A Numerical Model Study for Development of a Harbour Layout in a Creek with Wide Tidal Flat

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Interpreting sources of variation in clinical gait analysis: A case study

© 2016 Objective To illustrate and discuss sources of gait deviations (experimental, genuine and intentional) during a gait analysis and how these deviations inform clinical decision making. Methods A case study of a 24-year old male diagnosed with Alkaptonuria undergoing a routine gait analysis. A 3D motion capture with the Helen-Hayes marker set was used to quantify lower-limb joint kinematics during barefoot walking along a 10 m walkway at a self-selected pace. Additional 2D video data were recorded in the sagittal and frontal plane. The patient reported no aches or pains in any joint and described his lifestyle as active. Results Temporal-spatial parameters were within normal ranges for his age and sex. Three sources of gait deviations were identified; the posteriorly rotated pelvis was due to an experimental error and marker misplacement, the increased rotation of the pelvis in the horizontal plane was genuine and observed in both 3D gait curves and in 2D video analysis, finally the inconsistency in knee flexion/extension combined with a seemingly innocuous interest in the consequences of abnormal gait suggested an intentional gait deviation. Conclusions Gait analysis is an important analytical tool in the management of a variety of conditions that negatively impact on movement. Experienced gait analysts have the ability to recognise genuine gait adaptations that forms part of the decision-making process for that patient. However, their role also necessitates the ability to identify and correct for experimental errors and critically evaluate when a deviation may not be genuine

Studies on the ontogenetic changes in the isozymes in Drosophila nasuta nasuta and Drosophila sulfurigaster neonasuta

Ontogenetic manifestations of four isozymes namely, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, α-esterase and β-esterase have been analysed in two closely related species- D. nasuta nasuta and D. sulfurigaster neonasuta. By adopting polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic technique 15 different developmental stages have been assayed. Electrophoretically homologous and distinct enzyme phenotypes for each enzyme system have been recognised in the two species under study. The implications of these findings are discussed

Force and temperature analysis during distinct machining environment using an optimization approach

Cryogenic cooling with liquid nitrogen has a wide field of scientific and engineering applications. The aim of the presented research work is to analyze the impact on cutting force and temperature during the LN2 single supply at (i) rake face and double supply (ii) rake and flank face of TiN coated carbide cutting tool during turning of AISI D3 steel. Taguchi based S/N ratio was used for Design of Experiments (DoE) of L18 orthogonal array. The four control factors were selected.The three factors like speed, feed and depth of cut were varied to three levels. The fourth factor was the machining condition which was varied to two levels. The cutting force and temperature were declined by 32-48% and 34-46% during the double supply of LN2 at rake and flank face as compared to single supply at rake face. The influence and percentage of contribution of each factor were found out by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The double supply method with LN2 supply at rake and flank face had the highest effect of contribution in the percentage as 77.13% and 87.42% for cutting force and temperature respectively. The values obtained during confirmatory runs were very close to the optimized results within the limits

Force and temperature analysis during distinct machining environment using an optimization approach

804-811Cryogenic cooling with liquid nitrogen has a wide field of scientific and engineering applications. The aim of the presented research work is to analyze the impact on cutting force and temperature during the LN2 single supply at (i) rake face and double supply (ii) rake and flank face of TiN coated carbide cutting tool during turning of AISI D3 steel. Taguchi based S/N ratio was used for Design of Experiments (DoE) of L18 orthogonal array. The four control factors were selected. The three factors like speed, feed and depth of cut were varied to three levels. The fourth factor was the machining condition which was varied to two levels. The cutting force and temperature were declined by 32-48% and 34-46% during the double supply of LN2 at rake and flank face as compared to single supply at rake face. The influence and percentage of contribution of each factor were found out by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The double supply method with LN2 supply at rake and flank face had the highest effect of contribution in the percentage as 77.13% and 87.42% for cutting force and temperature respectively. The values obtained during confirmatory runs were very close to the optimized results within the limits

Short-term changes on MRI predict long-term changes on radiography in rheumatoid arthritis: an analysis by an OMERACT Task Force of pooled data from four randomised controlled trials

Objective: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), MRI provides earlier detection of structural damage than radiography (X-ray) and more sensitive detection of intra-articular inflammation than clinical examination. This analysis was designed to evaluate the ability of early MRI findings to predict subsequent structural damage by X-ray. Methods: Pooled data from four randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1022 RA hands and wrists in early and established RA were analysed. X-rays were scored using van der Heijde-modified or Genant-modified Sharp methods. MRIs were scored using Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) RA MRI Score (RAMRIS). Data were analysed at the patient level using multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Results: Progression of MRI erosion scores at Weeks 12 and 24 predicted progression of X-ray erosions at Weeks 24 and 52, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.64 and 0.74, respectively. 12-week and 24-week changes in MRI osteitis scores were similarly predictive of 24-week and 52-week X-ray erosion progressions; pooled AUCs were 0.78 and 0.77, respectively. MRI changes in synovitis at Weeks 12 and 24 also predicted progression of X-ray joint damage (erosion and joint-space narrowing) at Weeks 24 and 52 (AUCs=0.72 and 0.65, respectively). Conclusions: Early changes in joint damage and inflammation detected with MRI predict changes in joint damage evident on subsequent X-rays. These findings support the use of MRI as a valid method for monitoring structural damage in short-duration RCTs

Human natural killer cells mediate adaptive immunity to viral antigens

Adaptive immune responses are defined as antigen sensitization–dependent and antigen-specific responses leading to establishment of long-lived immunological memory. Although natural killer (NK) cells have traditionally been considered cells of the innate immune system, mounting evidence in mice and nonhuman primates warrants reconsideration of the existing paradigm that B and T cells are the sole mediators of adaptive immunity. However, it is currently unknown whether human NK cells can exhibit adaptive immune responses. We therefore tested whether human NK cells mediate adaptive immunity to virally encoded antigens using humanized mice and human volunteers. We found that human NK cells displayed vaccination-dependent, antigen-specific recall responses in vitro, when isolated from livers of humanized mice previously vaccinated with HIV-encoded envelope protein. Furthermore, we discovered that large numbers of cytotoxic NK cells with a tissue-resident phenotype were recruited to sites of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) skin test antigen challenge in VZV-experienced human volunteers. These NK-mediated recall responses in humans occurred decades after initial VZV exposure, demonstrating that NK memory in humans is long-lived. Our data demonstrate that human NK cells exhibit adaptive immune responses upon vaccination or infection. The existence of human memory NK cells may allow for the development of vaccination-based approaches capable of establishing potent NK-mediated memory functions contributing to host protection

Diurnal secretion of growth hormone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone in pre- and perimenopausal women with active rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot case-control study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with neuroendocrine and immunologic dysfunction leading to rheumatoid cachexia. Although excess proinflammatory cytokines can decrease somatotropic axis activity, little is known about the effects of RA on growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-I) axis function. We tested the hypothesis that patients with active RA exhibit decreased GH/IGF-I axis activity. To do so, we conducted a pilot case-control study at a clinical research center in 7 pre- and perimenopausal women with active RA and 10 age- and body mass index-matched healthy women. Participants underwent blood sampling every 20 minutes for 24 hours (8 a.m. to 8 a.m.), and sera were assayed for GH, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Sera obtained after overnight fasting were assayed for IGF-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), glucose, insulin, and lipids. Body composition and bone mineral density were evaluated by DEXA (dual emission x-ray absorptiometry) scans. In patients with RA, mean disease duration was 7.6 ± 6.8 years, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, and IL-6 were elevated. GH half-life was shorter than in control subjects (p = 0.0037), with no other significant group differences in GH deconvolution parameters or approximate entropy scores. IGF-I (p = 0.05) and IGFBP-3 (p = 0.058) were lower, whereas IGFBP-1 tended to be higher (p = 0.066), in patients with RA, with nonsignificantly increased 24-hour total GH production rates. There were no significant group differences in cortisol or DHEA secretion. Lean body mass was lower in patients with RA (p = 0.019), particularly in the legs (p = 0.01). Women with active RA exhibit a trend toward GH insensitivity and relatively diminished diurnal cortisol and DHEA secretion for their state of inflammation. Whether these changes contribute to rheumatoid cachexia remains to be determined

Defining the Properties of an Array of -NH2-Modified Substrates for the Induction of a Mature Osteoblast/Osteocyte Phenotype from a Primary Human Osteoblast Population Using Controlled Nanotopography and Surface Chemistry

Accelerating the integration of a joint replacement or the healing of a bone fracture, particularly a complicated non-union fracture, would improve patient welfare and decrease healthcare costs. Currently, an autologous bone graft is the gold standard method for the treatment of complicated non-union fractures, but it is not always possible to harvest such a graft. A proactive highly inductive so-called smart material approach is pertinent in these cases. In this study, the surface chemistry of a previously approved material with desirable bulk material properties was modified to investigate its potential as an economical and effective alternative. The objective was to create stable synthetic chemical coatings that could guide cells along the osteogenic lineage required to generate mineralised tissue that would induce and accelerate bone healing. Primary human osteoblast-like cells were cultured in vitro for 7, 14 and 28 days on amine-terminated (chain length in the range 3–11) silane-modified glass surfaces with controlled nanotopography, to determine how surface chemistry and nanotopography change osteoblast function. The materials were characterised using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle (WCA) and a novel ninhydrin assay. The cells were analysed using qRT-PCR, von Kossa tinctural staining for mineralisation, and visualised using both transmitted white light and electron microscopy. Bone-like nodules, quantified using microscopy, only formed on the short-chain (chain length 3 and 4) amines after 7 days, as did the up-regulation of sclerostin, suggestive of a more mature osteoblast phenotype. In this paper, we report more rapid nodule formation than has previously been observed, without the addition of exogenous factors in the culture medium. This suggests that the coating would improve the integration of implants with bone or be the basis of a smart biomaterial that would accelerate the bone regeneration process

Characteristics of Early Paget's Disease in SQSTM1 Mutation Carriers: Baseline Analysis of the ZiPP Study Cohort

Mutations in SQSTM1 are strongly associated with Paget's disease of bone (PDB), but little is known about the clinical characteristics of those with early disease. Radionuclide bone scans, biochemical markers of bone turnover, and clinical characteristics were analyzed in SQSTM1 mutation carriers who took part in the Zoledronic acid in the Prevention of Paget's disease (ZiPP) study. We studied 222 individuals, of whom 54.9% were female, with mean ± SE age of 50.1 ± 0.6 years. Twelve SQSTM1 mutations were observed, including p.Pro392Leu, which was present in 141 of 222 (63.5%) subjects. Bone scan examination revealed evidence of PDB in 20 subjects (9.0%), ten of whom (50%) had a single affected site. Participants with lesions were older than those without lesions but the difference was not significant (53.6 ± 9.1 versus 49.8 ± 8.9; p =.07). The mean age of participants with lesions was not significantly different from the age at which their parents were diagnosed with PDB (55 years versus 59 years, p =.17). All individuals with lesions were asymptomatic. Serum concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) normalized to the upper limit of normal in each center were higher in those with lesions (0.75 ± 0.69 versus 0.42 ± 0.29 arbitary units; p <.0001). Similar findings were observed for other biochemical markers of bone turnover, but the sensitivity of ALP and other markers in detecting lesions was poor. Asymptomatic PDB is present in about 9% of SQSTM1 mutation carriers by the fifth decade. Further follow-up of this cohort will provide important information on the natural history of early PDB and its response to treatment. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research