Magnet Resonance Angiography versus Conventional Angiography for the Planning of Reconstructive Surgeries

Summary:: Assessing the vascular status and anatomy of the lower extremity is of crucial importance when planning the coverage of a tissue defect with a free flap. The standard techniques comprise the clinical examination, Doppler ultrasound and Doppler sonography for healthy patients without suspected direct trauma to the vascular system, and conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA), respectively, in case of traumatized vessels or patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease. Materials:: We have conducted a prospective study for the comparison of the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to the conventional DSA. Fourteen patients were examined presurgically by means of both a conventional DSA and an MRA before undergoing planned microvascular coverage of tissue defects of the lower extremity. The surgeon, based on a questionnaire, assessed and compared both examination results according to their information content. Furthermore, the presurgically planned level and localization of the vascular anastomoses and the intraoperative findings were compared postoperatively. Results:: The MRA examination yielded sufficient information on the vascular anatomy to enable the surgeon to carry out a detailed presurgical planning. Additionally, the use of MRA showed clear advantages with regard to both patient and user comfort. Conclusion:: Taking into account the advantages for the assessment of vessels using MRA, in particular when considering the impact of the frequently varying vascular anatomy of the lower leg on reconstructive surgery, as well as the significantly lower morbidity rate of the examination itself, then the MRA must be regarded as a safe alternative to the DS

Making the GRADE (GRading and Admissions Data for England)

Objectives To provide a data owner’s perspective into the journey to create GRADE, an Ofqual-DfE-UCAS linked administrative dataset, and to make it available for independent research. Moving from the ethical principles underpinning the sharing of data and through multiple strands of the project, we will draw lessons to inform best practice. Methods Areas of research interest were used as drivers to define the content of GRADE. To ensure that research questions of relevance to both policy makers and scholars could be addressed, we established an advisory committee including key representatives of the statistical, research, and educational policy communities. Thanks to the collaboration with technical staff from participating organisations, the data was linked to ensure that students’ anonymised data could be tracked across different data sources. We then focused on supporting external research by producing metadata and supplementary documentation, as well as establishing independent funding provision for projects using the GRADE data. Results The internal research conducted was helpful to inform policy development and to test the data. The GRADE data was created and made available to external researchers. A data sharing framework was published to describe, at high-level, the content of the data and its potential use, as well as to set out how to access this rich source of micro-data. Detailed data specifications have been made available, alongside a low-fidelity synthetic version of the data. Numerous research projects based on the GRADE data are currently underway and preliminary findings are already being disseminated. More research is being planned, based on an upcoming refreshed version of the GRADE data. Significant funding has been made available for external researchers to conduct independent work. Conclusion Creating, combining, and sharing administrative data is not an easy task. Engagement with researchers and the wider community is necessary from the beginning of the project. It is a considerable investment, with potentially high returns, but also significant costs, and the output produced must align with policy and research priorities

Iatrogenic Neurovascular Entrapment InjuriesCaused by Reduction and IntramedullaryFixation of Fractures of the Lower Limb

Background:: Damage to the main neurovascular trunk in the lower limb due to trauma has also been described in the literature. Little attention, however, has been directed toward the quantitative assessment of iatrogenic injury to peripheral neurovascular structures caused by the treatment of open fractures in the lower limb. Obtaining an angiography of the lower limb early in the course of treatment of such injuries is necessary. Methods:: We performed a retrospective analysis of 253 patients with open fractures. We divided into them into two groups, treated either with an intramedullary (A) or an extramedullary (B) approach. We furthermore noted whether a free tissue transfer was necessary in either group. Particular attention was directed to iatrogenic neurovascular injuries caused by reduction and intramedullary fixation. Results:: In group A, we found two cases of entrapment of the anterior tibial artery and its concomitant veins, and the deep peroneal nerve. In group B, we recorded four cases of iatrogenic injuries to the common peroneal nerve. Free tissue transfer was performed in 102 cases, 4 of which were emergency free flaps. Conclusion:: We wish to stress that ascertaining the anatomy and patency of the vascular anatomy of the injured limb early during the primary assessment of the patient, either by palpation, portable Doppler flowmeter, duplex sonography, or angiography before, and preferably also after, reduction and intramedullary nailing of the fracture is in our view mandatory, before any treatment of the fracture is envisione

Human mesenchymal stem cells stimulate EaHy926 endothelial cell migration:combined proteomic and in vitro analysis of the influence of donor-donor variability

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stimulate angiogenesis within a wound environment and this effect is mediated through paracrine interactions with the endothelial cells present. Here we report that human MSC-conditioned medium (n=3 donors) significantly increased EaHy-926 endothelial cell adhesion and cell migration, but that this stimulatory effect was markedly donor-dependent. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry demonstrated that whilst collagen type I and fibronectin were secreted by all of the MSC cultures, the small leucine rich proteoglycan, decorin was secreted only by the MSC culture that was least effective upon EaHy-926 cells. These individual extracellular matrix components were then tested as culture substrata. EaHy-926 cell adherence was greatest on fibronectin-coated surfaces with least adherence on decorin-coated surfaces. Scratch wound assays were used to examine cell migration. EaHy-926 cell scratch wound closure was quickest on substrates of fibronectin and slowest on decorin. However, EaHy-926 cell migration was stimulated by the addition of MSC-conditioned medium irrespective of the types of culture substrates. These data suggest that whilst the MSC secretome may generally be considered angiogenic, the composition of the secretome is variable and this variation probably contributes to donor-donor differences in activity. Hence, screening and optimizing MSC secretomes will improve the clinical effectiveness of pro-angiogenic MSC-based therapies

Self-assembled arginine-capped peptide bolaamphiphile nanosheets for cell culture and controlled wettability surfaces

The spontaneous assembly of a peptide bolaamphiphile in water, namely, RFL4FR (R, arginine; F, phenylalanine; L, leucine) is investigated, along with its novel properties in surface modification and usage as substrates for cell culture. RFL4FR self-assembles into nanosheets through lateral association of the peptide backbone. The L4 sequence is located within the core of the nanosheets, whereas the R moieties are exposed to the water at the surface of the nanosheets. Kinetic assays indicate that the self-assembly is driven by a remarkable two-step process, where a nucleation phase is followed by fast growth of nanosheets with an autocatalysis process. The internal structure of the nanosheets is formed from ultrathin bolaamphiphile monolayers with a crystalline orthorhombic symmetry with cross-β organization. We show that human corneal stromal fibroblast (hCSF) cells can grow on polystyrene films coated with films dried from RFL4FR solutions. For the first time, this type of amphiphilic peptide is used as a substrate to modulate the wettability of solid surfaces for cell culture applications

MCT8 expression in human fetal cerebral cortex is reduced in severe intrauterine growth restriction

The importance of the thyroid hormone (TH) transporter, monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8), to human neurodevelopment is highlighted by findings of severe global neurological impairment in subjects with MCT8 (SLC16A2) mutations. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), usually due to uteroplacental failure, is associated with milder neurodevelopmental deficits, which have been partly attributed to dysregulated TH action in utero secondary to reduced circulating fetal TH concentrations and decreased cerebral thyroid hormone receptor expression. We postulate that altered MCT8 expression is implicated in this pathophysiology; therefore, in this study, we sought to quantify changes in cortical MCT8 expression with IUGR. First, MCT8 immunohistochemistry was performed on occipital and parietal cerebral cortex sections obtained from appropriately grown for gestational age (AGA) human fetuses between 19 weeks of gestation and term. Secondly, MCT8 immunostaining in the occipital cortex of stillborn IUGR human fetuses at 24–28 weeks of gestation was objectively compared with that in the occipital cortex of gestationally matched AGA fetuses. Fetuses demonstrated widespread MCT8 expression in neurons within the cortical plate and subplate, in the ventricular and subventricular zones, in the epithelium of the choroid plexus and ependyma, and in microvessel wall. When complicated by IUGR, fetuses showed a significant fivefold reduction in the percentage area of cortical plate immunostained for MCT8 compared with AGA fetuses (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the proportion of subplate microvessels immunostained. Cortical MCT8 expression was negatively correlated with the severity of IUGR indicated by the brain:liver weight ratios (r(2)=0.28; P<0.05) at post-mortem. Our results support the hypothesis that a reduction in MCT8 expression in the IUGR fetal brain could further compromise TH-dependent brain development

Initial Results from the TechnoSat in-Orbit Demonstration Mission

Until now, Technische Universität Berlin successfully developed, built and operated sixteen satellites ranging from several single unit CubeSats to a 56 kg Earth observation mission. The recently launched TechnoSat mission has the primary objective to demonstrate and test novel small satellite technologies and components in Low Earth Orbit. To this end, the 20 kg spacecraft carries seven payloads. One payload, for example, is the fluid-dynamic actuator developed by Technische Universität Berlin. This novel attitude actuator is based on momentum storage via a liquid metal that is accelerated using an electromagnetic pump. The secondary mission objective of TechnoSat is the in-orbit verification of the newly developed satellite platform TUBiX20 of Technische Universität Berlin. This platform bases on a modular systems design and provides scalability regarding selected performance parameters, which allows for tailoring of the platform towards individual mission requirements. TechnoSat was launched into a 600 km Sun-synchronous orbit on the 14th of July 2017. Since then, experiments are successfully conducted regularly with all payloads and the analysis of the collected data is in progress. This paper presents first orbit results of the TechnoSat mission focusing on selected technology demonstration payload

New Paradigms in Banking, Financial Markets and Regulation?

On May 11-12, 2011, SUERF, the Belgian Financial Forum, the Brussels Finance Institute and the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) jointly organised the 29th SUERF Colloquium New paradigms in money and finance? The papers included in this SUERF Study are based on contributions to the Colloquium. The 2008-11 financial crisis has demonstrated unsatisfactory performance in financial institutions and in financial regulation and supervision all over the world. The contributors to the present volume look with critical eyes on financial theories, supervisory structures, (mis)pricing of risk and distorted incentives, risk management models and procedures, conflicts of interest and bank strategies. Their perspectives are quite different, but they share the ambition of finding improved analytical, organizational or managerial approaches so that decisionmakers have a better chance of showing good performance in the future. In essence, they are looking for new paradigms in banking, financial markets and regulation

Rare mutations in SQSTM1 modify susceptibility to frontotemporal lobar degeneration

Mutations in the gene coding for Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) have been genetically associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Paget disease of bone. In the present study, we analyzed the SQSTM1 coding sequence for mutations in an extended cohort of 1,808 patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), ascertained within the European Early-Onset Dementia consortium. As control dataset, we sequenced 1,625 European control individuals and analyzed whole-exome sequence data of 2,274 German individuals (total n = 3,899). Association of rare SQSTM1 mutations was calculated in a meta-analysis of 4,332 FTLD and 10,240 control alleles. We identified 25 coding variants in FTLD patients of which 10 have not been described. Fifteen mutations were absent in the control individuals (carrier frequency < 0.00026) whilst the others were rare in both patients and control individuals. When pooling all variants with a minor allele frequency < 0.01, an overall frequency of 3.2 % was calculated in patients. Rare variant association analysis between patients and controls showed no difference over the whole protein, but suggested that rare mutations clustering in the UBA domain of SQSTM1 may influence disease susceptibility by doubling the risk for FTLD (RR = 2.18 [95 % CI 1.24-3.85]; corrected p value = 0.042). Detailed histopathology demonstrated that mutations in SQSTM1 associate with widespread neuronal and glial phospho-TDP-43 pathology. With this study, we provide further evidence for a putative role of rare mutations in SQSTM1 in the genetic etiology of FTLD and showed that, comparable to other FTLD/ALS genes, SQSTM1 mutations are associated with TDP-43 pathology

OVINOCULTURA LEITEIRA NO BRASIL: ASPECTOS E FATORES RELACIONADOS À COMPOSIÇÃO, AO CONSUMO E À LEGISLAÇÃO

Ao longo dos últimos anos a ovinocultura leiteira vem ganhando espaço no mercado internacional e nacional brasileiro. Sua exploração mostra-se bastante vantajosa e rentável, visto que, o leite de ovelha carrega consigo características tecnológicas importantes para a indústria de alimentos. Seu elevado potencial de ser transformado em derivados lácteos, que agregam alta qualidade nutricional, atrai investidores e consumidores. As altas concentrações de sólidos totais presentes no leite de ovelha permitem a formulação de queijos, iogurtes e manteigas, de rentabilidade superior a de outras espécies. Fatores como a raça, a alimentação, a estação do ano, o estágio de lactação e o estado sanitário são variáveis que influenciam diretamente na composição do leite de ovelha. No Brasil, ainda não existe legislação específica para controle da qualidade do leite de ovinos, o que demonstra a necessidade de sua criação. São poucos os estudos brasileiros que caracterizam a composição e qualidade do leite de ovelha produzido no Brasil, sendo assim, importante o estudo das suas características e fatores que determinam sua composição. Este trabalho tem como objetivo projetar um delineamento da ovinocultura leiteira brasileira, com enfoque nos aspectos da legislação, da composição e da qualidade do leite