UV-induced cross-linking of proteins to plasmid pBR322 containing 8-azidoadenine 2′-deoxyribonucleotides

AbstractAn efficient method of cross-linking DNA to protein is described. The method is based on the incorporation of photoactive 8-azidoadenine 2′-deoxyribonucleotides into DNA. We have found that 8-N3dATP is a substrate for E. coli DNA polymerase I and that 8-N3dATP can be incorporated into plasmid pBR322 by nick-translation. Subsequently we were able to cross-link a set of different proteins to 8-azido-2′-deoxyadenosine-containing pBR322 by UV irradiation (366 nm). No DNA-protein photocross-linking was observed under the same conditions when the non-photoactive plasmid pBR322 was used

Biomechanical Analysis of the Efficacy of Locking Plates during Cyclic Loading in Metacarpal Fractures

Purpose. To analyse the biomechanical characteristics of locking plates under cyclic loading compared to a nonlocking plate in a diaphyseal metacarpal fracture. Methods. Oblique diaphyseal shaft fractures in porcine metacarpal bones were created in a biomechanical fracture model. An anatomical reduction and stabilization with a nonlocking and a comparable locking plate in mono- or bicortical screw fixation followed. Under cyclic loading, the displacement, and in subsequent load-to-failure tests, the maximum load and stiffness were measured. Results. For the monocortical screw fixation of the locking plate, a similar displacement, maximum load, and stiffness could be demonstrated compared to the bicortical screw fixation of the nonlocking plate. Conclusions. Locking plates in monocortical configuration may function as a useful alternative to the currently common treatment with bicortical fixations. Thereby, irritation of the flexor tendons would be avoided without compromising the stability, thus enabling the necessary early functional rehabilitation

Die proximale Humerusfraktur: ist die Operation immer die beste Wahl

Hintergrund Proximale Humerusfrakturen gehören zu den dritthäufigsten, osteoporotischen Verletzungen mit steigender Inzidenz. Die Indikationsstellung wird weiterhin kontrovers diskutiert. Ziel unserer Studie war es herauszufinden, ob der Trend zur konservativen Therapie gerechtfertigt ist und sich hiermit v. a. beim geriatrischen Patienten vergleichbare, reproduzierbare Ergebnisse erreichen lassen. Material und Methoden In die retrospektive Single-center-Studie wurden 128 Patienten mit konservativer und kopferhaltender operativer Therapie zwischen 2013 und 2015 eingeschlossen und davon wurden 91 nachuntersucht. Demografische Daten, operative Versorgung sowie Komplikationen wurden erhoben. Eine Follow-up-Untersuchung fand statt, in der Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), visuelle Analogskala (VAS), Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), Constant Murley Score (CMS) und Bewegungsausmaß erhoben wurden. Eine radiologische Auswertung wurde durchgeführt. Ergebnisse In den Scores wurden folgende Ergebnisse für konservative und operative Therapie erzielt (konservativ: VAS Schmerz 8,9 Punkte, CMS abs. 70,7 Punkte, DASH: 16,5 Punkte; operativ: VAS Schmerz 1,7 Punkte, CMS abs. 63,5 Punkte, DASH: 24,2 Punkte). Es zeigte sich kein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen Nagel- und Plattenosteosynthese. Die Komplikationsrate betrug 20 %. Die konservative Gruppe erzielte ein besseres Bewegungsausmaß. Die dislozierten Frakturen waren auffallend, wenngleich nicht statistisch signifikant schlechter im Vergleich zu den Neer-1-Frakturen und nur leichtgradig schlechter als die operativ versorgten Patienten. Schlussfolgerung Die Behandlung der proximalen Humerusfraktur bleibt weiterhin eine individuelle Entscheidung abhängig von Funktionsanspruch, Alter und Komorbiditäten. Die konservative Therapie kann in Erwägung gezogen werden, teils auch bei formell bestehender Operationsindikation (v. a. 2‑ und 3‑Part-Frakturen), da sich hiermit vergleichbare Langzeitergebnisse mit hoher Patientenzufriedenheit und reduziertem (perioperativem) Risiko erzielen lassen

Group-based body psychotherapy improves appreciation of body awareness in post-treatment cancer patients: A non-randomized clinical trial

IntroductionCancer-related impairments often co-occur with bodily disturbances. Body psychotherapy (BPT) can improve bodily wellbeing, yet evidence in cancer survivors is scarce. Hence, we aimed to evaluate whether blended group BPT alleviates bodily disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients.MethodsWe conducted a bi-center study (registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, under No. NCT03707548), applying a pre-post convergent parallel design of weekly group BPT interspersed with smartphone-based ambulatory interventions using a waiting-period comparator. We included patients with completed curatively intended treatment for malignant neoplasms, suffering from bodily disturbances. The primary outcome was body image disturbances. Secondary outcomes were experiencing and appreciating body awareness, mental wellbeing, and health-related quality of life.ResultsForty patients (mean age 51.7 years) attended group BPT. Mixed-effect linear regression models contrasting intervention with the waiting period did not show statistically significant differences regarding the primary outcome [Pre-post difference contrasts: 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.51 to 4.93, p = 0.339]. However, patients showed greater improvements in appreciating body awareness, measured by the “Body Mindfulness Questionnaire” (BMQ), from pre- to post-intervention as compared to the waiting period (pre-post difference contrasts: 7.31 95% CI: 4.15–10.47, Bonferroni-Holm corrected q = 0.0002).DiscussionWe found no evidence that blended group BPT was effective in improving body image disturbances in post-treatment cancer patients, but found indications for an increase in body awareness appreciation.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03707548

Comparing the MRI-based Goutallier Classification to an experimental quantitative MR spectroscopic fat measurement of the supraspinatus muscle

Background The Goutallier Classification is a semi quantitative classification system to determine the amount of fatty degeneration in rotator cuff muscles. Although initially proposed for axial computer tomography scans it is currently applied to magnet-resonance-imaging-scans. The role for its clinical use is controversial, as the reliability of the classification has been shown to be inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to compare the semi quantitative MRI-based Goutallier Classification applied by 5 different raters to experimental MR spectroscopic quantitative fat measurement in order to determine the correlation between this classification system and the true extent of fatty degeneration shown by spectroscopy. Methods MRI-scans of 42 patients with rotator cuff tears were examined by 5 shoulder surgeons and were graduated according to the MRI-based Goutallier Classification proposed by Fuchs et al. Additionally the fat/water ratio was measured with MR spectroscopy using the experimental SPLASH technique. The semi quantitative grading according to the Goutallier Classification was statistically correlated with the quantitative measured fat/water ratio using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results Statistical analysis of the data revealed only fair correlation of the Goutallier Classification system and the quantitative fat/water ratio with R = 0.35 (p < 0.05). By dichotomizing the scale the correlation was 0.72. The interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities were substantial with R = 0.62 and R = 0.74 (p < 0.01). Conclusion The correlation between the semi quantitative MRI based Goutallier Classification system and MR spectroscopic fat measurement is weak. As an adequate estimation of fatty degeneration based on standard MRI may not be possible, quantitative methods need to be considered in order to increase diagnostic safety and thus provide patients with ideal care in regard to the amount of fatty degeneration. Spectroscopic MR measurement may increase the accuracy of the Goutallier classification and thus improve the prediction of clinical results after rotator cuff repair. However, these techniques are currently only available in an experimental setting