Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Ultrastruktur und Histologie der oropharyngealen Mucosa der Schildkrötenarten Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) und Sternotherus odoratus (Latreille, 1801)

Bei Schildkröten wurden bereits verschiedene Untersuchungsmethoden angewandt, um deren oropharyngealen Raumes zu beschreiben. Als effizienteste Methoden haben sich histologische, makro-, mikro- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen bewährt, sowie high-speed-Kinematographie als eine nicht-invasive Methode. In dieser Studie wird der oropharyngeale Raum der Europäischen Sumpfschildkröte Emys orbicularis der nordamerikanischen Gewöhnlichen Moschusschildkröte Sternotherus odoratus mittel histologischen Schnittserien und elektronenmikroskopischen Analysen näher untersucht. Sowohl die äußeren Strukturen der Zunge und der lingualen Papillen, als auch der innere Aufbau der oralen Mucosa wird beschrieben. Die Schildkrötenarten wurden gewählt, da sie zwar phylogenetisch weit voneinander entfernt sind, aber sehr ähnliche Habitate besetzen. Es ist also zu untersuchen, ob es einen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Habitat und der Ausbildung von spezifischen oralen Strukturen gibt. Obwohl es durchaus Variationen in der oropharyngealen Anatomie zwischen Emys orbicularis und Sternotherus odoratus gibt, wie zum Beispiel die Größe der Zunge, die Form der oropharyngealen Papillen und die Verbreitung der Geschmacksknospen, so gibt es auch einige Gemeinsamkeiten zwischen den Arten. Sie leben beide semi-aquatisch und sind gut ans Wasser angepasst. Deshalb haben beide Arten eine relativ kleine und unbewegliche Zunge, einen großen Hyoidapparat, keine komplexen monotubulären Drüsen und relativ kleine linguale Papillen und sind nicht fähig, an Land Nahrung zu sich zu nehmen.For investigations of the oropharyngeal cavity of turtles different methods have been done so far. Macro- and microscopical, histological, and electron-microscopical investigations have been the most efficient methods, as well as high-speed-kinematography as a popular non-invasive exploration method. In this study, investigations on the oropharyngeal cavity of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis and the north-american Common musk turtle Sternotherus odoratus, two semi-aquatic turtles, are done by histological sectioning, semi-thin sectioning, and scanning electron-microscopical methods. Not only the outer structures of the tongue and lingual papillae but also the inner contents of the Oral Mucosa are examined. These two species of turtles were chosen, because phylogenetically they are far away from each other but they live in similar habitats. So it is interesting to see if there is a correlation between the environment and the anatomical structures of the oropharyngeal cavity. Though there are some variations in the oropharyngeal anatomy between E. orbicularis and S. odoratus, like the size of the tongue, the size and form of the lingual papillae, and the spreading of taste buds, in general there are many similarities between the two species. Both are semi-aquatic turtles, but well adapted to their aquatic habitat. So they both have a relatively small and unmoveable tongue, a big hyoidapparatus, no complex singletubular glands and only small lingual papillae, not being able to transport food into the pharynx and oesophagus, respectively

Osteopontin and Ki-67 expression in World Health Organization graded canine meningioma.

Osteopontin (OPN) is a matrix protein involved in tumour initiation and progression. In human meningioma, OPN has been correlated with World Health Organization (WHO) grade, brain invasion and recurrence. The aim of this study was to investigate OPN as a possible malignancy marker in canine meningioma by correlating its expression to WHO grade and proliferative activity as measured by the Ki-67 labelling index (LI). Thirty-five formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine meningioma samples were classified according to the current human WHO classification. Evaluation of OPN expression was performed by immunohistochemical (IHC) labelling and calculation of the OPN intensity score (IS), OPN IHC score and Allred score. The scores were compared with WHO grades, Ki-67 LI, location and invasiveness. Nineteen meningiomas were graded as WHO grade I (54.3%), nine as grade II (25.7%) and seven as grade III (20.0%). Twenty-six tumours were located intracranially, four were retrobulbar and five were spinal meningiomas. In all specimens OPN expression was detected in moderate to high degrees. Neither the OPN scores nor the Ki-67 LIs were correlated with WHO grades. However, the OPN IS and OPN IHC score were significantly higher in WHO grade I samples compared with grade II samples (P <0.05). The OPN IS and OPN IHC score were significantly lower in meningioma samples that invaded surrounding tissues (P = 0.01 and 0.019, respectively). The results indicate a generally high expression of OPN in canine meningioma independent of WHO grade. Further research into the role of OPN as a possible therapeutic target or predictor of recurrence is warranted

Gauge Independence of IR singularities in Non-Commutative QFT - and Interpolating Gauges

IR divergences of a non-commutative U(1) Maxwell theory are discussed at the one-loop level using an interpolating gauge to show that quadratic IR divergences are independent not only from a covariant gauge fixing but also independent from an axial gauge fixing.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, v1 minor correction

Ignition by Capacitance Sparks and Non-Thermal Plasmas

Für die Optimierung von Verbrennungsmotoren ist das Verständnis der Zündung von brennbaren Gemischen durch elektrische Entladungen von entscheidender Bedeutung. Ein kombinierter experimentell-numerischer Ansatz wird verwendet, um tiefere Einblicke in die physikalisch-chemischen Prozesse während der Zündung durch thermische und nicht-thermische Plasmen zu erhalten. Bei beiden Anwendungsbeispielen wurden Energien im Bereich der mindestens zur Zündung notwendigen Energie untersucht. Die zeitliche Entwicklung des Plasmakerns und der Stoßwelle mittels einer Schlieren-Methode zusammen mit numerischen Simulationen wurde verwendet, um die Effizienz einer Funkenzündung zu quantifizieren. Radiale Profile von OHRadikalen, die durch laserinduzierte Fluoreszenz (LIF) gemessen wurden, werden mit numerischen Ergebnissen verglichen, um die numerischen Werkzeuge zu validieren, die nun zur Modellierung der Zündung nachhaltig erzeugter Biokraftstoffe verwendet werden können. Eine volumetrische Zündung kann mit nichtthermischen Plasmen erreicht werden. Hier wurden numerische Simulationen verwendet, um die zeitliche Entwicklung von Temperatur und Radikalen im Plasmakanal im Detail zu untersuchen

Intermedin Stabilized Endothelial Barrier Function and Attenuated Ventilator-induced Lung Injury in Mice

Background: Even protective ventilation may aggravate or induce lung failure, particularly in preinjured lungs. Thus, new adjuvant pharmacologic strategies are needed to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Intermedin/Adrenomedullin-2 (IMD) stabilized pulmonary endothelial barrier function in vitro. We hypothesized that IMD may attenuate VILIassociated lung permeability in vivo. Methodology/Principal Findings: Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (HPMVEC) monolayers were incubated with IMD, and transcellular electrical resistance was measured to quantify endothelial barrier function. Expression and localization of endogenous pulmonary IMD, and its receptor complexes composed of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1–3 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence in non ventilated mouse lungs and in lungs ventilated for 6 h. In untreated and IMD treated mice, lung permeability, pulmonary leukocyte recruitment and cytokine levels were assessed after mechanical ventilation. Further, the impact of IMD on pulmonary vasoconstriction was investigated in precision cut lung slices (PCLS) and in isolated perfused and ventilated mouse lungs. IMD stabilized endothelial barrier function in HPMVECs. Mechanical ventilation reduced the expression of RAMP3, but not of IMD, CRLR, and RAMP1 and 2. Mechanical ventilation induced lung hyperpermeability, which was ameliorated by IMD treatment. Oxygenation was not improved by IMD, which may be attributed to impaired hypoxi

Extent of hypoattenuation on CT angiography source images in Basilar Artery occlusion: prognostic value in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study

&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background and Purpose:&lt;/b&gt; The posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) quantifies the extent of early ischemic changes in the posterior circulation with a 10-point grading system. We hypothesized that pc-ASPECTS applied to CT angiography source images predicts functional outcome of patients in the Basilar Artery International Cooperation Study (BASICS).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Methods:&lt;/b&gt; BASICS was a prospective, observational registry of consecutive patients with acute symptomatic basilar artery occlusion. Functional outcome was assessed at 1 month. We applied pc-ASPECTS to CT angiography source images of patients with CT angiography for confirmation of basilar artery occlusion. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted risk ratios (RRs) of pc-ASPECTS dichotomized at &#8805;8 versus &#60;8. Primary outcome measure was favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–3). Secondary outcome measures were mortality and functional independence (modified Rankin Scale scores 0–2).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Of 158 patients included, 78 patients had a CT angiography source images pc-ASPECTS ≥8. Patients with a pc-ASPECTS ≥8 more often had a favorable outcome than patients with a pc-ASPECTS &#60;8 (crude RR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.98–3.0). After adjustment for age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, and thrombolysis, pc-ASPECTS &#8805;8 was not related to favorable outcome (RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8–2.2), but it was related to reduced mortality (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.98) and functional independence (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.8). In post hoc analysis, pc-ASPECTS dichotomized at &#8805;6 versus &#60;6 predicted a favorable outcome (adjusted RR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.2–7.5).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; pc-ASPECTS on CT angiography source images independently predicted death and functional independence at 1 month in the CT angiography subgroup of patients in the BASICS registry.&lt;/p&gt

The impact of courier-, express- and parcel (CEP) service providers on urban road traffic: The case of Vienna

Current urban city logistics literature often claims that rising e-commerce and the associated courier-, express- and parcel- (CEP) deliveries are inherently responsible for the increase in urban road traffic and the related congestion, disturbances and delays within cities. However, existing research is so far limited concerning studies to what extent CEPs impact and contribute to urban road traffic, particularly in comparison with other commercial sectors and passenger cars. In response, collecting data through an extensive empirical survey, counting urban road traffic in the city of Vienna in Austria, this paper identifies the share of CEPs and other selected categories of road vehicles. Results show that the share of CEPs in urban road traffic consists of merely 0.8 per cent, while the delivery vans’ share of craftsmen/technicians is almost eight times bigger with 6.0 per cent. Overall, delivery vehicles comprise 13.5 per cent of the total urban road traffic in Vienna, thus policies to reduce traffic should include not only other commercial sectors, but should also focus on passenger cars comprising the majority with 86.5 per cent of total urban road traffic. This is the first study that specifically investigates the share of CEPs and other vehicle categories in the context of city logistics

protection by adrenomedullin

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) contributes to morbidity and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Particularly pre-injured lungs are susceptible to VILI despite protective ventilation. In a previous study, the endogenous peptide adrenomedullin (AM) protected murine lungs from VILI. We hypothesized that mechanical ventilation (MV) contributes to lung injury and sepsis in pneumonia, and that AM may reduce lung injury and multiple organ failure in ventilated mice with pneumococcal pneumonia. We analyzed in mice the impact of MV in established pneumonia on lung injury, inflammation, bacterial burden, hemodynamics and extrapulmonary organ injury, and assessed the therapeutic potential of AM by starting treatment at intubation. In pneumococcal pneumonia, MV increased lung permeability, and worsened lung mechanics and oxygenation failure. MV dramatically increased lung and blood cytokines but not lung leukocyte counts in pneumonia. MV induced systemic leukocytopenia and liver, gut and kidney injury in mice with pneumonia. Lung and blood bacterial burden was not affected by MV pneumonia and MV increased lung AM expression, whereas receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) 1-3 expression was increased in pneumonia and reduced by MV. Infusion of AM protected against MV-induced lung injury (66% reduction of pulmonary permeability p<0.01; prevention of pulmonary restriction) and against VILI- induced liver and gut injury in pneumonia (91% reduction of AST levels p<0.05, 96% reduction of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels p<0.05, abrogation of histopathological changes and parenchymal apoptosis in liver and gut). MV paved the way for the progression of pneumonia towards ARDS and sepsis by aggravating lung injury and systemic hyperinflammation leading to liver, kidney and gut injury. AM may be a promising therapeutic option to protect against development of lung injury, sepsis and extrapulmonary organ injury in mechanically ventilated individuals with severe pneumonia

S100A4 mRNA-protein relationship uncovered by measurement noise reduction

Intrinsic biological fluctuation and/or measurement error can obscure the association of gene expression patterns between RNA and protein levels. Appropriate normalization of reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) data can reduce technical noise in transcript measurement, thus uncovering such relationships. The accuracy of gene expression measurement is often challenged in the context of cancer due to the genetic instability and “splicing weakness” involved. Here, we sequenced the poly(A) cancer transcriptome of canine osteosarcoma using mRNA-Seq. Expressed sequences were resolved at the level of two consecutive exons to enable the design of exon-border spanning RT-qPCR assays and ranked for stability based on the coefficient of variation (CV). Using the same template type for RT-qPCR validation, i.e. poly(A) RNA, avoided skewing of stability assessment by circular RNAs (circRNAs) and/or rRNA deregulation. The strength of the relationship between mRNA expression of the tumour marker S100A4 and its proportion score of quantitative immunohistochemistry (qIHC) was introduced as an experimental readout to fine-tune the normalization choice. Together with the essential logit transformation of qIHC scores, this approach reduced the noise of measurement as demonstrated by uncovering a highly significant, strong association between mRNA and protein expressions of S100A4 (Spearman’s coefficient ρ = 0.72 (p = 0.006)).publishedVersio