Thermodynamics of protein destabilization in live cells.

Although protein folding and stability have been well explored under simplified conditions in vitro, it is yet unclear how these basic self-organization events are modulated by the crowded interior of live cells. To find out, we use here in-cell NMR to follow at atomic resolution the thermal unfolding of a β-barrel protein inside mammalian and bacterial cells. Challenging the view from in vitro crowding effects, we find that the cells destabilize the protein at 37 °C but with a conspicuous twist: While the melting temperature goes down the cold unfolding moves into the physiological regime, coupled to an augmented heat-capacity change.

A population-based study on health-related quality of life among urban community residents in Shenyang, Northeast of China.

Background: Due to the rising standard of living environment and advances in public health and medical care in China, it has been a tendency in recent years that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been increasingly acknowledged in community health management. However, large-scale population-based study on evaluating HQRoL in northeast of China was not conducted. This article aims to investigate the HRQoL in community residents in Northeast China and explore the associated factors.

Application of intraoperative motor evoked potential monitoring during giant internal carotid artery aneurysm surgery using prolonged temporary occlusion.

Background: Clipping and bypass surgery are common therapeutic options for the management of giant internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms. However, potential ischemic risks may be exaggerated by prolonged temporary occlusion (PTO) during the surgery. Monitoring motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) is a sensitive technique for detecting potential ischemia intraoperatively.

Dental Students' Use of AMSTAR to Critically Appraise Systematic Reviews.

The idea of basing clinical procedures upon evidence gathered by observation is less than 200 years old, with the first set of evidence-based position papers dating back only to the early 1970s. The relationship between evidence-based education and health outcomes is difficult to test and may be indirect, but teaching critical appraisal skills may be beneficial in developing knowledge. Systematic reviews have a central role in the process of clinical decision making in practice and therefore should be of high quality, following a rigorous protocol that can be evaluated with validated tools.

Clinical Translation of an Albumin-Binding PET Radiotracer 68Ga-NEB.

Unlabelled: Suitably labeled Evans blue dye has been successfully applied to evaluate cardiac function, vascular permeability, and lymphatic imaging in preclinical settings. This study documented the first-in-human application of 68Ga-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N″-triacetic acid (NOTA)-NEB.

Methods: The NOTA-conjugated truncated form of Evans blue, NEB, was labeled with 68Ga and tested in BALB/C mice for dynamic PET and ex vivo biodistribution studies.

SOD1 aggregation in ALS mice shows simplistic test tube behavior.

A longstanding challenge in studies of neurodegenerative disease has been that the pathologic protein aggregates in live tissue are not amenable to structural and kinetic analysis by conventional methods. The situation is put in focus by the current progress in demarcating protein aggregation in vitro, exposing new mechanistic details that are now calling for quantitative in vivo comparison. In this study, we bridge this gap by presenting a direct comparison of the aggregation kinetics of the ALS-associated protein superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in vitro and in transgenic mice.

Magnesium ions improving the growth and organics reduction of Rhodospirillum rubrum cultivated in sewage through regulating energy metabolism pathways.

Rhodospirillum rubrum has the potential for biomass resource recycling combined with sewage purification. However, low biomass production and yield restricts the potential for sewage purification. This research investigated the improvement of biomass production, yield and organics reduction by Mg²⁺ in R.

Dental Implant Supported Restorations Improve Quality of Life in Osteoporotic Women.

Introduction. The aim of this study is to compare the quality of life (QoL) in partially edentulous osteoporotic women who have missing teeth restored with dental implant retained restorations with those who do not and, secondarily, to report the rate of osteonecrosis in this sample. Methods.

Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Based Bicistronic In Situ Reporter Assays for Discovery of Transcription-Targeted Lead Compounds.

Although transgene-based reporter gene assays have been used to discover small molecules targeting expression of cancer-driving genes, the success is limited due to the fact that reporter gene expression regulated by incomplete cis-acting elements and foreign epigenetic environments does not faithfully reproduce chemical responses of endogenous genes. Here, we present an internal ribosome entry site-based strategy for bicistronically co-expressing reporter genes with an endogenous gene in the native gene locus, yielding an in situ reporter assay closely mimicking endogenous gene expression without disintegrating its function. This strategy combines the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome-editing tool with the recombinase-mediated cassette-exchange technology, and allows for rapid development of orthogonal assays for excluding false hits generated from primary screens.

(18)F-Alfatide II PET/CT in healthy human volunteers and patients with brain metastases.

Purpose: We report the biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of an integrin αvβ3 specific PET tracer (18)F-AlF-NOTA-E[PEG4-c(RGDfk)]2) (denoted as (18)F-Alfatide II). We also assessed the value of (18)F-Alfatide II in patients with brain metastases.

Methods: A series of torso (from the skull to the thigh) static images were acquired in five healthy volunteers (3 M, 2 F) at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after injection of (18)F-Alfatide II (257 ± 48 MBq).

Preparedness of institutions around the world for managing patients with Ebola virus disease: an infection control readiness checklist.

Background: In response to global concerns about the largest Ebola virus disease (EVD), outbreak to-date in West Africa documented healthcare associated transmission and the risk of global spread, the International Society of Chemotherapy (ISC) Infection Control Working Group created an Ebola Infection Control Readiness Checklist to assess the preparedness of institutions around the globe. We report data from the electronic checklist that was disseminated to medical professionals from October to December 2014 and identify action needed towards better preparedness levels.

Findings: Data from 192 medical professionals (one third from Africa) representing 125 hospitals in 45 countries around the globe were obtained through a specifically developed electronic survey.

Comparison of implant and provisional placement protocols in sinus-augmented bone: a preliminary report.

Purpose: To evaluate preliminary data on clinical outcomes associated with timing of placement of single implant-supported provisional crowns and implants in augmented bone.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients underwent sinus elevation bone grafting followed by a 6-month healing period before implant placement and immediate placement of a provisional crown (group [G] 1); 20 patients received sinus elevation bone grafting at the time of implant placement and immediate placement of a provisional crown (G2); 20 patients required no bone augmentation before implant placement and immediate placement of a provisional crown (G3); and 20 patients received sinus elevation bone grafting followed by a 6-month healing period before implant placement followed by a 6-month healing period before restoration (G4). The height of the crestal bone was measured and recorded to determine mean bone changes, and success rates were determined.

Oxidized ATM promotes abnormal proliferation of breast CAFs through maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis and activating the PI3K-AKT, MEK-ERK, and Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways.

Abnormal proliferation is one characteristic of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which play a key role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Oxidative stress (OS) is the root cause of CAFs abnormal proliferation. ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein kinase), an important redox sensor, is involved in DNA damage response and cellular homeostasis.

The Bacterial Component Flagellin Induces Anti-Sepsis Protection Through TLR-5, IL-1RN and VCAN During Polymicrobial Sepsis in Mice.

Background: The present study was designed to observe the effects of the bacterial component flagellin on anti-sepsis protection through TLR-5, VCAN and IL-1RN.

Methods: A clinically relevant model of sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). An in vitro culture of endothelial cells was analyzed.

Interaction between phosphorus removal and hybrid granular sludge formation under low hydraulic selection pressure at alternating anaerobic/aerobic conditions.

The hybrid granular sludge (HGS) formation and its performances on phosphorus removal were investigated in a sequencing batch airlift reactor. Under conditions of low superficial air velocity (SAV = 0.68 cm s(-1)) and relatively long settling time (15-30 min), aerobic granules appeared and coexisted with bio-flocs after 120 days operation.

Quantitative Evaluation of Tumor Early Response to a Vascular-Disrupting Agent with Dynamic PET.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the early response of tumors to a vascular-disrupting agent (VDA) VEGF121/recombinant toxin gelonin (rGel) using dynamic [(18)F]FPPRGD2 positron emission tomography (PET) and kinetic parameter estimation.

Procedures: Two tumor xenograft models: U87MG (highly vascularized) and A549 (moderately vascularized), were selected, and both were randomized into treatment and control groups. Sixty-minute dynamic PET scans with [(18)F]FPPRGD2 that targets to integrin αvβ3 were performed at days 0 (baseline), 1, and 3 since VEGF121/rGel treatment started.

Application of 256-channel dense array electroencephalographic source imaging in presurgical workup of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Objective: This study evaluated the localization precision of 256-channel dense array electroencephalographic source imaging (dESI) in comparison to conventional noninvasive tools. In addition, the study was designed to analyze the relationship between the 256-channel dESI source patterns and surgical outcome.

Methods: Forty-three patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who underwent one-stage resective surgeries were recruited in this study.

Hollow core-shell structured Ni-Sn@C nanoparticles: a novel electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Pt-free electrocatalysts with high activity and low cost are highly pursued for hydrogen production by electrochemically splitting water. Ni-based alloy catalysts are potential candidates for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and have been studied extensively. Here, we synthesized novel hollow core-shell structure Ni-Sn@C nanoparticles (NPs) by sol-gel, chemical vapor deposition, and etching processes.

Structural and kinetic analysis of protein-aggregate strains in vivo using binary epitope mapping.

Despite considerable progress in uncovering the molecular details of protein aggregation in vitro, the cause and mechanism of protein-aggregation disease remain poorly understood. One reason is that the amount of pathological aggregates in neural tissue is exceedingly low, precluding examination by conventional approaches. We present here a method for determination of the structure and quantity of aggregates in small tissue samples, circumventing the above problem.

Students' perception of peer-assessment in the context of a treatment planning course.

Objective: Peer assessment is grounded in philosophies of active learning, and it would seem that this tool is a viable method for critical thinking development. The purpose of this article was to present how junior students at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine (CWRU) perceive the value of a peer-assessment activity in the context of a treatment planning course.

Methodology: As a part of the final exam for the junior year Treatment Planning course, students were requested to evaluate a de-identified assignment submitted by one of their peers.

A rapid infusion pump driven by micro electromagnetic linear actuation for pre-hospital intravenous fluid administration.

A rapid infusion pump with a maximum flow rate of 6 L/h was designed experimentally using a micro electromagnetic linear actuator, and its effectiveness was evaluated by comparing with that of a commercial Power Infuser under preset flow rates of 0.2, 2, and 6 L/h. The flow rate, air detection sensitivity, occlusion response time, quantitative determination of hemolysis, and power consumption of the infusion devices were extensively investigated using statistical analysis methods (p < 0.

[Clinical efficacy of mouse nerve growth factor in treatment of occupational hand-arm vibration disease].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) in treating occupational hand-arm vibration disease (HAVD).

Methods: Sixty-four patients with HAVD were equally and randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The control group was given Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and deproteinized extract of calf blood to improve circulation, and also given methylcobalamin tablets and vitamin B6 for neurotrophic treatment.

Characteristics of the Cochrane Oral Health Group systematic reviews.

The Cochrane Oral Health Group (COHG) was formed in 1994 with the aim of producing systematic reviews that primarily include oral health randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to characterize reviews published by the COHG. In September 2013, the COHG database was accessed, and all publications were downloaded.

In vivo albumin labeling and lymphatic imaging.

The ability to accurately and easily locate sentinel lymph nodes (LNs) with noninvasive imaging methods would assist in tumor staging and patient management. For this purpose, we developed a lymphatic imaging agent by mixing fluorine-18 aluminum fluoride-labeled NOTA (1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N,N',N''-triacetic acid)-conjugated truncated Evans blue ((18)F-AlF-NEB) and Evans blue (EB) dye. After local injection, both (18)F-AlF-NEB and EB form complexes with endogenous albumin in the interstitial fluid and allow for visualizing the lymphatic system.

A natural phenylpropionate derivative from Mirabilis himalaica inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells.

Bioactivity-guided study led to the isolation of a natural phenylpropionate derivative, (E)-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxyphenyl)-propenoic acid 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ester from the roots of Mirabilis himalaica. Cellular analysis showed that compound 1 specifically inhibited the cancer cell growth through the S phase arrest. Mechanistically, compound 1 was able to induce the apoptosis in HepG2 cells through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in which Bcl-2 and p53 were required.