Development of an open-source, flexible framework for complex inter-institutional disparate data sharing and collaboration

Clinical information, “-omic” datasets, and tissue samples are difficult to harmonize and manage for data mining. We have developed a platform for storing clinical research data while providing access to associated data from other information stores. Data on 34 metrics from 11,000 neuroblastoma patients were instantiated into a database. The Django web framework was used to create a model for rapid development of tools and views with a front-end interface for generating complex queries. Working with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we can now consume their tissue inventory data through an API. The end-user sees the number of patients who both match their search and have tissue available. Since initial implementation, the current tasks revolve around developing a governance structure and the necessary data use agreements. Efforts now are to (1) update the data with 5000 more patients, and (2) link to genomic data stores, facilitating disparate data acquisition for research studies

Импульсный плазмохимический синтез углеродсодержащих композитов на основе TiO2

Полупроводниковый фотокатализ – одна из самых привлекательных и востребованных технологий, которая основана на сборе солнечной энергии для использования в энергетике и окружающей среде. Показано, что диоксид титана (TiO2) является ведущим полупроводниковым фотокатализатором для разложения загрязняющих веществ. Он обладает низкой фотокаталитической активностью при активации видимым светом, из-за его внутренней ширины запрещенной зоны. Разработаны различные стратегии повышения эффективности TiO2 в области видимого света. Среди них модификация TiO2 углеродистыми наноматериалами – весьма эффективный путь для значительного повышения фотокаталитической активности. Цель работы - Получение углеродосодержащего нанокомпозита на основе диоксида титана с улучшенными фотокаталитическими свойствами.Semiconductor photocatalysis is one of the most attractive and sought after technologies, which is based on the collection of solar energy for use in energy and the environment. It is shown that titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the leading semiconductor photocatalyst for the decomposition of pollutants. It has low photocatalytic activity when activated by visible light, because of its internal band gap. Various strategies have been developed to increase the efficiency of TiO2 in the visible light region. Among them, the modification of TiO2 by carbon nanomaterials is a very effective way for a significant increase in the photocatalytic activity. The aim of the research is synthesis of carbon-based nanocomposite based on titanium dioxide with improved photocatalytic properties

miR-146a is a significant brake on autoimmunity, myeloproliferation, and cancer in mice

Excessive or inappropriate activation of the immune system can be deleterious to the organism, warranting multiple molecular mechanisms to control and properly terminate immune responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), ~22-nt-long noncoding RNAs, have recently emerged as key posttranscriptional regulators, controlling diverse biological processes, including responses to non-self. In this study, we examine the biological role of miR-146a using genetically engineered mice and show that targeted deletion of this gene, whose expression is strongly up-regulated after immune cell maturation and/or activation, results in several immune defects. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-146a plays a key role as a molecular brake on inflammation, myeloid cell proliferation, and oncogenic transformation

Quantitative analysis of regional distribution of tau pathology with 11C-PBB3-PET in a clinical setting.

PURPOSE The recent developments of tau-positron emission tomography (tau-PET) enable in vivo assessment of neuropathological tau aggregates. Among the tau-specific tracers, the application of 11C-pyridinyl-butadienyl-benzothiazole 3 (11C-PBB3) in PET shows high sensitivity to Alzheimer disease (AD)-related tau deposition. The current study investigates the regional tau load in patients within the AD continuum, biomarker-negative individuals (BN) and patients with suspected non-AD pathophysiology (SNAP) using 11C-PBB3-PET. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 23 memory clinic outpatients with recent decline of episodic memory were examined using 11C-PBB3-PET. Pittsburg compound B (11C-PIB) PET was available for 17, 18F-flurodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET for 16, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein levels for 11 patients. CSF biomarkers were considered abnormal based on Aβ42 ( 450 ng/L). The PET biomarkers were classified as positive or negative using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis and visual assessment. Using the amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (A/T/N) scheme, patients were grouped as within the AD continuum, SNAP, and BN based on amyloid and neurodegeneration status. The 11C-PBB3 load detected by PET was compared among the groups using both atlas-based and voxel-wise analyses. RESULTS Seven patients were identified as within the AD continuum, 10 SNAP and 6 BN. In voxel-wise analysis, significantly higher 11C-PBB3 binding was observed in the AD continuum group compared to the BN patients in the cingulate gyrus, tempo-parieto-occipital junction and frontal lobe. Compared to the SNAP group, patients within the AD continuum had a considerably increased 11C-PBB3 uptake in the posterior cingulate cortex. There was no significant difference between SNAP and BN groups. The atlas-based analysis supported the outcome of the voxel-wise quantification analysis. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that 11C-PBB3-PET can effectively analyze regional tau load and has the potential to differentiate patients in the AD continuum group from the BN and SNAP group

Genetic alterations of ALK in high-risk neuroblastoma patients: a SIOPEN study

Background: In neuroblastoma (NB), the ALK receptor tyrosine kinase can be constitutively activated either through genomic amplification or activating point mutations. We studied ALK genetic alterations in high-risk NB patients to determine their frequency and prognostic impact.N/