The effect of routine hoof trimming on midstance regional hoof kinetics at walk

There is a lack of objective and quality evidence-based research on the effect of trimming on hoof loading at different regions of the hoof. Our objective was to measure and compare force (F), contact area (CA), contact pressure (CP) and peak contact pressure (PCP) of the dorsal vs palmar and medial vs lateral regions of the forehooves. Nine sound equine athletes were walked across a calibrated pressure plate before and after routine hoof trimming. The F, CA, CP and PCP in medial, lateral, dorsal and palmar regions were examined pre- and post-trimming, P≤0.05 was considered significant. Dorsal CP and PCP significantly increased post-trimming (P=0.039 and P=0.019, respectively). Medial F increased about 25% after trimming, but not significantly (P=0.129). These data confirm the impact of individual hoof trimming on certain aspects of the hoof midstance biomechanics.

Reconstruction and evaluation of changes in hydrologic conditions over a transboundary region by a regional climate model coupled with a physically-based hydrology model: Application to Thao river watershed

The differences among countries in terms of physical features, governmental policies, priorities in short- and long-term water resources management may lead to conflicts in managing and sharing of water resources over the transboundary regions. Due to no formal data sharing agreement between countries, there has been usually no data availability at transboundary regions. In this study, a methodology, in which a physically-based hydrology model was coupled with a regional climate model, is proposed to reconstruct and evaluate hydrologic conditions over transboundary regions. For the case study, Thao river watershed (TRW), within Vietnam and China, was selected. The Watershed Environmental Hydrology (WEHY) model was implemented based on topography, soil, and land use/cover information which was retrieved from global satellite data resources. The watershed model-WEHY was first validated over the TRW, and then was used to reconstruct historical hydrologic conditions during 1950-2007. The results of this study suggest no significant trend in the annual streamflow over the target watershed. In addition, there is a time shift in the wet season between the upstream sector in China and the downstream sector in Vietnam over the TRW. The annual flow contribution from the upstream sector in China to the outlet of TRW is estimated to be around 66%, and the remaining 34% contribution comes from the downstream sector in Vietnam territory. Last but not the least, the annual flow as a function of return period varies not only with the return period but also as a function of the time window, reflecting the effect of the changing regime on the streamflows at the TRW. The evolution of the flow frequency through time is an evidence of the ongoing non-stationarity in the hydrologic conditions over TRW.

Recent Progress in Electrochemical pH-Sensing Materials and Configurations for Biomedical Applications

pH-sensing materials and configurations are rapidly evolving toward exciting new applications, especially those in biomedical applications. In this review, we highlight rapid progress in electrochemical pH sensors over the past decade (2008-2018) with an emphasis on key considerations, such as materials selection, system configurations, and testing protocols. In addition to recent progress in optical pH sensors, our main focus in this review is on electromechanical pH sensors due to their significant advances, especially in biomedical applications. We summarize developments of electrochemical pH sensors that by virtue of their optimized material chemistries (from metal oxides to polymers) and geometrical features (from thin films to quantum dots) enable their adoption in biomedical applications. We further present an overview of necessary sensing standards and protocols. Standards ensure the establishment of consistent protocols, facilitating collective understanding of results and building on the current state. Furthermore, they enable objective benchmarking of various pH-sensing reports, materials, and systems, which is critical for the overall progression and development of the field. Additionally, we list critical issues in recent literary reporting and suggest various methods for objective benchmarking. pH regulation in the human body and state-of-the-art pH sensors (from ex vivo to in vivo) are compared for suitability in biomedical applications. We conclude our review by (i) identifying challenges that need to be overcome in electrochemical pH sensing and (ii) providing an outlook on future research along with insights, in which the integration of various pH sensors with advanced electronics can provide a new platform for the development of novel technologies for disease diagnostics and prevention.

Wavelength scaling of terahertz pulse energies delivered by two-color air plasmas

We address the long-standing problem of anomalous growth observed in the terahertz (THz) energy yield from air plasmas created by two-color laser pulses, as the fundamental wavelength λ₀ is increased. Using two distinct optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs), we report THz energies scaling like λ0α with large exponents 5.6≤α≤14.3, which departs from the growth in λ02 expected from photocurrent theory. By means of comprehensive 3D simulations, we demonstrate that the changes in the laser beam size, pulse duration, and phase-matching conditions in the second-harmonic generation process when tuning the OPA's carrier wavelength can lead to these high scaling powers. The value of the phase angle between the two colors reached at the exit of the doubling crystal turns out to be crucial and even explains non-monotonic behaviors in the measurements.

Abstract P2-09-04: Identification of a neoantigen targeted by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a patient with Her2+ breast cancer

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that the number of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) positively correlates with outcome and response to chemotherapy in patients with HER2+ and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Furthermore, first studies of immune-checkpoint inhibitors showed promising results in those patients. However, the targets of those TILs remain unknown. Neoantigens, which arise in the process of tumorigenesis, appear as potential targets. They can elicit high avidity, tumor-specific T-cell responses. Thus, it is the aim of our study to ascertainif these TILs are directed against tumor-specific mutations.

Methods: TILs from breast cancer biopsies taken at the time point of diagnosis were expanded by unspecific stimulation. Additionally, we used the Gentle Macs Dissociator in combination with flow cytometry to investigate the number of TILs in the tumor tissue. Furthermore, we performed whole-genome sequencing of tumor tissue and as reference autologous blood cells to determine tumor-specific mutations. Mutations leading to a non-synonymous amino acid change were analyzed for RNA expression of the encoding gene as well as to determine potential neoantigens. Neoantigens were evaluated for their potential binding to the patient's specific HLA molecules. Peptides for potential neoantigens were synthesized, loaded onto autologous antigen presenting cells (APCs) and cocultured with TILs. All IFNγ producing T-cells were clonally expanded and retested for peptide specificity to identify neoantigen specific T-cell clones.

Results: Our flow cytometric analysis of the tumor biopsy for more than 300 patients showed higher frequencies of TILs in TNBC as compared to other types of breast cancer or patients without malignancy. Screening for neoantigen specific T-cells in one patient led to identification of three peptide-specific CD4+ T-cell clones isolated from HER2+ breast cancer tissue taken at the time point of diagnosis. All T-cell clones specifically recognized the same tumor-specific mutation and not the wildtype counterpart. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these T-cell clones also recognized the endogenously expressed mutated antigen. This verified the ability of processing and presentation of the respective protein. Interestingly, we could also isolate a T-cell clone recognizing the same neoantigen in the resected tumor tissue after neoadjuvant therapy. Based on CDR3 sequencing we could prove that the four T-cell clones represented individual clones. This confirms the polyclonal nature of the immune response. Moreover, we showed that the same neoepitope was presented in two different HLA restriction molecules of the patient with three of the clones recognizing it in HLA-DPB1*0401 and one in HLA-DPB1*0201. These results further underline the immunogenicity of this neoantigen.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our data demonstrate tumor-specificity of TILs in a patient with HER2+ breast cancer. Furthermore, we show the feasibility to identify individual cancer specific T-cell targets in breast cancer patients. These results may contribute to the development of targeted patient-specific immunotherapies in the future.

Citation Format: Reimann H, Nguyen A, Hübner H, Erber R, Bausenwein J, Van der Meijden ED, Lux MP, Jud S, Griffioen M, Rauh C, Sanborn JZ, Benz SC, Rabizadeh S, Beckmann MW, Mackensen A, Rübner M, Fasching PA, Kremer AN. Identification of a neoantigen targeted by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in a patient with Her2+ breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-09-04.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic excision of prostatic utricle in a 3-year old

Prostatic utricles have traditionally been excised via the open approach or laparoscopically. Recently, the robot-assisted laparoscopic approach has been described in a 19-year-old male. the case of a 3-year-old male with a disorder of sex development (mosaic 45X/46 XY), with multiple associated anomalies, who presented with recurrent UTI is presented. Renal/bladder ultrasound revealed normal bilateral kidneys, and a 4.3 × 2.8 × 3.3 cm cystic mass in the midline posterior to the bladder. Voiding cystourethrogram demonstrated a large cystic mass behind the bladder, concerning for large prostatic utricle. The patient was brought to the operating room and placed in lithotomy. The urethra was examined cystoscopically. The os of the utricle was identified, an open-ended catheter was advanced, the cystoscope was removed, and a Foley was placed. The camera port was introduced supraumbilically, and robotic ports were introduced inferolaterally. Irrigation of the catheter and distension of the utricle allowed manipulation of the utricle to facilitate identification of a plane of dissection. The neck of the utricle was identified and incised. The catheter was removed, transection was completed, and the stump was oversewn. CONCLUSION: Combined cystoscopic and robotic approach to prostatic utricle excision is feasible, safe, and effective in this patient population.