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The digital transformation calls for new thinking about sociotechnical systems design (STSD) because it has enabled new kinds of work systems to proliferate. We identify a new class of sociotechnical system, called the Platform-STS (P-STS), which complements the existing Industrial- and Knowledge-STSs. The P-STS has distinctive characteristics compared to the other classes because it reaches directly into ecosystems and is, therefore, "distributed," and because it is governed through market mechanisms rather than hierarchy or clan mechanisms. We introduce a new design principle, redundancy of connectivity, to ground design thinking about the P-STS. We demonstrate why fundamental STSD principles need to be reconfigured, suggest how they might do so, and conclude that socioecological designs and interventions may need to supplant sociotechnical ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the course of marginal mandibular nerve (MMN) in relation to the inferior border of the mandible from the gonion until its terminal insertion to the depressor anguli oris, relating the position to a palpable anatomical landmark with emphasis on the depth of the nerve in relation to platysma and the deep cervical fascia. Twelve fresh adult cadavers were dissected and the mandibular base was contoured using needles with 5 mm gaps, starting from the mandibular angle to the muscular termination point of the nerve bilaterally. The distance between the MMN and the mandibular base and total length of the nerve was measured bilaterally. The highest levels of MMN were measured 6.9 mm and 6.5 mm above, and the lowest levels were measured 4 mm and 3 mm below the mandibular base on right and left sides, respectively. The mean (SD) total length of the nerve until the muscular termination point was calculated 33.57 (3.41) mm on the right and 33.51 (4.88) mm on the left side. Previous publications that we had read all fell short of defining the schematic pathway of the nerve, as the described landmarks were of a combination of bone and soft tissue, which are not always clinically reliable. We have overcome this difficulty by standardising the inferior border of the mandible as a point in order to trace the marginal mandibular branch pathway. It originates along the gonion and ends at the second premolar tooth area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperuricemia and angiotensin II (Ang II) may have a pathogenetic role in the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its prognosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether uric acid can induce proliferative pathways of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) that are thought to be responsible for the development of CVD. The phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42 MAPK) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) was measured by Elisa and Western blot techniques to determine the activation of proliferative pathways in primary cultured VSMCs from rat aorta. Results demonstrated that uric acid can stimulate p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK and PDGFRβ phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of VSMCs with the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) inhibitor losartan suppressed p38 MAPK and p44/42 MAPK induction by uric acid. The stimulatory effect of uric acid on p38 MAPK was higher compared to that of Ang II. The results of this study show for the first time that uric acid-induced PDGFRβ phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the development of CVDs and that elevated uric acid levels could be a potential therapeutical target in CVD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Chelation therapy with desferrioxamine (DFO) can be an important problem for patients with thalassaemia major (TM). In an effort to find a solution to this problem, a new delivery system based on a disposable and lightweight device was developed by Baxter. The aim of study was to investigate the compliance of patients and the effects and side effects of two different infusors. The 26 patients using infusors were divided into 2 groups, who were infused with DFO for 48 h (group A) and for 120 h (group B). The 24-h mean urinary iron and zinc excretion in groups A and B were statistically significant at the beginning and end of therapy (p< 0.001). Serum ferritin levels decreased in both groups compared with control (p< 0.001). No systemic reactions were observed either during or at the end of treatment. The compliance and use of infusors were 97% in group A and 72% in group B. In conclusion, better compliance was achieved and there were fewer local complications in group A than in group B. Subcutaneous infusion of DFO with both devices may be ideal for patients who have compliance problems and cannot be treated using portable pumps. The device is new and expensive, but excellent and effective for long-term DFO infusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]