Modular synthesis of 4-aminocarbonyl substituted 1,8-naphthalimides and application in single molecule fluorescence detection.

Robust methodology to install amide, carbamate, urea and sulfonamide functionality to the 1,8-naphthalimide scaffold has been developed and exemplified. New benzamidonaphthalimide 6, synthesised using this approach, was found to be sensitive to base whereupon fluorescence emission strongly increases (>10-fold) and red-shifts (>4000 cm-1). The optical properties of deprotonated 6 allow for single molecule fluorescence detection, the first example of such behaviour from this class of fluorophore.

Opioid and Opiate Immunoregulatory Processes.

The discovery of the ability of the nervous system to communicate through "public" circuits with other systems of the body is attributed to Ernst and Berta Scharrer, who described the neurosecretory process in 1928. Indeed, the immune system has been identified as another important neuroendocrine target tissue. Opioid peptides are involved in this communication (i.e., neuroimmune) and with that of autoimmunoregulation (communication between immunocytes). The significance of opioid neuropeptide involvement with the immune system is ascertained from the presence of novel δ, µ., and κ receptors on inflammatory cells that result in modulation of cellular activity after activation, as well as the presence of specific enzymatic degradation and regulation processes. In contrast to the relatively uniform antinociceptive action of opiate and opioid signal molecules in neural tissues, the presence of naturally occurring morphine in plasma and a novel µ3 opiate-specific receptor on inflammatory cells adds to the growing knowledge that opioid and opiate signal molecules may have antagonistic actions in select tissues. In examining various disorders (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus, substance abuse, parasitism, and the diffuse inflammatory response associated with surgery) evidence has also been found for the involvement of opiate/opioid signaling in prominent mechanisms. In addition, the presence of similar mechanisms in man and organisms 500 million years divergent in evolution bespeaks the importance of this family of signal molecules. The present review provides an overview of recent advances in the field of opiate and opioid immunoregulatory processes and speculates as to their significance in diverse biological systems.

Leg injuries and wound repair among cosmetid harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores).

Previous studies of leg injuries in harvestmen have focused on the fitness consequences for individuals that use autospasy (voluntary detachment of the leg) as a secondary defense mechanism. Leg damage among non-autotomizing species of laniatorean harvestmen has not been investigated. Under laboratory conditions, we damaged femur IV of Cynorta marginalis and observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the changes in these wounds over ten days. We also used SEM to examine leg damage from individuals of three species of cosmetid harvestmen that were collected in the field. On the basis of changes in the external surface of the hemolymph coagulum, we classified these wounds as fresh (coagulum forming), recent (coagulum with smooth surface), older (coagulum is scale-like with visible cell fragments), and fully healed (scale replaced by new cuticle growth on the terminal stump). Our observations indicate that wound healing in harvestmen occurs in a manner comparable to that of other chelicerates. Leg injuries exhibited interspecific variation with respect to the overall frequency of leg wounds and the specific legs that were most commonly damaged. In addition, we measured walking and climbing speeds of adult C. marginalis and found that individuals with fresh injuries (lab-induced) to femur IV walked at speeds significantly slower than uninjured adults or individuals collected from the field that had fully healed wounds to a single leg. J. Morphol. 278:73-88, 2017. ©© 2016 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.

Inhibition of cell adhesion to fibronectin by oligopeptide-substituted polynorbornenes.

Polynorbornenes substituted with two different peptide sequences from the RGD-containing integrin cell-binding domain of fibronectin are potent inhibitors of human foreskin fibroblast cell adhesion to fibronectin-coated surfaces. Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using Ru==CHPh(Cl)(2)(PCy(3))(DHIMes) (1) as an initiator produced polymers substituted with GRGDS and PHSRN peptide sequences. The inhibitory activity was quantified for these polymers and compared to the free peptides and GRGES-containing controls. A homopolymer substituted with GRGDS peptides was significantly more active than the free GRGDS peptide (IC(50) of 0.18 +/- 0.03 and 1.33 +/- 0.20 mM respectively), and the copolymer containing both GRGDS and PHSRN is the most potent inhibitor (IC(50) of 0.04 +/- 0.01 mM). These results demonstrate that significant enhancements of observed biological activity can be obtained from polymeric materials containing more than one type of multivalent ligand and that ROMP is a useful method to synthesize such well-defined copolymers.

Effect of cognitive rehabilitation on outcomes for persons with traumatic brain injury: A systematic review.

We evaluated evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation methods to improve outcomes for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). A search of MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library produced 600 potential references. Thirty-two studies met predetermined inclusion criteria and were abstracted; data from 24 were placed into evidence tables. Two randomized controlled trials and one observational study provided evidence that specific forms of cognitive rehabilitation reduce memory failures and anxiety, and improve self-concept and interpersonal relationships for persons with TBI. The durability and clinical relevance of these findings is not established. Future research utilizing control groups and multivariate analysis must incorporate subject variability and must include standard definitions of the intervention and relevant outcome measures that reflect health and function.

Summary report: evidence for the effectiveness of rehabilitation for persons with traumatic brain injury.

We evaluated the evidence for effectiveness of rehabilitation methods throughout the phases of recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults. MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched, and a total of 3,098 abstracts were reviewed. The strongest studies were critically appraised and their data placed in evidence tables. Results showed that to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for persons with TBI, a commitment must be made to population-based studies, strong controlled research design, standardization of measures, adequate statistical analysis, and specification of health outcomes of importance to persons with TBI and their families.

Evidence of case management effect on traumatic-brain-injured adults in rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of case management during recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults. After an overview of TBI incidence, prevalence, and problems, and a brief explanation of case management, the study methods are described, the findings are discussed and recommendations are made for future research. Medline, HealthSTAR, CINAHL, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched and 83 articles met the criteria for review. The strongest studies (n = 3) were critically appraised and their design features and data were placed in two evidence tables. Due to methodological limitations, there was neither clear evidence of effectiveness nor of ineffectiveness. For future research, we recommend controlled research designs, standardization of measures, adequate statistical analysis and specification of health outcomes of importance to persons with TBI and their families.

Reproductive effects of fenoxycarb on sheep.

Fenoxycarb (ethyl [2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)-ethyl] carbamate) is an insect growth regulator used for long-term fire ant control. Because of its effects on insect reproduction and its potential use on pasturage consumed by food animals, a reproductive study was conducted using Rambouillet sheep. The sheep were dosed daily with a placebo or with fenoxycarb at 0.69 or 1.38 mg/kg/day, representing ten (10x) and 20 times (20x) the maximum amounts of fenoxycarb in forage or hay treated at recommended levels for fire ant control. Parameters that were measured included rates of weight gain of adults, serum clinical chemistry profiles of adults, spermatozoal morphology and motility, estrus cycling, pregnancy rates, maintenance of pregnancies to term, numbers of live births, and rates of weight gain of lambs to 28 days. There were no statistically significant (P < or = 0.05) differences between the exposed and control groups of sheep in any of these facets of the study. No clinical signs associated with exposure to fenoxycarb were observed in any animal at any time, and no exposure-related pattern of pathologic lesions or reproductive organ histology was observed. Means of hepatic fenoxycarb residues in the rams followed a statistically significant (P < or = 0.05) dose-related pattern. No fenoxycarb was detected (detection limit of 5 ppb) in any neonatal liver, despite the presence of hepatic fenoxycarb residues in the treated ewes, indicating that transplacental transport of fenoxycarb was minimal. No fenoxycarb was detected in any lamb liver at 28 days, although both the colostrum and the milk of exposed ewes were found to contain fenoxycarb at levels proportional to the treatments. Based on the lack of significant findings in this study, it is unlikely that use of fenoxycarb, according to label instructions (currently applicable to homeowner and registered agricultural usage) for fire ant control in pasturage or hay fields, will affect ruminant reproduction.

Visualization of proteoglycans and link protein in embryonic chick limb cartilage via cryofixation, freeze-substitution and immunochemical techniques.

Chick embryo limb bud cartilage contains a family of proteoglycans, a few of which have been identified ultrastructurally by antibody labelling. Limb bud cartilage from stage 30-34 chick embryos was high-pressure frozen, freeze-substituted and embedded in Lowicryl resin. Sections were treated with polyclonal antibodies for core protein and monoclonal antibodies for chondroitin-6-sulphate and link protein. Label for core protein was demonstrated on both structural matrix and free within the compartmental space. Quantitative analysis indicates that core protein is preferentially localized on electron-dense structural matrix, and that this distribution is uniform between stages 30 and 34. The association of protein epitopes on electron-dense lattice is strongly influenced, rather than a chance observation. Significant quantities of core protein are also located in the free compartments of the cartilaginous lattice. Chondroitin-6-sulphate and link protein were localized predominantly within the compartments of the embryonic lattice. Our data provide convincing evidence that the proteoglycans were immobilized within a microcrystalline matrix of the embryonic compartments. A role for core protein as a stabilizer within the lattice and in the free space where it serves to aggregate polymeric proteoglycans is suggested from our results.

Toxicosis in pigs fed selenium-accumulating Astragalus plant species or sodium selenate.

Three groups of 5 pigs each were fed a high selenium (Se) diet by mixing either Astragalus praelongus (31.6 ppm Se in feed), A bisulcatus (31.7 ppm Se in feed), or sodium selenate (26.6 ppm Se in feed) with commercial hog feed. Ten control pigs were fed only commercial hog chow containing trace selenium (0.44 ppm Se). Pigs were fed for 9 weeks and necropsied when they had ataxia or paralysis. Blood was collected for hematologic and serum biochemical determinations, and samples of various tissues were collected and fixed in neutral-buffered 10% formalin for histologic evaluation or frozen for determination of selenium concentration. All forms of selenium induced clinical signs of weight and hair loss, with cracked hooves and inflamed coronary bands developing in all Na2SeO4-fed pigs and 1 A praelongus-fed pig, but not in A bisulcatus-fed pigs. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and albumin concentrations were unchanged or significantly decreased from prefeeding values in groups fed selenium. Serum aspartate transaminase (AST) activities in Astragalus species-fed groups, and amylase activities and PCV in all groups of pigs fed selenium, were increased. Serum alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities were significantly increased in the A praelongus-fed pigs and significantly decreased in Na2SeO4-fed pigs. Terminal tissue and body fluid selenium concentrations were determined in all groups of pigs fed selenium and compared with values in control pigs. Urine and bile concentrations were increased by the greatest factor (40 to 100x), with tissue concentrations of selenium increased by a lesser factor (6 to 17x).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multiple simultaneous urologic procedures in pediatric patient. Evaluation of risk and cost-effectiveness.

We report on several pediatric patients in whom multiple surgical procedures were performed under the same anesthesia. The hospital cost is compared with the estimated cost if the procedures were performed separately. The savings were considerable, and there was no increase in morbidity and no lessening of the quality of results.