A Study on the Burn Pattern Experiments in Structure Fire

The fire has created tremendous damage, yet skilled fire investigators can read the fire patterns left by the fire. Through the fire patterns interpretation and analysis, fire investigators should be able to determine exactly how and where the fire or explosion started. Fire patterns can help the fire investigator trace fire movement back to the point of origin. The origin and cause investigation for is attempting to determine the first material ignited, the source of ignition, and how the two brought together to cause the ignition. The investigators should read the fire scene to establish the area of origin. In this study, through burn pattern experiments, fire behavior in the compartment, fire pattern formation mechanism, fire patterns reproducibility, fire patterns persistence through flashover and full room involvement condition, fire scene reconstruction for fire origin determination, and other fire pattern’s temperature will be discussed and analyzed in depth. Burn test was conducted to recognize and analyze fire patterns created in the phase of pre flashover or post flashover in the compartment (container house). In addition, fire pattern experiments are designed to test combustible material, including polyurethane foam with a lower thermal inertia or wooden chair with a higher thermal inertia. During these experiments, through the thermocouple fire pattern’s temperature will be measured in the stage of pre flashover or post flashover.

Are Portable Imaging Intraoperative Radiographs Helpful for Assessing Adequate Acetabular Cup Positioning in Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Despite advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation, current intra-operative estimations of acetabular version in total hip arthroplasty are of limited accuracy. In the present study, two experienced orthopedic surgeons compared intra-operatively measured (using portable imaging) anteversions and vertical inclinations of acetabular components with those measured using standardized radiographs post-operatively in 40 patients. Of the all vertical inclinations measured from intra-operative radiographs, 72.5% (n=29) were within ±2°, and 97.5% (n=39) were within ±5° of those determined using post-operative radiographs, and for anteversion, 52.5% (n=21) were within ±2°, and 97.5% (n=39) were within ±5°. Post-operative radiographs demonstrated that 90.0% (n=36) of vertical inclinations and anteversions were within the adequate zone. Obviously, our method has its limitations, but the authors conclude that the method described in this article better allows surgeons to verify acetabular version intra-operatively. In particular, the described method is suitable in cases with a deformed acetabular anatomy and difficult revision surgery

Acute Pyelonephritis: Clinical Characteristics and the Role of the Surgical Treatment

The epidemiology of acute pyelonephritis (APN) has changed with time. Therefore we investigated the current clinical characteristics of APN and the significance of proper surgical management for treatment of 1,026 APN patients in South Korea for the past 5 yr. The male-to-female ratio was about 1:8. The peak ages of female patients were 20s (21.3%) and over 60s (23.7%), while that of male was over 60s (38.1%). The occurrence of sepsis was 10.1%. Complicated APN patients were 35.4%. Ninety-four patients (9.2%) needed urological procedures. The duration of the flank pain and of the costovertebral angle tenderness in complicated APN patients was statistically significantly longer than that with simple APN patients (4.3 vs. 3.4 days, 4.4 vs. 4.0 days). If flank pain and costovertebral angle tenderness sustain over 4 days, proper radiologic studies should be performed immediately with the consideration of surgical procedure. Also the resistance to antibiotics was increasing. As the sensitivities to ampicillin (27.2%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (44.7%) of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were very low, it is necessary to take the careful choice of antibiotics into consideration

Evaluation of the Chemical Characteristics and Predictive Model of Water-Soluble Inorganic Ions for Fine Particulate Matter Generated in Pohang

Objectives This study aims to contribute to establishing the regional effective management of fine particulate matter by evaluating the chemical characteristics and contribution of fine particulate matter, and the accuracy of predictive model of fine particulate matter through the measurement of water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) and electrical conductivity for fine particulate matter generated in Pohang. Methods PM10 and PM2.5 samples were simultaneously collected using a low volume air sampler from April to November 2022. For sample analysis, cations of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NH4+, Na+ and anions of Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, and electrical conductivity were measured after pretreatment by ultrasonic extraction. Results and Discussion The average concentrations of WSIIs for PM10 and PM2.5 in Pohang were 12.1μg/m3 and 8.5μg/m3, respectively, accounting for 35.5% and 50.0% of each fine particulate matter. The sum of NH4+, NO3-, SO42- concentration was found to account for the majority of 71% and 78% of WSIIs in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. The PM2.5/PM10 ratios for NH4+, K+, and SO42- were 95%, 89%, and 81%, respectively, mostly present in PM2.5. The average ratio of PM2.5/PM10 for NO3- was 54%, but it rose sharply to 79% in November when the temperature was low, indicating an increase in contribution to the generation of PM2.5 in winter. During the sampling period excluding April and July, the ion balance for cations and anions was relatively good at a 1:1 ratio and showed chemical properties of fine particulate matter close to neutral. A regression model was evaluated for the measured electrical conductivity of WSIIs and the concentration of fine particulate matter. The MAE and RMSE values for PM2.5 were 1.8μg/m3 and 2.4μg/m3, respectively, which were lower than PM10 (MAE 7.5 μg/m3, RMSE 10.3μg/m3), indicating high precision and accuracy. Conclusion This study confirmed the origin of fine particulate matter generated in Pohang through WSIIs analysis, and suggested that the measured electrical conductivity of WSIIs could be used as a key parameter for measuring the concentration of fine particulate matter

Monoclonal Antibodies to Human Transglutaminase 4

Transglutaminase 4 (TG4) is a member of the enzyme family that catalyzes the calcium-dependent post-translational modification of proteins via cross-linking, polyamination, or deamidation. TG4 exhibits prostate-specific expression pattern and plays a crucial role in the formation of the copulatory plug in rodents. However, the physiological function(s) of human TG4 remains speculative. Human TG4 has been postulated to participate in the maturation process of sperm by modifying its cell surface, which results in suppression of sperm antigenicity in the female genital tract. To better understand the pathophysiological role of TG4 in prostate tissue, we generated monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against human TG4 in mice by repeated injections with the recombinant human TG4. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the selected MAbs react specifically with TG4, but not with other isoenzymes of the TG family. Immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical analyses showed that specific staining is observed with the cells overexpressing TG4 and with the paraffin-embedded prostate tissue specimens obtained from the benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer patients, respectively. Our results indicate that these MAbs are suitable for detecting TG4 in the cultured cells or prostate tissues for investigating the biological functions of human TG4.Shin DM, 2004, J BIOL CHEM, V279, P15032, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M308734200Jeon JH, 2003, EMBO J, V22, P5273Lorand L, 2003, NAT REV MOL CELL BIO, V4, P140, DOI 10.1038/nrm1014Jeon JH, 2002, BIOCHEM BIOPH RES CO, V294, P818An G, 1999, UROLOGY, V54, P1105Dubbink HJ, 1999, GENE, V240, P261Dubbink HJ, 1999, LAB INVEST, V79, P141Choi K, 1998, EXP MOL MED, V30, P41Esposito C, 1996, J BIOL CHEM, V271, P27416Dubbink HJ, 1996, BIOCHEM J, V315, P901SEITZ J, 1991, BIOCHIM BIOPHYS ACTA, V1078, P139PAONESSA G, 1984, SCIENCE, V226, P852MUKHERJEE DC, 1983, SCIENCE, V219, P989WILLIAMSASHMAN HG, 1977, BIOCHEM BIOPH RES CO, V79, P1192WILLIAMS.HG, 1972, P NATL ACAD SCI USA, V69, P2322

Liver transplantation for acute-on-chronic liver failure from erythropoietic protoporphyria

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an inherited disorder of the heme metabolic pathway that is characterized by accumulation of protoporphyrin in the blood, erythrocytes, and tissues, and cutaneous manifestations of photosensitivity, all resulting from abnormalities in ferrochelatase (FECH) activity due to mutations in the FECH gene. Protoporphyrin is excreted by the liver, and excess protoporphyrin leads to cholelithiasis with obstructive episodes and chronic liver disease, finally progressing to liver cirrhosis. Patients with end-stage EPP-associated liver disease require liver transplantation. We describe here a 31-year-old male patient with EPP who experienced acute-on-chronic liver failure and underwent deceased-donor liver transplantation. Surgical and postoperative care included specific shielding from exposure to ultraviolet radiation to prevent photosensitivity-associated adverse effects. The patient recovered uneventfully and was doing well 24 months after transplantation. Future prevention and treatment of liver disease are discussed in detail

Small Interfering RNA Targeting M2 Gene Induces Effective and Long Term Inhibition of Influenza A Virus Replication

RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful new means to inhibit viral infection specifically. However, the selection of siRNA-resistant viruses is a major concern in the use of RNAi as antiviral therapeutics. In this study, we conducted a lentiviral vector with a H1-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression cassette to deliver small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into mammalian cells. Using this vector that also expresses enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) as surrogate marker, stable shRNA-expressing cell lines were successfully established and the inhibition efficiencies of rationally designed siRNAs targeting to conserved regions of influenza A virus genome were assessed. The results showed that a siRNA targeting influenza M2 gene (siM2) potently inhibited viral replication. The siM2 was not only effective for H1N1 virus but also for highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. In addition to its M2 inhibition, the siM2 also inhibited NP mRNA accumulation and protein expression. A long term inhibition effect of the siM2 was demonstrated and the emergence of siRNA-resistant mutants in influenza quasispecies was not observed. Taken together, our study suggested that M2 gene might be an optimal RNAi target for antiviral therapy. These findings provide useful information for the development of RNAi-based prophylaxis and therapy for human influenza virus infection

K13 blocks KSHV lytic replication and deregulates vIL6 nad hIL6 expression: A model of lytic replication induced clonal selection in viral oncogenesis

Background. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysregulated expression of lytic genes plays an important role in KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus) tumorigenesis. However, the molecular events leading to the dysregulation of KSHV lytic gene expression program are incompletely understood. Methodoloxy/Principal Findings. We have studied the effect of KSHV-encoded latent protein vFLIP K13, a potent activator of the NF-κB pathway, on lytic reactivation of the virus. We demonstrate that K13 antagonizes RTA, the KSHV lytic-regulator, and effectively blocks the expression of lytic proteins, production of infectious virions and death of the infected cells. Induction of lytic replication selects for clones with increased K13 expression and NF-κB activity, while siRNA-mediated silencing of K13 induces the expression of lytic genes. However, the suppressive effect of K13 on RTA-induced lytic genes is not uniform and it falls to block RTA-induced viral IL6 secretion and cooperates with RTA to enhance cellular IL-6 production, thereby dysregulating the lytic gene expression program. Conclusions/Significance. Our results support a model in which ongoing KSHV, lytic replication selects for clones with progressively higher levels of K13 expression and NF-κB activity, which in turn drive KSHV tumorigenesis by not only directly stimulating cellular survival and proliferation, but also indirectly by dysregulating the viral lytic gene program and allowing non-lytic production of growth-promoting viral and cellular genes. Lytic Replication-Induced Clonal Selection (LyRICS) may represent a general mechanism in viral oncogenesis. 2007 Zhao et al