Neurophysiology

Contains research objectives and summary of research on ten research projects.National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 R01 EY01149-02)National Institutes of Health (Grant 1 T01 EY00090-01)Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. (Grant)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 TO1 GM00778-19)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 TO1 GM01555-08

Identification of genes transcriptionally responsive to the loss of MLL fusions in MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia

MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in infants (<1 year) is characterized by high relapse rates and a dismal prognosis. To facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, we here searched for genes directly influenced by the repression of various MLL fusions. Methods For this, we performed gene expression profiling after siRNA-mediated repression of MLLAF4, MLL-ENL, and AF4-MLL in MLL -rearranged ALL cell line models. The obtained results were compared with various already established gene signatures including those consisting of known MLL-AF4 target genes, or those associated with primary MLL-rearranged infant ALL samples. Results Genes that were down-regulated in response to the repression of MLL-AF4 and MLL-ENL appeared characteristically expressed in primary MLL-rearranged infant ALL samples, and often represented known MLL-AF4 targets genes. Genes that were up-regulated in response to the repression of MLL-AF4 and MLL-ENL often represented genes typically silenced by promoter hypermethylation in MLL-rearranged infant ALL. Genes that were aff

Neurophysiology

Contains research objectives and summary of research on seventeen research projects and reports on four research projects.National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 TOl EY00090-02)Bell Telephone Laboratories, Inc. (Grant)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 ROI EY01149-03)National Institutes of Health (Grant NS 12307-01)National Institutes of Health (Grant 1 K04 NS00010

Plasmas and Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Contains reports on thirteen research projects split into three sections.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-2581

Astrocytic Ion Dynamics: Implications for Potassium Buffering and Liquid Flow

We review modeling of astrocyte ion dynamics with a specific focus on the implications of so-called spatial potassium buffering, where excess potassium in the extracellular space (ECS) is transported away to prevent pathological neural spiking. The recently introduced Kirchoff-Nernst-Planck (KNP) scheme for modeling ion dynamics in astrocytes (and brain tissue in general) is outlined and used to study such spatial buffering. We next describe how the ion dynamics of astrocytes may regulate microscopic liquid flow by osmotic effects and how such microscopic flow can be linked to whole-brain macroscopic flow. We thus include the key elements in a putative multiscale theory with astrocytes linking neural activity on a microscopic scale to macroscopic fluid flow.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figure

Neurophysiology

Contains research objectives and summary of research on sixteen research projects.National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 TO1 EY00090-03)National Institutes of Health (Grant 3 RO1 EY01149-03S1)Bell Laboratories (Grant)National Institutes of Health (Grant 5 RO1 NS12307-02)National Institutes of Health (Grant K04 NS00010

Plasmas and Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Contains research objectives and reports on three research projects.National Science Foundation (Grant GK-1165

Survey of Infectious Waste Management Practices in Selected Acute Care Hospitals in the United States

In July 1987, 39% (200/519) of a survey of acute care hospitals throughout the United States responded to a comprehensive solid (infectious) waste questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to identify infectious waste handling, treatment, and disposal practices in U.S. acute care hospitals. Survey responses were received from forty-three of the fifty states. Most hospitals (71%) have a written comprehensive hazardous waste management plan (includes infectious waste, low level radioactive waste hazardous chemicals, and cytotoxic waste). Only (38%) of the hospitals reported they have an EPA hazardous waste identification number. Most hospitals (90%+) consider microbiological; human blood and blood products; pathological; and sharps (e.g., needles, scalpel blades) as infectious waste. This is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation. Furthermore, most hospitals (79%) are in compliance with the CDC recommended treatment methods for these types of infectious waste. EPA recommends that microbiological; blood and blood products; communicable disease isolation; pathological; contaminated sharps; and contaminated animal carcasses and body parts be designated as infectious waste. Furthermore, EPA has identified optional infectious waste categories as waste from surgery and autopsy; miscellaneous laboratory waste; dialysis unit waste; and contaminated equipment. For all the waste categories except contaminated equipment, most hospitals (80%+) considered these waste as infectious waste. However, only (26%) of the hospitals were in compliance with the EPA recommended treatment practices for all infectious waste categories. For the EPA infectious (less optional) waste categories 52% of the hospitals were in compliance with EPA recommended treatment methods. It is hoped this information will be useful to regulators, decision makers, hospital administrators, and others as the debate on regulating infectious waste continues.Master of Science in Public Healt