Instruments Inc Research Articles

Using ultrasound-targeted microbubble cavitation to open the blood–brain barrier for drug delivery in Alzheimer’s disease

Drug delivery for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is challenging due to restricted diffusion across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Ultrasound-targeted microbubble cavitation (UTMC) can be used to transiently open the BBB. We hypothesized that opening the BBB with UTMC would increase the brain concentration of LY2886721 (LY), an orally administered drug developed for AD, in 5XFAD mice, a model of AD. We treated the right hemisphere using an RK-50 system (FUS Instruments Inc). Definity microbubbles were injected, and ultrasound (1.45 MHz, 2 Hz pulse repetition frequency, 10 ms pulse length, 0.6 MPa for 30 s) was applied to 11 locations across the right hemisphere. Thirty minutes after UTMC, mice were administered LY (30 mg/kg p.o.). In one cohort, 45 min after dosing with LY, there was an increase in the concentration of LY in the UTMC-treated hemisphere compared to the non-UTMC treated hemisphere (p < 0.05). In a second cohort, 2.5 h after dosing with LY, there was a decrease in soluble Aβ;40 (p < 0.05), insoluble Aβ;40 (p < 0.05), and insoluble Aβ;42 (p < 0.05) in the UTMC-treated hemisphere compared to the non-UTMC treated hemisphere. UTMC can be used to open the BBB to increase the concentration of LY and decrease Aβ in a preclinical model of AD.

Enpro set to buy analyser and sensing technologies company

In the USA, Enpro Inc is set to acquire Advanced Micro Instruments Inc (AMI), a provider of application-specific analysers and sensing technologies that monitor critical parameters to maintain infrastructure integrity, enable process efficiency, enhance safety and help the transition to clean energy.

Dynamic postural control in women athletes with and without nonspecific low back pain with high and low pain-related anxiety- A case-control study

BackgroundLow back pain is common among athletes and it has been shown that postural control is altered in the general population with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). Psychological factors may also predispose individuals to risk of altered postural control. Dynamic postural control is essential to the performance of athletes. This study aimed to compare the dynamic postural control between women athletes with and without NSLBP with high and low pain-related anxiety.MethodsForty-five female athletes (15 NSLBP with high pain-related anxiety, 15 NSLBP with low pain-related anxiety, and 15 healthy (control)) were included. Pain-related anxiety was assessed using the Pain Anxiety Symptom Scale-20 (PASS-20). Based on the cut-off score of 30 for the total score of PASS-20, NSLBP patients were classified into two groups of low and high pain-related anxiety. Participants performed double-leg vertical drop jump (DVJ) and single-leg vertical jump (SVJ) tests on a Kistler force plate (type 9260AA6, Kistler Instruments Inc, Switzerland). The total root mean square (RMS) of the center of pressure (COP), COP displacement in the anteroposterior (AP), and mediolateral (ML) directions, COP mean velocity, and time to stabilization (TTS) in vertical, AP, and total directions were extracted from COP and ground reaction force data using MATLAB software. One-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Welch’s ANOVA were employed to compare the groups. In case of significant findings, post hoc tests were performed.ResultsThe results showed that during DJV, athletes with high pain-related anxiety had significantly greater TTS in all total, AP, and ML directions than other groups (P < 0.05). Also, the control group showed greater total RMS distance during DJV than either NSLBP group. However, no significant differences in TTS and COP parameters were found between the groups during SVJ (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that pain-related anxiety may contribute to athletes’ postural control strategies. Therefore, it is important to consider the level of pain-related anxiety during planning postural control exercises for women athletes with NSLBP.

Root Architecture and Development of American Grape Rootstocks Grafted with Foxy Grapes (Vitis labrusca L.) Cultivars

One of the important factors affecting rootstock performance in grafted grapevine production is root structure and its ability for different soil. In the present study, foxy grape varieties registered for the first time in the Black Sea Region in Turkey by the selection, and several American grape rootstocks were bench grafted. In this study; it is aimed to examine the root architecture of foxy grape grafted saplings for their root architecture and the development of rootstocks. In the experiment ‘Rizessi’, ‘Çeliksu’, ‘Ülkemiz’ and ‘Rizellim’ foxy grape cultivars grafted on 140Ru, SO4 and 110R rootstocks. WinRhizo root analysis program (Regent Instrument Inc. Canada, ver.2013) was used to determine rootstocks' architecture and development of grafted vine saplings. Roots prepared for scanning were placed on the scanning part of the device and transferred to the computer context. Root length and mean root diameter are two of the essential features that reveal the root architecture of rootstocks. In the study, root length (cm), root surface area (cm2), root diameter (mm), root volume (cm3), root tip number (piece), root branching number (piece), and root intersection number (piece) were determined. Total root length was determined between 330.05 - 595.40 cm ('Rizellim'/SO4 and 'Çeliksu'/140Ru) and mean root diameter of 2.04 - 3.13 mm ('Çeliksu'/140Ru and 'Rizessi'/110R). Negative relationships were found between root length and mean root diameter. Among the rootstocks, the highest root surface area was 399.67 cm2, root volume was 29.32 m3, the number of root tips was 1605.75, the number of root forks was 5421.89, and the number of root crossing was 671.61 on 110R rootstock. In all combinations obtained as a result of the study, it was determined that the rootstocks showed good root development and were in harmony with the new foxy grape cultivars.

Digital Seed Morphometric Analysis of Nigerian Cultivated Rice (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Oryza sativa&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Varieties Grown Under Guinea Savannah Agro-ecology

This study investigated the varietal differences for morphometric properties among Nigerian cultivated rice varieties. Twenty-two rice varieties were grown under rain fed conditions in guinea agro-ecology at National Agricultural Seed Council, Abuja, Nigeria in 2017 and 2018. After 30 days of harvest, seed samples were collected for morphometric evaluation. The seed samples were evaluated in laboratory of the Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta in 2017 and 2018 using completely randomized design in three replicates. Seeds obtained from the 22 varieties in two years were assessed for: six morphometric (physical) characters: seed projected area, seed straight length (mm), seed curve length (mm), seed straight width (mm), seed curved width (mm), seed width length (mm) and seed perimeter (mm) using an Epson Scanner connected to a computer device to acquire image of the seeds. A reagent instrument from Reagent Instrument Inc. Canada was used for the digital image analysis by running the custom written software WinSEEDLETM (Pro Version). Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance and means were separated using Tukey’s HSD at 5% probability level. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and principal component analyses were also used. Significant varietal differences were observed for all seed physical characters evaluated. Seed physical characters (projected area, curve length, seed width, seed length and perimeters) were higher in 2018 compared to 2017. WAB 189 had superior physical characters. FARO 62 and FARO 22 had the least values for most of the seed physical characters. Most of the seed morphometric characteristics were strongly associated with one another. PC1 with seed projected area, straight length, seed straight width, seed curved width and seed perimeter contributed to the total variation observed. The study concluded that WAB 189 and FARO 50 with superior seed physical characters should be used for future seed improvement programme.

Focus on lasers, imaging, microscopy, and nanoscience

Focus on lasers, imaging, microscopy, and nanoscience

Focus on analytical equipment, spectroscopy, and spectrometry

Focus on analytical equipment, spectroscopy, and spectrometry

Uncertainty assessment of unattended above-water radiometric data collection from research vessels with the Dynamic Above-water Radiance (L) and Irradiance (E) Collector (DALEC).

We used above- and below-water radiometry measurements collected during a research voyage in the eastern Indian Ocean to assess uncertainties in deriving the remote sensing reflectance, Rrs, from unattended above-water radiometric data collection with the In-Situ Marine Optics Pty. Ltd. (IMO) Dynamic Above-water Radiance (L) and Irradiance (E) Collector (DALEC). To achieve this, the Rrs values derived from using the latest version of this hyperspectral radiometer were compared to values obtained from two in-water profiling radiometer systems of rather general use in the ocean optics research community, i.e., the Biospherical Instruments Inc. Compact Optical Profiling System (C-OPS) and the Seabird HyperPro II. Our results show that unattended, carefully quality-controlled, DALEC measurements provide Rrs for wavelengths < 600 nm that match those derived from the in-water systems with no bias and a dispersion of about 8%, provided that the appropriate technique is used to quantify the contribution of sky light reflection to the measured signal. The dispersion is larger (25-50%) for red bands, which is expected for clear oligotrophic waters as encountered during the voyage, where ∼2 10-5 < Rrs < ∼2 10-4 sr-1. For comparison, the two in-water systems provided Rrs in agreement within 4% for wavelengths < 600 nm.

XRF ANALYSIS OF ARSENIC AND SELECTED METALS IN CONTAMINATED SAND FROM THE DISMANTLING OF INDUSTRIAL DISTILLATION PLANTS

This paper refers to the application of XRF method for the simultaneous determination of arsenic and selected metals from waste samples resulted from the dismanlting of distilleries in the perimeter of Azomures S.A., Mures County, Romania. The dismantling operation was carried out by a specialized Romanian company, and from this operation resulted several refractory construction wastes, such as sands with a very high content of arsenic and its chemical compounds. In order to determine the arsenic and other metals concentration, the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectrometric technique was employed. Application of the ED-XRF method was performed in an accredited laboratory for the determination of toxic substances from various samples, using a Genius portable XRF (p-XRF) spectrometer manufactured by Skyray Instruments Inc.

Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements between Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography, Ultrasound Pachymetry and Ocular Biometry

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements and their reproducibility when taken by Ultrasound Pachymetry, Ocular Biometry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).&#x0D; Methods: Twenty-five healthy volunteers were recruited creating a sample size of 50 eyes. All subjects had pachymetric measurements by Ultrasound pachymetry (PachPen Handheld Pachymeter, Keeler Instruments Inc), Ocular biometry (IOL Master 700 Swept Source Biometry, Zeiss) and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (Optovue Avanti RTVue XR Angiovue). The measurements of central corneal thickness for the three devices were taken by the same examiner twice for more accuracy.&#x0D; Results: The average measurements of central corneal thickness by Ultrasound pachymetry (PachPen Handheld Pachymeter, Keeler Instruments Inc), Ocular biometry (IOL Master 700 Swept Source Biometry, Zeiss) and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (Optovue Avanti RTVue XR Angiovue) were 547.26 μm, 551.36 μm, and 536.42 μm, respectively. The mean standard deviation (SD) of repeated measurements by Ocular biometry was 48.87 μm, which was greater than the mean SD of 44.24 μm and 40.35 μm (P &lt; 0.001) by ultrasound pachymetry and Angiovue optical coherence tomography, respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the measurement results among the 3 methods (Ultrasound pachymetry vs. Ocular biometry P = 0.019; Ultrasound pachymetry vs. Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography; P &lt; 0.001; Ocular biometry vs. Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography P &lt; 0.001). There was a significant linear correlation between the Ultrasound pachymetry and Ocular biometry (r = 0.945, P&lt;0.001), Ultrasound pachymetry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (r = 0.895, P&lt;0.001), and Ocular biometry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography (r = 0.902, P&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Central corneal thickness readings were comparable between PachPen Handheld Pachymeter, IOL Master 700 Biometry and Angiovue Optical Coherence Tomography; Angiovue optical coherence tomography gave significantly smaller values. The measurements of the 3 methods showed significant linear correlations with one another. All methods provided acceptable repeatability of measurements.

Fentanyl impairs but ketamine preserves the microcirculatory response to hemorrhage.

Peripheral vasoconstriction is the most critical compensating mechanism following hemorrhage to maintain blood pressure. On the battlefield, ketamine rather than opioids is recommended for pain management in case of hemorrhage, but effects of analgesics on compensatory vasoconstriction are not defined. We hypothesized that fentanyl impairs but ketamine preserves the peripheral vasoconstriction and blood pressure compensation following hemorrhage. Sprague-Dawley rats (11-13 weeks) were randomly assigned to control (saline vehicle), fentanyl, or ketamine-treated groups with or without hemorrhage (n = 8 or 9 for each group). Rats were anesthetized with Inactin (i.p. 10 mg/100 g), and the spinotrapezius muscles were prepared for microcirculatory observation. Arteriolar arcades were observed with a Nikon microscope, and vessel images and arteriolar diameters were recorded by using Nikon NIS Elements Imaging Software (Nikon Instruments Inc. NY). After baseline perimeters were recorded, the arterioles were topically challenged with saline, fentanyl, or ketamine at concentrations relevant to intravenous analgesic doses to determine direct vasoactive effects. After arteriolar diameters returned to baseline, 30% of total blood volume was removed in 25 minutes. Ten minutes after hemorrhage, rats were intravenously injected with an analgesic dose of fentanyl (0.6 μg/100 g), ketamine (0.3 mg/100 g), or a comparable volume of saline. For each drug or vehicle administration, the total volume injected was 0.1 mL/100 g. Blood pressure, heart rate, and arteriolar responses were monitored for 40 minutes. Topical fentanyl-induced vasodilation (17 ± 2%), but ketamine caused vasoconstriction (-15 ± 4%, p < 0.01). Following hemorrhage, intravenous ketamine did not affect blood pressure or respiratory rate, while fentanyl induced a slight and transient (<5 minutes, p = 0.03 vs. saline group) decrease in blood pressure, with a profound and prolonged suppression in respiratory rate (>10 minutes, with a peak inhibition of 57 ± 8% of baseline, p < 0.01). The compensatory vasoconstriction observed after hemorrhage was not affected by ketamine treatment. However, after fentanyl injection, although changes in blood pressure were transiently present, arteriolar constriction to hemorrhage was absent and replaced with a sustained vasodilation (78 ± 25% to 36 ± 22% of baseline during the 40 minutes after injection, p < 0.01). Ketamine affects neither systemic nor microcirculatory compensatory responses to hemorrhage, providing preclinical evidence that ketamine may help attenuate adverse physiological consequences associated with opioids following traumatic hemorrhage. Microcirculatory responses are more sensitive than systemic response for evaluation of hemodynamic stability during procedures associated with pain management.

Focus on photonics, spectrometry, and spectroscopy

Focus on photonics, spectrometry, and spectroscopy

Relationship of Corneal Hysteresis and Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Displacement in Glaucoma

To investigate the relationship between corneal hysteresis (CH) and anterior lamina cribrosa surface (ALCS) displacement over time in a cohort of patients with glaucoma. Prospective observational case series. In this study, 147 eyes from 96 glaucoma or glaucoma suspect patients were followed for a mean of 3.5 years and 7.9 visits. Baseline CH measurements were obtained using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA; Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments Inc, Depew, New York, USA). The mean anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth (ALCSD) and choroidal thickness were by automated segmentation of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans. The rate of change of ALCSD was calculated using linear mixed effects models. Relationship between baseline CH and follow-up ALCSD rate of change was adjusted for confounding factors, including age, intraocular pressure (IOP), and choroidal thickness. The mean baseline CH was 9.4mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.1-9.7). Overall, the ALCS was displaced posteriorly at a rate of 0.78μm/y (95% CI-1.82, 0.26). Seventeen eyes (11.5%) showed a significant posterior displacement of ALCS, whereas 22 eyes (15.0%) showed a significant anterior displacement of ALCS. The choroidal thickness thinned at a rate of-1.09μm/y during the follow-up (P= .001). Multivariable mixed modeling showed that choroidal thinning, lower IOP change, and lower corneal hysteresis were significantly associated with posterior ALCS displacement over time (P= .034, P= .037, and P= .048). Each 1mm lower CH was associated with 0.66μm/y posterior displacement of the ALCS. Lower corneal hysteresis was significantly associated with posterior displacement of the anterior lamina cribrosa over time. These data provide additional support for lower corneal hysteresis being a risk factor for glaucoma progression.

Focus on test, measurement, and analytical equipment

Focus on test, measurement, and analytical equipment

Focus on photonics, spectroscopy, and spectrometry

Focus on photonics, spectroscopy, and spectrometry

Focus on analytical equipment, sensors, and instrumentation

Focus on analytical equipment, sensors, and instrumentation

Obtaining a Sustainable Competitive Advantage from Patent Information: A Patent Analysis of the Graphene Industry

Graphene serves as the most disruptive material in the twenty-first century and plays an unsubstitutable role in solving the sustainable development problems of energy crises, water shortages, and environmental pollution. Recently, obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage (SCA) in the field of graphene has gained increasing attention from both researchers and practitioners. However, few attempts have been made to summarize the SCA of this field by applying patent information. Basing on a patent-based multi-level perspective (MLP), this study aims to develop an approach to identify SCA in the target technological area by conducting a patent review from the comprehensive perspectives of the macro landscape, meso socio-technical system, and micro niches, and then integrate patent analysis with technology life cycle (TLC) theory to examine patents involving global technological competition. The effectiveness of the approach is verified with a case study on graphene. The results show that the graphene field is an emerging and fast-growing technological field, with an increasing number of patents over the year. The TLC of graphene technology demonstrated an approximate S shape, with China, the U.S., Korea, and Japan filing the largest number of graphene patents. Evidenced by Derwent Manual Codes, we found an increase in consideration given to technological application and material preparation topics over time, and research hotspots and fronts that have SCA. In terms of a leading country or region with SCA, the U.S., with a high foreign patent filing rate, large number of high forward citation patents, strong assignees’ competitive position, and large number of high-strength patents, was still the most powerful leader, with a higher SCA in the graphene industry. Korea also obtained a relatively higher SCA and will be a promising competitor in this field. Although China was shown to be catching-up very rapidly in the total number of graphene patents, the apparent innovation gaps in the foreign patent filing rate, high value patents, and Industry-University-Research Collaboration will obviously hamper Chinese catch-up efforts for obtaining SCA. As for patentees, the most powerful leaders with a higher SCA represented by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, International Business Machines Corp, and Nanotek Instruments Inc were identified. In addition, most of the high strength patents were owned by the above patentees. Further, valuable contributions to the understanding of SCA in graphene technology were summarized. First, the proposed patent-based MLP provides a new and comprehensive analytical framework for review research, as well as SCA analysis, and extends its research perspectives. Second, it introduces patent indicators to the previous MLP model, and provides a new theoretical perspective for the study of technological innovation in the previous MLP model. Third, this paper employs the TLC theory to explore the dynamic SCA in the given technology field, which further develops the concept of the MLP model from the temporal dimension. Finally, future research directions were demonstrated. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic review of this field using patent analysis, comprehensively acknowledging the current technological competition and development in the graphene field and that of the future, and can be applied to various other emerging technology fields.

Focus on software, data acquisition, and instrumentation

Focus on software, data acquisition, and instrumentation

Focus on lasers, imaging, and microscopy

Focus on lasers, imaging, and microscopy

Focus on nanotechnology, lasers, and imaging

Focus on nanotechnology, lasers, and imaging