Molecular analysis of 11q13 breakpoints in multiple myeloma

The t(11;14)(q13;q32) chromosomal translocation, which is the hallmark of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), is found in approximately 30% of multiple myeloma (MM) tumors with a 14q32 translocation. Although the overexpression of cyclin D1 has been found to be correlated with MM cell lines carrying the t(11;14), rearrangements of the BCL-1/cyclin D1 regions frequently involved in MCL rarely occur in MM cell lines or primary tumors. To test whether specific 11q13 breakpoint clusters may occur in MM, we investigated a representative panel of primary tumors by means of Southern blot analysis using probes derived from MM-associated 11q13 breakpoints. To this end, we first cloned the breakpoints and respective germ-line regions from a primary tumor and the U266 cell line, as well as the germ-line region from the KMS-12 cell line. DNA from 50 primary tumors was tested using a large panel of probes, but a rearrangement was detected in only one case using the KMS-12 breakpoint probe. Our results confirm previous findings that the 11q13 breakpoints in MM are scattered throughout the 11q13 region encompassing the cyclin D1 gene, thus suggesting the absence of 11q13 breakpoint clusters in MM.     

Prevalence of specific thrombotic accidents in patients with thrombocytosis

The prevalence of specific thrombotic accidents recognized in 260 patients with thrombocytosis are reported. Ninety one were affected by PV, 86 by ET, 20 by MF and 63 by ST. The highest incidence of thrombosis was in the PV group. About half of ET and MF patients experienced a thrombosis. In all the patients thrombosis preferentially affected the cerebrovascular district (17.3% of the cases). Coronary artery disease occurred in PV while peripheral vascular disease was frequent in ET. Portal vein district thrombosis is not rare during the course of all MPD (7.1%). Apparently, deep vein thrombosis occurs in all patients with both primary and secondary thrombocytosis.     

Synthesis and characterization of large specific surface area nanostructured amorphous silica materials

Large specific surface area materials attract wide attention because of their applications in adsorption, catalysis, and nanotechnology. In the present study, we describe the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured amorphous silica materials. These materials were obtained by means of a modification of the Stobe-Fink-Bohn (SFB) method. The morphology and essential features of the synthesized materials have been studied using an automated surface area and pore size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy. The existence of a micro/mesoporous structure in the obtained materials has been established. It was also found that the obtained particle packing materials show large specific surface area up to 1,600 m2/g. (To our best knowledge, there is no any reported amorphous silica material with such a higher specific surface area.) The obtained materials could be useful in the manufacture of adsorbents, catalyst supports, and other nanotechnological applications.     

Influence of Water on the Compression Behavior of Decomposed Granite Soil

In order to investigate the influence of water on compression characteristics of decomposed granite soils, single-particle crushing and one-dimensional compression tests were carried out on three types of decomposed granite soils as well as on quartz-rich silica sand under both dry and wet conditions. Results showed that the initial crushing strength of a single particle was reduced and strength variability increased due to the weakening effects induced by the presence of water. Moreover, it was observed that the one-dimensional compression behavior of decomposed granite soil was related to the initial crushing strength. Finally, the magnitude of initial crushing strength was also affected by the degree of weathering of the soil.     

Feasibility of neural network approach in spectral mixture analysis of reflectance spectra

In the present work, we perform spectral mixture analysis using Chi‐square minimization (χ² minimization) procedure and test the feasibility of applying an inverse technique, neural network (NN) approach, for the spectral unmixing. The training of NN is carried out using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (LM) with the initial weights for training being chosen randomly. The experiments are performed in the laboratory by mixing young, matured and dead leaves of a sequoia tree in various proportions and reflectance spectra of these mixtures are recorded. The proportions are chosen to model a few near‐real situations like different kinds of vegetation in a forest (by mixing young leaves and matured leaves) and trees damaged in a forest fire or affected by certain virus (by mixing matured and dead leaves) and a combination of all these (by mixing young, matured and dead leaves). The spectral mixture analysis employing χ² minimization and the inverse procedure utilizing NN with two hidden layers yielded consistent results in accordance with the proportion of each kind of leaf.     

Characterization of a redox-modified clay mineral with respect to its suitability as a barrier in radioactive waste confinement

Engineered barriers for high-level nuclear waste (HLW) consist of excavated repositories in sub-surface rock formations where canisters holding the radionuclide are stored. Clay minerals, particularly the swelling 2:1 types, are used as backfill material, both in the canisters and in the bore hole, in order to prevent radionuclide transport to surrounding groundwater. One of the most important risks that can occur is the corrosion of the canister, which could be coupled with reduction of iron (Fe) in the clay structure. Such changes could greatly decrease the long-term stability of the clay and, consequently, of the barriers themselves. In order to test the potential effects of such redox interactions, an Fe-bearing clay mineral from a commercial source located in the Kutch region, India, was selected for study. This particular mineral is one of the candidate clay minerals to serve as such a barrier material, and is the one with the largest structural Fe content. Results from it should, therefore, provide maximum insight into the potential effects of redox interactions between the barrier and its surroundings. The unaltered clay was characterized by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTGA), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and variable-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy. The chemically reduced and reoxidized forms of the clay were characterized by variable-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy and chemical analysis. In the unaltered state the clay is comprised of smectite, maghemite, superparamagnetic goethite, and hematite, with a possible trace of kaolinite. In the reduced state the Fe (oxyhydr)oxides were dissolved. Upon reoxidation no six-line pattern was observed, indicating that the Fe remained only in the structure of the silicates. The final structure of the reduced–reoxidized clay contained more defects than the original clay, as revealed by greater quadrupole splitting values for structural Fe(III) in the clay. These findings indicate that upon exposure to natural redox cycles the Kutch clay could undergo permanent changes in its mineralogical composition and clay mineral structure, but further study is required to ascertain the effects that such changes would have on its long-term stability as a barrier material.     

Chronic stress effects on the apoptotic index of the adrenal cortex of pregnant rats.

Chronic stress by immobilization during gestation can alter several mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in adrenal gland. The aim of this work was to quantify the apoptotic index of adrenal cortex during mid-pregnancy and to prove cytological characteristics by electron microscopy. The apoptotic index did not present significant differences between the adrenal cortex areas of control and experimental rats in any of the three ages studied. The day of gestation influenced significantly on the apoptotic index in both groups. This index increased as gestation progressed. It may be concluded that chronic stress by immobilization might induce the increase of apoptotic index in adrenal cortex as gestation progresses which might be related variations of plasmatic corticosterone and prolactin, and to the decrease of specific growth factors. On the other hand, it might be concluded that each zone of adrenal cortex behaves independently in regards to apoptosis and cellular proliferation via paracrine and/or autocrine regulatory mechanisms without being affected by other zones.