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Management of scapholunate dissociations remains a significant challenge. Open approaches suffer from a disadvantageous further impairment of the stabilizing local structures. The minimally invasive arthroscopic technique described provides reliable stability of the scapholunate interosseous ligament complex in dynamic lesions. The anatomic key structure is the dorsal capsuloligamentous scapholunate septum, which provides a mechanical connection between the scaphoid, lunate, and dorsal capsule of the wrist. Arthroscopic capsuloplasty aims to tighten and stabilize this complex structure in long term. This approach preserves the adjacent structures, namely the secondary wrist stabilizers and their neuromuscular feedback loops. With a certain degree of experience in wrist arthroscopy, the technique is reliably adaptable and reproducible.

Ulnocarpal impaction syndrome is a common cause for ulnarsided wrist pain caused by an abutment between the ulnar head and the lunotriquetral complex. This pain is typically triggered by load bearing and rotation of the forearm. Radiographic examination is often associated with positive ulnar variance and cysts in the lunate, edema of the ulnoproximal lunate is shown in MRI. Operative treatment aims to reduce load on the lunate, either by open ulnar shortening osteotomy or arthroscopic wafer procedure.

Background: In the genetic skin blistering disorder dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa recurrent blisters and erosions on mechanically stressed areas, as the hands, result in subsequent scarring and development of pseudosyndactylies and contractures. In its most severe form, all fingers are constrained into a fist of scarred (“mitten-hand”-deformity). No causative therapy exists and only a surgical release of the fingers is possible. Hereby, the development of large skin defects is inevitable; the lack of healthy autologous skin for grafting remains a difficult challenge.Methods: We propose a new technique: It adopts a treatment strategy from the therapy of large extent burns and consists of a combination of autogenic and allogenic skin grafting.Results: We present a beneficial outcome in 18 mitten hand deformities treated with this technique. In all patients, the initial functional outcome was improved. Nearly all patients got a considerably widened grip span and durable skin conditions post-operatively. Mean follow-up was 3 years. Typically, recurrence of the scarring occurred from 6 months to 2 years after operation.Conclusions: This is the first report on the use of the combination of autogenous pinch skin grafts with allogenic (parental) skin overlay for skin defects in EB. It provides undisturbed wound healing under a “biological dressing”, furthermore, a temporary take of the parental skin was visible. Defects were permanently covered with skin of increased mechanical stability, hand function improved remarkably. However, long term follow-up showed beginning recurrence in most of the patients comparable to recurrence rates described in the literature.

Dynamics of fast transient events are challenging to be analyzed with high time resolution. Such events can occur in fusion plasmas such as the filaments during edge-localized modes (ELMs). In this paper, we present a robust method-the spatial displacement estimation-for estimating the displacements of structures with fast dynamics from high spatial and time resolution imaging diagnostics [e.g., gas-puff imaging (GPI)] with sampling time temporal resolution. First, a background suppression method is shown, which suppresses the slowly time-evolving and spatially non-uniform background in the signal. In the second step, a two-dimensional polynomial trend subtraction method is presented to tackle the remaining polynomial order trend in the signal. After performing these pre-processing steps, the spatial displacement of the propagating structure is estimated from the two-dimensional spatial cross-correlation coefficient function calculated between consecutive frames. The method is tested for its robustness and accuracy by simulated Gaussian events and spatially displaced random noise. An example application of the method is presented on propagating ELM filaments measured by the GPI system on the National Spherical Torus Experiment spherical tokamak.

The low-to-high mode or L-H transition in tokamaks involves a sudden reduction in the edge turbulence level and a decrease in the edge plasma transport. The mechanism for the L-H transition is widely believed to be associated with changes in the poloidally averaged poloidal turbulence velocity. Using a gas puff imaging (GPI) diagnostic, the poloidally averaged poloidal turbulence velocity ⟨Vpol⟩pol was measured for a set of 16 shots with L-H transitions in NSTX. These measurements were focused –2 cm inside the separatrix where the relative fluctuation level as seen in GPI decreases significantly and consistently at the transition. The magnitude of this poloidal velocity preceding the transition varied widely, ranging from |Vpol| ∼ 1–4 km/s during the last 1 ms before the transition, and the magnitude of the radial gradient also had a wide shot-to-shot range of |grad Vpol| ∼ 0.34 to 1.9 km/s cm during this same time. The frequency spectrum of ⟨Vpol⟩pol during the 30 ms before the transition had a near-coherent peak at ∼2–5 kHz, but only in about half of these shots. In general, there were no clear and consistent changes in the poloidal velocity of the turbulence preceding the L-H transition in this database.

Edge localized modes (ELMs) are routinely observed in H-mode plasma regimes of the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). Due to the explosive nature of the instability, only diagnostics with high temporal and spatial resolution could provide a detailed insight into the dynamics associated with the ELMs. Gas-puff imaging at NSTX provides 2D measurements of the magnetic field aligned fluctuations (e.g., ELM filaments) in the scrape-off layer and at the plasma edge with 2.5 μ s temporal and 10 mm optical resolution. A novel analysis technique was developed to estimate the frame-by-frame velocities and the spatial parameters of the dominant structures associated with the ELMs. The analysis was applied to single ELM events to characterize the ELM crash dynamics and then extended to a database of 159 ELM events. Statistical analysis was performed in order to find the characterizing dynamics of the ELM crash. The results show that on average, an ELM crash consists of a filament with a circular cross section, which is propelled outward with a characterizing peak radial velocity of ∼3.3 km/s. The radial velocity was found to be linearly dependent on the distance of the filament from the separatrix, which has never been seen before. The ELM filament is characterized by propagation in the ion-diamagnetic direction poloidally with a peak velocity of 11.4 km/s. The ELM crash lasts for approximately 100 μ s until the radial propulsion settles back to the pre-ELM level. The experimental findings were compared with analytical theory. Two possible mechanisms were identified for explaining the observations: the curvature interchange model and the current–filament interaction model.

TO ELECTROCHROMIC AND CHROMOGENIC TECHNOLOGIES The basic property of a chromogenic material is that it exhibits a large change in optical properties upon a change in either electrical field, charge, light intensity, spectral composition, or temperature. This optical change results in a transformation from a highly transmitting state to a partly reflecting or absorbing state, either totally or partly over the visible and solar spectrum. The physical phenomena of interest for optical switching processes can be classified in one of two categories: electrically activated or non-electrically activated. These types are shown in Table 1

A Compton camera composed of an orthogonal-strip Si(Li) detector and an orthogonal-strip HPGe SmartPET detector is under investigation at the University of Liverpool. To optimise the performance of the system, it is essential to quantify the response of the detectors to gamma irradiation. Such measurements have previously been reported for the SmartPET detector and in this work we report on the experimental characterisation of the Si(Li) detector. Precision scans of the detector have been performed using a finely collimated 241 Am gamma-ray source to determine the uniformity and charge collection properties of the detector.

Following the clinical observation of high rate of ruptures of breast implants of the French manufacturer Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP), the French Health Products Safety Agency (Afssaps) removed these products from the market in March 2010. Physical and toxicological tests confirmed the use of silicone of improper quality both for the shell and the gel filling. Until now (12/2011), no acute toxicity or mutagenicity could be observed, but 20 cases of malignancies occured in carriers of PIP-prostheses. By means of a clinical example, we summarize the official recommendations of the Afssaps and its German equivalent, the Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM) for diagnosis and treatment in women with PIP breast implants. Furthermore, we intend to raise awareness for the fact that the German GfE Medizintechnik and the Dutch manufacturer Rofil distributed the identical product with a different label. Supplementary, the medical and medico-legal aspects of the "PIP scandal" are discussed.Aufgrund unzulässig hoher Rupturraten von Brustimplantaten des französischen Herstellers Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) nahm die französische Aufsichtsbehörde für Medizinprodukte (Afssaps) diese Produkte im März 2010 aus dem Handel. Laboruntersuchungen bestätigten die Verwendung von minderwertigem Silikonmaterial für Hülle und Füllung der Implantate, eine akute Toxizität oder Mutagenität konnte bisher nicht nachgewiesen werden, jedoch sind mittlerweile (12/2011) bei insgesamt 20 Trägerinnen von PIP-Implantaten Krebserkrankungen aufgetreten. Anhand eines klinischen Falles sollen hier die aktuellen Empfehlungen der Afssaps sowie des Bundesinstituts für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM) zusammengefasst werden. Ebenfalls soll darauf hingewiesen werden, dass identische Produkte vom niederländischen Hersteller Rofil sowie der Firma GfE Medizintechnik unter anderer Bezeichnung in den Handel gebracht wurden. Ergänzend sollen die sich aus dem „PIP-Skandal“ ergebenden medizinischen und medizinrechtlichen Konsequenzen erörtert werden.

Intermittent events in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of magnetically confined plasmas, often called blobs and holes, contribute significantly to the particle and heat loss across the magnetic field lines. In this article, the results of the scrape-off layer and edge turbulence measurements are presented with the two-dimensional Deuterium Beam Emission Spectroscopy system (DBES) at KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research). The properties of blobs and holes are determined in an L-mode and an H-mode shot with statistical tools and conditional averaging. These results show the capabilities and limitations of the SOL turbulence measurement of a 2D BES system. The results from the BES study were compared with the analysis of probe measurements. It was found that while probes offer a better signal-to-noise ratio and can measure blobs down to 3 mm size, BES can monitor the two-dimensional dynamics of larger events continuously during full discharges, and the measurement is not limited to the SOL on KSTAR.Intermittent events in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of magnetically confined plasmas, often called blobs and holes, contribute significantly to the particle and heat loss across the magnetic field lines. In this article, the results of the scrape-off layer and edge turbulence measurements are presented with the two-dimensional Deuterium Beam Emission Spectroscopy system (DBES) at KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research). The properties of blobs and holes are determined in an L-mode and an H-mode shot with statistical tools and conditional averaging. These results show the capabilities and limitations of the SOL turbulence measurement of a 2D BES system. The results from the BES study were compared with the analysis of probe measurements. It was found that while probes offer a better signal-to-noise ratio and can measure blobs down to 3 mm size, BES can monitor the two-dimensional dynamics of larger events continuously during full discharges, and the measurement is not limited to the SOL on KSTAR.

A statistical method for the estimation of spatial correlation lengths of Gaussian-shaped fluctuating signals with two measurement points is examined to quantitatively evaluate its reliability (variance) and accuracy (bias error). The standard deviation of the correlation value is analytically derived for randomly distributed Gaussian shaped fluctuations satisfying stationarity and homogeneity, allowing us to evaluate, as a function of fluctuation-to-noise ratios, sizes of averaging time windows and ratios of the distance between the two measurement points to the true correlation length, the goodness of the two-point measurement for estimating the spatial correlation length. Analytic results are confirmed with numerically generated synthetic data and real experimental data obtained with the KSTAR beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic. Our results can be applied to Gaussian-shaped fluctuating signals where a correlation length must be measured with only two measurement points., Comment: This paper is submitted to Nuclear Fusion, 13 pages, 15 figures, submitted to Nuclear Fusion

Most of the biologically relevant data on cardiomyocytes are derived from isolated cells under conditions that are, to some extent, altered compared to the natural milieu of the functional heart. The handling procedure of the dissection, isolation, and short-term culturing induces changes in the cells such that the subsequently measured parameters (among others, the protein synthesis) reflect the actual experimental conduct rather than the intrinsic properties of these terminally differentiated cells. Although it is known that the protein synthetic machinery of isolated cardiomyocytes is operational and functional, the biosynthetic yield of human cardiomyocytes in the natural milieu of the trabeculae remains to be established, with a special emphasis to clarify whether the protein synthesis includes just a limited set of polypeptides or it encompasses all cellular constituents. Knowledge on this issue is a prerequisite for achieving further advances in our understanding of heart remodeling related to hypertrophy in particular, and for attempting interventions leading to repair of damaged heart in general. The experimental system of "organ bath" enables simultaneous registration of contractile forces of portions of cardiac muscle tissue (and other myocyte-containing tissues) and biosynthetic labeling of newly synthesized cellular constituents. The organ bath methodology was adapted for this project such as enabling to measure molecular changes in response to in vitro applied stimuli. Instead of Krebs-Henseleit-solution, as used in classical protocols of organ bath studies, we utilized cell culture media suitable to experimental conditions related to metabolic labeling. Proteome patterns established by performing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the extracts from biosynthetically labeled trabeculae revealed that cardiomyocytes synthesize the full spectrum of cellular proteins. Proteomic silver-stain readout was used to obtain samples for spot excisions, as material suitable for mass spectrometric analysis. Protein spots were identified both from the excised spots and also by matching with the in-house- and www-databases (Swiss-Prot/High-Performance Heart). From our findings that protein synthesis in terminally differentiated cardiomyocytes is not confined just to the synthesis of those structures needed for the post-mitotic house-keeping functions, we conclude that this model might serve as a valid experimental system to study and elucidate the effects of various pharmacological compounds under conditions where physiology (contractile forces) and biochemistry (protein synthesis) of intact human heart tissue are monitored simultaneously.

An enzyme-based cyclic pathway for trans to cis isomerization of the chromophore of visual pigments (11-cis-retinal) is intrinsic to vertebrate cone and rod vision. This process, called the visual cycle, is mostly characterized in rod-dominated retinas and essentially depends on RPE65, an all-trans to 11-cis-retinoid isomerase. Here we analysed the role of RPE65 in zebrafish, a species with a cone-dominated retina. We cloned zebrafish RPE65 and showed that its expression coincided with photoreceptor development. Targeted gene knockdown of RPE65 resulted in morphologically altered rod outer segments and overall reduced 11-cis-retinal levels. Cone vision of RPE65-deficient larvae remained functional as demonstrated by behavioural tests and by metabolite profiling for retinoids. Furthermore, all-trans retinylamine, a potent inhibitor of the rod visual cycle, reduced 11-cis-retinal levels of control larvae to a similar extent but showed no additive effects in RPE65-deficient larvae. Thus, our study of zebrafish provides in vivo evidence for the existence of an RPE65-independent pathway for the regeneration of 11-cis-retinal for cone vision.

The Solar Power 2006 conference in San Jose was the largest solar conference event in United States history. This meeting marks a new awakening of the United States to Solar Power, since the peak in interest in it during the 1970s. This editorial reviews the highlights of the meeting, with an emphasis on the companies that participated, and the areas where further research is crucially needed. Primarily, the meeting was focused on a review of the industries currently involved in solar conversion-related manufacturing and development, and the factors that limit market introduction of products. Some of the key outcomes of the meeting include the realization that large-scale concentrating solar thermal installations, rather than photovoltaic (PV) systems, will likely dominate utility-scale energy production (i.e. system outputs of over 100 MWe). It was noted that there has been a steady cost reduction in silicon PV modules, and the goal of a PV module cost near US$1.44/W (in 2002 dollars) is expected around 2013, at which time there will have been a cumulative module production of over 10,000 MW. However, the current shortage of silicon feedstock (polysilicon) will drive PV research directions for many years to come. Many venture-capital funded start-up companies have arisen to develop commercial approaches to thin film solar cells and modules that use less silicon.

For vertebrate development, vitamin A (all-trans retinol) is required in quantitative different amounts and spatiotemporal distribution for the production of retinoic acid, a nuclear hormone receptor ligand, and 11-cis retinal, the chromophore of visual pigments. We show here for zebrafish that embryonic retinoid homeostasis essentially depends on the activity of a leci-thin:retinol acyltransferase (Lratb). During embryogenesis, lratb is expressed in mostly non-overlapping domains opposite to retinal dehydrogenase 2 (raldh2), the key enzyme for retinoic acid synthesis. Blocking retinyl ester formation by a targeted knock down of Lratb results in significantly increased retinoic acid levels, which lead to severe embryonic patterning defects. Thus, we provide evidence that a balanced competition between Lratb and Raldh2 for yolk vitamin A defines embryonic compartments either for retinyl ester or retinoic acid synthesis. This homeostatic mechanism dynamically adjusts embryonic retinoic acid levels for gene regulation, concomitantly sequestering excess yolk vitamin A in the form of retinyl esters for the establishment of larval vision later during development.

Einleitung/Zielsetzung: Aufgrund Ihrer einfachen Zugänglichkeit und biologischen Vielseitigkeit besitzen mesenchymale Stammzellen aus Fettgewebe (ADSCs) vielversprechende Eigenschaften hinsichtlich vielfältiger klinischer Anwendungen. So wurde zur Verbesserung der klinischen Ergebnisse[zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL], 46. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft der Plastischen, Rekonstruktiven und Ästhetischen Chirurgen (DGPRÄC), 20. Jahrestagung der Vereinigung der Deutschen Ästhetisch-Plastischen Chirurgen (VDÄPC)

A novel beam emission spectroscopy observation system was designed, built, and installed onto the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research tokamak. The system is designed in a way to be capable of measuring beam emission either from a heating deuterium or from a diagnostic lithium beam. The two beams have somewhat complementary capabilities: edge density profile and turbulence measurement with the lithium beam and two dimensional turbulence measurement with the heating beam. Two detectors can be used in parallel: a CMOS camera provides overview of the scene and lithium beam light intensity distribution at maximum few hundred Hz frame rate, while a 4 × 16 pixel avalanche photo-diode (APD) camera gives 500 kHz bandwidth data from a 4 cm × 16 cm region. The optics use direct imaging through lenses and mirrors from the observation window to the detectors, thus avoid the use of costly and inflexible fiber guides. Remotely controlled mechanisms allow adjustment of the APD camera’s measurement location on a shot-to-shot basis, while temperature stabilized filter holders provide selection of either the Doppler shifted deuterium alpha or lithium resonance line. The capabilities of the system are illustrated by measurements of basic plasma turbulence properties.

Reconstruction of large bone defects still represents a major medical challenge. In recent years tissue engineering has developed techniques based on adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that could represent an attractive therapeutical option to treat large bone defects in the future. It has been demonstrated in various animal models that ex vivo expanded MSCs are capable of promoting the regeneration of skeletal defects after implantation. However, for the efficient regeneration of bone in tissue engineering applications, a rapid vascularization of implanted grafts is essential to ensure the survival of cells in the early post-implantational phase. A promising strategy to enhance vascularization of MSC-containing implants could consist of overexpression of the angiogenic master transcription factor Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (Hif-1) in the MSCs in order to induce angiogenesis and support osteogenesis. In the present study, we overexpressed Hif-1α in MSCs by using recombinant adenoviruses and investigated cell-autonomous effects. Overexpression of Hif-1α enhanced proliferation, migration, cell survival and expression of pro-angiogenic genes. Other parameters such as expression of the osteogenic markers BMP-2 and RunX2 were decreased. Hif-1α overexpression had no effect on invasion, senescence and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Our experiments revealed multifarious effects of Hif-1α overexpression on cell-autonomous parameters. Therefore, Hif-1α overexpression may represent a therapeutic option to improve cellular functions of MSCs to treat critical sized bone defects.

Vascularization is important for bone development, fracture healing and engineering of artificial bone tissue. In the context of bone tissue engineering, it was shown that coimplantation of human primary umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human osteoblasts (hOBs) results in the formation of functional blood vessels and enhanced bone regeneration. Implanted endothelial cells do not only contribute to blood vessel formation, but also support proliferation, cell survival and osteogenic differentiation of coimplanted hOBs. These effects are partially mediated by direct heterotypic cell contacts. In a previous report we could show that cocultivated hOBs strongly increase the expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) formation in HUVECs, suggesting that ECM may be involved in the intercellular communication between hOBs and HUVECs. The present study aimed at investigating whether comparable changes occur in hOBs. We therefore performed a microarray analysis of hOBs cultivated in direct contact with HUVECs, revealing 1,004 differentially expressed genes. The differentially expressed genes could be assigned to the functional clusters ECM, proliferation, apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation. The microarray data could be confirmed by performing quantitative real time RT-PCR on selected genes. Furthermore, we could show that the ECM produced by HUVECs increased the expression of the osteogenic differentiation marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in hOBs. In summary, our data demonstrate that HUVECs provoke complex changes in gene expression patterns in cocultivated hOBs and that ECM plays and important role in this interaction. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1869-1879, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are essential components in vision; they contribute to pattern formation during development and exert multiple effects on cell differentiation with important clinical implications. All naturally occurring vitamin A derives by enzymatic oxidative cleavage from carotenoids with provitamin A activity. To become biologically active, these plant-derived compounds must first be absorbed, then delivered to the site of action in the body, and metabolically converted to the real vitamin. Recently, molecular players of this pathway were identified by the analysis of blind Drosophila mutants. Similar genome sequences were found in vertebrates. Subsequently, these homologous genes were cloned and their gene products were functionally characterized. This review will summarize the advanced state of knowledge about the vitamin A biosynthetic pathway and will discuss biochemical, physiological, developmental and medical aspects of carotenoids and their numerous derivatives.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae transporter Arn1p takes up the ferric-siderophore ferrichrome, and extracellular ferrichrome dramatically influences the intracellular trafficking of Arn1p. In the absence of ferrichrome, Arn1p sorts directly to the endosomal compartment. At low concentrations of ferrichrome, Arn1p stably relocalizes to the plasma membrane, yet little to no uptake of ferrichrome occurs at these low concentrations. At higher concentrations of ferrichrome, Arn1p cycles between the plasma membrane and endosome. Arn1p contains two binding sites for ferrichrome: one site has an affinity similar to the K(T) for transport, but the second site has a much higher affinity. Here we report that this high-affinity binding site lies within a unique extracytosolic, carboxyl-terminal domain. Mutations within this domain lead to loss of ferrichrome binding and uptake activities and missorting of Arn1p, including a failure to relocalize to the plasma membrane in the presence of ferrichrome. Mutation of phenylalanine residues in the cytosolic tail of Arn1p also lead to missorting, but without defects in ferrichrome binding. We propose that the carboxyl terminus of Arn1p contains a receptor domain that controls the intracellular trafficking of the transporter.

Smart materials cover a wide and developing range of technologies. A particular type of smart material, known as chromogenics, can be used for large area glazing in buildings, automobiles, planes, and for certain types of electronic display. These technologies consist of electrically-driven media including electrochromism, suspended particle electrophoresis, polymer dispersed liquid crystals, electrically heated thermotropics, and gaschromics.

A 60 keV neutral lithium beam system was designed and built up for beam emission spectroscopy measurement of edge plasma on the KSTAR and EAST tokamaks. The electron density profile and its fluctuation can be measured using the accelerated lithium beam-based emission spectroscopy system. A thermionic ion source was developed with a SiC heater to emit around 4-5 mA ion current from a 14 mm diameter surface. The ion optic is following the 2 step design used on other devices with small modifications to reach about 2-3 cm beam diameter in the plasma at about 4 m from the ion source. A newly developed recirculating sodium vapour neutralizer neutralizes the accelerated ion beam at around 260-280 °C even during long (

During the last decade, DVT (digital volume tomography) imaging has become a widely used standard technique in head and neck imaging. Lower radiation exposure compared to conventional computed tomography (MDCT) has been described. Recently, DVT has been developed as an extremity scanner and as such represents a new imaging technique for hand surgery. We here describe the first 24 months experience with this new imaging modality in hand and wrist imaging by presenting representative cases and by describing the technical background. Furthermore, the method's advantages and disadvantages are discussed with reference to the given literature.

For several decades now, the widespread introduction of clinical stem-cell therapies has been said to be just around the corner. Stem-cell research continues to be a highly dynamic field, yet there is still only one routine and widespread treatment employing stem cells, i.e., hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (1). A number of therapeutic procedures that are claimed to exploit various properties of “;stem cells” are now being promoted, sometimes aggressively, in both the scientific literature and the lay press. Increasingly, direct advertising to potential patients is being broadcast over the Internet (2– 4). Stem cells from fatty tissue (adipose-derived stem cells, ADSC) are a relatively recent member of the stem-cell family. ADSC are an adult mesenchymal stem-cell population with many advantageous features for potential clinical use. They are plentiful in human fatty tissue, and they can easily be obtained by liposuction. Their phenotypes and functions closely resemble those of stem cells from bone marrow. They have been shown to be able to differentiate into many different types of cells, including chondro-, osteo-, adipo-, myo-, and neurogenic lines, as well as endothelial cells (5). Their accessibility and versatility make them appealing not only to researchers and clinicians designing new treatments, but also to physicians who see in them a lucrative opportunity in the growing market for cosmetic treatments. The basic elements of autologous lipotransfer were developed more than a century ago: fatty tissue is removed by excision or suction, purified, and immediately reimplanted into the same patient (6). Over the years, the technique has seen many improvements, mostly with the goal of lessening the invasiveness of cell harvesting and processing, or else simplifying and standardizing the process of reimplantation. Conventional autologous lipotransfer now consists of aspiration lipectomy with low suction, followed by purification steps and then by cell concentration by either flotation or centrifugation; finally, the purified fatty tissue is reimplanted for soft-tissue augmentation (Figure 1). Figure 1 Conventional compared to cell-assisted autologous lipotransfer: In the former, extracorporeal processing is limited to cleansing, concentrating, and apportioning steps that precede retransplantation of the lipograft into the target tissue by injection. ... Typical applications of autologous lipotransfer include the correction of contour deficits after cancer surgery or radiotherapy; purely esthetic procedures (mainly on the breasts); and the treatment of facial atrophy due to HIV and antiretroviral drugs, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma. The limitations of this technique arise from the need for revascularization of the transplanted cells, which restricts the tissue volume that can be transplanted at once. The transplantation of an excessive volume of tissue is likely to be followed by adipocyte necrosis, volume loss, and oil cyst formation (7). Loss of transplant volume over the long term has been reported to be between 30% and 70%, even with small transplants (7, 8). Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have yielded findings suggesting a supportive effect of ADSC on the surrounding cells in autologous lipotransfer. This has prompted the development of cell-assisted lipotransfer as a putative means of improving the outcome of transplantation. The aspirated fatty tissue is divided into two aliquots, and the ADSC-containing stromal vascular fraction is then isolated from one of the aliquots and added to the other one (Figure 1). The mixture of cells generated by this process is called the cell-enriched lipoaspirate (9). Commercial systems for processing lipografts have been developed to make cell-assisted lipotransfer possible in a single operative sitting. These systems enable the rapid, automated generation of a cell-enriched lipoaspirate. Part of the aspirated fatty tissue is broken up and freed from the surrounding tissue matrix by application of a mixture of proteolytic enzymes; this tissue is then washed, and “;regenerative cells” are removed from it by centrifugation and added to the rest of the aspirated fatty tissue to make the cell-enriched lipoaspirate (10, 11). The cell-enriched lipoaspirate can be reimplanted anywhere in the body, depending on the indication. The most common indications at present are esthetic breast augmentation and breast reconstruction after tumor surgery (12). The rationale behind cell-assisted lipotransfer lies in the hope that the higher concentration of ADSCs in the cell-enriched lipoaspirate, compared to the lipoaspirate of conventional autologous lipotransfer, will enable better vascularization of the graft, thereby lessening the likelihood of necrosis and adipocyte resorption, and in the hope that the transplanted ADSC will differentiate into mature adipocytes (13). If these things happen, one should be able to transplant much larger volumes of fatty tissue at one time; in the future, one might even be able to transplant autologous fatty tissue in cases where silicon breast implants are used now. This would be a veritable revolution in reconstructive and esthetic surgery, yielding major benefits of various kinds—not least financial. There have been some encouraging findings from basic research, but hardly any clinical data on cell-assisted lipotransfer are available to date. Nor is anything known about safety issues such as the risk of inappropriate tissue differentiation or of neoplasia, an inherent danger of any stem-cell-based treatment (14, 15). The practitioners of cell-assisted lipotransfer are becoming more numerous, the advertising promoting it more intense; nonetheless, there are still no reliable figures on the frequency with which this techniques is performed (Paul Ehrlich Institute, personal communications). This state of affairs prompted us to examine the available evidence for the promising, yet controversial technique of cell-assisted lipotransfer. In accordance with the PRISMA Statement (16), we asked the following question, to be answered by application of the PICO criteria (participants, intervention, comparison, outcome): “;What evidence can be found in the current scientific literature about the clinical use of fatty tissue enriched with ADSC for the purpose of regeneration and augmentation of the soft tissues?”

In vertebrates, symmetric versus asymmetric cleavage of beta-carotene in the biosynthesis of vitamin A and its derivatives has been controversially discussed. Recently we have been able to identify a cDNA encoding a metazoan beta,beta-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenase from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This enzyme catalyzes the key step in vitamin A biosynthesis, symmetrically cleaving beta-carotene to give two molecules of retinal. Mutations in the corresponding gene are known to lead to a blind, vitamin A-deficient phenotype. Orthologs of this enzyme have very recently been found also in vertebrates and molecularly characterized. Here we report the identification of a cDNA from mouse encoding a second type of carotene dioxygenase catalyzing exclusively the asymmetric oxidative cleavage of beta-carotene at the 9',10' double bond of beta-carotene and resulting in the formation of beta-apo-10'-carotenal and beta-ionone, a substance known as a floral scent from roses, for example. Besides beta-carotene, lycopene is also oxidatively cleaved by the enzyme. The deduced amino acid sequence shares significant sequence identity with the beta,beta-carotene-15,15'-dioxygenases, and the two enzyme types have several conserved motifs. To establish its occurrence in different vertebrates, we then attempted and succeeded in cloning cDNAs encoding this new type of carotene dioxygenase from human and zebrafish as well. As regards their possible role, the apocarotenals formed by this enzyme may be the precursors for the biosynthesis of retinoic acid or exert unknown physiological effects. Thus, in contrast to Drosophila, in vertebrates both symmetric and asymmetric cleavage pathways exist for carotenes, revealing a greater complexity of carotene metabolism.

Electrochromic nickel oxide films on indium tin oxide (ITO) were investigated by cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Microstructural features and the differences between high and poor-quality samples were studied and compared. The dominant phase of the NiO film has cubic structure, but selected area electron diffraction patterns revealed many extra diffraction spots for the high-performance samples which may result from additional hydrated nickel oxide phases. The NiO grains do not show clear shapes in the cross-sectional plane nor are there signs of a preferred orientation. The mean grain size is larger and there are more defects and superlattices in samples with good electrochromic properties. There was a clear correlation between grain size distribution and performance. The high-quality samples had a mean grain size of about 6.5 nm, whereas the poor-quality samples exhibited significantly smaller mean grain sizes of 5.0 and 3.8 nm.

In order to improve the accuracy, validity, reliability and reproducibility of reported power conversion efficiencies for solar cells, the journal, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells (SOLMAT), wishes to define how power conversion efficiencies should be reported. This expands upon what is specified in our Guide for Authors. This editorial also serves as a guide on how efficiency data should be checked within the reporting laboratory before sending cells or materials for testing at an independent laboratory. The threshold where the accuracy of efficiency values is important to the journal is whenever power conversion efficiencies require external quantum efficiencies (EQE) values above 50% over a large range of wavelengths or when reported power conversion efficiencies exceed 2.5%. Extra care should be taken in submitted manuscripts to document the measurement's quality, relevance and independent verification.

Although mast cell secretion has been intensively studied because of its pivotal role in allergic reactions and its advantages as a physiologic model, the molecular composition of the secretory machine is virtually unknown. In view of the guanine-nucleotide dependency of mast cell exocytosis and the participation of Rab3 proteins in synaptic vesicle release, we hypothesized that a Rab3 isoform regulates mast cell secretion. Fragments of Rab3A, 3B, and 3D were cloned from RBL-2H3 mast cells by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Northern blot analysis revealed Rab3D transcripts to be relatively abundant, Rab3B substantially less so, and Rab3A and 3C undetectable. By ribonuclease (RNase) protection assay, Rab3D transcripts were at least 10-fold more abundant than those of other isoforms, and by immunoblot analysis, Rab3D protein was at least 60-fold more abundant than that of Rab3B. Rab3D was more abundant in RBL cells than in brain, but the total mass of Rab3 proteins in RBL cells was 10-fold less than in brain. Rab3D only partly colocalized with secretory granules in RBL cells, but fully colocalized in mature peritoneal mast cells. There was a descending concentration gradient of Rab3D from peripheral to central granules, and no cytoplasmic pool was detectable in resting mast cells. Following exocytotic degranulation, Rab3D translocated to the plasma membrane and remained there for at least 15 min. These studies suggest that Rab3D is a component of the regulated exocytotic machine of mast cells, and identify differences between mast cells and neurons in Rab3 expression and trafficking.

Several issues regarding the working environment and the stability of prototype electrochromic (EC) windows are discussed. In this study, we focus on issues to attain confidence in the durability of EC devices for energy efficient architectural glazing. The environmental conditions that EC glazing are subjected to, are detailed and discussed. Comparisons are made to actual prototype, real time EC window exposure testing. Testing of EC mirrors and liquid crystal glazing is compared to EC glazing. During testing of glazing in Arizona, surface temperatures of 56–65°C (uncolored-colored) were measured on EC glazing panels, with ambient air temperature of 40°C. The usual panel heating rate ranged from 14.3°C/h to 21°C/h. The steepest swing occurred during a thunderstorm with a 40°C rise in 15 min. In EC testing studies in Yokohama, it was determined that indoor testing and outdoor testing did not achieve the same results, with outdoor testing being more severe. It was also determined that the critical test parameters were temperature, solar intensity (especially UV), depth of coloration, charge capacity and change in transmittance. As a result of this study, we recommend a regimen of testing covering thermal cycling, UV stability, thermal storage and thermal shock.

Electrochromic devices have increasing application in large-area display devices, switchable mirrors and smart windows. A variety of vacuum deposition technologies have been used to make electrochromic devices. The sol–gel process offers an alternative approach to the synthesis of low-cost, high-quality electrochromic device layers. This paper discusses the developments in sol–gel-deposited electrochromic films and a prototype all sol–gel device with switching from 80% to 50% (550 nm). The sol–gel process involves the formation of oxide networks upon hydrolysis–condensation of alkoxide precursors. In this study, we cover sol–gel-deposited oxides of WO3, TiO2, Nb2O5, V2O5, Ni(OH)2, Co(OH)2 and CuOx. The coloration reaction voltammetry and spectral optical properties are presented for selected films.

The exciting field of chromogenic materials for smart windows and other large-area applications is discussed. A selection of switchable glazing devices that change color electrically are detailed. The types of devices covered are the electrochromic which change color electrically, covering electrochromic, dispersed liquid crystal and dispersed particle glazing that switch under an applied electric field. Device structures and switching characteristics are compared. The status of prototype and commercial devices from commercial and university labs through out the world are covered. A discussion of the future of this technology is made including areas of necessary development for the realization of large area glazing in excess of 1m2.

Restoration of active extension of wrist, thumb and digits by muscle-tendon transposition.Radial nerve palsy due to peripheral nerve injury. Peripheral nerve disease. Muscle or tendon injury. Restoration of wrist extension in high radial nerve palsy.Reversible distal radial nerve palsy, absence of suitable donor muscles, spasticity, limited range of motion of affected joints, extensive scarring and inappropriate soft tissue conditions, unjustifiable loss of function at donor site. Reinnervated donor muscles, progressive muscle disease, insufficient patient compliance.Dissection of the flexor carpi ulnaris, palmaris longus and pronator teres tendon insertion. Transposition of the tendons. Interweaving of tendons of the pronator teres and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles, the extensor digitorum communis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles, as well as the extensor pollicis longus and palmaris longus muscles using the Pulvertaft technique.3 Weeks immobilization in forearm splint. Additional immobilization for 2 weeks at night. Subsequently, intensive physical and occupational therapy for another 4-6 weeks is required, starting 3 weeks postoperatively.The procedure was carried out in 12 patients over the past 14 years. We treated proximal radial nerve palsy in nine cases. In accordance with the current medical literature, we consider the described motor replacement surgery a reliable procedure.

This contribution is a summary of an international, interdisciplinary workshop dedicated to defects in chalcopyrite semiconductors and their relation to the device characteristics of thin-film solar cells, held on 3–5 June 1996 in Oberstdorf, Germany. Results of different characterization methods were brought together to identify common observations. The comparison of results from electrical defect spectroscopy and luminescence investigations confirmed the presence of energetic distributions of defects throughout the bandgap of chalcopyrite thin films. Electrical defect spectroscopy detects a defect about 280 meV above the valence band edge of Cu(In, Ga)Se2 regardless of the preparation conditions of the sample. In a solar cell the density of this defect depends on the operation conditions. This observation might be related to the migration of copper in an electric field, which occurs even at room temperature. Other defects appear to be related to processing or impurities. Photoluminescence decay measurements yield time constants of several nanoseconds under low injection conditions. Modelling of the current–voltage characteristics of Cu(In, Ga)Se2-based thin-film cells suggests that compensating acceptor states in the CdS or at the heterointerface are responsible for the frequently observed cross-overs between the dark and illuminated curves.© 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Proton conducting tantalum oxide films were deposited on ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) coated glass, fused silica and soda-lime glass substrates by spin coating using a sol-gel process. The coating solutions were prepared using Ta(OC2H5)5 as a precursor. X-ray diffraction studies determined that the sol-gel films, heat treated at temperatures below 400°C, were amorphous. Films heat treated at higher temperatures were crystalline with the hexagonal δ -Ta2O5 structure. The solar transmission values (Ts) of tantala films on glass generally range from 0.8–0.9, depending on thickness. The refractive index and the extinction coefficient were evaluated from transmittance characteristics in the UV-VIS-NIR regions. The refractive index values calculated at λ = 550 nm increased from n = 1.78 to 1.97 with increasing heat treatment from 150 to 450°C. The films heat treated at different temperatures showed low absorption, with extinction coefficients of smaller than k = 1 × 10-3 in the visible range. Impedance spectroscopic investigations performed on Ta2O5 films revealed that these films have a protonic conductivity of 3.2 × 10-4 S/m. The films are suitable for proton conducting layers in electrochromic (EC) devices.

Electrochromic niobia (Nb205) coatings were prepared by the sol-gel spin-coating and d.c. magnetron sputtering techniques. Parameters were investigated for the process fabrication of sol-gel spin coated Nb205 films exhibiting high coloration efficiency comparable with that d.c. magnetron sputtered niobia films. X-ray diffraction studies (XRD) showed that the sol-gel deposited and magnetron sputtered films heat treated at temperatures below 450°C, were amorphous, whereas those heat treated at higher temperatures were slightly crystalline. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies showed that the stoichiometry of the films was Nb205. The refractive index and electrochromic coloration were found to depend on the preparation technique. Both films showed low absorption and high transparency in the visible range. We found that the n, k values of the sol-gel deposited films to be lower than for the sputtered films. The n and k values were n = 1.82 and k = 3 × 10 -3, and n = 2.28 and k = 4 × 10 -3 at 530 nm for sol-gel deposited and sputtered films, respectively. The electrochemical behavior and structural changes were investigated in 1 M LiC1On/propylene carbonate solution. Using the electrochemical measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the probable electrode reaction with the lithiation and delithiation is Nb205 + x Li++x e-~ LixNb205. Cyclic voltametric (CV) measurements showed that both Nb205 films exhibits electrochemical reversibility beyond 1200 cycles without change in performance. "In situ" optical measurement revealed that those films exhibit an electrochromic effect in the spectral range 300 < h < 2100 nm but remain unchanged in the infrared spectral range. The change in visible transmittance was 40% for 250 nm thick

The preparation and properties of Nb2O5 coatings made by the sol-gel process were investigated. The films were deposited by spin coating on In2O3:Sn/glass and quartz substrates from a polymeric solutions of niobia derived from niobium ethoxide. The films were characterized by investigation of the stoichiometry, refractive index, optical transmission, electrochemical behavior, and the microstructure. X-ray diffraction studies showed the films to be amorphous for heat treatments below 450°C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement revealed the O:Nb atomic stoichiometry to be 5:2. Cyclic voltammetric measurements showed that the Nb2O5/1M LiClO4-propylene carbonate system exhibits electrochemical reversibility beyond 1 200 cycles without change in performance. In situ UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical measurement revealed that Nb2O5 films exhibit an electrochromic effect in the spectral range 300