Validation of density–elasticity relationships for finite element modeling of human pelvic bone by modal analysis

In total hip arthroplasty and particularly in revision surgery, computer assisted pre-operative prediction of the best possible anchorage strategy for implant fixation would be a great help to the surgeon. Computer simulation relies on validated numerical models. In the current study, three density–elasticity relationships (No. 1–3) from the literature for inhomogeneous material parameter assignment from CT data in automated finite element (FE) modeling of long bones were evaluated for their suitability for FE modeling of human pelvic bone. Numerical modal analysis was conducted on 10 FE models of hemipelvic bone specimens and compared to the gold standard provided by experimental modal analysis results from a previous in-vitro study on the same specimens. Overall, calculated resonance frequencies came out lower than measured values. Magnitude of mean relative deviation of numerical resonance frequencies with regard to measured values is lowest for the density–elasticity relationship No. 3 (−15.9%) and considerably higher for both density–elasticity relationships No. 1 (−41.1%) and No. 2 (−45.0%). Mean MAC values over all specimens amount to 77.8% (No. 1), 78.5% (No. 2), and 83.0% (No. 3). MAC results show, that mode shapes are only slightly influenced by material distribution. Calculated resonance frequencies are generally lower than measured values, which indicates, that numerical models lack stiffness. Even when using the best suited (No. 3) out of three investigated density–elasticity relationships, in FE modeling of pelvic bone a considerable underestimation of model stiffness has to be taken into account.     

Identification of MYH6 as the potential gene for human ischaemic cardiomyopathy

The present study aimed to explore the potential hub genes and pathways of ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and to investigate the possible associated mechanisms. Two microarray data sets ( GSE5406 and GSE57338 ) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The limma package was used to analyse the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, Disease Ontology (DO) and Gene Ontology (GO) annotation analyses were performed. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was set up using Cytoscape software. Significant modules and hub genes were identified by the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) app. Then, further functional validation of hub genes in other microarrays and survival analysis were performed to judge the prognosis. A total of 1065 genes were matched, with an adjusted p < 0.05, and 17 were upregulated and 25 were downregulated with|log₂ (fold change)|≥1.2. After removing the lengthy entries, GO identified 12 items, and 8 pathways were enriched at adjusted p < 0.05 (false discovery rate, FDR set at <0.05). Three modules with a score >8 after MCODE analysis and MYH6 were ultimately identified. When validated in GSE23561 , MYH6 expression was lower in patients with CAD than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). GSE60993 data suggested that MYH6 expression was also lower in AMI patients (p < 0.05). In the GSE59867 data set, MYH6 expression was lower in CAD patients than in AMI patients and lower in heart failure (HF) patients than in non-HF patients. However, there was no difference at different periods within half a year, and HF was increased when MYH6 expression was low (p < 0.05–0.01). We performed an integrated analysis and validation and found that MYH6 expression was closely related to ICM and HF. However, whether this marker can be used as a predictor in blood samples needs further experimental verification.     

Asymmetry of modifications of the electrical activity of the rat cortex induced by intraventricular injections of thyrotropin-releasing hormone

We studied modifications in the mass electrical activity of the cortex (ECoG) induced by injections of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) into the left or right lateral brain ventricle in rats kept under conditions close to free behavior. It was found that these effects are characterized by a significant interhemisphere asymmetry. We postulate that the pharmacological (in particular, antidepressive) effects of TRH are related to its ability to intensify inhibitory processes in the left cerebral hemisphere and activating processes in the right hemisphere.Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 36, Nos. 5/6, pp. 386–390, September–December, 2004.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date and copyright year.     

Patterns of metric variability in the dentition of Papio ursinus

The present investigation assesses a number of explanations for the patterns of variability in dental dimensions. Coefficients of variation were calculated for mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters in a sample of 105 Papio ursinus crania (52 male, 53 female). Variability profiles consisting of arrays of values of coefficients of variation were evaluated by means of Friedman's two-way analysis of variance and Kendall's coefficient of concordance. Although molar teeth were found to be the most dimensionally stable, our results failed to support either the morphogenetic field theory or the occlusal complexity hypothesis. The data presented here are generally supportive of Pengilly's phenotypic complexity theory. However, speciesspecific clustering patterns found in our regressions of dimensional variability on mean tooth size suggest that differences in variability levels might be related to differences in selective pressures.     

New method for rapid assessment of the functional composition of herbaceous plant communities

Abstract We propose a rapid sampling method to assess the functional composition of herbaceous plant communities without prior knowledge of the floristic composition. To determine the community‐level value of traits (‘aggregated trait values’) for a plant community, a standardized population‐centred method exists, but requires substantial manpower and reliable botanical knowledge. We tested an alternative method, the trait transect, using four subalpine pastures in the Beaufortain region (Northern French Alps) selected along a fertility gradient. We applied both methods to measure five commonly used ‘soft traits’ known to be responsive to soil nutrient availability: plant vegetative and reproductive height, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter and nitrogen contents. We tested whether the variation of these traits along the gradient detected with the population‐centred method was also detected with the trait transect. Both methods detected expected trends in the traits in response to the fertility gradient. The trait transect method was as efficient as the population‐centred method and is recommended as an appropriate tool for monitoring ecosystem changes in response to environmental conditions and management, especially in species‐rich communities.     

A mechanism for multiphasic uptake of solutes in plants

A molecular mechanism is proposed for unitary multiphasic uptake in which the carrier has two binding sites for the substrate. The first site binds n-1 molecules of substrate, and then one additional substrate molecule can become bound at the second binding site. Only this last molecule is transported in the operation of the carrier molecule. In the free state, the carrier can be activated to successive states with increasing affinities for the substrate in the two binding sites. The mechanism is resolved for the steady state conditions, obtaining a simple uptake rate equation, which fits the experimental data. Methods for determining the parameters of the equation are presented. Evidence other than kinetics is discussed for the mechanism. The mechanism also provides a physiological interpretation for multiphasic uptake: the active transport mechanisms (energy-requiring mechanisms) are prevented from operating at high substrate concentrations, thus preventing a waste of energy by the cells.