Screening trials to determine the presence of two-dimensional (2D) protein crystals suitable for three-dimensional structure determination using electron crystallography is a very labor-intensive process. Methods compatible with fully automated screening have been developed for the process of crystal production by dialysis and for producing negatively stained grids of the resulting trials. Further automation via robotic handling of the EM grids, and semi-automated transmission electron microscopic imaging and evaluation of the trial grids is also possible. We, and others, have developed working prototypes for several of these tools and tested and evaluated them in a simple screen of 24 crystallization conditions. While further development of these tools is certainly required for a turn-key system, the goal of fully automated screening appears to be within reach.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2007.09.012 | DOI Listing |
J Hazard Mater
December 2024
Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom; Material and Advanced Technologies for Healthcare, Queen's University of Belfast, 18-30 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5DL, United Kingdom. Electronic address:
Microplastics (MPs) and Nanoplastics (NPs), a burgeoning health hazard, often go unnoticed due to suboptimal analytical tools, making their way inside our bodies through various means. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), although is utilized in detecting NPs, challenges arise at low concentrations due to their low Raman cross section and inability to situate within hotspots owing to their ubiquitous size and shape. This study presents an innovative and cost-effective approach employing household metallic foils (aluminium and copper) as nanoparticle-on-film (NPoF) substrates for targeting such analytes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Neurochir (Wien)
December 2024
Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
Introduction: Tumorous growths in the sellar region pose significant clinical challenges due to their proximity to critical visual structures such as the optic chiasm and optic nerves. Given their proximity to the optic system, these tumors are often diagnosed due to a progressive decrease in visual acuity. Thus, surgical intervention is crucial to prevent irreversible damage, as timely decompression can halt the progression of edema and subsequent optic atrophy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSkelet Muscle
December 2024
Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Background: INTER- and INTRAmuscular fat (IMF) is elevated in high metabolic states and can promote inflammation. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) excels in depicting IMF, the lack of reproducible tools prevents the ability to measure change and track intervention success.
Methods: We detail an open-source fully-automated iterative threshold-seeking algorithm (ITSA) for segmenting IMF from T1-weighted MRI of the calf and thigh within three cohorts (CaMos Hamilton (N = 54), AMBERS (N = 280), OAI (N = 105)) selecting adults 45-85 years of age.
BMC Res Notes
December 2024
Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran.
Aim: Hypothyroidism is created by disruption of thyroid hormone production, which can destroy the emotional, relational, social, and working life of patients if left untreated. Hypothyroidism has multiple etiologies. We evaluated the relationship of hematological parameters and inflammatory biomarkers with thyroid hormones to find the potential use of these items in patients screening and prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
December 2024
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
Multicellular spheroids embedded in 3D hydrogels are prominent in vitro models for 3D cell invasion. Yet, quantification methods for spheroid cell invasion that are high-throughput, objective and accessible are still lacking. Variations in spheroid sizes and the shapes of the cells within render it difficult to objectively assess invasion extent.
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