Existing data for subduction-related magmas reveal a considerable diversity in both Re and Os concentrations and osmium isotope ratios. Unfortunately, with current knowledge, deciphering the relative ...roles of mantle, subducting slab and crust in generating these signatures remains a difficult undertaking. Fractional crystallisation imparts a significant influence on both Re and Os abundances which, in the case of Re, can be corrected for, although the extent to which Re volatility influences measured concentrations remains to be firmly established. With these provisos in mind, Re does appear to be more mobile in ‘fluid-dominated’ low-K tholeiite-type arcs. A compilation of existing isotope data strongly suggests that Os isotope signatures in continental arcs are compromised by interactions within the crust rendering them largely unsuitable for the estimation of subduction fluxes. Within intra-oceanic arcs, taking lavas from New Britain as an otherwise well-constrained example, estimation of the local upper mantle isotopic composition remains a major impediment to the quantification of slab-derived Os fluxes.
We present a case of a 59-year-old woman with a history of a right-sided patellectomy. She presented with right-sided anteromedial osteoarthritis. A unicondylar knee arthroplasty was performed. In ...the literature, we found only a few similar cases, with varying results. The woman in this case showed excellent postoperative clinical results. We concluded that a patellectomy may not be a contraindication for unicondylar knee arthroplasty in patients with isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis.
Ca
v
1.2 and Ca
v
1.3 L-type Ca
2+
channels (LTCCs) are believed to underlie Ca
2+
currents in brain, pancreatic β cells, and the cardiovascular system. In the CNS, neuronal LTCCs control ...excitation-transcription coupling and neuronal plasticity. However, the pharmacotherapeutic implications of CNS LTCC modulation are difficult to study because LTCC modulators cause card iovascular (activators and blockers) and neurotoxic (activators) effects. We selectively eliminated high dihydropyridine (DHP) sensitivity from Ca
v
1.2 α1 subunits (
Ca
v
1.2DHP–/–
) without affecting function and expression. This allowed separation of the DHP effects of Ca
v
1.2 from those of Ca
v
1.3 and other LTCCs. DHP effects on pancreatic β cell LTCC currents, insulin secretion, cardiac inotropy, and arterial smooth muscle contractility were lost in
Ca
v
1.2DHP–/–
mice, which rules out a direct role of Ca
v
1.3 for these physiological processes. Using
Ca
v
1.2DHP–/–
mice, we established DHPs as mood-modifying agents: LTCC activator–induced neurotoxicity was abolished and disclosed a depression-like behavioral effect without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity. LTCC activator BayK 8644 (BayK) activated only a specific set of brain areas. In the ventral striatum, BayK-induced release of glutamate and 5-HT, but not dopamine and noradrenaline, was abolished. This animal model provides a useful tool to elucidate whether Ca
v
1.3-selective channel modulation represents a novel pharmacological approach to modify CNS function without major peripheral effects.
On the origin of Tasmanian dolerites Hergt, J. M.; Brauns, C. M.
Australian journal of earth sciences,
August 2001, Letnik:
48, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Tasmanian dolerites, part of the Ferrar Province of Australia and Antarctica, have some trace-element and isotopic compositions that suggest continental contamination of mantle-derived magmas. ...The debate has centred on whether the contamination occurred during intrusion into the crust, or if the mantle source itself was contaminated. The behaviour of Sr and O isotopes suggests that the mantle source had a δ
18
O composition of +6‰ and an initial
87
Sr/
86
Sr ratio of 0.709, which supports the latter contention. Recently published Re-Os data likewise dismiss upper crustal contamination: Re-Os isotopic compositions of magnetite-rich mineral separates from seven Tasmanian dolerites yield an isochron that gives the same age, within uncertainties, as other dating techniques, namely 175 ± 5 Ma. Moreover, Re-Os data from a study of Antarctic Ferrar Province samples lie on the same isochron and the data together give an age of 177.3 ± 3.5 Ma. The initial
187
Os/
188
Os of 0.125 ± 0.033 is the calculated mantle composition at the time. These results support previous models that attribute chemical features of the Ferrar magmas to re-enrichment of a depleted mantle source region rather than processes involving assimilation of crust by basaltic magma.
Ca(V)1.2 and Ca(V)1.3, are the main dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type calcium channel isoforms in the brain. To reveal the contribution of each isoform to the neuronal activation pattern elicited by ...the dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel activator BayK 8644, we utilized Fos expression as a marker of neuronal activation in mutant mice (Ca(V)1.2(DHP-/-) mice) expressing dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca(V)1.2 L-type calcium channels. BayK 8644-treated wildtype mice displayed intense and widespread Fos expression throughout the neuroaxis in 77 of 80 brain regions quantified. The Fos response in Ca(V)1.2(DHP-/-) mice was greatly attenuated or absent in most of these areas, suggesting that a major part of the widespread Fos induction including most cortical areas was mediated by Ca(V)1.2 L-type calcium channels. BayK 8644-induced Fos expression in Ca(V)1.2(DHP-/-) mice indicating predominantly Ca(V)1.3 L-type calcium channel-mediated activation was noted in more restricted neuronal populations (20 of 80), in particular in the central amygdala, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, lateral preoptic area, locus coeruleus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, and nucleus of the solitary tract. Our data indicate that selective stimulation of other than Ca(V)1.2 L-type calcium channels, mostly Ca(V)1.3, causes neuronal activation in a specific set of mainly limbic, hypothalamic and brainstem areas, which are associated with functions including integration of emotion-related behavior. Hence, selective modulation of Ca(V)1.3 L-type calcium channels could represent a novel (pharmacotherapeutic) tool to influence these CNS functions.
Abstract Study Design Randomized clinical trial on 2 patient groups with Dupuytren's disease. Introduction Despite an unpredictable outcome, surgery remains an important treatment for Dupuytren's ...disease. Orthotic devices are a controversial noninvasive treatment method to influence the myofibroblasts in the nodules. Purpose of the Study To detect how much improvement 2 types of orthotic device (tension and compression) as only treatment intervention can provide on a Dupuytren's contracture. Is a compression orthosis better than a tension orthosis? Methods Thirty patients with measurable flexion contractures of the fingers were identified. Both primary and recurrence cases were included. Patients were randomized in 2 groups of 15 patients. One group had a standard tension orthosis (Levame), the other group a newly designed silicon compression orthotic device. Patients were instructed to wear the orthotic devices 20 hours a day during 3 months. Data were collected at first visit and after 3 months of orthotic treatment. Primary outcomes were active extension deficit of each joint and total active extension (TAE) of the digit. Secondary outcome was patient satisfaction. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of function and esthetics (0-10 points) were recorded at the start and after 3 months. Results Flexion contracture was reduced at least 5 degrees in all patients. After 3 months, TAE was significantly reduced in both groups (both P < .001).The mean change in TAE was 32.36° in the tension group and 46.47° in the compression group. Although reduction of TAE deficit was bigger in the compression group, this difference was not statistically significant ( P = .39). VAS scale of esthetics and functionality was significantly increased in both treatment groups. The functional VAS scale after 3 months was 11% higher in the compression group than in the tension group ( P = .03). A major complication of a tension orthotic is skin ulcers. Discussion Too much tension may cause myofibroblast stimulation and disease progression, whereas continuous limited tension can improve flexion contractures. The idea of a compression device is based on the treatment concept of hypertrophic burn scars. Conclusion Tension and compression orthotic devices can be used as a nonoperative treatment of Dupuytren's disease in both early proliferative untreated hands and aggressive postsurgery recurrence. Although there is no statistically significant difference, compression orthoses appear to be more effective and are better tolerated. Nevertheless, adjustment of orthotic design and research on long-term results are needed. Level of Evidence I (Randomized controlled trial, Therapeutic study).
Patients with a suicide attempt were re-examined 3 to 8 years after treatment in a crisis intervention ward by use of a semi-structured interview and self-rating scales. Their psychosocial ...development during the study period was evaluated in regard to number and quality of life-events, coping-behaviour and self-concept, sociodemographic variables, the subjective evaluation of the treatment in the crisis intervention ward by the patients and their compliance in respect of the proposed aftercare. Conclusions for treatment and further rehabilitation of patients with suicide-attempt will be drawn.
The Otjisazu Carbonatite Complex intruded crustal rocks of the Damara Orogen in central Namibia close to the Okahandja Lineament. The igneous complex consists of a suite of mela-syenites, syenites ...and alkali feldspar syenites, and a carbonatite suite comprising clinopyroxenites with calcite and calcite-garnet lenses, feldspathic clinopyroxenites and sövites with wollastonite-rich lenses. The two suites are considered independent magmatic sequences. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the syenite suite represents a coherent fractionation sequence which evolved by predominantly clinopyroxene, and subordinate fluorapatite and magnetite fractionation at 5–6 kbar. The mid-crustal crystallisation level is supported by the supposed cumulative character of most lithologies of the carbonate suite. Clinopyroxenites and calcite ± garnet lenses of the carbonatite suite are considered largely cumulative rocks and represent the lower portion of a carbonatite magma chamber that crystallised clinopyroxene, calcite, andraditic garnet, titanite and fluorapatite. U-Pb dating of titanites suggests an intrusion age of 837 + 60/−49 Ma, and a metamorphic overprint at 558 ± 5 Ma. These age constraints indicate a rift-related setting of the Otjisazu Carbonatite Complex within the Damaran Orogen.
La Complexe carbonatitique de Otjisazu est intrusif dans des roches crustales de l'orogène Damara, en Namibie centrale, à proximité du linéament de Okahandja. Le complexe magmagtique correspond à une suite de méla-syénites, syénites, syénites à feldspaths alcalins et à une suite de carbonatites incluant des clinopyroxénites à lentilles de calcite et de calcite et grenat, des clinopyroxénites feldspathiques et des sövites à lentilles riches en wollastonite. Les deux suites sont considérées comme deux séquences magmatiques indépendantes. Des calculs thermodynamiques suggèrent que la suite syénitique représenterait une séquence de différenciation cohérente issue d'un fractionnement à 5–6 kbar d'un assemblage à clinopyroxène dominant et fluoroapatite et magnétite accessoires. La cristallisation de la suite carbonatitique dans la croûte moyenne est indiquée par le caractère cumulatif présumé de la plupart des roches de cette suite. Les clinopyroxénites et les lentilles de calcite ± grenat de la suite carbonatitique sont considérées comme des faciès largement cumulatifs et représentent la partie inférieure de la chambre magmatique carbonatitique où cristallisent clinopyroxene, calcite, andradite, titanite et fluoroapatite. La datation U-Pb des titanites suggère un âge de mise en place à 837 + 60/−49 Ma et une empreinte métamorphique à 558 ± 5 Ma. Ces contraintes géochronologiques indiquent un environnement de rift pour la mise en place du Complexe de Otjisazu dans le cadre de l'orogèene Damara.
Secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment is common in developed countries, but little is known about the responses of lotic ecosystems to contemporary wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge. ...We examined the effects of WWTP discharge on various ecosystem components and functions of 2 morphologically and chemically impacted lowland streams near Berlin, Germany. We sampled one reach upstream and one reach downstream of a WWTP in each stream during each of 5 sampling campaigns. Discharge of treated wastewater resulted in increased concentrations of total organic C, total N, and total P in the sediments and in elevated macrophyte and benthic invertebrate biomasses. However, adverse effects of the WWTPs on the benthic invertebrate communities were small compared to effects reported in previous studies. This difference was a result of the higher purification efficiency of modern WWTPs, but also of significant structural degradation and eutrophication of the streams that already had impoverished the invertebrate community upstream of the WWTPs. Whole-stream community respiration (CR sub(24)) and gross primary production (GPP) were both enhanced by WWTP discharge. WWTP discharge generally caused diminished NH sub(4)- and PO sub(4)-uptake efficiencies, but did not necessarily lead to diminished NO sub(3)-uptake efficiencies of streams. Increases in areal NO sub(3)-uptake rates caused by the discharge of a large municipal WWTP were high enough to result in increased load-specific NO sub(3)-uptake efficiencies. Our study shows that the effects of present-day WWTPs on stream ecosystem functioning clearly differ from the former impacts of poorly treated wastewater. Present-day WWTP discharges mainly cause eutrophication and subsequent side effects and low nutrient-retention efficiencies relative to the high nutrient concentrations and loads of impacted streams. Our results highlight the need for efficient tertiary treatment of wastewater and for the refinement of agricultural practices to reduce diffuse nutrient loadings. We found evidence that even efficiently treated wastewater can have extensive effects on stream ecosystem structure and function. Therefore, adequate dilution rates always should be considered when routing treated wastewater through lotic networks. Our findings on the response of key ecosystem variables to present-day WWTP loading underline the importance of scientifically based stream management.
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