Microfabricated polymer-metal biosensors for multifarious data collection from electrogenic cellular models.

Benchtop tissue cultures have become increasingly complex in recent years, as more on-a-chip biological technologies, such as microphysiological systems (MPS), are developed to incorporate cellular constructs that more accurately represent their respective biological systems. Such MPS have begun facilitating major breakthroughs in biological research and are poised to shape the field in the coming decades. These biological systems require integrated sensing modalities to procure complex, multiplexed datasets with unprecedented combinatorial biological detail. In this work, we expanded upon our polymer-metal biosensor approach by demonstrating a facile technology for compound biosensing that was characterized through custom modeling approaches. As reported herein, we developed a compound chip with 3D microelectrodes, 3D microfluidics, interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) and a microheater. The chip was subsequently tested using the electrical/electrochemical characterization of 3D microelectrodes with 1 kHz impedance and phase recordings and IDE-based high-frequency (~1 MHz frequencies) impedimetric analysis of differential localized temperature recordings, both of which were modeled through equivalent electrical circuits for process parameter extraction. Additionally, a simplified antibody-conjugation strategy was employed for a similar IDE-based analysis of the implications of a key analyte (l-glutamine) binding to the equivalent electrical circuit. Finally, acute microfluidic perfusion modeling was performed to demonstrate the ease of microfluidics integration into such a polymer-metal biosensor platform for potential complimentary localized chemical stimulation. Overall, our work demonstrates the design, development, and characterization of an accessibly designed polymer-metal compound biosensor for electrogenic cellular constructs to facilitate comprehensive MPS data collection.

Bicyclists injured by automobiles: helmet use and the burden of injury.

Background: Given the widespread use of bicycles on public roadways, bicyclists injured in automobile collisions present a familiar problem to trauma centers worldwide. The aims of this study are to characterize the current injury patterns and to quantify independent risk factors for preventable injury and death, with a focus on helmet utilization and traumatic brain injuries. Methods: This is a retrospective study using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database for the period 2010 to 2016. Data were abstracted for bicyclists ≥16 years of age injured by an automobile. The primary outcome of interest was mortality. The secondary outcomes included intracranial, facial, and cervical spine injuries, as well as polytrauma. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors associated with outcomes. Results: Of the 980 955 cases in the database, 7159 (0.73%) were bicyclists involved in a collision with an automobile. The median age was 45 years and 85% of patients were male. Polytraumatic occurrences accounted for 58% of injuries. Helmet use was reported in 25.4% of cases, a rate that did not change significantly during the study period. Helmet utilization was higher in those aged >65 years and in patients located in the West and Northeast regions of the USA. Helmet use was associated with an overall lower incidence of all reported forms of intracranial injuries. Overall mortality was 7.4%. Independent risk factors associated with mortality included age >65, lack of helmet use, head injury, and abdominal injury. Discussion: Bicyclists injured in collisions with an automobile are at high risk of severe injury and mortality. Preventive strategies should target older bicyclists, helmet utilization, and increasing helmet accessibility for all bicyclists using roadways. Level of evidence: Level IV.

A Novel Mutation in the FSH Receptor (I423T) Affecting Receptor Activation and Leading to Primary Ovarian Failure.

CONTEXT: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays an essential role in gonadal function. Loss-of-function mutations in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) are an infrequent cause of primary ovarian failure. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular physiopathogenesis of a novel mutation in the FSHR identified in a woman with primary ovarian failure, employing in vitro and in silico approaches, and to compare the features of this dysfunctional receptor with those shown by the trafficking-defective D408Y FSHR mutant. METHODS: Sanger sequencing of the FSHR cDNA was applied to identify the novel mutation. FSH-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and desensitization were tested in HEK293 cells. Receptor expression was analyzed by immunoblotting, receptor-binding assays, and flow cytometry. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to determine the in silico behavior of the mutant FSHRs. RESULTS: A novel missense mutation (I423T) in the second transmembrane domain of the FSHR was identified in a woman with normal pubertal development but primary amenorrhea. The I423T mutation slightly impaired plasma membrane expression of the mature form of the receptor and severely impacted on cAMP/protein kinase A signaling but much less on ß-arrestin-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Meanwhile, the D408Y mutation severely affected membrane expression, with most of the FSH receptor located intracellularly, and both signal readouts tested. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed important functional disruptions in both mutant FSHRs, mainly the loss of interhelical connectivity in the D408Y FSHR. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrently, these data indicate that conformational differences during the inactive and active states account for the distinct expression levels, differential signaling, and phenotypic expression of the I423T and D408Y mutant FSHRs.

Connecting Crop Productivity, Residue Fires, and Air Quality over Northern India.

Northwestern India is known as the "breadbasket" of the country producing two-thirds of food grains, with wheat and rice as the principal crops grown under the crop rotation system. Agricultural data from India indicates a 25% increase in the post-monsoon rice crop production in Punjab during 2002-2016. NASA's A-train satellite sensors detect a consistent increase in the vegetation index (net 21%) and post-harvest agricultural fire activity (net ~60%) leading to nearly 43% increase in aerosol loading over the populous Indo-Gangetic Plain in northern India. The ground-level particulate matter (PM2.5) downwind over New Delhi shows a concurrent uptrend of net 60%. The effectiveness of a robust satellite-based relationship between vegetation index-a proxy for crop amounts, and post-harvest fires-a precursor of extreme air pollution events, has been further demonstrated in predicting the seasonal agricultural burning. An efficient crop residue management system is critically needed towards eliminating open field burning to mitigate episodic hazardous air quality over northern India.

Enhanced laccase activity of biocatalytic hybrid copper hydroxide nanocages.

Nanobiocatalysis is the combination of the unique properties of nano-sized materials and the efficiency and sophistication of catalytic properties of enzymes. In this work, Cu(OH)2 nanocages with an mean size of 170 nm were synthesized and used as a support for the covalent conjugation with fungal ligninolytic enzymes; versatile peroxidase and laccase. Both enzymes have the ability to degrade a wide range of pollutants. The nanocages were characterized, the orthorhombic arrangement of the nanocages was confirmed and TEM images showed that the nanocages are composed of nano-ribbons stacked around the particles. Interestingly, bioconjugated laccase-nanocages exhibited up to 18-times higher catalytic rate that these found for free enzyme, while activity of versatile peroxidase-nanocages was considerably reduced. The total turnover number for free laccase and laccase-nanocages are similar, suggesting that the activity increase is not due to the supply of Cu ions to a possible Cu-depleted active site of laccase. This enhancement of laccase activity when immobilized enzyme onto Cu(OH)2 nanocages could be important for the actual and potential industrial uses of laccases.

Earth Observations from DSCOVR/EPIC Instrument.

The NOAA Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) spacecraft was launched on February 11, 2015, and in June 2015 achieved its orbit at the first Lagrange point or L1, 1.5 million km from Earth towards the Sun. There are two NASA Earth observing instruments onboard: the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Advanced Radiometer (NISTAR). The purpose of this paper is to describe various capabilities of the DSCOVR/EPIC instrument. EPIC views the entire sunlit Earth from sunrise to sunset at the backscattering direction (scattering angles between 168.5° and 175.5°) with 10 narrowband filters: 317, 325, 340, 388, 443, 552, 680, 688, 764 and 779 nm. We discuss a number of pre-processingsteps necessary for EPIC calibration including the geolocation algorithm and the radiometric calibration for each wavelength channel in terms of EPIC counts/second for conversion to reflectance units. The principal EPIC products are total ozone O3amount, scene reflectivity, erythemal irradiance, UV aerosol properties, sulfur dioxide SO2 for volcanic eruptions, surface spectral reflectance, vegetation properties, and cloud products including cloud height. Finally, we describe the observation of horizontally oriented ice crystals in clouds and the unexpected use of the O2 B-band absorption for vegetation properties.

Passive remote sensing of altitude and optical depth of dust plumes using the oxygen A and B bands: first results from EPIC/DSCOVR at Lagrange-1 point.

We presented an algorithm for inferring aerosol layer height (ALH) and optical depth (AOD) over ocean surface from radiances in oxygen A and B bands measured by the Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) on the Deep Space Climate Observatory orbiting at Lagrangian-1 point. The algorithm was applied to EPIC imagery of a two-day dust outbreak over the North Atlantic Ocean. Retrieved ALHs and AODs were evaluated against counterparts observed by Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Aerosol Robotic Network. The comparisons showed 71.5% of EPIC-retrieved ALHs were within ±0.5 km of those determined from CALIOP and 74.4% of EPIC AOD retrievals fell within a ±(0.1+10%) envelope of MODIS retrievals. This study demonstrates the potential of EPIC measurements for retrieving global aerosol height multiple times daily, which are essential for evaluating aerosol profile simulated in climate models and for better estimating aerosol radiative effects.

Impacts of brown carbon from biomass burning on surface UV and ozone photochemistry in the Amazon Basin.

The spectral dependence of light absorption by atmospheric particulate matter has major implications for air quality and climate forcing, but remains uncertain especially in tropical areas with extensive biomass burning. In the September-October 2007 biomass-burning season in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, we studied light absorbing (chromophoric) organic or "brown" carbon (BrC) with surface and space-based remote sensing. We found that BrC has negligible absorption at visible wavelengths, but significant absorption and strong spectral dependence at UV wavelengths. Using the ground-based inversion of column effective imaginary refractive index in the range 305-368 nm, we quantified a strong spectral dependence of absorption by BrC in the UV and diminished ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation reaching the surface. Reduced UV-B means less erythema, plant damage, and slower photolysis rates. We use a photochemical box model to show that relative to black carbon (BC) alone, the combined optical properties of BrC and BC slow the net rate of production of ozone by up to 18% and lead to reduced concentrations of radicals OH, HO2, and RO2 by up to 17%, 15%, and 14%, respectively. The optical properties of BrC aerosol change in subtle ways the generally adverse effects of smoke from biomass burning.

Indonesian fire activity and smoke pollution in 2015 show persistent nonlinear sensitivity to El Niño-induced drought.

The 2015 fire season and related smoke pollution in Indonesia was more severe than the major 2006 episode, making it the most severe season observed by the NASA Earth Observing System satellites that go back to the early 2000s, namely active fire detections from the Terra and Aqua Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS), MODIS aerosol optical depth, Terra Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) carbon monoxide (CO), Aqua Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) CO, Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index, and Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) CO. The MLS CO in the upper troposphere showed a plume of pollution stretching from East Africa to the western Pacific Ocean that persisted for 2 mo. Longer-term records of airport visibility in Sumatra and Kalimantan show that 2015 ranked after 1997 and alongside 1991 and 1994 as among the worst episodes on record. Analysis of yearly dry season rainfall from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) and rain gauges shows that, due to the continued use of fire to clear and prepare land on degraded peat, the Indonesian fire environment continues to have nonlinear sensitivity to dry conditions during prolonged periods with less than 4 mm/d of precipitation, and this sensitivity appears to have increased over Kalimantan. Without significant reforms in land use and the adoption of early warning triggers tied to precipitation forecasts, these intense fire episodes will reoccur during future droughts, usually associated with El Niño events.

Utilization of O4 slant column density to derive aerosol layer height from a spaceborne UV-Visible hyperspectral sensor: Sensitivity and case study.

The sensitivities of oxygen-dimer (O4) slant column densities (SCDs) to changes in aerosol layer height are investigated using the simulated radiances by a radiative transfer model, the Linearlized pseudo-spherical vector discrete ordinate radiative transfer (VLIDORT), and the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) technique. The sensitivities of the O4 index (O4I), which is defined as dividing O4 SCD by 1040 molecules2cm-5, to aerosol types and optical properties are also evaluated and compared. Among the O4 absorption bands at 340, 360, 380, and 477 nm, the O4 absorption band at 477 nm is found to be the most suitable to retrieve the aerosol effective height. However, the O4I at 477 nm is significantly influenced not only by the aerosol layer effective height but also by aerosol vertical profiles, optical properties including single scattering albedo (SSA), aerosol optical depth (AOD), particle size, and surface albedo. Overall, the error of the retrieved aerosol effective height is estimated to be 1276, 846, and 739 m for dust, non-absorbing, and absorbing aerosol, respectively, assuming knowledge on the aerosol vertical distribution shape. Using radiance data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), a new algorithm is developed to derive the aerosol effective height over East Asia after the determination of the aerosol type and AOD from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). About 80% of retrieved aerosol effective heights are within the error range of 1 km compared to those obtained from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) measurements on thick aerosol layer cases.

Características del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en pacientes con y sin diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Characteristics of the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with and without diabetes mellitus type 2

Conocer si existen diferencias en las características demográficas, clínicas y radiológicas entre los pacientes con tuberculosis pulmonar (TB) y pacientes con TB y diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (TB+DM2). Materiales y métodos. Estudio observacional de cohorte retrospectiva. Se compararon las características clínicas de los pacientes según el sexo, la edad, el tiempo de negativización del esputo, la presencia de cavitación así como la tasa de curación, duración del tratamiento y la proporción del cambio en el esquema del tratamiento antituberculoso en pacientes con y sin DM2 atendidos por el Programa de Control de Tuberculosis entre 2010 y 2012 en la Red Asistencial Rebagliati de Lima, Perú. Resultados. Se incluyeron 31 pacientes con TB+DM2 y 144 pacientes con TB. Se encontraron diferencias (p<0,05) en el método de diagnóstico, el promedio de síntomas y en el patrón de resistencia de TB entre los pacientes con y sin DM2. La presencia de cavitación fue más frecuente en los pacientes con TB+DM2; ser paciente de TB+DM2 retraso la negativización del BK de esputo (RRa 4,16; IC 95 %: 1,1û1,6) en el análisis de regresión de Cox ajustado. Conclusiones. Existen diferencias en las características demográficas, clínicas y radiológicas en los pacientes con tuberculosis con y sin DM2. El periodo de negativización del esputo es mayor en los pacientes con DM2...

To determine whether there are demographic, clinical and radiological differences among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and patients with TB and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2 + TB). Materials and methods. Observational retrospective cohort study. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients according to sex, age, time to sputum conversion to negative, presence of cavitation and the cure rate, duration of treatment and the proportion of change of treatment regimen, in patients with and without DM2 served by the Tuberculosis Control Program from 2010 to 2012 in the Rebagliati Healthcare Network of Lima, Peru. Results. 31 patients with TB+DM2 and 144 patients with TB were included. Differences (p<0.05) in the diagnostic method, the average of symptoms and the resistance pattern of TB among patients with and without DM2 were found. The presence of cavitation was more frequent in patients with TB + DM2. Having TB + DM2 delayed the time to sputum smear conversion to negative (RRa 4.16, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6) in the adjusted Cox regression analysis. Conclusions. There are differences in demographic, clinical and radiological characteristics in TB patients with and without DM2.The time to sputum conversion to negative is greater in patients with DM2...

[Characteristics of the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with and without diabetes mellitus type 2]. / Características del diagnóstico y tratamiento de la tuberculosis pulmonar en pacientes con y sin diabetes mellitus tipo 2.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there are demographic, clinical and radiological differences among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and patients with TB and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2 + TB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational retrospective cohort study. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients according to sex, age, time to sputum conversion to negative, presence of cavitation and the cure rate, duration of treatment and the proportion of change of treatment regimen, in patients with and without DM2 served by the Tuberculosis Control Program from 2010 to 2012 in the Rebagliati Healthcare Network of Lima, Peru. RESULTS: 31 patients with TB+DM2 and 144 patients with TB were included. Differences (p<0.05) in the diagnostic method, the average of symptoms and the resistance pattern of TB among patients with and without DM2 were found. The presence of cavitation was more frequent in patients with TB + DM2. Having TB + DM2 delayed the time to sputum smear conversion to negative (RRa 4.16, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6) in the adjusted Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in demographic, clinical and radiological characteristics in TB patients with and without DM2.The time to sputum conversion to negative is greater in patients with DM2.

[Styrylquinolines-type synthetic compounds with leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities]. / Compuestos sintéticos del tipo de estirilquinolinas con actividades leishmanicida y citotóxica.

INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem faced by many countries, including Colombia. Its treatment has limitations such as the toxicity of the drugs used, the emergence of resistant strains, and prolonged and expensive treatments. Thus, there is an urgent need to find alternative solutions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities of three 2-styrylquinolines type compounds: 2-[(E)-2-(2,3-diacetyloxyphenyl)ethenyl]quinolin-8-yl-acetate, E1; 2-[(E)-2-(4-acetyloxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethenyl] quinoline, E2, and 2-[(E)-2-(2,3-diacetyloxyphenyl)ethenyl] quinoline, E3. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2-styrylquinolines were obtained by organic synthesis using Perkin-type condensation reaction from 8-hydroxy quinaldine or quinaldine and aromatic aldehydes. The leishmanicidal activity was evaluated on intracellular amastigotes of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis by flow cytometry. The results were expressed as lethal concentration 50 (LC 50 ) for cytotoxicity and effective concentration 50 (EC 50 ) for leishmanicidal activity, calculated by the Probit method. RESULTS: E3 showed high activity against L. (V) panamensis with a calculated EC 50 value of 1.4 µg/ml, and a selectivity index of 3.9; E1 and E2 showed higher EC 50 values of 5.6 and 68.1 µg/ml, respectively. For cytotoxicity, LC 50 values ranging from 5.4 to 68.1 µg/ml were calculated. E2 was moderately toxic, showing an LC 50 very similar to that of amphotericin B, a substance used as cytotoxic control. CONCLUSION: The styrylquinoline E3 is a promising compound against L. (V) panamensis , as it was able to significantly inhibit amastigotes inside the cell, reducing infection despite its toxicity.

Compuestos sintéticos del tipo de estirilquinolinas con actividades leishmanicida y citotóxica / Styrylquinolines-type synthetic compounds with leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities

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Evaluación del equipo FE-5 vs. técnica de Ritchie con muestras fecales de manipuladores de alimentos en cinco ciudades del país / Evaluation of FE-5 team Ritchie vs. technique faecal samples of food handlers in five Colombian cities

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la efectividad del equipo Diasys FE-5, instrumento que sirve como nueva técnica de concentración de parásitos intestinales, que facilita la preparación, centrifugación, concentración y montaje de las muestras para su lectura. Está compuesto de un sistema de Mini Parasep que optimiza la recuperación y concentración de quistes, huevos y larvas en comparación con la técnica tradicional de Ritchie modificada (formol – éter). Se examinaron 764 muestras de materia fecal, procedentes de manipuladores de alimentos de cinco ciudades del país. Las muestras fueron simultáneamente procesadas y analizadas mediante la técnica de Ritchie y el equipo Diasys FE-5. Las dos técnicas permitieron el hallazgo parasitológico de protozoos y helmintos, con una concordancia de índice de kappa de 0.90, aspecto que permite confirmar que el equipo Diasys FE-5 es una herramienta útil y segura en el laboratorio para el diagnóstico de parasitismo intestinal, obteniendo como beneficios la disminución de costos, reactivos, tiempo, y lo más importante, bioseguridad para el profesional y mejoramiento del diagnóstico parasitológico.

Persistent inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid gel: a case report.

Soft tissue augmentation is widely used to enhance or improve a patient's appearance. Hyaluronic acid is considered to be one of the best fillers for cosmetic procedures, mainly because of its lack of immunogenicity. We report a case of a persistent inflammatory reaction to injectable hyaluronic acid gel used for the correction of melolabial folds.

Anticuerpos antilipoproteinas de baja densidad e inmunocomplejos APO (B) lipoproteina-anticuerpo en pacientes con enfermedad vascular perifèrica: empleo de anticuerpos monoclonales / Anti LDL anbodies and B apolipoprotein-antibody immunocomplexes in patients with peripheral vascular disease: use of monoclonal antibodies

Se estudiò la presencia de anticuerpos anti-LDL a IC apo-B-lipoproteinas anticuerpo en un total de 60 pacientes con aterosclerosis perifèrica y en 60 con angiopatìa diabètica. Los resultados se compararon con un grupo de 41 individuos no diabèticos y sin sìntomas clìnicos de enfermedad cardiovascular. Entre algunos pacientes diabèticos y ateroscleròticos el nivel de anticuerpos anti-LDL fue significativamente màs elevado, aunque la proporción de casos que tuvieron valores por encima del valor correspondiente al 90 percentil del grupo control, tomado èste como valor lìmite, no fue diferente. Tampoco se encontrò diferencia en el nivel de IC apo-B lipoproteina-anticuerpo cuando se empleó para su determinaciòn un anticuerpo policlonal. Sin embargo, se detectaron niveles altos de estos complejos y una proporciòn significativamente elevada de pacientes ateroscleròticos por encima del valor lìmite fijado cuando se empleò para estos fines el anticuerpo monoclonal 12E6E8. Se discute la importancia que puede tener el empleo de anticuerpos monoclonales para detectar lipoproteinas de estructura alterada de alto potencial aterogènico y de los inmunocomplejos que pueden originar

Anticuerpos antilipoproteinas de baja densidad e inmunocomplejos APO (B) lipoproteina-anticuerpo en pacientes con enfermedad vascular perifèrica: empleo de anticuerpos monoclonales / Anti LDL anbodies and B apolipoprotein-antibody imunocomplexes in patients with peripheral vascular disease: use of monoclonal antibodies

Se estudiò la presencia de anticuerpos anti-LDL a IC apo-B-lipoproteinas anticuerpo en un total de 60 pacientes con aterosclerosis perifèrica y en 60 con angiopatìa diabètica. Los resultados se compararon con un grupo de 41 individuos no diabèticos y sin sìntomas clìnicos de enfermedad cardiovascular. Entre algunos pacientes diabèticos y ateroscleròticos el nivel de anticuerpos anti-LDL fue significativamente màs elevado, aunque la proporción de casos que tuvieron valores por encima del valor correspondiente al 90 percentil del grupo control, tomado èste como valor lìmite, no fue diferente. Tampoco se encontrò diferencia en el nivel de IC apo-B lipoproteina-anticuerpo cuando se empleó para su determinaciòn un anticuerpo policlonal. Sin embargo, se detectaron niveles altos de estos complejos y una proporciòn significativamente elevada de pacientes ateroscleròticos por encima del valor lìmite fijado cuando se empleò para estos fines el anticuerpo monoclonal 12E6E8. Se discute la importancia que puede tener el empleo de anticuerpos monoclonales para detectar lipoproteinas de estructura alterada de alto potencial aterogènico y de los inmunocomplejos que pueden originar