3D-Printable Rotary Valves for Low-Pressure Pneumatic and Fluidic Applications in Analytical Chemistry.

We report on a fused deposition modeling 3D-printable rotary valve fabricated from high-grade plastics such as polyether ether ketone or lower-grade plastics like polylactic acid. The valve weighs less than 90 g and has the potential to be integrated into portable and autonomous chemical analysis systems. It has been demonstrated to be leak-proof up to 2.

Development of a capillary temperature control system for capillary electrophoresis instruments designed for spaceflight applications.

Capillary temperature control during capillary electrophoresis (CE) separations is key for achieving accurate and reproducible results with a broad array of potential methods. However, the difficulty of enabling typical fluid temperature control loops on portable instruments has meant that active capillary temperature control of in situ CE systems has frequently been overlooked. This work describes construction and test of a solid-state device for capillary temperature control that is suitable for inclusion with in situ instruments, including those designed for space missions.

Glial Sphingosine-Mediated Epigenetic Regulation Stabilizes Synaptic Function in Models of Alzheimer's Disease.

Destabilization of neural activity caused by failures of homeostatic regulation has been hypothesized to drive the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, the underpinning mechanisms that connect synaptic homeostasis and the disease etiology are yet to be fully understood. Here, we demonstrated that neuronal overexpression of amyloid β (Aβ) causes abnormal histone acetylation in peripheral glia and completely blocks presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP) at the neuromuscular junction in The synaptic deficits caused by Aβ overexpression in motoneurons are associated with motor function impairment at the adult stage.

Post-operative Horner's Syndrome: A Rare Complication Following Posterior Scoliosis Surgery in a Patient With Syringomyelia.

Horner's syndrome following posterior spinal instrumentation for scoliosis has been rarely reported. We describe the case of a 15-year-old male who presented with right-sided ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis after scoliosis correction. This is the first reported case of first-order Horner's syndrome developing after scoliosis repair via posterior fixation in a patient known to have asymptomatic syringomyelia.

A pilot study to assess the influence of infiltrated stormwater on groundwater: Hydrology and trace organic contaminants.

Underground infiltration basins (UIBs) mimic the natural hydrologic cycle by allowing stormwater to recharge local groundwater aquifers. However, little is known about the potential transport of organic contaminants to receiving groundwater. We conducted a pilot study in which we collected paired grab samples of stormwater runoff flowing into two UIBs (inflow) and shallow groundwater adjacent to the UIBs.

Evaluation of the role of anal tone and perianal sensation examination in the assessment of suspected cauda equina syndrome.

Purpose: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) can present with a varied constellation of clinical signs and symptoms, which together with the time-sensitive nature of the condition and risk of catastrophic clinical outcome, presents a significant challenge to those assessing patients with this suspected diagnosis. Anal tone is commonly tested during initial assessment using a digital rectal examination (DRE). This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of anal tone and perianal sensation assessment in patients with suspected CES and report modern prevalence data on CES within a neurosciences centre.

Metatranscriptomic Comparison of Endophytic and Pathogenic -Arabidopsis Interactions Reveals Plant Transcriptional Plasticity.

Plants are continuously exposed to beneficial and pathogenic microbes, but how plants recognize and respond to friends versus foes remains poorly understood. Here, we compared the molecular response of independently challenged with a endophyte Fo47 versus a pathogen Fo5176. These two strains share a core genome of about 46 Mb, in addition to 1,229 and 5,415 unique accessory genes.

Spontaneous Posterior Subdural Pyogenic Escherichia coli Abscess Secondary to Lumbar Spondylodiscitis.

Pyogenic subdural spinal collections are rare but an important pathology to recognise and manage appropriately. We report the case of a 56-year-old female who developed a posterior subdural spinal collection associated with local discitis. There was no direct communication between the infected disc and subdural space, and the collection was located posteriorly within the subdural space which makes this case all the more unusual.

Biologic Treatment Options for Pediatric Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis-A Review.

: Severe, recalcitrant cases of pediatric psoriasis or atopic dermatitis may necessitate treatment with biological agents; however, this may be difficult due to lack of treatment options and standardized treatment guidelines. This review evaluates the biological treatment options available, including off-label uses, and provides a basic therapeutic guideline for pediatric psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. : A PubMed review of biological treatments for pediatric psoriasis and atopic dermatitis with information regarding age, efficacy, dosing, contra-indications, adverse events, and off-label treatments.

The prevalence of lumbar disc degeneration in symptomatic younger patients: A study of MRI scans.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) and radiculopathy present a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems. Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is associated with LBP.

Managing Rosacea in the Clinic: From Pathophysiology to Treatment-A Review of the Literature.

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease characterized by a waxing and waning course. It can encompass different symptoms including erythema, papules/pustules, telangiectasia, and phymata and sometimes secondary manifestations, such as itching, burning, or stinging. This article reviews recent changes in rosacea management.

The Cauda Scale - Validation for Clinical Practice.

The purpose of this study was to validate the cauda scale (TCS) in an external population. TCS was proposed as a tool to be used to predict the likelihood of cauda equina compression. We analysed the presenting condition of consecutive patients attending the emergency department undergoing a magnetic resonance scan with a clinical suspicion of cauda equina syndrome (CES).

Cement-in-cement revision with the Exeter Short Revision Stem: A review of 50 consecutive hips.

Revision of a well-fixed cemented femoral stem is technically challenging. The Exeter Short Revision Stem (SRS) was developed to facilitate cement-in-cement revision mitigating some of these challenges. We present the short to mid-term results of 50 cement-in-cement revisions performed with this implant.

Recognizing Rosacea: Tips on Differential Diagnosis.

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory dermatosis with a variety of clinical manifestations. Rosacea primarily affects the central face, and includes papules, pustules, erythema, telangiectasias, perilesional redness, phymatous changes, and even ocular involvement. Symptoms may vary among different patients and even vary over time in an individual patient.

Single incision lateral release for hallux valgus using a cervical biopsy blade: A cadaveric study.

The role of lateral release is widely accepted and regarded as a key step in the management of hallux valgus. There remains however debate in the literature in regards to which structures should be divided and the method of approach. As such, a technique of lateral release using a curved blade placed inferior to the metatarsal head to divide the lateral metatarsosesamoid suspensory ligament and incise the lateral joint capsule has been developed.

Engineered HA hydrogel for stem cell transplantation in the brain: Biocompatibility data using a design of experiment approach.

This article presents data related to the research article "Systematic optimization of an engineered hydrogel allows for selective control of human neural stem cell survival and differentiation after transplantation in the stroke brain" (P. Moshayedi, L.R.

Systematic optimization of an engineered hydrogel allows for selective control of human neural stem cell survival and differentiation after transplantation in the stroke brain.

Stem cell therapies have shown promise in promoting recovery in stroke but have been limited by poor cell survival and differentiation. We have developed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based self-polymerizing hydrogel that serves as a platform for adhesion of structural motifs and a depot release for growth factors to promote transplant stem cell survival and differentiation. We took an iterative approach in optimizing the complex combination of mechanical, biochemical and biological properties of an HA cell scaffold.

Bicycle helmet use to reduce the impact of head injuries in ladder users.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine if wearing a bicycle helmet during ladder use could reduce the incidence and severity of head injury in the event of a fall.

Methods: A headform model with inbuilt accelerometers was used to determine the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) score of head impact by dropping 41 helmeted and unhelmeted headforms from eight heights. These results were compared.

Secondary infection of haematoma following closed acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

An unusual case of a patient presenting with a large infected haematoma following a traumatic grade II acromioclavicular joint dislocation is reported. Diagnosis of this rare complication, of an otherwise common self-limiting injury, was delayed until 19 days postinjury despite several presentations during this time with worsening swelling and pain. The patient was found to have significant tissue destruction by the time washout was performed and required multiple procedures to treat the infection.

Nonoperative Management of a Multi-Regional Epidural Abscess with Neurological Dysfunction.

Spinal epidural abscesses are uncommon, but their incidence is increasing. They represent a collection of purulent material in the epidural space and most commonly occur in the lumbar spine, where they remain localised. Abscesses that affect all three spinal levels (holospinal or multiregional abscesses) are extremely rare, with only a few cases published in the literature.

Iliacus haematoma causing femoral nerve palsy: an unusual trampolining injury.

We report the case of a 15-year-old boy who presented to accident and emergency following a trampolining injury. Initially, the patient was discharged, diagnosed with a soft tissue injury, but he re-presented 48 h later with worsening low back pain and neurological symptoms in the left leg. Subsequent MRI revealed a left iliacus haematoma causing a femoral nerve palsy.

Unexplained perioperative vertebrobasilar stroke in a patient undergoing anterior cervical decompression and disc arthroplasty.

Background: Vertebrobasilar stroke associated with the anterior approach to the cervical spine is rare and has not been reported in cervical disc arthroplasty surgery. We report the case of a 60-year-old patient who underwent cervical disc arthroplasty at C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7. Postoperatively, due to symptoms and signs of a cerebellar stroke, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was obtained confirming this diagnosis.