Biomimetic Plant-Root-Inspired Robotic Sensor System.

There are many examples in nature in which the ability to detect is combined with decision-making, such as the basic survival instinct of plants and animals to search for food. We can technically translate this innate function via the use of robotics with integrated sensors and artificial intelligence. However, the integration of sensing capabilities into robotics has traditionally been neglected due to the significant associated technical challenges.

Effectiveness of leave extract in inhibiting the growth of .

is one of the Gram-negative bacteria that causes nosocomial infection in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The therapy provided could be antibiotics and the provision of therapy is considered difficult due to antibiotic resistance; therefore, an alternative is needed such as active ingredients from medicinal plants. Turmeric () is believed to have compounds that have antibacterial activities.

Detection Assay for Replication-Competent Adenovirus by Concentration Passage and Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR).

The sensitivity of an assay for replication-competent adenoviruses (RCAs) can often be enhanced by biological amplification of the RCAs with serial passage. Here, we describe an extension of this technique, termed "concentration passage," in which RCA replicated during the first plating of the vector is collected and concentrated onto one-tenth of the original number of cells. This significantly increases the chances of detecting the RCAs.

Deamidation of Amino Acids on the Surface of Adeno-Associated Virus Capsids Leads to Charge Heterogeneity and Altered Vector Function.

Post-translational modification of the adeno-associated virus capsids is a poorly understood factor in the development of these viral vectors into pharmaceutical products. Here we report the extensive capsid deamidation of adeno-associated virus serotype 8 and seven other diverse adeno-associated virus serotypes, with supporting evidence from structural, biochemical, and mass spectrometry approaches. The extent of deamidation at each site depended on the vector's age and multiple primary-sequence and three-dimensional structural factors.

Costs and Burden Associated With Loss of Labor Productivity in Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia: Results From Spain.

Aims: We analyzed indirect costs related to loss of labor productivity (LLP) in informal caregivers (ICs) of people with dementia (PwD) and the associated caregiver burden and patients' clinical variables.

Methods: Multicenter cohort study of PwD and their ICs (n = 287) focused on two groups: (1) home care and (2) institutional long-term care. The costs of LLP were assessed using the Resource Utilization Dementia instrument and a human capital approach.