Oncologic long-term outcome of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for colorectal cancer

Purpose Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been introduced as a less invasive alternative to multi-port laparoscopic surgery (MLS). MLS is widely accepted for the treatment of colorectal cancer, but there remains minimal evidence for the use of SILS. Thus, we compared both short- and long-term outcomes of SILS and open surgery (OS) in matched cohorts of colorectal cancer patients. Methods Some 910 patients had colorectal resections for cancer between 2006 and 2013, and 134 of them were operated on using SILS. Eighty of these SILS patients were compared to a cohort of patients who had open surgery that were matching in tumour stage and location, type of resection, sex, age and ASA Score. Disease-free survival at 5 years (5y-DFS) was the primary endpoint; morbidity and hospitalization were secondary parameters. The role of surgical training in SILS was also investigated. Results Clavien Dindo ≥ IIIb complications occurred in 13.8% in both groups. 5y-DSF were 82% after SILS and 70% after OS (p = 0.11). Local recurrence after rectal cancer tended to be lower after SILS (0/43 (SILS) vs. 4/35 (OS), p = 0.117). Length of stay was significantly shorter after SILS (10 vs. 14 days, p = 0.0004). The rate of operations performed by surgical residents was equivalent in both groups (44/80 (SILS) vs. 46/80 (OS), p = 0.75). Conclusion The data demonstrates that SILS results in similar long-term oncological outcomes when compared to open surgery as well as morbidity rates. The hospital stay in the SILS group was shorter. SILS can also be incorporated in surgical training programmes

Flotation therapy for downer cows

Cattle that become recumbent (unable to get up) as the result of calving difficulty, low blood calcium, traumatic injuries, or other disorders are prone to develop subsequent pressure damage of muscles, nerves, and areas of skin. The resulting medical problems that are secondary to prolonged recumbency may be more life-threatening than the initial medical disorder that caused recumbency. Flotation therapy is an effective means of physical therapy for rehabilitation of downer cattle. A description of flotation therapy and data from the first year of use of the flotation tank at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Kansas State University, are presented.; Dairy Day, 1996, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 1996

A morphological view on mitochondrial protein targeting

Mitochondrial protein targeting includes both intramitochondrial sorting of proteins encoded by the organellar genome and import and subsequent sorting of nuclear encoded precursor proteins. Only a few proteins are encoded by the mitochondrial genome and synthesized in the organellar matrix. These include predominantly inner membrane proteins that are perhaps co-translationally inserted into this membrane. Biochemical data suggest that insertion into the inner membrane may be confined to the inner boundary membrane. Ultrastructurally, however, a preferential association of ribosomes with either inner boundary or cristae membranes has not been established. The majority of the mitochondrial proteins are nuclear encoded and synthesized as precursors in the cytosol. Electron microscopic studies revealed that import of precursor proteins is generally confined to sites where both mitochondrial envelope membranes are closely apposed. In line with these observations, biochemical studies indicated that precursor proteins destined for the inner membrane or matrix have to interact with the energized inner membrane to allow complete passage of the precursor through the outer membrane. As a consequence, the mitochondrial envelope membranes have to be in close proximity at protein import sites. In isolated mitochondria distinct sites (designated as contact sites) exist where both envelope membranes are closely apposed and presumably stably associated. In situ, however, mitochondrial boundary membranes are in close proximity over large areas that cover almost the entire mitochondrial periphery. Consequently, the relative area of the mitochondrial surface, where both boundary membranes are in sufficient proximity for allowing protein translocation, is generally larger in situ compared to that in isolated organelles. Immunocytochemical localization studies showed a rather random distribution of components of the mitochondrial protein translocation machinery over the entire mitochondrial surface and not confined to contact sites. Based on these ultrastructral data and recent biochemical findings we propose that mitochondrial protein import sites are dynamic in nature and include relatively labile regions of close association of the boundary membranes. In vitro, however, mitochondrial protein import may preferentially take place at or near the presumably stable contact sites

A dynamic model of the mitochondrial protein import machinery

Many proteins are translocated into or across two mem-branes in order to reach their functional destination; these include many nuclear-encoded mitochondrial and chloro-plast proteins, as well as proteins transported into or across the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. In eukaryotes, mechanistic insights have been obtained mainly with the mitochondrial two-membrane transport system. By generating translocation intermediates that span both mitochondrial membranes at the same time, it has been demonstrated that the outer and inner mem-brane translocation machineries cooperate in the import of preproteins (Hart1 and Neupert, 1990; Baker and Schatz, 1991). Translocation contact sites were defined as mito-chondrial import sites where the outer and inner mem-branes are so close together that they can be spanned b

Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Ultraschallstehwellenzerstäubung in der Lackiertechnik : Vergleich der Tropfengrößenverteilungen mit pneumatischer, hydraulischer und Hochrotationszerstäubung

von Jörn VestweberPaderborn, Univ., Diss., 200

Protein translocation across mitochondrial membranes

Protein translocation across biological membranes is of fundamental importance for the biogenesis of organelles and in protein secretion. We will give an overview of the recent achievements in the understanding of protein translocation across mitochondrial membranes(1-5). In particular we will focus on recently identified components of the mitochondrial import apparatus