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Transfontanellar contrast-enhanced US enables intraoperative imaging and quantification of cerebral perfusion during neonatal heart surgery.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a progressive neuromuscular disorder and among the most frequent genetic causes of infant mortality. While recent advancements in gene therapy provide the potential to ameliorate the disease severity, there is currently no modality in clinical use to visualize dynamic pathophysiological changes in disease progression and regression after therapy.

Biomarkers for monitoring of disease progression and response to therapy are lacking for muscle diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Noninvasive in vivo molecular imaging with multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) uses pulsed laser light to induce acoustic pressure waves, enabling the visualization of endogenous chromophores. Here we describe an application of MSOT, in which illumination in the near- and extended near-infrared ranges from 680–1,100 nm enables the visualization and quantification of collagen content. We first demonstrated the feasibility of this approach to noninvasive quantification of tissue fibrosis in longitudinal studies in a large-animal Duchenne muscular dystrophy model in pigs, and then applied this approach to pediatric patients. MSOT-derived collagen content measurements in skeletal muscle were highly correlated to the functional status of the patients and provided additional information on molecular features as compared to magnetic resonance imaging. This study highlights the potential of MSOT imaging as a noninvasive, age-independent biomarker for the implementation and monitoring of newly developed therapies in muscular diseases.

Die Autorinnen diskutieren Anforderungen und Praxis der retrospektiven Gesetzfolgenabschätzung am Beispiel der arbeitsmarktpolitischen Wirkungsforschung in Deutschland nach Umsetzung der Arbeitsmarktreformen Anfang der 2000er Jahre (sogenannte Hartz-Gesetze). Sie bieten mit ihrem Beitrag keine umfassende wissenschaftliche Analyse dieser Wirkungsforschung, sondern stellen vielmehr vor dem Hintergrund eigener Beteiligung an mehreren Evaluationsprojekten kritische Fragen zur Auftragsforschung, die sich im Spannungsfeld zwischen der Dienstleistungserbringung für einen Akteur mit selektiven politischen Verwertungsinteressen einerseits und den Anforderungen an kritische Wissenschaft andererseits bewegt. Die Autorinnen beschreiben dieses Dilemma und entwickeln Vorschläge, wie die arbeitsmarktpolitische Wirkungsforschung durch Transparenz und Demokratisierung sowie die stärkere Einbeziehung der verantwortlich handelnden Akteure und der Betroffenen verbessert werden kann. Insbesondere sollte die Wirkungsforschung durch einen transparenten Diskurs über die Widersprüche und Interessensgegensätze begleitet werden.

Die Autor/inn/en gingen der Frage nach, ob sich Wirkungen des 2001 eingeführten Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetzes (TzBfG) bzw. weiterer Gesetze nachweisen lassen, die den Beschäftigten einen Wechsel zu kürzeren Arbeitszeiten erleichtern sollen. Mit Daten des Sozioökonomischen Panels wurde für den Zeitraum 1999 bis 2013 untersucht, ob die im Vorjahr geäußerten Arbeitszeitpräferenzen realisiert wurden und ob die Realisierungschancen der Arbeitszeitwünsche im Zeitverlauf zugenommen haben. Die durch die Gesetze intendierten Wirkungen ließen sich im Rahmen der vorgenommenen Datenanalyse nicht belegen. Es zeigte sich jedoch, dass Wünsche nach Beibehaltung der vertraglichen Arbeitszeiten im Zeitverlauf eine größere Realisierungschance erhielten. Dies könnte ein Hinweis auf die zunehmende Verbreitung bzw. Wirkung von interner Arbeitszeitflexibilisierung sein. Praktische RelevanzDie Ergebnisse zeigen, dass es bisher trotz Einführung verschiedener gesetzlicher Regelungen zur Erleichterung von individuell gewünschten Arbeitszeitverkürzungen nicht gelungen ist, die Realisierungschancen von Arbeitszeitverkürzungswünschen zu erhöhen. Die weiter zu untersuchende Frage ist, welches die Faktoren sind, die der Umsetzung von Arbeitszeitwünschen entgegen stehen. The authors examined whether it could be shown that the “Teilzeit-und Befristungsgesetz (TzBfG)” (Part-time and Term Bill) or other bills accomplish the objective of facilitating a change by employees to shorter working time. With socio-economic panel data from time period between 1999 and 2013 it was examined whether working time preferences of the preceding year were realized and if the prospects for the realization of working time preferences increased during this time period. The conducted data analysis does not confirm the bills’ intended effects. However, it was found that the prospects for the realisation of preferences were higher in case if the employees preferred to keep with their contractual working hours. This could be an indication of the increasing extension and impact of internal working time flexibilisation. Practical RelevanceThe results show that an increase in the prospects for the realisation of preferences for shorter working time has not been achieved yet despite the implementation of statutory regulation to facilitate individually preferred working time reduction. The question of which factors prevent the successful realization of working time preferences requires further research.

Low-field-strength MRI showed persistent pulmonary dysfunction in children and adolescents who recovered from COVID-19 and those with long COVID.

The article discusses the invasion of Rocky Mountain locusts which occurred in the Midwestern U.S. during a drought in the summer of 1874. Details are provided about the damage done by the locusts to the fields of Midwestern farmers and about the response of government agencies to this crisis. The specific assistance offered to farmers by state governments and the U.S. government is described and the various methods used by farmers to kill the locusts are explored.. The effects of the locust swarms on railroad travel and the poultry industry are also examined.

Focuses on the homelessness of the teenagers in California. Services offered by WIND Youth Services to the majority of runaway teens; Provision of shelter, counseling and sleeping bags; Reduction of government funds to nonprofit social service providers; Impact of domestic violence on homelessness.

Für den Vergleich der EU-Länder werden zunächst Indikatoren entwickelt, mit deren Hilfe die Dienstleistungsbeschäftigung in Ländern mit unterschiedlichen Beschäftigungsquoten und Arbeitszeiten vergleichbar gemacht werden kann. Auf Basis der Daten der Europäischen Arbeitskräftestichprobe von 1999 wird ein Vergleich der EU-Länder vorgenommen, der nicht nur die Zahl der Dienstleistungsbeschäftigten, sondern auch die Arbeitsvolumina im Dienstleistungssektor und in Dienstleistungstätigkeiten einschließt. Im Ergebnis können vier unterschiedliche Typen von Dienstleistungsgesellschaften in Europa beschrieben werden. Durch Korrelationsrechnungen werden wichtige Triebkräfte für das Wachstum der Dienstleistungsbeschäftigung im EU-Europa identifiziert. Ein zentrales Ergebnis der Analyse ist, dass Dienstleistungsbeschäftigung nicht automatisch mit weiterem wirtschaftlichen Wachstum zunimmt, sondern viel stärker an gesellschaftliche Innovationen gebunden ist, als gemeinhin angenommen wird. Für die Förderung der Dienstleistungsbeschäftigung eignen sich deshalb nicht einfache Rezepte, sondern es bedarf eines in sich konsistenten Leitbildes für eine künftige Dienstleistungsgesellschaft, auf dessen Basis eine Kombination verschiedener politischer Maßnahmen entwickelt werden muss. With the aim of comparing EU countries, indicators are developed which allow for comparing service employment in countries with different employment rates and working times. Data of the European Labor Force Survey from 1999 are used to compare EU countries no only with respect to the number of service employees but also with respect to the volume of work in the service sector and in service activities. This analysis leads to a description of four different types of service societies in Europe. Correlation calculations are used to identify important driving forces for the growth of service employment in the EU. A central result of this analysis is that service employment does not automatically increase with economic growth but is closely tied to social innovations. Promoting the increase of service employment cannot be achieved with simple recipes but requires a consistent orientation model of a future service society as a basis for developing a combination of various political measures.

This contribution shows that the development of both female employment and the service sector is heavily influenced by social conditions and that politics can play a decisive role. A comparison between different pathways to the service society shows that the individual breadwinner and the public service models are conducive to a high level of female employment at relatively favourable working conditions, whereas in the market service model both quantity and quality are lower. Yet so far the integration of women into the labour market and the transformation of informal household work into paid employment seems to be reproducing the hierarchical gender-specific division of labour in new forms. Genuine gender equality and the reconciliation of career and family made necessary by increasing paid employment by women imply the need for a revision of the still predominant conception of ‘standard employment', particularly with regard to working time.

This contribution discusses how service-employment growth can be promoted. After considering some methodological issues in the comparison of service societies, the EU countries are compared in respect of the degree of tertiarisation of their economies, on the basis of which a typology of European service societies is developed. The authors then identify, with reference to empirical data, the driving forces behind the growth of service employment in the EU countries. A central result of the analysis is that service employment does not automatically increase with continued economic growth, but is more closely tied to social innovations than is commonly thought. The authors argue for an orientation model of service employment in the future that both meets employees’ interests in high-quality employment, adequate earned income and social protection, and is economically feasible and socially acceptable. European service societies differ clearly from the US model, and the European model is closely linked to strong trade unions and forms of social dialogue.

Abstract Background: Acute epidural hematomas (EDH), often associated with additional cranial and extracranial injury, are a serious condition which requires immediate surgical evacuation. Otherwise there is a high risk of quick deterioration and death. Only small asymptomatic hematomas can be treated conservatively with close observation. Case Report: We present a case of complete resolution of a traumatic posterior fossa EDH within 1 hour. Conclusion: Several possible mechanisms of spontaneous resorption are discussed with a review of literature regarding the conservative treatment of acute epidural hemorrhage. This is the first description of the spontaneous resolution of an acute traumatic EDH within 1 hour. Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Akute traumatische, epidurale Hämatome sind häufig eine lebensbedrohliche Erkrankung. Sie erfordern eine rasche neurochirurgische Behandlung durch Hämatomausräumung, da sich der klinische Zustand des Patienten sonst in kurzer Zeit verschlechtern und die Raumwirkung des Hämatoms auf das Gehirn zum Tode führen kann. Nur kleine epidurale Hämatome, die sich klinisch asymptomatisch darstellen, können konservativ erfolgreich behandelt werden. Eine engmaschige Überwachung der Patienten ist jedoch erforderlich. Fallbeschreibung: Wir berichten über einen Patienten mit einem ausgedehnten traumatischen epiduralen Hämatom in der hinteren Schädelgrube, das sich innerhalb einer Stunde spontan resorbierte. Schlussfolgerungen: Es werden mögliche Resorptionsmechanismen beschrieben und die vorhandene Literatur zur konservativen Behandlung akuter epiduraler Hämatome besprochen. Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich erstmals mit der spontanen Resorption eines akuten traumatischen epiduralen Hämatoms innerhalb 1 Stunde.

Der Beitrag behandelt die Frage, ob sich in Bezug auf den Wandel der Beschäftigungsformen und der Arbeitszeiten Tendenzen der „Entgrenzung“ von Normalarbeit beobachten lassen. Die Autorin zeigt anhand empirischer Fakten, dass sich Veränderungen derzeit eher am oberen und unteren Rand des Beschäftigungssystems ausmachen lassen, während der Kernbereich der Normalarbeit zumindest bisher von diesem Wandel bestenfalls tangiert wird. Eine Analyse der Triebkräfte des Wandels legt eine Interpretation als Nebeneinander von Be- und Entgrenzungen bzw. einer Polarisierung von Beschäftigungsstrukturen nahe. Anhand internationaler Vergleiche wird gezeigt, dass Politik und Regulierung einen starken Einfluss auf den Wandel der Beschäftigungsstrukturen haben. Die Autorin begründet ihre Auffassung, wonach der Begriff der Entgrenzung am treffendsten dort anzuwenden ist, wo sich derzeit eine Veränderung des Arbeitsvertrags vollzieht.

The formation and development of initiated cells has been studied at the beginning of hepatocarcinogenesis. Rats received the genotoxic carcinogen N-nitrosomorpholine (NNM); placental glutathione S-transferase was used as a marker of initiated cells (G+ cells). Single G+ cells appeared within 24 h after NNM; their frequency increased steeply for ~2 weeks, then decreased and finally remained constant. G+ foci consisting of ≥2 G+ cells appeared successively after the single cells. Histological determination of DNA replication and apoptosis revealed that: the formation of single G+ cells may not depend on DNA replication of precursor cells; single G+ cells showed considerably lower DNA replication than G– normal hepatocytes; from the 2-cell stage onwards G+ foci displayed enhanced DNA replication and apoptosis. Data from histological sections were transformed into the third dimension by a new stereological method which considers the non-spherical shape of many G+ lesions. Rates of division and death of G+ cells and of formation and growth of G+ foci were estimated by a stochastic model: initially G+ clones appeared at a rate of 12 000 per day and liver until a maximal number of 176 000 (phase I) was reached; thereafter they declined to 134 000 (phase II); they then remained constant (phase III). Estimated division rates of G+ cells decreased from phase I to phase III, while the death rate increased in phase II, when every third G+ clone disappeared. As a result, at day 50 after NNM only 0.3% of G+ single cells had formed a clone containing ≥5 cells. In conclusion, experimental and computed parameters provide direct evidence that hepatocarcinogenesis evolves clonally and that initiated hepatocytes have a selective proliferation advantage, associated with an enhanced potential to undergo apoptosis. Thereby, depending on the conditions, initiated clones expand or become extinct. Extinction may lead to reversion of the biological effects of initiation.

Characterization of brain tumours requires neuropathological expertise and is generally performed by histological evaluation and molecular analysis. One emerging technique to assist pathologists in future tumour diagnostics is multimodal optical spectroscopy. In the current clinical routine, tissue preprocessing with formalin is widely established and suitable for spectroscopic investigations since degradation processes impede the measurement of native tissue. However, formalin fixation results in alterations of the tissue chemistry and morphology for example by protein cross-linking. As optical spectroscopy is sensitive to these variations, we evaluate the effects of formalin fixation on multimodal brain tumour data in this proof-of-concept study. Nonfixed and formalin-fixed cross sections of different common human brain tumours were subjected to analysis of chemical variations using ultraviolet and Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy. Morphological changes were assessed by elastic light scattering microspectroscopy in the visible wavelength range. Data were analysed with multivariate data analysis and compared with histopathology. Tissue type classifications deduced by optical spectroscopy are highly comparable and independent from the preparation and the fixation protocol. However, formalin fixation leads to slightly better classification models due to improved stability of the tissue. As a consequence, spectroscopic methods represent an appropriate additional contrast for chemical and morphological information in neuropathological diagnosis and should be investigated to a greater extent. Furthermore, they can be included in the clinical workflow even after formalin fixation.

Profiles A. G. Kawamura, the Secretary of the Department of Food and Agriculture in California. Career history of Kawamura; Educational background; Accomplishments of Kawamura in the agriculture sector. INSET: A.G. Kawamura:..

The article focuses on several musicians whose works were dominated by love as a theme. They include Lavender Diamond, who writes peace-related harmonies about the kind of love that lasts forever, Dr. Dog, and Bill Callahan. Such musicians have shown that the menacing fronts of the 21st century might be held off with love-themed musical works.

The article discusses information on the folk renaissance. It is stated that From valleys in Northern California or warehouses in Greenpoint, the folk renaissance came with an Emersonian devotion to the Church of Nature, beribboned accolytes and a belief in the mysticism and spirituality of yesteryear.

The article reviews two easy listening music recordings including "Mushaboom," by Feist and another by Cat Power.

The article focuses on musician Brian DeGraw. His delicate pencil sketches of Islamic terrorist Osama bin Laden turn up in key collections around New York City. He is also known through the sounds of his band Gang Gang Dance. The band has subtly influenced the younger, meaner generation. It is noted that his distractions are what make him so compelling.

The article focuses on the popularity of African American rapper Akon. The whooshing sound one hears right before the Konvict! drop is likely the sound of money falling from the sky because it is literally that easy for the artist to earn money. In 2007, a hit record can not be made without his feline tenor.

The article focuses on Animal Collective, a group of experimental musicians which was noticed by the magazine through their messy chant "Sung Tongs." There was meowing and there were rabbit games and the music sounded like choral incantations for childhood and funerals. However, their thundering full length "Strawberry Jam," both of which were made of songs that were not just soundtracks but bookmarks to both very big and very small moments that passed in the seasons that followed.

No abstract.