Georeferenced soil provenancing with digital signatures.

The provenance or origin of a soil sample is of interest in soil forensics, archaeology, and biosecurity. In all of these fields, highly specialized and often expensive analysis is usually combined with expert interpretation to estimate sample origin. In this proof of concept study we apply rapid and non-destructive spectral analysis to the question of direct soil provenancing. This approach is based on one of the underlying tenets of soil science - that soil pedogenesis is spatially unique, and thus digital spectral signatures of soil can be related directly, rather than via individual soil properties, to a georeferenced location. We examine three different multivariate regression techniques to predict GPS coordinates in two nested datasets. With a minimum of data processing, we show that in most instances Eastings and Northings can be predicted to within 20% of the range of each within the dataset using the spectral signatures produced via portable x-ray fluorescence. We also generate 50 and 95% confidence intervals of prediction and express these as a range of GPS coordinates. This approach has promise for future application in soil and environmental provenancing.

The potential for portable X-ray fluorescence determination of soil copper at ancient metallurgy sites, and considerations beyond measurements of total concentrations.

Copper (Cu) at ancient metallurgy sites represents the earliest instance of anthropogenically generated metal pollution. Such sites are spread across a wide range of environments from Eurasia to South America, and provide a unique opportunity to investigate the past and present extent and impact of metalworking contamination. Establishing the concentration and extent of soil Cu at archaeometallurgy sites can enhance archaeological interpretations of site use but can also, more fundamentally, provide an initial indication of contamination risk from such sites. Systematic evaluations of total soil Cu concentrations at ancient metalworking sites have not been conducted, due in part to the limitations of conventional laboratory-based protocols. In this paper, we first review what is known about Cu soil concentrations at ancient metallurgy sites. We then assess the benefits and challenges of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) as an alternative, rapid technique for the assessment of background and contaminant levels of Cu in soils. We conclude that pXRF is an effective tool for identifying potential contamination. Finally, we provide an overview of some major considerations beyond total Cu concentrations, such as bioavailability assessments, that will need to be considered at such sites to move toward a complete assessment of environmental and human risk.

DD3(PCA3) gene expression in cancer and prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: DD3(PCA3) is a novel gene with characteristics that indicate its potentially valuable role in early identification and diagnosis of malignancy and highly upregulated in transformed cells in PCa. The aim of this work was to validate and analyze, by real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), the expression of the DD3(PCA3)gene in a Mexican population, both in intratumoral tissue with PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Human samples from patients with PCa (40 cases) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (40 cases) were analyzed for the mRNA expression of DD3(PCA3)by RT-PCR RESULTS: The GAPDH gene showed better stability with a Pearson correlation of 0.953 (P < 0.007) for the determination of housekeeping gene. DD3(PCA3)gene expression was 29.74 times higher in PCa tissue (P < 0.0001) than in BPH. The gene expression for the PCa and BPH was 1731+/-280 and 58.23+/-9.9 fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Determination of DD3(PCA3)gene expression by RT-PCR could be a potentially tool for the early detection of PCa in clinical specimens.

[Treatment using plasma exchange of massive acute hemolysis. 15 cases]. / Traitement par échanges plasmatiques des hémolyses aiguës massives. 15 observations.

Fifteen patients admitted to an intensive care unit for massive acute hemolysis (MAH), defined by a free hemoglobinemia of more than 60 mumol/l, were treated by plasma exchange (PE) after a mean period following onset of 48.5 39 hours. The aim of plasma exchange therapy was to obtain early purification of hemoglobin and other substances released by red cell lysis and to prevent serious complications of MAH such as shock and RVHF or acute renal failure. Treatment by PE produced a decrease in initial hemoglobinemia of 76%, this level then remaining stable. The PE also appeared effective in the prevention and treatment of shock and RVHF, but much less so for installed acute renal failure. Comparison of results with those of a previous series of 16 patients with MAH treated by exsanguino-transfusion showed that PE was more effective, simpler to perform and less aggressive for early treatment of MAH, if rigorous conditions are applied.