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Vehicular emissions contribute a significant portion to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution in urban areas. Knowledge of the relative contribution of gasoline versus diesel powered vehicles is highly policy relevant and yet there lacks an effective observation-based method to determine this quantity, especially for its robust tracking over a period of years. In this work, we present an approach to track separate contributions by gasoline and diesel vehicles through positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of online monitoring data measurable by relatively inexpensive analytical instruments. They are PM2.5 organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), C2–C9 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (e.g., pentanes, benzene, xylenes, etc) and nitrogen oxides concentrations. The method was applied to monitoring data spanning over six years between 2011 and 2017 in a roadside environment in Hong Kong. We found that diesel vehicles accounted for ~ 70–90 % of the vehicular PM2.5 (PMvehicle) over the years and the remaining from gasoline vehicles. The diesel PMvehicle during a truck- and a bus-dominated periods showed declining trends, in coincidence with control efforts targeting at diesel commercial vehicles and franchised buses in the intervening period. The combined PMvehicle from diesel and gasoline vehicles by PMF agrees well with an independent estimate by the EC-tracer method, both confirming PMvehicle contributed significantly to the PM2.5 in this urban environment (~ 4–8 µg m−3, representing 30–60 % in summer and 10–20 % in winter). Our work shows that long-term monitoring of roadside VOCs and PM2.5 OC and EC is effective for tracking gaseous and PM pollutants from different vehicle categories. This work also demonstrates the value of evidence-based approach in support of effective control policy formulation.

The International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party on red cell immuno-genetics and blood group terminology convened during the International congress in Cancun, July 2012. This report details the newly identified antigens in existing blood group systems and presents three new blood group systems.

Systematic first-principles calculations were performed to investigate the adsorption and diffusion of Li on different graphene layers with B/N-doping and/or C-vacancy, so as to understand why doping heteroatoms in graphene anode could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. We found that the formation of single or double carbon vacancies in graphene are critical for the adsorption of Li atoms. While the N-doping facilitates the formation of vacancies, it introduces over binding issue and hinders the Li diffusion. The presence of B takes the excessive electrons from Li and N and reduces the energy barrier of Li diffusion on substrates. We perceive that these clear insights are crucial for the further development of graphene based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Systematic first-principles calculations were performed to investigate the adsorption and diffusion of Li on different graphene layers with B/N-doping and/or C-vacancy, so as to understand why doping heteroatoms in graphene anode could significantly improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. We found that the formation of single or double carbon vacancies in graphene are critical for the adsorption of Li atoms. While the N-doping facilitates the formation of vacancies, it introduces over binding issue and hinders the Li diffusion. The presence of B takes the excessive electrons from Li and N and reduces the energy barrier of Li diffusion on substrates. We perceive that these clear insights are crucial for the further development of graphene based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Background: The present study aims to investigate the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in chronic pain including thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. Chronic inflammatory nociception of rats was produced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and data was collected until day 28 following injection. Results: Thermal hyperalgesia was evident from day 1 to day 28 with peak at day 7, while mechanical allodynia persisted from day 1 to day 14 and was greatest at day 7. Intrathecal administration of AMG 9810 at day 7, a selective TRPV1 antagonist, significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. TRPV1 expression in DRG detected by Western blotting was increased relative to baseline throughout the observation period. Double labeling of TRPV1 with neuronal marker neurofilament 200 (NF200), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or isolectin B4 (IB4) was used to distinguish different subtypes of DRG neurons. TRPV1 expression was increased in the medium-sized myelinated A fiber (NF200 positive) neurons and in small non-peptidergic (IB4 positive) neurons from day 1 to day 14 and was increased in small peptidergic (CGRP positive) neurons from day 1 to day 28. Conclusion: TRPV1 expression increases in all three types of DRG neurons after CFA injection and plays a role in CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain including thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia.

To investigate the functional brain pain center and default mode network response to electro acupuncture stimulate in weizhong acupoints(BL40) and dachangshu acupoints(BL25).During January to February 2015, volunteers were enrolled in this study from the staff and student interns of Gansu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. A total of 20 healthy, right-handed subjects, male 9, female 11, age (23±3) years, participated in this study. Block design task functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) 3.0 T was performed in all subjects by electro acupuncture stimulating at BL40 and BL25 from the same experienced acupuncturist.The needle connected electric acupuncture apparatus through tow long coaxial-cable. A block design with five 120 s blocks of rest time (OFF block, electric acupuncture turn off ) interspersed between five 60 s blocks of stimulation (ON block, electric acupuncture turn on) fMRI scan. Magnetic resonance data of brain function was collected and FSL(fMRI Software Library) software was used to analyze the data.All subjects' data were analyzed except 2 cases whose head movement were more than 2 mm. Activated brain function regions by electro acupuncture stimulate included temporal lobe lateral sulcus, lobus insularis, thalamus, supramarginal gyrus, prefrontal medial frontal gyrus. Negative activated brain regions included middle frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, cingulate cortex abdominal segment, parietal cortex.The functional pain central and default mode network were changed when electro acupuncture stimulate in(BL40) and(BL25).There are several brain activation regions and negative activated brain regions when administering electro acupuncture stimulation at BL40 and BL25.

Aims/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the molecular basis of the K0 phenotype of a Taiwanese blood donor found to have anti-Ku alloantibodies. Background: With respect to Kell blood group antigens, almost all Taiwanese have the (K−, k+) phenotype. Materials and Methods: Alloantibody identification and KEL antigen typing were performed. Enzymatic function assays were carried out to detect the Kell glycoprotein on RBCs. The KEL genes were sequenced to detect genetic variation. To determine the origin of this novel allele, family studies were conducted. Results: The alloantibody was identified as anti-Ku. The donor was typed K0. The KEL gene-sequencing data revealed that this K0 donor is a compound heterozygote with two different null alleles. He bears a novel 730delG mutation in one allele. Family studies suggested that the donor inherited the 730delG mutation from his father. The endothelin-converting activity assay indicated that his RBCs had no functional Kell glycoprotein. Other family members who had only one null allele with the 730delG mutation had the phenotype (K−, k+). Conclusion: For blood transfusion safety, it is important to establish an effective screening algorithm to identify rare phenotypes, such as the K0 phenotype, and to establish a database of rare blood groups.

1. When chemically skinned muscle fibres are activated by Ca2+ at an ionic strength of 170 mM, the spacing between the filaments has been shown to decrease with increasing force, suggesting that the cross-bridges can generate force not only in the axial but also in the radial direction. In the present study, radial force and radial stiffness of activated single skinned rabbit psoas fibres were studied by X-ray diffraction. The responses of the lattice spacing to changes in osmotic pressure by application of dextran T500, which is equivalent to force applied in the radial direction, was examined. The radial force generated by the attached cross-bridges was calculated, with the approximation that a negligible fraction of cross-bridges was attached in the relaxed muscle at the same ionic strength of 170 mM. 2. The active radial force was found to be a slightly non-linear function of lattice spacing, reaching zero at 34 nm. The radial force was compressive at lattice spacing greater than 34 nm and expansive at less than 34 nm. 3. The active axial force, on the other hand, was found to be much less affected by the application of dextran T500. Active axial force increased by 4% to a plateau at 4% dextran T500 and then decreased by 10% at 8% dextran T500. 4. While not under osmotic pressure, the radial force of the activated fibre was determined to be 400 pN (single thick filament)-1. This is of the same order of magnitude as the axial force. The radial stiffness was also comparable to the axial stiffness at 7 pN (thick filament)-1 (0.1 nm)-1. 5. The radial elasticity of the fully activated fibre differs significantly from that of the fibre in rigor. The radial stiffness exhibited by fibres in rigor was approximately five times higher, at 30 pN (thick filament)-1 (0.1 nm)-1 and the point where the radial force reached zero was 38 nm. 6. In the activated state, the point at which radial force reaches zero is independent of the level of Ca2+ activation, i.e. independent of the number of cross-bridges attached to actin in the force-generating state. We suggest that the zero-force point is equivalent to the equilibrium point of a spring and is an intrinsic property of the radial elasticity of the cross-bridge. 7. It is concluded that activated and rigor cross-bridges exhibit a spring-like property in the radial direction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Single crystals and powders of the layered, wide bandgap semiconductor, Cd 2 P 2 S 6 , have been intercalated with Ru(bipy) 2+ 3 by a cation exchange mechanism. Cation vacancies are created in the lattice to compensate for the charge of the intercalated ions. The photoluminescence spectrum of the intercalated material has been examined over the temperature range 1.8–77 K and compared with the photoluminescence properties of the host lattice and the free intercalate. Analysis of the spectra indicates that only weak interactions exist between the intercalate and the host lattice. The polarization of the photoluminescence suggests that the Ru(bipy) 2+ 3 ions are partially oriented with their C 3 symmetry axes perpendicular to the host lattice layers.

The Kell blood group system is polymorphic, and 23 antigens have been defined to date. The Kell antigens are located on a single red cell transmembrane glycoprotein, encoded by the 19 exons of the KEL gene. The different Kell phenotypes result from point mutations leading to amino acid changes in the Kell glycoprotein. An unusual phenotype, which is defined as the complete lack of all of the Kell antigens, has been identified and designated as the Kell-null or Ko phenotype. The coding region of the KEL gene of the Ko individual showed a normal KEL2/KEL4/KEL7 gene sequence; nevertheless, a G to C mutation at the splice donor site (5' splice site) of intron 3 was found to be present as a homozygote in the individual. The mutation destroys the conserved GT sequence of the splice donor site. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed the absence of the complete KEL mRNA. Instead, a major transcript with the exon 3 region skipped was found. The exon 3 of the KEL gene encodes the transmembrane domain of the Kell glycoprotein, and a transcript without exon 3 is predicted to have a premature stop codon that abolishes the translation of C-terminal segment. The segment contains all of the known positions responsible for characterizing different Kell antigens, and this explains the lack of all Kell antigens in Ko red cells.

Massage-like stroking induces acute antinociceptive effects that can be reversed by an oxytocin antagonist, indicating activation of oxytocin on endogenous pain controlling systems. We now demonstrate an increase in hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs), in response to thermal and mechanical stimuli, which was present after six treatments of massage-like stroking every other day and which continued to increase through the remaining seven treatments. Repeated massage-like stroking also resulted in increased oxytocin-like immunoreactivity (oxytocin-LI) levels in plasma and periaquaductal grey matter (PAG). Furthermore, increases in HWLs were also present after injections of oxytocin into the PAG (0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 nmol). Intra-PAG oxytocin injection of 1 nmol followed by 1 or 20 nmol of naloxone attenuated the increments in HWL. Also, there was a dose-dependent attenuation of the oxytocin-induced antinociceptive effects following intra-PAG injection of the µ-opioid antagonist β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA) and the κ-opioid antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) but not the δ-antagonist naltrindole. The long-term antinociceptive effects of massage-like stroking may be attributed, at least partly, to the oxytocinergic system and its interaction with the opioid system, especially the µ- and the κ-receptors in the PAG.

A missense mutation (A385 to T), predicting an Ile129 to Phe substitution, in the human Secretor alpha 1,2-fucosyltransferase gene was present in double dose in Lewis(a+b+) individuals, but not in Lewis(a-b+) individuals. Co-segregation of the Lewis(a+b+) phenotype with homozygosity for the mutation was also verified. These results yield a potential molecular basis for the weak Secretor allele (Sew) accounting for the Lewis(a+b+) phenotype.

Bone marrow transplantation has become an important therapeutic strategy in the treatment of pediatric malignancies and certain congenital disorders. We initiated a bone marrow transplant program at Children's Hospital in New Orleans at the start of January 1989. Both allogeneic and autologous bone marrow transplantations have been performed. To date, a total of 20 children have received transplants for a variety of diseases. Their ages ranged from 17 months to 20 years. The overall 2-year survival is 40%. For the good-risk patients, the projected 2-year disease-free survival is 85%, compared to 30% for the poor-risk patients. Regimen-related mortality has been extremely low in our settings primarily due to improvement of available supportive care. We conclude that bone marrow transplantation offers a potential cure for these otherwise fatal diseases.

By use of the mouse footpad technique, the susceptibility testing of 13 strains of Mycobacterium leprae to rifampicin (RFP) and the determination of minimal effective dosage (MED) were carried out. Among these strains of M. leprae, 8 were obtained from previously untreated multibacillary leprosy patients and 5 from relapsed leprosy patients without using RFP previously. The results showed that the MED of all strains to RFP were less than or equal to 0.001% FRP in the diet, 5 strains being equal to 0.001%, 5 less than or equal to 0.0001%, 2 greater than or equal to 0.0003% and 1 less than or equal to 0.0003%. The results indicated that the MED value of RFP could be lower than that of other reports. Because the critical concentration of RFP for assessment of RFP-resistant strains is not well established a further study would be worthwhile. The results of the determination of sera RFP concentrations in mice administered the RFP diet were identical with that of Holmes' report. Five of the 13 strains also showed that the growth of bacilli were suppressed by 10 mg/kg RFP using the gavage method.

By use of the mouse footpad technique, the susceptibility testing of 13 strains of Mycobacterium leprae to rifampicin (RFP) and the determination of minimal effective dosage (MED) were carried out. Among these strains of M. leprae, 8 were obtained from previously untreated multibacillary leprosy patients and 5 from relapsed leprosy patients without using RFP previously. The results showed that the MED of all strains to RFP were less than or equal to 0.001% FRP in the diet, 5 strains being equal to 0.001%, 5 less than or equal to 0.0001%, 2 greater than or equal to 0.0003% and 1 less than or equal to 0.0003%. The results indicated that the MED value of RFP could be lower than that of other reports. Because the critical concentration of RFP for assessment of RFP-resistant strains is not well established a further study would be worthwhile. The results of the determination of sera RFP concentrations in mice administered the RFP diet were identical with that of Holmes' report. Five of the 13 strains also showed that the growth of bacilli were suppressed by 10 mg/kg RFP using the gavage method.

The Tupaia belangeri yunalis (tree shrew) is one of the primitive primates. They were inoculated subcutaneously in the footpad or intravenously with Mycobacterium leprae from a patient with multibacillary leprosy. As controls, the footpads of CFW mice were inoculated with the same suspension of M. leprae. The results showed growth of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the footpads of locally inoculated CFW mice and in the footpads of both locally and intravenously inoculated tupaias. Whereas the numbers of AFB declined in the footpads of CFW mice after 12 months, they increased in the tupaia footpads, up to 2.44 x 19(9) AFB/g of tissue. The footpads of one tupaia were swollen, which on section revealed a granulomatous infiltration, including foamy and heavily infected macrophages. M. leprae were also seen in the branches of cutaneous nerves. Also AFB occurred in some viscera. Preliminary studies indicate that the AFB multiplying in tupaias are M. leprae.

The Tupaia belangeri yunalis (tree shrew) is one of the primitive primates. They were inoculated subcutaneously in the footpad or intravenously with Mycobacterium leprae from a patient with multibacillary leprosy. As controls, the footpads of CFW mice were inoculated with the same suspension of M. leprae. The results showed growth of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the footpads of locally inoculated CFW mice and in the footpads of both locally and intravenously inoculated tupaias. Whereas the numbers of AFB declined in the footpads of CFW mice after 12 months, they increased in the tupaia footpads, up to 2.44 x 19(9) AFB/g of tissue. The footpads of one tupaia were swollen, which on section revealed a granulomatous infiltration, including foamy and heavily infected macrophages. M. leprae were also seen in the branches of cutaneous nerves. Also AFB occurred in some viscera. Preliminary studies indicate that the AFB multiplying in tupaias are M. leprae.

Chromosomes were isolated from a variety of human cell types using a HEPES-buffered hypotonic solution (pH 8.0) containing KCl, MgSO4, dithioerythritol, and RNase. The chromosomes isolated by this procedure could be stained with a variety of fluorescent stains including propidium iodide, chromomycin A3, and Hoechst 33258. Addition of sodium citrate to the stained chromosomes was found to improve the total fluorescence resolution. High-quality bivariate Hoechst vs. chromomycin fluorescence distributions were obtained for chromosomes isolated from a human fibroblast cell strain, a human colon carcinoma cell line, and human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures. Good flow karyotypes were also obtained from primary amniotic cell cultures. The Hoechst vs. chromomycin flow karyotypes of a given cell line, made at different times and at dye concentrations varying over fourfold ranges, show little variation in the relative peak positions of the chromosomes. The size of the DNA in chromosomes isolated using this procedure ranges from 20 to over 50 kilobases. The described isolation procedure is simple, it yields high-quality flow karyotypes, and it can be used to prepare chromosomes from clinical samples.

We have determined the subchromosomal location of the human insulin gene by analyzing DNA isolated from sorted human metaphase chromosomes. Metaphase chromosome suspensions were sorted into fractions according to relative Hoechst fluorescence intensity by the fluorescence activated chromosome sorter. The chromosomal DNA in each fraction was characterized by restriction endonuclease analysis. Initial sorts indicated that the insulin gene-containing fragment resided in a fraction containing chromosomes 9, 10, 11, and 12. Studies of cell lines that contained chromosome translocations permitted the assignment of the insulin gene to a derivative chromosome that contains portions of the short arm of chromosome II. Simultaneous sorting of the normal homolog from this small derivative chromosome separated the two different sized insulin gene-containing restriction fragments in this individual. These data indicate that the two restriction fragments represent insulin gene polymorphism and not duplicate gene loci.

We report a case of a 15-year-old black boy who developed juvenile-onset pernicious anemia in association with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. He had both intrinsic factor and parietal cell antibodies in addition to anti-islet cell surface antibodies. The existence of pernicious anemia and diabetes mellitus in such a young child makes this an unusual case.

This paper describes the application of bivariate flow karyotyping to (1) classification of chromosomes isolated from cultures of cells taken by amniocentesis and (2) detection of numerical and structural aberrations. Chromosomes were isolated from primary cultures 2-5 wk after amniocentesis, stained with Hoechst 33258 and chromomycin A3, and analyzed using dual beam flow cytometry. Information about chromosome DNA content and DNA base composition was derived from the locations of the peaks in the flow karyotypes, each peak being produced by one or more chromosome types with similar DNA content and DNA base composition. Information about the relative frequency of each chromosome type was determined on the basis of the relative volume of the peak for that chromosome type. Cytogenetic information determined on the basis of flow karyotypes was compared with that obtained by visual analysis following G-banding. Variability among the peak means and volumes in flow karyotypes was determined from analyses of 50 normal amniocyte cultures. Numerical aberrations involving chromosomes 21, 18, and Y were detected correctly in all of 28 analyses, including eight in a blind study. Structural aberrations involving chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 9-12, 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 were detected in all of seven cultures in a blind study. Flow karyotypes proved to be insensitive to small, normally occurring chromosome polymorphisms detected by banding analysis. In addition, a few samples were erroneously scored as having numerical aberrations.

Dual beam flow cytometry of chromosomes stained with Hoechst 33258 and chromomycin A3 has been proposed as a method for quantitative classification of human chromosomes (bivariate flow karyotyping). In this paper we investigate the sources and magnitudes of variability in the mean fluorescence intensities of each chromosome group resolved in bivariate flow karyotypes and study the impact of this variability on chromosome classification. Replicate bivariate flow karyotypes of chromosomes isolated from lymphocytes from 10 individuals demonstrated that person-to-person variability was significantly greater than run-to-run variability. The total variability was sufficiently small that it did not interfere with classification of normal chromosome types except chromosomes 9 through 12 and chromosomes 14 and 15. Furthermore, the variability was generally smaller than 1/600th of the mitotic genome, so that one-band rearrangements should be detectable in bivariate flow karyotypes.