Composite Iodine-gold Nanoparticles as a Contrast Agent in Computed Tomography.

Purpose: Solutions of iodine-based compounds, due to their high X-ray attenuation coefficient, are widely used as contrast agents in computed tomography (CT) imaging. This paper investigates the attenuation properties of iodine and gold to develop nanoparticle-based contrast agents, for example, composite nanoparticles (NPs) with layers of iodine and gold or a mixture of NPs of gold and iodine.

Materials And Methods: A theoretical formula is derived that gives the Hounsfield Unit (HU) for different weight-by-weight (w/w) concentrations of a mixture of blood + iodine + gold.

Plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis in cell suspensions of Cenchrus ciliaris L.

Background: This study aims to establish cell suspension culture, its maintenance and induction of somatic embryogenesis, and in vitro plant regeneration in Cenchrus ciliaris L. Suspension cultures are relatively homogenous cell lines facilitating uniform access to nutrition. These are ideal sources of competent cells for genetic transformation.

Examining COVID-19 response among local governments through the political market framework.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought to the forefront the importance of a local government's role during public health emergencies. While cities around the world have led the pandemic response in their communities by extending public health services, providing socioeconomic assistance to constituents and aiding small businesses and jurisdictions in the United States have had varying degrees of success in managing the crisis. As such, this study employs the political market framework to explore the impact of supply-side determinants (form of government, preparedness capabilities, and federal aid) and demand-side determinants (population, socioeconomic factors, and political affiliation) on a local government's COVID-19 response.

Protein palmitoylation regulates extracellular vesicle production and function in sepsis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are bioactive membrane-encapsulated particles generated by a series of events involving membrane budding, fission and fusion. Palmitoylation, mediated by DHHC palmitoyl acyltransferases, is a lipidation reaction that increases protein lipophilicity and membrane localization. Here, we report palmitoylation as a novel regulator of EV formation and function during sepsis.

Burn Injury-Induced Extracellular Vesicle Production and Characteristics.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized membrane-bound particles containing biologically active cargo molecules. The production and molecular composition of EVs reflect the physiological state of parent cells, and once released into the circulation, they exert pleiotropic functions via transferring cargo contents. Thus, circulating EVs not only serve as biomarkers, but also mediators in disease processes or injury responses.