Live cell imaging of low- and non-repetitive chromosome loci using CRISPR-Cas9.

Imaging chromatin dynamics is crucial to understand genome organization and its role in transcriptional regulation. Recently, the RNA-guidable feature of CRISPR-Cas9 has been utilized for imaging of chromatin within live cells. However, these methods are mostly applicable to highly repetitive regions, whereas imaging regions with low or no repeats remains as a challenge. To address this challenge, we design single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) integrated with up to 16 MS2 binding motifs to enable robust fluorescent signal amplification. These engineered sgRNAs enable multicolour labelling of low-repeat-containing regions using a single sgRNA and of non-repetitive regions with as few as four unique sgRNAs. We achieve tracking of native chromatin loci throughout the cell cycle and determine differential positioning of transcriptionally active and inactive regions in the nucleus. These results demonstrate the feasibility of our approach to monitor the position and dynamics of both repetitive and non-repetitive genomic regions in live cells

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct and duodenal stenosis: an overlooked association

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ectopic opening of the common bile duct into the duodenal bulb (EO-CBD-DB) is a rare disease that may be complicated by duodenal ulcer, deformity, stenosis and biliary stones. The aim of this study is to report clinical presentations, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of this entity as well as to investigate its association with duodenal stenosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Gastroduodenoscopic findings and radiological imaging were evaluated for ectopic papilla and duodenal stenosis. Diagnostic methods, endoscopic procedures and long-term outcomes of the endoscopic treatment were presented.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>EO-CBD-DB was found in 74 (77.1%) of the 96 patients with duodenal deformity/stenosis (79 male, 17 female, mean age: 58.5, range: 30-87 years). The papilla with normal appearance was retracted to the bulb in 11 while it was at its usual location in the remaining 11. The history of biliodigestive surgery was more common in patients with EO-CBD-DB who were frequently presented with the common bile duct stone-related symptoms than the other patients. Thirteen (17.6%) of the patients with EO-CBD-DB were referred to surgery. Endoscopic treatment was completed in 60 (81.1%) patients after an average of 1.7 (range: 1-6) procedures. These patients were on follow-up for 24.8 (range: 2-46) months. Endoscopic intervention was required in 12 (20%) of them because of recurrent biliary problems. Treatment of the patient who had stricture due to biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still continued.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The presence of EO-CBD-DB should be considered particularly in middle-aged male patients who have duodenal deformity/stenosis. Endoscopic treatment is feasible in these patients. The long-term outcomes of endoscopic therapy need to be compared with surgical treatment.</p

Prognostic value of gross tumor volume delineated by FDG-PET-CT based radiotherapy treatment planning in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We aimed to assess whether gross tumor volume (GTV) determined by fusion of contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT) and 18F-fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography-CT (FDG-PET-CT) based radiotherapy planning could predict outcomes, namely overall survival (OS), local-regional progression-free survival (LRPFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) in cases with locally advanced pancreas cancer (LAPC) treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 30 patients with histological proof of LAPC underwent 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/28 fractions) of radiotherapy concurrent with continuously infused 5-FU followed by 4 to 6 courses of maintenance gemcitabine. Target volume delineations were performed on FDG-PET-CT-based RTP. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: GTV lesser (GTV_L) versus greater (GTV_G) than cut off value determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and compared in terms of OS, LRPFS and PFS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median GTV delineated according to the FDG-PET-CT data was 100.0 cm³. Cut off GTV value determined from ROC curves was 91.1 cm³. At a median follow up of 11.2 months, median OS, LRPFS and PFS for the entire population were 10.3, 7.8 and 5.7 months, respectively. Median OS, LRPFS and PFS for GTV_Land GTV_Gcohorts were 16.3 vs. 9.5 (<it>p </it>= 0.005), 11.0 vs. 6.0 (<it>p </it>= 0.013), and 9.0 vs. 4.8 months (<it>p </it>= 0.008), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The superior OS, LRPFS and PFS observed in GTV_Lpatients over GTV_Gones suggests a potential for FDG-PET-CT-defined GTV size in predicting outcomes of LAPC patients treated with definitive C-CRT, which needs to be validated by further studies with larger cohorts.</p

Thermal Modelling Of An Agrivoltaic System : 3D performance analysis for bificial PV-modules

abstract Recognizing the importance of the Food, Energy and Water -nexus sustainable approaches and develop according to their framework, would help to achieve global goals such as water security, energy security and food security. And because of the increasing number of human beings, energy demand, food demand, massive amount of land must be used in order to meet these demands. Agrivoltaic system shows promising potential in helping these areas to thrive, the system combines farm activities with PV energy system on the same piece of land, thus, its fits the requirements of Food, Energy and Water -nexus as a valid solution in optimizing the usage in land along with irrigation. However, understanding of the microclimatic conditions in an Agrivoltaic system is essential for adequate crop management because it represents the physical conditions experienced by organisms, in turn these conditions constrain the crop yield. The issue is that this topic is not fully understood, hence, this research studies the important factors affecting microclimatic conditions. After surveying relative literature review regarding Agrivoltaic system and the surrounding microclimate, a model of the reference plant at KärrboPrästgård in Sweden was developed in the simulation software ‘’Solidworks’’. This was done in order to properly analyze the influence between microclimate versus PV system. The model was then validated with measurements taken from the reference plant such as, temperature and solar intensity absorbed by the panels. And had relatively similar trendlines, which confirmed that the model was in order however, there was a slight difference in both of temperature and solar intensity diagrams. Regarding the result obtained from the CFD simulation showed that the implantation of PV panels could potentially conduct unwanted heat if the air could not travel always to the source of heat and exchange with cooler air. The result also showed the direction of the air showed important value, because when the direction of the air was heading against the front side of the panels, less velocity in air reached the next rows of panels.     Preface This degree project was carried out in the School of Business, Society and Engineering (EST) at Mälardalen University within the framework of Future Energy Center. It aims to develop a detailed CFD model of a vertically mounted agrivoltaic system within the Swedish Energy Agency project “Evaluation of the first agrivoltaic system in Sweden”. We want to thank Pietro Campana for arranging the project along with our main supervisor, Sebastian Zainali, who has guided and assisted us throughout the project

Thermal Modelling Of An Agrivoltaic System : 3D performance analysis for bificial PV-modules

abstract Recognizing the importance of the Food, Energy and Water -nexus sustainable approaches and develop according to their framework, would help to achieve global goals such as water security, energy security and food security. And because of the increasing number of human beings, energy demand, food demand, massive amount of land must be used in order to meet these demands. Agrivoltaic system shows promising potential in helping these areas to thrive, the system combines farm activities with PV energy system on the same piece of land, thus, its fits the requirements of Food, Energy and Water -nexus as a valid solution in optimizing the usage in land along with irrigation. However, understanding of the microclimatic conditions in an Agrivoltaic system is essential for adequate crop management because it represents the physical conditions experienced by organisms, in turn these conditions constrain the crop yield. The issue is that this topic is not fully understood, hence, this research studies the important factors affecting microclimatic conditions. After surveying relative literature review regarding Agrivoltaic system and the surrounding microclimate, a model of the reference plant at KärrboPrästgård in Sweden was developed in the simulation software ‘’Solidworks’’. This was done in order to properly analyze the influence between microclimate versus PV system. The model was then validated with measurements taken from the reference plant such as, temperature and solar intensity absorbed by the panels. And had relatively similar trendlines, which confirmed that the model was in order however, there was a slight difference in both of temperature and solar intensity diagrams. Regarding the result obtained from the CFD simulation showed that the implantation of PV panels could potentially conduct unwanted heat if the air could not travel always to the source of heat and exchange with cooler air. The result also showed the direction of the air showed important value, because when the direction of the air was heading against the front side of the panels, less velocity in air reached the next rows of panels.     Preface This degree project was carried out in the School of Business, Society and Engineering (EST) at Mälardalen University within the framework of Future Energy Center. It aims to develop a detailed CFD model of a vertically mounted agrivoltaic system within the Swedish Energy Agency project “Evaluation of the first agrivoltaic system in Sweden”. We want to thank Pietro Campana for arranging the project along with our main supervisor, Sebastian Zainali, who has guided and assisted us throughout the project

Design and Numerical Analysis of a Double-Tube Magnetorheological Shock Absorber for Vehicle Seat Suspension Systems

In scissors-type suspension mechanisms of the driver's seats of vehicles such as tractors, trucks and buses, conventional double-tube shock absorbers are often used as dampers due to the length of the course. The damping values of these shock absorbers are determined according to the condition of the vehicle and the opening and closing conditions. Some of the modern damping mechanism have the ability to manually adjust the damping force with the help of a latch. The driver can adjust the seat stiffness with this mechanical adjustment as desired. Nevertheless, the performance of the mechanism is limited because it is not instantly (dynamically) controlled. Today, alternatives to conventional mechanical adjustable shock absorbers are shock absorbers with magnetorheological (MR) fluid suitable for electronic control. In this study, double-tube MR damper, which can be used instead of double-tube mechanically regulated shock absorber, has been investigated by numerical magnetic and flow analyses and has been designed, manufactured and tested. The results of the tests were evaluated