Mcgarrygormsen2548

The development of sensing interfaces can significantly improve the performance of biological sensors. Graphene oxide provides a remarkable immobilization platform for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors due to its excellent optical and biochemical properties. Here, we describe a novel sensor chip for SPR biosensors based on graphene-oxide linking layers. The biosensing assay model was based on a graphene oxide film containing streptavidin. The proposed sensor chip has three times higher sensitivity than the carboxymethylated dextran surface of a commercial sensor chip. Moreover, the demonstrated sensor chips are bioselective with more than 25 times reduced binding for nonspecific interaction and can be used multiple times. We consider the results presented here of importance for any future applications of highly sensitive SPR biosensing.Recurrent glioblastoma represents a challenge in neuro-oncology since the prognosis is poor and current therapeutic options are limited. Bevacizumab has demonstrated activity in this setting in various clinical trials and has been approved by US FDA for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Nevertheless, many issues still exist. In this article, we summarized the principal subjects of controversies that surround bevacizumab and its use in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma.We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory data over 5 years in a tertiary centre to assess clinical and microbiological characteristics of patients with Raoultella spp. infection. Raoultella spp. were deemed responsible for clinical infections in 57 patients (R. planticola, n = 32 and R. ornithinolytica, n = 25). The most prevalent diagnoses for R. planticola were cystitis (50%; n = 16) followed by bacteraemia and pneumonia (9.4%; n = 3); for R. ornithinolytica, cystitis (36%; n = 9) followed by pneumonia (24%; n = 6). Immunodeficiency was present in 18 patients (56.3%) with R. planticola and in 16 patients (64%) with R. ornithinolytica infection. Of these, 55.6% and 37.5% had diabetes and 27.8% and 18.% were solid organ transplant recipients, respectively. All isolates were sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. Mortality of infections with R. planticola (n = 5; 15.6%) was higher than for R. ornithinolytica (n = 2; 8.0%), but the difference was not statistically significant.Specific and sensitive food biomarkers are necessary to support dietary intake assessment and link nutritional habits to potential impact on human health. A multistep nutritional intervention study was conducted to suggest novel biomarkers for coffee consumption. (1)H NMR metabolic profiling combined with multivariate data analysis resolved 2-furoylglycine (2-FG) as a novel putative biomarker for coffee consumption. We relatively quantified 2-FG in the urine of coffee drinkers and investigated its origin, metabolism, and excretion kinetics. When searching for its potential precursors, we found different furan derivatives in coffee products, which are known to get metabolized to 2-FG. Maximal urinary excretion of 2-FG occurred 2 h after consumption (p = 0.0002) and returned to baseline after 24 h (p = 0.74). The biomarker was not excreted after consumption of coffee substitutes such as tea and chicory coffee and might therefore be a promising acute biomarker for the detection of coffee consumption in human urine.

A number of atypical antipsychotic drugs were demonstrated to have anxiolytic effects in patients and in animal models. These effects were mostly suggested to be the consequence of the drugs' affinity to the serotonin system and its receptors. Asenapine is a relatively new atypical antipsychotic that is prescribed for schizophrenia and for bipolar mania. Asenapine has a broad pharmacological profile with significant effects on serotonergic receptors, hence it is reasonable to expect that asenapine may have some anxiolytic effects. The present study was therefore designed to examine possible effects of asenapine on anxiety-like behaviour of mice.

Male ICR mice were repeatedly treated with 0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg injections of asenapine and then tested in a battery of behavioural tests related to anxiety including the open-field test, elevated plus-maze (EPM), defensive marble burying and hyponeophagia tests. In an adjunct experiment, we tested the effects of acute diazepam in the same test battery.

The results show that diazepam reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the EPM, the defensive marble burying test and the hyponeophagia test but not in the open field. Asenapine has anxiolytic-like effects in the EPM and the defensive marble burying tests but had no effects in the open-field or the hyponeophagia tests. Asenapine had no effects on locomotor activity.

The results suggest that asenapine may have anxiolytic-like properties and recommends that clinical trials examining such effects should be performed.

The results suggest that asenapine may have anxiolytic-like properties and recommends that clinical trials examining such effects should be performed.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play pivotal roles in plant growth, development and stress response. Chromium (Cr) is one of common environmental contaminants possessing potential health hazards to living organisms. To date, little is known about the regulatory roles of miRNAs in response to Cr stress in radish. To systematically identify Cr-responsive miRNAs and their targets in radish, two sRNA libraries derived from Cr-free (CK) and Cr-treated (Cr200) roots were constructed. With Solexa sequencing, 81 known and 72 novel miRNAs were identified, from which 54 known and 16 novel miRNAs were significantly differentially expressed under Cr stress. Several target genes for Cr-responsive miRNAs encode different transcription factor (TF) families, including SPLs, MYBs, ERFs and bZIPs, might regulate corresponding HM-related transcriptional processes in plants. Notably, a few key responsive enzymes or proteins, including HMA, YSL1 and ABC transporter protein were involved in Cr uptake and homeostasis process. Furthermore, the expression patterns of some Cr-responsive miRNAs and their targets were validated by RT-qPCR. This study represents the first characterization of Cr-responsive miRNAs and their targets in radish. The outcomes of this study could provide novel insights into miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying plant response to Cr stress in root vegetable crops.We demonstrate highly antibacterial activities for killing off Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using ZnO nanowires decorated with ZnO quantum dots (so-called ZnO QDs/NWs) under visible-light irradiation and dark conditions. check details The average size of the ZnO QDs is in the range of 3-5 nm; these were uniformly dispersed on the ZnO nanowires' surface to form the ZnO QDs/NWs. A significant blue-shift effect was observed using photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The size of the ZnO QDs is strongly dependent on the material's synthesis time. The ZnO QDs/NWs exhibited an excellent photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation. The ZnO QDs' active sites (i.e. the O-H bond and Zn(2+)) accelerate the photogenerated-carrier migration from the QDs to the NWs. As a consequence, the electrons reacted with the dissolved oxygen to form oxygen ions and produced hydroperoxyl radicals to enhance photocatalytic activity. The antibacterial activities (as indicated by R-factor-inhibiting activity) of the ZnO QDs/NWs for killing off Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli is around 4.9 and 5.5 under visible-light irradiation and dark conditions, respectively. The hydroxyl radicals served as an efficient oxidized agent for decomposing the organic dye and microorganism species. The antibacterial activities of the ZnO QDs/NWs in the dark may be attributed to the Zn(2+) ions that were released from the ZnO QDs and infused into the microbial solution against the growth of bacteria thus disrupting the microorganism. The highly antibacterial and photocatalytic activity of the ZnO QDs/NWs can be well implanted on a screen window, thus offering a promising solution to inhibit the spread of germs under visible-light and dark conditions.Amidoxime surface functionalized bacterial cellulose (AOBC) has been successfully prepared by a simple two-step method without obviously changing the morphology of bacterial cellulose. AOBC has been used as the reducing agent and carrier for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that distributed homogeneously on bacterial cellulose surface. Higher content in amidoxime groups in AOBC is beneficial for the synthesis of AuNPs with smaller and more uniform size. The AuNPs/AOBC nanohybrids have excellent catalytic activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by using NaBH4. It was found that catalytic activity of AuNPs/AOBC first increases with increasing NaBH4 concentration and temperature, and then leveled off at NaBH4 concentration above 238 mM and temperature above 50 °C. Moreover, AuNPs with smaller size have higher catalytic activity. The highest apparent turnover frequency of AuNPs/AOBC is 1190 h(-1). The high catalytic activity is due to the high affinity of 4-NP with AuNPs/AOBC and the reduced product 4-aminophenol has good solubility in water in the presence of AuNPs/AOBC. The catalytic stability of the AuNPs/AOBC was estimated by filling a fluid column contained AuNPs/AOBC and used for continuously catalysis of the reduction of 4-NP by using NaBH4. The column works well without detection of 4-NP in the eluent after running for more than two months, and it is still running. This work provides an excellent catalyst based on bacterial cellulose stabilized AuNPs and has promising applications in industry.Fertility preservation strategies have been developed for men and women whose fertility is compromised for medical reasons, especially in case of cancer therapy. At present, many reliable options for preserving fertility are available. However, a part of these fertility preservation methods, despite being promising, are still considered experimental. Nevertheless, there are still situations where no methods can be offered. Remarkable scientific progress is currently underway to improve available techniques and to develop new technologies to solve problems with current fertility strategies. These new options may drastically change reproductive options for young patients facing germ cell loss and hence sterility. Therefore, oncofertility counseling by a specialist is recommended for all young cancer patients having to undergo treatment that may reduce fertility potential.

Uganda has one of the world's highest fertility rates, and high unmet need for family planning, even when clients have contact with health facilities. Misconceptions about contraceptive side effects and inadequate training for healthcare workers contribute to this.

To develop and evaluate in-service training for family planning, across a whole institution.

Course evaluation. Impact on services.

Following a needs assessment, two courses were developed, adapting WHO's Training Resource Package for Family Planning. All staff were offered level 1 training (five 1 h sessions). The 30 h level 2 course aimed to train clinical staff to certificate level; assessed by written exam, consultation skills and presentations. Quantitative evaluation assessed changes in pre-course and post-course knowledge and confidence scores. Participant feedback was analysed thematically.

Of the hospital's 76 clinical staff, 44 attended some training. Of these, 21 attended and 19 completed level 2. Mean knowledge scores increased from 15.