ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Characterization of Regolith And Trace Economic Resources (CRATER), an Orbitrap™-based laser desorption mass spectrometry instrument designed to conduct high-precision, spatially resolved analyses of planetary materials, is capable of answering outstanding science questions about the Moon's formation and the subsequent processes that have modified its (sub)surface. METHODS: Here, we describe the baseline design of the CRATER flight model, which requires <20 000 cm3 volume, <10 kg mass, and <60 W peak power. The analytical capabilities and performance metrics of a prototype that meets the full functionality of the flight model are demonstrated. RESULTS: The instrument comprises a high-power, solid-state, pulsed ultraviolet (213 nm) laser source to ablate the surface of the lunar sample, a custom ion optical interface to accelerate and collimate the ions produced at the ablation site, and an Orbitrap mass analyzer capable of discriminating competing isobars via ultrahigh mass resolution and high mass accuracy. The CRATER instrument can measure elemental and isotopic abundances and characterize the organic content of lunar surface samples, as well as identify economically valuable resources for future exploration. CONCLUSION: An engineering test unit of the flight model is currently in development to serve as a pathfinder for near-term mission opportunities.
ABSTRACT
IMPORTANCE: Radiation exposure causes dose-dependent deleterious effects and efforts should be made to decrease patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Patients with choledocholithiasis are commonly exposed to ionizing radiation as fluoroscopy-guided interventions including minimally invasive common bile duct exploration (MICBDE) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are the preferred treatment modalities for common bile duct (CBD) stone clearance. However, radiation exposure and fluoroscopy times have not been compared between these two treatment modalities. OBJECTIVE: To compare fluoroscopy time (FT) and radiation exposure (RE) between MICBDE and ERCP in patients with choledocholithiasis. DESIGN: This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of a single surgeon performing MICBDE at an academic referral center between May 2021 and June 2023 compared to a retrospective analysis of all ERCPs performed between January 2020 and February 2021. Patient demographics, procedural details, fluoroscopic details, and post operative outcomes were compared between the MICBDE and ERCP. SETTING: Single institution academic referral center located in the American Southwest. PARTICIPANTS: 109 patients with choledocholithiasis were divided into 2 groups. 53 patients (48.62%) underwent ERCP, and 56 patients (51.38%) underwent MICBDE. Inclusion criteria were; all patients presenting with choledocholithiasis and subsequently underwent ERCP or MICBDE. Patients who underwent ERCP for non-choledocholithiasis related reasons were excluded. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes include FT measured in minutes and RE measured in milligray (mGy). Secondary outcomes were successful clearance of the common bile duct, complications, procedural time, and reinterventions. RESULTS: A significant difference (P<.001) between fluoroscopy times was identified between ERCP (3.1mins) and MICBDE (1.54mins). Median RE doses between the ERCP group (38 mGy) and the MICBDE group (38.41 mGy) were not statistically different (p=0.88). Technical success of CBD clearance was similar in both groups (91% in MICBDE group vs 93% in ERCP group; p=0.711). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Advantages of MICBDE over ERCP include; treatment of choledocholithiasis at the time of cholecystectomy, which reduces the risk of additional anesthesia episodes and the introduces the potential for shorter hospital length of stay. This study shows that MICDBE has lower FT compared to ERCP and comparable RE. Given the advantages of MICBDE, it should be strongly considered at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
ABSTRACT
Recent advances in the field of proteomics have allowed extensive insights into the molecular regulations of the cell proteome. Specifically, this allows researchers to dissect a multitude of signaling arrays while targeting for the discovery of novel protein signatures. These approaches based on data mining are becoming increasingly powerful for identifying both potential disease mechanisms as well as indicators for disease progression and overall survival predictive and prognostic molecular markers for cancer. Furthermore, mass spectrometry (MS) integrations satisfy the ongoing demand for in-depth biomarker validation. For the purpose of this review, we will highlight the current developments based on MS sensitivity, to place quantitative proteomics into clinical settings and provide a perspective to integrate proteomics data for future applications in cancer precision medicine. We will also discuss malignancies associated with oncogenic viruses such as Acquire Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and suggest novel mechanisms behind this phenomenon. Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1) proteins are known to be oncogenic per se, to induce oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses, and to be released from the infected or expressing cells. HIV-1 proteins can act alone or in collaboration with other known oncoproteins, which cause the bulk of malignancies in people living with HIV-1 on ART.
ABSTRACT
El quiste dentígero deriva del epitelio reducido del esmalte que rodea a la corona de un diente no erupcionado, es una entidad patológica la cual se presenta en maxilar o mandíbula, siempre relacionado a la corona de un diente incluido. Presentamos un caso clínico de quiste dentígero en maxilar relacionado a un segundo premolar derecho, el cual se presentó como un hallazgo radiográfi co. El manejo fue de manera oportuna con biopsia excisional y extracción del diente incluido. Describimos su etiología, características clínicas e imagenológicas, técnica quirúrgica, análisis histopatológico y consideraciones especiales (AU)
Dentigerous cyst derives from the reduced epithelium of enamel that surrounds the crown of an unerupted tooth, is a pathological entity that occurs in maxilla and jaw. Always related to the crown of the included tooth. We present a clinical case of dentigerous cyst in the maxilla related to a second right premolar, which presented as a radiographic fi nding. Was handled in a timely manner with excisional biopsy and extraction of the included tooth. We describe its etiology, clinical and imaging characteristics, surgical technique, histopathology and special considerations (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Child , Dentigerous Cyst , Odontogenic Cysts , Tooth Extraction , Tooth, Impacted , Biopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Histological TechniquesABSTRACT
Electroactive polymers have shown promising applications as transducers that can mimic biological muscle. The modulus or the compliance of many of these devices can change significantly as they are actuated making these materials attractive for applications that require tunable stiffness. We have developed a dynamic mechanical analyzer that is capable of making in situ measurements of the dynamic compliance transfer function of conducting polymers as a function of an electrochemical stimulus. We do this by simultaneously applying a stochastic stress waveform over a potential waveform and calculating the compliance as it changes over the course of electrochemical excitation. Using these signals we can calculate the compliance transfer function between 0.1 and 100 Hz and the impulse response function with up to 3% variation in its parameters. These functions are then computed as charge is injected into the polymer and it is shown that the low frequency gain of the transfer function can change by 30%-40% in the electrochemical system tested.