In this microneurosurgical and anatomical study, we characterized the superficial anastomosing veins of the human brain cortex in human specimens.
We used 21 brain preparations fixed in formalin (5%) ...that showed no pathological changes and came from the autopsy sections. The superficial veins were dissected out of the arachnoid with the aid of a surgical microscope.
We dissected nine female and 12 male brain specimens, with an average age of 71 ± 11 years (range 51-88 years). We classified the superficial veins in five types: (I) the vein of Trolard as the dominat vein; (II) the vein of Labbé as the dominant vein; (III) a dominant sylvian vein group, and the veins of Trolard and Labbé nonexistent or only rudimentary present without contact to the Sylvian vein group; (IV) very weak sylvian veins with the veins of Trolard and Labbé codominant; and V) direct connection of Trolard and Labbé bypassing the Sylvian vein group. The vein of Trolard was dominant (Type I) in 21.4% and the vein of Labbé (Type II) in 16.7%. A dominant sylvian vein group (Type III) was found in 42.9%. Type IV and Type V were found in 14.3 and 4.7% respectively.
No systematic description or numerical distribution of the superior anastomotic vein (V. Trolard) and inferior anastomotic vein (V. Labbé) has been found in the existing literature. This study aimed to fill this gap in current literature and provide data to neurosurgeons for the practical planning of surgical approaches.
Inflammatory mechanisms are known to contribute to the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since bradykinin is one of the first mediators activated during inflammation, we investigated ...the role of bradykinin and its receptors in posttraumatic secondary brain damage. We subjected wild-type (WT), B1-, and B2-receptor-knockout mice to controlled cortical impact (CCI) and analyzed tissue bradykinin as well as kinin receptor mRNA and protein expression up to 48 h thereafter. Brain edema, contusion volume, and functional outcome were assessed 24 h and 7 days after CCI. Tissue bradykinin was maximally increased 2 h after trauma (P<0.01 versus sham). Kinin B1 receptor mRNA was upregulated up to four-fold 24 h after CCI. Immunohistochemistry showed that B1 and B2 receptors were expressed in the brain and were significantly upregulated in the traumatic penumbra 1 to 24 h after CCI. B2R−/− mice had significantly less brain edema (−51% versus WT, 24 h; P<0.001), smaller contusion volumes (∼50% versus WT 24 h and 7 d after CCI; P<0.05), and better functional outcome 7 days after TBI as compared with WT mice (P<0.05). The present results show that bradykinin and its B2 receptors play a causal role for brain edema formation and cell death after TBI.
The automation system of the future will consist of an increasing amount of complex resources, such as collaborative robots and/or autonomously roaming robots for material handling. To control these ...devices in an environment shared with human operators require state of the art computer perception and motion planning algorithms to be used as part of the automation system. This new type of intelligent automation system, where intelligent machines and learning algorithms are replacing more traditional automation solutions, requires new methods and workflows to keep up with the increase in complexity. This paper presents an interactive and iterative framework for solving some of these new challenges. The framework supports model-based control system preparation performed simultaneously to preparation of 3D geometries, positioning of robots, and tool design. The workflow enables an interactive preparation process, where new resources and constraints can be added to a live (real or simulated) automation system and control system failures can be analyzed in familiar tools for virtual preparation. Additionally, the paper describes how the integrated preparation process was applied to reconfiguring an industrial use case that includes a collaborative robot working side by side with a human operator, smart tools, and a vision system for localizing both work objects and tools.
Inflammatory mechanisms are known to contribute to the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since bradykinin is one of the first mediators activated during inflammation, we investigated ...the role of bradykinin and its receptors in posttraumatic secondary brain damage. We subjected wild-type (WT), B
1
-, and B
2
-receptor-knockout mice to controlled cortical impact (CCI) and analyzed tissue bradykinin as well as kinin receptor mRNA and protein expression up to 48 h thereafter. Brain edema, contusion volume, and functional outcome were assessed 24 h and 7 days after CCI. Tissue bradykinin was maximally increased 2 h after trauma ( P<0.01 versus sham). Kinin B
1
receptor mRNA was upregulated up to four-fold 24 h after CCI. Immunohistochemistry showed that B
1
and B
2
receptors were expressed in the brain and were significantly upregulated in the traumatic penumbra 1 to 24 h after CCI. B
2
R
−/−
mice had significantly less brain edema (−51% versus WT, 24 h; P<0.001), smaller contusion volumes (∼50% versus WT 24 h and 7 d after CCI; P<0.05), and better functional outcome 7 days after TBI as compared with WT mice ( P<0.05). The present results show that bradykinin and its B
2
receptors play a causal role for brain edema formation and cell death after TBI.
Archaeological dental calculus has emerged as a rich source of ancient biomolecules, including proteins. Previous analyses of proteins extracted from ancient dental calculus revealed the presence of ...the dietary milk protein β-lactoglobulin, providing direct evidence of dairy consumption in the archaeological record. However, the potential for calculus to preserve other food-related proteins has not yet been systematically explored. Here we analyse shotgun metaproteomic data from 100 archaeological dental calculus samples ranging from the Iron Age to the post-medieval period (eighth century BC to nineteenth century AD) in England, as well as 14 dental calculus samples from contemporary dental patients and recently deceased individuals, to characterize the range and extent of dietary proteins preserved in dental calculus. In addition to milk proteins, we detect proteomic evidence of foodstuffs such as cereals and plant products, as well as the digestive enzyme salivary amylase. We discuss the importance of optimized protein extraction methods, data analysis approaches and authentication strategies in the identification of dietary proteins from archaeological dental calculus. This study demonstrates that proteomic approaches can robustly identify foodstuffs in the archaeological record that are typically under-represented due to their poor macroscopic preservation.
The timing of decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a widely discussed clinical issue. Although we showed recently ...that early decompression is beneficial following experimental TBI, it remains unclear to what degree decompression craniectomy reduces secondary brain damage and if craniectomy is still beneficial when it is delayed by several hours as often inevitable during daily clinical practice. The aim of the current study was therefore to investigate the influence of craniectomy on secondary contusion expansion and brain edema formation and to determine the therapeutic window of craniectomy. Male C57/Bl6 mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact injury. Contusion volume, brain edema formation, and opening of the blood-brain barrier were investigated 2, 6, 12, and 24 h and 7 days after trauma. The effect of decompression craniectomy on secondary brain damage was studied in control mice (closed skull) and in animals craniotomized immediately or with a delay of 1, 3, or 8 h after trauma. Twenty-four hours after trauma, the time point of maximal lesion expansion (+60% vs. 15 min after trauma) and brain edema formation (+3.0% water content vs. sham), contusion volume in craniotomized mice did not show any secondary expansion; that is, contusion volume was similar to that observed in mice sacrificed immediately after trauma (18.3 +/- 5.3 vs. 22.2 +/- 1.4 mm(3)). Furthermore, brain edema formation was reduced by 52% in craniotomized animals. The beneficial effect of craniectomy was still present even when treatment was delayed by up to 3 h after trauma (p < 0.05). The current study clearly demonstrates that early craniectomy prevents secondary brain damage and significantly reduces brain edema formation after experimental TBI. Evaluation of early craniectomy as a therapeutic option after TBI in humans may therefore be indicated.
Background
In gliomas molecular biomarkers are increasingly gaining diagnostic, prognostic and predictive significance. Determination of biomarker status after biopsy is important as not all patients ...are eligible for open tumor resection. We developed and validated prospectively (6/10–12/11) a protocol allowing for both reliable determination of multiple biomarkers and representative histological diagnoses from small-sized biopsies.
Methods
All molecular stereotactic biopsies were performed according to a detailed workflow. The selection of specimens best suited for molecular analyses was intra-operatively guided by the attending neuropathologist. Postoperative screening was done by methylation specific PCR using two distinct cryopreserved specimens to test for reproducibility of the findings and to rule out contamination. The DNA of a single best-suited specimen (1 mm
3
) was subjected to detailed molecular analysis (
MGMT
promoter methylation,
IDH1/2
mutational status, LOH 1p and/or 19q).
Results
159 consecutively enrolled untreated gliomas were analyzed (94 glioblastomas, 2 gliosarcomas, 24 anaplastic astrocytomas, 10 oligo-tumors grade II/III, 20 grade II astrocytomas and 9 pilocytic astrocytomas). Transient morbidity was 2 %. Overall, the drop-out rate due to tissue contamination was 0.4 %. Median time from biopsy to histological and molecular genetic analyses was 3 and 5 days, respectively. Distributions of the respective biomarker status for tumor subgroups were consistent with the literature. The final histological diagnosis was changed/modified in 5/159 patients according to molecular findings. Treatment after molecular biopsy was highly personalized.
Conclusions
Molecular stereotactic biopsy is feasible and safe, can be implemented in daily clinical practice, improves diagnostic precision and enables personalized treatment.
•We review approaches to the assessment of ecological condition and conservation management of large floodplain rivers.•The review highlights research gaps and emphasizes the importance of developing ...more holistic indicators of ecosystem condition.•Indicators that better reflect landscape level changes in structure and functioning of floodplain rivers are needed.•Studies that distinguish the role of different river floodplain habitat types in ecosystem services provision are needed.•More effective spatial conservation prioritization tools are needed at the river floodplain scale.
Large floodplain rivers (LFRs) are currently threatened by high levels of human alteration, and utilization is expected to grow. Assessments to determine ecological condition should address the specific environmental features of these unique ecosystems, while conservation management requires balancing maintenance of good ecological condition with the ecosystem services provided by LFRs. However, a systematic evaluation of the scientific literature on assessment of ecological condition of LFRs and trade-offs to guide conservation management is currently lacking. Here, we reviewed 153 peer reviewed scientific articles to characterize methodological patterns and trends and identify knowledge gaps in the assessment of LFRs. Our review revealed that most approaches used classical biotic indices for assessing ecological condition of LFRs. However, the number of articles specifically addressing the peculiarities of LFRs was low. Many studies used watershed level surveys and assessed samples from small streams to large rivers using the same methodological protocol. Most studies evaluated the status of main stem river habitats only, indicating large knowledge gaps with respect to the diversity of river-floodplain habitat types or lateral connectivity. Studies related to management were oriented toward specific rehabilitation actions rather than broader conservation of LFRs. Papers relating to ecosystem services of LFRs were especially few. Most importantly, these studies did not distinguish the different functional units of river-floodplain habitat types (e.g. eupotamon, parapotamon) and their role in ecosystem services provision. Overall, the number of articles was too low for meaningful analyses of the relationships and tradeoffs between biodiversity conservation, maintaining ecological condition, and use of ecosystem services in LFRs. Our review highlights research gaps and emphasizes the importance of developing more holistic indicators of ecosystem condition, which better reflect landscape level changes in structure and functioning of LFRs. As human use of water and land increases, the need to develop more effective spatial conservation prioritization tools becomes more important. Empirical research in this field can aid in solving conflicts between socio-economic demands for ecosystem services and nature conservation of LFRs.
•Longitudinal and lateral occurrence traits for 163 lampreys and fishes were developed.•Species-specific Fish Region and Floodplain Fish indices were derived.•Macro-scale indicators show deviation of ...fish assemblages from reference state.•The indices are broadly applicable and independent of regional species pools.
This study aims to complement existing fish-based assessment approaches by classifying European lampreys and fish species according to their probability of occurrence in six different longitudinal river regions and five types of floodplain water bodies under unimpaired conditions. The main objective was to provide for the first time harmonized occurrence traits for European lampreys and fishes in both longitudinal and lateral dimensions of floodplain river systems in a Fish Region Index (FRI) and Floodplain Fish Index (FFI), respectively.
Altogether 163 lamprey and fish species established in European rivers have been scored according to their longitudinal and lateral occurrence probabilities. The species-specific Fish Region and Floodplain Fish indices and their variances inform about species’ occurrence probabilities, dispersal traits and potential species inventories of different river regions and floodplain waters. The final scores allow identifying characteristic fish assemblages, i.e. a set of type-specific species for the different longitudinal river regions and lateral floodplain water bodies.
The species-specific index values and variances serve to calculate summary metrics for the total fish assemblage (FRItotal and FFItotal) as macro-scale indicators for the deviation of the total fish assemblage from a reference state. The resulting index values indicate degradation as well as rehabilitation success at the level of fish assemblages, i.e. at an ecologically relevant macro-scale. Both species-specific and total assemblage indices are directly comparable among all biogeographic regions of Europe independent of the local species pool. As such, the indices serve as assemblage indicators for the fish-based assessment of the ecological status of water body types and river regions in floodplain river systems, which are required in particular for the assessment of large floodplain rivers.
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