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Abstract Background Positive effects of brace treatments in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients on gait were proven. Aim Therefore, this study examined whether the influence of brace therapy in combination with Schroth therapy influencing the plantar pressure distribution, pre and post intensive rehabilitative inpatient treatment. Design Prospective cohort study, longitudinal. Setting Scoliosis rehabilitation clinic “Asklepios Katharina-Schroth-Klinik” (Bad Sobernheim, Germany). Population Twenty (14f/6m) patients (12–16 years) had a medically diagnosed moderate idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle 20–50°, Median 30°) and an indication for combined brace and Schroth therapy with an inpatient stay (4 weeks) at the Asklepios Katharina Schroth Clinic (Germany). Methods At the beginning (T1) and at the end of the stay (T2), the plantar pressure distribution with (A) and without wearing a brace (B) was recorded (walking distance 10 m). Results No significant differences between the left and right foot were found at baseline (T1). The T1 - T2 comparison of one foot revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05 − 0.001, respectively) for (A): mean pressure right midfoot, loaded area total left foot, left midfoot, left inner ball of foot, right midfoot, impulse total right foot, right midfoot and for (B): mean pressure right midfoot, right outer ball of foot, loaded area total right foot, right heel, right midfoot, impulse right heel, right midfoot, right outer ball of foot. Conclusions A combined brace and Schroth therapy maintains the initial symmetrical plantar pressure distribution over the duration of four weeks since the significant differences fall within the range of measurement error. Clinical rehabilitation impact The insole measuring system can be used to objectively support therapeutic gait training as part of rehabilitation and to assess insole fitting based on foot shape. Due to its convenient handling and rapid data acquisition, it may be a suitable method for interim or follow-up diagnostics in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis.

Abstract Background Additively manufactured (AM) anatomical bone models are primarily utilized for training and preoperative planning purposes. As such, they must meet stringent requirements, with dimensional accuracy being of utmost importance. This study aimed to evaluate the precision and accuracy of anatomical bone models manufactured using three different AM technologies: digital light processing (DLP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and PolyJetting (PJ), built in three different part orientations. Additionally, the study sought to assess surgeons’ perceptions of how well these models mimic real bones in simulated osteosynthesis. Methods Computer-aided design (CAD) models of six human radii were generated from computed tomography (CT) imaging data. Anatomical models were then manufactured using the three aforementioned technologies and in three different part orientations. The surfaces of all models were 3D-scanned and compared with the original CAD models. Furthermore, an anatomical model of a proximal femur including a metastatic lesion was manufactured using the three technologies, followed by (mock) osteosynthesis performed by six surgeons on each type of model. The surgeons’ perceptions of the quality and haptic properties of each model were assessed using a questionnaire. Results The mean dimensional deviations from the original CAD model ranged between 0.00 and 0.13 mm with maximal inaccuracies

The strong associations between the serum levels of adiponectin and the lipoprotein subclasses observed in healthy subjects are much weaker in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the impact of sex on these associations remained unexplored. Therefore, in the present study, we examined associations between adiponectin and the lipoprotein subclasses, analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, separately in healthy females and males, as well as in females and males with MS. We observed negative correlations between adiponectin and VLDL, IDL, and small-dense LDL in healthy males, but neither in healthy females nor in females or males with MS. Additionally, adiponectin was positively correlated with some HDL subclasses in healthy males and females with MS, but not in healthy females or males with MS. Adjusting for age and either body mass index, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, or interleukin-6 weakened the associations between adiponectin and VLDL and IDL but not small-dense LDL. The adjustment weakened the associations between adiponectin and HDL in healthy males but not in females with MS. Based on our results, we conclude that sex and the presence of MS are strong determinants of the associations between adiponectin and serum lipoproteins and that the complex regulatory network comprising adiponectin and other molecular players involved in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism is primarily operative in healthy males and females with MS.

IntroductionThe fact that the daily lives of billions of people were affected by the medical, social, and political aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic shows the need to anchor the understanding of One Health in society. Hence, promoting awareness and deepening the understanding of the interrelation between human health, animal health, and ecosystems must be accomplished through quality education, as advocated by UN Sustainable Development Goal 4. The often-questioned and discussed measures taken by governments to control the global pandemic between 2020 and 2023 can be seen as an opportunity to meet the educational needs of civil society solutions in multi-stakeholder settings between public, universities, and schools.MethodsThis paper focuses on the integration of One Health principles in educational frameworks, particularly within the context of the higher education teaching framework “Teaching Clinic.” This master-level course in the domain of pre-service teacher education serves as a potent vehicle for facilitating One Health Education, bridging the gap between research, higher education, and schools. Through the presentation of two case studies, this article demonstrates how the Teaching Clinic approach fosters interdisciplinary perspectives and provides a dynamic learning environment for pre-service teachers, as well as for pupils involved in the educational process.ResultsIn both cases, the integration of educational One Health school teaching-learning settings effectively enhanced pupils’ understanding of complex topics and engaged them in active learning experiences. Pre-service teachers played a crucial role in developing, implementing, and evaluating these interventions. In Case I, pupils demonstrated proficiency in analyzing data and evaluating mathematical models, while in Case II, the chosen instructional approach facilitated One Health knowledge acquisition and enjoyment among pupils. These results underscore the potential of the One Health Teaching Clinic as a valuable educational framework for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes for pre-service teachers and fostering pupil engagement in socio-scientific One Health-related topics.DiscussionThe discussion delves into the significance of breaking down disciplinary silos and the crucial role of teacher education in promoting a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the intersectionality of One Health Education and Education for Sustainable Development. This article underpins the significance of collaborative efforts across multiple (scientific) disciplines and across secondary and tertiary education levels to reach a nexus. Moreover, it emphasizes the alignment of this approach with the 2030 Agenda, Education for Sustainable Development, and Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the potential for collective action toward a more sustainable future.

Abstract Vibrational energy harvesters, which can convert mechanical energy distributed widely in the surrounding environment to electrical energy in a convenient, eco‐friendly and sustainable way, have attracted great attention in both academia and industry. In this study, a resilient electret film‐based vibrational energy harvester with a V‐shaped counter electrode is introduced, simulated and constructed. A negatively charged fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP) electret film with a wavy shape was adopted in the devices, achieving simultaneously a stable embedded biased voltage and a large tensile deformation during vibration. The influences of the factors on the performance of the device, including the initial stretching state of the resilient electret film, seismic mass and depth of the V‐shape counter electrode, were analyzed comprehensively with finite element simulation and compared to experiments. Further, the structure of the device was optimised for generating a high output power, and a good agreement between the simulation and experimental data was achieved. Additionally, the resonant frequency of the device can be easily tuned between 28 and 68 Hz by merely adjusting the initial stretching state of the wavy FEP electret film, guaranteeing great superiority for broad bandwidth energy harvesting applications. For an optimised energy harvester with a volume of only 15 × 5 × 1.7 mm3 and a tiny seismic mass of 25 mg, and a normalized output power referring to 1 × g (g is the gravity of the Earth) up to 547 μW was obtained at its resonant frequency of 28 Hz. These results demonstrate that such a miniaturised vibrational energy harvester is a promising electrical energy supplier for low‐power‐consumption electronic devices, in particular in wireless sensor networks.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate whether (preoperative) plasma levels of fibrinogen, an essential clotting and acute phase protein, are associated with the prognosis of patients with a liposarcoma, a subtype of sarcoma derived from adipose tissue. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 158 patients with liposarcoma treated at the Department of Orthopaedics of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria from May 1994 to October 2021. Kaplan–Meier curves as well as uni- and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were performed to evaluate the association between fibrinogen levels and overall survival. Elevated fibrinogen was associated with adverse overall survival in cause specific hazards analysis of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] per 10 mg/dL increase: 1.04; 95% CI 1.02–1.06; p

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a widespread disease in developed countries, accompanied, among others, by decreased adiponectin serum levels and perturbed lipoprotein metabolism. The associations between the serum levels of adiponectin and lipoproteins have been extensively studied in the past under healthy conditions, yet it remains unexplored whether the observed associations also exist in patients with MS. Therefore, in the present study, we analyzed the serum levels of lipoprotein subclasses using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and examined their associations with the serum levels of adiponectin in patients with MS in comparison with healthy volunteers (HVs). In the HVs, the serum levels of adiponectin were significantly negatively correlated with the serum levels of large buoyant-, very-low-density lipoprotein, and intermediate-density lipoprotein, as well as small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and significantly positively correlated with large buoyant high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In patients with MS, however, adiponectin was only significantly correlated with the serum levels of phospholipids in total HDL and large buoyant LDL. As revealed through logistic regression and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analyses, high adiponectin serum levels were associated with low levels of small dense LDL and high levels of large buoyant HDL in the HVs as well as high levels of large buoyant LDL and total HDL in patients with MS. We conclude that the presence of MS weakens or abolishes the strong associations between adiponectin and the lipoprotein parameters observed in HVs and disturbs the complex interplay between adiponectin and lipoprotein metabolism.

Abstract Ferroelectrets have promoted a variety of exciting flexible sensors, actuators, and microenergy harvesters. However, most ferroelectrets have been fabricated from non‐degradable petro‐based resins, and thus the recycling of these materials constitutes a big challenge. This article reports biodegradable and bioabsorbable ferroelectret films made from polylactic acid (PLA) resins for highly sensitive transducer applications, which can operate either in piezoelectric 33 or 31/32 mode. By modification of the microstructure and polarization, pronounced longitudinal and transverse piezoelectric activities are realized in a single material. For samples with a thickness of 400 µm and a bulk density of 350 kg m−3, the Young's moduli in thickness and plane direction are ranging from 0.1 to 10 MPa, respectively. After polarization in the thickness direction, quasi‐static piezoelectric d33, g33, d31 (d32), and g31 (g32) coefficients in the PLA films, up to 500 pC N−1, 40 Vm N−1, −44 pC N−1, and −3.6 Vm N−1, are achieved, respectively. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients of the PLA films are comparable to non‐degradable polymer ferroelectrets, while the transverse piezoelectric activity is superior, which may be attributed to the reduction of Young's moduli in the plane direction. The preparation procedure of the PLA ferroelectrets is compatible with large‐scale production lines and thus can greatly promote their applications in green electronics.

The authors record neural firing rates in a patient with ALS in completely locked-in state and show that the patient can modulate neural firing rates based on auditory feedback to select letters to form words and phrases to communicate his needs and experiences.

Abstract Core needle biopsy (CNB) is gaining in importance due to its advantages in the matter of patient morbidity, time and cost. Nevertheless, controversies still exist regarding the biopsy technique of choice for the accurate diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). This retrospective cohort study compared the diagnostic performance between ultrasound-guided CNB and incisional biopsy (IB), both performed by orthopedic surgeons. The aims of the study were to answer the following questions: (1) Is ultrasound-guided CNB a highly reliable modality for diagnosing STSs? (2) Is CNB equally useful to IB for identifying histologic subtype? (3) Had patients who underwent CNB a reduced risk of complications? One-hundred and fifty-three patients who underwent resection of soft tissue sarcoma were classified into two groups according to biopsy technique prior to surgery; CNB group (n = 95) and IB group (n = 58). The final surgical specimens were in 40 patients liposarcoma (myxoid, pleomorphic and dedifferentiated), 39 undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), 33 myxofibrosarcoma, 10 synovial sarcoma, 10 leiomyosarcoma and in the remaining 21 patients different soft tissue sarcoma entities. Sarcoma location of 71 patients was in the thigh, 19 in the lower leg, 22 in the upper arm and shoulder area; 10 in the knee and gluteal region, 9 in the thoracic region, the residual 12 in other body areas. Malignancy was correctly diagnosed in 87% (83 of 95) for the CNB group and 93% (54/58) for the IB group. Correct identification rate of histologic subtype was 80% (76 of 95) in the CNB group and 83% (48 of 58) in the IB group. There were no significant differences in the correct diagnosis rates of malignancy and subtype between the two techniques. No complications were seen in the CNB group, whereas 2 patients in whom IB was performed developed pulmonary embolism and 1 patient surgical site infection. Ultrasound-guided CNB is highly accurate and not inferior to IB in diagnosing the dignity of lesions and histologic subtype in patients with suspected STSs.

Background: Asbestosis is a prevalent worldwide problem, but scarce data sourced from developing countries are available. We describe the sociodemographic characteristics and patterns in the occurrence of care provided for asbestosis in Colombia during the periods 2010–2014 and 2015–2019 to establish the behavior, trends, and variables associated with concentrations among people attended by asbestosis. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with data from the Integrated Social Protection Information System (SISPRO) for two 5-year periods. People attended by asbestosis (ICD-10: J61) were identified; the frequency of patient visits, sociodemographic characteristics, case distribution patterns, and trends in both five-year periods were described, as was the crude frequency (cFr, 95% CI) of asbestosis (1,000,000 people/year) in both five-year periods (cFr ratio, 95% CI). Results: During the period 2010–2019, 765 people attended by asbestosis were identified; there were 308 people attended by asbestosis between 2010–2014 (cFr: 2.20, 1.96–2.47), and ther were 457 people attended by asbestos between 2015–2019 (cFr: 3.14, 2.92–3.50). In both periods, the estimated cFr in men was nine times the estimated cFr in women. The cFr increased in the 2015–2019 period (cFr_ratio: 1.23, 1.06–1.43). Compared with the 2010–2014 period, the cFr of asbestosis increased in women (cFr_ratio: 1.44, 1.03–2.01), in the Andean (cFr_ratio: 1.61, 1.35–1.95) and Caribbean regions (cFr_ratio: 1. 66, 1.21–2.30), in the urban area (cFr_ratio: 1.24, 1.05–1.48), and in the age groups 45–59 years (cFr_ratio: 1.34, 1.001–1.79) and ≥60 years (cFr_ratio: 1.43, 1.13–1.83). Discussion: During two five-year periods, the cFr of asbestosis was higher in men; between the first and second five-year periods, it increased significantly, especially in urbanized geographic areas and in populations aged ≥45 years. The estimates possibly reflect the effect of disease latency or the expected impact of public health policies to monitor asbestos exposure and complications.

Abstract An electret‐based electrostatic energy harvester featuring tuneable resonance frequency, small size, light weight, and high output power was designed and its performance predicted by the finite element method and verified by experiment. The device consists of a resilient fluorinated polyethylene propylene (FEP) electret film that is metallised on one side with a small seismic mass attached to its centre and an arc‐shaped counter electrode. In principle, such an energy harvester is mechanically a mass‐spring system and electrically a self‐bias voltage variable capacitor and converts vibrational energy into electrical energy by electromechanical coupling. For an energy harvester sample with dimensions of 30 × 10 × 9 mm for which the last dimension denotes the initial depth of the centre of the harvester, the resonance frequency can be tuned from 17 to 70 Hz by stretching the length of the FEP film loaded with a given seismic mass of 0.06 g. For a seismic mass of 0.1 g, the harvester generated a power up to 797 μW to a matching resistor at its resonance frequency of 17 Hz at an acceleration of 1×g, where g is the gravity of the earth. Such energy harvesters are promising candidates for use in self‐powered electronic devices and wireless sensor network nodes.

Transcriptional enhancer factor domain family member 4 (TEAD4) is a downstream effector of the conserved Hippo signaling pathway, regulating the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. It is up‐regulated in several cancer types and is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unexplored. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, we found that TEAD4 was overexpressed in HCC and was associated with aggressive HCC features and worse outcome. Overexpression of TEAD4 significantly increased proliferation and migration rates in HCC cells in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis of TEAD4‐overexpressing HCC cells demonstrated that TEAD4 overexpression was associated with the up‐regulation of genes involved in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, proliferation, and protein‐folding pathways. Among the most up‐regulated genes following TEAD4 overexpression were the 70‐kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family members HSPA6 and HSPA1A. Chromatin immunoprecipitation–quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction experiments demonstrated that TEAD4 regulates HSPA6 and HSPA1A expression by directly binding to their promoter and enhancer regions. The pharmacologic inhibition of HSP70 expression in TEAD4‐overexpressing cells reduced the effect of TEAD4 on cell proliferation. Finally, by overexpressing TEAD4 in yes‐associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ)‐knockdown HCC cells, we showed that the effect of TEAD4 on cell proliferation and its regulation of HSP70 expression does not require YAP and TAZ, the main effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusion: A novel Hippo‐independent mechanism for TEAD4 promotes cell proliferation and tumor growth in HCC by directly regulating HSP70 family members.

Background and Objectives: The treatment of transfemoral amputees using osseointegrated implants for prosthetic anchorage requires accurate implant positioning when using threaded bone-anchoring implants due to the curvature of the femur and the risk of cortical penetration in misaligned implants. This study investigated the accuracy and precision in implant positioning using additively manufactured case-specific positioning guides. Materials and Methods: The geometry and density distribution of twenty anatomic specimens of human femora were assessed in quantitative computed tomography (QCT) scanning. The imaging series were used to create digital 3D specimen models, preoperatively plan the optimal implant position and manufacture specimen-specific positioning guides. Following the surgical bone preparation and insertion of the fixture (threaded bone-anchoring element) (OPRA; Integrum AB, Mölndal, Sweden), a second QCT imaging series and 3D model design were conducted to assess the operatively achieved implant position. The 3D models were registered and the deviations of the intraoperatively achieved implant position from the preoperatively planned implant position were analyzed as follows. The achieved, compared to the planned implant position, was presented as resulting mean hip abduction or adduction (A/A) and extension or flexion (E/F) and mean implant axis offset in medial or lateral (M/L) and anterior or posterior (A/P) direction measured at the most distal implant axis point. Results: The achieved implant position deviated from the preoperative plan by 0.33 ± 0.33° (A/A) and 0.68 ± 0.66° (E/F) and 0.62 ± 0.55 mm (M/L) and 0.68 ± 0.56 mm (A/P), respectively. Conclusions: Using case-specific guides, it was feasible to achieve not only accurate but also precise positioning of the implants compared to the preoperative plan. Thus, their design and application in the clinical routine should be considered, especially in absence of viable alternatives.

Advances in polymer science have significantly increased polymer applications in life sciences. We report the use of free-standing, ultra-thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes, called CellDrum, as cell culture substrates for an in vitro wound model. Dermal fibroblast monolayers from 28- and 88-year-old donors were cultured on CellDrums. By using stainless steel balls, circular cell-free areas were created in the cell layer (wounding). Sinusoidal strain of 1 Hz, 5% strain, was applied to membranes for 30 min in 4 sessions. The gap circumference and closure rate of un-stretched samples (controls) and stretched samples were monitored over 4 days to investigate the effects of donor age and mechanical strain on wound closure. A significant decrease in gap circumference and an increase in gap closure rate were observed in trained samples from younger donors and control samples from older donors. In contrast, a significant decrease in gap closure rate and an increase in wound circumference were observed in the trained samples from older donors. Through these results, we propose the model of a cell monolayer on stretchable CellDrums as a practical tool for wound healing research. The combination of biomechanical cell loading in conjunction with analyses such as gene/protein expression seems promising beyond the scope published here.

The present study provides a DNA barcode library for the world Zygaenidae (Lepidoptera). This study reports 1031 sequence data of the COI gene DNA barcodes for more than 240 species in four of the five subfamilies of the family Zygaenidae. This is about 20% of the world Zygaenidae species. Our results demonstrate the specificity of the COI gene sequences at the species level in most of the studied Zygaenidae and agree with already established taxonomic opinions. The study confirms the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a tool for determination of most Zygaenidae species. However, some of the results are contradictory. Some cases of shared barcodes have been found, as well as cases of deep intraspecific sequence divergence in species that are well separated by morphological and biological characters. These cases are discussed in detail. Overall, when combined with morphological and biochemical data, as well as biological and ecological observations, DNA barcoding results can be a useful support for taxonomic decisions.

Biocompatibility, flexibility and durability make polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes top candidates in biomedical applications. CellDrum technology uses large area, p < 0.01). They also differed from the calculated values. At room temperatures between 22 and 26 °C, significant differences in average thickness values were found, as well as a continuous decrease in thicknesses within a 4 °C temperature elevation. No correlation was found between the membrane thickness groups (between 3–4 µm) in terms of deflection and compliance. We successfully present a fabrication method for thin bio-functionalized membranes in conjunction with a four-step quality management system. The results highlight the importance of tight regulation of production parameters through quality control. The use of membranes described here could also become the basis for material testing on thin, viscous layers such as polymers, dyes and adhesives, which goes far beyond biological applications.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is one of the strongest causal risk factors of atherosclerotic disease. It is rich in cholesteryl ester and composed of apolipoprotein B and apo(a). Plasma Lp(a) levels are determined by apo(a) transcriptional activity driven by a direct repeat (DR) response element in the apo(a) promoter under the control of (HNF)4α Farnesoid-X receptor (FXR) ligands play a key role in the downregulation of APOA expression. In vitro studies on the catabolism of Lp(a) have revealed that Lp(a) binds to several specific lipoprotein receptors; however, their in vivo role remains elusive. There are more than 1000 publications on the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Lp(a) metabolism; however, the data is often inconsistent and confusing. In patients suffering from Type-I diabetes mellitus (T1DM), provided they are metabolically well-controlled, Lp(a) plasma concentrations are directly comparable to healthy individuals. In contrast, there exists a paradox in T2DM patients, as many of these patients have reduced Lp(a) levels; however, they are still at an increased cardiovascular risk. The Lp(a) lowering mechanism observed in T2DM patients is most probably caused by mutations in the mature-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) gene and possibly other polymorphisms in key transcription factors of the apolipoprotein (a) gene (APOA).

It is well known that fluorocarbon electrets, although thermally very stable, suffer a surface potential decay if exposed to high temperatures. This potential decay is of considerable interest in applications, for example, in the so-called prepolarized microphones. As a result, these devices suffer a loss in sensitivity approximately proportional to the decay of the electret surface potential. Since the potential and the related sensitivity losses are very slow at room temperature, a common approach in the literature is to perform accelerated isothermal depolarization experiments at elevated temperatures, and extrapolate the results to lower temperatures by assuming an Arrhenius-type behavior. In this paper, we investigate experimentally the potential decay of differently pre-annealed fluoroethylenepropylene electrets of different thicknesses, as well as the drop of sensitivity of commercially available measurement microphones from several manufacturers by the exposure to an ambient temperature of 95 °C for up to three years. Until now, no other reports compare electret and microphone decays over such a long period. The experimental data presented here could not be fitted with only one exponential decay function over the whole time-span investigated. However, assuming two or more discharge processes results in a good agreement between measurement and model functions. The time constants of these decay processes are specified in the text.

Energy harvesting devices can convert energy from various ambient sources (that are usually ignored) into electricity to power portable electronic devices and wireless sensor networks. Such devices have stimulated extensive interest in recent years. For the current study, we succeeded in designing and fabricating a new type of energy harvester using high performance unipolar ferroelectrets made from fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), consisting of a negatively charged and a noncharged wave-shaped FEP layer. Such materials are resistant to elevated temperatures owing to the thermally stable negative charges in this material. They also exhibit great stretchability due to the symmetric wave-shaped structure. By using a variety of test frequencies, seismic masses, external resistances, and wave-shaped FEP films with different surface potentials, we systematically investigated the energy harvesting performance of these devices. Typically, wave-shaped films with a material thickness of 12.5 μm and a maximum total thickness of the wavy structure (including the air thickness) of about 160 µm were employed. When charged to a surface potential of −500 V and operated with a seismic mass of 3 g fixed on the center of the band shaped unipolar ferroelectret sample, a power of 355 µW for an input acceleration of 1 g (g is the gravity of the Earth) was delivered to the optimal load resistance at the resonance frequency of 22 Hz. The relatively large power generated is due to the sizeable elasticity of the wave-shaped FEP film and the amplification of the force acting on the film in the specifically designed device.

The Zygaenidae fauna of the Thrace Region (European Turkey) was studied by using attractant traps as well as by netting specimens in biotopes. Esters of 2-dodecenoic acid and stereoisomers of 2-butanol were used as sex attractants. Sixteen Zygaenidae species from five genera were found: Theresimima Strand, 1917 (1 species), Rhagades Wallengren, 1863 (2 species), Adscita Retzius, 1783 (3 species), Jordanita Verity, 1946 (4 species), and Zygaena Fabricius, 1775 (6 species). Rhagades (Rhagades) pruni (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) and Jordanita (Jordanita) globulariae (Hübner, 1793) were found as new for Turkey. The two species of the same genus Rh. (Rh.) pruni and Rh. (Wiegelia) amasina (Herrich-Schӓffer, 1851) were discovered in proximity to each other in different localities of the same Province Tekirdağ.

Piezoelectrets are artificial ferroelectrics that are produced from non-polar air-filled porous polymers by symmetry breaking through high-voltage-induced Paschen breakdown in air. A new strategy for three-layer polymer sandwiches is introduced by separating the electrical from the mechanical response. A 3D-printed grid of periodically spaced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) spacers and air channels was sandwiched between two thin fluoroethylene propylene (FEP) films. After corona charging, the air-filled sections acted as electroactive elements, while the ultra-soft TPU sections determined the mechanical stiffness. Due to the ultra-soft TPU sections, very high quasi-static (22,000 pC N−1) and dynamic (7500 pC N−1) d33 coefficients were achieved. The isothermal stability of the d33 coefficients showed a strong dependence on poling temperature. Furthermore, the thermally stimulated discharge currents revealed well-known instability of positive charge carriers in FEP, thereby offering the possibility of stabilization by high-temperature poling. The dependences of the dynamic d33 coefficient on seismic mass and acceleration showed high coefficients, even at accelerations approaching that of gravity. An advanced analytical model rationalizes the magnitude of the obtained quasi-static d33 coefficients of the suggested structure indicating a potential for further optimization.

Background: The preparation of bone for the insertion of an osseointegrated transfemoral implant and the insertion process are performed at very low speeds in order to avoid thermal damages to bone tissue which may potentially jeopardize implant stability. The aim of this study was to quantify the temperature increase in the femur at different sites and insertion depths, relative to the final implant position during the stepwise implantation procedure. Methods: The procedure for installation of the osseointegrated implant was performed on 24 femoral specimens. In one specimen of each pair, the surgery was performed at the clinically practiced speed, while the speed was doubled in the contralateral specimen. Six 0.075 mm K fine gauge thermocouples (RS Components, Sorby, UK) were inserted into the specimen at a distance of 0.5 mm from the final implant surface, and six were inserted at a distance of 1.0 mm. Results: Drilling caused a temperature increase of p < 0.845). The mean increase in temperature during thread tapping and implant insertion was

book review

Levuana iridescens Bethune-Baker, 1906, a day-flying moth purported to be endemic to the Fijian Island of Viti Levu and a former pest of its coconut palm trees, was last observed in 1956 and has been officially declared extinct by IUCN since 1996. The controversial classical biological control method that resulted in the (presumed) demise of this moth has given this species an iconic status in biological control studies. We investigated the sister-group relationships and phylogenetic placement of this moth using NGS-obtained ancient DNA sequences from museum specimens of L. iridescens collected in the 1920s, combined with 31 morphological characters used in earlier studies and 2 new characters. Our findings show that Levuana is most closely related to the Australian genus Myrtartona. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Background/Aims: Common systems for the quantification of cellular contraction rely on animal-based models, complex experimental setups or indirect approaches. The herein presented CellDrum technology for testing mechanical tension of cellular monolayers and thin tissue constructs has the potential to scale-up mechanical testing towards medium-throughput analyses. Using hiPS-Cardiac Myocytes (hiPS-CMs) it represents a new perspective of drug testing and brings us closer to personalized drug medication. Methods: In the present study, monolayers of self-beating hiPS-CMs were grown on ultra-thin circular silicone membranes and deflect under the weight of the culture medium. Rhythmic contractions of the hiPS-CMs induced variations of the membrane deflection. The recorded contraction-relaxation-cycles were analyzed with respect to their amplitudes, durations, time integrals and frequencies. Besides unstimulated force and tensile stress, we investigated the effects of agonists and antagonists acting on Ca2+ channels (S-Bay K8644/verapamil) and Na+ channels (veratridine/lidocaine). Results: The measured data and simulations for pharmacologically unstimulated contraction resembled findings in native human heart tissue, while the pharmacological dose-response curves were highly accurate and consistent with reference data. Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of the CellDrum with hiPS-CMs offers a fast, facile and precise system for pharmacological, toxicological studies and offers new preclinical basic research potential.

Planning and performing volitional movement engages widespread networks in the human brain, with motor cortex considered critical to the performance of skilled limb actions. Motor cortex is also engaged when actions are observed or imagined, but the manner in which ensembles of neurons represent these volitional states (VoSs) is unknown. Here we provide direct demonstration that observing, imagining or attempting action activates shared neural ensembles in human motor cortex. Two individuals with tetraplegia (due to brainstem stroke or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS) were verbally instructed to watch, imagine, or attempt reaching actions displayed on a computer screen. Neural activity in the precentral gyrus incorporated information about both cognitive state and movement kinematics; the three conditions presented overlapping but unique, statistically distinct activity patterns. These findings demonstrate that individual neurons in human motor cortex reflect information related to sensory inputs and VoS in addition to movement features, and are a key part of a broader network linking perception and cognition to action.

Along the anterior-posterior axis the central nervous system is subdivided into segmental units (neuromeres) the composition of which is adapted to their region-specific functional requirements. In Drosophila melanogaster each neuromere is formed by a specific set of identified neural stem cells (neuroblasts, NBs). In the thoracic and anterior abdominal region of the embryonic ventral nerve cord segmental sets of NBs resemble the ground state (2nd thoracic segment, which does not require input of homeotic genes), and serial (segmental) homologs generate similar types of lineages. The three gnathal head segments form a transitional zone between the brain and the ventral nerve cord. It has been shown recently that although all NBs of this zone are serial homologs of NBs in more posterior segments, they progressively differ from the ground state in anterior direction (labial > maxillary > mandibular segment) with regard to numbers and expression profiles. To study the consequences of their derived characters we traced the embryonic lineages of gnathal NBs using the Flybow and DiI-labelling techniques. For a number of clonal types serial homology is rather clearly reflected by their morphology (location and projection patterns) and cell specific markers, despite of reproducible segment-specific differences. However, many lineages, particularly in the mandibular segment, show a degree of derivation that impedes their assignment to ground state serial homologs. These findings demonstrate that differences in gene expression profiles of gnathal NBs go along with anteriorly directed progressive derivation in the composition of their lineages. Furthermore, lineage sizes decrease from labial to mandibular segments, which in concert with decreasing NB-numbers lead to reduced volumes of gnathal neuromeres, most significantly in the mandibular segment.

The clarification of complete cell lineages, which are produced by specific stem cells, is fundamental for understanding mechanisms, controlling the generation of cell diversity and patterning in an emerging tissue. In the developing Central Nervous System (CNS) of Drosophila, neural stem cells (neuroblasts) exhibit two periods of proliferation: During embryogenesis they produce primary lineages, which form the larval CNS. After a phase of mitotic quiescence, a subpopulation of them resumes proliferation in the larva to give rise to secondary lineages that build up the CNS of the adult fly. Within the ventral nerve cord (VNC) detailed descriptions exist for both primary and secondary lineages. However, while primary lineages have been linked to identified neuroblasts, the assignment of secondary lineages has so far been hampered by technical limitations. Therefore, primary and secondary neural lineages co-existed as isolated model systems. Here we provide the missing link between the two systems for all lineages in the thoracic and abdominal neuromeres. Using the Flybow technique, embryonic neuroblasts were identified by their characteristic and unique lineages in the living embryo and their further development was traced into the late larval stage. This comprehensive analysis provides the first complete view of which embryonic neuroblasts are postembryonically reactivated along the anterior/posterior-axis of the VNC, and reveals the relationship between projection patterns of primary and secondary sublineages.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Treatment of pelvic tumors remains challenging due to complex anatomy, poor oncological outcome and high complication rates. We sought to investigate the long-term oncological and surgical outcome of these patients. METHODS:Between 1980 and 2012, 147 patients underwent surgical treatment for pelvic sarcoma. Histological diagnosis was Chondrosarcoma in 54, Ewing's Sarcoma/PNET in 37, Osterosarcoma in 32 and others in 24 patients. Statistical analysis for the evaluation of oncological and surgical outcome was performed by applying Cox proportional hazards regression and Fine-Gray regression models for competing risk (CR) endpoints. RESULTS:The estimated overall survival (OS) to death was 80%, 45% and 37% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed a statistically significant unadjusted influence of age age (p = 0.038; HR = 1.01), margin (p = 0.043; HR = 0.51) and grade (p = 0.001; HR = 2.27) on OS. Considering the multivariable model, grade (p = 0.005; HR = 3.04) and tumor volume (p = 0.014; HR = 1.18) presented themselves as independent prognostic factors on OS. CR analysis showed a cumulative incidence for major complication of 31% at 5 years. Endoprosthetic reconstruction had a higher risk for experiencing a major complication (p

During central nervous system (CNS) development neural stem cells (Neuroblasts, NBs) have to acquire an identity appropriate to their location. In thoracic and abdominal segments of Drosophila, the expression pattern of Bithorax-Complex Hox genes is known to specify the segmental identity of NBs prior to their delamination from the neuroectoderm. Compared to the thoracic, ground state segmental units in the head region are derived to different degrees, and the precise mechanism of segmental specification of NBs in this region is still unclear. We identified and characterized a set of serially homologous NB-lineages in the gnathal segments and used one of them (NB6-4 lineage) as a model to investigate the mechanism conferring segment-specific identities to gnathal NBs. We show that NB6-4 is primarily determined by the cell-autonomous function of the Hox gene Deformed (Dfd). Interestingly, however, it also requires a non-cell-autonomous function of labial and Antennapedia that are expressed in adjacent anterior or posterior compartments. We identify the secreted molecule Amalgam (Ama) as a downstream target of the Antennapedia-Complex Hox genes labial, Dfd, Sex combs reduced and Antennapedia. In conjunction with its receptor Neurotactin (Nrt) and the effector kinase Abelson tyrosine kinase (Abl), Ama is necessary in parallel to the cell-autonomous Dfd pathway for the correct specification of the maxillary identity of NB6-4. Both pathways repress CyclinE (CycE) and loss of function of either of these pathways leads to a partial transformation (40%), whereas simultaneous mutation of both pathways leads to a complete transformation (100%) of NB6-4 segmental identity. Finally, we provide genetic evidences, that the Ama-Nrt-Abl-pathway regulates CycE expression by altering the function of the Hippo effector Yorkie in embryonic NBs. The disclosure of a non-cell-autonomous influence of Hox genes on neural stem cells provides new insight into the process of segmental patterning in the developing CNS.

Elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) (LPA) levels are recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Our knowledge on LPA metabolism is incomplete, which makes it difficult to develop LPA-lowering medications. Nicotinic acid (NA) is the main drug recommended for the treatment of patients with increased plasma LPA concentrations. The mechanism of NA in lowering LPA is virtually unknown. To study this mechanism, we treated transgenic (tg) APOA mice with NA and measured plasma APOA and hepatic mRNA levels. In addition, mouse and human primary hepatocytes were incubated with NA, and the expression of APOA was followed. Feeding 1% NA reduced plasma APOA and hepatic expression of APOA in tg-APOA mice. Experiments with cultured human and mouse primary hepatocytes in addition to reporter assays performed in HepG2 cells revealed that NA suppresses APOA transcription. The region between −1446 and −857 of the human APOA promoter harboring several cAMP response element binding sites conferred the negative effect of NA. In accordance, cAMP stimulated APOA transcription, and NA reduced hepatic cAMP levels. It is suggested that cAMP signaling might be involved in reducing APOA transcription, which leads to the lowering of plasma LPA.

Cholesteryl ester (CE) accumulation in macrophages represents a crucial event during foam cell formation, a hallmark of atherogenesis. Here we investigated the role of two previously described CE hydrolases, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and KIAA1363, in macrophage CE hydrolysis. HSL and KIAA1363 exhibited marked differences in their abilities to hydrolyze CE, triacylglycerol (TG), diacylglycerol (DG), and 2-acetyl monoalkylglycerol ether (AcMAGE), a precursor for biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF). HSL efficiently cleaved all four substrates, whereas KIAA1363 hydrolyzed only AcMAGE. This contradicts previous studies suggesting that KIAA1363 is a neutral CE hydrolase. Macrophages of KIAA1363−/− and wild-type mice exhibited identical neutral CE hydrolase activity, which was almost abolished in tissues and macrophages of HSL−/− mice. Conversely, AcMAGE hydrolase activity was diminished in macrophages and some tissues of KIAA1363−/− but unchanged in HSL−/− mice. CE turnover was unaffected in macrophages lacking KIAA1363 and HSL, whereas cAMP-dependent cholesterol efflux was influenced by HSL but not by KIAA1363. Despite decreased CE hydrolase activities, HSL−/− macrophages exhibited CE accumulation similar to wild-type (WT) macrophages. We conclude that additional enzymes must exist that cooperate with HSL to regulate CE levels in macrophages. KIAA1363 affects AcMAGE hydrolase activity but is of minor importance as a direct CE hydrolase in macrophages.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are important regulators of cholesterol and lipid metabolism. LXR agonists have been shown to limit the cellular cholesterol content by inducing reverse cholesterol transport, increasing bile acid production, and inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Most of them, however, also increase lipogenesis via sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c) and carbohydrate response element-binding protein activation resulting in hypertriglyceridemia and liver steatosis. We report on the antiatherogenic properties of the steroidal liver X receptor agonist N,N-dimethyl-3β-hydroxy-cholenamide (DMHCA) in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. Long-term administration of DMHCA (11 weeks) significantly reduced lesion formation in male and female apoE-null mice. Notably, DMHCA neither increased hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels in male nor female apoE-deficient mice. ATP binding cassette transporter A1 and G1 and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA abundances were increased, whereas SREBP1c mRNA expression was unchanged in liver, and even decreased in macrophages and intestine. Short-term treatment revealed even higher changes on mRNA regulation. Our data provide evidence that DMHCA is a strong candidate as therapeutic agent for the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis, circumventing the negative side effects of other LXR agonists.

Piezoelectret films are prepared by modification of the microstructure of polypropylene foam sheets cross-linked by electronic irradiation (IXPP), followed by proper corona charging. Young’s modulus, relative permittivity, and electromechanical coupling coefficient of the fabricated films, determined by dielectric resonance spectra, are about 0.7 MPa, 1.6, and 0.08, respectively. Dynamic piezoelectric d33 coefficients up to 650 pC/N at 200 Hz are achieved. The figure of merit (FOM, d33 ⋅ g33) for a more typical d33 value of 400 pC/N is about 11.2 GPa−1. Vibration-based energy harvesting with one-layer and two-layer stacks of these films is investigated at various frequencies and load resistances. At an optimum load resistance of 9 MΩ and a resonance frequency of 800 Hz, a maximum output power of 120 μW, referred to the acceleration g due to gravity, is obtained for an energy harvester consisting of a one-layer IXPP film with an area of 3.14 cm2 and a seismic mass of 33.7 g. The output power can be further improved by using two-layer stacks of IXPP films in electric series. IXPP energy harvesters could be used to energize low-power electronic devices, such as wireless sensors and LED lights.

By 2013, sufficient evidence had become publicly available to confirm what defence analysts had been suspecting for a while now: the military effectiveness of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is deficient. This article proposes that this condition is due to strategic failure, brought about by the dynamic interaction between the preferred strategic management model of the organisation and its acquired strategic culture(s). The study on which this article reports, further suggests that a design school strategic management model best explains the method towards the SANDF’s current condition of organisational entropy, but that its root cause actually lies in a dichotomous strategic culture. In combination, these two variables conspired to diminish the defence force’s responsiveness to its operational context, resulting in the formation of inappropriate strategy that prevented the SANDF from achieving military effectiveness. While the authors consider the article to be hypothesis generating, it also has an exploratory dimension and paves the way for a validational study at a later stage. Part 1 therefore argues towards a strategic management model that could explain the SANDF’s strategy formulation process, its method of ensuring that strategic outcomes correlate with strategic intent, and ultimately its weakness in accounting for the external environment in realised strategy. This first part mainly employs inductive reasoning and draws its conclusions from an eclectic literary review that included business studies and dynamic systems theory.

The analysis reported here focused on the dynamic interaction between a preferred strategic management model of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) on the one hand, and the SANDF’s acquired strategic culture on the other. From a theoretical perspective, the analysis draws attention to the fact that the properties of institutional culture inform the extent to which an organisation (such as the SANDF) suffers the deleterious consequences of an inappropriate management model. The article therefore argues that the military’s lack of consensus on an appropriate political culture, the lack of a suitable social culture and the lack of an effective military culture have resulted in maintaining the continued viability of two discrete, concurrent strategic cultural paradigms in the SANDF: that of the defunct SADF (initially dominant), and that of the obsolete MK (currently governing). The uneasy co-existence of these two paradigms, each with its own worldview and value system, has confounded the efforts of the SANDF to form an appropriate intended strategy and to realise military effectiveness in its execution. A dichotomous strategic culture has, in effect, reinforced the weaknesses of the SANDF’s strategic management model, impeded organisational responsiveness, maximised organisational entropy, and encouraged the defence force’s systemic decline – the latter, a fact that the Defence Review 2014 specifically acknowledges in the discussion of the review’s first milestone. This part mainly employs deductive reasoning and draws its conclusions from a focused literary review.

Knowledge in genomics and proteomics has exploded in the last two decades. This is in part due to key developments that have revolutionized the possibilities of bioanalytics such as the introduction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the mid 80s that formed the base for the massively parallel sequencing of the genomes.A few years ago DNA and protein microarray analysis were added to the toolbox of life sciences analytics. These technologies already proved to be ideal tools for the identification of gene targets, the simultaneous measurement of the expression of a high number of genes or proteins, and the increase of the level of understanding of the biological functions of genes and proteins. A small number of experiments are now sufficient to obtain information on gene or protein expression which could not be obtained by using conventional bioanalytical technologies or which required an extremely high experimental effort. In the future applications, high sensitivity DNA and protein microarrays will allow low abundant genes and proteins to be monitored that so far have been inaccessible to current microarray technologies and thus will generate a new dimension of genomic and proteomic information.

The promises of chip technology in analytical chemistry are attractive: nanoliter-size sample volumes, low reagent consumption, high degree of multiplexing, short analysis times, ultra-low detection limits, ease in portability of process and result. It is predictable that chip technology will result in a significant cut of costs per information unit obtained whilst at the same time will improve the quality and validity of data obtained.A new era of massive parallel information generation will pave the way to novel, much more efficient approaches in research and development. Chip-based technologies will expedite the identification and development of drug candidates and be the tools for more precise identification, monitoring, and treatment of both gene-based and infectious diseases. This is made possible, on one hand, by the massively parallel detection of a multitude of biological markers and genetic predisposition parameters so far inaccessible to analysis systems and, on the other hand, by making decisions based on a much broader basis of pharmacologically and clinically significant parameters.Research approaches for chip-based analytical systems started about ten years ago and are focused on two main streams: chips for fluidic handling and separations and chips for detection of analytes. On the detection side, products are already on the market, e.g. genechips enabling information to be obtained on the presence of genetic variations and genetic defects based on the binding of DNA to over 50 000 different oligonucleotide probes immobilized on one chip. On the fluidic and separation side several companies have developed systems that are close to commercialization.The workshop gave a broad overview covering the current technical status of chip-based analytical systems, key applications in clinical research, in drug metabolism, and in the field of infectious diseases and included a critical discussion about current limitations as well as the future potential and value of bioinformatics. The outline of chip-based combinatorial chemistry approaches and novel high density enzymatic assays showed that 'classical' chip technology is already expanding to new fields of applications. Abstracts by the authors are given below.

Driving forces for the development of novel analytical technologies in the life-science industry are described. Technologies which either were developed in Bio-Analytical Research or brought to a reliability required for routine applications will be elucidated and, on the basis of practical examples, the impact of modern analytical technologies on the industrial research and development will be discussed: Optical biosensors based on evanescent excitation of luminescence allow for real-time monitoring of the binding of active compounds to specific biomolecular recognition sites. Molecular imaging technologies have the potential to gain rapid access to physical maps of genomic materials. Capillary electrophoresis or affinity gel electrophoresis are well suited for the fast determination of oligonucleotide mixtures in nl amounts of samples. Integrated capillary electrophoresis on chips will allow to multiplex capillary systems at low costs and results in high separation efficiencies. MALDI-TOF MS is an easy to operate non-scanning mass spectrometric instrumentation for the analysis of high molecular weight biopolymers such as immunoglobulins.