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Accessory canals and apical deltas have been extensively studied in human dentistry. Their clinical role as a difficult to clean reservoir for bacteria during endodontic treatments has been well described. Many papers describe in detail the pulp anatomy of equine dentition but little attention has been given to their apical ramifications. The goal of this paper is to describe the presence and anatomy of these accessory canals and apical deltas in healthy equine cheek teeth and discuss their possible relevance in the light of equine endodontics. To accomplish this, 15 maxillary and 19 mandibular healthy cheek teeth were collected ranging from Triadan 06 s to 11 s with eruption ages from 4 to 9 years. Their root anatomy was documented in detail based on micro computed tomography images. A subset of 3 teeth also underwent histological examination. Accessory canals were found in all but two teeth examined. Up to 44 accessory canals per tooth have been found with locations ranging from the root furcation down to the apex of the root and with highly variable diameters. Apical deltas in different stages of development were found in 84% of the roots. The presence of accessory canals identified on microCT images could be confirmed using histological examination although some of them were obliterated by reparative dentin. Accessory canals can be found in most equine cheek teeth and add complexity to their endodontic anatomy. This could have important implications for their treatment in case of pulp pathology. In humans, failure to remove bacterial biofilm from such canals has been associated with failure of endodontic treatment. Research on diseased equine teeth is required to gain a better understanding of their clinical relevance in horses.

Summary: Background: Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) encompasses three main phenotypes: bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS) and a Mixed phenotype combining both pathologies. How the airway structure in its entirety is affected in these phenotypes is still poorly understood. Methods: A detailed analysis of airway morphometry was applied to gain insights on the effects of airway remodelling on the distribution of alveolar ventilation in end-stage CLAD. Ex vivo whole lung μCT and tissue-core μCT scanning of six control, six BOS, three RAS and three Mixed explant lung grafts (9 male, 9 female, 2014–2021, Leuven, Belgium) were used for digital airway reconstruction and calculation of airway dimensions in relation to luminal obstructions. Findings: BOS and Mixed explants demonstrated airway obstructions of proximal bronchioles (starting at generation five), while RAS explants particularly had airway obstructions in the most distal bronchioles (generation >12). In BOS and Mixed explants 76% and 84% of bronchioles were obstructed, respectively, while this was 22% in RAS. Bronchiolar obstructions were mainly caused by lymphocytic inflammation of the airway wall or fibrotic remodelling, i.e. constrictive bronchiolitis. Proximal bronchiolectasis and imbalance in distal lung ventilation were present in all CLAD phenotypes and explain poor lung function and deterioration of specific lung function parameters. Interpretation: Alterations in the structure of conducting bronchioles revealed CLAD to affect alveolar ventilatory distribution in a regional fashion. The significance of various obstructions, particularly those associated with mucus, is highlighted. Funding: This research was funded with the National research fund Flanders (G060322N), received by R.V.

Abstract Prevention of clotting in hemodialysis (HD) is a concern, but tools to monitor anticoagulation strategies as well as data on bleeding and its impact on quality of life (QoL) are scant. In this prospective longitudinal observational study, bleeding tendency in 70 HD patients was scored with ISTH-BAT and HAS-BLED at week 0, 4, and 8. Patient’s limbs were visually scored for bruises and hematomas, and Quality of Life (QoL) was assessed using EQ5D-3L and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaires. At week 0, the used hemodialyzer was scanned in a micro-CT scanner to quantify the number of patent fibers. Bleeding scores were 0 [0; 1] and 3 [2; 4] for ISTH-BAT and HAS-BLED, and visual scoring showed 2 [0; 4] bruises/hematomas. QoL was 0.85 [0.77; 1.00] for EQ5D and 70 [60; 80] for VAS. Fiber patency was 81 [70; 90]%, but was not associated with anticoagulation dose (p = 0.103). Patients in the highest tertile of anticoagulation dose had a worse VAS score (p = 0.027), and patients identified as having bleeding tendency by ISTH also had a worse VAS score (p = 0.010). This supports our postulate that in maintenance HD patients the current personal anticoagulation dose regimens may be too high, leading to more mainly minor bleeding that may negatively impact health related quality of life.

Abstract Previous studies revealed the importance of biocompatibility, anticoagulation strategy, and dialysis mode and duration on fiber blocking at the end of a hemodialysis session. The present study was set up in ten hemodialysis patients to relate fiber patency to dialyzer extraction and removal of small and middle molecules. With only 1/4th of the regular anticoagulation dose, and using a Solacea 19H and FX800 CorDiax dialyzer, fiber patency was quantified using 3D micro-CT scanning for different dialysis durations (i.e. 60, 120 and 240 min). While Solacea showed enhanced fiber patency in all test sessions, fiber blocking in the FX800 CorDiax did not follow a linear process during dialysis, but was rather accelerated near the end of dialysis. Dialyzer extraction ratios were correlated with the percentages of open fibers. While the fiber blocking process affected extraction ratios (i.e. for phosphorus and myoglobin in the FX800 CorDiax), it had only minor impact on the removal of toxins up to at least 12 kDa.

Abstract Background Alterations in ambient temperature have been associated with multiple detrimental effects on broilers such as intestinal barrier disruption and dysbiosis resulting in systemic inflammation. Inflammation and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) have shown to play a negative and positive role, respectively, in the regulation of bone mass. Hence the potential of 25-OH-D3 in alleviating heat induced bone alterations and its mechanisms was studied. Results Heat stress (HS) directly induced a decrease in tibia material properties and bone mass, as demonstrated by lower mineral content, and HS caused a notable increase in intestinal permeability. Treatment with dietary 25-OH-D3 reversed the HS-induced bone loss and barrier leak. Broilers suffering from HS exhibited dysbiosis and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the ileum and bone marrow, as well as increased osteoclast number and activity. The changes were prevented by dietary 25-OH-D3 administration. Specifically, dietary 25-OH-D3 addition decreased abundance of B- and T-cells in blood, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines, especially TNF-α, in both the ileum and bone marrow, but did not alter the diversity and population or composition of major bacterial phyla. With regard to bone remodeling, dietary 25-OH-D3 supplementation was linked to a decrease in serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen reflecting bone resorption and a concomitant decrement in osteoclast-specific marker genes expression (e.g. cathepsin K), whereas it did not apparently change serum bone formation markers during HS. Conclusions These data underscore the damage of HS to intestinal integrity and bone health, as well as that dietary 25-OH-D3 supplementation was identified as a potential therapy for preventing these adverse effects.

Introduction: Systemic anticoagulation is widely used in routine clinical hemodialysis, but can be contraindicated in specific settings. Anticoagulant-free treatment regimens are prone to failure even in chronic intermittent hemodialysis. We quantified fiber blocking in settings of reduced anticoagulation to assess performance of different dialyzers and the potential benefit of albumin priming. Methods: This crossover study included 10 patients performing 4 hours of hemodialysis at midweek in 7 different settings: that is, using Solacea 19H and FX800, both with regular and half dose of anticoagulation, Evodial 1.3 without systemic anticoagulation, and FX800 (half dose) and Evodial (no anticoagulation) when primed with a human albumin solution. Dialyzer fiber blocking was visualized in the dialyzer outlet potting using a 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scanning technique on micrometer resolution. Results: No sessions had to be prematurely interrupted because of circuit clotting. The relative number of open fibers post dialysis was not influenced by the reduction of anticoagulation in the Solacea making this dialyzer superior in fiber patency in this setting above both the FX800 with reduced anticoagulation and the Evodial with no anticoagulation. Furthermore, no differences in relative number of open fibers were found in the FX800 and Evodial dialyzers with versus without albumin priming. Conclusion: In situations in which reduced anticoagulation is indicated, the asymmetric triacetate ATA Solacea dialyzer outperforms a dialyzer with a conventional polysulfone membrane (FX800) or with the heparin-coated polyacrylonitrile membrane (Evodial). The use of human albumin to prime the dialysis circuit did not improve dialyzer patency. Keywords: albumin priming, clotting, coagulation, dialyzer, fiber patency, zero anticoagulation

Fifth generation networks (5G) will be associated with a partial shift to higher carrier frequencies, including wavelengths comparable in size to insects. This may lead to higher absorption of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) by insects and could cause dielectric heating. The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), a vector for diseases such as yellow and dengue fever, favors warm climates. Being exposed to higher frequency RF EMFs causing possible dielectric heating, could have an influence on behavior, physiology and morphology, and could be a possible factor for introduction of the species in regions where the yellow fever mosquito normally does not appear. In this study, the influence of far field RF exposure on A. aegypti was examined between 2 and 240 GHz. Using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations, the distribution of the electric field in and around the insect and the absorbed RF power were found for six different mosquito models (three male, three female). The 3D models were created from micro-CT scans of real mosquitoes. The dielectric properties used in the simulation were measured from a mixture of homogenized A. aegypti. For a given incident RF power, the absorption increases with increasing frequency between 2 and 90 GHz with a maximum between 90 and 240 GHz. The absorption was maximal in the region where the wavelength matches the size of the mosquito. For a same incident field strength, the power absorption by the mosquito is 16 times higher at 60 GHz than at 6 GHz. The higher absorption of RF power by future technologies can result in dielectric heating and potentially influence the biology of this mosquito. Author summary Radio Frequency (RF) exposure of the A. aegypti mosquito can lead to absorption and dielectric heating. We used Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations between 2 and 240 GHz to study the RF power absorbed by the insect and the distribution of the electric field (EF) in and around it. For this, three male and three female mosquito 3D models were constructed from micro-CT scans. We used high resolution models and dielectric properties, both retrieved from real insects, to gain realistic outputs. For increasing frequency up to 90 GHz, the absorbed power increases for all models. At 90–120 GHz, the wavelength is comparable to the body size, and the increase in absorbed powers reaches a maximum. Therefore, moving to higher frequencies in 5G, implies higher absorbed power and possibly higher dielectric heating of the insect.

The re-establishment of border controls in the Schengen Area since 2015 and repeated contestation of the Common European Asylum System have made the policy sector of migration and asylum a topic of growing importance for European (dis)integration research. This article investigates differentiated disintegration and the factors that facilitate member states’ counter-projects to core-EU integration trajectories. Drawing on the concept of policy entrepreneurship and based on an analysis of policy documents, we use the case of Austria to examine how the government coalition, the Austrian People’s Party, and their chairman, Sebastian Kurz, have shaped European governance of asylum and borders in the aftermath of the 2015–2016 crisis. We first show how the Austrian government performed a shift towards bilateralism and multilateralism outside the EU framework by using transnational party alliances. Second, we outline a policy discourse that justified Schengen-internal bordering based on asylum politics, which eventually served to delegitimize Schengen’s enlargement in 2022. The article contributes conceptually to understanding differentiated disintegration in the sector of migration and asylum, and points to potential drivers of this development.

Abstract Arthritis is the most common extra‐intestinal complication in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Conversely, arthritis patients are at risk for developing IBD and often display subclinical gut inflammation. These observations suggest a shared disease etiology, commonly termed “the gut‐joint‐axis.” The clinical association between gut and joint inflammation is further supported by the success of common therapeutic strategies and microbiota dysbiosis in both conditions. Most data, however, support a correlative relationship between gut and joint inflammation, while causative evidence is lacking. Using two independent transgenic mouse arthritis models, either TNF‐ or IL‐1β dependent, we demonstrate that arthritis develops independently of the microbiota and intestinal inflammation, since both lines develop full‐blown articular inflammation under germ‐free conditions. In contrast, TNF‐driven gut inflammation is fully rescued in germ‐free conditions, indicating that the microbiota is driving TNF‐induced gut inflammation. Together, our study demonstrates that although common inflammatory pathways may drive both gut and joint inflammation, the molecular triggers initiating such pathways are distinct in these tissues.

U članku se objavljuje i prvi put detaljno obrađuje šest ulomaka predromaničkih reljefa pronađenih tijekom arheološko-konzervatorskih istraživanja današnje župne crkve sv. Ivana Krstitelja u Konjevratima kod Šibenika 2003. godine. Revalorizirajući spoznaje do kojih se tom prilikom došlo, a koje nikad nisu primjereno predstavljene javnosti, autori raščlanjuju nekoliko faza gradnje konjevratske crkve od ranoga srednjeg vijeka do danas, navedene reljefe pripisuju Dvorskoj klesarskoj radionici iz vremena kneza Branimira, a na jednom od njih iščitavaju i spomen županske titule – IUPAN[us]. Također, objavljujući podatke iz dosad uglavnom nepublicirane arhivske građe, dokazuju da je današnja konjevratska župna crkva zapravo stara crkva sv. Jurja u srednjovjekovnim Koljevratima (što je u dosadašnjoj literaturi bilo tek stidljivo primijećeno), kao i da se radi o povijesno vrlo značajnoj građevini koja je bila važan orijentacijski reper u prostoru, pa samim time i današnje Konjevrate stavljaju uz bok najvažnijim lokalitetima za hrvatsku (rano)srednjovjekovnu povijest.

Abstract Background Scientific knowledge regarding alpaca dentistry is relatively limited despite its clinical implications. The present gap in available supportive data leads to limited treatment options for dental pathology in alpacas in comparison to other species. The main goal of this study was to gain novel insights into the general and pulp morphology of maxillary cheek teeth to allow development of more advanced treatment strategies in the future. Also, the risk of causing pulp exposure when floating maxillary cheek teeth was of particular interest. Concurent research focusing on the anatomy of mandibular cheek teeth has been performed accordingly. The results obtained in mandibular teeth are expected to be non-extrapolatable because of the structural differences between mandibular and maxillary teeth. Results Pulp morphology of maxillary cheek teeth showed great variation. A common pulp chamber was identified in 46/83 (55.4%) teeth with a mean dental age of 2 years and 7 months (± 2 years and 5 months). Pulpal segmentation was more commonly observed in teeth of increasing age. Full columnar segmentation was seen in 33/69 teeth (47.8%), whereas within-column segmentation was observed in 36/83 teeth (43.4%). Age and degree of segmentation of the pulpal tissue varied greatly according to Triadan position. Physical contact between roots of adjacent teeth was found in the majority of examined molars (range 82–94%) which resulted in morphological adaptations at the level of the root tips. The measured sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was as low as 0.46 mm above pulp horn 2 in a 14 years and 11 months old Triadan 09, emphasizing the risk of pulp exposure attributed to dental floating. Conclusion This study offers an objective description of age-dependent maxillary cheek teeth pulp morphology in alpacas. Current findings are of great value to provide a basis for the development of tooth-saving techniques as a treatment for dental disease in this species. Observed physical contact between the roots of different examined molars may be a facilitating factor in the spread of apical infection in chronically diseased cases. Finally, a conservative approach regarding dental floating is recommended in order to avoid iatrogenic damage to pulp tissue.

Abstract Background Despite dental disease being a common health concern in alpacas, important dental pathology including apical infection, remains poorly understood. Treatment options are limited compared to veterinary dentistry techniques in other species. The primary goal of this study was to increase understanding of the external and internal anatomy of mandibular cheek teeth to enable the development of tooth sparing techniques in this species. Also, an objective evaluation of the sub-occlusal dentinal thickness in normal mandibular cheek teeth is warranted to understand the risks associated with reduction of overgrown teeth. Results Overall pulp anatomy was variably characterized by the presence of a common pulp chamber in younger teeth, and segmentation of pulp cavities into multiple separate pulp entities within the same tooth with increasing age. A common pulp chamber was identified in 55.3% (26/47) of teeth with a mean dental age of 1 year and 11 months (± 1 year and 8 months). Columnar segmentation was recorded in the remaining teeth with a mean dental age of 6 years and 5 months (± 3 years and 11 months). Age of segmentation of the common pulp chamber into multiple separate pulp entities shows wide variation and is dependent of the specific Triadan position. The present study illustrates the presence of disto-mesial root contacts between adjacent tooth roots, often leading to morphological adaptations, most frequently observed between Triadan 09–10s (80%) and 10–11s (67%). The measured sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was as low as 1.11 mm over some pulp horns. The sub-occlusal dentinal thickness was lower than 2, 3, and 4 mm in 13.1, 38.1 and 61.4% of performed measurements, respectively. Conclusion This study provides detailed information on age-dependent mandibular cheek teeth anatomy in alpacas, which may support the use and development of advanced dental treatments in this species such as endodontics and tooth sectioning techniques. Apical morphological adaptations caused by disto-mesial root contact between adjacent mandibular cheek teeth are clearly illustrated. The limited amount of sub-occlusal secondary dentin warrants a cautious approach with regards to dental floating in alpacas.

Scientific literature on veterinary dentistry in alpacas has historically focused on the description of tooth root abscesses. However, recent studies have shown a variety of other, sometimes preceding dental conditions to be widespread in this species. To allow the development and finetuning of treatment strategies in this species, a more thorough understanding of the underlying etiopathogenesis of dental disease is required. Histological studies focusing on normal dental and surrounding tissues might serve as a basis for this purpose. Nine teeth, extracted from seven alpacas were collected. All samples were retrieved from animals that died or were euthanized for non-dental reasons. Histological sections were prepared at three different levels in each tooth and examined using light microscopy focusing on the assessment of pulp tissue, dentin, cementum, periodontal tissues and the apical region. The histological appearance of the investigated dental tissues in alpacas showed great similarities with other hypsodont species. However, a rather rare type of dentin called “vasodentin” could be identified in all examined cheek teeth. Another species-specific finding was the extremely close proximity of varying neighboring tooth roots that seemed to be responsible for inducing massive resorptive lesions. The results of this study might contribute to a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of some dental diseases in the alpaca.

Migrants with precarious legal statuses experience significant structural exclusion from their host nations but may still feel partial belonging. This article explores two dimensions potentially relevant for this group’s sense of belonging: city-level opportunity structures and public political discourses. Specifically, we examine perceptions of belonging among forced migrants with similarly precarious legal statuses located in Istanbul and Vienna. Drawing from semi-structured interviews, we argue that opportunity structures in the cities provide a minimal sense of social normalness within a period of life otherwise considered anomalous or exceptional. Any articulations of belonging in this context however remain inherently tied to the conditions of legal limbo at the national level. With regard to public political discourses, migrants display a strong awareness of the role of religion within national debates on culture and integration. In a context where religion is discussed as a mediator of belonging, we found explicit affirmations of such discourses, whereas in a context where religion is discussed as a marker of difference, we found implicit compliance, despite feelings of alienation. Overall, this article shows the importance of differentiating belonging, and of cross-regional comparisons for highlighting the diverse roles of cities and public political discourses in facilitating integration.

U članku se analizira sačuvana predromanička skulptura iz Biograda koja se temeljem stilskih i likovno-morfoloških karakteristika nastoji grupirati u homogene skupine i atribuirati klesarskim produkcijama djelatnima od posljednjih desetljeća 8. do kraja 9. stoljeća. Najveći broj ulomaka prepoznat je kao rad nedavno definiranog klesarskog ateljea nazvanog Radionica plutejâ zadarske katedrale, a čije je djelovanje pritom okvirno datirano u posljednja desetljeća 8. i(li) na sami početak 9. stoljeća. Nekoliko ostalih ulomaka povezano je s klesarskim radionicama djelatnima u vrijeme hrvatskih knezova Trpimira i Branimira, a čime su ujedno datirani oko sredine, tj. u posljednju četvrtinu 9. stoljeća. Za većinu preostalih reljefa bilo je tek moguće ustvrditi da pokazuju karakteristike zreloga predromaničkog stila 9. stoljeća, dok su tri zanimljiva ulomka temeljem njihovih stilskih karakteristika datirana u nešto kasnije razdoblje, dva od njih u sredinu 11., a treći u prvu četvrtinu 12. stoljeća. Konačno, analizom i atribuiranjem triju ulomaka dvaju pilastara koji su naknadno preklesani u arhitrav, a koji su pronađeni u zadarskoj crkvi Sv. Krševana, utvrđena je kronološka distinkcija između dviju ranih klesarskih produkcija djelatnih na širem zadarskom području, a od kojih je jedna Radionica plutejâ zadarske katedrale, pa se time ujedno uspjelo doći i do preciznije datacije najveće grupe predromaničkih reljefa iz Biograda.

In memoriam, Nekrolog

NIKOLA JAKŠIĆ, Klesarstvo u službi evangelizacije: studijeiz predromaničke skulpture na Jadranu, Split, Književnikrug, Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika, 2015., 608str., ISBN 978-953-163-420-5

U članku se u jedinstvenu likovno-morfološku cjelinu okupljaju reljefi pronađeni u Galovcu, Biogradu i Zadru, ali i u Novalji na otoku Pagu. Prepoznati su kao produkti iste klesarske radionice za koju se, po njezinim najkvalitetnijim i najreprezentativnijim djelima pronađenima u zadarskoj katedrali, predlaže naziv Radionica plutejâ zadarske katedrale. Okupljena grupa reljefa pokazuje osobine rane predromaničke skulpture, a to se podjednako iščitava iz načina njihove izvedbe (meka modelacija, rahlije postavljeni motivi), kao i u prevladavajućoj motivici ranokršćanske provenijencije. Uzimajući u obzir veličinu raspravljanih reljefa i lokalitete na kojima su pronalaženi, autor dolazi do zaključka da se radi o dijelovima liturgijskih instalacija većih ranokršćanskih crkava koje su obnovljene u kasnome 8. ili ranom 9. stoljeću.

Trogirskoj klesarskoj radionici autor pripisuje zabat pronađen u pločniku nekadašnjeg atrija predromaničke šesterolisne crkve Sv. Marije u Trogiru. Osim toga, njezinoj produkciji atribuira i dva reljefna ulomka koja su sekundarno ugrađena u začelni zid parohijske crkve Sv. Georgija (Đurđa) u Pađenima kod Knina. Nakon detaljne usporedbe novoatribuiranih fragmenata s reljefima koji su već ranije pripisani toj radionici, pađenski su ulomci prepoznati kao dijelovi pilastra oltarne ograde, a navedeni zabat, kao i ostali stilski mu srodni trogirski reljefi, dovedeni su u čvršću vezu s crkvom Sv. Marije, točnije s izvornim opremanjem njezina interijera. Budući da je Trogirska klesarska radionica izradila liturgijske instalacije heksakonhalnih crkava u Trogiru i Brnazama, autor navedene građevine datira u vrijeme djelovanja te radionice (prva četvrtina 9. stoljeća), a gradnju gotovo svih dalmatinskih šesterolista smješta u relativno kratak vremenski period od kraja 8. do sredine 9. stoljeća.

Recent advances in high resolution X-ray tomography (μCT) technology have enabled in-situ dynamic μCT imaging (4D-μCT) of time-dependent processes inside 3D structures, non-destructively and non-invasively. This paper illustrates the application of 4D-μCT for visualizing the removal of fatty liquids from kitchen sponges made of polyurethane after rinsing (absorption), squeezing (desorption) and cleaning (adding detergents). For the first time, time-dependent imaging of this type of system was established with sufficiently large contrast gradient between water (with/without detergent) and olive oil (model fat) by the application of suitable fat-sensitive X-ray contrast agents. Thus, contrasted olive oil filled sponges were rinsed and squeezed in a unique laboratory loading device with a fluid flow channel designed to fit inside a rotating gantry-based X-ray μCT system. Results suggest the use of brominated vegetable oil as a preferred contrast agent over magnetite powder for enhancing the attenuation coefficient of olive oil in a multi fluid filled kitchen sponge. The contrast agent (brominated vegetable oil) and olive oil were mixed and subsequently added on to the sponge. There was no disintegration seen in the mixture of contrast agent and olive oil during the cleaning process by detergents. The application of contrast agents also helped in accurately tracking the movement and volume changes of soils in compressed open cell structures. With the in house-built cleaning device, it was quantified that almost 99% of cleaning was possible for contrasted olive oil (brominated vegetable oil with olive oil) dispersed in the sponge. This novel approach allowed for realistic mimicking of the cleaning process and provided closer evaluation of the effectiveness of cleaning by detergents to minimize bacterial growth.