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Background: The cytostatic effects of the polyphenol curcumin andViscum albumextract (VAE) were assessed in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) cells.Methods: Eight human STS cell lines were used: fibrosarcoma (HT1080), liposarcoma (SW872, T778, MLS-402), synovial sarcoma (SW982, SYO1, 1273), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (U2197). Primary human fibroblasts served as control cells. Cell proliferation, viability, and cell index (CI) were analyzed by BrdU assay, MTT assay, and real-time cell analysis (RTCA).Results: As indicated by BrdU and MTT, curcumin significantly decreased the cell proliferation of five cell lines (HT1080, SW872, SYO1, 1273, and U2197) and the viability of two cell lines (SW872 and SW982). VAE led to significant decreases of proliferation in eight cell lines (HT1080, SW872, T778, MLS-402, SW982, SYO1, 1293, and U2197) and reduced viability in seven STS lines (HT1080, SW872, T778, MLS-402, SW982, SYO1, and 1273). As indicated by RTCA for 160 h, curcumin decreased the CI of all synovial sarcoma cell lines as well as T778 and HT1080. VAE diminished the CI in most of the synovial sarcoma (SW982, SYO1) and liposarcoma (SW872, T778) cell lines as well as HT1080. Primary fibroblasts were not affected adversely by the two compounds in RTCA.Conclusion: Curcumin and VAE can inhibit the proliferation and viability of STS cells. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Injuries to the major nerves in the upper extremities can result in severe disabilities as well as alternative occupations or early retirement for the patient. This talk synopsis focuses on the prerequisites and strategies to reconstruct these injuries by secondary nerve repair as well as tendon transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of these studies was to investigate the practicality of flow cytometric sex-sorting for spermatozoa from the white and the black rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum, Diceros bicornis). In Experiment 1, four semen extenders were tested regarding their suitability for liquid preservation of spermatozoa before sorting. Dilution in MES-HEPES–based semen extender followed by incubation generated best sperm quality parameters (motility, viability, and acrosome integrity). In Experiment 2, the effect of staining method (15°C for 4 to 6h during transport or 37°C for 1 to 1.5h) on sort efficiency and sperm quality was investigated. Staining at 15°C during transport resulted in a higher percentage of sperm samples showing a resolution of X- and Y-chromosome–bearing populations (60%) compared with that for staining at 37°C after transport (33%) and resulted in superior sperm integrity after staining (43.8±11.3% vs. 19.6±12.1%). Sort rate was 300 to 700 cells/sec and sort purity, determined for one sorted sample, was 94% for X-chromosome–bearing spermatozoa. In Experiment 3, the highly viscous component of rhinoceros seminal plasma, which complicates the process of sperm sorting, was examined by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Results suggested a 250-kDa glycoprotein (most likely originating from the bulbourethral gland) to be responsible for the characteristic viscosity of ejaculates. In Experiment 4, viscosity of seminal plasma, as measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy, was significantly decreased after addition of α-amylase or collagenase (0.5 and 3IU per 100μL seminal plasma, respectively) by 28% and 21%, respectively, with no negative effect on sperm characteristics. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time that rhinoceros spermatozoa can be successfully sorted into high-purity X- and Y-chromosome–bearing populations. Furthermore, the successful liquefaction of viscous ejaculates provides the means to greatly improve sort-efficiency in this species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Contents Flow cytometric sexing of spermatozoa followed by application in artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization provides a unique opportunity to predetermine the sex of offspring and might enhance the conservation management of endangered species in captivity such as the elephant and rhinoceros. To obtain an indication of the sortability of spermatozoa from these species, the relative DNA differences between X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa (fresh, frozen thawed, epididymal) from three rhinoceros species [white ( Ceratotherium simum), black ( Diceros bicornis), Indian ( Rhinoceros unicornis)] and both elephant species, the Asian and the African elephant ( Elephas maximus, Loxodonta Africana), were determined through separation of spermatozoa into X and Y chromosome bearing populations, using a modified high speed flow cytometer. The head profile areas of spermatozoa from all five species were measured using light microscopy. By multiplying the relative DNA differences and the head profile areas, the sperm sorting indices were calculated to be 47, 48 and 51 for white, black and Indian rhinoceros respectively. The calculated sorting index for the Asian elephant was 66. In the African elephant, we determined the highest sorting index of 76. These results indicate the practicability of flow cytometric sex sorting of spermatozoa from the tested rhinoceros species and both elephant species. The lower sorting indices in rhinos indicate that sex sorting of spermatozoa from the rhinoceros will be more challenging than in elephants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60-year-old woman with a severe necrosis caused by a blunt trauma of her right upper arm is described. She had a history of ablation and radiotherapy of her right breast followed by a diagnosis of breast cancer 34 years previously. An angiogram revealed a complete occlusion of the right subclavian artery. After the reperfusion of the right arm, the necrosis at the upper arm was resected. After further operations, the wound could finally be closed with a skin graft. Today, the patient is able to complete all her activities of daily living. Despite a restriction in her range of motion, she complains about intermittent pain. Arterial occlusion of the ipsilateral limb is a rare event decades after mastectomy and radiation. A related necrosis in these dimensions and successful limb-saving treatment has not been previously described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates have improved over the past decade, multiple pregnancies have become a formidable problem. The solution to this problem seems simple by mandating the reduction in numbers of embryos transferred. However, this is typically not accomplished without a compromise in the pregnancy rate. There have been a number of approaches designed to address high order multiple pregnancies from multi factorial analysis of early cleavage stage embryos to the development of extended culture systems, both of which require manipulations in the culture environment. Manipulations in embryo culture environment may not be benign. Several studies have demonstrated that adverse culture conditions have effects on gene expression and imprinting. Studies have also demonstrated that singleton human IVF babies have lower birth weight and higher incidence of congenital anomalies than natural conception babies. All of these factors need to be considered in relation to long term viability of IVF babies and the Barker hypothesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Scapholunate instability frequently leads to chronic pain or even severe osteoarthritis of the wrist. Most favored reconstruction techniques of chronic SL-ligament injuries are based on the usage of a tendon, although there is still a lack of consensus which technique is superior. Materials and methods: In a retrospective cohort analysis we compared 9 patients who underwent SL-ligament repair according to Van den Abbeele and 12 patients who underwent modified three ligament tenodesis according to Garcia-Elias, performed at a single institution. Results: Follow-up of Van den Abbeele group was 36–120 months and 13–39 months in the Garcia Elias cohort. Although both techniques showed good functional outcome in most cases, modified three ligament tenodesis seemed to be advantageous regarding wrist range of motion (162°) compared to Van den Abbeele cohort (87°). Moreover, pain score showed significant differences between the two cohorts during follow up (VAS Van den Abbeele 4.2; VAS Garcia Elias 1.7). Interestingly, DASH-score (16.1 Van den Abbeele; 16.8 Garcia Elias) and modified mayo wrist score (72 Van den Abbeele; 69 Garcia-Elias) did not show any differences between the two patient cohorts. Conclusions: Via implementation of modified three ligament tenodesis as a standard of care for our patients we could improve the functional outcome after SL-ligament injuries and effectively decrease postoperative pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian preimplantation embryo development is a complex process in which the exact timing and sequence of events are as essential as the accurate execution of the events themselves. Time-lapse microscopy (TIM) is an ideal toot to study this process since the ability to capture images over time provides a combination of morphological, dynamic and quantitative information about developmental events. Here, we systematically review the application of TIM in basic and clinical embryo research. We identified all relevant preimplantation embryo TIM studies published in English up to May 2012 using PubMed and Google Scholar. We then analysed the technical challenges involved in embryo TIM studies and how these challenges may be overcome with technological innovations. Finally, we reviewed the different types of TIM embryo studies, with a special focus on how TIM can benefit clinical assisted reproduction. Although new parameters predictive of embryo development potential may be discovered and used clinically to potentially increase the success rate of IVF, adopting TIM to routine clinical practice wilt require innovations in both optics and image analysis. Combined with such innovations, TIM may provide embryologists and clinicians with an important toot for making critical decisions in assisted reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents In this study, a simple model to simulate a uterine environment affected by subclinical endometritis was established by culturing isolated primary bovine uterine epithelial cells (pbUEC). Co-incubation of pbUEC and polymorphonuclear (PMN) granulocytes derived from peripheral bovine blood samples, was performed before testing the cell culture supernatant for production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) via ELISA. Cytokine secretion was only detectable after co-incubation of pbUEC with PMN, whereas neither pbUEC nor PMN alone generated IL-8 in relevant chemo attractive doses. Another objective was to examine the influence of bovine seminal plasma (SP) and vesicular gland fluid (VGF) on various functional parameters of PMN including cell viability, production of reactive oxygen species and chemotaxis. Analysis of these effects was conducted by flow cytometry. Viability of PMN was determined by staining the cells with propidium iodide. Seminal plasma was added to suspensions of PMN in increasing increments and resulted in a significant increase of cell membrane damaged PMN when using SP concentrations above 0.2%. The reactive oxygen species production of PMN suspensions, stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, was significantly decreased by 30% up to 90% when adding 0.06-30‰ of either SP or VGF. The PMN transmigration induced by IL-8 was diminished by 50% when 0.4‰ of either SP or VGF were added. The results of this study indicate a potential regulatory impact of SP and VGF on inflammatory processes in the bovine uterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to search for observational evidence of vertical iron stratification in the atmosphere of 14 blue horizontal-branch (BHB) stars. We have found from our numerical simulations that five BHB stars: B22, B186 in the globular cluster NGC 288, WF 820, WF 2692 in M13 and B203 in M15 show clear signatures of the vertical stratification of iron whose abundance increases toward the lower atmosphere. Two other BHB stars (B334 in M15 and B176 in M92) also show possible iron stratification in their atmosphere. A dependence of the slope of iron stratification on the effective temperature was also discovered. It is found that the vertical stratification of iron is strongest in BHB stars with Teff around 11 500 K. The slope of iron abundance decreases as Teff increases and becomes negligible for the BHB stars with K. These results support the hypothesis regarding the efficiency of atomic diffusion in the stellar atmospheres of BHB stars with K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empyema of the wrist is a rare but serious condition in hand surgery. The diagnostics are challenging due to higher incidences of the differential diagnoses and relies heavily on the anamnesis and clinical findings. For the treatment, in addition to classical arthrotomy, an arthroscopic approach is also justified in mild cases, always in combination with antibiotic treatment. The long-term results essentially depend on the stage of the inflammation and the delay before initiating treatment, so that a timely diagnosis is paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Therapie der Wahl bei Weichteilsarkomen mit lokalisiertem Befall besteht weiterhin in der kompletten chirurgischen Entfernung im Gesunden. Das Ziel der operativen Therapie ist die Erlangung tumorfreier Resektionsränder im Sinne einer R0-Resektion. Keine andere Therapiemöglichkeit kann diese wichtige onkologische Kondition ebenbürtig ersetzen. Die enorme Entwicklung im Bereich der rekonstruktiven plastischen Chirurgie und hier insbesondere die Fortschritte in der Lappentechnik und Mikrochirurgie erlauben den Extremitätenerhalt und die funktionelle Rekonstruktion auch bei ausgedehnten Fällen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]