Microfluidic chemostat and turbidostat with flow rate, oxygen, and temperature control for dynamic continuous culture.

This work reports on an instrument capable of supporting automated microscale continuous culture experiments. The instrument consists of a plastic-PDMS device capable of continuous flow without volume drift or evaporation. We apply direct computer controlled machining and chemical bonding fabrication for production of fluidic devices with a 1 mL working volume, high oxygen transfer rate (k(L)a≈0.

Cholesterol crystal embolization (CCE): Improvement of renal function with high-dose corticosteroid treatment.

Cholesterol crystal embolization (CCE) is an important and often under-diagnosed cause of renal insufficiency in patients with atherosclerosis. So far, only statins are the mainstay of therapy and the role of corticosteroids is controversial. We describe a 57-year-old gentleman who presented with accelerated hypertension and renal failure three months after coronary angiogram.

Polymorphisms of renin--angiotensin system genes as a risk factor for high-altitude pulmonary oedema.

The genes of the renin--angiotensin system (RAS) play an important role in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone. Although studies on individual genes polymorphisms have reported association with high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), studies on multiple genes or epistasis are lacking. We therefore investigated the association of the RAS polymorphisms with HAPE.

Nanophotonic integration in state-of-the-art CMOS foundries.

We demonstrate a monolithic photonic integration platform that leverages the existing state-of-the-art CMOS foundry infrastructure. In our approach, proven XeF2 post-processing technology and compliance with electronic foundry process flows eliminate the need for specialized substrates or wafer bonding. This approach enables intimate integration of large numbers of nanophotonic devices alongside high-density, high-performance transistors at low initial and incremental cost.

Mammalian enabled (Mena) is a critical regulator of cardiac function.

Mammalian enabled (Mena) of the Drosophila enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein gene family is a cytoskeletal protein implicated in actin regulation and cell motility. Cardiac Mena expression is enriched in intercalated discs (ICD), the critical intercellular communication nexus between adjacent muscle cells. We previously identified Mena gene expression to be a key predictor of human and murine heart failure (HF).

TBK1 directly engages Akt/PKB survival signaling to support oncogenic transformation.

The innate immune-signaling kinase, TBK1, couples pathogen surveillance to induction of host defense mechanisms. Pathological activation of TBK1 in cancer can overcome programmed cell death cues, enabling cells to survive oncogenic stress. The mechanistic basis of TBK1 prosurvival signaling, however, has been enigmatic.

Molecular variability analyses of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus capsid protein.

The complete sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene of 26 isolates of Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV) from India were determined. The isolates were obtained from various pome (apple, pear and quince) and stone (plum, peach, apricot, almond and wild Himalayan cherry) fruit trees. Other previously characterized ACLSV isolates and Trichoviruses were used for comparative analysis.

RalB and the exocyst mediate the cellular starvation response by direct activation of autophagosome assembly.

The study of macroautophagy in mammalian cells has described induction, vesicle nucleation, and membrane elongation complexes as key signaling intermediates driving autophagosome biogenesis. How these components are recruited to nascent autophagosomes is poorly understood, and although much is known about signaling mechanisms that restrain autophagy, the nature of positive inductive signals that can promote autophagy remain cryptic. We find that the Ras-like small G protein, RalB, is localized to nascent autophagosomes and is activated on nutrient deprivation.

A Markov-blanket-based model for gene regulatory network inference.

An efficient two-step Markov blanket method for modeling and inferring complex regulatory networks from large-scale microarray data sets is presented. The inferred gene regulatory network (GRN) is based on the time series gene expression data capturing the underlying gene interactions. For constructing a highly accurate GRN, the proposed method performs: 1) discovery of a gene's Markov Blanket (MB), 2) formulation of a flexible measure to determine the network's quality, 3) efficient searching with the aid of a guided genetic algorithm, and 4) pruning to obtain a minimal set of correct interactions.

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus: analysis of risk factors, effects on biochemical parameters and graft function 5 years after renal transplantation.

Objective: To know the risk factors for posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and its effects on biochemical parameters and graft function at the end of 5 years.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the 218 records of postrenal transplant patients who had a minimum follow-up for 5 years. Patients were divided into those with diabetes mellitus (DM; n = 21), PTDM (n = 58) and non-DM-non-PTDM (n = 139).

Management of aplastic anemia: the role of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Aplastic anemia is a rare bone marrow failure disorder. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) are the main therapeutic modalities currently used to treat patients with aplastic anemia. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are regarded as the highest level of evidence and as such aid practitioners in solving clinical questions.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for adult patients with acute leukemia: the role of meta-analyses.

In spite of decades of research in the field of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for the treatment of acute leukemia, controversies regarding the role of transplant still exist. These stem not only from contradictory results of different studies, but also from differences in the design and the strength of evidence of the various trials. Meta-analysis is considered the highest level of evidence and as such has the power to resolve clinical issues comparing between different treatment modalities.

Dietary ω3 fatty acids modulate the substrate for post-operative atrial fibrillation in a canine cardiac surgery model.

Aims: Pre-treatment with dietary ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3-PUFA) has been reported to reduce the incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) following cardiac surgery. In a canine cardiac surgery model, we evaluated the impact of dietary ω3-PUFA on atrial electrophysiological properties, inflammatory markers, the atrial endothelin-1 (ET-1) system, and the expression and distribution of connexin 43.

Methods And Results: Adult mongrel dogs received either normal chow (NC, n = 11) or chow supplemented with fish oil (FO, 0.

Flexible PDMS -based dry electrodes for electro-optic acquisition of ECG signals in wearable devices.

We present a new type of flexible dry copper electrodes based on Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coatings, requiring no electrical contact with the body. Tests were performed in order to evaluate the performance of these types of electrodes using electro-optic techniques, suitable for wearable devices. Conductive and insulated PDMS layers were fabricated through a spin coating process, reaching a thickness of 100µ.

Fanconi syndrome following honeybee stings.

A 32-year-old gentleman was attacked by honey bees about 8 months and immediately afterwards his eyelids, cheeks and pinnae became swollen, red, and tender. However, the patient did not develop any renal or serum sickness symptoms and his physical examination and laboratory investigations were normal. He recovered completely.

Complete nucleotide sequence of cherry virus A (CVA) infecting sweet cherry in India.

Cherry virus A (CVA) is a graft-transmissible member of the genus Capillovirus that infects different stone fruits. Sweet cherry (Prunus avium L; family Rosaceae) is an important deciduous temperate fruit crop in the Western Himalayan region of India. In order to determine the health status of cherry plantations and the incidence of the virus in India, cherry orchards in the states of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Himachal Pradesh (H.

Synthesis of chlorinated bicyclic C-fused tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]azetidin-2-ones.

Some bicyclic C-fused chlorinated tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]azetidin-2-ones were prepared by a fairly general route involving Staudinger reaction of allylic/propargylic imidates with dichloroketene followed by highly diastereoselective CuCl/PMDETA-catalyzed 5-exo-trig/dig chlorine atom transfer radical cyclization. An oxepan-fused β-lactam was also prepared similarly by 7-endo-trig cyclization. Synthetic application of the side chain chlorine atom of the products was demonstrated by its substitution in one of the products with azide followed by azide-alkyne click reaction with phenylacetylene to obtain a 1,2,3-triazolyltetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]azetidin-2-one.

Oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients receiving intravenous iron therapy and the role of N-acetylcysteine in preventing oxidative stress.

To determine the contribution of injectable iron administered to hemodialysis (HD) patients in causing oxidative stress and the beneficial effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in reducing it, we studied in a prospective, double blinded, randomized controlled, cross over trial 14 adult HD patients who were randomized into two groups; one group received NAC in a dose of 600 mgs twice daily for 10 days prior to intravenous iron therapy and the other group received placebo. Both the groups were subjected to intravenous iron therapy, 100 mg of iron sucrose in 100 mL of normal saline given over a period of one hour. Blood samples for the markers of oxidative stress were taken before and after iron therapy.

Choriocarcinoma after a nonterm pregnancy.

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with choriocarcinoma following a nonterm pregnancy and compare them to the results from the same unit of patients with choriocarcinoma following a term delivery.

Study Design: A retrospective case review of all patients with choriocarcinoma after a nonterm pregnancy referred to the Trophoblastic Screening and Treatment Centre, Sheffield, between 1976 and 2008.

Results: Sixty-four patients were referred after a nonterm pregnancy.

Ameloblastoma relapse after 16 years of resection in symphysis of mandible sparing the bone graft.

Ameloblastoma is a tumor derived from epithelium involved in odontogenesis. Although it is considered a benign tumor, its clinical behavior may be regarded as lying between benign and malignant. It is characterized by slow but persistent growth, local infiltration into adjacent tissues and recurrences; however, metastases are rare.

Nanoceria-PAN composite-based advanced sorbent material: a major step forward in the field of clinical-grade 68Ge/68Ga generator.

The (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator has high potential for clinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. However, because of the unavailability of a suitable sorbent material, the commercially available (68)Ge/(68)Ga generators are not directly adaptable for the preparation of (68)Ga-labeled radiopharmaceuticals. In view of this, a new nanoceria-polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite sorbent has been synthesized by decomposition of a cerium oxalate precursor to cerium oxide and its subsequent incorporation in PAN matrix for the development of a clinical grade (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator.

Management of adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The optimal postremission therapy in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is still a matter of debate. The objective of this study was to compare the various potential therapeutic options for patients who achieved first complete remission.

Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials, including patients with standard-risk (SR) All and high-risk (HR) ALL who received first postremission therapy.

Derivation, propagation and controlled differentiation of human embryonic stem cells in suspension.

Undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are currently propagated on a relatively small scale as monolayer colonies. Culture of hESCs as floating aggregates is widely used for induction of differentiation into embryoid bodies. Here we show that hESC lines can be derived from floating inner cell masses in suspension culture conditions that do not involve feeder cells or microcarriers.