bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the sliding bearing pair of water hydraulic axial piston pump
Authors: Yin Fanglong , Nie Songlin , Zhang Zhenghua , Zhang Xiaojun
Published: March 2013

Sliding bearing pair is one of the important friction pairs within water hydraulic axial piston pump, which can result in significant influences on the pump’s performance. Generally, owing to the characteristics of low viscosity and poor lubrication of water, the sliding bearing will operate under condition of dry or mixed lubrication, leading to a severe adhesives wear and material softening. In order to investigate the flow field of the sliding bearing in hydrodynamic condition, the effects of the water film pressure distribution, load carrying capacity changing with radial clearance and width–radius ratio of the sliding bearing pair have been simulated through MATLAB. And a suitable material combination of the sliding bearing pair was selected though a custom-manufactured friction and wear test rig. Based on the theoretical and experimental studies, an appropriate structure of the sliding bearing within water hydraulic axial piston pump was designed. The loading experiments for the developed water hydraulic axial piston pump assembled with two different flanges have been conducted at a water hydraulic component test rig. The experimental results revealed that the volumetric efficiency and noise characteristics of the pump are remarkably improved when the sliding bearing work under hydrodynamic lubrication condition in comparison with dry lubrication condition. The research results have laid the foundation for the development and improvement of the water hydraulic axial piston pump.
Regulating characteristics of an electro-hydraulic vibrator multiply controlled by the combination of a two-dimensional valve and a standard servo valve
Authors: Ren Y , Ruan J
Published: March 2013

For extending the frequency bandwidth greatly and controlling the vibration characteristic variables precisely, the electro-hydraulic high-frequency vibrator controlled by the parallel design of a two-dimensional valve (named as 2D valve) and a standard servo valve is preserved. The frequency of the vibrator is proportional to the product of the rotary speed of the spool of the two-dimensional valve and the switching numbers between grooves in the spool and windows in sleeve in one circle, so that it is convenient to extend the working frequency range by coordinating these parameters. In this study, the load is considered to be an elastic force and the relationships between the characteristic variables of the vibration and the control parameters are investigated using the analytic method. For the solution to the expression of the bias of the vibration, the electro-hydraulic vibration system is considered to be equivalent to a symmetrical hydraulic cylinder controlled by a single slide valve with a neutral pre-opening, which is determined by the throttling area of the two-dimensional valve. For the waveform of the vibration, the system is assumed to be a hydraulic cylinder controlled only by the two-dimensional valve and the effect imposed by the parallel servo valve on hydraulic cylinder is treated as an external load. The equations of the waveform superimposed on the bias are finally solved using the analytic method, where the expressions of the vibration amplitude are derived. It is found that coupling relationships exist between the characteristic variables of the vibration and the control parameters, where the vibration amplitude is not only determined by the axial displacement of the spool of the two-dimensional valve but is also reciprocally proportional to the rotary speed of the spool of the two-dimensional valve. While the bias is only dependent on the ratio of the throttling area of the parallel servo valve to that of the two-dimensional valve, the working frequency is exclusively dependent on the rotary speed of the spool of the two-dimensional valve and the vibration amplitude is almost independent of the throttling area variation of the parallel servo valve. The experimental system is built to verify the analytic results of the relationships between characteristic variables and control parameters. It is demonstrated that the theoretical analysis is consistent well with measured results and it is also verified that by means of proposed multiple control to the hydraulic vibrator, the vibration can be sustained at the level of high accuracy.
Effect of Long-Term LMWH on Post-thrombotic Syndrome in Patients With Iliac/Noniliac Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Hull Russell D. , Liang Jane , Merali Tazmin
Published: March 2013

Patients with iliac deep vein thrombosis (DVT) have a poor prognosis and high incidence of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS). We evaluated the effect of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH; tinzaparin) versus usual care (tinzaparin plus warfarin for ≥12 weeks at home) in the development of PTS according to DVT location (iliac/noniliac) by retrospective analysis of the Home-LITE cohort (480 patients with proximal DVT). Patients with iliac DVT had an overall odds ratio of 0.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33, 0.83; P = .0079) for PTS (including ulcer data) in favor of tinzaparin. Patients with noniliac DVT had a similar odds ratio (0.79 [95% CI 0.67, 0.93], P = .0046) to that reported in the overall Home-LITE population (0.76 [95% CI 0.66, 0.89], P = .0004; including ulcer data), both in favor of tinzaparin. Long-term LMWH may be a suitable alternative for the prevention of PTS in patients with iliac DVT who are unlikely to undergo invasive thrombolysis.
Relapse of multiple sclerosis in a patient retaining CCR7-expressing T cells in CSF under fingolimod therapy
Authors: Yokoseki Akiko , Saji Etsuji , Arakawa Musashi , Hokari Mariko , Ishiguro Takanobu , Yanagimura Fumihiro , Ishihara Tomohiko , Okamoto Kouichirou , Nishizawa Masatoyo , Kawachi Izumi
Published: March 2013

Fingolimod acts as a functional antagonist of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor, and it traps lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs and precludes their migration into the central nervous system. We report the case of a patient who suffered a relatively severe relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS) during the initial 3 months of fingolimod therapy, with retention of CCR7 expression on CD4+ T cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) despite decreased numbers of lymphocytes and decreased expression of CCR7 on CD4+ T cells in the blood. These data suggest that fingolimod may cause differential effects on the CSF and blood lymphocytes of patients with MS during the initial months of therapy.
The politics of social filtering
Authors: Willson Michele
Published: March 2013

Social filtering – the selective engagement with people, communication and other information as a result of the recommendations of others – has always taken place. However, the possibilities of the Internet combined with the growth of online social networking activities have enabled this process to become rapidly more extensive, easier and potentially problematic. This paper focuses on the analysis of the politics of social filtering through social network sites. It argues that what is needed is both a closer examination and evaluation of these processes and also the development of a framework through which to begin such an evaluation. There is also a second intent: to (re)assert the argument that any analysis necessarily needs to take into account and critique the development, implementation and use of technologies (this includes the software, algorithms and code) themselves as well as the people that build and use them.
Joint associations of sleep duration and insomnia symptoms with subsequent sickness absence: The Helsinki Health Study
Authors: Lallukka Tea , Haaramo Peija , Rahkonen Ossi , Sivertsen Børge
Published: March 2013

Aims: We aimed to examine the joint associations of sleep duration and insomnia symptoms with subsequent sickness absence of various lengths while considering several covariates. Methods: Baseline surveys among 40–60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, ( N = 6535) were prospectively linked with employer’s personnel register data comprising short self-certified (1–3 days), medically-certified intermediate (4–14 days) and long (15 days or more) sickness absence spells. Average follow-up time was 4.1 years. Sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, sociodemographics, working conditions, health behaviours and health were self-reported in the surveys. Poisson regression analysis was used. Results: Insomnia symptoms were associated with sickness absence at all levels of sleep duration. Adjusting for gender and age, U-shaped associations regarding sleep hours were found. Thus, those reporting short or long sleep and reporting insomnia symptoms had a higher risk for medically-certified intermediate and long sickness absence as compared to those reporting 7 hours of sleep without insomnia symptoms. Also, those reporting 6, 7, and 8 hours of sleep had a higher risk for such sickness absence, if they reported insomnia. Weak associations were also found for self-certified sickness absence, and for those reporting short and long sleep without insomnia. Adjustments attenuated the associations, but they mainly remained. Conclusions: These results suggest primacy of the effects of insomnia symptoms over sleep duration on sickness absence. Although insomnia dominated the joint association, U-shaped associations suggest that both sleep duration and insomnia symptoms need to be considered to promote work ability.
Genre analysis of the letters of appeal
Authors: Sadeghi Vahid , Samuel Moses
Published: March 2013

This study uses the genre analysis methodology used in the English for Specific Purposes (ESP) school, relying mostly on Bhatia’s (1993, 2004) and Swales (1990) models of genre analysis. Two hundred letters of appeal written by postgraduate students whose native language was other than English in a public university in Malaysia were included in the study. The sample included letters written by a variety of students from different language backgrounds. The criterion for selecting the corpus was the communicative purpose (Askehave and Swales, 2001) of the letters: stating a request. The study analyzed the genre of the letters of appeal to identify the structural or rhetorical moves that existed in the genre.
How narrative difficulties build peer rejection: A discourse analysis of a girl with autism and her female peers
Authors: Dean Michelle , Adams Gail Fox , Kasari Connie
Published: March 2013

In this discourse analysis of a social-skills intervention, the narratives of a girl (‘Cindy’) with autism and her female peers were analyzed. Some 162 narratives were identified in 12 hours of video, which documented an eight-week program. Using conversation/talk-in-interaction analysis methods, we determined that over 60% of peers’ narratives were cooperatively completed by group members compared to less than 20% of Cindy’s. In contrast, a majority of Cindy’s narratives were cooperatively sanctioned. Analysis of these unsuccessful narratives revealed that: 1) peers often contest Cindy’s narratives if they are about a restricted interest; 2) Cindy often notices her peers’ resistance but persists with her storytelling activity; and 3) peers’ sanctioning becomes more intense over time. We claim that Cindy’s autism-related behaviors manifest themselves in inflexible interactions that systematically lead to her exclusion. This study emphasizes that storytelling is a fundamental tool that girls use to socialize with one another, which has implications for autism intervention practices.
Juvenile offenders' perceptions of probation officers as social workers in Hong Kong
Authors: Chui Wing Hong , Chan Heng Choon (Oliver)
Published: March 2013

There is virtually no information available on how juvenile offenders perceive the role of Hong Kong probation officers as social workers. This study explores 113 male juvenile probationers' perceptions of their probation officers and the probation service. Drawing from the existing literature, scales are developed to measure both domains.

Findings

These juvenile probationers generally perceived their probation officer as relatively authoritarian or punitive. Interestingly, juveniles supervised by females perceived officers to be more authoritarian or punitive than those supervised by males. Using exploratory factor analyses, two scales, Perceptions of the Assigned Probation Officer (PAPO) and Perceptions of the Job Nature of Probation Officers (PJNPO) are developed. An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis shows that probation officers are perceived to be more authoritarian or punitive by older juveniles and those supervised by females.

Applications

These juvenile probationers’ perceptions are generally inconsistent with the operational objectives of the Hong Kong probation system, whereby probation officers are expected to be rehabilitative agents who facilitate community reintegration. Continuing civic education for young people, with an emphasis on providing accurate information about the probation system and the role of officers, would be desirable. Probation officers may also consider adopting the pro-social modeling approach that emphasizes pro-social values and behaviors in their interaction with probationers. Most importantly, a genuine working relationship between probation officers and probationers should be established. The supervision plan should be tailored to individuals' needs and capabilities, with a mutually-agreed outcome of crime desistance.
When culture and learning styles matter: A Canadian university with Middle-Eastern students
Authors: Lemke-Westcott Tracey , Johnson Brad
Published: March 2013

Transnational branch campuses of universities are a growing phenomenon, particularly in the Middle-East. The cultures of home institutions and host countries are often foreign to each other. The result is a cultural and learning style gap between faculty and students impacting students’ learning and teachers’ effectiveness. A pilot study of the University of Calgary, at its Canadian branch campus located in Qatar, looks at the differences in learning styles between faculty who are predominantly from Canada and students predominantly from Qatar.
Bridging the gap of knowledge and action: A case for participatory action research (PAR)
Authors: Khan Kausar S , Bawani Sohail Amir Ali , Aziz Ayesha
Published: March 2013

What is the purpose of knowledge? Is it an end product only, or a means for action for change? Who is expected to take action – the researcher, research subjects, both, or some unknown others who may come across the knowledge produced? The larger question then is: is it health research, or research for health, equity and development? This article raises these concerns in context of a study conducted in Pakistan entitled Women’s Empowerment in Muslim Contexts (WEMC). This article argues that participatory action research (PAR) provides a bridge to the separation of knowledge and action. It proposes, especially, in resource poor countries, combining health research with Paolo Freire’s view of participation and change; and sees action by research participants as an outcome of the development of their critical consciousness.
Provider Guidance for Linking Patients to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Interventions
Authors: Amico K. Rivet , Zuniga José M. , Wilson Ira B. , Gross Robert , Young Benjamin
Published: March 2013

High, persistent levels of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence are generally required to achieve sustained virologic suppression. Recently published global guidelines on entry into and retention in care and ART adherence include recommendations for monitoring and supporting ART adherence as a standard part of HIV clinical management. Several tools to facilitate the dissemination and implementation of these evidence-based guidelines are under development. A pocket-size Guidelines Regimen Information Program (GRIP) guide was recently developed as a quick reference tool to summarize high impact, strong evidence-based recommendations and to provide a validated single assessment item for use in collecting self-reported adherence estimations from patients as part of standard clinical care. The tool’s development and intended use are reviewed and additional recommendations provided to facilitate a brief clinician–patient discussion to link patients to appropriate resources, strategies, or programs. Limitations of the tool and scenarios to avoid are also discussed. With a sizable proportion of individuals on ART trying to achieve or sustain sufficiently high rates of adherence, proactive monitoring of ART adherence and linkage of patients to needed resources is a critical component of high-quality HIV care. The quick reference GRIP guide is intended to be a part of a larger package of approaches to identify patients in need of adherence support regardless of current viral load and to help providers link patients with the available resources.
Race and Power
Authors: Bennett Jamie
Published: March 2013

Race and prisons are deeply intertwined in England and Wales and in other countries. Minority groups not only are overrepresented but also experience the weight and pain of imprisonment more acutely. However, democratic therapeutic community prisons such as HMP Grendon in the United Kingdom offer an alternative to mainstream imprisonment, using communal living as a means to explore psychotherapeutic issues in a humane and effective way. The primary aim of this article is to explore the potential and limitations of prison-based therapeutic communities in responding to individual needs and the wider structural constraints that shape race and ethnicity in contemporary society. The article sets out the context in which these communities operate, in particular the ways in which both prisons and clinical practice are implicated in the flow of racialized power. The article goes on to discuss the features of therapeutic communities that can challenge, confront, disentangle, and reorder aspects of power, inequality, and identity. The article concludes that while therapeutic communities do not provide a utopian answer to the structural problems of race and power, they do offer the potential for a more sensitive internal environment and enable individuals to act with conscious and considered agency in their own lives.
Add-on omalizumab in children with severe allergic asthma: a 1-year real life survey
Authors: Deschildre Antoine , Marguet Christophe , Salleron Julia , Pin Isabelle , Rittié Jean-Luc , Derelle Jocelyne , Taam Rola Abou , Fayon Mickael , Brouard Jacques , Dubus Jean Christophe , Siret Daniel , Weiss Laurence , Pouessel Guillaume , Beghin Laurent , Just Jocelyne
Published: March 2013

Omalizumab has been shown to reduce exacerbation rates in moderate to severe allergic asthma. Our aim was to evaluate omalizumab efficacy and safety in a real-life setting in severe asthmatic children.

104 children (aged 6–18 years), followed up in paediatric pulmonary tertiary care centres, were included at the beginning of omalizumab treatment. Asthma control levels, exacerbations, inhaled corticosteroid dose, lung function and adverse events were evaluated over 1 year.

Children were characterised by allergic sensitisation to three or more allergens (66%), high IgE levels (mean 1125 kU·L−1), high rate of exacerbations (4.4 per year) and healthcare use during the previous year, and high inhaled corticosteroid dose (mean 703 μg equivalent fluticasone per day). Asthma control levels defined as good, partial or poor, improved from 0%, 18% and 82% at entry to 53%, 30% and 17% at week 20, and to 67%, 25% and 8% at week 52, respectively (p<0.0001). Exacerbation and hospitalisation rates dropped by 72% and 88.5%, respectively. At 12 months, forced expiratory volume in 1 s improved by 4.9% (p=0.023), and inhaled corticosteroid dose decreased by 30% (p<0.001). Six patients stopped omalizumab for related significant adverse events.

Omalizumab improved asthma control in children with severe allergic asthma and was generally well tolerated. The observed benefit was greater than that reported in clinical trials.
The fibroproliferative response in acute respiratory distress syndrome: mechanisms and clinical significance
Authors: Burnham Ellen L. , Janssen William J. , Riches David W.H. , Moss Marc , Downey Gregory P.
Published: March 2013

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) continues to be a major healthcare problem, affecting >190 000 people in the USA annually, with a mortality of 27–45%, depending on the severity of the illness and comorbidities. Despite advances in clinical care, particularly lung protective strategies of mechanical ventilation, most survivors experience impaired health-related quality of life for years after the acute illness. While most patients survive the acute illness, a subset of ARDS survivors develops a fibroproliferative response characterised by fibroblast accumulation and deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the lung.

Historically, the development of severe fibroproliferative lung disease has been associated with a poor prognosis with high mortality and/or prolonged ventilator dependence. More recent studies also support a relationship between the magnitude of the fibroproliferative response and long-term health-related quality of life. The factors that determine which patients develop fibroproliferative ARDS and the cellular mechanisms responsible for this pathological response are not well understood.

This article reviews our current understanding of the contribution of pulmonary dysfunction to mortality and to quality of life in survivors of ARDS, the mechanisms driving pathological fibroproliferation and potential therapeutic approaches to prevent or attenuate fibroproliferative lung disease.
Production of capsular polysaccharide does not influence Staphylococcus aureusvancomycin susceptibility
Authors: Jansen Andrea , Szekat Christiane , Schröder Wiebke , Wolz Christiane , Goerke Christiane , Lee Jean C , Türck Michael , Bierbaum Gabriele
Published: March 2013

Background

Diverse mechanisms (increased cell wall thickness, low cross linking, decreased autolysis, etc.) have been reported for Staphylococcus aureus strains with intermediate vancomycin susceptibility (VISA). This study was conducted to identify common mechanisms responsible for decreased vancomycin susceptibility in a VISA strain pair.

Results

Transcriptional profiling of the clinical heterogeneous VISA isolate SA137/93A and its spontaneous homogeneous mutant strain SA137/93G pointed to an increased capsule production in the strain pair compared to a susceptible control. Furthermore, transcript quantification of the gene cap5E, which is essential for capsule biosynthesis, revealed elevated levels in the VISA strains SA137/93A, SA137/93G and Mu50 in comparison with susceptible strains Reynolds, Newman and SA1450/94. The increased expression was observed in bacteria from exponential as well as stationary growth phase. However, suppression of type 5 capsule formation by expression of antisense RNA did not increase vancomycin susceptibility in the VISA strain SA137/93G. Likewise, construction of inducible mutants of S. aureus Newman or repair of capsule biosynthesis of S. aureus HG001 and S. aureus 1450/94 did not influence resistance to vancomycin. Furthermore, purified type 5 polysaccharide did not protect indicator strains from the action of vancomycin.

Conclusions

The VISA strain tested in this study displayed an increased production of type 5 capsular polysaccharide. However, the production of capsule material did not protect strain SA137/93G and three vancomycin sensitive strains in the presence of vancomycin and thus is not part of the resistance mechanism; however it may represent a by-product of VISA life style that is often characterized by a high sigma factor B activity.
Two new families with hereditary minimal change disease
Authors: Chehade Hassib , Cachat Francois , Girardin Eric , Rotman Samuel , Correia Antonio Jorge , Fellmann Florence , Bonny Olivier
Published: March 2013

Background

Steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (SSINS) is most often encountered in sporadic cases of minimal change disease (MCD). Only rare cases of familial forms of MCD have been reported and most of them only in one generation. The scarcity of data has precluded unraveling the underlying genetic defect and candidate gene approaches have been unsuccessful. Here we report two families with related SSINS cases and review the related literature.

Case presentation

Two siblings and a cousin (first family), and a father and his son (second family), are reported with SSINS due to MCD. Patients have been followed up for more than 12 years and a renal biopsy was performed in three cases, demonstrating typical features of MCD. The course of the disease was remarkable because of several relapses treated with steroids. In three cases, mycophenolate mofetil or cyclosporine was added.

Conclusion

Familial SSINS due to MCD is extremely rare and no genetic defect has been identified so far. Reporting cases of hereditary MCD will allow further genetic studies which will ultimately help unravel the molecular basis of this disease.
Multiple socioeconomic determinants of weight gain: the Helsinki Health Study
Authors: Loman Tina , Lallukka Tea , Laaksonen Mikko , Rahkonen Ossi , Lahelma Eero
Published: March 2013

Background

Socioeconomic differences in weight gain have been found, but several socioeconomic determinants have not been simultaneously studied using a longitudinal design. The aim of this study was to examine multiple socioeconomic determinants of weight gain.

Methods

Mail surveys were conducted in 2000–2002 among 40 to 60-year old employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n = 8 960, response rate 67%). A follow-up survey was conducted among the baseline respondents in 2007 with a mean follow-up of 5 to 7 years (n = 7 332, response rate 83%). The outcome measure was weight gain of 5 kg or more over the follow-up. Socioeconomic position was measured by parental education, childhood economic difficulties, own education, occupational class, household income, home ownership and current economic difficulties. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted adjusting simultaneously for all covariates in the final model.

Results

Of women 27% and of men 24% gained 5 kg or more in weight over the follow-up. Among women, after adjusting for age, baseline weight and all socioeconomic determinants, those with basic (OR 1.40 95% CI 1.11-1.76) or intermediate education (OR 1.43 95% CI 1.08-1.90), renters (OR 1.18 95% CI 1.03-1.36) and those with occasional (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.03-1.38) or frequent (OR 1.50 95% CI 1.26-1.79) economic difficulties had increased risk of weight gain. Among men, after full adjustment, having current frequent economic difficulties (OR 1.70 95% CI 1.15-2.49) remained associated with weight gain.

Conclusions

Current economic difficulties among both women and men, and among women low education and renting, were associated with weight gain. Prevention of weight gain among ageing people would benefit from focusing in particular on those with economic difficulties.
Changes in bone marrow lesions in response to weight-loss in obese knee osteoarthritis patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Gudbergsen Henrik , Boesen Mikael , Christensen Robin , Bartels Else Marie , Henriksen Marius , Danneskiold-Samsøe Bente , Bliddal Henning
Published: March 2013

Background

Patients are susceptible for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with increasing age and obesity and KOA is expected to become a major disabling disease in the future. An important feature of KOA on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is changes in the subchondral bone, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), which are related to the future degeneration of the knee joint as well as prevalent clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in BMLs after a 16-week weight-loss period in obese subjects with KOA and relate changes in BMLs to the effects of weight-loss on clinical symptoms.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, an age ≥ 50 years and primary KOA. Patients underwent a 16 weeks supervised diet program which included formula products and dietetic counselling (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00655941). BMLs in tibia and femur were assessed on MRI before and after the weight-loss using the Boston-Leeds Osteoarthritis Knee Score. Response to weight-loss in BML scores was dichotomised to patients experiencing a decrease in BML scores (responders) and patients who did not (non-responders). The association of BMLs to weight-loss was assessed by logistic regressions and correlation analyses.

Results

39 patients (23%) were classified as responders in the sum of all BML size scores whereas 130 patients (77%) deteriorated or remained stable and were categorized as non-responders. Logistic regression analyses revealed no association between weight-loss < or ≥ 10% and response in BMLs in the most affected compartment (OR 1.86 [CI 0.66 to 5.26, p=0.24]). There was no association between weight-loss and response in maximum BML score (OR 1.13 [CI 0.39 to 3.28, p=0.81]). The relationship between changes in BMLs and clinical symptoms revealed that an equal proportion of patients classified as BML responders and non-responders experienced an OMERACT-OARSI response (69 vs. 71%, p=0.86).

Conclusions

Weight-loss did not improve the sum of tibiofemoral BML size scores or the maximum tibiofemoral BML score, suggesting that BMLs do not respond to a rapidly decreased body weight. The missing relationship between clinical symptoms and BMLs calls for further investigation.
Scapular deformity in obstetric brachial plexus palsy and the Hueter-Volkmann law; a retrospective study
Authors: van Gelein Vitringa Valerie M , van Royen Barend J , van der Sluijs Johannes A
Published: March 2013

Background

The Hueter-Volkmann law describes growth principles around joints and joint deformation. It states that decreased stress leads to increased growth and that excessive stress leads to growth retardation. Aim of this study was to test the possible results of this principle by measuring the effect of dorsal humeral head subluxation on scapular growth in children with Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Lesions (OBPL). According to the Hueter-Volkmann law, subluxation should result in decrease of growth of the dorsal length of the scapula (by increased dorsal pressure) and increase of the ventral length (decreased pressure).

Methods

58 children (mean age 20 months, range 1-88 month) with unilateral OBPL and good quality MRI of both shoulders were included. On MRI, humeral head subluxation, joint deformation, and ventral and dorsal scapular lengths were measured. Data were expressed as a ratio of the normal side.

Results

In affected scapulas both ventral and dorsal side were smaller compared to the normal side. Reduction of growth on the affected side was more marked on the dorsal side than on the ventral side (6.5 mm respectively 4.5 mm, p < 0.001). The balance of growth reduction as expressed by the ratio of ventral and dorsal length was strongly related to subluxation (R2 = 0.33, p < 0.001) and age (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The Hueter-Volkmann law is incompletely active in subluxated shoulders in OBPL. Dorsal subluxation indeed leads to decrease of growth of the dorsal length of the scapula. However, decreased stress did not lead to increased growth of the ventral length of the scapula.
Disturbance of DNA conformation by the binding of testosterone-based platinum drugs via groove-face and intercalative interactions: a molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Cui Shanshan , Wang Yan , Chen Guangju
Published: March 2013

Background

To explore novel platinum-based anticancer agents that are distinct from the structure and interaction mode of the traditional cisplatin by forming the bifunctional intrastrand 1,2 GpG adduct, the monofunctional platinum + DNA adducts with extensive non-covalent interactions had been studied. It was reported that the monofunctional testosterone-based platinum(II) agents present the high anticancer activity. Moreover, it was also found that the testosterone-based platinum agents could cause the DNA helix to undergo significant unwinding and bending over the non-testosterone-based platinum agents. However, the interaction mechanisms of these platinum agents with DNA at the atomic level are not yet clear so far.

Results

In the present work, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and DNA conformational dynamics calculations to study the DNA distortion properties of the testosterone-based platinum + DNA, the improved testosterone-based platinum + DNA and the non-testosterone-based platinum + DNA adducts. The results show that the intercalative interaction of the improved flexible testosterone-based platinum agent with DNA molecule could cause larger DNA conformational distortion than the groove-face interaction of the rigid testosterone-based platinum agent with DNA molecule. Further investigations for the non-testosterone-based platinum agent reveal the occurrence of insignificant change of DNA conformation due to the absence of testosterone ligand in such agent. Based on the DNA dynamics analysis, the DNA base motions relating to DNA groove parameter changes and hydrogen bond destruction of DNA base pairs were also discussed in this work.

Conclusions

The flexible linker in the improved testosterone-based platinum agent causes an intercalative interaction with DNA in the improved testosterone-based platinum + DNA adduct, which is different from the groove-face interaction caused by a rigid linker in the testosterone-based platinum agent. The present investigations provide useful information of DNA conformation affected by a testosterone-based platinum complex at the atomic level.
Expression of serum miR-20a-5p, let-7a, and miR-320a and their correlations with pepsinogen in atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer: a case–control study
Authors: Xu Qian , Dong Qi-Guan , Sun Li-ping , He Cai-yun , Yuan Yuan
Published: March 2013

Background

The identification of serial miRNAs targeting the same functional gastric protein could provide new and effective serological biomarkers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of miR-20a-5p, let-7a and miR-320a in the diagnosis of AG or GC and the correlation of the three miRNAs with their predicted target molecules PGA, PGC and PGA/PGC ratio.

Methods

The total of 291 patients included 103 controls (CON), 94 with atrophic gastritis (AG) and 94 with GC. The levels of serum miRNAs were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and serum pepsinogen A (PGA) and C (PGC) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

Serum miR-320a level decreased through the controls, AG and GC groups which were the cascades of GC development, while there were no significant differences in levels of miR-20a-5p and let-7a among the controls, AG and GC groups. When stratified by gender and age, serum miR-320a expression was lower in female GC patients than in controls (p = 0.035), especially in female GC patients older than 60 years (p = 0.008). For distinguishing female GC patients aged over 60, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for miR-320a was 0.699, and the best cut-off point was 4.76 with a sensitivity of 65.2% and specificity of 68.2%. Concerning the correlations between the selected miR-20a-5p, let-7a, miR-320a and PGs, we found that there were positive correlations between all the three and the ratio of PGA/PGC (r = 0.408, 0.255, 0.324; p = <0.001, 0.009, 0.001, respectively), but there was no relationship between the expression of serum miR-20a-5p and its predicted target PGA, or between let-7a and miR-320a and their predicted target PGC. Serum miR-320a was decreased and PGC was increased in the GC group compared with the control group.

Conclusions

Levels of serum miR-320a were lower in female GC patients older than 60 than in controls, which may provide a potential valuable marker for diagnosing older women with GC. The levels of serum miR-20a-5p, let-7a and miR-320a were positively correlated with PGA/PGC, which may indirectly reflect the functional status of the gastric mucosa.
The 3T3-L1 adipocyte glycogen proteome
Authors: Stapleton David , Nelson Chad , Parsawar Krishna , Flores-Opazo Marcelo , McClain Donald , Parker Glendon
Published: March 2013

Background

Glycogen is a branched polysaccharide of glucose residues, consisting of α-1-4 glycosidic linkages with α-1-6 branches that together form multi-layered particles ranging in size from 30 nm to 300 nm. Glycogen spatial conformation and intracellular organization are highly regulated processes. Glycogen particles interact with their metabolizing enzymes and are associated with a variety of proteins that intervene in its biology, controlling its structure, particle size and sub-cellular distribution. The function of glycogen in adipose tissue is not well understood but appears to have a pivotal role as a regulatory mechanism informing the cells on substrate availability for triacylglycerol synthesis. To provide new molecular insights into the role of adipocyte glycogen we analyzed the glycogen-associated proteome from differentiated 3T3-L1-adipocytes.

Results

Glycogen particles from 3T3-L1-adipocytes were purified using a series of centrifugation steps followed by specific elution of glycogen bound proteins using α-1,4 glucose oligosaccharides, or maltodextrins, and tandem mass spectrometry. We identified regulatory proteins, 14-3-3 proteins, RACK1 and protein phosphatase 1 glycogen targeting subunit 3D. Evidence was also obtained for a regulated subcellular distribution of the glycogen particle: metabolic and mitochondrial proteins were abundant. Unlike the recently analyzed hepatic glycogen proteome, no endoplasmic proteins were detected, along with the recently described starch-binding domain protein 1. Other regulatory proteins which have previously been described as glycogen-associated proteins were not detected, including laforin, the AMPK beta-subunit and protein targeting to glycogen (PTG).

Conclusions

These data provide new molecular insights into the regulation of glycogen-bound proteins that are associated with the maintenance, organization and localization of the adipocyte glycogen particle.
Color-tunable up-conversion emission in Y2O3:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles prepared by polymer complex solution method
Authors: Lojpur Vesna M , Ahrenkiel Phillip S , Dramićanin Miroslav D
Published: March 2013

Powders of Y2O3 co-doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ composed of well-crystallized nanoparticles (30 to 50 nm in diameter) with no adsorbed ligand species on their surface are prepared by polymer complex solution method. These powders exhibit up-conversion emission upon 978-nm excitation with a color that can be tuned from green to red by changing the Yb3+/Er3+ concentration ratio. The mechanism underlying up-conversion color changes is presented along with material structural and optical properties.

PACS

42.70.-a, 78.55.Hx, 78.60.-b
Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of ZnO nanowires/graphene oxide heterostructures
Authors: Zeng Huidan , Cao Ying , Xie Shufan , Yang Junhe , Tang Zhihong , Wang Xianying , Sun Luyi
Published: March 2013

Large-scale vertically aligned ZnO nanowires with high crystal qualities were fabricated on thin graphene oxide films via a low temperature hydrothermal method. Room temperature photoluminescence results show that the ultraviolet emission of nanowires grown on graphene oxide films was greatly enhanced and the defect-related visible emission was suppressed, which can be attributed to the improved crystal quality and possible electron transfer between ZnO and graphene oxide. Electrochemical property measurement results demonstrated that the ZnO nanowires/graphene oxide have large integral area of cyclic voltammetry loop, indicating that such heterostructure is promising for application in supercapacitors.
Quantitative proteomics for identifying biomarkers for Rabies
Authors: Venugopal Abhilash K , Ghantasala S Sameer Kumar , Selvan Lakshmi Dhevi N , Mahadevan Anita , Renuse Santosh , Kumar Praveen , Pawar Harsh , Sahasrabhuddhe Nandini A , Suja Mooriyath S , Ramachandra Yarappa L , Prasad Thottethodi S Keshava , Madhusudhana Shampur N , HC Harsha , Chaerkady Raghothama , Satishchandra Parthasarathy , Pandey Akhilesh , Shankar Susarla K
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Rabies is a fatal acute viral disease of the central nervous system, which is a serious public health problem in Asian and African countries. Based on the clinical presentation, rabies can be classified into encephalitic (furious) or paralytic (numb) rabies. Early diagnosis of this disease is particularly important as rabies is invariably fatal if adequate post exposure prophylaxis is not administered immediately following the bite.

Methods

In this study, we carried out a quantitative proteomic analysis of the human brain tissue from cases of encephalitic and paralytic rabies along with normal human brain tissues using an 8-plex isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) strategy.

Results and conclusion

We identified 402 proteins, of which a number of proteins were differentially expressed between encephalitic and paralytic rabies, including several novel proteins. The differentially expressed molecules included karyopherin alpha 4 (KPNA4), which was overexpressed only in paralytic rabies, calcium calmodulin dependent kinase 2 alpha (CAMK2A), which was upregulated in paralytic rabies group and glutamate ammonia ligase (GLUL), which was overexpressed in paralytic as well as encephalitic rabies. We validated two of the upregulated molecules, GLUL and CAMK2A, by dot blot assays and further validated CAMK2A by immunohistochemistry. These molecules need to be further investigated in body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid in a larger cohort of rabies cases to determine their potential use as antemortem diagnostic biomarkers in rabies. This is the first study to systematically profile clinical subtypes of human rabies using an iTRAQ quantitative proteomics approach.
Avian leukosis virus subgroup J associated with the outbreak of erythroblastosis in chickens in China
Authors: Wang Guihua , Jiang Yanping , Yu Linin , Wang Yue , Zhao Xiaomin , Cheng Ziqiang
Published: March 2013

Background

Emaciation, depression and lethargy were observed in two flocks of Chinese local breed and one flock of commercial layer chicken infected naturally from 2010 to 2011. The aims of this study were to diagnose.

Methods and results

Gross observation showed that severe enlargement of liver, spleen and kidney, and hemorrhage of thymus, muscle and glandular stomach in all submitted birds. The liver and lung of one flock had diffuse, multifocal white raised foci on the surface as well as on the cut-surface. Numerous erythrocytoblasts with bigger volume, basophilic cytoplasm and round nucleus were observed in blood and bone marrow smears. The same erythrocytoblasts were also found crowded in blood vessels and mesenchym of tissues by histological examination, and some had mitotic figures. PCR results showed that three flocks were positive for ALV-J with specific fragment of 924 bp, negative for AEV, ALV-A, ALV-B, Marek’s disease virus (MDV) and Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that cytoplasm of histiocytes and erythrocytoblasts in lung and spleen sections was positive for ALV-J antigen.

Conclusion

These data demonstrated that erythroblastosis was all induced by ALV-J in the three different flocks. This is the first document report of erythroblastosis induced by ALV-J in China flocks.
Study of Optimal Replacement of Thyroxine in the ElDerly (SORTED): protocol for a mixed methods feasibility study to assess the clinical utility of lower dose thyroxine in elderly hypothyroid patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wilkes Scott , Pearce Simon , Ryan Vicky , Rapley Tim , Ingoe Lorna , Razvi Salman
Published: March 2013

Background

The population of the UK is ageing. There is compelling evidence that thyroid stimulating hormone distribution levels increase with age. Currently, in UK clinical practice elderly hypothyroid patients are treated with levothyroxine to lower their thyroid stimulating hormone levels to a standard non-age-related range. Evidence suggests that mortality is negatively associated with thyroid stimulating hormone levels. We report the protocol of a feasibility study working towards a full-scale randomized controlled trial to test whether lower dose levothyroxine has beneficial cardiovascular outcomes in the oldest old.

Methods/design

SORTED is a mixed methods study with three components:

SORTED A: A feasibility study of a dual-center single-blinded randomized controlled trial of elderly hypothyroid patients currently treated with levothyroxine.

Setting: Patients will be recruited from 20 general practices and two hospital trust endocrine units in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear.

Participants: Target recruitment of 50 elderly hypothyroid patients currently treated with levothyroxine, identified in both primary and secondary care settings.

Intervention: Reduced dose of levothyroxine to achieve an elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (target range 4.1 to 8.0 mU/L) versus standard levothyroxine replacement (target range 0.4 to 4.0 mU/L).

Randomization: Using random permuted blocks, in a ratio of 1:1, randomization will be carried out by Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit.

Outcomes: Study feasibility (recruitment and retention rates and medication compliance), acceptability of the trial design, assessment of mobility and falls risk, and change in cardiovascular risk factors.

SORTED B: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews to understand patients’ willingness to take part in a randomized controlled trial and participants’ experience of the intervention.

SORTED C: Retrospective cohort study of 400 treated hypothyroid patients aged 80 years or over registered in 2008 in primary care practices, studying their 4-year cardiovascular outcomes to inform the power of SORTED II.

Discussion

This is a study to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial in elderly hypothyroid patients in general practice and hospital settings. The results will inform the design of the definitive SORTED II trial to evaluate the effects of lower dose thyroxine in elderly hypothyroid patients.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN16043724