Spring Tire

The spring tire is made from helical springs, requires no air or rubber, and consumes nearly zero energy. The tire design provides greater traction in sandy and/or rocky soil, can operate in microgravity and under harsh conditions (vastly varying temperatures), and is non-pneumatic. Like any tire, the spring tire is approximately a toroidal-shaped object intended to be mounted on a transportation wheel. Its basic function is also similar to a traditional tire, in that the spring tire contours to the surface on which it is driven to facilitate traction, and to reduce the transmission of vibration to the vehicle. The essential difference between other tires and the spring tire is the use of helical springs to support and/or distribute load. They are coiled wires that deform elastically under load with little energy loss

Angiogenic miRNAs, the angiopoietin axis and related TIE2-expressing monocytes affect outcomes in cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Tumour angiogenesis is modulated on both an epigenetic and protein level and has potential implications for immune cell responses. However, the importance of related angiogenic biomarkers in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is unknown. This study assessed human CCA samples for the expression of angiogenesisassociated microRNAs, angiopoietins (Angs) and monocytes expressing the Angreceptor, TIE2, with regards to prognostic significance after liver resection. Methods: Angiogenic miRNAs were analysed in frozen samples of intrahepatic CCA (iCC; n = 43) and hilar CCA (HC; n = 45). Ang-1 and Ang-2, as well as TIE2- expressing monocytes (TEMs), were detected in paraffin-embedded iCC sections (n = 88). MiRNA expression and the abundance of TEMs and Angs were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. Results: MiR-126 was downregulated in 76.7% of all CCA samples, with high relative expression associated with smaller tumours and reduced lymph node metastasis. High Ang-1 expression was associated with less lymphangiosis carcinomatosa and better histological grading (all p < 0.05). The absence of TEMs in iCC correlated with elevated CA19-9 levels. High relative miR-126 and low miR-128 levels were associated with improved survival in iCC and HC, respectively (all p < 0.05). High miR-126, low miR-128 and TEMs were independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free and overall survival (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that angiogenic miRNAs, Angs and TEMs are of prognostic value in CCA. In addition to the possible functional links between angiogenic miRNA expression profiles, Angs and immune-cell responses by TEMs, these data have clinical implications as novel diagnostic tools

Uncertainty in Calibration, Detection and Estimation of Metal Concentrations in Engine Plumes Using OPAD

Improvements in uncertainties in the values of radiant intensity (I) can be accomplished mainly by improvements in the calibration process and in minimizing the difference between the background and engine plume radiance. For engine tests in which the plume is extremely bright, the difference in luminance between the calibration lamp and the engine plume radiance can be so large as to cause relatively large uncertainties in the values of R. This is due to the small aperture necessary on the receiving optics to avoid saturating the instrument. However, this is not a problem with the SSME engine since the liquid oxygen/hydrogen combustion is not as bright as some other fuels. Applying the instrumentation to other type engine tests may require a much brighter calibration lamp

Environmental determinants of macroinvertebrate diversity in small water bodies: insights from tank-bromeliads

The interlocking leaves of tank-forming bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) collect rainwater and detritus, thus creating a freshwater habitat for specialized organisms. Their abundance and the possibility of quantifying communities with accuracy give us unparalleled insight into how changes in local to regional environments influence community diversity in small water bodies. We sampled 365 bromeliads (365 invertebrate communities) along a southeastern to northwestern range in French Guiana. Geographic locality determined the species pool for bromeliad invertebrates, and local environments determined the abundance patterns through the selection of traits that are best adapted to the bromeliad habitats. Patterns in community structure mostly emerged from patterns of predator species occurrence and abundance across local-regional environments, while the set of detritivores remained constant. Water volume had a strong positive correlation with invertebrate diversity, making it a biologically relevant measure of the pools' carrying capacity. The significant effects of incoming detritus and incident light show that changes in local environments (e.g., the conversion of forest to cropping systems) strongly influence freshwater communities. Because changes in local environments do not affect detritivores and predators equally, one may expect functional shifts as sets of invertebrates with particular traits are replaced or complemented by other sets with different traits

DNaseI Hypersensitivity and Ultraconservation Reveal Novel, Interdependent Long-Range Enhancers at the Complex Pax6 Cis-Regulatory Region

The PAX6 gene plays a crucial role in development of the eye, brain, olfactory system and endocrine pancreas. Consistent with its pleiotropic role the gene exhibits a complex developmental expression pattern which is subject to strict spatial, temporal and quantitative regulation. Control of expression depends on a large array of cis-elements residing in an extended genomic domain around the coding region of the gene. The minimal essential region required for proper regulation of this complex locus has been defined through analysis of human aniridia-associated breakpoints and YAC transgenic rescue studies of the mouse smalleye mutant. We have carried out a systematic DNase I hypersensitive site (HS) analysis across 200 kb of this critical region of mouse chromosome 2E3 to identify putative regulatory elements. Mapping the identified HSs onto a percent identity plot (PIP) shows many HSs correspond to recognisable genomic features such as evolutionarily conserved sequences, CpG islands and retrotransposon derived repeats. We then focussed on a region previously shown to contain essential long range cis-regulatory information, the Pax6 downstream regulatory region (DRR), allowing comparison of mouse HS data with previous human HS data for this region. Reporter transgenic mice for two of the HS sites, HS5 and HS6, show that they function as tissue specific regulatory elements. In addition we have characterised enhancer activity of an ultra-conserved cis-regulatory region located near Pax6, termed E60. All three cis-elements exhibit multiple spatio-temporal activities in the embryo that overlap between themselves and other elements in the locus. Using a deletion set of YAC reporter transgenic mice we demonstrate functional interdependence of the elements. Finally, we use the HS6 enhancer as a marker for the migration of precerebellar neuro-epithelium cells to the hindbrain precerebellar nuclei along the posterior and anterior extramural streams allowing visualisation of migratory defects in both pathways in Pax6(Sey/Sey) mice

A propensity-score matched analysis of ventral-TAPP vs. laparoscopic IPOM for small and mid-sized ventral hernias. Comparison of perioperative data, surgical outcome and cost-effectiveness

Purpose Laparoscopic techniques have been used and refined in hernia surgery for several years. The aim of this study was to compare an established method such as laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repair (lap. IPOM) with ventral Transabdominal Preperitoneal Patch Plasty (ventral-TAPP) in abdominal wall hernia repair. Methods Patient-related data of 180 laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs between June 2014 and August 2020 were extracted from our prospectively maintained database. Of these patients, 34 underwent ventral-TAPP and 146 lap. IPOM. After excluding hernias with a defect size > 5 cm and obtaining balanced groups with propensity-score matching, a comparative analysis was performed in terms perioperative data, surgical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Results Propensity-score matching suggested 27 patients in each of the two cohorts. The statistical evaluation showed that intake of opiates was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.001). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score after lap. IPOM repair was significantly higher at movement (p = 0.008) and at rest (p = 0.023). Also, maximum subjective pain during hospital stay was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.004). No hernia recurrence was detected in either group. The material costs of ventral-TAPP procedure (34.37 +/- 0.47 euro) were significantly lower than those of the lap. IPOM group (742.57 +/- 128.44 euro p = 0.001). The mean operation time was 65.19 +/- 26.43 min in the lap. IPOM group and 58.65 +/- 18.43 min in the ventral-TAPP cohort. Additionally, the length of hospital stay in the lap. IPOM cohort was significantly longer (p = 0.043). Conclusion Ventral-TAPP procedures represent an alternative technique to lap. IPOM repair to reduce the risk of complications related to intra-peritoneal position of mesh and fixating devices. In addition, our study showed that postoperative pain level, material costs and hospital stay of the ventral-TAPP cohort are significantly lower compared to lap. IPOM patients

Impact of the insulin and glucose content of the postoperative fluid on the outcome after pediatric cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the insulin and glucose content of the maintenance fluid in influencing the outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing heart surgery. METHODS: A total of 2063 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery were screened between 2003 and 2008. A dextrose and an insulin propensity-matched group were constructed. In the dextrose model, 5% and 10% dextrose maintenance infusions were compared below 20 kg of weight. RESULTS: A total of 171 and 298 pairs of patients were matched in the insulin and glucose model, respectively. Mortality was lower in the insulin group (12.9% vs. 7%, p = 0.049). The insulin group had longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay [days, 10.9 (5.8–18.4) vs. 13.7 (8.2–21), p = 0.003], hospital stay [days, 19.8 (13.6–26.6) vs. 22.7 (17.6–29.7), p < 0.01], duration of mechanical ventilation [hours, 67 (19–140) vs. 107 (45–176), p = 0.006], and the incidence of severe infections (18.1% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.01) and dialysis (11.7% vs. 24%, p = 0.001) was higher. In the dextrose model, the incidence of pulmonary complications (13.09% vs. 22.5%, p < 0.01), low cardiac output (17.11% vs. 30.9%, p < 0.01), and severe infections (10.07% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.01) was higher, and the duration of the hospital stay [days, 16.4 (13.1–21.6) vs. 18.1 (13.8–24.6), p < 0.01] was longer in the 10% dextrose group. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin treatment appeared to decrease mortality, and lower glucose content was associated with lower occurrence of adverse events

Correction to: Portal Vein Embolization is Associated with Reduced Liver Failure and Mortality in High-Risk Resections for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

In the original article Moritz Schmelzle's last name is spelled wrong. It is correct as reflected here

Recommendations for the use of tolvaptan in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease:a position statement on behalf of the ERA-EDTA Working Groups on Inherited Kidney Disorders and European Renal Best Practice

Recently, the European Medicines Agency approved the use of the vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan to slow the progression of cyst development and renal insufficiency of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease stages 1-3 at initiation of treatment with evidence of rapidly progressing disease. In this paper, on behalf of the ERA-EDTA Working Groups of Inherited Kidney Disorders and European Renal Best Practice, we aim to provide guidance for making the decision as to which ADPKD patients to treat with tolvaptan. The present position statement includes a series of recommendations resulting in a hierarchical decision algorithm that encompasses a sequence of risk-factor assessments in a descending order of reliability. By examining the best-validated markers first, we aim to identify ADPKD patients who have documented rapid disease progression or are likely to have rapid disease progression. We believe that this procedure offers the best opportunity to select patients who are most likely to benefit from tolvaptan, thus improving the benefit-to-risk ratio and cost-effectiveness of this treatment. It is important to emphasize that the decision to initiate treatment requires the consideration of many factors besides eligibility, such as contraindications, potential adverse events, as well as patient motivation and lifestyle factors, and requires shared decision-making with the patient.</p