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Pawar G, Wu F, Zhao L, Fang L, Burckart GJ, Feng K, Mousa YM, Al Shoyaib A, Jones MC, Batchelor HK. Integration of Biorelevant Pediatric Dissolution Methodology into PBPK Modeling to Predict In Vivo Performance and Bioequivalence of Generic Drugs in Pediatric Populations: a Carbamazepine Case Study. AAPS J 2023; 25:67. [PMID: 37386339 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-023-00826-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of gastro-intestinal fluid volume and bile salt (BS) concentration on the dissolution of carbamazepine (CBZ) immediate release (IR) 100 mg tablets and to integrate these in vitro biorelevant dissolution profiles into physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling (PBPK) in pediatric and adult populations to determine the biopredictive dissolution profile. Dissolution profiles of CBZ IR tablets (100 mg) were generated in 50-900 mL biorelevant adult fasted state simulated gastric and intestinal fluid (Ad-FaSSGF and Ad-FaSSIF), also in three alternative compositions of biorelevant pediatric FaSSGF and FaSSIF medias at 200 mL. This study found that CBZ dissolution was poorly sensitive to changes in the composition of the biorelevant media, where dissimilar dissolution (F2 = 46.2) was only observed when the BS concentration was changed from 3000 to 89 μM (Ad-FaSSIF vs Ped-FaSSIF 50% 14 BS). PBPK modeling demonstrated the most predictive dissolution volume and media composition to forecast the PK was 500 mL of Ad-FaSSGF/Ad-FaSSIF media for adults and 200 mL Ped-FaSSGF/FaSSIF media for pediatrics. A virtual bioequivalence simulation was conducted by using Ad-FaSSGF and/or Ad-FaSSIF 500 mL or Ped-FaSSGF and/or Ped-FaSSIF 200 mL dissolution data for CBZ 100 mg (reference and generic test) IR product. The CBZ PBPK models showed bioequivalence of the product. This study demonstrates that the integration of biorelevant dissolution data can predict the PK profile of a poorly soluble drug in both populations. Further work using more pediatric drug products is needed to verify biorelevant dissolution data to predict the in vivo performance in pediatrics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal Pawar
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Fang Wu
- Division of Quantitative Methods and Modelling, Office of Research and Standard, Office of Generic Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA.
| | - Liang Zhao
- Division of Quantitative Methods and Modelling, Office of Research and Standard, Office of Generic Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA
| | - Lanyan Fang
- Division of Quantitative Methods and Modelling, Office of Research and Standard, Office of Generic Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA
| | - Gilbert J Burckart
- Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Science, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA
| | - Kairui Feng
- Division of Quantitative Methods and Modelling, Office of Research and Standard, Office of Generic Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA
| | - Youssef M Mousa
- Division of Quantitative Methods and Modelling, Office of Research and Standard, Office of Generic Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA
| | - Abdullah Al Shoyaib
- Division of Quantitative Methods and Modelling, Office of Research and Standard, Office of Generic Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20993, USA
| | - Marie-Christine Jones
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Hannah K Batchelor
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
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Rubery MS, Kemp GE, Jones MC, Pelepchan N, Stolte WC, Heinmiller J. Soft x-ray power diagnostics for fusion experiments at NIF, Omega, and Z facilities. Rev Sci Instrum 2023; 94:031101. [PMID: 37012742 DOI: 10.1063/5.0131949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In this Review Article, we discuss a range of soft x-ray power diagnostics at inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and pulsed-power fusion facilities. This Review Article describes current hardware and analysis approaches and covers the following methods: x-ray diode arrays, bolometers, transmission grating spectrometers, and associated crystal spectrometers. These systems are fundamental for the diagnosis of ICF experiments, providing a wide range of critical parameters for the evaluation of fusion performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Rubery
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551-0808, USA
| | - G E Kemp
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551-0808, USA
| | - M C Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - N Pelepchan
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623, USA
| | - W C Stolte
- MSTS, Mission Support and Test Services LLC, Livermore, California 94550-9239, USA
| | - J Heinmiller
- MSTS, Mission Support and Test Services LLC, Livermore, California 94550-9239, USA
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Webb TJ, Bliss DE, Chandler GA, Dolan DH, Dunham G, Edens A, Harding E, Johnston MD, Jones MC, Langendorf S, Mangan M, Maurer AJ, McCoy CA, Moore NW, Presura R, Steiner AM, Wu M, Yager-Elorriaga DA, Yates KC. Radiation, optical, power flow, and electrical diagnostics at the Z facility: Layout and techniques utilized to operate in the harsh environment. Rev Sci Instrum 2023; 94:031102. [PMID: 37012753 DOI: 10.1063/5.0123448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The Z machine is a current driver producing up to 30 MA in 100 ns that utilizes a wide range of diagnostics to assess accelerator performance and target behavior conduct experiments that use the Z target as a source of radiation or high pressures. We review the existing suite of diagnostic systems, including their locations and primary configurations. The diagnostics are grouped in the following categories: pulsed power diagnostics, x-ray power and energy, x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray imaging (including backlighting, power flow, and velocimetry), and nuclear detectors (including neutron activation). We will also briefly summarize the primary imaging detectors we use at Z: image plates, x-ray and visible film, microchannel plates, and the ultrafast x-ray imager. The Z shot produces a harsh environment that interferes with diagnostic operation and data retrieval. We term these detrimental processes "threats" of which only partial quantifications and precise sources are known. We summarize the threats and describe techniques utilized in many of the systems to reduce noise and backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Webb
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D E Bliss
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - G A Chandler
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D H Dolan
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - G Dunham
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - A Edens
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - E Harding
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - M D Johnston
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - M C Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - S Langendorf
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
| | - M Mangan
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - A J Maurer
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - C A McCoy
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - N W Moore
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - R Presura
- Nevada National Security Site, Albuquerque Operations, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - A M Steiner
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - M Wu
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D A Yager-Elorriaga
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - K C Yates
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
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Chandler GA, Ruiz CL, Cooper GW, Torres JA, Mangan MA, Whitlow GM, Ampleford DJ, Jones MC, Buckles RA, Moy KJ, Garza I, Staska M, Wolverton A, Davis B. Neutron time-of-flight detectors (nTOF) used at Sandia's Z-Machine. Rev Sci Instrum 2022; 93:113531. [PMID: 36461459 DOI: 10.1063/5.0101544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Neutron time-of-flight (nTOF) detectors have been used on Sandia National Laboratories' Z-Machine for inertial confinement fusion and magnetized liner fusion experiments to infer physics parameters including the apparent fuel-ion temperature, neutron yield, the magnetic-radius product (BR), and the liner rho-r. Single-paddle, dual-paddle, and co-axial scintillation nTOF detectors are used in axial lines-of-sight (LOS) and LOS that are 12° from the midplane. Detector fabrication, characterization, and calibration are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Chandler
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - C L Ruiz
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - G W Cooper
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - J A Torres
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - M A Mangan
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - G M Whitlow
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - D J Ampleford
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - M C Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87123, USA
| | - R A Buckles
- National Nuclear Security Site, Las Vegas Operations, Las Vegas, Nevada 89030, USA
| | - K J Moy
- National Nuclear Security Site, Special Technologies Laboratory, Santa Barbara, California 93111, USA
| | - I Garza
- National Nuclear Security Site, Las Vegas Operations, Las Vegas, Nevada 89030, USA
| | - M Staska
- National Nuclear Security Site, Special Technologies Laboratory, Santa Barbara, California 93111, USA
| | - A Wolverton
- National Nuclear Security Site, Las Vegas Operations, Las Vegas, Nevada 89030, USA
| | - B Davis
- National Nuclear Security Site, Las Vegas Operations, Las Vegas, Nevada 89030, USA
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Man K, Brunet MY, Jones MC, Cox SC. Engineered Extracellular Vesicles: Tailored-Made Nanomaterials for Medical Applications. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2020; 10:E1838. [PMID: 32942556 PMCID: PMC7558114 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as promising nanoscale therapeutics due to their intrinsic role as mediators of intercellular communication, regulating tissue development and homeostasis. The low immunogenicity and natural cell-targeting capabilities of EVs has led to extensive research investigating their potential as novel acellular tools for tissue regeneration or for the diagnosis of pathological conditions. However, the clinical use of EVs has been hindered by issues with yield and heterogeneity. From the modification of parental cells and naturally-derived vesicles to the development of artificial biomimetic nanoparticles or the functionalisation of biomaterials, a multitude of techniques have been employed to augment EVs therapeutic efficacy. This review will explore various engineering strategies that could promote EVs scalability and therapeutic effectiveness beyond their native utility. Herein, we highlight the current state-of-the-art EV-engineering techniques with discussion of opportunities and obstacles for each. This is synthesised into a guide for selecting a suitable strategy to maximise the potential efficacy of EVs as nanoscale therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Man
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.M.); (M.Y.B.)
| | - Mathieu Y. Brunet
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.M.); (M.Y.B.)
| | - Marie-Christine Jones
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Sophie C. Cox
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (K.M.); (M.Y.B.)
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Nirbhavane P, Sharma G, Singh B, Begum G, Jones MC, Rauz S, Vincent R, Denniston AK, Hill LJ, Katare OP. Triamcinolone acetonide loaded-cationic nano-lipoidal formulation for uveitis: Evidences of improved biopharmaceutical performance and anti-inflammatory activity. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2020; 190:110902. [PMID: 32143010 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.110902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Topical administration of corticosteroids is the cornerstone treatment of anterior uveitis, but poor corneal penetration and retention cause hindrance in their therapeutic utility. The conventional eye drops are less valuable in conditions where inflammation reaches deeper regions of the eye. Therefore, there is a clear need for an effective drug delivery system, which can increase corticosteroid penetration after topical application. To address this, cationic nanostructured lipid carriers of the drug triamcinolone acetonide (cTA-NLC) were prepared. The cTA-NLC were prepared by a hot microemulsion method and evaluated for drug release, permeation, cell uptake, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory activity and ocular irritancy. The cTA-NLC are nanometric in size (< 200 nm), with a zeta potential of about +35 mv and % drug EE of 88 %. The nanocarriers exhibited slow and sustained release of around 84 % in 24 h and transcorneal drug permeation of 51 % in 8 h. The nanocarriers exhibited no cytotoxicity (% cell viability of>90 %). The cell uptake study showed that nanocarriers could retain inside the cells for 24 h. The developed formulation could significantly reduce the TNF-α level in LPS induced inflamed cells. The studies indicated that cTA-NLC could be a promising option for the topical treatment of uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradip Nirbhavane
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Gajanand Sharma
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Bhupinder Singh
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Ghazala Begum
- Institute of Inflammation & Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Marie-Christine Jones
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Saaeha Rauz
- Institute of Inflammation & Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rachel Vincent
- Institute of Inflammation & Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Alastair K Denniston
- Institute of Inflammation & Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lisa J Hill
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - O P Katare
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
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Jones MC, Noufaily A, Burke K. A bivariate power generalized Weibull distribution: A flexible parametric model for survival analysis. Stat Methods Med Res 2019; 29:2295-2306. [PMID: 31840558 DOI: 10.1177/0962280219890893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We are concerned with the flexible parametric analysis of bivariate survival data. Elsewhere, we argued in favour of an adapted form of the 'power generalized Weibull' distribution as an attractive vehicle for univariate parametric survival analysis. Here, we additionally observe a frailty relationship between a power generalized Weibull distribution with one value of the parameter which controls distributional choice within the family and a power generalized Weibull distribution with a smaller value of that parameter. We exploit this relationship to propose a bivariate shared frailty model with power generalized Weibull marginal distributions linked by the BB9 or 'power variance function' copula, then change it to have adapted power generalized Weibull marginals in the obvious way. The particular choice of copula is, therefore, natural in the current context, and the corresponding bivariate adapted power generalized Weibull model a novel combination of pre-existing components. We provide a number of theoretical properties of the models. We also show the potential of the bivariate adapted power generalized Weibull model for practical work via an illustrative example involving a well-known retinopathy dataset, for which the analysis proves to be straightforward to implement and informative in its outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Jones
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Angela Noufaily
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK
| | - Kevin Burke
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Reid LEM, Crookshanks AJF, Jones MC, Morrison ZJ, Lone NI, Weir CJ. How is it best to deliver care in acute medical units? A systematic review. QJM 2018; 111:515-523. [PMID: 29025141 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcx161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of medical patients presenting to hospital in the UK are cared for in acute medical units (AMUs). Such units are also increasingly present internationally. Care delivery varies across units: this review aims to examine the evidence for how best to deliver AMU care.Six electronic databases and grey literature were searched. Inclusion criteria comprised interventions applied to undifferentiated patients in AMU settings. All studies were quality assessed. A narrative approach was undertaken.Nine studies, all conducted in the UK or Ireland, evaluated 1.3 million episodes, 3617 patients and 49 staff. There was single study evidence for beneficial effects of: enhanced pharmacy care, a dedicated occupational therapy service, an all-inclusive consultant work pattern, a rapid-access medical clinic and formalized handovers. Two studies found increased consultant presence was associated with reduced mortality; one of these studies found an association with a reduction in 28-day readmissions; and the other found an association with an increased proportion of patients discharged on the day they were admitted. Three studies provide evidence of the beneficial effects of multiple interventions developed from local service reviews.Overall, the quality of the evidence was limited. This review has identified operationally relevant evidence that increased consultant presence is associated with improved outcomes of care; has highlighted the potential to improve outcomes locally through service reviews; and has demonstrated an important knowledge gap of how best to deliver AMU care. These findings have importance given the challenges acute services currently face.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E M Reid
- Ko Awatea Health Systems Innovation and Improvement, Middlemore Hospital, 54/100 Hospital Road, Auckland 2025, New Zealand
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ, UK
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
| | - A J F Crookshanks
- The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Govan, G51 4TF, Glasgow, UK
| | - M C Jones
- Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ, UK
| | - Z J Morrison
- Business School, University of Aberdeen, Edward Wright Building, Dunbar Street, Aberdeen AB24 3QY, UK
| | - N I Lone
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
| | - C J Weir
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
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Reid LEM, Lone NI, Morrison ZJ, Weir CJ, Jones MC. The provision of seven day multidisciplinary staffing in Scottish acute medical units: a cross-sectional study. QJM 2018; 111:295-301. [PMID: 29408979 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcy024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute medical units (AMUs) are a central component of the admission pathway for the majority of medical patients presenting to hospital in the United Kingdom and other international settings. Detail on multidisciplinary staffing provision on weekdays and weekends is lacking. Equity of staffing across 7 days is a strategic priority for national health services in the United Kingdom. AIM To evaluate weekday compared with weekend multidisciplinary staffing in a national set of AMUs. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS Twenty-nine Scottish AMUs were identified and all were included in the study population. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews with nursing, pharmacy, therapy, non-consultant medical and consultant staff. Staffing was quantified in staff hours. A correction factor of 0.5 was applied to non-dedicated staff. The percentage of weekend/weekday staffing was calculated for each unit and the mean of these percentages was calculated to give a summary measure for each professional group. RESULTS As a percentage of weekday staffing levels, weekend staffing across the units was 93.8% for nursing staff; 2.2% for pharmacy staff; 13.1% for therapy staff; 69.6% for non-consultant staff and 65.0% for consultant staff. CONCLUSIONS There is a contrast between weekday and weekend staffing on the AMU, with reductions at weekends in total staff hours, the proportion of dedicated vs. undedicated staff and the seniority of nursing staff. The weekday/weekend difference was far more pronounced for allied healthcare professional staff than any other group. These findings have potential implications for patient outcomes, quality of care, hospital flow and workforce planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- L E M Reid
- Department of Development and Delivery, Ko Awatea Health Systems Innovation and Improvement, Middlemore Hospital, 54/100 Hospital Rd, Auckland 2025, New Zealand
- Quality, Research and Standards, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ, UK
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
| | - N I Lone
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Z J Morrison
- Business School, University of Aberdeen, Edward Wright Building, Dunbar Street, Aberdeen AB24 3QY, UK
| | - C J Weir
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
| | - M C Jones
- Quality, Research and Standards, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 9 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ, UK
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Abstract
As sample quantiles can be obtained as maximum likelihood estimates of location parameters in suitable asymmetric Laplace distributions, so kernel estimates of quantiles can be obtained as maximum likelihood estimates of location parameters in a general class of distributions with simple exponential tails. In this paper, this observation is applied to kernel quantile regression. In doing so, a new double kernel local linear quantile regression estimator is obtained which proves to be consistently superior in performance to the earlier double kernel local linear quantile regression estimator proposed by the authors. It is also straightforward to compute and more readily affords a first derivative estimate. An alternative method of selection for one of the two bandwidths involved also arises naturally but proves not to be so consistently successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Jones
- M C Jones is at Department of Statistics, The Open University, UK
| | - Keming Yu
- KemingYu is at Department of Mathematical Sciences, Brunel University,
UK
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Patel A, Woods A, Riffo-Vasquez Y, Babin-Morgan A, Jones MC, Jones S, Sunassee K, Clark S, T. M. de Rosales R, Page C, Spina D, Forbes B, Dailey LA. Lung inflammation does not affect the clearance kinetics of lipid nanocapsules following pulmonary administration. J Control Release 2016; 235:24-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Jones MC. Thinking Outside the ‘Block’: Alternative Polymer Compositions for Micellar Drug Delivery. Curr Top Med Chem 2015; 15:2254-66. [DOI: 10.2174/1568026615666150605114954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Revised: 10/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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13
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Ahmad Khanbeigi R, Abelha TF, Woods A, Rastoin O, Harvey RD, Jones MC, Forbes B, Green MA, Collins H, Dailey LA. Surface chemistry of photoluminescent F8BT conjugated polymer nanoparticles determines protein corona formation and internalization by phagocytic cells. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:733-42. [PMID: 25590257 DOI: 10.1021/bm501649y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Conjugated polymer nanoparticles are being developed for a variety of diagnostic and theranostic applications. The conjugated polymer, F8BT, a polyfluorene derivative, was used as a model system to examine the biological behavior of conjugated polymer nanoparticle formulations stabilized with ionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate; F8BT-SDS; ∼207 nm; -31 mV) and nonionic (pegylated 12-hydroxystearate; F8BT-PEG; ∼175 nm; -5 mV) surfactants, and compared with polystyrene nanoparticles of a similar size (PS200; ∼217 nm; -40 mV). F8BT nanoparticles were as hydrophobic as PS200 (hydrophobic interaction chromatography index value: 0.96) and showed evidence of protein corona formation after incubation with serum-containing medium; however, unlike polystyrene, F8BT nanoparticles did not enrich specific proteins onto the nanoparticle surface. J774A.1 macrophage cells internalized approximately ∼20% and ∼60% of the F8BT-SDS and PS200 delivered dose (calculated by the ISDD model) in serum-supplemented and serum-free conditions, respectively, while cell association of F8BT-PEG was minimal (<5% of the delivered dose). F8BT-PEG, however, was more cytotoxic (IC50 4.5 μg cm(-2)) than F8BT-SDS or PS200. The study results highlight that F8BT surface chemistry influences the composition of the protein corona, while the properties of the conjugated polymer nanoparticle surfactant stabilizer used determine particle internalization and biocompatibility profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raha Ahmad Khanbeigi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, King's College London , 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NH, U.K
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14
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de la Fuente M, Jones MC, Santander-Ortega MJ, Mirenska A, Marimuthu P, Uchegbu I, Schätzlein A. A nano-enabled cancer-specific ITCH RNAi chemotherapy booster for pancreatic cancer. Nanomedicine 2014; 11:369-77. [PMID: 25267700 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 09/01/2014] [Accepted: 09/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Gemcitabine is currently the standard therapy for pancreatic cancer. However, growing concerns over gemcitabine resistance mean that new combinatory therapies are required to prevent loss of efficacy with prolonged treatment. Here, we suggest that this could be achieved through co-administration of RNA interference agents targeting the ubiquitin ligase ITCH. Stable anti-ITCH siRNA and shRNA dendriplexes with a desirable safety profile were prepared using generation 3 poly(propylenimine) dendrimers (DAB-Am16). The complexes were efficiently taken up by human pancreatic cancer cells and produced a 40-60% decrease in ITCH RNA and protein expression in vitro (si/shRNA) and in a xenograft model of pancreatic cancer (shRNA). When co-administered with gemcitabine (100 mg/kg/week) at a subtherapeutic dose, treatment with ITCH-shRNA (3x 50 mg/week) was able to fully suppress tumour growth for 17 days, suggesting that downregulation of ITCH mediated by DAB-Am16/shRNA sensitizes pancreatic cancer to gemcitabine in an efficient and specific manner. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR Gemcitabine delivery to pancreatic cancer often results in the common problem of drug resistance. This team overcame the problem through co-administration of siRNA and shRNA dendriplexes targeting the ubiquitin ligase ITCH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anja Mirenska
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX
| | | | - Ijeoma Uchegbu
- UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX
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15
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Jones MC, Ampleford DJ, Cuneo ME, Hohlfelder R, Jennings CA, Johnson DW, Jones B, Lopez MR, MacArthur J, Mills JA, Preston T, Rochau GA, Savage M, Spencer D, Sinars DB, Porter JL. X-ray power and yield measurements at the refurbished Z machine. Rev Sci Instrum 2014; 85:083501. [PMID: 25173263 DOI: 10.1063/1.4891316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Advancements have been made in the diagnostic techniques to measure accurately the total radiated x-ray yield and power from z-pinch implosion experiments at the Z machine with high accuracy. The Z machine is capable of outputting 2 MJ and 330 TW of x-ray yield and power, and accurately measuring these quantities is imperative. We will describe work over the past several years which include the development of new diagnostics, improvements to existing diagnostics, and implementation of automated data analysis routines. A set of experiments on the Z machine were conducted in which the load and machine configuration were held constant. During this shot series, it was observed that the total z-pinch x-ray emission power determined from the two common techniques for inferring the x-ray power, a Kimfol filtered x-ray diode diagnostic and the total power and energy diagnostic, gave 449 TW and 323 TW, respectively. Our analysis shows the latter to be the more accurate interpretation. More broadly, the comparison demonstrates the necessity to consider spectral response and field of view when inferring x-ray powers from z-pinch sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D J Ampleford
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - M E Cuneo
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - R Hohlfelder
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - C A Jennings
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D W Johnson
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - B Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - M R Lopez
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - J MacArthur
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - J A Mills
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - T Preston
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - G A Rochau
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - M Savage
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D Spencer
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - D B Sinars
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
| | - J L Porter
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
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Anthony KMW, Zimov SA, Grosse G, Jones MC, Anthony PM, Chapin FS, Finlay JC, Mack MC, Davydov S, Frenzel P, Frolking S. A shift of thermokarst lakes from carbon sources to sinks during the Holocene epoch. Nature 2014; 511:452-6. [PMID: 25043014 DOI: 10.1038/nature13560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2013] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Thermokarst lakes formed across vast regions of Siberia and Alaska during the last deglaciation and are thought to be a net source of atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide during the Holocene epoch. However, the same thermokarst lakes can also sequester carbon, and it remains uncertain whether carbon uptake by thermokarst lakes can offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Here we use field observations of Siberian permafrost exposures, radiocarbon dating and spatial analyses to quantify Holocene carbon stocks and fluxes in lake sediments overlying thawed Pleistocene-aged permafrost. We find that carbon accumulation in deep thermokarst-lake sediments since the last deglaciation is about 1.6 times larger than the mass of Pleistocene-aged permafrost carbon released as greenhouse gases when the lakes first formed. Although methane and carbon dioxide emissions following thaw lead to immediate radiative warming, carbon uptake in peat-rich sediments occurs over millennial timescales. We assess thermokarst-lake carbon feedbacks to climate with an atmospheric perturbation model and find that thermokarst basins switched from a net radiative warming to a net cooling climate effect about 5,000 years ago. High rates of Holocene carbon accumulation in 20 lake sediments (47 ± 10 grams of carbon per square metre per year; mean ± standard error) were driven by thermokarst erosion and deposition of terrestrial organic matter, by nutrient release from thawing permafrost that stimulated lake productivity and by slow decomposition in cold, anoxic lake bottoms. When lakes eventually drained, permafrost formation rapidly sequestered sediment carbon. Our estimate of about 160 petagrams of Holocene organic carbon in deep lake basins of Siberia and Alaska increases the circumpolar peat carbon pool estimate for permafrost regions by over 50 per cent (ref. 6). The carbon in perennially frozen drained lake sediments may become vulnerable to mineralization as permafrost disappears, potentially negating the climate stabilization provided by thermokarst lakes during the late Holocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Walter Anthony
- Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5860, USA
| | - S A Zimov
- Northeast Scientific Station, Pacific Institute for Geography, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Cherskii 678830, Russia
| | - G Grosse
- 1] Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7320, USA [2] Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam 14473, Germany
| | - M C Jones
- 1] Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5860, USA [2] US Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 20192, USA
| | - P M Anthony
- Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-5860, USA
| | - F S Chapin
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7000, USA
| | - J C Finlay
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA
| | - M C Mack
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA
| | - S Davydov
- Northeast Scientific Station, Pacific Institute for Geography, Far-East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Cherskii 678830, Russia
| | - P Frenzel
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - S Frolking
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824-3525, USA
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Jones MC, Jones SA, Riffo-Vasquez Y, Spina D, Hoffman E, Morgan A, Patel A, Page C, Forbes B, Dailey LA. Quantitative assessment of nanoparticle surface hydrophobicity and its influence on pulmonary biocompatibility. J Control Release 2014; 183:94-104. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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18
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Dailey LA, Hernández-Prieto R, Casas-Ferreira AM, Jones MC, Riffo-Vasquez Y, Rodríguez-Gonzalo E, Spina D, Jones SA, Smith NW, Forbes B, Page C, Legido-Quigley C. Adenosine monophosphate is elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice with acute respiratory toxicity induced by nanoparticles with high surface hydrophobicity. Nanotoxicology 2014; 9:106-15. [PMID: 24621376 DOI: 10.3109/17435390.2014.894150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Inhaled nanomaterials present a challenge to traditional methods and understanding of respiratory toxicology. In this study, a non-targeted metabolomics approach was used to investigate relationships between nanoparticle hydrophobicity, inflammatory outcomes and the metabolic fingerprint in bronchoalveolar fluid. Measures of acute lung toxicity were assessed following single-dose intratracheal administration of nanoparticles with varying surface hydrophobicity (i.e. pegylated lipid nanocapsules, polyvinyl acetate nanoparticles and polystyrene beads; listed in order of increasing hydrophobicity). Broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected from mice exposed to nanoparticles at a surface area dose of 220 cm(2) and metabolite fingerprints were acquired via ultra pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics. Particles with high surface hydrophobicity were pro-inflammatory. Multivariate analysis of the resultant small molecule fingerprints revealed clear discrimination between the vehicle control and polystyrene beads (p < 0.05), as well as between nanoparticles of different surface hydrophobicity (p < 0.0001). Further investigation of the metabolic fingerprints revealed that adenosine monophosphate (AMP) concentration in BAL correlated with neutrophilia (p < 0.01), CXCL1 levels (p < 0.05) and nanoparticle surface hydrophobicity (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that extracellular AMP is an intermediary metabolite involved in adenine nucleotide-regulated neutrophilic inflammation as well as tissue damage, and could potentially be used to monitor nanoparticle-induced responses in the lung following pulmonary administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Ann Dailey
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London , London , UK
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19
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Nick JA, Sanders LA, Ickes B, Briones NJ, Caceres SM, Malcolm KC, Brayshaw SJ, Chacon CS, Barboa CM, Jones MC, St Clair C, Taylor-Cousar JL, Nichols DP, Sagel SD, Strand M, Saavedra MT. Blood mRNA biomarkers for detection of treatment response in acute pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. Thorax 2013; 68:929-37. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2012-202278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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20
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Krishnan M, Elliott KW, Madden RE, Coleman PL, Thompson JR, Bixler A, Lamppa DC, McKenney JL, Strizic T, Johnson D, Johns O, Vigil MP, Jones B, Ampleford DJ, Savage ME, Cuneo ME, Jones MC. Architecture, implementation, and testing of a multiple-shell gas injection system for high current implosions on the Z accelerator. Rev Sci Instrum 2013; 84:063504. [PMID: 23822342 DOI: 10.1063/1.4809511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Tests are ongoing to conduct ~20 MA z-pinch implosions on the Z accelerator at Sandia National Laboratory using Ar, Kr, and D2 gas puffs as the imploding loads. The relatively high cost of operations on a machine of this scale imposes stringent requirements on the functionality, reliability, and safety of gas puff hardware. Here we describe the development of a prototype gas puff system including the multiple-shell nozzles, electromagnetic drivers for each nozzle's valve, a UV pre-ionizer, and an inductive isolator to isolate the ~2.4 MV machine voltage pulse present at the gas load from the necessary electrical and fluid connections made to the puff system from outside the Z vacuum chamber. This paper shows how the assembly couples to the overall Z system and presents data taken to validate the functionality of the overall system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahadevan Krishnan
- Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation, San Leandro, California 94577, USA
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21
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Finlay S, Bray B, Lewington AJ, Hunter-Rowe CT, Banerjee A, Atkinson JM, Jones MC. Identification of risk factors associated with acute kidney injury in patients admitted to acute medical units. Clin Med (Lond) 2013; 13:233-8. [PMID: 23760694 PMCID: PMC5922664 DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.13-3-233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In 2009, the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) report identified significant deficiencies in the management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitals in the UK. Many errors arose from failure to recognise patients with AKI and those at risk of developing AKI. Currently, there is no universally accepted risk factor assessment for identifying such patients on admission to acute medical units (AMUs). A multicentre prospective observational study was performed in the AMUs of 10 hospitals in England and Scotland to define the risk factors associated with AKI and to assess quality of care. Data were collected on consecutive acute medical admissions over two separate 24-h periods. Acute kidney injury was present in 55/316 (17.7%) patients, with sepsis, hypovolaemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus identified as the major risk factors. Deficiencies in patient care were identified, reinforcing the continuing need to improve the management of AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Finlay
- Department of Medicine, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries, Scotland.
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22
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Dewhurst NG, Jones MC, Wilson JA. Time to refocus the NHS on quality and dignity of patient care: RCPE response to Mid Staffordshire. J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2013; 43:3-6. [PMID: 23516682 DOI: 10.4997/jrcpe.2013.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Abstract
We provide four-parameter families of distributions on the circle which are unimodal and display the widest ranges of both skewness and peakedness yet available. Our approach is to transform the scale of a generating distribution, such as the von Mises, using various nontrivial extensions of an approach first used in Batschelet's (1981, Circular Statistics in Biology) book. The key is to employ inverses of Batschelet-type transformations in certain ways; these exhibit considerable advantages over direct Batschelet transformations. The skewness transformation is especially appealing as it has no effect on the normalizing constant. As well as a variety of interesting theoretical properties, when likelihood inference is explored these distributions display orthogonality between elements of a pairing of parameters into (location, skewness) and (concentration, peakedness). Further, the location parameter can sometimes be made approximately orthogonal to all the other parameters. Profile likelihoods come to the fore in practice. Two illustrative applications, one concerning the locomotion of a Drosophila fly larva, the other analyzing a large set of sudden infant death syndrome data, are investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Jones
- Department of Mathematics & Statistics, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, UK.
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24
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Jones B, Ampleford DJ, Vesey RA, Cuneo ME, Coverdale CA, Waisman EM, Jones MC, Fowler WE, Stygar WA, Serrano JD, Vigil MP, Esaulov AA, Kantsyrev VL, Safronova AS, Williamson KM, Chuvatin AS, Rudakov LI. Planar wire-array Z-pinch implosion dynamics and X-ray scaling at multiple-MA drive currents for a compact multisource hohlraum configuration. Phys Rev Lett 2010; 104:125001. [PMID: 20366539 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.104.125001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2009] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
An indirect drive configuration is proposed wherein multiple compact Z-pinch x-ray sources surround a secondary hohlraum. Planar compact wire arrays allow reduced primary hohlraum surface area compared to cylindrical loads. Implosions of planar arrays are studied at up to 15 TW x-ray power on Saturn with radiated yields exceeding the calculated kinetic energy, suggesting other heating paths. X-ray power and yield scaling studied from 1-6 MA motivates viewfactor modeling of four 6-MA planar arrays producing 90 eV radiation temperature in a secondary hohlraum.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA.
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25
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Beckett DJ, Gordon CF, Paterson R, Chalkley S, Stewart C, Jones MC, Young M, Bell D. Improvement in out-of-hours outcomes following the implementation of Hospital at Night. QJM 2009; 102:539-46. [PMID: 19465374 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcp056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital at Night (H@N) is a Department of Health (England) driven programme being widely implemented across UK. It aims to redefine how medical cover is provided in hospitals during the out-of-hours period. AIM To investigate whether the implementation of H@N is associated with significant change in system or clinical outcomes. DESIGN An observational study for 14 consecutive nights before, and 14 consecutive nights after the implementation of H@N. Data were collected from the Combined surgical and medical Assessment Unit (CAU), the 18 medical/surgical wards (The Ward Arc) and the four High Dependency Units (The Critical Care corridor) within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. METHODS Following an overnight episode of clinical concern, data were gathered on response time, seniority of reviewing staff, patient outcome and the use of Standardized Early Warning Score (SEWS). RESULTS Two hundred and nine episodes of clinical concern were recorded before the implementation of H@N and 216 episodes afterwards. There was no significant change in response time in the CAU, Ward Arc or Critical Care corridor. However, significant inter-speciality differences in response time were eradicated, particularly in the Critical Care corridor. Following the implementation of H@N, patients were reviewed more frequently by senior medical staff in CAU (28% vs. 4%, P < 0.05) and the Critical Care corridor (50% vs. 22%, P < 0.001). Finally there was a reduction in adverse outcome (defined as unplanned transfer to critical care/cardiac arrest) in the Ward Arc and CAU from 17% to 6% of patients reviewed overnight (P < 0.01). SEWS was more frequently and accurately recorded in CAU. CONCLUSION This is the first study that we are aware of directly comparing out-of-hours performance before and after the implementation of H@N. Significant improvements in both patient and system outcomes were observed, with no adverse effects noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Beckett
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK.
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26
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Abstract
Almost all types of germ cell tumors are known to occur in the third ventricle-pineal region. In this paper we report the case of a 16-year-old boy having a particular subtype of germinoma of the pineal body in which scattered syncytiotrophoblastic cells positive for human chorionic gonadotropin were found. This tumor is considered the central nervous system counterpart of seminoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells and dysgerminoma with syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells.
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27
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Jones MC, Gao H, Leroux JC. Reverse polymeric micelles for pharmaceutical applications. J Control Release 2008; 132:208-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2008.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2008] [Accepted: 05/05/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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28
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Bennett GR, Smith IC, Shores JE, Sinars DB, Robertson G, Atherton BW, Jones MC, Porter JL. 2-20 ns interframe time 2-frame 6.151 keV x-ray imaging on the recently upgraded Z Accelerator: a progress report. Rev Sci Instrum 2008; 79:10E914. [PMID: 19044569 DOI: 10.1063/1.2956823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
When used for the production of an x-ray imaging backlighter source on Sandia National Laboratories' recently upgraded 26 MA Z Accelerator, the terawatt-class, multikilojoule, 526.57 nm Z-Beamlet laser (ZBL) [P. K. Rambo et al., Appl. Opt. 44, 2421 (2005)], in conjunction with the 6.151 keV (1s(2)-1s2p triplet line of He-like Mn) curved-crystal imager [D. B. Sinars et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 3672 (2004); G. R. Bennett et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 10E322 (2006)], is capable of providing a high quality x radiograph per Z shot for inertial confinement fusion (ICF), complex hydrodynamics, and other high-energy-density physics experiments. For example, this diagnostic has recently afforded microgram-scale mass perturbation measurements on an imploding ignition-scale 1 mg ICF capsule [G. R. Bennett et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 205003 (2007)], where the perturbation was initiated by a surrogate deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel fill tube. Using an angle-time multiplexing technique, ZBL now has the capability to provide two spatially and temporally separated foci in the Z chamber, allowing "two-frame" imaging to be performed, with an interframe time range of 2-20 ns. This multiplexing technique allows the full area of the four-pass amplifiers to be used for the two pulses, rather than split the amplifiers effectively into two rectangular sections, with one leg delayed with respect to the other, which would otherwise double the power imposed onto the various optics thereby halving the damage threshold, for the same irradiance on target. The 6.151 keV two frame technique has recently been used to image imploding wire arrays, using a 7.3 ns interframe time. The diagnostic will soon be converted to operate with p-rather than s-polarized laser light for enhanced laser absorption in the Mn foil, plus other changes (e.g., operation at the possibly brighter 6.181 keV Mn 1s(2)-1s2p singlet line), to increase x-ray yields. Also, a highly sensitive inline multiframe ultrafast (1 ns gate time) digital x-ray camera is being developed [G. R. Bennett et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 10E322 (2006)] to extend the system to "four-frame" and markedly improve the signal-to-noise ratio. [At present, time-integrating Fuji BAS-TR2025 image plate (scanned with a Fuji BAS-5000 device) forms the time-integrated image-plane detector.].
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Affiliation(s)
- G R Bennett
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1193, USA
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29
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Jones B, Coverdale CA, Nielsen DS, Jones MC, Deeney C, Serrano JD, Nielsen-Weber LB, Meyer CJ, Apruzese JP, Clark RW, Coleman PL. Multicolor, time-gated, soft x-ray pinhole imaging of wire array and gas puff Z pinches on the Z and Saturn pulsed power generators. Rev Sci Instrum 2008; 79:10E906. [PMID: 19044561 DOI: 10.1063/1.2969280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A multicolor, time-gated, soft x-ray pinhole imaging instrument is fielded as part of the core diagnostic set on the 25 MA Z machine [M. E. Savage et al., in Proceedings of the Pulsed Power Plasma Sciences Conference (IEEE, New York, 2007), p. 979] for studying intense wire array and gas puff Z-pinch soft x-ray sources. Pinhole images are reflected from a planar multilayer mirror, passing 277 eV photons with <10 eV bandwidth. An adjacent pinhole camera uses filtration alone to view 1-10 keV photons simultaneously. Overlaying these data provides composite images that contain both spectral as well as spatial information, allowing for the study of radiation production in dense Z-pinch plasmas. Cu wire arrays at 20 MA on Z show the implosion of a colder cloud of material onto a hot dense core where K-shell photons are excited. A 528 eV imaging configuration has been developed on the 8 MA Saturn generator [R. B. Spielman et al., and A. I. P. Conf, Proc. 195, 3 (1989)] for imaging a bright Li-like Ar L-shell line. Ar gas puff Z pinches show an intense K-shell emission from a zippering stagnation front with L-shell emission dominating as the plasma cools.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Jones
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 8718, USA.
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Sinars DB, Lemke RW, Cuneo ME, Lebedev SV, Waisman EM, Stygar WA, Jones B, Jones MC, Yu EP, Porter JL, Wenger DF. Radiation energetics of ICF-relevant wire-array Z pinches. Phys Rev Lett 2008; 100:145002. [PMID: 18518042 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.145002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Short-implosion-time 20-mm diameter, 300-wire tungsten arrays maintain high peak x-ray powers despite a reduction in peak current from 19 to 13 MA. The main radiation pulse on tests with a 1-mm on-axis rod may be explained by the observable j x B work done during the implosion, but bare-axis tests require sub-mm convergence of the magnetic field not seen except perhaps in >1 keV emission. The data include the first measurement of the imploding mass density profile of a wire-array Z pinch that further constrains simulation models.
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Affiliation(s)
- D B Sinars
- Sandia National Laboratories, PO Box 5800, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES The karyotype 46,X,isodicentric Y has rarely been reported in the context of prenatal diagnosis. The literature is replete with descriptions of individuals with 46,X,isodicentric Y/45,X mosaicism, presenting with a spectrum of phenotypes. The postnatal phenotype is believed to depend on the extent of mosaicism in the gonads or other affected tissues. The purpose of this article is to delineate the natural history of this chromosomal abnormality when identified in the context of prenatal diagnosis. METHODS We identified a 45,X/46,X,idicY karyotype in the structurally normal male fetus of a woman presenting with an abnormal triple screen. Four other prenatally ascertained cases were found in our files as well as ten in the medical literature. RESULTS Of the 15 cases presented here, 11 (73%) were reported as phenotypically normal males, 1 was found to have an epididymal cyst, and 1 had normal male genitalia, but was also found to have a cardiovascular defect. One out of 15 (7%) was found to have female genitalia and was therefore confirmed to have Turner syndrome. In one case, the outcome was not reported. CONCLUSION An individual diagnosed prenatally with idic(Y) may in many cases be a normal male, similar to the outcome for prenatally diagnosed 45,X/46,XY.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J H Willis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, USA
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Abstract
Stacks, each consisting of a large number of thin layers of the same material, were compressed under loads of up to 5 × 103 lbf. Within experimental error, the compression c per stack layer is independent of the number of layers but varies as a power m of the layer thickness: m equals 0.48 for freshly assembled stacks of flat brass discs. Changes of c upon increasing the applied load W from 5 × 102 to 103 lbf are of the order of the centre line average values of the surfaces in contact. For loads greater than 8 × 102 lbf the effective moduli exceed 105 lbf in−2, increase with W and load cycling, and are within two orders of magnitude of the bulk elastic moduli. Considerable hysteresis occurs in the first load-unload cycle, but further irreversibility rapidly decreases in subsequent cycles provided W is never reduced below 50 lbf. The W-c curves for freshly assembled stacks of flat layers are approximately exponential: changes in slope of the graph of log W against c suggest that asperity deformation processes predominate at high loads (> 5.5 × 102 lbf) and layer flattening at low loads (<2.5×102 lbf). A stack possessing lateral as well as compressive strength is described in Appendix 1: this design has been adopted for a mechanically strong thermal insulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Probert
- School of Engineering, University College, Swansea
| | - M C Jones
- Department of Metallurgy, College of Science and Technology, Manchester
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Gao H, Jones MC, Tewari P, Ranger M, Leroux JC. Star-shaped alkylated poly(glycerol methacrylate) reverse micelles: Synthesis and evaluation of their solubilizing properties in dichloromethane. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.22004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
Reverse polymeric micelles are obtained following the association of polymeric amphiphiles in apolar media. To this date, reports of pharmaceutical applications for such micelles have been scarce, mainly because these systems have been studied in solvents that are not suitable for medical use. Here, alkylated star-shaped poly(glycerol methacrylate) polymers have been proposed in the design of oil-soluble reverse polymeric micelles. Micellar behavior was studied in various apolar solvents, including ethyl oleate, a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. The polymers were shown to assemble into spherical nanostructures (<40 nm) as determined by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy studies. Interestingly, the reverse micelles were able to encapsulate various peptides/proteins (vasopressin, myoglobin, and albumin) in substantial amounts and facilitate their solubilization in oil. The nature of both the polymer used in micelle formation and the guest molecules was found to influence the ability of the micelle to interact with hydrophilic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christine Jones
- Canada Research Chair in Drug Delivery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, P.O. Box 6128, Downtown Station, H3C 3J7 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Gregory SG, Barlow KF, McLay KE, Kaul R, Swarbreck D, Dunham A, Scott CE, Howe KL, Woodfine K, Spencer CCA, Jones MC, Gillson C, Searle S, Zhou Y, Kokocinski F, McDonald L, Evans R, Phillips K, Atkinson A, Cooper R, Jones C, Hall RE, Andrews TD, Lloyd C, Ainscough R, Almeida JP, Ambrose KD, Anderson F, Andrew RW, Ashwell RIS, Aubin K, Babbage AK, Bagguley CL, Bailey J, Beasley H, Bethel G, Bird CP, Bray-Allen S, Brown JY, Brown AJ, Buckley D, Burton J, Bye J, Carder C, Chapman JC, Clark SY, Clarke G, Clee C, Cobley V, Collier RE, Corby N, Coville GJ, Davies J, Deadman R, Dunn M, Earthrowl M, Ellington AG, Errington H, Frankish A, Frankland J, French L, Garner P, Garnett J, Gay L, Ghori MRJ, Gibson R, Gilby LM, Gillett W, Glithero RJ, Grafham DV, Griffiths C, Griffiths-Jones S, Grocock R, Hammond S, Harrison ESI, Hart E, Haugen E, Heath PD, Holmes S, Holt K, Howden PJ, Hunt AR, Hunt SE, Hunter G, Isherwood J, James R, Johnson C, Johnson D, Joy A, Kay M, Kershaw JK, Kibukawa M, Kimberley AM, King A, Knights AJ, Lad H, Laird G, Lawlor S, Leongamornlert DA, Lloyd DM, Loveland J, Lovell J, Lush MJ, Lyne R, Martin S, Mashreghi-Mohammadi M, Matthews L, Matthews NSW, McLaren S, Milne S, Mistry S, Moore MJF, Nickerson T, O'Dell CN, Oliver K, Palmeiri A, Palmer SA, Parker A, Patel D, Pearce AV, Peck AI, Pelan S, Phelps K, Phillimore BJ, Plumb R, Rajan J, Raymond C, Rouse G, Saenphimmachak C, Sehra HK, Sheridan E, Shownkeen R, Sims S, Skuce CD, Smith M, Steward C, Subramanian S, Sycamore N, Tracey A, Tromans A, Van Helmond Z, Wall M, Wallis JM, White S, Whitehead SL, Wilkinson JE, Willey DL, Williams H, Wilming L, Wray PW, Wu Z, Coulson A, Vaudin M, Sulston JE, Durbin R, Hubbard T, Wooster R, Dunham I, Carter NP, McVean G, Ross MT, Harrow J, Olson MV, Beck S, Rogers J, Bentley DR, Banerjee R, Bryant SP, Burford DC, Burrill WDH, Clegg SM, Dhami P, Dovey O, Faulkner LM, Gribble SM, Langford CF, Pandian RD, Porter KM, Prigmore E. The DNA sequence and biological annotation of human chromosome 1. Nature 2006; 441:315-21. [PMID: 16710414 DOI: 10.1038/nature04727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2005] [Accepted: 03/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The reference sequence for each human chromosome provides the framework for understanding genome function, variation and evolution. Here we report the finished sequence and biological annotation of human chromosome 1. Chromosome 1 is gene-dense, with 3,141 genes and 991 pseudogenes, and many coding sequences overlap. Rearrangements and mutations of chromosome 1 are prevalent in cancer and many other diseases. Patterns of sequence variation reveal signals of recent selection in specific genes that may contribute to human fitness, and also in regions where no function is evident. Fine-scale recombination occurs in hotspots of varying intensity along the sequence, and is enriched near genes. These and other studies of human biology and disease encoded within chromosome 1 are made possible with the highly accurate annotated sequence, as part of the completed set of chromosome sequences that comprise the reference human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Gregory
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, The Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK.
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Parrini E, Ramazzotti A, Dobyns WB, Mei D, Moro F, Veggiotti P, Marini C, Brilstra EH, Dalla Bernardina B, Goodwin L, Bodell A, Jones MC, Nangeroni M, Palmeri S, Said E, Sander JW, Striano P, Takahashi Y, Van Maldergem L, Leonardi G, Wright M, Walsh CA, Guerrini R. Periventricular heterotopia: phenotypic heterogeneity and correlation with Filamin A mutations. Brain 2006; 129:1892-906. [PMID: 16684786 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awl125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Periventricular heterotopia (PH) occurs when collections of neurons lay along the lateral ventricles or just beneath. Human Filamin A gene (FLNA) mutations are associated with classical X-linked bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH), featuring contiguous heterotopic nodules, mega cisterna magna, cardiovascular malformations and epilepsy. FLNA encodes an F-actin-binding cytoplasmic phosphoprotein and is involved in early brain neurogenesis and neuronal migration. A rare, recessive form of bilateral PNH with microcephaly and severe delay is associated with mutations of the ADP-ribosylation factor guanine nucleotide-exchange factor-2 (ARFGEF2) gene, required for vesicle and membrane trafficking from the trans-Golgi. However, PH is a heterogeneous disorder. We studied clinical and brain MRI of 182 patients with PH and, based on its anatomic distribution and associated birth defects, identified 15 subtypes. Classical bilateral PNH represented the largest group (98 patients: 54%). The 14 additional phenotypes (84 patients: 46%) included PNH with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), temporo-occipital PNH with hippocampal malformation and cerebellar hypoplasia, PNH with fronto-perisylvian or temporo-occipital polymicrogyria, posterior PNH with hydrocephalus, PNH with microcephaly, PNH with frontonasal dysplasia, PNH with limb abnormalities, PNH with fragile-X syndrome, PNH with ambiguous genitalia, micronodular PH, unilateral PNH, laminar ribbon-like and linear PH. We performed mutation analysis of FLNA in 120 patients, of whom 72 (60%) had classical bilateral PNH and 48 (40%) other PH phenotypes, and identified 25 mutations in 40 individuals. Sixteen mutations had not been reported previously. Mutations were found in 35 patients with classical bilateral PNH, in three with PNH with EDS and in two with unilateral PNH. Twenty one mutations were nonsense and frame-shift and four missense. The high prevalence of mutations causing protein truncations confirms that loss of function is the major cause of the disorder. FLNA mutations were found in 100% of familial cases with X-linked PNH (10 families: 8 with classical bilateral PNH, 1 with EDS and 1 with unilateral PH) and in 26% of sporadic patients with classical bilateral PNH. Overall, mutations occurred in 49% of individuals with classical bilateral PNH irrespective of their being familial or sporadic. However, the chances of finding a mutation were exceedingly gender biased with 93% of mutations occurring in females and 7% in males. The probability of finding FLNA mutations in other phenotypes was 4% but was limited to the minor variants of PNH with EDS and unilateral PNH. Statistical analysis considering all 42 mutations described so far identifies a hotspot region for PNH in the actin-binding domain (P < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- E Parrini
- Research Institute, I.R.C.C.S, Stella Maris Foundation, University of Pisa, Italy
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome (OCCS) is characterised by orbital cysts and anophthalmia or microphthalmia, focal aplastic or hypoplastic skin defects, skin appendages, and brain malformations. The eye and skin abnormalities are well described but the neuropathological features less so. To date, 28 patients with an unequivocal diagnosis of OCCS have been reported, with a preponderance of males. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the brain imaging studies, clinical records, photographs, and pathological material of two new and nine previously reported cases of OCCS. RESULTS There was a consistent pattern of malformations in eight of the 11 cases, consisting of frontal predominant polymicrogyria and periventricular nodular heterotopia, enlarged lateral ventricles or hydrocephalus, agenesis of the corpus callosum sometimes associated with interhemispheric cysts, and a novel mid-hindbrain malformation. The latter consisted of a giant and dysplastic tectum, absent cerebellar vermis, small cerebellar hemispheres in most cases, and a large posterior fossa fluid collection. CONCLUSIONS The mid-hindbrain malformation appears pathognomonic for OCCS. The eye and skin features of OCCS show considerable overlap with several other syndromes, such as encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis, oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum, and focal dermal hypoplasia, none of which has a comparable pattern of brain malformations. In particular the unique mid-hindbrain malformation also distinguishes OCCS from related syndromes with comparable forebrain anomalies. The pattern of malformation described thus helps in differentiating OCCS from other entities. The mid-hindbrain malformation points to a defect of the mid-hindbrain organiser as the underlying pathogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Moog
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Humphray SJ, Oliver K, Hunt AR, Plumb RW, Loveland JE, Howe KL, Andrews TD, Searle S, Hunt SE, Scott CE, Jones MC, Ainscough R, Almeida JP, Ambrose KD, Ashwell RIS, Babbage AK, Babbage S, Bagguley CL, Bailey J, Banerjee R, Barker DJ, Barlow KF, Bates K, Beasley H, Beasley O, Bird CP, Bray-Allen S, Brown AJ, Brown JY, Burford D, Burrill W, Burton J, Carder C, Carter NP, Chapman JC, Chen Y, Clarke G, Clark SY, Clee CM, Clegg S, Collier RE, Corby N, Crosier M, Cummings AT, Davies J, Dhami P, Dunn M, Dutta I, Dyer LW, Earthrowl ME, Faulkner L, Fleming CJ, Frankish A, Frankland JA, French L, Fricker DG, Garner P, Garnett J, Ghori J, Gilbert JGR, Glison C, Grafham DV, Gribble S, Griffiths C, Griffiths-Jones S, Grocock R, Guy J, Hall RE, Hammond S, Harley JL, Harrison ESI, Hart EA, Heath PD, Henderson CD, Hopkins BL, Howard PJ, Howden PJ, Huckle E, Johnson C, Johnson D, Joy AA, Kay M, Keenan S, Kershaw JK, Kimberley AM, King A, Knights A, Laird GK, Langford C, Lawlor S, Leongamornlert DA, Leversha M, Lloyd C, Lloyd DM, Lovell J, Martin S, Mashreghi-Mohammadi M, Matthews L, McLaren S, McLay KE, McMurray A, Milne S, Nickerson T, Nisbett J, Nordsiek G, Pearce AV, Peck AI, Porter KM, Pandian R, Pelan S, Phillimore B, Povey S, Ramsey Y, Rand V, Scharfe M, Sehra HK, Shownkeen R, Sims SK, Skuce CD, Smith M, Steward CA, Swarbreck D, Sycamore N, Tester J, Thorpe A, Tracey A, Tromans A, Thomas DW, Wall M, Wallis JM, West AP, Whitehead SL, Willey DL, Williams SA, Wilming L, Wray PW, Young L, Ashurst JL, Coulson A, Blöcker H, Durbin R, Sulston JE, Hubbard T, Jackson MJ, Bentley DR, Beck S, Rogers J, Dunham I. DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 9. Nature 2004; 429:369-74. [PMID: 15164053 PMCID: PMC2734081 DOI: 10.1038/nature02465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2003] [Accepted: 03/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome 9 is highly structurally polymorphic. It contains the largest autosomal block of heterochromatin, which is heteromorphic in 6-8% of humans, whereas pericentric inversions occur in more than 1% of the population. The finished euchromatic sequence of chromosome 9 comprises 109,044,351 base pairs and represents >99.6% of the region. Analysis of the sequence reveals many intra- and interchromosomal duplications, including segmental duplications adjacent to both the centromere and the large heterochromatic block. We have annotated 1,149 genes, including genes implicated in male-to-female sex reversal, cancer and neurodegenerative disease, and 426 pseudogenes. The chromosome contains the largest interferon gene cluster in the human genome. There is also a region of exceptionally high gene and G + C content including genes paralogous to those in the major histocompatibility complex. We have also detected recently duplicated genes that exhibit different rates of sequence divergence, presumably reflecting natural selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Humphray
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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Deloukas P, Earthrowl ME, Grafham DV, Rubenfield M, French L, Steward CA, Sims SK, Jones MC, Searle S, Scott C, Howe K, Hunt SE, Andrews TD, Gilbert JGR, Swarbreck D, Ashurst JL, Taylor A, Battles J, Bird CP, Ainscough R, Almeida JP, Ashwell RIS, Ambrose KD, Babbage AK, Bagguley CL, Bailey J, Banerjee R, Bates K, Beasley H, Bray-Allen S, Brown AJ, Brown JY, Burford DC, Burrill W, Burton J, Cahill P, Camire D, Carter NP, Chapman JC, Clark SY, Clarke G, Clee CM, Clegg S, Corby N, Coulson A, Dhami P, Dutta I, Dunn M, Faulkner L, Frankish A, Frankland JA, Garner P, Garnett J, Gribble S, Griffiths C, Grocock R, Gustafson E, Hammond S, Harley JL, Hart E, Heath PD, Ho TP, Hopkins B, Horne J, Howden PJ, Huckle E, Hynds C, Johnson C, Johnson D, Kana A, Kay M, Kimberley AM, Kershaw JK, Kokkinaki M, Laird GK, Lawlor S, Lee HM, Leongamornlert DA, Laird G, Lloyd C, Lloyd DM, Loveland J, Lovell J, McLaren S, McLay KE, McMurray A, Mashreghi-Mohammadi M, Matthews L, Milne S, Nickerson T, Nguyen M, Overton-Larty E, Palmer SA, Pearce AV, Peck AI, Pelan S, Phillimore B, Porter K, Rice CM, Rogosin A, Ross MT, Sarafidou T, Sehra HK, Shownkeen R, Skuce CD, Smith M, Standring L, Sycamore N, Tester J, Thorpe A, Torcasso W, Tracey A, Tromans A, Tsolas J, Wall M, Walsh J, Wang H, Weinstock K, West AP, Willey DL, Whitehead SL, Wilming L, Wray PW, Young L, Chen Y, Lovering RC, Moschonas NK, Siebert R, Fechtel K, Bentley D, Durbin R, Hubbard T, Doucette-Stamm L, Beck S, Smith DR, Rogers J. The DNA sequence and comparative analysis of human chromosome 10. Nature 2004; 429:375-81. [PMID: 15164054 DOI: 10.1038/nature02462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2003] [Accepted: 03/09/2004] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The finished sequence of human chromosome 10 comprises a total of 131,666,441 base pairs. It represents 99.4% of the euchromatic DNA and includes one megabase of heterochromatic sequence within the pericentromeric region of the short and long arm of the chromosome. Sequence annotation revealed 1,357 genes, of which 816 are protein coding, and 430 are pseudogenes. We observed widespread occurrence of overlapping coding genes (either strand) and identified 67 antisense transcripts. Our analysis suggests that both inter- and intrachromosomal segmental duplications have impacted on the gene count on chromosome 10. Multispecies comparative analysis indicated that we can readily annotate the protein-coding genes with current resources. We estimate that over 95% of all coding exons were identified in this study. Assessment of single base changes between the human chromosome 10 and chimpanzee sequence revealed nonsense mutations in only 21 coding genes with respect to the human sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Deloukas
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK.
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Dunham A, Matthews LH, Burton J, Ashurst JL, Howe KL, Ashcroft KJ, Beare DM, Burford DC, Hunt SE, Griffiths-Jones S, Jones MC, Keenan SJ, Oliver K, Scott CE, Ainscough R, Almeida JP, Ambrose KD, Andrews DT, Ashwell RIS, Babbage AK, Bagguley CL, Bailey J, Bannerjee R, Barlow KF, Bates K, Beasley H, Bird CP, Bray-Allen S, Brown AJ, Brown JY, Burrill W, Carder C, Carter NP, Chapman JC, Clamp ME, Clark SY, Clarke G, Clee CM, Clegg SCM, Cobley V, Collins JE, Corby N, Coville GJ, Deloukas P, Dhami P, Dunham I, Dunn M, Earthrowl ME, Ellington AG, Faulkner L, Frankish AG, Frankland J, French L, Garner P, Garnett J, Gilbert JGR, Gilson CJ, Ghori J, Grafham DV, Gribble SM, Griffiths C, Hall RE, Hammond S, Harley JL, Hart EA, Heath PD, Howden PJ, Huckle EJ, Hunt PJ, Hunt AR, Johnson C, Johnson D, Kay M, Kimberley AM, King A, Laird GK, Langford CJ, Lawlor S, Leongamornlert DA, Lloyd DM, Lloyd C, Loveland JE, Lovell J, Martin S, Mashreghi-Mohammadi M, McLaren SJ, McMurray A, Milne S, Moore MJF, Nickerson T, Palmer SA, Pearce AV, Peck AI, Pelan S, Phillimore B, Porter KM, Rice CM, Searle S, Sehra HK, Shownkeen R, Skuce CD, Smith M, Steward CA, Sycamore N, Tester J, Thomas DW, Tracey A, Tromans A, Tubby B, Wall M, Wallis JM, West AP, Whitehead SL, Willey DL, Wilming L, Wray PW, Wright MW, Young L, Coulson A, Durbin R, Hubbard T, Sulston JE, Beck S, Bentley DR, Rogers J, Ross MT. The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 13. Nature 2004; 428:522-8. [PMID: 15057823 PMCID: PMC2665288 DOI: 10.1038/nature02379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2003] [Accepted: 01/27/2004] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome 13 is the largest acrocentric human chromosome. It carries genes involved in cancer including the breast cancer type 2 (BRCA2) and retinoblastoma (RB1) genes, is frequently rearranged in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and contains the DAOA locus associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We describe completion and analysis of 95.5 megabases (Mb) of sequence from chromosome 13, which contains 633 genes and 296 pseudogenes. We estimate that more than 95.4% of the protein-coding genes of this chromosome have been identified, on the basis of comparison with other vertebrate genome sequences. Additionally, 105 putative non-coding RNA genes were found. Chromosome 13 has one of the lowest gene densities (6.5 genes per Mb) among human chromosomes, and contains a central region of 38 Mb where the gene density drops to only 3.1 genes per Mb.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dunham
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK.
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Mungall AJ, Palmer SA, Sims SK, Edwards CA, Ashurst JL, Wilming L, Jones MC, Horton R, Hunt SE, Scott CE, Gilbert JGR, Clamp ME, Bethel G, Milne S, Ainscough R, Almeida JP, Ambrose KD, Andrews TD, Ashwell RIS, Babbage AK, Bagguley CL, Bailey J, Banerjee R, Barker DJ, Barlow KF, Bates K, Beare DM, Beasley H, Beasley O, Bird CP, Blakey S, Bray-Allen S, Brook J, Brown AJ, Brown JY, Burford DC, Burrill W, Burton J, Carder C, Carter NP, Chapman JC, Clark SY, Clark G, Clee CM, Clegg S, Cobley V, Collier RE, Collins JE, Colman LK, Corby NR, Coville GJ, Culley KM, Dhami P, Davies J, Dunn M, Earthrowl ME, Ellington AE, Evans KA, Faulkner L, Francis MD, Frankish A, Frankland J, French L, Garner P, Garnett J, Ghori MJR, Gilby LM, Gillson CJ, Glithero RJ, Grafham DV, Grant M, Gribble S, Griffiths C, Griffiths M, Hall R, Halls KS, Hammond S, Harley JL, Hart EA, Heath PD, Heathcott R, Holmes SJ, Howden PJ, Howe KL, Howell GR, Huckle E, Humphray SJ, Humphries MD, Hunt AR, Johnson CM, Joy AA, Kay M, Keenan SJ, Kimberley AM, King A, Laird GK, Langford C, Lawlor S, Leongamornlert DA, Leversha M, Lloyd CR, Lloyd DM, Loveland JE, Lovell J, Martin S, Mashreghi-Mohammadi M, Maslen GL, Matthews L, McCann OT, McLaren SJ, McLay K, McMurray A, Moore MJF, Mullikin JC, Niblett D, Nickerson T, Novik KL, Oliver K, Overton-Larty EK, Parker A, Patel R, Pearce AV, Peck AI, Phillimore B, Phillips S, Plumb RW, Porter KM, Ramsey Y, Ranby SA, Rice CM, Ross MT, Searle SM, Sehra HK, Sheridan E, Skuce CD, Smith S, Smith M, Spraggon L, Squares SL, Steward CA, Sycamore N, Tamlyn-Hall G, Tester J, Theaker AJ, Thomas DW, Thorpe A, Tracey A, Tromans A, Tubby B, Wall M, Wallis JM, West AP, White SS, Whitehead SL, Whittaker H, Wild A, Willey DJ, Wilmer TE, Wood JM, Wray PW, Wyatt JC, Young L, Younger RM, Bentley DR, Coulson A, Durbin R, Hubbard T, Sulston JE, Dunham I, Rogers J, Beck S. The DNA sequence and analysis of human chromosome 6. Nature 2003; 425:805-11. [PMID: 14574404 DOI: 10.1038/nature02055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2003] [Accepted: 09/11/2003] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Chromosome 6 is a metacentric chromosome that constitutes about 6% of the human genome. The finished sequence comprises 166,880,988 base pairs, representing the largest chromosome sequenced so far. The entire sequence has been subjected to high-quality manual annotation, resulting in the evidence-supported identification of 1,557 genes and 633 pseudogenes. Here we report that at least 96% of the protein-coding genes have been identified, as assessed by multi-species comparative sequence analysis, and provide evidence for the presence of further, otherwise unsupported exons/genes. Among these are genes directly implicated in cancer, schizophrenia, autoimmunity and many other diseases. Chromosome 6 harbours the largest transfer RNA gene cluster in the genome; we show that this cluster co-localizes with a region of high transcriptional activity. Within the essential immune loci of the major histocompatibility complex, we find HLA-B to be the most polymorphic gene on chromosome 6 and in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Mungall
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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Pedley DK, Bissett K, Connolly EM, Goodman CG, Golding I, Pringle TH, McNeill GP, Pringle SD, Jones MC. Prospective observational cohort study of time saved by prehospital thrombolysis for ST elevation myocardial infarction delivered by paramedics. BMJ 2003; 327:22-6. [PMID: 12842951 PMCID: PMC164234 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.327.7405.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate a system of prehospital thrombolysis, delivered by paramedics, in meeting the national service framework's targets for the management of acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study comparing patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction considered for thrombolysis in the prehospital environment with patients treated in hospital. SETTING The catchment area of a large teaching hospital, including urban and rural areas. PARTICIPANTS 201 patients presenting concurrently over a 12 month period who had changes to the electrocardiogram that were diagnostic of acute myocardial infarction or who received thrombolysis for suspected acute myocardial infarction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Time from first medical contact to initiation of thrombolysis (call to needle time), number of patients given thrombolysis appropriately, and all cause mortality in hospital. RESULTS The median call to needle time for patients treated before arriving in hospital (n=28) was 52 (95% confidence interval 41 to 62) minutes. Patients from similar rural areas who were treated in hospital (n=43) had a median time of 125 (104 to 140) minutes. This represents a median time saved of 73 minutes (P < 0.001). Sixty minutes after medical contact 64% of patients (18/28) treated before arrival in hospital had received thrombolysis; this compares with 4% of patients (2/43) in a cohort from similar areas. Median call to needle time for patients from urban areas (n=107) was 80 (78 to 93) minutes. Myocardial infarction was confirmed in 89% of patients (25/28) who had received prehospital thrombolysis; this compares with 92% (138/150) in the two groups of patients receiving thrombolysis in hospital. CONCLUSIONS Thrombolysis delivered by paramedics with support from the base hospital can meet the national targets for early thrombolysis. The system has been shown to work well and can be introduced without delay.
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Abstract
Novel amphiphilic star-shaped polymers showing pH-sensitivity were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. These new polymers present a core-shell structure similar to polymeric micelles, but are inherently stable to dilution and are referred to as unimolecular polymeric micelles. A four-armed multifunctional initiator was used for the sequential polymerization of hydrophobic ethyl methacrylate and tert-butyl methacrylate and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol)methacrylate. Polymers of molecular weight ranging from 9000 to 20,000 were obtained. Results of dynamic light scattering showed micelle size ranging from 11 to 40 nm. Unimolecular micelles were also analyzed by static light scattering in aqueous environment. Star-shaped polymers which presented the highest molar ratio of hydrophobic monomers tended to form high molecular weight aggregates in water. Hydrolysis of the tert-butyl methacrylate units permitted the introduction of ionizable methacrylic acid functions. Size distributions were bimodal at both acidic and basic pH. Since, the polymers were designed as potential delivery systems for the oral administration of hydrophobic drugs, they were titrated to evaluate the degree of ionization as a function of pH. In the stomach, the carboxylic functions are expected to be fully protonated. However, in the intestine, the micelles will be more than 40% ionized. Fluorescence studies were conducted in order to evaluate the polarity of the micellar core. Results showed an increase in polarity with pH due to the ionization of the acid functions present along the polymer chains. The pH rise was associated with an increase in the in vitro release rate of progesterone, which was used as hydrophobic drug model.
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Bird LM, Dixson B, Masser-Frye D, Mestre L, Ribas L, Mullen L, Kalla K, Carder K, Huslig M, Catanzarite VA, Jones MC. Choroid plexus cysts in the mid-trimester fetus--practical application suggests superiority of an individualized risk method of counseling for trisomy 18. Prenat Diagn 2002; 22:792-7. [PMID: 12224073 DOI: 10.1002/pd.411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Analysis of a referral population of patients with choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) was performed to compare an average risk method of counseling to an individualized risk method. METHODS A total of 395 patients referred to a Prenatal Diagnosis Center were included, of whom 341 had isolated CPCs and 54 had associated ultrasound abnormalities. For isolated CPCs, an average risk of 1/150 for aneuploidy was compared to an individualized risk assessment [prior risk as determined by maternal age or serum screening multiplied by the likelihood ratio established by Gupta et al. (1997)]. Accuracy, cost, and procedure-related losses were assessed. RESULTS Both methods resulted in 100% sensitivity. The individualized method resulted in greater specificity, decreased costs, and (theoretically) fewer procedure-related pregnancy losses. CONCLUSIONS An individualized risk method of counseling utilizing the likelihood ratios established by Gupta et al. (1997) was superior to an average risk method for assessing trisomy 18 risk in the setting of CPC detected in mid-trimester.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Bird
- Sharp & Children's Prenatal Diagnostic Center, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Erickson RP, Dagenais SL, Caulder MS, Downs CA, Herman G, Jones MC, Kerstjens-Frederikse WS, Lidral AC, McDonald M, Nelson CC, Witte M, Glover TW. Clinical heterogeneity in lymphoedema-distichiasis with FOXC2 truncating mutations. J Med Genet 2001; 38:761-6. [PMID: 11694548 PMCID: PMC1734771 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.38.11.761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary lymphoedema-distichiasis (LD) is an autosomal dominant disorder that classically presents as lymphoedema of the limbs, with variable age of onset, and extra aberrant growth of eyelashes from the Meibomian gland (distichiasis). Other major reported complications include cardiac defects, cleft palate, and extradural cysts. Photophobia, exotropia, ptosis, congenital ectropion, and congenital cataracts are additional eye findings. Recently, we reported that truncating mutations in the forkhead transcription family member FOXC2 resulted in LD in two families. METHODS The clinical findings in seven additional families with LD, including the original family described by Falls and Kertesz, were determined and mutational analyses were performed. RESULTS Distichiasis was the most common clinical feature followed by age dependent lymphoedema. There is a wide variation of associated secondary features including tetralogy of Fallot and cleft palate. The mutational analyses identified truncating mutations in all of the families studied (two nonsense, one deletion, three insertion, and one insertion-deletion), which most likely result in haploinsufficiency of FOXC2. CONCLUSIONS FOXC2 mutations are highly penetrant with variable expressivity which is not explicable by the pattern of mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Erickson
- Angel Charity for Children-Wings for Genetic Research, Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, AZ 85727-5073, USA.
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Abstract
Physical therapy constitutes an essential determinant of clinical outcome after total shoulder arthroplasty. We reviewed our results in 81 shoulders at a minimum of 2 years' follow-up, with specific focus on the maintenance of motion and the development of soft tissue healing problems. Our findings show that our graduated rehabilitation program allows most patients to obtain motion comparable to that possible intraoperatively with few complications. Of patients, 70% maintained their elevation, and 90% maintained external rotation. Patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, and osteonecrosis were identified as being at risk for failure to regain motion and for tendon healing complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- N D Boardman
- Department of Orthopaedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study described service use among American Indian veterans, compared use patterns across biomedical care and traditional healing options, and tested whether utilization varied as a function of need or availability. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 621 male combat veterans selected from tribal rolls was conducted between 1992 and 1995 in American Indian reservation communities in the Southwest and in the Northern Plains. Measures included assessments of demographic characteristics, physical and mental health conditions, and self-reports of any use during the past year of Veterans Administration (VA), Indian Health Service (IHS), and other biomedical services as well as participation in traditional ceremonies and use of indigenous healing options. RESULTS Tribal groups were similar in sociodemographic characteristics and in number of health problems and mental and substance use problems during the past year. The same types of services from IHS were available to the two groups, and the geographic distance to these services was similar. VA facilities were more readily available in the Northern Plains than in the Southwest, where they were far from reservation boundaries. Use of IHS services was similar for the two tribal groups, but use of VA services was significantly less in the Southwest. Overall, biomedical services were used more in the Northern Plains, reflecting greater use of VA facilities. However, these differences in overall health service disappeared when traditional healing options were considered. Use of traditional healing was greater in the Southwest, offsetting lower biomedical service use. CONCLUSIONS When the full array of options is examined, service use functions according to need for health care, but the kind of services used varies according to availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gurley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80220, USA
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Ranger M, Jones MC, Yessine MA, Leroux JC. From well-defined diblock copolymers prepared by a versatile atom transfer radical polymerization method to supramolecular assemblies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1002/pola.10029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Craft DW, Jones MC, Blanchet CN, Hopfer RL. Value of examining three acid-fast bacillus sputum smears for removal of patients suspected of having tuberculosis from the "airborne precautions" category. J Clin Microbiol 2000; 38:4285-7. [PMID: 11060114 PMCID: PMC87587 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.11.4285-4287.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the potential risk of tuberculosis transmission if we modified our policy for release of patients from the "airborne precautions" category from three negative acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smears to two, or even one. Over a 4-year period, respiratory cultures from 42 patients grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of these, 36 patients (81%) had a positive AFB smear result on the first submitted specimen. One additional patient (2%) had a first smear-positive finding on the second submitted specimen, and no patients had a first smear-positive result on the third submitted specimen. Respiratory cultures from five patients (12%) grew M. tuberculosis without ever having a positive AFB smear result. These data indicate that in our institution, reducing the number of negative smears required before removal of patients from the airborne precautions category would pose little, if any, increase in the risk of spreading tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Craft
- Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Laboratories, University of North Carolina Hospitals, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA
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