Where is the heat threat in a city? Different perspectives on people-oriented and remote sensing methods: The case of Prague.

Extreme heat in urban areas has a severe impact on urban populations worldwide. In light of the threats posed by climate change, it is clear that more holistic and people-oriented approaches to reducing heat stress in urban areas are needed. From this perspective we aim to identify and compare thermal hotspots and places with favourable thermal conditions, based on three different methods - thermal walk, participatory-based cognitive mapping, and remote sensing in a Central European city.

Charge Regulation Triggers Condensation of Short Oligopeptides to Polyelectrolytes.

Electrostatic interactions between charged macromolecules are ubiquitous in biological systems, and they are important also in materials design. Attraction between oppositely charged molecules is often interpreted as if the molecules had a fixed charge, which is not affected by their interaction. Less commonly, charge regulation is invoked to interpret such interactions, i.

Tuning polymer-blood and polymer-cytoplasm membrane interactions by manipulating the architecture of poly(2-oxazoline) triblock copolymers.

Bioactive moieties designed to bind to cell membrane receptors benefit from coupling with polymeric carriers that have enhanced affinity to the cell membrane. When bound to the cell surface, such carriers create a "2D solution" of a ligand with a significantly increased concentration near a membrane-bound receptor compared to a freely water-soluble ligand. Bifunctional polymeric carriers based on amphiphilic triblock copolymers were synthesized from 2-pent-4-ynyl oxazoline, 2-nonyl oxazoline and 2-ethyl oxazoline.

Anionically Functionalized Glycogen Encapsulates Melittin by Multivalent Interaction.

We developed acid-functionalized glycogen conjugates as supramolecular carriers for efficient encapsulation and inhibition of a model cationic peptide melittin─the main component of honeybee venom. For this purpose, we synthesized and characterized a set of glycogens, functionalized to various degrees by several different acid groups. These conjugates encapsulate melittin up to a certain threshold amount, beyond which they precipitate.

The emotional map of Prague - data on what locals think about the Czech capital?

The paper presents the data from the participatory emotional mapping in Prague, Czech Republic. It contains 98,364 points complemented with 30,941 comments from 5,973 respondents across the city of Prague (1,335,084 inhabitants according to [1]). There were eight questions/statements common for all of Prague, furthermore each Prague district ( = 27) could add up to seven questions/statements.

The combination of endoluminal radiofrequency ablation and metal stent implantation for the treatment of malignant biliary stenosis - Randomized study.

Purpose: To analyse whether endobiliary radiofrequency ablation prior metal stent insertion in malignant biliary stenosis show improved survival or stent patency.

Methods: 76 patients with histologically proven malignant biliary stenosis have been enrolled in a prospective, randomized study. In control arm, 40 patients underwent self-expandable metal stent insertion.

Light-Activated Carbon Monoxide Prodrugs Based on Bipyridyl Dicarbonyl Ruthenium(II) Complexes.

Two photoactivatable dicarbonyl ruthenium(II) complexes based on an amide-functionalised bipyridine scaffold (4-position) equipped with an alkyne functionality or a green-fluorescent BODIPY (boron-dipyrromethene) dye have been prepared and used to investigate their light-induced decarbonylation. UV/Vis, FTIR and C NMR spectroscopies as well as gas chromatography and multivariate curve resolution alternating least-squares analysis (MCR-ALS) were used to elucidate the mechanism of the decarbonylation process. Release of the first CO molecule occurs very quickly, while release of the second CO molecule proceeds more slowly.

In Situ In Vivo radiolabeling of polymer-coated hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to track their biodistribution in mice.

The imaging of healthy tissues and solid tumors benefits from the application of nanoparticle probes with altered pharmacokinetics, not available to low molecular weight compounds. However, the distribution and accumulation of nanoprobes in vivo typically take at least tens of hours to be efficient. For nanoprobes bearing a radioactive label, this is contradictory to the requirement of minimizing the radiation dose for patients by using as-short-as-feasible half-life radionuclides in diagnostics.

Tungsten (VI) based "molecular puzzle" photoluminescent nanoparticles easily covered with biocompatible natural polysaccharides via direct chelation.

Multimodal probes, which can be simultaneously visualized by multiple imaging modalities, enable the cellular uptake, intracellular fate, biodistribution and elimination to be tracked in organisms. In this study, we report the synthesis of crystalline WO and CaWO doped with Eu or Tb nanoparticles (size range of 10-160 nm) coated with polysaccharides, and these nanoparticles constitute a versatile easy-to-construct modular toolbox for multimodal imaging. The particles adsorb significant amounts of polysaccharides from the solution, providing biocompatibility and may serve as a platform for labeling.

Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) conjugates with doxorubicin for cancer therapy: In vitro and in vivo evaluation and direct comparison to poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] analogues.

We designed and synthesized a new delivery system for the anticancer drug doxorubicin based on a biocompatible hydrophilic poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) carrier with linear architecture and narrow molar mass distribution. The drug is connected to the polymer backbone via an acid-sensitive hydrazone linker, which allows its triggered release in the tumor. The in vitro studies demonstrate successful cellular uptake of conjugates followed by release of the cytostatic cargo.

The Crisis Map of the Czech Republic: the nationwide deployment of an Ushahidi application for disasters.

Crisis mapping is a legitimate component of both crisis informatics and disaster risk management. It has become an effective tool for humanitarian workers, especially after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Ushahidi is among the many mapping platforms on offer in the growing field of crisis mapping, and involves the application of crowdsourcing to create online and interactive maps of areas in turmoil.

Fluorescent boronate-based polymer nanoparticles with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered cargo release for drug-delivery applications.

A new drug-delivery system of polymer nanoparticles (NPs) bearing pinacol-type boronic ester and alkyne moieties displaying triggered self-immolative polymer degradation in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the capability of cellular imaging is presented. The NPs specifically release their drug cargo under concentrations of ROS that are commonly found in the intracellular environment of certain tumors and of inflamed tissues and exhibit significant cytotoxicity to cancer cells compared to their non-ROS-responsive counterparts.

Benign biliary strictures refractory to standard bilioplasty treated using polydoxanone biodegradable biliary stents: retrospective multicentric data analysis on 107 patients.

Objectives: To assess mid-term outcome of biodegradable biliary stents (BBSs) to treat benign biliary strictures refractory to standard bilioplasty.

Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained and patient consent was waived. 107 patients (61 males, 46 females, mean age 59 ± 16 years), were treated.

Efficient Condensation of DNA into Environmentally Responsive Polyplexes Produced from Block Catiomers Carrying Amine or Diamine Groups.

The intracellular delivery of nucleic acids requires a vector system as they cannot diffuse across lipid membranes. Although polymeric transfecting agents have been extensively investigated, none of the proposed gene delivery vehicles fulfill all of the requirements needed for an effective therapy, namely, the ability to bind and compact DNA into polyplexes, stability in the serum environment, endosome-disrupting capacity, efficient intracellular DNA release, and low toxicity. The challenges are mainly attributed to conflicting properties such as stability vs efficient DNA release and toxicity vs efficient endosome-disrupting capacity.

A Novel Nanoprobe for Multimodal Imaging Is Effectively Incorporated into Human Melanoma Metastatic Cell Lines.

To facilitate efficient drug delivery to tumor tissue, several nanomaterials have been designed, with combined diagnostic and therapeutic properties. In this work, we carried out fundamental in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess the labeling efficacy of our novel theranostic nanoprobe, consisting of glycogen conjugated with a red fluorescent probe and gadolinium. Microscopy and resazurin viability assays were used to study cell labeling and cell viability in human metastatic melanoma cell lines.

Measurement of pH micro-heterogeneity in natural cheese matrices by fluorescence lifetime imaging.

Cheese, a product of microbial fermentation may be defined as a protein matrix entrapping fat, moisture, minerals and solutes as well as dispersed bacterial colonies. The growth and physiology of bacterial cells in these colonies may be influenced by the microenvironment around the colony, or alternatively the cells within the colony may modify the microenvironment (e.g.

Multi-responsive polymer micelles as ellipticine delivery carriers for cancer therapy.

In the present study, we describe the synthesis and physicochemical properties of a novel pH- and thermoresponsive micellar drug delivery system for an anticancer ellipticinium derivative based on the triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-[tert-butylacrylamide-co-6-(N-methacryloylamino)hexanoic acid hydrazide]-block-poly(ethylene oxide). The system was designed to meet the basic criteria required for drug carrier systems, namely, solubility in water (overcoming the insolubility of ellipticine), satisfactory drug loading, particle size suitable for an efficient enhanced permeability and retention effect and adequate stability in blood plasma (pH 7.4) followed by rapid drug release in tumors or tumor cell endosomes (pH<6.

Manometric perfusion test in biliary strictures treatment.

Background/aims: To assess the biliary manometric perfusion test (BMPT) for evaluating success in treating benign biliary strictures.

Methodology: During 2003 to 2010, 29 patients were subjected to BMPT after percutaneous balloon dilatation treatment. Intrabiliary pressure less than 20cm of water was considered the success threshold.

Covered biodegradable stent: new therapeutic option for the management of esophageal perforation or anastomotic leak.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate our experience with the treatment of postoperative anastomotic leaks and benign esophageal perforations with covered biodegradable stents.

Materials And Methods: From 2008 to 2010, we treated five men with either an anastomotic leak or benign esophageal perforation by implanting of covered biodegradable Ella-BD stents. The average age of the patients was 60 (range, 38-74) years.

Multimodal oncological therapy comprising stents, brachytherapy, and regional chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma.

Background/aims: To prospectively evaluate our palliative management of unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CC) treated with tailored multimodal oncological therapy.

Methods: Between January 2005 and January 2010, 50 consecutive patients with unresectable CC and jaundice were palliated with percutaneous drainage. Forty-three patients underwent metallic-stent implantation followed by brachytherapy.

Polyoxazoline thermoresponsive micelles as radionuclide delivery systems.

Thermoresponsive polymer micelles are promising drug and radionuclide carriers with a strong passive targeting effect into solid tumors. We have synthesized ABA triblock copolymers poly[2-methyl-2-oxazoline-block-(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline-co-2-butyl-2-oxazoline)-block-2-methyl-2-oxazoline]. These polymers are molecularly dissolved in aqueous millieu below the cloud point temperature (CPT) of the thermoresponsive central block and above CPT form polymer micelles at CMC 5-10 × 10(-5) g · mL(-1) with diameter ≈200 nm.