Optimization of finite-range effective interaction for in-medium cross sections

In order to incorporate the finite range effect into effective interactions, a modification of the Skyrme force by introducing a cut-off factor for high momentum transfers is proposed. The parameters of the cut-off factor are determined by fitting the microscopic in-medium cross-sections of Li and Machleidt over a wide range of energy and nuclear density. Results for the SkM* and SLy4 forces are presented

The possibility of using fluid whey in comminuted meat products: capacity and viscosity of the model emulsions prepared using whey and muscle proteins

The emulsion capacity (EC) of whey and sarcoplasmic proteins were low when they were used alone, but the EC and viscosity (EV) of total meat proteins (TMP) were higher than those values of other proteins investigated, including a combination of whey plus TMP. However, the solubility of the TMP proteins was lower than that of the other proteins investigated, probably due to the differences in the physico-chemical properties of whey and muscle proteins and the buffer used. In general, EC of whey proteins showed a significant alteration when used in combination with muscle proteins, while its solubility was not changed. The present results suggest that it is possible to use fluid whey in emulsion-type meat products and these studies should continue using actual meat emulsion systems. © 1995 Springer-Verlag

Effects of alloplastic graft material combined with a topical ozone application on calvarial bone defects in rats

Background: This study presents the evaluation of the damage in the bone tissue resulting from a calvarial defect in rats and the efficiency of exposure to an ozone application with an alloplastic bone graft on the calvarial bone damage. Materials and methods: Wistar male rats (n = 56) were divided into four groups: a control group (n = 14), defect and ozone group (n = 14), defect and graft group (n = 14), and defect, graft, and ozone group (n = 14). Under anaesthesia, a circular full-thickness bone defect was created in all groups, and the experimental groups were further divided into two sub-groups, with 7 rats in each group sacrificed at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. Bone samples were dissected, fixed in 10% formalin solution, and decalcified with 5% ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA). After the routine follow-up on tissues, immunostaining of osteopontin and osteonectin antibodies was applied to sections and observed under a light microscope. Results: The control group exhibited osteopontin and osteonectin expression in fibroblasts and inflammatory cells at the end of the 4th week with an acceleration at the 8th week. Ozone administration elucidated new trabecular bone formation by increasing osteoblastic activity. Lastly, our observations underscore that a combination of allograft and ozone application increased the osteoblast, osteocyte, and bone matrix development at the 4th and 8th weeks. Conclusions: Exposure to an ozone application with an alloplastic bone graft on calvarial bone damage may induce osteoblastic activity, matrix development, mature bone cell formation, and new bone formation in rats

Quantal description of nucleon exchange in a stochastic mean-field approach

The nucleon exchange mechanism is investigated in central collisions of symmetric heavy ions in the basis of the stochastic mean-field approach. Quantal diffusion coefficients for nucleon exchange are calculated by including non-Markovian effects and shell structure. Variances of fragment mass distributions are calculated in central collisions of Ca-40 + Ca-40, Ca-48 + Ca-48, and N-56 i+ Ni-56 systems

Effects of formaldehyde on vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metallopeptidase 2 and osteonectin levels in periodontal membrane and alveolar bone in rats

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether long term formaldehyde inhalation may affect periodontal membrane and alveolar bone loss leading to periodontitis. The negative effects of formaldehyde were described using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) and osteonectin antibodies involved in the extracellular matrix and angiogenetic development. Materials and methods: Thirty adult Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 15) and formaldehyde administered group (n = 15). Formaldehyde group was exposed to inhalation of 10 ppm formaldehyde 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. Maxillary bone regions were dissected under anaesthesia. After fixation in 10% formaldehyde solution, tissues were passed through graded ethanol series to obtain paraffin blocks. Five-micrometre histological sections were cut with RM2265 rotary microtome stained with Masson trichrome and VEGF, MMP-2 and osteonectin antibodies for examination under Olympus BH-2 light microscopy. Results: The present study revealed that congestion in blood vessels, degeneration of collagen fibres and alveolar matrix around alveolar bone were observed to be more significant in formaldehyde group than the control group (p ≤ 0.001). Interestingly, VEGF expression in the formaldehyde group was the most significant finding between the two groups (p < 0.001). When compared inflammation, MMP-2 and osteonectin expressions were significant (p < 0.01) in the formaldehyde group. Conclusions: It was suggested that formaldehyde toxicity decreased the expression of MMP-2 and in osteoblasts as well as affecting the retention of MMP levels in tooth cavity, which is very low in collagen fibres. But, vice versa for the expression of VEGF in dilated vascular endothelial cells and osteocytes in alveolar bone. As a conclusion, formaldehyde disrupts the periodontal membrane and may cause collagen fibres degeneration by affecting the alveolar bone matrix

Functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with proximal row carpectomy

Objectives: This study aims to assess pain, functional status, patient satisfaction, and quality of life in patients with proximal row carpectomy. Patients and methods: Between December 2007 and November 2011, demographic, clinical, and operational data, and physical therapy program of 16 patients (11 males, 5 females; mean age 41.4±16.6 years; range 19 to 77 years) with proximal row carpectomy were recorded. Pain (0-no pain, 10-severe pain), and patient satisfaction (0-not satisfied, 10-very satisfied) were assessed with visual analog scale (VAS). Wrist range of motion, and hand grip strength were evaluated. The quick-disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (Q-DASH), and Mayo wrist score were used for functional evaluation of the upper limb. Short form-36 (SF-36) was used for the evaluation of quality of life. Results: Postsurgical duration was 20.6±16.4 (range; 6-56) months. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) was detected in two patients (%12.5). The mean session numbers of physical therapy were 16.7±9.4 (range; 0-30), satisfaction VAS was 8.4±2.1, rest VAS 0.8±0.9, activity VAS was 2.3±2.2, grip strength of operated side 82% of nonoperated side, Q-DASH score was 13.4±16.5 (substantially good), and Mayo wrist score was 80.0±19.4 (good). Significant improvement was detected in postoperative flexion-extension arc compared to preoperative status (p=0.001). A correlation was detected between hand grip strength percentage and session numbers of physical therapy (p=0.025, r=0.558). Relationships between quality of life-pain subscore and activity pain (p=0.001, r= -0.819), Q-DASH (p=0.003, r= -0.698), and Mayo wrist score (p=0.037, r=0.525) were detected. The presence of complication was the only independent variable for prediction of functional status in multivariate linear regression analysis. Conclusion: Increased number of physical therapy session results in improved hand grip strength following the proximal row carpectomy, while CRPS complication which can be seen after surgery affects the functional status adversely

Biallelic loss-of-function mutation in NIK causes a primary immunodeficiency with multifaceted aberrant lymphoid immunity

Primary immunodeficiency disorders enable identification of genes with crucial roles in the human immune system. Here we study patients suffering from recurrent bacterial, viral and Cryptosporidium infections, and identify a biallelic mutation in the MAP3K14 gene encoding NIK (NF- B-inducing kinase). Loss of kinase activity of mutant NIK, predicted by in silico analysis and confirmed by functional assays, leads to defective activation of both canonical and non-canonical NF- B signalling. Patients with mutated NIK exhibit B-cell lymphopenia, decreased frequencies of class-switched memory B cells and hypogammaglobulinemia due to impaired B-cell survival, and impaired ICOSL expression. Although overall T-cell numbers are normal, both follicular helper and memory T cells are perturbed. Natural killer (NK) cells are decreased and exhibit defective activation, leading to impaired formation of NK-cell immunological synapses. Collectively, our data illustrate the non-redundant role for NIK in human immune responses, demonstrating that loss-of-function mutations in NIK can cause multiple aberrations of lymphoid immunity