Real-world use of natalizumab in Austria: data from the Austrian Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Registry (AMSTR).

Introduction: With the approval of natalizumab in Europe in 2006, the Austrian Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Registry (AMSTR) was established. Here, we present data from this registry about effectiveness and safety of natalizumab in patients treated up to 14 years.

Patients/methods: Data retrieved from the AMSTR contained baseline characteristics and biannual documentation of annualised relapse rate (ARR) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score as well as adverse events and reasons for discontinuation on follow-up visits.

Bridging the Gap Between Believing and Memory Functions.

Believing has recently been recognized as a fundamental brain function linking a person's experience with his or her attitude, actions and predictions. In general, believing results from the integration of ambient information with emotions and can be reinforced or modulated in a probabilistic fashion by new experiences. Although these processes occur in the subliminal realm, humans can become aware of what they believe and express it verbally.

Reconciling diagnostic traits in living and fossil taxa: The taxonomy and evolution of the genus Microceratina (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Cytheruridae).

The original diagnosis of the genus Microceratina Swanson is re-examined with the aim of elucidating the evolutionary history of this living and fossil genus. The different systematic placements of this genus in one of three alternative suprageneric taxa, family Bythocytheridae Sars, family Cytheruridae G.W.

A novel immunosensor based on cobalt oxide nanocomposite modified single walled carbon nanohorns for the selective detection of aflatoxin B1.

We developed a novel, sensitive, and selective platform for the specific determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Single-walled carbon nanohorns decorated by a cobalt oxide composite and gold nanoparticles were created to provide facile electron transfer and improve the sensor's sensitivity. In addition, we attributed the selectivity of the proposed sensor to the specific binding property of the anti-aflatoxin B1 antibody.

Rethinking the nature of intraspecific variability and its consequences on species coexistence.

Intraspecific variability (IV) has been proposed to explain species coexistence in diverse communities. Assuming, sometimes implicitly, that conspecific individuals can perform differently in the same environment and that IV increases niche overlap, previous studies have found contrasting results regarding the effect of IV on species coexistence. We aim at showing that the large IV observed in data does not mean that conspecific individuals are necessarily different in their response to the environment and that the role of high-dimensional environmental variation in determining IV has largely remained unexplored in forest plant communities.

Identification of extremely GC-rich micro RNAs for RT-qPCR data normalization in human plasma.

We aimed at extending the repertoire of high-quality miRNA normalizers for reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of human plasma with special emphasis on the extremely guanine-cytosine-rich portion of the miRNome. For high-throughput selection of stable candidates, microarray technology was preferred over small-RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) since the latter underrepresented miRNAs with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of at least 75% ( = 0.0002, = 2).

Micro-CT and deep learning: Modern techniques and applications in insect morphology and neuroscience.

Advances in modern imaging and computer technologies have led to a steady rise in the use of micro-computed tomography (µCT) in many biological areas. In zoological research, this fast and non-destructive method for producing high-resolution, two- and three-dimensional images is increasingly being used for the functional analysis of the external and internal anatomy of animals. µCT is hereby no longer limited to the analysis of specific biological tissues in a medical or preclinical context but can be combined with a variety of contrast agents to study form and function of all kinds of tissues and species, from mammals and reptiles to fish and microscopic invertebrates.

Relationship between 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) as Systemic Biomarker of Lipid Peroxidation and Metabolomic Profiling of Patients with Prostate Cancer.

An oxidative degradation product of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), is of particular interest in cancer research due to its concentration-dependent pleiotropic activities affecting cellular antioxidants, metabolism, and growth control. Although an increase in oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation was already associated with prostate cancer progression a few decades ago, the knowledge of the involvement of 4-HNE in prostate cancer tumorigenesis is limited. This study investigated the appearance of 4-HNE-protein adducts in prostate cancer tissue by immunohistochemistry using a genuine 4-HNE monoclonal antibody.

Phyllosphere-associated microbiota in built environment: Do they have the potential to antagonize human pathogens?

Introduction: The plant microbiota is known to protect its host against invasion by plant pathogens. Recent studies have indicated that the microbiota of indoor plants is transmitted to the local built environment where it might fulfill yet unexplored functions. A better understanding of the interplay of such microbial communities with human pathogens might provide novel cues related to natural inhibition of them.

Chemical footprints mediate habitat selection in co-occurring aphids.

Habitat selection is a critical process that shapes the spatial distribution of species at local and regional scales. The mechanisms underlying habitat preference rely on environmental factors, species traits, and ecological interactions with other species. Here, we examined spatial segregation between two co-occurring aphid species ( and ) on wheat plants.

Simulation of Varroa mite control in honey bee colonies without synthetic acaricides: Demonstration of Good Beekeeping Practice for Germany in the BEEHAVE model.

The BEEHAVE model simulates the population dynamics and foraging activity of a single honey bee colony () in great detail. Although it still makes numerous simplifying assumptions, it appears to capture a wide range of empirical observations. It could, therefore, in principle, also be used as a tool in beekeeper education, as it allows the implementation and comparison of different management options.

The benefits of contributing to the citizen science platform iNaturalist as an identifier.

As the number of observations submitted to the citizen science platform iNaturalist continues to grow, it is increasingly important that these observations can be identified to the finest taxonomic level, maximizing their value for biodiversity research. Here, we explore the benefits of acting as an identifier on iNaturalist.

The oral vaccination with bacterin can decrease susceptibility to American Foulbrood infection in honey bees-A safety and efficacy study.

Unlabelled: Pollination services to increase crop production are becoming more and more important, as we are facing both climate change and a growing world population. Both are predicted to impact food security worldwide. High-density, commercial beekeeping has become a key link in the food supply chain, and diseases have become a central issue in hive losses around the world.

Processability evaluation of multiparticulate units prepared by selective laser sintering using the SeDeM Expert System approach.

3D printing in dosage forms fabrication is in the focus of researchers, however, the attempts in multiparticulate units (MPUs) preparation are scarce. The aim of this study was to fabricate different size MPUs by selective laser sintering (SLS), using different polymers, and investigate their processability based on the SeDeM Expert System approach. MPUs (1- or 2-mm size) were prepared with model drug (ibuprofen or caffeine), polymer (poly(ethylene)oxide (PEO), ethyl cellulose (EC) or methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer (MA-EA)) and printing aid.

Linking changes in species composition and biomass in a globally distributed grassland experiment.

Global change drivers, such as anthropogenic nutrient inputs, are increasing globally. Nutrient deposition simultaneously alters plant biodiversity, species composition and ecosystem processes like aboveground biomass production. These changes are underpinned by species extinction, colonisation and shifting relative abundance.

Believing and social interactions: effects on bodily expressions and personal narratives.

The processes of believing integrate external perceptual information from the environment with internal emotional states and prior experience to generate probabilistic neural representations of events, i.e., beliefs.

Believing processes around COVID-19 vaccination: An exploratory study investigating workers in the health sector.

Background: The processes underlying believing have been labeled "creditions", which are important brain functions between emotion and cognition. Creditions are influenced by both internal and external factors, one of which is the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the vaccination against the disease.

Methods: To investigate believing processes shortly before the implementation of a mandatory vaccination in Austria, both vaccinated and unvaccinated workers in the health sector (WHS) were surveyed in December 2021/January 2022.

Reviving the sound of a 150-year-old insect: The bioacoustics of Prophalangopsis obscura (Ensifera: Hagloidea).

Determining the acoustic ecology of extinct or rare species is challenging due to the inability to record their acoustic signals or hearing thresholds. Katydids and their relatives (Orthoptera: Ensifera) offer a model for inferring acoustic ecology of extinct and rare species, due to allometric parameters of their sound production organs. Here, the bioacoustics of the orthopteran Prophalangopsis obscura are investigated.

Nanoencapsulation of essential oil into liposomes with anticancer potential.

L. essential oil possesses a wide spectrum of biological activities. Nanoencapsulation of essential oil into liposomes seems to be a promising strategy to maintain and improve these biological properties.

The Role of Heparan Sulfate in CCL26-Induced Eosinophil Chemotaxis.

Proinflammatory chemokine ligand 26 (CCL26, eotaxin-3) mediates transendothelial cell migration of eosinophils by binding and activating the G-protein-coupled (GPC) chemokine receptor 3 on the surface of eosinophilic cells. Here we have investigated the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as potential co-receptors in the process of CCL26-induced eosinophil chemotaxis. For this purpose, we have first identified the GAG-binding site of CCL26 by a site-directed mutagenesis approach in the form of an alanine screening.