An experimental examination of low-energy cosmic ray heavy nuclei

Low energy cosmic ray heavy nuclei examination by sounding rocke

(11R)-13-Dimethyl­ammonio-11,13-dihydro-4,5-epoxy­costunolide semifumarate

Crystals of the title salt, C17H28NO3 +·C4H3O4 −, were obtained by reacting parthenolide with dimethyl­amine followed by conversion of the amine adduct into a water-soluble fumarate salt. Subsequent crystallization of the fumarate salt from water afforded colorless ortho­rhom­bic crystals. The amine addition is highly stereospecific yielding exclusively a single diastereomer with R-configuration at the newly formed C-11 chiral carbon. In the crystal, intermolecular O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds help to establish the packing

Biofilms in Endodontics—Current Status and Future Directions

published_or_final_versio

Analysis of τ-mesons

We describe in this paper measurements made on the decay products of 11 τ-mesons observed in large nuclear emulsion block detectors. Out of the 33 charged decay products; 27 have been arrested in the block, and were identified as π-mesons. The charge of the τ-meson was found to be positive in 6 cases. In one case the charge of the τ-meson is possibly negative and in 4 cases it could not be determined. Omitting one τ-meson in which a high energy γ-ray is emitted and which has been reported earlier the weighted mean Q-value of the remaining 10 τ-mesons is: Qτ = 76.3 ± 0.3MeV which gives the mass of the τ -meson as: mτ =968.7 ± 0.6me This value is slightly higher than the mean value 965.5 ± 0.7m e compiled by Amaldiet al. from measurements of various laboratories

Physical and biological characterization of ferromagnetic fiber networks: effect of fibrin deposition on short-term in vitro responses of human osteoblasts.

Ferromagnetic fiber networks have the potential to deform in vivo imparting therapeutic levels of strain on in-growing periprosthetic bone tissue. 444 Ferritic stainless steel provides a suitable material for this application due to its ability to support cultures of human osteoblasts (HObs) without eliciting undue inflammatory responses from monocytes in vitro. In the present article, a 444 fiber network, containing 17 vol% fibers, has been investigated. The network architecture was obtained by applying a skeletonization algorithm to three-dimensional tomographic reconstructions of the fiber networks. Elastic properties were measured using low-frequency vibration testing, providing globally averaged properties as opposed to mechanical methods that yield only local properties. The optimal region for transduction of strain to cells lies between the ferromagnetic fibers. However, cell attachment, at early time points, occurs primarily on fiber surfaces. Deposition of fibrin, a fibrous protein involved in acute inflammatory responses, can facilitate cell attachment within this optimal region at early time points. The current work compared physiological (3 and 5 g·L(-1)) and supraphysiological fibrinogen concentrations (10 g·L(-1)), using static in vitro seeding of HObs, to determine the effect of fibrin deposition on cell responses during the first week of cell culture. Early cell attachment within the interfiber spaces was observed in all fibrin-containing samples, supported by fibrin nanofibers. Fibrin deposition influenced the seeding, metabolic activity, and early stage differentiation of HObs cultured in the fibrin-containing fiber networks in a concentration-dependant manner. While initial cell attachment for networks with fibrin deposited from low physiological concentrations was similar to control samples without fibrin deposition, significantly higher HObs attached onto high physiological and supraphysiological concentrations. Despite higher cell numbers with supraphysiological concentrations, cell metabolic activities were similar for all fibrinogen concentrations. Further, cells cultured on supraphysiological concentrations exhibited lower cell differentiation as measured by alkaline phosphatase activity at early time points. Overall, the current study suggests that physiological fibrinogen concentrations would be more suitable than supraphysiological concentrations for supporting early cell activity in porous implant coatings.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Mary Ann Liebert at http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/ten.TEA.2014.0211?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed

Identification and validation of genes involved in gastric tumorigenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gastric cancer is one of the common cancers seen in south India. Unfortunately more than 90% are advanced by the time they report to a tertiary centre in the country. There is an urgent need to characterize these cancers and try to identify potential biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>We used 24 gastric cancers, 20 Paired normal (PN) and 5 apparently normal gastric tissues obtained from patients with non-gastric cancers (Apparently normal - AN) for the microarray study followed by validation of the significant genes (n = 63) by relative quantitation using Taqman Low Density Array Real Time PCR. We then used a custom made Quantibody protein array to validate the expression of 15 proteins in gastric tissues (4 AN, 9 PN and 9 gastric cancers). The same array format was used to study the plasma levels of these proteins in 58 patients with gastric cancers and 18 from patients with normal/non-malignant gastric conditions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventeen genes (ASPN, CCL15/MIP-1δ, MMP3, SPON2, PRSS2, CCL3, TMEPAI/PMEPAI, SIX3, MFNG, SOSTDC1, SGNE1, SST, IGHA1, AKR1B10, FCGBP, ATP4B, NCAPH2) were shown to be differentially expressed between the tumours and the paired normal, for the first time. EpCAM (p = 0.0001), IL8 (p = 0.0003), CCL4/MIP-1β (p = 0.0026), CCL20/MIP-3α (p = 0.039) and TIMP1 (p = 0.0017) tissue protein levels were significantly different (Mann Whitney U test) between tumours versus AN & PN. In addition, median plasma levels of IL8, CXCL9/MIG, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL20/MIP-3α, PDGFR-B and TIMP1 proteins were significantly different between the non-malignant group and the gastric cancer group. The post-surgical levels of EpCAM, IGFBP3, IL8, CXCL10/IP10, CXCL9/MIG, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL20/MIP-3α, SPP1/OPN and PDGFR-B showed a uniform drop in all the samples studied.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study has identified several genes differentially expressed in gastric cancers, some for the first time. Some of these have been confirmed at the protein level, as well. Some of these proteins will need to be evaluated further for their potential as diagnostic biomarkers in gastric cancers and some could be useful as follow-up markers in gastric cancer.</p

The presence of Enterococcus faecalis in saliva as a risk factor for endodontic infection

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate and correlate the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis in saliva and in root canals with different pulpal and periapical conditions. Methodology: Sixty-seven patients were divided into five groups based on pulpal&nbsp;and periapical tissue status: healthy vital teeth (HVT, n=7), healthy treated teeth without lesion (HTT, n=9), irreversible pulpitis (IP, n=13), necrosis (N, n=18), and post-treatment apical periodontitis (PTAP, n=20). Saliva, rubber dam, sterility&nbsp;control and pre-treatment root canal samples were collected and microbiologically processed by culture method. The phylogenetic relationship of E. faecalis isolates collected from root canals and saliva were investigated by whole genome sequencing. Fisher's exact test was used to correlate the presence of E. faecalis in root canals or saliva with clinical and/or radiographic findings. Linear/logistic regression analyses were performed to establish the relationship between the presence of E. faecalis in root canals, saliva, and the status of periapical tissues. Results: E. faecalis was found in 18 root canal and saliva samples. E. faecalis root canal isolates were recovered with the highest frequency from post-treatment apical periodontitis. The occurrence of E. faecalis in saliva was strongly associated with its detection in the root canals (P &lt; 0.001). The pretreatment presence of E. faecalis in root canals was associated with significantly higher odds of having periapical lesions (OR=11.03; 95% CI, 1.27-95.70; p &lt; 0.05). Saliva and root canal isolates from the same patient were highly correlated at the phylogenetic level (Jaccard index &gt;0.95). Conclusion: This pilot study confirms the role of E. faecalis in developing peri-radicular lesions in secondary endodontic infections and suggests that saliva could be the main source of infection. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact origin of this bacteria and its true role in the pathogenesis of secondary/persistent endodontic infections

Preoperative cerebrospinal fluid β-Amyloid/Tau ratio and postoperative delirium

Objective: The neuropathogenesis of postoperative delirium remains unknown. Low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and high CSF Tau levels are associated with Alzheimer's disease. We, therefore, assessed whether lower preoperative CSF Aβ/Tau ratio was associated with higher incidence and greater severity of postoperative delirium. Methods: One hundred and fifty-three participants (71 ± 5 years, 53% men) who had total hip/knee replacement under spinal anesthesia were enrolled. CSF was obtained during initiation of spinal anesthesia. The incidence and severity of postoperative delirium were determined by Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) on postoperative day 1 and 2. Aβ40, Aβ42, and Tau levels in the CSF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships among these variables were determined, adjusting for age and gender. Results: Participants in the lowest quartile of preoperative CSF Aβ40/Tau and Aβ42/Tau ratio had higher incidence (32% vs. 17%, P = 0.0482) and greater symptom severity of postoperative delirium (Aβ40/Tau ratio: 4 vs. 3, P = 0.034; Aβ42/Tau ratio: 4 vs. 3, P = 0.062, the median of the highest MDAS score) as compared to the combination of the rest of the quartiles. The preoperative CSF Aβ40/Tau or Aβ42/Tau ratio was inversely associated with MDAS score (Aβ40/Tau ratio: −0.12 ± 0.05, P = 0.014, adj. −0.12 ± 0.05, P = 0.018; Aβ42/Tau ratio: −0.65 ± 0.26, P = 0.013, adj. −0.62 ± 0.27, P = 0.022). Interpretation Lower CSF Aβ/Tau ratio could be associated with postoperative delirium, pending confirmation of our preliminary results in further studies. These findings suggest potential roles of Aβ and/or Tau in postoperative delirium neuropathogenesis

PEAK FACTOR IN THE DESIGN OF WATER DISTRIBUTION-AN ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT Water distribution system , being an important components of a water supply system, consumes nearly 75% of installation cost. Population, minimum residual pressure, peak factor and demand variation mostly decide the pipe size and cost. Peak factor value adopted for the design of distribution system differs country to country around the world. A critical review of peak factor used by different countries has been made. The cost of the net work increases with the peak factor. In India, the actual peak factor observed in the field fluctuates from 3 to 12 due to intermittent water suppl. Peak factor 5 to 6 is found to be suitable for ensuring the reliability of the distribution system

Crystal structure of ( E

The title compound, C33H35NO6 [systematic name: (Z)-3-(4-{(E)-[(E)-1a,5-dimethyl-9-oxo-2,3,7,7a-tetrahydrooxireno[2′,3′:9,10]cyclodeca[1,2-b]furan-8(1aH,6H,9H,10aH,10bH)-ylidene]methyl}phenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile methanol hemisolvate], C33H35NO6·0.5CH3OH, was prepared by the reaction of (Z)-3-(4-iodophenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile with parthenolide [systematic name: (E)-1a,5-dimethyl-8-methylene-2,3,6,7,7a,8,10a,10b-octahydrooxireno[2′,3′:9,10]cyclodeca[1,2-b]furan-9(1aH)-one] under Heck reaction conditions. The molecule is built up from fused ten-, five- (lactone) and three-membered (epoxide) rings with a {4-[(Z)-2-cyano-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl}methylidene group as a substituent. The 4-[(Z)-2-cyano-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl group on the parthenolide exocyclic double bond is oriented in a trans position to the lactone ring to form the E isomer. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring of the phenyl moiety and the lactone ring mean plane is 21.93 (4)°