Cold agglutinin disease revisited: a multinational, observational study of 232 patients.

We retrospectively studied 232 patients with cold agglutinin disease (CAD) at 24 centers in 5 countries. In Norway and a northern region of Italy, the study was close to being population-based. For the first time, we demonstrate fourfold differences between cold and warmer climates regarding prevalence (20 vs 5 cases/million) and incidence (1.

Growth Mechanisms and Electronic Properties of Vertically Aligned MoS.

Thin films of layered semiconductors emerge as highly promising materials for energy harvesting and storage, optoelectronics and catalysis. Their natural propensity to grow as oriented crystals and films is one of their distinct properties under recent focal interest. Specifically, the reaction of transition metal films with chalcogen vapor can result in films of vertically aligned (VA) layers, while metal-oxides react with chalcogens in vapor phase to produce horizontally aligned crystals and films.

Younger Dryas ice margin retreat triggered by ocean surface warming in central-eastern Baffin Bay.

The transition from the last ice age to the present-day interglacial was interrupted by the Younger Dryas (YD) cold period. While many studies exist on this climate event, only few include high-resolution marine records that span the YD. In order to better understand the interactions between ocean, atmosphere and ice sheet stability during the YD, more high-resolution proxy records from the Arctic, located proximal to ice sheet outlet glaciers, are required.

Bendamustine plus rituximab for chronic cold agglutinin disease: results of a Nordic prospective multicenter trial.

Primary chronic cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a well-defined clinicopathologic entity in which a bone marrow clonal B-cell lymphoproliferation results in autoimmune hemolytic anemia and cold-induced circulatory symptoms. Rituximab monotherapy and fludarabine-rituximab in combination are documented treatment options. In a prospective, nonrandomized multicenter trial, 45 eligible patients received rituximab 375 mg/m day 1 and bendamustine 90 mg/m days 1 and 2 for 4 cycles at a 28-day interval.

Transduced wild-type but not P301S mutated human tau shows hyperphosphorylation in transgenic mice overexpressing A30P mutated human alpha-synuclein.

Neuropathological and cell culture studies suggest that tau and α-synuclein pathologies may promote each other. To study the relevance and functional implications of these findings in vivo, we transduced hippocampal neurons of wild-type or human A30P α-synuclein transgenic mice with wild-type or P301S mutated human tau using an adeno-associated virus vector. Green fluorescent protein transduction was used as a control.

Knocking down highly-ordered large-scale nanowire arrays.

The large-scale assembly of nanowire elements with controlled and uniform orientation and density at spatially well-defined locations on solid substrates presents one of the most significant challenges facing their integration in real-world electronic applications. Here, we present the universal "knocking-down" approach, based on the controlled in-place planarization of nanowire elements, for the formation of large-scale ordered nanowire arrays. The controlled planarization of the nanowires is achieved by the use of an appropriate elastomer-covered rigid-roller device.

Behavioural and neurochemical response of alpha-synuclein A30P transgenic mice to the effects of L-DOPA.

Transgenic mice carrying human A30P mutated alpha-synuclein demonstrate hypolocomotion and dysfunction of the presynaptic machinery of dopamine overflow, induced by reducing capacity of the dopamine storage pool. We suggested that overexpression of alpha-synuclein may change sensitivity of these mice to L-DOPA. Current study assessed behavioural and neurochemical responses in A30P mice to L-DOPA using automated activity monitoring and voltammetry.

Experimental measurement of quality factor enhancement using slow light modes in one dimensional photonic crystal.

We experimentally investigate the effects of slow light modes within a one dimensional photonic crystal resonator. We show that the slow light mode leads to significant increase in the quality factor of the resonator. We provide a theoretical analysis explaining our experimental results.

Impairment of muscarinic transmission in transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.

We assessed the integrity of cholinergic neurotransmission in parietal cortex of young adult (7 months) and aged (17 months) transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 female mice compared to littermate controls. Choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity declined age-dependently in both genotypes, whereas both age- and genotype-dependent decline was found in butyrylcholinesterase activity, vesicular acetylcholine transporter density, muscarinic receptors and carbachol stimulated binding of GTP gamma S in membranes as a functional indicator of muscarinic receptor coupling to G-proteins. Notably, vesicular acetylcholine transporter levels and muscarinic receptor-G-protein coupling were impaired in transgenic mice already at the age of 7 months compared to wild type littermates.

Brain reward in the absence of alpha-synuclein.

Alpha-synuclein has been implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Recent studies revealed its role as a negative regulator of dopamine release in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. Alpha-synuclein may, however, play a more universal role in dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Impact of different saturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol containing diets on beta-amyloid accumulation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

The present study assessed the influence of dietary lipids on accumulation of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in the brain. Seven experimental diets with varying n-6/n-3-ratio, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol contents were fed to transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice for 3-4 months beginning at a young adult age (6 months). Hippocampal Abeta levels were determined with ELISA and plaque load by using immunocytochemistry.

Locomotor activity and evoked dopamine release are reduced in mice overexpressing A30P-mutated human alpha-synuclein.

We have generated a transgenic mouse line overexpressing mutated human A30P alpha-synuclein under the control of the prion-related protein promoter. Immunohistology revealed mutated human A30P alpha-synuclein protein in numerous brain areas, but no gross morphological changes, Lewy bodies, or loss of dopaminergic cell bodies. The transgenic mice displayed decreased locomotion, impaired motor coordination, and balance.

Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase overexpression in mice induces hypoactivity and spatial learning impairment.

The present work addresses the role of polyamines in learning and general behavior by subjecting transgenic mice overexpressing polyamine catabolic enzyme, spermidine/spermine N(1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT) and their syngenic littermates to neurobehavioral profiling assessment (SHIRPA) and to radial eight-arm maze. The general health and physiological conditions as well as the entire behavioral battery comprising of 34 parameters were recorded. The eight-arm radial maze (8-RAM) task included an initial acquisition task for 9 days followed by a 2-day retention test after a 2-week break.

Hollow waveguide for mid and thermal infrared radiation.

Objective: A novel type of flexible hollow waveguide that facilitates delivery of infrared radiation from source to treatment site, and made of polyimide tubes, was developed.

Summary Background Data: Polyimide tubes with flat internal wall and optimal conditions of deposition of guiding metal and dielectric layers were used to obtain low losses of radiation and high quality of beam shape.

Methods: Etching of the internal wall of polyimide tubes, high reflective metal (silver) layers and suitable dielectric layers (index of refraction and thickness) were deposited as guiding elements to obtain a waveguide suitable for infrared transmission.