Search Results (4)

Molybdenum is an essential trace element, considered in recent work to be a promising 3D-printable biodegradable material for medical applications. Specifically, in our recent in vitro work, we were able to show that molybdenum is a material of high biocompatibility, sufficient stability, and uniform degradation. Thus, it seems to fulfill the optimal requirements for a resorbable osteosynthesis material. To confirm these results in a complex organism, we tested molybdenum against the gold standard titanium. For this purpose, we implanted either molybdenum or titanium implants into the nuchal folds of 48 Wistar rats. We examined all animals daily for clinical inflammatory parameters and euthanized one-third of the cohort after 12, 24, and 52 weeks, respectively. Subsequently, the tissues surrounding the samples, as well as the spleens, livers, and kidneys of all animals, were pathologically processed and examined. Subsequently, selected samples were examined metallographically. No significant increased inflammatory reaction of the material molybdenum versus titanium could be detected, either clinically or pathologically. The animals did not show any significant differences regarding their general condition or weight development. However, the introduced molybdenum platelets showed significantly less degradation than previously in the in vitro model. This is most likely due to the capsule formation, which has already been described for other implants. Full article

Eunicida is a taxon of marine annelids currently comprising the taxa Eunicidae, Onuphidae, Dorvilleidae, Oenonidae, Lumbrineridae, Histriobdellidae and Hartmaniella. Most representatives are highly mobile hunters sharing the presence of a sophisticated nervous system but differ in the number and shape of prostomial sensory organs (0–3 antennae; 0 or 2 palps; 0, 2 or 4 (+2) buccal lips; 0, 2 or 4 eyes; single-grooved or paired nuchal organs). This makes Eunicida an ideal model to study the following questions: Is the brain morphology affected by different specificities of prostomial sensory organs? Do similar numbers and shapes of prostomial sensory organs hint at close phylogenetic relationships among different eunicidan taxa? How can antennae, palps and buccal lips be differentiated? For the investigation of sensory organs and the nervous system, we performed immunohistochemistry, µCT, TEM, SEM, paraffin histology and semi-thin sectioning. Our results show that brain anatomy is mostly affected on a microanatomical level by sensory organs and that similar specificities of sensory organs support the latest phylogenetic relationships of Eunicida. Further, a reduction of antennae in Eunicida can be suggested and hypotheses about the presence of sensory organs in the stem species of Eunicida are made. Full article

We conducted a search for international clinical guidelines related to prenatal screening during monochorionic pregnancies. We found 25 resources from 13 countries/regions and extracted information related to general screening as well as screening related to specific monochorionic complications, including twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), selective fetal growth restriction (SFGR), and twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS). Findings reveal universal recommendation for the early establishment of chorionicity. Near-universal recommendation was found for bi-weekly ultrasounds beginning around gestational week 16; routine TTTS and SFGR surveillance comprised of regularly assessing fetal growth, amniotic fluids, and bladder visibility; and fetal anatomical scanning between gestational weeks 18–22. Conflicting recommendation was found for nuchal translucency screening; second-trimester scanning for cervical length; routine TAPS screening; and routine umbilical artery, umbilical vein, and ductus venosus assessment. We conclude that across international agencies and organizations, clinical guidelines related to monochorionic prenatal screening vary considerably. This discord raises concerns related to equitable access to evidence-based monochorionic prenatal care; the ability to create reliable international datasets to help improve the quality of monochorionic research; and the promotion of patient safety and best monochorionic outcomes. Patients globally may benefit from the coming together of international bodies to develop inclusive universal monochorionic prenatal screening standards. Full article

We review the variety of morphological, physiological and behavioral modifications that annelids have acquired to cope with environments either unsuitable for, or on the limits of, survival for most animals. We focus on polychaetes (excluding sipunculans and echiurans) and clitellates (oligochaetes and leeches) and source information mostly from the primary literature. We identified many modifications common to both polychaetes and clitellates, and others that are specific to one or the other group. For example, certain land-adapted polychaetes show reduction in nuchal organs, epidermal ciliation and receptor cells, and other coastal polychaetes use adhesive glands and glue-reinforced tubes to maintain position in surf zones, while oligochaetes, with their simple body plans, appear to be ‘pre-adapted’ to life underground. Modifications common to both groups include the ability to construct protective cocoons, make cryoprotective substances such as antifreeze and heat shock proteins, develop gills, transform their bodies into a home for symbiotic chemoautotrophic bacteria, metabolize contaminants, and display avoidance behaviors. Convergent evolution in both directions has enabled annelids to transition from salt water to freshwater, sea to land via beaches, freshwater to soil, and surface water to subterranean water. A superficially simple worm-like body and a mostly benthic/burrowing lifestyle has facilitated radiation into every conceivable environment, making annelids among the most common and diverse animal groups on the planet. Full article