Facile and scaleable transformation of Cu nanoparticles into high aspect ratio Cu oxide nanowires in methanol

In this work, a facile synthetic route for the preparation of high aspect ratio Cu oxide nanowires is reported. The preparation of the Cu oxide nanowires begins with the generation of pure Cu nanoparticles by inert gas condensation (IGC) method, follows by dispersing the obtained nanoparticles in methanol with the aid of ultrasonication. The mixture is stored at different temperature for the transformation from Cu nanoparticle to Cu oxide nanowires. The influences of the kind of solution, the ratio of methanol to Cu nanoparticle, dispersion time and temperature towards the generation of Cu oxide nanowires are studied in detail. Scanning electron microscopy studies indicate that high aspect ratio Cu oxide nanowires with diameter of a few tens of nanometers and length up to several tens of micrometers could be obtained under proper conditions. The mechanism for the transformation of Cu nanoparticles to Cu oxide nanowires is also investigated.

We proposed a facile synthetic route to Cu oxide nanowires with a high aspect ratio. The approach shown in this work is suitable for scale-up synthesis.

Polyaniline-Encapsulated Hollow Co-Fe Prussian Blue Analogue Nanocubes Modified on a Polypropylene Separator To Improve the Performance of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Recent studies of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have identified that a modified separator plays a critical role in challenging the capacity fading and shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs). Herein, we report a polyaniline-encapsulated hollow Co-Fe Prussian blue analogue (CFP@PANI) for separator modification. The open frame-like hollow CFP was synthesized via oriented attachment (OA). To improve the catalytic effect and electrical conductivity, PANI was coated on the synthesized CFP. The resulting CFP@PANI was applied on the conventional polypropylene (PP) separator (CFP@PANI-PP) with vacuum filtration. With a ketjen black/sulfur (KB/S) cathode with 66% of the sulfur load, the CFP@PANI-PP exhibited an initial capacity of 723.1 mAh g^-1 at a current density of 1 A g^-1. Furthermore, the CFP@PANI-PP showed stable cycling performance with 83.5% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 A g^-1. During the 100 cycles, each cycle maintained high coulombic efficiency above 99.5%, which indicates that the CFP@PANI-PP could inhibit LiPS migration to the anode side without a Li⁺ transport disturbance across the separator. Overall, the CFP@PANI-PP efficiently suppressed LiPSs, resulting in enhanced electrochemical performance. The current study provides useful insight into designing a nanostructure for separator modification of Li-S batteries.

Enhancement of the stability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recombinant antigen expressed in Escherichia coli using cell lysis additives

BACKGROUND

Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, is a slow-growing bacterium. Expression in Escherichia coli is a widely used method for large-scale production of diagnostic antigenic recombinant proteins. Expression of Mtb antigen in E. coli offers a rapid and, inexpensive alternative to conventional protein synthesis from Mtb. The addition of stabilizing additives during cell lysis or storage of Mtb antigenic protein plays a vital role in enhancing antigen stability. In this study, we evaluated the effects of additives on the stability of Mtb antigens expressed in E. coli.

METHODS

Immunodominant Mtb antigens, i.e., CFP-10, Rv3872, TB7.7, and TB9.7, were cloned, and recombinant proteins overexpressed in E. coli were gradually degraded in a time-dependent manner by incubation at 37 °C. Various stabilizing additives during storage or cell lysis before protein purification were investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

CFP-10 and Rv3872 were mainly expressed in soluble form. The degraded form of the expressed protein after incubation at 37 °C was easily observed after 1 week. Increased stability was observed in a solution containing glycine for recombinant CFP-10 and Rv3872. TB9.7 was stable in a solution containing trehalose or mannitol. TB7.7 was stable in a solution containing sucrose, glycine, or polyethylene glycol.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant Mtb antigen stabilization using chemical additives inhibited protein degradation, leading to increased antigen stability and purification efficiency.

Burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review of treatments

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral pain syndrome that primarily affects peri- and postmenopausal women. It is characterized by oral mucosal burning and may be associated with dysgeusia, paresthesia, dysesthesia, and xerostomia. The etiology of the disease process is unknown, but is thought to be neuropathic in origin. The goal of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of the various treatments for BMS. Literature searches were conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, which identified 22 randomized controlled trials. Eight studies examined alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), three clonazepam, three psychotherapy, and two capsaicin, which all showed modest evidence of potentially decreasing pain/burning. Gabapentin was seen in one study to work alone and synergistically with ALA. Other treatments included vitamins, benzydamine hydrochloride, bupivacaine, Catuama, olive oil, trazodone, urea, and Hypericum perforatum. Of these other treatments, Catuama and bupivacaine were the only ones with significant positive results in symptom improvement. ALA, topical clonazepam, gabapentin, and psychotherapy may provide modest relief of pain in BMS. Gabapentin may also boost the effect of ALA. Capsaicin is limited by its side effects. Catuama showed potential for benefit. Future studies with standardized methodology and outcomes containing more patients are needed.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ inhibits Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 by downregulating NADPH oxidase 4 in human gingival fibroblasts

We investigated the roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) in Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS)-induced activation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2). In human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), activation of PPARδ by GW501516, a specific ligand of PPARδ, inhibited Pg-LPS-induced activation of MMP-2 and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which was associated with reduced expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4). These effects were significantly smaller in the presence of small interfering RNA targeting PPARδ or the specific PPARδ inhibitor GSK0660, indicating that PPARδ is involved in these events. In addition, modulation of Nox4 expression by small interfering RNA influenced the effect of PPARδ on MMP-2 activity, suggesting a mechanism in which Nox4-derived ROS modulates MMP-2 activity. Furthermore, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase, mediated PPARδ-dependent inhibition of MMP-2 activity in HGFs treated with Pg-LPS. Concomitantly, PPARδ-mediated inhibition of MMP-2 activity was associated with the restoration of types I and III collagen to levels approaching those in HGFs not treated with Pg-LPS. These results indicate that PPARδ-mediated downregulation of Nox4 modulates cellular redox status, which in turn plays a critical role in extracellular matrix homeostasis through ROS-dependent regulation of MMP-2 activity.

Ligand-activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ and -γ inhibit lipopolysaccharide-primed release of high mobility group box 1 through upregulation of SIRT1

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a late proinflammatory mediator, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not completely understood. In this study, we demonstrated that the inhibition of HMGB1 release by PPAR-δ and -γ is associated with the deacetylase activity of SIRT1. Ligand-activated PPAR-δ and -γ inhibited LPS-primed release of HMGB1, concomitant with elevation in SIRT1 expression and promoter activity. These effects were significantly reduced in the presence of small interfering (si)RNAs against PPAR, indicating that PPAR-δ and -γ are involved in both HMGB1 release and SIRT1 expression. In addition, modulation of SIRT1 expression and activity by siRNA or chemicals correspondingly influenced the effects of PPARs on HMGB1 release, suggesting a mechanism in which SIRT1 modulates HMGB1 release. Furthermore, we showed for the first time that HMGB1 acetylated in response to LPS or p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) is an effective substrate for SIRT1, and that deacetylation of HMGB1 is responsible for blockade of HMGB1 release in macrophages. Finally, acetylation of HMGB1 was elevated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts from SIRT1-knockout mice, whereas this increase was completely reversed by ectopic expression of SIRT1. These results indicate that PPAR-mediated upregulation of SIRT1 modulates the status of HMGB1 acetylation, which, in turn, has a critical role in the cellular response to inflammation through deacetylation-mediated regulation of HMGB1 release.

Investigation of the association between 677C>T and 1298A>C 5,10-methylenetetra- hydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms and normal-tension glaucoma

PURPOSE

Homozygous polymorphism of the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and resultant hyperhomocysteinaemia have been established as an independent risk factor for vascular diseases. There are evidences that vascular abnormalities are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). In the present study, we were to find out the associations between 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene and NTG.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, case-controlled study enrolling 78 NTG patients and 100 controls. DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes was extracted and the genotypes of polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) in the MTHFR gene were determined using PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion. The frequencies of the polymorphic genotypes in the patients with NTG and controls were compared.

RESULTS

The frequencies of the polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene (677C>T and 1298A>C) in the NTG patients were not significantly different from those of controls. But the younger NTG patients (age at diagnosis < or = 45 years) showed significantly higher prevalence of 677C>T polymorphism than the older NTG patients (age at diagnosis > 45 years) (TT genotype, 38.9 vs 11.9%, P=0.006, OR=4.71, 95% CI=1.49-14.9) and than the younger control subgroup (TT genotype, 38.9 vs 6.1%, P=0.001, OR=9.86, 95% CI=2.23-42.4).

CONCLUSIONS

The 677C>T polymorphism was significantly associated with NTG in the younger patients, while 1298A>C polymorphism was not. This suggests that 677C>T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene can be a genetic risk factor of NTG in Korean population.

Abdominal obesity, systolic blood pressure, and microalbuminuria in normotensive and euglycemic Korean men

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relationship between abdominal obesity and microalbuminuria (MA) in normotensive, euglycemic Korean men.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study at a health screening center.

SUBJECTS

A total of 1321 healthy, normotensive Korean men, aged 20-78 years, with a fasting plasma glucose level <100 mg/dl.

MEASUREMENTS

Height, weight, and waist; systolic blood pressure (SBP); diastolic blood pressures (DBP); urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR); fasting glucose, insulin, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell count. Waist circumference (WC) was used to indicate abdominal obesity and a single measurement of ACR was used to estimate MA. We also calculated body mass index (BMI) based on weight and height.

RESULTS

Mean BMI, WC, and SBP were significantly higher in subjects with MA than in those without (24.8+/-4.1 vs 23.8+/-2.7 kg/m2, 86+/-9 vs 83+/-8 cm, and 115+/-5 vs 112+/-7 mmHg, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that only WC and SBP were independent predictors of MA.

CONCLUSION

WC and SBP were positively associated with MA in normotensive and euglycemic Korean men.

Depressive symptoms of patients using clean intermittent catheterization for neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, cross-sectional study, based on cases of spinal cord injury (SCI).

SETTING

Three outpatient medical departments in Seoul, Korea.

OBJECTIVES

To assess depressive symptoms in patients on clean intermittent catheterization after SCI.

METHODS

In total, 102 subjects (68 males and 34 females, mean age 39.5 with a range of 18-75 years) were included in the primary analysis. A control group of 110 was selected from the routine health checkup. All subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

RESULTS

For patients and controls, the average total BDI scores were 20.3+/-1.0 and 11.4+/-0.5, respectively (P<0.001). With regard to severity of depression among patient groups, three (3.0%) reported normal; four (3.9%) reported mild to moderate depression; 24 (23.5%) reported moderate to severe depression; and 71 (69.6%) reported severe depression. On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a positive association with the risk of depression was observed in gender and type of catheterization. Female patients had a 3.8-fold higher risk (odds ratio (OR) 13.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-10.31; P=0.008) of depression than male patients. In the same model, patients who were unable to perform catheterization independently had a 4.6-fold higher risk (OR 4.62; 95% CI 1.67-12.81, P=0.003) of depression than those who were able to perform self-catheterization.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that the patients with neurogenic bladder secondary to SCI have higher degrees of depression than normal population. In addition, our findings also suggest that depression is closely related to gender and patient's ability to perform self-catheterization.

From data to knowledge--the Visible Human Project continues

The U. S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) has long been a world leader in the archiving and distribution of the print-based images of biology and medicine. NLM has also been a pioneer in the use of computer systems to encode and distribute textual knowledge of the life sciences. NLM's Long Range Planning effort of 1985-86 foresaw a coming era where NLM's Bibliographic and factual database services would be complemented by libraries of digital images, distributed over high speed computer networks. The NLM Planning Panel on Electronic Imaging recommended that NLM should undertake the building a digital image library consisting of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images, and cryosection images of a representative, carefully selected and prepared male and female cadaver--the "Visible Human Project ." The male and female Visible Human data sets are now being made available through a license agreement with the NLM. The data sets are supporting a wide range of educational, diagnostic, treatment planning, and commercial uses. The NLM, in partnership with other U.S. government research agencies has begun a three prong effort within the Visible Human Project to address: the creation of a new online, interactive, digital head-and-neck atlas; the development of a tool kit of computational programs capable of automatically performing many of the basic data handling functions required for using Visible Human data in applications; and the improved resolution of future Visible Human data sets through the reduction of the anatomical artifacts introduced by the methods used to stabilize and section the anatomical materials and the development of staining and wide-spectrum methods for increasing tissue contrast.

The Asia Pacific Association for Medical Informatics (APAMI) and World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) Consortium on General and Family Practice Informatics--a statement of intent

This paper describes the establishment of a consortium to advance health and medical informatics in general/family practice in the Asia Pacific Region. The objectives, current activities currently taking place in the region and key activities planned will be outlined.

Home telecare system integrated with periodic health reminder and medical record & multimedia health information

The necessity of home telecare system is growing due to increase in desire for health promotion owing to increase in chronic diseases, aged population and medical expenses. Already, we computerized patient's data and offer periodic health reminder to patients for health promotion by using Life-time Health Monitoring Program (LHMP). Our study connected LHMP to the Web on internet by CGI as an electronic medical record; enabling reference to patient's medical records anywhere. The study also made possible video teleconsultation and constructed multimedia database to provide health-related information to the patients. On these bases, a flow chart was developed using the home telecare to practice manage patients with chronic diseases, old patients, and the handicapped. Further standardization in data, establishment of law bases for home telecare system, development of rules for medical fees and active utilization of biomedical telemetry will be needed to extend home telecare system.

Standardization of the nationwide health examination in Korea

The Korea Medical Insurance Corporation has held the periodic Health Examination for the public servants and teachers from 1977 as a nationwide health preventive task. But the Health Examination result is not computerized rather than paperwork, so the use of the Health Examination is limited and the results of Health Examination can not be stored or interchangeable between hospitals or health examination centers in this system. So we planed the Standardization of the Nationwide Health Examination project and developed the Health Examination computer program in 1996. The object of standardized program is to contribute to cost-effective analysis of each item or other studies about the factors influences development of diseases. And now, an Exhibition work for the standardization is being held with the Health Examination computer program. At the ending of the Exhibition work, we will evaluation and revision the computerized program for standardization process.

Features for a B-ISDN telemedicine system and its application

Telemedicine technology is emerging as a new way of medical practice. It will provide more cooperative activity between departments and more comfortable access for disabled patients home. We developed two types of telemedicine system: a telediagnosis system and a home care system. Our telemedicine application is aimed to be run on the broadband-integrated services digital network (B-ISDN). The legacy network is also considered. The user interface is designed to help doctors to communicate easily. The key elements of telemedicine systems are user friendly interface, medical multimedia database design highly refined display technique.

Information system for a periodic examination and health promotion center

The periodic examination and health promotion center (PEHPC) in Seoul National University Hospital has developed and adopted an information system supported by computers which use an electronic medical record to improve the quality of patient care, advance the science of medicine, lower health care costs, and enhance the education of health care professionals. This information system adopted the concept of incomplete and evolutionary systems to conduct the pursuit of practicalness and efficacy. It has increased efficiency to save costs and to enhance the quality of the medical service. It has also activated clinical research due to ease of managing data. We are also preparing for telecare. Telecare and WWW-using information system is postponed because the protection of a patients privacy is not established.

[Clinical experience with cefbuperazone in complicated urinary tract infection]

Cefbuperazone (CBPZ) was administered to inpatients with complicated urinary tract infections (UTI) at our department. Clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated in 22 chronic cases by the criteria for evaluation of clinical of antimicrobial agents on urinary tract infection. Overall clinical efficacy was excellent in 8 cases, moderate in 9 cases and poor in 5 cases with an effectiveness rate of 77%. Twenty-four of the 34 strains isolated from the patients were eradicated and eradication rate was 71%. Neither subjective nor objective adverse reactions were observed. Abnormal changes in laboratory tests were found in 9 patients, but were probably not related to CBPZ administration. Judging from these results, CBPZ is considered to be an effective and safe antibacterial for the treatment of complicated UTI.