The design of systems with life-like properties from simple chemical components may offer insights into biological processes, with the ultimate goal of creating an artificial chemical cell that would be considered to be alive. Most efforts to create artificial cells have concentrated on systems based on complex natural molecules such as DNA and RNA. Here we have constructed a lipid-bound protometabolism that synthesizes complex carbohydrates from simple feedstocks, which are capable of engaging the natural quorum sensing mechanism of the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi and stimulating a proportional bioluminescent response. This encapsulated system may represent the first step towards the realization of a cellular 'mimic' and a starting point for 'bottom-up' designs of other chemical cells, which could perhaps display complex behaviours such as communication with natural cells.

No abstract

Double agents: dual-action polymers are able to sequester rapidly the marine organism Vibrio harveyi from suspension, while at the same time quenching bacterial quorum sense (QS) signals. The potency of the polymers is assessed by cell aggregation experiments and competitive binding assays against a QS signal precursor, and their effect on bacterial behavior is shown by means of bioluminescence.

The midface is an area where definite and consistent improvement is still hard to achieve. Vertical suspension of the malar fat pad is an effective midface lift that complements facial rejuvenation to obtain an overall appearance of youth and beauty while maintaining the personal features of the patient. To substantiate its effectiveness, the authors evaluated the complications and long-term results of the malar fat pad elevation proper and in conjunction with other facial procedures. A retrospective review of the medical records of 458 consecutive patients who underwent malar fat pad elevation by the senior author (B.C.D.) from January of 1994 to January of 2000 was conducted. Because 14 patients had their malar fat pad re-elevated, the number of midface lifts totaled 472. Of these, 437 had a combined superficial musculoaponeurotic system excision and tightening, 19 had a combined limited superficial musculoaponeurotic system plication/imbrication, and 16 had elevation of the malar fat pad only. Elevating the malar fat pad appears to be a sound, straightforward, and effective means of rendering a youthful midface. It consistently reshapes the malar eminence, softens the nasolabial fold, and rejuvenates the lower eyelid. This technique provides lasting results, with an acceptable complication rate. Facial nerve injury, in particular, was infrequent and temporary. In addition, the prehairline scar happened to be quite inconspicuous, especially in patients older than 55 years. This experience confirms that malar fat pad elevation is a safe and effective method to rejuvenate the central third of the face.

Doppelagenten: Doppelt funktionelle Polymere sind in der Lage, den Meeresorganismus Vibrio harveyi schnell aus Suspensionen abzuscheiden und gleichzeitig bakterielle Quorum‐Sensing(QS)‐Signale zu löschen (siehe Bild). Die Wirksamkeit der Polymere wurde durch Zellaggregationsexperimente und kompetitive Bindungstests gegen eine QS‐Signal‐Vorstufe beurteilt. Anhand von Biolumineszenzdaten wurde zudem der Effekt der Polymere auf das Bakterienverhalten studiert.

Endoscopy has provided a significant improvement in the surgical rejuvenation of the upper face. It offers a minimally invasive alternative that avoids many of the undesirable effects associated with the coronal approach. The standard minimal access forehead endoscopic procedure consists of a subperiosteal undermining through three small triangular prehairline incisions. To successfully elevate the eyebrows, it is essential to release the periosteum at the level of the supraorbital rims and ablate the brow depressor muscles of the glabella. Until the periosteum reattaches itself, elevation is maintained by a temporary suspension suture between staples at the incision sites and 5 cm posterior to the hairline. The transverse closure of the triangular skin incisions achieves some additional elevation. The biplanar approach adds a partial subcutaneous undermining of the forehead to the endoscopic technique and allows plication of the frontalis muscle and excision of excess forehead skin. It is offered to patients with very ptotic eyebrows, deep transverse wrinkles, or a high forehead. The prehairline incision is a disadvantage but is tolerated quite well in older patients. The medical records of 393 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic forehead lift from 1994 to 2000 were reviewed. Because seven patients had the endoscopic forehead lift repeated, the number of forehead endoscopies totaled 400. The complication rate was quite acceptable and did not markedly increase when a forehead lift was performed in combination with other facial procedures. The endoscopic forehead lift consistently attenuated the transverse forehead wrinkles, reduced the glabellar frown lines, and raised the eyebrows. It provided an appearance that was less tired and angry in addition to opening the area around the eyes. Long-term follow-up has shown that the endoscopic forehead lift produces lasting and predictable results.

Endoscopy has provided a significant improvement in the surgical rejuvenation of the upper face. It offers a minimally invasive alternative that avoids many of the undesirable effects associated with the coronal approach. The standard minimal access forehead endoscopic procedure consists of a subperiosteal undermining through three small triangular prehairline incisions. To successfully elevate the eyebrows, it is essential to release the periosteum at the level of the supraorbital rims and ablate the brow depressor muscles of the glabella. Until the periosteum reattaches itself, elevation is maintained by a temporary suspension suture between staples at the incision sites and 5 cm posterior to the hairline. The transverse closure of the triangular skin incisions achieves some additional elevation. The biplanar approach adds a partial subcutaneous undermining of the forehead to the endoscopic technique and allows plication of the frontalis muscle and excision of excess forehead skin. It is offered to patients with very ptotic eyebrows, deep transverse wrinkles, or a high forehead. The prehairline incision is a disadvantage but is tolerated quite well in older patients. The medical records of 393 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic forehead lift from 1994 to 2000 were reviewed. Because seven patients had the endoscopic forehead lift repeated, the number of forehead endoscopies totaled 400. The complication rate was quite acceptable and did not markedly increase when a forehead lift was performed in combination with other facial procedures. The endoscopic forehead lift consistently attenuated the transverse forehead wrinkles, reduced the glabellar frown lines, and raised the eyebrows. It provided an appearance that was less tired and angry in addition to opening the area around the eyes. Long-term follow-up has shown that the endoscopic forehead lift produces lasting and predictable results.

The objectives of abdominal hernial repair are to reconstruct the structural integrity of the abdominal wall while minimizing morbidity. Current techniques include primary closure, staged repair, and the use of prosthetic materials. Techniques for abdominoplasty include the use of the transverse lower abdominal incision and the resection of excess skin. By incorporating these aspects into hernial repairs, the procedures are made safer and the results are improved. The medical records were reviewed of 123 consecutive patients who underwent hernial repair. Seventy-six of these patients underwent a total of 82 herniorrhaphies using an abdominoplasty approach. This included using a transverse lower abdominal incision with or without extending it into an inverted-T incision. The hernial defect was then identified and isolated. Repair was obtained with primary fascial closure and plication, primary fascial approximation and reinforcement with absorbable Vicryl mesh, or placement of permanent mesh with or without fascial approximation. Overall, 8 of 82 hernias recurred. Most complications were minor and could be managed with local wound care only. Major complications included one enterocutaneous fistula, one occurrence of skin flap necrosis requiring operative debridement and skin grafting, and one delayed permanent mesh extrusion 2 years after repair. The abdominoplasty approach isolates the incision from the hernial defect and repair. This technique is safe with a low risk of complications and a low rate of recurrence. It is particularly helpful in obese patients, in patients with multiple hernias, and in those patients with recurrent hernias.