Dinuclear iminophenoxide copper complexes in rac-lactide polymerisation.

Dinuclear bis(R'-(R''-iminomethyl)phenoxide) copper complexes L2Cu2(μ-OR)2 were prepared from the reaction of copper methoxide with ROH and LH (ROH = dimethylaminoethanol or pyridylmethanol, R' = H, 4,6-tBu, 1,3-Cl, R'' = benzyl, cyclohexyl, diphenylmethyl and 2,6-dimethylphenyl). Preparation was complicated by formation of homoleptic L2Cu and only 9 of the 24 possible combinations could be prepared. All complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and crystallized as dinuclear penta-coordinated complexes.

Violence against child protection workers: A study of workers' experiences, attributions, and coping strategies.

Child protection workers (CPWs) are frequently exposed to client violence, both psychological and physical, in their line of work whether they operate in the community or in residential settings. Despite this known vulnerability, research on the subject has lagged. The current study sought to analyze CPWs' experiences with client violence, their interpretation of it, its perceived consequences and their coping strategies.

Analytical typology of multiprofessional primary care models.

Background: There is only limited evidence to support care redefinition and role optimization processes needed for scaling up of a stronger primary care capacity.

Methods: Data collection was based on a keyword search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases. Three thousand, two hundred and twenty-nine documents were identified, 1851 met our inclusion criteria, 71 were retained for full-text assessment and 52 included in the final selection.

Partnership between patients, nurse leaders and researchers: Outcomes of a web-based KT strategy for hospital discharge planning and care transitions in oncology.

A research project brought together patient partners, nurse leaders from six clinical settings in Quebec and researchers to develop and test a web technology, the Forum for Knowledge Exchange (FKE), in order to improve discharge planning practices and oncological care transitions. The project led to the creation of a FKE accessible to the oncology sector of the Francophonie. It revealed an innovative strategy of knowledge transfer (KT) based on the FKE and was fed by collaborative work among partners, where the patient partners played a vital role.

Hybridization conditions of oligonucleotide-capped gold nanoparticles for SPR sensing of microRNA.

MicroRNA (miRNA) sensing, especially the miRNA-200 family, is increasingly targeted for cancer diagnostics. As the sensing schemes often rely on nanoparticles functionalized with a specific oligonucleotide, we investigate the hydribization conditions using the common case of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing of miRNA and a gold nanoparticle (Au NP) competitor. In this type of assays, the Au NPs compete with the microRNA to bind the capture probe immobilized on the gold surface.

Novel tungsten phosphide embedded nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes: A portable and renewable monitoring platform for anticancer drug in whole blood.

Biosensors based on converting the concentration of analytes in complex samples into single electrochemical signals are attractive candidates as low cost, high-throughput, portable and renewable sensor platforms. Here, we describe a simple but practical analytical device for sensing an anticancer drug in whole blood, using the detection of methotrexate (MTX) as a model system. In this biosensor, a novel carbon-based composite, tungsten phosphide embedded nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (WP/N-CNT), was fixed to the electrode surface that supported redox cycling.

Preparation of a Sepia Melanin and Poly(ethylene-alt-maleic Anhydride) Hybrid Material as an Adsorbent for Water Purification.

Meeting the increasing demand of clean water requires the development of novel efficient adsorbent materials for the removal of organic pollutants. In this context the use of natural, renewable sources is of special relevance and sepia melanin, thanks to its ability to bind a variety of organic and inorganic species, has already attracted interest for water purification. Here we describe the synthesis of a material obtained by the combination of sepia melanin and poly(ethylene--maleic anhydride) (P(E--MA)).

Olfactive stimulation interventions for managing procedural pain in preterm and full-term neonates: a systematic review protocol.

Background: While hospitalized in the NICU, preterm neonates undergo many painful procedures. This may be the same for full-term neonates when longer hospitalization is required. Untreated and repeated pain has short-term as well as long-term consequences for these neonates.

Characterization of a Novel Alkalophilic Lipase From Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus: Lid Heterogeneity and Assignment to Family I.5.

Recent investigations of Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus strains have allowed identification of a unique solvent tolerant lipase, distinct from known lipases. This work reports the expression and purification of this lipase (LipAT) and the first characterization of its structure and temperature and pH-dependent behaviour. LipAT has a secondary structural content compatible with the canonical lipase α/β hydrolase fold, and is dimeric at neutral pH.

Sulfonato-imino copper(ii) complexes: fast and general Chan-Evans-Lam coupling of amines and anilines.

Sulfonato-imine copper complexes with either chloride or triflate counteranions were prepared in a one-step reaction followed by anion-exchange. They are highly active in Chan-Evans-Lam couplings under mild conditions with a variety of amines or anilines, in particular with sterically hindered substrates. No optimization of reaction conditions other than time and/or temperature is required.

Dynamic SERS nanosensor for neurotransmitter sensing near neurons.

Current electrophysiology and electrochemistry techniques have provided unprecedented understanding of neuronal activity. However, these techniques are suited to a small, albeit important, panel of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, GABA and dopamine, and these constitute only a subset of the broader range of neurotransmitters involved in brain chemistry. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) provides a unique opportunity to detect a broader range of neurotransmitters in close proximity to neurons.

Fire ecology of a tree glacial refugium on a nunatak with a view on Alpine glaciers.

In paleoecology, the function of biomass as a fire driver has become a focus of attention in cold ecosystems, and concerns have been raised about climate in this context. Little is known about the fire frequency and fire-plant relationships during glaciation when woodlands were limited and the climate was cold. Fire history and tree biomass were reconstructed from sedimentary charcoal and macroremains, respectively, archived in lake sediments from the western Alps.

Correction: Ultra-low fouling alkylimidazolium modified surfaces for the detection of HER2 in breast cancer cell lysates.

Correction for 'Ultra-low fouling methylimidazolium modified surfaces for the detection of HER2 in breast cancer cell lysates' by Alexandra Aubé et al., Analyst, 2017, 142, 2343-2353.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Clinical Biosensors for Medical Diagnostics.

The design and application of sensors for monitoring biomolecules in clinical samples is a common goal of the sensing research community. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and other plasmonic techniques such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and imaging SPR are reaching a maturity level sufficient for their application in monitoring biomolecules in clinical samples. In recent years, the first examples for monitoring antibodies, proteins, enzymes, drugs, small molecules, peptides, and nucleic acids in biofluids collected from patients afflicted with a series of medical conditions (Alzheimer's, hepatitis, diabetes, leukemia, and cancers such as prostate and breast cancers, among others) demonstrate the progress of SPR sensing in clinical chemistry.

Supporting nurse practitioners' practice in primary healthcare settings: a three-level qualitative model.

Background: While greater reliance on nurse practitioners in primary healthcare settings can improve service efficiency and accessibility, their integration is not straightforward, challenging existing role definitions of both registered nurses and physicians. Developing adequate support practices is therefore essential in primary healthcare nurse practitioners' integration. This study's main objective is to examine different structures and mechanisms put in place to support the development of primary healthcare nurse practitioner's practice in different healthcare settings, and develop a practical model for identifying and planning adequate support practices.

Ultra-low fouling alkylimidazolium modified surfaces for the detection of HER2 in breast cancer cell lysates [corrected].

We synthesized novel ultra-low fouling ionic liquids and demonstrated their use with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing for the analysis of HER2 in breast cancer cell lysates. Whilst biomarkers are commonly detected in serum, this remains challenging for cancer diagnosis due to their low concentrations in circulation and in some cases, there is a poor correlation between serum and tissue concentrations. Therefore, a cell lysate constitutes an interesting biosample for cancer diagnosis and typing, which has been largely unexploited for chemical biosensing of cancer biomarkers.

A field-deployed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor for RDX quantification in environmental waters.

A field-deployable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is reported for the detection of the energetic material (commonly termed explosives) 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) at ppb concentration in environmental samples. The SPR sensor was first validated under laboratory conditions with uncontaminated natural water samples spiked with known concentrations of RDX near the EPA limit of 2 ppb, which was then applied to monitor environmental samples collected in different downgradient wells near a grenade training range. The SPR sensor was finally tested on the field, where environmental samples were analysed on location in less than 90 minutes per well, which included the time to setup the equipment, sample the well and analyse the sample.

Fermented blueberry juice extract and its specific fractions have an anti-adipogenic effect in 3 T3-L1 cells.

Background: Obesity and Type 2 diabetes have reached epidemic status worldwide. Wild lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton) is a plant of the North American Aboriginal traditional pharmacopeia with antidiabetic potential, especially when it is fermented with Serratia vaccinii.

Methods: A phytochemical fractionation scheme was used to identify potential bioactive compounds as confirmed by HPLC retention times and UV-Vis spectra.

Fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine disrupt estrogen synthesis in a co-culture model of the feto-placental unit.

The effects of fluoxetine, one of the most prescribed selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy, and its active metabolite norfluoxetine were studied on placental aromatase (CYP19) and feto-placental steroidogenesis. Fluoxetine did not alter estrogen secretion in co-culture of fetal-like adrenocortical (H295R) and trophoblast-like (BeWo) cells used as a model of the feto-placental unit, although it induced CYP19 activity, apparently mediated by the serotonin (5-HT) receptor/PKC signaling pathway. Norfluoxetine decreased estrogen secretion in the feto-placental co-culture and competitively inhibited catalytic CYP19 activity in BeWo cells.

Using hybridization networks to retrace the evolution of Indo-European languages.

Background: Curious parallels between the processes of species and language evolution have been observed by many researchers. Retracing the evolution of Indo-European (IE) languages remains one of the most intriguing intellectual challenges in historical linguistics. Most of the IE language studies use the traditional phylogenetic tree model to represent the evolution of natural languages, thus not taking into account reticulate evolutionary events, such as language hybridization and word borrowing which can be associated with species hybridization and horizontal gene transfer, respectively.

Heat-Wave Effects on Oxygen, Nutrients, and Phytoplankton Can Alter Global Warming Potential of Gases Emitted from a Small Shallow Lake.

Increasing air temperatures may result in stronger lake stratification, potentially altering nutrient and biogenic gas cycling. We assessed the impact of climate forcing by comparing the influence of stratification on oxygen, nutrients, and global-warming potential (GWP) of greenhouse gases (the sum of CH4, CO2, and N2O in CO2 equivalents) emitted from a shallow productive lake during an average versus a heat-wave year. Strong stratification during the heat wave was accompanied by an algal bloom and chemically enhanced carbon uptake.

Dynamic-SERS Optophysiology: A Nanosensor for Monitoring Cell Secretion Events.

We monitored metabolite secretion near living cells using a plasmonic nanosensor. The nanosensor created from borosilicate nanopipettes analogous to the patch clamp was decorated with Au nanoparticles and served as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with addressable location. With this nanosensor, we acquired SERS locally near Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCKII) epithelial cells, and we detected multiple metabolites, such as pyruvate, lactate, ATP, and urea simultaneously.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging-MALDI-TOF Imaging Mass Spectrometry of Thin Tissue Sections.

Identification and quantification of proteins in imaging of biological samples are a challenge in today's science. Here, we demonstrate a novel surface plasmon resonance imaging-matrix assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (SPRi-MALDI IMS) coupled technique competent for the acquisition of multiparametric information by creating a tissue section imprint on an SPRi sensor surface. Correlated images were acquired in SPRi and in MALDI IMS for abundant proteins from a single mouse kidney tissue.