Synergistic antitumor activity of the combination of salubrinal and rapamycin against human cholangiocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiaofang; Zhang, Chunyan; Zhou, Hong; Xiao, Bin; Cheng, Ying; Wang, Jinju; Yao, Fuli; Duan, Chunyan; Chen, Run; Liu, Youping; Feng, Chunhong; Li, Hong; Li, Jing; Dai, Rongyang

2016-12-20

Less is known about the roles of eukaryotic initiation factor alpha (eIF2α) in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Here, we report that eIF2α inhibitor salubrinal inhibits the proliferation of human CCA cells. Clinical application of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors only has moderate antitumor efficacy. Therefore, combination approaches may be required for effective clinical use of mTOR inhibitors. Here, we investigated the efficacy of the combination of salubrinal and rapamycin in the treatment of CCA. Our data demonstrate a synergistic antitumor effect of the combination of salubrinal and rapamycin against CCA cells. Rapamycin significantly inhibits the proliferation of CCA cells. However, rapamycin initiates a negative feedback activation of Akt. Inhibition of Akt by salubrinal potentiates the efficacy of rapamycin both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, rapamycin treatment results in the up-regulation of Bcl-xL in a xenograft mouse model. It is notable that salubrinal inhibits rapamycin-induced Bcl-xL up-regulation in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest that salubrinal and rapamycin combination might be a new and effective strategy for the treatment of CCA.

A new multivariate empirical mode decomposition method for improving the performance of SSVEP-based brain-computer interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yi-Feng; Atal, Kiran; Xie, Sheng-Quan; Liu, Quan

2017-08-01

Objective. Accurate and efficient detection of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) in electroencephalogram (EEG) is essential for the related brain-computer interface (BCI) applications. Approach. Although the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has been applied extensively and successfully to SSVEP recognition, the spontaneous EEG activities and artifacts that often occur during data recording can deteriorate the recognition performance. Therefore, it is meaningful to extract a few frequency sub-bands of interest to avoid or reduce the influence of unrelated brain activity and artifacts. This paper presents an improved method to detect the frequency component associated with SSVEP using multivariate empirical mode decomposition (MEMD) and CCA (MEMD-CCA). EEG signals from nine healthy volunteers were recorded to evaluate the performance of the proposed method for SSVEP recognition. Main results. We compared our method with CCA and temporally local multivariate synchronization index (TMSI). The results suggest that the MEMD-CCA achieved significantly higher accuracy in contrast to standard CCA and TMSI. It gave the improvements of 1.34%, 3.11%, 3.33%, 10.45%, 15.78%, 18.45%, 15.00% and 14.22% on average over CCA at time windows from 0.5 s to 5 s and 0.55%, 1.56%, 7.78%, 14.67%, 13.67%, 7.33% and 7.78% over TMSI from 0.75 s to 5 s. The method outperformed the filter-based decomposition (FB), empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and wavelet decomposition (WT) based CCA for SSVEP recognition. Significance. The results demonstrate the ability of our proposed MEMD-CCA to improve the performance of SSVEP-based BCI.

CCA-treated wood disposed in landfills and life-cycle trade-offs with waste-to-energy and MSW landfill disposal.

PubMed

Jambeck, Jenna; Weitz, Keith; Solo-Gabriele, Helena; Townsend, Timothy; Thorneloe, Susan

2007-01-01

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood is a preservative treated wood construction product that grew in use in the 1970s for both residential and industrial applications. Although some countries have banned the use of the product for some applications, others have not, and the product continues to enter the waste stream from construction, demolition and remodeling projects. CCA-treated wood as a solid waste is managed in various ways throughout the world. In the US, CCA-treated wood is disposed primarily within landfills; however some of the wood is combusted in waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities. In other countries, the predominant disposal option for wood, sometimes including CCA-treated wood, is combustion for the production of energy. This paper presents an estimate of the quantity of CCA-treated wood entering the disposal stream in the US, as well as an examination of the trade-offs between landfilling and WTE combustion of CCA-treated wood through a life-cycle assessment and decision support tool (MSW DST). Based upon production statistics, the estimated life span and the phaseout of CCA-treated wood, recent disposal projections estimate the peak US disposal rate to occur in 2008, at 9.7 million m(3). CCA-treated wood, when disposed with construction and demolition (C&D) debris and municipal solid waste (MSW), has been found to increase arsenic and chromium concentrations in leachate. For this reason, and because MSW landfills are lined, MSW landfills have been recommended as a preferred disposal option over unlined C&D debris landfills. Between landfilling and WTE for the same mass of CCA-treated wood, WTE is more expensive (nearly twice the cost), but when operated in accordance with US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) regulations, it produces energy and does not emit fossil carbon emissions. If the wood is managed via WTE, less landfill area is required, which could be an influential trade-off in some countries. Although metals are concentrated in the ash in the WTE scenario, the MSW landfill scenario releases a greater amount of arsenic from leachate in a more dilute form. The WTE scenario releases more chromium from the ash on an annual basis. The WTE facility and subsequent ash disposal greatly concentrates the chromium, often oxidizing it to the more toxic and mobile Cr(VI) form. Elevated arsenic and chromium concentrations in the ash leachate may increase leachate management costs.

Unsupervised frequency-recognition method of SSVEPs using a filter bank implementation of binary subband CCA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabiul Islam, Md; Khademul Islam Molla, Md; Nakanishi, Masaki; Tanaka, Toshihisa

2017-04-01

Objective. Recently developed effective methods for detection commands of steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) that need calibration for visual stimuli, which cause more time and fatigue prior to the use, as the number of commands increases. This paper develops a novel unsupervised method based on canonical correlation analysis (CCA) for accurate detection of stimulus frequency. Approach. A novel unsupervised technique termed as binary subband CCA (BsCCA) is implemented in a multiband approach to enhance the frequency recognition performance of SSVEP. In BsCCA, two subbands are used and a CCA-based correlation coefficient is computed for the individual subbands. In addition, a reduced set of artificial reference signals is used to calculate CCA for the second subband. The analyzing SSVEP is decomposed into multiple subband and the BsCCA is implemented for each one. Then, the overall recognition score is determined by a weighted sum of the canonical correlation coefficients obtained from each band. Main results. A 12-class SSVEP dataset (frequency range: 9.25-14.75 Hz with an interval of 0.5 Hz) for ten healthy subjects are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The results suggest that BsCCA significantly improves the performance of SSVEP-based BCI compared to the state-of-the-art methods. The proposed method is an unsupervised approach with averaged information transfer rate (ITR) of 77.04 bits min-1 across 10 subjects. The maximum individual ITR is 107.55 bits min-1 for 12-class SSVEP dataset, whereas, the ITR of 69.29 and 69.44 bits min-1 are achieved with CCA and NCCA respectively. Significance. The statistical test shows that the proposed unsupervised method significantly improves the performance of the SSVEP-based BCI. It can be usable in real world applications.

Estimating multivariate similarity between neuroimaging datasets with sparse canonical correlation analysis: an application to perfusion imaging.

PubMed

Rosa, Maria J; Mehta, Mitul A; Pich, Emilio M; Risterucci, Celine; Zelaya, Fernando; Reinders, Antje A T S; Williams, Steve C R; Dazzan, Paola; Doyle, Orla M; Marquand, Andre F

2015-01-01

An increasing number of neuroimaging studies are based on either combining more than one data modality (inter-modal) or combining more than one measurement from the same modality (intra-modal). To date, most intra-modal studies using multivariate statistics have focused on differences between datasets, for instance relying on classifiers to differentiate between effects in the data. However, to fully characterize these effects, multivariate methods able to measure similarities between datasets are needed. One classical technique for estimating the relationship between two datasets is canonical correlation analysis (CCA). However, in the context of high-dimensional data the application of CCA is extremely challenging. A recent extension of CCA, sparse CCA (SCCA), overcomes this limitation, by regularizing the model parameters while yielding a sparse solution. In this work, we modify SCCA with the aim of facilitating its application to high-dimensional neuroimaging data and finding meaningful multivariate image-to-image correspondences in intra-modal studies. In particular, we show how the optimal subset of variables can be estimated independently and we look at the information encoded in more than one set of SCCA transformations. We illustrate our framework using Arterial Spin Labeling data to investigate multivariate similarities between the effects of two antipsychotic drugs on cerebral blood flow.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelly, R.F.; Kravchenko, I.I.; Kuharik, J.C.

Widespread use of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) as a wood preservative has led to increasing public concern regarding possible toxic contamination of areas surrounding CCA-treated structures, e.g., decks, playground equipment, etc. Appreciable leaching of arsenic, chromium, and copper into soils adjacent to such structures has been demonstrated via standard techniques of analytical chemistry. The advantages of PIXE [rapid analysis, quick sample turnover, possible lower cost] suggest its application to this area of interest. PIXE studies in our laboratory of CCA-contaminated soil samples show good agreement with previous analyses of As, Cu, Cr, and other heavy-elemental content, with some variability inmore » diffusion rates.« less

Electrophoretic nanotechnology of composite electrodes for electrochemical supercapacitors.

PubMed

Su, Y; Zhitomirsky, I

2013-02-14

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method has been developed for the fabrication of MnO(2)-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films for application in electrochemical supercapacitors (ESs). For MWCNT applications, which depend on electrical conductivity, it is challenging to achieve dispersion and EPD of pristine MWCNT and avoid defects due to chemical treatment or functionalization. An important finding was the possibility of efficient dispersion and controlled EPD of MWCNT using calconcarboxylic acid (CCA). Moreover, the use of CCA allowed efficient dispersion of MnO(2) in concentrated suspensions and EPD of MnO(2) films. The comparison of the experimental data for chromotrope FB (CFB) and CCA and chemical structures of the molecules provided insight into the mechanism of CCA adsorption on MnO(2). The fabrication of stable suspensions of MnO(2) nanoparticles containing MWCNT, and controlled codeposition of both materials is a crucial aspect in the EPD of composites. The new approach was based on the use of CCA as a charging and dispersing agent for EPD of MnO(2) nanoparticles and MWCNT. The deposition yield measurements at various experimental conditions and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data, coupled with results of electron microscopy, thermogravimetric, and differential thermal analysis provided evidence of the formation of MnO(2)-MWCNT composites. The electrochemical testing results and impedance spectroscopy data showed good capacitive behavior of the composite films and the beneficial effect of MWCNTs.

An investigation into the potential of ionic silver as a wood preservative

Treesearch

Benjamin Dorau; Rachel Arango; Frederick Green

2004-01-01

On December 3 1, 2003, the wood preservation industry, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency, voluntarily phased out the use of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated lumber for residential applications. This ended over 25 years of CCA as the predominant wood preservative in the United States. The first generation of replacement preservatives,...

Application of Adjusted Canonical Correlation Analysis (ACCA) to study the association between mathematics in Level 1 and Level 2 and performance of engineering disciplines in Level 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peiris, T. S. G.; Nanayakkara, K. A. D. S. A.

2017-09-01

Mathematics plays a key role in engineering sciences as it assists to develop the intellectual maturity and analytical thinking of engineering students and exploring the student academic performance has received great attention recently. The lack of control over covariates motivates the need for their adjustment when measuring the degree of association between two sets of variables in Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). Thus to examine the individual effects of mathematics in Level 1 and Level 2 on engineering performance in Level 2, two adjusted analyses in CCA: Part CCA and Partial CCA were applied for the raw marks of engineering undergraduates for three different disciplines, at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. The joint influence of mathematics in Level 1 and Level 2 is significant on engineering performance in Level 2 irrespective of the engineering disciplines. The individual effect of mathematics in Level 2 is significantly higher compared to the individual effect of mathematics in Level 1 on engineering performance in Level 2. Furthermore, the individual effect of mathematics in Level 1 can be negligible. But, there would be a notable indirect effect of mathematics in Level 1 on engineering performance in Level 2. It can be concluded that the joint effect of mathematics in both Level 1 and Level 2 is immensely beneficial to improve the overall academic performance at the end of Level 2 of the engineering students. Furthermore, it was found that the impact mathematics varies among engineering disciplines. As partial CCA and partial CCA are not widely explored in applied work, it is recommended to use these techniques for various applications.

Copper tolerance of brown-rot fungi : oxalic acid production in southern pine treated with arsenic-free preservatives

Treesearch

Frederick Green; Carol A. Clausen

2005-01-01

The voluntary withdrawal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood from most residential applications has increased the use of non-arsenical copper-based organic wood preservatives. Because the arsenic component of CCA controlled copper tolerant fungi, scientists have renewed interest in and concern about the decay capacity in the important copper-tolerant group...

A Centerless Circular Array Method: Extracting Maximal Information on Phase Velocities of Rayleigh Waves From Microtremor Records From a Simple Seismic Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, I.; Tada, T.; Shinozaki, Y.

2005-12-01

We have developed a Centerless Circular Array (CCA) method of microtremor exploration, an algorithm that enables to estimate phase velocities of Rayleigh waves by analyzing vertical-component records of microtremors that are obtained with an array of three or five seismic sensors placed around a circumference. Our CCA method shows a remarkably high performance in long-wavelength ranges because, unlike the frequency-wavenumber spectral method, our method does not resolve individual plane-wave components in the process of identifying phase velocities. Theoretical considerations predict that the resolving power of our CCA method in long-wavelength ranges depends upon the SN ratio, or the ratio of power of the propagating components to that of the non-propagating components (incoherent noise) contained in the records from the seismic array. The applicability of our CCA method to small-sized arrays on the order of several meters in radius has already been confirmed in our earlier work (Cho et al., 2004). We have deployed circular seismic arrays of different sizes at test sites in Japan where the underground structure is well documented through geophysical exploration, and have applied our CCA method to microtremor records to estimate phase velocities of Rayleigh waves. The estimates were then checked against "model" phase velocities that are derived from theoretical calculations. For arrays of 5, 25, 300 and 600 meters in radii, the estimated and model phase velocities demonstrated fine agreement within a broad wavelength range extending from a little larger than 3r (r: the array radius) up to at least 40r, 14r, 42r and 9r, respectively. This demonstrates the applicability of our CCA method to arrays on the order of several to several hundreds of meters in radii, and also illustrates, in a typical way, the markedly high performance of our CCA method in long-wavelength ranges. We have also invented a mathematical model that enables to evaluate the SN ratio in a given microtremor field, and have applied it to real data. Theory predicts that our CCA method underestimates the phase velocities when noise is present. Using the evaluated SN ratio and the phase velocity dispersion curve model, we have calculated the apparent values of phase velocities which theory expects should be obtained by our CCA method in long-wavelength ranges, and have confirmed that the outcome agreed very well with the phase velocities estimated from real data. This demonstrates that the mathematical assumptions, on which our CCA method relies, remains valid over a wide range of wavelengths which we are examining, and also implies that, even in the absence of a priori knowledge of the phase velocity dispersion curve, the SN ratio evaluated with our mathematical model could be used to identify the resolution limit of our CCA method in long-wavelength ranges. We have thus been able to demonstrate, on the basis of theoretical considerations and real data analysis, both the capabilities and limitations of our CCA method.

Interpreting ambiguous 'trace' results in Schistosoma mansoni CCA Tests: Estimating sensitivity and specificity of ambiguous results with no gold standard.

PubMed

Clements, Michelle N; Donnelly, Christl A; Fenwick, Alan; Kabatereine, Narcis B; Knowles, Sarah C L; Meité, Aboulaye; N'Goran, Eliézer K; Nalule, Yolisa; Nogaro, Sarah; Phillips, Anna E; Tukahebwa, Edridah Muheki; Fleming, Fiona M

2017-12-01

The development of new diagnostics is an important tool in the fight against disease. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of tests in the absence of a gold standard. The main field diagnostic for Schistosoma mansoni infection, Kato-Katz (KK), is not very sensitive at low infection intensities. A point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) test has been shown to be more sensitive than KK. However, CCA can return an ambiguous 'trace' result between 'positive' and 'negative', and much debate has focused on interpretation of traces results. We show how LCA can be extended to include ambiguous trace results and analyse S. mansoni studies from both Côte d'Ivoire (CdI) and Uganda. We compare the diagnostic performance of KK and CCA and the observed results by each test to the estimated infection prevalence in the population. Prevalence by KK was higher in CdI (13.4%) than in Uganda (6.1%), but prevalence by CCA was similar between countries, both when trace was assumed to be negative (CCAtn: 11.7% in CdI and 9.7% in Uganda) and positive (CCAtp: 20.1% in CdI and 22.5% in Uganda). The estimated sensitivity of CCA was more consistent between countries than the estimated sensitivity of KK, and estimated infection prevalence did not significantly differ between CdI (20.5%) and Uganda (19.1%). The prevalence by CCA with trace as positive did not differ significantly from estimates of infection prevalence in either country, whereas both KK and CCA with trace as negative significantly underestimated infection prevalence in both countries. Incorporation of ambiguous results into an LCA enables the effect of different treatment thresholds to be directly assessed and is applicable in many fields. Our results showed that CCA with trace as positive most accurately estimated infection prevalence.

Interpreting ambiguous ‘trace’ results in Schistosoma mansoni CCA Tests: Estimating sensitivity and specificity of ambiguous results with no gold standard

PubMed Central

Donnelly, Christl A.; Fenwick, Alan; Kabatereine, Narcis B.; Knowles, Sarah C. L.; Meité, Aboulaye; N'Goran, Eliézer K.; Nalule, Yolisa; Nogaro, Sarah; Phillips, Anna E.; Tukahebwa, Edridah Muheki; Fleming, Fiona M.

2017-01-01

Background The development of new diagnostics is an important tool in the fight against disease. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of tests in the absence of a gold standard. The main field diagnostic for Schistosoma mansoni infection, Kato-Katz (KK), is not very sensitive at low infection intensities. A point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) test has been shown to be more sensitive than KK. However, CCA can return an ambiguous ‘trace’ result between ‘positive’ and ‘negative’, and much debate has focused on interpretation of traces results. Methodology/Principle findings We show how LCA can be extended to include ambiguous trace results and analyse S. mansoni studies from both Côte d’Ivoire (CdI) and Uganda. We compare the diagnostic performance of KK and CCA and the observed results by each test to the estimated infection prevalence in the population. Prevalence by KK was higher in CdI (13.4%) than in Uganda (6.1%), but prevalence by CCA was similar between countries, both when trace was assumed to be negative (CCAtn: 11.7% in CdI and 9.7% in Uganda) and positive (CCAtp: 20.1% in CdI and 22.5% in Uganda). The estimated sensitivity of CCA was more consistent between countries than the estimated sensitivity of KK, and estimated infection prevalence did not significantly differ between CdI (20.5%) and Uganda (19.1%). The prevalence by CCA with trace as positive did not differ significantly from estimates of infection prevalence in either country, whereas both KK and CCA with trace as negative significantly underestimated infection prevalence in both countries. Conclusions Incorporation of ambiguous results into an LCA enables the effect of different treatment thresholds to be directly assessed and is applicable in many fields. Our results showed that CCA with trace as positive most accurately estimated infection prevalence. PMID:29220354

Effect of simulated rainfall and weathering on release of preservative elements from CCA treated wood

Treesearch

Stan Lebow; R. Sam Williams; Patricia Lebow

2003-01-01

The release of arsenic from wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) can be decreased by application of wood finishes, but little is known about the types of finishes that are best suited for this purpose. This study evaluated the effects of finish water repellent content and ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the release of arsenic, copper, and chromium...

Understanding the CCA Standard Through Decaf

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kumfert, G

2003-04-17

This document is a tutorial on the CCA Standard as realized through the Decaf implementation. Decaf does not equal the CCA standard much in the same way that Microsoft Visual C++ is not ANSI/ISO C++. This document was created because the CCA standard is evolving and still too fluid to nail down in a tutorial document. Because of its fluidity, and that it represents a hotbed of research and development, beginners can only start learning CCA by choosing one of the frameworks (warts and all). Decaf has just enough functionality to be a useful tool for beginners in the CCAmore » to get started on. Though it lacks many features of the bigger CCA frameworks (CCAFE [3], XCAT [10], and SciRUN [8]) where the heavy-duty research is still going on, it is the first CCA framework that is underpinned by Babel, which provides its language interoperability features. This document can also serve the dual-purpose of providing a reasonable-sized example of building an application using Babel. The entire source for Decaf is included in the examples/subdirectory of the Babel code distribution. This manual assumes the reader is a programmer who has a conceptual understanding of the Babel Language Interoperability Tool. They should be proficient in two or more of the following languages: Fortran77, C, C++, Java, or Python. Furthermore, this manual assumes the reader is familiar with the SPMD{sup 2} programming model that pervades the scientific computing community. Knowledge of and experience with MPI programming is helpful, but not strictly required.« less

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is pathologically similar to pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma: suggestions of similar background and development.

PubMed

Nakanuma, Yasuni; Sato, Yasunori

2014-07-01

Routine experiences suggest that cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) show different clinicopathological behaviors along the biliary tree, and hilar CCA apparently resembles pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Herein, the backgrounds for these similarities were reviewed. While all cases of PDAC, hilar CCA, intrahepatic CCA (ICCA) and CCA components of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHC-CCA) were adenocarcinomas, micropapillary patterns and columnar carcinoma cells were common in PDAC and hilar CCA, and trabecular components and cuboidal carcinoma cells were common in ICCA and CCA components of cHC-CCA. Anterior gradient protein-2 and S100P were frequently expressed in perihilar CCA and PDAC, while neural cell adhesion molecule and luminal epithelial membrane antigen were common in CCA components of c-HC-CCA. Pdx1 and Hes1 were frequently and markedly expressed aberrantly in PDAC and perihilar CCA, although their expression was rare and mild in CCA components in cHC-CCA and ICCA. Hilar CCA showed a similar postoperative prognosis to PDAC but differed from ICCA and cHC-CCA. Taken together, hilar CCA may differ from ICCA and CCA components of cHC-CCA but have a similar development to PDAC. These similarities may be explained by the unique anatomical, embryological and reactive nature of the pancreatobiliary tract. Further studies of these intractable malignancies are warranted. © 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

Manipulating the Surface Chemistry of Quantum Dots for Sensitive Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection of Sulfur Dioxide.

PubMed

Li, Huihui; Zhu, Houjuan; Sun, Mingtai; Yan, Yehan; Zhang, Kui; Huang, Dejian; Wang, Suhua

2015-08-11

Herein, we report a novel approach to the rapid visual detection of gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2) by manipulating the surface chemistry of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS)-modified quantum dots (QDs) using fluorescent coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (CCA) for specific reaction with SO2. The CCA molecules are attached to the surface amino groups of the QDs through electrostatic attraction, thus the fluorescence of CCA is greatly suppressed because of the formation of an ion-pair complex between the ATPS-modified QDs and CCA. Such an interaction is vulnerable to SO2 because SO2 can readily react with surface amino groups to form strong charge-transfer complexes and subsequently release the strongly fluorescent CCA molecules. The mechanism has been carefully verified through a series of control experiments. Upon exposure to different amounts of SO2, the fluorescent color of the nanoparticle-based sensor displays continuously changes from red to blue. Most importantly, the approach owns high selectivity for SO2 and a tolerance of interference, which enables the sensor to detect SO2 in a practical application. Using this fluorescence-based sensing method, we have achieved a visual detection limit of 6 ppb for gaseous SO2.

An Experimental Study on the Structure of Cosmic Dust Aggregates and Their Alignment by Motion Relative to Gas.

PubMed

Wurm; Blum

2000-01-20

We experimentally studied the shape of dust grains grown in a cluster-cluster type of aggregation (CCA) and derived characteristic axial ratios to describe the nonsphericity. CCAs might be described by an axial ratio rhoCCA=rg,max&solm0;rg,min approximately 2.0 in the limit of large aggregates, where rg,min and rg,max describe the minimum and maximum radius of gyration, while small aggregates show a somewhat larger value in their mean axial ratio up to rhoCCA approximately 3.0 but rapidly decrease to the limit rhoCCA approximately 2.0. The axial ratios for large aggregates are in agreement with the general findings of different authors for axial ratios of interstellar dust grains that are generally described by rods or spheroids. Beyond this kind of agreement, our approach does not necessarily require a special shape for individual dust grains but rather offers a physical process to generate nonsphericity. Although the simple shapes might be sufficient for first-order applications and are easier to handle analytically, our results offer a firm ground of special axial ratios for rods or spheroids on a more physical basis apart from any ad hoc assumptions. We also find an alignment of the aggregates during sedimentation in a gas along the drift axis leading to an axial ratio of rhoCCA,align=1.21+/-0.02 with respect to the drift axis and an axis perpendicular to this drift. This result is directly applicable to dust grains in protoplanetary disks and planetary atmospheres.

Integrative analysis of gene expression and copy number alterations using canonical correlation analysis.

PubMed

Soneson, Charlotte; Lilljebjörn, Henrik; Fioretos, Thoas; Fontes, Magnus

2010-04-15

With the rapid development of new genetic measurement methods, several types of genetic alterations can be quantified in a high-throughput manner. While the initial focus has been on investigating each data set separately, there is an increasing interest in studying the correlation structure between two or more data sets. Multivariate methods based on Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) have been proposed for integrating paired genetic data sets. The high dimensionality of microarray data imposes computational difficulties, which have been addressed for instance by studying the covariance structure of the data, or by reducing the number of variables prior to applying the CCA. In this work, we propose a new method for analyzing high-dimensional paired genetic data sets, which mainly emphasizes the correlation structure and still permits efficient application to very large data sets. The method is implemented by translating a regularized CCA to its dual form, where the computational complexity depends mainly on the number of samples instead of the number of variables. The optimal regularization parameters are chosen by cross-validation. We apply the regularized dual CCA, as well as a classical CCA preceded by a dimension-reducing Principal Components Analysis (PCA), to a paired data set of gene expression changes and copy number alterations in leukemia. Using the correlation-maximizing methods, regularized dual CCA and PCA+CCA, we show that without pre-selection of known disease-relevant genes, and without using information about clinical class membership, an exploratory analysis singles out two patient groups, corresponding to well-known leukemia subtypes. Furthermore, the variables showing the highest relevance to the extracted features agree with previous biological knowledge concerning copy number alterations and gene expression changes in these subtypes. Finally, the correlation-maximizing methods are shown to yield results which are more biologically interpretable than those resulting from a covariance-maximizing method, and provide different insight compared to when each variable set is studied separately using PCA. We conclude that regularized dual CCA as well as PCA+CCA are useful methods for exploratory analysis of paired genetic data sets, and can be efficiently implemented also when the number of variables is very large.

Demonstration of the efficiency and robustness of an acid leaching process to remove metals from various CCA-treated wood samples.

PubMed

Coudert, Lucie; Blais, Jean-François; Mercier, Guy; Cooper, Paul; Janin, Amélie; Gastonguay, Louis

2014-01-01

In recent years, an efficient and economically attractive leaching process has been developed to remove metals from copper-based treated wood wastes. This study explored the applicability of this leaching process using chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood samples with different initial metal loading and elapsed time between wood preservation treatment and remediation. The sulfuric acid leaching process resulted in the solubilization of more than 87% of the As, 70% of the Cr, and 76% of the Cu from CCA-chips and in the solubilization of more than 96% of the As, 78% of the Cr and 91% of the Cu from CCA-sawdust. The results showed that the performance of this leaching process might be influenced by the initial metal loading of the treated wood wastes and the elapsed time between preservation treatment and remediation. The effluents generated during the leaching steps were treated by precipitation-coagulation to satisfy the regulations for effluent discharge in municipal sewers. Precipitation using ferric chloride and sodium hydroxide was highly efficient, removing more than 99% of the As, Cr, and Cu. It appears that this leaching process can be successfully applied to remove metals from different CCA-treated wood samples and then from the effluents. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SSVEP recognition using common feature analysis in brain-computer interface.

PubMed

Zhang, Yu; Zhou, Guoxu; Jin, Jing; Wang, Xingyu; Cichocki, Andrzej

2015-04-15

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has been successfully applied to steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) recognition for brain-computer interface (BCI) application. Although the CCA method outperforms the traditional power spectral density analysis through multi-channel detection, it requires additionally pre-constructed reference signals of sine-cosine waves. It is likely to encounter overfitting in using a short time window since the reference signals include no features from training data. We consider that a group of electroencephalogram (EEG) data trials recorded at a certain stimulus frequency on a same subject should share some common features that may bear the real SSVEP characteristics. This study therefore proposes a common feature analysis (CFA)-based method to exploit the latent common features as natural reference signals in using correlation analysis for SSVEP recognition. Good performance of the CFA method for SSVEP recognition is validated with EEG data recorded from ten healthy subjects, in contrast to CCA and a multiway extension of CCA (MCCA). Experimental results indicate that the CFA method significantly outperformed the CCA and the MCCA methods for SSVEP recognition in using a short time window (i.e., less than 1s). The superiority of the proposed CFA method suggests it is promising for the development of a real-time SSVEP-based BCI. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adipocytes promote cholangiocarcinoma metastasis through fatty acid binding protein 4.

PubMed

Nie, Jihua; Zhang, Jingying; Wang, Lili; Lu, Lunjie; Yuan, Qian; An, Fangmei; Zhang, Shuyu; Jiao, Yang

2017-12-13

The early occurrence regional nodal and distant metastases cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the major reasons for its poor prognosis. However, the related mechanisms are largely elusive. Recently, increasing evidences indicate that adipocytes might be involved in the proliferation, homing, migration and invasion of several malignancies. In the present study, we attempt to determine the effects and possible mechanisms of adipocytes on regulating progression of CCA. Adipocyte-CCA cell co-culture system and CCA metastasis mice model were used to determine the effects of adipocytes on CCA metastasis. We identified the biological functions and possible mechanisms of adipocyte-derived fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) in regulating the adipocyte-induced CCA metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes, both in vitro and in vivo. Adipocyte-CCA cell co-culture promotes the in vitro and in vivo tumor metastasis, leading to increased adipocyte-derived fatty acid absorbance and intracellular lipids of CCA cells, which indicates adipocytes might function as the energy source for CCA progression by providing free fatty acids. Further, highly expressed FABP4 protein was identified in adipose tissues and fully differentiated adipocytes, and upregulated FABP4 was also detected by qRT-PCR assay in CCA cells co-cultivated with adipose extracts as compared to parental CCA cells. The specific FABP4 inhibitor BMS309403 significantly impaired adipocyte-induced CCA metastasis and EMT phenotypes both in vitro and in vivo. Together, the results demonstrate that the adipocyte-CCA interaction and the energy extraction of CCA cells from adipocytes are crucial for the invasion, migration and EMT of CCA cells. FABP4 from adipocytes mediates these adipocyte-induced variations in CCA cells, which could serve as a potential target for the treatment of CCA.

Nitric oxide-activated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase regulates the abscisic acid-induced antioxidant defence in maize

PubMed Central

Zhang, Aying; Jiang, Mingyi

2012-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and calcium (Ca2+)/calmodulin (CaM) are all required for abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defence. Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) is a strong candidate for the decoder of Ca2+ signals. However, whether CCaMK is involved in ABA-induced antioxidant defence is unknown. The results of the present study show that exogenous and endogenous ABA induced increases in the activity of ZmCCaMK and the expression of ZmCCaMK in leaves of maize. Subcellular localization analysis showed that ZmCCaMK is located in the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and the plasma membrane. The transient expression of ZmCCaMK and the RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of ZmCCaMK analysis in maize protoplasts revealed that ZmCCaMK is required for ABA-induced antioxidant defence. Moreover, treatment with the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) induced the activation of ZmCCaMK and the expression of ZmCCaMK. Pre-treatments with an NO scavenger and inhibitor blocked the ABA-induced increases in the activity and the transcript level of ZmCCaMK. Conversely, RNAi silencing of ZmCCaMK in maize protoplasts did not affect the ABA-induced NO production, which was further confirmed using a mutant of OsCCaMK, the homologous gene of ZmCCaMK in rice. Moreover, H2O2 was also required for the ABA activation of ZmCCaMK, and pre-treatments with an NO scavenger and inhibitor inhibited the H2O2-induced increase in the activity of ZmCCaMK. Taken together, the data clearly suggest that ZmCCaMK is required for ABA-induced antioxidant defence, and H2O2-dependent NO production plays an important role in the ABA-induced activation of ZmCCaMK. PMID:22865912

Sample-Poor Estimation of Order and Common Signal Subspace with Application to Fusion of Medical Imaging Data

PubMed Central

Levin-Schwartz, Yuri; Song, Yang; Schreier, Peter J.; Calhoun, Vince D.; Adalı, Tülay

2016-01-01

Due to their data-driven nature, multivariate methods such as canonical correlation analysis (CCA) have proven very useful for fusion of multimodal neurological data. However, being able to determine the degree of similarity between datasets and appropriate order selection are crucial to the success of such techniques. The standard methods for calculating the order of multimodal data focus only on sources with the greatest individual energy and ignore relations across datasets. Additionally, these techniques as well as the most widely-used methods for determining the degree of similarity between datasets assume sufficient sample support and are not effective in the sample-poor regime. In this paper, we propose to jointly estimate the degree of similarity between datasets and their order when few samples are present using principal component analysis and canonical correlation analysis (PCA-CCA). By considering these two problems simultaneously, we are able to minimize the assumptions placed on the data and achieve superior performance in the sample-poor regime compared to traditional techniques. We apply PCA-CCA to the pairwise combinations of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), and electroencephalogram (EEG) data drawn from patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls while performing an auditory oddball task. The PCA-CCA results indicate that the fMRI and sMRI datasets are the most similar, whereas the sMRI and EEG datasets share the least similarity. We also demonstrate that the degree of similarity obtained by PCA-CCA is highly predictive of the degree of significance found for components generated using CCA. PMID:27039696

A non-contact approach for PWV detection: application in a clinical setting.

PubMed

Campo, Adriaan; Heuten, Hilde; Goovaerts, Inge; Ennekens, Guy; Vrints, Christiaan; Dirckx, Joris

2016-07-01

A need for screening methods for arteriosclerosis led to the development of several approaches to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV) being indicative of arterial stiffness. Carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) can be measured between common carotid artery (CCA) and femoral artery (FA) displaying the physiologically important stiffness of the conduit arteries. However, this measurement approach has several disadvantages, and a local PWV-measurement of CCA-stiffness has been proposed as an alternative in the past. In the presented pilot study, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) is used to measure PWV locally in the CCA (PWVLDV) in 48 patients aged between 48 and 70, with known atherosclerotic arterial disease: stabilized coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebro-vascular disease (CVD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). Additionally, cfPWV, CCA distensibility coefficient (DC), CCA intima-media thickness (IMT), blood pressure (BP) and age were evaluated. LDV is a valid method for local PWV-measurement. The method is potentially easy to use, and causes no discomfort to the patient. PWVLDV correlates with age (R  =  0.432; p  =  0.002) as reported in related studies using other techniques, and measured values lay between 2.5 and 5.8 m s(-1), which is well in line with literature measures of local PWV in the CCA. In conclusion, PWVLDV potentially is a marker for arterial health, but more research in a larger and more homogeneous patient population is mandatory. In future studies, blood velocity measurements should be incorporated, as well as a reference method such as pulse wave imaging (PWI) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Cluster compression algorithm: A joint clustering/data compression concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilbert, E. E.

1977-01-01

The Cluster Compression Algorithm (CCA), which was developed to reduce costs associated with transmitting, storing, distributing, and interpreting LANDSAT multispectral image data is described. The CCA is a preprocessing algorithm that uses feature extraction and data compression to more efficiently represent the information in the image data. The format of the preprocessed data enables simply a look-up table decoding and direct use of the extracted features to reduce user computation for either image reconstruction, or computer interpretation of the image data. Basically, the CCA uses spatially local clustering to extract features from the image data to describe spectral characteristics of the data set. In addition, the features may be used to form a sequence of scalar numbers that define each picture element in terms of the cluster features. This sequence, called the feature map, is then efficiently represented by using source encoding concepts. Various forms of the CCA are defined and experimental results are presented to show trade-offs and characteristics of the various implementations. Examples are provided that demonstrate the application of the cluster compression concept to multi-spectral images from LANDSAT and other sources.

Emerging molecular therapeutic targets for cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Rizvi, Sumera; Gores, Gregory J

2017-09-01

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are diverse epithelial tumors arising from the liver or large bile ducts with features of cholangiocyte differentiation. CCAs are classified anatomically into intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), and distal CCA (dCCA). Each subtype has distinct risk factors, molecular pathogenesis, therapeutic options, and prognosis. CCA is an aggressive malignancy with a poor overall prognosis and median survival of less than 2years in patients with advanced disease. Potentially curative surgical treatment options are limited to the subset of patients with early-stage disease. Presently, the available systemic medical therapies for advanced or metastatic CCA have limited therapeutic efficacy. Molecular alterations define the differences in biological behavior of each CCA subtype. Recent comprehensive genetic analysis has better characterized the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of each CCA subtype. Promising candidates for targeted, personalized therapy have emerged, including potential driver fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene fusions and somatic mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)1/2 in iCCA, protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha (PRKACA) or beta (PRKACB) gene fusions in pCCA, and ELF3 mutations in dCCA/ampullary carcinoma. A precision genomic medicine approach is dependent on an enhanced understanding of driver mutations in each subtype and stratification of patients according to their genetic drivers. We review the current genomic landscape of CCA, the potentially actionable molecular aberrations in each CCA subtype, and the role of immunotherapy in CCA. Copyright © 2017 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

LWD-TCP complex activates the morning gene CCA1 in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Wu, Jing-Fen; Tsai, Huang-Lung; Joanito, Ignasius; Wu, Yi-Chen; Chang, Chin-Wen; Li, Yi-Hang; Wang, Ying; Hong, Jong Chan; Chu, Jhih-Wei; Hsu, Chao-Ping; Wu, Shu-Hsing

2016-10-13

A double-negative feedback loop formed by the morning genes CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1)/LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and the evening gene TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (TOC1) contributes to regulation of the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. A 24-h circadian cycle starts with the peak expression of CCA1 at dawn. Although CCA1 is targeted by multiple transcriptional repressors, including PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR9 (PRR9), PRR7, PRR5 and CCA1 HIKING EXPEDITION (CHE), activators of CCA1 remain elusive. Here we use mathematical modelling to infer a co-activator role for LIGHT-REGULATED WD1 (LWD1) in CCA1 expression. We show that the TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1-CYCLOIDEA-PCF20 (TCP20) and TCP22 proteins act as LWD-interacting transcriptional activators. The concomitant binding of LWD1 and TCP20/TCP22 to the TCP-binding site in the CCA1 promoter activates CCA1. Our study reveals activators of the morning gene CCA1 and provides an action mechanism that ensures elevated expression of CCA1 at dawn to sustain a robust clock.

LWD–TCP complex activates the morning gene CCA1 in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Wu, Jing-Fen; Tsai, Huang-Lung; Joanito, Ignasius; Wu, Yi-Chen; Chang, Chin-Wen; Li, Yi-Hang; Wang, Ying; Hong, Jong Chan; Chu, Jhih-Wei; Hsu, Chao-Ping; Wu, Shu-Hsing

2016-01-01

A double-negative feedback loop formed by the morning genes CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1)/LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) and the evening gene TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (TOC1) contributes to regulation of the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. A 24-h circadian cycle starts with the peak expression of CCA1 at dawn. Although CCA1 is targeted by multiple transcriptional repressors, including PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR9 (PRR9), PRR7, PRR5 and CCA1 HIKING EXPEDITION (CHE), activators of CCA1 remain elusive. Here we use mathematical modelling to infer a co-activator role for LIGHT-REGULATED WD1 (LWD1) in CCA1 expression. We show that the TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1-CYCLOIDEA-PCF20 (TCP20) and TCP22 proteins act as LWD-interacting transcriptional activators. The concomitant binding of LWD1 and TCP20/TCP22 to the TCP-binding site in the CCA1 promoter activates CCA1. Our study reveals activators of the morning gene CCA1 and provides an action mechanism that ensures elevated expression of CCA1 at dawn to sustain a robust clock. PMID:27734958

Fractionation of heavy metals in liquefied chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood sludge using a modified BCR-sequential extraction procedure

Treesearch

Hui Pan; Chung-Yun Hse; Robert Gambrell; Todd F. Shupe

2009-01-01

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood was liquefied with polyethylene glycol/glycerin and sulfuric acid. After liquefaction, most CCA metals (98% As, 92% Cr, and 83% Cu) were removed from liquefied CCA-treated wood by precipitation with calcium hydroxide. The original CCA-treated wood and liquefied CCA-treated wood sludge were fractionated by a modified...

PD-L1 expression in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Walter, Dirk; Herrmann, Eva; Schnitzbauer, Andreas A; Zeuzem, Stefan; Hansmann, Martin Leo; Peveling-Oberhag, Jan; Hartmann, Sylvia

2017-09-01

To investigate the expression of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) receptor-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway and the clinicopathological characteristics in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA). Tissue samples from patients with eCCA [n = 69; perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), 40; and distal CCA, 29] who underwent surgical resection in the period from 2007 to 2015 were evaluated for PD-1, PD-L1, CD3 and CD163 expression, and correlations with clinicopathological characteristics, including survival data, were determined. PD-L1 was found on both tumour cells of eCCA (8/69, 11.6%) and tumour-associated macrophages (21/69, 30.4%). Significant correlations of PD-L1 expression on cancer cells with venous invasion (P = 0.031) and poor differentiation of the tumour (P = 0.048) were observed. In 19 of 69 (27.5%) samples, tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) expressed PD-1, whereas infiltration with CD3-positive and CD163-positive cells was found in 63 of 69 (91.3%) and 68 of 69 (98.6%) cases, respectively. The presence of fewer than five CD3-positive cells per high-power field was significantly correlated with poorer differentiation (P = 0.015) and venous invasion (P < 0.001) of CCA. PD-L1 expression was not correlated with patient survival, but PD-L1 expression on tumour cells combined with low infiltration of CD3-positive TILs was associated with an unfavourable outcome (P = 0.027). Only a small number of eCCA patients are PD-L1-positive, which might be important for future application of PD-1/PD-L1-targeted immune-modulating therapy in these patients. A small subgroup of eCCAs with PD-L1 expression and low lymphocytic infiltration showed more invasive growth and worse overall survival. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A functional genomics approach reveals CHE as a component of the Arabidopsis circadian clock.

PubMed

Pruneda-Paz, Jose L; Breton, Ghislain; Para, Alessia; Kay, Steve A

2009-03-13

Transcriptional feedback loops constitute the molecular circuitry of the plant circadian clock. In Arabidopsis, a core loop is established between CCA1 and TOC1. Although CCA1 directly represses TOC1, the TOC1 protein has no DNA binding domains, which suggests that it cannot directly regulate CCA1. We established a functional genomic strategy that led to the identification of CHE, a TCP transcription factor that binds specifically to the CCA1 promoter. CHE is a clock component partially redundant with LHY in the repression of CCA1. The expression of CHE is regulated by CCA1, thus adding a CCA1/CHE feedback loop to the Arabidopsis circadian network. Because CHE and TOC1 interact, and CHE binds to the CCA1 promoter, a molecular linkage between TOC1 and CCA1 gene regulation is established.

A Novel Predictive Equation for Potential Diagnosis of Cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Kraiklang, Ratthaphol; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Khuntikeo, Narong; Imtawil, Kanokwan; Wongkham, Sopit; Wongkham, Chaisiri

2014-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common-primary liver cancer. The difficulties in diagnosis limit successful treatment of CCA. At present, histological investigation is the standard diagnosis for CCA. However, there are some poor-defined tumor tissues which cannot be definitively diagnosed by general histopathology. As molecular signatures can define molecular phenotypes related to diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment outcome, and CCA is the second most common cancer found after hepatocellularcarcinoma (HCC), the aim of this study was to develop a predictive model which differentiates CCA from HCC and normal liver tissues. An in-house PCR array containing 176 putative CCA marker genes was tested with the training set tissues of 20 CCA and 10 HCC cases. The molecular signature of CCA revealed the prominent expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and cell movement, whereas HCC showed elevated expression of genes related to cell proliferation/differentiation and metabolisms. A total of 69 genes differentially expressed in CCA and HCC were optimized statistically to formulate a diagnostic equation which distinguished CCA cases from HCC cases. Finally, a four-gene diagnostic equation (CLDN4, HOXB7, TMSB4 and TTR) was formulated and then successfully validated using real-time PCR in an independent testing set of 68 CCA samples and 77 non-CCA controls. Discrimination analysis showed that a combination of these genes could be used as a diagnostic marker for CCA with better diagnostic parameters with high sensitivity and specificity than using a single gene marker or the usual serum markers (CA19-9 and CEA). This new combination marker may help physicians to identify CCA in liver tissues when the histopathology is uncertain. PMID:24586698

Calcium and ZmCCaMK are involved in brassinosteroid-induced antioxidant defense in maize leaves.

PubMed

Yan, Jingwei; Guan, Li; Sun, Yue; Zhu, Yuan; Liu, Lei; Lu, Rui; Jiang, Mingyi; Tan, Mingpu; Zhang, Aying

2015-05-01

Brassinosteroids (BRs) have been shown to enhance stress tolerance by inducing antioxidant defense systems. However, the mechanisms of BR-induced antioxidant defense in plants remain to be determined. In this study, the role of calcium (Ca(2+)) and maize calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK), ZmCCaMK, in BR-induced antioxidant defense, and the relationship between ZmCCaMK and Ca(2+) in BR signaling were investigated. BR treatment led to a significant increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in protoplasts from maize mesophyll, and Ca(2+) was shown to be required for BR-induced antioxidant defense. Treatment with BR induced increases in gene expression and enzyme activity of ZmCCaMK in maize leaves. Transient overexpression and silencing of ZmCCaMK in maize protoplasts demonstrated that ZmCCaMK was required for BR-induced antioxidant defense. The requirement for CCaMK was further investigated using a loss-of-function mutant of OsCCaMK, the orthologous gene of ZmCCaMK in rice. Consistent with the findings in maize, BR treatment could not induce antioxidant defense in the rice OsCCAMK mutant. Furthermore, Ca(2+) was required for BR-induced gene expression and activation of ZmCCaMK, while ZmCCaMK was shown to enhance the BR-induced increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. Moreover, our results also showed that ZmCCaMK and H2O2 influenced each other. These results indicate that Ca(2+) works together with ZmCCaMK in BR-induced antioxidant defense, and there are two positive feedback loops between Ca(2+) or H2O2 and ZmCCaMK in BR signaling in maize. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Japanese Society of Plant Physiologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Differential Protein Expression Marks the Transition From Infection With Opisthorchis viverrini to Cholangiocarcinoma*

PubMed Central

Khoontawad, Jarinya; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Rucksaken, Rucksak; Pinlaor, Porntip; Wongkham, Chaisiri; Yongvanit, Puangrat; Pugkhem, Ake; Jones, Alun; Plieskatt, Jordan; Potriquet, Jeremy; Bethony, Jeffery; Pinlaor, Somchai; Mulvenna, Jason

2017-01-01

Parts of Southeast Asia have the highest incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in the world because of infection by the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov). Ov-associated CCA is the culmination of chronic Ov-infection, with the persistent production of the growth factors and cytokines associated with persistent inflammation, which can endure for years in Ov-infected individuals prior to transitioning to CCA. Isobaric labeling and tandem mass spectrometry of liver tissue from a hamster model of CCA was used to compare protein expression profiles from inflammed tissue (Ovinfected but not cancerous) versus cancerous tissue (Ov-induced CCA). Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to verify dysregulated proteins in the animal model and in human tissue. We identified 154 dysregulated proteins that marked the transition from Ov-infection to Ov-induced CCA, i.e. proteins dysregulated during carcinogenesis but not Ov-infection. The verification of dysregulated proteins in resected liver tissue from humans with Ov-associated CCA showed the numerous parallels in protein dysregulation between human and animal models of Ov-induced CCA. To identify potential circulating markers for CCA, dysregulated proteins were compared with proteins isolated from exosomes secreted by a human CCA cell line (KKU055) and 27 proteins were identified as dysregulated in CCA and present in exosomes. These data form the basis of potential diagnostic biomarkers for human Ov-associated CCA. The profile of protein dysregulation observed during chronic Ovinfection and then in Ov-induced CCA provides insight into the etiology of an infection-induced inflammation-related cancer. PMID:28232516

Suppression of thymosin β10 increases cell migration and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Thymosin β10 (Tβ10) expression is associated with malignant phenotypes in many cancers. However, the role and mechanisms of Tβ10 in liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the expression of Tβ10 in CCA tumor tissues and cell lines as well as molecular mechanisms of Tβ10 in tumor metastasis of CCA cell lines. Methods Tβ10 expression was determined by real time RT-PCR or immunocytochemistry. Tβ10 silence or overexpression in CCA cells was achieved using gene delivery techniques. Cell migration was assessed using modified Boyden chamber and wound healing assay. The effect of silencing Tβ10 on CCA tumor metastasis was determined in nude mice. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the expression of EGR1, Snail and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied. Results Ten pairs of CCA tissues (primary and metastatic tumors) and 5 CCA cell lines were studied. With real time RT-PCR and immunostaining analysis, Tβ10 was highly expressed in primary tumors of CCA; while it was relatively low in the metastatic tumors. Five CCA cell lines showed differential expression levels of Tβ10. Silence of Tβ10 significantly increased cell migration, invasion and wound healing of CCA cells in vitro; reversely, overexpression of Tβ10 reduced cell migration compared with control cells (P<0.05). In addition, silence of Tβ10 in CCA cells increased liver metastasis in a nude mouse model of CCA implantation into the spleen. Furthermore, silence of Tβ10 activated ERK1/2 and increased the expression of Snail and MMPs in CCA cell lines. Ras-GTPase inhibitor, FPT inhibitor III, effectively blocked Tβ10 silence-associated ERK1/2 activation, Snail expression and cell migration. Conclusions Low expression of Tβ10 is associated with metastatic phenotype of CCA in vitro and in vivo, which may be mediated by the activation of Ras, ERK1/2 and upregulation of Snail and MMPs. This study suggests a new molecular pathway of CCA pathogenesis and a novel strategy to treat or prevent CCA metastasis. PMID:24053380

Pyrcca: Regularized Kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis in Python and Its Applications to Neuroimaging.

PubMed

Bilenko, Natalia Y; Gallant, Jack L

2016-01-01

In this article we introduce Pyrcca, an open-source Python package for performing canonical correlation analysis (CCA). CCA is a multivariate analysis method for identifying relationships between sets of variables. Pyrcca supports CCA with or without regularization, and with or without linear, polynomial, or Gaussian kernelization. We first use an abstract example to describe Pyrcca functionality. We then demonstrate how Pyrcca can be used to analyze neuroimaging data. Specifically, we use Pyrcca to implement cross-subject comparison in a natural movie functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment by finding a data-driven set of functional response patterns that are similar across individuals. We validate this cross-subject comparison method in Pyrcca by predicting responses to novel natural movies across subjects. Finally, we show how Pyrcca can reveal retinotopic organization in brain responses to natural movies without the need for an explicit model.

Pyrcca: Regularized Kernel Canonical Correlation Analysis in Python and Its Applications to Neuroimaging

PubMed Central

Bilenko, Natalia Y.; Gallant, Jack L.

2016-01-01

In this article we introduce Pyrcca, an open-source Python package for performing canonical correlation analysis (CCA). CCA is a multivariate analysis method for identifying relationships between sets of variables. Pyrcca supports CCA with or without regularization, and with or without linear, polynomial, or Gaussian kernelization. We first use an abstract example to describe Pyrcca functionality. We then demonstrate how Pyrcca can be used to analyze neuroimaging data. Specifically, we use Pyrcca to implement cross-subject comparison in a natural movie functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment by finding a data-driven set of functional response patterns that are similar across individuals. We validate this cross-subject comparison method in Pyrcca by predicting responses to novel natural movies across subjects. Finally, we show how Pyrcca can reveal retinotopic organization in brain responses to natural movies without the need for an explicit model. PMID:27920675

Synthesis, Structure, and Selective Gas Adsorption of a Single-Crystalline Zirconium Based Microporous Metal–Organic Framework

DOE PAGES

Wang, Hao; Wang, Qining; Teat, Simon J.; ...

2017-02-15

Porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials with high thermal and water stability are desirable for various adsorption based applications. Early transition metal based MOFs such as those built on zirconium metal have been well recognized for their excellent stability toward heat and/or moisture. However, the difficulty growing large single crystals makes their structural characterization challenging. Herein we report a porous Zr-MOF, [Zr 6O 4(OH) 4(cca) 6] (Zr-cca), which is assembled from zirconium and 4-carboxycinnamic acid (H 2cca) under solvothermal conditions. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the structure of Zr-cca is isoreticular to the prototype zirconium based MOF, UiO-66. Zr-ccamore » shows permanent porosity upon removal of solvent molecules initially residing inside the pores, with a BET surface area of 1178 m 2/g. As expected, it exhibits good thermal stability (stable up to 400 °C) and high resistance to acidity over a wide pH range. Evaluation of its gas adsorption performance on various hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons indicates that it preferentially adsorbs C 3 and C 4 hydrocarbons over C 2 analogues. At 30°C Zr-cca takes up more than 50 wt % of perfluorohexane and the adsorption-desorption process is fully recyclable. We have compared this material with UiO-66 and studied the underlying reasons for the difference in their adsorption performance toward perfluorohexane.« less

Identification and characterization of Burkholderia multivorans CCA53.

PubMed

Akita, Hironaga; Kimura, Zen-Ichiro; Yusoff, Mohd Zulkhairi Mohd; Nakashima, Nobutaka; Hoshino, Tamotsu

2017-07-06

A lignin-degrading bacterium, Burkholderia sp. CCA53, was previously isolated from leaf soil. The purpose of this study was to determine phenotypic and biochemical features of Burkholderia sp. CCA53. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis based on fragments of the atpD, gltD, gyrB, lepA, recA and trpB gene sequences was performed to identify Burkholderia sp. CCA53. The MLST analysis revealed that Burkholderia sp. CCA53 was tightly clustered with B. multivorans ATCC BAA-247 T . The quinone and cellular fatty acid profiles, carbon source utilization, growth temperature and pH were consistent with the characteristics of B. multivorans species. Burkholderia sp. CCA53 was therefore identified as B. multivorans CCA53.

Evaluation of the accessibility of CCA metals in liquefied CCA-treated wood sludge for recovery and reuse

Treesearch

Hui Pan; Todd F. Shupe; Chung-Yun Hse

2009-01-01

CCA-treated wood was liquefied with polyethylene glycol/glycerin and sulfuric acid. The heavy metals were precipitated by Ca(OH)2 from liquefied CCA-treated wood. The original CCA-treated wood and precipitated wood sludge were fractionated by a modified BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure. The purpose of the BCR...

Critical role for CCA1 and LHY in maintaining circadian rhythmicity in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Alabadí, David; Yanovsky, Marcelo J; Más, Paloma; Harmer, Stacey L; Kay, Steve A

2002-04-30

Circadian clocks are autoregulatory, endogenous mechanisms that allow organisms, from bacteria to humans, to advantageously time a wide range of activities within 24-hr environmental cycles. CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) are thought to be important components of the circadian clock in the model plant Arabidopsis. The similar circadian phenotypes of lines overexpressing either CCA1 or LHY have suggested that the functions of these two transcription factors are largely overlapping. cca1-1 plants, which lack CCA1 protein, show a short-period phenotype for the expression of several genes when assayed under constant light conditions. This suggests that LHY function is able to only partially compensate for the lack of CCA1 protein, resulting in a clock with a faster pace in cca1-1 plants. We have obtained plants lacking CCA1 and with LHY function strongly reduced, cca1-1 lhy-R, and show that these plants are unable to maintain sustained oscillations in both constant light and constant darkness. However, these plants exhibit some circadian function in light/dark cycles, showing that the Arabidopsis circadian clock is not entirely dependent on CCA1 and LHY activities.

Surveillance of Populations at Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma Development in Rural Communities of Thailand Using the Korat-CCA Verbal Screening Test.

PubMed

Kaewpitoon, Soraya J; Rujirakul, Ratana; Loyd, Ryan A; Panpimanmas, Sukij; Matrakool, Likit; Tongtawee, Taweesak; Kompor, Porntip; Norkaew, Jun; Chavengkun, Wasugree; Wakkhuwattapong, Parichart; Kujapun, Jirawoot; Ponphimai, Sukanya; Phatisena, Tanida; Eaksunti, Thawatchai; Polsripradist, Poowadol; Joosiri, Apinya; Sukkasam, Inchat; Padchasuwan, Natnapa; Kaewpitoon, Natthawut

2016-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a serious problem in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern region. Active surveillance in rural communities with an appropriat low-cost screening tool is required to facilitate early detection. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the population at risk of CCA in Bua Yai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Northeastern Thailand using the Korat-CCA verbal screening test (KCVST) during June to October 2015. Reliability of KCVST demonstrated a Cronbach alpha coefficient=0.75 Stepwise-multiple regression showed that alcohol consumption was important for CCA screened, followed by agriculture and pesticide use, under-cooked cyprinoid fish consumption, praziquantel use, naïve northeastern people, opisthorchiasis, family relatives with CCA, and cholangitis or cholecystitis or gallstones, respectively. Population at risk for CCA was classified to low risk (63.4%), moderate risk (33.7%), and high risk (1.32%) for CCA. When CCA was screened using ultrasonography, 4 of 32 high risk participants had an abnormal biliary tract with dilated bile ducts. This study indicates that KCVST is a potential useful too which decrease the cost of large scale CCA screening.

Effects of corn cob ash on lime stabilized lateritic soil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nnochiri, Emeka Segun

2018-03-01

This study assesses the effects of Corn Cob Ash (CCA) on lime-stabilized lateritic soil. Preliminary tests were carried out on the natural soil sample for purpose of identification and classification. Lime being the main stabilizing material was thoroughly mixed with the soil sample to determine the optimum lime requirement of the sample as a basis for evaluating the effects of the CCA. The optimum lime requirement was 10%. The CCA was thereafter added to the lime stabilized soil in varying proportions of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%. Unsoaked CBR increased from 83% at 0% CCA to highest value of 94% at 4% CCA. Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) values increased from 1123kN/m2 at 0% CCA to highest value of 1180kN/m2 at 4% CCA. It was therefore concluded that CCA can serve as a good complement for lime stabilization in lateritic soil.

Phenformin inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis and autophagy in cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Hu, Shuyang; Ouyang, Qing; Cheng, Qingbao; Wang, Jinghan; Feng, Feiling; Qiao, Liang; Gan, Wei; Shi, Yang; Wu, Demin; Jiang, Xiaoqing

2018-04-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive malignant tumor and the prognosis of patients with advanced stage disease remains poor. Therefore, the identification of novel treatment agents for CCA is required. In the present study, the biological effects of the diabetes therapeutic agent, phenformin, in CCA cell lines was investigated. Cell Counting Kit‑8 cell viability, cellular clone formation and subcutaneous tumor formation assays were performed, which revealed that phenformin inhibited CCA cell proliferation and growth both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, phenformin induced CCA cell apoptosis and autophagy. Phenformin partly activated the liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/5' AMP‑activated protein kinase signaling pathway to exert its biological effects on CCA cell lines, as demonstrated by knockdown of LKB1, which reversed these effects. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the biological effects of phenformin in CCA and suggested that phenformin may be a potential novel agent for CCA treatment.

Conductivity enhancement of carbon aerogel by modified gelation using self additive

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ashish; Kohli, D. K.; Bhartiya, Sushmita; Singh, Rashmi; Rajak, Gaurav; Singh, M. K.; Karnal, A. K.

2018-04-01

Carbon aerogels having high surface area and open pore structure are being studied for many electrochemical applications such as fuel cells and super capacitors. Moderate electrical conductivity of resorcinol - formaldehyde (R-F) derived carbon aerogel limits its utility in these applications. The current manuscript briefs about the synthesis of composite carbon aerogel using carbon aerogel itself as additive during gelation of water based carbon aerogel and study the effect on its conductivity and surface properties. The additive carbon aerogel was synthesized and pre-treated at higher temperature to achieve enhancement in conductivity. The composite carbon aerogel (CCA) samples were characterized for surface area properties, morphology, electrical conductivity and specific capacitance. The surface area properties of CCA showed improvement and specific surface area of ˜1798 m2/g with total pore volume of 1.7 cm3/g. was obtained. The electrical conductivity of the composite carbon aerogel with 5 wt % additive showed improvement over the plain carbon aerogel with respective values of 144 S/m and 128 S/m. The specific capacitance evaluated for CA and CCA are 102 and 118 F/g at scan rate of 10mV/s with improvement of ˜16%.

A CCA+ICA based model for multi-task brain imaging data fusion and its application to schizophrenia.

PubMed

Sui, Jing; Adali, Tülay; Pearlson, Godfrey; Yang, Honghui; Sponheim, Scott R; White, Tonya; Calhoun, Vince D

2010-05-15

Collection of multiple-task brain imaging data from the same subject has now become common practice in medical imaging studies. In this paper, we propose a simple yet effective model, "CCA+ICA", as a powerful tool for multi-task data fusion. This joint blind source separation (BSS) model takes advantage of two multivariate methods: canonical correlation analysis and independent component analysis, to achieve both high estimation accuracy and to provide the correct connection between two datasets in which sources can have either common or distinct between-dataset correlation. In both simulated and real fMRI applications, we compare the proposed scheme with other joint BSS models and examine the different modeling assumptions. The contrast images of two tasks: sensorimotor (SM) and Sternberg working memory (SB), derived from a general linear model (GLM), were chosen to contribute real multi-task fMRI data, both of which were collected from 50 schizophrenia patients and 50 healthy controls. When examining the relationship with duration of illness, CCA+ICA revealed a significant negative correlation with temporal lobe activation. Furthermore, CCA+ICA located sensorimotor cortex as the group-discriminative regions for both tasks and identified the superior temporal gyrus in SM and prefrontal cortex in SB as task-specific group-discriminative brain networks. In summary, we compared the new approach to some competitive methods with different assumptions, and found consistent results regarding each of their hypotheses on connecting the two tasks. Such an approach fills a gap in existing multivariate methods for identifying biomarkers from brain imaging data.

78 FR 77175 - Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC and Mutual Fund Series Trust; Notice of Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-20

... Capital Advisors LLC and Mutual Fund Series Trust; Notice of Application December 16, 2013. ACTION: Notice... shareholder approval. APPLICANTS: Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC (``CCA'' or the ``Adviser'') and Mutual Fund Series Trust (formerly Catalyst Funds) (the ``Trust''). DATES: Filing Dates: The application was filed on...

Crystalline Colloidal Arrays in Polymer Matrices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sunkara, Hari B.; Penn, B. G.; Frazier, D. O.; Ramachandran, N.

1997-01-01

Crystalline Colloidal Arrays (CCA, also known as colloidal crystals), composed of aqueous or nonaqueous dispersions of self-assembled nanosized polymer colloidal spheres, are emerging toward the development of advanced optical devices for technological applications. The spontaneous self assembly of polymer spheres in a dielectric medium results from the electrostatic repulsive interaction between particles of uniform size and charge distribution. In a way similar to atomic crystals that diffract X-rays, CCA dispersions in thin quartz cells selectively and efficiently Bragg diffract the incident visible light. The reason for this diffraction is because the lattice (body or face centered cubic) spacing is on the order of the wavelength of visible light. Unlike the atomic crystals that diffract a fixed wavelength, colloidal crystals in principle, depending on the particle size, particle number and charge density, can diffract W, Vis or IR light. Therefore, the CCA dispersions can be used as laser filters. Besides, the diffraction intensity depends on the refractive index mismatch between polymer spheres and dielectric medium; therefore, it is possible to modulate incident light intensities by manipulating the index of either the spheres or the medium. Our interest in CCA is in the fabrication of all-optical devices such as optical switches, limiters, and spatial light modulators for optical signal processing. The two major requirements from a materials standpoint are the incorporation of suitable nonlinear optical materials (NLO) into polymer spheres which will allow us to alter the refractive index of the spheres by intense laser radiation, and preparation of solid CCA filters which can resist laser damage. The fabrication of solid composite filters not only has the advantage that the films are easier to handle, but also the arrays in solid films are more robust than in liquid media. In this paper, we report the photopolymerization process used to trap CCA in polymer matrices, the factors which affect the optical diffraction qualities of resulting polymer films, and methods to improve the efficiencies of solid optical filters. Before this, we also present the experimental demonstration, of controlling the optical diffraction intensities from aqueous CCA dispersions by varying the temperature, which establishes the feasibility of fabricating all-optical switching devices with nonlinear periodic array structures.

Long-Term Exposure of Tropical Soils to Pressure Treated Lumber, Barro Colorado Island, Panama: Impacts on Soil Metal Mobility and Microbial Community Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marietta, M. L.; Fowle, D. A.; Roberts, J. A.

2008-12-01

Pressure treated lumber (CCA) has been used in a variety of structures for over seven decades, but recent concerns have been raised about leaching of metals such as chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) into proximal soils and water supplies. Pressure treated lumber abundance and its continued use necessitate a thorough understanding of metal release and sequestration in the subsurface. To date, no long-term, in situ study on the migration of CCA compounds from lumber has been performed. Barro Colorado Island, Panama is the site of several previous CCA studies and provides an opportunity to investigate the long-term (>70 years) effects of pressure treated lumber in oxisols, where high rainfall and warm temperatures may represent an end-member condition for the leaching and mobility of these metals. Soil samples from CCA and control sites were measured for Cr, As, Cu, Zn, and Fe abundances, microbial biomass and community structure via phospholipid fatty acid analysis, along with basic soil properties. CCA lumber samples were also characterized for their metal abundance. Lumber treated with zinc meta-arsenite displayed advanced decay with elevated As, Cu, and Zn concentrations observed in the adjacent soil. Increased soil organic matter and microbial biomass correlate to decreases in Fe and Fe-associated metals compared to the control. High As concentrations persist to <1 m of the source. Lumber treated with potassium dichromate contained high chromium concentrations and displayed little decay, however, soil concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Cu were generally less than control soils. Over these same intervals, soil organic matter and microbial biomass increased, particularly the fraction of metal reducing bacteria (MRB). We hypothesize that organic carbon loading from lumber stimulates MRB, leading to mobilization of Fe and Fe-associated metals from these oxide-rich soils. Principal component analysis of PLFA data confirms a distinction between controls and samples with elevated metal abundance at each site. This study provides fundamental insight into the long-term persistence of CCA compounds in Fe-rich soils and could serve in practical applications related to CCA contamination.

Disruption of endocytic trafficking protein Rab7 impairs invasiveness of cholangiocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Suwandittakul, Nantana; Reamtong, Onrapak; Molee, Pattamaporn; Maneewatchararangsri, Santi; Sutherat, Maleerat; Chaisri, Urai; Wongkham, Sopit; Adisakwattana, Poom

2017-09-07

Alterations and mutations of endo-lysosomal trafficking proteins have been associated with cancer progression. Identification and characterization of endo-lysosomal trafficking proteins in invasive cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells may benefit prognosis and drug design for CCA. To identify and characterize endo-lysosomal trafficking proteins in invasive CCA. A lysosomal-enriched fraction was isolated from a TNF-α induced invasive CCA cell line (KKU-100) and uninduced control cells and protein identification was performed with nano-LC MS/MS. Novel lysosomal proteins that were upregulated in invasive CCA cells were validated by real-time RT-PCR. We selected Rab7 for further studies of protein level using western blotting and subcellular localization using immunofluorescence. The role of Rab7 in CCA invasion was determined by siRNA gene knockdown and matrigel transwell assay. Rab7 mRNA and protein were upregulated in invasive CCA cells compared with non-treated controls. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that Rab7 was expressed predominantly in invasive CCA cells and was localized in the cytoplasm and lysosomes. Suppression of Rab7 translation significantly inhibited TNF-α-induced cell invasion compared to non-treated control (p= 0.044). Overexpression of Rab7 in CCA cells was associated with cell invasion, supporting Rab7 as a novel candidate for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CCA.

Evaluating landfill disposal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood and potential effects on groundwater: evidence from Florida.

PubMed

Saxe, Jennifer K; Wannamaker, Eric J; Conklin, Scott W; Shupe, Todd F; Beck, Barbara D

2007-01-01

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood has been used for more than 50 years. Recent attention has been focused on appropriate disposal of CCA-treated wood when its service life ends. Groups in the US and Europe concerned with the possibility of arsenic migration to groundwater from disposed CCA-treated wood have proposed that consumers be required to dispose of the wood as a hazardous waste, in the most protective of landfills. We examined available data for evidence of arsenic migration from unlined construction and demolition (C&D) debris landfills in Florida, where CCA-treated wood is disposed. Florida was chosen because soil, groundwater, landfill design, weather, and levels of CCA-treated wood use make the state a uniquely sensitive indicator for observing arsenic migration from CCA-treated wood disposal sites, should it occur. We developed and quality-checked a CCA-treated wood disposal model to estimate the amount of wood and associated arsenic disposed. By 2000, an estimated 13 million kg of arsenic in CCA-treated wood was disposed in Florida; however, groundwater monitoring data do not indicate that arsenic is migrating from unlined C&D landfills. Our results provide evidence that highly stringent regulation of CCA-treated wood disposal, such as treatment as a hazardous waste, is unnecessary.

Cholangiocarcinoma stem-like subset shapes tumor-initiating niche by educating associated macrophages

PubMed Central

Raggi, Chiara; Correnti, Margherita; Sica, Antonio; Andersen, Jesper B.; Cardinale, Vincenzo; Alvaro, Domenico; Chiorino, Giovanna; Forti, Elisa; Glaser, Shannon; Alpini, Gianfranco; Destro, Annarita; Sozio, Francesca; Di Tommaso, Luca; Roncalli, Massimo; Banales, Jesus M.; Coulouarn, Cédric; Bujanda, Luis; Torzilli, Guido; Invernizzi, Pietro

2017-01-01

Background & Aims A therapeutically challenging subset of cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) clinical severity. Presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) has prognostic significance in CCA and other malignancies. Thus, we hypothesized that CSCs may actively shape their tumor-supportive immune niche. Methods CCA cells were cultured in 3D conditions to generate spheres. CCA sphere analysis of in vivo tumorigenic-engraftment in immune-deficient mice and molecular characterization was performed. The in vitro and in vivo effect of CCA spheres on macrophage precursors was tested after culturing healthy donor cluster of differentiation (CD)14+ with CCA-sphere conditioned medium. Results CCA spheres engrafted in 100% of transplanted mice and revealed a significant 20.3-fold increase in tumor-initiating fraction (p = 0.0011) and a sustained tumorigenic potential through diverse xenograft-generations. Moreover, CCA spheres were highly enriched for CSC, liver cancer and embryonic stem cell markers both at gene and protein levels. Next, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that in the presence of CCA sphere conditioned medium, CD14+ macrophages expressed key markers (CD68, CD115, human leukocyte antigen-D related, CD206) indicating that CCA sphere conditioned medium was a strong macrophage-activator. Gene expression profile of CCA sphere activated macrophages revealed unique molecular TAM-like features confirmed by high invasion capacity. Also, freshly isolated macrophages from CCA resections recapitulated a similar molecular phenotype of in vitro-educated macrophages. Consistent with invasive features, the largest CD163+ set was found in the tumor front of human CCA specimens (n = 23) and correlated with a high level of serum cancer antigen 19.9 (n = 17). Among mediators released by CCA spheres, only interleukin (IL)13, IL34 and osteoactivin were detected and further confirmed in CCA patient sera (n = 12). Surprisingly, a significant association of IL13, IL34 and osteoactivin with sphere stem-like genes was provided by a CCA database (n = 104). In vitro combination of IL13, IL34, osteoactivin was responsible for macrophage-differentiation and invasion, as well as for in vivo tumor-promoting effect. Conclusion CCA-CSCs molded a specific subset of stem-like associated macrophages thus providing a rationale for a synergistic therapeutic strategy for CCA-disease. Lay summary Immune plasticity represents an important hallmark of tumor outcome. Since cancer stem cells are able to manipulate stromal cells to their needs, a better definition of the key dysregulated immune subtypes responsible for cooperating in supporting tumor initiation may facilitate the development of new therapeutic approaches. Considering that human cholangiocarcinoma represents a clinical emergency, it is essential to move to predictive models in order to understand the adaptive process of macrophage component (imprinting, polarization and maintenance) engaged by tumor stem-like compartment. PMID:27593106

Incidence rates and risks of diethylstilbestrol-related clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and cervix: Update after 40-year follow-up.

PubMed

Huo, Dezheng; Anderson, Diane; Palmer, Julie R; Herbst, Arthur L

2017-09-01

Women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero are at increased risk for the development of vaginal and cervical clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) at younger age. It is unknown if a second peak will occur in later life, the ages when CCA developed spontaneously in the pre-DES era. The complete epidemiologic curve of CCA has not been reported, yet. We reviewed 720 cases of CCA from the CCA registry at the University of Chicago through 2014. Incidence rates and cumulative risks for CCA were calculated based on white women born in the U.S. from 1948 through 1971. In 420 CCA cases there was documented evidence of prenatal DES exposure. 80% were among those between ages 15 and 31 but some occurred as late as age 55. A small second peak occurred around age 42. The risk of DES-related CCA was highest in the 1951-1956 birth cohort and this birth cohort effect closely correlated with DES prescriptions over time in the U.S. (r=0.98, P=0.005). By age 50, the cumulative risk of CCA was 1 per 750 exposed women. CCA cases without evidence of DES exposure had similar ages, year of diagnosis, and birth cohort patterns as the documented DES-exposed cases, suggesting that some negative cases were exposed. Their inclusion raises the cumulative risk of CCA to 1 per 520. With the largest data available, our results confirmed the association between prenatal DES exposure and clear cell adenocarcinoma. The study also refines the risks of DES-related CCA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends in Incidence and Factors Affecting Survival of Patients With Cholangiocarcinoma in the United States.

PubMed

Mukkamalla, Shiva Kumar R; Naseri, Hussain M; Kim, Byung M; Katz, Steven C; Armenio, Vincent A

2018-04-01

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) includes cancers arising from the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. The etiology and pathogenesis of CCA remain poorly understood. This is the first study investigating both incidence patterns of CCA from 1973 through 2012 and demographic, clinical, and treatment variables affecting survival of patients with CCA. Patients and Methods: Using the SEER database, age-adjusted incidence rates were evaluated from 1973-2012 using SEER*Stat software. A retrospective cohort of 26,994 patients diagnosed with CCA from 1973-2008 was identified for survival analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to perform multivariate survival analysis. Results: Overall incidence of CCA increased by 65% from 1973-2012. Extrahepatic CCA (ECC) remained more common than intrahepatic CCA (ICC), whereas the incidence rates for ICC increased by 350% compared with a 20% increase seen with ECC. Men belonging to non-African American and non-Caucasian ethnicities had the highest incidence rates of CCA. This trend persisted throughout the study period, although African Americans and Caucasians saw 50% and 59% increases in incidence rates, respectively, compared with a 9% increase among other races. Median overall survival (OS) was 8 months in patients with ECC compared with 4 months in those with ICC. Our survival analysis found Hispanic women to have the best 5-year survival outcome ( P <.0001). OS diminished with age ( P <.0001), and ECC had better survival outcomes compared with ICC ( P <.0001). Patients who were married, were nonsmokers, belonged to a higher income class, and underwent surgery had better survival outcomes compared with others ( P <.0001). Conclusions: This is the most up-to-date study of CCA from the SEER registry that shows temporal patterns of increasing incidence of CCA across different races, sexes, and ethnicities. We identified age, sex, race, marital status, income, smoking status, anatomic location of CCA, tumor grade, tumor stage, radiation, and surgery as independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with CCA. Copyright © 2018 by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Trophic cascades result in large-scale coralline algae loss through differential grazer effects.

PubMed

O'Leary, Jennifer K; McClanahan, Timothy R

2010-12-01

Removal of predators can have strong indirect effects on primary producers through trophic cascades. Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are major primary producers worldwide that may be influenced by predator removal through changes in grazer composition and biomass. CCA have been most widely studied in Caribbean and temperate reefs, where cover increases with increasing grazer biomass due to removal of competitive fleshy algae. However, each of these systems has one dominant grazer type, herbivorous fishes or sea urchins, which may not be functionally equivalent. Where fishes and sea urchins co-occur, fishing can result in a phase shift in the grazing community with subsequent effects on CCA and other substrata. Kenyan reefs have herbivorous fishes and sea urchins, providing an opportunity to determine the relative impacts of each grazer type and evaluate potential human-induced trophic cascades. We hypothesized that fish benefit CCA, abundant sea urchins erode CCA, and that fishing indirectly reduces CCA cover by removing sea urchin predators. We used closures and fished reefs as a large-scale, long-term natural experiment to assess how fishing and resultant changes in communities affect CCA abundance. We used a short-term caging experiment to directly test the effects of grazing on CCA. CCA cover declined with increasing fish and sea urchin abundance, but the negative impact of sea urchin grazing was much stronger than that of fishes. Abundant sea urchins reduced the CCA growth rate to almost zero and prevented CCA accumulation. A warming event (El Niño Southern Oscillation, ENSO) occurred during the 18-year study and had a strong but short-term positive effect on CCA cover. However, the effect of the ENSO on CCA was lower in magnitude than the effect of sea urchin grazing. We compare our results with worldwide literature on bioerosion by fishes and sea urchins. Grazer influence depends on whether benefits of fleshy algae removal outweigh costs of grazer-induced bioerosion. However, the cost-benefit ratio for CCA appears to change with grazer type, grazer abundance, and environment. In Kenya, predator removal leads to a trophic cascade that is expected to reduce net calcification of reefs and therefore reduce reef stability, growth, and resilience.

Silencing of CXCR4 inhibits tumor cell proliferation and neural invasion in human hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Tan, Xin-Yu; Chang, Shi; Liu, Wei; Tang, Hui-Huan

2014-03-01

To evaluate the expression of CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in the tissues of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hilar-CCA) and to investigate the cell proliferation and frequency of neural invasion (NI) influenced by RNAi-mediated CXCR4 silencing. An immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of CXCR4 in 41 clinical tissues, including hilar-CCA, cholangitis, and normal bile duct tissues. The effects of small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated CXCR4 silencing were detected in the hilar-CCA cell line QBC939. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT. Expression of CXCR4 was monitored by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The NI ability of hilar-CCA cells was evaluated using a perineural cell and hilar-CCA cell coculture migration assay. The expression of CXCR4 was significantly induced in clinical hilar-CCA tissue. There was a positive correlation between the expression of CXCR4 and lymph node metastasis/NI in hilar-CCA patients (p<0.05). Silencing of CXCR4 in tumor cell lines by siRNA led to significantly decreased NI (p<0.05) and slightly decreased cell proliferation. CXCR4 is likely correlated with clinical recurrence of hilar-CCA. CXCR4 is involved in the invasion and proliferation of human hilar-CCA cell line QBC939, indicating that CXCR4 could be a promising therapeutic target for hilar-CCA.

Applying economic evaluation to public health interventions: the case of interventions to promote physical activity.

PubMed

Trueman, Paul; Anokye, Nana Kwame

2013-03-01

This paper explores the application of alternative approaches to economic evaluation of public health interventions, using a worked example of exercise referral schemes (ERSs). Cost-utility (CUA) and cost-consequence analyses (CCA) were used to assess the cost-effectiveness of ERSs. For the CUA, evidence was synthesized using a decision analytic model that adopts a lifetime horizon and NHS/Personal Social Services perspective. Outcomes were expressed as incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY). CCA was conducted from a partial-societal perspective, including health and non-healthcare costs and benefits. Outcomes were reported in natural units, such as cases of strokes or CHD avoided. Compared with usual care, the incremental cost per QALY of ERS is £20 876. Based on a cohort of 100 000 individuals, CCA estimates cost of ERS at £22 million to the healthcare provider and £12 million to participants. The benefits of ERS include additional 3900 people becoming physically active, 51 cases of CHD avoided, 16 cases of stroke avoided, 86 cases of diabetes avoided and a gain of ∼800 QALYs. CCA might provide greater transparency than CUA in reporting the outcomes of public health interventions and have greater resonance with stakeholders involved in commissioning these interventions.

Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by a Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize [Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by ZmCCaMK Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Yuan; Yan, Jingwei; Liu, Weijuan; ...

2016-05-10

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) has been shown to play an important role in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defense and enhance the tolerance of plants to drought stress. However, its downstream molecular events are poorly understood. Here, we identify a NAC transcription factor, ZmNAC84, in maize, which physically interacts with ZmCCaMK in vitro and in vivo. ZmNAC84 display a partially overlapping expression pattern with ZmCCaMK after ABA treatment and H 2O 2 is required for ABA-induced ZmNAC84 expression. Functional analysis reveals that ZmNAC84 is essential for ABA-induced antioxidant defense in a ZmCCaMK-dependent manner. Furthermore, ZmCCaMK directly phosphorylates S113 of ZmNAC84 inmore » vitro, and S113 is essential for the ABA-induced stimulation of antioxidant defense by ZmCCaMK. Moreover, overexpression of ZmNAC84 in tobacco can improve drought tolerance, and alleviate drought-induced oxidative damage of transgenic plants. These results define a mechanism for ZmCCaMK function in ABA-induced antioxidant defense, where ABA-produced H 2O 2 first induces expression of ZmCCaMK and ZmNAC84 and activates ZmCCaMK, and subsequently the activated ZmCCaMK phosphorylates ZmNAC84 at S113, thereby inducing antioxidant defense by activating downstream genes.« less

Utilization of Google Earth for Distribution Mapping of Cholangiocarcinoma: a Case Study in Satuek District, Buriram, Thailand.

PubMed

Rattanasing, Wannaporn; Kaewpitoon, Soraya J; Loyd, Ryan A; Rujirakul, Ratana; Yodkaw, Eakachai; Kaewpitoon, Natthawut

2015-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a serious public health problem in the Northeast of Thailand. CCA is considered to be an incurable and rapidly lethal disease. Knowledge of the distribution of CCA patients is necessary for management strategies. This study aimed to utilize the Geographic Information System and Google EarthTM for distribution mapping of cholangiocarcinoma in Satuek District, Buriram, Thailand, during a 5-year period (2008-2012). In this retrospective study data were collected and reviewed from the OPD cards, definitive cases of CCA were patients who were treated in Satuek hospital and were diagnosed with CCA or ICD-10 code C22.1. CCA cases were used to analyze and calculate with ArcGIS 9.2, all of data were imported into Google Earth using the online web page www.earthpoint.us. Data were displayed at village points. A total of 53 cases were diagnosed and identified as CCA. The incidence was 53.57 per 100,000 population (65.5 for males and 30.8 for females) and the majority of CCA cases were in stages IV and IIA. The average age was 67 years old. The highest attack rate was observed in Thung Wang sub-district (161.4 per 100,000 population). The map display at village points for CCA patients based on Google Earth gave a clear visual deistribution. CCA is still a major problem in Satuek district, Buriram province of Thailand. The Google Earth production process is very simple and easy to learn. It is suitable for the use in further development of CCA management strategies.

Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by a Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize [Phosphorylation of a NAC Transcription Factor by ZmCCaMK Regulates Abscisic Acid-Induced Antioxidant Defense in Maize

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, Yuan; Yan, Jingwei; Liu, Weijuan

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) has been shown to play an important role in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defense and enhance the tolerance of plants to drought stress. However, its downstream molecular events are poorly understood. Here, we identify a NAC transcription factor, ZmNAC84, in maize, which physically interacts with ZmCCaMK in vitro and in vivo. ZmNAC84 display a partially overlapping expression pattern with ZmCCaMK after ABA treatment and H 2O 2 is required for ABA-induced ZmNAC84 expression. Functional analysis reveals that ZmNAC84 is essential for ABA-induced antioxidant defense in a ZmCCaMK-dependent manner. Furthermore, ZmCCaMK directly phosphorylates S113 of ZmNAC84 inmore » vitro, and S113 is essential for the ABA-induced stimulation of antioxidant defense by ZmCCaMK. Moreover, overexpression of ZmNAC84 in tobacco can improve drought tolerance, and alleviate drought-induced oxidative damage of transgenic plants. These results define a mechanism for ZmCCaMK function in ABA-induced antioxidant defense, where ABA-produced H 2O 2 first induces expression of ZmCCaMK and ZmNAC84 and activates ZmCCaMK, and subsequently the activated ZmCCaMK phosphorylates ZmNAC84 at S113, thereby inducing antioxidant defense by activating downstream genes.« less

Chemical-specific health consultation for chromated copper arsenate chemical mixture: port of Djibouti.

PubMed

Chou, Selene; Colman, Joan; Tylenda, Carolyn; De Rosa, Christopher

2007-05-01

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepared this health consultation to provide support for assessing the public health implications of hazardous chemical exposure, primarily through drinking water, related to releases of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) in the port of Djibouti. CCA from a shipment, apparently intended for treating electric poles, is leaking into the soil in the port area. CCA is a pesticide used to protect wood against decay-causing organisms. This mixture commonly contains chromium(VI) (hexavalent chromium) as chromic acid, arsenic(V) (pentavalent arsenic) as arsenic pentoxide and copper (II) (divalent copper) as cupric oxide, often in an aqueous solution or concentrate. Experimental studies of the fate of CCA in soil and monitoring studies of wood-preserving sites where CCA was spilled on the soil indicate that the chromium(VI), arsenic and copper components of CCA can leach from soil into groundwater and surface water. In addition, at CCA wood-preserving sites, substantial concentrations of chromium(VI), arsenic and copper remained in the soil and were leachable into water four years after the use of CCA was discontinued, suggesting prolonged persistence in soil, with continued potential for leaching. The degree of leaching depended on soil composition and the extent of soil contamination with CCA. In general, leaching was highest for chromium(VI), intermediate for arsenic and lowest for copper. Thus, the potential for contamination of sources of drinking water exists. Although arsenic that is leached from CCA-contaminated soil into surface water may accumulate in the tissues of fish and shellfish, most of the arsenic in these animals will be in a form (often called fish arsenic) that is less harmful. Copper, which leaches less readily than the other components, can accumulate in tissues of mussels and oysters. Chromium is not likely to accumulate in the tissues of fish and shellfish. Limited studies of air concentrations during cleanup of CCA-contaminated soil at wood- preserving sites showed that air levels of chromium(VI), arsenic and copper were below the occupational standards. Workers directly involved in the repackaging, containment or cleanup of leaking containers of CCA or of soil saturated with CCA, however, may be exposed to high levels of CCA through direct dermal contact, inhalation of aerosols or particulates and inadvertent ingestion. Few studies have been conducted on the health effects of CCA. CCA as a concentrated solution is corrosive to the skin eyes and digestive tract. Studies of workers exposed to CCA in wood-preserving plants have not found adverse health effects in these workers, but the studies involved small numbers of workers and therefore are not definitive. People exposed to very high levels of CCA, from sawing wood that still had liquid CCA in it or from living in a home contaminated with ash containing high levels of chromium(VI), arsenic and copper, experienced serious health effects including nosebleeds, digestive system pain and bleeding, itching skin, darkened urine, nervous system effects such as tingling or numbness of the hands and feet and confusion, and rashes or thickening and peeling of the skin. These health effects of the mixture are at least qualitatively reflective of the health effects of the individual components of CCA (arsenic, chromium(VI) and copper). For a given mixture, the critical effects of the individual components are of particular concern, as are any effects in common that may become significant due to additivity or interactions among the components. Effects of concern for CCA, based on the known effects of the individual components, include cancer (arsenic by the oral route, arsenic and chromium(VI) by the inhalation route), irritant or corrosive effects (all three mixture components), the unique dermal effects of arsenic, neurologic effects (arsenic and chromium(VI), and hematologic, hepatic and renal effects (all three components). Because arsenic, chromium(VI), and copper components affect some of the same target organs, they may have additive toxicity toward those organs. Few studies have investigated the potential toxic interactions among the components (arsenic, chromium(VI) and copper) of CCA. The available interaction studies and also possible mechanisms of interaction were evaluated using a weight-of-evidence approach. The conclusion is that there is no strong evidence that interactions among the components of CCA will result in a marked increase in toxicity. This conclusion reflects a lack of well designed interaction studies as well as uncertainties regarding potential mechanisms of interaction. Confidence in the conclusion is low. Workers exposed to high levels of CCA during cleanup of leaking containers of CCA or soil heavily contaminated with CCA should wear protective clothing and respirators if air concentrations of arsenic are above 10 microg/m3. In addition, they should not eat, drink or use tobacco products during exposure to CCA, and should thoroughly wash after skin contact with CCA and before eating, drinking, using tobacco products or using restrooms. When protective clothing becomes contaminated with CCA, it should be changed, and the contaminated clothing should be disposed off in a manner approved for pesticide disposal. Workers should leave all protective clothing, including work shoes and boots, at the workplace, so that CCA will not be carried into their cars and homes, which would endanger other people. People not involved in the cleanup of the CCA and who are not wearing protective clothing should be prevented from entering contaminated areas. Leaking containers of CCA must be repackaged and contained to prevent direct exposure of on-site personnel; and contaminated soil needs to be removed to prevent the CCA from leaching into surface water and groundwater, thereby contaminating sources of drinking water.

Bioremediation and degradation of CCA-treated wood waste.

Treesearch

Barbara L Illman; Vina W. Yang

2004-01-01

Bioprocessing CCA wood waste is an efficient and economical alternative to depositing the waste in landfills, especially if landfill restrictions on CCA waste are imposed nation wide. We have developed bioremediation and degradation technologies for microbial processing of CCA waste. The technologies are based on specially formulated inoculum of wood decay fungi,...

Crustose coralline algae increased framework and diversity on ancient coral reefs.

PubMed

Weiss, Anna; Martindale, Rowan C

2017-01-01

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are key producers of carbonate sediment on reefs today. Despite their importance in modern reef ecosystems, the long-term relationship of CCA with reef development has not been quantitatively assessed in the fossil record. This study includes data from 128 Cenozoic coral reefs collected from the Paleobiology Database, the Paleoreefs Database, as well as the original literature and assesses the correlation of CCA abundance with taxonomic diversity (both corals and reef dwellers) and framework of fossil coral reefs. Chi-squared tests show reef type is significantly correlated with CCA abundance and post-hoc tests indicate higher involvement of CCA is associated with stronger reef structure. Additionally, general linear models show coral reefs with higher amounts of CCA had a higher diversity of reef-dwelling organisms. These data have important implications for paleoecology as they demonstrate that CCA increased building capacity, structural integrity, and diversity of ancient coral reefs. The analyses presented here demonstrate that the function of CCA on modern coral reefs is similar to their function on Cenozoic reefs; thus, studies of ancient coral reef collapse are even more meaningful as modern analogues.

Silencing of CXCR4 Inhibits Tumor Cell Proliferation and Neural Invasion in Human Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Tan, Xin-Yu; Chang, Shi; Liu, Wei

2014-01-01

Background/Aims To evaluate the expression of CXC motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in the tissues of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hilar-CCA) and to investigate the cell proliferation and frequency of neural invasion (NI) influenced by RNAi-mediated CXCR4 silencing. Methods An immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of CXCR4 in 41 clinical tissues, including hilar-CCA, cholangitis, and normal bile duct tissues. The effects of small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated CXCR4 silencing were detected in the hilar-CCA cell line QBC939. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT. Expression of CXCR4 was monitored by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The NI ability of hilar-CCA cells was evaluated using a perineural cell and hilar-CCA cell coculture migration assay. Results The expression of CXCR4 was significantly induced in clinical hilar-CCA tissue. There was a positive correlation between the expression of CXCR4 and lymph node metastasis/NI in hilar-CCA patients (p<0.05). Silencing of CXCR4 in tumor cell lines by siRNA led to significantly decreased NI (p<0.05) and slightly decreased cell proliferation. Conclusions CXCR4 is likely correlated with clinical recurrence of hilar-CCA. CXCR4 is involved in the invasion and proliferation of human hilar-CCA cell line QBC939, indicating that CXCR4 could be a promising therapeutic target for hilar-CCA. PMID:24672662

Application of a four-channel vibrometer system for detection of arterial stiffness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campo, Adriaan; Waz, Adam; Dudzik, Grzegorz; Dirckx, Joris; Abramski, Krzysztof

2016-06-01

Cardiovascular diseases (CD) are the most important cause of death in the world and their prevalence is only rising. A significant aspect in the etiology of CD is the stiffening of the large arteries (arteriosclerosis) and plaque formation (atherosclerosis) in the common carotid artery (CCA) in the neck. As shown by increasing evidence, both conditions can be detected by assessing pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the CCA, and several approaches allow local detection of PWV, including ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In previous studies, laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) was introduced as an approach to assess arterial stiffness. In the present work, a new, compact four-channel LDV system is used for PWV detection in four phantom arteries mimicking real life CCA conditions. The high sensitivity of the LDV system allowed PWV to be assessed, and even local changes in phantom architecture could be detected. This method has potential for cardiovascular screening, as it allows arteriosclerosis assessment and plaque detection.

Urinary microRNA-192 and microRNA-21 as potential indicators for liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma risk group.

PubMed

Silakit, Runglawan; Loilome, Watcharin; Yongvanit, Puangrat; Thongchot, Suyanee; Sithithaworn, Paiboon; Boonmars, Thidarut; Koonmee, Supinda; Titapun, Attapol; Khuntikeo, Narong; Chamadol, Nittaya; Techasen, Anchalee; Namwat, Nisana

2017-08-01

Opisthorchis viverrini infection induces chronic inflammation in the bile ducts, leading to periductal fibrosis (PDF), which possibly associates to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Patients with CCA have a poor prognosis, which is linked to asymptomatic disease and late diagnosis. Hence, detecting early stage CCA is essential. Secretory miRNAs have been promoted as biomarkers for pathological changes associated with parasitic infections, fibrosis and/or cancer. We aimed to determine levels of miR-192 and miR-21 in the urine of O. viverrini infected, periductal fibrosis (PDF) and CCA groups using qRT-PCR. We found that miR-192 was significantly higher in O. viverrini infected, PDF and also CCA groups (p<0.05) than in healthy controls. By utilizing the Receiver Operation Characteristics (ROC) analysis, miR-192 differentiated patients with opisthorchiasis (the area under the curve; AUC=0.766), PDF subjects (AUC=0.781) and CCA patients (AUC=0.682) from healthy controls. MiR-21 was significantly higher in PDF and CCA groups (p<0.05) than in healthy controls. MiR-21 discriminated PDF subjects (AUC=0.735) and CCA patients (AUC=0.682) from healthy controls. Combined levels of these two miRNAs revealed an increased AUC of 0.812 for separating opisthorchiasis, AUC of 0.815 in discriminating PDF subjects, and AUC of 0.849 in differentiating CCA from healthy controls. Odds ratios (OR) indicated high levels of miR-192/miR-21 as risk predictors for opisthorchiasis, PDF and CCA. Levels of these miRNAs declined significantly for patients following praziquantel treatment. In conclusion, urinary miR-192/miR-21 have potential as risk indicators for opisthorchiasis and PDF-associated CCA in the endemic region. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

New Technique for the Preservation of the Left Common Carotid Artery in Zone 2a Endovascular Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Juszkat, Robert, E-mail: radiologiamim@wp.pl; Kulesza, Jerzy; Zarzecka, Anna

2011-02-15

To describe a technique for the preservation of the left common carotid artery (CCA) in zone 2 endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm. This technique involves the placement of a guide wire into the left CCA via the right brachial artery before stent graft deployment to enable precise visualization and protection of the left CCA during the whole procedure. Of the 107 patients with thoracic endovascular aortic repair in our study, 32 (30%) had the left subclavian artery intentionally covered (landing zone 2). Eight (25%) of those 32 had landing zone 2a-the segment distally the origin of the left CCA,more » halfway between the origin of the left CCA and the left subclavian artery. In all patients, a guide wire was positioned into the left CCA via the right brachial artery before stent graft deployment. It is a retrospective study in design. In seven patients, stent grafts were positioned precisely. In the remaining patient, the positioning was imprecise; the origin of the left CCA was partially covered by the graft. A stent was implanted into the left CCA to restore the flow into the vessel. All procedures were performed successfully. The technique of placing a guide wire into the left CCA via the right brachial artery before stent graft deployment is a safe and effective method that enables the precise visualization of the left CCA during the whole procedure. Moreover, in case of inadvertent complete or partial coverage of the origin of the left CCA, it supplies safe and quick access to the artery for stent implantation.« less

Toxicity of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood to non-target marine fouling communities in Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, UK.

PubMed

Brown, C J; Eaton, R A

2001-04-01

The effect of the anti-marine-borer timber preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) (a pressure impregnated solution of copper, chromium and arsenic compounds) on non-target marine fouling animals was investigated during a subtidal exposure trial. Panels of Scots pine treated to target retentions of 12, 24 and 48 kg CCA per m-3 of wood, plus untreated controls were submerged at a coastal site on the south coast of the UK for 6, 12 and 18 months. After each exposure period the fouling communities that formed on the surface of panels were assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Community structure was similar on panels treated to the three CCA loadings, but was significantly different from community structure on untreated panels. The total number of species (species richness) was similar on all panels, although the number of individual organisms attached to the surface of panels was significantly higher on CCA-treated panels than on untreated panels. k-dominance curves revealed that the difference in numbers of individuals between CCA-treated and untreated panels was caused by higher numbers of the dominant species (Elminius modestus, Hydroides ezoensis, and Electra pilosa) on CCA-treated panels. Other species were present in similar numbers on panels of all treatments. Results indicate that there are no detrimental toxic effects to epibiota caused by the presence of CCA preservative within the matrix of the wood at any of the treatment levels. Differences in community structure between CCA-treated and untreated panels may be due to enhanced larval settlement on CCA-treated timber by some species as a result of modifications to the surface properties of the timber by the CCA preservative.

Interaction of plant chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase with a homolog of eukaryotic elongation factor-1alpha

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, W.; Poovaiah, B. W.

1999-01-01

A chimeric Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) was previously cloned and characterized in this laboratory. To investigate the biological functions of CCaMK, the yeast two-hybrid system was used to isolate genes encoding proteins that interact with CCaMK. One of the cDNA clones obtained from the screening (LlEF-1alpha1) has high similarity with the eukaryotic elongation factor-1alpha (EF-1alpha). CCaMK phosphorylated LlEF-1alpha1 in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner. The phosphorylation site for CCaMK (Thr-257) was identified by site-directed mutagenesis. Interestingly, Thr-257 is located in the putative tRNA-binding region of LlEF-1alpha1. An isoform of Ca2+-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) phosphorylated multiple sites of LlEF-1alpha1 in a Ca2+-dependent but calmodulin-independent manner. Unlike CDPK, CCaMK phosphorylated only one site, and this site is different from CDPK phosphorylation sites. This suggests that the phosphorylation of EF-1alpha by these two kinases may have different functional significance. Although the phosphorylation of LlEF-1alpha1 by CCaMK is Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent, in vitro binding assays revealed that CCaMK binds to LlEF-1alpha1 in a Ca2+-independent manner. This was further substantiated by coimmunoprecipitation of CCaMK and EF-1alpha using the protein extract from lily anthers. Dissociation of CCaMK from EF-1alpha by Ca2+ and phosphorylation of EF-1alpha by CCaMK in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner suggests that these interactions may play a role in regulating the biological functions of EF-1alpha.

Goal-directed Hemostatic Resuscitation of Trauma-induced Coagulopathy

PubMed Central

Gonzalez, Eduardo; Moore, Ernest E.; Moore, Hunter B.; Chapman, Michael P.; Chin, Theresa L.; Ghasabyan, Arsen; Wohlauer, Max V.; Barnett, Carlton C.; Bensard, Denis D.; Biffl, Walter L.; Burlew, Clay C.; Johnson, Jeffrey L.; Pieracci, Fredric M.; Jurkovich, Gregory J.; Banerjee, Anirban; Silliman, Christopher C.; Sauaia, Angela

2017-01-01

Background Massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) have become standard of care in the management of bleeding injured patients, yet strategies to guide them vary widely. We conducted a pragmatic, randomized clinical trial (RCT) to test the hypothesis that an MTP goal directed by the viscoelastic assay thrombelastography (TEG) improves survival compared with an MTP guided by conventional coagulation assays (CCA). Methods This RCT enrolled injured patients from an academic level-1 trauma center meeting criteria for MTP activation. Upon MTP activation, patients were randomized to be managed either by an MTP goal directed by TEG or by CCA (ie, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen, platelet count). Primary outcome was 28-day survival. Results One hundred eleven patients were included in an intent-to-treat analysis (TEG = 56, CCA = 55). Survival in the TEG group was significantly higher than the CCA group (log-rank P = 0.032, Wilcoxon P = 0.027); 20 deaths in the CCA group (36.4%) compared with 11 in the TEG group (19.6%) (P = 0.049). Most deaths occurred within the first 6 hours from arrival (21.8% CCA group vs 7.1% TEG group) (P = 0.032). CCA patients required similar number of red blood cell units as the TEG patients [CCA: 5.0 (2–11), TEG: 4.5 (2–8)] (P = 0.317), but more plasma units [CCA: 2.0 (0–4), TEG: 0.0 (0–3)] (P = 0.022), and more platelets units [CCA: 0.0 (0–1), TEG: 0.0 (0–0)] (P = 0.041) in the first 2 hours of resuscitation. Conclusions Utilization of a goal-directed, TEG-guided MTP to resuscitate severely injured patients improves survival compared with an MTP guided by CCA and utilizes less plasma and platelet transfusions during the early phase of resuscitation. PMID:26720428

On the Shape of the Common Carotid Artery, with Implications for Blood Velocity Profiles

PubMed Central

Manbachi, Amir; Hoi, Yiemeng; Wasserman, Bruce A.; Lakatta, Edward G.; Steinman, David A

2012-01-01

Clinical and engineering studies typically assume that the common carotid artery (CCA) is straight enough to assume fully developed flow, yet recent studies have demonstrated the presence of skewed velocity profiles. Towards elucidating the influence of mild vascular curvatures on blood flow patterns and atherosclerosis, the present study aimed to characterize the three-dimensional shape of the human CCA. The left and right carotid arteries of 28 participants (62±13 years) in the VALIDATE (Vascular Aging – The Link that Bridges Age to Atherosclerosis) study were digitally segmented from 3D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiograms, from the aortic arch to the carotid bifurcation. Each CCA was divided into nominal cervical and thoracic segments, for which curvatures were estimated by least squares fitting of the respective centerlines to planar arcs. The cervical CCA had mean radius of curvature of 127 mm, corresponding to a mean lumen:curvature radius ratio of 1:50. The thoracic CCA was significantly more curved at 1:16, with the plane of curvature tilted by a mean angle of 25 degrees and rotated close to 90 degrees with respect to that of the cervical CCA. The left CCA was significantly longer and slightly more curved than the right CCA, and there was a weak but significant increase in CCA curvature with age. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations carried out for idealized CCA geometries derived from these and other measured geometric parameters demonstrated that mild cervical curvature is sufficient to prevent flow from fully developing, independent of the degree of thoracic curvature. These findings reinforce the idea that fully-developed flow may be the exception rather than the rule for the CCA, and perhaps other nominally long and straight vessels. PMID:22031538

Barriers to Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening Uptake in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Islam, Rakibul M; Billah, Baki; Hossain, Md Nassif; Oldroyd, John

2017-01-01

Background: Cervical cancer (CCa) and breast cancer (BCa) are the two leading cancers in women worldwide. Early detection and education to promote early diagnosis and screening of CCa and BCa greatly increases the chances for successful treatment and survival. Screening uptake for CCa and BCa in low and middle - income countries (LMICs) is low, and is consequently failing to prevent these diseases. We conducted a systematic review to identify the key barriers to CCa and BCa screening in women in LMICs. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINHAL Plus, and Google scholar to retrieve all English language studies from inception to 2015. This review was done in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines. Results: 53 eligible studies, 31 CCa screening studies and 22 BCa screening studies, provided information on 81,210 participants. We found fewer studies in low-income and lower - middle - income countries than in upper - middle - income countries. Lack of knowledge about CCa and BCa, and understanding of the role of screening were the key barriers to CCa and BCa screening in LMICs. Factors that are opportunities for knowledge acquisition, such as level of education, urban living, employment outside the home, facilitated CCa and BCa screening uptake in women in LMICs. Conclusions: Improvements to CCa and BCa screening uptake in LMICs must be accompanied by educational interventions which aim to improve knowledge and understanding of CCa and BCa and screening to asymptomatic women. It is imperative for governments and health policy makers in LMICs to implement screening programmes, including educational interventions, to ensure the prevention and early detection of women with CCa and BCa. These programmes and policies will be an integral part of a comprehensive population-based CCa and BCa control framework in LMICs. PMID:28749101

Barriers to Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening Uptake in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review

PubMed

Islam, Rakibul M; Billah, Baki; Hossain, Md Nassif; Oldroyd, John

2017-07-27

Background: Cervical cancer (CCa) and breast cancer (BCa) are the two leading cancers in women worldwide. Early detection and education to promote early diagnosis and screening of CCa and BCa greatly increases the chances for successful treatment and survival. Screening uptake for CCa and BCa in low and middle - income countries (LMICs) is low, and is consequently failing to prevent these diseases. We conducted a systematic review to identify the key barriers to CCa and BCa screening in women in LMICs. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search using Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINHAL Plus, and Google scholar to retrieve all English language studies from inception to 2015. This review was done in accordance with the PRISMA-P guidelines. Results: 53 eligible studies, 31 CCa screening studies and 22 BCa screening studies, provided information on 81,210 participants. We found fewer studies in low-income and lower - middle - income countries than in upper - middle - income countries. Lack of knowledge about CCa and BCa, and understanding of the role of screening were the key barriers to CCa and BCa screening in LMICs. Factors that are opportunities for knowledge acquisition, such as level of education, urban living, employment outside the home, facilitated CCa and BCa screening uptake in women in LMICs. Conclusions: Improvements to CCa and BCa screening uptake in LMICs must be accompanied by educational interventions which aim to improve knowledge and understanding of CCa and BCa and screening to asymptomatic women. It is imperative for governments and health policy makers in LMICs to implement screening programmes, including educational interventions, to ensure the prevention and early detection of women with CCa and BCa. These programmes and policies will be an integral part of a comprehensive population-based CCa and BCa control framework in LMICs. Creative Commons Attribution License

Evaluating spent CCA residential decks for second-life products

Treesearch

Robert Smith; David Bailey; Phil Araman

2003-01-01

The amount of CCA treated wood being removed from spent residential decks is increasing at a tremendous rate. While most spent CCA treated wood is being disposed in landfills, further useful and environmentally beneficial alternatives have to be met. This research estimated the percentage of recoverable lumber from spent CCA decks that can be recycled into other usable...

Evaluation of the WIPP Project`s compliance with the EPA radiation protection standards for disposal of transuranic waste

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Neill, R.H.; Chaturvedi, L.; Rucker, D.F.

The US Environmental Protection Agency`s (EPA) proposed rule to certify that the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) meets compliance with the long-term radiation protection standards for geologic repositories (40CFR191 Subparts B and C), is one of the most significant milestones to date for the WIPP project in particular, and for the nuclear waste issue in general. The Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) has provided an independent technical oversight for the WIPP project since 1978, and is responsible for many improvements in the location, design, and testing of various aspects of the project, including participation in the development of the EPA standardsmore » since the early 1980s. The EEG reviewed the development of documentation for assessing the WIPP`s compliance by the Sandia National Laboratories following the 1985 promulgation by EPA, and provided many written and verbal comments on various aspects of this effort, culminating in the overall review of the 1992 performance assessment. For the US Department of Energy`s (DOE) compliance certification application (CCA), the EEG provided detailed comments on the draft CCA in March, 1996, and additional comments through unpublished letters in 1997 (included as Appendices 8.1 and 8.2 in this report). Since the October 30, 1997, publication of the EPA`s proposed rule to certify WIPP, the EEG gave presentations on important issues to the EPA on December 10, 1997, and sent a December 31, 1997 letter with attachments to clarify those issues (Appendix 8.3). The EEG has raised a number of questions that may have an impact on compliance. In spite of the best efforts by the EEG, the EPA reaction to reviews and suggestions has been slow and apparently driven by legal considerations. This report discusses in detail the questions that have been raised about containment requirements. Also discussed are assurance requirements, groundwater protection, individual protection, and an evaluation of EPA`s responses to EEG`s comments.« less

Developmental regulation of the gene for chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in anthers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poovaiah, B. W.; Xia, M.; Liu, Z.; Wang, W.; Yang, T.; Sathyanarayanan, P. V.; Franceschi, V. R.

1999-01-01

Chimeric Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) was cloned from developing anthers of lily (Lilium longiflorum Thumb. cv. Nellie White) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Xanthi). Previous biochemical characterization and structure/function studies had revealed that CCaMK has dual modes of regulation by Ca(2+) and Ca(2+)/calmodulin. The unique structural features of CCaMK include a catalytic domain, a calmodulin-binding domain, and a neural visinin-like Ca(2+)-binding domain. The existence of these three features in a single polypeptide distinguishes it from other kinases. Western analysis revealed that CCaMK is expressed in a stage-specific manner in developing anthers. Expression of CCaMK was first detected in pollen mother cells and continued to increase, reaching a peak around the tetrad stage of meiosis. Following microsporogenesis, CCaMK expression rapidly decreased and at later stages of microspore development, no expression was detected. A tobacco genomic clone of CCaMK was isolated and transgenic tobacco plants were produced carrying the CCaMK promoter fused to the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene. Both CCaMK mRNA and protein were detected in the pollen sac and their localizations were restricted to the pollen mother cells and tapetal cells. Consistent results showing a stage-specific expression pattern were obtained by beta-glucuronidase analysis, in-situ hybridization and immunolocalization. The stage- and tissue-specific appearance of CCaMK in anthers suggests that it could play a role in sensing transient changes in free Ca(2+) concentration in target cells, thereby controlling developmental events in the anther.

A hybrid correlation analysis with application to imaging genetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Wenxing; Fang, Jian; Calhoun, Vince D.; Wang, Yu-Ping

2018-03-01

Investigating the association between brain regions and genes continues to be a challenging topic in imaging genetics. Current brain region of interest (ROI)-gene association studies normally reduce data dimension by averaging the value of voxels in each ROI. This averaging may lead to a loss of information due to the existence of functional sub-regions. Pearson correlation is widely used for association analysis. However, it only detects linear correlation whereas nonlinear correlation may exist among ROIs. In this work, we introduced distance correlation to ROI-gene association analysis, which can detect both linear and nonlinear correlations and overcome the limitation of averaging operations by taking advantage of the information at each voxel. Nevertheless, distance correlation usually has a much lower value than Pearson correlation. To address this problem, we proposed a hybrid correlation analysis approach, by applying canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to the distance covariance matrix instead of directly computing distance correlation. Incorporating CCA into distance correlation approach may be more suitable for complex disease study because it can detect highly associated pairs of ROI and gene groups, and may improve the distance correlation level and statistical power. In addition, we developed a novel nonlinear CCA, called distance kernel CCA, which seeks the optimal combination of features with the most significant dependence. This approach was applied to imaging genetic data from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (PNC). Experiments showed that our hybrid approach produced more consistent results than conventional CCA across resampling and both the correlation and statistical significance were increased compared to distance correlation analysis. Further gene enrichment analysis and region of interest (ROI) analysis confirmed the associations of the identified genes with brain ROIs. Therefore, our approach provides a powerful tool for finding the correlation between brain imaging and genomic data.

First Evaluation of the Climatological Calibration Algorithm in the Real-time TMPA Precipitation Estimates over Two Basins at High and Low Latitudes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yong, Bin; Ren, Liliang; Hong, Yang; Gourley, Jonathan; Tian, Yudong; Huffman, George J.; Chen, Xi; Wang, Weiguang; Wen, Yixin

2013-01-01

The TRMM Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) system underwent a crucial upgrade in early 2009 to include a climatological calibration algorithm (CCA) to its realtime product 3B42RT, and this algorithm will continue to be applied in the future Global Precipitation Measurement era constellation precipitation products. In this study, efforts are focused on the comparison and validation of the Version 6 3B42RT estimates before and after the climatological calibration is applied. The evaluation is accomplished using independent rain gauge networks located within the high-latitude Laohahe basin and the low-latitude Mishui basin, both in China. The analyses indicate the CCA can effectively reduce the systematic errors over the low-latitude Mishui basin but misrepresent the intensity distribution pattern of medium-high rain rates. This behavior could adversely affect TMPA's hydrological applications, especially for extreme events (e.g., floods and landslides). Results also show that the CCA tends to perform slightly worse, in particular, during summer and winter, over the high-latitude Laohahe basin. This is possibly due to the simplified calibration-processing scheme in the CCA that directly applies the climatological calibrators developed within 40 degrees latitude to the latitude belts of 40 degrees N-50 degrees N. Caution should therefore be exercised when using the calibrated 3B42RT for heavy rainfall-related flood forecasting (or landslide warning) over high-latitude regions, as the employment of the smooth-fill scheme in the CCA bias correction could homogenize the varying rainstorm characteristics. Finally, this study highlights that accurate detection and estimation of snow at high latitudes is still a challenging task for the future development of satellite precipitation retrievals.

Tackling the Pharmaceutical Frontier: Regulation of Cannabinoid-Based Medicines in Postwar Japan.

PubMed

Miyaji, Tempei; Nagasawa, Michiyuki; Yamaguchi, Takuhiro; Tsutani, Kiichiro

2016-01-01

Background: The valley of death, which refers to the gap due to the lack of support for the translation of basic research to related clinical studies, exists in the field of translational cannabinoid research in Japan owing to regulations. Article 4 of the Cannabis Control Act (CCA) of 1948 prohibits the use of Cannabis -based medicines. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the history of the establishment of regulations on the medical use of Cannabis -based medicines and discuss the current status of cannabinoid research and its regulation in Japan. Methods: We conducted a literature review of nationally archived official documents from the end of World War II in 1945 to 1948, which is the year the CCA was established. The documents were examined, specifically focusing on the sequence of events. Results: We found three memoranda related to the establishment of the CCA. The establishment of law on controlling narcotics was instructed by the general headquarters (GHQ)/Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) during the period of occupation after World War II. However, the Japanese Government decided to regulate Cannabis separately from other narcotics. Item (ii) of article 4 in the CCA, which prohibits medical application of Cannabis , was included to protect farmers growing Cannabis for the hemp content. Conclusion: Current Japanese regulations prohibiting clinical research in phytocannabinoids were instituted during the postwar era of World War II. Scientific discoveries have advanced cannabinoid research and have led positive reforms of the regulation of Cannabis in other countries. Therefore, there is ample motivation and opportunity for Japanese stakeholders to revise article 4 of the CCA for the benefit of patients.

CpG-island methylation study of liver fluke-related cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Sriraksa, R; Zeller, C; El-Bahrawy, M A; Dai, W; Daduang, J; Jearanaikoon, P; Chau-in, S; Brown, R; Limpaiboon, T

2011-01-01

Background: Genetic changes have been widely reported in association with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), while epigenetic changes are poorly characterised. We aimed to further evaluate CpG-island hypermethylation in CCA at candidate loci, which may have potential as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Methods: We analysed methylation of 26 CpG-islands in 102 liver fluke related-CCA and 29 adjacent normal samples using methylation-specific PCR (MSP). Methylation of interest loci was confirmed using pyrosequencing and/or combined bisulfite restriction analysis, and protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Results: A number of CpG-islands (OPCML, SFRP1, HIC1, PTEN and DcR1) showed frequency of hypermethylation in >28% of CCA, but not adjacent normal tissues. The results showed that 91% of CCA were methylated in at least one CpG-island. The OPCML was the most frequently methylated locus (72.5%) and was more frequently methylated in less differentiated CCA. Patients with methylated DcR1 had significantly longer overall survival (Median; 41.7 vs 21.7 weeks, P=0.027). Low-protein expression was found in >70% of CCA with methylation of OPCML or DcR1. Conclusion: Aberrant hypermethylation of certain loci is a common event in liver fluke-related CCA and may potentially contribute to cholangiocarcinogenesis. The OPCML and DcR1 might serve as methylation biomarkers in CCA that can be readily examined by MSP. PMID:21448164

Fruit and Vegetables Consumption: A Pointer for Cholangiocarcinoma Prevention in Northeast Thailand, the Highest Incidence Area in the World.

PubMed

Songserm, Nopparat; Woradet, Somkiattiyos; Charoenbut, Pattaraporn

2016-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) caused by opisthorchiasis is a specific public health problem in the Greater Mekong subregional countries. The Northeast Thailand is considered a world's prime area of CCA. Many epidemiological studies found the association between fruit and vegetables consumption and CCA, but their results were inconclusive. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to investigate the relationship between fruit and vegetables consumption and CCA prevention in the Northeast Thailand. The authors conducted a comprehensive search of scholarships on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and SCOPUS published during 1990 and 2015. Selected studies about fruit and vegetables consumption and CCA were analyzed. The fixed-effect model was used to estimate pool odds ratios for the consumption vs. nonconsumption. Based on a meta-analysis, consumption of mixed fruit [odds ratio (OR) = 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65-0.96], mixed vegetables (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.50-0.75), and combined fruit and vegetables (OR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.57-0.80) was associated with the reduction of CCA risk statistically. These findings support that fruit and vegetables consumption is associated with CCA risk reduction. If implemented in a larger geographical area, the study will shed light on possibilities to future reduction of CCA. Educators can replicate the study to solve CCA or other types of cancer and discover the best practice.

Nuclear-Localized and Deregulated Calcium- and Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Activates Rhizobial and Mycorrhizal Responses in Lotus japonicus[W

PubMed Central

Takeda, Naoya; Maekawa, Takaki; Hayashi, Makoto

2012-01-01

The common symbiosis pathway is at the core of symbiosis signaling between plants and soil microbes. In this pathway, calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) plays a crucial role in integrating the signals both in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) and in root nodule symbiosis (RNS). However, the molecular mechanism by which CCaMK coordinates AMS and RNS is largely unknown. Here, we report that the gain-of-function (GOF) variants of CCaMK without the regulatory domains activate both AMS and RNS signaling pathways in the absence of symbiotic partners. This activation requires nuclear localization of CCaMK. Enforced nuclear localization of the GOF-CCaMK variants by fusion with a canonical nuclear localization signal enhances signaling activity of AMS and RNS. The GOF-CCaMK variant triggers formation of a structure similar to the prepenetration apparatus, which guides infection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to host root cells. In addition, the GOF-CCaMK variants without the regulatory domains partly restore AMS but fail to support rhizobial infection in ccamk mutants. These data indicate that AMS, the more ancient type of symbiosis, can be mainly regulated by the kinase activity of CCaMK, whereas RNS, which evolved more recently, requires complex regulation performed by the regulatory domains of CCaMK. PMID:22337918

Mechanical and chemical properties of CCA-treated lumber removed from spent residential decks

Treesearch

Robert L. Smith; David Bailey; Philip A. Araman

2007-01-01

The amount of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)- treated wood being removed from spent residential decks is increasing at a tremendous rate. While most spent CCA-treated wood is being disposed in landfills, further useful and environmentally beneficial alternatives have to be met. If the volume of CCA-treated wood reaching landfills continues to rise, stricter disposal...

Consumer willingness to pay for a naturally decay-resistant wood product.

Treesearch

Geoffrey Donovan; Hayley Hesseln

2004-01-01

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is the most widely used chemical wood preservative in the United States. Concerns about the safety of CCA led to an agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency and the wood treatment industry to withdraw CCA for nonindustrial uses by the end of 2003. In light of the publicity surrounding the withdrawal of CCA, this article...

in Vitro and in Vivo Inhibitory Effects of α-Mangostin on Cholangiocarcinoma Cells and Allografts

PubMed Central

Aukkanimart, Ratchadawan; Boonmars, Thidarut; Sriraj, Pranee; Sripan, Panupan; Songsri, Jiraporn; Ratanasuwan, Panaratana; Laummaunwai, Porntip; Boueroy, Parichart; Khueangchaingkhwang, Sukhonthip; Pumhirunroj, Benjamabhorn; Artchayasawat, Atchara; Boonjaraspinyo, Sirintip; Wu, Zhiliang; Hahnvajanawong, Chariya; Vaeteewoottacharn, Kulthida; Wongkham, Sopit

2017-01-01

We investigated the anti-cholangiocarcinoma effect of α-mangostin from Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract (GM) in a human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell line and a hamster CCA allograft model. In vitro, human CCA cells were treated with GM at various concentrations and for different time periods; then cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry, and metastatic potential with wound healing assays. In vivo, hamster allografts were treated with GM, gemcitabine (positive control) and a placebo (negative control) for 1 month; tumor weight and volume were then determined. Histopathological features and immunostaining (CK19 and PCNA) characteristics were examined by microscopy. The present study found that α-mangostin could: inhibit CCA cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway; induce G1 cell-cycle arrest; and inhibit metastasis. Moreover, α-mangostin could inhibit CCA growth, i.e. reduce tumor mass (weight and size) and alter CCA pathology, as evidenced by reduced positive staining for CK19 and PCNA. The present study thus suggested that α-mangostin is a promising anti-CCA compound whose ready availability in tropical countries might indicate use for prevention and treatment of CCA. PMID:28441703

Oblique rotaton in canonical correlation analysis reformulated as maximizing the generalized coefficient of determination.

PubMed

Satomura, Hironori; Adachi, Kohei

2013-07-01

To facilitate the interpretation of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) solutions, procedures have been proposed in which CCA solutions are orthogonally rotated to a simple structure. In this paper, we consider oblique rotation for CCA to provide solutions that are much easier to interpret, though only orthogonal rotation is allowed in the existing formulations of CCA. Our task is thus to reformulate CCA so that its solutions have the freedom of oblique rotation. Such a task can be achieved using Yanai's (Jpn. J. Behaviormetrics 1:46-54, 1974; J. Jpn. Stat. Soc. 11:43-53, 1981) generalized coefficient of determination for the objective function to be maximized in CCA. The resulting solutions are proved to include the existing orthogonal ones as special cases and to be rotated obliquely without affecting the objective function value, where ten Berge's (Psychometrika 48:519-523, 1983) theorems on suborthonormal matrices are used. A real data example demonstrates that the proposed oblique rotation can provide simple, easily interpreted CCA solutions.

Cost-effectiveness of 64-slice CT angiography compared to conventional coronary angiography based on a coverage with evidence development study in Ontario.

PubMed

Goeree, Ron; Blackhouse, Gord; Bowen, James M; O'Reilly, Daria; Sutherland, Simone; Hopkins, Robert; Chow, Benjamin; Freeman, Michael; Provost, Yves; Dennie, Carole; Cohen, Eric; Marcuzzi, Dan; Iwanochko, Robert; Moody, Alan; Paul, Narinder; Parker, John D

2013-10-01

Conventional coronary angiography (CCA) is the standard diagnostic for coronary artery disease (CAD), but multi-detector computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) is a non-invasive alternative. A multi-center coverage with evidence development study was undertaken and combined with an economic model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of CTCA followed by CCA vs CCA alone. Alternative assumptions were tested in patient scenario and sensitivity analyses. CCA was found to dominate CTCA, however, CTCA was relatively more cost-effective in females, in advancing age, in patients with lower pre-test probabilities of CAD, the higher the sensitivity of CTCA and the lower the probability of undergoing a confirmatory CCA following a positive CTCA. RESULTS were very sensitive to alternative patient populations and modeling assumptions. Careful consideration of patient characteristics, procedures to improve the diagnostic yield of CTCA and selective use of CCA following CTCA will impact whether CTCA is cost-effective or dominates CCA.

Cost component analysis.

PubMed

Lörincz, András; Póczos, Barnabás

2003-06-01

In optimizations the dimension of the problem may severely, sometimes exponentially increase optimization time. Parametric function approximatiors (FAPPs) have been suggested to overcome this problem. Here, a novel FAPP, cost component analysis (CCA) is described. In CCA, the search space is resampled according to the Boltzmann distribution generated by the energy landscape. That is, CCA converts the optimization problem to density estimation. Structure of the induced density is searched by independent component analysis (ICA). The advantage of CCA is that each independent ICA component can be optimized separately. In turn, (i) CCA intends to partition the original problem into subproblems and (ii) separating (partitioning) the original optimization problem into subproblems may serve interpretation. Most importantly, (iii) CCA may give rise to high gains in optimization time. Numerical simulations illustrate the working of the algorithm.

Characteristics of angular cross correlations studied by light scattering from two-dimensional microsphere films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroer, M. A.; Gutt, C.; Grübel, G.

2014-07-01

Recently the analysis of scattering patterns by angular cross-correlation analysis (CCA) was introduced to reveal the orientational order in disordered samples with special focus to future applications on x-ray free-electron laser facilities. We apply this CCA approach to ultra-small-angle light-scattering data obtained from two-dimensional monolayers of microspheres. The films were studied in addition by optical microscopy. This combined approach allows to calculate the cross-correlations of the scattering patterns, characterized by the orientational correlation function Ψl(q), as well as to obtain the real-space structure of the monolayers. We show that CCA is sensitive to the orientational order of monolayers formed by the microspheres which are not directly visible from the scattering patterns. By mixing microspheres of different radii the sizes of ordered monolayer domains is reduced. For these samples it is shown that Ψl(q) quantitatively describes the degree of hexagonal order of the two-dimensional films. The experimental CCA results are compared with calculations based on the microscopy images. Both techniques show qualitatively similar features. Differences can be attributed to the wave-front distortion of the laser beam in the experiment. This effect is discussed by investigating the effect of different wave fronts on the cross-correlation analysis results. The so-determined characteristics of the cross-correlation analysis will be also relevant for future x-ray-based studies.

Arsenic uptake by lettuce from As-contaminated soil remediated with Pteris vittata and organic amendment.

PubMed

de Oliveira, Letuzia M; Suchismita, Das; Gress, Julia; Rathinasabapathi, Bala; Chen, Yanshan; Ma, Lena Q

2017-06-01

Leaching of inorganic arsenic (As) from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood may elevate soil As levels. Thus, an environmental concern arises regarding As accumulation in vegetables grown in these soils. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the ability of As-hyperaccumulator P. vittata and organic amendments in reducing As uptake by lettuce (Lactuca sativa) from a soil contaminated from CCA-treated wood (63.9 mg kg -1 As). P. vittata was grown for 150 d in a CCA-contaminated soil amended with biochar, activated carbon or coffee grounds at 1%, followed by lettuce for another 55 d. After harvest, plant biomass and As concentrations in plant and soil were determined. The presence of P. vittata reduced As content in lettuce by 21% from 27.3 to 21.5 mg kg -1 while amendment further reduced As in lettuce by 5.6-18%, with activated C being most effective. Our data showed that both P. vittata and organic amendments were effective in reducing As concentration in lettuce. Though no health-based standard for As in vegetables exists in USA, care should be taken when growing lettuce in contaminated soils. Our data showed that application of organic amendments with P. vittata reduced As hazards in CCA-contaminated soils. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Spent CCA treated wood from residential decks can be a resource for reuse and recycling

Treesearch

Robert L Smith; Philip A. Araman; David Bailey; Matthew F. Winn

2005-01-01

The volume of CCA treated wood being disposed of in landfills is growing at an alarming rate. In order to reduce the demand on landfills and timber harvest, more environmentally responsible alternatives for spent CCA treated wood have to be addressed. The objective of this study was to determine feasible products that can be produced from CCA treated wood....

MANAGING SOURCES TO REDUCE RISK IN AND AROUND THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT: IMPACT OF COATINGS ON DISLODGEABLE ARSENIC ON THE SURFACES OF CCA-TREATED WOOD

EPA Science Inventory

Due to the potential for ingestion of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) by the hand-to-mouth activities of young children who contact CCA treated wood, EPA has used wipe samples to study the potential benefits of paint-like coatings on CCA treated wood. Citizens who may be concern...

Gene Expression in Plant Lipid Metabolism in Arabidopsis Seedlings

PubMed Central

Hsiao, An-Shan; Haslam, Richard P.; Michaelson, Louise V.; Liao, Pan; Napier, Johnathan A.; Chye, Mee-Len

2014-01-01

Events in plant lipid metabolism are important during seedling establishment. As it has not been experimentally verified whether lipid metabolism in 2- and 5-day-old Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings is diurnally-controlled, quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to investigate the expression of target genes in acyl-lipid transfer, β-oxidation and triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and hydrolysis in wild-type Arabidopsis WS and Col-0. In both WS and Col-0, ACYL-COA-BINDING PROTEIN3 (ACBP3), DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE1 (DGAT1) and DGAT3 showed diurnal control in 2- and 5-day-old seedlings. Also, COMATOSE (CTS) was diurnally regulated in 2-day-old seedlings and LONG-CHAIN ACYL-COA SYNTHETASE6 (LACS6) in 5-day-old seedlings in both WS and Col-0. Subsequently, the effect of CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1) and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) from the core clock system was examined using the cca1lhy mutant and CCA1-overexpressing (CCA1-OX) lines versus wild-type WS and Col-0, respectively. Results revealed differential gene expression in lipid metabolism between 2- and 5-day-old mutant and wild-type WS seedlings, as well as between CCA1-OX and wild-type Col-0. Of the ACBPs, ACBP3 displayed the most significant changes between cca1lhy and WS and between CCA1-OX and Col-0, consistent with previous reports that ACBP3 is greatly affected by light/dark cycling. Evidence of oil body retention in 4- and 5-day-old seedlings of the cca1lhy mutant in comparison to WS indicated the effect of cca1lhy on storage lipid reserve mobilization. Lipid profiling revealed differences in primary lipid metabolism, namely in TAG, fatty acid methyl ester and acyl-CoA contents amongst cca1lhy, CCA1-OX, and wild-type seedlings. Taken together, this study demonstrates that lipid metabolism is subject to diurnal regulation in the early stages of seedling development in Arabidopsis. PMID:25264899

Alternative CHCA-based matrices for the analysis of low molecular weight compounds by UV-MALDI-tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Porta, Tiffany; Grivet, Chantal; Knochenmuss, Richard; Varesio, Emmanuel; Hopfgartner, Gérard

2011-02-01

Analysis of low molecular weight compounds (LMWC) in complex matrices by vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) often suffers from matrix interferences, which can severely degrade limits of quantitation. It is, therefore, useful to have available a range of suitable matrices, which exhibit complementary regions of interference. Two newly synthesized α-cyanocinnamic acid derivatives are reported here; (E)-2-cyano-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)acrylic acid (NpCCA) and (2E)-3-(anthracen-9-yl)-2-cyanoprop-2enoic acid (AnCCA). Along with the commonly used α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA), and the recently developed 4-chloro-α-cyanocinnamic acid (Cl-CCA) matrices, these constitute a chemically similar series of matrices covering a range of molecular weights, and with correspondingly differing ranges of spectral interference. Their performance was compared by measuring the signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) of 47 analytes, mostly pharmaceuticals, with the different matrices using the selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode on a triple quadrupole instrument equipped with a vacuum MALDI source. AnCCA, NpCCA and Cl-CCA were found to offer better signal-to-noise ratios in SRM mode than CHCA, but Cl-CCA yielded the best results for 60% of the compounds tested. To better understand the relative performance of this matrix series, the proton affinities (PAs) were measured using the kinetic method. Their relative values were: AnCCA > CHCA > NpCCA > Cl-CCA. This ordering is consistent with the performance data. The synthesis of the new matrices is straightforward and they provide (1) tunability of matrix background interfering ions and (2) enhanced analyte response for certain classes of compounds. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Plasma Autoantibodies against Heat Shock Protein 70, Enolase 1 and Ribonuclease/Angiogenin Inhibitor 1 as Potential Biomarkers for Cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Rucksaken, Rucksak; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Pinlaor, Porntip; Khuntikeo, Narong; Roytrakul, Sittiruk; Selmi, Carlo; Pinlaor, Somchai

2014-01-01

The diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is often challenging, leading to poor prognosis. CCA arises via chronic inflammation which may be associated with autoantibodies production. This study aims to identify IgG antibodies directed at self-proteins and tumor-associated antigens. Proteins derived from immortalized cholangiocyte cell line (MMNK1) and CCA cell lines (M055, M214 and M139) were separated using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and incubated with pooled plasma of patients with CCA and non-neoplastic controls by immunoblotting. Twenty five immunoreactive spots against all cell lines-derived proteins were observed on stained gels and studied by LC-MS/MS. Among these, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), enolase 1 (ENO1) and ribonuclease/angiogenin inhibitor 1 (RNH1) obtained the highest matching scores and were thus selected for further validation. Western blot revealed immunoreactivity against HSP70 and RNH1 in the majority of CCA cases and weakly in healthy individuals. Further, ELISA showed that plasma HSP70 autoantibody level in CCA was significantly capable to discriminate CCA from healthy individuals with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9158 (cut-off 0.2630, 93.55% sensitivity and 73.91% specificity). Plasma levels of IgG autoantibodies against HSP70 were correlated with progression from healthy individuals to cholangitis to CCA (r = 0.679, P<0.001). In addition, circulating ENO1 and RNH1 autoantibodies levels were also significantly higher in cholangitis and CCA compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). Moreover, the combinations of HSP70, ENO1 or RNH1 autoantibodies positivity rates improved specificity to over 78%. In conclusion, plasma IgG autoantibodies against HSP70, ENO1 and RNH1 may represent new diagnostic markers for CCA. PMID:25058392

Temporal Shift of Circadian-Mediated Gene Expression and Carbon Fixation Contributes to Biomass Heterosis in Maize Hybrids.

PubMed

Ko, Dae Kwan; Rohozinski, Dominica; Song, Qingxin; Taylor, Samuel H; Juenger, Thomas E; Harmon, Frank G; Chen, Z Jeffrey

2016-07-01

Heterosis has been widely used in agriculture, but the molecular mechanism for this remains largely elusive. In Arabidopsis hybrids and allopolyploids, increased photosynthetic and metabolic activities are linked to altered expression of circadian clock regulators, including CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED1 (CCA1). It is unknown whether a similar mechanism mediates heterosis in maize hybrids. Here we report that higher levels of carbon fixation and starch accumulation in the maize hybrids are associated with altered temporal gene expression. Two maize CCA1 homologs, ZmCCA1a and ZmCCA1b, are diurnally up-regulated in the hybrids. Expressing ZmCCA1 complements the cca1 mutant phenotype in Arabidopsis, and overexpressing ZmCCA1b disrupts circadian rhythms and biomass heterosis. Furthermore, overexpressing ZmCCA1b in maize reduced chlorophyll content and plant height. Reduced height stems from reduced node elongation but not total node number in both greenhouse and field conditions. Phenotypes are less severe in the field than in the greenhouse, suggesting that enhanced light and/or metabolic activities in the field can compensate for altered circadian regulation in growth vigor. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) analysis reveals a temporal shift of ZmCCA1-binding targets to the early morning in the hybrids, suggesting that activation of morning-phased genes in the hybrids promotes photosynthesis and growth vigor. This temporal shift of ZmCCA1-binding targets correlated with nonadditive and additive gene expression in early and late stages of seedling development. These results could guide breeding better hybrid crops to meet the growing demand in food and bioenergy.

Overexpression of membrane metalloendopeptidase inhibits substance P stimulation of cholangiocarcinoma growth.

PubMed

Meng, Fanyin; DeMorrow, Sharon; Venter, Julie; Frampton, Gabriel; Han, Yuyan; Francis, Heather; Standeford, Holly; Avila, Shanika; McDaniel, Kelly; McMillin, Matthew; Afroze, Syeda; Guerrier, Micheleine; Quezada, Morgan; Ray, Debolina; Kennedy, Lindsey; Hargrove, Laura; Glaser, Shannon; Alpini, Gianfranco

2014-05-01

Substance P (SP) promotes cholangiocyte growth during cholestasis by activating its receptor, NK1R. SP is a proteolytic product of tachykinin (Tac1) and is deactivated by membrane metalloendopeptidase (MME). This study aimed to evaluate the functional role of SP in the regulation of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) growth. NK1R, Tac1, and MME expression and SP secretion were assessed in human CCA cells and nonmalignant cholangiocytes. The proliferative effects of SP (in the absence/presence of the NK1R inhibitor, L-733,060) and of L-733,060 were evaluated. In vivo, the effect of L-733,060 treatment or MME overexpression on tumor growth was evaluated by using a xenograft model of CCA in nu/nu nude mice. The expression of Tac1, MME, NK1R, PCNA, CK-19, and VEGF-A was analyzed in the resulting tumors. Human CCA cell lines had increased expression of Tac1 and NK1R, along with reduced levels of MME compared with nonmalignant cholangiocytes, resulting in a subsequent increase in SP secretion. SP treatment increased CCA cell proliferation in vitro, which was blocked by L-733,060. Treatment with L-733,060 alone inhibited CCA proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Xenograft tumors derived from MME-overexpressed human Mz-ChA-1 CCA cells had a slower growth rate than those derived from control cells. Expression of PCNA, CK-19, and VEGF-A decreased, whereas MME expression increased in the xenograft tumors treated with L-733,060 or MME-overexpressed xenograft tumors compared with controls. The study suggests that SP secreted by CCA promotes CCA growth via autocrine pathway. Blockade of SP secretion and NK1R signaling may be important for the management of CCA.

STATs profiling reveals predominantly-activated STAT3 in cholangiocarcinoma genesis and progression.

PubMed

Dokduang, Hasaya; Techasen, Anchalee; Namwat, Nisana; Khuntikeo, Narong; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Murakami, Yoshinori; Loilome, Watcharin; Yongvanit, Puangrat

2014-10-01

We investigated the aberrant expression of the STAT family in humans and liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini, Ov)-induced hamster cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) tissues. The expression and phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, STAT4, STAT5a, STAT5b and STAT6 in human hamster CCA tissues were immunohistochemistry-profiled. Localizations of STAT5 in macrophages and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage-conditioned media mediated STAT3 activation in CCA cells were demonstrated. The expressions of STAT 1-4 and 6 were detected in the cytoplasm of hyperplastic bile ducts and tumor cells, whereas STAT5a and STAT5b were observed in macrophages and connective tissues surrounding tumor, respectively. The expressions of STAT3 and STAT5b were significantly observed in tumors with a poorer histological differentiation. STAT3 expression was significantly associated with shorter survival of CCA patients and was predominately activated in CCA cell lines. In the CCA-hamsters, STATs expression was gradually increased along the carcinogenesis, especially at 30 days post-infection in which the inflammatory response was markedly observed, showing the correlation between the inflammation and STATs activation. Moreover, LPS-induced macrophage-conditioned media could mediate STAT3 activation in CCA cells. STAT3 is the major STAT, which plays roles in the inflammation that contributes to CCA carcinogenesis and progression and may serve as a marker for a poor prognosis of CCA. © 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

A Component Approach to Collaborative Scientific Software Development: Tools and Techniques Utilized by the Quantum Chemistry Science Application Partnership

DOE PAGES

Kenny, Joseph P.; Janssen, Curtis L.; Gordon, Mark S.; ...

2008-01-01

Cutting-edge scientific computing software is complex, increasingly involving the coupling of multiple packages to combine advanced algorithms or simulations at multiple physical scales. Component-based software engineering (CBSE) has been advanced as a technique for managing this complexity, and complex component applications have been created in the quantum chemistry domain, as well as several other simulation areas, using the component model advocated by the Common Component Architecture (CCA) Forum. While programming models do indeed enable sound software engineering practices, the selection of programming model is just one building block in a comprehensive approach to large-scale collaborative development which must also addressmore » interface and data standardization, and language and package interoperability. We provide an overview of the development approach utilized within the Quantum Chemistry Science Application Partnership, identifying design challenges, describing the techniques which we have adopted to address these challenges and highlighting the advantages which the CCA approach offers for collaborative development.« less

Factors affecting sodium hypochlorite extraction of CCA from treated wood.

PubMed

Gezer, E D; Cooper, P A

2009-12-01

Significant amounts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood products, such as utility poles and residential construction wood, remain in service. There is increasing public concern about environmental contamination from CCA-treated wood when it is removed from service for reuse or recycling, placed in landfills or burned in commercial incinerators. In this paper, we investigated the effects of time, temperature and sodium hypochlorite concentration on chromium oxidation and extraction of chromated copper arsenate from CCA-treated wood (Type C) removed from service. Of the conditions evaluated, reaction of milled wood with sodium hypochlorite for one hour at room temperature followed by heating at 75 degrees C for two hours gave the highest extraction efficiency. An average of 95% Cr, 99% Cu and 96% As could be removed from CCA-treated, milled wood by this process. Most of the extracted chromium was oxidized to the hexavalent state and could therefore be recycled in a CCA treating solution. Sodium hypochlorite extracting solutions could be reused several times to extract CCA components from additional treated wood samples.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kazi, Feroz Kabir M.; Cooper, Paul A.

The volume of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood products coming out of service is expected to increase dramatically during the next decade. There is a need for an alternative waste management approach to landfilling. This paper investigates the variables affecting extraction of CCA components from wood particles and the potential to oxidize and reuse the recovered chemicals. Most of the CCA components could be extracted by 10% H{sub 2}O{sub 2} at 50 deg. C in 6 h with an average extraction efficiency of 95% for Cr, 94% for Cu and 98% for As. The extract containing Cr{sup III}, Cu{supmore » II} and As{sup V} could be oxidized in several stages by aqueous 2.5% w/w H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in less than 2 h to a condition where it was compatible with CCA treating solutions and could be reused for treating new wood. When the recovered extract was mixed with fresh CCA solution in different ratios, the mixed CCA-C solutions had similar solution stability as freshly prepared CCA-C solution and treated wood had similar leaching properties as wood treated with fresh solution.« less

Detection of common carotid artery stenosis using duplex ultrasonography: a validation study with computed tomographic angiography.

PubMed

Slovut, David P; Romero, Javier M; Hannon, Kathleen M; Dick, James; Jaff, Michael R

2010-01-01

Severe stenosis of the common carotid artery (CCA), while uncommon, is associated with increased risk of transient ischemic attack and stroke. To date, no validated duplex ultrasound criteria have been established for grading the severity of CCA stenosis. The goal of this study was to use receiver-operating curve (ROC) analysis with computed tomographic angiography as the reference standard to establish duplex ultrasound criteria for diagnosing >or=50% CCA stenosis. The study cohort included 64 patients (42 men, 22 women) with a mean age of 65 +/- 12 years (range, 16-89 years) who had CCA peak systolic velocity (PSV) >or=150 cm/sec and underwent computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the cervical and intracerebral vessels within 1 month of the duplex examination. One study was excluded because the CTA was technically inadequate, whereas another was excluded because the patient underwent bilateral CCA stenting. The CCA ipsilateral to any of the following was excluded from the analysis: innominate artery occlusion (n = 1), previous stenting of the ICA or CCA (n = 7), carotid endarterectomy (n = 1), or carotid-to-carotid bypass (n = 1). Thus, the data set included 62 patients and 115 vessels. Bland-Altman analysis was used to examine the agreement between two measures of luminal reduction measured by CTA: percent diameter stenosis and percent area stenosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine optimal PSV and EDV thresholds for diagnosing >or=50% CCA stenosis. Severity of CCA stenosis was <50% in 76 vessels, 50%-59% in eight, 60%-69% in eight, 70%-79% in nine, 80%-89% in three, 90%-99% in five, and occluded in six. Duplex ultrasonography identified six of six (100%) patients with 100% CCA occlusion by CTA. Bland-Altman analysis showed poor agreement between percent stenosis determined by vessel diameter compared with percent stenosis determined by reduction in lumen area. Therefore, subsequent analysis was performed using percent stenosis by area. ROC analysis of different PSV thresholds for detecting stenosis >or=50% showed that >182 cm/sec was the most accurate with a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 88% (P < .0001). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of carotid duplex were higher when the stenosis was located in the mid or distal aspects of the CCA (sensitivity 76%, specificity 89%, area under curve 0.84, P < .001) than in the intrathoracic and proximal segment of the artery (P = NS). ROC analysis of different EDV thresholds for detecting CCA stenosis >or=50% showed that >30 cm/sec was the most accurate with a sensitivity of 54% and a specificity of 74% (P < .0239). Duplex ultrasonography is highly sensitive, specific, and accurate for detecting CCA lesions in the mid and distal CCA. Use of peak systolic velocity may lead to improved detection of CCA disease and initiation of appropriate therapy to reduce the risk of stroke. Copyright 2010 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

PRESERVATIVE LEACHING FROM WEATHERED CCA-TREATED WOOD

EPA Science Inventory

Disposal of discarded CCA-treated wood in landfills raises concerns with respect to leaching of preservative compounds. When unweathered CCA-treated wood is leached using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), arsenic concentrations exceed the toxicity characteris...

An extension of the Coconut Cream Agar method to screen Penicillium citrinum isolates for citrinin production.

PubMed

Mohamed, S; Flint, S; Palmer, J; Fletcher, G C; Pitt, J I

2013-09-01

A simple and rapid screening method was developed for the detection of citrinin in fungal cultures using Coconut Cream Agar (CCA) described previously for detecting aflatoxin and ochratoxin A. Fifteen isolates of Penicillium citrinum were inoculated onto CCA and incubated at 25 and 30°C for 10 days. All isolates produced a distinct yellow green fluorescence on CCA when the reverse side of the agar plates were viewed under long wavelength UV light. Detection was optimal at 25°C after four to 5 days of incubation. Isolates positive by the CCA method also tested positive for citrinin production by the TLC agar plug method after growth on CCA, Czapek yeast extract agar and yeast extract sucrose agar. Control cultures were negative by both methods, indicating that the CCA Petri dish method was suitable for screening cultures for citrinin production. © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Decoding the auditory brain with canonical component analysis.

PubMed

de Cheveigné, Alain; Wong, Daniel D E; Di Liberto, Giovanni M; Hjortkjær, Jens; Slaney, Malcolm; Lalor, Edmund

2018-05-15

The relation between a stimulus and the evoked brain response can shed light on perceptual processes within the brain. Signals derived from this relation can also be harnessed to control external devices for Brain Computer Interface (BCI) applications. While the classic event-related potential (ERP) is appropriate for isolated stimuli, more sophisticated "decoding" strategies are needed to address continuous stimuli such as speech, music or environmental sounds. Here we describe an approach based on Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) that finds the optimal transform to apply to both the stimulus and the response to reveal correlations between the two. Compared to prior methods based on forward or backward models for stimulus-response mapping, CCA finds significantly higher correlation scores, thus providing increased sensitivity to relatively small effects, and supports classifier schemes that yield higher classification scores. CCA strips the brain response of variance unrelated to the stimulus, and the stimulus representation of variance that does not affect the response, and thus improves observations of the relation between stimulus and response. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Etoposide radiosensitizes p53-defective cholangiocarcinoma cell lines independent of their G2 checkpoint efficacies

PubMed Central

Hematulin, Arunee; Meethang, Sutiwan; Utapom, Kitsana; Wongkham, Sopit; Sagan, Daniel

2018-01-01

Radiotherapy has been accounted as the most comprehensive cancer treatment modality over the past few decades. However, failure of this treatment modality occurs in several malignancies due to the resistance of cancer cells to radiation. It was previously reported by the present authors that defective cell cycle checkpoints could be used as biomarkers for predicting the responsiveness to radiation in individual patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, identification of functional defective cell cycle checkpoints from cells from a patient's tissues is cumbersome and not applicable in the clinic. The present study evaluated the radiosensitization potential of etoposide in p53-defective CCA KKU-M055 and KKU-M214 cell lines. Treatment with etoposide enhanced the responsiveness of two p53-defective CCA cell lines to radiation independent of G2 checkpoint function. In addition, etoposide treatment increased radiation-induced cell death without altering the dominant mode of cell death of the two cell lines. These findings indicate that etoposide could be used as a radiation sensitizer for p53-defective tumors, independent of the function of G2 checkpoint. PMID:29541168

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cullen, W.R.; McBride, B.C.; Pickett, A.W.

The wood preservative chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a very widely used product. As it contains both copper and arsenic, it is not dissimilar to the pigments Scheele's green and Schweinfurter's green which were found to be biologically convertible to the toxic Gosio gas (B. Gosio, Ber. 30:1024-1026, 1897) later identified by Challenger and co-workers as trimethylarsine (F. Challenger, Adv. Enzymol. 12:429-491, 1951). Thus, it was of interest to determine whether microbiological action on CCA and wood treated with CCA could result in the production of trimethylarsine. The authors report that the fungus Candida humicola will produce this arsine frommore » dilute solutions of CCA and from wood soaked in CCA. 12 references.« less

In situ changes of tropical crustose coralline algae along carbon dioxide gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fabricius, K. E.; Kluibenschedl, A.; Harrington, L.; Noonan, S.; de'Ath, G.

2015-04-01

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) fulfill important ecosystem functions in coral reefs, including reef framework stabilization and induction of larval settlement. To investigate in situ the effects of high carbon dioxide on CCA communities, we deployed settlement tiles at three tropical volcanic CO2 seeps in Papua New Guinea along gradients spanning from 8.1 to 7.4 pH. After 5 and 13 months deployment, there was a steep transition from CCA presence to absence around pH 7.8 (660 μatm pCO2): 98% of tiles had CCA at pH > 7.8, whereas only 20% of tiles had CCA at pH <= 7.8. As pH declined from 8.0 to 7.8, the least and most sensitive CCA species lost 43% and 85% of cover, respectively. Communities on upward facing surfaces exposed to high light and high grazing pressure showed less steep losses than those on shaded surfaces with low grazing. Direct CO2 effects on early life stages were the main mechanisms determining CCA cover, rather than competitive interactions with other benthic groups. Importantly, declines were steepest at near-ambient pH, suggesting that CCA may have already declined in abundance due to the recent seawater pH decline of 0.1 units, and that future severe losses are likely with increasing ocean acidification.

Developing multi-cellular tumor spheroid model (MCTS) in the chitosan/collagen/alginate (CCA) fibrous scaffold for anticancer drug screening.

PubMed

Wang, Jian-Zheng; Zhu, Yu-Xia; Ma, Hui-Chao; Chen, Si-Nan; Chao, Ji-Ye; Ruan, Wen-Ding; Wang, Duo; Du, Feng-guang; Meng, Yue-Zhong

2016-05-01

In this work, a 3D MCTS-CCA system was constructed by culturing multi-cellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) in the chitosan/collagen/alginate (CCA) fibrous scaffold for anticancer drug screening. The CCA scaffolds were fabricated by spray-spinning. The interactions between the components of the spray-spun fibers were evidenced by methods of Coomassie Blue stain, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Co-culture indicated that MCF-7 cells showed a spatial growth pattern of multi-cellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) in the CCA fibrous scaffold with increased proliferation rate and drug-resistance to MMC, ADM and 5-Aza comparing with the 2D culture cells. Significant increases of total viable cells were found in 3D MCTS groups after drug administration by method of apoptotic analysis. Glucose-lactate analysis indicated that the metabolism of MCTS in CCA scaffold was closer to the tumor issue in vivo than the monolayer cells. In addition, MCTS showed the characteristic of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is subverted by carcinoma cells to facilitate metastatic spread. These results demonstrated that MCTS in CCA scaffold possessed a more conservative phenotype of tumor than monolayer cells, and anticancer drug screening in 3D MCTS-CCA system might be superior to the 2D culture system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Involvement of c-Ski oncoprotein in carcinogenesis of cholangiocacinoma induced by Opisthorchis viverrini and N-nitrosodimethylamine.

PubMed

Boonmars, Thidarut; Wu, Zhiliang; Boonjaruspinyo, Sirintip; Puapairoj, Anucha; Kaewsamut, Butsara; Nagano, Isao; Pinlaor, Somchai; Yongvanit, Puangrat; Wonkchalee, Orasa; Juasook, Amornrat; Sudsarn, Pakkayanee; Srisawangwong, Tuanchai

2011-06-01

Opisthorchiasis is the major public health problem in the endemic areas of Thailand and Laos because Opisthorchis viverrini infection causes serious hepatobiliary diseases including CCA. The molecular mechanism of the CCA carcinogenesis induced by the infection remains obscure. To reveal the potential genes and signaling pathways to involve in the carcinogenesis, the present study investigated the expression of c-Ski, an oncogene, and two TGF-β signaling pathway relative genes, TGF-β and Smad4, during the development of CCA induced by O. viverrini infection in hamster model, and in human opisthorchiasis associated CCA. The results showed that the expression of c-Ski gene was greatly up-regulated during the carcinogenesis of CCA in hamster model. The overexpression of c-Ski was confirmed by immunohistological staining result which showed the increased expression of c-Ski protein in cytoplasm of the epithelial lining of hepatic bile ducts. Moreover, the immunohistological staining of the specimens of human opisthorchiasis associated CCA revealed the up-regulated expression of c-Ski and Smad4 proteins in the cytoplasm of the epithelial lining of hepatic bile ducts and stomal fibrosis respectively. The expression of TGF-β and Smad4 were up-regulated, which expression kinetics was time-dependent of CCA development. These results suggest that c-Ski is likely involved in the carcinogenesis of CCA induced by O. viverrini infection through regulating TGF-β signaling pathway.

LEACHING OF CCA-TREATED WOOD: IMPLICATIONS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL

EPA Science Inventory

Leaching of arsenic, chromium, and copper from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood poses possible environmental risk when disposed. Samples of un-weathered CCA-treated wood were tested using a variety of US regulatory leaching procedures, including the toxicity character...

GIS Database and Google Map of the Population at Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma in Mueang Yang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand.

PubMed

Kaewpitoon, Soraya J; Rujirakul, Ratana; Joosiri, Apinya; Jantakate, Sirinun; Sangkudloa, Amnat; Kaewthani, Sarochinee; Chimplee, Kanokporn; Khemplila, Kritsakorn; Kaewpitoon, Natthawut

2016-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a serious problem in Thailand, particularly in the northeastern and northern regions. Database of population at risk are need required for monitoring, surveillance, home health care, and home visit. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a geographic information system (GIS) database and Google map of the population at risk of CCA in Mueang Yang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand during June to October 2015. Populations at risk were screened using the Korat CCA verbal screening test (KCVST). Software included Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS, and Google Maps. The secondary data included the point of villages, sub-district boundaries, district boundaries, point of hospital in Mueang Yang district, used for created the spatial databese. The populations at risk for CCA and opisthorchiasis were used to create an arttribute database. Data were tranfered to WGS84 UTM ZONE 48. After the conversion, all of the data were imported into Google Earth using online web pages www.earthpoint.us. Some 222 from a 4,800 population at risk for CCA constituted a high risk group. Geo-visual display available at following www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/ edit?mid=zPxtcHv_iDLo.kvPpxl5mAs90 and hl=th. Geo-visual display 5 layers including: layer 1, village location and number of the population at risk for CCA; layer 2, sub-district health promotion hospital in Mueang Yang district and number of opisthorchiasis; layer 3, sub-district district and the number of population at risk for CCA; layer 4, district hospital and the number of population at risk for CCA and number of opisthorchiasis; and layer 5, district and the number of population at risk for CCA and number of opisthorchiasis. This GIS database and Google map production process is suitable for further monitoring, surveillance, and home health care for CCA sufferers.

Larval settlement preferences and post-settlement survival of the threatened Caribbean corals Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritson-Williams, R.; Paul, Valerie J.; Arnold, S. N.; Steneck, R. S.

2010-03-01

The settlement specificity of two threatened Caribbean corals, Acropora palmata and A. cervicornis, was tested by measuring their rates of larval metamorphosis in response to crustose coralline algae (CCA) and other substrata. In the no-choice experiments, the coral larvae were placed in six treatments: filtered seawater (FSW), a fragment of biofilmed dead skeleton of A. palmata, or a fragment of one of four species of CCA ( Hydrolithon boergesenii, Porolithon pachydermum, Paragoniolithon solubile, and Titanoderma prototypum). Within each CCA treatment, there were three different substrata on which to settle and metamorphose: (1) the CCA surface, (2) the rock under the CCA, or (3) the plastic dish. The 5-day-old larvae of both A. palmata and A. cervicornis had similar rates of total metamorphosis (all substrata combined) in every treatment (excluding FSW) even in the absence of CCA. However, there were differences in larval behavior among the CCA species since the larvae settled and metamorphosed on different substrata in the presence of different CCA species. In the no-choice experiments the larvae of both corals had higher rates of metamorphosis on the top surfaces of H. boergesenii and/or T. prototypum than on P. pachydermum. In the choice experiments, the coral larvae were offered two species of CCA in the same dish. When given a choice, both species of coral larvae had more settlement and metamorphosis on the surface of H. boergesenii or T. prototypum or clean rock than onto the surface of P. solubile. After 6 weeks in the field, transplanted A. palmata recruits had approximately 15% survival on both T. prototypum and H. boergesenii, but A. cervicornis recruits only survived on T. prototypum (13%). Some, but not all, CCA species facilitated the larval settlement and post-settlement survival of these two threatened corals, highlighting the importance of benthic community composition for successful coral recruitment.

Extending local canonical correlation analysis to handle general linear contrasts for FMRI data.

PubMed

Jin, Mingwu; Nandy, Rajesh; Curran, Tim; Cordes, Dietmar

2012-01-01

Local canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is a multivariate method that has been proposed to more accurately determine activation patterns in fMRI data. In its conventional formulation, CCA has several drawbacks that limit its usefulness in fMRI. A major drawback is that, unlike the general linear model (GLM), a test of general linear contrasts of the temporal regressors has not been incorporated into the CCA formalism. To overcome this drawback, a novel directional test statistic was derived using the equivalence of multivariate multiple regression (MVMR) and CCA. This extension will allow CCA to be used for inference of general linear contrasts in more complicated fMRI designs without reparameterization of the design matrix and without reestimating the CCA solutions for each particular contrast of interest. With the proper constraints on the spatial coefficients of CCA, this test statistic can yield a more powerful test on the inference of evoked brain regional activations from noisy fMRI data than the conventional t-test in the GLM. The quantitative results from simulated and pseudoreal data and activation maps from fMRI data were used to demonstrate the advantage of this novel test statistic.

Extending Local Canonical Correlation Analysis to Handle General Linear Contrasts for fMRI Data

PubMed Central

Jin, Mingwu; Nandy, Rajesh; Curran, Tim; Cordes, Dietmar

2012-01-01

Local canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is a multivariate method that has been proposed to more accurately determine activation patterns in fMRI data. In its conventional formulation, CCA has several drawbacks that limit its usefulness in fMRI. A major drawback is that, unlike the general linear model (GLM), a test of general linear contrasts of the temporal regressors has not been incorporated into the CCA formalism. To overcome this drawback, a novel directional test statistic was derived using the equivalence of multivariate multiple regression (MVMR) and CCA. This extension will allow CCA to be used for inference of general linear contrasts in more complicated fMRI designs without reparameterization of the design matrix and without reestimating the CCA solutions for each particular contrast of interest. With the proper constraints on the spatial coefficients of CCA, this test statistic can yield a more powerful test on the inference of evoked brain regional activations from noisy fMRI data than the conventional t-test in the GLM. The quantitative results from simulated and pseudoreal data and activation maps from fMRI data were used to demonstrate the advantage of this novel test statistic. PMID:22461786

A novel TFF2 splice variant (ΔEX2TFF2) correlates with longer overall survival time in cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

KAMLUA, SURASEE; PATRAKITKOMJORN, SIRIPORN; JEARANAIKOON, PATCHAREE; MENHENIOTT, TREVELYAN R.; GIRAUD, ANDREW S.; LIMPAIBOON, TEMDUANG

2012-01-01

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) is a member of trefoil factor family found to be overexpressed in many cancers including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The majority of studies have focused on wild-type TFF2 (wtTFF2) expression, but information regarding alternative splicing variants of TFF2 mRNA has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify and quantify a novel TFF2 splice variant in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Seventy-eight tumors and 15 normal adjacent tissues were quantified for the expression of the TFF2 splice variant relative to wild-type (wt) TFF2 mRNA using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). The ratio of TFF2 splice variant against wtTFF2 was analyzed for associations with clinical parameters. We found a novel TFF2 splice variant, exon 2 skipping (ΔEX2TFF2), resulting in a stop codon (TAG) at exon 1. The ΔEX2TFF2/wtTFF2 ratio in tumors was significantly higher than in normal tissue (P<0.01). Interestingly, high ΔEX2TFF2/wtTFF2 ratio was significantly associated with good prognosis compared with low ratio (P=0.017). In contrast, the presence of wtTFF2 protein was associated with poor survival of CCA patients (P=0.034). This is the first report of a trefoil factor splice variant and its potential application as a prognostic biomarker in CCA. PMID:22159958

Trends in Cervical Cancer Among Delivery-Related Discharges and its Impact on Maternal-Infant Birth Outcomes (United States, 1998-2009)

PubMed Central

Mogos, Mulubrhan F; Salemi, Jason L; Sultan, Dawood H; Shelton, Melissa M; Salihu, Hamisu M

2015-01-01

Objectives: To estimate the national prevalence of cervical cancer (CCA) in women discharged from hospital after delivery, and to examine its associations with birth outcomes. Methods: We did a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of maternal hospital discharges in the United States (1998-2009). We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify hospital stays for women who gave birth. We determined length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and used ICD-9-CM codes to identify CCA and all outcomes of interest. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between CCA and feto-maternal outcome. Results: In the 12-year period from 1998 to 2009, there were 8,387 delivery hospitalizations with a CCA diagnosis, a prevalence rate of 1.8 per 100,000 (95% CI=1.6, 1.9). After adjusting for potential confounders, CCA was associated with increased odds of maternal morbidities including: anemia (AOR, 1.78, 95% CI, 1.54-2.06), anxiety (AOR, 1.95, 95% CI, 1.11-3.42), cesarean delivery (AOR, 1.67, 95% CI, 1.46-1.90), and prolonged hospital stay (AOR, 1.51, 95% CI, 1.30-1.76), and preterm birth (AOR, 1.69, 95% CI, 1.46-1.97). Conclusion: There is a recent increase in the prevalence of CCA during pregnancy. CCA is associated with severe feto-maternal morbidities. Interventions that promote safer sexual practice and regular screening for CCA should be promoted widely among women of reproductive age to effectively reduce the prevalence of CCA during pregnancy and its impact on the health of mother and baby. PMID:26862361

Trefoil factors: Tumor progression markers and mitogens via EGFR/MAPK activation in cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Kosriwong, Kanuengnuch; Menheniott, Trevelyan R; Giraud, Andrew S; Jearanaikoon, Patcharee; Sripa, Banchob; Limpaiboon, Temduang

2011-01-01

AIM: To investigate trefoil factor (TFF) gene copy number, mRNA and protein expression as potential biomarkers in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METHODS: TFF mRNA levels, gene copy number and protein expression were determined respectively by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry in bile duct epithelium biopsies collected from individuals with CCA, precancerous bile duct dysplasia and from disease-free controls. The functional impact of recombinant human (rh)TFF2 peptide treatment on proliferation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling was assessed in the CCA cell line, KMBC, by viable cell counting and immunoblotting, respectively. RESULTS: TFF1, TFF2 and TFF3 mRNA expression was significantly increased in CCA tissue compared to disease-free controls, and was unrelated to gene copy number. TFF1 immunoreactivity was strongly increased in both dysplasia and CCA, whereas TFF2 immunoreactivity was increased only in CCA compared to disease-free controls. By contrast, TFF3 immunoreactivity was moderately decreased in dysplasia and further decreased in CCA. Kaplan-Meier analysis found no association of TFF mRNA, protein and copy number with age, gender, histological subtype, and patient survival time. Treatment of KMBC cells with rhTFF2 stimulated proliferation, triggered phosphorylation of EGFR and downstream extracellular signal related kinase (ERK), whereas co-incubation with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PD153035, blocked rhTFF2-dependent proliferation and EGFR/ERK responses. CONCLUSION: TFF mRNA/protein expression is indicative of CCA tumor progression, but not predictive for histological sub-type or survival time. TFF2 is mitogenic in CCA via EGFR/MAPK activation. PMID:21472131

Annexin A1: A new immunohistological marker of cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Hongsrichan, Nuttanan; Rucksaken, Rucksak; Chamgramol, Yaovalux; Pinlaor, Porntip; Techasen, Anchalee; Yongvanit, Puangrat; Khuntikeo, Narong; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Pinlaor, Somchai

2013-01-01

AIM: To evaluate a new immunohistological marker, annexin A1 (ANXA1), in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Expression of ANXA1 protein was investigated in liver tissues from patients with CCA and HCC by immunohistochemistry. Its expression on differences stages of tumor development was investigated in hamster CCA tissues induced by Opisthorchis viverrini and N-nitrosodimethylamine. Moreover, mRNA expression of ANXA1 was assessed in CCA cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and silencing of ANXA1 gene expression using small interfering RNA. RESULTS: In human CCA tissue arrays, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the positive expression of ANXA1 was 94.1% (64/68 cases) consisting of a high expression (66.2%, 45/68 cases) and a low expression (33.8%, 23/68 cases). However, expression of ANXA1 protein was negative in all histologic patterns for HCC (46/46 cases) and healthy individuals (6/6 cases). In hamster with opisthorchiasis-associated CCA, the expression of ANXA1 was observed in the cytoplasm of inflammatory cells, bile duct epithelia and tumor cells. Grading scores of ANXA1 expression were significantly increased with tumor progression. In addition, mRNA expression of ANXA1 significantly increased in all of the various CCA cell lines tested compared to an immortalized human cholangiocyte cell line (MMNK1). Suppressing the ANXA1 gene significantly reduced the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9, and transforming growth factor-β genes, but increased nuclear factor-κB gene expression. CONCLUSION: ANXA1 is highly expressed in CCA, but low in HCC, suggesting it may serve as a new immunohistochemical marker of CCA. ANXA1 may play a role in opisthorchiasis-associated cholangiocarcinogenesis. PMID:23674846

Monitoring dominant strictures in primary sclerosing cholangitis with brush cytology and FDG-PET.

PubMed

Sangfelt, Per; Sundin, Anders; Wanders, Alkwin; Rasmussen, Ib; Karlson, Britt-Marie; Bergquist, Annika; Rorsman, Fredrik

2014-12-01

Despite a high risk of cholangiocellular adenocarcinoma (CCA) it is unclear how surveillance of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) should be performed. We evaluated a follow-up algorithm of brush cytology and positron emission tomography/computed tomography with [(18)F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG-PET/CT), measured as maximum standardized uptake values, normalized to the liver background (SUVmax/liver) at 180 min, in PSC patients with dominant bile duct strictures. Brush cytology with high grade dysplasia (HGD) was detected in 12/70 patients (17%), yielding a diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 56%, 89%, 75%, and 88%, respectively. Preemptive liver transplantations due to repeated HGD before manifest CCA were performed in six patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of [(18)F]FDG uptake showed that a SUVmax/liver quotient of 3.3 was able to discriminate between CCA and non-malignant disease with a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for CCA of 89%, 92%, 62%, 98%, respectively. A SUVmax/liver >3.3 detected CCA in 8/9 patients whereas a quotient <2.4 excluded CCA. Combining brush cytology and quantitative [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT yielded a sensitivity for HGD and/or CCA of 100% and a specificity of 88%. Early detection of HGD before manifest CCA is feasible with repeated brush cytology and may allow for preemptive liver transplantation. [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT has a high sensitivity for manifest CCA and a negative scan indicates a non-malignant state of the disease. Brush cytology and [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT are complementary in monitoring and managing PSC patients with dominant strictures. Copyright © 2014 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Strength Characteristics of Laterized Concrete with Corn Cob Ash (CCA) Blended Cement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikponmwosa, E. E.; Salau, M. A.; Kaigama, W. B.

2015-11-01

Agricultural wastes are dumped in landfills or left on land in which they constitute nuisance. This study presents the results of investigation of strength characteristics of reinforced laterized concrete beams with cement partially replaced with corn cob (agricultural wastes) ash (CCA). Laterized concrete specimen of 25% laterite and 75% sharp sand were made by blending cement with corn cob ash at 0 to 40% in steps of 10%. A concrete mix ratio of 1:2:4 was used to cast 54 cubes of 150×150×150mm size and 54 beams of dimension 750×150×150mm. The results show that the consistency and setting time of cement increased as the percentage replacement of cement with CCA increased while the workability and density of concrete decreased as the percentage of CCA increased. There was a decrease in compressive strength when laterite was introduced to the concrete from 25.04 to 22.96N/mm2 after 28 days and a continual reduction in strength when CCA was further added from 10% to 40% at steps of 10%. Generally, the beam specimens exhibited majorly shear failure with visible diagonal cracks extending from support points to the load points. The corresponding central deflection in beams, due to two points loading, increased as the laterite was added to the concrete mix but reduced and almost approaching that of the control as 10% CCA was added. The deflection then increased as the CCA content further increased to 20%, 30% and 40% in the mix. It was also noted that the deflection of all percentage replacement including 40% CCA is less than the standard recommended maximum deflection of the beam. The optimal flexural strength occurred with 10% CCA content.

Development and characterization of a carbon-based composite material for reducing patulin levels in apple juice.

PubMed

Huebner, H J; Mayura, K; Pallaroni, L; Ake, C L; Lemke, S L; Herrera, P; Phillips, T D

2000-01-01

Patulin, a heterocyclic lactone produced by various species of Penicillium and Aspergillus fungi, is often detected in apple juices and ciders. Previous research has shown the effectiveness of granular activated carbon for reducing patulin levels in aqueous solutions, apple juices, and ciders. In this study, ultrafine activated carbon was bonded onto granular quartz to produce a composite carbon adsorbent (CCA) with a high carbonaceous surface area, good bed porosity, and increased bulk density. CCA in fixed-bed adsorption columns was evaluated for efficacy in reducing patulin levels from aqueous solutions and apple juice. Columns containing 1.0, 0.5, and 0.25 g of CCA were continuously loaded with a patulin solution (10 microg/ml) and eluted at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Results indicated that 50% breakthrough capacities for patulin on 1.0-, 0.5-, and 0.25-g CCA columns were 137.5, 38.5, and 19.9 microg, respectively. The effectiveness of CCA to adsorb patulin and prevent toxic effects was confirmed in vitro using adult hydra in culture. Hydra were sensitive to the effects of patulin, with a minimal affective concentration equal to 0.7 microg/ml; CCA adsorption prevented patulin toxicity until 76% breakthrough capacity was achieved. Fixed-bed adsorption with 1.0 g of CCA was also effective in reducing patulin concentrations (20 microg/liter) in a naturally contaminated apple juice, and breakthrough capacities were shown to increase with temperature. Additionally, CCA offered a higher initial breakthrough capacity than pelleted activated carbon when compared in parallel experiments. This study suggests that CCA used in fixed-bed adsorption systems effectively reduced patulin levels in both aqueous solutions and naturally contaminated apple juice; however, the appearance and taste of apple juice may be affected by the treatment process.

Validation of a urine circulating cathodic antigen cassette test for detection of Schistosoma haematobiumin uMkhanyakude district of South Africa.

PubMed

Rubaba, O; Chimbari, M J; Soko, W; Manyangadze, T; Mukaratirwa, S

2018-06-01

Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) tests for schistosomiasis are fast and less complicated allowing making them good candidates for routine qualitative screening for schistosomiasis at point of care. The urine-CCA has been evaluated for detection of S. mansoni with promising results. Its specificity and consistency in detecting S. haematobium infection in different endemic regions has been variable. This study validated a rapid urine-CCA cassette test for qualitative detection of S. haematobium infection in an S. haematobium endemic area with low S. mansoni prevalence. Microscopic examination for the standard urine filtration technique was used to validate the commercially available urine-CCA cassette test (rapid medical diagnostics ® ). The validation was done in a sample of primary school pupils (n = 420) aged 10-15 years in schools in the Jozini Municipality, KZN. There was a relationship between infection intensity and a positive urine-CCA test. Using the urine filtration method as the gold standard, the prevalence for S. haematobium was 40%, the accuracy of the CCA kit was 54.8%, sensitivity was 68.1% while the specificity was 45.8%. The positive predictive value was 45.82% while the negative predictive value was 68.05%. Both the urine filtration and the urine-CCA methods detected heavy (≥50 eggs/10 mL urine) and light infections at statistically significant levels. The overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the urine-CCA cassette test were low. The urine-CCA cassette test performed much better for heavy infections than low infections (p < 0.05) implying that the kit may not be suitable for low endemic areas. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acceptance of Combined Coronary CT Angiography and Myocardial CT Perfusion versus Conventional Coronary Angiography in Patients with Coronary Stents—Intraindividual Comparison

PubMed Central

Martus, Peter; Laule, Michael; Dewey, Marc; Schönenberger, Eva

2015-01-01

Objectives To evaluate how well patients with coronary stents accept combined coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) compared with conventional coronary angiography (CCA). Background While combined CTA and CTP may improve diagnostic accuracy compared with CTA alone, patient acceptance of CTA/CTP remains to be defined. Methods A total of 90 patients with coronary stents prospectively underwent CTA/CTP (both with contrast agent, CTP with adenosine) and CCA as part of the CARS-320 study. In this group, an intraindividual comparison of patient acceptance of CTA, CTP, and CCA was performed. Results CTP was experienced to be significantly more painful than CTA (p<0.001) and was associated with a higher frequency of dyspnea (p<0.001). Comparison of CTA/CTP with CCA revealed no significant differences in terms of pain (p = 0.141) and comfort (p = 0.377). Concern before CTA/CTP and CCA and overall satisfaction were likewise not significantly different (p = 0.097 and p = 0.123, respectively). Nevertheless, about two thirds (n = 60, 68%) preferred CTA/CTP to CCA (p<0.001). Moreover, patients felt less helpless during CTA/CTP than during CCA (p = 0.026). Lack of invasiveness and absence of pain were the most frequently mentioned advantages of CTA/CTP over CCA in our patient population. Conclusions CCA and combined CTA/CTP are equally well accepted by patients; however, more patients prefer CTA/CTP. CTP was associated with more intense pain than CTA and more frequently caused dyspnea than CTA alone. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00967876 PMID:26327127

Marine bioactive compounds: stereospecific anti-inflammatory activity of natural and synthetic cordiachromene A.

PubMed

Benslimane, A F; Pouchus, Y F; Verbist, J F; Petit, J Y; Khettab, E N; Welin, L; Brion, J D

1992-01-01

A new synthesis is proposed for cordiachromene A (CCA), a bioactive component of the ascidian Aplidium antillense Gravier, using a method producing a racemic mixture. The anti-inflammatory activities of a natural extract and a chemically synthetic form of CCA were assessed in vivo by carrageenan-induced rat-paw edema. The activity of synthetic CCA was confirmed by a test on kaolin-induced granuloma in the rat. Strong activities were measured for both CCA, but comparison of results of the first test suggests that only the natural optically active isomer has an anti-inflammatory effect. CCA is similar to indomethacin in its effect on carrageenan-induced rat-paw edema and ten times as active as phenylbutazone.

Comparisons of the spectroscopic and microbiological activities among coumarin-3-carboxylate, o-phenanthroline and zinc(II) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Islas, María S.; Martínez Medina, Juan J.; Piro, Oscar E.; Echeverría, Gustavo A.; Ferrer, Evelina G.; Williams, Patricia A. M.

2018-06-01

Coumarins (2H-chromen-2-one) are oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds that belong to the benzopyranones family. In this work we have synthesized different coordination complexes with coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (HCCA), o-phenanthroline (phen) and zinc(II). In the reported [Zn(CCA)2(H2O)2] complex, coumarin-3-carboxylate (CCA) is acting as a bidentate ligand while in the two prepared complexes, [Zn(phen)3]CCA(NO3) (obtained as a single crystal) and [Zn(CCA)2phen].4H2O, CCA is acting as a counterion of the complex cation [Zn(phen)3]+2 or coordinated to the metal center along with phen, respectively. These compounds were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis and thermogravimetry. NMR, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies of the compounds and the CCA potassium salt (KCCA) allow to determine several similarities and differences among them. Finally, their behavior against alkaline phosphatase enzyme and their antimicrobial activities were also measured.

Indirect effects of ocean acidification drive feeding and growth of juvenile crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci.

PubMed

Kamya, Pamela Z; Byrne, Maria; Mos, Benjamin; Hall, Lauren; Dworjanyn, Symon A

2017-06-14

The indirect effects of changing climate in modulating trophic interactions can be as important as the direct effects of climate stressors on consumers. The success of the herbivorous juvenile stage of the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), Acanthaster planci, may be affected by the impacts of ocean conditions on its crustose coralline algal (CCA) food. To partition the direct effects of near future ocean acidification on juvenile COTS and indirect effects through changes in their CCA food, COTS were grown in three pH T levels (7.9, 7.8, 7.6) and fed CCA grown at similar pH levels. Consumption of CCA by COTS was bolstered when the COTS were grown in low pH and when they were fed CCA grown in low pH regardless of the pH in which the COTS were reared. COTS fed CCA grown at pH 7.6 grew fastest, but the pH/ p CO 2 that the COTS were reared in had no direct effect on growth. Ocean acidification conditions decreased the C : N ratio and carbonate levels in the CCA. Bolstered growth in COTS may be driven by enhanced palatability, increased nutritive state and reduced defences of their CCA food. These results indicate that near future acidification will increase the success of early juvenile COTS and boost recruitment into the coral-eating life stage. © 2017 The Author(s).

Reusing remediated CCA-treated wood

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen

2003-01-01

Options for recycling and reusing chromated-copper-arsenate- (CCA) treated material include dimensional lumber and round wood size reduction, composites, and remediation. Size reduction by remilling, shaving, or resawing CCA-treated wood reduces the volume of landfilled waste material and provides many options for reusing used treated wood. Manufacturing composite...

ASSESSING CHILDREN'S EXPOSURES TO THE WOOD PRESERVATIVE CCA (CHROMATED COPPER ARSENATE) ON TREATED PLAYSETS AND DECKS

EPA Science Inventory

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of young children contacting arsenic and chromium residues while playing on and around Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated wood playground structures and decks. Although CCA registrants voluntarily canceled treated wood for re...

Latent class analysis to evaluate performance of point-of-care CCA for low-intensity Schistosoma mansoni infections in Burundi.

PubMed

Clements, Michelle N; Corstjens, Paul L A M; Binder, Sue; Campbell, Carl H; de Dood, Claudia J; Fenwick, Alan; Harrison, Wendy; Kayugi, Donatien; King, Charles H; Kornelis, Dieuwke; Ndayishimiye, Onesime; Ortu, Giuseppina; Lamine, Mariama Sani; Zivieri, Antonio; Colley, Daniel G; van Dam, Govert J

2018-02-23

Kato-Katz examination of stool smears is the field-standard method for detecting Schistosoma mansoni infection. However, Kato-Katz misses many active infections, especially of light intensity. Point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) is an alternative field diagnostic that is more sensitive than Kato-Katz when intensity is low, but interpretation of CCA-trace results is unclear. To evaluate trace results, we tested urine and stool specimens from 398 pupils from eight schools in Burundi using four approaches: two in Burundi and two in a laboratory in Leiden, the Netherlands. In Burundi, we used Kato-Katz and point-of-care CCA (CCAB). In Leiden, we repeated the CCA (CCAL) and also used Up-Converting Phosphor Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA). We applied Bayesian latent class analyses (LCA), first considering CCA traces as negative and then as positive. We used the LCA output to estimate validity of the prevalence estimates of each test in comparison to the population-level infection prevalence and estimated the proportion of trace results that were likely true positives. Kato-Katz yielded the lowest prevalence (6.8%), and CCAB with trace considered positive yielded the highest (53.5%). There were many more trace results recorded by CCA in Burundi (32.4%) than in Leiden (2.3%). Estimated prevalence with CAA was 46.5%. LCA indicated that Kato-Katz had the lowest sensitivity: 15.9% [Bayesian Credible Interval (BCI): 9.2-23.5%] with CCA-trace considered negative and 15.0% with trace as positive (BCI: 9.6-21.4%), implying that Kato-Katz missed approximately 85% of infections. CCAB underestimated disease prevalence when trace was considered negative and overestimated disease prevalence when trace was considered positive, by approximately 12 percentage points each way, and CAA overestimated prevalence in both models. Our results suggest that approximately 52.2% (BCI: 37.8-5.8%) of the CCAB trace readings were true infections. Whether measured in the laboratory or the field, CCA outperformed Kato-Katz at the low infection intensities in Burundi. CCA with trace as negative likely missed many infections, whereas CCA with trace as positive overestimated prevalence. In the absence of a field-friendly gold standard diagnostic, the use of a variety of diagnostics with differing properties will become increasingly important as programs move towards elimination of schistosomiasis. It is clear that CCA is a valuable tool for the detection and mapping of S. mansoni infection in the field and CAA may be a valuable field tool in the future.

Implementation and evaluation of the Level Set method: Towards efficient and accurate simulation of wet etching for microengineering applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montoliu, C.; Ferrando, N.; Gosálvez, M. A.; Cerdá, J.; Colom, R. J.

2013-10-01

The use of atomistic methods, such as the Continuous Cellular Automaton (CCA), is currently regarded as a computationally efficient and experimentally accurate approach for the simulation of anisotropic etching of various substrates in the manufacture of Micro-electro-mechanical Systems (MEMS). However, when the features of the chemical process are modified, a time-consuming calibration process needs to be used to transform the new macroscopic etch rates into a corresponding set of atomistic rates. Furthermore, changing the substrate requires a labor-intensive effort to reclassify most atomistic neighborhoods. In this context, the Level Set (LS) method provides an alternative approach where the macroscopic forces affecting the front evolution are directly applied at the discrete level, thus avoiding the need for reclassification and/or calibration. Correspondingly, we present a fully-operational Sparse Field Method (SFM) implementation of the LS approach, discussing in detail the algorithm and providing a thorough characterization of the computational cost and simulation accuracy, including a comparison to the performance by the most recent CCA model. We conclude that the SFM implementation achieves similar accuracy as the CCA method with less fluctuations in the etch front and requiring roughly 4 times less memory. Although SFM can be up to 2 times slower than CCA for the simulation of anisotropic etchants, it can also be up to 10 times faster than CCA for isotropic etchants. In addition, we present a parallel, GPU-based implementation (gSFM) and compare it to an optimized, multicore CPU version (cSFM), demonstrating that the SFM algorithm can be successfully parallelized and the simulation times consequently reduced, while keeping the accuracy of the simulations. Although modern multicore CPUs provide an acceptable option, the massively parallel architecture of modern GPUs is more suitable, as reflected by computational times for gSFM up to 7.4 times faster than for cSFM.

Enhanced, rapid occlusion of carotid and vertebral arteries using the AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II device: the Duke Cerebrovascular Center experience in 8 patients with 22 AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II devices.

PubMed

Mihlon, Frank; Agrawal, Abishek; Nimjee, Shahid M; Ferrell, Andrew; Zomorodi, Ali R; Smith, Tony P; Britz, Gavin W

2015-01-01

Therapeutic embolization of the common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and vertebral artery (VA) is necessary in the treatment of a subset of chronic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), hemorrhages, highly vascularized neoplasms before resection, and giant aneurysms. There are currently no reports of the use of the AMPLATZER Vascular Plug II (AVP II) device to occlude the CCA, ICA, or VA. The objective of this article is to present the Duke Cerebrovascular Center experience using the AVP II device in neurointerventional applications. This case series is a retrospective review of all of the cases at Duke University Hospital in which an AVP II device was used in the CCA, ICA, or VA up to September 2012. The AVP II device was often used in conjunction with embolization coils or as multiple AVP II devices deployed in tandem. During 2010-2012, 8 cases meeting criteria were performed. These included 2 chronic VA to internal jugular AVFs, 1 hemorrhagic CCA to internal jugular AVF secondary to invasive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 1 ICA hemorrhage secondary to invasive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 1 ICA hemorrhage secondary to trauma, 1 ruptured ICA aneurysm, 1 giant petrous ICA aneurysm, and 1 case of cervical vertebral sarcoma requiring preoperative VA embolization. Successful occlusion of the target vessel was achieved in all 8 cases. There was 1 major complication that consisted of a watershed distribution cerebral infarct; however, this was related to emergent occlusion of the ICA in the setting of intracranial hemorrhage and was not a problem intrinsic to the AVP II device. The AVP II device is relatively large, self-expanding vascular occlusion device that safely allows enhanced, rapid take-down of the CCA, ICA, and VA with low risk of distal migration. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

What's stopping the recycling of recovered CCA-treated lumber

Treesearch

R. Smith; D. Alderman; Philip A. Araman

2002-01-01

The awareness and concerns regarding the environmental impacts and disposal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood products are increasing. Several investigators predict that the quantities of CCA-treated lumber will increase significantly in the upcoming decades. Additionally, with the number of landfills decreasing, landfill tipping fees increasing, and...

Advances in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Uppal, Dushant S; Wang, Andrew Y

2015-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy of the bile ducts that carries high morbidity and mortality. Patients with CCA typically present with obstructive jaundice, and associated complications of CCA include cholangitis and biliary sepsis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a valuable treatment modality for patients with CCA, as it enables internal drainage of blocked bile ducts and hepatic segments by using plastic or metal stents. While there remains debate as to if bilateral (or multi-segmental) hepatic drainage is required and/or superior to unilateral drainage, the underlying tenant of draining any persistently opacified bile ducts is paramount to good ERCP practice and good clinical outcomes. Endoscopic therapy for malignant biliary strictures from CCA has advanced to include ablative therapies via ERCP-directed photodynamic therapy (PDT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). While ERCP techniques cannot cure CCA, advancements in the field of ERCP have enabled us to improve upon the quality of life of patients with inoperable and incurable disease. ERCP-directed PDT has been used in lieu of brachytherapy to provide neoadjuvant local tumor control in patients with CCA who are awaiting liver transplantation. Lastly, mounting evidence suggests that palliative ERCP-directed PDT, and probably ERCP-directed RFA as well, offer a survival advantage to patients with this difficult-to-treat malignancy. PMID:26140095

Advances in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Uppal, Dushant S; Wang, Andrew Y

2015-06-25

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy of the bile ducts that carries high morbidity and mortality. Patients with CCA typically present with obstructive jaundice, and associated complications of CCA include cholangitis and biliary sepsis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a valuable treatment modality for patients with CCA, as it enables internal drainage of blocked bile ducts and hepatic segments by using plastic or metal stents. While there remains debate as to if bilateral (or multi-segmental) hepatic drainage is required and/or superior to unilateral drainage, the underlying tenant of draining any persistently opacified bile ducts is paramount to good ERCP practice and good clinical outcomes. Endoscopic therapy for malignant biliary strictures from CCA has advanced to include ablative therapies via ERCP-directed photodynamic therapy (PDT) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). While ERCP techniques cannot cure CCA, advancements in the field of ERCP have enabled us to improve upon the quality of life of patients with inoperable and incurable disease. ERCP-directed PDT has been used in lieu of brachytherapy to provide neoadjuvant local tumor control in patients with CCA who are awaiting liver transplantation. Lastly, mounting evidence suggests that palliative ERCP-directed PDT, and probably ERCP-directed RFA as well, offer a survival advantage to patients with this difficult-to-treat malignancy.

Evaluating a preoperative protocol that includes magnetic resonance imaging for lymph node metastasis in the Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program (CASCAP) in Thailand.

PubMed

Songthamwat, Metha; Chamadol, Nittaya; Khuntikeo, Narong; Thinkhamrop, Jadsada; Koonmee, Supinda; Chaichaya, Nathaphop; Bethony, Jeffrey; Thinkhamrop, Bandit

2017-09-20

Treatment planning especially liver resection in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) depends on the extension of tumor and lymph node metastasis which is included as a key criterion for operability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers a rapid and powerful tool for the detection of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and in the current manuscript is assessed as a critical tool in the preoperative protocol for liver resection for treatment of CCA. However, the accuracy of MRI to detect LNM from CCA had yet to be comprehensively evaluated. The accuracy of MRI to detect LNM was assessed in a cohort of individuals with CCA from the Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Program (CASCAP), a screening program designed to reduce CCA in Northeastern Thailand by community-based ultrasound (US) for CCA. CCA-positive individuals are referred to one of the nine tertiary centers in the study to undergo a preoperative protocol that included enhanced imaging by MRI. Additionally, these individuals also underwent lymph node biopsies for histological confirmation of LNM (the "gold standard") to determine the accuracy of the MRI results. MRI accurately detected the presence or absence of LNM in only 29 out of the 51 CCA cases (56.9%, 95% CI 42.2-70.7), resulting in a sensitivity of 57.1% (95% CI 34.0-78.2) and specificity of 56.7% (95% CI 37.4-74.5), with positive and negative predictive values of 48.0% (95% CI 27.8-68.7) and 65.4% (95% CI 44.3-82.8), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 1.32 (95% CI 0.76-2.29), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.76 (95% CI 0.42-1.36). MRI showed limited sensitivity and a poor positive predictive value for the diagnosis of LNM for CCA, which is of particular concern in this resource-limited setting, where simpler detection methods could be utilized that are more cost-effective in this region of Thailand. Therefore, the inclusion of MRI, a costly imaging method, should be reconsidered as part of protocol for treatment planning of CCA, given the number of false positives, especially as it is critical in determining the operability for CCA subjects.

Lack of Understanding of Cervical Cancer and Screening Is the Leading Barrier to Screening Uptake in Women at Midlife in Bangladesh: Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

PubMed

Islam, Rakibul M; Bell, Robin J; Billah, Baki; Hossain, Mohammad B; Davis, Susan R

2015-12-01

Cervical cancer (CCa) is the second most common cancer among women in Bangladesh. The uptake of CCa screening was less than 10% in areas where screening has been offered, so we investigated the awareness of CCa and CCa screening, and factors associated with women's preparedness to be screened. A nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of women aged 30-59 years was conducted in 7 districts of the 7 divisions in Bangladesh, using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Factors associated with the awareness of CCa and screening uptake were investigated separately, using multivariable logistic regression. On systematic questioning, 81.3% and 48.6% of the 1,590 participants, whose mean age was 42.3 (±8.0) years, had ever heard of CCa and CCa screening, respectively. Having heard of CCa was associated with living in a rural area (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26-0.67), being 40-49 years old (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.15-2.0), having no education (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.16-0.38), and being obese (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.23-3.36). Of the 773 women who had ever heard of CCa screening, 86% reported that they had not been screened because they had no symptoms and 37% did not know screening was needed. Only 8.3% had ever been screened. Having been screened was associated with being 40-49 years old (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.19-3.94) and employed outside the home (OR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.65-8.9), and inversely associated with rural dwelling (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30-0.98) and having no education (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10-0.85). Lack of awareness of CCa and of understanding of the concept of screening are the key barriers to screening uptake in women at midlife in Bangladesh. Targeted educational health programs are needed to increase screening in Bangladesh with the view to reducing mortality. ©AlphaMed Press.

Thinking beyond Opisthorchis viverrini for risk of cholangiocarcinoma in the lower Mekong region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Steele, Jennifer A; Richter, Carsten H; Echaubard, Pierre; Saenna, Parichat; Stout, Virginia; Sithithaworn, Paiboon; Wilcox, Bruce A

2018-05-17

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a fatal bile duct cancer associated with infection by the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, in the lower Mekong region. Numerous public health interventions have focused on reducing exposure to O. viverrini, but incidence of CCA in the region remains high. While this may indicate the inefficacy of public health interventions due to complex social and cultural factors, it may further indicate other risk factors or interactions with the parasite are important in pathogenesis of CCA. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of described risk factors for CCA in addition to O. viverrini to guide future integrative interventions. We searched five international and seven Thai research databases to identify studies relevant to risk factors for CCA in the lower Mekong region. Selected studies were assessed for risk of bias and quality in terms of study design, population, CCA diagnostic methods, and statistical methods. The final 18 included studies reported numerous risk factors which were grouped into behaviors, socioeconomics, diet, genetics, gender, immune response, other infections, and treatment for O. viverrini. Seventeen risk factors were reported by two or more studies and were assessed with random effects models during meta-analysis. This meta-analysis indicates that the combination of alcohol and smoking (OR = 11.1, 95% CI: 5.63-21.92, P <  0.0001) is most significantly associated with increased risk for CCA and is an even greater risk factor than O. viverrini exposure. This analysis also suggests that family history of cancer, consumption of raw cyprinoid fish, consumption of high nitrate foods, and praziquantel treatment are associated with significantly increased risk. These risk factors may have complex relationships with the host, parasite, or pathogenesis of CCA, and many of these risk factors were found to interact with each other in one or more studies. Our findings suggest that a complex variety of risk factors in addition to O. viverrini infection should be addressed in future public health interventions to reduce CCA in affected regions. In particular, smoking and alcohol use, dietary patterns, and socioeconomic factors should be considered when developing intervention programs to reduce CCA.

Ocean acidification reduces induction of coral settlement by crustose coralline algae.

PubMed

Webster, Nicole S; Uthicke, Sven; Botté, Emanuelle S; Flores, Florita; Negri, Andrew P

2013-01-01

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a critical component of coral reefs as they accrete carbonate for reef structure and act as settlement substrata for many invertebrates including corals. CCA host a diversity of microorganisms that can also play a role in coral settlement and metamorphosis processes. Although the sensitivity of CCA to ocean acidification (OA) is well established, the response of their associated microbial communities to reduced pH and increased CO2 was previously not known. Here we investigate the sensitivity of CCA-associated microbial biofilms to OA and determine whether or not OA adversely affects the ability of CCA to induce coral larval metamorphosis. We experimentally exposed the CCA Hydrolithon onkodes to four pH/pCO2 conditions consistent with current IPCC predictions for the next few centuries (pH: 8.1, 7.9, 7.7, 7.5, pCO2 : 464, 822, 1187, 1638 μatm). Settlement and metamorphosis of coral larvae was reduced on CCA pre-exposed to pH 7.7 (pCO2  = 1187 μatm) and below over a 6-week period. Additional experiments demonstrated that low pH treatments did not directly affect the ability of larvae to settle, but instead most likely altered the biochemistry of the CCA or its microbial associates. Detailed microbial community analysis of the CCA revealed diverse bacterial assemblages that altered significantly between pH 8.1 (pCO2  = 464 μatm) and pH 7.9 (pCO2  = 822 μatm) with this trend continuing at lower pH/higher pCO2 treatments. The shift in microbial community composition primarily comprised changes in the abundance of the dominant microbes between the different pH treatments and the appearance of new (but rare) microbes at pH 7.5. Microbial shifts and the concomitant reduced ability of CCA to induce coral settlement under OA conditions projected to occur by 2100 is a significant concern for the development, maintenance and recovery of reefs globally. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Involvement of PSMD10, CDK4, and Tumor Suppressors in Development of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma of Syrian Golden Hamsters Induced by Clonorchis sinensis and N-Nitrosodimethylamine

PubMed Central

Uddin, Md. Hafiz; Choi, Min-Ho; Kim, Woo Ho; Jang, Ja-June; Hong, Sung-Tae

2015-01-01

Background Clonorchis sinensis is a group-I bio-carcinogen for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Although the epidemiological evidence links clonorchiasis and CCA, the underlying molecular mechanism involved in this process is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, including PSMD10, CDK4, p53 and RB in C. sinensis induced hamster CCA model. Methods Different histochemical/immunohistochemical techniques were performed to detect CCA in 4 groups of hamsters: uninfected control (Ctrl.), infected with C. sinensis (Cs), ingested N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and both Cs infected and NDMA introduced (Cs+NDMA). The liver tissues from all groups were analyzed for gene/protein expressions by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blotting. Principal Findings CCA was observed in all hamsters of Cs+NDMA group with well, moderate, and poorly differentiated types measured in 21.8% ± 1.5%, 13.3% ± 1.3%, and 10.8% ± 1.3% of total tissue section areas respectively. All CCA differentiations progressed in a time dependent manner, starting from the 8th week of infection. CCA stroma was characterized with increased collagen type I, mucin, and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The qPCR analysis showed PSMD10, CDK4 and p16INK4 were over-expressed, whereas p53 was under-expressed in the Cs+NDMA group. We observed no change in RB1 at mRNA level but found significant down-regulation of RB protein. The apoptosis related genes, BAX and caspase 9 were found downregulated in the CCA tissue. Gene/protein expressions were matched well with the pathological changes of different groups except the NDMA group. Though the hamsters in the NDMA group showed no marked pathological lesions, we observed over-expression of Akt/PKB and p53 genes proposing molecular interplay in this group which might be related to the CCA initiation in this animal model. Conclusions/Significance The present findings suggest that oncogenes, PSMD10 and CDK4, and tumor suppressors, p53 and RB, are involved in the carcinogenesis process of C. sinensis induced CCA in hamsters. PMID:26313366

Crustose coralline algae and associated microbial biofilms deter seaweed settlement on coral reefs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gomez-Lemos, Luis A.; Diaz-Pulido, Guillermo

2017-06-01

Crustose coralline algae (CCA), a group of calcifying red algae found commonly in benthic marine ecosystems worldwide, perform essential ecological functions on coral reefs, including creating benthic substrate, stabilizing the reef structure and inducing coral settlement. An important feature of CCA is the ability to keep their surfaces free of epiphytic algae, thereby reducing algal overgrowth and allowing them access to light. However, the mechanisms by which CCA prevent settlement of opportunistic seaweeds (fleshy macroalgae) are not fully understood, nor is whether these mechanisms vary among CCA species. In our study based on the Great Barrier Reef, we demonstrate that three common CCA species ( Titanoderma pustulatum, Porolithon onkodes and Neogoniolithon sp.) have a remarkable ability to deter settlement of seaweed spores. We provide experimental evidence that the CCA use allelopathy and microbial inhibition against the settlement of spores of the brown seaweed Padina boergesenii. Methanol extracts of allelopathic compounds from T. pustulatum, Po. onkodes and Neogoniolithon sp. significantly reduced the settlement of Pa. boergesenii spores by 4.3 times, 3.0 and 3.8 times, respectively. Further, we found that microbial biofilms, while having a lower inhibitory effect than allelopathic compounds, also reduced seaweed settlement of Pa. boergesenii. Our study demonstrates that allelopathy and microbial inhibition, in addition to epithallial tissue sloughing, are mechanisms employed by CCA to prevent the settlement of epiphytic algae. Understanding the mechanisms by which CCA avoid seaweed overgrowth contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of seaweed proliferations on reefs and to the ecological knowledge of this important group of reef-building organisms.

Scaled-up remediation of CCA-treated wood

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen; William R. Kenealy

2004-01-01

Bioremediation is a novel approach to recycling waste wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA). Remediating CCA-treated waste wood diverts this fiber source from our landfills and provides tangible secondary products from the cleaned fiber. On a laboratory scale, this method, which utilizes oxalic acid extraction and bioleaching with a metal- tolerant...

Molecular profiling of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: the search for new therapeutic targets.

PubMed

Oliveira, Douglas V N P; Zhang, Shanshan; Chen, Xin; Calvisi, Diego F; Andersen, Jesper B

2017-04-01

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is the second most frequent primary tumor of the liver and a highly lethal disease. Therapeutic options for advanced iCCA are limited and ineffective due to the largely incomplete understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of this deadly tumor. Areas covered: The present review article outlines the main studies and resulting discoveries on the molecular profiling of iCCA, with a special emphasis on the different techniques used for this purpose, the diagnostic and prognostic markers identified, as well as the genes and pathways that could be potentially targeted with innovative therapies. Expert commentary: Molecular profiling has led to the identification of distinct iCCA subtypes, characterized by peculiar genetic alterations and transcriptomic features. Targeted therapies against some of the identified genes are ongoing and hold great promise to improve the prognosis of iCCA patients.

Large numbers of interleukins-22- and -17A-producing T helper cells in cholangiocarcinoma related to liver fluke infection.

PubMed

Su, Si-Biao; Zhang, Jian-Feng; Huang, Fei-Fei; Cen, Yu; Jiang, Hai-Xing

2017-08-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) associated with liver fluke infection involves inflammatory and immune processes; however, whether these involve the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17A and proliferative cytokine IL-22 remains unclear. Here, numbers of IL-22- and IL-17A-producing Th cells and cytokine concentrations in 30 patients with CCA and long-term liver fluke infection, 40 patients with liver-fluke infection but not CCA, and 16 healthy controls were compared. Analyses were performed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, ELISA and RT-PCR. Immunohistochemical staining showed weaker expression of IL-22 and IL-17A in patients with CCA with than in those without liver fluke infection (P < 0.01). Flow cytometry revealed significantly greater median proportions of IL-22-producing T helper cells in patients with CCA (2.2%) than in those without it (0.69%) or controls (0.4%, P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for IL-17A-producing T helper cells. ELISA revealed plasma concentrations of IL-22 were 1.3-fold higher in patients with CCA than in those without it and 4.6-fold higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Plasma concentrations of IL-17A were 2.5-fold higher in patients with CCA than in those without it, and 21-fold higher than in controls (P < 0.001). Amounts of IL-22 and IL-17A mRNAs in blood were significantly higher in patients with CCA than in the other two groups. Proportions of CD4 + CD45RO + T cells producing IL-22 correlated with proportions producing IL-17A (r = 0.759; P < 0.001), and plasma concentrations of IL-22 correlated with those of IL-17A (r = 0.726; P < 0.001). These results suggest that both IL-17A and IL-22 affect development of CCA related to liver fluke infection. © 2017 The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Deregulated Methionine Adenosyltransferase α1, c-Myc and Maf Proteins Interplay Promotes Cholangiocarcinoma Growth in Mice and Humans

PubMed Central

Yang, Heping; Liu, Ting; Wang, Jiaohong; Li, Tony W.H.; Fan, Wei; Peng, Hui; Krishnan, Anuradha; Gores, Gregory J.; Mato, Jose M.; Lu, Shelly C.

2016-01-01

We reported c-Myc induction drives cholestatic liver injury and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in mice. We also showed induction of Maf proteins (MafG and c-Maf) contributed to cholestatic liver injury, whereas S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) administration was protective. Here we determined whether there is interplay between c-Myc, Maf proteins and methionine adenosyltransferase α1 (MATα1), which is responsible for SAMe biosynthesis in liver. We used bile duct ligation (BDL) and lithocholic acid (LCA) treatment in mice as chronic cholestasis models, a murine CCA model, human CCA cell lines KMCH and Huh-28, human liver cancer HepG2, and human CCA specimens to study gene and protein expression, protein-protein interactions, molecular mechanisms and functional outcomes. We found c-Myc, MATα1 (encoded by MAT1A), MafG and c-Maf interact with each other directly. MAT1A expression fell in hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells during chronic cholestasis and in murine and human CCA. The opposite occurred with c-Myc, MafG and c-Maf expression. MATα1 interacts mainly with Mnt in normal liver but this switches to c-Maf, MafG and c-Myc in cholestatic livers and CCA. Promoter regions of these genes have E-boxes that are bound by MATα1 and Mnt in normal liver and benign bile duct epithelial cells that switched to c-Myc, c-Maf and MafG in cholestasis and CCA cells. E-box positively regulates c-Myc, MafG and c-Maf, but it negatively regulates MAT1A. MATα1 represses whereas c-Myc, MafG and c-Maf enhance E-box-driven promoter activity. Knocking down MAT1A or overexpressing MafG or c-Maf enhanced CCA growth and invasion in vivo. Conclusion We have uncovered a novel interplay between MATα1, c-Myc and Maf proteins and their deregulation during chronic cholestasis may facilitate CCA oncogenesis. PMID:26969892

14 CFR 21.15 - Application for type certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Application for type certificate. 21.15... CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCTS AND PARTS Type Certificates § 21.15 Application for type certificate. (a) An application for a type certificate is made on a form and in a manner prescribed by the FAA and is...

14 CFR 21.15 - Application for type certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Application for type certificate. 21.15... CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCTS AND PARTS Type Certificates § 21.15 Application for type certificate. Link to an amendment published at 74 FR 53385, October 16, 2009. (a) An application for a type certificate...

Absent right common carotid artery associated with aberrant right subclavian artery.

PubMed

Uchino, Akira; Uwabe, Kazuhiko; Osawa, Iichiro

2018-06-01

Rarely, the external and internal carotid arteries arise separately from the brachiocephalic trunk and right subclavian artery (SA) or the aortic arch and reflect the absence of a common carotid artery (CCA). We report a 45-year-old man with absent right CCA associated with aberrant right SA, an extremely rare combination, diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) angiography during follow-up for postoperative aortic dissection. Retrospective careful observation of preoperative postcontrast CT revealed the absent right CCA. Previously reported arch variations associated with absent CCA include cervical aortic arch, double aortic arch, and right aortic arch.

Findings in Ps-H scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ray, Hasi

2006-06-15

The best three-channel projectile-inelastic close-coupling approximation (CCA) is used to study the resonances in positronium (Ps) and hydrogen (H) scattering at the energy region below the inelastic threshold. The s-wave elastic phase shifts and s-wave elastic cross sections are studied using the static-exchange, two- and three-channel projectile-inelastic CCA for both the singlet (+) and triplet (-) channels. The singlet resonances detected using different CCA schemes confirm previous predictions [Drachman and Houston, Phys. Rev. A 12, 885 (1975); Page, J. Phys. B. 9, 1111 (1976)]. We report a resonance in the triplet channel too using the present three-channel CCA scheme.

EF24 inhibits tumor growth and metastasis via suppressing NF-kappaB dependent pathways in human cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Yin, Da-long; Liang, Ying-jian; Zheng, Tong-sen; Song, Rui-peng; Wang, Jia-bei; Sun, Bo-shi; Pan, Shang-ha; Qu, Lian-dong; Liu, Jia-ren; Jiang, Hong-chi; Liu, Lian-xin

2016-01-01

A synthetic monoketone analog of curcumin, termed 3, 5-bis (2-flurobenzylidene) piperidin-4-one (EF24), has been reported to inhibit the growth of a variety of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, whether EF24 has anticancer effects on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells and the mechanisms remain to be investigated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of EF24 on CCA tumor growth and metastasis. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, tumorigenesis and metastasis were examined. EF24 exhibited time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effects on HuCCT-1, TFK-1 and HuH28 human CCA cell lines. EF24 inhibited CCA cell proliferation, migration, and induced G2/M phase arrest. EF24 induced cell apoptosis along with negative regulation of NF-κB- X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) signaling pathway. XIAP inhibition by lentivirus mediated RNA interference enhanced EF24-induced apoptosis, while XIAP overexpression reduced it in CCA cells. In vivo, EF24 significantly suppressed the growth of CCA tumor xenografts and tumor metastasis while displaying low toxicity levels. Our findings indicate that EF24 is a potent antitumor agent that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting NF-κB dependent signaling pathways. EF24 may represent a novel approach for CCA treatment. PMID:27571770

EF24 inhibits tumor growth and metastasis via suppressing NF-kappaB dependent pathways in human cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Yin, Da-Long; Liang, Ying-Jian; Zheng, Tong-Sen; Song, Rui-Peng; Wang, Jia-Bei; Sun, Bo-Shi; Pan, Shang-Ha; Qu, Lian-Dong; Liu, Jia-Ren; Jiang, Hong-Chi; Liu, Lian-Xin

2016-08-30

A synthetic monoketone analog of curcumin, termed 3, 5-bis (2-flurobenzylidene) piperidin-4-one (EF24), has been reported to inhibit the growth of a variety of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, whether EF24 has anticancer effects on cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells and the mechanisms remain to be investigated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of EF24 on CCA tumor growth and metastasis. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, tumorigenesis and metastasis were examined. EF24 exhibited time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effects on HuCCT-1, TFK-1 and HuH28 human CCA cell lines. EF24 inhibited CCA cell proliferation, migration, and induced G2/M phase arrest. EF24 induced cell apoptosis along with negative regulation of NF-κB- X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) signaling pathway. XIAP inhibition by lentivirus mediated RNA interference enhanced EF24-induced apoptosis, while XIAP overexpression reduced it in CCA cells. In vivo, EF24 significantly suppressed the growth of CCA tumor xenografts and tumor metastasis while displaying low toxicity levels. Our findings indicate that EF24 is a potent antitumor agent that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting NF-κB dependent signaling pathways. EF24 may represent a novel approach for CCA treatment.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COATINGS IN REDUCING DISLODGEABLE ARSENIC, CHROMIUM, AND COPPER FROM CCA TREATED WOOD, INTERIM DATA REPORT

EPA Science Inventory

EPA is approximately 20 months into a project to evaluate the performance of wood coatings as a way to prevent arsenic, chromium and copper exposure from the surfaces of CCA treated wood. Potential dermal exposure, as measured by wipe sampling dislodgeable CCA chemical from wood ...

How much arsenic is released when CCA wood is burned?

Treesearch

Charles K. McMahon; Parshall B. Bush; Edwin A. Woolson

1986-01-01

Abstract. Waterborne salts have been used to preserve wood for many years. One of the more common formulations contains copper, chromium, and arsenic salts and is known as chromated copper arsenate, or CCA. Questions have been raised about the amount of arsenic released when CCA treated wood is burned in wood stoves, fireplaces, or boilers....

Properties of particleboard made from recycled CCA-treated wood

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen; S. Nami Kartal; James Muehl

2000-01-01

Recovery of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood for reuse has been the focus of several international research groups due to the imminent disposal problem created when large quantities of CCA-treated wood ultimately come out of service. Bioleaching with Bacillus licheniformis CC01 and oxalic acid extraction are two methods known to remove significant...

Narrowing the Broader Autism Phenotype: A Study Using the Communication Checklist-Adult Version (CC-A)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Whitehouse, Andrew J. O.; Coon, Hilary; Miller, Judith; Salisbury, Bryanna; Bishop, Dorothy V. M.

2010-01-01

This study investigated whether the Communication Checklist-Adult (CC-A) could identify subtypes of social and communication dysfunction in autism probands and their parents. The CC-A is divided into subscales measuring linguistic ability as well as two aspects of social communication: the Pragmatic Skills subscale assesses the level of pragmatic…

From a contractors perspective: what is needed to recover used CCA treated lumber?

Treesearch

Delton R. Alderman; Robert L. Smith; Philip A. Araman

2003-01-01

The rationale of this research was to discern the factors that currently are preventing contractors from recovering and recycling spent chromated copper arsenate (CCA) lumber. This study examines the effects of evaluations and beliefs, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and awareness of the contractor's decision intention to recover used CCA lumber....

A profile of CCA-treated lumber removed from service in the southeastern United States decking market

Treesearch

Delton Alderman; Robert Smith; Philip A. Araman

2003-01-01

This research developed a profile of used chromated copper arsenate (CCA) lumber removed from the demolition of residential decking. This was achieved by gathering and compiling information regarding the construction, demolition, deck remodeling, deck replacement factors, and factors affecting the recovery of spent CCA lumber. In addition, qualitative responses...

40 CFR 194.15 - certification application(s).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

1996-07-01

... 40 PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT 12 1996-07-01 1996-07-01 false certification application(s). 194.15 Sec. 194.15 Content of compliance re PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... and Re-certification Applications Sec. 194.15 Content of compliance re-certification application(s...

Insulin sensitivity and carotid intima-media thickness: relationship between insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk study.

PubMed

Kozakova, Michaela; Natali, Andrea; Dekker, Jacqueline; Beck-Nielsen, Henning; Laakso, Markku; Nilsson, Peter; Balkau, Beverley; Ferrannini, Ele

2013-06-01

Despite a wealth of experimental data in animal models, the independent association of insulin resistance with early carotid atherosclerosis in man has not been demonstrated. We studied a European cohort of 525 men and 655 women (mean age, 44 ± 8 years) free of conditions known to affect carotid wall (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia). All subjects received an oral glucose tolerance test, a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (M/I as a measure of insulin sensitivity), and B-mode carotid ultrasound. In 833 participants (380 men), the carotid ultrasound was repeated after 3 years. In men, baseline intima-media thickness in the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the lowest M/I tertile, whereas in women CCA-IMT was higher (P<0.0005) in the highest fasting plasma glucose tertile (after adjustment for established risk factors). In multiple regression models, with CCA-IMT as the dependent variable and with risk factors and univariate metabolic correlates as independent variables, circulating free fatty acids and the leptin:adiponectin ratio replaced M/I as independent metabolic determinants of CCA-IMT in men. The strongest metabolic determinant of CCA-IMT in women was fasting plasma glucose. Three-year CCA-IMT changes were not associated with any cardio-metabolic risk factor. In young-to-middle aged apparently healthy people, the association of CCA-IMT with insulin sensitivity and its metabolic correlates differs between men and women. Lower insulin sensitivity is associated with higher IMT only in men; this association seems to be mediated by circulating free fatty acids and adipocytokines. In women, CCA-IMT is independently associated with fasting plasma glucose.

Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Disaster Risk Reduction in Urban Contexts: Perceptions and Practice

PubMed Central

Rivera, Claudia

2014-01-01

This paper analyses the perceptions of disaster risk reduction (DRR) practitioners concerning the on-going integration of climate change adaptation (CCA) into their practices in urban contexts in Nicaragua. Understanding their perceptions is important as this will provide information on how this integration can be improved. Exploring the perceptions of practitioners in Nicaragua is important as the country has a long history of disasters, and practitioners have been developing the current DRR planning framework for more than a decade. The analysis is based on semi-structured interviews designed to collect information about practitioners’ understanding of: (a) CCA, (b) the current level of integration of CCA into DRR and urban planning, (c) the opportunities and constraints of this integration, and (d) the potential to adapt cities to climate change. The results revealed that practitioners’ perception is that the integration of CCA into their practice is at an early stage, and that they need to improve their understanding of CCA in terms of a development issue. Three main constraints on improved integration were identified: (a) a recognized lack of understanding of CCA, (b) insufficient guidance on how to integrate it, and (c) the limited opportunities to integrate it into urban planning due to a lack of instruments and capacity in this field. Three opportunities were also identified: (a) practitioners’ awareness of the need to integrate CCA into their practices, (b) the robust structure of the DRR planning framework in the country, which provides a suitable channel for facilitating integration, and (c) the fact that CCA is receiving more attention and financial and technical support from the international community. PMID:24475365

Subsets of Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms are Associated with Risk of Carcinogenic Liver Fluke Opisthorchis viverrini-Associated Advanced Periductal Fibrosis and Cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Surapaitoon, Arpa; Suttiprapa, Sutas; Mairiang, Eimorn; Khuntikeo, Narong; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Bethony, Jeffrey; Brindley, Paul J; Sripa, Banchob

2017-06-01

Opisthorchis viverrini infection induces chronic inflammation, and a minor proportion of infected individuals develop advanced periductal fibrosis (APF) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Inflammatory cytokines and/or their gene polymorphisms may link to these biliary pathologies. We therefore investigated associations among cytokine gene polymorphisms and cytokine production in 510 Thai cases infected with O. viverrini who presented with APF+ or APF-, as established by abdominal ultrasonography as well as in patients diagnosed with CCA. Levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were determined in culture supernatants after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with O. viverrini excretory-secretory (ES) products. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, LT-α, and TNF-α were significantly increased in CCA patients compared with non-CCA (APF- and APF+) cases. Polymorphisms in genes encoding IL-1β-511C/T, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ +874T/A, LT-α +252A/G, and TNF-α -308G/A were then investigated by using PCR-RFLP or allele specific-PCR (AS-PCR) analyses. In the CCA cases, LT-α +252A/G and TNF-α -308G/A heterozygous and homozygous variants showed significantly higher levels of these cytokines than the wild type. By contrast, levels of cytokines in wild type of IFN-γ +874T/A were significantly higher than the variants in CCA cases. IFN-γ +874T/A polymorphisms were associated with advanced periductal fibrosis, whereas IL-6 -174G/C polymorphisms were associated with CCA. To our knowledge, these findings provide the first demonstration that O. viverrini infected individuals carrying several specific cytokine gene polymorphisms are susceptible to develop fibrosis and CCA.

Subsets of Inflammatory Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms are Associated with Risk of Carcinogenic Liver Fluke Opisthorchis viverrini-Associated Advanced Periductal Fibrosis and Cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Surapaitoon, Arpa; Suttiprapa, Sutas; Mairiang, Eimorn; Khuntikeo, Narong; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Bethony, Jeffrey; Brindley, Paul J.; Sripa, Banchob

2017-01-01

Opisthorchis viverrini infection induces chronic inflammation, and a minor proportion of infected individuals develop advanced periductal fibrosis (APF) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Inflammatory cytokines and/or their gene polymorphisms may link to these biliary pathologies. We therefore investigated associations among cytokine gene polymorphisms and cytokine production in 510 Thai cases infected with O. viverrini who presented with APF+ or APF−, as established by abdominal ultrasonography as well as in patients diagnosed with CCA. Levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were determined in culture supernatants after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with O. viverrini excretory-secretory (ES) products. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, LT-α, and TNF-α were significantly increased in CCA patients compared with non-CCA (APF− and APF+) cases. Polymorphisms in genes encoding IL-1β-511C/T, IL-6-174G/C, IFN-γ +874T/A, LT-α +252A/G, and TNF-α −308G/A were then investigated by using PCR-RFLP or allele specific-PCR (AS-PCR) analyses. In the CCA cases, LT-α +252A/G and TNF-α −308G/A heterozygous and homozygous variants showed significantly higher levels of these cytokines than the wild type. By contrast, levels of cytokines in wild type of IFN-γ +874T/A were significantly higher than the variants in CCA cases. IFN-γ +874T/A polymorphisms were associated with advanced periductal fibrosis, whereas IL-6 −174G/C polymorphisms were associated with CCA. To our knowledge, these findings provide the first demonstration that O. viverrini infected individuals carrying several specific cytokine gene polymorphisms are susceptible to develop fibrosis and CCA. PMID:28719954

Upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and its upstream regulators in Opisthorchis viverrini associated cholangiocarcinoma and its clinical significance.

PubMed

Suksawat, Manida; Techasen, Anchalee; Namwat, Nisana; Yongvanit, Puangrat; Khuntikeo, Narong; Titapun, Attapon; Koonmee, Supinda; Loilome, Watcharin

2017-08-01

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is an isoform of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) which is constitutively expressed in endothelial cells and plays important roles in vasodilation. We previously reported the importance of eNOS activation in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) tissues and cell lines. The present study aims to investigate the relative abundance of eNOS and phosphorylated eNOS (P-eNOS) and their upstream regulators VEGFR3, VEGFC, EphA3 and ephrin-A1, in the Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov)/N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)-induced hamster CCA model and in human CCA by semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis of the relevant tissues. Results from the hamster model suggested an increase in eNOS and P-eNOS and upstream regulators during CCA genesis. In human CCA, high immunohistochemical staining intensity of all investigated proteins was associated with the presence of metastasis. A pairwise analysis of the staining data for eNOS and its upstream regulators showed that a concurrent increase in eNOS/VEGFR3, eNOS/ephrin-A1, eNOS/VEGFC and eNOS/EphA3 was significantly associated with metastasis. An increase in eNOS/VEGFR3, eNOS/ephrin-A1 was also associated with non-papillary type CCA. Additionally, an increase in eNOS and P-eNOS was significantly correlated with a high micro-vessel level (P=0.04). Our results indicate that the development of CCA involves upregulation of eNOS and P-eNOS and their regulators. This may drive angiogenesis and metastasis in CCA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Countrywide Reassessment of Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Burundi Using a Urine-Circulating Cathodic Antigen Rapid Test: Informing the National Control Program

PubMed Central

Ortu, Giuseppina; Ndayishimiye, Onésime; Clements, Michelle; Kayugi, Donatien; Campbell, Carl H.; Lamine, Mariama Sani; Zivieri, Antonio; Magalhaes, Ricardo Soares; Binder, Sue; King, Charles H.; Fenwick, Alan; Colley, Daniel G.; Jourdan, Peter Mark

2017-01-01

Following implementation of the national control program, a reassessment of Schistosoma mansoni prevalence was conducted in Burundi to determine the feasibility of moving toward elimination. A countrywide cluster-randomized cross-sectional study was performed in May 2014. At least 25 schools were sampled from each of five eco-epidemiological risk zones for schistosomiasis. Fifty randomly selected children 13–14 years of age per school were included for a single urine-circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) rapid test and, in a subset of schools, for duplicate Kato-Katz slide preparation from a single stool sample. A total of 17,331 children from 347 schools were tested using CCA. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni infection, when CCA trace results were considered negative, was 13.5% (zone range [zr] = 4.6–17.8%), and when CCA trace results were considered positive, it was 42.8% (zr = 34.3–49.9%). In 170 schools, prevalence of this infection determined using Kato-Katz method was 1.5% (zr ==0–2.7%). The overall mean intensity of S. mansoni infection determined using Kato-Katz was 0.85 eggs per gram (standard deviation = 10.86). A majority of schools (84%) were classified as non-endemic (prevalence = 0) using Kato-Katz; however, a similar proportion of schools were classified as endemic when CCA trace results were considered negative (85%) and nearly all (98%) were endemic when CCA trace results were considered positive. The findings of this nationwide reassessment using a CCA rapid test indicate that Schistosoma infection is still widespread in Burundi, although its average intensity is probably low. Further evidence is now needed to determine the association between CCA rapid test positivity and low-intensity disease transmission. PMID:28115675

7 CFR 205.401 - Application for certification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... PROVISIONS NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM Certification § 205.401 Application for certification. A person seeking... certification to a certifying agent. The application must include the following information: (a) An organic... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Application for certification. 205.401 Section 205.401...

Size and shape measurement in contemporary cephalometrics.

PubMed

McIntyre, Grant T; Mossey, Peter A

2003-06-01

The traditional method of analysing cephalograms--conventional cephalometric analysis (CCA)--involves the calculation of linear distance measurements, angular measurements, area measurements, and ratios. Because shape information cannot be determined from these 'size-based' measurements, an increasing number of studies employ geometric morphometric tools in the cephalometric analysis of craniofacial morphology. Most of the discussions surrounding the appropriateness of CCA, Procrustes superimposition, Euclidean distance matrix analysis (EDMA), thin-plate spline analysis (TPS), finite element morphometry (FEM), elliptical Fourier functions (EFF), and medial axis analysis (MAA) have centred upon mathematical and statistical arguments. Surprisingly, little information is available to assist the orthodontist in the clinical relevance of each technique. This article evaluates the advantages and limitations of the above methods currently used to analyse the craniofacial morphology on cephalograms and investigates their clinical relevance and possible applications.

Endoscopic and Photodynamic Therapy of Cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Meier, Benjamin; Caca, Karel

2016-01-01

Background Most patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) have unresectable disease. Endoscopic bile duct drainage is one of the major objectives of palliation of obstructive jaundice. Methods/Results Stent implantation using endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is considered to be the standard technique. Unilateral versus bilateral stenting is associated with different advantages and disadvantages; however, a standard approach is still not defined. As there are various kinds of stents, there is an ongoing discussion on which stent to use in which situation. Palliation of obstructive jaundice can be augmented through the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Studies have shown a prolonged survival for the combinations of PDT and different stent applications as well as combinations of PDT and additional systemic chemotherapy. Conclusion More well-designed studies are needed to better evaluate and standardize endoscopic treatment of unresectable CCA. PMID:28229075

Endoscopic and Photodynamic Therapy of Cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Meier, Benjamin; Caca, Karel

2016-12-01

Most patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) have unresectable disease. Endoscopic bile duct drainage is one of the major objectives of palliation of obstructive jaundice. Stent implantation using endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is considered to be the standard technique. Unilateral versus bilateral stenting is associated with different advantages and disadvantages; however, a standard approach is still not defined. As there are various kinds of stents, there is an ongoing discussion on which stent to use in which situation. Palliation of obstructive jaundice can be augmented through the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Studies have shown a prolonged survival for the combinations of PDT and different stent applications as well as combinations of PDT and additional systemic chemotherapy. More well-designed studies are needed to better evaluate and standardize endoscopic treatment of unresectable CCA.

Treated wood in transition : a look at CCA and the candidates to replace it

Treesearch

Stan Lebow; Jerrold Winandy; Donald Bender

2003-01-01

Wood is one of the most versatile and widely used building materials. However, it is also biodegradable, and may be attacked by decay fungi or insects when used in some applications or geographic locations. Uses that allow the wood to frequently become wet, such as embedded posts or other exposed wood members, are familiar examples of applications where wood will...

Treated wood in transition : a look at CCA and the candidates to replace it

Treesearch

Stan Lebow; Jerrold Winandy; Donald Bender

2004-01-01

Wood is one of the most versatile and widely used building materials. However, it is also biodegradable and may be attacked by decay fungi or insects when used in some applications or geographic locations. Uses that allow the wood to frequently become wet, such as embedded posts or other exposed wood members, are familiar examples of applications where wood will...

Rapid microwave-assisted acid extraction of metals from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated southern pine wood

Treesearch

Bin Yu; Chung Y. Hse; Todd F. Shupe

2009-01-01

The effects of acid concentration, reaction time, and temperature in a microwave reactor on recovery of CCA-treated wood were evaluated. Extraction of copper, chromium, and arsenic metals from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated southern pine wood samples with three different acids (i.e., acetic acid, oxalic acid, and phosphoric acid) was investigated using in...

Semi-solid state bioremediation of CCA-treated wood using malted barley as a nutrient source

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen

2002-01-01

Bioremediation processes for recovery and reuse of CCA-treated wood invariably increase the cost of any secondary products manufactured from the remediated fiber. Microbial remediation using either bacteria or fungi has been shown to remove heavy metals from CCA-treated southern yellow pine (SYP). In a two-step remediation process utilizing oxalic acid extraction and...

Microwave-assisted organic acids extraction of chromate copper arsenate (CCA)-treated southern pine

Treesearch

Bin Yu; Chung Y. Hse; Todd F. Shupe

2010-01-01

The extraction effects of acid concentration, reaction time and temperature in a microwave reactor on recovery of CCA-treated wood were evaluated. Extraction of copper, chromium, and arsenic metals from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated southern pine wood samples with two different organic acids (i.e., acetic acid and oxalic acid) was investigated using a...

An analysis of the physical properties of recovered CCA-treated wood from residential decks

Treesearch

David Bailey; Robert L. Smith; Philip A. Araman

2004-01-01

A large volume of CCA-treated wood removed from residential decks is disposed of in landfills every year, and better environmentally conscious alternatives are needed. Recycling CCA-treated wood from the decks could be a feasible alternative, but there is a lack of knowledge regarding the physical properties of the material. This research analyzed the chemical and...

A distributed data base management capability for the deep space network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bryan, A. I.

1976-01-01

The Configuration Control and Audit Assembly (CCA) is reported that has been designed to provide a distributed data base management capability for the DSN. The CCA utilizes capabilities provided by the DSN standard minicomputer and the DSN standard nonreal time high level management oriented programming language, MBASIC. The characteristics of the CCA for the first phase of implementation are described.

Increased PCDD/F formation in the bottom ash from fires of CCA-treated wood.

PubMed

Tame, N W; Dlugogorski, B Z; Kennedy, E M

2003-03-01

Bottom ash that was the result of the combustion of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood under controlled fire conditions showed an increase of several orders of magnitude in the levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), compared to that of untreated timber. Wood that has been pressure treated with CCA contains copper (II), which is known to catalyse the so-called de novo formation of PCDD/Fs. Comparable levels of PCDD/Fs would be expected in residual ash from burning CCA-treated wood in backyard fires, stoves and wood heaters, as a consequence of similar combustion conditions.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: current management and emerging therapies.

PubMed

Rahnemai-Azar, Amir A; Weisbrod, Allison B; Dillhoff, Mary; Schmidt, Carl; Pawlik, Timothy M

2017-05-01

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a malignancy with an increasing incidence and a high-case fatality. While surgery offers the best hope at long-term survival, only one-third of tumors are amenable to surgical resection at the time of the diagnosis. Unfortunately, conventional chemotherapy offers limited survival benefit in the management of unresectable or metastatic disease. Recent advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of iCCA and the use of next-generation sequencing techniques have provided a chance to identify 'target-able' molecular aberrations. These novel molecular therapies offer the promise to personalize therapy for patients with iCCA and, in turn, improve the outcomes of patients. Area covered: We herein review the current management options for iCCA with a focus on defining both established and emerging therapies. Expert commentary: Surgical resection remains as an only hope for cure in iCCA patients. However, frequently the diagnosis is delayed till advanced stages when surgery cannot be offered; signifying the urge for specific diagnostic tumor biomarkers and targeted therapies. New advances in genomic profiling have contributed to a better understanding of the landscape of molecular alterations in iCCA and offer hope for the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers and targeted therapies.

The anticancer effects of Resina Draconis extract on cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Wen, Feng; Zhao, Xiangxuan; Zhao, Yun; Lu, Zaiming; Guo, Qiyong

2016-11-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare, heterogeneous malignant tumor with poor clinical outcomes. Because of high insensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, there are no effective treatment options. Efforts to identify and develop new agents for prevention and treatment of this deadly disease are urgent. Here, we assessed the apoptotic cytotoxicity of Resina Draconis extract (RDE) using in vitro and in vivo assays and identified the mechanisms underlying antitumor effects of RDE. RDE was obtained via vacuum distillation of Resina Draconis with 75 % ethanol. The ethanol extract could inhibit CCA cell proliferation and trigger apoptotic cell death in both QBC939 and HCCC9810 cell lines in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. RDE treatment resulted in intracellular caspase-8 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protease activation. RDE significantly downregulated antiapoptotic protein survivin expression and upregulated proapoptotic protein Bak expression. RDE also inhibited CCA tumor growth in vivo. We observed that human CCA tissues had much higher survivin expression than did paired adjacent normal tissue. Taken together, the current data suggested that RDE has anticancer effects on CCA, and that RDE could function as a novel anticancer agent to benefit patients with CCA.

Towards Improved Linkage of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Health: A Review.

PubMed

Banwell, Nicola; Rutherford, Shannon; Mackey, Brendan; Chu, Cordia

2018-04-18

Climate change and climate-sensitive disasters significantly impact health. Linking Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) is essential for addressing these ever present, complex and increasing risks. Recent calls have been made to build these links in health. However, there is a need to clearly articulate why linking DRR and CCA is important in health. Furthermore, little is known about how DRR and CCA should be linked in health. By extensively examining relevant literature, this review presents the current state of knowledge of linking DRR and CCA in health. This includes the potential for maximising conceptual synergies such as building resilience, and reducing vulnerability and risk. Additionally, technical and operational synergies are identified to link DRR and CCA in health, including: policy, Early Warning Systems, vulnerability and risk assessment, health systems strengthening, infrastructure resilience, disaster preparedness and response, and health impact pathways. Public health actors have a central role in building these links due to their expertise, work functions, and experience in addressing complex health risks. The review concludes with recommendations for future research, including how to better link DRR and CCA in health; and the opportunities, challenges and enablers to build and sustain these links.

Long noncoding RNA LINC01296 promotes tumor growth and progression by sponging miR-5095 in human cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Zhang, Dawei; Li, Haiyan; Xie, Juping; Jiang, Decan; Cao, Liangqi; Yang, Xuewei; Xue, Ping; Jiang, Xiaofeng

2018-06-01

The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether, and how, long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1296 (LINC01296) is involved in the modulation of human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development and progression. Microarray data analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that LINC01296 was significantly upregulated in human CCA compared with nontumor tissues. Furthermore, the expression of LINC01296 in human CCA was positively associated with tumor severity and clinical stage. Knockdown of LINC01296 dramatically suppressed the viability, migration and invasion of RBE and CCLP1 cells, and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, LINC01296 knockdown inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model. Mechanistically, LINC01296 was demonstrated to sponge microRNA-5095 (miR-5095), which targets MYCN proto-oncogene bHLH transcription factor (MYCN) mRNA in human CCA. By inhibition of miR-5095, LINC01296 overexpression upregulated the expression of MYCN and promoted cell viability, migration and invasion in CCA cells. The results reveal that the axis of LINC01296/miR-5095/MYCN may be a mechanism to regulate CCA development and progression.

Identification of a Novel Missense FBN2 Mutation in a Chinese Family with Congenital Contractural Arachnodactyly Using Exome Sequencing

PubMed Central

Deng, Hao; Lu, Qian; Xu, Hongbo; Deng, Xiong; Yuan, Lamei; Yang, Zhijian; Guo, Yi; Lin, Qiongfen; Xiao, Jingjing; Guan, Liping; Song, Zhi

2016-01-01

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA, OMIM 121050), also known as Beals-Hecht syndrome, is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue. CCA is characterized by arachnodactyly, dolichostenomelia, pectus deformities, kyphoscoliosis, congenital contractures and a crumpled appearance of the helix of the ear. The aim of this study is to identify the genetic cause of a 4-generation Chinese family of Tujia ethnicity with congenital contractural arachnodactyly by exome sequencing. The clinical features of patients in this family are consistent with CCA. A novel missense mutation, c.3769T>C (p.C1257R), in the fibrillin 2 gene (FBN2) was identified responsible for the genetic cause of our family with CCA. The p.C1257R mutation occurs in the 19th calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domain. The amino acid residue cysteine in this domain is conserved among different species. Our findings suggest that exome sequencing is a powerful tool to discover mutation(s) in CCA. Our results may also provide new insights into the cause and diagnosis of CCA, and may have implications for genetic counseling and clinical management. PMID:27196565

Spatial Distribution of the Population at Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma in Chum Phaung District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province of Thailand.

PubMed

Kaewpitoon, Soraya J; Rujirakul, Ratana; Loyd, Ryan A; Matrakool, Likit; Sangkudloa, Amnat; Kaewthani, Sarochinee; Khemplila, Kritsakorn; Eaksanti, Thawatchai; Phatisena, Tanida; Kujapun, Jirawoot; Norkaew, Jun; Joosiri, Apinya; Kaewpitoon, Natthawut

2016-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a serious health problem in Thailand, particularly in northeastern and northern regions, but epidemiological studies are scarce and the spatial distribution of CCA remains to be determined. A database for the population at risk is required for monitoring, surveillance and organization of home health care. This study aim was to geo-visually display the distribution of CCA in northeast Thailand, using a geographic information system and Google Earth. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 9 sub-districts and 133 villages in Chum Phuang district, Nakhon Ratchasima province during June and October 2015. Data on demography, and the population at risk for CCA were combined with the points of villages, sub-district boundaries, district boundaries, and points of hospitals in districts, then fed into a geographical information system. After the conversion, all of the data were imported into Google Earth for geo-visualization. A total of 11,960 from 83,096 population were included in this study. Females and male were 52.5%, and 47.8%, the age group 41-50 years old 33.3%. Individual risk for CCA was identifed and classified by using the Korat CCA verbal screening test as low (92.8%), followed by high risk (6.74%), and no (0.49%), respectively. Gender (X2-test=1143.63, p-value= 0.001), age group (X2-test==211.36, p-value=0.0001), and sub-district (X2-test=1471.858, p-value=0.0001) were significantly associated with CCA risk. Spatial distribution of the population at risk for CCA in Chum Phuang district was viewed with Google Earth. Geo-visual display followed Layer 1: District, Layer 2: Sub-district, Layer 3: Number of low risk in village, Layer 4: Number of high risk in village, and Layer 5: Hospital in Chum Phuang District and their related catchment areas. We present the first risk geo-visual display of CCA in this rural community, which is important for spatial targeting of control efforts. Risk appears to be strongly associated with gender, age group, and sub-district. Therefor, spatial distribution is suitable for the use in the further monitoring, surveillance, and home health care for CCA.

Magnolol suppresses the proliferation and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.

PubMed

Zhang, Fu-Hui; Ren, Hong-Yue; Shen, Jin-Xing; Zhang, Xiao-Yun; Ye, Hui-Ming; Shen, Dong-Yan

2017-10-01

Magnolol has shown the potential anticancer properties against a variety of cancers. However, the role of magnolol in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells is unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of magnolol on the CCA cells. CCA cells were treated with magnolol in the absence or presence of TNFα, the activator for NF-κB. After co-incubation with magnolol, cell proliferation and growth were examined by MTT, colony formation and xenograft tumors; cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry; cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and transwell assays; the expression of PCNA, Ki67, CyclinD1, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 and NF-κB pathway were evaluated by using Western blot. Magnolol inhibited the abilities of CCA cell growth, migration and invasion accompanying with a decreased expression of PCNA, Ki67, MMP-2, MMP-7 and MMP-9 (all P<0.05). with magnolol induced cell cycle arrest in G1 phase with a downregulation of cell cycle protein CyclinD1 (all P<0.05). In addition, magnolol suppressed the expression of p-IκBα and p-P65 and the effect of magnolol on CCA cells could be inhibited by TNFα. Magnolol could inhibit the growth, migration and invasion of CCA cells through regulation of NF-κB pathway, and these data indicate that magnolol is a potential candidate for treating of CCA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Downregulated circular RNA hsa_circ_0001649 regulates proliferation, migration and invasion in cholangiocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Xu, Yi; Yao, Yue; Zhong, Xiangyu; Leng, Kaiming; Qin, Wei; Qu, Lijun; Cui, Yunfu; Jiang, Xingming

2018-02-05

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with increasing worldwide incidence and is characterized by unfavorable prognosis due to its early invasive characteristics and poor response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Accumulating evidence has indicated that aberrantly expressed circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer development and progression. However, their clinical values and biological roles in CCA remain unclear. Hsa_circ_0001649, a novel cancer-related circRNA, has been previously reported to be downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer. In the present study, qRT-PCR was carried out to measure the expression of hsa_circ_0001649 in CCA tissue samples and cell lines, and the correlation between hsa_circ_0001649 expression and clinicopathologic features was analyzed. The biological functions of hsa_circ_0001649 in CCA cells were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. As a result, hsa_circ_0001649 was aberrantly downregulated in CCA tissues and cells, and this downregulation was associated with tumor size and differentiation grade in CCA. In addition, hsa_circ_0001649 overexpression caused tumor suppressive effects via inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and invasion; inducing cell apoptosis in KMBC and Huh-28 cells. On the contrary, silencing of hsa_circ_0001649 caused the opposite phenotypes. Furthermore, tumor xenograft study confirmed the in vitro results. Collectively, our findings suggest that hsa_circ_0001649 might be a rational CCA-related therapeutic target. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Impact of socioeconomic status and ethnic enclave on cervical cancer incidence among Hispanics and Asians in California.

PubMed

Froment, Marie-Anne; Gomez, Scarlett L; Roux, Audrey; DeRouen, Mindy C; Kidd, Elizabeth A

2014-06-01

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of cervical cancer by nativity [United States (US) versus non-US], neighborhood socioeconomic status and ethnic enclave among Hispanics and Asians in California. Using data from the California Cancer Registry, information on all primary invasive cervical cancer (Cca) patients diagnosed in California from January 1, 1990 through December 31, 2004 was obtained. We analyzed the influence of enclave, socioeconomic status and nativity on Cca incidence. Among the 22,189 Cca cases diagnosed between 1990 and 2004, 50% were non-Hispanic white, 39% Hispanic and 11% Asian women, and 63% US-born. Seventy percent of the Cca cases were squamous cell carcinoma, 19% adenocarcinoma and 11% other histologies. Higher incidence of Cca was observed in high enclave (76%) and low socioeconomic status (70%) neighborhoods. By ethnic group, US-born women showed lower rates of squamous cell carcinoma compared to foreign-born women. Hispanics living in low socioeconomic and high enclave had 12.7 times higher rate of Cca than those living in high socioeconomic, low enclave neighborhoods. For Asian women incidence rates were 6 times higher in the low socioeconomic, high enclave neighborhoods compared to those living in high socioeconomic, low enclave neighborhoods. More targeted outreach to increase Pap smear screening and human papilloma virus vaccination for women living in high enclave neighborhoods can help decrease the incidence of Cca in these groups of women. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

42 CFR 493.43 - Application for registration certificate, certificate for provider-performed microscopy (PPM...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

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2010-10-01

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2012-10-01

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2011-10-01

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42 CFR 493.43 - Application for registration certificate, certificate for provider-performed microscopy (PPM...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

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Fifty-Year Durability Evaluation of Posts Treated with Industrial Wood Preservatives

Treesearch

Stan T. Lebow; Patricia Lebow; Bessie Woodward; Grant T. Kirker; Rachel Arango

2015-01-01

Long-term durability data are needed to improve service life estimates for treated wood products used as critical structural supports in industrial applications. This article reports the durability of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) posts pressure treated with ammoniacal copper arsenate (ACA), chromated copper arsenate (CCA), creosote, or...

Liquefaction of CCA-treated wood and elimination of metals from the solvent by precipitation

Treesearch

Lianzhen Lin; Chung-Yun Hse

2005-01-01

Spent chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood was liquefied in polyethylene glycol 400/glycerin (2:1 w/w). Sulfuric acid (95-98%) and ferrous salts (FeSO4•7H2O or FeCl2•4H2O) were used as catalysts and additives, respectively. The resulting liquefied CCA-treated wood was...

Improving the two-step remediation process for CCA-treated wood. Part II, Evaluating bacterial nutrient sources

Treesearch

Carol A. Clausen

2004-01-01

Remediation processes for recovery and reuse of chromated-copper-arsenate-(CCA) treated wood are not gaining wide acceptance because they are more expensive than landfill disposal. One reason is the high cost of the nutrient medium used to culture the metal tolerant bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis, which removes 70-100% of the copper, chromium, and arsenic from CCA-...

Filter bank canonical correlation analysis for implementing a high-speed SSVEP-based brain-computer interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiaogang; Wang, Yijun; Gao, Shangkai; Jung, Tzyy-Ping; Gao, Xiaorong

2015-08-01

Objective. Recently, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) has been widely used in steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) due to its high efficiency, robustness, and simple implementation. However, a method with which to make use of harmonic SSVEP components to enhance the CCA-based frequency detection has not been well established. Approach. This study proposed a filter bank canonical correlation analysis (FBCCA) method to incorporate fundamental and harmonic frequency components to improve the detection of SSVEPs. A 40-target BCI speller based on frequency coding (frequency range: 8-15.8 Hz, frequency interval: 0.2 Hz) was used for performance evaluation. To optimize the filter bank design, three methods (M1: sub-bands with equally spaced bandwidths; M2: sub-bands corresponding to individual harmonic frequency bands; M3: sub-bands covering multiple harmonic frequency bands) were proposed for comparison. Classification accuracy and information transfer rate (ITR) of the three FBCCA methods and the standard CCA method were estimated using an offline dataset from 12 subjects. Furthermore, an online BCI speller adopting the optimal FBCCA method was tested with a group of 10 subjects. Main results. The FBCCA methods significantly outperformed the standard CCA method. The method M3 achieved the highest classification performance. At a spelling rate of ˜33.3 characters/min, the online BCI speller obtained an average ITR of 151.18 ± 20.34 bits min-1. Significance. By incorporating the fundamental and harmonic SSVEP components in target identification, the proposed FBCCA method significantly improves the performance of the SSVEP-based BCI, and thereby facilitates its practical applications such as high-speed spelling.

Imaging and Screening of Cancer of the Gallbladder and Bile Ducts.

PubMed

Sandrasegaran, Kumar; Menias, Christine O

2017-11-01

Biliary cancers include gallbladder cancer (GBC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). GBC may appear as a mass replacing the gallbladder, thickened gallbladder wall, or polypoid lesion in the gallbladder. Gallbladder polyps with low risk of GBC (eg, 6- to 10-mm polyps without other risk factors) are screened with sonography. In general, polyps smaller than 5 mm are ignored and those larger than 10 mm require surgical consideration. Screening for CCA is less well-established. On imaging, CCA may be divided into mass-forming, periductal infiltrating, and intraductal types. This review discusses the current state of screening and diagnosis of GBC and CCA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

10 CFR 76.45 - Application for amendment of certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

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10 CFR 76.45 - Application for amendment of certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

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10 CFR 76.45 - Application for amendment of certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

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10 CFR 76.45 - Application for amendment of certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

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10 CFR 76.45 - Application for amendment of certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

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20 CFR 656.16 - Labor certification applications for sheepherders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

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Joint Blind Source Separation by Multi-set Canonical Correlation Analysis

PubMed Central

Li, Yi-Ou; Adalı, Tülay; Wang, Wei; Calhoun, Vince D

2009-01-01

In this work, we introduce a simple and effective scheme to achieve joint blind source separation (BSS) of multiple datasets using multi-set canonical correlation analysis (M-CCA) [1]. We first propose a generative model of joint BSS based on the correlation of latent sources within and between datasets. We specify source separability conditions, and show that, when the conditions are satisfied, the group of corresponding sources from each dataset can be jointly extracted by M-CCA through maximization of correlation among the extracted sources. We compare source separation performance of the M-CCA scheme with other joint BSS methods and demonstrate the superior performance of the M-CCA scheme in achieving joint BSS for a large number of datasets, group of corresponding sources with heterogeneous correlation values, and complex-valued sources with circular and non-circular distributions. We apply M-CCA to analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from multiple subjects and show its utility in estimating meaningful brain activations from a visuomotor task. PMID:20221319

40 CFR 194.15 - Content of compliance re-certification application(s).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

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Identification of fucosylated Fetuin-A as a potential biomarker for cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Betesh, Lucy; Comunale, Mary Ann; Wang, Mengjun; Liang, Hongyan; Hafner, Julie; Karabudak, Aykan; Giama, Nasra H; Moser, Catherine D; Miyoshi, Eiji; Roberts, Lewis R; Block, Timothy M; Mehta, Anand

2017-09-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy of the bile ducts. The purpose of this discovery study was to identify effective serum markers for surveillance of cholangiocarcinoma. Using a glycomic method, patients with CCA were determined to have increased levels of alpha-1,3 and alpha-1,6 linked fucosylated glycan. Proteomic analysis of the serum fucosylated proteome identified proteins such as alpha-2-macroglobulin, kininogen, hemopexin, fetuin-A, alpha-1 anti-trypsin, and ceruloplasmin as being hyperfucosylated in HCC. The levels of these glycoproteins in 109 patients with CCA, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and control patients were compared to the performance of CA-19-9, the current "gold standard" assay for cholangiocarcinoma. Fucosylated Fetuin-A (fc-Fetuin-A) had the best ability to differentiate CCA from PSC, with an AUROC of 0.812 or 0.8665 at differentiating CCA from those with PSC or other liver disease. CA-19-9 had poor ability to differentiate PSC from cholangiocarcinoma (AUROC of 0.625). Using glycomic and proteomic methods we identified a set of proteins that contain altered glycan in the sera of those with CCA. One of these proteins, fucosylated Fetuin-A may have value in the surveillance of people at risk for the development of cholangiocarcinoma. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Clonorchis sinensis excretory-secretory products promote the migration and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells by activating the integrin β4-FAK/Src signaling pathway.

PubMed

Pak, Jhang Ho; Bashir, Qudsia; Kim, In Ki; Hong, Sung-Jong; Maeng, Sejung; Bahk, Young Yil; Kim, Tong-Soo

2017-06-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a slow-growing but highly metastatic cancer. Its metastatic potential largely explains its high mortality rate. A recognized risk factor for CCA development is infection with the liver flukes Opisthorchis viverrini and Clonorchis sinensis. We previously reported that the excretory-secretory products (ESPs) of C. sinensis promoted the three-dimensional aggregation and invasion of CCA cells. In the present study, a quantitative real-time PCR array of extracellular matrix (ECM) and adhesion molecules was used to examine the regulatory mechanism of ESP-mediated CCA cell migration and invasion. In particular, the expression levels of integrin α isoforms and β4 were upregulated in response to ESPs. Increased expression of integrin β4 was probably correlated with activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the steroid receptor coactivator (Src) family kinase and the subsequent activation of two downstream focal adhesion molecules, paxillin and vinculin. Moreover, inhibition of FAK/Src activation reduced paxillin and vinculin phosphorylation and attenuated ESP-induced CCA cell migration and invasion. These findings suggest that the integrin β4-FAK/Src signaling axis may play a crucial role in clonorchiasis-associated CCA metastasis during tumor progression. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in tobacco: differential regulation by calmodulin isoforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Z.; Xia, M.; Poovaiah, B. W.

1998-01-01

cDNA clones of chimeric Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) from tobacco (TCCaMK-1 and TCCaMK-2) were isolated and characterized. The polypeptides encoded by TCCaMK-1 and TCCaMK-2 have 15 different amino acid substitutions, yet they both contain a total of 517 amino acids. Northern analysis revealed that CCaMK is expressed in a stage-specific manner during anther development. Messenger RNA was detected when tobacco bud sizes were between 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm. The appearance of mRNA coincided with meiosis and became undetectable at later stages of anther development. The reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification assay using isoform-specific primers showed that both of the CCaMK mRNAs were expressed in anther with similar expression patterns. The CCaMK protein expressed in Escherichia coli showed Ca2+-dependent autophosphorylation and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent substrate phosphorylation. Calmodulin isoforms (PCM1 and PCM6) had differential effects on the regulation of autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation of tobacco CCaMK, but not lily CCaMK. The evolutionary tree of plant serine/threonine protein kinases revealed that calmodulin-dependent kinases form one subgroup that is distinctly different from Ca2+-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) and other serine/threonine kinases in plants.

Towards Improved Linkage of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Health: A Review

PubMed Central

Banwell, Nicola; Rutherford, Shannon; Mackey, Brendan; Chu, Cordia

2018-01-01

Climate change and climate-sensitive disasters significantly impact health. Linking Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) is essential for addressing these ever present, complex and increasing risks. Recent calls have been made to build these links in health. However, there is a need to clearly articulate why linking DRR and CCA is important in health. Furthermore, little is known about how DRR and CCA should be linked in health. By extensively examining relevant literature, this review presents the current state of knowledge of linking DRR and CCA in health. This includes the potential for maximising conceptual synergies such as building resilience, and reducing vulnerability and risk. Additionally, technical and operational synergies are identified to link DRR and CCA in health, including: policy, Early Warning Systems, vulnerability and risk assessment, health systems strengthening, infrastructure resilience, disaster preparedness and response, and health impact pathways. Public health actors have a central role in building these links due to their expertise, work functions, and experience in addressing complex health risks. The review concludes with recommendations for future research, including how to better link DRR and CCA in health; and the opportunities, challenges and enablers to build and sustain these links. PMID:29670057

Segmentized Clear Channel Assessment for IEEE 802.15.4 Networks.

PubMed

Son, Kyou Jung; Hong, Sung Hyeuck; Moon, Seong-Pil; Chang, Tae Gyu; Cho, Hanjin

2016-06-03

This paper proposed segmentized clear channel assessment (CCA) which increases the performance of IEEE 802.15.4 networks by improving carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). Improving CSMA/CA is important because the low-power consumption feature and throughput performance of IEEE 802.15.4 are greatly affected by CSMA/CA behavior. To improve the performance of CSMA/CA, this paper focused on increasing the chance to transmit a packet by assessing precise channel status. The previous method used in CCA, which is employed by CSMA/CA, assesses the channel by measuring the energy level of the channel. However, this method shows limited channel assessing behavior, which comes from simple threshold dependent channel busy evaluation. The proposed method solves this limited channel decision problem by dividing CCA into two groups. Two groups of CCA compare their energy levels to get precise channel status. To evaluate the performance of the segmentized CCA method, a Markov chain model has been developed. The validation of analytic results is confirmed by comparing them with simulation results. Additionally, simulation results show the proposed method is improving a maximum 8.76% of throughput and decreasing a maximum 3.9% of the average number of CCAs per packet transmission than the IEEE 802.15.4 CCA method.

Segmentized Clear Channel Assessment for IEEE 802.15.4 Networks

PubMed Central

Son, Kyou Jung; Hong, Sung Hyeuck; Moon, Seong-Pil; Chang, Tae Gyu; Cho, Hanjin

2016-01-01

This paper proposed segmentized clear channel assessment (CCA) which increases the performance of IEEE 802.15.4 networks by improving carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). Improving CSMA/CA is important because the low-power consumption feature and throughput performance of IEEE 802.15.4 are greatly affected by CSMA/CA behavior. To improve the performance of CSMA/CA, this paper focused on increasing the chance to transmit a packet by assessing precise channel status. The previous method used in CCA, which is employed by CSMA/CA, assesses the channel by measuring the energy level of the channel. However, this method shows limited channel assessing behavior, which comes from simple threshold dependent channel busy evaluation. The proposed method solves this limited channel decision problem by dividing CCA into two groups. Two groups of CCA compare their energy levels to get precise channel status. To evaluate the performance of the segmentized CCA method, a Markov chain model has been developed. The validation of analytic results is confirmed by comparing them with simulation results. Additionally, simulation results show the proposed method is improving a maximum 8.76% of throughput and decreasing a maximum 3.9% of the average number of CCAs per packet transmission than the IEEE 802.15.4 CCA method. PMID:27271626

The physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of carbon-covered alumina for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tehua; Chong, Siying; Wang, Tongtong; Lu, Huiyi; Ji, Min

2018-01-01

In order to correlate the physicochemical properties of carbon-covered alumina (CCA) materials with their catalytic performance for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene with CO2 (CO2-ODEB), a series of CCA materials with diverse carbon contents (8.7-31.3 wt%) and pyrolysis temperatures (600-800 °C), which were synthesized via an impregnation method followed by pyrolysis, were applied. These catalytic materials were characterized by TGA, N2 physisorption, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and XPS techniques. It was found that the catalytic performance of these CCA materials highly depended on their physicochemical properties, and the optimum CCA catalyst exhibited much better catalytic stability than conventional hydroxyl carbon nanotubes. Below an optimum value of carbon content, the CCA catalyst preserved the main pore characteristics of the Al2O3 support and its catalytic activity increased with the carbon content. Excessive carbon loading resulted in significant textural alterations and thereby decreased both the ethylbenzene conversion and styrene selectivity. On the other hand, high pyrolysis temperature was detrimental to the ordered graphitic structure of the carbon species within the Al2O3 pore. The decreased ordered graphitic degree was found to be associated with the loss of the surface active carbonyl groups, consequently hampering the catalytic efficiency of the CCA catalyst.

76 FR 23788 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

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2010-06-03

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Low Impact of Traditional Risk Factors on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: The ELSA-Brasil Cohort.

PubMed

Santos, Itamar S; Alencar, Airlane P; Rundek, Tatjana; Goulart, Alessandra C; Barreto, Sandhi M; Pereira, Alexandre C; Benseñor, Isabela M; Lotufo, Paulo A

2015-09-01

There is little information about how much traditional cardiovascular risk factors explain common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) variance. We aimed to study to which extent CCA-IMT values are determined by traditional risk factors and which commonly used measurements of blood pressure, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and adiposity contribute the most to this determination in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) cohort baseline. We analyzed 9792 individuals with complete data and CCA-IMT measurements. We built multiple linear regression models using mean left and right CCA-IMT as the dependent variable. All models were stratified by sex. We also analyzed individuals stratified by 10-year coronary heart disease risk and, in separate, those with no traditional risk factors. Main models' R(2) varied between 0.141 and 0.373. The major part of the explained variance in CCA-IMT was because of age and race. Indicators of blood pressure, lipid profile, and adiposity that most frequently composed the best models were pulse pressure, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and neck circumference. The association between neck circumference and CCA-IMT persisted significant even after further adjustment for vessel sizes and body mass index. Indicators of glucose metabolism had smaller contribution. We found that >60% of CCA-IMT were not explained by demographic and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, which highlights the need to study novel risk factors. Pulse pressure, low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and neck circumference were the most consistent contributors. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Chimeric Plant Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene with a Neural Visinin-Like Calcium-Binding Domain

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patil, Shameekumar; Takezawa, D.; Poovaiah, B. W.

1995-01-01

Calcium, a universal second messenger, regulates diverse cellular processes in eukaryotes. Ca-2(+) and Ca-2(+)/calmodulin-regulated protein phosphorylation play a pivotal role in amplifying and diversifying the action of Ca-2(+)- mediated signals. A chimeric Ca-2(+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) gene with a visinin-like Ca-2(+)- binding domain was cloned and characterized from lily. The cDNA clone contains an open reading frame coding for a protein of 520 amino acids. The predicted structure of CCaMK contains a catalytic domain followed by two regulatory domains, a calmodulin-binding domain and a visinin-like Ca-2(+)-binding domain. The amino-terminal region of CCaMK contains all 11 conserved subdomains characteristic of serine/threonine protein kinases. The calmodulin-binding region of CCaMK has high homology (79%) to alpha subunit of mammalian Ca-2(+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. The calmodulin-binding region is fused to a neural visinin-like domain that contains three Ca-2(+)-binding EF-hand motifs and a biotin-binding site. The Escherichia coli-expressed protein (approx. 56 kDa) binds calmodulin in a Ca-2(+)-dependent manner. Furthermore, Ca-45-binding assays revealed that CCaMK directly binds Ca-2(+). The CCaMK gene is preferentially expressed in developing anthers. Southern blot analysis revealed that CCaMK is encoded by a single gene. The structural features of the gene suggest that it has multiple regulatory controls and could play a unique role in Ca-2(+) signaling in plants.

Triglycerides and carotid intima-media thickness in ischemic stroke patients.

PubMed

Batluk, Jana; Leonards, Christopher O; Grittner, Ulrike; Lange, Kristin Sophie; Schreiber, Stephan J; Endres, Matthias; Ebinger, Martin

2015-11-01

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) is an established marker for atherosclerosis. The role of triglycerides in CCA-IMT remains controversial. We sought to determine if elevated fasting and post-challenge triglycerides are associated with CCA-IMT. All acute ischemic stroke patients who participated in the Berlin "Cream & Sugar" study in the Charité Virchow and Charité Mitte Campuses between January 2009 and January 2014 and underwent carotid artery ultrasound studies were eligible for inclusion. A combined oral glucose and triglyceride tolerance test was performed 3-7 days after first ever ischemic stroke. Patients were classified according to triglyceride metabolism-namely, (1) patients reaching a maximum triglyceride levels 3 h post-challenge ("fast metabolizers," n = 37), (2) patients with increasing triglycerides 4 (medium metabolizers, n = 64), and (3) 5 h post-challenge ("slow metabolizers," n = 44; 13 missing). We included 158 patients (34% female; mean age 63 years, SD 14). Absolute non-fasting triglyceride levels were positively associated with CCA-IMT. A final multiple regression model revealed that older age, more severe strokes, and higher levels of fasting triglycerides were significantly and independently associated with higher mean CCA-IMT. Older age, higher waist-to-hip ratio, and higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone were independently associated with higher maximum CCA-IMT. Fasting triglycerides but not post-challenge triglycerides associate with CCA-IMT. An oral fat challenge may not add information on atherosclerotic status in ischemic stroke patients. The Berlin "Cream & Sugar" study is registered with EudraCT (2009-010356-97) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01378468). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of unknown primary: can they be distinguished on liver MRI?

PubMed

Al Ansari, Najwa; Kim, Bong Soo; Srirattanapong, Saowanee; Semelka, Charles T A; Ramalho, Miguel; Altun, Ersan; Woosley, John T; Calvo, Benjamin; Semelka, Richard C

2014-12-01

To determine MR features suggestive of mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) or liver metastases of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (AUP), and to compare the ability of two experienced radiologists to establish the correct diagnosis. 61 patients with CCA or AUP, with MRIs were placed into two groups: population 1, 28 patients with certain diagnosis of either CCA or AUP; and population 2, 33 patients with uncertain diagnosis. Using population 1 with known diagnosis, two investigators formulated imaging criteria for CCA or AUP, which represented phase 1 of the study. In phase 2, two independent radiologists categorized the patients in populations 1 and 2 as CCA or AUP using the formulated criteria. This categorization was compared with the patient medical records and pathologist review. Findings were tested for statistical significance. In phase 1, solitary lesion, multifocal lesions with dominant lesion, capsule retraction, and porta hepatis lymphadenopathy were features of CCA; multifocal lesions with similar size, and ring enhancement were features of AUP. The number of lesions, capsule retraction, and early tumor enhancement pattern were observed to be significant features (P < 0.05). In phase 2, agreement between the two radiologists was good (k = 0.663). For population 1, the agreement was good (k = 0.659), and was fair for population 2 (k = 0.293). Concordance between the two radiologists, medical record, and the pathologist was found in 41/61 (67%) patients. Distinctive features of CCA and AUP are identifiable on MRI images, which may aid the radiologist to establish the correct diagnosis.

Glyphosate induces growth of estrogen receptor alpha positive cholangiocarcinoma cells via non-genomic estrogen receptor/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

PubMed

Sritana, Narongrit; Suriyo, Tawit; Kanitwithayanun, Jantamas; Songvasin, Benjaporn Homkajorn; Thiantanawat, Apinya; Satayavivad, Jutamaad

2018-06-08

Previous studies showed that glyphosate stimulates breast cancer cell growth via estrogen receptors. The present study investigated the effect of glyphosate on the estrogen signaling pathway involved in the induction of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell growth. HuCCA-1, RMCCA-1 and MMNK-1 were chosen for comparison. The effects of glyphosate on cell growth, cell cycle and molecular signaling pathways were measured. The results showed that HuCCA-1 cells expressed estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), while ERα was not detected in RMCCA-1 and MMNK-1 cells. ERα was mostly expressed in cytoplasmic compartment of HuCCA-1 cells. Estradiol (E2) (10 -11 -10 -5  M) induced cell proliferation in HuCCA-1 but not in RMCCA-1 and MMNK-1 cells. Glyphosate at the same concentration range also induced HuCCA-1 cell proliferation. The S phase of the cell cycle, and protein levels of the cyclin family were significantly increased after treatment of glyphosate or E2. Both compounds also induced the expression of proliferative signaling-related proteins including ERα, VEGFR2, pERK, PI3K(p85), and PCNA. These effects of glyphosate and E2 were abolished by the ER antagonist, 4-hydroxytamoxifen and U0126, a MEK inhibitor. The data from this study indicate that glyphosate can induce cell growth in ERα positive CCA cells through non-genomic estrogen receptor/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Potential arsenic exposures in 25 species of zoo animals living in CCA-wood enclosures.

PubMed

Gress, J; da Silva, E B; de Oliveira, L M; Zhao, Di; Anderson, G; Heard, D; Stuchal, L D; Ma, L Q

2016-05-01

Animal enclosures are often constructed from wood treated with the pesticide chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which leaches arsenic (As) into adjacent soil during normal weathering. This study evaluated potential pathways of As exposure in 25 species of zoo animals living in CCA-wood enclosures. We analyzed As speciation in complete animal foods, dislodgeable As from CCA-wood, and As levels in enclosure soils, as well as As levels in biomarkers of 9 species of crocodilians (eggs), 4 species of birds (feathers), 1 primate species (hair), and 1 porcupine species (quills). Elevated soil As in samples from 17 enclosures was observed at 1.0-110mg/kg, and enclosures housing threatened and endangered species had As levels higher than USEPA's risk-based Eco-SSL for birds and mammals of 43 and 46mg/kg. Wipe samples of CCA-wood on which primates sit had dislodgeable As residues of 4.6-111μg/100cm(2), typical of unsealed CCA-wood. Inorganic As doses from animal foods were estimated at 0.22-7.8μg/kg bw/d. Some As levels in bird feathers and crocodilian eggs were higher than prior studies on wild species. However, hair from marmosets had 6.37mg/kg As, 30-fold greater than the reference value, possibly due to their inability to methylate inorganic As. Our data suggested that elevated As in soils and dislodgeable As from CCA-wood could be important sources of As exposure for zoo animals. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Orotate phosphoribosyl transferase mRNA expression and the response of cholangiocarcinoma to 5-fluorouracil

PubMed Central

Hahnvajanawong, Chariya; Chaiyagool, Jariya; Seubwai, Wunchana; Bhudhisawasdi, Vajarabhongsa; Namwat, Nisana; Khuntikeo, Narong; Sripa, Banchob; Pugkhem, Ake; Tassaneeyakul, Wichittra

2012-01-01

AIM: To determine whether expression of certain enzymes related to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) metabolism predicts 5-FU chemosensitivity in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). METHODS: The histoculture drug response assay (HDRA) was performed using surgically resected CCA tissues. Tumor cell viability was determined morphologically with hematoxylin and eosin- and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-stained tissues. The mRNA expression of thymidine phosphorylase (TP), orotate phosphoribosyl transferase (OPRT), thymidylate synthase (TS), and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) was determined with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The levels of gene expression and the sensitivity to 5-FU were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-three CCA tissues were obtained from patients who had been diagnosed with intrahepatic CCA and who underwent surgical resection at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University from 2007 to 2009. HDRA was used to determine the response of these CCA tissues to 5-FU. Based on the dose-response curve, 200 μg/mL 5-FU was selected as the test concentration. The percentage of inhibition index at the median point was selected as the cut-off point to differentiate the responding and non-responding tumors to 5-FU. When the relationship between TP, OPRT, TS and DPD mRNA expression levels and the sensitivity of CCA tissues to 5-FU was examined, only OPRT mRNA expression was significantly correlated with the response to 5-FU. The mean expression level of OPRT was significantly higher in the responder group compared to the non-responder group (0.41 ± 0.25 vs 0.22 ± 0.12, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OPRT mRNA expression may be a useful predictor of 5-FU chemosensitivity of CCA. Whether OPRT mRNA could be used to predict the success of 5-FU chemotherapy in CCA patients requires confirmation in patients. PMID:22912546

Conservation outside protected areas and the effect of human-dominated landscapes on stress hormones in Savannah elephants.

PubMed

Ahlering, M A; Maldonado, J E; Eggert, L S; Fleischer, R C; Western, D; Brown, J L

2013-06-01

Biodiversity conservation strategies are increasingly focused on regions outside national protected areas, where animals face numerous anthropogenic threats and must coexist with human settlements, livestock, and agriculture. The effects of these potential threats are not always clear, but they could have profound implications for population viability. We used savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana) as a case study to assess the physiological stress associated with living in a human-livestock-dominated landscape. We collected samples over two 3-month periods in 2007 and 2008. We used fecal DNA to identify 96 individual elephants in a community conservation area (CCA) and measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations as a proxy for stress. The CCA is community Maasai land managed for livestock and wildlife. We compared the FGM concentrations from the CCA to FGM concentrations of 40 elephants in Amboseli National Park and 32 elephants in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, where human settlements and intense livestock grazing were absent. In the CCA, we found no significant individual differences in FGM concentrations among the elephants in 2007 (p = 0.312) or 2008 (p = 0.412) and no difference between years (p = 0.616). The elephants in the CCA had similar FGM concentrations to the Maasai Mara population, but Amboseli elephants had significantly lower FGM concentrations than those in either Maasai Mara or the CCA (Tukey pairwise test, p < 0.001), due primarily to females excreting significantly lower FGM relative to males (p = 0.025). In the CCA, there was no relation among female group size, average pairwise group relatedness, and average group FGM concentration. We found no clear evidence of chronic stress in elephants living on CCA communal land, which is encouraging for conservation strategies promoting the protection of animals living outside protected areas. Conservation Biology © 2013 Society for Conservation Biology No claim to original US government works.

Distribution of the Population at Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma in Bua Yai District, Nakhon Ratchasima of Thailand Using Google Map.

PubMed

Kaewpitoon, Soraya J; Rujirakul, Ratana; Sangkudloa, Amnat; Kaewthani, Sarochinee; Khemplila, Kritsakorn; Cherdjirapong, Karuna; Kujapun, Jirawoot; Norkaew, Jun; Chavengkun, Wasugree; Ponphimai, Sukanya; Polsripradist, Poowadol; Padchasuwan, Natnapa; Joosiri, Apinya; Wakkhuwattapong, Parichart; Loyd, Ryan A; Matrakool, Likit; Tongtawee, Taweesak; Panpimanmas, Sukij; Kaewpitoon, Natthawut

2016-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a major problem of health in Thailand, particularly in Northeastern and Northern regions, is generally incurable and rapidly lethal because of presentation in stage 3 or 4. Early diagnosis of stage 1 and 2 could allow better survival. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a distribution map of populations at risk for CCA in BuaYai district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Northeast Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 10 sub-districts and 122 villages, during June and November 2015. The populations at risk for CCA were screened using the Korat CCA verbal screening test (KCVST) and then risk areas were displayed by using Google map (GM). A total of 11,435 individuals from a 26,198 population completed the KCVST. The majority had a low score of risk for CCA (1-4 points; 93.3%). High scores with 6, 7 and 8 points accounted for 1.20%, 0.13% and 0.02%. The population at risk was found frequently in sub-district municipalities, followed by sub-district administrative organization and town municipalities, (F=396.220, P-value=0.000). Distribution mapping comprised 11 layers: 1, district; 2, local administrative organization; 3, hospital; 4, KCVST opisthorchiasis; 5, KCVST praziquantel used; 6, KCVST cholelithiasis; 7, KCVST raw fish consumption; 8, KCVST alcohol consumption; 9, KCVST pesticide used; 10, KCVST relative family with CCA; and 11, KCVST naive northeastern people. Geovisual display is now available online. This study indicated that the population at high risk of CCA in Bua Yai district is low, therefore setting a zero model project is possible. Key success factors for disease prevention and control need further study. GM production is suitable for further CCA surveillance and monitoring of the population with a high risk score in this area.

14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι synergistically facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cholangiocarcinoma via GSK-3β/Snail signaling pathway.

PubMed

Yang, Yan; Liu, Yan; He, Jun-Chuang; Wang, Jian-Ming; Schemmer, Peter; Ma, Chao-Qun; Qian, Ya-Wei; Yao, Wei; Zhang, Jian; Qi, Wei-Peng; Fu, Yang; Feng, Wei; Yang, Tao

2016-08-23

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) invasion and metastasis are the primary causes of poor survival rates in patients. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, it is still unclear of the molecular mechanism. In this study, the expression of 14-3-3ζ and atypical protein kinase C-ι (aPKC-ι) was further detected in CCA tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, we established the EMT model of CCA cells and investigated 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι co-regulatory effect on the EMT in vitro and in vivo. Further, we identified the downstream molecular glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β)/Snail signalling pathway that contribute to regulating the EMT. Our data showed that the expression of 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι was synergistically increased in CCA tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues and was intimately associated with differentiation and the tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that high 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι expression separately predicted a poor prognosis and were independent prognostic indicators in patients with CCA. The CO-IP experiment confirmed that the mutual binding relationship between 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι. Small interfering RNAs and siRNA rescue experiment demonstrated that 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι regulated each other. In addition, 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι pretreatment by si-RNA inhibit the phosphorylated GSK-3β and Snail expression during EMT. Meanwhile, silence of 14-3-3ζ or aPKC-ι suppressed CCA cells migration, metastasis and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Our study demonstrates that 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι synergistically facilitate EMT of CCA via GSK-3β/Snail signalling pathway, and may be potential therapeutic target for CCA.

14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι synergistically facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cholangiocarcinoma via GSK-3β/snail signaling pathway

PubMed Central

He, Jun-chuang; Wang, Jian-ming; Schemmer, Peter; Ma, Chao-qun; Qian, Ya-wei; Yao, Wei; Zhang, Jian; Qi, Wei-peng; Fu, Yang; Feng, Wei; Yang, Tao

2016-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) invasion and metastasis are the primary causes of poor survival rates in patients. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial step in cancer invasion and metastasis. However, it is still unclear of the molecular mechanism. In this study, the expression of 14-3-3ζ and atypical protein kinase C-ι (aPKC-ι) was further detected in CCA tissues and cell lines. Meanwhile, we established the EMT model of CCA cells and investigated 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι co-regulatory effect on the EMT in vitro and in vivo. Further, we identified the downstream molecular glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β)/Snail signalling pathway that contribute to regulating the EMT. Our data showed that the expression of 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι was synergistically increased in CCA tissues compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues and was intimately associated with differentiation and the tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that high 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι expression separately predicted a poor prognosis and were independent prognostic indicators in patients with CCA. The CO-IP experiment confirmed that the mutual binding relationship between 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι. Small interfering RNAs and siRNA rescue experiment demonstrated that 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι regulated each other. In addition, 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι pretreatment by si-RNA inhibit the phosphorylated GSK-3β and Snail expression during EMT. Meanwhile, silence of 14-3-3ζ or aPKC-ι suppressed CCA cells migration, metastasis and proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Our study demonstrates that 14-3-3ζ and aPKC-ι synergistically facilitate EMT of CCA via GSK-3β/Snail signalling pathway, and may be potential therapeutic target for CCA. PMID:27409422

Treated wood preservatives linked to aquatic damage, human illness, and death--a societal problem.

PubMed

Edlich, Richard F; Winters, Kathryne L; Long, William B

2005-01-01

On February 12, 2002, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a voluntary decision by industry to move consumer use of treated lumber products away from a variety of pressure-treated wood that contains arsenate (As) by December 31, 2003, in favor of new alternative wood preservatives. Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a chemical mixture consisting of three pesticidal compounds (As, chromium, and copper) registered for wood preservative uses. CCA is injected into wood by a process that uses high pressure to saturate wood products with the chemical. Only people who have received the proper safety training should use CCA to treat wood products. Around the home, CCA-treated wood is commonly used for decks, walkways, fences, gazebos, boat docks, and playground equipment. Other common uses of CCA-treated wood include highway noise barriers, sign posts, utility posts, and retaining walls. As of January 1, 2004, the EPA is no longer allowing CCA products to be used to treat wood intended for any of these residential uses. This decision will facilitate the voluntary transition to new alternative wood preservatives that do not contain As in both the manufacturing and retail sectors. To its credit, the EPA has developed consumer safety information sheets, hanging signs, end signs, and bin stickers that provide comprehensive information about the dangers of CCA-treated wood, use-site, and handling precautions. The EPA has not concluded that CCA-treated wood poses any unreasonable risk to the public or the environment. Nevertheless, As is a known human carcinogen and, thus, the EPA believes that any reduction in the levels of potential exposure to As is desirable. The toxicologic manifestations have been primarily related to the effects of As exposure from drinking water sources and include the following: acute poisoning incidents, cardiovascular effects, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Understanding the biomethylation of As is central to elucidating its action as a toxin and a carcinogen. In humans as in many other species, inorganic As is enzymatically converted to the methylated products methyl As (MAs) and dimethyl As (DMAs). The aforementioned voluntary agreement to reduce the uses of CCA-treated wood does not include a ban on the use of CCA for residential roofing. A major reason that this wood product should be banned from residential roofing is that it does not provide a Class "A" fire-rated roof system, which markedly reduce the frequency of residential roof fires.

Transgenic plants expressing GLK1 and CCA1 having increased nitrogen assimilation capacity

DOEpatents

Coruzzi, Gloria [New York, NY; Gutierrez, Rodrigo A [Santiago, CL; Nero, Damion C [Woodside, NY

2012-04-10

Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing transgenic plants. In specific embodiments, transgenic plants comprise a construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1, operably linked to a plant-specific promote, wherein the CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 is ectopically overexpressed in the transgenic plants, and wherein the promoter is optionally a constitutive or inducible promoter. In other embodiments, transgenic plants in which express a lower level of CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 are provided. Also provided herein are commercial products (e.g., pulp, paper, paper products, or lumber) derived from the transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic trees) produced using the methods provided herein.

Performance measurement and modeling of component applications in a high performance computing environment : a case study.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Armstrong, Robert C.; Ray, Jaideep; Malony, A.

2003-11-01

We present a case study of performance measurement and modeling of a CCA (Common Component Architecture) component-based application in a high performance computing environment. We explore issues peculiar to component-based HPC applications and propose a performance measurement infrastructure for HPC based loosely on recent work done for Grid environments. A prototypical implementation of the infrastructure is used to collect data for a three components in a scientific application and construct performance models for two of them. Both computational and message-passing performance are addressed.

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Evaluation of the CCA Immuno-Chromatographic Test to Diagnose Schistosoma mansoni in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

PubMed Central

Silveira, Alda Maria Soares; Costa, Emanuele Gama Dutra; Ray, Debalina; Suzuki, Brian M.; Hsieh, Michael H.; Fraga, Lucia Alves de Oliveira; Caffrey, Conor R.

2016-01-01

Background The Kato-Katz (KK) stool smear is the standard test for the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection, but suffers from low sensitivity when infections intensities are moderate to low. Thus, misdiagnosed individuals remain untreated and contribute to the disease transmission, thereby forestalling public health efforts to move from a modality of disease control to one of elimination. As an alternative, the urine-based diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni via the circulating cathodic antigen immuno-chromatographic test (CCA-ICT) has been extensively evaluated in Africa with the conclusion that it may replace the KK test in areas where prevalences are moderate or high. Methods and Findings The objective was to measure the performance of the CCA-ICT in a sample study population composed of residents from non-endemic and endemic areas for schistosomiasis mansoni in two municipalities of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Volunteers (130) were classified into three infection status groups based on duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears from one stool sample (2KK test): 41 negative individuals from non-endemic areas, 41 negative individuals from endemic areas and 48 infected individuals from endemic areas. Infection status was also determined by the CCA-ICT and infection exposure by antibody ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to S. mansoni soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble (adult) worm antigen preparation (SWAP). Sensitivity and specificity were influenced by whether the trace score visually adjudicated in the CCA-ICT was characterized as positive or negative for S. mansoni infection. An analysis of a two-graph receiver operating characteristic was performed to change the cutoff point. When the trace score was interpreted as a positive rather than as a negative result, the specificity decreased from 97.6% to 78.0% whereas sensitivity increased from 68.7% to 85.4%. A significantly positive correlation between the CCA-ICT scores and egg counts was identified (r = 0.6252, p = 0.0001). However, the CCA-ICT misdiagnosed as negative 14.6% of 2KK positive individuals, predominantly those with light infections (fewer than 100 eggs/g feces). Considering 2KK as reference test, the discriminating power of the CCA-ICT (the area under the curve [AUC] = 0.817) was greater than the SEA-ELISA (AUC = 0.744) and SWAP-ELISA (AUC = 0.704). Conclusion Our data for the performance of the CCA-ICT in the Brazilian communities endemic for schistosomiasis mansoni support those from Africa, i.e., in areas with greater infection prevalence and intensities, the CCA-ICT may be useful as a tool to indicate community-based preventative chemotherapy without individual diagnosis. However, because of the Brazilian Ministry of Health’s recommendation for individual diagnosis in areas where prevalence is less than 15%, i.e., those areas in which infection intensities are likely to be lowest, the CCA-ICT lacks the sensitivity to be used as standalone diagnostic tool. PMID:26752073

The Effect of Spatial and Temporal Resolution of Cine Phase Contrast MRI on Wall Shear Stress and Oscillatory Shear Index Assessment

PubMed Central

Gijsen, Frank J.; Marquering, Henk; van Ooij, Pim; vanBavel, Ed; Wentzel, Jolanda J.; Nederveen, Aart J.

2016-01-01

Introduction Wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillatory shear index (OSI) are associated with atherosclerotic disease. Both parameters are derived from blood velocities, which can be measured with phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI). Limitations in spatiotemporal resolution of PC-MRI are known to affect these measurements. Our aim was to investigate the effect of spatiotemporal resolution using a carotid artery phantom. Methods A carotid artery phantom was connected to a flow set-up supplying pulsatile flow. MRI measurement planes were placed at the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA). Two-dimensional PC-MRI measurements were performed with thirty different spatiotemporal resolution settings. The MRI flow measurement was validated with ultrasound probe measurements. Mean flow, peak flow, flow waveform, WSS and OSI were compared for these spatiotemporal resolutions using regression analysis. The slopes of the regression lines were reported in %/mm and %/100ms. The distribution of low and high WSS and OSI was compared between different spatiotemporal resolutions. Results The mean PC-MRI CCA flow (2.5±0.2mL/s) agreed with the ultrasound probe measurements (2.7±0.02mL/s). Mean flow (mL/s) depended only on spatial resolution (CCA:-13%/mm, ICA:-49%/mm). Peak flow (mL/s) depended on both spatial (CCA:-13%/mm, ICA:-17%/mm) and temporal resolution (CCA:-19%/100ms, ICA:-24%/100ms). Mean WSS (Pa) was in inverse relationship only with spatial resolution (CCA:-19%/mm, ICA:-33%/mm). OSI was dependent on spatial resolution for CCA (-26%/mm) and temporal resolution for ICA (-16%/100ms). The regions of low and high WSS and OSI matched for most of the spatiotemporal resolutions (CCA:30/30, ICA:28/30 cases for WSS; CCA:23/30, ICA:29/30 cases for OSI). Conclusion We show that both mean flow and mean WSS are independent of temporal resolution. Peak flow and OSI are dependent on both spatial and temporal resolution. However, the magnitude of mean and peak flow, WSS and OSI, and the spatial distribution of OSI and WSS did not exhibit a strong dependency on spatiotemporal resolution. PMID:27669568

Reply on Comment on "High resolution coherence analysis between planetary and climate oscillations" by S. Holm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scafetta, Nicola

2018-07-01

Holm (ASR, 2018) claims that Scafetta (ASR 57, 2121-2135, 2016) is "irreproducible" because I would have left "undocumented" the values of two parameters (a reduced-rank index p and a regularization term δ) that he claimed to be requested in the Magnitude Squared Coherence Canonical Correlation Analysis (MSC-CCA). Yet, my analysis did not require such two parameters. In fact: (1) using the MSC-CCA reduced-rank option neither changes the result nor was needed since Scafetta (2016) statistically evaluated the significance of the coherence spectral peaks; (2) the analysis algorithm neither contains nor needed the regularization term δ . Herein I show that Holm could not replicate Scafetta (2016) because he used different analysis algorithms. In fact, although Holm claimed to be using MSC-CCA, for his Figs. 2-4 he used a MatLab code labeled "gcs_cca_1D.m" (see paragraph 2 of his Section 3), which Holm also modified, that implements a different methodology known as the Generalized Coherence Spectrum using the Canonical Correlation Analysis (GCS-CCA). This code is herein demonstrated to be unreliable under specific statistical circumstances such as those required to replicate Scafetta (2016). On the contrary, the MSC-CCA method is stable and reliable. Moreover, Holm could not replicate my result also in his Fig. 5 because there he used the basic Welch MSC algorithm by erroneously equating it to MSC-CCA. Herein I clarify step-by-step how to proceed with the correct analysis, and I fully confirm the 95% significance of my results. I add data and codes to easily replicate my results.

An S100P-positive biliary epithelial field is a preinvasive intraepithelial neoplasm in nodular-sclerosing cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Nakanuma, Yasuni; Uchida, Tsuneyuki; Sato, Yasunori; Uesaka, Katsuhiko

2017-02-01

Nodular-sclerosing cholangiocarcinoma (NS-CCA) is a common CCA of the intrahepatic large, perihilar, and distal bile ducts. Intraepithelial biliary neoplasms, such as the mucosal extension of carcinoma and preinvasive neoplastic lesions (ie, biliary intraepithelial neoplasia) reportedly occur in the bile ducts around CCA. In the present study, we collectively refer to these intraepithelial lesions as "intraepithelial neoplasms of the bile duct (IENBs)". We examined the IENBs in 57 surgically resected cases of NS-CCA. S100P immunostaining was used to help detect IENBs. The IENBs formed field(s) of continuous neoplastic biliary epithelial cells and showed a flat, micropapillary, or papillotubular configuration. IENBs could be classified into 3 categories based on their atypia: group A (neoplastic but not enough for malignancy), B (neoplastic and sufficiently well differentiated for high-grade dysplasia), and C (overtly malignant and variably differentiated). IENB was found in 31 of 57 cases, with group C the most common (26 cases) followed by group B (22 cases) and group A (16 cases). The expression of cancer-related molecules and MIB-1 index of groups A and B differed from those of invasive CCA, whereas these features of group C were relatively similar to those of invasive CCA. In conclusion, IENB was not infrequently found in NS-CCA and could be classified into 3 grades. Preinvasive lesions (biliary intraepithelial neoplasias) are likely to be found in groups A and B, whereas cancerization would be included in group C. The classification of IENB may be useful for future studies of the preinvasive intraepithelial neoplastic lesions of NS-CCAs. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Superior spatial resolution in confocal X-ray techniques using collimating channel array optics: elemental mapping and speciation in archaeological human bone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Choudhury, S.; Agyeman-Budu, D. N.; Woll, A. R.

Confocal X-ray fluorescence imaging (CXFI) and confocal X-ray absorption spectroscopy (CXAS) respectively enable the study of three dimensionally resolved localization and speciation of elements. Applied to a thick sample, essentially any volume element of interest within the X-ray fluorescence escape depth can be examined without the need for physical thin sectioning. To date, X-ray confocal detection generally has employed a polycapillary optic in front of the detector to collect fluorescence from the probe volume formed at the intersection of its focus with the incident microfocus beam. This work demonstrates the capability of a novel Collimating Channel Array (CCA) optic inmore » providing an improved and essentially energy independent depth resolution approaching 2 μm. By presenting a comparison of elemental maps of archaeological bone collected without confocal detection, and with polycapillary- and CCA-based confocal detection, this study highlights the strengths and limitations of each mode. Unlike the polycapillary, the CCA shows similar spatial resolution in maps for both low (Ca) and high (Pb and Sr) energy X-ray fluorescence, thus illustrating the energy independent nature of the CCA optic resolution. While superior spatial resolution is demonstrated for all of these elements, the most significant improvement is observed for Ca, demonstrating the advantage of employing the CCA optic in examining light elements. In addition to CXFI, this configuration also enables the collection of Pb L3 CXAS data from micro-volumes with dimensions comparable to bone microstructures of interest. Our CXAS result, which represents the first CCA-based biological CXAS, demonstrates the ability of CCA optics to collect site specific spectroscopic information. The demonstrated combination of site-specific elemental localization and speciation data will be useful in diverse fields.« less

Climate Change Adaptation and Climate Related Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies in Zimbabwe and Malawi

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mubaya, C. P.; Ngepah, N.; Seyama, W.

2015-12-01

Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) have similar aims and mutual benefits, and there is a very strong rationale for adopting a more integrated approach to these issues rather than analysing each of them as distinct from the other. One of the gaps that have been noted in this context is the lack of evidence in systematic integration of CCA and DRR in Southern Africa. In this regard, this study builds on understanding CCA and DRR policies from the perspectives of vulnerable groups- women and smallholder farmers, and conducts institutional and policy analysis of CCA and DRR in southern Africa, with specific focus on Malawi and Zimbabwe. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were employed to collect data for this study in the two countries. The analysis is centred on the conceptualization of DRR in the context of recovery time and CCA on livelihood changes. Findings of the study show that drought is no longer viewed as a hazard as it is a perennial and chronic occurrence in selected climate hotspots, with heightened intensity in certain identified years. Households are able to quickly recover from slow onset hazards such as droughts and dry spells more than they are able to recover from sudden onset floods, implying more capacity towards CCA than DRR. Government programmes and policies are also focused more on CCA than on DRR efforts that appear not to be a priority. Findings point towards female vulnerability from perceptions and practice where males tend to dominate where they are set to benefit from external assistance. We need to strengthen government capacity in implementation of DRR programmes, which is currently limited and development initiatives must deliberately target building the resilience of women.

Soil arsenic surveys of New Orleans: localized hazards in children's play areas.

PubMed

Mielke, Howard W; Gonzales, Chris R; Cahn, Elise; Brumfield, Jessica; Powell, Eric T; Mielke, Paul W

2010-10-01

Arsenic (As) ranks first on the 2005 and 2007 hazardous substances priority lists compiled for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This study describes two New Orleans soil As surveys: (1) a survey of composite soil samples from 286 census tracts and (2) a field survey of soil As at 38 play areas associated with the presence of chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA)-treated wood on residential and public properties. The survey of metropolitan New Orleans soils revealed a median As content of 1.5 mg/kg (range <0.2-16.4) and no distinctive differences between the soils of the city core and outlying areas. Play area accessible soils associated with CCA-treated wood (N = 32) had a median As of 57 mg/kg and 78% of the samples were ≥12 mg/kg, the Louisiana soil As standard. The field survey of play areas for CCA-treated wood (N = 132 samples at 38 sites) was conducted with a portable energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. Seventy-five of 132 wood samples (56.8%) were deemed CCA-treated wood. Of the 38 play areas surveyed, 14 (36.8%) had CCA-treated wood. A significant association (Fisher's exact p-value = 0.348 × 10(-6)) was found between CCA-treated wood and soil As (N = 75). At one elementary school CCA-treated woodchips (As range 813-1,654 mg As/kg) covered the playgrounds. The situation in New Orleans probably exists in play areas across the nation. These findings support a precautionary program for testing soils and wood for hazardous substances at all play areas intended for children.

Release of Arsenic to the Environment from CCA-Treated Wood: Part II – Leaching and Speciation during Disposal

PubMed Central

KHAN, BERNINE I.; JAMBECK, JENNA; SOLO-GABRIELE, HELENA M.; TOWNSEND, TIMOTHY G.; CAI, YONG

2008-01-01

Wood treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is primarily disposed within construction and demolition (C&D) debris landfills, with wood monofills and municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills as alternative disposal options. This study evaluated the extent and speciation of arsenic leaching from landfills containing CCA-treated wood. In control lysimeters where untreated wood was used, DMAA represented the major arsenic species. The dominant arsenic species differed in the lysimeters containing CCA-treated wood, with As(V) greatest in the monofill and C&D lysimeters and As(III) greatest in the MSW lysimeters. In CCA-containing lysimeters, the organoarsenic species MMAA and DMAA were virtually absent in the monofill lysimeter and observed in the C&D and MSW lysimeters. Overall arsenic leaching rate varied for the wood monofill (0.69% per meter of water added), C&D (0.36% per m), and MSW (0.84% per m) lysimeters. Utilizing these rates with annual disposal data, a mathematical model was developed to quantify arsenic leaching from CCA-treated wood disposed to Florida landfills. Model findings showed between 20 to 50 metric tons of arsenic (depending on lysimeter type) had leached prior to 2000 with an expected increase between 350 to 830 metric tons by 2040. Groundwater analysis from 21 Florida C&D landfills suspected of accepting CCA-treated wood showed that groundwater at 3 landfills were characterized by elevated arsenic concentrations with only 1 showing impacts from the C&D waste. The slow release of arsenic from disposed treated wood may account for the lack of significant impact to groundwater near most C&D facilities at this time. However, greater impacts are anticipated in the future given that the maximum releases of arsenic are expected by the year 2100. PMID:16509348

Real-time quantitative fluorescence measurement of microscale cell culture analog systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Taek-il; Kim, Donghyun; Tatosian, Daniel; Sung, Jong Hwan; Shuler, Michael

2007-02-01

A microscale cell culture analog (μCCA) is a cell-based lab-on-a-chip assay that, as an animal surrogate, is applied to pharmacological studies for toxicology tests. A μCCA typically comprises multiple chambers and microfluidics that connect the chambers, which represent animal organs and blood flow to mimic animal metabolism more realistically. A μCCA is expected to provide a tool for high-throughput drug discovery. Previously, a portable fluorescence detection system was investigated for a single μCCA device in real-time. In this study, we present a fluorescence-based imaging system that provides quantitative real-time data of the metabolic interactions in μCCAs with an emphasis on measuring multiple μCCA samples simultaneously for high-throughput screening. The detection system is based on discrete optics components, with a high-power LED and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera as a light source and a detector, for monitoring cellular status on the chambers of each μCCA sample. Multiple samples are characterized mechanically on a motorized linear stage, which is fully-automated. Each μCCA sample has four chambers, where cell lines MES-SA/DX- 5, and MES-SA (tumor cells of human uterus) have been cultured. All cell-lines have been transfected to express the fusion protein H2B-GFP, which is a human histone protein fused at the amino terminus to EGFP. As a model cytotoxic drug, 10 μM doxorubicin (DOX) was used. Real-time quantitative data of the intensity loss of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) during cell death of target cells have been collected over several minutes to 40 hours. Design issues and improvements are also discussed.

Increased TLR4 and TREM-1 expression on monocytes and neutrophils in preterm birth: further evidence of a proinflammatory state.

PubMed

Yan, Huan; Li, Hong; Zhu, Linlin; Gao, Junjun; Li, Pengyun; Zhang, Zhan

2018-03-25

Increased inflammation is considered as a risk factor and a promoter of preterm birth (PTB). Monocytes and neutrophils are the main sources of cytokines in the early inflammatory phase. So far, very few studies have indicated CD14/TLR4 and TREM-1 on the monocytes and neutrophils as important targets in PTB. TLR4 and TREM-1 on CD14 + maternal and cord blood monocytes and neutrophils were detected using flow cytometry in 48 normal term women, 48 PTB with chorioamnionitis (CCA) women, and 40 PTB without CCA women. In the fetal membranes, mRNA and protein levels of the CD14/TLR4-TREM-1 signaling pathway, CD14, TLR4, NF-κBp65, and TREM-1 were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blot. ELISA was further used to detect TLR4 and TREM-1 levels in maternal and cord serums. Compared with the normal term and PTB without CCA women, we found that (1) TLR4 and TREM-1 levels on CD14 + maternal and cord blood monocytes and neutrophils in the PTB with CCA group were elevated (p < .001); (2) the protein and mRNA expressions of CA14, TLR4, NF-κBp65, and TREM-1 of the PTB with CCA group were upregulated (p < .001); (3) Maternal and cord serum concentrations of TLR4 and TREM-1 in the PTB with CCA group were greater (p < .001). The high levels of TLR4 and TREM-1 surface expression were observed on CD14 + maternal and cord blood monocyte and neutrophils, confirming their proinflammatory profiles in PTB with CCA. TLR4 and TREM-1 on monocyte and neutrophils might have a role in infection-related PTB.

Evaluation of the AJCC 8th Edition Staging System for Pathologically Versus Clinically Staged Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA): a Time to Revisit a Dogma? A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Analysis.

PubMed

Kamarajah, Sivesh K

2018-03-07

Recently, the AJCC has released its 8th edition changes to the staging system for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). This study sought to validate the proposed changes to the 8th edition of AJCC system for T and N classification of iCCA using a population-based data set. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1998-2013), patients undergoing resection or non-surgical management for non-metastatic iCCA were identified. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Concordance indices (c-indices) calculated from Cox proportional hazards models were calculated to evaluate discriminatory power. The study included 2630 patients resected (37%) or non-surgically managed (63%) for iCCA. Nodal staging was performed in 56%, of whom 31% had positive nodes. For all patients with iCCA, the median 5-year survival by AJCC T classification for T1a, T1b, T2, T3, and T4 was 32, 21, 14, 10, and 10 months, respectively (p < 0.001). The concordance index for the staging system was 0.57 for all patients, 0.62 for those who underwent resection, and 0.54 for patients who did not undergo resection. In summary, the new AJCC 8th edition staging system is comparable to the 7th edition and valid in stratifying patients with iCCA. However, the performance of the staging system is better in patients undergoing surgical resection than those undergoing non-surgical management. These findings further highlight the need for improved accuracy of radiological imaging in clinically staging patients to guide prognosis.

Overexpression of long noncoding RNA H19 indicates a poor prognosis for cholangiocarcinoma and promotes cell migration and invasion by affecting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

PubMed

Xu, Yi; Wang, Zhidong; Jiang, Xingming; Cui, Yunfu

2017-08-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a deadly disease that poorly responds to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and whose incidence has increased worldwide. Furthermore, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in multiple biological processes, including tumorigenesis. Specifically, H19, the first discovered lncRNA, has been reported to be overexpressed in diverse human carcinomas, but the overall biological role and clinical significance of H19 in CCA remains unknown. In the present study, expression levels of H19 were investigated in CCA tissues and cell lines and were correlated with clinicopathological features. Moreover, we explored the functional roles of H19 depletion in QBC939 and RBE cells, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The results indicated that H19 was upregulated in CCA tissue samples and cell lines, and this upregulation was associated with tumor size, TNM stage, postoperative recurrence and overall survival in 56 patients with CCA. Moreover, knockdown of H19 followed by RNA silencing restrained cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. In addition, H19 suppression impaired migration and invasion potential by reversing EMT. Overall, our findings may help to develop diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutics that target H19 for the treatment of CCA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Multi-scale sampling to evaluate assemblage dynamics in an oceanic marine reserve.

PubMed

Thompson, Andrew R; Watson, William; McClatchie, Sam; Weber, Edward D

2012-01-01

To resolve the capacity of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) to enhance fish productivity it is first necessary to understand how environmental conditions affect the distribution and abundance of fishes independent of potential reserve effects. Baseline fish production was examined from 2002-2004 through ichthyoplankton sampling in a large (10,878 km(2)) Southern Californian oceanic marine reserve, the Cowcod Conservation Area (CCA) that was established in 2001, and the Southern California Bight as a whole (238,000 km(2) CalCOFI sampling domain). The CCA assemblage changed through time as the importance of oceanic-pelagic species decreased between 2002 (La Niña) and 2003 (El Niño) and then increased in 2004 (El Niño), while oceanic species and rockfishes displayed the opposite pattern. By contrast, the CalCOFI assemblage was relatively stable through time. Depth, temperature, and zooplankton explained more of the variability in assemblage structure at the CalCOFI scale than they did at the CCA scale. CalCOFI sampling revealed that oceanic species impinged upon the CCA between 2002 and 2003 in association with warmer offshore waters, thus explaining the increased influence of these species in the CCA during the El Nino years. Multi-scale, spatially explicit sampling and analysis was necessary to interpret assemblage dynamics in the CCA and likely will be needed to evaluate other focal oceanic marine reserves throughout the world.

Microsatellite Instability Occurs Rarely in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study from a German Tertiary Care Hospital.

PubMed

Winkelmann, Ria; Schneider, Markus; Hartmann, Sylvia; Schnitzbauer, Andreas A; Zeuzem, Stefan; Peveling-Oberhag, Jan; Hansmann, Martin Leo; Walter, Dirk

2018-05-09

Immune-modulating therapy is a promising therapy for patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Microsatellite instability (MSI) might be a favorable predictor for treatment response, but comprehensive data on the prevalence of MSI in CCA are missing. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of MSI in a German tertiary care hospital. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples, obtained in the study period from 2007 to 2015 from patients with CCA undergoing surgical resection with curative intention at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University hospital, were examined. All samples were investigated immunohistochemically for the presence of MSI (expression of MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6) as well as by pentaplex polymerase chain reaction for five quasimonomorphic mononucleotide repeats ( BAT-25 , BAT-26 , NR-21 , NR-22 , and NR-24 ). In total, 102 patients were included, presenting intrahepatic ( n = 35, 34.3%), perihilar ( n = 42, 41.2%), and distal CCA ( n = 25, 24.5%). In the immunohistochemical analysis, no loss of expression of DNA repair enzymes was observed. In the PCR-based analysis, one out of 102 patients was found to be MSI-high and one out of 102 was found to be MSI-low. Thus, MSI seems to appear rarely in CCA in Germany. This should be considered when planning immune-modulating therapy trials for patients with CCA.

Cholangiocarcinoma: A position paper by the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterology (AIGO), the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) and the Italian Association of Oncological Radiotherapy (AIRO).

PubMed

Alvaro, Domenico; Cannizzaro, Renato; Labianca, Roberto; Valvo, Francesca; Farinati, Fabio

2010-12-01

The incidence of Cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCA) is increasing, due to a sharp increase of the intra-hepatic form. Evidence-ascertained risk factors for CCA are primary sclerosing cholangitis, Opistorchis viverrini infection, Caroli disease, congenital choledocal cist, Vater ampulla adenoma, bile duct adenoma and intra-hepatic lithiasis. Obesity, diabetes, smoking, abnormal biliary-pancreatic junction, bilio-enteric surgery, and viral cirrhosis are emerging risk factors, but their role still needs to be validated. Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis should undergo surveillance, even though a survival benefit has not been clearly demonstrated. CCA is most often diagnosed in an advanced stage, when therapeutic options are limited to palliation. Diagnosis of the tumor is often difficult and multiple imaging techniques should be used, particularly for staging. Surgery is the standard of care for resectable CCA, whilst liver transplantation should be considered only in experimental settings. Metal stenting is the standard of care in inoperable patients with an expected survival >4 months. Gemcitabine or platinum analogues are recommended in advanced CCA whilst there are no validated neo-adjuvant treatments or second-line chemotherapies. Even though promising results have been obtained in CCA with radiotherapy, further randomized controlled trials are needed. Copyright © 2010 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Role of the CCA bulge of prohead RNA of bacteriophage ø29 in DNA packaging.

PubMed

Zhao, Wei; Morais, Marc C; Anderson, Dwight L; Jardine, Paul J; Grimes, Shelley

2008-11-14

The oligomeric ring of prohead RNA (pRNA) is an essential component of the ATP-driven DNA packaging motor of bacteriophage ø29. The A-helix of pRNA binds the DNA translocating ATPase gp16 (gene product 16) and the CCA bulge in this helix is essential for DNA packaging in vitro. Mutation of the bulge by base substitution or deletion showed that the size of the bulge, rather than its sequence, is primary in DNA packaging activity. Proheads reconstituted with CCA bulge mutant pRNAs bound the packaging ATPase gp16 and the packaging substrate DNA-gp3, although DNA translocation was not detected with several mutants. Prohead/bulge-mutant pRNA complexes with low packaging activity had a higher rate of ATP hydrolysis per base pair of DNA packaged than proheads with wild-type pRNA. Cryoelectron microscopy three-dimensional reconstruction of proheads reconstituted with a CCA deletion pRNA showed that the protruding pRNA spokes of the motor occupy a different position relative to the head when compared to particles with wild-type pRNA. Therefore, the CCA bulge seems to dictate the orientation of the pRNA spokes. The conformational changes observed for this mutant pRNA may affect gp16 conformation and/or subsequent ATPase-DNA interaction and, consequently, explain the decreased packaging activity observed for CCA mutants.

Multi-Scale Sampling to Evaluate Assemblage Dynamics in an Oceanic Marine Reserve

PubMed Central

Thompson, Andrew R.; Watson, William; McClatchie, Sam; Weber, Edward D.

2012-01-01

To resolve the capacity of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) to enhance fish productivity it is first necessary to understand how environmental conditions affect the distribution and abundance of fishes independent of potential reserve effects. Baseline fish production was examined from 2002–2004 through ichthyoplankton sampling in a large (10,878 km2) Southern Californian oceanic marine reserve, the Cowcod Conservation Area (CCA) that was established in 2001, and the Southern California Bight as a whole (238,000 km2 CalCOFI sampling domain). The CCA assemblage changed through time as the importance of oceanic-pelagic species decreased between 2002 (La Niña) and 2003 (El Niño) and then increased in 2004 (El Niño), while oceanic species and rockfishes displayed the opposite pattern. By contrast, the CalCOFI assemblage was relatively stable through time. Depth, temperature, and zooplankton explained more of the variability in assemblage structure at the CalCOFI scale than they did at the CCA scale. CalCOFI sampling revealed that oceanic species impinged upon the CCA between 2002 and 2003 in association with warmer offshore waters, thus explaining the increased influence of these species in the CCA during the El Nino years. Multi-scale, spatially explicit sampling and analysis was necessary to interpret assemblage dynamics in the CCA and likely will be needed to evaluate other focal oceanic marine reserves throughout the world. PMID:22448236

Fisetin Reduces Cell Viability Through Up-Regulation of Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells.

PubMed

Kim, Nayoung; Lee, Sang Hyub; Son, Jun Hyuk; Lee, Jae Min; Kang, Min-Jung; Kim, Bo Hye; Lee, Jung-Su; Ryu, Ji Kon; Kim, Yong-Tae

2016-11-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignancy with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Effective prevention and treatment of CCA require developing novel anticancer agents and improved therapeutic regimens. As natural products are concidered a rich source of potential anticancer agents, we investigated the anticancer effect of fisetin in combination with gemcitabine. Cytotoxic effect of fisetin and gemcitabine on a human CCA cell line SNU-308 was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and apoptosis assay using propidium iodine and annexin V. Molecular mechanisms of fisetin action in CCA were investigated by western blotting. Fisetin was found to inhibit survival of CCA cells, through strongly phosphorylating ERK. It also induced cellular apoptosis additively in combination with gemcitabine. Expression of cellular proliferative markers, such as phospho-p65 and myelocytomatosis (MYC), were reduced by fisetin. These results suggest fisetin in combination with gemcitabine as a candidate for use in improved anticancer regimens. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Tumors with intrahepatic bile duct differentiation in cirrhosis: implications on outcomes after liver transplantation.

PubMed

Facciuto, Marcelo E; Singh, Manoj K; Lubezky, Nir; Selim, Motaz A; Robinson, Dorothy; Kim-Schluger, Leona; Florman, Sander; Ward, Stephen C; Thung, Swan N; Fiel, MariaIsabel; Schiano, Thomas D

2015-01-01

The role of liver transplantation (LT) in the management of cirrhotic patients with tumors exhibiting intrahepatic bile duct differentiation remains controversial. The objective of this study was to characterize the spectrum of these tumors and analyze post-LT outcomes. Retrospective pathology database search of explant histology analysis of liver transplants between April 1993 and November 2013. Thirty-two patients were analyzed, 75% were men with a mean age of 60 years. Seven patients had nodules demonstrating intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (I-CCA), nine had I-CCA nodules occurring concomitantly with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 16 had mixed HCC-CCA nodules. The median number of tumors was 1 and size was 2.5 cm. Overall patient survival post-LT at 1 and 5 years was 71% and 57%, respectively. Patients within Milan criteria, especially with I-CCA features, showed a 5-year tumor recurrence rate (10%) and 5-year survival rate (78%) comparable with other patients having HCC within Milan criteria. This series showed that patients with CCA within Milan criteria may be able to achieve acceptable long-term post-LT survival.

Combined Gemcitabine and Metronidazole Is a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer Stem-like Cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Kawamoto, Makoto; Umebayashi, Masayo; Tanaka, Hiroto; Koya, Norihiro; Nakagawa, Sinichiro; Kawabe, Ken; Onishi, Hideya; Nakamura, Masafumi; Morisaki, Takashi

2018-05-01

Metronidazole (MNZ) is a common antibiotic that exerts disulfiram-like effects when taken together with alcohol. However, the relationship between MNZ and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity remains unclear. This study investigated whether MNZ reduces cancer stemness by suppressing ALDH activity and accordingly reducing the malignancy of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We developed gemcitabine (GEM)-resistant TFK-1 cells and originally established CCA cell line from a patient with GEM-resistant CCA. Using these cell lines, we analyzed the impacts of MNZ for cancer stem cell markers, invasiveness, and chemosensitivity. MNZ reduced ALDH activity in GEM-resistant CCA cells, leading to decreased invasiveness and enhanced chemosensitivity. MNZ diminished the invasiveness by inducing mesenchymal-epithelial transition and enhancing chemosensitivity by increasing ENT1 (equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1) and reducing RRM1 (ribonucleotide reductase M1). MNZ reduced cancer stemness in GEM-resistant CCA cells. Combined GEM and MNZ would be a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer stem-like CAA. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

A surface transporter family conveys the trypanosome differentiation signal.

PubMed

Dean, Samuel; Marchetti, Rosa; Kirk, Kiaran; Matthews, Keith R

2009-05-14

Microbial pathogens use environmental cues to trigger the developmental events needed to infect mammalian hosts or transmit to disease vectors. The parasites causing African sleeping sickness respond to citrate or cis-aconitate (CCA) to initiate life-cycle development when transmitted to their tsetse fly vector. This requires hypersensitization of the parasites to CCA by exposure to low temperature, conditions encountered after tsetse fly feeding at dusk or dawn. Here we identify a carboxylate-transporter family, PAD (proteins associated with differentiation), required for perception of this differentiation signal. Consistent with predictions for the response of trypanosomes to CCA, PAD proteins are expressed on the surface of the transmission-competent 'stumpy-form' parasites in the bloodstream, and at least one member is thermoregulated, showing elevated expression and surface access at low temperature. Moreover, RNA-interference-mediated ablation of PAD expression diminishes CCA-induced differentiation and eliminates CCA hypersensitivity under cold-shock conditions. As well as being molecular transducers of the differentiation signal in these parasites, PAD proteins provide the first example of a surface marker able to discriminate the transmission stage of trypanosomes in their mammalian host.

40 CFR 91.122 - Amending the application and certificate of conformity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... certificate of conformity. 91.122 Section 91.122 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... Standards and Certification Provisions § 91.122 Amending the application and certificate of conformity. (a... to a certificate of conformity or changes are to be made to a product line covered by a certificate...

40 CFR 91.122 - Amending the application and certificate of conformity.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... certificate of conformity. 91.122 Section 91.122 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY... Standards and Certification Provisions § 91.122 Amending the application and certificate of conformity. (a... to a certificate of conformity or changes are to be made to a product line covered by a certificate...

Stent-Graft Treatment of Late Stenosis of the Left Common Carotid Artery Following Thoracic Graft Placement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Medda, Massimo; Lioupis, Christos, E-mail: lioupisC@vodafone.net.gr; Mollichelli, Nadia

2008-03-15

We report the case of a patient with subtotal occlusion of the origin of the left common carotid artery (CCA) following thoracic graft placement. Retrograde endovascular placement of a stent-graft by minimal cervical access was undertaken to repair the occlusive lesion of the left CCA and prevent future complications of endoluminal thoracic reconstruction. The retrograde endovascular repair of CCA lesions, as other authors have already suggested, may be the treatment of choice in 'high-surgical-risk' patients. In these cases where the ostium of supra-aortic trunks is compromised following thoracic aorta stent-graft migration, endoluminal placement of a stent-graft in the CCA canmore » guarantee both maintenance of carotid flow and thoracic stent-graft fixation.« less

CCA Test Objectives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Three sources have been considered to provide information allowing the evaluation of the Collision Conflict Avoidance (CCA) functional requirements: existing data, simulation, and flight test. The existing data sources that have been evaluated have been found to be lacking in two areas: The actual data that was recorded and missing elements to the system architecture. Many previous tests addressing collision avoidance were conducted without a remote operator. As such, they are missing critical elements that are required to assess the CCA functional requirements. Tests such as ERAST were conducted with all of the UAS elements. However, ERAST tests were conducted as a demonstration and the data recorded was of end-to-end performance. Many contributing elements of the system were not individually recorded or were recorded at a data rate insufficient for the purposes of evaluating the CCA functional requirements.

Vascular geometry of the extracranial carotid arteries: an analysis of length, diameter, and tortuosity.

PubMed

Choudhry, Farooq A; Grantham, John T; Rai, Ansaar T; Hogg, Jeffery P

2016-05-01

Stable access is essential for successful intracranial interventions. Quantifying variations in extracranial carotid arteries may help in the selection and development of access catheters. This study describes the vascular dimensions from the aortic arch to the skull base. CT angiography analysis was performed on 100 patients. The lengths, diameters, and tortuosity of the common carotid artery (CCA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) were measured from the aortic arch to the skull base. The mean±SD length of the carotid artery from the aortic arch to the skull base was 22.2±2.2 cm for the right side and 20.8±1.9 cm for the left side (p<0.0001). The length of the right CCA was 13.6±1.2 cm and the length of the left CCA was 12.4±1.4 cm (p<0.0001). The length of the right ICA was 8.6±1.4 cm compared with 8.4±1.4 cm for the left ICA (p=0.3). The ICA length in men and women was 8.9±1.3 cm and 8.2±1.3 cm, respectively (p=0.0001), and the CCA length in men and women was 13.6±1.5 cm and 12.3±1.6 cm, respectively (p<0.0001). The lengths of the CCA and ICA in patients aged ≥60 years were 13.3±1.7 cm and 8.9±1.5 cm, respectively compared with 12.8±1.7 cm and 8.2±1.1 cm, respectively, for patients aged <60 years (p=0.04 for CCA, p=0.0002 for ICA). Tortuosity of the CCA and ICA was 1.2±0.2 and 1.3±0.1, respectively, in patients aged ≥60 years compared with 1.1±0.1 for both the ICA and CCA in patients aged <60 years (p<0.0001 for both). There was a consistent ratio of CCA/ICA length of 1.6±0.3 on the right and 1.5±0.3 on the left (p<0.0001). The arterial diameters did not show any significant difference. The distance from the aortic arch to the skull base is longer on the right than on the left side. Both the CCA and ICA are longer in men and in patients aged ≥60 years. The tortuosity of both segments significantly increases with age. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Lack of Understanding of Cervical Cancer and Screening Is the Leading Barrier to Screening Uptake in Women at Midlife in Bangladesh: Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

PubMed Central

Islam, Rakibul M.; Bell, Robin J.; Billah, Baki; Hossain, Mohammad B.

2015-01-01

Background. Cervical cancer (CCa) is the second most common cancer among women in Bangladesh. The uptake of CCa screening was less than 10% in areas where screening has been offered, so we investigated the awareness of CCa and CCa screening, and factors associated with women’s preparedness to be screened. Methods. A nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of women aged 30–59 years was conducted in 7 districts of the 7 divisions in Bangladesh, using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Factors associated with the awareness of CCa and screening uptake were investigated separately, using multivariable logistic regression. Results. On systematic questioning, 81.3% and 48.6% of the 1,590 participants, whose mean age was 42.3 (±8.0) years, had ever heard of CCa and CCa screening, respectively. Having heard of CCa was associated with living in a rural area (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.67), being 40–49 years old (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.15–2.0), having no education (OR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.16–0.38), and being obese (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.23–3.36). Of the 773 women who had ever heard of CCa screening, 86% reported that they had not been screened because they had no symptoms and 37% did not know screening was needed. Only 8.3% had ever been screened. Having been screened was associated with being 40–49 years old (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.19–3.94) and employed outside the home (OR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.65–8.9), and inversely associated with rural dwelling (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30–0.98) and having no education (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10–0.85). Conclusion. Lack of awareness of CCa and of understanding of the concept of screening are the key barriers to screening uptake in women at midlife in Bangladesh. Targeted educational health programs are needed to increase screening in Bangladesh with the view to reducing mortality. Implications for Practice: This is the first nationwide and population-based study in Bangladesh to collect detailed information pertaining to the awareness of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, and factors associated with women’s preparedness to undergo screening. Rather than cultural and religious barriers, lack of awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer and screening present the primary barriers to screening uptake. The results highlight the urgent need for health education programs that have the potential to increase cervical cancer awareness and screening uptake, and reduce cervical cancer mortality. PMID:26590177

Evaluating a point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test (POC-CCA) to detect Schistosoma mansoni infections in a low endemic area in north-eastern Brazil.

PubMed

Bezerra, Fernando Schemelzer Moraes; Leal, Joames Kauffimann Freitas; Sousa, Mariana Silva; Pinheiro, Marta Cristhiany Cunha; Ramos, Alberto Novaes; Silva-Moraes, Vanessa; Katz, Naftale

2018-06-01

Schistosomiasis is still a public health problem in Brazil. The Kato-Katz test is the most frequently used diagnostic method for Schistosoma mansoni infection. However, it lacks sensitivity in areas of low prevalence. We have assessed the positivity rate of S. mansoni infection in Bananeiras, a village on Capistrano, Ceara, Brazil by performing a point-of-care test in urine to determine the circulating cathodic antigens (POC-CCA), and we compared the findings with those of the Kato-Katz technique for egg detection in stool and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for specific antibodies against adult worms (SWAP-ELISA) in serum before treatment (baseline). Additionally, the POC-CCA and Kato-Katz test results were compared at one and two years post-treatment, and only POC-CCA strips were utilised for follow-up testing on urine samples at 3-6 weeks. Only one sample of stool and urine was collected per event. Overall, 258 individuals were investigated at the baseline. The POC-CCA test detected 10 (3.9%) positive cases; however, this amount increased to 30 (11.6%) when considering trace readings as positive (t + ), whereas the Kato-Katz method found only 4 (1.6%) positive cases and the SWAP-ELISA detected 105 (40.7%) positive cases. The consistency observed between a single POC-CCA (t + ) or (t-) and the Kato-Katz (three slides) was poor (Kappa indexes <0.20). The highest positivity rate as determined by CCA and Kato-Katz was found in adults. At the baseline, a praziquantel treatment was administered to all individuals regardless of their infection status. According to the POC-CCA test, 93% of the previous positive cases became negative by the third week after the treatment; this rate reached 100% at the sixth week assessment. The follow-up showed that of the 175 individuals evaluated at one year post-treatment, only one (0.6%) showed 'trace' results, and all the individuals were negative for eggs in the stool. At two years, all 185 examined individuals were negative by the Kato-Katz method, and 11 (5.9%) presented traces by POC-CCA. Our results indicate that a single POC-CCA test reveals a significantly higher number of positive cases than the Kato-Katz technique for diagnosing S. mansoni in a low endemic setting, when trace results are considered as positive cases. Nevertheless, the true significance of the trace is not clear. These findings reinforce the need to associate different tools for improved schistosomiasis diagnosis in individuals with low parasite burdens. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Chromated Arsenicals (CCA)

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a wood preservative pesticide containing chromium, copper, and arsenic that protects wood against termites, fungi, mites and other pests that can degrade or threaten the integrity of wood products.

40 CFR 75.20 - Initial certification and recertification procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... all applicable initial certification tests under paragraph (c) of this section are completed by the... installed, initial certification is required. (1) Notification of initial certification test dates. The...) tests. (4) Certification (or recertification) application formal approval process. The Administrator...

40 CFR 75.20 - Initial certification and recertification procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... all applicable initial certification tests under paragraph (c) of this section are completed by the... installed, initial certification is required. (1) Notification of initial certification test dates. The...) tests. (4) Certification (or recertification) application formal approval process. The Administrator...

40 CFR 75.20 - Initial certification and recertification procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... all applicable initial certification tests under paragraph (c) of this section are completed by the... installed, initial certification is required. (1) Notification of initial certification test dates. The...) tests. (4) Certification (or recertification) application formal approval process. The Administrator...

7 CFR 353.5 - Application for certification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 5 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Application for certification. 353.5 Section 353.5 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXPORT CERTIFICATION § 353.5 Application for certification. (a) To...

Cooperative Conflict Avoidance Sensor Trade Study Report, Version 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

This study develops evaluation criteria for systems and technologies against the Cooperative Conflict Avoidance (CCA) requirements for unmanned flight at and above FL430 as part of Step 1 of the Access-5 program. These evaluation criteria are then applied to both current and future technologies to identify those which might be used to provide an Equivalent Level of Safety (ELOS) for CCA. This document provides the results of this analysis of various systems and technologies intended for evaluation as part of the CCA work package.

Variation of arsenic concentration on surfaces of in-service CCA-treated wood planks in a park and its influencing field factors.

PubMed

Tang, Ya; Gao, Wei; Wang, Xiuli; Ding, Shiming; An, Taicheng; Xiao, Weiyang; Wong, Ming H; Zhang, Chaosheng

2015-01-01

Wood preservatives can protect wood from dry rot, fungi, mould and insect damage, and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) has been used as an inorganic preservative for many years. However, wood treated with CCA has been restricted from residential uses in the EU from June 30, 2004, due to its potential toxicity. Such a regulation is not in place in China yet, and CCA-treated wood is widely used in public parks. A portable XRF analyser was used to investigate arsenic (As) concentration on surfaces of in-service CCA-treated wood planks in a popular park as well as the influencing field factors of age in-service, immersion and human footfall. With a total of 1207 readings, the observed As concentrations varied from below the detection limit (<10 mg/kg) to 15,746 mg/kg with a median of 1160 mg/kg. Strong variation of As concentrations were observed in different wood planks of the same age, on the surface of the same piece of wood, inside the same piece of wood, and different surfaces of walkway planks, hand rails and poles in the field. The oldest planks exhibited high As concentrations, which was related to its original treatment with high retention of CCA preservative. The effect of immersion in the field for about 4 months was insignificant for As concentration on the surfaces. However, a significant reduction of As was observed for immersion combined with human footfall (wiping by shoes). Human traffic in general caused slightly reduced and more evenly distributed As concentrations on the wood surfaces. The strong variation, slow aging and relatively weak immersion effects found in this study demonstrate that the in-service CCA-treated wood poses potential health risks to the park users, due to easy dermal contact especially when the wood is wet after rainfall. It is suggested that further comprehensive investigations and risk assessments of CCA-treated wood in residential areas in China are needed, and precautionary measures should be considered to reduce the potential risks to residents and visitors, especially children.

Curcumin-mediated regulation of Notch1/hairy and enhancer of split-1/survivin: molecular targeting in cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Koprowski, Steven; Sokolowski, Kevin; Kunnimalaiyaan, Selvi; Gamblin, T Clark; Kunnimalaiyaan, Muthusamy

2015-10-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is highly malignant and characterized by poor prognosis with chemotherapeutic resistance. Therefore, continued development of novel, effective approaches are needed. Notch expression is markedly upregulated in CCA, but the utility of Notch1 inhibition is not defined. Based on recent findings, we hypothesized that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical, suppresses CCA growth in vitro via inhibition of Notch1 signaling. Established CCA cell lines CCLP-1 and SG-231 were treated with varying concentrations of curcumin (0-20 μM). Viability was assessed through 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and clonogenic assays. Evaluation of apoptosis was determined via Western analysis for apoptotic markers and Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay. Cell lysates were further analyzed via Western blotting for Notch1/HES-1/survivin pathway expression, cell cycle progression, and survival. Curcumin-treated CCA cells exhibited reduced viability compared with control treatment. Statistically significant reductions in cell viability were observed with curcumin treatment at concentrations of 7.5, 10, and 15 μM by approximately 10%, 48%, and 56% for CCLP-1 and 13%, 25%, and 50% for SG-231, respectively. On Western analysis, concentrations of ≥10 μM showed reductions in Notch1, HES-1, and survivin. Apoptosis was evidenced by an increase in expression of cleaved poly [ADP] ribose polymerase and an increase in caspase activity. Cyclin D1 (cell cycle progression) expression levels were also reduced with treatment. Curcumin effectively induces CCA (CCLP-1 and SG-231) growth suppression and apoptosis at relatively low treatment concentrations when compared with the previous research. A concomitant reduction of Notch1, HES-1, and survivin expression in CCA cell lines provides novel evidence for a potential antitumorigenic mechanism-of-action. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing reduction in HES-1 expression via protein analysis after treatment with curcumin. Such findings merit further investigation of curcumin-mediated inhibition of Notch signaling in CCA either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clear cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: clinical characteristics and feasibility of fertility-preserving treatment.

PubMed

Jiang, Xiang; Jin, Ying; Li, Yan; Huang, Hui-Fang; Wu, Ming; Shen, Keng; Pan, Ling-Ya

2014-01-01

The objective of this retrospective study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) in the post-diethylstilbestrol (DES) era and to evaluate the feasibility of fertility-preserving treatment. The records of 32 patients with CCAs who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 1986 to June 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Three of the patients had undergone fertility-preserving treatment. The incidence of CCA among cervical adenocarcinomas was 15.2%. The median age was 38 years: 11 patients (34.4%) were diagnosed before 30 years of age and two (6.3%) after 70 years of age. Ten patients (31.2%) were nulliparous. No patient had been exposed to DES. Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) presented with obvious symptoms, and the cervix appeared abnormal in 26 patients (81.3%). Cervical Papanicolaou (Pap) tests were abnormal in all four patients in whom they were performed (three had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and one had atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance). The distribution by stage was 56.3% stage I, 34.4% stage II, 6.3% stage III, and 3.1% stage IV. Treatments mainly included surgery for patients with stage I to IIA CCA and radiochemotherapy for patients with advanced CCA. The overall 5-year progression-free survival was 72.2%. Patients with stage I to IIA CCA had better 5-year progression-free survival than did patients with stage IIB to IV CCA (81.5% versus 40.0%, P=0.003). The three patients who had undergone fertility-preserving treatment had no recurrences. CCA may also affect adolescents and children without prior DES exposure, who are often misdiagnosed as having functional uterine bleeding. Radiotherapy appears to be effective for local control but to have no effect on distant recurrences. In our study, the prognosis of patients with early-stage CCA, including those who had undergone fertility-preserving treatment, was not inferior to that of patients with other types of cervical adenocarcinoma.

Natural durability of tropical and native woods against termite damage by Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar)

Treesearch

Rachel A. Arango; Frederick Green; Kristina Hintz; Patricia K. Lebow; Regis B. Miller

2006-01-01

Environmental pressure has resulted in voluntary removal of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from wood preservatives in residential applications in the United States. A new generation of copper organic preservatives was formulated as replacements, but these preservatives may not provide a permanent solution to all related problems. Some of these issues include concern...

25 CFR 152.7 - Application for certificate of competency.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 25 Indians 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Application for certificate of competency. 152.7 Section... IN FEE, CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY, REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS, AND SALE OF CERTAIN INDIAN LANDS Issuing Patents in Fee, Certificates of Competency Or Orders Removing Restrictions § 152.7 Application for...

13 CFR 120.810 - Applications for certification as a CDC.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... a CDC. 120.810 Section 120.810 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Development Company Loan Program (504) Certification Procedures to Become A Cdc § 120.810 Applications for certification as a CDC. (a) An applicant for certification as a CDC must apply to the SBA...

13 CFR 120.810 - Applications for certification as a CDC.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... a CDC. 120.810 Section 120.810 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Development Company Loan Program (504) Certification Procedures to Become A Cdc § 120.810 Applications for certification as a CDC. (a) An applicant for certification as a CDC must apply to the SBA...

13 CFR 120.810 - Applications for certification as a CDC.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... a CDC. 120.810 Section 120.810 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Development Company Loan Program (504) Certification Procedures to Become A Cdc § 120.810 Applications for certification as a CDC. (a) An applicant for certification as a CDC must apply to the SBA...

13 CFR 120.810 - Applications for certification as a CDC.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... a CDC. 120.810 Section 120.810 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS LOANS Development Company Loan Program (504) Certification Procedures to Become A Cdc § 120.810 Applications for certification as a CDC. (a) An applicant for certification as a CDC must apply to the SBA...

77 FR 2348 - Agency Information Collection (Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-17

... (Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees): Activity Under OMB Review AGENCY... INFORMATION: Title: Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees, (38 U.S.C. Chapters... to request reimbursement of licensing or certification fees paid. An agency may not conduct or...

Multiset canonical correlations analysis and multispectral, truly multitemporal remote sensing data.

PubMed

Nielsen, Allan Aasbjerg

2002-01-01

This paper describes two- and multiset canonical correlations analysis (CCA) for data fusion, multisource, multiset, or multitemporal exploratory data analysis. These techniques transform multivariate multiset data into new orthogonal variables called canonical variates (CVs) which, when applied in remote sensing, exhibit ever-decreasing similarity (as expressed by correlation measures) over sets consisting of 1) spectral variables at fixed points in time (R-mode analysis), or 2) temporal variables with fixed wavelengths (T-mode analysis). The CVs are invariant to linear and affine transformations of the original variables within sets which means, for example, that the R-mode CVs are insensitive to changes over time in offset and gain in a measuring device. In a case study, CVs are calculated from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data with six spectral bands over six consecutive years. Both Rand T-mode CVs clearly exhibit the desired characteristic: they show maximum similarity for the low-order canonical variates and minimum similarity for the high-order canonical variates. These characteristics are seen both visually and in objective measures. The results from the multiset CCA R- and T-mode analyses are very different. This difference is ascribed to the noise structure in the data. The CCA methods are related to partial least squares (PLS) methods. This paper very briefly describes multiset CCA-based multiset PLS. Also, the CCA methods can be applied as multivariate extensions to empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) techniques. Multiset CCA is well-suited for inclusion in geographical information systems (GIS).

Compound C induces protective autophagy in human cholangiocarcinoma cells via Akt/mTOR-independent pathway.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiaofang; Luo, Guosong; Cheng, Ying; Yu, Wenjing; Chen, Run; Xiao, Bin; Xiang, Yuancai; Feng, Chunhong; Fu, Wenguang; Duan, Chunyan; Yao, Fuli; Xia, Xianming; Tao, Qinghua; Wei, Mei; Dai, Rongyang

2018-07-01

Compound C, a well-known inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), has been reported to exert antitumor activities in some types of cells. Whether compound C can exert antitumor effects in human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that compound C is a potent inducer of cell death and autophagy in human CCA cells. Autophagy inhibitors increased the cytotoxicity of compound C towards human CCA cells, as confirmed by increased LDH release, and PARP cleavage. It is notable that compound C treatment increased phosphorylated Akt, sustained high levels of phosphorylated p70S6K, and decreased mTOR regulated p-ULK1 (ser757). Based on the data that blocking PI3K/Akt or mTOR had no apparent influence on autophagic response, we suggest that compound C induces autophagy independent of Akt/mTOR signaling in human CCA cells. Further study demonstrated that compound C inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK and its target c-Jun. Blocking JNK by SP600125 or siRNA suppressed autophagy induction upon compound C treatment. Moreover, compound C induced p38 MAPK activation, and its inhibition promoted autophagy induction via JNK activation. In addition, compound C induced p53 expression, and its inhibition attenuated compound C-induced autophagic response. Thus, compound C triggers autophagy, at least in part, via the JNK and p53 pathways in human CCA cells. In conclusion, suppresses autophagy could increase compound C sensitivity in human CCA. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Plant chimeric Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Role of the neural visinin-like domain in regulating autophosphorylation and calmodulin affinity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sathyanarayanan, P. V.; Cremo, C. R.; Poovaiah, B. W.

2000-01-01

Chimeric Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) is characterized by a serine-threonine kinase domain, an autoinhibitory domain, a calmodulin-binding domain and a neural visinin-like domain with three EF-hands. The neural visinin-like Ca(2+)-binding domain at the C-terminal end of the CaM-binding domain makes CCaMK unique among all the known calmodulin-dependent kinases. Biological functions of the plant visinin-like proteins or visinin-like domains in plant proteins are not well known. Using EF-hand deletions in the visinin-like domain, we found that the visinin-like domain regulated Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation of CCaMK. To investigate the effects of Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation on the interaction with calmodulin, the equilibrium binding constants of CCaMK were measured by fluorescence emission anisotropy using dansylated calmodulin. Binding was 8-fold tighter after Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation. This shift in affinity did not occur in CCaMK deletion mutants lacking Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation. A variable calmodulin affinity regulated by Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation mediated through the visinin-like domain is a new regulatory mechanism for CCaMK activation and calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. Our experiments demonstrate the existence of two functional molecular switches in a protein kinase regulating the kinase activity, namely a visinin-like domain acting as a Ca(2+)-triggered switch and a CaM-binding domain acting as an autophosphorylation-triggered molecular switch.

21 CFR 1311.300 - Application provider requirements-Third-party audits or certifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... pharmacy application must have a third-party audit of the application that determines that the application... prescription or pharmacy application meets the requirements of this part, certification by that organization... application provider must make the audit or certification report available to any practitioner or pharmacy...

21 CFR 1311.300 - Application provider requirements-Third-party audits or certifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... pharmacy application must have a third-party audit of the application that determines that the application... prescription or pharmacy application meets the requirements of this part, certification by that organization... application provider must make the audit or certification report available to any practitioner or pharmacy...

21 CFR 1311.300 - Application provider requirements-Third-party audits or certifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... pharmacy application must have a third-party audit of the application that determines that the application... prescription or pharmacy application meets the requirements of this part, certification by that organization... application provider must make the audit or certification report available to any practitioner or pharmacy...

21 CFR 1311.300 - Application provider requirements-Third-party audits or certifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... pharmacy application must have a third-party audit of the application that determines that the application... prescription or pharmacy application meets the requirements of this part, certification by that organization... application provider must make the audit or certification report available to any practitioner or pharmacy...

21 CFR 1311.300 - Application provider requirements-Third-party audits or certifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... application or a pharmacy application must have a third-party audit of the application that determines that... electronic prescription or pharmacy application meets the requirements of this part, certification by that... application provider must make the audit or certification report available to any practitioner or pharmacy...

Hyperinsulin therapy for calcium channel antagonist poisoning: a seven-year retrospective study.

PubMed

Espinoza, Tamara R; Bryant, Sean M; Aks, Steve E

2013-01-01

The use of hyperinsulin therapy (HIT) in severe calcium channel antagonist (CCA) poisoning has become a more common therapy within the last decade. The objective of this study is to report 7 years of experience recommending HIT. This was a retrospective chart review utilizing our regional poison center (RPC) data from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2008. All cases of CCA poisoning receiving HIT were searched. Endpoints included the number of CCA cases utilizing HIT, insulin dose, time of initiation of HIT, patient outcome, adverse events, age, glucose concentration, and lowest systolic blood pressure recorded. Forty-six cases of CCA poisoning were managed with HIT over 7 years. All the patients received standard antidotal therapy (= intravenous fluids, calcium salts, glucagon, and pressors). HIT administration followed our RPC recommendation 23 times (50%), and no hypoglycemic events occurred. Means (age, highest glucose measured, and lowest systolic blood pressure measured) were 51 years, 282 mg/dL, and 74 mm Hg, respectively. Our RPC recommendations for HIT were followed 50% of the time over the last 7 years. In light of the lack of hypoglycemia associated with HIT in our study population, we recommend HIT as an early and safe antidote in significant CCA poisoning.

Narrowing the broader autism phenotype: a study using the Communication Checklist-Adult Version (CC-A).

PubMed

Whitehouse, Andrew J O; Coon, Hilary; Miller, Judith; Salisbury, Bryanna; Bishop, Dorothy V M

2010-11-01

This study investigated whether the Communication Checklist - Adult (CC-A) could identify subtypes of social and communication dysfunction in autism probands and their parents. The CC-A is divided into subscales measuring linguistic ability as well as two aspects of social communication: the Pragmatic Skills subscale assesses the level of pragmatic oddities (e.g. excessive talking), while the Social Engagement subscale picks up on those behaviours that reflect a more passive communication style (e.g. failure to engage in social interactions). CC-A data were collected for 69 autism probands, 238 parents of autism probands and 187 typical participants. The CC-A proved sensitive to the communication difficulties of autism probands and a proportion of their parents. The majority of parents who demonstrated the broader phenotype scored poorly on either the Pragmatic Skills or Social Engagement scale only. The Social Engagement scale was particularly sensitive to the difficulties of the parents, indicating that social-communicative passivity may be an important part of the broader autism phenotype. The findings provide evidence for the existence of more constrained pragmatic phenotypes in autism. Molecular genetic studies in this area may benefit from stratifying samples according to these phenotypes.

Boat noise prevents soundscape-based habitat selection by coral planulae.

PubMed

Lecchini, David; Bertucci, Frédéric; Gache, Camille; Khalife, Adam; Besson, Marc; Roux, Natacha; Berthe, Cecile; Singh, Shubha; Parmentier, Eric; Nugues, Maggy M; Brooker, Rohan M; Dixson, Danielle L; Hédouin, Laetitia

2018-06-18

Understanding the relationship between coral reef condition and recruitment potential is vital for the development of effective management strategies that maintain coral cover and biodiversity. Coral larvae (planulae) have been shown to use certain sensory cues to orient towards settlement habitats (e.g. the odour of live crustose coralline algae - CCA). However, the influence of auditory cues on coral recruitment, and any effect of anthropogenic noise on this process, remain largely unknown. Here, we determined the effect of protected reef (MPA), exploited reef (non-MPA) soundscapes, and a source of anthropogenic noise (boat) on the habitat preference for live CCA over dead CCA in the planula of two common Indo-Pacific coral species (Pocillopora damicornis and Acropora cytherea). Soundscapes from protected reefs significantly increased the phonotaxis of planulae of both species towards live CCA, especially when compared to boat noise. Boat noise playback prevented this preferential selection of live CCA as a settlement substrate. These results suggest that sources of anthropogenic noise such as motor boat can disrupt the settlement behaviours of coral planulae. Acoustic cues should be accounted for when developing management strategies aimed at maximizing larval recruitment to coral reefs.

45 CFR 170.520 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.520 Application. Applicants must...

45 CFR 170.520 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.520 Application. Applicants must...

15 CFR 995.10 - Correspondence and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTORS OF NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Certification and Procedures § 995.10 Correspondence and applications. (a) Distributors or value-added distributors desiring certification from NOAA shall provide a...

15 CFR 995.10 - Correspondence and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTORS OF NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Certification and Procedures § 995.10 Correspondence and applications. (a) Distributors or value-added distributors desiring certification from NOAA shall provide a...

15 CFR 995.10 - Correspondence and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTORS OF NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Certification and Procedures § 995.10 Correspondence and applications. (a) Distributors or value-added distributors desiring certification from NOAA shall provide a...

15 CFR 995.10 - Correspondence and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTORS OF NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Certification and Procedures § 995.10 Correspondence and applications. (a) Distributors or value-added distributors desiring certification from NOAA shall provide a...

15 CFR 995.10 - Correspondence and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTORS OF NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC PRODUCTS Certification and Procedures § 995.10 Correspondence and applications. (a) Distributors or value-added distributors desiring certification from NOAA shall provide a...

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness is as good as carotid intima-media thickness of all carotid artery segments in improving prediction of coronary heart disease risk in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

PubMed

Nambi, Vijay; Chambless, Lloyd; He, Max; Folsom, Aaron R; Mosley, Tom; Boerwinkle, Eric; Ballantyne, Christie M

2012-01-01

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and plaque information can improve coronary heart disease (CHD) risk prediction when added to traditional risk factors (TRF). However, obtaining adequate images of all carotid artery segments (A-CIMT) may be difficult. Of A-CIMT, the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) is relatively more reliable and easier to measure. We evaluated whether CCA-IMT is comparable to A-CIMT when added to TRF and plaque information in improving CHD risk prediction in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Ten-year CHD risk prediction models using TRF alone, TRF + A-CIMT + plaque, and TRF + CCA-IMT + plaque were developed for the overall cohort, men, and women. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC), per cent individuals reclassified, net reclassification index (NRI), and model calibration by the Grønnesby-Borgan test were estimated. There were 1722 incident CHD events in 12 576 individuals over a mean follow-up of 15.2 years. The AUC for TRF only, TRF + A-CIMT + plaque, and TRF + CCA-IMT + plaque models were 0.741, 0.754, and 0.753, respectively. Although there was some discordance when the CCA-IMT + plaque- and A-CIMT + plaque-based risk estimation was compared, the NRI and clinical NRI (NRI in the intermediate-risk group) when comparing the CIMT models with TRF-only model, per cent reclassified, and test for model calibration were not significantly different. Coronary heart disease risk prediction can be improved by adding A-CIMT + plaque or CCA-IMT + plaque information to TRF. Therefore, evaluating the carotid artery for plaque presence and measuring CCA-IMT, which is easier and more reliable than measuring A-CIMT, provide a good alternative to measuring A-CIMT for CHD risk prediction.

SYNERGISTIC WOOD PRESERVATIVES FOR REPLACEMENT OF CCA

EPA Science Inventory

The objective of this project was to evaluate the potential synergistic combinations of environmentally-safe biocides as wood preservatives. These wood preservatives could be potential replacements for the heavy-metal based CCA.

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride [DDAC] was...

Using recycled concrete in MDOT's transportation infrastructure : manual of practice.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-08-01

"Crushed concrete aggregate (CCA) is granular material manufactured by removing, crushing, and : processing old concrete for reuse as an aggregate source in new construction. Although the Michigan : Department of Transportation (MDOT) has used CCA si...

Targeted therapy in biliary tract cancers-current limitations and potentials in the future.

PubMed

Sahu, Selley; Sun, Weijing

2017-04-01

Biliary tract cancers (BTC)/Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive biliary tract epithelial malignancy from varying locations within the biliary tree with cholangiocyte depreciation., including intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) (iCCA), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA) and gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). The disease is largely heterogeneous in etiology, epidemiology, and molecular profile. There are limited treatment options and low survival rates for those patients with advanced or metastatic disease. Systemic treatment is confined to cytotoxic chemotherapy with the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin. Lack of a stereotype genetic signature makes difficult in identification of potential actionable target directly, which may also explain lack of obvious clinic benefit with target oriented agents from current studies. It is crucial to understand of BTC carcinogenesis, tumor-stroma interactions, and key molecular pathways, and herald to establish targeted, individualized therapies for the heterogeneous disease, and eventually to improve the survival and overall outcome of patients.

A Canonical Ensemble Correlation Prediction Model for Seasonal Precipitation Anomaly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, Samuel S. P.; Lau, William K. M.; Kim, Kyu-Myong; Li, Guilong

2001-01-01

This report describes an optimal ensemble forecasting model for seasonal precipitation and its error estimation. Each individual forecast is based on the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) in the spectral spaces whose bases are empirical orthogonal functions (EOF). The optimal weights in the ensemble forecasting crucially depend on the mean square error of each individual forecast. An estimate of the mean square error of a CCA prediction is made also using the spectral method. The error is decomposed onto EOFs of the predictand and decreases linearly according to the correlation between the predictor and predictand. This new CCA model includes the following features: (1) the use of area-factor, (2) the estimation of prediction error, and (3) the optimal ensemble of multiple forecasts. The new CCA model is applied to the seasonal forecasting of the United States precipitation field. The predictor is the sea surface temperature.

Investigating weaknesses in Android certificate security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krych, Daniel E.; Lange-Maney, Stephen; McDaniel, Patrick; Glodek, William

2015-05-01

Android's application market relies on secure certificate generation to establish trust between applications and their users; yet, cryptography is often not a priority for application developers and many fail to take the necessary security precautions. Indeed, there is cause for concern: several recent high-profile studies have observed a pervasive lack of entropy on Web-systems leading to the factorization of private keys.1 Sufficient entropy, or randomness, is essential to generate secure key pairs and combat predictable key generation. In this paper, we analyze the security of Android certificates. We investigate the entropy present in 550,000 Android application certificates using the Quasilinear GCD finding algorithm.1 Our results show that while the lack of entropy does not appear to be as ubiquitous in the mobile markets as on Web-systems, there is substantial reuse of certificates only one third of the certificates in our dataset were unique. In other words, we find that organizations frequently reuse certificates for different applications. While such a practice is acceptable under Google's specifications for a single developer, we find that in some cases the same certificates are used for a myriad of developers, potentially compromising Android's intended trust relationships. Further, we observed duplicate certificates being used by both malicious and non-malicious applications. The top 3 repeated certificates present in our dataset accounted for a total of 11,438 separate APKs. Of these applications, 451, or roughly 4%, were identified as malicious by antivirus services.

76 FR 37045 - Synchronizing the Expiration Dates of EPA Pesticide Applicator Certificates With the Underlying...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... the agency taking this action? Section 171.11(e) states that an EPA Federal certificate based on a... Tribal certification plan in effect. * * * * * (e) Recognition of other certificates. The Administrator... Synchronizing the Expiration Dates of EPA Pesticide Applicator Certificates With the Underlying State or Tribal...

20 CFR 655.1301 - Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. 655.1301 Section 655.1301 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING... Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. (a) Application filing requirements. (1) An...

20 CFR 655.1301 - Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. 655.1301 Section 655.1301 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING... Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. (a) Application filing requirements. (1) An...

20 CFR 655.1301 - Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. 655.1301 Section 655.1301 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING... Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. (a) Application filing requirements. (1) An...

20 CFR 655.1301 - Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. 655.1301 Section 655.1301 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING... Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. (a) Application filing requirements. (1) An...

20 CFR 655.1301 - Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. 655.1301 Section 655.1301 Employees' Benefits EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING... Applications for temporary employment certification in agriculture. (a) Application filing requirements. (1) An...

Pest and pesticide management on southern forests

Treesearch

James H. Miller; Ken L. McNabb; Brad Barber; Larry M. Bishop; Michael L. Thompson; John W. Taylor

1994-01-01

Federal law requires certification for all commercial pesticide applicators. The law also requires private applicator certification for the purchase or application of "restricted use" pesticides. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set minimum competency standards for certification of pesticide applicators. These standards include a practical...

20 CFR 655.201 - Temporary labor certification applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 20 Employees' Benefits 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Temporary labor certification applications... applications. (a)(1) An employer who anticipates a labor shortage of workers for agricultural or logging... an agent file, in duplicate, a temporary labor certification application, signed by the employer...

Cerebral watershed infarcts may be induced by hemodynamic changes in blood flow.

PubMed

Shi, Jingfei; Meng, Ran; Konakondla, Sanjay; Ding, Yuchuan; Duan, Yunxia; Wu, Di; Wang, Bincheng; Luo, Yinghao; Ji, Xunming

2017-06-01

A watershed infarct is defined as an ischemic lesion at the border zones between territories of two major arteries. The pathogenesis of watershed infarcts, specifically whether they are caused by hemodynamic or embolic mechanisms, has long been debated. In this study, we aimed to examine whether watershed infarcts can be induced by altering the hemodynamic conditions in rats. In phase one, to determine the proper clamping duration for a reproducible infarct, 30 rats were equally divided into 5 subgroups and underwent bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) clamping for different durations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 hours). In phase two, to analyze the types of infarcts induced by bilateral CCA clamping, 40 rats were subjected to bilateral CCA clamping for 2 hours. As a control, 8 rats underwent all the operation procedures except bilateral CCA clamping. We performed 7.0T magnetic resonance imaging on the surviving rats on the second day to evaluate the extent of the infarcts. We further identified and examined the infarcts with brain slices stained using 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) on the third day. After 2 hours of bilateral CCA clamping, cerebral infarction occurred in 42% of surviving rats (13/31). The majority of the ischemic lesions were located in watershed regions of the brain, demonstrated by both MRI and TTC staining. Watershed infarcts were induced through changing hemodynamic conditions by bilateral CCA clamping in rats. This method may lead to the development of a reliable rodent model for watershed infarcts.

MART-10 represses cholangiocarcinoma cell growth and high vitamin D receptor expression indicates better prognosis for cholangiocarcinoma

PubMed Central

Chiang, Kun-Chun; Yeh, Ta-Sen; Huang, Cheng-Cheng; Chang, Yu-Chan; Juang, Horng-Heng; Cheng, Chi-Tung; Pang, Jong-Hwei S.; Hsu, Jun-Te; Takano, Masashi; Chen, Tai C.; Kittaka, Atsushi; Hsiao, Michael; Yeh, Chun-Nan

2017-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a devastating disease due to no effective treatments available. Since the non-mineral functions of vitamin D emerges, 1α,25(OH)2D3, the active form of vitamin D, has been applied in anti-cancer researches. In this study, we demonstrated that both the 1α,25(OH)2D3 analog, MART-10, and 1α,25(OH)2D3 possessed anti-growth effect on human CCA cells with MART-10 much more potent than 1α,25(OH)2D3. The growth inhibition of both drugs were mediated by induction of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest through upregulation of p27 and downregulation of CDK4, CDK6, and cyclin D3. Human neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) was found to be involved in 1α,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 meditated growth inhibition for CCA as knockdown of NGAL decreased Ki-67 expression in SNU308 cells and rendered SNU308 cells less responsive to 1α,25(OH)2D3 and MART-10 treatment. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockdown partly abolished MART-10-induced inhibition of NGAL and cell growth in SNU308 cells. The xenograft animal study demonstrated MART-10 could effectively repressed CCA growth in vivo without inducing obvious side effects. The IHC examination of human CCA specimen for VDR revealed that higher VDR expression was linked with better prognosis. Collectively, our results suggest that MART-10 could be a promising regimen for CCA treatment. PMID:28256614

Evaluating endothelial function of the common carotid artery: an in vivo human model.

PubMed

Mazzucco, S; Bifari, F; Trombetta, M; Guidi, G C; Mazzi, M; Anzola, G P; Rizzuto, N; Bonadonna, R

2009-03-01

Flow mediated dilation (FMD) of peripheral conduit arteries is a well-established tool to evaluate endothelial function. The aims of this study are to apply the FMD model to cerebral circulation by using acetazolamide (ACZ)-induced intracranial vasodilation as a stimulus to increase common carotid artery (CCA) diameter in response to a local increase of blood flow velocity (BFV). In 15 healthy subjects, CCA end-diastolic diameter and BFV, middle cerebral artery (MCA) BFV and mean arterial blood pressure (MBP) were measured at basal conditions, after an intravenous bolus of 1g ACZ, and after placebo (saline) sublingual administration at the 15th and 20th minute. In a separate session, the same parameters were evaluated after placebo (saline) infusion instead of ACZ and after 10 microg/m(2) bs and 300 microg of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), administered sublingually, at the 15th and 20th minute, respectively. After ACZ bolus, there was a 35% maximal MCA mean BFV increment (14th minute), together with a 22% increase of mean CCA end-diastolic BFV and a CCA diameter increment of 3.9% at the 3rd minute (p=0.024). There were no MBP significant variations up to the 15th minute (p=0.35). After GTN administration, there was a significant increment in CCA diameter (p<0.00001). ACZ causes a detectable CCA dilation in healthy individuals concomitantly with an increase in BFV. Upon demonstration that this phenomenon is endothelium dependent, this experimental model might become a valuable tool to assess endothelial function in the carotid artery.

Whole-Genome and Epigenomic Landscapes of Etiologically Distinct Subtypes of Cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Jusakul, Apinya; Cutcutache, Ioana; Yong, Chern Han; Lim, Jing Quan; Huang, Mi Ni; Padmanabhan, Nisha; Nellore, Vishwa; Kongpetch, Sarinya; Ng, Alvin Wei Tian; Ng, Ley Moy; Choo, Su Pin; Myint, Swe Swe; Thanan, Raynoo; Nagarajan, Sanjanaa; Lim, Weng Khong; Ng, Cedric Chuan Young; Boot, Arnoud; Liu, Mo; Ong, Choon Kiat; Rajasegaran, Vikneswari; Lie, Stefanus; Lim, Alvin Soon Tiong; Lim, Tse Hui; Tan, Jing; Loh, Jia Liang; McPherson, John R; Khuntikeo, Narong; Bhudhisawasdi, Vajaraphongsa; Yongvanit, Puangrat; Wongkham, Sopit; Totoki, Yasushi; Nakamura, Hiromi; Arai, Yasuhito; Yamasaki, Satoshi; Chow, Pierce Kah-Hoe; Chung, Alexander Yaw Fui; Ooi, London Lucien Peng Jin; Lim, Kiat Hon; Dima, Simona; Duda, Dan G; Popescu, Irinel; Broet, Philippe; Hsieh, Sen-Yung; Yu, Ming-Chin; Scarpa, Aldo; Lai, Jiaming; Luo, Di-Xian; Carvalho, André Lopes; Vettore, André Luiz; Rhee, Hyungjin; Park, Young Nyun; Alexandrov, Ludmil B; Gordân, Raluca; Rozen, Steven G; Shibata, Tatsuhiro; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Teh, Bin Tean; Tan, Patrick

2017-10-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy exhibiting high incidence in countries with endemic liver-fluke infection. We analyzed 489 CCAs from 10 countries, combining whole-genome (71 cases), targeted/exome, copy-number, gene expression, and DNA methylation information. Integrative clustering defined 4 CCA clusters-fluke-positive CCAs (clusters 1/2) are enriched in ERBB2 amplifications and TP53 mutations; conversely, fluke-negative CCAs (clusters 3/4) exhibit high copy-number alterations and PD-1 / PD-L2 expression, or epigenetic mutations ( IDH1/2, BAP1 ) and FGFR / PRKA -related gene rearrangements. Whole-genome analysis highlighted FGFR2 3' untranslated region deletion as a mechanism of FGFR2 upregulation. Integration of noncoding promoter mutations with protein-DNA binding profiles demonstrates pervasive modulation of H3K27me3-associated sites in CCA. Clusters 1 and 4 exhibit distinct DNA hypermethylation patterns targeting either CpG islands or shores-mutation signature and subclonality analysis suggests that these reflect different mutational pathways. Our results exemplify how genetics, epigenetics, and environmental carcinogens can interplay across different geographies to generate distinct molecular subtypes of cancer. Significance: Integrated whole-genome and epigenomic analysis of CCA on an international scale identifies new CCA driver genes, noncoding promoter mutations, and structural variants. CCA molecular landscapes differ radically by etiology, underscoring how distinct cancer subtypes in the same organ may arise through different extrinsic and intrinsic carcinogenic processes. Cancer Discov; 7(10); 1116-35. ©2017 AACR. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1047 . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

Estimation of the Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma in Songkhla, Thailand, 1989-2013, Using Multiple Imputation Method.

PubMed

Yeesoonsang, Seesai; Bilheem, Surichai; McNeil, Edward; Iamsirithaworn, Sophon; Jiraphongsa, Chuleeporn; Sriplung, Hutcha

2017-01-01

Histological specimens are not required for diagnosis of liver and bile duct (LBD) cancer, resulting in a high percentage of unknown histologies. We compared estimates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) incidences by imputing these unknown histologies. A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Songkhla Cancer Registry, southern Thailand, from 1989 to 2013. Multivariate imputation by chained equations (mice) was used in re-classification of the unknown histologies. Age-standardized rates (ASR) of HCC and CCA by sex were calculated and the trends were compared. Of 2,387 LBD cases, 61% had unknown histology. After imputation, the ASR of HCC in males during 1989 to 2007 increased from 4 to 10 per 100,000 and then decreased after 2007. The ASR of CCA increased from 2 to 5.5 per 100,000, and the ASR of HCC in females decreased from 1.5 in 2009 to 1.3 in 2013 and that of CCA increased from less than 1 to 1.9 per 100,000 by 2013. of complete case analysis showed somewhat similar, although less dramatic, trends. In Songkhla, the incidence of CCA appears to be stable after increasing for 20 years whereas the incidence of HCC is now declining. The decline in incidence of HCC among males since 2007 is probably due to implementation of the hepatitis B virus vaccine in the 1990s. The rise in incidence of CCA is a concern and highlights the need for case control studies to elucidate the risk factors.

Calcium-stimulated autophosphorylation site of plant chimeric calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sathyanarayanan, P. V.; Siems, W. F.; Jones, J. P.; Poovaiah, B. W.

2001-01-01

The existence of two molecular switches regulating plant chimeric Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK), namely the C-terminal visinin-like domain acting as Ca(2+)-sensitive molecular switch and calmodulin binding domain acting as Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation-sensitive molecular switch, has been described (Sathyanarayanan, P. V., Cremo, C. R., and Poovaiah, B. W. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 30417-30422). Here we report the identification of Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation site of CCaMK by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry. Thr(267) was confirmed as the Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation site by post-source decay experiments and by site-directed mutagenesis. The purified T267A mutant form of CCaMK did not show Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation, autophosphorylation-dependent variable calmodulin affinity, or Ca(2+)/calmodulin stimulation of kinase activity. Sequence comparison of CCaMK from monocotyledonous plant (lily) and dicotyledonous plant (tobacco) suggests that the autophosphorylation site is conserved. This is the first identification of a phosphorylation site specifically responding to activation by second messenger system (Ca(2+) messenger system) in plants. Homology modeling of the kinase and calmodulin binding domain of CCaMK with the crystal structure of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 1 suggests that the Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation site is located on the surface of the kinase and far from the catalytic site. Analysis of Ca(2+)-stimulated autophosphorylation with increasing concentration of CCaMK indicates the possibility that the Ca(2+)-stimulated phosphorylation occurs by an intermolecular mechanism.

75 FR 65703 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-26

... Applications, or Motion to Modify Scope:November 4, 2010. Description:Joint application of Centurion Air Cargo... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Notice of Applications for Certificates of...)During the Week Ending October 16, 2010 The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

aPKC-ι/P-Sp1/Snail signaling induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and immunosuppression in cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Qian, Yawei; Yao, Wei; Yang, Tao; Yang, Yan; Liu, Yan; Shen, Qi; Zhang, Jian; Qi, Weipeng; Wang, Jianming

2017-10-01

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly malignant bile duct cancer that tends to invade and metastasize early. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in cancer cell invasion and metastasis, as well as in cancer cell evasion of host immunity. In this study, we investigated the interaction between atypical protein kinase C-iota (aPKC-ι) and Snail in the regulation of EMT and its relationship to CCA immunosuppression. Our results demonstrated that aPKC-ι, Snail, and infiltrated immunosuppressive cells were significantly up-regulated in CCA tumor tissues and linked to poor prognosis. aPKC-ι induced EMT and immunosuppression by regulating Snail in vitro and in vivo, although aPKC-ι did not directly interact with Snail in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. To further clarify the molecular interaction between aPKC-ι and Snail in relation to EMT, quantitative iTRAQ-based phosphoproteomic analysis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were conducted to identify the substrates of aPKC-ι-dependent phosphorylation. Combined with coimmunoprecipitation, we showed that specificity protein 1 (Sp1) was directly phosphorylated by aPKC-ι on Ser59 (P-Sp1). Both Sp1 and P-Sp1 were up-regulated in CCA tumor tissues and associated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in CCA patients. Moreover, using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we found that P-Sp1 regulated Snail expression by increasing Sp1 binding to the Snail promoter. P-Sp1 also regulated aPKC-ι/Snail-induced EMT-like changes and immunosuppression in CCA cells. Our findings further indicated that CCA cells with EMT-like features appear to generate immunosuppressive natural T regulatory-like cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4 + )CD25 - cells rather than to increase CD4 + CD25 + natural T regulatory cells, in part by mediating T regulatory-inducible cytokines such as transforming growth factor β1 and interleukin 2. These results demonstrate that aPKC-ι promotes EMT and induces immunosuppression through the aPKC-ι/P-Sp1/Snail signaling pathway and may be a potential therapeutic target for CCA. (Hepatology 2017;66:1165-1182). © 2017 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

14 CFR 65.67 - Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Aircraft dispatcher certification courses....67 Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel. (a) Each applicant for an aircraft dispatcher certification course must meet the following personnel requirements: (1) Each applicant must have...

14 CFR 65.67 - Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Aircraft dispatcher certification courses....67 Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel. (a) Each applicant for an aircraft dispatcher certification course must meet the following personnel requirements: (1) Each applicant must have...

14 CFR 65.67 - Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Aircraft dispatcher certification courses....67 Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel. (a) Each applicant for an aircraft dispatcher certification course must meet the following personnel requirements: (1) Each applicant must have...

14 CFR 65.67 - Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Aircraft dispatcher certification courses....67 Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel. (a) Each applicant for an aircraft dispatcher certification course must meet the following personnel requirements: (1) Each applicant must have...

14 CFR 65.67 - Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Aircraft dispatcher certification courses....67 Aircraft dispatcher certification courses: Personnel. (a) Each applicant for an aircraft dispatcher certification course must meet the following personnel requirements: (1) Each applicant must have...

15 CFR 2011.205 - Application for a specialty sugar certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Application for a specialty sugar... SUGARS, SYRUPS AND MOLASSES Specialty Sugar § 2011.205 Application for a specialty sugar certificate. Applicants for certificates for the import of specialty sugars must apply in writing to the Certifying...

15 CFR 2011.205 - Application for a specialty sugar certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Application for a specialty sugar... SUGARS, SYRUPS AND MOLASSES Specialty Sugar § 2011.205 Application for a specialty sugar certificate. Applicants for certificates for the import of specialty sugars must apply in writing to the Certifying...

75 FR 22891 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-30

...: Application of Open Joint Stock Company Transaero Airlines (``Transaero'') requesting an foreign air carrier... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Notice of Applications for Certificates of... Q) During the Week Ending April 17, 2010 The following Applications for Certificates of Public...

77 FR 68196 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-15

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15 CFR 2011.205 - Application for a specialty sugar certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Application for a specialty sugar... SUGARS, SYRUPS AND MOLASSES Specialty Sugar § 2011.205 Application for a specialty sugar certificate. Applicants for certificates for the import of specialty sugars must apply in writing to the Certifying...

15 CFR 2011.205 - Application for a specialty sugar certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Application for a specialty sugar... SUGARS, SYRUPS AND MOLASSES Specialty Sugar § 2011.205 Application for a specialty sugar certificate. Applicants for certificates for the import of specialty sugars must apply in writing to the Certifying...

15 CFR 2011.205 - Application for a specialty sugar certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Application for a specialty sugar... SUGARS, SYRUPS AND MOLASSES Specialty Sugar § 2011.205 Application for a specialty sugar certificate. Applicants for certificates for the import of specialty sugars must apply in writing to the Certifying...

Crosstalk between the Circadian Clock and Innate Immunity in Arabidopsis

PubMed Central

Zhang, Chong; Xie, Qiguang; Anderson, Ryan G.; Ng, Gina; Seitz, Nicholas C.; Peterson, Thomas; McClung, C. Robertson; McDowell, John M.; Kong, Dongdong; Kwak, June M.; Lu, Hua

2013-01-01

The circadian clock integrates temporal information with environmental cues in regulating plant development and physiology. Recently, the circadian clock has been shown to affect plant responses to biotic cues. To further examine this role of the circadian clock, we tested disease resistance in mutants disrupted in CCA1 and LHY, which act synergistically to regulate clock activity. We found that cca1 and lhy mutants also synergistically affect basal and resistance gene-mediated defense against Pseudomonas syringae and Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. Disrupting the circadian clock caused by overexpression of CCA1 or LHY also resulted in severe susceptibility to P. syringae. We identified a downstream target of CCA1 and LHY, GRP7, a key constituent of a slave oscillator regulated by the circadian clock and previously shown to influence plant defense and stomatal activity. We show that the defense role of CCA1 and LHY against P. syringae is at least partially through circadian control of stomatal aperture but is independent of defense mediated by salicylic acid. Furthermore, we found defense activation by P. syringae infection and treatment with the elicitor flg22 can feedback-regulate clock activity. Together this data strongly supports a direct role of the circadian clock in defense control and reveal for the first time crosstalk between the circadian clock and plant innate immunity. PMID:23754942

Upregulation of 14-3-3 eta in chronic liver fluke infection is a potential diagnostic marker of cholangiocarcinoma.

PubMed

Haonon, Ornuma; Rucksaken, Rucksak; Pinlaor, Porntip; Pairojkul, Chawalit; Chamgramol, Yaovalux; Intuyod, Kitti; Onsurathum, Sudarat; Khuntikeo, Narong; Pinlaor, Somchai

2016-03-01

To discover protein markers in chronic/advanced opisthorchiasis for the early detection of Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)-associated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Liver tissues derived from normal hamsters and those with chronic/advanced opisthorchiasis (n = 5 per group) were subjected to 2DE and LC-MS/MS. Candidate protein expression was confirmed in hamster models and human CCA tissue microarray (TMA) using immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Proteomics analysis detected 14-3-3 eta only in infected hamsters, not in uninfected controls. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis confirmed low expression of 14-3-3 eta in normal hamster livers and demonstrated increased expression through time in infected livers. This protein was also observed in parasite organs, especially during the chronic phase of opisthorchiasis. Moreover, increased expression of 14-3-3 eta, relative to normal hamster livers, was observed during the early stage of CCA induced by OV infection and administration of N-nitrosodimethylamine. Immunohistochemical analysis of human TMA revealed that 14-3-3 eta was highly expressed in CCA (84.23%, 187/222 cases) but was not found in hepatocellular carcinoma or healthy liver tissues. 14-3-3 eta protein has potential as a screening and early diagnostic marker for CCA. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Cholangiocarcinoma — evolving concepts and therapeutic strategies

PubMed Central

Rizvi, Sumera; Khan, Shahid A.; Hallemeier, Christopher L.; Kelley, Robin K.; Gores, Gregory J.

2018-01-01

Cholangiocarcinoma is a disease entity comprising diverse epithelial tumours with features of cholangiocyte differentiation: cholangiocarcinomas are categorized according to anatomical location as intrahepatic (iCCA), perihilar (pCCA), or distal (dCCA). Each subtype has a distinct epidemiology, biology, prognosis, and strategy for clinical management. The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma, particularly iCCA, has increased globally over the past few decades. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of potentially curative treatment for all three disease subtypes, whereas liver transplantation after neoadjuvant chemoradiation is restricted to a subset of patients with early stage pCCA. For patients with advanced-stage or unresectable disease, locoregional and systemic chemotherapeutics are the primary treatment options. Improvements in external-beam radiation therapy have facilitated the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, advances in comprehensive whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing have defined the genetic landscape of each cholangiocarcinoma subtype. Accordingly, promising molecular targets for precision medicine have been identified, and are being evaluated in clinical trials, including those exploring immunotherapy. Biomarker-driven trials, in which patients are stratified according to anatomical cholangiocarcinoma subtype and genetic aberrations, will be essential in the development of targeted therapies. Targeting the rich tumour stroma of cholangiocarcinoma in conjunction with targeted therapies might also be useful. Herein, we review the evolving developments in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of cholangiocarcinoma. PMID:28994423

Magnesium alloy covered stent for treatment of a lateral aneurysm model in rabbit common carotid artery: An in vivo study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wu; Wang, Yong-Li; Chen, Mo; Chen, Liang; Zhang, Jian; Li, Yong-Dong; Li, Ming-Hua; Yuan, Guang-Yin

2016-11-01

Magnesium alloy covered stents have rarely been used in the common carotid artery (CCA). We evaluated the long-term efficacy of magnesium alloy covered stents in a lateral aneurysm model in rabbit CCA. Magnesium alloy covered stents (group A, n = 7) or Willis covered stents (group B, n = 5) were inserted in 12 New Zealand White rabbits and they were followed up for 12 months. The long-term feasibility for aneurysm occlusion was studied through angiograms; the changes in vessel area and lumen area were assessed with IVUS. Complete aneurysmal occlusion was achieved in all aneurysms. Angiography showed that the diameter of the stented CCA in group A at 6 and 12 months was significantly greater than the diameter immediately after stent placement. On intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination, the mean lumen area of the stented CCA in group A was significantly greater at 6 and 12 months than that immediately after stent placement; the mean lumen area was also significantly greater in group A than in group B at the same time points. The magnesium alloy covered stents proved to be an effective approach for occlusion of lateral aneurysm in the rabbit CCA; it provides distinct advantages that are comparable to that obtained with the Willis covered stent.

Hepatoprotective effect of chitosan-caffeic acid conjugate against ethanol-treated mice.

PubMed

Park, Soo Yeon; Ahn, Ginnae; Um, Ju Hyung; Han, Eui Jeong; Ahn, Chang-Bum; Yoon, Na Young; Je, Jae-Young

2017-10-02

The chitosan-caffeic acid (CCA) conjugate shows a hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-induced hepatic damage in cultured hepatocytes. The objective of this study is the verification of the hepatoprotective effect of the CCA in vivo against ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. The administration of ethanol resulted in the increase of the serum-aminotransferase activities (AST and ALT), triglycerides, total cholesterol, and lipid peroxidation. The CCA co-administration, however, significantly (p<0.05) ameliorated these serum biomarkers. The antioxidant-enzyme activities in the liver tissue, including those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were significantly decreased by a chronic ethanol administration, whereas the hepatic lipid-peroxidation level was increased. Moreover, the chronic ethanol administration elevated the gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the liver tissue. The CCA co-administration, however, significantly (p<0.05) increased the activities of the SOD, CAT, and GPx and caused the down-regulation of the TNF-α- and IL-6-gene expressions in the liver tissue. An histopathologic evaluation also supported the hepatoprotective effect of the CCA against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in the mice. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Colloidal crystal growth monitored by Bragg diffraction interference fringes.

PubMed

Bohn, Justin J; Tikhonov, Alexander; Asher, Sanford A

2010-10-15

We monitored the crystal growth kinetics of crystallization of a shear melted crystalline colloidal array (CCA). The fcc CCA heterogeneously nucleates at the flow cell wall surface. We examined the evolution of the (1 1 1) Bragg diffraction peak, and, for the first time, quantitatively monitored growth by measuring the temporal evolution of the Bragg diffraction interference fringes. Modeling of the evolution of the fringe patterns exposes the time dependence of the increasing crystal thickness. The initial diffusion-driven linear growth is followed by ripening-driven growth. Between 80 and 90 microM NaCl concentrations the fcc crystals first linearly grow at rates between 1.9 and 4.2 microm/s until they contact homogeneously nucleated crystals in the bulk. At lower salt concentrations interference fringes are not visible because the strong electrostatic interactions between particles result in high activation barriers, preventing defect annealing and leading to a lower crystal quality. The fcc crystals melt to a liquid phase at >90 microM NaCl concentrations. Increasing NaCl concentrations slow the fcc CCA growth rate consistent with the expectation of the classical Wilson-Frenkel growth theory. The final thickness of wall-nucleated CCA, that is determined by the competition between growth of heterogeneously and homogenously nucleated CCA, increases with higher NaCl concentrations. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical mediation of coral larval settlement by crustose coralline algae

PubMed Central

Tebben, J.; Motti, C. A; Siboni, Nahshon; Tapiolas, D. M.; Negri, A. P.; Schupp, P. J.; Kitamura, Makoto; Hatta, Masayuki; Steinberg, P. D.; Harder, T.

2015-01-01

The majority of marine invertebrates produce dispersive larvae which, in order to complete their life cycles, must attach and metamorphose into benthic forms. This process, collectively referred to as settlement, is often guided by habitat-specific cues. While the sources of such cues are well known, the links between their biological activity, chemical identity, presence and quantification in situ are largely missing. Previous work on coral larval settlement in vitro has shown widespread induction by crustose coralline algae (CCA) and in particular their associated bacteria. However, we found that bacterial biofilms on CCA did not initiate ecologically realistic settlement responses in larvae of 11 hard coral species from Australia, Guam, Singapore and Japan. We instead found that algal chemical cues induce identical behavioral responses of larvae as per live CCA. We identified two classes of CCA cell wall-associated compounds – glycoglycerolipids and polysaccharides – as the main constituents of settlement inducing fractions. These algae-derived fractions induce settlement and metamorphosis at equivalent concentrations as present in CCA, both in small scale laboratory assays and under flow-through conditions, suggesting their ability to act in an ecologically relevant fashion to steer larval settlement of corals. Both compound classes were readily detected in natural samples. PMID:26042834

Tumour dormancy and cell signalling--III: Role of hypercrosslinking of IgM and CD40 on the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in B lymphoma cells.

PubMed

Marches, R; Racila, E; Tucker, T F; Picker, L; Mongini, P; Hsueh, R; Vitetta, E S; Scheuermann, R H; Uhr, J W

1995-06-01

Polyclonal anti-IgM antibodies were more effective than monoclonal antibodies in inducing dormancy in SCID mice bearing a murine B lymphoma (BCL1). Under saturating conditions, both polyclonal and monoclonal anti-Ig antibodies induced cell cycle arrest (CCA) in both BCL1 cells and human B lymphoma cells (Daudi) but polyclonal antibodies were far more effective at inducing apoptosis. A mixture of several monoclonal antibodies specific for noncrossreactive epitopes on C mu mimicked the effects of a polyclonal anti-mu. Hypercrosslinking mIgM by a polyclonal antibody against the primary monoclonal anti-mu markedly increased apoptosis and CCA. Hence, the extent of crosslinking of IgM and the resultant singnalling may be a major factor in inducing and maintaining dormancy and in determining whether lymphoma cells respond by apoptosis or CCA. In contrast to mIgM, another B cell receptor, CD40, which induces CCA when crosslinked did not induce apoptosis after hypercrosslinking. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that aspects of the CCA and apoptotic pathways are independent. When anti-CD40 was added with anti-mu to Daudi cells, the proportion of cells undergoing apoptosis was increased.

78 FR 19354 - Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

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2013-03-29

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78 FR 19354 - Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

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2013-03-29

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78 FR 75441 - Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

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33 CFR 159.14 - Application for certification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 33 Navigation and Navigable Waters 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Application for certification. 159.14 Section 159.14 Navigation and Navigable Waters COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED) POLLUTION MARINE SANITATION DEVICES Certification Procedures § 159.14 Application for...

75 FR 79070 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

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2010-12-17

...: December 6, 2010. Description: Joint application of Iberia L[iacute]neas A[eacute]reas de Espa[ntilde]a, S... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Notice of Applications for Certificates of... Q) During the Week Ending November 20, 2010 The following Applications for Certificates of Public...

Access control based on attribute certificates for medical intranet applications.

PubMed

Mavridis, I; Georgiadis, C; Pangalos, G; Khair, M

2001-01-01

Clinical information systems frequently use intranet and Internet technologies. However these technologies have emphasized sharing and not security, despite the sensitive and private nature of much health information. Digital certificates (electronic documents which recognize an entity or its attributes) can be used to control access in clinical intranet applications. To outline the need for access control in distributed clinical database systems, to describe the use of digital certificates and security policies, and to propose the architecture for a system using digital certificates, cryptography and security policy to control access to clinical intranet applications. We have previously developed a security policy, DIMEDAC (Distributed Medical Database Access Control), which is compatible with emerging public key and privilege management infrastructure. In our implementation approach we propose the use of digital certificates, to be used in conjunction with DIMEDAC. Our proposed access control system consists of two phases: the ways users gain their security credentials; and how these credentials are used to access medical data. Three types of digital certificates are used: identity certificates for authentication; attribute certificates for authorization; and access-rule certificates for propagation of access control policy. Once a user is identified and authenticated, subsequent access decisions are based on a combination of identity and attribute certificates, with access-rule certificates providing the policy framework. Access control in clinical intranet applications can be successfully and securely managed through the use of digital certificates and the DIMEDAC security policy.

Effect of verteporfin-PDT on the Notch signaling pathway in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cerec, Virginie; Andreola, Fausto; Pereira, Stephen P.

2009-06-01

Accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence supports a pro-oncogenic function for Notch signaling in several solid tumors. Therefore, Notch inhibitory agents, such as gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSI), are being investigated as cancer therapeutic agents and a potential adjuvant to conventional chemo/radiotherapy. To date, no in vitro data are available on the cellular response and effect of either photodynamic therapy (PDT) or GSI on human cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Consequently, we aimed to study the: (i) constitutive expression of Notch signaling pathway in CCA cell lines; (ii) response to Verteporfin-PDT and to GSI, as single agents on CCA cell lines; (iii) effect of Verteporfin-PDT on Notch signaling pathway expression. Expression of Notch signaling components was studied in two cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, HuCCT1 and TFK-1 (intra- and extrahepatic, respectively). No difference in basal expression of Notch1, 2 and Jagged1 was observed in either cell line. In contrast, Notch3 was found to be weakly and highly expressed in HuCCT1 and TFK-1 cells, respectively - supporting our recent microarray data which showed Notch3 overexpression in biliary brushings from patients with extrahepatic CCA. HuCCT1 and TFK-1 differentially responded to Verteporfin-PDT treatment; preliminary data showed no clear effect of GSI on proliferation/apoptosis in either cell line following short exposure (6 and 24h). Following Verteporfin-PDT, Notch1, 2 and Jagged-1 expression was down-regulated in both cell lines, while Notch3 expression was unaffected in HuCCT1 cells and down-regulated in TFK-1 cells. The Notch signaling pathway could represent a potential target for combination therapy in CCA treatment.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Yun-Fei; Yang, Xiao-Qing; Lu, Xiao-Fei

Highlights: • FGFR4 is significantly related with N stage in IHCC, with T stage and TNM stage in PHCC. • FGFR4 is an independent prognostic factor in IHCC and PHCC. • FGFR4 promotes proliferation, invasion and EMT in cholangiocarinoma cell lines. • Inhibitor AP24354 can decrease proliferation, invasion and induce apoptosis of CCA. - Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) is related to poor prognosis of several cancers, but the correlation between FGFR4 expression and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has not been well elucidated. We investigated the expression of FGFR4 in 83 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (IHCCs), 75 perihilar cholangiocarcinomas (PHCCs) and 41more » distal cholangiocarcinomas (DCCs) by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and subsequently evaluated association of FGFR4 with clinicopathologic parameters and survival rate. The rate of FGFR4 higher expression was 61.4% (51/83) in IHCCs, 53.3% (40/75) in PHCCs and 56.1% (23/41) in DCCs. FGFR4 expression was significantly related to poor prognosis of IHCC (P = 0.002) and PHCC (P = 0.019) with univariate analysis, and also identified as an independent prognostic factor in IHCC (P = 0.045) and PHCC (P = 0.049) with multivariate analysis. Additionally, with functional assays in vitro, we found FGFR4 can induce proliferation, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CCA cell lines with FGF19 stimulation. Moreover, FGFR4 inhibitor AP24354 can suppress proliferation, invasion and induce apoptosis of CCA cells. In conclusion, FGFR4 expression can be identified as a significant independent prognostic biomarker of IHCC and PHCC. FGFR4 played a pivotal role in proliferation, invasion and EMT of CCA. FGFR4 inhibitor can suppress proliferation, invasion and induce apoptosis of CCA, indicating that FGFR4 may act as a potential therapeutic target.« less

YAP Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Nuclear Localization in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells is Regulated by LCK and Independent of LATS Activity.

PubMed

Sugihara, Takaaki; Werneburg, Nathan W; Hernandez, Matthew C; Yang, Lin; Kabashima, Ayano; Hirsova, Petra; Yohanathan, Lavanya; Sosa, Carlos; Truty, Mark Joseph; Vasmatzis, George; Gores, Gregory J; Smoot, Rory L

2018-06-14

The hippo pathway effector, Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a transcriptional co-activator implicated in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) pathogenesis. YAP is known to be regulated by a serine/threonine kinase relay module (MST1/2 - LATS1/2) culminating in phosphorylation of YAP at Serine 127 (S127) and cytoplasmic sequestration. However, YAP also undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation, and the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in YAP regulation remains unclear. Herein, YAP regulation by tyrosine phosphorylation was examined in human and mouse CCA cells, as well as patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. YAP was phosphorylated on tyrosine 357 (Y357) in CCA cell lines and PDX models. SRC family kinase (SFK) inhibition with dasatinib resulted in loss of YAPY357 phosphorylation, promoted its translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and reduced YAP target gene expression; including cell lines expressing a LATS1/2-resistant YAP mutant in which all serine residues were mutated to alanine. Consistent with these observations, precluding YAPY357 phosphorylation by site-directed mutagenesis (YAPY357F) excluded YAP from the nucleus. Targeted siRNA experiments identified LCK as the SFK that most potently mediated YAPY357 phosphorylation. Likewise, inducible CRISPR/Cas9-targeted LCK deletion decreased YAPY357 phosphorylation and its nuclear localization. The importance of LCK in CCA biology was demonstrated by clinical observations suggesting LCK expression levels were associated with early tumor recurrence following resection of CCA. Finally, dasatinib displayed therapeutic efficacy in PDX models. Demonstration of targetable, LCK-mediated YAP tyrosine phosphorylation in CCA regulating YAP's nuclear retention and oncogenic activity. Copyright ©2018, American Association for Cancer Research.

The value of dual-source multidetector-row computed tomography in determining pulmonary blood supply in patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect.

PubMed

Chaosuwannakit, N; Makarawate, P

2018-01-01

Primary evaluation of patients with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD) traditionally relies upon echocardiography and conventional cardiac angiography (CCA). Cardiac angiography is considered the gold standard for delineation of anatomy in children with PA-VSD. Data comparing CCA and dual-source multidetector-row computed tomography angiography (MDCT) in PA-VSD patients is limited. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that MDCT is equivalent to CCA for anatomic delineation in these patients. Twenty-eight patients with PA-VSD underwent CCA and MDCT in close proximity to each other without interval therapy. A retrospective review of these 28 patients was performed. All MDCT data of pulmonary artery morphology, major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs) and type of blood supply (dual vs. single supply) were evaluated by blinded experts and results were compared with CCA. Twenty-eight patients had adequate size right and left pulmonary arteries (21 confluent and 7 non-confluent). Seven patients had complete absence of native pulmonary artery and 3 patients had stenosis of distal branches of pulmonary arteries; all had MAPCAs from descending thoracic aorta and/or subclavian arteries. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of MDCT for detecting confluent of pulmonary arteries, absence of native pulmonary artery and stenosis of pulmonary arteries were all 100%. Moreover, accuracy of detecting MAPCAs was excellent. These results suggest that MDCT and CCA are equivalent in their ability to delineate pulmonary artery anatomy and MAPCAs. Dual source MDCT provides high diagnostic accuracy in evaluation of pulmonary blood supply in patients with PA-VSD and allows precise characterisation of the condition of pulmonary arteries and MAPCAs which is of paramount importance in managing patients with PA-VSD. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 116-122).

[EFFECTS OF VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF FLUIDS (WATER AND SPORTS DRINK) IN AMATEUR MOUNTAIN RUNNERS].

PubMed

Nebot, Vicente; Drehmer, Eraci; Elvira, Laura; Sales, Sonia; Sanchís, Carlos; Esquius, Laura; Pablos, Ana

2015-11-01

21 K and 1 000 m ascent trail-running races can be dangerous if an appropriate liquid replacement isn't maintained. know trail-runners level of dehydration and assess the differences between ad libitum water (CcA) and sport drink (CcB) hydration after a trail running race. 18 subjects, mean age 31.9 (±2.8) and %MG 10.53 (±2.8), completed CcA or CcB. CcA and CcB effects on Weight (P), Fat Mass (MG), Glucose (GL), Lactate (LT), Systolic (TAS) and Diastolic Arterial Tension (TAD), Heart Rate (PPM) and Tympanic Temperature (Tª) were assessed. All measurements were taken at the start (T1) and the finish (T2) of each race. A Friedman ANOVA test was used to calculate the effect of CcA and CcB on each variable. Differences between race time (TC), % bodyweight loss (%PP) and liquid ingestion (LI) were assessed with a Wilcoxon test. All statistical analysis were conducted with SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, Somers, NY, USA). mean %PP was 2.967 (± 0.969) and 2.883 (± 0.730) for CcA and CcB respectively. No significant differences were found between %PP and LI (p > .05) between races. Significant changes were found in P, %MG, GL, L, TAS and PPM between T1 and T2 in CcA condition. While only significant changes in P and PPM were stabilised between T1 and T2 in CcB condition. neither water or sport drink ingestion avoid trail-runners to reach a dehydrated state. However, dehydration effects seems to be more serious when only water is ingested. Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.

Sensitivity and specificity of the circulating cathodic antigen rapid urine test in the diagnosis of Schistosomiasis mansoni infection and evaluation of morbidity in a low- endemic area in Brazil.

PubMed

Ferreira, Fernanda Teixeira; Fidelis, Thiago André; Pereira, Thiago Almeida; Otoni, Alba; Queiroz, Leonardo Campos; Amâncio, Frederico Figueiredo; Antunes, Carlos Maurício; Lambertucci, José Roberto

2017-01-01

The Kato-Katz technique is the standard diagnostic test for Schistosoma mansoni infection in rural areas. However, the utility of this method is severely limited by the day-to-day variability in host egg excretion in the stool. In high-transmission areas, the point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) urine assay has proven to be a reliable test. However, investigations of the reliability of the POC-CCA assay in low-transmission regions are under way. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the POC-CCA assay and the morbidity of schistosomiasis in a low-endemic area in Brazil. Pains City is a low-transmission zone for schistosomiasis. A total of 300 subjects aged 7-76 years were randomly selected for the POC-CCA cassette test. For S. mansoni diagnosis, three stool samples on six slides were compared with one urine sample for each subject. The sensitivity and specificity in the absence of a gold standard were calculated using latent class analysis. Clinical examinations and abdominal ultrasounds were performed in 181 volunteers to evaluate morbidity associated with schistosomiasis. The sensitivity and specificity of the Kato-Katz technique were 25.6% and 94.6%, respectively. By contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of the POC-CCA assay were 68.1% and 72.8%, respectively. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis was diagnosed in two patients (1.1%). Overall, the POC-CCA urine assay proved to be a useful test for diagnosing S. mansoni in a low-endemic area in Brazil. Severe clinical forms of schistosomiasis can be present even in such low-endemic areas.

Motion Tracking of the Carotid Artery Wall From Ultrasound Image Sequences: a Nonlinear State-Space Approach.

PubMed

Gao, Zhifan; Li, Yanjie; Sun, Yuanyuan; Yang, Jiayuan; Xiong, Huahua; Zhang, Heye; Liu, Xin; Wu, Wanqing; Liang, Dong; Li, Shuo

2018-01-01

The motion of the common carotid artery (CCA) wall has been established to be useful in early diagnosis of atherosclerotic disease. However, tracking the CCA wall motion from ultrasound images remains a challenging task. In this paper, a nonlinear state-space approach has been developed to track CCA wall motion from ultrasound sequences. In this approach, a nonlinear state-space equation with a time-variant control signal was constructed from a mathematical model of the dynamics of the CCA wall. Then, the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) was adopted to solve the nonlinear state transfer function in order to evolve the state of the target tissue, which involves estimation of the motion trajectory of the CCA wall from noisy ultrasound images. The performance of this approach has been validated on 30 simulated ultrasound sequences and a real ultrasound dataset of 103 subjects by comparing the motion tracking results obtained in this study to those of three state-of-the-art methods and of the manual tracing method performed by two experienced ultrasound physicians. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed approach is highly correlated with (intra-class correlation coefficient ≥ 0.9948 for the longitudinal motion and ≥ 0.9966 for the radial motion) and well agrees (the 95% confidence interval width is 0.8871 mm for the longitudinal motion and 0.4159 mm for the radial motion) with the manual tracing method on real data and also exhibits high accuracy on simulated data (0.1161 ~ 0.1260 mm). These results appear to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for motion tracking of the CCA wall.

SU-F-T-676: Measurement of Hydroxyl Radicals in Radiolized Water Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ouyang, Z; Ngwa, W; Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

2016-06-15

Purpose: Hydroxyl radicals can be produced within tissue by radiation therapy, and they are largely responsible for DNA damage and cell killing. Coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (3-CCA) and crystal violet are reported to react with hydroxyl radicals and can be used for fluorescence and absorbance measurements, respectively. This study assesses the ability of hydroxyl measurement for both 3-CCA and crystal violet in radiolized water systems in order to provide dosimetric information in radiation chemistry and radiation biology experiments. Methods: 3-CCA and crystal violet were both dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) with final concentrations 0.5 mg/mL and 0.05 mg/mL. 3-CCAmore » and control solutions (PBS only) were loaded in black bottom 96-well plates. Crystal violet and control solutions were loaded in clear bottom 96-well plates. The prepared solutions were irradiated at 2 Gy using a small animal radiation research platform. Fluorescence reading with 360 nm excitation wavelength and 485 nm emission wavelength was done for 3-CCA, and absorbance reading at wavelength 580 nm was done for crystal violet before and after radiation. Results: 3-CCA showed clear difference in fluorescence before and after radiation, which suggested hydroxyl production during radiation. However, crystal violet absorbance at 580 nm was not changed significantly by radiation. Conclusion: The overall conclusion is that 3-CCA can be used for hydroxyl measurement in radiolized water systems, while crystal violet cannot, although crystal violet is reported widely to react with hydroxyl radicals produced in Fenton reactions. Possible reasons could relate to reaction pH.« less

Coastal dune systems and disturbance factors: monitoring and analysis in central Italy.

PubMed

De Luca, Elena; Novelli, Claudia; Barbato, Fabio; Menegoni, Patrizia; Iannetta, Massimo; Nascetti, Giuseppe

2011-12-01

This study describes the conservation status of dune systems in relation to disturbance factors in the coastal stretch of the Viterbo province, Latium Region, Italy. Particular emphasis was given to the bioindication value of plant communities and their sequence. Each plant community was considered as a "habitat" in accordance with Annex I of the Directive 92/43/EU. Stress factors, such as sand dynamic and erosion, and anthropogenic pressures, such as trampling and bathing settlements, influence the sequence of habitats and weaken the system of relations that makes these coenoses to occur in extreme conditions. The choice to carry out surveys along wide transects, recording different data, allowed to explore the use of habitats as bioindicators. Comparing sites characterized by the same extension in a homogeneous area, it was possible to expand the use of canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) as a tool to correlate habitat composition and disturbance factors. The application of CCA showed a high correlation of degradation and habitat loss with coastal erosion, trampling and presence of waste. Furthermore, floristic surveys allowed the application of different biodiversity indices to quantify species richness of sampled areas. The conservation status of the sites investigated was found to be diverse, from the total disappearance of the mobile dune habitats to their complete sequence. The proposed methodology has been useful to fulfill the objective of the work and is applicable to other case studies in the Mediterranean.

20 CFR 656.30 - Validity of and invalidation of labor certifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (Form ETA 750) or the Application for Permanent Employment Certification (Form ETA 9089) and only for... Employment Certification (Form ETA 750) or the Application for Permanent Employment Certification (Form ETA... by ETA using the procedures described in § 656.32. Additionally, after issuance, a labor...

14 CFR 35.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.1 Applicability. (a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates and changes to those certificates, for propellers. (b) Each person who... requirements of this part. (c) An applicant is eligible for a propeller type certificate and changes to those...

14 CFR 35.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.1 Applicability. (a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates and changes to those certificates, for propellers. (b) Each person who... requirements of this part. (c) An applicant is eligible for a propeller type certificate and changes to those...

14 CFR 35.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.1 Applicability. (a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates and changes to those certificates, for propellers. (b) Each person who... requirements of this part. (c) An applicant is eligible for a propeller type certificate and changes to those...

14 CFR 35.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.1 Applicability. (a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates and changes to those certificates, for propellers. (b) Each person who... requirements of this part. (c) An applicant is eligible for a propeller type certificate and changes to those...

14 CFR 35.1 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... STANDARDS: PROPELLERS General § 35.1 Applicability. (a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates and changes to those certificates, for propellers. (b) Each person who... requirements of this part. (c) An applicant is eligible for a propeller type certificate and changes to those...

40 CFR 171.4 - Standards for certification of commercial applicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS § 171.4 Standards for certification of commercial applicators. (a) Determination of competency. Competence in the use and handling of pesticides... pesticides. Testing shall be based on examples of problems and situations appropriate to the particular...

40 CFR 171.4 - Standards for certification of commercial applicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS § 171.4 Standards for certification of commercial applicators. (a) Determination of competency. Competence in the use and handling of pesticides... pesticides. Testing shall be based on examples of problems and situations appropriate to the particular...

40 CFR 171.4 - Standards for certification of commercial applicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS § 171.4 Standards for certification of commercial applicators. (a) Determination of competency. Competence in the use and handling of pesticides... pesticides. Testing shall be based on examples of problems and situations appropriate to the particular...

40 CFR 171.4 - Standards for certification of commercial applicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS § 171.4 Standards for certification of commercial applicators. (a) Determination of competency. Competence in the use and handling of pesticides... pesticides. Testing shall be based on examples of problems and situations appropriate to the particular...

40 CFR 171.4 - Standards for certification of commercial applicators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS CERTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATORS § 171.4 Standards for certification of commercial applicators. (a) Determination of competency. Competence in the use and handling of pesticides... pesticides. Testing shall be based on examples of problems and situations appropriate to the particular...

14 CFR 47.63 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... REGISTRATION Dealers' Aircraft Registration Certificate § 47.63 Application. A manufacturer or dealer that wishes to obtain a Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate, AC Form 8050-6, must submit— (a) A Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate Application, AC Form 8050-5; and (b) The fee required by § 47.17...

14 CFR 47.63 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... REGISTRATION Dealers' Aircraft Registration Certificate § 47.63 Application. A manufacturer or dealer that wishes to obtain a Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate, AC Form 8050-6, must submit— (a) A Dealer's Aircraft Registration Certificate Application, AC Form 8050-5; and (b) The fee required by § 47.17...

22 CFR 61.4 - Certification procedures-Exports.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS § 61.4 Certification procedures—Exports. (a) Applicants seeking certification of U.S. produced audio-visual materials shall submit to the Department a completed Application Form for...

22 CFR 61.4 - Certification procedures-Exports.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS § 61.4 Certification procedures—Exports. (a) Applicants seeking certification of U.S. produced audio-visual materials shall submit to the Department a completed Application Form for...

22 CFR 61.4 - Certification procedures-Exports.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS § 61.4 Certification procedures—Exports. (a) Applicants seeking certification of U.S. produced audio-visual materials shall submit to the Department a completed Application Form for...

Linux thin-client conversion in a large cardiology practice: initial experience.

PubMed

Echt, Martin P; Rosen, Jordan

2004-01-01

Capital Cardiology Associates (CCA) is a single-specialty cardiology practice with offices in New York and Massachusetts. In 2003, CCA converted its IT system from a Microsoft-based network to a Linux network employing Linux thin-client technology with overall positive outcomes.

Fish communities of fixed sites in the Western Lake Michigan Drainages, Wisconsin and Michigan, 1993-95

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sullivan, D.J.

1997-01-01

Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that soil credibility was a significant predictor of species composition. Though not statistically significant, land use, soil permeability, and bedrock permeability also were indicated as predictors of fish-species composition by CCA.

Relationship between frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and changes in carotid atherosclerosis in insulin-treated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Mita, Tomoya; Katakami, Naoto; Shiraiwa, Toshihiko; Yoshii, Hidenori; Kuribayashi, Nobuichi; Osonoi, Takeshi; Kaneto, Hideaki; Kosugi, Keisuke; Umayahara, Yutaka; Gosho, Masahiko; Shimomura, Iichiro; Watada, Hirotaka

2017-01-09

The effect of hypoglycemia on the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains largely unknown. This is a post hoc analysis of a randomized trial to investigate the relationship between hypoglycemic episodes and changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Among 274 study subjects, 104 patients experienced hypoglycemic episodes. Increases in the mean IMT and left maximum IMT of the common carotid arteries (CCA) were significantly greater in patients with hypoglycemia compared to those without hypoglycemia. Classification of the patients into three groups according to the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes showed that high frequency of hypoglycemic events was associated with increases in mean IMT-CCA, and left max-IMT-CCA and right max-IMT-CCA. In addition, repetitive episodes of hypoglycemia were associated with a reduction in the beneficial effects of sitagliptin on carotid IMT. Our data suggest that frequency of hypoglycemic episodes was associated with changes in carotid atherosclerosis.

Occupational exposure to chromium, copper and arsenic during work with impregnated wood in joinery shops.

PubMed

Nygren, O; Nilsson, C A; Lindahl, R

1992-10-01

CCA-impregnated timber contains copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA), and occupational exposure to wood dust as well as the CCA compounds may occur in work with such timber. Dust from commercially available impregnated wood has been found to contain hexavalent chromium, which is regarded as a carcinogen. Apart from determinations of the total amounts of the CCA compounds, specific determination of hexavalent chromium is therefore essential. Selective methods have been applied for control of the work environment in six joinery shops. The mean exposure to wood dust was found to be below 1 mg m-3. The mean airborne concentration of arsenic around various types of joinery machines was in the range from 0.54 to 3.1 micrograms m-3. No hexavalent chromium was detected in any samples and no increased concentrations of arsenic were found in urine from the workers. The presence of arsenic in the work-room air must be considered for appropriate assessment of the occupational environment in joinery shops.

Relationship between calcified carotid atheromas in digital panoramic radiographs and underlying systemic diseases in implant patients.

PubMed

Ngamsom, Supak; Arayasantiparb, Raweewan; Pornprasertsuk-Damrongsri, Suchaya; Sureephong, Boonchoo

2015-11-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between calcified carotid atheromas (CCA) detected on digital panoramic radiographs and underlying systemic diseases. Panoramic radiographs and underlying systemic diseases of retained mandibular denture implants in 265 patients (56 males, 209 females) aged over 50 years were retrospectively evaluated at the Dental Unit of Prasat Neurological Institute, Bangkok, Thailand. The mean age of the patients was 71 ± 7.1 years. The prevalence of CCA was 38.49%. The major underlying systemic diseases were hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), respectively. No relationship was found among these four systemic diseases in detecting CCA on panoramic radiographs. Similar findings were also observed in patients with only one systemic disease versus in combination with other diseases. The presence of CCA on dental panoramic radiographs was not found to be related to the presence of underlying systemic diseases, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and CVD. © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Iterative quantization: a Procrustean approach to learning binary codes for large-scale image retrieval.

PubMed

Gong, Yunchao; Lazebnik, Svetlana; Gordo, Albert; Perronnin, Florent

2013-12-01

This paper addresses the problem of learning similarity-preserving binary codes for efficient similarity search in large-scale image collections. We formulate this problem in terms of finding a rotation of zero-centered data so as to minimize the quantization error of mapping this data to the vertices of a zero-centered binary hypercube, and propose a simple and efficient alternating minimization algorithm to accomplish this task. This algorithm, dubbed iterative quantization (ITQ), has connections to multiclass spectral clustering and to the orthogonal Procrustes problem, and it can be used both with unsupervised data embeddings such as PCA and supervised embeddings such as canonical correlation analysis (CCA). The resulting binary codes significantly outperform several other state-of-the-art methods. We also show that further performance improvements can result from transforming the data with a nonlinear kernel mapping prior to PCA or CCA. Finally, we demonstrate an application of ITQ to learning binary attributes or "classemes" on the ImageNet data set.

Listening to Chinese Immigrant Restaurant Workers in the Midwest: Application of the Culture-Centered Approach (CCA) to Explore Perceptions of Health and Health Care.

PubMed

Gao, Haijuan; Dutta, Mohan; Okoror, Titilayo

2016-01-01

This study engages with the culture-centered approach (CCA) to explore Chinese immigrant restaurant workers' perception of the U.S. health care system and their interactions with the health care system in interpreting meanings of health. Chinese restaurant workers are marginalized because of their struggles on the job, their immigrant identity, and their negotiations with the structural contexts of occupation, migration status, and culture. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 Chinese immigrant restaurant workers that lasted an average of 1.5 hours each, and were audiotaped. Interviews with participants highlighted critical issues in access to health care and the struggles experienced by restaurant workers in securing access to health, understood in the context of work. Critical to the workers' discourse is the acknowledgment of structural constraints such as lack of insurance coverage, immigration status, and lack of understanding of how the U.S. health care system works.

Evaluation of a Urine Pooling Strategy for the Rapid and Cost-Efficient Prevalence Classification of Schistosomiasis.

PubMed

Lo, Nathan C; Coulibaly, Jean T; Bendavid, Eran; N'Goran, Eliézer K; Utzinger, Jürg; Keiser, Jennifer; Bogoch, Isaac I; Andrews, Jason R

2016-08-01

A key epidemiologic feature of schistosomiasis is its focal distribution, which has important implications for the spatial targeting of preventive chemotherapy programs. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a urine pooling strategy using a point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) cassette test for detection of Schistosoma mansoni, and employed simulation modeling to test the classification accuracy and efficiency of this strategy in determining where preventive chemotherapy is needed in low-endemicity settings. We performed a cross-sectional study involving 114 children aged 6-15 years in six neighborhoods in Azaguié Ahoua, south Côte d'Ivoire to characterize the sensitivity and specificity of the POC-CCA cassette test with urine samples that were tested individually and in pools of 4, 8, and 12. We used a Bayesian latent class model to estimate test characteristics for individual POC-CCA and quadruplicate Kato-Katz thick smears on stool samples. We then developed a microsimulation model and used lot quality assurance sampling to test the performance, number of tests, and total cost per school for each pooled testing strategy to predict the binary need for school-based preventive chemotherapy using a 10% prevalence threshold for treatment. The sensitivity of the urine pooling strategy for S. mansoni diagnosis using pool sizes of 4, 8, and 12 was 85.9%, 79.5%, and 65.4%, respectively, when POC-CCA trace results were considered positive, and 61.5%, 47.4%, and 30.8% when POC-CCA trace results were considered negative. The modeled specificity ranged from 94.0-97.7% for the urine pooling strategies (when POC-CCA trace results were considered negative). The urine pooling strategy, regardless of the pool size, gave comparable and often superior classification performance to stool microscopy for the same number of tests. The urine pooling strategy with a pool size of 4 reduced the number of tests and total cost compared to classical stool microscopy. This study introduces a method for rapid and efficient S. mansoni prevalence estimation through examining pooled urine samples with POC-CCA as an alternative to widely used stool microscopy.

Evaluation of a Urine Pooling Strategy for the Rapid and Cost-Efficient Prevalence Classification of Schistosomiasis

PubMed Central

Coulibaly, Jean T.; Bendavid, Eran; N’Goran, Eliézer K.; Utzinger, Jürg; Keiser, Jennifer; Bogoch, Isaac I.; Andrews, Jason R.

2016-01-01

Background A key epidemiologic feature of schistosomiasis is its focal distribution, which has important implications for the spatial targeting of preventive chemotherapy programs. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a urine pooling strategy using a point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) cassette test for detection of Schistosoma mansoni, and employed simulation modeling to test the classification accuracy and efficiency of this strategy in determining where preventive chemotherapy is needed in low-endemicity settings. Methodology We performed a cross-sectional study involving 114 children aged 6–15 years in six neighborhoods in Azaguié Ahoua, south Côte d’Ivoire to characterize the sensitivity and specificity of the POC-CCA cassette test with urine samples that were tested individually and in pools of 4, 8, and 12. We used a Bayesian latent class model to estimate test characteristics for individual POC-CCA and quadruplicate Kato-Katz thick smears on stool samples. We then developed a microsimulation model and used lot quality assurance sampling to test the performance, number of tests, and total cost per school for each pooled testing strategy to predict the binary need for school-based preventive chemotherapy using a 10% prevalence threshold for treatment. Principal Findings The sensitivity of the urine pooling strategy for S. mansoni diagnosis using pool sizes of 4, 8, and 12 was 85.9%, 79.5%, and 65.4%, respectively, when POC-CCA trace results were considered positive, and 61.5%, 47.4%, and 30.8% when POC-CCA trace results were considered negative. The modeled specificity ranged from 94.0–97.7% for the urine pooling strategies (when POC-CCA trace results were considered negative). The urine pooling strategy, regardless of the pool size, gave comparable and often superior classification performance to stool microscopy for the same number of tests. The urine pooling strategy with a pool size of 4 reduced the number of tests and total cost compared to classical stool microscopy. Conclusions/Significance This study introduces a method for rapid and efficient S. mansoni prevalence estimation through examining pooled urine samples with POC-CCA as an alternative to widely used stool microscopy. PMID:27504954

75 FR 25207 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-07

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 88-12A16] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application ( 88-12A16) to Amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America, Application no. 88-00016. SUMMARY: Export...

75 FR 11118 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-10

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 99-4A005] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application ( 99-4A005) to Amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to California Almond Export Association, LLC, Application no. 99-00005. SUMMARY: The Export...

78 FR 36747 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-19

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 99-6A002] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application to amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to California Almond Export Association, Application no. 99-6A002. SUMMARY: The Office of Competition and...

20 CFR 655.20 - Applications for temporary employment certification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... LABOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES Labor Certification Process and... Nursing in the United States (H-2B Workers) § 655.20 Applications for temporary employment certification...

45 CFR 170.401 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.401 Applicability...

45 CFR 170.401 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.401 Applicability...

45 CFR 170.420 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.420 Application. The...

45 CFR 170.420 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.420 Application. The...

45 CFR 170.501 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.501 Applicability. This subpart...

45 CFR 170.501 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Permanent Certification Program for HIT § 170.501 Applicability...

45 CFR 170.401 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.401 Applicability...

45 CFR 170.420 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.420 Application. The...

45 CFR 170.420 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.420 Application. The...

45 CFR 170.520 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Permanent Certification Program for HIT § 170.520 Application...

45 CFR 170.420 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.420 Application. The...

45 CFR 170.520 - Application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Permanent Certification Program for HIT § 170.520 Application...

45 CFR 170.501 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Permanent Certification Program for HIT § 170.501 Applicability...

45 CFR 170.401 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.401 Applicability...

45 CFR 170.401 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.401 Applicability...

Species-specific identification of collagen components in Colla corii asini using a nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry proteomics approach.

PubMed

Li, Xue; Shi, Feng; Gong, Liping; Hang, Baojian; Li, Daoyuan; Chi, Lianli

2017-01-01

Colla corii asini (CCA) is a protein-based traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey skins. Because it has the ability to nourish blood, its demand is increasing rapidly. The shortage of donkey skins increases the risk of the adulteration of CCA products with other animal skins. To ensure the drug efficacy and safety of CCA products, a proteomics technique was applied to reveal proteins in the skins of donkey, horse, cattle, and pig. Species-specific peptides for each animal species were predicted using bioinformatics, and their presence in the skins and gelatin samples was examined by nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS). One unique marker peptide for each animal species was selected to develop an LC-MS/MS multiple reaction monitoring method. The capability of this method to identify donkey, horse, cattle, and pig materials was demonstrated by analyzing in-house-made donkey gelatins containing different amounts of other animal skins and commercial CCA products. The adulteration of non-donkey species could be sensitively detected at a low level of 0.5%. Hybrid animals, such as mules and hinnies, were also differentiated from donkeys. We provide a practical tool for the quality control of CCA products. The strategy can also be used to study other important traditional Chinese medicines which contain animal proteins.

A Los1p-independent pathway for nuclear export of intronless tRNAs in Saccharomycescerevisiae.

PubMed

Feng, Wenqin; Hopper, Anita K

2002-04-16

Los1p, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae exportin-t homologue, binds tRNA and functions in pre-tRNA splicing and export of mature tRNA from the nucleus to the cytosol. Because LOS1 is unessential in yeast, other pathways for tRNA nuclear export must exist. We report that Cca1p, which adds nucleotides C, C, and A to the 3' end of tRNAs, is a multicopy suppressor of the defect in tRNA nuclear export caused by los1 null mutations. Mes1p, methionyl-tRNA synthetase, also suppresses the defect in nuclear export of tRNA(Met) in los1 cells. Thus, Cca1p and Mes1p seem to function in a Los1p-independent tRNA nuclear export pathway. Heterokaryon analysis indicates that Cca1p is a nucleus/cytosol-shuttling protein, providing the potential for Cca1p to function as an exporter or an adapter in this tRNA nuclear export pathway. In yeast, most mutations that affect tRNA nuclear export also cause defects in pre-tRNA splicing leading to tight coupling of the splicing and export processes. In contrast, we show that overexpressed Cca1p corrects the nuclear export, but not the pre-tRNA-splicing defects of los1Kan(r) cells, thereby uncoupling pre-tRNA splicing and tRNA nuclear export.

Successful Kissing Balloon Expandable Stent Graft Treatment for a Right Common Carotid Pseudoaneurysm Caused by Tracheotomy.

PubMed

Agyei, Justice O; Alvarez, Cynthia; Iqbal, Azher; Fanous, Andrew A; Siddiqui, Adnan H

2018-06-01

A rare complication following tracheotomy is common carotid artery (CCA) pseudoaneurysm. Treatment modalities for CCA pseudoaneurysm include surgical repair and single-artery balloon-covered stent graft technique. We describe successful treatment of tracheotomy-related CCA pseudoaneurysm with the "kissing balloon" expandable stent graft technique. We successfully implemented the kissing balloon expandable stent graft technique for treatment of a large, narrow-necked, bilobed CCA pseudoaneurysm that arose owing to a tracheotomy complication. The pseudoaneurysm was detected while performing a diagnostic angiogram of the aortic arch and surrounding vessels. The stent was deployed while the 2 balloons were introduced in a kissing manner such that they faced one another to avoid occlusion of either branch of the innominate artery coming into contact; 1 balloon was inflated at the origin of the right subclavian artery, and the other was inflated at the right innominate artery simultaneously. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully contained; normal blood flow was restored in the CCA. The balloons were deflated and withdrawn. The patient remained neurologically intact after the procedure. The kissing balloon technique is a safe and effective alternative to surgical repair, as it prevents morbidities associated with the surgical procedure. Also, this technique decreases the risk of major side-branch occlusion associated with the single-artery balloon-covered stent graft technique. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

14 CFR 21.253 - Type certificates: application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... made; (4) After placing the required technical data and type inspection report in the technical data... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Type certificates: application. 21.253....253 Type certificates: application. Link to an amendment published at 74 FR 53390, October 16, 2009...

14 CFR 169.3 - Application for recommendation and certification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Application for recommendation and... FACILITIES THEREON § 169.3 Application for recommendation and certification. (a) Any interested person may apply to the Administrator for a recommendation and certification with respect to a proposed project for...

14 CFR 169.3 - Application for recommendation and certification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Application for recommendation and... FACILITIES THEREON § 169.3 Application for recommendation and certification. (a) Any interested person may apply to the Administrator for a recommendation and certification with respect to a proposed project for...

9 CFR 151.3 - Application for certificate of pure breeding.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... breeding. 151.3 Section 151.3 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANIMAL BREEDS RECOGNITION OF BREEDS AND BOOKS OF RECORD OF PUREBRED ANIMALS Certification of Purebred Animals § 151.3 Application for certificate of pure breeding. An application for a...

9 CFR 151.3 - Application for certificate of pure breeding.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... breeding. 151.3 Section 151.3 Animals and Animal Products ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ANIMAL BREEDS RECOGNITION OF BREEDS AND BOOKS OF RECORD OF PUREBRED ANIMALS Certification of Purebred Animals § 151.3 Application for certificate of pure breeding. An application for a...

75 FR 62633 - Agency Information Collection (Application for Approval of a Licensing or Certification and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-12

....'' SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Application for Approval of a Licensing or Certification and Organization or... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900-0697] Agency Information Collection (Application for Approval of a Licensing or Certification and Organization or Entity) Activity Under OMB Review...

75 FR 53999 - Office of the Secretary: Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-02

... Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q) Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air... following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits...

78 FR 63273 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

... Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q) Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air... following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits...

76 FR 30990 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-27

... Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending April 30, 2011 The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

15 CFR 2011.105 - Form and applicability of certificate.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 15 Commerce and Foreign Trade 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Form and applicability of certificate. 2011.105 Section 2011.105 Commerce and Foreign Trade Regulations Relating to Foreign Trade Agreements... during the applicable quota period. The certificate shall provide spaces into which the following...

31 CFR 223.2 - Application for certificate of authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Application for certificate of authority. 223.2 Section 223.2 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance... BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES § 223.2 Application for certificate of authority. Every company wishing to...

31 CFR 223.2 - Application for certificate of authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Application for certificate of authority. 223.2 Section 223.2 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance... BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES § 223.2 Application for certificate of authority. Every company wishing to...

31 CFR 223.2 - Application for certificate of authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Application for certificate of authority. 223.2 Section 223.2 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance... BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES § 223.2 Application for certificate of authority. Every company wishing to...

31 CFR 223.2 - Application for certificate of authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Application for certificate of authority. 223.2 Section 223.2 Money and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance... BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES § 223.2 Application for certificate of authority. Every company wishing to...

78 FR 13861 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-01

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 99-5A002] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application (99-5A002) to amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to California Almond Export Association, Application No. 99-5A002. SUMMARY: The Office of...

75 FR 28235 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-20

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 85-16A18] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application ( 85-16A18) to Amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to U.S. Shippers Association, Application No. 85-00018. SUMMARY: The Export Trading Company...

75 FR 44762 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-29

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 94-4A007] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application (94-4A007) To Amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to Florida Citrus Exports, L.C. (``FCE''), Application No. 94-00007. SUMMARY: The Office of...

76 FR 77050 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-09

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Notice of Applications for Certificates of... to European Union carriers in the future. Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations... Q) During the Week Ending November 19, 2011 The following Applications for Certificates of Public...

10 CFR 455.111 - Applicant certifications for technical assistance and energy conservation measure grants to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Applicant certifications for technical assistance and... Institutions and Coordinating Agencies § 455.111 Applicant certifications for technical assistance and energy... for technical assistance programs and energy conservation measures, including renewable resource...

77 FR 54944 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-06

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending August 18, 2012 The following Applications for Certificates of Public...

75 FR 60491 - Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-30

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Secretary Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (Formerly Subpart Q) During the Week Ending September 18, 2010 The following Applications for: Certificates of Public...

50 CFR 300.123 - Certificates and permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... to obtain an annual certificate issued by the Republic of Colombia and an annual vessel permit issued... Colombia if: (i) The application is complete. (ii) The applicant has complied with all applicable reporting... Republic of Colombia. (d) Duration. A certificate and permit are valid for the calendar year for which they...

50 CFR 300.123 - Certificates and permits.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... to obtain an annual certificate issued by the Republic of Colombia and an annual vessel permit issued... Colombia if: (i) The application is complete. (ii) The applicant has complied with all applicable reporting... Republic of Colombia. (d) Duration. A certificate and permit are valid for the calendar year for which they...

Access Control based on Attribute Certificates for Medical Intranet Applications

PubMed Central

Georgiadis, Christos; Pangalos, George; Khair, Marie

2001-01-01

Background Clinical information systems frequently use intranet and Internet technologies. However these technologies have emphasized sharing and not security, despite the sensitive and private nature of much health information. Digital certificates (electronic documents which recognize an entity or its attributes) can be used to control access in clinical intranet applications. Objectives To outline the need for access control in distributed clinical database systems, to describe the use of digital certificates and security policies, and to propose the architecture for a system using digital certificates, cryptography and security policy to control access to clinical intranet applications. Methods We have previously developed a security policy, DIMEDAC (Distributed Medical Database Access Control), which is compatible with emerging public key and privilege management infrastructure. In our implementation approach we propose the use of digital certificates, to be used in conjunction with DIMEDAC. Results Our proposed access control system consists of two phases: the ways users gain their security credentials; and how these credentials are used to access medical data. Three types of digital certificates are used: identity certificates for authentication; attribute certificates for authorization; and access-rule certificates for propagation of access control policy. Once a user is identified and authenticated, subsequent access decisions are based on a combination of identity and attribute certificates, with access-rule certificates providing the policy framework. Conclusions Access control in clinical intranet applications can be successfully and securely managed through the use of digital certificates and the DIMEDAC security policy. PMID:11720951

Optimization of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria-Assisted Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings

PubMed Central

Grandlic, Christopher J.; Palmer, Michael W.; Maier, Raina M.

2009-01-01

Recent studies have indicated that plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can improve revegetation of arid mine tailings as measured by increased biomass production. The goals of the present study were first to evaluate how mode of application of known PGPB affects plant growth, and second to evaluate the effect of this inoculation on rhizosphere microbial community structure. PGPB application strategies investigated include preliminary surface sterilization of seeds (a common practice in phytoremediation trials) followed by a comparison of two application methods; immersion and alginate encapsulation. Results with two native desert plant species, Atriplex lentiformis and Buchloe dactyloides, suggest that seed surface sterilization prior to inoculation is not necessary to achieve beneficial effects of introduced PGPB. Both PGPB application techniques generally enhanced plant growth although results were both plant and PGPB specific. These results demonstrate that alginate encapsulation, which allows for long-term storage and easier application to seeds, is an effective way to inoculate PGPB. In addition, the influence of PGPB application on B. dactyloides rhizosphere community structure was evaluated using PCR-DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) analysis of bacterial DNA extracted from rhizosphere samples collected 75 d following planting. A comparative analysis of DGGE profiles was performed using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). DGGE-CCA showed that rhizosphere community profiles from PGPB-inoculated treatments are significantly different from both uninoculated tailings rhizosphere profiles and profiles from the compost used to amend the tailings. Further, community profiles from B. dactyloides inoculated with the best performing PGPB (Arthro mix) were significantly different from two other PGPB tested. These results suggest that introduced PGPB have the potential to influence the development of the rhizosphere community structure found in plants grown in mine tailings. PMID:20161141

45 CFR 170.425 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.425 Application...

45 CFR 170.525 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Public Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.525 Application submission. (a...

45 CFR 170.415 - Application prerequisite.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.415 Application...

45 CFR 170.415 - Application prerequisite.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.415 Application...

45 CFR 170.525 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.525 Application submission. (a...

45 CFR 170.415 - Application prerequisite.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.415 Application...

45 CFR 170.425 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.425 Application...

45 CFR 170.425 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.425 Application...

45 CFR 170.525 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Permanent Certification Program for HIT § 170.525 Application...

45 CFR 170.415 - Application prerequisite.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.415 Application...

45 CFR 170.525 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Permanent Certification Program for HIT § 170.525 Application...

45 CFR 170.501 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ONC HIT Certification Program § 170.501 Applicability. Link to an...

45 CFR 170.415 - Application prerequisite.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Public Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.415 Application...

45 CFR 170.425 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Public Welfare Department of Health and Human Services HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.425 Application...

45 CFR 170.425 - Application submission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS, IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION CRITERIA AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Temporary Certification Program for HIT § 170.425 Application...

WASTE REDUCTION PRACTICES AT TWO CHROMATED COPPER ARSENATE WOOD-TREATING PLANTS

EPA Science Inventory

Two chromated copper arsenate (CCA) wood-treating plants were assessed for their waste reduction practices. The objectives of this study were to estimate the amount of hazardous wastes that a well-designed and well-main- tained CCA treatment facility would generate and to iden- t...

STOCHASTIC HUMAN EXPOSURE AND DOSE SIMULATION MODEL FOR THE WOOD PRESERVATIVE SCENARIO (SHEDS-WOOD), VERSION 2 MODEL SAS CODE

EPA Science Inventory

Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of young children contacting arsenic and chromium residues while playing on and around Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated wood playground structures and decks. Although CCA registrants voluntarily canceled treated wood for resi...

BIOAVAILABILITY OF ARSENIC, CHROMIUM, AND COPPER FROM CCA CONTAMINATED SOILS AND DUSTS

EPA Science Inventory

It is estimated that 70% of single family homes have pressure-treated wood decks or porches and 14% of playground equipment uses pressure-treated wood. This popular form of wood contains chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which is an antimicrobial pesticide and is currently underg...

BIOAVAILABILITY OF ARSENIC, CHROMIUM, AND COPPER FOR CCA CONTAMINATED SOILS AND DUST

EPA Science Inventory

It is estimated that 70% of single family homes have pressure-treated wood decks or porches and 14% of playground equipment uses pressure-treated wood. This popular form of wood contains chromated copper arsenate (CCA), which is an antimicrobial pesticide and is currently underg...

77 FR 72324 - Export Trade Certificate of Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-05

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [Application No. 85-17A18] Export Trade Certificate of Review ACTION: Notice of Application to Amend the Export Trade Certificate of Review Issued to... to amend an Export [[Page 72325

78 FR 33466 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-04

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending April 27, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 2711 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-14

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending November 17, 2012. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 50138 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-16

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending August 3, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 63273 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending September 28, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 3067 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-15

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending December 29, 2012. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 8219 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-05

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending January 12, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 16356 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-14

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending March 2, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 72747 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-03

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending Novermber 16, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 24288 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-24

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending April 13, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 56768 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-13

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending August 24, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 56768 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-13

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending August 31, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 50138 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-16

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending July 27, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 9449 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-08

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending January 26, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 57446 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-18

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending September 7, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 33465 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-04

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending May 17, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and...

78 FR 14619 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-06

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending February 16, 2013. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

78 FR 2710 - Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-14

... Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Notice of Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart B (formerly Subpart Q) during the Week Ending December 15, 2012. The following Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience...

Management of Microcircuit Obsolescence in a Pre-Production ACAT-ID Missile Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-12-01

and Engineering Center ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit AVCOM Avionics Component Obsolescence Management BRU Battery Replaceable Unit...then just a paper qualification, e.g. Board or Battery Replaceable Unit ( BRU ) testing. 5 After-market Package The Die is Available and Can Be...Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEM), speed change, failure rate) 8 Emulation Manufacture or re-engineering of a FFF Replacement 9 CCA or BRU Redesign Board

Methods of affecting nitrogen assimilation in plants

DOEpatents

Coruzzi, Gloria; Gutierrez, Rodrigo A.; Nero, Damion C.

2016-10-11

Provided herein are compositions and methods for producing transgenic plants. In specific embodiments, transgenic plants comprise a construct comprising a polynucleotide encoding CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1, operably linked to a plant-specific promote, wherein the CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 is ectopically overexpressed in the transgenic plants, and wherein the promoter is optionally a constitutive or inducible promoter. In other embodiments, transgenic plants in which express a lower level of CCA1, GLK1 or bZIP1 are provided. Also provided herein are commercial products (e.g., pulp, paper, paper products, or lumber) derived from the transgenic plants (e.g., transgenic trees) produced using the methods provided herein.

Evaluation of Genomic Instability in the Abnormal Prostate

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

Mehrotra, J., Varde, S., Wang, H., Chiu, H., Vargo, J., Gray , K., Nagle, R.B., Neri, J.R., Mazumder, A. (2007) Prostate 68, 152-60. Appendix A...GSTP-1 Reverse 5’-GCC CCA ATA CTA AAT CAC GAC G-3’ GSTP-1 Probe 5’-6-FAM-CGG TCG ACG TTC GGG GTG TAG CG-6-TAMSp-3’ RassF1A Forward 5’-GCG TTG AAG...GAA CCA AAA CGC TCC CCA T-3’ APC Reverse 5’-TTA TAT GTC GGT TAC GTG CGT TTA TAT-3’ APC Probe 5’-6-FAM-CCC GTC GAA AAC CCG CCG ATT A-6-TAMSp-3

Certification trails for data structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sullivan, Gregory F.; Masson, Gerald M.

1993-01-01

Certification trails are a recently introduced and promising approach to fault detection and fault tolerance. The applicability of the certification trail technique is significantly generalized. Previously, certification trails had to be customized to each algorithm application; trails appropriate to wide classes of algorithms were developed. These certification trails are based on common data-structure operations such as those carried out using these sets of operations such as those carried out using balanced binary trees and heaps. Any algorithms using these sets of operations can therefore employ the certification trail method to achieve software fault tolerance. To exemplify the scope of the generalization of the certification trail technique provided, constructions of trails for abstract data types such as priority queues and union-find structures are given. These trails are applicable to any data-structure implementation of the abstract data type. It is also shown that these ideals lead naturally to monitors for data-structure operations.

Mapping Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation: progress in South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Storie, Judith M.

2018-05-01

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) strategies in Africa are on the increase. South Africa is no different, and a number of strategies have seen the light in aid of reducing disaster risk and adapting to cli-mate change. The DRR and CCA processes include the mapping of location and extent of known and potential hazards, vulnerable communities and environments, and opportunities that may exist to manage these risks. However, the mapping of often fast-changing urban and rural spaces in a standardized manner presents challenges that relate to processes, scales of data capture, level of detail recorded, software and compatibility related to data formats and net-works, human resources skills and understanding, as well as differences in approaches to the nature in which the map-ping processes are executed and spatial data is managed. As a result, projects and implementation of strategies that re-late to the use of such data is affected, and the success of activities based on the data may therefore be uncertain. This paper investigates data custodianship and data categories that is processed and managed across South Africa. It explores the process and content management of disaster risk and climate change related information and defines the challenges that exist in terms of governance. The paper also comments on the challenges and potential solutions for the situation as it gives rise to varying degrees of accuracy, effectiveness for use, and applicability of the spatial data available to affect DRR and improve the value of CCA programmes in the region.

Finishability of CCA pressure-treated wood

Treesearch

Alan Ross; Richard Carlson; William Feist; Steven Bussjaeger

2000-01-01

Thus, a need arose for the development of surface finishes for CCA-treated wood that could address the special requirements of this substrate and provide protection against the ravages of water, sunlight, mildew, and other aspects of weathering and wear. Initially, this need was not addressed, most wood preserving companies had little expertise in surface finishes and...

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COATINGS IN REDUCING DISLODGEABLE ARSENIC, CHROMIUM, AND COPPER FROM CCA TREATED WOOD; FINAL REPORT

EPA Science Inventory

EPA conducted a study to evaluate the effect of coatings on dislodgeable arsenic, chromium, and copper residues on the surfaces of chromated copper arsenate (CAA) treated wood. Dislodgeable CCA, determined by wipe sampling the wood surfaces, was the primary evaluation criterion f...

The role of moisture content in above-ground leaching

Treesearch

Stan Lebow; Patricia Lebow

2007-01-01

This paper reviews previous reports on the moisture content of wood exposed above ground and compares those values to moisture contents obtained using simulated rainfall and immersion methods. Laboratory leaching trials with CCA-treated specimens were also conducted and the results compared to published values for leaching of CCA-treated specimens exposed above ground...

Chemical yields from low-temperature pyrolysis of CCA-treated wood

Treesearch

Qirong Fu; Dimitris Argyropolous; Lucian Lucia; David Tilotta; Stan Lebow

2009-01-01

Low-temperature pyrolysis offers a feasible option for wood-waste management and the recovery of a variety of useful chemicals. The effect of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) wood preservative on the yield and composition of various pyrolysis products was investigated in the present research. A novel quantitative 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (...

The Constant Comparative Analysis Method Outside of Grounded Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fram, Sheila M.

2013-01-01

This commentary addresses the gap in the literature regarding discussion of the legitimate use of Constant Comparative Analysis Method (CCA) outside of Grounded Theory. The purpose is to show the strength of using CCA to maintain the emic perspective and how theoretical frameworks can maintain the etic perspective throughout the analysis. My…

Correlational Neural Networks.

PubMed

Chandar, Sarath; Khapra, Mitesh M; Larochelle, Hugo; Ravindran, Balaraman

2016-02-01

Common representation learning (CRL), wherein different descriptions (or views) of the data are embedded in a common subspace, has been receiving a lot of attention recently. Two popular paradigms here are canonical correlation analysis (CCA)-based approaches and autoencoder (AE)-based approaches. CCA-based approaches learn a joint representation by maximizing correlation of the views when projected to the common subspace. AE-based methods learn a common representation by minimizing the error of reconstructing the two views. Each of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, while CCA-based approaches outperform AE-based approaches for the task of transfer learning, they are not as scalable as the latter. In this work, we propose an AE-based approach, correlational neural network (CorrNet), that explicitly maximizes correlation among the views when projected to the common subspace. Through a series of experiments, we demonstrate that the proposed CorrNet is better than AE and CCA with respect to its ability to learn correlated common representations. We employ CorrNet for several cross-language tasks and show that the representations learned using it perform better than the ones learned using other state-of-the-art approaches.

Ocean acidification reduces coral recruitment by disrupting intimate larval-algal settlement interactions.

PubMed

Doropoulos, Christopher; Ward, Selina; Diaz-Pulido, Guillermo; Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove; Mumby, Peter J

2012-04-01

Ecology Letters (2012) 15: 338-346 ABSTRACT: Successful recruitment in shallow reef ecosystems often involves specific cues that connect planktonic invertebrate larvae with particular crustose coralline algae (CCA) during settlement. While ocean acidification (OA) can reduce larval settlement and the abundance of CCA, the impact of OA on the interactions between planktonic larvae and their preferred settlement substrate are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that CO2 concentrations (800 and 1300 μatm) predicted to occur by the end of this century significantly reduce coral (Acropora millepora) settlement and CCA cover by ≥ 45%. The CCA important for inducing coral settlement (Titanoderma spp., Hydrolithon spp.) were the most deleteriously affected by OA. Surprisingly, the only preferred settlement substrate (Titanoderma) in the experimental controls was avoided by coral larvae as pCO2 increased, and other substrata selected. Our results suggest OA may reduce coral population recovery by reducing coral settlement rates, disrupting larval settlement behaviour, and reducing the availability of the most desirable coralline algal species for successful coral recruitment. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS.

34 CFR 682.603 - Certification by a participating school in connection with a loan application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 34 Education 4 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Certification by a participating school in connection... Schools § 682.603 Certification by a participating school in connection with a loan application. (a) A school shall certify that the information it provides in connection with a loan application about the...