bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal separation with early weaning: a novel mouse model of early life neglect
Authors: George Elizabeth D , Bordner Kelly A , Elwafi Hani M , Simen Arthur A
Published: September 2010

Background

Childhood adversity is associated with increased risk for mood, anxiety, impulse control, and substance disorders. Although genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of such disorders, the neurobiological mechanisms involved are poorly understood. A reliable mouse model of early life adversity leading to lasting behavioral changes would facilitate progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying these adverse effects. Maternal separation is a commonly used model of early life neglect, but has led to inconsistent results in the mouse.

Results

In an effort to develop a mouse model of early life neglect with long-lasting behavioral effects in C57BL/6 mice, we designed a new maternal separation paradigm that we call Maternal Separation with Early Weaning (MSEW). We tested the effects of MSEW on C57BL/6 mice as well as the genetically distinct DBA/2 strain and found significant MSEW effects on several behavioral tasks (i.e., the open field, elevated plus maze, and forced swim test) when assessed more than two months following the MSEW procedure. Our findings are consistent with MSEW causing effects within multiple behavioral domains in both strains, and suggest increased anxiety, hyperactivity, and behavioral despair in the MSEW offspring. Analysis of pup weights and metabolic parameters showed no evidence for malnutrition in the MSEW pups. Additionally, strain differences in many of the behavioral tests suggest a role for genetic factors in the response to early life neglect.

Conclusions

These results suggest that MSEW may serve as a useful model to examine the complex behavioral abnormalities often apparent in individuals with histories of early life neglect, and may lead to greater understanding of these later life outcomes and offer insight into novel therapeutic strategies.
A novel spliced fusion of MLL with CT45A2in a pediatric biphenotypic acute leukemia
Authors: Cerveira Nuno , Meyer Claus , Santos Joana , Torres Lurdes , Lisboa Susana , Pinheiro Manuela , Bizarro Susana , Correia Cecília , Norton Lucília , Marschalek Rolf , Teixeira Manuel R
Published: September 2010

Background

Abnormalities of 11q23 involving the MLL gene are found in approximately 10% of human leukemias. To date, nearly 100 different chromosome bands have been described in rearrangements involving 11q23 and 64 fusion genes have been cloned and characterized at the molecular level. In this work we present the identification of a novel MLL fusion partner in a pediatric patient with de novo biphenotypic acute leukemia.

Methods

Cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), molecular studies (RT-PCR and LDI-PCR), and bioinformatic sequence analysis were used to characterize the CT45A2 gene as novel MLL fusion partner in pediatric acute leukemia.

Results

Fluorescence in situ hybridization of bone marrow G-banded metaphases demonstrated a cryptic insertion of 11q23 in Xq26.3 involving the MLL gene. Breakpoint fusion analysis revealed that a DNA fragment of 653 kb from 11q23, containing MLL exons 1-9 in addition to 16 other 11q23 genes, was inserted into the upstream region of the CT45A2 gene located at Xq26.3. In addition, a deletion at Xq26.3 encompassing the 3' region of the DDX26B gene (exons 9-16) and the entire CT45A1 gene was identified. RNA analysis revealed the presence of a novel MLL-CT45A2 fusion transcript in which the first 9 exons of the MLL gene were fused in-frame to exon 2 of the CT45A2 gene, resulting in a spliced MLL fusion transcript with an intact open reading frame. The resulting chimeric transcript predicts a fusion protein where the N-terminus of MLL is fused to the entire open reading frame of CT45A2. Finally, we demonstrate that all breakpoint regions are rich in long repetitive motifs, namely LINE/L1 and SINE/Alu sequences, but all breakpoints were exclusively identified outside these repetitive DNA sequences.

Conclusion

We have identified CT45A2 as a novel spliced MLL fusion partner in a pediatric patient with de novo biphenotypic acute leukemia, as a result of a cryptic insertion of 11q23 in Xq26.3. Since CT45A2 is the first Cancer/Testis antigen family gene found fused with MLL in acute leukemia, future studies addressing its biologic relevance for leukemogenesis are warranted.
Reference values for lysosomal enzymes activities using dried blood spots samples - a Brazilian experience
Authors: Müller Karen B , Rodrigues Mayra DB , Pereira Vanessa G , Martins Ana M , D'Almeida Vânia
Published: September 2010

Background

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) are inherited disorders caused by deficiency of lysosomal enzymes in which early diagnosis is essential to provide timely treatment. This study reports interval values for the activity of lysosomal enzymes that are deficient in Mucopolysaccharidosis type I, Fabry, Gaucher and Pompe disease, using dried blood spots on filter paper (DBS) samples in a Brazilian population.

Results

Reference activity values were obtained from healthy volunteers samples for alpha-galactosidase A (4.57 ± 1.37 umol/L/h), beta-glucosidase (3.06 ± 0.99 umol/L/h), alpha-glucosidase (ratio: 13.19 ± 4.26; % inhibition: 70.66 ± 7.60), alpha-iduronidase (3.45 ± 1.21 umol/L/h) and beta-galactosidase (14.09 ± 4.36 umol/L/h).

Conclusion

Reference values of five lysosomal enzymes were determined for a Brazilian population sample. However, as our results differ from other laboratories, it highlights the importance of establishing specific reference values for each center.
Expression levels of uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase genes in breast tissue from healthy women are associated with mammographic density
Authors: Haakensen Vilde D , Biong Margarethe , Lingjærde Ole Christian , Holmen Marit Muri , Frantzen Jan Ole , Chen Ying , Navjord Dina , Romundstad Linda , Lüders Torben , Bukholm Ida K , Solvang Hiroko K , Kristensen Vessela N , Ursin Giske , Børresen-Dale Anne-Lise , Helland Åslaug
Published: September 2010

Introduction

Mammographic density (MD), as assessed from film screen mammograms, is determined by the relative content of adipose, connective and epithelial tissue in the female breast. In epidemiological studies, a high percentage of MD confers a four to six fold risk elevation of developing breast cancer, even after adjustment for other known breast cancer risk factors. However, the biologic correlates of density are little known.

Methods

Gene expression analysis using whole genome arrays was performed on breast biopsies from 143 women; 79 women with no malignancy (healthy women) and 64 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, both included from mammographic centres. Percent MD was determined using a previously validated, computerized method on scanned mammograms. Significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) was performed to identify genes influencing MD and a linear regression model was used to assess the independent contribution from different variables to MD.

Results

SAM-analysis identified 24 genes differentially expressed between samples from breasts with high and low MD. These genes included three uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) genes and the oestrogen receptor gene (ESR1). These genes were down-regulated in samples with high MD compared to those with low MD. The UGT gene products, which are known to inactivate oestrogen metabolites, were also down-regulated in tumour samples compared to samples from healthy individuals. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the UGT genes associated with the expression of UGT and other genes in their vicinity were identified.

Conclusions

Three UGT enzymes were lower expressed both in breast tissue biopsies from healthy women with high MD and in biopsies from newly diagnosed breast cancers. The association was strongest amongst young women and women using hormonal therapy. UGT2B10 predicts MD independently of age, hormone therapy and parity. Our results indicate that down-regulation of UGT genes in women exposed to female sex hormones is associated with high MD and might increase the risk of breast cancer.
QT inversion — Comprehensive use of the complete surface NMR data set
Authors: Mueller-Petke Mike , Yaramanci Ugur
Published: September 2010

The technique of surface nuclear magnetic resonance (surface NMR) is the only geophysical exploration method providing direct and nondestructive information on subsurface aquifer properties due to the method’s unique sensitivity to hydrogen protons. The method combines the information content accessible via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and the nondestructive approach to derive subsurface information from surface-based measurements. Because of this, surface NMR became a useful tool for hydrogeophysics during the last decade. Two different inversion schemes exist. The initial value inversion (IVI) extracts the water content distribution from the surface NMR information content by estimating a sounding curve from surface NMR data. The time step inversion (TSI) extracts the distribution of both water content and decay time by separating the surface NMR data into several time steps. Both solve the inverse problem using independent steps and by separating subdata sets from the complete data. In this paper, a new inversion scheme — the QT inversion (QTI) — is found to solve to inverse problems by taking the complete surface NMR data set into account at once. QTI extracts water content and decay time and satisfies the complete data set jointly. We examine and compare QTI to IVI and TSI by a synthetic data set and a field data set. Our results find that the QT inversion approach increases both spatial resolution of the subsurface decay time distribution and stability of the inverse problem.
Process, outcome and experience of transition from child to adult mental healthcare: multiperspective study
Authors: Singh Swaran P. , Paul Moli , Ford Tamsin , Kramer Tami , Weaver Tim , McLaren Susan , Hovish Kimberly , Islam Zoebia , Belling Ruth , White Sarah
Published: September 2010

Background

Many adolescents with mental health problems experience transition of care from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult mental health services (AMHS).

Aims

As part of the TRACK study we evaluated the process, outcomes and user and carer experience of transition from CAMHS to AMHS.

Method

We identified a cohort of service users crossing the CAMHS/AMHS boundary over 1 year across six mental health trusts in England. We tracked their journey to determine predictors of optimal transition and conducted qualitative interviews with a subsample of users, their carers and clinicians on how transition was experienced.

Results

Of 154 individuals who crossed the transition boundary in 1 year, 90 were actual referrals (i.e. they made a transition to AMHS), and 64 were potential referrals (i.e. were either not referred to AMHS or not accepted by AMHS). Individuals with a history of severe mental illness, being on medication or having been admitted were more likely to make a transition than those with neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional/neurotic disorders and emerging personality disorder. Optimal transition, defined as adequate transition planning, good information transfer across teams, joint working between teams and continuity of care following transition, was experienced by less than 5% of those who made a transition. Following transition, most service users stayed engaged with AMHS and reported improvement in their mental health.

Conclusions

For the vast majority of service users, transition from CAMHS to AMHS is poorly planned, poorly executed and poorly experienced. The transition process accentuates pre-existing barriers between CAMHS and AMHS.
Dutch politicians' coping with terrorist threat
Authors: Nijdam Mirjam J. , Gersons Berthold P. R. , Olff Miranda
Published: September 2010

The psychosocial effects of terrorist threat and close protection have never been studied systematically in political leaders. We conducted a study among 12 Dutch politicians and their partners who were living under terrorist threat and close protection in the aftermath of two political murders. Interviews revealed that their coping with the situation varied and consisted of emotion-focused, defensive, palliative and instrumental coping strategies. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder occurred in some individuals, and tendencies to express milder or stronger opinions on sensitive issues were reported. Psychosocial knowledge can be useful in helping to cope with the situation in the best possible way.
Impact of cannabidiol on the acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of smoked cannabis: naturalistic study
Authors: Morgan Celia J. A. , Schafer Gráinne , Freeman Tom P. , Curran H. Valerie
Published: September 2010

Background

The two main constituents of cannabis, cannabidiol and δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have opposing effects both pharmacologically and behaviourally when administered in the laboratory. Street cannabis is known to contain varying levels of each cannabinoid.

Aims

To study how the varying levels of cannabidiol and THC have an impact on the acute effects of the drug in naturalistic settings.

Method

Cannabis users (n = 134) were tested 7 days apart on measures of memory and psychotomimetic symptoms, once while they were drug free and once while acutely intoxicated by their own chosen smoked cannabis. Using an unprecedented methodology, a sample of cannabis (as well as saliva) was collected from each user and analysed for levels of cannabinoids. On the basis of highest and lowest cannabidiol content of cannabis, two groups of individuals were directly compared.

Results

Groups did not differ in the THC content of the cannabis they smoked. Unlike the marked impairment in prose recall of individuals who smoked cannabis low in cannabidiol, participants smoking cannabis high in cannabidiol showed no memory impairment. Cannabidiol content did not affect psychotomimetic symptoms, which were elevated in both groups when intoxicated.

Conclusions

The antagonistic effects of cannabidiol at the CB1 receptor are probably responsible for its profile in smoked cannabis, attenuating the memory-impairing effects of THC. In terms of harm reduction, users should be made aware of the higher risk of memory impairment associated with smoking low-cannabidiol strains of cannabis like ‘skunk’ and encouraged to use strains containing higher levels of cannabidiol.
Impact of a total smoking ban in a high secure hospital
Authors: Cormac Irene , Creasey Sandra , McNeill Ann , Ferriter Michael , Huckstep Bernard , D'Silva Karen
Published: September 2010

Aims and method

To assess the impact of a total smoking ban in a high secure psychiatric hospital. Staff and patients were surveyed before and after implementation. Data were collected on untoward incidents, seclusions, nicotine replacement therapy and changes in psychotropic medication.

Results

Of the 298 patients in the hospital for the evaluation period, 72.8% were smokers before the ban. There were no significant differences in rates of seclusion before and after the ban and only one significant comparison (P =0.01) showed an increase in untoward incidents for smokers. There were no significant increases in the use of psychotropic medication after the ban.

Clinical implications

With adequate preparation, it is possible to implement a total smoking ban in a high secure psychiatric setting without serious negative consequences.
Training psychiatrists in Europe: fit for purpose?
Authors: Muijen Matthijs
Published: September 2010

Psychiatric training in all European Union (EU) Member States complies with the relevant Council Directive 93/16, permitting free movement of specialists within EU borders. This assumes that the training offers similar experiences, and produces specialists fit for purpose in all EU countries. Surveys demonstrate that, although all countries adhere to the conditions of the Directive, the diversity of training is striking on all but the most fundamental aspects. An added complication is that psychiatric practice has become increasingly diversified, even between neighbouring countries, and psychiatric training will have evolved to meet national service requirements. Questions about how to safeguard competence of psychiatric specialists to practice across the EU are therefore pertinent, and introducing systems to regulate quality control of training should be considered.
Offender health: the next frontier
Authors: Appleby Louis
Published: September 2010

Offender health is an important part of general mental healthcare. To improve the health of offenders, we need reforms similar to the reforms in community care of the last decade – early intervention, alternatives to the institution and multi-agency community services. Front-line clinicians are in a key position to bring about such reforms. It will be crucial to argue that improvements in offender health will help bring about broader government aims such as reduced reoffending.
Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Levels Are Higher in Slow-Twitch than Fast-Twitch Mouse Skeletal Muscle and Are Increased in Hypothyroidism
Authors: Marsili Alessandro , Ramadan Waile , Harney John W. , Mulcahey Michelle , Castroneves Luciana Audi , Goemann Iuri Martin , Wajner Simone Magagnin , Huang Stephen A. , Zavacki Ann Marie , Maia Ana Luiza , Dentice Monica , Salvatore Domenico , Silva J. Enrique , Larsen P. Reed
Published: September 2010

Because of its large mass, relatively high metabolic activity and responsiveness to thyroid hormone, skeletal muscle contributes significantly to energy expenditure. Despite the presence of mRNA encoding the type 2 iodothyronine-deiodinase (D2), an enzyme that activates T4 to T3, very low or undetectable activity has been reported in muscle homogenates of adult humans and mice. With a modified D2 assay, using microsomal protein, overnight incubation and protein from D2 knockout mouse muscle as a tissue-specific blank, we examined slow- and fast-twitch mouse skeletal muscles for D2 activity and its response to physiological stimuli. D2 activity was detectable in all hind limb muscles of 8- to 12-wk old C57/BL6 mice. Interestingly, it was higher in the slow-twitch soleus than in fast-twitch muscles (0.40 ± 0.06 vs. 0.076 ± 0.01 fmol/min · mg microsomal protein, respectively, P < 0.001). These levels are greater than those previously reported. Hypothyroidism caused a 40% (P < 0.01) and 300% (P < 0.001) increase in D2 activity after 4 and 8 wk treatment with antithyroid drugs, respectively, with no changes in D2 mRNA. Neither D2 mRNA nor activity increased after an overnight 4 C exposure despite a 10-fold increase in D2 activity in brown adipose tissue in the same mice. The magnitude of the activity, the fiber specificity, and the robust posttranslational response to hypothyroidism argue for a more important role for D2-generated T3 in skeletal muscle physiology than previously assumed.
A New Theory of Chromaticism from the Late Sixteenth to the Early Eighteenth Century
Authors: Adams Kyle
Published: September 2010

This article is intended as a solution to a perceived problem with existing theories of pretonal chromatic music: Many modern theories of this repertoire have made anachronistic uses of models from major/minor tonality, and contemporaneous theories were not broad enough to adequately represent the phenomena that, to my own—and, I believe, many other modern listeners'—ears, gave chromatic music its unique sound. Both groups of theories missed the mark by treating all chromatic events in this repertoire equally. This article therefore begins by suggesting that, just as in tonal music, chromaticism in this period comprises many different phenomena. I therefore provide a model for separating chromatic tones according to their structural function and an analytical method for reducing chromatic works to their diatonic foundations. I present examples of each of the chromatic techniques that I describe and give detailed criteria for identifying each technique. In doing so, I provide a new vocabulary by which scholars and analysts can model the way in which they hear chromatic music from this period.
The Flamingo ortholog FMI-1 controls pioneer-dependent navigation of follower axons inC. elegans
Authors: Steimel Andreas , Wong Lianna , Najarro Elvis Huarcaya , Ackley Brian D. , Garriga Gian , Hutter Harald
Published: September 2010

Development of a functional neuronal network during embryogenesis begins with pioneer axons creating a scaffold along which later-outgrowing axons extend. The molecular mechanism used by these follower axons to navigate along pre-existing axons remains poorly understood. We isolated loss-of-function alleles of fmi-1, which caused strong axon navigation defects of pioneer and follower axons in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) of C. elegans. Notably follower axons, which exclusively depend on pioneer axons for correct navigation, frequently separated from the pioneer. fmi-1 is the sole C. elegans ortholog of Drosophila flamingo and vertebrate Celsr genes, and this phenotype defines a new role for this important molecule in follower axon navigation. FMI-1 has a unique and strikingly conserved structure with cadherin and C-terminal G-protein coupled receptor domains and could mediate cell-cell adhesion and signaling functions. We found that follower axon navigation depended on the extracellular but not on the intracellular domain, suggesting that FMI-1 mediates primarily adhesion between pioneer and follower axons. By contrast, pioneer axon navigation required the intracellular domain, suggesting that FMI-1 acts as receptor transducing a signal in this case. Our findings indicate that FMI-1 is a cell-type dependent axon guidance factor with different domain requirements for its different functions in pioneers and followers.
Plakoglobin regulates cell motility through Rho- and fibronectin-dependent Src signaling
Authors: Todorović Viktor , Desai Bhushan V. , Patterson Melanie J. Schroeder , Amargo Evangeline V. , Dubash Adi D. , Yin Taofei , Jones Jonathan C. R. , Green Kathleen J.
Published: September 2010

We previously showed that the cell–cell junction protein plakoglobin (PG) not only suppresses motility of keratinocytes in contact with each other, but also, unexpectedly, of single cells. Here we show that PG deficiency results in extracellular matrix (ECM)-dependent disruption of mature focal adhesions and cortical actin organization. Plating PG−/− cells onto ECM deposited by PG+/− cells partially restored normal cell morphology and inhibited PG−/− cell motility. In over 70 adhesion molecules whose expression we previously showed to be altered in PG−/− cells, a substantial decrease in fibronectin (FN) in PG−/− cells stood out. Re-introduction of PG into PG−/− cells restored FN expression, and keratinocyte motility was reversed by plating PG−/− cells onto FN. Somewhat surprisingly, based on previously reported roles for PG in regulating gene transcription, PG-null cells exhibited an increase, not a decrease, in FN promoter activity. Instead, PG was required for maintenance of FN mRNA stability. PG−/− cells exhibited an increase in activated Src, one of the kinases controlled by FN, a phenotype reversed by plating PG−/− cells on ECM deposited by PG+/− keratinocytes. PG−/− cells also exhibited Src-independent activation of the small GTPases Rac1 and RhoA. Both Src and RhoA inhibition attenuated PG−/− keratinocyte motility. We propose a novel role for PG in regulating cell motility through distinct ECM–Src and RhoGTPase-dependent pathways, influenced in part by PG-dependent regulation of FN mRNA stability.
CMF70 is a subunit of the dynein regulatory complex
Authors: Kabututu Zakayi P. , Thayer Michelle , Melehani Jason H. , Hill Kent L.
Published: September 2010

Flagellar motility drives propulsion of several important pathogens and is essential for human development and physiology. Motility of the eukaryotic flagellum requires coordinate regulation of thousands of dynein motors arrayed along the axoneme, but the proteins underlying dynein regulation are largely unknown. The dynein regulatory complex, DRC, is recognized as a focal point of axonemal dynein regulation, but only a single DRC subunit, trypanin/PF2, is currently known. The component of motile flagella 70 protein, CMF70, is broadly and uniquely conserved among organisms with motile flagella, suggesting a role in axonemal motility. Here we demonstrate that CMF70 is part of the DRC from Trypanosoma brucei. CMF70 is located along the flagellum, co-sediments with trypanin in sucrose gradients and co-immunoprecipitates with trypanin. RNAi knockdown of CMF70 causes motility defects in a wild-type background and suppresses flagellar paralysis in cells with central pair defects, thus meeting the functional definition of a DRC subunit. Trypanin and CMF70 are mutually conserved in at least five of six extant eukaryotic clades, indicating that the DRC was probably present in the last common eukaryotic ancestor. We have identified only the second known subunit of this ubiquitous dynein regulatory system, highlighting the utility of combined genomic and functional analyses for identifying novel subunits of axonemal sub-complexes.
Parents – Why It Is Now Legal to Put Your Child's Nappy in the Dustbin
Authors: Atenstaedt R L
Published: September 2010

Background

Notifiable diseases in England and Wales include cholera, plague, relapsing fever, smallpox, typhus and food poisoning. S 26(1) of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 Part II made it a criminal offence to place material which is known to have been exposed to infection from a notifiable disease or one of a number of additional diseases, and which has not been disinfected, in a dustbin. One such potential infection risk that is often placed in dustbins is the disposable nappy, particularly from children who are suffering from gastroenteritis.

Method

A literature review was undertaken using PubMed on the relationship between nappies and the transmission of infectious disease.

Results

The literature review did not reveal any evidence of notifiable disease transmission through discarded nappies in dustbins.

Conclusions

As a result of a recent review, Part II of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 has now been replaced by Part IIA by virtue of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and so s 26(1) no longer applies. This is both an evidence-based decision and more importantly, decriminalizes thousands of parents who decide to discard their baby's nappy in the dustbin.
Effect of the Alvarado score on the diagnostic accuracy of right iliac fossa pain in an emergency
Authors: Mahato I P , Karn N K , Lewis O D , Agrawal C S , Bhandari R
Published: September 2010

Acute appendicitis is among the commonest surgical diseases faced by an emergency clinician. A prompt diagnosis is mandatory to reduce morbidity and mortality, which may be difficult for junior doctors who first see the patient in the emergency department. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Alvarado score as a tool to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of appendicitis. We did a prospective pre- and post-test study in 381 patients with right iliac fossa pain in the emergency department of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. Alvarado scoring was used for the post-test study. We found that the Alvarado scoring system is an effective diagnostic method, which decreases overdiagnosis of appendicitis in the emergency department, and at the same time reduces the risk of missing acute appendicitis cases. It is inexpensive and easy to implement by junior doctors with good results.
The role of the periosteum in healing a large structural defect following sequestrectomy
Authors: Bertram Frank W , Harrison Jim , Freeman R
Published: September 2010

An eight-year-old boy had a sequestrum involving the entire femoral diaphysis removed before significant involucrum had formed. This procedure resulted in a large structural defect. Ten weeks later, the periosteum had completely repaired the effect, and no infection remained. The benefit in this case of early, radical sequestrectomy is discussed.
Challenges in the management of massive haemoptysis in a resource-scarce facility
Authors: Ogunrombi Akinwumi , Onakpoya Uvie , Adewole Olufemi , Adesunkanmi Abdulrasheed
Published: September 2010

Massive hemoptysis is a life-threatening condition requiring multidisciplinary management not often available in resource-deprived countries with a limited range of therapeutic options. Prognosis is poor when salvage surgery is offered during active bleeding.
The Secondary Porosity and Permeability Characteristics of Tertiary Strata and Their Origins, Liaodong Bay Basin, China
Authors: Jiang Shu , Wang Hua , Cai Dongsheng , Guo Hao , Zhu Guanghui , Zhu Xiaomin , Hu Xiaolin
Published: September 2010

The petroleum-rich Liaodong Bay basin in Northeast China consists of three depressions (sub-basins) and two uplifts. The Liaozhong depression is the main area of hydrocarbon generation. To date, oil and gas production is mostly from Liaoxi uplift. Early exploration efforts in the deeper portion of the basin indicated that the reservoir quality was poor. However, this study indicates that four distinct zones of secondary porosity and permeability develop in all the depressions and uplifts. The zones of secondary porosity in the depression are relatively deeper than those depths of the same zones in the uplift. Correlations among porosity, permeability, diagenetic stages, evolution of clay minerals, changes in pressure, and thermal maturation indicate the four distinct secondary porosity zones are related to diagenetic evolution, organic matter evolution, clay minerals transformation, overpressure and early hydrocarbon charge. The secondary porosity zones were mainly attributed to the dissolution of the carbonate cement, feldspar and unstable minerals, hydrocarbon generation, and rapid transformation of clay minerals. This result implies that the potential reservoirs with good quality are present in the deeper overpressured portions of the Liaozhong depression.
Geochemical Evidence for Differential Accumulation of Natural Gas in Shiwu Fault Depression, Songliao Basin, China
Authors: Yu Shun , Lv Xiuxiang , Xu Hongjie , Xie Qilai , Liu Xiaoping
Published: September 2010

The carbon, helium and argon isotopes and composition data of natural gas sampled from the Shiwu fault depression indicated complex origin of natural gas. Carbon isotope reversal was possibly caused by mixing of sapropelic and humic sourced gases and leakage from gas reservoir. The shallow natural gas in both Bawu and Houwujiahu gas fields came from deep source rocks. In the Bawu gas reservoir, it was kerogen pyrolysis gas with a low degree of maturity and originated from type II kerogen in deep formation, whereas the high maturity shallow gas in the Houwujiahu reservoir was oil cracking gas and originated from type II kerogen and type III kerogen. The deep primary gas reservoir was destroyed, and natural gas migrated through the deep faults at the early stage and was accumulated in the shallow reservoir. The fault activities, source rock types, degree of thermal evolution and leakage from gas reservoir resulted in the differential accumulation of natural gas vertically and areally.
Potential Contribution of Firewood, Energy Forestation and Forest Residues in Turkey
Authors: Gucbilmez Yesim , Bakis Recep , Calis Ibrahim
Published: September 2010

In this paper, the firewood, energy forest and forest residue potentials of Turkey are investigated. Turkey has no large oil or gas reserves and more than half of the consumed energy is imported from abroad. Hence, in order to provide a sustainable economic development, new long-term energy strategies, which will reduce the share of fossil fuels and increase the share of renewable energy sources in the primary energy consumption, have to be developed. Presently, Turkey has 21.2 million hectares (ha) of forested land (27.2% of the territory) and the annual production of firewood is about 6–7 million m3. In addition, approximately 7 million m3 forest residues are formed during cutting and maintenance operations each year. Despite these high potentials, these resources can not be utilized efficiently. Most of the firewood produced is used illegally by local people for household needs. Only 15% of the available energy forests are utilized by classical methods which result in very low product yields and there are no modern plants to convert the firewood and forest residues into heat and electric energies. If, however, modern plants can be established to generate electric and heat energies from the produced firewood and formed forest residues, at least 2 Mtep (million tons of equivalent petroleum) of the energy consumption of the country can be met.
Coking Coals Potential Resources Prediction in Deep Coal Beds in Northern China
Authors: Huang Wenhui , Zhang Kuangming , Tang Xiuyi , Zhao Zhigen , Wan Huan
Published: September 2010

The coking coal resource in China is quite rich but is relative poor in the shallow coal beds. The total coals for coking are abundant, but the main coking coal resource is limted too. The coking coals distribute in 29 provinces (or autonomous regions), but they mainly concentrate only in a few provinces in which Shanxi province is the most important. Coking coal in China has rich in types, but among them the Gas coal and one-third of coking coal account for large proportion of proven resources reserve of coals for coking, meanwhile the coking coal and fat coal have low percentage, which are the main coal types in coking. In the current years the coking coal resource in shallow coal beds are becoming poor and poor because of the large production. Meanwhile, in the deep coal beds with more than 800 m contain lots of coking coals resources. According to the coal metamorphism theory the coal rank will increase gradually with the buried depth. When the mining depth is reach up to 1200 m in Northern China a large amount of fat coal, coking coal would be found and exploited in the coming years. This new prediction for coking coals in deep coal beds will resolve the problem of short supply of coking coal in China.
A p53-dependent promoter associated with polymorphic tandem repeats controls the expression of a viral transcript encoding clustered microRNAs
Authors: Stik Grégoire , Laurent Sylvie , Coupeau Damien , Coutaud Baptiste , Dambrine Ginette , Rasschaert Denis , Muylkens Benoît
Published: September 2010

The tumor suppressor protein p53 plays a role in cellular responses to cancer-initiating events by regulating progress through the cell cycle. Several recent studies have shown that p53 transactivates expression of the members of the proapoptotic microRNA-34 family, which are underexpressed in several cancers. We demonstrate here that the latency-associated cluster of microRNAs (miRNA) encoded by an oncogenic herpesvirus, gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV-2), is a direct target of p53. Robust transcriptional activity was induced in three avian cell lines by a sequence mapping 600 base pairs (bp) upstream of the cluster of miRNAs. We found transcription start sites for the pri-miRNA transcript at the 3′ end of this transcription-inducing sequence. The promoter has no consensus core promoter element, but is organized into a variable number of tandem repeats of 60-bp harboring p53-responsive elements (RE). The minimal functional construct consists of two tandem repeats. Mutagenesis to change the sequence of the p53 RE abolished transcriptional activity, whereas p53 induction enhanced mature miRNA expression. The identification of a viral miRNA promoter regulated by p53 is biologically significant, because all avirulent GaHV-2 strains described to date lack the corresponding regulatory sequence, whereas all virulent, very virulent, and hypervirulent strains possess at least two tandem repeats harboring the p53 RE.
Biomechanical evaluation of two reconstruction techniques for posterolateral instability of the knee
Authors: Rauh P. B. , Clancy W. G. , Jasper L. E. , Curl L. A. , Belkoff S. , Moorman C. T.
Published: September 2010

We evaluated two reconstruction techniques for a simulated posterolateral corner injury on ten pairs of cadaver knees. Specimens were mounted at 30° and 90° of knee flexion to record external rotation and varus movement. Instability was created by transversely sectioning the lateral collateral ligament at its midpoint and the popliteus tendon was released at the lateral femoral condyle. The left knee was randomly assigned for reconstruction using either a combined or fibula-based treatment with the right knee receiving the other. After sectioning, laxity increased in all the specimens. Each technique restored external rotatory and varus stability at both flexion angles to levels similar to the intact condition. For the fibula-based reconstruction method, varus laxity at 30° of knee flexion did not differ from the intact state, but was significantly less than after the combined method.

Both the fibula-based and combined posterolateral reconstruction techniques are equally effective in restoring stability following the simulated injury.
Birmingham hip resurfacing
Authors: Carrothers A. D. , Gilbert R. E. , Jaiswal A. , Richardson J. B.
Published: September 2010

Despite the increasing interest and subsequent published literature on hip resurfacing arthroplasty, little is known about the prevalence of its complications and in particular the less common modes of failure. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of failure of hip resurfacing arthroplasty and to analyse the reasons for it.

From a multi-surgeon series (141 surgeons) of 5000 Birmingham hip resurfacings we have analysed the modes, prevalence, gender differences and times to failure of any hip requiring revision. To date 182 hips have been revised (3.6%). The most common cause for revision was a fracture of the neck of the femur (54 hips, prevalence 1.1%), followed by loosening of the acetabular component (32 hips, 0.6%), collapse of the femoral head/avascular necrosis (30 hips, 0.6%), loosening of the femoral component (19 hips, 0.4%), infection (17 hips, 0.3%), pain with aseptic lymphocytic vascular and associated lesions (ALVAL)/metallosis (15 hips, 0.3%), loosening of both components (five hips, 0.1%), dislocation (five hips, 0.1%) and malposition of the acetabular component (three hips, 0.1%). In two cases the cause of failure was unknown.

Comparing men with women, we found the prevalence of revision to be significantly higher in women (women = 5.7%; men = 2.6%, p < 0.001). When analysing the individual modes of failure women had significantly more revisions for loosening of the acetabular component, dislocation, infection and pain/ALVAL/metallosis (p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.008, p = 0.01 respectively).

The mean time to failure was 2.9 years (0.003 to 11.0) for all causes, with revision for fracture of the neck of the femur occurring earlier than other causes (mean 1.5 years, 0.02 to 11.0). There was a significantly shorter time to failure in men (mean 2.1 years, 0.4 to 8.7) compared with women (mean 3.6 years, 0.003 to 11.0) (p < 0.001).
Humeral surface replacement for the sequelae of fractures of the proximal humerus
Authors: Pape G. , Zeifang F. , Bruckner T. , Raiss P. , Rickert M. , Loew M.
Published: September 2010

Fractures of the proximal humerus can lead to malalignment of the humeral head, necrosis and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. In such cases surface replacement might be a promising option.

A total of 28 shoulders with glenohumeral arthritis subsequent to a fracture underwent surface replacement arthroplasty of the humeral head in patients with a mean age of 60 years (35 to 83). On the basis of the inclination of the impacted head, post-traumatic arthritis was divided into three types: type 1, an impacted fracture of the head in an anatomical position (seven cases); type 2, a valgus impacted fracture (13 cases); type 3, a varus impacted fracture (eight cases). The outcome was measured by means of the Constant score.

According to the Boileau classification of the sequelae of fractures of the proximal humerus, all 28 patients had a final result of intra-capsular category 1. The mean Constant score for the 28 shoulders increased from 23.2 points (2 to 45) pre-operatively to 55.1 points (20 to 89) at a mean of 31 months (24 to 66) post-operatively. Valgus impacted fractures had significantly better results (p < 0.039).

Surface replacement arthroplasty can provide good results for patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the shoulder. Their use avoids post-operative complications of the humeral shaft, such as peri-prosthetic fractures. Further surgery can be undertaken more easily as the bone stock is preserved.
The migration patterns of two versions of the Furlong cementless femoral stem
Authors: Simpson D. J. , Kendrick B. J. L. , Hughes M. , Glyn-Jones S. , Gill H. S. , Rushforth G. F. , Murray D. W.
Published: September 2010

We have evaluated the difference in the migration patterns over two years of two cementless stems in a randomised, controlled trial using radiostereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA). The implants studied were the Furlong HAC stem, which has good long-term results and the Furlong Active stem, which is a modified version of the former designed to minimise stress concentrations between the implant and bone, and thus to improve fixation.

A total of 23 Furlong HAC and 20 Furlong Active stems were implanted in 43 patients. RSA examinations were carried out immediately post-operatively and at six, 12 and 24 months post-operatively.

The subsidence during the first year in the Furlong HAC stem, was approximately one-third that of the Furlong Active stem, the measured mean subsidence of the femoral head at six months being 0.27 mm (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03 to 0.51) and 0.99 mm (95% CI 0.38 to 1.60), respectively (p = 0.03). One Active stem continued to subside during the second year. All hips, regardless of the type of stem were clinically successful as judged by the Oxford hip score and a derived pain score without any distinction between the two types of stem.

The initial stability of the Furlong Active stem was not as good as the established stem which might compromise osseo-integration to the detriment of long-term success. The changes in the geometry of the stem, to minimise stress have affected the attainment of initial stability.
Isolated unilateral facet dislocation of the lumbosacral junction
Authors: Blecher R. , Geftler A. , Anekstein Y. , Mirovsky Y.
Published: September 2010

Traumatic unilateral facet dislocation of the lumbosacral junction without fracture or with non-displaced fractures of adjacent vertebrae is extremely rare. We describe a case of a young male who sustained a unilateral facet dislocation of the lumbosacral junction in a motor vehicle accident. The unusual features of this case include an unremarkable physical and neurological examination on presentation and absence of other substantial vertebral or extra-vertebral injuries.
The 100 classic papers of orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Kelly J. C. , Glynn R. W. , O’Briain D. E. , Felle P. , McCabe J. P.
Published: September 2010

The credibility and creativity of an author may be gauged by the number of scientific papers he or she has published, as well as the frequency of citations of a particular paper reflecting the impact of the data on the area of practice. The object of this study was to identify and analyse the qualities of the top 100 cited papers in orthopaedic surgery. The database of the Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information (1945 to 2008) was used. A total of 1490 papers were cited more than 100 times, with the top 100 being subjected to further analysis. The majority originated in the United States, followed by the United Kingdom. The top 100 papers were published in seven specific orthopaedic journals.

Analysis of the most-cited orthopaedic papers allows us a unique insight into the qualitites, characteristics and clinical innovations required for a paper to attain ‘classic’ status.
Secreted bone morphogenetic protein antagonists of the Chordin family
Authors: Itoh Nobuyuki , Ohta Hiroya
Published: September 2010

Chordin, Chordin-like 1, and Chordin-like 2 are secreted bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists with highly conserved Chordin-like cysteine-rich domains. Recently, Brorin and Brorin-like have been identified as new Chordin-like BMP antagonists. A Chordin ortholog, Short gastrulation, has been identified in Drosophila, a protostome, but not other orthologs. By contrast, Chordin, Chordin-like 1, and Chordin-like 2 have been identified in Ciona intestinalis, the closest living relatives of the vertebrates, but Brorin and Brorin-like have not. However, all these genes have been identified in most vertebrates. These results indicate that Chordin, Chordin-like 1, and Chordin-like 2 were generated early in the metazoan lineage. Later on, Brorin and Brorin-like were potentially generated by a genome duplication event in early vertebrate evolution. All four cysteine-rich domains of Chordin are essential for the regulation of its action. However, Chordin-like 1, Chordin-like 2, Brorin, and Brorin-like contain only two or three cysteine-rich domains. Although their mechanisms of action remain unclear, they might be distinct from that of Chordin. The expression profiles of these genes in mice and zebrafish indicate unique roles at embryonic and postnatal stages. Mutant/knockdown mouse and zebrafish phenotypes indicate roles in morphogenesis during gastrulation, dorsoventral axis formation, ear, pharyngeal, and neural development, and venous and arterial patterning. Aberrant Chordin expression might result in hereditary diseases and cancer. In addition, altered serum Chordin and Chordin-like 1 levels are also observed in non-hereditary diseases. Together, these results indicate pathophysiological roles.
Fenestration Condensation Resistance: Computer Simulation and In Situ Performance
Authors: Ordner Elizabeth
Published: September 2010

The purpose of this paper is to examine condensation rating procedures, specifically the procedures as defined by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), and to compare the standardized procedure with in situ performance data. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) was the first to develop standardized methods to compare fenestration system performance with respect to the formation of condensation. Following this, the NFRC developed its own procedure for developing condensation resistance values. The AAMA test method involves laboratory testing, while the NFRC method involves computer simulation. Both methods provide a rating system to enable relative ease in performance comparison between similar fenestration products. The ratings are based on standardized conditions (i.e., fenestration size and shape, fenestration surround, and environmental conditions) that do not account for the in situ conditions and therefore may not accurately predict actual performance. Recent literature has discussed the limitations of condensation resistance ratings relative to as-built conditions that can impact the formation of condensation on a fenestration system. For example, (1) installing spandrel panel insulation, although necessary to improve the thermal performance of a curtain wall, can lower surface temperatures of adjacent framing members; (2) existing interior blinds or drapery act as an insulator, which can cause the framing members to be colder; and (3) if the fenestration’s thermal break is not aligned with the wall’s insulation, the framing members can be subject to colder temperatures. This paper will focus on the NFRC rating procedure and examine a case study to demonstrate the differences between NFRC ratings, simulated surface temperatures using THERM and WINDOW computer software, and in situ measurements of a high-rise office building curtain wall. The case study will provide a representative illustration of how actual conditions can impact the fenestration product’s in situ condensation resistance and provide insight on the condensation resistance of a representative curtain wall system.