Abductor tendon tears are associated with hypertrophy of the tensor fasciae latae muscle

Objective: To evaluate the association between hypertrophy of the tensor fasciae latae muscle and abductor tendon tears. Materials and methods: Thirty-five patients who underwent MRI of the abductor tendons of the hip were included in this retrospective study. A subgroup of 18 patients was examined bilaterally. The area of the tensor fasciae latae muscle and the area of the sartorius muscle (size reference) were quantified at the level of the femoral head, and a ratio was calculated. Two radiologists assessed the integrity of the gluteus medius and minimus tendon in consensus. Data were analyzed with a Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Sixteen out of 35 patients (46%) had a tear of the gluteus medius or minimus tendon. The ratio of the area of the tensor fasciae latae to the sartorius muscle was significantly higher (p = .028) in the group with an abductor tendon tear (median 2.25; Interquartile Range [IQR] = 1.97-3.21) compared to the group without any tears (median 1.91; IQR = 1.52-2.26). The bilateral subanalysis showed that in patients without a tear, the ratio of the two areas did not differ between each side (p = .966), with a median of 1.54 (primary side) and 1.76 (contralateral side). In patients with an abductor tendon tear the ratio was significantly higher (p = .031) on the side with a tear (median 2.81) compared to the contralateral healthy side (1.67). Conclusion: Patients with abductor tendon tears showed hypertrophy of the tensor fasciae latae muscle when compared to the contralateral healthy side and to patients without a tea

Wildlife and humans in outdoor recreational areas near cities

<p>In Naherholungsräumen von Städten herrscht reger Betrieb: am Tag, aber auch in Randzeiten und teils gar in der Nacht. Wildtiere und deren Lebensräume geraten dadurch unter Druck. In stark frequentierten Gebieten sind Rehe weniger aktiv und für viele Wildtierarten ist der Lebensraum reduziert. Wildruhezonen, eine eingeschränkte Er- schliessung und die Lenkung der Besuchenden verbessern die Lebensbedingungen der Wildtiere.</p> <p> </p

Virtual non-contrast images calculated from dual-energy CT shoulder arthrography improve the detection of intraarticular loose bodies

OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the image quality of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images calculated from dual-energy CT shoulder arthrography (DECT-A) and their ability to detect periosteal calcifications and intraarticular loose bodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 129 shoulders of 123 patients, DECT arthrography (80 kV/140 kV) was performed with diluted iodinated contrast material (80 mg/ml). VNC images were calculated with image postprocessing. VNC image quality (1 = worst, 5 = best), dose parameters, and CT numbers (intraarticular iodine, muscle, VNC joint fluid density) were assessed. Image contrast (iodine/muscle) and percentage of iodine removal were calculated. Two independent readers evaluated VNC and DECT-A images for periosteal calcifications and intraarticular loose bodies, and diagnostic confidence (1 = low, 4 = very high) was assessed. RESULTS VNC images (129/129) were of good quality (median 4 (3-4)), and the mean effective dose of DECT-A scans was 2.21 mSv (± 1.0 mSv). CT numbers of iodine, muscle, and VNC joint fluid density were mean 1017.6 HU (± 251.6 HU), 64.6 HU (± 8.2 HU), and 85.3 HU (± 39.5 HU), respectively. Image contrast was mean 953.1 HU (± 251 HU) on DECT-A and 31.3 HU (± 32.3 HU) on VNC images. Iodine removal on VNC images was 91% on average. No difference was observed in the detection of periosteal calcifications between VNC (n = 25) and DECT-A images (n = 21) (p = 0.29), while the detection of intraarticular loose bodies was superior on VNC images (14 vs. 7; p = 0.02). Diagnostic confidence was higher on VNC images for both periosteal calcifications (median 3 (3-3) vs. 3 (3-3); p = 0.009) and intraarticular loose bodies (median 3 (3-4) vs. 3 (3-3); p < 0.001). CONCLUSION VNC images from DECT shoulder arthrography are superior to DECT-A images for the detection of intraarticular loose bodies and increase the confidence in detecting periosteal calcifications

Structure-function-relationship in thylakoids influenced by the pyridazinone BAS 13-338 (SAN 9785)

The pyridazinone SAS 13-338 (SAN 9785) inhibits the desaturation sequence leading to polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly of glycolipids. Parallel to the inhibition of fatty acid desaturation in the presence of the pyridazinone. changes in energy-distribution parameters have been observed. These data indicate that the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in glycolipids is strongly correlated with excitation, trapping, grouping and dissipation, but not with spillover. Functional changes in energy distribution induced by SAS 13-338 are interpreted as a consequence of structural changes in the lipid matrix, which may imply a structure-function relationship between pigment protein complexes and the surrounding lipid environment in thylakoids

Scenario building and runout modelling for debris flow hazards in pro-/periglacial catchments with scarce past event data: application of a multi-methods approach for the Dar catchment (western Swiss Alps)

In high mountain areas, the disposition (susceptibility of occurrence) for debris flows is increasing in steep terrain, as – due to climate change – rapid glacier retreat and permafrost degradation is favouring higher availability of loose sediments. The probability of occurrence and magnitude of pro- and periglacial debris flows is increasing, too, as triggering events such as heavy thunderstorms, long-lasting rainfalls, intense snow melt or rain-on-snow events are likely to occur more often and more intensely in future decades. Hazard assessment for debris flows originating from pro- and periglacial areas is thus crucial but remains challenging, as records of past events on which local magnitude-frequency relationships and debris flow scenarios can be based on are often scarce or inexistent. In this study, we present a multi-methods approach for debris flow hazard scenario building and runout modelling in pro- and periglacial catchments with scarce past event data. Scenario building for the debris flow initiation zone reposes on (i) the definition of meteorological and hydrological triggering scenarios using data on extreme point rainfall and precipitation-runoff modelling, and (ii) the definition of bed load scenarios from empirical approaches and field surveys. Numerical runout modelling and hazard assessment for the resulting debris flow scenarios is carried out using RAMMS-DF, which was calibrated to the studied catchment (Le Dar, western Swiss Alps) based on the area of debris flow deposits from the single major event recorded there in summer 2005. The developed approach is among the first to propose systematic scenario building for pro- and periglacial debris flows triggered by precipitation dependent events

Physiological cell bioprinting density in human bone-derived cell-laden scaffolds enhances matrix mineralization rate and stiffness under dynamic loading

Human organotypic bone models are an emerging technology that replicate bone physiology and mechanobiology for comprehensive in vitro experimentation over prolonged periods of time. Recently, we introduced a mineralized bone model based on 3D bioprinted cell-laden alginate-gelatin-graphene oxide hydrogels cultured under dynamic loading using commercially available human mesenchymal stem cells. In the present study, we created cell-laden scaffolds from primary human osteoblasts isolated from surgical waste material and investigated the effects of a previously reported optimal cell printing density (5 × 10$^{6}$ cells/mL bioink) vs. a higher physiological cell density (10 × 10$^{6}$ cells/mL bioink). We studied mineral formation, scaffold stiffness, and cell morphology over a 10-week period to determine culture conditions for primary human bone cells in this microenvironment. For analysis, the human bone-derived cell-laden scaffolds underwent multiscale assessment at specific timepoints. High cell viability was observed in both groups after bioprinting (&gt;90%) and after 2 weeks of daily mechanical loading (&gt;85%). Bioprinting at a higher cell density resulted in faster mineral formation rates, higher mineral densities and remarkably a 10-fold increase in stiffness compared to a modest 2-fold increase in the lower printing density group. In addition, physiological cell bioprinting densities positively impacted cell spreading and formation of dendritic interconnections. We conclude that our methodology of processing patient-specific human bone cells, subsequent biofabrication and dynamic culturing reliably affords mineralized cell-laden scaffolds. In the future, in vitro systems based on patient-derived cells could be applied to study the individual phenotype of bone disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta and aid clinical decision making

Guidelines for stratigraphic nomenclature: Swiss Committee of Stratigraphy

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Development of a high sensitivity label free waveguide interferometry instrument : a project of Creoptix GmbH with the center for Biochemistry ZHAW as main research partner

Creoptix GmbH has developed a novel and innovative technology for label-free detection of molecules based on grating-coupled interferometry (GCI). GCI is a proprietary technology characterized by a very high sensitivity at low technical complexity. One main application will be the measurement of binding affinities in research and development projects such as drug discovery. Goal of an interdisciplinary CTI project with the partners from ZHAW, FHNW and CSEM together with Creoptix is the development of a first GCI instrument including disposables and the optimization of its functionality, followed by field tests to pave the way to market introduction