Mathematical and computer modeling of electro-optic systems using a generic modeling approach

The conventional approach to modelling electro-optic sensor systems is to develop separate models for individual systems or classes of system, depending on the detector technology employed in the sensor and the application. However, this ignores commonality in design and in components of these systems. A generic approach is presented for modelling a variety of sensor systems operating in the infrared waveband that also allows systems to be modelled with different levels of detail and at different stages of the product lifecycle. The provision of different model types (parametric and image-flow descriptions) within the generic framework can allow valuable insights to be gained

Urinary Aminopeptidase Activities as Early and Predictive Biomarkers of Renal Dysfunction in Cisplatin-Treated Rats

This study analyzes the fluorimetric determination of alanyl- (Ala), glutamyl- (Glu), leucyl-cystinyl- (Cys) and aspartyl-aminopeptidase (AspAp) urinary enzymatic activities as early and predictive biomarkers of renal dysfunction in cisplatin-treated rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 8 each group) received a single subcutaneous injection of either saline or cisplatin 3.5 or 7 mg/kg, and urine samples were taken at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 14 days after treatment. In urine samples we determined Ala, Glu, Cys and AspAp activities, proteinuria, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), albumin, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance and renal morphological variables were measured at the end of the experiment. CysAp, NAG and albumin were increased 48 hours after treatment in the cisplatin 3.5 mg/kg treated group. At 24 hours, all urinary aminopeptidase activities and albuminuria were significantly increased in the cisplatin 7 mg/kg treated group. Aminopeptidase urinary activities correlated (p0.259) with plasma creatinine, creatinine clearance and/or kidney weight/body weight ratio at the end of the experiment and they could be considered as predictive biomarkers of renal injury severity. ROC-AUC analysis was made to study their sensitivity and specificity to distinguish between treated and untreated rats at day 1. All aminopeptidase activities showed an AUC>0.633. We conclude that Ala, Cys, Glu and AspAp enzymatic activities are early and predictive urinary biomarkers of the renal dysfunction induced by cisplatin. These determinations can be very useful in the prognostic and diagnostic of renal dysfunction in preclinical research and clinical practice.This study was supported by a grant (R1/12/2010/66) from the University of Jaén with the participation of Caja Rural of Jaén, and from the Carlos III Health Institute of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Red de Investigación Renal, REDinREN RD06/0016/0017 and RD07/0016/2008), “FEDER una manera de hacer Europa.

Przydatnosc nowej metody izolacji DNA do identyfikacji izolatow Entamoeba technika PCR

In this study we have developed a modified CLARK and DIAMOND (1992, 1993) method using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify amoebic ribosomal RNA genes that allow either specific detection of Entamoeba histolytica s. str. or amoeba species identification. DNA was isolated from cultured protozoa or from stool samples (cysts andlor trophozoites). Cultures of xenie or axenic material (also stool samples) were treated with Easy Genomic DNA Prep or Genomic DNA Prep Plus (A&A Biotechnology, Poland) for DNA isolation. With these new procedures, DNA can be obtained effectively and with high degree of purity. 13 amoeba strains were investigated. Three strains produced an 876 bp fragment with Psp5 and Psp3 primers (specific product for E. histolytica s. str). Three strains gave a specific 876 bp product for E. dispar with NPsp5 and NPsp3 primers. Two strains were E. moshkovskii as identified by KpnI digestion of PCR products obtained with RD5 and RD3 primers. Four strains (one of them was cultured in two laboratories) were E. invadens as identified by HinfI or HhaI digestion of PCR products obtained with RD5 and RD3 primers. Characteristic RFLP patterns with these enzymes was also obtained for E. terrapinae and Blastocystis hominis. This RFLP analysis show significant promise as a medical diagnostic tool particularly useful for species identification.W przedstawionej pracy rozwinięto i zmodyfikowano metodę CLARKA i DIAMONDA (1992, 1993) amplifikacji techniką PCR pełzakowych genów kodujących rybosomalne RNA, pozwalających na swoiste wykrywanie Entamoeba histolytica sensu stricto lub identyfikację gatunkową pełzaków. DNA izolowano z pierwotniaków hodowanych in vitro lub z prób kału (cysty i/lub trofozoity). Izolację DNA z aksenicznych lub poliksenicznych kultur (także próbek kału) przeprowadzano przy użyciu Easy Genohistolytica DNA Prep lub Genomic DNA Prep Plus (A&A Biotechnology, Polska). Stosując te nowe procedury uzyskiwano DNA wydajnie i o dużym stopniu czystości. Przebadano 13 szczepów pełzaków. Trzy szczepy dawały produkty PCR o wielkości 876 pz ze starterami Psp5 i Psp3 (swoisty produkt dla E. histolytica s. str). Trzy szczepy dawały swoisty dla E. dispar produkt o wielkości 876 pz ze starterami NPsp5 i NPsp3. Dwa szczepy należały do E. moshkovskii, co wykazała indentyfikacja przez trawienie KpnI produktów PCR otrzymanych ze starterami RD5 i RD3. Cztery szczepy Geden z nich hodowany w dwóch laboratoriach) zidentyfikowano jako E. invadens przez trawienie HinfI i HhaI produktów PCR otrzymanych ze starterami RD5 i RD3. Charakterystyczny wzór RFLP z tymi enzymami otrzymano także z E. terrapinae i Blastocystis hominis. Ta analiza RFLP wskazuje na jej przydatność w diagnostyce medycznej, a szczególnie w identyfikacji gatunków