab were collected prior to first application and after one week, two weeks and three months.

Cognition in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease: a prospective, longitudinal, multicentre study of 113 patients (CogniMOG-Study).

Background: Data on cognition in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are limited to studies with small sample sizes. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the extent, characteristics and the longitudinal course of potential cognitive deficits in patients with MOGAD.

Methods: The CogniMOG-Study is a prospective, longitudinal and multicentre observational study of 113 patients with MOGAD.

Broader anti-EBV TCR repertoire in multiple sclerosis: disease specificity and treatment modulation.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has long been associated with the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS patients have elevated titers of EBV-specific antibodies in serum and show signs of CNS damage only after EBV infection. Regarding CD8+ T-cells, an elevated but ineffective response to EBV was suggested in MS patients, who present with a broader MHC-I-restricted EBV-specific T-cell receptor beta chain (TRB) repertoire compared to controls.

Atomic Mutagenesis of -Methyladenosine Reveals Distinct Recognition Modes by Human mA Reader and Eraser Proteins.

-methyladenosine (mA) is an important modified nucleoside in cellular RNA associated with multiple cellular processes and is implicated in diseases. The enzymes associated with the dynamic installation and removal of mA are heavily investigated targets for drug research, which requires detailed knowledge of the recognition modes of mA by proteins. Here, we use atomic mutagenesis of mA to systematically investigate the mechanisms of the two human mA demethylase enzymes FTO and ALKBH5 and the binding modes of YTH reader proteins YTHDF2/DC1/DC2.

Enhancing Relaxivity in GdDOTA-Monoamide Complexes through Polar Group-Mediated Ordering of Second-Sphere Water Molecules.

This study was designed to test whether the single appended phosphonate group in GdDOTA-1AmP is sufficient for catalyzing the exchange of proton from the single inner-sphere water-exchanging molecule. Unlike the other phosphonate derivatives in this series, GdDOTA-1AmP showed a surprisingly smooth increase in relaxivity from 3.0 to 6.

Monte Carlo calculated ionization chamber correction factors in clinical proton beams - deriving uncertainties from published data.

For the update of the IAEA TRS-398 Code of Practice (CoP), global ionization chamber factors (f) and beam quality correction factors (k) for air-filled ionization chambers in clinical proton beams have been calculated with different Monte Carlo codes. In this study, average Monte Carlo calculated f and k factors are provided and the uncertainty of these factors is estimated. Average f factors in monoenergetic proton beams with energies between 60 MeV and 250 MeV were derived from Monte Carlo calculated f factors published in the literature.

Comprehensive investigation of lateral dose profile and output factor measurements in small proton fields from different delivery techniques.

Background And Purpose: As a part of the commissioning and quality assurance in proton beam therapy, lateral dose profiles and output factors have to be acquired. Such measurements can be performed with point detectors and are especially challenging in small fields or steep lateral penumbra regions as the detector's volume effect may lead to perturbations. To address this issue, this work aims to quantify and correct for such perturbations of six point detectors in small proton fields created via three different delivery techniques.

Validating a double Gaussian source model for small proton fields in a commercial Monte-Carlo dose calculation engine.

Purpose: The primary fluence of a proton pencil beam exiting the accelerator is enveloped by a region of secondaries, commonly called "spray". Although small in magnitude, this spray may affect dose distributions in pencil beam scanning mode e.g.

Investigating the lateral dose response functions of point detectors in proton beams.

. Point detector measurements in proton fields are perturbed by the volume effect originating from geometrical volume-averaging within the extended detector's sensitive volume and density perturbations by non-water equivalent detector components. Detector specific lateral dose response functions() can be used to characterize the volume effect within the framework of a mathematical convolution model, where() is the convolution kernel transforming the true dose profile() into the measured signal profile of a detector().

Paramagnetic encoding of molecules.

Contactless digital tags are increasingly penetrating into many areas of human activities. Digitalization of our environment requires an ever growing number of objects to be identified and tracked with machine-readable labels. Molecules offer immense potential to serve for this purpose, but our ability to write, read, and communicate molecular code with current technology remains limited.

Isolation of a Dissimilatory Iodate-Reducing From a Freshwater Creek in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Recent reports of dissimilatory iodate-reducing microorganisms (DIRM) have arisen from studies of bacteria in marine environments. These studies described the physiology and distribution of DIRM while also demonstrating their presence in iodine-rich marine environments. We posited that despite lower iodine concentrations, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems should also harbor DIRM.

Remote Testing of the Familiar Word Effect With Non-dialectal and Dialectal German-Learning 1-2-Year-Olds.

Variability is pervasive in spoken language, in particular if one is exposed to two varieties of the same language (e.g., the standard variety and a dialect).

Systematic end-to-end testing of multiple target treatments using the modular RUBY phantom.

The RUBY head phantom in combination with the System QA insert MultiMet can be used for simultaneous point dose measurements at an isocentric and two off-axis positions. This study investigates the suitability of the system for systematic integral end-to-end testing of single-isocenter multiple target stereotactic treatments. Several volumetric modulated arc therapy plans were optimized on a planning CT of the phantom positioned in a stereotactic mask on the stereotactic treatment board.

The DExD box ATPase DDX55 is recruited to domain IV of the 28S ribosomal RNA by its C-terminal region.

RNA helicases contribute to diverse aspects of RNA metabolism through their functions in re-arranging RNA structures. Identification of the remodelling targets of RNA helicases is a critical step in elucidating their cellular functions. Here, we show that, in contrast to many other ribosome biogenesis factors, the DExD box ATPase DDX55 predominantly localizes to the nucleoplasm and we identify a nuclear localization signal within the C-terminal region of the protein.

Monte Carlo simulated beam quality and perturbation correction factors for ionization chambers in monoenergetic proton beams.

Purpose: Beam quality correction factors provided in current codes of practice for proton beams are approximated using the water-to-air mass stopping power ratio and by assuming the proton beam quality related perturbation correction factors to be unity. The aim of this work is to use Monte Carlo simulations to calculate energy dependent beam quality and perturbation correction factors for a set of nine ionization chambers in proton beams.

Methods: The Monte Carlo code EGSnrc was used to determine the ratio of the absorbed dose to water and the absorbed dose to the sensitive air volume of ionization chambers related to the reference photon beam quality ( Co).

Evaluation of the RUBY modular QA phantom for planar and non-coplanar VMAT and stereotactic radiations.

Purpose: This study evaluates the clinical use of the RUBY modular QA phantom for linac QA to validate the integrity of IGRT workflows including the congruence of machine isocenter, imaging isocenter, and room lasers. The results have been benchmarked against those obtained with widely used systems. Additionally, the RUBY phantom has been implemented to perform system QA (End-to-End testing) from imaging to radiation for IGRT-based VMAT and stereotactic radiations at an Elekta Synergy linac.

Analysis of the applicability of two-dimensional detector arrays in terms of sampling rate and detector size to verify scanned intensity-modulated proton therapy plans.

Purpose: The introduction of advanced treatment techniques in proton therapy, such as intensity-modulated proton therapy, leads to an increased need for patient-specific quality assurance, especially an accurate treatment plan verification becomes inevitable. In this study, signal theoretical analysis of dose distributions in scanned proton therapy is performed to investigate the feasibility and limits of two-dimensional (2D) detector arrays for treatment plan verification.

Methods: 2D detector arrays are characterized by two main aspects: the distance between the single detectors on the array or the sampling frequency; and the lateral response functions of a single detector.

Experimental determination of the "collimator monitoring fill factor" and its relation to the error detection capabilities of various 2D-arrays.

Purpose: The collimator monitoring fill factor (CM-FF) introduced by Stelljes et al. (2017) and the FWHM fill factor (FWHM-FF) introduced by Gago-Arias et al. (2012) were determined using the measured photon fluence response functions of various 2D-arrays.

The mA reader protein YTHDC2 interacts with the small ribosomal subunit and the 5'-3' exoribonuclease XRN1.

-methyladenosine (mA) modifications in RNAs play important roles in regulating many different aspects of gene expression. While mAs can have direct effects on the structure, maturation, or translation of mRNAs, such modifications can also influence the fate of RNAs via proteins termed "readers" that specifically recognize and bind modified nucleotides. Several YTH domain-containing proteins have been identified as mA readers that regulate the splicing, translation, or stability of specific mRNAs.

Human METTL16 is a -methyladenosine (mA) methyltransferase that targets pre-mRNAs and various non-coding RNAs.

-methyladenosine (mA) is a highly dynamic RNA modification that has recently emerged as a key regulator of gene expression. While many mA modifications are installed by the METTL3-METTL14 complex, others appear to be introduced independently, implying that additional human mA methyltransferases remain to be identified. Using crosslinking and analysis of cDNA (CRAC), we reveal that the putative human mA "writer" protein METTL16 binds to the U6 snRNA and other ncRNAs as well as numerous lncRNAs and pre-mRNAs.

Crosslinking Methods to Identify RNA Methyltransferase Targets In Vivo.

Several crosslinking methods have been developed to identify interacting RNAs for proteins of interest. Here, we describe variants of the UV crosslinking and analysis of cDNA (CRAC) method that allow target identification of RNA methyltransferases on a genome-wide scale. We present a detailed protocol for the application of CRAC in human cells that stably express the protein of interest fused to a tandem affinity tag.

NSUN3 and ABH1 modify the wobble position of mt-tRNAMet to expand codon recognition in mitochondrial translation.

Mitochondrial gene expression uses a non-universal genetic code in mammals. Besides reading the conventional AUG codon, mitochondrial (mt-)tRNA mediates incorporation of methionine on AUA and AUU codons during translation initiation and on AUA codons during elongation. We show that the RNA methyltransferase NSUN3 localises to mitochondria and interacts with mt-tRNA to methylate cytosine 34 (C34) at the wobble position.