Apparatus for loss measurements under multidirectional and dc-bias flux in electrical steel laminations.

Conventional standardized power loss measurements for electric steels are performed at flux densities with a single sinusoidal and unidirectional excitation. However, the flux inside electrical steel laminations can deviate significantly from the standard condition, and the loss is sensitive to such deviations of the flux in time and space. In this article, we describe the design and construction of an apparatus for loss measurements under two scenarios: (1) The main flux in the rolling direction is superimposed with flux in either the transverse or normal direction, while varying magnitude and phase angle between two fluxes and (2) the main flux having a dc-bias. The main flux in the rolling direction is generated in a square lamination frame by the current in excitation coils. The transverse and normal direction fluxes are generated by the current in auxiliary excitation coils wound around powder cores. The dc-bias flux is created either by an ac current with a small dc offset in the excitation coils or by a separate coil excited by a dc current. We implement and compare the two dc-bias methods and discuss the commons and differences. Finally, we present experimental results showing the possibilities for loss measurements under the combined action of magnetic flux in different directions and under dc-bias.

Technical evaluation of a tank-connected food waste disposer system for biogas production and nutrient recovery.

In this study, a tank-connected food waste disposer system with the objective to optimise biogas production and nutrient recovery from food waste in Malmö was evaluated. The project investigated the source-separation ratio of food waste through waste composition analyses, determined the potential biogas production in ground food waste, analysed the organic matter content and the limiting components in ground food waste and analysed outlet samples to calculate food waste losses from the separation tank. It can be concluded that the tank-connected food waste disposer system in Malmö can be used for energy recovery and optimisation of biogas production. The organic content of the collected waste is very high and contains a lot of energy rich fat and protein, and the methane potential is high. The results showed that approximately 38% of the food waste dry matter is collected in the tank. The remaining food waste is either found in residual waste (34% of the dry matter) or passes the tank and goes through the outlet to the sewer (28%). The relatively high dry matter content in the collected fraction (3-5% DM) indicates that the separation tank can thicken the waste substantially. The potential for nutrient recovery is rather limited considering the tank content. Only small fractions of the phosphorus (15%) and nitrogen (21%) are recyclable by the collected waste in the tank. The quality of the outlet indicates a satisfactory separation of particulate organic matter and fat. The organic content and nutrients, which are in dissolved form, cannot be retained in the tank and are rather led to the sewage via the outlet.

Reoperation for persistent pain after groin hernia surgery: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the outcome results after reoperation for persistent pain after hernia surgery in a population-based setting. METHODS: All patients who had undergone surgery for persistent pain after previous groin hernia surgery 1999-2006 were identified in the Swedish Hernia Register (n = 237). Data on the surgical technique used were abstracted from the medical records. The patients were asked to answer a set of questions including SF-36 to evaluate the prevalence of pain after reoperation. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 95 males and 16 females, mean age 53 years. In 27 % of cases an intervention aimed at suspected ilioinguinal neuralgia was performed. The mesh was removed completely in 28% and partially in 13%. A suture at the pubic tubercle was removed in 13% of cases. Decrease in pain after the most recent reoperation was reported by 69 patients (62%), no change in pain by 21 patients (19%) and increase in pain in 21 patients (19%). There was no significant difference in outcome between mesh removal, removal of sutures at the tubercle or interventions aimed at the ilioinguinal nerve. All subscales of SF-36 were significantly reduced when compared to the age- and gender-matched general population (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients reoperated for persistent pain after hernia surgery often report a reduction in pain, but the natural course of persistent pain, the relatively low response rate and selection of patients make it difficult to draw definite conclusions.

Betamethasone in hernia surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative pain and nausea may be a problem in day-case surgery. This study aims to investigate the effect of betamethasone on pain and nausea in inguinal hernia surgery. METHODS: Patients aged 18-70 years scheduled for open inguinal hernia surgery at two Swedish hospitals, March 2005-December 2009, were eligible for inclusion. Patients were randomized, to either treatment with 12 mg betamethasone intravenously or placebo. Post-operative pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale on the recovery ward, each day the first post-operative week and at 1 month after surgery. One year after surgery, residual pain was estimated by the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 398 patients were included (21 women, 377 men). Pain at rest on the day of surgery was significantly lower in the treatment group (p = 0.012). The pain was also significantly lower in the treatment group the day after surgery (p < 0.001), but not during the remaining part of the first post-operative week. Bleeding complications were reported by 17 patients (8.5%) in the Betamethasone group and seven (3.5%) in the placebo group (p = 0.028). One month after surgery, 21 out of 173 (12%) in the betamethasone group still had pain, compared to 33 out of 159 (21%) in the placebo arm (p = 0.049). After 1 year, no significant difference in pain was seen. CONCLUSION: A 12 mg betamethasone reduced pain during the first 24 h and at 1 month after inguinal hernia surgery. If combined with diclofenac, however, this dose may increase the risk for bleeding complications.

The time profile of groin hernia recurrences.

PURPOSE: If the pathogeneses of the development of a recurrence varies following the different methods of hernia repair, the time required to develop a recurrence could be expected to vary. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors affecting the time interval between the primary repair and the reoperation. METHODS: Data from the Swedish Hernia Register were used. Each year of the 5-year follow-up period was treated as a separate subgroup and merged together into one large group. For each risk factor, we performed a Cox proportional hazard analysis, testing for interactions between the year and the risk factor, with reoperation as the endpoint. RESULTS: Altogether, 142,578 repairs were recorded, of which 7.7% were performed on women. The mean age of the cohort was 59 years. The overall recurrence rate in the 5-year period was 4.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that recurrence following surgery for recurrent hernia occurred relatively early (P < 0.05).Recurrence also appeared early if postoperative complications were registered (P < 0.05). Recurrence after suture repair or laparoscopic repair appeared relatively early compared to recurrence following open mesh repair (P < 0.05). In a separate analysis, a relatively higher risk for early recurrence was seen for all sutured repairs compared to all mesh repairs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pathogenesis behind the development of recurrence probably differs depending on the technique applied during the hernia repair. The higher proportion of early recurrences following laparoscopic repair, suture repair and recurrent repair may be explained by the high proportion of technical failures.

Induction of nuclear factor-kappaB and its downstream genes by TNF-alpha and IL-1beta has a pro-apoptotic role in pancreatic beta cells.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: IL-1beta and TNF-alpha contribute to pancreatic beta cell death in type 1 diabetes. Both cytokines activate the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), but recent observations suggest that NF-kappaB blockade prevents IL-1beta + IFN-gamma- but not TNF-alpha + IFN-gamma-induced beta cell apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha on cell death and the pattern of NF-kappaB activation and global gene expression in beta cells. METHODS: Cell viability was measured after exposure to IL-1beta or to TNF-alpha alone or in combination with IFN-gamma, and blockade of NF-kappaB activation or protein synthesis. INS-1E cells exposed to IL-1beta or TNF-alpha in time course experiments were used for IkappaB kinase (IKK) activation assay, detection of p65 NF-kappaB by immunocytochemistry, real-time RT-PCR and microarray analysis. RESULTS: Blocking NF-kappaB activation protected beta cells against IL-1beta + IFNgamma- or TNFalpha + IFNgamma-induced apoptosis. Blocking de novo protein synthesis did not increase TNF-alpha- or IL-1beta-induced beta cell death, in line with the observations that cytokines induced the expression of the anti-apoptotic genes A20, Iap-2 and Xiap to a similar extent. Microarray analysis of INS-1E cells treated with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha showed similar patterns of gene expression. IL-1beta, however, induced a higher rate of expression of NF-kappaB target genes putatively involved in beta cell dysfunction and death and a stronger activation of the IKK complex, leading to an earlier translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: NF-kappaB activation in beta cells has a pro-apoptotic role following exposure not only to IL-1beta but also to TNF-alpha. The more marked beta cell death induced by IL-1beta is explained at least in part by higher intensity NF-kappaB activation, leading to increased transcription of key target genes.

Global profiling of genes modified by endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic beta cells reveals the early degradation of insulin mRNAs.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Pancreatic beta cells respond to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by activating the unfolded protein response. If the stress is prolonged, or the adaptive response fails, apoptosis is triggered. We used a 'homemade' microarray specifically designed for the study of beta cell apoptosis (the APOCHIP) to uncover mechanisms regulating beta cell responses to ER stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A time course viability and microarray analysis was performed in insulin-producing INS-1E cells exposed to the reversible ER stress inducer cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Modification of selected genes was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR, and the observed inhibition of expression of the insulin-1 (Ins1) and insulin-2 (Ins2) genes was further characterised in primary beta cells exposed to a diverse range of agents that induce ER stress. RESULTS: CPA-induced ER stress modified the expression of 183 genes at one or more of the time points studied. The expression of most of these genes returned to control levels after a 3 h recovery period following CPA removal, with all cells surviving. Two groups of genes were particularly affected by CPA, namely, those related to cellular responses to ER stress, which were mostly upregulated, and those related to differentiated beta cell functions, which were downregulated. Levels of Ins1 and Ins2 mRNAs were severely decreased in response to CPA treatment as a result of degradation, and there was a concomitant increase in the level of IRE1 activation. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: In this study we provide the first global analysis of beta cell molecular responses to a severe ER stress, and identify the early degradation of mRNA transcripts of the insulin genes as an important component of this response.

Gene expression profiling: monitoring transcription and translation products using DNA microarrays and proteomics.

Novel and powerful technologies such as DNA microarrays and proteomics have made possible the analysis of the expression levels of multiple genes simultaneously both in health and disease. In combination, these technologies promise to revolutionize biology, in particular in the area of molecular medicine as they are expected to reveal gene regulation events involved in disease progression as well as to pinpoint potential targets for drug discovery and diagnostics. Here, we review the current status of these technologies and highlight some studies in which they have been applied in concert to the analysis of biopsy specimens.

A comprehensive protein resource for the study of bladder cancer: http://biobase.dk/cgi-bin/celis.

In our laboratories we are exploring the possibility of using proteome expression profiles of fresh bladder tumors (transitional cell carcinomas, TCCs; squamous cell carcinomas, SCCs) and random biopsies as fingerprints to subclassify histopathological types and as a starting point to search for protein markers that may form the basis for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Ultimately, the goal of these studies is to identify signaling pathways and components that are affected at various stages of bladder cancer progression and that may provide novel leads in drug discovery. Here we present our ongoing efforts to establish comprehensive two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) databases of TCCs and SCCs which are being constructed based on the proteomic and immunohistochemical analysis of hundreds of fresh tumors, random biopsies and cystectomies received shortly after operation (http://biobase.dk/cgi-bin/celis).

Adjunctive use of a subgingival controlled-release chlorhexidine chip reduces probing depth and improves attachment level compared with scaling and root planing alone.

The present studies evaluated the efficacy of a controlled-release biodegradable chlorhexidine (CHX) (2.5 mg) chip when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing on reducing probing depth (PD) and improving clinical attachment level (CAL) in adult periodontitis. Two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multi-center clinical trials (5 centers each) were conducted; pooled data are reported from all 10 centers (447 patients). At baseline, following 1 hour of scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients free of supragingival calculus, the chip was placed in target sites with PD 5 to 8 mm which bled on probing. Chip placement was repeated at 3 and/or 6 months if PD remained > or = 5 mm. Study sites in active chip subjects received either CHX chip plus SRP or SRP alone (to maintain study blind). Sites in placebo chip subjects received either placebo chip plus SRP or SRP alone. Examinations were performed at baseline; 7 days; 6 weeks; and 3, 6, and 9 months. At 9 months significant reductions from baseline favoring the chlorhexidine chip compared with both control treatments were observed with respect to PD (chlorhexidine chip plus SRP, 0.95 +/- 0.05 mm; SRP alone, 0.65 +/- 0.05 mm, P < 0.001; placebo chip plus SRP, 0.69 +/- 0.05 mm, P < 0.001) and CAL (chlorhexidine chip plus SRP, 0.75 +/- 0.06 mm; SRP alone, 0.58 +/- 0.06 mm, P < 0.05; placebo chip plus SRP, 0.55 +/- 0.06 mm, P < 0.05). The proportion of patients who evidenced a PD reduction from baseline of 2 mm or more at 9 months was significantly greater in the chlorhexidine chip group (19%) compared with SRP controls (8%) (P < 0.05). Adverse effects were minor and transient toothache, including pain, tenderness, aching, throbbing, soreness, discomfort, or sensitivity was the only adverse effect that was higher in the chlorhexidine group as compared to placebo (P = 0.042). These data demonstrate that the adjunctive use of the chlorhexidine chip results in a significant reduction of PD when compared with both SRP alone or the adjunctive use of a placebo chip. These multi-center randomized control trials suggest that the chlorhexidine chip is a safe and effective adjunctive chemotherapy for the treatment of adult periodontitis.

Peripheral blood leukocyte populations in the elderly with and without periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease in the elderly has not been characterized. Initial reports suggest that the disease is common and severe. Deficiencies in the immune response have also been reported to occur in the elderly. Consequently it was hypothesized that aging-related changes in the immune response may contribute to the severity and occurrence of periodontal disease in the elderly. To test that hypothesis, the % and number of leukocytes and leukocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of elderly (65-75 years) subjects were tested and used as indicators of the immune potential of those individuals. Age and gender effects on several of the parameters tested were identified. With the exception of increased number of leukocytes in the elderly group with severe periodontal disease, no other alteration in the leukocyte parameters tested were identified. These results suggest that periodontal disease in the elderly was not associated with obvious changes in the leukocyte and leukocyte subsets in the peripheral blood due to aging.

Antibody responses to suspected periodontal pathogens in elderly subjects with periodontal disease.

Little is known about the relationship of aging to periodontal disease. The immune response undergoes aging-related changes resulting in loss of functional capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of serum IgG antibodies against suspected periodontal pathogenic microorganisms to the presence or absence of periodontal disease in an elderly (65-75 yrs) population. From this study, we obtained information concerning: (1) the ability to differentiate elderly individuals without disease from those with disease by their levels of antibodies against periodontal pathogens and (2) which periodontal pathogen(s) triggered those responses. IgG anti- Porphyromonas gingivalis (strains W83 and 381) levels in the serum of elderly patients with severe periodontal disease were the only antibody responses measured which were elevated compared to the elderly control group of subjects with no periodontal disease. Anti- Prevotella intermedia IgG levels in both elderly patient groups were depressed compared to anti- P. intermedia levels in the young normal control subjects. Serum IgG antibody levels to six other plaque microorganisms did not differentiate between diseased and normal, elderly or young subjects. This data suggested that P. gingivalis was associated with periodontal disease in this elderly group of individuals and that those elderly individuals were able to respond with a normal IgG immune response.

A comprehensive two-dimensional gel protein database of noncultured unfractionated normal human epidermal keratinocytes: towards an integrated approach to the study of cell proliferation, differentiation and skin diseases.

A two-dimensional (2-D) gel database of cellular proteins from noncultured, unfractionated normal human epidermal keratinocytes has been established. A total of 2651 [35S]methionine-labeled cellular proteins (1868 isoelectric focusing, 783 nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis) were resolved and recorded using computer-aided 2-D gel electrophoresis. The protein numbers in this database differ from those reported in an earlier version due to changes in the scanning hardware (Celis et al., Electrophoresis 1990, 11, 242-254). Annotation categories reported include: "protein name" (listing 207 known proteins in alphabetical order), "basal cell markers", "differentiation markers", "proteins highly up-regulated in psoriatic skin", "microsequenced proteins" and "human autoantigens". For reference, we have also included 2-D gel (isoelectric focusing) patterns of cultured normal and psoriatic keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, dermal microvascular endothelial cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and sweat duct cells. The keratinocyte 2-D gel protein database will be updated yearly in the November issue of Electrophoresis.