Biofunctionalized Zinc Oxide Field Effect Transistors for Selective Sensing of Riboflavin with Current Modulation

Zinc oxide field effect transistors (ZnO-FET), covalently functionalized with single stranded DNA aptamers, provide a highly selective platform for label-free small molecule sensing. The nanostructured surface morphology of ZnO provides high sensitivity and room temperature deposition allows for a wide array of substrate types. Herein we demonstrate the selective detection of riboflavin down to the pM level in aqueous solution using the negative electrical current response of the ZnO-FET by covalently attaching a riboflavin binding aptamer to the surface. The response of the biofunctionalized ZnO-FET was tuned by attaching a redox tag (ferrocene) to the 3′ terminus of the aptamer, resulting in positive current modulation upon exposure to riboflavin down to pM levels

Serial CT analysis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: comparison of visual features that determine patient outcome

Aims: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) receiving antifibrotic medication and patients with non-IPF fibrosing lung disease often demonstrate rates of annualised forced vital capacity (FVC) decline within the range of measurement variation (5.0%–9.9%). We examined whether change in visual CT variables could help confirm whether marginal FVC declines represented genuine clinical deterioration rather than measurement noise. Methods: In two IPF cohorts (cohort 1: n=103, cohort 2: n=108), separate pairs of radiologists scored paired volumetric CTs (acquired between 6 and 24 months from baseline). Change in interstitial lung disease, honeycombing, reticulation, ground-glass opacity extents and traction bronchiectasis severity was evaluated using a 5-point scale, with mortality prediction analysed using univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Both IPF populations were then combined to determine whether change in CT variables could predict mortality in patients with marginal FVC declines. Results: On univariate analysis, change in all CT variables except ground-glass opacity predicted mortality in both cohorts. On multivariate analysis adjusted for patient age, gender, antifibrotic use and baseline disease severity (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide), change in traction bronchiectasis severity predicted mortality independent of FVC decline. Change in traction bronchiectasis severity demonstrated good interobserver agreement among both scorer pairs. Across all study patients with marginal FVC declines, change in traction bronchiectasis severity independently predicted mortality and identified more patients with deterioration than change in honeycombing extent. Conclusions: Change in traction bronchiectasis severity is a measure of disease progression that could be used to help resolve the clinical importance of marginal FVC declines

The Zebrafish Information Network: the zebrafish model organism database provides expanded support for genotypes and phenotypes

The Zebrafish Information Network (ZFIN, http://zfin.org), the model organism database for zebrafish, provides the central location for curated zebrafish genetic, genomic and developmental data. Extensive data integration of mutant phenotypes, genes, expression patterns, sequences, genetic markers, morpholinos, map positions, publications and community resources facilitates the use of the zebrafish as a model for studying gene function, development, behavior and disease. Access to ZFIN data is provided via web-based query forms and through bulk data files. ZFIN is the definitive source for zebrafish gene and allele nomenclature, the zebrafish anatomical ontology (AO) and for zebrafish gene ontology (GO) annotations. ZFIN plays an active role in the development of cross-species ontologies such as the phenotypic quality ontology (PATO) and the gene ontology (GO). Recent enhancements to ZFIN include (i) a new home page and navigation bar, (ii) expanded support for genotypes and phenotypes, (iii) comprehensive phenotype annotations based on anatomical, phenotypic quality and gene ontologies, (iv) a BLAST server tightly integrated with the ZFIN database via ZFIN-specific datasets, (v) a global site search and (vi) help with hands-on resources

Annotation of the Drosophila melanogaster euchromatic genome: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: The recent completion of the Drosophila melanogaster genomic sequence to high quality and the availability of a greatly expanded set of Drosophila cDNA sequences, aligning to 78% of the predicted euchromatic genes, afforded FlyBase the opportunity to significantly improve genomic annotations. We made the annotation process more rigorous by inspecting each gene visually, utilizing a comprehensive set of curation rules, requiring traceable evidence for each gene model, and comparing each predicted peptide to SWISS-PROT and TrEMBL sequences. RESULTS: Although the number of predicted protein-coding genes in Drosophila remains essentially unchanged, the revised annotation significantly improves gene models, resulting in structural changes to 85% of the transcripts and 45% of the predicted proteins. We annotated transposable elements and non-protein-coding RNAs as new features, and extended the annotation of untranslated (UTR) sequences and alternative transcripts to include more than 70% and 20% of genes, respectively. Finally, cDNA sequence provided evidence for dicistronic transcripts, neighboring genes with overlapping UTRs on the same DNA sequence strand, alternatively spliced genes that encode distinct, non-overlapping peptides, and numerous nested genes. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of so many unusual gene models not only suggests that some mechanisms for gene regulation are more prevalent than previously believed, but also underscores the complex challenges of eukaryotic gene prediction. At present, experimental data and human curation remain essential to generate high-quality genome annotations

The HELLP syndrome: Clinical issues and management. A Review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The HELLP syndrome is a serious complication in pregnancy characterized by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count occurring in 0.5 to 0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10–20% of cases with severe preeclampsia. The present review highlights occurrence, diagnosis, complications, surveillance, corticosteroid treatment, mode of delivery and risk of recurrence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Clinical reports and reviews published between 2000 and 2008 were screened using Pub Med and Cochrane databases.</p> <p>Results and conclusion</p> <p>About 70% of the cases develop before delivery, the majority between the 27th and 37th gestational weeks; the remainder within 48 hours after delivery. The HELLP syndrome may be complete or incomplete. In the Tennessee Classification System diagnostic criteria for HELLP are haemolysis with increased LDH (> 600 U/L), AST (≥ 70 U/L), and platelets < 100·10⁹/L. The Mississippi Triple-class HELLP System further classifies the disorder by the nadir platelet counts. The syndrome is a progressive condition and serious complications are frequent. Conservative treatment (≥ 48 hours) is controversial but may be considered in selected cases < 34 weeks' gestation. Delivery is indicated if the HELLP syndrome occurs after the 34th gestational week or the foetal and/or maternal conditions deteriorate. Vaginal delivery is preferable. If the cervix is unfavourable, it is reasonable to induce cervical ripening and then labour. In gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks most authors prefer a single course of corticosteroid therapy for foetal lung maturation, either 2 doses of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart or 6 mg or dexamethasone 12 hours apart before delivery. Standard corticosteroid treatment is, however, of uncertain clinical value in the maternal HELLP syndrome. High-dose treatment and repeated doses should be avoided for fear of long-term adverse effects on the foetal brain. Before 34 weeks' gestation, delivery should be performed if the maternal condition worsens or signs of intrauterine foetal distress occur. Blood pressure should be kept below 155/105 mmHg. Close surveillance of the mother should be continued for at least 48 hours after delivery.</p

EFFECTIVENESS OF WEBSITE LOCALIZATION: PRACTICES FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES IN READY-TO-WEAR SECTOR

Despite the fact that recently the world has become a global village, localization still keeps its importance when it comes to creating websites. It is important to have an effective localization, in order to have an effective website. Cultural distance might also have a role in the localization level of websites from different cultures. One of the most important indicators of an effective website would be the satisfaction consumers get from that website. Therefore; the present study aims to explain the effectiveness of websites through localization with satisfaction elements taking into consideration the effect of cultural distance in ready-to-wear sector. The study is composed of three phases: conducting a cluster analysis to find out cultural differences and to select website brands; evaluation of localization levels by a jury of academicians using KJ method and conducting an online survey to determine the effectiveness of the selected websites

Exercise training prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and beta-cell damage in rat pancreas

WOS: 000222410000001PubMed: 15240923The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of exercise against beta-cell damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The animals were divided into five groups: the control group, the STZ-induced diabetes group, the STZ-induced diabetes and light-intensity exercise group, the STZ-induced diabetes and moderate-intensity exercise group, and the STZ-induced diabetes and heavy-intensity exercise group. Animals in the exercise groups were made to swim one of three exercise protocols once a day for 12 consecutive weeks. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 50 mg/kg for diabetes induction. Exercise training was continued for 4 weeks prior to STZ administration; these applications were continued end of the study (for 12 weeks). Erythrocyte and pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration were measured. Moreover glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured in pancreatic homogenates. Pancreatic beta-cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods. STZ increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly. Exercise, especially moderate-intensity exercise has shown protective effect probably through decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Islet cell degeneration and weak insulin immunohistochemical staining were observed in STZ induced diabetic rats. Increased intensity of staining for insulin and preservation of beta-cell numbers were apparent in the exercise-applied diabetic rats. Interestingly, the best result was obtained from moderate-intensity exercise. These findings suggest that exercise has a therapeutic and/or protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preservation of pancreatic beta-cell integrity. (C) 2004 Tohoku University Medical Press

Exercise training prevents and protects streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and ß-cell damage in rat pancreas

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of exercise against ß-cell damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. The animals were divided into five groups: the control group, the STZ-induced diabetes group, the STZ-induced diabetes and light-intensity exercise group, the STZ-induced diabetes and moderate-intensity exercise group, and the STZ-induced diabetes and heavy-intensity exercise group. Animals in the exercise groups were made to swim one of three exercise protocols once a day for 12 consecutive weeks. STZ was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 50 mg/kg for diabetes induction. Exercise training was continued for 4 weeks prior to STZ administration; these applications were continued end of the study (for 12 weeks). Erythrocyte and pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration were measured. Moreover glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also measured in pancreatic homogenates. Pancreatic ß-cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods. STZ increased lipid peroxidation and decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity significantly. Exercise, especially moderate-intensity exercise has shown protective effect probably through decreasing lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. Islet cell degeneration and weak insulin immunohistochemical staining were observed in STZ induced diabetic rats. Increased intensity of staining for insulin and preservation of ß-cell numbers were apparent in the exercise-applied diabetic rats. Interestingly, the best result was obtained from moderate-intensity exercise. These findings suggest that exercise has a therapeutic and/or protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and preservation of pancreatic ß-cell integrity. © 2004 Tohoku University Medical Press