Identifying metabolites by integrating metabolome databases with mass spectrometry cheminformatics.

Novel metabolites distinct from canonical pathways can be identified through the integration of three cheminformatics tools: BinVestigate, which queries the BinBase gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolome database to match unknowns with biological metadata across over 110,000 samples; MS-DIAL 2.0, a software tool for chromatographic deconvolution of high-resolution GC-MS or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); and MS-FINDER 2.0, a structure-elucidation program that uses a combination of 14 metabolome databases in addition to an enzyme promiscuity library. We showcase our workflow by annotating N-methyl-uridine monophosphate (UMP), lysomonogalactosyl-monopalmitin, N-methylalanine, and two propofol derivatives

Cidofovir for BK Virus-Associated Hemorrhagic Cystitis: A Retrospective Study

Background.BK virus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis (BKV-HC) is a severe complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but antiviral treatment for this condition has not been evaluated. Methods.We conducted a retrospective survey on the safety and outcome of cidofovir treatment for patients with BKV-HC in centers affiliated with the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Results.From 1 April 2004 to 31 December 2007, 62 patients received a diagnosis of BKV-HC after a median interval of 35 days after HSCT (range, 3-577 days). Fifty-seven patients (92%) received intravenous cidofovir, whereas 5 patients received cidofovir intravesically. Complete response (CR) was recorded in 38 (67%) of 57 patients with HC treated with intravenous cidofovir, whereas partial response (PR) was documented in 7 patients (12%). CR was documented in 3 patients and PR in 1 patient with HC treated with intravesical cidofovir. A reduction of 1-3 logs in BKV load was documented in 8 of the 10 patients achieving CR. Mild-to-moderate toxic effects were recorded in 18 of 57 patients who received intravenous cidofovir administration. In a multivariate analysis, the factors significantly associated with response to cidofovir were the stem cell source (P=.01) and the use of total body irradiation (P=.03). After a median follow-up of 287 days, overall survival and total treatment-related mortality rates were 63% and 40% for patients achieving CR, compared with 14% and 72% for patients with PR or no response to cidofovir, respectively (P<.001 and P=.001, respectively). Conclusions.Cidofovir may be a potentially effective therapy for BKV-HC, but evidence supporting its use requires randomized controlled trial

Use of haploidentical stem cell transplantation continues to increase: the 2015 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant activity survey report.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an established procedure for many acquired and congenital disorders of the hematopoietic system. A record number of 42 171 HSCT in 37 626 patients (16 030 allogeneic (43%), 21 596 autologous (57%)) were reported by 655 centers in 48 countries in 2015. Trends include continued growth in transplant activity over the last decade, with the highest percentage increase seen in middle-income countries but the highest absolute growth in the very-high-income countries in Europe. Main indications for HSCT were myeloid malignancies 9413 (25%; 96% allogeneic), lymphoid malignancies 24 304 (67%; 20% allogeneic), solid tumors 1516 (4%; 3% allogeneic) and non-malignant disorders 2208 (6%; 90% allogeneic). Remarkable is the decreasing use of allogeneic HSCT for CLL from 504 patients in 2011 to 255 in 2015, most likely to be due to new drugs. Use of haploidentical donors for allogeneic HSCT continues to grow: 2012 in 2015, a 291% increase since 2005. Growth is seen for all diseases. In AML, haploidentical HSCT increases similarly for patients with advanced disease and for those in CR1. Both marrow and peripheral blood are used as the stem cell source for haploidentical HSCT with higher numbers reported for the latter.Bone Marrow Transplantation advance online publication, 13 March 2017; doi:10.1038/bmt.2017.34

Application of statistical and neural approaches to the daily load profiles modelling in power distribution systems

Load modelling is, an essential task in economic analysis, operation and planning of distribution systems. Particularly, when a Demand Side Managemenf system is taken into account on a deregulated energy market the knowledge of load profiles is of the greatest importance. Forecas>ting of daily demand, based upon load models, uses comparable load research data for a different customer mix. For the given season and day of the week the shape of a daily load curve depends mainly on the customer composition. Difficulties in defining objective customer classes significantly complicate the forecasting process. Usage of statistical clustering and neural network approach makes possible to improve the load modelling accuracy. This paper presents load modelling methods useful for the long term planning of power distribution systems. Theoretical statement is illustrated by examples which correspond to Polish and German distribution systems.Joanicjusz Nazark

The Fuzzy Approach to Energy Losses Calculations in Low Voltage Distribution Networks

The occurrence of electric energy losses is connected with the energy production, transmission and distribution processes. The proper computing of electric energy losses is one of the most complex problems in power distribution system analysis, demanding consideration of many factors. The accessibility and credibility of data used in calculations is of the greatest importance here. The careful analysis of system losses is desirable in this respect. "Tis article presents the mathematical model of electric energy losses in low voltage networks with application of fuzzy sets theory. Usage a fuzzy approach makes possible to improve loss calculations accuracy. Theoretical statement is illustrated by an example which corresponds to Polish distribution system.Joanicjusz Nazark

GC-MS analysis of steroids and triterpenoids occurring in leaves and tubers of Tamus edulis Lowe

Tamus edulis Lowe is an endemic perennial plant belonging to Dioscoreaceae family. The plant has long climbing stems, ovate leaves, flowers in spikes, fleshy red berries and long tuberous roots. Young shoots and tuberous roots of T. edulis were used traditionally for nourishment and as a herbal medicine. Leaves and roots analyzed in the present study were collected in the northwest of Madeira island. The GC–MS analysis allowed to detect several steroids in free forms in diethyl ether extracts; and diosgenin with its isomer, yamogenin, in hydrolyzates from methanolic extracts.The obtained results reveal that Tamus edulis has some features common with other Dioscorea species, e.g., the presence of steroidal saponins with diosgenin and yamogenin as aglycones, or the phytosterol composition with predominating sitosterol. However, some other traits, like the relatively high content of free steroids (more than 1 mg/g d.w.) and their profile rich in cholesterol derivatives, can distinguish Tamus edulis from other Dioscorea species studied previously for their steroid and triterpenoid profile.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aggressive fibromatosis of the head and neck: a new classification based on a literature review over 40 years (1968-2008)

BACKGROUND: Fibromatosis is an aggressive fibrous tumor of unknown etiology that is, in some cases, lethal. Until now, there has been no particular classification for the head and neck. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to review the current literature in order to propose a new classification for future studies. METHODS: An evidence-based literature review was conducted from the last 40 years regarding aggressive fibromatosis in the head and neck. Studies that summarized patients' data without including individual data were excluded. RESULTS: Between 1968 and 2008, 179 cases with aggressive fibromatosis of the head and neck were published. The male to female ratio was 91 to 82 with a mean age of 16.87 years, and 57.32% of the described cases that involved the head and neck were found in patients under 11 years. The most common localization was the mandible, followed by the neck. All together, 143 patients were followed up, and in 43 (30.07%), a recurrence was seen. CONCLUSION: No clear prognostic factors for recurrence (age, sex, or localization) were observed. A new classification with regard to hormone receptors and bone involvement could improve the understanding of risk factors and thereby assist in future studies

Fuzzy model for energy losses calculation in low voltage distribution networks

The proper electric energy losses computing is one of the most complex problems in power distribution system analysis, demanding consideration of many factors. The accessibility and credibility of data used in calculations is of the greatest importance here. The careful analysis of system losses is desirable in this respect. This article presents the mathematical model of electric energy losses in low voltage networks with application of fuzzy sets theory. Using a fuzzy approach makes possible to improve loss calculations accuracy. Theoretical statement is illustrated by an example which corresponds to Polish distribution system.Joanicjusz Nazark