Spectroscopic observations of Mercury's surface reflectance during MESSENGER's first Mercury flyby

During MESSENGER's first flyby of Mercury, the Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer made simultaneous mid-ultraviolet to near-infrared (wavelengths of 200 to 1300 nanometers) reflectance observations of the surface. An ultraviolet absorption (<280 nanometers) suggests that the ferrous oxide (Fe2+) content of silicates in average surface material is low (less than 2 to 3 weight percent). This result is supported by the lack of a detectable 1-micrometer Fe2+ absorption band in high-spatial-resolution spectra of mature surface materials as well as immature crater ejecta, which suggests that the ferrous iron content may be low both on the surface and at depth. Differences in absorption features and slope among the spectra are evidence for variations in composition and regolith maturation of Mercury's surface.     

An integrated genomic analysis of human glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and lethal type of brain cancer. To identify the genetic alterations in GBMs, we sequenced 20,661 protein coding genes, determined the presence of amplifications and deletions using high-density oligonucleotide arrays, and performed gene expression analyses using next-generation sequencing technologies in 22 human tumor samples. This comprehensive analysis led to the discovery of a variety of genes that were not known to be altered in GBMs. Most notably, we found recurrent mutations in the active site of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in 12% of GBM patients. Mutations in IDH1 occurred in a large fraction of young patients and in most patients with secondary GBMs and were associated with an increase in overall survival. These studies demonstrate the value of unbiased genomic analyses in the characterization of human brain cancer and identify a potentially useful genetic alteration for the classification and targeted therapy of GBMs.     

Proteinase inhibitor proteins as genetic markers for identifying high protein potato clones

A preliminary screening method is described for selecting potato clones with a high probability of their having high protein content. The clones were selected on the basis of their total concentrations of two proteinase inhibitor proteins, Inhibitors I and II. The top 10% of clones selected for high inhibitor content included 80% of the clones that contained the highest total protein concentrations. The inhibitor concentrations used for screening were determined by a simple immunological assay directly utilizing potato juice. The applicability of the method was demonstrated with data from 194S. andigina clones. Ten of the 194 clones contained over 8% total protein and 8 were among the upper 10% of the clones preselected by inhibitor concentrations. Two clones were identified that exhibited over 10% total protein, dry weight.     

Modifications of the comprehensive method for total glycoalkaloid determination

Continuing investigations and queries from workers in the field of potato research have led to minor modifications of the method for the determination of total potato glycoalkaloids (TGA) by Fitzpatrick and Osman (1). These small changes shorten the time for analysis and can possibly give improved recovery of TGA.     

Incidence of potato tuber blight in Ecuador

Potato late blight, caused byPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, is the most important biotic constraint to potato yield and productivity in Ecuador. Yields are severely reduced by foliage blight, but tuber blight has never been quantified in this country. To address this issue, three independent surveys were carried out in Ecuador to estimate the incidence of tuber infection byP. infestans. The first two (1998–1999) involved the collection and assessment of more than 8,000 tubers from the four provinces that produce the most potatoes: Carchi, Chimborazo, Pichincha, and Tungurahua. In the third survey (1999–2001), approximately 10,000 tubers were sampled from the two provinces producing the most potatoes, Carchi and Chimborazo, and from Canar and Bolivar, two provinces that produce relatively small amounts. In spite of confirmed foliage infection in most fields sampled, very few infected tubers were found. In 1999, an extremely low incidence of tuber blight (less than 0.1%) was detected in three samples (each of more than 1,000 tubers) from the province of Pichincha. In a separate survey in 1999, tuber blight was also found in three fields in the province of Carchi, but with very low incidence. Our data indicate that tuber blight does occur in Ecuador, but the incidence of the disease is extremely low. Factors that might suppress tuber blight in Ecuador are discussed.     

Super-compressible foamlike carbon nanotube films

We report that freestanding films of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes exhibit super-compressible foamlike behavior. Under compression, the nanotubes collectively form zigzag buckles that can fully unfold to their original length upon load release. Compared with conventional low-density flexible foams, the nanotube films show much higher compressive strength, recovery rate, and sag factor, and the open-cell nature of the nanotube arrays gives excellent breathability. The nanotube films present a class of open-cell foam structures, consisting of well-arranged one-dimensional units (nanotube struts). The lightweight, highly resilient nanotube films may be useful as compliant and energy-absorbing coatings.     

Energy Expenditure in 104 Postoperative and Traumatically Injured Dogs with Indirect Calorimetry

Apparent restihg energy expenditure (AREE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were determined by open flow indirect calorimetry in a group of 104 apparently resting, critically ill, postoperative and severely traumatized dogs. The evaluations were conducted in a calm, temperature-controlled environment after at least a 12-hour fast. Subjects were allowed to acclimilate to the monitoring equipment prior to beginning the study. The clinical patients were compared to a group of 20 clinically normal, apparently resting, client owned dogs (NC). The data was also compared to published normals (NP) for energy expenditure of apparently resting dogs. Measurements were indexed to actual body weight in kilograms (BW) as well as to metabolic body size(BW^0.75). Measurements of VO₂ (VO₂/kg and VO₂/kg^0.75) and VCO₂ (VCO₂/kg and VCO₂/kg^0.75) were used to calculate the RQ and the AREE. Critically ill, postperative and severely lower RQ values AREE/kg or AREE/kg^0.75 (p=0.39). The PO&T dogs did exhibit significantly lower RQ values (p<0.0001) than either the (NC) or (NP) groups. Measured AREE of the PO&T dogs was significantly less than a calcualted value using the illness/injury/infection energy requirement (IER), (p<0.0001). Energy expenditure in typical trauma and postoperative patients may commonly be overstimated by the IER method. Conclusion: The AREE of critically ill, postoperative and severly trumatized dogs was not higher than healthy dogs as has been previously suggested in the literature.     

Evaluation of propofol and medetomidine-ketamine for short-term immobilization of Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus de soti).

Parenteral anesthetic protocols for short-term immobilization were evaluated in twenty 4-yr-old Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus de soti). An initial dose-response trial determined the efficacy of either propofol (3.5-7.5 mg/kg. i.v.) or combinations of medetomidine (0.03-0.07 mg/kg, i.m.)-ketamine (3-7 mg/kg, i.m.). A subsequent study evaluated the physiologic effects of propofol (6.5 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced anesthesia and anesthesia induced with a medetomidine (0.06 mg/kg, i.m.)-ketamine (6 mg/kg i.m.) combination. The effects of medetomidine were reversed at 30 min with atipamezole (0.30 mg/kg, i.m.). Both drug protocols provided adequate short-term immobilization for minor diagnostic procedures. Sturgeon receiving propofol were in a light plane of anesthesia within 5 min after drug administration, whereas only 30% of the medetomidine-ketamine group reached a light plane of anesthesia in the same time period. Both propofol and medetomidine-ketamine resulted in mild bradycardia and apparent respiratory depression, with propofol producing more profound effects. At the dosages used in this study, both propofol and the medetomidine-ketamine combination effectively induced a light plane of anesthesia. Induction times were shorter in the propofol group.     

RESPONSE OF FELINE ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA TO PALLIATIVE RADIATION THERAPY

Seven cats with advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma were treated with palliative radiotherapy. Megavoltage radiation in 8 Gray (Gy) fractions was delivered on days 0, 7, and 21 for a total dose of 24 Gy. Treatment field included the mandible, oropharynx, retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and tonsils. Adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy was variable. Age ranged from 13 to 18 years old with a median age of 15 years. Three of the seven cats (43%) did not complete treatment. Six cats were euthanized due to tumor growth and/or radiation side effects with a median survival time of 60 days (range = 42 to 97 days, mean = 63 +/- 8.4 days). Radiotherapy complications or progression of disease occurred in 6 of 7 (85.7 %) cats and included adverse clinical signs, such as mucositis, serosanguinous oral discharge, pain, and dysphagia. These data suggest that coarse fractionation radiotherapy did not result in palliation in cats with inoperable oral squamous cell carcinoma.