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Three half-turn and four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh panels were built for tensile and punch tests with and without one center-cut wire mesh panel. The study results indicated that the ultimate tensile strength or punch resistance for the three half-turn and four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh panels without any cut was similar. However, the four half-turn hexagonal wire panels showed better tensile and punch resistance after one wire broke at the panel center. This finding suggests that the presence of broken wires within the four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh panels have no significant influence on the panels’ tensile strength and punch resistance. Four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh is a better structural pattern than three half-turn hexagonal wire mesh for slope stability and river bank protection.

OBJECTIVES: Prior research has focused on the relationship between weight change and incidence of metabolic syndrome. Change in body mass index (BMI), components of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome status were investigated over 1 year of follow-up.Methods: Subjects with metabolic syndrome from a community health screening project were recruited. Logistic regression was used to analyse the disappearance or remission of metabolic syndrome during 1 year according to changes in BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG).Results: The study included 490 subjects with metabolic syndrome. After 1 year, metabolic syndrome had disappeared in 30.0% (147/490) of subjects. Decreased triglycerides, blood pressure and HDL-C were significantly associated with the 1-year disappearance of metabolic syndrome, whereas BMI, waist circumference and FPG levels were not.Conclusions: Short-term weight reduction has no impact on the status of metabolic syndrome. The disappearance of metabolic syndrome was common during a 1-year follow-up. This finding might impact on the treatment and management of people with metabolic syndrome.

Between April 2004 and July 2007, we performed 241 primary total knee replacements in 204 patients using the e.motion posterior cruciate-retaining, multidirectional mobile-bearing prosthesis. Of these, 100 were carried out using an image-free navigation system, and the remaining 141 with the conventional technique. We conducted a retrospective study from the prospectively collected data of these patients to assess the early results of this new mobile-bearing design.At a mean follow-up of 49 months (32 to 71), 18 knees (7.5%) had mechanical complications of which 13 required revision. Three of these had a peri-prosthetic fracture, and were removed from the study. The indication for revision in the remaining ten was loosening of the femoral component in two, tibiofemoral dislocation in three, disassociation of the polyethylene liner in four, and a broken polyethyene liner in one. There were eight further mechanically unstable knees which presented with recurrent disassociation of the polyethylene liner. There was no significant difference in the incidence of mechanical instability between the navigation-assisted procedures (8 of 99, 8.1%) and the conventionally implanted knees (10 of 139, 7.2%).In our view, the relatively high rate of mechanical complications and revision within 30 months precludes the further use of new design of knee replacement.

The effects of Hfsubstitution and Ccontent on the magnetic properties, phase evolution and microstructure of melt spun (Sm, Pr)Co7-xHfxCy(x = 0–0.5; y = 0–0.14) ribbons have been studied. A proper Hfsubstitution is helpful not only in stabilizing 1:7 phase but also in enhancing its magnetic anisotropy field, as a result, magnetic properties of Br= 6.4 kG, iHc= 7.3 kOeand (BH)max= 8.7 MGOefor SmCo6.9Hf0.1ribbons are obtained. Besides, a small amount of Caddition in the ribbons could slightly modify phase constitution and effectively refine their microstructure to strengthen the exchange coupling effect between magnetic grains. It leads to the improvement of the magnetic properties for SmCo6.8Hf0.2C0.12nanocomposites. Finally, a slight Prsubstitution for Smmay further increase the magnetization and the magnetic properties, the optimal magnetic properties of Br= 7.1 kG, iHc= 8.5 kOeand (BH)max= 11.2 MGOecould be achieved for the directly quenched Sm0.8Pr0.2Co6.9Hf0.1C0.12ribbons.

OBJECTIVES To discuss overprojected and broad nasal tips, to overview treatment options, and to relate our experience with the hockey-stick technique. DESIGN A retrospective review (1975-2005) was conducted. Patients were selected from a computerized rhinoplasty database of operative cases. The database was used to extract a subset population that had received the hockey-stick tip procedure and had follow-up data for 1 year or more after surgery. Medical records and photographs were also analyzed in this review of results and complications. RESULTS The hockey-stick modification of vertical dome division was used in 137 patients (9.9% of the rhinoplasties in the computerized database). Of these, 64 patients had 1 year or more of follow-up. Complications referable to the nasal tip (eg, bossae, persistent tip projection, and alar asymmetry) were seen in 8 patients (13%). Revisions for tip-related problems were performed in 4 patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS The hockey-stick technique is an effective method for nasal tip deprojection and narrowing via an endonasal approach. The length of follow-up in this patient population allows good long-term evaluation of this technique.arch facial plast surg. 2008;10(2):88-92--

We review our use of a modified tip graft that we termed the anchor graft for the correction of nasal tip deformities. This modified infratip shield graft was used to improve alar rim positioning, while simultaneously improving tip projection and/or augmenting infratip fullness. Standardized preoperative and postoperative photographs were taken of each patient. Aesthetic appearance was subjectively judged by the physician and a patient survey. Complications were tabulated. Sixteen patients met the requirements for inclusion in our study. Eleven patients received follow-up for more than 1 year. All patients demonstrated good aesthetic improvement, with only minor complications. No extrusion of the graft was noted. All patients reported a natural-appearing and normal-feeling nose after a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Revision surgery was elected in 4 patients, 2 of whom initially presented as revision cases. The anchor graft is a new technique to aid in cosmetic modification of the nasal tip as well as to improve the functional and aesthetic appearance of the nasal ala and external nasal valve.

The correlation between morphology and charge‐carrier mobility in the vertical direction in thin films of poly(2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene) (MEH‐PPV) is investigated by a combination of X‐ray reflectivity (XRR), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence optical microscopy (FOM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy (PLE), as well as time‐of‐flight (TOF) and transient electroluminescence (TrEL) techniques. The mobility is about two orders of magnitude greater for drop‐cast films than for their spin‐cast counterparts. Drop‐casting in the presence of a vertical static electric field (E‐casting) results in films with an additional increase in mobility of about one order of magnitude. While PL and PLE spectra vary with the method of film preparation, there is no correlation between emission spectra and charge‐carrier mobility. Our XRR measurements on spin‐cast films indicate layering along the film depth while no such structure is found in drop‐cast or E‐cast films, whereas FESEM examination indicates that nanodomains within drop‐cast films are eliminated in the E‐cast case. These observations indicate that carrier transport is influenced by structure on two different length scales. The low mobility observed in spin‐cast films is a direct result of a global layered structure with characteristic thickness of ca. 4 nm: in the absence of this layered structure, drop‐cast films with inherent nanoscale heterogeneities (ca. 20 nm in size) exhibit much better hole mobility. Elimination of nanodomains via electric‐field alignment results in further improved charge mobility.

In an effort to optimize the antibacterial activity of kanamycin class aminoglycoside antibiotics, we have accomplished the synthesis and antibacterial assay of new kanamycin B analogues. A rationale-based glycodiversification strategy was employed. The activity of the lead is comparable to that of commercially available kanamycin. These new members, however, were found to be inactive against aminoglycoside resistant bacteria. Molecular modeling was used to provide the explanation. Thus, a new strategy for structural modifications of kanamycin class aminoglycosides is suggested.

A novel method for achieving the desired regioselective reduction of the N-1 azido group on a tetraazidoneamine has been developed that leads to the synthesis of both kanamycin and neomycin class antibiotics bearing N-1 modification. Both classes of aminoglycosides are active against aminoglycoside-resistant bacteria carrying APH(3‘)-I and AAC(6‘)/APH(2‘ ‘).

Ammodendrine (1) was found to occur as a mixture of enantiomers in two different collections of plants identified as Lupinus formosus. The ammodendrine fraction was reacted in a peptide coupling reaction with 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-l-alanine (Fmoc-l-Ala-OH) to give diastereomers, which were separated by preparative HPLC. The pure d- and l-ammodendrine enantiomers were then obtained by Edman degradation. Optical rotation measurements revealed that the d- and  l-enantiomers had optical rotations of [α]²⁴D +5.4° and −5.7°, respectively. d- and l-N-methylammodendrine enantiomers were synthesized from the corresponding ammodendrine enantiomers, and their optical rotations established as [α]²³D +62.4° and −59.0°, respectively. A mouse bioassay was used to determine the difference in toxicity between these two pairs of naturally occurring enantiomers. The LD50 of (+)-d-ammodendrine in mice was determined to be 94.1 ± 7 mg/kg and that of (−)-l-ammodendrine as 115.0 ± 7 mg/kg. The LD50 of (+)-d-N-methylammodendrine in mice was estimated to be 56.3 mg/kg, while that of (−)-l-N-methylammodendrine was determined to be 63.4 ± 5 mg/kg. These results establish the rotation values for pure ammodendrine and N-methylammodendrine and indicate that there is little difference in acute murine toxicity between the respective enantiomers.

The synthesis and study of the structure−activity relationships of two new classes of synthetic antitubulin compounds based on 1-aroylindole and 3-aroylindole skeletons are described. Lead compounds 3, 10, and 14 displayed potent cytotoxicities with IC50 = 0.9−26 nM against human NUGC3 stomach, MKN45 stomach, MESSA uterine, A549 lung, and MCF-7 breast carcinoma cell lines. The inhibition of proliferation correlated with in vitro polymerization inhibitory activities. Structure−activity relationships revealed that 6-methoxy substitution of 3-aroylindoles and 5-methoxy substitution of 1-aroylindoles contribute to a significant extent for maximal activity by mimicking the para substitution of the methoxy group to the carbonyl group in the case of aminobenzophenones. Addition of a methyl group at the C-2 position on the indole ring exerts an increased potency. The 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl moiety was necessary for better activity but not essential and can be replaced by 3,5-dimethoxybenzoyl and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl moieties. We conclude that 1- and 3-aroylindoles constitute an interesting new class of antitubulin agents with the potential to be clinically developed for cancer treatment.

A new series of 3-aminobenzophenone compounds as potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization was discovered based on the mimic of the aminocombretastatin molecular skeleton. Lead compounds 5 and 11, with alkoxy groups at the C-4 position of B-ring, were potent cytotoxic agents and inhibitors of tubulin polymerization through the binding to the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. The corresponding antitubulin activities of 5 and 11 were similar to or greater than combretastatin A-4 and AVE-8063. Replacement of the methoxy group with a chloro group in the B ring of aminobenzopheneones (3, 8, and 9) caused drastic decrease in cytotoxic and antitubulin activity except in compounds 4 and 10, which could result from a unique alignment between chloro and amino groups located at the para position to each other. SAR information revealed that introduction of an amino group at the C-3 position in B ring of benzophenones, in addition to a methoxy group at the C-4 position, plays an important role for maximal cytotoxicity.

The expedient synthesis of a library of kanamycin B analogues is reported. The revealed SAR will guide future designs in developing kanamycin-type aminoglycoside antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria.

Treatment of the ruthenium acetylide complexes [M]C&tbd1;CPh (1a, [M] = [Ru] = Cp(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)Ru; 1b, [M] = [Ru‘] = Cp(PPh3)[P(OMe)3]Ru) with 1.1 equiv of EtO2CN&dbd;C&dbd;S results in [2 + 2] cycloadditions yielding the four-membered-ring 2-iminothiete products 2a,b, respectively. Isomerization of complex 2a results in formation of 3a containing the six-membered-ring oxazinethione ligand. Alkylation of complex 3a by CH2Cl2 takes place at the thione sulfur to give 4a, which loses ethyl chloride, yielding the new six-membered-ring [1,3]-oxazin-2-one complex 5a. Further alkylation of 3a by the chloromethyl group of 5a affords the dinuclear complex 6a with two oxazin-2-one ligands bridged by a methylene group. Structures of 2b, 3a, 5a and 6a have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

The [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of alkynes and alkenes with ruthenium azido complex [Ru]-N3 (1, [Ru] = (η⁵-C5H5)(dppe)Ru, dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) have been investigated. The metal-bound heterocyclic complexes produced are triazolates [Ru]N3C2(CO2Me)2 (2) and [Ru]N3C2HCO2Me (3) from dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate and methyl propiolate, respectively. Reaction of 1 with fumaronitrile in CH2Cl2 at room temperature results in removal of a HCN molecule and produces the triazolato complex [Ru]N3C2HCN (4). In contrast, reaction of tetracyanoethene with 1 affords the tetrazolato complex [Ru]N4C[C(CN)&dbd;C(CN)2] (5). The structures of these complexes are all clearly established as N(2)-bound. Alkylation of 2 with organic bromides causes cleavage of the Ru−N bond and affords [Ru]-Br and N(1)-alkylated five-membered-ring organic triazoles N3(R)C2(CO2Me)2 (6a, R = CH2C6F5; 6b, R = CH2Ph; 6c, R = CH2CO2Me). Reaction of 3 with excess methyl propiolate gives a mixture of Z- and E-form zwitterionic N(1)-bound N(3)-alkylated-4-substituted triazolato complexes [Ru]N3(CH&dbd;CHCO2Me)C2H(CO2) (7) in a ratio of ca. 4:1. Reaction of (Z)-7 with ICH3 affords {[Ru]N3(CH&dbd;CHCO2Me)C2H(CO2Me)}[I] (8a) and the following cleavage of the Ru−N bond gives [Ru]-I and an organic triazole, N3(CH&dbd;CHCO2Me)C2H(CO2Me) (9a). A regiospecific alkylation happens by treatment of 3 with organic halides and gives a series of cationic N(1)-bound N(3)-alkylated-4-substituted triazolato complexes exclusively with high yields. The structures of 2, 3, 4, 5, (Z)-7, and 10a have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Continuing from the syntheses and the antibacterial studies of a library of pyranmycins, we further probed the proximity around ring III of pyranmycin by introducing an “extended arm” that has hydroxyethyl or aminoethyl groups at the O-2‘ ‘, O-3‘ ‘, or O-4‘ ‘ positions. The results from the antibacterial studies reveal the optimal structural motif is the attachment of an extended arm with a terminal hydroxyl group at the O-3‘ ‘ position.

The synthesis of a novel class of aminoglycosides, pyranmycins, is reported along with the structure activity relationship (SAR) of their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Two pyranmycins show prominent activity (9 μM). Pyranmycins also manifest superior stability in acidic media. The SAR information will lead to the future designs of pyranmycin against drug resistant bacteria.

The synthesis of a novel class of aminoglycoside, pyranmycin, and a convenient method for the preparation of 6-amino-l-idopyranosides were reported. One of the members in the reported pyranmycin families, TC010, has prominent activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus megaterium. We also discovered that the ⁴C1 chair conformation on ring III of pyranmycin is essential for the antibacterial activity.

A library of seven trehalosamine analogues with various natural and non-natural binding motifs was synthesized through an expedient divergent synthetic approach. The final products were prepared in sufficient quantities and purities for different types of assay against various pathogens. Several stereo- and regioselective reactions on the trehalose scaffold were developed for rapid synthesis of all of the designed compounds.

A new type of inhibitor of tubulin polymerization was discovered on the basis of the combretastatin molecular skeleton. The lead compounds in this series, compounds 6 and 7, strongly inhibited tubulin polymerization in vitro and significantly arrested cells at the G2/M phase. Compounds 6 and 7 yielded 50- to 100-fold lower IC50 values than did combretastatin A-4 against Colo 205, NUGC3, and HA22T human cancer cell lines as well as similar or greater growth inhibitory activities than did combretastain A-4 against DLD-1, HR, MCF-7, DU145, HONE-1, and MES-SA/DX5 human cancer cell lines. Structure−activity relationship information revealed that introduction of an amino group at the ortho position of the benzophenone ring plays an integral role for increased growth inhibition.

. Purpose:
This randomized clinical trial assessed the treatment effects of atropine and/or multi-focal lenses in decreasing the progression rate of myopia in children.
Methods:
Two hundred and twenty-seven schoolchildren with myopia, aged from 6 to 13 years, who were stratified based on gender, age and the initial amount of myopia were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: 0.5% atropine with multi-focal glasses, multi-focal glasses, and single vision spectacles. Each subject was followed for at least eighteen months. These results report on the 188 patients available for the follow-up.
Results:
The mean progression of myopia in atropine with multi-focal glasses group (0.41 D) was significantly less than the multi-focal (1.19 D) and single vision group (1.40 D) (p<0.0001). But no significant difference was noted between the last two groups (p=0.44). The progression of myopia was significantly correlated with the increases of axial length (r=0.65, p=0.0001), but not with the changes of corneal power (r=-0.09), anterior chamber depth (r=-0.023), lens thickness (r=-0.08), or intra-ocular pressure (r=-0.008).
Conclusion:
The 0.5% atropine with multi-focal lenses can slow down the progression rate of myopia. However, multi-focal lenses alone showed no difference in effect compared to control.

Deprotonation of cationic pentamethylcyclopentadienyl dppp ruthenium vinylidene complexes containing electron-withdrawing groups at the vinylidene ligand yielded cyclopropenyl complexes [Ru]-C&dbd;C(Ph)CHR ([Ru] = (η⁵-C5Me5)(dppp)Ru, dppp = Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2, R = CN, 3a; R = CO2CH3, 3b). Insertion of acetone into the three-membered ring of 3a gave the neutral dihydrofuranyl complex [Ru]-C&dbd;C(Ph)CH(CN)CMe2O (4). Electrophilic addition at Cβ of 4 afforded cationic carbene complexes [[Ru]&dbd;CC(R‘)(Ph)CH(CN)C(CH3)2O]⁺ (R‘ = CH2CN, 5a; R‘ = CH2CO2CH3, 5b; R‘ = H, 7; R‘ = HgCl, 8). Complexes 5a and 5b transformed to [[Ru]&dbd;CC(Ph)&dbd;C(CN)C(CH3)2O]⁺ (6) by elimination of small organic molecules. Reactivity of ruthenium complexes with a C5Me5 ligand is different from those with a C5H5 ligand and could be ascribed to electronic and steric effects. Reaction of [Ru]N3 with ICH2CN gave [Ru]NCH2I (11). Crystal structures of complexes 3a, 4, 6, 7, and 11 are also reported.

When a horizontal cover plate is placed above a cavity, the mechanism leading to enhanced self-sustained oscillation within the cavity is investigated by experiment at a Reynolds number Reθ0=171±5. As the leading edge of the cover plate is located right above the most sensitive region of the cavity shear layer, the oscillating amplitude of shear layer instability is enhanced most effectively. However, this effectiveness decreases when the leading edge of the cover plate moves further downstream of the cavity. Three mechanisms are found to possibly modify the shear layer instability across the cavity. First of all, insertion of a horizontal cover plate above the cavity does impose a favourable streamwise pressure gradient that accelerates the flow across the cavity. This flow acceleration increases the amplification rate of shear layer instability. Second, the boundary layer characteristics (both the frequency band and the fluctuating amplitude) may also provide another opportunity to perturb the shear layer instability. Third, the shear layer is deflected into the cavity and leads to strong feedback. In the present study, all three mechanisms are equally important when the leading edge of the cover plate is positioned above the cavity mouth. However, when the leading edge of the cover plate is located downstream of the cavity, the first and the second effects diminish. In this situation, the stronger feedback due to the inward-deflected shear layer (the third effect) plays an important role to modify the shear layer instability.

This study assessed 11C-acetate turnover (clearance) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Data were acquired by dynamic PET after the intravenous injection of 4.625 MBq—kg-1body weight of 11C-acetate for 30 min. Tomograms were reconstructed and evaluated visually. A time-activity curve of the nasopharynx and neck was generated and the clearance rate of 11C-acetate from the nasopharynx in the slow phase and from NPC was calculated using 0.693/T1/2. Ten patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nine normal subjects were studied. The clearance of 11C-acetate from the normal nasopharynx was rapid and biexponential, in contrast to the rapid uptake followed by extremely slow clearance in patients with NPC. The clearance rate (mean ± S.D.) was 0.0074 ± 0.0042 in NPC and 0.0263 ± 0.0152 in controls in the slow phase, being significantly different between the two groups with no overlap. All nasopharyngeal carcinomas were clearly visualized, in contrast to no obvious retention in the normal nasopharynx. Our initial results indicate that 11C-acetate clearance can be used to differentiate nasopharyngeal carcinoma from a normal nasopharynx. This finding may lead to new applications of 11C-acetate in oncology.

Treatment of [Ru]−C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;NPh)S (2, [Ru] = (η⁵-C5H5)(dppe)Ru, dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) with ICH2CN at room temperature affords the S-alkylation product [Ru]&dbd;C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;NPh)SCH2R⁺ (3a, R = CN). Deprotonation of 3a by n-Bu4NOH in acetone induces a novel cyclization reaction and yields the neutral five-membered-ring heterocyclic complex [Ru]−C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;NPh)SCHCN (5a), which isomerizes to the 2-aminothiophene complex [Ru]−C&dbd;C(CN)SC(NHPh)&dbd;C(Ph) (6a). Treatment of 2 with organic bromides BrCH2R affords both S-alkylation products (3b, R = CO2CH3; 3c, R = p-C6H4CN; 3d, R = Ph) and N-alkylation products [Ru]&dbd;C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;S)NPhCH2R⁺ (4b, R = CO2CH3; 4c, R = p-C6H4CN; 4d, R = Ph) in varying ratios. Base-induced cyclization of a mixture of 3b and 4b occurs only for the 3b component to afford [Ru]−C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;NPh)SCHCO2CH3 (5b), whereas cyclization of a mixture of 3c and 4c occurs for both complexes, yielding 5c and the pyrrole-2-thione complex [Ru]−C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;S)N(Ph)CH(p-C6H4CN) (7c), respectively. Cyclization of a 3d−4d mixture occurs only for 4d to afford [Ru]−C&dbd;C(Ph)C(&dbd;S)NPhCHPh (7d). The structures of 6a and 7c were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

This investigation is concerned with the thermoelastic analysis of flexible multibody machine-tool mechanisms using the finite-element method. Thermoelastic response of the machine tool is obtained by discretizing the machine tool into a number of simple elements and calculating the thermal stress and strain of each element under the average temperature rise. The generalized thermoelastic forces associated with the generalized elastic coordinates are then determined using the virtual work. The nonlinear dynamic behavior of the machine-tool mechanism due to the application of a constant cutting force as well as a chattering (dynamic) force, with and without thermal effects, is analyzed. The chattering force is obtained by considering the cutting force variations due to the variation of undeformed chip thickness and the rate of penetration of the tool, as a result of tool deformation. In this investigation, the machine-tool mechanism is considered as a multibody system consisting of interconnected rigid and flexible bodies that undergo large angular rotations. Bending and axial deformation of the elastic bodies in the system are considered. Component mode synthesis techniques are employed in order to reduce the number of elastic coordinates and the system differential equations of motion and nonlinear algebraic constraint equations are written in terms of a coupled set of reference and modal elastic coordinates. The formulation is exemplified using a crank-shaper mechanism wherein the flexibility of the tool as well as the flexibility of the mechanism links are considered.