Growth characteristics in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta in North America: results from a multicenter study.

PurposeOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) predisposes people to recurrent fractures, bone deformities, and short stature. There is a lack of large-scale systematic studies that have investigated growth parameters in OI.MethodsUsing data from the Linked Clinical Research Centers, we compared height, growth velocity, weight, and body mass index (BMI) in 552 individuals with OI. Height, weight, and BMI were plotted on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention normative curves.ResultsIn children, the median z-scores for height in OI types I, III, and IV were -0.66, -6.91, and -2.79, respectively. Growth velocity was diminished in OI types III and IV. The median z-score for weight in children with OI type III was -4.55. The median z-scores for BMI in children with OI types I, III, and IV were 0.10, 0.91, and 0.67, respectively. Generalized linear model analyses demonstrated that the height z-score was positively correlated with the severity of the OI subtype (P < 0.001), age, bisphosphonate use, and rodding (P < 0.05).ConclusionFrom the largest cohort of individuals with OI, we provide median values for height, weight, and BMI z-scores that can aid the evaluation of overall growth in the clinic setting. This study is an important first step in the generation of OI-specific growth curves

E-Learning And Instructional Management System Based On Local Computer Networks And Internet

This article describes the educational efforts invested at Wasit University (WU), in Wasit, Iraq, in order to make WU the first university in that country to implement campus-wide e-learning, which is essential for any country aiming for progress through the essential goal of “Education For All”; e-learning being economic, far-reaching, and relatively simple to implement. These efforts have materialized in an integral e-system that performs and manages a complete educational process that can be used by any educational organization (schools, colleges, or continuing education centers) in a highly flexible, reliable, and secure manner. The e-learning management system architecture consists of three layers: user’s interface layer, middle layer, and server layer. The user interface layer is composed of four modules: user interface module, teacher module, student module, and administrator module. Each module has several sub-modules that are described in detail throughout the paper. Our proposed e-learning system has been successfully tested on some courses in the Electrical Engineering Department at WU. Our primary objective is to implement it department-wide, evaluate it, and refine it. Once satisfactory and efficient, the goal is to expand its use throughout WU, and eventually to all other institutions of learning in Iraq

Effect of Zinc Galvanization on the Microstructure and Fracture Behavior of Low and Medium Carbon Structural Steels

Microstructure and fracture behavior of ASTM 572 Grade 65 steels used for wind tower applications have been studied. Steels of two carbon level chemistries designed for this grade were used in the study. Fracture toughness of the steels was studied using 3-point bend test on samples coated with zinc and not coated with zinc. Lower carbon steel showed higher resistance to fracture than medium carbon steel after zinc galvanization. SEM study suggests that zinc and zinc bath additives that migrated to crack tips are responsible for the loss in ductility. The phenomenon of Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME) is suggested to have taken place. Zinc bath additives traced at crack zones are suggested to have migrated at the zinc galvanizing temperatures

HARNESSING THE ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTY OF CERIUM AND YTTRIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TO ENHANCE MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL PROLIFERATION

Objective: This work was designed to explore if cerium oxide (CeO2) and yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanoparticles as antioxidant agents could potentiate the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human dental pulp (hDPSCs).Methods: Nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, particle size and zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. Furthermore, MSCs were isolated from human dental pulp, propagated and characterized by flow cytometry. Thereafter, the proliferative impact of the suggested nanoparticles on hDPSCs was investigated by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.Results: Different sizes (14.09–26.50 nm and 18.80–31.31 nm) for CeO2 and Y2O3 respectively, morphology, charges, and proliferative efficacy in hDPSCs were recorded for both nanoparticles.Conclusion: Generally speaking, the tested nanoparticles heightened the proliferative response of hDPSCs with the most prominent effect exerted by 15 μg/ml of CeO2 and 5 μg/ml of Y2O3. It is reasonable to assume that the antioxidant property of CeO2 and Y2O3 be involved in strengthening the proliferation process of hDPSCs

On the fatigue response of a bonded repaired aerospace composite using thermography

Lock-in thermography was employed to investigate the repair efficiency of a bonded repaired aerospace composite subjected to step-wise cycling mechanical loading. The studied component (substrate) was artificially damaged with a 5 mm circular notch and subsequently repaired with a tapered bonded patch. Critical and sub-critical damage of the repaired component was monitored via thermography during 5 Hz tension–tension fatigue. The examination of the acquired thermographs enabled the identification of the patch debonding propagation as well as the quantification of the stress magnification at the patch ends and the locus of the circular notch. It was found that fatigue mechanical loading yields both thermoelastic and hysterestic phenomena with the latter being more prominent prior to the failure of the studied repaired component

Clinical, anthropometric, radiological and molecular characteristics of Egyptian achondroplasia patients

Background: Achondroplasia is the most common form of non lethal skeletal dysplasia. It is a fully penetrant autosomal dominant disorder and the majority of cases are sporadic resulting from de novo mutations associated with advanced paternal age. The phenotype of achondroplasia is related to disturbance in endochondral bone formation due to mutations in the fi broblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR3) gene. Aim of the Work: Evaluation of the cardinal phenotypic features in achondroplasia, the body physique using anthropometric measurements, the characteristic radiological signs in the patients as a main tool for diagnosis and detection of the most common mutations in achondroplasia patients in the studied sample.Subjects and Methods: From 42 cases referred to us as achondroplasia, we selected 20 cases where clinical manifestations were consistent with achondroplasia. Cases were subjected to full clinical examination, detailed anthropometric measurements, whole body skeletal survey and molecular studies of the most common mutations of the FGFR3 gene using PCR amplifi cation technique. Results: Nineteen cases were sporadic (95%) and one case had an affected father (5%). A paternal age above 35 years at the time of child’s birth was present in 7 cases (35%). Paternal exposure to occupational heat was noted in 6 cases (30%) and parental exposure to chemicals in 3 cases (15%). All cases showed typical clinical and radiological manifestations of achondroplasia. Anthropometricmeasurements quantitatively confi rmed the body physique in thestudied cases. G380R common mutations of the FGFR3 gene were detected in 15/18 cases (83%) with the G to A transition at nucleotide 1138 in 14 cases (77%). Agenesis of corpus callosum, not previously reported in association with achondroplasia, was present in the only case with the G-C transversio nmutation at nucleotide 1138 (5%).Conclusions: Awareness of the cardinal features of achondroplasia, properanthropometric measurements and detailed skeletal survey are the key foraccurate diagnosis, genetic counseling and avoidance of over diagnosis. The majority of studied Egyptian achondroplasia patients have the same common mutation that has been most often defi ned in patients with achondroplasia from other countries.Keywords: Achondroplasia, fi broblast growth factor receptor3,skeletal dysplasia, paternal heat exposure

Fungal Populations in Air and Materials in a Flood Simulation Study

Air quality was measured in a building subjected to flooding conditions analogous to that which occurred during Hurricane Katrina. This building was flooded to a depth of 0.61 m above the floor with pond water and maintained at that level for 3 wk. After the floodwater was drained, the building remained closed for an additional 3 wk. Immediately on opening, air samples were obtained and analyzed for fungal spores. Dry and wet material components of the building wall were analyzed for the presence of mold fungi by both culture and molecular techniques. Additional air samples were taken after a 30-da drying period and then after remediation of the building. The air measurements demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of indoor mold spores when the building was initially entered. Aspergillus/Penicillium were the dominate air molds. Fiberglass batt insulation supported the greatest concentration of culturable fungi, compared with other wall materials, followed by the paper facings of gypsum board and plywood sheathing. The solid wood stud, vinyl siding, and house wrap all supported low concentrations of culturable mold. After drying, the spore air contamination diminished more than 10-fold and the species of fungi on the materials drastically changed. After remediation, the spores inside the structure nearly matched those outside with respect to type and concentration

Phenotypic and cytogenetic spectrum of 9p trisomy

Trisomy 9p is one of the most frequent autosomal anomalies compatible with long survival rate. The spectrum of clinical severity in trisomy 9 roughly correlates with the extent of trisomic chromosome material. Trisomy 9p is a clinically well delineated syndrome and of all stigmata craniofacial dysmorphism is most specific. In this study we report five cases with de novo trisomy 9p. The study aimed at the identification of the genotype/phenotype correlations in patients with different breakpoints. GTG banding, DAPI stain, whole chromosome paint, centromere, telomere and 9p21 specific locus probes demonstrated that partial trisomy 9p in case 1 was due to isochromosome 9p with translocation of the long arm of re-arranged chromosome 9 onto the short arm of chromosome 13, cases 2 and 3 had intrachromosomal duplication of the short arm of chromosome 9 [dup(9)(p21p24)], case 4 had "classical" 9p trisomy and case 5 had duplication of whole short arm and part of the long arm of chromosome 9 (partial 9 trisomy). Although cases 1 to 4 had trisomy involving 9p, cases 1 and 2 exhibited the classical clinical manifestations of 9p trisomy, while cases 3 and 4 had additional features overlapping with Coffin-Siris syndrome. The present study strengthens the association of Coffin-Siris syndrome and 9p, the significance of such observations may point to possible gene location of Coffin-Siris syndrome on 9p. Case 5 had additional manifestations more than those typical of trisomy 9p which could be due to duplication of 9q21 region. Wide gap between 1st and 2nd toes, observed in the studied cases, can be added to the phenotype of this trisomy. Three of our cases had brain malformations, case 3 had dilated ventricles with hypogenesis of corpus callosum, case 4 had agenesis of corpus callosum, and case 5 had Dandy-Walker malformation. We also suggest that dosage effects of genes located in 9pter-q22 contribute to the etiology of Dandy-Walker syndrome. We recommend MRI studies as a routine in all cases with trisomy 9p

Predictors of suicidality across the life span: The Isle of Wight study

Background Data from a representative community sample were used to explore predictors of lifetime suicidality and to examine associations between distal adolescent and more proximal adult risks. Method Data are from a midlife follow-up of the Isle of Wight study, an epidemiological sample of adolescents assessed in 1968. Ratings of psychiatric symptoms and disorder, relationships and family functioning and adversity were made in adolescence; adult assessments included lifetime psychiatric history and suicidality, neuroticism and retrospective reports of childhood sexual abuse and harsh parenting. Results A wide range of measures of childhood psychopathology, adverse experiences and interpersonal difficulties were associated with adult suicidality; associations were particularly strong for adolescent irritability, worry and depression. In multivariate analyses, substantial proportions of these effects could be explained by their association with adult psychopathology and neuroticism, but additional effects remained for adolescent irritability and worry. Conclusions Factors of importance for long-term suicidality risk are evident in adolescence. These include family and experiential adversities as well as psychopathology. In particular, markers of adolescent worry and irritability appeared both potent risks and ones with additional effects beyond associations with adult disorder and adult neuroticism