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A theoretical expression that describes the influence of instrumental errors in the determination of residual stress by energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDXRD) is derived. The calculation predicts the shift in the diffraction peak energy with variation in the angle 5u as a function of the misalignment parameters. A simple model that allows evaluation and monitoring of instrumental adjustment for residual stress measurements by EDXRD is shown. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical data is obtained using the model developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recently proposed experiment that demonstrates the feasibility of carrying out a one-way measurement of the speed of light was performed using a time of flight technique. A single oscillator amplitude modulates a He-Ne laser beam, which transverses a distance to a sensor. The output signal returns via a coaxial cable to a digital oscilloscope where the phase difference between the reference and the sensor signals is measured as a function of the distance traveled by the light. The results, within 0.4% of the accepted value of c, prove the feasibility of measuring the speed of light moving in one direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article published in the previous issue of the journal is presented which focuses on an erroneous measurement of the speed of a signal in an experiment regarding the direction of the speed of light.

Three years experience with the GE (9.6 MeV) Mini Trace cyclotron is given of the synthesis and quality control of 18FDG for PET imaging. The cyclotron allows the specific production of 29.6 GBq/h-1 of 18F with proton irradiation on a H2 18O target. The radioisotope is transported to the TRACERLab MXFDG unit, where the synthesis of marked deoxyglucose is carried out frommannose triflate. During this process the trifluoromethane-sulfonate group is substituted by 18F. The sterile and pyrogen free ABX kit, containing the necesary reagents, is employed in a computer driven system. The whole processing time is 25 minutes. After sterilization of 18FDG quality control is carried out by cromatography and radiocromatography analysis (HPLC, TLC), which determines the radiochemical and radioisotopic purity including residual chemicals (acetonitrile, ethanol, Kriptofix). The product sterility and apirogenity is part of the analysis. Results indicate that the radionuclide purity is better than 99.5%, and its labelling efficiency above 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Radon and thoron concentrations in soil pores in a gas production region of the Anzoategui State, Venezuela, were determined by active and passive methods. In this region, water wells are contaminated by natural gas and gas leaks exist in the nearby river. Based on soil gas Radon data surface hydrocarbon seeps were identified. Radon and thoron concentration maps show anomalously high values near the river gas leaks decreasing in the direction of water wells where natural gas is also detected. The area where the highest concentrations of 222Rn were detected seems to indicate the surface projection of the aquifer contaminated with natural gas. The Radon/Thoron ratio revealed a micro-localized anomaly, indicating the area where the gas comes from deep layers of the subsoil. The radon map determined by the passive method showed a marked positive anomaly around abandoned gas wells. The high anomalous Radon concentration localized near the trails of ascending gas bubbles at the river indicates the zone trough where natural gases are ascending with greater ease, associated with a deep geological fault, being this the main source of methane penetration into the aquifer. It is suggested that the source of the natural gas may be due to leaks at deep sites along the structure of some of the abandoned wells located at the North-East of the studied area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus. Despite its high prevalence and recent advances in molecular science, many aspects of endometriosis and its pathophysiology are still poorly understood. Previously, in vitro and in vivo modelling have been instrumental in establishing our current understanding of endometriosis. As the field of molecular science and the advance towards personalised medicine is ever increasing, more sophisticated models are continually being developed. These hold great potential to provide more intricate knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and facilitate investigations into potential future approaches to diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an overview of different in vitro and in vivo models of endometriosis that are pertinent to establishing our current understanding. Moreover, we discuss new cross-cutting approaches to endometriosis modelling, such as the use of microfluidic cultures and 3D printing, which have the potential to shape the future of endometriosis research.

Understanding of molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathophysiology of endometriosis, and upstream drivers of lesion formation, remains limited. Using a C57Bl/6 mouse model in which decidualized endometrial tissue is injected subcutaneously in the abdomen of recipient mice, we generated a comprehensive profile of gene expression in decidualized endometrial tissue (n=4), and in endometriosis-like lesions at Day 7 (n=4) and Day 14 (n=4) of formation. High-throughput mRNA sequencing allowed identification of genes and pathways involved in the initiation and progression of endometriosis-like lesions. We observed distinct patterns of gene expression with substantial differences between the lesions and the decidualized endometrium that remained stable across the two lesion timepoints, and showed similarity to transcriptional changes implicated in human endometriosis lesion formation. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed several immune and inflammatory response-associated canonical pathways, multiple potential upstream regulators, and involvement of genes not previously implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis, including IRF2BP2 and ZBTB10, suggesting novel roles in disease progression. Collectively, the provided data will be a useful resource to inform research on the molecular mechanisms contributing to endometriosis-like lesion development in this mouse model., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2024. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Endometriosis negatively impacts the health-related quality of life of 190 million women worldwide. Novel advances in nonhormonal treatments for this debilitating condition are desperately needed. Macrophages play a vital role in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and represent a promising therapeutic target. In the current study, we revealed the full transcriptomic complexity of endometriosis-associated macrophage subpopulations using single-cell analyses in a preclinical mouse model of experimental endometriosis. We have identified two key lesion-resident populations that resemble i) tumor-associated macrophages (characterized by expression of Folr2 , Mrc1 , Gas6, and Ccl8+ ) that promoted expression of Col1a1 and Tgfb1 in human endometrial stromal cells and increased angiogenic meshes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and ii) scar-associated macrophages ( Mmp12, Cd9, Spp1, Trem2 +) that exhibited a phenotype associated with fibrosis and matrix remodeling. We also described a population of proresolving large peritoneal macrophages that align with a lipid-associated macrophage phenotype ( Apoe, Saa3, Pid1 ) concomitant with altered lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux. Gain of function experiments using an Apoe mimetic resulted in decreased lesion size and fibrosis, and modification of peritoneal macrophage populations in the preclinical model. Using cross-species analysis of mouse and human single-cell datasets, we determined the concordance of peritoneal and lesion-resident macrophage subpopulations, identifying key similarities and differences in transcriptomic phenotypes. Ultimately, we envisage that these findings will inform the design and use of specific macrophage-targeted therapies and open broad avenues for the treatment of endometriosis., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.