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ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare transperineal (TP) vs transrectal (TR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion-guided prostate biopsy (PBx) in a large, ethnically diverse and multiracial cohort. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent multiparametric (mp) MRI followed by TP or TR TRUS-fusion guided PBx, were identified from a prospective database (IRB #HS-13-00663). All patients underwent mpMRI followed by 12-14 core systematic PBx. A minimum of two additional target-biopsy cores were taken per PIRADS≥3 lesion. The endpoint was the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (CSPCa; Grade Group, GG≥2). Statistical significance was defined as p

The use of fluorescent nanomaterials in various fields of study has become increasingly common. In this work, the use of carbon quantum dots as a corrosion marker in carbon steel is proposed. To produce the sensor, carbon quantum dots based on ethylenediamine and citric acid were used, dissolved in a polymeric matrix. The quantum dot used showed a quantum yield of 42.34%. The nanomodified coatings emitted blue light under ultraviolet radiation lamp. However, it was observed that there is a loss of photoluminescence in the coating on the carbon steel substrate compared to the coating on the polymeric substrate, which maintained photoluminescence activity after natural exposure. Thus, it is inferred that the loss of photoluminescence may be associated with the corrosion process.

In this work, the support, cashew apple bagasse (CAB), was chemically modified with divinyl sulfone (DVS), and it was evaluated to immobilize Candida antarctica lipase A (CAL-A). The best activation conditions of CAB support were defined by an advanced experimental design using the Taguchi method, assessing five factors at four levels (concentration of DVS, ionic strength, pH, temperature, and time). The support and biocatalyst (CAB-DVS-CAL-A) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetry (TGA), scanning microscopy (SEM), fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and electrophoresis. The optimal conditions to activate the support were DVS concentration of 1.4 mol L-1 (3 mL of DVS in 20 mL of reaction volume), a concentration of sodium bicarbonate buffer at 5 mmol L-1, pH 3.0 at 30 °C for 12 h. The immobilization on CAB-DVS promoted increased thermal stability at 70 °C and different pHs of CAL-A. Therefore, the selected conditions allowed for a catalyst with a catalytic activity of 6.8 U g-1 and more stable than the free enzyme (CAL-A). This demonstrates that pretreated and DVS-activated CAB is a promising support for enzyme immobilization.

Trace elements such as cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) play necessary roles in different biological functions. Co is a microelement that influences the vascular system. Mo works as an enzymatic cofactor of three enzymes (aldehyde oxidase, sulfite oxidase, and xanthine oxidase dehydrogenase). However, these elements are difficult to detect, since the analytical methods developed have a high cost, which restrict their applicability. In this sense, fluorescent sensors are an alternative for detecting trace elements, such as Mo4+ ions. Herein, a new multichannel trace elements sensor has been proposed to detect Mo entities. In this sense, two different N-CQDs were synthesized and fully characterized. The N-CQDs presented quantum yield values of 25.93% and 6.02% and excellent solubility in water. Also, a mixture of these two carbon-based nanoparticles was used to identify and to quantify Mo in water between seven different trace elements. The method was found to reach 1.28 and 3.88 ppm for limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), respectively. To further verify the potential of the detection platform, the multichannel sensor was applied to identify the different concentrations of metal ions (Fe2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, and Mo4+) in water. The data matrix was treated using different algorithms, such as K-Means and Discriminant Analysis (DA). The detection strategy has successfully identified the molybdenum ions at 5 ppm. This result shows the potential application of a multichannel sensor toward the detection of Mo entities, since it is comparable with the molybdenum test already available on the market.

Hemocytes, the myeloid-like immune cells of Drosophila, fulfill a variety of functions that are not completely understood, ranging from phagocytosis to transduction of inflammatory signals. We here show that downregulating the hemocyte-specific Glial cell deficient/Glial cell missing (Glide/Gcm) transcription factor enhances the inflammatory response to the constitutive activation of the Toll pathway. This correlates with lower levels of glutathione S-transferase, suggesting an implication of Glide/Gcm in reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling and calling for a widespread anti-inflammatory potential of Glide/Gcm. In addition, our data reveal the expression of acetylcholine receptors in hemocytes and that Toll activation affects their expressions, disclosing a novel aspect of the inflammatory response mediated by neurotransmitters. Finally, we provide evidence for acetylcholine receptor nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 6 (nAchRalpha6) regulating hemocyte proliferation in a cell autonomous fashion and for non-cell autonomous cholinergic signaling regulating the number of hemocytes. Altogether, this study provides new insights on the molecular pathways involved in the inflammatory response.

Stilbenes are phytoalexins, and their biosynthesis can occur through a natural route (shikimate precursor) or an alternative route (in microorganism cultures). The latter is a metabolic engineering strategy to enhance production due to stilbenes recognized pharmacological and medicinal potential. It is believed that in the human body, these potential activities can be modulated by the regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid derived 2 (Nrf2), which increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Given this, our review aims to critically analyze evidence regarding E-stilbenes in human metabolism and the Nrf2 activation pathway, with an emphasis on inflammatory and oxidative stress aspects related to the pathophysiology of chronic and metabolic diseases. In this comprehensive literature review, it can be observed that despite the broad number of stilbenes, those most frequently explored in clinical trials and preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) were resveratrol, piceatannol, pterostilbene, polydatin, stilbestrol, and pinosylvin. In some cases, depending on the dose/concentration and chemical nature of the stilbene, it was possible to identify activation of the Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, the use of some experimental models presented a challenge in comparing results. In view of the above, it can be suggested that E-stilbenes have a relationship with the Nrf2 pathway, whether directly or indirectly, through different biological pathways, and in different diseases or conditions that are mainly related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

A dilute acid hydrolysis of rice husk (RH), wheat straw (WS), and their extractive-free residues was investigated with the objective of recovering the highest yield of xylose while keeping at minimum its conversion into furfural. The hydrolysis conditions were determined for different concentrations of sulfuric acid and different reaction times at 121 °C. The pre-extraction with ethanol-water (1:1, v/v) was also examined as a parameter. Using response surface methodology, the optimum conditions for xylose production were identified as 1.8% of acid and 41.4 min of hydrolysis time for RH, while those for its counterpart EF-RH (extractives-free rice husks) were 1.0% acid concentration, for 60 min. The same conditions were also predicted for WS and its EF-WS. Under these conditions, the xylose yield was 79.6%, 82.8%, 94.3%, and 88.6% for RH, EF-RH, WS, and EF-RW, respectively. Under these conditions the minimal furfural yields obtained were 1.2% and 1.3% for RH and EF-RH, and 0.8% and 1.5%, for WS and EF-WS, respectively. These results suggested that the pre-extraction step before the acid hydrolysis affected, at least in part, the xylose recovery from RH, but it was not necessary for a better xylose yield of WS for its bioconversion into valuable bioproducts like xylitol.

In order to ensure the nutritional quality of leafy vegetables produced under intensive cultivation systems, the proximate composition, mineral profile, and trypsin-inhibitory activity of three priority West African vegetable species ( Amaranthus cruentus, Ocimum gratissimum , and Solanum macrocarpon ) produced with urea micro-doses (20, 40, and 60 kg/ha) were compared with control leaves raised without urea. Plants were harvested three consecutive times to determine effects on nutrient and trypsin-inhibitory activity. Proximate and mineral compositions were mainly species-dependent (p

This article aims to explore a ‘lived discipleship’ by determining whether and how contemporary communities of faith could implement the norms and principles reflected in the Emmaus narrative of Luke 24:13–35 within a plausible epistemological framework that might facilitate a fresh understanding of Christian followership as discipleship. This was done through an empirical case study using two focus groups as co-researchers, in order to actively listen to their respective understandings of lived theology in their unique South African contexts. The two focus groups consisted of (1) a contemporary Christian grouping of Afrikaans-speaking, active churchgoers situated in Hazeldean, a suburb in Pretoria East, Tshwane, Gauteng and (2) a contemporary Christian grouping of African, active churchgoers situated in Ivory Park, a suburb in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. This article concluded that Luke 24:13–35 nudged the co-researchers to re-evaluate their contemporary understanding of discipleship and moved them to additional and new perspectives in terms of practical expressions thereof that can be best described as ‘lived followership’. A shift from perceiving Jesus in terms of an ‘act to follow’ by gaining the correct knowledge, to following Jesus as ‘a performative act’, a shift from ‘theoretical knowledge’ to ‘heart knowledge’. Contribution: This article is a part of the Festschrift for Prof. Stephan Joubert. This article plays into similar creative interdisciplinary relationship as seen in the work of Prof. Joubert, by looking at the relationship between New Testament and Practical Theology in order to improve practices of faith that is rooted in a biblical understanding of Jesus.

The catalog of the Drosophila immune cells was until recently limited to three major cell types, based on morphology, function and few molecular markers. Three recent single cell studies highlight the presence of several subgroups, revealing a large diversity in the molecular signature of the larval immune cells. Since these studies rely on somewhat different experimental and analytical approaches, we here compare the datasets and identify eight common, robust subgroups associated to distinct functions such as proliferation, immune response, phagocytosis or secretion. Similar comparative analyses with datasets from different stages and tissues disclose the presence of larval immune cells resembling embryonic hemocyte progenitors and the expression of specific properties in larval immune cells associated with peripheral tissues.

The LabEx Milieu Interieur (MI) project is a clinical study centered on the detailed characterization of the baseline and induced immune responses in blood samples from 1,000 healthy donors. Analyses of these samples has lay ground for seminal studies on the genetic and environmental determinants of immunologic variance in a healthy cohort population. In the current study we developed in vitro methods enabling standardized quantification of MI-cohort-derived primary fibroblasts responses. Our results show that in vitro human donor cohort fibroblast responses to stimulation by different MAMPs analogs allows to characterize individual donor immune-phenotype variability. The results provide proof-of-concept foundation to a new experimental framework for such studies. A bio-bank of primary fibroblast lines was generated from 323 out of 1,000 healthy individuals selected from the MI-study cohort. To study inter-donor variability of innate immune response in primary human dermal fibroblasts we chose to measure the TLR3 and TLR4 response pathways, both receptors being expressed and previously studied in fibroblasts. We established high-throughput automation compatible methods for standardized primary fibroblast cell activation, using purified MAMPS analogs, poly I:C and LPS that stimulate TLR3 and TLR4 pathways respectively. These results were in turn compared with a stimulation method using infection by HSV-1 virus. Our “Add-only” protocol minimizes high-throughput automation system variability facilitating whole process automation from cell plating through stimulation to recovery of cell supernatants, and fluorescent labeling. Images were acquired automatically by high-throughput acquisition on an automated high-content imaging microscope. Under these methodological conditions standardized image acquisition provided for quantification of cellular responses allowing biological variability to be measured with low system noise and high biological signal fidelity. Optimal for automated analysis of immuno-phenotype of primary human cell responses our method and experimental framework as reported here is highly compatible to high-throughput screening protocols like those necessary for chemo-genomic screening. In context of primary fibroblasts derived from donors enrolled to the MI-clinical-study our results open the way to assert the utility of studying immune-phenotype characteristics relevant to a human clinical cohort.

Background:. A major challenge in face transplantation (FT) is the limited donor allograft pool. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of cross-sex FT (CSFT) for donor pool expansion by: (1) comparing craniomaxillofacial metrics following CSFT versus same-sex FT (SSFT); and (2) evaluating the public and medical professionals’ perception of CSFT. Methods:. Seven cadaveric FTs were performed, resulting in both CSFT and SSFT. Precision of bony and soft tissue inset was evaluated by comparing pre- versus post-operative cephalometric and anthropometric measurements. Fidelity of the FT compared to the virtual plan was assessed by imaging overlay techniques. Surveys were administered to medical professionals, medical students, and general population to evaluate opinions regarding CSFT. Results:. Five CSFTs and 2 SSFTs were performed. Comparison of recipients versus post-transplant outcomes showed that only the bigonial and medial intercanthal distances were statistically different between CSFT and SSFT (P = 0.012 and P = 0.010, respectively). Of the 213 survey participants, more were willing to donate for and undergo SSFT, compared with CSFT (donate: 59.6% versus 53.0%, P = 0.001; receive: 79.5% versus 52.3%, P < 0.001). If supported by research, willingness to receive a CSFT significantly increased to 65.6% (P < 0.001). On non-blinded and blinded assessments, 62.9% and 79% of responses rated the CSFT superior or equal to SSFT, respectively. Conclusions:. Our study demonstrates similar anthropometric and cephalometric outcomes for CSFT and SSFT. Participants were more reticent to undergo CSFT, with increased willingness if supported by research. CSFT may represent a viable option for expansion of the donor pool in future patients prepared to undergo transplantation.

In this communication, it was evaluated the production of fatty acid ethyl ester (FAAE) from the free fatty acids of babassu oil catalyzed by lipase from Rhizomucor miehei (RML) immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) coated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), Fe3O4@APTES-RML or RML-MNP for short. MNPs were prepared by co-precipitation coated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and used as a support to immobilize RML (immobilization yield: 94.7 ± 1.0%; biocatalyst activity: 341.3 ± 1.2 Up–NPB/g), which were also activated with glutaraldehyde and then used to immobilize RML (immobilization yield: 91.9 ± 0.2%; biocatalyst activity: 199.6 ± 3.5 Up–NPB/g). RML-MNP was characterized by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), proving the incorporation and immobilization of RML on the APTES matrix. In addition, the immobilized biocatalyst presented at 60°C a half-life 16–19 times greater than that of the soluble lipase in the pH range 5–10. RML and RML-MNP showed higher activity at pH 7; the immobilized enzyme was more active than the free enzyme in the pH range (5–10) analyzed. For the production of fatty acid ethyl ester, under optimal conditions [40°C, 6 h, 1:1 (FFAs/alcohol)] determined by the Taguchi method, it was possible to obtain conversion of 81.7 ± 0.7% using 5% of RML-MNP.

Background:. Left-handed surgeons experience difficulty with tools designed for use in the right hand. The purpose of this study was to examine instrument laterality and to survey the experiences of left-handed plastic surgery trainees. Methods:. Count sheets for plastic surgery trays (reconstructive, microsurgery, rhinoplasty, craniofacial) were acquired from Tisch Hospital, NYU Langone Health. Instruments with right-handed laterality were tallied. A survey was also distributed to plastic surgery residents and fellows to determine hand preference for surgical tasks, and those who identified as left-handed described how handedness impacted their training. Results:. Right-handed laterality was seen in 15 (31.3%) of the 48 reconstructive instruments, 17 (22.7%) of the 75 rhinoplasty instruments, and 22 (31.0%) of the 71 craniofacial instruments. One-hundred percent of the 25 microsurgery instruments were ambidextrous. There were 97 survey responses. Trainees (17.5%) were identified as left-handed and were more likely than right-handed trainees to report operating with both hands equally or with the opposite hand (47.1% versus 1.3%; P < 0.001). Left-handed trainees were significantly more likely than right-handed trainees to use their nondominant hand with scissors (P < 0.001), electrocautery (P = 0.03), and needle drivers (P < 0.001) and when performing tissue dissection (P < 0.001) and microsurgery (P = 0.008). There was no difference in use of the nondominant hand between right and left-handed trainees for knot tying (P = 0.83) and in use of the scalpel (P = 0.41). Conclusions:. Left-handed plastic surgery trainees frequently encounter instruments designed for the nondominant hand, with which they adaptively perform several surgical tasks. Mentoring may help trainees overcome the laterality-related challenges of residency.

In this work, chitosan/magnetite nanoparticles (ChM) were quickly synthesized according to our previous report based on co-precipitation reaction under ultrasound (US) irradiation. Besides ChM was in-depth structurally characterized, showing a crystalline phase corresponding to magnetite and presenting a spheric morphology, a “nanorod”-type morphology was also obtained after increasing reaction time for eight minutes. Successfully, both morphologies presented a nanoscale range with an average particle size of approximately 5–30 nm, providing a superparamagnetic behavior with saturation magnetization ranging from 44 to 57 emu·g−1. As ChM nanocomposites have shown great versatility considering their properties, we proposed a comparative study using three different amine-based nanoparticles, non-surface-modified and surface-modified, for removal of azo dyes from aqueous solutions. From nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm results, the surface-modified ChMs increased the specific surface area and pore size. Additionally, the adsorption of anionic azo dyes (reactive black 5 (RB5) and methyl orange (MO)) on nanocomposites surface was pH-dependent, where surface-modified samples presented a better response under pH 4 and non-modified one under pH 8. Indeed, adsorption capacity results also showed different adsorption mechanisms, molecular size effect and electrostatic attraction, for unmodified and modified ChMs, respectively. Herein, considering all results and nanocomposite-type structure, ChM nanoparticles seem to be a suitable potential alternative for conventional anionic dyes adsorbents, as well as both primary materials source, chitosan and magnetite, are costless and easily supplied.

Residual oil from babassu (Orbignya sp.), a low-cost raw material, was used in the enzymatic esterification for biodiesel production, using lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym® 435) and ethanol. For the first time in the literature, residual babassu oil and Novozym® 435 are being investigated to obtain biodiesel. In this communication, response surface methodology (RSM) and a central composite design (CCD) were used to optimize the esterification and study the effects of four factors (molar ratio (1:1–1:16, free fatty acids (FFAs) /alcohol), temperature (30–50 °C), biocatalyst content (0.05–0.15 g) and reaction time (2–6 h)) in the conversion into fatty acid ethyl esters. Under optimized conditions (1:18 molar ratio (FFAs/alcohol), 0.14 g of Novozym® 435, 48 °C and 4 h), the conversion into ethyl esters was 96.8%. It was found that after 10 consecutive cycles of esterification under optimal conditions, Novozym® 435 showed a maximum loss of activity of 5.8%, suggesting a very small change in the support/enzyme ratio proved by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and insignificant changes in the surface of Novozym® 435 proved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after the 10 consecutive cycles of esterification.

The synthesis of ethyl butyrate catalyzed by lipases A (CALA) or B (CALB) from Candida antarctica immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), CALA-MNP and CALB-MNP, respectively, is hereby reported. MNPs were prepared by co-precipitation, functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, activated with glutaraldehyde, and then used as support to immobilize either CALA or CALB (immobilization yield: 100 ± 1.2% and 57.6 ± 3.8%; biocatalysts activities: 198.3 ± 2.7 Up-NPB/g and 52.9 ± 1.7 Up-NPB/g for CALA-MNP and CALB-MNP, respectively). X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis indicated the production of a magnetic nanomaterial with a diameter of 13.0 nm, whereas Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated functionalization, activation and enzyme immobilization. To determine the optimum conditions for the synthesis, a four-variable Central Composite Design (CCD) (biocatalyst content, molar ratio, temperature and time) was performed. Under optimized conditions (1:1, 45 °C and 6 h), it was possible to achieve 99.2 ± 0.3% of conversion for CALA-MNP (10 mg) and 97.5 ± 0.8% for CALB-MNP (12.5 mg), which retained approximately 80% of their activity after 10 consecutive cycles of esterification. Under ultrasonic irradiation, similar conversions were achieved but at 4 h of incubation, demonstrating the efficiency of ultrasound technology in the enzymatic synthesis of esters.

Recent lineage tracing analyses have significantly improved our understanding of immune system development and highlighted the importance of the different hematopoietic waves. The current challenge is to understand whether these waves interact and whether this affects the function of the immune system. Here we report a molecular pathway regulating the immune response and involving the communication between embryonic and larval hematopoietic waves in Drosophila. Down-regulating the transcription factor Gcm specific to embryonic hematopoiesis enhances the larval phenotypes induced by over-expressing the pro-inflammatory Jak/Stat pathway or by wasp infestation. Gcm works by modulating the transduction of the Upd cytokines to the site of larval hematopoiesis and hence the response to chronic (Jak/Stat over-expression) and acute (wasp infestation) immune challenges. Thus, homeostatic interactions control the function of the immune system in physiology and pathology. Our data also indicate that a transiently expressed developmental pathway has a long-lasting effect on the immune response.

Background:. Widespread application of vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is currently limited by the required lifelong systemic immunosuppression and its associated morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the efficacy of ex vivo (after procurement but before transplantation) engineering of allografts using small interfering RNA to knockdown major histocompatibility complex I (MHC-I) and prolong rejection-free survival. Methods:. Endothelial cells (ECs) were transfected with small interfering RNA targeted against MHC-I (siMHC-I) for all in vitro experiments. MHC-I surface expression and knockdown duration were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and flow cytometry. After stimulating Lewis recipient cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) with allogeneic controls or siMHC-I–silenced ECs, lymphocyte proliferation, CTL-mediated and natural killer–mediated EC lysis were measured. Using an established VCA rat model, allografts were perfused ex vivo with siMHC-I before transplantation. Allografts were analyzed for MHC-I expression and clinical/histologic evidence of rejection. Results:. Treatment with siMHC-I resulted in 80% knockdown of mRNA and 87% reduction in cell surface expression for up to 7 days in vitro (P < 0.05). Treatment of ECs with siMHC-I reduced lymphocyte proliferation and CTL-mediated cytotoxicity (77% and 50%, respectively, P < 0.01), without increasing natural killer–mediated cytotoxicity (P = 0.66). In a rat VCA model, ex vivo perfusion with siMHC-I reduced expression in all tissue compartments by at least 50% (P < 0.05). Knockdown prolonged rejection-free survival by 60% compared with nonsense-treated controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions:. Ex vivo siMHC-I engineering can effectively modify allografts and significantly prolong rejection-free allograft survival. This novel approach may help reduce future systemic immunosuppression requirements in VCA recipients.

In this work we report the synthesis of new hybrid nanomaterials in the core/shell/shell morphology, consisting of a magnetite core (Fe3O4) and two consecutive layers of oleic acid (OA) and phthalocyanine molecules, the latter derived from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). The synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticle was performed via co-precipitation procedure, followed by the nanoparticle coating with OA by hydrothermal method. The phthalocyanines anchorage on the Fe3O4/OA core/shell nanomaterial was performed by facile and effective sonication method. The as obtained Fe3O4/OA/phthalocyanine hybrids were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis and magnetic measurements. TEM showed round-shaped nanomaterials with sizes in the range of 12−15 nm. Nanomaterials presented saturation magnetization (Ms) in the 1−16 emu/g and superparamagnetic behavior. Furthermore, it was observed that the thermal stability of the samples was directly affected by the insertion of different transition metals in the ring cavity of the phthalocyanine molecule.

In this communication, lipase A from Candida antarctica (CALA) was immobilized by covalent bonding on magnetic nanoparticles coated with chitosan and activated with glutaraldehyde, labelled CALA-MNP, (immobilization parameters: 84.1% ± 1.0 for immobilization yield and 208.0 ± 3.0 U/g ± 1.1 for derivative activity). CALA-MNP biocatalyst was characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetry (TG) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), proving the incorporation of magnetite and the immobilization of CALA in the chitosan matrix. Besides, the immobilized biocatalyst showed a half-life 8−11 times higher than that of the soluble enzyme at pH 5−9. CALA showed the highest activity at pH 7, while CALA-MNP presented the highest activity at pH 10. The immobilized enzyme was more active than the free enzyme at all studied pH values, except pH 7.

This paper describes the investigation and development of a novel magnetic drug delivery nanosystem (labeled as MO-20) for cancer therapy. The drug employed was oncocalyxone A (onco A), which was isolated from Auxemma oncocalyx, an endemic Brazilian plant. It has a series of pharmacological properties: antioxidant, cytotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antiplatelet. Onco A was associated with magnetite nanoparticles in order to obtain magnetic properties. The components of MO-20 were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA, TEM and Magnetization curves. The MO-20 presented a size of about 30 nm and globular morphology. In addition, drug releasing experiments were performed, where it was observed the presence of the anomalous transport. The results found in this work showed the potential of onco A for future applications of the MO-20 as a new magnetic drug release nanosystem for cancer treatment.

Collective migration is a complex process that contributes to build precise tissue and organ architecture. Several molecules implicated in cell interactions also control collective migration, but their precise role and the finely tuned expression that orchestrates this complex developmental process are poorly understood. Here, we show that the timely and threshold expression of the Netrin receptor Frazzled triggers the initiation of glia migration in the developing Drosophila wing. Frazzled expression is induced by the transcription factor Glide/Gcm in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, the glial determinant also regulates the efficiency of collective migration. NetrinB but not NetrinA serves as a chemoattractant and Unc5 contributes as a repellant Netrin receptor for glia migration. Our model includes strict spatial localization of a ligand, a cell autonomously acting receptor and a fate determinant that act coordinately to direct glia toward their final destination.

Dwarf-green coconut fibers were modified by alkali treatment and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), as well as thermogravimetric (TGA), mechanical, and dielectric analyses. Changes in composition, structure, and morphology of the coconut fibers were observed after sodium hydroxide treatments due to the removal of lignin, hemicellulose, and other impurities. The XRD data were in agreement with the morphological analysis, where the crystallinity fraction increased with the concentration of alkali solution and fell off above 10%. The infrared spectrometry showed the partial dissolution of hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin, which was clearly identified by the band at 1736 cm-1. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a double degradation process for the untreated dwarf-green coconut fibers, while a single one was observed after the pretreatment. The tensile properties showed an increased elongation at break, modulus, and strength, and the dielectric results showed a decrease of all parameters (permittivity, dielectric loss, and conductivity), reflecting the reduced dipole and ion mobility associated with the loss of amorphous components.

Non-healing foot ulcers are the most common cause of non-traumatic amputation and hospitalization amongst diabetics in the developed world. Impaired wound neovascularization perpetuates a cycle of dysfunctional tissue repair and regeneration. Evidence implicates defective mobilization of marrow-derived progenitor cells (PCs) as a fundamental cause of impaired diabetic neovascularization. Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapies to address this defect. Here we report an endogenous PC strategy to improve diabetic wound neovascularization and closure through a combination therapy of AMD3100, which mobilizes marrow-derived PCs by competitively binding to the cell surface CXCR4 receptor, and PDGF-BB, which is a protein known to enhance cell growth, progenitor cell migration and angiogenesis.Wounded mice were assigned to 1 of 5 experimental arms (n = 8/arm): saline treated wild-type, saline treated diabetic, AMD3100 treated diabetic, PDGF-BB treated diabetic, and AMD3100/PDGF-BB treated diabetic. Circulating PC number and wound vascularity were analyzed for each group (n = 8/group). Cellular function was assessed in the presence of AMD3100. Using a validated preclinical model of type II diabetic wound healing, we show that AMD3100 therapy (10 mg/kg; i.p. daily) alone can rescue diabetes-specific defects in PC mobilization, but cannot restore normal wound neovascularization. Through further investigation, we demonstrate an acquired trafficking-defect within AMD3100-treated diabetic PCs that can be rescued by PDGF-BB (2 μg; topical) supplementation within the wound environment. Finally, we determine that combination therapy restores diabetic wound neovascularization and accelerates time to wound closure by 40%.Combination AMD3100 and PDGF-BB therapy synergistically improves BM PC mobilization and trafficking, resulting in significantly improved diabetic wound closure and neovascularization. The success of this endogenous, cell-based strategy to improve diabetic wound healing using FDA-approved therapies is inherently translatable.

In July and September 2007, miners working in Kitaka Cave, Uganda, were diagnosed with Marburg hemorrhagic fever. The likely source of infection in the cave was Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) based on detection of Marburg virus RNA in 31/611 (5.1%) bats, virus-specific antibody in bat sera, and isolation of genetically diverse virus from bat tissues. The virus isolates were collected nine months apart, demonstrating long-term virus circulation. The bat colony was estimated to be over 100,000 animals using mark and re-capture methods, predicting the presence of over 5,000 virus-infected bats. The genetically diverse virus genome sequences from bats and miners closely matched. These data indicate common Egyptian fruit bats can represent a major natural reservoir and source of Marburg virus with potential for spillover into humans.

Despite their different origins, Drosophila glia and hemocytes are related cell populations that provide an immune function. Drosophila hemocytes patrol the body cavity and act as macrophages outside the nervous system, whereas glia originate from the neuroepithelium and provide the scavenger population of the nervous system. Drosophila glia are hence the functional orthologs of vertebrate microglia, even though the latter are cells of immune origin that subsequently move into the brain during development. Interestingly, the Drosophila immune cells within (glia) and outside (hemocytes) the nervous system require the same transcription factor glial cells deficient/glial cells missing (Glide/Gcm) for their development. This raises the issue of how do glia specifically differentiate in the nervous system, and hemocytes in the procephalic mesoderm. The Repo homeodomain transcription factor and panglial direct target of Glide/Gcm is known to ensure glial terminal differentiation. Here we show that Repo also takes center stage in the process that discriminates between glia and hemocytes. First, Repo expression is repressed in the hemocyte anlagen by mesoderm-specific factors. Second, Repo ectopic activation in the procephalic mesoderm is sufficient to repress the expression of hemocyte-specific genes. Third, the lack of Repo triggers the expression of hemocyte markers in glia. Thus, a complex network of tissue-specific cues biases the potential of Glide/Gcm. These data allow us to revise the concept of fate determinants and help us to understand the bases of cell specification. Both sexes were analyzed.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Distinct cell types often require the same pioneer transcription factor, raising the issue of how one factor triggers different fates. In Drosophila, glia and hemocytes provide a scavenger activity within and outside the nervous system, respectively. While they both require the glial cells deficient/glial cells missing (Glide/Gcm) transcription factor, glia originate from the ectoderm, and hemocytes from the mesoderm. Here we show that tissue-specific factors inhibit the gliogenic potential of Glide/Gcm in the mesoderm by repressing the expression of the homeodomain protein Repo, a major glial-specific target of Glide/Gcm. Repo expression in turn inhibits the expression of hemocyte-specific genes in the nervous system. These cell-specific networks secure the establishment of the glial fate only in the nervous system and allow cell diversification.