Two surveys of the needs of engineering schools in the field of biomechanical and human factors engineering education

Surveys of engineering school needs in field of biomechanical and human factors engineering educatio

Tuning the Coherent Propagation of Organic Exciton-Polaritons through the Cavity Q-factor

Transport of excitons in organic materials can be enhanced through polariton formation when the interaction strength between these excitons and the confined light modes of an optical resonator exceeds their decay rates. While the polariton lifetime is determined by the Q(uality)-factor of the optical resonator, the polariton group velocity is not. Instead, the latter is solely determined by the polariton dispersion. Yet, experiments suggest that the Q-factor also controls the polariton propagation velocity. To understand this observation, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of Rhodamine chromophores strongly coupled to Fabry-P\'erot cavities with various Q-factors. Our results suggest that propagation in the aforementioned experiments is initially dominated by ballistic motion of upper polariton states at their group velocities, which leads to a rapid expansion of the wavepacket. Cavity decay in combination with non-adiabatic population transfer into dark states, rapidly depletes these bright states, causing the wavepacket to contract. However, because population transfer is reversible, propagation continues, but as a diffusion process, at lower velocity. By controlling the lifetime of bright states, the Q-factor determines the duration of the ballistic phase and the diffusion coefficient in the diffusive regime. Thus, polariton propagation in organic microcavities can be effectively tuned through the Q-factor.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2209.0730

Right Ventricular Pneumocardia Secondary to Hepatic Abscesses

Gas-filled abscesses and gas gangrenes are extremely rare causes of intrahepatic gas. Even rarer, however, is the occurrence of gas within the non-portal hepatic veins. Most often seen in diabetic patients, dissemination and hepatic seeding of bacteria has been linked to procedures such as femoral catheters as well as liver lacerations and pyelonephritis. We report the case of a 69-year-old relatively healthy male who presented to our emergency department with abdominal pain and a fever of 103.3°F (39.6°C). A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed multiple hepatic abscesses and gas within the hepatic venous system as well as pneumocardia. In conclusion, gas within the non-portal hepatic veins is usually an indication of a serious underlying condition and its immediate identification is essential for treatment as hematogenous dissemination has already begun

Quantifying Cancer Cell Receptors with Paired-Agent Fluorescent Imaging: a Novel Method to Account for Tissue Optical Property Effects.

Dynamic fluorescence imaging approaches can be used to estimate the concentration of cell surface receptorsin vivo. Kinetic models are used to generate the final estimation by taking the targeted imaging agent concentration as a function of time. However, tissue absorption and scattering properties cause the final readout signal to be on a different scale than the real fluorescent agent concentration. In paired-agent imaging approaches, simultaneous injection of a suitable control imaging agent with a targeted one can account for non-specific uptake and retention of the targeted agent. Additionally, the signal from the control agent can be a normalizing factor to correct for tissue optical property differences. In this study, the kinetic model used for paired-agent imaging analysis (i.e., simplified reference tissue model) is modified and tested in simulation and experimental data in a way that accounts for the scaling correction within the kinetic model fit to the data to ultimately extract an estimate of the targeted biomarker concentration

Correcting for Targeted and Control Agent Signal Differences in Paired-Agent Molecular Imaging of Cancer Cell-Surface Receptors

Paired-agent kinetic modeling protocols provide one means of estimating cancer cell-surface receptors with in vivo molecular imaging. The protocols employ the coadministration of a control imaging agent with one or more targeted imaging agent to account for the nonspecific uptake and retention of the targeted agent. These methods require the targeted and control agent data be converted to equivalent units of concentration, typically requiring specialized equipment and calibration, and/or complex algorithms that raise the barrier to adoption. This work evaluates a kinetic model capable of correcting for targeted and control agent signal differences. This approach was compared with an existing simplified paired-agent model (SPAM), and modified SPAM that accounts for signal differences by early time point normalization of targeted and control signals (SPAMPN). The scaling factor model (SPAMSF) outperformed both SPAM and SPAMPN in terms of accuracy and precision when the scale differences between targeted and imaging agent signals (α) were not equal to 1, and it matched the performance of SPAM for α  =  1. This model could have wide-reaching implications for quantitative cancer receptor imaging using any imaging modalities, or combinations of imaging modalities, capable of concurrent detection of at least two distinct imaging agents (e.g., SPECT, optical, and PET/MR)

Enhanced Excitation Energy Transfer under Strong Light-Matter Coupling: Insights from Multi-Scale Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Transfer of excitation energy is a key step in light harvesting and hence of technological relevance for solar energy conversion. In bare organic materials energy transfer proceeds via incoherent hops, which restrict propagation lengths to nanometers. In contrast, energy transport over several micrometers has been observed in the strong coupling regime where excitations hybridise with confined light modes to form polaritons. Because polaritons have group velocity, their propagation should be ballistic and long-ranged. However, experiments indicate that organic polaritons propagate in a diffusive manner and more slowly than their group velocity. Here, we resolve this controversy by means of molecular dynamics simulations of Rhodamine molecules in a Fabry-P\'erot cavity. Our results suggest that polariton propagation is limited by the cavity lifetime and appears diffusive due to reversible population transfers between bright polaritonic states that propagate ballistically at their group velocity, and dark states that are stationary. Furthermore, because long-lived dark states transiently trap the excitation, propagation is observed on timescales beyond the intrinsic polariton lifetime. These atomistic insights not only help to better understand and interpret experimental observations, but also pave the way towards rational design of molecule-cavity systems for achieving coherent long-range energy transport

Role of a topologically conserved Isoleucine in the structure and function of Glutathione Transferases

Student Number : 0002482E - MSc dissertation - School of Molecular and Cell Biology - Faculty of ScienceProteins in the glutathione transferase family share a common fold. The close packing of secondary structures in the thioredoxin fold in domain 1 forms a compact hydrophobic core. This fold has a bababba topology and most proteins/domains with this fold have a topologically conserved isoleucine residue at the N-terminus of a-helix 3. Class Alpha glutathione transferases are one of 12 classes within the glutathione transferase family. To investigate the role of the conserved isoleucine residue in the structure, function and stability of glutathione transferases, homodimeric human glutathione transferase A1-1 (hGST A1-1) was used as a representative of the GST family. Ile71 was replaced with valine and the properties of I71V hGST A1-1 were compared with those of wildtype hGST A1-1. The spectral properties monitored using far-UV CD and tryptophan fluorescence indicated little change in secondary or tertiary structure confirming the absence of any gross structural changes in hGST A1-1 due to the incorporation of the mutation. Both wildtype and mutant dimeric proteins were determined to have a monomeric molecular mass of 26 kDa. The specific activity of I71V hGST A1-1 (130 mmol/min/mg) was three times that of wildtype hGST A1-1 (48 mmol/min/mg). I71V hGST A1-1 showed increased kinetic parameters compared to wildtype with a 10-fold increase in kcat/Km for CDNB. The increase in Km of I71V hGST A1-1 suggests the mutation had a negative effect on substrate binding. The DDG for transition state stabilisation was –5.82 kJ/mol which suggest the I71V mutation helps stabilise the transition state of the SNAR reaction involving the conjugation of reduced glutathione (GSH) to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB). A 2-fold increase in the IC50 value for I71V hGST A1-1 (11.3 mM) compared to wildtype (5.4 mM) suggests that the most noticeable change due to the mutation occurs at the H-site of the active site. Conformational stability studies were performed to determine the contribution of Ile71 to protein stability. The non-superimposability of I71V hGST A1-1 unfolding curves and the decreased m-value suggest the formation of an intermediate state. The conformational stability of I71V hGST A1-1 (16.5 kcal/mol) was reduced when compared to that of the wildtype (23 kcal/mol). ITC was used to dissect the binding energetics of Shexylglutathione to wildtype and I71V hGSTA1-1. The ligand binds 5-fold more tightly to wildtype hGST A1-1 (0.07 mM) than I71V hGST A1-1 (0.37 mM). The I71V mutant displays a larger negative DCp than wildtype hGST A1-1 (DDCp = -0.41 kJ/mol/K). This indicates that a larger solvent-exposed hydrophobic surface area is buried for I71V hGST A1-1 than for wildtype hGST A1-1 upon the binding of S-hexylglutathione. Overall the results suggest that Ile71 conservation is for the stability of the protein as well as playing a pivotal indirect role in catalysis and substrate binding

In silico screening of NRas protein oncogenic mutations: new structural and physico-chemical insights into the catalytic activity

Les protéines Ras jouent un rôle majeur dans le développement cellulaire. Faisant partie de la catégorie de petites GTPases, elles sont dotées d'un mécanisme fonctionnant tel un interrupteur moléculaire qui, dans leur cas, contrôle la transmission de signaux de croissance cellulaire. Liées au GTP, ces protéines adoptent une conformation leur permettant d'interagir avec des effecteurs en aval et, ainsi, activer la réplication et différenciation cellulaires. La réaction d'hydrolyse du GTP qui se déroule en leur centre, est accompagnée d'un changement conformationnel qui met fin à ces interactions, conduisant ainsi à l'état inactif de Ras, lié au GDP. Des mutations spécifiques de résidus bien déterminés entraînent une baisse du taux d'hydrolyse, laissant ainsi Ras liée au GTP. Or, de fortes concentrations de cette forme active de Ras ont été associées à une prolifération cellulaire anormale, caractéristique de la dissémination de tissus cancéreux. Il apparaît alors que l'élucidation des mécanismes employés par Ras pour accélérer le clivage du GTP constitue une étape majeure dans le développement de thérapies ciblées contre le cancer. Elles consisteraient à rétablir, au sein des mutants oncogéniques, un taux d'hydrolyse proche à celui mesuré au sein du type sauvage. Dans le but de mieux comprendre au niveau atomique les propriétés catalytiques de Ras, nous avons mené des simulations de dynamique moléculaire (MD) en décrivant le domaine G à différents niveaux de théorie (Mécanique Moléculaire (MM), Semi-empirique et Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité (DFT)). Ces calculs ont été réalisés pour les formes sauvage et mutées au niveau du résidu 61 de NRas. Ils ont été couplées à des caractérisations biomécaniques des complexes protéine-ligand étudiés, en utilisant la méthode des modes statiques. Cette méthode permet d'identifier des points chauds, réactifs, de la biomolécule et qui, suivant le critère de contrainte choisi, ont une influence mécanique sur la fonction GTPase de la protéine. Par conséquent, ils pourraient servir en temps que sites appropriés pour héberger des molécules médicamenteuses contenant des groupes chimiques spécifiques qui faciliteraient l'hydrolyse du GTP. Tout d'abord, les résultats obtenus montrent que le positionnement des molécules d'eau dans le cite actif est crucial pour catalyser efficacement la réaction. En effet, la répartition précise du solvant, observée dans le type sauvage, est perdue au sein des mutants de NRas considérés ici. Cette distribution différente des molécules d'eau ainsi que les modifications structurales du site actif engendrées par les substitutions du résidu Gln 61, ont un impact direct sur la densité électronique du GTP. Cette dernière présente un profil de type GDP au sein de la protéine de type sauvage uniquement, comme déterminé expérimentalement dans des études précédentes. Il apparaît donc que les mutations oncogéniques de Gln 61 perturbent cet effet catalytique majeur de NRas. Parmi trois propositions faites au cours de cette thèse sur des modifications à apporter à la forme mutée Q61R de NRas, une est présentée pendant la soutenance tandis que toutes les trois sont décrites dans le manuscript. Les groupes chimiques insérés au niveau du site identifié permettent de rétablir une distribution de l'eau comme celle observée dans le type sauvage. Pour terminer, lors de la soutenance uniquement, un chemin réactionnel alternatif de l'hydrolyse enzymatique du GTP est proposé.Ras subfamily of small GTPase proteins holds a key position in cell proliferation pathways. Indeed, the transmission of cell growth signals is controlled by proteins belonging to it. In their GTP-bound conformation, these proteins interact and activate downstream effectors of cell replication and differentiation. The hydrolysis reaction that takes place in their center, terminates these interactions, thereby leading to the GDP-bound inactive state. Point mutations of key residues lead to a hydrolysis rate drop that keeps Ras in a GTP-bound active state. Now, high concentrations of active Ras have been associated to abnormal cell proliferation, emblematic of cancerous tissues dissemination. With this into consideration, the elucidation of Ras mechanisms for accelerating GTP cleavage appears as a major step in the development of cancer targeted therapies that would consist in restoring the hydrolysing capabilities within oncogenic Ras to a wild-type rate. In an attempt to gain insight into Ras catalysing properties at the atomic level, unconstrained Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations describing the G domain at different levels of theory (Molecular Mechanics (MM), Semi-empirical and Density Functional Theory (DFT)) were carried out for NRas member in its wild-type and Gln 61 mutated forms. These simulations were coupled to biomechanic characterisations of the complexes under inspection employing the static modes approach. The latter method, allows the identification of hot spots {\it i.e.} responsive residues of the biomolecule, that have a mechanical influence on the GTPase function of the protein. Hence, they could serve as suitable sites to host drug-like molecules containing specific chemical groups that would facilitate GTP hydrolysis. The obtained results show that water molecules positioning is crucial for efficiently catalysing the reaction that takes place in NRas center. Indeed, the precise positioning observed within the wild-type is lost within the mutants studied here. Furthermore, the active site structural modifications undergone upon Gln 61 substitutions, together with solvent distribution in it, impact directly GTP electronic density. The latter is accommodated to a GDP-like state within the wild-type protein only, as experimentally determined in previous investigations. Thus, oncogenic Gln 61 mutations impair this major catalysing effect. Among three engineered NRas proteins of the Q61R mutated form, proposed during this thesis, one is presented during the defence while the three are described in the manuscript. The chemical groups inserted at the identified site enable the recovery of water distribution as within the wild-type. To end, during the defence only, an alternative reaction pathway of the enzymatic reaction is proposed

Pixel-Based Absorption Correction for Dual-Tracer Fluorescence Imaging of Receptor Binding Potential

Ratiometric approaches to quantifying molecular concentrations have been used for decades in microscopy, but have rarely been exploited in vivo until recently. One dual-tracer approach can utilize an untargeted reference tracer to account for non-specific uptake of a receptor-targeted tracer, and ultimately estimate receptor binding potential quantitatively. However, interpretation of the relative dynamic distribution kinetics is confounded by differences in local tissue absorption at the wavelengths used for each tracer. This study simulated the influence of absorption on fluorescence emission intensity and depth sensitivity at typical near-infrared fluorophore wavelength bands near 700 and 800 nm in mouse skin in order to correct for these tissue optical differences in signal detection. Changes in blood volume [1-3%] and hemoglobin oxygen saturation [0-100%] were demonstrated to introduce substantial distortions to receptor binding estimates (error \u3e 30%), whereas sampled depth was relatively insensitive to wavelength (error \u3c 6%). In response, a pixel-by-pixel normalization of tracer inputs immediately post-injection was found to account for spatial heterogeneities in local absorption properties. Application of the pixel-based normalization method to an in vivo imaging study demonstrated significant improvement, as compared with a reference tissue normalization approach

Quantitative measurement of cerebral blood flow in a juvenile porcine model by depth-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy

Nearly half a million children and young adults are affected by traumatic brain injury each year in the United States. Although adequate cerebral blood flow (CBF) is essential to recovery, complications that disrupt blood flow to the brain and exacerbate neurological injury often go undetected because no adequate bedside measure of CBF exists. In this study we validate a depth-resolved, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique that provides quantitative CBF measurement despite significant signal contamination from skull and scalp tissue. The respiration rates of eight anesthetized pigs (weight: 16.2±0.5 kg, age: 1 to 2 months old) are modulated to achieve a range of CBF levels. Concomitant CBF measurements are performed with NIRS and CT perfusion. A significant correlation between CBF measurements from the two techniques is demonstrated (r 2=0.714, slope=0.92, p\u3c0.001), and the bias between the two techniques is -2.83 mL·min -1·100 g -1 (CI 0.95: -19.63 mL·min -1·100 g -1 -13.9 mL·min -1·100 g -1). This study demonstrates that accurate measurements of CBF can be achieved with depth-resolved NIRS despite significant signal contamination from scalp and skull. The ability to measure CBF at the bedside provides a means of detecting, and thereby preventing, secondary ischemia during neurointensive care. © 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers