PCN-224 Nanoparticle/Polyacrylonitrile Nanofiber Membrane for Light-Driven Bacterial Inactivation

Increasing issues of pathogen drug resistance and spreading pose a serious threat to the ability to treat common infectious diseases, which encourages people to explore effective technology to meet the challenge. Photodynamic antibacterial inactivation (aPDI) is being explored for inactivating pathogens, which could be used as a novel approach to prevent this threat. Here, porphyrin-embedded MOF material (PCN-224) with photodynamic effect was synthesized, then the PCN-224 nanoparticles (NPs) were embedded into PAN nanofibers with an electrospinning process (PAN-PCN nanofiber membrane). On the one hand, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers help to improve the stability of PCN-224 NPs, which could avoid their leakage. On the other, the PAN nanofibers are used as a support material to load bactericidal PCN-224 NPs, realizing recycling after bacterial elimination. An antibacterial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) study demonstrated that the PAN-PCN 0.6% nanofiber membrane processed 3.00 log unit elimination towards a E. coli bacterial strain and 4.70 log unit towards a S. aureus strain under illumination. A mechanism study revealed that this efficient bacterial elimination was due to singlet oxygen (1O2). Although the materials are highly phototoxic, an MTT assay showed that the as fabricated nanofiber membranes had good biocompatibility in the dark, and the cell survival rates were all above 85%. Taken together, this work provided an application prospect of nanofibers with an aPDI effect to deal with the issues of pathogen drug resistance and spreading.

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Collecting Words: A Clinical Example of a Morphology-Focused Orthographic Intervention

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/2020_lshss-19-00050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 544-560 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kimberly A. Murphy ◽

Emily A. Diehm

Keyword(s):

Written Language ◽

Morphological Knowledge ◽

English Orthography ◽

Word Level ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Language Pathology ◽

The One ◽

Critical Intervention ◽

Reading And Spelling ◽

Reading And Spelling Difficulties

Purpose Morphological interventions promote gains in morphological knowledge and in other oral and written language skills (e.g., phonological awareness, vocabulary, reading, and spelling), yet we have a limited understanding of critical intervention features. In this clinical focus article, we describe a relatively novel approach to teaching morphology that considers its role as the key organizing principle of English orthography. We also present a clinical example of such an intervention delivered during a summer camp at a university speech and hearing clinic. Method Graduate speech-language pathology students provided a 6-week morphology-focused orthographic intervention to children in first through fourth grade ( n = 10) who demonstrated word-level reading and spelling difficulties. The intervention focused children's attention on morphological families, teaching how morphology is interrelated with phonology and etymology in English orthography. Results Comparing pre- and posttest scores, children demonstrated improvement in reading and/or spelling abilities, with the largest gains observed in spelling affixes within polymorphemic words. Children and their caregivers reacted positively to the intervention. Therefore, data from the camp offer preliminary support for teaching morphology within the context of written words, and the intervention appears to be a feasible approach for simultaneously increasing morphological knowledge, reading, and spelling. Conclusion Children with word-level reading and spelling difficulties may benefit from a morphology-focused orthographic intervention, such as the one described here. Research on the approach is warranted, and clinicians are encouraged to explore its possible effectiveness in their practice. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12290687

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Use of a Lyophilized Reference Plasma to Compare Coagulation Test Procedures

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1651402 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 34 (02) ◽

pp. 426-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J Kahan ◽

I Nohén

Keyword(s):

Oral Anticoagulant Therapy ◽

Repeated Measurements ◽

Test Procedures ◽

Coagulation Activity ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Measured Activity ◽

Test Materials ◽

The Difference ◽

The Stability ◽

The One

SummaryIn 4 collaborative trials, involving a varying number of hospital laboratories in the Stockholm area, the coagulation activity of different test materials was estimated with the one-stage prothrombin tests routinely used in the laboratories, viz. Normotest, Simplastin-A and Thrombotest. The test materials included different batches of a lyophilized reference plasma, deep-frozen specimens of diluted and undiluted normal plasmas, and fresh and deep-frozen specimens from patients on long-term oral anticoagulant therapy.Although a close relationship was found between different methods, Simplastin-A gave consistently lower values than Normotest, the difference being proportional to the estimated activity. The discrepancy was of about the same magnitude on all the test materials, and was probably due to a divergence between the manufacturers’ procedures used to set “normal percentage activity”, as well as to a varying ratio of measured activity to plasma concentration. The extent of discrepancy may vary with the batch-to-batch variation of thromboplastin reagents.The close agreement between results obtained on different test materials suggests that the investigated reference plasma could be used to calibrate the examined thromboplastin reagents, and to compare the degree of hypocoagulability estimated by the examined PIVKA-insensitive thromboplastin reagents.The assigned coagulation activity of different batches of the reference plasma agreed closely with experimentally obtained values. The stability of supplied batches was satisfactory as judged from the reproducibility of repeated measurements. The variability of test procedures was approximately the same on different test materials.

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Structure, Stability and Water Adsorption on Ultra-Thin TiO2 Supported on TiN

10.26434/chemrxiv.8425367.v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jose Julio Gutierrez Moreno ◽

Marco Fronzi ◽

Pierre Lovera ◽

alan O'Riordan ◽

Mike J Ford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Density Functional ◽

Water Adsorption ◽

Chemical Potential ◽

Energy Gap ◽

Molecular Water ◽

Structure Stability ◽

Ambient Conditions ◽

Rutile Structure ◽

The Stability ◽

The One

Interfacial metal-oxide systems with ultrathin oxide layers are of high interest for their use in catalysis. In this study, we present a density functional theory (DFT) investigation of the structure of ultrathin rutile layers (one and two TiO2 layers) supported on TiN and the stability of water on these interfacial structures. The rutile layers are stabilized on the TiN surface through the formation of interfacial Ti–O bonds. Charge transfer from the TiN substrate leads to the formation of reduced Ti3+ cations in TiO2. The structure of the one-layer oxide slab is strongly distorted at the interface, while the thicker TiO2 layer preserves the rutile structure. The energy cost for the formation of a single O vacancy in the one-layer oxide slab is only 0.5 eV with respect to the ideal interface. For the two-layer oxide slab, the introduction of several vacancies in an already non-stoichiometric system becomes progressively more favourable, which indicates the stability of the highly non-stoichiometric interfaces. Isolated water molecules dissociate when adsorbed at the TiO2 layers. At higher coverages the preference is for molecular water adsorption. Our ab initio thermodynamics calculations show the fully water covered stoichiometric models as the most stable structure at typical ambient conditions. Interfacial models with multiple vacancies are most stable at low (reducing) oxygen chemical potential values. A water monolayer adsorbs dissociatively on the highly distorted 2-layer TiO1.75-TiN interface, where the Ti3+ states lying above the top of the valence band contribute to a significant reduction of the energy gap compared to the stoichiometric TiO2-TiN model. Our results provide a guide for the design of novel interfacial systems containing ultrathin TiO2 with potential application as photocatalytic water splitting devices.

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Novel Nanolipoidal Systems for the Management of Skin Cancer

Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation ◽

10.2174/1872211314666200817115700 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 108-125

Author(s):

Apoorva Singh ◽

Nimisha

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Cancer Therapeutics ◽

The Body ◽

Surgical Removal ◽

The Novel ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Abnormal Cells ◽

The Stability

: Skin cancer, among the various kinds of cancers, is a type that emerges from skin due to the growth of abnormal cells. These cells are capable of spreading and invading the other parts of the body. The occurrence of non-melanoma and melanoma, which are the major types of skin cancers, has increased over the past decades. Exposure to ultraviolet radiations (UV) is the main associative cause of skin cancer. UV exposure can inactivate tumor suppressor genes while activating various oncogenes. The conventional techniques like surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation therapy lack the potential for targeting cancer cells and harm the normal cells. However, the novel therapeutics show promising improvements in the effectiveness of treatment, survival rates and better quality of life for patients. Different methodologies are involved in the skin cancer therapeutics for delivering the active ingredients to the target sites. Nano carriers are very efficient as they have the ability to improve the stability of drugs and further enhance their penetration into the tumor cells. The recent developments and research in nanotechnology have entitled several targeting and therapeutic agents to be incorporated into nanoparticles for an enhancive treatment of skin cancer. To protect the research works in the field of nanolipoidal systems various patents have been introduced. Some of the patents acknowledge responsive liposomes for specific targeting, nanocarriers for the delivery or co-delivery of chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids as well as photosensitizers. Further recent patents on the novel delivery systems have also been included here.

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A novel approach to the computation of one-loop three- and four-point functions: I. The real mass case

Progress of Theoretical and Experimental Physics ◽

10.1093/ptep/ptz114 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 (11) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J Ph Guillet ◽

E Pilon ◽

Y Shimizu ◽

M S Zidi

Keyword(s):

Building Blocks ◽

The Real ◽

Alternative Method ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Reduction Methods ◽

Real Mass ◽

Novel Method ◽

Algebraic Reduction ◽

The One ◽

Mass Case

Abstract This article is the first of a series of three presenting an alternative method of computing the one-loop scalar integrals. This novel method enjoys a couple of interesting features as compared with the method closely following ’t Hooft and Veltman adopted previously. It directly proceeds in terms of the quantities driving algebraic reduction methods. It applies to the three-point functions and, in a similar way, to the four-point functions. It also extends to complex masses without much complication. Lastly, it extends to kinematics more general than that of the physical, e.g., collider processes relevant at one loop. This last feature may be useful when considering the application of this method beyond one loop using generalized one-loop integrals as building blocks.

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Tenebrio molitor in the circular economy: a novel approach for plastic valorisation and PHA biological recovery

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-15944-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Paola Sangiorgio ◽

Alessandra Verardi ◽

Salvatore Dimatteo ◽

Anna Spagnoletta ◽

Stefania Moliterni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Circular Economy ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Economic Value ◽

Tenebrio Molitor ◽

World Population ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Biological Recovery ◽

Great Opportunity ◽

Novel Approach ◽

The One

AbstractThe increase in the world population leads to rising demand and consumption of plastic raw materials; only a small percentage of plastics is recovered and recycled, increasing the quantity of waste released into the environment and losing its economic value. The plastics represent a great opportunity in the circular perspective of their reuse and recycling. Research is moving, on the one hand, to implement sustainable systems for plastic waste management and on the other to find new non-fossil-based plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In this review, we focus our attention on Tenebrio molitor (TM) as a valuable solution for plastic biodegradation and biological recovery of new biopolymers (e.g. PHA) from plastic-producing microorganisms, exploiting its highly diversified gut microbiota. TM’s use for plastic pollution management is controversial. However, TM microbiota is recognised as a source of plastic-degrading microorganisms. TM-based plastic degradation is improved by co-feeding with food loss and waste as a dietary energy source, thus valorising these low-value substrates in a circular economy perspective. TM as a bioreactor is a valid alternative to traditional PHA recovery systems with the advantage of obtaining, in addition to highly pure PHA, protein biomass and rearing waste from which to produce fertilisers, chitin/chitosan, biochar and biodiesel. Finally, we describe the critical aspects of these TM-based approaches, mainly related to TM mass production, eventual food safety problems, possible release of microplastics and lack of dedicated legislation.

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Stability of a one-dimensional morphoelastic model for post-burn contraction

Journal of Mathematical Biology ◽

10.1007/s00285-021-01648-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 83 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Ginger Egberts ◽

Fred Vermolen ◽

Paul van Zuijlen

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Residual Stresses ◽

Truncation Error ◽

Signaling Molecules ◽

Discrete Problem ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Stability Constraint ◽

Biological Interpretation ◽

The Stability ◽

The One

AbstractTo deal with permanent deformations and residual stresses, we consider a morphoelastic model for the scar formation as the result of wound healing after a skin trauma. Next to the mechanical components such as strain and displacements, the model accounts for biological constituents such as the concentration of signaling molecules, the cellular densities of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, and the density of collagen. Here we present stability constraints for the one-dimensional counterpart of this morphoelastic model, for both the continuous and (semi-) discrete problem. We show that the truncation error between these eigenvalues associated with the continuous and semi-discrete problem is of order $${{\mathcal {O}}}(h^2)$$ O ( h 2 ) . Next we perform numerical validation to these constraints and provide a biological interpretation of the (in)stability. For the mechanical part of the model, the results show the components reach equilibria in a (non) monotonic way, depending on the value of the viscosity. The results show that the parameters of the chemical part of the model need to meet the stability constraint, depending on the decay rate of the signaling molecules, to avoid unrealistic results.

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Influence of an Implant Fixture Including a Freely Removable Micro-Locking Implant Prosthesis on Peri-Implant Tissues and Implant Prostheses: A Prospective Clinical Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10153321 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (15) ◽

pp. 3321

Author(s):

Young-Gun Shin ◽

Won-Tak Cho ◽

Ho-Kyung Lim ◽

Su-Hyun Hwang ◽

Ji-Hyeon Bae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Survival Rates ◽

Treatment Method ◽

Control Group ◽

Prospective Clinical Study ◽

Food Impaction ◽

Radiographic Findings ◽

The One ◽

Implant System ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Observation Period

This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a newly developed one-piece, screw-free, and micro-locking implant system, which was designed to overcome the shortcomings of the existing implant systems. Thirty-eight patients were recruited and randomly and equally assigned to an experimental group (micro-locking one-piece fixture, MLF; n = 19) or a control group (micro-locking abutment, MLA). Cumulative implant survival rates, marginal bone resorptions, probing depths, plaque indices, bleeding indices, and complications were obtained by using clinical and radiographic findings at 6 months and 12 months after prosthesis placement. Complications that occurred multiple times for single implants were counted. During the 12 month observation period, survival rates were 100% in both groups. No significant intergroup differences were observed for marginal bone resorption, probe depth, or bleeding index. However, mean plaque index was significantly lower in the MLF group at 12 months (p < 0.05). During the 12-month observation period, food impaction (26.3%) was the maincomplication in the MLF group and screw loosening (5.3%), prosthesis detachment (5.3%), and food impaction (5.3%) were observed in the MLA group. The results of this study suggest that the one-piece micro-locking implant system offers a predictable treatment method.

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Early Administration of Tolvaptan Can Improve Survival in Patients with Cirrhotic Ascites

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020294 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 294

Author(s):

Atsushi Hosui ◽

Takafumi Tanimoto ◽

Toru Okahara ◽

Munehiro Ashida ◽

Kohsaku Ohnishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conventional Therapy ◽

Low Dose ◽

Therapy Group ◽

Survival Rates ◽

Refractory Ascites ◽

High Dose ◽

Term Survival ◽

Conventional Therapy Group ◽

One Year ◽

The One

(1) Backgrounds and aim: Tolvaptan, a selective vasopressin type 2 receptor antagonist, was approved for ascites, and its short-term efficacy and safety have been confirmed. However, it is still unclear whether this novel drug may improve long-term survival rates in cirrhotic patients with ascites. (2) Patients and methods: A total of 206 patients who responded insufficiently to conventional diuretics and were hospitalized for refractory ascites for the first time were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Among them, the first 57 consecutive patients were treated with conventional diuretics (the conventional therapy group); the latter 149 consecutive patients were treated with tolvaptan in addition to the conventional therapy (the tolvaptan group). (3) Results: The exacerbation of renal function was significantly milder in the tolvaptan group than in the conventional therapy group. The prognostic factors for survival in the tolvaptan group were being male, having hyperbilirubinemia, having a high blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and receiving high-dose furosemide at the start of tolvaptan treatment. The one-year and three-year cumulative survival rates were 67.8 and 45.3%, respectively, in patients with low-dose furosemide (<40 mg/day) at the start of tolvaptan treatment. The prognosis was significantly better in the tolvaptan group with low-dose furosemide than in the conventional therapy group (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusion: Tolvaptan can improve survival in patients with cirrhotic ascites, especially when tolvaptan is started before high-dose furosemide administration.

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One-Dimensional Organic–Inorganic Material (C6H9N2)2BiCl5: From Synthesis to Structural, Spectroscopic, and Electronic Characterizations

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22042030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 2030

Author(s):

Hela Ferjani ◽

Hammouda Chebbi ◽

Mohammed Fettouhi

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Bonding ◽

Density Functional ◽

Crystal Packing ◽

Diffuse Reflectance Spectrum ◽

Enrichment Ratio ◽

One Dimensional ◽

Organic Part ◽

Fukui Indices ◽

The Stability ◽

The One

The new organic–inorganic compound (C6H9N2)2BiCl5 (I) has been grown by the solvent evaporation method. The one-dimensional (1D) structure of the allylimidazolium chlorobismuthate (I) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c and consists of 1-allylimidazolium cations and (1D) chains of the anion BiCl52−, built up of corner-sharing [BiCl63−] octahedra which are interconnected by means of hydrogen bonding contacts N/C–H⋯Cl. The intermolecular interactions were quantified using Hirshfeld surface analysis and the enrichment ratio established that the most important role in the stability of the crystal structure was provided by hydrogen bonding and H···H interactions. The highest value of E was calculated for the contact N⋯C (6.87) followed by C⋯C (2.85) and Bi⋯Cl (2.43). These contacts were favored and made the main contribution to the crystal packing. The vibrational modes were identified and assigned by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The optical band gap (Eg = 3.26 eV) was calculated from the diffuse reflectance spectrum and showed that we can consider the material as a semiconductor. The density functional theory (DFT) has been used to determine the calculated gap, which was about 3.73 eV, and to explain the electronic structure of the title compound, its optical properties, and the stability of the organic part by the calculation of HOMO and LUMO energy and the Fukui indices.

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