Poly(l-proline)-Stabilized Polypeptide Nanostructures via Ring-Opening Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (ROPISA).

Poly(proline) II helical motifs located at the protein-water interface stabilize the three-dimensional structures of natural proteins. Reported here is the first example of synthetic biomimetic poly(proline)-stabilized polypeptide nanostructures obtained by a straightforward ring-opening polymerization-induced self-assembly (ROPISA) process through consecutive -carboxyanhydride (NCA) polymerization. It was found that the use of multifunctional 8-arm initiators is critical for the formation of nanoparticles.

Improving corneal permeability of dexamethasone using penetration enhancing agents: First step towards achieving topical drug delivery to the retina.

With an ever-increasing burden of vision loss caused by diseases of the posterior ocular segment, there is an unmet clinical need for non-invasive treatment strategies. Topical drug application using eye drops suffers from low to negligible bioavailability to the posterior segment as a result of static and dynamic defensive ocular barriers to penetration, while invasive delivery systems are expensive to administer and suffer potentially severe complications. As the cornea is the main anatomical barrier to uptake of topically applied drugs from the ocular surface, we present an approach to increase corneal permeability of a corticosteroid, dexamethasone sodium-phosphate (DSP), using a novel penetration enhancing agent (PEA).

Genetic Deletion of FXR1 Reduces Intimal Hyperplasia and Induces Senescence in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play a critical role in the development and pathogenesis of intimal hyperplasia indicative of restenosis and other vascular diseases. Fragile-X related protein-1 (FXR1) is a muscle-enhanced RNA binding protein whose expression is increased in injured arteries. Previous studies suggest that FXR1 negatively regulates inflammation, but its causality in vascular disease is unknown.

Deletion of LDLRAP1 Induces Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation, Insulin Resistance, and Dysregulated Insulin Response in Adipose Tissue.

Dyslipidemia, vascular inflammation, obesity, and insulin resistance often overlap and exacerbate each other. Mutations in low density lipoprotein receptor adaptor protein-1 (LDLRAP1) lead to LDLR malfunction and are associated with the autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia disorder in humans. However, direct causality on atherogenesis in a defined preclinical model has not been reported.

Determining the effect of ocular chemical injuries on topical drug delivery.

Ocular chemical injuries (OCIs) commonly cause ocular damage and visual loss and treatment uses topical therapies to facilitate healing and limit complications. However, the impact of chemical injury on corneal barrier function and treatment penetration is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of OCI on drug penetration and absorption.

Functional diversity and identity of plant genotypes regulate rhizodeposition and soil microbial activity.

Our understanding of the linkages between plant diversity and soil carbon and nutrient cycling is primarily derived from studies at the species level, while the importance and mechanisms of diversity effects at the genotype level are poorly understood. Here we examine how genotypic diversity and identity, and associated variation in functional traits, within a common grass species, Anthoxanthum odoratum, modified rhizodeposition, soil microbial activity and litter decomposition. Root litter quality was not significantly affected by plant genotypic diversity, but decomposition was enhanced in soils with the legacy of higher genotypic diversity.

Rapid assessment of ocular drug delivery in a novel ex vivo corneal model.

Drug delivery by topical application has higher patient acceptance and lower morbidity than intraocular injection, but many ophthalmic treatments are unable to enter the eye or reach the posterior segment after topical application. The first stage towards posterior segment delivery after topical application is ocular surface penetration and existing models are in vivo or use large quantities of tissue. We therefore developed a novel ex vivo model using discs of porcine and human cornea and sclera (5 mm diameter) to assess penetration of a candidate neuroprotective siRNA.

Resolution of inflammation in immune and nonimmune cells by interleukin-19.

The inflammatory response is a complex, tightly regulated process activated by tissue wounding, foreign body invasion, and sterile inflammation. Over the decades, great progress has been made to advance our understanding of this process. One often overlooked aspect of inflammation is its sequel: resolution.

Helical polymers for biological and medical applications.

Helices are the most prevalent secondary structure in biomolecules and play vital roles in their activity. Chemists have been fascinated with mimicking this molecular conformation with synthetic materials. Research has now been devoted to the synthesis and characterization of helical materials, and to understand the design principles behind this molecular architecture.

Endothelial sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors promote vascular normalization and antitumor therapy.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1) is essential for embryonic vascular development and maturation. In the adult, it is a key regulator of vascular barrier function and inflammatory processes. Its roles in tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis are not well understood.

Destruction of and the impact of chlortetracycline on biomethane production during anaerobic digestion of chicken manure.

Research was undertaken to ascertain the effect on biogas potential during the anaerobic digestion of chicken manure containing and chlortetracycline (antibiotic) from infected chicken flocks. is a pathogenic bacteria in chicken flocks that is usually treated with the broad-spectrum antibiotic, chlortetracycline. Veterinary antibiotics are often prescribed in the poultry sector for on-farm use at the flock level to control disease; consequently, significant quantities of antibiotics are excreted from the bird into the manure.

Fatty Acid Oxidation Promotes Cardiomyocyte Proliferation Rate but Does Not Change Cardiomyocyte Number in Infant Mice.

Cardiomyocyte proliferation accounts for the increase of cardiac muscle during fetal mammalian heart development. Shortly after birth, cardiomyocyte transits from hyperplasia to hypertrophic growth. Here, we have investigated the role of fatty acid β-oxidation in cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophic growth during early postnatal life in mice.

Sedentary time and markers of chronic low-grade inflammation in a high risk population.

Background: Sedentary behaviour has been identified as a distinct risk factor for several health outcomes. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted into the underlying mechanisms driving these observations. This study aimed to investigate the association of objectively measured sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time with markers of chronic low-grade inflammation and adiposity in a population at a high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Why fellowship? Peak professional bodies, peer recognition and credentialing in Australia.

Background: Professions frequently distinguish themselves from trades or vocations, by creating professional peak bodies. Usually professional peak bodies offer two levels of subscription: membership and fellowship. Fellowship of a peak body is widely considered as offering status and prestige by recognising contribution made to one's profession.

The attenuating effect of role overload on relationships linking self-efficacy and goal level to work performance.

The reported research examines the moderating effects of role overload on the antecedents and consequences of self-efficacy and personal goal level in a longitudinal study conducted in an industrial selling context. The results indicate that role overload moderates the antecedent effect of perceived organizational resources on self-efficacy beliefs. They also show that role overload moderates the direct effects of both self-efficacy and goal level on performance, such that these relationships are positive when role overload is low but not significant when role overload is high.

Triplet heterotopic pregnancy after gonadotropin stimulation and intrauterine insemination diagnosed at laparoscopy: a case report.

Heterotopic pregnancy has been traditionally considered a rare event; however, with the use of assisted reproductive technology, the incidence of heterotopic pregnancies is increasing. Diagnosing a heterotopic pregnancy can be challenging. This report describes a 30-year-old female at 11 weeks' gestation with an intrauterine twin pregnancy after gonadotropin stimulation and intrauterine insemination who presented complaining of left lower quadrant abdominal pain with constipation and cramps.

Lack of a pharmacokinetic interaction at steady state between ropinirole and L-dopa in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Study Objective: To assess the interaction between therapeutic dosages of ropinirole and L-dopa plus a decarboxylase inhibitor administered at steady state in patients with Parkinson's disease. DESIGN. Open, 6-week, overlap trial with random allocation.

A new look at psychological climate and its relationship to job involvement, effort, and performance.

This study investigated the process by which employee perceptions of the organizational environment are related to job involvement, effort, and performance. The researchers developed an operational definition of psychological climate that was based on how employees perceive aspects of the organizational environment and interpret them in relation to their own well-being. Perceived psychological climate was then related to job involvement, effort, and performance in a path-analytic framework.

The relation of attachment status, psychiatric classification, and response to psychotherapy.

The relation of patterns of attachment and psychiatric status was studied in 82 nonpsychotic inpatients and 85 case-matched controls using the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). AAI transcripts rated (masked to case vs. control status and treatment) were classified using M.