L-band radar quantifies major disturbance of birds by fireworks in an urban area.

Fireworks and other pyrotechnics are acknowledged as sources of disturbance to wildlife, with evidence that many species react adversely to their sight and sound at discharge. However, how firework releases impact wildlife within a city landscape is poorly understood. Here, we explore the effect of fireworks on urban birds using an L-band staring radar (90-degree sector out to a 5 km range) to capture bird activity derived from flight tracks (i.e. 3D visualisation of individual flying birds built from radar detections) within the city of Birmingham, UK. Comparing the tracks between baseline periods with no fireworks and periods where fireworks are commonly discharged using a null model indicated that birds flew at higher elevations during firework periods (standardised effect sizes of 17.11, 26.54 and 5.83, for Diwali, Bonfire Night, and New Year's Eve, respectively). Birds also flew in more significant numbers (standardised effect sizes of 23.41, 7.98 and 7.19 for Diwali, Bonfire Night, and New Year's Eve, respectively). Therefore, bird activity was elevated during firework events at a time of night when many would otherwise be roosting. Such disturbance may have implications for avian biology since large public firework events occur at colder times of the year in the UK when birds have elevated thermoregulatory costs.

Sustainable sorbitol-derived compounds for gelation of the full range of ethanol-water mixtures.

During the development of soft material systems inspired by green chemistry, we show that naturally occurring starting materials can be used to prepare mono- and di-benzylidene sorbitol derivatives. These compounds gelate a range of organic, aqueous (including with mono and divalent metal salt solutions) and ethanolic (ethanol-water) solutions, with the equimolar mixture of two of the gelators gelling all compositions from 100% ethanol to 100% water (something neither of the individual components do). We explored the influence of modifications to the acetal substituents on the formation of the compounds as well as the impact of steric bulk on self-assembly properties of the gelators. The effect of solvent on the self-assembly, morphology, and rheology of the 1,3:2,4-di(4-isopropylbenzylidene)-d-sorbitol (DBS-iPr), 2,4(4-isopropylbenzylidene)-d-sorbitol (MBS-iPr) and the equimolar multicomponent (DBS-MBS-iPr) gels have been investigated. DBS-iPr gelates polar solvents to form smooth flat fibres, whereas in non-polar solvents such as cyclohexane helical fibres grow where the chirality is determined by the stereochemistry of the sugar. Oscillatory rheology revealed that MBS-iPr gels have appreciable strength and elasticity, in comparison to DBS-iPr gels, regardless of the solvent medium employed. Powder X-ray diffraction was used to probe the arrangement of the gelators in the xerogels they form, and two single crystal X-ray structures of related MBS derivatives give the first precise structural information concerning layering and hydrogen bonding in the monobenzylidene compounds. This kind of layering could explain the apparent self-sorting behaviour of the DBS-MBS-iPr multicomponent gels. The combination of sorbitol-derived gelators reported in this work could find potential applications as multicomponent systems, for example, in soft materials for personal care products, polymer nucleation/clarification, and energy technology.

A Sensitive XRF Screening Method for Lead in Drinking Water.

A novel method for quickly and quantitatively measuring aqueous lead in drinking water has been developed. A commercially available activated carbon felt has been found to effectively capture lead from tap water, and partnered with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, it provides quantitative measurement of aqueous lead in drinking water. Specifically, for a 2 L volume of tap water, the linear range of detection was found to be from 1-150 ppb, encompassing the current EPA limit for lead in drinking water (15 ppb). To make a reproducible and easy to use method for filtering, a 2 L bottle cap with a 1.25 cm diameter hole was used for filtering. Utilizing this filtration method, 75 solutions from 0 to 150 ppb lead gave a 91% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and 93% accuracy, and all the misclassified samples fell between 10 and 15 ppb. This method has also proved reliable for detecting calcium as well as several other divalent metals in drinking water including copper, zinc, iron, and manganese.

Light-induced dynamic structural color by intracellular 3D photonic crystals in brown algae.

Natural photonic crystals are responsible for strong reflectance at selective wavelengths in different natural systems. We demonstrate that intracellular opal-like photonic crystals formed from lipids within photosynthetic cells produce vivid structural color in the alga Cystoseira tamariscifolia. The reflectance of the opaline vesicles is dynamically responsive to environmental illumination. The structural color is present in low light-adapted samples, whereas higher light levels produce a slow disappearance of the structural color such that it eventually vanishes completely. Once returned to low-light conditions, the color re-emerges. Our results suggest that these complex intracellular natural photonic crystals are responsive to environmental conditions, changing their packing structure reversibly, and have the potential to manipulate light for roles beyond visual signaling.

Unusual and Tunable Negative Linear Compressibility in the Metal-Organic Framework MFM-133(M) (M = Zr, Hf).

High-pressure single-crystal X-ray structural analyses of isostructural MFM-133(M) (M = Zr, Hf) of flu topology and incorporating the tetracarboxylate ligand TCHB4- [H4TCHB = 3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexamethyl-1,1'-biphenyl] and {M6(µ3-OH)8(OH)8(COO)8} clusters confirm negative linear compressibility (NLC) behavior along the c axis. This occurs via a three-dimensional wine-rack NLC mechanism leading to distortion of the octahedral cage toward a more elongated polyhedron under static compression. Despite the isomorphous nature of these two structures, MFM-133(Hf) shows a higher degree of NLC than the Zr(IV) analogue. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrate here that the NLC property can be effectively tuned in a framework material by simply varying the inorganic component of the frameworks without changing the network topology and structure.

NF-kappaB and STAT3 signaling in glioma: targets for future therapies.

Glioblastoma remains the most clinically challenging tumor of the CNS, as evidenced by the dismal change in overall survival over the past 50 years. However, recent advances in high-throughput screening techniques have given rise to a wealth of new information regarding the aberrant signaling pathways that drive the tumor phenotype. Two of these so-called 'oncopathways' are NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT. This review will describe the basic mechanisms of these pathways, explore the relevance of NF-kappaB and JAK/STAT signaling in glioblastoma, and look ahead to experimental compounds that will integrate our knowledge of these pathways into existing therapies.

Heterotopic ossification in the residual lower limb in an adult nontraumatic amputee patient.

Heterotopic ossification in the residual lower limb in an adult nontraumatic amputee patient.Heterotopic ossification usually occurs in association with various neurologic injuries, trauma, and burns. There have been few reports in the literature of heterotopic bone formation at the distal residual limb in the adult amputee population. All previous cases with a documented cause have involved traumatic amputations. An adult diabetic patient who underwent left below-the-knee amputation for progressive Charcot foot is presented. The patient began to experience residual limb pain and decline in functional mobility 4-5 mos after surgery. Radiographs demonstrated heterotopic bone around the distal tibial and fibular remnant with extension into adjacent soft tissue. Triple-phase bone scan testing and tissue biopsy verified active heterotopic ossification. The patient was treated with etidronate and eventually was able to ambulate with a prosthesis on a regular basis. This case demonstrates that heterotopic ossification may occur and be a source of residual limb pain in the adult nontraumatic amputee population.

The ING4 tumor suppressor attenuates NF-kappaB activity at the promoters of target genes.

The NF-kappaB family mediates immune and inflammatory responses. In many cancers, NF-kappaB is constitutively activated and induces the expression of genes that facilitate tumorigenesis. ING4 is a tumor suppressor that is absent or mutated in several cancers. Herein, we demonstrate that in human gliomas, NF-kappaB is constitutively activated, ING4 expression is negligible, and NF-kappaB-regulated gene expression is elevated. We demonstrate that an ING4 and NF-kappaB interaction exists but does not prevent NF-kappaB activation, nuclear translocation, or DNA binding. Instead, ING4 and NF-kappaB bind simultaneously at NF-kappaB-regulated promoters, and this binding correlates with reductions in p65 phosphorylation, p300, and the levels of acetylated histones and H3-Me3K4, while enhancing the levels of HDAC-1 at these promoters. Using a knockdown approach, we correlate reductions in ING4 protein levels with increased basal and inducible NF-kappaB target gene expression. Collectively, these data suggest that ING4 may specifically regulate the activity of NF-kappaB molecules that are bound to target gene promoters.

Liver transplant in a four-month-old child with biliary atresia, unilateral pulmonary agenesis, and diaphragmatic hernia: first case report.

Bilateral pulmonary agenesis (PA) is a rare embryological defect incompatible with life. Unilateral PA has a wide range of clinical presentations: its prognosis depends on the presence and severity of other associated anomalies. Fetal biliary atresia has been associated with a number of congenital anomalies, but the etiology is still not understood. An unusual case of a child with right PA, right diaphragmatic hernia, and delayed diagnosed biliary atresia leading to liver failure is presented herein. At the age of 4 months the patient was referred to the Transplant Department at Children Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston with cholestasis and failure to thrive. With a rapidly progressive liver insufficiency, this child was evaluated for liver transplantation. In the absence of any respiratory symptom, the patient received a deceased donor size-matched left lateral segment liver transplant, which covered the diaphragmatic defect, with no further repair required. Twenty-seven months post-transplant, the patient has good graft function, a normal Z-score and is thriving. In spite of the increased physiological and surgical challenges (absence of right lung tissue, hemi-diaphragm, and ectopic position of the liver in the right chest), liver transplantation was performed with positive outcome in this high-risk child. Whether PA, may have developmentally contributed to expression of biliary atresia will need further investigation.

Low incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation without the use of intraoperative microscope or parenteral anticoagulation.

The risk of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after pediatric liver transplantation (PLT) has been reported to range from 0 to 25%. We report our experience focusing on the interrelationships between risk factors, surgical technique and the incidence of HAT after liver transplantation in the pediatric age group. From February 18, 1997 to December 31, 2003, 150 consecutive liver transplants were performed in 132 pediatric patients. There were similar numbers of whole grafts when compared with partial grafts, 80 (53.3%) vs. 70 (46.7%), p = 0.30. Four grafts (2.7%) developed HAT. Of the grafts with HAT, three were successfully revascularized within the first 24 h. Only one graft (0.66%) was lost to HAT. A single surgeon utilizing 3.5-6.0 magnification loupes performed all but one hepatic arterial anastomoses. All patients were followed postoperatively by a daily ultrasound protocol and with anticoagulation of aspirin and alprostadil only. Living and deceased donor left lateral segment grafts had an increased rate of HAT when compared with whole liver grafts. HAT with subsequent graft loss may be minimized in PLT with the use of surgical loupes only, anticoagulation utilizing aspirin, alprostadil, and daily ultrasounds.

The prognostic value of neurologic function in astrocytic spinal cord glioma.

To assess the prognostic value of neurologic function (NF) in patients with astrocytic spinal cord glioma, we conducted a retrospective study of 25 patients who were treated at our institution between January 1970 and December 1999. The median age was 40 years, and the median follow-up was 54 months. Nineteen patients had a biopsy, 5 had a subtotal resection, and 1 had a gross total resection. Twenty-two patients received postoperative radiotherapy to a median dose of 45 Gy. NF ratings of 1 and 2 were considered favorable, and 3 and 4 were considered unfavorable, based on a scale of 1 to 4. Dual neuropathologic review confirmed the tumor to be low, intermediate, or high grade, based on the WHO grades I-II, III, or IV, respectively. Actuarial rates of local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. Our study results revealed that an improved 5-year OS rate was associated with favorable NF at diagnosis (73% vs. 22% for patients with unfavorable NF; P = 0.04) and favorable NF before radiation therapy (89% vs. 28% for patients with unfavorable NF; P = 0.049). There was a significant difference in OS based on tumor grade ( P < 0.001) and age (risk ratio, 1.04; P = 0.027). PFS and LC were significantly better for young patients and those with lower tumor grade ( P < 0.05). A multivariate analysis of age, NF at diagnosis, and postoperative NF for all patients showed postoperative NF and age to be independent prognostic factors for OS. We conclude that favorable NF may be associated with improved outcome in patients with astrocytic spinal cord glioma.