Measurement of the Spectral Shape of the ß-Decay of

We report on a comparison between the theoretically predicted and experimentally measured spectra of the first-forbidden nonunique ß-decay transition ^{137}Xe(7/2^{-})→^{137}Cs(7/2^{+}). The experimental data were acquired by the EXO-200 experiment during a deployment of an AmBe neutron source. The ultralow background environment of EXO-200, together with dedicated source deployment and analysis procedures, allowed for collection of a pure sample of the decays, with an estimated signal to background ratio of more than 99 to 1 in the energy range from 1075 to 4175 keV. In addition to providing a rare and accurate measurement of the first-forbidden nonunique ß-decay shape, this work constitutes a novel test of the calculated electron spectral shapes in the context of the reactor antineutrino anomaly and spectral bump.

Search for Neutrinoless Double-ß Decay with the Complete EXO-200 Dataset.

A search for neutrinoless double-ß decay (0νßß) in ^{136}Xe is performed with the full EXO-200 dataset using a deep neural network to discriminate between 0νßß and background events. Relative to previous analyses, the signal detection efficiency has been raised from 80.8% to 96.4±3.0%, and the energy resolution of the detector at the Q value of ^{136}Xe 0νßß has been improved from σ/E=1.23% to 1.15±0.02% with the upgraded detector. Accounting for the new data, the median 90% confidence level 0νßß half-life sensitivity for this analysis is 5.0×10^{25} yr with a total ^{136}Xe exposure of 234.1 kg yr. No statistically significant evidence for 0νßß is observed, leading to a lower limit on the 0νßß half-life of 3.5×10^{25} yr at the 90% confidence level.

The JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib reduces inflammation in an ILC3-independent model of innate immune colitis.

Innate immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanisms of IBD mediated by innate immunity are incompletely understood and there are limited models of spontaneous innate immune colitis to address this question. Here we describe a new robust model of colitis occurring in the absence of adaptive immunity. RAG1-deficient mice expressing TNFAIP3 in intestinal epithelial cells (TRAG mice) spontaneously developed 100% penetrant, early-onset colitis that was limited to the colon and dependent on intestinal microbes but was not transmissible to co-housed littermates. TRAG colitis was associated with increased mucosal numbers of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and depletion of ILC prevented colitis in TRAG mice. ILC depletion also therapeutically reversed established colitis in TRAG mice. The colitis in TRAG mice was not prevented by interbreeding to mice lacking group 3 ILC nor by depletion of TNF. Treatment with the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib ameliorated colitis in TRAG mice. This new model of colitis, with its predictable onset and colon-specific inflammation, will have direct utility in developing a more complete understanding of innate immune mechanisms that can contribute to colitis and in pre-clinical studies for effects of therapeutic agents on innate immune-mediated IBD.

Impact system for ultrafast synchrotron experiments.

The impact system for ultrafast synchrotron experiments, or IMPULSE, is a 12.6-mm bore light-gas gun (<1 km/s projectile velocity) designed specifically for performing dynamic compression experiments using the advanced imaging and X-ray diffraction methods available at synchrotron sources. The gun system, capable of reaching projectile velocities up to 1 km/s, was designed to be portable for quick insertion/removal in the experimental hutch at Sector 32 ID-B of the Advanced Photon Source (Argonne, IL) while allowing the target chamber to rotate for sample alignment with the beam. A key challenge in using the gun system to acquire dynamic data on the nanosecond time scale was synchronization (or bracketing) of the impact event with the incident X-ray pulses (80 ps width). A description of the basic gun system used in previous work is provided along with details of an improved launch initiation system designed to significantly reduce the total system time from launch initiation to impact. Experiments were performed to directly measure the gun system time and to determine the gun performance curve for projectile velocities ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 km/s. All results show an average system time of 21.6 ± 4.5 ms, making it possible to better synchronize the gun system and detectors to the X-ray beam.

Metabolic evolution of non-transgenic Escherichia coli SZ420 for enhanced homoethanol fermentation from xylose.

Efficient utilization of pentose sugars (xylose and arabinose) is an essential requirement for economically viable ethanol production from cellulosic biomass. The desirable pentose-fermenting ethanologenic biocatalysts are the native microorganisms or the engineered derivatives without recruited exogenous gene(s). We have used a metabolic evolution (adaptive selection) approach to improve a non-transgenic homoethanol Escherichia coli SZ420 (ldhA pflB ackA frdBC pdhR::pflBp6-aceEF-lpd) for xylose fermentation. An improved mutant, E. coli KC01, was evolved through a 3 month metabolic evolution process. This evolved mutant increased pyruvate dehydrogenase activity by 100%, cell growth rate (h(-1)) by 23%, volumetric ethanol productivity by 65% and ethanol tolerance by 200%. These improvements enabled KC01 to complete 50 g xylose l(-1) fermentations with an ethanol titer of 23 g l(-1) and a yield of 90%. The improved cell growth and ethanol production of KC01 are likely attributed to its three fold increased ethanol tolerance.

Doubling the catabolic reducing power (NADH) output of Escherichia coli fermentation for production of reduced products.

Homofermentative production of reduced products requires additional reducing power output (NADH) from glucose catabolism. Anaerobic expression of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH, encoded by aceEF-lpd, a normal aerobic operon) is able to provide the additional NADH required for production of reduced products in Escherichia coli fermentation. The multiple promoters (pflBp(1-7)) of pyruvate formate lyase (pflB) were evaluated for anaerobic expression of the aceEF-lpd operon. Four chromosomal constructs, pflBp(1-7)-aceEF-lpd, pflBp(1-6)-aceEF-lpd, pflBp(6,7)-aceEF-lpd, and pflBp6-aceEF-lpd efficiently expressed the PDH complex in anaerobically grown cells. Doubling the reducing power output was achieved when glucose was oxidized to acetyl-CoA through glycolysis and pyruvate oxidation by the anaerobically expressed PDH complex (glucose -->2 acetyl-CoA + 4 NADH). This additional reducing power output can be used for production of reduced products in anaerobic E. coli fermentation.

Engineering a native homoethanol pathway in Escherichia coli B for ethanol production.

A native homoethanol pathway (pyruvate-to-acetyl-CoA-to-acetaldehyde-to-ethanol) was engineered in Escherichia coli B. The competing fermentation pathways were eliminated by chromosomal deletions of the genes encoding for fumarate reductase (frdABCD), lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA), acetate kinase (ackA), and pyruvate formate lyase (pflB). For redox balance and anaerobic cell growth, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (aceEF-lpd, a typical aerobically-expressed operon) was highly expressed anaerobically using a native anaerobic inducible promoter. The resulting strain SZ420 (DeltafrdBC DeltaldhA DeltaackA DeltafocA-pflB DeltapdhR::pflBp6-pflBrbs-aceEF-lpd) contains no foreign genes and/or promoters and efficiently ferments glucose and xylose into ethanol with a yield of 90% under anaerobic conditions.

Bladder rupture after blunt trauma: guidelines for diagnostic imaging.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to establish guidelines for diagnostic imaging for bladder rupture in the blunt trauma victim with multiple injuries, in whom the delay caused by unnecessary testing can hamper the trauma surgeon and threaten outcome. METHODS: We undertook chart review (1995-1999) of patients with blunt trauma and bladder rupture at our four institutions and performed focused literature review of retrospective series. RESULTS: Of our 53 patients identified, all had gross hematuria and 85% had pelvic fracture. Literature review revealed similar rates. CONCLUSION: The classic combination of pelvic fracture and gross hematuria constitutes an absolute indication for immediate cystography in blunt trauma victims. Existing data do not support lower urinary tract imaging in all patients with either pelvic fracture or hematuria alone. Clinical indicators of bladder rupture may be used to identify atypical patients at higher risk. Patients with isolated hematuria and no physical signs of lower urinary tract injury may be spared the morbidity, time, and expense of immediate cystographic evaluation.

Laparoscopic and computed tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of renal tissue: acute and chronic effects in an animal model.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the laparoscopic and percutaneous delivery of impedance-based radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the kidney by studying the acute and chronic clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic effects in the porcine model. METHODS: Eight kidneys from 4 pigs underwent laparoscopic RFA. Six kidneys from 3 additional pigs received computed tomography (CT)-guided, percutaneous RFA. CT scans were performed immediately after RFA and before harvest at 2 hours, 24 hours, 3 weeks, and 13 weeks. The gross, radiographic, and histopathologic changes were recorded for each period. RESULTS: Grossly, the RFA lesions were sharply demarcated, measuring 3 to 5 cm. Two major complications (14%) occurred (one urinoma, one psoas muscle injury) in 14 ablations. No deaths or significant blood loss occurred as a result of RFA. Radiographically, the immediate CT scanning demonstrated small perinephric hematomas and wedge-shaped defects. Delayed CT showed nonenhancing defects up to 5 cm. Color-flow and power Doppler were unable to distinguish significant tissue changes during RFA. The histopathologic evaluation revealed marked inflammation surrounding the necrotic regions in the early lesions; chronic lesions were characterized by dense fibrosis. The tissue temperatures ranged from 62 degrees to 118 degrees C in the area of ablation. CONCLUSIONS: RFA is readily delivered laparoscopically or percutaneously with minimal morbidity. Impedance-based application of radiofrequency energy allows monitoring and control of ablation. Using a multi-antenna probe, areas of tissue up to 5 cm can be completely destroyed. The RFA lesion can be monitored as a nonenhancing cortical defect on CT.

Radiographic evaluation of suspected bladder rupture following blunt trauma: critical review.

Indications for urgent radiographic evaluation of suspected bladder injuries are poorly defined. Review of the existing literature reveals that traumatic bladder rupture is strongly correlated with the combination of pelvic fracture and gross hematuria. Nearly all patients with hematuria or pelvic fracture alone do not have bladder rupture. Bladder rupture is commonly associated with suprapubic discomfort or inability to void in coherent, responsive patients. Intoxicated or unresponsive patients should warrant a higher index of suspicion for bladder injury among clinicians treating patients with pelvic trauma. Similarly, patients having neurologic or preexisting urologic co-morbidities may not manifest typical symptoms of bladder rupture. The above clinical indicators should be considered when clinicians determine the appropriateness of urgent cystography to detect bladder rupture.

Intestinal transplantation in pediatric patients: a nursing challenge: Part One: Evaluation for intestinal transplantation.

Intestinal transplantation offers hope to children with intestinal failure and life-threatening complications of parenteral nutrition (PN). As more transplant centers are adding intestinal transplantation to their existing programs, new challenges are presented to nursing professionals. This three-part series will provide information for nursing professionals regarding evaluation for intestinal transplantation, donor preparation, the surgical procedure, immediate postoperative care of the transplant recipient, complications of intestinal transplantation, and long-term care of the intestinal transplant patient. Part 1 will discuss the indications for intestinal transplantation, the evaluation of patients for intestinal transplantation, the process of listing patients for intestinal transplantation, and the waiting time for donor organs for intestinal transplantation. The information presented represents the approach taken at University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Meningococcal serogroup C-specific IgG antibody responses and serum bactericidal titres in children following vaccination with a meningococcal A/C polysaccharide vaccine.

In the UK, a co-ordinated series of phase II studies is being undertaken with meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MCC) vaccines. The use of meningococcal A/C polysaccharide (MACP) vaccines in control arms in young children has been avoided because of the well recognised short comings of these vaccines. Following a cluster of serogroup C disease centred on a day nursery, intervention by MACP vaccination was performed as an outbreak control measure. Using this cohort, serogroup C-specific IgG ELISA and serum bactericidal assays (SBA) were performed using both de-O-acetylated (Oac(-)) and acetylated (Oac(+)) serogroup C antigen, the measurement of primarily high avidity antibody and using baby rabbit or human complement in the SBA. The effect of subject age (either less than or greater than 2 years of age) was assessed for the different assays and significant differences (P<0.05) were found using both antigen sources in the high avidity ELISA and in the rabbit complement SBA but not in the standard ELISA. When assessing results from different studies it is important that methodologies utilised allow such comparisons since the choice of reagents can have a profound influence. The importance of standardised assays is paramount at a time where immunogenicity trials are replacing efficacy trials for the introduction of MCC vaccines.

Disaccharidase activities and fat assimilation in pediatric patients after intestinal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal transplantation has become an accepted therapy for short bowel syndrome and other types of intestinal failure. In order to assess digestive capabilities and feeding practices in a group of 22 pediatric patients after intestinal transplantation, we assessed mucosal disaccharidase activities and assimilation of total dietary lipid and vitamin E. Twelve of the patients had undergone contemporaneous liver transplantation. METHODS: Mucosal biopsies were assayed for disaccharidase activities between 15 and 412 days after transplantation in 7 of the 22 when all were receiving some enteral nutrition and were free of rejection. Coefficients of lipid absorption were determined in those patients receiving total enteral feeding (two-thirds polymeric/one-third elemental) between 43 and 1032 days after transplantation; oral vitamin E tolerance tests were done at about the same time. RESULTS: Activities of lactase, sucrase, maltase, and palatinase consistently exceeded reference ranges (P<0.05). Mean coefficient of lipid absorption equaled 86+/-12% and was not influenced by duration of time after transplantation. No patient required dietary lipid restriction. No significant absorption of vitamin E was demonstrated until 160 days after transplantation. Vitamin E absorption did correlate with length of time elapsed after surgery (r=0.64, P<0.0011). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation show that, in the absence of histologic or clinical indications of allograft rejection, pediatric intestinal transplant recipients do not have primary disaccharidase deficiencies. Similarly, absorption of usual dietary lipid content is adequate once weaning from parenteral nutrition is complete. In contrast, early assimilation of vitamin E is poor. Vitamin E absorption subsequently improves, but the mechanism is obscure.

Intestinal transplantation in pediatric patients: a nursing challenge. Part 2: Intestinal transplantation and the immediate postoperative period.

Intestinal transplantation offers new hope to children with intestinal failure and life-threatening complications of parenteral nutrition. As more transplant centers are adding intestinal transplantation to their existing programs, new challenges are presented to nursing professionals. This three-part series will provide information for nursing professionals regarding evaluation for intestinal transplantation, donor preparation, the surgical procedure, immediate postoperative care of the transplant recipient, and long-term care of the intestinal transplant recipient. This article focuses on donor selection and preparation, the surgical procedure for intestinal transplantation, the immediate postoperative course, immunosuppression, rejection, infections, fluid and electrolyte support, and nutrition. The information presented represents the approach taken at University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Health Systems.

Laparoscopic versus open pyeloplasty: assessment of objective and subjective outcome.

PURPOSE: We determine the subjective and objective durability of laparoscopic versus open pyeloplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 1993 to April 1997, 42 patients underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty (laparoscopy group) with a minimum clinical followup of 12 months (mean 22). Subjective outcomes and objective findings were compared to those of 35 patients who underwent open pyeloplasty (open surgery group) from August 1986 to April 1997 with a minimum clinical followup of 12 months (mean 58). We assessed clinical outcome based on responses to a subjective analog pain and activity scale. In addition, radiographic outcome was assessed based on the results of the most recent radiographic study. RESULTS: Of the 42 laparoscopy group patients 90% (38) were pain-free (26, 62%) or had significant improvement in flank pain (12, 29%) after surgery. Two patients had only minor improvement and 2 had no improvement in pain. Surgery failed in only 1 patient with complete obstruction. A patent ureteropelvic junction was demonstrated in 98% (41 of 42 patients) of the laparoscopy group on the most recent radiographic study (mean radiographic followup 15 months). Of the 35 open surgery group patients 91% were pain-free (21, 60%) or significantly improved (11, 31%) after surgery. One patient had only minor improvement and 2 were worse. CONCLUSIONS: Pain relief, improved activity level and relief of obstruction outcomes are equivalent for laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty.

Analysis of risk to children participating in a sociometric task.

Fourth and 5th graders (N = 119) were individually interviewed regarding their reactions to completing group-administered, positive and negative peer nomination techniques. Results were consistent with previous findings of no obvious harm; but, additional, unique information regarding children's discussions was identified. For example, 7 children reported that 6 low-status peers were talked about behind their backs. However, these 7 children further reported that, to the best of their knowledge, none of the 6 low-status peers found out about the negative comments. No child reported having hurt feelings or having knowledge of anyone else having hurt feelings. Overall, 17% of the children (n = 20) reported that they were complimented by others; high-status peers were significantly more likely to be complimented. It was determined that the condition of minimal risk of harm, harm not greater than children might encounter in daily life, was not breached Directions for further research are discussed.

Image compression by texture modeling in the wavelet domain.

High-quality image compression algorithms are capable of achieving transmission or storage rates of 0.3 to 0.5 b/pixel with low degradation in image quality. In order to obtain even lower bit rates, we relax the usual RMS error definition of image quality and allow certain "less critical" portions of the image to be transmitted as texture models. These regions are then reconstructed at the receiver with statistical fidelity in the mid- to high-range spatial frequencies and absolute fidelity in the lowpass frequency range. This hybrid spectral texture modeling technique takes place in the discrete wavelet transform domain. In this way, we obtain natural spectral texture models and avoid the boundary blending problems usually associated with polygonal modeling. This paper describes the complete hybrid compression system with emphasis on the texture modeling issues.