bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Due respect and professional care in death
Authors: Jolley David , Tapley Mike
Published: March 2010

The Royal College of Physicians' Palliative Care Services: Meeting the Needs of Patients and the Department of Health's End of Life Care Strategy are important reports that signify a national and international determination to address the needs of people who are nearing their time of dying, and their families, with positive, well-informed professionalism. Despite the advances of medicine and improved social conditions, death will eventually supervene. Psychiatrists and other mental health workers encounter death, in anticipation of its coming and in its aftermath. They need to be aware of developments in the field of end-of-life care and contribute to developments which are occurring, as well as learn and assimilate better practices.
Wittgenstein's legacy and narrative networks: incorporating a meaning-centred approach to patient consultation
Authors: Wallang Paul
Published: March 2010

Narrative is an emerging adjunct in psychiatric communication allowing a meaning-centred interpretation of patient experiences. Despite this fact the philosophical framework for such an approach remains largely unknown. This article builds on an earlier article and aims to set out the underlying principles allowing the establishment of a practical and expedient use of this technique to aid patient–physician interaction and therefore improve the quality of that encounter. It will give a philosophical overview of this technique, describe its practical use in a worked example and finally expand the discussion with an argument for its integration in routine clinical consultation.
Physicians' Awareness and Attitudes Toward Decision Aids for Patients With Cancer
Authors: Brace Chantalle , Schmocker Selina , Huang Harden , Victor J. Charles , McLeod Robin S. , Kennedy Erin D.
Published: March 2010

Purpose

Patient decision aids are interventions designed to help patients make deliberative choices about their treatment options and have been shown to significantly improve patient outcomes. Although considered optimal, decision aids are not widely used in clinical practice for cancer treatment. The objectives of this study are to determine physicians' awareness and use of decision aids, physicians' perceptions of the major barriers to the use of decision aids, and physician characteristics predictive of use of decision aids in clinical practice.

Methods

A population-based survey was mailed to general surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists.

Results

The survey was mailed to 878 physicians, and the overall response rate to the survey was 64.5%. The majority of the participants were male and working in community hospitals for more than 10 years. Overall, 69% of the respondents were aware of decision aids, and 46% were aware of decision aids relevant to their practice. However, only 24% were currently using decision aids. The main barriers to the use of decision aids were reported as lack of awareness, lack of resources, and lack of time. Multivariate analysis showed specialty to be the only physician characteristic influencing the use of decision aids.

Conclusion

Approximately one third of physicians treating cancer patients are not aware of what decision aids are, and only 24% are currently using decision aids in clinical practice. Strategies to increase physician awareness about decision aids and to implement these tools into clinical practice are important.
Diversification of innate immune genes: lessons from the purple sea urchin
Authors: Smith L. Courtney
Published: March 2010

Pathogen diversification can alter infection virulence, which in turn drives the evolution of host immune diversification, resulting in countermeasures for survival in this arms race. Somatic recombination of the immunoglobulin gene family members is a very effective mechanism to diversify antibodies and T-cell receptors that function in the adaptive immune system. Although mechanisms to diversify innate immune genes are not clearly understood, a seemingly unlikely source for insight into innate immune diversification may be derived from the purple sea urchin, which has recently had its genome sequenced and annotated. Although there are many differences, some characteristics of the sea urchin make for a useful tool to understand the human immune system. The sea urchin is phylogenetically related to humans although, as a group, sea urchins are evolutionarily much older than mammals. Humans require both adaptive and innate immune responses to survive immune challenges, whereas sea urchins only require innate immune functions. Genes that function in immunity tend to be members of families, and the sea urchin has several innate immune gene families. One of these is the Sp185/333 gene family with about 50 clustered members that encode a diverse array of putative immune response proteins. Understanding gene diversification in the Sp185/333 family in the sea urchin may illuminate new mechanisms of diversification that could apply to gene families that function in innate immunity in humans, such as the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor genes.
The exergetic and environmental impact assessment of underground electric train braking
Authors: Nicola D A , Rosen M A , Bulucea C A , Brindusa C
Published: March 2010

Within the present industrial society, some of the greatest challenges of humanity are related to achieving a sustainable industrial metabolism, which integrates technical activity and ecological systems. Electric traction drive systems using induction motors fed by variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) inverters have provided high performance for urban electric trains. Moreover, power converter technology based on advanced techniques in control electronics and efficient anti-slip systems allows optimum traction characteristics and minimum energy consumption. For underground electric trains, however, it is also important to assess the environmental impact of braking. From the viewpoint of exergy and environment, the braking regime, particularly electric braking, is a special aspect of non-autonomous vehicles using electric traction. As electric drive systems are used with VVVF inverters and traction induction motors, these machines with appropriate controls can realize both traction and electric braking regimes for electric traction vehicles. Concerns regarding mechanical braking are associated with unrecovered energy and material utilization. Also, for underground electric trains during mechanical braking, the abnormal but frequent situation involving the unequal charge of the traction induction motors is a concern. These aspects of underground electric trains are analysed in this article so as to assist in improving performance.
Articular surface approximation in equivalent spatial parallel mechanism models of the human knee joint: An experiment-based assessment
Authors: Ottoboni A , Parenti-Castelli V , Sancisi N , Belvedere C , Leardini A
Published: March 2010

In-depth comprehension of human joint function requires complex mathematical models, which are particularly necessary in applications of prosthesis design and surgical planning. Kinematic models of the knee joint, based on one-degree-of-freedom equivalent mechanisms, have been proposed to replicate the passive relative motion between the femur and tibia, i.e. the joint motion in virtually unloaded conditions. In the mechanisms analysed in the present work, some fibres within the anterior and posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments were taken as isometric during passive motion, and articulating surfaces as rigid. The shapes of these surfaces were described with increasing anatomical accuracy, i.e. from planar to spherical and general geometry, which consequently led to models with increasing complexity. Quantitative comparison of the results obtained from three models, featuring an increasingly accurate approximation of the articulating surfaces, was performed by using experimental measurements of joint motion and anatomical structure geometries of four lower-limb specimens. Corresponding computer simulations of joint motion were obtained from the different models. The results revealed a good replication of the original experimental motion by all models, although the simulations also showed that a limit exists beyond which description of the knee passive motion does not benefit considerably from further approximation of the articular surfaces.
An 802.11n Wireless Local Area Network Transmission Scheme for Wireless Telemedicine Applications
Authors: Lin C-F , Hung S-I , Chiang I-H
Published: March 2010

In this paper, an 802.11n transmission scheme is proposed for wireless telemedicine applications. IEEE 802.11n standards, a power assignment strategy, space—time block coding (STBC), and an object composition Petri net (OCPN) model are adopted. With the proposed wireless system, G.729 audio bit streams, Joint Photographic Experts Group 2000 (JPEG 2000) clinical images, and Moving Picture Experts Group 4 (MPEG-4) video bit streams achieve a transmission bit error rate (BER) of
Lower-extremity musculoskeletal geometry affects the calculation of patellofemoral forces in vertical jumping and weightlifting
Authors: Cleather D J , Bull A M J
Published: March 2010

The calculation of the patellofemoral joint contact force using three-dimensional (3D) modelling techniques requires a description of the musculoskeletal geometry of the lower limb. In this study, the influence of the complexity of the muscle model was studied by considering two different muscle models, the Delp and Horsman models. Both models were used to calculate the patellofemoral force during standing, vertical jumping, and Olympic-style weightlifting. The patellofemoral forces predicted by the Horsman model were markedly lower than those predicted by the Delp model in all activities and represented more realistic values when compared with previous work. This was found to be a result of a lower level of redundancy in the Delp model, which forced a higher level of muscular activation in order to allow a viable solution. The higher level of complexity in the Horsman model resulted in a greater degree of redundancy and consequently lower activation and patellofemoral forces. The results of this work demonstrate that a well-posed muscle model must have an adequate degree of complexity to create a sufficient independence, variability, and number of moment arms in order to ensure adequate redundancy of the force-sharing problem such that muscle forces are not overstated.
Mechanisms of fluid-flow-induced matrix production in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Morris H L , Reed C I , Haycock J W , Reilly G C
Published: March 2010

Matrix production by tissue-engineered bone is enhanced when the growing tissue is subjected to mechanical forces and/or fluid flow in bioreactor culture. Cells deposit collagen and mineral, depending upon the mechanical loading that they receive. However, the molecular mechanisms of flow-induced signal transduction in bone are poorly understood. The hyaluronan (HA) glycocalyx has been proposed as a potential mediator of mechanical forces in bone. Using a parallel-plate flow chamber the effects of removal of HA on flow-induced collagen production and NF-κB activation in MLO-A5 osteoid osteocytes were investigated. Short periods of fluid flow significantly increased collagen production and induced translocation of the NF-κB subunit p65 to the cell's nuclei in 65 per cent of the cell population. Enzymatic removal of the HA coat and antibody blocking of CD44 (a transmembrane protein that binds to HA) eliminated the fluid-flow-induced increase in collagen production but had no effect on the translocation of p65. HA and CD44 appear to play roles in transducing the flow signals that modulate collagen production over long-term culture but not in the short-term flow-induced activation of NF-κB, implying that multiple signalling events are initiated from the commencement of flow. Understanding the mechanotransduction events that enable fluid flow to stimulate bone matrix production will allow the optimization of bioreactor design and flow profiles for bone tissue engineering.
Simulation algorithm and validation of a photovoltaic water pumping system model using long-term field data
Authors: Odeh I , Yohanis Y G , Norton B
Published: March 2010

A photovoltaic (PV) water pumping system has been modelled using TRNSYS considering a power supply, a direct current (DC)/alternating current (AC) inverter, an AC induction motor, a centrifugal pump, a well, a water storage tank, and an overflow protection device. The model emulates actual pumping head curves, uses numerical methods to determine pump-system working points, and includes a storage tank as a component in the system. It simulates PV-powered water pumping systems, constant voltage tracking, voltage frequency modulation, and maximum power point tracking algorithms; variable inverter frequency with variable motor efficiency, variable inverter frequency with constant motor efficiency, and constant inverter frequency with variable motor efficiency algorithms. It also has the facility to calculate the accumulated unused part of the PV energy owing to the pump reaching its maximum capacity limit. Model validation was accomplished by comparing simulated results with both the laboratory measurements and long-term field data from Jordan; good match and accuracy have been achieved.
Numerical study of the transient behaviour of a thermal storage module containing phase-change material
Authors: Bagheri G H , Mehrabian M A , Hooman K
Published: March 2010

In this paper, the transient behaviour of a thermal storage module is studied numerically based on the enthalpy transforming method. The module is composed of a concentric tube, in which the annulus contains the phase-change material (PCM) and the inner tube carries the heat transfer fluid. The full set of governing equations accounting for heat and fluid flow in the inner tube, the change of phase of the PCM in the annulus, and heat conduction in the walls are solved simultaneously as a conjugate problem. A parametric study, based on three different PCMs, one with hypothetical constant properties and the other two with variable properties, is conducted to investigate the effects of outer wall thickness and variable thermo-physical properties of the PCM on the performance of the storage module during the phase-change process. It is observed that property variation effects become more pronounced as the Stefan number increases. Interestingly, more latent heat can be stored at a given time as the thermal diffusivity ratio is increased for both constant and variable property cases. This can prevent the over-sizing of the system based on constant property data. Another feature of considerable interests is the delay in the charging time: the time required for the PCM to store a certain amount of energy when the wall thermal resistance is included. A sample set of predicted data shows an error of at least 22 and/or 7.7 per cent when the property variation and/or wall thermal resistance is neglected, respectively.
Design method for the optimization of district heating systems using mixed integer linear programming
Authors: Bojić M , Čubrović R
Published: March 2010

During winter, district heating systems may be used to heat dense built environment in large cities. After several years of use, performance of such a system would change because of either refurbishment or ageing. As a result, air temperatures in heated rooms would be different from the design (thermal comfort) temperatures. It is investigated how the system performance changes owing to ageing and refurbishment of the primary pipeline and envelope of heated buildings. To determine how to recover the design temperatures of air in heated rooms, mixed integer linear programming is used. The objective was to select an optimal scenario that would achieve the minimum difference between the corrected and design temperatures inside the investigated rooms. The scenario refers to installation of new (option) valves and water pumps that would require installing in the primary pipe network of the old district heating system examined to re-establish its optimum performance.
The transient dynamic response of multiphase magneto-electroelastic sensors bonded to a shell structure
Authors: Biju B , Ganesan N , Shankar K , Hyde T H
Published: March 2010

The dynamic response of a magneto-electro-elastic sensor bonded to a cylindrical shell is addressed in this paper. A semi-analytical finite-element method is used to model the structure. The cylinder is subjected to an internal pressure and the response is studied for clamped—free and clamped—clamped boundary conditions with different sensor locations. Proportional damping is assumed and the Newmark-beta method is used as the solution technique. The response is found to be the maximum when the sensor is placed at the clamped end. It is advisable to place the sensor at the free end than in the middle to replicate the nature of load history.
meso-Trifluoromethyl-substituted Subporphyrin from Ring-splitting Reaction of meso-Trifluoromethyl-substituted [32]Heptaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1)
Authors: Sakamoto Ryu , Saito Shohei , Shimizu Soji , Inokuma Yasuhide , Aratani Naoki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: March 2010

meso-Trifluoromethyl-substituted subporphyrin was obtained through an extrusion reaction from meso-trifluoromethyl-substituted heptaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1.1) upon combined metallation of Cu(II) and B(III) ions. The subporphyrin exhibited the most blue-shifted Soret-like absorption band among those ever prepared.
Preparation of Titania Spheres Consisting of Anatase Nanocrystals via Hydrolysis of Chemically Modified Alkoxides under Solvothermal Conditions
Authors: Uchiyama Hiroaki , Matsumoto Koichi , Kozuka Hiromitsu
Published: March 2010

Formation of anatase spheres was achieved via hydrolysis of Ti(OC3H7i)4 modified with acetylacetone (acac) under solvothermal conditions at 150 °C. The reduction in the degree of hydrolysis by the modification of Ti(OC3H7i)4 with acac led to the formation of a spherical shape. The 1–5 µm in diameter spherical particles consisted of anatase nanocrystals below 10 nm in size.
Single-hole Carbonaceous Microcapsules
Authors: Wang Lei , Ni Dezhi , Yang Dan , Zhou Kebin , Yang Sen
Published: March 2010

Single-hole and spherical carbonaceous microcapsules were fabricated via controlling the carbonization, hydrolysis, and bulging force of yeast cells during hydrothermal processing. Moreover, magnetic nanoparticles could be easily coated onto these microstructures, endowing the obtained structures with multifunctionality.
Electronic Aptamer-based Biosensor for Multiprotein Analytes on a Single Paltform
Authors: Hayashi Eriko , Takada Tadao , Nakamura Mitsunobu , Yamana Kazushige
Published: March 2010

We describe an approach to the development of a new electronic aptamer-based biosensor for multiprotein targets on a single platform. The multiple protein biosensing involves the co-adsorption of several thiol-terminated capture DNA sequences on a gold surface, along with the hybridization of redox-tagged aptamer to each corresponding capture sequences on the electrode, addition of target proteins, and monitoring aptamer-strand release through electrochemical measurement.
Adsorption Configuration Changes and Reactions of N2O on V(110) between 80 and 200 K
Authors: Doh Won Hui , Jeong Hyun Suck , Kim Chang Min
Published: March 2010

Adsorption and reactions of N2O on V(110) have been investigated. The N2O molecule is adsorbed on V(110) through the terminal nitrogen atom at 80 K. The molecular axis of N2O is tilted from the surface, and the tilt angle is greater than 55°. The adsorption configuration of N2O changes in the temperature range of 80 to 120 K, and decomposition of N2O takes place to produce N2.
Photochemical Formal Alkadiene Insertion into an Aromatic C–CN Bond Using Cyanide Ion as a Catalyst
Authors: Ohashi Maki , Maeda Hajime , Mizuno Kazuhiko
Published: March 2010

A reaction involving formal alkadiene insertion into a C–CN bond taking place via a catalytic photo-NOCAS mechanism was developed. The process involves photoirradiation of an acetonitrile solution containing 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene (1), p-dicyanobenzene (p-DCB), phenanthrene (Phen), and a catalytic amount (20 mol %) of tetra-n-butylammonium cyanide. The reaction proceeds in the absence of noble metals and under mild conditions (ambient temperature without bases). This is the first example of a photo-NOCAS reaction in which a catalytic amount of nucleophilic species is employed to promote the process.
Enantioselective α-Fluorination and Chlorination of β-Ketoesters by Cobalt Catalyst
Authors: Kawatsura Motoi , Hayashi Shunsuke , Komatsu Yuji , Hayase Shuichi , Itoh Toshiyuki
Published: March 2010

We demonstrated the cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric α-fluorination and α-chlorination of β-ketoesters. Both reactions were achieved using a catalytic amount of Co(acac)2 with (R,R)-Jacobsen’s salen ligand; α-fluorinated or α-chlorinated products were thus obtained with a good enentioselectivity.
Molecular Gyroscope Having a Halogen-substituted p-Phenylene Rotator and Silaalkane Chain Stators
Authors: Setaka Wataru , Ohmizu Soichiro , Kira Mitsuo
Published: March 2010

2,3-Halophenylene-bridged polysilaalkane macrocages 1b and 1c were synthesized as novel molecular gyroscopes. X-ray crystallographic data showed that the structures of the macrocages were deformed to avoid contact between the halogens and the silaalkane cage. The 2,3-dichlorophenylene derivative 1c shows restricted rotation of the phenylene in solution as observed by variable temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy.
Heterogeneous Inorganic Acid/Organic Acid-salt Reaction inside Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates
Authors: Al-Kaysi Rabih O
Published: March 2010

Reaction of gaseous HCl with Eosin-Y disodium salt (Eosin-Y·2Na) nanorods nested inside anodic aluminum oxide templates (AAO), produced perforated Eosin-Y free acid (Eosin-Y-FA) nanorods with surface nanoholes on the order of 50 nm in diameter. Diffusion of different acids yielded different surface patterns with retention of the overall nanorod structure. Also, different pattern formation was observed for different templated organic acid salts/inorganic acid interactions.
Efficient Preparation of (Fluorosulfonyl)(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and Its Alkali Salts
Authors: Han Hong-Bo , Zhou Yi-Xuan , Liu Kai , Nie Jin , Huang Xue-Jie , Armand Michel , Zhou Zhi-Bin
Published: March 2010

New alkali salts based on (fluorosulfonyl)(pentafluoroethanesulfonyl)imide {[(FSO2)(C2F5SO2)N]−, FPFSI−} anion are introduced, together with a new effective preparation of C2F5SO2NH2 and H[FPFSI]. The former amide was prepared by amination of lithium pentafluoroethanesulfinate (C2F5SO2Li) with NH2OSO3H, which was converted to the H[FPFSI] by sequential chlorosulfonation with SOCl2/ClSO3H, and fluorination by SbF3.
Perianal Condylomas, Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Neoplasms and Screening: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Oon Sheng-Fei , Winter Desmond C
Published: March 2010

Anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASILs) are the precursors to anal cancer. Human papillomavirus infection has a direct link to ASIL formation and is responsible for up to 80% of anal cancers. But while much importance has been focused on targeting cancer precursors in the cervix, relatively little concern has been afforded to the anal canal. With the advent of cervical Pap smear screening in various regions, the incidence of cervical cancer has declined. However, marked similarities in the biological and pathological profiles of cervical cancer and anal cancer mean that anal cancer should be preventable in the same way – by curbing the progression of ASIL to cancer. This article explores the literature on ASILs and the growing problem of anal cancer in the community, along with the literature surrounding the current progress towards implementing a screening programme for ASIL in the future.
Combination medium of cryoprotective agents containing l-glutamine and methyl-β-cyclodextrin in a preincubation medium yields a high fertilization rate for cryopreserved C57BL/6J mouse sperm
Authors: Takeo T , Nakagata N
Published: March 2010

Recently, a vast number of genetically-engineered mice have been created in various laboratories worldwide, all of which need to be effectively archived. The cryopreservation of mouse sperm provides a simple and economical means of storing the mice in mouse resource facilities. The current protocol for sperm cryopreservation using 18% raffinose pentahydrate and 3% skim milk (R18S3) has been adopted in most laboratories. In general, we can attain relatively high fertilization rates for frozen/thawed sperm in many inbred and F1 hybrid strains. However, the sperm of C57BL/6J mice shows an extremely low fertility rate after freezing and thawing (0–20%). In this study, we attempted to improve the low fertility of frozen/thawed C57BL/6J mouse sperm. Our results showed that a combination of R18S3 containing l-glutamine and methyl- β-cyclodextrin (MBCD) in a preincubation medium dramatically increased the rate of fertilization (69.2 ± 12.2%). Furthermore, the developmental potencies of two-cell embryos produced by frozen/thawed sperm to live young were normal (fresh: 46.0 ± 8.2%, frozen/thawed: 51.5 ± 11.1%). In summary, we conclude that a new method of sperm cryopreservation and in vitro fertilization using modified R18S3 with l-glutamine and MBCD in a preincubation medium yields a high fertilization rate for frozen/thawed C57BL/6J strain sperm. Furthermore, the new method provides a reliable archiving and reproducing system for genetically-engineered mice using sperm cryopreservation.
Reduced seed region-based off-target activity with lentivirus-mediated RNAi
Authors: Klinghoffer Richard A. , Magnus Jill , Schelter Janell , Mehaffey Michele , Coleman Casey , Cleary Michele A.
Published: March 2010

Along with silencing intended target genes, transfected siRNAs regulate numerous unintended transcripts through a mechanism in which the equivalent of a microRNA-like seed region in the siRNA recognizes complementary sequences in transcript 3′ UTRs. Amelioration of this off-target silencing would lead to more accurate interpretation of RNA interference (RNAi) experiments and thus greatly enhance their value. We tested whether lentivirus-mediated delivery of shRNA is prone to the sequence-based off-target activity prevalent in siRNA experiments. We compared target gene silencing and overall impact on global gene expression caused by multiple sequences delivered as both transfected siRNAs and lentivirus vector-expressed shRNAs. At equivalent levels of target gene silencing, signatures induced by shRNAs were significantly smaller than those induced by cognate siRNAs and arose less frequently from seed region activity. Interestingly, the low level of seed region-based off-target activity exhibited by shRNAs resulted in down-regulation of transcripts that were largely distinct from those regulated by siRNAs. On the basis of these observations, we recommend lentivirus-mediated RNAi for pathway profiling experiments that measure whole genome transcriptional readouts as well as for large-scale screens when resources for extensive follow up are limited.
Ecm1 is a new pre-ribosomal factor involved in pre-60S particle export
Authors: Yao Yanhua , Demoinet Emilie , Saveanu Cosmin , Lenormand Pascal , Jacquier Alain , Fromont-Racine Micheline
Published: March 2010

In eukaryotes, ribosome biogenesis is a highly conserved process that starts in the nucleus and ends in the cytoplasm. In actively growing yeast cells, it is estimated that each nuclear pore complex (NPC) contributes to the export of about 25 pre-ribosomal particles per minute. Such an extremely active process requires several redundant export receptors for the pre-60S particles. Here, we report the identification of a novel pre-60S factor, Ecm1, which partially acts like Arx1 and becomes essential when the NPC function is affected. Ecm1 depletion, combined with the deletion of NPC components led to pre-60S retention in the nucleus. Functional links that we identified between Ecm1, 60S biogenesis, pre-60S export, and the NPC were correlated with physical interactions of Ecm1 with pre-60S particles and nucleoporins. These results support that Ecm1 is an additional factor involved in pre-60S export. While Ecm1 and Arx1 have redundant functions, overproduction of either one could not complement the absence of the other, whereas overproduction of Mex67 was able to partially restore the growth defect resulting from the absence of Ecm1 or Arx1. These data highlight the involvement of many factors acting together to export pre-60S particles.
Residues in SRP9/14 essential for elongation arrest activity of the signal recognition particle define a positively charged functional domain on one side of the protein
Authors: Mary Camille , Scherrer Anne , Huck Laurent , Lakkaraju Asvin K.K. , Thomas Yves , Johnson Arthur E. , Strub Katharina
Published: March 2010

The signal recognition particle (SRP) is a ubiquitous cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complex required for the cotranslational targeting of proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In eukaryotes, SRP has to arrest the elongation of the nascent chains during targeting to ensure efficient translocation of the preprotein, and this function of SRP is dependent on SRP9/14. Here we present the results of a mutational study on the human protein h9/14 that identified and characterized regions and single residues essential for elongation arrest activity. Effects of the mutations were assessed both in cell-free translation/translocation assays and in cultured mammalian cells. We identified two patches of basic amino acid residues that are essential for activity, whereas the internal loop of SRP14 was found to be dispensable. One patch of important basic residues comprises the previously identified basic pentapetide KRDKK, which can be substituted by four lysines without loss of function. The other patch includes three lysines in the solvent-accessible α2 of h9. All essential residues are located in proximity in SRP9/14 and their basic character suggests that they serve as a positively charged platform for interactions with ribosomal RNA. In addition, they can all be lysines consistent with the hypothesis that they recognize their target(s) via electrostatic contacts, most likely with the phosphate backbone, as opposed to contacts with specific bases.
Regulation of pre-mRNA splicing inXenopusoocytes by targeted 2′-O-methylation
Authors: Ge JuNhui , Liu Huimin , Yu Yi-Tao
Published: March 2010

The 2′-OH group of the branch point adenosine is a key moiety to initiate pre-mRNA splicing. We use RNA-guided RNA modification to target the pre-mRNA branch point adenosine for 2′-O-methylation, with the aim of blocking pre-mRNA splicing in vertebrate cells. We show that, under certain conditions, injection of a branch point-specific artificial box C/D RNA intoXenopusoocytes effectively 2′-O-methylates adenovirus pre-mRNA at the target nucleotide. However, 2′-O-methylation at the authentic branch point activates a host of cryptic branch points, thus allowing splicing to continue. These cryptic sites are mapped, and mutated. Upon injection, pre-mRNA free of cryptic branch points fails to splice when the branch point-specific box C/D RNA is present. However, 2′-O-methylation at the branch point does not prevent pre-mRNA from being assembled into pre-catalytic spliceosome-like complexes prior to the first chemical step of splicing. Our results demonstrate that RNA-guided pre-mRNA modification can occur in the nucleoplasm of vertebrate cells, thus offering a powerful tool for molecular biology research.
Debridement of cartilage lesions before autologous chondrocyte implantation by open or transarthroscopic techniques
Authors: Drobnič M. , Radosavljevič D. , Cör A. , Brittberg M. , Stražar K.
Published: March 2010

We compared the quality of debridement of chondral lesions performed by four arthroscopic (SH, shaver; CU, curette; SHCU, shaver and curette; BP, bipolar electrodes) and one open technique (OPEN, scalpel and curette) which are used prior to autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). The ex vivo simulation of all five techniques was carried out on six juvenile equine stifle joints. The OPEN, SH and SHCU techniques were tested on knees harvested from six adult human cadavers.

The most vertical walls with the least adjacent damage to cartilage were obtained with the OPEN technique. The CU and SHCU methods gave inferior, but still acceptable results whereas the SH technique alone resulted in a crater-like defect and the BP method undermined the cartilage wall. The subchondral bone was severely violated in all the equine samples which might have been peculiar to this model. The predominant depth of the debridement in the adult human samples was at the level of the calcified cartilage. Some minor penetrations of the subchondral end-plate were induced regardless of the instrumentation used.

Our study suggests that not all routine arthroscopic instruments are suitable for the preparation of a defect for ACI. We have shown that the preferred debridement technique is either open or arthroscopically-assisted manual curettage. The use of juvenile equine stifles was not appropriate for the study of the cartilage-subchondral bone interface.
Are extreme distal periprosthetic supracondylar fractures of the femur too distal to fix using a lateral locked plate?
Authors: Streubel P. N. , Gardner M. J. , Morshed S. , Collinge C. A. , Gallagher B. , Ricci W. M.
Published: March 2010

It is unclear whether there is a limit to the amount of distal bone required to support fixation of supracondylar periprosthetic femoral fractures. This retrospective multicentre study evaluated lateral locked plating of periprosthetic supracondylar femoral fractures and compared the results according to extension of the fracture distal with the proximal border of the femoral prosthetic component.

Between 1999 and 2008, 89 patients underwent lateral locked plating of a supracondylar periprosthetic femoral fracture, of whom 61 patients with a mean age of 72 years (42 to 96) comprising 53 women, were available after a minimum follow-up of six months or until fracture healing. Patients were grouped into those with fractures located proximally (28) and those with fractures that extended distal to the proximal border of the femoral component (33).

Delayed healing and nonunion occurred respectively in five (18%) and three (11%) of more proximal fractures, and in two (6%) and five (15%) of the fractures with distal extension (p = 0.23 for delayed healing; p = 0.72 for nonunion, Fisher’s exact test). Four construct failures (14%) occurred in more proximal fractures, and three (9%) in fractures with distal extension (p = 0.51). Of the two deep infections that occurred in each group, one resolved after surgical debridement and antibiotics, and one progressed to a nonunion.

Extreme distal periprosthetic supracondylar fractures of the femur are not a contra-indication to lateral locked plating. These fractures can be managed with internal fixation, with predictable results, similar to those seen in more proximal fractures.
Histological evaluation of repair of the rotator cuff in a primate model
Authors: Sonnabend D. H. , Howlett C. R. , Young A. A.
Published: March 2010

The establishment of a suitable animal model of repair of the rotator cuff is difficult since the presence of a true rotator cuff anatomically appears to be restricted almost exclusively to advanced primates. Our observational study describes the healing process after repair of the cuff in a primate model. Lesions were prepared and repaired in eight ‘middle-aged’ baboons. Two each were killed at four, eight, 12 and 15 weeks post-operatively. The bone-tendon repair zones were assessed macroscopically and histologically.

Healing of the baboon supraspinatus involved a sequence of stages resulting in the reestablishment of the bone-tendon junction. It was not uniform and occurred more rapidly at the sites of suture fixation than between them. Four weeks after repair the bone-tendon healing was immature. Whereas macroscopically the repair appeared to be healed at eight weeks, the Sharpey fibres holding the repair together did not appear in any considerable number before 12 weeks. By 15 weeks, the bone-tendon junction was almost, but not quite mature.

Our results support the use of a post-operative rehabilitation programme in man which protects the surgical repair for at least 12 to 15 weeks in order to allow maturation of tendon-to-bone healing.
Wear-pattern analysis in retrieved tibial inserts of mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing total knee prostheses
Authors: Lu Y.-C. , Huang C.-H. , Chang T.-K. , Ho F.-Y. , Cheng C.-K. , Huang C.-H.
Published: March 2010

Components from 73 failed knee replacements (TKRs) consisting of rotating-platform, mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing implants were examined to assess the patterns of wear. The patterns were divided into low-grade (burnishing, abrasion and cold flow) and high-grade (scratching, pitting/metal embedding and delamination) to assess the severity of the wear of polyethylene.

The rotating-platform group had a higher incidence of low-grade wear on the upper surface compared with the fixed-bearing group. By contrast, high-grade wear comprising scratching, pitting and third-body embedding was seen on the lower surface. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation of the wear scores between the upper and lower surfaces of the tibial insert (R2 = 0.29, p = 0.04) for the rotating-platform group, but no significant correlation was found for the fixed-bearing counterpart.

This suggests that high-grade wear patterns on the upper surface are reduced with the rotating-platform design. However, the incidence of burnishing, pitting/third-body embedding and scratching wear patterns on the lower surface was higher compared with that in the fixed-bearing knee.
Percutaneous anterior transarticular screw fixation for atlantoaxial instability
Authors: Li W.-L. , Chi Y.-L. , Xu H.-Z. , Wang X.-Y. , Lin Y. , Huang Q.-S. , Mao F.-M.
Published: March 2010

We reviewed the outcome of a retrospective case series of eight patients with atlantoaxial instability who had been treated by percutaneous anterior transarticular screw fixation and grafting under image-intensifier guidance between December 2005 and June 2008.

The mean follow-up was 19 months (8 to 27). All eight patients had a solid C1–2 fusion. There were no breakages or displacement of screws. All the patients with pre-operative neck pain had immediate relief from their symptoms or considerable improvement. There were no major complications. Our preliminary clinical results suggest that percutaneous anterior transarticulation screw fixation is technically feasible, safe, useful and minimally invasive when using the appropriate instruments allied to intra-operative image intensification, and by selecting the correct puncture point, angle and depth of insertion.
The usefulness of serum amyloid A as a postoperative inflammatory marker after posterior lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Deguchi M. , Shinjo R. , Yoshioka Y. , Seki H.
Published: March 2010

The post-operative changes in the serum levels of CRP and serum amyloid A (SAA) were investigated prospectively in 106 patients after posterior lumbar interbody fusion. In 96 patients who did not have complications related to infection within the first year after operation, the median levels of CRP before operation and on days 3, 7 and 13 after were 0.02 (0.01 to 0.03), 9.12 (2.36 to 19.82), 1.64 (0.19 to 6.10) and 0.53 (0.05 to 2.94) mg/dl, respectively and for SAA, 2.6 (2.0 to 3.8), 1312.1 (58.0 to 3579.8), 77.3 (1.8 to 478.4), 14.1 (0.5 to 71.9) μg/ml, respectively. The levels on day 3 were the highest for both CRP and SAA and significantly decreased (p < 0.01) by day 7 and day 13.

In regard to CRP, no patient had less than the reference level (0.1 mg/dl) on day 7. In only three had the level decreased to the reference level, while in 93 it was above this on day 13. However, for SAA, the levels became normal on day 7 in 10 cases and on day 13 in 34 cases. The ratios relative to the levels on day 3 were significantly lower for SAA compared with CRP on day 7 and day 13. Of the ten patients with infection in the early stages, the level of CRP decreased slightly but an increase in SAA was observed in six.

We concluded that SAA is better than CRP as a post-operative inflammatory marker.
Targeted hyperthermia using magnetite cationic liposomes and an alternating magnetic field in a mouse osteosarcoma model
Authors: Shido Y. , Nishida Y. , Suzuki Y. , Kobayashi T. , Ishiguro N.
Published: March 2010

We undertook a study of the anti-tumour effects of hyperthermia, delivered via magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs), on local tumours and lung metastases in a mouse model of osteosarcoma. MCLs were injected into subcutaneous osteosarcomas (LM8) and subjected to an alternating magnetic field which induced a heating effect in MCLs. A control group of mice with tumours received MCLs but were not exposed to an AMF. A further group of mice with tumours were exposed to an AMF but had not been treated with MCLs. The distribution of MCLs and local and lung metastases was evaluated histologically. The weight and volume of local tumours and the number of lung metastases were determined. Expression of heat shock protein 70 was evaluated immunohistologically. Hyperthermia using MCLs effectively heated the targeted tumour to 45°C. The mean weight of the local tumour was significantly suppressed in the hyperthermia group (p = 0.013). The mice subjected to hyperthermia had significantly fewer lung metastases than the control mice (p = 0.005). Heat shock protein 70 was expressed in tumours treated with hyperthermia, but was not found in those tumours not exposed to hyperthermia.

The results demonstrate a significant effect of hyperthermia on local tumours and reduces their potential to metastasise to the lung.
A good outcome following complete injury of the brachial plexus
Authors: Dickson J. K. , Biant L. C.
Published: March 2010

Restoration of hand function is rarely achieved after a complete closed traction lesion of the supraclavicular brachial plexus. We describe the injury, treatment, rehabilitation and long-term results of two patients who regained good function of the upper limb and useful function in the hand after such an injury. Successful repairs were performed within six days of injury. Tinel’s sign proved accurate in predicting the ruptures and the distribution of pain was accurate in predicting avulsion. The severe pain that began on the day of injury resolved with the onset of muscle function.

Recovery of muscle function preceded recovery of sensation. Recovery of the function of C and Aδ fibres was the slowest of all.
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following cervical disc arthroplasty
Authors: Altaf F. , Derbyshire N. , Marshall R. W.
Published: March 2010

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare condition, which is difficult to diagnose. It has not previously been reported following surgery to the cervical spine . We report such a case in a 45-year-old man after cervical disc replacement. A high index of suspicion, with early imaging of the brain and prompt treatment, can produce a favourable outcome, albeit not in this case.
Valuing money more than people: The effects of materialism on work–family conflict
Authors: Promislo Mark D. , Deckop John R. , Giacalone Robert A. , Jurkiewicz Carole L.
Published: March 2010

Can valuing money and material possessions lead to conflict between work and family? In this paper, we build on Carlson and Kacmar's call for more research on personal values in the context of the work–family interface. In a field study, we examined the relationship between materialism and two components of work–family conflict: work interference with family (WIF) and family interference with work (FIW). Results supported our main hypotheses that materialism is associated with both forms of work–family conflict. Further, work overload mediated the relationship between materialism and WIF, while FIW moderated the association between materialism and work overload, thus supporting a model of mediated moderation. By linking materialism to work–family conflict, this study adds to the growing evidence of the deleterious effects of holding materialistic values.
In Situ Fluorescence Imaging of Myelination
Authors: Wang Changning , Popescu Daniela C. , Wu Chunying , Zhu Junqing , Macklin Wendy , Wang Yanming
Published: March 2010

We describe a novel fluorescent dye, 3-(4-aminophenyl)-2 H-chromen-2-one (termed case myelin compound or CMC), that can be used for in situ fluorescent imaging of myelin in the vertebrate nervous system. When administered via intravenous injection into the tail vein, CMC selectively stained large bundles of myelinated fibers in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In the CNS, CMC readily entered the brain and selectively localized in myelinated regions such as the corpus callosum and cerebellum. CMC also selectively stained myelinated nerves in the PNS. The staining patterns of CMC in a hypermyelinated mouse model were consistent with immunohistochemical staining. Similar to immunohistochemical staining, CMC selectively bound to myelin sheaths present in the white matter tracts. Unlike CMC, conventional antibody staining for myelin basic protein also stained oligodendrocyte cytoplasm in the striatum as well as granule layers in the cerebellum. In vivo application of CMC was also demonstrated by fluorescence imaging of myelinated nerves in the PNS.
Variable Expression of Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 4 (NcoA4) During Mouse Embryonic Development
Authors: Kollara Alexandra , Brown Theodore J.
Published: March 2010

Human nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NcoA4) amplifies the activity of several ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors, including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and androgen receptor (AR). Because these receptors exert important regulatory effects during development, with AhR ubiquitously expressed after embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) and AR expressed from E12 onward, we examined NcoA4 expression in mouse embryos from E9.5 to E17.5. Full-length NcoA4 transcript was detected by RT-PCR at all embryonic stages and in all adult mouse tissues examined, although a novel splice variant was also detected. Western blot analysis indicated the expression of full-length NcoA4 protein, which was more highly expressed at later (E15.5–E17.5) embryonic stages. NcoA4 protein was also present at varying levels in all adult mouse tissues examined. A dynamic expression profile for NcoA4 during early development was indicated by immunohistochemistry in cardiac, hepatic, and lung tissue. Unlike human NcoA4, murine NcoA4 lacks an LXXLL motif, which has been implicated in the interaction with AR. Overexpression of murine NcoA4 augmented the transcriptional activity of AhR by 5-fold and AR by only 1.5-fold in COS cells. These studies demonstrate ubiquitous NcoA4 expression throughout development and suggest that this coactivator may play a role in modulating nuclear receptor activity, particularly that of the AhR, during development.