25 research outputs found
A Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Research Misconduct Using FDA-Issued Warning Letters and Clinical Investigator Inspection List From 2010 to 2014
No full textRetinitis Pigmentosa GTPase Regulator (RPGR) protein isoforms in mammalian retina:insights into X-linked Retinitis Pigmentosa and associated ciliopathies
No full textMutations in the cilia-centrosomal protein Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase Regulator (RPGR) are a frequent cause of retinal degeneration. The RPGR gene undergoes complex alternative splicing and encodes multiple protein isoforms. To elucidate the function of major RPGR isoforms (RPGR 1-19 and RPGR ORF15), we have generated isoform-specific antibodies and examined their expression and localization in the retina. Using sucrose-gradient centrifugation, immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation methods, we show that RPGR isoforms localize to distinct sub-cellular compartments in mammalian photoreceptors and associate with a number of cilia-centrosomal proteins. The RCC1-like domain of RPGR, which is present in all major RPGR isoforms, is sufficient to target it to the cilia and centrosomes in cultured cells. Our findings indicate that multiple isotypes of RPGR may perform overlapping yet somewhat distinct transport-related functions in photoreceptors
Impact of ETICS on Corrosion Propagation of Concrete Facade
No full textAbstractThe durability of reinforced concrete facades is an important field of research as the majority of dwellings in Northern and Eastern Europe were constructed 30–50 years ago. Recent condition assessments of the façades have indicated damage related to carbonation induced corrosion. Moreover, the problem might escalate since the future climate scenarios predict a significant increase of CO2 in ambient air being a driving force for carbonation.Assessment of residual service life of concrete facades is a complex phenomenon with a high level of uncertainty. A validated method used in this study combines dynamic hygrothermal simulation tool Delphin and existing corrosion models. Corrosion propagation consists of the time needed to concrete cover cracking and further expansion of a crack up to a width of 0.3mm as a limit criterion. Additional exterior thermal insulation (mostly ETICS) is applied to existing dwellings as a renovation scenario in order to decrease the heat loss, improve thermal comfort and prevent the degradation mechanism e.g. carbonation induced corrosion. Hence, reinforcement corrosion before and after installing ETICS with mineral wool, EPS or PIR has to be evaluated. Impact of boundary conditions, e.g. wind-driven rain in addition to material properties, and built-in moisture was included.The results indicate that corrosion propagation after carbonation has reached the reinforcement, is three to six years depending on the ratio of concrete cover depth against the reinforcement diameter. While applying ETICS, corrosion accelerates for a short period of time up to one year. Temperature inside the wall rises above +10°C throughout the year, meaning no more freeze-thaw damage. Corrosion of reinforcement in carbonated concrete after applying ETICS is so slow, that no cracking will develop. Drying out moisture or vapour diffusion from indoor air is not able to propagate corrosion of reinforcement in carbonated concrete
Electroencephalographic Findings and Clinical Behavior During Induction of Anesthesia With Sevoflurane in Human Infants: A Prospective Observational Study
No full textNumerical and experimental investigation of the hygrothermal response of timber frame walls with an exterior air barrier
No full textLaboratory tests and numerical simulations to study the hygrothermal consequences of using an exterior air barrier in light-weight building envelopes are discussed. Full-scale test walls are placed between a vertical hot and coldbox, operating at controlled temperatures, humidity levels and total air pressures. The test walls are exposed to different boundary conditions during five consecutive measuring stages. Each test wall is provided with 18 thermocouples, 15 relative humidity, 3 heat flux and 1 pressure gauge sensor, covering the most important positions of the wall. In this way, the obtained results can be used as detailed validation data for heat, air and moisture (HAM)-models with a strong focus on natural and forced air convection. The main emphasis of this article is the evaluation of a numerical model with the current dataset. The model used is a modified version of DELPHIN 5 including a quasi-steady state airflow model with the ability to capture natural convection. © The Author(s) 2013.sponsorship: This research was funded by a PhD grant (grant number 81153) of the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation through Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT-Vlaanderen). (Institute for the Promotion of Innovation through Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT-Vlaanderen)|81153)status: Publishe
MicroRNA Expression Signature and the Role of MicroRNA-21 in the Early Phase of Acute Myocardial Infarction
No full textDecreased Electroencephalographic Alpha Power During Anesthesia Induction Is Associated With EEG Discontinuity in Human Infants
No full textBackground:
Electroencephalogram (EEG) discontinuity can occur at high concentrations of anesthetic drugs, reflecting suppression of electrocortical activity. This EEG pattern has been reported in children and reflects a deep state of anesthesia. Isoelectric events on the EEG, a more extreme degree of voltage suppression, have been shown to be associated with worse long-term neurologic outcomes in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the clinical significance of EEG discontinuities during pediatric anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery is not yet known and merits further research. In this study, we assessed the incidence of EEG discontinuity during anesthesia induction in neurologically normal infants and the clinical factors associated with its development. We hypothesized that EEG discontinuity would be associated with sevoflurane-induced alpha (8 to 12 Hz) power during the period of anesthesia induction in infants.
Methods:
We prospectively recorded 26 channels of EEG during anesthesia induction in an observational cohort of 54 infants (median age 7.6 IQR [4.9, 9.8] months). We identified EEG discontinuity, defined as voltage amplitude 2 seconds, and assessed its association with sevoflurane-induced alpha power using spectral analysis and multivariable logistic regression adjusting for clinically important variables.
Results:
EEG discontinuity was observed in 20 of 54 subjects (37%), with a total of 25 discrete events. Sevoflurane-induced alpha power in the posterior regions of the head (e.g., parietal or occipital regions) was significantly lower in the EEG discontinuity group (midline parietal channel [Pz], 8.3 vs. 11.2 dBs, p = 0.004), and this association remained after multivariable adjustment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.51 per dB increase in alpha power [95% CI: 0.30 – 0.89], p = 0.02). There were no differences in the baseline (unanesthetized) EEG between groups in alpha power, or power in any other frequency band.
Conclusions:
We demonstrate that EEG discontinuity is common during anesthesia induction and is related to the level of sevoflurane-induced posterior alpha power, a putative marker of cortical-thalamic circuit development in the first year of life. This association persisted even after adjusting for age and propofol co-administration. The fact that this difference was only observed during anesthesia and not in the baseline EEG suggests that otherwise hidden brain circuit properties are unmasked by general anesthesia. These neurophysiologic markers observed during anesthesia may be useful in identifying patients who may have a greater chance of developing discontinuity
Comprehensive Study of Scales on Classical Guitar
No full textLas escalas continúan siendo fundamentales en la formación teórica e instrumental de los músicos. Sin embargo, en la guitarra clásica, su papel formativo no ha sido valorado adecuadamente, por lo que su estudio es solo un tema ocasional. Esto ha generado profundas deficiencias en la fundamentación de los guitarristas. En este contexto, el autor explora las posibilidades de un sistema de aprendizaje que permita a cualquier estudiante lograr un dominio de interpretación adecuado.Scales continue to be fundamental in the theoretical and instrumental training of musicians. However, in classical guitar the formative role of scales has not been adequately valued, so its study is only an occasional subject. This has generated profound deficiencies in the foundations of guitarists. Against this background, the author explores possibilities for a learning system that allows any student to achieve an adequate playing domain
