Stages Of Destruction Research Articles

Modeling of HIV-1 Infection: Insights to the Role of Monocytes/Macrophages, Latently Infected T4 Cells, and HAART Regimes

A novel dynamic model covering five types of cells and three connected compartments, peripheral blood (PB), lymph nodes (LNs), and the central nervous system (CNS), is here proposed. It is based on assessment of the biological principles underlying the interactions between the human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) and the human immune system. The simulated results of this model matched the three well-documented phases of HIV-1 infection very closely and successfully described the three stages of LN destruction that occur during HIV-1 infection. The model also showed that LNs are the major location of viral replication, creating a pool of latently infected T4 cells during the latency period. A detailed discussion of the role of monocytes/macrophages is made, and the results indicated that infected monocytes/macrophages could determine the progression of HIV-1 infection. The effects of typical highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) drugs on HIV-1 infection were analyzed and the results showed that efficiency of each drug but not the time of the treatment start contributed to the change of the turnover of the disease greatly. An incremental count of latently infected T4 cells was made under therapeutic simulation, and patients were found to fail to respond to HAART therapy in the presence of certain stimuli, such as opportunistic infections. In general, the dynamics of the model qualitatively matched clinical observations very closely, indicating that the model may have benefits in evaluating the efficacy of different drug therapy regimens and in the discovery of new monitoring markers and therapeutic schemes for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

Orthopädische Rheumatologie

The most common joint destructive chronic inflammatory diseases in orthopedic rheumatology are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathy. They usually have a multilocular, characteristic progressive joint destructive course, which must be taken into account when planning surgical treatment. The establishment of a sequence of surgical procedures with equivalent indications follows special rheumatologic orthopedic principles. The choice of surgical procedure depends on the joint, the surrounding soft tissues and stage of destruction but the increased surgical risk and complications caused by the disease, specific medications and frequent comorbidities also have to be considered. Due to numerous perioperative characteristics close interdisciplinary cooperation especially with internist rheumatologists, anesthetists and physiotherapists is essential for a successful rheumatologic orthopedic therapy.

Thermal analysis of collagen preparations

The structural and phase transition and thermal stability of preparations in the form of hide powder and gelatin, obtained by several ways from untanned-collagen-containing materials of leather industry, have been investigated by differential, thermal and thermogravimetric analysis. In the conditions of temperature programmable change, the character of the thermal process has been ascertained, its thermal characteristics have been determined, and the presence of several stages of thermooxidative destruction has been confirmed. The identity of temperatures of the fixed loss of the specimen mass as well as the high thermostability of gelatin and finegrained Ukrainian hide powder have been revealed; coarse-grained Ukrainian hide powder is more sensitive to the influence of high temperature, whereas the foreign (Dutch) hide powder has the lowest thermostability. The regularities of thermal destruction of the analyzed collagen preparations can be explained by the peculiarities of their structure, including the amino acid composition, particle shape and size conditioned by their origin and method of manufacture. The obtained results will contribute to a more efficient use of primary and secondary collagen-containing raw materials.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ct.59.1.1528

A Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis Improved from Steinbrocker Classification Class IV to Class II after Multi-Joint Surgery

We report the case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who showed a reduction in disease severity (from class IV to class II) after multi-joint surgery. The patient was a 61-year-old man with a history of RA, type-2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and nephrotic syndrome. He had been undergoing treatment for RA for the past 10 years, but his condition could not be appropriately controlled. In addition to generalized edema, marked destruction of the left elbow joint and knees was observed, and he was unable to move in bed (Steinbrocker classification: stage IV, class IV). In March 2009, he developed suppurative arthritis of the left elbow (methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus [MSSA] infection) and was referred to our institution, where the infection subsided after cleaning of the wound and administration of antibiotics. In March 2010, he underwent artificial joint replacement arthroplasty of the left elbow, followed by replacement arthroplasty of the right knee in July that year and of the left knee in November. As of December 2011, the patient showed no signs of inflammatory reactions and was able to walk using crutches (Steinbrocker classification: stage IV, class II). Recent advancements in pharmacotherapy have made it possible to control the advancement of joint destruction in RA. However, in this patient, because of the advanced stage of joint destruction, surgical methods were required to aid the patient in recovering his ability to walk.

Synthesis, structure, and properties of new Cu/polydiphenylamine metallopolymer nanocomposites

It was found that the Cu-induced thermal polycondensation of diphenylamine oligomers resulted in the formation of new Cu/polydiphenylamine nanocomposites composed of copper nanoparticles (2 < d < 6 nm) scattered within the polymeric matrix according to the results of an XRD analysis and transmission electron microscopy. Studies of the thermal stability of metallopolymeric materials in a nitrogen atmosphere revealed the start of the thermooxidative destruction stage at 370°C and the following gradual weight loss (up to 20 wt %) through heat treatment up to 820°C.

Kinetics and simulation in implementation and enhancement of energy efficiency of biogas plants

Disposal of organic waste is a growing civilization problem. For these purposes over the past 10 years we suggest a complex processing of organic waster (CPOW) to fuel gas and other useful products [1, 2]. According to our estimates CPOW disposal allowed solution of environmental problems as well as meeting energy needs by 25–30% of the state as Republic Belarus. CPOW is a multistage process where as one of destruction stages is used biogas stage. In contrast to a simple biogas plants in CPOW an organic waste is treated up to 100% and methane of biogas to maintain a CPOW operational activity is not spent. The operational activity of the complex is provided by obtaining energy in the next, thermal phase of CPOW. Unfortunately, CPOW was implemented only in pilot tests. On the other hand, biogas plants are much easier than CPOW and are becoming more common in the world. If earlier their distribution was natural and characteristic of countries with warm climates (India, China) in the last decade, biogas plants become increasingly common in many countries in Europe, Asia, USA, and South America. Anaerobic biogas processes are easily implemented on the basis of many organic substrates (agricultural waste, waste of treatment facilities, etc.). Biogas plants can eliminate or greatly reduce an amount of burials of organic wastes that are harmful to the environment. Particularly interesting is solution for biogas treatment of livestock and poultry manure with subsequent use of the waste after their biogas processing as fertilizers. In this case, in a whole, there is no the waste after the biogas treatment of raw material and only a task of reaching the highest quality of fertilizer and lowest power consumption should be solved in a methanogenic treatment of organic waste. One biogas plants implemented in Belarus by foreign fi rms is shown in Fig. 1. The plants are of continuous action and equipped with cogeneration units for heat and power supplying which provide the energy needs of the biogas plant. Main apparatuses of the biogas plants, fermenters (digesters), are fairly simple; they are equipped with local agitators, and by the form similar to cylindrical vessels made of reinforced concrete of 1500–2000 m3. Inside the concrete walls there are pipes for heating the digesters and maintaining the thermal regime in them.

Initial stages of local corrosion destruction of pipe steel in solutions imitating underfilm electrolyte

Using the method of scanning reflectometry, it was determined that the pipe steel dissolves non-uniformly with a high rate of the appearance of local corrosion defects (pittings) in neutral solution imitating electrolyte. The parameters of individual pittings were determined, along with the fact that they propagate mainly at a depth that may cause corrosion cracking under cyclic mechanical stresses. Factors of stress intensity that cause local corrosion defects were calculated.

Experimental Studies on Bearing Capacity of Post-Tensioned Unbonded Prestressed Concrete Hollowed Floors

A 1/4 scales four-storey model of post-tensioned unbonded prestressed concrete hollow slab-column structure has been made to do the ultimate load test on the second-storey floor. By measuring the floor deflection, stresses of steel bars and cracks of floors, the bearing capacity of floor is explored. The bearing capacity tests of floor are divided into three stages: elastic stage, crack growth stage and destruction stage. Based on the test results and crack developments in floor, a improved plastic hinge model is carried out to predict the ultimate loads. The calculated results of the ultimate loads with improved plastic hinge model are in good agreement with the experiment data.

Late Pleistocene Crocuta crocuta spelaea (Goldfuss 1823) populations from the Emscher River terrace open air hyena den near Bottrop and other sites in NW Germany: Their bone accumulations along rivers in lowland mammoth steppe environments and scavenging activities on woolly rhinoceros

Crocuta crocuta spelaea (Goldfuss, 1823) remains (NISP = 50) are present in the early to middle Upper Pleistocene Emscher River terrace open air den site along the Rhine–Herne Canal near Bottrop (Westphalia, NW Germany). The population includes bones from cubs and bones with pathological features from old animals but is predominantly made up of adult hyenas (NISP = 3820) found within the glacial mammoth steppe fauna of the Münsterland Bay Lowlands. A larger quantity of woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) bones (NISP = 1601) are present than in other bone-rich open air hyena den sites, of which about 67% are damaged. This damage can be shown to have resulted mainly from hyena activities, and shows repetitions of the same three stages of destruction on the massive woolly rhinoceros bones. Those bone shafts that the hyenas were unable to break were left with irregular jagged margins. The taphonomy of bones from the Bottrop open air site indicates that the rhinoceros body parts had only been transported over short distances, in contrast to those from the Perick Caves hyena den where longer transport distances resulted in a higher proportion of limbs compared to other body parts. The large woolly rhinoceros was an important second megafauna prey for hyenas in the lowland areas (after the woolly mammoth), in contrast to the nearby Sauerland Karst mountain areas that are rich in hyena dens and their associated bone assemblages, although the higher proportions of rhinoceros bones present is also to some extent a result of the incomplete destruction of their massive bones. The proportions of woolly mammoth and woolly rhinoceros remains in the hyena prey bone assemblages gradually decrease from the lowlands towards the nearby Sauerland Karst mountain regions. In these mountainous boreal forest regions cave bears were instead the main food source for hyenas, as result of the scarcity or absence of mammoth steppe fauna. The large bone accumulations along the Emscher River terraces near Bottrop can mostly be attributed to the activities of hyenas, which were responsible for the repeated incomplete state of bone preservation. The bone accumulations are predominantly of leg bones and include a relatively high proportion of hyena bones which, together with the faunal composition and the size of the accumulations, indicate a mixed long-term use of the terraces along the Emscher River as an extensive communal hyena den and prey storage site, and also probably somewhere in the area, as a birth den. Some of the bone material may also have been accumulated by natural processes, or even by Neanderthals.

Low Cycle Fatigue Behaviour of GX12CrMoVNbN9 -1 Cast Steel at Room Temperature

The report treats of the low cycle fatigue (LCF) behaviour of GX12CrMoVNbN9-1 (GP91) cast steel after heat treatment (1040°C/12h/oil + 760°C/12h/air + 750°C/8h/furnace). Fatigue tests were carried out at room temperature for five levels of the controlled total strain amplitude εac = 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.50 and 0.60 %. The research performed within the scope of LCF has shown in general that the investigated cast steel was subject to strong cyclic weakening, revealing no stabilization period at the same time. At the final stage of fatigue there was quick weakening of the material which proceeded till its destruction. The growth of amplitude εac resulted in reducing the number of cycles till the destruction stage.

Structural anatomy and dynamics of evolution of the Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basin: Implications for the destruction of North China craton

The Qikou Sag is a complex Cenozoic faulted basin at the center of the Bohai Bay Basin. The Paleogene sediments in the basin show a maximum thickness of 11,000m in Paleogene representing intense crustal extension. The sag has a typical dish-like structure in the upper part, with the central domain represented by a deep half graben, and surrounded by different types of gentle slopes and sub-sags linked with the basin-margin uplifts. The inner structure of the sag is jointly controlled by the basin-margin extensional faults, intrabasinal extensional tectonics and transfer tectonics. The sag is divided into four different extensional tectonic domains by the basement fault along the coastline, the Haihe–Xingang Fault and the Qidong Fault. These sub-sags are in turn controlled by different detachment systems. The listric Cangdong and Hangu faults mark the major boundary faults controlling the extensional structure of the basin.The structure and tectonics of the Qikou Sag provide a direct record of the late stages of rifting and destruction of the North China Craton. The Mesozoic basement structures of the sag determine the tectonic styles in different sub-sags. The complete inversion of the structures in Mesozoic profoundly influenced the development and evolution of the basin during Paleogene. We identify three main stages in the tectonic evolution of the Qikou: the Oligocene faulting stage, the Miocene–Pliocene thermal subsidence stage and the Pleistocene–Quaternary depression stage. In the Oligocene, fault activities and the basin architecture were mainly controlled by the listric boundary fault system of the basin and the secondary fault system in the hanging wall under the detachment and extension in the upper crust. Since Miocene, the boundary fault of the basin underwent weak extension. The upwelling of the upper mantle and the formation of corresponding shallow depressions contributed to the evolution and tectonic architecture of the Qikou Sag.

Preactive Multiple Sclerosis Lesions Offer Novel Clues for Neuroprotective Therapeutic Strategies

For the development of novel central nervous system (CNS) drugs to promote neuroprotection, it is helpful to gain a betterunderstanding of natural neuroprotective phenomena. Microglia play key roles in endogenous neuroprotective pathways and their activation is a common theme in several neurodegenerative disorders. Yet, while it is widely appreciated that activated microglia can have neuroprotective qualities, their contribution to tissue destruction and neurodegeneration within the CNS is equally obvious. This apparent duality in microglial functions renders it difficult to determine whether microglial activation under certain conditions is something to counteract, or to support. Also, it is far from clear which microglial functions support neuroprotection, and which support destruction. Here, we review evidence that a special phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients offers a unique possibility to study polarized protective functions of microglia. During MS, small clusters of activated microglia frequently emerge throughout normalappearing white matter. Several lines of evidence suggest that these clusters, which are referred to as preactive MS lesions, represent a reversible first stage in the development of inflammatory, demyelinating MS lesions. Progression onto this final destructive stage may occur but, importantly, does not seem to be inevitable. Instead, resolution of preactive lesions is probably the rule rather than the exception. For as long as preactive lesions remain non-infiltrated by peripheral lymphocytes, they reflect a local neuroprotective and reparative response. A critical factor in the emergence of preactive lesions is oligodendrocyte stress, which leads to accumulation of factors such as small heat shock proteins. At least some of these can induce an immune-regulatory response in neighboring microglia. A closer understanding of the molecular make-up of preactive MS lesions, of the signals which cause microglial activation, and of the protective mediators produced by microglia in this context, will help uncover novel clues for neuroprotective therapeutic strategies with relevance for clinical applications well beyond the field of MS alone.

TUBERCULAR OSTEOMYELITIS OF METACARPALS AND PHALANGES IN CHILDREN

The purpose of the series is to describe the management of tubercular osteomyelitis of metacarpals and phalanges in 11 children (range, 3-12 years) and to retrospectively analyse the relationship between radiological staging and clinical outcome following treatment. The available literature on the clinical and radiological manifestations of tubercular osteomyelitis of the hand (excluding wrist) was also reviewed. Follow-up averaged 17.7 months following completion of treatment. The different radiological descriptions of the condition could be grouped into three stages: Stage 1 (stage of soft tissue swelling and no bony changes), Stage 2 (stage of bony expansion) and Stage 3 (stage of destruction). The previously described different radiological entities of tubercular osteomyelitis of metacarpals and phalanges appear to be a sequential manifestation of the disease spectrum. Healing with non-operative treatment is excellent provided the diagnosis is made when tuberculosis presents with soft tissue swelling alone and before bony destruction occurs.

High-mobility group box 1 promotes early acute allograft rejection by enhancing IL-6-dependent Th17 alloreactive response

Previously, we reported that extracellular high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) functions as an innate alarmin implicated in cardiac allograft acute rejection. We now present evidence suggesting that HMGB1 is pivotal in inducing interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing alloreactive T cells by stimulating dendritic cells secretion of IL-6. Those IL-17+ T cells are likely to be the major effector cells responsible for the early stage of cardiac allograft rejection through mediating an influx of neutrophils into allografts, and therefore, blockade of IL-17A significantly prolonged murine cardiac allograft survival. In contrast to the classical model for a dominant role of IFN-γ+-Th1 cells have in acute allograft rejection, our data suggest that IFN-γ+-Th1 cells are responsible for the late stage of graft destruction by inducing monocyte infiltration when IL-17+ T-cell response recedes. Blockade of HMGB1 significantly decreased splenic alloreactive Th17 cells and IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells in the recipients, leading to less infiltration of neutrophils along with lower IL-6 and IL-17 expression levels in the grafts as well as prolongation of cardiac allograft survival. Together, these data support a novel model in which HMGB1 induces IL-17-producing alloreactive T cells to mediate early stage of allograft rejection, whereas IFN-γ-producing alloreactive Th1 cells provoke graft destruction after Th17 response recedes.

The use of ultrasonic signals and optical method to estimate the damage of materials after fatigue loading

The influence of fatigue load of steels on parameters of ultrasonic and microplastic characteristics has been studied. A phenomenological theory, which connects process of damage accumulation (before appearance of crack) under fatigue loading with acoustic parameters and microplastic parameters, has been developed. Experimental studies showed that the combination of nondestructive methods of control (acoustical and optical) allows one to estimate the state of materials at an early stage of destruction in both low-cycle and high-cycle areas.

NEMATODE LARVAE (ORDER SPIRURIDA) IN GASTRIC TISSUES OF AUSTRALIAN ANURANS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE INTRODUCED CANE TOAD AND SYMPATRIC NATIVE FROGS

The outcomes of host-parasite interactions depend heavily on the host's immune response, which, in turn, is governed by previous interactions between the host and parasite, both over the host's life time and over evolutionary time. In the case of species introductions, such as the cane toad (Bufo marinus) to Australia, parasites that are benign to native species of the introduced range may present a major challenge to the introduced species. Stomachs of introduced cane toads and seven species of sympatric native frogs were examined for parasites, and their pathology and biology were compared. Cane toads were host to eight species of third-stage spirurid larvae, six of which also occurred in the stomach wall of four native frog species. In general, encysted nematode larvae attained higher prevalence and species richness in introduced cane toads than in sympatric native frogs. This trend was largely explained by differences in body sizes: larger anurans were more likely to possess infections, and cane toads are inherently larger than native frogs. Encysted larvae in cane toad stomachs provoked a marked pathologic response. All larvae (physalopterine and Physocephalus spp.) were surrounded by concentric layers of dense, fibrous tissue, with considerable cellular infiltration characterized by lymphocytes and polymorphs. Many cysts were invaded by cells and exudate, which, in more advanced cases, became calcified. Some larvae appeared viable; most were in various stages of destruction, and some smaller Physocephalus spp. were mummified. Conversely, pathologic response observed in native frogs was minimal, with little fibrotic reaction surrounding the cysts, and no cellular infiltration. Presumably, the contrast in pathology between introduced and native hosts reflects the long evolutionary association between these nematode larvae and native frogs, whereas the recent exposure of introduced toads to these helminths provokes a severe reaction.

Inhibition of allogeneic inflammatory responses by the Ribonucleotide Reductase Inhibitors, Didox and Trimidox

BackgroundGraft-versus-host disease is the single most important obstacle facing successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Even with current immunosuppressive therapies, morbidity and mortality rates are high. Current therapies including cyclosporine A (CyA) and related compounds target IL-2 signaling. However, although these compounds offer great benefit, they are also associated with multiple toxicities. Therefore, new compounds with a greater efficacy and reduced toxicity are needed to enable us to overcome this hurdle.MethodsThe allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) is a unique ex vivo method to study a drug's action on the initial events resulting in T-cell activation and proliferation, synonymous to the initial stages of tissue and organ destruction by T-cell responses in organ rejection and Graft-versus-host disease. Using this approach, we examined the effectiveness of two ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors (RRI), Didox and Trimidox, to inhibit T-cell activation and proliferation.ResultsThe compounds caused a marked reduction in the proliferative responses of T-cells, which is also accompanied by decreased secretion of cytokines IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-13, IL-10 and IL-4.ConclusionsIn conclusion, these data provide critical information to justify further investigation into the potential use of these compounds post allogeneic bone marrow transplantation to alleviate graft-versus-host disease thereby achieving better outcomes.

The effects of damming on the materials flux in the Colorado River delta

During the last century, the Colorado River delta (CRD) has been dramatically altered by the diversion of river water for use in human activities. This alteration has eliminated the delivery of fresh water to the Gulf of California radically transforming the former estuary into an inverse-estuary. Under the new conditions, the new materials budget was estimated at the mouth of the Colorado River in terms of salts, total suspended sediments, organic suspended matter and nutrients. The results of this study show that, because of the asymmetry of the tidal wave, the variability of seston concentration follows a sedimentation pattern of three successive stages: re-suspension (erosion at ebb flow) > dilution (during flood flow) > sedimentation (at the end of the flood stage). The tidal asymmetry during neap tides was characterized by longer ebb (at least, 30 min longer) than flood and more intense ebb currents (as much as 43% higher), hence characterizing an ebb-dominated system. The CRD is characterized by high nutrients concentrations. Maximal levels are: nitrates (41 μM), phosphates (2.6 μM) and silicates (68 μM), nitrite (15 μM). The mass balance indicates that the system acts as a net exporter of suspended sediment with rates as high as 7 tons per tidal cycle. This behavior indicates that the CRD is in a destructive stage as a result of the lack of freshwater inflow and supply of sediment into the system.

Foot ulcer caused by multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a diabetic patient

Osteoarticular tuberculosis is the fourth leading type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The disease has a progressive course and the diagnosis is often made in the later stages of bone destruction. We describe a case of a foot ulcer caused by drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a patient with known diabetes where the diagnosis was not suspected initially. Although tuberculous foot ulcers are rare, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of unknown foot ulcers. A greater awareness of this rare clinical entity may help in commencing specific evidence-based therapy quickly and preventing undue morbidity and mortality.

On the mineral in collagen of human crown dentine

Dentine, the main material of mammalian teeth, contains mineral platelets that are embedded in a collagen fiber mesh. These particles entail stiffness and longevity, which is important for human teeth because these organs do not remodel. By means of small angle X-ray scattering, we mapped 2D and 3D variations in mineral particle characteristics in molar crowns. Our results show that the mean mineral-platelet thickness of 3.2 nm decreases to 2.6 nm within the shallow 300 μm beneath the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ), and that these platelets become still thinner albeit moderately in deep dentine surrounding the pulp. The mineral volume fraction in crown dentine is mostly 50% except for a 250 μm layer beneath the DEJ. Most of the mineral particles are randomly orientated, with about 20% having a preferred orientation that is parallel to the plane of the DEJ. Beneath the cusps and close to the margins of enamel, higher co-alignment is found: 40% of the particles reveal orientations that match expected load trajectories that are imposed on teeth during mastication in the general cusp-root direction. This suggests that variations in mineral platelet arrangements help to locally tune dentine anisotropy and stiffness. The serendipitous finding of incipient caries suggests that at least in early stages of pathological destruction, mineral particle thickness and orientation resemble those of the intact tissue.