Probability-based choice of antibiotherapy

Surgery of colorectal cancer is suited for assurance of surgical quality. The R0-resection rate in 1927 operations for colorectal cancer was 74.4%. The postoperative mortality was 7.1%. Wound suppuration occurred after surgery of the colon in 6.5%, after surgery of rectal cancer in 9.9% of the cases. In 68.6% of pT4-tumors we found lymphoid metastasis, in 19.3% around the trunk of the inferior mesenteric artery. For compilation of comparative data the quality assurance in colorectal surgery should be realised every 3 to 5 years.     

Tailored microarray platform for the detection of marine toxins

Currently, there are no fast in vitro broad spectrum screening bioassays for the detection of marine toxins. The aim of this study was to develop such an assay. In gene expression profiling experiments 17 marker genes were provisionally selected that were differentially regulated in human intestinal Caco-2 cells upon exposure to the lipophilic shellfish poisons azaspiracid-1 (AZA1) or dinophysis toxin-1 (DTX1). These 17 genes together with two control genes were the basis for the design of a tailored microarray platform for the detection of these marine toxins and potentially others. Five out of the 17 selected marker genes on this dedicated DNA microarray gave clear signals, whereby the resulting fingerprints could be used to detect these toxins. CEACAM1, DDIT4, and TUBB3 were up-regulated by both AZA1 and DTX1, TRIB3 was up-regulated by AZA1 only, and OSR2 by DTX1 only. Analysis by singleplex qRT-PCR revealed the up- and down-regulation of the selected RGS16 and NPPB marker genes by DTX1, that were not envisioned by the new developed dedicated array. The qRT-PCR targeting the DDIT4, RSG16 and NPPB genes thus already resulted in a specific pattern for AZA1 and DTX1 indicating that for this specific case qRT-PCR might a be more suitable approach than a dedicated array.     

International intercomparison of horn gain at X-band

An international intercomparison of horn gain and polarization measurements at X-band has previously been completed. There were seven participating laboratories with the National Institute of Standards and Technology serving as the pilot laboratory. Two X-band pyramidal standard gain horns with a nominal gain of 22 dB served as the traveling standards. Quantities measured included on-axis fixed frequency gain at 8, 10, and 12 GHz, swept frequency gain between 8-12 GHz and polarization characteristics at the three fixed frequencies. All laboratories performed the fixed frequency-gain measurements. The swept-frequency and polarization measurements were optional, with four laboratories performing swept-frequency measurements and three laboratories measuring polarization. The results of the gain measurements generally agreed within the reported uncertainties which were of the order of 0.1 dB or less     

Chemical stimulation techniques for geothermal wells: experiments on the three-well EGS system at Soultz-sous-Forêts,France

Rock matrix stimulation is a method of enhancing well production or injection within a broad range of challenging environments, varying from naturally fractured limestones to sandstones with complex mineralogy. A common and often successful stimulation option, matrix acidizing, utilizes acids that react and remove mineral phases restricting fluid flow. Reviewed is the technology of chemical treatments available for oil, gas and geothermal wells and the key elements and results of the chemical reservoir stimulation program at the Soultz-sous-Forêts, France, Enhanced Geothermal System Project.     

Quantification of Spice Mixture Compositions by Electronic Nose: Part I. Experimental Design and Data Analysis Using Neural Networks

ABSTRACT: A quantitative procedure was developed to predict the composition of ternary ground spice mixtures using an electronic nose. Basil, cinnamon, and garlic were mixed in different compositions and presented to an e-nose. Nineteen training mixtures were used to build predictive models. Model performance was tested using 5 other mixtures. Three neural network structures—multilayer perceptron (MLP), MLP using principal component analysis as a preprocessor (PCA-MLP), and the time-delay neural network (TDNN)—were used for predictive model building. All 3 neural network models predicted the testing mixtures' compositions with a mean square error (MSE) equal or less than 0.0051 (in a fraction domain where sum of fractions = 1). The TDNN provided the smallest MSE.     

Interleukin-1 in multiple myeloma: producer cells and their role in the control of IL-6 production

We studied the role of interleukin (IL)-1beta in patients with multiple myeloma. By in situ hybridization and immunochemistry, myeloid and megakaryocytic cells expressed high levels of the IL-1beta gene and produced IL-1beta. Myeloma cells less potently expressed the IL-1beta gene and IL-1beta protein. IL-1beta gene expression was not constitutive since it was detected in the bone marrow myeloma cells of two patients, unlike circulating tumoural cells. In addition, nine myeloma cell lines failed to express the IL-1beta gene and this expression could not be induced by 12 different cytokines. We demonstrated that IL-1 was mainly responsible for IL-6 production in the tumoural environment through a PGE2 loop. In fact, an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) blocked PGE2 synthesis and IL-6 production by 80%; this blockage could be reversed by adding synthetic PGE2. Similar findings were found with indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase that blocks PGE2 synthesis. Taken together, these data emphasize the possibility of blocking IL-1 by using IL-1RA or other antagonists in order to block IL-6 production, which is a major tumoural survival and proliferation factor.     

SR 144528, the first potent and selective antagonist of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor

Based on both binding and functional data, this study introduces SR 144528 as the first, highly potent, selective and orally active antagonist for the CB2 receptor. This compound which displays subnanomolar affinity (Ki = 0.6 nM) for both the rat spleen and cloned human CB2 receptors has a 700-fold lower affinity (Ki = 400 nM) for both the rat brain and cloned human CB1 receptors. Furthermore it shows no affinity for any of the more than 70 receptors, ion channels or enzymes investigated (IC50 > 10 microM). In vitro, SR 144528 antagonizes the inhibitory effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP 55,940 on forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in cell lines permanently expressing the h CB2 receptor (EC50 = 10 nM) but not in cells expressing the h CB1 (no effect at 10 microM). Furthermore, SR 144528 is able to selectively block the mitogen-activated protein kinase activity induced by CP 55,940 in cell lines expressing h CB2 (IC50 = 39 nM) whereas in cells expressing h CB1 an IC50 value of more than 1 microM is found. In addition, SR 144528 is shown to antagonize the stimulating effects of CP 55,940 on human tonsillar B-cell activation evoked by cross-linking of surface Igs (IC50 = 20 nM). In vivo, after oral administration SR 144528 totally displaced the ex vivo [3H]-CP 55,940 binding to mouse spleen membranes (ED50 = 0.35 mg/kg) with a long duration of action. In contrast, after the oral route it does not interact with the cannabinoid receptor expressed in the mouse brain (CB1). It is expected that SR 144528 will provide a powerful tool to investigate the in vivo functions of the cannabinoid system in the immune response.