Vorschlag für ein Kompetenzprofil für Studienberater/-innen an Hochschulen in der Allgemeinen Studienberatung

In der Arbeit wird ein Kompetenzprofil für Berater der Allgemeinen Studienberatung an Hochschulen entwickelt. Das Kompetenzmodell wird mittels einem systemtheoretischen Hintergrund hergeleitet. Dabei werden verschiedenen Ebenen (Beratungsprozess, Ratsuchende, Beratende, Organisation und Gesellschaft) berücksichtigt. Auf das Systemische Kontextmodell nach Schiersmann et al. (2008) wird Bezug genommen. Die Entwicklung der Allgemeinen Studienberatung an Hochschulen und deren Aufgaben werden dargestellt. Studienberatungsstellen sind mittlerweile an den Hochschulen fest institutionalisierte Einrichtungen und ein Teil der Bildungs- und Berufsberatung. Für die Studienberatung existiert aufgrund der breit gefächerten Vielfalt bislang weder eine klare allgemeingültige Tätigkeitsbeschreibung noch eine eindeutige Aufgabentrennung zwischen unterschiedlichen Akteuren im Bereich der Studienberatung innerhalb einer Hochschule. Die Hochschulen sind in der Ausgestaltung ihres Beratungsangebotes autonom. Dies hat zur Folge, dass die Beratung in der Regel von verschiedenen Einrichtungen innerhalb der Hochschule wahrgenommen wird und deren Verortung sowie die inhaltlich-fachliche Anbindung innerhalb der Hochschulen unterschiedlich ist. Studienberatung, als ein Teil der Bildungs- und Berufsberatung, definiert sich aus theoretischen Grundlagen professioneller Beratung und den hochschulspezifischen Rahmenbedingungen. Daher ist es für die Akzeptanz eines Kompetenzprofils für Studienberater unerlässlich, dieses theorie- und praxisbegründet zu entwickeln. Unter den Gesichtspunkten Professionalität und Qualität ergeben sich folgende Fragen: Wer berät wann, wie und mit welcher Kompetenz und mit welchen Methoden zu welchen Themen? Welche Ansprüche darf ein Ratsuchender an die Beratenden haben? Nach welchen Grundsätzen erfolgt professionelle Beratung? Welche Methoden sind angemessen? Was müssen Beratende wissen und können? Welche Kompetenzen sollen Beratende haben bzw. sich aneignen

Preconditioning of Bioactive Glasses before Introduction to Static Cell Culture: What Is Really Necessary?

Due to their high bioreactivity, the in-vitro analysis of bioactive glasses (BGs) can be challenging when it comes to maintaining a physiological pH. To improve BG biocompatibility, a heterogenic spectrum of preconditioning approaches, such as “passivation” of the BGs by incubation in cell culture medium, are used but have never been directly compared. In this study, the effect of passivation periods of up to 72 h on pH alkalization and viability of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells was evaluated to determine a time-efficient passivation protocol using granules based on the 45S5-BG composition (in wt%: 45.0 SiO2, 24.5 Na2O, 24.5 CaO, 6.0 P2O5) in different concentrations. pH alkalization was most reduced after passivation of 24 h. Cell viability continuously improved with increasing passivation time being significantly higher after passivation of at least 24 h compared to non-passivated 45S5-BG and the necessary passivation time increased with increasing BG concentrations. In this setting, a passivation period of 24 h presented as an effective approach to provide a biocompatible cell culture setting. In conclusion, before introduction of BGs in cell culture, different passivation periods should be evaluated in order to meet the respective experimental settings, e.g., by following the experimental protocols used in this study

NÓS X A GENTE: UMA ANÁLISE DOS PRONOMES NAS CRÔNICAS DE LUIS FERNANDO VERÍSSIMO

Esta pesquisa compara as ocorrências dos pronomes nós e a gente na língua escrita e analisa os usos do segundo quanto à referência semântica, tendo como amostra seis obras de Luis Fernando Veríssimo. Observou-se que o uso do pronome nós predomina sobre o pronome a gente. Quanto à análise das referências semânticas, concluiu-se que, entre referências específica e genérica, há a predominância de uso do pronome a gente de forma genérica, característica herdada do substantivo gente.This study compares the occurrences of the pronouns “nós” and “a gente” in written language and analyzes the uses of the latter in terms of semantic reference, considering as a sample six texts by Luis Fernando Veríssimo. It was observed that the use of the pronoun “nós” prevails over the pronoun “a gente”. The analysis of semantic references shows that, between specific and generic references, the use of “a gente” prevails in generic form, a characteristic inherited from the noun “gente”

Evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of bioactive glass (S53P4) in the treatment of non-unions of the tibia and femur: study protocol of a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial

Background: Treatment of non-union remains challenging and often necessitates augmentation of the resulting defect with an autologous bone graft (ABG). ABG is limited in quantity and its harvesting incurs an additional surgical intervention leaving the risk for associated complications and morbidities. Therefore, artificial bone graft substitutes that might replace autologous bone are needed. S53P4-type bioactive glass (BaG) is a promising material which might be used as bone graft substitute due to its osteostimulative, conductive and antimicrobial properties. In this study, we plan to examine the clinical effectiveness of BaG as a bone graft substitute in Masquelet therapy in comparison with present standard Masquelet therapy using an ABG with tricalciumphosphate to fill the bone defect. Methods/design: This randomized controlled, clinical non-inferiority trial will be carried out at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Heidelberg University. Patients who suffer from tibial or femoral non-unions with a segmental bone defect of 2–5 cm and who are receiving Masquelet treatment will be included in the study. The resulting bone defect will either be filled with autologous bone and tricalciumphosphate (control group, N = 25) or BaG (S53P4) (study group, N = 25). Subsequent to operative therapy, all patients will receive the same standardized follow-up procedures. The primary endpoint of the study is union achieved 1year after surgery. Discussion: The results from the current study will help evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this promising biomaterial in non-union therapy. In addition, this randomized trial will help to identify potential benefits and limitations regarding the use of BaG in Masquelet therapy. Data from the study will increase the knowledge about BaG as a bone graft substitute as well as identify patients possibly benefiting from Masquelet therapy using BaG and those who are more likely to fail, thereby improving the quality of non-union treatment. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), ID: DRKS00013882 . Registered on 22 January 2018

Multidimensional imaging for skin tissue surface characterization

Human skin, the outer and largest organ covering our body, can be described in terms of both its 3D spatial topography and its 2D spectral reflectance. Such a characterization normally requires the application of separate procedures using different kinds of equipment, where spectral reflectance can only be obtained from a small patch of the skin surface. This paper investigates the integration of multiple imaging modalities to simultaneously capture both spectral and spatial information from the skin surface over a wide area. By extending the imaging spectrum from the visible to the near-infrared (NIR), we improve general recovery, obtain a more detailed skin profile, and are able to identify the distribution of various principal chromophores within the deeper dermal layers. Experiments show that new dimensions of skin characterization can be generated through the recovered geometrical and spectral information, so that an enhanced visibility of important skin physiological phenomena can be achieved. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

MagnetOs, Vitoss, and Novabone in a Multi-endpoint Study of Posterolateral Fusion: A True Fusion or Not?

Study Design:This study was a multi-endpoint analysis of bone graft substitutes implanted as a standalone graft in a clinically relevant Ovine model of instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion (PLF).Objective:The objective of this study was to obtain high-quality evidence on the efficacy of commercial bone graft substitutes compared with autograft in instrumented PLF using a state-of-the-art model with a complete range of assessment techniques.Summary of Background Data:Preclinical and clinical data on the quality of spinal fusions obtained with bone graft substitutes are often limited. Calcium phosphates with submicron topography have shown promising results in PLF, as these are able to induce bone formation in tissues distant from the host bone, which facilitates bony union.Methods:Nine female, skeletally mature sheep (4-5 y) underwent posterior pedicle screw/rods instrumented PLF at L2-L3 and L4-L5 using the following bone graft materials as a standalone graft per spinal segment: (1) biphasic calcium phosphate with submicron topography (BCPμ), (2) 45S5 Bioglass (BG), and (3) collagen-β-tricalcium phosphate with a 45S5 Bioglass adjunct (TCP/BG). Autograft bone (AB) was used as a positive control treatment. Twelve weeks after implantation, the spinal segments were evaluated by fusion assessment (manual palpation, x-ray, micro-computed tomography, and histology), fusion mass volume quantification (micro-computed tomography), range of motion (ROM) testing, histologic evaluation, and histomorphometry.Results:Fusion assessment revealed equivalence between AB and BCPμ by all fusion assessment methods, whereas BG and TCP/BG led to significantly inferior results. Fusion mass volume was highest for BCPμ, followed by AB, BG, and TCP/BG. ROM testing determined equivalence for spinal levels treated with AB and BCPμ, while BG and TCP/BG exhibited higher ROM. Histologic evaluation revealed substantial bone formation in the intertransverse regions for AB and BCPμ, whereas BG and TCP/BG grafts contained fibrous tissue and minimal bone formation. Histologic observations were supported by the histomorphometry data.Conclusions:This study reveals clear differences in efficacy between commercially available bone graft substitutes, emphasizing the importance of clinically relevant animal models with multiendpoint analyses for the evaluation of bone graft materials. The results corroborate the efficacy of calcium phosphate with submicron topography, as this was the only material that showed equivalent performance to autograft in achieving spinal fusion

3D bioactive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue worldwide, with over four million operations using bone grafts or bone substitute materials annually to treat bone defects. However, significant limitations affect current treatment options and clinical demand for bone grafts continues to rise due to conditions such as trauma, cancer, infection and arthritis. Developing bioactive three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to support bone regeneration has therefore become a key area of focus within bone tissue engineering (BTE). A variety of materials and manufacturing methods including 3D printing have been used to create novel alternatives to traditional bone grafts. However, individual groups of materials including polymers, ceramics and hydrogels have been unable to fully replicate the properties of bone when used alone. Favourable material properties can be combined and bioactivity improved when groups of materials are used together in composite 3D scaffolds. This review will therefore consider the ideal properties of bioactive composite 3D scaffolds and examine recent use of polymers, hydrogels, metals, ceramics and bio-glasses in BTE. Scaffold fabrication methodology, mechanical performance, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and potential clinical translations will be discussed

Defective proliferation and osteogenic potential with altered immunoregulatory phenotype of native bone marrow-multipotential stromal cells in atrophic fracture non-union

Bone marrow-Multipotential stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are increasingly used to treat complicated fracture healing e.g., non-union. Though, the quality of these autologous cells is not well characterized. We aimed to evaluate bone healing-related capacities of non-union BM-MSCs. Iliac crest-BM was aspirated from long-bone fracture patients with normal healing (U) or non-united (NU). Uncultured (native) CD271highCD45low cells or passage-zero cultured BM-MSCs were analyzed for gene expression levels, and functional assays were conducted using culture-expanded BM-MSCs. Blood samples were analyzed for serum cytokine levels. Uncultured NU-CD271highCD45low cells significantly expressed fewer transcripts of growth factor receptors, EGFR, FGFR1, and FGRF2 than U cells. Significant fewer transcripts of alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), osteocalcin (BGLAP), osteonectin (SPARC) and osteopontin (SPP1) were detected in NU-CD271highCD45low cells. Additionally, immunoregulation-related markers were differentially expressed between NU- and U-CD271highCD45low cells. Interestingly, passage-zero NU BM-MSCs showed low expression of immunosuppressive mediators. However, culture-expanded NU and U BM-MSCs exhibited comparable proliferation, osteogenesis, and immunosuppression. Serum cytokine levels were found similar for NU and U groups. Collectively, native NU-BM-MSCs seemed to have low proliferative and osteogenic capacities; therefore, enhancing their quality should be considered for regenerative therapies. Further research on distorted immunoregulatory molecules expression in BM-MSCs could potentially benefit the prediction of complicated fracture healing