Learners’ acceptance of a webinar for continuing medical education

The aim of this study was to evaluate learners’ acceptance of a webinar for continuing medical education that was instigated by the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS). A live, interactive webinar on orthognathic surgery was broadcast via the Internet. The learners’ acceptance of the webinar was evaluated using a standardized, validated questionnaire (Student Evaluation of Educational Quality, SEEQ). One hundred and fifty-three participants attended the webinar; 55 participants (46 male, nine female) completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 41.6 ± 10.0 years. The age of male and female respondents did not differ significantly. The respondents were spread over five continents, with the highest number from Brazil. The SEEQ showed a high level of acceptance for almost all subscales. There was no statistically significant difference between male and female respondents concerning acceptance of the webinar (P = 0.614). The wide distribution of participants shows the potential for webinars as facilitators of barrier-free distribution of knowledge. The webinar was well accepted by the attendees independent of sex, specialty, and work experience. However, the sex ratio reflects the underrepresentation of women in oral and maxillofacial surgery.     

Use of an in vitro model of tissue-engineered human skin to study keratinocyte attachment and migration in the process of reepithelialization

To produce a stable epidermis, keratinocytes need to be firmly attached to the basement membrane. However, following wounding, keratinocytes are required to develop a migratory phenotype in order to reepithelialize the wound. To investigate some of the issues underlying reepithelialization, we have developed a three-dimensional in vitro model of tissue-engineered skin, comprising sterilized human dermis seeded with human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Using this model, we have shown that the inclusion of fibroblasts within the model increases the stability of keratinocyte attachment. We have also demonstrated that keratinocyte migration occurs most effectively in the absence of a basement membrane and following the inclusion of fibroblasts in the model. In addition, subjecting the keratinocyte layer to mechanical trauma induces a migratory phenotype. We conclude that this three-dimensional in vitro wound model can be used to increase our understanding of the factors that enhance keratinocyte migration and hence wound healing in vivo.     

Report of a National Conference on Donation after Cardiac Death

A national conference on organ donation after cardiac death (DCD) was convened to expand the practice of DCD in the continuum of quality end-of-life care. This national conference affirmed the ethical propriety of DCD as not violating the dead donor rule. Further, by new developments not previously reported, the conference resolved controversy regarding the period of circulatory cessation that determines death and allows administration of pre-recovery pharmacologic agents, it established conditions of DCD eligibility, it presented current data regarding the successful transplantation of organs from DCD, it proposed a new framework of data reporting regarding ischemic events, it made specific recommendations to agencies and organizations to remove barriers to DCD, it brought guidance regarding organ allocation and the process of informed consent and it set an action plan to address media issues. When a consensual decision is made to withdraw life support by the attending physician and patient or by the attending physician and a family member or surrogate (particularly in an intensive care unit), a routine opportunity for DCD should be available to honor the deceased donor's wishes in every donor service area (DSA) of the United States.     

N-glycosylation of murine IFN-beta in a putative receptor-binding region.

Human and mouse genomes contain more than 20 related genes encoding diverse type I interferons (IFNs- alpha/beta), cytokines that are crucial for resistance of organisms against viral infections. Although the amino acid sequences of various IFN-alpha/beta subtypes differ markedly, they are all considered to share a common three-dimensional structure and to bind the same heterodimeric receptor, composed of the IFNAR-1 and IFNAR-2 subunits. Analysis of available mammalian IFN-beta sequences showed that they all carry 1 to 5 predicted N-glycosylation sites. Murine IFN-beta contains three predicted N-glycosylation sites (Asn29, Asn69, Asn76), one of which (Asn29) is located in the AB loop, in a region predicted to interact with the type I IFN receptor. The aim of this work was to test if this site is indeed N-glycosylated and if this glycosylation would affect IFN antiviral activity. We showed that all three N-glycosylation sites predicted from the sequence, including Asn29, carry N-linked sugars. Mutation of individual N-glycosylation sites had a weak negative influence on IFN antiviral activity. In contrast, the complete loss of glycosylation dramatically decreased activity. Our data suggest that interaction of murine IFN-beta with the IFNAR could locally differ from that of human IFN-alpha2 and human IFN-beta.     

Prostatitis and male factor infertility: A review of the literature

Prostatitis and male infertility are frequent disorders, and the role of prostatitis in male infertility has been under discussion for more than 30 years. Many researchers have shown relevant links between the two. Although a causal relationship has not been definitely demonstrated, increasing evidence shows that chronic prostatitis has a relevant negative impact on male fertility potential, at least in certain subgroups. In the following review, we focus on the present state of knowledge on the role of chronic prostatitis as an etiologic factor in male infertility.     

Nachweis gentechnischer Veränderungen in Mais mittels PCR

Zusammenfassung  Ein PCR-Nachweis für gentechnisch ver?nderten Mais ?Event 176? der Fa. Ciba-Geigy wurde etabliert. Der Mais enth?lt Gene, die Selbstschutz gegen den Maiszünsler (Delta-Endotoxin-Gen ausBacillus thuringiensis) und Toleranz gegen das Herbizid Basta (Phosphinothricin-Resistenz-Gen ausStreptomyces hygroscopicus) vermitteln. Zudem enth?lt der Mais ein Ampicillin-Resistenz-Gen. Für die Amplifikation von Bereichen aus allen drei Genen wurden PCR-Primer entworfen. Mit Hilfe dieser Primer und mit ?Event 176?-Mais-DNA als Template konnten die entsprechenden Genbereiche in der PCR amplifiziert werden. Die PCR-Produkte wurden sequenziert, um ihre Identit?t zu best?tigen. Mit Hilfe der Delta-Endotoxin-PCR wurden, auch in Gegenwart von 10⁴fachem überschu? nicht gentechnisch ver?nderter Mais-DNA, fünf haploide Genome der ?Event 176?-DNA nachgewiesen.

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Identification of genetically modified maize by PCR

Summary  A PCR-test for the genetically modified maize ?Event 176? of Ciba-Geigy was established. The maize contains genes conferring resistance to the European corn borer (delta-endotoxin gene fromBacillus thuringiensis) and tolerance to the herbicide Basta (phosphinothricin resistance gene fromStreptomyces hygroscopicus). The maize contains also an ampicillin resistance gene. Primers were designed and using ?Event 176?-maize-DNA as template internal regions of the three genes were amplified with PCR. The PCR products were sequenced to confirm their identity. Using the deltaendotoxin primers in PCR down to 5 haploid genomes of ?Event 176?-DNA could be detected, even in the presence of a 10⁴fold excess of DNA from non-modified maize.