Renal handling of beta-2-microglobulin in the human neonate

Renal handling of beta-2-microglobulin in the human neonate. Glomerulotubular balance for beta-2-microglobulin (β2M) in the human kidney has been reported to occur after 34 weeks conceptional age (CA), and fractional tubular reabsorption of β2M (Tβ2M) has been suggested as a useful index of renal tubular maturation. To confirm and extend these observations to include still less mature infants, renal handling of β2M was investigated during timed-urine collections with corresponding blood samples obtained from 57 infants with CA of 26 to 43 weeks and postnatal ages (PNA) 0.2 to 12 days (study 1); 18 infants were studied a second time 5 to 17 days later (study 2). GFR was measured by endogenous creatinine clearance (CCr). Tβ2M and fractional reabsorption of sodium (TNa) were calculated. Results indicated that while both increased with CA, Tβ2M (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001) and TNa (r = -0.79, P < 0.0001) varied inversely with fractional urine flow rate (V/CCr). Moreover, an inverse relationship between changes in Tβ2M and V/Ccr was observed in the same infant between study 1 and study 2 (r = -0.47, P < 0.05). These data suggest that the renal handling of β2M in the human neonate is influenced by physiologic variables that are independent of CA, and thus Tβ2M may not be a reliable predictor of renal tubular maturation in the human neonate.Elimination rénale de la béta-2-microglobuline chez le nouveau-né humain. Il a été rapporté que la balance glomérulo-tubulaire pour la béta-2-microglobuline (β2M) dans le rein humain apparait au bout de 34 semaines d'âge conceptionnel (CA), et il a été suggéré que la réabsorption tubulaire fractionnelle de la β2M (Tβ2M) est un index utile de maturation tubulaire rénale. Afin de confirmer et d'étendre ces observations en incluant des nouveau-nés encore moins matures, l'élimination rénale de β2M a été étudiée pendant des recueils d'urines minutés, avec les échantillons sanguins correspondants chez 57 nouveau-nés avec un CA de 26 à 43 semaines et des âges postnataux (PNA) de 0.2 à 12 jours (étude 1); 18 nouveau-nés ont été étudiés dans un second temps, 5 à 17 jours plus tard (étude 2). Le débit de filtration glomérulaire a été mesuré par la clearance de la créatinine endogène (CCr). Tβ2M et la réabsorption fractionnelle du sodium (TNa) ont été calculées. Les résultats ont montré que tout en augmentant avec CA, Tβ2M (r = -0.69, P < 0.0001) et TNa (r = -0.79, P < 0.0001) variaient inversement avec le débit fractionnel urinaire (V/CCr). En outre, une relation inverse entre les modifications de Tβ2M et les modifications de V/CCr a été observée chez le même nouveau-né entre l'étude 1 et l'étude 2 (r = -0.47, P < 0.05). Ces données suggèrent que l'élimination rénale de la β2M chez le nouveau-né humain est influencée par des variables physiologiques qui sont indépendantes de CA, et donc Tβ2M pourrait ne pas être un index prédictif fiable de la maturation tubulaire rénale chez le nouveau-né humain

Bistatic Radar System Using Satellite-Based Transmitters with Ionospheric Compensation

A system for the passive location of non-cooperating vehicles using satellite-based transmitters with ionospheric compen­sation. The system is a light-weight, low-cost, portable, and field-deployable station to supplement deficiencies in the National Airspace System (NAS) and homeland security sur­veillance networks. The system accommodates observation modes having long integration times that potentially are greater than one second. The system utilizes satellite-based transmitters as illuminators. The passive system measures two radio waves ( e.g., a direct path and an illumination plus reflection path), and applies time-difference techniques that can compensate for the ionosphere since the ionospheric delay is applied to both signals. This also has the advantage of compensating for other uncertainties such as exist in the position of the satellite

Whole Systems Inquiry: Designing Large Educational Events

Whole systems inquiry (WSI) helps people see complex topics as functional activities with inputs, outputs, interactions, and performance of the system over time. The authors used WSI to design a national symposium with 800 attendees who responded to two questions at the end of 70 topical sessions. Responses were aggregated onto a mega-map, synthesized into themes, and drawn as an emerging system. Work groups compared emerging themes with national priorities while individual participants evaluated utility in their disciplinary programs. We conclude that large meetings can be designed as functional systems with participation, synthesis, and evaluation of intentional learning

Genome-scale resources for Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum

Background Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum is a hemicellulose-degrading thermophilic anaerobe that was previously engineered to produce ethanol at high yield. A major project was undertaken to develop this organism into an industrial biocatalyst, but the lack of genome information and resources were recognized early on as a key limitation. Results Here we present a set of genome-scale resources to enable the systems level investigation and development of this potentially important industrial organism. Resources include a complete genome sequence for strain JW/SL-YS485, a genome-scale reconstruction of metabolism, tiled microarray data showing transcription units, mRNA expression data from 71 different growth conditions or timepoints and GC/MS-based metabolite analysis data from 42 different conditions or timepoints. Growth conditions include hemicellulose hydrolysate, the inhibitors HMF, furfural, diamide, and ethanol, as well as high levels of cellulose, xylose, cellobiose or maltodextrin. The genome consists of a 2.7 Mbp chromosome and a 110 Kbp megaplasmid. An active prophage was also detected, and the expression levels of CRISPR genes were observed to increase in association with those of the phage. Hemicellulose hydrolysate elicited a response of carbohydrate transport and catabolism genes, as well as poorly characterized genes suggesting a redox challenge. In some conditions, a time series of combined transcription and metabolite measurements were made to allow careful study of microbial physiology under process conditions. As a demonstration of the potential utility of the metabolic reconstruction, the OptKnock algorithm was used to predict a set of gene knockouts that maximize growth-coupled ethanol production. The predictions validated intuitive strain designs and matched previous experimental results. Conclusion These data will be a useful asset for efforts to develop T. saccharolyticum for efficient industrial production of biofuels. The resources presented herein may also be useful on a comparative basis for development of other lignocellulose degrading microbes, such as Clostridium thermocellum. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12918-015-0159-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Utility of echocardiography in predicting mortality in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.Objective: To determine the relationship between interventricular septal position (SP) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mortality in infants with severe BPD (sBPD). Study design: Infants with sBPD in the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Database who had echocardiograms 34-44 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA) were included. SP and RVSP were categorized normal, abnormal (flattened/bowed SP or RVSP > 40 mmHg) or missing. Results: Of 1157 infants, 115 infants (10%) died. Abnormal SP or RVSP increased mortality (SP 19% vs. 8% normal/missing, RVSP 20% vs. 9% normal/missing, both p < 0.01) in unadjusted and multivariable models, adjusted for significant covariates (SP OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.0; RVSP OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.7). Abnormal parameters had high specificity (SP 82%; RVSP 94%), and negative predictive value (SP 94%, NPV 91%) for mortality. Conclusions: Abnormal SP or RVSP is independently associated with mortality in sBPD infants. Negative predictive values distinguish infants most likely to survive

Rising Great Plains fire campaign: Citizens' response to woody plant encroachment

Despite years of accumulating scientific evidence that fire is critical for maintaining the structure and function of grassland ecosystems in the US Great Plains, fire has not been restored as a fundamental grassland process across broad landscapes. The result has been widespread juniper encroachment and the degradation of the multiple valuable ecosystem services provided by grasslands. Here, we review the social-ecological causes and consequences of the transformation of grasslands to juniper woodlands and synthesize the recent emergence of prescribed burn cooperatives, an extensive societal movement by private citizens to restore fire to the Great Plains biome. We discuss how burn cooperatives have helped citizens overcome dominant social constraints that limit the application of prescribed fire to improve management of encroaching woody plants in grasslands. These constraints include the generally held assumptions and political impositions that all fires should be eliminated when wildfire danger increases.Peer reviewedNatural Resource Ecology and Managemen

Genetic Dissection of the Function of Hindbrain Axonal Commissures

The Robo3 receptor controls midline crossing by axons. Deleting Robo3 in specific commissural neurons with a conditional knockout reveals their contribution to sensory and motor integration, and models human neurological conditions

A preliminary randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial of intravenous immunoglobulin for Japanese encephalitis in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus found across Asia that is closely related to West Nile virus. There is no known antiviral treatment for any flavivirus. Results from in vitro studies and animal models suggest intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) containing virus-specific neutralizing antibody may be effective in improving outcome in viral encephalitis. IVIG's anti-inflammatory properties may also be beneficial. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed a pilot feasibility randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of IVIG containing anti-JEV neutralizing antibody (ImmunoRel, 400mg/kg/day for 5 days) in children with suspected JE at two sites in Nepal; we also examined the effect on serum neutralizing antibody titre and cytokine profiles. 22 children were recruited, 13 of whom had confirmed JE; 11 received IVIG and 11 placebo, with no protocol violations. One child (IVIG group) died during treatment and two (placebo) subsequently following hospital discharge. Overall, there was no difference in outcome between treatment groups at discharge or follow up. Passive transfer of anti-JEV antibody was seen in JEV negative children. JEV positive children treated with IVIG had JEV-specific neutralizing antibody titres approximately 16 times higher than those treated with placebo (p=0.2), which was more than could be explained by passive transfer alone. IL-4 and IL-6 were higher in the IVIG group. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A trial of IVIG for JE in Nepal is feasible. IVIG may augment the development of neutralizing antibodies in JEV positive patients. IVIG appears an appealing option for JE treatment that warrants further study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01856205