Aptamer conjugated silver nanoparticles for the detection of interleukin 6

The controlled assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles by a molecular binding event has emerged as a simple yet sensitive methodology for protein detection. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) coated with functionalized aptamers can be utilized as biosensors by monitoring changes in particle optical properties, such as the LSPR shift and enhancement of the SERS spectra, in the presence of a target protein. Herein we test this method using two modified aptamers selected for the protein biomarker interleukin 6, an indicator of the dengue fever virus and other diseases including certain types of cancers, diabetes, and even arthritis. IL6 works by inducing an immunological response within the body that can be either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory. The results show that the average hydrodynamic diameter of the NPs as measured by Dynamic Light Scattering was ∼42 nm. After conjugation of the aptamers, the peak absorbance of the AgNPs shifted from 404 to 408 nm indicating a surface modification of the NPs due to the presence of the aptamer. Lastly, preliminary results were obtained showing an increase in SERS intensity occurs when the IL-6 protein was introduced to the conjugate solution but the assay will still need to be optimized in order for it to be able to monitor varying concentration changes within and across the desired range

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Active control of a fluid-loaded cylindrical shell - part 2: active modal control

In part 1, it was shown that the radiated sound pressure due to low frequency vibration of a fluid¬ loaded pressure hull is contributed to by the axial displacement (radiated pressure due to the end plates), and the radial displacement (radiated pressure due to the curved hull surface) [1]. Active control is a technique that can be used to control the hull vibration modes of a submarine and thereby reduce the radiated noise signature due to these modes. In this paper, the effect on the radiated sound pressure resulting from actively controlling the axial and radial displacements for the first two axial resonance modes of a submerged cylinder is investigated. Results show that attenuation of the axial displacement is more effective in reducing the radiated noise compared with attenuation of the radial motion. The control performance is strongly dependent on error sensor location for a given resonance mode. The use of active modal control has shown great potential to control full size hull vibration modes

Active control of a fluid-loaded cylindrical shell - part 1: dynamics of the physical system

The dynamic response and noise radiation of a ring stiffened finite cylindrical shell subject to an axial excitation is presented. The effect of the ring stiffeners, finite end conditions, bulkheads, fluid-loading conditions and axial excitation due to the propulsion are taken into account in the low frequency analysis. Results show that the total radiated acoustic signature is due to both the axial and radial vibration motion of the submerged cylinder. The model developed in this paper is used for active control of a fluid-loaded cylinder, which is presented in part 2 of this work

Active control of a fluid-loaded cylindrical shell - part 2: active modal control

In part 1, it was shown that the radiated sound pressure due to low frequency vibration of a fluid¬ loaded pressure hull is contributed to by the axial displacement (radiated pressure due to the end plates), and the radial displacement (radiated pressure due to the curved hull surface) [1]. Active control is a technique that can be used to control the hull vibration modes of a submarine and thereby reduce the radiated noise signature due to these modes. In this paper, the effect on the radiated sound pressure resulting from actively controlling the axial and radial displacements for the first two axial resonance modes of a submerged cylinder is investigated. Results show that attenuation of the axial displacement is more effective in reducing the radiated noise compared with attenuation of the radial motion. The control performance is strongly dependent on error sensor location for a given resonance mode. The use of active modal control has shown great potential to control full size hull vibration modes

An analytical investigation of single actuator and error sensor control in connected plates

Vibrations in structures travel in the form of flexural and extensional waves, and transfer energy to other components of the system coupled to the structure. This may result in an undesirable system response or sound radiation. This paper presents an analytical and computational investigation of active control of the dynamic response characteristics of a series of rectangular plates coupled together and subject to point force excitation. The idealized periodic point force may represent the actions of vibrating mounted machinery such as motors or engines. Feedforward active control of the flexural waves in the plate configurations is applied to actively attenuate the structural response. It is shown that for L, T and cross-shaped plates, global attenuation may be achieved using a single control source and a single error sensor

Active control of connected plates using single and multiple actuators and error sensors

Active control of the structure-borne vibration transmission in resonant, built-up structures which typically represent a ship hull is analytically and experimentally investigated. Using feedforward active control, the control performance is compared for both dependent and independent control force arrangements. Multiple actuator control forces and multiple error sensors are used to actively control the frequency response. The global response of the coupled plate structure is also presented for active control at discrete resonance frequencies