Gene array of primary human osteoblasts exposed to enamel matrix derivative in combination with a natural bone mineral

OBJECTIVES The application of an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) for regenerative periodontal surgery has been shown to promote formation of new cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. In intrabony defects with a complicated anatomy, the combination of EMD with various bone grafting materials has resulted in additional clinical improvements, but the initial cellular response of osteoblasts coming in contact with these particles have not yet been fully elucidated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of EMD combined with a natural bone mineral (NBM) on a wide variety of genes, cytokines, and transcription factors and extracellular matrix proteins on primary human osteoblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS Primary human osteoblasts were seeded on NBM particles pre-coated with versus without EMD and analyzed for gene differences using a human osteogenesis gene super-array (Applied Biosystems). Osteoblast-related genes include those transcribed during bone mineralization, ossification, bone metabolism, cell growth and differentiation, as well as gene products representing extracellular matrix molecules, transcription factors, and cell adhesion molecules. RESULTS EMD promoted gene expression of various osteoblast differentiation markers including a number of collagen types and isoforms, SMAD intracellular proteins, osteopontin, cadherin, alkaline phosphatase, and bone sialoprotein. EMD also upregulated a variety of growth factors including bone morphogenetic proteins, vascular endothelial growth factors, insulin-like growth factor, transforming growth factor, and their associated receptor proteins. CONCLUSION The results from the present study demonstrate that EMD is capable of activating a wide variety of genes, growth factors, and cytokines when pre-coated onto NBM particles. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The described in vitro effects of EMD on human primary osteoblasts provide further biologic support for the clinical application of a combination of EMD with NBM particles in periodontal and oral regenerative surgery.

Bimanual anterior segment revision surgery for anterior capsule contraction syndrome associated with anterior flexion of intraocular lens haptics

PURPOSE To report the incidence of anterior capsule contraction syndrome (ACCS) and to present a novel minimally invasive bimanual technique for anterior segment revision surgery associated with ACCS with anterior flexion of the intraocular lens haptics. METHODS A consecutive cohort of 268 eyes of 161 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and implantation of the same type of hydrophilic acrylic aspheric intraocular lens cohort were analysed and a novel technique of minimally invasive bimanual technique for anterior segment revision surgery is described. RESULTS We identified four eyes (1.5%) of three patients with advanced ACCS. Successful restoration of a clear visual axis with minimal induction of astigmatism and rapid visual rehabilitation was achieved in all four cases. CONCLUSION This technique is a safe and minimally invasive alternative to laser or vitrector-cut capsulotomy to restore a clear visual axis. In cases of advanced ACCS, it offers the option for haptic reposition or amputation.

Taking Digital Microphotography and Videos through a Microscope without any Special Lens

Introduction: Photography through a microscope is virtually identical to that used with an astronomical telescope. For years, the 35mm camera was the choice for microphotography, but we live in a digital camera age now. We describe a custom homemade adapter that can be fit most of the cameras and microscopes. [See PDF for complete abstract]

Concept, design and implementation of a cardiovascular gene-centric 50 k SNP array for large-scale genomic association studies.

A wealth of genetic associations for cardiovascular and metabolic phenotypes in humans has been accumulating over the last decade, in particular a large number of loci derived from recent genome wide association studies (GWAS). True complex disease-associated loci often exert modest effects, so their delineation currently requires integration of diverse phenotypic data from large studies to ensure robust meta-analyses. We have designed a gene-centric 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array to assess potentially relevant loci across a range of cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory syndromes. The array utilizes a "cosmopolitan" tagging approach to capture the genetic diversity across approximately 2,000 loci in populations represented in the HapMap and SeattleSNPs projects. The array content is informed by GWAS of vascular and inflammatory disease, expression quantitative trait loci implicated in atherosclerosis, pathway based approaches and comprehensive literature searching. The custom flexibility of the array platform facilitated interrogation of loci at differing stringencies, according to a gene prioritization strategy that allows saturation of high priority loci with a greater density of markers than the existing GWAS tools, particularly in African HapMap samples. We also demonstrate that the IBC array can be used to complement GWAS, increasing coverage in high priority CVD-related loci across all major HapMap populations. DNA from over 200,000 extensively phenotyped individuals will be genotyped with this array with a significant portion of the generated data being released into the academic domain facilitating in silico replication attempts, analyses of rare variants and cross-cohort meta-analyses in diverse populations. These datasets will also facilitate more robust secondary analyses, such as explorations with alternative genetic models, epistasis and gene-environment interactions.

Observing Biogeochemical Cycles at Global Scales With Profiling Floats and Gliders Prospects for a Global Array

Chemical and biological sensor technologies have advanced rapidly in the past five years. Sensors that require low power and operate for multiple years are now available for oxygen, nitrate, and a variety of bio-optical properties that serve as proxies for important components of the carbon cycle (e.g., particulate organic carbon). These sensors have all been deployed successfully for long periods, in some cases more than three years, on platforms such as profiling floats or gliders. Technologies for pH, pCO(2), and particulate inorganic carbon are maturing rapidly as well. These sensors could serve as the enabling technology for a global biogeochemical observing system that might operate on a scale comparable to the current Argo array. Here, we review the scientific motivation and the prospects for a global observing system for ocean biogeochemistry.

Antenna Simulations and Measurements of Focal Plane Array Facet Reflectors

We present a conceptual prototype model of a focal plane array unit for the STEAMR instrument, highlighting the challenges presented by the required high relative beam proximity of the instrument and focus on how edge-diffraction effects contribute to the array's performance. The analysis was carried out as a comparative process using both PO & PTD and MoM techniques. We first highlight general differences between these computational techniques, with the discussion focusing on diffractive edge effects for near-field imaging reflectors with high truncation. We then present the results of in-depth modeling analyses of the STEAMR focal plane array followed by near-field antenna measurements of a breadboard model of the array. The results of these near-field measurements agree well with both simulation techniques although MoM shows slightly higher complex beam coupling to the measurements than PO & PTD.

A Compensating Anastigmatic Submillimeter Array Imaging System for STEAMR

In this paper, we present a novel technique for the removal of astigmatism in submillimeter-wave optical systems through employment of a specific combination of so-called astigmatic off-axis reflectors. This technique treats an orthogonally astigmatic beam using skew Gaussian beam analysis, from which an anastigmatic imaging network is derived. The resultant beam is considered truly stigmatic, with all Gaussian beam parameters in the orthogonal directions being matched. This is thus considered an improvement over previous techniques wherein a beam corrected for astigmatism has only the orthogonal beam amplitude radii matched, with phase shift and phase radius of curvature not considered. This technique is computationally efficient, negating the requirement for computationally intensive numerical analysis of shaped reflector surfaces. The required optical surfaces are also relatively simple to implement compared to such numerically optimized shaped surfaces. This technique is implemented in this work as part of the complete optics train for the STEAMR antenna. The STEAMR instrument is envisaged as a mutli-beam limb sounding instrument operating at submillimeter wavelengths. The antenna optics arrangement for this instrument uses multiple off-axis reflectors to control the incident radiation and couple them to their corresponding receiver feeds. An anastigmatic imaging network is successfully implemented into an optical model of this antenna, and the resultant design ensures optimal imaging of the beams to the corresponding feed horns. This example also addresses the challenges of imaging in multi-beam antenna systems.

Vessel orientation-dependent sensitivity of optoacoustic imaging using a linear array transducer

For clinical optoacoustic imaging, linear probes are preferably used because they allow versatile imaging of the human body with real-time display and free-hand probe guidance. The two-dimensional (2-D) optoacoustic image obtained with this type of probe is generally interpreted as a 2-D cross-section of the tissue just as is common in echo ultrasound. We demonstrate in three-dimensional simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo mouse experiments that for vascular imaging this interpretation is often inaccurate. The cylindrical blood vessels emit anisotropic acoustic transients, which can be sensitively detected only if the direction of acoustic radiation coincides with the probe aperture. Our results reveal for this reason that the signal amplitude of different blood vessels may differ even if the vessels have the same diameter and initial pressure distribution but different orientation relative to the imaging plane. This has important implications for the image interpretation, for the probe guidance technique, and especially in cases when a quantitative reconstruction of the optical tissue properties is required.

Contactless conductivity detector array for capillary electrophoresis.

A CE system featuring an array of 16 contactless conductivity detectors was constructed. The detectors were arranged along 70 cm length of a capillary with 100 cm total length and allow the monitoring of separation processes. As the detectors cannot be accommodated on a conventional commercial instrument, a purpose built set-up employing a sequential injection manifold had to be employed for automation of the fluid handling. Conductivity measurements can be considered universal for electrophoresis and thus any changes in ionic composition can be monitored. The progress of the separation of Na(+) and K(+) is demonstrated. The potential of the system to the study of processes in CZE is shown in two examples. The first demonstrates the differences in the developments of peaks originating from a sample plug with a purely aqueous background to that of a plug containing the analyte ions in the buffer. The second example visualizes the opposite migration of cations and anions from a sample plug that had been placed in the middle of the capillary.

Sanitation in developing countries: A review through a gender lens

Sanitation has evolved from a purely technical discipline to one that includes social, environmental, economic and, increasingly, gender considerations. However, blurry notions of gender are frequently offered in the sanitation literature. Although it has been recognized that gender-responsive sanitation does not mean ‘toilets for women’, substantial alternatives are rarely debated. We structure our review of sanitation in developing countries along three lines: we start by fine-tuning the concept of gender both from the academic and the practitioner's perspective, analyse relevant developments in gender-specific policies and programming, and finally review the most appropriate toilet room and menstrual hygiene technologies. We argue that strategies to make technologies gender-responsive need to be based upon a thorough analysis of the social arrangements of the intimate, and how these are negotiated and institutionalized in a specific context. A lack of robust gender-segregated data on sanitation policies and technologies, along with reductionist framings of gender are to blame for limited progress in verifying the need for, and impact of, gender-responsive sanitation. Technology and policy development and implementation would benefit from gender-considerate interpretations of shame, dignity, safety and status. Further progress could be achieved by improving the translation process between different academic framings of the sanitation crisis. Keywords: appropriate technology; development; gender; menstrual hygiene management (MHM); sanitation

A lung-on-chip array with an integrated bio-inspired respiration mechanism

We report about a lung-on-chip array that mimics the pulmonary parenchymal environment, including the thin, alveolar barrier and the three-dimensional cyclic strain induced by the breathing movements. A micro-diaphragm used to stretch the alveolar barrier is inspired by the in-vivo diaphragm, the main muscle responsible for inspiration. The design of this device aims not only at best reproducing the in-vivo conditions found in the lung parenchyma, but also at making its handling easy and robust. An innovative concept, based on the reversible bonding of the device, is presented that enables to accurately control the concentration of cells cultured on the membrane by easily accessing both sides of the membranes. The functionality of the alveolar barrier could be restored by co-culturing epithelial and endothelial cells that formed tight monolayers on each side of a thin, porous and stretchable membrane. We showed that cyclic stretch significantly affects the permeability properties of epithelial cell layers. Furthermore, we could also demonstrate that the strain influences the metabolic activity and the cytokine secretion of primary human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells obtained from patients. These results demonstrate the potential of this device and confirm the importance of the mechanical strain induced by the breathing in pulmonary research.

Developing Psychosis and Its Risk States Through the Lens of Schizotypy

Starting from the early descriptions of Kraepelin and Bleuler, the construct of schizotypy was developed from observations of aberrations in nonpsychotic family members of schizophrenia patients. In contemporary diagnostic manuals, the positive symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder were included in the ultra high-risk (UHR) criteria 20 years ago, and nowadays are broadly employed in clinical early detection of psychosis. The schizotypy construct, now dissociated from strict familial risk, also informed research on the liability to develop any psychotic disorder, and in particular schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, even outside clinical settings. Against the historical background of schizotypy it is surprising that evidence from longitudinal studies linking schizotypy, UHR, and conversion to psychosis has only recently emerged; and it still remains unclear how schizotypy may be positioned in high-risk research. Following a comprehensive literature search, we review 18 prospective studies on 15 samples examining the evidence for a link between trait schizotypy and conversion to psychosis in 4 different types of samples: general population, clinical risk samples according to UHR and/or basic symptom criteria, genetic (familial) risk, and clinical samples at-risk for a nonpsychotic schizophrenia-spectrum diagnosis. These prospective studies underline the value of schizotypy in high-risk research, but also point to the lack of evidence needed to better define the position of the construct of schizotypy within a developmental psychopathology perspective of emerging psychosis and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders

Manual Electrode Array Insertion Through a Robot-assisted Minimal Invasive Cochleostomy: Feasibility and Comparison of Two Different Electrode Array Subtypes.

HYPOTHESIS To evaluate the feasibility and the results of insertion of two types of electrode arrays in a robotically assisted surgical approach. BACKGROUND Recent publications demonstrated that robot-assisted surgery allows the implantation of free-fitting electrode arrays through a cochleostomy drilled via a narrow bony tunnel (DCA). We investigated if electrode arrays from different manufacturers could be used with this approach. METHODS Cone-beam CT imaging was performed on fivecadaveric heads after placement of fiducial screws. Relevant anatomical structures were segmented and the DCA trajectory, including the position of the cochleostomy, was defined to target the center of the scala tympani while reducing the risk of lesions to the facial nerve. Med-El Flex 28 and Cochlear CI422 electrodes were implanted on both sides, and their position was verified by cone-beam CT. Finally, temporal bones were dissected to assess the occurrence of damage to anatomical structures during DCA drilling. RESULTS The cochleostomy site was directed in the scala tympani in 9 of 10 cases. The insertion of electrode arrays was successful in 19 of 20 attempts. No facial nerve damage was observed. The average difference between the planned and the postoperative trajectory was 0.17 ± 0.19 mm at the level of the facial nerve. The average depth of insertion was 305.5 ± 55.2 and 243 ± 32.1 degrees with Med-El and Cochlear arrays, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Robot-assisted surgery is a reliable tool to allow cochlear implantation through a cochleostomy. Technical solutions must be developed to improve the electrode array insertion using this approach.

In-vivo diffusion tensor imaging of rat spinal cord with a phased array coil at 7T

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive technique that offers excellent soft tissue contrast for characterizing soft tissue pathologies. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an MRI technique that has shown to have the sensitivity to detect subtle pathology that is not evident on conventional MRI. ^ Rats are commonly used as animal models in characterizing the spinal cord pathologies including spinal cord injury (SCI), cancer, multiple sclerosis, etc. These pathologies could affect both thoracic and cervical regions and complete characterization of these pathologies using MRI requires DTI characterization in both the thoracic and cervical regions. Prior to the application of DTI for investigating the pathologic changes in the spinal cord, it is essential to establish DTI metrics in normal animals. ^ To date, in-vivo DTI studies of rat spinal cord have used implantable coils for high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spin-echo pulse sequences for reduced geometric distortions. Implantable coils have several disadvantages including: (1) the invasive nature of implantation, (2) loss of SNR due to frequency shift with time in the longitudinal studies, and (3) difficulty in imaging the cervical region. While echo planar imaging (EPI) offers much shorter acquisition times compared to spin-echo imaging, EPI is very sensitive to static magnetic field inhomogeneities and the existing shimming techniques implemented on the MRI scanner do not perform well on spinal cord because of its geometry. ^ In this work, an integrated approach has been implemented for in-vivo DTI characterization of rat spinal cord in the thoracic and cervical regions. A three element phased array coil was developed for improved SNR and extended spatial coverage. A field-map shimming technique was developed for minimizing the geometric distortions in EPI images. Using these techniques, EPI based DWI images were acquired with optimized diffusion encoding scheme from 6 normal rats and the DTI-derived metrics were quantified. ^ The phantom studies indicated higher SNR and smaller bias in the estimated DTI metrics than the previous studies in the cervical region. In-vivo results indicated no statistical difference in the DTI characteristics of either gray matter or white matter between the thoracic and cervical regions. ^