150 research outputs found
Comparison of the Accuracy of X-ray, 2D-CT, 3D-CT, and Physical Modeling in Classification of Fractures about the Elbow Needing Operative Treatment
The goal of this study is to compare the accuracy of using X-ray, 2D-CT, 3D-CT, and physical modeling in classification of fractures about the elbow as a means of evaluating their relative utility in preoperative workup and treatment planning of fractures.
Ten patients with fractures about the elbow that required operative fixation underwent preoperative X-ray, 2D-CT, 3D-CT, and physical modeling of their injury. Ten orthopaedic physicians classified each injury using each of those four modalities. The answers given by the 10 physicians were compared to an established correct classification for each case, and that data was used to compare the relative accuracy of each modality.
The average accuracy for the given modalities was 62% for X-ray, 76% for 2D-CT, 80% for 3D-CT, and 88% for physical modeling. ANOVA analysis across all modalities revealed findings are statistically significant; however, when compared side by side, only moving from X-ray to 2D-CT yielded significant results.
There was greater percentage correct classification achieved using the more advanced modalities, which therefore may theoretically result in more accurate preoperative planning. However, one must view this finding within the context and limits of this study, which is restricted by the relatively small sample size. Future study into methods of fracture characterization should be done to further evaluate findings such as these, with the goal of promoting better patient outcomes
IKKα and IKKβ Each Function to Regulate NF-κB Activation in the TNF-Induced/Canonical Pathway
Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB by cytokines is rapid, mediated through the activation of the IKK complex with subsequent phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitory IkappaB proteins. The IKK complex is comprised of two catalytic subunits, IKKalpha and IKKbeta, and a regulatory protein known as NEMO. Using cells from mice that are genetically deficient in IKKbeta or IKKalpha, or using a kinase inactive mutant of IKKbeta, it has been proposed that IKKbeta is critical for TNF-induced IkappaB phosphorylation/degradation through the canonical pathway while IKKalpha has been shown to be involved in the non-canonical pathway for NF-kappaB activation. These conclusions have led to a focus on development of IKKbeta inhibitors for potential use in inflammatory disorders and cancer.Analysis of NF-kappaB activation in response to TNF in MEFs reveals that IKKbeta is essential for efficient phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IkappaB alpha, yet IKKalpha contributes to the NF-kappaB activation response in these cells as measured via DNA binding assays. In HeLa cells, both IKKalpha and IKKbeta contribute to IkappaB alpha phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation. A kinase inactive mutant of IKKbeta, which has been used as evidence for the critical importance of IKKbeta in TNF-induced signaling, blocks activation of NF-kappaB induced by IKKalpha, even in cells that are deficient in IKKbeta.These results demonstrate the importance of IKKalpha in canonical NF-kappaB activation, downstream of cytokine treatment of cells. The experiments suggest that IKKalpha will be a therapeutic target in inflammatory disorders
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In-well sediment incubators to evaluate microbial community stability and dynamics following bioimmobilization of uranium
The Milky Way's dark matter halo appears to be lopsided
The atomic hydrogen gas (HI) disk in the outer region (beyond ~10 kpc from
the centre) of Milky Way can provide valuable information about the structure
of the dark matter halo. The recent 3-D thickness map of the outer HI disk from
the all sky 21-cm line LAB survey, gives us a unique opportunity to investigate
the structure of the dark matter halo of Milky Way in great detail. A striking
feature of this new survey is the North-South asymmetry in the thickness map of
the atomic hydrogen gas. Assuming vertical hydrostatic equilibrium under the
total potential of the Galaxy, we derive the model thickness map of the HI gas.
We show that simple axisymmetric halo models, such as softened isothermal halo
(producing a flat rotation curve with V_c ~ 220 km/s) or any halo with density
falling faster than the isothermal one, are not able to explain the observed
radial variation of the gas thickness. We also show that such axisymmetric
halos along with different HI velocity dispersion in the two halves, cannot
explain the observed asymmetry in the thickness map. Amongst the
non-axisymmetric models, it is shown that a purely lopsided (m=1, first
harmonic) dark matter halo with reasonable HI velocity dispersion fails to
explain the North-South asymmetry satisfactorily. However, we show that by
superposing a second harmonic (m=2) out of phase onto a purely lopsided halo
e.g. our best fit and more acceptable model A (with parameters
\epsilon_{h}^{1}=0.2, \epsilon_{h}^{2}=0.18 and \sigma_{HI}=8.5 km/s) can
provide an excellent fit to the observation and reproduce the North-South
asymmetry naturally. The emerging picture of the asymmetric dark matter halo is
supported by the \Lambda CDM halos formed in the cosmological N-body
simulation.Comment: 37 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Optical Spectra of SNR Candidates in NGC 300
We present moderate-resolution (<5A) long-slit optical spectra of 51 nebular
objects in the nearby Sculptor Group galaxy NGC 300 obtained with the 2.3 meter
Advanced Technology Telescope at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia. Adopting
the criterion of [SII]/Ha>=0.4 to confirm supernova remnants (SNRs) from
optical spectra, we find that of 28 objects previously proposed as SNRs from
optical observations, 22 meet this criterion with six showing [SII]/Ha of less
than 0.4. Of 27 objects suggested as SNRs from radio data, four are associated
with the 28 previously proposed SNRs. Of these four, three (included in the 22
above) meet the criterion. In all, 22 of the 51 nebular objects meet the
[SII]/Ha criterion as SNRs while the nature of the remaining 29 objects remains
undetermined by these observations.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc
Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive Midbrain Dopamine Receptor Availability Is Inversely Associated with Novelty-Seeking Traits in Humans
Novelty-seeking personality traits are a major risk factor for the development of drug abuse and other unsafe behaviors. Rodent models of temperament indicate that high novelty responding is associated with decreased inhibitory autoreceptor control of midbrain dopamine neurons. It has been speculated that individual differences in dopamine functioning also underlie the personality trait of novelty seeking in humans. However, differences in the dopamine system of rodents and humans, as well as the methods for assessing novelty responding/seeking across species leave unclear to what extent the animal models inform our understanding of human personality. In the present study we examined the correlation between novelty-seeking traits in humans an
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In Situ Microbial Community Control of the Stability of Bio-reduced Uranium
In aerobic aquifers typical of many Department of Energy (DOE) legacy waste sites, uranium is present in the oxidized U(VI) form which is more soluble and thus more mobile. Field experiments at the Old Rifle UMTRA site have demonstrated that biostimulation by electron donor addition (acetate) promotes biological U(VI) reduction (2). However, U(VI) reduction is reversible and oxidative dissolution of precipitated U(IV) after the cessation of electron donor addition remains a critical issue for the application of biostimulation as a treatment technology. Despite the potential for oxidative dissolution, field experiments at the Old Rifle site have shown that rapid reoxidation of bio-reduced uranium does not occur and U(VI) concentrations can remain at approximately 20% of background levels for more than one year. The extent of post-amendment U(VI) removal and the maintenance of bioreduced uranium may result from many factors including U(VI) sorption to iron-containing mineral phases, generation of H2S or FeS0.9, or the preferential sorption of U(VI) by microbial cells or biopolymers, but the processes controlling the reduction and in situ reoxidation rates are not known. To investigate the role of microbial community composition in the maintenance of bioreduced uranium, in-well sediment incubators (ISIs) were developed allowing field deployment of amended and native sediments during on-going experiments at the site. Field deployment of the ISIs allows expedient interrogation of microbial community response to field environmental perturbations and varying geochemical conditions
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