Performance metrics based on signal intensity for ion mobility spectrometry--based explosive trace detectors using inkjet printed materials.

Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) explosive trace detectors (ETDs) have become an integral part of security practices aimed at protecting the public, transportation, and facilities. Despite their widespread deployment, quality control procedures that can evaluate day-to-day instrument performance or differences among units of the same manufacture are in need for development. In this work, we describe the preparation of test materials (TMs) using inkjet printing that have fixed dosing levels of two explosives; 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The uncertainty in the mass of dispensed solute is 0.8% (nominal 1 ng RDX and 5 ng or 20 ng PETN depending on ETD). TMs are stable under storage for at least 20 days at temperatures consistent with indoor and outdoor environments, and can be used by field personnel at deployed locations. Inkjet printing is shown to provide the necessary control over the spatial distribution of analyte on the substrate, thus limiting the variability in the signal response due to the sample. Measurements of signal intensities for two COTS ETDs were obtained from TMs over multi-year time spans and for multiple units of each ETD. Reproducibility in the signal response is shown to be between 6% and 15% RSD, or approximately double the within-day variability. The large datasets allow for the first time modeling of signal intensities with respect to normal distributions, which support the use of standard 3-sigma control practices.

The rate of internalization of the mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor is enhanced by multivalent ligand binding.

The cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (M6P/IGF-II receptor) undergoes constitutive endocytosis, mediating the internalization of two unrelated classes of ligands, mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P)-containing acid hydrolases and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II). To determine the role of ligand valency in M6P/IGF-II receptor-mediated endocytosis, we measured the internalization rates of two ligands, beta-glucuronidase (a homotetramer bearing multiple Man-6-P moieties) and IGF-II. We found that beta-glucuronidase entered the cell approximately 3-4-fold faster than IGF-II. Unlabeled beta-glucuronidase stimulated the rate of internalization of 125I-IGF-II to equal that of 125I-beta-glucuronidase, but a bivalent synthetic tripeptide capable of occupying both Man-6-P-binding sites on the M6P/IGF-II receptor simultaneously did not. A mutant receptor with one of the two Man-6-P-binding sites inactivated retained the ability to internalize beta-glucuronidase faster than IGF-II. Thus, the increased rate of internalization required a multivalent ligand and a single Man-6-P-binding site on the receptor. M6P/IGF-II receptor solubilized and purified in Triton X-100 was present as a monomer, but association with beta-glucuronidase generated a complex composed of two receptors and one beta-glucuronidase. Neither IGF-II nor the synthetic peptide induced receptor dimerization. These results indicate that intermolecular cross-linking of the M6P/IGF-II receptor occurs upon binding of a multivalent ligand, resulting in an increased rate of internalization.

Prevention of reocclusion by MCI-9038, a thrombin inhibitor, following t-PA-induced thrombolysis in a canine model of femoral arterial thrombosis.

We compared a selective thrombin inhibitor (MCI-9038; Argatroban), a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist (L-670,596) and a serotonin-2 receptor antagonist (ketanserin) for their ability to hasten clot lysis and delay reocclusion in a canine model of femoral arterial thrombosis. Occlusive thrombosis was induced by insertion of a thrombogenic copper coil. Femoral arterial blood flow velocity (FABFV) was monitored directly and continuously by Doppler flowmetry. Thrombolysis was induced with tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA; 0.8 mg/kg, i.v.), starting 60 min after thrombotic occlusion and continued for 90 min. Ten minutes after occlusion, dogs received an intravenous infusion of either vehicle, MCI-9038 (10 micrograms kg-1 min-1), ketanserin (0.1 mg/kg bolus plus 5 micrograms kg-1 min-1), L-670,596 (1 mg/kg bolus plus 17 micrograms kg-1 min-1) or a combination of L-670,596 and ketanserin. All infusions were discontinued 1 h after stopping the t-PA, and were followed by a 30 min observation period. The times to thrombolysis were similar for all treatments (mean +/- SEM = 47 +/- 3; all groups). MCI-9038 prevented reocclusion, defined as permanent cessation of FABFV during the hour after stopping the t-PA. All dogs receiving MCI-9038 reoccluded within 30 min after stopping its infusion (71 +/- 3 min). Reocclusion occurred in all other dogs, except one vehicle-treated dog and a second dog that received L-670,596 plus ketanserin. Vehicle-treated dogs reoccluded within 23 +/- 8 min. Reocclusion was not delayed significantly by ketanserin, L-670,596 or the combination of the two.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bleomycin induces the hsp 70 heat shock promoter in cultured cells.

Bleomycin-induced lung disease is characterized by cell injury followed by fibroblast proliferation. Cells respond to injury by synthesizing a family of heat shock proteins. These proteins are critical to cell survival, and those of the 70,000 MW group (hsp 70) are essential for cell division and proliferation. To evaluate the effect of bleomycin on heat shock gene expression, we transfected a gene construct containing the hsp 70 heat shock gene promoter into fibroblasts. Doses of bleomycin, which have previously been shown to augment lung fibroblast proliferation, induce the hsp 70 heat shock promoter in the transfected cells. Bleomycin did not induce the expression of a non-hsp promoter placed in cells as a control of nonspecific gene activation. These observations suggest that bleomycin exposure may cause significant alterations in important DNA promoter regions such as the hsp 70 promoter and point to new ways to assess bleomycin-induced changes in cells.