Pathogen associated microbial patterns (PAMP) such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and CpGoligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) are recognized by innate immunity via pattern recognition receptors (PRR), e.g. Toll-like receptors (TLR). Most of them involve recruitment of the adaptor molecule myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) followed by initiation of the ongoing signaling pathway. Preliminary studies demonstrated that CpG-ODN application induces cross-tolerance to LPS treatment in vitro. The present study investigated whether ODN containing CpG motifs could induce hyporesponsiveness following LPS treatment and reduce mortality. Interleukin (IL)-6 was determined in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid as well lung histopathological changes. In total, 188 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: In a first series, mortality was observed. To that end, animals received CpG-ODN or control-ODN i.p. (12 or 48 nmol) 8 hours, respectively 7 days prior to the bolus administration of i.p. endotoxin (25 mg/kg (=LD80) E. coli 0111:B4 LPS). Animals were monitored 7 days for mortality. In a second series, rats were treated with 12 nmol CpG-ODN or control-ODN i.p. 8 hours, respectively 7 days prior to the i.p. bolus administration of endotoxin (10 mg/kg (=LD0)). 3, 12 and 36 hours after LPS administration blood samples were drawn for blood cell counts. Organs were harvested, weighed and examined histopathologically. The BAL IL-6 levels were determined by ELISA. Mortality in the CpG-ODN treated groups was not significantly different from control-ODN groups. Blood cell counts, lung wet weight and histopathology of different organs did not show any different effects between CpG-ODN and control-ODN. No significant differences in BAL IL-6 levels between the groups could be demonstrated. In conclusion, positive in vitro data could not be transferred to a rat model of endotoxemia.

BACKGROUND:Today, humerus nails have become the surgical method of choice in the treatment of humerus shaft fractures. Whether or not the radial nerve should be intraoperatively examined by default in case of primary paresis is currently under discussion.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Clinical findings from 38 patients with humeral shaft fractures surgically treated with unreamed humerus nail (UHN) at the Department of Accident Surgery, University Clinics Bonn, Germany, between 2000 and 2003 were retrospectively assessed. Constant Score was applied for evaluation of functional results.RESULTS:In 40% of patients, primary radial nerve paresis was present. This was especially common after high energy trauma (e.g. traffic accident) and significantly increased in fractures of the middle third. In 93% of cases, spontaneous remission of motor and sensory loss was observed. No iatrogenic radial nerve impairment occurred.CONCLUSION:Due to the high rates of spontaneous remissions of radial nerve palsy after treatment with UHN in humerus shaft fractures, primar exploration of the radial nerve does not appear to be necessary.

The chemical short-range structure was studied in liquid Al-Ni alloys by x-ray absorption spectroscopy as a function of temperature and composition. A containerless technique, combining aerodynamic levitation and inductive heating, was used to position and melt the samples. The fluorescence yield x-ray absorption at the Ni K edge was measured by a multichannel solid-state Ge detector. The number of heteroatomic pairs around the scatterer is higher than for a homogeneous alloy.

The local short-to-intermediate range structure was studied in liquid Al–Ni and Al–Cu alloys by X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature and composition. A containerless technique, combining aerodynamic levitation and inductive heating, was used to position and melt the samples. The scattered intensity was recorded by an image plate. Liquid samples with compositions corresponding to an intermetallic solid phase show a pronounced prepeak in the structure function S(Q).

A versatile levitation facility for structural investigations of liquid metals was developed. It consists of a vacuum-tight process chamber containing a nozzle for aerodynamic levitation and a coil for inductive heating. The chamber is designed for structural investigations by x-ray diffraction and by x-ray absorption. The levitation facility has been used on beamline ID15 at ESRF in Grenoble. High Energy X-Ray diffraction measurements of liquid Al-based alloys using an image plate detector were performed. This paper discusses the experimental set-up for diffraction measurements, and presents first results obtained on liquid Al25at%Ni. The short range order was studied as a function of temperature and composition. Nearest neighbour distances as well as coordination numbers were determined. A pronounced prepeak in the scattering function S(Q) was found.

The initial care of a fractured bone provided by the general physician includes reduction followed by immobilization and the treatment of pain. Open fractures must be covered by a sterile dressing, prior to the transportation of the patient to a hospital. Depending upon the severity of the injury, further treatment is provided by an orthopedic surgeon or in an appropriate hospital.

Today, early mobilization is recommended, irrespective of whether a patient with a fracture of the extremities has been treated conservatively or surgically. In this way, morbidity and mortality risks can be considerably reduced, in particular in the elderly patient. As a result of the continuing trend towards an ever shorter hospital stay, the general physician is faced with the task of providing aftercare to such patients at an early stage in the healing process of the fracture. This includes wound care, prevention of thromboembolism, the timely initiation of physiotherapeutic measures, and the requesting of x-ray follow-up.

The short-range order in liquid binary Al-rich alloys (Al-Fe, Al-Ti) was studied by x-ray diffraction. The measurements were performed using a novel containerless technique which combines aerodynamic levitation with inductive heating. The average structure factors, S(Q), have been determined for various temperatures and compositions in the stable liquid state. From S(Q), the pair correlation functions, g(r), have been calculated. The first interatomic distance is nearly temperature-independent, whereas the first-shell coordination number decreases with increasing temperature for all the alloys investigated. For the Al-Fe alloys, room-temperature scanning electron microscropy (SEM) studies show the formation of a microstructure, namely the existence of Al(13)Fe(4) inclusions in the Al matrix.

Introduction Transition-metal aluminides are a technologically important class of alloys that combine high strength and resistance to environmental attack at elevated temperatures with low weight and low material cost. Due to the complexity of the binary phase diagrams, there is an open question about the structure of the liquid phase, in particular, the possibility of existence of the intermetallic clusters in the liquid. A hybrid aerodynamicelectromagnetic levitator has been recently developed and successfully tested [1]. With this new device, it was possible to study the local structure of Al-based liquid alloys, including compositions with low melting points, which would not have been accessible with standard electromagnetic levitation techniques. Here we report on x-ray diffraction measurements of molten aluminium-transition metal alloys carried out on the ID15b beamline at ESRF (Grenoble, France).

Today, early mobilization is recommended, irrespective of whether a patient with a fracture of the extremities has been treated conservatively or surgically. In this way, morbidity and mortality risks can be considerably reduced, in particular in the elderly patient. As a result of the continuing trend towards an ever shorter hospital stay, the general physician is faced with the task of providing aftercare to such patients at an early stage in the healing process of the fracture. This includes wound care, prevention of thromboembolism, the timely initiation of physiotherapeutic measures, and the requesting of x-ray follow-up.

When a fracture of an extremity has been established, the question immediately arises: should it be treated conservatively or surgically? For each of these options the three "R's" of fracture treatment apply "reduction, retention, rehabilitation". In humans, the most common fracture is that of the distal radius, which is usually amenable to conservative treatment. A fracture of the ankle is treated conservatively only when it is stable with no syndesmotic injury, and the fragments are in good alignment. Should surgical treatment be necessary, stabilization is accomplished with a plate and screws. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the options must be weighed up on an individual basis.

Diffusion and convection in melts play an important role in most technological processes involving the liquid state. Many diffusion experiments in liquids suffer from additional transport induced by gravity-driven flow. Therefore, different research groups performed experiments under microgravity conditions aboard a space vehicle. But even there, diffusion measurements can be disturbed by residual accelerations and vibrations. To analyse this additional transport, model experiments using water as liquid were performed inside an airplane performing zero gravity flight manoeuvres. Because of the short duration of low gravity, the analogy between diffusive mass transport and the faster heat transport was used. The angle between the capillary and the direction of acceleration ranged between 0° and 90°. For an oscillation amplitude of 100 mm, the increase of the frequency up to 1 Hz led to a slight increase of the additional transport. Experiments with 1.7 Hz showed an additional transport of a 50% maximum. The effect of the angle between the capillary and the acceleration vector was within the experimental error limits.

Diffusion and convection are the main physical processes in crystal growth and metallurgy. On ground, the measured diffusion coefficients of liquids are often enlarged due to the additional mass transport of the natural convection especially at high temperatures. In microgravity, g-jitter and residual acceleration can easily disturb the measurement. The influence of vibrations on liquid transport experiments was investigated quantitatively in a model heat transport experiment using hot and warm water during three ESA parabolic campaigns. A reflight with a further developed experimental set-up was performed during ESA PFC 39 in March 2005. The goal was to minimize the transport induced by the starting of the experiment. Two different methods to start the experiments were used: the shear cell method and the flowing junction cell method. The cells with a 4mm and 10mm thin capillary were fixed on an oscillating platform in three different positions: with an angle of 0°, 45° and 90° between the capillary axis and the acceleration vector.

Main task of diffusion experiments in liquids is to avoid additional transport induced by convection. Even under microgravity conditions aboard a space vehicle, diffusion measurements can be disturbed. Additional transport due to residual accelerations and vibrations can only be analysed under low gravity conditions. For the 28th ESA Parabolic flight campaign (May 2000), modified for the 31st ESA Parabolic flight campaign (October 2001) and for the 34th ESA Parabolic flight campaign (April 2003), a model experiment using water as liquid was developed. Because of the short term of a parabola, the analogy between diffusive mass transport and the faster heat transport was used. The angle between the 4mm or 10mm thin capillary and the direction of acceleration ranged between 0∘ and 90∘. For an oscillation amplitude of 100mm, the increase of the frequency up to 1 Hz led to a slight increase of the additional transport. Experiments with 1.7 Hz showed an additional transport of maximum 50%. An effect of the angle between the capillary and the acceleration vector was in the order of the error.

The combined application of containerless techniques with X-ray diffraction and absorption at synchrotron sources as well as neutron diffraction enables structural investigations of high-melting-point and/or corrosive liquids above the melting point and in the undercooled state. A variety of containerless techniques are available including electromagnetic and aerodynamic levitation. In the framework of a bilateral project, a new hybrid system combining aerodynamic levitation with inductive heating is being developed. Advantages and concept of the setup are discussed. Different Helmholtz coils and cylindrical coils were used to heat levitated, solid samples. Melting and stable levitation in the liquid state were achieved for aluminum. The general problem of deformation of liquid samples by electromagnetic fields is discussed.

Mathiak, G.1; Grass, G.2; Kabir, K.1*; Steinringer, E.1*; Mathiak, M.3*; Behrens, P.3*; Ranqqer, C.1; Minor, T.4; Dueren, S.1* Author Information

This paper presents results of the measurement of solute diffusivities in the Al–Ni and Sn–Bi–In systems. These experiments were conducted in microgravity and may therefore be assigned as reference values. A dedicated facility, which can be used for processing of four identical samples in parallel, was developed for the experiments under consideration. In addition, a rather thorough analysis of possible error sources in shear cell type experiments is carried out. Comparison with work carried out using magnetic fields to control convective flows, and with previous indirect measurements results, is also provided. A coherent picture emerges from the overall agreement between various measurements, and the data from the current work can thus be considered as reference benchmarks for future experiments. Another conclusion of the present study is that the shear cell technique is well suited for the measurement of solute diffusivities.