Flap-based breast reconstructions

Breast cancer reconstruction is generally broken down into two major categories: Implant based and autologous. Both can provide excellent aesthetic results in the well selected patient although the decision ultimately comes down to the patient under the guidance of a reconstructive plastic surgeon. Implant based reconstruction is beyond the scope of this text, rather we will discuss autologous based reconstructive options. Broadly classified, tissue based reconstruction can be categorized as local or free tissue transfer. The general theme is the use of excess or expendable tissue in order to reconstruct breast defects. Studies have shown women are more satisfied with autologous based reconstruction compared to implanted based. In this chapter we will discuss different tissue flap options in the reconstructive plastic surgeons armamentarium, special considerations and how it relates to the oncologic breast surgeon

Flap-based breast reconstructions

Breast cancer reconstruction is generally broken down into two major categories: Implant based and autologous. Both can provide excellent aesthetic results in the well selected patient although the decision ultimately comes down to the patient under the guidance of a reconstructive plastic surgeon. Implant based reconstruction is beyond the scope of this text, rather we will discuss autologous based reconstructive options. Broadly classified, tissue based reconstruction can be categorized as local or free tissue transfer. The general theme is the use of excess or expend­able tissue in order to reconstruct breast defects. Studies have shown women are more satisfied with autologous based reconstruction compared to implanted based. In this chapter we will discuss different tissue flap options in the reconstructive plastic surgeons armamentarium, special considerations and how it relates to the oncologic breast surgeon

Quantifying Degree of Sensitization in Aluminum Alloys using Acoustic Resonance and EMAT Ultrasound

Sensitization of 5xxx series aluminum alloys is characterized by the gradual precipitation of the alloying element magnesium as a beta phase (Al3Mg2) along the grain boundaries after prolonged exposure to the environment. While the 5xxx alloy is corrosion resistant, these beta phases are corrosive and thus their formation increases the susceptibility of the alloy to intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking. The standardized approach for measuring the degree of sensitization (DoS) is the ASTM G67 test standard. This test, however, is time consuming, difficult to perform, and destructive as it involves measurement of a mass loss after exposing the alloy to a nitric acid solution. Given the limitations of this test standard, there is a need to develop a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) solution that is easy-to-use, non-intrusive, and faster than current inspection methods while suitable for use outside a laboratory. This paper describes an NDE method for quantifying the DoS value in an alloy using ultrasonic measurements. The work builds upon prior efforts described in the literature which use electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) to quantify DoS based on velocity and attenuation measurements. These approaches used conventional ultrasonic inspection techniques with short-duration excitation signals (less than 3 cycles) to allow identification of the echo time-of-flight and amplitude decay pattern, but their success was limited by EMAT transducer inefficiency in general and especially at higher frequencies. To overcome these challenges, this paper presents a modified ultrasonic measurement strategy using long-duration excitation signals (greater than 100 cycles), where multiple reverberations in the material overlap. By sweeping through test frequencies, it is possible to establish an acoustic resonance when the wavelength is an integer multiple of twice the material thickness. This approach allows for greatly improved signal to noise ratios as well as higher frequency operation since the reverberations will constructively interfere at resonance. The measurement approach was evaluated on a large number of 5083 and 5456 aluminum alloys specimens that were sensitized to varying DoS values and compared to G67 test results. Relationships between DoS values and the ultrasonic velocity and attenuation were established

Whatcom wind energy ordinance

The purpose of this ordinance is to create zoning text language that facilitates the installment and construction of wind energy systems (WES) within Whatcom County for private landowners, taking into account interests expressed by residents. This action is needed, because current height limitations of underlying zoning districts unduly restrict the installment of these systems. This action responds to the goals and objectives outlined in the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan and Washington State Growth Management Act. The action helps move the project area towards desired conditions described in that plan by placing a high priority on healthy air quality and environmental protection of the community. It also helps support the plan\u27s goal to promote renewable energy systems, such as SWES, within Whatcom County and the greater Puget Sound area. Whatcom County has had numerous inquiries and building permit applications for SWES\u27s which are currently permitted as an accessory use within the zoning code, but the height limitations of the underlying zoning districts are not practical for a windmill

Investigating Methodological Differences in the Assessment of Dendritic Morphology of Basolateral Amygdala Principal Neurons-A Comparison of Golgi-Cox and Neurobiotin Electroporation Techniques

Quantitative assessments of neuronal subtypes in numerous brain regions show large variations in dendritic arbor size. A critical experimental factor is the method used to visualize neurons. We chose to investigate quantitative differences in basolateral amygdala (BLA) principal neuron morphology using two of the most common visualization methods: Golgi-Cox staining and neurobiotin (NB) filling. We show in 8-week-old Wistar rats that NB-filling reveals significantly larger dendritic arbors and different spine densities, compared to Golgi-Cox-stained BLA neurons. Our results demonstrate important differences and provide methodological insights into quantitative disparities of BLA principal neuron morphology reported in the literature

Multiple roles of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in synaptic plasticity in juvenile hippocampus

AbstractIn the CA1 area of the hippocampus N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) mediate the induction of long-term depression (LTD), short-term potentiation (STP) and long-term potentiation (LTP). All of these forms of synaptic plasticity can be readily studied in juvenile hippocampal slices but the involvement of particular NMDAR subunits in the induction of these different forms of synaptic plasticity is currently unclear. Here, using NVP-AAM077, Ro 25-6981 and UBP145 to target GluN2A-, 2B- and 2D-containing NMDARs respectively, we show that GluN2B-containing NMDARs (GluN2B) are involved in the induction of LTD, STP and LTP in slices prepared from P14 rat hippocampus. A concentration of Ro (1 μM) that selectively blocks GluN2B-containing diheteromers is able to block LTD. It also inhibits a component of STP without affecting LTP. A higher concentration of Ro (10 μM), that also inhibits GluN2A/B triheteromers, blocks LTP. UBP145 selectively inhibits the Ro-sensitive component of STP whereas NVP inhibits LTP. These data are consistent with a role of GluN2B diheretomers in LTD, a role of both GluN2B- and GluN2D- containing NMDARs in STP and a role of GluN2A/B triheteromers in LTP.This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Ionotropic glutamate receptors’

Hippocampus specific iron deficiency alters competition and cooperation between developing memory systems

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common gestational micronutrient deficiency in the world, targets the fetal hippocampus and striatum and results in long-term behavioral abnormalities. These structures primarily mediate spatial and procedural memory, respectively, in the rodent but have interconnections that result in competition or cooperation during cognitive tasks. We determined whether ID-induced impairment of one alters the function of the other by genetically inducing a 40% reduction of hippocampus iron content in late fetal life in mice and measuring dorsal striatal gene expression and metabolism and the behavioral balance between the two memory systems in adulthood. Slc11a2hipp/hipp mice had similar striatum iron content, but 18% lower glucose and 44% lower lactate levels, a 30% higher phosphocreatine:creatine ratio, and reduced iron transporter gene expression compared to wild type (WT) littermates, implying reduced striatal metabolic function. Slc11a2hipp/hipp mice had longer mean escape times on a cued task paradigm implying impaired procedural memory. Nevertheless, when hippocampal and striatal memory systems were placed in competition using a Morris Water Maze task that alternates spatial navigation and visual cued responses during training, and forces a choice between hippocampal and striatal strategies during probe trials, Slc11a2hipp/hipp mice used the hippocampus-dependent response less often (25%) and the visual cued response more often (75%) compared to WT littermates that used both strategies approximately equally. Hippocampal ID not only reduces spatial recognition memory performance but also affects systems that support procedural memory, suggesting an altered balance between memory systems

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead