This study tested the sensitivity and specificity of VE1 antibody raised against BRAFV600E protein, on 189 melanoma samples, compared with molecular testing. In addition, the therapeutic response to ...BRAF inhibitors was analysed in 27 patients, according to staining intensity (scored from weak to strong) and pattern (homogeneous or heterogeneous). BRAFV600E status during melanoma progression was evaluated in a cohort of 54 patients with at least paired-samples. High sensitivity (98.6%) and specificity (97.7%) of VE1 were confirmed. During melanoma progression different samples showed concordant phenotypes. Heterogeneous VE1 staining was observed in 28.5% of cases, and progression-free survival was higher in patients with tumour samples displaying such staining. These findings suggest that only VE1-negative tumours would be genotyped to detect other BRAFV600 mutations, and that either primary melanoma or metastasis can be tested using immunohistochemistry, according to the material available.
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Wind and solar electricity is produced without direct CO
2
emissions. However, the introduction of this electricity in the grid is delicate due to the intermittent character of its sources. Wind ...and solar production is characterized by multiple, strong variations in the electric power. These variations put stress on the grid where the total production of electricity must always be equal to the consumption. We present a synthesis of five studies conducted for Germany and France with different assumptions of electricity mixes, all with large shares of wind and solar power. These mixes are subjected to the dynamics of wind and solar production as recorded in 2010 (Germany), 2012 and 2013 (Germany and France). Common structural trends are exhibited when the results of simulations (instantaneous power distributions and average annual values) are expressed as a percentage of the annual reduced load to be produced by these intermittent energies. We focus on the evaluation of these trends and the resulting constraints on the grid. The results obtained make it possible to anticipate the problems brought about by a large share of renewable intermittent energies in the production of electricity. They show the need for backup production in order to complement the intermittent sources. This leads to CO
2
emissions unless storage systems of large capacity are available.
Abstract We set out hypotheses which are based in the technique of Brainspotting (Grand, 2013) 1 but have wider applicability within the range of psychotherapies for post-traumatic and other ...disorders. We have previously (Corrigan and Grand, 2013) 2 suggested mechanisms by which a Brainspot may be established during traumatic experience and later identified in therapy. Here we seek to formulate mechanisms for the healing processing which occurs during mindful attention to the Brainspot; and we generate hypotheses about what is happening during the time taken for the organic healing process to flow to completion during the therapy session and beyond it. Full orientation to the aversive memory of a traumatic experience fails to occur when a high level of physiological arousal that is threatening to become overwhelming promotes a neurochemical de-escalation of the activation: there is then no resolution. In Brainspotting, and other trauma psychotherapies, healing can occur when full orientation to the memory is made possible by the superior colliculi-pulvinar, superior colliculi-mediodorsal nucleus, and superior colliculi-intralaminar nuclei pathways being bound together electrophysiologically for coherent thalamocortical processing. The brain’s response to the memory is “reset” so that the emotional response experienced in the body, and conveyed through the paleospinothalamic tract to the midbrain and thalamus and on to the basal ganglia and cortex, is no longer disturbing. Completion of the orientation “reset” ensures that the memory is reconsolidated without distress and recollection of the event subsequently is no longer dysphorically activating at a physiological level.
The pathomorphological findings and the expression and distribution of variable surface protein antigens (Vsp) of
Mycoplasma (
M.)
bovis were characterised immunohistochemically in lungs of eight ...calves following inoculation with a Vsp A-expressing clonal variant of
M.
bovis type strain PG45. Within 48
h post inoculation (p.i.) an innate immune response dominated by macrophages and neutrophils develops. The monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 1A1 and 1E5 detected
M.
bovis Vsp antigens in paraffin tissue sections of seven calves. Vsp antigens were widely distributed and were already present at day two p.i. within macrophages and other lung compartments. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the bovine is unable to eliminate
M.
bovis during the time period examined. Based on the different immunohistochemical labelling patterns obtained with the mAbs, the results also support the speculation that the
in vivo variability of Vsps together with immunological factors may contribute to the chronicity of pulmonary disease.
Aim To determine the size and three-dimensional spatial distribution of pulmonary emboli (PE) at computed tomography angiography (CTA) to optimize the scan length. Materials and methods Two ...experienced radiologists jointly reviewed 100 consecutive, positive PE CTA studies performed in the Emergency Department (53 women; age 61 ± 17 years). All studies were conducted on a 16-detector row CT machine. In each case, the number of emboli was counted and the proximal and distal spatial coordinates of each embolus documented. Coordinates of the main pulmonary artery bifurcation (MPAb) and carina were recorded. For normalization, the thoracic cavity height (H)—from inlet to lowest hemidiaphragm—was measured. The minimal scan lengths for (a) capturing all emboli and (b) rendering a positive diagnosis were determined. Results Three hundred and seventy (370) emboli were detected. The average number of PE per patient was 3.7 (maximum 12, minimum 1). Their average length was 2.7 cm. Nine patients had saddle emboli (9%), and 71% of emboli were at or below the MPAb. An 18 cm (0.90×H) scan length, centred 4 cm (0.18×H) below the carina, captures all PE in this dataset while reducing z -axis coverage by 29% (34% for normalized data). Moreover, a 14.2 cm (0.78×H) scan length appropriately centred captures at least one embolus in all patients while reducing coverage by 44% (43%). Decreasing scan length to the lesser of 14.2 cm and 0.78×H per patient reduces coverage by 47%. Conclusion Scan length at CTA for PE can be reduced by up to 47% while preserving diagnostic accuracy for PE detection.
Aim To measure contrast-to-noise ratios of liver lesions on conventional enhanced and digitally subtracted multidetector row computed tomography (CT) images. Materials/methods This study was approved ...by our hospital internal review board (IRB) and all collected data were evaluated in a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant manner. Subtracted datasets, using pixel-by-pixel subtraction of the post-contrast images from the pre-contrast images, were created from the 64 detector-row CT of patients undergoing three-phase examination of the liver (unenhanced, arterial phase, and portal venous phase). Regions of interest were used to calculate the contrast-to-noise ratios between the lesions and the background liver parenchyma on both the post-contrast and subtracted datasets using the following formula: (Lesion mean (HU) – Liver mean (HU))/standard deviation of mean outside patient (HU). These ratios were compared using a mixed linear statistical model. Results Contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated for 64 lesions in 50 consecutive patients. Of the 64 lesions, 42 were hypervascular and 22 were hypovascular. Subtracted datasets yielded statistically significant higher contrast-to-noise ratios of hypervascular lesions compared to normal liver parenchyma ( p < 0.0001). Subtraction did not yield a statistically significant improvement in contrast-to-noise ratios for hypovascular liver lesions ( p = 0.16). Conclusion Post-processed subtraction CT images generate increased contrast-to-noise ratios for hypervascular liver lesions. As this technique is easy to perform and does not involve additional radiation exposure, it should be considered when evaluating for suspected hypervascular lesions.
The ability of a recombinant baculovirus containing the ectodomain of the mature sequence of glycoprotein D (gD) fused to the amino-terminus of baculoviral glycoprotein gp64 to display gD on its ...surface and to serve as an improved immunogen against bovine herpesvirus-1 was tested. The gD-gp64 fusion protein was correctly expressed on the virus particles as revealed by immunomicroscopy assays. Mice immunized with 5 x 10⁸ plaque forming units developed antibodies that specifically reacted in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant gD and whole bovine herpesvirus-1. These antibodies were able to neutralize bovine herpesvirus-1 in vitro, whereas those elicited by a version of gD expressed in Escherichia coli did not. Our data demonstrated that the display on the virion surface of recombinant baculovirus can provide a tool for the development of recombinant vaccines against bovine herpesvirus-1.
Summary Background We have previously reported the efficacy and safety of bilateral pallidal stimulation for primary generalised dystonia in a prospective, controlled, multicentre study with 1 year ...of follow-up. Although long-term results have been reported by other groups, no controlled assessment of motor and non-motor results is available. In this prospective multicentre 3 year follow-up study, involving the same patients as those enrolled in the 1 year follow-up study, we assessed the effect of bilateral pallidal stimulation on motor impairment, disability, quality of life, cognitive performance, and mood. Methods We studied 22 patients with primary generalised dystonia after 3 years of bilateral pallidal stimulation. We compared outcome at 3 years with their status preoperatively and after 1 year of treatment. Standardised video recordings were scored by an independent expert. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. Findings Motor improvement observed at 1 year (51%) was maintained at 3 years (58%). The improvement in quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) was similar to that observed at 1 year. Relative to baseline and to the 1 year assessment, cognition and mood were unchanged 3 years after surgery, but slight improvements were noted in concept formation, reasoning, and executive functions. Pallidal stimulation was stopped bilaterally in three patients because of lack of improvement, technical dysfunction, and infection, and unilaterally in two patients because of electrode breakage and stimulation-induced contracture. No permanent adverse effects were observed. Interpretation Bilateral pallidal stimulation provides sustained motor benefit after 3 years. Mild long-term improvements in quality of life and attention were also observed.
The thermal decay of the cation radical of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) with aqueous nucleophiles was examined in positive (benzyldimethylhexadecylammonium chloride, BHDC) and negative (sodium ...bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate, AOT) reverse micelles. It was shown that the rate constants are slightly affected by the sign of the interfacial charges, contrary to the situation that prevails in direct micelles. A correlation between the dependence of the decay rate constant and the density of the surfactant molecules on the water pool size has been established in the range 5 ≤ ω° ≤ 25 for all the micellar solutions. This result points out the decisive role of the bound water of the interfacial region, when the electron transfer occurs from the aqueous to the lipidic phase.
Strains of
Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies
capri (
Mmc) are frequently isolated from goats with contagious agalactia, but they can also be recovered from herds that have shown no clinical signs of ...mycoplasmosis for several years. The present study was conducted in order to explore the potential genetic and antigenic differences existing between an
Mmc strain isolated from an outbreak (septicaemic) and a strain isolated from the ear canal of a goat belonging to a herd with no recent episode of mycoplasmosis (carriage strain). The genomes of the two strains, compared by suppression subtractive hybridization, were shown to be poorly divergent. The two strains were inoculated into goats to produce specific antisera, but both induced fatal mycoplasmosis. These results indicate that septicaemic and carriage strains cannot be distinguished by their genetic background or by their pathogenic capacity under experimental conditions.
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