Systematic Review of Preclinical Surgical Meshes for Hernia Repair

Hernia repair is one of the most common procedures performed around the world. Surgical mesh materials are used to reinforce hernia repairs and improve surgical outcomes. However, current commercial mesh materials produce problems such as infection, rejection, shrinkage, adhesion, and mechanical failure. These problems contribute to a high rate of hernia recurrence and mesh removal. With the number of hernias expected to rise in the future due to increases in obesity and diabetes, the need for more effective mesh materials is critical. This review aims to identify, evaluate, and summarize experimental surgical mesh materials used in the preclinical stages of development and catalogue their characteristics and the tests used for their evaluation.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/surp2021/1053/thumbnail.jp

Spatio-temporal pattern of viral meningitis in Michigan, 1993-2001

To characterize Michigan’s high viral meningitis incidence rates, 8,803 cases from 1993–2001 were analyzed for standard epidemiological indices, geographic distribution, and spatio-temporal clusters. Blacks and infants were found to be high-risk groups. Annual seasonality and interannual variability in epidemic magnitude were apparent. Cases were concentrated in southern Michigan, and cumulative incidence was correlated with population density at the county level (r=0.45, p<0.001). Kulldorff’s Scan test identified the occurrence of spatio-temporal clusters in Lower Michigan during July–October 1998 and 2001 (p=0.01). More extensive data on cases, laboratory isolates, sociodemographics, and environmental exposures should improve detection and enhance the effectiveness of a Space-Time Information System aimed at prevention.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47932/1/10109_2005_Article_151.pd

The Phoenix Deep Survey: Extremely Red Galaxies and Cluster Candidates

We present the results of a study of a sample of 375 Extremely Red Galaxies (ERGs) in the Phoenix Deep Survey, 273 of which constitute a subsample which is 80% complete to K_s = 18.5 over an area of 1160 arcmin^2. The angular correlation function for ERGs is estimated, and the association of ERGs with faint radio sources explored. We find tentative evidence that ERGs and faint radio sources are associated at z > 0.5. A new overdensity-mapping algorithm has been used to characterize the ERG distribution, and identify a number of cluster candidates, including a likely cluster containing ERGs at 0.5 < z < 1. Our algorithm is also used in an attempt to probe the environments in which faint radio sources and ERGs are associated. We find limited evidence that the I - K_s > 4 criterion is more efficient than R - K_s > 5 at selecting dusty star-forming galaxies, rather than passively evolving ERGs.Comment: 14 emulateapj pages, 15 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in Astronomical Journal. A version with full resolution figures is available at http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~asmith/research/ERGpaper.pd

Epac as a novel effector of airway smooth muscle relaxation

Dysfunctional regulation of airway smooth muscle tone is a feature of obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Airway smooth muscle contraction is directly associated with changes in the phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC), which is increased by Rho and decreased by Rac. Although cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-elevating agents are believed to relieve bronchoconstriction mainly via activation of protein kinase A (PKA), here we addressed the role of the novel cAMP-mediated exchange protein Epac in the regulation of airway smooth muscle tone. Isometric tension measurements showed that specific activation of Epac led to relaxation of guinea pig tracheal preparations pre-contracted with methacholine, independently of PKA. In airway smooth muscle cells, Epac activation reduced methacholine-induced MLC phosphorylation. Moreover, when Epac was stimulated, we observed a decreased methacholine-induced RhoA activation, measured by both stress fibre formation and pull-down assay whereas the same Epac activation prevented methacholine-induced Rac1 inhibition measured by pull-down assay. Epac-driven inhibition of both methacholine-induced muscle contraction by Toxin B-1470, and MLC phosphorylation by the Rac1-inhibitor NSC23766, were significantly attenuated, confirming the importance of Rac1 in Epac-mediated relaxation. Importantly, human airway smooth muscle tissue also expresses Epac, and Epac activation both relaxed pre-contracted human tracheal preparations and decreased MLC phosphorylation. Collectively, we show that activation of Epac relaxes airway smooth muscle by decreasing MLC phosphorylation by skewing the balance of RhoA/Rac1 activation towards Rac1. Therefore, activation of Epac may have therapeutical potential in the treatment of obstructive airway diseases

Experimental results of a YBCO bulk superconducting undulator magnetic optimisation

The magnetic field optimisation of RE-Ba-Cu-O (REBCO, RE = Rare Earth) bulk superconducting undulators is a fundamental step towards their implementation in an accelerator driven photon source, like a synchrotron or a free electron laser. In this article we propose a sorting algorithm to reduce the undulator's phase error based on the reconstruction of the trapped current inside the bulks of a staggered array undulator. The results obtained with a YBCO short prototype field cooled down to 10 K in a 10 T magnetic field are reported. Finally, its performance is critically discussed in light of the 2D magnetic field map of its individual components, obtained at LN2 after the magnetization tests

Distinguishing the nature of comparable-mass neutron star binary systems with multimessenger observations: GW170817 case study

The discovery of GW170817 with gravitational waves (GWs) and electromagnetic (EM) radiation is prompting new questions in strong-gravity astrophysics. Importantly, it remains unknown whether the progenitor of the merger comprised two neutron stars (NSs), or a NS and a black hole (BH). Using new numerical-relativity simulations and incorporating modeling uncertainties we produce novel GW and EM observables for NS-BH mergers with similar masses. A joint analysis of GW and EM measurements reveals that if GW170817 is a NS-BH merger, <40% of the binary parameters consistent with the GW data are compatible with EM observations.Comment: 8 page