Search

Background: Precise measurement of lateral femoral bowing is important to achieve postoperative lower limb alignment. We aimed to investigate factors that affect the precision of the radiographic lateral femoral bowing (RLFB) angle using three-dimensional (3D) models and whether the angle affects surgery design. Methods: Forty femurs in total were divided into two groups based on their preoperative RLFB angle. The flexion contracture angle, preoperative and postoperative RLFB angles, and intersection angle between the mechanical and anatomical axes were compared. The angle between the arc and sagittal planes, varus and valgus angles, and intersection angle between the mechanical and anatomical axes were measured on a 3D model. Results: There was no significant between-group difference in 3D model measurements of the angle between the arc and sagittal planes (p = 0.327). There was no significant difference between the mechanical and anatomical axes measured by both imaging modalities (p > 0.258). When the RLFB was >5°, the flexion contracture angle and radiographic femoral bowing angle were positively correlated (r = 0.535, p < 0.05). Distal femur varus and valgus angles significantly differed between the two groups (p = 0.01). After total knee arthroplasty, the radiographic femoral bowing angle decreased significantly. When the cases' radiographic femoral bowing angle is larger and the angle between the arc and sagittal planes is smaller as measured in 3D models, the angle between the arc and coronal planes is larger. Conclusion: The radiographic femoral bowing angle does not reflect the actual size of lateral femoral bowing, does not greatly affect surgery design, and is greatly affected by flexion contracture deformity. A RLFB angle larger than 15° indicates real lateral femoral bowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be involved in liver disease. Increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels have also been reported to be involved in the progression of liver cirrhosis. In the present study, the correlations between lncRNA-COX-2 RNA expression levels, COX-2 mRNA expression levels and liver fibrosis were examined. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice for 2 months (CCl4-2M) or 3 months (CCl4-3M). Liver histopathological evaluation was conducted using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining. Hepatic expression of COX-2 and lncRNA-COX-2 was evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. Compared with the control group, fibrotic areas were increased four and nine times in the CCl4-2M group and the CCl4-3M group, respectively. LncRNA-COX-2 and COX-2 upregulation were observed in the cirrhotic liver. COX-2 mRNA expression levels and lncRNA-COX-2 RNA expression levels were significantly positively correlated with the fibrotic area. In addition, COX-2 mRNA expression was significantly positively correlated with lncRNA-COX-2 expression. These results suggest that expression of COX-2 and lncRNA-COX-2 increased with the progression of liver fibrosis. LncRNA-COX-2 may potentially be considered as a novel therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

-Inflammatory transport through the gut-liver axis may facilitate liver cirrhosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been considered as one of the important molecules that regulates intestinal epithelial barrier function. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that inhibition of COX-2 by celecoxib might alleviate liver cirrhosis via reduction of intestinal inflammatory transport in thiacetamide (TAA) rat model. COX-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)/EP-2/p-ERK integrated signal pathways regulated the expressions of intestinal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and E-cadherin, which maintain the function of intestinal epithelial barrier. Celecoxib not only decreased the intestinal permeability to a 4-kDa FITC-dextran but also significantly increased expressions of ZO-1 and E-cadherin. When celecoxib greatly decreased intestinal levels of LPS, TNF-α, and IL-6, it significantly enhanced T cell subsets reduced by TAA. As a result, liver fibrosis induced by TAA was significantly alleviated in the celecoxib group. These data indicated that celecoxib improved the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier, blocked inflammatory transport through the dysfunctional gut-liver axis, and ameliorated the progress of liver cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nickel(II) catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxy acids from malonic acid and ketones was developed, revealing for the first time the synthetic utility of malonic acid in the construction of chiral carboxyl acids; importantly, the synthetic potential of this strategy was further demonstrated by the rapid construction of cephalanthrin A, phaitanthrin B, cruciferane, and rice metabolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel asymmetrical push--pull small molecules have been synthesized successfully, consisting of triphenylamine and diketo-pyrrolopyrrole as a fundamental dipolar D--π--A structure with ethynylbenzene as the π-bridge. TPATDPPCN end-capped with cyanophenyl exhibits a low optical band gap of 1.65 eV, and an impressive PCE of 5.94% has been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we study the exact controllability of a one-dimensional wave equation with mixed boundary conditions in a non-cylindrical domain. The fixed endpoint has a Dirichlet-type boundary condition, while the moving end has a Neumann-type condition. When the speed of the moving endpoint is less than the characteristic speed, the exact controllability of this equation is established by Hilbert Uniqueness Method. Moreover, we shall give the explicit dependence of the controllability time on the speed of the moving endpoint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We deal with the controllability problem for the pseudoparabolic equation by means of boundary controls. Due to the unusual spectrum of this kind of equations, we prove that the null controllability property is false. Furthermore, by the explicit solution, we show that the approximate controllability holds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the controllability of a general reaction-diffusion system with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. We prove the exact controllability to the trajectories and the approximate controllability of the system which contains certain superlinear nonlinearities. The Kakutani fixed point theorem, global Carleman estimates, and the regularity argument of the parabolic system are used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the teleconnection between the Arctic Oscillation Index (AO) and dust activities in the Tarim Basin [in terms of the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) Aerosol Index (AI) level]. In this study, High Dust Active years (H) and Low Dust Active years (L) in terms of dust loading are identified. Composites of geopotential height at both 850 and 500 hPa level show that, the geopotential height level of H years is generally lower than the average, especially over the south end of the Central Siberian Plateau. The geopotential height level of L years is generally higher than the average, especially over the same region of Siberia. By correlating the AO and TOMS AI with geopotential height at different pressure levels, a South Siberia Geopotential Height Index (SSGI) is constructed. A strong positive correlation is found between AO and SSGI. Strong negative correlations are found between TOMS AI and AO, and between TOMS AI and SSGI. Through investigating the relation among these three measures (TOMS AI, AO and SSGI), we found that in the positive phase of AO, geopotential gradient between the inside and outside of the basin is small. The northerly wind from Siberia is weak and decreases when it encounters the north barrier of the basin. As a result, dust activities in the Tarim Basin is weak and Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE) level measured in the basin is lower. In the negative phase of AO, geopotential gradient between the inside and outside of the basin is big. The northerly wind from Siberia is strong, and passes the north barrier of the basin. When it encounters the Tibetan Plateau, a component of the wind goes into the basin. During this process, the wind accelerates given the higher pressure gradient. As a result, dust activities in the Tarim Basin are frequent and intensive, and the EKE level in the basin is higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permeable or sandy sediments cover the majority of the seafloor on continental shelves worldwide, but little is known about their role in the coastal nitrogen cycle. We investigated the rates and controls of nitrogen loss at a sand flat (Janssand) in the central German Wadden Sea using multiple experimental approaches, including the nitrogen isotope pairing technique in intact core incubations, slurry incubations, a flow-through stirred retention reactor and microsensor measurements. Results indicate that permeable Janssand sediments are characterized by some of the highest potential denitrification rates (0.19 mmol N m−2 h−1) in the marine environment. Moreover, several lines of evidence showed that denitrification occurred under oxic conditions. In intact cores, microsensor measurements showed that the zones of nitrate/nitrite and O2 consumption overlapped. In slurry incubations conducted with 15NO3− enrichment in gas-impermeable bags, denitrification assays revealed that N2 production occurred at initial O2 concentrations of up to ∼90 μM. Initial denitrification rates were not substantially affected by O2 in surficial (0–4 cm) sediments, whereas rates increased by twofold with O2 depletion in the at 4–6 cm depth interval. In a well mixed, flow-through stirred retention reactor (FTSRR), 29N2 and 30N2 were produced and O2 was consumed simultaneously, as measured online using membrane inlet mass spectrometry. We hypothesize that the observed high denitrification rates in the presence of O2 may result from the adaptation of denitrifying bacteria to recurrent tidally induced redox oscillations in permeable sediments at Janssand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study on the problem of controllability in infinite delay systems. A fixed point theorem is used to study the controllability in the system. A compact map or homotopy is constructed to illustrate if there is an a priori bound, established by means of a Liapunov functional or applying an integral inequality, on all possible solutions of the companion control system. Such a delay factor can essentially improve the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the system in many aspects.

In this paper, we study the approximate controllability and noncontrollability for a class of nonlinear degenerate integrodifferential control systems. Based on the property of finite propagation for the disturbances, we prove noncontrollability. We also establish sufficient conditions for approximate controllability of the system in L2 (Ω). Moreover, we prove the global existence and uniqueness of generalized solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the optimality conditions suitable for a class of distributed parameter systems, with reference to theories associated with the issue.

This study aimed to analyse the influence of adding Lycium ruthenicum Murr. fruit (LRF) on physicochemical, sensory characteristics and antioxidant capacity in goat milk yoghurt (GMY) during 21 days of refrigerated storage. Three different yoghurt formulations were processed using varying amounts of added LRF (1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%). LRF supplementation improved some of the physicochemical characteristics and sensory characteristics of GMY. With the increase of LRF addition, the pH of GMY showed a downward trend, and the titrated acidity showed an upward trend. The corresponding number of colonies in the storage period was higher than that of yoghurt without LRF. The addition of a concentration of 1.0-2.0% LRF played a role in the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria, and viscosity and hardness increased with increasing LRF addition. Although the susceptibility to syneresis of GMY showed a downward trend with increasing LRF addition, the scavenging rate of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), •OH (hydroxyl free radicals), and the reducing power of Fe3+ of the corresponding concentration of GMY increased. In general, GMY with LRF addition can combine the two nutrients and have higher nutritional value, which is a good supplement to the same types of products in the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is a nontraditional surface finishing method that finishes complex surface by pushing the abrasive media flow through the workpiece surface. The entrance effect that the material removal increases at the entrance of changing the cross-sectional flow channel is a difficult problem for AFM. In this paper, the effects of media rheological properties on the entrance effect are discussed. To explore the effects of the media's viscoelasticity on the entrance effect, two sets of media with different viscoelasticity properties are adopted to study their rheological and machining performances in the designed flow channel with a contraction area. The rheological properties are tested by frequency sweep and characterized by the Maxwell viscoelastic model and the Carreau viscous model. In the experiment, the variation of the profile height (ΔH) and the variation ratio of the roughness (ΔRa) on the workpiece surface are measured. Moreover, numerical simulation results under different constitutive equations are compared with the experimental results. It shows that the numerical simulation results of a viscoelastic model have a better agreement with the experimental results than the viscous model, and the increase of the viscoelasticity makes the entrance effect be exacerbated, which can be predicted by the viscoelastic numerical simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) loss rates were determined in permeable sediments of the Wadden Sea using a combination of stable N isotope incubation experiments and model simulation approaches during three seasons. Three different incubation methods that employed the isotope pairing technique were used: intact core incubations simulating either (1) diffusive or (2) advective transport conditions and (3) slurry incubations. N loss rates from core incubations under simulated advective transport conditions exceeded those rates measured under diffusive transport conditions by 1-2 orders of magnitude, but were comparable to those observed in slurry incubations. N loss rates generally showed little seasonal and spatial variation (207 ± 30 µmol m-2 h-1) in autumn 2006 and spring and summer 2007. Utilizing an extensive time series of nutrient concentrations and current velocities obtained from a continuous monitoring station, nitrate and nitrite (i.e., NO-x) flux into the sediment was modeled over a full annual cycle. Fluxes were sufficient to support the experimentally derived N loss rates. Combining the measured rates with the modeled results, an annual N removal rate of 745 ± 109 mmol N m-;2 yr-1 was estimated for permeable sediments of the Wadden Sea. This rate agrees well with previous N loss estimates for the Wadden Sea based on N budget calculations. Permeable sediments, accounting for 58-70% of the continental shelf area, are an important N sink and their contribution to the global N loss budget should be reevaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing evidence suggest that in addition of balculovirus controling insect host, host cells also responds to balculovirus infection. However, compared to existing knowledge on virus gene, host cell responses are relatively poorly understood. Methods: In this study, Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were infected with Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). The protein composition and protein changes of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells of different infection stages were analysed by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) techniques. Results: A total of 4004 Sf9 proteins were identified by iTRAQ and 413 proteins were found as more than 1.5-fold changes in abundance. The 413 proteins were categorised according to GO classification for insects and were categorised into: biological process, molecular function and cellular component. Conclusions: The determination of the protein changes in infected Sf9 cells would help to better understanding of host cell responses and facilitate better design of this virus-host cell interaction in pest insect control and other related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing evidence sugggest that in addition of balculovirus controling insect host, host cells also responds to balculovirus infection. However, compared to existing knowledge on virus gene, host cell responses are relatively poorly understood. Methods: In this study, Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells were infected with Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). The protein composition and protein changes of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells of different infection stages were analysed by isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) techniques. Results: A total of 4004 Sf9 proteins were identified by iTRAQ and 413 proteins were found as more than 1.5-fold changes in abundance. The 413 proteins were categorised according to GO classification for insects and were categorised into: biological process, molecular function and cellular component. Conclusions: The determination of the protein changes in infected Sf9 cells would help to better understanding of host cell responses and facilitate better design of this virus-host cell interaction in pest insect control and other related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the bound of the cost of approximate controllability and null controllability of heat equations, i.e., the minimal L p norm and L∞ norm of a control needed to control the system approximately or a control needed to steer the state of the system to zero. The methods we use combine observability inequalities, energy estimates for heat equations and the dual theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss a parabolic system governed by bilinear control, modeled according to Newton's Law. At first we prove that the system is exactly null controllable in long time T > 0 by locally distributed bilinear control and we further prove the exact null controllability in long time T > 0 of the semilinear parabolic equation yt-Δ y + b |∇ y|2=ξοu with traditionally additive locally distributed control and the existence of the control optimal time for the system. Then, we deduce an exact controllability result to particular stationary functions when we are acting over the whole domain and to particular stationary functions vanishing outside some ball included in the control domain when the control domain is as small as we want. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The induction of cytochrome P450s can result in reduced drug efficacy and lead to potential drug–drug interactions. The xenoreceptors—aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), and pregnane X receptor (PXR)—play key roles in CYP induction by xenobiotics. In order to be able to rapidly screen for the induction of three enzymes (CYP1A1, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4), we generated a stable AhR-responsive HepG2 cell line, a stable CAR-responsive HepG2 cell line, and a stable PXR-responsive HepG2 cell line. To validate these stable xenoreceptor-responsive HepG2 cell lines, we evaluated the induction of the different Gaussia reporter activities, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of endogenous CYPs in response to different inducers. The induction of luciferase activity in the stable xenoreceptor-responsive HepG2 cell lines by specific inducers occurred in a concentration dependent manner. There was a positive correlation between the induction of luciferase activities and the induction endogenous CYP mRNA expression levels. These xenoreceptor-responsive HepG2 cell lines were further validated with known CYP1A1, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 inducers. These stable xenoreceptor-responsive HepG2 cell lines may be used in preclinical research for the rapid and sensitive detection of AhR, CAR, and PXR ligands that induce CYP450 isoforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a facile one-step hydrothermal method for the synthesis of crystalline-amorphous WO3−x core–shell nanopowders (nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanowires) is reported. The core–shell structure, the size and the morphology of the core, and the shell ratio can be controlled by pH, the content of oxalic acid and the content of ammonium tungstate. A possible formation and growth mechanism is proposed. It was found that oxalic acid determines the crystalline-amorphous core–shell structure and /OH− plays a key role in retarding the crystal growth along the [001] axis. The synthesis method may introduce a new way to monitor and tune the stoichiometric and substoichiometric composition of semiconductor oxide nanostructure. The homojunction exhibits an enhanced adsorption ability, obvious visible photocatalytic efficiency, and good photochromic and chemochromic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal hypoxia–ischemia is a troublesome disease. Angelica polysaccharide (AP) is proved to have antioxidant effects. Our study was performed to confirm the effects of AP in hypoxia-exposed neural stem cells (NSCs). NSCs were pre-treated with AP and then stimulated with hypoxia. Viability of NSCs was examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Hypoxia-introduced apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry. Essential regulators of mTOR and Notch signalling pathways were examined by Western blot. mRNA expression was accessed using qRT-PCR. Bcl2/adenovirus EIB 19kD-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) was altered by transfection. We noticed that NSCs were sensitive to hypoxia-induced apoptosis and showed decreased viability. Moreover, Beclin and light chain 3-II was upregulated while p62 was downregulated. However, AP reversed all these results. Similarly, hypoxia decreased the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K and Notch1 expression while AP increased the phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K as well as the expression of Notch1. BNIP3 was upregulated by hypoxia while downregulated by AP. Further experiments demonstrated that overexpression of BNIP3 broken all the effects induced by AP shown in cell viability, apoptosis, autophagy and signalling pathways. Collectively, AP alleviated hypoxia-introduced NSCs damages by maintaining cell viability, blocking apoptosis and autophagy via downregulation of BNIP3 with the activation of mTOR and Notch signalling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are numerous formulae relating to the predictions of sound wave in the cavitating and bubbly flows. However, the valid regions of those formulae are rather unclear from the view point of physics. In this work, the validity of the existing formulae is discussed in terms of three regions by employing the analysis of three typical lengths involved (viscous length, thermal diffusion length and bubble radius). In our discussions, viscosity and thermal diffusion are both considered together with the effects of relative motion between bubbles and liquids. The importance of relative motion and thermal diffusion are quantitatively discussed in a wide range of parameter zones (including bubble radius and acoustic frequency). The results show that for large bubbles, the effects of relative motion will be prominent in a wide region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable access to 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones directly from alcohols under microwave and solvent-free conditions has been reported. The practical protocol involves heteropolyanion-based catalyzed oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with NaNO3 as the oxidant followed by cyclocondensation with dicarbonyl compounds and urea or thiourea in a two-step, one-pot manner. Compatibility with different functional groups, good to excellent yields and reusable catalysts are the main highlights. The utilization of alcohols instead of aldehydes is a valid and green alternative to the classical Biginelli reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, highly frequent swine respiratory diseases have been caused by extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) in China. Due to this increase in ExPECs, this bacterial pathogen has become a threat to the development of the Chinese swine industry. To investigate ExPEC pathogenesis, we isolated a strain (named SLPE) from lesioned porcine lungs from Changchun in China, reported the draft genome and performed comparative genomic analyses. Results: Based on the gross post-mortem examination, bacterial isolation, animal regression test and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the pathogenic bacteria was identified as an ExPEC. The SLPE draft genome was 4.9 Mb with a G + C content of 51.7%. The phylogenomic comparison indicated that the SLPE strain belongs to the B1 monophyletic phylogroups and that its closest relative is Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) O78. However, the distribution diagram of the pan-genome virulence genes demonstrated significant differences between SLPE and APEC078. We also identified a capsular polysaccharide synthesis gene cluster (CPS) in the SLPE strain genomes using blastp. Conclusions: We isolated the ExPEC (SLPE) from swine lungs in China, performed the whole genome sequencing and compared the sequence with other Escherichia coli (E. coli). The comparative genomic analysis revealed several genes including several virulence factors that are ExPEC strain-specific, such as fimbrial adhesins (papG II), ireA, pgtP, hlyF, the pix gene cluster and fecR for their further study. We found a CPS in the SLPE strain genomes for the first time, and this CPS is closely related to the CPS from Klebsiella pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-accuracy surface measurement of large aviation parts is a significant guarantee of aircraft assembly with high quality. The result of boundary measurement is a significant parameter for aviation-part measurement. This paper proposes a measurement method for accurately measuring the surface and boundary of aviation part with feature compression extraction and directed edge-point criterion. To improve the measurement accuracy of both the surface and boundary of large parts, extraction method of global boundary and feature analysis of local stripe are combined. The center feature of laser stripe is obtained with high accuracy and less calculation using a sub-pixel centroid extraction method based on compress processing. This method consists of a compressing process of images and judgment criterion of laser stripe centers. An edge-point extraction method based on directed arc-length criterion is proposed to obtain accurate boundary. Finally, a high-precision reconstruction of aerospace part is achieved. Experiments are performed both in a laboratory and an industrial field. The physical measurements validate that the mean distance deviation of the proposed method is 0.47 mm. The results of the field experimentation show the validity of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the accuracy of a novel digital templating methodology for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).~Purpose~Objective~A retrospective study was carried out on 77 hips in 58 patients who had undergone uncemented THA for ONFH. Preoperative radiographs were templated using a 2-step procedure: (i) calculation of basic cup and stem sizes based on the anatomical morphology; (ii) adjustment of the basic sizes to account for variables such as femoral external rotation, osteoporotic changes in the femur, osteosclerotic changes in the acetabulum, and the type of stem. Basic and adjusted sizes were compared with the actual sizes of the implants used.~Methods~Methods~Before adjustment, the overall accuracy was 69% and 70% for stem size and the cup respectively. Among all the cases, 31 femoral components (40%) and 17 acetabular components (22%) required adjustment. After adjustment, the accuracy of templating for stem and cup sizes in these adjusted cases improved from 52% to 87% (p = 0.002), and 41% to 82%, respectively (p = 0.032). And the overall templating accuracy improved to 83% on the stem side (p = 0.038) and 79% on the cup side (p = 0.195).~Results~Results~Preoperative digital templating was useful in predicting cup and stem sizes in patients with ONFH. Radiographic signs of femoral rotation or osteoporotic changes call for appropriate adjustment to improve the accuracy of templating for THA.~Conclusions~Conclusions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is an idiopathic osteonecrosis of the developing femoral head complicated by pain and disability of the hip joint. To date, the pathological mechanisms of LCPD are not well-known. This study screened the changes in serum protein expression in patients with LCPD. Methods: Age- and sex-matched serum samples from 10 control subjects and 10 patients with LCPD were compared using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technique. Gene ontology analyses, KEGG pathway and functional network analyses were performed. Proteins of interest with large differences in expression, S100-A8, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, haptoglobin and apolipoprotein E, were compared by western blotting. Results: The disease/control ratios showed 26 proteins were significantly differentially expressed (all p < 0.05). Including higher abundances of complement factor H (1.44), complement C4-B (1.45), isocitrate dehydrogenase [NAD] subunit alpha (2.7) alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (1.87), heptoglobin (1.53) and Ig lambda-2 chain C regions (1.46), and lower levels of apolipoprotein E (0.50), apolipoprotein F (0.60), apolipoprotein C-III (0.69), S100-A8 (0.73), S100-A9 (0.75) and prothrombin (0.77) in LCPD than in controls. The alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 and haptoglobin increases, and apolipoprotein E and S100-A8 decreases were confirmed by western blot. KEGG pathway analysis revealed these proteins were related to the complement and coagulation cascades, Staphylococcus aureus infection, PPAR signaling, fat digestion and absorption, and vitamin digestion and absorption. Functional network analysis suggested that the proteins were involved in lipid regulation. Conclusions: The complement and coagulation cascades, and abnormal lipid metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of LCPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is an idiopathic osteonecrosis of the developing femoral head complicated by pain and disability of the hip joint. To date, the pathological mechanisms of LCPD are not well-known. This study screened the changes in serum protein expression in patients with LCPD.Methods: Age- and sex-matched serum samples from 10 control subjects and 10 patients with LCPD were compared using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technique. Gene ontology analyses, KEGG pathway and functional network analyses were performed. Proteins of interest with large differences in expression, S100-A8, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, haptoglobin and apolipoprotein E, were compared by western blotting.Results: The disease/control ratios showed 26 proteins were significantly differentially expressed (all p < 0.05). Including higher abundances of complement factor H (1.44), complement C4-B (1.45), isocitrate dehydrogenase [NAD] subunit alpha (2.7) alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 (1.87), heptoglobin (1.53) and Ig lambda-2 chain C regions (1.46), and lower levels of apolipoprotein E (0.50), apolipoprotein F (0.60), apolipoprotein C-III (0.69), S100-A8 (0.73), S100-A9 (0.75) and prothrombin (0.77) in LCPD than in controls. The alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 and haptoglobin increases, and apolipoprotein E and S100-A8 decreases were confirmed by western blot. KEGG pathway analysis revealed these proteins were related to the complement and coagulation cascades, Staphylococcus aureus infection, PPAR signaling, fat digestion and absorption, and vitamin digestion and absorption. Functional network analysis suggested that the proteins were involved in lipid regulation.Conclusions: The complement and coagulation cascades, and abnormal lipid metabolism may be involved in the pathogenesis of LCPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To validate Echo Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) Methods: High fidelity string and rotating phantoms moving with different speed patterns were imaged with different high-end ultrasound systems at varying insonation angles and frame rates. Images were analyzed for velocity and direction and for complex motion patterns of blood flow with dedicated software. Post-processing was done with MATLAB-based tools (Dflow, JUV, University Leuven). Results: Velocity estimation was accurate up to a velocity of 42 cm/s (r = 0.99, p<0.001, mean difference 0.4 ± 2 cm/s). Maximally detectable velocity, however, was strongly dependent on frame rate and insonation angle and reached 42 cm/s under optimal conditions. At higher velocities estimates became random. Direction estimates did depend less on velocity and were accurate in 80-90%. In-plane motion patterns were correctly identified with three ultrasound systems. Conclusion: Echo-PIV appears feasible. Velocity estimates are accurate, but the maximal detectable velocity depends strongly on acquisition parameters. Direction estimation works sufficiently, even at higher velocities. Echo-PIV appears to be a promising technical approach to investigate flow patterns by echocardiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cd0.96Zn0.04Te (111) single crystals were ultraprecisely ground by #1500, #3000, and #5000 diamond grinding wheels, and the corresponding surface roughness Ra is 49.132, 18.746, and 5.762 nm. High-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were employed to investigate the surface and subsurface damage. After ultraprecision grinding by three kinds of diamond wheels, the subsurface can achieve ultra-low damage layer with thickness of 1–2 nm made of amorphous state material and lattice distortion layer. For the #1500 precision grinding, the subsurface damage is mainly multi-nanocrystal with diameter in the range of 5–20 nm. While for the #3000 precision grinding, the subsurface damage is made of amorphous state material containing nanocrystals with diameter mainly in the range of 2–5 nm, and the bending deformation is mainly conducted through dislocation pleat formation. For #5000 ultraprecision grinding, the subsurface damage is mainly amorphous state material, and nanocrystals with diameter in the range of 2–5 nm enrich adjacent to the ground surface. Moreover, the size of nanocrystal ground by #5000 diamond grinding wheel is mainly 2 nm. Fracture mechanism ground by #5000 diamond grinding wheel firstly turns onto thin amorphous state film, then fracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoscale machinability and subsurface damage induced by chemical mechanical polishing of three kinds of single crystals were investigated by nanoscratch and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). When the constant loads increase from 800 μN to 3,200 μN, the friction coefficient adjacently linearly increases from 0.199 to 0.292, due to the surface machining hardening effect. As the slight wiping on the surface of Cd0.9Zn0.1Te (111) leads to microscratches, the surface turns worse, resulting in the decrease and fluctuation of friction coefficient. Shear band appears on the surface of Cd0.96Zn0.04Te (111), while it disappears on the surfaces of Cd0.96Zn0.04Te (110) and Cd0.9Zn0.1Te (111), replacing with more obvious plastic flow pile-up, and showing the better nanoscale machinability. The cross-sectional HRTEM images show that after CMP the damage layer is 2 nm, and only consists of amorphous state, indicating the main material removal mode of chemical dissolving. While after lapping and mechanical polishing, wear track with width of about 50 nm is still left on the machined surface, and subsurface damage layer is about 10 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current ultrasound methods for measuring myocardial strain are often limited to measurements in one or two dimensions. Cardiac motion and deformation however are truly 3-D. With the introduction of matrix transducer technology, 3-D ultrasound imaging of the heart has become feasible but suffers from low temporal and spatial resolution, making 3-D strain estimation challenging. In this paper, it is shown that automatic intensity-based spatio-temporal elastic registration of currently avail- able 3-D volumetric ultrasound data sets can be used to measure the full 3-D strain tensor. The method was validated using simulated 3-D ultrasound data sets of the left ventricle (LV). Three types of data sets were simulated: a normal and symmetric LV with different heart rates, a more realistic asymmetric normal LV and an infarcted LV. The absolute error in the estimated displacement was between 0.47 ± 0.23 and 1.00 ± 0.59 mm, depending on heart rate and amount of background noise. The absolute error on the estimated strain was 9%-21 % for the radial strain and 1 %-4 % for the longitudinal and circumferential strains. No large differences were found between the different types of data sets. The shape of the strain curves was estimated properly and the position of the infarcts could be identified correctly. Preliminary results on clinical data taken in vivo from three healthy volunteers and one patient with an apical aneurism confirmed these findings in a qualitative manner as the strain curves obtained with the proposed method have an amplitude and shape similar to what could be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]