The Effects of Storage Conditions and Time on Extracted Ignitable Liquids

In arson investigation, the presence of ignitable liquid is important in determining intent. In some cases, extracts of fire debris recovered from the scene must be stored for later analysis; though little is known about how to properly store extracted samples while upholding analytical integrity over time. Three petroleum distillates were selected as samples and extracted onto activated charcoal strips using a passive headspace method. Samples were transferred to a nylon fire debris bag or PTFE-lined glass vial. Once contained, samples were stored at room temperature or refrigerated for 3, 6, and 9 months then analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Analysis was performed through compound identification according to ASTM protocol by utilizing the NIST Mass Spectral database. Comparisons were made between all variables noting any loss of compounds. This research indicates a limited difference in compound retention over time between nylon fire debris bag and PTFE-lined glass vial

Chemotherapeutic effect of a novel temozolomide analog on nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

BackgroundMany patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) face poor prognosis. Due to its hidden anatomical location, the tumor is usually diagnosed quite late, and despite initially successful treatment with radiation and cisplatin, many patients will relapse and succumb to the disease. New treatment options are urgently needed. We have performed preclinical studies to evaluate the potential NPC therapeutic activity of a newly developed analog of temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent that is the current chemotherapeutic standard of care for patients with malignant glioma.ResultsTMZ was covalently conjugated to the natural monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH), creating the novel fusion compound NEO212. Its impact on two NPC cell lines was studied through colony formation assays, cell death ELISA, immunoblots, and in vivo testing in tumor-bearing mice. In vitro, NEO212 effectively triggered tumor cell death, and its potency was significantly greater than that of its individual components, TMZ or POH alone. Intriguingly, merely mixing TMZ with POH also was unable to achieve the superior potency of the conjugated compound NEO212. Treatment of NPC cells with NEO212 inactivated the chemoprotective DNA repair protein MGMT (O6-methylguanine methyltransferase), resulting in significant chemosensitization of cells to a second round of drug treatment. When tested in vivo, NEO212 reduced tumor growth in treated animals.ConclusionOur results demonstrate anticancer activity of NEO212 in preclinical NPC models, suggesting that this novel compound should be evaluated further for the treatment of patients with NPC

Parasitosis intestinal, anemia y rendimiento escolar: Intestinal parasitosis, anemia and school perfomance

Introduction: Anemia in children is a public health problem in Peru and in the world. Children are particularly vulnerable to anemia, because of their high growth rate and high iron requirements, presence of parasites, low birth weight and frequent episodes of diarrheal infections. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the factors associated with gastrointestinal parasitosis, anemia and school performance in children of the primary level of two schools in Pamplona Alta.Introduction: Anemia in children is a public health problem in Peru and in the world. Children are particularly vulnerable to anemia, because of their high growth rate and high iron requirements, presence of parasites, low birth weight and frequent episodes of diarrheal infections. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the factors associated with gastrointestinal parasitosis, anemia and school performance in children of the primary level of two schools in Pamplona Alta. Methods: A quantitative, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out, with a simple random probabilistic sampling of 1st-6th grade students from two schools in Pamplona Alta, Lima, Peru. A survey was applied after informed consent of the parents, anthropometric measurements of the children were taken, capillary blood samples, as well as direct coproparasitological samples and Graham's test. The general average of the last trimester was chosen as well as the final math average of the last quarter as indicators of school performance. Results: A total of 109 children were included. By direct examination of stool samples and the Graham test, three types of enteroparasitic pathogens were diagnosed: Entamoeba coli (6.54%), Giardia lamblia (10.28%) and Enterobius vermicularis (7.62%). This corresponds to a global prevalence of 24.44%. A 25.93% anemia was also observed in the study population. We found a significant association between anemia <12 g / dl and overall performance (OR: 4.09 p = 0.047 IC95% = 1.01-20.591), anemia <11.5 and overall performance (OR: 5.60 IC95%: 1.19 - 27.14 p: 0.01) , and having a pet and approval in mathematics (OR: 2.55 p = 0.041 IC 95% = 1.026 - 6.374). Conclusion: One in every 4 children presented anemia and parasitosis, the anemia wassignificantly associated with poor school performance. Having a pet was significantly associated with passing in math. Future studies are necessary to confirm and extend our results.     DOI 10.25176/RFMH.v18.n4.1728Introducción: La anemia en niños es un problema de salud pública en el Perú y en el mundo. Los niños son particularmente vulnerables a la anemia, por su elevada velocidad de crecimiento y altos requerimientos de hierro, presencia de parásitos, bajo peso al nacer y episodios frecuentes de infecciones diarreicas. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue evaluar los factores asociados a parasitosis gastrointestinal, anemia y desempeño escolar en niños del nivel primario de dos colegios de Pamplona Alta. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, analítico y transversal, con un muestreo probabilístico de tipo aleatorio simple, de estudiantes 1°-6° grado de primaria de dos colegios de Pamplona Alta, Lima, Perú. Se aplicó una encuesta previo consentimiento informado de los padres de familia, se tomaron medidas antropométricas de los niños, muestras de sangre capilar, así como muestras de coproparasitológico directo y test de Graham. Se eligió el promedio general del último trimestre así como el promedio final de matemáticas del último trimestre como indicadores del rendimiento escolar. Resultados: Un total de 109 niños fueron incluidos.Mediante examen directo de muestras de heces y el test de Graham se diagnosticó tres tipos de enteroparásitospatógenos: Entamoeba coli (6.54%), Giardia lamblia (10.28%) y Enterobius vermicularis (7.62%). Esto corresponde a una prevalencia global de 24.44%. Se observó además un 25.93% de anemia en la población en estudio. Hallamos asociación significativa entre anemia <12 g/dl y rendimiento global (OR: 4.09 p= 0,047 IC95%=1. 01- 20,591), anemia <11.5 y rendimiento global (0R: 5.60 IC95%: 1.19 – 27.14 p: 0.01) , y el tener mascota y aprobación en matemáticas (OR: 2.55 p=0.041 IC 95%= 1.026 - 6.374). Conclusión: Uno de cada 4 niños presento anemia y parasitosis, la anemia estuvo asociada significativamente a mal rendimiento escolar. El tener mascota se asoció significativamente a aprobación en matemáticas. Futuros estudios son necesarios para confirmar y ampliar nuestros resultados. DOI 10.25176/RFMH.v18.n4.172

Seismogenic faults, landslides, and associated tsunamis off southern Italy - Cruise No. M86/2, December 27, 2011 - January 17, 2012, Cartagena (Spain) - Brindisi (Italy)

Summary The continental margins of southern Italy are located along converging plate boundaries, which are affected by intense seismicity and volcanic activity. Most of the coastal areas experienced severe earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis in historical and/or modern times. The most prominent example is the Messina earthquake of Dec. 28, 1908 (Ms=7.3; 80,000 casualties), which was characterized by the worst tsunami Italy experienced in the historical time (~2000 casualties). It is, however, still unclear, whether this tsunami was triggered by a sudden vertical movement along a major fault during the earthquake or as a result of a giant marine slide initiated by the earthquake. The recurrence rates of major landslides and therefore the risk associated with landslides is also unknown. Based on detailed bathymetric data sets collected by Italian colleagues in the frame of the MaGIC Project (Marine Geohazards along the Italian Coast), we collected seismic data (2D and 3D) and gravity cores in three working areas (The Messina Straits, off Eastern Sicily, the Gioia Basin). A dense grid of new 2D-seismic data in the Messina Straits will allow to map fault patterns in great detail. One interesting outcome in this context is the identification of a set of normal faults striking in an EW-direction, which is almost perpendicular to the previously postulated faults. This EW-striking faults seem to be active. The area off eastern Sicily is characterized by numerous landslides and a complex deformation pattern. A 3D-seismic data set has been collected during the cruise using the so called P-cable in order to investigate these deformation patterns in detail. The new data will be the basis for a risk assessment in the working areas

In-Depth Characterisation of Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Cells Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC)

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has widely been appreciated as a promising tool to model human ocular disease emanating from primary RPE pathology. Here, we describe the successful reprogramming of adult human dermal fibroblasts to iPSCs and their differentiation to pure expandable RPE cells with structural and functional features characteristic for native RPE. Fibroblast cultures were established from skin biopsy material and subsequently reprogrammed following polycistronic lentiviral transduction with OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and L-Myc. Fibroblast-derived iPSCs showed typical morphology, chromosomal integrity and a distinctive stem cell marker profile. Subsequent differentiation resulted in expandable pigmented hexagonal RPE cells. The cells revealed stable RNA expression of mature RPE markers RPE65, RLBP and BEST1. Immunolabelling verified localisation of BEST1 at the basolateral plasma membrane, and scanning electron microscopy showed typical microvilli at the apical side of iPSC-derived RPE cells. Transepithelial resistance was maintained at high levels during cell culture indicating functional formation of tight junctions. Secretion capacity was demonstrated for VEGF-A. Feeding of porcine photoreceptor outer segments revealed the proper ability of these cells for phagocytosis. IPSC-derived RPE cells largely maintained these properties after cryopreservation. Together, our study underlines that adult dermal fibroblasts can serve as a valuable resource for iPSC-derived RPE with characteristics highly reminiscent of true RPE cells. This will allow its broad application to establish cellular models for RPE-related human diseases

The Astropy Problem

The Astropy Project (http://astropy.org) is, in its own words, "a community effort to develop a single core package for Astronomy in Python and foster interoperability between Python astronomy packages." For five years this project has been managed, written, and operated as a grassroots, self-organized, almost entirely volunteer effort while the software is used by the majority of the astronomical community. Despite this, the project has always been and remains to this day effectively unfunded. Further, contributors receive little or no formal recognition for creating and supporting what is now critical software. This paper explores the problem in detail, outlines possible solutions to correct this, and presents a few suggestions on how to address the sustainability of general purpose astronomical software

Heterozygous Mutation of Opa1 in Drosophila Shortens Lifespan Mediated through Increased Reactive Oxygen Species Production

Optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is a dynamin-like GTPase located in the inner mitochondrial membrane and mutations in OPA1 are associated with autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA). OPA1 plays important roles in mitochondrial fusion, cristae remodeling and apoptosis. Our previous study showed that dOpa1 mutation caused elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and resulted in damage and death of the cone and pigment cells in Drosophila eyes. Since ROS-induced oxidative damage to the cells is one of the primary causes of aging, in this study, we examined the effects of heterozygous dOpa1 mutation on the lifespan. We found that heterozygous dOpa1 mutation caused shortened lifespan, increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and elevated production of ROS in the whole Drosophila. Antioxidant treatment partially restored lifespan in the male dOpa1 mutants, but had no effects in the females. Heterozygous dOpa1 mutation caused an impairment of respiratory chain complex activities, especially complexes II and III, and reversible decreased aconitase activity. Heterozygous dOpa1 mutation is also associated with irregular and dysmorphic mitochondria in the muscle. Our results, for the first time, demonstrate the important role of OPA1 in aging and lifespan, which is most likely mediated through augmented ROS production

Chemotherapeutic effect of a novel temozolomide analog on nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND: Many patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) face poor prognosis. Due to its hidden anatomical location, the tumor is usually diagnosed quite late, and despite initially successful treatment with radiation and cisplatin, many patients will relapse and succumb to the disease. New treatment options are urgently needed. We have performed preclinical studies to evaluate the potential NPC therapeutic activity of a newly developed analog of temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent that is the current chemotherapeutic standard of care for patients with malignant glioma. RESULTS: TMZ was covalently conjugated to the natural monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH), creating the novel fusion compound NEO212. Its impact on two NPC cell lines was studied through colony formation assays, cell death ELISA, immunoblots, and in vivo testing in tumor-bearing mice. In vitro, NEO212 effectively triggered tumor cell death, and its potency was significantly greater than that of its individual components, TMZ or POH alone. Intriguingly, merely mixing TMZ with POH also was unable to achieve the superior potency of the conjugated compound NEO212. Treatment of NPC cells with NEO212 inactivated the chemoprotective DNA repair protein MGMT (O6-methylguanine methyltransferase), resulting in significant chemosensitization of cells to a second round of drug treatment. When tested in vivo, NEO212 reduced tumor growth in treated animals. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate anticancer activity of NEO212 in preclinical NPC models, suggesting that this novel compound should be evaluated further for the treatment of patients with NPC. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-015-0175-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Measurement of associated Z plus charm production in proton-proton collisions at root s=8TeV

A study of the associated production of a Z boson and a charm quark jet (Z + c), and a comparison to production with a b quark jet (Z + b), in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV are presented. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb(-1), collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The Z boson candidates are identified through their decays into pairs of electrons or muons. Jets originating from heavy flavour quarks are identified using semileptonic decays of c or b flavoured hadrons and hadronic decays of charm hadrons. The measurements are performed in the kinematic region with two leptons with pT(l) > 20 GeV, vertical bar eta(l)vertical bar 25 GeV and vertical bar eta(jet)vertical bar Z + c + X) B(Z -> l(+)l(-)) = 8.8 +/- 0.5 (stat)+/- 0.6 (syst) pb. The ratio of the Z+c and Z+b production cross sections is measured to be sigma(pp -> Z+c+X)/sigma (pp -> Z+b+X) = 2.0 +/- 0.2 (stat)+/- 0.2 (syst). The Z+c production cross section and the cross section ratio are also measured as a function of the transverse momentum of theZ boson and of the heavy flavour jet. The measurements are compared with theoretical predictions.Peer reviewe