Optofluidic components for biomedical applications

In the last years the term Optofluidics has popped up in a large amount of scientific publications. The goal of this thesis is to prove Optofluidics as an applicable, powerful tool for distinct biological and medical applications. In the main part of this work, an optofluidic sensing unit for the determination of liquid concentration is presented. In an experimental evaluation, the sensor was tested with different dissolved molecules including phosphate and lactose. Depending on the analyte, a smallest detectable change in concentration of 10 to 40mmol/L was determined. Besides the sensing device, a new subfield of optofluidics was introduced for the very first time. Thermo-optofluidics deals with the integration of thermal elements in optofluidic systems. Compared to solely solid based realizations more than twice the theoretical switching frequency can be achieved. In conclusion, the applicability of optofluidics for different sensor as well as actuator systems was experimentally proven. All the devices were fabricated applying low-cost, rapid-prototyping fabrication techniques which allow the realization of cost-effective hand-held devices

Herpes simplex virus colitis mimicking acute severe ulcerative colitis: a case report and review of the literature

A 60-year-old female patient with longstanding left-sided ulcerative colitis presented with symptoms mimicking an acute flare and developed a colonic perforation shortly after starting steroid treatment. Following left hemicolectomy and Hartmann's procedure, rescue treatment with infliximab was started. Within a few days, the patient developed hepatic failure. Histology and immunohistochemistry of the specimen revealed extensive necrotizing herpes simplex virus colitis, and liver biopsy demonstrated herpes simplex virus hepatitis. Sixteen days after admission, the patient died from multiorgan failure. This compelling case of severe herpes simplex virus colitis raises awareness of a rare but potentially detrimental infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Delay of total joint replacement is associated with a higher 90-day revision rate and increased postoperative complications

Purpose Delay of elective surgeries, such as total joint replacement (TJR), is a common procedure in the current pandemic. In trauma surgery, postponement is associated with increased complication rates. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of postponement on surgical revision rates and postoperative complications after elective TJR. Methods In a retrospective analysis of 10,140 consecutive patients undergoing primary total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) between 2011 and 2020, the effect of surgical delay on 90-day surgical revision rate, as well as internal and surgical complication rates, was investigated in a university high-volume arthroplasty center using the institute’s joint registry and data of the hospital administration. Moreover, multivariate logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounding variables. Results Two thousand four hundred and eighty TJRs patients were identified with a mean delay of 13.5 ± 29.6 days. Postponed TJR revealed a higher 90-day revision rate (7.1–4.5%, p < 0.001), surgical complications (3.2–1.9%, p < 0.001), internal complications (1.8–1.2% p < 0.041) and transfusion rate (2.6–1.8%, p < 0.023) than on-time TJR. Logistic regression analysis confirmed delay of TJRs as independent risk factor for 90-day revision rate [OR 1.42; 95% CI (1.18–1.72); p < 0.001] and surgical complication rates [OR 1.51; 95% CI (1.14–2.00); p = 0.04]. Conclusion Alike trauma surgery, delay in elective primary TJR correlates with higher revision and complication rates. Therefore, scheduling should be performed under consideration of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Level of evidence Level III—retrospective cohort study

MODELAGEM LINEAR GENERALIZADA PARA DESCREVER O INCREMENTO EM ÁREA TRANSVERSAL DE ÁRVORES INDIVIDUAIS DE IMBUIA

Modelos de crescimento em nível de árvores individuais são aplicados para a quantificação e descrição dos fatores que afetam o ritmo de crescimento das árvores. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo objetivou aplicar a abordagem de Modelos Lineares Generalizados (MLG) para descrever o incremento periódico anual em área transversal de árvores individuais de Ocotea porosa (Nees) Barroso em floresta natural mista e inequiânea a partir de medições de variáveis dendrométricas e morfométricas e de índices de competição. Na modelagem, avaliaram-se três tipos de distribuições aleatórias contínuas para a variável resposta: Normal, Gamma e Gaussiana Inversa; com diferentes funções de ligação: identidade (μ), logarítmica (ln μ) e de potência (μλ). O MLG com distribuição Gamma e função de ligação logarítmica apresentou as melhores estimativas, sendo o crescimento da espécie expresso pelo diâmetro, altura total, diâmetro de copa, relação h/d e pelo índice de competição de Lorimer. Essa metodologia permitiu predições não enviesadas, com maior acuracidade e realismo biológico na interpretação dos coeficientes de regressão, quando comparados aos métodos convencionais com transformação na variável dependente

Outcome nach Gelenkersatz bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Grunderkrankung

Hintergrund Der künstliche Gelenkersatz ist für Patienten mit fortgeschrittenen rheumatisch degenerativen Gelenkveränderungen eine sinnvolle Therapieoption. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Einfluss rheumatischer Grunderkrankungen auf postoperative Komplikationen und „patient-reported outcome“ (PRO) nach elektivem Gelenkersatz („total joint replacement“ [TJR]) zu untersuchen. Materialien und Methoden In einer retrospektiven Analyse von 9149 Patienten nach elektiver Knie- oder Hüfttotalendoprothesenimplantation (TKR und THR) wurden Komplikationsraten und PRO von Patienten mit und ohne rheumatische Grunderkrankung („rheumatic disease“ [RD]) verglichen. Multivariate logistische Regressionsmodelle wurden verwendet, um festzustellen, ob rheumatische Grunderkrankungen einen unabhängigen Risikofaktor für verschiedene Komplikationen darstellen. Ergebnisse RD-Patienten hatten nach TJR in den univariaten Analysen ein erhöhtes Risiko für internistische Komplikationen (7,1 % vs. 5,2 %, p = 0,028) und Clavien-Dindo-Grad-IV-Komplikationen (2,8 % vs. 1,8 %, p = 0,048). Dies konnte in multivariaten statistischen Analysen bestätigt werden (p = 0,034). Die Raten für operative Revisionen und chirurgische Komplikationen waren vergleichbar (2,5 % vs. 2,4 %, p = 0,485). Die Analyse des PRO ergab eine höhere Responderrate bei Patienten mit RD nach TKR (91,9 % vs. 84,5 %, p = 0,039). Die Responderrate nach THR war hingegen vergleichbar (93,4 % vs. 93,2 %, p = 0,584). Schlussfolgerung Trotz teilweise erhöhter postoperativer Komplikationsraten zeigen Patienten mit rheumatischer Grunderkrankung 1 Jahr nach Operation ein vergleichbares Outcome nach TJR. RD-Patienten nach TKR zeigen sogar höhere Responderraten. RD-Patienten sind zwar eine vulnerable Patientengruppe, können aber dennoch von einem Gelenkersatz profitieren

Validation of a Blood-Based Laboratory Test to Aid in the Confirmation of a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

We describe the validation of a serum-based test developed by Rules-Based Medicine which can be used to help confirm the diagnosis of schizophrenia. In preliminary studies using multiplex immunoassay profiling technology, we identified a disease signature comprised of 51 analytes which could distinguish schizophrenia (n = 250) from control (n = 230) subjects. In the next stage, these analytes were developed as a refined 51-plex immunoassay panel for validation using a large independent cohort of schizophrenia (n = 577) and control (n = 229) subjects. The resulting test yielded an overall sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 83% with a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) of 89%. These 51 immunoassays and the associated decision rule delivered a sensitive and specific prediction for the presence of schizophrenia in patients compared to matched healthy controls

Distinct, IgG1-driven antibody response landscapes demarcate individuals with broadly HIV-1 neutralizing activity

Understanding pathways that promote HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) induction is crucial to advance bnAb-based vaccines. We recently demarcated host, viral, and disease parameters associated with bnAb development in a large HIV-1 cohort screen. By establishing comprehensive antibody signatures based on IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 activity to 13 HIV-1 antigens in 4,281 individuals in the same cohort, we now show that the same four parameters that are significantly linked with neutralization breadth, namely viral load, infection length, viral diversity, and ethnicity, also strongly influence HIV-1-binding antibody responses. However, the effects proved selective, shaping binding antibody responses in an antigen and IgG subclass-dependent manner. IgG response landscapes in bnAb inducers indicated a differentially regulated, IgG1-driven HIV-1 antigen response, and IgG1 binding of the BG505 SOSIP trimer proved the best predictor of HIV-1 neutralization breadth in plasma. Our findings emphasize the need to unravel immune modulators that underlie the differentially regulated IgG response in bnAb inducers to guide vaccine development

Cytogenetic analysis of five Hypostomus species (Siluriformes, Loricariidae)

In this work, we analyzed the karyotypes of five Hypostomus species. Hypostomus cf. heraldoi, from the Mogi-Guaçu River, had 2n = 72 chromosomes, with a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) in one chromosomal pair. Hypostomus regani, from the Mogi-Guaçu River had 2n = 72 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus sp., from the Mogi-Guaçu River basin, had 2n = 68 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus aff. agna, from Cavalo Stream, had 2n = 74 chromosomes with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus cf. topavae, from Carrapato Stream, had 2n = 80 chromosomes, with NORs in two chromosomal pairs. Hypostomus species showed marked diversity in the karyotypic formula, which suggested the occurrence of several Robertsonian rearrangements and pericentric inversions during the evolutionary history of this genus. This hypothesis was supported by the occurrence of a large number of uniarmed chromosomes and multiple NORs in a terminal position in most species and may be a derived condition in the Loricariidae

Working in the Public Interest Law Conference

Entirely student organized, WIPI seeks to bring together eminent practitioners in their respective fields, students, and faculty to discuss practical approaches to lawyering which can best serve the poor. Practical methods of challenging poverty are often not covered in traditional law school courses. This conference seeks to remedy that and provide dynamic, creative ways to combat poverty through the vehicle of the law