Magnetically Controlled Carbonate Nanocomposite with Ciprofloxacin for Biofilm Eradication

Biofilms are the reason for a vast majority of chronic inflammation cases and most acute inflammation. The treatment of biofilms still is a complicated task due to the low efficiency of drug delivery and high resistivity of the involved bacteria to harmful factors. Here we describe a magnetically controlled nanocomposite with a stimuli-responsive release profile based on calcium carbonate and magnetite with an encapsulated antibiotic (ciprofloxacin) that can be used to solve this problem. The material magnetic properties allowed targeted delivery, accumulation, and penetration of the composite in the biofilm, as well as the rapid triggered release of the entrapped antibiotic. Under the influence of an RF magnetic field with a frequency of 210 kHz, the composite underwent a phase transition from vaterite into calcite and promoted the release of ciprofloxacin. The effectiveness of the composite was tested against formed biofilms of E. coli and S. aureus and showed a 71% reduction in E. coli biofilm biomass and an 85% reduction in S. aureus biofilms. The efficiency of the composite with entrapped ciprofloxacin was higher than for the free antibiotic in the same concentration, up to 72%. The developed composite is a promising material for the treatment of biofilm-associated inflammations.     

Independent components in spectroscopic analysis of complex mixtures

We applied two methods of “blind” spectral decomposition (MILCA and SNICA) to quantitative and qualitative analyses of UV absorption spectra of several non-trivial mixture types. Both methods use the concept of statistical independence and aim at the reconstruction of minimally dependent components from a linear mixture. We examined mixtures of major ecotoxicants (aromatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons), amino acids and complex mixtures of vitamins in a veterinary drug. Both MICLA and SNICA were able to recover concentrations and individual spectra with minimal errors comparable with instrumental noise. In most cases their performance was similar to or better than that of other chemometric methods such as MCR-ALS, SIMPLISMA, RADICAL, JADE and FastICA. These results suggest that the ICA methods used in this study are suitable for real life applications.     

A Single Molecular Beacon Probe Is Sufficient for the Analysis of Multiple Nucleic Acid Sequences

Molecular beacon (MB) probes are dual‐labeled hairpin‐shaped oligodeoxyribonucleotides that are extensively used for real‐time detection of specific RNA/DNA analytes. In the MB probe, the loop fragment is complementary to the analyte: therefore, a unique probe is required for the analysis of each new analyte sequence. The conjugation of an oligonucleotide with two dyes and subsequent purification procedures add to the cost of MB probes, thus reducing their application in multiplex formats. Here we demonstrate how one MB probe can be used for the analysis of an arbitrary nucleic acid. The approach takes advantage of two oligonucleotide adaptor strands, each of which contains a fragment complementary to the analyte and a fragment complementary to an MB probe. The presence of the analyte leads to association of MB probe and the two DNA strands in quadripartite complex. The MB probe fluorescently reports the formation of this complex. In this design, the MB does not bind the analyte directly; therefore, the MB sequence is independent of the analyte. In this study one universal MB probe was used to genotype three human polymorphic sites. This approach promises to reduce the cost of multiplex real‐time assays and improve the accuracy of single‐nucleotide polymorphism genotyping.     

Structural Features and Transport Properties of La(Sr)Fe1-xNixO3-δ– Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-δ Nanocomposites—Advanced Materials for IT SOFC Cathodes

Mixed ionic?electronic conducting nanocomposites comprising complex oxides - perovskite (lanthanum-strontium nickelate-ferrite [LSFN]) and gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) have been prepared via ultrasonic dispersion of nanocrystalline powders of LSFN_x and GDC in organic solvent with addition of surfactant, followed by drying and sintering up to 1300°C. Their structural and surface properties have been studied by x-ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) electron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy with elemental analysis, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results of impedance spectroscopy, oxygen isotope exchange, O₂ temperature-programmed desorption, weight, and conductivity relaxation experiments have revealed a strong positive effect of perovskite?fluorite nanodomain interfaces in composite on the oxygen mobility and reactivity. Testing in wet H₂/air feeds for a button-size cell with functionally graded LSFN_0.4–GDC cathode layer supported on a thin YSZ layer covering Ni/YSZ cermet has demonstrated high and stable performance, promising for the practical application in the intermediate temperature range.     

Influence of residual solvent on physical and chemical properties of amorphous glassy polymer films

One of the most important areas of current research is the study of the influence of the prehistory of samples of amorphous glassy polymers on their physical and chemical properties. The study of structural changes by high temperature IR spectroscopy compared with of quantum chemical calculations allows for an understanding of the mechanism and nature of such processes. The changes in the structure of the polymer chain depending on the type of solvent used in the formation of the films are demonstrated using the examples of several different classes of polymers. In turn, the impact of such changes in the structure on the physical and chemical properties of the polymer films is demonstrated. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Krank oder behindert? Die Bedeutung tradierter Begriffssysteme und deren Anwendung f��r komplexe Syndrome

Definition of the problem This essay examines the relationship between the concept of disease and disability, thereby using the example of attention disorders. It takes as a point of departure Kleinman??s differentiation of disease, illness, and sickness and the distinction of disease and disability by the World Health Organization. The author suggests considering whether and how Kleinman??s differentiation of disease could be adapted to the concept of disability and in which way a modification could be useful for the understanding of concrete syndromes. Arguments Even though the WHO distinguishes disability and disease by means of classification since 1980, it is still not clearly determined either what chronic illnesses and psychological or cognitive syndromes are or whether they could be classified as disease by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or as disability by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Contrary to the ICD, the ICF allows for syndromes to be categorized in more detail. Conclusion Attention disorders and several cognitive abilities can be evaluated interdisciplinary, if not only their physical and psychological components but also their individual and societal components are considered. The professional and the personal perspective of the syndromes should be correlated. A clear conceptualized distinction between disease and disability is not possible.     

Kinetic analysis of secretory protein traffic and characterization of golgi to plasma membrane transport intermediates in living cells

Quantitative time-lapse imaging data of single cells expressing the transmembrane protein, vesicular stomatitis virus ts045 G protein fused to green fluorescent protein (VSVG-GFP), were used for kinetic modeling of protein traffic through the various compartments of the secretory pathway. A series of first order rate laws was sufficient to accurately describe VSVG-GFP transport, and provided compartment residence times and rate constants for transport into and out of the Golgi complex and delivery to the plasma membrane. For ER to Golgi transport the mean rate constant (i.e., the fraction of VSVG-GFP moved per unit of time) was 2.8% per min, for Golgi to plasma membrane transport it was 3.0% per min, and for transport from the plasma membrane to a degradative site it was 0.25% per min. Because these rate constants did not change as the concentration of VSVG-GFP in different compartments went from high (early in the experiment) to low (late in the experiment), secretory transport machinery was never saturated during the experiments. The processes of budding, translocation, and fusion of post-Golgi transport intermediates carrying VSVG- GFP to the plasma membrane were also analyzed using quantitative imaging techniques. Large pleiomorphic tubular structures, rather than small vesicles, were found to be the primary vehicles for Golgi to plasma membrane transport of VSVG-GFP. These structures budded as entire domains from the Golgi complex and underwent dynamic shape changes as they moved along microtubule tracks to the cell periphery. They carried up to 10,000 VSVG-GFP molecules and had a mean life time in COS cells of 3.8 min. In addition, they fused with the plasma membrane without intersecting other membrane transport pathways in the cell. These properties suggest that the post-Golgi intermediates represent a unique transport organelle for conveying large quantities of protein cargo from the Golgi complex directly to the plasma membrane.     

A sequential-move game for enhancing safety and security cooperation within chemical clusters

The present paper provides a game theoretic analysis of strategic cooperation on safety and security among chemical companies within a chemical industrial cluster. We suggest a two-stage sequential move game between adjacent chemical plants and the so-called Multi-Plant Council (MPC). The MPC is considered in the game as a leader player who makes the first move, and the individual chemical companies are the followers. The MPC's objective is to achieve full cooperation among players through establishing a subsidy system at minimum expense. The rest of the players rationally react to the subsidies proposed by the MPC and play Nash equilibrium. We show that such a case of conflict between safety and security, and social cooperation, belongs to the 'coordination with assurance' class of games, and we explore the role of cluster governance (fulfilled by the MPC) in achieving a full cooperative outcome in domino effects prevention negotiations. The paper proposes an algorithm that can be used by the MPC to develop the subsidy system. Furthermore, a stepwise plan to improve cross-company safety and security management in a chemical industrial cluster is suggested and an illustrative example is provided.     

Mass-sensitive detection of gas-phase volatile organics using disk microresonators

The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the gas phase by mass-sensitive disk microresonators is reported. The disk resonators were fabricated using a CMOS-compatible silicon micromachining process and subsequently placed in an amplifying feedback loop to sustain oscillation. Sensing of benzene, toluene, and xylene was conducted after applying controlled coatings of an analyte-absorbing polymer. An analytical model of the resonator's chemical sensing performance was developed and verified by the experimental data. Limits of detection for the analytes tested were obtained, modeled, and compared to values obtained from other mass-sensitive resonant gas sensors.     

Mammalian Golgi apparatus UDP-N-acetylglucosamine transporter: molecular cloning by phenotypic correction of a yeast mutant

Transporters in the Golgi apparatus membrane translocate nucleotide sugars from the cytosol into the Golgi lumen before these can be substrates for the glycosylation of proteins, lipids, and proteoglycans. We have cloned the mammalian Golgi membrane transporter for uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine by phenotypic correction with cDNA from MDCK cells of a recently characterized Kluyveromyces lactis mutant deficient in Golgi transport of the above nucleotide sugar. Phenotypically corrected transformants were separated from mutants in a fluorescent-activated cell sorter after labeling of K. lactis cells with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated to Griffonia simplicifolia II lectin, which binds terminal N-acetylglucosamine. A 2-kb DNA fragment was found to restore the wild-type cell lectin binding phenotype, which reverted to the mutant one upon loss of the plasmid. The DNA fragment contained an ORF encoding a hydrophobic, multitransmembrane spanning protein of 326 aa that had only 22% amino acid sequence identity with the corresponding transporter from K. lactis but showed 53% amino acid sequence identity to the mammalian UDP-galactose transporters and 40% to the CMP-sialic acid transporter. Golgi vesicles from the transformant regained their ability to transport UDP-GlcNAc in an assay in vitro. The above results demonstrate that the mammalian Golgi UDP-GlcNAc transporter gene has all of the necessary information for the protein to be expressed and targeted functionally to the Golgi apparatus of yeast and that two proteins with very different amino acid sequences may transport the same solute within the same Golgi membrane.