bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-operative and Post-Operative Alpha Angles are Significant Independent Predictors of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures at Two Years After Hip Arthroscopy
Authors: Lansdown Drew A. , Kunze Kyle , Ukwuani Gift , Waterman Brian Robert , Neal William H. , Nho Shane Jay
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

Residual impingement after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a common cause for re-operation; however, the relationship between preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters and patient-reported outcomes has not been defined.

Methods:

749 consecutive patients were reviewed two years after primary hip arthroscopy. Patients undergoing revision surgery were excluded. Pre-operative and post-operative radiographs were analyzed to measure the alpha angle on standardized anteroposterior (AP) pelvis, Dunn-lateral, and false profile (FP) views and anterior and lateral center-edge angles (ACEA, LCEA). Univariate analysis evaluated the association between demographic variables, radiographic measures and hip outcome scores (Hip Outcome Score (HOS)-Activities of Daily Living (ADL), HOS-Sports Specific (SS), and Modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS)). Multivariate modeling was subsequently performed. Significance was defined as p<0.05.

Results:

706 patients with mean age of 33.2±12.3 years and mean BMI 25.1± 5kg/m2 were included for final analysis. The alpha angle on the AP, Dunn-lateral, and FP views and the ACEA and LCEA decreased after surgery (p<0.001 for all). Significant univariate correlations with the postoperative HOS-ADL included age, BMI, pre-operative AP, FP, and Dunn and postoperative FP alpha angles. Postoperative HOS-SS was correlated with age, BMI, medial post-operative joint space width (JSW), pre-operative AP, FP, and Dunn and postoperative FP alpha angles, and pre-operative and post-operative (ACEA). Postoperative mHHS correlated with age, BMI, post-operative lateral JSW, pre-operative AP, FP, and Dunn and postoperative FP and Dunn alpha angles, and post-operative ACEA. Multivariate modeling (Table 2) demonstrated that preoperative and postoperative FP alpha angles were independent predictors of postoperative outcomes.

Conclusion:

Pre-operative and post-operative alpha angles were negatively correlated with the HOS-ADL, HOS-SS, and mHHS at 2 years after arthroscopic surgery for FAI. Specifically, pre-operative and postoperative FP alpha angles were independent predictors of postoperative outcomes. These results highlight the importance of resecting anterior cam lesions to prevent residual impingement and inferior outcomes. [Table: see text]
Simulating Operational Complexities: A Hands-On Experiential Exercise With Laundry
Authors: Criscione-Naylor Noel
Published: July 2018

Responding to change is a critical workforce competency and an essential skill for effective leadership and management along with abilities to work in a group, problem solve, and demonstrate critical thinking capabilities. In this experiential exercise, students collaborate in groups, think critically, and respond to customer demands in a fast-paced, competitive, and complex environment while trying to execute process tasks associated with running a laundry facility. Students search and retrieve products (sheets), complete operational processes (associated with preparing clean sheets), and react to customer requests (changes in supply and demand). This exercise can be used to support and emphasize continuous improvement, group performance, change management, problem solving, and critical thinking.
The Chinese Communist Party’s integration policy towards private business and its effectiveness: An analysis of the Ninth National Survey of Chinese Private Enterprises
Authors: Ma Jun , He Xuan
Published: July 2018

Since the Chinese economic reform, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has gradually moved toward a separation of the party-state from society, manifested in the withdrawal of party power from many areas of society and the growing new power of private enterprises. The CPC has actively reformed itself as it has evolved from a revolutionary party into a governing party. The party’s support of and collaboration with private enterprises, a powerful and indispensable force in the Chinese economy, is a good example of such a change. Instead of focusing on political acceptance and organizational infiltration as most of the existing studies have done, this paper examines the political incorporation of the CPC’s integration policy towards private enterprises. Theoretical analysis, supported by case studies, indicates that the relationship between the ruling party and private businesses is not, contrary to common understanding, unidirectional absorption and penetration by the Party. Instead, it is an interdependent and mutually beneficial relationship. A further empirical examination of the Ninth National Survey of Private Enterprises confirms that private businesses that have set up CPC organizations or have owners who are themselves CPC members identify more strongly with the ruling party policies and are more active in production expansion and long-term growth. It appears that the CPC’s integration policy towards private enterprises has effectively utilized both ‘top-down’ organizational infiltration and ‘bottom-up’ political integration. In doing so, the CPC maintains its control over private enterprises. Not only does it consolidate the governing legitimacy of the Party, it also enables private businesses to fulfil its social function. The policy helps the Party successfully prevent the formation of non-institutionalized powers outside the system.
Organizational working time regimes: Drivers, consequences and attempts to change patterns of excessive working hours
Authors: Blagoev Blagoy , Muhr Sara Louise , Ortlieb Renate , Schreyögg Georg
Published: July 2018

A 40-hour working week is the norm in Europe, yet some organizations require 60 or more working hours and in investment banks an alarming 120-hour weeks are known to be worked. What is more, these organizations often require workers to be permanently on call and demonstrate high production rates. Consequences of such practices include frazzled employees, with their families’ and their own health under pressure. This article introduces our special issue of the German Journal of Human Resource Management. It tackles the many reasons behind excessive work hours and failed attempts to change working time arrangements in organizations. It first identifies three core ideas in previous research, namely the dispersed nature of regimes of excessive working hours, their high levels of persistence and their constitution at multiple levels of analysis. It then summarizes the contributions in this special issue. Finally, it proposes avenues for future research, such as focusing on the genesis and the historicity of organizational working time regimes, studying the interrelation of factors across multiple levels of analysis, and probing new theories to explain the extreme persistence of excessive working hours. The overarching aim of our special issue in this core area of human resource management is to contribute to an understanding of organizational working time regimes and the tenacity of excessive working hours in an effort to deepen our knowledge of how to change them.
Perspectives in Treatments of End-Stage Ankle Arthritis Among Orthopaedic Surgeons
Authors: Phisitkul Phinit , Glass Natalie , Ebeling Patrick B. , Klein Sandra E. , Johnson Jeffrey E.
Published: July 2018

Background:

This study aimed to assess the preferred operative treatment for patients over the age of 60 with end-stage ankle arthritis and perspectives on total ankle replacement (TAR) among American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) members. Associated factors were analyzed for potential contraindications among members with different levels of experience.

Method:

A questionnaire containing 6 questions was designed and sent to 2056 members of the AOFAS. Responses were received from 467 orthopaedic surgeons practicing in the United States (76%), Canada (5%), and 26 other countries (20%). Participants were grouped for response comparisons according to country as well as experience level. Differences in contraindications were compared using χ2 tests or exact tests.

Results:

Respondents practicing in the United States and surgeons who perform 11 or more TARs per year tended to recommend operative treatments favoring TAR and displayed recognition of its increasing role ( P < .05). Overall, respondents felt that 41% of typical patients over 60 years old with end-stage arthritis would be best treated with TAR. Talus avascular necrosis, morbid obesity (body mass index >40 kg/m2), and poorly controlled diabetes with neuropathy were most recognized as the absolute contraindications to TAR. Surgeon’s experience affected the consideration of these clinical factors as contraindications.

Conclusions:

Total ankle replacement has a substantial and increasing role in the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis in patients over the age of 60. Absolute and potential contraindications of the procedures were indicated from a cross-sectional survey of AOFAS members. Surgeons more experienced with total ankle replacement felt more comfortable employing it in a wider range of clinical settings.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, therapeutic.
Chlorogenic Acid: The Conceivable Chemosensitizer Leading to Cancer Growth Suppression
Authors: Lukitasari Mifetika , Nugroho Dwi Adi , Widodo Nashi
Published: July 2018

New paradigm in cancer pathogenesis revealed that microenvironmental conditions significantly contribute to cancer. Hence, Warburg stated that cancer is a metabolic disease. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a polyphenol that is found abundantly in coffee. This compound has proven ability in ameliorating some metabolic diseases through various pathways. This article will elaborate the potency of CGA as a chemosensitizer in suppressing tumor growth through a metabolic pathway. AMPK pathway is the main cell metabolic pathway that is activated by CGA in some studies. Moreover, CGA inhibited EGFR/PI3K/mTOR, HIF, VEGF pathways and MAPK/ERK pathway that may suppress tumor cell growth. Furthermore, CGA induced intracellular DNA damage and topoisomerase I- and II-DNA complexes formation that plays a key role in apoptosis. Conclusively, based on the ability of CGA in activate and inhibit some important pathways in cancer metabolism, it may act as a chemosensitizing agent leading to cancer growth suppression.
ERS/EACTS statement on the management of malignant pleural effusions
Authors: Bibby Anna C. , Dorn Patrick , Psallidas Ioannis , Porcel Jose M. , Janssen Julius , Froudarakis Marios , Subotic Dragan , Astoul Phillippe , Licht Peter , Schmid Ralph , Scherpereel Arnaud , Rahman Najib M. , Cardillo Giuseppe , Maskell Nick A.
Published: July 2018

Malignant pleural effusions (MPE) are a common pathology, treated by respiratory physicians and thoracic surgeons alike. In recent years, several well-designed randomised clinical trials have been published that have changed the landscape of MPE management. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) established a multidisciplinary collaboration of clinicians with expertise in the management of MPE with the aim of producing a comprehensive review of the scientific literature.

Six areas of interest were identified, including the optimum management of symptomatic MPE, management of trapped lung in MPE, management of loculated MPE, prognostic factors in MPE, whether there is a role for oncological therapies prior to intervention for MPE and whether a histological diagnosis is always required in MPE.

The literature revealed that talc pleurodesis and indwelling pleural catheters effectively manage the symptoms of MPE. There was limited evidence regarding the management of trapped lung or loculated MPE. The LENT score was identified as a validated tool for predicting survival in MPE, with Brims' prognostic score demonstrating utility in mesothelioma prognostication. There was no evidence to support the use of oncological therapies as an alternative to MPE drainage, and the literature supported the use of tissue biopsy as the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Association between internal migration and epidemic dynamics: an analysis of cause-specific mortality in Kenya and South Africa using health and demographic surveillance data
Authors: Ginsburg Carren , Bocquier Philippe , Béguy Donatien , Afolabi Sulaimon , Kahn Kathleen , Obor David , Tanser Frank , Tomita Andrew , Wamukoya Marylene , Collinson Mark A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Many low- and middle-income countries are facing a double burden of disease with persisting high levels of infectious disease, and an increasing prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD). Within these settings, complex processes and transitions concerning health and population are underway, altering population dynamics and patterns of disease. Understanding the mechanisms through which changing socioeconomic and environmental contexts may influence health is central to developing appropriate public health policy. Migration, which involves a change in environment and health exposure, is one such mechanism.

Methods

This study uses Competing Risk Models to examine the relationship between internal migration and premature mortality from AIDS/TB and NCDs. The analysis employs 9 to 14 years of longitudinal data from four Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) of the INDEPTH Network located in Kenya and South Africa (populations ranging from 71 to 223 thousand). The study tests whether the mortality of migrants converges to that of non-migrants over the period of observation, controlling for age, sex and education level.

Results

In all four HDSS, AIDS/TB has a strong influence on overall deaths. However, in all sites the probability of premature death (45q15) due to AIDS/TB is declining in recent periods, having exceeded 0.39 in the South African sites and 0.18 in the Kenyan sites in earlier years. In general, the migration effect presents similar patterns in relation to both AIDS/TB and NCD mortality, and shows a migrant mortality disadvantage with no convergence between migrants and non-migrants over the period of observation. Return migrants to the Agincourt HDSS (South Africa) are on average four times more likely to die of AIDS/TB or NCDs than are non-migrants. In the Africa Health Research Institute (South Africa) female return migrants have approximately twice the risk of dying from AIDS/TB from the year 2004 onwards, while there is a divergence to higher AIDS/TB mortality risk amongst female migrants to the Nairobi HDSS from 2010.

Conclusion

Results suggest that structural socioeconomic issues, rather than epidemic dynamics are likely to be associated with differences in mortality risk by migrant status. Interventions aimed at improving recent migrant’s access to treatment may mitigate risk.
Emerging roles of Myc in stem cell biology and novel tumor therapies
Authors: Yoshida Go J.
Published: July 2018

The pathophysiological roles and the therapeutic potentials of Myc family are reviewed in this article. The physiological functions and molecular machineries in stem cells, including embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, are clearly described. The c-Myc/Max complex inhibits the ectopic differentiation of both types of artificial stem cells. Whereas c-Myc plays a fundamental role as a “double-edged sword” promoting both iPS cells generation and malignant transformation, L-Myc contributes to the nuclear reprogramming with the significant down-regulation of differentiation-associated genetic expression. Furthermore, given the therapeutic resistance of neuroendocrine tumors such as small-cell lung cancer and neuroblastoma, the roles of N-Myc in difficult-to-treat tumors are discussed. N-Myc-driven neuroendocrine tumors tend to highly express NEUROD1, thereby leading to the enhanced metastatic potential. Importantly enough, accumulating evidence strongly suggests that c-Myc can be a promising therapeutic target molecule among Myc family in terms of the biological characteristics of cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). The presence of CSCs leads to the intra-tumoral heterogeneity, which is mainly responsible for the therapeutic resistance. Mechanistically, it has been shown that Myc-induced epigenetic reprogramming enhances the CSC phenotypes. In this review article, the author describes two major therapeutic strategies of CSCs by targeting c-Myc; Firstly, Myc-dependent metabolic reprogramming is closely related to CD44 variant-dependent redox stress regulation in CSCs. It has been shown that c-Myc increases NADPH production via enhanced glutaminolysis with a finely-regulated mechanism. Secondly, the dormancy of CSCs due to FBW7-depedent c-Myc degradation pathway is also responsible for the therapeutic resistance to the conventional anti-tumor agents, the action points of which are largely dependent on the operation of the cell cycle. That is why the loss-of-functional mutations of FBW7 gene are expected to trigger “awakening” of dormant CSCs in the niche with c-Myc up-regulation. Collectively, although the further research is warranted to develop the effective anti-tumor therapeutic strategy targeting Myc family, we cancer researchers should always catch up with the current advances in the complex functions of Myc family in highly-malignant and heterogeneous tumor cells to realize the precision medicine.
Antibody-mediated oral delivery of therapeutic DNA for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cha Seungbin , Lee Sun Hwa , Kang Sung Hun , Hasan Mohammad Nazmul , Kim Young Jun , Cho Sungpil , Lee Yong-Kyu
Published: July 2018

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disease that involves uncontrolled elevation of blood glucose levels. Among various therapeutic approaches, GLP-1 prevents type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from experiencing hyperglycemic episodes. However, the short half-life (< 5 min) and rapid clearance of GLP-1 often limits its therapeutic use. Here, we developed an oral GLP-1 gene delivery system to achieve an extended antidiabetic effect.

Methods

Human IgG1 (hIgG1)-Fc-Arg/pDNA complexes were prepared by an electrostatic complexation of the expression plasmid with various ratios of the positively modified Fc fragments of an antibody (hIgG1-Fc-Arg) having a targeting ability to FcRn receptor. The shape and size of the complexes were examined by atomic force and field emission electron microscope. The stability of the complexes was tested in simulated gastrointestinal pH and physiological serum condition. Cellular uptake, transport, and toxicity of the complexes were tested in the Caco-2 cells. Biodistribution and antidiabetic effect of the complexes were observed in either Balb/c mice or Lep
db/db
mice.

Results

A 50/1 ratio of the hIgG1-Fc-Arg/pDNA produced a complex structure having approximately 40 ~ 60 nm size and also demonstrated protection of pDNA in the complex from the physiological pH and serum conditions. Cellular uptake and transport of the complex were demonstrated in Caco-2 cells having FcRn receptor expression and forming the monolayer-polarized structure. The cellular toxicity of both delivery vehicle and the complex revealed their minimal toxicity comparable with nontoxicity of a commercial transfection reagent. Biodistribution of the complex showed the detectable distribution of the complex in the most parts of gastrointestinal tract due to ubiquitous expression of the FcRn receptors. An in vivo type 2 diabetes treatment study of oral administration of hIgG1-Fc-9Arg/pGLP-1 complexes showed absorption and expression in GI tract of either Balb/c mice or Lep
db/db
mice.

Conclusion

In this study, we developed an oral GLP-1 gene delivery system on the platform of cationic hIgG1-Fc-9Arg. Prolonged t1/2, less immunoactivity, and better bioactivities of hIgG-Fc-9Arg/pGLP-1 complexes appeared to be a promising approach to achieve potent treatment of type 2 diabetes treatment.
Men in eating disorder units: a service evaluation survey regarding mixed gender accommodation rules in an eating disorder setting
Authors: Fukutomi Akira , Connan Frances , Winston Anthony P. , Ghosh Pia
Published: July 2018

Aims and method

This service evaluation was conducted to find out: (1) if mixed gender accommodation in eating disorder units is perceived to be helpful or unhelpful for recovery, and (2) if men were being discriminated against by the implementation of the 2010 Department of Health (DoH) guidelines on the elimination of mixed gender wards. All 32 in-patient units accredited on the Quality Network for Eating Disorders were contacted via a survey.

Results

We received 38 responses from professionals from 26 units and 53 responses from patients (46 female, 7 male) from 7 units. Four units had closed admissions to male patients due to DoH guidelines.

Clinical implications

We found that it is possible to provide admission for men with eating disorders, while respecting the single gender accommodation rules, and that doing so is likely to be helpful for both genders and prevents discrimination against men.

Declaration of interest

None.
Insulin Is Transcribed and Translated in Mammalian Taste Bud Cells
Authors: Doyle Máire E , Fiori Jennifer L , Gonzalez Mariscal Isabel , Liu Qing-Rong , Goodstein Erin , Yang Hyekyung , Shin Yu-Kyong , Santa-Cruz Calvo Sara , Indig Fred E , Egan Josephine M
Published: July 2018

We and others have reported that taste cells in taste buds express many peptides in common with cells in the gut and islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Islets and taste bud cells express the hormones glucagon and ghrelin, the same ATP-sensitive potassium channel responsible for depolarizing the insulin-secreting β cell during glucose-induced insulin secretion, as well as the propeptide-processing enzymes PC1/3 and PC2. Given the common expression of functionally specific proteins in taste buds and islets, it is surprising that no one has investigated whether insulin is synthesized in taste bud cells. Using immunofluorescence, we demonstrated the presence of insulin in mouse, rat, and human taste bud cells. By detecting the postprocessing insulin molecule C-peptide and green fluorescence protein (GFP) in taste cells of both insulin 1-GFP and insulin 2-GFP mice and the presence of the mouse insulin transcript by in situ hybridization, we further proved that insulin is synthesized in individual taste buds and not taken up from the parenchyma. In addition to our cytology data, we measured the level of insulin transcript by quantitative RT-PCR in the anterior and posterior lingual epithelia. These analyses showed that insulin is translated in the circumvallate and foliate papillae in the posterior, but only insulin transcript was detected in the anterior fungiform papillae of the rodent tongue. Thus, some taste cells are insulin-synthesizing cells generated from a continually replenished source of precursor cells in the adult mammalian lingual epithelium.
Prevalence, Clinical and Biochemical Spectrum, and Treatment Outcome of Acromegaly With Normal Basal GH at Diagnosis
Authors: Espinosa de los Monteros Ana Laura , Sosa-Eroza Ernesto , Gonzalez Baldomero , Mendoza Victoria , Mercado Moises
Published: July 2018

Context

The term micromegaly has been used to describe a subset of patients who have elevated IGF-1 levels but apparently normal basal GH (bGH) concentrations and often a glucose-suppressed GH of <1 ng/mL.

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and therapeutic outcome of acromegaly with normal bGH at diagnosis.

Design and Methods

Retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients with acromegaly diagnosed and treated at a tertiary care center.

Results

A cohort of 528 patients with acromegaly was stratified according to bGH at diagnosis: group 1, <2 ng/mL, n = 16; group 2, 2 to 9.9 ng/mL, n = 202; group 3, 10 to 99 ng/mL, n = 294; and group 4, ≥100 ng/mL, n = 16. Patients in group 1 (normal bGH) constituted 3% of the total cohort and were significantly older and more likely to be male than patients in the other groups. The frequency of acromegalic symptoms, signs, and comorbidities was similar between the four patient groups. Patients in group 1 more often harbored microadenomas (75%) and had significantly lower median IGF-1 and postglucose GH levels. Surgical success rates were similar between patients from groups 1 (53.8%), 2 (54.1%), and 3 (36.9%), whereas only 13.3% of patients in group 4 achieved remission.

Conclusion

Normal bGH acromegaly is uncommon in real life. These patients have some distinctive features that argue against this being simply acromegaly in its early stages.
Integrin signaling downregulates filopodia during muscle–tendon attachment
Authors: Richier Benjamin , Inoue Yoshiko , Dobramysl Ulrich , Friedlander Jonathan , Brown Nicholas H. , Gallop Jennifer L.
Published: July 2018

Cells need to sense their environment to ensure accurate targeting to specific destinations. This occurs in developing muscles, which need to attach to tendon cells before muscle contractions can begin. Elongating myotube tips form filopodia, which are presumed to have sensory roles, and are later suppressed upon building the attachment site. Here, we use live imaging and quantitative image analysis of lateral transverse (LT) myotubes in Drosophila to show that filopodia suppression occurs as a result of integrin signaling. Loss of the integrin subunits αPS2 and βPS (also known as If and Mys, respectively, in flies) increased filopodia number and length at stages when they are normally suppressed. Conversely, inducing integrin signaling, achieved by the expression of constitutively dimerised βPS cytoplasmic domain (diβ), prematurely suppressed filopodia. We discovered that the integrin signal is transmitted through the protein G protein-coupled receptor kinase interacting ArfGAP (Git) and its downstream kinase p21-activated kinase (Pak). Absence of these proteins causes profuse filopodia and prevents the filopodial inhibition mediated by diβ. Thus, integrin signaling terminates the exploratory behavior of myotubes seeking tendons, enabling the actin machinery to focus on forming a strong attachment and assembling the contractile apparatus.
New ubiquitin-dependent mechanisms regulating the Aurora B–protein phosphatase 1 balance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Ravindran Rini , Polk Paula , Robinson Lucy C. , Tatchell Kelly
Published: July 2018

Protein ubiquitylation regulates many cellular processes, including cell division. We report here a novel mutation altering the Saccharomyces cerevisiae E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme (uba1-W928R) that suppresses the temperature sensitivity and chromosome loss phenotype of a well-characterized Aurora B mutant (ip1-2). The uba1-W928R mutation increases histone H3-S10 phosphorylation in the ipl1-2 strain, indicating that uba1-W928R acts by increasing Ipl1 activity and/or reducing the opposing protein phosphatase 1 (PP1; Glc7 in S. cerevisiae) phosphatase activity. Consistent with this hypothesis, Ipl1 protein levels and stability are elevated in the uba1-W928R mutant, likely mediated via the E2 enzymes Ubc4 and Cdc34. In contrast, the uba1-W928R mutation does not affect Glc7 stability, but exhibits synthetic lethality with several glc7 mutations. Moreover, uba1-W928R cells have an altered subcellular distribution of Glc7 and form nuclear Glc7 foci. These effects are likely mediated via the E2 enzymes Rad6 and Cdc34. Our new UBA1 allele reveals new roles for ubiquitylation in regulating the Ipl1–Glc7 balance in budding yeast. While ubiquitylation likely regulates Ipl1 protein stability via the canonical proteasomal degradation pathway, a non-canonical ubiquitin-dependent pathway maintains normal Glc7 localization and activity.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Functional analyses of Pericentrin and Syne-2 interaction in ciliogenesis
Authors: Falk Nathalie , Kessler Kristin , Schramm Sinja-Fee , Boldt Karsten , Becirovic Elvir , Michalakis Stylianos , Regus-Leidig Hanna , Noegel Angelika A. , Ueffing Marius , Thiel Christian T. , Roepman Ronald , Brandstätter Johann Helmut , Gießl Andreas
Published: July 2018

Pericentrin (Pcnt) is a multifunctional scaffold protein and mutations in the human PCNT gene are associated with several diseases, including ciliopathies. Pcnt plays a crucial role in ciliary development in olfactory receptor neurons, but its function in the photoreceptor-connecting cilium is unknown. We downregulated Pcnt in the retina ex vivo and in vivo via a virus-based RNA interference approach to study Pcnt function in photoreceptors. ShRNA-mediated knockdown of Pcnt impaired the development of the connecting cilium and the outer segment of photoreceptors, and caused a nuclear migration defect. In protein interaction screens, we found that the outer nuclear membrane protein Syne-2 (also known as Nesprin-2) is an interaction partner of Pcnt in photoreceptors. Syne-2 is important for positioning murine photoreceptor cell nuclei and for centrosomal migration during early ciliogenesis. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Syne-2 in cell culture led to an overexpression and mislocalization of Pcnt and to ciliogenesis defects. Our findings suggest that the Pcnt–Syne-2 complex is important for ciliogenesis and outer segment formation during retinal development and plays a role in nuclear migration.
Assessment of cold sink effect in postulated renal cryoablation by analyzing radiographic ice ball on computed tomography
Authors: Park Sung Yoon , Won Jong Yun , Oh Young Taik , Jung Dae Chul , Kim Gyoung Min , Kim Man Deuk
Published: July 2018

Objective:

We analyzed CT characteristics of radiographic ice ball according to anatomical location and freezing number in renal cryoablation.

Methods:

30 patients who underwent percutaneous cryoablation for renal lesions. Computed tomography (CT) was conducted at 9 min during every freezing in order to evaluate a radiographic ice ball. Software was used to reconstruct CT images of the radiographic ice ball perpendicular to cryoprobes. For each radiographic ice ball, two types of radius were measured: (a) lateral radius from epicenter to perirenal direction and (b) medial radius from epicenter to renal sinus direction. Lateral and medial radius or diameters (lateral radius plus medial radius) during the first and second freezing were compared using paired t-test, respectively.

Results:

Medial radius of radiographic ice ball was significantly shorter than lateral radius (first freezing, 13.8 vs 17.0 mm, p < 0.001; second freezing, 16.0 vs 19.3 mm, p < 0.001). The diameter during the second freezing was significantly longer than that during the first freezing (35.3 vs 30.8 mm, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

In renal cryoablation, evaluating radiographic ice ball helps identify potential postulated cold sink effect in the central portion of kidney.

Advances in knowledge:

Radiologic information of postulated cold sink effect in the kidney may help secure sufficient safety margins.
Mineralogical and chemical composition of sand ore deposits in the seashore zone N. Peramos - L. Eleftheron (N. Greece)
Authors: ΠΕΡΓΑΜΑΛΗΣ Φ. , ΚΑΡΑΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΥ Δ. Ε. , ΚΟΥΚΟΥΛΗΣ Α. , ΚΑΤΣΙΚΗΣ Ι.
Published: July 2018

This study concerns the U-Th ore deposits containing also Ti and R.E.E., located at the area between Nea Peramos and Loutra Eleftheron, of the Kavala prefecture, North Greece, in the contemporaneous littoral zone. From this littoral zone of 25 Km. total length and 50 m. average width, were collected 142 samples of shoreside surficial sand and 128 specimens from depths up to 2 meters. In the contemporaneous littoral zone very high surficial levels of Uranium were found, (with an average value of 22 ppm U and a highest value of 92 ppm U), as a result of today's and mainly older sea wave-action, at the lower parts of the sandy shoreside formations, and with the highest expected enrichment in the bedrock cavities. Initial samples of U enriched sands (up to 50 ppm) are considered to be a naturally grated multimetal ore of Ti, U-Th, R.E.E.,.Au and other metals for high-value technological applications. The concentrations of the above metals are higher of those known to other similar ores (2.5%, 50-1600 ppm, 11.000 ppm and 250 mg/m3 respectively) and can be multiplied with a light water-metallurgical processes. In the present shoreside zone, lower layers of sands formed out with the processus of natural grate action, are mainly the medium grain sands and secondarily the fine grain variety. These natural enrichments due to sea wave-action, form selective concentrations of U and R.E.E. enriched allanite, which are responsible for the content in metals of high-value technological applications. On the contrary, the coexisting minerals of titanite, zircon, apatite, and epidote, as well as the iron minerals, do not much contribute in the increment of this content.
The mineralogy and geochemistry of zeolite-bearing volcanics from Acrotiri (Santorini island) and Polyegos (Milos group of islands), Greece. Implications for geochemical classification diagrams
Authors: KITSOPOULOS K. P. , SCOTT P. W. , JEFFREY C. A. , MARSH N. G.
Published: July 2018

Almost 100 samples of volcanic rocks from Akrotiri (Santorini Island) and Polyegos (Milos group of Islands) were studied. Clinoptilolite and mordenite dominate the mineralogy in Akrotiri and Polyegos respectively. In Akrotiri, an acidic mainly precursor, probably a rhyodacite-dacite type of rock, was the parent precursor, although some samples indicate a more basic one. In Polyegos, it seems that a trachyandesite/rhyodacite type of rock has acted as precursor. However, this could be due to the possible depletion of Y under hydrothermal alteration, the increase of the Nb/Y ratio, and the shift (in the (Nb/Y vs. Zr/Ti02 diagram) of the nature of the precursor towards a more alkaline character. Thus, the true nature of the unaltered fresh precursor could actually be closer to the rhyodacite-dacite type of rock field. Geochemical classification diagrams using Si02, Na20 and K20 are not suitable for use with such materials. Diagrams using less mobile elements, such as Zr, Ti, Nb and Y are much more reliable, but with hydrothermal alteration conditions, their usefulness is variably restricted, and they should also be used with caution.
40 Ar/39/Ar dating and cooling history of the Pangeon granitoids, Rhodope Massif (Eastern Macedonia, Greece)
Authors: ELEFTHERIADIS G. , FRANK W. , PETRAKAKIS K.
Published: July 2018

The Pangeon granitoids are distinguished into two pétrographie types with sharp contacts: (a) heterogranular, medium- to coarse-grained, hornblende+biotite- bearing porphyritic tonalités and granodiorites (PTG), and, (b) equigranular, medium-grained, biotite±muscovite-bearing granodiorites and granites (MGG). Dark-coloured, medium-grained monzodioritic enclaves occur in PTG rocks. Hornblende 40Ar/39Ar spectra from the PTG rocks yielded cooling ages of 21.7±0.5 Ma to 18.8±0.6 Ma. With the exception one sample, the corresponding hornblende ages from enclaves coincide well with the above ages. The age of 21.7±0.5 Ma is considered as the lower limit for the PTG rocks emplacement. Muscoviteplateau ages of c. 15.7±0.5 Ma and total gas biotite ages of 15.2±0.4 Ma to 13.8±0.5 Ma from the studied rocks, constrain the cooling history of the Pangeon granitoids (with some local variations) in the range 430 - 300Ί C.
Schreinemakers diagrams of quinary systems with K+2 phases: A systematic classification
Authors: MARIOLACOS KONSTANTINOS
Published: July 2018

In the present study, a systematic classification of the Schreinemakers diagrams for quinary systems with K+2 phases is undertaken. The indifferent phases of the respective systems are also considered. In doing so, the same characterization already applied in the Schreinemakers diagrams of quaternary systems is used. In addition, as an application of the above classification, the theoretical treatement of the system KMASH is undertaken.
Petrographical, petrochemical investigation of Sandikli volcanic and usability of these rocks as trass, in Afyon region (Western Anatolia), Turkey
Authors: ÖZPINAR YAHYA
Published: July 2018

Investigated area and its surrounding district consist of volcanic rocks. The Sanduklu volcanic are mainly composed of lavas, tuffs and tuffits. Using to K-Ar age method, the age of Sanduklu Lavas have been dated and ranged from 14 ± 0.3-8.0 to ± 0.6 Ma (Ercan, 1986).On the basis of diagrams Si02-(K20+Na20), Log (Zr/ TiO2*0.0001)-SiO2, Nb/Y-Log (Zr/TiO2*0.0001) and Ti02-Zr lavas are thrachyandesite, phonolitic tefrite, basaltic andésite, basaltic thrachy-nephelinite, andésite and dacite. Tuffs have been widely zeolitizated and dominant zeolite minerals are chabazite and phillipsite. Three phillipsite form were determined. These are potassiumsodium-aluminum-silicate hydrate, sodium-aluminum-silicate hydrate and potassium-calcium-silicate-silicate hydrate. The chemical and technological tests of zeolitic tuffs, altered lavas and tuffits were carried out and they are suitable to trass standards in cement industry.
New constraints for the alpine HP metamorphism of the Ios basement, Cyclades, Greece
Authors: PERRAKI M. , MPOSKOS E.
Published: July 2018

The pre-Alpine basement of the Ios Island involves large Variscan granitoid bodies intruded into metasediments that had already been metamorphosed under upper amphibolite facies conditions, as it is indicated by residual migmatitic textures and deformed muscovite pegmatites. The Alpine HP-metamorphism, documented on various cycladic islands, has, also, affected the basement rocks of Ios. Pressures of '25 Kbar and temperatures of '540 °C, are estimated for the Alpine HP event, applying the chloritoid-chlorite and garnetclinopyroxene geothermometers, and the garnet-phengite-omphacite and garnet-rutile-quartz-sphene-clinozoisite geobarometers. Garnet-hornblende geothermometry yielded temperatures of '520 °C and garnet-chlorite geothermobarometry yielded temperatures of 450 °C at 15 Kbar. This suggests that, at least the first stages of decompression were accompanied by cooling, indicating a rapid exhumation, related to tectonic processes.
Mineral composition of mafic minerals and ore deposition from the Kassiteres (Sappes) and Pagoni Rachi ( Kirki) porphyry Cu-Mo prospects / W. Thrace
Authors: ΒΟΥΔΟΥΡΗΣ Π.
Published: July 2018

The porphyry Cu-Mo mineralizations at Kassiteres and Pagoni Rachi are genetically related with dioritic to dacitoandesitic subvolcanic rocks that were and preliminary microthermometric data indicate that the hypogene mineralizations were introduced during albitic / potassic alteration of the intrusives and temperatures about 400°C from boiling magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. Electron microprobe major element analyses are presented for magmatic and hydrothermal biotites and amphiboles from both occurences. Hydrothermal biotites in the albitic / potassic zones are more magnesian than their magmatic counterparts and therefore close to phlohopite end - member composition. The amphiboles from Kassiteres range from magnesio - hornblende to actinolite, commonly within the same grain. Moreover the chemical data in both magmatic and hydrothermal biotites and amphiboles from the above two occurences indicate a Mg - and Si - enrichment and a Ti - depletion during crustallization and cooling from magmatic to late magmatic - early hydrothermal conditions. It is likely that an increase in oxyzen fugacity accompanied their chemical evolution. This oxidation trend is associated with the fluid exsolution of the magmas resulting in the development of the studied porphyry type mineralizations. Elements, which are also depleted from Mg - rich (more oxidized) amphiboles and biotites (K, Na, Fe and Ti) are partitioned in the magmatic - hydrothermal fluid phase and are responsible for the albitic / potassic altaration of both occurences.
Rhenium - rich molybdenites in Thracian porphyry Mo±Cu occurrences, NE - Greece
Authors: ΜΕΛΦΟΣ Β. , ΒΟΥΔΟΥΡΗΣ Π. , ΑΡΙΚΑΣ Κ. , ΒΑΒΕΛΙΔΗΣ Μ.
Published: July 2018

The present study correlates both the mineralogy of the hydrothermal alteration and the mineral chemistry of molybdenites from three porphyry Mo ± Cu occurrences in Thrace: Melitena, Pagoni Rachi/Kirki and Ktismata/ Maronia. The mineralisations are genetically related to calcalkaline, subvolcanic bodies of Tertiary age. According to their mineralogical and chemical composition the host rocks are characterized as dacite (Melitena), dacitic andésite (Pagoni Rachi) and porphyry microgranite (Ktismata/Maronia). The molybdenites occur in disseminated form, as fracture fillings, as well within quartz stockworks crosscuting the central alteration zones of the intrusives. They are accompanied by the following mineral assemblages: quartz, sericite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, Ca-Ba-rich alunite, pyrite (Melitena); quartz, albite/K-feldspar, biotite, actinolite, magnetite (Pagoni Rachi); and sericite, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, chlorite (Ktismata). Preliminary microthermometric results showed homogenisation temperatures from 352° to 390 °C for Pagoni Rachi area and from 295° to 363 °C for Melitena area. The salinities range between 4.5 and 6.1 wt% eq. NaCl and between 2.7 and 3.4 wt% eq. NaCl, respectively. Detailed study on over 400 fluid inclusions from the porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in Maronia area revealed formation temperatures from 300° to 420 °C, whereas salinities are distincted in two different groups from 6 to 16 wt% eq. NaCl and from 28 to 55 wt% eq. NaCl. The chemical composition of the molybdenites from the three porphyry Mo±Cu deposits in Thrace was studied with 155 microprobe analyses. The results revealed unusual high and variable Re concentrations in the studied molybdenites. Re content in molybdenite from Melitena area vary from 0.21 to 1.74 wt%, 0.79 wt% on average. The highest values were measured in samples from Pagoni Rachi (0.45-4.21 wt%, 1.98 wt% on average). Finally, microprobe analyses from molybdenite in Ktismata/Maronia showed Re content between 0.12 and 2.88 wt% (0.76 wt% on average). Rhenium is a very rare element with many definite uses, and is mainly associated with molybdenite in porphyry type deposits. According to the data published so far the Re content in molybdenite reaches up to 0.42 wt%. It is obvious therefore that such high Re concentrations (0.12 to 4.22 wt%) from the studied molybdenites in Thrace, are very ineresting for a possible future exploitation.
The Sappes gold project
Authors: SHAWH A. J. , CONSTANTINIDES D. C.
Published: July 2018

No abstract (available).
Geochemical characteristics of geothermal fluids in Thermopigi - Sidirokastro area (Strymon basin, Macedonia)
Authors: ΑΡΒΑΝΙΤΗΣ Α. , ΦΥΤΙΚΑΣ Μ. , ΚΑΒΟΥΡΙΔΗΣ Θ. , ΚΑΡΥΔΑΚΗΣ Γ.
Published: July 2018

.The geothermal waters (T>29°C) in the Thermopigi-Sidirokastro area are classified in Na(Ca)-HC03 type and the cold waters in Ca(Mg)-HC03 type. The lower temperature waters have a similar chemical type with the geothermal ones. The geothermal waters have high concentrations in S04 2" and F ions. The Si02 contents range from 28 to 75 mg/ 1. The presence of Ca2+ seems to be related with the marbles and travertines. There is no relationship between components and temperature. The geothermal waters contain C02 and they are slightly saturated in calcite. By using chemical geothermometers it is found that the deep temperature is estimated in 100 °C.
Trace element contents in marls of the Ptolemais - Amynteon lignite basin, Western Macedonia, Greece
Authors: ΣΑΧΑΝΙΔΗΣ Χ. , ΓΕΩΡΓΑΚΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Α. , ΦΙΛΙΠΠΙΔΗΣ Α. , ΚΑΣΩΛΗ-ΦΟΥΡΝΑΡΑΚΗ Α.
Published: July 2018

Sixty-five marl samples were collected from the outcrops of six active and one abandoned mine of Ptolemais-Amynteon Lignite Center, Northern Greece. Core samples were also collected from the West Field, a Neogene lignite deposit located at the same area. The concentrations of 39 trace elements were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation analysis (INAA) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Carbon and sulfur contents and the loss on ignition of the samples were also determined. The classification of the trace elements concentrations in each mine and their statistical processing allows determining the horizontal and vertical distribution in the coal deposits and in the entire basin. Regarding the vertical distribution of elements and geochemical groups, significant variations of the concentrations in both the different marl seams and the upper, intermediate and lower lignite seams were determined. The mining, processing, transportation, storage and utilization of marls release, among others, some amounts of trace elements into the environment. However, the low concentrations of all trace elements, except Pb in the South field, compared to the upper mean values of world rocks Crust (W.C-U.M.V) (enrichement factor <0.8) is of great environmental concern and prove the non hazardous role of the marl during mining, beneficiation and usage.
Applied geochemistry in the twenty-first century: mineral exploration and environmental surveys
Authors: DEMETRIADES A.
Published: July 2018

Applied (exploration and environmental) geochemistry in the twentieth century is briefly reviewed, and its future developments in the twenty-first century are envisaged in the light of advances in analytical instruments (laboratory and field) and computer technology. It is concluded that applied geochemical methods must be used by well-trained applied geochemists, and the potential for future developments is limited only by their ingenuity.
Geochemistry of Umm Rus gold - quartz veins, Central Eastern Desert Egypt. A new contribution
Authors: KAMEL O. A. , EL MAHALLAWI M. M. , HELMY H. M.
Published: July 2018

Gold-bearing quartz veins of the Umm Rus area occur at the south-eastern contact of a Precambrian granodiorite cupola within younger gabbros of 573-615 Ma belonging to the Pan African orogenic belt. The rocks are intruded within low-grade metasediments. At such contact, a hybrid zone is developed characterized by the occurrence of quartz diorite which grades into diorite and meta-ferrogabro. A limited number of mineralized quartz veins cut the granodiorite-gabbro complex. Different alteration zones are developed in the vicinity of the quartz veins. The quartz veins have two main trends; NS and N30 E, the latter one is usaually gold-bearing. The mineralized parts of the veins commonly consist of highly sheared and banded smoky quartz, and the gold content depends on the relation with the dykes. The element is strongly correlated with As and Ag, but moderately with Cu. Near to intermediate and basic dykes, the contents of Au, Ag and As are noticably increased
Industrial uses of carbonate rocks from Thassos island (Greece)
Authors: ΚΑΝΤΗΡΑΝΗΣ Ν. , ΤΣΙΡΑΜΠΙΔΗΣ Α. , ΦΙΛΙΠΠΙΔΗΣ Α. , ΚΑΣΩΛΗ-ΦΟΥΡΝΑΡΑΚΗ Α. , ΧΡΗΣΤΑΡΑΣ Β.
Published: July 2018

The carbonate rocks of Thassos Island are holocrystalline and present sparitic texture. The dolomites have smaller crystall size (0.7-1.6 mm) than the calcitic marbles (0.8-2.2 mm). In the dolomites except the synonymous mineral, calcite (1-10%) and traces of quartz, feldspars and micas are present. In the calcitic marbles except of the calcite, dolomite (2-28%), micas (1-6%) and occasionally feldspars, clay minerals and goethite occur. The results of chemical analysis agree with the mineralogical ones, as well as with the percentage of the isnoluble residue. The dolomites appear purer than all other marbles of the island. They most often contain Si02 (up to 0.88%). Beyond the decorative applications the calcitic marbles of Thassos are mainly suitable for the production of aggregates with any size requirement, cement and probably container glasses, for environmental uses and as soil conditioners. Respectively, the dolomitic marbles are suitable for the production of fertilizers and probably of container glasses and as fillers or whitenings in paper, paint and rubber industries.