Multi Path FTIR Agriculture Air Pollution Measurement System

This paper details the design and validation of a Multiple Path OP-FTIR system with elevation and radial scanning ability and demonstrates its capabilities to quantify and monitor gaseous ammonia emitted from agricultural facilities. The OP-FTIR system has a 500 m range (1000 m full path length) and allows 360° radial scan and 45° scan in elevation. To study large scale sources, two or more similar systems may be needed. For comparison purposes, we ran two similar but not identical OP-FTIR systems side-by-side in a controlled lab environment and in a series of field environments. We determined that in a controlled environment, the two systems can attain an NH3 agreement of 1- 3% at concentrations above 500 ppb. Due to the short path length (~10 m) in the lab, 500 ppb was the detection limit of the two systems. Path lengths in a field are much longer, allowing a lower detection limit. Average agreement in the field was 1-6%. This difference in agreement from the laboratory is likely due to the non-homogeneous distribution of the pollutant

Ductal-lobar organisation of human breast tissue, its relevance in disease and a research objective: vector mapping of parenchyma in complete breasts (the Astley Cooper project)

A human breast has many lobes, which are highly variable in size and shape, each with one central duct, its peripheral branches and their associated glandular tissues. Realising the potential of new endoductal approaches to breast diagnosis and improving our understanding of breast cancer precursors will require greatly improved knowledge of this ductal-lobar anatomy and the distribution of cancer precursors within it. This architecture is very challenging to study in its entirety: whole-breast lobe mapping has only been achieved for two human breasts. Clearly, much more efficient techniques are required. Streamlined data capture and visualisation of breast parenchymal anatomy from thin and thick sections in a vector format would allow integrated mapping of whole-breast structure with conventional histology and molecular data. The 'Astley Cooper digital breast mapping project' is proposed as a name for this achievable research objective. Success would offer new insights into the development of breast cancer precursor lesions, allow testing of the important 'sick lobe' hypothesis, improve correlation with imaging studies and provide 'ground truth' for mathematical modelling of breast growth

Loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 11 and 17 are markers of recurrence in TCC of the bladder

Approximately 2/3 of patients diagnosed with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC) will recur within 2 years. Loss of chromosome 9 and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 9q34 in index TCCs identify a subset of patients at high risk of recurrence. This study explores genetic alterations on chromosomes 4, 8, 11 and 17 as predictors of recurrence. A total of 109 carcinomas were investigated at 26 loci. DNA was extracted from microdissected archival normal/tumour tissue and was analysed for loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Fluorescent PCR was performed and genotyping carried out on a Perkin Elmer ABI377 sequencer. LOH of D11S490 or D17S928 was significantly more frequent in index carcinomas of patients who experienced recurrence compared to those with no recurrence (P = 0.004 and 0.019 respectively). These results suggest that loss of these regions is associated with recurrence of TCC. Further investigation is required to identify genes in these regions, which might be responsible for driving recurrence in TCC of the urinary bladder. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Is chromosome 9 loss a marker of disease recurrence in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder?

Investigation of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC) patients classified by recurrence and/or progression has demonstrated that loss of chromosome 9, as detected by FISH analysis of the pericentromeric classical satellite marker at 9q12, occurs early. A total of 105 TCCs from 53 patients were analysed in situ by two independent observers for loss of chromosome 9 using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). All 53 primary tumours were evaluated for chromosomes 9, 7 and 17. Normal ranges for chromosomal copy number were defined for normal skin epidermis and bladder epithelium. Values for chromosome 9 copy number outwith the range 1.51-2.10 (mean +/- 3 x s.d. of normal values) were significantly abnormal. Twenty-five TCCs were detected with consistent monosomic scores. Of 89 TCCs, in which multiple tumour areas were analysed, 85 tumours (96%) demonstrated the same chromosome 9 copy number in all areas (2-6) analysed; only three tumours demonstrated heterogeneity for this locus. A total of 36% (12 out of 33) of patients with subsequent disease recurrence demonstrated loss of chromosome 9 in their primary and all subsequent TCCs analysed. Only a single patient (n = 20) with non-recurrent TCC showed loss of chromosome 9 (P = 0.0085). Of 53 primary tumours, eight showed significant elevation of chromosome 17. Of these patients, six demonstrated elevation in chromosome 7 copy number. No abnormalities were observed in non-recurrent patients. This study describes rapid quantitation of chromosomal copy number by FISH using a pericentromeric probe for chromosome 9 in TCC of the urinary bladder. Routinely fixed and processed material was evaluated without disaggregation. Strict quality control of FISH demonstrated that this technique was reproducible in a clinical environment and could be used to detect genetic changes relevant to patient outcome. It is proposed that loss of chromosome 9 from primary TCC of the urinary bladder identified patients at high risk of recurrence and possible progression

Igniter-induced hybrids in the 20-l sphere

Dust explosibility is traditionally described by two parameters, namely the maximum explosion pressure, P$_{max}$, and the deflagration index, K$_{St}$, usually determined through testing in a closed, pressure-resistant spherical vessel, either 20 L or 1 m$^{3}$ in volume. These parameters constitute key variables in the design of explosion protection systems, such as venting, suppression or isolation systems. The potential for overdriving dust combustion with pyrotechnical igniters in the 20-l sphere has been recognized, discussed and analyzed for many years, notably in the determination of the minimum explosible and limiting oxygen concentrations, which has led to specific guidelines regarding the ignition source strength in ASTM standards. The current paper presents new experimental evidence that the energy provided by pyrotechnical igniters may, in some instances, physically alter the dust being tested in the 20-l sphere. K$_{St}$ values can be several times greater in the small vessel compared to those measured in the 1-m$^{3}$ chamber. Further visual evidence is provided to show that high energy ignition can produce a turbulent flame region, possibly consisting of a hybrid mixture of flammable gas (or vapor) and dust, which can propagate faster than the corresponding pure dust. The experiments suggest that K$_{St}$ values measured in the 20-l sphere may no longer be representative of a dust deflagration in a real process environment. We recommend additional tests in a 1-m$^{3}$ chamber when a dust exhibits a low flash point, or when it's K$_{St}$ is above 300 bar m/s in the 20-l sphere.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of Fike Corporation for their permission to publish this work

Primary osteosarcoma of the breast: case report

Mammary sarcomas are very uncommon and make up less than 1% of all primary breast malignancies

Behavioral intervention in adolescents improves bone mass, yet lactose maldigestion is a barrier

Calcium intake during adolescence is important for attainment of peak bone mass. Lactose maldigestion is an autosomal recessive trait, leading to lower calcium intake. The Adequate Calcium Today study aimed to determine if a school-based targeted behavioral intervention over one year could improve calcium intake and bone mass in early adolescent girls. The school-randomized intervention was conducted at middle schools in six states over one school year. A total of 473 girls aged 10–13 years were recruited for outcome assessments. Bone mineral content (BMC) was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary calcium intake was assessed with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Baseline calcium intake and BMC were not significantly different between groups. After the intervention period, there were no differences in changes in calcium intake and BMC at any site between groups. An unanticipated outcome was a greater increase in spinal BMC among lactose digesters than lactose maldigesters in the intervention schools only (12 months) (6.9 ± 0.3 g vs. 6.0 ± 0.4 g, p = 0.03) and considering the entire study period (18 months) (9.9 ± 0.4 vs. 8.7 ± 0.5 g, p < 0.01). Overall, no significant differences between the intervention and control schools were observed. However, lactose digesters who received the intervention program increased bone mass to a greater extent than lactose maldigesters

Defining Accelerometer Thresholds for Activity Intensities in Adolescent Girls

Purpose - To derive a regression equation that estimates metabolic equivalent (MET) from accelerometer counts, and to define thresholds of accelerometer counts that can be used to delineate sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous activity. Methods - Seventy-four healthy 8th grade girls, age 13-14 yr, were recruited from urban areas of Baltimore, MD, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, and Columbia, SC, to participate in the study. Accelerometer and oxygen consumption (VO2) data for 10 activities that varied in intensity from sedentary (e.g., TV watching) to vigorous (e.g., running) were collected. While performing these activities, the girls wore two accelerometers, a heart rate monitor and a Cosmed K4b2 portable metabolic unit for measurement of VO2. A random-coefficients model was used to estimate the relationship between accelerometer counts and VO2. Activity thresholds were defined by minimizing the false positive and false negative classifications. Results - The activities provided a wide range in VO2 (3-36 mL·kg-1·min-1) with a correspondingly wide range in accelerometer counts (1-3928 counts·30 s-1). The regression line for MET score versus counts was MET=2.01+0.00171 (counts·30 s-1) (mixed model R2=0.84, SEE=1.36). A threshold of 1500 counts·30 s-1 defined the lower end of the moderate intensity (~4.6 METs) range of physical activity. That cutpoint distinguished between slow and brisk walking, and gave the lowest number of false positive and false negative classifications. The threshold ranges for sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity were found to be 0-50, 51-1499, 1500-2600, and \u3e2600 counts·30 s-1, respectively. Conclusion - The developed equation and these activity thresholds can be used for prediction of MET score from accelerometer counts and participation in various intensities of physical activity in adolescent girls

TOPBP1 missense variant Arg309Cys and breast cancer in a German hospital-based case-control study

The DNA double strand break repair gene TOPBP1 has been suggested as a breast cancer susceptibility gene and a missense variant Arg309Cys was observed at elevated frequency in familial breast cancer cases compared to healthy controls from Finland. We found the Arg309Cys allele at a 13% carrier frequency in a hospital-based series of 1064 German breast cancer patients and at a 14% carrier frequency in 1014 population controls (OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.69-1.15; p = 0.4). Arg309Cys carriers were not enriched among patients with a family history of breast cancer (OR = 0.87, 95%CI 0.53-1.43, p = 0.6) and were slightly underrepresented in patients with bilateral disease (OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.24-0.99; p = 0.047). In the latter group, the mean age at diagnosis was 62 years in carriers and 54 years in non-carriers (p = 0.004). We conclude that there is no evidence for the TOPBP1*Arg309Cys variant to confer an increased risk for breast cancer in the German population