Functional Natural Killer-cell Genetics and Microvascular Inflammation After Kidney Transplantation: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Recent evidence highlights the pivotal role of natural killer (NK) cells in allograft rejection.

Methods: We explored associations of missing self and gene polymorphisms determining the phenotype and/or functionality of NK cells with microvascular inflammation (MVI) in a single-center cohort of 507 consecutive kidney transplant recipients. Patients were genotyped for killer cell Ig-like receptors and polymorphisms in 4 selected genes (FCGR3AV/F158 [rs396991], KLRC2wt/del, KLRK1HNK/LNK [rs1049174], and rs9916629-C/T).

A Randomized Phase 2 Trial of Felzartamab in Antibody-Mediated Rejection.

Background: Antibody-mediated rejection is a leading cause of kidney-transplant failure. The targeting of CD38 to inhibit graft injury caused by alloantibodies and natural killer (NK) cells may be a therapeutic option.

Methods: In this phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned patients with antibody-mediated rejection that had occurred at least 180 days after transplantation to receive nine infusions of the CD38 monoclonal antibody felzartamab (at a dose of 16 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo for 6 months, followed by a 6-month observation period.

[Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in intensive care units].

Treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is particularly challenging due to the rapid scientific advances and the often significant hypoxemia. Use of high-flow oxygen, noninvasive mask ventilation, and the technique of awake proning can sometimes avoid the need for intubation. Mechanical ventilation follows the principles of ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; lung protective ventilation) and is generally supplemented by consequent positioning therapy (with at least 16 h in prone position in multiple cycles).

Tc-99m-PSMA imaging allows successful radioguided surgery in recurrent prostate cancer.

Objective: The introduction of the prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) offers the possibility to discover prostate cancer recurrences being frequently so small that they cannot be detected by conventional imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance or computed tomography.

Subjects And Methods: A 78 years old patient after radical prostatectomy and lymphadenectomy suffered from recurrence of the disease and galium-68-PSMA (Ga-PSMA) showed a single hot spot. Therefore, the first time in this indication in Austria radioguided surgery was performed after application of technetium-99m (Tc)-PSMA, which confirmed the single lesion already shown by Ga-PSMA.

Free-running Sn precipitates: an efficient phase separation mechanism for metastable GeSn epilayers.

The revival of interest in GeSn alloys with x ≥ 10% is mainly owed to the recent demonstration of optical gain in this group-IV heterosystem. Yet, Ge and Sn are immiscible over about 98% of the composition range, which renders epilayers based on this material system inherently metastable. Here, we address the temperature stability of pseudomorphic GeSn films grown by molecular beam epitaxy.

Enhanced Telecom Emission from Single Group-IV Quantum Dots by Precise CMOS-Compatible Positioning in Photonic Crystal Cavities.

Efficient coupling to integrated high-quality-factor cavities is crucial for the employment of germanium quantum dot (QD) emitters in future monolithic silicon-based optoelectronic platforms. We report on strongly enhanced emission from single Ge QDs into L3 photonic crystal resonator (PCR) modes based on precise positioning of these dots at the maximum of the respective mode field energy density. Perfect site control of Ge QDs grown on prepatterned silicon-on-insulator substrates was exploited to fabricate in one processing run almost 300 PCRs containing single QDs in systematically varying positions within the cavities.

Commensurate germanium light emitters in silicon-on-insulator photonic crystal slabs.

We report on the fabrication and characterization of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic crystal slabs (PCS) with commensurately embedded germanium quantum dot (QD) emitters for near-infrared light emission. Substrate pre-patterning defines preferential nucleation sites for the self-assembly of Ge QDs during epitaxial growth. Aligned two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs are then etched into the SOI layer.

[Comments on the standards for acceptance and consistency testing of systems for digital radiography].

Due to German regulations, acceptance and consistency tests have to be obtained by 12.31.2005 for all equipment used for computed radiography according to special standards published in DIN 6868.

[Radiation exposure and image sharpness of mammographic units in bavaria with respect to the European guidelines].

In a survey including all mammography units in Bavaria, entrance doses in air and other quality-relevant parameters were measured with standard settings and under comparable conditions. The study was aimed to discover discrepancies between practical mammographic imaging techniques and the demands established in the European Guidelines. Test images were made by the operators themselves with phantoms used for constancy checks.

Chest imaging with flat-panel detector at low and standard doses: comparison with storage phosphor technology in normal patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of standard-dose and low-dose cesium iodide (CsI)-doted amorphous silicon (a-Si) flat-panel detector technology (FDT) as compared with storage-phosphor technology (SPT) in the depiction of relevant anatomical structures in chest radiography. In 75 patients referred for thoracic CT, digital chest radiographs were randomly obtained with either SPT at a standard dose (speed class S400, n=25), standard-dose FDT (S400, n=25) or FDT at a low dose (S800, n=25). Five radiologists evaluated the visibility of eight pulmonary and mediastinal anatomical structures using a five-point rating scale.

[Assessment of the effective dose for routine protocols in conventional CT, electron beam CT and coronary angiography].

Purpose: To compare the effective dose applied by sequential CT (SEQ), spiral CT (SCT), electron beam CT (EBT) and coronary angiography for investigations of the chest, abdomen and the heart.

Methods: The Alderson Phantom was used to compare the effective dose for all modalities. In addition, the effective dose for conventional CT (SEQ and SCT) was estimated with a mathematical phantom.

[Technical bases and acquisition conditions of electron-beam computed tomography].

Purpose: In this review the technical principle and scanner characteristics of electron beam computer tomography (EBCT) are discussed.

Methods: In contrast to conventional CT, image acquisition in EBCT is achieved without mechanically moving parts. This construction allows for short acquisition times in investigating given anatomical regions (100 ms per slice) or up to 8 levels without table movement and short interscan delays (50 ms per slice).

[Virtual colonoscopy using CT and MRI].

Purpose: To evaluate experimentally and in patients the sensitivity and effective dose of virtual electron-beam tomography (EBT) colonoscopy for detecting small colon tumors and to compare the methods and results with virtual colonoscopy using spiral CT and MR imaging in a review of the literature.

Materials And Methods: Six polyps with diameters between 3 and 12 mm were created and randomly placed in resected pig colon. After distension with air, the pig colon was scanned with continuous volume scanning (CVS, 3 mm collimation) and a pitch of 0.

[Radiation exposure during CT examination of thorax and abdomen. Comparison of sequential, spiral and electron beam computed tomography].

Comparison of radiation exposure applied by different types of CT scanners for the investigation of the chest and abdomen. Determination of radiation exposure applied by multi-phase spiral CT. Estimation of the dose in air in the system axis of the scanner, the CT dose index (CTDI) and the effective dose for electron beam tomography (EBT) and two conventional CT scanners (sequence, SEQ; spiral, SCT).

[A comparison of the monitor and alternator findings of digital thoracic images with the aid of a computer-supported procedure].

Purpose: To compare softcopy and hardcopy reading of chest radiographs a software tool was designed for creating lesions with clearly defined size, location and contrast.

Method: An ROC study was performed using a set of chest radiographs with 300 simulated small nodules and linear details displayed on film and on a 1 K monitor. Six observers participated in the study.

[Initial experiences with pulsed fluoroscopy on a multifunctional fluoroscopic unit].

Purpose: Comparison of radiation doses in pulsed and continuous fluoroscopy to quantify the dose reduction by pulsed fluoroscopy. Further, the applicability of pulsed fluoroscopy in clinical routine has been evaluated.

Materials And Methods: In a human pelvic phantom, the radiation dose (skin entry dose in cGycm2) was measured at two pulses per second (pps), 3 pps, 6 pps, 12 pps and continuous fluoroscopy mode, respectively, using image-intensifier entries of 38 cm, 25 cm, and 17 cm.

[Digital luminescence radiography in comparison with the conventional film-screen technique in diagnosis of fractures].

Purpose: The accuracy of digital luminescence radiography was compared with that of conventional film/screen techniques, using animal preparations and clinical examinations.

Material And Method: Fine fissures were made in 8 animal bones and these were examined radiologically. The digital examinations were carried out with and without edge enhancement.

[The diagnostic value of digital and conventional imaging in intravenous urography].

Purpose: To compare image quality of digital luminescence radiography with conventional film-screen techniques during excretion urography. Four field tests and ROC analysis for determining diagnostic value.

Material And Method: 135 patients were included in a prospective study.

Muscarinic receptors in gastric mucosa are increased in peptic ulcer disease.

Muscarinic receptors stimulate the secretion of acid pepsinogen and mucous in gastric mucosa. Whether muscarinic receptors are involved in the pathogenesis of benign gastric disease is unknown. Receptor changes in these conditions were therefore sought.

[Reducing radiation dosage with modern DSA equipment].

Purpose: In angiographic and interventional procedures the often long fluoroscopy times add a great deal to the total patient dose. The new Multistar T.O.

[Comparison of input grey values and contrast profiles: a contribution to the discussion on optimization of evaluation parameters in storage phosphorus radiography].

On comparing the individual imaging stages in conventional and digital image radiography it becomes evident that a significant advantage of the digital method is the possibility to adapt the image character and exposure dose individually to various problems requiring an answer. To take advantage of this it is imperative to optimise image processing with care, especially contrast processing. No systematic procedure based on objective criteria had existed to date.

[A comparison of digital radiography and conventional x-ray diagnosis for shoulder arthrography].

Fifty double-contrast arthrographies of the shoulder were obtained using conventional film-screen methods as well as by digital luminescence radiography (DLR). The supplied picture-evaluation programs had to be modified and improved prior to this study. In DLR two different post-processed images were obtained, one resembling a conventional film-screen, the other with an intensified edge-enhancement.