OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Platelets reside at the nexus of thrombosis and inflammation which make them an ideal target of investigation to understand mechanisms underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related inflammatory and thrombotic dysregulation. Our objective is to determine whether a pro-inflammatory state in CKD is exacerbated by platelets. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Aim 1 will investigate effects of engineered reduction in the interaction of platelets with leukocytes [by disruption of one of the platelet surface receptor (GPIb-IX)] in the development of CKD in murine models. Aim 2 will investigate effects of platelet inhibitors on the development of CKD in murine models. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We anticipate that the proposed studies in Aim 1 will demonstrate reduction in the interaction of platelets with leukocytes results in exacerbation of kidney injury upon CKD induction with cisplatin. We also anticipate that inhibition of platelets in Aim 2 with P2Y12 receptor inhibitors results in reduction in kidney injury upon CKD induction with cisplatin. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Upon successful completion of the proposed studies, we shall be able to better describe the role of platelets as modulators of inflammation in CKD. This will be a significant stride towards understanding the pathophysiology of a pro-inflammatory state in CKD and how platelets exacerbate inflammation and thrombosis in this population.

Childhood Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology persists in a substantial proportion of cases into adult life. ADHD is highly heritable but the etiology of ADHD is complex and heterogeneous, involving both genetic and non-genetic factors. In the present paper we analyzed the influence of both genetics and adverse life events on severity of ADHD symptoms in 110 adult ADHD patients. Subjects were genotyped for the norepinephrine transporter (NET), the Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), the serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (SERTPR) and the more rare A/G variant within SERTPR. Three main outcomes were obtained: (1) adverse events showed a small but positive correlation with current ADHD severity; (2) NET, COMT and the A/G variant within SERTPR were not associated with ADHD severity; (3) taking into account stressors, the long (L) SERTPR variant showed a mild effect on ADHD, being associated with an increased severity, particularly as regard affective dysregulations; on the other hand, in subjects exposed to early stressors, it showed a protective effect, as compared to the S variant (see table). In conclusion, our data support the role of environmental factors in adult ADHD symptomatology. SERTPR may be involved in some features of the illness and act as a moderator of environmental influences in ADHD.

One of the most important isotopes to be considered for disposal in the proposed UK Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for higher-activity radioactive wastes will be 99Tc, due to its long half-life, high fission yield and ability to migrate through the geosphere as the pertechnetate ion. Much of the Tc is likely to be in the lower Tc(IV) oxidation state due to the low Eh in the near field. Batch Tc(IV) sorption experiments have been performed from pH 3–13, using 95mTc as a spike, in the presence of quartz, hematite, goethite, plagioclase feldspar, sand and shale. Solutions containing Tc(IV) were prepared at trace concentrations to avoid precipitation of TcO2. Values for the partition coefficient (Rd) were found to range from ∽4 up to ∽2 × 104 cm3 g–1. Rd was heavily dependent on pH in all cases, with the highest values being found in the circumneutral area. These data will inform the performance assessment for the near-field behaviour of technetium in the UK's planned higher-activity wastes GDF. Surface complexation modelling has been performed, fitting the data using both monodentate and bidentate binding models.

Background: Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES) is a rare clinico-radiological entity associated with multiple etiologies including infection, metabolic, and epileptic disorders. We describe the case of a child with a reversible splenial lesion who presented with encephalopathy and prior history of episodic ataxia. Methods: A 3-year-old girl presented to the Stollery Children’s hospital with three days of respiratory symptoms followed by acute onset ataxia and encephalopathy. Blood, respiratory samples, and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) were drawn to investigate for infectious, autoimmune, and metabolic causes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was done and repeated. Results: A respiratory panel tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), enterovirus, and rhinovirus. CSF analysis revealed elevated white blood cell count (283). MRI brain demonstrated diffusion restriction involving the posterior body and splenium of the corpus callosum and bilateral middle cerebral peduncles, which resolved nine days later. The patient received high-dose steroids with gradual improvement in the encephalopathy and ataxia. Conclusions: This report contributes to the complexities in clinical understanding of RESLES, as it highlights a novel presentation with ataxia and encephalopathy. The patient’s diagnosis was complicated by previous ataxic episodes of unknown etiology, which allows further consideration of a metabolic or genetic ataxic syndrome and its relationship to encephalopathy.

The temporal correlation between neutron and hard X-ray (HXR) emissions from a hundred joules plasma focus device (PF-400J) was studied. A method, time history analysis, to estimate the time of origin of neutrons with respect to HXRs is applied. In most of the discharges, it was found that neutrons are originated before HXRs in the axial direction and after HXRs in the radial direction. In some discharges, the time difference between HXRs and neutrons origin was found large enough, so that it can be interpreted that those neutrons would have been originated before the pinch. A qualitative discussion is conjectured to explain the experimental observations.

National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) will be a 3-GeV 792 m circumference third generation synchrotron radiation facility with ultra low emittance and extremely high brightness. There will be a total of 90 multipole storage ring girders supporting the vacuum chambers, multipole magnets and various pieces of ancillary equipment. A major effort is being made to meet the stringent assembly and alignment requirements for the girder assemblies using relatively few and removable positioning fixtures. Girder assembly and alignment will be accomplished in four phases. Each of these phases will be described along with the fixtures required.

To describe the key strategies and potential pitfalls involved with implementing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Prevention Initiative in a qualitative evaluation, we conducted in-depth interviews with MRSA Prevention Coordinators at 17 VA ß sites at 2 time points during program implementation.

“Solar X-ray Spectrometer (SOXS)” mission on-board GSAT-2 Indian spacecraft was launched on 08 May 2003 by GSLV-D2 and deployed in geostationery orbit to study the X-ray emission from solar flares with high spectral and temporal resolution. The SOXS consists of two independent payloads viz. SOXS Low Energy Detector (SLD) payload, and SOXS High Energy Detector (SHD) payload. The SLD consists of two solid state detectors Si PIN and CZT, which cover the energy range from 4-60 keV, while the SHD has NaI(Tl)/CsI(Na) sandwiched phoswich detector that covers energy range from 20 keV to 10 MeV. We present very briefly the science objectives and instrumentation of SLD payload. After the successful In-orbit Tests (IOT), the first light was fed into SLD payload on 08 June 2003 when the solar flare was already in progress. We briefly present the first results from the SLD payload.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following VS removal is a challenging complication. With experience, it can be seen that anatomical factors such as the extent of pneumatization of the petrous temporal bone and posterior wall of the internal auditory canal play animportant role in contributing to CSF leak. Nevertheless, the risk of post-operative CSF leak remains a major concern for both the surgeon and patient. This paper describes a technique, which we have used since 1994, and which has helped us to achieve the lowest reported rate of post-operative CSF leak in translabyrinthine excision of vestibular schwannoma in the world literature.

The stacking sequence of several layers of self-assembled semiconducting CdSe nanoparticles has been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. FCC, HCP, saddle sites occupation and ring structures were found coexisting in the supercrystals formed by CdSe nanoparticles.

Dengue fever (DF) or dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) has not previously been reported in Coimbatore and Erode districts in Tamil Nadu in India. In 1998, 20 hospitalized cases of fever tested positive for dengue virus IgM and/or IgG antibodies. All of them had dengue-compatible illness, and at least four had DHF. Two of them died. Sixteen cases were below 10 years of age. The cases were scattered in 15 distantly located villages and 5 urban localities that had a high Aedes aegypti population. Although the incidence of dengue-like illness has not increased recently, almost 89% (95/107) of samples from healthy persons in the community tested positive for dengue IgG antibodies. The study showed that dengue has been endemic in the area, but was not suspected earlier. A strong laboratory-based surveillance system is essential to monitor and control DF/DHF.

Xerogel films of high porosity were fabricated using an ambient pressure technique. The same porosity can be obtained with different microstructures by varying the aging time of the films. The dielectric constant of these films as a function of porosity at 1 MHz follows correlations originally developed for bulk aerogels. Diffusion of copper is orders of magnitude faster in these xerogels than in the corresponding thermal oxide. An activation energy of 0.9 eV was estimated based on a convective diffusion model.

We report the integration of six levels of Cu interconnects using dual inlaid patterning in a 0.2 μm logic technology. A review of process technology as well as device performance shortcomings using conventional aluminum metallization has been presented. Two tantalum based barriers, TaNx and Ta-Si-N as well as a titanium based barrier, CVD TiN, have been evaluated for their applicability. The use of embedded barriers wherein the barrier is formed below the surface of the dielectric has also been discussed as a potential option. No degradation to the device front-end parametrics were found with the choice of an appropriate barrier. Planarization by Cu CMP introduces surface topography that needs to be minimized in order to process multiple levels of interconnects within specified sheet resistance distributions for a range of line widths. Excellent results with highly planarized levels of metallization have consistently been achieved through an optimization of the unit processes and device integration.