Growth Coordination Between Butyrate-Oxidizing Syntrophs and Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens

Syntrophy is a thermodynamically required mutualistic cooperation between fatty acid-oxidizing bacteria and methanogens that plays the important role in organic decomposition and methanogenesis in anoxic environments. In this study, three experiments were conducted to evaluate the cell-to-cell interaction in a thermophilic coculture consisting of Syntrophothermus lipocalidus and Methanocella conradii and a mesophilic coculture consisting of Syntrophomonas wolfei and Methanococcus maripaludis. First, syntrophs and methanogens were inoculated at different initial cell ratios to evaluate the growth synchronization. The quantitative PCR analysis revealed that the organism with a lower relative abundance at the beginning always grew faster, and the cell ratio converged over time to relative constant values in both the thermophilic and mesophilic cocultures. Next, intermittent ultrasound and constant shaking treatments were used to evaluate the influence of physical disturbance on microbial aggregation in the mesophilic coculture. The fluorescence in situ hybridization and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the tendency of syntrophic aggregation was not affected by the physical disturbances, although the activity was slightly depressed. Syntrophomonas dominated in the initial microbial aggregates, which, however, did not grow until Methanococcus was attached and increased to a significant extent, indicating the local growth synchronization during the formation and maturation of syntrophic aggregates. Last, microfluidic experiments revealed that whether or not Syntrophomonas or Methanococcus was loaded first, the second organism preferred moving to the place where the first organism was located, suggesting the cell-to-cell attraction between Syntrophomonas and Methanococcus. Collectively, our study demonstrated the growth synchronization and cell-to-cell attraction between the butyrate-oxidizing bacteria and methanogens for optimizing the syntrophic cooperation.

BiPOD arthroscopically assisted bidirectional stabilisation technique for high-grade acromioclavicular joint injury: two-year clinical and radiological outcomes

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the intermediate-term clinical and radiological outcomes for acute, unstable acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries treated with the arthroscopically assisted BiPOD stabilisation technique. Methods Twenty-three patients who sustained acute, unstable ACJ injuries were included in this prospective study. We recorded demographics, injury classification, time to surgery, clinical scores, radiological outcomes and complications; each patient completed a minimum of 2 years post-operative observation. Results Mean follow-up was 26 months (range, 24—34). Clinical outcomes scores demonstrated good 2-year results: relative Constant score, 97.9/100; ACJ Index, 89.4/100; Subjective Shoulder Value, 92.4/100 and Taft = 11.1/12. Final C–C distance showed a mean of 0.7 mm (SD ± 1.8 mm) at 2 years. Complication rate was 9%. Conclusion The BiPOD technique shows excellent, reliable intermediate-term results with a favourable complication rate compared to existing techniques; it provides a comprehensive surgical option for the stabilisation of acute ACJ injuries restoring both vertical and horizontal stability.

Fixed and Variable in Architecture Knowledge

The recognition of the content and its apparent and fundamental characteristics in the local architecture through the architectural knowledge to reach the architectural creativity with the variable output that fulfills the human, social and functional needs. The knowledge comes from the engines (theories and concepts) and their impact on the nature of the societies where they play a role in the conflict process Fixed values ​​to produce a content format. The recognition of the content and its apparent and fundamental characteristics in the local architecture through the architectural knowledge to reach the architectural creativity with the variable output that fulfills the human, social and functional needs. The knowledge comes from the engines (theories and concepts) and their impact on the nature of the societies where they play a role in the conflict process Fixed values ​​to produce a form with new content or adaptations to the constants to achieve creative communication rather than transport. The dialectic between the fixed and the variable is a conflict in the production of ideas have been employed for the change of multiple dimensions and the role of architectural knowledge in the access to express the relative constant and relative variable to access the output to creativity and the role of the relationship between continuity and adaptation. New or adapted to the constants to achieve communication creativity and not transport. The dialectic between the fixed and the variable is a conflict in the production of ideas have been employed for the change of m HGhghultiple dimensions and the role of architectural knowledge in the access to express the relative constant and relative variable to access the output to creativity and the role of the relationship between continuity and adaptation

Tribological aspects of some biodegradable magnesium alloys

In recent years, biodegradable alloys have made their presence felt in a wide variety of fields, such as aeronautics, automotive and medical fields. Biodegradable alloys are considered to be the 3rd generation of biocompatible alloys, replacing classic alloys such as stainless steels and Co-Cr alloys. The paper aims to study the structural aspect and identify some mechanical characteristics of magnesium-calcium alloys used as biodegradable materials in the medical field. It has been observed the formation of a eutectic compound at the limit of magnesium grains and the relative constant value of the apparent coefficient of friction with increasing Ca concentration.

Short-term Outcomes of Arthroscopic Debridement and Selected Acromioplasty of Bursal- vs Articular-Sided Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears of Less Than 50%

Background: While it is believed that good results can be achieved by arthroscopic debridement of partial-thickness tears (PTTs) of <50% tendon thickness, few studies have directly compared the treatment of articular- versus bursal-sided PTTs of <50%. Purpose: To compare the postoperative outcomes of patients with articular- versus bursal-sided PTTs of <50% tendon thickness that were treated with arthroscopic debridement and selective acromioplasty (for type II or III acromions). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: An analysis was performed with data from 76 consecutive patients diagnosed with a PTT <50% tendon width (Ellman grade II) who had undergone arthroscopic debridement and selective acromioplasty (for type II or III acromions). Outcome measures included the short version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the relative Constant-Murley score, as well as strength of the affected shoulder. A statistical paired t test (preoperative vs 2 years postoperative) and an independent t test were utilized to compare outcomes between patients with bursal- and articular-sided tears. Results: Between 2001 and 2010, there were 40 (53%) articular- and 36 (47%) bursal-sided tears treated with debridement and selective acromioplasty. The mean patient age was 55 years (range, 36-77 years) for the bursal group and 56 years (range, 33-81 years) for the articular group. The mean follow-up was 24 months (range, 22-26 months). Both groups showed significant improvement in the short version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff index, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and relative Constant-Murley score 2 years after surgery ( P < .0001) as well as in strength ( P < .0001 for bursal tears, P = .006 for articular tears). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in any of the postoperative outcome measures at 2 years. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that good outcomes can be achieved with arthroscopic debridement and selective acromioplasty among patients with articular- or bursal-sided PTT of <50% tendon thickness. No difference was observed between groups at 2-year follow-up.

Soft network materials with isotropic negative Poisson's ratios over large strains

Soft network materials with isotropic and relative constant Poisson's ratios in the range from −1 to 1 over large strains are presented, with potential applications in tissue engineering and bioelectronics.

Perfil Epidemiológico da Espondilodiscite Tratada Cirurgicamente

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The term spondylodiscitis aims to describe any spinal infection. Medical treatment is the gold standard; nevertheless, surgical treatment can be indicated. The aim of this work was to study the epidemiological profile in a group of patients with spondylodiscitis surgically treated in the same medical institution between 1997 and 2013. <br /><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> Eighty five patients with spondylodiscitis were surgically treated in this period. The authors analysed clinical data and image studies for each patient.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> We treated 51 male and 34 female patients with an average age of 48 years old (min: 6 - max: 80). The lumbar spine was more often affected and <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> the most frequent pathogen. The number of cases through the years has been grossly stable, with a slight increase of dyscitis due to <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and decrease of the dyscitis without pathogen identification. Paravertebral abscess was identified in 39 patients and 17 had also neurological impairment, mostly located in the thoracic spine and with tuberculous aetheology. Immunosuppression was documented in 10 patients. <br /><strong>Discussion:</strong> In this epidemiologic study we found a tuberculous infection, male gender and young age predominance. Despite a relative constant number of patients operated over the years, pyogenic infections due to <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> seems to be uprising. Paravertebral abscess and neurological impairment are important dyscitis complications, especially in tuberculous cases.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Spinal infections requiring surgical treatment are still an important clinical condition. <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> represent the main pathogens with a growing incidence for the latest.</p>