Supplementary Medial Locking Plate Fixation Of Ludloff Osteotomy versus Sole Lag Screw Fixation: A Biomechanical evaluation

Background: The Ludloff oblique osteotomy is inherently unstable, which might lead to delayed union and loss of correction. Supplementary fixation to two lag screw fixation has been proposed. The hypothesis is that the osteotomy fixation constructs supplemented by a mini locking plate provide greater resistance to osteotomy gaping and loss of angular correction in response to cyclic loading. Methods: Twenty fourth generation composite 1st metatarsals were used and underwent a Ludloff osteotomy. They were divided in two fixation groups: two lag screws (Group A), and with a supplementary mini locking plate (Group B). Specimens were subjected to either monotonic loading up to failure or to fatigue (cyclic) tests and tracked using an optical system for 3D Digital Image Correlation. Findings: The osteotomy gap increased in size under maximum loading and was significantly greater in Group A throughout the test. This increase was observed very early in the loading process (within the first 1000 cycles). The most important finding though, was that with the specimens completely unloaded the residual gap increase was significantly greater in Group A after only 5000 cycles of loading up to the completion of the test. The lateral angle change under maximum loading was also significantly greater in Group A throughout the test, with that increase observed early in the loading process (5000 cycles). With the specimens completely unloaded the residual lateral angle change was also significantly greater in Group A at the completion of the test. Interpretation: Supplementary fixation with a mini locking plate of the Ludloff osteotomy provided greater resistance to osteotomy gaping and loss of angular correction compared to sole lag screws, in response to cyclic loading

Širenje područja rasprostranjenja britke jedroglavke, Lophotus lacepede Giorna 1809 u vodama sjevernog Egejskog mora, Grčka

On September 20th 2011, a rather large specimen of 134 cm total length (mature, female), weighing 6974 g, of the rare crested oarfish Lophotus lacepede Giorna 1809, was obtained from a fisherman fishing off Halkidiki Peninsula, north Aegean Sea (Greece). This capture represents the northernmost record in the Aegean Sea for one of the scarcest species in Eastern Mediterranean.Dana 20. rujna 2011. godine, prilično velika jedinka 134 cm ukupne dužine (zrela ženka), mase 6974 g, rijetke vrste britka jedroglavka Lophotus lacepede Giorna 1809, je ulovljena pokraj poluotoka Halkidiki, sjeverno egejsko more (Grčka). Ovaj ulov predstavlja najsjeverniji nalaz u egejskom moru jedne od najrjeđih vrsta u istočnom Mediteranu

Design of Linear and Cyclic Mutant Analogues of Dirucotide Peptide (MBP82–98) against Multiple Sclerosis: Conformational and Binding Studies to MHC Class II

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system. MS is a T cell-mediated disease characterized by the proliferation, infiltration, and attack of the myelin sheath by immune cells. Previous studies have shown that cyclization provides molecules with strict conformation that could modulate the immune system. Methods: In this study, we synthesized peptide analogues derived from the myelin basic protein (MBP)82⁻98 encephalitogenic sequence (dirucotide), the linear altered peptide ligand MBP82⁻98 (Ala91), and their cyclic counterparts. Results: The synthesized peptides were evaluated for their binding to human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2 and HLA-DR4 alleles, with cyclic MBP82⁻98 being a strong binder with the HLA-DR2 allele and having lower affinity binding to the HLA-DR4 allele. In a further step, conformational analyses were performed using NMR spectroscopy in solution to describe the conformational space occupied by the functional amino acids of both linear and cyclic peptide analogues. This structural data, in combination with crystallographic data, were used to study the molecular basis of their interaction with HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR4 alleles. Conclusion: The cyclic and APL analogues of dirucotide are promising leads that should be further evaluated for their ability to alter T cell responses for therapeutic benefit against MS

A holistic and comprensive data approach validates the distribution of the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius)

Morphological similarities between skates of the genus Dipturus in the north-eastern Atlantic and mediterranean have resulted in longstanding confusion, misidentification and misreporting. Current evidence indicates that the common skate is best explained as two species, the flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) and the common blue skate (D. batis). However, some management and conservation initiatives developed prior to the separation continue to refer to common skate (as ‘D. batis’). This taxonomic uncertainty can lead to errors in estimating population viability, distribution range, and impact on fisheries management and conservation status. Here, we demonstrate how a concerted taxonomic approach, using molecular data and a combination of survey, angler and fisheries data, in addition to expert witness statements, can be used to build a higher resolution picture of the current distribution of D. intermedius. Collated data indicate that flapper skate has a more constrained distribution compared to the perceived distribution of the ‘common skate’, with most observations recorded from Norway and the western and northern seaboards of Ireland and Scotland, with occasional specimens from Portugal and the Azores. Overall, the revised spatial distribution of D. intermedius has significantly reduced the extant range of the species, indicating a possibly fragmented distribution range.acceptedVersio

Sarcopenic Obesity in Individuals With Neurodisabilities: The SarcObeNDS Study.

IntroductionPatients with neurodisabilities (NDS) are prone to alterations in body composition. Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a condition characterized by increased adipose tissue accompanied by sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SO in patients with NDS, including stroke, spinal cord, and traumatic brain injuries.MethodsThe study Sarcopenic Obesity in NeuroDisabled Subjects (acronym: SarcObeNDS) was a cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients (n = 82) and healthy controls (n = 32) with a mean age of 60.00 ± 14.22 years old. SO and sarcopenia were assessed through total body fat % (TBF %), fat mass index (fat mass to height2: FMI = FM/h2; kg/m2), and skeletal muscle index (appendicular skeletal muscle to height2: SMI = ASM/h2; kg/m2) via full-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This study was registered in the international database ClinicalTrials.gov with the unique identification number NCT03863379.ResultsA statistically significant difference was found in SMI (7.18 ± 0.95 vs. 6.00 ± 1.13 kg/m2, p p = 0.783) and FMI (p = 0.143) between groups. The results remained the same after controlling the results for gender and BMI. A strong positive correlation was demonstrated between BMI and TBF for the total population (r = 0.616, p r = 0.616, p r = 0.728, p ConclusionIn summary, we observed significantly lower BMI and SMI scores in both genders compared to healthy controls. At the clinical level, a timely diagnosis and rapid treatment of sarcopenia and/or obesity in this population may prevent further metabolic repercussions accompanied by higher functional decline and lower quality of life

A holistic and comprehensive data approach validates the distribution of the critically endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius)

Morphological similarities between skates of the genus Dipturus in the north-eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean have resulted in longstanding confusion, misidentification and misreporting. Current evidence indicates that the common skate is best explained as two species, the flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) and the common blue skate (D. batis). However, some management and conservation initiatives developed prior to the separation continue to refer to common skate (as ‘D. batis’). This taxonomic uncertainty can lead to errors in estimating population viability, distribution range, and impact on fisheries management and conservation status. Here, we demonstrate how a concerted taxonomic approach, using molecular data and a combination of survey, angler and fisheries data, in addition to expert witness statements, can be used to build a higher resolution picture of the current distribution of D. intermedius. Collated data indicate that flapper skate has a more constrained distribution compared to the perceived distribution of the ‘common skate’, with most observations recorded from Norway and the western and northern seaboards of Ireland and Scotland, with occasional specimens from Portugal and the Azores. Overall, the revised spatial distribution of D. intermedius has significantly reduced the extant range of the species, indicating a possibly fragmented distribution range

More records on the tripletail, Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) from the Aegean Sea

Tripletail, Lobotes surinamensis, is a cosmopolitan widely distributed marine species. It appears also in the Mediterranean Sea, having rather Atlantic origin, but is characterized as a very rare fish. Here there are presented results on the occurrence of the species in the Aegean Sea. Five specimens were caught in Thermaikos Gulf (Mediterranean, North Aegean Sea) from 2005 to 2010 between April to August. The total length range from 27.8 to 49 cm, and the total weight from 494 to 3162 g. The length-weight relationship was estimates as W=0.0112*TL3.193 (R2=0.98, SEb=0.265), indicating an isometric growth (P>0.05). Also the same length-weight relationship (W=0.0107*TL3.182, R2=0.98) and an isometric growth was estimated from the literature on 843 individuals collected in the Western Atlantic (TL range 28-80 cm). The presence of the species in the Aegean Sea has been sporadically reported in several areas. The first record was in 1943 (Rhodes Island, South Aegean Sea, Greece). Later, it was reported in North Aegean Sea first in September 1969 (Athos peninsula, Greece) and then in August 2005, April 2009, July 2009 and June 2010 (Thermaikos Gulf, Greece). In Central Aegean Sea, there was one record in October 2011 (Evoikos Gulf, Greece), two records in June-July 2012 (Izmir Bay, Turkey) and one in September 2014 (Maliakos Gulf, Greece). Taking into consideration the pattern of the surface sea currents in the Mediterranean and the reports, collected from the literature, from different parts on the Mediterranean, the tripletail appears to be a dweller of the warmest parts of the Mediterranean Sea (seasonal resident) utilizing the surface currents for dispersing to new areas. It seems to perform seasonal movements; northwards during summer for foraging, disperse to new areas and for spawning (given the gonadal maturity) and southwards at late autumn and winter for overwintering (higher temperatures)