Flow dynamics control the effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate on endothelial permeability in a microfluidic vessel bifurcation model

Blood vessels are lined by endothelial cells that form a semipermeable barrier to restrict fluid flow across the vessel wall. The endothelial barrier is known to respond to various molecular mechanisms, but the effects of mechanical signals that arise due to blood flow remain poorly understood. Here, we report a microfluidic model that mimics the flow conditions and endothelial/extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture of a vessel bifurcation to enable systematic investigation of how flow dynamics that arise within bifurcating vessels guides the endothelial response to biochemical signals. Applying the strengths of our system, we further investigate the endothelial response to sphingosine-1-phosphate, a bioactive lipid that has demonstrated flow-dependent regulation of vascular permeability. We demonstrate that bifurcated fluid flow (BFF) that arises at the base of vessel bifurcations and laminar shear stress (LSS) that arises along downstream vessel walls induce a decrease in endothelial permeability. Furthermore, we identify that flow-dynamics and chaperone proteins regulate the endothelial response to S1P. Through pharmacological inhibition of S1P receptors 1 and 2, we report ligand-independent mechanical activation of S1P receptors 1 and 2, providing support for the role of G protein-coupled receptors as mechanosensors. These findings introduce BFF as an important regulator of vascular permeability, and establish flow dynamics as a determinant of the endothelial response to S1P.Pelotonia Fellowship ProgramBarry M. Goldwater Excellence in Education FoundationThe Ohio State University College of EngineeringA one-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Biomedical Engineerin

Economic Situation and Development Perspectives of Farms in Poland - An Analysis Based on Survey Data from Selected Polish Voivodships and a Comparison with German Farms

The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of farm-level data collected in a survey of 464 Polish farms in 2000. Performance indicators of farms in three Polish voivodships are compared with farm accountancy data from two German Länder. The results show that Polish farms are much less profitable than their German counterparts. The gap in income levels is much higher between persons employed in the agricultural sector than between average working persons in the two countries. Living standards of the Polish farm population in the north-west exceed those in the south-east of the country. The analysis suggests that the lower profitability of farms has two major reasons. First, farms in the German regions receive much higher levels of subsidies. Second, there are pronounced structural deficiencies due to a quite unfavourable workforce-land ratio on Polish farms. These farms are less productive and less specialized than the German farms analysed. There is a generally conservative attitude among Polish farmers that prefers the continuation of farming over leaving the sector. Nevertheless, income from agriculture is to a substantial extent complemented by off-farm employment in the southern regions. Our overall conclusion is that Polish farms currently are in the midst of a regional, economic, and social differentiation process fuelled by severe imbalances in terms of income levels between rural and urban population groups. This process is however seriously slowed down or even halted by a number of effective institutional barriers, particularly with regard to rural labour markets. These barriers should be properly addressed by a formulation of future policies in order to avoid further social frictions in the course of the Polish EU accession.agriculture, farm performance, survey data, Poland, Germany, International Development,

The Implementation of a Two-Way Dual Language Program And The Impact On Teaching And Learning

Dual language programs satisfy the requirement of mandated bilingual programs for English Language Learners in the state of Illinois. This qualitative program evaluation focused on a school district that entered into an adaptive change process with respect to creating a two-way dual language immersion program that would increase student language acquisition in English and Spanish as well as increase cultural competency and professional development for teachers. The program evaluation provided the opportunity to diagnose the system through an examination of the challenges and the quality of the current state of the district leading to the identification of the 4c’s; context, conditions, cultures, and competencies. In designing this evaluation, early literacy instruction and the connection with teaching and learning in both languages was closely monitored. The need for more professional development in the area of teaching the Spanish language and bridging the two languages became apparent. The findings from this program evaluation revealed a need for a review of teacher certification programs specifically for dual language learners, better assessments to triangulate data in both languages, and the importance of learning about cultural competency to the community

Drivers of Intermodal Rail Freight Growth in North America

Intermodal rail freight service, in the form of semi-trailers and containers carried by rail in coordination with connecting road and water transport operators, emerged in North America on a few railways during the 1920s and 1930s. Experience gained from these early ventures inspired widespread introduction of intermodal service offerings after 1950. Between 1990 and 2005, rail intermodal traffic grew 87.7 percent, from 6.2 million to 11.7 containers and trailers, and now holds a significant position in the aggregate traffic base of the major North American rail freight carriers. Previous research and other sources of data and information are drawn upon to identify key drivers of this growth within the context of a conceptual model. The driving forces include changes in transport providers’ business policies and practices, government deregulation of pricing and other commercial actions by firms in rail and competing modes of transport, advancements in rail intermodal technology, and changes in supply chain management processes by shippers and consignees that have intensified demand for freight service of higher quality and lower cost. Comments on transferability to Europe of lessons learned from intermodal business experience in North America are provided in the concluding section

Threats for ISO 9001

PURPOSE: The subject matter of the article is defining ISO 9001 standard’s popularity trend and presenting chosen factors discouraging organizations to implement system based on this standard, as well as factors decreasing effectiveness of operations related to the implementation of this standard and maintaining it.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Literature study.FINDINGS: Despite large popularity of quality management system according to ISO 9001, global decrease of the number of implemented, related systems is noticeable. Reasons of this state of matters are strongly differentiated, however their detailed analysis and appropriate actions taken in response are able to decrease unwillingness to implement systems and increase efficiency of implementation activities.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Indication of threats for effectiveness of quality management system, as well as exemplary activities taken in response to them will allow organizations to minimize their negative influence.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The vast majority of publications describe advantages related to standardization. This article is one of a few publications discussing the threats noticeable in the area of qualitative standardization. This area is influenced by issues, awareness of which may help organizations in their minimization by means of taking appropriate correction and preventive actions.peer-reviewe

Thermal Stability of Austempered Ductile Iron Evaluated in a Temperature Range of 20-300K

The aim of this article was to determine through changes in magnetic properties the stability of the austempered ductile iron (ADI) microstructure during temperature changes in a range of 20 – 300 K. The measurements were taken in a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) using Fe27Ni2TiMoAlNb austenitic stainless steel and four types of austempered ductile iron obtained under various heat treatment conditions. The plotted curves showing changes in the magnetisation degree as a function of temperature had a number of characteristic points illustrating changes taking place in the microstructure. For each of the materials examined, the martensite start temperature Ms and the temperature range within which the martensitic transformation takes place were identified

Untersuchungen zur strömungsinduzierten Thrombusbildung an einer Polymethylpenten-Gasfaser in einem ex vivo-Perfusionsmodell

Neben Blutungen stellen thrombotische Ablagerungen ein bisher nur unzureichend geklärtes Problem der ECMO-Therapie dar. Diese haben eine Verschlechterung der Gasaustauschleistung der Oxygenatormembran zur Folge. Mit der Verwendung eines ECMO-Modells besteht die Möglichkeit, Einzelfaktoren zu betrachten und auf diese Weise spezifisch Informationen bezüglich der Klotbildung zu gewinnen. Mithilfe von Flusskammern, welche mit senkrecht zur Flussrichtung stehenden Gasfasern versehen wurden, wurde eine Klot- beziehungsweise von-Willebrand-Fadenbildung in Blutserum bzw. Blutplasma unter kontrollierten Bedingungen mittels Live-Imaging sichtbar gemacht. Vermutlich kommt es im Rahmen der Plasmaherstellung zu einer Freisetzung thrombogener Mikropartikel, welche zu einer Klotbildung führt. Eine Klotbildung trat auch bei Antikoagulation der Plasmaproben und trotz vorangehender Heparinspülung des Perfusionssystems, welche die Heparinbeschichtung realer ECMO-Systeme simulieren sollte, auf. Die histologische Untersuchung eines isolierten Klots ergab eine Zusammensetzung aus von-Willebrand-Faktor, Fibrinogen und Thrombozyten. Bei der Perfusion mit Blutserum erfolgte der Nachweis von vWF-Fäden und dem Einfluss hoher Scherkräfte

Diagnosis of the patint with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung harbouring EGFR activating mutation with the coexisting oligoastrocytoma of the brain

Rak płuca jest najczęściej występującym nowotworem złośliwym w Polsce. Spośród nowotworów złośliwych jest najczęstszą przyczyną zgonów zarówno u kobiet, jak i u mężczyzn. Około 40% wszystkich raków płuca stanowi rak gruczołowy. U chorych na niedrobnokomórkowego raka płuca rasy kaukaskiej mutacje aktywujące w genie EGFR stwierdza się w około 10% przypadków. Spośród wszystkich diagnozowanych guzów mózgu zaledwie 2,3% stanowi skąpodrzewiakogwiaździak.Lung cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm diagnosed in Poland. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men as well as in women. Among all lung cancers approximately 40% are adenocarcinomas. EGFR activating mutations are present in approximately 10% of caucasian patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Among all diagnosed brain tumors only 2.3% are oligoastrocytomas

Pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum as a result of mephedrone intoxication – a case report.

Introduction: Presence of air in mediastinal space, retroperitoneal space or subcutaneously is a rare con- dition in majority caused by trauma of airway or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Rarely can it occur as a conse- quence after drug usage.  Case Presentation: We report a non-traumatic occurrence of pneumomediastinum, pneumoretroperito- neum and subcutaneous emphysema in a 27 year-old male patient who had been inhaling mephedrone for 4 days. Patient was admitted to Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk. CT scans of neck, chest and abdomen were performed with suspicion of perforation of GI tract or airways. Perforation was excluded by gastroscopic and bronchoscopic examinations. Patient was treated conservatively with fluids and antibiotic therapy because of no abnormalities besides free air in mentioned cavities. During 6 days of hospitalization patient made a steady recovery and was discharged in good condition.  Conclusions: The presence of pneumomediastinum, pneumoretroperitoneum and subcutaneous emphyse- ma associated with mephedrone inhalation has been rarely reported in the literature in the past. There are only a few cases describing such complications and medical management required. By reporting this case we would like to emphasize that mentioned symptoms and history of drug use might seem life-threatening, however, this condition may be self-limiting as well. Therefore, good general state can potentially be indi- cation for a watch-and-wait approach with no surgical intervention necessary. 

Effects of thyroid hormone imbalance on colorectal cancer carcinogenesis and risk — a systematic review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. The prevalence of colorectal neoplasm is increasing. Many studies have shown that thyroid dysfunction may be connected with the higher risk of pancreatic and breast cancer, but only a few described the role of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid hormone (TH) replacement in the development and risk of CRC. The aim of this study is to summarise all findings and potentially elucidate the connection between TH imbalance and colorectal cancer. The systematic review was conducted according to PICO and PRISMA guidelines. We searched MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu, and Cochrane Library databases using the following keywords: “((((thyroid OR hypothyroidism OR hyperthyroidism OR levothyroxine OR hashimoto OR graves OR thyroidectomy)) AND (colon OR colorectal OR CRC)) NOT hashimoto[Author]) NOT graves[Author])”. No filters were used. Of total of 3054 articles identified by the search strategy, 11 met PICO criteria and were included into the review. Four of those were on cell lines and seven were human studies. Analysis of the included studies revealed an elevated risk of CRC in patients with hypothyroidism with aORs ranging from 1.16 (95% CI: 1.08–1.24, p < 0.001) to 1.69 (95% CI: 1.21–2.36, p = 0.002). Moreover, TH replacement therapy has a protective effect for CRC risk with aOR ranging from 0.60 (95% CI: 0.44–0.81, p = 0.001) to 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86–0.98, p = 0.009). THs seem to play a role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Further studies are warranted to define the exact role of thyroid hormone imbalance in prevention and treatment of CRC