4-D photoacoustic tomography.

PubMed

Xiang, Liangzhong; Wang, Bo; Ji, Lijun; Jiang, Huabei

2013-01-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) offers three-dimensional (3D) structural and functional imaging of living biological tissue with label-free, optical absorption contrast. These attributes lend PAT imaging to a wide variety of applications in clinical medicine and preclinical research. Despite advances in live animal imaging with PAT, there is still a need for 3D imaging at centimeter depths in real-time. We report the development of four dimensional (4D) PAT, which integrates time resolutions with 3D spatial resolution, obtained using spherical arrays of ultrasonic detectors. The 4D PAT technique generates motion pictures of imaged tissue, enabling real time tracking of dynamic physiological and pathological processes at hundred micrometer-millisecond resolutions. The 4D PAT technique is used here to image needle-based drug delivery and pharmacokinetics. We also use this technique to monitor 1) fast hemodynamic changes during inter-ictal epileptic seizures and 2) temperature variations during tumor thermal therapy.

Discovery and characterization of inhibitors of human palmitoyl acyltransferases.

PubMed

Ducker, Charles E; Griffel, Lindsay K; Smith, Ryan A; Keller, Staci N; Zhuang, Yan; Xia, Zuping; Diller, John D; Smith, Charles D

2006-07-01

The covalent attachment of palmitate to specific proteins by the action of palmitoyl acyltransferases (PAT) plays critical roles in the biological activities of several oncoproteins. Two PAT activities are expressed by human cells: type 1 PATs that modify the farnesyl-dependent palmitoylation motif found in H- and N-Ras, and type 2 PATs that modify the myristoyl-dependent palmitoylation motif found in the Src family of tyrosine kinases. We have previously shown that the type 1 PAT HIP14 causes cellular transformation. In the current study, we show that mRNA encoding HIP14 is up-regulated in a number of types of human tumors. To assess the potential of HIP14 and other PATs as targets for new anticancer drugs, we developed three cell-based assays suitable for high-throughput screening to identify inhibitors of these enzymes. Using these screens, five chemotypes, with activity toward either type 1 or type 2 PAT activity, were identified. The activity of the hits were confirmed using assays that quantify the in vitro inhibition of PAT activity, as well as a cell-based assay that determines the abilities of the compounds to prevent the localization of palmitoylated green fluorescent proteins to the plasma membrane. Representative compounds from each chemotype showed broad antiproliferative activity toward a panel of human tumor cell lines and inhibited the growth of tumors in vivo. Together, these data show that PATs, and HIP14 in particular, are interesting new targets for anticancer compounds, and that small molecules with such activity can be identified by high-throughput screening.

Discovery and characterization of inhibitors of human palmitoyl acyltransferases

PubMed Central

Ducker, Charles E.; Griffel, Lindsay K.; Smith, Ryan A.; Keller, Staci N.; Zhuang, Yan; Xia, Zuping; Diller, John D.; Smith, Charles D.

2010-01-01

The covalent attachment of palmitate to specific proteins by the action of palmitoyl acyltransferases (PAT) plays critical roles in the biological activities of several oncoproteins. Two PAT activities are expressed by human cells: type 1 PATs that modify the farnesyl-dependent palmitoylation motif found in H- and N-Ras, and type 2 PATs that modify the myristoyl-dependent palmitoylation motif found in the Src family of tyrosine kinases. We have previously shown that the type 1 PAT HIP14 causes cellular transformation. In the current study, we show that mRNA encoding HIP14 is up-regulated in a number of types of human tumors. To assess the potential of HIP14 and other PATs as targets for new anticancer drugs, we developed three cell-based assays suitable for high-throughput screening to identify inhibitors of these enzymes. Using these screens, five chemotypes, with activity toward either type 1 or type 2 PAT activity, were identified. The activity of the hits were confirmed using assays that quantify the in vitro inhibition of PAT activity, as well as a cell-based assay that determines the abilities of the compounds to prevent the localization of palmitoylated green fluorescent proteins to the plasma membrane. Representative compounds from each chemotype showed broad antiproliferative activity toward a panel of human tumor cell lines and inhibited the growth of tumors in vivo. Together, these data show that PATs, and HIP14 in particular, are interesting new targets for anticancer compounds, and that small molecules with such activity can be identified by high-throughput screening. PMID:16891450

Prevalence of protective antibody titers for canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus in dogs entering a Florida animal shelter.

PubMed

Lechner, Elizabeth S; Crawford, P Cynda; Levy, Julie K; Edinboro, Charlotte H; Dubovi, Edward J; Caligiuri, Randy

2010-06-15

To determine the proportion of dogs entering an animal shelter with protective antibody titers (PATs) for canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine parvovirus (CPV) and identify factors associated with having a PAT. Cross-sectional study. 431 dogs admitted to an open-admission municipal animal shelter in north central Florida with a history of infectious disease outbreaks. Blood was collected from dogs on the day of admission to the shelter. Antibody titers for CDV and CPV were measured by virus neutralization and hemagglutination inhibition, respectively. Age, sex, neuter status, address of origin, source (stray or previously owned), health status (healthy or not healthy), and outcome (adoption, euthanasia, or reclaimed by owner) data were also collected. Overall, 64.5% (278/431) of dogs had insufficient titers for antibodies against CDV, CPV, or both. A total of 153 (35.5%) dogs had PATs for both CDV and CPV, 33 (7.7%) had PATs for CDV but not CPV, 136 (31.5%) had PATs for CPV but not CDV, and 109 (25.3%) did not have PATs for either virus. Older dogs were more likely to have PATs for CDV and CPV. Neutered dogs were more likely to have PATs for CDV. Factors not associated with having a PAT included source, health status, and type of community from which the dog originated. Most dogs had insufficient antibody titers for CDV, CPV, or both at the time of admission to the animal shelter. Findings support current guidelines recommending vaccination of all dogs immediately upon admission to shelters, regardless of source or physical condition.

GeoPAT: A toolbox for pattern-based information retrieval from large geospatial databases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jasiewicz, Jarosław; Netzel, Paweł; Stepinski, Tomasz

2015-07-01

Geospatial Pattern Analysis Toolbox (GeoPAT) is a collection of GRASS GIS modules for carrying out pattern-based geospatial analysis of images and other spatial datasets. The need for pattern-based analysis arises when images/rasters contain rich spatial information either because of their very high resolution or their very large spatial extent. Elementary units of pattern-based analysis are scenes - patches of surface consisting of a complex arrangement of individual pixels (patterns). GeoPAT modules implement popular GIS algorithms, such as query, overlay, and segmentation, to operate on the grid of scenes. To achieve these capabilities GeoPAT includes a library of scene signatures - compact numerical descriptors of patterns, and a library of distance functions - providing numerical means of assessing dissimilarity between scenes. Ancillary GeoPAT modules use these functions to construct a grid of scenes or to assign signatures to individual scenes having regular or irregular geometries. Thus GeoPAT combines knowledge retrieval from patterns with mapping tasks within a single integrated GIS environment. GeoPAT is designed to identify and analyze complex, highly generalized classes in spatial datasets. Examples include distinguishing between different styles of urban settlements using VHR images, delineating different landscape types in land cover maps, and mapping physiographic units from DEM. The concept of pattern-based spatial analysis is explained and the roles of all modules and functions are described. A case study example pertaining to delineation of landscape types in a subregion of NLCD is given. Performance evaluation is included to highlight GeoPAT's applicability to very large datasets. The GeoPAT toolbox is available for download from

75 FR 51968 - Outer Continental Shelf Air Regulations Consistency Update for Massachusetts

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2010-08-24

... comments to: Ida McDonnell, Air Permits, Toxics and Indoor Air Unit, Office of Ecosystem Protection, U.S... INFORMATION CONTACT: Ida E. McDonnell, Air Permits, Toxics and Indoor Air Unit, U.S. Environmental Protection... Continental Shelf Air Regulations Consistency Update for Massachusetts AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency...

75 FR 81087 - Plum Pox Virus; Update of Quarantined Areas

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2010-12-27

.... APHIS-2010-0089] Plum Pox Virus; Update of Quarantined Areas AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Interim rule and request for comments. SUMMARY: We are amending the plum pox virus.... SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The plum pox virus (PPV) is an extremely serious viral disease of plants...

75 FR 38757 - Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; State of Iowa

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... Plan (SIP). The purpose of this revision is to update the Polk County Board of Health Rules and Regulations, Chapter V, ``Air Pollution.'' These revisions reflect updates to the Iowa statewide rules... local agency's ``Air Pollution'' rules. DATES: Comments on this proposed action must be received in...

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... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OAR-2007-0268; FRL-9833-5] Updates to Protective Action Guides Manual: Protective Action Guides (PAGs) and Planning Guidance for Radiological Incidents AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed guidance; extension of comment period. SUMMARY: The U.S...

Photoacoustic tomography: principles and advances

PubMed Central

Xia, Jun; Yao, Junjie; Wang, Lihong V.

2014-01-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is an emerging imaging modality that shows great potential for preclinical research and clinical practice. As a hybrid technique, PAT is based on the acoustic detection of optical absorption from either endogenous chromophores, such as oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin, or exogenous contrast agents, such as organic dyes and nanoparticles. Because ultrasound scatters much less than light in tissue, PAT generates high-resolution images in both the optical ballistic and diffusive regimes. Over the past decade, the photoacoustic technique has been evolving rapidly, leading to a variety of exciting discoveries and applications. This review covers the basic principles of PAT and its different implementations. Strengths of PAT are highlighted, along with the most recent imaging results. PMID:25642127

Inter-species protein trafficking endows dodder (Cuscuta pentagona) with a host-specific herbicide-tolerant trait.

PubMed

Jiang, Linjian; Qu, Feng; Li, Zhaohu; Doohan, Douglas

2013-06-01

· Besides photosynthates, dodder (Cuscuta spp.) acquires phloem-mobile proteins from host; however, whether this could mediate inter-species phenotype transfer was not demonstrated. Specifically, we test whether phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) that confers host plant glufosinate herbicide tolerance traffics and functions inter-specifically. · Dodder tendrils excised from hosts can grow in vitro for weeks or resume in vivo by parasitizing new hosts. The level of PAT in in vivo and in vitro dodder tendrils was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The glufosinate sensitivity was examined by dipping the distal end of in vivo and in vitro tendrils, growing on or excised from LibertyLink (LL; PAT-transgenic and glufosinate tolerant) and conventional (CN; glufosinate sensitive) soybean hosts, into glufosinate solutions for 5 s. After in vitro tendrils excised from LL hosts reparasitized new CN and LL hosts, the PAT level and the glufosinate sensitivity were also examined. · When growing on LL host, dodder tolerated glufosinate and contained PAT at a level of 0.3% of that encountered in LL soybean leaf. After PAT was largely degraded in dodders, they became glufosinate sensitive. PAT mRNA was not detected by reverse transcription PCR in dodders. · In conclusion, the results indicated that PAT inter-species trafficking confers dodder glufosinate tolerance. © 2013 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2013 New Phytologist Trust.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Interagency ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

On August 21, 2013, the draft Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene and the draft charge to external peer reviewers were released for public review and comment. The Toxicological Review and charge were reviewed internally by EPA and by other federal agencies and White House Offices before public release. Consistent with the May 2009 IRIS assessment development process, all written comments on IRIS assessments submitted by other federal agencies and White House Offices are made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency science consultation materials provided to other agencies, including interagency review drafts of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene and the charge to external peer reviewers, are posted on this site. EPA is undertaking an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The outcome of this project is an updated Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary for BaP that will be entered into the IRIS database.

Mutagenesis Analysis Reveals Distinct Amino Acids of the Human Serotonin 5-HT2C Receptor Underlying the Pharmacology of Distinct Ligands.

PubMed

Liu, Yue; Canal, Clinton E; Cordova-Sintjago, Tania C; Zhu, Wanying; Booth, Raymond G

2017-01-18

While exploring the structure-activity relationship of 4-phenyl-2-dimethylaminotetralins (PATs) at serotonin 5-HT 2C receptors, we discovered that relatively minor modification of PAT chemistry impacts function at 5-HT 2C receptors. In HEK293 cells expressing human 5-HT 2C-INI receptors, for example, (-)-trans-3'-Br-PAT and (-)-trans-3'-Cl-PAT are agonists regarding Gα q -inositol phosphate signaling, whereas (-)-trans-3'-CF 3 -PAT is an inverse agonist. To investigate the ligand-receptor interactions that govern this change in function, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of 14 amino acids of the 5-HT 2C receptor based on molecular modeling and reported G protein-coupled receptor crystal structures, followed by molecular pharmacology studies. We found that S3.36, T3.37, and F5.47 in the orthosteric binding pocket are critical for affinity (K i ) of all PATs tested, we also found that F6.44, M6.47, C7.45, and S7.46 are primarily involved in regulating EC/IC 50 functional potencies of PATs. We discovered that when residue S5.43, N6.55, or both are mutated to alanine, (-)-trans-3'-CF 3 -PAT switches from inverse agonist to agonist function, and when N6.55 is mutated to leucine, (-)-trans-3'-Br-PAT switches from agonist to inverse agonist function. Notably, most point-mutations that affected PAT pharmacology did not significantly alter affinity (K D ) of the antagonist radioligand [ 3 H]mesulergine, but every mutation tested negatively impacted serotonin binding. Also, amino acid mutations differentially affected the pharmacology of other commercially available 5-HT 2C ligands tested. Collectively, the data show that functional outcomes shared by different ligands are mediated by different amino acids and that some 5-HT 2C receptor residues important for pharmacology of one ligand are not necessarily important for another ligand.

Implementing PAT with Standards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandramohan, Laakshmana Sabari; Doolla, Suryanarayana; Khaparde, S. A.

2016-02-01

Perform Achieve Trade (PAT) is a market-based incentive mechanism to promote energy efficiency. The purpose of this work is to address the challenges inherent to inconsistent representation of business processes, and interoperability issues in PAT like cap-and-trade mechanisms especially when scaled. Studies by various agencies have highlighted that as the mechanism evolves including more industrial sectors and industries in its ambit, implementation will become more challenging. This paper analyses the major needs of PAT (namely tracking, monitoring, auditing & verifying energy-saving reports, and providing technical support & guidance to stakeholders); and how the aforesaid reasons affect them. Though current technologies can handle these challenges to an extent, standardization activities for implementation have been scanty for PAT and this work attempts to evolve them. The inconsistent modification of business processes, rules, and procedures across stakeholders, and interoperability among heterogeneous systems are addressed. This paper proposes the adoption of specifically two standards into PAT, namely Business Process Model and Notation for maintaining consistency in business process modelling, and Common Information Model (IEC 61970, 61968, 62325 combined) for information exchange. Detailed architecture and organization of these adoptions are reported. The work can be used by PAT implementing agencies, stakeholders, and standardization bodies.

Aggregate analysis of regulatory authority assessors' comments to improve the quality of periodic safety update reports.

PubMed

Jullian, Sandra; Jaskiewicz, Lukasz; Pfannkuche, Hans-Jürgen; Parker, Jeremy; Lalande-Luesink, Isabelle; Lewis, David J; Close, Philippe

2015-09-01

Marketing authorization holders (MAHs) are expected to provide high-quality periodic safety update reports (PSURs) on their pharmaceutical products to health authorities (HAs). We present a novel instrument aiming at improving quality of PSURs based on standardized analysis of PSUR assessment reports (ARs) received from the European Union HAs across products and therapeutic areas. All HA comments were classified into one of three categories: "Request for regulatory actions," "Request for medical and scientific information," or "Data deficiencies." The comments were graded according to their impact on patients' safety, the drug's benefit-risk profile, and the MAH's pharmacovigilance system. A total of 476 comments were identified through the analysis of 63 PSUR HA ARs received in 2013 and 2014; 47 (10%) were classified as "Requests for regulatory actions," 309 (65%) as "Requests for medical and scientific information," and 118 (25%) comments were related to "Data deficiencies." The most frequent comments were requests for labeling changes (35 HA comments in 19 ARs). The aggregate analysis revealed commonly raised issues and prompted changes of the MAH's procedures related to the preparation of PSURs. The authors believe that this novel instrument based on the evaluation of PSUR HA ARs serves as a valuable mechanism to enhance the quality of PSURs and decisions about optimization of the use of the products and, therefore, contributes to improve further the MAH's pharmacovigilance system and patient safety. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

77 FR 53221 - Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan, Environmental...

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2012-08-31

... review. The EIS was updated to address the comments received on the 2010 Draft EIS. We are considering... burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), Mount Hamilton... received on the Draft EIR/ EIS and our responses to those comments. Following a 30-day review period, we...

78 FR 12302 - President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)

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2013-02-22

... Initiative, graduate education, and an update on the PCAST energy and climate change letter report...). Public Comments: It is the policy of the PCAST to accept written public comments of any length, and to... Acting Executive Director, at [email protected] , (202) 456-4444. Please note that public seating for...

76 FR 72956 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Cancer Risk in U.S. Radiologic Technologists: Fourth...

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2011-11-28

... procedures, and other risk factors from all participants, plus detailed employment data from subgroups of... radiography procedures, and new or updated risk factors that may influence health risks. New occupational and...; Comment Request; Cancer Risk in U.S. Radiologic Technologists: Fourth Survey (NCI) Summary: Under the...

An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska (First External Review Draft)

EPA Science Inventory

[UPDATE] In March 2014, EPA released a response to public comments on the draft document, "An Assessment of the Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska" (see downloads). In Jan 2014, EPA released a response to peer review comments on ...

75 FR 36124 - Construction Reactor Oversight Process Request for Public Comment

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2010-06-24

..., and the assessment of licensee safety culture. In SECY-10-0038, ``Update Status on the Development of... commenter supports or does not support an aspect of this plan. The use of examples is encouraged. (1) The... ROP, the NRC currently assigns safety culture component aspects to findings when appropriate...

78 FR 16489 - Appalachian Power Company; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments...

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2013-03-15

... Company; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection: a. Application Type: Revised filing of updated shoreline management plan as...

Type studies of resupinate hydnaceous Hymenomycetes described by Patouillard

Treesearch

Karen K. Nakasone

2003-01-01

Type specimens of fourteen resupinate or pileate, hydnaceous Basidiomycotina, Aphyllophorales) species described by Patouillard were studied. The species are from Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Java, Madagascar, Tunisia, Venezuela, and Vietnam. New combinations Beenakia hololeuca (Pat.) Nakasone, Hyphodontia ochroflava (Pat.) Nakasone, Phlebia citrea (Pat.) Nakasone,...

Comparison of temporal to pulmonary artery temperature in febrile patients.

PubMed

Furlong, Donna; Carroll, Diane L; Finn, Cynthia; Gay, Diane; Gryglik, Christine; Donahue, Vivian

2015-01-01

As a routine part of clinical care, temperature measurement is a key indicator of illness. With the criterion standard of temperature measurement from the pulmonary artery catheter thermistor (PAT), which insertion of PAT carries significant risk to the patient, a noninvasive method that is accurate and precise is needed. The purpose of this study was to measure the precision and accuracy of 2 commonly used methods of collecting body temperature: PAT considered the criterion standard and the temporal artery thermometer (TAT) in those patients with a temperature greater than 100.4°F. This is a repeated-measures design with each patient with a PAT in the intensive care unit acting as their own control to investigate the difference in PAT readings and readings from TAT in the core mode. Accuracy and precision were analyzed. There were 60 subjects, 41 males and 19 females, with mean age of 60.8 years, and 97% (n = 58) were post-cardiac surgery. There was a statistically significant difference between PAT and TAT (101.0°F [SD, 0.5°F] vs 100.5°F [SD, 0.8°F]; bias, -0.49°F; P < .001). Differences in temperature between the 2 methods were clinically significant (ie, >0.9°F different) in 15 of 60 cases (25%). No TAT measurements were 0.9 F greater than the corresponding PAT measurement (0%; 95% confidence interval, 0%-6%). These data demonstrate the accuracy of TAT when compared with PAT in those with temperatures of 100.4°F or greater. This study demonstrates that TAT set to core mode is accurate with a 0.5°F lower temperature than PAT. There was 25% in variability in precision of TAT.

Novel 4-Substituted-N,N-dimethyltetrahydronaphthalen-2-amines: Synthesis, Affinity, and In Silico Docking Studies at Serotonin 5-HT2-type and Histamine H1 G Protein-Coupled Receptors

PubMed Central

Sakhuja, Rajeev; Kondabolu, Krishnakanth; Córdova-Sintjago, Tania; Travers, Sean; Vincek, Adam S.; Kim, Myong Sang; Abboud, Khalil A.; Fang, Lijuan; Sun, Zhuming; Canal, Clinton E.; Booth, Raymond G.

2015-01-01

Syntheses were undertaken of derivatives of (2S, 4R)-(−)-trans-4-phenyl-N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine (4-phenyl-2-dimethylaminotetralin, PAT), a stereospecific agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2C G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), with inverse agonist activity at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B GPCRs. Molecular changes were made at the PAT C(4)-position, while preserving N, N-dimethyl substitution at the 2-position as well as trans-stereochemistry, structural features previously shown to be optimal for 5-HT2 binding. Affinities of analogs were determined at recombinant human 5-HT2 GPCRs in comparison to the phylogenetically closely-related histamine H1 GPCR, and in silico ligand docking studies were conducted at receptor molecular models to help interpret pharmacological results and guide future ligand design. In most cases, C(4)-substituted PAT analogs exhibited the same stereoselectivity ([−]-trans > [+]-trans) as the parent PAT across 5-HT2 and H1 GPCRs, albeit, with variable receptor selectivity. 4-(4′-substituted)-PAT analogs, however, demonstrated reversed stereoselectivity ([2S, 4R]-[+]-trans > [2S, 4R]-[−]-trans), with absolute configuration confirmed by single X-ray crystallographic data for the 4-(4′-Cl)-PAT analog. Pharmacological affinity results and computational results herein support further PAT drug development studies and provide a basis for predicting and interpreting translational results, including, for (+)-trans-4-(4′-Cl)-PAT and (−)-trans-4-(3′-Br)-PAT that were previously shown to be more potent and efficacious than their corresponding enantiomers in rodent models of psychoses, psychostimulant-induced behaviors, and compulsive feeding (‘binge-eating’). PMID:25703249

Role of mitogen activated protein kinases in skin tumorigenicity of Patulin

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

Saxena, Neha; Ansari, Kausar M.; Kumar, Rahul

2011-12-15

WHO has highlighted the need to evaluate dermal toxicity of mycotoxins including Patulin (PAT), detected in several fruits. In this study the skin carcinogenic potential of topically applied PAT was investigated. Single topical application of PAT (400 nmol) showed enhanced cell proliferation ({approx} 2 fold), along with increased generation of ROS and activation of ERK, p38 and JNK MAPKs, in mouse skin. PAT exposure also showed activation of downstream target proteins, c-fos, c-Jun and NF-{kappa}B transcription factors. Further, single topical application of PAT (400 nmol) followed by twice weekly application of TPA resulted in tumor formation after 14 weeks, indicatingmore » the tumor initiating activity of PAT. However no tumors were observed when PAT was used either as a complete carcinogen (80 nmol) or as a tumor promoter (20 nmol and 40 nmol) for 25 weeks. Histopathological findings of tumors found in PAT/TPA treated mice showed that these tumors were of squamous cell carcinoma type and similar to those found in the positive control group (DMBA/TPA) along with significant increase of lipid peroxidation and decrease in free sulfydryls, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities. The results suggest the possible role of free radicals in PAT mediated dermal tumorigenicity involving MAPKs. -- Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Single topical application of Patulin showed enhanced cell proliferation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Patulin activate MAPKs, c-fos, c-Jun and NF-{kappa}B transcription factors. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Patulin showed skin tumor initiating potential. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We could not detect skin tumor promoting potential of Patulin at the tested dose. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer However prolonged exposure of Patulin at a higher dose may promote tumor.« less

Effect of a Home-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Breastfeeding Initiation Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged African American Women with Overweight or Obesity.

PubMed

Lewkowitz, Adam K; López, Julia D; Stein, Richard I; Rhoades, Janine S; Schulz, Rosa C; Woolfolk, Candice L; Macones, George A; Haire-Joshu, Debra; Cahill, Alison G

2018-06-18

Socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED) African American women with overweight or obesity are less likely to breastfeed. To test whether a home-based lifestyle intervention impacts breastfeeding initiation rates in SED African American women with overweight or obesity. This was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial from October 2012 to March 2016 at a university-based hospital within the LIFE-Moms consortium. SED African American women with overweight or obesity and singleton gestations were randomized by 16 weeks to Parents as Teachers (PAT)-a home-based parenting support and child development educational intervention-or PAT+, PAT with additional content on breastfeeding. Participants completed a breastfeeding survey. Outcomes included breastfeeding initiation and reasons for not initiating or not continuing breastfeeding. One hundred eighteen women were included: 59 in PAT+; 59 in PAT. Breastfeeding initiation rates were similar in each group (78.00% in PAT+; 74.58% in PAT). On a one to four scale, with four denoting "very important," women in PAT+ and PAT were equally likely to rate their beliefs that formula was better than breast milk or breastfeeding would be too inconvenient as the most important reasons to not initiate breastfeeding. On the same scale, women similarly rated their difficulty latching or concern for low milk supply as the most important reasons for breastfeeding cessation. SED African American women with overweight or obesity who received a home-based educational intervention had higher breastfeeding rates than is reported nationally for black women (59%). However, the intervention with more breastfeeding content did not further increase breastfeeding rates or impact reasons for breastfeeding cessation. ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT01768793.

Inhibitory effects of processed Aconiti tuber on morphine-induced conditioned place preference in rats.

PubMed

Wu, Guiyun; Huang, Wenqi; Zhang, Hui; Li, Qiaobo; Zhou, Jun; Shu, Haihua

2011-06-14

Our previous studies indicated that processed Aconiti tuber (PAT), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, had antinociceptive effects and inhibitory effects on morphine tolerance by activation of kappa-opioid receptor (KOR). Preclinical studies also demonstrated that KOR agonists functionally attenuate addictive behaviors of morphine, such as conditioned place preference (CPP). Therefore, we hypothesize that PAT may inhibit morphine-induced CPP in rats. (1) Five groups of rats (n=8 for each group) were alternately subcutaneous (s.c.) injected with morphine 10mg/kg (one group receive normal saline as a control) and normal saline for 8 days and oral co-administrated with distilled water or PAT 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 g/kg daily on days 2-9 during CPP training, respectively. (2) Other four groups of rats were randomly s.c. injected with nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI; 5mg/kg) or normal saline (as a control) 120 min before alternately s.c. with morphine and normal saline and oral co-administrated with distilled water or PAT 3.0 g/kg daily. Each rat was acquired pre-conditioning and post-conditioning CPP data and assayed dynorphin concentrations by radioimmunoassay in rat's nucleus accumbens (NAc) after CPP training. (1) PAT 1.0 or 3.0 g/kg dose-dependently decreased the morphine-induced increase of CPP scores. (2) Nor-BNI completely antagonized the inhibition of PAT on morphine-induced CPP. (3) PAT dose-dependently increased dynorphin content in rats' NAc after CPP training. (1) PAT dose-dependently inhibited morphine-induced CPP. (2) The inhibition of PAT on morphine-induced CPP was probably due to activation of KOR by increasing dynorphin release in rats' NAc. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toward Higher QA: From Parametric Release of Sterile Parenteral Products to PAT for Other Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms.

PubMed

Hock, Sia Chong; Constance, Neo Xue Rui; Wah, Chan Lai

2012-01-01

Pharmaceutical products are generally subjected to end-product batch testing as a means of quality control. Due to the inherent limitations of conventional batch testing, this is not the most ideal approach for determining the pharmaceutical quality of the finished dosage form. In the case of terminally sterilized parenteral products, the limitations of conventional batch testing have been successfully addressed with the application of parametric release (the release of a product based on control of process parameters instead of batch sterility testing at the end of the manufacturing process). Consequently, there has been an increasing interest in applying parametric release to other pharmaceutical dosage forms, beyond terminally sterilized parenteral products. For parametric release to be possible, manufacturers must be capable of designing quality into the product, monitoring the manufacturing processes, and controlling the quality of intermediates and finished products in real-time. Process analytical technology (PAT) has been thought to be capable of contributing to these prerequisites. It is believed that the appropriate use of PAT tools can eventually lead to the possibility of real-time release of other pharmaceutical dosage forms, by-passing the need for end-product batch testing. Hence, this literature review attempts to present the basic principles of PAT, introduce the various PAT tools that are currently available, present their recent applications to pharmaceutical processing, and explain the potential benefits that PAT can bring to conventional ways of processing and quality assurance of pharmaceutical products. Last but not least, current regulations governing the use of PAT and the manufacturing challenges associated with PAT implementation are also discussed. Pharmaceutical products are generally subjected to end-product batch testing as a means of quality control. Due to the inherent limitations of conventional batch testing, this is not the most ideal approach. In the case of terminally sterilized parenteral products, these limitations have been successfully addressed with the application of parametric release (the release of a product based on control of process parameters instead of batch sterility testing at the end of the manufacturing process). Consequently, there has been an increasing interest in applying parametric release to other pharmaceutical dosage forms. With the advancement of process analytical technology (PAT), it is possible to monitor the manufacturing processes closely. This will eventually enable quality control of the intermediates and finished products, and thus their release in real-time. Hence, this literature review attempts to present the basic principles of PAT, introduce the various PAT tools that are currently available, present their recent applications to pharmaceutical processing, and explain the potential benefits that PAT can bring to conventional ways of processing and quality assurance of pharmaceutical products. It will also discuss the current regulations governing the use of PAT and the manufacturing challenges associated with the implementation of PAT.

Preparation, characterization, in vitro drug release, and cellular interactions of tailored paclitaxel releasing polyethylene oxide films for drug-coated balloons.

PubMed

Anderson, Jordan A; Lamichhane, Sujan; Remund, Tyler; Kelly, Patrick; Mani, Gopinath

2016-01-01

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are used to treat various cardiovascular diseases. Currently available DCBs carry drug on the balloon surface either solely or using different carriers. Several studies have shown that a significant amount of drug is lost in the blood stream during balloon tracking to deliver only a sub-therapeutic level of drug at the treatment site. This research is focused on developing paclitaxel (PAT) loaded polyethylene oxide (PEO) films (PAT-PEO) as a controlled drug delivery carrier for DCBs. An array of PAT-PEO films were developed in this study to provide tailored release of >90% of drug only at specific time intervals, which is the time frame required for carrying out balloon-based therapy. The characterizations of PAT-PEO films using SEM, FTIR, and DSC showed that the films developed were homogenous and the PAT was molecularly dispersed in the PEO matrix. Mechanical tests showed that most PAT-PEO films developed were flexible and ductile, with yield and tensile strengths not affected after PAT incorporation. The viability, proliferation, morphology, and phenotype of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) interacted with control-PEO and PAT-PEO films were investigated. All control-PEO and PAT-PEO films showed a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of SMCs, with the degree of inhibition strongly dependent on the w/v% of the polymer used. The PAT-PEO coating was produced on the balloons. The integrity of PAT-PEO coating was well maintained without any mechanical defects occurring during balloon inflation or deflation. The drug release studies showed that only 15% of the total PAT loaded was released from the balloons within the initial 1min (typical balloon tracking time), whereas 80% of the PAT was released between 1min and 4min (typical balloon treatment time). Thus, this study demonstrated the use of PEO as an alternate drug delivery system for the balloons. Atherosclerosis is primarily responsible for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in millions of patients every year. Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are commonly used to treat various CVDs. However, in several currently used DCBs, a significant amount of drug is lost in the blood stream during balloon tracking to deliver only a sub-therapeutic level of drug at the treatment site. In this study, paclitaxel containing polyethylene oxide (PEO) films were developed to provide unique advantages including drug release profiles specifically tailored for balloon-based therapy, homogeneous films with molecularly dispersed drug, flexible and ductile films, and exhibits significant inhibitory effect on smooth muscle cell growth. Thus, this study demonstrated the use of PEO as an alternate drug delivery platform for DCBs to improve its efficacy. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of thermal resistance and in vitro bioaccessibility of patulin from artificially contaminated apple products.

PubMed

Raiola, Assunta; Meca, Giuseppe; García-Llatas, Guadalupe; Ritieni, Alberto

2012-09-01

Apple juices and purees represent categories widely consumed by whole population and above all children. Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin known for its acute and chronic effects in animals. Several studies indicate there is a risk associated to the PAT intake, through the consumption of purees and apple juices. In this study, apple juice and puree were prepared and artificially contaminated with PAT at 50 μg/kg and submitted to a thermal treatment simulating pasteurization to evaluate PAT's reduction. In a second phase of the work, apple products samples (n=7) included juices, nectars and purees belonging to different commercial brands were collected, artificially contaminated with PAT at 50 μg/L (limit established for PAT in juices) and 25 μg/kg (limit established for PAT in purees), digested with an in vitro gastrointestinal protocol and bioaccessibility values (%) were calculated. After thermal treatment, the PAT's loss evidenced in purees and juices was of 1.41 ± 0.52% and 62.62 ± 2.53% respectively. Related to the bioaccessibility data, two juices with pulp showed values of 70.89 ± 4.93 and 67.30 ± 10.76%; two purees showed levels of 58.15 ± 5.50 and 55.69 ± 4.73%, whereas nectar and two clarified juice showed percentages of 38.88 ± 2.42, 28.59 ± 0.46 and 25.28 ± 0.61%, respectively. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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... evaluation. In years past, the Census Bureau collected the long-form data only once every ten years and it... methodology to collect and update demographic, social, economic, and housing data every year that are... File (MAF) from the decennial census, which is updated each year, we select a sample of addresses and...

Using a Wrist-Worn Device Based on Peripheral Arterial Tonometry to Diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnea: In-Laboratory and Ambulatory Validation

PubMed Central

Pittman, Stephen D.; Ayas, Najib T.; MacDonald, Mary M.; Malhotra, Atul; Fogel, Robert B.; White, David P.

2013-01-01

Study Objectives To assess the accuracy of a wrist-worn device (Watch_PAT 100) to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea in the home. Design Participants completed 2 overnight diagnostic studies with the test device: 1 night in the laboratory with concurrent polysomnography and 1 night in the home with only the Watch_PAT. The order of the laboratory and home study nights was random. The frequency of respiratory events on the PSG was quantified using indexes based on 2 definitions of hypopnea: the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) using American Academy of Sleep Medicine Task Force criteria for clinical research, also referred to as the Chicago criteria (RDI.C), and the Medicare guidelines (RDI.M). The Watch_PAT RDI (PAT RDI) and oxygen desaturation index (PAT ODI) were then evaluated against the polysomnography RDI.C and RDI.M, respectively, for both Watch_PAT diagnostic nights, yielding IN-LAB and HOME-LAB comparisons. Setting Sleep laboratory affiliated with a tertiary-care academic medical center. Patients 30 patients referred with suspected OSA. Interventions N/A. Measurements and Results The polysomnography and PAT measures were compared using the mean [2 SD] of the differences and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The receiver-operator characteristic curve was used to assess optimum sensitivity and specificity and calculate likelihood ratios. For the IN-LAB comparison, there was high concordance between RDI.C and PAT RDI (ICC = 0.88, mean difference 2.5 [18.9] events per hour); RDI.M and PAT ODI (ICC = 0.95, mean difference 1.4 [12.9] events per hour; and sleep time (ICC = 0.70, mean difference 7.0 [93.1] minutes) between the test device and PSG. For the HOME-LAB comparison, there was good concordance between RDI.C and PAT RDI (ICC = 0.72, mean difference 1.4 [30.1] events per hour) and RDI.M and PAT ODI (ICC = 0.80, mean difference 1.6 [26.4] events per hour) for the test device and PSG. Home studies were performed with no technical failures. Conclusions In a population of patients suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea, the Watch_PAT can quantify an ODI that compares very well with Medicare criteria for defining respiratory events and an RDI that compares favorably with Chicago criteria for defining respiratory events. The device can be used with a low failure rate for single use in the lab and home for self-administered testing. PMID:15453551

Medicare program; revisions to payment policies under the physician fee schedule, clinical laboratory fee schedule & other revisions to Part B for CY 2014. Final rule with comment period.

PubMed

2013-12-10

This major final rule with comment period addresses changes to the physician fee schedule, clinical laboratory fee schedule, and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. This final rule with comment period also includes a discussion in the Supplementary Information regarding various programs. (See the Table of Contents for a listing of the specific issues addressed in the final rule with comment period.)

Expression of PAT and NPT II proteins during the developmental stages of a genetically modified pepper developed in Korea.

PubMed

Kim, Hyo Jin; Lee, Si Myung; Kim, Jae Kwang; Ryu, Tae Hun; Suh, Seok Cheol; Cho, Hyun Suk

2010-10-27

Estimation of the protein levels introduced in a biotechnology-derived product is conducted as part of an overall safety assessment. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to analyze phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) and neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) protein expression in a genetically modified (GM) pepper plant developed in Korea. PAT and NPT II expression levels, based on both dry weight and fresh weight, were variable among different plant generations and plant sections from isolated genetically modified organism (GMO) fields at four developmental stages. PAT expression was highest in leaves at anthesis (11.44 μg/gdw and 2.17 μg/gfw) and lowest in roots (0.12 μg/gdw and 0.01 μg/gfw). NPT II expression was also highest in leaves at anthesis (17.31 μg/gdw and 3.41 μg/gfw) and lowest in red pepper (0.65 μg/gdw and 0.12 μg/gfw). In pollen, PAT expression was 0.59-0.62 μg/gdw, while NPT II was not detected. Both PAT and NPT II showed a general pattern of decreased expression with progression of the growing season. As expected, PAT and NPT II protein expression was not detectable in control pepper plants.

Compact photoacoustic tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalva, Sandeep Kumar; Pramanik, Manojit

2017-03-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a non-ionizing biomedical imaging modality which finds applications in brain imaging, tumor angiogenesis, monitoring of vascularization, breast cancer imaging, monitoring of oxygen saturation levels etc. Typical PAT systems uses Q-switched Nd:YAG laser light illumination, single element large ultrasound transducer (UST) as detector. By holding the UST in horizontal plane and moving it in a circular motion around the sample in full 2π radians photoacoustic data is collected and images are reconstructed. The horizontal positioning of the UST make the scanning radius large, leading to larger water tank and also increases the load on the motor that rotates the UST. To overcome this limitation, we present a compact photoacoustic tomographic (ComPAT) system. In this ComPAT system, instead of holding the UST in horizontal plane, it is held in vertical plane and the photoacoustic waves generated at the sample are detected by the UST after it is reflected at 45° by an acoustic reflector attached to the transducer body. With this we can reduce the water tank size and load on the motor, thus overall PAT system size can be reduced. Here we show that with the ComPAT system nearly similar PA images (phantom and in vivo data) can be obtained as that of the existing PAT systems using both flat and cylindrically focused transducers.

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Characterization of human palmitoyl-acyl transferase activity using peptides that mimic distinct palmitoylation motifs.

PubMed Central

Varner, Amanda S; Ducker, Charles E; Xia, Zuping; Zhuang, Yan; De Vos, Mackenzie L; Smith, Charles D

2003-01-01

The covalent attachment of palmitate to proteins commonly occurs on cysteine residues near either N-myristoylated glycine residues or C-terminal farnesylated cysteine residues. It therefore seems likely that multiple palmitoyl-acyl transferase (PAT) activities exist to recognize and modify these distinct palmitoylation motifs. To evaluate this possibility, two synthetic peptides representing these palmitoylation motifs, termed MyrGCK(NBD) and FarnCNRas(NBD), were used to characterize PAT activity under a variety of conditions. The human tumour cell lines MCF-7 and Hep-G2 each demonstrated high levels of PAT activity towards both peptides. In contrast, normal mouse fibroblasts (NIH/3T3 cells) demonstrated PAT activity towards the myristoylated substrate peptide but not the farnesylated peptide, while ras -transformed NIH/3T3 cells were able to palmitoylate the FarnCNRas(NBD) peptide. The kinetic parameters for PAT activity were determined using membranes from MCF-7 cells, and indicated that the K (m) values for palmitoyl-CoA were identical for PAT activity towards the two substrate peptides; however, the K (m) for MyrGCK(NBD) was 5-fold lower than the K (m) for FarnCNRas(NBD). PAT activity towards the two substrate peptides was dose-dependently inhibited by 2-bromopalmitate and 3-(1-oxo-hexadecyl)oxiranecarboxamide (16C; IC(50) values of approx. 4 and 1.3 microM, respectively); however, 2-bromopalmitate was found to be uncompetitive with respect to palmitoyl-CoA, whereas 16C was competitive. To seek additional evidence for multiple PATs, the effects of altering the assay conditions on the palmitoylation of MyrGCK(NBD) and FarnCNRas(NBD) were compared. PAT activity towards the two peptide substrates was modulated similarly by changing the ionic strength or incubation temperature, or by the addition of dithiothreitol. In contrast, the enzymic palmitoylation of the two peptides was differentially affected by N -ethylmaleimide and thermal denaturation. Overall, these data demonstrate that the enzymic palmitoylation of farnesyl- and myristoyl-containing peptide substrates can be differentiated, suggesting that multiple motif-specific PATs exist. PMID:12670300

Flow-mediated dilation and peripheral arterial tonometry are disturbed in preeclampsia and reflect different aspects of endothelial function.

PubMed

Mannaerts, Dominique; Faes, Ellen; Goovaerts, Inge; Stoop, Tibor; Cornette, Jerome; Gyselaers, Wilfried; Spaanderman, Marc; Van Craenenbroeck, Emeline M; Jacquemyn, Yves

2017-11-01

Endothelial function and arterial stiffness are known to be altered in preeclamptic pregnancies. Previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding the best technique for assessing vascular function in pregnancy. In this study, we made a comprehensive evaluation of in vivo vascular function [including flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT), and arterial stiffness] in preeclamptic patients and compared them with normal pregnancies. In addition, we assessed the relation between vascular function and systemic inflammation. Fourteen patients with preeclampsia (PE) and 14 healthy pregnant controls were included. Endothelial function was determined by FMD and PAT and arterial stiffness by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity and augmentation index. Systemic inflammation was assessed using mean platelet volume (MPV) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The reactive hyperemia index, assessed using PAT, is decreased at the third trimester compared with the first trimester in a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy ( P = 0.001). Arterial stiffness is significantly higher in PE versus normal pregnancy ( P < 0.001). Endothelial function, obtained by FMD, is deteriorated in PE versus normal pregnancy ( P = 0.015), whereas endothelial function assessment by PAT is improved in PE versus normal pregnancy ( P = 0.001). Systemic inflammation (MPV and NLR) increases during normal pregnancy. FMD and PAT are disturbed in PE. Endothelial function, assessed by FMD and PAT, shows distinct results. This may indicate that measurements with FMD and PAT reflect different aspects of endothelial function and that PAT should not be used as a substitute for FMD as a measure of endothelial function in pregnancy. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

The Gene pat-2, Which Induces Natural Parthenocarpy, Alters the Gibberellin Content in Unpollinated Tomato Ovaries1

PubMed Central

Fos, Mariano; Nuez, Fernando; García-Martínez, José L.

2000-01-01

We investigated the role of gibberellins (GAs) in the effect of pat-2, a recessive mutation that induces facultative parthenocarpic fruit development in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) using near-isogenic lines with two different genetic backgrounds. Unpollinated wild-type Madrigal (MA/wt) and Cuarenteno (CU/wt) ovaries degenerated, but GA3 application induced parthenocarpic fruit growth. On the contrary, parthenocarpic growth of MA/pat-2 and CU/pat-2 fruits, which occurs in the absence of pollination and hormone application, was not affected by GA3. Pollinated MA/wt and parthenocarpic MA/pat-2 ovary development was negated by paclobutrazol, and this inhibitory effect was counteracted by GA3. The main GAs of the early-13-hydroxylation pathway (GA1, GA3, GA8, GA19, GA20, GA29, GA44, GA53, and, tentatively, GA81) and two GAs of the non-13-hydroxylation pathway (GA9 and GA34) were identified in MA/wt ovaries by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring. GAs were quantified in unpollinated ovaries at flower bud, pre-anthesis, and anthesis. In unpollinated MA/pat-2 and CU/pat-2 ovaries, the GA20 content was much higher (up to 160 times higher) and the GA19 content was lower than in the corresponding non-parthenocarpic ovaries. The application of an inhibitor of 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases suggested that GA20 is not active per se. The pat-2 mutation may increase GA 20-oxidase activity in unpollinated ovaries, leading to a higher synthesis of GA20, the precursor of an active GA. PMID:10677440

Electrochemical determination of dopamine and ascorbic acid at a novel gold nanoparticles distributed poly(4-aminothiophenol) modified electrode.

PubMed

Gopalan, Anantha Iyengar; Lee, Kwang-Pill; Manesh, Kalayil Manian; Santhosh, Padmanabhan; Kim, Jun Heon; Kang, Jae Soo

2007-03-15

A modified electrode is fabricated by embedding gold nanoparticles into a layer of electroactive polymer, poly(4-aminothiophenol) (PAT) on the surface of glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is performed to deposit PAT and concomitantly deposit Au nanoparticles. Field emission transmission electron microscopic image of the modified electrode, PAT-Au(nano)-ME, indicates the presence of uniformly distributed Au nanoparticles having the sizes of 8-10nm. Electrochemical behavior of the PAT-Au(nano)-ME towards detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and dopamine (DA) is studied using CV. Electrocatalytic determination of DA in the presence of fixed concentration of AA and vice versa, are studied using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). PAT-Au(nano)-ME exhibits two well defined anodic peaks at the potential of 75 and 400mV for the oxidation of AA and DA, respectively with a potential difference of 325mV. Further, the simultaneous determination of AA and DA is studied by varying the concentration of AA and DA. PAT-Au(nano)-ME exhibits selectivity and sensitivity for the simultaneous determination of AA and DA without fouling by the oxidation products of AA or DA. PAT and Au nanoparticles provide synergic influence on the accurate electrochemical determination of AA or DA from a mixture having any one of the component (AA or DA) in excess. The practical analytical utilities of the PAT-Au(nano)-ME are demonstrated by the determination of DA and AA in dopamine hydrochloride injection and human blood serum samples.

Linear-array-based photoacoustic tomography for label-free high-throughput detection and quantification of circulating melanoma tumor cell clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hai, Pengfei; Zhou, Yong; Zhang, Ruiying; Ma, Jun; Li, Yang; Wang, Lihong V.

2017-03-01

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters arise from multicellular grouping in the primary tumor and elevate the metastatic potential by 23 to 50 fold compared to single CTCs. High throughout detection and quantification of CTC clusters is critical for understanding the tumor metastasis process and improving cancer therapy. In this work, we report a linear-array-based photoacoustic tomography (LA-PAT) system capable of label-free high-throughput CTC cluster detection and quantification in vivo. LA-PAT detects CTC clusters and quantifies the number of cells in them based on the contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of photoacoustic signals. The feasibility of LA-PAT was first demonstrated by imaging CTC clusters ex vivo. LA-PAT detected CTC clusters in the blood-filled microtubes and computed the number of cells in the clusters. The size distribution of the CTC clusters measured by LA-PAT agreed well with that obtained by optical microscopy. We demonstrated the ability of LA-PAT to detect and quantify CTC clusters in vivo by imaging injected CTC clusters in rat tail veins. LA-PAT detected CTC clusters immediately after injection as well as when they were circulating in the rat bloodstreams. Similarly, the numbers of cells in the clusters were computed based on the CNRs of the photoacoustic signals. The data showed that larger CTC clusters disappear faster than the smaller ones. The results prove the potential of LA-PAT as a promising tool for both preclinical tumor metastasis studies and clinical cancer therapy evaluation.

Match of psychosocial risk and psychosocial care in families of a child with cancer.

PubMed

Sint Nicolaas, S M; Schepers, S A; van den Bergh, E M M; de Boer, Y; Streng, I; van Dijk-Lokkart, E M; Grootenhuis, M A; Verhaak, C M

2017-12-01

The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) was developed to screen for psychosocial risk, aimed to be supportive in directing psychosocial care to families of a child with cancer. This study aimed to determine (i) the match between PAT risk score and provided psychosocial care with healthcare professionals blind to outcome of PAT assessment, and (ii) the match between PAT risk score and team risk estimation. Eighty-three families of children with cancer from four pediatric oncology centers in the Netherlands participated (59% response rate). The PAT and team risk estimation was assessed at diagnosis (M = 40.2 days, SD = 14.1 days), and the content of provided psychosocial care in the 5-month period thereafter resulting in basic or specialized care. According to the PAT, 65% of families were defined as having low (universal), 30% medium (targeted), and 5% high (clinical) risk for developing psychosocial problems. Thirty percent of patients from universal group got basic psychosocial care, 63% got specialized care, and 7% did not get any care. Fourteen percent of the families at risk got basic care, 86% got specialized care. Team risk estimations and PAT risk scores matched with 58% of the families. This study showed that families at risk, based on standardized risk assessment with the PAT, received more specialized care than families without risk. However, still 14% of the families with high risks only received basic care, and 63% of the families with standard risk got specialized care. Standardized risk assessment can be used as part of comprehensive care delivery, complementing the team. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Motorized photoacoustic tomography probe for label-free improvement in image quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangha, Gurneet S.; Hale, Nick H.; Goergen, Craig J.

2018-02-01

One of the challenges in high-resolution in vivo lipid-based photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is improving penetration depth and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) past subcutaneous fat absorbers. A potential solution is to create optical manipulation techniques to maximize the photon density within a region of interest. Here, we present a motorized PAT probe that is capable of tuning the depth in which light is focused, as well as substantially reducing probe-skin artifacts that can obscure image interpretation. Our PAT system consists of a Nd:YAG laser (Surelite EX, Continuum) coupled with a 40 MHz central frequency ultrasound transducer (Vevo2100, FUJIFILM Visual Sonics). This system allows us to deliver 10 Hz, 5 ns light pulses with fluence of 40 mJ/cm2 to the tissue interest and reconstruct PAT and ultrasound images with axial resolutions of 125 µm and 40 µm, respectively. The motorized PAT holder was validated by imaging a polyethylene-50 tubing embedded polyvinyl alcohol phantom and periaortic fat on apolipoprotein-E deficient mice. We used 1210 nm light for this study, as this wavelength generates PAT signal for both lipids and polyethylene-50 tubes. Ex vivo results showed a 2 mm improvement in penetration depth and in vivo experiments showed an increase in lipid SNR of at least 62%. Our PAT probe also utilizes a 7 μm aluminum filter to prevent in vivo probe-skin reflection artifacts that have been previously resolved using image post-processing techniques. Using this optimized PAT probe, we can direct light to various depths within tissue to improve image quality and prevent reflection artifacts.

Rationale, Design, and Methods of the Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kollins, Scott; Greenhill, Laurence; Swanson, James; Wigal, Sharon; Abikoff, Howard; McCracken, James; Riddle, Mark; McGough, James; Vitiello, Benedetto; Wigal, Tim; Skrobala, Anne; Posner, Kelly; Ghuman, Jaswinder; Davies, Mark; Cunningham, Charles; Bauzo, Audrey

2006-01-01

Objective: To describe the rationale and design of the Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). Method: PATS was a National Institutes of Mental Health-funded, multicenter, randomized, efficacy trial designed to evaluate the short-term (5 weeks) efficacy and long-term (40 weeks) safety of methylphenidate (MPH) in preschoolers with…

Decapping activators in Saccharomyces cerevisiae act by multiple mechanisms.

PubMed

Nissan, Tracy; Rajyaguru, Purusharth; She, Meipei; Song, Haiwei; Parker, Roy

2010-09-10

Eukaryotic mRNA degradation often occurs in a process whereby translation initiation is inhibited and the mRNA is targeted for decapping. In yeast cells, Pat1, Scd6, Edc3, and Dhh1 all function to promote decapping by an unknown mechanism(s). We demonstrate that purified Scd6 and a region of Pat1 directly repress translation in vitro by limiting the formation of a stable 48S preinitiation complex. Moreover, while Pat1, Edc3, Dhh1, and Scd6 all bind the decapping enzyme, only Pat1 and Edc3 enhance its activity. We also identify numerous direct interactions between Pat1, Dcp1, Dcp2, Dhh1, Scd6, Edc3, Xrn1, and the Lsm1-7 complex. These observations identify three classes of decapping activators that function to directly repress translation initiation and/or stimulate Dcp1/2. Moreover, Pat1 is identified as critical in mRNA decay by first inhibiting translation initiation, then serving as a scaffold to recruit components of the decapping complex, and finally activating Dcp2. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Portfolio Analysis Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barth, Tim; Zapata, Edgar; Benjamin, Perakath; Graul, Mike; Jones, Doug

2005-01-01

Portfolio Analysis Tool (PAT) is a Web-based, client/server computer program that helps managers of multiple projects funded by different customers to make decisions regarding investments in those projects. PAT facilitates analysis on a macroscopic level, without distraction by parochial concerns or tactical details of individual projects, so that managers decisions can reflect the broad strategy of their organization. PAT is accessible via almost any Web-browser software. Experts in specific projects can contribute to a broad database that managers can use in analyzing the costs and benefits of all projects, but do not have access for modifying criteria for analyzing projects: access for modifying criteria is limited to managers according to levels of administrative privilege. PAT affords flexibility for modifying criteria for particular "focus areas" so as to enable standardization of criteria among similar projects, thereby making it possible to improve assessments without need to rewrite computer code or to rehire experts, and thereby further reducing the cost of maintaining and upgrading computer code. Information in the PAT database and results of PAT analyses can be incorporated into a variety of ready-made or customizable tabular or graphical displays.

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Impaired vasoreactivity in mildly disabled CADASIL patients.

PubMed

Campolo, Jonica; De Maria, Renata; Frontali, Marina; Taroni, Franco; Inzitari, Domenico; Federico, Antonio; Romano, Silvia; Puca, Emanuele; Mariotti, Caterina; Tomasello, Chiara; Pantoni, Leonardo; Pescini, Francesca; Dotti, Maria Teresa; Stromillo, Maria Laura; De Stefano, Nicola; Tavani, Alessandra; Parodi, Oberdan

2012-03-01

CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) is a rare genetic disease caused by NOTCH3 gene mutations. A dysfunction in vasoreactivity has been proposed as an early event in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to verify whether endothelium dependent and/or independent function is altered in CADASIL patients with respect to controls. Vasoreactivity was studied by a non-invasive pletismographic method in 49 mildly disabled CADASIL patients (30-65 years, 58% male, Rankin scale ≤2) and 25 controls. Endothelium dependent vasodilatation was assessed by reactive hyperaemia (flow mediated dilation-peripheral arterial tone (FMD-PAT)) and endothelium independent vasoreactivity by glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) administration (GTN-PAT). Patients and controls showed comparable age, gender and cardiovascular risk factor distribution. GTN-PAT values were significantly lower in CADASIL patients (1.54 (1.01 to 2.25)) than in controls (1.89 (1.61 to 2.59); p=0.041). FMD-PAT scores did not differ between patients and controls (1.88 (1.57 to 2.43) vs 2.08 (1.81 to 2.58); p=0.126) but 17 CADASIL patients (35%) had FMD-PAT scores below the fifth percentile of controls. FMD-PAT and GTN-PAT values correlated both in controls (ρ=0.648, p<0.001) and CADASIL patients (ρ=0.563, p<0.001). By multivariable logistic regression for clinical and laboratory variables, only GTN-PAT (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.97; p=0.044) was independently associated with FMD-PAT below the fifth percentile in CADASIL patients. The impaired vasoreactivity observed in CADASIL patients highlights the fact that both endothelial and smooth muscle functional alterations may already be present in mildly disabled subjects. The improvement in vascular function could be a new target for pharmacological trials in CADASIL patients.

Diauxic shift-dependent relocalization of decapping activators Dhh1 and Pat1 to polysomal complexes

PubMed Central

Drummond, Sheona P.; Hildyard, John; Firczuk, Helena; Reamtong, Onrapak; Li, Ning; Kannambath, Shichina; Claydon, Amy J.; Beynon, Robert J.; Eyers, Claire E.; McCarthy, John E. G.

2011-01-01

Dhh1 and Pat1 in yeast are mRNA decapping activators/translational repressors thought to play key roles in the transition of mRNAs from translation to degradation. However, little is known about the physical and functional relationships between these proteins and the translation machinery. We describe a previously unknown type of diauxic shift-dependent modulation of the intracellular locations of Dhh1 and Pat1. Like the formation of P bodies, this phenomenon changes the spatial relationship between components involved in translation and mRNA degradation. We report significant spatial separation of Dhh1 and Pat1 from ribosomes in exponentially growing cells. Moreover, biochemical analyses reveal that these proteins are excluded from polysomal complexes in exponentially growing cells, indicating that they may not be associated with active states of the translation machinery. In contrast, under diauxic growth shift conditions, Dhh1 and Pat1 are found to co-localize with polysomal complexes. This work suggests that Dhh1 and Pat1 functions are modulated by a re-localization mechanism that involves eIF4A. Pull-down experiments reveal that the intracellular binding partners of Dhh1 and Pat1 change as cells undergo the diauxic growth shift. This reveals a new dimension to the relationship between translation activity and interactions between mRNA, the translation machinery and decapping activator proteins. PMID:21712243

Implication of an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene and a Phosphinothricin N-Acetyltransferase Gene in the Diversity of Pseudomonas cichorii Virulence

PubMed Central

Tanaka, Masayuki; Wali, Ullah Md; Nakayashiki, Hitoshi; Fukuda, Tatsuya; Mizumoto, Hiroyuki; Ohnishi, Kouhei; Kiba, Akinori; Hikichi, Yasufumi

2011-01-01

Pseudomonas cichorii harbors the hrp genes. hrp-mutants lose their virulence on eggplant but not on lettuce. A phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase gene (pat) is located between hrpL and an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (aldH) in the genome of P. cichorii. Comparison of nucleotide sequences and composition of the genes among pseudomonads suggests a common ancestor of hrp and pat between P. cichorii strains and P. viridiflava strains harboring the single hrp pathogenicity island. In contrast, phylogenetic diversification of aldH corresponded to species diversification amongst pseudomonads. In this study, the involvement of aldH and pat in P. cichorii virulence was analyzed. An aldH-deleted mutant (ΔaldH) and a pat-deleted mutant (Δpat) lost their virulence on eggplant but not on lettuce. P. cichorii expressed both genes in eggplant leaves, independent of HrpL, the transcriptional activator for the hrp. Inoculation into Asteraceae species susceptible to P. cichorii showed that the involvement of hrp, pat and aldH in P. cichorii virulence is independent of each other and has no relationship with the phylogeny of Asteraceae species based on the nucleotide sequences of ndhF and rbcL. It is thus thought that not only the hrp genes but also pat and aldH are implicated in the diversity of P. cichorii virulence on susceptible host plant species. PMID:24704843

ACVIM consensus update on Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats

PubMed Central

Gerber, Bernhard; Goldstein, Richard E.; Labato, Mary Anna; Lappin, Michael R.; Moore, George E.

2018-01-01

An update of the 2006 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Small Animal Consensus Statement on Lyme Disease in Dogs: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention was presented at the 2016 ACVIM Forum in Denver, CO, followed by panel and audience discussion and a drafted consensus statement distributed online to diplomates for comment. The updated consensus statement is presented below. The consensus statement aims to provide guidance on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme borreliosis in dogs and cats. PMID:29566442

78 FR 16567 - Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment on Non-Rule Making Action To Change Land Use From...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-15

... Public Comment on Non-Rule Making Action To Change Land Use From Aeronautical to Non-Aeronautical at... layout plan update, if approved, would change the land use on 72.13 acres from aeronautical to non-aeronautical. The property will then be leased for Commercial Development. The location of the land relative to...

Ask and you shall receive: desire and receipt of feedback via Facebook predicts disordered eating concerns.

PubMed

Hummel, Alexandra C; Smith, April R

2015-05-01

The current study examined whether certain types of Facebook content (i.e., status updates, comments) relate to eating concerns and attitudes. We examined the effects of seeking and receiving negative feedback via Facebook on disordered eating concerns in a sample of 185 undergraduate students followed for approximately 4 weeks. Results indicated that individuals with a negative feedback seeking style who received a high number of comments on Facebook were more likely to report disordered eating attitudes four weeks later. Additionally, individuals who received extremely negative comments in response to their personally revealing status updates were more likely to report disordered eating concerns four weeks later. Results of the current study provide preliminary evidence that seeking and receiving negative feedback via social networking sites can increase risk for disordered eating attitudes, and suggest that reducing maladaptive social networking usage may be an important target for prevention and intervention efforts aimed at reducing disordered eating attitudes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

2015 Space Human Factors Engineering Standing Review Panel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinberg, Susan

2015-01-01

The 2015 Space Human Factors Engineering (SHFE) Standing Review Panel (from here on referred to as the SRP) met for a site visit in Houston, TX on December 2 - 3, 2015. The SRP reviewed the updated research plans for the Risk of Inadequate Design of Human and Automation/Robotic Integration (HARI Risk), the Risk of Inadequate Human-Computer Interaction (HCI Risk), and the Risk of Inadequate Mission, Process and Task Design (MPTask Risk). The SRP also received a status update on the Risk of Incompatible Vehicle/Habitat Design (Hab Risk) and the Risk of Performance Errors Due to Training Deficiencies (Train Risk). The SRP is pleased with the progress and responsiveness of the SHFE team. The presentations were much improved this year. The SRP is also pleased with the human-centered design approach. Below are some of the more extensive comments from the SRP. We have also made comments in each section concerning gaps/tasks in each. The comments below reflect more significant changes that impact more than just one particular section.

Vigabatrin transport across the human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) brush-border membrane is via the H+-coupled amino-acid transporter hPAT1

PubMed Central

Abbot, Emily L; Grenade, Danielle S; Kennedy, David J; Gatfield, Kelly M; Thwaites, David T

2005-01-01

The aim of this investigation was to determine if the human proton-coupled amino-acid transporter 1 (hPAT1 or SLC36A1) is responsible for the intestinal uptake of the orally-administered antiepileptic agent 4-amino-5-hexanoic acid (vigabatrin). The Caco-2 cell line was used as a model of the human small intestinal epithelium. Competition experiments demonstrate that [3H]GABA uptake across the apical membrane was inhibited by vigabatrin and the GABA analogues trans-4-aminocrotonic acid (TACA) and guvacine, whereas 1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid (gabapentin) had no affect. Experiments with 2′,7′-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF)-loaded Caco-2 cells demonstrate that apical exposure to vigabatrin and TACA induce comparable levels of intracellular acidification (due to H+/amino-acid symport) to that generated by GABA, suggesting that they are substrates for a H+-coupled absorptive transporter such as hPAT1. In hPAT1 and mPAT1-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes [3H]GABA uptake was inhibited by vigabatrin, TACA and guvacine, whereas gabapentin failed to inhibit [3H]GABA uptake. In Na+-free conditions, vigabatrin and TACA evoked similar current responses (due to H+/amino-acid symport) in hPAT1-expressing oocytes under voltage-clamp conditions to that induced by GABA (whereas no current was observed in water-injected oocytes) consistent with the ability of these GABA analogues to inhibit [3H]GABA uptake. This study demonstrates that hPAT1 is the carrier responsible for the uptake of vigabatrin across the brush-border membrane of the small intestine and emphasises the therapeutic potential of hPAT1 as a delivery route for orally administered, clinically significant GABA-related compounds. PMID:16331283

Induced lexico-syntactic patterns improve information extraction from online medical forums.

PubMed

Gupta, Sonal; MacLean, Diana L; Heer, Jeffrey; Manning, Christopher D

2014-01-01

To reliably extract two entity types, symptoms and conditions (SCs), and drugs and treatments (DTs), from patient-authored text (PAT) by learning lexico-syntactic patterns from data annotated with seed dictionaries. Despite the increasing quantity of PAT (eg, online discussion threads), tools for identifying medical entities in PAT are limited. When applied to PAT, existing tools either fail to identify specific entity types or perform poorly. Identification of SC and DT terms in PAT would enable exploration of efficacy and side effects for not only pharmaceutical drugs, but also for home remedies and components of daily care. We use SC and DT term dictionaries compiled from online sources to label several discussion forums from MedHelp (http://www.medhelp.org). We then iteratively induce lexico-syntactic patterns corresponding strongly to each entity type to extract new SC and DT terms. Our system is able to extract symptom descriptions and treatments absent from our original dictionaries, such as 'LADA', 'stabbing pain', and 'cinnamon pills'. Our system extracts DT terms with 58-70% F1 score and SC terms with 66-76% F1 score on two forums from MedHelp. We show improvements over MetaMap, OBA, a conditional random field-based classifier, and a previous pattern learning approach. Our entity extractor based on lexico-syntactic patterns is a successful and preferable technique for identifying specific entity types in PAT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to extract SC and DT entities from PAT. We exhibit learning of informal terms often used in PAT but missing from typical dictionaries. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Relations of Digital Vascular Function, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Arterial Stiffness: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA‐Brasil) Cohort Study

PubMed Central

Brant, Luisa C. C.; Hamburg, Naomi M.; Barreto, Sandhi M.; Benjamin, Emelia J.; Ribeiro, Antonio L. P.

2014-01-01

Background Vascular dysfunction is an early expression of atherosclerosis and predicts cardiovascular (CV) events. Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) evaluates basal pulse amplitude (BPA), endothelial function (PAT ratio), and wave reflection (PAT‐AIx) in the digital microvessels. In Brazilian adults, we investigated the correlations of PAT responses to CV risk factors and to carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness. Methods and Results In a cross‐sectional study, 1535 participants of the ELSA‐Brasil cohort underwent PAT testing (52±9 years; 44% women). In multivariable analyses, more‐impaired BPA and PAT ratios were associated with male sex, higher body mass index (BMI), and total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein. Higher age and triglycerides were related to higher BPA, whereas lower systolic blood pressure, hypertension (HTN) treatment, and prevalent CV disease (CVD) were associated with lower PAT ratio. PAT‐AIx correlated positively with female sex, advancing age, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and smoking and inversely to heart rate, height, BMI, and prevalent CVD. Black race was associated with lower BPA, higher PAT ratio, and PAT‐AIx. Microvessel vasodilator function was not associated with PWV. Higher PAT‐AIx was modestly correlated to higher PWV and PAT ratio and inversely correlated to BPA. Conclusion Metabolic risk factors are related to impaired microvessel vasodilator function in Brazil. However, in contrast to studies from the United States, black race was not associated with an impaired microvessel vasodilator response, implying that vascular function may vary by race across populations. PAT‐AIx relates to HTN, may be a valid measure of wave reflection, and provides distinct information from arterial stiffness. PMID:25510401

A GRP78-Directed Monoclonal Antibody Recaptures Response in Refractory Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Involvement.

PubMed

Rasche, Leo; Menoret, Emmanuelle; Dubljevic, Valentina; Menu, Eline; Vanderkerken, Karin; Lapa, Constantin; Steinbrunn, Torsten; Chatterjee, Manik; Knop, Stefan; Düll, Johannes; Greenwood, Deanne L; Hensel, Frank; Rosenwald, Andreas; Einsele, Hermann; Brändlein, Stephanie

2016-09-01

Glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 is overexpressed in multiple myeloma, and both its surface expression and its biologic significance as key sensor of the unfolded protein response make GRP78 an ideal candidate for immunotherapeutic intervention. The monoclonal antibody PAT-SM6 targets surface GRP78 and leads to disease stabilization when used as single agent in a clinical trial. In this article, we evaluated expression of GRP78 in relapsed-refractory disease and explored PAT-SM6 therapy in combination regimens. GRP78 expression was immunohistochemically analyzed during disease progression and development of drug resistance throughout different stages of multiple myeloma. Activity of PAT-SM6 was evaluated in combination with anti-multiple myeloma agents lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in vitro Finally, we report on a multiple myeloma patient with relapsed-refractory disease treated with PAT-SM6 in combination with bortezomib and lenalidomide. Although sGRP78 expression was present at all stages, it increased with disease progression and was even strongly elevated in patients with drug-resistant and extramedullary disease. Pretreatment with dexamethasone as well as dual combination of PAT-SM6/lenalidomide further increased sGRP78 expression and consecutively showed synergistic anti-multiple myeloma effects with PAT-SM6 in proliferation assays. As proof of concept, a 62-year-old male with triple resistant multiple myeloma treated with PAT-SM6, bortezomib, and lenalidomide experienced partial remission of both intra- and extramedullary lesions. PAT-SM6 therapy in combination regimens showed efficacy in relapsed-refractory multiple myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 22(17); 4341-9. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Enfermedad diarreica aguda por Escherichia coli patógenas en Colombia

PubMed Central

Gómez-Duarte, Oscar G.

2014-01-01

Resumen Las cepas de E. coli patógenas intestinales son causas importantes de la enfermedad diarreica aguda (EDA) en niños menores de 5 años en América Latina, África y Asia y están asociadas a alta mortalidad en niños en las comunidades más pobres de África y el Sudeste Asiático. Estudios sobre el papel de las E. coli patógenas intestinales en la EDA infantil en Colombia y otros países de América Latina son limitados debido a la carencia de ensayos para detección de estos patógenos en los laboratorios clínicos de centros de salud. Estudios recientes han reportado la detección de E. coli patógenas intestinales en Colombia, siendo la E. coli enterotoxigénica la cepa más frecuentemente asociada a diarrea en niños menores de 5 años. Otros patógenos detectados en estos pacientes incluyen las E. coli enteroagregativa, enteropatógena, productora de toxina Shiga, y de adherencia difusa. Con base en estudios que reportan la presencia de E. coli productora de toxina Shiga y E. coli enteroagregativa en carnes y vegetales en supermercados, se cree que productos alimentarios contaminados contribuyen a la transmisión de estos patógenos y a la infección del huésped susceptible. Más estudios son necesarios para evaluar los mecanismos de transmisión, el impacto en la epidemiologia de la EDA, y las pautas de manejo y prevención de estos patógenos que afectan la población pediátrica en Colombia. PMID:25491457

Process analytical technology in the pharmaceutical industry: a toolkit for continuous improvement.

PubMed

Scott, Bradley; Wilcock, Anne

2006-01-01

Process analytical technology (PAT) refers to a series of tools used to ensure that quality is built into products while at the same time improving the understanding of processes, increasing efficiency, and decreasing costs. It has not been widely adopted by the pharmaceutical industry. As the setting for this paper, the current pharmaceutical manufacturing paradigm and PAT guidance to date are discussed prior to the review of PAT principles and tools, benefits, and challenges. The PAT toolkit contains process analyzers, multivariate analysis tools, process control tools, and continuous improvement/knowledge management/information technology systems. The integration and implementation of these tools is complex, and has resulted in uncertainty with respect to both regulation and validation. The paucity of staff knowledgeable in this area may complicate adoption. Studies to quantitate the benefits resulting from the adoption of PAT within the pharmaceutical industry would be a valuable addition to the qualitative studies that are currently available.

An analog of photon-assisted tunneling in a periodically modulated waveguide array

PubMed Central

Li, Liping; Luo, Xiaobing; Yang, Xiaoxue; Wang, Mei; Lü, Xinyou; Wu, Ying

2016-01-01

We theoretically report an analog of photon-assisted tunneling (PAT) originated from dark Floquet state in a periodically driven lattice array without a static biased potential by studying a three-channel waveguide system in a non-high-frequency regime. This analog of PAT can be achieved by only periodically modulating the top waveguide and adjusting the distance between the bottom and its adjacent waveguide. It is numerically shown that the PAT resonances also exist in the five-channel waveguide system and probably exist in the waveguide arrays with other odd numbers of waveguides, but they will become weak as the number of waveguides increases. With origin different from traditional PAT, this type of PAT found in our work is closely linked to the existence of the zero-energy (dark) Floquet states. It is readily observable under currently accessible experimental conditions and may be useful for controlling light propagation in waveguide arrays. PMID:27767189

A System for Supporting Development and Update of the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).

PubMed

Donada, Marc; Della Mea, Vincenzo; Cumerlato, Megan; Rankin, Nicole; Madden, Richard

2018-01-01

The International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) is a member of the WHO Family of International Classifications, being developed to provide a common tool for reporting and analysing health interventions for statistical purposes. A web-based platform for classification development and update has been specifically developed to support the initial development step and then, after final approval, the continuous revision and update of the classification. The platform provides features for classification editing, versioning, comment management and URI identifiers. During the last 12 months it has been used for developing the ICHI Beta version, replacing the previous process based on the exchange of Excel files. At November 2017, 90 users have provided input to the development of the classification, which has resulted in 2913 comments and 2971 changes in the classification, since June 2017. Further work includes the development of an URI API for machine to machine communication, following the model established for ICD-11.

75 FR 16216 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; the Depository Trust Company; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-31

... Change To Update Its Settlement Service Guide as It Relates to the ID Net Service March 25, 2010... change amends DTC's rules in order to update its Settlement Service Guide as it relates to the ID Net... the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the...

Updates to the Demographic and Spatial Allocation Models to Produce Integrated Climate and Land Use Scenarios (ICLUS) (Version 2) (External Review Draft)

EPA Science Inventory

EPA announced the availability of the draft report, Updates to the Demographic and Spatial Allocation Models to Produce Integrated Climate and Land Use Scenarios (ICLUS) for a 30-day public comment period. The ICLUS version 2 (v2) modeling tool furthered land change mod...

An updated check list of the Cochylina (Tortricidae, Tortricinae, Euliini) of North America north of Mexico including Greenland, with comments on classification and identification

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We present an updated list of the members of the subtribe Cochylina (Tortricidae) in North America north of Mexico. We summarize the proposed changes in the classification since about 1983. We propose revised status for two genera, Rolandylis Gibeaux, 1985 and Thyraylia Walsingham, 1897. We propose ...

76 FR 18213 - Idaho Power; Notice of Availability of Land Management Plan Update for the Shoshone Falls Project...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-01

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2778-062] Idaho Power; Notice of Availability of Land Management Plan Update for the Shoshone Falls Project and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available...

76 FR 18214 - Idaho Power; Notice of Availability of Land Management Plan Update for the Shoshone Falls Project...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-01

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2055-087] Idaho Power; Notice of Availability of Land Management Plan Update for the Shoshone Falls Project and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests Take notice that the following hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available...

Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Partnership Attitude Tracking Study. Teens: Ethnic and Racial Trends, Spring 2002.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delaney, Barbara

The annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) tracks consumers' attitudes about illegal drugs. PATS consists of two nationally projectable samples: a teen sample for students in grades 7-12 and a parent sample. The 2002 PATS, conducted in homes and schools, collected data using self-report surveys. Results indicate that after a decade of…

Process analytical technologies (PAT) in freeze-drying of parenteral products.

PubMed

Patel, Sajal Manubhai; Pikal, Michael

2009-01-01

Quality by Design (QbD), aims at assuring quality by proper design and control, utilizing appropriate Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) to monitor critical process parameters during processing to ensure that the product meets the desired quality attributes. This review provides a comprehensive list of process monitoring devices that can be used to monitor critical process parameters and will focus on a critical review of the viability of the PAT schemes proposed. R&D needs in PAT for freeze-drying have also been addressed with particular emphasis on batch techniques that can be used on all the dryers independent of the dryer scale.

Are teachers of children and young adolescents responsive to suicide prevention training modules? Yes.

PubMed

Davidson, M W; Range, L M

1999-01-01

Both before and after a 1-hour suicide prevention training module, 75 elementary teachers-in-training read a 4-sentence vignette about a suicidal student ("Pat"), then completed 8 questions about their responses. Compared with pretraining, at post-training these teachers were more likely to say that they would send or escort Pat to the counselor's office, use written or verbal no-suicide agreements, call Pat's parents, believe Pat to be serious rather than simply seeking attention, and feel comfortable handling a similar situation. Increased proactive attitudes after one hour of training imply that teachers would benefit from periodic suicide awareness and prevention training modules.

National policy on physical activity: the development of a policy audit tool.

PubMed

Bull, Fiona C; Milton, Karen; Kahlmeier, Sonja

2014-02-01

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for noncommunicable disease worldwide. Increasing physical activity requires large scale actions and relevant, supportive national policy across multiple sectors. The policy audit tool (PAT) was developed to provide a standardized instrument to assess national policy approaches to physical activity. A draft tool, based on earlier work, was developed and pilot-tested in 7 countries. After several rounds of revisions, the final PAT comprises 27 items and collects information on 1) government structure, 2) development and content of identified key policies across multiple sectors, 3) the experience of policy implementation at both the national and local level, and 4) a summary of the PAT completion process. PAT provides a standardized instrument for assessing progress of national policy on physical activity. Engaging a diverse international group of countries in the development helped ensure PAT has applicability across a wide range of countries and contexts. Experiences from the development of the PAT suggests that undertaking an audit of health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) policy can stimulate greater awareness of current policy opportunities and gaps, promote critical debate across sectors, and provide a catalyst for collaboration on policy level actions. The final tool is available online.

Occurrence and Health Risk of Patulin and Pyrethroids in Fruit Juices Consumed in Bangkok, Thailand.

PubMed

Poapolathep, Saranya; Tanhan, Phanwimol; Piasai, Onuma; Imsilp, Kanjana; Hajslova, Jana; Giorgi, Mario; Kumagai, Susumu; Poapolathep, Amnart

2017-09-01

The mycotoxin patulin (PAT) is well known as a natural contaminant of apple- and other fruit-based products. Pesticides are a group of chemicals abundantly used in agriculture to maximize productivity by protecting crops from pests and weeds. Because of their harmful health effects, PAT and pesticides are strictly monitored. The current study was undertaken to investigate the significance of PAT and pyrethroid insecticide contamination in a variety of fruit juices in Bangkok. To do this, a total of 200 fruit juice samples, consisting of 40 samples each of apple, apricot, peach, pineapple, and grape juice, were collected from supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand. PAT contamination in a variety of fruit juices was detected using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pyrethroid insecticides (cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, and flumethrin) were analyzed using a gas chromatography equipped with micro-electron capture detector. The survey found that PAT concentrations were lower than the maximum residue limit established by European Union. The results of the present study suggest that the risk of exposure to harmful levels of PAT, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, and flumethrin in fruit juices is very low in urban areas of Thailand.

78 FR 74229 - Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Clinical...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-10

...This major final rule with comment period addresses changes to the physician fee schedule, clinical laboratory fee schedule, and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services. This final rule with comment period also includes a discussion in the Supplementary Information regarding various programs. (See the Table of Contents for a listing of the specific issues addressed in the final rule with comment period.)

The Preschool Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment Study (PATS) 6-Year Follow-Up

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riddle, Mark A.; Yershova, Kseniya; Lazzaretto, Deborah; Paykina, Natalya; Yenokyan, Gayane; Greenhill, Laurence; Abikoff, Howard; Vitiello, Benedetto; Wigal, Tim; McCracken, James T.; Kollins, Scott H.; Murray, Desiree W.; Wigal, Sharon; Kastelic, Elizabeth; McGough, James J.; dosReis, Susan; Bauzo-Rosario, Audrey; Stehli, Annamarie; Posner, Kelly

2013-01-01

Objective: To describe the clinical course of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity and diagnosis from ages 3 to 5 up to 9 to 12 years during a 6-year follow-up after the original Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS). Method: A total of 207 participants (75% male) from the original PATS, assessed at baseline (mean age,…

Reactions on Twitter to updated alcohol guidelines in the UK: a content analysis

PubMed Central

Bignardi, Giacomo; Hollands, Gareth J; Marteau, Theresa M

2017-01-01

Objectives In January 2016, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers released a public consultation regarding updated guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess responses to the updated guidelines using comments made on Twitter. Methods Tweets containing the hashtag #alcoholguidelines made during 1 week following the announcement of the updated guidelines were retrieved using the Twitter Archiver tool. The source, sentiment and themes of the tweets were categorised using manual content analysis. Results A total of 3061 tweets was retrieved. 6 sources were identified, the most prominent being members of the public. Of 821 tweets expressing sentiment specifically towards the guidelines, 80% expressed a negative sentiment. 11 themes were identified, 3 of which were broadly supportive of the guidelines, 7 broadly unsupportive and 1 neutral. Overall, more tweets were unsupportive (49%) than supportive (44%). While the most common theme overall was sharing information, the most common in tweets from members of the public encouraged alcohol consumption (15%) or expressed disagreement with the guidelines (14%), reflecting reactance, resistance and misunderstanding. Conclusions This descriptive analysis revealed a number of themes present in unsupportive comments towards the updated UK alcohol guidelines among a largely proalcohol community. An understanding of these may help to tailor effective communication of alcohol and health-related policies, and could inform a more dynamic approach to health communication via social media. PMID:28246145

Effect of Aggressive lipid-lowering treatment with Rosuvastatin on vascular endoTHelium function: evaluation of vascular endothelium function (EARTH study).

PubMed

Takayama, Tadateru; Hiro, Takafumi; Yoda, Shunichi; Fukamachi, Daisuke; Haruta, Hironori; Kogo, Takaaki; Mineki, Takashi; Murata, Hironobu; Oshima, Toru; Hirayama, Atsushi

2018-06-01

Vascular endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the process of atherosclerosis up to the final stage of plaque rupture. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is reversible, and can be recovered by medications and life-style changes. Improvement in endothelial function may reduce cardiovascular events and improve long-term prognosis. A total of 50 patients with stable angina and dyslipidemia were enrolled, including patients who had not received prior treatment with statins and had serum LDL-C levels ≥ 100 mg/dL, and patients who had previously received statin treatment. All agreed to register regardless of their LDL-C level. Rosuvastatin was initially administered at a dose of 2.5 mg and appropriately titrated up to the maximum dose of 20 mg or until LDL-C levels lower than 80 mg/dL were achieved, for 24 weeks. Endothelial function was assessed by the reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) index in the radial artery by Endo-PAT ® 2000 (Endo-PAT ® 2000, software version 3.0.4, Itamar Medical Ltd., Caesarea, Israel). RH-PAT data were digitally analyzed online by Endo-PAT ® 2000 at baseline and at 24 weeks. LDL-C and MDA-LDL-C decreased from 112.6 ± 23.3 to 85.5 ± 20.2 mg/dL and from 135.1 ± 36.4 to 113.9 ± 23.5 mg/dL respectively (p < 0.0001). However, HDL-C, hs-CRP and TG did not change significantly after treatment. RH-PAT index levels significantly improved, from 1.60 ± 0.31 to 1.77 ± 0.57 (p = 0.04) after treatment, and the percent change of the RH-PAT index was 12.8 ± 36.9%. Results of multivariate analysis show that serum LDL-C levels over 24 weeks did not act as a predictor of improvement of the RH-PAT index. However, HbA1c at baseline was an independent predictor which influenced the 24-week RH-PAT index level. The RH-PAT index of patients with high HbA1c at baseline did not improve after administration of rosuvastatin but it did improve in patients with low HbA1c at baseline. Aggressive lowering of LDL-C with rosuvastatin significantly improved the RH-PAT index, suggesting that it may improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease.Clinical Trial Registration No: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000010040.

[Geriatric Proximal Femoral Fracture and Urinary Tract Infection - Considerations for Perioperative Infection Prophylaxis].

PubMed

Probst, A; Reimers, N; Hecht, A; Langenhan, R

2016-10-01

Background: Perioperative infection prophylaxis with cephalosporins is standard in surgical treatment of proximal femoral fractures (PFF). Geriatric patients (pat.) are at risk of chronic infections and the bacteria from these can lead to unknown hygienic problems in an early operation. We therefore characterised the colonisation of the urinary tract in pat. (≥ 65 years) with PFF and observed bacterial development in deep wound infections over a period of 10 years. The aim was to discover gaps in perioperative infection prophylaxis. Patients and Methods: Between September 2013 and November 2015, colonisation of the urinary tract and microbial resistance were investigated on admission of all pat. (≥ 65 years) with the diagnosis of PFF (n = 351; f/m 263/88; median age [∅] 83.57 [65-100] years). Between 2005 and 2014, 2161 pat. with a PFF were operated in our clinic (f/m 1623/538; ∅ 82.35 [65-101] years). 991 pat. (∅ 81.84 [65-101] years) with femoral neck fracture [FNF] were treated with endoprosthesis/osteosynthesis, 1170 pat. (∅ 82,78 [65-101] years) with per-/subtrochanteric fracture [PTF] were treated with osteosynthesis. In a retrospective data analysis, deep wound infections, microbiological composition and changes in microbial resistances over time were identified. Results: Bacteriuria (BU) was detected in the urine sediment of 35.61 % (n = 125) of our pat. In 47.2 % of these pat., BU was accompanied by laboratory signs of manifest urinary tract infection. In 10.4 % of these pat., colonisation of the urinary tract with multi-resistant pathogens was detected; 26.4 % were resistant to cefuroxime. The rate of deep infections in pat. with endoprosthesis/osteosynthesis in FNF was 2.8 % (n = 28; f/m 19/9; ∅ 81.35 [67-92] years), with osteosynthesis in PTF 1,1 % (n = 14; f/m 10/4; ∅ 81.0 [70-91] years). A comparison of the periods 2005-2009 and 2010-2014 showed a shift in the spectrum of pathogens from cephalosporin-sensitive to cephalosporin-resistant enterococci. Resistance of pathogens against cephalosporins increased from 43 to 81 %. Conclusion: We found an increasing risk in geriatric pat. from multiresistant pathogens in the urinary tract and from an increase in the cephalosporin resistance of pathogens in urinary tract infections and in deep wound infections. This indicates that perioperative infection prophylaxis with a cephalosporin is not effective. Especially in nursing homes, development of resistance to antibiotics is an increasing problem. Thus, concepts of perioperative infection prophylaxis in geriatric patients should be reconsidered. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Advances in downstream processing of biologics - Spectroscopy: An emerging process analytical technology.

PubMed

Rüdt, Matthias; Briskot, Till; Hubbuch, Jürgen

2017-03-24

Process analytical technologies (PAT) for the manufacturing of biologics have drawn increased interest in the last decade. Besides being encouraged by the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) PAT initiative, PAT promises to improve process understanding, reduce overall production costs and help to implement continuous manufacturing. This article focuses on spectroscopic tools for PAT in downstream processing (DSP). Recent advances and future perspectives will be reviewed. In order to exploit the full potential of gathered data, chemometric tools are widely used for the evaluation of complex spectroscopic information. Thus, an introduction into the field will be given. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Overview of the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT) Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, James; Chakrabarti, Suman; Pearson, Boise; Sims, W. Herbert; Lewis, Raymond; Fant, Wallace; Rodgers, Stephen (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A general overview of the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT) Experiment is presented. The topics include: 1) Why Antimatter? 2) HiPAT Applicability; 3) Approach-Goals; 4) HiPAT General Layout; 5) Sizing For Containment; 6) Laboratory Operations; 7) Vacuum System Cleaning; 8) Ion Production Via Electron Gun; 9) Particle Capture Via Ion Sources; 10) Ion Beam Steering/Focusing; 11) Ideal Ion Stacking Sequence; 12) Setup For Dynamic Capture; 13) Dynamic Capture of H(+) Ions; 14) Dynamic Capture; 15) Radio Frequency Particle Detection; 16) Radio Frequency Antenna Modeling; and 17) R.F. Stabilization-Low Frequencies. A short presentation of propulsion applications of Antimatter is also given. This paper is in viewgraph form.

Gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent for in vivo tumor imaging with photoacoustic tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Q.; Iwakuma, N.; Sharma, P.; Moudgil, B. M.; Wu, C.; McNeill, J.; Jiang, H.; Grobmyer, S. R.

2009-09-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a rapidly emerging non-invasive imaging technology that integrates the merits of high optical contrast with high ultrasound resolution. The ability to quantitatively and non-invasively image nanoparticles has important implications for the development of nanoparticles as in vivo cancer diagnostic and therapeutic agents. In this study, the ability of systemically administered poly(ethylene glycol)-coated (PEGylated) gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent for in vivo tumor imaging with PAT has been evaluated. We demonstrate that gold nanoparticles (20 and 50 nm) have high photoacoustic contrast as compared to mouse tissue ex vivo. Gold nanoparticles can be visualized in mice in vivo following subcutaneous administration using PAT. Following intravenous administration of PEGylated gold nanoparticles to tumor-bearing mice, accumulation of gold nanoparticles in tumors can be effectively imaged with PAT. With gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent, PAT has important potential applications in the image guided therapy of superficial tumors such as breast cancer, melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.

THz spectroscopy: An emerging technology for pharmaceutical development and pharmaceutical Process Analytical Technology (PAT) applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Huiquan; Khan, Mansoor

2012-08-01

As an emerging technology, THz spectroscopy has gained increasing attention in the pharmaceutical area during the last decade. This attention is due to the fact that (1) it provides a promising alternative approach for in-depth understanding of both intermolecular interaction among pharmaceutical molecules and pharmaceutical product quality attributes; (2) it provides a promising alternative approach for enhanced process understanding of certain pharmaceutical manufacturing processes; and (3) the FDA pharmaceutical quality initiatives, most noticeably, the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative. In this work, the current status and progress made so far on using THz spectroscopy for pharmaceutical development and pharmaceutical PAT applications are reviewed. In the spirit of demonstrating the utility of first principles modeling approach for addressing model validation challenge and reducing unnecessary model validation "burden" for facilitating THz pharmaceutical PAT applications, two scientific case studies based on published THz spectroscopy measurement results are created and discussed. Furthermore, other technical challenges and opportunities associated with adapting THz spectroscopy as a pharmaceutical PAT tool are highlighted.

Biocontrol activity and patulin-removal effects of Bacillus subtilis, Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Agrobacterium tumefaciens against Penicillium expansum.

PubMed

Wang, Y; Yuan, Y; Liu, B; Zhang, Z; Yue, T

2016-11-01

This study was conducted to evaluate the biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis CICC 10034, Rhodobacter sphaeroides CGMCC 1.2182 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens CGMCC 1.2554 against patulin (PAT)-producer Penicillium expansum and their ability to remove PAT. Bacillus subtilis effectively inhibited P. expansum both on apples and in in vitro experiments, which reduced the rot diameter on apples by 38% compared with the control. The reduction was followed by those induced by A. tumefaciens (27·63%) and R. sphaeroides (23·67%). None of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) was able to prevent pathogen growth. Three antagonists could suppress PAT production by P. expansum on apples by 98·5, 93·7 and 94·99% after treatment with B. subtilis, R. sphaeroides and A. tumefaciens respectively. In addition, the three strains led to a 0·56-1·47 log CFU g -1 reduction in colony number of P. expansum on apples. Survival of antagonists on apple wounds revealed their tolerance to PAT. Furthermore, both live and autoclaved cells of three strains efficiently adsorbed artificially spiked PAT from medium. The selected antagonists could be applied before harvesting to control apple infection by PAT-producing fungi and also during processing to act as PAT detoxifiers. Since little information related to the capability of R. sphaeroides and A. tumefaciens to inhibit P. expansum is currently available, the results of this study provide some new perspectives to the biocontrol field. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Patulin in domestic and imported apple-based drinks in Belgium: occurrence and exposure assessment.

PubMed

Tangni, E K; Theys, R; Mignolet, E; Maudoux, M; Michelet, J Y; Larondelle, Y

2003-05-01

Apple-based beverages are regularly consumed by adults and children in Belgium. They are locally produced or imported from other countries. The apples used as starting material for these productions are frequently contaminated by mycotoxin-producing moulds and damaged during transport and handling. The current study was undertaken to investigate whether patulin (PAT) is present in the industrial or handicraft-made apple juices and ciders consumed by the Belgian population and to assess the population's exposure to this mycotoxin through apple-based drinks. Belgian (n = 29) and imported (14) apple juices as well as ciders (7) were assayed for PAT by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet light detection. PAT was detected respectively in 79, 86 and 43% of these tested samples. However, no contaminated sample exceeded the safe level of 50 microg PAT l(-1). Levels of PAT contamination were comparable in Belgian and imported juice samples. The overall mean PAT concentrations were 9.0 and 3.4 microg l(-1) for contaminated apple juices and ciders, respectively. This study also indicates that there was no statistically significant difference in the mean PAT contamination between clear (7.8 microg l(-1)) and cloudy (10.7 microg l(-1)) apple juices, as well as between handicraft-made apple juices (14.6 microg l(-1)) and industrial ones (7.0 microg l(-1)). On the basis of the mean results, a consumer exposure assessment indicates that a daily intake of 0.2 litres apple juice contributes to 45% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake for a child of 10 kg body weight.

The structural hinge of a chain-foreland basin: Quaternary activity of the Pede-Apennine Thrust front (Northern Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maestrelli, Daniele; Benvenuti, Marco; Bonini, Marco; Carnicelli, Stefano; Piccardi, Luigi; Sani, Federico

2018-01-01

The Pede-Apennine margin (Northern Italy) is a major WNW-ESE-trending morpho-structural element that delimits the Po Plain to the southwest and consists of a system of southwest dipping thrusts, generally referred to as Pede-Apennine Thrust (PAT). The leading edge of the chain lies further north-east and is buried beneath the Plio-Quaternary marine and fluvial deposits of the Po Plain. Whereas the buried external thrust fronts are obvious active structures (as demonstrated by the 2012 Emilia earthquakes; e.g. Burrato et al., 2012), ongoing activity of the PAT is debated. Using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates structural, seismic, sedimentological and pedological field data, we describe the recent activity of the PAT structures in a sector of the Pede-Apennine margin between the Panaro and the Enza Rivers (Emilia-Romagna). We found that the PAT is emergent or sub-emergent and deforms Middle Pleistocene deposits. We also infer a more recent tectonic phase ( 60-80 ka) by Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating of soil profiles that have been deformed by a recent reactivation of the PAT. Furthermore, we show evidence that the PAT and its external splay thrusts strongly influenced the drainage pattern, causing fluvial diversions and forcing paleo-rivers to develop roughly parallel to the margin. Finally, numerical Trishear modelling has been used to calculate deformation rates for the PAT along two transects. Extrapolated slip rates vary between 0.68 and 0.79 mm·yr- 1 for about the last 1.2-0.8 million years.

Biocontrol Agents Increase the Specific Rate of Patulin Production by Penicillium expansum but Decrease the Disease and Total Patulin Contamination of Apples

PubMed Central

Zheng, Xiangfeng; Yang, Qiya; Zhang, Xiaoyun; Apaliya, Maurice T.; Ianiri, Giuseppe; Zhang, Hongyin; Castoria, Raffaello

2017-01-01

Synthetic fungicides are commonly employed for the control of postharvest diseases of fruits. However, due to health concerns about the use of these chemicals, alternative control methods including biocontrol based on antagonistic yeasts are gaining in popularity. In this study, we investigated the effects of two biocontrol yeasts, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain 3617 and Rhodotorula kratochvilovae strain LS11, on blue mold and patulin (PAT) contamination caused by Penicillium expansum strains PY and FS7 in artificially inoculated Fuji apples stored at 20°C for 9 days. To correlate the development of the P. expansum strains in yeast-treated and untreated apples with PAT production, we quantified their biomass in the infected fruits using a recently published quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method based on specific primers for patF, a gene from P. expansum that is involved in PAT biosynthesis. Both yeasts significantly reduced the disease incidence caused by the two strains of P. expansum up to 5–7 days of incubation, and lowered their biomass and the progression of symptoms up to 9 days. Interestingly, both yeasts strains increased the rate of PAT production (expressed as ng patulin/μg fungal DNA) by the two pathogenic strains. Nevertheless, both biocontrol agents reduced the total PAT contamination, especially in the case of P. expansum strain FS7, the higher PAT producer of the two tested P. expansum strains. Comparing between the yeast strains, R. kratochvilovae LS11 was more effective than R. mucilaginosa 3617 for the control of P. expansum. PMID:28713362

Assessment of family psychosocial functioning in survivors of pediatric cancer using the PAT2.0.

PubMed

Gilleland, Jordan; Reed-Knight, Bonney; Brand, Sarah; Griffin, Anya; Wasilewski-Masker, Karen; Meacham, Lillian; Mertens, Ann

2013-09-01

This study aimed to examine clinical validity and utility of a screening measure for familial psychosocial risk, the Psychosocial Assessment Tool 2.0 (PAT2.0), among pediatric cancer survivors participating in long-term survivorship care. Caregivers (N=79) completed the PAT2.0 during their child's survivorship appointment. Caregivers also reported on family engagement in outpatient mental health treatment. Medical records were reviewed for treatment history and oncology provider initiated psychology consults. The internal consistency of the PAT2.0 total score in this survivorship sample was strong. Psychology was consulted by the oncology provider to see 53% of participant families, and families seen by psychology had significantly higher PAT2.0 total scores than families without psychology consults. PAT2.0 total scores and corresponding subscales were higher for patients, parents, and siblings enrolled in outpatient mental health services since treatment completion. Results were consistent with psychosocial risk categories presented within the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model. Fifty-one percent of families presenting for survivorship care scored in the "universal" category, 34% scored in the "targeted" category, and 15% scored in the "clinical" category. Data indicate that the overall proportions of families experiencing "universal", "targeted", and "clinical" levels of familial distress may be constant from the time of diagnosis into survivorship care. Overall, the PAT2.0 demonstrated strong psychometric properties among survivors of pediatric cancer and shows promise as a psychosocial screening measure to facilitate more effective family support in survivorship care. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Interagency ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

In January 2017, EPA finalized the IRIS assessment of Benzo[a]pyrene. The Toxicological Review was reviewed internally by EPA and by other federal agencies and White House Offices before public release. Consistent with the May 2009 IRIS assessment development process, all written comments on IRIS assessments submitted by other federal agencies and White House Offices are made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency science discussion materials provided to other agencies, including interagency review drafts of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene are posted on this site. EPA is undertaking an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The outcome of this project is an updated Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary for BaP that will be entered into the IRIS database.

Patulin causes DNA damage leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through modulation of Bax, p{sup 53} and p{sup 21/WAF1} proteins in skin of mice

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

Saxena, Neha; Ansari, Kausar M.; Kumar, Rahul

2009-01-15

Patulin (PAT), a mycotoxin found in apples, grapes, oranges, pear and peaches, is a potent genotoxic compound. WHO has highlighted the need for the study of cutaneous toxicity of PAT as manual labour is employed during pre and post harvest stages, thereby causing direct exposure to skin. In the present study cutaneous toxicity of PAT was evaluated following topical application to Swiss Albino mice. Dermal exposure of PAT, to mice for 4 h resulted in a dose (40-160 {mu}g/animal) and time (up to 6 h) dependent enhancement of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a marker enzyme of cell proliferation. The ODC activitymore » was found to be normal after 12 and 24 h treatment of patulin. Topical application of PAT (160 {mu}g/100 {mu}l acetone) for 24-72 h caused (a) DNA damage in skin cells showing significant increase (34-63%) in olive tail moment, a parameter of Comet assay (b) significant G 1 and S-phase arrest along with induction of apoptosis (2.8-10 folds) as shown by annexin V and PI staining assay through flow cytometer. Moreover PAT leads to over expression of p{sup 21/WAF1} (3.6-3.9 fold), pro apoptotic protein Bax (1.3-2.6) and tumor suppressor wild type p{sup 53} (2.8-3.9 fold) protein. It was also shown that PAT induced apoptosis was mediated through mitochondrial intrinsic pathway as revealed through the release of cytochrome C protein in cytosol leading to enhancement of caspase-3 activity in skin cells of mice. These results suggest that PAT has a potential to induce DNA damage leading to p{sup 53} mediated cell cycle arrest along with intrinsic pathway mediated apoptosis that may also be correlated with enhanced polyamine production as evident by induction of ODC activity, which may have dermal toxicological implications.« less

Dose-related antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of two novel thiazolidin-4-ones in a rodent model of metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Karot, Sarine Sebastian; Surenahalli, Vasantharaju Gowdra; Kishore, Anoop; Mudgal, Jayesh; Nandakumar, Krishnadas; Chirayil, Magith Thambi; Mathew, Geetha; Nampurath, Gopalan Kutty

2016-09-01

The replacement of the thiazolidinedione moiety with a thiazolidinone may yield antidiabetic compounds with similar pleiotropic effects. Hence, the aim of the present study was to explore the dose-related antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of two synthesized novel thiazolidin-4-one derivatives, one with a nicotinamide and the other with a p-chlorophenoxyacetamide substitution at the N3 position of the thiazolidinone ring (NAT1 and PAT1, respectively), in a rodent model of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Metabolic syndrome was induced in Wistar rats by neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (i.p.) on 4 consecutive days followed by high-sucrose diet feeding for 6 months. The effects of NAT1 (33 and 66 mg/kg) and molar equivalent doses of PAT1 (40 and 80 mg/kg) on relevant biochemical parameters were evaluated. Because MetS is a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, we also evaluated the effects of these compounds on proinflammatory markers, namely interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). Both NAT1 and PAT1 attenuated hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoalphalipoproteinemia, and glucose intolerance. PAT1 exhibited superior antihyperglycemic and antihypoalphalipoproteinemic effects than NAT1. However, NAT1 had a better triglyceride-lowering effect. At the lower dose tested, both compounds significantly reduced elevated malondialdehyde levels. In addition, PAT1 (80 mg/kg) restored hepatic superoxide dismutase enzyme levels. There was a tendency for NAT1 and PAT1 to inhibit elevated hepatic IL-6 and TNF-α levels, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. In addition, PAT1 exhibited in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by reducing proinflammatory ROS and NO levels in RAW264.7 macrophages. The novel thiazolidin-4-ones NAT1 and PAT1 could be potential pleiotropic drug candidates targeting MetS. © 2015 Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

77 FR 62231 - DOE/Advanced Scientific Computing Advisory Committee

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-12

.... Facilities update. ESnet-5. Early Career technical talks. Co-design. Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE). Public Comment (10-minute rule). Public Participation: The...

Cargo Movement Operations System (CMOS) Updated Software Test Report. Increment I

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-02-19

NO [ ] COMMENT DISPOSITION: ACCEPT [ J REJECT ( ] COMMENT STATUS: OPEN [ ] CLOSED [ ] Cmnt Page Paragraph No. No. Number Comment 1. C-14 TD1251.03 Change "price" to "piece". 2. C-19 TD1323.04 Change "requried" to "required". 3. D-53 TD1322.03 Change the SPCR number to 90122064. ORIGINATOR CONTROL NUMBER: STR1-0002 PROGRAM OFFICE CONTROL NUMBER: DATA ITEM DISCREPANCY WORKSHEET CDRL NUMBER: A010-02 DATE: 02/19/91 ORIGINATOR NAME: Gerald T. Love OFFICE SYMBOL: SAIC TELEPHONE NUMBER: 272-2999 SUBSTANTIVE: X EDITORIAL: PAGE

Typhoons Pat and Odessa in the Western Pacific Ocean

NASA Image and Video Library

1985-08-30

51I-35-078 (30 Aug 1985) --- Typhoons Pat (left) and Odessa in the western Pacific. Of the many tropical cyclones photographed by the STS 51-I crew, the dual typhoons of Pat and Odessa were the most unusual. The twin typhoons constitute a Fujiwara system of connected cyclones first described by the Japanese meteorologist after whom the phenomena has been named. Never before have such paired typhoons been photographed from orbit.

Tutorial on photoacoustic tomography

PubMed Central

Zhou, Yong; Yao, Junjie; Wang, Lihong V.

2016-01-01

Abstract. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) has become one of the fastest growing fields in biomedical optics. Unlike pure optical imaging, such as confocal microscopy and two-photon microscopy, PAT employs acoustic detection to image optical absorption contrast with high-resolution deep into scattering tissue. So far, PAT has been widely used for multiscale anatomical, functional, and molecular imaging of biological tissues. We focus on PAT’s basic principles, major implementations, imaging contrasts, and recent applications. PMID:27086868

Structural and functional photoacoustic molecular tomography aided by emerging contrast agents

PubMed Central

Nie, Liming

2015-01-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can offer structural, functional and molecular contrasts at scalable observation level. By ultrasonically overcoming the strong optical scattering, this imaging technology can reach centimeters penetration depth while retaining high spatial resolution in biological tissue. Recent extensive research has been focused on developing new contrast agents to improve the imaging sensitivity, specificity and efficiency. These emerging materials have substantially accelerated PAT applications in signal sensing, functional imaging, biomarker labeling and therapy monitoring etc. Here, the potentials of different optical probes as PAT contrast agents were elucidated. We first describe the instrumental embodiments and the measured functional parameters, then focus on emerging contrast agent-based PAT applications, and finally discuss the challenges and prospects. PMID:24967718

78 FR 76811 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-19

... support of the scholarship application by academic professors/advisors. NOAA OEd student scholar alumni... are required to update the student tracker database with the required student information. In addition...

Increased prenatal IGF2 expression due to the porcine intron3-G3072A mutation may be responsible for increased muscle mass.

PubMed

Clark, D L; Clark, D I; Beever, J E; Dilger, A C

2015-05-01

A SNP (IGF2 G3072A) within intron 3 of disrupts a binding site for the repressor zinc finger BED-type containing 6 (ZBED6), leading to increased carcass lean yields in pigs. However, the relative contributions of prenatal as opposed to postnatal increased IGF2 expression are unclear. As muscle fiber number is set at birth, prenatal and neonate skeletal muscle development is critical in determining mature growth potential. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the contributions of hyperplasia and hypertrophy to increased muscle mass and to delineate the effect of the mutation on the expression of myogenic genes during prenatal and postnatal growth. Sows (IGF2 A/A) were bred to a single heterozygous (IGF2 A/G) boar. For fetal samples, sows were euthanized at 60 and 90 d of gestation (d60 and d90) to obtain fetuses. Male and female offspring were also euthanized at birth (0d), weaning (21d), and market weight of approximately 130 kg (176d). At each sampling time, the LM, psoas major (PM), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles were weighed. Samples of the LM were used to quantify the expression of IGF family members, myogenic regulatory factors (MRF), myosin heavy chain isoforms, and growth factors, myostatin, and . Liver samples were used to quantify and expression. At 176d, weights of LM, PM, and ST muscles were all increased approximately 8% to 14% (P < 0.01) in pigs with paternal A (A(Pat)) alleles compared with those with paternal G (G(Pat)) alleles. Additionally, total muscle fiber number in the ST at 176d tended to be greater (P = 0.10), whereas muscle fiber cross-sectional area tended to be reduced ( P= 0.08) in A(Pat) pigs compared with G(Pat) pigs. In addition to the expected 2.7- to 4.5-fold increase (P ≤ 0.02) in expression in the LM in A(Pat) compared with G(Pat) pigs at postnatal sampling times (21d and 176d), IGF2 expression was also increased (P ≤ 0.06) 1.4- to 1.5-fold at d90 of gestation and at birth. At d90, expression of myogenic factor 5 (MYF5), a MRF expressed in proliferating myoblasts, in the LM was greater (P = 0.01) in A (Pat) pigs than in G(Pat) pigs. Interestingly, at 21d hepatic expression was greater (P = 0.01), whereas expression decreased (P = 0.01) in A(Pat) pigs compared with G(Pat) pigs; however, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.18) in hepatic expression between genotypes at 0d and 176d. These data suggest that prenatal hyperplasia of muscle fibers stimulated by increased IGF2 expression may contribute to increased muscle mass of A(Pat) pigs.

Mark report satellite tags (mrPATs) to detail large-scale horizontal movements of deep water species: First results for the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussey, Nigel E.; Orr, Jack; Fisk, Aaron T.; Hedges, Kevin J.; Ferguson, Steven H.; Barkley, Amanda N.

2018-04-01

The deep-sea is increasingly viewed as a lucrative environment for the growth of resource extraction industries. To date, our ability to study deep-sea species lags behind that of those inhabiting the photic zone limiting scientific data available for management. In particular, knowledge of horizontal movements is restricted to two locations; capture and recapture, with no temporal information on absolute animal locations between endpoints. To elucidate the horizontal movements of a large deep-sea fish, a novel tagging approach was adopted using the smallest available prototype satellite tag - the mark-report pop-up archival tag (mrPAT). Five Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus) were equipped with multiple mrPATs as well as a standard archival satellite tag (miniPAT) that were programmed to release in sequence at 8-10 day intervals. The performance of the mrPATs was quantified. The tagging approach provided multiple locations per individual and revealed a previously unknown directed migration of Greenland sharks from the Canadian high Arctic to Northwest Greenland. All tags reported locations, however, the accuracy and time from expected release were variable among tags (average time to an accurate location from expected release = 30.8 h, range: 4.9-227.6 h). Average mrPAT drift rate estimated from best quality messages (LQ1,2,3) was 0.37 ± 0.09 m/s indicating tags were on average 41.1 ± 63.4 km (range: 6.5-303.1 km) from the location of the animal when they transmitted. mrPATs provided daily temperature values that were highly correlated among tags and with the miniPAT (70.8% of tag pairs were significant). In contrast, daily tilt sensor data were variable among tags on the same animal (12.5% of tag pairs were significant). Tracking large-scale movements of deep-sea fish has historically been limited by the remote environment they inhabit. The current study provides a new approach to document reliable coarse scale horizontal movements to understand migrations, stock structure and habitat use of large species. Opportunities to apply mrPATs to understand the movements of medium size fish, marine mammals and to validate retrospective movement modeling approaches based on archival data are presented.

Objective Assessment and Design Improvement of a Staring, Sparse Transducer Array by the Spatial Crosstalk Matrix for 3D Photoacoustic Tomography

PubMed Central

Kosik, Ivan; Raess, Avery

2015-01-01

Accurate reconstruction of 3D photoacoustic (PA) images requires detection of photoacoustic signals from many angles. Several groups have adopted staring ultrasound arrays, but assessment of array performance has been limited. We previously reported on a method to calibrate a 3D PA tomography (PAT) staring array system and analyze system performance using singular value decomposition (SVD). The developed SVD metric, however, was impractical for large system matrices, which are typical of 3D PAT problems. The present study consisted of two main objectives. The first objective aimed to introduce the crosstalk matrix concept to the field of PAT for system design. Figures-of-merit utilized in this study were root mean square error, peak signal-to-noise ratio, mean absolute error, and a three dimensional structural similarity index, which were derived between the normalized spatial crosstalk matrix and the identity matrix. The applicability of this approach for 3D PAT was validated by observing the response of the figures-of-merit in relation to well-understood PAT sampling characteristics (i.e. spatial and temporal sampling rate). The second objective aimed to utilize the figures-of-merit to characterize and improve the performance of a near-spherical staring array design. Transducer arrangement, array radius, and array angular coverage were the design parameters examined. We observed that the performance of a 129-element staring transducer array for 3D PAT could be improved by selection of optimal values of the design parameters. The results suggested that this formulation could be used to objectively characterize 3D PAT system performance and would enable the development of efficient strategies for system design optimization. PMID:25875177

Analysis of the potential for non-invasive imaging of oxygenation at heart depth, using ultrasound optical tomography (UOT) or photo-acoustic tomography (PAT).

PubMed

Walther, Andreas; Rippe, Lars; Wang, Lihong V; Andersson-Engels, Stefan; Kröll, Stefan

2017-10-01

Despite the important medical implications, it is currently an open task to find optical non-invasive techniques that can image deep organs in humans. Addressing this, photo-acoustic tomography (PAT) has received a great deal of attention in the past decade, owing to favorable properties like high contrast and high spatial resolution. However, even with optimal components PAT cannot penetrate beyond a few centimeters, which still presents an important limitation of the technique. Here, we calculate the absorption contrast levels for PAT and for ultrasound optical tomography (UOT) and compare them to their relevant noise sources as a function of imaging depth. The results indicate that a new development in optical filters, based on rare-earth-ion crystals, can push the UOT technique significantly ahead of PAT. Such filters allow the contrast-to-noise ratio for UOT to be up to three orders of magnitude better than for PAT at depths of a few cm into the tissue. It also translates into a significant increase of the image depth of UOT compared to PAT, enabling deep organs to be imaged in humans in real time. Furthermore, such spectral holeburning filters are not sensitive to speckle decorrelation from the tissue and can operate at nearly any angle of incident light, allowing good light collection. We theoretically demonstrate the improved performance in the medically important case of non-invasive optical imaging of the oxygenation level of the frontal part of the human myocardial tissue. Our results indicate that further studies on UOT are of interest and that the technique may have large impact on future directions of biomedical optics.

The relation of digital vascular function to cardiovascular risk factors in African-Americans using digital tonometry: the Jackson Heart Study.

PubMed

McClendon, Eric E; Musani, Solomon K; Samdarshi, Tandaw E; Khaire, Sushant; Stokes, Donny; Hamburg, Naomi M; Sheffy, Koby; Mitchell, Gary F; Taylor, Herman R; Benjamin, Emelia J; Fox, Ervin R

2017-06-01

Digital vascular tone and function, as measured by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT), are associated with cardiovascular risk and events in non-Hispanic whites. There are limited data on relations between PAT and cardiovascular risk in African-Americans. PAT was performed on a subset of Jackson Heart Study participants using a fingertip tonometry device. Resting digital vascular tone was assessed as baseline pulse amplitude. Hyperemic vascular response to 5 minutes of ischemia was expressed as the PAT ratio (hyperemic/baseline amplitude ratio). Peripheral augmentation index (AI), a measure of relative wave reflection, also was estimated. The association of baseline pulse amplitude (PA), PAT ratio, and AI to risk factors was assessed using stepwise multivariable models. The study sample consisted of 837 participants from the Jackson Heart Study (mean age, 54 ± 11 years; 61% women). In stepwise multivariable regression models, baseline pulse amplitude was related to male sex, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure (BP), accounting for 16% of the total variability of the baseline pulse amplitude. Age, male sex, systolic BP, diastolic BP, antihypertensive medication, and prevalent cardiovascular disease contributed to 11% of the total variability of the PAT ratio. Risk factors (primarily age, sex, and heart rate) explained 47% of the total variability of the AI. We confirmed in our cohort of African-Americans, a significant relation between digital vascular tone and function measured by PAT and multiple traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further studies are warranted to investigate the utility of these measurements in predicting clinical outcomes in African-Americans. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detecting REM sleep from the finger: an automatic REM sleep algorithm based on peripheral arterial tone (PAT) and actigraphy.

PubMed

Herscovici, Sarah; Pe'er, Avivit; Papyan, Surik; Lavie, Peretz

2007-02-01

Scoring of REM sleep based on polysomnographic recordings is a laborious and time-consuming process. The growing number of ambulatory devices designed for cost-effective home-based diagnostic sleep recordings necessitates the development of a reliable automatic REM sleep detection algorithm that is not based on the traditional electroencephalographic, electrooccolographic and electromyographic recordings trio. This paper presents an automatic REM detection algorithm based on the peripheral arterial tone (PAT) signal and actigraphy which are recorded with an ambulatory wrist-worn device (Watch-PAT100). The PAT signal is a measure of the pulsatile volume changes at the finger tip reflecting sympathetic tone variations. The algorithm was developed using a training set of 30 patients recorded simultaneously with polysomnography and Watch-PAT100. Sleep records were divided into 5 min intervals and two time series were constructed from the PAT amplitudes and PAT-derived inter-pulse periods in each interval. A prediction function based on 16 features extracted from the above time series that determines the likelihood of detecting a REM epoch was developed. The coefficients of the prediction function were determined using a genetic algorithm (GA) optimizing process tuned to maximize a price function depending on the sensitivity, specificity and agreement of the algorithm in comparison with the gold standard of polysomnographic manual scoring. Based on a separate validation set of 30 patients overall sensitivity, specificity and agreement of the automatic algorithm to identify standard 30 s epochs of REM sleep were 78%, 92%, 89%, respectively. Deploying this REM detection algorithm in a wrist worn device could be very useful for unattended ambulatory sleep monitoring. The innovative method of optimization using a genetic algorithm has been proven to yield robust results in the validation set.

Combined multimodal photoacoustic tomography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT based angiography system for in vivo imaging of multiple skin disorders in human(Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Mengyang; Chen, Zhe; Sinz, Christoph; Rank, Elisabet; Zabihian, Behrooz; Zhang, Edward Z.; Beard, Paul C.; Kittler, Harald; Drexler, Wolfgang

2017-02-01

All optical photoacoustic tomography (PAT) using a planar Fabry-Perot interferometer polymer film sensor has been demonstrated for in vivo human palm imaging with an imaging penetration depth of 5 mm. The relatively larger vessels in the superficial plexus and the vessels in the dermal plexus are visible in PAT. However, due to both resolution and sensitivity limits, all optical PAT cannot reveal the smaller vessels such as capillary loops and venules. Melanin absorption also sometimes causes difficulties in PAT to resolve vessels. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) based angiography, on the other hand, has been proven suitable for microvasculature visualization in the first couple millimeters in human. In our work, we combine an all optical PAT system with an OCT system featuring a phase stable akinetic swept source. This multimodal PAT/OCT/OCT-angiography system provides us co-registered human skin vasculature information as well as the structural information of cutaneous. The scanning units of the sub-systems are assembled into one probe, which is then mounted onto a portable rack. The probe and rack design gives six degrees of freedom, allowing the multimodal optical imaging probe to access nearly all regions of human body. Utilizing this probe, we perform imaging on patients with various skin disorders as well as on healthy controls. Fused PAT/OCT-angiography volume shows the complete blood vessel network in human skin, which is further embedded in the morphology provided by OCT. A comparison between the results from the disordered regions and the normal regions demonstrates the clinical translational value of this multimodal optical imaging system in dermatology.

The heterocyst differentiation transcriptional regulator HetR of the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena forms tetramers and can be regulated by phosphorylation.

PubMed

Valladares, Ana; Flores, Enrique; Herrero, Antonia

2016-02-01

Many filamentous cyanobacteria respond to the external cue of nitrogen scarcity by the differentiation of heterocysts, cells specialized in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in oxic environments. Heterocysts follow a spatial pattern along the filament of two heterocysts separated by ca. 10-15 vegetative cells performing oxygenic photosynthesis. HetR is a transcriptional regulator that directs heterocyst differentiation. In the model strain Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, the HetR protein was observed in various oligomeric forms in vivo, including a tetramer that peaked with maximal hetR expression during differentiation. Tetramers were not detected in a hetR point mutant incapable of differentiation, but were conspicuous in an over-differentiating strain lacking the PatS inhibitor. In differentiated filaments the HetR tetramer was restricted to heterocysts, being undetectable in vegetative cells. HetR co-purified with RNA polymerase from Anabaena mainly as a tetramer. In vitro, purified recombinant HetR was distributed between monomers, dimers, trimers and tetramers, and it was phosphorylated when incubated with (γ-(32)P)ATP. Phosphorylation and PatS hampered the accumulation of HetR tetramers and impaired HetR binding to DNA. In summary, tetrameric HetR appears to represent a functionally relevant form of HetR, whose abundance in the Anabaena filament could be negatively regulated by phosphorylation and by PatS. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Nanoparticle-enhanced spectral photoacoustic tomography: effect of oxygen saturation and tissue heterogeneity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, William C.; Jia, Congxian; Wear, Keith A.; Garra, Brian S.; Pfefer, T. Joshua

2016-03-01

Molecular imaging for breast cancer detection, infectious disease diagnostics and preclinical animal research may be achievable through combined use of targeted exogenous agents - such as nanoparticles - and spectral Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT). However, tissue heterogeneity can alter fluence distributions and acoustic propagation, corrupting measured PAT absorption spectra and complicating in vivo nanoparticle detection and quantitation. Highly absorptive vascular structures represent a common confounding factor, and variations in vessel hemoglobin saturation (SO2) may alter spectral content of signals from adjacent/deeper regions. To evaluate the impact of this effect on PAT nanoparticle detectability, we constructed heterogeneous phantoms with well-characterized channel-inclusion geometries and biologically relevant optical and acoustic properties. Phantoms contained an array of tubes at several depths filled with hemoglobin solutions doped with varying concentrations of gold nanorods with an absorption peak at 780 nm. Both overlying and target network SO2 was tuned using sodium dithionite. Phantoms were imaged from 700 to 900 nm using a custom PAT system comprised of a tunable pulsed laser and a research-grade ultrasound system. Recovered nanoparticle spectra were analyzed and compared with results from both spectrophotometry and PAT data from waterimmersed tubes containing blood and nanoparticle solutions. Results suggested that nanoparticle selection for a given PAT application should take into account expected oxygenation states of both target blood vessel and background tissue oxygenation to achieve optimal performance.

Reliability of peripheral arterial tonometry in patients with heart failure, diabetic nephropathy and arterial hypertension.

PubMed

Weisrock, Fabian; Fritschka, Max; Beckmann, Sebastian; Litmeier, Simon; Wagner, Josephine; Tahirovic, Elvis; Radenovic, Sara; Zelenak, Christine; Hashemi, Djawid; Busjahn, Andreas; Krahn, Thomas; Pieske, Burkert; Dinh, Wilfried; Düngen, Hans-Dirk

2017-08-01

Endothelial dysfunction plays a major role in cardiovascular diseases and pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT) offers a non-invasive way to assess endothelial dysfunction. However, data about the reliability of PAT in cardiovascular patient populations are scarce. Thus, we evaluated the test-retest reliability of PAT using the natural logarithmic transformed reactive hyperaemia index (LnRHI). Our cohort consisted of 91 patients (mean age: 65±9.7 years, 32% female), who were divided into four groups: those with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) ( n=25), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) ( n=22), diabetic nephropathy ( n=21), and arterial hypertension ( n=23). All subjects underwent two separate PAT measurements at a median interval of 7 days (range 4-14 days). LnRHI derived by PAT showed good reliability in subjects with diabetic nephropathy (intra-class correlation (ICC) = 0.863) and satisfactory reliability in patients with both HFpEF (ICC = 0.557) and HFrEF (ICC = 0.576). However, in subjects with arterial hypertension, reliability was poor (ICC = 0.125). We demonstrated that PAT is a reliable technique to assess endothelial dysfunction in adults with diabetic nephropathy, HFpEF or HFrEF. However, in subjects with arterial hypertension, we did not find sufficient reliability, which can possibly be attributed to variations in heart rate and the respective time of the assessments. Clinical Trial Registration Identifier: NCT02299960.

Higher pericardial adiposity is associated with prevalent diabetes: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study

PubMed Central

AC, Alman; DR, Jacobs; CE, Lewis; JK, Snell-Bergeon; MR, Carnethon; JG, Terry; DC, Goff; J, Ding; JJ, Carr

2016-01-01

Background and Aims Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is located on both sides of the pericardium. We tested whether PAT was associated with prevalent diabetes at the year 25 exam of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Methods and Results The CARDIA Year 25 exam (2010-2011) included complete data for all covariates on 3107 participants. Prevalent diabetes (n=436) was defined as high fasting (≥126 mg/dl) or 2-hour postload glucose (≥200 mg/dl) or HbA1c (≥6.5%) or use of diabetes medications. Volume of PAT was measured from computed tomographic scans. Logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between quartiles of PAT and diabetes. In regression models adjusted for field center, sex, race, age, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, log triglycerides, and treatment with blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medication, PAT volume in the 4th quartile was significantly associated with diabetes status after adjustment for BMI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.66, 3.98) or visceral adipose tissue (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.32, 3.29). PAT volume in the 2nd and 3rd quartiles was not significantly associated with diabetes status relative to the first quartile. Conclusions Metabolically active pericardial adipose tissue is associated with prevalent diabetes only at higher volumes independent of overall obesity. PMID:26803596

Back to basics: The effects of block vs. interleaved trial administration on pro- and anti-saccade performance

PubMed Central

Zeligman, Liran; Zivotofsky, Ari Z.

2017-01-01

The pro and anti-saccade task (PAT) is a widely used tool in the study of overt and covert attention with promising potential role in neurocognitive and psychiatric assessment. However, specific PAT protocols can vary significantly between labs, potentially resulting in large variations in findings across studies. In light of recent calls towards a standardization of PAT the current study's objective was to systematically and purposely evaluate the effects of block vs. interleaved administration—a fundamental consideration—on PAT measures in a within subject design. Additionally, this study evaluated whether measures of a Posner-type cueing paradigm parallels measures of the PAT paradigm. As hypothesized, results indicate that PAT performance is highly susceptible to administration mode. Interleaved mode resulted in larger error rates not only for anti (blocks: M = 22%; interleaved: M = 42%) but also for pro-saccades (blocks: M = 5%; interleaved: M = 12%). This difference between block and interleaved administration was significantly larger in anti-saccades compared to pro-saccades and cannot be attributed to a 'speed/accuracy tradeoff'. Interleaved mode produced larger pro and anti-saccade differences in error rates while block administration produced larger latency differences. Results question the reflexive nature of pro-saccades, suggesting they are not purely reflexive. These results were further discussed and compared to previous studies that included within subject data of blocks and interleaved trials. PMID:28222173

77 FR 19657 - Combined Notice of Filings #2

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-02

.... Applicants: Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. Description: Amended Market Power Update of Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Inc. Filed Date: 3/9/12. Accession Number: 20120309-5160. Comments Due: 5 p.m...

Listening to light scattering in turbid media: quantitative optical scattering imaging using photoacoustic measurements with one-wavelength illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Zhen; Li, Xiaoqi; Xi, Lei

2014-06-01

Biomedical photoacoustic tomography (PAT), as a potential imaging modality, can visualize tissue structure and function with high spatial resolution and excellent optical contrast. It is widely recognized that the ability of quantitatively imaging optical absorption and scattering coefficients from photoacoustic measurements is essential before PAT can become a powerful imaging modality. Existing quantitative PAT (qPAT), while successful, has been focused on recovering absorption coefficient only by assuming scattering coefficient a constant. An effective method for photoacoustically recovering optical scattering coefficient is presently not available. Here we propose and experimentally validate such a method for quantitative scattering coefficient imaging using photoacoustic data from one-wavelength illumination. The reconstruction method developed combines conventional PAT with the photon diffusion equation in a novel way to realize the recovery of scattering coefficient. We demonstrate the method using various objects having scattering contrast only or both absorption and scattering contrasts embedded in turbid media. The listening-to-light-scattering method described will be able to provide high resolution scattering imaging for various biomedical applications ranging from breast to brain imaging.

Pit-a-Pat: A Smart Electrocardiogram System for Detecting Arrhythmia.

PubMed

Park, Juyoung; Lee, Kuyeon; Kang, Kyungtae

2015-10-01

Electrocardiogram (ECG) telemonitoring is one of the most promising applications of medical telemetry. However, previous approaches to ECG telemonitoring have largely relied on public databases of ECG results. In this article we propose a smart ECG system called Pit-a-Pat, which extracts features from ECG signals and detects arrhythmia. It is designed to run on an Android™ (Google, Mountain View, CA) device, without requiring modifications to other software. We implemented the Pit-a-Pat system using a commercial ECG device, and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of Pit-a-Pat for monitoring the ECG signal and analyzing the cardiac activity of a mobile patient. The proposed system allows monitoring of cardiac activity with automatic analysis, thereby providing a convenient, inexpensive, and ubiquitous adjunct to personal healthcare.

78 FR 11272 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-15

... and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for Treasury, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235... for Spin-Off Rulings. Abstract: This revenue procedure updates Rev. Proc. 96-30, which sets forth in a...

76 FR 39862 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-07

...: ER10-3260-002. Applicants: Granite Ridge Energy, LLC. Description: Updated Market Power Analysis of Granite Ridge Energy, LLC. Filed Date: 06/28/2011. Accession Number: 20110628-5188. Comment Date: 5 p.m...

76 FR 25656 - Responsibility; Suspension and Debarment

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-05

... request for comments. SUMMARY: NASA is revising the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) to update internal... The Paperwork Reduction Act (Pub. L. 104-13) is not applicable because the NFS changes do not impose...

The Next Linear Collider Program

Science.gov Websites

The Next Linear Collider at SLAC Navbar NLC Playpen Warning: This page is provided as a place for Comments & Suggestions | Desktop Trouble Call | Linear Collider Group at FNAL || This page was updated

Air transport of plutonium metal: content expansion initiative for the plutonium air transportable (PAT01) packaging

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

Caviness, Michael L; Mann, Paul T; Yoshimura, Richard H

2010-01-01

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has submitted an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the air shipment of plutonium metal within the Plutonium Air Transportable (PAT-1) packaging. The PAT-1 packaging is currently authorized for the air transport of plutonium oxide in solid form only. The INMM presentation will provide a limited overview of the scope of the plutonium metal initiative and provide a status of the NNSA application to the NRC.

Molecular interactions of agonist and inverse agonist ligands at serotonin 5-HT2C G protein-coupled receptors: computational ligand docking and molecular dynamics studies validated by experimental mutagenesis results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Córdova-Sintjago, Tania C.; Liu, Yue; Booth, Raymond G.

2015-02-01

To understand molecular determinants for ligand activation of the serotonin 5-HT2C G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), a drug target for obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders, a 5-HT2C homology model was built according to an adrenergic β2 GPCR (β2AR) structure and validated using a 5-HT2B GPCR crystal structure. The models were equilibrated in a simulated phosphatidyl choline membrane for ligand docking and molecular dynamics studies. Ligands included (2S, 4R)-(-)-trans-4-(3'-bromo- and trifluoro-phenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2-amine (3'-Br-PAT and 3'-CF3-PAT), a 5-HT2C agonist and inverse agonist, respectively. Distinct interactions of 3'-Br-PAT and 3'-CF3-PAT at the wild-type (WT) 5-HT2C receptor model were observed and experimental 5-HT2C receptor mutagenesis studies were undertaken to validate the modelling results. For example, the inverse agonist 3'-CF3-PAT docked deeper in the WT 5-HT2C binding pocket and altered the orientation of transmembrane helices (TM) 6 in comparison to the agonist 3'-Br-PAT, suggesting that changes in TM orientation that result from ligand binding impact function. For both PATs, mutation of 5-HT2C residues S3.36, T3.37, and F5.47 to alanine resulted in significantly decreased affinity, as predicted from modelling results. It was concluded that upon PAT binding, 5-HT2C residues T3.37 and F5.47 in TMs 3 and 5, respectively, engage in inter-helical interactions with TMs 4 and 6, respectively. The movement of TMs 5 and 6 upon agonist and inverse agonist ligand binding observed in the 5-HT2C receptor modelling studies was similar to movements reported for the activation and deactivation of the β2AR, suggesting common mechanisms among aminergic neurotransmitter GPCRs.

Medicare program; hospital outpatient prospective payment system and CY 2007 payment rates; CY 2007 update to the ambulatory surgical center covered procedures list; Medicare administrative contractors; and reporting hospital quality data for FY 2008 inpatient prospective payment system annual payment update program--HCAHPS survey, SCIP, and mortality. Final rule with comment period and final rule.

PubMed

2006-11-24

This final rule with comment period revises the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system to implement applicable statutory requirements and changes arising from our continuing experience with this system, and to implement certain related provisions of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 and the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005. In this final rule with comment period, we describe changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare hospital outpatient services paid under the prospective payment system. These changes are applicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. In addition, this final rule with comment period implements future CY 2009 required reporting on quality measures for hospital outpatient services paid under the prospective payment system. This final rule with comment period revises the current list of procedures that are covered when furnished in a Medicare-approved ambulatory surgical center (ASC), which are applicable to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. This final rule with comment period revises the emergency medical screening requirements for critical access hospitals (CAHs). This final rule with comment period supports implementation of a restructuring of the contracting entities responsibilities and functions that support the adjudication of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims. This restructuring is directed by section 1874A of the Act, as added by section 911 of the MMA. The prior separate Medicare intermediary and Medicare carrier contracting authorities under Title XVIII of the Act have been replaced with the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) authority. This final rule continues to implement the requirements of the DRA that require that we expand the "starter set" of 10 quality measures that we used in FY 2005 and FY 2006 for the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) Reporting Hospital Quality Data for the Annual Payment Update (RHQDAPU) program. We began to adopt expanded measures effective for payments beginning in FY 2007. In this rule, we are finalizing additional quality measures for the expanded set of measures for FY 2008 payment purposes. These measures include the HCAHPS survey, as well as Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP, formerly Surgical Infection Prevention (SIP)), and Mortality quality measures.

77 FR 5004 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-01

.... Applicants: Granite Ridge Energy, LLC. Description: Additional Supplement to Updated Market Power Analysis of Granite Ridge Energy, LLC. Filed Date: 1/23/12. Accession Number: 20120123-5303. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 2...

ACHP | News | ACHP Issues Program Comment for GSA on Select Repairs and

Science.gov Websites

to windows, lighting, roofing, and heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems within Upgrades Windows Lighting Roofing Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems Updated March

78 FR 23827 - Veterans' Advisory Committee on Rehabilitation, Notice of Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-22

... Chair; update on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; and discuss the vision for the Committee and... presentations from the public. Interested parties should provide written comments for review by the Committee to...

Comparison of methods for determination of volatile organic compounds in drinking water.

PubMed

Golfinopoulos, S K; Lekkas, T D; Nikolaou, A D

2001-10-01

Comparison of four methods including liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), direct aqueous injection (DAI), purge and trap (PAT) and head space (HS) were carried out in this work for determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water. This comparison is made especially to show the advantages and disadvantages and specifically the different detection limits (DL) that can be obtained for a given type of analysis. LLE is applicable only for determination of the THMs concentrations, while DAI, PAT, HS methods with different DL each of them are applicable for all VOCs, with PAT to be the most sensitive. Sampling apparatus and procedure for all these methods except of PAT are very simple and easy, but possible disadvantages for LLE and DAI are the low sensitivity and especially the detection only of THMs with LLE.

Anger, depression and anxiety associated with endothelial function in childhood and adolescence.

PubMed

Osika, W; Montgomery, S M; Dangardt, F; Währborg, P; Gan, L M; Tideman, E; Friberg, P

2011-01-01

Psychosocial adversity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. The authors assessed associations of reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT), a measure of endothelial function predictive of CVD, with self-assessed psychological health among school children. A total of 248 healthy school children (mean (SD) age 14.0 (1.0); 136 girls and 112 boys) underwent RH-PAT testing. They completed the Beck Youth Inventories (BYI) of emotional and social impairment scales, which is used to screen for depression, anxiety, anger and disruptive behaviour. No sex differences were observed for the RH-PAT score. Statistically significant differences were observed for the BYI scores; girls had higher scores for depression, anger and anxiety. Among the girls, there were statistically significant associations between lower RH-PAT scores and higher scores for anger (B coefficient=-0.100, p=0.040), depression (-0.108, p=0.009) and anxiety (-0.138, p=0.039) after adjustment for age. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with higher RH-PAT scores (0.09, p=0.006). The girls have higher levels of self-assessed anger; depression and anxiety compared with the boys, and these characteristics are associated with lower RH-PAT scores, indicating attenuated endothelial function. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with better endothelial function. Although psychological ill-health is associated with impaired endothelial function and CVD among adults, such processes may also be relevant to children. Psychosocial adversity in childhood might be a risk factor for subsequent CVD.

Tannic Acid/Fe3+/Ag Nanofilm Exhibiting Superior Photodynamic and Physical Antibacterial Activity.

PubMed

Xu, Ziqiang; Wang, Xiuhua; Liu, Xiangmei; Cui, Zhenduo; Yang, Xianjin; Yeung, Kelvin Wai Kwok; Chung, Jonathan Chiyuen; Chu, Paul K; Wu, Shuilin

2017-11-15

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) enwrapped in the biologically safe tannic acid (TA)/Fe 3+ nanofilm are synthesized by an ultrafast, green, simple, and universal method. The physical antibacterial activity and photodynamic antibacterial therapy (PAT) efficacy of the TA/Fe 3+ /AgNPs nanofilm were investigated for the first time, which exhibited a strong physical antibacterial activity as well as great biocompatibility, through in vitro and in vivo studies. The results disclosed that this hybrid coating could possess high PAT capabilities upon irradiation under a visible light of 660 nm, which is longer than those of previously reported green and blue sensitization light, thus allowing deeper light penetration into biological tissues. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra proved that the PAT efficacy of the TA/Fe 3+ /AgNPs nanofilm was associated with the yields of singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) under the irradiation of visible light (660 nm). A higher PAT efficiency of 100 and 94% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus could be achieved within 20 min of illumination under 660 nm visible light, whereas the innate physical antibacterial activity of AgNPs could endow the implants with long-term prevention of bacterial infection. The mechanism of PAT may be associated with the formation of oxidative stress and oxidative damage to key biomolecules (proteins and lipids) in bacteria. Our results reveal that the synergistic action of both PAT and physical action of AgNPs in this hybrid nanofilm is an effective way to inactivate bacteria, with minimal side effects.

Combining two open source tools for neural computation (BioPatRec and Netlab) improves movement classification for prosthetic control.

PubMed

Prahm, Cosima; Eckstein, Korbinian; Ortiz-Catalan, Max; Dorffner, Georg; Kaniusas, Eugenijus; Aszmann, Oskar C

2016-08-31

Controlling a myoelectric prosthesis for upper limbs is increasingly challenging for the user as more electrodes and joints become available. Motion classification based on pattern recognition with a multi-electrode array allows multiple joints to be controlled simultaneously. Previous pattern recognition studies are difficult to compare, because individual research groups use their own data sets. To resolve this shortcoming and to facilitate comparisons, open access data sets were analysed using components of BioPatRec and Netlab pattern recognition models. Performances of the artificial neural networks, linear models, and training program components were compared. Evaluation took place within the BioPatRec environment, a Matlab-based open source platform that provides feature extraction, processing and motion classification algorithms for prosthetic control. The algorithms were applied to myoelectric signals for individual and simultaneous classification of movements, with the aim of finding the best performing algorithm and network model. Evaluation criteria included classification accuracy and training time. Results in both the linear and the artificial neural network models demonstrated that Netlab's implementation using scaled conjugate training algorithm reached significantly higher accuracies than BioPatRec. It is concluded that the best movement classification performance would be achieved through integrating Netlab training algorithms in the BioPatRec environment so that future prosthesis training can be shortened and control made more reliable. Netlab was therefore included into the newest release of BioPatRec (v4.0).

Temporal and spatial variation in personal ambient temperatures for outdoor working populations in the southeastern USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugg, Margaret M.; Fuhrmann, Christopher M.; Runkle, Jennifer D.

2018-05-01

Excessive ambient temperature exposure can result in significant morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable occupational groups like outdoor workers. Average temperatures in the USA are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, placing future worker populations at greater risk for unhealthy levels of exposure. Unlike previous research focused on aggregate-level temperature exposures from in situ weather station data, this study will measure location-based personal ambient temperatures (PAT) at the individual-level by piloting the use of wearable sensor technology. A total of 66 outdoor workers in three geographically and climatologically diverse regions in the Southeast USA were continuously sampled during the workday for a 1-week period throughout July 11 to August 8 2016. Results indicate significant worker variation in temperature exposure within and between study locations; with PAT characterized by less pronounced variability as workers moved between indoor and outdoor environments. Developed land covers, a factor often associated with higher temperatures, were poorly correlated with PAT. Future analysis should focus on a worker's physiological response to PAT and mapping of spatial patterns of PAT for a larger worker population to produce innovative and targeted heat prevention programs.

Patscanui: an intuitive web interface for searching patterns in DNA and protein data.

PubMed

Blin, Kai; Wohlleben, Wolfgang; Weber, Tilmann

2018-05-02

Patterns in biological sequences frequently signify interesting features in the underlying molecule. Many tools exist to search for well-known patterns. Less support is available for exploratory analysis, where no well-defined patterns are known yet. PatScanUI (https://patscan.secondarymetabolites.org/) provides a highly interactive web interface to the powerful generic pattern search tool PatScan. The complex PatScan-patterns are created in a drag-and-drop aware interface allowing researchers to do rapid prototyping of the often complicated patterns useful to identifying features of interest.

Unilateral purpura annularis telangiectodes of majocchi in an elderly male: an atypical presentation.

PubMed

Wang, Apphia; Shuja, Fareesa; Chan, Audrey; Wasko, Carina

2013-08-15

Purpura annularis telangiectodes (PAT), also known as Majocchi purpura, is a rare form of pigmented purpuric dermatosis characterized by non-palpable red-brown, occasionally pruritic patches which progress to hyperpigmented halos. Purpura annularis telangiectodes usually presents in female adolescents as benign symmetric lesions with a predilection for the lower extremities. We present an atypical case of unilateral PAT in an elderly male. To our knowledge, our patient at 85-years-old is the oldest PAT and first unilateral purpura annularis telangiectodes case described in the literature.

PatGen--a consolidated resource for searching genetic patent sequences.

PubMed

Rouse, Richard J D; Castagnetto, Jesus; Niedner, Roland H

2005-04-15

Compared to the wealth of online resources covering genomic, proteomic and derived data the Bioinformatics community is rather underserved when it comes to patent information related to biological sequences. The current online resources are either incomplete or rather expensive. This paper describes, PatGen, an integrated database containing data from bioinformatic and patent resources. This effort addresses the inconsistency of publicly available genetic patent data coverage by providing access to a consolidated dataset. PatGen can be searched at http://www.patgendb.com rjdrouse@patentinformatics.com.

77 FR 75406 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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2012-12-20

... by state. The data are also used to update similar data for the universe of U.S. affiliates collected... direct investment universe. The BE-15 is a sample survey, as described; universe estimates are developed...

76 FR 10004 - President's Export Council; Subcommittee on Export Administration; Notice of Open Meeting

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Going Back: An Open Letter.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caldwell, Keith

1995-01-01

Reprints an article from this journal in which the author, who returned to classroom teaching after a five-year absence, records the experience in personal diary form. Updates the article with an Afterword commenting on the earlier piece. (SR)

76 FR 52672 - President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee

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Pericardial adipose tissue and the metabolic syndrome is increased in patients with chronic major depressive disorder compared to acute depression and controls.

PubMed

Kahl, K G; Herrmann, J; Stubbs, B; Krüger, T H C; Cordes, J; Deuschle, M; Schweiger, U; Hüper, K; Helm, S; Birkenstock, A; Hartung, D

2017-01-04

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with an estimated fourfold risk for premature death, largely attributed to cardiovascular disorders. Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT), a fat compartment surrounding the heart, has been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease. An unanswered question is whether people with chronic MDD are more likely to have elevated PAT volumes versus acute MDD and controls (CTRL). The study group consists of sixteen patients with chronic MDD, thirty-four patients with acute MDD, and twenty-five CTRL. PAT and adrenal gland volume were measured by magnetic resonance tomography. Additional measures comprised factors of the metabolic syndrome, cortisol, relative insulin resistance, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6; IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, TNF-α). PAT volumes were significantly increased in patients with chronic MDD>patients with acute MDD>CTRL. Adrenal gland volume was slightly enlarged in patients with chronic MDD>acute MDD>CTRL, although this difference failed to reach significance. The PAT volume was correlated with adrenal gland volume, and cortisol concentrations were correlated with depression severity, measured by BDI-2 and MADRS. Group differences were found concerning the rate of the metabolic syndrome, being most frequent in chronic MDD>acute MDD>CTRL. Further findings comprised increased fasting cortisol, increased TNF-α concentration, and decreased physical activity level in MDD compared to CTRL. Our results extend the existing literature in demonstrating that patients with chronic MDD have the highest risk for developing cardiovascular disorders, indicated by the highest PAT volume and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The correlation of PAT with adrenal gland volume underscores the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal system as mediator for body-composition changes. Metabolic monitoring, health advices and motivation for the improvement of physical fitness may be recommended in depressed patients, in particular in chronic depression. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Posterior Approach With Intramedullary Nailing Versus Lateral Transfibular Approach With Fixed-Angle Plating for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis.

PubMed

Mulligan, Ryan P; Adams, Samuel B; Easley, Mark E; DeOrio, James K; Nunley, James A

2017-12-01

A variety of operative approaches and fixation techniques have been described for tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis. The intramedullary (IM) nail and lateral, fixed-angle plating are commonly used because of ease of use and favorable biomechanical properties. A lateral, transfibular (LTF) approach allows for direct access to the tibiotalar and subtalar joints, but the posterior, Achilles tendon-splitting (PATS) approach offers a robust soft tissue envelope. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of TTC arthrodesis with either a PATS approach with IM nailing or LTF approach with fixed-angle plating. A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent simultaneous TTC arthrodesis with minimum 1 year clinical and radiographic follow up. Patients were excluded if they underwent TTC arthrodesis through an approach other than PATS or LTF, and received fixation without an IM nail or fixed-angle plate. Primary outcomes examined were union rate, revisions, and complications. Thirty-eight patients underwent TTC arthrodesis with a PATS approach and IM nailing, and 28 with a LTF approach and lateral plating. The overall union rate was 71%; 76% (29 of 38 patients) for the PATS/IM nail group, and 64% (18 of 28) for LTF/plating group ( P = .41). Symptomatic nonunion requiring revision arthrodesis occurred in 16% (6 of 38) of the PATS/IM nail group versus 7% (2 of 28) in the LTF/lateral plating group ( P = .45). There were no significant differences in individual tibiotalar or subtalar union rates, superficial wound problems, infection, symptomatic hardware, stress fractures, or nerve irritations. Union, revision, and complication rates were similar for TTC arthrodesis performed with a PATS approach and IM nail compared with an LTF approach and fixed-angle plate in a complex patient population. Both techniques were adequate, especially when prior incisions, preexisting hardware, or deformity preclude options. Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Analysis of substrate specificity of human DHHC protein acyltransferases using a yeast expression system

PubMed Central

Ohno, Yusuke; Kashio, Atsushi; Ogata, Ren; Ishitomi, Akihiro; Yamazaki, Yuki; Kihara, Akio

2012-01-01

Palmitoylation plays important roles in the regulation of protein localization, stability, and activity. The protein acyltransferases (PATs) have a common DHHC Cys-rich domain. Twenty-three DHHC proteins have been identified in humans. However, it is unclear whether all of these DHHC proteins function as PATs. In addition, their substrate specificities remain largely unknown. Here we develop a useful method to examine substrate specificities of PATs using a yeast expression system with six distinct model substrates. We identify 17 human DHHC proteins as PATs. Moreover, we classify 11 human and 5 yeast DHHC proteins into three classes (I, II, and III), based on the cellular localization of their respective substrates (class I, soluble proteins; class II, integral membrane proteins; class III, lipidated proteins). Our results may provide an important clue for understanding the function of individual DHHC proteins. PMID:23034182

Photoacoustic Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lihong V.

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) refers to imaging that is based on the photoacoustic effect. Although the photoacoustic effect as a physical phenomenon was first reported on by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880 [1], PAT as an imaging technology was developed only after the advent of ultrasonic transducers, computers, and lasers [2-31]. A review on biomedical photoacoustics is available [32]. The motivation for PAT is to combine optical-absorption contrast with ultrasonic spatial resolution for deep imaging in the optical quasi-diffusive or diffusive regime. In PAT, the tissue is irradiated by usually a short-pulsed laser beam to achieve a thermal and acoustic impulse response (Fig. 19.1). Locally absorbed light is converted into heat, which is further converted to a pressure rise via thermo-elastic expansion. The initial pressure rise - determined by the local optical absorption coefficient (μ â ), fluence (ψ) and other thermal and mechanical properties - propagates as an ultrasonic wave, which is referred to as a photoacoustic wave.

Pressure-assisted thermal sterilization of soup

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibeshi, Kidane; Farid, Mohammed M.

2010-12-01

The overall efficiency of an existing scale-up pressure-assisted thermal sterilization (PATS) unit was investigated with regards to inactivation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores suspended in pumpkin soup. The PATS unit is a double pipe heat exchanger in which the soup is pumped into its inner high pressure tube and constrained by two high pressure valves, while steam is continuously passed through the annular region to heat the content. The technology is based on pressure generation by thermal expansion of the liquid in an enclosure. In this work, the addition of an air line to push the treated liquid food out of the existing PATS unit has improved the overall quality of the treated samples, as evidenced by achieving higher log reduction of the spores. Compared with thermal processing, the application of PATS shows the potential for lowering the thermal treatment temperature, offering improved food quality.

Reply to comments by Mastalerz, V. on "Shallow gasoff the Rhône prodelta, Gulf of Lions" Marine Geology 234 (215-231)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Garcia-Garcia, Ana; Orange, Daniel L.; Lorenson, T.D.; Radakovitch, Olivier; Tesi, Tommaso; Miserocchi, Stefano; Berne, Serge; Friend, Patrick; Nittrouer, Chuck; Normand, Alain

2008-01-01

We really appreciate the interest and comments regarding our manuscript. We hope we address all the lingering issues in this reply. This also gives us the opportunity of publishing an update on our dataset that will complete the original manuscript (see Table 1). We have followed the author pattern in our answers: 1-Gas sampling procedure, 2-Reported gas concentrations results, 3-General remarks, 4-Conclusions.

Updating OSHA standards based on national consensus standards. final rule; confirmation of effective date.

PubMed

2008-03-14

OSHA is confirming the effective date of its direct final rule that revises a number of standards for general industry that refer to national consensus standards. The direct final rule states that it would become effective on March 13, 2008 unless OSHA receives significant adverse comment on these revisions by January 14, 2008. OSHA received no adverse comments by that date and, therefore, is confirming that the rule will become effective on March 13, 2008.

Reactions on Twitter to updated alcohol guidelines in the UK: a content analysis.

PubMed

Stautz, Kaidy; Bignardi, Giacomo; Hollands, Gareth J; Marteau, Theresa M

2017-02-28

In January 2016, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers released a public consultation regarding updated guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption. This study aimed to assess responses to the updated guidelines using comments made on Twitter. Tweets containing the hashtag #alcoholguidelines made during 1 week following the announcement of the updated guidelines were retrieved using the Twitter Archiver tool. The source, sentiment and themes of the tweets were categorised using manual content analysis. A total of 3061 tweets was retrieved. 6 sources were identified, the most prominent being members of the public. Of 821 tweets expressing sentiment specifically towards the guidelines, 80% expressed a negative sentiment. 11 themes were identified, 3 of which were broadly supportive of the guidelines, 7 broadly unsupportive and 1 neutral. Overall, more tweets were unsupportive (49%) than supportive (44%). While the most common theme overall was sharing information, the most common in tweets from members of the public encouraged alcohol consumption (15%) or expressed disagreement with the guidelines (14%), reflecting reactance, resistance and misunderstanding. This descriptive analysis revealed a number of themes present in unsupportive comments towards the updated UK alcohol guidelines among a largely proalcohol community. An understanding of these may help to tailor effective communication of alcohol and health-related policies, and could inform a more dynamic approach to health communication via social media. 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/.

Detection of pointing errors with CMOS-based camera in intersatellite optical communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Si-yuan; Ma, Jing; Tan, Li-ying

2005-01-01

For very high data rates, intersatellite optical communications hold a potential performance edge over microwave communications. Acquisition and Tracking problem is critical because of the narrow transmit beam. A single array detector in some systems performs both spatial acquisition and tracking functions to detect pointing errors, so both wide field of view and high update rate is required. The past systems tend to employ CCD-based camera with complex readout arrangements, but the additional complexity reduces the applicability of the array based tracking concept. With the development of CMOS array, CMOS-based cameras can employ the single array detector concept. The area of interest feature of the CMOS-based camera allows a PAT system to specify portion of the array. The maximum allowed frame rate increases as the size of the area of interest decreases under certain conditions. A commercially available CMOS camera with 105 fps @ 640×480 is employed in our PAT simulation system, in which only part pixels are used in fact. Beams angle varying in the field of view can be detected after getting across a Cassegrain telescope and an optical focus system. Spot pixel values (8 bits per pixel) reading out from CMOS are transmitted to a DSP subsystem via IEEE 1394 bus, and pointing errors can be computed by the centroid equation. It was shown in test that: (1) 500 fps @ 100×100 is available in acquisition when the field of view is 1mrad; (2)3k fps @ 10×10 is available in tracking when the field of view is 0.1mrad.

Detection of Parent-of-Origin Effects Using General Pedigree Data

PubMed Central

Zhou, Ji-Yuan; Ding, Jie; Fung, Wing K.; Lin, Shili

2010-01-01

Genomic imprinting is an important epigenetic factor in complex traits study, which has generally been examined by testing for parent-of-origin effects of alleles. For a diallelic marker locus, the parental-asymmetry test (PAT) based on case-parents trios and its extensions to incomplete nuclear families (1-PAT and C-PAT) are simple and powerful for detecting parent-of-origin effects. However, these methods are suitable only for nuclear families and thus are not amenable to general pedigree data. Use of data from extended pedigrees, if available, may lead to more powerful methods than randomly selecting one two-generation nuclear family from each pedigree. In this study, we extend PAT to accommodate general pedigree data by proposing the pedigree PAT (PPAT) statistic, which uses all informative family trios from pedigrees. To fully utilize pedigrees with some missing genotypes, we further develop the Monte Carlo (MC) PPAT (MCPPAT) statistic based on MC sampling and estimation. Extensive simulations were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed methods. Under the assumption that the pedigrees and their associated affection patterns are randomly drawn from a population of pedigrees with at least one affected offspring, we demonstrated that MCPPAT is a valid test for parent-of-origin effects in the presence of association. Further, MCPPAT is much more powerful compared to PAT for trios or even PPAT for all informative family trios from the same pedigrees if there is missing data. Application of the proposed methods to a rheumatoid arthritis dataset further demonstrates the advantage of MCPPAT. PMID:19676055

Relation between digital peripheral arterial tonometry and brachial artery ultrasound measures of vascular function in patients with coronary artery disease and in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Lee, Craig R; Bass, Almasa; Ellis, Kyle; Tran, Bryant; Steele, Savanna; Caughey, Melissa; Stouffer, George A; Hinderliter, Alan L

2012-03-01

Digital peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is an emerging, noninvasive method to assess vascular function. The physiology underlying this phenotype, however, remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the relation between digital PAT and established brachial artery ultrasound measures of vascular function under basal conditions and after reactive hyperemia. Using a cross-sectional study design, digital PAT and brachial artery ultrasonography with pulsed wave Doppler were simultaneously completed at baseline and after reactive hyperemia in both those with established coronary artery disease (n = 99) and healthy volunteers with low cardiovascular disease risk (n = 40). Under basal conditions, the digital pulse volume amplitude demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the brachial artery velocity-time integral that was independent of the arterial diameter, in both the healthy volunteer (r(s) = 0.64, p <0.001) and coronary artery disease (r(s) = 0.63, p <0.001) cohorts. Similar positive relations were observed with the baseline brachial artery blood flow velocity and blood flow. In contrast, no relation between the reactive hyperemia-evoked digital PAT ratio and either brachial artery flow-mediated dilation or shear stress was observed in either cohort (p = NS). In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the digital PAT measures of vascular function more closely reflect basal blood flow in the brachial artery than reactive hyperemia-induced changes in the arterial diameter or flow velocity, and the presence of vascular disease does not modify the physiology underlying the digital PAT phenotype. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Persistence of culturable Escherichia coli fecal contaminants in dairy alpine grassland soils.

PubMed

Texier, Stéphanie; Prigent-Combaret, Claire; Gourdon, Marie Hélène; Poirier, Marie Andrée; Faivre, Pierre; Dorioz, Jean Marcel; Poulenard, Jérome; Jocteur-Monrozier, Lucile; Moënne-Loccoz, Yvan; Trevisan, Dominique

2008-01-01

Our knowledge of Escherichia coli (E. coli) ecology in the field is very limited in the case of dairy alpine grassland soils. Here, our objective was to monitor field survival of E. coli in cow pats and underlying soils in four different alpine pasture units, and to determine whether the soil could constitute an environmental reservoir. E. coli was enumerated by MPN using a selective medium. E. coli survived well in cow pats (10(7) to 10(8) cells g(-1) dry pat), but cow pats disappeared within about 2 mo. In each pasture unit, constant levels of E. coli (10(3) to 10(4) cells g(-1) dry soil) were recovered from all topsoil (0-5 cm) samples regardless of the sampling date, that is, under the snow cover, immediately after snow melting, or during the pasture season (during and after the decomposition of pats). In deeper soil layers below the root zone (5-25 cm), E. coli persistence varied according to soil type, with higher numbers recovered in poorly-drained soils (10(3) to 10(4) cells g(-1) dry soil) than in well-drained soils (< 10(2) cells g(-1) dry soil). A preliminary analysis of 38 partial uidA sequences of E. coli from pat and soils highlighted a cluster containing sequences only found in this work. Overall, this study raises the possibility that fecal E. coli could have formed a naturalized (sub)population, which is now part of the indigenous soil community of alpine pasture grasslands, the soil thus representing an environmental reservoir of E. coli.

Solid state laser communications in space (SOLACOS) position, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystem implementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flemmig, Joerg; Pribil, Klaus

1994-09-01

This paper presents the concept and implementation aspects of the Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking Subsystem (PAT) which is developed in the frame of the SOLACOS (Solid State Laser Communications in Space) program.

Use of Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy vs. Anticoagulation Therapy to Treat Acute Iliofemoral Venous Thrombosis: 1-year Follow-up Results of a Randomised, Clinical Trial

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

Cakir, Volkan, E-mail: drvolkancakir@gmail.com; Gulcu, Aytac, E-mail: aytac.gulcu@deu.edu.tr; Akay, Emrah, E-mail: emrahakay@hotmail.com

2014-08-15

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) followed by standard anticoagulant therapy, with anticoagulation therapy alone, for the treatment of acute proximal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.MethodsIn this randomised, prospective study, 42 patients with acute proximal iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis documented via Doppler ultrasound examination, were separated into an interventional treatment group (16 males, 5 females, average age 51 years) and a medical treatment group (13 males, 8 females, average age 59 years). In the interventional group, PAT with large-lumen 9-F diameter catheterisation was applied, after initiation of standard anticoagulant therapy. Balloon angioplasty (nmore » 19) and stent implementation (n: 14) were used to treat patients with residual stenosis (>50 %) after PAT. Prophylactic IVC filters were placed in two patients. The thrombus clearance status of the venous system was evaluated by venography. In both the medical and interventional groups, venous patency rates and clinical symptom scores were evaluated at months 1, 3, and 12 after treatment.ResultsDeep venous systems became totally cleared of thrombi in 12 patients treated with PAT. The venous patency rates in month 12 were 57.1 and 4.76 % in the interventional and medical treatment groups, respectively. A statistically significant improvement was observed in clinical symptom scores of the interventional group (PAT) with or without stenting (4.23 ± 0.51 before treatment; 0.81 ± 0.92 at month 12) compared with the medical treatment group (4.00 ± 0.63 before treatment; 2.43 ± 0.67 at month 12). During follow-up, four patients in the medical treatment and one in the interventional group developed pulmonary embolisms.ConclusionsFor treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis, PAT with or without stenting is superior to anticoagulant therapy alone in terms of both ensuring venous patency and improving clinical symptoms. PAT is a safe, inexpensive, and easily performed method of endovascular treatment with a low rate of major complications. Our present findings and literature data suggest that PAT can be used as first-line treatment in proximal deep vein thrombosis patients, especially when thrombolytic treatment is contraindicated.« less

75 FR 53643 - Examination Guidelines Update: Developments in the Obviousness Inquiry After KSR v.Teleflex

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-01

...The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is issuing an update (2010 KSR Guidelines Update) to its obviousness guidelines for its personnel to be used when applying the law of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103. This 2010 KSR Guidelines Update highlights case law developments on obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 since the 2007 decision by the United States Supreme Court (Supreme Court) in KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex Inc. These guidelines are intended to be used by Office personnel in conjunction with the guidance in the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure when applying the law of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103. Members of the public are invited to provide comments on the 2010 KSR Guidelines Update. The Office is especially interested in receiving suggestions of recent decisional law in the field of obviousness that would have particular value as teaching tools.

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External RNA Controls Consortium Beta Version Update.

PubMed

Lee, Hangnoh; Pine, P Scott; McDaniel, Jennifer; Salit, Marc; Oliver, Brian

2016-01-01

Spike-in RNAs are valuable controls for a variety of gene expression measurements. The External RNA Controls Consortium developed test sets that were used in a number of published reports. Here we provide an authoritative table that summarizes, updates, and corrects errors in the test version that ultimately resulted in the certified Standard Reference Material 2374. We have noted existence of anti-sense RNA controls in the material, corrected sub-pool memberships, and commented on control RNAs that displayed inconsistent behavior.

Stereo Science Update

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-13

Michael Kaiser, project scientist, Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) at Goddard Space Flight Center, left, makes a comment during a Science Update on the STEREO mission at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Tuesday, April 14, 2009, as Angelo Vourlidas, project scientist, Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation, at the Naval Research Laboratory, second from left, Toni Galvin, principal investigator, Plasma and Superthermal Ion Composition instrument at the University of New Hampshire and Madhulika Guhathakurta, STEREO program scientist, right, look on. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Stereo Science Update

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-04-13

Angelo Vourlidas, project scientist, Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation, at the Naval Research Laboratory, second from left, makes a comment during a Science Update on the STEREO mission at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Tuesday, April 14, 2009, as Michael Kaiser, project scientist, Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) at Goddard Space Flight Center, left, Toni Galvin, principal investigator, Plasma and Superthermal Ion Composition instrument at the University of New Hampshire and Madhulika Guhathakurta, STEREO program scientist, right, look on. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexahydro-1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5 ...

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EPA is developing an Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and has released the draft assessment for public comment. When final, the assessment will appear on the IRIS database. EPA is undertaking an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for RDX. The outcome of this project is an updated Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary for RDX that will be entered into the IRIS database.

IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Public ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA is developing an Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of benzo[a]pyrene and has released the draft assessment for public comment and external peer review. When final, the assessment will appear on the IRIS database. EPA is undertaking an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The outcome of this project is an updated Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary for BaP that will be entered into the IRIS database.

75 FR 25855 - Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting

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75 FR 56530 - Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting

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2010-09-16

...: Concerning the CAAAC, please contact Pat Childers, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. EPA, (202) 564-1082, FAX... individuals with disabilities, please contact Mr. Pat Childers at (202) 564-1082 or [email protected] . To...

[Catalytic properties of enzymes from Erwinia carotovora involved in transamination of phenylpyruvate].

PubMed

Paloian, A M; Stepanian, L A; Dadaian, S A; Ambartsumian, A A; Alebian, G P; Sagian, A S

2013-01-01

Km for L-phenylalanine, L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, and the corresponding keto acids were calculated, as well as Vmax, was measured for the following pairs of substrates: L-phenylalanine-2-ketoglutarate, L-phenylalanine-oxaloacetate, L-glutamic acid-phenylpyruvate, and L-aspartic acid-phenylpyruvate for aminotransferases PATI, PAT2, and PAT3 from Erwinia carotovora catalyzing transamination of phenylpyruvate. The ping-pong bi-bi mechanism was shown for the studied aminotransferases. The substrate inhibition (Ks) of PAT3 with 2-ketoglutarate and oxaloacetate was 10.23 +/- 3.20 and 3.73 +/- 1.99 mM, respectively.

The role of adipose-derived inflammatory cytokines in type 1 diabetes

PubMed Central

Shao, Lan; Feng, Boya; Zhang, Yuying; Zhou, Huanjiao; Ji, Weidong; Min, Wang

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Adipose tissue dysfunction correlates with the development of diabetes. Mice with an adipocyte-specific deletion of the SUMO-specific protease SENP1 develop symptoms of type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Peri-pancreatic adipocytes (PATs) exert both systemic and paracrine effects on pancreases function. Our recent studies report that PATs of SENP1-deficient mice have increased proinflammatory cytokine production compared with other adipose depots. Proinflammatory cytokines produced from PATs not only have direct cytotoxic effects on pancreatic islets, but also increase CCL5 expression in adjacent pancreatic islets, which induces persistent inflammation in pancreases by acquisition of Th1 and Th17 effector T cell subsets. Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) can post-translationally conjugate to cellular proteins (SUMOylation) and modulate their biological functions. Several components in SUMOylation associate with T1DM susceptibility. We find that SUMOylation of NF-κB essential molecule NEMO augments NF-κB activity, NF-κB-dependent cytokine production and pancreatic inflammation. NF-κB inhibitor should provide therapeutic approach to block PAT inflammation and ameliorate the T1DM phenotype. We further propose that adipocytes in PATs may play a primary role in establishing pancreatic immune regulation at onset of diabetes, providing new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. PMID:27617172

Real-time photoacoustic and ultrasound dual-modality imaging system facilitated with graphics processing unit and code parallel optimization.

PubMed

Yuan, Jie; Xu, Guan; Yu, Yao; Zhou, Yu; Carson, Paul L; Wang, Xueding; Liu, Xiaojun

2013-08-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) offers structural and functional imaging of living biological tissue with highly sensitive optical absorption contrast and excellent spatial resolution comparable to medical ultrasound (US) imaging. We report the development of a fully integrated PAT and US dual-modality imaging system, which performs signal scanning, image reconstruction, and display for both photoacoustic (PA) and US imaging all in a truly real-time manner. The back-projection (BP) algorithm for PA image reconstruction is optimized to reduce the computational cost and facilitate parallel computation on a state of the art graphics processing unit (GPU) card. For the first time, PAT and US imaging of the same object can be conducted simultaneously and continuously, at a real-time frame rate, presently limited by the laser repetition rate of 10 Hz. Noninvasive PAT and US imaging of human peripheral joints in vivo were achieved, demonstrating the satisfactory image quality realized with this system. Another experiment, simultaneous PAT and US imaging of contrast agent flowing through an artificial vessel, was conducted to verify the performance of this system for imaging fast biological events. The GPU-based image reconstruction software code for this dual-modality system is open source and available for download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/patrealtime.

At-line process analytical technology (PAT) for more efficient scale up of biopharmaceutical microfiltration unit operations.

PubMed

Watson, Douglas S; Kerchner, Kristi R; Gant, Sean S; Pedersen, Joseph W; Hamburger, James B; Ortigosa, Allison D; Potgieter, Thomas I

2016-01-01

Tangential flow microfiltration (MF) is a cost-effective and robust bioprocess separation technique, but successful full scale implementation is hindered by the empirical, trial-and-error nature of scale-up. We present an integrated approach leveraging at-line process analytical technology (PAT) and mass balance based modeling to de-risk MF scale-up. Chromatography-based PAT was employed to improve the consistency of an MF step that had been a bottleneck in the process used to manufacture a therapeutic protein. A 10-min reverse phase ultra high performance liquid chromatography (RP-UPLC) assay was developed to provide at-line monitoring of protein concentration. The method was successfully validated and method performance was comparable to previously validated methods. The PAT tool revealed areas of divergence from a mass balance-based model, highlighting specific opportunities for process improvement. Adjustment of appropriate process controls led to improved operability and significantly increased yield, providing a successful example of PAT deployment in the downstream purification of a therapeutic protein. The general approach presented here should be broadly applicable to reduce risk during scale-up of filtration processes and should be suitable for feed-forward and feed-back process control. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

[Prism adaptation test before strabismus surgery : Results of a survey and literature review].

PubMed

Pichler, U; Rohleder, M; Ehrt, O

2018-02-01

Variable preoperative deviations and compensatory mechanisms may cause wrong dosage of strabismus surgery and result in over- or undercorrection. A long-lasting prism adaptation test (PAT) before surgery is supposed to reduce those difficulties and to improve the postoperative results. To date, the use of prism adaptation before surgery has not been systematically examined. A total of 15 strabismologists and 28 orthoptists in Austria were interviewed about their approach to prism adaptation in 9 types of strabismus. They were also asked about the basis of their decision for a certain treatment regime. Of those interviewed, 28% performed preoperative prism adaptation for weeks to years. Of those, 7% based their decision on evidence from the literature, 54% decide on personal experience, 15% due to guidelines of their institution, and 23% follow the teaching of their medical school. Reports in the literature reveal inconsistent results on PAT. In published studies, PAT was rarely performed longer than 4 weeks and only shows significant improvements on outcome in particular pathologies as acquired esotropia. Long-term PAT appears questionable as to date there is no evidence for a better postoperative outcome. Before setting up guidelines, further controlled, prospective studies on PAT must be conducted.

Coregistered photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging and classification of ovarian cancer: ex vivo and in vivo studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salehi, Hassan S.; Li, Hai; Merkulov, Alex; Kumavor, Patrick D.; Vavadi, Hamed; Sanders, Melinda; Kueck, Angela; Brewer, Molly A.; Zhu, Quing

2016-04-01

Most ovarian cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages due to the lack of efficacious screening techniques. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) has a potential to image tumor angiogenesis and detect early neovascular changes of the ovary. We have developed a coregistered PAT and ultrasound (US) prototype system for real-time assessment of ovarian masses. Features extracted from PAT and US angular beams, envelopes, and images were input to a logistic classifier and a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to diagnose ovaries as benign or malignant. A total of 25 excised ovaries of 15 patients were studied and the logistic and SVM classifiers achieved sensitivities of 70.4 and 87.7%, and specificities of 95.6 and 97.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the ovaries of two patients were noninvasively imaged using the PAT/US system before surgical excision. By using five significant features and the logistic classifier, 12 out of 14 images (86% sensitivity) from a malignant ovarian mass and all 17 images (100% specificity) from a benign mass were accurately classified; the SVM correctly classified 10 out of 14 malignant images (71% sensitivity) and all 17 benign images (100% specificity). These initial results demonstrate the clinical potential of the PAT/US technique for ovarian cancer diagnosis.

76 FR 40293 - Proposed Amendment of Class D and Modification of Class E Airspace; Grand Junction, CO

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Antimatter/HiPAT Support Services

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, Raymond A.

2001-01-01

Techniques were developed for trapping normal matter in the High Performance Antiproton Trap (HiPAT). Situations encountered included discharge phenomena, charge exchange and radial diffusion processes. It is important to identify these problems, since they will also limit the performance in trapping antimatter next year.

76 FR 28026 - Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting

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2011-05-13

... contact Pat Childers, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. EPA (202) 564-1082, FAX (202) 564-1352 or by mail..., please contact Mr. Pat Childers at (202) 564-1082 or [email protected] . To request accommodation of a...

78 FR 9388 - Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting

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Upregulation of the PatAB Transporter Confers Fluoroquinolone Resistance to Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae

PubMed Central

Alvarado, María; Martín-Galiano, Antonio J.; Ferrándiz, María J.; Zaballos, Ángel; de la Campa, Adela G.

2017-01-01

We characterized the mechanism of fluoroquinolone-resistance in two isolates of Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae having fluoroquinolone-efflux as unique mechanism of resistance. Whole genome sequencing and genetic transformation experiments were performed together with phenotypic determinations of the efflux mechanism. The PatAB pump was identified as responsible for efflux of ciprofloxacin (MIC of 4 μg/ml), ethidium bromide (MICs of 8–16 μg/ml) and acriflavine (MICs of 4–8 μg/ml) in both isolates. These MICs were at least 8-fold lower in the presence of the efflux inhibitor reserpine. Complete genome sequencing indicated that the sequence located between the promoter of the patAB operon and the initiation codon of patA, which putatively forms an RNA stem-loop structure, may be responsible for the efflux phenotype. RT-qPCR determinations performed on RNAs of cultures treated or not treated with subinhibitory ciprofloxacin concentrations were performed. While no significant changes were observed in wild-type Streptococcus pneumoniae R6 strain, increases in transcription were detected in the ciprofloxacin-efflux transformants obtained with DNA from efflux-positive isolates, in the ranges of 1.4 to 3.4-fold (patA) and 2.1 to 2.9-fold (patB). Ciprofloxacin-induction was related with a lower predicted free energy for the stem-loop structure in the RNA of S. pseudopneumoniae isolates (−13.81 and −8.58) than for R6 (−15.32 kcal/mol), which may ease transcription. The presence of these regulatory variations in commensal S. pseudopneumoniae isolates, and the possibility of its transfer to Streptococcus pneumoniae by genetic transformation, could increase fluoroquinolone resistance in this important pathogen. PMID:29123510

iPat: intelligent prediction and association tool for genomic research.

PubMed

Chen, Chunpeng James; Zhang, Zhiwu

2018-06-01

The ultimate goal of genomic research is to effectively predict phenotypes from genotypes so that medical management can improve human health and molecular breeding can increase agricultural production. Genomic prediction or selection (GS) plays a complementary role to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), which is the primary method to identify genes underlying phenotypes. Unfortunately, most computing tools cannot perform data analyses for both GWAS and GS. Furthermore, the majority of these tools are executed through a command-line interface (CLI), which requires programming skills. Non-programmers struggle to use them efficiently because of the steep learning curves and zero tolerance for data formats and mistakes when inputting keywords and parameters. To address these problems, this study developed a software package, named the Intelligent Prediction and Association Tool (iPat), with a user-friendly graphical user interface. With iPat, GWAS or GS can be performed using a pointing device to simply drag and/or click on graphical elements to specify input data files, choose input parameters and select analytical models. Models available to users include those implemented in third party CLI packages such as GAPIT, PLINK, FarmCPU, BLINK, rrBLUP and BGLR. Users can choose any data format and conduct analyses with any of these packages. File conversions are automatically conducted for specified input data and selected packages. A GWAS-assisted genomic prediction method was implemented to perform genomic prediction using any GWAS method such as FarmCPU. iPat was written in Java for adaptation to multiple operating systems including Windows, Mac and Linux. The iPat executable file, user manual, tutorials and example datasets are freely available at http://zzlab.net/iPat. zhiwu.zhang@wsu.edu.

Education majors' expectations and reported experiences with inquiry-based physics: Implications for student affect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaffney, Jon D. H.

2013-06-01

To address a perennial need to provide K-8 teachers with a solid foundation in science, there are many physics content courses throughout the United States. One such course is Physics and Astronomy for Teachers (PAT), which relies heavily on active-learning strategies. Although PAT is successful in teaching physics content, students sometimes report dissatisfaction with the course. Such instances of poor affect are worrisome because they may influence how teachers present science in their own classrooms. Therefore, this study investigates students’ affect in terms of their pedagogical expectations and potential personal learning outcomes with respect to PAT. Two sections of PAT, each containing approximately 40 students, were observed. Students in those sections were surveyed, and a sample were interviewed (N=10). An analysis of the data in terms of an expectancy violation framework shows that while students’ expectations regarding the hands-on and interactive components of PAT were met, they received substantially fewer lectures, class discussions, and opportunities to make class presentations than they had expected, even after they had been presented with the course syllabus and informed about the specific nature of the course. Additionally, students expected PAT to be more directly linked with their future teaching careers and therefore expected more opportunities to practice teaching science than they reported receiving. This investigation serves as a case study to provide insight into why students are sometimes frustrated and confused when first encountering active-learning classes, and it implies that instructors should be cognizant of those feelings and devote resources toward explicit orientation that emphasizes the purpose of the course and reasons behind their pedagogical choices.

Successful group psychotherapy of depression in adolescents alters fronto-limbic resting-state connectivity.

PubMed

Straub, J; Metzger, C D; Plener, P L; Koelch, M G; Groen, G; Abler, B

2017-02-01

Current resting state imaging findings support suggestions that the neural signature of depression and therefore also its therapy should be conceptualized as a network disorder rather than a dysfunction of specific brain regions. In this study, we compared neural connectivity of adolescent patients with depression (PAT) and matched healthy controls (HC) and analysed pre-to-post changes of seed-based network connectivities in PAT after participation in a cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy (CBT). 38 adolescents (30 female; 19 patients; 13-18 years) underwent an eyes-closed resting-state scan. PAT were scanned before (pre) and after (post) five sessions of CBT. Resting-state functional connectivity was analysed in a seed-based approach for right-sided amygdala and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC). Symptom severity was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory Revision (BDI-II). Prior to group CBT, between groups amygdala and sgACC connectivity with regions of the default mode network was stronger in the patients group relative to controls. Within the PAT group, a similar pattern significantly decreased after successful CBT. Conversely, seed-based connectivity with affective regions and regions processing cognition and salient stimuli was stronger in HC relative to PAT before CBT. Within the PAT group, a similar pattern changed with CBT. Changes in connectivity correlated with the significant pre-to-post symptom improvement, and pre-treatment amygdala connectivity predicted treatment response in depressed adolescents. Sample size and missing long-term follow-up limit the interpretability. Successful group psychotherapy of depression in adolescents involved connectivity changes in resting state networks to that of healthy controls. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

P-body components, Dhh1 and Pat1, are involved in tRNA nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics

PubMed Central

Hurto, Rebecca L.; Hopper, Anita K.

2011-01-01

The nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution of tRNA depends on the balance between tRNA nuclear export/re-export and retrograde tRNA nuclear import in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The distribution of tRNA is sensitive to nutrient availability as cells deprived of various nutrients exhibit tRNA nuclear accumulation. Starvation induces numerous events that result in translational repression and P-body formation. This study investigated the possible coordination of these responses with tRNA nuclear-cytoplasmic distribution. Dhh1 and Pat1 function in parallel to promote translation repression and P-body formation in response to starvation. Loss of both, Dhh1 and Pat1, results in a failure to repress translation and to induce P-body formation in response to glucose starvation. This study reports that nutrient deprived dhh1 pat1 cells also fail to accumulate tRNA within nuclei. Conversely, inhibition of translation initiation and induction of P-body formation by overproduction of Dhh1 or Pat1 cause tRNA nuclear accumulation in nutrient-replete conditions. Also, loss of the mRNA decapping activator, Lsm1, causes tRNA nuclear accumulation. However, the coordination between P-body formation, translation repression, and tRNA distribution is limited to the early part of the P-body formation/translation repression pathway as loss of mRNA decapping or 5′ to 3′ degradation does not influence tRNA nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics. The data provide the first link between P-body formation/translation initiation and tRNA nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics. The current model is that Dhh1 and Pat1 function in parallel to promote starvation-induced tRNA nuclear accumulation. PMID:21398402

Dynamic thermal effects of epidermal melanin and plasmonic nanoparticles during photoacoustic breast imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghassemi, Pejhman; Wang, Quanzeng; Pfefer, T. Joshua

2016-03-01

Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT) employs high-power near-infrared (near-IR) laser pulses to generate structural and functional information on tissue chromophores up to several centimeters below the surface. Such insights may facilitate detection of breast cancer - the most common cancer in women. PAT mammography has been the subject of extensive research, including techniques based on exogenous agents for PAT contrast enhancement and molecular specificity. However, photothermal safety risks of PAT due to strong chromophores such as epidermal melanin and plasmonic nanoparticles have not been rigorously studied. We have used computational and experimental approaches to elucidate highly dynamic optical-thermal processes during PAT. A Monte Carlo model was used to simulate light propagation at 800 and 1064 nm in a multi-layer breast tissue geometry with different epidermal pigmentation levels and a tumorsimulating inclusion incorporating nanoparticles. Energy deposition results were then used in a bioheat transfer model to simulate temperature transients. Experimental measurements involved multi-layer hydrogel phantoms with inclusions incorporating gold nanoparticles. Phantom optical properties were measured using the inverse adding-doubling technique. Thermal imaging was performed as phantoms were irradiated with 5 ns near-IR pulses. Scenarios using 10 Hz laser irradiation of breast tissue containing various nanoparticle concentrations were implemented experimentally and computationally. Laser exposure levels were based on ANSI/IEC limits. Surface temperature measurements were compared to corresponding simulation data. In general, the effect of highly pigmented skin on temperature rise was significant, whereas unexpectedly small levels of temperature rise during nanoparticle irradiation were attributed to rapid photodegradation. Results provide key initial insights into light-tissue interactions impacting the safety and effectiveness of PAT.

A single haplotype hyposensitive to light and requiring strong vernalization dominates Arabidopsis thaliana populations in Patagonia, Argentina.

PubMed

Kasulin, Luciana; Rowan, Beth A; León, Rolando J C; Schuenemann, Verena J; Weigel, Detlef; Botto, Javier F

2017-07-01

The growing collection of sequenced or genotyped Arabidopsis thaliana accessions includes mostly individuals from the native Eurasian and N. African range and introduced North American populations. Here, we describe the genetic and phenotypic diversity, along with habitats and life history, of A. thaliana plants collected at the southernmost end of its worldwide distribution. Seed samples were harvested from plants growing in four sites within a ~3500-km 2 -area in Patagonia, Argentina, and represent the first germplasm to be collected in South America for this species. Whole-genome resequencing revealed that plants from the four sites and a Patagonia herbarium specimen collected in 1967 formed a single haplogroup (Pat), indicating that the phenotypic variation observed in the field reflected plastic responses to the environment. admixture and principal components analyses suggest that the ancestor of the Pat haplogroup either came from Italy or the Balkan/Caucasus regions of Eurasia. In the laboratory, plants from the Pat haplogroup were hyposensitive to continuous red (Rc) and shade light, with corresponding changes in the expression of phytochrome signalling genes. Pat had higher PIF3 and PIF5 and lower HY5 expression under Rc light; and lower expression of PIL1, ATHB2 and HFR1 under shade compared to Col-0. In addition, Pat plants had a strong vernalization requirement associated with high levels of FLC expression. We conclude that including Pat in studies of natural variation and in comparison with other introduced populations will provide additional information for association studies and allow for a more detailed assessment of the demographic events following colonization. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Exercise Training Reduces Intrathoracic Fat Regardless of Defective Glucose Tolerance.

PubMed

Honkala, Sanna M; Motiani, Kumail K; Eskelinen, Jari-Joonas; Savolainen, Anna; Saunavaara, Virva; Virtanen, Kirsi A; Löyttyniemi, Eliisa; Kapanen, Jukka; Knuuti, Juhani; Kalliokoski, Kari K; Hannukainen, Jarna C

2017-07-01

Epicardial (EAT) and pericardial (PAT) fat masses and myocardial triglyceride content (MTC) are enlarged in obesity and insulin resistance. We studied whether the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) similarly decrease ectopic fat in and around the heart and whether the decrease is similar in healthy subjects and subjects with defective glucose tolerance (DGT). A total of 28 healthy men (body mass index = 20.7-30.0 kg·m, age = 40-55 yr) and 16 men with DGT (body mass index = 23.8-33.5 kg·m, age = 43-53 yr) were randomized into HIIT and MICT interventions for 2 wk. EAT and PAT were determined by computed tomography and MTC by H-MRS. At baseline, DGT subjects had impaired aerobic capacity and insulin sensitivity and higher levels of whole body fat, visceral fat, PAT, and EAT (P < 0.05, all) compared with healthy subjects. In the whole group, HIIT increased aerobic capacity (HIIT = 6%, MICT = 0.3%; time × training P = 0.007) and tended to improve insulin sensitivity (HIIT = 24%, MICT = 8%) as well as reduce MTC (HIIT = -42%, MICT = +23%) (time × training P = 0.06, both) more efficiently compared with MICT, and without differences in the training response between the healthy and the DGT subjects. However, both training modes decreased EAT (-5%) and PAT (-6%) fat (time P < 0.05) and not differently between the healthy and the DGT subjects. Whole body fat, visceral fat, PAT, and EAT masses are enlarged in DGT. Both HIIT and MICT effectively reduce EAT and PAT in healthy and DGT subjects, whereas HIIT seems to be superior as regards improving aerobic capacity, whole-body insulin sensitivity, and MTC.

Pat Conroy's "Gutter Language": "Prince of Tides" in a Lowcountry High School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Robert A.

1992-01-01

Describes the controversy sparked by Pat Conroy's novel "The Prince of Tides" when it was included in a reading list for an advanced-placement eleventh grade English class. Discusses Conroy's approach to writing and his experience as an unconventional teacher. (PRA)

Test-retest reliability of pulse amplitude tonometry measures of vascular endothelial function: implications for clinical trial design.

PubMed

McCrea, Cindy E; Skulas-Ray, Ann C; Chow, Mosuk; West, Sheila G

2012-02-01

Endothelial dysfunction is an important outcome for assessing vascular health in intervention studies. However, reliability of the standard non-invasive method (flow-mediated dilation) is a significant challenge for clinical applications and multicenter trials. We evaluated the repeatability of pulse amplitude tonometry (PAT) to measure change in pulse wave amplitude during reactive hyperemia (Itamar Medical Ltd, Caesarea, Israel). Twenty healthy adults completed two PAT tests (mean interval = 19.5 days) under standardized conditions. PAT-derived measures of endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index, RHI) and arterial stiffness (augmentation index, AI) showed strong repeatability (intra-class correlations = 0.74 and 0.83, respectively). To guide future research, we also analyzed sample size requirements for a range of effect sizes. A crossover design powered at 0.90 requires 28 participants to detect a 15% change in RHI. Our study is the first to show that PAT measurements are repeatable in adults over an interval greater than 1 week.

Pulsed laser diode photoacoustic tomography (PLD-PAT) system for fast in vivo imaging of small animal brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upputuri, Paul Kumar; Kalva, Sandeep Kumar; Moothanchery, Mohesh; Pramanik, Manojit

2017-03-01

In recent years, high-repetition rate pulsed laser diode (PLD) was used as an alternative to the Nd:YAG lasers for photoacoustic tomography (PAT). The use of PLD makes the overall PAT system, a low-cost, portable, and high frame rate imaging tool for preclinical applications. In this work, we will present a portable in vivo pulsed laser diode based photoacoustic tomography (PLD-PAT) system. The PLD is integrated inside a circular scanning geometry. The PLD can provide near-infrared ( 803 nm) pulses with pulse duration 136 ns, and pulse energy 1.4 mJ / pulse at 7 kHz repetition rate. The system will be demonstrated for in vivo fast imaging of small animal brain. To enhance the contrast of brain imaging, experiments will be carried out using contrast agents which have strong absorption around laser excitation wavelength. This low-cost, portable small animal brain imaging system could be very useful for brain tumor imaging and therapy.

Supramolecular core-shell nanoparticles for photoconductive device applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Chih-Chia; Chen, Jem-Kun; Shieh, Yeong-Tarng; Lee, Duu-Jong

2016-08-01

We report a breakthrough discovery involving supramolecular-based strategies to construct novel core-shell heterojunction nanoparticles with hydrophilic adenine-functionalized polythiophene (PAT) as the core and hydrophobic phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as the shell, which enables the conception of new functional supramolecular assemblies for constructing functional nanomaterials for applications in optoelectronic devices. The generated nanoparticles exhibit uniform spherical shape, well-controlled tuning of particle size with narrow size distributions, and excellent electrochemical stability in solution and the solid state owing to highly efficient energy transfer from PAT to PCBM. When the PAT/PCBM nanoparticles were fabricated into a photoconducting layer in an electronic device, the resulting device showed excellent electric conduction characteristics, including an electrically-tunable voltage-controlled switch, and high short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage. These observations demonstrate how the self-assembly of PAT/PCBM into specific nanostructures may help to promote efficient charge generation and transport processes, suggesting potential for a wide variety of applications as a promising candidate material for bulk heterojunction polymer devices.

Comprehensive vascular imaging using optical coherence tomography-based angiography and photoacoustic tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zabihian, Behrooz; Chen, Zhe; Rank, Elisabet; Sinz, Christoph; Bonesi, Marco; Sattmann, Harald; Ensher, Jason; Minneman, Michael P.; Hoover, Erich; Weingast, Jessika; Ginner, Laurin; Leitgeb, Rainer; Kittler, Harald; Zhang, Edward; Beard, Paul; Drexler, Wolfgang; Liu, Mengyang

2016-09-01

Studies have proven the relationship between cutaneous vasculature abnormalities and dermatological disorders, but to image vasculature noninvasively in vivo, advanced optical imaging techniques are required. In this study, we imaged a palm of a healthy volunteer and three subjects with cutaneous abnormalities with photoacoustic tomography (PAT) and optical coherence tomography with angiography extension (OCTA). Capillaries in the papillary dermis that are too small to be discerned with PAT are visualized with OCTA. From our results, we speculate that the PA signal from the palm is mostly from hemoglobin in capillaries rather than melanin, knowing that melanin concentration in volar skin is significantly smaller than that in other areas of the skin. We present for the first time OCTA images of capillaries along with the PAT images of the deeper vessels, demonstrating the complementary effective imaging depth range and the visualization capabilities of PAT and OCTA for imaging human skin in vivo. The proposed imaging system in this study could significantly improve treatment monitoring of dermatological diseases associated with cutaneous vasculature abnormalities.

Sensitive and Facile Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay for Detecting Genetically Modified Rapeseed Based on Novel Carbon Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Gao, Hongfei; Wen, Luke; Wu, Yuhua; Yan, Xiaohong; Li, Jun; Li, Xiaofei; Fu, Zhifeng; Wu, Gang

2018-05-23

A highly sensitive electrochemiluminescent (ECL) immunoassay targeting PAT/ bar protein was facilely developed for genetically modified (GM) rapeseed detection using carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) originally prepared from printer toner. In this work, CNPs linked with antibody for PAT/ bar protein were used to modify a working electrode. After an immunoreaction between the PAT/ bar protein and its antibody, the immunocomplex formed on the electrode receptor region resulted in an inhibition of electron transfer between the electrode surface and the ECL substance, thus led to a decrease of ECL response. Under the optimal conditions, the ECL responses linearly decreased as the increase of the PAT/ bar protein concentration and the GM rapeseed RF3 content in the ranges of 0.10-10 ng/mL and 0.050-1.0%, with the limits of detection of 0.050 ng/mL and 0.020% (S/N = 3). These results open a facile, sensitive, and rapid approach for the safety control of agricultural GM rape.

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Space to Ground: Handoff: 06/01/2018

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2018-05-31

This week will officially bring one expedition to a close, and welcome the beginning of another. NASA's Space to Ground is your weekly update on what's happening aboard the International Space Station. Got a question or comment? Use #spacetoground to talk to us.

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2017 Draft Aquatic Life Criteria for Aluminum in Freshwater

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA has released draft updated aluminum aquatic life ambient water quality criteria for freshwater under Section 304(a)(1) of the Clean Water Act. EPA will accept public comments on the draft criteria for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register.

Quantification of optical absorption coefficient from acoustic spectra in the optical diffusive regime using photoacoustic microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Zijian; Favazza, Christopher; Wang, Lihong V.

2012-02-01

Photoacoustic (PA) tomography (PAT) can image optical absorption contrast with ultrasonic spatial resolution in the optical diffusive regime. Multi-wavelength PAT can noninvasively monitor hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO2) with high sensitivity and fine spatial resolution. However, accurate quantification in PAT requires knowledge of the optical fluence distribution, acoustic wave attenuation, and detection system bandwidth. We propose a method to circumvent this requirement using acoustic spectra of PA signals acquired at two optical wavelengths. With the acoustic spectral method, the absorption coefficients of an oxygenated bovine blood phantom at 560 and 575 nm were quantified with errors of ><5%.

Stress Granule-Inducing Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A Inhibitors Block Influenza A Virus Replication

PubMed Central

Slaine, Patrick D.; Kleer, Mariel; Smith, Nathan K.; Khaperskyy, Denys A.

2017-01-01

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A) is a helicase that facilitates assembly of the translation preinitiation complex by unwinding structured mRNA 5′ untranslated regions. Pateamine A (PatA) and silvestrol are natural products that disrupt eIF4A function and arrest translation, thereby triggering the formation of cytoplasmic aggregates of stalled preinitiation complexes known as stress granules (SGs). Here we examined the effects of eIF4A inhibition by PatA and silvestrol on influenza A virus (IAV) protein synthesis and replication in cell culture. Treatment of infected cells with either PatA or silvestrol at early times post-infection resulted in SG formation, arrest of viral protein synthesis and failure to replicate the viral genome. PatA, which irreversibly binds to eIF4A, sustained long-term blockade of IAV replication following drug withdrawal, and inhibited IAV replication at concentrations that had minimal cytotoxicity. By contrast, the antiviral effects of silvestrol were fully reversible; drug withdrawal caused rapid SG dissolution and resumption of viral protein synthesis. IAV inhibition by silvestrol was invariably associated with cytotoxicity. PatA blocked replication of genetically divergent IAV strains, suggesting common dependence on host eIF4A activity. This study demonstrates that the core host protein synthesis machinery can be targeted to block viral replication. PMID:29258238

Progress toward Understanding Protein S-acylation: Prospective in Plants

PubMed Central

Li, Yaxiao; Qi, Baoxiu

2017-01-01

S-acylation, also known as S-palmitoylation or palmitoylation, is a reversible post-translational lipid modification in which long chain fatty acid, usually the 16-carbon palmitate, covalently attaches to a cysteine residue(s) throughout the protein via a thioester bond. It is involved in an array of important biological processes during growth and development, reproduction and stress responses in plant. S-acylation is a ubiquitous mechanism in eukaryotes catalyzed by a family of enzymes called Protein S-Acyl Transferases (PATs). Since the discovery of the first PAT in yeast in 2002 research in S-acylation has accelerated in the mammalian system and followed by in plant. However, it is still a difficult field to study due to the large number of PATs and even larger number of putative S-acylated substrate proteins they modify in each genome. This is coupled with drawbacks in the techniques used to study S-acylation, leading to the slower progress in this field compared to protein phosphorylation, for example. In this review we will summarize the discoveries made so far based on knowledge learnt from the characterization of protein S-acyltransferases and the S-acylated proteins, the interaction mechanisms between PAT and its specific substrate protein(s) in yeast and mammals. Research in protein S-acylation and PATs in plants will also be covered although this area is currently less well studied in yeast and mammalian systems. PMID:28392791

Arabidopsis ERG28 Tethers the Sterol C4-Demethylation Complex to Prevent Accumulation of a Biosynthetic Intermediate That Interferes with Polar Auxin Transport[C][W

PubMed Central

Mialoundama, Alexis Samba; Jadid, Nurul; Brunel, Julien; Di Pascoli, Thomas; Heintz, Dimitri; Erhardt, Mathieu; Mutterer, Jérôme; Bergdoll, Marc; Ayoub, Daniel; Van Dorsselaer, Alain; Rahier, Alain; Nkeng, Paul; Geoffroy, Philippe; Miesch, Michel; Camara, Bilal; Bouvier, Florence

2013-01-01

Sterols are vital for cellular functions and eukaryotic development because of their essential role as membrane constituents. Sterol biosynthetic intermediates (SBIs) represent a potential reservoir of signaling molecules in mammals and fungi, but little is known about their functions in plants. SBIs are derived from the sterol C4-demethylation enzyme complex that is tethered to the membrane by Ergosterol biosynthetic protein28 (ERG28). Here, using nonlethal loss-of-function strategies focused on Arabidopsis thaliana ERG28, we found that the previously undetected SBI 4-carboxy-4-methyl-24-methylenecycloartanol (CMMC) inhibits polar auxin transport (PAT), a key mechanism by which the phytohormone auxin regulates several aspects of plant growth, including development and responses to environmental factors. The induced accumulation of CMMC in Arabidopsis erg28 plants was associated with diagnostic hallmarks of altered PAT, including the differentiation of pin-like inflorescence, loss of apical dominance, leaf fusion, and reduced root growth. PAT inhibition by CMMC occurs in a brassinosteroid-independent manner. The data presented show that ERG28 is required for PAT in plants. Furthermore, it is accumulation of an atypical SBI that may act to negatively regulate PAT in plants. Hence, the sterol pathway offers further prospects for mining new target molecules that could regulate plant development. PMID:24326590

First Experience of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Ablation for Recurrent Hepatoblastoma after Liver Resection in Children

PubMed Central

Liu, Baoxian; Zhou, Luyao; Huang, Guangliang; Zhong, Zhihai; Jiang, Chunlin; Shan, Quanyuan; Xu, Ming; Kuang, Ming; Xie, Xiaoyan

2015-01-01

This study aimed to summarize the first experience with ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation treatment (PAT) for recurrent hepatoblastoma (HB) after liver resection in children. From August 2013 to October 2014, PAT was used to treat 5 children with a total of 8 recurrent HB (mean size, 1.4 ± 0.8 cm; size range, 0.7–3.1 cm), including 4 patients with 7 tumors in the liver and 1 patient with 1 tumor in the lung. Technical success was achieved in all patients (5/5, 100%). The complete ablation rate after the first ablation session was 80% (4/5) on a patient-by-patient basis and 87.5% (7/8) on a tumor-by-tumor basis. Only 1 patient developed a fever with temperature >39 °C; it lasted 4 days after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and was resolved by conservative therapy. During the follow-up period, new intrahepatic recurrences after PAT were detected in two patients. One died due to tumor progression 4 months after ablation. The median overall survival time after PAT was 13.8 months. PAT is a safe and promising therapy for children with recurrent HB after liver resection, and further investigation in large-scale randomized clinical trials is required to determine its role in the treatment of this disease. PMID:26578035

Photoacoustic imaging of living mouse brain vasculature using hollow gold nanospheres.

PubMed

Lu, Wei; Huang, Qian; Ku, Geng; Wen, Xiaoxia; Zhou, Min; Guzatov, Dmitry; Brecht, Peter; Su, Richard; Oraevsky, Alexander; Wang, Lihong V; Li, Chun

2010-03-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) also referred to as optoacoustic tomography (OAT) is a hybrid imaging modality that employs nonionizing optical radiation and ultrasonic detection. Here, we describe the application of a new class of optical contrast agents based on mesoscopic hollow gold nanospheres (HAuNS) to PAT. HAuNS are approximately 40 nm in diameter with a hollow interior and consist of a thin gold wall. They display strong resonance absorption tuned to the near-infrared (NIR) range, with an absorption peak at 800 nm, whose photoacoustic efficiency is significantly greater than that of blood. Following surface conjugation with thiolated poly(ethylene glycol), the pegylated HAuNS (PEG-HAuNS) had distribution and elimination half-lives of 1.38 +/- 0.38 and 71.82 +/- 30.46 h, respectively. Compared with PAT images based on the intrinsic optical contrast in nude mice, the PAT images acquired within 2 h after intravenous administration of PEG-HAuNS showed the brain vasculature with greater clarity and detail. The image depicted brain blood vessels as small as approximately 100 mum in diameter using PEG-HAuNS as contrast agents. Preliminary results showed no acute toxicity to the liver, spleen, or kidneys in mice following a single imaging dose of PEG-HAuNS. Our results indicate that PEG-HAuNS are promising contrast agents for PAT, with high spatial resolution and enhanced sensitivity. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Percutaneous Aspiration Thrombectomy for the Treatment of Arterial Thromboembolic Occlusions Following Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty

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

Schleder, Stephan, E-mail: stephan.schleder@ukr.de; Diekmann, Matthias; Manke, Christoph

2015-02-15

PurposeThis study was designed to evaluate the technical success and the early clinical outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) for the treatment of arterial thromboembolism following percutaneous infrainguinal transluminal angioplasty (PTA).MethodsIn this single-center study, during a period of 7 years retrospectively, 47 patients (22 male, 47 %) with a mean age of 73 (range 53–96) years were identified in whom PAT was performed for the treatment of thromboembolic complications of infrainguinal PTA. Primary technical success was defined as residual stenosis of <50 % in diameter after sole PAT, whereas secondary technical success was defined as residual stenosis of <50 % in diametermore » after PAT and additional PTA and/or stenting. Clinical outcome parameters (e.g., need for further intervention, minor/major amputation) were evaluated for the 30-day postinterventional period.ResultsPrimary technical success was achieved in 64 % of patients (30/47); secondary technical success was obtained in 96 % of patients (45/47). Clinical outcome data were available in 38 patients. In 87 % of patients (33/38), there was no need for further intervention within the 30-day postinterventional period. In three patients, minor amputations were conducted due to preexisting ulcerations (Rutherford Category 5 respectively).ConclusionsPAT enables endovascular treatment of iatrogenic thromboembolic complications after PTA with good technical and early clinical results and minimal morbidity.« less

"Computer Science Can Feed a Lot of Dreams"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Educational Horizons, 2014

2014-01-01

Pat Yongpradit is the director of education at Code.org. He leads all education efforts, including professional development and curriculum creation, and he builds relationships with school districts. Pat joined "Educational Horizons" to talk about why it is important to teach computer science--even for non-computer science teachers. This…

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Obituary: Patrick L. Nolan (1952-2011)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Digel, Seth

2011-12-01

Patrick Lee Nolan died at his home in Palo Alto, California, on November 6, 2011, from complications related to a brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, which had been diagnosed less than five months earlier. He was born in Colusa, California, on November 18, 1952. Pat was the only child of John Henry Nolan and Carol Lee Harris Nolan. For most of his childhood they lived in Grass Valley, California, where his father was a butcher and his mother was a surgical nurse. Pat graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 1974 with a B.S. in Physics and completed a Ph.D. at the University of California at San Diego in 1982. His graduate and professional career was devoted to high-energy astronomy. His loss is being keenly felt by his friends and colleagues around the world, including the members of the Chancel Choir of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member for 25 years. At U. C. San Diego, Pat worked on construction of the Hard X-ray and Low Energy Gamma Ray Experiment for the first High Energy Astronomy Observatory mission, which was launched in 1977. His Ph.D. thesis, supervised by Prof. Laurence E. Peterson, was based on data from this instrument and addressed variability of the high-energy emission from Cygnus X-1 and other black hole binary systems in the Milky Way. After he completed his Ph.D., Pat took a National Research Council postdoctoral research position at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. He worked there from 1982-1984 developing spectral analysis software and studying gamma-ray bursts using the gamma-ray spectrometer on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. A paper in Nature setting constraining limits on positron-electron annihilation radiation in the spectra of bursts marked the culmination of his efforts. Pat was hired by Prof. Robert Hofstadter at Stanford University in 1984 to work on the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET). As a co-investigator for EGRET, Pat worked on its calorimeter subsystem, including calibration at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), as well as on data analysis software and methods. EGRET was carried into space by the Shuttle Atlantis in 1991 as part of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. He led analyses of gamma-ray pulsars and other astrophysical sources, including a major study of EGRET source variability, and he was a valued resource to the many EGRET graduate students at Stanford. Members of the EGRET team regularly turned to Pat for advice on statistical analysis issues. After the launch of the Compton Observatory, Pat became a member of a small group at Stanford University and SLAC that developed and promoted a new design for a next-generation gamma-ray telescope, based on modern solid-state detectors for particle physics detectors. The concept became the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope mission, which was launched by NASA in 2008 and renamed the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The scientific collaboration for the Large Area Telescope on Fermi has grown to about 400 members from a number of countries. Pat was a recognized expert in statistics and data analysis within the collaboration and as a member of the Publication Board developed the Web and database systems for internal review of scientific publications. Pat was unassuming, widely read, and knowledgeable in many fields. These qualities together with his quiet joy in science made him a valued friend and colleague to many. At the time of his death, Pat was a Senior Research Physicist in the Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory at Stanford University.

A Tale of Two Melt Rocks: Equilibration and Metal/Sulfide-Silicate Segregation in the L7 Chondrites PAT 91501 and LEW 88663

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, R. P.

1993-07-01

Type 7 ordinary chondrites have experienced temperatures near or beyond those necessary for partial melting. Two recently collected Antarctic specimens, PAT91501 (PAT) and LEW88663 (LEW), have been tentatively identified as L7 chondrites based on mineral and oxygen isotope compositions [1,2]. The petrology and mineralogy of these meteorites suggests that they have undergone significant metal/sulfide-silicate segregation, with implications for meteorite parent bodies. PAT consists of an equigranular contact-framework of nearly euhedral olivine grains, with interstitial spaces filled by plagioclase, pyroxenes, and several minor phases. Ortho- and clinopyroxene occur in an exsolution relationship. Olivine and pyroxene are highly equilibrated, varying <<1% in Fe-endmember content. Pyroxene equilibration temperatures calculated for PAT using the methods of [3] are self-consistent at about 1180 degrees C. In thin section, PAT contains only traces of metal, as tiny isolated blebs in sulfide grains; large (>1 cm) globular sulfide inclusions are seen in hand-sample [1], but are not present in the section examined. LEW was originally classified as an achondrite with olivine and pyroxene compositions similar to those in L chondrites [2]. Metal is absent in LEW, although the specimen is small and heavily rusted, making it impossible to gauge the original metal content. Olivine grains are commonly rounded in shape and seldom in contact with more than a few other grains. LEW olivine and pyroxene are also highly equilibrated. Veins of Ni-bearing metal oxides and sulfides are common. Both low- and high-Ca pyroxene occur as discrete grains, orthopyroxene often poikilitically enclosing olivine. Pyroxene equilibration temperatures for LEW are more variable than those for PAT and consistently lower, with an average around 900 degrees C. The various textural and compositional characteristics of PAT and LEW suggest they have experienced partial melting to varying degrees. Both visually resemble charges from experimental melting of ordinary chondrites [4-6]. The cumulate-like framework of olivine crystals in PAT suggests a high degree of partial melting, at peak temperatures sufficient to melt all other phases (above 1400 degrees C) [6]. The spheroidal sulfide nodules in PAT and the occurrence of metal (when present) only in association with sulfide strongly suggest gravitational segregation of a metal/sulfide liquid from a partial melt of the original chondritic assemblage. LEW features suggest less partial melting. Veins and grain coatings of sulfides and Fe-Ni oxides (that were probably metal before weathering) infer exposure to temperatures of 900-1000 degrees C [5]. The non-uniform olivine grain size and presence of remnant clinopyroxene grains in LEW imply that peak temperatures reached by this meteorite were not higher than 1200 degrees C [6]. The partial melting observed in PAT and LEW is probably a result of shock heating during impacts, as proposed in studies of Shaw (L7) and other similar lithologies [7]. If significant metal/sulfide-silicate segregation can occur in the relatively small volumes and short heating times associated with impact melting, even small planetesimals might be differentiated. This implies that the timescale necessary for planetary differentiation might have been significantly shortened by the assembly of already differentiated planetesimals to form meteorite parent bodies [8]. References: [1] Mason B. et al. (1992) Ant. Met. News., 15(2), 30. [2] Mason B. and Marlow R. (1992) Ant. Met. News., 15(1), 16. [3] Fonarev V. I. and Graphchikov A. A. (1991) In Progress in Metamorphic and Magmatic Petrology (L. L. Perchuk, ed.), 65-92, Cambridge University. [4] Smith B. A. and Goldstein J. I. (1977) GCA, 41, 1061-1072. [5] McSween H. Y. Jr. et al. (1978) LPS IX, 1437-1447. [6] Takahashi E. (1983) NIPR Spec. Is., 30, 168-180. [7] Taylor G. J. et al. (1979) GCA, 43, 323-337. [8] Taylor G. J. JGR, 97, 14717-14726.

Updates to the Demographic and Spatial Allocation Models to ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

EPA announced the availability of the draft report, Updates to the Demographic and Spatial Allocation Models to Produce Integrated Climate and Land Use Scenarios (ICLUS) for a 30-day public comment period. The ICLUS version 2 (v2) modeling tool furthered land change modeling by providing nationwide housing development scenarios up to 2100. ICLUS V2 includes updated population and land use data sets and addressing limitations identified in ICLUS v1 in both the migration and spatial allocation models. The companion user guide describes the development of ICLUS v2 and the updates that were made to the original data sets and the demographic and spatial allocation models. [2017 UPDATE] Get the latest version of ICLUS and stay up-to-date by signing up to the ICLUS mailing list. The GIS tool enables users to run SERGoM with the population projections developed for the ICLUS project and allows users to modify the spatial allocation housing density across the landscape.

Repair of tegmen defect using cranial particulate bone graft.

PubMed

Greene, Arin K; Poe, Dennis S

2015-01-01

Bone paté is used to repair cranial bone defects. This material contains bone-dust collected during the high-speed burring of the cranium. Clinical and experimental studies of bone dust, however, have shown that it does not have biological activity and is resorbed. We describe the use of bone paté using particulate bone graft. Particulate graft is harvested with a hand-driven brace and 16mm bit; it is not subjected to thermal injury and its large size resists resorption. Bone paté containing particulate graft is much more likely than bone dust to contain viable osteoblasts capable of producing new bone. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Research on application of several tracking detectors in APT system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhi

2005-01-01

APT system is the key technology in free space optical communication system, and acquisition and tracking detector is the key component in PAT system. There are several candidate detectors that can be used in PAT system, such as CCD, QAPD and CMOS Imager etc. The characteristics of these detectors are quite different, i.e., the structures and the working schemes. This paper gives thoroughly compare of the usage and working principle of CCD and CMOS imager, and discusses the key parameters like tracking error, noise analyses, power analyses etc. Conclusion is given at the end of this paper that CMOS imager is a good candidate detector for PAT system in free space optical communication system.

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Grace and Courtesy across the Planes of Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ludick, Pat

2015-01-01

Pat Ludick's commentary on grace and courtesy is established by a philosophical orientation to development: Grace is oriented to the life of the interior that is consciousness and being, and courtesy moves outward to daily living where civility reflects on success with human interactions. Pat's projected grace and courtesy across the planes is…

Perceptions and Lived Experiences of Illinois Parents as Teachers Program Leaders While Managing a Multigenerational Staff

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruhe Marsh, Linda

2012-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of Illinois Parents as Teachers (PAT) program leaders managing a multigenerational workforce. Supervisors state that leading a multigenerational staff possesses challenges that affect overall productivity (Bell, 2008). PAT stakeholders including…

Peer-Assisted Tutoring in a Chemical Engineering Curriculum: Tutee and Tutor Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kieran, Patricia; O'Neill, Geraldine

2009-01-01

Peer-Assisted Tutorials (PATs), a form of Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL), were introduced to a conventional 4-year honours degree programme in Chemical Engineering. PATs were designed to support students in becoming more self-directed in their learning, to develop student confidence in tackling Chemical Engineering problems and to promote effective…

Connective Auxin Transport in the Shoot Facilitates Communication between Shoot Apices

PubMed Central

Bennett, Tom; Hines, Geneviève; van Rongen, Martin; Sawchuk, Megan G.; Scarpella, Enrico; Ljung, Karin

2016-01-01

The bulk polar movement of the plant signaling molecule auxin through the stem is a long-recognized but poorly understood phenomenon. Here we show that the highly polar, high conductance polar auxin transport stream (PATS) is only part of a multimodal auxin transport network in the stem. The dynamics of auxin movement through stems are inconsistent with a single polar transport regime and instead suggest widespread low conductance, less polar auxin transport in the stem, which we term connective auxin transport (CAT). The bidirectional movement of auxin between the PATS and the surrounding tissues, mediated by CAT, can explain the complex auxin transport kinetics we observe. We show that the auxin efflux carriers PIN3, PIN4, and PIN7 are major contributors to this auxin transport connectivity and that their activity is important for communication between shoot apices in the regulation of shoot branching. We propose that the PATS provides a long-range, consolidated stream of information throughout the plant, while CAT acts locally, allowing tissues to modulate and be modulated by information in the PATS. PMID:27119525

Photoacoustic sentinel lymph node imaging with self-assembled copper neodecanoate nanoparticles.

PubMed

Pan, Dipanjan; Cai, Xin; Yalaz, Ceren; Senpan, Angana; Omanakuttan, Karthik; Wickline, Samuel A; Wang, Lihong V; Lanza, Gregory M

2012-02-28

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is emerging as a novel, hybrid, and non-ionizing imaging modality because of its satisfactory spatial resolution and high soft tissue contrast. PAT combines the advantages of both optical and ultrasonic imaging methods. It opens up the possibilities for noninvasive staging of breast cancer and may replace sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in clinic in the near future. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that copper can be used as a contrast metal for near-infrared detection of SLN using PAT. A unique strategy is adopted to encapsulate multiple copies of Cu as organically soluble small molecule complexes within a phospholipid-entrapped nanoparticle. The nanoparticles assumed a size of 80-90 nm, which is the optimum hydrodynamic diameter for its distribution throughout the lymphatic systems. These particles provided at least 6-fold higher signal sensitivity in comparison to blood, which is a natural absorber of light. We also demonstrated that high SLN detection sensitivity with PAT can be achieved in a rodent model. This work clearly demonstrates for the first time the potential use of copper as an optical contrast agent.

Photoacoustic tomography guided diffuse optical tomography for small-animal model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yihan; Gao, Feng; Wan, Wenbo; Zhang, Yan; Li, Jiao

2015-03-01

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a biomedical imaging technology for noninvasive visualization of spatial variation about the optical properties of tissue, which can be applied to in vivo small-animal disease model. However, traditional DOT suffers low spatial resolution due to tissue scattering. To overcome this intrinsic shortcoming, multi-modal approaches that incorporate DOT with other imaging techniques have been intensively investigated, where a priori information provided by the other modalities is normally used to reasonably regularize the inverse problem of DOT. Nevertheless, these approaches usually consider the anatomical structure, which is different from the optical structure. Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is an emerging imaging modality that is particularly useful for visualizing lightabsorbing structures embedded in soft tissue with higher spatial resolution compared with pure optical imaging. Thus, we present a PAT-guided DOT approach, to obtain the location a priori information of optical structure provided by PAT first, and then guide DOT to reconstruct the optical parameters quantitatively. The results of reconstruction of phantom experiments demonstrate that both quantification and spatial resolution of DOT could be highly improved by the regularization of feasible-region information provided by PAT.

High-speed pre-clinical brain imaging using pulsed laser diode based photoacoustic tomography (PLD-PAT) system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upputuri, Paul Kumar; Pramanik, Manojit

2016-03-01

Photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is a promising biomedical imaging modality for small animal imaging, breast cancer imaging, monitoring of vascularisation, tumor angiogenesis, blood oxygenation, total haemoglobin concentration etc. The existing PAT systems that uses Q-switched Nd:YAG and OPO nanosecond lasers have limitations in clinical applications because they are expensive, non-potable and not suitable for real-time imaging due to their low pulse repetition rate. Low-energy pulsed near-infrared diode laser which are low-cost, compact, and light-weight (<200 grams), can be used as an alternate. In this work, we present a photoacoustic tomography system with a pulsed laser diode (PLD) that can nanosecond pulses with pulse energy 1.3 mJ/pulse at ~803 nm wavelength and 7000 Hz repetition rate. The PLD is integrated inside a single-detector circular scanning geometric system. To verify the high speed imaging capabilities of the PLD-PAT system, we performed in vivo experimental results on small animal brain imaging using this system. The proposed system is portable, low-cost and can provide real-time imaging.

Continuous cuff-less blood pressure monitoring based on the pulse arrival time approach: the impact of posture.

PubMed

Muehlsteff, J; Aubert, X A; Morren, G

2008-01-01

There is an unmet need for cuff-less blood pressure (BP) monitoring especially, in personal healthcare applications. The pulse arrival time (PAT) approach might offer a suitable solution to enable comfortable BP monitoring even at beat-level. However, the methodology is based on hemodynamic surrogate measures, which are sensitive to patient activities such as posture changes, not necessarily related to blood pressure variations. In this paper, we analyze the impact of posture on the PAT measure and related hemodynamic parameters such as the pre-ejection period in well-defined procedures. Additionally, the PAT of a monitored subject is investigated in an unsupervised scenario illustrating the complexity of such a measurement. Our results show the failure of blood pressure inference based on simple calibration strategies using the PAT measure only. We discuss opportunities to compensate for the observed effects towards the realization of wearable cuff-less blood pressure monitoring. These findings emphasize the importance of accessing context information in personal healthcare applications, where vital sign monitoring is typically unsupervised.

A Review of PAT Strategies in Secondary Solid Oral Dosage Manufacturing of Small Molecules.

PubMed

Laske, Stephan; Paudel, Amrit; Scheibelhofer, Otto

2017-03-01

Pharmaceutical solid oral dosage product manufacturing is a well-established, yet revolutionizing area. To this end, process analytical technology (PAT) involves interdisciplinary and multivariate (chemical, physical, microbiological, and mathematical) methods for material (e.g., materials, intermediates, products) and process (e.g., temperature, pressure, throughput, etc.) analysis. This supports rational process modeling and enhanced control strategies for improved product quality and process efficiency. Therefore, it is often difficult to orient and find the relevant, integrated aspects of the current state-of-the-art. Especially, the link between fundamental research, in terms of sensor and control system development, to the application both in laboratory and manufacturing scale, is difficult to comprehend. This review compiles a nonexhaustive overview on current approaches from the recognized academia and industrial practices of PAT, including screening, selection, and final implementations in solid oral dosage manufacturing, through a wide diversity of use cases. Finally, the authors attempt to extract a common consensus toward developing PAT application guidance for different unit operations of drug product manufacturing. Copyright © 2017 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The structure of the cyanobactin domain of unknown function from PatG in the patellamide gene cluster

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

Mann, Greg; Koehnke, Jesko; Bent, Andrew F.

The highly conserved domain of unknown function in the cyanobactin superfamily has a novel fold. The protein does not appear to bind the most plausible substrates, leaving questions as to its role. Patellamides are members of the cyanobactin family of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified cyclic peptide natural products, many of which, including some patellamides, are biologically active. A detailed mechanistic understanding of the biosynthetic pathway would enable the construction of a biotechnological ‘toolkit’ to make novel analogues of patellamides that are not found in nature. All but two of the protein domains involved in patellamide biosynthesis have been characterized.more » The two domains of unknown function (DUFs) are homologous to each other and are found at the C-termini of the multi-domain proteins PatA and PatG. The domain sequence is found in all cyanobactin-biosynthetic pathways characterized to date, implying a functional role in cyanobactin biosynthesis. Here, the crystal structure of the PatG DUF domain is reported and its binding interactions with plausible substrates are investigated.« less

A Comparison of Prediction Methods for Design of Pump as Turbine for Small Hydro Plant: Implemented Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naeimi, Hossein; Nayebi Shahabi, Mina; Mohammadi, Sohrab

2017-08-01

In developing countries, small and micro hydropower plants are very effective source for electricity generation with energy pay-back time (EPBT) less than other conventional electricity generation systems. Using pump as turbine (PAT) is an attractive, significant and cost-effective alternative. Pump manufacturers do not normally provide the characteristic curves of their pumps working as turbines. Therefore, choosing an appropriate Pump to work as a turbine is essential in implementing the small-hydro plants. In this paper, in order to find the best fitting method to choose a PAT, the results of a small-hydro plant implemented on the by-pass of a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) in Urmia city in Iran are presented. Some of the prediction methods of Best Efficiency Point of PATs are derived. Then, the results of implemented project have been compared to the prediction methods results and the deviation of from measured data were considered and discussed and the best method that predicts the specifications of PAT more accurately determined. Finally, the energy pay-back time for the plant is calculated.

Effect of simulated Earth reentry exposure on mechanical properties of several oxide dispersion strengthened and superalloy sheet materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. D.

1977-01-01

The effects of simulated multiple reentry into the earth's atmosphere on the mechanical properties of several high temperature metallic sheet materials were evaluated. The materials included five tin-gage (nominally 0.025- or 0.037-cm) oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys and two thin-gage (nominally 0.037-cm) superalloys. Multiple reentry conditions were simulated through cyclic Plasma Arc Tunnel (PAT) exposure. PAT exposure generally consisted of 100 cycles of 600 second duration at 1255, 1366, or 1477 K in a Mach 4.6 airstream with an impact pressure of nominally 800 N/m2. PAT exposure generally produced a uniform oxide scale, oxide pits or intergranular oxidation, Kirkendall porosity, and alloy depletion zones except for the aluminum-containing ODS alloys. Only a uniform oxide scale was formed on the aluminum-containing ODS alloys. PAT exposure did not significantly affect the mechanical properties of the thin-gage (nominally 0.025- or 0.037-cm) alloys evaluated. Thus it appears that the microstructural changes produced by Plasma Arc Tunnel exposure has little influence on mechanical properties.

Optimization of turbine positioning in water distribution networks. A Sicilian case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milici, Barbara; Messineo, Simona; Messineo, Antonio

2017-11-01

The potential energy of water in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs), is usually dissipated by Pressure Reduction Valves (PRVs), thanks to which water utilities manage the pressure level in selected nodes of the network. The present study explores the use of economic hydraulic machines, pumps as turbines (PATs), to produce energy in a small network with the aim to avoid dissipation in favour of renewable energy production. The proposed study is applied to a WDN located in a town close to Palermo (Sicily), where users often install private tanks, to collect water during the period of water scarcity conditions. As expected, the economic benefit of PATs installation in WDNs is affected by the presence of private tanks, whose presence deeply modifies the network from designed condition. The analysis is carried out by means of a mathematical model, which is able to simulate dynamically water distribution networks with private tanks and PATs. As expected, the advantage of PATs' installation in terms of renewable energy recovery is strictly conditioned by their placement in the WDN.

A suite of phantom-based test methods for assessing image quality of photoacoustic tomography systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, William C.; Jia, Congxian; Wear, Keith A.; Garra, Brian S.; Pfefer, T. Joshua

2017-03-01

As Photoacoustic Tomography (PAT) matures and undergoes clinical translation, objective performance test methods are needed to facilitate device development, regulatory clearance and clinical quality assurance. For mature medical imaging modalities such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound, tissue-mimicking phantoms are frequently incorporated into consensus standards for performance testing. A well-validated set of phantom-based test methods is needed for evaluating performance characteristics of PAT systems. To this end, we have constructed phantoms using a custom tissue-mimicking material based on PVC plastisol with tunable, biologically-relevant optical and acoustic properties. Each phantom is designed to enable quantitative assessment of one or more image quality characteristics including 3D spatial resolution, spatial measurement accuracy, ultrasound/PAT co-registration, uniformity, penetration depth, geometric distortion, sensitivity, and linearity. Phantoms contained targets including high-intensity point source targets and dye-filled tubes. This suite of phantoms was used to measure the dependence of performance of a custom PAT system (equipped with four interchangeable linear array transducers of varying design) on design parameters (e.g., center frequency, bandwidth, element geometry). Phantoms also allowed comparison of image artifacts, including surface-generated clutter and bandlimited sensing artifacts. Results showed that transducer design parameters create strong variations in performance including a trade-off between resolution and penetration depth, which could be quantified with our method. This study demonstrates the utility of phantom-based image quality testing in device performance assessment, which may guide development of consensus standards for PAT systems.

Pneumothorax as a Complication of Apnea Testing for Brain Death.

PubMed

Gorton, Lauren Elizabeth; Dhar, Rajat; Woodworth, Lindsey; Anand, Nitin J; Hayes, Benjamin; Ramiro, Joanna Isabelle; Kumar, Abhay

2016-10-01

Pneumothorax is an under-recognized complication of apnea testing performed as part of the neurological determination of death. It may result in hemodynamic instability or even cardiac arrest, compromising ability to declare brain death (BD) and viability of organs for transplantation. We report three cases of pneumothorax with apnea testing (PAT) and review the available literature of this phenomenon. Series of three cases supplemented with a systematic review of literature (including discussion of apnea testing in major brain death guidelines). Two patients were diagnosed with PAT due to immediate hemodynamic compromise, while the third was diagnosed many hours after BD. An additional nine cases of PAT were found in the literature. Information regarding oxygen cannula diameter was available for nine patients (range 2.3-5.3 mm), and flow rate was available for ten patients (mean 11 L/min). Pneumothorax was treated to resolution in the majority of patients (n = 8), although only six completed apnea testing following diagnosis/treatment of pneumothorax and only three patients became organ donors afterward. Review of major BD guidelines showed that although use of low oxygen flow rate (usually ≤ 6 L/min) during apnea testing is suggested, the risk of PAT was explicitly mentioned in just one. Development of PAT may adversely affect the process of BD determination and could limit the opportunity for organ donation. Each institution should have preventive measures in place.

Insulin-induced activation of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase by a chiro-inositol-containing insulin mediator is defective in adipocytes of insulin-resistant, type II diabetic, Goto-Kakizaki rats.

PubMed

Farese, R V; Standaert, M L; Yamada, K; Huang, L C; Zhang, C; Cooper, D R; Wang, Z; Yang, Y; Suzuki, S; Toyota, T

1994-11-08

Type II diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were insulin-resistant in euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies. We therefore examined insulin signaling systems in control Wistar and diabetic GK rats. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (G3PAT), which is activated by headgroup mediators released from glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI), was activated by insulin in intact and cell-free adipocyte preparations of control, but not diabetic, rats. A specific chiro-inositol-containing inositol phosphoglycan (IPG) mediator, prepared from beef liver, bypassed this defect and comparably activated G3PAT in cell-free adipocyte preparations of both diabetic GK and control rats. A myo-inositol-containing IPG mediator did not activate G3PAT. Relative to control adipocytes, labeling of GPI by [3H]glucosamine was diminished by 50% and insulin failed to stimulate GPI hydrolysis in GK adipocytes. In contrast to GPI-dependent G3PAT activation, insulin-stimulated hexose transport was intact in adipocytes and soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the GK rat, as was insulin-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C. We conclude that (i) chiro-inositol-containing IPG mediator activates G3PAT during insulin action, (ii) diabetic GK rats have a defect in synthesizing or releasing functional chiro-inositol-containing IPG, and (iii) defective IPG-regulated intracellular glucose metabolism contributes importantly to insulin resistance in diabetic GK rats.

Effect of Patulin from Penicillium vulpinum on the Activity of Glutathione-S-Transferase and Selected Antioxidative Enzymes in Maize

PubMed Central

Ismaiel, Ahmed A.

2017-01-01

The mycotoxin patulin (PAT) was purified from Penicillium vulpinum CM1 culture that has been isolated from a soil cultivated with maize. The effect of PAT and of a fungal culture filtrate on the activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and some antioxidant enzymes viz. ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) was investigated in roots and shoots of 8-day-old maize seedlings. PAT and culture filtrate caused significant reduction effects in a dose-related manner on the total GST activity. Upon application of the high PAT concentration (25 μg·mL−1) and of the concentrated fungal filtrate (100%, v/v), the reduction in GST activity of roots was 73.8–76.0% and of shoots was 60–61.7%. Conversely, significant increases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes were induced. Application of 25 μg·PAT·mL−1 increased APX, GR, DHAR, and MDHAR activity of root by 2.40-, 2.00-, 1.24-, and 2.16-fold, respectively. In shoots, the enzymatic activity was increased by 1.57-, 1.45-, 1.45-, and 1.61-fold, respectively. Similar induction values of the enzymatic activity were obtained upon application of the concentrated fungal filtrate. This is the first report describing the response of GST and antioxidant enzyme activities of plant cells to PAT toxicity. PMID:28737668

Analytical Treatment of Forecasts of Electric Energy Consumption in Latvia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balodis, M.; Gavars, V.; Andersons, J.

2014-06-01

In the paper, the changes in electric energy consumption are analyzed as associated with structural changes in the Latvian economy of postsocialistic period. To the analysis, a particular approach is applied, which consists in comparison of the basic and specific electricity consumption indices in West-, Central-, and East-European states for the time span of 1990-2010, with differences and tendencies of changes revealed. Tendencies of the type are determined for the electric energy consumption in Latvia, and recommendations are given for the use of such indices in the relevant forecasts. Rakstā apskatītas elektroenerģijas patēriņa izmaiņas, kas saistītas ar Latvijas postsociālisma perioda ekonomikas strukturālām izmaiņām. Rakstā dota Latvijas galveno elektroenerģijas patēriņa indikatoru analīze, lietojot īpašu pieeju - Rietumeiropas, Centrāleiropas un Austrumeiropas valstu indikatoru salīdzinājumu. Analizēts periods no 1990. gada līdz 2010. gadam. Salīdzināti Eiropas valstu grupu īpatnējie elektroenerģijas patēriņa indikatori un noskaidrotas to atšķirības un izmaiņu tendences. Noteiktas elektroenerģijas patēriņa izmaiņu tendences Latvijā. Dotas rekomendācijas par šo indikatoru izmantošanu elektroenerģijas patēriņa prognozēšanā. 07.05.2014.

Insulin-induced activation of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase by a chiro-inositol-containing insulin mediator is defective in adipocytes of insulin-resistant, type II diabetic, Goto-Kakizaki rats.

PubMed Central

Farese, R V; Standaert, M L; Yamada, K; Huang, L C; Zhang, C; Cooper, D R; Wang, Z; Yang, Y; Suzuki, S; Toyota, T

1994-01-01

Type II diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were insulin-resistant in euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp studies. We therefore examined insulin signaling systems in control Wistar and diabetic GK rats. Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (G3PAT), which is activated by headgroup mediators released from glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI), was activated by insulin in intact and cell-free adipocyte preparations of control, but not diabetic, rats. A specific chiro-inositol-containing inositol phosphoglycan (IPG) mediator, prepared from beef liver, bypassed this defect and comparably activated G3PAT in cell-free adipocyte preparations of both diabetic GK and control rats. A myo-inositol-containing IPG mediator did not activate G3PAT. Relative to control adipocytes, labeling of GPI by [3H]glucosamine was diminished by 50% and insulin failed to stimulate GPI hydrolysis in GK adipocytes. In contrast to GPI-dependent G3PAT activation, insulin-stimulated hexose transport was intact in adipocytes and soleus and gastrocnemius muscles of the GK rat, as was insulin-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase C. We conclude that (i) chiro-inositol-containing IPG mediator activates G3PAT during insulin action, (ii) diabetic GK rats have a defect in synthesizing or releasing functional chiro-inositol-containing IPG, and (iii) defective IPG-regulated intracellular glucose metabolism contributes importantly to insulin resistance in diabetic GK rats. PMID:7972005

Exercise Training Reduces Intrathoracic Fat Regardless of Defective Glucose Tolerance

PubMed Central

HONKALA, SANNA M.; MOTIANI, KUMAIL K.; ESKELINEN, JARI-JOONAS; SAVOLAINEN, ANNA; SAUNAVAARA, VIRVA; VIRTANEN, KIRSI A.; LÖYTTYNIEMI, ELIISA; KAPANEN, JUKKA; KNUUTI, JUHANI; KALLIOKOSKI, KARI K.; HANNUKAINEN, JARNA C.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Purpose Epicardial (EAT) and pericardial (PAT) fat masses and myocardial triglyceride content (MTC) are enlarged in obesity and insulin resistance. We studied whether the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) similarly decrease ectopic fat in and around the heart and whether the decrease is similar in healthy subjects and subjects with defective glucose tolerance (DGT). Methods A total of 28 healthy men (body mass index = 20.7–30.0 kg·m−2, age = 40–55 yr) and 16 men with DGT (body mass index = 23.8–33.5 kg·m−2, age = 43–53 yr) were randomized into HIIT and MICT interventions for 2 wk. EAT and PAT were determined by computed tomography and MTC by 1H-MRS. Results At baseline, DGT subjects had impaired aerobic capacity and insulin sensitivity and higher levels of whole body fat, visceral fat, PAT, and EAT (P < 0.05, all) compared with healthy subjects. In the whole group, HIIT increased aerobic capacity (HIIT = 6%, MICT = 0.3%; time × training P = 0.007) and tended to improve insulin sensitivity (HIIT = 24%, MICT = 8%) as well as reduce MTC (HIIT = −42%, MICT = +23%) (time × training P = 0.06, both) more efficiently compared with MICT, and without differences in the training response between the healthy and the DGT subjects. However, both training modes decreased EAT (−5%) and PAT (−6%) fat (time P < 0.05) and not differently between the healthy and the DGT subjects. Conclusion Whole body fat, visceral fat, PAT, and EAT masses are enlarged in DGT. Both HIIT and MICT effectively reduce EAT and PAT in healthy and DGT subjects, whereas HIIT seems to be superior as regards improving aerobic capacity, whole-body insulin sensitivity, and MTC. PMID:28628064

The yeast cytoplasmic LsmI/Pat1p complex protects mRNA 3' termini from partial degradation.

PubMed Central

He, W; Parker, R

2001-01-01

A key aspect of understanding eukaryotic gene regulation will be the identification and analysis of proteins that bind mRNAs and control their function. Recently, a complex of seven Lsm proteins and the Pat1p have been shown to interact with yeast mRNAs and promote mRNA decapping. In this study we present several observations to indicate that the LsmI/Pat1 complex has a second distinct function in protecting the 3'-UTR of mRNAs from trimming. First, mutations in the LSM1 to LSM7, as well as PAT1, genes led to the accumulation of MFA2pG and PGK1pG transcripts that had been shortened by 10-20 nucleotides at their 3' ends (referred to as trimming). Second, the trimming of these mRNAs was more severe at the high temperature, correlating with the inability of these mutant strains to grow at high temperature. In contrast, trimming did not occur in a dcp1 Delta strain, wherein the decapping enzyme is lacking. This indicates that trimming is not simply a consequence of the inhibition of mRNA decapping. Third, the temperature-sensitive growth of lsm and pat1 mutants was suppressed by mutations in the exosome or the functionally related Ski proteins, which are required for efficient 3' to 5' mRNA degradation of mRNA. Moreover, in lsm ski double mutants, higher levels of the trimmed mRNAs accumulated, indicating that exosome function is not required for mRNA trimming but that the exosome does degrade the trimmed mRNAs. These results raise the possibility that the temperature-sensitive growth of the lsm1-7 and pat1 mutants is at least partially due to mRNA trimming, which either inactivates the function of the mRNAs or makes them available for premature 3' to 5' degradation by the exosome. PMID:11514438

In vitro exposure of Penicillium mycotoxins with or without a modified yeast cell wall extract (mYCW) on bovine macrophages (BoMacs).

PubMed

Oh, Se-Young; Quinton, V Margaret; Boermans, Herman J; Swamy, H V L N; Karrow, Niel A

2015-11-01

Penicillium mycotoxins (PMs) are contaminants that are frequently found in grain or crop-based silage for animal feed. Previously, we have characterized the potential immunotoxicity of the following PMs: citrinin (CIT), ochratoxin A (OTA), patulin (PAT), mycophenolic acid (MPA), and penicillic acid (PA) by using a bovine macrophage cell line (BoMacs). In the present study, cell proliferation was used as a bioassay endpoint to evaluate the efficacy of a modified yeast cell wall extract (mYCW), for preventing PM toxicity under various in vitro conditions such as the following: pH (3, 5, 7), incubation time (1, 2, 4, 6 h), percentage of mYCW (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 %), and PM concentration. mYCW was most effective in preventing the toxicity of 12.88 and 25.8 μM OTA at pH 3.0 (p < 0.0001), regardless of incubation time (p < 0.0001) and the percentage of mYCW (p < 0.0001). An incubation time of 6 h (p < 0.05) or 0.5 and 1.0 % mYCW (p < 0.0001) significantly improved the efficacy of mYCW for preventing CIT toxicity. In contrast, 0.5 and 1.0 % of mYCW appeared to exacerbate the PAT toxicity (p < 0. 0001). This effect on PAT toxicity was constantly observed with higher PAT concentrations, and it reached significance at a concentration of 0.70 μM (p < 0.0001). mYCW had no effect on PA toxicity. These results suggest that mYCW may reduce OTA toxicity and, to some extent, CIT toxicity at pH 3.0. Although PAT toxicity was increased by mYCW treatment, PAT is readily degraded during heat treatment and may therefore be dealt with using other preventative measures.

Effects of a pre-moistened multilayered breathable fabric in promoting heat loss during recovery after exercise under hot conditions.

PubMed

Foreman, J H; Benson, G J; Foreman, M H

2006-08-01

Horses generate considerable internal heat burdens when exercising. Although common practice for a trainer or groom to place a wet blanket or towel on the dorsum of a hot horse post exercise, there are no data supporting the efficacy of this cooling method. To test the hypothesis that a pre-moistened blanket designed with a multilayered breathable fabric would enhance heat loss in horses post exercise. Eight treadmill-trained horses performed a standardised exercise test (SET) weekly for 3 weeks, with 3 different recovery treatments administered randomly. Pulmonary artery temperature (PAT) was measured via Swan-Ganz catheter. The SET consisted of 10 min at 3.7 m/sec, 3 min at 11.0 m/sec, 25 min at 3.7 m/sec and 20 min of recovery walking at 2.0 m/sec (58 min exercise and recovery under laboratory conditions of 35.0-40.6 degrees C and 27-49% RH). From 3-7 min during recovery, the treadmill was stopped and horses randomly received either: (a) no bath (negative control); (b) a bath consisting of 32 l of 1-4 degrees C water split into 3-4 cycles of bilateral water application (positive control) followed by water removal ('scraping'); or (c) application of a multilayered fabric blanket soaked in 16-19 degrees C water, wrung out, and placed over the dorsum and sides of the horse. PAT was compared using RM ANOVA with the Student Neuman-Keul's test used post hoc to discriminate between treatments at specific points in time. Mean PAT rose with each phase of exercise (P<0.001) and peaked at a mean of 40.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C. During recovery, the cold bath decreased HR and PAT for 9 min after walking resumed (P<0.001-P<0.05). The blanket did not decrease HR or PAT compared to negative control (P>0.05), and both were hotter than the cold bath treatment through 16 min of recovery (P<0.05). A specially-designed cooling blanket failed to reduce PAT when compared to negative control. Cold water bathing decreased HR and PAT but was not effective throughout all of recovery. A specially-designed, pre-moistened multilayered breathable fabric failed to promote evaporative cooling compared to negative control. Cold water baths may need to be repeated throughout recovery to optimise their effect.

[Using new media for online consensus conferences and open external review of guidelines - results of two pilot studies].

PubMed

Nast, Alexander; Rosumeck, Stefanie; Sporbeck, Birte; Rzany, Berthold

2012-01-01

The development of guidelines almost always requires considerable time and financial resources. An important task is therefore to identify and evaluate online methods that facilitate guideline work. ONLINE CONSENSUS CONFERENCE: During the development of the S2k guideline for the management of staphylococcus aureus infections an online consensus conference was held using an online tool provided by the Deutsche Forschungsnetz in combination with a telephone conference. During the 2-hour meeting, no technical difficulties occurred. A survey among the participants showed that this format had a high rate of acceptance. ONLINE REVIEW: During the development of the update of the German S3-Guidelines for the therapy of psoriasis an external open review was performed. An online platform allowing direct visible commenting was chosen. During the five week period of commenting, 26 users added 160 comments. After the review process, the comments were assessed by the editors and the original authors. The selected instrument provides a suitable means for online commenting of guidelines and facilitates the revision of the text. Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Medicare program; revisions to payment policies under the Physician Fee Schedule, Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, access to identifiable data for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation Models & other revisions to Part B for CY 2015. Final rule with comment period.

PubMed

2014-11-13

This major final rule with comment period addresses changes to the physician fee schedule, and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services, as well as changes in the statute. See the Table of Contents for a listing of the specific issues addressed in this rule.

77 FR 486 - Combined Notice of Filings #1

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2012-01-05

... DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings 1 Take notice... Updated Market Power Analysis and Request for Category 1 Seller Status of Portsmouth Genco, LLC, et al. Filed Date: 12/28/11. Accession Number: 20111228-5033. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/18/12. Docket Numbers...

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Space to Ground: A Fleet of CUBESATS: 05/19/2017

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2017-05-18

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78 FR 16463 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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

None

This volume contains the entire proceedings of the solar update. All papers presented by DOE officials, DOE contractors, and demonstration site representatives are presented, as well as summaries of all workshops, comments from questionnaires, and a listing of all participants. Twenty-eight papers are included. Two were abstracted previously for EDB. Separate abstracts were prepared for twenty-six. (MHR)

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77 FR 38227 - Proposed Amendment of Class D and Class E Airspace; Bozeman, MT

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Department of Agriculture Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

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IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (with Inhalation Update) (Interagency Science Discussion Draft)

EPA Science Inventory

On September 9, 2011, the Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (inhalation) (External Review Draft) was posted for external peer review and public comment. Subsequently, the Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary were reviewed internally by EPA and by other federal agencies and Exe...

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77 FR 59374 - Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee; Notice of Open Meeting

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... Committee; Notice of Open Meeting The Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) will meet... to deemed exports. Agenda Thursday, October 11 Open Session 1. Co-chairman's opening comments, Committee Introductions 2. Housekeeping/Elections and Open Call for New Members 3. Update and discussion...

Think Visual

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Lisa Carlucci

2012-01-01

Photographs tell a story and illustrate an experience more profoundly than words alone. Real-time, text-based communication is an increasingly normal part of daily life as mobile devices and social networks proliferate. Yet, in the steady stream of tweets, comments, status updates, notifications, and e-mail, the details are easily lost in the…

[Myokard-Perfusions-SPECT. Myocardial perfusion SPECT - Update S1 guideline].

PubMed

Lindner, Oliver; Bengel, Frank; Burchert, Wolfgang; Dörr, Rolf; Hacker, Marcus; Schäfer, Wolfgang; Schäfers, Michael A; Schmidt, Matthias; Schwaiger, Markus; Vom Dahl, Jürgen; Zimmermann, Rainer

2017-08-14

The S1 guideline for myocardial perfusion SPECT has been published by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) and is valid until 2/2022. This paper is a short summary with comments on all chapters and subchapters wich were modified and amended.

76 FR 20080 - Inventory of U.S.-Flag Launch Barges

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2011-04-11

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket Number MARAD 2011 0030] Inventory of...: Inventory of U.S.-Flag Launch Barges. SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration is updating its inventory of U.S..._program/Launch_Barge_Program.htm . DATES: Any comments on this inventory should be submitted in writing to...

78 FR 48417 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Educational Partnership Program (EPP), Ernest F...

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2013-08-08

... support of the scholarship application by academic professors/advisors. NOAA OEd student scholar alumni... are required to update the student tracker database with the required student information. In addition... System database form, 17 hours; undergraduate application form, 8 hours; reference forms, 1 hour; alumni...

78 FR 27188 - Proposed Information Collection-Renewal; Comment Request; Educational Partnership Program (EPP...

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75 FR 20981 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Educational Partnership Program (EPP) and...

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75 FR 72777 - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Patents, Data, and Copyrights (DFARS Case 2010...

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... RIN 0750-AG62 Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Patents, Data, and Copyrights (DFARS... Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to update text on patents, data, and copyrights... selecting ``Search.'' Select the link ``Submit a Comment'' that corresponds with ``DFARS Case 2010-D001...

77 FR 56771 - Privacy Act; Implementation

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2012-09-14

... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy 32 CFR Part 701 [Docket ID USN-2012-0014] Privacy Act...: Department of the Navy is updating the Navy Privacy Act Program by adding the (k)(2) exemption to accurately... its Privacy Programs. DoD expects no opposition to the changes and no significant adverse comments...

77 FR 57015 - Privacy Act; Implementation

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... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [Docket ID DoD-2012-OS-0104] 32 CFR Part 319 Privacy... the records in another Privacy Act system of records. DIA is updating the DIA Privacy Act Program by... its Privacy Programs. DoD expects no opposition to the changes and no significant adverse comments...

78 FR 69552 - Privacy Act; Implementation

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... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Navy 32 CFR Part 701 [Docket ID: USN-2013-0039] Privacy... comments. SUMMARY: Department of the Navy is updating the Navy Privacy Act Program by adding the (k)(5... changes will allow the Department to add exemption rules to the Department of the Navy Privacy Program...

77 FR 21359 - MARPOL Annex I Amendments

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... the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov , select the Advanced Docket Search option on the right... the Docket Management Facility. C. Privacy Act Anyone can search the electronic form of comments... are proposing to amend Sec. 156.111 by updating the versions of the STS Transfer Guide and the Guide...

Classification of Instructional Programs - 2000. Public Comment Draft. [Third Revision].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morgan, Robert L.; Hunt, E. Stephen

This third revision of the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) updates and modifies education program classifications, descriptions, and titles at the secondary, postsecondary, and adult education levels. This edition has also been adopted by Canada as its standard for major field of study classification. The volume includes the…

75 FR 39008 - Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Idaho National Laboratory

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2010-07-07

... Dry Storage. Waste Area Group--7 Update. In-Situ Grouting. Comment Resolution--Environmental... meeting be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Opportunities... management in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. Tentative...

75 FR 22810 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

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2010-04-30

... System (EHRDS)--practice application and profile update system; Use: In 2008, the Secretary of the... new demonstration initiative using Medicare waiver authority to reward the delivery of high-quality... system was first developed with the intention of having practices applying to participate in Phase 2 of...

75 FR 41487 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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2010-07-16

...: Electronic Health Records Demonstration System (EHRDS)--practice application and profile update system; Use... reward the delivery of high-quality care supported by the adoption and use of electronic health records... demonstration system was first developed with the intention of having practices applying to participate in Phase...

76 FR 36898 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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2011-06-23

... methodology to collect and update every year demographic, social, economic, and housing data that are... the Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian populations, the elderly, and children. The ACS provides... ten years. The ACS program will provide estimates annually for all states and for all medium and large...

75 FR 2850 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

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2010-01-19

... Referencing (TIGER) database of address ranges and associated geographic information. The Census Bureau plans... areas with high concentrations of noncity- style addresses, and to provide a rural counterpart to the update of city-style addresses the MAF receives from the U.S. Postal Services's Delivery Sequence File...

Resistance to glufosinate is proportional to phosphinothricin acetyltransferase expression and activity in LibertyLink® and WideStrike® Cotton

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

LibertyLink® cotton cultivars are engineered for glufosinate resistance by overexpressing the bar gene that encodes phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), whereas the insect-resistant WideStrike® cultivars were obtained by using the similar pat gene as a selectable marker. The latter cultivars ca...

Teacher's PAT? Multiple-Role Principal-Agent Theory, Education Politics, and Bureaucrat Power

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vanhuysse, Pieter; Sulitzeanu-Kenan, Raanan

2009-01-01

This article aims to contribute to current debates about political power and agency relationships in education and other public sectors. In a recent clarion call for a major redirection of political principal-agent theories (PAT), Terry Moe has argued that standard information asymmetries ought no longer to be regarded as the sole foundation of…

The phylogenetic placement of Picoa, with a first report on Picoa lefebvrei (Pat.) Maire (=Phaeangium lefebvrei) from Iran

Treesearch

A. Ammarellou; M.E. Smith; M.A. Tajick; J.M. Trappe

2011-01-01

Desert truffles, hypogeous Pezizales (Ascomycota), are difficult to identify due to evolutionary convergence of morphological characters among taxa that share a similar habitat and mode of spore dispersal. In this paper we document the presence of Picoa lefebvrei (Pat.) Maire (=Phaeangium lefebvrei) in Iran and use phylogenetic...

Investigating Trauma in Narrating World War I: A Psychoanalytical Reading of Pat Barker's "Regeneration"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sadjadi, Bakhtiar; Esmkhani, Farnaz

2016-01-01

The present paper seeks to critically read Pat Barker's "Regeneration" in terms of Cathy Caruth's psychoanalytic study of trauma. This analysis attempts to trace the concepts of latency, post-traumatic stress disorders, traumatic memory, and trauma in Barker's novel in order to explore how trauma and history are interrelated in the…

Efficacy and Safety of Immediate-Release Methylphenidate Treatment for Preschoolers with ADHD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenhill, Laurence; Kollins, Scott; Abikoff, Howard; McCracken, James; Riddle, Mark; Swanson, James; McGough, James; Wigal, Sharon; Wigal, Tim; Vitiello, Benedetto; Skrobala, Anne; Posner, Kelly; Ghuman, Jaswinder; Cunningham, Charles; Davies, Mark; Chuang, Shirley; Cooper, Tom

2006-01-01

Objective: The Preschool ADHD Treatment Study (PATS) was a NIMH-funded, six-center, randomized, controlled trial to determine the efficacy and safety of immediate-release methylphenidate (MPH-IR), given t.i.d. to children ages 3 to 5.5 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: The 8-phase, 70-week PATS protocol included…

A Poetry Workshop in Print: Pat Mora

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hopkins, Lee Bennett

2006-01-01

After a successful career as a writer for adults, Pat Mora began creating books for children. Her first picture book, "Tomas and The Library Lady" (Knopf, 1997) is a tender story of a young migrant worker who unearths new worlds when he discovers the magic a public library holds. The text, cleverly interspersed with foreign words, became a…

Perceived self-orientation and self-motion in microgravity, after landing and during preflight adaptation training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harm, D. L.; Parker, D. E.

1993-01-01

The research described in this paper is intended to support development and evaluation of preflight adaptation training (PAT) apparatus and procedures. Successful training depends on appropriate manipulation of visual and inertial stimuli that control perception of self-motion and self-orientation. For one part of this process, astronauts are trained to report their self-motion and self-orientation experiences. Before their space mission, they are exposed to the altered sensory environments produced by the PAT trainers. During and after the mission, they report their motion and orientation experiences. Subsequently, they are again exposed to the PAT trainers and are asked to describe relationships between their experiences in microgravity and following entry and their experiences in the trainers.

Total protein of whole saliva as a biomarker of anaerobic threshold.

PubMed

Bortolini, Miguel Junior Sordi; De Agostini, Guilherme Gularte; Reis, Ismair Teodoro; Lamounier, Romeu Paulo Martins Silva; Blumberg, Jeffrey B; Espindola, Foued Salmen

2009-09-01

Saliva provides a convenient and noninvasive matrix for assessing specific physiological parameters, including some biomarkers of exercise. We investigated whether the total protein concentration of whole saliva (TPWS) would reflect the anaerobic threshold during an incremental exercise test. After a warm-up period, 13 nonsmoking men performed a maximum incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer. Blood and stimulated saliva were collected during the test. The TPWS anaerobic threshold (PAT) was determined using the Dmax method. The PAT was correlated with the blood lactate anaerobic threshold (AT; r = .93, p < .05). No significant difference (p = .16) was observed between PAT and AT. Thus, TPWS provides a convenient and noninvasive matrix for determining the anaerobic threshold during incremental exercise tests.

Design of high energy laser pulse delivery in a multimode fiber for photoacoustic tomography.

PubMed

Ai, Min; Shu, Weihang; Salcudean, Tim; Rohling, Robert; Abolmaesumi, Purang; Tang, Shuo

2017-07-24

In photoacoustic tomography (PAT), delivering high energy pulses through optical fiber is critical for achieving high quality imaging. A fiber coupling scheme with a beam homogenizer is demonstrated for coupling high energy pulses in a single multimode fiber. This scheme can benefit PAT applications that require miniaturized illumination or internal illumination with a small fiber. The beam homogenizer is achieved by using a cross cylindrical lens array, which provides a periodic spatial modulation on the phase of the input light. Thus the lens array acts as a phase grating which diffracts the beam into a 2D diffraction pattern. Both theoretical analysis and experiments demonstrate that the focused beam can be split into a 2D spot array that can reduce the peak power on the fiber tip surface and thus enhance the coupling performance. The theoretical analysis of the intensity distribution of the focused beam is carried out by Fourier optics. In experiments, coupled energy at 48 mJ/pulse and 60 mJ/pulse have been achieved and the corresponding coupling efficiency is 70% and 90% in a 1000-μm and a 1500-μm-core-diameter fiber, respectively. The high energy pulses delivered by the multimode fiber are further tested for PAT imaging in phantoms. PAT imaging of a printed dot array shows a large illumination area of 7 cm 2 under 5 mm thick chicken breast tissue. In vivo imaging is also demonstrated on the human forearm. The large improvement in coupling energy can potentially benefit PAT with single fiber delivery to achieve large area imaging and deep penetration detection.

Non-Invasive Detection of Risk for Emotion Provoked Myocardial Ischemia

PubMed Central

Burg, Matthew M.; Graeber, Brendon; Vashist, Aseem; Collins, Dorothea; Earley, Christine; Liu, Joyce; Lampert, Rachel; Soufer, Robert

2009-01-01

Objectives To test an easily administered, noninvasive technology to identify vulnerability to mental stress ischemia. Background Myocardial ischemia provoked by emotional stress (MSI) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) predicts major adverse cardiac events. A clinically useful tool to risk stratify patients on this factor is not available. Methods Patients with documented CAD (n=68) underwent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging concurrent with pulse wave amplitude assessment by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) during a mental stress protocol of sequential rest and anger stress periods. Heart rate and blood pressure were assessed, and blood was drawn for catecholamine assay, during rest and stress. MSI was defined by the presence of a new perfusion defect during anger stress (n=26) and the ratio of stress to rest PAT response was calculated. Results Patients with MSI had a significantly lower PAT ratio than those without MSI (0.76 ± 0.04 vs. 0.91 ± 0.05, p=0.03). An ROC curve for optimum sensitivity/specificity of PAT ratio as an index of MSI produced a sensitivity of 0.62 and a specificity of 0.63. Among patients taking angiotensin converter enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the sensitivity and specificity of the test increased to 0.86 and 0.73 (respectively); 90% of patients without MSI were correctly identified. Conclusions PAT in concert with ACE inhibition may provide a useful approach to assess risk for MSI. Future studies should help determine how best to utilize this approach for risk assessment in the clinical setting. PMID:18941131

Quantifying Beetle-Mediated Effects on Gas Fluxes from Dung Pats

PubMed Central

Penttilä, Atte; Slade, Eleanor M.; Simojoki, Asko; Riutta, Terhi; Minkkinen, Kari; Roslin, Tomas

2013-01-01

Agriculture is one of the largest contributors of the anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs) responsible for global warming. Measurements of gas fluxes from dung pats suggest that dung is a source of GHGs, but whether these emissions are modified by arthropods has not been studied. A closed chamber system was used to measure the fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from dung pats with and without dung beetles on a grass sward. The presence of dung beetles significantly affected the fluxes of GHGs from dung pats. Most importantly, fresh dung pats emitted higher amounts of CO2 and lower amounts of CH4 per day in the presence than absence of beetles. Emissions of N2O showed a distinct peak three weeks after the start of the experiment – a pattern detected only in the presence of beetles. When summed over the main grazing season (June–July), total emissions of CH4 proved significantly lower, and total emissions of N2O significantly higher in the presence than absence of beetles. While clearly conditional on the experimental conditions, the patterns observed here reveal a potential impact of dung beetles on gas fluxes realized at a small spatial scale, and thereby suggest that arthropods may have an overall effect on gas fluxes from agriculture. Dissecting the exact mechanisms behind these effects, mapping out the range of conditions under which they occur, and quantifying effect sizes under variable environmental conditions emerge as key priorities for further research. PMID:23940758

10. GLASS, SCHNEIDER & REZNER BRIDGE PATENT MODEL, PAT. NO. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

10. GLASS, SCHNEIDER & REZNER BRIDGE PATENT MODEL, PAT. NO. 71, 868, DECEMBER 10, 1867. THIS MODEL IS ONE OF A FEW THAT SURVIVED THE PATENT OFFICE FIRE OF 1877. IF REPRODUCED, CREDIT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NEGATIVE NO. 48660-D. - White Bowstring Arch Truss Bridge, Spanning Yellow Creek at Cemetery Drive (Riverside Drive), Poland, Mahoning County, OH

CaMKII-MEDIATED PHOSPHORYLATION OF THE BOMBYX MORI LIPID STORAGE DROPLET PROTEIN-1 (BmLsd1), AN INSECT PAT FAMILY PROTEIN, IS ESSENTIAL FOR SILKMOTH SEX PHEROMONE BIOSYNTHESIS

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The structurally-related members of the PAT family of proteins, which are so name based on similarity amongst perilipin, adipophilin/adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP), and tail-interacting protein of 47 kilodaltons (TIP47), are cytoplasmic lipid droplet (LD)-associated proteins charac...

Pat Thiel talks about attending the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

ScienceCinema

Thiel, Pat

2018-05-07

Pat Thiel, Ames Laboratory senior scientist and Iowa State University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, was invited to be a guest at the ceremony on December 10th, in Stockholm, Sweden, where Danny Shechtman, Ames Laboratory scientist, received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Following her return to the Lab, Thiel shared some of her recollections of the momentous event.

Design and Fabrication of Cryostat Interface and Electronics for High Performance Antimatter Trap (HI-PAT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Gerald A.

1999-01-01

Included in Appendix I to this report is a complete set of design and assembly schematics for the high vacuum inner trap assembly, cryostat interfaces and electronic components for the MSFC HI-PAT. Also included in the final report are summaries of vacuum tests, and electronic tests performed upon completion of the assembly.

Pat Thiel talks about attending the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

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

Thiel, Pat

2012-01-01

Pat Thiel, Ames Laboratory senior scientist and Iowa State University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, was invited to be a guest at the ceremony on December 10th, in Stockholm, Sweden, where Danny Shechtman, Ames Laboratory scientist, received the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Following her return to the Lab, Thiel shared some of her recollections of the momentous event.

Survival of Campylobacter spp. in bovine faeces on pasture.

PubMed

Gilpin, B J; Robson, B; Scholes, P; Nourozi, F; Sinton, L W

2009-02-01

To determine the survival on pasture of Campylobacter spp. naturally present in bovine faeces and compare this with a previously published study using laboratory-cultured Campylobacter spp. Ten freshly collected cow pats were deposited on pasture during summer, and Campylobacter spp. were enumerated by enrichment broth culture. The counts in three pats were below detection limits. Counts of Campylobacter spp. in the other seven pats fell below detection limits within 14 days. The geometric means of the counts up to 7 days produced a T(90) of 2.2 days. Characterization of Campylobacter spp. by PCR and pulsed field gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of at least six genotypes of Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter lari. Campylobacter spp. naturally present in cow faeces exhibited a similar survival rate to that previously determined using laboratory-cultured strains. The highly variable counts of naturally occurring Campylobacter spp., and the predominance of lower counts, also support the earlier decision to use laboratory-cultured strains in survival experiments. This study reaffirms the short survival of Campylobacter spp. in cow faeces deposited on pasture. This information will be incorporated into a 'reservoir model' for Campylobacter spp. in cow pats on New Zealand pastures.

Surface molecularly imprinted polymer capped Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots as a phosphorescent nanosensor for detecting patulin in apple juice.

PubMed

Zhang, Wengang; Han, Yong; Chen, Xiumei; Luo, Xueli; Wang, Jianlong; Yue, Tianli; Li, Zhonghong

2017-10-01

A Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) based nanosensor for selective phosphorescent determination of patulin (PAT) was synthesized with 6-hydroxynicotinic acid (6-HNA) as dummy template via a surface molecular imprinting sol-gel process. FTIR and XRD indicated the successful graft of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) onto crystal QDs. Binding tests revealed that the MIP-QDs presented higher selectivity, adsorption capacity and mass transfer rate than non-imprinted polymers, demonstrating a specific recognition for PAT among competitive mycotoxins and its analogues with the imprinting factor of 2.02. The MIP-QDs could recognize PAT in a linear range of 0.43-6.50μmolL -1 with a detection limit of 0.32μmolL -1 and a correlation coefficient (R 2 ) of 0.9945. Recoveries of 102.9-127.2% with relative standard deviations <4.95% were achieved in apple juice samples which were in good agreement with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (P>0.05). The results indicated a simple phosphorescent nanosensor for PAT detection in complex matrix. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (Interagency ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

On September 9, 2011, the Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (with inhalation update) (External Review Draft) was posted for external peer review and public comment. The Toxicological Review and charge were reviewed internally by EPA and by other federal agencies and White House Offices before public release. In the new IRIS process, introduced by the EPA Administrator, all written comments on IRIS assessments submitted by other federal agencies and White House Offices will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments with EPA's response and the interagency science consultation draft of the IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-dioxane and the charge to external peer reviewers are posted on this site. The Toxicological Review of 1,4-dioxane provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to 1,4-dioxane.

Inverse transport problems in quantitative PAT for molecular imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Kui; Zhang, Rongting; Zhong, Yimin

2015-12-01

Fluorescence photoacoustic tomography (fPAT) is a molecular imaging modality that combines photoacoustic tomography with fluorescence imaging to obtain high-resolution imaging of fluorescence distributions inside heterogeneous media. The objective of this work is to study inverse problems in the quantitative step of fPAT where we intend to reconstruct physical coefficients in a coupled system of radiative transport equations using internal data recovered from ultrasound measurements. We derive uniqueness and stability results on the inverse problems and develop some efficient algorithms for image reconstructions. Numerical simulations based on synthetic data are presented to validate the theoretical analysis. The results we present here complement these in Ren K and Zhao H (2013 SIAM J. Imaging Sci. 6 2024-49) on the same problem but in the diffusive regime.

Rapid and noncontact photoacoustic tomography imaging system using an interferometer with high-speed phase modulation technique

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

Liu, Jun; Tang, Zhilie; Wu, Yongbo

2015-04-15

We designed, fabricated, and tested a rapid and noncontact photoacoustic tomography (PAT) imaging system using a low-coherence interferometer with high-speed phase modulation technique. Such a rapid and noncontact probing system can greatly decrease the time of imaging. The proposed PAT imaging system is experimentally verified by capturing images of a simulated tissue sample and the blood vessels within the ear flap of a mouse (pinna) in vivo. The axial and lateral resolutions of the system are evaluated at 45 and ∼15 μm, respectively. The imaging depth of the system is 1 mm in a special phantom. Our results show thatmore » the proposed system opens a promising way to realize noncontact, real-time PAT.« less

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Guide for the Preparation of Scientific Papers for Publication. Second Edition.

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Martinsson, Anders

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An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska (Second External Review Draft)

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Data Processing Management Association, Park Ridge, IL.

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Bean, Thomas W.

2002-01-01

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Loss of the anion exchanger DRA (Slc26a3), or PAT1 (Slc26a6), alters sulfate transport by the distal ileum and overall sulfate homeostasis.

PubMed

Whittamore, Jonathan M; Hatch, Marguerite

2017-09-01

The ileum is considered the primary site of inorganic sulfate ([Formula: see text]) absorption. In the present study, we explored the contributions of the apical chloride/bicarbonate (Cl - /[Formula: see text]) exchangers downregulated in adenoma (DRA; Slc26a3), and putative anion transporter 1 (PAT1; Slc26a6), to the underlying transport mechanism. Transepithelial 35 [Formula: see text] and 36 Cl - fluxes were determined across isolated, short-circuited segments of the distal ileum from wild-type (WT), DRA-knockout (KO), and PAT1-KO mice, together with measurements of urine and plasma sulfate. The WT distal ileum supported net sulfate absorption [197.37 ± 13.61 (SE) nmol·cm -2 ·h -1 ], but neither DRA nor PAT1 directly contributed to the unidirectional mucosal-to-serosal flux ([Formula: see text]), which was sensitive to serosal (but not mucosal) DIDS, dependent on Cl - , and regulated by cAMP. However, the absence of DRA significantly enhanced net sulfate absorption by one-third via a simultaneous rise in [Formula: see text] and a 30% reduction to the secretory serosal-to-mucosal flux ([Formula: see text]). We propose that DRA, together with PAT1, contributes to [Formula: see text] by mediating sulfate efflux across the apical membrane. Associated with increased ileal sulfate absorption in vitro, plasma sulfate was 61% greater, and urinary sulfate excretion ( U SO4 ) 2.2-fold higher, in DRA-KO mice compared with WT controls, whereas U SO4 was increased 1.8-fold in PAT1-KO mice. These alterations to sulfate homeostasis could not be accounted for by any changes to renal sulfate handling suggesting that the source of this additional sulfate was intestinal. In summary, we characterized transepithelial sulfate fluxes across the mouse distal ileum demonstrating that DRA (and to a lesser extent, PAT1) secretes sulfate with significant implications for intestinal sulfate absorption and overall homeostasis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sulfate is an essential anion that is actively absorbed from the small intestine involving members of the Slc26 gene family. Here, we show that the main intestinal chloride transporter Slc26a3, known as downregulated in adenoma (DRA), also handles sulfate and contributes to its secretion into the lumen. In the absence of functional DRA (as in the disease congenital chloride diarrhea), net intestinal sulfate absorption was significantly enhanced resulting in substantial alterations to overall sulfate homeostasis. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Alcohol Marketing on Twitter and Instagram: Evidence of Directly Advertising to Youth/Adolescents.

PubMed

Barry, Adam E; Bates, Austin M; Olusanya, Olufunto; Vinal, Cystal E; Martin, Emily; Peoples, Janiene E; Jackson, Zachary A; Billinger, Shanaisa A; Yusuf, Aishatu; Cauley, Daunte A; Montano, Javier R

2016-07-01

Assess whether alcohol companies restrict youth/adolescent access, interaction, and exposure to their marketing on Twitter and Instagram. Employed five fictitious male and female Twitter (n = 10) and Instagram (n = 10) user profiles aged 13, 15, 17, 19 and/or 21. Using cellular smartphones, we determined whether profiles could (a) interact with advertising content-e.g. retweet, view video or picture content, comment, share URL; and/or (b) follow and directly receive advertising material updates from the official Instagram and Twitter pages of 22 alcohol brands for 30 days. All user profiles could fully access, view, and interact with alcohol industry content posted on Instagram and Twitter. Twitter's age-gate, which restricts access for those under 21, successfully prevented underage profiles from following and subsequently receiving promotional material/updates. The two 21+ profiles collectively received 1836 alcohol-related tweets within 30 days. All Instagram profiles, however, were able to follow all alcohol brand pages and received an average of 362 advertisements within 30 days. The quantity of promotional updates increased throughout the week, reaching their peak on Thursday and Friday. Representatives/controllers of alcohol brand Instagram pages would respond directly to our underage user's comments. The alcohol industry is in violation of their proposed self-regulation guidelines for digital marketing communications on Instagram. While Twitter's age-gate effectively blocked direct to phone updates, unhindered access to post was possible. Everyday our fictitious profiles, even those as young as 13, were bombarded with alcohol industry messages and promotional material directly to their smartphones. © The Author 2015. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Hormone signaling linked to silkmoth sex pheromone biosynthesis involves Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II-mediated phosphorylation of the insect PAT family protein Bombyx mori lipid storage droplet protein-1(BmLsd)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The structurally-related members of the PAT family of proteins, which are so name based on similarity amongst perilipin, adipophilin/adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP), and tail-interacting protein of 47 kilodaltons (TIP47), are cytoplasmic lipid droplet (LD)-associated proteins charac...

Polymorphic amplified typing sequences (PATS) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) yield comparable results in the strain typing of a diverse set of bovine Escherichia coli O157 isolates

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The PCR-based Escherichia coli O157 (O157) strain typing system, Polymorphic Amplified Typing Sequences (PATS), targets insertions-deletions (Indels) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the XbaI and AvrII(BlnI) restriction enzyme sites, respectively, besides amplifying four known virulenc...

Comparison of noninvasive pulse transit time estimates as markers of blood pressure using invasive pulse transit time measurements as a reference.

PubMed

Gao, Mingwu; Olivier, N Bari; Mukkamala, Ramakrishna

2016-05-01

Pulse transit time (PTT) measured as the time delay between invasive proximal and distal blood pressure (BP) or flow waveforms (invasive PTT [I-PTT]) tightly correlates with BP PTT estimated as the time delay between noninvasive proximal and distal arterial waveforms could therefore permit cuff-less BP monitoring. A popular noninvasive PTT estimate for this application is the time delay between ECG and photoplethysmography (PPG) waveforms (pulse arrival time [PAT]). Another estimate is the time delay between proximal and distal PPG waveforms (PPG-PTT). PAT and PPG-PTT were assessed as markers of BP over a wide physiologic range using I-PTT as a reference. Waveforms for determining I-PTT, PAT, and PPG-PTT through central arteries were measured from swine during baseline conditions and infusions of various hemodynamic drugs. Diastolic, mean, and systolic BP varied widely in each subject (group average (mean ± SE) standard deviation between 25 ± 2 and 36 ± 2 mmHg). I-PTT correlated well with all BP levels (group average R(2) values between 0.86 ± 0.03 and 0.91 ± 0.03). PPG-PTT also correlated well with all BP levels (group average R(2) values between 0.81 ± 0.03 and 0.85 ± 0.02), and its R(2) values were not significantly different from those of I-PTT PAT correlated best with systolic BP (group average R(2) value of 0.70 ± 0.04), but its R(2) values for all BP levels were significantly lower than those of I-PTT (P < 0.005) and PPG-PTT (P < 0.02). The pre-ejection period component of PAT was responsible for its inferior correlation with BP In sum, PPG-PTT was not different from I-PTT and superior to the popular PAT as a marker of BP. © 2016 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

Photon activated therapy (PAT) using monochromatic Synchrotron x-rays and iron oxide nanoparticles in a mouse tumor model: feasibility study of PAT for the treatment of superficial malignancy

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background X-rays are known to interact with metallic nanoparticles, producing photoelectric species as radiosensitizing effects, and have been exploited in vivo mainly with gold nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of sensitizing effect of iron oxide nanoparticles for photon activated therapy. Methods X-rays photon activated therapy (PAT) was studied by treating CT26 tumor cells and CT26 tumor-bearing mice loaded with 13-nm diameter FeO NP, and irradiating them at 7.1 keV near the Fe K-edge using synchrotron x-rays radiation. Survival of cells was determined by MTT assay, and tumor regression assay was performed for in vivo model experiment. The results of PAT treated groups were compared with x-rays alone control groups. Results A more significant reduction in viability and damage was observed in the FeO NP-treated irradiated cells, compared to the radiation alone group (p < 0.04). Injection of FeO NP (100 mg/kg) 30 min prior to irradiation elevated the tumor concentration of magnetite to 40 μg of Fe/g tissue, with a tumor-to-muscle ratio of 17.4. The group receiving FeO NP and radiation of 10 Gy showed 80% complete tumor regression (CTR) after 15–35 days and relapse-free survival for up to 6 months, compared to the control group, which showed growth retardation, resulting in 80% fatality. The group receiving radiation of 40 Gy showed 100% CTR in all cases irrespective of the presence of FeO NP, but CTR was achieved earlier in the PAT-treated group compared with the radiation alone group. Conclusions An iron oxide nanoparticle enhanced therapeutic effect with relatively low tissue concentration of iron and 10 Gy of monochromatic X-rays. Since 7.1 keV X-rays is attenuated very sharply in the tissue, FeO NP-PAT may have promise as a potent treatment option for superficial malignancies in the skin, like chest wall recurrence of breast cancer. PMID:23111059

In-Flight Technique for Acquiring Mid- And Far-Field Sonic Boom Signatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stansbery, Eugene G.; Baize, Daniel G.; Maglieri, Domenic, J.

1999-01-01

Flight test experiments have been conducted to establish the feasibility of obtaining sonic boom signature measurements below a supersonic aircraft using the NASA Portable Automatic Triggering System (PATS) mounted in the USMC Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This study forms a part of the NASA sonic boom minimization activities, specifically the demonstration of persistence of modified boom signatures to very large distances in a real atmosphere. The basic objective of the measurement effort was to obtain a qualitative view of the sonic boom signature in terms of its shape, number of shocks, their locations, and their relative strength. Results suggest that the technique may very well provide quantitative information relative to mid-field and far-field boom signatures. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the arrangement and operation of this in-flight system and to present the resulting sonic boom measurements. Adaption and modification of two PATS to the UAV payload section are described and include transducer location, mounting arrangement and recording system isolation. Ground static runup, takeoff and landing, and cruise flight checkouts regarding UAV propeller and flow noise on the PATS automated triggering system and recording mode are discussed. For the proof-of-concept tests, the PATS instrumented UAV was flown under radar control in steady-level flight at the altitude of 8700 feet MSL and at a cruise speed of about 60 knots. The USN F-4N sonic boom generating aircraft was vectored over the UAV on reciprocal headings at altitudes of about 1 1,000 feet MSL and 13,000 feet MSL at about Mach 1. 15. Sonic boom signatures were acquired on both PATS for all six supersonic passes. Although the UAV propeller noise is clearly evident in all the measurements, the F-4 boom signature is clearly distinguishable and is typically N-wave in character with sharply rising shock fronts and with a mid-shock associated with the inlet-wing juncture. Consideration is being given to adapting the PATS/TJAV measurements technique to the NASA Learjet to determine feasibility of acquiring in-flight boom signatures in the altitude range of 10,000 feet to 40,000 feet.

On-Line Ion Exchange Liquid Chromatography as a Process Analytical Technology for Monoclonal Antibody Characterization in Continuous Bioprocessing.

PubMed

Patel, Bhumit A; Pinto, Nuno D S; Gospodarek, Adrian; Kilgore, Bruce; Goswami, Kudrat; Napoli, William N; Desai, Jayesh; Heo, Jun H; Panzera, Dominick; Pollard, David; Richardson, Daisy; Brower, Mark; Richardson, Douglas D

2017-11-07

Combining process analytical technology (PAT) with continuous production provides a powerful tool to observe and control monoclonal antibody (mAb) fermentation and purification processes. This work demonstrates on-line liquid chromatography (on-line LC) as a PAT tool for monitoring a continuous biologics process and forced degradation studies. Specifically, this work focused on ion exchange chromatography (IEX), which is a critical separation technique to detect charge variants. Product-related impurities, including charge variants, that impact function are classified as critical quality attributes (CQAs). First, we confirmed no significant differences were observed in the charge heterogeneity profile of a mAb through both at-line and on-line sampling and that the on-line method has the ability to rapidly detect changes in protein quality over time. The robustness and versatility of the PAT methods were tested by sampling from two purification locations in a continuous mAb process. The PAT IEX methods used with on-line LC were a weak cation exchange (WCX) separation and a newly developed shorter strong cation exchange (SCX) assay. Both methods provided similar results with the distribution of percent acidic, main, and basic species remaining unchanged over a 2 week period. Second, a forced degradation study showed an increase in acidic species and a decrease in basic species when sampled on-line over 7 days. These applications further strengthen the use of on-line LC to monitor CQAs of a mAb continuously with various PAT IEX analytical methods. Implementation of on-line IEX will enable faster decision making during process development and could potentially be applied to control in biomanufacturing.

Multi-modality photoacoustic tomography, ultrasound, and light sheet microscopy for volumetric tumor margin detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangha, Gurneet S.; Hu, Bihe; Bolus, Daniel; Wang, Mei; Skidmore, Shelby J.; Sholl, Andrew B.; Brown, J. Quincy; Goergen, Craig J.

2018-02-01

Current methods for breast tumor margin detection are invasive, time consuming, and typically result in a reoperative rate of over 25%. This marks a clear clinical need to develop improved tools to intraoperatively differentiate negative versus positive tumor margins. Here, we utilize photoacoustic tomography (PAT), ultrasound (US), and inverted Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy (iSPIM) to assess breast tumor margins in eight human breast biopsies. Our PAT/US system consists of a tunable Nd:YAG laser (NT 300, EKSPLA) coupled with a 40MHz central frequency US probe (Vevo2100, FUJIFILM Visual Sonics). This system allows for the delivery of 10Hz, 5ns pulses with fluence of 40mJ/cm2 to the tissue with PAT and US axial resolutions of 125μm and 40μm, respectively. For this study, we used a linear stepper motor to acquire volumetric PAT/US images of the breast biopsies using 1100nm light to identify bloodrich "tumor" regions and 1210nm light to identify lipid-rich "healthy" regions. iSPIM (Applied Scientific Instrumentation) is an advanced microscopy technique with lateral resolution of 1.5μm and axial resolution of 7μm. We used 488nm laser excitation and acridine orange as a general comprehensive histology stain. Our results show that PAT/US can be used to identify lipid-rich regions, dense areas of arterioles and arteries, and other internal structures such as ducts. iSPIM images correlate well with histopathology slides and can verify nuclear features, cell type and density, stromal features, and microcalcifications. Together, this multimodality approach has the potential to improve tumor margin detection with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.

Impact of embryo number and periconceptional undernutrition on factors regulating adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and metabolism in adipose tissue in the sheep fetus.

PubMed

Lie, Shervi; Morrison, Janna L; Williams-Wyss, Olivia; Ozanne, Susan E; Zhang, Song; Walker, Simon K; Kleemann, David O; MacLaughlin, Severence M; Roberts, Claire T; McMillen, I Caroline

2013-10-15

Maternal undernutrition around the time of conception is associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance in adulthood. We hypothesized that maternal undernutrition during the periconceptional (PCUN: -60 to 7 days) and/or preimplantation (PIUN: 0-7 days) periods would result in a decrease in UCP1 expression and the abundance of insulin signaling molecules and an increase in the abundance of factors that regulate adipogenesis and lipogenesis in fetal perirenal adipose tissue (PAT) and that these effects would be different in singletons and twins. Maternal PCUN and PIUN resulted in a decrease in UCP1 expression in PAT, and PIUN resulted in higher circulating insulin concentrations, an increased abundance of pPKCζ and PDK4, and a decreased abundance of Akt1, phosphorylated mTOR, and PPARγ in PAT in singleton and twin fetuses. In singletons, there was also a decrease in the abundance of p110β in PAT in the PCUN and PIUN groups and an increase in total AMPKα in PAT in the PIUN group. In twins, however, there was an increase in the abundance of mTOR in the PCUN group and an increase in PDK2 and decrease in total AMPKα in the PIUN group. Thus exposure to periconceptional undernutrition programs changes in the thermogenic capacity and the insulin and fatty acid oxidation signaling pathway in visceral fat, and these effects are different in singletons and twins. These findings are important, as the thermogenic capacity of brown fat and the insulin sensitivity of visceral fat are important determinants of the risk of developing obesity and an insulin resistance phenotype in later life.

Developing the Thai Siriraj Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Tool and validating the Thai Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool and the Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients questionnaire.

PubMed

Chiowchanwisawakit, Praveena; Wattanamongkolsil, Luksame; Srinonprasert, Varalak; Petcharat, Chonachan; Siriwanarangsun, Palanan; Katchamart, Wanruchada

2016-10-01

To validate the Thai language version of the Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST) and the Early Arthritis for Psoriatic Patients Questionnaire (EARP), as well as also to develop a new tool for screening psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among psoriasis (Ps) patients. This was a cross-sectional study. Ps patients visiting the psoriasis clinic at Siriraj Hospital were recruited. They completed the EARP and PEST. Full musculoskeletal history, examination, and radiography were evaluated. PsA was diagnosed by a rheumatologist's evaluation and fulfillment of the classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity, and specificity were used to evaluate the performances of the tools. The Siriraj Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Tool (SiPAT) contained questions most relevant to peripheral arthritis, axial inflammation, and enthesitis, selected from multivariate analysis. Of a total of 159 patients, the prevalence of PsA was 78.6 %. The ROC curve analyses of Thai EARP, PEST, and SiPAT were 0.90 (95 % CI 0.84, 0.96), 0.85 (0.78, 0.92), and 0.89 (0.83, 0.95), respectively. The sensitivities of SiPAT, Thai EARP, and PEST were 91.0, 83.0, and 72.0 %, respectively, while the specificities were 69.0, 79.3, and 89.7 %, respectively. All screening questionnaires showed good diagnostic performances. SiPAT could be considered as a screening tool with its desirable properties: higher sensitivity and taking less time. Thai PEST and EARP could possibly be sequentially administered for people with a positive test from SiPAT to reduce the number of false positives.