MetaboLab - advanced NMR data processing and analysis for metabolomics

Background\ud Despite wide-spread use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) in metabolomics for the analysis of biological samples there is a lack of graphically driven, publicly available software to process large one and two-dimensional NMR data sets for statistical analysis.\ud \ud Results\ud Here we present MetaboLab, a MATLAB based software package that facilitates NMR data processing by providing automated algorithms for processing series of spectra in a reproducible fashion. A graphical user interface provides easy access to all steps of data processing via a script builder to generate MATLAB scripts, providing an option to alter code manually. The analysis of two-dimensional spectra (1H,13C-HSQC spectra) is facilitated by the use of a spectral library derived from publicly available databases which can be extended readily. The software allows to display specific metabolites in small regions of interest where signals can be picked. To facilitate the analysis of series of two-dimensional spectra, different spectra can be overlaid and assignments can be transferred between spectra. The software includes mechanisms to account for overlapping signals by highlighting neighboring and ambiguous assignments.\ud \ud Conclusions\ud The MetaboLab software is an integrated software package for NMR data processing and analysis, closely linked to the previously developed NMRLab software. It includes tools for batch processing and gives access to a wealth of algorithms available in the MATLAB framework. Algorithms within MetaboLab help to optimize the flow of metabolomics data preparation for statistical analysis. The combination of an intuitive graphical user interface along with advanced data processing algorithms facilitates the use of MetaboLab in a broader metabolomics context.\ud \u

Dringliche Eingriffe in der endokrinen Chirurgie

Während Notfalloperationen aus mechanischer Indikation immer wieder vorkommen (z. B. Chiasma-Syndrom, Atemwegsobstruktion), sind die kritischen Überfunktionen der endokrinen Drüsen in der Regel durch konservativ-medikamentöse Therapie ausreichend zu beherrschen. Ausnahmen: z. B. thyreotoxische Krise (bei nur kurz anhaltender Besserung durch Plasmapherese bei einer jodinduzierten Hyperthyreose) oder akutes Cushing-Syndrom (nicht beherrschbare hypokaliämische Alkalose). Solche Einzelfälle hängen von der optimalen Kooperation von Anaesthesie, Chirurgie und internistischer Intensivmedizin ab. Gesetze der Diagnose und der konservativen Vorbereitung für die operative Behandlung von endokrinen Überfunktionszuständen nur ultima ratio übertreten!Urgent surgery for emergency situations in endocrine diseases is needed for mechanical problems (e.g., chiasma syndrome or tracheal obstruction) and very rarely for endocrine hyperfunction, which can usually be treated by nonsurgical means. Exceptions are patients suffering from thyroid storm (impending early relapse after plasmapheresis due to excess iodine) or from acute Cushing's syndrome (intractable potassium loss and alkalosis whom we have successfully transferred to surgery. The rules for diagnosis and medical preparation for surgery of endocrine hyperfunctional states should only be disregarded ultima ratio

Limits on Neutrino Oscillations from the CHOOZ Experiment

We present new results based on the entire CHOOZ data sample. We find (at 90% confidence level) no evidence for neutrino oscillations in the anti_nue disappearance mode, for the parameter region given by approximately Delta m**2 > 7 x 10**-4 eV^2 for maximum mixing, and sin**2(2 theta) = 0.10 for large Delta m**2. Lower sensitivity results, based only on the comparison of the positron spectra from the two different-distance nuclear reactors, are also presented; these are independent of the absolute normalization of the anti_nue flux, the cross section, the number of target protons and the detector efficiencies.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, Latex fil

Search for neutrino oscillations on a long base-line at the CHOOZ nuclear power station

This final article about the CHOOZ experiment presents a complete description of the electron antineutrino source and detector, the calibration methods and stability checks, the event reconstruction procedures and the Monte Carlo simulation. The data analysis, systematic effects and the methods used to reach our conclusions are fully discussed. Some new remarks are presented on the deduction of the confidence limits and on the correct treatment of systematic errors.Comment: 41 pages, 59 figures, Latex file, accepted for publication by Eur.Phys.J.

Muon - proton inelastic scattering

This experiment will examine muon-proton inelastic scattering for virtual-photon energies of 10 to 110 GeV and for |q{sup 2}| values of 0.2 to 20.0 (GeV/c){sup 2}. The virtual-photon total cross sections {sigma}{sub t} + {epsilon}{sigma}{sub s}, or the equivalent expression in W{sub 1} and W{sub 2}, will be measured over this range of virtual-photon energies and q{sup 2} values. Some separation of {sigma}{sub T} and {sigma}{sub S}, or equivalently W{sub 1} and W{sub 2}, will be made. The multiplicity, momentum spectra and angular spectra of the charged hadrons produced in this reaction will be measured. Some channels such as {mu} + P {yields} {mu} + P + P{sup 0} will be isolated and completely analyzed. The experiment uses a hydrogen target, wire spark chambers and an analyzing magnet of conventional design