Nanotechnology and cancer

The biological picture of cancer is rapidly advancing from models built from phenomenological descriptions to network models derived from systems biology, which can capture the evolving pathophysiology of the disease at the molecular level. The translation of this (still academic) picture into a clinically relevant framework can be enabling for the war on cancer, but it is a scientific and technological challenge. In this review, we discuss emerging in vitro diagnostic technologies and therapeutic approaches that are being developed to handle this challenge. Our discussion of in vitro diagnostics is guided by the theme of making large numbers of measurements accurately, sensitively, and at very low cost. We discuss diagnostic approaches based on microfluidics and nanotechnology. We then review the current state of the art of nanoparticle-based therapeutics that have reached the clinic. The goal of the presentation is to identify nanotherapeutic strategies that are designed to increase efficacy while simultaneously minimizing the toxic side effects commonly associated with cancer chemotherapies

Role of Contacts in Capacitance Measurements of Solar Cells

The electronic properties of low cost, thin-film solar cells are complicated by the non-ideal nature of the semiconductor layers. Typically, the fundamental electronic properties of such materials are evaluated using current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements. However, in these devices, it is common for the back contact to be non-ohmic. We are exploring the impact of such a back contact on the outcome of standard capacitance-based characterization techniques. We compare computer models of capacitance response with measurements of simple model electronic circuits and of solar cell devices

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-DOSE RADIATION THERAPY DEVICE FOR ACUTE RESPRITORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

This research focuses on the development of a low dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) device for treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a respiratory illness that affects millions of people a year. The use of orthovoltage (200 – 500 keV) X-ray energy provides many advantages over traditional radiotherapy delivery with linear accelerators, such as low cost and greater accessibility. In addition, X-ray tubes have been shown throughout history to provide good treatment outcomes for pneumonia, and research has shown LD-RT to be just as effective with ARDS. This proposal summarizes my efforts in determining the dosimetric properties of a LD-RT system to deliver treatment in a fast and effective manner. My research involves Monte Carlo transport simulations in MCNP to calculate the dose delivery and coverage of a whole lung treatment. In addition, different setup geometries and beam modifications will be explored to optimize the treatment delivery. The development of such a system would greatly expand the treatment options for ARDS type illness at a lower cost and greater accessibility than current radiotherapy options

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-DOSE RADIATION THERAPY DEVICE FOR ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME

This research focuses on developing a low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) device for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This respiratory illness affects millions of people a year. Using orthovoltage (200 – 500 keV) X-ray energy provides many advantages over traditional radiotherapy delivery with linear accelerators, such as low cost and greater accessibility. In addition, X-ray tubes have been shown throughout history to provide good treatment outcomes for pneumonia, and research has shown LD-RT to be just as effective with ARDS. This proposal summarizes my efforts in determining the dosimetric properties of an LD-RT system to deliver treatment quickly and effectively. My research involves Monte Carlo transport simulations in MCNP to calculate a whole lung treatment\u27s dose delivery and coverage. In addition, different setup geometries and beam modifications, such as filtration, are explored to optimize the treatment delivery. The development of such a system would greatly expand the treatment options for ARDS-type illness at a lower cost and greater accessibility than current radiotherapy options

A Tiger with No Teeth: The Case for Fee Shifting in State Public Records Law

A federal lawsuit filed against the city of Columbia, Missouri, alleging police brutality seemed destined for headlines in 2010. At its core was an incident in which a routine traffic stop for a broken taillight erupted into a “fracas” in which police allegedly both tased and beat a man and threw a woman to the ground. A Columbia Daily Tribune reporter following the case filed a public records request for any documents concerning the incident. A police spokesperson contacted him days later to let him know the records were ready for pickup

The role of gender in determining season-ticket holder satisfaction

As professional sports seek to grow their fan base, the motives and behaviours of female sport fans are worth examining. Women are typically under-represented in the fan bases of most professional sports and particularly in the season-ticket holder (STH) ranks. In order to understand more about what attracts and retains female STH, and to identify any gender based differences, we examine the STH base of a professional football (soccer) club and compare male and female STH on a range of behavioural and attitudinal dimensions. Women made up only 11% of this clubs STH, and we find significant differences between genders in motives for joining, satisfaction and what drives it, loyalty and consumption. Accordingly, the marketing of season tickets to women may need to be adapted to cater for these differences

Democracy Versus Authority in Church (and State)

This address, written with Carl Heath Kopf, minister of the Mt. Vernon Church of Boston, was delivered at the Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers in King’s Chapel, Boston. They argue that the direction of history is from Authority, Revelation, and Obedience to Freedom, Discovery, and Consent. They discuss early efforts of the Pilgrims in the creation of a congregational focused church. Date refers to Date Given. The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing. Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.https://commons.clarku.edu/petersham_manuscripts/1003/thumbnail.jp

Nanomedicine Targets Cancer

Viewing each human body as a system of interacting molecular networks and targeting disruptions in the system with nanoscale technologies can transform how disease is understood, attacked and possibly prevented

Association of intestinal alkaline phosphatase with necrotizing enterocolitis among premature infants

Importance: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants is an often-fatal gastrointestinal tract emergency. A robust NEC biomarker that is not confounded by sepsis could improve bedside management, lead to lower morbidity and mortality, and permit patient selection in randomized clinical trials of possible therapeutic approaches. Objective: To evaluate whether aberrant intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) biochemistry in infant stool is a molecular biomarker for NEC and not associated with sepsis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter diagnostic study enrolled 136 premature infants (gestational age, \u3c37 weeks) in 2 hospitals in Louisiana and 1 hospital in Missouri. Data were collected and analyzed from May 2015 to November 2018. Exposures: Infant stool samples were collected between 24 and 40 or more weeks postconceptual age. Enrolled infants underwent abdominal radiography at physician and hospital site discretion. Main Outcomes and Measures: Enzyme activity and relative abundance of IAP were measured using fluorometric detection and immunoassays, respectively. After measurements were performed, biochemical data were evaluated against clinical entries from infants\u27 hospital stay. Results: Of 136 infants, 68 (50.0%) were male infants, median (interquartile range [IQR]) birth weight was 1050 (790-1350) g, and median (IQR) gestational age was 28.4 (26.0-30.9) weeks. A total of 25 infants (18.4%) were diagnosed with severe NEC, 19 (14.0%) were suspected of having NEC, and 92 (66.9%) did not have NEC; 26 patients (19.1%) were diagnosed with late-onset sepsis, and 14 (10.3%) had other non-gastrointestinal tract infections. For severe NEC, suspected NEC, and no NEC samples, median (IQR) fecal IAP content, relative to the amount of IAP in human small intestinal lysate, was 99.0% (51.0%-187.8%) (95% CI, 54.0%-163.0%), 123.0% (31.0%-224.0%) (95% CI, 31.0%-224.0%), and 4.8% (2.4%-9.8%) (95% CI, 3.4%-5.9%), respectively. For severe NEC, suspected NEC, and no NEC samples, median (IQR) enzyme activity was 183 (56-507) μmol/min/g (95% CI, 63-478 μmol/min/g) of stool protein, 355 (172-608) μmol/min/g (95% CI, 172-608 μmol/min/g) of stool protein, and 613 (210-1465) μmol/min/g (95% CI, 386-723 μmol/min/g) of stool protein, respectively. Mean (SE) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for IAP content measurements were 0.97 (0.02) (95% CI, 0.93-1.00; P \u3c .001) at time of severe NEC, 0.97 (0.02) (95% CI, 0.93-1.00; P \u3c .001) at time of suspected NEC, 0.52 (0.07) (95% CI, 0.38-0.66; P = .75) at time of sepsis, and 0.58 (0.08) (95% CI, 0.42-0.75; P = .06) at time of other non-gastrointestinal tract infections. Mean (SE) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for IAP activity were 0.76 (0.06) (95% CI, 0.64-0.86; P \u3c .001), 0.62 (0.07) (95% CI, 0.48-0.77; P = .13), 0.52 (0.07) (95% CI, 0.39-0.67; P = .68), and 0.57 (0.08) (95% CI, 0.39-0.69; P = .66), respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this diagnostic study, high amounts of IAP protein in stool and low IAP enzyme activity were associated with diagnosis of NEC and may serve as useful biomarkers for NEC. Our findings indicated that IAP biochemistry was uniquely able to distinguish NEC from sepsis