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Diffusion and Perfusion: The Keys to Fat Grafting
Background: Fat grafting is now widely used in plastic surgery. Long-term graft retention can be unpredictable. Fat grafts must obtain oxygen via diffusion until neovascularization occurs, so oxygen delivery may be the overarching variable in graft retention. Methods: We studied the peer-reviewed literature to determine which aspects of a fat graft and the microenvironment surrounding a fat graft affect oxygen delivery and created 3 models relating distinct variables to oxygen delivery and graft retention. Results: Our models confirm that thin microribbons of fat maximize oxygen transport when injected into a large, compliant, well-vascularized recipient site. The âMicroribbon Modelâ predicts that, in a typical human, fat injections larger than 0.16 cm in radius will have a region of central necrosis. Our âFluid Accommodation Modelâ predicts that once grafted tissues approach a critical interstitial fluid pressure of 9 mm Hg, any additional fluid will drastically increase interstitial fluid pressure and reduce capillary perfusion and oxygen delivery. Our âExternal Volume Expansion Effect Modelâ predicts the effect of vascular changes induced by preoperative external volume expansion that allow for greater volumes of fat to be successfully grafted. Conclusions: These models confirm that initial fat grafting survival is limited by oxygen diffusion. Preoperative expansion increases oxygen diffusion capacity allowing for additional graft retention. These models provide a scientific framework for testing the current fat grafting theories
Propulsion and Instability of a Flexible Helical Rod Rotating in a Viscous Fluid
We combine experiments with simulations to investigate the fluid-structure interaction of a flexible helical rod rotating in a viscous fluid, under low Reynolds number conditions. Our analysis takes into account the coupling between the geometrically nonlinear behavior of the elastic rod with a nonlocal hydrodynamic model for the fluid loading. We quantify the resulting propulsive force, as well as the buckling instability of the originally helical filament that occurs above a critical rotation velocity. A scaling analysis is performed to rationalize the onset of this instability. A universal phase diagram is constructed to map out the region of successful propulsion and the corresponding boundary of stability is established. Comparing our results with data for flagellated bacteria suggests that this instability may be exploited in nature for physiological purposes.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (CMMI-1129894
Rotational inhomogeneities from pre-big bang?
The evolution of the rotational inhomogeneities is investigated in the
specific framework of four-dimensional pre-big bang models. While minimal
(dilaton-driven) scenarios do not lead to rotational fluctuations, in the case
of non-minimal (string-driven) models, fluid sources are present in the pre-big
bang phase. The rotational modes of the geometry, coupled to the divergenceless
part of the velocity field, can then be amplified depending upon the value of
the barotropic index of the perfect fluids. In the light of a possible
production of rotational inhomogeneities, solutions describing the coupled
evolution of the dilaton field and of the fluid sources are scrutinized in both
the string and Einstein frames. In semi-realistic scenarios, where the
curvature divergences are regularized by means of a non-local dilaton
potential, the rotational inhomogeneities are amplified during the pre-big bang
phase but they decay later on. Similar analyses can also be performed when a
contraction occurs directly in the string frame metric.Comment: 21 pages, corrected typos, references added; to appear in Class.
Quantum Gra
Fludarabine as a cost-effective adjuvant to enhance engraftment of human normal and malignant hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice
There is still an unmet need for xenotransplantation models that efficiently recapitulate normal and malignant human hematopoiesis. Indeed, there are a number of strategies to generate humanized mice and specific protocols, including techniques to optimize the cytokine environment of recipient mice and drug alternatives or complementary to the standard conditioning regimens, that can be significantly modulated. Unfortunately, the high costs related to the use of sophisticated mouse models may limit the application of these models to studies that require an extensive experimental design. Here, using an affordable and convenient method, we demonstrate that the administration of fludarabine (FludaraTM) promotes the extensive and rapid engraftment of human normal hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice. Quantification of human CD45+ cells in bone marrow revealed approximately a 102-fold increase in mice conditioned with irradiation plus fludarabine. Engrafted cells in the bone marrow included hematopoietic stem cells, as well as myeloid and lymphoid cells. Moreover, this model proved to be sufficient for robust reconstitution of malignant myeloid hematopoiesis, permitting primary acute myeloid leukemia cells to engraft as early as 8 weeks after the transplant. Overall, these results present a novel and affordable model for engraftment of human normal and malignant hematopoiesis in immunodeficient mice
The wind of W Hya as seen by Herschel. II. The molecular envelope of W Hya
The evolution of low- and intermediate-mass stars on the asymptotic giant
branch (AGB) is mainly controlled by the rate at which these stars lose mass in
a stellar wind. Understanding the driving mechanism and strength of the stellar
winds of AGB stars and the processes enriching their surfaces with products of
nucleosynthesis are paramount to constraining AGB evolution and predicting the
chemical evolution of galaxies. In a previous paper we have constrained the
structure of the outflowing envelope of W Hya using spectral lines of the
CO molecule. Here we broaden this study by modelling an extensive set of
HO and SiO lines observed by the three instruments on board
Herschel using a state-of-the-art molecular excitation and radiative transfer
code. The oxygen isotopic ratios and the SiO abundance profile can be
connected to the initial stellar mass and to crucial aspects of dust formation
at the base of the stellar wind, respectively. The modelling of HO and
SiO confirms the properties of the envelope model of W Hya derived from
CO lines. We find an HO ortho-to-para ratio of
2.5\,, consistent with what is expected for an AGB wind. The
O/O ratio indicates that W Hya has an initial mass of about 1.5
M. Although the ortho- and para-HO lines observed by HIFI appear
to trace gas of slightly different physical properties, a turbulence velocity
of km s fits the HIFI lines of both spin isomers and those
of SiO well. The ortho- and para-HO and SiO abundances
relative to H are , , and , respectively. Assuming a solar
silicon-to-carbon ratio, the SiO line emission model is consistent with
about one-third of the silicon atoms being locked up in dust particles
Fusionless surgery in early-onset scoliosis
AbstractBackgroundSurgical treatment of early-onset scoliosis has greatly developed in recent years. Early-onset scoliosis covers a variety of etiologies (idiopathic, neurologic, dystrophic, malformative, etc.) with onset before the age of 5 years. Progression and severity threaten respiratory development and may result in respiratory failure in adulthood. Many surgical techniques have been developed in recent years, aiming to protect spinal and thoracic development.Material and methodsPresent techniques are based on one of two main principles. The first consists in posterior distraction of the spine in its concavity (single growing rod, or vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib [VEPTR]), or on either side (dual rod); this requires iterative surgery, for lengthening, unless motorized using energy provided by a magnetic system. The second option is to use spinal growth force to lengthen the assembly; these techniques (Luque Trolley, Shilla), using a sliding assembly, are known as growth guidance.ResultsThese techniques are effective in controlling early scoliotic deformity, and to some extent restore spinal growth. However, they show a high rate of complications: infection, rod breakage, spinal fixation pull out and, above all, progressive spinal stiffness, reducing long-term efficacy. Respiratory gain is harder to assess, as thoracic expansion does not systematically improve respiratory function, particularly due to impaired compliance of the thoracic cage
A phase 1 study assessing the feasibility and safety of intraductal pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in women awaiting mastectomy
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