Concanavalin A-Binding Enzymes of Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus Venom

Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus crude venom was separated into two fractions by Concanavalin A Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The proteins binding to Con A exhibited phosphomonoesterase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.2), phosphodiesterase, 5\u27-nucleotidase (5\u27-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.5), phospholipase A(phosphatidate 2-acylhydrolase EC 3.1.1 .4), hyaluronidase (hyaluronate glycanohydrolase EC 3.2.1 d), N-benzoyl-L-arginine ethyl esterase, p-toluenesulfonyl-L-arginine methyl esterase, L-amino acid oxidase (L-amino acid: 02 oxidoreductase [deaminating] EC 1.4.3.2), and caseinolytic activities. Thrombin-like and NAD nucleosidase (5\u27-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.5) activities were not observed. The crude venom and the fraction containing the glycoproteins which bound to Con A were fractionated by DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography. Each of these samples yielded fractions having caseinolytic activities

Concanavalin A-Nonbinding Enzymes of Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus Venom

Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus crude venom was separated into two fractions by Concanavalin A Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. The Concanavalin A-nonbinding fraction (F-l) exhibited phosphomonoesterase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase EC 3.1 .3.2), phosphodiesterase, 5 \u27-nucleotidase (5 \u27-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.5), phospholipase A (phosphatidate 2-acylhydrolase EC 3.1.1.4), hyaluronidase (hyaluronate glycanohydrolase EC 3.2.1.d), N-benzoyl-Larginine ethyl esterase, p-toluenesulfonyl-L-arginine methyl esterase, L-amino acid oxidase (L-amino acid: O2 oxidoreductase [deaminating] EC 1.4.3.2), and caseinolytic activities. Thrombin-like and NAD nucleosidase (5 \u27-ribonudeotide phosphohydrolase EC 3.1.3.5) activities were not observed. DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography by two stage elution of F-l yielded several fractions having proteinase activities. Proteinase activity was observed in the latter fractions of the first elution and in the fractions of the second elution

Summary of the Status of Harvest Mice, Cricetidae: Reithrodontomys, in Arkansas

Although four species of harvest mice, Reithrodoniomyx, are known to occur in Arkansas, the distributional status of the genus in the state is poorly understood. Recent museum specimens significantly extend the range of R. megalotix and R. fulvescens in the state. R. megalotis is shown to range south through Phillips Co. in eastern Arkansas, and R. fulvescens is shown to range throughout most of the state, now including most of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. A new specimen of R. humulis from Delaware Co., Oklahoma, suggests that this species probably ranges throughout northwestern Arkansas. R montanus remains known only from Washington Co. in northwestern Arkansas

Applied Use of Safety Performance Monitoring in Global Aviation Operations

For decades, aviation has been at the leading edge of safety and human factors data collection. These data have provided valuable insights into emerging trends and human-system performance needs. As industry continues to improve its data collection capabilities, stakeholders must develop a common understanding and use of safety performance monitoring (SPM) practices and terms governed by ICAO (ICAO Annex 19, ICAO Doc 9859). SPM is a critical component of Safety Management Systems and State Safety Programs. To understand industry’s awareness and use of SPM in current operations, an SPM Survey was administered. Responses were received from 161 domain representatives in six ICAO global regions. Response data revealed the current state of industry SPM practices, SPM variability across domains and regions, and generalizable best practices. This paper will present top safety performance targets (SPTs), safety data analysis methods, and safety data sources utilized by respondents to track, analyze, and measure risk across five areas: Maintenance (n=120), Near Mid-Air Collision (n=95), Runway Safety (n=124), Loss of Control-Inflight (n=92), Controlled Flight into Terrain (n=109). Survey data revealed that the top SPTs set by respondents are: Unstable approaches (83.5%), Runway Excursions (70.1%). The top analysis methods used are: Causal Factor Analysis (68.1%), FDM/FOQA Software (59.7). The top data sources are: Voluntary Reports (93.8%), Mandatory Reports (86.2%). This paper will describe how SPM survey results may be used to develop a supplemental Safety Performance Monitoring Handbook in 2019, which will be intended to drive an industry-wide shift towards proactive and predictive safety risk management

Update to the Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) protocol: statistical analysis plan for a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Observational research suggests that combined therapy with Vitamin C, thiamine and hydrocortisone may reduce mortality in patients with septic shock. METHODS AND DESIGN: The Vitamin C, Thiamine and Steroids in Sepsis (VICTAS) trial is a multicenter, double-blind, adaptive sample size, randomized, placebo-controlled trial designed to test the efficacy of combination therapy with vitamin C (1.5 g), thiamine (100 mg), and hydrocortisone (50 mg) given every 6 h for up to 16 doses in patients with respiratory or circulatory dysfunction (or both) resulting from sepsis. The primary outcome is ventilator- and vasopressor-free days with mortality as the key secondary outcome. Recruitment began in August 2018 and is ongoing; 501 participants have been enrolled to date, with a planned maximum sample size of 2000. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board reviewed interim results at N = 200, 300, 400 and 500, and has recommended continuing recruitment. The next interim analysis will occur when N = 1000. This update presents the statistical analysis plan. Specifically, we provide definitions for key treatment and outcome variables, and for intent-to-treat, per-protocol, and safety analysis datasets. We describe the planned descriptive analyses, the main analysis of the primary end point, our approach to secondary and exploratory analyses, and handling of missing data. Our goal is to provide enough detail that our approach could be replicated by an independent study group, thereby enhancing the transparency of the study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03509350. Registered on 26 April 2018

Full-wave modeling of the O-X mode conversion in the Pegasus toroidal experiment

The ordinary-extraordinary (O-X) mode conversion is modeled with the aid of a 2D full-wave code in the Pegasus toroidal experiment as a function of the launch angles. It is shown how the shape of the plasma density profile in front of the antenna can significantly influence the mode conversion efficiency and, thus, the generation of electron Bernstein waves (EBWs). It is therefore desirable to control the density profile in front of the antenna for successful operation of an EBW heating and current drive system. On the other hand, the conversion efficiency is shown to be resilient to vertical displacements of the plasma as large as ±10 cm

SARS-CoV-2 Infects Human Engineered Heart Tissues and Models COVID-19 Myocarditis.

There is ongoing debate as to whether cardiac complications of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) result from myocardial viral infection or are secondary to systemic inflammation and/or thrombosis. We provide evidence that cardiomyocytes are infected in patients with COVID-19 myocarditis and are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We establish an engineered heart tissue model of COVID-19 myocardial pathology, define mechanisms of viral pathogenesis, and demonstrate that cardiomyocyte severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection results in contractile deficits, cytokine production, sarcomere disassembly, and cell death. These findings implicate direct infection of cardiomyocytes in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 myocardial pathology and provides a model system to study this emerging disease

Genomic predictors of patterns of progression in glioblastoma and possible influences on radiation field design

We present a retrospective investigation of the role of genomics in the prediction of central versus marginal disease progression patterns for glioblastoma (GBM). Between August 2000 and May 2010, 41 patients with GBM and gene expression and methylation data available were treated with radiotherapy with or without concurrent temozolomide. Location of disease progression was categorized as within the high dose (60 Gy) or low dose (46 Gy) volume. Samples were grouped into previously described TCGA genomic groupings: Mesenchymal (m), classical (c), proneural (pn), and neural (n); and were also classified by MGMT-Methylation status and G-Cimp methylation phenotype. Genomic groupings and methylation status were investigated as a possible predictor of disease progression in the high dose region, progression in the low dose region, and time to progression. Based on TCGA category there was no difference in OS (p = 0.26), 60 Gy progression (PN: 71 %, N: 60 %, M: 89 %, C: 83 %, p = 0.19), 46 Gy progression (PN: 57 %, N: 40 %, M: 61 %, C: 50 %, p = 0.8) or time to progression (PN: 9 months, N:15 months, M: 9 months, C: 7 months, p = 0.58). MGMT methylation predicted for improved OS (median 25 vs. 13 months, p = 0.01), improved DFS (median 13 vs. 8 months, p = 0.007) and decreased 60 Gy (p = 0.003) and 46 Gy (p = 0.006) progression. There was a cohort of MGMT methylated patients with late marginal disease progression (4/22 patients, 18 %). TCGA groups demonstrated no difference in survival or progression patterns. MGMT methylation predicted for a statistically significant decrease in in-field and marginal disease progression. There was a cohort of MGMT methylated patients with late marginal progression. Validations of these findings would have implications that could affect radiation field size