The role of periosteum : a neglected aspect of osteoporosis

Most current studies on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis emphasize the bone metabolic activities occurring on endosteal surfaces, whereas the periosteal aspect is somewhat neglected. In terms of bone physiology, periosteum plays a determining role in de novo cortical bone formation and cortical bone expansion through periosteum is the most efficient way of increasing bone strength against fractures. Despite the important role of periosteum in the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis, little is known about the structural and cellular features of periosteum in osteoporosis. This chapter will focus on the major changes occurring in the periosteum of osteoporosis and possible implications of these changes in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The changes identified in the periosteum of osteoporosis are mainly located in the metaphyseal compartment, which include: (a) much thicker and more cellular cambial layer; (b) increased number of TRAP (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) cells and the degree of vascularization; and (c) enhanced expression of sympathetic nerve fibers. The structural and cellular changes of osteoporotic periosteum indicate that periosteum plays an important role in the cortical bone resorption in metaphyseal areas and this pathological process may be regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

Expression and prognostic significance of a panel of tissue hypoxia markers in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinomas

Purpose: To investigate the expression pattern of hypoxia-induced proteins identified as being involved in malignant progression of head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to determine their relationship to tumor pO 2 and prognosis. Methods and Materials: We performed immunohistochemical staining of hypoxia-induced proteins (carbonic anhydrase IX [CA IX], BNIP3L, connective tissue growth factor, osteopontin, ephrin A1, hypoxia inducible gene-2, dihydrofolate reductase, galectin-1, IκB kinase β, and lysyl oxidase) on tumor tissue arrays of 101 HNSCC patients with pretreatment pO 2 measurements. Analysis of variance and Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate the relationship between marker expression, tumor pO 2, and CA IX staining. Cox proportional hazard model and log-rank tests were used to determine the relationship between markers and prognosis. Results: Osteopontin expression correlated with tumor pO 2 (Eppendorf measurements) (p = 0.04). However, there was a strong correlation between lysyl oxidase, ephrin A1, and galectin-1 and CA IX staining. These markers also predicted for cancer-specific survival and overall survival on univariate analysis. A hypoxia score of 0-5 was assigned to each patient, on the basis of the presence of strong staining for these markers, whereby a higher score signifies increased marker expression. On multivariate analysis, increasing hypoxia score was an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (p = 0.015) and was borderline significant for overall survival (p = 0.057) when adjusted for other independent predictors of outcomes (hemoglobin and age). Conclusions: We identified a panel of hypoxia-related tissue markers that correlates with treatment outcomes in HNSCC. Validation of these markers will be needed to determine their utility in identifying patients for hypoxia-targeted therapy. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Galectin-1 : a link between tumor hypoxia and tumor immune privilege

Purpose: To identify a 15-KDa novel hypoxia-induced secreted protein in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and to determine its role in malignant progression. Methods: We used surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) and tandem MS to identify a novel hypoxia-induced secreted protein in FaDu cells. We used immunoblots, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay to confirm the hypoxic induction of this secreted protein as galectin-1 in cell lines and xenografts. We stained tumor tissues from 101 HNSCC patients for galectin-1, CA IX (carbonic anhydrase IX, a hypoxia marker) and CDS (a T-cell marker). Expression of these markers was correlated to each other and to treatment outcomes. Results: SELDI-TOF studies yielded a hypoxia-induced peak at 15 kDa that proved to be galectin-1 by MS analysis. Immunoblots and PCR studies confirmed increased galectin-1 expression by hypoxia in several cancer cell lines. Plasma levels of galectin-1 were higher in tumor-bearing severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice breathing 10% O 2 compared with mice breathing room air. In HNSCC patients, there was a significant correlation between galectin-1 and CA IX staining (P = .01) and a strong inverse correlation between galectin-1 and CDS staining (P = .01). Expression of galectin-1 and CDS were significant predictors for overall survival on multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Galectin-1 is a novel hypoxia-regulated protein and a prognostic marker in HNSCC. This study presents a new mechanism on how hypoxia can affect the malignant progression and therapeutic response of solid tumors by regulating the secretion of proteins that modulate immune privilege. © 2005 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth

Objectives To review the effects of physical activity on health and behavior outcomes and develop evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in youth. Study design A systematic literature review identified 850 articles; additional papers were identified by the expert panelists. Articles in the identified outcome areas were reviewed, evaluated and summarized by an expert panelist. The strength of the evidence, conclusions, key issues, and gaps in the evidence were abstracted in a standardized format and presented and discussed by panelists and organizational representatives. Results Most intervention studies used supervised programs of moderate to vigorous physical activity of 30 to 45 minutes duration 3 to 5 days per week. The panel believed that a greater amount of physical activity would be necessary to achieve similar beneficial effects on health and behavioral outcomes in ordinary daily circumstances (typically intermittent and unsupervised activity). Conclusion School-age youth should participate daily in 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity that is developmentally appropriate, enjoyable, and involves a variety of activities.

Synthesis and characterization of K2Ca5(SO4)6· H2O, the equivalent of görgeyite, a rare evaporite mineral

Görgeyite, K2Ca5(SO4)6··H2O, is a very rare monoclinic double salt found in evaporites related to the slightly more common mineral syngenite. At 1 atmosphere with increasing external temperature from 25 to 150 °C, the following succession of minerals was formed: first gypsum and K2O, followed at 100 °C by görgeyite. Changes in concentration at 150 °C due to evaporation resulted in the formation of syngenite and finally arcanite. Under hydrothermal conditions, the succession is syngenite at 50 °C, followed by görgyeite at 100 and 150 °C. Increasing the synthesis time at 100 °C and 1 atmosphere showed that initially gypsum was formed, later being replaced by görgeyite. Finally görgeyite was replaced by syngenite, indicating that görgeyite is a metastable phase under these conditions. Under hydrothermal conditions, syngenite plus a small amount of gypsum was formed, after two days being replaced by görgeyite. No further changes were observed with increasing time. Pure görgeyite showed elongated crystals approximately 500 to 1000 µ m in length. The infrared and Raman spectra are mainly showing the vibrational modes of the sulfate groups and the crystal water (structural water). Water is characterized by OH-stretching modes at 3526 and 3577 cm–1 , OH-bending modes at 1615 and 1647 cm–1 , and an OH-libration mode at 876 cm–1 . The sulfate 1 mode is weak in the infrared but showed strong bands at 1005 and 1013 cm–1 in the Raman spectrum. The 2 mode also showed strong bands in the Raman spectrum at 433, 440, 457, and 480 cm–1 . The 3 mode is characterized by a complex set of bands in both infrared and Raman spectra around 1150 cm–1 , whereas 4 is found at 650 cm–1.

Polymer nanocomposites based on P3OT, TPU and SWNT: preparation and characterization

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were incorporated in polymer nanocomposites based on poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a blend of them. Thermogravimetry demonstrated the success of the purification procedure employed in the chemical treatment of SWNTs prior to composite preparation. Stable dispersions of SWNTs in chloroform were obtained by non-covalent interactions with the dissolved polymers. Composites exhibited glass transitions, melting temperatures and heat of fusion which changed in relation to pure polymers. This behavior is discussed as associated to interactions between nanotubes and polymers. The conductivity at room temperature of the blend (TPU-P3OT) with SWNT is higher than the P3OT/SWNT composite.

Framework for measuring success of construction projects

The construction industry is dynamic in nature. The concept of project success has remained ambiguously defined in the construction industry. Project success means different things to different people. While some authors consider time, cost and quality as the predominant targets, others suggest that success is something more complex. The aim of this report is to develop a framework for measuring success of construction projects. A range of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), measured both objectively and subjectively is developed. The identification of KPIs helps set a benchmark for measuring the performance of a construction project and provides significant insights into developing a general and comprehensive base for further research.

Identifying programs to reduce road trauma to A.C.T. motorcyclists

A broad range of motorcycle safety programs and systems exist in Australia and New Zealand. These vary from statewide licensing and training systems run by government licensing and transport agencies to safety programs run in small communities and by individual rider groups. While the effectiveness of licensing and training has been reviewed and recommendations for improvement have been developed (e.g. Haworth & Mulvihill, 2005), little is known about many smaller or innovative programs, and their potential to improve motorcycle safety in the ACT.

Construction safety in the repair and maintenance sector

Statistics indicate that the percentage of fatal industrial accidents arising from repair, maintenance, minor alteration and addition (RMAA) works in Hong Kong was disturbingly high and was over 56% in 2006. This paper provides an initial report of a research project funded by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of the HKSAR to address this safety issue. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the causal relationship between safety climate and safety performance in the RMAA sector. It aims to evaluate the safety climate in the RMAA sector; examine its impacts on safety performance, and recommend measures to improve safety performance in the RMAA sector. This paper firstly reports on the statistics of construction accidents arising from RMAA works. Qualitative and quantitative research methods applied in conducting the research are dis-cussed. The study will critically review these related problems and provide recommendations for improving safety performance in the RMAA sector.

Synthesis and characterisation of cobalt hydroxide, cobalt oxyhydroxide and cobalt oxide nanodiscs

Cobalt hydroxide, cobalt oxyhydroxide and cobalt oxide nanomaterials were synthesized through simple soft chemistry. The cobalt hydroxide displays hexagonal morphology with clear edges 20 nm long. This morphology and nanosize is retained through to cobalt oxide Co3O4 through a topotactical relationship. Cobalt oxyhydroxide and cobalt oxide nanomaterials were synthesized through oxidation and low temperature calcination from the as-prepared cobalt hydroxide. Characterisation of these cobalt-based nanomaterials were fully developed, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy combined with selected area electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. Bonding of the divalent cobalt hydroxide from the oxyhydroxide and oxides by studying their high resolution XPS spectra for Co 2p3/2 and O 1s. Raman spectroscopy of the as-prepared Co(OH)2, CoO(OH) and Co3O4 nanomaterials characterised each material. The thermal stability of the materials Co(OH)2 and CoO(OH) were established. This research has developed methodology for the synthesis of cobalt oxide and cobalt oxyhydroxide nanodiscs at low temperatures.