Experimental investigation of the elasticity of the human diaphragm

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Traumatic diaphragmatic ruptures affect mainly the left side. In an experimental study in human corpses we examined the stretch behaviour of the left and right diaphragmatic halves.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a total of 8 male and 8 female corpses each diaphragmatic half was divided into 4 different segments. Each segments stretch behaviour was investigated. In steps of 2 N the stretch was increased up to 24 N.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the female the left diaphragm showed a stronger elasticity compared to the right. Additionally the left diaphragm in females showed a higher elasticity in comparison to the left in males. Traumatic diaphragmatic ruptures affect mostly the central tendineous part or the junction between tendineous and muscular part of the diaphragmatic muscle. Accordingly we found a lower elasticity in these parts compared with the other diaphragmatic segments.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In summary it can be said that albeit some restrictions we were able to determine the elasticity of different diaphragmatic segments quantitatively and reproduceably with our presented method. Thereby a comparison of results of different diaphragmatic segments as well as of both diaphragmatic halves and of both genders was possible</p

Dispersal within a spatially structured population of lesser kestrels: The role of spatial isolation and conspecific attraction

1. Factors governing dispersal rates have seldom been examined in spatially structured populations of vertebrates. We gathered information during 8 years on transfer rates between subpopulations in a spatially structured, growing population of colonial lesser kestrels Falco naumanni, and analysed the contribution of several variables related to spatial isolation and characteristics of both subpopulation of origin and destination on probabilities of dispersal. 2. Lesser kestrels were highly philopatric to their subpopulations, but first-breeders dispersed more often than adults (26% vs. 4%, n = 1706) because adults were reluctant to move from familiar areas. Frequency of subpopulation change was higher in females than in males (first-recruiters: 30% vs. 22%, n = 987; adults 5% vs. 1%, n = 719), according to their different breeding roles. However, all populational factors had an equal effect on individuals of different sex and dispersal status. 3. Movement rates decreased with inter-subpopulation distance - indicating that travelling to distant subpopulations may impose costs in terms of breeding prospects -and with the number of subpopulations, which increased during our study period. 4. Conspecific attraction strongly influenced the probability of dispersal: it was relatively higher in largely populated subpopulations, and individuals of large subpopulations were reluctant to change to others. These results were neither influenced by the size and breeding density of the subpopulations nor by habitat quality in terms of food availability or risk of predation, as indicated by breeding success of kestrels at each subpopulation. The number of conspecifics could be used by the kestrels as a cue of patch quality in terms of settlement options, and large subpopulations could be more easily detected by prospecting birds. 5. Our study highlights the fact that several assumptions of theoretical metapopulation modelling are often not fulfilled in nature. Both theoretical models and management strategies on spatially structured populations or metapopulations should thus consider the number, population size, and spatial distribution of local populations, as well as their relationships with the dispersal ability of the species.Peer Reviewe

Evaluation of signal transduction pathways after transient cutaneous adenoviral gene delivery

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adenoviral vectors have provided effective methods for <it>in vivo </it>gene delivery in therapeutic applications. However, these vectors can induce immune responses that may severely affect the ability of vector re-application. There is limited information about the mechanisms and signal transduction pathways involved in adenoviral recognition. For optimization of cutaneous gene therapy it is necessary to investigate molecular mechanisms of virus recognition in epidermal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the signal transduction of the innate immunity after adenoviral DNA internalization in keratinocytes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>In vitro</it>, keratinocytes were transfected with DNA, in the presence and absence of inhibitors for signalling molecules. <it>In vivo</it>, immunocompetent and athymic mice (n = 3 per group) were twice transduced with an Ad-vector.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results show an acute induction of type-I-interferon after <it>in vitro </it>transfection. Inhibition of PI3K, p38 MAPK, JNK and NFkappaB resulted in a decreased expression of type-I-interferon. In contrast to immunocompetent mice, athymic mice demonstrated a constant transgene expression and reduced inflammatory response <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results suggest an induction of the innate immunity triggered by cytoplasm localised DNA which is mediated by PI3K-, p38 MAPK-, JNK-, NFkappaB-, JAK/STAT- and ERK1/2-dependent pathways. A stable transgene expression and a reduced inflammatory response in immunodeficient mice have been observed. These results provide potential for an effective adenoviral gene delivery into immunosupressed skin.</p

Pro-inflammatory S100A9 protein as a robust biomarker differentiating early stages of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s Diseased

Pro-inflammatory protein S100A9 was established as a biomarker of dementia progression and compared with others such as Aβ1−42and tau-proteins. CSF samples from 104 stringently diagnosed individuals divided into five subgroups were analyzed, including nondemented controls, stable mild cognitive impairment (SMCI), mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease (MCI-AD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) patients. ELISA, dot-blotting, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used as research methods. The S100A9 and Aβ1−42 levels correlated with each other: their CSF content decreased already at the SMCI stage and declined further under MCIAD, AD, and VaD conditions. Immunohistochemical analysis also revealed involvement of both Aβ1−42 and S100A9 in the amyloid-neuroinflammatory cascade already during SMCI. Tau proteins were not yet altered in SMCI; however their contents increased during MCI-AD and AD, diagnosing later dementia stages. Thus, four biomarkers together, reflecting different underlying pathological causes, can accurately differentiate dementia progression and also distinguish AD from Va

Анализ конструкций камер приема и пуска средств очистки и диагностики трубопровода

В выпускной квалификационной работе проведен анализ различных конструкций камер запуска-приема очистных устройств и диагностических снарядов для магистрального нефтепровода. Рассчитана необходимая толщина стенки элементов камеры.In the final qualification work, an analysis was made of various pig trap station was considered using for the main oil pipeline. The required thickness of the wall of the chamber elements was calculated