9308687
Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a lung transplant recipient.
Tuberculosis infection has been a relatively rare complication after lung transplantation. However, as more countries in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection remains endemic embark on lung transplant programs, the occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis after transplantation is a genuine threat. We report the first case of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in a double-lung transplant recipient who probably acquired the disease from the donor. We discuss the problems in clinical management of post-transplant tuberculosis infection and of drug-resistance.
43301231
Delayed sternotomy wound infection due to Paecilomyces variotii in a lung transplant recipient.
We report a case of sternotomy wound infection caused by Paecilomyces variotii in a previously bronchiectatic patient, occurring 10 months after bilateral sequential lung transplantation. The use of prophylactic antifungal therapy, the persistent colonization with Paecilomyces, and sternal instability after clamshell incision may have contributed to the development of delayed deep sternal wound infection. Besides antifungal therapy, vigorous surgical debridement is vital for treatment success. With the more liberal use of early post-transplant fungal prophylaxis, potentially drug-resistant fungi, such as the Paecilomyces species, may be emerging as important opportunistic pathogens after lung transplantation.
37028101
Sucrose-based fabrication of 3D-networked, cylindrical microfluidic channels for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip and vaso-mimetic devices.
We present a new fabrication scheme for 3D-networked, cylindrical microfluidic (MF) channels based on shaping, bonding, and assembly of sucrose fibers. It is a simple, cleanroom-free, and environment-friendly method, ideal for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip devices. Despite its simplicity, it can realize complex 3D MF channel architectures such as cylindrical tapers, internal loops, end-to-side junctions, tapered junctions, and stenosis. The last two will be of special use for realizing vaso-mimetic MF structures. It also enables molding with polymers incompatible with high-temperature processing.
11070685
Establishing a case for improved food phenolic analysis
Future phenolic research findings using a multidisciplinary approach will ensure profitability and sustainability of specialty crop industries, while also improving the nutritional and economic choices available to increasingly health- and environmentally conscious consumers. Recent examples of phenolics used in commercial and research scenarios, and new phenolic research discoveries are discussed. Despite being a heavily researched topic, there remains a need to identify, develop, and define analyses targeted for specific quality-related plant metabolites.
4611561
Protein structure prediction based on fragment assembly and parameter optimization.
We propose a novel method for ab-initio prediction of protein tertiary structures based on the fragment assembly and global optimization. Fifteen residue long fragment libraries are constructed using the secondary structure prediction method PREDICT, and fragments in these libraries are assembled to generate full-length chains of a query protein. Tertiary structures of 50 to 100 conformations are obtained by minimizing an energy function for proteins, using the conformational space annealing method that enables one to sample diverse low-lying local minima of the energy. Then in order to enhance the performance of the prediction method, we optimize the linear parameters of the energy function, so that the native-like conformations become energetically more favorable than the non-native ones for proteins with known structures. We test the feasibility of the parameter optimization procedure by applying it to the training set consisting of three proteins: the 10-55 residue fragment of staphylococcal protein A (PDB ID 1bdd), a designed protein betanova, and 1fsd.
23590250
Successful cyclophosphamide therapy with complete resolution of pulmonary artery aneurysm in Hughes–Stovin syndrome patient
Hughes–Stovin syndrome is an exceedingly rare disorder of unknown etiology, and it is characterized by multiple pulmonary artery aneurysms and peripheral venous thrombosis. We report a case of Hughes–Stovin syndrome with complete resolution of pulmonary artery aneurysm after treatment with cyclophosphamide. A 48-year-old man presented with massive hemoptysis, fever, and weight loss of 4-month duration. Computed tomography angiography revealed multiple pulmonary arterial aneurysms of variable sizes in both lung fields. Inferior vena caval thrombosis was also noted. Despite multiple surgical procedures including embolectomy and lobectomy combined with steroid therapy, new aneurysms continued to appear with persistent hemoptysis. Thorough history and physical examination did not suggest any evidence of Behcet’s disease. Hughes–Stovin syndrome was subsequently diagnosed. High-dose prednisolone combined with oral cyclophosphamide therapy was initiated. Chest radiography follow-up in 3 months revealed complete resolution of pulmonary aneurysm. No new aneurysm was detected at 15 months of follow-up.
8565377
Quantitative Imaging of Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity and Intracellular Motility using Dynamic Light Scattering–Optical Coherence Tomography
This paper describes a novel optical method for label-free quantitative imaging of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and intracellular motility (IM) in the rodent cerebral cortex. This method is based on a technique that integrates dynamic light scattering (DLS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), named DLS–OCT. The technique measures both the axial and transverse velocities of CBF, whereas conventional Doppler OCT measures only the axial one. In addition, the technique produces a three-dimensional map of the diffusion coefficient quantifying nontranslational motions. In the DLS–OCT diffusion map, we observed high-diffusion spots, whose locations highly correspond to neuronal cell bodies and whose diffusion coefficient agreed with that of the motion of intracellular organelles reported in vitro in the literature. Therefore, the present method has enabled, for the first time to our knowledge, label-free imaging of the diffusion-like motion of intracellular organelles in vivo. As an example application, we used the method to monitor CBF and IM during a brief ischemic stroke, where we observed an induced persistent reduction in IM despite the recovery of CBF after stroke. This result supports that the IM measured in this study represent the cellular energy metabolism-related active motion of intracellular organelles rather than free diffusion of intracellular macromolecules.