Early dural reaction to polylactide in cranial defects of rabbits

Restoring the bone integrity to injured calvariae remains a challenge to surgeons. In this study, the dural biocompatibility of biodegradable poly-L/DL-lactide 80/20 and 70/30 defect covers, designed for guided bone regeneration, was assessed. In each of the 16 test rabbits, bilateral (8.3 mm) cranial defects were created. The different covers were applied to one defect each in every rabbit and consisted of three parts: an epicranial cover, a spacer, and a dural cover. All defects had closed after 8 weeks due to new bone formation. A few giant cells were found at the cover-to-dura interface in equal numbers for both covers. Dural bone formation was present in 15 of 16 rabbits and progressed unhindered by the defect cover or its early degradation products

Epidemiologie von Begleitmissbildungen bei Lippen- und Gaumenspalten

Children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) often have additional congenital malformations. The reported incidences are variable and presumed underlying mechanisms are rarely discussed. In this study, 245 CLP patients of a geographically defined population were retrospectively reviewed for additional major malformations and minor anomalies. Malformation incidences in the CLP population were compared to those in a literature-based cohort from the general population. Of the CLP patients, 21% showed either major malformations or minor anomalies. In one-fifth of them a recognized syndrome was identified. Two thirds of the CLP patients with minor anomalies also had major malformations. Major malformations in non-syndromic CLP patients were found with decreasing frequency in the musculoskeletal (5.1%), central nervous (4.2%), urogenital (3.8%) and cardiovascular (3.4%) systems. Malformations in these organ systems and minor anomalies should be ruled out by a specialist. The rise in malformation incidence, when compared to the general population, was highest for organs of ectodermal and ecto-mesodermal origin: central nervous system (13 times), ocular (7 times) and craniofacial system (7 times). The result reflects the close interplay of craniofacial and brain development

Neue Verfahren zur Wiederherstellung kiefer-gesichtschirurgischer Defekte, insbesondere bei Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumenspalten und nach Tumorresektionen

Ein Gesichtsdefekt ist für den Patienten gleichermassen eine körperliche und seelische Bürde. Während sich im Gesicht die Seele spiegelt („imago animi vultus“, Cicero, De Oratore), so könnte man gleichsam sagen, dass sich im Gesichtsdefekt das Gesellschaftsdefizit spiegelt, das Abnormales mit Vorurteil und Ausgrenzung straft. Der Erfolg eines chirurgischen Eingriffs darf sich nicht mit der Wiederherstellung der äusserlichen Form begnügen, er muss auch die körperliche, seelische und soziale Funktion des Gesichts wiederherstellen. Typischerweise gibt es unterschiedliche chirurgische Wege um dies, wenn auch leider meist unvollständig, zu erreichen. Die chirurgischen Wege unterscheiden sich zuweilen weniger in ihrem Ergebnis als in ihren Unzulänglichkeiten. Die Suche nach weiteren Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten darf deshalb nie aufhören. Die im ersten Teil vorgestellten Arbeiten liefern hierzu neue Lösungsansätze. Wegen der Komplexität der Gesichtsform und -funktion lassen sich gewisse Probleme der Wiederherstellung mit Variierung der chirurgischen Technik alleine nicht lösen, sodass komplementäre Lösungsansätze notwendig sind. Technische und biomedizinische Verfahren liefern hierfür die notwendige neue Generation chirurgischer Werkzeuge. Damit deren Potential optimal zugunsten der Patientenbehandlung eingesetzt werden kann, muss der Chirurg aktiv an deren Entwicklung teilnehmen und deren Handhabung lernen und lehren. Die im zweiten Teil vorgestellten Arbeiten widmen sich deshalb neuen technischen und biomedizinischen Lösungsansätzen

Two case reports with literature review of the EEC syndrome: Clinical presentation and management

We report on siblings who suffer from EEC syndrome and show our experiences of the `Basel concept` of cleft lip/palate repair based on the early, one-stage closure of all components. It is performed in the age of 3-4 months to provide early normal conditions for anatomy and muscle function

Saharan Mineral Dust Experiments SAMUM-1 and SAMUM-2: What have we learned?

Two comprehensive field campaigns were conducted in 2006 and 2008 in the framework of the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment (SAMUM) project. The relationship between chemical composition, shape morphology, size distribution and optical effects of the dust particles was investigated. The impact of Saharan dust on radiative transfer and the feedback of radiative effects upon dust emission and aerosol transport were studied. Field observations (ground-based, airborne and remote sensing) and modelling results were compared within a variety of dust closure experiments with a strong focus on vertical profiling. For the first time, multiwavelength Raman/polarization lidars and an airborne high spectral resolution lidar were involved in major dust field campaigns and provided profiles of the volume extinction coefficient of the particles at ambient conditions (for the full dust size distribution), of particle-shape-sensitive optical properties at several wavelengths, and a clear separation of dust and smoke profiles allowing for an estimation of the single-scattering albedo of the biomass-burning aerosol. SAMUM–1 took place in southern Morocco close to the Saharan desert in the summer of 2006, whereas SAMUM–2 was conducted in Cape Verde in the outflow region of desert dust and biomass-burning smoke from western Africa in the winter of 2008. This paper gives an overview of the SAMUM concept, strategy and goals, provides snapshots (highlights) of SAMUM–2 observations and modelling efforts, summarizes main findings of SAMUM–1 and SAMUM–2 and finally presents a list of remaining problems and unsolved questions

Optical and microphysical properties of smoke over Cape Verde inferred from multiwavelength lidar measurements

Lidar measurements of mixed dust/smoke plumes over the tropical Atlantic ocean were carried out during the winter campaign of SAMUM-2 at Cape Verde. Profiles of backscatter and extinction coefficients, lidar ratios, and Ångstr¨om exponents related to pure biomass-burning aerosol from southern West Africa were extracted from these observations. Furthermore, these findings were used as input for an inversion algorithm to retrieve microphysical properties of pure smoke. Seven measurement days were found suitable for the procedure of aerosol-type separation and successive inversion of optical data that describe biomass-burning smoke. We inferred high smoke lidar ratios of 87 ± 17 sr at 355 nm and 79 ± 17 sr at 532 nm. Smoke lidar ratios and Ångstr¨om exponents are higher compared to the ones for the dust/smoke mixture. These numbers indicate higher absorption and smaller sizes for pure smoke particles compared to the dust/smoke mixture. Inversion of the smoke data set results in mean effective radii of 0.22 ± 0.08 μm with individual results varying between 0.10 and 0.36 μm. The single-scattering albedo for pure biomass-burning smoke was found to vary between 0.63 and 0.89 with a very low mean value of 0.75 ± 0.07. This is in good agreement with findings of airborne in situ measurements which showed values of 0.77 ± 0.03. Effective radii from the inversion were similar to the ones found for the fine mode of the in situ size distributions

Insights in Molecular Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

We conducted a comprehensive review of the current literature of published data and clinical trials (MEDLINE), as well as published congress contributions and active recruiting clinical trials on targeted therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Combinations of different agents and medical therapy along with radiological interventions were analyzed for the setting of advanced HCC. Those settings were also analyzed in combination with adjuvant situations after resection or radiological treatments. We summarized the current knowledge for each therapeutic setting and combination that currently is or has been under clinical evaluation. We further discuss the results in the background of current treatment guidelines. In addition, we review the pathophysiological mechanisms and pathways for each of these investigated targets and drugs to further elucidate the molecular background and underlying mechanisms of action. Established and recommended targeted treatment options that already exist for patients are considered for systemic treatment: atezolizumab/bevacizumab, durvalumab/tremelimumab, sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib, and ramucirumab. Combination treatment for systemic treatment and local ablative treatment or transarterial chemoembolization and adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment strategies are under clinical investigation

Arctic haze over Central Europe

An extraordinary aerosol situation over Leipzig, Germany in April 2002 was investigated with a comprehensive set of ground-based volumetric and columnar aerosol data, combined with aerosol profiles from lidar, meteorological data from radiosondes and air mass trajectory calculations. Air masses were identified to stem from the Arctic, partly influenced by the greater Moscow region. An evaluation of ground-based measurements of aerosol size distributions during these periods showed that the number concentrations below about 70 nm in diameter were below respective long-term average data, while number, surface and volume concentrations of the particles larger than about 70 nm in diameter were higher than the long-term averages. The lidar aerosol profiles showed that the imported aerosol particles were present up to about 3 km altitude. The particle optical depth was up to 0.45 at 550 nm wavelength. With a one-dimensional spectral radiative transfer model top of the atmosphere (TOA) radiative forcing of the aerosol layer was estimated for a period with detailed vertical information. Solar aerosol radiative forcing values between −23 and −38 W m−2 were calculated, which are comparable to values that have been reported in heavily polluted continental plumes outside the respective source regions. The present report adds weight to previous findings of aerosol import to Europe, pointing to the need for attributing the three-dimensional aerosol burden to natural and anthropogenic sources as well as to aerosol imports from adjacent or distant source regions. In the present case, the transport situation is further complicated by forward trajectories, indicating that some of the observed Arctic haze may have originated in Central Europe. This aerosolwas transported to the European Arctic before being re-imported in the modified and augmented form to its initial source region

Формирование интегрированной системы менеджмента качества на предприятии

Объектом исследования является система менеджмента качества ООО "Томскводоканал". Цель: разработка рекомендаций по созданию и внедрению интегрированной системы менеджмента В процессе исследования проводились: ?Анализ литературных источников по теме ВКР. ?Изучение нормативно-методической базы для разработки документации. ?Анализ систем менеджмента ООО "Томскводоканал". ?Изучение специфики требований стандарта ISO 18000:2007. ?Изучение специфики требований стандарта ISO 14000:2015. -- Создание рекомендации по разработке и внедрению интегрированной системы менеджмента.Object of a research is the quality management system of LLC Tomskvodokanal. Purpose: development of recommendations about creation and introduction of the integrated system of management In the course of the research were carried out: ? The analysis of references on subject VKR. ? Studying of standard and methodical base for development of documentation. ? Analysis of systems of management of LLC Tomskvodokanal. ? Studying of specifics of requirements of ISO 18000:2007. ? Studying of specifics of requirements of ISO 14000:2015. - Creation of the recommendation about development and deployment of the integrated system of management

Regional modelling of Saharan dust and biomass-burning smoke, Part I: Model description and evaluation

The spatio-temporal evolution of the Saharan dust and biomass-burning plume during the SAMUM-2 field campaign in January and February 2008 is simulated at 28 km horizontal resolution with the regional model-system COSMOMUSCAT. The model performance is thoroughly tested using routine ground-based and space-borne remote sensing and local field measurements. Good agreement with the observations is found in many cases regarding transport patterns, aerosol optical thicknesses and the ratio of dust to smoke aerosol. The model also captures major features of the complex aerosol layering. Nevertheless, discrepancies in the modelled aerosol distribution occur, which are analysed in detail. The dry synoptic dynamics controlling dust uplift and transport during the dry season are well described by the model, but surface wind peaks associated with the breakdown of nocturnal low-level jets are not always reproduced. Thus, a strong dust outbreak is underestimated. While dust emission modelling is a priori more challenging, since strength and placement of dust sources depend on on-line computed winds, considerable inaccuracies also arise in observation-based estimates of biomass-burning emissions. They are caused by cloud and spatial errors of satellite fire products and uncertainties in fire emission parameters, and can lead to unrealistic model results of smoke transport