A Systematic Review of the Literature on Living Labs in Higher Education Institutions:Potentials and Constraints

Living labs (LLs) have emerged as an interface for higher education institutions to collaborate with companies, citizens, non-profit and government organizations to address a variety of problems around social challenges and sustainable development. In this systematic literature review, we summarize the existing knowledge on how universities shape and manage the LLs they are associated with and how they align with their core missions of education and research and—in particular—their social missions. Following PRISMA guidelines for a systematic literature review (SLR), we analyzed journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters published between 2008 and 2020, capturing 93 university-governed LL experiences from across the world. Our findings show that LLs are developing from bottom-up initiatives, often at the fringe of higher education institutions, towards more self-standing entities implementing strategies to undertake social outreach activities. LLs require their host universities to intensify the relationships with their stakeholders and work on capacity building and focus on inter- and transdisciplinary research methodologies. Finally, our literature review points to the need for further research on the hybrid governance approaches displayed by LLs, particularly looking at the roles and responsibilities of academics involved in managing LL initiatives

Two- versus three-dimensional ultrasound in the second and third trimester of pregnancy: impact on recognition and maternal-fetal bonding. A prospective pilot study

Objective: To assess the impact of three-dimensional (3D) versus two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) on maternal-fetal bonding. Study design: Prospective randomized pilot study among low risk women with singleton fetuses in the second and third trimester. Dependent on the randomization pattern, US was commenced either with 2D US or 3D US and the effects were recorded with standardized questionnaires. Results: Sixty patients were included. Although the quality of 2D US, assessed by the examinator, was superior to 3D US, maternal recognition was higher with 3-D US (P=0.004). With 2D US, nulliparous patients had significantly more difficulties visualizing the fetus, than multiparous (P=0.03). However, the maternal preference of 3D US had no significant impact on maternal-fetal bonding. Conclusion: Ultrasound had no significant effect on maternal-fetal bonding. Three-dimensional images may facilitate recognition of the fetus, but 3D US did not have higher impact on maternal-fetal bonding. This finding may be a reason not to consider 3D ultrasound for routine scannin

Cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma does not appear to be derived from the rich pool of cell-free foetal DNA in amniotic fluid

Background: Large quantities of cell-free foetal DNA have been detected in amniotic fluid, and it has been proposed that this material may contribute to the pool of cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma. Methods: Twelve maternal blood samples were obtained from pregnant women about to undergo an amniocentesis. Cell-free DNA was extracted from the maternal plasma samples and the matched amniotic fluid samples. The amount of cell-free foetal DNA was quantified by real-time PCR assays for the SRY and RHD genes. Results: Amniotic fluid was found to contain vast quantities of cell-free DNA (median concentration = 3,978 copies/ml amniotic fluid). The concentration of cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasma was much lower (median concentration = 96.6 copies/ml maternal plasma). No significant correlation could, however, be determined between these two pools of cell-free foetal DNA. Conclusions: Our data confirm that amniotic fluid contains prodigious quantities of cell-free foetal DNA, but as no relationship exists between this material and that in the maternal circulation, it is unlikely that the amnion contributes to the presence of cell-free foetal DNA in maternal plasm

Determination of fetal chromosome aberrations from fetal DNA in maternal blood: has the challenge finally been met?

The analysis of cell-free fetal nucleic acids in maternal blood for prenatal diagnosis has been transformed by several recent profound technology developments. The most noteworthy of these are ‘digital PCR' and ‘next-generation sequencing' (NGS), which might finally deliver the long-sought goal of noninvasive detection of fetal aneuploidy. Recent data, however, indicate that NGS might even be able to offer a much more detailed appraisal of the fetal genome, including paternal and maternal inheritance of point mutations for mendelian disorders such as β-thalassaemia. Although these developments are very exciting, in their current form they are still too complex and costly, and will need to be simplified considerably for their optimal translation to the clinic. In this regard, targeted NGS does appear to be a step in the right direction, although this should be seen in the context of ongoing progress with the isolation of fetal cells and with proteomic screening marker

Besin Alerjileri

Food allergy usually occurs as a result of abnormal reactions of the immune system to certain food proteins (eg, profilin, ovalbumin, serum albumin). The most common food allergies develop to milk, eggs, soy, shellfish, tree nuts (eg hazelnuts, walnuts), peanuts and wheat proteins. Allergic reaction to food can develop through immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which is an element of the immune system. While the initial exposure to the allergen does not initiate an immune response, the later ingested allergen causes the predefined IgE antibody to recognize the allergen and the allergic reaction occurs by releasing the mediators (chemicals that mediate allergic reactions) over the mast cells. Although allergic reactions usually progress with mild symptoms (eg, abdominal pain, diarrhea, skin rash, respiratory distress), they can also cause serious health problems such as anaphylaxis. In some cases, food allergy can be exacerbated by exercise, which can lead to food-related exercise anaphylaxis. The prevalence of food allergies is increasing all over the world. Food allergy is more common, especially in children. It is thought that breast milk intake can protect babies against food allergies. There is no effective treatment for food allergy. It is recommended that foods containing allergens should be excluded from the diet of individuals with allergies.Besin alerjisi bağışıklık sisteminin genellikle bazı besin proteinlerine (örn., profilin, ovalbumin, serum albümin) karşı geliştirdiği anormal reaksiyonlar sonucunda ortaya çıkmaktadır. En sık görülen besin alerjileri süt, yumurta, soya, kabuklu deniz ürünleri, ağaç fıstıkları (örn., fındık, ceviz) yer fıstığı ve buğday proteinlerine karşı gelişmektedir. Besinlere karşı alerjik reaksiyon, bağışıklık sisteminin bir elemanı olan immünoglobulin E (IgE) antikorunun aracılığı ile gelişebilmektedir. Alerjene ilk maruziyet bir bağışıklık tepkisi başlatmazken daha sonra alınan alerjen, önceden tanımlanmış IgE antikorunun alerjeni tanımasına neden olur ve mast hücreleri üzerinden medaitörler (alerjik reaksiyonların gerçekleşmesine aracılık eden kimyasal maddeler) salınarak alerjik reaksiyon gerçekleşir. Alerjik reaksiyonlar genellikle hafif belirtilerle (örn., karın ağrısı, ishal, ciltte döküntü, solunum zorluğu) seyretmekle birlikte anafilaksi gibi çok ciddi sağlık sorunlarına da neden olabilmektedirler. Bazı durumlarda besin alerjisi egzersiz ile şiddetlenebilmekte ve bu durum besin ile ilişkili egzersiz anafilaksisine neden olabilmektedir. Besin alerji prevalansı tüm dünyada artmaktadır. Özellikle çocuklarda besin alerjisi daha sık görülmektedir. Anne sütü alımının bebekleri besin alerjilerine karşı koruyabileceği düşünülmektedir. Besin alerjisinin çok etkin bir tedavisi bulunmamaktadır. Alerji görülen bireylerde, alerjen içeren besinlerin diyetten çıkarılması önerilmektedir

Alterations of panoramic radiomorphometric indices in children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia major:a fractal analysis study

Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited disorder that can cause bone deformity and loss of bone mineral density. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cortical and trabecular mandibular bone morphology of children and adolescents who have beta-thalassemia major (ß-TM) using a fractal dimension (FD) analysis and different panoramic radiomorphometric indices with digital panoramic radiographic images (DPRIs). The study included 80 patients (with 40 patients each of ß-TM and control). The mandibular cortical width (MCW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mandibular cortical index (MCI), and simple visual estimation (SVE) were evaluated, and an FD analysis of five regions of interest (ROIs) (ROI 1: in basal cortical bone; ROI 2: in premolar region; ROI 3: in molar region; ROI 4: in angulus mandible and ROI 5: in condyle region) was obtained in all DPRIs. Quantitative variables were analyzed using the student?s t-test , Kruskal?Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. When the ß-TM groups were compared with controls, there were no statistically significant differences found in the mean FD values, the ROIs of the trabecular bone, or the SVE. There was a significant correlation in the mean MCW, PMI, ROI of cortical bone (ROI 1), and MCI between ß-TM and control groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.047, and p = 0.046, respectively). The mean MCW values correlated with the SVE in both the ß-TM and control groups (p = 0.031 and p < 0.001, respectively). While the mean MCW values correlated with the MCI (p = 0.04) in the control group, the mean MCW values were not correlated with the MCI (p = 0.493) in ß-TM group. The current study revealed lower MCW and PMI values in the ß-TM group. While the mean FD values of trabecular bone is similar to the control groups, the mean FD value is lower in cortical bone in the ß-TM group. MCW, PMI, FD of cortical bone and MCI may be key indicators in individuals with beta-thalassemia major

Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Maternal Plasma in Down Syndrome Pregnancies Using Isobaric Tagging Reagent (iTRAQ)

Currently no specific biomarkers exist for the screening of pregnancies at risk for down syndrome (DS). Since a quantitative proteomic approach with isobaric labelling (iTRAQ) has recently been suggested to be highly suitable for the discovery of novel plasma biomarkers, we have now used this method to examine for potential quantitative changes in the plasma proteome of the pregnancies bearing DS fetuses in comparison to normal healthy babies. In our study, we used plasma from six women with DS pregnancies and six with uncomplicated pregnancies care were taken to match cases and controls for gestational and maternal age, as these could be a confounder. In our quantitative proteomics analysis we were able to detect 178 proteins using iTRAQ labelling in conjunction with 4800 MALDI TOF/TOF. Amongst these we observed changes in βHCG, a known screening marker for DS, indicating that our assay was functional. We found a number of elevated proteins Ig lambda chain C region, serum amyloid P-component, amyloid beta A4, and under expressed proteins like gamma-actin and titin in DS pregnancies. These proteins are also found in the sera of patients with Alzheimer disease, which share similar pathologies of DS. Our study therefore indicates that the iTRAQ labelling approach may be indeed useful for the detection of novel biomarkers

The special role of ultrasound for screening, staging and surveillance of malignant ovarian tumors: distinction from other methods of diagnostic imaging

Ovarian cancer is the most aggressive gynecologic malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate ranging around 40%. A crucial factor influencing the prognosis is early detection of a suspicious mass and referral to a gynecologic oncology center for further diagnosis, staging and debulking surgery. Here, we present the different imaging methods ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging, computer tomography (CT) and 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT that are used for the characterization, diagnosis, staging and surveillance of ovarian cancer. In this review, we focus on US and discuss in detail the advantages and the limitations, as well as the appropriate indications for each of the individual imaging techniques