Unsteady flow dynamics and acoustics of two-outlet centrifugal fan design

2011-2012 > Academic research: refereed > Chapter in an edited book (author)Version of RecordPublishe

Design, synthesis and biological characterization of novel inhibitors of CD38

Human CD38 is a novel multi-functional protein that acts not only as an antigen for B-lymphocyte activation, but also as an enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of a Ca 2+ messenger molecule, cyclic ADP-ribose, from NAD +. It is well established that this novel Ca 2+ signaling enzyme is responsible for regulating a wide range of physiological functions. Based on the crystal structure of the CD38/NAD + complex, we synthesized a series of simplified N-substituted nicotinamide derivatives (Compound1-14). A number of these compounds exhibited moderate inhibition of the NAD + utilizing activity of CD38, with Compound4 showing the highest potency. The crystal structure of CD38/Compound4 complex and computer simulation of Compound7 docking to CD38 show a significant role of the nicotinamide moiety and the distal aromatic group of the compounds for substrate recognition by the active site of CD38. Biologically, we showed that both Compounds4 and 7 effectively relaxed the agonist-induced contraction of muscle preparations from rats and guinea pigs. This study is a rational design of inhibitors for CD38 that exhibit important physiological effects, and can serve as a model for future drug development. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.postprin

Chair-side conversion: from cement-retained to a screw-retained implant-supported crown

This article describes a clinical technique to modify a cement-retained, implant-supported crown into a screw-retained one. This technique allows expansion of the thick and dense soft tissue collar during prosthesis try-in and makes complete removal of excess cement possible. It also allows easy prosthesis retrieval in the future. Dental implants with a tapered implant-abutment internal connection are commonly used to create a thick and dense soft tissue collar for an aesthetic outcome. However, such a collar may prevent full seating of a cement-retained, implant-supported crown and it also makes the complete removal of excess cement difficult, hence a prosthesis misfit and subsequent peri-implant mucositis

A portfolio approach to maintenance: A case study of a residential estate

The choice between repairing and replacing a defective piece of equipment is an economic decision that is faced by all maintenance managers, including housing estate managers. Such decisions need to be made within the limits and constraints set by maintenance expenditure budgets and by manpower availability. Our particular problem is concerned with the development of a maintenance policy for a residential estate of the Hong Kong Housing Authority. Our approach is to treat the numerous housing systems as a portfolio and to exploit flexibilities in performing or delaying the repair I replacement of these systems. The cost of a repair/replacement plan for the portfolio is formulated as an integer programme and genetic algorithms (GAs) are employed to generate optimal and sub-optimal solution plans. The novel features of the approach are the model developed and use of GAs in this particular optimization context. The results and discussion of the case study will help practitioners to better understand the difficulties involved in collecting relevant cost data and in formulating repair/replacement plans for a group of buildings. Copyright ©2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Functional gain in hemorrhagic stroke patients is predicted by functional level and cognitive abilities measured at hospital admission

Background and purpose: Few studies have addressed factors that contribute to functional recovery in people with hemorrhagic stroke. We assessed the value of using pre-training functional level and cognitive abilities measured at admission in order to predict functional gain in a sample of stroke patients. Methods: The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was administered to 85 hemorrhagic stroke patients. Three multiple regression models were constructed using total gain in FIM scores, gain in scores in the cognitive domain of FIM, and gain in scores in the motor domain of FIM as outcome variables. Predictor variables were age; scores on the Digit Span Forward Test (DSF), Digit Span Backward Test (DSB), and Chinese Auditory Verbal Learning Test (CAVLT); and the FIM scores measured at admission. Results: All regression models were significant, Ps < 0.001, and each explained over 73% of the variance in the FIM gains. Age and admission FIM scores were both significant predictors in each of the three models. The DSB span score was a significant predictor of the total FIM and the cognitive FIM gains. The CAVLT recognition score was also a significant predictor of the cognitive FIM gain. Conclusions: Functional improvement in patients with hemorrhagic stroke after in-patient rehabilitation was predicted by age, pre-training functional level, and cognitive abilities measured at admission. © 2010 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Expression of p53 and its relationship with human papillomavirus in penile carcinomas

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Serum vascular endothelial growth factor C correlates with lymph node metastases and high-risk tumor profiles in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical relevance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: VEGF is a potent angiogenic factor promoting tumor angioinvasion and distant metastases, whereas VEGF-C enhances nodal metastases because of its lymphangiogenic effect. Although both tissues VEGF and VEGF-C have been shown to contribute to tumor metastases in PTC, the clinical relevance of serum VEGF (sVEGF) and sVEGF-C remains unknown. METHODS: Preoperative serum samples collected from 85 primary PTC patients and 44 control subjects with benign thyroid diseases were measured for sVEGF and sVEGF-C levels. Potential correlations between their serum levels and clinicopathologic features as well as the commonly adopted risk group stratification profiles of the tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: Preoperative sVEGF and sVEGF-C levels of PTC patients were significantly higher compared with those of control subjects (P = 0.001 and P 7200 pg/mL was shown to be the only independent risk factor for nodal metastases. sVEGF-C levels declined significantly at 3 months after thyroidectomy in PTC but not control patients. CONCLUSIONS: sVEGF-C levels in PTC patients correlated significantly with the presence of nodal metastases and advanced tumor stages. Its clinical relevance needs further evaluation.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Differential regulation of FOXM1 isoforms by RAF/MEK/ERK signaling

Conference Theme: Phosphosignalin

The potential clinical relevance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C in recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes tumor angioinvasion while VEGF-C is a potent lymphangiogenic factor. This study aims at evaluating serum VEGF (sVEGF) and sVEGF-C levels in recurrent papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. Methods: Serum samples were collected preoperatively from 85 patients with primary PTC, 44 with benign thyroid diseases, and 19 with recurrent PTC. sVEGF and sVEGF-C levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Twelve patients had locoregional recurrence only while 7 patients had distant metastases, including 6 with concomitant or history of locoregional recurrence. Patients with recurrent PTC had significantly higher sVEGF (432 vs 263 pg/mL, P = .004) and sVEGF-C (6,433 vs 5,289 pg/mL, P = .006) levels than benign controls. sVEGF level was significantly elevated in patients with distant metastases compared with those of local recurrences only (580 vs 345 pg/mL, P = .037) while there was no significant difference of sVEGF-C level in both subgroup of patients. sVEGF, but not VEGF-C, showed a linear correlation with thyroglobulin levels in recurrent PTC patients. Conclusion: Both sVEGF and sVEGF-C levels are elevated in patients with recurrent PTC, and sVEGF distinguishes the presence of distant metastasis. Angiogenic markers should be further evaluated for their clinical relevance in monitoring and predicting the type of recurrence. © 2008 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex