Single-domain antibody bioconjugated near-IR quantum dots for targeted cellular imaging of pancreatic cancer

Successful targeted imaging of BxPC3 human pancreatic cancer cells is feasible with near-IR CdTeSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs) functionalized with single-domain antibody (sdAb) 2A3. For specific targeting, sdAbs are superior to conventional antibodies, especially in terms of stability, aggregation, and production cost. The bright CdTeSe/CdS QDs were synthesized to emit in the diagnostic window of 650-900 nm with a narrow emission band. 2A3 was derived from llama and is small in size of 13 kDa, but with fully-functional recognition to the target carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), a possible biomarker as a therapeutic target of pancreatic cancer. For compelling imaging, optical may be the most sensible among the various imaging modalities, regarding the sensitivity and cost. This first report on sdAb-conjugated near-IR QDs with high signal to background sensitivity for targeted cellular imaging brings insights into the development of optical molecular imaging for early stage cancer diagnosis.     

Significance of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in diagnosis and monitoring of treatment in ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It has recently been reported that in developed countries gastric outlet obstruction now predicts gastric malignancy. The aim of this study was to find out if this is the case in a developing country like India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four patients with gastric outlet obstruction underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy specimens were obtained from any suspicious looking lesions or from the most distal point at which the endoscope could be positioned. RESULTS: In 56 patients (76%) the cause of the gastric outlet obstruction was malignant. On clinical and endoscopic appearance three patients were wrongly diagnosed as having malignancy when the cause, on endoscopic biopsy, was benign (tuberculosis n = 2, and immunoproliferative small intestinal disease n = 1). Twelve of the 18 patients with benign gastric outlet obstruction were managed conservatively with drugs and endoscopic balloon dilatation. CONCLUSION: Even in a developing country like India, malignancy is the commonest cause of gastric outlet obstruction and endoscopic biopsy specimens should be obtained in all patients with gastric outlet obstruction because the occasional benign lesions can be managed conservatively.     

SIMULATION OF RF-ASSISTED CONVECTCVE DRYING FOR SEED QUALITY BROAD BEAN

Based on experimental data and analysis of the heat and mass transfer mechanism, a semi-empirical model for dielectrically-assisted convective drying of shrinkable and hygroscopic materials with internal resistance to mass flow has been derived and used to simulate radio-frequency drying of the seed quality broad bean (Vicia Faba)¹.     

Limited-lifetime shared-access in mobile systems

In this paper, we propose a simple access protocol to shared information in a mobile environment. The objective of the proposed scheme is to allow a specified set of users access toshared information and protect the confidentiality of the information from users outside this set. The set of users may be updated from time to time. In particular, the duration during which a user is allowed access to the shared information may be restricted. Furthermore, the information itself has limited lifetime and the confidentiality of the information has to be preserved during this lifetime only. The proposed access protocol is in particular suited to the mobile environment, because of the loose binding of the communicating entities.     

Characterization of the potassium channels involved in EDHF-mediated relaxation in cerebral arteries

1. In the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 0.3 mM) and indomethacin (10 microM), the relaxations induced by acetylcholine and the calcium (Ca) ionophore A23187 are considered to be mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in the guinea-pig basilar artery. 2. Inhibitors of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium (K)-channels (KATP; glibenclamide, 10 microM), voltage-sensitive K-channels (Kv; dendrotoxin-1, 0.1 microM or 4-aminopyridine, 1 mM), small (SKCa; apamin, 0.1 microM) and large (BKCa; iberiotoxin, 0.1 microM) conductance Ca-sensitive K-channels did not affect the L-NOARG/indomethacin-resistant relaxation induced by acetylcholine. 3. Synthetic charybdotoxin (0.1 microM), an inhibitor of BKCa and Kv, caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve for acetylcholine and reduced the maximal relaxation in the presence of L-NOARG and indomethacin, whereas the relaxation induced by A23187 was not significantly inhibited. 4. A combination of charybdotoxin (0.1 microM) and apamin (0.1 microM) abolished the L-NOARG/ indomethacin-resistant relaxations induced by acetylcholine and A23187. However, the acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not affected by a combination of iberiotoxin (0.1 microM) and apamin (0.1 microM). 5. Ciclazindol (10 microM), an inhibitor of Kv in rat portal vein smooth muscle, inhibited the L-NOARG/ indomethacin-resistant relaxations induced by acetylcholine and A23187, and the relaxations were abolished when ciclazindol (10 microM) was combined with apamin (0.1 microM). 6. Human pial arteries from two out of four patients displayed an L-NOARG/indomethacin-resistant relaxation in response to substance P. This relaxation was abolished in both cases by pretreatment with the combination of charybdotoxin (0.1 microM) and apamin (0.1 microM), whereas each toxin had little effect alone. 7. The results suggest that Kv, but not KATP and BKCa, is involved in the EDHF-mediated relaxation in the guinea-pig basilar artery. The synergistic action of apamin and charybdotoxin (or ciclazindol) could indicate that both Kv and SKCa are activated by EDHF. However, a single type of K-channel, which may be structurally related to Kv and allosterically regulated by apamin, could also be the target for EDHF.     

Bioactive Nanofiber-Based Conduits in a Peripheral Nerve Gap Management—An Animal Model Study

The aim was to examine the efficiency of a scaffold made of poly (L-lactic acid)-co-poly(ϵ-caprolactone), collagen (COL), polyaniline (PANI), and enriched with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) as a nerve conduit in a rat model. P(LLA-CL)-COL-PANI scaffold was optimized and electrospun into a tubular-shaped structure. Adipose tissue from 10 Lewis rats was harvested for ASCs culture. A total of 28 inbred male Lewis rats underwent sciatic nerve transection and excision of a 10 mm nerve trunk fragment. In Group A, the nerve gap remained untouched; in Group B, an excised trunk was used as an autograft; in Group C, nerve stumps were secured with P(LLA-CL)-COL-PANI conduit; in Group D, P(LLA-CL)-COL-PANI conduit was enriched with ASCs. After 6 months of observation, rats were sacrificed. Gastrocnemius muscles and sciatic nerves were harvested for weight, histology analysis, and nerve fiber count analyses. Group A showed advanced atrophy of the muscle, and each intervention (B, C, D) prevented muscle mass decrease (p < 0.0001); however, ASCs addition decreased efficiency vs. autograft (p < 0.05). Nerve fiber count revealed a superior effect in the nerve fiber density observed in the groups with the use of conduit (D vs. B p < 0.0001, C vs. B p < 0.001). P(LLA-CL)-COL-PANI conduits with ASCs showed promising results in managing nerve gap by decreasing muscle atrophy.     

Least-squares adjustment of mathematical model of heat and mass transfer processes during solidification of binary alloys

Classical boundary and initial-boundary value problems in heat and mass transfer are generally formulated in a mathematically unique way. Boundary and initial conditions together with physical properties of the thermodynamic system are treated as exactly known. The influence of different kinds of mathematical model simplifications on the accuracy of solution and reliability of the model are not usually analyzed. The problems become more complicated when inverse ill-posed initial-boundary problems are considered. The widely used procedure of model validation is based on direct comparison of analytical or numerical solution, unique in a mathematical sense, with measurement results. The main feature of the method presented in this article is that all experimental results are included into the mathematical model. Thus, because of the inevitable errors of measurements, the system of model equations becomes internally contradicted as the number of unknown variables is less than the number of equations. In consequence, basic laws of energy and mass conservation are not satisfied. To adjust the experimental data to the mathematical model, an orthogonal least-squares method is proposed. Special attention has been paid to the coupling of experimental data with the nucleation and grain growth models formulated by Rappaz and co-workers. Theoretical considerations are illustrated with experimental data for an Al-Si alloy.     

Integrated seismic and magnetotelluric exploration of the Skierniewice,Poland, geothermal test site

The purpose of the research activities at the Skierniewice geothermal test site is to develop and apply an exploration methodology for low-enthalpy systems in sedimentary formations. Work included seismic and magnetotelluric surveys carried out close to well Kompina-2 to create a detailed structural–geologic model and characterize the anisotropic fracture system around the borehole. The study included the reprocessing of archival data from selected boreholes and 2D seismic lines. The collected data were used to identify formations with high fracture permeability and the presumed flow path of geothermal (∼110 °C) brine in high productivity zones, and determining rock porosities and salinity distribution in the subsurface. The next stage of the investigations will focus on siting a second borehole and studying the possibility of installing a plant for electrical generation or direct geothermal heat applications.