Hearing and Sj?gren's syndrome

Immune sensorineural hearing loss is manifested in several systemic immune diseases. Although hearing loss has been previously documented in patients with Sj?gren's syndrome (SS), the effect of SS on hearing is unclear. This prospective study was designed to assess the presence of hearing loss in 14 patients with SS and, if sensorineural hearing loss was present, to determine if the hearing loss was immune-mediated. Patients were evaluated with basic audiologic tests as well as for cellular immune inner ear reactivity as measured by the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT). Three patients had evidence of sensorineural hearing loss. Two patients had a positive LTT without evidence of sensorineural hearing loss. This preliminary study suggests that SS may not directly cause sensorineural hearing loss, immuno-mediated or otherwise.     

On the many faces of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a maternally inherited disorder, associated with mutations in the mitochondrial DNA, which is notorious for its aspecific presentations. Two pedigrees are described with cases that are atypical for LHON with respect to sex, age of onset, interval between the eyes becoming affected, course of the disease, concomitant disorders, additional test results, final visual acuity, and/or results of mtDNA analysis. Moreover, the pedigrees themselves did not suggest maternal inheritance. We analysed the diagnostic and clinical genetic difficulties related to the atypical aspects of these pedigrees. We conclude that mtDNA analysis is justified in every case of optic nerve atrophy with no clear cause. Identification of one of the three LHON specifically associated mtDNA mutations is essential to confirm the diagnosis.     

Apolipoprotein E*3-Leiden transgenic mice as a test model for hypolipidaemic drugs

PURPOSE: We report an investigation into the distribution of proteoglycans (PGs) in normal, organ-cultured and dextran-treated human corneas. METHODS: Immunogold labeling was carried out at the electron microscope level to localize keratan sulphate (KS), chondroitin sulphate (CS), and heparan sulphate (HS) PGs. RESULTS: High levels of labeling for CS was found in the epithelium, endothelium, and keratocytes, with light labelling present in the basement membranes and the corneal stroma. Labeling for HS was present in the epithelium, endothelium, and keratocytes, with intense labeling present at the endothelium/Descemet's membrane interface and the epithelium/Bowman's layer interface. Large filaments were also observed in these regions in cuprolinic blue-stained specimens. Keratan sulphate was present at high levels in the stroma and the basement membranes with low levels present within the keratocytes, epithelium, and endothelium. The pattern of KS labeling along the collagen fibrils in the stroma sometimes showed evidence of periodicity. Organ-cultured corneas had extensive collagen-free "lakes," the interior of which immunolabeled positively for KS and showed staining with cuprolinic blue. The lakes were greatly reduced in the dextran-treated samples. CONCLUSION: This investigation determined the ultrastructural distribution of KS, CS, and HS PGs in human cornea and showed that organ culture is associated with a change in distribution of stromal PGs.     

The Peyer's patch high endothelial receptor for lymphocytes, the mucosal vascular addressin, is induced on a murine endothelial cell line by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1

The specificity of lymphocyte homing from the blood into a tissue is determined in part by complementary pairs of adhesion receptors on lymphocytes and endothelial cells termed homing receptors and vascular addressins, respectively. The mucosal vascular addressin involved in lymphocyte homing to Peyer's patches is a 66-kDa glycoprotein, MAdCAM-1. Investigation of the regulation and molecular genetics of MAdCAM-1 have been hampered by the lack of a murine cell line expressing this adhesion molecule. We show herein using indirect immunofluorescence studies that MAdCAM-1 can be induced on a murine endothelial cell line, bEnd.3, by cytokines and LPS. Western blot analysis of MAdCAM-1 purified by affinity column chromatography from TNF-alpha-treated bEnd.3 cells demonstrates a 66-kDa protein that comigrates in SDS-PAGE with the MAdCAM-1 constitutively found on high endothelial venules in murine mesenteric lymph nodes. Comparison of MAdCAM-1 expression on the bEnd.3 cells was made to the expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1 are not constitutively expressed on the bEND.3 surface but can be induced in a concentration-dependent manner by LPS, TNF-alpha, and IL-1. ICAM-1 is constitutively expressed on the endothelioma surface and expression is increased by TNF-alpha, IL-1, LPS, and IFN-gamma. Surface expression of MAdCAM-1 peaks 12 to 18 h after exposure to TNF-alpha and remains elevated at 48 h, whereas expression of VCAM-1 peaks at 4 h and inducible ICAM-1 peaks between 4 and 18 h. Interestingly, IFN-gamma has differential effects on expression of these three adhesion receptors. IFN-gamma alone induces VCAM-1 and enhances ICAM-1 expression, but does not induce MAdCAM-1. Furthermore, although, preincubation of bEND.3 cells with IFN-gamma modestly increases the induction of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in response to TNF-alpha and IL-1, it dramatically reduces the TNF-alpha, IL-1, and LPS-induced expression of MAdCAM-1. MAdCAM-1 on bEnd.3 cells is functional as the murine T lymphoma TK1, known to bind MAdCAM-1, also binds to TNF-alpha-stimulated endothelioma but not to unstimulated cells. This binding is blocked by the antibodies against MAdCAM-1 and against the alpha 4-chain of its integrin receptor, alpha 4 beta 7, on TK1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Muscular capabilities and workload of flight attendants for pushing and pulling trolleys aboard aircraft

Increasingly in the recent years, passengers’ services are extended into the ascent and descent flight phases on short distance flights. Trolleys containing the required meal and beverage items are used for these service operations and pushed or pulled along the aisles of the aircraft. Flight attendants reported about increased musculo-skeletal disorders and had been complaining about high physical workload from handling trolleys. In order to ensure acceptable load levels for pushing or pulling operations of trolleys, the physical capabilities of the collective “flight attendants” had been investigated by means of force measurements at maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) level and associated relevant anthropometrical and biometrical data. CEN and ISO standards as well as international and national German methods were used to derive recommended force limits for pushing/pulling operations with respect to the physical capabilities of the target group “flight attendants”. Comparing these recommended limits with the force requirements per shift under various conditions of trolley handlings (inclination of the floor, type and weight of trolley, mode of handling, frequency of operation) showed that especially for higher floor inclinations and trolley weights, flight attendants work (substantially) above recommended limits. It became also apparent that the handling of half-size trolleys is unexpectedly high demanding due to high vertical force components, caused by the unfavorable location of their center of gravity.

Relevance to industry

On short-distance flights, passengers’ services are performed by means of trolleys from the ascent to the descent flight phases. Flight attendants had been complaining about high physical workload. This study offers recommendations on maximum force limits for the handling of trolleys with respect to the muscular capacities and work situations of flight attendants on short-distance flights.     

Ion substitution induced formation of spherical ceramic particles

How to precipitate ceramic nano- and microspheres in water based solutions only using inorganic ions is a challenge. In this study, spherical particles of alkaline earth phosphates and fluorides were synthesized using a precipitation reaction. Substituting ions, through inhibition of crystal growth, was used to induce sphere formation and to alter the morphology, size and composition of the spheres. The difference in ionic radius between the substituting ion (Mg, Ca and Sr) and the main cation (Sr and Ba) influenced the critical concentration to allow for sphere formation as well as the crystallinity. The larger difference, the lower was the concentration needed to form spheres. Low concentrations of Mg was enough to generate amorphous spheres of Sr- and Ba-phosphates whereas higher concentrations were needed if the radius difference were smaller. An increasing degree of substitution leads to a decrease in crystallinity of precipitated particles. The degree of substitution was determined to 16–55% where a low degree of ion substitution in the phosphates resulted in the formation of spheres (500–800?nm) with rough surfaces composed of apatite like phases. A higher degree of substitution resulted in amorphous spheres (500?nm- 1?μm) with smooth surfaces.     

Depleted parental psychological resources as mediators of the association of income with adherence and metabolic control.

For adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, lower family income may be associated with poorer diabetes management through depleted parental psychological resources (i.e., higher parental depressive symptoms, lower parental acceptance). Adolescents (N = 252; 46% male) aged 10–14 years with Type 1 diabetes assessed the acceptance of their mother and father (e.g., “gives me the feeling that she likes me as I am”; “she doesn't feel she has to make me over into someone else”). Mothers provided information on family income and demographics. Both mothers and fathers reported their depressive symptoms. HbA1c scores were indexed via medical records. Lower family income was associated with higher (i.e., worse) HbA1c, more mother and father depressive symptoms, and less acceptance from both parents. Mediation analyses revealed that the relationship of lower family income with metabolic control occurred indirectly through lower maternal and paternal acceptance and lower adherence. Lower family income may impair the quality of parent—adolescent relationships that are beneficial for good diabetes management. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

AN EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE GOVERNING MOISTURE MOVEMENT PHENOMENA IN THE PAPER COATING PROCESS. II. EXPERIMENTAL

This paper investigates the moisture movement in the paper coating process experimentally and theoretically. The experimental data is obtained by coating a base paper with a laboratory coater and by scraping off some of the coating color after a certain amount of time. The moisture content of the material, which has been scraped off, is measured and the amount of liquid absorbed from the coating color by the base paper is determined. The laboratory results are similar to measurements made on a pilot-coating machine. The mathematical solution is based on the diffusion of water vapor in air and taken the vapor partial pressure in a hygroscopic material, i.e. paper. The measurements and a theory based on vapor diffusion show that the moisture content of the base paper is an important parameter when trying to determine the loss of water from the coating color to the base paper. This kind of dependency cannot be explained by theories based on water movement in the liquid phase by capillary suction, as is discussed in Berg et al., 2000, Part I: Theoretical Aspects.     

Adolescents' and mothers' perceptions of the cognitive and relational functions of collaboration and adjustment in dealing with type 1 diabetes.

We examined how adolescents' and mothers' perceptions of cognitive and interpersonal functions of collaboration surrounding Type 1 diabetes differed and how they related to adolescent age, psychosocial, and diabetes adjustment. Adolescents (M = 14.16 years) and mothers completed questionnaires assessing the functions of collaboration for the adolescent, quality of the mother-adolescent relationship, emotional adjustment, and adherence to the diabetes regimen. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of perceptions of collaboration confirmed three dimensions: collaboration to compensate for cognitive function, interpersonal enjoyment, and frequency of collaboration. Although adolescents' and mothers' views of interpersonal enjoyment and frequency of collaboration converged, their perceptions of compensation were unrelated. Mothers' perceptions of adolescents' compensation were unrelated to perceptions of enjoyment and frequency. Both adolescents and mothers perceived less compensation and less enjoyment of collaboration with increasing adolescent age, but only adolescents reported collaborating less frequently with higher age. Better emotional adjustment and adherence occurred when mothers and adolescents perceived enjoying collaboration (controlling for mothers' acceptance) regardless of age. Enjoying collaboration at an interpersonal level may be an important avenue for successful diabetes management during adolescence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Impact of the chain extension of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with 1,3‐phenylene‐bis‐oxazoline and N,N′‐carbonylbiscaprolactam by reactive extrusion on its properties

In this article, the material properties of chain extended poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by application of the chain extenders, 1,3‐phenylene‐bis‐oxazoline (1,3‐PBO), N,N′‐carbonylbiscaprolactam (CBC), and combinations thereof are investigated aiming at an application during fiber production from postconsumer PET. The chain extension is performed in one step by a reactive extrusion process. The chain extenders are linearly linked to the COOH and/or OH terminal groups of PET. The influence of the chain extension on the properties of PET is analyzed by measurement of the inherent viscosity, size exclusion chromatography, and carboxyl end‐group titration. Furthermore, the impact of the chain extension on the thermal and rheological properties of PET is studied in detail by differential scanning calorimetry and rheology. The results demonstrate that chain extenders have impact on the properties of PET in dependence on their chemical composition and concentration. The improvement of the molecular weight of the obtained compounds is achieved in an effective and economical approach by the addition of small concentrations of chain extenders (0.2 wt% 1,3‐PBO or 0.3 wt% CBC) without significant negative impact on the properties of PET. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:284–294, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers