Fungal Strain Influences Thermal Conductivity, Hydrophobicity, Color Homogeneity, and Mold Contamination of Mycelial Composites.

Mycomaterials are biomaterials made by inoculating a lignocellulosic substrate with a fungus, where the mycelium acts as a binder and enhances material properties. These materials are well suited as sustainable alternatives to conventional insulation materials thanks to their good insulation properties, low density, degradability, and fire resistance. However, they suffer from mold contamination in moist environments and poor perception ("organic" appearance).

Non-Cross-Linked Collagen Mesh Performs Best in a Physiologic, Noncontaminated Rat Model.

Background: In laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, direct contact between the prosthesis and abdominal viscera is inevitable and may lead to adhesions. Despite the large variety of mesh prosthesis, little is known about their in vivo behavior. Biological meshes are considered to have many advantages, but due to their price they are rarely used.

Two versus five days of antibiotics after appendectomy for complex acute appendicitis (APPIC): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the most common indications for emergency surgery. In patients with a complex appendicitis, prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended after appendectomy. There is no consensus regarding the optimum duration of antibiotics.

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and associated cardiovascular complications in adult-onset GHD during GH replacement: a KIMS analysis.

Background: Adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (AO-GHD) is associated with an increased prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Aim: To determine the effect of GH replacement on the prevalence of MetS in AO-GHD and to study the impact of MetS on the incidence of cardiovascular events during GH replacement.

Patients And Methods: 1449 AO-GHD patients (males 48.

Relative Risks of Contributing Factors to Morbidity and Mortality in Adults With Craniopharyngioma on Growth Hormone Replacement.

Context: In adults, craniopharyngioma (CP) of either childhood-onset (CO-CP) or adult-onset (AO-CP) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but data on the relative risks (RRs) of contributing factors are lacking.

Objective: To assess the RRs of factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in adults with CO-CP and AO-CP.

Methods: Data on 1669 patients with CP from KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database) were analyzed using univariate and multiple Poisson and Cox regression methods.

Characteristics of different mesh types for abdominal wall repair in an experimental model of peritonitis.

Background: The use of synthetic mesh to repair a potentially contaminated incisional hernia may lead to higher failure rates. A biological mesh might be considered, but little is known about long-term results. Both biological and synthetic meshes were investigated in an experimental model of peritonitis to assess their characteristics in vivo.

On the use of dorsiventral reflectance asymmetry of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus L.) leaves in air pollution estimation.

This study examines the role of dorsiventral leaf measurements in reflectance-based air quality estimation. The dorsiventral asymmetry is used to describe the difference between the upper (adaxial) and lower (abaxial) leaf side. Spectral characteristics of dorsiventral asymmetry and both adaxial and abaxial leaf reflectance are investigated for a typical dicotyledonous species Carpinus betulus used in an urban environment.

Long term results of open complex abdominal wall hernia repair with self-gripping mesh: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: In case of complex ventral hernias, Rives-Stoppa and component separation technique are considered as favourable treatment techniques. However, mesh-related complications like recurrence, infection and chronic pain are still a common problem after mesh repair. Previous studies have reported promising results of the use of a self-gripping mesh (ProGrip™) in incisional hernia repair.

The 'AbdoMAN': an artificial abdominal wall simulator for biomechanical studies on laparotomy closure techniques.

Purpose: Incisional hernia remains a frequent complication after abdominal surgery associated with significant morbidity and high costs. Animal and clinical studies have exhibited some limitations. The purpose of this study was to develop an artificial human abdominal wall (AW) simulator in order to enable investigations on closure modalities.

How Does the Amount and Composition of PM Deposited on Platanus acerifolia Leaves Change Across Different Cities in Europe?

Particulate matter (PM) deposited on Platanus acerifolia tree leaves has been sampled in the urban areas of 28 European cities, over 20 countries, with the aim of testing leaf deposited particles as indicator of atmospheric PM concentration and composition. Leaves have been collected close to streets characterized by heavy traffic and within urban parks. Leaf surface density, dimensions, and elemental composition of leaf deposited particles have been compared with leaf magnetic content, and discussed in connection with air quality data.

Chemical-controlled Activation of Antiviral Myxovirus Resistance Protein 1.

The antiviral myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MX1) is an interferon-induced GTPase that plays an important role in the defense of mammalian cells against influenza A viruses. Mouse MX1 interacts with the influenza ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs) and can prevent the interaction between polymerase basic 2 (PB2) and the nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A viruses. However, it is unclear whether mouse MX1 disrupts the PB2-NP interaction in the context of pre-existing vRNPs or prevents the assembly of new vRNP components.

Mesh expansion as the cause of bulging after abdominal wall hernia repair.

Background: Recurrence is the most important complication of abdominal wall reconstruction. It is possible the repair itself is intact, but bulging or expansion of mesh causes recurrent swelling's of the abdominal wall.

Case Summary: In this report, we present bulging of a polyester mesh due to central pore expansion.

Hyperspectral leaf reflectance of Carpinus betulus L. saplings for urban air quality estimation.

In urban areas, the demand for local assessment of air quality is high. The existing monitoring stations cannot fulfill the needs. This study assesses the potential of hyperspectral tree leaf reflectance for monitoring traffic related air pollution.

Illumina MiSeq sequencing disfavours a sequence motif in the GFP reporter gene.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is one of the most used reporter genes. We have used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to analyse the genetic diversity of a recombinant influenza A virus that expresses GFP and found a remarkable coverage dip in the GFP coding sequence. This coverage dip was present when virus-derived RT-PCR product or the parental plasmid DNA was used as starting material for NGS and regardless of whether Nextera XT transposase or Covaris shearing was used for DNA fragmentation.

Incidence, risk factors, and treatment of incisional hernia after kidney transplantation: An analysis of 1,564 consecutive patients.

Background: The objective was to evaluate the incidence and treatment of incisional hernia after kidney transplantation and to identify potential risk factors.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. All kidney transplant recipients between 2002 and 2012 were included.

Emergency repair of inguinal hernia in the premature infant is associated with high direct medical costs.

Purpose: Inguinal hernia repair is frequently performed in premature infants. Evidence on optimal management and timing of repair, as well as related medical costs is still lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the direct medical costs of inguinal hernia, distinguishing between premature infants who had to undergo an emergency procedure and those who underwent elective inguinal hernia repair.

Functional Comparison of Mx1 from Two Different Mouse Species Reveals the Involvement of Loop L4 in the Antiviral Activity against Influenza A Viruses.

Unlabelled: The interferon-induced Mx1 gene is an important part of the mammalian defense against influenza viruses. Mus musculus Mx1 inhibits influenza A virus replication and transcription by suppressing the polymerase activity of viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs). Here, we compared the anti-influenza virus activity of Mx1 from Mus musculus A2G with that of its ortholog from Mus spretus.

Co-immunoprecipitation of the Mouse Mx1 Protein with the Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein.

Studying the interaction between proteins is key in understanding their function(s). A very powerful method that is frequently used to study interactions of proteins with other macromolecules in a complex sample is called co-immunoprecipitation. The described co-immunoprecipitation protocol allows to demonstrate and further investigate the interaction between the antiviral myxovirus resistance protein 1 (Mx1) and one of its viral targets, the influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP).

A GFP expressing influenza A virus to report in vivo tropism and protection by a matrix protein 2 ectodomain-specific monoclonal antibody.

The severity of influenza-related illness is mediated by many factors, including in vivo cell tropism, timing and magnitude of the immune response, and presence of pre-existing immunity. A direct way to study cell tropism and virus spread in vivo is with an influenza virus expressing a reporter gene. However, reporter gene-expressing influenza viruses are often attenuated in vivo and may be genetically unstable.

Analysis of the genetic diversity of influenza A viruses using next-generation DNA sequencing.

Background: Influenza viruses exist as a large group of closely related viral genomes, also called quasispecies. The composition of this influenza viral quasispecies can be determined by an accurate and sensitive sequencing technique and data analysis pipeline. We compared the suitability of two benchtop next-generation sequencers for whole genome influenza A quasispecies analysis: the Illumina MiSeq sequencing-by-synthesis and the Ion Torrent PGM semiconductor sequencing technique.

Watchful waiting in incisional hernia: is it safe?

Background: Incisional hernia (IH) is among the most common postoperative complications after abdominal surgery. Operative treatment (OT) using mesh is the treatment of choice. A strategy of watchful waiting (WW) might be a considered in some patients.

Very low birth weight is an independent risk factor for emergency surgery in premature infants with inguinal hernia.

Background: Common surgical knowledge is that inguinal hernia repair in premature infants should be postponed until they reach a certain weight or age. Optimal management, however, is still under debate. The objective of this study was to collect evidence for the optimal management of inguinal hernia repair in premature infants.