159 research outputs found

    Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced clavicle fractures in adolescents

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    The literature available on patient oriented outcomes of operative management for clavicle fractures in adolescents is fairly limited. The purpose of this study was to analyze the potential of open reduction and internal fixation for displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures in adolescent patients. We reviewed our series of surgical cases performed in 19 adolescents (mean age: 14.6 years) with displaced unilateral clavicle fractures. Baseline data acquisition included demographic and radiographic variables. A Synthes® LCP clavicular plate was utilized for fixation in all cases. Follow-up data included functional outcome assessment using the Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH), the simple shoulder test (SST) and additional binary questions. At a mean follow-up of 16 months, quick DASH scores were 4.0 (range: 0–35.5) and mean number of positive yes responses on the SST for all operative patients was 11 (range: 9–12). All cases proved complete radiological union at the 3-month follow-up. All patients returned to full athletics at a mean time of 14 weeks (range: 12–17 weeks). Two patients had minimal hypertrophic scars while no patient was noted with keloid formation or neurovascular deficit. One patient complained of implant prominence and occasional symptoms of discomfort at the 15 month follow-up and opted for implant removal. This was successfully performed with uneventful full recovery. All patients were fully satisfied with their choice for surgical intervention. Anatomical reduction with internal fixation and early mobilization of adolescent displaced clavicle fractures remains a viable treatment option with predictable results and no major complications in reliable hands

    Hip arthrodesis in the pediatric population: where do we stand?

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    Reconstructive and salvage procedures have continued to evolve in orthopedic surgery with changing functional demands of the population as well as advances in implants and surgical techniques. What used to be popular or traditional care at some point may eventually become a thing of the past, and this is true as far as many orthopedic surgical procedures are concerned. Understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, and managing and postponing the destructive pathway of osteoarthritis (OA) has been the goal of orthopedists since the specialty began in the early part of 18th century. Options of treating the severe sequelae of an arthritic joint have varied in different treatment eras. Management options have changed from a spectrum of non-treatment and slow suffering to muscle and soft-tissue releases, interposition arthroplasty and eventual extreme options like joint fusion or arthrodesis. The concept and advent of joint replacement surgery started a new era in the management of OA and was a dream come true in many ways. Mobility and stability are achieved together during the arthroplasty (joint replacement) that allowes the patient to maintain a good level of function. Arthroplasty certainly has its pros and cons as we have discovered in the past six decades. Pushing the envelope to younger population has its limitation in terms of longevity of the prosthesis, early loosening, need for repeated revisions that at some point may not be technically possible and risk of infection and disastrous consequences like PE and death associated with the gravity of the procedure. As infrequent as it is in today's clinical practice, arthrodesis of the hip joint has a role and remains a solid option for a well selected case

    Heritage Matters- January 2007

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    INSIDE THIS ISSUE Conferences upcoming, p. 10 Grant applications, p. 11 Internships, p. 3 National Register listings, p. 5 Tribal Preservation Officer list, p. 9 CONTENTS NPS ACTIVITIES, pages 2-4 Inupiaq Heritage in Northwestern Alaska, p. 2 Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, p. 3 Historic Trees, the National Park Service, and History, p. 3 STATE INITIATIVES, pages 5-8 National Register Nominations, p. 5 • Ridge Trail Historic District, Walsh and Pembina Counties, North Dakota • Emery Hall, Wilberforce University, Green County, Ohio • Ponca Agency, Boyd County, Nebraska • Ohio Theatre, Toledo, Ohio • Hydaburg Totem Park, Hydaburg, Alaska • Sunrise Mine Historic District, eastern Wyoming • Pilsen Historic District, Chicago, Illinois TRIBAL INITIATIVES, pages 8-9 NAGPRA Develops New Outreach Initiatives, p. 8 Current THPO Listings, p. 9 CONFERENCES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND EVENTS, pages 10-11 Conferences, p. 10 Vernacular Architectural Forum Annual Meeting in Savannah, p. 10 Organization of American Historians Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, p. 10 US/ICOMOS International Symposium on Heritage Tourism in San Francisco, p. 10 Arkansas Historical Association Conference in Little Rock, p. 10 American Association of Museums Annual Meeting in Chicago, p. 11 National Trust for Historic Preservation National Preservation Conference in St. Paul, p. 11 Announcements, p. 11 Preserve America Grant Applications, p. 11 Save America’s Treasures Grant Applications, p. 11 Events, p. 11 Preservation-related Commemorations, p. 1

    Heritage Matters- January 2007

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    INSIDE THIS ISSUE Conferences upcoming, p. 10 Grant applications, p. 11 Internships, p. 3 National Register listings, p. 5 Tribal Preservation Officer list, p. 9 CONTENTS NPS ACTIVITIES, pages 2-4 Inupiaq Heritage in Northwestern Alaska, p. 2 Cultural Resources Diversity Internship Program, p. 3 Historic Trees, the National Park Service, and History, p. 3 STATE INITIATIVES, pages 5-8 National Register Nominations, p. 5 • Ridge Trail Historic District, Walsh and Pembina Counties, North Dakota • Emery Hall, Wilberforce University, Green County, Ohio • Ponca Agency, Boyd County, Nebraska • Ohio Theatre, Toledo, Ohio • Hydaburg Totem Park, Hydaburg, Alaska • Sunrise Mine Historic District, eastern Wyoming • Pilsen Historic District, Chicago, Illinois TRIBAL INITIATIVES, pages 8-9 NAGPRA Develops New Outreach Initiatives, p. 8 Current THPO Listings, p. 9 CONFERENCES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND EVENTS, pages 10-11 Conferences, p. 10 Vernacular Architectural Forum Annual Meeting in Savannah, p. 10 Organization of American Historians Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, p. 10 US/ICOMOS International Symposium on Heritage Tourism in San Francisco, p. 10 Arkansas Historical Association Conference in Little Rock, p. 10 American Association of Museums Annual Meeting in Chicago, p. 11 National Trust for Historic Preservation National Preservation Conference in St. Paul, p. 11 Announcements, p. 11 Preserve America Grant Applications, p. 11 Save America’s Treasures Grant Applications, p. 11 Events, p. 11 Preservation-related Commemorations, p. 1

    Summary of the radiological assessment of the fuel cycle for a thorium-uranium carbide-fueled fast breeder reactor

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    A large fraction of the potential fuel for nuclear power reactors employing fissionable materials exists as ores of thorium. In addition, certain characteristics of a fuel system based on breeding of the fissionable isotope {sup 233}U from thorium offer the possibility of a greater resistance to the diversion of fissionable material for the fabrication of nuclear weapons. This report consolidates into a single source the principal content of two previous reports which assess the radiological environmental impact of mining and milling of thorium ore and of the reprocessing and refabrication of spent FBR thorium-uranium carbide fuel

    Nerve Growth Factor Stimulates Interaction of Cayman Ataxia Protein BNIP-H/Caytaxin with Peptidyl-Prolyl Isomerase Pin1 in Differentiating Neurons

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    Mutations in ATCAY that encodes the brain-specific protein BNIP-H (or Caytaxin) lead to Cayman cerebellar ataxia. BNIP-H binds to glutaminase, a neurotransmitter-producing enzyme, and affects its activity and intracellular localization. Here we describe the identification and characterization of the binding between BNIP-H and Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase. BNIP-H interacted with Pin1 after nerve growth factor-stimulation and they co-localized in the neurites and cytosol of differentiating pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and the embryonic carcinoma P19 cells. Deletional mutagenesis revealed two cryptic binding sites within the C-terminus of BNIP-H such that single point mutants affecting the WW domain of Pin1 completely abolished their binding. Although these two sites do not contain any of the canonical Pin1-binding motifs they showed differential binding profiles to Pin1 WW domain mutants S16E, S16A and W34A, and the catalytically inert C113A of its isomerase domain. Furthermore, their direct interaction would occur only upon disrupting the ability of BNIP-H to form an intramolecular interaction by two similar regions. Furthermore, expression of Pin1 disrupted the BNIP-H/glutaminase complex formation in PC12 cells under nerve growth factor-stimulation. These results indicate that nerve growth factor may stimulate the interaction of BNIP-H with Pin1 by releasing its intramolecular inhibition. Such a mechanism could provide a post-translational regulation on the cellular activity of BNIP-H during neuronal differentiation. (213 words

    Cross-Species Analyses Identify the BNIP-2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) Domain as a Distinct Functional Subclass of the CRAL_TRIO/Sec14 Superfamily

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    The CRAL_TRIO protein domain, which is unique to the Sec14 protein superfamily, binds to a diverse set of small lipophilic ligands. Similar domains are found in a range of different proteins including neurofibromatosis type-1, a Ras GTPase-activating Protein (RasGAP) and Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RhoGEFs). Proteins containing this structural protein domain exhibit a low sequence similarity and ligand specificity while maintaining an overall characteristic three-dimensional structure. We have previously demonstrated that the BNIP-2 and Cdc42GAP Homology (BCH) protein domain, which shares a low sequence homology with the CRAL_TRIO domain, can serve as a regulatory scaffold that binds to Rho, RhoGEFs and RhoGAPs to control various cell signalling processes. In this work, we investigate 175 BCH domain-containing proteins from a wide range of different organisms. A phylogenetic analysis with ∼100 CRAL_TRIO and similar domains from eight representative species indicates a clear distinction of BCH-containing proteins as a novel subclass within the CRAL_TRIO/Sec14 superfamily. BCH-containing proteins contain a hallmark sequence motif R(R/K)h(R/K)(R/K)NL(R/K)xhhhhHPs (‘h’ is large and hydrophobic residue and ‘s’ is small and weekly polar residue) and can be further subdivided into three unique subtypes associated with BNIP-2-N, macro- and RhoGAP-type protein domains. A previously unknown group of genes encoding ‘BCH-only’ domains is also identified in plants and arthropod species. Based on an analysis of their gene-structure and their protein domain context we hypothesize that BCH domain-containing genes evolved through gene duplication, intron insertions and domain swapping events. Furthermore, we explore the point of divergence between BCH and CRAL-TRIO proteins in relation to their ability to bind small GTPases, GAPs and GEFs and lipid ligands. Our study suggests a need for a more extensive analysis of previously uncharacterized BCH, ‘BCH-like’ and CRAL_TRIO-containing proteins and their significance in regulating signaling events involving small GTPases

    AKAP95 regulates splicing through scaffolding RNAs and RNA processing factors

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    YesAlternative splicing of pre-mRNAs significantly contributes to the complexity of gene expression in higher organisms, but the regulation of the splice site selection remains incompletely understood. We have previously demonstrated that a chromatin-associated protein, AKAP95 (AKAP8), has a remarkable activity in enhancing chromatin transcription. In this study, we have shown that AKAP95 physically interacts with many factors involved in transcription and RNA processing, and functionally regulates pre-mRNA splicing. AKAP95 directly promotes splicing in vitro and the inclusion of a specific exon of an endogenous gene FAM126A. The N-terminal YG-rich domain of AKAP95 is important for its binding to RNA processing factors including selective groups of hnRNP proteins, and its zinc finger domains are critical for pre-mRNA binding. Genome-wide binding assays revealed that AKAP95 bound preferentially to proximal intronic regions on a large number of pre-mRNAs in human transcriptome, and AKAP95 depletion predominantly resulted in reduced inclusion of many exons. AKAP95 also selectively coordinates with hnRNP H/F and U proteins in regulating alternative splicing events. We have further shown that AKAP95 directly interacts with itself. Taken together, our results establish AKAP95 as a novel and mostly positive regulator of premRNA splicing and a possible integrator of transcription and splicing regulation, and support a model that AKAP95 facilitates the splice site communication by looping out introns through both RNA-binding and protein-protein interaction.This work was supported by a UAB start-up fund to H.J
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