Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 as a predictive biomarker of treatment response in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases initiating biologics: secondary analyses based on the prospective BELIEVE cohort study.

Background: Currently, there are no reliable biomarkers for predicting treatment response in chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs).

Objective: To determine whether serum microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) levels can predict the treatment response to biological therapy in patients with CIDs.

Methods: The BELIEVE study was originally designed as a prospective, multi-center cohort study of 233 patients with either rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, axial spondyloarthritis, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, initiating treatment with a biologic agent (or switching to another).

MicroRNA-146a deficiency enhances host protection against murine cytomegalovirus.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells that protect a host from viral infections and malignancies. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) is an important regulator of immune function that is highly expressed in NK cells and is further upregulated during murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Here we utilized mice with a global targeted deletion of miR-146a to understand its impact on the innate immune responses to MCMV infection.

Optimisation of global stem cell donor recruitment based on analysis of unsuccessful donor searches.

Despite over 41 million registered potential volunteer stem cell donors worldwide, many patients in need of a transplant do not find an HLA-matched unrelated donor or cord blood units, with the respective odds differing significantly between various populations. In this study, we analysed data of 2205 unsuccessful real-life donor searches sent to the DKMS Registry to identify populations in which further donor recruitment would be associated with particularly large patient benefits. For that purpose, we estimated haplotype frequencies of 67 donor populations at various sample sizes and entered them into two different mathematical models.

Providing hematopoietic stem cell products from unrelated donors to the world: DKMS donor centers and DKMS Registry.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is a curative therapy for many severe blood diseases. As many patients have no suitable family donor, large unrelated donor registries and donor centers have been established in many countries, along with an international system for the provision of unrelated donor HSC products. As an essential part of this system, DKMS operates donor centers in 7 countries with a total of 12.

Determinants of Frame Running Capacity in Athletes With Cerebral Palsy to Improve Training Routines and Classification Strategies: A Cross-sectional Observational Study.

Objectives: The aim of the study were to (1) investigate what physical and physiological parameters are most important for Frame Running capacity, a parasport for individuals with ambulatory difficulties, and (2) determine whether Frame Running capacity can be predicted in athletes with cerebral palsy.

Design: Athletes with cerebral palsy ( N = 62, Gross Motor Classification System I-V; 2/26/11/21/2) completed a 6-min Frame Running test. Before the 6-min Frame Running test, muscle thickness, passive range of motion (hip, knee, ankle), selective motor control, and spasticity (hip, knee, ankle) were measured in both legs.

Extracellular vesicle characteristics and microRNA content in cerebral palsy and typically developed individuals at rest and in response to aerobic exercise.

In this study, the properties of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) were examined in cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developed (TD) individuals at rest and after aerobic exercise, focusing on the size, concentration, and microRNA cargo of EVs. Nine adult individuals with CP performed a single exercise bout consisting of 45 min of Frame Running, and TD participants completed either 45 min of cycling ( = 10; TD EX) or were enrolled as controls with no exercise ( = 10; TD CON). Blood was drawn before and 30 min after exercise and analyzed for EV concentration, size, and microRNA content.

The Health Effects of 14 Weeks of Physical Activity in a Real-Life Setting for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

Background: The life expectancy of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) is reduced compared to the general population, and one of the main contributors to earlier death is inactivity.

Aim: To investigate how 14 weeks of physical activity (PA) in a real-life setting affects cardiovascular fitness, body composition and bone health of adults with ID.

Methods: Adults with ID were recruited into a PA-group ( = 52) or a control group (CON,  = 14).

Expansion of a novel population of NK cells with low ribosome expression in juvenile dermatomyositis.

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a pediatric autoimmune disease associated with characteristic rash and proximal muscle weakness. To gain insight into differential lymphocyte gene expression in JDM, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 4 new-onset JDM patients and 4 healthy controls were sorted into highly enriched lymphocyte populations for RNAseq analysis. NK cells from JDM patients had substantially greater differentially expressed genes (273) than T (57) and B (33) cells.

3D synchrotron imaging of muscle tissues at different atrophic stages in stroke and spinal cord injury: a proof-of-concept study.

Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT) allows 3D imaging of tissue with a very large field of view and an excellent micron resolution and enables the investigation of muscle fiber atrophy in 3D. The study aimed to explore the 3D micro-architecture of healthy skeletal muscle fibers and muscle fibers at different stages of atrophy (stroke sample = muscle atrophy; spinal cord injury (SCI) sample = severe muscle atrophy). Three muscle samples: a healthy control sample; a stroke sample (atrophic sample), and an SCI sample (severe atrophic sample) were imaged using SXCT, and muscle fiber populations were segmented and quantified for microarchitecture and morphology differences.

Physiological Response to the 6-Minute Frame Running Test in Children and Adults With Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: To determine the physiological response and association to peak oxygen uptake of the 6-minute Frame Running test (6-MFRT) in persons with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Twenty-four participants with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System II/III/IV, performed the 6-MFRT. Distance, peak heart rate (HR peak ), peak respiratory exchange ratio (RER peak ), and peak oxygen uptake ( O 2peak ) were measured.

Altered gene expression levels of genes related to muscle function in adults with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of movement disorders in children. Next generation sequencing (NGS) studies have previously shown that expression levels are fundamentally different in children with CP compared to typically developing (TD). However, given that children are in full development, we might expect gene expression levels to change once maturity is reached.

Reduced mitochondrial DNA and OXPHOS protein content in skeletal muscle of children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: To provide a detailed gene and protein expression analysis related to mitochondrial biogenesis and assess mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Biceps brachii muscle samples were collected from 19 children with CP (mean [SD] age 15y 4mo [2y 6mo], range 9-18y, 16 males, three females) and 10 typically developing comparison children (mean [SD] age 15y [4y], range 7-21y, eight males, two females). Gene expression (quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [PCR]), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to genomic DNA ratio (quantitative PCR), and protein abundance (western blotting) were analyzed.

Westdrive X LoopAR: An Open-Access Virtual Reality Project in Unity for Evaluating User Interaction Methods during Takeover Requests.

With the further development of highly automated vehicles, drivers will engage in non-related tasks while being driven. Still, drivers have to take over control when requested by the car. Here, the question arises, how potentially distracted drivers get back into the control-loop quickly and safely when the car requests a takeover.

Gene expressions in cerebral palsy subjects reveal structural and functional changes in the gastrocnemius muscle that are closely associated with passive muscle stiffness.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive motor disorder that affects posture and gait due to contracture development. The purpose of this study is to analyze a possible relation between muscle stiffness and gene expression levels in muscle tissue of children with CP. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of gene transcripts was carried out in muscle biopsies from gastrocnemius muscle (n = 13 children with CP and n = 13 typical developed (TD) children).

Stem cell donor registry activities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a field report by DKMS.

The COVID-19 pandemic has serious implications also for patients with other diseases. Here, we describe the effects of the pandemic on unrelated hematopoietic stem cell donation and transplantation from the perspective of DKMS, a large international donor registry. Especially, we cover the development of PBSC and bone marrow collection figures, donor management including Health and Availability Check (HAC), transport and cryopreservation of stem cell products, donor recruitment and business continuity measures.

Immobilization leads to reduced stretch reflexes but increased central reflex gain in the rat.

Plastic adaptations are known to take place in muscles, tendons, joints, and the nervous system in response to changes in muscle activity. However, few studies have addressed how these plastic adaptations are related. Thus this study focuses on changes in the mechanical properties of the ankle plantarflexor muscle-tendon unit, stretch reflex activity, and spinal neuronal pathways in relation to cast immobilization.

Epigenetic Marks at the Ribosomal DNA Promoter in Skeletal Muscle Are Negatively Associated With Degree of Impairment in Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor impairment in children. Skeletal muscles in individuals with CP are typically weak, thin, and stiff. Whether epigenetic changes at the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) promoter are involved in this dysregulation remains unknown.

Multi-frequency bioimpedance: a non-invasive tool for muscle-health assessment of adults with cerebral palsy.

Muscle contracture development is a major complication for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) and has lifelong implications. In order to recognize contracture development early and to follow up on preventive interventions aimed at muscle health development, non-invasive, and easy to use methods are needed. The aim of the present study was to assess whether multi-frequency Bioimpedance (mfBIA) can be used to detect differences between skeletal muscle of individuals with CP and healthy controls.

Acute Kidney Injury During Treatment with Intravenous Acyclovir for Suspected or Confirmed Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of and risk factors associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) during acyclovir treatment in neonates and infants.

Study Design: We conducted a multicenter (n = 4), retrospective cohort study of all hospitalized infants age <60 days treated with intravenous acyclovir (≥1 dose) for suspected or confirmed neonatal herpes simplex virus disease from January 2011 to December 2015. Infants with serum creatinine measured both before acyclovir (baseline) and during treatment were included.

Immunogenetics in stem cell donor registry work: The DKMS example (Part 2).

DKMS is a leading stem cell donor registry with more than 9 million donors. Donor registry activities share many touch points with topics from immunogenetics or population genetics. In this two-part review article, we deal with these aspects of donor registry work by using the example of DKMS.

Immunogenetics in stem cell donor registry work: The DKMS example (Part 1).

Currently, stem cell donor registries include more than 35 million potential donors worldwide to provide HLA-matched stem cell products for patients in need of an unrelated donor transplant. DKMS is a leading stem cell donor registry with more than 9 million donors from Germany, Poland, the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Chile. DKMS donors have donated hematopoietic stem cells more than 80,000 times.

Impact of Menstrual Function on Hormonal Response to Repeated Bouts of Intense Exercise.

Background: Strenous exercise stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis in order to ensure homeostasis and promote anabolism. Furthermore, exercise stimulates a transient increase in the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) suggested to mediate the anxiolytic effects of exercise. Athletes with secondary functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) have been reported to have lower BDNF, and a blunted HP axis response to exercise as athletes with overtraining syndrome.

An acoustic myography functional assessment of cerebral palsy subjects compared to healthy controls during physical exercise.

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) participate in reduced levels of physical activity and spend an increased amount of time in a sedentary state compared with healthy control subjects. Whether this in part can be explained by impaired muscle function is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate differences in muscle fibre recruitment during treadmill exercise between CP subjects and healthy age-, sex- and BMI-matched controls.