Highly Insulating Windows Volume Purchase Program Final Report

This report summarizes the Highly Insulating Windows Volume Purchase Program, conduced by PNNL for DOE-BTP, including a summary of outcomes and lessons learned

Hole Hopping Across a Protein-Protein Interface.

We have investigated photoinduced hole hopping in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin mutant Re126WWCuI, where two adjacent tryptophan residues (W124 and W122) are inserted between the CuI center and a Re photosensitizer coordinated to a H126 imidazole (Re = ReI(H126)(CO)3(dmp)+, dmp = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline). Optical excitation of this mutant in aqueous media (//(CuII)' back ET that occurs over 12 Å, in contrast to the 23 Å, 120 us step in Re126WWCuI. Importantly, dimerization makes Re126FWCuI photoreactive and, in the case of {Re126WWCuI}2, channels the photoproduced "hole" to the molecule that was not initially photoexcited, thereby shortening the lifetime of ReI(H126)(CO)3(dmp•-)//CuII. Whereas two adjacent W124 and W122 indoles dramatically enhance CuI->*Re intramolecular multistep ET, the tryptophan quadruplex in {Re126WWCuI}2 does not accelerate intermolecular electron transport; instead, it acts as a hole storage and crossover unit between inter- and intramolecular ET pathways. Irradiation of {Re126WWCuII}2 or {Re126FWCuII}2 also triggers intermolecular *Re////(W122•+)' intermolecular charge recombination. Our findings shed light on the factors that control interfacial hole/electron hopping in protein complexes and on the role of aromatic amino acids in accelerating long-range electron transport

Photophysical Heavy-Atom Effect in Iodinated Metallocorroles: Spin-Orbit Coupling and Density of States

This work was supported by COST Actions CM1202 and CM1405 Actions, the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR) grant 17-011375, and the Swiss NSF via the NCCR:MUST, contracts n° 200021_137717 and IZK0Z2_150425

A globally applicable PCR-based detection and discrimination of BK and JC polyomaviruses

BKV and JCV belong to the Polyomaviridae family and are opportunistic agents associated with complications in immunocompromised individuals. Although a single screening assay for both viruses would be convenient, the diversity of BKV and JCV serotypes and genotypes is a methodological challenge. In this paper, we developed a PCR method able to detect and segregate BKV and JCV, despite these genetic discrepancies. A duplex semi-nested PCR (duplex snPCR) was designed to target a conserved region (639nt-1516nt) within the VP2 gene. In the first PCR, a primer set common to all BKV and JCV serotypes/ genotypes was used, followed by a semi-nested PCR with internal primers for BKV and JCV segregation. The limit of detection of the duplex snPCR was as low as 10 copies of BKV or JCV plasmids/µL. Specific products were observed when JCV and BKV plasmids were mixed in the same reaction. In field sample testing, the duplex snPCR detected and distinguished both viruses in different biological samples. Results were confirmed by Sanger’s sequencing. The geographical complexity of BKV and JCV serotypes and genotypes imposes limits to a simple and universal method that could detect each virus. However, we describe here a sensitive and reliable PCR technique for BKV and JCV diagnosis that overcomes these limitations and could be universally applied

CT colonography reporting and data system: A consensus proposal

We have proposed a practical reporting scheme that includes recommendations for the follow-up of colonic polyps that are based on currently available published assessments of the clinical importance and expected growth potential of these lesions. © RSNA, 2005

Cost-effectiveness analysis of 3-D computerized tomography colonography versus optical colonoscopy for imaging symptomatic gastroenterology patients.

BACKGROUND: When symptomatic gastroenterology patients have an indication for colonic imaging, clinicians have a choice between optical colonoscopy (OC) and computerized tomography colonography with three-dimensional reconstruction (3-D CTC). 3-D CTC provides a minimally invasive and rapid evaluation of the entire colon, and it can be an efficient modality for diagnosing symptoms. It allows for a more targeted use of OC, which is associated with a higher risk of major adverse events and higher procedural costs. A case can be made for 3-D CTC as a primary test for colonic imaging followed if necessary by targeted therapeutic OC; however, the relative long-term costs and benefits of introducing 3-D CTC as a first-line investigation are unknown. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of 3-D CTC versus OC for colonic imaging of symptomatic gastroenterology patients in the UK NHS. METHODS: We used a Markov model to follow a cohort of 100,000 symptomatic gastroenterology patients, aged 50 years or older, and estimate the expected lifetime outcomes, life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and costs (£, 2010-2011) associated with 3-D CTC and OC. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the base-case cost-effectiveness results to variation in input parameters and methodological assumptions. RESULTS: 3D-CTC provided a similar number of LYs (7.737 vs 7.739) and QALYs (7.013 vs 7.018) per individual compared with OC, and it was associated with substantially lower mean costs per patient (£467 vs £583), leading to a positive incremental net benefit. After accounting for the overall uncertainty, the probability of 3-D CTC being cost effective was around 60 %, at typical willingness-to-pay values of £20,000-£30,000 per QALY gained. CONCLUSION: 3-D CTC is a cost-saving and cost-effective option for colonic imaging of symptomatic gastroenterology patients compared with OC