Demonstration of Tunable Control over a Delayed-Release Vaccine Using Atomic Layer Deposition.

Many vaccines require multiple doses for full efficacy, posing a barrier for patient adherence and protection. One solution to achieve full vaccination may be attained with single-administration vaccines containing multiple controlled release doses. In this study, delayed-release vaccines were generated using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to coat antigen-containing powders with alumina.

High-Capacity Cardiac Signal Acquisition System for Flexible, Simultaneous, Multidomain Acquisition.

Capturing cardiac electrical propagation or electrocardiographic images demands simultaneous, multidomain recordings of electrocardiographic signals with adequate spatial and temporal resolution. Available systems can be cost-prohibitive or lack the necessary flexibility to capture signals from the heart and torso. We have designed and constructed a system that leverages affordable commercial products (Intantech, CA, USA) to create a complete, cardiac signal acquisition system that includes a flexible front end, analog signal conditioning, and defibrillation protection.

Carbon dioxide-based facile synthesis of cyclic carbamates from amino alcohols.

We report herein a straightforward general method for the synthesis of cyclic carbamates from amino alcohols and carbon dioxide in the presence of an external base and a hydroxyl group activating reagent. Utilizing p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (TsCl), the reaction proceeds under mild conditions, and the approach is fully applicable to the preparation of various high value-added 5- and 6-membered rings as well as bicyclic fused ring carbamates. DFT calculations and experimental results indicate a S2-type reaction mechanism with high regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity.

High-precision recording of the action potential in isolated cardiomyocytes using the near-infrared fluorescent dye di-4-ANBDQBS.

The use of voltage-sensitive fluorescent dyes (VSD) for noninvasive measurement of the action potential (AP) in isolated cells has been hindered by low-photon yield of the preparation, dye toxicity, and photodynamic damage. Here we used a new red-shifted VSD, di-4-ANBDQBS, and a fast electron-multiplied charge-coupled device camera for optical AP (OAP) recording in guinea pig cardiac myocytes. Loading di-4-ANBDQBS did not alter APs recorded with micropipette.

A computerized harm minimization prevention program for alcohol misuse and related harms: randomized controlled trial.

Aims: Hazardous alcohol use is a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults world-wide, yet few effective prevention interventions exist. This study was the first to examine a computerized harm minimization intervention to reduce alcohol misuse and related harms in adolescents.

Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial of a six-session curriculum-integrated harm minimization prevention program.

Hepatic splenosis mimicking HCC in a patient with hepatitis C liver cirrhosis and mildly raised alpha feto protein; the important role of explorative laparoscopy.

Background: Splenosis is a heterotropic implantation of splenic fragments onto exposed vascularised peritoneal and intrathoracic surfaces, following splenic injury or elective splenectomy.

Case Presentation: A 60 year old cirrhotic patient was referred to us with a hepatic mass, suspected to be HCC in a cirrhotic liver. A computerized tomography scan (CT) demonstrated a cirrhotic liver with a 2 x 2.

Stability of the Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin complex: an empirical phase diagram based approach.

Clostridium botulinum type A neurotoxin (BoNT/A complex) is of great interest to the pharmaceutical industry. The drug itself is a natural complex of the toxin and a number of associated proteins. Surprisingly, relatively little is known about the exact structure and stability of the 900 kDa BoNT/A complex and its component proteins with the exception of the 150 kDa neurotoxin.

Conduction velocity in myocardium modulated by strain: measurement instrumentation and initial results.

Quantification of the relationship between strain and excitation velocity in cardiac muscle gives important insights into the significance and contribution of microstructure and several transmembrane proteins to cardiac electrophysiology. In this study we introduce a measurement and analysis system for quantification of the relationship in papillary muscle of small mammals, superfused and kept in a physiological environment. A novelty of the approach is the extensive automation and computerization of the measurement and analysis procedure.

To circ or not to circ: indications, risks, and alternatives to circumcision in the pediatric population with phimosis.

Summary Although there continues to be considerable debate over the merits of circumcision, it is clear that preservation of the pediatric foreskin, even in the presence of phimosis, is a viable option. Steroid topical cream is a painless, less-complicated, and more economical alternative to circumcision for treating phimosis. Success rates are quite high, especially when patient selection is appropriate and parents are adequately instructed on application.

Effect of fiber orientation on propagation: electrical mapping of genetically altered mouse hearts.

Background: Epicardial potentials reveal the strong effects of fiber anisotropy, rotation, imbrication, and coupling on propagation in the intact heart. From the patterns of the surface potentials, we can obtain information about the local fiber orientation, anisotropy, the transmural fiber rotation, and which direction the wave front is traveling through the wall. In this study, lessons learned from epicardial potential mapping of large hearts were applied to studies conducted in genetically altered mouse hearts.

Ruptured left gastric artery aneurysm successfully treated by thrombin injection: case report and literature review.

Aneurysms of the gastric and gastroepiploic arteries account for only about 4% of all splanchnic artery aneurysms. However, rupture is associated with a mortality of up to 70% and usually warrants urgent surgical intervention. We present an interesting case of a patient who presented with haematemasis following rupture of a left gastric artery aneurysm that was successfully treated by percutaneous thrombin injections.

Monitoring the serological proteome: the latest modality in prostate cancer detection.

Purpose: Various strategies have recently emerged to improve the diagnostic prediction of prostate cancer (CaP). One such strategy includes the mass profiling of serum protein fractions selectively adsorbed onto chemically modified probes. In the current study we further validated this approach, while offering a more versatile, less expensive and yet equally predictive alternative to existing technologies.

AKAP350 at the Golgi apparatus. I. Identification of a distinct Golgi apparatus targeting motif in AKAP350.

The protein kinase A-anchoring proteins (AKAPs) are defined by their ability to scaffold protein kinase A to specific subcellular compartments. Each of the AKAP family members utilizes unique targeting domains specific for a particular subcellular compartment. AKAP350 is a multiply spliced AKAP family member localized to the centrosome and the Golgi apparatus.

Transforming acidic coiled-coil-containing protein 4 interacts with centrosomal AKAP350 and the mitotic spindle apparatus.

AKAP350 is a multiply spliced family of 350-450-kDa protein kinase A-anchoring proteins localized to the centrosomes and the Golgi apparatus. Using AKAP350A as bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen of a rabbit parietal cell library, we have identified a novel AKAP350-interacting protein, transforming acidic coiled-coil-containing protein 4 (TACC4). Two-hybrid binary assays demonstrate interaction of both TACC3 and TACC4 with AKAP350A and AKAP350B.

Changes in structure of alpha 2-macroglobulin upon reaction with trypsin as assessed by light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry.

Employing a combination of static and dynamic light scattering, as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the structural changes which appear in alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) upon trypsin binding have been further characterized. Light-scattering measurements suggest that a 15% reduction in both the hydrodynamic radius and radius of gyration occurs when two molecules of trypsin complex to alpha 2M. Approx.

The effects of surface adsorption on the thermal stability of proteins.

The effect of surface adsorption on the structure and stability of proteins is a matter of increasing interest in biotechnology. Therefore, we have examined the effect of adsorption to silica on the thermal stability of 7 proteins employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and front surface fluorescence (FSF) spectroscopy. In general, it was found that surface adsorption decreased the thermal stability of the bound protein.

Silver-silver chloride plunge electrode needles and chloriding monitor.

A plunge electrode is made from a hypodermic needle with one side cut open and multiple electrodes exposed from tip to base. A method for constructing chlorided silver electrode plunge needles is explained as well as problems associated with electrode chloriding. The small surface area of these electrodes makes empirical methods of chloriding difficult to use.

A differential scanning calorimetric study of the bovine lens crystallins.

Differential scanning calorimetry was performed on the five major lens crystallin fractions [HM-alpha, alpha, beta H, beta L, and (beta s + gamma)] of the bovine lens as well as on more purified forms of alpha- and gamma-crystallins. All were found to be relatively thermally stable although the alpha-crystallin were found to at least partially unfold at an approximately 10 degrees C lower temperature than the beta and gamma fractions. Increasing protein concentration had little effect on gamma-crystallin thermograms but had marked effects on those of the alpha- and beta-crystallins.

Comparative spectroscopic studies of four crotoxin homologs and their subunits.

Structures of four related neurotoxins and their purified subunits from the venoms of Crotalus durissus terrificus, C. vegrandis, C. s.

The temperature-dependent stoichiometry of mixed cryoimmunoglobulins.

The interaction of three monoclonal rheumatoid factor IgM molecules with IgG antigens has been studied utilizing immunoglobulins isolated from three mixed cryoglobulins. Static light scattering measurements show that the stoichiometry of these immune complexes changes in a temperature-dependent manner from IgM(IgG)0-2 at temperatures greater than 37 degrees C to IgM(IgG)5 complexes at temperatures below 15 degrees C. These results were confirmed by the analysis of the composition of polyethyleneglycol-precipitated complexes.