Diffusion-weighted imaging evaluation of subtle cerebral microstructural changes in intrauterine fetal hydrocephalus

OBJECTIVE: Hydrocephalus is an important etiological factor in neurological decline. With the advent of fetal ultrasound, fetal hydrocephalus is now more frequently detected than in the past. Ultrasonography (USG) provides information on general morphology, but microstructural changes that may play a prognostic role are beyond the resolution of that technique. These changes may theoretically be revealed by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). In this study, our preliminary findings of DW-MRI on the hydrocephalic fetuses are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve fetuses with fetal USG diagnosis of hydrocephalus were investigated using a 1.5-T MR scanner. In addition to conventional techniques, DWI was performed. It was obtained using a single-shot echo-planar imaging sequence (TR/TE: 4393/81 ms; slice thickness: 5 mm; interslice gap: 1 mm; FOV: 230 mm; matrix size: 128x256; b values: 0 and 1000 s/mm2). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in the white matter of the periventricular frontal and occipital lobes, basal ganglia, thalamus, centrum semiovale and cerebrospinal fluid in the lateral ventricle. These values were compared with the normal prenatal ADC values from a radiological study published in the literature. RESULTS: All fetuses had moderate or severe bilateral supratentorial ventricular dilatation that was compatible with hydrocephalus. On conventional T1- and T2-weighted imaging, cerebral parenchyma had normal signal pattern and ADC values were significantly lower than those reported for fetuses with normal brain. These values were lower in hydrocephalic fetuses with statistical significance (P<.05-.01). CONCLUSION: DWI is a sensitive technique to investigate cerebral microstructure. The reduction in cerebral blood flow and alterations in cerebral energy metabolism in cases with hydrocephalus have been shown before. Changes in cerebral blood flow and energy metabolism, as a consequence of cerebral compression, may occur in hydrocephalus. Elevated ventricular pressure may cause cerebral ischemia. The anaerobic glycolysis seen in the hydrocephalic brain tissue by increasing the lactate concentration and intracellular fluid flux may be the reason for the reduced ADC values in hydrocephalic fetuses. However, long-term prospective trials on the correlation of ADC values and neurological outcome are necessary to exploit the full benefit of that novel technique.     

Standing on the shoulders of Hermann Staudinger: Post‐polymerization modification from past to present

With a span as long as the history of polymer science itself, post‐polymerization modification represents a versatile platform for the preparation of diversely functionalized polymers from a single precursor. Starting with the initial efforts by Staudinger in the 1920s, many of the early developments in modern polymer science can be attributed to the utilization of post‐polymerization modification reactions. The scope of post‐polymerization modification has greatly expanded since the 1990s due to the development of functional group tolerant controlled/living polymerization techniques combined with the (re)discovery of highly efficient coupling chemistries that allow quantitative, chemoselective, and orthogonal functionalization of reactive polymer precursors. After some basic mechanistic considerations, this Highlight will provide an overview of the development and evolution of eight main classes of post‐polymerization modification reactions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Atomic layer deposited HfO2 based metal insulator semiconductor GaN ultraviolet photodetectors

A report on GaN based metal insulator semiconductor (MIS) ultraviolet (UV) photodetectors (PDs) with atomic layer deposited (ALD) 5-nm-thick HfO₂ insulating layer is presented. Very low dark current of 2.24 × 10⁻¹¹ A and increased photo to dark current contrast ratio was achieved at 10 V. It was found that the dark current was drastically reduced by seven orders of magnitude at 10 V compared to samples without HfO₂ insulating layer. The observed decrease in dark current is attributed to the large barrier height which is due to introduction of HfO₂ insulating layer and the calculated barrier height was obtained as 0.95 eV. The peak responsivity of HfO₂ inserted device was 0.44 mA/W at bias voltage of 15 V.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis for the determination of binding affinities for low molecular weight heparins and antithrombin‐III

The anticoagulant properties of heparin stem in part from high‐affinity binding to antithrombin‐III (AT‐III) inducing a 300‐fold increase in its inhibitory activity against the coagulation protease factor Xa. The minimal structural requirements for AT‐III binding are contained in the rare heparin pentasaccharide sequence containing a 3,6‐O‐sulfated N‐sulfoglucosamine residue. ACE is used in this work to measure the relative AT‐III binding affinities of the low molecular weight heparins (LWMHs) dalteparin, enoxaparin, and tinzaparin and the synthetic pentasaccharide drug fondaparinux (Arixtra). Determination of the AT‐III binding affinities of the LWMHs is complicated by their inherent structural heterogeneity and polydispersity. The fractional composition of 3‐O‐sulfo‐N‐sulfoglucosamine residues was determined for each drug substance using 2D NMR and used in the interpretation of the ACE results.     

Au/TiO2 nanorod‐based Schottky‐type UV photodetectors

TiO₂ nanorods (NRs) were synthesized on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) pre‐coated glass substrates using hydrothermal growth technique. Scanning electron microscopy studies have revealed the formation of vertically‐aligned TiO₂ NRs with length of ～2 µm and diameter of 110–128 nm, homogenously distributed over the substrate surface. 130 nm thick Au contacts using thermal evaporation were deposited on the n‐type TiO₂ NRs at room temperature for the fabrication of NR‐based Schottky‐type UV photodetectors. The fabricated Schottky devices functioned as highly sensitive UV photodetectors with a peak responsivity of 134.8 A/W (λ = 350 nm) measured under 3 V reverse bias. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Surface‐Anchored MOF‐Based Photonic Antennae

The loading of a metal‐organic framework (MOF), [Cu₃(btc)₂xH₂O] HKUST‐1, with europium β‐diketonate complexes is studied with the goal to using the porous molecular framework as a photonic antenna. Whereas loading of HKUST‐1 powder particles produced via the conventional solvothermal synthesis method was strongly hindered, for HKUST‐1 SURMOFs, thin MOF films fabricated using the liquid phase epitaxy method, a high filling factor can be achieved. The optical properties of the HKUST‐1‐MOFs before and after loading were analysed with the aid of luminescence spectroscopy. Careful analysis of the absorption spectra reveals the presence of an effective energy transfer between the HKUST‐1 framework and the Eu³⁺ centers.     

One-step multiple component isolation from the oil of Crinitaria tatarica (Less.) Sojak by preparative capillary gas chromatography with characterization by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques and evaluation of biological activity

Gas chromatographic analysis revealed that the oil of Crinitaria tatarica was rich in sabinene (32.1%), β-pinene (8.8%), and two unknown (M+200) compounds (I) and (II) (21.4% and 3.4%). One-step multiple fractionation of the oil and separation of two unknown constituents were performed using preparative capillary gas chromatography connected to preparative fraction collector system. This combination allowed separation and recover of sufficient quantities of two unknown compounds with high purity from complex oil matrix. Separation conditions (column temperature, cooling temperature, flow rate, injection volume, cut time) were optimized to achieve the best isolation and successful collection. The target compounds were separated from the oil using a HP Innowax (Walt & Jennings Scientific, Wilmington, DE, USA) preparative capillary column in rapid one-step manner with 95.0% purity. Trapping of the isolated compounds in collector system was facilitated by cooling with liquid nitrogen. Structure determination was accomplished by spectral analysis including ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic rezonance, and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Z- (I) and E-artemidin (II) were isolated for the first time from this species. Crinitaria tatarica oil and Z- (I) and E-artemidin (II) were evaluated for biological activity.     

Strain analysis of InGaN/GaN multi quantum well LED structures

Five period InGaN/GaN multi quantum well (MQW) light emitting diode (LED) structures were grown by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system on c‐plane sapphire. The structural characteristics as a strain‐stress analysis of hexagonal epilayers MQWs were determined by using nondestructive high resolution x‐ray diffraction (HRXRD) in detail. The strain/stress analysis in AlN, GaN, and InGaN thin films with a variation of the In molar fraction in the InGaN well layers was conducted based on the precise measurement of the lattice parameters. The a‐ and c‐lattice parameters of the structures were calculated from the peak positions obtained by rocking the theta axis at the vicinity of the symmetric and asymmetric plane reflection angles, followed by the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane strains. The biaxial and hydrostatic components of the strain were extracted from the obtained a‐ and c‐direction strains values.     

A private contributions game for joint replenishment

We study a non-cooperative game for joint replenishment by n firms that operate under an EOQ-like setting. Each firm decides whether to replenish independently or to participate in joint replenishment, and how much to contribute to joint ordering costs in case of participation. Joint replenishment cycle time is set by an intermediary as the lowest cycle time that can be financed with the private contributions of participating firms. We characterize the behavior and outcomes under undominated Nash equilibria.     

A Simple and Low-Cost Electrochemical Immunosensor for Ultrasensitive Determination of Calreticulin Biomarker in Human Serum

An early on time detection of breast cancer significantly affects the treatment process and outcome. Herein, a new label-free impedimetric biosensor is developed to determine the lowest change in the level of calreticulin (CALR), which is a new biomarker of breast carcinoma. The proposed immunosensor is fabricated by using reduced graphene oxide/amino substituted polypyrrole polymer (rGO-PPyNH₂) nanocomposite modified disposable electrode. The anti-CALR antibodies are first attached on the rGO-PPyNH₂ nanocomposite coated electrode through glutaraldehyde crosslinking; the CALR antigens are then immobilized with the addition of CALR antigens to form an immunocomplex on the sensing surface. This immunocomplex induces considerably larger interfacial electron transport resistance (R_ct). The variation in the R_ct has a linear relationship with CALR level in the detection range of 0.025 to 75 pg mL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 10.4 fg mL⁻¹. The suggested biosensor shows high selectivity to CALR, good storage stability (at least 5 weeks) and suitable reproducibility results as shown in quality control chart. The designed immunosensor is utilized to analyze CALR levels in human sera with satisfying results. This immunosensor provides a novel way for the clinical determination of CALR and other cancer biological markers.