Evaluation of the anatomical and electrical axis of the heart after pneumonectomy

Aim: To investigate the position of the heart after pneumonectomy and, also to find out how the changes in the electrical axis of the heart contribute for the possible electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes. Methods: Ninety-eight patients with pneumonectomy were included to this observational study. To calculate the rotation of the heart and angle measurement two perpendicular lines, one septal and another atrioventricular, were drawn on the images acquired from thoracic computed tomography. Thoracic CT were taken at every 3 months for the first two years. On electrocardiograms net QRS vectors, amplitudes of p waves, findings of right and left ventricular hypertrophy, and other possible changes were recorded. Results: The mean age of all patients was 55.51 ± 8.9. Right pneumectomy was performed in 40 (57%) and left pneumonectomy in 30 cases (43%) cases. There was no significant change regarding both the angle of rotation and the amount of pleural effusion between the findings of the second and first year after the operation. The QRS shift was significantly more pronounced in patients with left pneumonectomies than right pneumonectomies. On echocardiography these cases showed right ventricular hypertrophy and increased pulmonary artery pressures in the second year when compared to the preoperative period. Conclusions: The current study showed that many significant changes occurred in the electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters of the heart after pneumonectomy

Leptin deficiency-induced obesity affects the density of mast cells in abdominal fat depots and lymph nodes in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mast cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. Here, we explored the effects of leptin deficiency-induced obesity on the density of mast cells in metabolic (abdominal fat depots, skeletal muscle, and liver) and lymphatic (abdominal lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus) organs. Fourteen-week-old male leptin-deficient <it>ob/ob </it>mice and their controls fed a standard chow were studied. Tissue sections were stained with toluidine blue to determine the density of mast cells. CD117/c-kit protein expression analysis was also carried out. Furthermore, mast cells containing immunoreactive tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine involved in obesity-linked insulin resistance, were identified by immunostaining.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>ob/ob </it>mice demonstrated adiposity and insulin resistance. In abdominal fat depots, mast cells were distributed differentially. While most prevalent in subcutaneous fat in controls, mast cells were most abundant in epididymal fat in <it>ob/ob </it>mice. Leptin deficiency-induced obesity was accompanied by a 20-fold increase in the density of mast cells in epididymal fat, but a 13-fold decrease in subcutaneous fat. This finding was confirmed by CD117/c-kit protein expression analysis. Furthermore, we found that a subset of mast cells in epididymal and subcutaneous fat were immunoreactive for TNF-α. The proportion of mast cells immunoreactive for TNF-α was higher in epididymal than in subcutaneous fat in both <it>ob/ob </it>and control mice. Mast cells were also distributed differentially in retroperitoneal, mesenteric, and inguinal lymph nodes. In both <it>ob/ob </it>mice and lean controls, mast cells were more prevalent in retroperitoneal than in mesenteric and inguinal lymph nodes. Leptin deficiency-induced obesity was accompanied by increased mast cell density in all lymph node stations examined. No significant difference in the density of mast cells in skeletal muscle, liver, spleen, and thymus was noted between <it>ob/ob </it>and control mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates that leptin deficiency-induced obesity is accompanied by alterations in the density of mast cells in abdominal fat depots. The divergent distribution of mast cells in subcutaneous versus visceral fat might partially account for their differential biological behavior. Mast cells might also play a role in adaptive immune response occurring in regional lymph nodes in obesity.</p

Apoptosis, mastocytosis, and diminished adipocytokine gene expression accompany reduced epididymal fat mass in long-standing diet-induced obese mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is characterized by increased cell death and inflammatory reactions in the adipose tissue. Here, we explored pathophysiological alterations taking place in the adipose tissue in long-standing obesity. In the epididymal fat of C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 20 weeks, the prevalence and distribution of dead adipocytes (crown-like structures), mast cells (toluidine blue, mMCP6), macrophages (F4/80), and apoptotic cells (cleaved caspase-3) were measured. Moreover, gene and/or protein expression of several adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, MCP-1), F4/80, mMCP6, cleaved caspase-3 were determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We observed that the epididymal fat mass was lower in obese than in lean mice. In obese mice, the epididymal fat mass correlated inversely with body weight and liver mass. Dead adipocytes, mast cells, macrophages, and apoptotic cells were abundant in the epididymal fat of obese mice, especially in the rostral vs. caudal zone. Accordingly, mMCP6, F4/80, and cleaved caspase-3 gene and/or protein expression was increased. Conversely, adiponectin, leptin, IL-6, and MCP-1 gene expression levels were lower in the epididymal fat of obese than lean mice. Although TNF-α and IL-10 gene expression was higher in the epididymal fat of obese mice, their expression relative to F4/80 and mMCP6 expression were lower in the heavily infiltrated rostral than caudal zone.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates that in mice with long-standing obesity diminished gene expression of several adipocytokines accompany apoptosis and reduced mass of the epididymal fat. Our findings suggest that this is due to both increased prevalence of dead adipocytes and altered immune cell activity. Differential distribution of metabolically challenged adipocytes is indicative of the presence of biologically diverse zones within the epididymal fat.</p

Epidermale Veränderungen nach ultravioletter Bestrahlung untersucht mit der Konfokalen Laser-Scanning-Mikroskopie in vivo

$\bf\it Problem$ Morphologische Veränderungen der Haut können mit invasiven Methoden nicht in vivo reflektiert werden. Die Konfokale Laser-Scanning-Mikroskopie (KLSM), als eine nicht invasive Untersuchungstechnik ist bisher nicht in systematischen photobiologischen Studien verwendet worden. $\bf\it Methode$ Epidermale Veränderungen nach UVA (320-400nm) und Solarsimulator (290-400nm) Exposition werden an zwei Probandenkollektiven $\textit{(n=22) in vivo}$ mit der KLSM evaluiert. $\bf\it Ergebnis$ Nach UVA-Exposition zeigt sich eine statistisch signifikante Zunahme des Melaninindex und eine Abnahme der Zellgrößen im Stratum granulosum. Die Stratum corneum- und minimale Epidermis-Dicke nimmt nach UV-Exposition signifikant zu. Die lebenden Schichten der Epidermis zeigen keine signifikante Veränderung. $\bf\it Diskussion$ Die erhobenen Daten bestätigen vorausgegangene Studien über UV-induzierte epidermale Veränderungen. Es kann festgestellt werden, das die KLSM eine geeignete Technik für das Monitoring photoadaptiver Prozesse darstellt

Quality of life and functional outcome following microsurgical fasciocutaneous vs. myocutaneous tissue transfer

Background: Coverage of soft tissue defects at the lower extremity may necessitate microsurgical tissue transfer, such as by fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh (ALT) or myocutaneous musculus latissimus dorsi (MLD) flaps. Hitherto, these two flaps have not been compared systematically in terms of patient satisfaction and functional outcome. The purpose of this study was to compare patients’ satisfaction and functional outcome following ALT vs. MLD transfer. Methods: Thirty-six patients were divided into an ALT group (n=22, mean age: 42.0 years) and a MLD group (n=14, mean age: 55.5 years). Both groups were compared concerning isokinetic analysis (Biodex System III), circumference measurement, flap volume, scar size, complication rates, patients’ satisfaction, and functional outcome (SF-36 questionnaire, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS)), hospital stay and duration of surgery.Results: Isokinetic force measurements showed a higher mean maximum force for dorsiflexion in the MLD group at an angular velocity of 60°/sec. (ALT 17.5±7.9 Nm, MLD 18.5±16.3 Nm; p<0.013) and higher strength endurance at 180°/sec (ALT 8.17±5.6 Nm, MLD 13.36±9.4 Nm; p<0.008), whereas no differences in all other measurements was found. The mean lower leg circumference was significantly larger in the MLD group (ALT 25.0±3.39 cm, MLD 30.36±2.14 cm; p<0.013). The mean difference in the circumference measurement between the covered and uninjured extremity within both groups differed significantly (ALT 2.55±1.71 cm, MLD 8.13±1.65 cm; p<0.001). The flap size in the ALT group was 148.77±6.58 cm² compared to 251.63±21.28 cm² in the MLD group (p<0.01). The scar size in the ALT group was 40.61± compared to 93.40±22.65 cm² in the MLD group (p<0.01). Superficial necrosis occurred in both groups (ALT n=3, MLD n=5). Donor area seroma was only seen in the MLD group (n=2). A complete flap failure was recorded only in the ALT group (n=2). SF-36 and FAOS indicated no significant differences between groups (p>0.05) in quality of life and functional outcome. Average hospital stay and duration of operation showed no differences between groups.Conclusion: In the present study, no significant differences in quality of life and functional outcome were found between ALT and MLD group. Only in isokinetic force measurement isolated significant differences with advantages of MLD group were detected. The current study provides additional information concerning ALT and MLD flaps and may support decision-making in selecting the appropriate free flap

Modeling Product Line Software Assets Using Domain-Specific Kits

Software Product Line Engineering (SPLE) is a prominent paradigm for the assembly of a family of products using product line core assets. The modeling of software assets that together form the actual products is critical for achieving the strategic benefits of Software Product Lines (SPLs). We propose a feature-based approach to software asset modeling based on abstractions provided by Domain-Specific Kits (DSKs). This approach involves a software Asset Metamodel (AMM) used to derive Asset Modeling Languages (AMLs) that define reusable software assets in domain-specific terms. The approach also prescribes a roadmap for modeling these software assets in conjunction with the product line reference architecture. Asset capabilities can be modeled using feature diagrams as the external views of the software assets. Internal views can be expressed in terms of Domain-Specific Artifacts (DSAs) with Variability Points (VPs), where the domain-specific artifacts are created using Domain-Specific Kits. This approach produces loosely coupled and highly cohesive software assets that are reusable for multiple product lines. The approach is validated by assessing software asset reuse in two different product lines in the finance domain. We also evaluated the productivity gains in large-scale complex projects, and found that the approach yielded a significant reduction in the total project effort

Studies on antioxidant enzymes in mice exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields

In this study, 56 female albino mice weighing 30-35 g were used. The animals were divided into a control and an experimental group. The animals in the experimental group were subjected to a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) with a field magnitude of 50 Hz and 2 mT for 8 h each day between 0900 and 1700 for 90 days. In both control and experimental groups, blood was sampled at 45, 60, and 90 days in heparinized tubes and erythrocyte malondialdehyde levels, and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were determined. The results revealed that the PEMF applied chronically within the given period and field magnitude does not cause oxidative damage. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Insight in Human Skin Microcirculation Using In Vivo Reflectance-Mode Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Reflectance-mode confocal laser scanning microscopy allows in vivo imaging of the human skin. We hypothesized that this high-resolution technique enables observation of dynamic changes of the cutaneous microcirculation. Twenty-two volunteers were randomly divided in two groups. Group 1 was exposed to local heating and group 2 to local cold stress. Confocal microscopy was performed prior t0 (control), directly t1 and 5 min t2 after local temperature changes to evaluate quantitative blood cell flow, capillary loop diameter, and density of dermal capillaries. In group 1, blood flow increased at t1 (75.82 ± 2.86/min) and further at t2 (84.09 ± 3.39/min) compared to the control (61.09 ± 3.21/min). The control capillary size was 9.59 ± 0.25 μm, increased to 11.16 ± 0.21 μm (t1) and 11.57 ± 0.24 μm (t2). The dermal capillary density increased in t1 (7.26 ± 0.76/mm2) and t2 (8.16 ± 0.52/mm2), compared to the control (7.04 ± 0.62/mm2). In group 2, blood flow decreased at t1 (41.73 ± 2.61/min) and increased at t2 (83.27 ± 3.29/min) compared to the control (60.73 ± 2.90/min). The control capillary size was 9.55 ± 0.25 μm, decreased at t1 (7.78 ± 0.26 μm) and increased at t2 (11.38 ± 0.26 μm). Capillary density decreased at t1 (5.01 ± 0.49/mm2) and increased at t2 (7.28 ± 0.53/mm2) compared to the control (7.01 ± 0.52/mm2). Confocal microscopy is a sensitive and noninvasive imaging tool for characterizing and quantifying dynamic changes of cutaneous microcirculation on a histomorphological level