Klinische und radiologische Ergebnisse einer 5-Jahres-Nachuntersuchung im Rahmen einer prospektiv angelegten Beobachtungsstudie des zementfrei implantierten PolarstemTM^{TM}

$\bf Problem$ Ziel ist die Erhebung der 5 Jahres Ergebnisse des zementfrei implantierten Polarstem bezüglich Patientenzufriedenheit, Outcome & Einwachsverhalten. $\bf Methode$ Die klinischen Resultate wurden mittels HHS und WOMAC erfasst. Anhand eines nativen Röntgenbildes in 2 Ebenen wurde das Einwachsverhalten überprüft. $\bf Ergebnisse$ 5 Jahre postoperativ konnten 61 Patienten (initial 75) untersucht werden. Keiner der Schäfte musste revidiert werden. Die durchschnittliche Gesamtpunktzahl lag 5 Jahre postoperativ im WOMAC bei 92 und im HHS bei 89 Punkten. 74% der Patienten waren mit dem Ergebnis "sehr zufrieden". $\bf Diskussion$ Die 5 Jahres Ergebnisse des zementfrei implantierten Polarstem sind mit einer hohen Patientenzufriedenheit, einem guten klinischen & radiologischen Outcome zufriedenstellend. Langzeitergebnisse bleiben abzuwarten

GaSb-based optically pumped semiconductor disk laser using multiple gain elements

We report on the realization of an optically pumped semiconductor disk laser (SDL) emitting at 2.25- m wavelength with a cavity containing two separately pumped (AlGaIn)(AsSb) gain chips. Compared to single-chip SDLs, the dual-chip configuration allows launching a significantly larger amount of total pump power into the laser chips prior to reaching thermal rollover of the output power characteristics. At a chip submount temperature of 20 C, a maximum continuous-wave output power of 3.3 W was achieved in this way for an absorbed pump power of 30 W. A detailed analysis of the lasing characteristics of the dual-chip SDL revealed increased round-trip losses due to the increased number of cavity elements. However, a reduction of the slope efficiency could be circumvented by increasing the output coupling mirror transmittance

Clustering of human prion protein and α-synuclein oligomers requires the prion protein N-terminus

The interaction of prion protein (PrP) and α-synuclein (αSyn) oligomers causes synaptic impairment that might trigger Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. Here, we report that αSyn oligomers (αSynO) cluster with human PrP (huPrP) into micron-sized condensates. Multivalency of αSyn within oligomers is required for condensation, since clustering with huPrP is not observed for monomeric αSyn. The stoichiometry of the heteroassemblies is well defined with an αSyn:huPrP molar ratio of about 1:1. The αSynO−huPrP interaction is of high affinity, signified by slow dissociation. The huPrP region responsible for condensation of αSynO, residues 95−111 in the intrinsically disordered N-terminus, corresponds to the region required for αSynO-mediated cognitive impairment. HuPrP, moreover, achieves co-clustering of αSynO and Alzheimer’s disease-associated amyloid-β oligomers, providing a case of a cross-interaction of two amyloidogenic proteins through an interlinking intrinsically disordered protein region. The results suggest that αSynO-mediated condensation of huPrP is involved in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies

Recent developments in high-power, short-wave mid-infrared semiconductor disk lasers

Many applications exist for high performance lasers in the short-wave, mid-infrared spectral regime between 1.9 and 2.5µm - from long-range communications systems through to remote atmospheric gas sensing and pollution monitoring. However, a simple, efficient laser source offering the desired performance characteristics and flexibility has not been available. In the last few years considerable progress has been made in the development of optically-pumped (AlGaIn)(AsSb) quantum well semiconductor disk lasers emitting in the 2.Xµm mid-infrared spectral region - continuous-wave and pulsed-pumped output power levels now exceed 6W and 16W respectively. Furthermore, singlefrequency operation with linewidths <4MHz and broad tunability of up to 170nm have also been demonstrated, all at near-diffraction-limited beam quality. Such performance metrics are only possible through the very best materials growth, a sound understanding of the design principles of these highly multi-layered devices and, importantly, the application of effective thermal management