On mathematical modeling of the propagation of a wave ensemble within an individual axon.

The long history of studying the propagation of an action potential has revealed that an electrical signal is accompanied by mechanical and thermal effects. All these effects together generate an ensemble of waves. The consistent models of such a complex phenomenon can be derived by using properly the fundamental physical principles.

Mechanical waves in myelinated axons.

The propagation of an action potential in nerves is accompanied by mechanical and thermal effects. Several mathematical models explain the deformation of the unmyelinated axon wall (a mechanical wave). In this paper, the deformation of the myelinated axon wall is studied.

Modelling of processes in nerve fibres at the interface of physiology and mathematics.

The in silico simulations are widely used in contemporary systems biology including the analysis of nerve pulse propagation. As known from numerous experiments, the propagation of an action potential is accompanied by mechanical and thermal effects. This calls for an analysis at the interface of physics, physiology and mathematics.

Modeling of complex signals in nerve fibers.

Experiments have demonstrated that signals in nerve fibers are composed by electrical and mechanical components. In this paper a coupled mathematical model is described which unites the governing equations for the action potential, the pressure wave in the axoplasm and the longitudinal and the transverse waves in the surrounding biomembrane into one system of equations. As a solution of this system, an ensemble of waves is generated.

Electromechanical coupling of waves in nerve fibres.

The propagation of an action potential (AP) in a nerve fibre is accompanied by mechanical and thermal effects. In this paper, an attempt is made to build up a mathematical model which couples the AP with a possible pressure wave (PW) in the axoplasm and waves in the nerve fibre wall (longitudinal-LW and transverse-TW) made of a lipid bilayer (biomembrane). A system of differential equations includes the governing equations of single waves with coupling forces between them.

Intestinal Blautia Is Associated with Reduced Death from Graft-versus-Host Disease.

The relationship between intestinal microbiota composition and acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic blood/marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) is not well understood. Intestinal bacteria have long been thought to contribute to GVHD pathophysiology, but recent animal studies in nontransplant settings have found that anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by certain subpopulations of intestinal commensals. Hypothesizing that a more nuanced relationship may exist between the intestinal bacteria and GVHD, we evaluated the fecal bacterial composition of 64 patients 12 days after BMT.

On mathematical modelling of solitary pulses in cylindrical biomembranes.

The propagation of action potentials in nerve fibres is usually described by models based on the ionic hypotheses. However, this hypothesis does not provide explanation of other experimentally verified phenomena like the swelling of fibres and heat production during the nerve pulse propagation. Heimburg and Jackson (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102(28):9790-9795, 2005, Biophys Rev Lett 2:57-78, 2007) have proposed a model describing the swelling of fibres like a mechanical wave related to changes of longitudinal compressibility of the cylindrical membrane.

Access to biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess and compare patients' access to biologic anti-RA drugs in selected Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and to analyze the determinants of differences between countries.

Material/methods: This is a multi-country survey study, based on a combination of desk research and direct contact with national RA stakeholders. Data was collected using a pre-defined questionnaire.

Smokers and non smokers with rheumatoid arthritis have similar clinical status: data from the multinational QUEST-RA database.

Objectives: To analyse clinical severity/activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to smoking status.

Methods: The QUEST-RA multinational database reviews patients for Core Data Set measures including 28 swollen and tender joint count, physician global estimate, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), HAQ-function, pain, and patient global estimate, as well as DAS28, rheumatoid factor (RF), nodules, erosions and number of DMARDs were recorded. Smoking status was assessed by self-report as 'never smoked', 'currently smoking' and 'former smokers'.

Disparities in rheumatoid arthritis disease activity according to gross domestic product in 25 countries in the QUEST-RA database.

Objective: To analyse associations between the clinical status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the gross domestic product (GDP) of their resident country.

Methods: The Quantitative Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (QUEST-RA) cohort includes clinical and questionnaire data from 6004 patients who were seen in usual care at 70 rheumatology clinics in 25 countries as of April 2008, including 18 European countries. Demographic variables, clinical characteristics, RA disease activity measures, including the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), and treatment-related variables were analysed according to GDP per capita, including 14 "high GDP" countries with GDP per capita greater than US$24,000 and 11 "low GDP" countries with GDP per capita less than US$11,000.

Women, men, and rheumatoid arthritis: analyses of disease activity, disease characteristics, and treatments in the QUEST-RA study.

Introduction: Gender as a predictor of outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has evoked considerable interest over the decades. Historically, there is no consensus whether RA is worse in females or males. Recent reports suggest that females are less likely than males to achieve remission.

Circadian melatonin and cortisol levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients in winter time: a north and south Europe comparison.

Background: Altered functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and altered melatonin production might modulate the circadian symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the influence of different winter photoperiods on the circadian rhythms of serum melatonin, cortisol, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and interleukin 6 (IL6) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis from a north Europe country (Estonia) and a south Europe country (Italy).

Methods: The patients from Estonia (n = 19) and Italy (n = 7) had similar disease severity and duration and were compared with healthy age and sex matched controls in the two countries.

Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric fructose and glucose: differences in reinforcement potency.

Many prior conditioning studies indicate that fructose, unlike glucose, has minimal postingestive reinforcing effects. Using a new training procedure, food-restricted rats were trained in alternate 20-h/day sessions with one flavored solution (CS+F) paired with intragastric (IG) infusions of 16% fructose and another flavor (CS-) paired with IG water. In subsequent two-bottle tests they showed a robust (85%) preference for the CS+F over the CS-.