Chemically Gradient Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Framework Crystal Film.

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) are ordered supramolecular solid structures, however, nothing much explored as centimetre-scale self-standing films. The fabrication of such crystals comprising self-supported films is challenging due to the limited flexibility and interaction of the crystals, and therefore studies on two-dimensional macrostructures of HOFs are limited to external supports. Herein, we introduce a novel chemical gradient strategy to fabricate a crystal-deposited HOF film on an in situ-formed covalent organic polymer film (Tam-Bdca-CGHOF). The fabricated film showed versatility in chemical bonding along its thickness from covalent to hydrogen-bonded network. The kinetic-controlled Tam-Bdca-CGHOF showed enhanced proton conductivity (8.3×10-5  S cm-1 ) compared to its rapid kinetic analogue, Tam-Bdca-COP (2.1×10-5  S cm-1 ), which signifies the advantage of bonding-engineering in the same system.

The Effect of Lower Limb Revascularization on Flow, Perfusion, and Systemic Endothelial Function: A Systematic Review.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with reduced lower limb blood flow and tissue perfusion. The consequent reduction in vessel wall shear stress as well as ischemia-reperfusion injury has also been associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. We aimed to explore the impact of lower limb revascularization on (1) lower limb blood flow, (2) tissue perfusion, and (3) systemic endothelial function. We performed a systematic literature search using the MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Eligible studies measured changes in lower limb blood flow, perfusion, or systemic endothelial function following revascularization for the treatment of symptomatic PAD. We found 19 eligible studies, which were limited by considerable heterogeneity. Current evidence suggests that revascularization has a positive effect on flow, perfusion, and systemic endothelial dysfunction. Any changes may take a number of weeks to become apparent. There is a need for well-designed studies to explore the association between flow, perfusion, and endothelial dysfunction.

Effectiveness of a multicenter training programme to teach point-of-care vascular ultrasound for the detection of peripheral arterial disease in people with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training programme to teach a focused bedside ultrasound scan (PAD-scan; Podiatry Ankle Duplex Scan) for the detection of arterial disease in people with diabetes. METHODS: Five podiatrists and one diabetologist across two hospitals were enrolled in a structured training programme consisting of a training course (1-day), supervised scanning (5-weeks), independent scanning (3-weeks) and a final evaluation of performance (1-day).Time, technical skills (Duplex Ultrasound Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills tool (DUOSATS); minimum score = 6, maximum score = 26) and accuracy (level of agreement with vascular scientist PAD-scan assessment) were assessed for every supervised scan and again for the final evaluation of performance. RESULTS: A total of 90 PAD-scans in 65 patients were performed during the supervised phase. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in median time (19 min(IQR 13.9-25.5) vs 9.3 min (IQR 7.3-10.5);p = 0.028) and DUOSATS scores (17.5 (IQR 16.8-21) vs 25 (IQR 24-25.3); p = 0.027). At the final evaluation, participants completed scans in 5.4 min (IQR 5.3-5.9), achieved full DUOSAT scores and perfect agreement with the vascular scientist. CONCLUSION: A structured training programme, integrated into diabetic foot clinics, was effective in teaching the PAD-scan.

Novel simple and practical nutritional screening tool for cancer inpatients: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: There is lack of consensus on how nutritional screening and intervention should be provided to cancer patients. Nutritional screening and support of cancer patients are not well established in the Middle East. We report our systematic and practical experience led by a qualified specialist dietician in a cancer inpatient setting, using a novel nutritional screening tool. METHODS: Ninety-seven consecutive inpatients underwent nutritional screening and categorised into three nutritional risk groups based on oral intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, body mass index (BMI) and weight loss. Nutritional support was introduced accordingly. Statistical tests used included ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc, chi-square and log rank tests. RESULTS: Median age was 48 (19-87)years. Patients were categorised into three nutritional risk groups: 55 % low, 37 % intermediate and 8 % high. Nutritional intervention was introduced for 36 % of these patients. Individually, weight, BMI, oral intake, serum albumin on admission and weight loss significantly affected nutritional risk and nutritional intervention (all significant P values). Eighty-seven, 60 and 55 % of patients admitted for chemotherapy, febrile neutropenia and other reasons, respectively, did not require specific nutritional intervention. There was a statistically significant relationship between nutritional risk and nutritional intervention (P=0.005). Significantly more patients were alive at 3 months in low (91 %) than intermediate (75 %) than high (37 %)-risk groups. CONCLUSIONS: About a third of cancer inpatients require nutritional intervention. The adopted nutritional risk assessment tool is simple and practical. The validity of this tool is supported by its significant relation with known individual nutritional risk factors. This should be confirmed in larger prospective study and comparing this new tool with other established ones.

Titantium Dioxide Nanoparticles Assembled by DNA Molecules Hybridization and Loading of DNA Interacting Proteins.

This work demonstrates the assembly of TiO(2) nanoparticles with attached DNA oligonucleotides into a 3D mesh structure by allowing base pairing between oligonucleotides. A change of the ratio of DNA oligonucleotide molecules and TiO(2) nanoparticles regulates the size of the mesh as characterized by UV-visible light spectra, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images. This type of 3D mesh, based on TiO(2)-DNA oligonucleotide nanoconjugates, can be used for studies of nanoparticle assemblies in material science, energy science related to dye-sensitized solar cells, environmental science as well as characterization of DNA interacting proteins in the field of molecular biology. As an example of one such assembly, proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein (PCNA) was cloned, its activity verified, and the protein was purified, loaded onto double strand DNA oligonucleotide-TiO(2) nanoconjugates, and imaged by atomic force microscopy. This type of approach may be used to sample and perhaps quantify and/or extract specific cellular proteins from complex cellular protein mixtures affinity based on their affinity for chosen DNA segments assembled into the 3D matrix.

Patients with critical ischemia of the lower limb are at risk of developing kidney dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to establish a relationship between critical ischemia of the lower limb and kidney dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At rest, urine samples were collected from three groups: group A, 16 patients with critical ischemia; group B, 22 patients with stable intermittent claudication; and group C, 12 normal individuals. Urinary N-acetyle-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) enzyme was measured using spectrophotometer. Microalbuminuria was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the NAG activity between groups A and B, P = 0.001. Also, between group A and C, P = 0.01. There was no significant difference between groups B and C, P = 0.13. Microalbuminuria was not significantly different among the three groups: A versus B, P = 0.27; A versus C, P = 0.22; B versus C, P = 0.11. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of NAG enzyme in patients with critical ischemia of the lower limb suggest that they are at greater risk of developing kidney dysfunction. This could be caused by the release of more free radicals into the systemic circulation.