Between Inside and Outside: Projects of Visual Research inside Italian Prisons

This article presents two separate experiences in doing research inside detention centers that are located in two Italian cities. The aim of the article is to discuss how the use of a video camera as a research tool can influence the research context in a situation openly and deeply marked by impotence and disempowerment. Our argument is that besides giving the inmates an instrument to communicate beyond the prison, the use of visual media exacerbates specific aspects that according to the existing literature often occur when doing fieldwork in confinement spaces.     

The inside edge - It's time for Perestroika in the USA

If the recent removal of Craig Fields as head of the prestigious US Defense Advanced Research projects Agency (DARPA) is any indication of how lawmakers are running America, then it's time for Perestroika in the USA.     

Outside or inside: role of the subcellular localization of DP4-like enzymes for substrate conversion and inhibitor effects

The discovery of the DP4-related enzymes DP8 and DP9 raised controversial discussion regarding the physiological and pathophysiological function of distinct members of the DP4 family. Particularly with regard to their potential relevance in regulating immune functions, it is of interest to know which role the subcellular distribution of the enzymes play. Synthetic substrates as well as low molecular weight inhibitors are widely used as tools, but little is yet known regarding their features in cell experiments, such as their plasma membrane penetration capacity. The fluorogenic substrates Gly-Pro-AMC or (Ala-Pro)?-R110 predominantly detect plasma membrane-bound activities of viable cells (less than 0.1% of fluorochromes R110 or AMC inside viable cells after 1 h incubation). Additionally, the selective and non-selective DP8/9 inhibitors allo-Ile-isoindoline and Lys[Z(NO?)]-pyrrolidide were found to be incapable of passing the plasma membrane easily. This suggests that previously reported cellular effects are not due to inhibition of the cytosolic enzymes DP8 or DP9. Moreover, our enzymatic studies with viable cells provided evidence that DP8 and/or DP9 are also present on the surface of immune cells under certain circumstances and could gain relevance particularly in the absence of DP4 expression. In summary, in cells which do express DP4 on the surface, this archetypical member of the DP4 family is the most relevant peptidase in the regulation of cellular functions.     

内、外侧肱骨远端解剖钢板手术治疗肱骨髁上及髁间粉碎性骨折

目的:探讨内、外侧远端解剖钢板手术治疗肱骨髁上及髁间粉碎性骨折临床效果及安全性.方法:选取我院骨科2009年3月-2012年5月收肱骨髁上及髁间粉碎性骨折患者80例,采用随机数字表法分为Y型钢板组和双钢板组,每组各40例;分别采用Y型钢板内固定治疗和内外远端解剖钢板内固定治疗;比较两组患者术后临床改善优良率及术后并发症发生情况等.结果:Y型钢板组和双钢板组患者临床改善优良率分别为80.0％,100.0％;双钢板组患者临床改善优良率明显优于Y型钢板组,组间比较差异显著(P＜0.05);同时Y型钢板组和双钢板组患者术后不良并发症发生率分别为22.5％,5.0％;双钢板组患者术后并发症发生率明显低于Y型钢板组,组间比较差异显著(P＜0.05).结论:相较于Y型钢板,内、外侧肱骨远端解剖钢板手术治疗肱骨髁上及髁间粉碎性骨折临床效果确切,能够有效缓解疼痛,改善肘关节活动范围,同时术后并发症风险降低,具有较高临床应用价值.