Gene expression analysis is often used to investigate the molecular and functional underpinnings of a phenotype. However, differential expression of individual genes is limited in that it does not consider how the genes interact with each other in networks. To address this shortcoming we propose a number of network-based analyses that give additional functional insights into the studied process. These were applied to a dataset of sex-specific gene expression in the chicken gonad and brain at different developmental stages. We first constructed a global chicken interaction network. Combining the network with the expression data showed that most sex-biased genes tend to have lower network connectivity, that is, act within local network environments, although some interesting exceptions were found. Genes of the same sex bias were generally more strongly connected with each other than expected. We further studied the fates of duplicated sex-biased genes and found that there is a significant trend to keep the same pattern of sex bias after duplication. We also identified sex-biased modules in the network, which reveal pathways or complexes involved in sex-specific processes. Altogether, this work integrates evolutionary genomics with systems biology in a novel way, offering new insights into the modular nature of sex-biased genes.
Monitoring and quantifying bone remodeling are of interest, for example, in correction osteotomies, delayed fracture healing pseudarthrosis, bone lengthening, and other instances. Seven patients who had operations to attach an Ilizarov-derived Taylor Spatial Frame to the tibia gave informed consent. Each patient was examined by (NaF)-F-18 PET/CT twice, at approximately six weeks and three months after the operation. A validated software tool was used for the following processing steps. The first and second CT volumes were aligned in 3D and the respective PET volumes were aligned accordingly. In the first PET volume spherical volumes of interest (VOIs) were delineated for the crural fracture and normal bone and transferred to the second PET volume for SUVmax evaluation. This method potentially provides clinical insight into questions such as, when has the bone remodeling progressed well enough to safely remove the TSF? and when is intervention required, in a timelier manner than current methods? For example, in two patients who completed treatment, the SUVmax between the first and second PET/CT examination decreased by 42% and 13%, respectively. Further studies in a larger patient population are needed to verify these preliminary results by correlating regional (NaF)-F-18 PET measurements to clinical and radiological findings.
As the most advantageous total hip arthroplasty (THA) operation is the first, timely replacement of only the liner is socially and economically important because the utilization of THA is increasing as younger and more active patients are receiving implants and they are living longer. Automatic algorithms were developed to infer liner wear by estimating the separation between the acetabular cup and femoral component head given a computed tomography (CT) volume. Two series of CT volumes of a hip phantom were acquired with the femoral component head placed at 14 different positions relative to the acetabular cup. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the diameter of the acetabular cup and femoral component head, in addition to the range of error in the expected wear values and the repeatability of all the measurements, were calculated. The algorithms resulted in a mean (+/- SD) for the diameter of the acetabular cup of 54.21 (+/- 0.011) mm and for the femoral component head of 22.09 (+/- 0.02) mm. The wear error was +/- 0.1 mm and the repeatability was 0.077 mm. This approach is applicable clinically as it utilizes readily available computed tomography imaging systems and requires only five minutes of human interaction.
The aimof this paper is to argue for a number of statements about what is important for a client to do in order to improve quality innew infrastructure projects, with a focus on procurement and organizational issues.The paper synthesizes theoretical and empiricalresults concerning organizational performance, especially the role of the client for the quality of a project.The theoretical frameworkused is contract theory and transaction cost theory, where assumptions about rationality and self-interest are made and whereincentive problems, asymmetric information, and moral hazard are central concepts. It is argued that choice of procurement typewill not be a crucial factor. There is no procurement method that guarantees a better quality than another. We argue that giventhe right conditions all procurement methods can give good results, and given the wrong conditions, all of them can lead to lowquality.What is crucial is how the client organization manages knowledge and the incentives for the members of the organization.This can be summarized as “organizational culture.” One way to improve knowledge and create incentives is to use independentsecond opinions in a systematic way.