Experimental evidence of a strong image force between highly charged electrosprayed molecular ions and a metal screen

We investigated the capturing mechanisms of highly charged macromolecular ions of polyethylene glycol electrosprayed onto a metal screen. Our experiments assessed how the charge state, size of the macromolecular ions, and filtration velocity affected the penetration of the ions through the metal screen. The single fiber efficiencies were plotted as functions of the Peclet number and image force parameter. Highly charged molecular ions had much higher collection efficiencies than neutralized macromolecules, suggesting the presence of a strong image force between the ions and metal surface. The single fiber efficiency by image force was proportional to the square root of an image force parameter predicted by theory. When using the prefactor of 9.7 proposed by Alonso et al. (2007), we found fair agreement between the experimental data and theoretical predictions on the collection efficiency of highly charged molecular ions with mobility diameters from 2.6 to 4.8 nm and numbers of electrical charges from 2 to 7. The experimental evidence from our study reveals that image force contributes strongly to the collection of multicharged macromolecular ions by a metal wire screen. © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research

Correlation between magnifying narrow band imaging and histopathology in gastric protruding/or polypoid lesions: a pilot feasibility trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several study showed usefulness of microscopic capillaries, seen by magnifying narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy for predicting histopathology among superficial depressed or flat elevated gastric neoplasia (GN). Here we assessed the diagnostic efficacy of magnifying NBI for predicting histopathology among gastric protruding/or polypoid lesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using endoscopic pictures of magnifying NBI from 95 protruding/or polypoid lesions (19 fundic gland polyps: FGP, 47 hyperplastic polyps: HP, and 29 GN), fine mucosal patterns were classified into four categories: small round, prolonged, villous or ridge, and unclear patterns, and micro vascular patterns were classified into five categories: honey comb, dense vascular, fine net work, core vascular, and unclear patterns.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Most suggestive micro vascular patterns for predicting FGP, and HP were honeycomb (sensitivity 94.7%, specificity 97.4%), and dense vascular patterns (sensitivity 93.6%, specificity 91.6%), respectively. Fine net work, core vascular, and unclear patterns presented higher specificity (97%, 100%, and 100%) for predicting GN, and diagnostic efficacy of combined of those patterns was favorable (sensitivity 86.2%, specificity 97.0%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Micro vascular patterns by using magnifying NBI provides meaningful information for predicting the histopathology of gastric protruding/or polypoid lesions.</p

Semi-automated single-molecule microscopy screening of fast-dissociating specific antibodies directly from hybridoma cultures

Fast-dissociating, specific antibodies are single-molecule imaging probes that transiently interact with their targets and are used in biological applications including image reconstruction by integrating exchangeable single-molecule localization (IRIS), a multiplexable super-resolution microscopy technique. Here, we introduce a semi-automated screen based on single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy of antibody-antigen binding, which allows for identification of fast-dissociating monoclonal antibodies directly from thousands of hybridoma cultures. We develop monoclonal antibodies against three epitope tags (FLAG-tag, S-tag, and V5-tag) and two F-actin crosslinking proteins (plastin and espin). Specific antibodies show fast dissociation with half-lives ranging from 0.98 to 2.2 s. Unexpectedly, fast-dissociating yet specific antibodies are not so rare. A combination of fluorescently labeled Fab probes synthesized from these antibodies and light-sheet microscopy, such as dual-view inverted selective plane illumination microscopy (diSPIM), reveal rapid turnover of espin within long-lived F-actin cores of inner-ear sensory hair cell stereocilia, demonstrating that fast-dissociating specific antibodies can identify novel biological phenomena

チ ノ ネットワーク セイチョウ モデル

知の創造プロセスに関する先行研究では、これまでいくつかのモデルが提唱されてきた。本稿で我々は、知の創造プロセスについて「増殖段階」「混在段階」「創造段階」の3段階からなる【知のネットワーク成長モデル】を新たに提唱する。本モデルが従来のモデルと異なる点は、知の創造理論について、数学の一分野であるノード(点)とエッジ(線)で結ばれた「グラフ」を用いたグラフ理論や、ライフサイエンスの分野である「タンパク質相互作用ネットワーク(PPI: Protein-Protein Interaction)」などを援用して、知の創造プロセスを提唱している点にある。さらに「混在段階」と「創造段階」の溝(キャズム)を越え、混在させた知に新しい価値を付加するためのセレンディピティの必要性についても言及している点にある。In this paper we describe a novel knowledge creation model, the "three-step knowledge network model," which comprises the propagation step, the mixing step, and the creation step. This model uses knowledge networks first proposed by Willard Van Orman Quine\u27s, and graph theory to describe the knowledge creation process. We use higher education as a example of knowledge creation that this model can describe, and in the future hope to apply this model to other phenomena

Safety of Polyethylene Glycol Solution plus Ascorbic Acid for Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction. Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte lavage solution plus ascorbic acid (PEG-ELS-Asc) has been recommended for colonoscopy, but little is known about the safety of PEG-ELS-Asc in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine its safety and efficacy in CKD patients. Methods. Blood and urine samples prospectively collected before and after same-day bowel preparation for colonoscopy with the conventional volume of PEG-ELS-Asc, vital signs before and after colonoscopy, and adverse events within 30 days postcolonoscopy were analyzed in consenting patients with CKD. The cleansing level was evaluated with the Boston bowel preparation score (BBPS) from colonoscopic findings. Results. Of 57 patients enrolled, 1 was excluded for refusal. Serum bicarbonate significantly dropped, and blood hemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total bilirubin, and uric acid significantly rose after bowel preparation, although these changes were not clinically important. Only in nondialysis patients did the platelet count and potassium significantly rise, although these changes were not clinically important either. Renal function, such as the urea, creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, was not significantly altered. An adequate bowel cleansing score, BBPS≥6, was achieved in 94% of patients. The blood pressure and heart rate were not significantly different between before and after colonoscopy in either nondialysis (n=32) or dialysis (n=19) patients. There were no adverse events associated with bowel preparation and colonoscopy within 30 days postcolonoscopy. Conclusions. The conventional volume of same-day bowel preparation with PEG-ELS-Asc may be safe and effective in CKD patients