Drone Controller Localization Based on RSSI Ratio.

We proposed two methods for the localization of drone controllers based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI) ratios: the RSSI ratio fingerprint method and the model-based RSSI ratio algorithm. To evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithms, we conducted both simulations and field trials. The simulation results show that our two proposed RSSI-ratio-based localization methods outperformed the distance mapping algorithm proposed in literature when tested in a WLAN channel.

Characterisation of MRI Indeterminate Breast Lesions Using Dedicated Breast PET and Prone FDG PET-CT in Patients with Breast Cancer-A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with breast cancer to assess extent of disease or multifocal disease can demonstrate indeterminate lesions requiring second-look ultrasound and ultrasound or MRI-guided biopsies. Prone positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is a dedicated acquisition performed with a breast-supporting device on a standard PET-CT scanner. The MAMmography with Molecular Imaging (MAMMI, Oncovision, Valencia, Spain) PET system (PET-MAMMI) is a true tomographic ring scanner for the breast.

Evolving role of adiponectin in cancer-controversies and update.

Adiponectin (APN), an adipokine produced by adipocytes, has been shown to have a critical role in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated malignancies. Through its receptor interactions, APN may exert its anti-carcinogenic effects including regulating cell survival, apoptosis and metastasis via a plethora of signalling pathways. Despite the strong evidence supporting this notion, some work may indicate otherwise.

Adiponectin and its receptor signaling: an anti-cancer therapeutic target and its implications for anti-tumor immunity.

Introduction: Adiponectin (APN), produced by adipocytes, has direct anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Circulating APN levels are lower in obesity, a disease state that is often associated with several malignancies.

Area Covered: Increasingly, clinical data suggests that serum APN may have an important protective role in carcinogenesis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and the therapeutic targeting of angiogenesis in cancer: where do we go from here?

Abstract Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptors (VEGFRs), the interactions with their ligands and the subsequent signalling pathways are known to play a vital role in tumour angiogenesis. Initial clinical trials of VEGFR inhibitors were disappointing but over the past decade some therapies have been successfully brought to market. At present, VEGFR inhibitors appear to be most promising as adjuvants to conventional chemotherapy.

Blocking the interaction of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors with their ligands and their effector signaling as a novel therapeutic target for cancer: time for a new look?

Introduction: The interaction between the VEGFRs and their ligands plays an important role in tumor angiogenesis. Despite a series of problems encountered during early work on blocking growth factors, current evidence injects further vigor into researching the modulation of VEGFR activity. Emerging preclinical and clinical studies suggest that attenuating receptor activity can synergistically promote antitumor action if utilized concurrently with conventional therapies.

A land untouched by dentistry - singapore brings dental care to afghanistan.

In 2007, the Singapore Armed Forces deployed a Dental Project Team (DPT) to the capital city of the Bamiyan Province in Afghanistan. The team set up the province's first modern dental facility. Besides providing primary dental care to the 60,000 population there, the Singaporeans also trained and prepared a team of Afghan dentist and dental assistants.

Induction of pathogenic cytotoxic T lymphocyte tolerance by dendritic cells: a novel therapeutic target.

Importance Of The Field: Dendritic cells (DCs) have an important role, both direct and indirect, in controlling the expansion and function of T cells. Of the different subsets of T cells, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs/CD8(+) T cells) have been implicated in the pathogenesis and development of many diseases, including various forms of autoimmunity and transplant rejection. It may therefore be of therapeutic benefit to control the function of CTL in order to modulate disease processes and to ameliorate disease symptoms.

Targeting gene delivery to activated vascular endothelium using anti E/P-Selectin antibody linked to PAMAM dendrimers.

Introduction: The adhesion molecules P- and E-selectin are expressed on activated endothelial cells, and are good targets for gene therapy aimed at inflammatory disease. We have therefore investigated the potential of targeting PAMAM dendrimers, a non viral vector system, to cells expressing P/E-selectin using a monoclonal antibody that recognises these molecules.

Materials And Methods: We used biotin and avidin to cross-link anti E/P-Selectin monoclonal antibody to pre-formed Superfect-DNA complexes that were then used to transfect reporter genes to CHO cells expressing E-Selectin, cytokine-activated primary Human Saphenous Vein Endothelial Cells (HSVEC) and whole vein segments.

Manipulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) for clinical transplantation: promises and challenges.

Background: Since the discovery that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a modulator for maintenance of fetomaternal immuno-privilege state, it has been implicated in tumour tolerance, autoimmune diseases and asthma. IDO is an IFN-gamma-inducible, intracellular enzyme that catalyzes the initial and rate-limiting step in the degradation of tryptophan. It has been suggested that IDO can regulate the immune system either through deprivation of tryptophan that is essential for T cell proliferation or via cytotoxic effects of kynurenine pathway metabolites on T cell survival.

Interaction of current cancer treatments and the immune system: implications for breast cancer therapeutics.

Early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer may account for the current improvement in the mortality of breast cancer. However, achieving a complete 'cure' is the holy grail of cancer medicine and, in many cases, cancer patients still succumb to their ultimate fate. There is therefore a need to devise innovative therapies to overcome this problem.

Remembering the Musi - SilkAir Flight MI 185 crash victim identification.

On 19 December 1997, SilkAir Flight MI 185, a Boeing B737-300 airliner crashed into the Musi River near Palembang, Southern Sumatra, enroute from Jakarta, Indonesia to Singapore. All 104 passengers and crew onboard were killed. Of the human remains recovered, 6 positive identifications were made, including that of one Singaporean.

Changing viral tropism using immunoliposomes alters the stability of gene expression: implications for viral vector design.

Many strategies for redirecting the tropism of murine Moloney leukemia virus (MMLV) have been described. Preformed virion-liposome complexes, termed virosomes, have been reported to be relatively stable. Virosomes mediate envelope-independent transduction that allows efficient superinfection of resistant cell lines; however, virosome-mediated transduction behaves in a non-target-specific manner.

Gene delivery to vascular endothelium using chemical vectors: implications for cardiovascular gene therapy.

The vascular endothelium is an attractive target for gene therapy because of its accessibility and its importance in the pathophysiology of a wide range of cardiovascular conditions. In general, viral methods have been shown to be very effective at delivering genes to endothelium. The immunogenicity and pathogenicity associated with viral vectors have led increased efforts to seek alternative means of 'ferrying' therapeutic genes to endothelium or to decrease the short-comings of viral vectors.

Gene therapy for clinical transplantation: where do we stand in 2006?

Gene therapy holds a great promise to prevent allograft rejection or to induce transplant tolerance. Many achievements in vector development have allowed the progression of this therapy to become more attainable in clinical transplantation. In this articles, the authors examine the exciting development in various vector technologies that allows this form of therapy to take the central stage of clinical transplantation.

Knockdown of mouse VCAM-1 by vector-based siRNA.

Graft rejection is critically dependent on the recruitment of leukocytes via adhesion molecules on the endothelium, and inhibition of these interactions can prolong graft survival. We have therefore developed an approach using siRNA to inhibit the expression of VCAM-1 in endothelial cells. We transfected siRNA constructs into murine corneal and vascular endothelium and looked at expression of VCAM-1 and other surface molecules by flow cytometry.

Gene delivery by dendrimers operates via different pathways in different cells, but is enhanced by the presence of caveolin.

In order to optimise and improve the efficacy of transfection mediated by dendrimers, it is essential to fully understand the mechanisms of cell entry and intracellular trafficking by these complexes. Previously, we have shown that gene delivery by dendrimers is dependent from cholesterol and membrane rafts. The inhibition of transfection by treatment with filipin III suggested that gene delivery might be occurring by a caveolin-dependent pathway.

Gene therapy for transplantation with viral vectors--how much of the promise has been realised?

Gene therapy holds promise in preventing the development of many diseases. One of the possible applications is the management of organ transplantation. Over the years, advances in vector development have allowed the clinical progression of this form of therapy to become more attainable.

Function of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in corneal allograft rejection and prolongation of allograft survival by over-expression.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) suppresses T cell responses by its action in catabolising tryptophan. It is important in maintenance of immune privilege in the placenta. We investigated the activity of IDO in the cornea, following corneal transplantation and the effect of IDO over-expression in donor corneal endothelium on the survival of corneal allografts.

Effect of vectors on human endothelial cell signal transduction: implications for cardiovascular gene therapy.

Objective: Endothelium is an important target for gene therapy. We have investigated the effect of viral and nonviral vectors on the phenotype and function of endothelial cells (ECs) and developed methods to block any activation caused by these vectors.

Methods And Results: Transduction of ECs with viral vectors, including adenovirus, lentiviruses, and Moloney murine leukemia virus, can induce a pro-inflammatory phenotype.

Delivery of oligodeoxynucleotides into human saphenous veins and the adjunct effect of ultrasound and microbubbles.

Therapy with naked oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs, molecular weight: 3000 to 7500) provides an elegant means of modulating gene expression without the problems associated with conventional gene therapy, but the relatively low transfer efficiency on intravascular administration is a limitation to clinical application. Ultrasound, which can be potentiated by microbubbles, shows promise as a method of delivering macromolecules such as plasmid DNA and other transgenes into cells. Since uptake of molecules into cells depends on their molecular weight, it might be expected that the delivery of ODNs, which are relatively small, will be facilitated by ultrasound and microbubbles.

Creation of tolerogenic human dendritic cells via intracellular CTLA4: a novel strategy with potential in clinical immunosuppression.

Activation of T lymphocytes requires the recognition of peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) and costimulatory signals provided by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). It has been shown that T-cell activation without costimulation can lead to anergy. In this study, we developed a novel strategy to inhibit expression of B7 molecules (CD80/86) by transfecting APCs with a gene construct encoding a modified cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) molecule (CTLA4-KDEL) that is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

Tolerant T cells display impaired trafficking ability.

Based on our previous observation that anergic T lymphocytes lose their migratory ability in vitro, we have proposed that anergic T cells are retained in the site where they have been generated to exert their regulatory function. In this study we have analyzed T lymphocyte trafficking and motility following the induction of tolerance in vivo. In a model of non-deletional negative vaccination to xenoantigens in which dendritic cells (DC) localize to specific lymphoid sites depending on the route of administration, tolerant T cells remained localized in the lymph nodes colonized by tolerogenic DC, while primed T cells could traffic efficiently.