The use of biodegradable temporising matrix (BTM) for facial unit reconstruction with adjuvant radiotherapy-A case study.

Synthetic Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM, NovoSorb; PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) has proven useful in the resurfacing of large burns,1 necrotising infection debridement2 and tumour excision with exposed bone.3 We present a case report of a large BCC invading three aesthetic subunits of the face which was successfully reconstructed with BTM, split-thickness skin graft with subsequent adjuvant radiotherapy due to the high risk nature of the BCC. We present our series of images illustrating the timeline of BTM, and the ability to achieve a good skin colour match with minimal contour deformity, even in the event of post operative radiotherapy use.

ModularImageAnalysis (MIA): Assembly of modularised image and object analysis workflows in ImageJ.

ModularImageAnalysis (MIA) is an ImageJ plugin providing a code-free graphical environment in which complex automated analysis workflows can be constructed and distributed. The broad range of included modules cover all stages of a typical analysis workflow, from image loading through image processing, object detection, extraction of measurements, measurement-based filtering, visualisation and data exporting. MIA provides out-of-the-box compatibility with many advanced image processing plugins for ImageJ including Bio-Formats, DeepImageJ, MorphoLibJ and TrackMate, allowing these tools and their outputs to be directly incorporated into analysis workflows. By default, modules support spatially calibrated 5D images, meaning measurements can be acquired in both pixel and calibrated units. A hierarchical object relationship model allows for both parent-child (one-to-many) and partner (many-to-many) relationships to be established. These relationships underpin MIA's ability to track objects through time, represent complex spatial relationships (e.g. topological skeletons) and measure object distributions (e.g. count puncta per cell). MIA features dual graphical interfaces: the 'editing view' offers access to the full list of modules and parameters in the workflow, while the simplified 'processing view' can be configured to display only a focused subset of controls. All workflows are batch-enabled by default, with image files within a specified folder being processed automatically and exported to a single spreadsheet. Beyond the included modules, functionality can be extended both internally, through integration with the ImageJ scripting interface, and externally, by developing third-party Java modules that extend the core MIA framework. Here we describe the design and functionality of MIA in the context of a series of real-world example analyses.

The internal pudendal artery turnover (IPAT) flap: A new, simple and reliable technique for perineal reconstruction.

Perineal defects can be a reconstructive challenge following abdomino-perineal excision of the rectum, pelvic exenteration or the excision of severe pilonidal disease. These defects often involve large perineal cavities and pelvic dead space with often poorly mobile soft tissues due to neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Because of the inherent challenges of wound healing in the perineal region, well vascularised and robust reconstruction is mandated. In this paper, we describe a novel perforator-based turnover flap for perineal reconstruction - the internal pudendal artery turnover flap (IPAT flap). The flap requires no visualisation or dissection of perforating vessels, has a reliable vasculature, is quick and straightforward to perform and allows for the effective reconstruction of deep three-dimensional defects following perineal excisions. This is a retrospective study. A cohort of 38 consecutive patients who underwent various reconstructions with the IPAT flap under a single surgeon were included between 2012 and 2019. At three months, 37 flaps were fully healed. There were no flap failures or partial flap losses. Complications were seen in 10 of 38 patients with nine of these being minor and one that requires a return to the theatre for washout secondary to a urinary leak. The Internal Pudendal Artery Turn Over Flap allows us to reconstruct three-dimensional defects following perineal surgery, achieving more significant mobilisation of the flap to fill deep dead space without the added complexity and additional operative time associated with perforator dissection. The IPAT flap can be used in several common perineal reconstructive challenges expeditiously - often at the end of lengthy oncological resections - with minimal donor site morbidity, and in our experience, yields reliable outcomes.

The extent and cause of perinatal lamb mortality in 3 flocks of Merino sheep.

Autopsies were performed on lamb carcases from 2 groups of Merino ewes lambing in paddocks in spring 1978 and from 1 group lambing in pens in 1980 in southwest Queensland. These showed that the main causes of death were starvation due to failure of the lamb to obtain milk, problems at parturition causing death during or shortly after birth and, in some cases, predation. The majority of lambs died within 1 week of birth with the highest mortalities occurring in the lighter lambs. In the pen study, mean birth weight of lambs that died was 3.0 (s.d. = +/- 0.5) kg. The mean daily weight loss of lambs that died of starvation in the pens was 0.22 kg and the mean loss to autopsy was 0.35 kg. In the pen study, there were more lamb deaths, deaths from starvation, mismothering and desertion in each of 2 groups fed a below maintenance ration than in an above maintenance group. More lambs died and more lamb deaths were due to starvation in a group with unsound udders than in a sound udder group. The results are similar to those found by workers investigating perinatal lamb mortality in other areas. Their significance is discussed in relation to Merino sheep flocks in southwestern Queensland.

The magnitude of reproductive wastage to lamb marking in 30 Merino flocks in south-west Queensland.

Thirty groups of Merino ewes in 6 districts of south-west Queensland were studied between 1976 and 1985 to determine the magnitude of reproductive wastage to lamb making. Relatively high pregnancy rates (77 to 100%, mean 93%) and a wide range of lamb marking percentages (10 to 115%, mean 78%) were recorded. The mean reproductive wastage due to failure to mate and failure to lamb was low (1.6 and 3.4% respectively) in 8 flocks where harnessed rams were used. This indicated that loss of lambs from birth to lamb making was the major cause of reproductive wastage in most years.

Rates of proteolysis in the rumen of the soluble proteins casein, fraction I (18S) leaf protein, bovine serum albumin and bovine submaxillary mucoprotein.

The rate of proteolysis in the rumen was dependent on the soluble protein used. With a sheep on a hay + concentrate diet the rates (approximately Vmax) for casein, Fraction I leaf protein and bovine serum albumin were 16.5, 3.4 and 0.9 mg protein nitrogen/l per min respectively. Change of diet from hay + concentrate to fresh lucerne (Medicago sativa) increased the proteolytic rates for all three proteins. Bovine submaxillary mucoprotein degraded extremely slowly in the rumen at approximately 0.5-0.6 mg N/l per min and its sialic acid component was degraded at a similar rate to that of the protein chain. Uniformly 14C-labelled Fraction I leaf protein was used to demonstrate that in the presence of a second protein, competition for enzymic sites occurred. In Fraction I and bovine serum albumin mixtures, reduced rates for the individual proteins of the mixture were observed compared with the proteins treated separately. Treatment of bovine serum albumin with dithiothreitol (0.2 g/l) to cleave disulphide bridges increased the rates of proteolysis by as much as 8.5-fold.