Systemic release of soluble TNF receptors after high-dose TNF in isolated limb perfusion

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with high dose tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interferon gamma and melphalan (TIM) is an efficient treatment for patients with regionally advanced melanoma and sarcoma. In 44 patients, we determined the kinetics of soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-RI and RII) plasma concentrations, and correlated them with systemic TNF and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels and shock. Seven patients treated conventionally by ILP without cytokine served as controls. Elevated levels of both sTNF-Rs were observed within 30 min after beginning of the TIM-ILP. A first peak of sTNF-Rs levels was observed 3 h after ILP and was followed by a rapid decrease reaching a nadir at 12-14 h post ILP. This first peak was followed by a second, long-lasting elevation of both sTNF-Rs levels persisting for 4 to 5 days after TIM-ILP. Patients treated by ILP without TNF/interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) had no detectable increase in either sTNF-Rs or in circulating TNF, demonstrating that the release of TNF-Rs was dependent upon the administration of TNF/IFN-gamma. High plasma levels of TNF and IL-6 were observed in patients that had more than 5% leakage during the TIM-ILP, but no significant correlation between TNF levels and the peak values of both sTNF-Rs was observed. The levels of TNF and IL-6 were, however, significantly related to each other. TNF systemic levels, but not sTNF-Rs concentrations, correlated significantly with the severity of the shock observed after TIM-ILP. Patients in which sTNF-RII concentration was in excess over circulating TNF, had no shock or grade I shock only, suggesting that sTNF-RII may play a protective, although limited, role in inhibiting activity of circulating TNF.     

0.27-dB/km attenuation achieved by MSP preform process [opticalfibers]

Mechanically shaped preforms (MSP) have been demonstrated to combine economic non-CVD (chemical vapor deposition) processing and low loss, with a published value of 0.63 dB/km and a size of 30 fkm/preform. Improved processing is proposed which results in a minimum loss of 0.27 dB/km at 1550 nm. Preforms capable of yielding 150 fkm have been produced. Reboiling during preform stretching and fiber pulling is identified as the last remaining problem of the process     

Biotin determination by three different methods: specificity and application to urine and plasma ultrafiltrates of patients with and without disorders in biotin metabolism

A microbiological, an avidin-binding and a streptavidin-binding method for biotin determination were compared. All three methods detected biotin equally well but they exhibit different specificities for derivatives of biotin. The microbiological assay has the highest specificity and is the method of choice for biotin determination in biotinidase-deficient patients. The specificity of streptavidin-binding has not been investigated so far. Application of the three methods to urine samples of patients with and without biotin therapy indicated that only 50% of biotin equivalents measured with the avidin method correspond to authentic biotin as previously shown. The other 50% comprise mainly bisnorbiotin and biotin-d-sulfoxide. HPLC-separation of urine samples prior to assay confirmed this finding and revealed a bisnorbiotin oxidation product and an unknown compound as further biotin metabolites. The latter was measurable by all three methods and not detectable in plasma ultrafiltrate. This was the only metabolite which was able to restore deficient 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase activity in biotin-deficient fibroblasts. The combination of the three methods together with HPLC-separation proved to be a valuable analytical tool for the identification of the main biotin metabolites in biological fluids.     

Aqueous-Base-Developable Benzocyclobutene (BCB)-Based Material Curable in Air

A positive-tone and aqueous-base-developable benzocyclobutene (BCB)-based dielectric material curable in air is described in this paper. The prepolymer is made from divinylsiloxane bisbenzocyclobutene (DVS-bisBCB) and BCB-acrylic acid. The formulation contains antioxidants that allow the prepolymer to cure in air and a diazonaphthaquinone to make it photosensitive. Patterned films have high resolution, and via openings are scum-free without a descum operation. Whether cured in nitrogen or in air, the prepolymer produces a film with optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties desirable for many microelectronic applications, such as packaging applications and as a planarization or insulation layer in display applications     

Data analysis of interaction forces measured with the atomic force microscope

The force-distance cycle mode of the atomic force microscope (AFM) allows for detection of interaction forces between the AFM-tip and a substrate (probe). This can either be a direct tip-sample interaction or an interaction between molecules coupled to the tip and probe, respectively. The interaction forces are typically in the range of a few pN to some hundred pN. In this article we describe algorithms for the analysis of force-distance cycles, to quantify interaction forces between tip and probe. Both, the direct tip-probe interaction as well as the interaction between specifically bound molecules are analyzed. The molecules bound to tip and probe have to be either long and flexible or have to be bound via a flexible cross linker. The algorithms are exemplified on direct tip-probe interactions and on unbinding events of cadherins which are bound via PEG-spacers to the AFM-tip and to the probe.     

Particulate matter chemical component concentrations and sources in settings of household solid fuel use

Particulate matter (PM) air pollution derives from combustion and non‐combustion sources and consists of various chemical species that may differentially impact human health and climate. Previous reviews of PM chemical component concentrations and sources focus on high‐income urban settings, which likely differ from the low‐ and middle‐income settings where solid fuel (ie, coal, biomass) is commonly burned for cooking and heating. We aimed to summarize the concentrations of PM chemical components and their contributing sources in settings where solid fuel is burned. We searched the literature for studies that reported PM component concentrations from homes, personal exposures, and direct stove emissions under uncontrolled, real‐world conditions. We calculated weighted mean daily concentrations for select PM components and compared sources of PM determined by source apportionment. Our search criteria yielded 48 studies conducted in 12 countries. Weighted mean daily cooking area concentrations of elemental carbon, organic carbon, and benzo(a)pyrene were 18.8 μg m^?3, 74.0 μg m^?3, and 155 ng m^?3, respectively. Solid fuel combustion explained 29%‐48% of principal component/factor analysis variance and 41%‐87% of PM mass determined by positive matrix factorization. Multiple indoor and outdoor sources impacted PM concentrations and composition in these settings, including solid fuel burning, mobile emissions, dust, and solid waste burning.     

Short‐term effects in a reduced flow stretch: The case of the Antas River in South Brazil

The building of adduction channels (penstocks) that conduct water from reservoirs to turbines, which are located kilometres from the dam, is becoming common, optimizing the electricity generation in small dams. This design creates a river stretch with reduced discharge between the dam and the powerhouse. This study evaluates the short‐term impacts of the below‐dam decrease in river flow on fish assemblages. Samples were collected in the reduced flow stretch of the Castro Alves Hydropower Plant (Antas River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) before the reservoir started operating (January 2008; mean discharge of 103.7 m³/s) and immediately after operation began (March 2008; mean discharge of 12.4 m³/s). Sampling was conducted in distinct habitats of the reduced flow stretch (slow waters—gillnets, sand beaches—seining nets, structured littoral—electrofishing, and fast waters—cast nets) with a strongly standardized effort. The attributes of the fish assemblages were not negatively affected by the flow reduction in any habitat sampled. However, distinct changes in the spatial structure were observed considering the different types of habitat predominantly used by the species, which represents an entire reorganization of the fish assemblages in the short term. It is fundamental that these short‐term aspects be considered in the licensing of hydropower plants in addition to the long‐term changes.