23,086 research outputs found
A comparison of sequential total and activated white cell count in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, using cardiopulmonary bypass, with and without a white cell filter
Introduction
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been shown to induce a systemic inflammatory response similar to the local reaction seen after tissue damage [1]. This leads to the release of toxic substances, such as elastase, which cause endothelial damage and may adversely affect outcome [2]. Use of a leucocyte depleting arterial line filter is one of many anti-inflammatory strategies that are undergoing evaluation. Leucocyte depleting filters may be capable of selectively removing activated white cells [3], but this has not been proved in vivo. The aim of the present study was to compare sequential total and activated white cells during CPB, using either a leucocyte depleting or standard arterial line filter.
Materials and methods
After local ethical committee approval, 20 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting using CPB were prospectively randomly allocated to have either a Leukogard LG–6 (Pall Biomedical, Portsmouth, UK) or a nonleucocyte depleting filter inserted into the arterial line of the CPB circuit. Arterial limb blood samples were taken immediately after institution of CPB (0min) and at 10–min intervals throughout the bypass period. Activated white cells were identified using nitroblue tetrazolium, then both total and activated white cell numbers counted after staining with Leucoplate.Results
Table 1 shows the number of white cells counted/1.25 ? l (volume of a single channel of Nageotte counting chamber) using light microscopy (× 25).Conclusion
The LG6 leucocyte filter reduces the total white cell count and is capable of selectively removing activated white cells during CPB. The exact relationship between leucocyte depletion and improved patient outcome still remains unclear
Parity-Violating Electron Scattering and Neucleon Structure
The measurement of parity violation in the helicity dependence of
electron-nucleon scattering provides unique information about the basic quark
structure of the nucleons. In this review, the general formalism of
parity-violating electron scattering is presented, with emphasis on elastic
electron-nucleon scattering. The physics issues addressed by such experiments
is discussed, and the major goals of the presently envisioned experimental
program are identified. %General aspects of the experimental technique are
reviewed and A summary of results from a recent series of experiments is
presented and the future prospects of this program are also discussed.Comment: 45 pages, 9 figure
Whole slide image registration for the study of tumor heterogeneity
Consecutive thin sections of tissue samples make it possible to study local
variation in e.g. protein expression and tumor heterogeneity by staining for a
new protein in each section. In order to compare and correlate patterns of
different proteins, the images have to be registered with high accuracy. The
problem we want to solve is registration of gigapixel whole slide images (WSI).
This presents 3 challenges: (i) Images are very large; (ii) Thin sections
result in artifacts that make global affine registration prone to very large
local errors; (iii) Local affine registration is required to preserve correct
tissue morphology (local size, shape and texture). In our approach we compare
WSI registration based on automatic and manual feature selection on either the
full image or natural sub-regions (as opposed to square tiles). Working with
natural sub-regions, in an interactive tool makes it possible to exclude
regions containing scientifically irrelevant information. We also present a new
way to visualize local registration quality by a Registration Confidence Map
(RCM). With this method, intra-tumor heterogeneity and charateristics of the
tumor microenvironment can be observed and quantified.Comment: MICCAI2018 - Computational Pathology and Ophthalmic Medical Image
Analysis - COMPA
Loss of expression of ATM is associated with worse prognosis in colorectal cancer and loss of Ku70 expression is associated with CIN
Repair of double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) is pivotal in maintaining normal
cell division and disruption of this system has been shown to be a key factor in
carcinogenesis. Loss of expression of the DSB repair proteins have previously been
shown to be associated with poorer survival in colorectal cancer. We wished to
ascertain the relationship of altered expression of the DSB repair proteins γ-H2AX
(gamma-H2AX), ATM and Ku70 with biological and clinico-pathological features
of colorectal cancer. 908 tumours from the VICTOR clinical trial of stage II/III
colorectal cancer were analysed for expression of γ-H2AX, ATM and Ku70 using
immunohistochemistry. Expression levels were correlated with CIN and with diseasefree
survival, correcting for microsatellite instability, BRAF/KRAS mutation status,
Dukes stage, chemo/radiotherapy, age, gender and tumour location. Down-regulated
Ku70 expression was associated with chromosomal instability (p=0.029) in colorectal
cancer. Reduced ATM expression was an independent marker of poor disease-free
survival (HR=1.67, 95% CI 1.11-2.50, p=0.015). For Ku70, further studies are
required to investigate the potential relationship of non-homologous end joining with
chromosomal instability. Loss of ATM expression might serve as a biomarker of poor
prognosis in colorectal cancer
A combinatorial approach to knot recognition
This is a report on our ongoing research on a combinatorial approach to knot
recognition, using coloring of knots by certain algebraic objects called
quandles. The aim of the paper is to summarize the mathematical theory of knot
coloring in a compact, accessible manner, and to show how to use it for
computational purposes. In particular, we address how to determine colorability
of a knot, and propose to use SAT solving to search for colorings. The
computational complexity of the problem, both in theory and in our
implementation, is discussed. In the last part, we explain how coloring can be
utilized in knot recognition
Geographical inequalities in uptake of NHS funded eye examinations: Poisson modelling of small-area data for Essex, UK.
Background: Small-area analysis of National Health Service (NHS)-funded sight test uptake in Leeds showed significant inequalities in access among people aged <16 or ≥60. Methods: Data were extracted from 604 126 valid General Ophthalmic Services (GOS)1 claim forms for eye examinations for Essex residents between October 2013 and July 2015. Expected GOS1 uptake for each lower super output area was based on England annual uptake. Poisson regression modelling explored associations in GOS1 uptake ratio with deprivation. Results: People aged ≥60 or <16 living in the least deprived quintile were 15% and 26%, respectively, more likely to have an NHS funded eye examination than the most deprived quintile, although all are equally entitled. GOS1 uptake is higher in the more deprived quintiles among 16-59-year old, as means tested social benefits are the main eligibility criteria in this age-group. Inequalities were also observed at local authority level. Conclusions: Inequalities in access among people ≥60 years were not as large as those reported in Leeds, although inequalities in <16-year old were similar. However, demonstrable inequalities in this data set over a longer time period and a larger and more diverse area than Leeds, reinforce the argument that interventions are needed to address eye examination uptake inequalities
Performance of pilot-scale microbial fuel cells treating wastewater with associated bioenergy production in the Caribbean context
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology represents a form of renewable energy that generates bioelectricity from what would otherwise be considered a waste stream. MFCs may be ideally suited to the small island developing state (SIDS) context, such as Trinidad and Tobago where seawater as the main electrolyte is readily available and economical renewable and sustainable electricity is also deemed a priority. Hence this project tested two identical laboratory-scaled MFC systems that were specifically designed and developed for the Caribbean regional context. They consisted of two separate chambers, an anaerobic anodic chamber inoculated with wastewater and an aerobic cathodic chamber separated by a proton exchange membrane. Domestic wastewater from two various wastewater treatment plants inflow (after screening) was placed into the anodic chamber, and seawater from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Paria placed into the cathodic chambers respectively with the bacteria present in the wastewater attaching to the anode. Experimental results demonstrated that the bacterial degradation of the wastewaters as substrate induced an electron flow through the electrodes producing bioelectricity whilst simultaneously reducing the organic matter as biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand by 30 to 75%. The average bioenergy output for both systems was 84 mW/m² and 96 mW/m² respectively. This study demonstrated the potential for simultaneous bioenergy production and wastewater treatment in the SIDS context
Učinci UV zračenja visokog intenziteta na izdvojen i s dna interkaliran etidium bromid
High-intensity picosecond laser flash photolysis has been used for investigating ethidium bromide (EtBr). The quantum yield of primary photoproducts as a function of the laser intensity has been obtained. DNA intercalated EtBr and water solutions of EtBr have been investigated. The results have been compared. They show that two-photon processes are predominantly responsible for generation of hydrated electron (eaq-). The primary processes of DNA photosensitization have also been discussed.Istraživali smo etidium bromid (EtBr) pomoću pikosekundne bljeskovne fotolize velikog intenziteta. Određeni su kvantni prinosi fotoprodukata u ovisnosti o intenzitetu laserskog snopa. Istraživao se je EtBr u vodenoj otopini i interkalirani s DNA. Rezultati se uspoređuju i oni pokazuju da pretežno dvofotonski procesi tvore hidrirane elektrone eaq-. Raspravljaju se također primarni procesi fotosenzitiranja DNA
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