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The lack of annular stabilization is the drawback of aortic root remodeling, and recently the addition of annuloplasty has been proposed. Limited data, however, exist on late annular size after remodeling. We studied annular size over time.In 241 patients (53 ± 16 years) annular size was determined preoperatively (T0), before discharge (T1), and at least 2 years after remodeling (T2, 54 ± 27 months) with (n = 52) or without external suture annuloplasty. Seventeen patients had Marfan syndrome (7%), 100 a bicuspid valve (41%), and 22 acute dissection (9%). Mean graft size was 25.2 ± 1.3 mm, and annuloplasty size 24.3 ± 1.4 mm.Annular size was significantly reduced after repair and remained stable over time (T0: 27.4 ± 3.0 mm, T1: 24.2 ± 2.5 mm, T2: 24.2 ± 2.6 mm). After propensity-score matching (n = 33 each), baseline annular size was similar (with annuloplasty vs without: 28.7 ± 4.1 mm vs 27.8 ± 2.8 mm). Annular reduction was less effective without annuloplasty (23.9 ± 2.0 mm vs 25.6 ± 2.2 mm, P .01); size was identical at follow-up (23.8 ± 2.2 mm vs 25.1 ± 2.5 mm, P = .03). After matching, freedom from annular size increase10% at 4 years was 93 ± 5% without annuloplasty and 91 ± 9% with annuloplasty (P = .92). A linear mixed-effects model identified no significant effect of annuloplasty on annulus diameter change at T2 (P = .48). Era after 2004, Marfan syndrome, and smaller annulus diameter at discharge were the independent predictors for late annular expansion.Aortic annulus rarely dilates over time after remodeling. In the case of annular dilatation, annuloplasty normalizes annular size and may prevent further dilatation by enhancing cusp coaptation. Even without annuloplasty, the aortic annulus becomes smaller compared with preoperative dimensions when aortic valve remains competent.

Introduction While BMP-7 has proven to be one of the most potent growth factors in cartilage tissue engineering, protein concentration and route of administration remain a matter of debate. Here we investigated the effects of a low concentration of BMP-7 on human osteoarthritic chondrocytes administered by protein co-cultivation and plasmid transfection. Methods Freshly released (P0) or in vitro propagated chondrocytes (P2) were cultivated in a collagen type-I gel for 3 weeks in vitro or in nude mice. Seeded chondrocytes were treated with 50 ng/mL BMP-7 directly added to the medium or were subject to transient BMP-7 plasmid transfection prior to gel cultivation. Untreated specimens served as a control. After recovery, samples were investigated by histological and immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR. Results In vitro, collagen type-II protein production was enhanced, and it was stored mainly pericellularly. Collagen type-II and aggrecan gene expression were enhanced in both treatment groups. After nude mouse cultivation, col-II protein production was further enhanced, but specimens of the BMP-7 transfection group revealed a clustering of col-II positive cells. Gene expression was strongly up-regulated, chondrocyte number was increased and the differentiated phenotype prevailed. In general, freshly released chondrocytes (P0) proved to be superior to chondrocytes pre-amplified in vitro (P2). Conclusions Both BMP-7 co-cultivation and plasmid transfection of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes led to improved cartilage repair tissue. Nevertheless, the col-II distribution following BMP-7 co-cultivation was homogeneous, while samples produced by transient transfection revealed a col-II clustering.

The advanced transient concrete model (ATCM) is an extended model for concrete in compression at elevated temperature that incorporates elastic, plastic and creep strain as a function of temperature and stress history. The ATCM is applied with the material model of the thermal induced strain model. The non-linear model comprises thermal strain, elas- tic strain, plastic strain and transient temperature strains and load history modelling of restraint concrete structures sub- jected to fire. The mechanical strain calculated as a function of elastic strain, plastic strain and thermal induced strain. The thermal induced strain is relative independent compared to dependence of Young's Modulus by load history. Actually the term comprises elastic, plastic and (pure) transient creep strains as we will show. A comparison is given between experi- mental results with cylindrical specimens and calculated results. The equations of the ATCM consider a lot of capabilities, especially for considering irreversible effects of temperature on some material properties. By considering the load history during heating up, an increasing load bearing capacity due to a higher stiffness of concrete may be obtained. With this model it is possible to apply the thermal-physical behaviour of ma- terial laws for calculation of structures under extreme temperature conditions. The effect of load history in highly loaded structures under fire load will be investigated. The theoretical basis is given in this supplement added with an experimental study of concrete columns with various mixes.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential value of a cell-free collagen type I gel plug for the treatment of focal cartilage defects. Cellular migration and proliferation was addressed in vitro, and the formation of repair tissue in a nude mouse-based defect model. A cell-free plug made of collagen type I was placed in the center of an incubation plate. Surrounding space was filled with a collagen type I gel (Arthro Kinetics, Esslingen, Germany) seeded with 2 x 10(5) human articular chondrocytes/mL gel. After cultivation for up to 6 weeks in vitro, samples were subject to histological and immunohistochemical staining and gene expression analysis. Subsequently, chondral defects of human osteochondral blocks were treated with the plug, and specimens were cultivated subcutaneously in nude mice for 6 weeks. The repair tissue was evaluated macroscopically, and collagen type II production was investigated immunohistochemically. In vitro, morphology of immigrated cells did not show any differences, as did collagen type II gene expression. After 4 weeks, the plug was homogeneously inhabited. After 6 weeks of cultivation in nude mice, collagen gel plug treatment led to a macroscopically excellent repair tissue. Histological staining revealed a tight bonding, and the collagen gel plug started to be remodeled. We conclude that the novel collagen gel plug device offers an environment favorable for the migration of articular chondrocytes and leads to a good-quality repair tissue in the nude mouse model. The arthroscopic transplantation of a collagen gel plug may be one option in the treatment of focal cartilage defects.

The advanced transient concrete model (ATCM) is an extended model for concrete in compression at elevated temperature that incorporates elastic, plastic and creep strain as a function of temperature and stress history. The ATCM is applied with the material model of the thermal induced strain model. The non-linear model comprises thermal strain, elastic strain, plastic strain and transient temperature strains and load history modelling of restraint concrete structures subjected to fire. The mechanical strain is calculated as a function of elastic strain, plastic strain and thermal induced strain. The thermal induced strain is relative independent compared to dependence of Young's modulus by load history. Actually the term comprises elastic, plastic and (pure) transient creep strains as we will show. A comparison is given between experimental results with cylindrical specimens and calculated results.The equations of the ATCM consider a lot of capabilities, especially for considering the irreversible effects of temperature on some material properties. By considering the load history during heating up, an increasing load bearing capacity due to a higher stiffness of concrete may be obtained. With this model it is possible to apply the thermal-physical behaviour of material laws for calculation of structures under extreme temperature conditions. The effect of load history in highly loaded structures under fire load will be investigated. The theoretical basis is given in this paper.

Background Athlete9s heart as an adaptation to long-time and intensive endurance training can vary considerably between individuals. Genetic polymorphisms in the cardiological relevant insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signalling pathway seem to have an essential influence on the extent of physiological hypertrophy. Objective Analysis of polymorphisms in the genes of IGF1, IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) and the negative regulator of the cardiac IGF1 signalling pathway, myostatin (MSTN), and their relation to left ventricular mass (LVM) of endurance athletes. Methods In 110 elite endurance athletes or athletes with a high amount of endurance training (75 males and 35 females) and 27 male controls, which were examined by echocardiographic imaging methods and ergometric exercise-testing, the genotypes of a cytosine–adenine repeat polymorphism in the promoter region of the IGF1 gene and a G/A substitution at position 3174 in the IGF1R gene were determined. Additionally, a mutation screen of the MSTN gene was performed. Results The polymorphisms in the IGF1 and the IGF1R gene showed a significant relation to the LVM for male (IGF1: p=0.003; IGF1R: p=0.01), but not for female athletes. The same applies to a previously unnoticed polymorphism in the 1 intron of the MSTN gene, whose deletion allele (AAA→AA) appears to increase the myostatic effect (p=0.015). Moreover, combinations of the polymorphisms showed significant synergistic effects on the LVM of the male athletes. Conclusions The authors9 results argue for the importance of polymorphisms in the IGF1 signalling pathway in combination with MSTN on the variant degree of physiological hypertrophy of male athletes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate hyaline cartilage defects treated with cell-seeded artificial matrix systems (two different collagen type I gels) with the method of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to correlate the results with conventional histological and immunocytochemical staining. METHOD: Osteochondral blocks were harvested from 20 patients undergoing total knee replacement and trimmed to 2 x 2 cm. Under sterile conditions, chondral defects of 8 mm diameter were either filled with a collagen type I gel plug seeded with autologous chondrocytes (2 x 10 (5)/mL gel), or with a corresponding gel plug which was stabilised by a 20-fold compression. Of each group, 5 specimens were cultivated for 6 weeks under standardised in vitro conditions (37 degrees C, 5 % CO (2), humidified atmosphere), while the remaining 5 specimens were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice (BALBc -/-). Immediately after recovery, the repair tissue and bonding zones were investigated by OCT. Subsequently, specimens were decalcified and investigated by H&E staining and collagen type II immunostaining. The results of OCT and conventional staining were correlated. RESULTS: By OCT, repair tissue could be investigated up to 1.6 mm in depth, physically limited by the utilised OCT system. In the denser hyaline cartilage regions, OCT resolution was reduced. Regardless of cultivation (in vitro or nude mouse), ultrastructural features of the repair tissue could be demonstrated. In particular, ultrastructural differences between the two investigated collagen gels could be detected. Moreover, the bonding region between repair tissue and hyaline cartilage could be evaluated by OCT investigation. The results of the OCT measurements were confirmed by H&E and collagen type II immunostaining. CONCLUSION: By OCT, repair tissue generated by the treatment of cartilage defects with tissue-engineered matrix systems could be evaluated in vitro. Future studies may show if repair tissue quality may be monitored in situ by OCT.

AIM The aim of this study was to examine the clinical results after the treatment of osteochondral defects of the knee with autologous bone grafting and matrix-supported autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT). METHOD In this study 13 patients with osteochondral defects of the knee (12 femoral, 1 tibial) with OCD ICRS grade IV or ICRS grade IV B were included. The osteochondral defects were reconstructed simultaneously with autologous monocortical cancellous bone cylinders or chips from cancellous bone and matrix-supported autologous chondrocyte transplantation (CaReS). Data were analysed in accordance with the ICRS criteria and the Brittberg score. Patients were followed up to 36 months after the operation. RESULTS The average age of the patients was 34.9 (16 - 47) years at the time of surgery. The size of the defect was 8.1 (3.8 - 13.5) cm(2). The subjective and objective IKDC scores, the Brittberg and the ICRS function score were statistically significantly improved during the observation time. In one patient the transplantation failed and another patient was not available for the follow-up at 36 months. The objective IKDC score and the ICRS function score increased from 0/13 (0 %) to 11/12 (91.7 %) in categories A and B, or I and II, respectively, after 3 years. At this point of time 83.4 % (10/12) of the patients voted the treatment as excellent or good. The subjective IKDC score improved from 38.4 (+/- 12.7) preoperatively to 66.1 (+/- 17.0) after 3 years. CONCLUSION The treatment of osteochondral defects of the knee with autologous bone grafting and matrix-supported autologous chondrocyte transplantation shows promising results even for larger defects. But for a final decision about this therapy the present sample size was too small. There is a need for further long-term investigation with a larger number of patients.

Collagen type-I matrix systems have gained growing importance as a cartilage repair device. However, most of the established matrix systems use collagen type-I of bovine origin seeded in high cell densities. Here we present a novel collagen type-I gel system made of rat tail collagen for the cultivation of human chondrocytes in low cell densities. Rat tail collagen type-I gel (CaReS, Arthro Kinetics, Esslingen, Germany) was seeded with human passage 2 chondrocytes in different cell densities to evaluate the optimal cell number. In vitro, the proliferation factor of low density cultures was more than threefold higher compared with high density cultures. After 6 weeks of in vitro cultivation, freshly prepared chondrocytes with an initial cell density of 2×10 cells/mL showed a proliferation factor of 33. A cell density of 2×10 cells/mL was chosen for in vitro and in vivo cultivation using the common nude mouse model as an in vivo system. Chondrocytes stayed viable as a Live/Dead fluorescence assay and TUNEL staining revealed. During in vitro cultivation, passage 0 cells partly dedifferentiated morphologically. In vivo, passage 0 cells maintained the chondrocyte phenotype and demonstrated an increased synthesis of collagen type-II protein and gene expression compared to passage 2 cells. Passage 2 cells did not redifferentiate in vivo. Cultivating a cell-seeded collagen gel of bovine origin as a control (Atelocollagen™, Koken, Tokyo, Japan) did not lead to superior results with regard to cell morphology, col-II protein production and col-II gene expression. With the CaReS collagen gel system the best quality of repair tissue was obtained by seeding freshly isolated chondrocytes.

PURPOSE In this study we attempt to evaluate whether or not osteochondral markers of the synovial fluid can be helpful in defining objectively the repair process following matrix-based autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) CaReS (Cartilage Regeneration System). METHODS As a part of a clinical prospective pilot study, synovial fluid of 19 patients was examined before, as well as 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after matrix-based ACI. A synovial fluid analysis was performed and markers of bone and cartilage metabolism were evaluated. Molecular markers routinely examined included MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP, hCOMP, PICP und MIA. The levels were referenced to the total protein concentration of the synovial fluid and compared with clinical parameters (IKDC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS With the exception of MMP3 all markers showed a drop of the concentration below preoperative levels at 6 weeks. All marker levels returned to below the preoperative concentration at 26 as well as 52 weeks after surgery. The MIA, MMP-3, PICP, hCOMP and TIMP levels showed significant changes over the period of 52 weeks (p

The configurational stability of reactive intermediates (cation, radical and anion) derived from ethylcyclobutadiene–Fe(CO)3 by formal abstraction of a hydride, a hydrogen atom or a proton from the pseudobenzylic position was investigated. Density functional calculations (Becke3lyp) predicted that all these reactive intermediates can be regarded as planar chiral structures having a significant configurational stability. The racemization barriers were calculated to be 38.8 kcal mol–1 for the cationic, 16.9 kcal mol–1 for the radical and 44.8 kcal mol–1 for the anionic intermediate. In an experimental part of the study, derivatives of the 1-hydroxyethyl-substituted complex, which was enantioselectively prepared by CBS reduction of the acetyl complex, were subjected to SN1-type as well as single-electron-transfer-driven umpolung reactions. The observed stereospecificity of these transformations (retention of configuration) is in accordance with the predicted configurational stability of the involved reactive intermediates. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)

Background Oocyte cryopreservation remains a realistic objective, provided that more systematic approaches are applied, such as thorough analysis of the oocyte oolemma permeability to water and diverse cryoprotectants. Methods We prospectively investigated volume changes over time at different temperatures (30 degrees C, 22 degrees C and 8 degrees C) of human metaphase II (MII) oocytes (obtained in stimulated ICSI cycles and matured in vitro from the germinal vesicle stage) when exposed to changes in external osmolality. We also investigated human in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes membrane permeability characteristics at 22 degrees C to 1,2-propanediol (PG) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and at 30 degrees C, 22 degrees C and 8 degrees C to ethylene glycol (EG), and calculated corresponding oocyte oolemma permeability coefficients (Lp and Pcpa). Furthermore, we investigated the osmotic tolerance limits of IVM oocytes exposed to changes in external osmolality as assessed by their developmental competence during the course of 72 h after ICSI. Results The results of our studies describe human oocyte membrane permeability coefficients for EG at 30 degrees C (2.85+/-0.15x10(-3) cm/min), 22 degrees C (1.17+/-0.60x10(-3) cm/min) and 8 degrees C (0.37+/-0.15x10(-3) cm/min). Furthermore, at 22 degrees C the EG oolemma permeability coefficient was lower than that of PG and DMSO (1.17+/-0.60x10(-3) cm/min versus 2.15+/-0.70x10(-3) and 1.56+/-0.38x10(-3) cm/min, respectively). Our results also indicate, that human IVM MII oocytes tolerated exposure to solutions in the range of 39-2264 mOsmol/kg H2O as assessed by the oocytes' developmental competence after exposure. Conclusions The results of the present study may contribute to a better understanding of the biology and cryobiology of human oocytes, and to the design of better and more robust cryopreservation (freezing or vitrification) protocols.

AIM Here we present first clinical results of the treatment of patellofemoral cartilage lesions with a 3D collagen gel (CaReS). METHODS Isolated patellofemoral cartilage lesions in 14 patients (13 patellar, 1 trochlear) were treated by matrix-based ACT using a collagen gel seeded with autologous chondrocytes. In this study, only those patients were taken into account who complied with the inclusion criteria of the German working group "tissue regeneration and tissue substitutes". Data were analysed in accordance with the ICRS criteria and the Brittberg score. We present the 2-year postoperative clinical follow-up. RESULTS After 2 years the ICRS-IKDC and Brittberg scores revealed a statistically significant improvement. The preoperative rating of the objectiveIKDC and functional ICRS score improved from 0/14 and 2/14 (14.3%) to 11/14 (78.6%) in the categories A/B and I/II, respectively. 11 Patients(78.6%) judged the clinical outcome as excellent or good. The subjective IKDC score improved from 32.4 +/- 8.4 prior to operation to 67.8 +/- 27.4 at the 2-years follow-up. CONCLUSION The use of 3D matrix systems could represent a promising improvement of conventional ACT in the treatment of patellofemoral cartilage lesions, but the results have to be verified by long-term investigations.

Among other parameters, the application of mechanical force may provide an important stimulus in modulating the structure and function of tissue-engineered articular cartilage. We developed a cultivation chamber in which six collagen type-I gel samples, seeded with human osteoarthritic chondrocytes, can be cultivated simultaneously. A cyclic hydrostatic pressure of up to 40 kPa with a frequency of 0.0125 Hz was applied, and cultivation was performed for 1, 4, 7, or 14 days. Histological examinations revealed a spheroidal cell morphology in the treatment group. In contrast, control samples of the same patients represented a more fibroblastic appearance. Collagen type-II (col-II) protein was found in the very pericellular region of all investigated samples; the col-II content did not obviously vary between the control and treatment groups. In the treatment group, col-II and aggrecan gene expression were elevated. A spectrophotometric quantification of proteoglycan concentrations in media supernatants revealed a statistically significant enhancement in the treatment group.

Topology and geometry are essential to our understanding of modern physics, underlying many foundational concepts from high energy theories, quantum information, and condensed matter physics. In condensed matter systems, a wide range of phenomena stem from the geometry of the band eigenstates, which is encoded in the matrix-valued Wilson line for general multi-band systems. Using an ultracold gas of Rb atoms loaded in a honeycomb optical lattice, we realize strong-force dynamics in Bloch bands that are described by Wilson lines and observe an evolution in the band populations that directly reveals the band geometry. Our technique enables a full determination of band eigenstates, Berry curvature, and topological invariants, including single- and multi-band Chern and $Z_2$ numbers., 5+9 pages, final ublished version

In many robotic processes such as milling and drilling, there are multiple solutions for robot poses, as the rotation around the tool axis remains as a degree of freedom (DoF) in positioning. Yet until now, this DoF causes additional efforts in CAM programming as it requires manual intervention. Instead, this DoF can be used to optimize the robot pose according to different criteria of the robot such as stiffness or avoidance of backlash effects. This paper presents different criteria for optimization of the robot pose in machining and describes the optimization of robot stiffness based on a novel method for its identification, which is in detail described on this paper. Furthermore, the potential of the automatic resolution of the DoF is outlined enabling staff without robot knowledge to define reasonable robot paths.

We experimentally observe many-body localization of interacting fermions in a one-dimensional quasi-random optical lattice. We identify the many-body localization transition through the relaxation dynamics of an initially-prepared charge density wave. For sufficiently weak disorder the time evolution appears ergodic and thermalizing, erasing all remnants of the initial order. In contrast, above a critical disorder strength a significant portion of the initial ordering persists, thereby serving as an effective order parameter for localization. The stationary density wave order and the critical disorder value show a distinctive dependence on the interaction strength, in agreement with numerical simulations. We connect this dependence to the ubiquitous logarithmic growth of entanglement entropy characterizing the generic many-body localized phase., 6 pages, 6 figures + supplementary information

Many-body localization (MBL), the disorder-induced localization of interacting particles, signals a breakdown of conventional thermodynamics because MBL systems do not thermalize and show nonergodic time evolution. We experimentally observed this nonergodic evolution for interacting fermions in a one-dimensional quasirandom optical lattice and identified the MBL transition through the relaxation dynamics of an initially prepared charge density wave. For sufficiently weak disorder, the time evolution appears ergodic and thermalizing, erasing all initial ordering, whereas above a critical disorder strength, a substantial portion of the initial ordering persists. The critical disorder value shows a distinctive dependence on the interaction strength, which is in agreement with numerical simulations. Our experiment paves the way to further detailed studies of MBL, such as in noncorrelated disorder or higher dimensions.

Die Erwerbsbeteiligung von Frauen in Deutschland befindet sich seit mehreren Jahrzehnten in einer stetigen Aufwärtsbewegung. Trotzdem gibt es immer noch große Unterschiede zwischen den Erwerbsverläufen von Frauen und Männern. Mit der Geburt eines Kindes beginnt für viele Frauen eine längere Erwerbsunterbrechung, oftmals gefolgt von einem Übergang in eine Teilzeitbeschäftigung. Dieser Beitrag stellt einige Zahlen und Fakten bezüglich der Erwerbsunterbrechung von Müttern zusammen. Auf der Basis der Daten des Sozio-oekonomischen Panels (SOEP) kommen wir zu dem Schluss, dass Mütter zu Beginn der Auszeit deren Dauer häufig unterschätzen. Auch die zukünftigen Arbeitszeiten entwickeln sich oft anders als ursprünglich geplant.

Long-range order in quantum many-body systems is usually associated with equilibrium situations. Here, we experimentally investigate the quasicondensation of strongly-interacting bosons at finite momenta in a far-from-equilibrium case. We prepare an inhomogeneous initial state consisting of one-dimensional Mott insulators in the center of otherwise empty one-dimensional chains in an optical lattice with a lattice constant $d$. After suddenly quenching the trapping potential to zero, we observe the onset of coherence in spontaneously forming quasicondensates in the lattice. Remarkably, the emerging phase order differs from the ground-state order and is characterized by peaks at finite momenta $\pm (\pi/2) (\hbar / d)$ in the momentum distribution function., Comment: See also Viewpoint: Emerging Quantum Order in an Expanding Gas, Physics 8, 99 (2015)

We demonstrate a controlled phase change of p in a degenerate superposition by altering a laser frequency by only 10 MHz. The method relies on the preparation of an adiabatic state involving the M = ±2 and M = 0 states of the 3 P2 (J = 2) level of metastable neon. Dependent on the frequency, the preparation proceeds either by stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) or by coherent population trapping (CPT). In the former case the superposition is prepared by adiabatic transfer induced in an extended tripod linkage scheme. In the latter case population is optically pumped into the Zeeman manifold of the level 3 P2. The population which does not reach a dark state decays to the ground state of neon. The amplitudes and relative phases of the dark states differ for the two cases. The phase change is monitored using the method of phase-to-population mapping. 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Introduction: In the age of growth factors and gene therapy, the induction of cartilage healing remains an unsolved problem. Even in autologous grafting, one of the preferred methods of treatment for focal osteochondral lesions, chondral integration remains difficult. This study aims to define a possible positive influence of growth factor augmentation on the ingrowth of these transplants. Materials and methods: In an ovine model, questions regarding the healing of osteochondral transplants under the influence of two different growth factors were to be addressed. Two osteochondral autologous transplantations (OAT), one in the weight-bearing surface of each femoral condyle, were performed on the ovine knee using the standard operative protocol. One of the grafts was bathed in augmented PBS containing 50 μg bFGF or bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 directly prior to implantation, while the other condyle served as the control. Two groups, consisting of eight sheep each, were evaluated for each growth factor after 6 months. Results: During the evaluation of all the specimens, neither osteophytes nor synovial changes were observed. The mechanical consistency of the cartilaginous tissue began to reach a level equivalent to the surrounding tissue at 6 months, independent of the use of growth factor. Macroscopically, the superficial border of the transplanted osteochondral plug could easily be outlined in all groups, while the cartilage interface of the bFGF specimens was determined to be less demarcated than the BMP augmented plugs or the controls. Radiographically, a solid osteointegration of the graft could be documented at 6 months in the native and augmented groups. In contrast, integration of the chondral surface of the OAT was not seen macro- or microscopically in any specimen, even though cartilage surfaces remained viable. A firm physical interdigitation of the reconstructed joint surface could not be demonstrated in either of the two augmented groups or the control population. The augmentation with bFGF and BMP-2 stimulated the osseous ingrowth and seems to expedite the remodelling process, but was not able to improve chondral healing. Conclusion: The lack of integration of the cartilaginous portion of the transplanted plugs into the reconstructed joint surface, even following the augmentation with bFGF and BMP-2, does not bode well for the long-term survival of the joint itself.

The behavior of ordinary concrete and high strength concrete under a combinative effect of stress and chemical corrosion was studied in the present work. The concrete specimens were immersed in a variety of chemical solutions including 10%, 5%, 1% and 0.1% ammonium nitrate and simultaneously subjected to different flexural loads with load levels of 30%, 40% and 50% of their initial flexure strengths. The influences of the concentration of solutions, quality class of the concretes and load level of applied flexural stress on the strength of concretes were investigated. The relationships between life-time of the concrete and concentration of the solution, relative strength of the concrete and penetration depth of the ammonium nitrate solutions were determined. The mechanisms of stress corrosion of concrete exposed to ammonium nitrate solution and superimposed to a flexural stress was also discussed.

Numerous studies have focused on the significance of modern marker proteins in the synovial fluid of the knee joint and in the serum both, for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The relationship between the serum concentrations and the concentrations in the synovial fluid is still unclear. Synovial fluid and serum samples were obtained from 13 patients with advanced OA and from 8 patients with severe RA and concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-1, COMP and MIA/CD-RAP were determined. All values were normalized against the total protein concentrations. Serum concentrations of MMP-13 in the RA-group were statistically higher than the synovial values (P

Animal cells counteract oxidative stress and electrophilic attack through coordinated expression of a set of detoxifying and antioxidant enzyme genes mediated by transcription factor Nrf2. In unstressed cells, Nrf2 appears to be sequestered in the cytoplasm via association with an inhibitor protein, Keap1. Here, by using the yeast two-hybrid screen, human Keap1 has been identified as a partner of the nuclear protein prothymosin alpha. The in vivo and in vitro data indicated that the prothymosin alpha-Keap1 interaction is direct, highly specific, and functionally relevant. Furthermore, we showed that Keap1 is a nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein equipped with a nuclear export signal that is important for its inhibitory action. Prothymosin alpha was able to liberate Nrf2 from the Nrf2-Keap1 inhibitory complex in vitro through competition with Nrf2 for binding to the same domain of Keap1. In vivo, the level of Nrf2-dependent transcription was correlated with the intracellular level of prothymosin alpha by using prothymosin alpha overproduction and mRNA interference approaches. Our data attribute to prothymosin alpha the role of intranuclear dissociator of the Nrf2-Keap1 complex, thus revealing a novel function for prothymosin alpha and adding a new dimension to the molecular mechanisms underlying expression of oxidative stress-protecting genes.

ZusammenfassungDer ausgereifte hyaline Gelenkknorpel hat nach traumatischen oder degenerativen Schädigungen eine nur sehr eingeschränkte Fähigkeit zur Regeneration. Aus diesem Grund sind in der Vergangenheit verschiedene operative Tech-niken entwickelt worden, um die Knorpelreparation zu stimulieren. Die Methode der autologen Chondrozytentrans-plantation (ACT) erregte auf Grundderguten histologischen Ergebnisse des neugebildeten Reparationsgewebes zwar sehr viel Aufsehen, die eingesetzte Technik ist allerdings sehr anspruchsvoll und mit einigen gravierenden zellbiologischen und operationstechnischen Problemen vergesellschaftet. Aus diesen Gründen wurden Trägermaterialien entwickelt, welche den sicheren Transfer in den Defekt gewährleisten und die Knorpelreparation fördern. In den letz-ten Jahren wurde eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Ma-terialien und Methoden tierexperimentell getestet. Aller-dings waren die Ergebnisse nur bei wenigen Materialien so zufriedenstellend, dasssie auch klinisch eingesetztwurden. Die einzelnen Materialien haben in der vorliegenden Form einige Vorteile, aber auch gravierende Nachteile, welche die Applikation teilweise in Frage stellen. Bisher existieren nur wenige klinische Studien, die den Einsatz dieser Mate-rialien in ausreichender Weise dokumentieren. Insbesondere gibt es keine Vergleichsstudien, die diese neuen Mate-rialien untereinander untersuchen und schon gar keine Langzeitstudien. Die Anwendung dieser neuen Knorpelersatzmaterialien sollte in der jetzigen Phase nur an Zen-tren erfolgen, die sich sowohl methodisch als auch wissenschaftlich mit diesem Thema auseinandersetzen.

Anterior knee pain is one of the major causes of knee pain in an adolescent population. It has been suggested that raised intraosseous pressure may play an important role in the development of anterior knee pain in the young patient.A prospective clinical multicentre study with 27 adolescent patients presenting with anterior knee pain was performed. After failure to respond to conservative treatment, all patients agreed to undergo minimally invasive intraosseous pressure measurements in local anaesthesia. All 27 patients demonstrated a positive "pain provocation test" as a response to increased intrapatellar pressure and were decompressed with a new intraosseous drilling technique.The repeat intraosseous pressure measurement in 27 patients 1 year postoperatively revealed a significant reduction from 43.3+/-13.4 preoperatively to 24.1+/-4.2 mmHg (p0.001). The pain relief was documented in the form of a reduced VAS from 7.6+/-1.4 to 2.1+/-1.1 cm after 3 years (p0.001).Patients with anterior knee pain and a positive "pain provocation test" were diagnosed as suffering from a hypertension syndrome of the patella. We conclude that simple extraarticular patellar decompression may offer a valuable new form of treatment in this select group of adolescent patients with anterior knee pain.

In synovial-like membranes from failed total hip prostheses, an increased level of cytokines and cellular mediators has been identified. We compared two matched groups of patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA)--one with surgically proven component loosening and one without. We measured serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and elastase. Soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2r) was also measured to exclude any hypersensitivity reaction. We found no significant difference in serum values between groups. Neither were there any differences with respect to implant material, mode of fixation, and periprosthetic osteolysis. In contrast to previous reports, our results suggest that serum levels of cytokines and cellular mediators may not be affected in aseptic loosening.

Die Verwendung von Hochleistungsbetonen hat in den letzen Jahren weltweit einen enormen Trend nach oben erfahren. Innovativen Unternehmen und Labors ist es zu verdanken, das diese Entwicklungen basierend auf soliden Untersuchungen stetig fortgefuhrt werden. Ultrahochfeste Betone stellen dabei die letzte Stufe dieser Forschungsentwicklung dar. Permeabilitat ist bekanntlich ein Indikator zur Quantifizierung der Dauerhaftigkeit bei Betonen. Permeabilitat steht aber auch in enger Relation zum Abplatzverhalten bei Betonen unter Temperaturbeanspruchung, d.h. sie ist ev. masgebend fur eher weniger gute Eigenschaften von Hochleistungsbetonen in diesem Zusammenhang. Dieser Bericht stellt einen Auszug aus einem noch laufenden Forschungsprojekt an der TU-Wien dar, welcher sich mit dem Abplatz- und Temperaturverhalten von UHPC- Betonen bei unterschiedlichen Brandbelastungen befast. Dazu werden die derzeitig vorliegenden Versuchsergebnisse und die daraus gewonnenen Erkenntnisse dokumentiert.

Zusammenfassung Nach Ausschluss anderer Ursachen des vorderen Knieschmerzes kann mit einer intraossaren Druckmessung plus Schmerzprovokationstest bei einem Teil der Patienten die Symptomatik objektiviert und klassifiziert werden. Patienten mit einem erhohten intraossaren Druck (> 25 mmHg) und einem positiven Schmerzprovokationstest (= Hypertensionssyndrom der Patella) werden mit einer minimal-invasiven distalen Patelladekompressionsbohrung behandelt. Bei 27 Patienten mit therapieresistenten vorderen Knieschmerzen konnte eine Reduktion in der visuellen Analogskala von 7,6 auf 2,0 cm bei einem Follow-up von 3 Jahren dokumentiert werden.

Autologous osteochondral transplantation has the major disadvantage of significant damage to a healthy joint surface at the donor site. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of autogenous chondrocytes injected into the periosteum of autologous bone grafts in order to provide an alternative method for cartilage repair. A total of 22 Gottinger minipigs were operated twice on both knees. The first operation served for cartilage biopsy for the chondrocyte culture. During the second operation an osteochondral defect was created in the medial facet of the trochlear groove. The defect was treated differently with an autologous cortico-cancellous bone cylinder,harvested from the proximal tibia.Group A: untreated defect (control);B: bone-graft;C: bone-graft covered with periosteum; D: bone-graft with periosteum and injected autologous chondrocytes. The animals were killed after 6, 12, 26 and 52 weeks. The regenerated areas were evaluated macroscopically, tested biomechanically (long-term specimens; indentation-test) and a histological, blind evaluation was carried out according to a semi-quantitative scoring system. The periosteum covered bone cylinders in Groups C and D showed good repair of the bone and cartilage defect. The repaired tissue consisted predominantly of fibrocartilage with the partial formation of hyalin like tissue. The regenerated areas were integrated with the adjacent cartilage and were biomechanically superior when compared with the other groups. The additional injection of chondrocytes did not produce significantly better results. Our findings suggest that the transplantation of periosteum-covered bone cylinders may provide an alternative method for treating chondral and osteochondral defects and can be recommended for filling large donor site defects in joint surgery. The additional transplantation of chondrocytes does not seem to be justified.

Aim The goal of this study was to determine whether or not the intraarticular administration of hyaluronic acid can improve functional parameters, such as isokinetic muscle strength or total work and clinical test results in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Method As part of a prospective, controlled study 43 patients with osteoarthritic changes of both knees (radiographic Kellgren stage II–III) were followed in a right/left comparison. The influence of intraarticularly injected hyaluronic acid (20mg hyaluronic acid/2ml Hyalart ® ) on functional and clinical parameters was analysed. We used the isokinetic system Cybex 600 for measuring maximal isokinetic muscle strength and total work. A total of 20 males and 23 females fulfilled the inclusion criteria with an age between 55–78 years and underwent five injections of hyaluronic acid (one injection per week). The injected knee represented the treatment group, while the contralateral knee served as the control. Results The maximum peak torque of the knee extensors in the treatment group was measured between 57±26.15/32.33±19.63Nm prior to the injections and 77.17±32.54/47.83±21.43Nm following the hyaluronic acid therapy ( P 0.01). The analysis of the knee flexors at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s revealed values of 40.44±21.58/22.89±16.64Nm and 53.55±24.26/34.05±17.37Nm ( P 0.01) respectively. The evaluation of the total work of the knee flexors and extensors revealed a significant difference ( P 0.01) between the treatment and control group. The Lequesne score was reduced from 13.57±1.88 prior to the injections to 7.94±2.53 after the treatment ( P 0.01). The pain score was documented with the help of a visual analog scale. The VAS values were reduced at rest from 3.83±1.72cm to 1.36±1.42cm and during weight bearing from 7.57±1.34cm to 3.75±1.32cm in the treatment group ( P 0.01). Conclusions This controlled prospective clinical trial confirmed that 5 weekly intraarticular injections of HA (Hyalart ® ) in patients with OA of the knee provide pain relief and functional improvements. Copyright 2002 OsteoArthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .

Cartilage-derived retinoic acid-sensitive protein (CD-RAP), also referred to as melanoma-inhibiting activity (MIA), is detected physiologically only in cartilage tissue and pathologically in malignant melanoma. Recent studies indicated that this protein might be useful as a marker for altered joint metabolism or damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is any correlation between the degree of cartilage degradation and levels of this protein. In a prospective cross-sectional study, synovial fluid samples were obtained from 67 consecutive patients undergoing surgery of the knee joint. The degree of cartilage degradation was determined intraoperatively using the Outerbridge and Noyes classifications. MIA/CD-RAP was measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The marker levels were compared against the Outerbridge and Noyes classifications and the correlation coefficients were calculated. At advanced stages of cartilage degradation, there were decreased synovial fluid levels of MIA/CD-RAP. The correlation coefficients were -0.449 and -0.418 for the Outerbridge and Noyes classifications, respectively, with large 95% confidence intervals. While the physiological function of MIA/CD-RAP is still unclear, the results indicate that MIA/CD-RAP levels depend on the degree of cartilage degradation. Despite the high interindividual variations, MIA/CD-RAP might be useful as a marker to monitor degenerative joint lesions.

Aortic root dilatation occurs in most patients with Marfan syndrome with secondary valve failure or aortic complications being frequent consequences (1). The traditional surgical approach has been composite replacement of aortic valve and root, first described in the 1960s (2). Since the advent of valve-preserving aortic surgery, different techniques (3,4) have also been applied to Marfan patients. Generally they have resulted in good stability and a low incidence of complications (5-8). In some series, valve reimplantation has resulted in better valve stability at 15 years compared to root remodeling (5,7). This might be due to the fact that this technique—different from remodeling—addresses annular dilatation. In our own clinical experience, both forms of valve preserving root replacement have led to comparable results (8). As root remodeling has been shown to result in more physiological hemodynamics (9), we have become more liberal to use this approach with time. Beginning in 2004, intraoperative measurement of effective height (10) led to better recognition and more objective treatment of cusp prolapse. Starting 2009 a suture annuloplasty (11) was added to root remodeling in the presence of basal dilatation. In the present study, we examined the results now reaching 22 years of follow-up. The investigation was based on data collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively, primary endpoints were freedom from reoperation and from AR≥II.

Large-scale and high throughput approaches increasingly play an essential role in the study of biological systems, which are per se highly complex. Therefore, they need to be examined by these extensive methods to receive information about the large genomic and proteomic networks. In plant biology, this purpose has a strong support through the accessability of the complete genome sequence of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This brief review intends to focus on the basics and the state-of-the-art of these high-throughput technologies and their application to plant proteomics. It describes protein microarrays, the use of antibodies, 2-DE and MS methods and the yeast two hybrid system, which are emerging as the major technologies for plant proteomics.

Im Rahmen einer klinischen und radiologischen Analyse der CLS-Multicenterstudie wurde untersucht, welchen Einfluss die Position eines zementfrei implantierten CLS-Schaftes auf die Funktion und Standzeit dieser Prothese hat. In die Untersuchung gingen 3732 Schafte mit einem mittleren Nachuntersuchungsintervall von 43 (>12–142) Monaten ein. Zur Beurteilung der klinischen Funktion wurde der Merle D'Aubigne-Score verwendet. Die Schaftposition wurde radiologisch bestimmt. Eine Abweichung der Prothesenlangsachse von der Femurlangsachse wurde als Varus- oder Valguspositionierung bewertet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die radiologisch dokumentierten Schaftpositionen keinen Einfluss auf die Standzeit, die Funktion, Implantatwanderung oder das Auftreten von periprothetischen Lysesaumen hat. Bei Rheumatikern und Patienten mit Huftankylose wird die Schaftpositionierung in neutraler Ausrichtung seltener erreicht als bei Patienten mit anderen Diagnosen. Die Ergebnisse unserer Studie lassen Zweifel aufkommen, ob die fur zementierte Schafte gefundenen Gesetzmasigkeiten (schlechte Langzeitergebnisse bei varischen Schaftachsen) auch auf zementfreie Schafte ubertragbar sind. Obwohl Langzeitergebnisse noch ausstehen, stellt sich die Frage, ob die exakte Positionierung der CLS-Geradschaftprothese in korrekter Ausrichtung, die aufgrund der vorgegebenen anatomischen Varianten nicht immer moglich ist, a priori gefordert werden muss.

Objective: In a prospective study we evaluated the course of markers for bone formation and bone resorption in patients undergoing elective total hip and total knee arthroplasty due to osteoarthritis. The aim was to evaluate which changes in bone metabolism take place in the immediate postoperative course following arthroplasty. Methods: Serum and urine samples were obtained preoperatively and in the postoperative course from patients undergoing total arthroplasty over a 90- or 180-day period. The study included a total of 63 patients with cemented hip prostheses (n = 20), uncemented hip prostheses (n = 23) and cemented knee prostheses (n = 20). Different biochemical markers of bone metabolism were assessed including the serum markers bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and the urine markers n-telopeptide (NTx) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD). Results: For all four markers, there were changes over time which were statistically significant. Markers indicating bone formation were slightly elevated after a 3-month period. In contrast, the two markers indicating bone resorption were back to normal after a 6-month period. There were differences between the groups with cemented and uncemented total hip arthroplasty in the postoperative course with higher values of the markers indicating bone resorption in the cemented group. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the two markers of bone resorption, NTx and DPD, are elevated during the first 6 months after hip and knee arthroplasty. Therefore, during this period they cannot be used as a marker for aseptic loosening. However, if these two markers are still elevated after this period, they may reflect an impaired bone metabolism. Further studies are required to assess the potential value of these markers for the diagnosis of aseptic loosening.

The geometric structure of an energy band in a solid is fundamental for a wide range of many-body phenomena in condensed matter and is uniquely characterized by the distribution of Berry curvature over the Brillouin zone. In analogy to an Aharonov-Bohm interferometer that measures the magnetic flux penetrating a given area in real space, we realize an atomic interferometer to measure Berry flux in momentum space. We demonstrate the interferometer for a graphene-type hexagonal lattice, where it has allowed us to directly detect the singular $\pi$ Berry flux localized at each Dirac point. We show that the interferometer enables one to determine the distribution of Berry curvature with high momentum resolution. Our work forms the basis for a general framework to fully characterize topological band structures and can also facilitate holonomic quantum computing through controlled exploitation of the geometry of Hilbert space., Comment: 5+5 pages