Monitoring tools for DevOps and microservices: A systematic grey literature review

Microservice-based systems are usually developed according to agile practices like DevOps, which enables rapid and frequent releases to promptly react and adapt to changes. Monitoring is a key enabler for these systems, as they allow to continuously get feedback from the field and support timely and tailored decisions for a quality-driven evolution. In the realm of monitoring tools available for microservices in the DevOps-driven development practice, each with different features, assumptions, and performance, selecting a suitable tool is an as much difficult as impactful task. This article presents the results of a systematic study of the grey literature we performed to identify, classify and analyze the available monitoring tools for DevOps and microservices. We selected and examined a list of 71 monitoring tools, drawing a map of their characteristics, limitations, assumptions, and open challenges, meant to be useful to both researchers and practitioners working in this area. Results are publicly available and replicable

Bone morphogenetic proteins − 7 and − 2 in the treatment of delayed osseous union secondary to bacterial osteitis in a rat model

Background: Bone infections due to trauma and subsequent delayed or impaired fracture healing represent a great challenge in orthopedics and trauma surgery. The prevalence of such bacterial infection-related types of delayed non-union is high in complex fractures, particularly in open fractures with additional extensive soft-tissue damage. The aim of this study was to establish a rat model of delayed osseous union secondary to bacterial osteitis and investigate the impact of rhBMP-7 and rhBMP-2 on fracture healing in the situation of an ongoing infection. Methods: After randomization to four groups 72 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a transverse fracture of the midshaft tibia stabilized by intramedullary titanium K-wires. Three groups received an intramedullary inoculation with Staphylococcus aureus (103 colony-forming units) before stabilization and the group without bacteria inoculation served as healing control. After 5 weeks, a second surgery was performed with irrigation of the medullary canal and local rhBMP-7 and rhBMP-2 treatment whereas control group and infected control group received sterile saline. After further 5 weeks rats were sacrificed and underwent biomechanical testing to assess the mechanical stability of the fractured bone. Additional micro-CT analysis, histological, and histomorphometric analysis were done to evaluate bone consolidation or delayed union, respectively, and to quantify callus formation and the mineralized area of the callus. Results: Biomechanical testing showed a significantly higher fracture torque in the non-infected control group and the infected rhBMP-7- and rhBMP-2 group compared with the infected control group (p < 0.001). RhBMP-7 and rhBMP-2 groups did not show statistically significant differences (p = 0.57). Histological findings supported improved bone-healing after rhBMP treatment but quantitative micro-CT and histomorphometric results still showed significantly more hypertrophic callus tissue in all three infected groups compared to the non-infected group. Results from a semiquantitative bone-healing-score revealed best bone-healing in the non-infected control group. The expected chronic infection was confirmed in all infected groups. Conclusions: In delayed bone healing secondary to infection rhBMP treatment promotes bone healing with no significant differences in the healing efficacy of rhBMP-2 and rhBMP-7 being noted. Further new therapeutic bone substitutes should be analyzed with the present rat model for delayed osseous union secondary to bacterial osteitis

The Evolution of the Pedicled Radial Forearm Flap

Because of the thin skin envelope of the hand, especially at the dorsum, flaps are frequently required for defect reconstruction in the hand. The pedicled radial forearm flap is a time proven procedure that offers reliable coverage in this area without the need of advanced microsurgical expertise. Despite several alternatives and an increasing acceptance of free tissue transfers, the pedicled radial forearm flap can still be the procedure of choice under special circumstances. Variations of the original technique address the two main disadvantages, the conspicuous donor site and the sacrifice of the radial artery. Indications, anatomy, surgical technique, and limitations of this classic workhorse flap are presented