Ein Status Quo: Haben Milchkühe Zahnprobleme?

Dental abnormalities in cows have seldomly been examined in research and veterinary check-up. This study estimated the prevalence of dental problems in cows. The skulls of 151 adult (> 4 years) dairy cows (Brown Swiss cattle n=81, Swiss Fleckvieh n=70) were categorized into three age groups (AK1: 4-6 / AK2: 7-9 / AK3: 10-16 years old) and examined for the existence of 11 dental cheek teeth abnormalities, based on well-known dental pathologies in horses. The four most prevalent dental abnormalities found were presence of abnormal spaces between 2 adjacent cheek teeth (Diastema), parodontosis, wavemouth, and food packing between cheek teeth. In 85% of all recorded skulls, 1 or more abnormalities were recorded. There were no differences in the occurrence of dental abnormalities in the two breeds. Older animals of AK3 showed more abnormalities than younger animals, but also in the lower age categories, in average 2 abnormalities per skull were recorded. 36% of all skulls showed the presence of Diastema, which has been described as one of the most painful oral abnormalities in horse. Dental abnormalities are prevalent in cows and probably a not recognized cause of health disorders

Factors influencing the participation of gastroenterologists and hepatologists in clinical research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although clinical research is integral to the advancement of medical knowledge, physicians face a variety of obstacles to their participation as investigators in clinical trials. We examined factors that influence the participation of gastroenterologists and hepatologists in clinical research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We surveyed 1050 members of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases regarding their participation in clinical research. We compared the survey responses by specialty and level of clinical trial experience.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A majority of the respondents (71.6%) reported involvement in research activities. Factors most influential in clinical trial participation included funding and compensation (88.3%) and intellectual pursuit (87.8%). Barriers to participation were similar between gastroenterologists (n = 160) and hepatologists (n = 189) and between highly experienced (n = 62) and less experienced (n = 159) clinical researchers. These barriers included uncompensated research costs and lack of specialized support. Industry marketing was a greater influence among respondents with less trial experience, compared to those with extensive experience (15.7% vs 1.6%; <it>P </it>< .01). Hepatologists and respondents with extensive clinical trial experience tended to be more interested in phase 1 and 2 studies, whereas gastroenterologists and less experienced investigators were more interested in phase 4 studies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggests that the greatest barrier to participation in clinical research is lack of adequate resources. Respondents also favored industry-sponsored research with less complex trial protocols and studies of relatively short duration.</p

Fibronectin Unfolding Revisited: Modeling Cell Traction-Mediated Unfolding of the Tenth Type-III Repeat

Fibronectin polymerization is essential for the development and repair of the extracellular matrix. Consequently, deciphering the mechanism of fibronectin fibril formation is of immense interest. Fibronectin fibrillogenesis is driven by cell-traction forces that mechanically unfold particular modules within fibronectin. Previously, mechanical unfolding of fibronectin has been modeled by applying tensile forces at the N- and C-termini of fibronectin domains; however, physiological loading is likely focused on the solvent-exposed RGD loop in the 10th type-III repeat of fibronectin (10FNIII), which mediates binding to cell-surface integrin receptors. In this work we used steered molecular dynamics to study the mechanical unfolding of 10FNIII under tensile force applied at this RGD site. We demonstrate that mechanically unfolding 10FNIII by pulling at the RGD site requires less work than unfolding by pulling at the N- and C- termini. Moreover, pulling at the N- and C-termini leads to 10FNIII unfolding along several pathways while pulling on the RGD site leads to a single exclusive unfolding pathway that includes a partially unfolded intermediate with exposed hydrophobic N-terminal β-strands – residues that may facilitate fibronectin self-association. Additional mechanical unfolding triggers an essential arginine residue, which is required for high affinity binding to integrins, to move to a position far from the integrin binding site. This cell traction-induced conformational change may promote cell detachment after important partially unfolded kinetic intermediates are formed. These data suggest a novel mechanism that explains how cell-mediated forces promote fibronectin fibrillogenesis and how cell surface integrins detach from newly forming fibrils. This process enables cells to bind and unfold additional fibronectin modules – a method that propagates matrix assembly

Determinants of costs and the length of stay in acute coronary syndromes : a real life analysis of more than 10 000 patients

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate inpatient costs of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Switzerland and to assess the main cost drivers associated with this disease. Methods and Results: We used the national multicenter registry AMIS (acute myocardial infarction in Switzerland) which includes a representative number of 65 hospitals and a total of 11.623 patient records. The following cost modules were analyzed: hospital stay, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and thrombolysis. Expenses were assessed using data from official Swiss national statistical sources. Mean total costs per patient were 12.101 Euro (median 10.929 Euro; 95% CI: 1.161–27.722 Euro). The length of stay ranged from one to 129 days with a mean of 9.5 days (median 8.0 days; 95% CI: 1–23). Overall costs were independently influenced by age, gender and existent co-morbidities, e.g. cerebrovascular disease and diabetes (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study determined specific causes for the high costs associated with hospital treatment on a large representative sample. The results should highlight unnecessary expenses and help policy makers to evaluate the base case for a DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) scenario in Switzerland. Cost weighting of the identified secondary diagnosis should be considered in the calculation and coding of a primary diagnosis for ACS

Plasma and cellular fibronectin: distinct and independent functions during tissue repair

Fibronectin (FN) is a ubiquitous extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein that plays vital roles during tissue repair. The plasma form of FN circulates in the blood, and upon tissue injury, is incorporated into fibrin clots to exert effects on platelet function and to mediate hemostasis. Cellular FN is then synthesized and assembled by cells as they migrate into the clot to reconstitute damaged tissue. The assembly of FN into a complex three-dimensional matrix during physiological repair plays a key role not only as a structural scaffold, but also as a regulator of cell function during this stage of tissue repair. FN fibrillogenesis is a complex, stepwise process that is strictly regulated by a multitude of factors. During fibrosis, there is excessive deposition of ECM, of which FN is one of the major components. Aberrant FN-matrix assembly is a major contributing factor to the switch from normal tissue repair to misregulated fibrosis. Understanding the mechanisms involved in FN assembly and how these interplay with cellular, fibrotic and immune responses may reveal targets for the future development of therapies to regulate aberrant tissue-repair processes

Higher education – a factor in sustainable regional development

W artykule omówiono rolę uczelni w zrównoważonym rozwoju regionów. Przedstawiono oczekiwania JST wobec uczelni określone w ich strategiach oraz prawne instrumenty sterowania współpracą uczelni z regionem w obecnych przepisach i Ustawie 2.0.The paper deals with the role universities play in sustainable regional development. Models of university-region cooperation presented in regional strategies have been identified. Legal framework for the aforementioned cooperation and proposed legislative changes have been analysed