Diagnosis of Ovarian Carcinoma Homologous Recombination DNA Repair Deficiency From Targeted Gene Capture Oncology Assays.

Purpose: Homologous recombination DNA repair deficiency (HRD) is a therapeutic biomarker for sensitivity to platinum and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor therapies in breast and ovarian cancers. Several molecular phenotypes and diagnostic strategies have been developed to assess HRD; however, their clinical implementation remains both technically challenging and methodologically unstandardized.

Methods: We developed and validated an efficient and cost-effective strategy for HRD determination on the basis of calculation of a genome-wide loss of heterozygosity (LOH) score through targeted, hybridization capture and next-generation DNA sequencing augmented with 3,000 common, polymorphic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites distributed genome-wide.

Analysis of the antifungal potential of extract against .

To investigate the antifungal potential of extracts against . Extracts were obtained as aqueous (EfraMat-22 and EfraMat-45) and methanolic/ethyl acetate fractions. Broth microdilution and disk diffusion assays showed that EfraMat-45 provided the best results in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration.

Multi-Layer and Conformally Integrated Structurally Embedded Vascular Antenna (SEVA) Arrays.

This work presents the design and fabrication of two multi-element structurally embedded vascular antennas (SEVAs). These are achieved through advances in additively manufactured sacrificial materials and demonstrate the ability to embed vascular microchannels in both planar and complex-curved epoxy-filled quartz fiber structural composite panels. Frequency-reconfigurable antennas are formed by these structures through the pressure-driven transport of liquid metal through the embedded microchannels.

Transitioning from Intraligand π,π* to Charge-Transfer Excited States Using Thiophene-Based Donor-Acceptor Systems.

A series of electron donor-acceptor compounds are reported in which both the donor and acceptor strengths are systematically altered using mono-, bi-, and terthiophene as donors and benzo[][1,2,5]thiadiazole (btd), dipyrido[3,2-:2',3'-]phenazine (dppz), and the corresponding rhenium(I) complex, [ReCl(CO)(dppz)], as acceptors. The electronic properties of the compounds are characterized using electrochemistry, electronic absorbance and emission spectroscopies, and transient absorption spectroscopy. The effect of donor and acceptor strengths on frontier molecular orbital localization and on the charge-transfer (CT) character of optical transitions is modeled using density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Origami-Inspired Frequency Selective Surface with Fixed Frequency Response under Folding.

Filtering of electromagnetic signals is key for improved signal to noise ratios for a broad class of devices. However, maintaining filter performance in systems undergoing large changes in shape can be challenging, due to the interdependency between element geometry, orientation and lattice spacing. To address this challenge, an origami-based, reconfigurable spatial X-band filter with consistent frequency filtering is presented.

Photophysical and biological investigation of phenol substituted rhenium tetrazolato complexes.

The synthesis, structural and photophysical characterisation of four tricarbonyl rhenium(i) complexes bound to 1,10-phenanthroline and a tetrazolato ancillary ligand are reported. The complexes are differentiated by the nature (hydroxy or methoxy) and position (meta or para) of the substituent attached to the phenyl ring in conjugation to the tetrazole ring. The complexes exhibit phosphorescence emission from triplet charge transfer excited states, with the maxima around 600 nm, excited state lifetime decays in the 200-300 ns range, and quantum yield values of 4-6% in degassed acetonitrile solutions.

A Sensor-Driven Analysis of Distributed Direction Finding Systems Based on UAV Swarms.

This paper reports on the research of factors that impact the accuracy and efficiency of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based radio frequency (RF) and microwave data collection system. The swarming UAVs (agents) can be utilized to create micro-UAV swarm-based (MUSB) aperiodic antenna arrays that reduce angle ambiguity and improve convergence in sub-space direction-of-arrival (DOA) techniques. A mathematical data model is addressed in this paper to demonstrate fundamental properties of MUSB antenna arrays and study the performance of the data collection system framework.

Photocatalytic carbanion generation - benzylation of aliphatic aldehydes to secondary alcohols.

We present a redox-neutral method for the photocatalytic generation of carbanions. Benzylic carboxylates are photooxidized by single electron transfer; immediate CO extrusion and reduction of the formed radical yields a carbanion capable of reacting with aliphatic aldehydes as electrophiles giving the Grignard analogous reaction product.

Ligand-Controlled Regioselective Hydrocarboxylation of Styrenes with CO by Combining Visible Light and Nickel Catalysis.

The ligand-controlled Markovnikov and anti-Markovnikov hydrocarboxylation of styrenes with atmospheric pressure of CO at room temperature using dual visible-light-nickel catalysis has been developed. In the presence of neocuproine as ligand, the Markovnikov product is obtained exclusively, while employing 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb) as the ligand favors the formation of the anti-Markovnikov product. A range of functional groups and electron-poor, -neutral, as well as electron-rich styrene derivatives are tolerated by the reaction, providing the desired products in moderate to good yields.

Probing Pharmaceutical Mixtures during Milling: The Potency of Low-Frequency Raman Spectroscopy in Identifying Disorder.

This study uses a multimodal analytical approach to evaluate the rates of (co)amorphization of milled drug and excipient and the effectiveness of different analytical methods in detecting these changes. Indomethacin and tryptophan were the model substances, and the analytical methods included low-frequency Raman spectroscopy (785 nm excitation and capable of measuring both low- (10 to 250 cm) and midfrequency (450 to 1800 cm) regimes, and a 830 nm system (5 to 250 cm)), conventional (200-3000 cm) Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The kinetics of amorphization were found to be faster for the mixture, and indeed, for indomethacin, only partial amorphization occurred (after 360 min of milling).

Effect of chlorine treatment on inhibition of E. coli serogroup O2 incorporation into 7-day-old biofilm on polyvinylchloride surface.

Poultry waterlines are constructed using polyvinylchloride (PVC) material on which bacterial biofilm can easily form. Biofilm can harbor pathogens including avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) strains.

Effects of chlorine and hydrogen peroxide sanitation in low bacterial content water on biofilm formation model of poultry brooding house waterlines.

An in vitro experiment was performed to determine if biofilm would develop when polyvinylchloride (PVC) test coupons (material used for poultry waterlines) were exposed to low bacterial content warm water (≤1000 cfu/mL, test water) and also to determine if biofilm development would be influenced by adding a sanitizer. PVC sections 2.54 cm long and internal diameter of 1.

Excited States of Triphenylamine-Substituted 2-Pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole Complexes.

A new 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole (pytri) ligand, TPA-pytri, substituted with a triphenylamine (TPA) donor group on the 5 position of the pyridyl unit was synthesized and characterized. Dichloroplatinum(II), bis(phenylacetylide)platinum(II), bromotricarbonylrhenium(I), and bis(bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) complexes of this ligand were synthesized and compared to complexes of pytri ligands without the TPA substituent. The complexes of unsubstituted pytri ligands show metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands involving the pytri ligand in the near-UV region.

Biofilm growth on polyvinylchloride surface incubated in suboptimal microbial warm water and effect of sanitizers on biofilm removal post biofilm formation.

An in vitro experiment was conducted to understand the nature of biofilm growth on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surface when exposed to suboptimal-quality microbial water (>4 log cfu/mL) obtained from a poultry drinking water source mimicking water in waterlines during the first week of poultry brooding condition. PVC sections (internal surface area of 15.16 cm) were utilized in the study to grow biofilm.

Evolution of Nonmirror Image Fluorescence Spectra in Conjugated Polymers and Oligomers.

The nonmirror image relationship between absorption and fluorescence spectra of conjugated polymers contrasts with most organic chromophores and is widely considered a signature of interchromopohore energy funneling. We apply broad-band ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy to resolve the evolution of fluorescence spectra for dilute solutions of conjugated oligothiophenes, where no energy transfer is possible. Fluorescence spectra evolve from a mirror image of absorption, which lacks vibronic structure, toward a spectrally narrower and vibronically structured species on the hundreds of femtosecond to early picosecond time scale.

Nutritional Supplement of Hatchery Eggshell Membrane Improves Poultry Performance and Provides Resistance against Endotoxin Stress.

Eggshells are significant part of hatchery waste which consist of calcium carbonate crust, membranes, and proteins and peptides of embryonic origins along with other entrapped contaminants including microbes. We hypothesized that using this product as a nutritional additive in poultry diet may confer better immunity to the chickens in the paradigm of mammalian milk that enhances immunity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of hatchery eggshell membranes (HESM) as a short term feed supplement on growth performance and immunity of chickens under bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged condition.

Evaluation of changes in serum chemistry in association with feed withdrawal or high dose oral gavage with dextran sodium sulfate- (DSS-) induced gut leakage in broiler chickens.

Dextran sodium sulfate ( DSS: ) has been shown to be effective at inducing enteric inflammation in broiler chickens, resulting in increased leakage of orally administered fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran to circulation. In a previous study, 2 doses of DSS (0.45 g/dose) administered as oral gavage resulted in increased mucosal permeability.

Chronic Mild Cold Conditioning Modulates the Expression of Hypothalamic Neuropeptide and Intermediary Metabolic-Related Genes and Improves Growth Performances in Young Chicks.

Background: Low environmental temperatures are among the most challenging stressors in poultry industries. Although landmark studies using acute severe cold exposure have been conducted, still the molecular mechanisms underlying cold-stress responses in birds are not completely defined. In the present study we determine the effect of chronic mild cold conditioning (CMCC) on growth performances and on the expression of key metabolic-related genes in three metabolically important tissues: brain (main site for feed intake control), liver (main site for lipogenesis) and muscle (main site for thermogenesis).

Poultry Femoral Head Separation and Necrosis: A Review.

Femoral head separation (FHS) is a degenerative skeletal problem in fast-growing poultry wherein the growth plate of the proximal femur separates from its articular cartilage. At its early phase, FHS may remain asymptomatic but lead to epiphyseal breakage, infection, and femoral head necrosis (FHN). Healthy femoral head is viewed as a positive trait for genetic selection.

Ascorbic Acid Differentially Affects Stress Response and Resistance to Colibacillosis in Turkeys from Genetic Lines Differing in Growth Rate.

Genetic selection for fast growth can affect the ability of male turkeys to cope with stressors, resulting in decreased immunity to opportunistic bacterial infection. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on the stress response and resistance to Escherichia coli challenge of birds selected for increased 16-wk body weight (BW; F-line) with their random-bred parent line (RBC2). Male turkeys were raised in duplicate floor pens in a two line×two AA treatment×two stress challenge (SC) design.

Effect of dexamethasone on bacteriostatic activity of turkey monocytes and implications for food safety.

Stress has been shown to affect the immune system of turkeys making them more susceptible to bacterial infections. Five-week-old male and female turkeys were treated with 3 intra-muscular injections of dexamethasone (Dex) at 0, 0.5 and 2.

Changes in hematology, serum biochemistry, and gastrointestinal nematode infection in lambs fed sericea lespedeza with or without dietary sodium molybdate.

Sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata) is a legume rich in condensed tannins that can be grazed or fed to small ruminants for parasite control. Condensed tannins, a secondary plant compound in SL, may lead to unintended consequences such as changes in production. In our preliminary research, there was consistently a reduction in serum and liver concentrations of Mo.

Nutritional effects of egg shell membrane supplements on chicken performance and immunity.

Eggshell membranes (ESM) contain a variety of proteins and peptides which help in the development of embryo and provide protection to it. Many of the peptides and proteins associated with ESM have antimicrobial, immune-modulatory, and adjuvant properties. We hypothesized that the membrane byproducts from egg, provided as posthatch nutritional supplements to chickens, may improve their performance and immunity.