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SK
Terms modified by SK Selected AbstractsExtended spatial keyframing for complex character animationCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2008Byungkuk Choi Abstract As 3D computer animation becomes more accessible to novice users, it makes it possible for these users to create high-quality animations. This paper introduces a more powerful system to create highly articulated character animations with an intuitive setup then the previous research, Spatial Keyframing (SK). As the main purpose of SK was the rapid generation of primitive animation over quality animation, we propose Extended Spatial Keyframing (ESK) that exploits a global control structure coupled with multiple sets of spatial keyframes, and hierarchical relationship between controllers. The generated structure can be flexibly embedded into the given rigged character, and the system enables the given character to be animated delicately by user performance. During the performance, the movement of the highest ranking controllers across the control hierarchy is recorded in layered style to increase the level of detail for final motions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The N -Acylated Derivatives of Parent Complex [{(,-SCH2)2NH}Fe2(CO)6] as Active Site Models of Fe-Only Hydrogenases: Synthesis, Characterization, and Related PropertiesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2008Li-Cheng Song Abstract A series of N -acylated diiron azadithiolate complexes as H-cluster models was synthesized and structurally characterized. Treatment of parent complex [{(,-SCH2)2NH}Fe2(CO)6] (A) with 2-chloroacetic acid in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or with 2-chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of Et3N gave N -chloroacetyl complex [{(,-SCH2)2NC(O)CH2Cl}Fe2(CO)6] (1). Further treatment of 1 with MeC(O)SK afforded N -acetylthioacetyl complex [{(,-SCH2)2NC(O)CH2SC(O)Me}Fe2(CO)6] (2). N -Ethoxylcarbonylacetyl complex [{(,-SCH2)2NC(O)CH2CO2Et}Fe2(CO)6] (3) and N-heterocyclic complexes [{(,-SCH2)2NC(O)C4H3Y-2}Fe2(CO)6] (4, Y = O; 5, Y = S) were produced by reactions of A with EtO2CCH2C(O)Cl, 2-furancarbonyl chloride, and 2-thiophenecarbonyl chloride in the presence of pyridine or Et3N. Similarly, N -malonyl complex [{Fe2(CO)6(,-SCH2)2NC(O)}2CH2] (6) and N -carbonylbenzaldehyde complex [{(,-SCH2)2NC(O)C6H4CHO- p}Fe2(CO)6] (7) could be obtained by reaction of A with malonyl dichloride in the presence of pyridine and with p -CHOC6H4C(O)Cl in the presence of Et3N. More interestingly, further reaction of 7 with PhCHO and pyrrole in a 1:3:4 molar ratio in the presence of BF3·OEt2 followed by p -chloranil yielded the first light-driven type of model complex containing an N -carbonylphenylporphyrin moiety [{(,-SCH2)2NC(O)(TPP)}Fe2(CO)6] (8, TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin group). Whereas the molecular structures of 2, 5, and 7 were established by X-ray crystallography, the electrochemical properties of 2,5 as well as the proton reduction to hydrogen gas catalyzed by 2 and 3 were studied by CV techniques.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] Zymogen activation in the streptokinase,plasminogen complexFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 13 2000Ile1 is required for the formation of a functional active site Plasminogen (Plgn) is usually activated by proteolysis of the Arg561,Val562 bond. The amino group of Val562 forms a salt-bridge with Asp740, which triggers a conformational change producing the active protease plasmin (Pm). In contrast, streptokinase (SK) binds to Plgn to produce an initial inactive complex (SK·Plgn) which subsequently rearranges to an active complex (SK·Plgn*) although the Arg561,Val562 bond remains intact. Therefore another residue must substitute for the amino group of Val562 and provide a counterion for Asp740 in this active complex. Two candidates for this counterion have been suggested: Ile1 of streptokinase and Lys698 of Plgn. We have investigated the reaction of SK mutants and variants of the protease domain of microplasminogen (µPlgn) in order to determine if either of these residues is the counterion. The mutation of Ile1 of SK decreases the activity of SK·Plgn* by 100-fold (Ile1Val) to ,,104 -fold (Ile1,Ala, Gly, Trp or Lys). None of these mutations perturb the binding affinity of SK, which suggests that Ile1 is not required for formation of SK·Plgn but is necessary for SK·Plgn*. The substitution of Lys698 of µPlgn decreases the activity of SK·Plgn* by only 10,60-fold. In contrast with the Ile1 substitutions, the Lys698 mutations also decreased the dissociation constant of the SK complex by 15,50-fold. These observations suggest that Lys698 is involved in formation of the initial SK·Plgn complex. These results support the hypothesis that Ile1 provides the counterion for Asp740. [source] Output feedback control design for station keeping of AUVs under shallow water wave disturbancesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBUST AND NONLINEAR CONTROL, Issue 13 2009Shuyong Liu Abstract In this paper, we consider the problem of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) station keeping (SK) in shallow water area. During SK, an AUV is required to maintain position and orientation with respect to a fixed reference point at the sea floor. When AUV operates in shallow water, high-frequency disturbances due to waves will significantly affect the motion of the AUV. In order to derive wave disturbance information for control purposes, a nonlinear observer is first designed to estimate the shallow water wave velocities and AUV relative velocities by using position and attitude measurement. Using the observer estimates, a nonlinear output feedback controller is subsequently synthesized by applying observer backstepping technique. Global exponential stability (GES) of the proposed nonlinear observer,controller design is proved through Lyapunov stability theory. Simulation studies on a model based on an actual AUV were performed to verify the performance of the proposed nonlinear observer and output feedback controller. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evolution of allosteric models for hemoglobinIUBMB LIFE, Issue 8-9 2007William A. Eaton Abstract We compare various allosteric models that have been proposed to explain cooperative oxygen binding to hemoglobin, including the two-state allosteric model of Monod, Wyman, and Changeux (MWC), the Cooperon model of Brunori, the model of Szabo and Karplus (SK) based on the stereochemical mechanism of Perutz, the generalization of the SK model by Lee and Karplus (SKL), and the Tertiary Two-State (TTS) model of Henry, Bettati, Hofrichter and Eaton. The preponderance of experimental evidence favors the TTS model which postulates an equilibrium between high (r)- and low (t)-affinity tertiary conformations that are present in both the T and R quaternary structures. Cooperative oxygenation in this model arises from the shift of T to R, as in MWC, but with a significant population of both r and t conformations in the liganded T and in the unliganded R quaternary structures. The TTS model may be considered a combination of the SK and SKL models, and these models provide a framework for a structural interpretation of the TTS parameters. The most compelling evidence in favor of the TTS model is the nanosecond - millisecond carbon monoxide (CO) rebinding kinetics in photodissociation experiments on hemoglobin encapsulated in silica gels. The polymeric network of the gel prevents any tertiary or quaternary conformational changes on the sub-second time scale, thereby permitting the subunit conformations prior to CO photodissociation to be determined from their ligand rebinding kinetics. These experiments show that a large fraction of liganded subunits in the T quaternary structure have the same functional conformation as liganded subunits in the R quaternary structure, an experimental finding inconsistent with the MWC, Cooperon, SK, and SKL models, but readily explained by the TTS model as rebinding to r subunits in T. We propose an additional experiment to test another key prediction of the TTS model, namely that a fraction of subunits in the unliganded R quaternary structure has the same functional conformation (t) as unliganded subunits in the T quaternary structure. [source] Villous trophoblast growth in pregnancy at high altitudeJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 5 2002T. M. Mayhew The trophoblastic epithelium of placental villi exhibits continuous turnover. Phases of proliferation, recruitment, maturation, terminal differentiation (apoptosis) and extrusion exist in steady state and occur in distinctive spatial compartments, viz. cytotrophoblast cells (CT), syncytiotrophoblast (ST), syncytial knots (SK), denudation sites (DEN) and syncytial fragments. Hypoxia in vitro stimulates CT proliferation but inhibits recruitment into ST. Pregnancy at high altitude (HA) is associated with reduced birthweight and provides a convenient model of preplacental (hypobaric) hypoxia. HA placentas show impoverished villous growth and changes in the incidences of CT cells and SK regions. Here we examine placentas from Amerindian and nonindigenous women who completed full-term pregnancies at low altitude (LA; 400 m; n = 25) and high altitude (HA; 3600 m; n = 45) in Bolivia. We test the hypothesis that HA pregnancy disturbs the epithelial steady state as reflected in the relative volumes and surfaces of trophoblast compartments. Masson trichrome stained tissue sections and microscopical fields were generated by uniform random sampling. Point and intersection counts were used to estimate the volumes and surface areas of nonsyncytial knots (nonSK), SK regions, syncytial bridges (SB) and denudation sites (DEN). Absolute values were compared by 2-way analyses of variance to resolve altitudinal from ethnic effects. At LA, trophoblast comprised about 85% nonSK, 8% SK, 5% SB and 3% CT by volume. Its maternal surface area comprised about 91% nonSK, 5% SK, 2% SB, and 3% DEN. Apart from CT (the fractional volume of which increased to 4%, P < 0.05), relative volumes of trophoblast compartments did not alter significantly at HA. However, there was a roughly 30% reduction in absolute volume of trophoblast at HA (P < 0.001) which could be explained mainly by a decrease in volume of nonSK regions (P < 0.001). The volume of CT was unaltered. Absolute surface areas of villi also declined at HA (by 20%, P < 0.01) and, again, this was attributed mainly to nonSK. The findings confirm that poor villous growth is partly due to failure of trophoblast to attain the growth seen at LA. The reduced trophoblastic growth occurs despite an increase in relative volume of CT cells (consistent with previously reported increases in proliferative activity) and, probably, by a combination of compromised syncytial fusion and continuing extrusion of syncytial fragments. [source] The amounts and deposition patterns of fibrin-type fibrinoid at the villous surface are altered in pregnancy at high altitudeJOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 5 2002T. M. Mayhew In pregnancy at high altitude, there is preplacental (hypobaric) hypoxia and intrauterine fetal growth is restricted. Previous studies on placentas from Amerindian and nonindigenous women completing term pregnancies at low (LA; 400 m) and high (HA; 3600 m) altitudes in Bolivia showed that HA placentas had smaller surface areas of villi and smaller volumes of fibrin type fibrinoid (FTF). Recently we devised a stereological method for testing whether perivillous FTF (pFTF) is randomly distributed at the surface of villous trophoblast. Here the method is applied to test 2 experimental hypotheses: [1] deposition of pFTF is nonrandom regardless of altitude and [2] deposition patterns differ between altitudes. Uniform random samples of microscopical fields were drawn from Masson trichrome stained sections and intersection counts used to estimate the surface areas of, and patterns of pFTF on, 4 regions of trophoblast: nonsyncytial knots (nonSK), syncytial knots (SK), syncytial bridges (SB) and denudation sites (DEN). Absolute areas were compared by 2-way analyses of variance. Expected and observed distributions were compared by (2 and contingency table analyses. At LA the mean (SEM) volume of FTF was 8.4 (1.54) cm3 and villous surface area was 7.0 (0.43) m2. At HA FTF volume was reduced by about 50% (P < 0.01) and villous surface by 20% (P < 0.01). The surface composition of trophoblast in LA placentas was nonSK (91%), SK (5%) and SB and DEN (both less than 3%). Relative surfaces were not significantly altered in HA placentas but, due to the impoverished growth of villi at HA, the changes represented a real decline in absolute surface of nonSK. At HA, the total surface of pFTF on trophoblast decreased by about 40%, from 4430 (564) cm2,2570 (406) cm2 (P < 0.01). At both altitudes pFTF deposition was preferentially found at DEN (12-fold greater than expected for a random distribution). Pattern differences were detected between altitudes. In HA placentas the amount of pFTF deposited on nonSK regions was about 45% less (P < 0.05); apparent changes on SK and SB regions were not significant. These histometric findings suggest that the coagulation-fibrinolysis steady state is altered at HA and favours greater fibrinolysis. At least some of the fibrinolytic or anticoagulant activity seems to reside in or on thinner regions of villous trophoblast and the placenta may be a relatively privileged site in terms of fibrinolysis. Also, reduced deposition of pFTF is probably linked to changes in the steady state of trophoblast turnover which seems to be perturbed in HA pregnancies. [source] The paternal-sex-ratio (PSR) chromosome in natural populations of Nasonia (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2000L. W. Beukeboom Selfish genetic elements may be important in promoting evolutionary change. Paternal sex ratio (PSR) is a selfish B chromosome that causes all-male families in the haplodiploid parasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis, by inducing paternal genome loss in fertilized eggs. The natural distribution and frequency of this chromosome in North American populations of N. vitripennis was investigated using a combination of phenotypic and molecular assays. Sampling throughout North America failed to recover PSR except from populations in the Great Basin area of western North America. Extensive sampling of Great Basin populations revealed PSR in frequencies ranging from 0 to 6% at different collection sites, and extended its distribution to Idaho and Wyoming. Intensive sampling in upstate New York did not detect the chromosome. Frequencies of the maternal-sex ratio distorter (MSR), son killer (SK) and virgin females ranged from 0 to 12%. Paternal sex ratio may be restricted to the Great Basin because its spread is hampered by geographical barriers, or because populations in other areas are not conducive to PSR maintenance. However, it cannot be ruled out that PSR occurs in other regions at very low frequencies. The apparent limited distribution and low frequency of PSR suggest that it will have relatively little impact on genome evolution in Nasonia. [source] Original Article: A prospective study of uric acid by glucose tolerance status and survival: the Rancho Bernardo StudyJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010C. K. Kramer Abstract., Kramer CK, von Mühlen D, Jassal SK, Barrett-Connor E (University of California, La Jolla, CA; and Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil). A prospective study of uric acid by glucose tolerance status and survival: the Rancho Bernardo Study. J Intern Med 2010. Objectives., Little is known about uric acid (UA) levels and mortality in the context of glycaemia. We examined whether serum UA levels predict all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality differentially in older adults by glucose tolerance status. Design and methods., Between 1984 and 1987, 2342 community-dwelling men and women had an oral glucose tolerance test, UA measurement, and assessment of traditional CVD risk factors. We defined glucose tolerance status as normoglycaemia (NG), pre-diabetes (pre-DM), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ninety per cent were followed for vital status up to 23 years. Death certificates were coded using the Ninth International Classification of Diseases. Results., Baseline age was 69.5 years; 44.4% were men. At baseline 939 had NG, 957 pre-DM, and 446 T2DM. The mean UA by glucose tolerance status was 327.1, 362.8, and 374.7 ,mol L,1. During follow-up, there were 1318 deaths 46.8% attributed to CVD. In Cox-regression analysis, each 119 ,mol L,1 (2 mg dL,1) increment in UA levels predicted an increased hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause deaths independent of age, smoking, body mass index, alcohol, physical activity, diuretic use and estimated glomerular filtration rate in all groups (NG: HR 1.25 95% CI 1.06,1.47, P =0.005; pre-DM: HR 1.20 95% CI 1.06,1.37, P = 0.04; T2DM: HR 1.20 95% CI 1.01,1.47, P = 0.04). After adjusting for CVD risk factors, the UA association with CVD mortality was significant only in the pre-DM and T2DM groups. Conclusion., All-cause mortality was independently associated with UA in all groups, but UA predicted CVD mortality only in those with abnormal glucose tolerance. [source] Determination of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis by magnetic resonance imaging and Doppler echocardiographyJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2002C. M. Sköld Abstract. Sköld CM, Larsen FF, Rasmussen E, Pehrsson SK, Eklund AG (Karolinska Hospital and Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden). Determination of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis by magnetic resonance imaging and Doppler echocardiography. J Intern Med 2002; 252: 465,471. Objectives. To elucidate whether cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be useful in disclosing structural changes in the myocardium in sarcoidosis patients and to relate echo-Doppler derived indices of left ventricular function to electrocardiogram (ECG) findings. Design. The MRI was performed in 18 consecutive patients with sarcoidosis. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), i.e. systolic function, was estimated echocardiographically by Simpson's two-dimensional method (n = 16). Diastolic function was estimated by age-corrected Doppler-derived indices: isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), deceleration time (DT) and early filling/atrial contraction ratio (E/A ratio). Results. Eleven patients had conduction defects or dysrhythmias (ECG+) whilst seven patients had a normal ECG (ECG,). In two patients, high signalling, contrast-enhanced, isolated regions, suggestive of deposits, were seen in the left ventricular myocardium on MRI. Both these patients had abnormal ECGs and signs of systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography. LVEF was subnormal in seven of 10 of the ECG+ patients and in two of six of the ECG,. Signs of diastolic dysfunction were found in 59% and 56% of the measurements in the ECG+ and ECG, patients, respectively. Conclusion. We conclude (i) that myocardial deposits on MRI in sarcoidosis patients have a high specificity for cardiac involvement but a rather low sensitivity; (ii) that a substantial proportion of sarcoidosis patients with abnormal ECGs have echocardiographic signs of systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction. [source] Rx Files: Drug Comparison Charts, 7th Edition, Academic Detailing Program, c/- Saskatoon City Hospital, 701 Queen Street, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7K 0M7.JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009www.RxFile.ca [source] Sizing up Ethanol-Induced Plasticity: The Role of Small and Large Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium ChannelsALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2009Patrick J. Mulholland Small (SK) and large conductance (BK) Ca2+ -activated K+ channels contribute to action potential repolarization, shape dendritic Ca2+spikes and postsynaptic responses, modulate the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, and contribute to hippocampal-dependent synaptic plasticity. Over the last decade, SK and BK channels have emerged as important targets for the development of acute ethanol tolerance and for altering neuronal excitability following chronic ethanol consumption. In this mini-review, we discuss new evidence implicating SK and BK channels in ethanol tolerance and ethanol-associated homeostatic plasticity. Findings from recent reports demonstrate that chronic ethanol produces a reduction in the function of SK channels in VTA dopaminergic and CA1 pyramidal neurons. It is hypothesized that the reduction in SK channel function increases the propensity for burst firing in VTA neurons and increases the likelihood for aberrant hyperexcitability during ethanol withdrawal in hippocampus. There is also increasing evidence supporting the idea that ethanol sensitivity of native BK channel results from differences in BK subunit composition, the proteolipid microenvironment, and molecular determinants of the channel-forming subunit itself. Moreover, these molecular entities play a substantial role in controlling the temporal component of ethanol-associated neuroadaptations in BK channels. Taken together, these studies suggest that SK and BK channels contribute to ethanol tolerance and adaptive plasticity. [source] Distributed intraclot thrombolysis: mechanism of accelerated thrombolysis with encapsulated plasminogen activatorsJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 9 2004J. K. Leach Summary.,Background: The delivery of encapsulated plasminogen activators has demonstrated enhanced thrombolysis in vivo in several models. The mechanism of such improvement has not previously been established. Objectives We explored in vitro the mechanism by which microencapsulation of streptokinase in polymeric microparticles accelerates clot digestion and reduces reperfusion times by as much as an order of magnitude in vivo. Methods: The efficacy of microencapsulated streptokinase (MESK) was directly compared with identical dosages of unencapsulated streptokinase (FREE SK) at three initial pressure drops using clots formed of plasma or whole blood in 0.2-cm inner diameter glass capillary tubes. Results: MESK demonstrated accelerated flow restoration compared with FREE SK for each condition in plasma (23.8 ± 4.5% faster) and whole blood clots (17.2 ± 9.2% faster). Images collected by light microscopy show sites of thrombolysis internal to the clot only with MESK while the spatial distribution of fluorescently labeled streptokinase by confocal microscopy confirms greater penetration of the encapsulated agent compared with unencapsulated streptokinase. Digestion thus proceeds in three dimensions rather than restricted to a two-dimensional lysis front. Conclusions: The improved clot penetration with MESK establishes enhanced transport with encapsulation and the concept of distributed intraclot thrombolysis as a basis for the accelerated dissolution observed with encapsulated plasminogen activators in vivo. [source] Antistreptokinase platelet-activating antibodies are common and heterogeneousJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 5 2003V. Regnault Summary.,Background:,Platelet activation by antistreptokinase (SK) antibodies could impair the clinical effect of SK administration. Objective:,To better describe anti-SK antibodies with particular emphasis on procoagulant activities as a result of platelet activation. Patients and methods:,Sera were collected from 146 patients with coronary artery disease: non-SK-treated, 95 from mainland France, 31 from French Polynesia; 20 patients from mainland in year 2 after SK treatment. Serum-induced SK-dependent platelet activation resulting in procoagulant activities was assessed with washed platelets from five donors representative of the known patterns of reactivities to IgG. Results:,Concentrations (2,5252 µg mL,1) and fibrinolytic neutralization titres (< 10 to >,1280) were found in the expected wide range and correlated (, = 0.66, P < 0.0001). Platelet activation was detected with 145 samples, but varied in intensity and pattern (depending on the donors), although there was no systematic hierarchy; it was presumably due to IgG (inhibited by an IgG Fc receptor-blocking antibody and recovered in the IgG fraction) and only partially affected by aspirin. Marked platelet activation could be detected in samples with concentration as low as 2 µg mL,1, and/or no detectable neutralizing titers. The way of immunization to SK was not found to influence the functional profile of antibodies. Conclusion:,Anti-SK platelet-activating antibodies are widespread, heterogeneous, poorly predictable on the basis of their antifibrinolytic effect and strong enough to trigger procoagulant activities. Their clinical relevance should be formally assessed, using patients' own platelets for detection owing to the variation of platelet reactivity. [source] Retrospective Study of Streptokinase Administration in 46 Cats with Arterial ThromboembolismJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 4 2000Kari E. Moore DVM Summary A retrospective evaluation was performed on 46 cats with arterial thromboembolism (ATE) that were treated with streptokinase (SK). Significant heart disease was diagnosed in 45/46 cats, and 21/46 cats had congestive heart failure. Variable dosing schemes of streptokinase were administered within 1,20 hours following the onset of clinical signs (median = 5.5 hours). There was no difference between survivors (S) and non-survivors (NS), based on time of administration of SK after onset of clinical signs. Twenty-five (54%) of the cats had return of pulses within 2,24 hours of treatment. Fourteen (30%) of the cats had return of motor function between 9 hours and 6 days. Fifteen of the cats (33%) were discharged from the hospital, 18 (39%) died in the hospital, and 13 (28%) cats were euthanized due to complications or poor response to treatment. Four of 5 cats (80%) with single limb dysfunction survived to hospital discharge. Life threatening hyperkalemia was diagnosed in 16 cats (35%) after SK administration. Hyperkalemia was more likely to occur with the longer duration of SK infusion. Eleven cats (24%) developed clinical signs of bleeding following SK administration and 3 of these cats required a blood transfusion. Laboratory testing documented coagulopathy following SK administration in 11 out of 17 cats tested. Hypothermia and azotemia prior to SK administration and the development of hyperkalemia were negatively associated with survival. [source] The Krein,von Neumann extension and its connection to an abstract buckling problemMATHEMATISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Issue 2 2010Mark S. Ashbaugh Abstract We prove the unitary equivalence of the inverse of the Krein,von Neumann extension (on the orthogonal complement of its kernel) of a densely defined, closed, strictly positive operator, S , ,IH for some , > 0 in a Hilbert space H to an abstract buckling problem operator. In the concrete case where in L2(,; dnx) for , , ,n an open, bounded (and sufficiently regular) domain, this recovers, as a particular case of a general result due to G. Grubb, that the eigenvalue problem for the Krein Laplacian SK (i.e., the Krein,von Neumann extension of S), SKv = ,v, , , 0, is in one-to-one correspondence with the problem of the buckling of a clamped plate, (-,)2u = , (-,)u in ,, , , 0, u , H02(,), where u and v are related via the pair of formulas u = SF -1 (-,)v, v = , -1(-,)u, with SF the Friedrichs extension of S. This establishes the Krein extension as a natural object in elasticity theory (in analogy to the Friedrichs extension, which found natural applications in quantum mechanics, elasticity, etc.) (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] The generalized spectral kurtosis estimatorMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: LETTERS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2010G. M. Nita ABSTRACT Due to its conceptual simplicity and its proven effectiveness in real-time detection and removal of radio frequency interference (RFI) from radio astronomy data, the spectral kurtosis (SK) estimator is likely to become a standard tool of a new generation of radio telescopes. However, the SK estimator in its original form must be developed from instantaneous power spectral density estimates, and hence cannot be employed as an RFI excision tool downstream of the data pipeline in existing instruments where any time averaging is performed. In this Letter, we develop a generalized estimator with wider applicability for both instantaneous and averaged spectral data, which extends its practical use to a much larger pool of radio instruments. [source] Nitrergic,purinergic interactions in rat distal colon motilityNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 1 2004K. Van Crombruggen Abstract, Responses of rat distal colon circular muscle strips to exogenous nitric oxide (NO) and adenosine 5,-triphosphate (ATP) and to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were assessed in the absence/presence of various agents that interfere with nitrergic,purinergic pathways. Exogenous NO (10,6 to 10,4 mol L,1) elicited concentration-dependent, tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive relaxations. The soluble guanylyl-cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H[1,2,4,]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) reduced duration and amplitude; the small conductance Ca2+ -sensitive K+ (SK)-channel blocker apamin (APA) only shortened the relaxations. ODQ + APA showed a marked inhibitory effect on duration and amplitude. TTX, APA, the NO-synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro- l -arginine methyl ester (l -NAME) and the purinergic receptor P2Y antagonist Reactive Blue 2 (RB2) shortened the relaxations by exogenous ATP (10,3 mol L,1) but did not influence the amplitude. ODQ had no effect. TTX + l -NAME did not yield a more pronounced inhibitory effect than TTX alone. The effect of ATP- , -S was similar to that of ATP. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (40 V, 0.05 ms, 0.5,4 Hz for 30 s) yielded TTX-sensitive relaxations that were not altered by l -NAME, ODQ or RB2. APA shortened the relaxations. l -NAME + APA nearly abolished these relaxations. ODQ + APA and RB2 +l -NAME reduced the duration. These results suggest that distinct sets of small conductance SK-channels are involved in the amplitude and the duration of the relaxations and that NO increases their sensitivity to NO and ATP via guanosine 3,,5,-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). ATP elicits relaxations via P2Y receptors with subsequent activation of SK-channels and induces neuronal release of NO. Both nitrergic and purinergic pathways must be blocked to inhibit EFS-induced relaxations. [source] The interdental gingiva, a visible guide for placement of mini-implantsORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009YS Chun Structured Abstract Authors,,, Chun YS, Lee SK, Wikesjö UME, Lim WH Objectives,,, To determine whether the tip of the interdental gingiva can serve as a visible guide for placement of mini-implants. Setting and Sample population,,, Computer tomography (CT) images from 15 males and 15 females (mean age 27 years, range: 23,35 years) were used to evaluate the distance from the tip of the interdental gingiva to the alveolar crest from the central incisor to the 1st molar. The distance from a reference point to the tip of interdental gingiva was recorded from study models using a caliper. The distance between the reference point and the alveolar crest was recorded using CT and added to the model recordings thus providing the distance from the tip of interdental gingiva to the alveolar crest for the various interdental sites. Two-way anova and Student,Newman,Keuls test for multiple comparisons were used for the statistical analysis. Results,,, There was no significant difference in the distance from the tip of interdental gingiva to the alveolar crest between maxilla and mandible. The distance between the tip of interdental gingiva and the alveolar crest at the central/lateral incisors was the shortest compared with that of other sites. There was also a statistically significant difference between the male and female groups except for the maxillary 2nd premolar/1st molar interradicular site. Conclusion,,, The tip of interdental gingiva appears a reasonable visual guide for the placement of mini-implants for orthodontic anchorage. [source] Self-assembled quantum dot formation induced by surface energy change of a strained two-dimensional layerPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 3 2004Frank Tinjod Abstract To account for the occurrence (or not) of the Stranski-Krastanow (SK) transition (two-dimensional to 3D change of surface morphology) during the epitaxial growth of various lattice-mismatched semiconductor systems, we present a simple equilibrium model taking into account not only the lattice mismatch, but also the dislocation formation energy and the surface energy. It demonstrates the importance of these parameters especially for II,VI systems such as CdTe/ZnTe and CdSe/ZnSe. For II,VIs indeed, as misfit dislocations are easier to form than in III,Vs (such as InAs/GaAs) or IV systems (Ge/Si), the 3D elastic transition is short-circuited by the plastic one. Nevertheless, by lowering surface energy, telluride and selenide quantum dots can also be grown as predicted by our model and as evidenced experimentally by reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), atomic force microscopy and optical measurements. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] The anxiolytic effect of Sho-ju-sen, a Japanese herbal medicine, assessed by an elevated plus-maze test in micePHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2001Hisashi Kuribara Abstract Sho-ju-sen (SK), a Japanese herbal medicine with a nourishing tonic action, is composed of a water extract of Kumazasa leaves (Sasa kurinensis Makino et Sibata) (SS), and ethanol extracts of Japanese red pine needles (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc) (PN) and Ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) (PX) in the ratio 8:1:1. In this study, an elevated plus-maze test in mice was carried out to assess whether SK had an anxiolytic effect. No significant change was observed in either the plus-maze or activity test following a single administration of SK (10 and 20,mL/kg p.o.). However, mice allowed a free intake of SK (10% solution) for 5 days and longer showed a significant prolongation of the time spent in the open arms (an anxiolytic effect), as long as that caused by the benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam (1,mg/kg p.o.). SK (1%, 3% and 30% solutions for 7 days) tended to develop the anxiolytic effect. Of the constituents of SK, SS (8% solution), but not PN (1% solution) or PX (1% solution), resulted in the anxiolytic effect. Except for a slight acceleration in the motor activity by PN (1% solution), no significant change in the motor activity was produced by any treatment with SK, SS or PX. The combined treatment of SK (10% solution) or SS (8% solution) with 1,mg/kg diazepam enhanced the anxiolytic effect. Flumazenil (0.1,mg/kg s.c.), a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, alone did not change the time spent in the open arms. However, it completely reversed the anxiolytic effect of SK, SS and diazepam. The present results suggest that: (1) long-term treatment with SK develops an anxiolytic effect, (2) SS is the main constituent for the anxiolytic effect of SK, and (3) benzodiazepine receptors are involved in the anxiolytic effect of SK and SS. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Down-Regulated PAR-2 is Associated in Part with Interrupted Melanosome Transfer in Pigmented Basal Cell EpitheliomaPIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004Kazuko Sakuraba In pigmented basal cell epithelioma (BCE), there seems to be an abnormal transfer of melanized melanosomes from proliferating melanocytes to basaloid tumor cells. In this study, the interruption of that melanosome transfer was studied with special respect to the altered function of a phagocytic receptor, protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 in the basaloid tumor cells. We used electron microscopy to clarify the disrupted transfer at the ultrastructural level and then performed immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to examine the regulation of a phagocytic receptor, PAR-2, expressed on basaloid tumor cells. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that basaloid tumor cells of pigmented BCE have a significantly lower population of melanosomes (,16.4%) than do normal keratinocytes located in the perilesional normal epidermis (,91.0%). In contrast, in pigmented seborrheic keratosis (SK), a similarly pigmented epidermal tumor, the distribution of melanin granules does not differ between the lesional (,93.9%) and the perilesional normal epidermis (,92.2 %), indicating that interrupted melanosome transfer occurs in BCE but not in all pigmented epithelial tumors. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the expression of PAR-2 mRNA transcripts in basaloid cells is significantly decreased in pigmented BCE compared with the perilesional normal epidermis. In contrast, in pigmented SK, where melanosome transfer to basaloid tumor cells is not interrupted, the expression of PAR-2 mRNA transcripts is comparable between the basaloid tumor cells and the perilesional normal epidermis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that basaloid cells in pigmented BCE have less immunostaining for PAR-2 than do keratinocytes in the perilesional normal epidermis whereas in pigmented SK, there is no difference in immunostaining for PAR-2 between the basaloid tumor and the perilesional normal epidermis. These findings suggest that the decreased expression of PAR-2 in the basaloid cells is associated in part with the observed interruption of melanosome transfer in pigmented BCE. [source] A cranial base of Australopithecus robustus from the hanging remnant of Swartkrans, South AfricaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Darryl J. de Ruiter Abstract SKW 18, a partial hominin cranium recovered from the site of Swartkrans, South Africa, in 1968 is described. It is derived from ex situ breccia of the Hanging Remnant of Member 1, dated to approximately 1.5,1.8 Mya. Although partially encased in breccia, it was refit to the facial fragment SK 52 (Clarke 1977 The Cranium of the Swartkrans Hominid SK 847 and Its Relevance to Human Origins, Ph.D. dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg), producing the composite cranium SKW 18/SK 52. Subsequent preparation revealed the most complete cranial base attributable to the species Australopithecus robustus. SKW 18 suffered weathering and slight postdepositional distortion, but retains considerable anatomical detail. The composite cranium most likely represents a large, subadult male, based on the incomplete fusion of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis; unerupted third molar; pronounced development of muscular insertions; and large teeth. Cranial base measures of SKW 18 expand the range of values previously recorded for A. robustus. SKW 18 provides information on anatomical features not previously visible in this taxon, and expands our knowledge of morphological variability recognizable in the cranial base. Morphological heterogeneity in the development of the prevertebral and nuchal muscular insertions is likely the result of sexual dimorphism in A. robustus, while differences in cranial base angles and the development of the occipital/marginal sinus drainage system cannot be attributed to size dimorphism. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Neural Optimization of Fed-batch Streptokinase Fermentation in a Non-ideal BioreactorTHE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2002Pratap R. PatnaikArticle first published online: 19 MAY 200 Abstract Microbial fermentations involving two or more kinds of competing cells and operating under realistic conditions are difficult to monitor, model and optimize by model-based methods. They deviate from ideal behavior in two significant aspects: incomplete dispersion in the broth and the influx of disturbances. The approach here has been to optimize the filtered noise and dispersion on-line through neural networks. This method has been applied to the fed-batch production of streptokinase (SK). The culture has two kinds of cells , active (or productive) and inactive , and their growth is inhibited by the substrate and the primary metabolite (lactic acid). Using simulated data, the fermentation was optimized by a system of three neural networks, updated continually during successive time intervals. Such sequential optimization with dynamic filtering of inflow noise generated better cell growth and SK activity than static optimization and even an ideal fermentation. Les fermentations microbiennes faisant intervenir deux ou plusieurs sortes de cellules en compétition et se déroulant dans des conditions réelles, sont difficiles à surveiller, à modéliser et à optimiser par des méthodes basées sur des modèles. De telles fermentations s'écartent du comportement idéal dans deux voies importantes : la dispersion incomplète dans le bouillon et la venue de perturbations. Notre approche consiste ici à optimiser le bruit filtré et la dispersion en continu par des réseaux neuronaux. Cette méthode a été appliquée à la production à alimentation discontinue de streptokinase (SK). La culture comporte deux sortes de cellules , actives (ou productives) ou inactives , et leur croissance est inhibée par le substrat et la métabolite primaire (acide lactique). À l'aide de données simulées, la fermentation a été optimisée par un système de trois réseaux neuronaux, qui ont été mis à jour continuellement à des intervalles de temps successifs. Une telle optimisation séquentielle avec filtrage dynamique du bruit génère une meilleure croissance des cellules et activité du SK que l'optimisation statique et même la fermentation idéale. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Hyperresistinemia , a Novel Feature in Systemic Infection During Human PregnancyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Shali Mazaki-Tovi Citation Mazaki-Tovi S, Vaisbuch E, Romero R, Kusanovic JP, Chaiworapongsa T, Kim SK, Ogge G, Yoon BH, Dong Z, Gonzalez JM, Gervasi MT, Hassan SS. Hyperresistinemia , a novel feature in systemic infection during human pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010 Problem, Resistin, originally described as an adipokine, has emerged as a potent pro-inflammatory protein associated with both acute and chronic inflammation. Moreover, resistin has been proposed as a powerful marker of sepsis severity, as well as a predictor of survival of critically ill non-pregnant patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether pyelonephritis during pregnancy is associated with changes in maternal plasma resistin concentrations. Methods of study, This cross-sectional study included the following groups: (i) normal pregnant women (n = 85) and (ii) pregnant women with pyelonephritis (n = 40). Maternal plasma resistin concentrations were determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics was used for analyses. Results, (i) The median maternal plasma resistin concentration was higher in patients with pyelonephritis than in those with a normal pregnancy (P < 0.001); (ii) among patients with pyelonephritis, the median maternal resistin concentration did not differ significantly between those with and without a positive blood culture (P = 0.3); (iii) among patients with pyelonephritis who were diagnosed with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), those who fulfilled ,3 criteria for SIRS had a significantly higher median maternal plasma resistin concentration than those who met only two criteria; and (iv) maternal WBC count positively correlated with circulating resistin concentration (r = 0.47, P = 0.02). Conclusion, Hyperresistinemia is a feature of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy. The results of this study support the role of resistin as an acute-phase protein in the presence of bacterial infection during pregnancy. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Activation of the Alternative Pathway of Complement is a Feature of Pre-Term Parturition but not of Spontaneous Labor at TermAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Edi Vaisbuch Citation Vaisbuch E, Romero R, Erez O, Mazaki-Tovi S, Kusanovic JP, Soto E, Dong Z, Chaiworapongsa T, Kim SK, Ogge G, Pacora P, Yeo L, Hassan SS. Activation of the alternative pathway of complement is a feature of pre-term parturition but not of spontaneous labor at term. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 318,330 Problem, Plasma concentrations of fragment Bb (FBb) are a marker for activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system. High concentrations of FBb in maternal blood, as early as the first trimester, are associated with subsequent spontaneous pre-term delivery <34 weeks of gestation. The aim of this study was to determine whether spontaneous pre-term labor (PTL) with intact membranes, intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI) or labor at term are associated with alterations in circulating maternal FBb concentrations. Method of study, This cross-sectional study included women in the following groups: (i) non-pregnant (n = 40); (ii) normal pregnancy (gestational age range 20,36, 6/7 weeks, n = 63); (iii) women at term not in labor (n = 70); (iv) women at term in spontaneous labor (n = 59); (v) patients with an episode of PTL who delivered at term (n = 62); (vi) PTL without IAI who delivered pre-term (n = 30); and (vii) PTL with IAI who delivered pre-term (n = 67). Maternal plasma FBb concentrations were determined by ELISA. Results, (i) Among patients with PTL, those who had a pre-term delivery either with IAI (1.21 ,g/mL, IQR 0.77,2.16) or without IAI (1.13 ,g/mL, IQR 0.92,2.08) had a higher median maternal plasma FBb concentration than those who delivered at term (0.86 ,g/mL, IQR 0.64,1.57; P = 0.007 and P = 0.026, respectively); (ii) there was no difference in the median plasma FBb concentration between patients with and without IAI who delivered pre-term (P = 0.9); (iii) in contrast, spontaneous labor at term was not associated with a significant change in the maternal plasma FBb concentration (P = 0.8); (iv) maternal plasma concentration of FBb did not differ significantly between normal pregnant women and the non-pregnant controls (P = 0.8) and were not correlated with advancing gestational age (r = ,0.28, P = 0.8). Conclusion, (i) Pre-term parturition is associated with activation of the alternative complement pathway in maternal circulation; (ii) such activation is not detectable in spontaneous labor at term; (iii) IAI does not explain the activation of the alternative pathway of complement in PTL. Collectively, these observations suggest that pre-term and term labors have fundamental differences in the regulation of innate immunity. [source] Accumulation of cytoplasmic calcium, but not apamin-sensitive afterhyperpolarization current, during high frequency firing in rat subthalamic nucleus cellsTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Mark Teagarden The autonomous firing pattern of neurons in the rat subthalamic nucleus (STN) is shaped by action potential afterhyperpolarization currents. One of these is an apamin-sensitive calcium-dependent potassium current (SK). The duration of SK current is usually considered to be limited by the clearance of calcium from the vicinity of the channel. When the cell is driven to fire faster, calcium is expected to accumulate, and this is expected to result in accumulation of calcium-dependent AHP current. We measured the time course of calcium transients in the soma and proximal dendrites of STN neurons during spontaneous firing and their accumulation during driven firing. We compared these to the time course and accumulation of AHP currents using whole-cell and perforated patch recordings. During spontaneous firing, a rise in free cytoplasmic calcium was seen after each action potential, and decayed with a time constant of about 200 ms in the soma, and 80 ms in the dendrites. At rates higher than 10 Hz, calcium transients accumulated as predicted. In addition, there was a slow calcium transient not predicted by summation of action potentials that became more pronounced at high firing frequency. Spike AHP currents were measured in voltage clamp as tail currents after 2 ms voltage pulses that triggered action currents. Apamin-sensitive AHP (SK) current was measured by subtraction of tail currents obtained before and after treatment with apamin. SK current peaked between 10 and 15 ms after an action potential, had a decay time constant of about 30 ms, and showed no accumulation. At frequencies between 5 and 200 spikes s,1, the maximal SK current remained the same as that evoked by a single action potential. AHP current did not have time to decay between action potentials, so at frequencies above 50 spikes s,1 the apamin-sensitive current was effectively constant. These results are inconsistent with the view that the decay of SK current is governed by calcium dynamics. They suggest that the calcium is present at the SK channel for a very short time after each action potential, and the current decays at a rate set by the deactivation kinetics of the SK channel. At high rates, repetitive firing was governed by a fast apamin-insensitive AHP current that did not accumulate, but rather showed depression with increases in activation frequency. A slowly accumulating AHP current, also insensitive to apamin, was extremely small at low rates but became significant with higher firing rates. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Maternal Plasma Concentration of the Pro-Inflammatory Adipokine Pre-B-Cell-Enhancing Factor (PBEF)/Visfatin Is Elevated In Pregnant Patients with Acute PyelonephritisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Shali Mazaki-Tovi Citation Mazaki-Tovi S, Vaisbuch E, Romero R, Kusanovic JP, Chaiworapongsa T, Kim SK, Nhan-Chang C-L, Gomez R, Yoon BH, Yeo L, Mittal P, Ogge G, Gonzalez JM, Hassan SS. Maternal plasma concentration of the pro-inflammatory adipokine pre-B-cell-enhancing factor (PBEF)/visfatin is elevated in pregnant patients with acute pyelonephritis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 252,262 Problem, Visfatin/pre-B-cell-enhancing factor (PBEF) has been implicated in the regulation of the innate immune system, as well as in glucose metabolism. Specifically, visfatin plays a requisite role in delayed neutrophil apoptosis in patients with sepsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether pyelonephritis during pregnancy is associated with changes in maternal plasma visfatin concentration in normal weight and overweight/obese patients. Method of study, This cross-sectional study included the following groups: (1) normal pregnant women (n = 200) and (2) pregnant women with pyelonephritis (n = 40). Maternal plasma visfatin concentrations were determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics was used for analyses. Results, (1) The median maternal plasma visfatin concentration was significantly higher in patients with pyelonephritis than in those with a normal pregnancy; (2) among overweight/obese pregnant women, those with pyelonephritis had a significantly higher median plasma visfatin concentration than women with a normal pregnancy; and (3) pyelonephritis was independently associated with higher maternal plasma visfatin concentrations after adjustment for maternal age, pre-gestational body mass index, smoking status, gestational age at sampling, and birthweight. Conclusion, Acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy is associated with a high circulating maternal visfatin concentration. These findings suggest that visfatin/PBEF may play a role in the regulation of the complex and dynamic crosstalk between inflammation and metabolism during pregnancy. [source] New Enhancements of the Scrotal One-Incision Technique for Placement of Artificial Urinary Sphincter Allow Proximal Cuff PlacementTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010Steven K. Wilson MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Urinary incontinence impairs sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Traditional artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation requires perineal incision for cuff placement and a second inguinal incision for reservoir and pump placement. We believed AUS could be placed easier and quicker through one scrotal incision. Aim., In an effort to effect more proximal placement of the cuff while keeping the advantages of the one scrotal incision technique, we report enhancements to the original surgical technique. Methods., Thirty patients have been operated upon using the enhanced technique. A modification of the SKW retractor system (AMS) facilitates deep bulbar exposure. Twenty patients were first time implantations and 10 were revisions with five of the revisions having had the original AUS placed by traditional two-incision technique. Two of the first time AUS patients received an inflatable penile prosthesis through the same incision. Main Outcome Measures., We evaluated site of cuff placement, sizes of cuffs used, postoperative continence status. Results., All of the virgin AUS required dissection of the bulbocavernosus muscle prior to cuff placement. In scrotally placed revisions, replacement cuffs were situated considerably proximal (4.5,7.5 cm) to the original cuff site. The perineal placed revisions were accomplished through a scrotal incision with replacement of two cuffs in the same site and the three other patients immediately distal. No intraoperative complications were seen. One patient developed scrotal hematoma requiring drainage. Only 15 patients are available for follow-up and all are socially continent (one pad or less). Conclusions., Transscrotal approach is used safely and efficiently for penile implants and AUS implantation. The new enhancements to the one-scrotal incision technique allow more proximal cuff placement as evidenced by the bulbocavernosus muscle dissection and use of larger cuffs. Continence rate is similar to rates achieved with perineal placement of cuff found in the literature. Wilson SK, Aliotta PJ, Salem EA, and Mulcahy JJ. New enhancements of the scrotal one incision technique for placement of artificial urinary sphincter allow proximal cuff placement. J Sex Med 2010;7:3510,3515. [source] Improvement of Chronic Pain by Treatment of Erectile DysfunctionTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 12 2008Jalil Arabkheradmand MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Pain specialists, who do not routinely examine patients regarding their sexual medicine problems, need to be aware that sexual problems can and do aggravate the patient's pain. Patients may refuse to admit suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED) but complain about continuous or progressive severe pain. These patients may be best managed by the combined team effort of a sexual medicine specialist and pain specialist. Aim., This report documents the management of three cases with long-term intractable pain after severe trauma. Treatment of occult ED led to significant improvement of their pain. Main Outcome Measures., The association of the treatment of uncovered ED and improvement of chronic severe pain. Methods., Three case reports of patients with severe pain who attended a pain clinic in an academic medical center. Results., Three men suffering from chronic pain due to severe trauma were observed for several years by different physicians as well as pain specialists. In spite of different treatments, including administration of several analgesics, psychotherapy, and physical therapy, pain was not alleviated. After finding ED problems, patients were referred to the family health clinic. Using different therapies such as psychosexual therapy, correction of sexual misconceptions, relaxation training, treatment of interpersonal difficulties, and pharmacological intervention ED was cured. Treatment of ED was accompanied by a significant reduction of chronic pain in all three patients. Conclusion., The present report indicates that uncovered ED in patients suffering from chronic pain may trigger their somatic pain or reduce its threshold. Significant improvement in sexual functioning may improve the pain and reduce its complications. Arabkheradmand J, Foroutan SK, Ranjbar S, Abbasi T, Hessami S, and Gorji A. Improvement of chronic pain by treatment of erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med **;**:**,**. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||