Shear-Thinning Extrudable Hydrogels Based on Star Polypeptides with Antimicrobial Properties.

Hydrogels with low toxicity, antimicrobial potency and shear-thinning behavior are promising materials to combat the modern challenges of increased infections. Here, we report on 8-arm star block copolypeptides based on poly(L-lysine), poly(L-tyrosine) and poly(S-benzyl-L-cysteine) blocks. Three star block copolypeptides were synthesized with poly(S-benzyl-L-cysteine) always forming the outer block.

Cybersecurity and critical care staff: A mixed methods study.

Introduction: Cyberattacks on healthcare organisations are becoming increasingly common and represent a growing threat to patient safety. The majority of breaches in cybersecurity have been attributed to human error. Intensive care departments are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks.

The changing UK careers landscape: tidal waves, turbulence and transformation.

This article explores how the UK careers landscape in each of the four home nations is changing in response to neo-liberal policies. In this context, careers services are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate their added value, impact and returns on investment. As fiscal arrangements tighten and governments state their preferences and priorities for national careers services, differing strategic responses are beginning to emerge.

DNA microarray genotyping and virulence and antimicrobial resistance gene profiling of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream isolates from renal patients.

Thirty-six methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream isolates from renal patients were genetically characterized by DNA microarray analysis and spa typing. The isolates were highly clonal, belonging mainly to ST22-MRSA-IV. The immune evasion and enterotoxin gene clusters were found in 29/36 (80%) and 33/36 (92%) isolates, respectively.

Morphological and functional differentiation of HSG cells: role of extracellular matrix and trpc 1.

A human salivary intercalated duct cell line (HSG) is capable of morphological change to acinar-type cells, and of salivary amylase (AMY1) expression, by culturing on basement membrane extracts (BME). The aim of this study was to determine the critical conditions for functional and morphological differentiation of HSG cells and to establish if the processes are related. Cells were grown on BMEs that had different protein concentrations and growth factor content, and then examined with respect to morphology and AMY1 expression.