Dynamic weather effects induced from the 2017 total solar eclipse

This research project was part of a nationwide effort organized by Montana Space Grant consortium to study and film the 2017 total solar eclipse with high altitude balloons. Our mission is to measure the changes in light from the total solar eclipse and its effects on the local weather conditions in the air and on the ground. Our results showed that the effects of totality on the ambient light levels were not gradual, like we had expected from our observations of sunsets, but rather the light levels decreased sharply at totality. We measured a 5.61% decrease in light before full totality, followed by a 94.4% decrease, over 90 seconds, into totality. The dramatic decreases in light levels are the root cause for the measured weather phenomena, including a short-term pressure increase associated with totality

Promoter polymorphism of the erythropoietin gene in severe diabetic eye and kidney complications

Significant morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus result largely from a greatly increased incidence of microvascular complications. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and end stage renal disease (ESRD) are two of the most common and severe microvascular complications of diabetes. A high concordance exists in the development of PDR and ESRD in diabetic patients, as well as strong familial aggregation of these complications, suggesting a common underlying genetic mechanism. However, the precise gene(s) and genetic variant(s) involved remain largely unknown. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a potent angiogenic factor observed in the diabetic human and mouse eye. By a combination of case–control association and functional studies, we demonstrate that the T allele of SNP rs1617640 in the promoter of the EPO gene is significantly associated with PDR and ESRD in three European-American cohorts [Utah: P = 1.91 × 10−3; Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) Study: P = 2.66 × 10−8; and Boston: P = 2.1 × 10−2]. The EPO concentration in human vitreous body was 7.5-fold higher in normal subjects with the TT risk genotype than in those with the GG genotype. Computational analysis suggests that the risk allele (T) of rs1617640 creates a matrix match with the EVI1/MEL1 or AP1 binding site, accounting for an observed 25-fold enhancement of luciferase reporter expression as compared with the G allele. These results suggest that rs1617640 in the EPO promoter is significantly associated with PDR and ESRD. This study identifies a disease risk-associated gene and potential pathway mediating severe diabetic microvascular complications

Desarrollo tecnológico en ingeniería automotriz

El proceso de investigación y desarrollo tecnológico está directamente relacionado con una adecuada metodología de procesos industriales, que cada vez son más exigentes en competitividad, eficiencia energética y de normativas ambientales. Este libro contempla resultados de un proceso de investigación y desarrollo de nuevas técnicas aplicadas en el campo de la Ingeniería Automotriz desde cuatro aristas: eficiencia energética y contaminación ambiental, planificación del transporte, ingeniería del mantenimiento aplicada al transporte y desagregación tecnológica. Este libro conmemora 20 años de formación universitaria salesiana en el sector de transporte y recoge las experiencias y resultados obtenidos asociados con el desarrollo tecnológico en ingeniería automotriz. Para lograr este objetivo, se ha convocado a la comunidad científica, académica y profesionales de la industria automotriz a participar en la publicación. Cada capítulo fue sometido a revisión, evaluación y aprobación por un comité científico altamente calificado, proveniente de seis países: Colombia, Ecuador, España, Guinea Ecuatorial, México y Venezuela. Este trabajo ha sido posible gracias al gran apoyo de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS sede Cuenca), Ecuador y Universidad de Los Andes (ULA)

Phylogenetic ctDNA analysis depicts early-stage lung cancer evolution.

The early detection of relapse following primary surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer and the characterization of emerging subclones, which seed metastatic sites, might offer new therapeutic approaches for limiting tumour recurrence. The ability to track the evolutionary dynamics of early-stage lung cancer non-invasively in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has not yet been demonstrated. Here we use a tumour-specific phylogenetic approach to profile the ctDNA of the first 100 TRACERx (Tracking Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Evolution Through Therapy (Rx)) study participants, including one patient who was also recruited to the PEACE (Posthumous Evaluation of Advanced Cancer Environment) post-mortem study. We identify independent predictors of ctDNA release and analyse the tumour-volume detection limit. Through blinded profiling of postoperative plasma, we observe evidence of adjuvant chemotherapy resistance and identify patients who are very likely to experience recurrence of their lung cancer. Finally, we show that phylogenetic ctDNA profiling tracks the subclonal nature of lung cancer relapse and metastasis, providing a new approach for ctDNA-driven therapeutic studies

Dynamic weather effects induced from the 2017 total solar eclipse

This research project was part of a nationwide effort organized by Montana Space Grant consortium to study and film the 2017 total solar eclipse with high altitude balloons. Our mission is to measure the changes in light from the total solar eclipse and its effects on the local weather conditions in the air and on the ground. Our results showed that the effects of totality on the ambient light levels were not gradual, like we had expected from our observations of sunsets, but rather the light levels decreased sharply at totality. We measured a 5.61% decrease in light before full totality, followed by a 94.4% decrease, over 90 seconds, into totality. The dramatic decreases in light levels are the root cause for the measured weather phenomena, including a short-term pressure increase associated with totality

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a common debilitating disorder characterized by shoulder pain and progressive loss of shoulder movement. Frozen shoulder is frequently associated with other systemic conditions or occurs following periods of immobilization, and has a protracted clinical course, which can be frustrating for patients as well as health-care professionals. Frozen shoulder is characterized by fibroproliferative tissue fibrosis, whereby fibroblasts, producing predominantly type I and type III collagen, transform into myofibroblasts (a smooth muscle phenotype), which is accompanied by inflammation, neoangiogenesis and neoinnervation, resulting in shoulder capsular fibrotic contractures and the associated clinical stiffness. Diagnosis is heavily based on physical examination and can be difficult depending on the stage of disease or if concomitant shoulder pathology is present. Management consists of physiotherapy, therapeutic modalities such as steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, hydrodilation and surgical interventions; however, their effectiveness remains unclear. Facilitating translational science should aid in development of novel therapies to improve outcomes among individuals with this debilitating condition

Frozen shoulder

Frozen shoulder is a common debilitating disorder characterized by shoulder pain and progressive loss of shoulder movement. Frozen shoulder is frequently associated with other systemic conditions or occurs following periods of immobilization, and has a protracted clinical course, which can be frustrating for patients as well as health-care professionals. Frozen shoulder is characterized by fibroproliferative tissue fibrosis, whereby fibroblasts, producing predominantly type I and type III collagen, transform into myofibroblasts (a smooth muscle phenotype), which is accompanied by inflammation, neoangiogenesis and neoinnervation, resulting in shoulder capsular fibrotic contractures and the associated clinical stiffness. Diagnosis is heavily based on physical examination and can be difficult depending on the stage of disease or if concomitant shoulder pathology is present. Management consists of physiotherapy, therapeutic modalities such as steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, hydrodilation and surgical interventions; however, their effectiveness remains unclear. Facilitating translational science should aid in development of novel therapies to improve outcomes among individuals with this debilitating condition