Scheme for Attophysics Experiments at a X-ray SASE FEL

We propose a concept for production of high power coherent attosecond pulses in X-ray range. An approach is based on generation of 8th harmonic of radiation in a multistage HGHG FEL (high gain high harmonic free electron laser) configuration starting from shot noise. Single-spike phenomena occurs when electron bunch is passed through the sequence of four relatively short undulators. The first stage is a conventional "long" wavelength (0.8 nm) SASE FEL which operates in the high-gain linear regime. The 0.1 nm wavelength range is reached by successive multiplication (0.8 nm $\to$ 0.4 nm $\to$ 0.2 nm $\to$ 0.1 nm) in a stage sequence. Our study shows that the statistical properties of the high-harmonic radiation from the SASE FEL, operating in linear regime, can be used for selection of radiation pulses with a single spike in time domain. The duration of the spikes is in attosecond range. Selection of single-spike high-harmonic pulses is achieved by using a special trigger in data acquisition system. The potential of X-ray SASE FEL at TESLA at DESY for generating attosecond pulses is demonstrated. Since the design of XFEL laboratory at TESLA is based on the use of long SASE undulators with tunable gap, no special place nor additional FEL undulators are required for attophysics experiments. The use of a 10 GW-level attosecond X-ray pulses at X-ray SASE FEL facility will enable us to track processes inside atoms.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Optics Communication

Spatial aspects of oncogenic signalling determine the response to combination therapy in slice explants from Kras-driven lung tumours

A key question in precision medicine is how functional heterogeneity in solid tumours informs therapeutic sensitivity. We demonstrate that spatial characteristics of oncogenic signalling and therapy response can be modelled in precision-cut slices from Kras-driven non-small-cell lung cancer with varying histopathologies. Unexpectedly, profiling of in situ tumours demonstrated that signalling stratifies mostly according to histopathology, showing enhanced AKT and SRC activity in adenosquamous carcinoma, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in adenocarcinoma. In addition, high intertumour and intratumour variability was detected, particularly of MAPK and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 activity. Using short-term treatment of slice explants, we showed that cytotoxic responses to combination MAPK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mTOR inhibition correlate with the spatially defined activities of both pathways. Thus, whereas genetic drivers determine histopathology spectra, histopathology-associated and spatially variable signalling activities determine drug sensitivity. Our study is in support of spatial aspects of signalling heterogeneity being considered in clinical diagnostic settings, particularly to guide the selection of drug combinations

Körper, Leib und Leben: wissenschaftliche und praktische Traditionen im ärztlichen Blick auf den Patienten

'Der ärztliche Blick auf den Patienten wird heute stark bestimmt durch Forschungsparadigmata, die mit operationalisierenden Methoden weitgehend generalisierbare und vom Einzelfall abstrahierte Hypothesen prüfen und anwenden lassen. Dadurch entstand eine eigentümliche Leibferne der modernen Medizin, die traditionelle Auseinandersetzungen mit Leib und Krankheit in Vergessenheit geraten ließ. Der menschliche Leibbezug war aber im 20. Jahrhundert Gegenstand einer Reihe von phänomenologischen, anthropologischen, existenzialistischen sowie spezifisch medizinischen Ansätzen, von denen im Folgenden einige in ihren Grundzügen skizziert und zur Diskussion gestellt werden sollen. Diese Traditionen, die sich vor allem durch einen sprachbezogenen Verständnisansatz auszeichnen, bleiben relevant für den klinischen Zugang zum Patienten und die weitere Behandlungspraxis, für die Aus-, Weiter- und Fortbildung in Gesundheitsberufen sowie für die spezifische Forschung zu Themen der Krankheitsverarbeitung und der Psychosomatik.' (Autorenreferat)'The medical perspective on patients today is dominated by criteria of strictly operationalized and abstract hypothesis-guided research. Modern methods have led medicine to abandon an understanding of the lived body in its biographical context, while traditions that take account of the interrelation of subjective body experience and disease have fallen into oblivion. However, in the 20th century, the relation between subjective experiences and lived body has been the object of substantial phenomenological, anthropological, existentialistic, and medical approaches, as outlined in this paper. These traditions, with a reference to language as their outstanding characteristic, are still relevant for clinical practice, training in medical professions, and research on coping with disease and psychosomatics.' (author's abstract)

"Pinocchio" – Metamorphose des Sich-Zeigens in der Oper von Philippe Boesmans

This article offers a performance analysis of Philippe Boesmans’s new opera Pinocchio (2017, Aix-en-Provence) to explore the potential of narrative and demonstrative representation as constitutive qualities of musical puppet theatre. Pinocchio combines significant criteria from puppet theatre within an epic form, and by means of the metamorphosis of the main character. Perceiving an imaginary, ideal body becomes possible. This perception is not necessarily related to a human being or to the materiality of a puppet.Anhand einer Aufführungsanalyse der neuen Oper Pinocchio von Philippe Boesmans (2017, Aix-en-Provence) wird dargelegt, wie die erzählende und zeigende Darstellung für das musikalische Figurentheater konstitutiv sein können. Pinocchio vereint in seiner epischen Form und inhaltlich in der Metamorphose der Hauptfigur wichtige Merkmale des Figurentheaters. Dadurch wird eine nicht an einen Menschen oder die Materialität einer Puppe gebundene Wahrnehmung eines imaginierten Idealkörpers möglich

Association between CT-Based Preoperative Sarcopenia and Outcomes in Patients That Underwent Liver Resections.

This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate whether preoperative sarcopenia, assessed by CT imaging, was associated with postoperative clinical outcomes and overall survival in patients that underwent liver resections. Patients operated on between January 2014 and February 2020 were included. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured at the level of the third lumbar vertebra on preoperative CT scans. Preoperative sarcopenia was defined based on pre-established SMI cut-off values. The outcomes were postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay (LOS), and overall survival. Among 355 patients, 212 (59.7%) had preoperative sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia were significantly older (63.5 years) and had significantly lower BMIs (23.9 kg/m <sup>2</sup> ) than patients without sarcopenia (59.3 years, p < 0.01, and 27.7 kg/m <sup>2</sup> , p < 0.01, respectively). There was no difference in LOS (8 vs. 8 days, p = 0.75), and the major complication rates were comparable between the two groups (11.2% vs. 11.3%, p = 1.00). The median overall survival times were comparable between patients with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia (15 vs. 16 months, p = 0.87). Based on CT assessment alone, preoperative sarcopenia appeared to have no impact on postoperative clinical outcomes or overall survival in patients that underwent liver resections. Future efforts should also consider muscle strength and physical performance, in addition to imaging, for preoperative risk stratification

Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a bicaval dual-lumen catheter in a SynCardia total artificial heart patient

We report the case of a 55 years old caucasian male patient with cardiogenic shock due to an extended myocardial infarction who underwent SynCardia Total Artificial Heart implantation and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a bicaval dual-lumen cannula for the treatment of adult respiratory distress syndrome

Organotypic Brain Cultures for Metastasis Research

We thank members of Brain Metastasis Group for critical discussion. Research in the Brain Metastasis Group is supported by MINECO-Retos SAF2017-89643-R (M.V.), Cancer Research Institute CLIP Award 2018 (M.V.), AECC (GCTRA16015SEOA) (M.V.), Bristol-Myers Squibb Melanoma Research Alliance Young Investigator Award 2017 (M.V.), Beug Foundation’s Prize for Metastasis Research 2017 (M.V.), Worldwide Cancer Research (19-0177) (M.V.), H2020-FETOPEN (828972) (M.V.), Fundación Ramón Areces (CIVP19S8163), and La Caixa-Severo Ochoa International PhD Program Fellowship (L.Z.). M.V. is a Ramón y Cajal Investigator (RYC-2013-13365) and an EMBO YIP investigator.N

Extracorporeal life support in pediatric cardiac dysfunction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low cardiac output (LCO) after corrective surgery remains a serious complication in pediatric congenital heart diseases (CHD). In the case of refractory LCO, extra corporeal life support (ECLS) extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) or ventricle assist devices (VAD) is the final therapeutic option. In the present study we have reviewed the outcomes of pediatric patients after corrective surgery necessitating ECLS and compared outcomes with pediatric patients necessitating ECLS because of dilatated cardiomyopathy (DCM).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A retrospective single-centre cohort study was evaluated in pediatric patients, between 1991 and 2008, that required ECLS. A total of 48 patients received ECLS, of which 23 were male and 25 female. The indications for ECLS included CHD in 32 patients and DCM in 16 patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age was 1.2 ± 3.9 years for CHD patients and 10.4 ± 5.8 years for DCM patients. Twenty-six patients received ECMO and 22 patients received VAD. A total of 15 patients out of 48 survived, 8 were discharged after myocardial recovery and 7 were discharged after successful heart transplantation. The overall mortality in patients with extracorporeal life support was 68%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the use of ECLS shows a significantly high mortality rate it remains the ultimate chance for children. For better results, ECLS should be initiated in the operating room or shortly thereafter. Bridge to heart transplantation should be considered if there is no improvement in cardiac function to avoid irreversible multiorgan failure (MFO).</p