University of Kansas

About: University of Kansas is a education organization based out in Lawrence, Kansas, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 38183 authors who have published 81381 publications receiving 2986312 citations. The organization is also known as: KU & Univ of Kansas.

Radiographical spinopelvic parameters and disability in the setting of adult spinal deformity: a prospective multicenter analysis.

Abstract: Study design Prospective multicenter study evaluating operative (OP) versus nonoperative (NONOP) treatment for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Objective Evaluate correlations between spinopelvic parameters and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores in patients with ASD. Summary of background data Sagittal spinal deformity is commonly defined by an increased sagittal vertical axis (SVA); however, SVA alone may underestimate the severity of the deformity. Spinopelvic parameters provide a more complete assessment of the sagittal plane but only limited data are available that correlate spinopelvic parameters with disability. METHODS.: Baseline demographic, radiographical, and HRQOL data were obtained for all patients enrolled in a multicenter consecutive database. Inclusion criteria were: age more than 18 years and radiographical diagnosis of ASD. Radiographical evaluation was conducted on the frontal and lateral planes and HRQOL questionnaires (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Scoliosis Research Society-22r and Short Form [SF]-12) were completed. Radiographical parameters demonstrating highest correlation with HRQOL values were evaluated to determine thresholds predictive of ODI more than 40. Results Four hundred ninety-two consecutive patients with ASD (mean age, 51.9 yr) were enrolled. Patients from the OP group (n = 178) were older (55 vs. 50.1 yr, P Conclusion ASD is a disabling condition. Prospective analysis of consecutively enrolled patients with ASD demonstrated that PT and PI-LL combined with SVA can predict patient disability and provide a guide for patient assessment for appropriate therapeutic decision making. Threshold values for severe disability (ODI > 40) included: PT 22° or more, SVA 47 mm or more, and PI - LL 11° or more.

Mutations in IRF6 cause Van der Woude and popliteal pterygium syndromes.

Abstract: Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) belongs to a family of nine transcription factors that share a highly conserved helix–turn–helix DNA-binding domain and a less conserved protein-binding domain. Most IRFs regulate the expression of interferon-α and -β after viral infection1, but the function of IRF6 is unknown. The gene encoding IRF6 is located in the critical region for the Van der Woude syndrome (VWS; OMIM 119300) locus at chromosome 1q32–q41 (refs 2,3). The disorder is an autosomal dominant form of cleft lip and palate with lip pits4, and is the most common syndromic form of cleft lip or palate. Popliteal pterygium syndrome (PPS; OMIM 119500) is a disorder with a similar orofacial phenotype that also includes skin and genital anomalies5. Phenotypic overlap6 and linkage data7 suggest that these two disorders are allelic. We found a nonsense mutation in IRF6 in the affected twin of a pair of monozygotic twins who were discordant for VWS. Subsequently, we identified mutations in IRF6 in 45 additional unrelated families affected with VWS and distinct mutations in 13 families affected with PPS. Expression analyses showed high levels of Irf6 mRNA along the medial edge of the fusing palate, tooth buds, hair follicles, genitalia and skin. Our observations demonstrate that haploinsufficiency of IRF6 disrupts orofacial development and are consistent with dominant-negative mutations disturbing development of the skin and genitalia.

Management accounting systems, perceived environmental uncertainty and organization structure: An empirical investigation☆

Abstract: The research reported in this study concerns the relationships among an organization's environment, structure and information system. Based on an empirical study it appears that information systems and organizational structures are both a function of the environment. However, after controlling for the effects of the environment, it does not appear that an organization's iinformation system and structure are significantly related to each other.

Selective neuronal vulnerability to oxidative stress in the brain.

Abstract: Oxidative stress (OS), caused by the imbalance between the generation and detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), plays an important role in brain aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and other related adverse conditions, such as ischemia. While ROS/RNS serve as signaling molecules at physiological levels, an excessive amount of these molecules leads to oxidative modification and, therefore, dysfunction of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. The response of neurons to this pervasive stress, however, is not uniform in the brain. While many brain neurons can cope with a rise in OS, there are select populations of neurons in the brain that are vulnerable. Because of their selective vulnerability, these neurons are usually the first to exhibit functional decline and cell death during normal aging, or in age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of selective neuronal vulnerability (SNV) to OS is important in the development of future intervention approaches to protect such vulnerable neurons from the stresses of the aging process and the pathological states that lead to neurodegeneration. In this review, the currently known molecular and cellular factors that contribute to SNV to OS are summarized. Included among the major underlying factors are high intrinsic OS, high demand for ROS/RNS-based signaling, low ATP production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and high inflammatory response in vulnerable neurons. The contribution to the selective vulnerability of neurons to OS by other intrinsic or extrinsic factors, such as deficient DNA damage repair, low calcium-buffering capacity, and glutamate excitotoxicity, are also discussed.