MR imaging of arthritides affecting the shoulder

MR imaging has had a limited role in the evaluation of arthritis involving the shoulder, despite studies that have shown this technique to be more sensitive than radiography in the evaluation of osseous erosions and cartilage loss. Factors responsible for limiting the use of MR imaging are its relatively high cost, as well as its insensitivity to diminished osseous mineralization and subtle areas of calcification or hyperostosis. MR imaging findings of some arthropathies, however--such as synovial osteochondromatosis, PVNS, and amyloid arthropath--are highly characteristic, and help in determining both diagnosis and treatment. Physicians also should be aware that MR imaging is highly effective at diagnosing numerous "secondary" conditions common in patients with shoulder arthropathies, including rotator cuff rupture, synovial cyst formation, and osteonecrosis.     

Uncertainty analysis of tunnel squeezing for two tunnel cases from Nepal Himalaya

Weak rocks such as shale, slate, phyllite and schist, and the rock mass of weakness/fault zones are incapable of sustaining high tangential stress. Severe tunnel squeezing is therefore common in the tectonically active Himalayan rock mass and is one of the major areas of concern regarding stability. A reliable prediction of the extent of squeezing is essential so that a strategy can be established regarding stabilizing measures and for optimizing the support well in advance (during planning and design). In this paper, a probabilistic approach to uncertainty analysis that focuses on the effect of the variations in each input parameter of squeezing is used for analyzing and predicting the extent of tunnel squeezing for two tunnel cases in Nepal; Kaligandaki “A” (completed) and Middle Marsyangdi (under construction). A semi-analytical method suggested by Hoek and Marinos [Predicting tunnel squeezing problems in weak heterogeneous rock masses. Tunnels Tunnell Int, 2000; 32(11 and 12): 45–51 and 34–36] for predicting squeezing, an empirical formula proposed by Panthi [Analysis of engineering geological uncertainties related to tunnelling in Himalayan rock mass conditions. PhD thesis, Department of Geology and Mineral Resources Engineering. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway, 2006] and the Palisade's 2002 version of @Risk statistical software program have been used for the uncertainty analysis. The analysis results for Kaligandaki indicate fairly good correlation between predicted and actually measured squeezing. The same approach has been used for predicting the degree of tunnel squeezing at Middle Marsyangdi tunnel. It is concluded that the methodology proposed in this paper has potential for predicting the squeezing of future tunnel projects in weak rock mass conditions.     

Numerical analysis of stresses and displacements for the Tafjord slide, Norway

Numerical modelling has been used for analyzing stresses and displacements for the very steep and more than 1,000 m high Heggura rock slope near Tafjord, Norway where a disastrous 3 million m³ rock slide occurred in 1934. It is shown that very anisotropic stresses exist near the slope surface and displacements of the remaining slope as result of the 1934 slide have been calculated to up to 210 mm. Such considerable displacements are believed to have a significant impact on the present and future stability of the Heggura slope.     

Detection of nematodes in cod (Gadus morhua) fillets by imaging spectroscopy

ABSTRACT:  A promising method for detection of parasites in whitefish fillets has been developed. By use of imaging spectroscopy it is possible to record both spectral and spatial information from an object. In this work it is shown that by applying a white light transmission setup and imaging spectroscopy to cod ( Gadus morhua ) fillets, it is possible to make spectral images containing information to differentiate between fish muscle and parasites. The spectral images are analyzed by discriminant partial least square regression as well as image-filtering techniques. The method identifies parasites on the surface of the fillets as well as embedded parasites. One parasite was detected at 0.8 cm below the fillet surface, which is 2 to 3 mm deeper than what can be found by manual inspection of fish fillets. The method is nonintrusive and should thus be feasible for industrial purposes.     

Systems biology of the neurospora biological clock

A major challenge of systems biology is explaining complex traits, such as the biological clock, in terms of the kinetics of macromolecules. The clock poses at least four challenges for systems biology: (i) identifying the genetic network to explain the clock mechanism quantitatively; (ii) specifying the clock's functional connection to a thousand or more genes and their products in the genome; (iii) explaining the clock's response to light and other environmental cues; and (iv) explaining how the clock's genetic network evolves. Here, the authors illustrate an approach to these problems by fitting an ensemble of genetic networks to microarray data derived from oligonucleotide arrays with approximately all 11 000 Neurospora crassa genes represented. A promising genetic network for the clock mechanism is identified.     

Recent advances in γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) properties in pulses: an overview

Beans, peas, and lentils are all types of pulses that are extensively used as foods around the world due to their beneficial effects on human health including their low glycaemic index, cholesterol lowering effects, ability to decrease the risk of heart diseases and their protective effects against some cancers. These health benefits are a result of their components such as bioactive proteins, dietary fibre, slowly digested starches, minerals and vitamins, and bioactive compounds. Among these bioactive compounds, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non‐proteinogenic amino acid with numerous reported health benefits (e.g. anti‐diabetic and hypotensive effects, depression and anxiety reduction) is of particular interest. GABA is primarily synthesised in plant tissues by the decarboxylation of l ‐glutamic acid in the presence of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). It is widely reported that during various processes including enzymatic treatment, gaseous treatment (e.g. with carbon dioxide), and fermentation (with lactic acid bacteria), GABA content increases in the plant matrix. The objective of this review paper is to highlight the current state of knowledge on the occurrence of GABA in pulses with special focus on mechanisms by which GABA levels are increased and the analytical extraction and estimation methods for this bioactive phytochemical. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Short communication: Is consumption of a cheese rich in angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibiting peptides,such as the Norwegian cheese Gamalost,associated with reduced blood pressure?

Epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibiting peptides derived from dairy products may decrease blood pressure. These peptides have been identified in many cheeses, and Gamalost, a traditional Norwegian cheese, is particularly rich in these peptides. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether frequency of Gamalost intake was associated with blood pressure in a Norwegian population sample. Blood pressure and other clinical measurements, including the factors of metabolic syndrome, were obtained from 168 participants (56% female, mean age = 51 yr) who completed a questionnaire about dietary habits and other health-related factors. Mean Gamalost intake was 2 servings per week. The prevalence of hypertension was 23.8% in the population, with mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 128 and 78 mmHg, respectively. Intake of Gamalost was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure. Each increase in frequency unit of Gamalost intake corresponded to a reduction in systolic blood pressure of 0.72 mmHg, after controlling for sex, age, education, waist circumference, physical activity, smoking status, and dairy food intake. Results from this study indicate that consumption of Gamalost (or other foods rich in ACE-inhibiting peptides) may reduce blood pressure.     

Regulation of mesangial cell ion channels by insulin and angiotensin II. Possible role in diabetic glomerular hyperfiltration

We used patch clamp methodology to investigate how glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) depolarize, thus stimulating voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and GMC contraction. In rat GMC cultures grown in 100 mU/ml insulin, 12% of cell-attached patches contained a Ca(2+)-dependent, 4-picosiemens Cl- channel. Basal NPo (number of channels times open probability) was < 0.1 at resting membrane potential. Acute application of 1-100 nM angiotensin II (AII) or 0.25 microM thapsigargin (to release [Ca2+]i stores) increased NPo. In GMC grown without insulin, Cl- channels were rare (4%) and unresponsive to AII or thapsigargin in cell-attached patches, and less sensitive to [Ca2+]i in excised patches. GMC also contained 27-pS nonselective cation channels (NSCC) stimulated by AII, thapsigargin, or [Ca2+]i, but again only when insulin was present. In GMC grown without insulin, 15 min of insulin exposure increased NPo (insulin > or = 100 microU/ml) and restored AII and [Ca2+]i responsiveness (insulin > or = 1 microU/ml) to both Cl- and NSCC. GMC AII receptor binding studies showed a Bmax (binding sites) of 2.44 +/- 0.58 fmol/mg protein and a Kd (binding dissociation constant) of 3.02 +/- 2.01 nM in the absence of insulin. Bmax increased by 86% and Kd was unchanged after chronic (days) insulin exposure. In contrast, neither Kd nor Bmax was significantly affected by acute (15-min) exposure. Therefore, we concluded that: (a) rat GMC cultures contain Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- and NSCC, both stimulated by AII. (b) Cl- efflux and cation influx, respectively, would promote GMC depolarization, leading to voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel activation and GMC contraction. (c) Responsiveness of Cl- and NSCC to AII is dependent on insulin exposure; AII receptor density increases with chronic, but not acute insulin, and channel sensitivity to [Ca2+]i increases with both acute and chronic insulin. (d) Decreased GMC contractility may contribute to the glomerular hyperfiltration seen in insulinopenic or insulin-resistant diabetic patients.     

Quantifying uncertainty under a predictive, epistemic approach to risk analysis

Risk analysis is a tool for investigating and reducing uncertainty related to outcomes of future activities. Probabilities are key elements in risk analysis, but confusion about interpretation and use of probabilities often weakens the message from the analyses. Under the predictive, epistemic approach to risk analysis, probabilities are used to express uncertainty related to future values of observable quantities like the number of fatalities or monetary loss in a period of time. The procedure for quantifying this uncertainty in terms of probabilities is, however, not obvious. Examples of topics from the literature relevant in this discussion are use of expert judgement, the effect of so-called heuristics and biases, application of historical data, dependency and updating of probabilities. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and give guidelines on how to quantify uncertainty in the perspective of these topics. Emphasis is on the use of models and assessment of uncertainties of similar quantities.