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Annular energy distribution, AED is a new concept deduced from radial dose, RDD that enables one to draw a map of energy-dose distribution around the ion's path at the nanometer scale better than the ordinary radial dose. The distribution of energy for different equal LET groups of ions of the same LET (keV/μm) were studied using this concept. Annular energy distributions, AEDs for 185 ions impeded in water medium were studied using Katz radial dose formula. AED was calculated using Butts-Katz and Tabata electron range-energy (R-E) relations and were compared. AED and shell annular energy distribution, SAED for those ions were mapping and confirming that energy distributions for ions of the same LET are not the same. AED growth with annular width r = 0.1 (n m) ⟶ R min (n m) showing a peak at the maximum annular energy width, r MAEW. Butts-Katz and Tabata show same annular energy distribution peaks of the same value, however, Tabata shows that energy is distributed over a wide range than Butts-Katz. Thus, Butts-Katz R-E relation is recommended and considered. AED for the studied 185 ions shows a peak at certain width called the maximum annular energy width, r MAEW. This r MAEW showed a monotonic increasing function with ion's β2. The total annular energy distribution, TAED for the different ions were determined and it shows a linear increasing function of the ion's (Z*/β)2. • Annular energy distribution is a new concept introduced. • Shell annular energy distribution is illustrated. • Katz R-E relation gives reasonable range over which energy is distributed. • Maximum annular energy width is ion's β2 dependence. • Total annular energy shows a monotonic increasing function with ion's parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an evolving pathogen which can cause serious infections especially to immunocompromised patients. Its high resistance profile to antibiotics results in difficulty, and sometimes impossibility, in treating afflicted patients. Developing an effective vaccine against P. aeruginosa is an important approach to tackle this problem. A similar problematic situation exists for Acinetobacter baumannii. Several vaccine candidates have been investigated up till now but still there is no approved vaccine in the market. One important antigen of P. aeruginosa is the outer membrane protein F (OprF) which functions as a porin with relevant important roles in virulence. Previous studies focused mainly on the C-terminal peptidoglycan binding domain of OprF as a vaccine candidate. In the current study, we have investigated the N-terminal porin domain of OprF as a potential vaccine candidate against P. aeruginosa. Histidine-tagged recombinant N-terminal OprF (amino acid range 25–200; OprF 25-200) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and purified using metal affinity chromatography. Swiss albino mice were immunized with OprF 25-200 adjuvanted with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) and alum and the immune response was evaluated. Immunized mice developed antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2a and were protected against challenge by both P. aeruginosa and a clinical isolate of A. baumannii expressing OprF. Serum from OprF 25-200 -immunized mice showed cross-reactivity with both pathogens using western blotting and whole cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that the N-terminal domain of OprF is sufficiently immunogenic to protect against the two pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The facile synthesis of electrophoretic particles for electrophoretic displays (EPDs) with fast response and precise image control is a challenge. In this work, monodisperse silica nanoparticles were prepared by a sol-gel process in reverse microemulsion combined with solvent-thermal treatment, and modified with ionic liquid. The silica nanoparticles before and after surface modification are all monodisperse and smooth spheres. They also own suitable densities and excellent chromaticity for EPDs. The structure of ionic liquid modifiers shows remarkably influence on surface property and electrophoretic property of modified silica nanoparticles. The modified silica nanoparticles show improved hydrophobicity favoring for dispersion stability and suspension stability in the dispersant. The surface charge performance of modified silica nanoparticles are depending on competitive cooperation between ion pairs and alkyl groups of ionic liquids, and can be adjusted through tuning ionic liquid structure. The fabricated EPD prototypes show response time of 180–191 ms in the electrophoretic display cell with 0.2 mm thickness, much faster than the commercial EPDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background An essential milestone in pediatric transplantation is to find noninvasive biomarkers to monitor acute rejection (AR). In this retrospective (Case-control) study, we examined the role of Fas − 670A/G and Fas Ligand (FasL) − 843C/T gene polymorphisms in allograft nephropathy in pediatric renal transplant recipients. Methods In 47 pediatric kidney transplant recipients and 20 healthy controls, Fas − 670A/G and FasL − 843C/T gene polymorphisms as well as serum soluble Fas Ligand level (sFasL) were measured. Results Serum sFasL levels were significantly higher in transplant recipients children than that in controls (548.25 ± 298.64 pg/ml vs 143.17 ± 44.55 pg/ml, p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference between patients with AR and those without AR in regards to serum sFasL levels (567.70 ± 279.87 pg/ml vs 507.85 ± 342.80 pg/ml, p = 0.56). Fas − 670A/G genotypes or alleles were not significantly different between controls and transplant recipients and among transplant recipients with and without AR. ( P > 0.05 for all). FasL − 843C/T genotypes were not different between transplant recipients and controls and among transplant recipients with and without AR ( P > 0.05 for all). However, Frequency of C allele in transplant patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (44.68% vs 25%, P = 0.03). FasL − 843C/T alleles were significantly different between patients with and without AR ( P = 0.03). The percentages of C allele were higher in children with AR (58.82% vs 36.67%). We found that serum FasL and serum creatinine were variables that were independently associated with AR. Conclusion This study suggests that FasL gene polymorphisms in peripheral blood might be accurate in detecting cellular AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of the study is to measure plasma vitamin D levels in a group of Egyptian children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) compared to healthy children. Methods The study enrolled 52 children with FMF and 40 apparently healthy controls. Serum vitamin D level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The mean serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in children with FMF than control group (12.3 ± 3.4 and 21.2 ± 3.5 ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.001). Vitamin D level was significantly lower in female patients than males (11.3 ± 2.9, 13.2 ± 3.6, respectively p = 0.04). No statistically significant relations were detected between vitamin D level and different clinical, laboratory and genetic variables. Conclusion Vitamin D levels were lower in Egyptian FMF children than healthy controls. There is a speculation that vitamin D deficiency in FMF patients may be related to inflammation. Further studies with larger number of patients before and after Vitamin D, therapy may be needed. Supplementation with high doses of vitamin D seems appropriate for children with FMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]