Summary
Hip structural analysis (HSA) performed in a subset of participants from the STudy Researching Osteoporosis iN Guys (STRONG) demonstrated that 1 year of ibandronate treatment was associated ...with a significant improvement in some but not all parameters of hip geometry relative to placebo in men with low bone density.
Introduction
HSA was performed on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) images in a subset of participants from the STRONG to examine the impact of monthly ibandronate on geometric properties of the hip in men with low bone density.
Methods
This prespecified subgroup analysis evaluated men in the intent-to-treat population of STRONG with baseline and 12-month DXA data. Cross-sectional geometric parameters of the femoral shaft (FS), intertrochanter region (IT), and narrow neck (NN) were calculated from femoral DXA scans. All analyses were exploratory. Treatment differences were evaluated using analysis of covariance, which adjusted for baseline parameter value, testosterone level, and treatment.
Results
HSA was performed on DXA scans from 89 men (34 placebo; 55 monthly ibandronate). Significant increases in average cortical thickness and cross-sectional area and decreases (i.e., improvements) in the buckling ratio were observed at the FS and IT at 12 months for ibandronate-treated men compared with placebo-treated men. No significant differences were observed between ibandronate and placebo for any NN HSA parameters.
Conclusions
One year of ibandronate treatment was associated with a significant improvement in some but not all parameters of hip geometry relative to placebo in men with low bone density, suggesting that ibandronate may improve resistance to axial compressive forces and bending forces at the hip.
Potential Biomarkers of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders Herr, Megan M., BS; Fries, Kristin M., PhD; Upton, L. George, DDS, MS ...
Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery,
2011, 2011-Jan, 2011-1-00, 20110101, Letnik:
69, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify protein markers present in subjects with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) and clicking compared with the levels in controls. Materials and ...Methods This was a pilot case-control study, and we report the preliminary results. Samples of joint aspirate collected from patients with TMDs and controls who had undergone surgery for a problem other than TMDs were analyzed using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) and biotin-labeled-based protein arrays. The data obtained from these techniques were used to identify the proteins of interest, which were then quantitated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patient samples studied included joint aspirate collected clinically from the controls and patients and included samples from both the right and the left sides of each patient with a TMD. Results The 8 TMJ aspirate samples from 6 subjects included 5 aspirate samples from 4 patients and 3 from 2 controls. The greatest standardized protein concentration of endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor/prokineticin-1 (EG-VEGF/PK1) and D6 was found in both joints of the controls compared with the levels from the joints of the patients. With 1 exception, the standardized protein concentration was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. The lower levels of EG-VEGF/PK1 and D6 in the patients compared with the controls suggest that these cytokines might be possible biomarkers for TMDs. Conclusion In the present pilot study, greater levels of EG-VEGF/PK1 and D6 were found in the controls than in the patients with TMDs. Proteomic analysis of the proteins present in the diseased joints compared with those in the controls might help to identify proteins present when pain or degeneration of the joint occurs. The proteomic information might be useful in the development of future therapies.
We report an improved measurement of the free neutron lifetime τn using the UCN τ apparatus at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. We count a total of approximately 38 × 106 surviving ultracold ...neutrons (UCNs) after storing in UCN τ's magnetogravitational trap over two data acquisition campaigns in 2017 and 2018. We extract τn from three blinded, independent analyses by both pairing long and short storage time runs to find a set of replicate τn measurements and by performing a global likelihood fit to all data while self-consistently incorporating the β -decay lifetime. Both techniques achieve consistent results and find a value τn = 877.75 ± 0.2 8stat + 0.22/−0.16syst s. With this sensitivity, neutron lifetime experiments now directly address the impact of recent refinements in our understanding of the standard model for neutron decay.
Almahata Sitta (AhS), an anomalous polymict ureilite, is the first meteorite observed to originate from a spectrally classified asteroid (2008 TC
). However, correlating properties of the meteorite ...with those of the asteroid is not straightforward because the AhS stones are diverse types. Of those studied prior to this work, 70-80% are ureilites (achondrites) and 20-30% are various types of chondrites. Asteroid 2008 TC
was a heterogeneous breccia that disintegrated in the atmosphere, with its clasts landing on Earth as individual stones and most of its mass lost. We describe AhS 91A and AhS 671, which are the first AhS stones to show contacts between ureilitic and chondritic materials and provide direct information about the structure and composition of asteroid 2008 TC
. AhS 91A and AhS 671 are friable breccias, consisting of a C1 lithology that encloses rounded to angular clasts (<10 μm to 3 mm) of olivine, pyroxenes, plagioclase, graphite, and metal-sulfide, as well as chondrules (~130-600 μm) and chondrule fragments. The C1 material consists of fine-grained phyllosilicates (serpentine and saponite) and amorphous material, magnetite, breunnerite, dolomite, fayalitic olivine (Fo 28-42), an unidentified Ca-rich silicate phase, Fe,Ni sulfides, and minor Ca-phosphate and ilmenite. It has similarities to CI1 but shows evidence of heterogeneous thermal metamorphism. Its bulk oxygen isotope composition (δ
O = 13.53‰, δ
O = 8.93‰) is unlike that of any known chondrite, but similar to compositions of several CC-like clasts in typical polymict ureilites. Its Cr isotope composition is unlike that of any known meteorite. The enclosed clasts and chondrules do not belong to the C1 lithology. The olivine (Fo 75-88), pyroxenes (pigeonite of Wo ~10 and orthopyroxene of Wo ~4.6), plagioclase, graphite, and some metal-sulfide are ureilitic, based on mineral compositions, textures, and oxygen isotope compositions, and represent at least six distinct ureilitic lithologies. The chondrules are probably derived from type 3 OC and/or CC, based on mineral and oxygen isotope compositions. Some of the metal-sulfide clasts are derived from EC. AhS 91A and AhS 671 are plausible representatives of the bulk of the asteroid that was lost. Reflectance spectra of AhS 91A are dark (reflectance ~0.04-0.05) and relatively featureless in VNIR, and have an ~2.7 μm absorption band due to OH
in phyllosilicates. Spectral modeling, using mixtures of laboratory VNIR reflectance spectra of AhS stones to fit the F-type spectrum of the asteroid, suggests that 2008 TC
consisted mainly of ureilitic and AhS 91A-like materials, with as much as 40-70% of the latter, and <10% of OC, EC and other meteorite types. The bulk density of AhS 91A (2.35 ± 0.05 g/cm
) is lower than bulk densities of other AhS stones, and closer to estimates for the asteroid (~1.7-2.2 g/cm
). Its porosity (36%) is near the low end of estimates for the asteroid (33-50%), suggesting significant macroporosity. The textures of AhS 91A and AhS 671 (finely comminuted clasts of disparate materials intimately mixed) support formation of 2008 TC
in a regolith environment. AhS 91A and AhS 671 could represent a volume of regolith formed when a CC-like body impacted into already well-gardened ureilitic + impactor-derived debris. AhS 91A bulk samples do not show a solar wind (SW) component, so they represent sub-surface layers. AhS 91A has a lower cosmic ray exposure (CRE) age (~5-9 Ma) than previously studied AhS stones (11-22 Ma). The spread in CRE ages argues for irradiation in a regolith environment. AhS 91A and AhS 671 show that ureilitic asteroids could have detectable ~2.7 μm absorption bands.
The study examined the impact of using a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire during a clinic to identify QoL issues and to improve QoL. 138 patients were randomised (1:1:1) to either (1) an ...Intervention group that completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer–Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and Lung Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ‐C30 and LC13) at baseline and received feedback during a clinic, (2) an Attention group that completed the questionnaire at baseline without feedback and (3) a Control group that did not complete the questionnaire. All patients completed the same questionnaire 6 weeks later and a contact diary during the study period. There was a significant difference between the Intervention and Control groups for the mean number of QoL issues identified at baseline (4.69 vs. 2.81, P = 0.006) and the mean number of actions taken (4.41 vs. 2.46, P = 0.004). At 6 weeks, there was no difference between the groups in global QoL (Intervention vs. Control group, P = 0.596; Attention vs. Control, P = 0.973). The results suggest that the completion of the EORTC QLQ‐C30 LC13 with feedback improves communication and increases the number of QoL issues identified and actions taken. However, the intervention does not impact on QoL per se.
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01213745
The noble gas xenon exerts favorable anesthetic properties along with remarkable hemodynamic stability in healthy patients undergoing elective surgery. Recent investigations documented that it does ...not prolong the duration of widely used neuromuscular blocking agents, including mivacurium and rocuronium. Some studies also suggest reduced neurocognitive compromise in the very early phase after general anesthesia. These properties differ from those observed for conventional inhalational anesthetics like isoflurane, desflurane and sevoflurane. However, a wider use of xenon in daily clinical routine has been limited owing to its higher price and technical restraints regarding economic delivery. Although there are controversial opinions, xenon seems to exert its main anesthetic features via the glutamate receptor. Recently, a novel binding cavity on the NMDA-subtype glutamate receptor has been elucidated that is occupied by xenon as well as isoflurane. Studies utilizing advanced imaging technologies have furthermore revealed that xenon markedly suppresses cerebral blood flow and glucose metabolism in distinct regions of the human brain. These investigations promise to further the understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying the induction and maintenance of anesthesia in general. Results from in vitro studies and various animal models have consistently demonstrated organoprotective properties of xenon, mainly in settings of ischemia and reperfusion injury. Interestingly, these effects have frequently been observed at subanesthetic concentrations and seem to be synergistic when used in combination with therapeutic hypothermia. Future studies will have to prove whether the high costs of xenon administration might be outweighed by its ability to substantially reduce the sequelae of myocardial and cerebral ischemia.
We use confocal Raman imaging spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy to study the martian meteorite Allan Hills (ALH) 84001, reported to contain mineral assemblages within carbonate ...globules (carbonate+magnetite), interpreted as potential relict signatures of ancient martian biota. Models for an abiologic origin for these assemblages required the presence of graphite, and this study is the first report of graphite within ALH 84001. The graphite occurs as hollow spheres (nano-onions), filaments, and highly crystalline particles in intimate association with magnetite in the carbonate globules. In addition to supporting an abiologic origin for the carbonate globule assemblages in ALH 84001, this work proves that there is an inventory of reduced-carbon phases on Mars that has not yet been thoroughly investigated.
Using high-resolution immuno-electron microscopy the steady-state subcellular distribution of tyrosine-nitrated proteins in different cells and tissues was evaluated. In quiescent eosinophils and ...neutrophils in the bone marrow intracellular nitrated proteins were mainly restricted to the peroxidase-containing secretory granules. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was expressed in the same granules. Proteins nitrated on tyrosine residues were also abundant in the cytosol of circulating erythrocytes. In the vasculature, nitrated proteins were mainly located in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of the endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Endogenous nitrated proteins were also found in chondrocytes in cartilage, where it was typically associated with the cytoplasmic interface of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Nitrated proteins were also prominent in the peroxisomes of liver hepatocytes and of secretory cells in the lacrimal gland. Challenge of mouse dendritic cells with lipopolysaccharide induced iNOS protein expression in cytosol and peroxisomes and was associated with an increased 3-nitrotyrosine formation in cytosol, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. These data indicate that nitric oxide-dependent protein tyrosine nitration is a physiologically relevant process localized within specific subcellular compartments in close proximity to iNOS and to enzymes capable of peroxidative chemistry and reactive oxygen species production.
Postoperative cognitive impairment after general anaesthesia, especially in the elderly, is a well-recognized problem. Xenon, known to be an N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, may be advantageous. In ...this study, the early cognitive function in the elderly after general anaesthesia with xenon was compared with that after desflurane.
After approval by the local ethical committee and after obtaining written informed consent, patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, controlled study. Thirty-eight patients (65–75 yr old, ASA status I–III) undergoing an elective surgery with a planned duration of 60–180 min were allocated to either the xenon (n = 18) or the desflurane (n = 20) anaesthesia group. The primary outcome was the cognitive Test for Attentional Performance (TAP) with its subtests Alertness, Divided Attention, and Working Memory. After baseline assessment 12–24 h before operation, patients were followed-up 6–12 and 66–72 h after operation. Secondary outcomes were emergence times from anaesthesia and the modified Aldrete score.
No difference was found between the groups in the TAP at 6–12 and 66–72 h after operation. In the xenon group, emergence time was significantly faster for the following parameters: time to open eyes (P = 0.001), to react on demand (P = 0.001), to extubation (P = 0.001), and for time and spatial orientation (P = 0.007). The modified Aldrete score was significantly higher after 30, 45 and 60 min in the xenon group.
There was no difference in the postoperative cognitive testing at 6–12 and 66–72 h. Xenon was associated in the elderly with a faster emergence from general anaesthesia than desflurane.
Climate change is leading to worsening disasters that disproportionately impact older adults. While research has begun to measure disparities, there is a gap in examining wildfire-specific disasters. ...To address this gap, this scoping review analyzed literature to explore the nexus of wildfires and older adults. We searched peer-reviewed literature using the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in a peer-reviewed journal; (2) available in English; (3) examines at least one topic related to wildfires; and (4) examines how criterion three relates to older adults in at least one way. Authors screened 261 titles and abstracts and 138 were reviewed in full, with 75 articles meeting inclusion criteria. Findings heavily focused on health impacts of wildfires on older adults, particularly of smoke exposure and air quality. While many articles mentioned a need for community-engaged responses that incorporate the needs of older adults, few addressed firsthand experiences of older adults. Other common topics included problems with evacuation, general health impacts, and Indigenous elders' fire knowledge. Further research is needed at the nexus of wildfires and older adults to highlight both vulnerabilities and needs as well as the unique experience and knowledge of older adults to inform wildfire response strategies and tactics.
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