Systematic Review: Targeted Molecular Imaging of Angiogenesis and Its Mediators in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Extensive angiogenesis is a characteristic feature in the synovial tissue of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from a very early stage of the disease onward and constitutes a crucial event for the development of the proliferative synovium. This process is markedly intensified in patients with prolonged disease duration, high disease activity, disease severity, and significant inflammatory cell infiltration. Angiogenesis is therefore an interesting target for the development of new therapeutic approaches as well as disease monitoring strategies in RA. To this end, nuclear imaging modalities represent valuable non-invasive tools that can selectively target molecular markers of angiogenesis and accurately and quantitatively track molecular changes in multiple joints simultaneously. This systematic review summarizes the imaging markers used for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) approaches, targeting pathways and mediators involved in synovial neo-angiogenesis in RA.     

Light Spectral Composition Modifies Polyamine Metabolism in Young Wheat Plants

Although light-emitting diode (LED) technology has extended the research on targeted photomorphogenic, physiological, and biochemical responses in plants, there is not enough direct information about how light affects polyamine metabolism. In this study, the effect of three spectral compositions (referred to by their most typical characteristic: blue, red, and the combination of blue and red [pink] lights) on polyamine metabolism was compared to those obtained under white light conditions at the same light intensity. Although light quality induced pronounced differences in plant morphology, pigment contents, and the expression of polyamine metabolism-related genes, endogenous polyamine levels did not differ substantially. When exogenous polyamines were applied, their roborative effect were detected under all light conditions, but these beneficial changes were correlated with an increase in polyamine content and polyamine metabolism-related gene expression only under blue light. The effect of the polyamines on leaf gene expression under red light was the opposite, with a decreasing tendency. Results suggest that light quality may optimize plant growth through the adjustment of polyamine metabolism at the gene expression level. Polyamine treatments induced different strategies in fine-tuning of polyamine metabolism, which were induced for optimal plant growth and development under different spectral compositions.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyimides containing triazoles units in the main chain by click chemistry

In this study, some polyimides containing triazoles units in the main chain was prepared from the polymerization of dialkynes including imide linkages and diazides in the presence of Cu (I) catalyst in yield of 76.2–87.6%, with inherent viscosity of 0.37–0.53 dL g^?1. The obtained polymers are soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N‐dimethyformamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethyacetamide (DMAc), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). These polymers were characterized using FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, and elemental analysis techniques. Their thermal stability was evaluated with thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques under a nitrogen atmosphere which is indicative of their good thermal stability. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

A model for measuring e-learning systems success in universities

In the era of internet, universities and higher education institutions are increasingly tend to provide e-learning. For suitable planning and more enjoying the benefits of this educational approach, a model for measuring success of e-learning systems is essential. So in this paper, we try to survey and present a model for measuring success of e-learning systems in universities. For this purpose, at first, according to literature review, a conceptual model was designed. Then, based on opinions of 33 experts, and assessing their suggestions, research indicators were finalized. After that, to examine the relationships between components and finalize the proposed model, a case study was done in 5 universities: Amir Kabir University, Tehran University, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran University of Science & Technology and Khaje Nasir Toosi University of Technology. Finally, by analyzing questionnaires completed by 369 instructors, students and alumni, which were e-learning systems user, the final model (MELSS Model¹).     

Photobleaching with phloxine B sensitizer to reduce food matrix interference for detection of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 in fresh spinach by flow cytometry

A flow cytometric method (RAPID-B™) with detection sensitivity of one viable cell of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 in fresh spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was developed and evaluated. The major impediment to achieving this performance was mistaking autofluorescing spinach particles for tagged target cells. Following a 5 h non-selective enrichment, artificially inoculated samples were photobleached, using phloxine B as a photosensitizer. Samples were centrifuged at high speed to concentrate target cells, then gradient centrifuged to separate them from matrix debris. In external laboratory experiments, RAPID-B and the reference method both correctly detected E. coli O157:H7 at inoculations of ca. 15 cells. In a follow-up study, after 4 cell inoculations of positives and 6 h enrichment, RAPID-B correctly identified 92% of 25 samples. The RAPID-B method limit of detection (LOD) was one cell in 25 g. It proved superior to the reference method (which incorporated real time-PCR, selective enrichment, and culture plating elements) in accuracy and speed.     

Influence of various surface treated silica nanoparticles on the electrochemical properties of SiO2/polyurethane nanocoatings

Various organosilane-treated SiO₂ nanoparticles were dispersed in a 2-pack polyurethane coating. The influence of surface modification and silica content on the electrochemical behaviour of the resultant nanocoatings was investigated. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and open circuit potential (OCP) variations were examined. The surface chemistry of nanoparticles and its effect on the resultant nanocoating morphology were also studied utilising FTIR, and TEM analyses. The results reveal that the presence of more hydrophobic groups and longer-lengthed hydrophobic chains on the surface of nanoparticles, greatly improves the interfacial interactions at the polymer/filler interfaces resulting in a better corrosion performance.     

Modeling of liquid hydrocarbon products from syngas

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology - The modeling of hydrocarbon selectivity and CO conversion of the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over Fe–Ni/Al2O3 catalyst by using...     

Synthesis of biocompatible and degradable microspheres based on 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate via microfluidic method

Monodisperse poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate), p‐HEMA, microspheres in size ranging from 16 to 340 (μm) were synthesized by in situ emulsion photopolymerization of HEMA monomer with polyethylene glycol diacrylate (p‐EGDA) by means of a three‐dimensional microfluidic flow‐focusing device. An aqueous solution of HEMA, p‐EGDA as chain extender and UV‐photoinitiator serving as dispersed phase formed microdroplets in a continuous oil phase mainly consisting of n‐heptane. A downward coaxial orifices design in the device led to confinement of the reaction admixtures thread to central axis of the microchannels. This design strategy could solve the wetting problem of dispersed phase with the microchannels leading to a successful production of monodisperse microspheres with size variation of less than 4%. The effects of concentration of p‐EGDA, surfactant, and flow rate ratios on microsphere size were examined. It was observed that increasing the concentration of p‐EGDA slightly increases the size whereas increasing the flow rate ratios of continuous to dispersed phase effectively decreases the size of microspheres. The rapid continuous synthesis of p‐HEMA based microspheres via the microfluidic route with reliable control over size, size distribution, and composition opens new doors for mass production of biocompatible and degradable polymeric microspheres for enormous biotechnological applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40925.     

Multiple Abiotic Stresses Applied Simultaneously Elicit Distinct Responses in Two Contrasting Rice Cultivars

Rice crops are often subject to multiple abiotic stresses simultaneously in both natural and cultivated environments, resulting in yield reductions beyond those expected from single stress. We report physiological changes after a 4 day exposure to combined drought, salt and extreme temperature treatments, following a 2 day salinity pre-treatment in two rice genotypes—Nipponbare (a paddy rice) and IAC1131 (an upland landrace). Stomata closed after two days of combined stresses, causing intercellular CO2 concentrations and assimilation rates to diminish rapidly. Abscisic acid (ABA) levels increased at least five-fold but did not differ significantly between the genotypes. Tandem Mass Tag isotopic labelling quantitative proteomics revealed 6215 reproducibly identified proteins in mature leaves across the two genotypes and three time points (0, 2 and 4 days of stress). Of these, 987 were differentially expressed due to stress (cf. control plants), including 41 proteins that changed significantly in abundance in all stressed plants. Heat shock proteins, late embryogenesis abundant proteins and photosynthesis-related proteins were consistently responsive to stress in both Nipponbare and IAC1131. Remarkably, even after 2 days of stress there were almost six times fewer proteins differentially expressed in IAC1131 than Nipponbare. This contrast in the translational response to multiple stresses is consistent with the known tolerance of IAC1131 to dryland conditions.