Clinical proteomics: Promises,challenges and limitations of affinity arrays

After the establishment of DNA/RNA sequencing as a means of clinical diagnosis, the analysis of the proteome is next in line. As a matter of fact, proteome-based diagnostics is bound to be even more informative, since proteins are directly involved in the actual cellular processes that are responsible for disease. However, the structural variation and the biochemical differences between proteins, the much wider range in concentration and their spatial distribution as well as the fact that protein activity frequently relies on interaction increase the methodological complexity enormously, particularly if an accuracy and robustness is required that is sufficient for clinical utility. Here, we discuss the contribution that protein microarray formats could play towards proteome-based diagnostics.     

A data model for managing drug therapy within a patient data management system for intensive care units

The major intent of this article was to describe the design principles of the drug-therapy documentation module of the Patient Data Management System (PDMS) ICUData, in routine use at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine at the University Hospital of Giessen, Germany, since February 1999. The new drug management system has been in routine use since March 2000. Until 8 January 2001, 1140 patients have been documented using this approach. It could be demonstrated that it was possible to transform the formerly unstructured text-based documentation into a detailed and structured model. The mediated benefit resulted in the automatic calculation of fluid balance. Further, detailed statistical analyses of therapeutic behavior in drug administration are now possible.     

Comparison of Two Enzyme Sequences for a Novel L-Malate Biosensor

Two novel amperometric biosensors for the determination of L -malic acid in food samples have been compared. Both sensors make use of a Clark-type O₂-electrode but differ in the enzymes used. The first sensor is composed of malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating), also known as ‘malic enzyme’ (MDH(dec.), EC 1.1.1.40) and pyruvate oxidase (POP, EC 1.2.3.3). It covers a linear detection range from 1 μmol dm⁻³ to 0·9 mmol dm⁻³ L -malate, with a response time of 1·5 min (t₉₀) and a relative standard deviation of 3·5%. Measurements with real samples offered a good correlation with the standard enzymatic assay (difference ±7%). Stored at room temperature, the response of the sensor is constant for 8 days. The second biosensor is based on the three enzyme sequence malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.37), oxaloacetate decarboxylase (OAC, EC 4.1.1.3) and pyruvate oxidase (POP, EC 1.2.3.3). It has a non-linear calibration curve. Concentrations from 5 μmol dm⁻³ to 1 mmol dm⁻³ L -malate can be detected, within a response time of 1·5 min and with a relative standard deviation of 20%. The lower detection limit for L -malate is 2 μmol dm⁻³. The response is constant for 10 days when the sensor is stored at room temperature.     

Multispectral fluorescence lifetime imaging by TCSPC

We present a fluorescence lifetime imaging technique with simultaneous spectral and temporal resolution. The technique is fully compatible with the commonly used multiphoton microscopes and nondescanned (direct) detection. An image of the back-aperture of the microscope lens is projected on the input of a fiber bundle. The input of the fiber bundle is circular, and the output is flattened to match the input slit of a spectrograph. The spectrum at the output of the spectrograph is projected on a 16-anode PMT module. For each detected photon, the encoding logics of the PMT module deliver a timing pulse and the number of the PMT channel in which the photon was detected. The photons are accumulated by a multidimensional time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) process. The recording process builds up a four-dimensional photon distribution over the times of the photons in the excitation pulse period, the wavelengths of the photons, and the coordinates of the scan area. The method delivers a near-ideal counting efficiency and is capable of resolving double-exponential decay functions. We demonstrate the performance of the technique for autofluorescence imaging of tissue.     

Effiziente Wasserabtrennung aus Dieselkraftstoff mittels Membrantechnik und Online‐Monitoring

The separation of water from diesel fuel is very important for safety, ecological, and economic reasons, as otherwise it can lead to lower combustion efficiency and engine problems. In addition, the free water from ultra‐low‐sulfur diesel (ULSD) can only be insufficiently separated with the classic separation systems. To solve this problem, a membrane process with different organic/inorganic membranes for the selective separation of water droplets from ULSD and an innovative water‐in‐oil online sensor were developed.     

Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of diblock copolymers via interaction of complementary polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes in chloroform

We have studied the interpolyelectrolyte complexation in chloroform between polystyrene-block-poly(cetyltrimethylammonium acrylate), (PA⁻ CTA⁺), and poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyldimethylethyl-ammonium dodecyl sulfate) (quaternized poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) complexed with sodium dodecyl sulfate), (PDMAEMAQ⁺ DS⁻). Turbidimetry, dynamic/static light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy show the formation of large aggregated interpolyelectrolyte complex species, which are colloidally stable in chloroform or even chloroform-soluble if the certain conditions are met. We suggest such co-assemblies to be micellar species with a core assembled from electrostatically coupled fragments of the polymeric components. The corona is built up either from a mixture of polystyrene blocks and excessive fragments of (PDMAEMAQ⁺ DS⁻) chains or from a mixture of polystyrene blocks and excessive fragments of (PA⁻ CTA⁺) blocks, depending on which polymeric component was taken in excess for the interpolyelectrolyte complexation. However, their real structures may deviate from such idealized consideration because of the non-equilibrium character of interpolyelectrolyte complexation in organic media of low polarity.     

Induction in the Timed Interval Calculus

The Timed Interval Calculus, a timed-trace formalism based on set theory, is introduced. It is extended with an induction law and a unit for concatenation, which facilitates the proof of properties over trace histories. The effectiveness of the extended Timed Interval Calculus is demonstrated via a benchmark case study, the mine pump. Specifically, a safety property relating to the operation of a mine shaft is proved, based on an implementation of the mine pump and assumptions about the environment of the mine.     

A Pragmatic Approach to Reuse in Tactical Theorem Proving

In interactive theorem proving, tactics and tacticals have been introduced to automate proof search. In this scenario, user interaction traditionally is restricted to the mode in which the user decides which tactic to apply on the top-level, without being able to interact with the tactic once it has begun running.We propose a technique to allow the implementation of derivational analogy in tactical theorem proving. Instead of replaying tactics including backtracked dead ends our framework makes choice points in tactics explicit and thus avoids dead ends when reusing tactics. Additionally users can override choices a tactic has made or add additional steps to a derivation without terminating the tactic. The technique depends on an efficient replay of tactic executions without repeating search that the original computation may have involved.     

New opportunities and challenges in surveying underground cavities using photogrammetric methods

The exploitation of the underground is currently undergoing a major transformation process. Besides mining, alternative ways of utilization are playing an increasingly important role. These alternative utilizations include the storage of gases, the disposal of radioactive wastes, and the implementation of geothermal storage facilities. In addition, more and more mining operations are being shut down, like the German hard coal mining industry in 2018. But the integrity of closed mines must be ensured in the post-mining phase. In order to capture such large and complex structures efficiently and reliably,new surveying techniques are required. A promising approach is the use of photogrammetric methods to generate three-dimensional models of the cavity. Photogrammetry is currently known mainly from aerial photography. It is conceivable to use such methods for underground applications. In recent years,significant progress has been made in the algorithm-based orientation of unstructured image sets. More powerful computer systems and the growing range of unmanned aerial vehicles could enable partially automated capture. However, a number of problems have to be solved for underground imaging techniques. Unfavorable exposure conditions complicate image alignment. Furthermore, the models must be integrated into existing surveying systems with a sufficiently high degree of accuracy. In order to consider the numerous technical aspects, the development of an integrated capture and evaluation approach is necessary. This could make an important contribution to the monitoring of critical cavities of different commodities. Such an approach would also fit into the current digitization trend in the mining industry and provide new opportunities for ground control in particular.