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Presents a concept for decentralized processing of the signals of multiple sensors. Connection of every sensor via an analog-to-digital converter with a transputer; Use of a measuring system for the determination of local parameters of liquid-gas two-phase flows.

An abstract of the article "Bayesian estimation of posterior means of heritability for weight at week 8 in Iranian indigenous chickens," by R. Lotfi and colleagues are presented.

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The role of phospholipid signaling in ovarian cancer is poorly understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive metabolite of sphingosine that has been associated with tumor progression through enhanced cell proliferation and motility. Similarly, sphingosine kinases (SPHK), which catalyze the formation of S1P and thus regulate the sphingolipid rheostat, have been reported to promote tumor growth in a variety of cancers. The findings reported here show that exogenous S1P or overexpression of SPHK1 increased proliferation, migration, invasion, and stem-like phenotypes in ovarian cancer cell lines. Likewise, overexpression of SPHK1 markedly enhanced tumor growth in a xenograft model of ovarian cancer, which was associated with elevation of key markers of proliferation and stemness. The diabetes drug, metformin, has been shown to have anticancer effects. Here, we found that ovarian cancer patients taking metformin had significantly reduced serum S1P levels, a finding that was recapitulated when ovarian cancer cells were treated with metformin and analyzed by lipidomics. These findings suggested that in cancer the sphingolipid rheostat may be a novel metabolic target of metformin. In support of this, metformin blocked hypoxia-induced SPHK1, which was associated with inhibited nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF1α and HIF2α). Further, ovarian cancer cells with high SPHK1 were found to be highly sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of metformin, whereas ovarian cancer cells with low SPHK1 were resistant. Together, the findings reported here show that hypoxia-induced SPHK1 expression and downstream S1P signaling promote ovarian cancer progression and that tumors with high expression of SPHK1 or S1P levels might have increased sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of metformin. IMPLICATIONS: Metformin targets sphingolipid metabolism through inhibiting SPHK1, thereby impeding ovarian cancer cell migration, proliferation, and self-renewal., (©2019 American Association for Cancer Research.)

The concept of macromers allows for a broad adjustment of biomaterial properties by macromer chemistry or copolymerization. Copolymerization strategies can also be used to introduce reactive sites for subsequent surface modification. Control over surface features enables adjustment of cellular reactions with regard to site and object of implantation. We designed macromer-derived polymer films which function as non-implantable analytical substrates for the investigation of surface properties of equally composed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. To this end, a toolbox of nine different biodegradable, three-armed macromers was thermally cross-copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol)-methacrylate (PEG-MA) to films. Subsequent activation of PEG-hydroxyl groups with succinic anhydride and N-hydroxysuccinimid allowed for covalent surface modification. We quantified the capacity to immobilize analytes of low (amino-functionalized fluorescent dye, Fcad, and RGD-peptides) and high (alkaline phosphatase, ALP) molecular weight. Fcad grafting level was controlled by macromer chemistry, content and molecular weight of PEG-MA, but also the solvent used for film synthesis. Fcad molar amount per surface area was twentyfive times higher on high-swelling compared to low-swelling films, but differences became smaller when large ALP (appr. 2:1) were employed. Similarly, small differences were observed on RGD peptide functionalized films that were investigated by cell adhesion studies. Presentation of PEG-derivatives on surfaces was visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) which unraveled composition-dependent domain formation influencing fluorescent dye immobilization. Surface wetting characteristics were investigated via static water contact angle. We conclude that macromer ethoxylation and lactic acid content determined film swelling, PEG domain formation and eventually efficiency of surface decoration., Statement of Significance: Surfaces of implantable biomaterials are the site of interaction with a host tissue. Accordingly, modifications in the composition of the surface will determine cellular response towards the material which is crucial for the success of innovations and control of tissue regeneration. We employed a macromer approach which is most flexible for the design of biomaterials with a broad spectrum of physicochemical characteristics. For ideal analytical accessibility of the material platform, we cross-copolymerized films on solid supports. Films allowed for the covalent immobilization of fluorescent labels, peptides and enzymes and thorough analytical characterization revealed that macromer hydrophilicity is the most relevant design parameter for surface analyte presentation in these materials. All analytical results were combined in a model describing PEG linker domain formation and ligand presentation., (Copyright © 2017 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Biocompatible material platforms with adjustable properties and option for chemical modification are warranted for site-specific biomedical applications. To this end, three-armed biodegradable macromers of well-defined chemical characteristics were prepared from trivalent alcohols with different degrees of ethoxylation and different lengths of oligoester domains. A platform of 15 different macromers was established. The macromers were designed to exhibit different hydrophilicities and molecular weights and contained various types of oligoesters such as d,l-lactide, l-lactide and ε-caprolactone. Macromers chemical composition was determined and molecular weights ranged from 900 to 3000 Da. Thermally induced cross-linking of methacrylated macromers was monitored by oscillation rheology. A novel variant of the solid lipid templating technique was established to fabricate macroporous tissue engineering scaffolds from these macromers. Scaffold properties were thoroughly investigated regarding mechanical properties, compositional analysis including methacrylic double bond conversion, microstructure and porosity. Material properties could be controlled by macromer chemistry. By variation of the fabrication procedure and processing parameters scaffold porosity was increased up to 88%. Basic cytocompatibility was assessed including indirect and direct contact methods. The established macromers hold promise for various biomedical purposes., Statement of Significance: Specific biomedical applications require tailored biomaterials with defined properties. We established a macromer platform for preparation of tissue engineering scaffolds with adjustable chemical and mechanical characteristics. Macromers were composed of trivalent core alcohols with different degrees of ethoxylation to which biodegradable domains - lactide or ε-caprolactone - were oligomerized before final methacrylation. The solid lipid templating technique was adapted to fabricate macroporous scaffolds with controlled pore structure and porosity from the developed macromers, which can also be processed by solid freeform fabrication techniques. The material platform relies on clinically established chemistries of the biodegradable domains and the macromer concept enables the fabrication of networks in which cross-polymerization kinetics, mechanical properties and surface hydrophobicity is predefined by macromer chemistry. Cytocompatibility was confirmed by indirect and direct cell contact experiments., (Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities for esophageal varices hemorrhage in portal hypertension are indicated with reference to 149 patients. In the acute phase, operative measures are to be rejected because the lethality is too high. Conservative treatment with a Blakemore-Sengstaken probe should always be introduced at first. After confirmation of the conditions in the liver, a pressure-reducing anastomosis operation (delayed emergency shunt) must be performed. For this purpose we prefer the terminolateral splenorenal anastomosis.

43 multiple carcinomas of the colon and rectum were studied. 20 of those tumours showed a simultaneous manifestation, and 23 of them a metachroneous one. The interval between primary and secondary manifestation varied from 1 to 17 years. This clearly demonstrates that even after a very long tumour-free interval a secondary manifestation of the carcinoma can still be possible. The high percentage of multiple carcinomas of the colon calls for a careful preoperative diagnosis and an extensive intraoperative exploration of the whole colon. After hospitalisation a repeated check-up (3 months) is needed in the outpatients department to detect any secondary or recurrent carcinoma at the very earliest stage. In this way we were able to find 23 metachroneous manifestations and 27 recurrent carcinomas which were still resectable. The treatment of choice for polyposis coli is total colectomy.

A distinction is made between acute injury to the diaphragm (18 cases) and late sequels of such lesions (enterothorax, 9 cases). The acute trauma is often not felt as such and it is only after some time that its consequences manifest themselves. The effect of a trauma on the diaphragm depends on whether the former acts on the abdomen or thorax. Surgical repair of the damaged diaphragm is nearly always feasible regardless of whether the operation is performed at an early or late stage of the injury. In only two cases (since 1963) was it necessary to resort to heteroplastic material, viz.: lyophilized dura mater. The possibility that viscera displaced into the thorax are also injured must be taken into consideration. Rupture of the diaphragm involved the left side in 95% and the right half in 5% of the cases (protection provided by the liver).

Morphology, clinical signs and symptoms as well as surgical therapy of ulcerative colitis are discussed comparing own findings with results reported in the literature. Case reports are given of 48 patients with special emphasis on indications for surgical treatment, methods of surgery and complications. Timing of surgery and medical pretreatment do play a decisive role. The treatment of choice today is proctocolectomy with terminal ileostomy in one session; more serious complications as well as transition into a carcinoma can thus be avoided. In some acute cases a fistula-operation may be indicated for short-term relief.

In 12 anesthetized beagle dogs breathing spontaneously flow in the hepatic artery (168 ml/min + 10 SEM) and portal vein (576 ml/min +/- 20 SEM) was measured by means of angiodensitometry. Total hepatic blood flow (THBF) was 185 ml/100 g/min +/- 11 SEM. In our opinion this relatively high THBF depends upon the method used.

The changes in the blood cell count and in the blood chemistry (fibrinogen in the plasma, Fe and Cu in the serum) that we have found, were only seen in a late tumor state. This is also valid for the serum aldolase activity, which is said to be a screening test for a recurrency of a tumor.

Septic or toxic shock is a life threatening complication after abdominal operations. The etiologic analysis of our 102 patients showed the following conditions: 1. diseases, which have already preoperatively a high incidence of septic complications, 2. sepsis developing after primary aseptic diseases, 3. septis without any etiologic connection to the primary disease or operation. An initial standarised intensive therapy must start before any irreversible organ damage may occur. First aim of all surgical measures is the eradication of the source of infection. Early relaparotomy is the only possibility for correction of intraoperativ technical defects. Only by longstanding combination of intensive personal and technical support prognosis of septic shock after abdominal operations can be improved.

Familial polyposis of the colon and rectum does always present an absolute indication for immediate total colectomy because of the predictable malignant degeneration. The patient concerned as well as his family have to be examined and treated if necessary. 12 such cases have been operated upon in the surgical Department of the University of Mainz Medical School. In 4 cases proctocolectomy with terminal ileostomy were performed, in 7 cases ileorectostomies. The procedure of mucosectomy with subsequent pulling of the terminal ileum through the colon (Hochen-egg and Reifferscheid) has been tried by us so far only in animals. Since a terminal, life-long ileostoma does present a considerable disadvantage for the mostly younger patients we did perform in most cases an ileo-rectal end-to-end anastomosis. This procedure can be looked upon as adequate cancer prophylaxis if control rectoscopies are performed regularly in cooperative patients.