Entrapment via synaptic-like connections between NG2 proteoglycan+ cells and dystrophic axons in the lesion plays a role in regeneration failure after spinal cord injury.

NG2 is purportedly one of the most growth-inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) produced after spinal cord injury. Nonetheless, once the severed axon tips dieback from the lesion core into the penumbra they closely associate with NG2+ cells. We asked if proteoglycans play a role in this tight cell-cell interaction and whether overadhesion upon these cells might participate in regeneration failure in rodents.

A bioinspired omniphobic surface coating on medical devices prevents thrombosis and biofouling.

Thrombosis and biofouling of extracorporeal circuits and indwelling medical devices cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We apply a bioinspired, omniphobic coating to tubing and catheters and show that it completely repels blood and suppresses biofilm formation. The coating is a covalently tethered, flexible molecular layer of perfluorocarbon, which holds a thin liquid film of medical-grade perfluorocarbon on the surface.

Association between interferon use and reduced metabolic and vascular complications among patients with hepatitis C.

We examined whether interferon treatment is associated with reduced metabolic/vascular complications in hepatitis C virus patients. The study had historical prospective cohort design using Maryland Medicaid administrative data (2006-2009). The end point was the incidence rate of mild, severe and combined mild/severe events from the Diabetes Complications Severity Index (DCSI).

Phase II study of avatrombopag in thrombocytopenic patients with cirrhosis undergoing an elective procedure.

Background & Aims: This is a phase II multicentre study to investigate the efficacy and safety of avatrombopag (E5501), an investigational second-generation thrombopoietin receptor agonist, administered one week prior to elective procedures in patients with thrombocytopenia secondary to cirrhosis.

Methods: Adults with cirrhosis and platelet counts ⩾10 to ⩽58×10(9)/L were randomized to placebo or avatrombopag in two sequential cohorts. Cohort A: placebo vs.

Resistance and resilience responses of a range of soil eukaryote and bacterial taxa to fungicide application.

The application of plant protection products has the potential to significantly affect soil microbial community structure and function. However, the extent to which soil microbial communities from different trophic levels exhibit resistance and resilience to such compounds remains poorly understood. The resistance and resilience responses of a range of microbial communities (bacteria, fungi, archaea, pseudomonads, and nematodes) to different concentrations of the strobilurin fungicide, azoxystrobin were studied.

Self-replenishing vascularized fouling-release surfaces.

Inspired by the long-term effectiveness of living antifouling materials, we have developed a method for the self-replenishment of synthetic biofouling-release surfaces. These surfaces are created by either molding or directly embedding 3D vascular systems into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and filling them with a silicone oil to generate a nontoxic oil-infused material. When replenished with silicone oil from an outside source, these materials are capable of self-lubrication and continuous renewal of the interfacial fouling-release layer.

Targeted inhibition of prostate cancer metastases with an RNA aptamer to prostate-specific membrane antigen.

Cell-targeted therapies (smart drugs), which selectively control cancer cell progression with limited toxicity to normal cells, have been developed to effectively treat some cancers. However, many cancers such as metastatic prostate cancer (PC) have yet to be treated with current smart drug technology. Here, we describe the thorough preclinical characterization of an RNA aptamer (A9g) that functions as a smart drug for PC by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

Banding Together: An Investigation of Post-Surgery Support Groups for Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding Patients.

Though advocated as useful for patients, there is little in the literature regarding the use and effectiveness of bariatric support groups. This study investigated characteristics and experiences of bariatric patients who did and did not attend offered groups. Seventy-eight postoperative laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding patients from a private bariatric clinic completed mailed self-report questionnaires.

Thymine/adenine diblock-oligonucleotide monolayers and hybrid brushes on gold: a spectroscopic study.

Background: The establishment of spectroscopic analysis techniques for complex, surface-bound biological systems is an important step toward the further application of these powerful experimental tools to new questions in biology and medicine.

Methods: We use a combination of the complementary spectroscopic techniques of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy, and near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to monitor the composition and molecular orientation in adenine/thymine diblock oligonucleotide films and their hybridized brushes on gold.

Results: We demonstrate that the surface-bound probe molecules, consisting of a binding adenine block, d(A), and a sensing thymine block, d(T), deviate from the ideal L-shape model due to the internal intra- and intermolecular hybridization.

Prediction of the likelihood of drug interactions with kinase inhibitors based on in vitro and computational studies.

Kinase inhibitors (KIs) represent an important group of anticancer drugs, and many of them are substrates and inhibitors of human cytochrome P450s (CYPs), raising the potential of harmful drug interactions. This study investigated the effect of a library of KIs (n = 91) including 11 FDA-approved KIs on human CYP1A2, 2D6, 2C9, and 3A4 using high-throughput screening kits and the binding modes with CYPs using the Discovery Studio program 3.1.

A course-based research experience: how benefits change with increased investment in instructional time.

There is widespread agreement that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs should provide undergraduates with research experience. Practical issues and limited resources, however, make this a challenge. We have developed a bioinformatics project that provides a course-based research experience for students at a diverse group of schools and offers the opportunity to tailor this experience to local curriculum and institution-specific student needs.

An adsorbent monolith device to augment the removal of uraemic toxins during haemodialysis.

Adsorbents designed with porosity which allows the removal of protein bound and high molecular weight uraemic toxins may improve the effectiveness of haemodialysis treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). A nanoporous activated carbon monolith prototype designed for direct blood contact was first assessed for its capacity to remove albumin bound marker toxins indoxyl sulphate (IS), p-cresyl sulphate (p-CS) and high molecular weight cytokine interleukin-6 in spiked healthy donor studies. Haemodialysis patient blood samples were then used to measure the presence of these markers in pre- and post-dialysis blood and their removal by adsorbent recirculation of post-dialysis blood samples.

Risky sexual behavior in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Objective: To identify correlates of risky sexual behavior among adolescents surviving childhood cancer.

Methods: The Child Health and Illness Profile-Adolescent Edition (CHIP-AE) was completed by 307 survivors of childhood cancer aged 15-20 years (M age at diagnosis 1.53 years; range 0-3.

Stepping outside the box: an adolescent with a new-onset seizure.

First-time seizures are frightening to children and their families, but the practice parameter recommends minimal evaluation in the emergency department (ED) for the child who presents in a neurologically normal state. We report a 12-year-old girl with seizure whose evaluation in the ED included a computed tomographic scan, largely because of parental anxiety. Computed tomography demonstrated a cerebral cavernous hemangioma or cavernoma.

Isolation and characterisation of azoxystrobin degrading bacteria from soil.

The first strobilurin fungicides were introduced in 1996, and have since been used in a vast array of disease/plant systems worldwide. The strobilurins now consist of 16 compounds and represent the 2nd most important fungicide group worldwide with 15% of the total fungicide market share. Strobilurins are moderately persistent in soil, and some degradation products (e.

Nanoporous activated carbon beads and monolithic columns as effective hemoadsorbents for inflammatory cytokines.

The aim of the present study was to develop and investigate nanoporous activated carbon materials for their ability to adsorb inflammatory cytokines directly from blood, for a range of therapeutic applications, including: systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) related to sepsis, cardio-pulmonary by-pass surgery, or ischemic reperfusion injury. Building on the previously established relationship between the porous structure of beaded polymer-derived activated carbon and its capacity to adsorb inflammatory molecules, we have developed and characterized monolithic porous carbon columns produced from the same polymer precursor matrix as carbon microbeads. The monolithic columns developed were assessed for their ability to adsorb inflammatory molecules from blood in a circulating system.

Müllerian-type, cutaneous ciliated cyst in the gluteal cleft mimicking a pilonidal cyst.

A cutaneous ciliated cyst is a rare entity found predominantly in the lower extremities and perineal region of young females. Although initially described by Hess in 1890, the present day term, "cutaneous ciliated cyst," was proposed by Farmer in 1978 and includes a wide array of cyst types. Despite their typical female predominance and location, many have described cutaneous ciliated cysts in males and atypical locations.

The use of multiple serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) procedures for the management of intestinal atresia and short bowel syndrome.

The serial transverse enteroplasty procedure (STEP) was introduced as a bowel-lengthening procedure to reduce complications related to short bowel syndrome (SBS). Although some have described it as a useful adjunct to the Bianci procedure, others have acknowledged it as a primary procedure. We present a case of jejunal atresia in which two STEP procedures were performed 7 months apart to increase small bowel length.

The use of 50% albumin/plasma replacement fluid in therapeutic plasma exchange for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Background: Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13) and is often associated with the presence of an antibody inhibiting the activity of the protease. Typically, 1-1.5 plasma volume exchanges are performed daily until symptoms have resolved and the platelet count exceeds 150,000/µl.

Examining porous bio-active glass as a potential osteo-odonto-keratoprosthetic skirt material.

Bio-active glass has been developed for use as a bone substitute with strong osteo-inductive capacity and the ability to form strong bonds with soft and hard tissue. The ability of this material to enhance tissue in-growth suggests its potential use as a substitute for the dental laminate of an osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis. A preliminary in vitro investigation of porous bio-active glass as an OOKP skirt material was carried out.