Restoration of horizontal stability in complete acromioclavicular joint separations: surgical technique and preliminary results

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscope-assisted acromioclavicular ligament reconstruction in combination with double endobutton coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction for the treatment of complete acromioclavicular joint dislocation. METHODS: During the period from February 2010 to October 2012, ten patients with Rockwood types IV and V acromioclavicular joint dislocation were hospitalized and nine were treated with acromioclavicular ligament reconstruction combined with double endobutton of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction. The improvement in shoulder functions was assessed using a Constant score and visual analog scale (VAS) system. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 33.6 ± 5.4 months. The mean Constant scores improved from 25.2 ± 6.6 preoperatively to 92.4 ± 6.5 postoperatively, while the mean VAS score decreased from 5.9 ± 1.4 to 1.2 ± 0.9; significant differences were observed. The final follow-up revealed that excellent outcomes were achieved in eight patients and good outcome in two patients. CONCLUSION: Arthroscope-assisted acromioclavicular ligament reconstruction in combination with double endobutton of coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction is an effective approach for treatment of acute complete acromioclavicular joint dislocation

Taburan dan kepelbagaian foraminifera bentik di dalam sedimen permukaan sekitar Delta Sungai Pahang, Pahang, Malaysia

Suatu kajian mengenai taburan dan kepelbagaian spesies Foraminifera bentik di dalam sedimen permukaan telah dijalankan di sekitar Delta Sungai Pahang, Pahang. Sebanyak 33 sampel sedimen telah diambil bagi tujuan ini. Hasilnya, sebanyak 82 spesies, 45 genus dan 29 famili telah berjaya dikenal pasti daripada sejumlah 28,501 individu Foraminifera. Stesen 5 mencatatkan jumlah kehadiran Foraminifera paling tinggi iaitu sebanyak 5,543 individu. Stesen 11 pula mencatatkan jumlah kehadiran paling rendah dengan hanya 46 individu sahaja. Spesies yang paling dominan dan melimpah (>10%) ialah Amphistegina lessonni (4,790 individu) dan Amphistegina gibbosa (4,490 individu). Kemudian, diikuti oleh Elphidium advenum, Operculina ammonoides dan Asterorotalia pulchella (>5%). Bagi famili pula, Amphisteginidae merupakan famili paling dominan dengan mencatatkan jumlah individu tertinggi iaitu 9,280 (mewakili 32.6% daripada keseluruhan individu). Famili Hauerinidae mencatatkan kepelbagaian spesies yang paling tinggi iaitu sebanyak 24 spesies telah berjaya dijumpai. Indeks kepelbagaian spesies, H’ yang dicatatkan adalah antara 1.1 dan 3.1. Manakala indeks kekayaan spesies, α adalah antara 2.0 dan 9.4

Sedimentation rates and provenance analysis in the Southwestern Okinawa Trough since the mid-Holocene

As a high-sedimentation rate depocenter along the path of the Kuroshio Current, the southwesternmost part of the Okinawa Trough is a key area to understand the Kuroshio history and sediments transportation. A 34.17-m-long sediment core was obtained by the advanced piston corer of Marco Polo/IMAGES XII MARION DUFRESNE during the May 2005 from the Southern Okinawa Trough at site MD05-2908. The recovered sediments were analyzed by AMS (14)C dating, coarse size fraction (> 63 mu m) extraction and moisture content determination in order to study its sedimentation flux and provenance. The depth-age relationship of core MD05-2908 was well constrained by 17 (14)C dating points. The sediments span across the mid-Holocene (6.8 ka B.P.) and have remarkablely high sedimentation rates between 1.8 and 21-2 m/ka, which is well consistent with the modern observations from sediment traps. We identified five 70-200 a periods of abnormally rapid sedimentation events at 6790-6600 a B.P., 5690-5600 a B.P., 4820-4720 a B.P., 1090-880 a B.P., and 260-190 a B.P., during which the highest sedimentation rate is up to 21-2 m/ka. In general, the lithology of the sediments were dominated by silt and clay, associated with less than 5% coarse size fraction (a parts per thousand << 63 mu m). As the most significant sediment source, the Lanyang River in northeastern Taiwan annually deliver about 10Mt materials to the coastal and offshore region of northeast Taiwan, a portion of which could be carried northward by currents toward the study area. Therefore, we concluded that the 5 abnormally rapid sedimentation events may be related to intensified rainfall in Taiwan and thus increased materials to our study area at that time. However, a few extreme-rapid sedimentation events cannot be explained by normal river runoff alone. The large earthquakes or typhoons induced hyperpycnal discharge of fluvial sediment to the ocean may also act as a potential source supply to the Okinawa Trough

High-Arsenic Groundwater in Paleochannels of the Lower Yellow River, China: Distribution and Genesis Mechanisms

High–arsenic (As) groundwater poses a serious threat to human health. The upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River are well–known areas for the enrichment of high–arsenic groundwater. However, little is known about the distribution characteristics and formation mechanism of high-As groundwater in the lower reach of the Yellow River. There were 203 groundwater samples collected in different groundwater systems of the lower Yellow River for the exploration of its hydrogeochemical characteristics. Results showed that more than 20% of the samples have arsenic concentrations exceeding 10 μg/L. The high-As groundwater was mainly distributed in Late Pleistocene–Holocene aquifers, and the As concentrations in the paleochannels systems (C2 and C4) were significantly higher than that of the paleointerfluve system (C3) and modern Yellow River affected system (C5). The high-As groundwater is characterized by high Fe2+ and NH4+ and low Eh and NO3−, indicating that reductive dissolution of the As–bearing iron oxides is probably the main cause of As release. The arsenic concentrations strikingly showed an increasing tendency as the HCO3− proportion increases, suggesting that HCO3− competitive adsorption may facilitate As mobilization, too. In addition, a Gibbs diagram showed that the evaporation of groundwater could be another significant hydrogeochemical processes, except for the water–rock interaction in the study area. Different sources of aquifer medium and sedimentary structure may be the main reasons for the significant zonation of the As spatial distribution in the lower Yellow River

Regression analysis of controllable factors of surgical incision complications in closed calcaneal fractures

Background: In surgeries of closed calcaneal fractures, the lateral L-shaped incision is usually adopted. Undesirable post-operative healing of the incision is a common complication. In this retrospective study, controllable risk factors of incision complications after closed calcaneal fracture surgery through a lateral L-shaped incision are discussed and the effectiveness of clinical intervention is assessed. Materials and Methods: A review of medical records was conducted of 209 patients (239 calcaneal fractures) surgically treated from June 2005 to October 2012. Univariate analyses were performed of seven controllable factors that might influence complications associated with the surgical incision. Binomial multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors of statistical significance. Results: Twenty-one fractures (8.79%) involved surgical incision complications, including 8 (3.35%) cases of wound dehiscence, 7 (2.93%) of flap margin necrosis, 5 (2.09%) of hematoma, and 1 (0.42%) of osteomyelitis. Five factors were statistically significant : t0 he time from injury to surgery, operative duration, post-operative drainage, retraction of skin flap, bone grafting, and patients′ smoking habits. The results of multivariate analyses showed that surgeries performed within 7 days after fracture, operative time > 1.5 h, no drainage after surgery, static skin distraction, and patient smoking were risk factors for calcaneal incision complications. The post-operative duration of antibiotics and bone grafting made no significant difference. Conclusion: Complications after calcaneal surgeries may be reduced by postponing the surgery at least 7 days after fracture, shortening the time in surgery, implementing post-operative drainage, retracting skin flaps gently and for as short a time as possible, and prohibiting smoking

Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals the Flavonoid Regulatory Network by Eutrema EsMYB90

Flavonoids are representative secondary metabolites with different metabolic functions in plants. Previous study found that ectopic expression of EsMYB90 from Eutremasalsugineum could strongly increase anthocyanin content in transgenic tobacco via regulating the expression of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes. In the present research, metabolome analysis showed that there existed 130 significantly differential metabolites, of which 23 metabolites enhanced more than 1000 times in EsMYB90 transgenic tobacco leaves relative to the control, and the top 10 of the increased metabolites included caffeic acid, cyanidin O-syringic acid, myricetin and naringin. A total of 50 markedly differential flavonoids including flavones (14), flavonols (13), flavone C-glycosides (9), flavanones (7), catechin derivatives (5), anthocyanins (1) and isoflavone (1) were identified, of which 46 metabolites were at a significantly enhanced level. Integrated analysis of metabolome and transcriptome revealed that ectopic expression of EsMYB90 in transgenic tobacco leaves is highly associated with the prominent up-regulation of 16 flavonoid metabolites and the corresponding 42 flavonoid biosynthesis structure genes in phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathways. Dual luciferase assay documented that EsMYB90 strongly activated the transcription of NtANS and NtDFR genes via improving their promoter activity in transiently expressed tobacco leaves, suggesting that EsMYB90 functions as a key regulator on anthocyanin and flavonoid biosynthesis. Taken together, the crucial regulatory role of EsMYB90 on enhancing many flavonoid metabolite levels is clearly demonstrated via modulating flavonoid biosynthesis gene expression in the leaves of transgenic tobacco, which extends our understanding of the regulating mechanism of MYB transcription factor in the phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathways and provides a new clue and tool for further investigation and genetic engineering of flavonoid metabolism in plants

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Processes of Shallow Groundwater in the Yellow River Delta, China

The Yellow River Delta is one of the biggest river deltas in China, and the shallow groundwater plays an important role in the development of the local agriculture and ecosystem. However, people are still unclear about the hydrochemical characteristics and mechanisms of the shallow groundwater. In this study, the authors collected and analyzed 81 groundwater samples from the delta plain and piedmont alluvial plain, and explored the hydrochemical features and causes through Piper diagrams, correlation analysis, ionic ratios, and speciation calculations. The results showed that anions were dominated by Cl and HCO3, the concentration of which was much more than that of SO4 and CO3. The groundwater can be divided into various types, including Na–Cl, Ca–Mg–HCO3, Na–HCO3 and Ca–Mg–Cl. This study tested an alternative method–ionic ratios based on the cumulative frequency distribution to characterizing the hydrochemical groups. According to different ion ratios and hydrogeological conditions, three hydrogeochemical zones with different dominant factors have been determined: Weathering—Fresh Water Zone (Zone I), Evaporation—Saline Water Zone (Zone II), and Seawater Mixing Zone (Zone III). As the calculated saturation index show, the calcite and dolomite are saturated, while the halite and gypsum from Zone I to Zone III tend to be saturated. In addition, cation exchange is an important hydrochemical process in the area, and Zone III experiences inverse ironic exchange. In conclusion, this hydrogeochemical zonation would be favorable for water resource management in the Yellow River Delta

Sediment Sources and Dispersion on the Western Sunda Shelf, Malay Peninsula, Southern South China Sea

Thirty-nine surface sediment samples collected from the western Sunda Shelf off the Malay Peninsula (WSSMP) in the southern South China Sea (SCS) were analysed for grain size, major and trace elemental compositions, and light/heavy mineral contents to trace the sediment sources and their transport mechanisms in the study area. In the WSSMP, the surface sediments are relatively poorly sorted but transportable. A principal component analysis of 37 elements and grain size fractions indicates that the surface sediments can be grouped into four major assemblages in the study area. Integrating with the light/heavy minerals data in the 63–125 μm fractions of the surface sediment samples, to better trace the sediment sources of the coarse-grained components in the marine environment, the study area can be further divided into four sediment provinces. Province I is located in the northwestern part of the study area. The concentrations of TiO2, Na2O, garnet, siderite, and glauconite in Province I were higher than in the other provinces. The main sediment source for this province originated from the Kelantan River and the Gulf of Thailand transported by the northeastern monsoon current. Province II is located offshore of the Pahang and Endau Rivers. The percentages of TiO2, rare earth elements, Al2O3, quartz, plagioclase, hypersthene, and magnetite in the surface sediments were typically higher in this province than in the other provinces. The Pahang and Endau rivers provide most of the sediments to this province, which are transported by southward coastal currents. Province III is located in the northeastern and eastern parts of the study area, where the coarse-grained sediment fraction had relatively high hornblende and biotite contents. Sediments in this province are mostly transported from the Mekong River during the northeastern monsoon. The other parts of the study area belong to Province IV, where the surface sediment elemental and mineral concentrations were mostly between those of the other three provinces. Therefore, we suggest that Province IV has a mixed source due to inputs from the surrounding rivers

A Correction Method of Positioning for Deep-Sea Camera Data

The deep-sea camera is the most intuitive and effective detection tool for seabed investigation, and the accuracy of camera positioning can ensure its data value. A bundled ultra-short baseline (USBL) positioning system is generally employed to realize the spatial positioning of an underwater camera. The influence of the underwater acoustic environment and other factors cause USBL positioning data to become unstable, leading to abnormalities, or missing data, which creates difficulties for camera positioning. In order to solve the problem, this paper selects the seabed camera data of the &ldquo;XunMei&rdquo; mineralization area acquired from the China south Atlantic voyage. Moreover, the USBL positioning data, combined with high-precision terrain, bathymetry, and ship-borne GPS positioning data, were analyzed and mined comprehensively. In order to eliminate the abnormal data, a four-dimensional anomaly culling model of USBL positioning data is established based on the time and space scales through the ArcGIS tool. Then, modeling, simulation, and interpolation prediction are performed for the positioning data after anomaly elimination to achieve the geographic location correction of the hydrothermal sulfide near-bottom camera and its data. This method has achieved good results in practical applications. The corrected water depth profile of the camera survey line is compatible with the high-precision terrain detected at different times in the same area. The characteristics of the corrected video images are compatible with the sample characteristics of the TV grab sampling position. A set of high-quality positioning data (sampling test 5000 points) not participating in the correction model is compared with the corrected USBL data at the same position. The following results are obtained: in the case of a confidence interval of 95%, the correlation coefficient is 1, the significance is 0, there is no significant difference between the corrected data after the simulation and its original positioning data (not participating in the model), and the correction error is below 5 m. This shows that the problem of locating a submarine camera and its data can be solved using the proposed four-dimensional anomaly elimination model established based on the USBL positioning data, high precision terrain, bathymetry and GPS data, and the corresponding cubic polynomial least-squares correction model