Optimization of paper-based nanoparticle immunoassays for direct detection of the bacterial pathogen in oyster hemolymph.

The detection of foodborne pathogens is critical for disease control and infection prevention, especially in seafood consumed raw or undercooked. Paper-based diagnostic tools are promising for rapid fieldable detection and provide a readout by eye due to the use of gold nanoparticle immunoprobes. Here we study different strategies to overcome these challenges in a real biological matrix, oyster hemolymph, for the detection of the pathogenic bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp).

Consensus on the key characteristics of endocrine-disrupting chemicals as a basis for hazard identification.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous chemicals that interfere with hormone action, thereby increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes, including cancer, reproductive impairment, cognitive deficits and obesity. A complex literature of mechanistic studies provides evidence on the hazards of EDC exposure, yet there is no widely accepted systematic method to integrate these data to help identify EDC hazards. Inspired by work to improve hazard identification of carcinogens using key characteristics (KCs), we have developed ten KCs of EDCs based on our knowledge of hormone actions and EDC effects.

Effects of di-n-butyl phthalate on photosynthetic performance and oxidative damage in different growth stages of wheat in cinnamon soils.

Herein, we investigated the effects of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on photosynthesis, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) content, oxidative damage, and biomass accumulation of different tissues in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) planted in cinnamon soils. The photosynthetic or fluorescence parameters (except for the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration), chlorophyll content, RuBisCO content, and biomass of roots, stems, and leaves decreased at the seedling, jointing, and booting stages under the stress of DBP. Compared with the control, the content of superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide in the roots, stems, and leaves increased with increasing DBP concentrations at the seedling, jointing, and booting stages.

Effects of graphene oxide on cadmium uptake and photosynthesis performance in wheat seedlings.

Graphene oxide (GO) is extensively used in various fields because of its versatility. The presence of GO in the environment enhances the toxicity of toxicants or pollutants. Cadmium (Cd) and GO pollution is a problem in aquatic environment, which should be solved.

Physiological responses of wheat planted in fluvo-aquic soils to di (2-ethylhexyl) and di-n-butyl phthalates.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) are important pollutants that contaminate agricultural soils. We determined the effects of di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) on the production of reactive oxygen species, photosynthesis, and activity of antioxidant enzymes in wheat planted in fluvo-aquic soils. DBP- and DEHP-induced oxidative stress decreased the values of the photosynthetic/fluorescence parameters (except for intercellular carbon dioxide concentration) and chlorophyll content at the seedling, jointing, and booting stages.

Photosynthetic and antioxidant response of wheat to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) contamination in the soil.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a commonly used, artificially-synthesized, industrial chemical that can be released into the soil. However, to date, there is no comprehensive study on the effects of DEHP on photosynthesis, induction of reactive oxygen species, and response of the antioxidant defense system in wheat plants growing in DEHP contaminated soil. This study was conducted to address this gap in knowledge.

First Report of Downy Mildew Caused by a Peronospora Species on Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) in Massachusetts.

In September of 2008, downy mildew was discovered to be causing a serious foliar blight of sweet basil at several farms and greenhouses in Massachusetts. Infected leaves had chlorotic vein-bounded patches and diffuse chlorosis, and a characteristic gray, fuzzy growth was on the abaxial surface. Microscopic observations revealed branched sporangiophores that measured 187.

Reproducibility of assays for steroid hormones, prolactin and insulin-like growth factor-1 in umbilical cord blood.

We assessed the reproducibility of measurements of plasma hormone and binding protein levels in umbilical cord blood collected from 30 male and female babies. They were delivered as singleton births from full-term pregnancies (gestational age >or= 37 weeks) in a cord blood donation programme. We assayed three plasma replicates from each cord blood sample at two points in time.

C-terminal phosphorylation of the high molecular weight neurofilament subunit correlates with decreased neurofilament axonal transport velocity.

We probed the relationship of NF axonal transport of neurofilaments (NFs) to their phosphorylation state by comparing these parameters in two closely-aged groups of young adult mice - 2 and 5 months of age. This particular time interval was selected since prior studies demonstrate that optic axons have already completed axonal caliber expansion and attained adult NF levels by 2 months but, as shown herein, continue to increase NF-H C-terminal phosphorylation. NF axonal transport was monitored by autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of radiolabeled subunits immunoprecipitated from optic axon segments at intervals following intravitreal injection of 35S-methionine.

Consumer health informatics: the medical librarian's role.

Growing consumer interest in health-related information has created a need for professionals to manage, provide, and interpret such material. In preparing for the new demands of the market, HIM professionals can learn from the example of medical librarians, who are already working to meet those needs.

Temperature sensing in Yersinia pestis: translation of the LcrF activator protein is thermally regulated.

The lcrF gene of Yersinia pestis encodes a transcription activator responsible for inducing expression of several virulence-related proteins in response to temperature. The mechanism of this thermoregulation was investigated. An lcrF clone was found to produce much lower levels of LcrF protein at 26 than at 37 degrees C in Y.

Social interaction in nonhuman primates: an underlying theme for primate research.

Social living is assumed to be a critical feature of nonhuman primate existence inasmuch as most primate species live in social groups in nature. Recent USDA legislation emphasizes the importance of social contact in promoting psychological well-being and recommends that laboratory primates be housed with companions when consistent with research protocols. Our goals were to examine the link between social housing and psychological well-being and to explore the idea that research may be compromised when primates are studied in environments that vary too greatly from their natural ecological setting (individual cage housing versus group housing).