In vivo attenuation and equivalent scatterer size parameters for atherosclerotic carotid plaque: Preliminary results

We have previously reported on the equivalent scatterer size, attenuation coefficient, and axial strain properties of atherosclerotic plaque ex vivo. Since plaque structure and composition may be damaged during a carotid endarterectomy procedure, characterization of in vivo properties of atherosclerotic plaque is essential. The relatively shallow depth of the carotid artery and plaque enables non-invasive evaluation of carotid plaque utilizing high frequency linear-array transducers. We investigate the ability of the attenuation coefficient and equivalent scatterer size parameters to differentiate between calcified, and lipidic plaque tissue. Softer plaques especially lipid rich and those with a thin fibrous cap are more prone to rupture and can be classified as unstable or vulnerable plaque. Preliminary results were obtained from 10 human patients whose carotid artery was scanned in vivo to evaluate atherosclerotic plaque prior to a carotid endarterectomy procedure. Our results indicate that the equivalent scatterer size obtained using Faran’s scattering theory for calcified regions are in the 120–180 μm range while softer regions have larger equivalent scatterer size distribution in the 280–470 μm range. The attenuation coefficient for calcified regions as expected is significantly higher than that for softer regions. In the frequency bandwidth ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 MHz, the attenuation coefficient for calcified regions lies between 1.4 and 2.5 dB/cm/MHz, while that for softer regions lies between 0.3 and 1.3 dB/cm/MHz.     

Density excitations of a harmonically trapped ideal gas

The dynamic structure factor S(q, ω) of a harmonically trapped Bose gas has been calculated well above the Bose-Einstein condensation temperature by treating the gas cloud as a canonical ensemble of non-interacting classical particles. The static structure factor is found to vanish s8 q ² in the long-wavelength limit. We also incorporate a relaxation mechanism phenomenologically by including a stochastic friction force to study S(q, ω). A significant temperature dependence of the density fluctuation spectra is found. The Debye-Waller factor has been calculated for the trapped thermal cloud as a function of q and the number N of atoms. A substantial difference is found for small- and large-N clouds.     

Development of a cryopreservation protocol for the microcyclic rust-fungus Puccinia spegazzinii

The rust fungus Puccinia spegazzinii (Basidiomycotina: Uredinales) has been identified as a potential classical biological control agent for the invasive weed Mikania micrantha (Asteraceae). Long-term, live storage of this pathogen is required for reference. As biotrophs, almost all rusts species cannot be preserved by traditional cryopreservation protocols, which rely on in vitro culture techniques. In addition, the embedded teliospores and delicate basidiospores of this microcyclic rust are not amenable to direct plunge freezing. Continuous culture of the rust on living plants is both laborious and expensive, so a variety of approaches for cryopreservation and storage were tested. These methods included traditional approaches to fungal cryopreservation such as variation of cooling rate regime and alginate encapsulation techniques. However, an in situ cryopreservation technique was the only method identified as having any potential for the long-term cryopreservation of the 10 isolates tested. Material from either petiole or stem tissue remained viable after cryopreservation, determined by the ability of the material to produce basidiospores. However, despite great progress being made in developing an optimal cryopreservation method, infection of the host plant by basidiospores produced from previously cryopreserved teliospores, embedded in leaf petioles, was not achieved.     

Molality as a unit of measure for expressing 1H MRS brain metabolite concentrations in vivo

Absolute concentrations of cerebral metabolite in in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies (1H-MRS) are widely reported in molar units as moles per liter of tissue, or in molal units as moles per kilogram of tissue. Such measurements require external referencing or assumptions as to local water content. To reduce the scan time, avoid assumptions that may be invalid under specific pathologies, and provide a universally accessible referencing procedure, we suggest that metabolite concentrations from 1H-MRS measurements in vivo be reported in molal units as moles per kilogram of tissue water. Using internal water referencing, a two-compartment water model, a simulated brain spectrum for peak identification, and a spectroscopic bi-exponential spin-spin relaxation segmentation technique, we measured the absolute concentrations for the four common 1H brain metabolites: choline (Cho), myo-inositol (mIno), phosphocreatine + creatine (Cr), and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), in the hippocampal region (n = 26) and along the Sylvian fissure (n = 61) of 35 healthy adults. A stimulated echo localization method (20 ms echo time, 10 ms mixing time, 4 s repetition time) yielded metabolite concentrations, uncorrected for metabolite relaxation or contributions from macromolecule resonances, that were expectantly higher than with molar literature values. Along the Sylvian fissure the average concentrations (coefficient of variation (CV)) in mmoles/kg of tissue water were 17.6 (12%) for NAA, 14.2 (9%) for Cr, 3.6 (13%) for Cho, and 13.2 (15%) for mIno. Respective values for the hippocampal region were 15.7 (20%), 14.7 (16%), 4.6 (19%), and 17.7 (26%). The concentrations of the two regions were significantly different (p 相似文献   

Hydroxyl Substituent Chemical Shift (SCS) Effects in Alcohols: The 17O NMR of Diols

The ¹⁷O NMR spectra for a series of saturated diols were investigated. From these studies both hydroxyl induced substituent chemical shift (SCS) effects of hydroxyl oxygen ¹⁷O NMR chemical shifts were determined. In addition, linear correlations between the ¹⁷O chemical shift of the hydroxyl oxygen (ROH) and the ¹³C chemical shift for the methyl group in the corresponding hydrocarbon (RCH₃) were obtained.

     

Measurement of the hydrodynamic radii of PEE-G dendrons by diffusion spectroscopy on a benchtop NMR spectrometer

Benchtop nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a useful tool for the rapid determination of the self-diffusion coefficient and the hydrodynamic radius of dendrons. The self-diffusion coefficients of the first four generations of poly ethoxy ethyl glycinamide (PEE-G) dendrons are measured by diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) on a benchtop NMR equipped with diffusion gradient coils. The hydrodynamic radii of the dendrons are calculated via the Stokes–Einstein equation. The effects of solvent and pH are determined with the hydrodynamic radius increasing with generation and decreasing upon neutralization of an acidic solution. These measurements provide valuable information for biological and pharmaceutical applications of dendrons.     

The increasing importance of carbon nanotubes and nanostructured conducting polymers in biosensors

The growing need for analytical devices requiring smaller sample volumes, decreased power consumption and improved performance have been driving forces behind the rapid growth in nanomaterials research. Due to their dimensions, nanostructured materials display unique properties not traditionally observed in bulk materials. Characteristics such as increased surface area along with enhanced electrical/optical properties make them suitable for numerous applications such as nanoelectronics, photovoltaics and chemical/biological sensing. In this review we examine the potential that exists to use nanostructured materials for biosensor devices. By incorporating nanomaterials, it is possible to achieve enhanced sensitivity, improved response time and smaller size. Here we report some of the success that has been achieved in this area. Many nanoparticle and nanofibre geometries are particularly relevant, but in this paper we specifically focus on organic nanostructures, reviewing conducting polymer nanostructures and carbon nanotubes.     

Thioether macrocycles of the microbisporicins via reductive desulfurization

The microbisporicins are the most potent lantibiotics isolated to-date. Cyclic tetra-, hexa- and octapeptides, inspired by this family of antimicrobial agents, have been synthesized from linear peptides. Generalized reaction conditions are reported for the two-step conversion of linear peptides to thioether macrocycles: formation of a disulfide followed by reductive desulfurization. ¹H NMR analysis of the reduction reaction mixture indicated the intermediacy of a dehydroalanine when excess hexamethylphosphorus triamide (HMPT) was employed for the reduction. Maintaining a stoichiometric amount of HMPT, in dilute methanolic solution, gave the corresponding thioethers, retaining stereochemical integrity.     

Paradigms and Paradoxes: Energetics of Aqueous Oxyanions of Nonmetals and Metalloids

The enthalpies of formation of simple nonmetal or metalloid oxyanions in aqueous solution are discussed. Archival values are cited and estimates are made. Trends prove evasive.