Message from program chairs: LightSec 2011

[No abstract available

Epicardial fat thickness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Epidemiologic data indicates that rheumatoid arthritis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Epicardial adipose tissue is a novel cardio-metabolic risk factor. Our aim was to evaluate epicardial fat thickness (EFT) using echocardiography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy control subjects. Secondly, we investigated relationship between epicardial fat thickness and clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Method: The study population included 76 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (64 female; mean age, 53 ±11 years, median disease duration, 7.8 years) and 50 healthy subjects as controls (39 female; mean age, 52 ± 6 years). All patients underwent echocardiography to assess left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy and EFT. All values were compared between groups.Results: EFT was higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients than in healthy controls (0.66±0.20 vs. 0.54±0.18; p= 0.003). Thickness of Intra Ventricular Septum (IVS) (1.1±0.06 and 9.8±0.08; p=0.001) and posterior wall (PW) (0.98±0.05 and 0.93±0.08; p=0.015) was higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy controls. Early diastolic myocardiac peak velocity or late diastolic mitral peak velocity (E/A) ratio was lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy patients (1.1 ±0.8 and 1.24±0.1 p=0.001) as well as, E/e’ was higher in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients than healthy patients. (E/e’:8.7±1.6 and 8.0±1.4 p=0.020). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, EFT was positively correlated with hypertension and duration of disease and E/e’ (r: 0.10, p: 0.010, r: 0.306, p: 0.004 and r: 0.465 p: 0.007 respectively) and EFT was negatively correlated with E/A (r: -.262 p:0.022 )Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report about epicardial adipose tissue in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Epicardial fat thickness as an indicator of cardiovascular involvement was higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients.Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, epicardial fat thickness, cardiac involvemen

Testing Atom and Neutron Neutrality with Atom Interferometry

We propose an atom-interferometry experiment based on the scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect which detects an atom charge at the 10{sup -28} e level, and improves the current laboratory limits by 8 orders of magnitude. This setup independently probes neutron charges down to 10{sup 28} e, 7 orders of magnitude below current bounds

General Relativistic Effects in Atom Interferometry

Atom interferometry is now reaching sufficient precision to motivate laboratory tests of general relativity. We begin by explaining the non-relativistic calculation of the phase shift in an atom interferometer and deriving its range of validity. From this we develop a method for calculating the phase shift in general relativity. This formalism is then used to find the relativistic effects in an atom interferometer in a weak gravitational field for application to laboratory tests of general relativity. The potentially testable relativistic effects include the non-linear three-graviton coupling, the gravity of kinetic energy, and the falling of light. We propose experiments, one currently under construction, that could provide a test of the principle of equivalence to 1 part in 10{sup 15} (300 times better than the present limit), and general relativity at the 10% level, with many potential future improvements. We also consider applications to other metrics including the Lense-Thirring effect, the expansion of the universe, and preferred frame and location effects

Gravitational Wave Detection with Atom Interferometry

We propose two distinct atom interferometer gravitational wave detectors, one terrestrial and another satellite-based, utilizing the core technology of the Stanford 10m atom interferometer presently under construction. The terrestrial experiment can operate with strain sensitivity {approx} 10{sup -19}/{radical}Hz in the 1 Hz-10 Hz band, inaccessible to LIGO, and can detect gravitational waves from solar mass binaries out to megaparsec distances. The satellite experiment probes the same frequency spectrum as LISA with better strain sensitivity {approx} 10{sup -20}/{radical}Hz. Each configuration compares two widely separated atom interferometers run using common lasers. The effect of the gravitational waves on the propagating laser field produces the main effect in this configuration and enables a large enhancement in the gravitational wave signal while significantly suppressing many backgrounds. The use of ballistic atoms (instead of mirrors) as inertial test masses improves systematics coming from vibrations and acceleration noise, and reduces spacecraft control requirements

Delineating associations of progressive pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in patients with pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Computer quantification of baseline computed tomography (CT) radiological pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) associates with mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We examined mortality associations of longitudinal change in computer-quantified PPFE-like lesions in IPF and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (FHP). METHODS: Two CT scans 6-36 months apart were retrospectively examined in one IPF (n=414) and one FHP population (n=98). Annualised change in computerised upper-zone pleural surface area comprising radiological PPFE-like lesions (Δ-PPFE) was calculated. Δ-PPFE >1.25% defined progressive PPFE above scan noise. Mixed-effects models evaluated Δ-PPFE against change in visual CT interstitial lung disease (ILD) extent and annualised forced vital capacity (FVC) decline. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking history, baseline emphysema presence, antifibrotic use and diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. Mortality analyses further adjusted for baseline presence of clinically important PPFE-like lesions and ILD change. RESULTS: Δ-PPFE associated weakly with ILD and FVC change. 22-26% of IPF and FHP cohorts demonstrated progressive PPFE-like lesions which independently associated with mortality in the IPF cohort (hazard ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.16-1.34, p<0.0001) and the FHP cohort (hazard ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.00-1.35, p=0.045). INTERPRETATION: Progression of PPFE-like lesions independently associates with mortality in IPF and FHP but does not associate strongly with measures of fibrosis progression

Delamination technique together with longitudinal incisions for treatment of Chiari I/syringomyelia complex: a prospective clinical study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Treatment modalities in Chiari malformation type 1(CMI) accompanied by syringomyelia have not yet been standardized. Pathologies such as a small posterior fossa and thickened dura mater have been discussed previously. Various techniques have been explored to enlarge the foramen magnum and to expand the dura. The aim of this clinical study was to explore a new technique of excision of the external dura accompanied by widening the cisterna magna and making longitudinal incisions in the internal dura, without disturbing the arachnoid.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ten patients with CMI and syringomyelia, operated between 2004 and 2006, formed this prospective series. All cases underwent foramen magnum decompression of 3 × 3 cm area with C1–C2 (partial) laminectomy, resection of foramen magnum fibrous band, excision of external dura, delamination and widening of internal dura with longitudinal incisions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Patients were aged between 25 and 58 years and occipital headache was the most common complaint. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms was 4 years and the follow-up time was 25 months. Clinical progression was halted for all patients; eight patients completely recovered and two reported no change. In one patient, there was a transient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula that was treated with tissue adhesive. While syringomyelia persisted radiologically with radiological stability in five patients; for three patients the syringomyelic cavity decreased in size, and for the remaining two it regressed completely.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Removal of the fibrous band and the outer dural layer, at level of foramen magnum, together with the incision of inner dural layer appears to be good technique in adult CMI patients. The advantages are short operation time, no need for duraplasty, sufficient posterior fossa decompression, absence of CSF fistulas as a result of extra arachnoidal surgery, and short duration of hospitalization. Hence this surgical technique has advantages compared to other techniques.</p

Bioinformatic analyses identifies novel protein-coding pharmacogenomic markers associated with paclitaxel sensitivity in NCI60 cancer cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Paclitaxel is a microtubule-stabilizing drug that has been commonly used in treating cancer. Due to genetic heterogeneity within patient populations, therapeutic response rates often vary. Here we used the NCI60 panel to identify SNPs associated with paclitaxel sensitivity. Using the panel's GI50 response data available from Developmental Therapeutics Program, cell lines were categorized as either sensitive or resistant. PLINK software was used to perform a genome-wide association analysis of the cellular response to paclitaxel with the panel's SNP-genotype data on the Affymetrix 125 k SNP array. FastSNP software helped predict each SNP's potential impact on their gene product. mRNA expression differences between sensitive and resistant cell lines was examined using data from BioGPS. Using Haploview software, we investigated for haplotypes that were more strongly associated with the cellular response to paclitaxel. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software helped us understand how our identified genes may alter the cellular response to paclitaxel.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>43 SNPs were found significantly associated (FDR < 0.005) with paclitaxel response, with 10 belonging to protein-coding genes (<it>CFTR</it>, <it>ROBO1</it>, <it>PTPRD</it>, <it>BTBD12</it>, <it>DCT</it>, <it>SNTG1</it>, <it>SGCD</it>, <it>LPHN2</it>, <it>GRIK1</it>, <it>ZNF607</it>). SNPs in <it>GRIK1</it>, <it>DCT</it>, <it>SGCD </it>and <it>CFTR </it>were predicted to be intronic enhancers, altering gene expression, while SNPs in <it>ZNF607 </it>and <it>BTBD12 </it>cause conservative missense mutations. mRNA expression analysis supported these findings as <it>GRIK1</it>, <it>DCT</it>, <it>SNTG1</it>, <it>SGCD </it>and <it>CFTR </it>showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression among sensitive cell lines. Haplotypes found in <it>GRIK1, SGCD, ROBO1, LPHN2</it>, and <it>PTPRD </it>were more strongly associated with response than their individual SNPs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study has taken advantage of available genotypic data and its integration with drug response data obtained from the NCI60 panel. We identified 10 SNPs located within protein-coding genes that were not previously shown to be associated with paclitaxel response. As only five genes showed differential mRNA expression, the remainder would not have been detected solely based on expression data. The identified haplotypes highlight the role of utilizing SNP combinations within genomic loci of interest to improve the risk determination associated with drug response. These genetic variants represent promising biomarkers for predicting paclitaxel response and may play a significant role in the cellular response to paclitaxel.</p

Type-II Colloidal Quantum Wells: CdSe/CdTe Core/Crown Heteronanoplatelets

Solution-processed quantum wells, also known as colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs), are emerging as promising materials for colloidal optoelectronics. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of CdSe/CdTe core/crown NPLs exhibiting a Type-II electronic structure and Type-II specific optical properties. Here, based on a core-seeded approach, the CdSe/CdTe core/crown NPLs were synthesized with well-controlled CdTe crown coatings. Uniform and epitaxial growth of CdTe crown region was verified by using structural characterization techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with quantitative EDX analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also the optical properties were systematically studied in these Type-II NPLs that reveal strongly red-shifted photoluminescence (up to similar to 150 nm) along with 2 orders of magnitude longer fluorescence lifetimes (up to 190 ns) compared to the Type-I NPLs owing to spatially indirect excitons at the Type-II interface between the CdSe core and the CdTe crown regions. Photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy confirms that this strongly red-shifted emission actually arises from the CdSe/CdTe NPLs. In addition, temperature-dependent time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy was performed to reveal the temperature-dependent fluorescence decay kinetics of the Type-II NPLs exhibiting interesting behavior. Also, water-soluble Type-II NPLs were achieved via ligand exchange of the CdSe/CdTe core/crown NPLs by using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), which allows for enhanced charge extraction efficiency owing to their shorter chain length and enables high quality film formation by layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly. With all of these appealing properties, the CdSe/CdTe core/crown heterostructures having Type-II electronic structure presented here are highly promising for light-harvesting applications

Word add-in for ontology recognition: semantic enrichment of scientific literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the current era of scientific research, efficient communication of information is paramount. As such, the nature of scholarly and scientific communication is changing; cyberinfrastructure is now absolutely necessary and new media are allowing information and knowledge to be more interactive and immediate. One approach to making knowledge more accessible is the addition of machine-readable semantic data to scholarly articles.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Word add-in presented here will assist authors in this effort by automatically recognizing and highlighting words or phrases that are likely information-rich, allowing authors to associate semantic data with those words or phrases, and to embed that data in the document as XML. The add-in and source code are publicly available at <url>http://www.codeplex.com/UCSDBioLit</url>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The Word add-in for ontology term recognition makes it possible for an author to add semantic data to a document as it is being written and it encodes these data using XML tags that are effectively a standard in life sciences literature. Allowing authors to mark-up their own work will help increase the amount and quality of machine-readable literature metadata.</p