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Purpose Scleral buckling is currently used in addition to vitrectomy for the treatment of pseudophakic retinal detachment (PRD) to better support the vitreous base and better visualisation of the periphery. Aims The aims of this study are to evaluate (1) whether the combination of 20 G vitrectomy and scleral buckling is superior to 20 G vitrectomy alone (control) (confirmatory), and (2) whether transconjunctival 23/25 G vitrectomy is non-inferior to 20 G vitrectomy (both without scleral buckling) regarding operation success (exploratory). Methods The VIPER (Vitrectomy Plus Encircling Band Vs. Vitrectomy Alone For The Treatment Of Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment) study is an unmasked, multi-centre, three-arm randomised trial. Patients with PRD were eligible, excluding complicated retinal detachment or otherwise severe ophthalmologic impairment. Patients were randomised to one of three interventions: 20 G vitrectomy alone (control C), combination of 20 G vitrectomy and circumferential scleral buckling (experimental treatment E1) or 23/25 G vitrectomy alone (experimental treatment E2). The primary endpoint is the absence of any indication for a retina re-attaching procedure during 6 months of follow-up. Secondary endpoints include best corrected visual acuity, retina reattaching procedures, complications and adverse events. Results From June 2011 to August 2013, 257 patients were enrolled in the study. The internet randomisation service assigned 100 patients each to the treatment arms C and E1, and 57 patients to treatment E2. The imbalance is due to the fact that several retinal surgeons did not qualify for performing E2. The random assignment was stratified and balanced (ie, 1:1 or 1:1:1 ratio) by surgeon. Conclusions The described study represents a methodologically rigorous protocol evaluating the benefits of three different vitrectomy approaches to PRD. The projected results will help to establish their overall efficacy and will permit conclusions regarding their relative value. Trial registration number DRKS00003158 (German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smectic liquid crystals form freely-suspended, fluid films of highly uniform structure and thickness, making them ideal systems for studies of hydrodynamics in two dimensions. We have measured particle mobility and shear viscosity by direct observation of the gravitational drift of silica spheres and smectic islands included in these fluid membranes. In thick films, we observe a hydrodynamic regime dominated by lateral confinement effects, with the mobility of the inclusion determined predominantly by coupling of the fluid flow to the fixed boundaries of the film. In thin films, the mobility of inclusions is governed primarily by coupling of the fluid to the surrounding air, as predicted by Saffman-Delbrück theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cells regulate their volume in response to changes in osmolarity of both, their extracellular and intracellular environments. As stability of the cell volume is a compelling exigency for cellular integrity, techniques for a sensitive, time-resolved volume measurement of adherently grown mammalian cells attract considerable interest, especially in the field of cell physiology and biology. In this study we apply a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based biosensor for the comparative analysis of the volume responses of two renal epithelial cell types to non-isotonic challenges. The on-line, label-free and non-invasive biosensor format shows distinct similarities and differences in the reaction kinetics of the two cell types. Furthermore regulatory volume responses to the osmotic stimuli as well as their inhibition by Gd3+ ions can be observed with a high time-resolution. Limit-of-detection measurements indicate the high sensitivity of the sensor capable of detecting cellular volume responses of adherently grown mammalian cells to osmotic stimuli well below a bioanalytical relevant value of 5mOsm/kg. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pharmaceuticals and their metabolites have developed as ecotoxicologically relevant micropollutants in the aquatic environment. During conventional biological wastewater treatment they are eliminated insufficiently and therefore reach surface waters via discharges. They are either partially or completely non-biodegradable and/or hardly eliminable by activated sludge adsorption because they often have polar structures. Membrane bioreactor treatment (MBR) was applied to pre-treat wastewater containing pharmaceutical compounds, e.g., antibiotics like floxacins and their synthetic precursor compounds. Our objectives were to eliminate these persistent target compounds from wastewater prior to discharge into receiving waters. Therefore an advanced treatment applying MBR combined with different chemical and physicochemical processes was performed. The addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC), nano filtration (NF), reverse osmosis (UO) or ozone (O3) and O3/UV were applied to MBR permeate spiked with the selected target compounds. Treatment efficiency was assessed using conventional inorganic and organic chemical analyses besides advanced physicochemical methods like liquid chromatography coupled with mass and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS and --MS-MS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the scope of the study, nine waste waters from the chemical and textile industries were treated in bench-scale (laboratory scale) and small-scale (pilot scale) membrane bioreactors. Depending on wastewater characteristics, the resulting performance varied significantly. It was observed that MBR effectiveness was determined primarily by the degree of biodegradability of the wastewater. In the course of several months of operation, no significant changes associated with the complete retention of the biomass by the membranes were observed. In some cases, it was possible to improve effluent quality by using smaller molecular separation sizes. The flux performance of the membrane modules was dependent on wastewater composition. Occasionally, non-degradable macromolecular substances concentrated in the bioreactor, resulting in strongly reduced filterability and flow performance of the membrane modules, consequently also reducing the economic viability of the process. The results demonstrate that wastewater- specific pilot tests are absolutely necessary, in particular if the technology is to be used for new applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To synthesize primary research into the impact of person‐centred diabetes self‐management education, and support that targets people with type 2 diabetes, on behavioural, psychosocial and cardiometabolic outcomes and to identify effective mechanisms underlying positive outcomes of person‐centred diabetes self‐management education and support. Methods: Using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method, we conducted a systematic search of peer‐reviewed literature published between January 2008 and June 2019 using PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL. After article selection according to established criteria, study quality was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists for cohort studies, randomized controlled trials and qualitative research. Results: From 1901 identified records, 22 (19 quantitative, two qualitative, and one mixed methods) were considered eligible for inclusion. Interventions were categorized by content, medium of delivery, and outcomes. Qualitative studies, quantitative cohort studies and randomized controlled trials demonstrated positive outcomes, with no differences in success rates across study design. Interventions were largely successful in improving HbA1c and patient‐reported outcomes such as quality of life but had limited success in lowering cholesterol and weight, or initiating long‐term improvements in lifestyle behaviours. Primary objectives were achieved more often than secondary objectives, and studies with fewer outcomes appeared more successful in achieving specific outcomes. Conclusions: Person‐centred diabetes self‐management education and support has demonstrated a considerable impact on desired diabetes‐related outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes. To advance the field further, new studies should take advantage of systematic and transparent approaches to person‐centred diabetes self‐management education. What's new?: No previous systematic review has examined the impact of person‐centred diabetes self‐management education targeting people with type 2 diabetes.The included studies were largely successful in improving patient‐reported outcomes and HbA1c.Studies were not successful in lowering cholesterol, weight or long‐term improvements in health behaviour, but no study reported undesired outcomes.To advance the field further, new studies should take advantage of provided systematic and transparent approaches to person‐centred diabetes self‐management education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite half a century of research, the biology of dinoflagellates remains enigmatic: they defy many functional and genetic traits attributed to typical eukaryotic cells. Genomic approaches to study dinoflagellates are often stymied due to their large, multi-gigabase genomes. Members of the genus Symbiodinium are photosynthetic endosymbionts of stony corals that provide the foundation of coral reef ecosystems. Their smaller genome sizes provide an opportunity to interrogate evolution and functionality of dinoflagellate genomes and endosymbiosis. We sequenced the genome of the ancestral Symbiodinium microadriaticum and compared it to the genomes of the more derived Symbiodinium minutum and Symbiodinium kawagutii and eukaryote model systems as well as transcriptomes from other dinoflagellates. Comparative analyses of genome and transcriptome protein sets show that all dinoflagellates, not only Symbiodinium, possess significantly more transmembrane transporters involved in the exchange of amino acids, lipids, and glycerol than other eukaryotes. Importantly, we find that only Symbiodinium harbor an extensive transporter repertoire associated with the provisioning of carbon and nitrogen. Analyses of these transporters show species-specific expansions, which provides a genomic basis to explain differential compatibilities to an array of hosts and environments, and highlights the putative importance of gene duplications as an evolutionary mechanism in dinoflagellates and Symbiodinium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]