The fate of C and N was monitored in a clay-textured soil (Typic Haplocambid) which was either unamended (control) or amended with various plant materials at the rate of 10 g residue C/kg soil. To ...evaluate C mineralization, soils were incubated for 46 days under aerobic conditions. Nitrogen mineralization/immobilization was evaluated at the end of eight-week incubation experiment. All CO2 evolution data conformed well to a first-order kinetic model. The product of K and Co (KCo) was significantly correlated with some chemical and biochemical properties of the plant residues, including N concentration (r=0.83, P less than 0.001), C:N (r=-0.64, P less than 0.05) and lignin:N (r=-0.81, P less than 0.001). Among the plant residue composition characteristics, N concentration (r=0.96, P less than 0.001), C:N (r=-0.69, P less than 0.01) and lignin:N (r=-0.68, P less than 0.01) were significantly correlated with the net rates of N mineralization/immobilization.
Nanostructured SiC was synthesized by magnesiothermal reduction of silica derived from zeolite ZSM-5 with a Si/Al ratio of about 80 and four carbons from different sources. The carbons were carbon ...black and three carbons synthesized by impregnating furfuryl alcohol or sucrose into three porous templates (ZSM-5, clinoptilolite and MCM-48). Magnesiothermal reduction was carried out by reacting mixtures of silica, carbon and magnesium powder at 600–800°C in a flowing argon atmosphere. The starting materials and final products were characterized by X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and BET analysis. The results indicated that the synthesis of nanostructured SiC is influenced by the chemical nature of the carbon and its surface area.
Acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) is a devastating event that can have severe hemodynamic consequences, depending on location and severity of the lesion. Knowledge of hyperacute hemodynamic changes is ...important for researchers using porcine models of thoracic ASCI. The goal of this study
was to determine the hyperacute hemodynamic changes observed after ASCI when using pigs as their own controls. Five Yucatan gilts were anesthetized, and a dorsal laminectomy performed at T10-T12. Standardized blunt trauma was applied for 5 consecutive min, and hemodynamic variables were collected
5 min before ASCI, and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 30, 60, 80 and 120 min after ASCI. Arterial blood gas samples were collected at 60 min and 10 min before, and at 30 min and between 120 and 240 min after ASCI. Parametric data were analyzed using a mixed effects model with time point as the fixed
factor and subject as the random factor. We found no effect on heart rate, pulse pressure, SpO2, EtCO2, and respiratory rate between baseline and timepoints after ASCI. Diastolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, and systolic arterial pressure fell significantly
by 18%, 16%, and 15%, respectively, at 2 min after ASCI. However, none of the decrements in arterial pressures resulted in hypotension at any time point. Heart rate did not change significantly after ASCI. Blood glucose progressively increased to 50% above baseline between 120 and 240 minutes
after ASCI. Low thoracic ASCI caused a consistent and statistically significant but clinically minor hyperacute decrease in arterial pressures (-15%) that did not produce hypotension or metabolic changes suggestive of tissue hypoperfusion. Our findings using this model suggest that mean arterial
pressures should be maintained above 85 mm Hg prior to spinal trauma in order to avoid hypotensive states after ASCI.
The high luminosity upgraded LHC or Phase-II is expected to increase the instantaneous luminosity by a factor of 10 beyond the LHC's design value, expecting to deliver 250fb−1 per year for a further ...10 years of operation. Under these conditions the performance degradation due to integrated radiation dose will need to be addressed.
The CMS collaboration is planning to upgrade the forward calorimeters. The replacement is called the High Granularity Calorimeter (HGC) and it will be realized as a sampling calorimeter with layers of silicon detectors interleaved. The sensors will be realized as pad detectors with sizes of less that ∼1.0cm2 and an active thickness between 100 and 300μm depending on the position, respectively, the expected radiation levels.
For an integrated luminosity of 3000fb−1, the electromagnetic calorimetry will sustain integrated doses of 1.5MGy (150Mrads) and neutron fluences up to 1016neq/cm2. A radiation tolerance study after neutron irradiation of 300, 200, and 100μm n-on-p and p-on-n silicon pads irradiated to fluences up to 1.6×1016neq/cm2 is presented. The properties of these diodes studied before and after irradiation were leakage current, capacitance, charge collection efficiency, annealing effects and timing capability. The results of these measurements validate these sensors as candidates for the HGC system.
Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors arising from cranial nerve VIII that account for 8–10% of all intracranial tumors and are the most common tumors of the cerebellopontine angle. These ...tumors are typically managed with observation, radiation therapy, or microsurgical resection. Of the VS that are irradiated, there is a subset of tumors that are radioresistant and continue to grow; the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood. In this review, the authors summarize how radiation causes cellular and DNA injury that can activate (1) checkpoints in the cell cycle to initiate cell cycle arrest and DNA repair and (2) key events that lead to cell death. In addition, we discuss the current knowledge of VS radiobiology and how it may contribute to clinical outcomes. A better understanding of VS radiobiology can help optimize existing treatment protocols and lead to new therapies to overcome radioresistance.
Pituitary adenoma accounts as a complex and multifactorial intracranial neoplasm with wide range of clinical symptoms which its underlying molecular mechanism has yet to be determined. The bioactive ...lipid mediators received attentions toward their contribution in cancer cell proliferation, progression and death. Amongst, 15-Lipoxygense (15-Lox) enzymes and products display appealing role in cancer pathogenesis which their possible effect in pituitary adenoma tumor genesis is perused in the current study.
The 15-Lipoxygenses isoforms expression level was evaluated in tumor tissues of prevalent functional and non-functional pituitary adenomas and normal pituitary tissues via Real-Time PCR. The circulating levels of 15(S) HETE and 13(S) HODE as 15-Lox main products were assessed in serum of patients and healthy subjects using enzyme immunoassay kits.
Our results revealed that 15-Lox-1 and 15-Lox-2 expression levels were elevated in tumor tissues of pituitary adenomas comparing to normal pituitary tissues. The elevated levels of both isoforms were accompanied with 15(S) HETE and 13(S) HODE elevation in the serum of patients. The 15-Lox-1 expression and activity was higher in invasive tumors as well as tumors with bigger size indicating the possible pro-tumorigenic role of 15-Lox-1, more than 15-Lox-2 in pituitary adenomas. The diagnostic value of 15-Lipoxygense isoforms and products were considerable between patients and healthy groups.
The possible involvement of 15-Lipoxygense pathway especially 15-Lox-1 in the regulation of pituitary tumor growth and progression may open up new molecular mechanism regarding pituitary adenoma pathogenesis and might shed light on its new therapeutic strategies.
On the timing performance of thin planar silicon sensors Akchurin, N.; Ciriolo, V.; Currás, E. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
07/2017, Volume:
859, Issue:
C
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
We report on the signal timing capabilities of thin silicon sensors when traversed by multiple simultaneous minimum ionizing particles (MIP). Three different planar sensors, with depletion ...thicknesses 133, 211, and 285µm, have been exposed to high energy muons and electrons at CERN. We describe signal shape and timing resolution measurements as well as the response of these devices as a function of the multiplicity of MIPs. We compare these measurements to simulations where possible. We achieve better than 20ps timing resolution for signals larger than a few tens of MIPs.
Pituitary adenomas as multifactorial intracranial neoplasms impose a massive burden of morbidity on patients and characterizing the molecular mechanism underlying their pathogenesis has received ...considerable attention. Despite the appealing role of cyclooxygenase enzymes and their bioactive lipid products in cancer pathogenesis, their relevance to pituitary adenoma pathogenesis is debated and yet to be determined. Thus, the current study perused this relevance.
The expression level of the isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) was evaluated in hormone-secreting and in-active pituitary adenoma tumors and normal pituitary tissues through Real-Time PCR. The level of PGE2, as the main product of enzymes, was assessed using enzyme immunoassay kits in patients and healthy subjects.
The results of the current study demonstrated that COX-1 and COX-2 expression levels were increased in pituitary tumors including non-functional pituitary adenoma (NFPA), acromegaly, Cushing's disease and prolactinoma compared with normal pituitary tissues. A significant expression level of COX-2 was observed in NFPA compared with the other pituitary tumors. Furthermore, the COX-2 expression level was significantly increased in macroadenoma and invasive tumors. The level of PGE2 was consistent with COX enzymes enhanced in pituitary adenoma tumors compared with healthy pituitary tissue. A significant elevation in the PGE2 level was detected in NFPA compared with hormone-secreting pituitary tumors. Additionally, the PGE2 level was increased in macroadenoma compared with microadenoma and in invasive compared with non-invasive pituitary tumors. The diagnostic values of cyclooxygenase isoforms and PGE2 were considerable between patients and healthy groups; however, COX-2 revealed more value in distinguishing endocrinologically active and non-active pituitary tumors.
Data from the current study provides expression patterns of COX-1, COX-2 and PGE2 in prevalent pituitary tumors and their association with patients' clinical features which may open up new molecular targets for early diagnosis/follow up of pituitary tumor growth.
Pituitary adenomas are benign brain tumors that cause considerable morbidity and neurological symptoms. SOX9 as a regulatory transcriptional mediator affects normal and tumor cell growth with an ...undefined role in pituitary adenomas pathogenesis. Thus, in the present study, the expression pattern of SOX9 in GH-secreting pituitary tumors and normal pituitary tissues is investigated.
The SOX9 gene expression level was evaluated in 60 pituitary tissues including different types of GH-secreting adenomas and normal pituitary tissues through Real-Time PCR. The protein level of SOX9 was assessed using immunohistochemistry. The correlations of SOX9 gene and protein expression level with the patient's clinical and pathological features were considered.
The SOX9 over-expression was detected in GH-secreting adenomas tumor tissues compared to normal pituitary tissues which were accompanied by overexpression of SOX9 protein in tumor tissues. The over-expression of SOX9 had a significant impact on GH-secreting adenomas tumor incidence with the odds ratio of 8.4 and the diagnostic value of SOX9 was considerable. The higher level of SOX9 expression was associated with invasive and macro tumors in GH-secreting pituitary adenoma patients. The positive correlation of SOX9 gene and protein level was observed and the tumor size and tumor invasive features were valuable in predicting SOX9 expression level in GH-producing pituitary tumors.
The study provided the first shreds of evidence regarding the expression pattern of SOX9 in the GH- secreting pituitary adenomas at both gene and protein levels which may emphasize the possible involvement of SOX9 as a mediator in pituitary adenoma tumor formation also open up new intrinsic molecular mechanism regarding pituitary adenoma pathogenesis.
We describe several protein sequence statistics designed to evaluate distinctive attributes of residue content and arrangement in primary structure. Considered are global compositional biases, local ...clustering of different residue types (e.g., charged residues, hydrophobic residues, Ser/Thr), long runs of charged or uncharged residues, periodic patterns, counts and distribution of homooligopeptides, and unusual spacings between particular residue types. The computer program SAPS (statistical analysis of protein sequences) calculates all the statistics for any individual protein sequence input and is available for the UNIX environment through electronic mail on request to V.B. (volker@gnomic.stanford.edu).
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