bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of cytokines in a human colon epithelial cell line by Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Stx2 but not by non‐toxic mutant Stx1 which lacks N‐glycosidase activity
Authors: Yamasaki Chisato , Natori Yumiko , Zeng Xun-Ting , Ohmura Mari , Yamasaki Shinji , Takeda Yoshifumi , Natori Yasuhiro
Published: July 2002

Stx1 and Stx2 produced by Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli are cytotoxic due to their N‐glycosidase activity on 28S rRNA. In this study, we have shown that proinflammatory cytokine mRNAs, especially IL‐8, were induced by Stx1 and Stx2 in Caco‐2 cells. A non‐toxic mutant of Stx1 which lacks N‐glycosidase activity did not induce cytokine mRNAs. IL‐8 production at the protein level was enhanced by Stx1 and Stx2, but not by the mutant Stx1. These results demonstrate that Shiga toxins induce expression and synthesis of cytokines in Caco‐2 cells and their N‐glycosidase activity is essential for the induction.
The effects of the selective ROCK inhibitor, Y27632, on ET‐1‐induced hypertrophic response in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes – possible involvement of Rho/ROCK pathway in cardiac muscle cell hypertrophy
Authors: Kuwahara Koichiro , Saito Yoshihiko , Nakagawa Osamu , Kishimoto Ichiro , Harada Masaki , Ogawa Emiko , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Hamanaka Ichiro , Kajiyama Noboru , Takahashi Nobuki , Izumi Takehiko , Kawakami Rika , Tamura Naohisa , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: July 2002

A small GTPase, Rho, participates in agonist‐induced cytoskeletal organization and gene expression in many cell types including cardiac myocytes. However, little is known about the functions of Rho's downstream targets in cardiac myocytes. We examined the role of ROCK, a downstream target of Rho, in ET‐1‐induced hypertrophic response. Y27632, a selective ROCK inhibitor, inhibited ET‐1‐induced increases in natriuretic peptide production, cell size, protein synthesis, and myofibrillar organization. In addition, a dominant‐negative mutant of p160ROCK suppressed ET‐1‐induced transcription of the BNP gene. These findings suggest that the Rho/ROCK pathway is an important component of ET‐1‐induced hypertrophic signals in cardiac myocytes.
NMR analysis of cardiac troponin C‐troponin I complexes: effects of phosphorylation
Authors: Finley Natosha , Abbott M.Bret , Abusamhadneh Ekram , Gaponenko Vadim , Dong Wen-ji , Gasmi-Seabrook G. , Howarth Jack W. , Rance Mark , Solaro R.John , Cheung Herbert C. , Rosevear Paul R.
Published: July 2002

Phosphorylation of the cardiac specific amino‐terminus of troponin I has been demonstrated to reduce the Ca2+ affinity of the cardiac troponin C regulatory site. Recombinant N‐terminal cardiac troponin I proteins, cardiac troponin I(33–80), cardiac troponin I(1–80), cardiac troponin I(1–80)DD and cardiac troponin I(1–80)pp, phosphorylated by protein kinase A, were used to form stable binary complexes with recombinant cardiac troponin C. Cardiac troponin I(1–80)DD, having phosphorylated Ser residues mutated to Asp, provided a stable mimetic of the phosphorylated state. In all complexes, the N‐terminal domain of cardiac troponin I primarily makes contact with the C‐terminal domain of cardiac troponin C. The non‐phosphorylated cardiac specific amino‐terminus, cardiac troponin I(1–80), was found to make additional interactions with the N‐terminal domain of cardiac troponin C.
Dinitrosyl iron complexes with thiol‐containing ligands and S‐nitroso‐D,L‐penicillamine as inductors of heat shock protein synthesis in H35 hepatoma cells
Authors: Wiegant Frederik A.C. , Malyshev Igor Y. , Kleschyov Andrey L. , van Faassen Ernst , Vanin Anatoly F.
Published: July 2002

The concentration‐dependent effect of various nitric oxide donors on synthesis of different heat shock proteins was evaluated in Reuber H35 hepatoma cells and their heat shock protein‐inducing ability was compared with the effect of a heat shock. A 6 h incubation of H35 cells with the dimeric (diamagnetic) form of dinitrosyl iron complex with glutathione or N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine activated synthesis of various heat shock proteins, heat shock protein 28, 32, 60, 70, 90 and 100. Synthesis of these proteins was evaluated by [35S]methionine and [35S]cysteine labelling with subsequent separation of proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The dinitrosyl iron complex with glutathione appeared to be the most efficient inductor of heat shock protein synthesis and initiated the synthesis of heat shock protein 28 even more efficiently than a 30 min heating of cells. In the same experiments, S‐nitroso‐D,L‐penicillamine exerted a considerably lesser effect on the synthesis of heat shock proteins. It was suggested that the active moiety of dinitrosyl iron complexes as inductors of heat shock protein synthesis is represented by their Fe+(NO+)2 groups which move to thiol groups of the proteins participating in the initiation of heat shock protein synthesis.
1,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3 induction of the tissue‐type plasminogen activator gene is mediated through its multihormone‐responsive enhancer
Authors: Merchiers Pascal , Bulens Frank , Stockmans Ingrid , De Vriese Astrid , Convents Renilde , Bouillon Roger , Collen Désiré , Belayew Alexandra , Carmeliet Geert
Published: July 2002

Tissue‐type plasminogen activator (t‐PA) is a positive modulator of the plasminogen‐plasmin system, which is involved in bone remodeling. In the present study, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] was found to stimulate t‐PA gene expression in ROS17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells. Transient transfection analysis and in vitro DNA binding studies identified two vitamin D‐responsive elements (VDRE) in the human t‐PA enhancer. The first VDRE (bp −7175 to −7146) comprised an inverted palindrome separated by 9 bp (IP9) overlapping a palindrome separated by 3 bp. The second VDRE (bp −7315 to −7302) is an IP2 element overlapping the previously identified retinoic acid‐responsive element. 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment of primary osteoblasts derived from t‐PAlacZ transgenic mice containing 9 kb of 5′ sequence of the human t‐PA gene increased the number of lacZ‐positive cells, fitting with the probability model of enhancer function.
Female genital tuberculosis and infertility
Authors: Namavar Jahromi B , Parsanezhad M.E , Ghane‐Shirazi R
Published: July 2002

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the rate of diagnosed female genital tuberculosis and its presentational symptoms and methods of diagnosis. Methods: A total of 3088 cases of tuberculosis (TB) who had been registered and treated in the Health Center of Fars Province from 1989 to 1999 were retrospectively studied. From this group, 46 women were diagnosed as having genital TB. The diagnosis in 41 cases was based on the standard pathological criteria of tissue specimens. The other five cases were excluded from this study due to the lack of classical diagnostic criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using the Z‐test. Results: The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 30.4 years. Seven patients presented with abdominal or pelvic pain (17.07%). In this group three cases underwent laparatomy due to abdominal mass and four patients for tubo‐ovarian abscess, which led to the diagnosis. Abnormal uterine bleeding was the cause of diagnostic dilatation and curettage in three other patients (7.31%). However, in 31 cases (75.6%) TB was diagnosed during studies performed to evaluate the cause of their infertility, and the most common diagnostic procedure was endometrial curettage (25 cases). Female genital TB accounted for 1.32% of all tuberculous patients in this study. Of these, 75.6% were infertile by definition (Z=12.13 P<0.0001). TB endometritis was detected in 72.03%, tubal involvement in 34.03%, ovarian TB in 12.9% and cervical TB in 2.4% of the patients. Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of a strong relationship between genital TB and infertility; therefore genital TB would be more frequently diagnosed if this possibility was considered in the evaluation of every infertile patient in areas where tuberculosis is endemic.
Gfap, S‐100 and vimentin proteins in rat after cerebral post‐ischemic reperfusion
Authors: Martinez G. , Carnazza M.L. , Giacomo C.Di , Sorrenti V. , Avitabile M. , Vanella A.
Published: July 2002

In the present study astrocytes reactivity during cerebral post‐ischemic reperfusion was evaluated immunocytochemically by using antibodies to vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S‐100 protein. At the 7th day of post‐ischemic reperfusion few GFAP‐positive cells were observed in the hippocampus and cerebellum, the number of GFAP‐positive cells increased slightly after 20 days of reperfusion. This poor GFAP‐positivity may be due to the inhibition of GFAP polymerization by S‐100; in fact, S‐100 immuno‐reactivity was already evident from the 7th day. Vimentin immuno‐staining was evident both at the 7th and 20th day of reperfusion in microglial cells and in oligodendrocytes, suggesting that these cells are involved in the recovery of neurons following brain injury.
Co‐expression of nestin and vimentin intermediate filaments in invasive human astrocytoma cells
Authors: Rutka James T. , Ivanchuk Stacey , Mondal Soma , Taylor Michael , Sakai Keiichi , Dirks Peter , Jun Peter , Jung Shin , Becker Laurence E. , Ackerley Cameron
Published: July 2002

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are highly diverse intracytoplasmic proteins within the cytoskeleton which exhibit cell type specificity of expression. A growing body of evidence suggests that IFs may be involved as collaborators in complex cellular processes controlling astrocytoma cell morphology, adhesion and proliferation. As the co‐expression of different IF subtypes has been linked to enhanced motility and invasion in a number of different cancer subtypes, we undertook the present study to examine the expression of vimentin and nestin in a panel of human astrocytoma cell lines whose tumorigenicity, invasiveness and cytoskeletal protein profiles are well known. Astrocytoma cells were examined for IF protein expression by immunofluorescence confocal and immunoelectron microscopy. The motility of all cell lines was determined by computerized time‐lapse videomicroscopy. Invasive potential of astrocytoma cells was determined using Matrigel as a barrier to astrocytoma cell invasion in vitro. Vimentin was expressed by all astrocytoma cell lines. On the other hand, nestin was variably expressed among the different cell lines. The most motile and invasive astrocytoma cell line in our study was antisense GFAP‐transfected U251 (asU251) astrocytoma cells which showed marked up‐regulation of nestin expression compared to the U251 parental cell line and controls. The U87 astrocytoma cell line also demonstrated high nestin expression levels and was associated with an increased basal motility rate and a high degree of invasiveness through Matrigel. U343 astrocytoma cells did not express nestin, but had high levels of GFAP. It had the lowest motility rate and invasiveness of all the astrocytoma cell lines examined. Taken together, these data suggest that for the astrocytoma cell lines examined in this study, nestin and vimentin co‐expression may serve as a marker for an astrocytoma cell type with enhanced motility and invasive potential. Further studies are required to determine the mechanism by which dual‐IF protein expression alters other cytoskeletal or cell surface receptor protein components important in the process of astrocytoma invasion.
The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in heart failure
Authors: Rajappan Kim , Bellenger Nicholas G. , Anderson Lisa , Pennell Dudley J.
Published: July 2002

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), is an accepted gold standard for non‐invasive, accurate, and reproducible assessment of cardiac mass and function. The interest in its use for viability, myocardial perfusion and coronary artery imaging is also widespread and growing rapidly as the hardware and expertise becomes available in more centres, and the scans themselves become more cost effective. In patients with heart failure, accurate and reproducible serial assessment of remodelling is of prognostic importance and the lack of exposure to ionizing radiation is helpful. The concept of an integrated approach to heart failure and its complications using CMR is fast becoming a reality, and this will be tested widely in the coming few years, with the new generation of dedicated CMR scanners.
SCIENCE AND MIDWIFERY: PARADIGMS AND PARADOXES
Authors: Kennedy Holly Powell , Lowe Nancy K.
Published: July 2002

The everyday world of clinical practice is filled with paradigms and paradoxes that stem from the issues of who defines knowledge, how it is generated, and how the individual midwife applies it when providing care for women and families. Research useful for clinical practice should provide evidence to support scientific approaches (models) or strategies (interventions) in caring for women. In a clinical discipline, the answers to research questions should eventually inform clinical decision‐making by providing practical clinical knowledge. This article presents an application of Stevenson's research steps for the development of clinically applicable knowledge that the midwife can use to analyze and evaluate research findings as a basis for practice decisions. Specific examples of midwifery research are used to illustrate each stage in the process and the circular nature of knowledge development. The challenge is to prepare midwives who can apply research findings skillfully using the best evidence to support clinical practice, as well as to groom midwife researchers who will develop systematic programs of relevant research about midwifery practice and outcomes.
Midwifery Care Research: What Questions Are Being Asked? What Lessons Have Been Learned?
Authors: Raisler Jeanne
Published: July 2002

Purpose: To create and critically evaluate a research database about midwifery care that identifies topics studied, research methods, results, funding, publication data, and implications for a future midwifery research agenda.

Methods: Systematic literature review. Studies included were 1) data‐based research; 2) about midwifery care or practice; 3) in the United States; and 4) published between 1984–1998. The CINAHL and MEDLINE electronic databases were searched using a defined strategy, and relevant journals and bibliographies were searched by hand.

Results: This 15‐year review identified 140 studies of midwifery care published in 161 papers. A midwife was the lead author on 60%. Sixty percent were published in the Journal of Nurse‐Midwifery. Six to 15 studies were published each year, and both the number of publications and funding increased over the time period. The six major areas of focus were: 1) midwifery management, 2) structure of care, 3) midwifery practice, 4) midwife–physician comparisons, 5) place of birth, and 6) care of vulnerable populations.

Discussion: Although retrospective descriptive studies still predominate, more prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, multi‐site studies, and quasi‐experimental designs are being conducted. Qualitative methods are helping to measure nontraditional outcomes. A research agenda should be established based on discussion and debate within the profession. Midwife investigators need to build research teams and collaborate with other disciplines. Key areas for future research include alternative therapies, breastfeeding, cost‐effectiveness, cultural studies, gynecology, health policy, menopause, post‐partum care, substance abuse interventions, and the woman's experience of birth and midwifery care.
Downregulation of miRNA‐126‐3p is associated with progression of and poor prognosis for lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Shang‐Wei , Lu Hui‐Ping , Chen Gang , Yang Jie , Huang Wan‐Ying , Wang Xiang‐Ming , Huang Shu‐Ping , Gao Li , Liu Jun , Fu Zong‐Wang , Chen Peng , Zhai Gao‐Qiang , Luo Jiao , Li Xiao‐Jiao , Huang Zhi‐Guang , Li Zu‐Yun , Gan Ting‐Qing , Yang Da‐Ping , Mo Wei‐Jia , Zhou Hua‐Fu
Published: June 2020

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is the main pathological type of pulmonary malignant tumors; at present, less than 10% of patients with advanced metastatic LUSC live for more than 5 years. We previously reported that low expression of miRNA‐126‐3p is associated with the occurrence and progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Here, we examined expression of miRNA‐126‐3p in 23 samples from patients with LUSCs and 23 normal control specimens by quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR). Associations between miRNA‐126‐3p expression and clinical features were studied from materials derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) chips and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Twelve online platforms were used to identify candidate target genes of miRNA‐126‐3p. Further analyses of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were performed on the target genes. GEO microarray analysis, TCGA data mining, RT‐qPCR, and integration analysis consistently reported low expression of miRNA‐126‐3p in LUSC. A total of 42 genes were identified as potential target genes of miRNA‐126‐3p from online platforms, GEO microarrays, and the TCGA database. GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the target genes are involved in several biological processes that promote the progression of LUSC. SOX2, E2F2, and E2F3 were selected as hub genes from the PPI network for further analysis. In summary, our results suggest that the low expression of miRNA‐126‐3p may play a role in promoting the development of LUSC and miRNA‐126‐3p may be a biomarker for LUSC early diagnosis and prognosis.
How to answer an unanswerable question? Factors affecting correct “don't know” responding in memory tasks
Authors: Lukasik Karolina M. , Kordyńska Katarzyna Kalina , Zawadzka Katarzyna , Hanczakowski Maciej
Published: June 2020

When reporting from memory, people may often be asked unanswerable questions—questions for which the correct answer has never been encoded. These unanswerable questions should be met with an “I don't know” response. Previous research has shown that a manipulation commonly used to enhance memory at retrieval—context reinstatement—reduces appropriate “do not know” responding to unanswerable questions. Here we investigated whether this reduction is due to increased belief that a given question is answerable, or solely to increased confidence in specific responses for questions already believed to be answerable. In two experiments, we show that context reinstatement reduces “do not know” responding even when a “do not remember” option is available to express beliefs that particular questions are answerable. These results indicate that improved access to contextual information at retrieval creates an erroneous belief that unanswerable questions are in fact answerable.
Combination of IKVAV, LRE, and GPQGIWGQ Bioactive Signaling Peptides Increases Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Neural Stem Cells Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Neurite Extension
Authors: Perera T. Hiran , Lu Xi , Howell Skyler M. , Kurosu Yuki E. , Smith Callahan Laura A.
Published: June 2020

Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is emerging as a modulator of neural maturation and axon extension. Most studies have used rodent cells to develop matrices capable of manipulating extracellular matrix remodeling for regenerative applications. However, clinically relevant human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neural stem cells (hNSC) do not always behave in a similar manner as rodent cells. In this study, hNSC response to a hyaluronic acid matrix with laminin derived IKVAV and LRE peptide signaling that has previously shown to promote ECM remodeling and neurite extension by mouse embryonic stem cells is examined. The addition of enzymatically degradable cross linker GPQGIWGQ to the IKVAV and LRE containing hyaluronic acid matrix is necessary to promote neurite extension, hyaluronic acid degradation, and gelatinase expression over hyaluronic acid matrices containing GPQGIWGQ, IKVAV and LRE, or no peptides. Changes in peptide content alters a number of matrix properties that can contribute to the cellular response, but increases in mesh size are not observed with cross linker cleavage in this study. Overall, these data imply a complex interaction between IKVAV, LRE, and GPQGIWGQ to modulate hNSC behavior.
Modular Deformable Steam Electricity Cogeneration System with Photothermal, Water, and Electrochemical Tunable Multilayers
Authors: Meng Fan Lu , Gao Minmin , Ding Tianpeng , Yilmaz Gamze , Ong Wei Li , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: June 2020

Capturing solar energy for thermal conversion in a highly efficient manner for steam‐electricity cogeneration is particularly opportune in the context of optimal solar energy utilization for concurrent water‐energy harvesting. Herein, an integrative photothermal evaporator/thermogalvanic cell with the desired optical, heat, water, and electrochemical management for synergistic steam‐electricity production is reported. Versatile layer by‐layer assembly is employed to integrate a hydrogel/metal‐oxide/polymer into a multilayer film with individually addressable thickness, composition, and structure. As such, the ultimate integrative multilayer film cell demonstrates a unified high surface area and conductive electrodes, broadband absorption, rapid water suction‐ion exchange, and thermal insulation properties. Thus, the designed cell immensely suppresses heat losses, achieving a high solar thermal conversion efficiency of 91.4% and maximum power outputs of ≈1.6 mW m−2. Additionally, the self‐floating, deformable, modular integral device presents appealing attributes such as salt‐rejection for viable seawater desalination, high mechanical stability, and resilience to demanding operating conditions, and configurable on‐demand/point‐of‐use tandem structure to maximize clean water and power generation value per area. This integrated strategy may provide prospective opportunities to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and freshwater inputs and solutions for renewable and decentralized clean water and electricity.
A Highly Crystalline Perylene Imide Polymer with the Robust Built‐In Electric Field for Efficient Photocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Zijian , Chen Xianjie , Zhang Hanjie , Liu Weixu , Zhu Wei , Zhu Yongfa
Published: June 2020

A highly crystalline perylene imide polymer (Urea‐PDI) photocatalyst is successfully constructed. The Urea‐PDI presents a wide spectrum response owing to its large conjugated system. The Urea‐PDI performs so far highest oxygen evolution rate (3223.9 µmol g−1 h−1) without cocatalysts under visible light. The performance is over 107.5 times higher than that of the conventional PDI supramolecular photocatalysts. The strong oxidizing ability comes from the deep valence band (+1.52 eV) which is contributed by the covalent‐bonded conjugated molecules. Besides, the high crystallinity and the large molecular dipoles of the Urea‐PDI contribute to a robust built‐in electric field promoting the separation and transportation of photogenerated carriers. Moreover, the Urea‐PDI is very stable and has no performance attenuation after 100 h continuous irradiation. The Urea‐PDI polymer photocatalyst provides with a new platform for the use of photocatalytic water oxidation, which is expected to contribute to clean energy production.
The Urban American Indian Traditional Spirituality Program: Promoting Indigenous Spiritual Practices for Health Equity
Authors: Gone Joseph P. , Tuomi Ashley , Fox Nickole
Published: June 2020

Beginning in 2009, Detroit's urban American Indian health center entered into a collaborative and participatory partnership with a university research team. The purpose of the partnership was to incorporate Indigenous traditional healing practices into the health and wellness services at this center. Following extensive consultation with stakeholders at the center, we were commissioned by local decision‐makers to develop a program tailored for members of the urban American Indian community that would introduce and orient these individuals to meaningful participation in Indigenous traditional spirituality. The Urban American Indian Traditional Spirituality Program is a structured curriculum for American Indian community members that introduces and orients participants to meaningful engagement with sacred practices associated with the sweat lodge ceremony. The signature innovation of this program was the recasting of traditional socialization practices into a structured, didactic curriculum that could initiate an enduring spiritual devotional life for American Indian participants toward improved health and well‐being. Created primarily “by Indians, for Indians,” the collaboratively designed curriculum draws on cultural strengths and spiritual empowerment to advance health equity for these marginalized populations.
Bertiella sp. (Meyner, 1895) infection of Alouatta caraya (Humboldt, 1812) in urban and natural environments in Ñeembucú, southwest Paraguay
Authors: Kane John , Smith Rebecca L.
Published: June 2020

Bertiella sp., a cestode known to infect a variety of hosts, including nonhuman primates and humans, was identified in Paraguay as early as 1895, but no systematic analysis of wild primates’ gastrointestinal parasites has ever been carried out in Paraguay. Increased urbanization in southwest Paraguay has pushed the Paraguayan howler monkey (Alouatta caraya) into anthropogenic habitats, particularly in the city of Pilar (Ñeembucú department), giving rise to greater potential for zoonotic transmission between wild primates and humans. From July to December 2018, fecal samples were noninvasively collected from 48 howlers inside Pilar (urban environment), the Pilar Military Base (intermediate environment), and a ranch 27 km outside Pilar in the humid Chaco (natural environment) and analyzed for Bertiella eggs and proglottids using macro‐analysis and formol‐ether sedimentation. Howlers living in the urban environment had the highest rates of Bertiella infection (50% prevalence), with considerably lower infection rates in the intermediate environment (6.25% prevalence) and natural habitats (0% prevalence). A χ2 goodness‐of‐fit test indicated a significant difference between the three habitat types (p = .007, χ2 = 10.005, df = 2). While the habitat seems to impact the frequency of infection, Bertiella was not observed to select for other factors such as age or sex of the primate host. Here we identified a significant increase in the frequency of Bertiella infection in an urban environment, which can then be further transmitted to new hosts with more direct primate contact. Bertiella infection has already been documented in humans in Paraguay, all of which were associated with close primate contact. As howlers move into more urban habitats due to urbanization and habitat fragmentation, Bertiella could be introduced into this new ecosystem and has the potential to cause further infections in humans.
Toward Artificial Mussel‐Glue Proteins: Differentiating Sequence Modules for Adhesion and Switchable Cohesion
Authors: Arias Sandra , Amini Shahrouz , Horsch Justus , Pretzler Matthias , Rompel Annette , Melnyk Inga , Sychev Dmitrii , Fery Andreas , Börner Hans G.
Published: June 2020

Artificial mussel‐glue proteins with pH‐triggered cohesion control were synthesized by extending the tyrosinase activated polymerization of peptides to sequences with specific modules for cohesion control. The high propensity of these sequence sections to adopt β‐sheets is suppressed by switch defects. This allows enzymatic activation and polymerization to proceed undisturbed. The β‐sheet formation is regained after polymerization by changing the pH from 5.5 to 6.8, thereby triggering O→N acyl transfer rearrangements that activate the cohesion mechanism. The resulting artificial mussel glue proteins exhibit rapid adsorption on alumina surfaces. The coatings resist harsh hypersaline conditions, and reach remarkable adhesive energies of 2.64 mJ m−2 on silica at pH 6.8. In in situ switch experiments, the minor pH change increases the adhesive properties of a coating by 300 % and nanoindentation confirms the cohesion mechanism to improve bulk stiffness by around 200 %.
Relocating Sterile Processing Activities to an Off‐Site Facility: Cost, Design, and Project Management Considerations
Authors: Cardone April , Grous Carolyn A.
Published: June 2020

When space limitations prevent sterile processing department personnel from meeting the needs of the perioperative departments that they serve, leaders should consider expansion options. At one large multifacility health care system in Pennsylvania, leaders considering expansion assessed several factors, including the costs versus benefits, logistics, real estate space, regulatory requirements, and the overall effect on employees. After reviewing all of the information, the leaders decided to move the sterile processing department for two hospitals and two outpatient centers to an off‐site location. They designed a space to accommodate the sterile processing of instruments for these identified facilities and, if needed, additional facilities in the future. This article highlights the issues that the leaders considered when preparing for the move and discusses the processes and project management structures used to complete the building design.
Clinical Issues—July 2020
Authors: Seeman Kristyn , Ogg Mary J.
Published: June 2020

THIS MONTH

Ensuring patient safety under time pressure

Key words: on‐time starts, turnover time, briefing, team communication, delays.

Holes in the outer layer of sterilization wraps

Key words: package integrity, defects, sterilization wrap, contaminated item, sterile field.

Changing surgical attire after smoking outside

Key words: surgical attire, cigarette smoke, tobacco smoke, third‐hand smoke, wound healing.

Methemoglobinemia after local anesthesia

Key words: methemoglobinemia, methemoglobin (MetHb), lidocaine‐prilocaine, methylene blue, cyanosis.
Mesoporous silica as smart lubrication containers applied to self‐lubricating polyurethane materials
Authors: Cui Jianbing , Mu Bo , Yang Baoping , Cui Jinfeng , Guo Junhong , Tian Li , Wang Xia
Published: June 2020

Self‐lubricating composite with stimuli‐responsive properties attracts great interest in recent years. Herein, mesoporous silica (MS) as oil‐laden containers is explored to achieve self‐lubricating feature. The as‐prepared MS possesses a high Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area (1,542.35 m2/g), which satisfies the criterion for construction of ideal repository for storing enough liquid lubricants. In addition, the thermal stimuli‐responsiveness behavior of the oil‐laden mesoporous silica (OMS) for lubrication has been investigated by thermogravimetric analyzer tester. As expected, an excellent tribological performance (friction coefficient and wear rate decreased by 63.29 and 82.63%) is obtained by adding 10 wt% OMS into the polyurathene matrix, showing great promise for self‐lubricating application.
Investigation of packaging adhesive properties by molecular dynamics and experiments
Authors: Cao Kaicong , Zhou Wu , Chen Lili , He Jiangbo , Zhan Li , Chen Qing , Yu Huijun , He Xiaoping
Published: June 2020

Adhesive polymer is a common and important material used for packaging of microelectronics and microsystem by attaching dies onto packaging shell, and its mechanical property plays a vital role in isolating dies from the thermal stress of substrate. Therefore, it is extremely significant to evaluate the polymer property in a specific packaging process. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is conducted in this article to investigate the material properties of the cross‐linked epoxy resin formed by epoxy resin component diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA) and curing agent 1,6‐Diaminohexane. The polymer network with conversion up to 87.5% is successfully generated and simulated by constant pressure‐constant temperature ensemble (NPT) and canonical ensemble (NVT) at different temperatures of curing process. Glass transition temperature (Tg) and Young's modulus are extracted and the predicted material properties are in great agreement with the experimental data. The conclusion provides a guideline to design the special curing process for different adhesive requirements.
The nature of active galaxies based on their radio properties
Authors: Abrahamyan Hayk V.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we investigate radio properties of active galaxies taken from the reference [Véron‐Cetty & Véron (2010)] catalog. The galaxies are limited to magnitudes in the range of 12m − 19m. We have cross‐correlated the list with radio catalogs and selected those galaxies that have data on six or more radio fluxes at different wavelengths. As a result, we have 198 galaxies that satisfy these conditions. Using SDSS DR15, we have obtained 96 spectroscopic identifications of the 198 objects. After the classification, 85% of the 96 objects have changed their types. Available data on the classification of these objects and our classification showed that 56.7% of them are Seyfert galaxies. For all the objects, we have built radio spectra and estimated radio spectral indices. As a result, we obtain , , , ). We discuss the radio properties of active galaxies based on their radio spectral indices.
Begrünte Fassaden aus brandschutztechnischer Sicht
Authors: Engel Thomas , Noder Julia
Published: June 2020

In den letzten Jahren gewinnen begrünte Fassaden mit Blick auf eine nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung zunehmend an Bedeutung. Zum Brandverhalten von begrünten Fassaden und der daraus folgenden Brandweiterleitung über die Fassaden steht nur eine geringe Anzahl an Erkenntnissen zur Verfügung. Dieser Aufsatz stellt den aktuellen Stand der Forschung zur brandschutztechnischen Bewertung von begrünten Fassaden dar. Darüber hinaus beschreibt er die Erkenntnisse aus vier durchgeführten orientierenden großmaßstäblichen Brandversuchen mit Fassadenbegrünungen. Bei den untersuchten Begrünungsformen handelt es sich um Kriechspindel, Blauregen, Wilden Wein, Kiwi, Stauden und Kräuter. Die Auswertung der bereits zur Verfügung stehenden und aktuell durchgeführten Versuche zeigt, dass bei der richtigen Wahl der Pflanzenart und Konstruktionsform brandschutztechnisch sichere Lösungen erzielt werden können. Im laufenden Betrieb stellt darüber hinaus die regelmäßige Pflege und Wartung eine wichtige Grundlage dar.
Coassemble dopamine and GHK tripeptide into fluorescent nanoparticles for pH sensing
Authors: Zheng Fan , Guo Jun , Khan Abdul Jamil , Miao Pandeng , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2020

Fluorescent nanostructures have been widely applied to biomedical researches and clinical diagnosis such as biolabeling/imaging/sensing and have even acted as therapy reagents. Peptide‐based fluorescent nanostructures attract recent interest from biomedical researchers. Inspired by the natural existence of GHK‐Cu complex with a growth factor‐like effect in human blood, here we have developed a novel approach for designing nanosensors through the co‐assembling of two kinds of biomolecules. By making best use of both π‐π stacking between carbon rings and the easy‐oxidation property of an important transmitter molecule, dopamine (DA), we successfully built up a supersensitive and robust fluorescent pH nanosensor by co‐assembling oxidized DA (DAox) with a tripeptide GHK. The GHK‐DAox nanostructures have a quantum yield of 20.82%, which might be the brightest one among all the current co‐assembling structures merely through unmodified biomolecules. We envision this approach could open a new avenue for not only hybrid nanostructure construction, but also may inspire the bioengineering of in vivo luminescent probes.
Development and validation of a cost‐effective and sensitive bioanalytical HPLC‐UV method for determination of lopinavir in rat and human plasma
Authors: Qin Chaolong , Feng Wanshan , Chu YenJu , Lee Jong Bong , Berton Mattia , Bettonte Sara , Teo Yeong Yeu , Stocks Michael J. , Fischer Peter M. , Gershkovich Pavel
Published: June 2020

A simple, sensitive and cost‐effective HPLC‐UV bioanalytical method for determination of lopinavir (LPV) in rat and human plasma was developed and validated. The plasma sample preparation procedure includes a combination of protein precipitation using cold acetonitrile and liquid–liquid extraction with n‐hexane–ethyl acetate (7:3, v/v). A good chromatographic separation was achieved with a Phenomenex Gemini column (C18, 150 mm × 2.0 mm, 5 μm) at 40°C with gradient elution, at 211 nm. Calibration curves were linear in the range 10–10,000 ng/mL, with a lower limit of quantification of 10 ng/mL using 100 μL of plasma. The accuracy and precision in all validation experiments were within the criteria range set by the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration. This method was successfully applied to a preliminary pharmacokinetic study in rats following an intravenous bolus administration of LPV. Moreover, the method was subsequently fully validated for human plasma, allowing its use in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In conclusion, this novel, simple and cost‐efficient bioanalytical method for determination of LPV is useful for pharmacokinetic and drug delivery studies in rats, as well as TDM in human patients.
A volatolomic approach using cerumen as biofluid to diagnose bovine intoxication by Stryphnodendron rotundifolium
Authors: Barbosa João Marcos G. , Fernandes Rodrigues Milenna K. , David Lurian C. , e Silva Taynara C. , Fortuna Lima Danielly A. , Pereira Naiara Z. , D'Alessandro Emmanuel B. , de Oliveira Anselmo E. , Jorge da Cunha Paulo H. , Fioravanti Maria Clorinda S. , Antoniosi Filho Nelson R.
Published: June 2020

An innovative volatolomic approach employs the detection of biomarkers present in cerumen (earwax) to identify cattle intoxication by Stryphnodendron rotundifolium Mart., Fabaceae (popularly known as barbatimão). S. rotundifolium is a poisonous plant with the toxic compound undefined and widely distributed throughout the Brazilian territory. Cerumen samples from cattle of two local Brazilian breeds (‘Curraleiro Pé‐Duro’ and ‘Pantaneiro’) were collected during an experimental intoxication protocol and analyzed using headspace (HS)/GC–MS followed by multivariate analysis (genetic algorithm for a partial least squares, cluster analysis, and classification and regression trees). A total of 106 volatile organic metabolites were identified in the cerumen samples of bovines. The intoxication by S. rotundifolium influenced the cerumen volatolomic profile of the bovines throughout the intoxication protocol. In this way, it was possible to detect biomarkers for cattle intoxication. Among the biomarkers, 2‐octyldecanol and 9‐tetradecen‐1‐ol were able to discriminate all samples between intoxicated and nonintoxicated bovines. The cattle intoxication diagnosis by S. rotundifolium was accomplished by applying the cerumen analysis using HS/GC–MS, in an easy, accurate, and noninvasive way. Thus, the proposed bioanalytical chromatography protocol is a useful tool in veterinary applications to determine this kind of intoxication.
How values of individualism and collectivism influence impulsive buying and money budgeting: the mediating role of acculturation to global consumer culture
Authors: Czarnecka Barbara , Schivinski Bruno , Keles Serap
Published: June 2020

This study examined the effects of individual‐level cultural values of individualism and collectivism on impulsive buying and money budgeting and the mediating role of acculturation to global consumer culture. By applying the person‐environment fit theory and acculturation theory, we argue that people who hold cultural values congruent with the culture they come into contact with are more likely to acculturate to it, and that those who acculturate to global consumer culture (GCC) are more likely to display consumption behaviors stimulated by GCC, namely impulsive buying and poor money budgeting. The findings show that consumers acculturated to GCC report higher impulsive buying and lower money budgeting, and that it is not the distinction between individualism and collectivism, but rather between the vertical and horizontal values that determines the acceptance of GCC and the studied consumption behaviors. Results revealed that vertical individualists (those who believe in competition between individuals and who prioritize their needs over the needs of others) and vertical collectivists (those who believe in the subordination of individuals to groups) were more likely to be acculturated to GCC. Thus, the acceptance of inequality between individuals among other individuals, or within groups, is related to the acceptance of GCC and impulsive buying and money budgeting. The level of acculturation to GCC mediates the relations between vertical individualism and collectivism values and impulsive buying and money budgeting. Theoretical contributions to the research on horizontal/vertical individualism/collectivism, acculturation to GCC, and person‐environment fit theory, as well as practical implications for marketers are discussed.
Plasma‐Assisted Catalytic Effects of TiO2/Macroporous SiO2 on the Synthesis of Light Hydrocarbons from Methane
Authors: Kim Juchan , Kim Seongseop , Lee Namheon , Lim Chaesung , Han Jeong Woo , Lee Jinwoo , Ha Kyoung‐Su
Published: June 2020

Valuable light hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, butane and corresponding olefins were successfully synthesized using a plasma‐assisted catalytic system. The catalytic activity of titania nanoparticles seemed to selectively increase the conversion of intermediates into longer C5+ hydrocarbons, while suppressing the dehydrogenation of intermediates to coke. In addition, DFT calculations revealed that the intermediate hydrocarbon radicals on titania active sites seemed to prefer to form longer hydrocarbons rather than coke in terms of dehydrogenation energy and relative adsorption energy. In addition, the proper selection of support material in terms of dielectric constant, particle size, and pore size could greatly improve the selectivity toward saturated light hydrocarbons. The fraction of saturated hydrocarbons in C2–C4 was measured over 80 %. By adopting macroporous silica with a large pore size, the required bed weight was appreciably reduced, without compromising performance.
Constructing a Rod‐like CoFeP@Ru Heterostructure with Additive Active Sites for Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Suli , Mu Xueqin , Ji Pengxia , Lv Yun , Wang Lei , Zhou Quan , Chen Changyun , Mu Shichun
Published: June 2020

Interfacial engineering and defect modulation can provide abundant active sites for catalysts to further boost the catalysis process. In this work, we develop a strategy to grow multi‐heterogeneous cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanorods with rich interfaces and defects along the one‐dimensional (1D) nanostructure by dual incorporation of Fe and Ru (CoFeP@Ru). Such a catalyst exhibits high activity and stability towards the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), with overpotentials of only 38 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 48 mV in 1.0 M KOH for HER, and an overpotential of 340 mV in 0.1 M KOH for OER at 10 mA cm−2. Finally, as the bifunctional catalyst, an alkali electrolyzer is assembled and delivers at a low cell voltage, with almost 100 % Faradaic efficiency. Our experimental results demonstrate that Fe incorporation can disturb or even break the periodic structure of cobalt phosphides, causing a redistribution of the electronic structure and electron density of activity sites, while Ru can significantly enhance the catalytic kinetics, as well as electrochemical and mechanical stability.
The ISCCA flow protocol for the monitoring of anti‐CD20 therapies in autoimmune disorders
Authors: Gatti Arianna , Buccisano Francesco , Scupoli Maria T. , Brando Bruno
Published: June 2020

Background

Anti‐CD20 monoclonals (MoAbs) are used in a variety of autoimmune disorders. The aim is to eliminate memory B cells sustaining the tissue damage and the production of pathogenic autoantibodies, while preserving naïve cells. The disappearance of memory B cells and the repopulation by naïve cells correlate with good clinical response, while the reappearance of memory B cells and plasmablasts correlates with relapse or resistance to therapy. Anti‐CD20 induce extremely low B cell levels, requiring high‐resolution techniques. The immune monitoring protocol developed by ISCCA is described and validated, to provide a standardized method for the clinical decision‐making process during anti‐CD20 therapies in autoimmune diseases.

Methods

A 10‐marker, 8‐color staining panel (CD20‐V450, CD45‐V500c, CD4‐FITC + sIgM‐FITC, CD38‐PE, CD3‐PerCP Cy5.5, CD19‐PE‐Cy7, CD27‐APC, CD8‐APC H7 + sIgG‐APC‐H7) is used to identify B cells, plasma cells/blasts, naïve and memory B cells, sIgM+ and sIgG‐switched memory B cells, T and NK cells, with high‐sensitivity analysis (>106 CD45+ cells).

Results

After an anti‐CD20 dose, the B cell level is about zero in most patients. If B cells remain virtually absent (<0.1/μl), subsetting is not reliable nor meaningful. If B cells raise >0.3–0.5/μl, subsetting is possible and informative, acquiring >1.0–1.5 × 106 CD45+ events. Further testings can follow the quality of B cell repopulation. If B cells become detectable (>1/μl), the prevalence of memory B cells indicates non‐responsiveness or a possible relapse.

Conclusions

The ISCCA Protocol is proposed for a standardized prospective monitoring of patients with autoimmune disorders, to assist the safe and rational usage of anti‐CD20 therapies.
A new digital method of data collection for spatial point pattern analysis in grassland communities
Authors: Wang Xinting , Jiang Chao , Jia Chengzhen , Tai Yang , Hou Yali , Zhang Weihua
Published: June 2020

A major objective of plant ecology research is to determine the underlying processes responsible for the observed spatial distribution patterns of plant species. Plants can be approximated as points in space for this purpose, and thus, spatial point pattern analysis has become increasingly popular in ecological research. The basic piece of data for point pattern analysis is a point location of an ecological object in some study region. Therefore, point pattern analysis can only be performed if data can be collected. However, due to the lack of a convenient sampling method, a few previous studies have used point pattern analysis to examine the spatial patterns of grassland species. This is unfortunate because being able to explore point patterns in grassland systems has widespread implications for population dynamics, community‐level patterns, and ecological processes. In this study, we developed a new method to measure individual coordinates of species in grassland communities. This method records plant growing positions via digital picture samples that have been sub‐blocked within a geographical information system (GIS). Here, we tested out the new method by measuring the individual coordinates of Stipa grandis in grazed and ungrazed S. grandis communities in a temperate steppe ecosystem in China. Furthermore, we analyzed the pattern of S. grandis by using the pair correlation function g(r) with both a homogeneous Poisson process and a heterogeneous Poisson process. Our results showed that individuals of S. grandis were overdispersed according to the homogeneous Poisson process at 0–0.16 m in the ungrazed community, while they were clustered at 0.19 m according to the homogeneous and heterogeneous Poisson processes in the grazed community. These results suggest that competitive interactions dominated the ungrazed community, while facilitative interactions dominated the grazed community. In sum, we successfully executed a new sampling method, using digital photography and a geographical information system, to collect experimental data on the spatial point patterns for the populations in this grassland community.