Ratiometric Detection of Glutathione Based on Disulfide Linkage Rupture between a FRET Coumarin Donor and a Rhodamine Acceptor

Abnormal levels of glutathione, a cellular antioxidant, can lead to a variety of diseases. We have constructed a near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe to detect glutathione concentrations in biological samples. The probe consists of a coumarin donor, which is connected through a disulfide-tethered linker to a rhodamine acceptor. Under the excitation of the coumarin donor at 405 nm, the probe shows weak visible fluorescence of the coumarin donor at 470 nm and strong near-infrared fluorescence of the rhodamine acceptor at 652 nm due to efficient Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the donor to the acceptor. Glutathione breaks the disulfide bond through reduction, which results in a dramatic increase in coumarin fluorescence and a corresponding decrease in rhodamine fluorescence. The probe possesses excellent cell permeability, biocompatibility, and good ratiometric fluorescence responses to glutathione and cysteine with a self-calibration capability. The probe was utilized to ratiometrically visualize glutathione concentration alterations in HeLa cells and Drosophila melanogaster larvae.     

Potential of renewable energy system utilisation at decentralised level in the state of Uttarakhand in India

ABSTRACT

Design and implementation of an effective dissemination programme for decentralised renewable energy system necessitate an accurate estimate of its utilisation potential. Hence, in this study, an attempt has been made to develop frameworks to estimate the utilisation potential of decentralised renewable energy systems in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Estimations imply large resource, technical and economic potentials of the domestic solar water heater, solar home system, solar lantern, family size biogas plant and improved biomass cookstove in Uttarakhand. With higher impact on the purchasing power of households, prevailing soft loan scheme has been found to be more appropriate than a capital subsidy for promoting the usage of decentralised renewable energy systems.     

Management gaps analysis: a case study of groundwater resource management in New Zealand

The primary objective of this project is to identify gaps, whether real or perceived, that hinder effective groundwater management in New Zealand. These gaps show as gaps in information, gaps in implementation, gaps in technological and management tools, and gaps in understanding of fundamental processes. The secondary objective is to propose a management strategy to close the identified gaps. Several methods are used to meet these objectives: surveys distributed to selected staff in each regional council; the review of various written reports; the analysis of land-use databases; and private consultation within each regional council. Results show that groundwater management in New Zealand is generally reactionary with the main gaps being in strategic planning and national guidelines. Most gaps appear to be predominantly information and implementation issues. In some cases there are gaps in the understanding of fundamental processes within an aquifer system, including the long-term effects of land-use on groundwater quality. An adaptive management approach is suggested as a means of closing these gaps.     

Clonal change of HTLV-1 infected lymphocytes before onset of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

A 73-year-old HTLV-1 infected male developed overt ATL following 3-years observation, and the clonality of HTLV-1 infected cells changed before overt ATL onset. 10 micrograms of DNA, extracted from mononuclear cells was digested with PstI, and the clonal proliferation of HTLV-1 infected cells was examined by Southern blotting with LTR probe. 4 bands were observed 3 years prior to ATL onset, and 2 different bands were detected 2 years and 6 months later. This suggests that in some ATL cases, the clonality of monoclonally proliferated HTLV-1 infected cells may be changeable before overt ATL onset.     

AK-5 tumor-induced expression of interleukin-12: role of IL-12 in NK-mediated AK-5 regression

Spontaneous regression of AK-5, a histiocytic tumor, is mediated by CD3-, CD8+ NK cells through ADCC. The onset of AK-5 regression is associated with the induction of humoral immune response and the augmentation of effector function. The mechanism of tumor cell death involves both necrosis and apoptosis. Interleukin-12, a 75-kDa heterodimeric cytokine, has multiple effects on T and NK cells. We have investigated the role of IL-12 in the NK cell-mediated AK-5 tumor regression process. Subcutaneous transplantation of AK-5 tumor induced the expression of IL-12 (p35 and p40) message by Day 6-8 in the splenocytes of syngenic rats. Similarly, analysis of serum samples from tumor-bearing animals showed the presence of circulating IL-12 around the same time. Interaction of immune cells with antibody-tagged AK-5 cells in vitro also triggered the expression of IL-12 message and protein by 3 hr. The circulating IL-12 in the sera of tumor-rejecting animals, as well as rIL-12, stimulated NK cell proliferation, expression of CD16 and CD25, and the activation of NK cells function. These observations suggest that the ability of the AK-5 tumor to induce the endogenous production of IL-12 may be responsible for keeping the NK cells constantly in an activated state, thus demonstrating an efficient mechanism for the complete regression of the tumor.     

Combining teacher-Led and technology-assisted instruction to improve phoneme blending to read words for elementary students with disabilities

Technology-assisted instruction has potential for helping students improve their reading skills. In the current studies, PowerPoint software was used to supplement teacher-led reading instruction for elementary-aged students with disabilities who struggled with phoneme blending to read words. The effectiveness of the intervention was assessed using two multiple probe design studies across sets of words based on an onset-rime (word family) strategy. In Study 1, teacher-led instruction was paired with technology-assisted instruction for all intervention sessions for three students in first and second grade. In Study 2, teacher-led instruction occurred between baseline and technology-assisted intervention sessions for three students in third and fourth grade. During the initial instruction sessions, participants recorded their own voices onto PowerPoint slides so that their technology-assisted instruction included self-modelling. Results of both studies indicated that technology-assisted instruction can be effective for helping students learn how to blend phonemes to read words; however, performance varied and there were limitations in each study that should be addressed in future research. Relevant implications for classroom instruction are emphasized.     

Cu/SBA-15 as adsorbent for propane/propylene separation

Samples of mesoporous silica SBA-15 were prepared under hydrothermal conditions where Cu cations were incorporated to the structure by impregnation in order to compare the adsorption behavior in the presence and absence of this element. The adsorption/desorption equilibrium isotherms of propylene, propane, and N₂ were measured to evaluate their usefulness in the propane/propylene separation. All the adsorption isotherms of SBA-15 measured in the absence of Cu cations were described by the Freundlich equation, while the adsorption isotherms of propane on Cu/SBA-15 were better represented by the Henry equation and those of propylene were satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model in the range P < 100 Torr. The adsorption uptake of propylene increased and that of propane decreased in Cu/SBA-15 as compared to the amounts observed in the SBA-15 sample. The presence of Cu atoms in the adsorbent lattice increased the selectivity towards propylene. Under some working conditions the adsorbed amount of propylene in Cu/SBA-15 sample was totally reversible and the propane uptake, negligible.     

Exploring similarities and differences in teamwork across diverse healthcare contexts using communication analysis

Teamwork is prevalent in many work contexts. This study explored the similarities and differences in teamwork processes across different healthcare work contexts with the aim of assessing knowledge transfer feasibility. The research approach was to aggregate team communication analyses from four healthcare contexts to uncover teamwork similarities and differences. The four healthcare contexts included two handoffs and two surgery contexts. The communication analysis segmented communication into meaningful sequences. It categorized utterances into content categories and verbal behaviors. There were a few similar content categories across the four contexts. A clear information structure emerged in the two handoff contexts. In addition, there were more dialogues and requests in the surgeries compared to more reports in the handoffs. The content similarities suggest that some knowledge is transferable among the contexts. However, the differences in communication patterns reflect fundamental differences between handoff and surgery contexts in some teamwork processes. This research demonstrated that using communication analysis can uncover similarities and differences in team cognition and teamwork processes across work contexts. This in turn can help determine what knowledge and methods pertaining to team training, procedures, and technology are transferable across the contexts.     

Redefining cement characteristics for sulfate-resistant Portland cement

Experimental research was performed to relate specific cement characteristics to expansion due to sulfate attack. Twenty-one North American cement of statistically diverse chemical composition were used in the study. ASTM 1012 “Standard Test Method for Length Change of Hydraulic Cement Mortars Exposed to a Sulfate Solution” was performed using mortars prepared with each of the cement. First-order and multivariate relationships between cement characteristics and sulfate expansion were correlated at different ages. Analysis revealed that while tricalcium aluminate (C₃A) has typically been targeted as the chief contributor to sulfate attack, iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) or tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C₄AF) content, combined with total equivalent alkalis, showed a much stronger negative correlation with expansions at all ages. These results are in agreement with a broad spectrum of sulfate expansion theories and can provide a better means of specifying sulfate-resistant cement.