A Systematic Evaluation of Chip-Based Nanoelectrospray Parameters for Rapid Identification of Proteins from a Complex Mixture

HPLC-MS/MS is widely used for protein identification from gel spots and shotgun fractions. Although HPLC has well recognized benefits, this type of sample infusion also has some undesirable attributes: relatively low sample throughput, potential sample-to-sample carryover, time-varying sample composition, and no option for longer sample infusion for longer MS analyses. An automated chip-based ESI device (CB-ESI) has the potential to overcome these limitations. This report describes a systematic evaluation of the information-dependant acquisition (IDA) and sample preparation protocols for rapid protein identification from a complex mixture using a CB-ESI source compared with HPLC-ESI (gradient and isocratic elutions). Cytochrome c and a six-protein mixture (11–117 kDa) were used to develop an IDA protocol for rapid protein identification and to evaluate the effects of sample preparation protocols. MS (1–10 s) and MS/MS (1–60 s) scan times, sample concentration (50–500 fmol/μL), and ZipTipC18 cleanup were evaluated. Based on MOWSE scores, protein coverage, experimental run time, number of identified proteins, and reproducibility, a 12.5 min experiment (22 cycles, each with one 3 s MS and eight 10 s MS/MS scans) was determined to be the optimal IDA protocol for CB-ESI. This work flow yielded up to 220% greater peptide coverage compared with gradient HPLC-ESI and provided protein identifications with up to a 2-fold higher throughput rate than either HPLC-ESI approach, whilst employing half the amount of sample over the same time frame. The results from this study support the use of CB-ESI as a rapid alternative to the identification of protein mixtures

Anadenanthera colubrina vell brenan : anti-candida and antibiofilm activities, toxicity and therapeutical action

We evaluated the antifungal and antibiofilm potential of the hydroalcoholic extract of bark from Anadenanthera colubrina (vell.) Brenan, known as Angico, against Candida spp. Antifungal activity was evaluated using the microdilution technique through the Minimum Inhibitory and Fungicide Concentrations (MIC and MFC). The antibiofilm potential was tested in mature biofilms formed by Candida species and analyzed through the counting of CFU/mL and scanning electron micrograph (SEM). In vivo toxicity and therapeutic action was evaluated in the Galleria mellonella model. The treatment with the extract, in low doses, was able to reduce the growth of planktonic cells of Candida species. MIC values range between 19.5 and 39 µg/mL and MFC values range between 79 and 625 µg/mL. In addition was able to reduce the number of CFU/mL in biofilms and to cause structural alteration and cellular destruction, observed via SEM. A. colubrina showed low toxicity in the in vivo assay, having not affected the viability of the larvae at doses below 100mg/kg and high potential in the treatment of C. albicans infection. Considering its high antifungal potential, its low toxicity and potential to treatment of infections in in vivo model, A. colubrina extract is a strong candidate for development of a new agent for the treatment of oral candidiasis33CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ552562/2011-

Factors limiting complete tumor ablation by radiofrequency ablation

The purpose of this study was to determine radiological or physical factors to predict the risk of residual mass or local recurrence of primary and secondary hepatic tumors treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Eighty-two patients, with 146 lesions (80 hepatocellular carcinomas, 66 metastases), were treated by RFA. Morphological parameters of the lesions included size, location, number, ultrasound echogenicity, computed tomography density, and magnetic resonance signal intensity were obtained before and after treatment. Parameters of the generator were recorded during radiofrequency application. The recurrence-free group was statistically compared to the recurrence and residual mass groups on all these parameters. Twenty residual masses were detected. Twenty-nine lesions recurred after a mean follow-up of 18 months. Size was a predictive parameter. Patients\u27 sex and age and the echogenicity and density of lesions were significantly different for the recurrence and residual mass groups compared to the recurrence-free group (p < 0.05). The presence of an enhanced ring on the magnetic resonance control was more frequent in the recurrence and residual mass groups. In the group of patients with residual lesions, analysis of physical parameters showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the time necessary for the temperature to rise. In conclusion, this study confirms risk factors of recurrence such as the size of the tumor and emphasizes other factors such as a posttreatment enhanced ring and an increase in the time necessary for the rise in temperature. These factors should be taken into consideration when performing RFA and during follow-up

Diagnosis Of Secondary Caries In Esthetic Restorations: Influence Of The Incidence Vertical Angle Of The X-ray Beam

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy on the diagnosis of secondary caries-like lesions simulated on esthetic restorations of different materials, changing the incidence vertical angle (IVA) of the x-ray beam. Twenty human teeth received MOD inlay preparations. In the experimental group (n=10), a round cavity was made in the floor of the proximal box to simulate the caries-like lesion. All teeth were restored with 3 composite resins (Charisma, Filtek-Z250 and TPH-Spectrum) at 3 moments. Two radiographic images were acquired with 0° and 10° IVA. Ten observers evaluated the images using a 5-point confidence scale. Intra- and interobserver reliability was analyzed with the Interclass Correlation Coefficient and the diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (Az), Friedman test and Wilcoxon test (α=0.05). Higher accuracy values were obtained with 10° IVA (Az=0.66, Filtek- Z250>Az=0.56, TPH-Spectrum) compared to 0° (Az=0.55, Charisma>Az=0.37, TPH-Spectrum), though without statistically significant difference (p>0.05). The detection of secondary caries-like lesions simulated on esthetic restorations of different materials suffered no negative influence by changing the IVA of the x-ray beam.222129133Levin, L., Coval, M., Geiger, S.B., Cross-sectional radiographic survey of amalgam and resin-based composite posterior restorations (2007) Quintessence Int, 38, pp. 511-514Haak, R., Wicht, M.J., Hellmich, M., Noack, M.J., Detection of marginal defects of composite restorations with conventional and digital radiographs (2002) Eur J Oral Sci, 110, pp. 282-286Kirkevang, L.L., Vaeth, M., Wenzel, A., Prevalence and incidence of caries lesions in relation to placement and replacement of fillings: A longitudinal observational radiographic study of an adult Danish population (2009) Caries Res, 43, pp. 286-293Newman, B., Seow, W.K., Kazoullis, S., Ford, D., Holcombe, T., Clinical detection of caries in the primary dentition with and without bitewing radiography (2009) Austr Dent J, 54, pp. 23-30Anbiaee, N., Mohassel, A.R., Imanimoghaddam, M., Moazzami, S.M., A comparison of the accuracy of digital and conventional radiography in the diagnosis of recurrent caries (2010) Contemp Dent Pract, 11, pp. 25-32Nair, M.K., Tyndall, D.A., Ludlow, J.B., May, K., Ye, F., The effects of restorative material and location on the detection of simulated recurrent caries. A comparison of dental film, direct digital radiography and tuned aperture computed tomography (1998) Dentomaxillofac Radiol, 27, pp. 80-84van der Stelt, P.F., Ruttiman, U.E., Webber, R.L., Heemstra, P., In vitro study into the influence from x-ray beam angulation on the detection of artificial caries defects on interproximal radiographs (1989) Caries Res, 23, pp. 334-341Tveit, A.B., Espelid, I., Erickson, R.L., Glasspoole, E.A., Vertical angulation from X-ray beam and radiographic diagnosis of secondary caries (1991) Community Dent Oral Epidemiol, 19, pp. 333-335Akarslan, Z.Z., Akdevelioǧlu, M., Güngör, K., Erten, H., A comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of bitewing, periapical, unfiltered and filtered digital panoramic images for approximal caries detection in posterior teeth (2008) Dentomaxillofac Radiol, 37, pp. 458-463Sabbagh, J., Vreven, J., Leloup, G., Radiopacity of resin-based materials measured in film radiographs and storage phosphor plate (Digora) (2004) Oper Dent, 29, pp. 677-684Dental resin based restorative materials, 6 (10), pp. 1985-1985. , ISO:DP 4049, International standards organization (Draft Proposal), clauseMagalhães, C.S., Freitas, A.B., Moreira, A.N., Ferreira, E.F., Validity of staining and marginal ditching as criteria for diagnosis of secondary caries around occlusal amalgam restorations: An in vitro study (2009) Braz Dent J, 20, pp. 307-313Ergücü, Z., Türkün, L.S., Onem, E., Güneri, P., Comparative radiopacity of six flowable resin composites (2010) Oper Dent, 35, pp. 436-440Lasko, T.A., Bhagwat, J.G., Zou, K.H., Ohno-Machado, L., The use of receiver operating characteristic curves in biomedical informatics (2005) J Biomed Inform, 38, pp. 404-415Diniz, M.B., Rodrigues, J.A., Neuhaus, K.W., Cordeiro, R.C., Lussi, A., Influence of examiner's clinical experience on the reproducibility and accuracy of radiographic examination in detecting occlusal caries (2010) Clin Oral Investig, 14, pp. 515-523Zoellner, A., Diemer, B., Weber, H.P., Stassinakis, A., Gaengler, P., Histologic and radiographic assessment of caries-like lesions localized at the crown margin (2002) J Prosthet Dent, 88, pp. 54-59Ferreira, R.I., Haiter-Neto, F., Tabchoury, C.P., de Paiva, G.A., Bóscolo, F.N., Assessment of enamel demineralization using conventional, digital, and digitized radiography (2006) Braz Oral Res, 20, pp. 114-119Peker, I., Toraman Alkurt, M., Altunkaynak, B., Film tomography compared with film and digital bitewing radiography for proximal caries detection (2007) Dentomaxillofac Radiol, 36, pp. 495-49

A Bayesian Modelling of Wildfires in Portugal

In the last decade wildfires became a serious problem in Portugal due to different issues such as climatic characteristics and nature of Portuguese forest. In order to analyse wildfire data, we employ beta regression for modelling the proportion of burned forest area, under a Bayesian perspective. Our main goal is to find out fire risk factors that influence the proportion of area burned and what may make a forest type susceptible or resistant to fire. Then, we analyse wildfire data in Portugal during 1990-1994 through Bayesian beta models t

Covalent organic frameworks as catalyst support: A case study of thermal, hydrothermal, and mechanical pressure stability of β-ketoenamine-linked TpBD-Me2

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystalline, ordered networks, that, due to their high surface areas and the opportunity for periodic placement of catalytically active sites, are interesting materials for catalysis. Despite the great interest in the use of COFs for this application, there is currently a lack of fundamental understanding on how catalytically relevant conditions affect the integrity of the materials. To gain insight into the stability of COFs as catalyst supports, we herein subjected a β-ketoenamine-linked COF to thermal treatment at high temperatures, to autogenous pressure in water at different temperatures, and to mechanical pressure during pelletizing, after which the materials were thoroughly characterized to gain insight into the structural changes occurring during these catalytically relevant treatments. The COF was largely stable under all hydrothermal conditions studied, highlighting the applicability of β-ketoenamine-linked COFs under aqueous and vapor conditions. On the other hand, thermal and pressure treatments led to a rapid decline in the surface area already at the lowest temperatures and pressures studied. Theoretical calculations indicated this loss to stem from interlayer rearrangement or buckling of the COF layers induced by the applied conditions. This study demonstrates the suitability of β-ketoenamine-linked COFs for use under hydrothermal conditions, and sheds light on the degradation pathways under thermal and pressure treatments, opening the path to the design of COFs with increased stability under such conditions.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UTA-EXPL/NPN/0055/2019Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PTDC/QUI-OUT/2095/2021Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. PTDC/EQU-EQU/1707/2020Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RYC2020-030414-IUniversidade de Vigo/CISU

Remote control of municipal solid waste

Percutaneous image-guided interventions, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), biopsy, seed implantation, and several types of drainage, employ needle shaped instruments which have to be inserted into the patient's body. Precise planning of needle placement is a key to a successful intervention. The planning of the access path has to be carried out with respect to a variety of criteria for all possible trajectories to the selected target. Since the planning is performed in 2D slices, it demands considerable experience and constitutes a significant mental task. To support the process of finding a suitable path for hepatic interventions, we propose a fast automatic method that computes a list of path proposals for a given target point inside the liver with respect to multiple criteria that affect safety and practicability. Prerequisites include segmentation masks of the liver, of all relevant risk structures and, depending on the kind of procedure, of the tumor. The path proposals are computed based on a weighted combination of cylindrical projections. Each projection represents one path criterion and is generated using the graphics hardware of the workstation. The list of path proposals is generated in less than one second. Hence, updates of the proposals upon changes of the target point and other relevant input parameters can be carried out interactively. The results of a preliminary evaluation indicate that the proposed paths are comparable to those chosen by experienced radiologists and therefore are suited to support planning in the clinical environment. Our implementation focuses on RFA and biopsy in the liver but may be adapted to other types of interventions

Differential cross section and recoil polarization measurements for the gamma p to K+ Lambda reaction using CLAS at Jefferson Lab

We present measurements of the differential cross section and Lambda recoil polarization for the gamma p to K+ Lambda reaction made using the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. These measurements cover the center-of-mass energy range from 1.62 to 2.84 GeV and a wide range of center-of-mass K+ production angles. Independent analyses were performed using the K+ p pi- and K+ p (missing pi -) final-state topologies; results from these analyses were found to exhibit good agreement. These differential cross section measurements show excellent agreement with previous CLAS and LEPS results and offer increased precision and a 300 MeV increase in energy coverage. The recoil polarization data agree well with previous results and offer a large increase in precision and a 500 MeV extension in energy range. The increased center-of-mass energy range that these data represent will allow for independent study of non-resonant K+ Lambda photoproduction mechanisms at all production angles.Comment: 22 pages, 16 figure

Measurement of the nuclear multiplicity ratio for Ks0K^0_s hadronization at CLAS

The influence of cold nuclear matter on lepto-production of hadrons in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering is measured using the CLAS detector in Hall B at Jefferson Lab and a 5.014 GeV electron beam. We report the $K_s^0$ multiplicity ratios for targets of C, Fe, and Pb relative to deuterium as a function of the fractional virtual photon energy $z$ transferred to the $K_s^0$ and the transverse momentum squared $p_{T}^2$ of the $K_s^0$. We find that the multiplicity ratios for $K^0_s$ are reduced in the nuclear medium at high $z$ and low $p_{T}^2$, with a trend for the $K^0_s$ transverse momentum to be broadened in the nucleus for large $p_{T}^2$.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Lett.