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With the development of human-cyber-physical-production systems in intelligent manufacturing, cyber-supported production based on artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly powerful means of controlling machines and collaborating with human users. Semi-autonomous systems with a medium degree of automation enable human-centered, flexible, and sustainable production, for instance, in hybrid decision-making. Especially in applications that do not meet the requirements for full automation and when humans are to be involved in their role as qualified decision-makers, teaming-capable systems are desirable and offer considerable advantages. This paper outlines the transdisciplinary concept of human–machine teaming and the role of human cognition in engineering tasks with multi-criteria decision-making. An illustrative real-life example from thermal spray technology is used to show how explainable artificial intelligence models offer targeted, hybrid cyber decision support. This new approach based on fuzzy pattern classifiers combines expert knowledge- and data-based modeling and enables a transparent interpretation of the results by the human user, as shown here using the example of test data from atmospheric plasma spraying. The method outlined can potentially be used to provide hybrid decision support for a variety of manufacturing processes and form the basis for advanced automation or teaming of humans and cyber-physical-production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is a biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class IV substance with many potential therapeutic effects. However, like many other BCS IV active pharmaceutical ingredients, complex formulations are needed to guarantee a sufficiently high bioavailability. A not-so-well-known delivery system is a suspoemulsion (SE). SEs are emulsions with a crystalline API in continuous or dispersed phases. This study aimed to produce curcumin-loaded o/w suspoemulsions with the particle in the oil phase for, e.g., encapsulation or triggered release effects. The particles need to be smaller than the emulsion droplet size to attain high encapsulation efficiencies (EE) in the oil phase. Sonofragmentation and bead milling were tested for their ability to produce these nanocrystals in different dispersion media. It was discovered that production in miglyol was the best fit for the needed application of the crystals in SEs. Around 85% (by volume) of the particles produced with bead milling were smaller than the droplet size of about 5 µm. In contrast, only 23% of the sonofragmentated particles were below the diameter of those droplets. This oily suspension was then used to successfully produce hydrogel-based o/w suspoemulsions. In the second part of this study, we investigated different methods for determining encapsulation efficiency, but none of the methods accurately and satisfactorily resolved the encapsulation efficiency. Finally, the suspoemulsions could not be macroscopically distinguished from one another and were physically stable. In summary, we showed that stable hydrogel-based curcumin-loaded o/w suspoemulsions could be produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ytterbium(III) oxide bromide oxidotellu-rate(IV) Yb3O2Br[TeO3]2 was obtained from a mixture of Yb2O3, YbBr3 and TeO2 in a molar ratio of 2:1:2 along with an excess of KBr as fluxing agent in evacuated fused silica ampoules after 10 days at T = 800 °C and subsequent slow cooling to room temperatures as colorless, plate-shaped single crystals. Its triclinic crystal structure (a = 663.97(5), b = 697.46(5), c = 1080.15(8) pm, α = 105.102(3), β = 90.931(3), γ = 100.034(3)°; Z = 2, space group: P 1 ‾ $‾{1}$) displays three crystallographically different Yb3+ cations with coordination numbers of six, seven and eight. Six out of eight distinct oxygen atoms belong to two independent ψ1-tetrahedral [TeO3]2−anions, whereas the other two represent O2− anions in tetrahedral coordination of four Yb3+ cations each, not having any contact to tellurium. Condensed via common vertices and edges, these [OYb4]10+ tetrahedra form cationic layers ∞ 2 ${}_{\infty }{}^{2}$ {[O2Yb3]5+}, which spread out parallel to the (001) plane. Two discrete [TeO3]2− groups and one Br− anion per formula unit take care of their three-dimensional interconnection along [001] and the overall charge balance of Yb3O2Br[TeO3]2. Remarkable interactions between the lone pair of electrons at the Te4+ cations of the ψ1-tetrahedral [TeO3]2− anions and those at the Br− anions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During heat treatment of milk, β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) associates with the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). The objective of this study was to examine different binding types that could be involved in this process. First, we tested the thiol-disulfide bond interchange between β-LG and MFGM by heating raw milk (87°C, 8 min) in the presence of different reagents capable of preventing this interaction, and then evaluated the presence of β-LG in resulting MFGM preparations by sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. Contrary to commonly accepted theory, β-LG still associated with MFGM when milk was heated in the presence of 10 m M N -ethylmaleimide, dithiobis-nitrobenzoic acid, or dithioerythritol. This finding indicated that noncovalent binding could be involved in the interaction, and therefore these were studied next. Preventing noncovalent interactions by heating milk in the presence of 8 M urea (to inhibit formation of hydrogen bonds) or 2 M NaCl (to inhibit electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions) reduced the association of β-LG and MFGM. Inhibiting both hydrogen and disulfide bond formation by addition of 8 M urea and 10 m M dithioerythritol or inhibiting hydrophobic interactions with 0.2% sodium dodecyl sulfate completely prevented the association. In contrast to the simple thiol-disulfide interaction model, the results suggest a more complex understanding of the interactions between β-LG and MFGM during heating of milk. This indicates that disulfide formation between β-LG and proteins in the MFGM is not required for the association, but that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding may be crucial. This novel insight into β-LG and MFGM association is in contrast to the current literature and requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a value-added ingredient with numerous applications. During industrial isolation, the choice of processing steps is known to influence the intactness and bioactivity of the resulting MFGM-containing material. The present study demonstrates that pasteurisation at 80, 85 or 88 °C had a different impact on the protein composition of MFGM material, depending on whether it was performed before or after microfiltration of raw milk. MFGM isolates from milk pasteurised before microfiltration had a significantly higher content of β-lactoglobulin, but a lower level of periodic acid Schiff base 6 and 7, compared with MFGM isolated from milk pasteurised after microfiltration. The β-lactoglobulin content in MFGM material increased progressively with pasteurisation temperatures. Pasteurisation after filtration did not alter the protein composition of MFGM material significantly compared with an unpasteurised control. The results point towards improved process requirements for a more gentle isolation process for MFGM-enriched fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By fusing Lu2O3 and TeO2 in a molar ratio of 1:3 in a CsCl flux, colorless single crystals of the lutetium(III) oxotellurate(IV) Lu2Te3O9 could be obtained as first representative of the structurally so far unknown C-type for the composition M2Te3O9. The title compound crystallizes triclinically in space group P $\bar{1}$ with a = 689.67(4) pm, b = 1320.91(8) pm, c = 1450.06(9) pm, α = 110.057(3)°, β = 90.606(3)°, γ = 100.125(3)°, and Z = 6. The crystal structure contains six different Lu3+ cations in eightfold (Lu1 and Lu2: trigonal dodecahedra) and sevenfold (Lu3 and Lu6: monocapped trigonal prisms; Lu4 and Lu5: pentagonal bipyramids) oxygen coordination. These lutetium-oxygen polyhedra ( d(Lu-O) = 214-274 pm) are condensed to serrated layers according to 2∞{[Lu6O26]34-} that are stacked along [100]. The oxotellurate(IV) partial structure consists of basically nine crystallographically independent [TeO3]2- ( d(Te-O) = 184-196 pm) units connecting the above-mentioned layers to a three-dimensional framework. Strong secondary Te4+ ···O2- interactions between adjacent [TeO3]2- entities as common feature in the crystal structures of all known ternary lanthanoid(III) oxotellurates(IV) are also present in the crystal structure of Lu2Te3O9. Depending upon the range of these secondary contacts taken into account, the [TeO3]2- units are linked to form one-dimensional strands ( d(Te ···O) = 237-272 pm) like in B-type Dy2Te3O9 or even two-dimensional layers emerge ( d(Te ···O) = 237-285 pm). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial brachial plexus paresis was diagnosed in three calves with unilateral functional lameness in a forelimb based on clinical and neurologic examinations. Clinical signs of radial nerve paresis were the main presenting problems. Electromyography was used to identify the affected nerves with the calves under general anaesthesia. Abnormal spontaneous activity of denervated muscles showed that the radial, musculocutaneous, median and ulnar nerves were compromised. The calves were treated medically, using splint bandages, and with physiotherapy. All calves regained function of the affected legs and normal weight bearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conducting environmental risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials has been an extremely challenging endeavor thus far. Moreover, recent findings from the nano-risk scientific community indicate that it is unlikely that many of these challenges will be easily resolved in the near future, especially given the vast variety and complexity of nanomaterials and their applications. As an approach to help optimize environmental risk assessments of nanomaterials, we apply the Worst-Case Definition (WCD) model to identify best estimates for worst-case conditions of environmental risks of two case studies which use engineered nanoparticles, namely nZVI in soil and groundwater remediation and C60 in an engine oil lubricant. Results generated from this analysis may ultimately help prioritize research areas for environmental risk assessments of nZVI and C60 in these applications as well as demonstrate the use of worst-case conditions to optimize future research efforts for other nanomaterials. Through the application of the WCD model, we find that the most probable worst-case conditions for both case studies include i) active uptake mechanisms, ii) accumulation in organisms, iii) ecotoxicological response mechanisms such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell membrane damage or disruption, iv) surface properties of nZVI and C60, and v) acute exposure tolerance of organisms. Additional estimates of worst-case conditions for C60 also include the physical location of C60 in the environment from surface run-off, cellular exposure routes for heterotrophic organisms, and the presence of light to amplify adverse effects. Based on results of this analysis, we recommend the prioritization of research for the selected applications within the following areas: organism active uptake ability of nZVI and C60 and ecotoxicological response end-points and response mechanisms including ROS production and cell membrane damage, full nanomaterial characterization taking into account detailed information on nanomaterial surface properties, and investigations of dose–response relationships for a variety of organisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Repeated phenotypic evolution can occur at both the inter- and intraspecific level and is especially prominent in domesticated plants, where artificial selection has favoured the same traits in many different species and varieties. The question of whether repeated evolution reflects changes at the same or different genes in each lineage can now be addressed using the domestication and improvement genes that have been identified in a variety of crops. Here, we document the genetic basis of nonpigmented ('white') pericarps in domesticated African rice ( Oryza glaberrima) and compare it with the known genetic basis of the same trait in domesticated Asian rice ( Oryza sativa). In some cases, white pericarps in African rice are apparently caused by unique mutations at the Rc gene, which also controls pericarp colour variation in Asian rice. In one case, white pericarps appear to reflect changes at a different gene or potentially a cis-regulatory region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper re-examines the so-called ‘chairman’s paradox‘ that was first noticed by Farquharson in his path breaking tract on sophisticated voting, Theory of Voting (1969). The Chairman’s paradox is concerned with the case of a three member committee in which a particular player who has a regular and a tie-breaking vote – the ‘chairman’ – not only will do worse in specific instances under the plurality procedure for three alternatives than if he did not have such a vote, but will also do worse overall. That is, the chairman’s a priori probability of success (‘getting what one wants’) for all possible games with linear (strict) preference orders is lower than that of the two regular members. It is demonstrated that this result, which comes about if voters act strategically rather than sincerely, is not as robust as it has been thought to be. By merely replacing the standard assumption of linear preference orders with weak preference orders, which allow for indifference, we can escape from the paradox for the canonical case of three players and three alternatives. With weak preference orders, the a priori success of the chairman is now greater than that of the other two players. We also point to a new paradox of sophisticated voting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical and radiological incidence of lumbosacral (LS) disease was studied on 57 German Shepherd dogs (GSDs) used in active service. The study included a clinical history, a neurological examination, and plain radiographs of the caudal lumbar vertebrae. The neurological examinations revealed lower back pain and/or neural deficits in 21 dogs, of which 14 had a history of pain or pelvic gait abnormalities. Radiographic findings were spondylosis at L7–S1, degeneration of L7–S1 disc, LS malalignment, transitional LS vertebrae and/or primary spinal canal stenosis in 15 dogs with neurological abnormalities and/or back pain and in 18 dogs with no clinical signs. No correlation between the neurological and the radiographic findings were found. This study demonstrates that even prominent radiographic LS abnormalities are of minimal value in the evaluation of LS disease in the GSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new oxotellurate(VI) Gd2TeO6 was synthesized by solid-state reaction of equimolar mixtures of Gd2O3 and TeO3 in evacuated silica tubes at 800°C within 10 days. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with the space group P212121 (no. 19) and the lattice constants a=532.52(4), b=916.03(8), c=1004.60(9) pm (Z=4). The crystal structure was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction techniques and refined with R1=0.028, wR2=0.059 and a Flack-x parameter of −0.002(2) for 2157 unique reflections. In the La2TeO6-type crystal structure of Gd2TeO6, the Gd3+ cations occupy two of the nine independent atomic positions and are coordinated sevenfold by oxygen. Separately from each other, both coordination polyhedra [GdO7] build zigzag chains along [100] via common edges (Gd1) and corners (Gd2), respectively. Each of the chains order as hexagonal rod packing. Finally, both of them combine by linkage via edges and corners again to form a complex 3∞{[GdO3]3−} framework. The isolated [TeO6]6− octahedra reside in the oval channels of this arrangement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Modeling forms the basis for optimal control of complex technical processes in the context of industry 4.0 development and, hence, for high product quality as well as efficient production. For the mechanical joining process of self-pierce riveting with 11 input and 5 output variables, two modeling approaches based on (1) experimental data and (2) FEM computer simulation are outlined and performed. A physical modeling approach is ruled out due to the high problem dimensionality and complex nonlinear dynamic relationships between input and output variables. Alternatively, data-based approaches lead to Artificial Intelligence (AI) model designs. The experimental approach is cost- and resource-consuming; therefore, only a relatively small data set can be collected. Here, we present results from experimental trials that serve as representatives and are generalized by a description with high-dimensional parametric membership functions (fuzzification). The fuzzification procedure is also applied to the FEM computer simulation results. In principle, it can provide an arbitrarily large database. However, consequently, time- and computational effort increase considerably. Both data sets form the basis for parallel model building using the AI method of local fuzzy pattern models, which can be used to describe highly nonlinear input-output relationships by error-minimizing partitioning. Finally, the comparison of the results of the two modeling approaches is outlined. Finally, a coupled modeling strategy and future model adaptation are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial ingredients containing milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) material are currently isolated from heavily processed dairy streams. The aim of this study was to achieve a more gentle isolation of MFGM material by means of ceramic dia-microfiltration of raw whole milk to separate fat globules from casein micelles and whey proteins prior to MFGM extraction. A pilot-scale experiment with 1.4 μm pore size (membrane surface area 1.05 m2) resulted in an optimal outcome of low permeation of fat (2.5% permeation) and high permeation of proteins (97% permeation). This yielded an MFGM isolate with 7% w/w polar lipids and 30% w/w proteins, where contamination of non-MFGM proteins was only 25% of total protein content. Furthermore, mild pasteurization (72 °C, 15 s) introduced either before or after microfiltration had no impact on filtration efficiency or MFGM yield and composition. The work describes an industrially relevant production method for a less-processed MFGM material of high purity with potential for further separation and valorisation of protein-rich permeate streams. • Microfiltration of raw milk was applied to obtain gently processed MFGM material. • At lab-scale, 1.4 μm ceramic membrane was found superior to 0.8 μm. • Pilot-scale filtration using 1.4 μm resulted in high-purity MFGM material. • Mild pasteurization can be applied before or after filtration without implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to human medicine, the significance of appropriate post-operative care in companion animals is often neglected or even unknown. Physiotherapeutic exercises, also called physical therapies, are the golden standard of rehabilitation in human orthopaedics. In dogs and cats, such supportive therapies following surgery are rarely performed. Presently, physical therapeutic exercises, which are well established in man, are transferred to companion animals. However, there is no generally accepted scheme of procedures adequate to cats and dogs. Furthermore there is no study dealing with the exact effects of the various exercises performed with these species. Due to this paucity of information, the effect of several physical exercises concerning the lumbar spinal nerve roots transferred from man to the dog were assessed macroscopically. In ten euthanized healthy beagles up to eight years of age, the lumbar spine was surgically separated from adhering dorsal muscles. The lumbar nerve roots were visualized by removing the connective tissues surrounding the foramen intervertebrale. Nerve roots, i.e. spinal ganglia, were marked immediately outside the vertebral column applying a dot of yellow paint while the cadaver was in lateral recumbency. In man, for maximal sciatic nerve root movement the straight leg raising (SLR) (Maitland, 1986) exercise is applied on the patient lying on the back. For nervus femoralis movement the passive knee bending exercise is performed. In the dog, however, performing only the transferred SLR has a poor effect on L7. It can greatly be enhanced by a supplemental inward rotation of the hip joint by fixing the stifle joint and moving the lower leg medially. Concerning L4-L6 nerve roots, the hip joint is maximally extended and the effect can be improved by an outward rotation of the leg. The results of the present study indicate that the simple transfer of physical exercises from man to companion animals does not result in identical results in the latter species. Modifications considering different anatomical conditions should be kept in mind if clinical results are poor. Reference Maitland, G.D., 1986: Vertebral Manipulation, 5th edition, Butterworth–Heinemann, London [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Representation failures are one of the main reasons for the emergence of populism in contemporary politics. Mainstream parties' convergence towards the centre left parts of the electorate to feel underrepresented. Populists are successful when they engage apathetic voters. In this sense, populism is suggested to be a potential corrective to democracy as long as it engages dissatisfied and disenfranchised citizens, helping close the representation gap. We test this proposition in three experiments with samples from two different countries, to test whether the activation of populist attitudes has impacts on normatively positive and negative political participation. The experimental manipulations show that triggering populism neither makes individuals more likely to participate nor to donate to a political campaign. We also find that activation of populist attitudes makes people more likely to accept political apathy and justify not-voting. Our findings contribute to the 'threat or corrective democracy' debate, which suggests populism's involvement in more political participation. Ultimately, and unfortunately, it does not seem like populism is an effective answer to ever falling levels of political participation or representational gaps in Western democracies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we introduce a new fuzzy system using adaptive fuzzy pattern classification (AFPC) for data-based online evolvement. The fuzzy pattern concept represents an efficient tool for handling uncertainty in multi-dimensional data streams and combines powerful performance, flexibility and meaningful interpretability within one consistent framework. We outline AFPC for non-linear, multi-dimensional transition processes, namely, for the identification of lane change intention in car driving. While lane changes are rare, they are highly safety-relevant transition processes, showing high fuzziness and large individual and inter-individual variations (e.g., in lane change duration). The method employs a combined knowledge- and data-based approach, and the underlying fuzzy potential membership function concept models expert knowledge, closely mirroring human cognition. The design of AFPC comprises (I) an initial training phase (off-line and supervised), which generates a meaningful start-classifier, (II) an online application phase, and finally (III) an evolvement phase (online and unsupervised). Here we consider parametric and structural adaptations and discuss prospects and future challenges. Furthermore, we present specific modeling results for such online data from a real driving study. Next-generation advanced driver assistance systems, as well as autonomously driven vehicles need to evolve, in terms of parameters and structure, based on online real-time data. AFPC presents an efficient tool for application in this area and others (e.g., medicine). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are inherited lysosomal storage diseases that have been described in a variety of dog breeds, where they are caused by different mutations in different genes. However, the causative gene defect in the breed Alpenländische Dachsbracke remained unknown so far. Here we present two confirmed cases of NCL in Alpenländische Dachsbracke dogs from different litters of the same sire with a different dam harboring the same underlying novel mutation in the CLN8 gene. Case 1, a 2-year-old male Alpenländische Dachsbracke was presented with neurological signs including disorientation, character changes including anxiety states and aggressiveness, sudden blindness and reduction of food intake. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed cerebral atrophy with dilation of all cerebral ventricles, thinning of the intermediate mass of the thalamus and widening of the cerebral sulci. Postmortem examination of the central nervous system (CNS) showed neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and spinal cord with massive intracellular deposits of ceroid pigment. Additional ceroid-lipofuscin deposits were observed in the enteric nervous system and in macrophages within spleen, lymph nodes and lung. Ultrastructural analyses confirmed NCL with the presence of osmiophilic membrane bounded lamellar-like structures. Case 2, a 1,5-year old female Alpenländische Dachsbracke was presented with progressive generalized forebrain disease including mental changes such as fearful reactions to various kinds of external stimuli and disorientation. The dog also displayed seizures, absence of menace reactions and negative cotton-ball test with normal pupillary light reactions. The clinical and post mortem examination yielded similar results in the brain as in Case 1. Whole genome sequencing of Case 1 and PCR results of both cases revealed a homozygous deletion encompassing the entire CLN8 gene as the most likely causative mutation for the NCL form observed in both cases. The deletion follows recessive inheritance since the dam and a healthy male littermate of Case 1 were tested as heterozygous carriers. This is the first detailed description of CLN8 gene associated NCL in Alpenländische Dachsbracke dogs and thus provides a novel canine CLN8 model for this lysosomal storage disease. The presence of ceroid lipofuscin in extracerebral tissues may help to confirm the diagnosis of NCL in vivo , especially in new dog breeds where the underlying mutation is not known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A potential strategy to decrease the high complication rate of radical cystectomy (RC) in the elderly is to avoid the use of bowel for urinary diversion. The aim of this study was to address this issue in a multicentre study of patients aged ≥75 years. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective, multicentre study of a consecutive series of patients aged ≥75 years who underwent RC for muscle-invasive bladder cancer between 2006 and 2010. Medical, surgical and wound complications were graded according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. Results: A total of 256 patients (68% men, mean age 79.6 years) were analysed. 204 (80%) patients received a urinary diversion with use of bowel and 52 (20%) a ureterocutaneostomy (UC). Patients with UC were older (82.0 vs. 78.9 years, p < 0.001) and had a higher ASA score (2.6 vs. 2.3, p = 0.007), while the mean Charlson score was lower (4.2 vs. 5.6, p < 0.001). Patients with UC had a shorter operating time (279 vs. 311 min, p = 0.002) and a shorter period in the intensive care unit (0.9 vs. 2.2 days). The overall rate of severe complications graded as Clavien III-V was significantly lower in the UC group (11.5%) as compared to patients receiving bowel for urinary diversion (25.0%) (p = 0.003). Severe (Clavien grade III-V) medical (3.9 vs. 10.3%) and surgical (2.1 vs. 14.1%) complications were all less frequent in the UC group. Inpatient, 30- and 90-day mortality was 5.8, 7.7 and 17.3% in the UC group as compared to 3.9, 5.9 and 6.9% in the bowel cohort, respectively. Conclusion: UC following RC is associated with a lower complication rate in geriatric patients. The constantly increasing cohort of geriatric, multimorbid patients requiring cystectomy might justify reconsideration of this form of diversion. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Regenerative repair is a promising new approach in treating damaged intervertebral discs. An experimental scheme was established for autologous and/or allogenic repair after massive disc injury.Methods: Disc healing was promoted in 11 animals by injecting in vitro expanded autologous/homologous disc cells 2 weeks after stab injury of lumbar discs L1-2. The following control discs were used in our sheep injury model: L2-3, vehicle only; L3-4, injury only; L4-5, undamaged; and lumbar discs from four non-experimental animals. Disc cells were suspended in a biologically supportive albumin/hyaluronan two-component hydrogel solution that polymerizes when inserted in order to anchor cells at the injection site. The parameters studied were MRI, DNA, glycosaminoglycan, collagen content, histology, immunohistology for collagens type I, II and aggrecan, and mRNA expression of GAPDH, β-actin, collagen type I, II, X, aggrecan, lubricin, and IL-1β.Results: All parameters demonstrated almost complete healing of the injured discs after 6 months, when compared with data from both the endogenous non-injured controls as well as from the healthy animals.Conclusion: Sheep experience spontaneous recovery from disc injury. The process of endogenous repair can be enhanced by means of hydrogel-supported cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 13-year-old intact male febrile dog with progressive inability to jump, short-stride gait and pain after extension. It mentions that the radiographic examination conducted to the dog demonstrated heavy pattern of spondylosis deformans and sclerotic vertebral endplates of the vertebrae. It says that Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was identified after the 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Abstract: Background and purpose: To assess the safety and effectiveness of treating high-risk T1 and T2 bladder cancer with transurethral resection (TUR-BT) followed by radiochemotherapy (RCT) combined with regional deep hyperthermia (RHT). Material and methods: Between 2003 and 2007, 45 patients were enrolled. After TUR-BT patients received radiotherapy (RT) of the bladder and regional lymph nodes with 50.4Gy, and a boost to the bladder of 5.4–9Gy. RCT was applied to 43/45 patients. RHT was administered once weekly. Response was re-evaluated 6weeks after RT by restaging-TUR. Toxicity was graded with the CTCAE, version 3.0. QoL was evaluated by a dedicated questionnaire. Results: The median follow-up was 34months (range 12–60). The median number of hyperthermia treatments was 5 (range 1–7). Acute toxicity grades 3 and 4 occurred in 20% (9/45) and 9% (4/45), respectively. Late toxicity grades 3/4 were seen in 24% (11/45). Complete response rate was 96% (43/45). Local recurrence-free survival was 85%, overall survival was 80%, disease-specific survival was 88%, metastasis-free survival was 89%, and the bladder-preserving rate was 96% (43/45) at 3years. Eighty percent (24/30) were at least mostly satisfied with their bladder function. Conclusions: The quadrimodal treatment was feasible and well tolerated. Local control and bladder-preserving rates were encouraging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to investigate the expression of survivin in tumor samples from patients with high-risk T1 bladder cancer and to correlate its expression with clinicopathologic features as well as clinical outcomes after initial transurethral resection (TURBT) followed by radiotherapy (RT) or radiochemotherapy (RCT). Methods and Materials: Survivin protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on tumor specimen (n = 48) from the initial TURBT, and was correlated with clinical and histopathologic characteristics as well as with 5-year rates of local failure, tumor progression, and death from urothelial cancer after primary bladder sparring treatment with RT/RCT. Results: Survivin was not expressed in normal bladder urothelium but was overexpressed in 67% of T1 tumors. No association between survivin expression and clinicopathologic factors (age, gender, grading, multifocality, associated carcinoma in situ) could be shown. With a median follow-up of 27 months (range, 3–140 months), elevated survivin expression was significantly associated with an increased probability of local failure after TURBT and RCT/RT (p = 0.003). There was also a clear trend toward a higher risk of tumor progression (p = 0.07) and lower disease-specific survival (p = 0.10). Conclusions: High survivin expression is a marker of tumor aggressiveness and may help to identify a subgroup of patients with T1 bladder cancer at a high risk for recurrence when treated with primary organ-sparing approaches such as TURBT and RCT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Surgical treatments for lumbosacral foraminal stenosis include foraminotomy and distraction-stabilization. • Both foraminotomy and distraction-stabilization caused an enlargement of the lumbosacral intervertebral neurovascular foramen. • Foraminotomy and distraction-stabilization caused an enlargement of the lumbosacral intervertebral neurovascular foramen. • Only foraminotomy enlarged the subcompartment of the intervertebral neurovascular foramen where the L7 nerve root was located. • Foraminotomy was more effective for treating nerve root compression caused by foraminal stenosis. Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis in dogs frequently involves L7-S1 foraminal stenosis and L7 nerve root compression. Surgical techniques to decompress the L7 nerve root include foraminotomy and intervertebral distraction. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of foraminotomy and intervertebral distraction on the total, cranial, and caudal compartmental volumes of the L7-S1 intervertebral neurovascular foramen (NF). CT images were obtained from eight canine lumbosacral (L5-CD1) specimens in the following sequential conditions: native spine (1), after dorsal laminectomy and partial discectomy of L7-S1 (2), after L7-S1 foraminotomy (3), after distraction with an interbody cage between L7 and S1 (4), after cage distraction stabilized with pedicle screw-rod fixation in neutral (5) and flexed position (6). The volume of the complete NF and its cranial and caudal subcompartments were calculated using the CT images and statistically compared between conditions. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The volume of the complete NF was significantly increased after foraminotomy (mean ± standard deviation (146.8 ± 26.5%, P < 0.01) and after distraction (Condition 4, 121.0 ± 19.1%; Condition 5, 116.6 ± 29.3 %; Condition 6, 119.0 ± 21.8 %; P = 0.01) with no difference between the distraction conditions. Foraminotomy induced a significantly larger increase in total NF volume compared to distraction. Foraminotomy, but not distraction, induced a significant increase in volume of the cranial subcompartment (158.2 ± 33.2 %; P < 0.01). Foraminotomy is more effective in increasing the foraminal volume and especially the cranial subcompartment, which is where the L7 nerve root traverses the NF. Hence, foraminotomy may be more effective in decompressing the L7 nerve root. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]