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Abstract: We have developed a novel analyte injection method for the SensíQ Pioneer surface plasmon resonance-based biosensor referred to as “FastStep.” By merging buffer and sample streams immediately prior to the reaction flow cells, the instrument is capable of automatically generating a two- or threefold dilution series (of seven or five concentrations, respectively) from a single analyte sample. Using sucrose injections, we demonstrate that the production of each concentration within the step gradient is highly reproducible. For kinetic studies, we developed analysis software that utilizes the sucrose responses to automatically define the concentration of analyte at any point during the association phase. To validate this new approach, we compared the results of standard and FastStep injections for ADP binding to a target kinase and a panel of compounds binding to carbonic anhydrase II. Finally, we illustrate how FastStep can be used in a primary screening mode to obtain a full concentration series of each compound in a fragment library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including Systematised Nomenclature of Medicine, an agreement with the National Health Service (NHS), and Emergency Care Data Set.

Purpose Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) serve as a helpful tool for organ radiation dosimetry and their use has grown in computed tomography (CT). While different approaches have been used for MOSFET calibration, those using the commonly available 100 mm pencil ionization chamber have not incorporated measurements performed throughout its length, and moreover, no previous work has rigorously evaluated the multiple sources of error involved in MOSFET calibration. In this paper, we propose a new MOSFET calibration approach to translate MOSFET voltage measurements into absorbed dose from CT, based on serial measurements performed throughout the length of a 100-mm ionization chamber, and perform an analysis of the errors of MOSFET voltage measurements and four sources of error in calibration. Methods MOSFET calibration was performed at two sites, to determine single calibration factors for tube potentials of 80, 100, and 120 kVp, using a 100-mm-long pencil ion chamber and a cylindrical computed tomography dose index (CTDI) phantom of 32 cm diameter. The dose profile along the 100-mm ion chamber axis was sampled in 5 mm intervals by nine MOSFETs in the nine holes of the CTDI phantom. Variance of the absorbed dose was modeled as a sum of the MOSFET voltage measurement variance and the calibration factor variance, the latter being comprised of three main subcomponents: ionization chamber reading variance, MOSFET-to-MOSFET variation and a contribution related to the fact that the average calibration factor of a few MOSFETs was used as an estimate for the average value of all MOSFETs. MOSFET voltage measurement error was estimated based on sets of repeated measurements. The calibration factor overall voltage measurement error was calculated from the above analysis. Results Calibration factors determined were close to those reported in the literature and by the manufacturer (~3 mV/mGy), ranging from 2.87 to 3.13 mV/mGy. The error σ V of a MOSFET voltage measurement was shown to be proportional to the square root of the voltage V: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe three cases of tutu berry (Coriaria arborea) ingestion resulting in tonic-clonic seizures in two individuals and mild symptoms in the third. Tutu poisoning in humans appears to be a rare occurrence; the last reported case in the medical literature being over 40 years ago. We review the literature on tutu poisoning and recommend extending the period of observation for poisoned individuals from 8 hours to 12 hours or longer. We also recommend that prophylactic benzodiazepine use should be considered in those with mild to moderate symptoms of poisoning.