Sex disparities in popliteal artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Only 5% of patients with popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) are female. Evidence on PAA treatment and outcomes in women is therefore scarce. The POPART Registry provides one of Europe's largest data collections regarding PAA treatment. Data on clinical presentation, aneurysm morphology, and perioperative outcomes after open surgical PAA repair in women will be presented. METHODS: POPART is a multicenter, noninterventional registry for open and endovascular PAA repair, with 42 participating centers in Germany and Luxembourg. All patients aged >18 years who have been treated for PAA since 2010 are eligible for study inclusion. Data collection is based on an online electronic case report form. RESULTS: Of the 1236 PAAs, 58 (4.8%) were in women. There were no significant differences in age or cardiopulmonary comorbidities. However, female patients had a lower prevalence of contralateral PAAs and abdominal aortic aneurysms (P < .05). PAAs in women were more likely to be symptomatic before surgery (65.5% vs 49.4%; P = .017), with 19% of women presenting with acute limb ischemia (vs 11%; P = .067). Women had smaller aneurysm diameters than men (22.5 mm vs 27 mm; P = .004) and became symptomatic at smaller diameters (20 mm vs 26 mm; P = .002). Only 8.6% of women and 11.6% of men underwent endovascular aneurysm repair (P > .05); therefore, the perioperative outcome analysis focused on open surgical repair. In total, 23.5% of women and 16.9% of men developed perioperative complications (P > .05). There were no differences in major cardiovascular events (P > .05), but women showed a higher incidence of impaired wound healing (15.7% vs 7.2%; P = .05) and major amputation (5.9% vs 1.1%; P = .027). Female sex was significantly associated with the need for nonvascular reinterventions within 30 days after surgery (odds ratio: 2.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.26-4.88), whereas no significant differences in the odds for vascular reinterventions were observed (odds ratio: 1.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.68-5.77). In the multiple logistic regression model, female sex, symptomatic PAAs, poor quality of outflow vessels, and graft material other than vein graft were independently associated with perioperative reinterventions. CONCLUSIONS: Women have smaller PAAs, are more likely to be symptomatic before treatment, and are more often affected by nonvascular reinterventions in the perioperative course. As our understanding of aneurysmatic diseases in women continues to expand, sex-specific treatment strategies and screening options for women in well-selected cohorts with modified screening protocols should be continuously re-evaluated.

Effects of CBCT acquisition protocol and additional superimposed computerized optical impressions on the accuracy of root canal length measurements: an ex vivo study.

AIM: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the accuracy of root canal length (RCL) determination according to CBCT acquisition protocol and evaluate the influence of additional superimposed computerized optical impressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT scans with low-dose (LD) and high-definition (HD) protocols as well as computerized optical impressions of 30 extracted human molars were acquired. Sicat Endo software (Sicat) was used for CBCT RCL measurements with (LD+, HD+) and without (LD-, HD-) a superimposed optical impression. To evaluate the accuracy, absolute differences between test groups and the actual root canal length (ARCL) were calculated and statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: Absolute differences between the ARCL and the tested measurement methods varied significantly (P < 0.05). Both higher resolution and additionally superimposed computerized optical impression improved measurement accuracy. Mean differences compared with the ARCL were 0.26 mm (HD+), 0.34 mm (HD-), 0.43 mm (LD+), and 0.66 mm (LD-). 93.4% of all measurements in the HD+ group were within the limits of ± 0.5 mm. CONCLUSION: Both resolution and superimposition of additional computerized optical impressions have a significant influence on RCL measurements using CBCT.

Efficacy of a new fragmentation pattern in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with the Ziemer FEMTO LDV Z8.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of different fragmentation patterns in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) using Ziemer FEMTO LDV Z8. METHODS: We compared three different types of surgery: conventional cataract surgery (CCS), FLACS with conventional radial slices (named No-Spiderweb), and FLACS with a novel fragmentation pattern (radial slices combined with one or two rings) called "Spiderweb." Visual acuity (VA), nuclear opacity (NO) according to the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS lll), effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and vacuum time were obtained for 845 eyes. RESULTS: Using FLACS (Spiderweb + No-Spiderweb), EPT was significantly reduced by 26% compared to CCS (FLACS: 2.46 ± 2.60 s; CCS: 3.34 ± 2.89 s; ΔM = - 0.88 s, p < .001). Furthermore, EPT as a function of progression of lens opacity was found to be not only lower in Spiderweb compared to CCS, but also in comparison with No-Spiderweb. At NO3, a significant reduction of 65% in EPT was observed by using Spiderweb compared to CCS (Spiderweb: 0.68 ± 1.23 s; CCS: 1.96 ± 1.53 s; ΔM = - 1.28 s, p <.001). Interestingly, EPT at NO3 was also significantly reduced by 57% in Spiderweb compared to No-Spiderweb (Spiderweb: 0.68 ± 1.23 s; No-Spiderweb: 1.57 ± 1 .59 s; ΔM = - 0.90 s, p <.001). The use of Spiderweb only marginally extends the vacuum time compared to No-Spiderweb by 11 s (Spiderweb: 209.13 ± 35.83 s; No-Spiderweb: 198.35 ± 36.84 s; p = .003) and the postoperative improved VA showed no significant difference among the different types of surgery (all ps ≥ .05). CONCLUSION: FLACS significantly reduces EPT compared to CCS. Furthermore, the novel Spiderweb pattern significantly reduces EPT in patients with a cataract of NO3 compared to CCS, but also to FLACS with the existing radial pattern (No-Spiderweb).

Real-world data of popliteal artery aneurysm treatment: Analysis of the POPART registry.

OBJECTIVE: Popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) is a rare disease with a prevalence of 0.1% to 1%. Within previous years, endovascular repair (ER) of PAAs has been performed more frequently despite the lack of high-level evidence compared with open surgical repair (OSR). In 2014, the POPART registry was initiated to validate the current treatment options for PAA repair. METHODS: POPART is a multinational multicenter registry of the peri- and postoperative outcomes of ER and OSR for PAAs. Data sets were recorded using the online survey tool SurveyMonkey (available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/). Regular monitoring and plausibility checks of the data sets are performed to ensure reliability. The aim of the present study was to report the findings from the POPART registry, which includes data from 41 centers. RESULTS: From June 2014 to August 2019, 794 cases had been recorded in the POPART registry. OSR had been performed in 662 patients and ER in 106 patients; 23 patients had been treated conservatively. Of the 106 patients in the primary ER group, 4 had required conversion to OSR. The ER patients were significantly older (ER, median, 71 years; OSR, median, 67 years; P < .05). No other significant differences were present in the demographic data, comorbidities, or aneurysm morphology between the two groups. Of the 662 patients in the OSR group, 50.3% were symptomatic compared with 29.2% of the 106 patients in the ER group (P < .05). Emergency treatment because of acute ischemia, critical ischemia, or rupture was necessary for 149 patients (22.5%) in the OSR group and 11 patients (10.3%) in the ER group. The most frequent postoperative complications were impaired wound healing (OSR, n = 47 [7.1%]; ER, n = 3 [2.8%]; P > .05) and major bleeding (OSR, n = 26 [3.9%]; ER, n = 3 [2.8%]; P > .05). The in-hospital length of stay was significantly longer for the OSR group than for the ER group (median, 10 days; range, 3-65 days; vs median, 7 days; range, 1-73 days). The overall patency for the OSR and ER groups after 12 and 24 months was 83.2% and 44.7% (P < .005) and 74.2% and 29.1% (P < .005), respectively. The outcomes with a prosthetic graft vs an autologous vein were significantly poorer in the OSR group (primary patency, 71.4% vs 88.1% at 12 months). CONCLUSIONS: To evaluate new treatment techniques such as ER for PAAs, real-world data are of essential importance. The present analysis of the first results for the POPART registry shows good perioperative results for endovascular treatment of PAA in asymptomatic patients with good outflow vessels. The perioperative complication rate is low and the postoperative hospital stay is shorter than after OSR. However, the patency rates after 12 and 24 months are low in the ER group compared to patients treated with open repair. More follow-up data is required for further interpretation; the completion of the data sets in the registry is ongoing.

Global Perspective of Drought Impacts on Ozone Pollution Episodes.

Ozone (O3) pollution threatens global public health and damages ecosystem productivity. Droughts modulate surface O3 through meteorological processes and vegetation feedbacks. Unraveling these influences is difficult with traditional chemical transport models. Here, using an atmospheric chemistry-vegetation coupled model in combination with a suite of existing measurements, we investigate the drought impacts on global surface O3 and explore the main driving processes. Relative to the mean state, accelerated photochemical rates dominate the surface O3 enhancement during droughts except for eastern U.S. and western Europe, where reduced stomatal uptakes make comparable contributions. During 1990-2012, the simulated frequency of O3 pollution episodes in western Europe decreases greatly with a negative trend of -5.5 ± 6.6 days per decade following the reductions in anthropogenic emissions if meteorology is fixed. However, such decreased trend is weakened to -2.1 ± 3.8 days per decade, which is closer to the observed trend of -2.9 ± 1.1 days per decade when year-to-year meteorology is applied because increased droughts alone offset 43% of the effects from air pollution control. Our results highlight that more stringent controls of O3 precursors are necessary to mitigate the higher risks of O3 pollution episodes by more droughts in a warming world.

Rapid cycling of reactive nitrogen in the marine boundary layer.

Nitrogen oxides are essential for the formation of secondary atmospheric aerosols and of atmospheric oxidants such as ozone and the hydroxyl radical, which controls the self-cleansing capacity of the atmosphere. Nitric acid, a major oxidation product of nitrogen oxides, has traditionally been considered to be a permanent sink of nitrogen oxides. However, model studies predict higher ratios of nitric acid to nitrogen oxides in the troposphere than are observed. A 'renoxification' process that recycles nitric acid into nitrogen oxides has been proposed to reconcile observations with model studies, but the mechanisms responsible for this process remain uncertain. Here we present data from an aircraft measurement campaign over the North Atlantic Ocean and find evidence for rapid recycling of nitric acid to nitrous acid and nitrogen oxides in the clean marine boundary layer via particulate nitrate photolysis. Laboratory experiments further demonstrate the photolysis of particulate nitrate collected on filters at a rate more than two orders of magnitude greater than that of gaseous nitric acid, with nitrous acid as the main product. Box model calculations based on the Master Chemical Mechanism suggest that particulate nitrate photolysis mainly sustains the observed levels of nitrous acid and nitrogen oxides at midday under typical marine boundary layer conditions. Given that oceans account for more than 70 per cent of Earth's surface, we propose that particulate nitrate photolysis could be a substantial tropospheric nitrogen oxide source. Recycling of nitrogen oxides in remote oceanic regions with minimal direct nitrogen oxide emissions could increase the formation of tropospheric oxidants and secondary atmospheric aerosols on a global scale.

Apical periodontitis after intense bruxism.

BACKGROUND: Bruxism is known to cause masticatory muscle pain, temporomandibular joint pain, headaches, mechanical tooth wear, prosthodontic complications and cracked teeth. Less known to the practitioner, and described only experimentally in literature, is that bruxism can also damage the pulp. To our knowledge, this is the first known clinical case of a patient developing apical periodontitis due to bruxism. CASE PRESENTATION: This article presents the case and successful treatment of a 28-year-old healthy male patient with apical periodontitis on teeth 36 and 46 requiring root canal treatment after an intense phase of bruxism. Due to an unclear diagnosis, treatment had been delayed. CONCLUSIONS: Incomprehensible tooth pain can be the result of bruxism. Practitioners need to be informed that intense bruxism can possibly lead to apical periodontitis. It is important, therefore, that a thorough anamnesis is collected and taken into account during diagnostics.

Effectiveness of immediate vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics for post-injection endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: To show that an immediate vitrectomy with an intravitreal injection of antibiotics can be an effective approach for the treatment of acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injections. METHODS: We reviewed all cases of clinical endophthalmitis caused by an intravitreal injection that were treated in our department between March 2012 and November 2019. Only patients that underwent a vitrectomy within 6 h after presentation to the clinic and with a documented visual acuity shortly before the causative event were included. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before the causative event was compared to BCVA measured within a follow-up period of 8 months (up to 14 months). RESULTS: In total, 30 eyes of 30 patients were included. The BCVA before the intraocular infection was a mean value of 0.55 logMAR, and the BCVA on the day of the endophthalmitis decreased significantly to 1.66 logMAR. Within 2 months following the pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), the mean BCVA improved to 0.83 logMAR. Eight months following PPV (mean value, 8.20 months; SD, 3.59 months), the mean BCVA was 0.63 logMAR. In the last follow-up interval most of the eyes recovered, and the BCVA did not differ significantly from baseline. Two eyes underwent further pars plana surgery during the follow-up period. No enucleation was required. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have shown that an immediate vitrectomy with subsequent intravitreal injection of antibiotics is an effective option for treating post-injection endophthalmitis and frequently results in recovery of vision; thus, it should be performed as early as possible, where available.

Drug Development for Target Ribosomal Protein rpL35/uL29 for Repair of LAMB3R635X in Rare Skin Disease Epidermolysis Bullosa.

INTRODUCTION: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) describes a family of rare genetic blistering skin disorders. Various subtypes are clinically and genetically heterogeneous, and a lethal postpartum form of EB is the generalized severe junctional EB (gs-JEB). gs-JEB is mainly caused by premature termination codon (PTC) mutations in the skin anchor protein LAMB3 (laminin subunit beta-3) gene. The ribosome in majority of translational reads of LAMB3PTC mRNA aborts protein synthesis at the PTC signal, with production of a truncated, nonfunctional protein. This leaves an endogenous readthrough mechanism needed for production of functional full-length Lamb3 protein albeit at insufficient levels. Here, we report on the development of drugs targeting ribosomal protein L35 (rpL35), a ribosomal modifier for customized increase in production of full-length Lamb3 protein from a LAMB3PTC mRNA. METHODS: Molecular docking studies were employed to identify small molecules binding to human rpL35. Molecular determinants of small molecule binding to rpL35 were further characterized by titration of the protein with these ligands as monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in solution. Changes in NMR chemical shifts were used to map the docking sites for small molecules onto the 3D structure of the rpL35. RESULTS: Molecular docking studies identified 2 FDA-approved drugs, atazanavir and artesunate, as candidate small-molecule binders of rpL35. Molecular interaction studies predicted several binding clusters for both compounds scattered throughout the rpL35 structure. NMR titration studies identified the amino acids participating in the ligand interaction. Combining docking predictions for atazanavir and artesunate with rpL35 and NMR analysis of rpL35 ligand interaction, one binding cluster located near the N-terminus of rpL35 was identified. In this region, the nonidentical binding sites for atazanavir and artesunate overlap and are accessible when rpL35 is integrated in its natural ribosomal environment. CONCLUSION: Atazanavir and artesunate were identified as candidate compounds binding to ribosomal protein rpL35 and may now be tested for their potential to trigger a rpL35 ribosomal switch to increase production of full-length Lamb3 protein from a LAMB3PTC mRNA for targeted systemic therapy in treating gs-JEB.

Stability of a non-applanating handheld liquid patient interface for femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: A stable and reliable vacuum is crucial for the correct planning and performance of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in order to avoid complications such as suction loss and cyclorotation. This study investigates, for the first time, the impact of different vacuum levels on the stability of the application of a liquid patient interface for FLACS in view of break-away forces. METHODS: Break-away forces were measured using a multifunctional material testing machine with a mounted digital manometer. Sixteen porcine eyes were docked to the patient interface of a femtosecond laser platform (FEMTO LDV Z8), and the impact of different vacuum levels between 300 and 500 mbar investigated. RESULTS: Mean break-away forces for each vacuum level were as follows: 1.78 N (± 0.58 N) for 300 mbar; 2.24 N (± 0.68 N) for 350 mbar; 2.66 N (± 0.68 N) for 400 mbar; 2.86 N (± 0.77 N) for 420 mbar; and 3.49 N (± 0.86 N) for 500 mbar. CONCLUSION: The stability increases with the vacuum in a nearly linear manner. Vacuum levels higher than 500 mmHg and lower than 350 mmHg are not recommended for FLACS.

Preliminary outcome of Nellix-in-Nellix extensions in patients treated with failed endovascular aneurysm sealing.

BACKGROUND: The 1-year results of the use of the Nellix (Endologix Inc, Irvine, Calif) endovascular aneurysm sealing (EVAS) device were initially promising. However, midterm complications including migration and aneurysm growth occurred more frequently than expected, which provided an incentive to refine the instructions for use. Strategies for the management of complications arising after endovascular aneurysm repair are often not applicable for EVAS, given the unique configuration of the Nellix device, and new techniques are needed. This study analyzes the clinical outcomes of both elective and emergency deployment of a new Nellix device within a primarily placed device, for failure of EVAS, which we refer to as a Nellix-in-Nellix application (NINA). METHODS: This is a global, retrospective, observational cohort study focusing on the early outcome of NINA for failed EVAS, including data from 11 European institutions and 1 hospital in New Zealand. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients were identified who underwent a NINA procedure. Of these, 32 (78%) were placed electively and 9 (22%) were placed on an emergency basis. Seven patients were initially treated with chimney EVAS (n = 5 in the elective NINA group and n = 2 in the emergency NINA group). The average time between the primary EVAS procedure and NINA was 573 days (interquartile range, [IQR] 397-1078 days) and 478 days (IQR, 120-806) for the elective and emergency groups, respectively. The indication for elective NINA was endoleak with migration (50%), endoleak without migration (25%), migration without endoleak (16%), and other (9%). Chimney grafts were used in 21 of 32 patients in the elective group and 3 of 9 patients in the emergency group. Technical success was achieved in 94% of patients in the elective group and 100% of patients in the emergency group. At latest follow-up (median, 104 days; IQR, 49-328 days), there were three aneurysm-related deaths (9%), no ruptures, and five device-related reinterventions (16%) within the elective group. In the emergency group (median follow-up, 23 days; IQR, 7-61 days), there were four aneurysm-related deaths and three aneurysm-related reinterventions. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a NINA can be used to treat late failures of EVAS with an acceptable technical success rate and can be used when more established treatment options are unfeasible or contraindicated. The durability of this technique needs to be further reviewed.

Favourable outcome after late reorientation of an upside-down Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) graft: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcome after successful reorientation of an upside-down implanted DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) graft 4 weeks after initial transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old woman presented with Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy for DMEK. After initial DMEK the donor graft was fully attached and well centred during intracameral gas filling. When the gas bubble was fully resorbed the graft started to detach. Therefore, two intracameral gas injections were consecutively performed. During the second re-bubbling, an upside-down orientation was observed and so the graft was flipped, centred, re-attached and finally stabilized by an intracameral gas bubble. Three weeks after reorientation slit lamp examinations showed a well centred and attached graft, endothelial cells that started functioning and a patient's visual acuity of 20/40. Visual acuity increased to a 20/32 vision in the observed eye three months later and further improved to 20/20 6 months after reorientation and stayed stable between 20/32 and 20/20 during the remaining 15 months of follow-up, with a clear and well-attached graft. CONCLUSION: Reorientation of an upside down DMEK graft was successful even 4 weeks after initial DMEK. Visual recovery and endothelial cell count increase were stepwise noticed during the first 6 months and 15 months after reorientation, respectively. Finally a favourable outcome with 20/32 to 20/20 vision at least 6 months after graft reorientation was achieved. Therefore, restoring full graft function could last several weeks or even months following (late) reorientation of an upside-down DMEK graft.

Guided endodontic access of a calcified mandibular central incisor using a software-based three-dimensional treatment plan.

This case report describes the digital and clinical workflow of a guided endodontic access approach in a mandibular central incisor with pulp canal calcification (PCC). The access to the remaining pulp space was planned virtually using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the Sicat Endo software (Sicat, Bonn, Germany). Sicat produced the corresponding Accessguide after matching a digitized cast model and the virtual treatment plan. The clinical access was prepared using a carbide bur with a diameter of 1.2 mm. After the root canal was localized successfully, it was disinfected chemomechanically, dried, and obturated using a warm vertical compaction technique.

Suprachoroidal drainage with collagen sheet implant- a novel technique for non-penetrating glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was both to introduce the new technique of suprachoroidal drainage with collagen sheet implantation as a novel technique of non-penetrating glaucoma surgery and to present first results of a prospective pilot study. METHODS: A superficial rectangular sclera flap of half-scleral thickness sized 4 × 4.5 mm is dissected anteriorly until clear cornea. Then, a second scleral flap is created underneath the first one sized 3.5x4mm and is cut down full-thickness to the choroid exposing the suprachoroidal space. The flap is then bluntly prepared until the scleral spur is reached. Sharp dissection above the sclera spur exposes Schlemm's canal, which is located directly anteriorly. Schlemm's canal is unroofed, juxtacanalicular meshwork is peeled and the deep flap is cut off at its base. An absorbable collagen sheet (Ologen®, Dahlhausen, Cologne, Germany) is placed into the suprachoroidal space at the level of the ciliary body, and the superficial sclera flap is sutured tightly to prevent leakage. RESULTS: We prospectively analyzed 65 eyes that underwent suprachoroidal drainage with collagen sheet implantation. Mean reduction of intraocular pressure after 3 months was 35.1% (from 21.0 ± 4.3 mmHg to 13.5 ± 3.4 mmHg)(p < 0.01) and after 12 months 35.6% (from 21.0 ± 4.3 mmHg to 13.5 ± 3.0  mmHg)(p < 0.01). The number of topical IOP-reducing medication decreased significantly from 3.5 ± 0.7 to 0.6 ± 0.9 and to 0.9 ± 1.1 after 3 and 12 months, respectively (p < 0.01). No serious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Suprachoroidal drainage with collagen sheet implantation seems to be a safe and effective surgical technique for non-penetrating glaucoma surgery that yields the opportunity of a sufficient IOP reduction for eyes unsuitable for canaloplasty.

Isoprene Emission Response to Drought and the Impact on Global Atmospheric Chemistry.

Biogenic isoprene emissions play a very important role in atmospheric chemistry. These emissions are strongly dependent on various environmental conditions, such as temperature, solar radiation, plant water stress, ambient ozone and CO2 concentrations, and soil moisture. Current biogenic emission models (i.e., Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature, MEGAN) can simulate emission responses to some of the major driving variables, such as short-term variations in temperature and solar radiation, but the other factors are either missing or poorly represented. In this paper, we propose a new modeling approach that considers the physiological effects of drought stress on plant photosynthesis and isoprene emissions for use in the MEGAN3 biogenic emission model. We test the MEGAN3 approach by integrating the algorithm into the existing MEGAN2.1 biogenic emission model framework embedded into the global Community Land Model of the Community Earth System Model (CLM4.5/CESM1.2). Single-point simulations are compared against available field measurements at the Missouri Ozarks AmeriFlux (MOFLUX) field site. The modeling results show that the MEGAN3 approach of using of a photosynthesis parameter (Vcmax) and soil wetness factor (ßt) to determine the drought activity factor leads to better simulated isoprene emissions in non-drought and drought periods. The global simulation with the MEGAN3 approach predicts a 17% reduction in global annual isoprene emissions, in comparison to the value predicted using the default CLM4.5/MEGAN2.1 without any drought effect. This reduction leads to changes in surface ozone and oxidants in the areas where the reduction of isoprene emissions is observed. Based on the results presented in this study, we conclude that it is important to simulate the drought-induced response of biogenic isoprene emission accurately in the coupled Earth System model.

The defense and signaling role of NADPH oxidases in eukaryotic cells : Review.

This short review article summarizes what is known clinically and biochemically about the seven human NADPH oxidases. Emphasis is put on the connection between mutations in the catalytic and regulatory subunits of Nox2, the phagocyte defense enzyme, with syndromes like chronic granulomatous disease, as well as a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. These arise paradoxically from a lack of reactive oxygen species production needed as second messengers for immune regulation. Both Nox2 and the six other human NADPH oxidases display signaling functions in addition to the functions of these enzymes in specialized biochemical reactions, for instance, synthesis of the hormone thyroxine. NADPH oxidases are also needed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells for the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton in times of stress or developmental changes, such as pseudohyphae formation. The article shows that in certain cancer cells Nox4 is also involved in the re-structuring of the actin cytoskeleton, which is required for cell mobility and therefore for metastasis.

VOC emission rates over London and South East England obtained by airborne eddy covariance.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originate from a variety of sources, and play an intrinsic role in influencing air quality. Some VOCs, including benzene, are carcinogens and so directly affect human health, while others, such as isoprene, are very reactive in the atmosphere and play an important role in the formation of secondary pollutants such as ozone and particles. Here we report spatially-resolved measurements of the surface-to-atmosphere fluxes of VOCs across London and SE England made in 2013 and 2014. High-frequency 3-D wind velocities and VOC volume mixing ratios (made by proton transfer reaction - mass spectrometry) were obtained from a low-flying aircraft and used to calculate fluxes using the technique of eddy covariance. A footprint model was then used to quantify the flux contribution from the ground surface at spatial resolution of 100 m, averaged to 1 km. Measured fluxes of benzene over Greater London showed positive agreement with the UK's National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, with the highest fluxes originating from central London. Comparison of MTBE and toluene fluxes suggest that petroleum evaporation is an important emission source of toluene in central London. Outside London, increased isoprene emissions were observed over wooded areas, at rates greater than those predicted by a UK regional application of the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme model (EMEP4UK). This work demonstrates the applicability of the airborne eddy covariance method to the determination of anthropogenic and biogenic VOC fluxes and the possibility of validating emission inventories through measurements.

Spatially resolved flux measurements of NOx from London suggest significantly higher emissions than predicted by inventories.

To date, direct validation of city-wide emissions inventories for air pollutants has been difficult or impossible. However, recent technological innovations now allow direct measurement of pollutant fluxes from cities, for comparison with emissions inventories, which are themselves commonly used for prediction of current and future air quality and to help guide abatement strategies. Fluxes of NOx were measured using the eddy-covariance technique from an aircraft flying at low altitude over London. The highest fluxes were observed over central London, with lower fluxes measured in suburban areas. A footprint model was used to estimate the spatial area from which the measured emissions occurred. This allowed comparison of the flux measurements to the UK's National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) for NOx, with scaling factors used to account for the actual time of day, day of week and month of year of the measurement. The comparison suggests significant underestimation of NOx emissions in London by the NAEI, mainly due to its under-representation of real world road traffic emissions. A comparison was also carried out with an enhanced version of the inventory using real world driving emission factors and road measurement data taken from the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI). The measurement to inventory agreement was substantially improved using the enhanced version, showing the importance of fully accounting for road traffic, which is the dominant NOx emission source in London. In central London there was still an underestimation by the inventory of 30-40% compared with flux measurements, suggesting significant improvements are still required in the NOx emissions inventory.

A modified scleral dissection technique with suprachoroidal drainage for canaloplasty.

PURPOSE: A modified canaloplasty technique is described that may facilitate the surgical procedure and potentially maximizes the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect by altering both the trabecular and uveoscleral aqueous outflow. METHODS: The second deeper layer in the modified technique (about 3.5 × 4 mm, Fig. 1a, b) is not prepared in a lamellar fashion, but is cut down full-thickness to the choroid, hence opening the suprachoroidal space. Furthermore, this second deep scleral flap creates an additional aqueous outflow and drainage into the suprachoroidal space, thus possibly lowering the postoperative IOP by improving the natural uveoscleral outflow facility. RESULTS: Seventy-eight eyes operated with this modified technique in the last 12 months were retrospectively analysed. Mean IOP before surgery was 19.10 mmHg and patients applied 3.0 topical medications. Twelve months after surgery, the IOP was 13.5 mmHg and patients applied 1.0 topical medication; 52.6 % of patients did not use any topical therapy. DISCUSSION: The modified dissection canaloplasty technique potentially improves the IOP-lowering effect due to the creation of additional suprachoroidal drainage and simplifies the most complicated step of the surgery, as the scleral spur and the Schlemm's canal can be located using suprachoroidal access.

Novel liquid bubble dissection technique for DMEK lenticule preparation.

PURPOSE: Descemet endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) has replaced penetrating keratoplasty in many cases of endothelial cell disorders. While DMEK has been greatly improved by the introduction of no-touch injection cartridges, the tear-free preparation of the delicate Descemet's membrane (DM) remains a critical step. We present a novel liquid bubble dissection technique for DM preparation that could offer several advantages. METHODS: After identification of the iris base, a sharp dissection until Schwalbe's line was performed. Then, a narrow tunnel was created with a blunt spatula using a tangential dissection technique. After the tunnel was created, the liquid bubble dissection was performed. The complete detachment process took only a few seconds after a successful preparation of the tunnel in the correct plane between the DM and corneal stroma. RESULTS: Between February and September 2015, we consecutively performed 86 DMEK lenticule preparations using the liquid bubble technique. The preparation time until complete detachment was about 3 min (mean 194 ± 20 s). Ninety-two percent of preparations were completely uncomplicated; the total success rate was 99 %. One graft could not be used for transplantation because of a central tear. The graft failure rate was 1.16 %, similar to other authors. CONCLUSIONS: The presented novel liquid bubble technique is easy, can be learned and performed rapidly, is highly reproducible in a standardized fashion with minor tissue manipulation (no touch) and, with a low rate of graft preparation failure, necessitates no special equipment and allows for a simultaneous and selective staining of the stromal side of DM, thus avoiding direct contact.