Aging of plastics and microplastics in the environment: a review on influencing factors, quantification methods, challenges, and future perspectives.

The ubiquitous presence of fragmented plastic particles needs comprehensive understanding of its fate in the environment. The long-term persistence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is a significant threat to the ecosystem. Even though various degradation mechanisms (physical, chemical, and biological) of commonly used plastics have been demonstrated, quantifying the degradation of MPs over time to predict the consequence of plastic littering and its persistence in the environment remains a challenge.

FASDetect as a machine learning-based screening app for FASD in youth with ADHD.

Fetal alcohol-spectrum disorder (FASD) is underdiagnosed and often misdiagnosed as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here, we develop a screening tool for FASD in youth with ADHD symptoms. To develop the prediction model, medical record data from a German University outpatient unit are assessed including 275 patients aged 0-19 years old with FASD with or without ADHD and 170 patients with ADHD without FASD aged 0-19 years old.

Characterization of a robot-assisted UV-C disinfection for the inactivation of surface-associated microorganisms and viruses.

Microorganisms pose a serious threat for us humans, which is exemplified by the recent emergence of pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 or the increasing number of multi-resistant pathogens such as MRSA. To control surface microorganisms and viruses, we investigated the disinfection properties of an AI-controlled robot, HERO21, equipped with eight 130-W low pressure UV-C mercury vapor discharge lamps emitting at a wavelength of 254 nm, which is strongly absorbed by DNA and RNA, thus inactivating illuminated microorganisms. Emissivity and spatial irradiance distribution of a single UV-C lamp unit was determined using a calibrated spectrometer and numerical simulation, respectively.

Pelagic distribution of plastic debris (> 500 µm) and marine organisms in the upper layer of the North Atlantic Ocean.

At present, the distribution of plastic debris in the ocean water column remains largely unknown. Such information, however, is required to assess the exposure of marine organisms to plastic pollution as well as to calculate the ocean plastic mass balance. Here, we provide water column profiles (0-300 m water depth) of plastic (0.

Highly translucent dental resin composites through refractive index adaption using zirconium dioxide nanoparticles and organic functionalization.

Objectives: For dental resin composites, high translucency is important. Therefore, the aim of the study was to create a biocompatible and highly translucent resin-based composite, and to investigate the effect of material thickness on translucency.

Methods: A biocompatible ORMOCER® resin matrix was reinforced with dental glass powder as fillers.

Osteolysis after rotator cuff repair with bioabsorbable anchors.

Purpose: The current study was designed to evaluate the rate of osteolysis and the clinical and functional outcomes in patients who underwent mini-open rotator cuff repairs using first generation bioabsorbable suture anchors. Our hypothesis was that patients with osteolysis noted on post-repair MRI would have an accompanying decrease in functional and clinical patient outcomes when compared with patients who did not have osteolysis evident on post-repair MRI.

Type Of Study: Clinical retrospective study.

Symmetry energy of dilute warm nuclear matter.

The symmetry energy of nuclear matter is a fundamental ingredient in the investigation of exotic nuclei, heavy-ion collisions, and astrophysical phenomena. New data from heavy-ion collisions can be used to extract the free symmetry energy and the internal symmetry energy at subsaturation densities and temperatures below 10 MeV. Conventional theoretical calculations of the symmetry energy based on mean-field approaches fail to give the correct low-temperature, low-density limit that is governed by correlations, in particular, by the appearance of bound states.

Diagnostic crossover from obesity to atypical anorexia nervosa - a case report.

A 15-year-old, female, formerly obese adolescent was referred to our day care clinic due to self-induced massive weight loss and depressive symptoms. Intense treatment, additional dialectical behavioral therapy and psychopharmacological treatment prevented further weight loss and improved her affective state. Due to remaining anorexic symptoms such as body image distortion, outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment is continued.

[Complementary system of health care in cooperation with migrant communities--requirements for successful integration in health care].

National and ethnic diversities among and within groups of migrants present great challenges to health care, not only in Germany. Access to regular health care, in particular for relatively small migrant groups and new immigrants is sometimes difficult. In addition, specific cultural aspects and legal implications--such as the residence status--must be taken into account when setting up a complementary system of health care.

Isospin effects on subthreshold kaon production at intermediate energies.

We show that in collisions with neutron-rich heavy ions at energies around the production threshold K0 and K+ yields probe the isospin-dependent part of the nuclear equation of state at high baryon densities. In particular, we suggest the K0/K+ ratio as a promising observable. Results obtained in a covariant relativistic transport approach are presented for Au+Au collisions at 0.

Classification of prostatic carcinoma with artificial neural networks using comparative genomic hybridization and quantitative stereological data.

Staging of prostate cancer is a mainstay of treatment decisions and prognostication. In the present study, 50 pT2N0 and 28 pT3N0 prostatic adenocarcinomas were characterized by Gleason grading, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and histological texture analysis based on principles of stereology and stochastic geometry. The cases were classified by learning vector quantization and support vector machines.

Chromosomal regions in prostatic carcinomas studied by comparative genomic hybridization, hierarchical cluster analysis and self-organizing feature maps.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is an established genetic method which enables a genome-wide survey of chromosomal imbalances. For each chromosome region, one obtains the information whether there is a loss or gain of genetic material, or whether there is no change at that place. Therefore, large amounts of data quickly accumulate which must be put into a logical order.

alpha-Methylacyl-CoA racemase: expression levels of this novel cancer biomarker depend on tumor differentiation.

alpha-Methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) has previously been shown to be a highly sensitive marker for colorectal and clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa). However, AMACR expression was down-regulated at the transcript and protein level in hormone-refractory metastatic PCa, suggesting a hormone-dependent expression of AMACR. To further explore the hypothesis that AMACR is hormone regulated and plays a role in PCa progression AMACR protein expression was characterized in a broad range of PCa samples treated with variable amounts and lengths of exogenous anti-androgens.

Chromosomal changes in incidental prostatic carcinomas detected by comparative genomic hybridization.

Objectives: The genetic changes underlying the development and progression of prostate cancer are poorly understood. To identify chromosomal regions in incidental prostatic carcinoma (T1a and T1b) was the primary aim of this study.

Materials And Methods: We used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to search for DNA sequence copy number changes on a series of 48 T1 prostate cancer diagnosed by transurethral resection (TURP) and by adenomectomy.

Genetic changes in stage pT2N0 prostate cancer studied by comparative genomic hybridization.

Objective: To identify chromosomal regions important for progression in clinically organ-confined prostate cancer, as the genetic changes underlying the development and progression of prostate cancer are poorly understood.

Materials And Methods: Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to search for DNA sequence copy-number changes in a series of 50 primary organ-confined prostate adenocarcinomas (pT2N0) removed by radical prostatectomy.

Results: CGH analysis indicated that 23 (46%) of the primary prostate adenocarcinomas showed chromosome alterations.

Cluster analysis of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) data using self-organizing maps: application to prostate carcinomas.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a modern genetic method which enables a genome-wide survey of chromosomal imbalances. For each chromosome region, one obtains the information whether there is a loss or gain of genetic material, or whether there is no change at that region. Usually it is not possible to evaluate all 46 chromosomes of a metaphase, therefore several (up to 20 or more) metaphases are analyzed per individual, and expressed as average.

Detailed marker chromosome analysis in cell line U-BLC1, established from transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder.

A permanent cell line, U-BLC1, was established from a primary transitional-cell carcinoma, TCC, of the urinary bladder. Karyotype analysis showed the line to be highly aberrant, with a near-triploid chromosome number of 68 to 73. Comparative genomic hybridization revealed some distinct differences between the primary tumor and the established cell line.

Fluorodeoxyglucose whole-body positron emission tomography in colorectal cancer patients studied in routine daily practice.

Purpose: To evaluate the routine clinical value of attenuation-corrected whole-body fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in colorectal cancer, a total of 59 patients who were referred for evaluation of suspected or proven colorectal cancers were studied.

Methods: Positron emission tomography scans were recorded using a Siemens ECAT Exact 921/47.

Results: Median follow-up after the positron emission tomography study was 11 (mean, 12.

Co-existence of the enkephalinergic system and the melanotropinergic system in the rat duodenum shown by immunohistochemistry.

The immunohistochemical distribution of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) and Met-enkephalin (Met-ENK) immunoreactivities in the rat duodenum was examined by using immunofluorescence microscopy. Alternately staining of adjacent frozen serial sections with specific antisera directed to alpha-MSH or Met-ENK revealed that within a subpopulation of myenteric plexus perikarya alpha-MSH immunostaining co-exists with that of Met-ENK. Some myenteric plexus nerve fibres also contain both Met-ENK and alpha-MSH immunoreactivity.