Copper concentrate dual-band joint classification using reflectance hyperspectral images in the VIS-NIR and SWIR bands.

A study on the classification of copper concentrates relevant to the copper refining industry is performed by means of reflectance hyperspectral images in the visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) bands (400-1000 nm) and in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) (900-1700 nm) band. A total of 82 copper concentrate samples were press compacted into 13-mm-diameter pellets, and their mineralogical composition was characterized via quantitative evaluation of minerals and scanning electron microscopy. The most representative minerals contained in these pellets are bornite, chalcopyrite, covelline, enargite, and pyrite.

Archaeological Mortar Characterization Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) Imaging Microscopy.

Lime mortar is a complex mixture resulting from hardening of lime, water, and aggregates. Lime mortar was used from the time of the Roman Empire until the Industrial Revolution. The recipes used differ according to the period, geographical area of preparation, craftsman, or function.

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy for monitoring the molten phase desulfurization process of blister copper.

The development of real-time monitoring sensors for pyro-metallurgical processes is an analytical challenge, mainly due to adverse environmental conditions, high spectral interferences and multiphase (molten and gas) reactions. This work demonstrates the suitability of stand-off LIBS (ST-LIBS) for real time monitoring of the desulfurization of blister copper which is carried out in molten phase. Here sulfur is removed by the formation of SO by supplying oxygen in molten phase.

Combining prior knowledge with input selection algorithms for quantitative analysis using neural networks in laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an emerging technique for the analysis of rocks and mineral samples. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been used to estimate the concentration of minerals in samples from LIBS spectra. These spectra are very high dimensional data, and it is known that only specific wavelengths have information on the atomic and molecular features of the sample under investigation.

Tubulosine selectively inhibits JAK3 signalling by binding to the ATP-binding site of the kinase of JAK3.

Gain- or loss-of-function mutations in Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) contribute to the pathogenesis of various haematopoietic malignancies and immune disorders, suggesting that aberrant JAK3 signalling is an attractive therapeutic target to treat these disorders. In this study, we performed structure-based computational database screening using the 3D structure of the JAK3 kinase domain and the National Cancer Institute diversity set and identified tubulosine as a novel JAK3 inhibitor. Tubulosine directly blocked the catalytic activity of JAK3 by selective interacting with the JAK3 kinase domain.

High-sensitivity sequencing reveals multi-organ somatic mosaicism causing DICER1 syndrome.

Background: Somatic mosaicism is being increasingly recognised as an important cause of non-Mendelian presentations of hereditary syndromes. A previous whole-exome sequencing study using DNA derived from peripheral blood identified mosaic mutations in DICER1 in two children with overgrowth and developmental delay as well as more typical phenotypes of germline DICER1 mutation. However, very-low-frequency mosaicism is difficult to detect, and thus, causal mutations can go unnoticed.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Acute Appendicitis in Children With Cancer.

Introduction: Abdominal pain during cancer chemotherapy may be caused by medical or surgical conditions. A retrospective review of 5 children with cancer who had appendicitis while receiving chemotherapy was performed.

Case Descriptions: Three had acute lymphoblastic leukemia,and 1 each had T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Identification of mutant alleles of JAK3 in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have an 80% chance of long-term survival. Despite the high rate of cure, children relapse, and recurrent ALL is difficult to cure with chemotherapeutic regimens. Therefore, improved biological understanding of ALL and the development of rationally designed therapeutics targeting molecules associated with the pathogenesis of ALL are essential.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia with mandibulofacial dystostosis is heterogeneous, including the novel DBA genes TSR2 and RPS28.

Patients with physical findings suggestive of Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) or mandibulofacial dysostosis (MFD) and macrocytic anemia diagnostic of Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) have been reported. Disease-causing genes have been identified for TCS and other MFDs. Mutations in several ribosomal protein genes and the transcription factor GATA1 result in DBA.

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in children: a single institution experience.

Objective: To describe the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in children based on a single institution experience.

Methods: This study is a retrospective review of all 12 children with TTP seen at New York Medical College- Westchester Medical Center during a period of 15 y from 1993 to 2008.

Results: There were 7 females and 5 males with acquired TTP, with a median age of 13 (range, 6-17); and no cases of congenital TTP.

Iron deficiency in infants and toddlers in the United States.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to be overwhelmingly the leading cause of anemia in early childhood and a global public health challenge. Although there has been a significant decrease in the frequency of IDA and iron deficiency (ID) in infants and toddlers in recent years in the United States, ID and IDA persist and the adverse effects of ID are long-lasting if not permanent. Moreover, ID can result in lead toxicity, and this toxic exposure, even with low levels, can impair neurocognitive function as well.

Urinary tract infections in pediatric oncology patients with fever and neutropenia.

The relevancy of the urinary tract as a source of infection during febrile neutropenia is not known. The authors sought to determine the frequency of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia. Urine was collected from a mid-stream void before the administration of antibiotics.

Prospective evaluation of 2009 H1N1 influenza A in patients admitted with fever to an oncology unit.

We prospectively evaluated all oncology inpatients for 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. All patients recovered completely. Evaluating all oncology patients with fever for influenza involved overtreatment of influenza-negative patients and involved a significant infection control burden.

Inhibition of the signalling kinase JAK3 alleviates inflammation in monoarthritic rats.

Background And Purpose: Many cytokines associated with autoimmune disorders and inflammation have been shown to activate the signalling kinase JAK3, implying that JAK3 plays key roles in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Therefore, investigating the alterations of JAK3 activity and the efficacy of selective JAK3 antagonists in animal models of such disorders is essential to a better understanding of the biology of JAK3 and to assess the potential clinical benefits of JAK3 inhibitors.

Experimental Approach: Through high-throughput cell-based screening using the NCI compound library, we identified NSC163088 (berberine chloride) as a novel inhibitor of JAK3.

Immunosuppressant-induced endothelial damage and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Cyclosporine A, used to prevent graft-versus-host-disease, is known to induce endothelial injury. Endothelial dysfunction is an important feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). In this article, we describe 2 children who developed cyclosporine-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Rituximab therapy to prevent relapse in chronic relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a child.

Our patient first developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) at age 10 years with an initial platelet count of 10,000/microL. She achieved remission with plasmapheresis (PE), but suffered 2 relapses in the next 2 years, each approximately 1 year from PE, with ADAMTS13 levels of <5%. Early in her third remission, with vincristine (weekly x 4 doses) and prednisone (for 2 weeks) her ADAMTS13 increased to 99% in 24 weeks, but decreased to <4% in the next 38 weeks.

NSC114792, a novel small molecule identified through structure-based computational database screening, selectively inhibits JAK3.

Background: Human or animals lacking either JAK3 or the common gamma chain (gammac) expression display severe combined immunodeficiency disease, indicating the crucial role of JAK3 in T-cell development and the homeostasis of the immune system. JAK3 has also been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of tumorigenesis. Recent studies identified activating JAK3 mutations in patients with various hematopoietic malignancies, including acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.

MS-1020 is a novel small molecule that selectively inhibits JAK3 activity.

In order to identify Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling inhibitors, a cell-based high throughput screening was performed using a plant extract library that identified Nb-(alpha-hydroxynaphthoyl)serotonin called MS-1020 as a novel JAK3 inhibitor. MS-1020 potently inhibited persistently-active STAT3 in a cell type-specific manner. Further examination showed that MS-1020 selectively blocked constitutively-active JAK3 and consistently suppressed interleukin-2-induced JAK3/STAT5 signalling but not prolactin-induced JAK2/STAT5 signalling.

DNA damage response as a biomarker in treatment of leukemias.

Early assessment of cancer response to the treatment is of great importance in clinical oncology. Most antitumor drugs, among them DNA topoisomerase (topo) inhibitors, target nuclear DNA. The aim of the present study was to explore feasibility of the assessment of DNA damage response (DDR) as potential biomarker, eventually related to the clinical response, during treatment of human leukemias.

Early recognition of renal toxicity of high-dose methotrexate therapy: a case report.

A 10-year-old boy with osteosarcoma and normal renal function manifested laboratory evidence of impending renal toxicity and extreme elevation of aspartate aminotrasferase and alanine aminotransferase within 2 hours after the completion of a 4-hour infusion of high-dose methotrexate (MTX) (12 g/m2), and went on to develop acute renal failure with life-threatening hyperkalemia 29 hours later. Although his renal function recovered completely with high-dose leucovorin, hemodialysis, charcoal hemoperfusion, and carboxypeptidase G2, we present this case to emphasize that signs of renal toxicity may be present as early as 2 hours after the completion of a 4-hour MTX infusion, and to suggest that monitoring for MTX toxicity should perhaps begin within a few hours after the completion of 4-hour MTX infusion.