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Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by distinct pathological changes, their precise impact on cortical functions are not well understood. Here we used TASTPM mice as an AD model and asked whether the development of neurodegenerative changes has an impact on the extracellular space (ECS) and neuronal excitability, in particular cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) which requires intact neuron and glial functions. We studied wildtype (WT) and TASTPM mice (3, 6, and 12 months old). TASTPM mice showed progressive proliferation of neocortical Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques between 3 and 12 months (more deposits in females than in males) and Aβ accumulation in cortical vessels. As plaques proliferated, neuroinflammatory microglial reaction (CD68, CD39 and Galectin-3) and astrogliosis (GFAP) developed progressively. The cortical ECS volume shrank significantly to about half the size of the WT. CSD in both WT and TASTPM mice showed considerable heterogeneity but did not correlate with the histological changes. However, CSDs were easier to elicit in TASTPM than in WT mice at 3 months, and also compared to older TASTPM mice. Moreover, TASTPM mice showed more hyperexcitability manifested as clonic-tonic behavior after sodium thiopental anesthesia. Thus, AD pathology was associated with abnormal hyperexcitability but did not homogenously alter CSD susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We constrain the role of different Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) channels in the chemical enrichment of the Galaxy by studying the abundances of nickel in Galactic stars. We investigated four different SN Ia sub-classes, including the classical single-degenerate near-Chandrasekhar mass (Mch) SN Ia, the fainter SN Iax systems associated with He accretion from the companion, as well as two sub-Chandrasekhar mass (sub-Mch) SN Ia channels. The latter include the double detonation of a white dwarf accreting helium-rich matter and violent white dwarf mergers. Methods. The chemical abundances in Galactic stars were determined using Gaia eDR3 astrometry and photometry and high-resolution optical spectra. Non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) models of Fe and Ni were used in the abundance analysis. We included new delay-time distributions arising from the different SN Ia channels in models of the Galactic chemical evolution, as well as recent yields for core-collapse supernovae and asymptotic giant branch stars. The data-model comparison was performed using a Markov chain Monte Carlo framework that allowed us to explore the entire parameter space allowed by the diversity of explosion mechanisms and the Galactic SN Ia rate, taking the uncertainties of the observed data into account. Results. We show that NLTE effects have a non-negligible impact on the observed [Ni/Fe] ratios in the Galactic stars. The NLTE corrections to Ni abundances are not large, but strictly positive, lifting the [Ni/Fe] ratios by ∼ + 0.15 dex at [Fe/H] −2. We find that the distributions of [Ni/Fe] in LTE and in NLTE are very tight, with a scatter of ≲0.1 dex at all metallicities. This supports earlier work. In LTE, most stars have scaled solar Ni abundances, [Ni/Fe] ≈ 0, with a slight tendency for sub-solar [Ni/Fe] ratios at lower [Fe/H]. In NLTE, however, we find a mild anti-correlation between [Ni/Fe] and metallicity, and slightly elevated [Ni/Fe] ratios at [Fe/H] ≲ −1.0. The NLTE data can be explained by models of the Galactic chemical evolution that are calculated with a substantial fraction, ∼75%, of sub-Mch SN Ia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis pain is among the most frequent chronic pains. In most cases the pain is nociceptive in its nature resulting from inflammatory and damaging processes which are associated with the progressive cartilage degeneration. MRI studies can visualize inflammatory processes and bone marrow lesions. Histological assessment of the synovial layer obtained during arthroplasty shows different grades of synovitis which are correlated with pain intensity. Chondrocytes of the osteoarthritic joint can contribute to joint inflammation by the release of inflammatory mediators. Typically the whole nociceptive system is in a state of hyperexcitability including the peripheral and central nociceptive system (peripheral and central sensitization). Such a sensitization is typical for inflammatory processes. Endogenous pain inhibition, e.g. the activity of inhibitory systems descending from the brainstem to the spinal cord, can be reduced in osteoarthritis. Peripheral and central sensitization can be documented by anamnesis and the methods of Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST). Part of the patients exhibit in addition neuropathic pain components which suggest neuronal damage, at least at later disease stages. Comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus can significantly aggravate pain intensity. Pain therapy aims to attenuate the state of hyperexcitability. This is partly possible with the application of cyclooxygenase inhibitors which reduce prostaglandin synthesis. Since other mediators, e.g. proinflammatory cytokines also sensitize nociceptive neurons, the pain is often not sufficiently treated with COX inhibitors. It should be noted that chronic pain is best described by the biopsychosocial model. Therefore pain therapy should also address psychosocial factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Galanin (Gal) is a neuropeptide with the potential to ameliorate cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), an electrophysiological phenomenon occurring after brain injury or in migraine aura. Gal is expressed in all cortical neurons both in rat and in mouse cortices. Here we investigated whether the effect of Gal on CSD previously described in the rat is conserved in the mouse cortex. In rats, the topical application of Gal to the cortex for 1 h did not induce any change in CSD amplitudes, propagation velocity, or threshold of elicitation. Rather, topical application of Gal for 3 h was necessary to obtain a significant decrease in these CSD parameters and to develop a remarkable increase in the KCl threshold to elicit a CSD in rat cortex. In contrast, the topical application of Gal on cortical surface for 1 h in mice was sufficient to significantly attenuate CSD amplitudes and increase threshold. A thinner cortex, a faster diffusion or different affinity/expression of receptors for Gal are possible reasons to explain this difference in the time course between rats and mice. Our data are relevant to postulate Gal as a potential target for inhibition of CSD under pathological situations such as stroke or ischemia. The neuropeptide Galanin (Gal) is expressed in all neurons throughout the cerebral cortex, both in rats and mice, and is able to reduce or even inhibit Cortical Spreading Depolarization, thus, Gal has the potential to control neuronal excitability that may identify Gal as a target in drug development against CSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the constantly increasing demand for metal‐free solutions in dental therapy, numerous ceramic restorations have found their way into everyday clinical practice, but long‐term clinical data are limited. Objective: The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate three‐ and four‐unit fixed partial dentures in the posterior region made of zirconium dioxide frameworks veneered with feldspathic porcelain after 10 years in clinical use. Methods: Based on the two studies published in 2009 and 2012, in which the all‐ceramic FDPs were evaluated after 3 and 5 years of function, a clinical evaluation of a total of 17 restorations after 10 years with regard to their condition and long‐term stability was carried out in the course of this study. The restorations were fabricated using feldspathic ceramic‐veneered, yttria‐stabilised, tetragonal zirconium dioxide as the framework material. The data collection was based on modified CDA criteria and included, for example, the shape, shade, surface condition and the success and survival rates of the restorations. Results: The all‐ceramic prostheses embodied excellent biocompatibility and colour reproduction. As a result of an increased incidence of chipping fractures, the success rate was 60%. The survival rate, however, was 88.2%, as 2 of the 17 restorations were lost. Conclusion: All‐ceramic concepts for FDP constructions in the posterior region achieved satisfactory results in terms of durability after 10 years. The main problem was chipping, as has been generally recognised. Nevertheless, the materials were characterised by excellent aesthetics and biocompatibility, which ultimately makes them a good alternative to conventional restorative options. Trial registration: This study is registered in DRKS—German Clinical Trials Register with the register number DRKS00021743. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent behaviour is a phenomenon which is found within communities of individuals of the same species, although this is unknown to the individual agent. The socalled swarm intelligence is found in different degrees in insect colonies, flocks of birds, shoaling fish but also in slime moulds or bacterial films. Swarm aggregation can be triggered by increasingly difficult environmental conditions, e.g. lack of food. The new communities or superorganisms are stabilized by intensive communication among the members. The collective performance is partially due to a set of simple rules, which computer scientists use to create suitable algorithms for technical applications. This form of artificial intelligence helps to solve optimizing tasks for the efficient logistical processing of data and goods. It is striking that crosslinking the units of a biological system not only generates more complexity but also results in unprecedented synergistic effects: The entire system is more than the sum of the parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates the use of broad-band phase based motion magnification (PMM) to improve the modal parameter estimation from high-speed stereoscopic digital image correlation (DIC). PMM is used as a diagnostic technique to investigate the free vibration response of a panel. The compliant panel, consisting of a thin polycarbonate sheet, forms a test section wall in a supersonic blow-down wind tunnel, where it is used to investigate supersonic fluid-structure interaction in the presence of shock wave boundary layer interaction. The panel is excited by an impact hammer and the transient deformation is captured using high-speed cameras. The original and motion-magnified images are input to a digital image correlation algorithm to calculate the out-of-plane deformation of the panel. The measured deformation is used to extract the modal parameters of the compliant panel. By using PMM as a preprocessing tool in a broad frequency band containing multiple structural modes, the signal to noise ratio of the measured deformation is improved. The use of PMM improves the estimated mode shapes, increasing the MAC value of the first mode compared to FEM predictions from 0.29 to 0.99. Motion magnification also improves the coherence between measured input force and panel deformation by up to 13% if suitable parameters are chosen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Life under pressure Pressure is an abiotic factor that has forced organisms to adapt on many levels. Especially in marine environments is hydrostatic pressure one of the main factors for changes in morphology and physiology. On a macroscopic level there is a need for a reduction of weight, the development of means of buoyancy and new hunting strategies to survive under deep sea conditions. On a cellular level high pressure (>10 MPa) inhibits the metabolism due to a deformation of proteins. In consequence high pressure can be utilized at room temperature to sterilize food. On the other hand there are extremophile microbes and higher animals that withstand the strong mechanical impact thanks to compatible solutes for example. Even the development of healthy tissue like joint cartilage and bone is dependent on the application of pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary How life uses mirrors Organisms do not use mirrors as a means for self‐recognition, but profit from their reflective qualities in difficult environments. In mountains and deserts mirrors can be found as an adaptation to strong ultraviolet or infrared radiation, while nocturnal animals possess reflective tissues behind their retinal cells, thus augmenting their nightsight. In the ocean different groups of animals like fish and cephalopods use the deviation of light for counterillumination in order to camouflage themselves, or for the purpose of precise light emission in order to attract prey or to communicate. The fascinating wealth of ideas has inspired bionical materials that enhance the function of absorbers of sunlight for heating purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Handedness of life: Right over left? Many organisms display an asymmetry in respect to body plan and behavior which discriminates between "right" and "left". Flatfish, snails, lobsters and walruses show us, that the preference of a specific body side is often genetically determined. The exact functioning of the so‐called left‐right‐organisator (LRO) helps to understand, how the definition of the body sides is achieved during embryogenesis. The selection between "left" and "right" already takes place on a molecular level. The key‐to‐lock‐principle is regarded to be the bridge between molecular chirality and the phenotypical asymmetry of organisms. There is a connection between the accuracy of fit of metabolical partners, the following signal cascade within cells and the macroscopic displacement of organs. This culminates in the preference of the extremities of one body‐side – in most humans there is a dominance of the right side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance ratios of manganese to iron in late-type stars across a wide metallicity range place tight constraints on the astrophysical production sites of Fe-group elements. In this work, we investigate the chemical evolution of Mn in the MilkyWay galaxy using highresolution spectroscopic observations of stars in the Galactic disc and halo stars, as well as a sample of globular clusters. Our analysis shows that local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) leads to a strong imbalance in the ionisation equilibrium of Mn I and Mn II lines. Mn I produces systematically (up to 0.6 dex) lower abundances compared to the Mn II lines. Non-LTE (NLTE) radiative transfer satisfies the ionisation equilibrium across the entire metallicity range, of -3. [Fe=H]. -1, leading to consistent abundances from both ionisation stages of the element. We compare the NLTE abundances with Galactic Chemical Evolution models computed using different sources of type Ia and type II supernova (SN Ia and SN II) yields. We find that a good fit to our observations can be obtained by assuming that a significant (~75%) fraction of SNe Ia stem from a sub-Chandrasekhar (sub-Mch) channel. While this fraction is larger than that found in earlier studies (~50%), we note that we still require ~25% near-Mch SNe Ia to obtain solar [Mn/Fe] at [Fe/H] = 0. Our new data also suggest higher SN II Mn yields at low metallicity than typically assumed in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Children with migration background are at increased risk for overweight, partly due to less favorable dietary habits compared to their German counterparts. We examined the effects of practical nutrition lessons among children with a high proportion of migration background in a primary school setting. Methods Ten 3rd and 4th grade classes (n=166 children, 73% with migration background) received the intervention and nine school classes (n=139 children, 76% with migration background) served as control. Before, shortly after (only among the intervention group) and three months after the three-day practical nutrition lessons, the nutrition-related skills, behavior, attitudes, and knowledge of the children were assessed using a questionnaire. Changes between baseline and 1st follow-up among children of the intervention group were calculated using linear mixed models. Differences between the two groups for changes between baseline and 2nd follow-up were tested using linear regression analyses. Models were adjusted for potential confounders. Results Shortly after the practical nutrition lessons, the children of the intervention group had improved their knowledge (β=1.7; 95% CI: 1.0; 2.4, P<0.001) and skills (β=1.8; 95% CI: 1.4; 2.2, P<0.001). These changes were sustainable and larger in the intervention compared to the control group (knowledge: β=1.6; 95% CI: 0.7; 2.5, P<0.001; skills: β=1.3; 95% CI: 0.7; 1.9, P<0.001). Changes in nutrition-related behavior and attitudes did not differ between the groups. Conclusions Providing practical nutrition lessons in a primary school setting with a high proportion of children with immigrational background improved the children's nutrition-related knowledge and skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitory neuropeptide Galanin (Gal) has been shown to mediate anticonvulsion and neuroprotection. Here we investigated whether Gal affects cortical spreading depolarization (CSD). CSD is considered the pathophysiological neuronal mechanism of migraine aura, and a neuronal mechanism aggravating brain damage upon afflictions of the brain. Immunohistochemistry localized Gal and the Gal receptors 1–3 (GalR1–3) in native rat cortex and evaluated microglial morphology after exposure to Gal. In anesthetized rats, Gal was applied alone and together with the GalR antagonists M40, M871, or SNAP 37889 locally to the exposed cortex. The spontaneous electrocorticogram and CSDs evoked by remote KCl pressure microinjection were measured. In rat cortex, Gal was present in all neurons of all cortical layers, but not in astrocytes, microglia and vessels. GalR2 and GalR3 were expressed throughout all neurons, whereas GalR1 was preponderantly located at neurons in layers IV and V, but only in about half of the neurons. In susceptible rats, topical application of Gal on cortex decreased CSD amplitude, slowed CSD propagation velocity, and increased the threshold for KCl to ignite CSD. In some rats, washout of previously applied Gal induced periods of epileptiform patterns in the electrocorticogram. Blockade of GalR2 by M871 robustly prevented all Gal effects on CSD, whereas blockade of GalR1 or GalR3 was less effective. Although microglia did not express GalRs, topical application of Gal changed microglial morphology indicating microglial activation. This effect of Gal on microglia was prevented by blocking neuronal GalR2. In conclusion, Gal has the potential to ameliorate CSD thus reducing pathophysiological neuronal events caused by or associated with CSD. • Gal, GalR2/3 are expressed by all cortical neurons and GalR1 only by a minority. • Gal decreases amplitudes and velocity and increases the threshold of CSD in rat. • The washout of applied Gal from cortex induced ictal activity in some animals. • Gal effects on CSD amplitudes and threshold are prevented by GalR2 antagonist M871. • Cortical Gal application induced a reaction of microglia mediated by neuronal GalR2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Subcutaneous injection of botulinum toxin-A (sBONT-A) is a novel treatment for peripheral neuropathic pain. While its analgesic effects are well documented, this treatment is often not comfortable and fails in patients who show signs of sensory loss but rarely allodynia. There are some case reports about perineural BONT-A injection (pBONT-A) which could be an alternative approach. Here we present a retrospective, open label case series of pBONT-A's efficacy and safety regarding neurological consequences involving changes in somatosensory profiles of both responders and non-responders. Methods: Sixty patients (53 ± 13years, 77% males) with PNI were treated with pBONT-A after a test injection with a local anesthetic, which prompted distinctive pain relief. Quantitative sensory testing (QST; DFNS protocol) and pain intensity were assessed before and ≥7 days post pBONT-A injection. Definition of response: satisfactory pain reduction of ≥30% NRS (numerical rating scale: 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain) for ≥4 days. Statistics: Paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, χ2 test. Results: A temporary weak paresis in one case was clinically verified. The QST -parameters remained unchanged, but patients with more frequent hyperalgesia signs reported less analgesia (p = .04). The pBONT-A injection prompted pain relief by 24.8% (NRS: 6.0 ± 1.7 vs. 4.5 ± 2.1; p < .0001); 57% (n = 34) were responders (NRS: 6.0 ± 1.6 vs. 3.4 ± 1.6, relief of 43.4%; p < .0001). Based on these results, we suggest that future parallel design trials on pBONT-A need to include at least 84 patients. Discussion: Ultrasound-guided pBONT-A injection seems to be a safe treatment leading to a sufficient pain relief for some months without sensory changes. Surprisingly, pBONT-A showed a pronounced analgesic effect also in patients without signs of hyperalgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We study the effects of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) on the abundance analysis of barium, magnesium, and manganese from integrated light spectroscopy, as typically applied to the analysis of extra-galactic star clusters and galaxies. In this paper, our reference object is a synthetic simple stellar population (SSP) representing a mono-metallic α-enhanced globular cluster with the metallicity [Fe/H] = −2.0 and the age of 11 Gyr. Methods. We used the MULTI2.3 program to compute LTE and NLTE equivalent widths of spectral lines of Mg I, Mn I, and Ba II ions, which are commonly used in abundance analyses of extra-galactic stellar populations. We used ATLAS12 model atmospheres for stellar parameters sampled from a model isochrone to represent individual stars in the model SSP. The NLTE and LTE equivalent widths calculated for the individual stars were combined to calculate the SSP NLTE corrections. Results. We find that the NLTE abundance corrections for the integrated light spectra of the metal-poor globular cluster are significant in many cases, and often exceed 0.1 dex. In particular, LTE abundances of Mn are consistently under-estimated by 0.3 dex for all optical lines of Mn I studied in this work. On the other hand, Ba II, and Mg I lines show a strong differential effect: the NLTE abundance corrections for the individual stars and integrated light spectra are close to zero for the low-excitation lines, but they amount to − 0.15 dex for the strong high-excitation lines. Our results emphasise the need to take NLTE effects into account in the analysis of spectra of individual stars and integrated light spectra of stellar populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that there are infinitely many triangular numbers that cannot be repre-sented as pa ± qb where p, q are primes and a, b are nonnegative integers; that is, there are infinitely many triangular numbers that are neither a sum nor a difference of two prime powers. Moreover, there are infinitely many s-gonal sequences containing infinitely many terms that are neither a sum nor a difference of two prime powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flight vehicles that operate in the supersonic regime can be subject to adverse fluid–structure interactions due to their lightweight design. The presence of geometric obstructions such as control surfaces or fins can induce shocks that can interact with the boundary layer, leading to flow separation. This work investigates experimentally the interaction between a compliant panel in a Mach 2 flow under a compression ramp-induced shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction (SBLI). Thin brass panels of different thickness are investigated in a wind tunnel. Tests are performed both with and without a 20 ° compression ramp installed. This direct comparison allows characterization of the effect of the SBLI on the system dynamics. High-speed stereoscopic digital image correlation (DIC) and fast-response pressure sensitive paint (PSP) are used to obtain simultaneous measurements of full field deformation and surface pressure of the panels. The panel vibration is dominated by the first bending mode. Despite the forcing of the separation shock foot, the presence of the SBLI does not significantly modify the operational deflection shape, frequency, and amplitude of the dominant vibration mode, beyond what is observed for the no-SBLI case. On the other hand, analysis of the shock foot motion shows that the shock primarily oscillates at the first natural frequency of the panel. This leads to the conclusion that the shock foot oscillation is driven by the panel vibration in a one-way coupling mechanism. The SBLI does modify the higher modes, which is likely due to localized forcing by the separation shock foot. Full-field surface pressure predictions are made using first order piston theory. Results show that the fluid–structure interaction is dominated by the large region of attached flow upstream of the shock foot. [Display omitted] • Aeroelastic coupling is observed between panel and attached supersonic flow. • The unsteady shock foot primarily increases vibration of higher modes. • No two-way coupling mechanism was observed between the SBLI and panel vibration. • Panel vibration drives the shock foot motion in weak SBLI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major burden of knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) is pain. Since in elder patients diabetes mellitus is an important comorbidity of OA, we explored whether the presence of diabetes mellitus has a significant influence on pain intensity at the end stage of knee OA, and we aimed to identify factors possibly related to changes of pain intensity in diabetic patients. In 23 diabetic and 47 nondiabetic patients with OA undergoing total knee arthroplasty, we assessed the pain intensity before the operation using the "Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score". Furthermore, synovial tissue, synovial fluid (SF), cartilage, and blood were obtained. We determined the synovitis score, the concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the SF and serum, and of C-reactive protein and HbA1c and other metabolic parameters in the serum. We performed multivariate regression analyses to study the association of pain with several parameters. Diabetic patients had on average a higher Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain score than nondiabetic patients (P < 0.001). Knee joints from diabetic patients exhibited on average higher synovitis scores (P = 0.024) and higher concentrations of IL-6 in the SF (P = 0.003) than knee joints from nondiabetic patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed that patients with higher synovitis scores had more intense pain independent of all investigated confounders, and that the positive association between pain intensities and IL-6 levels was dependent on diabetes mellitus and/or synovitis. These data suggest that diabetes mellitus significantly increases pain intensity of knee OA, and that in diabetic patients higher pain intensities were determined by stronger synovitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During brain damage and ischemia, the cytokine interleukin-1ß is rapidly upregulated due to activation of inflammasomes. We studied whether interleukin-1ß influences cortical spreading depolarization, and whether lipopolysaccharide, often used for microglial stimulation, influences cortical spreading depolarizations. In anaesthetized rats, cortical spreading depolarizations were elicited by microinjection of KCl. Interleukin-1ß, the IL-1 receptor 1 antagonist, the GABAA receptor blocker bicuculline, and lipopolysaccharide were administered either alone or combined (interleukin-1ßþIL-1 receptor 1 antagonist; interleukin-1ßþbicuculline; lipopolysaccharideþIL-1 receptor 1 antagonist) into a local cortical treatment area. Using microelectrodes, cortical spreading depolarizations were recorded in a non-treatment and in the treatment area. Plasma extravasation in cortical grey matter was assessed with Evans blue. Local application of interleukin-1ß reduced cortical spreading depolarization amplitudes in the treatment area, but not at a high dose. This reduction was prevented by IL-1 receptor 1 antagonist and by bicuculline. However, interleukin-1ß induced pronounced plasma extravasation independently on cortical spreading depolarizations. Application of lipopolysaccharide reduced cortical spreading depolarization amplitudes but prolonged their duration; EEG activity was still present. These effects were also blocked by IL-1 receptor 1 antagonist. Interleukin-1ß evokes changes of neuronal activity and of vascular functions. Thus, although the reduction of cortical spreading depolarization amplitudes at lower doses of interleukin-1ß may reduce deleterious effects of cortical spreading depolarizations, the sum of interleukin-1ß effects on excitability and on the vasculature rather promote brain damaging mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive supportive therapy approach constitutes the mainstay treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients. In our recent Supportive versus immunosuppressive Therapy Of Progressive IgA Nephropathy (STOP-IgAN) trial, we systematically selected for patients at high risk of a progressive disease course and evaluated the effect of immunosuppression, combined with supportive care, on renal end points in these patients. There was a higher rate of full clinical remission and transient proteinuria reduction in immunosuppressed patients. However, deterioration of renal function (i. e. number of patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decrease of at least 15 mL/min over the 3-year trial phase) was remarkably slow in both groups, compared with previous studies, and was not slowed further by adding immunosuppression to supportive care. Here, we address several concerns raised on the design and interpretation of our trial. In our randomized patients, we confirmed a lower baseline proteinuria to be predictive of clinical remission in IgAN. However, the observed transient drop in proteinuria in the immunosuppressed patients did not translate into an improved overall renal outcome in these patients. Although longer follow-up would be desirable, there was not even a trend for the eGFR course to diverge between our two treatment arms during the trial phase. Finally, it is important to note that we excluded specific infrequent patient groups during our run-in phase. Therefore, IgAN patients with a rapidly progressing course and those with persistent proteinuria >3.5 g/day would require further evaluation regarding potential benefits of immunosuppressive therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indicators provide easy and quick information on the status or condition of an object of interest and are therefore widely used in policy-making. In recent years, policy interest in vulnerability research has increased and a growing number of studies have been aimed at developing vulnerability indicators. Some of these studies have been done within the social–ecological system (SES) framework, taking into account both social vulnerability and ecological vulnerability. A particular challenged faced, however, is with regard to the incorporation of indicators to capture the latter, especially as the concept of vulnerability as applied in ecology is relatively new and not yet well-explored. This paper expounds on this problem by answering the following questions: (1) How are the concept of vulnerability and thereby ecological vulnerability currently understood? (2) What are the challenges in the development and use of ecological vulnerability indicators? (3) What are the current efforts to overcome these challenges? One insight gathered is that due to the complexity, nonlinearity, and multiplicity of dynamics of natural systems, development of sufficiently general indicators of ecological vulnerability may not be realizable. Rather, ecological vulnerability assessment and the development of indicators thereof, whether done independent of the human system or within the SES, should be conducted at smaller scales and must be context-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outcomes of immunosuppressive therapy, when added to supportive care, in patients with IgA nephropathy are uncertain.Methods: We conducted a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled trial with a two-group, parallel, group-sequential design. During a 6-month run-in phase, supportive care (in particular, blockade of the renin-angiotensin system) was adjusted on the basis of proteinuria. Patients who had persistent proteinuria with urinary protein excretion of at least 0.75 g per day were randomly assigned to receive supportive care alone (supportive-care group) or supportive care plus immunosuppressive therapy (immunosuppression group) for 3 years. The primary end points in hierarchical order were full clinical remission at the end of the trial (protein-to-creatinine ratio <0.2 [with both protein and creatinine measured in grams] and a decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of <5 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) of body-surface area from baseline) and a decrease in the eGFR of at least 15 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) at the end of the trial. The primary end points were analyzed with the use of logistic-regression models.Results: The run-in phase was completed by 309 of 337 patients. The proteinuria level decreased to less than 0.75 g of urinary protein excretion per day in 94 patients. Of the remaining 162 patients who consented to undergo randomization, 80 were assigned to the supportive-care group, and 82 to the immunosuppression group. After 3 years, 4 patients (5%) in the supportive-care group, as compared with 14 (17%) in the immunosuppression group, had a full clinical remission (P=0.01). A total of 22 patients (28%) in the supportive-care group and 21 (26%) in the immunosuppression group had a decrease in the eGFR of at least 15 ml per minute per 1.73 m(2) (P=0.75). There was no significant difference in the annual decline in eGFR between the two groups. More patients in the immunosuppression group than in the supportive-care group had severe infections, impaired glucose tolerance, and weight gain of more than 5 kg in the first year of treatment. One patient in the immunosuppression group died of sepsis.Conclusions: The addition of immunosuppressive therapy to intensive supportive care in patients with high-risk IgA nephropathy did not significantly improve the outcome, and during the 3-year study phase, more adverse effects were observed among the patients who received immunosuppressive therapy, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. (Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research; STOP-IgAN ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00554502.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CGRP release plays a major role in migraine pain by activating the trigeminal pain pathways. Here we explored putative additional effects of CGRP on cortical circuits and investigated whether CGRP affects cortical excitability, cortical spreading depolarization (CSD), a phenomenon associated with migraine aura, blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and microglial morphology. We used immunohistochemistry to localize CGRP and the CGRP receptor (CGRP-R) in native cortex and evaluated morphology of microglia and integrity of the BBB after exposure to CGRP. In anesthetized rats we applied CGRP and the CGRP-R antagonist BIBN4096BS locally to the exposed cortex and monitored the spontaneous electrocorticogram and CSDs evoked by remote KCl pressure microinjection. In mouse brain slices CGRP effects on neuronal activity were explored by multielectrode array. CGRP immunoreactivity was detectable in intracortical vessels, and all cortical neurons showed CGRP-R immunoreactivity. In rat cortex in vivo, topical CGRP induced periods of epileptiform discharges, however, also dose-dependently reduced CSD amplitudes and propagation velocity. BIBN4096BS prevented these effects. CGRP evoked synchronized bursting activity in mouse cortical but not in cerebellar slices. Topical application of CGRP to rat cortex induced plasma extravasation and this was associated with reduced ramification of microglial cells. From these findings we conclude that CGRP induces a pathophysiological state in the cortex, consisting in neuronal hyperexcitability and neuroinflammation. Thus, CGRP may have a pronounced impact on brain functions during migraine episodes supporting the benefit of CGRP antagonists for clinical use. However, increased cortical CGRP may end the CSD-induced aura phase of migraine. • CGRP in rodent cerebral cortex enhances excitability and induces short periods of epileptiform activity. • CGRP reduces the amplitudes of cortical spreading depolarization. • Effects of CGRP were prevented by the CGRP receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS (Olcegepant®). • CGRP compromises the integrity of cortical blood-brain-barrier. • The application of CGRP induces an indirect reaction of cortical microglia [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective In arthritis, macrophages invade the affected joint. Experimental arthritis models have shown that macrophages also invade the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of the inflamed segments in which the perikarya of sensory neurons are located. It is unclear whether this macrophage invasion contributes to arthritis pain and/or furthers neuronal damage. The present study was undertaken to investigate how differently activated macrophages affect DRG neurons. Methods We determined the phenotype of macrophages in the DRGs of rats with antigen-induced arthritis (AIA). In a DRG neuron-macrophage coculture system, we investigated whether differently activated macrophages (stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide [LPS]/interferon-γ [IFNγ], tumor necrosis factor [TNF], or interleukin-4) damage DRG neurons and/or stimulate them to release the mediator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which promotes pain and neurogenic inflammation. Results Macrophages in the DRGs of rats with AIA showed the phenotype of TNF-stimulated macrophages but did not express inducible nitric oxide synthase, which was found in cultured macrophages only after LPS/IFNγ activation. In neuron-macrophage cocultures, activation of macrophages stimulated DRG neurons to release CGRP within 1 hour, indicating neuronal activation by macrophages. Only 48-hour activation of macrophages with LPS/IFNγ increased the neuronal cell death rate in culture, provided that the macrophages were in direct contact with DRG neurons. This effect was dependent on nitric oxide. Conclusion Macrophages have the potential to stimulate sensory neurons in the DRGs, and this may contribute to arthritis pain. If they are classically activated, such as after LPS/IFNγ stimulation, this may also further neuronal cell death. This is not the case in AIA but may occur in models involving damage of sensory neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power output and efficiency of a crystalline silicon PV module is a highly relevant quantity to evaluate novel cell, material and design technologies. It is therefore necessary to develop a full understanding of the different factors that impact the cell-to-module ratio. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate a unified methodology for predicting module power and efficiency from material and geometry data for several cell, interconnection and module designs. The methodology consists of analyzing photovoltaic inactive module areas, optical effects such as reflection, absorption and electrical losses. For a selection of efficiency impacting factors we show experimental results to demonstrate their influence on module efficiency and module power. The model has been validated by measurements on an H-patterned multi-crystalline 60-cell module showing a deviation in module power of only 1%, a value well within the flasher measurement uncertainty. For a 60-cell-module with pseudo-square monocrystalline solar cells with 19.9% efficiency we calculate absorption losses for different encapsulants in the range of 1.3 to 5.3 W. The power gain for the investigated backside materials is found to be in the range between 4.5 and 6.7 W. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitten im bayerischen Wald in St. Englmar befindet sich ein Ort, der Groß und Klein zum Experimentieren einlädt. Das Bayerwald Xperium ist ein Mitmach‐Museum, das über 100 Versuche zur Physik, Sinnesphysiologie und Mathematik bietet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glucocorticoids are known to act on the olfactory system although their mode of action is still unclear since nuclear glucocorticoid receptors are mostly absent in the olfactory mucosa. In this study we used immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR to study the expression and distribution of corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) in the rat olfactory system. Mucosal goblet cells could be immunostained for CBG. Nasal secretion contained measurable amounts of CBG suggesting that CBG is liberated. CBG immunoreactivity was localized in many of the basal cells of the olfactory mucosa, while mature sensory cells contained CBG only in processes as determined by double immunostaining with the olfactory marker protein OMP. This staining was most pronounced in the vomeronasal organ (VNO). The appearance of CBG in the non-sensory and sensory parts of the VNO and in nerve terminals in the accessory bulb indicated axonal transport. Portions of the periglomerular cells, the mitral cells and the tufted cells were also CBG positive. CBG encoding transcripts were confirmed by RT-PCR in homogenates of the olfactory mucosa and VNO. Olfactory CBG may be significant for uptake, accumulation and transport of glucocorticoids, including aerosolic cortisol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective In 2008, a consensus meeting of the Association for Dental Education in Europe stated that dental implant treatment represents a popular treatment alternative and, therefore, it should be an integral part of dental student pre-graduate education. In 2009, the Friedrich- Alexander University, Erlangen- Nuremberg implemented a voluntary, structured, education program for pre-graduate dental students, called ' i.lect®'. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of the i.lect® program. Methods Concurrent to the dental curriculum, the i.lect® program provides 200 hours in 3 years of theoretical and practical education on all aspects of modern dental implantology. We recruited dental students in the i.lect® program and additionally students from 15 other universities that voluntarily participated in a single, 3-day implantology camp ( R = 58). To demonstrate their knowledge on dental implant issues, both student groups completed a written examination that covered 'Basic information and materials of implantology', 'Implant planning' and 'Soft tissue management'. Results The students in the i.lect® program achieved higher scores than students from the implantology camp on questions concerning 'basic implantology' and 'implant planning'. Conclusion The results indicated that the structured i.lect® undergraduate curriculum enhanced individual knowledge in the specific field of implantology. This program could have pilot character for use in other universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Prostaglandin E2 is considered a major mediator of inflammatory pain, by acting on neuronal Gs protein‐coupled EP2 and EP4 receptors. However, the neuronal EP3 receptor, colocalized with EP2 and EP4 receptor, is Gi protein‐coupled and antagonizes the pronociceptive prostaglandin E2 effect. Here, we investigated the cellular signalling mechanisms by which the EP3 receptor reduces EP2 and EP4 receptor‐evoked pronociceptive effects in sensory neurons. Experimental Approach: Experiments were performed on isolated and cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from wild type, phosphoinositide 3‐kinase γ (PI3Kγ)−/−, and PI3Kγkinase dead (KD)/KD mice. For subtype‐specific stimulations, we used specific EP2, EP3, and EP4 receptor agonists from ONO Pharmaceuticals. As a functional readout, we recorded TTX‐resistant sodium currents in patch‐clamp experiments. Western blots were used to investigate the activation of intracellular signalling pathways. EP4 receptor internalization was measured using immunocytochemistry. Key Results: Different pathways mediate the inhibition of EP2 and EP4 receptor‐dependent pronociceptive effects by EP3 receptor stimulation. Inhibition of EP2 receptor‐evoked pronociceptive effect critically depends on the kinase‐independent function of the signalling protein PI3Kγ, and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved. By contrast, inhibition of EP4 receptor‐evoked pronociceptive effect is independent on PI3Kγ and mediated through activation of G protein‐coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), which enhances the internalization of the EP4 receptor after ligand binding. Conclusion and Implications: Activation of neuronal PI3Kγ, AMPK, and GRK2 by EP3 receptor activation limits cAMP‐dependent pain generation by prostaglandin E2. These new insights hold the potential for a novel approach in pain therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family plays an important role in embryonic development, malignancy, wound healing, atherosclerosis, and fibrosis in multiple organs. It belongs to the best-characterized growth factor systems in normal and diseased kidneys, and there is accumulating evidence that members of the PDGF family are key players in the development of renal fibrosis independent of the underlying kidney disease. All components of the PDGF system, consisting of four isoforms (PDGF-A, -B, -C, -D) and two receptor chains (PDGFR-α and -β), are constitutively or inducibly expressed in most renal cells. They regulate multiple pathophysiologic events, ranging from cell proliferation and migration, extracellular matrix accumulation and production of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, to tissue permeability and hemodynamics. This review focuses on advances in defining the roles of different PDGF isoforms in the development of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The recent identification of endogenous PDGF inhibitors offers additional novel therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Im Juli 2012 sollen die Eurocodes bauaufsichtlich eingeführt werden. Das ist Anlass, die wesentlichen Neuerungen in den beiden Teilen des Eurocodes 7: Entwurf, Bemessung und Berechnung in der Geotechnik - Teil 1: Allgemeine Regeln (EC 7-1) und Teil 2: Erkundung und Untersuchung des Baugrunds (EC7-2) sowie in den beiden Ergänzungsnormen DIN 1054:2010-12 und DIN 4020:2010-12 vorzustellen. Da die Einführung des EC 7-1 eine Reihe von Anpassungen bei den geotechnischen Berechnungsnormen erforderlich machte und darüber hinaus schon seit Jahren die Herstellungsnormen des Grundbaus auf europäischer Ebene weiterentwickelt werden, wird ebenfalls über den Stand dieser Normen und die weitere Normungsarbeit berichtet. State of the German and European geotechnical standards In July 2012 the Eurocodes will officially be implemented by the German authorities. For this reason the most important innovations of both parts of Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design - Part 1: General rules (EC 7-1) and Part 2: Ground investigation and testing (EC7-2) will be presented as well as the supplementary rules of DIN 1054:2010-12 und DIN 4020:2010-12. The implementation of EC 7-1 necessitated some adjustments in the standards for geotechnical calculations and as the standards for execution of special geotechnical works have been developed very significantly in the past years they are also included in the report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Haemodialysis patients are at high risk for developing healthcare-associated infections as well as acquiring multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Hand hygiene is considered to be the single most effective tool to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The number of indications and the extent of indication-specific compliance with hand rubs in the haemodialysis setting are currently unknown. Methods. We conducted a prospective, three-phase, observational intervention study on hand hygiene during haemodialysis treatments. Optimized hand hygiene standard operating procedures (SOPs) for dialysis connections (Intervention I) and disconnections (Intervention II) were compiled and implemented during two predefined intervention periods. Results. A total of 8897 indications for hand rubs were observed throughout this study. In the course of the study, we identified an increase in the number of hand rubs performed (6–9, mean number per dialysis procedure), parallelled by a decrease in the indications for hand rubs (21–15), resulting in a significant increase of overall hand rub compliance (30–62%). The greatest improvement was seen before aseptic tasks (21–52%), the indication with the greatest impact on preventing healthcare-associated infections. There was no difference between haemodialysis via central venous catheter access or arterio-venous (AV) fistulas. Conclusions. This study provides the first detailed data on the number of and indications for hand rubs during dialysis. An >100% increase in overall hand hygiene compliance could be achieved by a comparably moderate increase in hand rubs performed in combination with optimized hand hygiene SOPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D), normally expressed in podocytes, mediates mesangial cell proliferation in vivo. To study this further, we created transgenic mice with podocyte-specific overexpression of PDGF-D. Hemizygous mice were grossly indistinguishable from wild-type littermates through 11 months of age; however, hemizygous mice older than 4 weeks commonly exhibited increased cell proliferation within the glomerular tuft. Many hemizygous mice also developed widespread segmental glomerulosclerosis and focal extracapillary proliferation with fibrin/fibrinogen deposition, extensive tubulointerstitial damage, proteinuria, and renal insufficiency. Electron microscopy found focal foot process effacement. Renal mRNA expression of podocin and nephrin, as well as the number of glomerular WT-1-positive cells, were significantly reduced in hemizygous compared to wild-type mice, indicating loss and/or dedifferentation of podocytes. PDGF-A, -B, and both PDGF receptor chain mRNAs, fibronectin, type IV collagen, RANTES, MCP-1, and CCR-2 mRNAs were all increased in the renal cortex of PDGF-D transgenic mice. Only 8.5% of newborn mice were homozygous overexpressors exhibiting a mortality rate of 37% at 4 weeks. Thus, podocyte-specific overexpression of PDGF-D caused mesangioproliferative disease, glomerulosclerosis, and crescentic glomerulonephritis. Hence, podocyte-specific growth factor overexpression can induce paracrine mesangial cell proliferation upstream of the filtration flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Homo-dimers of styryl dyes were chemically tailored in order to become specific cytochemical probes for use in the life sciences. Histochemical applications using fixed cryotome sections are discussed. It is concluded, that homo-dimerization of specific styryl substrates of peroxidase (PO) by way of their covalent linkage, does not necessarily lead to improved detection sensitivity of endogenous and immuno-bound peroxidase (PO) activity. In general, these dimers act less specific towards PO activity than parent monomers. Synergetic interactions of the doubled basic dye compartments with cell constituents cause a pronounced staining of further targets at the cellular level. This behavior depends on the functional groups present in each dye compartment in a crucial manner. However, by way of chemical dye tailoring centering of these initially unwanted staining properties is possible leading to novel highly fluorescent stains for mast cells, nucleic acids, keratin and cartilage tissue. Structure/staining behavior-relationships of these stains are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PcP) is a potentially life-threatening complication in renal transplant recipients with increased reports during the past few years. Individual risk factors for susceptibility to PcP are incompletely understood.Methods. We retrospectively analysed 60 cases of confirmed PcP, diagnosed in six German transplant centres between 2004 and 2008, as well as 60 matched controls.Results. Compared with controls, PcP cases revealed the following significant differences: PcP cases had a poorer renal function (eGFR 31 vs. 42 mL/min in controls), more biopsy-proven rejections (18 vs. 5 patients), more frequent treatment with mycophenolate mofetil (53 vs. 44 patients) and less frequent treatment with interleukin-2 receptor antagonist (20 vs. 32 patients). According to centre policy, in those years, none of the patients or controls had received PcP prophylaxis after transplantation. Of the 60 patients with PcP, 30% developed the disease after the currently recommended duration of prophylactic treatment, 27% died in the course of the disease and 45% required treatment in the ICU.Conclusions. Our case–control study reveals a novel risk profile for PcP. Renal transplant recipients with more pronounced renal insufficiency following rejection episodes and treated with intensified immunosuppression are at particular risk for PcP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An experimental technique to measure the deformation of solar cells in transparent PV modules is presented. This method uses the digital image correlation technique with a stereo camera system. Deformations resulting from thermal loading, where rather small deformations occur compared to tensile or bending experiments, are measured by viewing through the window of a climate chamber. We apply this method to measure the thermomechanical deformation of the gap between two crystalline silicon solar cells by viewing through the transparent back sheet of the laminate. Two PV laminates are prepared, each with three crystalline silicon solar cells that are embedded in transparent polymer sheets on a glass substrate. The first laminate (A) contains non-interconnected cells while the second laminate consists of a standard-interconnected cell string (B). We find the gap between two solar cells to deform 66.3±2μm between 79.6 and −17.3°C (laminate A) and 66.4±2μm (laminate B) between 84.4 and −39.1°C. We determine an accuracy of 1μm in displacement for the gap experiment by measuring free expansion of a copper strip and averaging displacement values over regions with homogeneous deformation. Furthermore, the relative error contribution in strain due to the optical influence of the layers on top of the object surface is less than 1×10−6 for one camera. This is proven by a geometrical consideration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) is suitable for continuous monitoring of body water content. The combination of body posture and time is a well-known source of error, which limits the accuracy and therapeutic validity of BIS measurements. This study evaluates a model-based correction as a possible solution. For this purpose, an 11-cylinder model representing body impedance distribution is used. Each cylinder contains a nonlinear two-pool model to describe fluid redistribution due to changing body position and its influence on segmental and hand-to-foot (HF) bioimpedance measurements. A model-based correction of segmental (thigh) and HF measurements (Xitron Hydra 4200) in nine healthy human subjects (following a sequence of 7 min supine, 20 min standing, 40 min supine) has been evaluated. The model-based compensation algorithm represents a compromise between accuracy and simplicity, and reduces the influence of changes in body position on the measured extracellular resistance and extracellular fluid by up to 75 and 70%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the immune complex formation on IgA nephropathy (IgAN). It cites the results of studies that show a growth in the circulating levels of poorly galactosylated IgA I O-glycoforms as seen in patients from North America, Europe and Asia. Data from Japan showed that poorly galactosylated IgA I O-glycoforms are responsible to self-aggregation and immune complex formation.

Background. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a central mediator of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). In experimental mesangioproliferative GN, PDGF-DD serum levels, unlike PDGF-BB, increased up to 1000-fold. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Before the sixteenth year of life, biopsychosocial influences such as self-experienced and observed accidents/illnesses, adverse medical/dental treatments, dangerous events and self-experienced or observed force seem to affect the manifestation of chronic pain in the oro-facial area in the forms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and psychogenic denture-intolerance (PDI)/somatoform oro-facial pain (SOP). We evaluated the occurrence of these types of events before the age of 16 years in 50 TMD patients, 55 PDI/SOP patients and 55 randomly selected pain-free control group (CG) using the medical questionnaire ‘Physical well-being and traumatic experiences (PTE). A separate dental questionnaire determined the effects of previous experiences of pain or force on the emotional self-assessment of the patients (pain localization and body feeling). The TMD group was significantly more likely to have experienced an accident and an illness before the age of 16 years than were the other two groups (PDI/SOP and CG) ( P < 0·039). Temporomandibular disorder and PDI/SOP patients suffered frequent backaches significantly more than CG patients ( P < 0·028). The PDI/SOP patients were least likely to report having felt threatened before or after the age of 16 years ( P < 0·003) compared with the PDI/SOP and CG group. Sociodemographic parameters, experiencing an accident, previous medical incidents, experiences of force and emotional self-assessment influence the biopsychosocial dynamics that directly influence oro-facial symptoms with psychogenic components. Similar to medical history, age seems to play a decisive role in the manifestation of oro-facial psychic symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A removable implant-retained dental prosthesis in an edentulous mandible can use telescopic crowns or a bar superstructure as anchorage elements for an overdenture. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results for bar-anchored and telescopic crown-retained overdentures in implant prosthetic treatment of the toothless lower jaw with two or more implants placed in the intraforaminal region. Material and methods: A clinical and radiographical comparison was made of the telescope vs. the bar method for removable prosthetic rehabilitation treatments in patients with an edentulous mandible. For evaluation of the clinical data, the sulcus fluid flow rate, Periotest values, and the peri-implant bone loss were recorded. Results: In the follow-up examinations, 19 implant losses were reported between insertion and review of 328 implants. The frequency distribution of the observed loss rates showed no treatment-specific trend. In the group with bar-treated implants, failure led to ‘group loss’ of the whole prosthetic superstructure. Failure of one of the double-crown-stabilized full dental prosthesis could usually be adapted so that the overdenture remained usable even without re-implantation. Conclusions: After comparing all the clinical parameters evaluated, no significant difference between the stabilization of full dentures via conus and telescopic crowns and bar-anchored dentures could be found. The choice of one particular method remains the decision of the professional treating the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]