The detection of oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidate/RNA duplexes with capillary gel electrophoresis

Oligonucleotide N3'-->P5' phosphoramidates (3'-phosphoramidates) are DNA analogs that are presently under investigation as potential therapeutic agents. These compounds may also hold promise as a diagnostic tool. Here, we describe a rapid method for the analysis of single-stranded RNA fragments utilizing 3'-phosphoramidate oligonucleotides as probes in conjunction with capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE). 3'-Phosphoramidate 9-mers were mixed with complimentary RNA, and CGE was used to monitor duplex formation. Complimentary strands of RNA and 3'-phosphoramidate formed duplexes that gave unique relative mobilities based on an internal standard. The ability of CGE to discriminate between perfect duplexes and duplexes that contain a base mismatch was also investigated. However, the primary focus of this work was to determine CGE's ability to detect the presence of the 3'-phosphoramidates/RNA duplex under routine electrophoretic running conditions. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis was utilized to verify duplex formation.     

Diverse Fab specific for acetylcholine receptor epitopes from a myasthenia gravis thymus combinatorial library

The muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis (MG) is caused by heterogeneous high-affinity IgG autoantibodies to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), a complex ion channel glycoprotein. These antibodies are clearly responsible for reducing AChR numbers at the neuromuscular junction in myasthenia; however, the origins, diversity, specificity and pathogenicity of individual antibodies have not yet been established. We have cloned and characterized four different AChR-specific Fab from an MG patient's thymus by screening an IgG1/kappa gene combinatorial lambda phage library with soluble human AChR labeled with [125I] alpha-bungarotoxin. Unlike most previously cloned human antibodies, all four Fab immunoprecipitated soluble human muscle AChR. Two Fab strongly inhibited binding of mAb to the main immunogenic region on the alpha subunits and one Fab bound to an epitope on the fetal-specific gamma subunit. In sensitivity and fine specificity, these Fab resembled the anti-AChR antibodies found in many MG patients, including the donor. The closest germline counterparts for their heavy chains were in VH families 1, 3 and 4; however, there were many differences consistent with an antigen-driven response of diverse B cell clones. The combinatorial approach holds promise for further analysis of human autoantibodies.     

Urine osmolality and conductivity as indices of hydration status in athletes in the heat

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine a quick and easy method for assessment of day-to-day hydration status in athletes in the heat. METHODS: Measurement of the osmolality of the first urine sample of the day collected after wakening but before breakfast established a standardized collection procedure to allow day-to-day comparisons of individuals. RESULTS: Laboratory measurements established that a difference in osmolality is found when individuals are dehydrated by a moderate extent in comparison with an euhydrated situation: the osmolality of the first morning urine sample of control subjects (N = 11) averaged over 5 d was 675 (+/- 232) mosmol.kg-1 (mean +/- SD). For subjects who were hypohydrated by exercise followed by fluid restriction, morning urine osmolality was 924 (+/- 99) mosmol.kg-1 (P < 0.001, N = 11, averaged over 7 d). Field measurements from 29 athletes undertaking warm weather training indicated that the athletes could, with appropriate feedback, maintain a satisfactory hydration status. Athletes in weight category sports tended to record a higher morning urine osmolality, reflecting their attempts to dehydrate: recorded values were 627 (+/- 186) mosmol.kg-1 (nonweight category sports, N = 8), 775 (+/- 263) mosmol.kg-1 (boxers, N = 15) and 777 (+/- 254) mosmol.kg-1 (wrestlers, N = 6). Results obtained with a hand-held portable conductivity were compared with those from measured osmolality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that such an instrument could provide athletes with reliable information as to their hydration status from measurement of the first morning urine of the day and therefore provide a quick and easy method for achieving an approximation of hydration status from day-to-day.     

地方时与区时在电离层研究中的差异

本文指出混淆地时与区时两个时间概念在电离层研究中带来的差异的严重性，建议使用地方与区时这两个名词，而抛弃“本地时”和“当地时”等容易引起混淆的名词。     

Controlling bacterial contamination of an enteral formula through the use of a unique closed system: contamination, enteral formulas, closed system

Contamination of enteral diets may play an essential role in formula tolerance and safety for patients. Contaminated enteral formula commonly support microbiological growth. Commercially sterile liquid formulas received from the manufacturer are required by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to be shelf-stable and free from enteric pathogens. This study examined the use of large volume, closed system containers in a typical nursing home. Large volume (1500 mL) containers with unique pierceable caps and piercing spikes were studied to determine their ability to reduce the incidence of microbiological contamination due to their design and ability to decrease handling requirements. This study took place in a room of a typical nursing home. In this clinical setting, 211 containers and administration spike sets were evaluated following a 36-h hangtime. Contamination was virtually nondetectable. Nursing staff in a clinical facility can effectively utilize a large volume, prefilled, ready-to-use feeding system to achieve delivery of noncontaminated product for up to 36 h hangtime.     

台儿庄城区饮用水水源地水质放射性水平分析

为了解和掌握台儿庄城区饮用水水源地放射性水平和动态变化,本文以枣庄市生态环境局台儿庄分局提供的饮用水水源地水质放射性数据为基础,探讨了台儿庄城区饮用水水源地水质中α、β放射性质量浓度的动态变化。结果显示:水源地总α、β放射性质量浓度均低于标准限值,总α放射性质量浓度小于总β放射性质量浓度,总α、β放射性水平在水源地和季节变化中差异均不显著(P>0.05)。水源地水质总放射性水平符合我国规定的饮用水指导值。     

基于云自适应遗传算法的NoC路径分配研究

路径分配是NoC设计流程中的两个关键步骤之一;路径分配的结果对NoC系统的性能尤其是通讯延时有着很重要的影响;多约束条件下的NoC路径分配问题是NP完全问题,要求出其最优解比较困难,目前常用的方法是利用启发式算法求得其较优解;文中提出一种基于云自适应遗传算法的NoC路径分配解决方案,该算法利用云模型对传统遗传算法加以改进,采取新的方法自动调整遗传算法过程中的交叉概率pc和变异概率pm,将适应度与云模型的3个参数Ex、En、He相互结合,从而达到优化遗传算法的目的;将此算法应用于2D-Mesh拓扑结构的NoC中,以平衡链路负载和联合优化为实验目标,以优化静态通讯分配结果;实验证明,文章所采取的算法在平衡链路负载和联合优化方面均取得了良好的效果。     

A power-free deposited microbead plug-based microfluidic chip for whole-blood immunoassay

We present a deposited microbead plug (DMBP)-based microfluidic chip capable of performing plasma extraction and on-chip immunoassay. The DMBP used as a porous blood filter provides pure blood plasma without the contamination of blood cells or beads. Capillary-driven flow eliminates the requirement of external pumps. The human IgG and goat anti-human IgG sample-to-answer assay was performed in this chip within 600 s using only a 10 μl whole-blood sample. This easy-to-use, rapid, inexpensive, and disposable DMBP-based chip holds a great promise for point-of-care application.