Nanoparticle (NP) determination has recently gained considerable interest since a growing number of engineered NPs are being used in commercial products. As a result, their potential to enter the ...environment and biological systems is increasing. In this study, we report on the development of a hyphenated analytical technique for the detection and characterization of metal-containing NPs, i.e., their metal mass fraction, size, and number concentration. Hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC), suitable for sizing NPs within the range of 5 to 300 nm, was coupled online to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), providing for an extremely selective and sensitive analytical tool for the detection of NPs. However, a serious drawback when operating the ICPMS in its conventional mode is that it does not provide data regarding NP number concentrations and, thus, any information about the metal mass fraction of individual NPs. To address this limitation, we developed single particle (SP) ICPMS coupled online to HDC as an analytical approach suitable for simultaneously determining NP size, NP number concentration, and NP metal content. Gold (Au) NPs of various sizes were used as the model system. To achieve such characterization metrics, three calibrations were required and used to convert ICPMS signal spikes into NPs injected, NP retention time on the HDC column to NP size, and ions detected per signal spike or per NP to metal content in each NP. Two calibration experiments were required in order to make all three calibrations. Also, contour plots were constructed in order to provide for a convenient and most informative viewing of this data. An example of this novel analytical approach was demonstrated for the analysis of Au NPs that had been spiked into drinking water at the ng Au L–1 level. The described technique gave limits of detection for 60 nm Au NPs of approximately 2.2 ng Au L–1 or expressed in terms of NP number concentrations of 600 Au NPs mL–1. These were obtained while the 60 nm NPs exhibited a retention time of 771 s at a mobile phase flow rate of 1 mL min–1.
Suicidal behaviors are frequent in mood disorders patients but only a subset of them ever complete suicide. Understanding predisposing factors for suicidal behaviors in high risk populations is of ...major importance for the prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviors. The objective of this project was to investigate gene expression changes associated with suicide in brains of mood disorder patients by microarrays (Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus2.0) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC: 6 Non-suicides, 15 suicides), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC: 6NS, 9S) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc: 8NS, 13S). ANCOVA was used to control for age, gender, pH and RNA degradation, with P ≤ 0.01 and fold change ± 1.25 as criteria for significance. Pathway analysis revealed serotonergic signaling alterations in the DLPFC and glucocorticoid signaling alterations in the ACC and NAcc. The gene with the lowest p-value in the DLPFC was the 5-HT2A gene, previously associated both with suicide and mood disorders. In the ACC 6 metallothionein genes were down-regulated in suicide (MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1X, MT2A) and three were down-regulated in the NAcc (MT1F, MT1G, MT1H). Differential expression of selected genes was confirmed by qPCR, we confirmed the 5-HT2A alterations and the global down-regulation of members of the metallothionein subfamilies MT 1 and 2 in suicide completers. MTs 1 and 2 are neuro-protective following stress and glucocorticoid stimulations, suggesting that in suicide victims neuroprotective response to stress and cortisol may be diminished. Our results thus suggest that suicide-specific expression changes in mood disorders involve both glucocorticoids regulated metallothioneins and serotonergic signaling in different regions of the brain.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective: This study examined the extent symptoms associated with potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) in intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors overlap with sport-related concussions (SRC). ...IPV survivor responses on the Brain Injury Severity Assessment (BISA) tool, an IPV-specific questionnaire developed to assess TBI symptoms; and the widely-used Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5), were compared. Additionally, psychopathological assessments of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety were completed to account for confounding influences.
Design: Eighteen women who had experienced IPV were recruited from high-barrier community-based women's shelters.
Results: The total number of reported TBI were higher when employing the BISA compared to SCAT5, the strongest symptom-based correlations associated TBI severity was associated with arousal states ("Fatigue", "Anxious", "Drowsiness", "Just Don't Feel Right") or aspects of memory/cognition ("Difficulty Concentrating", "Difficulty Remembering"). Furthermore, TBI severity was also related to the degree of depression and anxiety, but unrelated to PTSD.
Conclusions: Taken together, these findings can contribute to the development of enhanced screening tools and supports to help front-line staff identify TBI as a possible contributor to challenges faced by IPV survivors. By this means, women who have experienced IPV will be more likely to break the cycle of abuse and have more positive long-term health outcomes
Near infrared spectroscopy has been proposed as a rapid and cost-effective method for soil analysis. Full-range visible near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectrometers working in the 350–2500 nm wavelength are ...commonly used for research purposes, but now miniaturized spectrometers with limited NIR ranges have become available. This study aims to compare the accuracy of near infrared reflectance (NIR) instruments with different sizes and wavelength ranges on the prediction of soil properties. Soil samples were taken from southern New South Wales and northern Victoria, comprised of Chromosols, Dermosols, Kandosols, and Sodosols. In total, the dataset consists of 392 soil samples from the top 1 m. The study compared two research-grade Vis-NIR spectrometers (350–2500 nm) and two miniaturized NIR spectrometers with limited wavelengths (NeoSpectra operating at 1250–2500 nm and NIRVascan operating at 900–1700 nm). Cubist regression tree and Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) were used to build calibration models. The results showed that both modelling procedures are reliable for estimating soil properties. Cubist models gave greater validation r2 values for ten soil properties investigated for all four instruments. Based on the Cubist model, promising results were found in predictions of clay, sand, total carbon, CEC, pH, exchangeable Mg and Ca (r2: 0.43–0.81). The results are also comparable to published studies for all instruments. As expected, the research-grade spectrometers provided the best prediction accuracies (r2: 0.56–0.81). Results from NeoSpectra provided a comparable accuracy with the Vis-NIR spectrometers in prediction of soil pH, CEC and exchangeable Ca and Mg (r2 > 0.63–0.78). NeoSpectra produced a slightly less accurate prediction of total carbon, sand, and clay. While NIRVascan showed the lowest accuracy, it still can be used in prediction of soil texture and total carbon with reasonable accuracy (r2 clay: 0.73; sand: 0.63; total carbon: 0.73). This study demonstrates the potential of miniaturized spectrometers with reduced wavelength ranges as cheaper instruments in soil analysis.
•Miniaturized NIR spectrometers with limited spectral range were evaluated for soil analysis.•Good prediction accuracy was obtained for clay, sand, total carbon, CEC, pH, exchangeable Mg and Ca.•Spectrometer 1250–2500 nm provided comparable accuracy compared to Vis-NIR spectrometers.•Low cost spectrometers are potentially useful for soil analysis.
Rates of infection after inflatable penile prosthesis range from 1% to 3%; however, a new surgical irrigation solution is Food and Drug Administration cleared as antimicrobial wound lavage and ...appears to be safe for patients and noncaustic during hydrophilic inflatable penile prosthesis (hIPP) dipping and irrigation.
To evaluate if 0.05% chlorhexidine (CHG) lavage is caustic to the hIPP coating and if dip adherence is dependent on time.
Preconnected hIPP devices were tested at a Coloplast research and development laboratory. The devices were soaked in the 0.05% CHG lavage solution or normal saline for 1, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Subsequently, all parts were dried for 15 minutes in a 35 °C oven. A Congo red dye test was performed following a Coloplast-validated and Food and Drug Administration-cleared test method to ensure product reliability. Implants were then visually inspected for deleterious effects as well as dip coverage. In addition, we evaluated 0.05% CHG lavage solution vs previously published hIPP dipping solutions.
0.05% CHG lavage does not appear to damage the hIPP coating, and adherence of this solution is not dependent on dip time.
All components of the preconnected hydrophilic IPPs were tested for coating adherence and defects. All tested IPPs achieved a "satisfactory" coating, meaning a uniform coat without flaking or clumping. Furthermore, there were no noticeable caustic effects or differences in coating adherence between the normal saline-soaked control and 0.05% CHG-coated arms with increasing dip time. A review of the literature for 0.05% CHG lavage solutions vs previously published hIPP dipping solutions revealed that it may have some advantages over previously reported antibiotic solutions.
This study serves as a foundation to introduce 0.05% CHG lavage to the urologic literature as a potentially new "magic bullet" irrigation.
Major strengths of the study are that it is the first study of its kind to address the question of what dip duration should be used and whether it is scientifically reproducible. A limitation is the in vitro model, thus needing validation in a clinical setting.
0.05% CHG does not appear to negatively affect the hIPP coating or differ in adherence with increasing dip time; however, long-term device performance has not been verified.
For decades, the enzymes of the fungus Hypocrea jecorina have served as a model system for the breakdown of cellulose. Three-dimensional structures for almost all H. jecorina cellulose-degrading ...enzymes are available, except for HjLPMO9A, belonging to the AA9 family of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). These enzymes enhance the hydrolytic activity of cellulases and are essential for cost-efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass. Here, using structural and spectroscopic analyses, we found that native HjLPMO9A contains a catalytic domain and a family-1 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM1) connected via a linker sequence. A C terminally truncated variant of HjLPMO9A containing 21 residues of the predicted linker was expressed at levels sufficient for analysis. Here, using structural, spectroscopic, and biochemical analyses, we found that this truncated variant exhibited reduced binding to and activity on cellulose compared with the full-length enzyme. Importantly, a 0.95-Å resolution X-ray structure of truncated HjLPMO9A revealed that the linker forms an integral part of the catalytic domain structure, covering a hydrophobic patch on the catalytic AA9 module. We noted that the oxidized catalytic center contains a Cu(II) coordinated by two His ligands, one of which has a His-brace in which the His-1 terminal amine group also coordinates to a copper. The final equatorial position of the Cu(II) is occupied by a water-derived ligand. The spectroscopic characteristics of the truncated variant were not measurably different from those of full-length HjLPMO9A, indicating that the presence of the CBM1 module increases the affinity of HjLPMO9A for cellulose binding, but does not affect the active site.
This multicenter, treat-to-target, phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of fast-acting insulin aspart (faster aspart) versus conventional insulin aspart (IAsp) in adults with type 1 ...diabetes.
The primary end point was change from baseline in HbA
after 26 weeks. After an 8-week run-in, subjects were randomized (1:1:1) to double-blind mealtime faster aspart (
= 381), IAsp (
= 380), or open-label postmeal faster aspart (
= 382)-each with insulin detemir.
HbA
was reduced in both treatment groups, and noninferiority to IAsp was confirmed for both mealtime and postmeal faster aspart (estimated treatment difference ETD faster aspart-IAsp, mealtime, -0.15% 95% CI -0.23; -0.07, and postmeal, 0.04% -0.04; 0.12); mealtime faster aspart statistically significantly reduced HbA
versus IAsp (
= 0.0003). Postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) increments were statistically significantly lower with mealtime faster aspart at 1 h (ETD -1.18 mmol/L 95% CI -1.65; -0.71, -21.21 mg/dL -29.65; -12.77;
< 0.0001) and 2 h (-0.67 mmol/L -1.29; -0.04, -12.01 mg/dL -23.33; -0.70;
= 0.0375) after the meal test; superiority to IAsp for the 2-h PPG increment was confirmed. The overall rate of severe or blood glucose-confirmed (plasma glucose <3.1 mmol/L 56 mg/dL) hypoglycemic episodes and safety profiles were similar between treatments.
Faster aspart effectively improved HbA
, and noninferiority to IAsp was confirmed, with superior PPG control for mealtime faster aspart versus IAsp. Subjects randomized to postmeal faster aspart for all meals maintained HbA
noninferior to that obtained with mealtime IAsp.
•ZnO nanoparticles exhibited complex surface chemistry as different Zn species dominate at different pH.•Natural organic matter decreased attachment efficiency facilitating ZnO transport through sand ...columns.•Natural organic ligands did not significantly affect ZnO transport.•There were both favorable and unfavorable nanoparticle interactions.•Results indicated significant deviation from classical colloid filtration theory.
The potential toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) has received considerable attention, but there is little knowledge relating to the fate and transport of engineered ZnO NPs in the environment. Column experiments were performed at pH 7.3–7.6 to generate effluent concentrations and retention profiles for assessing the fate and transport of ZnO NPs (PZC=9.3, nominal size 20nm) in saturated quartz sands (256μm) in the presence of low natural organic matter (NOM) concentrations (1mg/L humic and fulvic acids) and millimolar natural organic ligands (NOL) levels (formic, oxalic, and citric acids). At circumneutral pHs, ZnO NPs were positively charged and immobile in sand. The presence of NOM decreased the attachment efficiency facilitating ZnO transport through sand columns. Conversely, ZnO transport in the presence of formic and oxalic acids was only slightly improved when compared to ZnO in DI water; whereas, citric acid showed no improvement. The distinct difference between NOM and NOL may have important implications with regard to ZnO transport in the subsurface environment. Experimental results suggested the presence of both favorable and unfavorable nanoparticle interactions causes significant deviations from classical colloid filtration theory (CFT).
In The Emergence of the Digital Humanities, Steven E. Jones examines this shift in our relationship to digital technology and the ways that it has affected humanities scholarship and the academy more ...broadly. Based on the premise that the network is now everywhere rather than merely "out there," Jones links together seemingly disparate cultural events—the essential features of popular social media, the rise of motion-control gaming and mobile platforms, the controversy over the "gamification" of everyday life, the spatial turn, fabrication and 3D printing, and electronic publishing—and argues that cultural responses to changes in technology provide an essential context for understanding the emergence of the digital humanities as a new field of study in this millennium.
According to the interviewed faculty, some advantages of MMC via video-conference include greater flexibility to participate; ability to reach a wider audience (especially off-site residents and ...attending surgeons); opportunity for people in the audience to multitask; ability to use chat function to allow for greater audience participation; and less defensive and blaming discussions. ...one might anticipate a learning curve related to the technical execution and quality of remote conferences. ...with only 22 of 54 residents participating in our survey (40.7% response rate) we cannot account for the perspectives of the residents who did not participate in our survey. ...the anonymous nature of our survey prevented us from tracking results back to individual residency programs to perform useful comparisons of MMC experience between the two residency programs.
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