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Background:. Amputation after open tibial fracture occurs in 3% of cases. The rate increases when flap reconstruction is required. The standard care involves microsurgical tissue transfer although the pedicled reverse sural artery adipofascial flap (PRSAF) is a local alternative in patients endangered by a prolonged operative time. Incorporation of a gastrocnemius muscle cuff in this flap can be used to fill dead space and increase healing potential. Literature shows superior survival rates for both PRSAF and inclusion of a muscle cuff in comparison with the cutaneous version. The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of the PRSAF and the musculoadipofascial version (PRSMAF). We hypothesize that the PRSMAF provides similar lap viability and flap-related complication rates as does the adipofascial version. The muscle component may reduce the long-term osteomyelitis rate. Methods:. Patients were evaluated retrospectively after reconstruction with either PRSAF or PRSMAF. Preoperative osteomyelitis, flap survival, complications and osteomyelitis clearance were analyzed. Results:. The study shows preliminary results supporting the potential use of the PRSMAF. We compare either 23 PRSMAF or 20 PRSAF flaps. We found no statistically significant differences in flap survival or in complication rate. Conclusions:. Although the anatomical situation may sometimes dictate the use of a free flap, a technically less-complicated option may in some cases offer a viable alternative. This study shows that the PRSMAF can serve as an alternative for complex bone defects in the limb, though it does not provide statistical improvement to the PRSAF.

We propose active object languages as a development tool for formal system models of distributed systems. Additionally to a formalization based on a term rewriting system, we use established Software Engineering concepts, including software product lines and object orientation that come with extensive tool support. We illustrate our modeling approach by prototyping a weak memory model. The resulting executable model is modular and has clear interfaces between communicating participants through object-oriented modeling. Relaxations of the basic memory model are expressed as self-contained variants of a software product line. As a modeling language we use the formal active object language ABS which comes with an extensive tool set. This permits rapid formalization of core ideas, early validity checks in terms of formal invariant proofs, and debugging support by executing test runs. Hence, our approach supports the prototyping of formal system models with early feedback.

The origin and dynamics of the Van Allen radiation belts is one of the longest-standing questions of the space age, and one that is increasingly important for space applications as satellite systems become more sophisticated, smaller and more susceptible to radiation effects. The precise mechanism by which the Earth’s magnetosphere is able to accelerate electrons from thermal to ultrarelativistic energies (E≫0.5 MeV) has been particularly difficult to definitively resolve. The traditional explanation is that large-scale, fluctuating electric and magnetic fields energize particles through radial diffusion. More recent theories and observations have suggested that gyro-resonant wave–particle interactions may be comparable to or more important than radial diffusion. Using data collected simultaneously by multiple satellites passing through the magnetosphere at different distances from the Earth, we demonstrate that the latter of these is the dominant mechanism responsible for relativistic electron acceleration. Specifically, we identify frequent and persistent peaks in equatorial electron phase space density near or inside geosynchronous orbit that provide unambiguous evidence for local wave–particle acceleration. These observations represent an important step towards a more complete physical understanding of radiation belt dynamics and to the development of space-weather models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncogenic signalling via Ca2+‐activated K+ channels of intermediate conductance (SK4, also known as KCa3.1 or IK) has been implicated in different cancer entities including breast cancer. Yet, the role of endogenous SK4 channels for tumorigenesis is unclear. Herein, we generated SK4‐negative tumours by crossing SK4‐deficient (SK4 KO) mice to the polyoma middle T‐antigen (PyMT) and epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (cNeu) breast cancer models in which oncogene expression is driven by the retroviral promoter MMTV. Survival parameters and tumour progression were studied in cancer‐prone SK4 KO in comparison with wild‐type (WT) mice and in a syngeneic orthotopic mouse model following transplantation of SK4‐negative or WT tumour cells. SK4 activity was modulated by genetic or pharmacological means using the SK4 inhibitor TRAM‐34 in order to establish the role of breast tumour SK4 for cell growth, electrophysiological signalling, and [Ca2+]i oscillations. Ablation of SK4 and TRAM‐34 treatment reduced the SK4‐generated current fraction, growth factor‐dependent Ca2+ entry, cell cycle progression and the proliferation rate of MMTV‐PyMT tumour cells. In vivo, PyMT oncogene‐driven tumorigenesis was only marginally affected by the global lack of SK4, whereas tumour progression was significantly delayed after orthotopic implantation of MMTV‐PyMT SK4 KO breast tumour cells. However, overall survival and progression‐free survival time in the MMTV‐cNeu mouse model were significantly extended in the absence of SK4. Collectively, our data from murine breast cancer models indicate that SK4 activity is crucial for cell cycle control. Thus, the modulation of this channel should be further investigated towards a potential improvement of existing antitumour strategies in human breast cancer.

The levels of tubulin protein in developing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Stoneville 825) fibers were measured from 8 to 28 days post‐anthesis using commercially available monoclonal antibodies against alpha‐ and beta‐tubulin. As the monoclonal antibodies against alpha‐ and beta‐tubulin were prepared from yeast tubulin and chick brain tubulin, respectively, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy was used to establish that the two monoclonal antibodies recognized microtubule structures in cotton fibers. Western blots of electrophoretically separated proteins in crude extracts of cotton roots and fibers showed that single polypeptides with the expected apparent molecular weight for tubulin subunits were recognized by the antisera. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify tubulin levels. From 10 to 20 days post‐anthesis the level of tubulin protein increases approximately three‐fold. After 20 days post‐anthesis, the amount of tubulin relative to total fiber protein reaches a plateau or decreases slightly. The rapid rise in tubulin is correlated with the elongation of the fiber and an increase in cellulose synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the murder of the Great Minister Soga no Iruka of Japan on 10 July 645 and its ramifications in the early Taika period within the context of the newly adopted Chinese calendar. The journey of Iruka on the day of the monkey of Chinese calendar; Signs and portents during the reign of Okimi Toyotakara; Japanese students who were sent to China to cover the contemporary Chinese learning; Reasons behind the conspiracy to kill Iruka.

An up-dated synopsis is given on the antithrombotic potential of pentoxifyl- line. Pentoxifylline enhances the PGI&sub2; release from the vascular wall and causes increasing platelet sensitivity to antiaggregating prostaglandins. By its PDE inhibiting effect pentoxifylline in high doses can also enhance PGI&sub2;-stimulated cAMP synthesis. These platelet aggregation inhibiting effects in combination with increases in fibrinolytic activity under pentoxifylline administration are suggested to be the main determinants of the compound's antithrombotic properties as evident from investigations in different animal models of thrombosis: Intravascular thrombus formation upon stimulation by both iontophoretically introduced ADP or laser injury of endothelium in the hamster cheek pouch and in the rat mesentery, respectively, was significantly reduced under pentoxifyl- line. Clinically these findings are corroborated by the regress of platelet aggregability, reduction in fibrinogen, increase in AT Ill and decrease in antiplasmin activity under treatment with pentoxifylline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) advertisements and use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes and hookahs. A cross-sectional survey of 6902 German students (mean age 13.1 years, 51.3% male) recruited in six German states was performed. Exposure to e-cigarette advertisements was measured with self-rated contact frequency to three advertising images. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression models were used to assess associations between exposure to e-cigarette advertisement and use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes and hookahs (ever and past 30 days). Overall, 38.8% of the students were exposed to e-cigarette advertisements; ever-use of e-cigarettes was 21.7%, of combustible cigarettes was 21.8% and of hookahs was 23.2%, and poly-use of all three products was 12.4%. Exposure to e-cigarette advertisements was positively related to ever and past 30-day use of e-cigarettes, combustible cigarettes, hookahs and combined use. We concluded that a considerable number of German teenagers are exposed to e-cigarette advertisement. There was a clear exposure–behaviour link, indicating that advertising contact was associated with different kinds of “vaping” and also smoking behaviour. Although causal interpretation is not possible due to the cross-sectional design, findings raise concerns about the current tobacco control policies.

Este artigo tem o objetivo de oferecer uma visão atual sobre o desenvolvimento curricular na Alemanha. O artigo esta estruturado em três passos: No primeiro passo é dada a descrição do desenvolvimento da disciplina Educação Física como uma disciplina acadêmica nas universidades alemãs depois da segunda guerra mundial. No segundo passo esclarece a compreensão básica da formação universitária em Educação Física: A formação universitária tem dois pontos de referência superior: 1. A Educação Física na escolar; 2. Movimento no âmbito escolar, entendido como integração de movimento, jogo e esporte em toda a escola. No terceiro passo apresenta um exemplo do currículo da Universidade de Braunschweig, no qual o aspecto fundamental é sua estruturação em módulos.

O texto relata programa de intercâmbio científico-acadêmico entre pesquisadores brasileiros e alemães, com apoio do DAAD, CAPES e UFBA. Ocorrido entre 2005 e 2014, o projeto de assessoramento visou propor uma reestruturação do currículo do curso de Educação Física/Ciência do Esporte da UFBA, baseado numa perspectiva de formação em pedagogia do movimento humano, através de dez módulos de experiência-aprendizagem