Traumatic brain injury enhances the formation of heterotopic ossification around the hip : an animal model study

Introduction: The incidence of heterotopic ossification (HO) is at its highest when trauma of the hip or pelvis concurs with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The pathogenic mechanisms underlying the neurogenic enhancement of the formation of HO remain, however, poorly understood. Hence, the goal of the present study was to develop a novel small animal model that combines hip and brain trauma that can prove the enhancement of HO around the hip after TBI. Materials and methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, to undergo hip surgery alone (group 1), hip surgery + moderate TBI (group 2), hip surgery + severe TBI (group 3) and only severe TBI (group 4). The femoral canal was reamed up to 2 mm and a muscle lesion was made to simulate hip surgery. An established controlled cortical impact model was used to create a TBI. Twelve weeks after surgery, the hip with the proximal half of the femur and the pelvic bone was removed and subjected to micro-computed tomography (µCT) analysis. A quantitative analysis using a modified Brooker score as well as a quantitative analysis using a bone-to-tissue ratio was used. Results: No HO could be found in all the ten animals that did not undergo hip surgery (group 4). In the animals that did undergo surgery to the hip, no HO was found in only one animal (group 1). All the other animals developed HO. In this study, significantly more HO was found in animals that underwent an additional severe TBI. Conclusion: The newly developed rat model, with a combined hip and brain trauma, showed an enhancement of the HO formation around the hip after severe TBI

Training Does Not Alter Muscle Ceramide and Diacylglycerol in Offsprings of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Despite Improved Insulin Sensitivity

Ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG) may be involved in the early phase of insulin resistance but data are inconsistent in man. We evaluated if an increase in insulin sensitivity after endurance training was accompanied by changes in these lipids in skeletal muscle. Nineteen first-degree type 2 diabetes Offsprings (Offsprings) (age: 33.1±1.4 yrs; BMI: 26.4±0.4 kg/m2) and sixteen matched Controls (age: 31.3±1.5 yrs; BMI: 25.3±0.7 kg/m2) performed 10 weeks of endurance training three times a week at 70% of VO2max on a bicycle ergometer. Before and after the intervention a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and VO2max test were performed and muscle biopsies obtained. Insulin sensitivity was significantly lower in Offsprings compared to control subjects (p<0.01) but improved in both groups after 10 weeks of endurance training (Off: 17±6%; Con: 12±9%, p<0.01). The content of muscle ceramide, DAG, and their subspecies were similar between groups and did not change in response to the endurance training except for an overall reduction in C22:0-Cer (p<0.05). Finally, the intervention induced an increase in AKT protein expression (Off: 27±11%; Con: 20±24%, p<0.05). This study showed no relation between insulin sensitivity and ceramide or DAG content suggesting that ceramide and DAG are not major players in the early phase of insulin resistance in human muscle

Synthesis of Superconducting Cobalt Trihydride

The Co–H system has been investigated through high-pressure, high-temperature X-ray diffraction experiments combined with first-principles calculations. On compression of elemental cobalt in a hydrogen medium, we observe face-centered cubic cobalt hydride (CoH) and cobalt dihydride (CoH2) above 33 GPa. Laser heating CoH$_2$ in a hydrogen matrix at 75 GPa to temperatures in excess of ∼800 K produces cobalt trihydride (CoH$_3$) which adopts a primitive structure. Density functional theory calculations support the stability of CoH$_3$. This phase is predicted to be thermodynamically stable at pressures above 18 GPa and to be a superconductor below 23 K. Theory predicts that this phase remains dynamically stable upon decompression above 11 GPa where it has a maximum Tc of 30 K

Bone sialoprotein immobilized in collagen type I enhances bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo

The use of bioactive molecules is a promising approach to enhance the bone healing properties of biomaterials. The aim of this study was to define the role of bone sialoprotein (BSP) immobilized in collagen type I in various settings. In vitro studies with human primary osteoblasts in mono- or in co-culture with endothelial cells demonstrated a slightly increased gene expression of osteogenic markers as well as an increased proliferation rate in osteoblasts after application of BSP immobilized in collagen type I. Two critical size bone defect models were used to analyze bone regeneration. BSP incorporated in collagen type I increased bone regeneration only marginally at one concentration in a calvarial defect model. To induce the mechanical stability, three-dimensional printing was used to produce a stable porous cylinder of polylactide. The cylinder was filled with collagen type I and immobilized BSP and implanted into a femoral defect of critical size in rats. This hybrid material was able to significantly induce bone regeneration. Our study clearly shows the osteogenic effect of BSP when combined with collagen type I as carrier and thereby offers various approaches and options for its use as bioactive molecule in bone substitute materials

Metalloporphyrins on Oxygen-Passivated Iron: Conformation and Order Beyond the First Layer

On-surface metal porphyrins can undergo electronic and conformational changes that play a crucial role in determining the chemical reactivity of the molecular layer. Therefore, understanding those properties is pivotal for the design and implementation of organic-based devices. Here, by means of photoemission orbital tomography supported by density functional theory calculations, we investigate the electronic and geometrical structure of two metallated tetraphenyl porphyrins (MTPPs), namely ZnTPP and NiTPP, adsorbed on the oxygen-passivated Fe(100)-p(1x1)O surface. Both molecules weakly interact with the surface as no charge transfer is observed. In the case of ZnTPP our data correspond to those of moderately distorted molecules, while NiTPP exhibits a severe saddle-shape deformation. From additional experiments on NiTPP multilayer films, we conclude that this distortion is a consequence of the interaction with the substrate, as the NiTPP macrocycle of the second layer turns out to be flat. We further find that distortions in the MTPP macrocycle are accompanied by an increasing energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and HOMO-1). Our results demonstrate that photoemission orbital tomography can simultaneously probe the energy level alignment, the azimuthal orientation, and the adsorption geometry of complex aromatic molecules even in the multilayer regime

Isotopic measurements in water vapor, precipitation, and seawater during EUREC4^4A

n early 2020, an international team set out to investigate trade-wind cumulus clouds and their coupling to the large-scale circulation through the field campaign EUREC$^4$A: ElUcidating the RolE of Clouds-Circulation Coupling in ClimAte. Focused on the western tropical Atlantic near Barbados, EUREC$^4$A deployed a number of innovative observational strategies, including a large network of water isotopic measurements collectively known as EUREC$^4$A-iso, to study the tropical shallow convective environment. The goal of the isotopic measurements was to elucidate processes that regulate the hydroclimate state – for example, by identifying moisture sources, quantifying mixing between atmospheric layers, characterizing the microphysics that influence the formation and persistence of clouds and precipitation, and providing an extra constraint in the evaluation of numerical simulations. During the field experiment, researchers deployed seven water vapor isotopic analyzers on two aircraft, on three ships, and at the Barbados Cloud Observatory (BCO). Precipitation was collected for isotopic analysis at the BCO and from aboard four ships. In addition, three ships collected seawater for isotopic analysis. All told, the in situ data span the period 5 January–22 February 2020 and cover the approximate area 6 to 16° N and 50 to 60° W, with water vapor isotope ratios measured from a few meters above sea level to the mid-free troposphere and seawater samples spanning the ocean surface to several kilometers depth. This paper describes the full EUREC$^4$A isotopic in situ data collection – providing extensive information about sampling strategies and data uncertainties – and also guides readers to complementary remotely sensed water vapor isotope ratios. All field data have been made publicly available even if they are affected by known biases, as is the case for high-altitude aircraft measurements, one of the two BCO ground-based water vapor time series, and select rain and seawater samples from the ships. Publication of these data reflects a desire to promote dialogue around improving water isotope measurement strategies for the future. The remaining, high-quality data create unprecedented opportunities to close water isotopic budgets and evaluate water fluxes and their influence on cloudiness in the trade-wind environment. The full list of dataset DOIs and notes on data quality flags are provided in Table 3 of Sect. 5 (“Data availability”)

The prevalence of effort-reward imbalance and its associations with working conditions, psychosocial resources and burden among health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of the egePan-Voice study

ObjectiveThe association between a measure of effort-reward imbalance (ERI) and profession as well as gender in a sample of health care workers (HCW) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany using the egePan-Voice study. In addition, we examined, which factors are associated with an effort-reward imbalance ratio (ERI ratio) &gt;1.MethodsIn a large sample of HCW (N = 6174) we assessed occupational stress with the short version of the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire, working conditions, COVID-19-related problems and psychosocial resources (ENRICHD Social Support Inventory, ESSI; Sense of Coherence Scale, SOC-3 and optimism, SOP2).ResultsThe prevalence of a ERI ratio &gt;1 among HCW was 50.9%. The prevalence’s of an ERI ratio &gt;1 were statistically significant different between gender as well as the occupational profession. The proportion of women (51.8%) with ERI ratio &gt;1 was significantly higher than among men (47.8%). The highest ERI imbalance was found among nurses (62.8%), followed by medical technical assistants (MTA) (58.8%), while psychologists/psychotherapists revealed the lowest value (37.8%), followed by physicians (41.8%). In the total sample, most essential factors reported at this time for increased ERI ratio were: insufficient staff for the current work load, insufficient recovery, feeling insufficiently protected by measures taken by the hospital/the employer, high occupancy rate of the wards, insufficient trust in colleagues and being a nurse as compared with being a physician.ConclusionThe findings indicate a high proportion of HCW with effort-reward imbalance and substantial profession-related differences. Preventive interventions should be offered to vulnerable groups among the HCW to decrease the imbalance measured by work stress.</jats:sec

ART in Europe, 2016 : results generated from European registries by ESHRE

STUDY QUESTION: What are the reported data on cycles in ART, IUI and fertility preservation (FP) interventions in 2016 as compared to previous years, as well as the main trends over the years? SUMMARY ANSWER: The 20th ESHRE report on ART and IUI shows a progressive increase in reported treatment cycle numbers in Europe, with a decrease in the number of transfers with more than one embryo causing a reduction of multiple delivery rates (DR), as well as higher pregnancy rates and DR after frozen embryo replacement (FER) compared to fresh IVF and ICSI cycles, while the outcomes for IUI cycles remained stable. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Since 1997, ART aggregated data generated by national registries, clinics or professional societies have been collected, analysed by the European IVF-monitoring Consortium (EIM) and reported in 19 manuscripts published in Human Reproduction and Human Reproduction Open. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Yearly collection of European medically assisted reproduction (MAR) data by EIM for ESHRE. The data on treatments performed between 1 January and 31 December 2016 in 40 European countries were provided by either National Registries or registries based on personal initiatives of medical associations and scientific organizations. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In all, 1347 clinics offering ART services in 40 countries reported a total of 918 159 treatment cycles, involving 156 002 with IVF, 407 222 with ICSI, 248 407 with FER, 27 069 with preimplantation genetic testing, 73 927 with egg donation (ED), 654 with IVM of oocytes and 4878 cycles with frozen oocyte replacement (FOR). European data on IUI using husband/partner’s semen (IUI-H) and donor semen (IUI-D) were reported from 1197 institutions offering IUI in 29 and 24 countries, respectively. A total of 162 948 treatments with IUI-H and 50 467 treatments with IUI-D were included. A total of 13 689 FP interventions from 11 countries including oocyte, ovarian tissue, semen and testicular tissue banking in pre-and postpubertal patients were reported. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In 20 countries (18 in 2015) with a total population of approximately 325 million inhabitants, in which all ART clinics reported to the registry, a total of 461 401 treatment cycles were performed, corresponding to a mean of 1410 cycles per million inhabitants (range 82–3088 per million inhabitants). In the 40 reporting countries, after IVF the clinical pregnancy rates (PR) per aspiration and per transfer in 2016 were similar to those observed in 2015 (28.0% and 34.8% vs 28.5% and 34.6%, respectively). After ICSI, the corresponding rates were also similar to those achieved in 2015 (25% and 33.2% vs 26.2% and 33.2%). After FER with own embryos, the PR per thawing is still on the rise, from 29.2% in 2015 to 30.9% in 2016. After ED, the PR per fresh embryo transfer was 49.4% (49.6% in 2015) and per FOR 43.6% (43.4% in 2015). In IVF and ICSI together, the trend towards the transfer of fewer embryos continues with the transfer of 1, 2, 3 and 4 embryos in 41.5%, 51.9%, 6.2% and 0.4% of all treatments, respectively (corresponding to 37.7%, 53.9%, 7.9% and 0.5% in 2015). This resulted in a proportion of singleton, twin and triplet DRs of 84.8%, 14.9% and 0.3%, respectively (compared to 83.1%, 16.5% and 0.4%, respectively in 2015). Treatments with FER in 2016 resulted in twin and triplet DR of 11.9% and 0.2%, respectively (vs 12.3% and 0.3% in 2015). After IUI, the DRs remained similar at 8.9% after IUI-H (7.8% in 2015) and at 12.4% after IUI-D (12.0% in 2015). Twin and triplet DRs after IUI-H were 8.8% and 0.3%, respectively (in 2015: 8.9% and 0.5%) and 7.7% and 0.4% after IUI-D (in 2015: 7.3% and 0.6%). The majority of FP interventions included the cryopreservation of ejaculated sperm (n¼7877 from 11 countries) and of oocytes (n¼4907 from eight countries). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: As the methods of data collection and levels of completeness of reported data vary among European countries, the results should be interpreted with caution. A number of countries failed to provide adequate data about the number of initiated cycles and deliveries. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The 20th ESHRE report on ART and IUI shows a continuous increase of reported treatment numbers and MAR-derived livebirths in Europe. Being already the largest data collection on MAR in Europe, continuous efforts to stimulate data collection and reporting strive for future quality control of the data, transparency and vigilance in the field of reproductive medicine.The study has no external funding and all costs were covered by ESHRE.peer-reviewe