We describe a nanoplasmonic probing platform that exploits small-dimension (≤20 μm2) ordered arrays of subwavelength holes for multiplexed, high spatial resolution, and real-time analysis on ...biorecognition events. Nanohole arrays are perforated on a super smooth gold surface (roughness rms < 2.7 Å) attached on a fluoropolymer (FEP) substrate fabricated by a replica technique. The smooth surface of gold provides a superb environment for fabricating nanometer features and uniform immobilization of biomolecules. The refractive index matching between FEP and biological solutions contributes to ∼20% improvement on the sensing performance. Spectral studies on a series of small-dimension nanohole arrays from 1 μm2 to 20 μm2 indicate that the plasmonic sensing sensitivity improves as the gold−solution contact area increases. Our results also demonstrate that nanohole arrays with a dimension as small as 1 μm2 can be used to effectively detect biomolecular binding events and analyze the binding kinetics. The future scientific opportunities opened by this nanohole platform include highly multiplexed analysis of ligand interactions with membrane proteins on high quality supported lipid bilayers.
We have developed an integrated label-free, real-time sensing system that is able to monitor multiple biomolecular binding events based on the changes in the intensity of extraordinary optical ...transmission (EOT) through nanohole arrays. The core of the system is a sensing chip containing multiple nanohole arrays embedded within an optically thick gold film, where each array functions as an independent sensor. Each array is a square array containing 10 × 10 nanoholes (150 nm in diameter), occupying a total area of 3.3 μm × 3.3 μm. The integrated system includes a laser light source, a temperature-regulated flow cell encasing the sensing chip, motorized optics, and a charge-coupled detector (CCD) camera. For demonstration purposes, sensing chips containing 25 nanohole arrays were studied for their use in multiplexed detection, although the sensing chip could be easily populated to contain up to 20 164 nanohole arrays within its 0.64 cm2 sensing area. Using this system, we successfully recorded 25 separate binding curves between glutathione S-transferase (GST) and anti-GST simultaneously in real time with good sensitivity. The system responds to binding events in a concentration-dependent manner, showing a sharp linear response to anti-GST at concentrations ranging from 13 to 290 nM. The EOT intensity-based approach also enables the system to monitor multiple bindings simultaneously and continuously, offering a temporal resolution on milliseconds scale that is decided only by the camera speed and exposure time. The small footprint of the sensing arrays combined with the EOT intensity-based approach enables the system to resolve binding events that occurred on nanohole sensing arrays spaced 96 μm apart, with a reasonable prediction of resolving binding events spaced 56 μm apart. This work represents a new direction that implements nanohole arrays and EOT intensity to meet high-throughput, spatial and temporal resolution, and sensitivity requirements in drug discovery and proteomics studies.
The availability of extensive genomic information and content has spawned an era of high‐throughput screening that is generating large sets of functional genomic data. In particular, the need to ...understand the biochemical wiring within a cell has introduced novel approaches to map the intricate networks of biological interactions arising from the interactions of proteins. The current technologies for assaying protein interactions – yeast two‐hybrid and immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometric detection – have met with considerable success. However, the parallel use of these approaches has identified only a small fraction of physiologically relevant interactions among proteins, neglecting all nonprotein interactions, such as with metabolites, lipids, DNA and small molecules. This highlights the need for further development of proteome scale technologies that enable the study of protein function. Here we discuss recent advances in high‐throughput technologies for displaying proteins on functional protein microarrays and the real‐time label‐free detection of interactions using probes of the local index of refraction, carbon nanotubes and nanowires, or microelectromechanical systems cantilevers. The combination of these technologies will facilitate the large‐scale study of protein interactions with proteins as well as with other biomolecules.
Although self-concealment has been a central topic in the field of personality and applied psychologies, it remains somewhat unclear how it should be conceptualized. The present study investigated ...self-concealment within the framework of psychological inflexibility and mindfulness, two major emotion/behavior regulation processes integrated into contemporary cognitive behavioral models of behavioral health. One-thousand sixty college undergraduates (77 % female;
n
= 816) completed a web-based survey that included the measures of interest. Results revealed that psychological inflexibility was positively and uniquely associated with self-concealment. The association between mindfulness and self-concealment was moderated by gender; higher levels of self-concealment predicted lower levels of mindfulness for women only and were associated with sexual-minority men, but self-concealment did not vary for women as a function of sexual orientation status. Additional results and future directions are also discussed.
This article examines the evolution of and need for "end-of-life conversations." Barriers to end-of-life discussions that have been identified in patients and families, health care professionals, and ...health care systems can seriously interfere with the quality of remaining life for terminally ill patients. Strategies for enhancing end-of-life discussions are most productively linked to (1) physicians' interpersonal communication skills, (2) a patient-centered model of care, (3) a focus on quality of remaining life, and (4) innovative clinical models for implementing these discussions earlier in the care process. We conclude that end-of-life conversations must become a routine, structured intervention in health care and that advance care planning is best viewed as one component in a series of ongoing end-of-life discussions. Randomized trials are needed to examine new approaches and models for enhancing end-of-life conversations. JAMA. 2000;284:1573-1578.
A pessimistic view of grief counseling has emerged over the last 7 years, exemplified by
R. A. Neimeyer's (2000)
oft-cited claim that "such interventions are typically ineffective, and perhaps even ...deleterious, at least for persons experiencing a normal bereavement" (p. 541). This negative characterization has little or no empirical grounding, however. The claim rests on 2 pieces of evidence. The 1st is an unorthodox analysis of deterioration effects in 10 outcome studies in
B. V. Fortner's (1999)
dissertation, usually attributed to
Neimeyer (2000)
. Neither the analysis nor Fortner's findings have ever been published or subjected to peer review, until now. This review shows that there is no statistical or empirical basis for claims about deterioration effects in grief counseling. The 2nd piece of evidence involves what the authors believe to be ill-informed summaries of conventional meta-analytic findings. This misrepresentation of empirical findings has damaged the reputation of grief counseling in the field and in the popular media and offers lessons for both researchers and research consumers interested in the relationship between science and practice in psychology.
The Human Side of Healthcare (102) Aronson, Louise, MD MFA; Larson, Dale, PhD
Journal of pain and symptom management,
February 2014, Letnik:
47, Številka:
2
Journal Article
We performed multiplexed sensing on nanohole array devices to simultaneously obtain information on molecular absorption, scattering, and refractive-index change, which were distinguished by using ...different array structures with distinct optical behavior. Up to 25 arrays were fabricated within a 65μm×50μm area to provide real-time information of the local surface environment. The performance of multiplexed sensing was examined by flowing NaCl, Coomassie blue, bovine serum albumin, and liposome solutions that exhibit different visible light absorption/scattering properties and different refractive indices. Experimental artifacts from light source fluctuation, sample injections, and light scattering induced by aggregates in solutions were detected by monitoring superwavelength holes or nanohole arrays with different periodicity and hole diameters.
To evaluate the Advanced Illness Coordinated Care Program (AICCP), delivered by allied health personnel to improve care for patients coping with advanced illness and in need of preparation for ...end-of-life (EOL) care.
Clinical trial involving 275 patients and 143 surrogates in 6 settings who were randomly assigned to the AICCP or usual care (UC).
The AICCP participants met with a care coordinator for assistance with provider communication, care coordination, and support. The AICCP was evaluated for effects on satisfaction with care, advance planning, consistency of care with patient preferences, and healthcare costs.
The AICCP increased patient satisfaction with care and communication (P = .03), and AICCP surrogates reported fewer problems with provider support (P = .03). More AICCP than UC participants completed an advance directive (AD) (69.4% vs 48.4%; P = .006), and the AICCP group completed more ADs per participant (P = .01). Median time to AD documentation was 46 days for AICCP and 238 days for UC (P = .02). There was no difference in survival (AICCP 43% vs UC 42%). Six-month costs were lower with AICCP than with UC (12,123 US dollars vs 16,295 US dollars); however, the difference did not reach statistical significance.
The AICCP improved satisfaction with care and helped patients develop and revise more ADs, sooner, without affecting mortality. This program may be delivered in a range of managed care, fee-for-service, and group-model settings.
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